Mommy Diaries: A true Texas cowgirl

While traveling this weekend, Cy and I made a breakfast stop at a Cracker Barrel. We feasted on Southern breakfast in the desert of Phoenix. If you're not familiar, the restaurant has a country store with toys and goodies. And, with country music blaring on the radio, Lillie found a pink sparkly cowgirl hat and instantly strated swaying to the music. A true cowgirl was born. Must be in her roots.

Soaking up good design like a little sponge.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Friday mornings are now officially my time to take the brain off work and onto my other passions in life. For one self-indulgent, measly little hour, I catch up with the rest of the world and skim my blog feeds for news, random tidbits, and pretty things to lust after.

One blog I most look forward to leisurely stumbling through is Design*Sponge. Holy mid-century mod this gal is good!

For one, she’s a professional writer who contributes to the likes of Domino Mag and House and Garden. Fold in her impeccable taste, creative topic ideas, and insider edge, and you’ve got a daily best-of-the-best recap of all things design.

If this were a print publication, every page corner of my copy would be earmarked for future reference. Her “Mini Trends” and “Roundups” do all of the dirty work for you, and her DIY features are absolutely inspiring since they’re mostly submitted by regular old wannabe’s like me.

Happy Friday!

> Visit Design*Sponge

Style file: summer maternity dresses

As I comfortably bop around the outdoor garden aisles at the Home Depot this morning, I spy a poor bloated preggo so big I fear she’ll go into labor right there in the begonias.

Thank goodness for my cheapie Tar-jay tank dresses I wear all season long I think. Her t-shirt soaked in sweat and stuck to her back, combined with her belly band capris made me appreciate my flat tummy and thin cotton slip dress even more.

Yes, pregnancy is a most beautiful thing that comes with a round belly to be loved and embraced for the short time you have it. But when its 100+ degrees without so much as a burp of a breeze, even the most happily glowing mama-to-be finds herself with pre-preggers body slash dainty dress envy.

I thought to myself there’s got to be something cooler out there than clingy shorts and tees. Sure enough, I found a slew of casual dresses (the one pictured almost exactly like the one I'm wearing) – some starting at just $29 bucks!

> due Maternity (dresses on sale 15% off!)
> Target
> Belly Dance Maternity (higher prices, but also higher style)

Things we love: sweet deals and Moby™ Wraps

Summer is officially here! And despite the sweltering heat, we’re feeling generous.

Lugging a wiggle worm around town is a full body (sometimes out-of-body) workout. The extra weight and inhuman contortions your child works her body into while in your arms can bring on a hot flash even in the dead of winter.

The 100% cotton, breathable carrier from Moby™ Wrap keeps toddler twisting and sweat fests to a minimum. It’s like an 18 foot long broken in t-shirt that keeps baby safely and snuggly in your arms in 20 different carrying positions.

Through Sunday 6/29, we're offering the chocolate and black Moby™ Wraps at $5 bucks off! Simply enter "MOBY DEAL" in the coupon code box during checkout to receive your $5 discount. Happy summer! And happy baby carrying.

> Shop Moby™ Wrap

Culture Shot: Girls Rock Camp

Girls rock, we all know it. And, there is a movement of summer camps around the nation that are helping girls really achieve their inner rocker.

Girls Rock Camp, aptly named, is something I heard about from a news piece. It was an inside look at how young, timid girls, pre-teens and teens are taught life lessons through rock n' roll. The camp provides each girl with the opportunity to learn an instrument and by the end of the session perform on stage with bands they have formed and songs they have created.

More than just learning an instrument and forming new friendships, this camp is all about girl empowerment. It is 100% girl from the students and counselors. And, workshops are provided to give campers a true sense of self. Some of the workshops include:

-Team-building
-Women who rock
-Decoding images of girls and women in popular culture
-Exploring gender/identity issues
-Self-defense

It is Girls Rock Camp's primary goal to build self-esteem through musical performance and creativity. Which, in my book, is certainly one of the best ways you can do that. Girls become self-assured and independent, happy with themselves, when they have a hobby or talent they can focus on.

I am a big fan of this program and I cannot wait until Lillie is old enough to attend. If this is something you think is brilliant, as well, this organization takes donations to keep the camp going. Check out the main site with videos of the girls making it rock. And, research to see if one has started in your area.

>Girls Rock Camp site

>Donate online

Mommy Diaries: Grumpy old man...

It was bound to happen one of these days. Cy, Lillie and I tried a new restaurant, family friendly restaurant please note, this past Saturday. Lillie has been a little spirited, I'll say, while eating out. The idea of sitting in her chair has become like torture. We usually choose a booth to let her feel like she is sitting like a big girl.

This dinner was proving to be especially hard to keep her well-behaved. Meaning in her seat, eating her food and speaking in a normal toned voice. I was taking most of the entertaining duties, while Cy tried to eat. As it turned out, we sat next to the grumpiest old couple ever. Every time Lillie jumped in her seat, the man who had his back to us would bounce in his seat, so I knew how annoying it was. And, we got multiple turn arounds with dirty looks when her tone went above normal.

Now, I know that it would be completely annoying to have a toddler going crazy next to you while eating out with your wife. Most occasions people are so friendly about my joyful toddler. She wasn't screaming, pitching a fit or really misbehaving. It seemed this man had a very low tolerance for anything toddler related and most likely never is around children himself. But, come on, we weren't at Sullivan’s trying to have a $100 meal.

So, I think I've banned sit down restaurants for the time being. Having to leave early, because this man made me feel so bad and eating my cold parmesan chicken at home was probably the straw that broke the camels back. Oh well, more Chick-fil-a and burger joints for me. Here goes the waistline.

Have I dug myself into a hole?

I'm considered one of those nice people. Always polite, looking out for the other person and not myself, and generally like everyone to be nice and compatible. I don't think I'm necessarily a door mat, but I certainly like to keep the peace.

Miss Lillie at 21 months has started to become very demanding. She has a sense of how she wants something, what she wants and when she wants it. And, when she was younger it was always easier to appease her demands, because they were easy to do. Certain songs in the car, needing a pacifier or milk. As her vocabulary grows and she learns more about her environment, I think I might be getting pushed around a bit by my baby. And, I'm wondering with all my peace keeping abilities, have a dug myself into a parenting hole?

I know the terrible two's have started early in this household, but I just don't know how I'm going to get myself out of this demanding phase without meltdown after meltdown. When Lillie doesn't get her way it usually starts with fake crying. Then very loud no's and foot stomping. And if you're really lucky, jumping in the air and landing straight on her bottom. Distraction only works about 25% of the time. So, how can I let her think she has gotten her way when she hasn't?

I guess I should scoot myself down to the bookstore to find some terrible two's parenting books. I'm sure it will have all the nicey nice ideas like time out and things that really don't work for this age. Or, I may just keep on being a pushover to save myself from the crazed baby state. Any advice is welcome, I need it.

Style file: wild about animal prints

Already crawling with crazies, double-wide strollers, and speed-walking old ladies trying to beat the heat, the mall feels more like a zoo than ever these days.

Nearly every store has a raw, animalistic quality about their prim-and-proper window display. Banana is pushing a mod giraffe print, Ann Taylor the zebra, and even Tar-jay has jumped on board with a leopard print from their new GO International Rogan line.

Whether big cat, classy croc, or ladylike pink-trimmed leopard, Two Blue Peas has some beautiful bags to help unleash your inner beast.

We’re so happy to now offer JP Lizzy’s line of stylish diaper bags. From compact clutches to roomy totes to sporty shoulder bags, the designs are gorgeous and the quality even better. And if animal print is not your bag, there’s plenty more options to suit just about any creature.

> Shop JP Lizzy

Snake Latte Tote

Zebra Trim Clutch Leopard Clutch

Leopard Tote

Things we love: Pregnancy Magazine

No, I'm not trying to give any clues as to the state of my body. And believe me, if you carry one of these suckers around in public you'll get that 'oh, how wonderful!' look from strangers. But, Pregnancy Magazine is one of the best mags for pregos I have found.

There are only a few publications to help get you through your pea incubation time. I remember quite fondly wishing I had more people to talk to about my ever changing body while pregnant. Pregnancy Magazine acts like that best friend you need during such an interesting time in your life. The editors choose great topics to cover everything from your physical and mental conditions to the perfect bottle or swing to buy.

These peas love the mag so much; we decided to buy a little space in it for ourselves. What a better place to showcase some of Two Blue Peas best offerings. So, if you are in the physical condition in which you may need a pregnancy magazine, I highly recommend Pregnancy to subscribe to. I know I loved reading it every month while pregnant, and honestly still do.

Culture shot: I scream, you scream, we all scream for peas!

If vicious veggies are ruining your little pea’s life – and putting a serious damper on your plans to raise a strong, healthy eater – have no fear! Little Pea is here to save the day… or to at least throw a fun, unique spin on the age-old battle between moms and their picky eaters.

Sweets, sweets, and more sweets. That’s all Mama Pea and Papa Pea want Little Pea to eat. Shiny, red, sugary confections. Rich, gooey, chocolatey bon bons. Yuck! Little Pea just wants to get to the good stuff. Fluffy, green, folate-rich spinach. Delish!

So obviously this backward little tale is straight out of la-la land. But a Mama can only dream, right? The concept is clever, the writing spot-on, and the illustrations so adorable you could just eat ‘em.

This one ranks right up there with the Olivia series in my book.

> Buy it on sale at amazon.com

Mommy Diaries: Pink Pockles

Lillie has found a new love for popsicles. She has had a few before, but never had really asked for them. We always offered them up after dinner sometimes on hot nights. The other night Lillie, her dad and I were on the back porch and we had this conversation.

Lillie: I want pink pockles
Mom: Pockles? I'm not sure what that is sweetie.
Lillie: Pink, orange, red pockles.
Mom: Pockles, hmmm, pink, orange...
Lillie: PINK POCKLES, RED POCKLES!
Mom: Oh, do want a popsicle?
Lillie: YEAH!

From that moment on pockles have been in high demand around here. She learned that asking for something means that she usually gets it, within reason of course. So, after breakfast, lunch and dinner I hear the phrase, "I want pink pockles." Then we have to explain that we only have them for special times and after dinner.

I love that she is starting to put all these ideas together. And, it was so great to see her try to explain to me what she was trying to say. The look on her face was a fast forward to pre-teens years, like, geez mom, don't you understand?

100% Dad, 50% Off!

Even if you’ve already picked out another lovely tie for your baby daddy this Father’s Day, we have a secret deal that’s just too good to pass up.

Through tomorrow (6/14), we’re offering the Caden Lane Daddy Messenger Bag for 50% off!

That magenta-lined, leopard print tote looks fabulous on you, but I bet your hubby would rather be caught dead than have his buddies spot him sporting it around town.

Some quick stats on the bang for your (reduced!) buck:

• Adjustable straps and flap top cover
• Water resistant, clear lining
• Coordinating changing pad with velcro closure
• Matching zippered 5” x 7” plastic sack
• Removable bottle insulator
• Multiple pockets, keychain snap, toy/paci clasp and spoon loops
• Spot clean exterior with diluted cleaner and warm water

Style file: soy adorable!

Itty bitty soybeans have crept their way into just about every food, home, and industrial product imaginable. The little legumes have posed as burgers, milk, cleaner, hair products, candles, crayons. You name it, and it probably has a soy version already on the market, or at least in the works.

As responsible adults in today’s wasteful times, we’re all trying to do our part to be more eco-conscious in our daily lives. But as parents, it’s truly frightening to consider the amount of waste our little people create.

Babies outgrow clothes at an ungodly pace, demand new toys just about as quickly, and burn through diapers like there’s no tomorrow.

If transitioning to cloth diapers is more your gag than your gig, there are other environmentally friendly ways to rope your little one into the cause. And Two Blue Peas is here to help.

Brand new to our offering is Babysoy – a line of “sustainable clothing” made from part soy, part cotton. Even we were a little hesitant at first. Will it be stiff? Will it have an odor? Will the dog incessantly lick my baby’s back because it tastes soy good?

I’m happy to report that none of the above are even remotely a factor. The clothes are soft, smooth, and almost have a silky cashmere feel. The designs are precious, and the warmth retention is comparable only to wool.

Just one more way Mother Nature is helping moms like you take care of your children and the world they live in.

> Browse Babysoy at www.twobluepeas.com

Things we love: sleeves on a blanket

As I sit here trying to pick something I love to post about today, my creative juices are frozen stiff by the frigid air surrounding me. I wake considerably earlier than my husband – who insists on sleeping in near arctic conditions – so the first hours of my day are spent braving an indoor TX blizzard while trying to get some work done.

Begin Billy Mays’ (you know, the extra loud bearded Oxyclean guy) screaming voice:

Is your husband a polar bear? Does a standard blanket make it tough to take care of normal tasks like typing, reading, channel surfing, or drinking coffee? Are your legs toasty but your arms left out in the cold for dead? Are you too cool for a bathrobe?

Over dramatization aside, all of these things seriously used to annoy me. Until my husband stumbled upon The Slanket! Though not the most attractive throw on the market, this seriously is The. Best . Blanket. Ev-uh.

It’s warm and fleecy, and big enough to cover me and provide shelter for the kitties. But best of all, it has arm holes so I can read magazines, eat my breakfast, and blog in the mornings without risking a precious limb to frost bite.

Oh, and now they make ‘em for kids. Perfect for chilly winter strolls around the block.

Culture shot: Hokey Pokey, what it's all about

I think the last time I did the Hokey Pokey I was at a roller rink at probably age 7 or so. Putting my left skate in and left skate out, shaking it all about. I never really thought much about the Hokey Pokey until the song was included on Lillie's latest music class CD.

Lillie really enjoys 'If your happy and you know it' and all the movements associated with that song, so I thought we'd give the Hokey a try. Instant success! She loved the music, the movements and definitely the shaking. I kept hearing, "I want Pokey again". As we ran out of body parts to shake, I had to make up some new ones that the old version didn't have in it. Like our belly, arms, elbows and knees.

This is definitely an oldie that you need to revisit. I've copied the lyrics, so you and your little ones can know what it’s all about.

You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out,
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about,

You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around
That what it's all about.

2) left hand
3) right foot
4) left foot
5) head
6) bottom
7) whole self

Mommy Diaries: Princess and pigtails

Is it normal to wake up one day and realize that your little baby is turning into a little girl? There has been something about the transition from 18 months to 21 months. Lillie has started speaking in sentences, asking questions about her environment, pointing out things to me and overall becoming more independent of her little world. Not only has she matured emotionally, but she has started to mature physically. Gone are the days of my toddler teetering around on her new to walking legs. She has learned the advantages of running, galloping and skipping to her destination. And if running is necessary, it always starts with the word, "fast"! She also has started a true friendship with her cousin Anna. They play, giggle and laugh with each other and hug when they're leaving. It is so fun to watch. Lillie has also started to really like anything that is Anna's. Her recent find, dress up princess shoes. I get so excited seeing her grow and learn. And, I think this is just the beginning, isn't it?

Tempt picky palates with FeedBlitz

Running an online business leaves me little spare time for any of the personal pleasures I used to indulge in throughout the day. Weekdays used to start with a big breakfast, followed by browsing my favorite design sites, hunting for fun recipes, and catching up on what’s happening in the rest of the world – Hollywood included.

Nowadays, I wake up early, slurp down a quick bowl of instant oatmeal, and get cracking on the day’s to-do list. I’ve been forced to learn how to sneak in my own little happies as efficiently as possible.

Now a self-proclaimed pro of the online world and blogosphere, I take full advantage of the technologies available to help make information gathering fast, easy, and virtually void of human effort.

Enter FeedBlitz and my carefully crafted, extremely selective daily feed of highlights from my favorite sites and blogs. All I did was sign up for an account, add my favorite URLs, then voila! A tidy little email hits my inbox each morning ready for the skimming.

I may not be extremely well-versed on the happenings in the outside world, but at least now I’m able to be slightly more than worthless at a dinner party.

I’d like to give a shout out to all of those who have made the cut, but I think one at a time will do. Today, it’s Jenny from Picky Palate.

She’s an energetic stay-at-home-mom with a house full of picky eaters. She’s self-taught, too young to have as many good recipes under her belt as she does, and is forever coming up with creative ideas for stuff that’s already in my kitchen.

Here’s to FeedBlitz and Picky Palate for making mealtime fresh and fast.

Style File: Girls love dresses

Summer fashions are probably the best for little girls. When its hot outside it is super easy to throw on a little dress and go. One dress, one pair of shoes and one diaper are all you need to get your princess out the door. And, let's admit it, there is nothing sweeter than a little girl in a dress.

The same goes for mommies, too. I have scoured the internet and catalogs to find summer cotton dresses. It is a staple in my wardrobe and I have discovered that only a few shops stock the right ones. It has to be the perfect combination of practical and fashionable.

As we forge ahead into Summer and rising temperatures, take a look at these great dresses for you and for your little princess, too.



>Blue Eugenie Dress (anthropologie.com)
>Orange Slub Cotton Dress (jcrew.com)
>Red Blossoms Tie Dress (twobluepeas.com)
>Green Shirt/Dress (twobluepeas.com)

Culture shot: First comes baby, then comes...

First comes baby, then comes marriage seems to be the situation in Hollywood. There is an interesting baby boom happening in Hollywood these days. More and more famous and quasi-famous women are getting pregnant, selling their announcements to gossip magazines and then marrying their partner at a later date or sometimes not. Some older, some younger and some too young to even vote.

It makes me wonder, do celebrities not have to same access to birth control as the rest of America? Or, is this trend a really good PR stunt for the ever magazine cover-hungry celebrity? My hope is that these women are deciding to bring babies into this world, because they have a bunch of money and maybe could use some responsibility. However, over half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. So, maybe Hollywood is just a reflection of what's happening in America.

Regardless of how they get here, we love all peas. And, if its working for famous people, I'm sure it's working for everyone else in the country. Just for fun, here's a list of recent celebrities that put their baby before marriage.

Nicole Richie
Ashlee Simpson
Jessica Alba
Scary Spice
Angelina Jolie
Bridgette Moynahan
Minnie Driver
Calista Flockhart
Ethan Hawke
Matthew McConaughey
Jamie-Lynn Spears

You can read all about celebrities and their babies at http://www.celebrity-babies.com/.

Culture shot: the making of a rock star

For some parents, it’s all about books and flash cards. For others, it’s 100% sports and play. For this household, it will definitely be rock-and-roll, rhythm-and-blues.

Music is such a huge part of our lives. Our house is never silent, our road trips always rockin’, and our summers filled with festivals all over the states. Music is sure to be encoded in our children’s’ DNA, but you can bet your bass guitar we’ll give extra nudges every chance we get.

We regularly cover the best kiddie albums out there to get you and your little up on your feet dancing. But if you Mamas and Papas out there are ready to form your own family band, here’s a quick round-up of instruments to get you started:

	Three Rhythm Toys: $19.98 This combo tambourine, maraca, and guiro set is the perfect introduction to rhythm.
	Kidstruments Ukulele: $19.99 Ukulele the night away with this wood/plastic stringed beauty.
	Little Tykes Jungle Jamboree: $28.42 Let your little Liberace bang on the keys or stike the bars.
	Melissa & Doug Band in a Box: $16.96 What a bargain! Fun for the whole family band.

Mommy Diaries: Beach Babes

My husband grew up near the ocean. His whole life he has lived near the beach. First Hawaii, then California. It wasn't until he made his way to Austin that he had ever lived on just land. No ocean, no beach, no surf. And, not only did he live near the beach, it was part of his life. Swimming, lifeguarding, fishing.

We took a trip to the Texas coast as a family this past weekend. It was Lillie's first time to go to the beach, and we loaded the car with every beach item known to man. We had chairs, food, tents, towels, sunscreen, if it belonged on the beach we had it in the car.

I was very interested to see how Lillie would react to the ocean. You hear stories from parents about their little one running from the water crying. And, I hoped and prayed a little this wouldn't be the case for Lillie. This was Cy's shining moment as a dad, to introduce her to one of his loves, the ocean.

The afternoon we arrived, we loaded on the sunscreen and tugged on our bathing suits to go give the ocean a try. I'm not sure what I was worried about; I mean this girl's DNA is half her ocean-loving dad's. She loved it, every minute of it. She loved the sand, mostly, but jumping waves and splashing in the surf was glory for her. And, I could see it on my husband's face, pride. He loved his little beach babe. All sandy, mud in her diaper with a huge smile on her face.