two peas in a pod... stumbling through life, parenthood, and running an online business with style and grace.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wanted: adorable onesie, good deal
Haute Stuff’s personal ad onesies are on sale now at Two Blue Peas. No first date required, no strings attached. Just 30% off any one of the witty designs:
Thumbsuckers Support Group… We meet Thursdays at my grandma’s house. Learn the benefit of fingers. Mommies welcome! No pacifiers please.
You Were Crying… We were at the doctor’s office, you just got a shot. I was in a leopard car seat, about to go next. Call me to set up a play date.
Adorable little girl… Seeking slightly older boy. Must have hair. Need to share love of strained carrots.
Spring fever has struck me a little early this year. Or, maybe its all the time I spend in my house these days. It's funny how when you start to stay at home for the first time with a child, a new relationship is formed with your house. I used to only be at home basically to sleep. And now, well, I'm here all day every day, except for the occasional outing.
With all the time spent at home these days, I'm finally starting to organize all those packed closets that I've been ignoring. I've had many excuses for ignoring them - tired, baby is time consuming, no one cares anyway - you name it and I've thought it. Well, no more! I'm turning over a new leaf. Clutter and useless stuff be gone. Lillie, grab your fake vacuum, we're gettin' this place in order!
The best, and I mean best, place I have discovered to buy organizational products is IKEA. You may be a lover of the Container Store (Julia, I know these things) or perhaps Target. Let me tell you. IKEA has organizational products for cheap, yep cheap, and on top of being affordable all their goods have that European style that makes them a little chic. So, if Spring fever catches you a little early this year. Head to your local or maybe not so local IKEA. Get there and start getting organized. Oh, and have some Swedish meatballs for me while your there.
It’s official. Vince Vaughn is no longer on my top 5 list. I realize that he may have been a questionable member of the roster to begin with – especially with fellow list mates like Matthew McConaughey and Mr. Pitt – but there’s just something about a tall funny man that does it for me. Sorry.
As I’m lying on my back, gritting my teeth and trying desperately to think about anything but the dreaded PAP that’s underway, I look up at the ceiling only to see Vincie staring back down at me. Thanks doc for the attempted distraction, but do you really think I want to associate what you’re doing down there with any man… top 5 or otherwise?
Here’s a suggestion. Do us a favor and plaster the ceiling with bad habits and vices we need help kicking. Try a big plate of fries, a slice of pie, a cigarette, a 24 ounce happy hour margarita, ANYTHING. Or take the opportunity to inappropriately work in your political agenda here. Hillary supporter? Put an Obama campaign poster up there. I don’t care. Just don’t shatter our top 5 dreams with your cold hands and excessively bright light. Please.
This Friday I picked up my niece, Anna, from day care with Lillie in tow. This was the first time I had both girls in my car all by myself, and I have to say the conversation was classic.
Me: "Anna, would you like to watch Sesame Street when we get home?" Anna: "Yes, but let's go your house." Me: "Well, we can't right now, we'll watch Sesame Street at your house. Who's your favorite character?" Anna: "ZOE!" Me: "Do you like Elmo?" Lillie: "EMMO! EMMO!" Anna: "No, baby Lillie likes Elmo. I like Zoe." Me: "Oh, ok, sorry." Anna: "The moon has shadows. Need big ladder go to the moon." Me: "Or maybe an airplane." Lillie: "AIRPWANE!" Anna: "Yeah. But, ladder is at the house."
I could go on and on. Our drive was quite long with traffic, but that was just a little sample. The whole thing made me very excited to think about Lillie having a sister or brother and conversations like this happening daily. Might even be enough to start the clock ticking. Well, we'll see.
If you're raising a toddler, you should be all too familiar with the "stink eye". This has to be the best one on the planet. Try not to laugh... I double dog dare you.
It was brought up over email among my friends the other day and then discussed further at dinner. Why do we find it necessary to write a thank you note to our close friends every time a gift is exchanged or favor granted? We debated on whether close friends and family should send and receive thank you notes. Or, if it should be a special occasion specifically for those who live out of town or of "a certain age" that may look down their nose at you regarding your manners.
Well, the debate wasn't quite solved. One friend agreed that close friends and family always know you're appreciative of gifts and favors and therefore it isn't necessary to write a card every time it happens. Another argued that because we are women that's what we do, write thank you notes. Its part of our DNA.
To tell you the truth I actually like giving and receiving thank you notes. A part of me likes the formality of it all and what a better excuse to receive something other than junk in the mail. I love that the cards are petite and usually have wonderful designs and sayings. And, honestly, it only takes 5 seconds of your time to write two sentences to a card and slap a stamp on it.
As our generation becomes less formal, less mannered and more digitally inclined, I for one like to keep some traditions alive. It may be the Emily Post in me, maybe my Mother or Charlotte from Sex and the City, whatever it is I'm keeping it. And, it may annoy my friends and guilt them into keeping the tradition, as well. But, I have a sneaking suspicion that they will teach their daughters to do the same.
Thank you for reading my post today. We hope to see you soon!
So the accounting part of the weekend was definitely far, far from paradise. I probably would rather have been in the stands at the Packers game. Three solid days of business analysis, financial planning and marketing brainstorming could drive a girl crazy. Seriously.
My paradise in the midst of the number crunching nightmare was a steady stream of (no, not tequila) tunes that I couldn’t have picked better myself if I tried. Listener-supported Radio Paradise just might be the greatest station known to man… accountant or otherwise. Excellent vibe, old favorites, new discoveries, no commercials. Kevin and I listen often, always enjoy and strongly recommend giving it a shot.
Winter finally arrived in Austin, TX and lately the days have been in the thirties and forties. Along with the cold weather, Lillie has developed a serious plugged up nose. It is so frustrating listening to your bub snarfle, sniffle and gag on their own snot. Gross subject, I know, but why is it that we don't develop the understanding of blowing our nose until a later age? Just doesn't seem fair.
Since this nose thing has been out of control and FDA is now telling the public not to use cold medications with any person under two, we have had some restless nights. I hear it on the monitor, the little snore that turns into a gag, then cough and then we're up. Poor girl, you just want to say to her, blow that gunk out! But, alas, she can't and so we've found two things that are pure genius for tiny stopped up noses.
First, Little Noses saline nose spray. This is a miracle worker at drying up the gunk. A couple of squirts in each nostril and you are good to go. Now, getting the solution in the nose is a challenge for me. Lillie sees the little white bottle and immediately starts shaking her head from side to side, saying "no". Once we wrangle it in, we are good!
Second, a warm, steamy shower before bed time turns Lillie's little nose into a snot fountain. Lillie always loves her bath and occasionally I have brought her in the shower with me when I need to get ready and watch her at the same time. Genius came over me the other night and I thought let's shower before bed and really get all this gunk out. It was brilliant! The longer the shower, the more the drainage. Thankfully, it is an activity that Lillie thinks is super fun.
I realize we have just a hint of what cold is really like. And, the rest of the country is buried under inches of snow. But, if you are with me and have a little one with a cold, hop in the shower. Spend a good 30 minutes in there. Trust me, you'll be amazed!
Kevin and I rarely find ourselves with a free night to just kick back and watch a movie these days. In fact, I’m starting to wonder what a free night really means anymore. And what is this thing people keep calling a “theater”?
Last weekend we decided to schedule an in-house date night to watch a little film called “Once” that had been gifted to us by a rock star colleague of Kevin’s. I know, I know, indie films are largely hit or miss. But for some reason, this is the one movie we watched all year that got under our skin. In a very good way.
Once is described as “a modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin… (that) tells the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story.”
The plot is simple, the characters humble and the filmmaking so modest you believe you’re watching a real story play out in front of you. Storyline aside though, the amazing music is what pulls the film together. The emotion-filled ballads about love and the pains of love are beautifully written and even more incredibly performed.
The film was shot for a mere $160k and has grossed over $14 million worldwide, so I doubt we’re the only two people this film left in awe. If you’re a true music lover and in need of a date night, slap this one on your Netflix list. I highly recommend watching the extras on the DVD, as the cast and crew’s story only makes you appreciate the film even more.
It was bound to happen at some point. I try and juggle to many things at one time - feed Lillie, bring in groceries, answer the phone, etc. Well, this time I was cutting the stems of hydrangeas for a few flower arrangements for a baby shower I was throwing, giving Lillie her lunch and overall trying to go too fast. I usually shouldn't be allowed to wield large knives, because I am accident prone. But, this time I felt I needed the largest knife we own to cut the very thick stem. Sawing back and forth trying to free the hydrangea, SLICE, I caught my finger instead of the stem! HOLY CRUD!
The "S" word came out of my mouth about 400 times as I tried to stop the bleeding. I knew it was bad and going to require a hospital visit. I panic. Immediately I pick up the phone and call Cy, then hang up. No, I need Sarah, she's closer and more available. Sarah answers and I say, "I need your help, I've cut my finger I think I need to go to the hospital!" Sarah says, "I'll be there in 5 minutes." Now as Sarah is speeding over to my home, she is having visions of Steel Magnolias when Julia Roberts is on the passed out on the floor and her baby is wailing in the background. So, she goes faster and faster, even running a red light.
Well, my voice was probably more dramatic than the actual cut. My finger was still attached and all. After getting to the hospital, it required 3 stitches. Which, for never having stitches in my life, was a very painful moment. It was the shot in the finger that was the most horrific pain I've ever felt. I don't recommend it.
We are all healing now. Lillie thankfully didn't learn to repeat my profanity that was yelled over and over. And, I looked like a total doofus at the shower with my big, fat finger in a bandage. However, the flowers were gorgeous and even received compliments. So, maybe it was all worth it. Hmmm, I don't think so!
The poor stork assigned to the Hollywood precinct has been working overtime today. Nicole Richie, Christina Aguilera, Toni Collette and Courtney Thorne-Smith all welcomed their bouncing bundles of paparazzi joy into the world.
I’m not going to even remotely suggest that any childbirth is a piece of cake, but I have to imagine Nicole’s birth experience is a tad different than what I can expect for my first born commoner. The ice chips are probably made of Evian, the hotel gown designed by Calvin Klein, and the meals delivered fresh from the fanciest restaurants on the strip.
On the flip side, the whole no privacy whatsoever thing might tip the scales back toward pain and misery. I seriously doubt my nurse will be furiously texting everyone in her address book the minute junior makes his debut. And I’m sure my husband and mother-in-law will be the only crazies snapping pictures of the poor little guy’s fresh cone head.
So what do you get the new baby of an ultra-hip celeb/rockstar/superstar mama?
It arrived. The grumps. Somewhere between Christmas and the New Year Lillie has found a grump phase. We have entered the world of stomping, screaming, throwing and crying when she doesn't get her way. When did this happen? I thought I had at least until 18 months before my little angel learned how to be the devil. Well, we made it here, a little early I feel, but now I'm learning how to deal.
I researched the topic a little today and thought I would share my findings. If you are dealing with a crazed little person, here is some good advice:
1. Don't lose your cool. Staying with your child calmly during a tantrum a good idea, so they don't feel abandoned. 2. Remember you're the adult. Don't give into unreasonable demands from your screaming toddler. 3. Talk it over afterward. Make sure you address the situation. 4. Watch for signs of overstress.
I know, I know, doesn't that all sound peachy when you're not dealing with a screaming person. But, I think they are all good points. Let's see if I can keep my perspective when I'm in the middle of the Barnes and Noble trying to carry a diaper bag, Starbucks and a wiggly, red-faced, kicking toddler. Thank goodness we still have the paci to negotiate with. That overdue topic will have to be covered another time!
A few months back I started the SELF Beauty Challenge. Technically you’re supposed to start and end the thing in one month, but I think I deserve a little wiggle room for the surgery and turkey day that fell in the middle of what was supposed to be my time to focus on beauty. I doubt bandages and pumpkin cheesecake are what SELF had in mind for this particular challenge.
Two months later (and with Santa’s help), I’m still working at it. This year he dropped a little treat in my stocking to help me combat fine lines. Normally I would take offense to that sort of offering, but I know I’m not getting any younger and all help is appreciated at this point.
My new satin pillowcase is my new favorite beauty weapon. Not only is it nice and cool on my face all night, but I really do find my skin gliding across the surface of it rather than sticking to it like the old cotton cases of yesteryear.
Supposedly a satin case will cut down on evil doers wrinkles, sleep lines and dents. We’ll see. If nothing else, it’s just fun to go to bed feeling fancy pants on a shiny satin case. That’s got to count for some sort of anti-aging capabilities, right?
Haute Stuff’s personal ad onesies are on sale now at Two Blue Peas. No first date required, no strings attached. Just 30% off any one of the witty designs:
