Nuby Stretch Mark Cream & Firming Butter: Mama Musts!!

I've been looking long and hard to find a good stretchmark/firming cream... It seems they're all really expensive or just don't work. I've always loved the smell of Palmers Cocoa Butter - but it doesn't really seem to do anything for me... and I definitely didn't notice anything "perking up." So when I saw that Nuby had their own line of mama inspired products - I had to join in the fun.

Nuby's Natural Touch Skin Care line is for moms and moms to be... "Nûby’s Natural Touch™ skin care for mothers is specially formulated with you in mind. Our rich emollient butters, creams, and lotions are enriched with natural ingredients like vitamin E, cocoa butter and Lanolin."  When I first started using the stretch mark cream I really noticed a difference right away... it seemed as though they were tightening and lightening up... and let me just say - mine are BAD! And yes - they're my "battle scars" and I've earned them... but I would rather not have to stare them down in the mirror every day... 

"Nûby’s Stretch Mark Cream helps prevent and reduce stretch marks with a special combination of Cocoa butter, Vitamin E, Collagen, and Elastin. These essential ingredients moisturize mom’s skin to help it retain its natural elasticity and moisture. Our stretch mark creams are available in three unique formulas:" I will absolutely continue using the stretch mark cream... but my body isn't ALL that bad... some places just need a little "tightening up" if you will...  for those spots - I went with the Firming Butter... and man am I glad that I did... If I HAD TO CHOOSE and could only have one... it would be the firming cream. Its amazing... and I'm not exaggerating. $5.99 - (on sale at Toys R Us right now for $2.98) . If I can convince you to give yourself some love and try it, Ill be a happy mama. This is one thing that is SO affordable and will give you the confidence (and booty) boost that you deserve. 

Almost immediately after putting it on I can feel it going to work... its as if it gets a little tingly... just a little... so you know its working. "Nûby’s Firming Butter is a unique formula specifically designed to restore your body to its natural, original firmness anytime, even after pregnancy or weight loss. The unique combination of Cocoa Butter, Collagen, and Elastin firms and tones while improving skin elasticity and texture. In addition Ginseng and Vitamin E help nourish and rejuvenate tired skin. Co Enzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that stimulates skin cells to tone and smooth the skin. Clinically proven to help increase skin’s firmness in 6 weeks." I've had 3 kids and lost about 4 pounds after Rozzlyn. I weight less now than ever in high school and my body has been through the ringer between losing baby weight plus 40 extra pounds... this cream is helping put *sorry to be frank* but putting my butt and boobs back where they belong for just the low price of

Available at: 

BabiesRUs.Com

BuyBuyBaby.com

Get social with Nuby! www.facebook.com/nubyusa www.twitter.com/nubyusa www.pinterest.com/nubyusa www.instagram.com/nubyusa 

Here we go!

So its saturday night... but if you're reading this, its Sunday morning and we're at the hospital! Induction scheduled for 7am... bright and early. Hoping they will break my water first and see how that goes... if no luck - pitocin... either way Ms. Rozzlyn is getting evicted ... We're out of waiting time (see previous posts) and she needs to get out. Im sitting here staring at the empty MamaRoo... feeling her kicking around inside me... and its insanely surreal to think that by this time tomorrow night if all goes as planned...  Ill be in this same spot, blogging about my amazing water birth experience... looking at a beautiful baby girl in that chair. (if I can handle the idea of putting her down that is ;) wow... Its all happening so fast. Yet I feel like its been weeks of trying to coax her out! So - think of me! I need all the awesome pain free water birth vibes I can get!!!

Sigh... here we go again.

Sorry for my lack of posting - its just been chaotic around here... between working like a crazy woman, juggling toddlers, calling lawyers, organizing paperwork for insurance, trying to keep up my house, etc... its just been crazy. So many things have happened this week... and yet, I feel like we're no closer to having this baby girl.. and the pressure is officially on. So here is the update:

Zaq's unemployment went through, YAY! One HUGE thing off the panic list... it buys us some time (literally) to adjust to life with baby #3 without having to totally panic about how we will pay out mortgage. So I am very thankful for that. He has already been looking for another job, but at least we're not in a total rush now.

As soon as he was notified of the unemployment, I rushed down to the office to put together my state insurance packet... this took me about 3 hours start to finish. Wow, between bank statements, check stubs, birth certificates, and much more... it was insane! So the next morning after having it all together... I went down to the office at 8:30 am... was person number 4 in line, and ready to meet with someone to get an answer. Only to find out that I was mis-informed and wouldn't not get an immediate answer. I had to wait 10-15 days... and there was no way to get a (you should get it) because we are right on the border of the maximums. When I explained to the woman, "but I don't have 15 days... my due date was October 21st, she could come any day..." She looked at me like the stupidest person on earth and said "you're telling me you're already past your due date and you're just now bringing in your packet?" I swear I wanted to punch her... as if I had planned for my family to be in this situation... as if I was just sitting around being lazy and thought, oh hey, maybe I should have insurance for this delivery. I didn't have a choice... I HAD to wait until we had an answer from unemployment to give accurate income information or they would have just sent it back... Ugh. How rude...

Which now brings be to stress point #3: Baby.
Now that I have no guarantee about insurance... and can't risk thousands of dollars in medical bills, we have to have this baby & be out of the hospital by the night of October 31st. Today is October 27th - do the math... My birth plan is pretty much out the window... thanks Best Buy. This situation has taken control of so many aspects of my life... its just unfair... lawsuit, charges, whatever - nothing changes this experience... nothing will bring back this child birth... I don't get a do-over. I got one shot... and now its rushed. Im supposed to be waiting for my baby girl to make her arrival... going through all the natural steps to get a natural child birth... I had my membranes stripped again today with minimal results. The best news was that Im about 4 cm dilated... sadly, its not where I need to be. I need to be in full on labor to avoid the Sunday induction that has now been scheduled... Apparently the lawyer thinks we can add this to our case. Because of the emotional aspect of it all... and because of the fact that my safer natural water birth will now be one full of hospital intervention, monitors and pitocin. Great - but it still doesn't get me what I want.

SO yeah, thats where we are right now... in a whirlwind of chaos... baby Rozzlyn will be here Monday at the latest... that's about the best news I have to share right now.. I want to thank everyone for their support while we go through all of this... There have been so many kind words, thoughts & prayers sent our way... it means a lot. I know everything happens for a reason... and Im trying to stay oh so positive... Im just kinda hitting a wall with the optimism... physically and emotionally exhausted and starting to break down a bit. *just keep swimming... just keep swimming*

My custom Hot Mama Gown...

OMG OMG OMG - Love. For years now - I have daydreamed about having my own awesome custom Hot Mama Gown... as soon as I got pregnant I immediately contacted the mama behind the magic and we worked out a plan to get it rolling... Deidrea is super mom in my eyes... juggling her business, family, interviews, TV spots like Shark Tank... whatever she does, she rocks it... and when it came to my custom gown... *maybe Im biased* but its easily the coolest one she has ever made :)

 I can't even begin to describe the excitement of the doorbell ringing and getting handed this box by Mr. UPS man... I swear my heart skipped a beat as soon as I realized what it was... I tore the box opened... drooled over the amazing packaging... and ripped open the sparkly hot pink tissue to find this <------- purely... awesomely... punky perfection... and in the perfect print... why? Because Ms. Rozzlyn has a matching blanket, onesie, and pacifier clip that I made her in this print... so of course we will be perfectly coordinating, and I can't be more excited about it...
Each Hot Mama Gown has some truly amazing features:

• Hospital / Birthing Center friendly with short sleeves and a full coverage snap-open back
• Two ribbon-tied panels allow for quick and easy access for discreet nursing

Plenty of room for a growing belly... and perfectly comfy & cozy for both before & after pregnancy. Saying I am excited to show it off in the delivery room is a total understatement... so be sure to check back soon, as of COURSE I will have to take a bajillion pictures actually wearing it :)

Also - if you're interested in your own custom Hot Mama Gown - all the info is here :)
"The custom order process goes a little something like this: Send us an email Sales@HotMamaGowns.com and tell us all about your idea. We’ll then discuss the final design and try our best to meet all your requests!"

The last one standing - congrats ladies!!

*sigh* So, I lost the race... me and these 3 awesome mama's were all due within a week of each other and we joked about who would go first. Well, Im the last one still standing... Ms. Rozzlyn is just hanging out... cookin' away... I just wanted to take a second to introduce the 3 cutest baby girls on earth :)

Allison Paige 8.2lbs 21inches

Izlyn Grey 20 1/2 inches long and 8.6 ibs

LOOK AT ALL THAT HAIR!!!

Izzabelle Imogen 7 lbs .8oz.
Snuggled up on her boppy cover we made her :)

And a shameless plug - I made her crib bedding too :)

So congrats again to all these super mama's... you're all amazing... and all recovering from c-sections... I don't know how you do it!! Hopefully I will join you in the new baby world soon!  Kiss all those baby cheeks for me... and enjoy every second... it goes by so, so, so, fast... my "baby" is 4 now... wow.

Maybe baby? Someday? Please?!?!

Im starting to wonder if this little lady is ever going to get out... Hubby keeps telling me "don't worry, eventually she HAS to come out"... but I am really starting to question this theory... At this point I think her little butt is so deeply wedged up into my ribs that it may actually be stuck in there... and she has been punching so hard into my insides... that maybe she punched her little hand right through my stomach... or maybe my kidney... and I think they might be holding her hostage... So maybe she won't come out... maybe I will blink and have a 5 year old living in there... boy would I ever be lopsided... Can you imagine a little Izzaq balled up underneath my favorite hoodie?

Alright, maybe Im being a little dramatic... Im sure she is going to come out eventually... and Im not even to my due date yet - so maybe I should settle down a little bit... eat my cereal... work... snuggle my boys... and take a chill pill... but we all know that whole "relax" thing isn't so much in my vocabulary as is "running like a crazy person"... most people would be on their maternity leave by now... soaking in the last bits of pre-baby time they have left... but you know me better than that... the other day someone asked me if I planned to work all the way through my labor, haha... knowing me - if I could I would... but I think the birthing tub could make that complicated, so I guess not... but - Ill be working till I can't anymore, thats for sure... still lots to do, though I am getting there... I am down to 68 orders... and I havn't been there since we went to Vegas - and that was in July... so I am pretty proud of that :) And I just keep chug-chug-chugging away! Well - I hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday morning... Its chilly here... but perfect weather for the car show & wedding we have in the plans today. Have a great day - and send me all the "get that baby out" vibes that you can spare. :)

Wow *deep breath*

We are coming down to crunch time... there is ACTUALLY a baby inside of me... (I know, because she has had her little booty wedged into my ribs for a few months straight now...) and said baby - will ACTUALLY be coming out of me... and living in my house... and eating via me... and crying... and needing diaper changes... and snuggled... and kissed... and loved.... ok those last few things don't sound so bad, but WOW! *deep breath* this is real! Last week at my check up... my midwife said I could start Red Raspberry Leaf Tea & Evening Primrose... both of which tell your body to start getting ready to have a baby... and I figure since Im planning to do this one au'natural ... I guess I need all the help I can get ;) I know a handfull of people that have started these two things, and had the baby within 2 weeks. So really... she could be here any day now... Im just trying to get as organized as I can... and work my BUTT off to catch up as many orders as fast as possible... but you know me... I'm sure 5 days after baby Rozzlyn is here I'll be back to sew sew sewing away... so yeah! Thats my little update... the store is still open for now... mostly ready to ship stuff... crib bedding... etc. Just remember, if you order and it takes a little longer than normal, its because Im ready to pop... lol

Wordless Wednesday: Love.

 My baby is now a little man...

and he can't wait for his little sister to get here... he loves her SO much already :)

Mentoring Monday: Another Chapter - Belly Week 7

Aymee & Adam used to write this post - but they have gotten crazy busy between Maddie, School & Work... and perfect timing, why? Because now I am pregnant again... so I guess its my turn to take over :)

This week has been brutal. The first few weeks were great... I felt great, I was a little tired but that was all... this week - totally different. I wake up trying to keep my mouth shut for fear of what will come out of it... I rush to the kitchen to try to plug my nose and swallow anything that I can manage to choke down... the stand there and just... breathe..... and hope for the best. I have been OH so sick. Nothing sounds goood... and even when I do eat, its a challenge to keep it down... I was never like this with the boys so its a totally new pregnancy chapter for me. MANY of you have given me some great tips to try... and the top choices so far are #1: Preggie Pops...  I rushed and ordered these right away... Can't wait to try them! Hopefully they will bring be some releif... #2: Tip - Ginger... apparently ANYTHING with Ginger seems to be a hit... Ginger Tea, Ginger Ale and I hear Dried Ginger is like Candy! WOo Hoo! #3 of course is crackers... I guess its a good idea to keep some by the bed... some be the couch... some by in the kitchen, in my purse and in my car... for whatever reason - they seem to help when I can't eat anything else... and last but not least, my only hope is to NOT get hungry... morning is bad because I havn't eaten in over 12 hours. Once I get some food, i feel a little better, then I eat a bagel an hour or 2 later... then some lunch... then a cheese stick... and some Wheat Thins... and then dinner... thats my secret. Over ALL the other things - that is the most important one I have found... if I can keep myself from being hungry I feel 100 X's better... not perfect, but at least functional. If any of you have any other tips,  I would love to hear it... anything to help is worth a try!

So that is my week 7 in a nutshell... sickies, tired & pretty crabby but staying positive... why? Cuz there is an amazing baby Z #3 growing inside of me... and I couldn't be happier about it :)

Belated Favorites Friday: We're Pregnant!!

So - as some of you may have heard from our Facebook Fan Page - were expecting! I am 6 weeks along as of yesterday, and feeling pretty great... aside from the sleepiness & bloating - so far so good. So of course, this calls for some major maternity shopping on etsy :) Which brings us to, Favorites Friday :)
(if any of you awesome sellers would like us to host a review & giveaway for you, please email us! rockerbyebaby@gmail.com WE LOVE GIVEAWAYS! 500+ blog follower & 3,500+ fans on facebook)

(click photo to enlarge)

#1: Mamasanmaternity - D-Rebel d-ring maternity dress
#2: JellyBeanApparel - Jeart Hands long sleeve shirt
#3: KSSMaternity - Cut the Cord tshirt (Bamboo)
#4: RunSystem63 - Striped Belly Band
#5: XYFactory - Double Sparrow Maternity Tunic
#6: Angeldamico - Magenta Day of the Dead Tunic (CODE: Winter15) for 15% off!
#7: WrenWillow - Mom Tattoo Heart Babydoll
#8: RainbowSwirlz - Floral Skull American Apparel Drapey Tank
#9: AsianApparel - LeSac Dress in Charcoal Gray (can be worn loads of different ways)

Swinger Sunday: Self- Destructive - the thick and thin of it

Getting back to Swinger Sundays!! Meet the mama behind "My D Cup Vs. Gravity". Leave her some love and stop by and follow her blog!

So, one of my biggest problems with being a bigger girl now is that one upon a time I was extremely thin. I have to remind myself that I was thin because I was not being good to my body. I had "outside" forces that were eating me alive, and my diet consisted of lucky charms, taco bell, and those two for a dollar cookies from the gas station. This went on for nearly ten years. Then, I got pregnant. I stopped using and picked up a fork. Or a fork-lift rather! I gained eighty pounds in nine months and didn't attempt to shed any after the baby was born.

With second baby, I did lose weight. I was on the cusp of having diabetes and that scared the hell out of me. I walked an hour every night in the winter storms, determined to have a healthy baby and an easier delivery. I was measuring out 1/4 cups of pasta for dinner, and writing down all of my carbohydrates. It worked. After delivery, I was fifteen pounds lighter than when I got pregnant.

But here we are now. Baby is six months and I have stopped losing weight. I am not walking so much and constantly feel hungry. I eat a spinach and hard-boiled egg for lunch so that I can eat gobs of peanut butter out of the jar.

I am still self-destructive, only now these are legal activities. What is the drive behind all of this? I have an addictive personality, whether it be drugs or chocolate. I think I need to work on this before I start hopping on the scale.

Amber here: Great post!! I think we all have these bad habits... I defintely have an addictive personality, and im sure there are lots of you out there that battle similar issues. We would love to hear your feedback on the issue!

Mentoring Monday: Welcome to the Family

Welcome to the Family

              Five days after your due date, I had one last checkup appointment with my Obstetrician. We were preparing to induce labor that following Sunday or Monday. At the time of the visit, I hadn’t dilated or effaced any since two weeks before. I left the doctor’s office with a sense of the end in sight, but still disappointed. This wasn’t how I wanted labor to be. I wanted you to come on your own; I wanted contractions to start naturally; to share the “Is this it?” moment of excitement and panic with your father, timing contractions, calling the doctor and hospital, etc. I wanted the drama that you see in the movies. However, it was beginning to look as though we were to have a lab labor instead: start it all through dripping chemicals into my arm via plastic tubing. I was torn. I was disappointed at the induction prospect, but had an overriding sense of satisfaction knowing one way or another I was going to meet you soon. In one last effort to kick start labor the old fashioned way, your father and I walked laps around the mall. I had spicy Chipotle for lunch, and we had fantastically greasy Five Guys burgers for dinner (not the ideal last meal before labor, but I was calling labor’s bluff). After dinner and Mommy-Daddy time, I went to sleep for the night. Around 11:45 pm, I awoke in pain. My middle felt like it was in a vice. It wasn’t unbearable, but rather just uncomfortable enough to wake me from a deep sleep. I got up, and came out into the living room where Dad was, still up on the computer. “You okay?” he asked.

              “I’m in pain,” I said holding my lower abdomen.

              “Like…labor pain?” We’d had a few false alarms, and he didn’t want to (again) get worked up over nothing.

              “I don’t know.” I couldn’t help but giddily smile through the discomfort. “We should see if we can time them.” And so we did. I was having contractions four and five minutes apart. Eee! The magic number! The hospital had us wait another hour before getting on the road to make sure it wasn’t false labor (it wasn’t). So at 1 am, Dad drove to the hospital, me in the backseat moaning through the contractions and giggling in between. The whole way there, the midnight sky lit up with a beautiful electrical storm stretching from one end of the horizon to the next. It then dawned on us: if this was it, you’d be a Friday the 13^th baby (you were).

              We arrived at the hospital. Upon entering the Emergency entrance, I commandeered a wheelchair, and was escorted up to the maternity floor. They checked my vitals: still not dilated or effaced. They escorted me to our room where I began to spend most of my time in the huge maternity tub, soaking in the warm water to ease the pain of contractions. At first, the nurse turned on a soothing CD of Native American flute songs. That quickly morphed into my custom playlist appropriately titled, “Labor? What Labor?” that included such hip-moving, feel-good music as The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye.

              The contractions got stronger as the hours wore on. I was dilating about a centimeter an hour, and completely effaced after about three. After six and a half hours, I asked for the epidural. The pain was excruciating, yes. But what made up my mind about getting the epidural, was knowing I didn’t have the energy to muster through the increasing contractions for another few hours and push the baby through when it came time.

              The Anesthesiologist came in and prepped for the epidural. I don’t remember much from that time because I was in so much pain during contractions, and exhausted in between them. I even dozed off a couple times in those few minute sanctuaries. He rapidly explained what he had to do, had me sign the necessary paperwork, and off we went. After the epidural, labor slowed significantly. But thankfully it allowed me to get some rest. After much needed sleep, they started Pitocin and a few hours later I was pushing. When you came out, your father exclaimed, “Babe, there she is!” Then the doctor laid you on my stomach, and I held you while Daddy cut your umbilical cord. You came out blinking your eyes and wobbling your head around; so strong and healthy. You scored high on your Apgar test (8 and 9), and latched on like a breastfeeding pro. That’s my girl. 

              Everyone was so impressed with you from the moment you were born. Every nurse wooed over you every chance they got; you were so beautiful from the start. I swear they were looking for reasons to come into our room to see you. Dad even got stopped in the hall at the hospital about how precious you were (you still are). You look just like your Dad, which still throws him for a loop. “She’s got my nose!” he said while holding you for the first time. You have just about everything from your old man: nose, mouth, chin, hands. You have my ears and dimples (one side more prominent than the other), and both of our long lashes. Your eyes are blue right now, so I’m interested to see if they stay blue or change. Your hair was dark brown when you were born, but every day it gets a bit lighter, and more and more red. Personality-wise, you’re an easy baby like your Dad was, but a total cuddle-bug like your Mom.

              So that’s how you came to be. We love you so much, and are happy you’re finally here darling. Welcome to the family.

Mentoring Monday: Are We There Yet?

One of the last posts from Aymee before she starts writing to Maddie on the OUTSIDE!! So excited to see her sooooooon!!!!

Are we there yet?

              As I’m writing this, it is Madeline’s due date. Today should mark the end of pregnancy and the beginning of a new life with our daughter. However, it doesn’t feel as special as it did in my imagination. It’s just another day without broken water, without contractions, without adrenaline rushes, without excited yet anxious phone calls. Since the 35^th week of pregnancy, I’ve been pining for this day (besides the obvious reasons). The first day of my 35^th week, I woke up and the euphoria I had been feeling about pregnancy had vanished. The last month realities hit me like a ton of bricks. My back hurt, my legs ached, simply walking from one place to another exhausted me, I began having trouble sleeping, the heartburn kicked into high gear, sciatic nerve pain began shooting down my back and legs, and in the last few weeks my belly exploded in size, mauling my skin with stretch marks. My belly looks like the surface of Venus. I long for regular jeans, lace-up shoes, hot non-pregnant sex with my husband, and after all that—a stiff drink. I want my body back, damnit.

              Today has felt like I’ve run a marathon, but the finish line is missing the ribbon garnish, confetti, photographers’ flashing cameras, and a cheering crowd. Instead, it’s just a bare road with the end hiding somewhere in front of me. What else is there to do but keep running forward?

              I want her here—not in here. I want to hold her, kiss her, sing to her, read to her, look into her eyes and watch her respond to my voice. I want to watch Adam do those things too. I want to watch him be a father. I want to sneak into the room and listen to him talk to her in the most honest way; to watch her turn him into mush in her tiny hand without him knowing I’m there.

              I just keep telling myself, “Patience is a virtue,” “Good things come to those who wait,” and “The longer you wait for something, the sweeter it is when you get it.” I know it’s true. I’ve had a wonderful pregnancy. I mean really, what a ride! I will forever cherish this time and these experiences. Every time I look at my daughter, I will remember the one-of-a-kind feeling of her rolling around inside; that special connection. But Maddie sweetheart, if I can give you some advice: the trick is to leave them wanting more…

My Making a Baby - WTF.

Now, this may be a TMI post, but its my blog, so im gunna go for it anyways... lol Today I started "spotting" This is now week 9 since my last real period (if thats what this spotting turns into)... Zaq and I have been "trying" to make a baby for 2 months now... Yes... over two months since he said "just do it" over cocktails, and I took out my IUD... yes, I... Now - im starting to get really impatient here... and frustrated... and sad... and really emotional... and after all that, humbled. It was always a big joke to us... this whole baby making thing that is... Neither of the boys were planned.... two little accidents surprises that changed my world for the better... Zaq and I got together in November of 2005, by Feb 2006, I was pregnant with Izzaq.... we work fast, lol In October 12th of 2006 Izzaq was born, and in January, when I went in to get my IUD I was pregnant with Zavery, lol  *ahem* fast.   it was totally insane... but I wouldn't change it for the world... and just for a little flash into what my days looked like... I give you... the three greatest pictures on earth...

this is where it all started... in the hospital... and Izzaq has been picking on Zavery ever since...

This was my absolute chaos... trying to start up RockerByeBaby with a one year old, a newborn... and a super sexy nursing bra, lol

and this... ahhhh this picture... you will notice here my sweetly sleeping newborn... and my happy pre-tot. why? Well izzaq has zavery's blanket and pacifier... and if you look, you will see its still attached to him, lol

So, point of the story is, were fertile... or "fertile mertile" as Hot Mama Gowns says, lol. We make babies and we make them fast... none of this "trying" nonsense... Im starting to wonder if this is just a little reality check... I've always been such a smart ass about getting pregnant... you know, things like... oh - zaq bumps into me in the hallway and I get pregnant... orrrr if he looks at me the right way I get pregnant. And now here I am 2 months into "trying" and I have a miscarriage and a period... im 0/2 and i'm not liking these odds. Now - I should say this... we are not like, "break out the calendar, thermometer, and lets make us a baby" trying. Were just doing the... "hey sex is fun and im not on birth control" kind of trying... and it is... fun that is ;) *sorry mom*

 I dunno... all in all this has been a very humbling experience. I never thought I would have to "try" to have a baby after the first two... and I remember growing up being afraid that I would be able to have kids... I've always loved kids, and if I had the money I would have like 10 of them... but maybe not? Maybe my body won't let me... maybe my body is telling me two is enough? OR maybe... I do have to really TRY? I have lots of friends... healthy, young friends trying to have kids and just aren't getting pregnant... it happens. It happens ALL the time and I am no different. And it really makes me appreciate those who are being so supportive. It's one thing to want something like a dream that seems out of reach... a million dollars... to be president... or an astronaut... but a mom seems like it should be such a simple process. You get married (or not till later in my case, lol), you go off BC, you make a baby... ta-da! BABY! Everyone knows where babies come from right? If not ask izzaq, he will tell you. So many people have to try for years to have a successful pregnancy... some pay thousands... tens of thousands of dollars to get a pregnancy... and some give up trying and adopt... I just don't know how far I would be willing to go... what if a year from now Im still trying... am I willing to pay someone to make it happen? I dunno... I know its only been two months and I feel selfish being pouty about it when some of you are probably laughing at me right now... I just didn't expect it...  I never even considered a miscarriage was a possibility... was just so excited to be pregnant, and now its gone... and here I am again with a most likely failed cycle 2... time to grab a bottle of wine and *cheers* to "third times a charm"... 

Favorites Friday: Lets Make a Baby!

Hey guys! So - were back at trying again for #3 after last months unfortunate miscarriage :( And zaq says that he is starting to feel like a piece of meat... lol So this may be a little TMI, but Im gunna try to keep it rated "PG" so no one is like, OMG and maybe instead just does a little LOL'ing! Cuz well, i think were all grown up's here and know where babies come from... and seeing as most of you are mommies... im pretty sure you have a VERY good idea of the process, lol

p.s. this is probably the most fun i have had on a Favorites Friday in awhile :) Thanks awesome sellers!

#1: SoapBySelena - EDIBLE Massage Candle - Chocolate Truffle (Possibly the most genius idea in history... yes... more genius than the wheel... or the lightbulb...)
#2: StitchPixie - Sperm & Egg Fertility Coin pouch... (in case your sperm loose their way... of you find some loose coins in the couch while having sex, lol love it.)
#3: Interrobang - Man Candy Coloring book... (In case you need both a creative outlet - and help getting in the mood, he he he)
#4: ConstantGalore - x-large Chocolate Penis Pop (anytime penis' come in chocolate & rainbow... is a win in my book... lol)
#5: ABitABite - Red Hot Prick Cushion... (for when its not doing its job... and you ahve to take out your aggression... but not on the real thing of course... it must be in tip top shape for next ovulation, lol)
#6: MuthaCrafter - Im so crafty, i make people... (This is a must have when i get pregnant again, hehe)
#7: Earmark - Baby Making Time (this is a must buy to be sure daddy knows he is appreciated, lol... and that its time...)
#8: Muncheys - I cuddle after Sex, t-shirt
#9: VulvaLoveLovely - Fertile Uterus Lovey (to uplift women trying to get pregnant... now I dunno it it would do that for me, but i think I would have lots of fun looking at it on my desk, lol SO cute.)

If anyone of you AMAZINGLY RAD awesome sellers would like to host a review and giveaway PLEASE let me know, we would totally love to have you :)

Mentoring Mondays: What You'll Teach Me.

Post 5 from the amazing Adam Thurston... LOVING this new segment :) And I know the followers are too!! Thanks, Adam, for sharing with my readers and I... even though we're so far away... it will be like we've been there all along... :) p.s. you can find his blog here... follow him :) 

Mentoring Mondays

Teaching you to be a Lady while you teach me to be a Dad.

What you’ll teach me.

Hi Madeline.  I read a book to your mother’s stomach last night and you rewarded me be kicking exactly where I was holding my hand.  I have to say it was actually one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had in my life.  You haven’t even drawn breath yet and you’re already making your old man into a softy.  Don’t tell anyone, okay?  I’ve got a rep to maintain. 

So this week I thought we might put a little twist on this series.  Thus far I’ve just been passing on general knowledge to you.  But a big part of parenting (I’ll wager) is also learning from your kids!  “How Daddy?”  Why, I’m glad you asked little Maddie!  One thing no parent ever wants to see is their child in pain.

See, when I was a kid I rode bikes, skateboards, roller blades and what not.  I never wore any protective padding or helmets or any of that crap.  Hell, my mom, your grandmother, didn’t make me wear a seatbelt until I was 8 because that was when the grand state of Missouri mandated that it was law.  As far as the afore mentioned mobile habits,  I got hurt.  A lot.  And what I did was pick myself up , dust myself off, and do it again and again until I didn’t get hurt.  All that was expected from us kids was to be in when the street lights came on and to not hurt ourselves too badly.  Nowadays most parents are so scared of their kids possible getting a bloody elbow that they (the parents) wrap their kids in bubble wrap and put those stupid wrist leashes on them as if they were pets.  I think it’s over reactive and I’ll go a step further; I think it’s irresponsible parenting.  I’ve always liked the bit from Lewis C.K. where he says something like “I’ve gotta take care of you!  They took your footprint at the hospital and gave you a Social Security card!  You’re on the grid motherf*cker!  They’ll come for me if something happens to you!”  For better or worse, I think that’s what most parents think.  To me it says, I’m afraid that if you get hurt, other people will think it’s my fault and/or I‘ll feel bad..  I say a kid that isn’t covered in dirt and with a couple of Band-Aids hasn’t been being a kid.  A kid going out and playing by themselves or with friends is an important and vital part of growing up and I’m not going to deny that to you.  I’ll trust you because I’ll have already taught you some important basics.  Such as:

Learn to walk before you run!  This is an old adage I heard a long time ago and it’s stuck with me ever since.  I love it because it applies to so much in life.  Learn to walk before you run.  Learn to climb before you jump.  Learn to ride on four wheels before you attempt two.  I suppose the point is to just pace yourself.  That way you’ll seldom place yourself in over your head.

Don’t talk to strangers.  (Soon we’ll devote a whole blog to that and I’ll tell you my near-abduction story from when I was a kid.)

Play in groups or be in as public of a place as possible.  I’ll also explain the obvious yet necessary importance of this in the afore mentioned upcoming blog.

Back to the blog topic, I suppose the point is that you’ll be teaching me to relax a little and not be so tense about your safety.  Now don’t get me wrong.  Parents are generally always committed to the safety of their kids and I am no different.  I’m just going to not try and take it overboard.  Nor does this mean I’m going to let you run around with scissors or manhandle firearms.  Just that I’m going to be constantly teaching you about situations and/or actions and then letting you take your own first steps towards them.  And as stated on previous posts, I’ll always be there to catch you when you fall.  Should you fall and I’m not there to see it, come home and I’ll kiss the booboo, apply a Band-Aid and, if you want, send you on your way for more adventures.

If we look at the subtitle to the blog, it is “Teaching you to be a Lady while you teach me to be a Dad.”  I suppose I’ll have to learn to live with another “Lady” in the house.  The other lady of course being your mother.  But your mother is my peer.  She’s also used to my sarcasm and unique form of wit which mainly means I make her roll her eyes and smile several times a day.  But you aren’t going to grasp sarcasm and unique wit for quite some time.  This means I have to relearn how to speak.  I need to be a male role model for you after all.  I’ll need to learn a new form of patience.  Whether you mean to or not, you will test me in ways I’ve never experienced.  I imagine the main thing I’ll learn from you is the afore mentioned patience.  I tend to be somewhat reactionary and just want to fix problems as they happen.  The thing is, you’ll have to learn to fix things too.  So as soon as I’m done learning it, I’ll teach you patience.  I’ll even loan you my Cliff notes.  See, we’re in this whole thing together.  Father/daughter.  We’re both in uncharted territory for each other.  But I’ll steer us to safety.  I don’t have a map but I can see the lighthouse.  A wise man once told me that being an adult doesn’t  necessarily mean that you know the answer to everything.  It just means that you have to make the best decision that you can.  That thought used to scare me.  It doesn’t scare me as much anymore.  As I raise you and you temper me, I’ll know more and then be in a better position to make better decisions.  This in turn will help me to teach you to make better decisions.  Which means together you and I will hopefully be two pretty smart people.  So that’s the plan, Maddie.  We’ll get there together.

I love you, Maddie.

-Your Dad

Uncle Adam - this one got to me... everyone knows i have no father/daughter relationship aside from the once a month, "how ya doing? love you." text... and every post I read makes me more and more excited for Ms. Maddie to get here. Shes got a great daddy already... keep up the great parenting. Your miles ahead of MANY other "dads" out there... i knew you'd be great...