It's Winter Baby

Granted, they aren't cheap but they sure are cute!  My favorite on Caleb right now are cute, one piece outfits.  They are so easy for diaper changes and I think they are much more comfy than a stiff pair of jeans. These are my top picks for my lil Calebs winter wardrobe. 

Baby Boy Winter Picks by retrogalusa on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:

Nordstrom.com, $53

Hannaandersson.com, $50

Babesta.com, $36

GAP, $35

Pieces, $29

If you have ever nursed a baby, you already know that your wardrobe revolves around nursing.  These are some keys items that have helped me.  Two piece outfits always work, and the wrap dress is very versatile for nursing.  So many companies make actual nursing tops now, making it even easier for mommies.  Here are a few of my favorites, along with the Boppy (which has been more than wonderful) a couple of trendy blankies and a chic nursing cover.

The Nursing Mother's Essentials by retrogalusa featuring GAP

Items in this set:

Catherine Malandrino dress, $595

DKNY dress, $193

GAP maternity, $35

GAP maternity, $35

Target.com, $35

Last but not least are the options for carrying your baby.  I love all of these stollers.  Stroller designs these days remind me of something the Jetson's had for their babies.  I also can not say enough about slings!  Caleb hated being in the stroller when he was first born, so I went everywhere with him in my little pouch.  He would be all snuggled and napping while I grocery shopped.  Now, I can still use it to do the hip carry.  He still prefers to be in his sling now and he is 9 months old. 

Chic Baby Carrier Options by retrogalusa on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:

GAP, $1,200

GAP, $580

Neimanmarcus.com, $129

Smashingdarling.com, $95

Stokke® Xplory® stroller -...

Nicole- are you out there?

Hey Nicole- the winner of the TuTu.  I saw your comment about getting your information.  I wanted to let you know that I e-mailed you via the e-mail address you left but it doesn't seem like you got it.  Please e-mail me (retrogalusa@aol.com) with your address and size :)  THANKS!!! 

Nursing Cover Giveaway!

This new giveaway is a must have for new mommies.  EssieDesigns has been so kind to offer my readers this great product:

In style and affordable nursing covers give plenty of coverage during feeding. Covering mom, baby, your tummy and sides. Made of high quality designer cotton fabric. 15" inches of boning at neck to give a large view of babys face while nursing.Measures 42 inches by 26 inches and has a D ring neck adjuster. Machine wash tumble dry though hand washing is recomended for longer life.

The winner will receive one EssieDesigns nursing cover in the fabric of their choice (you can choose any fabric from the nursing covers at EssieDesigns)

MANY ways to win (make sure to leave a seperate comment for each entry!) :

1.  Visit EssieDesigns and leave a comment letting us know your favorite product and color (this is mandatory in order to enter!)

2.  Become a follower of my blog

3.  Follow me on twitter and leave a comment letting me know so!

4.  Blog about it and leave a comment with your blog link :)

Believe me, you want this cover :)
Good Luck!!!
***Please Note: This giveaway is open to the US and Canada- thanks!

Drum roll please...

I had my mother in law generate the number from random.org this time and...
Congratulations #12... Nicole!!! She said, "So cute! My daughter would love this!"
Thanks everyone for playing...I will be posting another new, fabulous giveaway very soon!

Whoville!!!

TutuPoshGirl09 is in the Christmas spirit of giving with this adorable new giveaway!!!  This sassy Christmas Tutu is made from yards and yards of the softest highest quality tulle. Inspired by The Grinch". Colors are Christmas Red White and two shades of Green. Made with an elastic waist so it will grow with your little princess. A satin bow is planted in the center. So fun and cute, sure to put a smile on her face! Perfect for your Christmas Princess!

Tutus are not just for Ballet Class anymore. Tutus are great for Birthday Parties, Dress Up, Portraits and Weddings.

Elegant and Chic, Simply Adorable!
Sizes available:

0-6T

There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment with your e-mail address.

2. Visit TutuPoshGirl09 and leave a second comment telling us which item you like the best!

3. Become a follower and leave a third comment letting me know :)

***This giveaway is opend to US residents only

Christmas Winner!

Congratulations to #5, Adriane!  Thanks for playing :)

Lots of remembers

1.  Don't forget to enter the Christmas giveaway!  I (aka random.org) will be choosing a winner tonight, so hurry and comment!!!

2.  My hair poll is stuck at a tie between long and short.  There is only one day left for that, so will somebody please break the tie???  I am getting my hair cut in the morning!!!

3.  We are heading to Kosair Childrens Hospital today to get some swallowing tests done on Caleb.  He dropped from the 50% at his 6 month check up to the 10% at his 9 month one.  He is thriving on breastfeeding alone because he has a terrible gag reflex that ends up in him throwing up sometimes too!  I think he is just being picky and preferring to nurse instead of eat- but we are going to have the tests done just to make sure that nothing is wrong internally.  Anyone else ever had this issue? I am up for any and all advice.  I planned on nursing him till he was 12 months- but if he still isn't eating any food I can't very well wean him.  Help??? And please pray that nothing is wrong.

A little late Halloween- Popeye, Olive Oyl and Sweet Pea!!!

Technically, we didn't do Halloween this year :(  Seth was supposed to be in the field, and then his grandfather passed away so we doubly didn't do Halloween.  However, I had already taken the time to put our costumes together and I couldn't let them go to waste.  My friend Rebekah was nice enough to do a mini shoot for us. Can you guess who we are?  Because Rebekah wasn't sure, even after I told her she said she had never seen mine and Caleb's character before!  Take a guess if you think you know who we are :)

It was a fake, costume pipe!!! I promise!!!

Hint:  Seth's character is the only way my mom got my brother to eat anything green!

Update:  You guys guessed right!  We surely do like spinach in this family!!! :)

A Christmas Giveaway!

A Christmas Giveaway!

Aren't these ornaments adorable?  These are from Cut N Glue, a very cute etsy shop that I just adore.

Cut N Glue is giving you the chance to win your very own personalized ornament!  I wish I could enter.  I think my last name on one of these ornaments would just be perfect for my tree!  Visit her shop to order one for every person in your family, and start by winning this one!!!

Here are three ways you can win:

1.  Leave a comment with your e-mail address.

2.  Visit Cut N Glue and leave a second comment telling us which item you like the best!

3.  Become a follower and leave a third comment letting me know :)

The winner will be chosen on Friday!

Just be Quiet

I know I have shared the Proverbs 31 ministry link with you guys before, but I felt pressed to share again.  It seems that God puts just the right daily devotion in my inbox on just the right day.  I know that God knows, better than I do, the exact words I need to hear at the exact moment that I need to hear them.  My day started out wonderful, then I ended up at the grocery store where God convicted me of something that I have been needing to take care of for a while.  It was only later tonight that I read my daily devotion and I again felt pressed to share it with you guys.
In a world where even the best listening friend is often distracted during your conversation by a text, a phone call, a child or a million other things, I can see a glimpse of how God feels when we don't take the time to just be quiet and listen to Him.
I also was reminded again today that I need to be a better listener and whenever I do decided to talk, my words shouldn't be critical of others (oh, my struggle!)
Here is the devotion from today that spoke to me:


Being the Stillness

16 Nov 2009
Bonnie Grove

"Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great." Job 2:13 (NASB)


I have sought comfort in the book of Job many times in my life. After I buried my infant son, I asked, "Why?" God reminded me that when Job asked the same question His answer was, "Who?"


While laying on a hospital bed knowing for certain I would lose the twins I had carried only a few precious months, God reminded me how in the midst of Job's suffering, God came. And in the whirlwind He answered. Not right away, not in Job's time, but in God's time – the perfect time when Job's heart could take in the words of healing.


In the years following those dark events, I trained in theology, counseling and psychology. I was on a quest to understand my brokenness, and that of others. I'm still on that quest, though my formal training is behind me.
One evening, I was in conversation with a man who was going through a divorce and was in obvious pain. He spoke of his daughter, and how his hopes for the future had been destroyed. When he finished speaking I sat in silence, knowing I had no great words to offer. Spent from telling his story, he too sat quietly.


Our silence stretched into minutes. Then, the man began to cry. I sat with him, keeping his tears company, and still said nothing. More minutes passed, and the man said, "That's the first time I've cried since this whole mess started." Then he said something surprising: "You've helped me so much. Thank you."


The silence had changed something for him. From my perspective, the silence was a result of my limitations as a counselor – I was empty handed. But it became clear to me there was something powerful at work. I remembered how Job's friends sat in silence with him for seven days and nights. With that in mind, I began to pay close attention to silence. I found that by being quiet, I could better understand my thoughts, fears, hopes, and desires. And in my long silences I was able to sense God's presence and hear His voice. When I sat with the man going through a divorce I listened to him without interruption. Then, by saying nothing, I helped him listen to what God had to say to him.

There are astounding lessons to be learned from the act of listening. I have learned that listening is an act of love. It is not passive; it is intentional, engaging with the heart and mind of another person. To listen you must turn off all outside distractions; say "no" to the world rushing by you. A sacred act of deliberate silence and meaningful pause, listening helps people clear a space in their life, heart, and mind in order to simply "be." Our listening is an important gift. I am learning to make it my first response. Through listening I want to provide the stillness God speaks into.


Dear Lord, bring me into a deeper silence before You, that I may hear Your voice, and in hearing, believe, and in believing, listen to the heart of others. When people hurt Lord, let me first offer them my listening, not my advice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


On a cheery note, tomorrow I am hosting a Christmas giveaway!!!

We have a winner and... a sweater!

The winner as chosen by random.org is #2- Aimee!  I will be e-mailing you for your address, or if you prefer to e-mail me first, go ahead :)

A few weeks ago, I received this cute little fella in the mail from my mom, she made it!!! . . .and boy does it look cute on my liitle man :)

Things I enjoy eating...

1.  Ice Cream- specifically Blue Bell and Breyers comes in at a close second!
2.  I love pizza with bacon on it and extra cheese.  I also love mushrooms- but Seth doesn't like that and I don't like onions like he does, so we usually just get green peppers because we can both agree on that topping :)
3.  I often have a snack of crackers, port wine cheese and a few dried apricots
4. 6 out of 7 mornings I have two slices of whole wheat bread with butter on them
5. I love peppermint mocha creamer for my coffee... loooove it
6. My mom makes a talicious lemon chicken
7. I make good spaghetti ;)
8. Chocolate chip cookies and brownies with chocolate icing
9. Mandarine oranges
10. Baked potato soup from Panera
11. Spinach salad with bacon bits, cheese and ranch
12. Any crunchy apple
13. Seedless grapes
14. Asparagas that has been cooked in a pan with butter, salt and pepper
15. Peanut butter, banana and honey sandwiches
16. Cucumber, cream cheese and sprout sandwiches
17. Milkshakes (but NOT banana malt flavor- been there, done that!)
18.  My grandmothers waffles and maple syrup
19. My great aunt's banana pudding and chocolate pie
20. My nanny's coconut cream cake
21. My mother in laws roast, rice and gravy
22. I like most any kind of soup, except tomato
23. Turtle cheesecake
24. Sugar free pudding on nights when I don't let myself have ice cream!
25. Graham crackers dipped in milk :)
26. Rib eye steak with the fat (I know, gross right? WRONG!)
27. Anything straight off a grill (even a banana)!
28. Shrimp!!!
29. Beef Jerky
30. Fresh pineapple
31. Sour gummy worms
32. Red Swedish Fish- ta lish
33. Sweet Tea with mint (I guess I drink that one though!)

What do you guys like to eat?

*There are still two more days to enter the current giveaway!  Remember that Christmas giving is just around the corner :)

Cutie Bootie

This creative Navy wife has all kinds of fresh and fun creativity up her sleeves.  Kristin from Poppy and Peony is offering this super cute pair of Sweetheart baby booties to all of you!  Choose from size 0-12 months. 
There are 4 ways and 4 chances for you to win this charming giveaway:
1.  Leave a comment and your e-mail address
2.  Become a fan of Poppy and Peony on facebook
3.  Take a look at Poppy and Peony, come back and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is from her store.
4.  Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment saying so.

The winner will be chosen via random.org on Sunday.

It's Veterans Day Today!  Don't forget to thank a veteran, or several.  I am most thankful for my very own veteran- my hubby! 
I found this picture online and it made me want to cry.  I am so proud of our country and the men and women who keep it free. 

Thank you veterans for offering your lives for us.  No amount of thank you's could ever suffice.

Help me!

I need some post baby hair help.  When Caleb was about 3 months old, my hair started falling out in chunks- literally chunks.  I tried to vacuum every day and there was still hair everywhere!  Seth would go to work and find my hair stuck to his uniform.  It was truly terrible!  Since my hair was falling out, that meant that my hair was becoming very thin.  I was worried for a while, but then several of my friends told me that it was completely normal and that it would grow back.  Thankfully, it is growing back.  I have a ton of hair around my face that is about 2 inches long, and if I don't fix it right it looks very funny...but I don't even care about that, I am just glad it is re-growing.  I can't decide how I want my hair now though.  I thought I would post some pictures of three different ways I have had my hair (these do's have all been within the last 2 1/2 years)and set up a poll to see what you guys think I should do with it.  Yes, this is very vain and selfish- but I just can't make my mind up and I happen to think you guys have fantastic taste.  Plus, it is an anonymous poll so you can be as honest as you want!  I am going to set it up so you can vote on more than one option.  This is so you can vote for the color and length as well as if you like bangs or not.  Before I make this any more complicated, here are the categories and choices:

Light-er and Long

Dark and Long

Dark and Short

With Bangs

Thanks in advance for your help :)

    *Also, I will be posting a new giveaway today!!!

It's been too long

The craziness around our house has somewhat subsided- at least for the next 3 weeks.  As you know, Seth's Pop passed away October 28 so we left on the 30th for Louisiana and came back on Monday, Nov. 2.  Just in time to pack up and go to Georgia from November 4-8 to close on our house.  We just got back home last night and we are so tired!  But let me just tell ya- we had a blast!  We are so sad about leaving our friends here (most of which will be moving soon as well) but we are beyond ecstatic to have purchased our very first house (our celebration dinner was delicious :)).  I can't wait to show you pictures, my camera is in the car though and I am still in my pajamas, so I won't be uploading them until later...sorry for my laziness.  We are also very excited about the wonderful shopping around Fort Benning and the fact that Atlanta and Birmingham are within a mornings driving distance.  Also, remember this post?  Welllll, my wonderful husband decided that he was going to purchase these beautiful RED front loaders. We were originally just going to go with the bottom of the line white ones but we couldn't resist LG's deal right now that if you buy the red front loaders, the pedestals come with them.  We got a great deal on the washer and dryer and I don't have to bend over barely at all to wash and dry clothes.  I am actually excited to do laundry...and that's a definite first! 
Alright- and contrary to what I typed earlier, my hubb's went to get my camera, so I will post some pics :)
This post is getting kind of long and sloppy so I think I will stop, but I just have so much to post since I have been a travelling woman. 

The only good picture from Pop's funeral because my batteries died :(  This is Seths dad with us.

Actually, I really like this one too.  Pop's picture is on the screen, then Seth's dad is watching it (this was Seth's dad's dad that passed away).  Then there is Seth's mom holding Caleb, who also happens to be looking at Pop.

Here is our new house!  Craftsman style and it is brand new :)

Apparently it was stripe day.  It was also closing day and we took this picture right after we closed :)  Yay!

On another note- what do you guys think about these giveaways? I personally enjoy hosting them, so I hope you guys enjoy the chance to win something you might not be able to buy for yourself. Speaking of giveaway, tomorrow I have another new one to post. It is really cute, so make sure to check back in.

Thanks for enduring this long post.  Happy Monday everyone :)

Winner of the Hopper Ball is...

#16- LeliaMae!  Congratulations!  I will be giving your information to allchildrensfurniture so they can send you the cute hopper ball :)

In other news, we are exhausted.  We went to bed every night at 2am and either had to be up or were woken up (by Caleb) at 7am.  Last night we got home from the airport at about 8.  We ate dinner and were in the bed at 9.  Caleb is still sleeping!  Although he did wake up at 6 to eat.  Besides the tired part, we had a great time seeing all of Seth's family and getting to meet new friends.  The funeral was more of a celebration of Pop's life, and it couldn't have been any prettier of a day.  Thank you for all of your prayers for Seth and his family.  Thursday we are headed back down south to close on our house.  I might as well just leave our bags packed, right?  Our life is a little crazy right now.  Soon I hope to recoop enough to be back on a regular schedule... whatever that means.

Talk to you soon!