Gift Idea for Guys

This seems like a great business idea! Here's a company that has come up with shirts for men (and women) that are the perfect length. They are designed to be worn untucked. The shirts show a little of the rear end but still hang appropriately.  Check out this company, UntuckIt, and all their inventory! 

http://www.untuckit.com

'Twas the Night Before Gracie

This is a poem I wrote last year about my birth experience. It is modeled after the famous and old poem, 'The Night Before Christmas' by Clement Clark Moore. My due date was December 25, 2014, but my daughter came a few days late. I wanted a natural child birth in a hospital setting, but quickly changed my mind when I felt the horrific pains of labor a few days after Christmas. I was in labor from 3:45 am until 1:40 pm on December 28, 2014. I did not have a natural (drug-free) childbirth, but all went smoothly regardless. I did have a vaginal delivery, and most importantly, I had a beautiful and healthy daughter named Grace who's almost one year old now! Wow. 

Here's my story:

‘Twas the night before Gracie, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Grace’s stocking was still hung by ours with such care, in hopes that this Christmas, with her we would share.

But Christmas had passed, and we wanted her here! We knew that “the day” was soon drawing near…

The dogs were both nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of beggin’ strips danced in their heads.

And Daddy in his jammies, and me in mine too, had laid down at 9, like we usually do… 

When all of a sudden Charlie heard pitter patter; he sat up in bed to see what was the matter.

I was sweating and shaking, and stricken with pain, my back was on fire, contractions- INSANE!

I said, “This is labor- we really should go.” And to my surprise, my husband said, “No.”

“We’ll labor at home , that’s what’s in your plan.” “UMMMM, WE’VE GOT TO GO!!  I’VE FELT ALL I CAN STAND.”

We arrived at the hospital at half past six. There was no denying- I needed a fix. 

My Doula consoled me said “You really should wait. Don’t get it too early,”  but it was too late.

I’d already decided, I was getting relief. Or else I would die, I’m not lying, GOOD GRIEF!

Now Demerol ! Now Stadol!  I need a spinal block!… “No, Kelly…remember? Just get up and walk.”

On Epidural, On Morphine...”I need drugs to get through it!” While Catrice calmly said again, “No, You can do it.”

She rubbed my back as I sat on the ball... I could’ve collapsed, didn’t feel good AT ALL! 

The doctor then checked me.  “You’re only at 4.” (cm)  Five minutes later, the anesthesiologist walked through the door.

He came to save the crazy lady, thank GOD he did. Then a 2 hour nap…resting up for my kid… 

No, the epidural was not part of my plan. But it helped me so much…I was dying, OH MAN! 

Just three hours later, I was finally at 10! (cm) Couldn’t believe it was time for pushing to begin!

For an hour and a half, Charlie counted to 10, he was the most amazing husband and coach, the greatest of men!

Then suddenly, I realized, but how could it be???????   The most perfect angel you ever did see!

Her cry, the most heartwarming sound you could hear, she’d finally decided, it was time to appear.

Her eyes, how they twinkled, her nose, so, just fine, her cheeks warm and rosy, and she was all MINE!

10 fingers, 10 toes and a perfect round face, so much hair, so much life, all God’s Grace in ONE PLACE!

That cute little body, not much vernix at all, 7 lb, 14 oz. and 21 inches tall…

My darling, my angel, the love my life…you were DEFINITELY worth all of the pain and strife…

To see her, to hold her, JOY! I can hardly explain.... This feeling of love shall forever remain!

She spoke not a word, but went straight to the breast. She was certainly hungry and ate like the best!

How is it possible that we were this blessed? I looked at my husband with the babe on my chest.

He looked at me too, with a gleam in his eyes… She’s finally here safely, what a glorious surprise!

I was truly in heaven, with her in my sight… “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO!    : ) 

Here is Grace now at 11 months old!

 

You'll Thrive if you Unsubscribe

Recently I decided to unsubscribe to all of the retail emails that I receive daily.

The short story is… This has helped drastically reduce The amount of money that I spend. It has changed my thought process about buying or even thinking of buying something or anything. In turn,it has helped change the way I look at spending money.

I used to love receiving coupons from all of the retailers in case I needed to buy something. Now I save far more money in the long run not buying anything at all really, compared against the money I would have saved with the coupon from an email, if I did buy something.

Another great benefit of unsubscribing to retail emails is your phone goes off less, therefore you check it less, and overall you're on your phone less, yielding a better quality-of-life.

Do it TODAY Mommies. Click unsubscribe! 

My First Mother's Day

Today was my First Mother's Day as a Mom. It started off with little Gracie sleeping in bed with me all night last night. There's a first time for everything. I'm pretty against co-sleeping but I wanted to snuggle and so we did. So I woke up with the most angelic face I've ever seen, soundly snoozing next to me. She breathed in and out. I held her hand. I kissed her head. I stared at her for a really long time. Then we nursed. 

My husband worked a shift last night at the Fire Station so he got off work early this morning. He brought Kolaches and donuts home for breakfast. Yummy! Then he took a needed nap. 

Mid morning, Grace and I watered our vegetable garden, played and did all the things we do when we have time...swinging, bouncing, standing, giggling, tummy time, hugging, dancing, etc.  We had some great bonding time this morning. I even did some laundry and didn't hate it. I felt honored and grateful to be a Mom doing Mommyish things around the house, all the while wearing the baby. 

Then Daddy woke up at 11:30 am, and he gave me a card for a 90 minute in-home massage! Hallelujah! He also gave me a picture book filled with photos of me and my daughter. Love it!

Then we went to the zoo and saw all the Animals. I even hand fed a giraffe some Lettuce. Grace and I also went down the slide. She pet a goat too! Next we had a late lunch/early dinner at one of my favorite restaurants Barnaby's. I enjoyed a delicious salad and strawberry lemonade.

In the evening, Gracie had her sweet potatoes meal and milk, splashed around in her bath, then went night night. I enjoyed every single moment with her. Her bright eyed smiles are the highlight of my every day. Her hungry, sleepy tears, while heartbreaking, are the very reason I love being her Mommy, because I yearn to take care of my darling and give her everything she needs. 

We topped it off with some chocolate chip cookies at home, then getting in bed before 8 pm. Wow! It was a day filled with doing fun things that I enjoy. It feels amazing to be Gracie's Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed my first Mothers Day!

Motherhood is not a Competition

If there's one thing I've learned in a little over four months of Motherhood, it is this:

Motherhood is not a competition. I didn't always know this. But now I do. So I'll say it again... Motherhood is not a competition. 

It is not about who had the most ideal birth, the safest, the healthiest, the most natural, etc. It isn't about who need pain relief and who didn't, who pushed for the least or longest, or who didn't push at all. 

It isn't about who gave their child the healthiest food, be it breastmilk, homemade puréed baby foods, Organics, homemade formula, commercial formula, etc. Who cares? Did your baby eat? Good. Be thankful. 

It isn't about who kept their child at home the longest, or who didn't... Or who went back to work or who didn't. Some people get to stay at home, and others cannot. 

It isn't about who hit the gym the hardest or bounced back the fastest. 

It isn't about who maintained their social life pr who didn't. 

It isn't who spent the most or saved the most. 

It isn't about the best baby gear brands, cutest clothes, or best schools. 

And it sure as heck isn't about judging or criticizing other Mothers. 

It isn't about any of this crap. 

Motherhood is simply about loving your child unconditionally and being the best Mom you can be. It's also about being a Mother among other Mothers. Because it truly takes a village. 

If you think Mothers should stop being at war with each other, please share this article. Moms, we should stop the judging. We all need help and support from each other. 

Motherhood is not a competition. It is a community of millions of women who share similar joys and struggles. It's the best sorority in the world and you don't have to have any credentials to get in. You're born with the instincts to raise a child, and you're doing a great job! Keep up the good work and let's all encourage or compliment another Mother this weekend. 

I'm wishing all Moms a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. 

Dish of the Day

My old go-to breakfast was 3 or 4 whole eggs new and 3 (or 4) slices of bacon. I ate this meal literally every morning like clockwork. 

Now that I'm in baby weight loss mode, my NEW go-to breakfast is: (nothing against back really, still love it, just manikin' some changes...)

1 cup of raw spinach

2 eggs, 2 egg whites scrambled with black pepper 

Sometimes I substitute kale 

(And if I'm not lazy or rushed I'll add a tbls Of avocado 

At 3 months post partum, I had 10 lbs left to lose. Now 4 months post partum, I have 5 lbs left to lose til  I reach my pre-baby weight. 

#dishoftheday #fittip #fitThriftymom

Baby's First Float- My Review of America's First Infant Float Facility and Massage Spa

Today at lunchtime, myself and 3 other Moms from the Moms in the Heights group met up at Float Baby to do a fun activity with our infants - "Baby's First Float."

Float Baby is an Infant Spa where babies can move, float, splash around and 'swim,' enjoy water freedom, get a massage, hang with other babies, and Moms can socialize! It is the first facility in the U.S. of it's kind. There are 3 others like it around the world. Float Baby is located at Del Monte Drive at Voss here in Houston's Memorial/Galleria area. The business is owned and operated by Kristi Ison, a Certified Infant Massage Therapist and Entrepreneur.

Kristi is pictured below with her new float client, baby Olivia.

Since the Spa's opening 15 months ago, parents have found that babies eat more and sleep better after floating there. It is a wonderful infant movement activity. Newborns as young as 2 weeks old have come, and she has also accommodated infants as old as 9 months, but is more based on size than age.

The babies arrive and a head flotation device is placed around their neck so that they can move their limbs freely while enjoying their float in the spa. They are also given a satin-y swim diaper. This type of exercise for babies strengthens and develops their little muscles. It also is great for increasing mobility. Infants with torticollis benefit greatly from water therapy, and often see increased mobility- often as much as 5 degrees in turning their head after just one visit! Floating helps to relieve digestions issues in infants including gas and colic, and the combination of float along with massage relaxes the little ones as well. There are plenty of bath toys and bubbles in the spas to entertain them while they float.

My daughter, Gracie, sure enjoyed her float session! She loved spinning around and played in the water. She pushed herself off the bottom of the spa and moved all about. She smiled and chuckled. She made new friends and she worked up a good appetite too. She was ready to eat when she got out, and she'd eaten just before we arrived. Kristi, the Owner, also said they might take a much needed 3 or so hour nap afterwards. Sure enough, Gracie did! I am a firm believer that Aquatic Physical Therapy helps ease pain and ailments, is good for the brain and the soul, and is just plain fun.

The facility is just gorgeous! There are 3 spa tubs, comfortable and stylish lounge furniture and a massage pit in the middle where the babies lay on cushions post-float and Mommies can massage them. Organic oils and interactive instruction are provided. There are changing tables and scales there for convenience. The calming, clean white subway tiles give the space a sleek and modern look. The spa baths are immaculately cleaned. You can purchase innovative toys, baby apparel and accessories there, and you an even have your car washed while you enjoy the class from a service across the street! I mean WOW. Hello Service! The towels for drying babies off after the float are soft and warm. I can't say enough great things about this awesome place and cool experience! The babies loved it. So did the Moms!

My daughter, Grace...

Pictured below is my friend Kelli and her daughter, Olivia. They were there today!

Kristi offers an hour long class for $72...a 30 minute float and 30 minute massage for baby. Free coffee, sodas and water are available.

Man, my kid really lived it up today! And she totally should. That little fishy deserved it. She's my princess...



For more information about Float Baby, visit the website at www.floatbabies.com.