Memory Keeper

*Paper Coterie did not pay for me to write this review or provide me with any products.*

I've been needing something for Ethan's newborn "stuff". You know...his baby hat, footprints, hospital bands. A friend, Amy, posted a coupon on Facebook for 50% off a Memory Keeper and I was all over it. A Memory Keeper is a large box with an adorable cover that you can personalize with your own picture. Honestly, the box is a lot larger than I thought it would be! I love the colors and the design. It is exactly what I wanted and needed! There are tons of designs and these boxes could be used to organize and save anything.
 

 
If you "like" Paper Coterie on Facebook, you can see when they run their promotions.  I definitely plan on getting a Memory Keeper for each child down the road.

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A post about poop and puke

This week has been an interesting one in the world of a summer stay-at-home mom.

Lately, Ethan's poop has been different and let me say (without going into too much detail) that it has been NASTY.  (Those of you that cloth diaper will understand that while I used to be able to just plop it into the toilet easily, instead, I've been using the sprayer on EVERY diaper for TWO WEEKS!) 

Last week, we got home from the pool and Ethan was exhausted so I just put him in a clean diaper and put him down without any clothes on.  Big mistake.  I guess he pooped in his diaper and it hurt his bum so he started fussing (and took off his velcro diaper since he didn't have pants on).  I figured he was having a hard time falling asleep so I let him fuss until after about 10 minutes, I decided I should go check on him (he usually goes down easily).

There. was. poop. EVERYWHERE.  On him.  On the crib.  On the bumper (that we have used for a teeth guard). On the breathable bumper.  I pick him up without thinking and of course get poop all over me.  It falls on the floor.  Mia starts eating it.  I'm screaming, trying to get her out, trying now to get his poopy hands all over me.  Trying not to vomit.  Of course, the poop on the front of my shirt gets all over the dresser when I go to wipe him off.  Suddenly, I realize I just need to get him in the tub.  The whole ordeal ended up taking about an hour to get all cleaned up.  Bed stripped and everything in the laundry.  I had to treat myself to a congratulatory beer for getting all the way through without throwing up.  It was definitely the grossest experience I had had as a mother.

Until today.

So...the little buddy still doesn't feel good.  Still nasty diapers so I planned to call the doctor today to see what they said.

In the car, I hear a water splashing sound and realize that Ethan's throwing up.  I put my hand back on his chest and yes, it was vomit.  Then the smell.  Ughhhhhh.  I pull over to assess the damage.  It was BAD.  I didn't have anything to clean him up with and it was definitely going to be a lot of work.  Since I was close to my mother-in-law's, I called her and asked her to get washcloths and towels ready.  And again, I am forcing myself not to throw up myself.  The smell was terrible.  I'll spare you the picture but let's just say that it was EVERYWHERE and in every single nook and cranny of that new carseat.  I had to keep reminding myself breathe through your mouth, breathe through your mouth but it was hard.  Definitely was the MOST disgusting thing I have experienced as a mother.  Hoping my little buddy doesn't top that anytime soon.

I felt like I was just hazed into the sorority of motherhood.  Thanks, E!   :)

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Pinterest Love and Fails

I love Pinterest, plain and simple.  I love looking at photography, fashion, recipes, and craft projects.  I'm not very creative but I have a great appreciation for beautiful and creative things.

Whenever I pin something, I always want to know if it really is as easy as it seems.  Is the food actually good?  Have someone actually tried making/doing/cooking this?

I thought I'd go through some of the successes and failures I've had at making things from Pinterest.

Pepperoni Roll-ups- SO GOOD!  Brought them to a party and friends ate them right up.  I served them with a marinara sauce.  I made a "skinny" version with lowfat crescent rolls, light string cheese, and turkey pepperoni.

I love you because...frame- I already had the frame and stickers.  I just ran up to Hobby Lobby for a nice, yellow damask paper and a dry erase marker and that was it.  It is really nice to pass this back and forth and write things that we appreciate about each other but don't say on a daily basis.  Below is my Mother's Day message...



Holiday baby pictures- There are always so many cute pictures of babies around the holidays.  Here are the ideas I found on Pinterest and did with Ethan.

              

Baby hand print ornament- FAIL.  We tried to just do red paint on a clear ornament in December and it was a mess.  Ethan was only 6 months old and just wasn't having it.  We tried awake, we tried sleeping.  Nope.  Might try again this year.  We will see...

Popcorn cupcakes-  I got a couple of comments on these so I knew I would include them.  These were super easy.  I bought the cupcake collars from Oriental Trading and regular cake mixes for the cupcakes.  We iced the cupcakes with white icing and took a handful of marshmallows for the topping.  It was so easy to just "dip" the cupcakes into the palm of a hand full of marshmallows.  Easy peasy and super cute!  (My DH did make little labels and we had to tape the cuffs shut.  They kept popping open.)

Spray painting the highchair- Young House Love did a post on spray painting an old high chair and I immediately knew this would be happening for Ethan's party.  I was surprised when my mom willingly let me spray our old highchair from when I was a baby.  We followed the directions from the post and also used this post from Bower Power and one I found on Pinterest.  I was so happy with how it turned out and it wasn't too hard.  My husband actually did it in the yard.  He didn't sand it beforehand and he used grey primer.  He did sand a few drips and had to go to the store for more primer and color spray.  Get more than you think you will need!

I also got the idea of the hot dog bar, goldfish bags, and favors from Pinterest too!




Crockpot Buffalo Chicken-  YUM YUM YUMMMM!  Made this last night and it was so good and super easy.  3 ingredients:  frozen chicken, bottle of Frank's buffalo sauce, and 1 dry ranch packet.  I made it "skinny" by not adding butter and putting it on a Sandwich Thin.  We actually did put a bit of Greek Yogurt in the bun for a "ranch" taste.  (pic below is from the original Pinterest blog post).

Those are my favorite things from Pinterest right now.  What are yours?  I love to try things out that I KNOW have been tested by someone and recommended.  Baby is up from naptime!  See ya!

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School's out of summer!

Sometimes, I think that teachers look forward to summer break more than the students.  I've always lived for summer break but, of course, this year is different.  Last summer was extremely overwhelming as a new mom, trying to get the hang of this parenting thing, recovering and healing, and battling the extreme heat and humidity that kept us inside. 

I feel like this is Ethan's first real summer.  A summer that is going to include lots of trips to the Zoo, the pool, and everything that St. Louis has to offer.  I.am.so.excited.

Summer started off with a trip down to Mexico to celebrate my 29th birthday, my first successful year as a working mom, and quality time with our close friends.  It was EXACTLY what I needed.

I was worried about how I would do without Ethan for a long weekend but we all survived just fine.  I truly believe that having a relaxing weekend away every once in a while is best for me, my marriage, and my role as a mom. 

We flew first class for the first time because we had miles and boy, was it wonderful.  I understand why people say that you won't go back after that.  Unlimited drinks, plenty of room to get comfy, and really good food.  I was in heaven.  (Bloody Marys and mimosas aren't a bad way to start off your birthday.)

I would definitely recommend our resort, Excellence Riviera Cancun.  It was wonderful.

We have only been back for 5 days but already enjoying summer to the fullest.  Today, we set up the little man's water table and baby pool.

Next step is making a calendar of all of the fun stuff to do in the St. Louis area.  I live in a city that offers tons of fun things to do (with and without kids) and I plan to take full advantage of it for the next 9 weeks.  (Ugh, why is summer so short?)

Happy summer to all!

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