Mom to Mom {Playgroup}

Recently I joined a playgroup.

Before Andrew was born I worked full time, and had not tried to join any groups before then.

Now that Im a newly SAHM, I realize the importance of really getting out.

I've attended a few events so far, and I've really enjoyed myself.

Andrew is to small yet to know what we're doing, but Samantha has fun learning how to play, share, take turns, etc.. Of course all this will go into hyper-mode in a few months when school starts for her.

But I find if I get my kids out ... especially in the AM for a few hours, it makes for a happier house later in the day.

So in attending these playgroups, I have ALWAYS come to find at least one mother who has had a baby with Colic as well! And I tell you.... NO ONE knows what you've gone through other than people who have gone through it themselves... you cant even begin to imagine, or begin to understand unless you've lived it.

A few conversations makes you feel so great and really helps other moms know their not alone. It felt so good to hear another mother say..."My son/daughter slept with us for the forst 4 months too," "He/She would cry all day long .. for hours... I was going out of my mind" "We tried Colic Ease, we tried acid reflux meds" "All I would do was pace the house holding him/her for months"... Gosh it was so nice to hear that my unimaginable lifestyle a few weeks ago was the same as so many other Moms out there.. And you look back and realize.. hey... this made me a stronger mom.. Now even on Andrew's crabbiest days.. I dont even stress out in the least... Because I went through HELL...and I'll take a no napping/crabby/teething baby....(with maybe a glass or two of wine.. haha)

So playgroup has been good. And the Moms I've met have been so sweet, and real, and wonderful to talk with.

This week we had a pool playdate and it was so much fun!

Next week we'll be at the pool again.. We cant wait!

Help!

Hey Bloggers..

Im trying to get a Pinterest account.

I think the website may be messed up....

Can someone tell me if this is normal,. or if Im even at the right website?

Thanks

xoxo

Joelle

Open Late....

So Samantha.. (my almost 19 month old) hasnt been the best sleeper.. since birth. I guess I could have titled this post "venting". As I sit here and type, she is still not sleeping ... She just woke up after I put her down for bed.. I went up, calmed her down, and rocked her.. then put her down..

2 seconds after closing the door, she gives me the blood curdling scream that all Momma's Im assuming hate hearing. Im being strong, and letting her cry back to sleep.. thats the way my husband and I have been handling her lately...

We need sleep, and she needs sleep... end of story, right? Haha.. yea right.

I feel badly for posting and "venting" about my sweet baby girl. She really is the best part of our lives.. Its just that some days/nights are tough, and it feels better to know Im not the only Momma out there who gets a little frustrated.


I am hoping, when Im brave enough to want another baby, that the second one sleeps better than miss samantha jane! ha!

In all other ways, even the sleeping "problems" I cannot thank God enough for giving us a healthy beautiful girl.

Momma said there'd be days like this, right?


MOVING ON.. Thank you so much to Shannon over at Bless Our Nest! I am so grateful to her for hosting my first giveaway! I think it was a successful one, huh?

Now that I have some more followers Im super excited to share things with you all, craft more, blog more, vent more (ha!), cook/bake more, etc!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Joelle

Stir Crazy, Spoilings, Sweets and Sippy Cups

And that is just what this post is about.
We are in deep deep winter mode around here.. snow is everywhere! And let me clarify, I am NOT complaining. It is beautiful, and Mathew and I did voluntarily decide to move from the South to the North..ha!

But lately .. Samantha is getting a little stir crazy I feel. I do take her out in the snow, but not when it is a bone chilling 12 degrees and windy...eeks.. Adults can barely handle it, let alone a 1 year old.

So we decided to help us through the whiny moments, and tugging at mommy's legs, wanting to be held, and doing as we call them "bad things" like tipping milk over on purpose, and crushing cereal into the hardwood floors.. After all this was happening, we decided to bust out a few Christmas presents early. I mean, she is 17 months, and doesnt really "get it" yet.. so we thought it would help her to have some new things..

like this...



She loves it. And we put it right in the kitchen so she can cook/bake with Momma side by side.

We also put her PBK Chair together.. I wanted a neutral color and didnt want it monogrammed, just in case she will have to share with her sibling one day...



She loves sitting in it, and standing on it to look out the window and see the snow..


Here is another gift I couldnt resist yesterday when shopping..



This one is under the tree though.. and I cant wait to see her face when she opens it! Okay, maybe I want to play with it a little too. ha!

Sweets: Sunday we are hosting our first family party since being in our new house. We do a progressive party every year since I can remember. My grandpa started the tradition, and it is one person's house for Appetizers, Dinner and Desserts, so we get to see 3 family members' houses, and at the end at Desserts we exchange gifts, we pick names, and the name of the person who had you is revealed. We have such a big family, so this is an easy way to do presents with about 40 people!

So we are hosting appetizers!
I will post many pics and recipes... but I started making a few sweets.. (i know its appetizers.. but its the holidays and I cant resist sweets!!

I made fruity popcorn I got the recipe from: www.ourbestbites.com - one of my favorite sites.

I think it just looks so pretty for Christmas in red.



Im making lots of other goodies, a lot of recipes came from fellow bloggers too!
Pesto Layer Dip, Brownie Bites, and Pastry Wrapped Brie, to name a few!! Stay tuned!

Sippys: Ok Mom's Im on the hunt for a non leaking, non spilling sippy cup! Since Samantha knows how to tip her cup over now, I went shopping yesterday for new sippys... I love the Dr Browns one.. so far so good. The Avent one, STILL Leaks! It even says "magic" sippy cup.. I should have not been deceived!