Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Babies on the Brain

I had to double check I didn't type "Babies on the Brian" because that would just be weird.

Today I started thinking about future baby nurseries. We don't plan on another baby for a while, but I like to think about things in advance, because I'm indecisive. Yes, so indecisive I need to pick out nursery themes several months (if not a year) in advance. At least I realize this and try to plan accordingly. If I know we're going to a restaurant, I will check their menu online before we go so I will have an idea what I want. Even if we're just going to Taco Bueno. Don't tell anyone.

I look at a lot of girl decor, because I have a boy and I want a girl. I LOVE the idea of decorating with Russian nesting dolls. They're so colorful! Russian nesting dolls accented with flowers. If I ever have a girl, I might do that. I like this bumper because it's so colorful (don't like it because it's expensive). I also like these pretty girls. Oh pretty babushkas!

With boy decor, I like this MiGi Alphabet bedding. LittleMonkeyDoodles on Etsy has this cute wall art prints and door sign to match. I like the letters and animals.

I also like farm themes. There are soo many cute farm nursery things on Etsy. My dad's a farmer so it's double cute for our family. Nate loves "Bumpa's moos" and I'm sure he'd teach his little brother if he had one.

What nursery themes do you like?

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Race for the Cure

My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She underwent chemo, radiation, and three surgeries in about a year. She is now in remission (hallelujah!) and only has reconstruction to go. She has been so strong and positive. She says cancer was a piece of cake after raising five children and everything they've been through.

My husband and his twin sister have joined a team to raise money for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. If you have the resources, would you donate to a great cause? They'd love your support.

Help us fight breast cancer!

Thank you, friends.

xo,
Jamie Lynn

The Sweetest Thing

After watching "The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That" (an awesome new OETA cartoon), my little boy walked to his room and said "Nap!" When I picked him up, he put his head on my shoulder and we cuddled. He may be a toddler but I'm glad he's still a baby. I'm not ready for this growing up business.

xo,
Jamie Lynn

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

C25k- Week 1 Complete

I have finished Week 1 of the Couch to 5k Program!

Suz's podcast really helped. I enjoyed the music and it kept me motivated. She did a great job with the songs. By the end I would be tired, but when "Gossip Folks" by Missy Elliot came on I was energized. I'm so excited to listen to Week 2!

I got cat-called while running. Who does that??? I probably don't want to know. I know I don't look attractive with my jiggly thighs, bouncing belly, and pigeoned-toes.

What I've Learned:
  • I actually like running (Who am I???)
  • I probably need new running shoes
  • I definitely need an iPod armband
  • And better running clothes
  • Our neighborhood needs to spray for stickers
  • People shouldn't block the sidewalks, even in their driveway
  • I wish I had a dog to run with me
I know Week 1 was the easiest of all the weeks. I hope I have progressed enough to stick with Weeks 2. It is really encouraging to know that the running will stop and I will get to walk for a bit.

 At the end of the 9 weeks I may actually try a 5k with my friend Autumn. She has been doing 5k training for a while. I wish we lived closer so we could run together, except she's about eight inches taller than me so she'd probably leave me in the dust right now. But we'd for sure have a good time.

I'll keep you updated on my progress. Hopefully no creeps this week!

xo,
Jamie Lynn

Monday, September 20, 2010

Save Me Money

We have decided to get serious about saving money. We aren't just throwing our money around, but we could do a much better job about putting more in savings.

First, we're going to take our television down to basic cable. Since moving here, we've watched much less TV. Jon plays Xbox Live and watches Netflix. Nate and I watch OETA and the movie Cars. Instant Netflix through the Xbox is pretty awesome. We're also looking into cancelling Jon's cellphone and taking the internet off of my Blackberry. Jon hardly ever uses his phone and has a work cell I can call him on.

All of that will save us about $115 a month!

We'll eat out less, buy fewer luxuries, and have free fun.

What will we do with the extra money? Buy a house. Pay off the credit card. Have another baby. Save for college. Maybe take a vacation???

I love saving money. I fell, as a stay at home mom, my job is to save our family as much money as possible so we can keep up this lifestyle. Plus, what in the world would I do if I had to get a job?? :)

Wish us luck on our journey. I just hope we can stick with it!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

C25k

Last night I started the couch to 5k program. I had a baby two years ago and still carry around 15-20 lbs of the 60lbs I gained. (I don't recommend gaining 60 lbs. Pregnant or not. It's miserable. Especially in August. And heavy.) I did some Googling and finally got motivated when I found Sporty Pal and Suz's Couch to 5k Running Podcasts

Sporty Pal has an application you can download to your Blackberry that tracks how long, how far, even the actual route you run. By using the GPS, it can tell you how fast you are running and your average speed for the workout. Then you can post your workout to Facebook and show all your friends that you are actually doing something!

Suz's Podcasts are excellent! She made playlists for each C25k week with upbeat music and interrupts to tell you when to run and walk. So much easier than trying to figure it out on your own. Each week she uses a different playlist and music genre to keep you motivated.

I'm really excited to keep this up. I don't especially love running, but it's free and I love free. The only money I spent was $10 for new headphones. Oh, and the $1.60 I spent on candy for my husband to tie him over until I got dinner. Even if I don't lose weight, I'm sure it will help shape and tone my body and get me ready for when we decide to have Baby #2.

Wish me luck! I need it...

xo,
Jamie Lynn

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

25 Things About Me

A random list of me to fulfil my list-making needs!

  1. I've been getting grey hair since I was 15
  2. I'm pigeon-toed
  3. We have a toothless cat
  4. My blood type is A-
  5. I've been scared of snakes since I was 3
  6. I graduated high school with 17 kids
  7. My high school girls basketball team won the state championship 3 times
  8. I love Diet Dr Pepper
  9. My favorite candle is Voluspa Crisp Champagne
  10. I graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma State University
  11. Being a stay at home mom has been the hardest thing I've ever done
  12. I almost passed out while having blood taken when I was pregnant
  13. I like learning about people and hearing their story
  14. Spellcheck and predictive text are ruining me
  15. When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a 911 operator
  16. I can be really awkward in social situations
  17. My husband first saw me in our HR class, but first talked to me via Facebook
  18. I've traveled to Australia, Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy, Portugal, and Germany
  19. My dad is a farmer
  20. As a kid, I spent a lot of time and made a lot of friends in Yahoo's Oklahoma Teen Chat
  21. I have huge tonsils
  22. I'm indecisive, but think I'm getting better
  23. I want to open a craft store with my sisters-in-law
  24. I use commas where it feels right. I don't remember all the grammar rules, but I'm usually correct.
  25. In college, I went to Paris by myself without a place to stay and couldn't speak French. I met a nice Canadian woman who gave me some pointers and some girls from Tennessee who helped me find a hostel. I had the time of my life. I love Paris.

Booooo

Well, after declaring that I was going to participate in You Capture, I broke my camera. So sad :( I am now in the process of sending it back to Canon and waiting to hear how much it will cost me. It is still under warranty but I doubt it will cover the damage. No pictures from me until further notice...

Here are a few pictures my nice little point and shoot took before biting the dust.

Cupcakes from Nate's birthday. I made them!

Neighbor's flowers in Tahlequah

Flowers through the fence


xo,
Jamie Lynn

Thursday, September 9, 2010

New Week Resolution

On this fall-ish morning, Nate is exploring the backyard after yesterday's rain. I'm sitting at the picnic table, trying to ward off the stray cat that thinks he lives in my house. We're still in our pajamas. I'm pretty sure that's why privacy fences were invented.

When I started reading blogs a few months ago, I stumbled upon Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry (and a few other mommy blogs listed over there ---->). I like that she doesn't sugarcoat being a mom. It's not all cupcakes and bon-bons at her house and it's not at mine either. Beth is also a talented photographer. If she lived in Oklahoma I'd hire her for all my family pics! (If we ever did that kind of thing...)

ANYWAY, Beth challenges people to take more photographs by doing a weekly You Capture. I meant to start this week, but of course I procrastinated and forgot. She comes up with an interesting topic and you take the pictures that week. My new week resolution is to start You Capture. This week's topic is Photographer's Choice. Let's see what I can find.

While trying to type this we had to put on warmer clothes, Nate let the stray cat in the house 5 times, stray cat knocked over my Diet Dr Pepper, and Nate decided long sleeves and shoes were for losers. Updating from outside seemed like a good idea but it's a lot of work! Maybe I should stick to nap time...

xo,
Jamie Lynn

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Being a Stay at Home Mom....

.... is not easy.

I still work. And I don't get paid.

Sure, I don't GO to work.

Because my work is always here.

It's a lot harder than I expected.

But SO much more rewarding.

I wouldn't trade the cuddles, the kisses, the dance parties, the playgrounds, the tantrums, the diapers, the lack of sleep, or the headbutts for anything.

I know I'm very lucky to have this opportunity to be with my boy.

...just remember it's not easy.

Friday, September 3, 2010

30 Things Before I'm 30

This was inspired by Maggie's 25 Before She's 25 list. And the fact I LOVE making lists. I turned 25 in February so surely I can do 30 things in 5 years? I hope so. Now that I'm posting this online I HAVE to stick with it. Because the internet works like that.

In no particular order...

  • Buy a bicycle
  • Find a signature perfume
  • Read 30 books
  • Learn to walk in high heels
  • Get a tattoo I love
  • Take more pictures
  • Adopt an angel at Christmas
  • Grow a garden
  • Skydive
  • Buy a stranger's dinner
  • Get a massage at a spa
  • Have another baby
  • Go to an exercise class
  • Throw a surprise party
  • Buy a house
  • Learn to order coffee
  • Paint a canvas
  • Start a blog (YAY!)
  • See Grandpa Brady's grave in France
  • Go to a concert at Gruene Hall & Luckenbach
  • Be 125 lbs
  • Adopt a puppy from a shelter
  • Learn to knit and/or crochet
  • Make exercising a habit
  • Research my Mom's family tree
  • See the Aurora Borealis
  • Run a 5k
  • Organize and beautify our home
  • Go on a wine tour
  • ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR #30???

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

My Baby's First Haircut

I guess it wasn't really my "baby's" first haircut since he is now 2, but it was his first time under the scissors.

Whaaattt are you doing????


Why are you letting them do this?
Why me?



I'm OK with this now!


BEFORE

AFTER


A special thanks to my friend Lauren for coming to the salon to watch Nate and take pictures for me! And a big thanks to Claire at Velvet Monkey Too for being so kind and patient with my little guy AND for my great new haircut!

Stylin'!

xo,
Jamie Lynn