Wednesday, October 9, 2013

His First Broken Bone

We are no strangers to the Emergency Room, unfortunately. But the latest adventure was a first for us- a broken bone. It was a Monday, and I had just returned home from a doctor's visit. My mother-in-law watches the boys on Mondays, so she pulled up to the front of the house shortly after I arrived home. I heard him. From inside the house. Screaming like I've never heard him scream. I could immediately tell that something was wrong with my little man. I grabbed my sandals, my purse, and ran outside. I left my mother-in-law standing in the driveway with Mayhem, and took off to get an x-ray. 

Call it motherly instinct, call it a feeling in the pit of your stomach, call it whatever you want. I knew his bone was broken. He couldn't stop sobbing. What I got from my mother-in-law, from our brief conversation, was that Mayhem had jumped on Little J. Once we got to the Urgent Care (much closer than the ER), I was able to get Little J to calm down a bit. He told me that Mayhem jumped on top of him, and they both fell on the ground. The Urgent Care took x-rays, and I tried to make it 'exciting' for Little J. "Look how cool these are? You can see your bones!" We left two hours later, with x-rays to bring to another doctor and a prescription for Tylenol with codeine.

It was a miserable night. Any movement in his arm set him off. He fell asleep, and leaned on his 'bad arm' a few times- and woke up screaming at the top of his lungs. I stayed home from work the next day, to take him to an orthopedic doctor. Thankfully, this doctor gave him a sling- which has helped quite a bit! He stayed home from school for a few days, and got some rest. Of course, it's his right arm, so he is learning how to use his left arm for things!

Yup, it's broken!
He's doing much better now, but getting a shirt on/off is still a major ordeal. He can't play soccer for at least a month, and he has to stay off the playground at school. So he's having a rough month, feeling like he's missing out on things. We go back for more x-rays on November 1- to see how it's healing, and find out when he can participate in 'the fun stuff' as he calls it. Fingers crossed! 

Have you, or your little one broken a bone? 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Breast Cancer Awareness Month #Pinktober

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. We have made a lot of progress but still have a long way to go and need your help! There are many companies that put out limited edition items to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.
 

The NFL supports the fight against breast cancer through "A Crucial Catch", which is a partnership with the American Cancer Society focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are 40 and older. Throughout October, NFL games will feature players, coaches and referees wearing pink game apparel, on-field pink ribbon stencils, special game balls and pink coins - all to help raise awareness for this important campaign. All apparel worn at games by players and coaches, along with special game balls and pink coins will be auctioned off at NFL Auction, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society's Community Health Advocates National Grants for Empowerment (CHANGE) program. The CHANGE program provides outreach and breast cancer screenings to women in under served communities. You can support by purchasing your favorite NFL team's gear here.

OPI launched its seventh annual limited edition Pink of Hearts promotion, featuring the classic sheer pink shade Pink-ing of You and the new sparkle-packed hue More than a Glimmer. Pink of Hearts 2013 also includes pink ribbon and crystal decals (10 each). Available at www.amazon.com


And visit Kimberlee's site I Have A Degree in This! for 5 more items to purchase in support of #Pinktober!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

2013 Fall Fashionista Giveaway


I'm very excited to announce my Fall Giveaway! The Fall Fashionista Giveaway Event is hosted by The Chief Blonde at Still Blonde After All These Years and Katy from ModlyChic. K Squared Glamour is our co-host! The Fall Fashionista giveaway is the largest fashion giveaway event on the internet with $26,000+ in prizes, 100+ participating blogs and 3/4 million entries. Each individual blog has a minimum of $125 prize so be sure to enter as many as you can! I'm giving away prizes from 3 different companies that would be a great addition to any mominista's collection!
Now and after t 


I am honored to announce that Thyme Maternity has agreed to sponsor my giveaway event. Thyme Maternity is an international maternity and nursing fashion brand, and their fall look book demonstrates the fact that they provide current trends for pregnant women! They are graciously providing a now-and-after t-shirt and a skincare item. This t-shirt is available in a variety of colors and sizes. It's great because you can wear it throughout your pregnancy, and after.


In addition, Blume has provided several items. One thing that I personally love about Blume is their support for children's charities. I also love that their items span things from personalized underwear, to personalized dog t's! Truly something for everyone. Blume has been very generous, and is providing a personalized onesie, a set of 3 bibs (can pick pink or blue), and burp clothsI love this company so much, my boys each have shirts from them- and I always get compliments!!

Amy O Jewelry DECO Channai Necklace
And last but not least, Amy O Jewelry has provided a bold statement necklace for the piece de resistance! You can select either mint or coral. AMY O. Jewelry is curated into four collections by style: PresheBohoRocker, and Glitz. I love their variety of pieces that you can mix with your signature style for a look that's perfectly you! AMY O. is designed in New York City and available online and at select boutiques in the U.S.

Enter below, and good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: Still Blonde after all these YEARS , Modly Chic, K Squared Glamour , Fall Fashionista Events Giveaway or the Fall Fashionista Events Giveaway bloggers are not responsible for sponsors/bloggers that do not fulfill their prizes or for any product failure or harm caused thereby.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Child Passenger Safety Week - Sept 15-21, 2013

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/ 

Did you know that this week is Child Passenger Safety Week? I thought it would be a great time to check- is your child in the right seat? Some parents may be unaware of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) change in policy from 2011. The AAP now advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. It also advises that most children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

Here is an overview of the new recommendations on car seats:

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/
Birth to 2 years: Your child under the age of 2 should ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing longer. 

Note: This is different from the AAP's prior recommendation of Birth to 1 year. 

Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/
2 years through Preschool: Any child 2 years or older who has outgrown the weight or height limit for their rear-facing car seat should use a Forward-Facing car seat. This car seat should have a harness. Keep your child in this car seat for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. 

Children typically outgrow these car seats between the ages of 3 and 4.


Image source: http://www.safercar.gov/
School Aged Children: Belt-positioning booster seats are the next step for children who have outgrown their Forward-Facing car seat. This seat is to be used until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when the child has reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

Within this category of car seats, there are two different types- boosters with and without a back. My 5 year old is currently in a booster seat with a back, but I imagine he'll switch to one without a back next year.

I hope this information is helpful! If you need to have your car seat checked, go to http://www.seatcheck.org/ to find a location near you. This Saturday is 'Seat Check Saturday'! 

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Home Renovations

Now that we have moved into our home, we got started right away on our construction projects. We're doing two main things. First, we're adding a 4th bedroom, by cutting the master bedroom in half. Secondly, we're completely gutting the master bedroom.

An 'in process' shot of our bedroom
The 4th bedroom still needs a closet, and then we can paint it and set it up. I still feel like we're not really moved in, since we have so much of our 'stuff' in the garage. But little by little we're getting there.

The addition of the 4th bedroom will require a new entrance, as well. Below is a photo of the progress on that task. This particular item took a while to figure out the best way to enter the 'new' bedroom. I'm happy with how it's turning out!


And the master bathroom is gutted, can't wait to see what it looks like complete! The bathtub ending up coming out too, so there is literally nothing left. Today, the shower got framed, and the tile was ordered.


Have you gone through this process? I'm really glad it's not our kitchen, as I've lived through that in my parents' house. Tell me your home renovation stories!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

We FINALLY Moved!!

We were finally able to move into our new house. It took 2 months to close escrow. I could tell you all the things that I still need to do, all the things we will need to fix, or all the obstacles we faced this weekend. But I'm going to try to focus on the positive aspects of this week...

My handsome little man

Little J is settled in the house before he starts kindergarten. He will be attending a wonderful school, and he can even walk (with an adult) to his new school. Several kids that he went to preschool with are attending this school, so hopefully we'll know some people.

Finally, he has all his 'stuff'!

'Baby' Mayhem has his 'big boy' room all set up, and he LOVES it. He actually asked me to bring him to bed last night! He said, "Momma, I tired. Come to my room, read my dinosaur book." How can I argue with that?

The dogs are adjusting well to the new house, and are enjoying their backyard.



Our appliances (fridge, washer and dryer) arrived this week. We are a functional home again! AND Thursday was the first USC football game of the season. Fight on!

How was your Labor Day weekend? 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Can We Stop the Judgy Judging?!?!

As an emotionally drained, exhausted mother of two, I have a serious request. Can we PLEASE stop the judging? It seems that every blog I read has good intentions, but the comments! oh the comments! Mothers judging Mothers. It needs to end. Most mothers are just trying to NOT mess up their children, and maintain some sort of sanity during this extremely taxing process that we call 'raising children.'

None of us are perfect, by any means. I'll start with a few 'confessions'... 

Image Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Powdered-Baby-Formula
1. I formula fed my boys. I did not breastfeed. Gasp. And I don't feel guilty about it. Double gasp. Because they are both healthy, happy boys. Isn't that what is important? I actually did give it a go, both times- but decided that all the angst and drain were going to affect both myself AND the baby! 

Image Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/10/08/working.moms/
2. I work full time, outside the home. My kids are in the care of someone other than myself for a majority of the week. I am still raising my children, and making the decisions that will affect them. But I also enjoy my job, and get personal satisfaction from my work. I feel that this will be a benefit to my children in the long run.

Image Source: http://www.everydaypeoplecartoons.com/cartoon/316

3. I yell at my children. I get frustrated, I get angry, and I lose it sometimes. I'm not always the understanding, caring mother that I would like to be. This goes doubly for the time that I have been a mother of two. Everything is intensified, and that's good and bad. 

Now that some of my so-called sins are out there, can't we just realize that parenting is different for everyone. AND, importantly, until you are a parent- you do not understand how you will parent! Reading other blogs, that much bigger than mine... I read the comments that people post, and I am shocked by what I read. 

People that are out there telling other mothers (or fathers) that they are 'doing it wrong' must be so insecure about their parenting! Why else would someone behave that way? Do you agree?