Things Loved in April

1. Whole Living Magazine

I think it’s safe to say it's changed my life.

I started receiving Whole Living Magazine last fall and it really piqued my interest. Since becoming a mother I’ve found myself being more reflective and really trying to live a deliberate and mindful life. The idea that Kate will learn more from how I act versus what I say is not lost on me.

The focus of Whole Living magazine (and their website www.wholeliving.com) is to help people “live a healthier, more sustainable, and balanced life, striving for total wellness for mind, body, soul, and planet.” While that may sound like a tall order--or something only monks could achieve--Whole Living strives to keep it simple with practical ideas and tips that even a working mom of a 1-year-old, like me, can incorporate.

Here are their “Ten Tenets of Whole Living”:

1. Happiness is a choice. Make that choice today and every day.
2. Good health isn't a gift; it's a habit you cultivate.
3. A healthy, fit body is not enough -- true fitness engages the spirit.
4. Think more about what you should eat than what you shouldn't.
5. Laugh at yourself. You're funny.
6. Nurture your spirit. It's your source of strength.
7. Stay connected to the natural world. It will feed your soul.
8. Believe in yourself. Your intuition is rarely wrong.
9. It's never too late to take the first step toward your aspirations.
10. What you pay attention to will thrive.

I have this list taped on my bathroom mirror and I read through it every morning. If it speaks to you like it speaks to me, watch out--you may find your life slowly changing too.

2. Oranges

As part of my commitment to “whole living” I’m challenging myself to eat more nutritiously…which has led to me eating an orange for the very first time in my life.

Um…amazing!

Why didn’t anyone tell me these things were so good?! Since eating my first orange I’ve eaten one nearly every day this month. YUM!

3. Firefox

I usually use Internet Explorer for surfing the web, but I tried Firefox for the first time this month after having trouble viewing a website in IE, and now I’m a convert.

Did you know Firefox has spell check?!

It’s automatic--just like with Microsoft Word! You can type anything anywhere--your email, Blogger, online message boards, etc--and if you misspell a word Firefox will automatically underline it with a red squiggly line, and when you right-click on it, it offers corrections. I’ve discovered other things I love about Firefox (like App Tabs) but spell check is the best!

4. Spin Pins

I’ve been meaning to post about these brilliant little suckers for a while now. They’re basically two little spiral pins that replace the 1,568 bobby pins previously needed to hold my up-do in place. You just twist them into your hair, and they keep things put. The other day I styled my hair in a messy bun using 2 two spin pins (and only 3 additional bobby pins to tame some strays) and not only did my up-do stay in place all day—it also survived my 5-mile run after work!

5. This YouTube Video (Warning: explicit lyrics)



My friend Beth sent me the link to this video, and it is so awesome I had to share. It's a student who performed Cee Lo Green's song "Fuck You" (the radio version is "Forget You") in sign language for her final project. Love it!

All I Want for Mother's Day...

...is Casey Abrams back on American Idol.

I asked G to make it happen.

Happy Easter!

Can you believe we made it 15½ months before dressing Kate in an actual dress?  She wore her very first one (her entire outfit a baby shower gift from my friend Marcia) for Easter today and looked so cute!

We went to G's parents' house where Grandma Pam had arranged an indoor Easter egg hunt.  Kate had so much fun collecting her little egg treasures!

The last egg had an adorable poem inside written by Grandma:

Kate, you're so special, 

cute and funny.

That's why you're a 

favorite of the Easter Bunny.

He brought you a gift

early today

but you'll have to find it

before you can play.

You'll need some help

to follow the clues.

Get Mommy and Daddy

there's no time to lose.

So go downstairs,

find the outside door.

You're getting closer, 

just a few steps more.

Go outside

and turn to the right.

Do you see it now?

You'll squeal with delight!

Daddy can open it.

Aren't new toys fun?

You can play and pretend...

using your imagination!

How cute is that?!

Kate's surprise was a Little People dollhouse hidden on the back patio.  She loved it!

Snack time with Grandma:

After Kate's nap we had lots of fun playing the backyard:

One of Kate's favorite things right now is running into our arms for a great big hug--it's the best!

Daddy's turn!

Of course no Easter would be complete without Kate's beloved bunny!

Taking Bunny for a stroll with Grandpa:

It was such a lovely day!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday!

Veggie Pizza!

This veggie pizza recipe is compliments of my friend Jenna, and is one of Kate's favorite meals!  I usually make 2-3 pizzas at a time, bake them, cut after cooling, and then freeze leftover slices in freezer bags for quick meal options on our busy week nights.

Ingredients
Pizza Crust
Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce
Veggies
Shredded Cheese

Directions
Spread a pizza crust onto a cookie sheet/jellyroll pan (I use the just-add-water pizza crust mixes).  Spread a light layer of roasted red pepper alfredo sauce over the crust, top with your favorite vegetables and cheese, and bake according to the crust directions.

My Notes

• You can use plain alfredo sauce if you want, but the red pepper alfredo gives it more flavor and surprisingly isn’t too strong.  
• Once opened, the jar of alfredo sauce only keeps for a few days so if you’re not going to use it for something else you can freeze it in an ice cube tray like you would pureed baby food, and then thaw the cubes later for future veggie pizzas.
• Sometimes I add a little minced garlic over the sauce, and/or some feta cheese.  I’ve also used pesto as the sauce (instead of alfredo) and that’s good too.
• For veggies I typically use carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower.  To really load up on the vegetables in each bite, I take all of the carrots and about 2/3 of the broccoli and cauliflower, finely chop them with my food processor, and spread them over the sauce first.  Next I add the shredded cheese (usually mozzarella).  Lastly, I cut up the rest of the broccoli and cauliflower into small bite-sized pieces and put them on top.  They get nicely roasted this way, and I like Kate to be able to see what she’s eating so she recognizes the vegetables when she sees them in other recipes.

Hope this veggie pizza is as big of a hit in your house as it is in mine!

Kate: 14 Months

We've got a full-time walker on our hands!

Kate took her first steps shortly after her first birthday, and since then she's really taken her time transitioning from scooting to walking as her preferred mode of mobility. I kind of love that about her--she's very careful and doesn't rush into things. Since those first steps, she's practiced her walking nearly every day in very small doses and for very short distances. We had no idea when she'd decide to go pro, but I had a feeling it would be soon, so about a month ago I got her infamous scoot on video and I'm so glad I did because it was one of the last times we saw it!



Now that she's mastered the art of walking, she apparently no longer needs us. I instinctively jump to her aid when it looks like she's about to trip over the rug or a toy as she smoothly walks from one end of the house to the other, and she looks back at me like, "Mom, please. Haven't you seen me practicing in three-feet-distances over the past two months? I've got this. Cool it." Or I pick her up to carry her from Point A to Point B and she wiggles out of my arms, her squeals insisting, "I can get there on my own THANKYOUVERYMUCH!"

See what I'm saying?

Walking = Who Needs Parents?

She's upstairs scouring the classifieds for an apartment to sublet as we speak.

Other Big Girl News this month is that we transitioned Kate from her highchair to a booster seat at our kitchen table. We should have done this sooner! It's so much fun to have her sitting up at the kitchen table, and it makes it much easier for us to eat together as a family. Now that she doesn't have a highchair tray in front of her, she is eating off a plate (and doing great at it!) and using a bowl without much assistance needed from us. We also introduced her to forks, and are giving her more opportunities to practice with her spoon. For the most part we still need to stab or scoop the food for her, but she's getting there!

Kate dropped her morning nap this month, and in response we moved her lunch and afternoon nap up a bit. She's made this adjustment really well--even the Daylight Savings time change didn't phase her! As for new vocabulary, Kate says "socks," "outside" (ou-siiiide), "hi" (to everyone at Target), "teeth," and "all done" (although really this is more like two grunts after her meals, along with the "all done" sign, but I understand it so I told her she can add it to her lease application).

Now, for some daycare news. I haven't blogged about this--or really, even talked much about this--because it's damn hard to do either when you're spending all your time snot-crying your face out.

(Deep breath)

Kate's been having a very difficult time at daycare since shortly after her first birthday. From the start, we looked for reasons in hopes to figure out a solution. Did our trip to Mexico in mid-January throw her off? Is she sick? Is she not getting enough support during the transitions? Is this related to her development? Her temperament?  Her schedule? The new kids at daycare? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?

We tried everything we could to turn the situation around, and while at times it seemed like things were getting better, enough was enough. Kate was miserable. And when Kate's miserable, Mommy's devastated. And when Mommy's devastated, Daddy pours her a glass of wine and starts cold-calling new daycares.

We pulled Kate from her daycare shortly after she turned 14 months old, and although we had absolutely no idea what we were going to do next, I was 100% confident it was the right decision. The fact that I was finally able to make it through my day (or say the word "daycare") without bursting into tears were pretty good indicators we were on the right track. I got permission from my boss to stay home with Kate until we were able to find something new for her (again, how incredible is my boss?!), and thankfully Grandma Pam was able to come and watch Kate two days/week so I could still put in some office time.

After the stress and heartache we endured over the previous two months, I was adamant that we were only going to give this daycare thing one more shot, so we better take our time and choose wisely. I still valued Kate being in daycare three days/week for the social aspects it offered, but if Kate wasn't ready for that I was prepared to leave the job I loved to stay home with the child I loved far more.

It was a major crossroads, and something I spent a lot of time praying and thinking about. The conclusion I repeatedly came to was this:  When you make a decision that's in the best interests of your child, how can you go wrong?

A few weeks ago, G and I finally agreed on the daycare we were willing to try. It was, in nearly every sense, the exact opposite of Kate's first daycare: it was a center (versus in-home), fewer kids in her space, all the same age as her, and multiple adults available for when she needs some cuddles and 1:1 time.

I am overjoyed to say that Kate absolutely loves her new daycare! G and I were prepared for a rough start, but she did great from the very beginning. I did my first drop off the other day and Kate practically jumped from my arms and into the arms of the lead staff person in her room. Then I gave her kisses, said goodbye, and waited anxiously around the corner to make sure she was okay.

She was more than okay.

She was happy.

I walked to my car...sat down in my seat...and cried.  Only this time, finally, (thankfully!) they were tears of happiness and relief.  Anyone whose child has struggled with daycare know how heart-ripping it feels, and I am endlessly grateful that it's over.


Kate's Favorite Things:  Bunny,  books, bubbles, swinging at the park, her new bean bag (she loves to tackle it), her hand-me-down play kitchen (gotta love hand-me-downs!), her play dishes, Elmo, Cheerios...and her new daycare! YAY!

Kate's Schedule
6:30am: Wake up
7:00am: Breakfast
8:30/9am: Morning snack
11:00am: Lunch
12:00pm: Nap (usually about 3 hours)
3:00pm: Afternoon snack
5:30pm: Dinner
6:30pm: Bedtime

Kate: 14 Months

Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered this week's giveaway for a $100 gift certificate to ModTots. The winner, whose favorite design was "Share Monster" for her son is Sharla!

Congratulations Sharla--please check your email for information on how to claim your prize!

Didn't win, but still hoping for a ModTots design for your modern tot?  You're in luck!  From now through April 23rd ModTots is offering a 10% discount for All Things G&D readers!  Just enter the discount code ALLTHINGSGD at checkout to redeem.

Need even more incentive to get your shop on?  Be the first the purchase a currently unnamed print, and you'll get to name that print after your child!  How cool is that?

Now go get your shop on!

That's What He Said

A recent conversation between G and his coworker Ryan, whose daughter is a couple of months younger than Kate:

Ryan:  We always know when Lilly's hungry because she goes to the cupboard and shakes the box of Cheerios. 

G:  Oh really?  We know Kate's hungry when she starts eating food off the floor. 

ModTots Giveaway

***This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered!***

Remember when I had my favorite picture of me and Kate transformed into an amazing piece of modern wood art, which then led to the most popular reader giveaway in All Things G&D history? 

Well, they're back! 

Modern Bird Studios--the talented husband and wife duo that turn your digital photos into timeless modern art--have gotten their kids in on the family business and launched ModTots!  ModTots offers clean, modern, and minimalist wall art for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers that is aesthetically pleasing to both children and parents. 

Each ModTots design starts as an original illustration by artist Gregg Deal, and is created with a combination of digital, hand, and painting processes on an oak composite--much like their original Modern Bird Studios pieces.

These adorable designs are chosen and created with input from their super-cute kids, Sage (who's the queen bee of her preschool) and Phoenix (who has yet to master English, but he's working on it), and include a variety of animals, robots, and sweet treats.  Here's is just a sampling of their designs:


Umm...I think I could post pictures of their work all day long!  To see more from their design gallery, go to ModTots and click on Shop. While you're there, choose your favorite one and enter this week's giveaway for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to ModTots!

ENTRY RULES:
To enter this giveaway, check out ModTots and comment on this post telling me your favorite design by Friday, April 15th at 11:59pm CDT.  You may enter up to 5 additional times by doing any of the following:

*Like ModTots on Facebook
*Follow ModTots on Twitter
*Post a link to this giveaway on your Facebook page
*Post a link to this giveaway on your blog
*Post a link to this giveaway on Twitter

Leave separate comments letting me know which of the above you have done for each additional entry. Your comment(s) must include an email address to be eligible to win (either through your blogging ID or typed into your comment entry).

This giveaway is open to the US and Canada.

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Saturday, April 16th.

Good luck everyone!

Things Loved in March: Pop Culture Edition

What’s that you say?  We’re already seven days into April and this chick’s talking about things loved in March? 

I know, I know…I’m a little late getting this post written and published.  I have a terrible track record when it comes to the month of March.  I have plenty of excuses, but as this post will show, the biggest culprit is probably that I watch way too much TV, starting with:

1.  American Idol

I’m into it. 

I haven’t watched this show in years, but for some strange reason I got hooked into it again…and that “strange reason” is Steven Tyler.  I’m a huge fan.  HUGE.  I love him and think he’s sexy as hell, even at 182 years old.  Not sexy like, “You have gorgeous blue eyes and a hot body and I’m so glad I married you.”  It’s more like, “You have a gorgeous gravely voice and that dirty sex appeal I like to admire from afar because I’m not sure I’m fully vaccinated.” 

So yes, dirty sexy Steven Tyler got me to start watching American Idol again--and now I’m into it.  I’m hooked.  And there goes three hours of my life each week! 

My favorites are Casey and Paul, and now I need to add Haley to that list after last night's performance (I'm also a big Janis Joplin fan).  Although I’ll be honest, I don’t vote.  Who has the time with all this reality TV to watch?!

Are you a watching, voting fan of the show?  If so, feel free to vote extra for my Top 3, mmkay?

2.  Dancing with the Stars

Now I don’t even know what got me to start watching this show!  I’ve caught an episode or two in the past and that judge that sits in the middle (Len?) totally turns me off.  He’s dirty…and not in the sexy way.  But here I am, adding another 2+ hours per week to my TV to-do list watching “celebrities”--most of whom I don’t even know!--cha-cha and tango in their glitter and gaud.

I can’t exactly articulate why, but I’m rooting for Kendra Wilkinson (maybe because our children are the same age?) and Kirstie Alley (maybe because our faces are the same age?).  I really want to see Kendra do well, and I really want Kirstie to win it all.  I love Kirstie's sense of humor and I think she works her ass off.  But again, I don’t vote.  Shame on me.  (Is the shame in the watching or in the not voting?)

3.  Charlie Sheen

I have little interest in the saga that is Charlie Sheen, but what I have been enjoying is seeing how wrapped up G got with it over this past month.  I think "Charlie Sheen quotes" has slid into 2nd place (behind SportsCenter, of course) as G's favorite source of entertainment.  He spent the first half of the month walking around the house saying, "Winning!" and totally cracking me up.

Winning!