28 To 28 Birthday Celebration Giveaway WINNERS

I want to thank everyone who entered the giveaway and the sponsors for joining me in this giveaway. The five winners were chosen this weekend, emailed, and have all responded. Congratulations to the following people...

Anne S., who won a wetbag
Kim M., who won a $10 amazon gift code
Anna P., who won a $5 amazon gift code
DeAnna H., who won a $5 amazon gift code, and
Adrian G., who won a semi-custom creation from me (and has chosen a sensory block)


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{Wordless Wednesday} Superhero Kids

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{Top Ten Tuesday} Favorite Boys' Names

A couple weeks ago I wrote about my favorite girls names. Now it's time for my favorite boys names. If we have another baby and it's another boy, he'll probably be named one of the following...  {in alphabetical order}

1. Alex

2. Andrew

3. Austin

4. Caleb

5. Carter

6. Isaiah

7. Joseph

8. Joshua

9. Michael (Mikey)

10. Quillan

{I bolded my favorite favorites}

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Proud Mama Monday 2/27/12

Jordan is saying more and more "words" now. It was the cutest thing when he said "Batman" the other day! He also copies everything we say! Adorable!!

Jacob can now put his socks on by himself. And he can spell his name -- it's been a long time coming!

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Five Question Friday 2/24/12

1. What's your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?
sleeping, playing on the computer, or reading

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can't have it?
of course! that's why I don't diet :-)

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?
diapers, clothes, not sure what else

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?
no

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?
I'd love to do a review for any baby product or cloth diaper companies but I really really really would love to do a review for Thirsties!


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It's a long way away

Jordan's next birthday is a long way away. However, I'm already thinking about his next party! I was pretty much SET on doing a construction theme after seeing this cake...

Source: fredellicious.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

But then tonight I stumbled upon this cake!

Source: Uploaded by user via Emily on Pinterest

SOOOOO CUTE!!!! And now I really want to make this one too! And, thanks to the Wilton Cake Decorating class I am currently taking {more on that when it's finished next week!} I even know HOW to make this one {and already have the cake pan it uses} Decisions, decisions....


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Proud Mama Monday 2/20/12

I can't believe that I forgot to write about this two weeks in a row. Jacob has been learning to write letters! We practiced writing on Grandma's birthday card. The original plan was for him to write "Happy Birthday Grandma" on the bottom of the card. However, in true kid fashion, his letters were so big that he got "Hap" before we ran out of room. Unfortunately, it's hard to see his letters because he picked a pink crayon to write with. But here it is! 

Want to play along? Just write about your Proud Moments and link up below!





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{Silly Saturday} 2/18/12

Me {to Jacob}: "You are the best!"
Jacob: "Yeah. I am."

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Jacob: "I have an itchy beard!"

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Jacob: "Is that the Wicked Witch?"
Me: "No, baby, that's the President."

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(We were trying to tell Jacob how The Wizard of Oz was going to be too scary for him because of the witch in it)
Me: "I'll get you my pretty! And your little dog too! *insert witch laugh*"
Jacob: "I'm not scared of witches that are funny!"



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Swagbucks is having a birthday

Swagbucks will be celebrating their 4th birthday on Monday, February 27th. And in true Swagbucks fashion, they are giving us lots of reasons to celebrate with them!

If you haven't already signed up for swagbucks {seriously, what are you waiting for??} you can do so now and earn an additional 110 bonus points just for signing up! {Use code: BIRTHDAYBASH12} This is in addition to the 30 points you normally receive for signing up! {Remember: I paid for most of my Christmas shopping with gift cards I earned from swagbucks -- just for searching the web!}

To make things even better, swagbucks is giving away FOUR prizes of $1,000 to be drawn on February 27th. To be eligible to win, simply RSVP to one of the two available swagbucks parties. Click here to join me in my party!! The party that earns the most will be awarded a 10 Swagbucks and the runner up party will earn 5 swagbucks. So be sure to spread the word as well! When you arrive at the page to RSVP you will have the option to share on twitter and/or facebook.

Happy Birthday to Swagbucks!! Now let's all celebrate with them!!

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{Wordless Wednesday} Valentine's Day 2012

Our Valentine's Day in Pictures

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30 Day Shred - Week One

Well I survived the first seven days of The 30 Day Shred. I went ahead and cheated yesterday and bumped myself up to level 2 early. Yeah, that was a big fat mistake. I'll be sticking with level 1 for my next 3 days before I am forced into awful level 2. Here's where I'm at so far...

Weight: + 1 lb. I'm trying not to be disappointed by this but it's still upsetting to work hard and not see results. My husband keeps reminding me that muscle weighs more than fat but I was still hoping for a lower number.

Waist: No change. Also frustrating.

Hips: - 1 cm. (Yep, I'm measuring in cm's because my measuring tape is cm only) So at least that's some progress.

Thigh: +4cm!!!! Ahhhhhh!!!! I'm not sure if I didn't measure it in exactly the same spot {though I thought I did} but it's frustrating to go up so much! I can feel my thighs are getting stronger though.


Overall: Overall, I think the theme of the first week is frustration. I was hoping for more results by now. But I'll just keep trucking and see what happens.

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Valentine's Day Victoria Secret Giveaway WINNER!!!

Congratulations to Erin S!!! You are the winner of the Victoria's Secret gift card giveaway!! You have been emailed :-)


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{Top Ten Tuesday} Valentine's Day Ideas

I know I said last week that I would be featuring my favorite baby boy's names this week but since it's Valentine's Day I decided to post-pone and do a Valentine's Day related post instead. The boys names will be coming next week! That gives me a little while longer to think of ten names, too!!

Ten Valentine's Day Ideas, inspired by {of course} Pinterest. {Some of my favorite ideas I can't post because I'm going to be using them next year!!}

Source: thepeanutpaintshop.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I made one of these for our family. I love it.

Source: thecraftmonkey.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

The inspiration behind this years Valentine's we sent out. {What? You knew I wasn't that creative on my own!!}

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Emily on Pinterest

Conversation Heart Cookies

Source: familyfun.go.com via Emily on Pinterest

Ipod Valentine. Super cute!

Source: griffithsrated.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

I am absolutely in love with this. I had every intention of making one and then... you know... didn't. Maybe next year!

Source: lovelifefamilyandthensome.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Emily on Pinterest

I'd love to do this for the kids next year

Source: mudpiestudio.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Our Valentine's Day breakfast :-)

Source: shabbynest.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Adorable.

Source: kidsfunreviewed.com via Emily on Pinterest

I love creative things like this. I wish I was clever enough to think of them myself!


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Happy Valentine's Day!!

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Proud Mama Monday 2/13/12

This week Jacob used some pretty big words in every day conversation. First, he said "Look at this delicious supper I made" in reference to his play food. Then he said an even bigger word that blew me out of the water that he even knew it and sounded so funny coming out of his little three year old mouth. Unfortunately, none of us can remember what that word was now. We were racking our brains all day yesterday trying to think of it, but nothing. 

Jordan is getting pretty good at using a spoon to feed himself without making such a huge mess anymore. 

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{Silly Saturday} 2/11/12

I was reading a magazine about walruses to Jacob. I pointed out the walruses whiskers.
Me: "Look, do you see them? They look like a mustache"
Jacob: "Yeah, it looks just like Uncle Bill"

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Five Question Friday 2/10/12

1. How often do you shave your legs in the winter?
Usually a couple times a week. Whenever I can get a shower to myself. I usually have the boys in with me and I refuse to shave myself when they are in there, for multiple reasons.

2. Valentine's Day cards for your spouse: funny or romantic?
Funny :-)

3. What are you most looking forward to about spring?
Flowers. No snow.

4. What's your favorite way to pamper yourself?
Taking a nap! Or getting a massage.

5. Does your tax return go into savings or do you spend it instantly?
We usually have something we need to spend it on. And then the rest goes into savings.



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Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred

Yesterday I started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I'm not going to lie, it totally kicked my butt! I'm more out of shape than I thought!

This morning, to my surprise, I didn't wake up too sore. I had just a mild ache in my thighs and nothing else. And I am happy to report that Day 2 of the workout went better. Already it's easier and my endurance is improving.

I took my weight and measurements yesterday and I will track my results and let you know how it goes and how much success {or lack thereof!} I have with the program.

The cutest thing ever, however, is watching my kids try and do it with me. So much fun! Jacob gets really into doing the jumping jacks and things with me. Jordan laid down right by my side and tried to do push ups next to me. A-DOR-A-BLE!

Here's to a new, skinny me!


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{Top Ten Tuesday} Favorite Girls' Names

If we ever have a little girl, these are my {top ten} favorite names. Stick around next week for my favorite boys' names! {Although right now I'm having trouble with boys names and can only think of 6!}

In alphabetical order...

1. Abigail

2. Allison

3. Alyssa

4. Elizabeth

5. Gabriella

6. Hannah

7. Isabelle/Isabella

8. Kaitlyn

9. Madeline

10. Nicole

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Menu Planning Monday

MONDAY: Crockpot Lasagna

TUESDAY: Tacos (Jake's favorite)

WEDNESDAY: Nothing -- Matt and I will both be gone at dinnertime so whatever Grandma decides to feed the kids :-)

THURSDAY: chicken, brown rice, broccoli

FRIDAY: Tortellini (Jordan's favorite)

SATURDAY: Chili (Jake's other favorite)

SUNDAY: Crockpot Taco Soup

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Proud Mama Monday 2/6/12

Last night Jacob counted objects in a book and found the corresponding number to go with them. He did 1-10. 

This is totally a coincidence but Jordan picked up a letter E from his bath toys and said "E" at the same time! 

Jacob has stayed in bed for the past two nights!! WOOHOO!!!

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NEW Swagbucks Valentine's Day Collector Bills

Swagbucks is releasing a new set of Collector's Bills just in time for Valentine's Day - 5 romantic reminders worth different amounts of reward points. Collect them all and get 14 Bonus Swag Bucks to use towards your free stuff! The bills come out at midnight PT on Monday and will be available only through Search until 11:59pm PT on Valentine's Day. Good luck!

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{Wordless Wednesday} What happens when you let a 1 year old make his own decisions...

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Amazon Facebook Blast #giveaway

Enter below for your chance at a $100 amazon gift card. Good luck!!

Victoria's Secret Gift Card Valentine's Day Giveaway

I have teamed up with several other bloggers to bring you a Valentine's Day giveaway! The giveaway is for a $40 Victoria's Secret gift card. To enter for this, simply fill out the rafflecopter form below. The giveaway will run through February 14th. Good luck!!