Thirty-One

I am obsessed!!

I love to organize things and have little containers and bins for things so I would, of course, love the company Thirty-One. Have you heard of it? I got their Thermal Tote at the 2011 HPE Silent Auction. I love it so I decided to get a their Soft Wallet about a year ago. I love that too!! I've been toying with the idea of going into the Thirty-One business, but I am not a sales person so I am not sure how it would go!!


Anyway, I have been looking for a great bag for work and have been considering the Organizing Utility Tote.

I have seen MANY posts about this bag, but the three that really sold me on it are from Tiffany at The Nest Effect, Jen at i heart organizing, and Tiffany at Teaching 2 Many Diligently. These ladies, among others, talked of how they fell in love with this bag because of how useful and stylish it is.

I am also getting the All-In-One Organizer, the Mini Zipper Pouch, and the Wristlet Key Fob for school. I am planning on putting things in the Organizer for {parent} volunteers and will keep the Mini in it with pencils, highlighters, etc. I am SUPER excited to see these items in use and think it will help the {parent} volunteers when they come in.

The last item I am getting is the Littles Carry-All Caddy for home. I think we're going to try to hold our crazy amount of remotes in it, but I'm not sure! We'll figure something out!!

One of the best things about getting all of this, two of the items were Customer Specials for the month of July!! The Mini and Little were $5 each! Plus, I got a few of the items personalized for $5 each, another Customer Special! Oh my goodness, I am SO excited!!

1 Hour

Can 1 hour change your life?

I have been watching episodes of One Tree Hill lately, and tonight I watched Pictures of You. The episode questions if 1 hour can really change your life. It did, of course, for the fictional students of One Tree Hill and I think it will change my life too.

You see, since high school, my weight has slowly but surely crept up the scale like the freaking Little Engine that Could. There was a time when my weight started going down, but that was when I was living in my adorable studio apartment when Brian and I first started dating. Living on my own was awesome - I didn't want to dirty my cozy kitchen, and I couldn't do dishes too often so I didn't eat/cook as much! I would also meet Brian at the gym and that is where we had a lot of our dates.

After we got married though, the weight came back. Soon we started trying to have a baby so I joined WW and started losing weight. Within a month I was pregnant and they said it would not be good to continue the program (it isn't designed for pregnant women). Well, it has been 2 years since I had Adelle and I still haven't lost the weight I gained when I was pregnant. It's both frustrating and disappointing - neither feeling is good when you are an emotional eater!

Tonight, however, I made a decision. After watching this episode and reading Organizing Made Fun, an inspiring/motivational/organizational blog, I made the decision that 1 hour WILL change my life. One hour a day will change my life because it will be the hour I need to work on strength, toning, balance and endurance. 1 hour will help me achieve my goals of getting in shape and losing weight (and hopefully a couple other goals in the process). 1 hour.

I have been telling myself that 1 hour a day is so much to ask since I get home from work 2+ nights a week after 7pm; that it's too much because I feel like I am missing out on my daughters' life because I'm at work; that it's too much because I don't get to see/visit with my husband (that's how it feels).

The truth is though, 1 hour is not too much to ask.

1 hour is walking to a park and having a picnic (when the weather isn't frigid). 1 hour is more than a few laps around the M.O.A. 1 hour is a fantastic hula-hoop workout sprinkled with yoga poses and walking a tight rope. 1 hour is getting lost in my favorite songs while training for my next Milk Run (the time to beat is 45:33). 1 hour is some quality time with a stationary bike/elliptical machine and a book. 1 hour is a healthier life for me and my family.

While 1 hour feels like too much right now, in the middle of winter and the seemingly short days it brings, it's not too much in the grand scheme of things.

What will you do with your hour?

Out With the Old

Every so often I get a bug. A cleaning bug. An organizing bug. A blogging bug. Then there are times when I fall in love with something and want it now. A new thing bug.

Well, I have had my eye open for an entertainment center and I finally found one that I really like. It's from Ikea, but it's all wood, not laminate. I like the dark color because I think it will look really fantastic in our house. Brian isn't sure about it though. He thinks we should stick to natural colors because the cabinets in our kitchen are lighter as are the baseboards and railing. I am not an interior designer, but I think the dark will work nicely with the dark frames we have in the house.

The entertainment center I want is essentially two bookshelves, an actual entertainment center (tv stand), and then what Ikea calls a bridge to connect the two bookshelves at the top. In order to accommodate this new furniture, we are trying to sell our old furniture. We have it listed on Craigslist, but if you want it, or know of someone who would want our hand-me-downs, let us know! They are in great condition, look great, and hold a lot of stuff!!

FURNITURE FOR SALE!! FURNITURE FOR SALE!!

I will post pictures of the old furniture when I get home today! Here are the new pieces I want, but I want the set up of the white set with the color of the dark set.

Happy New Year!

Today marks the night when, one year ago, we were rubbing my unbelievably big pregnant belly and reading Harry Potter to our unborn baby girl. We were rubbing my belly, asking her to be healthy and to stay in there until she was ready. We rang in 2010 with a kiss and drifted off to sleep.

Today is one of those days where I look back at the incredible year I've had. I look back and realize that we've come such a long way and can't help but be proud of us. We welcomed a baby girl into the world. We've watched her grow and discover how to roll over, to sit, stand, and even walk along furniture. We've begun parenting and are learning as we go, but I am proud of us still.

I'd like to work on a few things this year though. Here is a little list of what I want to accomplish, kind of like a little Bucket List. I don't think I need to do everything this year, it's more of an ongoing list, but a list nonetheless. I got the idea from a fun blog I read, The Honey B Blog.

Getting to a Comfortable Weight
I've been dealing with my weight since I was little. I mean, I can look back to my 4th grade class picture and remember what people said when they saw the picture. I don't want to be a skinny minny, and in no way do I want to be a size 0, but I do need to lose weight. I really just want to be able to shop at Target in the regular sizes. I am JUST into the plus sizes, so hopefully this is a goal I can accomplish relatively quickly.

Become More Active
One way I can accomplish the weight goal is to become more active. I really like walking and going for bike rides, and I really love to go swimming! The thing is, I need to find a trailer for Adelle (for my bike), get really great shoes I only use for exercise, and I need to find a place I can swim. I really like to join LifeTime or the Y because they offer child care while we work out, but it's so expensive. I've also signed up for a Wii Fitness Group online who will support each other and offer assistance.

De-Clutter
Brian and I live in a townhouse. We don't have a lot of space as it is, and with a child, the space has been shrinking quite a bit due to all of the toys and outgrown clothes. I still have papers from when I was in high school and the first few years of college. Why do I still have these?! Then I have a whole lot of stamping/scrapbooking things I can get rid of because I haven't used them. We also have some small appliances we aren't using... having a garage sale sounds great, but maybe Craig's List or eBay would be better. Any suggestions/ideas?

Save More Money
We are working on our savings account and want to make sure we have enough in there in case something happens. I think it's self explanatory.

Cut Down Debt
This will work in conjunction with saving more money. We don't have a ton, but we don't want to let it run our lives. We want to make sure we stay on top of it, ya know?!

Finish My Masters
I started my masters the year I met Brian. I have yet to finish it due to finances, but I want to finish. It was fun learning all of those new things and to be finished would be so fantastic!!

Take a Trip to Maine
Brian and I wanted to take a cue from my parents and go on a second honeymoon to Maine. Mom and Dad RAVED about the lobster and the scenery when they went. Well, Brian really loves both of those things, as do I. We wouldn't go for a long time, but long enough to get our fill of lobster, hiking, nature pictures, and the LL Bean Outlet!

Scrap/Sew More
I love scrapping! I love making cards and working on albums. I have loved working on my sewing projects too! I want to set aside one day a week to work on those things. I am not sure if that will work with a one year old, but I can hope.

Baby #2
'Nuff said! We aren't pregnant but are thinking about trying again sometime next year. Who knows?!

I hope you have a wonderful new year! I hope it's filled with happiness, laughter, health and love! Stay safe this year and be well!!

39 Weeks = Vacation

I wasn't sure what write about! There are a lot of things I could have written about... the pressure/contractions that come along, the excitement I am feeling, the amazing gifts we got for Christmas, but I am going to write about my last vacation without kids!

Wednesday was the official first day of our winter break! It didn't really feel like it to me though because I spent the morning at school getting things ready for my sub. I like things to be a certain way and wanted to give her as much detail as I could before I left. To be honest, I am still thinking about all of the plans I wrote and if they are alright. Should I have left materials out for her, or is it ok that left them in bins?

Another thing I am thinking about is my class. They are such a great group! I am going to miss all of the stories of their winter break, hugs, and their unique personalities while I am away. Aww :(

Today, however, FEELS like the first day of break! My last break without kids of my own. What should I do? Well, there are a few things I need to do... Scratch that! There are a few thing I want to get done today, so I think that is a great start to my last break sans kids. Maybe I'll even lie around and watch movies. Eat at a fancy restaurant with Brian - just because! I love it - no pressure to get things done. No plans. Whatever happens, happens!

I think this feeling will last for the next couple of hours, then I will be back to my old self making lists of things to do! I really do enjoy checking things off of my lists! We'll see!

Leave a comment: What did YOU do right before you had kids? Was there a favorite outing, restaurant, thing?

Adelle is growing:
Adelle is waiting to greet the world! She continues to build a layer of fat to help control her body temperature after birth, but it's likely she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. The outer layers of her skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. ISH! Only 7 days left!!

29 Weeks = The List

Since I was organizing Thursday, I thought I would share the list with you. This is so I can try to organize my thoughts a little more and in case any of you want to buy us things and aren't sure what to get. We do have registries at Target and Babies R Us, but we didn't register for many clothes.

I have organized Adelle's closet by size - NB, 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12, 24, 2T - using closet dividers I made. Then I have organized each size by sleeve length - tank, short and long. I haven't seen any shirts with 3/4 length sleeves, but if she gets any they would go between the short and the long sleeve lengths. After that I have organized the clothes into colors - light to dark. See, I told you I was anal retentive! I even do my side of the closet this way and I love it! It is so easy to find things!

So here is the list. I haven't broken the list down into colors... maybe I should do that too?!

NB - 12 articles of clothing
4 onesies - short sleeve without pants
1 onesie - short sleeve with pants
1 onesie - long sleeve with pants
4 sleepers - long sleeve with feet attached
2 sleepers - long sleeve with feet attached and mitten cuffs

0-3 Months - 16 articles of clothing
9 onesies - short sleeve without pants
2 onesies - long sleeve with mitten cuffs
1 shirt - fleece with long sleeve and pants
1 pair of overalls
1 sleeper - long sleeve without feet
2 sleepers - long sleeve with feet attached

3-6 Months - 19 articles of clothing
10 onesies - short sleeve without pants
1 onesie - short sleeve with pants and sweater
1 onesie - long sleeve without pants
2 onesies - long sleeve with pants
1 sweater set (short sleeve shell, long sleeve sweater)
1 shirt - long sleeve
1 dress - short sleeve
1 sleeper - long sleeve with feet attached
1 sleeper - long sleeve without feet

6-9 Months - 25 articles of clothing
1 onesie - short sleeve without pants
2 onesie - short sleeve with pants and sweaters
2 onesies - long sleeve without pants
1 onesie - long sleeve with pants
1 tank top
2 shirts
1 shirt - with undies
1 shirt - long sleeve with pants
4 dresses - with undies
1 dress - tank style with sweater
1 dress - with long sleeve onesie and undies
7 sleepers - long sleeve with feet attached
1 sleeper - long sleeve without feet

9-12 Months - 13 articles of clothing
5 onesies - short sleeve without pants
2 onesies - long sleeve with pants (1 Halloween, 1 Thanksgiving)
1 shirt - long sleeve with pants
3 dresses - short sleeve/tank top
1 tank - with pants
1 sleeper - long sleeve with feet attached

12 months - 21 articles of clothing
7 onesies - short sleeve without pants
1 onesie - long sleeve without pants
1 onesie - long sleeve with pants
2 tanks - with pants
4 shirts - long sleeve without pants
2 shirts - long sleeve with pants
1 dress - with pants
1 dress - with undies

18 Months - 2 articles of clothing
1 onesie - short sleeve without pants
1 dress - tank top style

24 Months - 5 articles of clothing
5 onesies - short sleeve without pants

2T - 2 articles of clothing
2 dresses - tank top style
1 sleeper - long sleeve with feet attached
1 sleeper - long sleeve without feet

Well, there is the list. What are your thoughts? After looking at it again I think she will need pants! There are a couple of sizes where more clothes are a must - look at the later months for Pete's sake!

Adelle is growing:
She is growing rapidly now. This week she weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is getting bigger to accommodate her growing brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in her skeleton, which is now hardening. Just 77 days to go!

The Joys of Organization

I have decided that today is the day that I will work on Adelle's closet, changing table and dresser. We don't have the dresser in the room yet because Brian wants to work on it some more. I guess I should sand it a bit so when he's home he can just stain, gloss and be done but I don't really know what I'm doing. I see a trip to Home Depot in my future!

Anyway, back to the clothes! And no, I don't have ADD.

We have gotten so many clothes since finding out we were pregnant - and since finding out Baby V is a she - that I really don't know what to do with them all. I am not sure what should go in the closet (and be hung up), what should go in the dresser (for me to lose track of), and what should go in the changing table.

I am assuming that all of the cute little dresses and outfits should be hung up in the closet - there are some things I know! I also thought that some sleepers, swaddlers, onesies, hats, mittens, and socks should go in the changing table for those 'quick' changes. The rest should go in the dresser then, right?

This is where everything goes fuzzy for me though.

I've had people ask me what size clothes we need still and what size we don't. Well for Pete's sake, I'm not sure; how many articles of clothing should we have per size range? And if I am supposed to know the answer to what size we still need, I need to have all of the clothes in one spot - or a list of everything we have. Don't get me wrong, I have already started a list but I am so incredibly anal retentive that if we get something new I write - oh who am I kidding TYPE the list all over again. Then I am afraid of keeping the list with me in my purse (and two at home of course) because I don't want to seem crazy!

So I sit here now, with some of Adelle's clothes on the floor and most in the closet wondering what I should do next. Go get more hangers so EVERYTHING can be hung up? Take down all of the onesies and shirts that will go into the dresser? Just separate things by size and figure it out from there? Or start my new list?

Ah the joys of organization!

18 Weeks = A Diaper Bag!

YAY for 18 weeks! I am VERY excited about this and the fact that we got a diaper bag! We have been looking at a lot of different brands and styles for a while. We looked at Target, Babies-R-Us, specialty shops and online and we finally found one!

I wanted a diaper bag with an adjustable shoulder strap that I was able to sling around my shoulder, little feet on the bottom, and I wanted a zipper because we are clumsy people. However, after talking with many people I have decided that I don't need a zipper... that I can live with a sturdy magnetic flap. The bag needed to be big enough for LOTS of stuff but not big enough that I could overpack (well, overpack too much). I know that I will be packing a lot of stuff in the bag and that, being me, I will put stuff in there that I don't need (so easy to do), but I wanted it to be a good size.

The bag we found is from Fleurville and is made from recycled plastic bottles! It has great pockets, wipe-able fabric both inside and out, comes with a clear wipe container and changing pad too! It is SUPER cute and I LOVE it!



I've looked online for lists of things to pack in the diaper bag, but was wondering if those of you who have carried one could tell me what you have packed in it or what your staple is... something that you never forget to put in the bag (or leave the house without)! Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.


Baby V is growing:
Baby V is about 5 1/2 inches long - about the length of a bell pepper and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's flexing his arms and legs — movements that I'll start feeling more and more in the coming weeks. If we're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If we're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable. HOPEFULLY, we'll be able to find out soon! Just 153 days left!