A pictures worth a thousand words

"Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about fun kid photos and the stories behind them. Enter Plum's "Babies for Yum Caption Contest" on Facebook and you could win a $100 gift card or Plum goodies."

Being a first time mom, I have a few syndromes for example "she will never be this small again syndrome", "Can't let her cry it out syndrome",  and my personal fav "Takes 3,482 photos of child a day syndrome". 

So When I was contacted about doing this post, I looked through all of the photos on my computer, and then hooked up my external hard drive and looked through those as well. I started to notice a theme, and it was photos of my sweet girl making this face.

"Squishy Face"

This face started showing up when E was around 6 months old, it was just about that time when we started to introduce food blends, one day I gave her a blend that included mangos {one fruit that she still does not enjoy} and after the flavor touched her tongue she squirmed and made this face. I chuckled for a bit and then tried to give her a second spoonful thinking she would like it this time, and again the facial expression appeared. 

Of course the second time I laughed and thought it was too cute, so I called hubs in and tried giving her another spoonful this time in hopes that she would still not like it so he could see her expression. Plan went as hoped, and the sour expression was made we both laughed at her, and of course she loved the attention she was getting, so she did it again, and again.

From that point on she started making this facial expression just to get a reaction out of us, and it worked. She would make it when she liked food and even when she didn't, she would make it when she was happy, or when she was sad, since she knew we loved it and would make a big deal out of it.

Once the facial expression started to make a daily appearance then she decided to change it up a bit, and add sound to it. She began to breathe in and out through her nose quickly while making the face.

The expression then gained the name "squishy face", and she would do it to anyone new she met, as a way to say "HI", I guess? All of our close friends and family have gotten use to the face, and now at any social function I always here "Emmaline do the squishy face!!!", she of course does it, and then laughs, and now she even claps when she is done, since I'm sure she thinks its one of her most favored skills. Hopefully it fades out before she hits the age of trying to impress boys, or job hunting!

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Cake on a stick

Made some cake pops this week!

Hannahbellecreations Review & Giveaway

Owls??? Who doesn't love them?

Emmaline really loves this one

We were recently sent this sweet owl from Hannhbellecreations and one little girl just fell in love

She loves playing with him, and well.. picking at his button eyes.

When she gets really sleepy she will lay her head down on him. I think he is very whimsical, and looks adorable in the nursery, he would also make a great shower gift too!

Here is a little bit of info about Dawn and her shop

Mom of 3 school age kids who recently reclaimed time for herself and started sewing as a hobby. That hobby has turned into a full-time pursuit (except summer when kids are home:). My friend, Jennifer, and I create a wide variety of fabric goods in our studio located in beautiful downtown Holland, MI. 
A few of the items we make are childrens clothing, baby blankets, crib bedding, hoodie towels, terry beach wraps and matching tote bags, home decor pillows (some whimsical), appliqued pillows, coverlets, duvets, shams, aprons, wall hangings and memo boards. I love creating with fellow moms in such a creative and encouraging environment. It allows me the freedom to pursue a passion and stay available for my kids when they need me. It's truly the best of both worlds!

She has some adorable creations you just have to check out. Plus if you find something you love you can enter "WHIMSYOWL" at checkout for 10% off of your purchase.

Dawn is offering a whimsical owl to one lucky reader.. 

MANDATORY ENTRY

Visit HannahBelleCreations come back and comment about your favorite owl design

AND

Be a public Follower of this blog

{1 Entry}

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
"Like" 5k's and Chardonnay on Facebook {1 entry}

Go to HannahBelle Creations and under actions click add to favorites {1 entry}

Heart your favorite HBC item {1 entry}

Tweet about this giveaway (include link in comments) {1 entry}

Blog about this giveaway {1 entry}

Please leave your email address in your comments

Giveaway will run until Friday July 1st at midnight, winner will be chosen using random.org, and will have 48 hours to reply

Giveaway is open to US residents

I was given the above whimsical owl in exchange for this review thanks Hannah Belle Creations, I received no monetary compensation for this post. These are my opinions and may differ from yours. 

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I am starting Insanity this week, not sure how long it will last but I'm going to give it a shot. 

I have been really good for the past few days about my diet. I have went back to a food journal, this has always helped me in the past. I write down the foods that I ate and the amount of calories involved, then I know how many I have left for the day.

So far I am down to pumping only once a day, and VERY soon I am going to try and skip a day and see how that goes, I am so done with this pump.. Im pretty sure Im ready to chuck it out the window, however it's been a love hate relationship... and has been a huge part of my life for almost a year, so it will be bitter sweet to see the nursing/pumping stage come to an end for us. 

We have been trying to get the pool as much as possible this week, my girl is a fish.. and loves the water so much!

I have been snapping some photos of the healthy recipes  I have been trying so I can post them all for you!

Share your love for cereal Week 3 {giveaway}

I have partnered with My Blog Spark & General Mills to being you another week of "Share your love for cereal"

This week we are talking about how taste and nutrition come into play while deciding on breakfast options. 

Did you know?

• Cereal is a great breakfast option because it is the number one dietary source of many key nutrients including iron, zinc and folic acid. Frequent cereal eaters tend to have better nutrient intakes.
• A typical breakfast contributes more than 30 percent of needed calcium, iron and B vitamins while delivering less than 20 percent of daily calories.
• In addition, ready-to-eat cereal is the top source of whole grain in kids´ diets.

Big G is the only leading line of kids' cereals to contain at least 8 grams of whole grain (48 grams recommended daily) and a good source of both calcium and vitamin D in every serving. In addition, cereal is an inexpensive but nutrient-dense option. On average, a bowl of cereal with milk is approximately 50 cents per serving.

As I have written before, my husband is like a child when it comes to cereals, he always goes for the colorful sweeter ones, however that is not always a bad thing, since many cereals can be both healthy and delicious. 

I have always been opposed to the sweeter dessert like cereals, until I tried a sample pack of cookie crisp that was sent to me, in my gift pack last week. I really enjoyed it, and I can understand why so many children like it. Its tasty, looks like you are having cookies and milk for breakfast, but can also be loved by moms since it has nutrition packed into it as well. 

Since my baby is so young right now she pretty much eats what I give her, so I try to give her things that are healthy, and yummy, to hopefully build a healthy eating foundation for her when it comes time to make her own choices... 

We sure have been enjoying out single serving size of cheerios for breakfast too!

This week the giveaway gift pack will include 6 sample sized boxes of cereal and a cereal dispenser. 

Its super easy to enter:

Follow this blog {1 entry}

Tweet about this giveaway using #myblogspark {1 entry}

please leave your email address in your comment!

Giveaway will run until June 30th, winner will be chosen using Random.org

General Mills provided my with the above free product gift pack, and information through My Blog Spark.

 I received no monetary compensation for this post. 

Silent Sunday

Our Saturday Morning Scene

This little girl {who normally sleeps until 8} decided it would be fun to get up at 6... needless to say there were lots of cuddles, and early naptime.

Now don't stay here head on over to Katies blog and link up with your sms

CBD Winner

The winner of Charbella Design's Giveaway is

Congrats.. Send me an email at mrsstethoscope (at) hotmail (dot) com

And the winner is

Week 2 cereal winner is..

Congratulations! Look for my email

Check out what I got

As usual I checked out the consignment stores this week,

wanna see what I got?

Clothes
2 swim suits
sun shade for jogger
water shoes

All for $10

Say it your way wall words {review & giveaway}

I recently have been seeing wall words popping up all over the place, and I love them. We have one saying in our bedroom that we put up about 3 years ago.. but that was it. I have been wanting to put some up in E's room but just couldn't decide, so I started looking through different magazines, web sites, etc. 

I came up with a few different design that I like, and then I met Jodi.. she owns Say It Your Way Vinyl.. and specializes in custom work. I showed her my ideas, gave her the run down of the spaces I wanted to use, the colors and theme of the room, and the look I was going for.. in about 2 days she had a sample ready for me to view.. and I LOVED it. She knew just what I was looking for. Just a few short days later in arrived in the mail. 

We spent one night putting it up, which is a piece of cake, and it looks wonderful.

The vinyl was thick and seemed much stronger then the one we purchased a few years ago from a retail store.  I am so excited with how it all turned out.

Here is a little bit of info about Jodi & Say It Your Way

I am the happy (sometimes crazy) mother of 4 who tries to be Superwoman only to find out Superwoman has a script… I started this business at home a few years ago as more of a hobby for a little side money, had a baby so I took a break, and then my husband has now gone back to school so now it’s needing to be so much more! 

Our ideas come from everywhere.  I even got an idea for a design from my baby’s pajamas.  Little things my kids say, other great designs I see, and inspirational quotes I come across, generally end up on my computer.

I have some great suppliers who design and inspire me as well.  It’s so fun to see all the things that vinyl can do.  I’ve had princesses covering my daughters’ room and superheroes on my boy’s, flowers lining the walls of my hallway, scriptures on my walls… (You can imagine every room in my house is full!  I love to experiment!)

Vinyl can be everywhere!  Cute polka dots on your appliances, or inspirational quotes, or car decals or monograms or decorations for your windows for each holiday… the list goes on and on!

Check out some of her great designs

You can see more in the DESIGN CATALOG

Use code 5KSNCHARD to save 10%

We use a high quality vinyl that is designed to last outdoors for three years (except in areas with extreme temperatures).  Since there are less dramatic changes in temperature and humidity indoors, the lifetime of the vinyl should be significantly extended.  Vinyl is flexible, durable, and washable.  It will not fade, crack, or peel when it is used indoors.  However, as with anything that sits for years in continual sunshine, the paint and possibly the vinyl may fade in long-term sun exposure.  Our vinyl is removable but IS NOT reusable.  Please be aware that if vinyl is applied to walls, some damage to paint could occur when removing, due to paint finish, age, condition, etc.

How would you love to decorate the walls of your home, office, church, or nursery?

Jodi has offered a $50 gift card to one lucky winner. Isn't that exciting? 

Mandatory Entry

Visit Say It Your Way, then come back and tell me how you design you vinyl decor AND be a public follower of this blog

{1 Entry}

Additional Entries

Tweet about this giveaway linking @Mrsstethoscope {1 entry}

"like" Say It Your Way on Facebook.. tell them Mrs Stethoscope sent you {1 entry}

Follow Say it Your Way's Blog {1 entry}

Blog about this giveaway {3 entries}

You must complete the mandatory entry to qualify, please leave your email address in the comments.

Giveaway will run until Thursday June 30th at midnight. Winner will be chosen randomly and emailed. Winner will have 48 hours to reply. 

I received the above custom wall words in exchange for this review, Thank you Jodi & Say it your way vinyl. The opinions expressed here are my own and may not be the same as yours. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. 

Customized Totes?

I was recently sent the most adorable 

personalized canvas tote..

I'm pretty much a sucker for all things personalized..

I just love it.. 

So when Cathy from Hay Canvas told me she wanted to send E a personalized

tote, I was beyond excited...

Cathy asked a few questions about colors, and decor of the nursery.. and well..

here is what she came up with

This tote is the perfect size for a few small toys, or to be filled with headbands & bows. It matches E's pink and brown butterfly room just perfectly!

These totes would make a perfect gift, or gift wrapping for a shower gift

It even arrived in a fun canvas envelope

Check out HayCanvas HERE

This is NOT a sponsored post, Hay Canvas sent us this tote {not for the purpose of a review} but I just loved it, and wanted to blog about it!

Workout Wednesday

Here is a little story about a girl who was pms'ing... and thought she knew of a way to cheer herself up so she must have forgot her meds because she stepped on the scale.. since it was weigh in day.. and then she cried.. for a few minutes.. ok an hour.. because the scale had not moved from the last time she got on it. I learned two things from this lesson... DO NOT get on scale when enduring a hormonal imbalance, two DO NOT tell husband about it he will say something stupid trying to cheer you up, however it will obviously be taken the wrong way just like anything else he says that entire week, and you will just cry more.

SO there you have it ladies... scale has not budged, however I guess I should mention I did not work out very much this week, and diet has been a bit off so I should be thankful that it didn't move in the opposite direction as I would still be crying, possibly not have come out of the bathroom as said scale experience.

I know I say it every week but this week I have to get a little more hardcore about this whole diet thing, I mean we are in bikini season, there is no turning back now.. I need to firm it up. I have however done ab workouts almost every day which I am proud of. I actually downloaded an ab app, and let me just tell you that sucker is hardcore.

The weather has not been the best for running outside, and my gym membership is frozen at the moment, which I guess that doesn't look to good for the girl who's trying to firm it up huh?

I need to re-adjust my caloric intake since I am down to only pumping twice a day now. Im thinking I am going to miss the breastfeeding diet.. I could pretty much eat as much as I wanted and I was either staying the same weight or loosing, however that needs to change.

I pulled out my Weight Watchers cookbooks, and chose a few new recipes to try this upcoming week, if they turn out good I will share them with you. I need to get out on the trail before it heats up to much to at least get a few miles in. I did purchase a snap on sun mask for the jogging stroller since on the run back she faces right into the sun, we will see how this works out.

I also need to get back in touch with Jillian, and shred it up.. it just seems like every night I have it planned I make an excuse something comes up...

What about you, any new healthy recipes you have to send my way, or workout routines?

Tell me I'm not the only one

You see them walking toward your child, you know they are going to talk in a high pitched baby voice to your child, trying to get a smile in return, and then they do it.. they reach out their hand.. you start to cringe.. already thinking about where the sanitizer is if they end up touching your child.

Before you can even get the words out to stop them they have already stroked your childs face...

please tell me you have been in this situation before? I hate having to but I dont know where these strangers have been, and too bad if I offend them.. I try my hardest to get the words out before they touch her.. "O please don't touch her {face, hands, lips}" 

When small children go to touch her I always say "Don't touch her face, you can touch her tootsies"... In my head it just seems better if they have to make physical contact to touch her toes instead of her hands which are constantly in her mouth or her face. 

Old men are the ones that get me though.. for some reason I think its sweet when older men {usually in the grocery store} come up to her, and call her some old fashioned name and then want to touch her.. I always freeze up like its off limits to tell them no.. afterwords I quickly duck into an isle and whip of the bottle of hand  sanitizer. 

Are you scared of germies too?

Charbella Designs {Giveaway}

Welcome to CharBella Design! 

We are an online kids boutique that creates and sells some of the most unique and affordable children's products available on the market. We love making our creations and we hope that your child loves them as well!

Everything in store is made from top quality material and great care is taken when making them. We enjoy making our creations and hope your little one enjoys them as well!

Shop our store for:
• Bibs, Changing Pads, Paci Clips, Blankets (Personalization Available)
• Crochet Flowers, Beanies and Headbands
• Fabric / Tulle Color Choices
• Hair Bows, Mini Bows and Flower Clips
• Shirts - Tie Shirts, Applique Shirts
• Special Occasion Outfits
• Tutu, Tutu Dresses and Outfits

Don't see what you're looking for? We LOVE custom orders! Please contact us and we can work together to make your dreams a reality!

Want a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to CBD

Mandatory Entry {1 entry}

"Like" Charbella Designs on Facebook and come back and let me know you did

Be a public Follower of this blog

Extra Entries {1 entry each}

Tweet about this giveaway {linking @Mrsstethoscope}

Blog about this giveaway {leave the blog address in comments}

Please leave your email address in your comments, giveaway will end on Friday June 24th at midnight EST. Winner will be chosen using Random.org, winner will have 48 hours to reply.

Happy Fathers Day

To all the lucky daddies out there who are spending the day with their littles, for the ones who are working {like hubs}, or those who are deployed, or ill... no matter where you are or where your children are, may you find joy in their smiles today. 

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world"

Share your love for cereal Week 2

As promised here is week two of the "Share your love for cereal" giveaway. This Post & Giveaway is sponsored by My Blog Spark as well as General Mills who have partnered together to spread the word about healthy breakfast options. 

When it comes to choosing a healthy breakfast for your family, may people choose to overlook cereal, however recent research is proving that cereal can actually be one of the more healthier options for your family. General Mills has recently partnered with Dr. Keith Ayood {Dietitian} who wants to make you aware of the following:

"Your child´s favorite cereals may actually help fight childhood obesity," said Dr. Keith Ayoob Ed.D., RD. "Cereal provides key nutrients that are important to overall health and cereals, including sweetened cereals, provide less than 5 percent of a child´s daily sugar intake."

In addition, did you know cereal is lower in calories and higher in nutrition than many other breakfast options like bagels with cream cheese and pancakes?

• A 2009 study of children aged 6 to 18 shows cereal eaters have healthier body weights than those who don´t eat cereal, regardless of sweetness level.
• Cereal eaters consume less fat than non-cereal eaters.
• Not all cereals are equal and it´s important to read the labels -- General Mills is proud of its commitment to reduce sugar in all of its kids´ cereals to single-digit levels per serving.
• General Mills has more than 30 nutritious cereals with 130 calories or less per serving.

{Information provided by General Mills/Myblogspark}

Since starting this "love for cereal" journey I have started paying close attention to the cereals we are eating, I realized that alot of the cereals General Mills provided me with to try out were lower in calories, then some of the other things I may have been choosing for breakfast before. I have started reading the nutrition label, looking for things with lower sugar, more whole grains, while still trying to enjoy some flavor as well. 

Cereal is also an easy on the go meal, I can pour some into a small bowl for E in the mornings when we are heading out the door, and she can munch in the car, and i know she is getting a healthy meal.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive (6) sample sized boxes of cereal, as well as a bowl & spoon set.

{Mandatory Entry}

Be a public Follower of this blog (1 entry)

{Extra Entries}

Tweet about this giveaway linking @Mrsstethoscope using the hashtag #myblogspark (1 entry)

Blog about this Giveaway (1 entry)

"like" 5ks & Chardonnay on Facebook (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on Tuesday June 21 at Midnight winner will be chosen using Random.org, and will have 48 hours to respond.

General Mills provided me with free product samples, information, and gift pack through My Blog Spark. I received no monetary compensation for this post. 

Loving....

 When this girl wakes up from a nap, with crazy hair... and just wants to cuddle up with mommy, and take lots of pics. The few minutes right after waking up from a nap are some of my most favorite of the day!

 Spending afternoons with this sweet girl, who has recently become quite the chatterbox, and can go for 10 minutes straight just talking away.

 Summer Fruit

The local Fruit & Veggie farm has opened up. I just love buying local and fresh, and now that I have my little sweetness to prepare meals for I enjoy it even more. We went this week and got cucumbers, watermelon, peaches, green beans, peas, potatoes, lettuce, and a bunch more.. I even picked up 3 Ginourmous Sunflowers for the table!

 A happy eater

This girl could live off of strawberries, blueberries, O and we must not forget about avocados, girlfriend can finish an entire half by herself.

 We have been eating a ton of these, making guac, throwing them into wraps, on salads.. 

 I told you... 

E wanted to eat them, and got sap all over her hands..

These sure do brighten up the room

 A fresh new pedicure

Don't worry I did it myself

going and getting them done weekly just doesnt fit into the SAHM budget anymore

Dress Shopping

LoveappellaCross over Maxi DressRegular Price$59.00

Ponte shift dressRegular Price$59.95 $49.99

Strapless maxi dressRegular Price$130.00

There are a few events coming up, some weddings, rehearsal dinners, baby & bridal showers, birthday parties... and well.. I need a few new dresses. So I have been on a hunt... to find ones that my re cooperating, deflated boobage wont like like a maxim ad in {don't worry it wouldn't be a good ad}
as well as one that is made for women taller then 5'5" {I am almost 6 feet tall}
and one that I can wear shoes I already have with...

Even though I have a few I just love maxi dresses... I mean dont get me wrong a short cute little black hangs in my closet as well.. but maxi's tend to be much more comfortable.. and many of my events this summer are outdoors.

Let me explain the look I cannot wear

While Eva looks darling in this dress ..... I could not wear the neckline... hopefully when I can finally stop pumping {nobody told me it would take this long to dry up} I will have a few other options to wear.. I realize I will never go back to what I once had... but this in between stage it pretty awkward.. its something like the stage I hit around 20 weeks preggo when my I got a tiny bump.. I knew I was preggo.. but im sure everyone else thought I enjoyed the buffet a bit too much...

totally rabbit trailing .. but I wish someone  would have told my tan, toned, size 4, perky boob.. pre baby self to enjoy it.. and pretty much just walk around naked... because it aint ever gonna be like that again...Love my child.. love her.. love her... miss my old body.....
heres to getting it back {winking}

again not gonna happen

This is more like it

or

Maybe I should contact Alexis..... I'm sure she has something in the Alexis Couture line that is practical and flattering, without a horribly revealing neckline... thats in my budget?????

Seems to me she is pretty in touch with the practical SAHM's wardrobe right???? :)