The Fountain Park

Filed Under Clothes, Fourteen Months, Outings, Play | 7 Comments

This past week, my mom and I took Bailey to our favorite park to play. She gets so excited to climb on the equipment now. It seems like not too long ago that she refused to climb on anything at all! She absolutely hates swings, though. If we sit her in one she looks a little nervous. If someone pushes it, she gets an absolutely terrified look on her face and starts shaking. It’s so sad I don’t really like swings either, in fact it kind of makes me sick to watch kids swinging, but I liked them as a kid! She didn’t like her baby swing either, but a few times last fall she went in a swing at the park and seemed to enjoy it. I hope she grows out of the terrified phase and that it’s not making her feel motion sick or anything.

Her favorite thing to do at this park (or any park for that matter) is to go up and down the steps, over and over and over and over and over… it gives Mommy’s back and arms quite a workout!

In the tunnel with Grammy

This park also has a great fountain area. You can turn it on with a timer and it just sprays out of one pole. It’s in a nice sunny spot and we planned ahead and brought Bailey’s swimsuit so she could get really wet. Last time we went, she was in a hot pink diaper and looked really classy… so we thought we should be more prepared for playing in the water.

I had to include this last one because I just love the back of this suit. It’s from Janie and Jack, and it was a gift- a lot more than I would have spent ($38-ish) but I have to remind myself that she might as well wear it everywhere or she will just outgrow it anyway.

Spellcheck

Filed Under Daddy, In-Laws, Names | 7 Comments

Someone should install spellcheck in my mother in law’s brain. My husband, Jonathon? The one who has the unique spelling that we are forever correcting people about? His name is actually JonathAn. He said he used to spell it as Jonathan when he was little and then for some reason his parents told him it was with an O. We noticed a few years back that his SS card had JonathAn on it but figured we just needed to get it corrected. Well his parents mailed a random envelope of “old memorabilia” to him the other day… including a little school pencil box, a KVM, some photos… and, drumroll- his original birth certificate and passport (they left the states when he was six weeks old) and those both have the A spelling… OMG seriously, how do you forget how you decided to spell your child’s name?

And the really ridiculous part is that his parents didn’t even notice any of this stuff when they mailed that package. They are still oblivious. Even when we tell them I am guessing it will be something like, “Oh, hmmm, yeah well we couldn’t remember what we decided on, oh well…” Duhhhhhhh

So now we (well really he) anyway SOMEONE needs to make the decision of whether he wants to legally get his name changed and spell it the way he thought it was, or just get his driver’s license changed and stick with the real spelling- we are thinking that might be easier because that’s how it is on all his other documents, plus that’s how most people spell it on his stuff anyway. It’s just weird because he didn’t know that was his name. I am married to Jonathan.

Jen, I can’t believe I forgot to tell you this at dinner.

Crabby Tooth Girl Pics and Other Randomness

Filed Under Complaining, Fourteen Months, Second Pregnancy, Teething | 7 Comments

Now that I say Bailey’s crabby teething spell is over, she is having a random crabby day today. Hopefully once she wakes up from her morning nap, she will be in a better mood. Not to mention that I just started my period (which I am sure you all want to know, but that means I’m not pregnant!) and I am crampy and feel blah. Drinking a Diet Coke helped the situation a little bit, as did a flour tortilla rolled up with butter and sugar and cinnamon in it. If you haven’t tried it, you should. It sounds nasty but it’s so, so good.

By the way, if we got pregnant this month, our kids would officially be two years apart. Not that we have any plans for that, but we always said we would NOT want them any closer than two years. I know people do it, but I also know my child and I know myself. And being pregnant again doesn’t sound at all appealing to me yet. I’m sure that someday it will sound fun and exciting and I really will want a new baby. For now, Bailey is enough. We want more than one child eventually, but not now. So stop speculating on when I am going to get pregnant, those of you who have been asking since Bailey turned one!

Here are some pics I took the other day while Bailey was being Crabby Tooth Girl. Doesn’t she just look pitiful?

I am also curious if anyone knows anything about authorize.net or other similar services. They set you up so that you can take credit cards as a merchant. I was wondering if I could use something like that instead of Paypal, when people buy stuff from me online like greeting cards or when I do calligraphy.

It seems like the teething is over

Filed Under Fourteen Months, Random, Teething | 1 Comment

For now, anyway. Bailey is back to her usual cheerful self. Thank goodness, because I was about at the end of my rope.

And I am looking forward to the weekend. We are going to a carnival, a birthday barbecue, and I am having dinner with a friend. So it should be fun and hopefully relaxing. Jonathon tends to freak out if he thinks we have too much planned.

Also I have mosquito bites all over my legs today. Which is odd because we weren’t outside last night. Maybe a delayed reaction from playing outside with the neighbors on Tuesday night.

My house is clean too except for my office. That darn office.

Anew Clinical Stretch Mark Smoother

Filed Under Avon, Pregnancy, Works For Me Wednesday | 2 Comments

When I was pregnant with Bailey, I got really bad stretch marks. I was fine until about 35 weeks and then it’s like my body just exploded with lines everywhere. I got stretch marks all over my stomach and hips, and on my boobs. I seriously thought it was one of the most disgusting things I had ever seen. I thought a couple times about buying some sort of cream or something but figured that I had so many lines that it would never work.

Finally when Avon came out with the Anew Clinical Stretch Mark Smoother, I decided I might as well give it a shot. I am more willing to try Avon products randomly since I get a discount and also because then if customers ask about them, I can give my opinion. I have been using the Stretch Mark Smoother for about a month now and honestly, I DO notice a difference. The marks that were pinkish/purple before are now skin colored. I am hoping that they “diminish” more and get smaller but right now I am excited that they aren’t as obvious as they were before. I thought about doing a before and after picture but realized I didn’t want to show the “before” to the whole world

Anyway, this is my product endorsement for the Stretch Mark cream. It really worked for me. If you are looking for something to get rid of stretch marks or other scarring, I seriously recommend this. It’s $25 and worth every penny. If that’s not in your budget, they also have an Anti-Cellulite and Stretch Mark Cream in the Avon Solutions line. It’s only $17 but I can’t vouch for that one.

You can order directly on my website and choose Personal Delivery to have me deliver to you, or Direct Delivery to have it shipped. Right now you can use the code REP10 for free shipping on orders of $10 or more (pre-tax). Questions? Leave a comment or email me at tara (at) twolinesonastick (dot) com

Also, I just wanted to say a big Thank You to all of you who order from me or have ordered in the past. You are helping my business to grow and to make it easier (and more fun!) for me to be a stay at home mom. I appreciate you!

For more fun tips, check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.

Wordless Wednesday- Multi-tasking

Filed Under Books, Fourteen Months, Wordless Wednesday | 8 Comments

Here are those playdate pictures…

Filed Under Fourteen Months, Playdates | 5 Comments

Last week I hosted a pool/outside playdate at our house for some friends. It was so great to hang out with everyone and just relax and watch the kids play. And drink margaritas. I love having fun stuff to do with Bailey and her friends. I feel like I am usually the one trying to think of things to do though- I wish someone else would plan something more often. I am always afraid my ideas are going to suck or not turn out well. But this one was okay.

Here are a few pictures from that day. There were six babies, a two year old, and a six year old. I think it worked out well despite the random group of kids and moms who didn’t all know each other. Here is Bailey in the pool with Shaloma.

Bailey really likes Pringles- not that they are the healthiest choice but I feel better about her eating those than other crunchier chips that she could choke on.

Kaitlynn, Bailey, and Adele

“Welcome to my house!”

“You can come in if you want, but then we close the door.”

“Seriously, guys, the door MUST be closed. If you don’t listen, I will just squish you in the door.”

Oh, and after the playdate? Bailey discovered that she could put her finger up her nose.

Not so much

Filed Under Fourteen Months, Teething | 4 Comments

Having issues posting pics. I was going to share some cute ones from a playdate last week. I guess I’ll do that later.

Bailey is teething again and crabby and fever-y. I actually took her to the doctor this morning. They suckered me into it, to check her ears, even though I knew she was fine. Darn $20 copay I should have just listened to my gut and not gone, but then I would have felt guilty if there was something wrong and I didn’t go- it’s just so hard to know what it is when they can’t tell you where it hurts. After the doctor we had grilled cheese sandwiches at my mom’s house and then the Tylenol started wearing off and her temp started going up again so we headed home. We weren’t even two streets away from my mom’s house (in her neighborhood, not like big streets) and Bailey was already asleep. After having a 2 1/2 hour nap this morning. Now she has been sleeping in her room for about an hour so we’ll see how long this lasts.

I think Jonathon is working late tonight so hopefully she’s not too crabby. We might get the sprinkler out and play outside if she’s in a decent mood when she gets up.

Freepeats in St. Louis

Filed Under Baby Gear, Shopping, St. Louis | 3 Comments

I just followed another blog post to find a great new baby stuff website called Freepeats. They are in St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia. Lifetime membership is free through July 1st, then after that, a lifetime membership will cost $4.95

If you have ever looked at Freecycle, it reminds me of that, only instead of random things like auto parts, EVERYTHING on the site is baby/kid stuff. Everything is free. You post your offer, then change your post to show when it is taken. I registered and I have seen some decent offers on there, like a set of Avent bottles, a boppy, shoes, etc. It’s really not junk. I will have to look through my stuff and see what I can clear out of here. There is also a section for trading formula coupons and such.

Happy (late) Birthday, Ella!

Filed Under Birthdays, Parties, Thirteen Months | 1 Comment

Bailey’s little friend Ella turned one last week. We went to a party for her on Saturday. It was a luau theme and Emily and Christopher did a great job decorating! They also had live music and lots of food.

Daddy and Bailey in the hot sun- It was pretty hot at first-

After an hour or so we found a cooler corner of the yard to hang out in and it was nice and relaxing after that.

Bailey with friends Kaitlynn and Valletta

Emily and Ella

Here is Ella eating her birthday cupcake- at first she wasn’t interested at all and got upset when the icing got on her hands. Once everybody stopped watching, she ate it.

Playing ball

Moving Tubes

And at this party we discovered that Bailey loves being sprayed in the face with squirt bottles!

Thank you Ella for inviting us to your party! We had a great time! Happy birthday, big one year old

Fourteen Months

Filed Under Food, Fourteen Months, Talking | 2 Comments

Bailey,

Your fourteen month birthday was on Monday. Why does the time go so fast? I think I comment on that every month. You seem so grown up to me now. Your hair is long enough to go in a little ponytail on the top of your head, and right now your toenails are painted hot pink. You have four top teeth and almost three bottom teeth. I think you have some of your molars but I have learned not to poke my finger back there. You bite really hard.

You are walking and running and climbing now. You can almost get on the couch by yourself and I am dreading that day. You still don’t know not to just step off the edge of things. You are also quite the dancer. You love to twirl, even though you don’t turn around all the way yet. You stick your arms out and twist from side to side. You also bounce up and down and try to jump, but your feet don’t leave the floor.

You have really been enjoying going to the park lately and especially playing in the fountain. We did that twice this week. Your favorite food is pizza- you will eat like three pieces of Cecil Whitaker’s by yourself! You test everything first by putting it up to your lips. I’m not sure if you are checking the temperature or the smell or what. Once you press it against your lips for a minute you usually eat it. You also love just about any kind of rice. Here you are at El Nopal a few weeks ago, checking out the menu.

You are also developing a little more of a vocabulary now. Your words are:
buh-buh (bubbles)
mama or mom
dada or daddeeeeee
up (means up or down)
nananananana (?)
muh (more, which you sign more often than say)
jee-ja (Jesus)
booh (book)
hi
wuh wuh wuh wuh (dog barking)
gee (doggie and froggie)
gock (clock)
Obviously most of these still need translation for other people, but it is clear that you have definite words that you use for things now. I can’t wait until you start talking more, and more clearly. I am so curious what you have to say and what you think about.

You like to play with your Little People Zoo and your animal circus tent. You love to read, still. Current favorites are Very Hungry Caterpillar and your Little People book at Grammy’s house. You also like to push and sit on your stride-to-ride Lion but you can’t actually make him go when you’re sitting on him. You climb up in your rocking chair and sit to read. Each morning you run to our bathroom and try to get your dad’s toothbrush out of the cabinet before I can catch you. Because you want to suck the toothpaste out- ew.

You seem more “kid” than “baby” now. I am amazed at how fast you are changing and learning new things. I am just thankful that you still like to kiss your mommy and that you are so affectionate. It makes your big-girl-ness more bearable.

I love you forever and ever,

Mommy

Works For Me Wednesday- Crayon Storage

Filed Under Fourteen Months, Toys, Works For Me Wednesday | 3 Comments

You know how when you have a box of crayons, it is hard for the kids to get just one crayon out of the box, or put them back in the box? My parents as teachers lady showed us a good trick. Not to be outdone by Nicole and her snack trick, my Works for Me Wednesday tip also involves a Parmesan cheese canister. (And I had a little laugh because I had already planned on doing this post today before reading Nicole’s blog).

We are using a Parmesan cheese canister for storing crayons. If you wash it out and peel the label, it’s the perfect size. Also, as the kids get better with fine motor skills, then can try putting the crayons back in through the smaller round holes. We put Bailey’s crayons in there a few weeks ago and it seems to work well for her. And the plus side is that at least right now, she can’t get it open on her own

For more tips to make your life easier, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Tackle It Tuesday- My Office

Filed Under Tackle It Tuesday | 4 Comments

Tackle It Tuesday. I think it’s a great idea. The point is that you tackle a housework-type project and then blog about it. Maybe if I know I need something like that to blog about every Tuesday, I’ll get more done

My big project this past week was my office. Also known as “the room where everything gets thrown when we don’t know where to put it or need to clean up fast.” It used to have a daybed in it but we just sold it, since we never really use it. Plus, if there isn’t anywhere for the in-laws to sleep, maybe they won’t visit as often! I wanted to put a table and some shelves in so that I would have somewhere to work on crafty things or sort Avon orders. Here is my before picture:

And I know I still have some work to do, but it’s come a long way. The shelves are from Best Buy and we got the table at Sam’s. Here’s the after picture:

Fishing For Turds

Filed Under Diapers/Potty | 9 Comments

This is quite possibly the most disgusting thing I have written so far. Although I am sure as Bailey gets older, there will be lots more gross posts

Bailey had a memorable event today to mark her fourteen month birthday. She pooped in a cloth diaper- which is nothing new- so I went in the hallway bathroom and dumped the diaper out into the toilet. Closed the lid and then got distracted and went to do something else.

You can probably guess what’s coming… About ten minutes later I heard a clunk. I ran into the bathroom to find that Bailey had learned how to lift up the toilet seat (first time ever) and was splashing her hand in the water, trying to grab the piece of poop.

I’m sorry if you just barfed in your mouth while reading my blog. I promise to make up for it with some cute (non-poop-related) pictures soon!

20% off PINK AVON PRODUCTS

Filed Under Avon | Leave a Comment

In honor of the Komen Race for the Cure in St. Louis this Saturday, I am discounting all pink Avon items by 20%. That includes pink shades of makeup, pink jewelry, pink shoes, etc. You must order between now and Saturday the 21st at midnight to receive this discount. Purchases can be done through my website but you must choose “Personal Delivery” for me to apply this discount. If you are out of town, I’ll ship it for orders over $20.

Any questions, or want to email your order? Contact me at Tara (at) twolinesonastick (dot) com