Alligator Baby Shower

Filed Under: Parties and Showers

Sep262012

This weekend, my friends and I hosted a baby shower for our friend Allison and her sweet baby boy on the way. We had it at our house and it was fun to have everyone here. And to have an excuse to get my house as clean as possible!

When Allison told us that she was using navy, green, madras, and alligators in the baby’s nursery, we decided to use that as inspiration for her baby shower.

We decided on a “See You Later, My Little Alligator” theme.

We called on the talented girls at Sweet Birdie’s Nest to help us make the theme come to life. They created party circles, cupcake toppers, a banner, a welcome sign, and a great set of prints for us to frame for Allison. I love these colors and think they’re just so fun and happy!

This fun little set of prints (excuse the horrible glare) was framed on the welcome table. We also had fun little note cards with a number on them for months 1-12. The guests were asked to write advice and encouragement to Allison for each of those months.

Also on the welcome table, we had these delicious and oh-so-cute cookie favors from Holly at Doughmestic Housewife. Holly’s cookies are so soft and yummy and I’ll say it again…. they are little works of art! (Holly ships and takes custom orders!)

 

My friend Caroline brought delicious chicken salad sandwiches on croissants.

My friend Tina made pimento cheese sandwiches. Goodness, this is making me hungry!

Allison said she has been craving fruit, so I made my friend Emily’s pineapple pretzel salad recipe that I’ve posted before. Yummy!

My friend Allyson put together a pretty vegetable platter.

And of course no shower is complete without fluffy cupcakes from Publix and sweet cupcake toppers.

 

 

My friend Julie brought these delicious chocolate cookies.

I made these baked brie bites. I found the recipe on Pizzazzerie, and I will definitely be making these again.

My friend Caroline brought this wonderful spinach dip, and I think it looks so pretty!

 

 

The banner said “See You Later My Lil Alligator.”

And all the hostesses with Allison. She allowed us to touch her belly– we did ask permission! Ha!

Me, Allyson, Julie, Allison, Tina, and Caroline

I love these girls!

 

 

 

five years

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sep252012

I haven’t blogged in a few days. I realize that for someone who typically blogs nearly every day, this may seem strange. But things are just fine. I got a few texts from friends today asking if everything was okay with me, and yes, everything is great.

I’m tired and I’m busy, but I’m good. We had a bit of a crazy weekend. We had out of town visitors and hosted a baby shower at our house, so it was a really fun weekend!

I did happen to look at the date today and something stood out to me about September 25. So I went and looked at my blog archives and realized that I started blogging on September 25, 2007. Five years of blogging!

Last year on my “blogiversary” I did a quick recap and catch up post. So if you are new here you can catch up there.

But on my blogging anniversary, I did want to pop in to say a quick hello and a huge thank you to all of you who read every day and encourage me so much with your honest thoughts and helpful comments and emails. I truly appreciate you! Thank you so much for making this so much fun.

In the mean time, I’m just hanging out with my sweet family. Life is really busy right now, so all I want to do is hang out with my fellas. Who knows how much longer I’ll keep it up with the blog, but sometimes a little break is needed. I’m still trying to get as much quiet in my daily life as possible.

But a big, huge thank you (or “Danks” as Hayes says) for reading for all these years!

6 c-section recovery tips

Filed Under: Baby, Pregnancy

Sep212012

Our Hayes was born via c-section because he was breech, and because I’d had such a horrible time with Hudson’s delivery. I ended up really liking the c-section.

I know, who says they actually like major abdominal surgery? But since I’ve delivered babies both ways, I guess I can say that I liked the c-section. The pain was manageable and I felt prepared for the recovery. I received some great tips from women and figured out a few things for myself during my experience.

1. Bring lots of pillows from home. You’ll have very limited use of your abdominal muscles, if you have any muscles at all! Having lots of pillows to prop yourself up, will make it easier to reach things in bed and easier to get out of bed when it’s time. You’ll need as much support as possible!

2. Belly wraps are helpful! Having a belly wrap will help hold everything together. It keeps everything tight, so when you laugh or sneeze or stand up, you have just a little bit of extra support in your belly.

3. When it’s time to get up and walk, do it! I was required to be hooked up to the IV for a full day, but the morning that the nurses came and unhooked my IVs, it was time to get up and take a walk. The first walk was to the restroom. I can just remember being so relieved to have gotten the two scariest things out of the way: 1. standing/walking and 2. going to the restroom. Check and check!

4. Walk often. Actually just go ahead and take at least three “laps” around the hospital floor per day. This will help build up your abdominal strength again. It will be so difficult to stand and move without the use of those muscles, but it does come back. Walking often also helps you feel better a lot faster.

5. Other than your couple of times per day walks, take it easy. Let people bring things to you. Don’t lift anything heavier than the baby. You want to heal quickly without complication, so just listen to your body and take it easy.

6. Take a shower as soon as possible and put on your own comfy pajamas. Getting clean will just make you feel so much better. Make sure you have someone there to help you, because standing is just difficult. Bring pajama pants with a low, loose waist band that won’t hurt or irritate your incision. I brought all my favorite toiletries from home and my favorite maternity pajamas that were easy to nurse in. It just felt so good to get clean and comfortable.

I really had a great c-section experience. The pain was manageable (thanks to about four days of pain meds) and I was up and back to normal after about a week. I’m thankful that other moms gave me so many great tips to use as I prepared for my surgery and recovery.

What tips would you add to this list to offer to a new mom recovering from a c-section?

Check out the Huggies Mommy Answers Facebook app and find more posts from bloggers sharing their experiences of motherhood on the Huggies page on BlogHer.com. †

mom-style fall fashion

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sep192012

We had our first little taste of fall yesterday. I went for a run (really, a run/walk) yesterday morning and I just couldn’t believe the breeze and the crisp air. I love it.

I’m so excited that it’s time for pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks and painting You Don’t Know Jacques O.P.I. nail polish on my fingers and toes.

It’s time for constant football, chili, and brownies. And mid-day strolls with the whole family where we don’t have to rush back in because of the heat.

And of course I love fall fashions. I was playing around on Polyvore and put together a few fall outfits. I love that a scarf can change up an outfit in a second. I love boots, but I really, really love flats. I love chunky sweaters, and I love the color green!

I’ve said this before, but whatever I wear has to move easily. I’ve got to be able to lift children, get in and out of the car, and get down on the floor to play without worrying about my outfit getting messed up.

fall #1

 

easy fall

fall #3

fall #4

Okay, so who’s taking me shopping?

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