Mommalogues Weekly Round-up!

Ahh another week has past and that leaves us with another week of the Mommalogues! So let's get to it...

On Monday we tackled the idea of gift giving. Specifically, gift giving to me and how important it is for me to get the perfect gift. As you will see, I am all heart, I just want my family to be happy blah blah blah at Christmas time. But Mother's Day... Now that's where I get my jollies. Don't you screw up my Mother's Day.

Watch you warning HERE.

Tuesday was all about the cookie. Now my mother-in-law is like a cookie sensi, cookie master or cookie ninja, if you will. Find out why I am so fat HERE.

Wednesday we strolled down memory lane and talked about what was the best thing that happened to us in 2011. For me it was finally making an honest man out of Rutherford. I am no longer getting the milk for free, living in sin, or shacking up. On top of that I will always remember 2011 as the year my baby went for a baby to a toddler. ::mommy tear:: See it HERE.

On Thursday, ugh, we talked about the worst thing that has happened to us in 2011. Now, we are very blessed and can't really complain about anything this year (unlike a lot of people, thank you God). But if I have to pick out one thing I could have lived without, it would be wrecking Rutherfords car. And a friends brand new Lexus. In my driveway. At the same time.

Feel my humiliation HERE with me.

And on Friday we were asked what our kids wanted for Christmas. I answered for Audrey, I hope she doesn't mind. Watch her video HERE.

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas. I know we did here. Love you all!

Let's catch-up with the Mommalogues!!

Okay so I'm a little behind on my posts. Between showing you how awesome Beauty Society is and picking a winner for my ErinCondren.com contest (Congrats Bobbie!), it's been kinda crazy.

But worry not, dear soul, for I am here to spread my particular brand of joy and drivel.

On Tuesday we talked about TV and kids. In my video I go from one extreme to the other and come to the realization at the end that my husband will kill me when he sees how much TV our child actually watches.

But I swear, it's really not that much, right? Watch HERE.

On Wednesday we gave our birth stories. Mine was glorious and fabulous, mostly because they give you some kick ass drugs in the hospital. I don't know why more people don't give birth more often.

Watch me recount the story of my brief foray into the world of Michael Jackson HERE.

On Thursday we discussed pregnancy cravings, of which mine were notorious in the Yontz family. I still can't look at a box of Lucky Charms the same again. Find out why HERE.

And last, but certainly not least, we have Friday where we discussed our favorite Christmas gift we ever received. Awww....Watch HERE.

Yeah! Now you're all caught up. Now don't we all feel better?

Pimple free in 2012 with Beauty Society? Yes please!

I would like to preface this whole deal by saying one thing: I love my baby. Like a lot a lot. She's cute and super cool and smells good (sometimes) and makes me a better person all around.


However...


She ruined my body. Like a lot a lot.


I have saggy swingy boobs now. My belly is "interesting" (but discovering a little gem called Yummie Tummie has been helping with that). And my skin. Ugh, don't get me started on my skin. It's ruined. It's terrible. Like embarrassingly terrible.


Like fifteen year old boy who's voice is cracking, eats pizza 5 times a day and works the fryer at McDonalds terrible.

Exhibit A

I know, right? And this was on a GOOD day!


I was one of those lucky girls in high school who didn't have to deal with teenage acne. And I told anyone that would listen that I never took my makeup off at night and used bar soap every day on my life.


It was awesome.


And then I gave birth to Audrey.


*facepalm*


So I have this amazing friend named Silvia who has been telling me about this beauty line called Beauty Society where she is a "Diva".


Beauty Society is a company founded by a woman named Jeannie Lorin who says, in her own words, that she is "obsessed with helping women obtain their Full Potential In Beauty, Financial Dreams and Giving Back to the world!" Not a bad goal to have, if I do say so myself. 


What she has created is a beauty empire with a conscience, where women can run and control their own businesses in an 'everyone wins' business model while giving back to women throughout the world. 

Getting back to me...

Now I'm more of a complainer, not so much a doer. I mean she's been telling me about her line for EVER and I pretty much just preferred to sit and whine about how crappy my skin was. Doing something, well, that would be way too proactive for me.


And then this beautiful little care package came in the mail...(by the way, it's probably the best smelling package I've ever received too. Like how you would imagine a love letter from Elle Woods would be.)

Now mind you when you look at how much of the cleanser I've used...I got this back in SEPTEMBER, it is now mid DECEMBER!


First off, we have Set Me Free pore clearing cleanser. Um, LOVE. This is the description on the site:

Break free from the shackles of excess oil, impurities, congested pores and those horrible nuisances called 'breakouts'. Made entirely of fresh natural cleansing agents derived entirely from tea tree, sage, thyme and eucalyptus, this amazingly powerful, oil free cleanser was created for those with normal-to-oily blemish-prone skin types to purify pores deep down where the issues start. Set your best face forward from this day on with beautifully clearer, healthier skin.

My description is that it's a bottle of awesomeness that smells all minty and fresh. Easily removes eye makeup and doesn't make my face feel all dried out. I use it every time I wash and even with a face scrub brush for extra exfoliation. 

Next we have Drama Free (don't you just love the name?) repair serum. This is what the site says about it:

Your life has enough drama. Make your skin one less thing to worry about. Let this ultra-powerful, cutting edge serum take the 'drama' away from multiple skin issues related to sun-damage, fine lines, rosacea, scarring, acne, laser or chemically treated skin. Ingredients like soluble betaglucans, superoxide dismutase and sodium hyaluronate will work overtime to bring back the youthful glow and continue to teach the skin to repair itself. Now the drama in your life won't show on your face.

I have to say, this stuff works. I have been so worried about the long term damage to my skin (marks and scars) due to the break outs and this stuff has been working hard to clear it all away. I am positive my skin wouldn't look as great as it does now without it.

Now my FAVORITE MUST NEED YOU HAVE TO BUY NOW item is Blemish 911. Observe...

Stop picking and let this wonder gel soothe, fight bacteria, and fix that pesky blemish. Salicylic acid cleans the pores while hydrating algae, betaglucans, green tea and cornflower go to work so that irritation, redness and inflammation don't take over your face. Then, an invisible seal covers and protects the blemish from pollutants and makeup. Those blemishes don't stand a chance against the hop-to-the-rescue super gel. 

Okay, my description? This little blue bottle is full of acne voodoo and kickassedness (is that a word? It is now.) No seriously, it is. I put it on a jerkface pimple at night and like magic, all gone by morning. If you're going to by one troubleshooting product, this would be it.

And last but not least we have Anytime Anywhere time-released moisturizer.

Smooth it on baby! Anytime. Anywhere. This time-released, age-fighting moisturizer isn't called the 'smart moisturizer' for nothin'. Working with the skin's own natural moisturizing lipids, Anytime, Anywhere perfectly balances any skin type -- normal, oily or dry. Worn day and night, this silky soft lotion delivers deep down hydration, while also fighting back the hands of time with Vitamins A, C and E.

I will admit one thing about myself here, I am a moisturizer snob. I have been know to shell out some serious coin on stuff like La Mer, Shiseido and Dr.Perricone. I know good moisturizer when I see it. And ladies, let me tell you...I saw it! This is my new go-to for my face. No heavy perfume, creamy texture and non-greasy. What's not to love. 

So now for the end result...

Sexy beast. 

So, now other than having had 1 problem with the packaging of my moisturizer, I'm a Beauty Society convert and you can be too. (My issue was quickly address, corrected and replaced. How's that for great customer service?) Silva is offering 10% off your order from now until January 13th, 2012 with the code SILVIA10. You can get this deal ONLY if you order from her own page. So be aware of that when you place you order. Just so you know, they aren't JUST a skincare line! Check out the skin care (anti-aging/daily/acne), make-up, perfume AND even that super amazing awesome Enormous Lash that makes your lashes and even eyebrows grow and fill in. I'm asking Santa for that this year, I HATE my lashes!

Afraid to try it out? Don't be! All Beauty Society products are 100% money back guaranteed for 1 year on skin care (30 days on makeup) so it's completely RISK FREE! You can't even get that kind of deal at the department stores. (Trust me, I've tried to return products, it doesn't go over so well with the perfume jockeys.) If that's not kickass enough, certain products are recyclable and REFILLABLE. Yes, you read that right. You get a discount when you buy refills as opposed to buying a whole new bottle. Genius.

Try it out, you won't be sorry. Get to know Silvia, she's super nice. I've known her half my life so she's pretty legit. :)

Are you looking to find a new product? Whats your trouble area? Have you tried Beauty Society before? 

Now for the legal sounding crap. Other than having been given product for review, I was not compensated in any way for my glowing review and was not swayed in any other way. I just really think they are awesomesauce. Now go order from Silvia. You're welcome.

Today we turn 1!!

Today is a big day for my piddly little blog. Today is my 1 year blogaversary.

Woohoo!

We made it a whole year! Can you believe it? With all the drivel and crap I spew, people are still reading. And it's not just me and my mother-in-law anymore!

What started out as a place for me to gripe, bitch and moan has turned into a career.

From my first post detailing in how I have no idea what the hell I'm doing, to today's Mommalogues.

It's been an amazing ride and I have YOU, yes YOU, to thank for it.

I am so humbled but your support, comments and kind words. They keep me going, keep me posting and keep me motivated to continue to spew my BS for many more years to come.

You may have just shot yourself in the foot with that one.

So Thank You. From the bottom of my heart.

Every misspelled word, poorly phrased run-on sentence, and recounted humorous story about my husband, is all for you.

Thank you.

We're talking about giving back on today's Mommalogues

Teaching your kids that the holidays are about giving AND receiving is a tough thing to do but oh so important.

As a family we have tried so hard to give back to our community, our church and where ever else we can.

I truly believe that Audrey will grow to be a charitable person because she sees it in us.

Watch today's video and find out how we give back and why...and watch my kid get on my last nerve.

Watch HERE.

Today's Mommalogue is about unanswered prayers...

Today we get a little personal on the Mommalogues. The question was about how we told our spouses that we were pregnant.

I get real here and I didn't sugar coat the truth. It's actually one of my favorite stories to tell.

Things don't always happen how and when you think they should. But if i've learned anything over the past few years it's that God had a plan for my life and I wouldn't change a thing.

Watch my video HERE and find out why I love my husband as much as I do.

Today's Embarrassing Mommalogue...

Today we are talking about our most embarrassing mom moments...

Well, considering Audrey is just starting to talk, I know this is just the beginning.

Sigh...

Check out my video HERE and watch the other ladies, as well.

Might make you feel better about your kids. But just so we won't feel so bad, comment and let me know what your most embarrassing mom moment was!

ErinCondren.com Review & GIVEAWAY!!!!

Anyone that knows me knows that I am, to put it mildly, severely overly and psychotically organized.

I loves me some Container Store.

I am also one of those people who's brain does not work very well all the time so I've learned to write things down. Pretty much everything down. Like everything.

I have written down what I am writing down right now. Scary.

So it goes without saying that I love stationary. The prettier the better. So when I came across the magnificent site ErinCondren.com I just about fell off my chair.

LOVING.

And then this came in the mail....

Even the frickin shipping box is super cute!!

This bad boy is the 2011-2012 Life Planner...and that's exactly what it does...plan you life. In a super cute and chic way, of course.

Fancy ya'll

Even their site is the cutest ever with it's little chimes and colors. But the beauty of their stuff is that it is all totally customizable on top of being super useful. It's the paper equivalent to the holy grail of purses. (By this I mean the bag that is super cute and awesome looking, not too big but big enough to fit all that baby crap you have to lug around, is cleanable with a baby wipe and somehow makes you look slimmer. You know what I mean right? And if you happen to have this bag, please email me immediately. Like now.)

I just love having a place for everything and everything in it's place. Don't you?

I obviously need a vacation...

On top of having the worlds best organizers and planners this site has basically everything else. From iPad/iPhone cases to calling cards and address labels to invitations. I'm warning you, you will want to buy everything.

BUT WAIT!! There's more!!

What's better than finding your new favorite website? Finding a GIVEAWAY featuring your new favorite website!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard that right. My piddly little blog is hosting it's very first giveaway and who better to giveaway than the amazing stuff at ErinCondren.com.

WIN IT!!!

I want to give an extra special thanks to ErinCondren.com and all the awesome people who make up that company, as well as, Kate Franklin at Bollare PR for providing me with an On-The-Go Life Planner to review and with the $25 gift code for one lucky winner. My opinions are my own and were not swayed in any way. I just really think you guys rock. Woohoo!

Today's Mommalogue!

So today we're talking about reading.

We read a lot in our house. It's not always what I would choose but hey, I want to know where the damn fish is too, so I go with it.

Watch my video and let me know what you think.

We have a special guest in this one. Audrey makes an appearance...then a disappearance...then an appearance again.

This must be why they say not to work with kids or animals. Will I ever learn?

Watch today's video HERE.

Today's Mommalogue!

So I love my kid, like REALLY love my kid.

However....

When I think awesome kick-ass vacation, my thoughts go more towards colorful drinks with fruit sticking out and, ahem, having my handsome husband to myself.

Does that make me a bad mom?

But....

If we are taking Audrey, we plan on geeking out. I hope she likes museums.

Check out today's Mommalogue on SheKnows.com and find out why I will never be voted Mother of the Year.

Watch my video HERE.

Thanksgiving and in-laws...

It's Tuesday? Holy crap, when did that happen?

So I missed yesterday, and here is what you missed on the Mommalogues. Yesterday we talked about Thanksgiving.

More accurately, what I will and won't be eating this Thanksgiving. Check it out....no seriously. You will get a clear definition of TMI. Yeah, I know. But watch it HERE anyway.

And today we are talking about grandparents. What would we do without them?

My kid has 2 sets of loving, devoted and doting grandparents.

In today's video, I introduce you to Momo, Grandma Extraordinaire.

Watch my video with a special cameo by Momo HERE.

Mommalogues and tattoos!

Today's Mommalogue is about tattoos.

Ugh.

Yes, I have them..4 to be exact.

Watch my vlog HERE and see exactly what I think of them and what I'm hoping Audrey will do in the future. Hint: NO TATTOOS!

Do you have tattoos? Will you let your kid get one? Do we even have a choice?

Today's Mommalogue!

Hey friends..

So day's mommalogue is about working out.

Ugh.

Nobody likes to work out, right? Right??

Check out my video and find out what my top tips for getting your pre-baby body back. Now, mind you, it's been awhile since I've done any of this. This is more of a 'do as I say not as I do' kinda thing.

But when I DID do it, I was smokin' hot. Trust me.

Smokin!


Watch my #Mommalogue video on SheKnows.com HERE!!!

Yup, I'm still here...

Hey all.

Yeah, I'm still here.

Married now though, so there's that.

I have so much to share with you all. The wedding, the awesome honeymoon, coming home, getting sick, halloween, the new videos from Mommalogues and 2 reviews AND a giveaway!

I have a lot to do, I realize that. But right now, I have a sore throat.

Oh boohoo.

So, I will get on it. I promise I will.

I'll start tomorrow...after I take a nap.

That's mandoline...with an E.

Photo from SomethingBlueBook.com

Registering for your wedding is a daunting task in itself. Registering for your wedding when your groom is Rutherford, is a whole different deal...entirely.

Now, since we live in sin we already have a house full of stuff and weren't really interested in registering to begin win. But since my future mother-in-law told us we needed to, we did. Also, people want to get you gifts, there's no getting around that and as a bonus, whatever you register for that is not purchased, you get a huge discount on after your wedding date. Score!

My handsome groom and I are no strangers to registering since we do have the Boogie. I won't even go into what an experience that trip was. Just picture Rutherford with this scanner gun and interesting sense of humor and me fat and hormonal. After we went to Bass Pro Shops because he said he needed a testosterone influence.

This time was quite a bit different with the baby in tow. I will never do that again. Armed with snacks, juice, and an iPhone full of Yo Gabba Gabba we were off to Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Am I the only one who gets giddy upon walking in those doors? It's like they pipe in motivation and inspiration through the air ducts. Like Vegas only less skeezy.

Now Rutherford takes on the job of being Captain Scanner while I just point and tell him how much. This is the fun part. I want this and this and this and three of these in red.

Bliss.

We finished up by the candy and I actually had to stop him from registering for Skittles. Seriously.

"Wouldn't it be funny if someone was looking at our registry and they saw we had all kinds of candy on there?"

"Don't be funny on my registry."

By this point I was done, the baby had been done for awhile and I needed to get Rutherford out of there before he started registering for all the As Seen On TV crap.

A few days later I mentioned to him that I had gone back on our registry and added a mandoline. That's M-A-N-D-O-L-I-N-E...with an E. The E being very important and the difference between sweet folksy sound and dinner.

He looked at me like I was nuts and says, "Why in the hell would you want to register for a tiny guitar?"

I can't make this up.

This... 

Not this.

I'm not even sure what use I would have for a tiny guitar, which would explain the crazy look he gave me.

That night, over a well deserved glass of wine, Rutherford says to me, "You know, registering is like Fantasy Football. You make your picks and then sit back and hope for the best."

Yes dear.

Welcome to the Mommalougues!

So BIG ANNOUNCEMENT time!

I've been hinting around at it for awhile but it's finally time to tell you all what has been going on around here.

I have been picked to be apart of a new site by SheKnows.com called the Mommalogues! Not only and I part of the panel of moms but these obviously insane awesomely smart people have decided to make little 'ol me THE HOST!

What they've done is gotten together a group of totally awesome mom bloggers together to dish about everyday life. Everyday, I will be asking the moms a question, as well as chiming in with my own answer, having to do with our home life, beauty, kids, marriage, you name it. Then we do a vlog with our opinions, ideas, tips and tricks! I've learned so much from the other moms already!

Meet the moms!

Summer from Le Musings of Moi.

Margo from Nacho Mamas Blog.

Kat from Mama Kats Losin It.

Stacey (aka Justice Fergie) from JusticeFergie.com.

Danielle from Extraordinary Mommy.

And of course....Me!

Please, check out the Mommalouges, and the other moms. The site is still rough and the kinks are being worked out. We launch officially within the next few weeks to be on the look out for that. In the mean time, watch the videos, let us know how were doing and keep checking back every day!

Thank you so much for all your support and awesome words of encouragement. I am scared, nervous and totally excited. Wish us luck!

The dress.

As some of you may, or may not know....

Rutherford and I have been living in sin. Shacking up. Getting the milk for free.

Oh no, not anymore.

On October 14th I will be making an honest man out of him...I'm finally buying the cow and I can't wait.

That's it, you're going in time out...

The "baby" is now over a year and half. Can I still call her a baby? And since I'm asking, can I still call it baby fat? What about maternity pants? Why do Pajama Jeans still look so appealing? Where's my credit card...

Anyway, now that we are screaming (literally) toward our terrible two's it's time to set some tough limits.

Audrey didn't appreciate it.

The other day was a changing point in the parent-child-dog relationship when my beautiful sweet child crawled her little fat self onto the couch to pet her dog, instead grabbing the sleeping wiener dog by the EARS and throwing her to the floor.

Oh no she did not just do that...

For the first time in her life, I picker her up by her arms and sat this kid down in time out.

Cue hysterics.

Hers, not mine.

She cried and cried and cried and I stood there telling her NO and that she hurt the dog and that was a Bad Bad Bad thing.

Worst part is that my kid is hilarious. Like really hilarious.

In the midst of my lecture (that I'm sure was more for show for the dog than for her), she looks up at me, red teary eyes, drool from the mouth and says, "Hi Mama"...waving and all.

The fact that I wasn't able to keep a straight face probably just ruined any shot I had at discipline in the future.


Oh yeah and then there's her father...

She doesn't like to be in trouble and at the slightest hint of discord, will throw her arms around your neck giving you the warmest sweetest little hug and smile in the world. How do you say 'manipulative little bugger' in kid speak?

The last time she did this in front of us both, I just looked at Rutherford with that 'see how she is?' look I have come accustomed to showing him.

All he says is "I'm buying everything she's selling".

I am so screwed.

Yeah so cute, 2 seconds later she flipped the dog water bowl all over the kitchen floor.

What do you guys do when you're supposed to be serious and you just...can't. Is it like my brother used to tell me he would think of them he, ahem, needed to calm down..."Margret Thatcher naked in the snow...Margret Thatcher naked in the snow...dead puppies..dead puppies.."

Review: Having A Ball Alphabet Pop Top by Bright Starts

Every parent knows the sign of a great new toy: You look down to see a naked leg.

Meaning, the screaming whining demanding sticky mess that you birthed is no longer attached to it and is instead playing and giggling happily with said toy.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Having A Ball Alphabet Pop Top by Bright Starts!

PRODUCT INFO:

Having a Ball™ Alphabet Pop Top™

Toddlers will have a ball with the Alphabet Pop Top™! Just push the plunger and watch the top spin with dancing lights, sounds, and melodies.  For an extra surprise, after the third push, the cute character balls pop out to delight toddlers!  The light-up buttons teach ABC’s, colors, and objects.
 

Features:

• Push the plunger to spin the top and hear silly sounds, lights, and melodies
• Melodies play while character balls spin around and then pop out for laugh out loud fun
• Light up buttons teach ABC’s, colors, and objects
• Each character ball is removable making them great for on-the-go fun

Additional Features:

• Includes 2 AA batteries
• Includes 4 character balls

Age: 6 Months & Up

Sold at Toys R’ Us
   

As soon as this baby came out of the shipping box, Boogie was all over it and unlike a few other toys, it was easy for her to figure it out so she was into it immediately.

This is seriously a cute toy. Upon pushing the button at the top, the entire toy spins around ejecting 1 or all of the 4 animal balls. Kid gets up, puts them back and starts over. 


It's EXERCISE! Brilliant. 


Seriously though, this toy lights up, has cute songs and keeps the kid engaged for far longer than other toys I've seen. Boogie is going through a "ball" phase so it ties together many of her favorite things.


As a parent you will also appreciate that it has LOTS of different songs (instead of one annoying that will seer into your brain causing you to remove the batteries the batteries to die. Awe sad.). In related great news: it's not too loud. We have a few toys that Boogie LOVES that will startle everyone in the house when turned on.

In the end, I would HIGHLY recommend this toy as a gift or for your own child. Or you could just come by and play with ours, if you can pry it out of Boogie's chubby little hands.


Great news everyone!
To celebrate the launch of the Having a Ball toddler toy line, Bright Starts is holding a contest to give away 5 Get Rollin' Activity Tables on their Facebook page! Just go visit them on Facebook to enter for your chance to win this awesome new toy. Easy peasy! Contest runs from August 25 to September 9. 


Good luck!

San Diego or bust.

Lots of big and exciting things going on around here.

First off, I will be making the big move to Wordpress soon, I'll keep you all updated. Also getting a big 'ol fancy domain name. I feel so grown up!

I am also working on a review for you guys for a new toy from Bright Starts and once I can get it out of Boogie's tight grasp I'll be sure to tell you all about it.

And lastly I have some BIG BIG BIG news....but I'm not going to tell you about it now. You're just going to have to wait.

Now on to the latest in the life of the better half...

We took out show on the road this past weekend. Rutherford has family in San Diego and since those burning in hell look to us Arizonans with sympathy, we felt it was time to get out of dodge.

Just in case you don't know...San Diego is exactly 6 hours from Phoenix. Yup, six freaking hours!! As in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...6 hours in a car with a child that has now learned to walk so staying in one place for too long is completely unheard of.

I was beginning to think I had lost my damn mind.

If you have been keeping up with me here you know that I am an over preparer. If I am only going to need 2 diapers, I bring 4. Quick trip to the grocery store I bring snack cup, juice cup, woobie and a sweater just in case it's chilly in the frozen food section. Over night stay? Forgetaboutit, we're now talking 2 to 3 bags of crap. So a 6 hour car trip to the beach....I started prepping 2 weeks prior.

1 suit case.

1 diaper bag.

1 stroller.

1 pack and play.

1 bag of food and snacks (with cooler bag for juice and soy milk bottles).

1 bag or toys for the car.

1 iPad fully charged with 3 season of Yo Gabba Gabba.

2 woobies....

Oh yeah, and a suit case for Rutherford and I.

Check, check, check...

Hang on, I'm tired just thinking about it again. I think I need to lie down.

Okay, I'm good now.

In the end I was pretty impressed with myself, and more so with how well Boogie did.

We decided to leave at 6pm on Thursday, hoping the kid would sleep on the way there. Yeah, not so much. She fell asleep about 45 minutes before we got there so we got a good 5 hours of non-stop Yo Gabba Gabba. Do you want to know any song? Cuz I can sing it to you...I know it... It's burned into my brain...

We were so happy to be in San Diego with family and all we needed was a good nights sleep and we were good as new.

Check out the pics...

Our amazing hosts, the Fracassi Family!

Boogie's first beach trip.

She wasn't too sure about the sand.

Daddy's girl.

Little cousin Mateo. I tried to steal him.

Cousin Dominic. How freakin' cute is this kid?!

Boogie discovered swings on this trip, now we need to buy her one.

So cool.

We had the most wonderful trip and are happy to be home now after another 6 hours in the car listening to Yo Gabba Gabba.

Arizona managed to get a smidge closer to the sun while we were gone. Not sure how that happens. 

We want to thank the Fracassi family for being so wonderful and welcoming to us. We love you guys and had the best time. We will be back soon, we promise! Give those boys hugs and kisses for us.

Love.

We need to talk....

I have a confession... I've been cheating on you. I KNOW! I'm terrible...but it's not what you think.

I haven't been here because I have, GASP.... been writing for someone else! And it was gooooood.

What can I say, I get around... the internet. I am easy... to read.

I was approached by the apparently misinformed awesome ladies of SheKnows.com to do some articles for moms by moms about all that is trendy, fashionable and beautiful. Right up my alley, right? Cuz I am totally not the person who comes to mind when you think of fashion and beauty. (Thank God, ya'll can't see what I look like right now. However, I do make mismatched dirty PJ's, unwashed hair and a face that hasn't seen a drop of makeup in days look hawt. I am almost exactly like Victoria Beckham, only not at all.)

I will continue to bore you with my piddly little blog, it's not going  anywhere. In fact, it's GROWING everyday!

I appreciate your support in this new endeavor and hope you will check it out! And I hope all of you are following me on Twitter. You wouldn't want to miss out on important things like what I had for lunch or my reiterating of conversations had with Rutherford about my "raging Sangria habit" or the fact that he now refers to me as "Sangria Lohan". 

I have to go now...my glass is empty.

And you have to go read this ---> The most awesome SheKnows article ever!

I look like a WINNER!

I am bitter bitter bitter party of one. Seat by the window please so that I can see all the fun being had while I sit at my table alone...weeping in my water WITH NO lemon. That's how pathetic and bitter I am, I won't even allow myself a stiff cocktail at my own imaginary pity party.

Why so cranky you ask? Well all my bloggy BFF's and blog idols are partying it up at #BlogHer2011, sharing witty repartee, clanking wine glasses and getting more free swag than these 2 scrawny arms can hold.

Sigh.

I am swearing off Twitter till the madness ends...

Alas, on a higher note, I had an awesome day today and am much prettier because of it.

A few weeks ago I was having one of those days. You wake up, you look like hell warmed over with sheet marks on your across your face, babies already crying, you make the mistake of weighing yourself with your nighty on (it adds 3 pounds, don't argue with me), the husbands already gone for work, the dogs are barking and then you do it....

You look in the mirror....

You look exactly how you didn't want to look when you grew up and had kids.

Commence weeping.

A few days later I was doing my usual perusing of Google reader and I came across one of my favorite local websites The Tom Kat Studio. If you guys have not seen the awesomeness that is this woman, you are missing out. Go check it...I'll wait....

....

See, I told you.

Anyway, she was giving away a beauty re-do at the award winning and super posh Taglio Salon in Scottsdale, AZ.

This was right up my alley.. Exactly what I need...trust me... So, I wrote in why I thought I needed to win this awesomeness...

"Oh please God, pick me. I am a former hairdresser now stay at home mom…and I look every bit the part. I was so used to the years of being in the salon and having perfect hair that now I can hardly look in the mirror. I look exactly how I DIDN’T want to look when I became a mom. The other day I was so frustrated by my terrible hair i screamed and chucked my brush across the room breaking it..and I cried. I need a change, I need something…I need to feel good about myself again. I am crossing my fingers and toes as I put my poorly home colored hair in a pony tail..again. Thanks guys!"

I WON FIRST PRIZE!!!! Not only did I win, but the cutie patootie girl who emailed me to let me know I won told me I made her cry. THAT is how pathetic I am. A totally true story about my everyday life brought someone to tears. 

<sigh>

Still, I won, so whatev...

I excitedly made my appointment for Thursday, confirmed my awesome sister-in-law Sarah to watch my little monkey and counted the hours...

I have to say, even making my appointment made me feel uber special. The owner, Dino, called me personally to congratulate me and make me feel all warm fuzzy and welcome. 

Upon walking in I was greeted with a smile, a glass of ice water with a fancy lemon wedge (tres chic), beautiful product displays, WiFi, and get this, A WINE BAR! If I could move in, I would. (But I'm a package deal with the kid and the dude and I only saw 1 couch. Oh well...)

Being a former hairdresser (hairdressers are the WORST kind of client, BTW), I was really nervous about what was going to happen. At Taglio, the stylists specialize meaning they either only do cutting or coloring, not both. This makes for a very knowledgeable and talented stylist. 

I was starting to feel better...

Then I met Erin, my cutter and stylist. Man does she know her stuff. She took the time to get to know me and my hair, she listened to my issues and made me feel like I was in good hands. And boy, can she cut a mean bang. Seriously, go see her. 

Next was Bradly, my colorist. Love. He's one of those people you just want to cart around in your shirt pocket because he says awesome stuff like "you're so cute", "you're so funny"and, "your husband is hot". It doesn't hurt that he is an amazing colorist. Oh yeah, and hands down, THE BEST shampoo and scalp massage I've ever gotten. I would pay just to go there and have him wash my hair and if I lived closer he'd be in trouble. He's lucky I don't because I would be there so much his little fingers would get all pruney and I'm sure he wouldn't like that. 

I didn't put any before shots because you've all seen the awefulness that is me, you don't need that ruining your day. Check out these foils though. As a hairdresser, I know that clean, neat and orderly foils is a sign of good color and a good colorist. Check these babies out.

Hot stuff.

Everyone in this salon was lovely, nice and welcoming. The salon itself is absolutely gorgeous. It was a 45 minute drive from my house...but I'll be back. 

My new BFF's.

As a mom and a wife, I spend all day doing things for my family, happily and lovingly. Sometimes we need to do things for ourselves too. This was a day I needed so bad. When I got home I was happy, relaxed and, for once in a long time, feeling pretty. Thank you Tom Kat Studio for giving me this wonderful gift. Thank you Dino & Tom for welcoming me so warmly in your beautiful space. Thank you Erin & Bradly for making a masterpiece out of a mess.

See you all in 6-8 weeks!

Remember that time Boogie peed on me...yeah, that was fun.

OMG! I'm such a jerkface!

I just realized it's been almost a month since my last blog post and I didn't even write it! I am le slacker.

Okay, I'm back. And I promise to be better. I have actually written about 4 blogs, or started, just haven't posted. I'll work to finish them.

Anyway, we've been busy here at Chateau Wiener Dog. We've had family in and out of town, Boogie was dedicated at church and it's going to be 115 degrees here in Phoenix. Good times.

We also purchased a fancy schmancy new camera just in time for the dedication.

If you aren't familiar with what a dedication is, let me bust some knowledge on you. It's basically a baptism only for Christians. Consider it a baptism Lite!

It was a great time. My parents were here and of course they showered that little girl with gifts and love. We always have fun with my parents.

So we go to 10:30am service with the families (except Rutherford who had to stay back and make more food because I'm not sure what part of him saying "You're not making enough, that's not going to be enough food, and I've done this a million times and I'm absolutely positive that you are not making enough food.." that I seem to not understand.)

The actual dedication was at 12. This is PERFECT timing because it's after church which is usually when we feed the munchkin and the put her down for a nap...so she's in the best mood when I'm trying to get her to sit still and be quiet for an extra hour.

Not. Happy.

When it was finally time to go up and have our little story and prayer done.

"God gave Audrey to us, turning two people into a family. And for that, we are thankful to Him everyday. She is a beautiful blessing from head to toe. We are better Christians, better partners, better family members and better people because of her."

 

It was very sweet but here's the kicker. Boogie has the worlds best timing. Seriously. When she was a wee little baby, every time I would walk into Scottsdale (affectionately known as "Snottsdale") Fashion Square, this kid would crap all over her, me, the stroller and anyone in a 5 foot radius.

Not. Kidding.

And if you know anything about the Scottsdale area, you know that it is NOT known as "family friendly." So just try to find a family bathroom, wipes, a hose, anything! I dare you.

So there we are, all cute and family like on stage, in the spotlight and I feel it.

She started to pee on me. Down my hands, down her legs, the front of my dress. Luckily, she had her woobie with her which, as you can see, I shoved under her butt and added a little extra on to the prayer. "Lord bless my child and please don't let me look down to see the front of my dress covered in her pee. Amen,"

We finished up and I darted off stage to get her changed just in time to miss the ending and most important part of the prayer, the parents prayer.

Le sigh.

The rest of the day went much better...after nap time.

Papa

Cousin Kyle

Cousin Lukey

Anyone out there have an embarrassing story about your kids? Let me know in the comments. It will make me feel better. :)

Guest Blogger!

Hi everyone! Today I have something really exciting for you. My cute-as-a-button sister-in-law is guest posting for me today. 


After the birth of her daughter, she dealt with, at times, debilitating postpartum depression. It broke all of our hearts to see her go through such a hard time when she should be beaming and enjoying everything about being a new mom. 


We all wanted to help but knew little of what we could do other than just listen. For those of us who had never experienced it, it was difficult for us to understand what she was going through.


Earlier today, I approached her about telling her story for my readers because I know there are a lot of you out there who have gone through it or know someone who has.


When you're done reading her story here, run over to her blog here and read some of her other stuff. She's hilarious, candid...and did I say HILARIOUS? 


Thank you Sarah, for sharing your story with us.

My Experience With PostPartum Depression

I debated long and hard on whether I was ready to let the world know how I was  affected by PPD. But I decided to be vulnerable in hopes of helping other moms who may be suffering from this horrible disorder, be encouraged and don't be ashamed or silent, there are better days ahead for you!

My Story:

“PostPartum Depression, what is that?” I thought to myself, while perusing a magazine in the beginning of my pregnancy. “Surely it’s something that’s been made up by women who just are just negative and can’t get themselves past the hump of the baby blues, right?! This could never happen to me.” These were my thoughts on PPD before I became victim to it. 

You may be wondering about my life before I was affected by this hellish experience, let me take a moment to introduce you to the pre-mommy version of myself. “Hi! I’m Sarah. I’m a happy go lucky girl. I am somewhat harsh and critical of others when I don’t understand their sufferings or mishaps. I mean, Come on people! Get over it! Control your thoughts! Get a grip!” I bet you want to slap the pre-momma version already. “My life is good. I am married to a wonderful man who loves God and is the Associate Pastor of our church. My biggest concerns are; where we will go on our upcoming date night, when my size 00 pants are beginning to feel snug and the stupid roots I get about 2 weeks after I get my hair done, umm yeah roots are a BIG problem of mine. I will slap myself for you now… 

I became pregnant with my daughter, when I was 23. My husband and I had just experienced a miscarriage after an eight week pregnancy. I got pregnant a second time very soon after. I had some typical anxieties concerning becoming a mother; Will I be working or staying home? Will I be able to succeed in looking after another human life that God has entrusted to me? Will I put on a lot of weight? Will the bleach at the hair salon harm my baby (haha)...You know the usual. But never in my wildest dreams did I entertain the thought that postpartum depression could be a part of my experience, never.

 I had my beautiful daughter Joya Isabella July 9, 2009. She was stunning. Tiny nose, perfect lips and big bright eyes.. I labored for over 12 hours, pushed for nearly 3 (ouch, I think I may have broken some sort of hospital record for that) and I lost quite a bit of blood, to the point where my nurse told me the morning after delivering Joya that if my hemoglobin levels didn’t rise, I’d be getting a blood transfusion. But they did rise, and I went home day 2 after delivery. I was exhausted, which they told me I would be since I had lost so much blood and in turn was very anemic.

Baby Joya was up a lot at first, so I wasn’t sleeping too well and on top of my already weak body this made matters much worse. The first Sunday morning being home from the hospital I woke up to a house that consisted of me and Joya. My husband and mother in law were off to church and I awoke to a crying baby. In rising to my feet to go to my crying baby girl, I felt a strange sensation come over me. I was sweating, dizzy and experiencing a rapid heartbeat. “I am dying, I am having a heart attack and I am going to die,” I thought to myself as I lay back down in my bed and closed my eyes. I had my phone in hand ready to call 911 and started to pray. The symptoms gradually did subside, but left me shaken up for a remainder of the day.

 For the weeks to come I would experience panic attacks multiple times a day, accompanied by horrible thoughts that I could not shake. I wish not to share all of them, but a lot of them involved dying and many were how I didn’t know how to be a mom, and how I wished life would go back to the old way, just my husband and I. Writing this now seems SO foreign to me because I would take a bullet for my daughter. She is by far the greatest gift ever given to my husband and I. I hated myself for these thoughts. I really did, I even told my husband numerous times to please admit me to a psychiatric ward. I wanted to be away from these people that I loved, I did not want to ruin their lives. I knew that these thoughts were not me, but rather something that had over taken me. A sickness it seemed. I found myself in a war that I was not prepared for. Life in and of itself overwhelmed me. The teensiest thing would cause me great stress; examples being, something as simple as feeding my daughter or going to the grocery store would cause a panic attack. I was a prisoner of fear and panic and I was in a living hell.

My background is that of a Word of Faith Christian, which has been a blessing in many ways, but if misinterpreted as it was in my case, caused great shame and questioning. I felt like something was wrong with my faith, after all I should be able to tackle this by the name of Jesus right?! I should be able to speak to this mountain and see it moved. I was not a weak person who needed meds, I had the Lord. He is the great physician I would tell myself, you will be belittling God’s ability if you seek out anti depressants. Boy was I wrong. Was I wrong about God having died to give me the victory? No. I am confident that he did. Was I wrong about my faith being broken and this being the reason I was experiencing PPD? Yes. Was I going through a battle that God would one day use for His glory? Yes! He had a victory plan for me. Healing doesn’t always manifest itself over night, in my case it has been one day at a time, one step at a time.

I finally sought the help of medical professionals, who got me on the right path with antidepressants and anxiety medication. At first I didn’t see a change but over the course of a month I saw some great results. My mind was calmer so I could control my thoughts more. I was bonding more with my precious daughter, feeling all the warm and fuzzy feelings new moms get. I could now go to the store, out with friends etc, I was able to be in the word of God and concentrate on it to better equip myself for the battle I was in. Medication in my case was a necessary means to healing. As were many other things, such as a having a good support system. Praise God that I have an amazing husband family and friends who were there to encourage me and hold me up when I couldn’t stand. I have God who I know will never leave me or forsake me, who when I am down will whisper 2 Timothy 1:7- That I have not been given a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind, or Joshua 1:9 (this is getting lengthy so look that one up.)

Another battle I faced was getting past the opinions of others. It’s rare to come across people who truly understand PPD, so naturally people would make hurtful observations about me as a mother. All of you momma bears can relate to the fact that you can criticize and belittle me in many ways, but don’t you dare attack my character as a mom. I had to tackle so many feelings of shame due to hurtful words that were said, I learned quickly to disregard these comments. I said  before I was very critical of those that depended on antidepressants so of course I felt guilty every night that I took my pill before going to bed. But then I thought how can I feel shameful when this is part of the equation right now that makes me a better mom to Joya, a better wife to Tai, a better friend or family member. After all I would seek professional help for cancer? Just because PPD is not as prominent of a problem and you can’t see it in an x-ray doesn’t mean it should not be tended to on a medical level.

I can honestly say that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Some days I didn’t believe it, and I couldn’t muster up enough energy to walk towards it. I continue to walk towards that light, and I can feel the warmth of it on my skin. It’s all just one foot in front of the other and one day at a time. I have seen tremendous progress over the past year and a half. Today I am a mom who has a story that I am no longer ashamed of. A circumstance that could have ended me turned into a story that could enable me to better equip those facing similar issues. That is how God does things. I know I’m continuously being molded into the “ME” he had in mind when he made me. It’s a process, and in the mean time if my story can help to encourage one person to seek the help they deserve I know that I haven’t suffered in vein.  

If any of you have any questions or are battling with something similar feel free to message me at sarah.navares@yahoo.com.

Well said, Sarah.  

Feel free to comment her some encouragement or tell your story!