Never Have I Ever!

My random thought of the day...

You could NEVER have told me that a day will come that I wouldn't even flinch when I get peed, pooped, and/or vomited on!  

Never have I ever thought that my typical singing in the shower or while I cook dinner would all of a sudden, without warning, go from songs I love to willingly humming the nursery rhymes that are stuck in my head TO MYSELF!  

Or that I would be dancing, clapping, and singing along with the worlds most ridiculously annoying toys or television shows in hopes of conjuring up a smile!  

Never did I ever think that my "washing my hair" routine in the shower would become- Lather.  Peek-a-Boo!  Rinse.  Peek-a-Boo!  Repeat.  

In a million years, I never imagined that I wouldn't be dancing the "Cupid Shuffle" on someone's wedding dance-floor, but completely music-less in my kitchen instead!  Just to entertain my little guy!  

Every bit of total JOY is worth it!  ALL OF IT!  Every smile!  Every laugh!  Every coo!  Every babble of God only knows what!  Every-time Josiah laughs at my ridiculous attempts to try and get him to say, "Mama!"  That gummy little smile, now interrupted by two razor sharp teeth, makes my world stop for a second!  Then there are also, of course, the bouts of hysterical laughs Charlie and I share together over parenthood ridiculousness!  Those moments of joy make all the "never have I ever" thoughts go from thinking I've gone crazy to feeling completely okay with having gone crazy!  

These moments of joy are the perfect encouragement that get me through some of the hardest days (and sometimes the hardest weeks).  As every parent knows not every moment of parenthood is awesome (like when your child is 5 degrees past tired and still refusing to sleep).  But every moment of parenthood is a blessing!       

Simply put- never have I ever thought that being a mom would stretch me this much...  

Some days I feel like my heart is just going to explode out of my chest because a smile or a laugh is inefficient to even express the joy I feel!  

Every day I get to wake up and see that little face, my heart skips a beat for a second!  I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity to raise this amazing little life!  

God has opened my eyes, heart, and mind!  He has completely changed my world through parenting...

I think I'll be ready for round two pretty soon *wink*wink*

Stay tuned..........................................................................

Love,

Michelle

Calling All Couples!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

In today's post I'm going to talk about something a bit more important than just mommy and outer beauty stuff...

Lets talk about love!!!

So, go grab your significant other, forward them this post, or post it to your Facebook wall in hopes that they'll read it and get the hint.  This post will definitely apply to both of you!

My husband and I met at my cousin's wedding, he was a guest and I was a bridesmaid!  We were married less than one year later!  I knew almost instantly that he was the man I would spend the rest of my life with; it took him a couple of weeks to figure it out-  I secretly (not so secretly now) love teasing him about it!  One of our favorite things that we have always done throughout our relationship was write each other love letters.  Or in most cases- love emails, text messages, and we've recently added Dry Erase Marker mirror notes into the mix.  Actual letters were saved for super special occasions :)  For almost a year now we do this regularly; practically daily!

I've come to realize that our constant communication about how much we love and appreciate each other is not exactly the norm for a lot of relationships.  It wasn't always our norm either!  We've all been guilty at one point or another of putting the "I love you" phrase on verbal auto-pilot.  But sometimes a grand gesture and pulling out all the "I love you" stops is not only wanted but needed.  And there aren't many (inexpensive) ways to do that- that can top a good ol' fashioned love letter!  So here are...

7 Steps to Writing a Perfect Love Letter!!!  

Be prepared to get all kinds of cheesy and sappy!  Go get a pen and some paper...

1.  Start off by stating the purpose of your letter!

You're going to want to let your significant other know right off the bat that this is a love letter and not a grocery list!

2.  Take a walk down memory lane and write about a romantic memory!

The awesome thing about being in a relationship is that you probably have tons of memories together- so conjure one up that made you fall in love with him/her (the first time, or all over again... it doesn't matter).  Be sure to write as many details about it as you can possibly remember and write whatever thoughts you remember having during the moment of that memory.  Make sure you mention that it's a reason why you love them!

3.  Transition by telling them how much you still love him/her!

4.  Tell them everything you love about them!  And I mean EVERYTHING!

Every person loves to hear all about the things you like, love, and appreciate about them.  Write everything- from character and personality traits to physical ones.  I suggest making a list on a another sheet of paper so then all you have to do is turn that list into sentences.

**NEWS FLASH** your significant other will never tire from hearing how much you love and respect them!  We all want to love and feel loved in return!  I know I do!

5.  Tell them how your life has changed since meeting them!

6.  Reaffirm your love and commitment!

7.  End with a line that sums up all the love you feel for him/her!

Here is a little bit of inspiration for ya!

Ernest Hemingway to Marlene Dietrich

"I can't say how every time I ever put my arms around you I felt that I was home."

Beethoven to his "Immortal Beloved"

"Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, Be calm- love me- today- yesterday- what tearful longings for you- you -you- my life- my all- farewell.  Oh continue to love me- never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.  Ever thine.  Ever mine.  Ever ours."

George H. Bush to Barbara Bush

"This should be a very easy letter to write- words should come easily and in short it should be simple for me to tell you how desperately happy I was to open the paper and see the announcement of our engagement, but somehow I can't possibly say all in a letter I should like to.  I love you, precious, with all my heart and to know that you love me means my life.  How often I have thought about the immeasurable joy that will be ours some day.  How lucky our children will be to have a mother like you-"

Unknown

"Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my control."

Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan

"The important thing is I don't want to be without you for the next 20 years, or 40, or however many there are.  I gotten very used to being happy and I love you very much indeed."

Johnny Cash to June Carter Cash

"The fire and excitement may be gone now that we don't go out there and sing them anymore, but the ring of fire still burns around you and I, keeping our love hotter than a pepper sprout."

I didn't want to write too many specific phrasing suggestions because this letter should come from you, and be in your own words!  It doesn't matter if it is super eloquent and perfectly written, all that matters is that your heart is on that page!  Follow these steps and you will have a seriously awesome Love Day ;)  Enjoy!

Love,

Michelle

Conquering Your Baby's Cold...

Last Monday morning my little man started coughing and sneezing and by Monday night we were in full "he has a cold" territory!  Then of course he turns into the biggest cuddle bug on the planet and he is just so cute that I can't help giving him a thousand kisses-- which then left me on Tuesday morning in "I have a cold now, too" territory!  Our house was the place to be (or not) last week!  I'll take him getting me sick any day verses me getting him sick (that's what happened last time).  The horrible guilt you feel is the worst!!!  Ugh, lets just say it's enough to make you legitimately try to seriously quarantine yourself at the slightest glimpse of a cold...

Pre Josiah, anytime I felt a sign of getting a cold I had a "go to" blend of medications (usually something that involves Tylenol Cold and Dayquil) that I would take to kick it before it got serious.  But now, because I'm nursing, I didn't take any meds to attempt speeding up recovery and guess what!?  We survived!  

I realize that this post isn't for everyone, but at some point in life you may have to deal with a sniffle-y baby so these are just things that got Josiah and I through.  Also to my fellow parents/nanny's out there- please feel free to comment anything that you have done that may help me and my little man, or other parents and nanny's out next time the sniffles come to town!  Thanks for your help in advance!       

I coated myself in Vicks Vapor Rub!  I also rubbed a generous amount onto Jojo's feet and put his socks on and that helped him tremendously.  

Add 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil to the water at bath-time.  And anytime anyone was taking a shower in our house we hung out with Jojo in the bathroom.  The steam really helped clear him up and allowed him to breath better.

I Vaselined our noses constantly so they wouldn't get chapped- so we looked miserable aaaand shiny (but it worked)!

We whipped out the vaporizer and stuck a Vicks Vapo-pad into it.  It was so helpful getting the baby through the night.  I also propped him up on pillows to help his nose drain better.  This only lasted until he fell asleep, but I noticed it helped. 

Vitamins were a must!  I take a few different daily multi-vitamins regularly that offer a few different things.  And on top of that I took some Airborne and extra vitamin C.  I also made sure Jojo took all of his vitamins too.  His taste awful!  Like a metallic chalky taste and he makes the funniest faces but he gets through and I nurse him right after to help get the taste out of his mouth (I don't know that I NEED to do that, but I feel bad).  Haha.  By the way, his infant vitamins stain EVERYTHING!!!  And I've discovered that regular dish soap and cold water get them out (Oxi Clean and Bleach didn't work for me), but don't let the stain sit for too long.  

We both drank lots of fluids!  Teas and coffee don't count (I wish they did).  For Jojo we gave him water or warm broth in a sippie cup throughout the day.  I also made some chicken noodle stew (I like my soups really loaded with lots of goodness so they end up out of soup territory) and I pureed some for Jojo to eat as well!  If you want the recipe just comment below to let me know!

Honey and lemons!  I took some all natural honey and lemon lozenges that Charlie found at Walgreens the last time Josiah and I were sick.  I also made myself some of my favorite lemon tea:

Squeeze of half a Lemon

1 Tbsp (or to taste) of Honey

A pinch of Cinnamon

Put everything into an 8oz mug and top it off with hot water.  

It's actually really yummy, it's super good for your body in general, it is great at revving up your metabolism in the morning, and in my recent state it was especially great at soothing my sore throat.  

*Side Note* For a while I drank this lemon tea every morning and my skin never looked better.  I should do that again...

Thanks for stopping by today and I pray good health over you and your family!  

Love,

Michelle 

Basic Overnight Oats Recipe

This is oatmeal gone wild!  Wildly easy that is...

I happen to love oatmeal in the morning for breakfast.  Especially in the winter, it's like morning comfort food.  So I'm definitely grateful that it happens to be super good for me too.  It's yummy and incredibly filling.  However, I'm not exactly a huge fan of mornings themselves.  I like the morning when I've stayed up late to see it- not so much after I've slept.  I have some seriously unfortunate "morning man voice" when I wake up (you know- when your voice goes about 100 octaves deeper than normal), and I don't typically suggest asking me anything until it's gone, otherwise I'm honestly likely to mumble a series of yes' and later have no recollection of what I agreed to...  When Josiah gets older and figures this out- I may be in trouble...

Pre-Josiah I actually cooked my oats!  Now- just the thought of cooking oats in the morning is hilarious!  Welcome to motherhood!  I just don't have that kind of time anymore.  Lets be honest- some days Mommies are lucky to even get in a bowl of cereal.  And usually those days are the ones you need it the most, especially if you're nursing.  You've gotta keep that milk supply up (the phrase that haunts me in my sleep)!

Thank God for overnight oats!  It so EASY! They come out perfectly thick and creamy! It tastes wonderful! And the best part-- NO COOKING REQUIRED!  Doesn't get any better than that, right!?  I make some for both Charlie (hubby) and I-  He eats it in the car on his way to work or at the office, and I eat it while Jojo is nursing bright and early in the morning (I've become a fantastic multi-tasker, it's seriously amazing what you could do one handed...)  I also make Jojo a modified version since he can't have it the same way we do yet.  And I'm pleased to report that I make it for him several times a week and he LOVES it!

The Base (this part stays the same no matter how you decide to jazz it up):

1/4 c Whole Rolled Oats 
1/4 c Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
1/4 c Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (or any milk of your choice, I love the flavor this gives my oats)
1/4 c No Sugar Added Applesauce

What I add to make it jazzy:

1 Tbsp Grade A Maple syrup (you can adjust this to however sweet you want your oats)
1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Sun-butter (or any nut butter, sun-butter and almond butter are my personal favorites)

Toppings (completely optional):

1/2 Banana- sliced 
A small handful of Chia Seeds

You just combine the first two sections of ingredients into a container with a lid.  
Top it off with the sliced Banana and sprinkle the Chia Seeds over the top.  
Stick it in the fridge.

THAT'S ALL!

By morning you'll have yummy oatmeal goodness!  If you like your oats a little runny you can add more milk in the morning.  I think its the best served at room temperature but you can eat it cold or stick it in the microwave for a minute or so to serve warm.  

Charlie can eat the whole thing but for me, it's a two part-er.  It's so filling that I need an intermission!   

Josiah's Modified Overnight Oats

2 Tbsp Whole Rolled Oats
3 Tbsp Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (you could use water instead) 
The tiniest pinch of Cinnamon (optional)
1 Tbsp Applesauce
1 Tbsp Worth of Banana

I prepare it exactly the same way I prepare ours.
Before I feed it to him I just blitz it in the blender until the texture is one he can handle.
You can also adjust the consistency by adding more almond milk/water as you blend it to help.

There are endless combinations of how to prepare these oats, this is just my basic "I don't have to think about it" recipe.  

Keep your eyes out in the coming weeks for my Pumpkin Pie version!  It's sooo goood that I've even eaten it as desert to satisfy my major sweet tooth!

Bon Appetit!

Love,

Michelle

Hello Out There!

Hello!

My name is Michelle... I grew up in a super small town in the New Jersey suburbs-- a little longer ago than I’d care to admit ;)   I’m a wife to the most wonderful man, a mommy, a daughter (this blog would be pretty weird if I wasn't), a sister to everyone, and now the writer of this fun lil’ mommy- lifestyle- makeup- beauty- DIY- cooking blog.  It's pretty much the most random combination of every creative thing I’m into.   

Once upon a time I was a makeup artist, I've worked for a TON of companies then I found myself at MAC for 6 years. I have worked with and met some of the most amazing people along the way and am so grateful for that experience! I've worked on so many different faces, stages, sets, fashion shows, even music videos.  Brides were always a favorite (I loved being part of their “big day”).  

I thought that was my career dream that came true, then the greatest thing in the world happened-- I got pregnant with our amazing and ridiculously cute son Josiah! 

Talk about a game changer!!! My world was turned upside down in the most amazing way, but the girl that would bleed rainbows and glitter if she could is still in here.  

Minor hazard of being a former makeup artist turned stay at home mommy-- I found myself “getting ready” to wash dishes haha! Kind of awkward when your makeup reads “New Year’s Eve Party” but in reality you’re just dusting something.  I was so used to having an outlet for wearing red lipstick, false eyelashes, and glitter (everything is better with glitter) at 9am on a Monday morning just because I was heading to work and I could.  Nowadays I find myself just trying to get in a workout or eat a Reese’s- and lets be honest- it’s a toss-up!

My passion is being able to inspire, encourage people, and help people feel beautiful and loved- because you are!  

I’m on this amazing journey of being a creative wifey and mommy, and I’m welcoming you to join me!  

Love,

Michelle

P.S. Comment on anything you want to know/learn about!