Have you been shot?

Have you gotten your DTaP shot recently? If you don't know, don't remember, or haven't done it in the last 10 years...please do it.

The P in DTaP stands for PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) which causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage, and death.

Whooping cough is highly contagious and nine infants in California have died of this. Being pregnant, I did the shot about a month ago, because the Baby won't get her first DTaP shot until 2 months old. This way, she gets the immunization from me.

Click here to HEAR what whooping cough sounds like in an infant!

I'm not a doctor! Just a concerned parent. Please take into consideration your health, and the health of others around you.

Yo Gabba Gabba Inspirations

Earlier this year we received a catalog to Celebrate Express. When Madison saw the YGG party get-up she told me that's the kind of birthday party she wants. That was 6 months ago (or more), and she still wants that kind of party. Her birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year, and we're inviting just a couple of friends over after Thanksgiving dinners have been eaten, for a dessert party. Yumminess! Cupcakes, cookies, pies, and ice cream. With baby #2 just days away, I don't want to spend a ton of money and time on everything, so I'm gathering my inspiration. The invitations are already done, just need to print. To top off this huge birthday, on the 26th we're going to Yo Gabba Gabba Live at Nokia Center. Whoo hoo!

Save the Date

Preschool is Awesome!!!

I love picking Madi up from school! I never know what to expect, so I expect the unexpected. So far each time I've picked her up, she has greeted me without pants on, because she either got them wet or filled with sand or paint on them. Wednesday I was given two little buttercup flowers by my monkey. Today takes the cake, she was in a whole new outfit, because the original was soaking wet. To top it off she had paint all over her. Why wasn't I allowed this freedom as a kid. I am now learning how to not be uptight and more free-spirited. Through Madison, I am learning.

Mia Hamm Who?

"Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it." -Mia Hamm

Here's why we don't like AYSO...everyone is a winner. In life there are winners and losers. We want the Kid to know and understand that. In order to be a winner you need to learn FUNdumentals. Whether it's with ballet, or school or sports, we want her to learn the proper techniques and disciplines by professionals. From there she can decide whether she wants to be competitive in her activities. It's her decision if she wants to do the academic decathalon, or attempt for the lead of a play or play a sport. But first as (good) parents we have to provide our Kid with the FUNdumentals.

Free Halloween Postcards and Luminaries

Just found some great little postcards from Clickable Party! I was about to post about their luminaries, and stumbled upon the cards. Yay!

Free Halloween Tags

Sherbet Blossom has some cute...err...spooky tags for jars and such.

Free Halloween Circle/Oval Tags

Linnette at Paperglitter is absolutely awesome! I love her style! She's got great stuff on Etsy, and great stuff on her blog!

Free Spider Halloween Printables

So you don't like spiders (like me)? These are too cute to not love from Living Locurto!

Free "Boo" Printable

Have fun "Boo-ing" your neighbors from Anders Ruff!

Free Halloween Printables

Adorable modern Halloween table/centerpiece from Amy Locurto! It was featured on Disney's Family site.

Off to School!

Treats for Preschool

Kroma Designs

I have not a single creative bone in my body. But when I stumbled upon these cute little gift boxes for teachers, I had to attempt to make them...okay, print and cut them. I filled them with M n M's for the Kid's preschool teachers. Thank you to Kroma Designs for inspiring me.





Tweedle Dee Designs

I'm no Martha Stewart. But because I had made something for the teachers, I felt I needed to do something for the kids. Again, I found these cute punches at Tweedle Dee Designs and paired them with my famous chocolate chip cookies for each classmate. It turned out pretty cute. And we were the hit of the visiting day picnic!

Ballerina

Yesterday began the dance school year. We're back at the School of Dance and Music with Miss Nicole. This time it's not Mommy & Me, and the Kid did great!

The Yummies!

Preschool Send-Off Party

The Kid played hostess to her friends who are all starting preschool in the next week! It was more of a playdate with yummies, apple pie bars, banana cupcakes and bun-ana split sandwiches.

Last week the Mister and I went to parent orientation and one on one parent teacher conference. We are super excited to send the Kid off to preschool, because we think she'll thrive there. That being said, it'll give me some one on one time with the Baby. The Kid also goes back to dance on Tuesday and starts soccer next Saturday. Phew. On top of all this, I'm due in about 5 weeks!

Nom nom nom

Stuart Weitzman Daisy pumps that I want.

The Perfect Child (for us)!

I feel like Vicki from Small Wonder

This third trimester has been relatively peaceful, and I thank my lucky stars for that. The weather has been mild and I'm doing my best to stay calm and collected with a boisterous 2 1/2 year old. However, my heart keeps racing and I keep getting dizzy spells :-( So I mentioned it to OB/GYN. What does she do? She sends me to a Cardiologist. At the tender age of 34, I am being seen by a Cardiologist.

Turns out that I have a mild heart murmur. So yesterday I had an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) that was pretty interesting, and a heart Holter device "installed" for 24 hours. So I have all these patches and wires, and a little fanny pack attached to me. I get it off at 3:05 p.m. today, and I can't wait to shower.






I'll see the Cardiologist on September 14 for a follow-up. I'm sure everything is just fine with me. Most importantly, the Baby is doing well. She is measuring a week small...I just think her due date she officially be adjusted to October 13. Today, per the doctor I am 34 weeks! Six more to go.

The Magic of Super Warehouse Stores

Thursday morning I take the Kid to Costco. Before we go she has breakfast, cereal, fruit and milk. Pretty filling for a 2 1/2 year old. No sooner do we enter the store I hear, "Momma, I hungry." Really, I mean she just ate. "Well, what do you want to eat?" The Kid responds, "That," and proceeds to point to every sample station at Costco.

So I spend my shopping trip like the other greedy people, shoveling samples (into my child's mouth). What amazes me though is the fact she'll eat ANYTHING I put in front on her...chicken burger with spinach, chickpeas with an Indian curry sauce, etc. Whereas if I brought these goodies home, she wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. What is it about Costco and Sam's Club that brings out the hungry beast in people?! It's an amazing phenomenon.