Y3W with A Day in Mollywood!

Oh, Molly girl. She is so amazing. I've been talking to her since before our boys were born and we've stayed connected ever since. I even go the chance to meet her at BlogHer, which was so awesome!

{Jill, Molly, and I in front of Starbucks}
{And, yes I realize that I'm wearing the same shirt in all 3 of my guest blogger pictures, but in my defense? Two of the pics were taken on the same day ;}

Lately, we've even been talking on G-Chat almost daily and it's been a great way to pass the day {well, when I'm not insanely busy, that is!} Be sure to check out her blog... she's an amazing writer and an even better person. =)

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Y3W | Walt Disney World

I am stoked (do people still use that word?) that Jenni asked me to host Your Three Words today! I have been participating in Y3W for a long time now and it has always been fun to come up with three words on a Friday, don't ya think?

I know how excited Jenni was about her trip to Disney World. She has been talking about it for months now. But I know why she was so flippin' excited. Disney World is amazing. My whole family got the chance to vacation there for Thanksgiving in 2009. Landon was only 15-months-old then and I was only 16 weeks pregnant with Brigham! My, how time flies and how things change!

Since Jenni and Bob are there now (feeling like kids again), I thought it would be fun to share some "blast from the past" photos of our trip from two years ago. I hold the memory of Landon meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse very close to my heart. It was so sweet when he kissed her on the nose. We hope to take both our boys there someday. Disney World is an experience that everyone must have!

Hope you're having fun, Jenni!

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Thanks so much for hosting Y3W Molly!

They reset the votes and I'd love your help!
Thanks guys! xoxo

Guest Blogger: The Turnip Farmer

Kelly and I have been friends for quite some time. I think we met before we even became pregnant with our first babies {or right around the same time, at least} and she has been a great friend ever since. She's hilarious, witty and one of the best people I know. I even got the chance to room with her at BlogHer, which I think made us even closer than ever before.

She's one of the first people I go to if I have news, or if I just need someone to talk too and she always makes me feel better {thank you for that, Kel!}

Enjoy this hilarious post {that I think we can all relate too} and don't forget to check out Kelly's blog: The Turnip Farmer.

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Surviving the Quiz Master

My daughter is trying to push me to the brink. I’m usually already halfway there - so she doesn't need to push hard. But god help me, she is going to shove me over the edge and throw hives of raging hornets at me on the way down. She is out to destroy me. I can see it in her eyes.

Don't be fooled by this sweet face.

She is working on a diabolical plan in that big ol' head and I am target numero uno.

What I am talking about are the questions. The incessant, mind numbing, repetitive and ridiculous questions. Every day is ground hog day with a barrage of familiar rapid fire questions aimed right at the soft spot in my brain. Every day it’s like I am trapped on the worst quiz show ever. Where are we going? Are you going left? Why didn’t you go left? Is that light green? What does green mean? Green means go, right mommy? Are we going to daycare? Are you going to work? Can I watch Dora? Where are we going? Can I take off my shoes?

This is every day on the way to daycare. A five minute ride is turned into the ultimate test of patience. When she gets going, she takes me to a level of hell that I had never before experienced. For example on our recent vacation, a road trip to Canada – a seven hour trip…each way – the questions were relentless. And it wasn’t even the questioning, it was the lack of variety. I was on a quiz show that I couldn’t win.

Izzy: Are we going on a trip?

Me: yup, we are on it. We’re going to Canada

Izzy: Are we on the trip?

Me: yes

Izzy: NO WE NOT! Where is the trip?

Me: we are on it.

Izzy: Can my baby come on the trip?

Me: sure.

Izzy: don’t say sure! Mommy you’s supposed to say ‘yes!’. Say YES mommy.

Me: Ye—

Izzy: are we going on a trip? Can I get out now? Can I take off my shoes? Are we going on a trip?

Me: ::FML. Six more hours of this shit? The Husband better not go any slower than 55mph or I am jumping the eff out::

.....Pause......

Izzy: Are we going on a trip?

That was the point at which I jumped out of the car. I think it was right around Syracuse. I don’t really remember with the concussion and all.

I know this is a completely normal part of development for her age. And hell, with the number of questions she’s asking, she might just be advanced. But what developmental stage is this for me, the mother? What exactly is it supposed to teach me? I’ve done every motherhood stage:

-The ‘up all night and survive’ maternity leave stage

o To this day I am still in awe of how little sleep I can run on. My husband on the other hand…well, the little prince needs his beauty rest. I learned that coffee is and always will be the ultimate BFF.

- The ‘up all night, survive, and not get fired from your job because you frequently fall asleep at your desk’ stage

o In addition to what I learned above, I also learned that 8 hours of work is really 16. I need to talk to someone about adjusting my paycheck.

- The ‘oh my god my I’m just like my mom’ phase

o ::SHUDDER:: That is all.

- The ‘for god sake keep your clothes on in public!’ stage

o I learned that naked is great fun and everyone should run around nude when they can. Of course the fun ends when your toddler discovers that boys and girls have different parts and that some of their parts have ummm….shrubbery…and they start asking questions.

- The ever favorite potty training and the ‘No you don’t need to go again’ public bathroom exploration phase

o I’ve learned the true value of that 6 gallon bucket of hand sanitizer that my husband bought at BJ’s. Seriously y’all, if you are gonna hover, at least wipe up after yourself. Do you realize how time consuming it is to make a pee-pee tent for a toddler? I don’t even want to talk about port-o-potties.

But for all the torturous, mind melting, stages we’ve been through, this is by far the worst. I hereby dub it ‘Surviving the Quizmaster’. I have no idea what the lesson is other than how do I A.) not kill myself B.) keep myself from pulling off my own ears or C.) not kill myself.

And just when I thought this phase should pass soon, someone was kind enough to inform me that their 7 and 10 year olds are the exact same way.

I am currently reviewing options A, B and C again to resolve this issue.

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What did I tell ya? HI-larious.

Thanks again Kel!

Top Baby Blogs has been reset and I need your help!
Do you mind exercising your index finger with just 2 clicks?
Thanks guys!! xoxo

Guest Blogger: A Grande Life

Hmm, what can I say about Steph? So many things. Steph has gone from an IFF {Bob's term for "Internet Friend Forever"} to a real life friend. And a good one.
She's such an amazing person and I love her to death. She also owns a photography business, so all those amazing pro pics you see around here? She likely took them.

Oh, and she also has this "little" blog... A Grande Life. So after you read this lovely {and oh-so-true} guest post, head on over and check it out!

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Y'all Think Two Is Bad?

Clearly, you haven't hit three yet.

I was once told by a very knowledgeable Home Depot employee the following:

"It's the terrible two's, the horrible three's, and the f-ing four's."

My oldest was two at the time and in the throes of the terrible twos. I laughed. She didn't know what she was talking about. How could it get any worse? It could only get better, right?

Right?!

How naive I was.

I am here to tell you that three is no picnic. And if four is worse than three, then I would like to skip right on over to five. I seriously do not know how much more I can take.

Currently, we are in the back talking stage coupled with the "I can't" stage. Everything I say is met with "No, you do....". When he is prompted to do something over and over, he whines "I can't" and throws himself on the floor. It doesn't matter what I ask him to do. I could ask him to dive head first into a tub of chocolate ice cream with rainbow jimmies. I would still get the "No you dive head first into a tub of chocolate ice cream with rainbow jimmies." It would then be quickly followed with an "I can't" whine-fest.

We have tried everything we can to "discipline" this behavior. We've ignored. We've taken toys away. We've put him in time out. We've sent him to his room. We've taken away the iPad {the horror!}. Nothing works. The only thing that ends happening is one or both of us in tears and a lot of giving in.

I wish I had the magical cure all for the horrible three's {and the terrible two's and the f-ing four's}, I would share it with the world. But I don't.

But I do have wine!

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Mmmm, wine. Thanks for your post Steph!

Who else is currently dealing with one of these mentally draining stages of toddlerhood? Yep, me too. I almost feel as if someone should develop anger management classes for 2-4 year olds. {What? It's not such a bad idea.}

So, how are you handling it?

Vote if your toddler is driving you to drink too!

Guest Blogger: The Rusak Family

Hi everyone! My name is Katie from therusakfamily and I’m thrilled to be guest blogging for Jenni this week! I’ve been a fan of hers since way back in my days spent trolling the knot for wedding ideas to steal use as inspiration for my Oct. 2007 wedding. Lucky for me, I stumbled upon Jenni’s profile during the planning stage and was in awe of what a beautiful bride she was and how perfect her fall-themed November 2006 wedding turned out. Ideas galore!

Like the rest of you, I am sick to my stomach over Hurricane Irene throwing a wrench in her OBX vacation plans. Dammit, I was looking forward to living vicariously through Jenni’s pictures of her annual family trip, because Lord knows I could use a chance to get away and decompress a bit.

Let’s talk about that, shall we? Anyone else feel like they need a vacation?! My hubs and I have two young children, Allie (2.5 closing in on 3) and Tessa (she just turned 1! sniff sniff!), and I work full-time in higher education in Detroit, MI... and I'm just dying to get away for a bit! Here is my little family!

A couple of months ago I began to feel like I was going through somewhat of an identity crisis. In a nutshell, for the last 4 years, I have been either creating (getting knocked up, boo-yah!) or sustaining life (breastfeeding mama, just weaned after 12months, so sad).

And now?

I’m not really needed like that anymore. And I was starting to feel a little bit lost, in terms of my identity. I think being a “mother” can easily take over your life. Whether you work outside the home or are a SAHM (god bless you ladies, I do not have the balls for that), I think it’s pretty easy to lose yourself sometimes in loving on your kiddos. I was sad, and emotional (not to mention hormonal since I'd just stopped nursing! Look out!) and was honestly really struggling with this whole "what am I good for" feeling. While recognizing this however, I tried to look at this shift as an opportunity to do something for me. I’ll confess, watching Jenni take this blog to the next level, and really invest in it, and even go to BlogHer has been a real inspiration for me to try to carve out time to pursue my interests.

So… I volunteered for my local farmer’s market, asked my boss to nominate me for a prestigious leadership academy (and, holy crap, I got in!), joined the local Moms Club I’d been debating for years, sought out professional networking opportunities (free wine = WINNING) and scheduled dinner with friends and generally started to invest more time and energy in myself than I had over the years I focused on making and caring for my babies.

Not to sound really corny, but it’s working. I’m engaged, involved, giving back, and on track. I feel good about myself again. And that is going to help me be a good great mother to my girls. Am I overwhelmed sometimes at all I’ve taken on? Meh, a little. But I’m trying to cut myself some slack, relax and just do what’s good for me. So what if my laundry pile resembles a small mountain, I haven’t written all of my thank-you notes for Tessa’s birthday party, and a bowl of cereal and a Smirnoff Ice counts as a good dinner in my book?! That’s okay, I can’t do it all.

And when my 2.5 year old cried out for me in the middle of the night yesterday, and wanted snuggles to calm down, as I smoothed her hair back from her face and listened to her racing heart beat slowly return to normal, I realized I’m still needed, in a big big way.

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Thanks so much for taking over my blog, Katie!

You guys, isn't she so sweet?? Don't forget to check out her blog... it's adorable!

Vote if you think mom's are ALWAYS needed!

Guest Blogger: Our Growing Garden

Mommy Dating | Our Growing Garden

We've all met her. The woman in the library or doctor's office that you strike up small chit chat with. Your kids are similar in age, you have similar parenting styles, she seems like the kind of woman you could be best friends with.

You smile admiringly at her and her baby and work up the courage to say, "He is so precious. How old is he?" You learn that your babies were born only days apart. You learn that she breastfeeds and cloth diapers too. While you converse you are thinking in the back of your mind, wow, we have alot in common, I should ask for her phone number or email. But she's probably too busy, or will think I'm weird. Who asks for stranger's phone numbers in a doctor's office anyway?

And then, "Tyler?" the nurse calls, and just like that, you've lost your chance. She gathers up her car seat and diaperbag and purse, a balancing act you're all too familiar with as well. She smiles at you as she passes by and says, "it was nice chatting with you."

It would have been nice to become friends. Whether you are a stay at home mom or a working mom, we could all use more friends that understand the challenges of motherhood. I have passed up on what seemed to be many potential friendships because I was too shy or insecure to ask for an email or phone number. I have single friends and childless friends that I value dearly but they haven't yet joined the sisterhood of motherhood. You know what I mean, that unspoken bond that comes when two moms become friends. She'll understand if you can't make it. You'll invite her over for coffee because you can't wait to know her more. She'll still bake you a loaf of sourdough bread even when you threw out the starter she gave you (because you forgot to feed it).

My new friend Jessie had the courage to ask me out on a mom date. She asked for my phone number the first time we went to our new church. She texted me a few days later, "hey, want to come over for dinner Wednesday night?" And while I was a little nervous about it (because I can be ridiculously shy), we found out that we have pretty much everything ever in common. We both have similar parenting styles and values, interested in homeschooling, and both obsessed with coffee and cloth diapers. Every Wednesday we take our kids to the library for story time and then hangout at one of our houses. She is a kindred spirit and I would have missed out on a such a good friendship if one of us hadn't asked the other one out on the first mommy date.

James and his new friend Piper.

So the next time you meet another mom and you feel that instant bond, don't be shy. Ask her questions. Ask for her phone number. Because chances are, she could use a good friend just as much as you.

Kristin writes about the trials, hilarity, and stickiness of first time motherhood at Our Growing Garden.

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Thanks so much for taking over my blog, Kristin!

Vote for amazing bloggers!

Guest Blogger: Growing Up Geeky

Melissa | Growing Up Geeky

Domestic un-divas of the world, unite!

Beep beep, beep beep, beep beep, buzzed the timer. The cookies were done! I grabbed the oven mitt and slowly opened the oven, only to be greeted by a cloud of hot, hot air and nothing else. The oven was empty. A bit startled and embarrassed, I glanced across the kitchen and saw the uncooked cookie dough still sitting on the baking sheet. Fail. Not a big deal if I didn't need the cookies for a party for which we had to depart in T minus 5 minutes. With its beady chocolate chip eyes, I swear I caught one of the cookies mocking me. Scrumptious chocolate-laden nincompoop.

Despite spending a significant portion of my life following recipes and protocols for scientific experiments and procedures, somehow I was never able to master cooking or baking. Whenever I attempt to make something edible, one (or more) of the following occurs:

* I forget to add an essential ingredient; you don't want to know how brownies sans cooking oil taste...
* I burn something; wait, simmer doesn't mean to cook on high?
* As in the case with the cookies, I start the timer but neglect to place the food in the pot or oven

Those of you out there who are fantastic cooks; I am truly jealous of your culinary prowess. I so badly want to be one of those people who can whip up a gourmet meal with no need for a recipe or prior planning. However, given my list of weaknesses above I think I should thank my lucky stars that I haven't reduced our house to ashes yet. I'm afraid that this is one of those times when I just need to learn to accept my shortcomings.

So, I solemnly resign myself to continue following recipes from the Cream of Mushroom soup can label or the back of the StoveTop Stuffing box. I will pray that these dishes turn out somewhat palatable and God willing, that they do not turn into incendiaries.
Ladies who (like myself) hide behind that blue box of Mac & Cheese in trepidation, I raise my misused and abused spatula to you in solidarity - and so does Carina. Fear not, for our worth as wives and mothers is not based upon the quality (or edibleness) of our epicurean endeavors.

On that note, I must go remove the frozen pizza from the oven. I hope I actually put it inside the oven before starting the timer this go-round.

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Thanks so much for taking over my blog for a day Melissa!! You guys? Don't forget to check out her amazing blog!

Vote if you're a domestic un-diva {or an undomestic diva} too!

Guest Blogger: Mrs. Stephanie T.

hi, jenni's readers! my name is stephanie and i blog over at mrs. stephanie t. {formerly polos, pearls, & pacifiers}... what can i say, i'm a creature of change! i've also had the pleasure of meeting the owner of this blog in person. it was pretty magical, and i couldn't help but jump at the chance when she posted that she needed some guest posts while she went on vacay. hopefully i'll do while she's gone! ;)

does your kiddo{s} have any special names for you? calls you mommy, daddy, mama, dada? {my little nugget happens to call me mom mom.} or maybe they're too young to even say your name yet, but they know who you are and you can just see how much they love you?

that's one of my best things about being a parent to me. no one else in the world can rightfully call you mom or dad, other than your child{ren}. you're the cream of the crop to them. sure, grandma and grandpa might spoil them and let them eat cookies for dinner, but you're truly it. the apple of their tiny little pint sized eye. they look to you for everything. to tie their shoes, help them put on their clothes, change their bum, help them into the car, buy them that toy they screamed for 15 minutes in the store for. you walk in the room after being gone for even just a couple seconds, and their entire face lights up like they haven't seen you in weeks. you know the words to their favorite tv show's intro song? you might as well hold the world in the palm of your hands. it's just the little things that make them the happiest.

i never in a million years thought i would know a love as simple as the love i get from my daugher, hallie. never. no matter what mistakes i've made, wrongs i've done... they don't matter for her. she doesn't see them. {granted, i'll probably be saying the opposite in another 11 years. 13 seems to be when they hit "that age", right?} she just knows that i love her, and she loves me. that's the end of it. and for those of you that have more than one kid? DOUBLE or TRIPLE that love? i can't even imagine.

it blows my mind that these little people that sometimes seem to feel like managers that don't let you have a potty break without watching and trying to give you candy if you go number two, can wrap their tiny, itty bitty fingers around our hearts so tightly. and even though they'll one day have to let go, finally put their big kid panties on and start their own lives with their own families and have the same phenomenon that we feel, they'll always leave a tiny little handprint.

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Don't forget to check out Stephanie's amazing blog! She is such a doll {and another fabulous person I was lucky enough to meet at BlogHer!}

In other news, can you believe it's SEPTEMBER??? When I get back from vacation, I'll be sure to post about just how much I love fall. That's after I return from the beach, of course ;)

Vote if you think being a mom is magical!

Guest Blogger: Mama & the Dudes

Hey guys! I'm Mandey.

*hiiiii Mandey!*

That's me up there. In case you were wondering.
*Oh she looks nice. Wait, what kind of Mandey puts an E in her name?*

I'm so excited to be here and because I was so excited I brought one of my favorite recipes as of late. I got it from the Cook This Not That cookbook which gives you healthier versions of the really-bad-for-you restaurant versions. They try to keep everything in the cookbook 350 calories or less, this is one recipe that goes slightly over. But, for fettuccini, this is probably as healthy as it gets. I go to this cookbook when I really want something BAD. I don't feel so bad about it afterward because I've made this all myself and can control how much I eat and what goes into it.

The stats:
390 calories
12 g fat
730 mg sodium

Compared to the Olive Garden Fettuccini Alfredo:
1,220 calories
75 g fat
1,350 mg sodium.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz dried fettuccine


• 1 1/2 Tbsp butter


• 1 1/2 Tbsp flour (I used whole wheat flour)


• 1 cup milk (I used skim)


• 1/2 cup half and half


• 3/4 cup chopped bottled roasted red peppers (I used sweet roasted)


• 2 cloves garlic, halved


• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan


• Salt and black pepper to taste (It definitely needs salt, I also added garlic powder for a little extra taste)

How to make it:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (usually about 30 seconds to a minute less than the package instructions recommended). I just cooked them until they looked soft enough to eat.


• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute until the two are fully incorporated. Slowly add the milk and half and half, whisking to help prevent lumps from forming. Add the red pepper and garlic. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the mixture into a blender and puree until smooth and uniform in color. Return to the pan and stir in the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the pasta is done cooking.


• Drain the pasta and add directly to the saucepan. Toss to coat evenly.
  

Ways to mix it up:

• Add shrimp or chicken (which I did).


• After tossing the pasta and sauce stir in 4 cups baby spinach and cook just until it begins to wilt, about 1 minute.


• Stir in 2 cups each sauteed mushrooms and roasted broccoli right before adding pasta.
  

Anyways. I hope you guys try this! It's really good and a great alternative to the really bad stuff. Being healthy isn't about starving yourself or working yourself out until you're about to die. Eat the bad stuff in moderation, or like this recipe does, find a way to make it healthier. Oh, and I only had ONE SERVING of this, which I estimated to be about a cup. (A generous cup). When you start eating the amount they give you at the restaurant, you start getting into trouble.

Stop on over to my blog, Mama and the Dudes for more posts on health, life, oh and the cutest little curly haired boys I've ever made.

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Ok, how cute is she? I know, right. And she's just as sweet in person, as I was luck enough to meet Mandey when I went to BlogHer earlier this month. I hope you guys enjoy this amazing recipe and don't forget to visit her blog... her twin boys are adorable!

Vote if you're hungry!

Guest Blogger: The Paper Mama

Chelsey | The Paper Mama

So, please raise your hand if you have an Etsy addiction ::raised hand::. I do. That's for sure. And, I'm constantly adding SO many items to my favorites. The thing I love most about Etsy: you're supporting small handmade or vintage shops. So very important.

I wanted to share 5 of my fave items/shops I've bookmarked to buy Ruari in the future..... Love them... enjoy!

A sweet little vintage suitcase from Star Friends on Earth: "Going to Grandma's":

The Claudia Dress from Mode de vie Vintage:

A lovely doe print from Berkley Illustration:

A Measure Me Stick to measure Ruari's growth from Studio1am:

This sweet Hector the Deer plush from Nonesuch Garden:

I love them. I have been hoping to buy that Measure Me Stick since Ruari was a baby (and, she's 20 months old now)! I think it's time to cave...

Thank you SO much to Jenni for having me over to play on her blog for the day! If you want to come by some time and say "hi", I'd LOVE to have you! I'm here: The Paper Mama.

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You guys seriously need to check out Chelsey's blog... she is exactly who & what she appears to be, which is awesome. Trust me... I had to share a bed with this girl for 5 days.

Vote if you love Etsy!

Guest Blogger: IROCKSOWHAT

Hi! I'm Jess Craig and I blog over at IROCKSOWHAT. I'm a mom to Wyatt and I've been happily married for almost 7 years. I spend my free time stalking all of your blogs, looking at pinterest, and doing design work for blogs as well.

This is my son Wyatt. He enjoys Nutella, eating shredded cheddar, and playing in the fridge.

And this is my cool husband Josh. My high school sweet heart. He likes lame ass anime, shoving pizza down his face, and slapping my butt.

I suck at guest posts, so sorry this one is particularly lame. Okay, have a great day!

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Um, no you don't, Jess. Thanks so much for taking over!

Don't forget to check out her amazing blog, IROCKSOWHAT. It's totally great and if you need a laugh? Head on over and pay her a visit... you won't be sorry!

Vote for awesome bloggers!