Chewbeads

I'm stuck at the office again waiting for the budget to get finalized so I've been snooping around on the internet.  I stumbled across these on a baby blog and think they're pretty hilarious.  They're called "Chewbeads" and the here's the story behind them:  

The idea for Chewbeads began in 2009 shortly after the birth of my son. Like most babies, he loved to put everything in his mouth and my necklaces were a favorite. Like most moms, I didn't feel comfortable letting him chew on them, with concern that they might break or have unwanted chemicals. As a veteran of the fashion industry, I had an amazing collection of necklaces and bracelets, so with those as my inspiration, I set out to create soft, non-toxic jewelry, which was colorful, chic and, above all else safe. Hence, Chewbeads!

• Beads are made with 100% silicone (similar to pacifiers & nipples)
• Soft on babies gums and emerging teeth
• Easily cleaned with dish soap & water, also dishwasher safe!
• No BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Cadmium, or Lead
• Necklaces have a breakaway clasp for added safety
• Necklaces are a great sensory tool to help your baby focus while nursing
• Bracelets are a colorful reminder of which side you've just nursed



(Photo - chewbeads.com)

I think it's an interesting idea but wouldn't your shirt get soaked with slobber from the beads?  Maybe that happens anyway without the beads?  (Hahaha, can you tell I'm not a mom yet?!)  Anyway, I love new jewelry & thought it was a fun idea to share, what do you think? 

Stuck at the office on a holiday...

So I'm dreaming of being here:



Hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day!

Bump Watch 2011: Week 22

This week Baby T attended her first wedding, kind of!  Saturday was the Albsmeyer wedding and they lucked out as it turned out to be a gorgeous day!  Katie & Joe were so cute during the ceremony, Joe even got a little choked up which is so sweet!  Katie looked aaammaaazing!!  Dress, hair, makeup, accessories - everything was perfect!  After the ceremony Joe surprised Katie with a horse-drawn carriage, ummm how romantic is that?!  We all moved onto to reception site at Piper Glen to celebrate with the newlyweds & dance the night away, which I did!  I'm proud to say that I stayed until almost midnight which is late for me!  Baby T got some major love from my girlfriends b/c she's finally showing her face...or body...or whatever...they were lovin' on my baby bump!  Right now the happy couple is honeymooning in Jamaica, talk about jealous!  Here a few a pics that I captured from their big day: 

After their "I do's"

How creative is this?!  It had questions about the couple inside.  <3 it!

Us & the "Rell-espie's"  :)

The hubs & the bride

Baby lovin'

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: 8 inches, and around 1 pound (some websites say up to 11 inches which measures from crown to toes, not butt).  Her lips, eyelids, & eyebrows are becoming more distinct & tooth buds are forming!  She's has very wrinkly skin so she has room to pack on the pounds in the upcoming months.
Total weight gain/loss:  9 pounds (I think I'm starting my weight gain now)

Maternity clothes: My pants aren't so easy to wear anymore even with the bella band.  I'm loving my maternity capris so I'm definitely going to have to shop for more!  Wearing normal tops.
Gender: It's a GIRL!!  

Movement: I notice her moving the most around 11 at work, right before lunchtime.  She's also pretty active after I eat. 
Sleep: Not too bad, just up and down all night.

What I miss:  I'm settling into pregnancy pretty well so I don't miss much right now.

Cravings: Still sweets but I've always had a sweet tooth.

Symptoms: Just my growing belly - the 2nd trimester rocks!  :)

Memorable moment for the week:  Nothing too different happened this week in terms of baby but it was fun to get baby bump attention at Katie's wedding.

Bump Watch 2011: Week 21

After dinner photo

This week obviously wasn't nearly as exciting as last week but nothing will beat that until her birth I'm sure.  This week was my birthday week so there was still a little more celebrating to do.  I turned the big 27 and it honestly was the easiest birthday I've had lately.  Now that I'm not 21, every birthday reminds me of how much older I'm getting (I know, I know, I'm not that old!)  My 25th meant that I was in my upper 20's and that much closer to 30 and that was not fun to take!  27 didn't feel like that at all - maybe it's because there will be so many life changes coming this year that I'm too excited to be Debby Downer!  Whatever the reason, I'm perfectly content with turning 27 and being the hot older woman in our marriage (hahahah).  :)    We went to Olive Garden for my birthday dinner since I've been craving that a lot lately.  We had a great meal & I got some awesome gifts as well - a BJ gift card from the hubs, maternity clothes (lol), a new swag for the front door, and a Bath & Body gift card from my fam.

New swag that I love!

Last week I forgot to mention that Cora had her Junior prom on May 7.  I did her hair & she got her make-up done at BJ and looked gooorgeous!  That girl is a natural beauty!  Some of the family came over to see her & Hadley was in love with her princess dress and very upset that she couldn't go to prom with Cora.  haha, her day will be here before we know it!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 21 weeks

Size of baby: 7 inches, as long as a banana!  She's able to grab things & swallow fluid so she's very active!

Total weight gain/loss:  7-8 pounds

Maternity clothes: I've worn the bella band every day this week since none of my pants will button anymore and I'm also loving my maternity capris for work.  My parents got me a bunch of maternity tops for my birthday but I haven't worn them yet.

Gender: It's a GIRL!!  

Movement: Lots of wiggles still & a few kicks.  Scott even got to feel her move once on Saturday morning!  Now he can't wait to feel it again :)

Sleep: Not too bad, just up and down all night.

What I miss:  I'm settling into pregnancy pretty well so I don't miss much right now.

Cravings: Pasta - had to hit up Olive Garden for my birthday dinner!

Symptoms: Everything's growing so you can finally tell that I'm really pregnant!  AND she's having quite a fun time head-butting my bladder!  I think I was in the bathroom every 30 minutes this week!

Memorable moment for the week:  When Scott felt her move in my belly.

Perspective

I came across this at lunch & it's so true.  Sometimes it feels like we're all just trying to keep up with everyone around us instead of enjoying each moment as it happens.  Life would probably be a lot simpler if we focused on what we DO have, not what we don't. 

Bump Watch 2011: Week 20

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

The highlight for the week was our 20 week appointment on Thursday May 5 (Happy Cinco de Mayo!)  We had our sonogram bright & early at 8:30am and knew we weren't going to tell anyone until that evening at our baby party.  Scott's final guess was boy & I was wavering between boy & girl - I wasn't sick at all (boy) but just started feeling girl at the end.  Our sonographer started with the basics:  all 4 chambers of the heart looked good, along with the kidneys, stomach, diaphragm, brain, etc.  Then she asked if we wanted to know because she could definitely tell what it was & she said yep, it's definitely a girl!  Scott & I looked at each other bright eyed, kind of in shock!  We knew our lives were about to change with another princess in the family (actually I'm sure we still have no clue how much will change).  She pointed out the 3 lines that meant girl & she could tell I was skeptical.  She rotated the wand and showed me from another angle & said she was for sure.  Aaaaahhhh, we couldn't believe it!!  Baby T posed for her photo-shoot so mommy & daddy could have lots of pictures for the blog!  Here are some of our faves:

Arm up pointing at her face

Profile of her face with her arm up (diva!)

Her knees on the right, shins & feet on the left

Full body shot - Head on the right, belly in the middle, leg on the left

We both went to work with another huge secret again and we didn't budge!  Then it was time to prep for our big reveal party at the Tuckers.  We planned to have mexican food since it was Cinco de Mayo - enchiladas, margaritas, spanish rice, salad, & key lime cake!  When everyone arrived they placed their final vote for boy or girl & boy had the majority of the vote.  Then it was time for the big reveal & we did it by opening a huge box to release a bunch of pink balloons.  We wanted to make it more exciting than just telling everyone.  Baby T continued to be spoiled as my mom & Cora got her a cute outfit, hat & blankie and Aunt Beth got her first Juicy Couture outfit (you're going to create a monster!! haha).  Everyone was so excited and supportive - I know there won't be a lack of love in this big family!!  Here's a balloon pic:

Surprise!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 20 weeks

Size of baby: 6.5 inches, the size of a cantaloupe

Total weight gain/loss:  Officially 7 pounds at the doctor

Maternity clothes: I'm sticking to dresses and still wearing my old pants with the bella band.

Gender: It's a GIRL!!  Don't even ask about names because we aren't budging!

Movement: Little wiggles :)

Sleep: My hips are kind of hurting when I lay on one side for too long so I've tossed & turned a little more lately.

What I miss:  I'm settling into pregnancy pretty well so I don't miss much right now.

Cravings: Sweets, maybe I should have known it was a girl.

Symptoms: Growing belly & ta-ta's!  Woah!  hahaha

Memorable moment for the week:  Hearing the words "it's a girl" and seeing our peanut on the sonogram again. 

We're so excited to be having a little girl and feeling very blessed that she looks healthy so far!  That was my biggest fear going into the appointment - finding some kind of health issue.  We have to remember that's what's most important now, not shopping for bedding, dresses, & bows.  Hopefully the rest of the pregnancy will go as smoothly as the 1st half!  
Go TEAM PINK!!  

Rainbows & Parrotheads

Leading up to this week I thought it would drag on and on since we had our next appointment the week after to find out the sex of our baby.  It was actually the total opposite because it was crammed with plans!  I had bridal shower & bachelorette party number 2 this weekend and it was a blast!  We started out at Tracy's house in Collinsville for Molly's bridal shower.  The theme for the day was "rainbow" because Molly's favorite color has been rainbow for as long as I've known her - which is at least 15 years!  We enjoyed lots of candy, chowed on an ice cream sunday bar, and watched Molls open her gifts.  Here are a few photos from that afternoon:

All of the shower attendees

Rochester Girls!

That evening we got ready and went to Molly's house in St. Louis to start her bachelorette party where we continued the rainbow theme.  We all wore shirts in different colors of the rainbow to make Molly her own rainbow and decked the bride out in her boa, rainbow hair extensions, and buttons.  By now, we've learned how to do bachelorette parties & don't skimp on the details!  : )  We then went to get dinner at Charlie Gitto's at Harrah's and had the yuuummiest food!  I had the seafood pasta with scallops, langostinos, shrimp, & clams and wow it was so worth the splurge!  I think I met my seafood limit for the week that night!  After dinner we moved onto the piano bar in Harrah's which was packed! and smokey.  Unfortunately there were chain smokers everywhere so I had to make an early exit which bummed me out. I had a blast all day though & got to spend lots of QT with my girls which is all that matters.  

Sexy bachelorette party gifts!

We even had a rainbow pinata!!

Rainbow lineup after dinner

Next up on the agenda for the week was the Jimmy Buffett concert in STL on Tuesday.  We left around 3:30 and hit major traffic on 270 so we didn't get down there until almost 6:00!  Oh well, we had some very interesting moments along the way because someone who will remain nameless couldn't hold their pee! hahaha  We met my sis and Gayle and tailgated with them before the concert.  We had quite a spread of appetizers thanks to Christie, Gayle, & Beth and really sad decorations thanks to me.  Notice the amazing grass skirt decor on the car : )

The forecast for that evening was very chilly, only in the 50's, yikes!  We bundled up and went into the concert - which was my first sober Buffett concert I might add.  It was a really fun concert & Jimmy was so cute as always and played a great set list.  We all noticed that it was probably the most slim crowd we had ever seen.  Normally you can't see the grass under your feet on the lawn but that night a lot of people were sitting down snuggled under blankets and a lot of others left early.  Oh well, more room for the real fans that stayed the whole time - us!!  After the concert we did our usual White Castle visit and I found out that sliders are not nearly as good when you're sober! haha!  I got the pleasure of being the DD so I had to try sooo hard not to fall asleep on the way home.  I think we rolled in around 1:30 am so that made Wednesday a very long day at work!  I need to get some more pics from others so I'll update with those later.

Bump Watch 2011: Week 19

Week 19 was go, go, go for me & baby T!  Good thing I've got plenty of energy in this "honeymoon" trimester as some call it.  Baby T has finally decided to show his or her face this week as my pants are definitely NOT fitting!  Therefore, I finally broke down and went maternity clothes shopping, can you believe it?!?!  My mom & Cora met me at the mall & we went to Motherhood Maternity.  The second we walked in I'm sure the girl could sense my apprehension as she asked me if this was my first time shopping.  I threw my head back, rolled my eyes, and moaned yesss.....  I'm sure I didn't look so sweet to this chick, haha!  I just had one idea of what maternity clothes looked like:  ugly.  Well, praise the lord, I was proven wrong!  My mom & the employee were my personal shoppers and just kept throwing clothes at me to try on.  It actually started to have fun!  Probably because I love anything about shopping.  They even had this fake bump pillow that I put on under my clothes that made me look 3 months farther along than I was, how funny!  Anyway, I had a successful shopping trip and my mommy even bought me some clothes.  I hope I'm as great as her one day!  : )

Scott says I always take pictures when my outfit doesn't show
my bump, I'll try to get a better outfit next time!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 19 weeks

Size of baby: 6 inches, the size of a 6" subway sub!  haha

Total weight gain/loss: 6 lbs

Maternity clothes: I finally gave in and bought a few outfits & discovered that the pants with the big panel in them rock!  Why have I been trying to squeeze into my jeans?!  My friend Julie also let me borrow her bella band which allows me to wear my normal pants unbuttoned, aaahh, magic. 

Gender: I'm so confused, I have no idea!  Most girls are guessing girls & most guys are guessing boy.

Movement: I'm still feeling the little rumbles which is definitely baby.  Usually when I'm sitting at my desk in the afternoon or on the couch at night.

Sleep: No complaints.

What I miss:  I'm feeling pretty good now so I'm not missing anything new. 

Cravings:  Lately it's been pasta & sweets.

Symptoms: Little movements and the obvious fact that my belly is growing!

Memorable moment for the week:  Going maternity shopping for the first time.  I really think that this was when it all became real b/c I really looked pregnant!