Wordless Wednesday: Meeting Santa before Hanukkah!

This is my new bear (no it's not, it's being donated to the local children's hospital).

You showed interest in my bear, oh bearded one.  I shall smile.

Goings on of the Family Mungee

Things Mungee says ...

Points to her belly button: "That's my butt hole". I correct her and tell her it's her belly button. She says "It's my belly butt hole".

Shabbat at Preschool

Pudding Face

Belly Shots

21 weeks, 6 days

Being the best sweet potatoes ever in the preschool Thanksgiving program

Thanksgiving

1st Jaguars Game

 

Can I have a beer?

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Halloween!

We hope you and yours had a safe, happy and candy-filled Halloween!

Choices and Ice Cream

Earlier today, I asked Mungee if she thought the baby in mommy's belly is a boy or a girl.  She said "We have choices!"

As I was getting her into her pajamas this evening, she exclaimed "I want some ice cream".  I told her we didn't have any ice cream and she explained to me that "we have to order the food".

So, what's that about a baby in my belly?  Well, I'm almost halfway through my pregnancy with our second child.  This Saturday, I will be 19 weeks.  I am due March 24, 2012.  Mungee was born six days past her due date and if this baby is just as "late" we could be meeting him or her on our 4th wedding anniversary!

I had an anatomy scan last Friday and Mungee's Pa and I held out on finding out if this baby is a boy or a girl.  I began the pregnancy with the thought in mind that I wanted to be surprised, but Mungee's Pa wasn't always on board.  A couple weeks before the ultrasound, he decided he was okay with not finding out.  It was definitely difficult during the ultrasound not to peek when the wand was potentially passing over identifying parts, but we managed.  I almost gave in and blurted out "Okay, tell us!"  I did feel weird leaving the office not knowing, but I am getting used to it.  I definitely don't think it's necessary to know the baby's sex in order to get things ready for his/her arrival.  It would make things easier for figuring out a name - for instance, if I knew it was a boy, I could stop trying to think of girl names - I'm having the most difficult time coming up with a name that I love.  We kind of think Mungee already has the best girl name ever.

This pregnancy has been much harder on me physically than my first.  With the first pregnancy, I could take it easy whenever I needed to - rest, climb into bed, take a nice bath, etc.  This time around, I don't have the luxury of sitting down to relax at will - I have a very busy, needy, curious 2-year-old to keep up with!  Emotionally it has been a bit trying as well since this pregnancy follows my miscarriage earlier this year.  I've been much more nervous and was using a home doppler to check the baby's heartbeat nearly every day until I started to feel consistent movement.  As the baby continues to move around more and more, my mind is eased a little, but there are days when I don't feel much movement, so the doppler comes in handy.

I've been working part-time, inside and outside the home.  I go into my office two days a week and I am able to work at home sporadically - when Mungee is at school in the morning and during her short afternoon nap.  It's a temporary short-term position, which should end in January.  Once the new baby arrives, I will be staying home again.  I'm not going to lie, I'm quite nervous about how I will be able to handle having a toddler and a newborn at home.  I have a great support system available, so I just need to be sure that I call on them if I think I'm getting in over my head.

If you have more than one child, how far apart are they?  What was the easiest thing about going from one to two?  The hardest?  I'd love some advice for staying sane!

Review: Easy Canvas Prints

I recently had a chance to review the company Easy Canvas Prints and order a "Photo to Canvas" print.  The site is very clean and easy to navigate.  It actually “walks” you through the ordering process.  First you choose your canvas size.  For this review, I ordered an 11x14x.75” standard wrapped canvas.  Next, you are directed to upload your image.  The site includes an image quality indicator, which will let you know whether or not your image has the right resolution for a canvas print.  You can even adjust the image size in order to crop out any unwanted space or fluff in your photo.  In the next step, you select from three border options, which include a mirror image, an image wrap or a simple border color.  I chose the image wrap. Next you have the option for Color Finishing and Image Retouching.  No need for those, so I went on to the next step, which was Checkout.  One thing that kept making me nervous throughout the ordering process was that every time I got the image just the way I wanted it in the preview screen, it would shift and go way off center.  

It only took about 10-15 minutes to complete the transaction, and I think the most time consuming part of the entire process was just choosing which photo to use.

I received the finished product just 7 days after ordering it.  I was very pleased with the turnaround time.  The canvas was decently packaged within a plastic sheath, wrapped with “butcher paper” and contained in a cardboard box.  There was nothing within the box to prevent the canvas from sliding around and bumping against the sides of the package, but no damage was apparent due to this.  

The finished product was off in color from the online order proof.  The photo I uploaded was a professional quality high-resolution black and white image and reflected as such in the order proof.  The canvas we received had very yellow tones.  There was also a blemish on my forehead which was not present in the photo.  I was able to rub/scratch off most of the blemish with my fingernail.  Although an exchange could have been made, I decided not to bother with it, since the canvas took on a more black and white appearance in different lighting.

This is the photo I ordered.  Don't I have an adorable family?

All in all, I thought the ordering experience was quite easy, the shipping turnaround time was extremely fast and the quality of the canvas was good.  I would definitely order from the company again.

Disclosure: I was contacted by a representative of EasyCanvasPrints.com and offered a promotion code that covered the cost of the canvas I ordered as well as the cost of shipping.  I am writing this review of the ordering experience and the finished product, and providing the company with a link on my sidebar in exchange for the promotion code.  All stated opinions are my own.

Bottoms up!

Baby bottoms that is. 

Mungee and I recently had the chance to try the newly relaunched Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers.  These diapers are free of chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions.  The packaging size was also reduced, so there are no bulky cardboard boxes to deal with (to my slight disappointment since I typically use the boxes to store clothes that Mungee has outgrown).  I opted to try the Stage 5 diapers, which are meant for babies/toddlers 27+ pounds.  Mungee had been wearing the size 5 diapers in our everyday brand, so I assumed these would fit them same.  They actually ran smaller. 

While I was pleased with the environmentally-friendly aspects of the diapers, I found that they did not fit as well, nor did they hold as much liquid waste as the other brand diaper that we had been using.  Not that I keep my child in the same diaper for hours at a time, but they did not hold up well overnight and Mungee typically woke up with damp pajamas, as well as a damp sleep sack (wearable sleep blanket).  For our family, these diapers were better for daytime use, when they could be changed every 2-3 hours.

Have you tried Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers? What do you think?  

What are some of your favorite environmentally-friendly baby products?

Disclaimer: Seventh Generation provided me with a free package of diapers and information about their product through MyBlogSpark.  I received no additional compensation for this review.  All opinions are my own.

First Days of Preschool!

Mungee started a 3-day a week preschool program at the beginning of last week.  It's been an adjustment ... one we're all still trying to get used to.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, she has Hebrew for resource and on Friday the children celebrate Shabbat!  I am a bit disappointed that she misses cooking and P.E. on Tuesdays and music on Thursdays, so we're trying to work it out (financially) for her to attend 5 days a week.  It's important this child learns early on how to cook, since Mama isn't a whiz in the kitchen.

Not too thrilled about attending the Meet 'n Greet

1st day of school pep talk with Baby in the Mirror

Part of the 2-year-old curriculum is learning about personal hygiene.  Potty training may or may not also be included!

I survived the first day!

Unfortunately Mungee picked up some sort of super bug (most likely before school even started) and missed the second day of school.  She was back in full swing on Friday, however, and it looks like she had a pretty good time at the Shabbat celebration!

2nd week jitters

Okay, I will humor you and go to school again today

How many pictures do you have from your child(ren)'s first days of school?

2nd Birthday Party - Gabba style!

We hosted Mungee's 2nd birthday party last weekend (or was it the weekend before last?  Time is moving too fast these days!)

Mungee's absolute favorite babysitter TV show is Yo Gabba Gabba.  I thought it was only fitting to have a Gabba themed party.

The biggest expenses were the bounce house rental and pizza.  I downloaded most of the paper decorations from the NickJr. website and Mungee's Pa printed them at his office.

Brobee watermelon (carved and decorated by my talented mother)

The cake (baked and decorated by my talented mother-yes, she reads this)

Plex lantern

I tried to make this look like the Yo Gabba Gabba! sign.  I said "tried".

Birthday banner

Foofa lantern

 

The leaning tower of pizza

4 kiddos looking at the camera.  Not even Photoshopped!

Happy Birthday to you!

Inspecting presents

Conversations with a Toddler (Part Two)

I was about to nurse Mungee and she said "Don't bite the milks".  I said, "That's right, don't bite".  She said "It hurts mommy".  I confirmed.  Then she said "It hurts mommy's nipples".  She's very thorough, this one.

Oh, did I mention I'm still nursing her?  She's two now, and will be starting school in less than two weeks.  Weaning is inevitable.  Any tips on how to get my milk to dry up? (natural remedies only, please and thank you).

2 year stats:

26 pounds ~ 50th percentile

35 1/2 inches ~ 90th percentile

She's tall and skinny like me (HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!)

Happy Birthday Mungee!

Wishing my little baby toddler a very Happy 2nd Birthday! 

We're nowhere near ready all set for the big Yo Gabba Gabba birthday party this Sunday.  There will be a bounce house.  And cake.  And pizza.  And about 20 children between the ages of 9 months and 4 years old.  Somebody tell me all will go well ...

Conversations with a Toddler

Scene: Preparing lunch.  I asked Mungee if she wanted soup for lunch.  She said "hot!"  I said "I'll make it hot for you, but not too hot".  She replied "warm".

Scene: Mungee needs to get dressed.  Me or DH: "What do you want to wear today?"  Mungee: "Something cute!"

Scene: Me or DH: "Mungee, go show the baby in the mirror how cute you look".  Mungee, as she runs to the mirror, "I gonna say 'Awww'"

Scene: Mungee is by the bookshelf in her "number 2" pose.  She finishes and exclaims "Oh my goodness!  Biiiiiiig doo doo!"

Scene: The cat is trying to get through the cat door to the laundry room.  Mungee sits down next to her and says "How ya doin, Luna?"  (I've also heard her say "What's up, Luna?)

Scene: Mungee is having one of her daily conversations with the baby in the mirror.  "Dat my arm.  Dat my bawoon.  Dat my toys.  Dat my Violet.  Dat my ABCD.  Dat my dirt.  I see you later, I gotta go to work.  Bye bye."

Scene: Mungee is playing while I'm working.  I hear her say "I givin a ride to the bawoon! ... Hold on tight!" 

Scene: Mungee's Pa and I are listening to her over the monitor.  She sneezes.  Then says "Ewwwwww!  Booger!"

Scene: Mungee is laying on the changing table as I'm changing her diaper.  She says "What happened?"  I reply, "I'm changing your stinky doo doo."  She says "P-U! P-U! Ewwwwww!"

What's the funniest thing you've heard come out of your toddler's mouth?

Rockin' the Baby

As Mungee's 2nd birthday draws near, I thought it would be sob-inducing fun to reflect on how she's gone from this ...

5 days old

... to this

2 months old

... to this

6 months old

Then this ...

1 year old!

... to this

18 months

... to this big girl who walks, and runs, and talks, and talks back, and throws tantrums, and sings, and dances and is going to start preschool next month!

21 months

These last 23 months have gone by in a blur!  Slow down, Mungee, you've got all the time in the world to grow up!

This post is linked to Rockin' the Baby with 
Shell at Things I Can't Say.

Review: NOVICA

Because we lack space in our house, I don't get the chance to collect treasured knickknacks during our travels.   When I think of souvenirs, I think tacky refrigerator magnets and shot glasses.  Face it though, I'm 11 years post college not in college anymore.  I'm an adult with a husband and a toddler and a mortgage and my taste in memoirs and collectibles needs a touch of sophistication.  Enter NOVICA.

From their website:

Our Mission

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.
NOVICA. The World is Your Market.

Basically, from wherever my laptop is currently residing in my house the comfort of my tidy and orderly home office, I can browse the globe for unique gifts, home decor, jewelry and more by artisans worldwide.

The NOVICA website is fairly easy to navigate - I am able to browse by category, and further break down my choices by style, material, color and even price.  I especially appreciate that last option - it allows me to avoid even looking at anything too expensive for our budget.  I have a feeling it's going to be difficult to choose just what to order from among my favorites.

 

If I wasn't a Florida girl (where it's perpetually 1,000 degrees) and it didn't make me so itchy, I might purchase one of these gorgeous wool scarves.  I certainly wouldn't be able to make one on my own with the Knifty Knitter.  Okay, I might be able to make one, but it wouldn't look like this.

Hand knit Alpaca wool scarf - Andes

I typically don't wear any jewelry other than my wedding ring, however the simplicity of this sterling silver charm bracelet really caught my eye.

Sterling silver charm bracelet 'Angel Heart' - Mexico

I do have a bad habit of collecting handbags, but sticking with the same one for daily use.  This one inspires me to switch things up.

Cotton batik shoulder bag - Chocolate Bouquet - Bali & Java

NOVICA has recently launched a new home-based selling company, NOVICA Live.  Just like me, I'm sure you find it difficult to press the "confirm order" button during online shopping when you don't have a product in front of you to see with your own eyes or fondle handle to get a feel for the quality and craftsmanship.  NOVICA Live solves that problem by "bringing handcrafted items into homes across the nation, creating a unique, interactive shopping experience through fun, lively home parties".  Consider becoming a NOVICA Live consultant if you're looking for an innovative way to earn or supplement your income.  Starter kits are only $199 and include more than $400 worth of samples and $150 of business and presentation materials.  If you choose to apply, please be sure to indicate that you heard about NOVICA Live through this blog - http://mungeeandme.blogspot.com - in the 'additional comments' section (Thank you in advance!)

To keep up with NOVICA, “like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: I received an online gift code to shop at NOVICA and share my experience.  No further compensation was received.  All opinions are my own.

Rockin' the Bump

It's been nearly two years since I had little Mungee.  I thought it would be fun to look back on the belly pictures that I insisted be taken weekly.  Don't worry, I won't post them all.

4 weeks, the day of my positive pregnancy test

Already rocking maternity jeans at 12 weeks

16 weeks - I think the belly popped

21 weeks and a new haircut

33 weeks and my ankles have started to merge with my calves

40 weeks - last belly shot before Mungee was born at 40 weeks, 6 days

I hope that by this time next year, I've got a new set of bump pictures to show off ... just need to get hubby on board with this plan!

This post is linked to Rockin' the Bump 

with Shell at Things I Can't Say