Happy Valentine's Day from my little beast!

I found a really fun Valentine craft idea on Pinterest to do with Rhys and thought this was one way to really make the most of your groceries!  We started out by cutting off the bottom of the celery stalk, used some red finger paint and stamped the stalk onto cards for our family.  The stamps made pretty roses for our loved ones on Valentine's Day!

Rhys tested out the stamp on scrap paper before we started in on the card stock.

Then we started in on the craft.

After Rhys helped me to add roses to all the cards, I drew stems and leaves for flowers and let him play in the paint.  It got a little messy!

We broke the project into two steps in order to let the paint dry before Rhys added some additional art work to the cards.  So we washed up, had lunch and Rhys went down for his nap.  While he was sleeping I added the writing to the cards.

Once he woke up, Rhys broke out the (washable) markers and added his own personal touch.  Each card came out quite unique, just like my little guy!

This craft was easy, fun and great for winter when we are often stuck indoors.  All done!

Beasts that go bump in the night

I truly never know what a given night will hold.  Last Friday I was hoping for a solid night sleep after a hectic and tiring week.  I was practically falling (well, let's be real - actually falling) asleep on the couch around Rhys' bedtime, which is between 7:30 and 8:00 pm.  My husband was kind enough to recognize how exhausted I was and he helped Rhys get ready for bed.  On an almost nightly basis, Rhys convinces Jim to lay down with him.  Nearly an hour later, I peep my head in the bedroom.  Just as I expected - Rhys is still awake, eyes staring at the door and my husband is snoring away.  I (attempt to) wake him up and get ready for bed. I check on the guys one last time.  This time Jim gets up and comes to our room. We try to watch "Seven Psychopaths," but quickly fall asleep.  Throughout the night, Pugsley, our wonderfully athletic black puggle jumps up into our bed hoping he will go unnoticed and be allowed to snuggle alongside us.  This happens, hmmm, at least a dozen times.  At about 1:30 am, I hear the quiet pitter patter of footsteps and a knock on our door.  For about an hour, we go back and forth with Rhys about where he is goes to sleep - his room (the preferred option) or our room.  Eventually, he passes out in our bed.  As the clock ticks on, I faintly hear the sound of what sounds like someone about to vomit - Brody, our fawn puggle.  Jim leaps out of bed and barely gets him into the kitchen when the first round makes its appearance and then again farther into the kitchen he vomits a second time.  At this stage its around 4:30am and now I really can't sleep.  Jim and I have Rhys laying horizontally between us and I am basically being pushed off the side of the bed.  I head out to the couch, curl up under a blanket and watch a movie.

But you know what - it ended up being a great and relaxing morning.

Review of "The Complete Pregnancy Exercise Program"

Review of "The Complete Pregnancy Exercise Program"

Hosted by Michelle Collie, PT, DPT, MS, OCS

I picked up a copy of this DVD in my Providence, Rhode Island based OB-GYN's office.  The program states that it is "designed to prevent pregnancy related problems and assist you in feeling and looking the best that you can" during pregnancy.

According to the website provided on the DVD packaging (www.performanceptri.com), Collie is the owner and director of Performance Physical Therapy based throughout Rhode Island.  The program is 45-minutes in length provides a great full body workout.  The program combines strength, stretching and some yoga. I actually find it to be quite relaxing.  It's a feel good workout for the entire pregnancy.  I didn't utilize it as frequently during the first trimester, as I preferred a more rigorous workout.  Your personal preference would of course be driven by prior fitness level and intensity of workouts. 

Throughout the program, Collie provides varying levels at which you can complete each exercise (e.g. easy, medium, more challenging). Explanations are clear and concise.  She personally demonstrates each level.  I enjoy the commentary throughout the program, as Collie provides good tips and tidbits of information for a varying audience to consider.  My favorite comment from the program is when Collie mentions that your caloric requirements increase when working out and that you might need a snack both before and after completing the program.  I love this!  It made me laugh.  Finally, I enjoy the New Zealand accent.

I would definitely recommend checking out this affordable pregnancy exercise program.

We are who we are

We are who we are...

I spent a lot of time around the new year reflecting.  Reflecting on 2012 - the good, the bad and the ugly.  And believe me there has been ugly!  As I reflected further on the year, I couldn't help but think about all the day to day moments that I was overlooking.  The parts of life that you can miss if you don't stop to savor the moment.  Last year Rhys was saying single words.  This year he is having conversations, using his imagination, enjoying the art of creating. He counts to 20 and now we are working on Spanish.  He sings the alphabet, he sings everything.  This is just one example.

I decided that I personally wanted to be a more loving, understanding & supportive wife and a more patient mother in 2013.  Since quitting my job and leaving my so-called career in the health insurance industry, I've struggled with what being a stay at home mom (SAHM) meant.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Rhys.  It was a drastic change and challenge that while I have struggled with at times, I have appreciated more than anything.

My husband and I made the decision to become a single income household for 2 main reasons.  1) I wasn't getting the type of experience I wanted at work and as a result, after 10 years, I was no longer happy.  And my former employer wasn't listening.  Well, employment is a two-way street and you do have a choice.  So I quit.  2) We wanted to raise our child the way we wanted to raise our child and without added stress.  We wanted it to be easier at home - a clean house, home cooked meals, shirts ironed and more importantly - time together on the weekends.  The point was to focus more on developing Jim's business as a means to move us on the path to achieving our dreams.  Our dreams are more entrepreneurial nature.  While we have faced significant challenges over the last year and a half,  I feel we are stronger as a result.

In 2013, I need to remember who I am - my interests, likes and dislikes.  I was a person before I become a wife and a mother.  I have become a better person because of my family and my experiences.  I have a long way to go.

To a happy and healthy 2013!!

OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY

There are many ways to say it, but the fact of the matter is my husband and I are expecting baby #2 and he is a boy.  We were quite surprised!  This pregnancy has been extremely different from my first.  While pregnant with Rhys, I had a smooth and easy pregnancy.  This pregnancy has been quite the opposite - keeping me from many things including my blog for my first trimester.


On January 4, 2013, we had our most recent ultrasound that revealed the gender.  Based on how I have been feeling, the high heart rate, carrying high and Rhys' interest in my belly (informing us regularly that the baby was a girl) - we thought it was a girl.  The good news is we were interested in having a healthy baby and are just as happy with another boy.  Almost immediately we saw the following, which had us laughing:

The pregnancy is going as well as it can be (health-wise) according to our doctor.  So we are happy to hear all of this news.  I am finally starting to feel more like myself again and truly hope the feeling lasts. :)

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First Fingerpainting Fun

Yesterday, Rhys and I tagged along on a trip out towards Cape Cod, Massachusetts where my husband had a business meeting.  We browsed around in some stores at Wareham Crossing while we waited for him and were excited about picking up Crayola finger paints.  The plan was to use the finger paints on Rhys' pumpkin for Halloween, as he is a bit too young to carve his own pumpkin at age 2.  Of course, this morning the finger paint was the first thing on Rhys' mind.  As a relatively inexperienced mom, I began to wonder what I had been thinking.  Rhys is my first child and I don't belong to a mother's group where I could pick up tips from seasoned moms.  Prior to Rhys' birth, we did lots of reading about the baby's development, as well as what life would be like once he arrived.  Once he arrived, there seemed to be little time for the same level of research - especially for activities like finger painting.  I didn't have plastic trays for the paint or even newspaper lying around the house so we improvised.  I used tissue paper on the dining room table and tore the tops off paper dixie cups to use as dipping containers for the paints.  I grabbed some blank sheets of paper, paper plates, napkins and a play smock Rhys already happened to own.  In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder how "washable" these washable finger paints would be.  Here goes nothing! 

Our first experience with the finger paints was very positive.  Rhys was pretty mild mannered throughout the experience.  He carefully dipped his fingers in the different colors and began his works of art.  He told me, "this is fun!" I demonstrated how to make hand prints and it was when I decided to show him how to mix the colors to make new colors that his alter ego - Rhys the Beast - shined through.  With only a minor melt down, I explained that we were sharing in the fun and that there was plenty of paint to go around.  He quickly calmed down and we continued to play.

After a while, Rhys told me he wanted to clean up.  And so he followed me to the bathroom sink without touching anything and with soap, warm water and some gentle scrubbing - our hands were clean.  Success!  Rhys and Mommy give both the experience and Crayola finger paints two thumbs up!

A day in the life of a puggle...

Jim and I own 2 puggles, Pugsley and Brody.  Puggles are a wonderful breed.  They are medium sized (ours both weigh around 20 pounds) dogs.  They are very active and if you like to exercise - they are thrilled to join you.  They love to cuddle and sleep.  Our two dogs are males and have interesting personalities.  Pugsley has more pug traits and Brody more beagle.  Pugsley is loyal and loving, but boy is he trouble.  Since we have owned Pugsley (he's five)- he has had 2 multiple day emergency room visits for blockages (one requiring surgery).  He has had surgery on his eye (no fault of his own).  He has had unexpected trips to the vet where we have been able to induce vomitting to get whatever he ate (typically a sock) out of his system before he starts digesting it.  I have gotten better at doing this myself - but it is no small feat.  We have caught both Brody and Pugsley playing with dead animals they have caught from squirrels, to birds to mice.  Yuck! 

Who me?!?

Pugsley pulling

Pugsley is an escape artist.  Our back yard is fenced, but that doesn't stop him.  In the winter, if we get a lot of snow, he will climb snow piles and go over the fence.  Once the snow starts to melt and the ground is soft and wet or if it rains - he takes the opportunity to dig holes and go under the fence.  Brody takes no part in the behavior.  As a matter of fact, he will run over to the door and lead us to the scene of the crime to let us know what has happened.  When Pugsley gets out he bolts.  My husband chases him all over the neighborhood.  He darts in front of cars and deep into the woods across the street.  We try to bribe him with treats; however, he truly seems to have a death wish at times.  Last night, we were just about to put my son Rhys to sleep when I went out back to check on the dogs.  Brody came in and Pugsley was no where to be found.  I told my husband who immediately went out back to double check and then jumped in the car to start our search.  I assumed our chances of finding him at night were slim.  He backed up slowly (just in case) when he saw something a couple of houses down the street moving in the front lawn.  It was Pugsley.  He is very hard to see at night since he has black fur.  Jim put on his hazard lights in the car and blocked the road hoping this would signal to any approaching cars that something was going on.  I went to the front door when I heard Jim yelling and start calling for Pugsley and asking if he wanted peanut butter.  He came sprinting from the neighbors lawn directly towards the door.  Rhys was excited as he was approaching. Pugsley ran in, grabbed the bread from Rhys' hand as he zoomed by and headed towards the kitchen.  Breadless, the excitement for Rhys wore off.  We were happy and shocked as the chases have often lasted 30 - 60 minutes in the past.  Perhaps he sensed he would be a goner out there over night.  What a beast!

Prince Brody

Brody hiking

Acadia