The Pumpkin.

I believe this photo speaks for itself.  If scary is what I was going for...I succeeded. 

And I told you it was the thickest pumpkin ever, haha!

Randoms...That's What I Got....

*I'm so excited for Halloween! I LOVE watching scary movies, trick or treating w/the girls and handing out yummy candy. Seriously fun--and Isabella has been saying "tricktreat" all. day. long! I love it!

*Speaking of Halloween, she was going to wear the tutu that she wore on her birthday as part of her Halloween costume. Um, yeah...she is now refusing to wear it. I panicked. Freaked out. There are no costumes left! Thankfully my mom came to my rescue. She mailed {2} of the cutest costumes ever--and I've decided that Bella will be Minnie Mouse. Awww!

*For Isabella's birthday and Madelyn's birth this sweetheart mailed the girls each these cute gifts.  Isn't she amazing?!  She is SO talented and I'm hoping to meet her one of these days--we live a few hours away from one another.  How exciting!


*Is it sad that we still have to run our air conditioner?  Because I'm so bummed out.  I am really ready for cooler days and cooler nites.


*My new blog name 'The Winey Mommy' is based on the fact that I *heart* wine. Not that I'm a whiney mommy, hehe!  Although you will find me whining occassionally....


*Do any of you get random emails from PR companies writing a long email and expecting you to write about their product?  Without a review available?  Because I've been flooded with them lately--and I'm sorry, but I'm not going to write something if I know nothing about the product.  I would hate to be told about a product and go buy one and really not like it at all.  Am I right on this one?


*I have a hair appointment in two weeks and I've decided that I am going short again--bob short.  I cannot stand my hair long!  And all I do is throw it up in a ponytail.  So boring and lazy of me.  I want hair that I love and can fix and be happy about.


*What are y'all getting your husbands for Christmas?  I have no clue what to get Leo.  Like zero clue.  He loves grilling out, video games, running, a good beer occassionally.  But he has things for these already.  Help!


*A neighbor's dog came over the other day when Leo was installing Madelyn's new carseat.  It sorta-kinda found its way into our laundry room.  And Isabella may or may not have given it a doggie biscuit.  When Leo made it go home Isabella was in tears about the dog.  I told her the doggie went ni-night (thank you, Mom, for the suggestion) and now she always tells me that the doggie is sleeping.  Oh--and she now wants her own dog.  Um, no.  Not now.  Maybe in a few years.  Maybe.

{3} Months Already?!

Happy {3} month birthday, Maddie!

I cannot believe you are {3} months old already.

Wow.

Time flies by so fast, doesn't it?

At {3} months you can:

blow lots of spit bubbles

smile a ton

coo and talk to mommy and daddy

kind of laugh--but it sometimes makes you cry

sit up supported

sleep almost through the nite

you can roll from tummy to back--over and over and over

smile at your big sissy

chew on your hands all. the. time

pull the little bird hanging down from your bouncer--it plays music

hold on to your rattles/toys

pull sissy's hair (I think it's payback from the times she has hurt you).

You are the sweetest and happiest baby--I cannot imagine life without you!

Love you baby girl.

xoxo,

Mommy

A Much Brighter Day...

*Sigh*

I feel torn a lot of the time. Torn between spending quality time with both of my girls. Torn on feeling like sometimes I just feel like I'm the world's worst mom.

Now, I know that isn't true. Not true at all. But the honest truth is that I *think* I am too hard on myself. I sometimes *pretend* I am super mom and I can complete everything that needs to be completed. Resulting in me staying up way. too. late. As in it's already the next day by the time I collapse onto my bed.

Which results in me being tired. And if the girls are grouchy it makes me grouchy. I know that I am only human, but it doesn't make me feel any less lousy if I snap at Isabella for another battle. Whether it be changing her diaper, brushing her teeth, cleaning her nose, washing her hair, fixing her hair. Girlfriend makes it all a power struggle. And it exhausts me. Don't get me wrong--I love how headstrong she is. I love that she is up for challenges. But every single day? That itself is tiring. Most of the time she is happy, silly and a total sweetheart. But this week has been hard. I had thought that maybe she was getting sick because of the amount of screaming and crying...but, no, she's just having a bad week. My heart hurts that I can't do anything else to help her be *happy*...and my heart hurts even more when I snap at her to just stop.

And poor Madelyn. Today when I was loading her into the car I told her how sorry I was that Isabella sometimes doesn't understand that I'm her momma, too. That I'm sorry when Isabella scratches her because she is jealous of Maddie getting a few moments of mommy time. It breaks my heart and makes me tear up at writing any of this. Maddie is the sweetest and happiest baby that I've ever met. I'm not kidding. She is wonderful. And I thank God that she is so happy, so sweet. And I also believe that God just knows that I need that right now. I need someone to be appreciative...to smile at me even when she is upset due to being hungry, she still gives me that huge smile of hers.

And then because I am exhausted I get irritable with Leo for why can't he just pick Madelyn up instead of playing his stupid video games. I get jealous of Leo for getting time to himself--even if it's only driving to and from work--it's still time he has all. to. himself. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE being a stay at home mom. But I also love remembering who I am. Regrouping. Clearing my head.

And then I cry...a lot...because of my weight. I hate it. I hate that it makes me this upset to see myself. I hate that when I see thin moms I get so jealous. I hate that I have hurt my knee with both running and the 30 day shred. I hate that it's raining a lot and I can't take the girls to go walk. I hate that I had swine flu and am finally feeling better. I know that crying won't solve anything. I know feeling like this won't do a thing. But it still sucks.

I feel bad for feeling bad! Crazy, right?! Crazy how hard I am on myself. Crazy that I am blessed beyond blessed to have so much good in my life and yet I still manage to find pity on things...

I'm not meaning to complain, I'm just trying to get these frustrations out so tomorrow when I wake up I'll be in a much better mood than today. And I think that it's worked. Because now I am going to bed. And going to wake up HAPPY.

Thanks for making it this far into reading this...sorry to be such a debbie downer!

When Pumpkin Carving Goes Wrong...

Can I just say that I've never had a pumpkin carving disaster like tonite? Because I haven't.

This is how it all went down.

*Ahem*

I ran to Target to pick up a few things...including a pumpkin carving kit. I've never used a kit before. I usually carve up the traditional pumpkin face. Easy, cute and I've never had a disaster.

Ever.

On my way home I called my sister to talk to her and tell her that I picked up a kit. She told me how easy and great this kit was--turns out we had the same kits. Score! This shouldn't take long at all.

And her pumpkin? Cutest, most perfect pumpkin that I had ever seen--she had e-mailed me a picture earlier in the day and it was adorable.

I got home and decided, hey, why not get this carving out of the way? That way we could enjoy our pumpkin all week long.

I asked Leo to pick out what design he wanted. I basically puffed out my chest and said that I could do any of them. Pick one out and I'll do it. This was mistake number one.

He picked out the haunted house with the works--a ghost that's punched out, a tiny scary smile and eyes on the house, teensy-tinsy windows....and so on. I told him what a great choice. How we would have the most AWESOME pumpkin ever.

I got to work. I tried the larger of the two saws. And I bent it. As in it had nearly broke in half. And on top of that? I was practically breaking a sweat trying to cut the lid off our pumpkin--this pumpkin was the THICKEST pumpkin that I had ever cut in my life. Picked up the second saw. I bent that one in TWO places. Obviously mistake number two was getting the biggest pumpkin that they had.

Finally got the lid off (with a knife) and cleaned out the pumpkin--which by the way? Was the easiest part of the carving experience. (Just thought I'd throw that in there).

I then started to trace the pattern.

That sucked. They give you a plastic spike thing and I basically had to cut one little hole at a time...took forever.

Then the carving began. With my two bent saws. I started to cut and cut. And cut. My hand is so cramped that I couldn't even open it at that point. More sweat. More cramps.

I looked down at my hand because it was stinging a little. Blood was all over my finger. I somehow sliced my finger open without even trying to--funny because I couldn't even cut through my pumpkin but yet I managed to cut myself?! This was turning into a nearly catastrophic event.

I then vowed to be more careful. And I broke saw number one. I was holding the handle and the saw was stuck in the THICKEST PUMPKIN EVER. I grabbed the second saw and started sawing away.

And wouldn't you just know that I BROKE that one, too!!

I am then left to carve with a paring knife and a steak knife. And a bloody finger. And two broken saws.

Stuck with the thickest. pumpkin. ever.

The end result was alright. Nothing great, nothing of the spectacular magnitude of my sister's pumpkin. And when I tried to take pictures without the flash to capture the hot mess that I nearly lost a finger over? It was blurry. Go figure. Guess I will have to read in my camera book what I need to do to ensure that my picture will come out not blurry....

The moral of this story?

No pumpkin carving kit for this momma. We will either paint a pumpkin or I'll do it old school like I did my entire life before tonite...

She Got You, Babe

Tonite Isabella wanted to watch one of her favorite Halloween movies ever--It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. She LOVES that show.

I was feeding Madelyn and the movie was in our dvd player in the Jeep. I yelled out to Leo to see if he could go out and get it for her.

No answer.

"Baaabe! Can you hear me?!"

Still no answer.

Isabella looks out to the kitchen and this time she yelled out to her Daddy.

"BAAABE! Halloweeeeen?"

Yes, she calls her Daddy babe.

Seriously cute and seriously the only other girl (well, besides Madelyn who can't talk yet...) who I would ever allow to call my husband babe.

Fancast Review

I recently was told about a new site, Fancast, from One2One Network.

If you're like me there are times when the DVR will only let you record two shows at a time and you can't watch or record another show. Or there are times when I simply forget to press record--with two little ones demanding attention that's bound to happen!

I had never heard of Fancast before this campaign and I admit I was interested in it. One spot to find my favorite television shows? I'm in! It gets hard to remember what shows are on what channel--and with just one click you have so many shows to choose from!

When I visited Fancast I knew right away what show I would watch--that was simple--it was an episode of Grey's that I had missed. *Gasp* I cannot believe I forgot to check the DVR to check if it was recorded or not! I never miss an episode of Grey's!

The site was simple to navigate and I loved the layout. Everything I needed to know to find my show was right there and so simple. That is a must for me for a site. If it's designed poorly and hard to navigate I will find somewhere else to go. Easy. But Fancast had me hooked with their great design and easy navigation.

I encourage you to go and check out Fancast if there is a show you know you need to catch up on. I really think you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

*The above opinions are based solely on my own opinion. I received no compensation to write my opinion. I am entered into a drawing for a giftcard for taking the time to review Fancast and post my own opinion on their site.

The One With the Mole

We went out to eat at the best little Mexican restaurant tonite.

Isabella was a little, um....out of control--but in a good way, I assure you.

So, we're sitting there, eating.

Laughing.

Munching on chips.

When she starts looking at my neck.

I'm glancing at her sideways--a little on the cautious side mind you--wondering if she was going

to pull my glasses off again and laugh hysterically that Mommy has eyes.

Ahem.

So there we were. And out of nowhere comes one of her favorite words....

"Mole, mommy! Mommy, you have MOLE, Mommy!"

I nearly spit out my $1 margarita (best margaritas ever) and start laughing.

Leo is laughing.

Everyone around us that can hear our comedian start to crack up.

As her grand finale she declares she's 'sleep'--quite possibly due to her not napping?

Jumps on the ground and lays down.

Ewwww.

Leo then told Madelyn and me that they were going out to the car....

Sometimes I can't help but laugh.

She is just SO funny!

The Most Ridiculous Things Always Manage to Happen Here...

Leo woke me up this morning to tell me that our cat, Boo, went to the, um, restroom on my brand new issue of Real Simple magazine. As in, it's ruined.

Not a big deal, I thought. And I also started to wonder why she did that??

Fast forward a couple of hours.

I'm getting ready for our Halloween story time at Barnes & Noble. I have been so excited about this for a couple of weeks. The girls were all ready. Leo was ready.

Leo starts getting things together for our family fun day. When he comes into the bedroom and tells me that it looks like Madelyn will not be coming so why don't Bella and I just go?

I kind of panic thinking she's sick again with the swine flu. When he breaks the reason why.

Our cat? Had urinated all in her carseat. It was ruined. Like beyond cleanable. The cat also managed to go on the floor all around the carseat.

I wasn't too concerned about the carseat--I was really worried about Boo. She never does things like this. She's a really good cat.

Then Leo tells me that this may have happened due to the litter bags not fitting in her litterbox...but he was using them anyway. And never mentioned to me that we needed new ones.

Hopefully now that he went and bought new litter bags and a new carseat the cat will stop all of this ridiculousness. I really, really hope so....

New Domain Name as Well...

Just thought I'd share that I took the jump and bought my own domain, too...

The new domain is http://wineymommy.com. For some reason my old blogspot address isn't changing to that if you type in http://leochelleisabella.blogspot.com.

But if you read me in a Reader it will automatically take y'all to http://wineymommy.com.

I feel all grown up now...and I like it ;)

Life? Is Good...

Life.

Such a simple word.

Yet so powerful.

My life is something I never thought I would have.

I never thought that life would or could be this good.

Sometimes?

I don't even feel like I deserve all that I have.

Sometimes?

I sit and cry for my angel baby. I miss him. I miss her. I want that child here.

Sometimes?

I think 'I want, I want, I want'.

Sometimes?

I have to remind myself of all that 'I have, I have, I have'.

I love my life.

My family.

My friends.

My blog friends.

But honestly?

I call my blog friends my true friends.

The ones that know so much about me.

That send me hugs.

That send me love.

That are here for me every single day.

I know this post is all over the place.

But when I think of life?

I think of the amazing the things.

The amazing opportunities.

The amazing family and friends.

That I am blessed with.

I've Changed My Blog Name!

I just wanted to let my readers know that I have changed my blog name!

I am NO longer "Creative Momma".

With a toddler, an infant and not much time for creativeness...

I decided that was deceptive...haha!

So, I am now...

The Winey Mommy

So don't freak if you don't recognize the new name.

Same Chelle.

Different blog name.

xoxo

Her Smile Makes it All Better...

After a rough nite last nite.

And an even rougher morning.

I needed to see this smile.

Where is Her Bleeping Paci?!

Can somebody come over with a bottle of wine? Please?

Isabella has misplaced all 73 of her pacis.

As in, they are all magically gone. Which could have been a blessing.

But, see, she doesn't understand the whole fairy thing.

Or that her pacis went shopping.

Or that pacis aren't for big girls. They are for baby sissy.

Yes, I have told her all of the above. And, no, none of them worked.

What has worked?

Moving her playroom tv and dvd player into her room {shoot me...I've listened to more screaming, crying and 'Mommmmmy, paciiiiiiii!' statements than anyone should have to endure for {2} plus hours}.

I now have to listen to Max & Ruby's Christmas dvd on the baby monitor until she is fast asleep and I can turn off the television.

I knew I should have stopped at the wine store tonite after I ran to Target for formula. I knew it.

Best Friends Forever....

The first picture that I have gotten of my {2} girls.

Both looking at the camera.

Both with their eyes open.

Miracles do happen!

Thank God I Can Bake...

It was a rough day.

So I made these yummies to make my day better.

And it worked.

The Missing Piece...

I just cannot get enough of Miss Madelyn.

She truly was the missing piece to our family.

Thanksgiving Sign Giveaway!

Right now the fabulous Karen from Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls is giving away this gorgeous Happy Thanksgiving sign:

It's from the very talented Bee Sweet Designs which has some of the cutest hand crafted items!

Want to win it? Click here to enter! Good luck!

Bella-isms...Vocab of a {2} Year Old

*Froppee = coffee. As in: froppee, mommy! froppee! Which she reminds me all morning to drink...hmmm...

*Meena = vitamin. I hear a request for "meena" only about, oh, say 57 times a day. My daughter requests a vitamin that many times. Sometimes I curse {silently} the vitamin company for coming up with the gummy vitamins...

*So-be = The Fresh Beat Band. A new Nickelodeon show that Isabella is obsessed with. Oh--and you cannot call it so-be. Nope. She'll scream at you for saying it her way. *sigh*

*Booties = well, lets just say she came up to me and looked at my girls. She asked what they were. Crap. So I told her. And she calls them booties now. Thank God. That could be a little uncomfortable out in public...

*Owies = well, lets just say she looked at Maddie as she was taking a bath and pointed at her 'booties' and declared that Maddie has owies.

*Coo, Mommy. Coo, Mommy = thank you, mommy, thank you, mommy. And, yes, this must be said twice because that is how she thanks me. In two's. And I love it.

*Bub = Bug. Which = crying and hysterics from said {2} year old.

*Sweet/cute = when we shop. Everything she sees is "Cute, mommy! Sweet, mommy!"...so adorable. And such a fun shopping partner.

*Noise = music/sound. She asks me what every noise is. And if she wants to listen to music she tells me noise...cute, right?

*Agoo = ice cream. Just another word that my sweet little girl has made up and decided that it is much better than the correct word. Which honestly? I love her made up words--they crack me up!

Especially, you know, the booties!

Swine Flu, Candy Corn and Monkey Gyms....

Due to my battling the swine flu--Swine: 0 Chelle: 1--and winning, I'm all about the randoms tonite. Enjoy!

*I no longer feel like death. Which is always a plus in my book. However, Madelyn broke out with a fever today. Leo took her to the doc where she got prescribed with Tamiflu. Hoping that this is what Isabella and Leo had last week so they won't be next. What a week.

*I'm in love with Scrapblog. I made our Christmas cards yesterday and designed my twitter page. You could say that the Swine flu allowed me to stay in bed all day and be online...which I may have secretly enjoyed...

*Fall has arrived. Finally! It'll be in the 40's tonite and highs in the 60's tomorrow. I am in heaven and need to go and buy myself some fall clothes. Like asap. I won't be doing any shopping until next week, though. I would hate to still be contagious and risk getting others sick!

*Isabella has discovered the joy in Christmas catalogs. Girlfriend wants it all. For her and Maddie. She points out and tells me which is for Maddie and which is for her. Seriously cute. And seriously hard for me to say no to such cuteness.

*One of the things Isabella found was this monkey gym type of thing from One Step Ahead. Isabella showed me and then showed Leo who told her that it was pricey. She looked back down and said, 'pricey'. And looked a little longer before turning the page. So cute and I secretly want to buy it for her...even if it is a little 'pricey'...

*I've been craving a pumpkin spiced latte the entire time I've been sick. I haven't wanted much else except that. And orange juice. I am so heading to Starbucks on my get well shopping trip!

*Kind of grateful to the swine flu that it has curbed my cravings and inhaling of candy corn. I've even lost a couple of pounds. So, thank you swine flu for helping me out in that one department. Although I would have rather worked out to my 30 Day Shred dvd....


Well, that's all I can think of right now. I just wanted to post something of relevance to let y'all know what's been going on. Hoping nobody else catches this miserable flu, that's for sure.

Because it sucks.

Big time.

You Could Win a Vacay!

Remember this post where I told you about Leslie Blodgett's new perfume, Bare Skin?

Well...

There is new Facebook contest that you can enter to win a tropical vacation!

All you need to do beginning tomorrow (Friday the 16th) is become a fan on her Facebook page and submit your entry for your fondest vacation memory or story.

Easy, right?

This contest ends on October 23rd (one week from tomorrow).

Good luck and I would love to see one of my readers win this trip!

Meliss & Doug Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to number 77, Tracy, who said:


Tracy said...
following on twitter littleluckyme :)
October 14, 2009 9:40 PM

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:77
Timestamp: 2009-10-15 17:53:03 UTC


I'll be contacting you shortly and you have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be picked. Congratulations on winning!

Bare Skin Perfume Launch!

When it comes to perfumes I am so picky. My poor husband could never bring home a perfume as a just because gift because I doubt I would like it if I didn't smell it first. My favorite perfumes are something that are noticeable, but not so overwhelming that you feel you could choke on it!

I was recently contacted about a launch of a new perfume that will be available at Sephora on Thursday the 15th of October. Have you ever been to Sephora? It.is.amazing! I honestly believe that I love everything they sell. In my opinion? They sell the best. Simple as that.

The new perfume is Bare Skin by none other than the amazing Leslie Blodgett--who also is the CEO of Bare Escentuals--which, hello? Is some of the best makeup I have ever owned. Bare Skin is the first fragrance in the Perfume Diaries series.

Through reading about Bare Skin it sounds wonderful! Imagine yourself in Mexico. A beach vacation. Relaxing, sipping on umbrella drinks and having a wonderful time. Leslie Blodgett has managed to capture the feeling of a vacation in a perfume. With creamy sensuality, dreamy florals and sexy musk, what's not to like?

I can't wait to visit a Sephora to sample this wonderful sounding perfume! I have a feeling I'll be adding this to my Christmas wishlist...

The above post is written purely on my own opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this post. I did not receive a product to sample or get paid to write the post.

Three Little Words.

Swine.

Flu.

Sucks.

At least I have my laptop.

And a tv.

And a comfy bed.

And a husband off to take care of the house for me.

Here's a link of all things swine.

I know it's called H1N1--I just like saying swine flu...and to let y'all

know...I totally just typed wine flu on accident--ha!

And the Day Was Finally Over...

I took this pic as we were eating lunch on the farm...

And I love it because it's just so real.

Missing hairbow?

Check.

Hair a wreck?

Check.

Adorable sweaty toddler hair and pink cheeks?

Check.

Hot dog in hand?

Check.

A little girl who is farmed out, had fun, and is ready for a long nap?

Most definitely.

Michael Buble {CD Review}

I remember the first time I heard Michael Buble's voice.

Can you say romantic?

And when I saw him for the first time? That may have caused me to have quite the celebrity crush on Michael Buble himself.

I had the amazing opportunity to review his new album Crazy Love thanks to One2One Network.

And let me tell you...I really enjoyed his new cd. You know how sometimes it's hard to decide if you will like a cd or not before you hear the first released single on the radio? Not here. I listened to it entirely through as I was online and loved it!

You can listen to and watch the music video for Haven't Met You Yet here. Go ahead...click it...sit back with a cup of warm coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy. I really think you'll love the new song!

Crazy Love was released on October 9th in stores everywhere--so listen to the song above and be sure to go and check out his new collection of music...it's seriously great!

Thank you to One2One Network for providing me with this cd so I could write an honest review. I was not paid for this review. However I am entered into a gift card drawing for submitting my honest review.

I Now Know I'm Not the Only One...

...with an addiction to:

Seriously.

Police were directing traffic all over the shopping center in which Target resides.

The parking lot was worse than a shopping mall at Christmas. I'm not kidding....

And when we were leaving today?

(Yes, I went again today...and, yes, I know I have a Target addiction...)

There were ZERO shopping carts left...

I think I'll stick to going during the week where it's still busy...

But nowhere near as insane as today was...yikes!

Cows, Tractors and Tantrums...

Thank you, Mommy, this looks like fun!

Get me out of the cow!!

Stop taking pictures and get.me.outofhere!

What the...this thing is fast!!!

Where did my hairbow go and why is that boy always staring at me?!

I promise I'll never throw a tantrum again...

As long as you don't make me do that again...

Lets go over it all again.

Lost my hairbow.

Got laughed at by all of the adults.

And all mommy would do is take my picture.

Lovely.

A Fall(ish) Day...Part {1}

The (mostly) happy fam...


Sweet and happy Madelyn

The farm rules

Lovin' the attitude from Isabella...haha!

Her first pony ride!


I see horseback lessons in her future...she loved her pony sooo much

The wild flowers that were everywhere...so breathtaking

Isabella finally getting happier

Love this pic of Bella and me

She adored the flowers

The Best Date. Ever.

I don't know if I told you all this or not...

It was kind of a big deal to me.

I had a date.

And not with Leo.

*gasp*

*shock*

I left my house full of eagerness.

I practically had goosebumps!

I pulled into the parking lot.

Searching to see if my date would recognize me.

As I walked into the doors I felt my date give me what felt almost like a hug.

An "I missed you, Chelle" hug.

And wow, did I miss them, too.

The smell.

The touches.

The way they make me feel inside...like a kid at Christmas.

I can imagine that you are wondering who could possibly make me feel this good?

Who would be so great that I would voluntarily leave my house on a Thursday nite?

Allow me to introduce you...

This:

Was my big date.

I can guarantee you that there will be a lot of repeats like tonite...

Chelle + Target = True Luv 4Ever

Did you do something for YOU this week? Join in the fun at Time Out for Theta Mom Thursday!

You can thank me later for pointing you in her direction *smile*

The One Where Madelyn Tells it Like it Really is...

Baby Girl and All of Her Cuteness...

Mommy, it's my favorite toy ever!

Hi, Star! I'm ready to play!

This is intense--I have my Star and my Mommy all to myself?!

I think I could get used to all of this one on one attention...

the pleated poppy Giveaway!!

Have you entered My Trendy Tykes the pleated poppy giveaway?

No?

Why not?!

Go.

Enter now!

Ends on Wednesday 10/07.

As in tonite!

Good luck!

Girlfriend Was Exhausted...WW

Madelyn was so tired--I love how her gown is up to her waist and her legs are just dangling out of her co-sleeper...haha!

A Few Baptism Pics...

Before the baptism began. And yes--I was as tired as I looked! Haha!

Getting baptized...my favorite picture

After the baptism...both girls crying and Isabella had nearly torn my scarf off...haha!

Melissa & Doug Giveaway! Ends 10/15

Recently CSN contacted me to see if I would be interested in hosting a giveaway on my blog. Loving CSN I immediately accepted the offer!

For my review and giveaway I will be highlighting AllChildrensFurniture.com. At AllChildrensFurniture.com you will find a huge selection of name brands to choose from. Ranging from Melissa & Doug to Little Tikes to KidKraft. They really do have just about anything available!

For my giveaway I'll be offering {one} lucky reader a Melissa & Doug Lacing Beads in a Box craft set! This is the perfect giveaway in time for the holidays--it's one less gift that you will have to purchase for the child in your life whether it's your child, niece, nephew, grandchild.

Melissa & Doug has amazing wooden products that children and parents both love! Currently we own a few of their products and Isabella loves them all. They're also the first toys that her friends and cousins always play with first. They're wonderful!

I bet you are wondering what needs to be done to win this giveaway.

Here are the rules:

1) For your first entry please visit KidKraft and tell me one item that you like. This must be done before any other entries will count.

2) For {5} bonus entries do a blog post with the following line linking to this giveaway: "Creative Momma is having a Melissa & Doug giveaway hosted by AllChildrensFurniture.com which offers brands such as Melissa & Doug, KidKraft and LEGO!". Be sure to leave {5} seperate comments for each of your bonus entries!

3) For {1} bonus entry each you may: follow me on twitter, follow my blog and/or subscribe to my blog. Remember to leave a seperate comment for each that you do.

4) Tweet about this giveaway daily! You may tweet up to {5} times per day. Make sure that you include @creative_momma in your tweet and link back to this post for your tweet entries to count! For each tweet leave a seperate comment and please allow only one tweet per hour.

5) Leave your e-mail address in your comment(s)! If you don't leave me a way to contact you I will choose another winner.

6) This giveaway will end on 10/15 at noon CST. All entries entered after the deadline will be deleted by me. Open to residents of the US. Must be 18 and older to be eligible to win.

"By accepting to do this giveaway on my blog I received the Melissa & Doug Lacing Beads in a Box Craft Set. I did not get paid in cash or check to write this review/giveaway. Nor did I pay to host this review/giveaway. All opinions in this post were written by me and thought by me and were not influenced onto me by the company hosting this giveaway and review."

Once in a Blue Moon {A Book Review}

I was recently asked by One2One Network to review Eileen Goudge's Once in a Blue Moon--her latest book.

I love reading and try to fit it in my crazy life as much as possible. After reading what the book was about I was intrigued and wanted to read more--so of course I signed up right away to review Once in a Blue Moon!

Here'a quick bit on what this book is about:

"Sisters Lindsay and Kerrie Ann have known hardship from an early age. Without guidance from their neglectful mother, their only aid came from an unlikely source, a retired exotic dancer by the name of Miss Honi Love. When the girls’ mother was sent to prison, Miss Honi tried unsuccessfully to save them from being separated and sent into foster care.

Thirty years later, Lindsay is still trying to reconnect with her sister. The owner of a bookstore in the sleepy California seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she was lucky enough to have been adopted by a loving couple. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrie Ann has suffered a very different life. Bounced from one foster home to the next, she ran away as a teenager before becoming a drug-addicted single mother. Now, newly sober, Kerrie Ann is fighting to regain custody of the little girl who was taken from her.

Neither sister’s expectations are met when they’re finally reunited. But as the two sisters engage in the fiercest battles of their lives, they are at last drawn together despite their differences, restoring belief in the unshakable bond of family."

What do you think? Does it sound like something you would read? I've only just begun reading it and I really like it so far. I'm one of those readers that if a book doesn't have me hooked in the first few pages I won't read it. Why waste my time with a book that just doesn't do it for me?

Let me know if you decide to read it! I would love to hear what you think of it, too!

"One2One Network sent me a copy of the book to review and post my honest opinion. I am also eligible to win one of six gift cards as a thank you for doing so."

Love Me a Good After Party...

Award Thank You's!

I was recently gifted with {2} amazing awards from {4} amazing ladies!

The first award I received was this gem:

I got this from Chance and Marta.

Have you ever visited their blogs?

You should--these {2} are so talented and sweet--I heart their blogs and them to pieces! You really need to go and see their creativeness and their adorable children!

The rules of the One Lovely Blog Award are: accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. Now it's my turn to pass it along!

I honestly can't only give this away to {15}!

Seriously. I love all of the blogs I read. So if you're taking the time to read this?

Please take this award. Because I heart all of my readers--really, I do! Congrats on the award!

I received the Honest Scrap award from Summer and Heidi.

These two lovely ladies are so crafty, too! You wouldn't believe the cuteness they come up with. You know the tutu Isabella was wearing for her birthday party?

Guess who I bought that from?

Summer! And if you're in the market for a custom made tutu? She's having a sale on those and everything else in her shop for 25% off! Pretty sweet, right?

Back to the award rules.

1. Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.

2. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself.

3.Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.

4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded the HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

Here are 10 random things:

1. I have freckles on my cheeks, nose, arms...Leo thinks they're adorable and Isabella calls them moles. Lovely.

2. I have possibly the biggest sweet tooth of anyone I know. It's sick. No wonder I can't lose anymore weight!

3. I love reading. Nothing too difficult, though! Light reads all the way. And magazines? Um, I'm a magazine junkie. My faves are Glamour, Real Simple and Us Weekly. Told ya light reads!

4. My feet are so ticklish. Is that how you spell 'ticklish'--it looks really strange. Anyway, when I get pedis I'm the girl you'll find giggling over and over. It's ridiculously embarrassing!

5. I'm a caffeine addict. I must have coffee in the morning and I drink a ridiculous amount of Diet Coke throughout the day. Without it? Yikes!

6. I often daydream of having a spa day. But on the rare chance Leo tells me to book one? I don't. I'd rather use the money on my girls. Or my husband! I just could think of so many different ways that I could spend that money.

7. This year on my Christmas list I want new towels/washclothes/rugs for our master bath. And a Chi iron. And new sheets for our bed. I've been needing replacements for all of the above for awhile, so why not ask for them for Christmas?

8. I never miss an episode of Desperate Housewives or Grey's. Ever.

9. It drives me crazy when Leo plays his video games. Yet I always find myself buying them for him for Christmas and his birthday! So when I feel like complaining? I have to remind myself...no. more. video game gifts!

10. I buy wine based on what the label looks like. I just bought the cutest bottle (haha! that just sounds funny) with a black and white damask print. It's called Kate and Cassie--bought it at Super Target in Mobile last week. It's delish!

Okay, and because it's getting late and I have a lot I need to do before heading to bed I will pass this one on later. Thank you to all {4} wonderful ladies and bloggy friends for these awards.

I heart you all so much!