The Randomness of Me

I love learning more about you bloggers. Some of my favorite posts are reading your random posts where you tell us fun quirky facts about yourself. The things that make you unique is interesting so I decided to give you, my readers, some facts about me. 

So here goes it.

1. I hate sour cream, milk, ranch dressing, mayo...basically all things white except for icing and ice cream. Not loving ranch is a highly crazy thing in my family but oh well I'm weird.

2. I have a mice phobia. Like a serious mice phobia. The first time I stayed at my sister-in-laws house we were all heading to bed when I saw a mouse. I freaked out. I shake, cry, and basically freak out. We ended up having to stay at a hotel that night. I'm sure his family thinks I am a brat but I really can't help it. 

3. I love the smell of books. Although I enjoy my Kindle there is just something about a book that I just love. Maybe it is the librarian in me. 

4. For many years I could only go to sleep watching Friends. I've grown some and now can go to sleep to Everybody Loves Raymond and King of Queens. Thankfully my husband is the same way so no problems there. 

5. I love school supplies! When I was younger I would rearrange my school supply box every single day from the day my mom got everything until the day school started. To this day I still love school supplies but now I call them office supplies.

6. I heart presents. There is just something about unwrapping a special gift. It could be a pen-I don't care. I just want to unwrap it. My loved ones say I'm the easiest person to buy for because I just love everything and I really do!

7. The first time I took my drivers test I hit a car. I barely hit it but I hit it. Beyond embarrassing. Let me tell ya. I cringe to this day thinking about it. Of course I didn't pass. Today I'm the go-to driver in the family but that day I will never forget.

8. I really wanted to give Jack the name Jake but it is my brother-in-laws brother's name so I couldn't choose it. Just too close to pick. Today my brother-in-law's best friend had a son who he named Jake and I'm a little jealous. 

9. Once while I was pregnant and I couldn't sleep because of my husband's snoring, I poked him with my fingernail on his face. It made me feel better. I actually giggled a little and then went to the couch. The next day he woke up complaining about his face having a sore spot. I fessed up later that day. I know it was a little mean but it made this pregnant woman a little happy.

10. I met my husband in a bar and the night Jack was conceived I had been to that same bar. Thank you Christy for asking me to have a drink with you to celebrate you having a babysitter. Sorry for the TMI-just keeping it real :)

Valentine Pictures

Money is still tight but this mama wanted Valentine's cards of her sweet baby boy. 

What's a mama to do?

Do it myself!

I'm not a photographer by any means. 

I'm not even an amateur. 

Here is what I was able to capture:

This picture above makes me so mad. After I looked at the picture I noticed the B for Breaker was not in the picture. We will do a redo of this picture.

I received these hearts in my Cara box and I think I found a perfect use for them. 

It looks as if the outfits were made with these hearts already there but nope I added them. 

My plan is to go online to wal-mart, walgreens, or shutterfly and pick a card to make my own photo Valentine cards. 

This was such a fun experience.

My precious baby Jack is 12 weeks today!!!

Resolutions Cara Box

I got a kick-A Cara box this month from Stephanie over at Life As A Mrs. Esquire. She picked the perfect items for me. You would be lucky to get Stephanie to make your box. She is new to the blogging world and this is her first Cara box and she did such a wonderful job. The items were right on the mark!

I had the privileged of making a Cara box for Christine from A Day In the Life. Go check out her blog to see what items she received from me.

Here are the fab items I got:

The CUTEST scrapbooking stickers!!!

Yummy smelling apple scented soy candle!

Fancy crocheting kit...it even has an instructional DVD!!!

Heart felt stickers, red yarn, candle, and sleep mask!

Baby boy scrapbook paper!

I can't wait to get started using all of the wonderful items I got in the mail. I really want to crochet but very intimidated. Stephanie got me a teaching kit that comes with supplies AND an instructional DVD. Learning comes easier when I can watch so I am loving the DVD. 

Stephanie really knew my goals for 2013!

Check out what others got by clicking here!

5 for Five

So last week ended up being a lot of failure for my 5 for Five. I think I may have written that post when I was feeling well. In 3 more weeks I should have the wound vac off and will be able to be lots more productive except I will also be back at work so maybe I won't, but I sure am gonna try. 

So here goes:

1. Get all tax documents together-I am still waiting on one more document but I did get started so this one was a win/lose.

2. Limit myself to one soda a day. I did really well on this one until yesterday and then boom-failure! 

3. Do my eyebrows. I did this and boy did I need it!

4. Make a Valentine wreath. A big thumbs down! I've decided not to make one after all this year. We are still mainly staying with my parents as I recover and it just doesn't make sense to decorate for Valentines Day this year. Makes my heart just sad.

5. Start our family cookbook. Another total failure. Honestly, I forgot about this one completely. Ugh!

So not a great week for my first 5 for Five but this week I am going to make more attainable goals.

1. Make at least 2 scrapbooking pages.

2. Finish the book Sparkle.

3. Start learning to crochet.

4. Take Jack's Valentine pictures.

5. Start family cookbook.

Hope this week is a week full of healing and productivity!

Coconut Oil Benefits

Coconut Oil is the newest craze. I'm not one to jump on bandwagons but after doing some research I decided to try it out. I love it!

Here are some of the benefits:

Great for you hair! Shampoo your hair. Then massage the oil in your hair. Leave in for an hour and then wash out. Makes your hair feel oh so good!

Skin care-after I wash my face at night I massage a little into my skin. It makes my skin feel wonderful and makes it look so shiny. It has anti-oxidants which makes it a great anti-aging moisturizer. My husband loves it because it makes me smelly yummy.

Weight lose agent.  It raises your metabolism.  You can just eat it or put it on your food. 

Natural remedy for pneumonia. It has been found to help patients recover quicker and relieve patients of their symptoms. 

Lowers risk of diabetes, heart disease and improves cholesterol levels. 

Assists in bone health and chronic fatigue. 

Helps with digestion. One article I read was a mother who said she put it on her child's toast each morning to help with her child's digestive problems.

Makes bruises heal quicker. Just rub it on to the infected area. Does the same for abrasions and burns. 

Great for diaper rashes and other skin issues. I used it on my son's dry skin and it cleared it up very quickly. 

There are many more benefits that you can research. 

There is tons of information about coconut oil.

When I find something I love, I enjoy telling others about it. The picture above is the type that I use and really enjoy. I had another brand that I used on my son's skin that was fine but the smell of  EfaGold is my favorite so far. 

Get Well Soon Gift

Lately me and hospitals are tight. Like we have matching BFF bracelets tight. When you are in the hospital people often send flowers, plants, balloons, and candy. Those things are really nice but the greatest hospital gift I received was a bag with the following things:

Face wipes

Lipgloss

A magazine

My new favorite chocolate

Nail buffer

Dry shampoo

Walmart gift card


This gift was just what I needed. I got to pretty myself up a little because let's face it when you are in the hospital you don't look your best. It made me feel lots better and was the perfect "Get Well Soon" gift!

5 For Five

When I heard about this 5 for Five link up I knew this was for me.  I love setting goals and being held accountable is a big motivator. Since I’m still recovering from surgery my 5 things can’t be too big since I’m pretty limited. So here goes…

 1.   Get all tax documents together.

 2. Limit myself to one soda a day.

 3.  Do my eyebrows.

 4. Make a Valentine wreath.

 5.  Start our family cookbook.

Gender Disappointment

As soon as I found out I was pregnant I downloaded the What to Expect app. I was in the November 2012 group. Around the same time we all started learning the gender of our little ones. For the first time I heard this idea of gender disappointment. I didn't really think about gender because I KNEW I was having a girl and everyone around me just KNEW it was a girl also. 

Timing was on our side and we were able to do a gender reveal cake on our wedding day. So beside our wedding cake we had our gender reveal cake that was the official grooms cake. No one officially knew the sex except for the bakery and ultrasound tech. She was nice enough to call the bakery for us so it would be a complete secret. We had to wait 2 whole days but since we knew it wasn't that bad.

Here is the picture of us right before we cut the cake. I broke down. I'm not sure why. In that moment I thought I was going to have to run out of the room due to my emotional breakdown. It was a lot of pressure having everyone stare at me.

Here is the cutting of the cake.

Can you see the shock?

It's a he!

I know it isn't the thing to do to be disappointed over the gender of your baby but I was but it was very short lived. I had spent numerous weeks dreaming about mother/daughter manicures and us baking together and her wedding day. I had to turn that all off and start dreaming of a different relationship. 

Today I dream about t-ball practice, running through mud holes, football practice, and shopping for his first suit. 

I couldn't imagine having anything but my little guy.

God knew exactly what I needed.

My Horrible Birth Story In Segments (Part One)

It seems that every blogger with a child has their birth story posted. While I was pregnant I would blog hop reading birth stories but now when I see one I grimace and quickly look away. Why would a mother of a precious baby boy look away from a birth story? Everyone's wonderful birth stories just remind me of how horrible mine was. 

Here is why it was horrible:

I had a scheduled c-section on November 7, 2012. The day started out with me full of nerves and jitters. My husband had to drop me off at the hospital because his family didn't know the area and were back at the house waiting on him. Being there alone going through the check-in process was something I shouldn't have done. It was my fault because of course I had said "go on-it's fine. Y'all go out and have breakfast. No reason to sit around and wait". Big mistake on my part. I'm bad about not saying what I really want.

The scheduled c-section time kept being pushed around. Someone would say 8. Then it would get changed to 10 and then changed to 9. I kept calling my family and friends telling them the different times. It was so frustrating and I was a nervous wreck.

During the c-section I had a panic attack. I couldn't feel half of my body and that wigged me out. I could feel my foot itching but I couldn't lift it. I kept freaking out begging them to put me to sleep  because I thought I was going crazy. I got all claustrophobic thinking about how I couldn't move if I wanted to. He finally gave me something but it only helped a little. Even writing about it now bothers me. I'm tapping my foot right now because I can.

When Jack came out they held him over the blue curtain and he threw up in my mouth. He was green and swollen. I freaked out. My husband was so excited and all I could think was "God, please let this be over soon".  As they took Jack away my husband was gone too and I was left alone.

This part is foggy but Jack's pediatrician came in and said something about Jack needing to be flown to Baptist hospital. I fell right back asleep and woke up in the hallway with my husband, mom, dad, and the rest of our families staring at me like they expected something from me. Jeremy got real close to my face and asked "do you want me to go with Jack or your parents?" I must have looked at him crazy because he asked if I understood Jack was being flown to Baptist and I told him I thought all of it was a dream.

I had no idea what to say. Everyone was looking at me. My husband looked liked he was going to pass out and I could tell my parents were so nervous. What really bothered me was Jeremy and I had the conversation the night before that if something happened that he would go with Jack. Now that he was asking I knew it was because he didn't want to go. I could see in his face that he was scared to death and so I said my parents should go and off they went to drive the two hours to Baptist hospital.

Our first picture as a family.

Look how swollen he is :(

Jack being transported to the helicopter

Well that is the first few hours of my birth story. Although for most people this is the happiest day of their lives, for me it was a nightmare. Stay tuned for the rest of Jack's birth story.

Paying It Forward

I've seen this Paying It Forward concept floating around the social media world. Since I love sending people gifts I decided to sign up over at & So She Did. She's a southern gal like me.

I've joined the 2013 Creative Pay It Forward!

The details: The first 5 people to comment with their email and blog address, will receive from me, sometime in this calendar year, a gift - perhaps a book, a baked good, jewelry, music - a surprise in the mail!  There will likely be no warning, and it will happen when the mood strikes me.

The catch: Those five people must make the same offer on their Blog. 

So leave me your information so I can get you a happy sent out in the mail. 

I'm looking forward to buying some fun things and you getting something in the mail that brightens your day.

WubbaNub Love

WubbaNub is such a funny word but boy its not funny when Frank the wubbanub is missing. Here is a wubbanub.

Jack loves his wubbanub and we take it wherever we go. Why do we love Frank? 

1. Jack is able to hold the paci in his mouth easier. 

2. Jack loves to pet Frank while drifting off to sleep.

3. Paci is easier to keep up with.

4. Super cute.

Jack with his buddy Frank

If you are looking for a great baby shower gift check out there website here. We got Jack's from Amazon and we paid around $13. 

Pintrocus

As I sit in the hospital waiting to get released, I am looking ahead to better times. Looking at my pinterest boards gives me a renewed spirit of great things to come. However, pinterest can be overwhelming. I've decided I need to pintrocus (focus on certain pinterest projects). 

1. Yummy Valentine Brown Sugar Blondies

2. The perfect Valentine card for my husband.

3. Super cute and easy Valentine wreath (gotta start soon)

4. We need a family binder ASAP.

5. I want to implement at least 5 of these into our life this month.

6. Instagram photo display 

*Click on pictures to go to the link

I feel I am more likely to be pinterest productive if I focus on just a few projects. Anyone working on a great pinterest project they would like to share?

Influenster Delivers Again

Today (01/10) I received an Influenster box and I had no idea it was coming. It included 3 huge bottles of Palmolives newest line of dish washing soap. 
The first thing I did was pop them open and smell them and then hand them to my husband to smell.
Our favorite was the lime, the lemon came in second, and the flower one mainly just smelled like soap. 
We used the lime one (excuse me I used the lime one) on the dishes and was impressed that the dishes cleaned quickly and the fragrance was nice but didn't overwhelmed me but it didn't make the dishes smell like lime which was nice. 
I gave the flower/pink bottle to my friend Brooke and I am awaiting her thoughts.
I also got $1.50 off coupons to share with others. I'll keep one for myself and then share with some of my coupon loving friends.
I just love getting an Influester box in the mail-just makes my day!

Surgery Update

Today has been a hard day. I'm not gonna act like I have been strong. I was told I wouldn't be going home until at least Monday. I was very disappointed. A horrible black cloud settled over me once I got that news and I've been yucky ever since. 

Once I saw my stomach my black cloud got bigger. 

My mood grew worse.

My husband and I argued over pizza (I think). I've been moody and he has been moody and the levee finally broke. 

It's starting to storm here which feels fitting. 

I'm going to put a picture of my stomach below but I want to explain what you are seeing. The white part is the vacuum and the black part is the gauze. The doctor ended up having to cut out more than he had planned. 

The pain is pretty bad but not nearly as bad as hearing stories about Jack instead of being there to witness for myself. 

I know I could have them drive him 2 hours to come see me but that would be selfish of me. The flu is rapid and I am actually on the floor with several flu patients. 

I'm angry. I want to hit something, cuss, and scream. 

Seriously Feeling Gangsta

I wasn't nervous at all.

The IV wasn't that bad...

My nurse was slow but sweet.

I woke up feeling decent-no vomiting which is a plus in my book.

I slept most of the day.

Missing my son like crazy.

Found out that I am healing really well and I MIGHT just MAYBE get out tomorrow.

The pain isn't THAT bad today.

I know tomorrow will be worse.

I actually went for a small walk.

My bestie brought me a cupcake from GiGi’s- so yummy!

All of the staff is just amazed at how well I am doing which leads me to believe I really am gangsta.

Guess who is keeping me from being released? Insurance (they rock and suck and if you have ever REALLY had to deal with insurance you will know what I’m talking about)

I’ll keep you updated on my progress. I’m dedicated to getting back to my wonderful life.

Keep the prayers coming cause well I need prayers from lovely ladies.

My Life is About to Change for Several Weeks

Sometimes life throws some challenges at you and well I have just been hit big time. A little background information first. I had a c-section 9 weeks ago today. Since that time I have been hospitalized 12 days, been put on numerous medications, seen by 8 doctors, and yesterday I learned I will be having surgery again. All of this is due to a hard mass that is right above my c-section scar. At first they thought it was an abscess, then cellulitis, then they were not sure, then they thought it was just swollen tissue due to infection, and now they believe it is deep tissue necrosis caused by the c-section when the blood supply was cut off from my stomach. 

The mass in my stomach continues to grow and basically guys it is GROSS. I have big black spots on my stomach. It is not pretty. 

Friday they are cutting all of that out. For 6-8 weeks I will be down. I will have a wound vac attached to the area and home health will have to come in to clean the vac. 

It's just a big mess!

Because my husband will still have to work and I can't take care of a baby from the bed we will basically be moving in with my parents. 

My sister, her husband, and their baby Bennett already live there. Talk about a full house. 

I have spent the time since I learned the news getting things packed and getting the house in order. 

My school has been amazing and is deducting my time off across 7 checks so we will have some of my check each month.

Please pray for my recovery. The faster I heal the faster I will get back home to cook, craft, and take care of my family.

Make sure to enter my giveaway!

I'll keep y'all update. 

My First Giveaway!

I am having my very first giveaway! I told myself that when I reached 50 followers I would do a giveaway. It is also part of my 20 Wishes. I'm very excited about this new venture in the blogging world. Since this was my first giveaway I had some questions and I knew just who to ask-Leslie.
Leslie over at Violet Imperfection is seriously the sweetest person EVER! She is my go to person for blogging answers . Her blog is so cute. I have no idea how she does so much. Her DIY projects are amazing and that sweet baby Violet is a doll. I just can't say enough about Leslie and her blog. Do yourself a favor and go check out Violet Imperfection! www.violetimperfection.com

Please enter below and good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stephanie @ Life as a Mrs. Esquire

This month Stephanie at Life as a Mrs. Esquire is making my Cara box. She is so sweet and new to the blogging world. I just wanted to introduce my followers to her because of these reasons:

1. She is new to the blogging world and I know how we like to welcome new bloggers.

2. She is an attorney and is married to an attorney-so you know her life is interesting.

3. She loves cooking, crafting, and working out. I need to learn some things from this woman. 

4. Look at her engagement picture-Love it! That blue couch is perfection!

5. She is a great writer. Check out her post on Newlywed Date Nights

Well ladies go check out Stephanie's blog and become her newest follower. I haven't even gotten my Cara Box yet but I just know it is gonna be awesome. Her taste is fantastic. 

Go check her out and enter my very first giveaway!

Mommy Mistakes

I screwed up last night. Jack fell off the couch. I had went to sleep on the couch after Jack fell asleep in his swing. I did not want to move him to his crib because he is such a light sleeper and I was so tired from him not taking a nap yesterday. Well at some point he ended up on the couch with me. I could feel him falling. Luckily we have carpet and our couch isn't tall. He cried for maybe 3 seconds. I cried a lot longer.

He will be sleeping in his crib from now on. No more couch sleeping!

Giveaway and Love Bug

Tuesday I will have my very first giveaway! I reached 50 followers and it is time to celebrate! Make sure to stop by and enter. Gotta say the more I blog the more I love it. The people I have met are just amazingly kind people. I also want to share a cute pic of the baby. I love him more and more each day! Jack wore the cutest Mudpie outfit Saturday and I had to share. The hat was added because it just went so well. Football season is almost over and it hurts my heart. Glad Jack grew enough to fit into this outfit before all the bowl games were over. Hope everyone has a blessed week!

Jack's Nursery-My Favs

Jack's nursery is my favorite room in the house. It has gotten the most attention and I love all the cute baby items. Plus it is the cleanest room in the house since we aren't actually using it that much at the moment. I already know in no time at all it will be become the messiest room in the house but for now it is my little sanctuary. I wanted to share some things from Jack's nursery that I love.

Picture painted by Mrs. Suzi the art teacher

Bath bucket made by my friend Lisa

The pictures are framed ultrasound pictures. The pom poms made by my friend Heather.
The mobile was a gift from my sister. 

Banner from my baby shower that I put in Jack's room

Word art that I made

I made this using a Dollar Tree sticker and some stencils 

Used scrapbooking supplies to label these drawers

Cheap letter canvases that I made using supplies from Walmart

Hangs on his door. His Aunt Amy got him this while he was in the hospital.