Sesame Street Live!

On January 14th, my mom and I ventured to the Target Center to meet up with Cory and Alea (since it was my weekend away) for a fun-filled Saturday of Sesame Street Live! I won us 4 tickets from Sarah's blog, Minnesota Mama's Must Haves and jumped up and down screaming when I did because I knew that Alea would just be over the moon. If you don't already know, Elmo is Alea's most favorite thing in the world. She's an Elmo FANATIC! It's just the cutest.

I can't even tell you how fun it was to see her eyes light up at all the Sesame Street magic. Before the show there was a little play area where you could take pictures in different scenes and then a couple characters would come out occasionally and dance. After Ernie, Zoe and Cookie Monster got done dancing and singing I rushed over (holding Alea) to where they were exiting their platforms and leaving the play area and Miss Alea got a high five from Ernie and a wave from Zoe!!! It's all she's talked about ever since! I felt like kind of a psycho mom at the time, but it was so worth it!








It was seriously a blast! Thank you to Sarah from Minnesota Mama's Must Haves and The Target Center for this wonderful experience!


Also, check out this lovely giveaway from Lindsay Nicole, she's giving away tons of fun stuff!

a weekend away.

A couple weeks ago, I was stressed to the max. I reached my breaking point. And just could not get a grip. Between school starting and Alea turning into a cranky-butt TODDLER, I was just not having it! After hours upon hours of trying to get Alea down for a nap, Cory finally got her down and while I picked up her toys in the living room I just started to cry. I was just felt down. Like a failure of a mom. And Cory sensed it. "Why don't you take next weekend off. Go to your mom's or something."

Hold on, what? What was that? Was I hearing him right? I hesitated at first. No, I don't want to be away from my baby for two whole nights and leave all the work to Cory. Pssh, boy was a dumb! After Cory gave me "the look," I finally agreed. And then I got excited. A whole weekend away. At my mom's house. And what perfect timing with school starting that week. I could get all caught up on my homework and actually study in peace! Glorious!

And that my friends, is exactly what I did.







And my sweet mama even put together a little care package for me! She is just too kind for words!


1. Storage basket. 2. Chocolate! 3. Perfume. 4. Cucumber melon body wash 5. Foot scrubber! 6. Tazo tea.
7. Cucumber melon lotion. 8. Mud mask. 9. Candle 10. Moisturizing foot balm. 11. York Peppermint patty. 12. Trail mix.


I truly enjoyed every second of my weekend off. Thank you so much to my wonderful boyfriend and my amazing mama for making it possible & giving me sometime to re-group and study!

The Hunger Line

My sweet friend, Cat, who is also one of my January sponsors is taking a stand against hunger. And I couldn't be more proud of her for this awesome project she's launching. Please, take a minute to read the following post about this selfless act of humanity-- she's truly an inspiration :)

------------------------------------

As a mom in the first-world, it seems a little ridiculous that I've ever been worried about my children being "too thin."



Yes, when my first son was born, we had some feeding issues, and he looked like this for a couple of weeks:

And my second son wasn't even on the weight charts until he was 2 (he's a whopping 2% right now and the velcro on his size 3 diapers overlaps when fastened).  But my kids are healthy.  They have the option to eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.  They get plenty of nutrients.  They're just skinny because they inherited their metabolisms from their daddy who can eat 4000 cal a day and never gain a pound.



Then I came across pictures like this:

source

And my heart broke.  My heart broke for these poor malnourished children who make my bottom-of-the-weight-chart kids look like little chunks.  My heart broke for their mothers and fathers who are powerless to help them.  I think about how much worrying I did for my kids who had every opportunity to eat as much as they want.  I cannot even fathom knowing that my children faced starvation and being unable to provide.



My heart has been heavy for these children for a long while now, but I wasn't quite sure how best to help.  I've donated to various charities when I've had some extra funds, but it just didn't feel like enough.  Then one night when I couldn't sleep, I was struck by the idea of using my shops to help these babies.  So I've created The Hunger Line - a new line of products in each of my shops dedicated to chipping away at the huge hunger epidemic.



100% of profits from all items in the Hunger Line will go toward charities (like Feed the Children, World Vision, Food for Africa or The Hunger Site) dedicated to feeding children around the world who are at risk of starvation.



So, what's in the lines?  Here's what you can look for:



At my shop Mimi Baby Boutique, you'll find gorgeous glass bead bracelets emblazoned with the word "Hunger" on them.  Right now I'm offering white lettering, but will be adding gold and silver letter beads soon.

At Big Red Kite I have a line of Hunger Bears.  These soft plush bears use upcycled materials and come in three sizes - Bitty, Medium and Large.  The medium and large bears are also embroidered with the slogan "Hunger."

Will you help me in my fight to feed the children?  Keep an eye out at the shops as new items will be added frequently.  And if you are willing to help me get the word out, would you share this post on your social media or add this button to your blog?



Thanks you so much for helping me to take action on what's been weighing on my heart for so long.  Appreciate you all!

<a href="http://babystuffilove.blogspot.com/2012/01/as-mom-in-first-world-it-seems-little.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The Hunger Line" src="http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee435/mrscat206/EndHungerbutton-1.jpg"></a><br /> <br /><br /> <br><br /> I appreciate you all!  Thank you for helping me to take action on what's been tugging at my heart for a long time. <br /><br /> <a href="http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/?action=view&current=BABYSTUFFsignature.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Stuff I Love" border="0" src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/BABYSTUFFsignature.png" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/stuffilove" target="_blank"><img alt="Facebook" border="0" src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/BABYSTUFFFB.png" /></a><a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/MimiBabyB" target="_blank"><img alt="Twitter" border="0" src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/BABYSTUFFtwitter.png" /></a><a href="http://pinterest.com/cat_olson/" target="_blank"><img alt="Pinterest" border="0" src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/BABYSTUFFpinterest.png" /></a><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/3354314/stuff-i-love" target="_blank"><img alt="Bloglovin" border="0" src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee206/mrsparrott/BABYSTUFFbloglovin.png" /></a>

48 Questions [and are you a winner?]

I saw this pretty little questionnaire on Marigold Road and thought it might be a fun way for some of my new followers to get to know me! So thankful for each and everyone of you!

1. What time did you wake up this morning?: My alarm went off at 6:30am so I could get Alea and I ready in time for me to leave for school @ 7:30am! Yay for rushed mornings!
2. How do you like your steak?: Medium rare, please.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?: Water for Elephants-- it's been a while!
4. What's your favorite TV show?: Parenthood... hands down.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Seriously, anywhere warm! I'm chilled to the bones here in MN!
6. What did you have for breakfast?: I'm horrible at breakfast, especially with school now. I had half a banana with my huge mug of coffee!
7. What is your favorite food?: Sour kraut. I know, I'm disgusting.
8. Foods you dislike?: Brussel sprouts.
9. Favorite place to eat: Panera, PF Changs, and any authentic Mexican restaurant!
10. Favorite dressing: Ranch
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?: I own a Cavalier, but drive Cory's Explorer to school.
12. What are your favorite clothes?: Pretty much just the comfy ones.
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?: Ready for a cliche? The Eiffel Tower.
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?: Depends on my day, but typically half full.
15. Where would you want to retire? Like I said before, WARM!
16. Favorite time of day?: Whenever my baby girl wants to snuggle.
17. Where were you born?: Minneapolis
18. What's your favorite sport to watch?: Being that Cory place baseball, I better say baseball.
19. What's your favorite fragrance?: My rosemary mint shampoo.
20. What's your favorite face cream?: Up and up brand sensitive facial lotion.
21. Favorite baby/kids product?: Target brand diapers-- so cheap, so reliable!
22. People watcher?: I'm a creeper.
23. Are you a morning person or night owl?: A little bit of both. It's the middle of the day that I have problems with.
24. Do you have any pets?: Yes, a chocolate lab named Bentley.
25. Any new/exciting news to share?: This really awesome linky party hosted by myself and Lena will be starting Friday, Feb 3rd!
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A doctor, so I'm not too far off. Except maybe on the salary.
27. What is your favorite memory?: The birth of my beautiful baby girl.
28. Are you a cat or dog person?: Dog. I'm not a cat person.
29. Are you married?: Nope.
30. Always wear your seat belt?: Always, always, always. My dad always told me, "Buckle up or eat glass!"
31. Been in a car accident?: Yes, but it was with a snowbank... backing out of my parents driveway. Embarrassing.
32. Any pet peeves?: Way too many to name. Most have to do with other drivers, of course.
33. Favorite pizza toppings?: Either plain pineapple or mushrooms and green olives.
34. Favorite flower?: Tulips.
35. Favorite ice cream?: Anything with caramel.
36. Favorite fast food restaurant?: It's a tie between Arby's and Wendy's.
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?: Zero. (and yet I still ran into a snowbank...)
38. From whom did you get your last email?: Maggie!!
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?: Target... duh.
40. Do anything spontaneous lately?: Unless you count impulse buys at Target, nope.
41. Like your job?: Currently it's just being a mother and student, so yes!
42. Broccoli?: Yes please! But not raw.
43. What was your favorite vacation?: Going to Disney World on my 7th (and golden) birthday with my grandparents and aunt!
44. Last person you went out to dinner with?: Cory, Alea, and my Grandpa at Perkins!
45. What are you listening to right now?: The Hangover II playing in the background.
46. What is your favorite color?: Yellow, the color of happiness!
47. How many tattoos do you have?: Two... :)
48. Coffee drinker?: Yes, yes, yes.






Is your name Karina Pacheco? Well, if so, you won the $20 Starbucks gift card from Up Mommy Creek! Email me within 48hrs at chelsea[dot]thom90[at]gmail[dot]com to claim your prize!

Inroducing a NEW Friday Linky!

Have a friend you'd like to introduce?
Want to feature a bloggy buddy?
Want to tell us about a 'fantasy friend' you'd love to meet?
Every Friday, Lena from Mom2MemphisandRuby
and I will be co-hosting ''Friendly Friday''
It's a great way for us to meet new people & get to know YOU better!
Our first Friendly Fiday is happening on February 3rd!
Hope you'll join us!
Feel free to link up anything FRIENDLY!

Just grab the button below, add it to your post and spread the word!

<center><a href="http://mom2memphisandruby.blogspot.com/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Mom2MemphisandRuby" src="http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n624/Mom2MemphisAndRuby/Buttons/200x100FriendlyFriday.jpg" /></a></center>

Phone Pics of January

Holy smokes has it been a busy month. It seems as though we rang in the new year, I started school and ever since then I've had my nose buried in books and I feel like I barely get home from school and I have dinner to make, a house to pick up, three chapters to read, a daughter to bathe and outfits and bags to pack for the next day. No one told me you wouldn't have time to breathe in nursing school! That being said, I'm trying to get my breaths in where I can, take things one at a time and try not to completely lose it. Therefore, I have been absolutely horrible at uploading and editing my phone pictures for you all. Phone pics posts are some of my favorites, because they give you a little snapshot and sneak peak into the lives of your favorite bloggers. And I would hate to deny you of that.


We'll just say our new years eve involved a lot of wine. A lot of yummy, delicious, MN wine!

Reading for class, before class even started. Color coding my Erin Condren. Spaghetti's done!

Coloring. I made April's stuffed bell peppers, YUM! My man brought home Jimmy Johns!

Legos, our new obsession. Cute little piggies. Isn't she just gorgeous?

My favorite skyline. And to think a week ago we were at the park?! Necklace c/o Karly from Three Bees Creations

Cory in his element. Alea's new kitty hat-- which she calls a "bunny hat." Girlfriend loves to scribble all over my notes!

Alea's dinner. It snowed! Alea's bag for the sitters c/o Sunny Vanilla

Favorite pizza: olives and mushrooms. Hairs getting long! Alea doesn't like it when mommy studies.

Only a million flash cards to memorize. Jillian kicked my butt-- seriously. I got business cards!

And if you've made it this far, through all those pictures, I thank you. ;) Have a wonderful weekend!