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Friday, February 3, 2012

"Who Says Raising Boys Is Easier?"

"Who Says Raising Boys is Easier?"
I'm not making that claim. It's the title of the article I am about to reference. I have a little boy and, in a few months, I will have a little girl. I'm not here to argue that raising one sex is easier (or harder) than raising another. I won't know that for another 18-20 years. I can say, however, that if I was paid $1 every time someone told me boys are soooo much easier to raise than girls, I could take a nice little vacation with my family. Of course a lot of it is about perspective and what each respective person is raising (sons/daughters/both), but I found this article's perspective rather interesting. If you have the time, I've cut and pasted the contents of the article I read on CNN recently by LZ Granderson, weekly columnist.

My son had barely taken his first breath when the people in the hospital started telling me how lucky I was. Not because he was healthy, mind you, but because he was a he.

"It's easier to raise boys," I was told. And for a while I actually believed them. Then I started paying attention.
Did you know boys are more likely to drop out of high school than girls? Or that there are more female college students than male? And did you know the imprisonment rate for men is roughly 15 times higher than the rate for women?

If this is what boys being easier to raise than girls looks like, could you imagine how many men would be in jail if raising girls got any harder? We worry so much about girls getting hurt -- and justifiably so -- but interestingly enough, the stats show it's our boys who are more likely to get robbed, attacked or even murdered. We see girls as fragile orchids and boys as plastic plants. But let's face it: At the core of this line of thinking isn't safety -- it's sex.

When someone offers this piece of advice, it's with the thinking that girls have to be protected from boys who will say and do just about anything to get in their pants. What's typically missing from this discussion is the challenge to parents -- particularly fathers -- not to raise a liar and a cheat.

True, parents of boys do not have to worry about them coming home pregnant, but does that mean an unplanned pregnancy can be considered "the girl's problem"? After all, a boy's girlfriend did not get pregnant asexually. That's why I'm Tebowing day and night, hoping my 15-year-old has the will to stay away from sex -- even though the world all around him tells him there's something wrong with him if he does.

Easier? Ha. Try different.

A little girl who likes to play sports is called a tomboy. A little boy who doesn't like to play sports is called weird. A teen girl who says "no" is called a good girl. A teen boy who says "no" is called a sissy. A lot of words describe what it's like for parents who are trying to teach their teenage son how to be his own man in a high school setting that demands conformity, but "easy" is not one of them.

I know, I know, "boys will be boys" is the accepted rule of thumb. But given that we have a federal department that hunts down and sometimes arrests deadbeat fathers, doesn't that raise the question: What kind of boys are we raising? And if they're dropping out of high school at a faster clip than girls, why do we think raising them is easier?

Last year, I wrote a piece with the headline "Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps." I received a lot of e-mails from offended readers who told me I had no idea how hard it was to avoid buying sexy clothing for their little princesses. I usually responded by reminding them I never said it wasn't hard.

And then I asked if they've ever seen the words on many of the T-shirts aimed at young men. They may not be blatantly inappropriate, like a cut-off shirt that reveals their bellybuttons, but if I had a dollar for every T-shirt I've read that sexualizes the words "balls," "sticks" or "size," I could retire.

I guess if parents don't care if their son thinks being a man begins and ends with his penis, then yes, I can see how some would think raising a boy is easier. But if you're actually trying to raise a gentleman, and you hear LMFAO rap "I'm running through these hos like Drano" -- as they do in "Party Rock Anthem," the second most popular song of 2011 -- then you're not breathing a sigh of relief because it's so much easier to raise a boy. Instead you're wondering how much of what you're trying to teach him soaks in, versus what our culture says is OK.

We've made so many advances as a society in terms of gender equity, and yet we still hold on to this nonsensical double standard that celebrates sexually active boys while demonizing their female counterparts, as if we can have a lot of one without the other. This kind of thinking is handed down from generation to generation almost as soon as the umbilical cord is cut.

But how can we continue to believe boys are easier to raise than girls, when only 42% of custodial moms received all of their child support payments in 2009? Some see loose women in that statistic. I see some men who are punks.

Perhaps if we stopped viewing raising our boys as easier, we wouldn't have to deal with so many men who still behave like boys later in life.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Buddha (A Repost)

Now that I am pregnant again, I am keeping a separate pregnancy blog.  I like to look back at the pregnancy blog I kept during my first pregnancy so that I can compare this pregnancy with my previous one.  Here's an old posting I came across today, which I posted back in 2009.  Wonder if I will mind this time around, since it looks like I am going to be twice as huge :)

There's a section on Baby Center that I read from time to time called "Mom Answers".  It is basically a message board in which a mom or mom-to-be posts a question, and then other moms and moms-to-be respond with their own answers, opinions, and comments.  Earlier this week, the question-of-the-day was, "How can I discourage strangers who want to touch my belly?"  This particular mom-to-be was tired of having strangers come up to her in public and rub her belly.  She wanted to know how to tell strangers to "f-off" without being rude.  The responses were interesting and some were pretty entertaining.  Here are a few of them:  
“If someone touches my belly, reaches for it, or asks to, I kindly with a big smile ask them if they would like to touch my ass too. That's usually enough to make them think about what they are doing...“

“If it happens (and it does frequently) I will reach out and rub or pat their [stomach] just like they are doing to me. They seem to pull back pretty quickly and look really uncomfortable.”



“Frankly, I don't concern myself with how polite I am. I didn't become public property when I became pregnant--none of us did. Anyone who touches me anywhere is subject to having their hand removed quickly and as firmly as necessary…”

A majority of the mothers-to-be who responded absolutely hate it when strangers do this. There were a few who didn’t really mind or care, but most were very bothered by strangers who had the audacity to touch them in such a personal manner.

I found this particular “Mom Answers” interesting because I frequently have strangers approach me and start rubbing my belly. Just this past weekend I was in line at a public restroom when this woman asked me when I was due and then spontaneously reached out and proceeded to rub my belly! Typically, strangers don’t just pat or tap my belly either. They rub in large round circles around the circumference of my belly. To be honest, most people are so quick about it, I barely have time to react.

That being said, it does not bother me or make me angry when a stranger rubs my belly. Don’t get me wrong. I think it is incredibly weird. I would never do that to a stranger, and I am always shocked when it happens. However, I do not get angry or ask them to stop. I guess I take it as a strange sort of compliment, if that makes any sense. I think the outward signs of pregnancy tend to make most women a little giddy and curious. As one mom-to-be put it, “They want to get down with some of that warm-fuzzy feeling and don’t stop to think how it would make them feel if someone reached out and touched them.”


I also think that most people are genuinely happy for me, even if they don’t know me. Maybe they think it is their way of sharing in my excitement. They are always very complimentary when they do it. They will tell me how cute I am or what a cute bump I have, and they will ask me when I am due, what I am having, etc… So I don’t think there is any bad intention on their part. Living in Texas, I have also considered that people may just be trying to touch me in order to dispel mal de ojo. So that is my opinion on the matter. Definitely weird, but not something that makes me mad.However, my family and close friends can touch me all they want! My family rubs me down, talks to baby, and even gives him kisses. My girlfriends rub on my belly too, and inquire as to the progress of my cleavage. (They are as disappointed as I am.) This is all just fine with me. I know there are a lot of people who love me and who already love our baby, so family and friends should feel free to rub away! Our family has even been lucky enough to feel him kicking around in there!

DISCLAIMER: I have also heard about strangers who pick up your baby and shower him/her with kisses. I would NOT be okay with this. Lots of new moms report that strangers will lean over and kiss their baby. Not cool. I would probably respond very negatively to that. Aside from being very rude, that is incredibly unhygienic. I would definitely freak out. That is not the same thing as rubbing my belly over my clothes.  That is all.  Thanks.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Cooties

You know what drives me bonkers?  Besides people who bring 30 items up to the "10 and under" line at the grocery store for check-out?  People who bring their sick, coughing, hacking, snotty-nosed kids to a public kids area.  Believe me people...  Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to see your sick and snot-faced child show up to story time at the public library... or the playground at Chick-Fil-A... or the Children's Museum... or church daycare... or the weekly playdate.  Please keep your @$$ at home!     

Nobody thinks this is cute... not even his grandparents think this is cute.  I promise you... everyone else is annoyed the minute you show up with cootie-pants.  So please keep your sick baby at home, give him plenty of juice/meds/love/hugs/kisses, and stay temporarily away from the rest of us until he is better.  Then we will be more than happy for our kids to play with yours, and we won't go running for the hills.... like I did today when someone's sick kid wiped his green snot onto his hands and then transferred it to the slide my son was sitting on.  As if those things aren't dirty enough, her kid had to add a handful of green mucus to the slide.  Kind of like the kid at church daycare yesterday with green crusted boogars on his nose who was walking around sneezing on everyone.  Jesus will understand if you stay home because your child is sick.  The rest of us parents, however?  We don't understand your negligence or stupidity.  Stay home! 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Choo Choo Soul

Does this lady look familiar to you?

How about now?

Yep, it's Genevieve, the Choo Choo Soul Conductor, who brings a little bit of ghetto each morning to the Disney Channel.  My apologies if you or your kiddos like her.  She gets on my nerves.  Even more now after this posting.  I cringe everytime those dumb Choo Choo Soul segments come on.  (Those Small Potatoes segments bug me too, but I should devote a separate posting to those silly little British Tater Tots because they really don't annoy me nearly as much as Genevieve or her songs.)  Anyway, some of my girlfriends (who find the Choo Choo Soul Conductor equally annoying) clued me in to Genevieve's other career aspirations.  Just doing my duty and giving you other moms some insight into the real Genevieve.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Renting Toys For Christmas

Have any of you heard of the website Toygaroo?  It's basically the "Netflix for toys".  Toygaroo allows parents to rent toys for a fraction of the retail price.  Just like with Netflix, you pick a rental plan, add toys to your queue or "wishlist", and the toys are delivered to your home.  You must return rented toys before you can get subsequent toys on your wishlist.

(You'll notice the home page shows a kangaroo wearing a Santa hat, his pouch full of gifts.  There's also a really happy family of 4 wearing Santa hats and holding pretty presents in their hands (used toys).)

This toy rental service is particularly geared toward younger children who tend to get bored with their toys more quickly than older children.  Additionally, if a child falls in love with a rented toy, parents have the option of purchasing said (used) toy at a discount.  According to one website, this rental service is also meant to help struggling parents who are faced with the challenge of balancing their child's holiday wishlist with "budgetary constraints". 

Think this is all a bit unsanitary?  According to Toygaroo, they utilize an intense 3-step sanitization process to ensure "no yuck factor".      

What do you think about renting toys?  What about renting toys as Christmas presents? Terrible or terrific?  My vote?  Letting your kids unwrap gifts on Christmas morning that they aren't meant to keep?  Terrible!  As for the general concept itself (excluding Christmas time), it might have been practical except for the cost.  It might actually be more cost efficient to buy the toy and if your kid hates it or gets bored of it, sell it!  But that's just my opinion.  What do you think? 

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Stuffed Mushrooms

If you like stuffed mushrooms, you will love this recipe.  These are soooo good.  I had them at a friend's house and then she sent me the recipe (by Pioneer Woman).  I made them last night and they were a big hit with everyone... including my hubby who does not like mushrooms! 

This recipe is so easy, but I'm not going to lie... so time consuming.  It's mostly because of the chopping up of several of the ingredients into tiny pieces.  If you don't mind that, you will think this is a piece of cake.

I didn't include many pictures because the Pioneer Woman does a good enough job of that for you.  Here are the ingredients you will need:

24 oz large mushrooms
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 lb breakfast sausage
1/2 yellow onion
4 gloves garlic
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk
1 package cream cheese
salt
pepper


The instructions (and step-by-step pictures) can be found here:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/08/stuffed-mushrooms-baby/


I bought three containers of the large mushrooms.  Cleaned them well (mushrooms are so dirty!), popped off the stems, and chopped the stems into itty-bitty tiny pieces...

This is what the completed mixture (stuffing) looks like after you've added all of the ingredients.

The recipe makes quite a bit of mixture.  I didn't know how far it would go so I topped off each mushroom before going back and piling the mixture in a nice generous heaping atop each mushroom. 

Each mushroom ended up getting a pretty generous helping.  Here's how mine looked right before going into the oven...

And here's the finished product.  Delicious!  I highly recommend.  I think next time I may make the mixture the day before.  I was trying to be too ambitious and I was running around making ten different things that day.  Also, I am no cook, so I am a little slower in the kitchen than most! 

Enjoy!




Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas For The Kids

Have I mentioned I love Pinterest? I found these super cute, really easy to make breakfast ideas for Christmas morning.  These are cute to make for your kids or with your kids!

Waffle Christmas Tree

Rudolph Pancakes

Frosty Doughnuts (How easy are these? You don't even have to cook!)

Fruity Christmas Tree (use styrofoam cone and toothpicks)

Now you can't use the excuse that you don't have the time or you aren't creative.  These are so easy to do and your  kids will think you're brilliant!  :)

Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Terrible Gift Idea for Anyone's Child

According to a recent article on MSNBC, the British Toy Retailers Association rated the Doggie Doo Game in their Top 12 List of "must-have toys" for the holiday season. 

The premise of this game?  Form and load play-doh poop pellets into the toy dachsund's mouth.  Position pooper scooper under the dog's butt.  Roll the dice.  Squeeze the leash button the number of times shown on the dice.  Each squeeze pushes air into the dachshund, moving the poop through its system until...surprise!  Doggie doo doo comes out of the other end.  The first person to collect three lumps of poop on their pooper scooper wins. 

What's the appeal of this game (besides the obvious)?  The wiener dog makes fart noises the entire time the poop is passing through the digestive tract and the dog's tail shakes anxiously the entire time.  (Because apparently there is nothing more exciting that taking a dump.)  You can purchase this game on the website http://www.petmyweiner.com/.  It's recommended for children ages 4 and up.  

Still not convinced?  Here's a commercial advertising this product: 



First off, I am not going to a website called petmyweiner.com to purchase anything...let alone a gift for my child.  Secondly, who are the parents purchasing this game?  Who is buying their child a toy that demonstrates:  1) doggie doo doo is fun to play with; 2) doggie doo doo is just like play-doh; and 4) what comes out of doggie's butt goes back into his mouth.  Probably the same parents who are teaching their kids that farting is hilarious.  No thanks, I will stick with the Smart Pup by VTech this year.  I'm pretty sure it doesn't encourage your kids to play with dog poop.      

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Coolest Bib Ever

Why didn't I see this when my little boy was using bibs?  I would have been all over it!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Art of Compulsive Shopping

It seems I can’t go into a store these days without picking up a little something extra for my little boy. Even when I am not going to the store to buy something for him, I end up leaving with an outfit or cool toy.  I used to be that way about shoes. It didn’t even matter if the store I went to had a shoe department. I always managed to find a store with a good shoe department that was within walking distance of my original destination.  Now my light bulb trip to Target turns into a quick trip to the baby department of Target, Marshalls, Ross, and Kohls… all of which are within walking distance of each other. And Carters is literally a 2-minute drive from all of these stores, so of course I have to stop by there as well.
Another dilemma I face is that all of my friends have children the same age as my baby.  This means lots of gift buying. I can’t possibly go into the baby department of my favorite store to buy something for someone else’s child and not pick up something for my own. I would feel like I was cheating on him. And I certainly can’t buy something really adorable for someone else’s little boy and not pick up the same adorable item for my little boy. I would feel like a bad mom.

My issues with compulsive buying of all things baby are compounded when there is any type of sale. It could be 1% off, and I am probably going to buy it, and feel justified in having done so. There is something about the words “sale” and “discount” that get me every time. Who on earth can resist a discount, free shipping, or a great coupon?  And stores are just making it way too easy.  It used to be that you had to print out coupons to bring them into the store, but even that hassle is long gone.  Most stores allow you to pull up the coupon on your cell phone now.  How ridiculously convenient is that?  Except Babies R Us.  What's up with those greedy peeps?

While I was pregnant with our son, I got busted at Babies R Us after sneaking a stash of coupons from behind an empty cash register.  I wouldn’t have had to steal the coupons if the stingy @$$ cashier would have given me more than one coupon.  So I took matters into my own hands, snagged a handful of coupons, and got busted. I left the store with my tail between my legs… and the entire stash of coupons I had snagged. Muahaha! My hubby was mortified when I told him how I had ended up with 12 Babies R Us coupon packets for 20% of anything in the store. But he sure didn’t mind using them a couple of weeks later when we went to pick up some pricey baby gear! 

Friday, December 2, 2011

Terrible Pregnancy Photos, Part 2

As promised... Part 2 of the Terrible Pregnancy Photos Series...

Because there's nothing sexier than a hugely pregnant woman riding bareback atop a motionless horse.  Although, whoever is off to the side holding the white fabric does a spectacular job of making it look like she and the horse are in mid-stride...

Maybe if I cover my breasts and I don't move, that hunter won't see me...

Hey honey, I have a great idea... let's gaze into each others eyes while I nestle my breasts and show off my baby bump.  What?  You don't have something to lean on?  Just grab an old tire from one of the 6 broken down cars in our driveway and on our front yard.  That will look hot... and really masculine. 

To be honest, this picture just really weirded me out.  It looks incestual and just plain disturbing.  It also kinda looks like Justin Timberlake when he went all platinum blonde for a hot second during his NSync days.  This picture did not make me laugh.  It made me uncomfortable.

Ya'll... this was their Christmas card.  Notice the 3 inset pictures surrounding the bigger one.  I don't know what I would do if I received a card like this from one of my friends.  Actually, yes I do.  I would run and show my husband, laugh about it for an hour, and then call our friends so we could all make fun of it together...)

Is this considered porn?  I was not sure if it was, so I went ahead and blacked-out her nips.  I don't have too much commentary to provide.  I am more distracted, and very disturbed, by whatever it is her husband is doing (I hope that's her husband).  Who thought it would be a good idea to rest her belly on her husband's buttocks... exposing his crack?  Is this some artistic statement that I am just not getting?  Some "circle of life" reference?

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Gift Ideas For The Beer Lover In Your Life

Okay I respected the turkey, but Thanksgiving is over.  So even though it's not even December yet, I am going to go ahead and start with the first, of probably many, Christmas posts.  And there will be plenty, because Christmas is my favorite time of the year! 

I thought I'd kick off my Christmas posts with some fun gift ideas for the beer lover in your life.... whether it's your hubby, dad, brother, dad-in-law, friend, or even coworker (assuming you like your coworkers... otherwise just leave them a lump of coal). 


1) Traditional Gift Basket - I don't think I need to go into too much detail.  This is just your typical beer gift basket with your hubby's favorite beer and some beer snacks (peanuts, pretzels, etc...)  You can buy one of these online, but please save your money and make it yourself.  I would recommend wrapping with celophane and raffia. 



2) Beer of the Month Club - You can find various forms of these clubs anywhere on the internet, so shop around if this an option you'd like to explore (or comment below if you can recommend one!)  Each month, the club delivers 12 new and hard-to-find specialty microbrews from award-winning breweries across the country.  (Amount and type of beer varies by club, of course.)  These clubs can be pricey so most offer options like 3 month, 6 month, 12 month, or seasonal (delivery every 3 months) clubs. 

3) Rein-beer - Seriously, how cute are these guys?  No description necessary. 

(World Market carries an impressive line of import microbrews.  You can mix and match to make the 6-pack of your dreams.)

4) Beer Advent Calendar - How fun and creative is this??  And a box of beer just happens to hold 24 beers.  I may have to get my craft on and make this for my hubby... I wonder if I can find 24 different beers.  (This gift would definitely score me a bunch of points with the hubby.  I wonder if it would be enough points to get that purse I have been wanting.  It's definely not enough points to get the camera lens I want, but probably the purse...)


(So after I finished this posting, I asked my hubby to "proofread" it [aka: read how badly I want that purse and camera lens] and he said I should explain what an advent calendar is because he has never heard of one. Seriously?!  Who has never heard of an advent calendar??  (Probably the guy who doesn't want to buy his wife the expensive ass purse she doesn't need.)  In any event, I found a description on Wikipedia, but it is too long to write, so feel free to look it up and read the first 2-3 short paragraphs.  Here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent_calendar  So much for impressing my hubby with a fab gift that was sure to get me a fab purse.) 

5) Beer Holster - Because every guy needs one of these to free up his hands so he can barbeque... or wash the dishes when you ask him to ;) 


6)  Beer Bottle Opener Ring - Feel free to inscribe with a declaration of your love... even though the ring itself shouts "love" from all angles.  World Market sells these bad boys for $5.  You can buy them in bulk for really cheap too at http://www.aliexpress.com/ .  


No need to thank me after your gift has rocked your hubby's socks off.  That's what I'm here for ;)

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I am out-of-town and on vacation so that means no blogging.  The only things I am going to do all weekend is sleep in late, eat fabulously fattening food, watch lots of football, and shop my pants off...  In store and online.  Until I return, have a blessed holiday!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Getting My Craft On: Chalkboard Wine Glasses

You may recall my little posting on chalkboard china a couple of weeks ago. Well, a fellow mommy in my mom's group (thanks, Jess!) gave me the brilliant idea of making some chalkboard wine glasses myself!  She recommended Rustoleum's chalkboard spraypaint and, as they say, the rest is history...

Before

After

Who said Santa wants milk with his cookies? This Santa wants a little wine!

I didn't include any "during" pictures, because it really is such a simple do-it-yourself-project.  I bought the glasses at Dollar General for .99 cents each and the Rustoleum cost me $4.50.  (This stuff is great.  You can turn virtually any surface into a chalkboard!)  I used contact paper to wrap the stem so I wouldn't get any paint on it.  I held a piece of cardboard up to cover the glass while I spray-painted the base with my other hand.  (Let paint dry 24 hours before writing on it with chalk.  I learned that the hard way when I got eager to take pictures of Santa's wineglass.)

These are going under the tree for a certain sister I know...


I think I might do some stemless wine glasses like the one pictured below.  The carafe is cute too!




And if you're really lazy, you can just buy some vinyl chalkboard decals!

Happy crafting!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Thanksgiving Sides: Sweet Potato Casserole

One of my all-time favorite recipes!  It's always a big hit, it's easy to make, and it's delicious!

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup butter
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Beat first 5 ingredients on medium speed, until smooth.  Spoon into a lightly greased 3 quart baking dish.  Mix together brown sugar, flour, butter, and pecans.  Sprinkle over top of casserole.  Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Yields 8-10 servings.

Sorry I don't have a picture.  I am making this for Thanksgiving, so I won't have a picture to share with you before then.  But trust me... it's sooo good!  Happy baking :)

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Bizarre Massages

I'm a huge advocate of massage therapy. I have chronic (hereditary) back pain that got worse during my pregnancy, and which continues to ail me now as a busy Mommy.  I love professional massages, and they do so much to relieve my back pain, but seriously who can afford to get one as often as they'd like?  I'm always looking for new exercises and stretches to help alleviate my discomfort.  I've also noticed stress and tension causes my muscles to knot up and my back pain gets worse, so I am always trying to keep my body (and mind) as relaxed as possible.

During my pregnancy I read an article describing 10 "under-the-radar remedies" that help relax and relieve tension. I read through the 10 remedies and found one that has always stuck out in my mind for its absolute ridiculousness (is that a word?).  Although probably unnecessary, let me preface the description of this particular remedy by making very clear that I would never entertain this remedy... atleast not in this lifetime. 


Apparently, some (very crazy) people like the feel of reptiles slithering across their bodies in spa-like settings, with larger, heavier snakes providing a deeper kneading as they crawl across the flesh. According to some massage therapists, a snake's general pressure on the body can be really relaxing, and contact with the reptiles can be soothing.  (One reporter documented his experience with an authentic Israeli snake massage.  Just as he was psyching himself up for the treatment [which costs about $80], one of the snakes opened its mouth and coughed up a half-digested mouse.  Oh hell no.) 

What kind of stress are these people dealing with that a snake massage is relaxing and therapeutic for them? If you are dealing with that level of stress, I don't think snakes will do the trick. A hospital setting may be more appropriate. But that's just my unsolicited, non-medical advice.  What ever happed to relaxing music and aromatherapy? 

And I seriously have no idea what this fool is trying to do or how he finds this remotely relaxing or therapeutic.  I would love to hear how the masseuse convinced him this was a great idea.  I would not feel bad if one of those snakes bit him on his ding-ding.  That would really give him something to stress about.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tuesday's Tip: Amazon's Name Brand Diapers

I have to put in another plug for Amazon, the best shopping site in the world...
I am currently getting diapers delivered to my home every month for $33.03 total.  This is for the size 5, Pampers Baby Dry, 172 count.  I don't pay tax and I don't pay shipping.  This same box of diapers costs $45.99 at Babies R Us and $44.99 at Target, plus tax.  All I did was sign up through Amazon as an "Amazon Mom" (automatic 15% off), and then I chose the "subscribe and save" option (another automatic 15% off).  Shipping is free and most of the time I can get the 2-day shipping for free.  I can change the size, brand, count, or frequency of deliveries whenever I want.  Plus, I can stack coupons on top of this offer if I have any (Parents magazine frequently has 20% off coupons). 

I'm doing this with our baby wipes too.  At Babies R Us, ONE 184-count package of Huggies refills wipes costs $7.39.  I am getting THREE 184-count packages of Huggies wipes from Amazon Moms for $15.07 .  That's $5.02 per package.  You can't beat that!   

I am all for the generic diapers and wipes at Walmart and Target too.  My baby boy wore the Up and Parents' Choice diapers for most of his first year.  As he has gotten older, though, I have personally found Pampers Baby Dry to be the best, with regards to absorbency.  And I love the Huggies baby wipes.... smell and quality.  :)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Five Things I Love Right Now

1) The Christmas shopping app on my android phone.  It helps me keep track of everyone's wish lists and my shopping budget.  It updates totals as I buy gifts and mark people off.  It also serves to remind me of how behind I am in my Christmas shopping :) 

2)  Keebler Fudge Shoppe Coconut Dreams.  I don't even like chocolate and I love these.   I may never buy another Samoa Girl Scout Cookie again, because the Coconut Dreams are just as good, but cheaper.  Plus, they are available year-round!



3) Wireless Aputure Pro Coworkers camera remote.  I love this remote control shutter trigger for my Canon Rebel.  I use it to take family pictures when there isn't someone around to snap the picture, and I know my baby boy won't sit still long enough for the timer to work.  My husband and I just smile and stare at the camera until our son does the same (we have him trained pretty well), and then I click the remote I'm hiding in my hand.  I also use the remote when I am taking portraits of my son.  Using the remote frees up one of my hands, (camera is on tripod), so I can hold toys and other attention-getters.  When he looks up and smiles, "Click!"  (Note: It eats up batteries so I have to remove them after every use.) 

4) Pinterest.  It's an online pin board that allows you to organize (and share) things you love.  Its mission statement is "to connect everyone in the world through shared tastes and the 'things' they find interesting."  I'm hooked. 

5) Revlon Color Stay Overtime Lipcolor.  I finally found a lip stain that works!  I don't always use the clear gloss that comes with it, because it tends to dry out my lips a bit.  However, the stain lasts most of the day for me and I rarely have to reapply.  



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Bikini Waxing Gone Wrong... A Personal Anecdote

MSNBC published an article a couple of years ago about how increasingly younger girls are getting bikini waxes. According to several aestheticians interviewed, there is a growing demand for bikini waxing for preteens, or "tweens". One Beverly Hills aesthetician reported that almost 20% of her bikini wax clients are tweens. One New York City salon, Wanda's European Skin Care Clinic, offers discounts for clients as young as eight years old, and Wanda claims her pre-teen business is booming.


According to Wanda's website, children 8 years and older can get discounted waxing for "virgin" hair.  It also indicates that virgin hair can be waxed so successfully that growth can be permanently stopped in just 2 - 6 sessions. The website was quoted as reading, "Save your child a lifetime of waxing... and put the money in the bank for her college education instead!" (I checked the website myself and it appears she has since replaced the word "child" with "teenager".)   Wanda told the NY Post that children should begin waxing at just 6 years old. She was actually quoted by the New York Post as saying, "... in 10 years waxing children will be like taking them to the dentist or putting braces on their teeth."  WTH??

Bikini waxing for six year olds? Seriously? I find this a bit disturbing. Almost as disturbing as Wanda's rationalization that waxing your little wildebeest now will benefit you both, come college time. However, none of this disturbs me quite as much as a particular memory I have been repressing regarding my own bikini waxing experience several years ago...

I remember, very vividly, that I hastily placed the two wax strips, without a fear or care in the world. (You would have thought I had done this 1,000 times before, or that I was part-Vulcan and incapable of experiencing any pain or emotion). The instructions said the more quickly you remove the wax strip, the less "discomfort" you would feel. True to my over-zealous and highly exaggerated manner, I ripped the first strip off with all the strength I could manage.

OHMYGOD! HOLY BALLS! and HOLY SHIZNIT! I actually checked the strip to make sure I hadn't removed my skin. I, quite literally, saw stars. They were circling around my head. I suddenly knew where the image of stars circling a cartoon character's head came from... from a cartoonist who had tried to wax her bikini area right before swim suit season.  I really thought I was going to die that day... or at the very least, faint. I was pretty sure my mom would eventually come into the bathroom and find me naked on the floor with one wax strip clenched tightly in my hand and the other one still adhered tightly to my vajajay.

After I had regained consciousness and could breathe again, I began the hour-long, pain-staking process of removing the remaining strip with a gallon of alcohol, cotton swabs, and the sweat and tears that were falling from my face. Never again did I entertain such foolishness.

Do I find the whole parent-pushing-preteen-waxing-movement bothersome? Sure I do. Let your kids be kids!  Even worse, my son will be going to junior highschool, (and probably elementary school), with some of the daughters of these must-be floozies.  But I must admit, I am more amazed at the pain tolerance level of these children.  The fact that they have survived these traumatizing ordeals and gone back for additional treatments is well beyond my level of comprehension.

Do not let her smile fool you.  This is false advertising like I have never seen it.  She was paid a lot of money to smile all serenely like this.


They should have put one of these girls on the packaging. 

This is what I'm talking about...

   

Monday, November 7, 2011

Tip of the Day: Today's Cyber Sales

One day only cyber-sale at Babies R Us going on today, Monday, November 7.  Save up to 20% on car seats, strollers, carriers, and much more.  Free shipping on everything up to a $20 value with purchase of $100 or more. 

Today only, all sweaters are on sale (starting at $12) at The Children's Place.  Free shopping on orders over $75.  $5 flat rate on all other orders.

Save 30% of everything at Gymboree.  Use online code GYMCIRCLE at check-out.  $5 flat rate standard shipping for a limited time only.

Save 30% on your Old Navy purchase (excludes everyday steals and outerwear online only).  Use online code ONFRIENDS at checkout.  Free shipping on orders over $50.  Sale ends tomorrow.  Print coupon from Old Navy website to redeem in stores.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Getting My Craft On: Decorative Step Stool

Well, I didn't finish cleaning my walk-in closet last weekend.  I was way too busy getting my little one ready for Halloween, baking a ton of cake balls (delish), and just generally avoiding the task at hand.  So this weekend I decided to procrastinate a little more and be crafty instead.  I've been wanting to decorate a little step stool for my son to use in the bathroom.  I figured this weekend was as good as any!

Here's my step-by-step guide to making your very own mod-podge step stool:

1) Purchase Supplies - step stool, spray paint, printed cardstock, mod podge, and clear varnish.  You will also need scissors, paint brush, and possibly sand paper (I didn't use sand paper).  I purchased my supplies at Hobby Lobby with 50% off coupons, so I didn't spend a lot of money on this project. 

2) Spray paint your stool with your base color.  Let dry.  (Choose a color that compliments your cardstock because some of the painted wood will show after your stool is finished.)

3) Choose cardstock for each section of the stool, unless you want to use the same pattern throughout.  (I used 3 different patterns for mine.)

4) Lay stool on paper and trace around it to make a pattern.  Cut out each piece.

5) Use Mod Podge to adhere your cardstock to the stool.  Let dry.  Make sure to smooth out cardstock during drying process so that you don't get any bubbles or air pockets. 


6) Once the stool is covered with paper, lightly sand off any rough edges, if necessary.  (As you can see, I did not cover bottom of stool or in between panels on top.)

7) Coat stool with clear varnish.  Let dry.

8) Display your stool!


This project was super easy and really quick.  I know this one looks all grown-up and mature, but it's going in our guest bathroom so I wanted it to match.  I am going to make another step stool for our master bathroom.  This time I will make a fun kiddy stool... I'm thinking sports balls or longhorns or my son's name.  I'll keep you posted!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Chalkboard China


If you've never heard of chalkboard china, check out their website now!


Cute right?  Kind of reminds me of The Write Plate (http://www.thewriteplate.com/) but with a greater variety of items.  Chalkboard China is "woman-owned and made in Texas".  The china allows you to change the message for every occasion and makes a perfect gift to personalize for family, friends, or even yourself :) 

Chalkboard China was featured on Good Morning America (GMA) this morning on their Secret Deals and Steals segment.  Original prices range from $20 - $65.  Today's GMA exclusive deal is 50% savings on the entire website using promo code GMA.  That's $10 - $33!  This deal is valid today (11/3/11) only and while supplies last.   Only catch is you must use the links and promo codes provided on the actual GMA page to receive promotional savings.  Here is the link they provide on GMA:


If that doesn't work, go directly to GMA's Steals and Deals page at:


You may experience delays or technical issues because of the high volume of traffic.  Happy shopping!


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Favorite Pregnancy Things


I think I'm going to do a series of "Favorite Things" postings over the next month (or two... or three).  You know, my favorite baby things, favorite toddler things, etc... Today's entry will be a list of my favorite pregnancy things for you prego girls out there!  These are in no particular order.  (And feel free to add some of your favorite items in the comments section :)

Be Band - The Be Band is Target's version of the popular (and more expensive) Bella Band.  This stretchy piece of fabric serves as a transitioning accessory when you are getting too big for your regular clothes, but are still too small for maternity clothes.  It basically lets you get around with your pants unbuttoned because it holds your pants in place.  (My shirts concealed the band, so no one knew I had my pants unzipped and unbuttoned.)  It's a great way to postpone buying maternity clothes.  And if maternity pants are still too big for you, the Be Band holds them in place so they don't end up around your knees!


Palmer's Cocoa Butter Belly Butter For Stretchmarks - I started off using the Palmers Cocoa Butter Lotion, but I found that, aside from being expensive, it didn't go very far.  The belly butter is a more concentrated formula than the lotion, so it's a lot thicker and therefore goes a really long way.  According to the website, it is "widely recommended for stretch marks during and after pregnancy".  It contains Vitamin E, collagen, elastin, and soothing lavendar.  It also soothes and moisturizes your dry, itchy skin.  It's clinically and dermatologically tested.  I used this stuff every single day when I was pregnant!

Especially For Mom Maternity Support - My back/belly support (plus a lot of pregnancy massages) really helped relieve my lower/middle back pain.  According to the packaging, it is also meant to relieve pain in the legs and abdomen.  It's lightweight, easy to wear, and doesn't show under your clothing.  Its not restrictive like a corset with boning, but it still does its job.  It's made from a lightweight, beathable elastic and fastens with velcro.  Because of the elastic and velcro, it grows with your belly, so you can wear the same support throughout your pregnancy.  My only complaint (which isn't about the product itself) is that toward the end of my pregnancy, the belly support put a lot of pressure on my already compressed bladder.  But it helped with the back pain, so I had to suck it up! 


Prenatal Massage - I can't say enough wonderful things about the physical and mental benefits of a professional massage (or any good massage, really).  Studies indicate that massage therapy during pregnancy is extremely beneficial to  you and baby for a number of reasons.  If your obgyn approves, and you can afford it, I would highly recommend prenatal massages from a certified prenatal massage therapist or doula.  I had some serious backpain my last trimester and a doula helped me through it.  Unfortunately, it was a bit too pricey for us, so I couldn't do it as much as I would have liked.  My hubby was a suitable replacement masseuse, though ;)

Polar Heart Rate Monitor Watch - I enjoy running so this little gadget was pretty important to me.  My obgyn approved my running as long as I monitored my heart rate and kept it below a certain level.  A heart rate monitor watch helps you track your heart rate so that during exercise you get to just the right intensity and stay below a certain exertion level.  These can be pricey, but I got a great one on Amazon for about $30.