A New Life (and a new look)

12:19 pm ByFiled UnderFiner Things

I realized that since I’m no longer in danger of jeopardizing my job with my blog, I could probably show you what I look like.

Clearly, I’m no photographer, but here is a recent shot of how I now look as a SAHM:

And yep, that’s a baby bump! A 15-and-a-half week bump to be exact. Our next little munchkin will be making his or her debut sometime around  March 19th – we can’t wait!!

*Editor’s Note: Please ignore the tired mommy face, lack of makeup and un-styled hair. This was the best I could do given that I’m still trying to work out time in the day to put myself together now that I’m a SAHM. Also, pay no attention to the unsightly 1980s bathroom décor that will one day be improved.

This post is proudly linked to Finer Things Friday over at Amy’s Finer Things. Head on over there to to see all the other things people are appreciating this week!

Stinkin’ Proud

8:33 pm ByFiled UnderFiner Things, My !!!, Thank You

I have been getting semi-disgusted looks and, I suspect, more than a few eye rolls behind my back lately. And really, friends, family, marginal acquaintances and complete strangers, I understand. Truly, I do. It’s a topic of conversation that most people aren’t exactly thrilled to discuss. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s less than thrilling if it’s with someone with whom you would prefer not to know such details. But I can’t help myself. I’m trying, but, I’m just so stinkin’ proud!

What are you so stinkin’ proud of, you are probably asking as you read along. Well, it’s poop.

Yes, you read that right, poop. And before you go scrolling and clicking away out of disgust, just stick with me here, ok? I told you, I’m just so stinkin’ proud!

I haven’t changed a poopy diaper in four, count them, FOUR days! Not because The Hubs has done it, or because I’ve lucked out and been working during the number 2 action. Nope. It’s because The Munchkin, my baby girl, 15-months-old with reddish pig-tails and a contagious grin, has been doing her business on the pot. Yes, she is pooping on the potty!

Can I get a celebratory potty dance for that one or what?!

Now, we are nowhere near what I could call potty training. I just picked up a little toddler toilet seat (you know, the kind that prevents your standard toilet seat from completely swallowing  tiny hinies) and figured, “Why not let her get used to sitting on it?”

So we tried it.

She sits there, looking at books, jabbering away, occasionally singing, and suddenly she poops (and tinkles too)! It’s almost sad how proud I am of her for doing this (and the number of times I have announced to just about anyone who will listen that my baby girl is pooping on the potty). Do you have any idea how many text messages I sent this week containing the word poop? Probably more than anyone should. I’m probably going to get blocked soon. But I don’t care.

Even if it’s years before she’s fully potty trained…well…if I can get out of having to change poopy diapers for a stretch or two? I’m all for it.

So bring on the bathroom talk – my baby’s pooping on the potty!

Now that poop is happening, do you think we should give full-on potty training a shot? Or stick with the gradual method? What has/has not worked for you?

This post is linked to Thank You Journal over at Alli ‘n Son, !!! over at Momalom and Finer Things Friday at Amy’s Finer Things. Check out all three awesome sites to see what else people are appreciating this week.

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The New Bathroom Decor

7:34 pm ByFiled UnderFiner Things, MOMent of the Day, Thank You

Most moms quickly learn that once you have a baby, having a bathroom to yourself is a luxury. And a rarity. Hence, most of the time when I’m in the bathroom showering, getting ready for work or whatever, The Munchkin is with me.

Because it’s a bathroom, there are many areas of it that I prefer she not play with (like the toilet, or the cabinets under our sink – and yes, I know I need to baby-proof the bathroom). I usually have her in my sight at all times. This morning as I was brushing my teeth, I took 30 seconds – maybe even less – to spit out the toothpaste and rinse my mouth. The Munchkin was looking at a book.

In those 30 seconds (maybe less), this happened:

Stealth little booger, isn’t she?

For some reason, it made my morning.

And when I got home from work and discovered the pile still sitting there (because Lord knows we did not have time to clean it up before we rushed out the door this morning), it made gave me a chuckle and made my afternoon. I think I’ll let it stay there until tomorrow. It adds a nice touch to the room, don’t you think?

This post is linked to Thank You Journal over at Alli ‘n Son. Head on over there to see what other people are appreciating. It’s also linked to Finer Things Friday at The Finer Things in Life. Check there for more of the finest.

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Progress Report

9:34 pm ByFiled UnderFiner Things, Mission SAHM

Well, the numbers are in.

Last weekend as I sat with The Hubs to review our budget and spending for the month of April, I couldn’t help but have butterflies in my stomach. I felt like I did when I was a kid and my dad let me watch the movie, Alien – afraid of what I would see, but not willing to completely cover my eyes so as not to miss what would happen.

Luckily, the outcome was more like the book, The Little Engine That Could than any of the Alien movies.

To my glee, we came in under our budget for April! Yes, we managed to not only spend less than what The Hubs makes, but we were able to save all of my salary and some of his too. Our six-months-of-expenses nest egg is growing exactly at the pace we want it to be and our spending was less than what we thought.

This is definitely the direction we need to be headed in order for me to achieve my goal of being a stay-at-home-mom.

There will still be some tweaking to do in May (we went over budget on groceries for our first week this month – look for a post coming soon with more details on those plans), but it looks like my ambitious plan of leaving the work force by the end of June isn’t so far-fetched after all.

I am beyond excited about this!! Heck, while I’m throwing out movie and book references, I’m going to go ahead and say that I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when the yellow brick road finally leads to that wizard. She’s not home yet, but she’s almost on her way.

And while it isn’t the easiest thing I’ve ever done, it has not nearly as hard as I thought it would be.

This success, while certainly not a guarantee that we can live this way every month of our lives, makes me feel so hopeful and encouraged. This dream I’ve been wishing for is finally a real prospect. And that is definitely a finer thing in life – progress and the hope that comes with it.

This post is part of “Finer Things Friday” hosted by Amy at The Finer Things in Life. Head on over there to check out more of the finest.

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The Rocking Chair

10:27 pm ByFiled UnderFiner Things, Misc.

I was tagged by Robyn over at One of the Jones to participate in this photo meme. I couldn’t resist the opportunity. You’re supposed to go into your photo files, select the 8th photo in the 8th folder and post it along with the story behind it, then tag 8 fellow bloggers to do the same. My photo ended up being our rocking chair.

When many expectant mothers are planning their first nursery, one of the pieces that receives the most contemplation is the rocking chair.

It’s understandable. After all, it’s a place you will be spending a lot of time together. Just the two of you. Rocking. Back and fourth. It might be the place your baby ends her day each evening. Or the place where the two of you rock in the wee hours of the morning when sleep narrowly escapes you. It’s the place where you’ll read stories and share cuddles.

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the place where you rock together, listening to the rain patter on the window while peering at the world outside, imagining what you’ll explore together.

Regardless, it’s a place where stories are shared, comfort is found and memories are made.

And how perfect if that rocking chair already comes with memories.

That is our rocking chair.

Like many first-time mommies, the moment I found out I was pregnant, I began envisioning what my baby’s room would be. I scoured every baby Web site and store known to man looking for just the right crib sheets and blanket patterns, cribs, changing tables and decorations – nothing too girly, but not masculine either (since we didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl). No neon colors, but nothing overly pastel.

The rocking chair was no exception. I had a very specific idea in mind of what I wanted it to be.

I ended up with something completely different. The style was not what I envisioned. The wood doesn’t match the crib or dresser. It didn’t come with a foot stool.

It ended up being more perfect than whatever I could have imagined.

It belonged to my husband’s grandmother. She got it when he was born so that she could rock her first grandchild whenever he came to visit. It sat in her living room and was well used. Tens of grandchildren cuddled with her in it. They read stories together and snuggled under blankets in it. It served as overflow for Thanksgiving feasts and Easter dinners. Adults observed while kids opened presents around it on Christmases and birthdays.  I suspect a few may have even had to take a “time out” in it.

Somewhere along the way, she promised my husband that when he became a father, the chair would be passed along to him.

Despite the fact that it was a prominent, and much-used part of her living room, she did just that.

On the day of my baby shower, there sat that old rocker. Fresh with new green cushions and a giant bow, full of memories and ready to serve as a place where a new generation of memories can be created.

And it is perfect.

That rocking chair came with something better than the latest style, matching wood and a foot stool. It came with sentiment, memories and tradition – things I look forward to passing along to my daughter with that chair someday when she is blessed with her first child.

So, Alli ‘n Son, Amber Page Writes, The Frugal Frontier, Mommy Drinks Because You Cry, Domestic Chicky, Amy’s Finer Things, Scary Mommy and Oh Amanda – tag! You’re it!

This post is linked to Finer Things Friday over at Amy’s Finer Things. Check out some of the finest here.

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