WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It is officially summer! The sun is here, school is out, and I am away at a conference! This haute mom doesn't know what to do without her baby so give me some blogs to love! I am in serious need for some hoppin' so I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!






This week, instead of choosing a guest hostess, I would like to give everyone the opportunity to have some new followers. I want to share the 4th of July love! Instead of following a guest hostess, I ask that you instead follow the person ahead of you. If you already follow that person, keep moving up the list until you have a new blog to check out. Everyone should have at least one new follower!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the blog above you...or the one above that...you are all guests today!
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.


So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Lazy Sunday - Family Time

Lazy Sundays, a day where I do as little as possible in preparation for the work week ahead, are slowly shaping into Family Sundays.  With this day being the only day my husband and I have off together, we are now finding things to do together, and with Stella now that she is older.

I remember back in my non-mommy days, Sundays were called "Sunday Fundays".  Long days filled with champagne brunch, mismosas, beers, and BBQs have turned into days just as fun, but so different.  My hubby even tried to talk me into getting a pedicure today (that must be a clue as to the shape of my toes) and I turned him down, asking instead to spend the morning as a family at Disneyland.  No, I was not under the influence of any foregin substance.  Honestly, that is all I wanted to do.

I love spending time as a family, enjoying Stella, even if it means I go without a pedicure or the laundry doesn't get done.  Well, I lie, I did the laundry yesterday, but the point is that family time has taken over as first place in my list of things to do.  A year has gone by and boy has my life changed.  Mimosas and too much sun has changed into sunscreen and a $5.00 bottle of water at Disneyland.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Happy Sunday haute moms!

First Days at Daycare

Stella had her first week at daycare this past week (Tues. -Thurs.) and she loved it more than I could have imagined!  Moving her from a fantastic nanny, with one-on-one care, to an in-home daycare where the kids vary from three to six on any given day was a difficult decision.  The saving graces were that my friend from college had her two kids there and Stella had a blast each time we brought her to visit.

I have to say, the first day was nerve-wracking.  I am sure it was harder on me than it was on her.  Stacy, the owner of the daycare was not only nurturing of Stella,but also of me.  She called twice on the first day to give me little check-ups and even sent pictures of Stella.  When I picked Stella up she was all smiles, and had nothing but a good report. She played well, napped well, and ate like a champ.  Apparently she loves swiss chard!  How fabulous is a daycare that cooks swiss chard for lunch!?  Even better is the afternoon email all the parents get titled "Today we..." letting us all know what the menu and the activities for the day were.  I find myself looking forward to them!

I was very lucky to have such a good nanny and even more so to have this amazing daycare.  I love the fact that Stella is happy and having fun.  I know that this is the best place for her to learn and to develop her social skills.  It is often very hard to be a working mom and feel especially forutnate that if I have to work, I have a place where Stella is safe and happy.

Taking charge!

Worked up an appetitie!

Mmmm!  Swiss chard!

Playing on day 2

Haute Mom Needs a Nap

For anyone who told me once your babies sleep through the night its smooth sailing, you lied. We are back in the up at 3 a.m. pattern thanks to a thing we bitterly refer to as teething. And, my darling little monkey has 5 teeth coming in, some of which are molars.

The only thing that Stella wants to do is nurse. I have done the baby Tylenol, the Orajel, the Orajel swabs, and even tried baby Ibuprofen last night. Nothing works except mommy and uh...some mommy soothing otherwise she is up for at least an hour before she settles back down. I guess Stella didn't get the memo that I have to get up at 5:30 because some of us in the household have to work.

So a very tired mommy is trying to figure out not only how to help sooth her little gums but also how to keep her sleeping. For any of you who have gone through this, you know how angry they are when they wake up in pain. Not fun for any of us. I will keep trying different things and until then will probably need to stay off any freeways in case I fall asleep at the wheel.

Sleep?! Who needs sleep?

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WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It is officially summer! The sun is here, school is out, and well...I am ready for the sun! I am in serious need for some hoppin' so I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!






I would like to welcome this week's guest hostess, Sounds Like Crazy. She knows the life of being a mom, and her blog is proof! There are tons of great things to see, so be sure to pay her a visit today.



Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the guest hostess, Sounds Like Crazy.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.


So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Huggies PullUps and $100 Target Giveaway

Are any of you haute moms potty training your little ones?  Are you a fan of Disney, Pullups, or Target?  If you answered "yes" to any of these then this giveaway is for you!  My fellow mommy blogger and friend is hosting a fun and fabulous giveaway over at Babes In Disneyland!  The winner will receive one month's supply of Pullups and a GC to Target for $100!  I am no where near potty training but I thought I would pass it on!  Good luck!

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to take a quick moment to wish all the fathers out there a wonderful day.  I am who I am partly because of my father, and the role model that he was for me.  He taught me many of the things that give me my drive today, as a career woman, a wife, and a mother.  I know the importance of a father figure and love watching Stella and my husband together.  I am so forutnate that some of my husband's best qualities

 like loyalty, patience, and compassion are being modeled to my daughter.  (Mostly because I seem to lack some of these things such a patience.)  I wish everyone who is a father or who has taken on the role of one an amazing day!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Haute Mom Dilemma #46 - All On Her Own

Wow time flies when your having fun, or rather changing diapers and slinging baby food. We will be hitting another stage of mommyhood next week when Stella starts home day care!

After much thought, we have decided to place Stella in a home day care program that was recommended by a friend of mine. It is a little scary but I will be working three days a week for most of the summer and there just happened to be an opening for the same three days. I guess you gotta take little signs as hints once in awhile.

There are a few things that scare me about day care like germs, sickness, and well, germs. I guess we will take all the advice we can get and learn as we go just like everything else. The place is fantastic and Stella's eyes light up every time we visit so that's all that matters...as for everything else, only time will tell!

Maybe I should not let her accessorize on her first day.

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Wonder Dads Make-A-Wish Contest

Instead of a haute shopping deal today, I wanted to share a fantastic contest sponsored by Wonder Dads.

For those of you who do not know about Wonder Dads, they are a leading publisher of dad/child books committed to "helping dads be heroes". They have recently approached Haute Mom to host a giveaway for one of their fantastic books and shared this contest that I just had to pass on! We haute moms sure love a good competition, eh?

You can get WonderDads to donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation on your behalf! Simply register for their free weekly email featuring the best dad/child activities in your city at www.WonderDads.com. Whatever city has the most sign-ups, WonderDads will donate $1 for each person that signed up from that city to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

So share this on your pages, get your friends to sign up and let's make some dreams come true! And all you Long Beach moms, get on this. I want to win! Head on over to Wonder Dads!

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WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I am pretty sure it is officially summer! The sun is here, school is out, and well...I am sunburned! I am in serious need for some hoppin' so I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!



<center><a href="http://kelleyhautemom.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/csulbdelta/welcomewednesday2.jpg"/></a></center>  

I would like to welcome this week's guest hostess, All In One Mom. She knows the life of being a mom, and her blog is proof! There are tons of great things to see, so be sure to pay her a visit today.

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2.  Follow the guest hostess, All in One Mom.
3.  Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.

So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow!  One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Stella's First Camping Trip

I have been a little absent from the blogging world for a few days but with good reason. I had to prepare for Stella's first camping trip to beautiful South Carlsbad State Beach!

You may be wondering how a slightly compulsive mom like myself could deal with not only camping (dirt) but beach camping (sand) and I must say, it challenged every part of me. It was, however, totally worth it to see Stella run around and explore, smile and laugh. Her greatest thrill was sitting in the dirt and running her hands back and forth to create a dust cloud. How she is my child is still a wonderment sometimes. I got through it by bringing Stella plenty of clothes and shoes (5 pairs) so that when the dirt got too much for me, I just changed her. Stella was nicknamed Imelda Marcos by surrounding campsites. You gotta take a little bit of the haute mom camping, don't you?

The sun came out for the weekend so we were also able to get Stella to the beach. My brave little girl had a blast standing in the surf, letting the waves wash up. She had so much fun that I finally had to pull her out after noticing that her lips were turning blue.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. We camp in our 1969 Apache Pop-up Trailer that belonged to my grandparents, so this trip marked the beginning of the third-generation of campers. Although I was still scrubbing dirt out of Stella's nails last night and a pile of sand fell out of one of her pairs of shoes this morning, I see a future of many more trips to come.

"Relaxing"

Wow! What a view to wake up to!

Heading to the beach

Lovin' the surf

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Almost Wordless Wednesday

Instead of Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop today, I had to participate.in a Wordless Wednesday because it,went so well with my post yesterday. The blog hop will return next week.

As mommy says, "Stella come back!"

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Haute Mom Dilemma #46 ~ On the Run

Everyone warned me not to wish that Stella would walk. We watched her day after day take her first step, then two, then three and it felt like the slowest movie ever. Next thing we knew, her three cautious steps one day turned into walking right across the room. Stella was officially a walker and I was now officially the chaser.

My mommy friends said it happened over night and they were right. I always thought it was cruel to have kids on a "leash" but I must admit, the other day I caught myself gazing longinly at a mom next to me holding onto a backpack "leash" attached to her kid. It is tough to chase the little one around and now that she has found those legs, she no longer wants mommy to hold her.

It has been so fun to watch her confidence grow with each step. Her falls seem to be harder on me than they are on her. I am sure running is right around the corner. At least I am burning some extra calories along the way!

Walking through the water at Disneyland with the big kids

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Lazy Sunday Turkey Burgers

Now that the weather is warming, I have gotten my hubby back on the grill. It helps ease the pressure of cooking dinner and helps us save money! The benefits on the waistline aren't bad either. Here is a super easy recipe that I have on the menu for tonight. My girlfriend made it for us and it was DELISH! Everyone loves a haute mom in the kitchen, and with the taste of these, it will be a hit without harming that hot figure!

Healthy Makeover: Turkey Burgers

Nursing Moms!! Milkscreen Test Review and Giveaway

I am still working on weaning Stella and have gotten her down to her to only two nursings a day! Looking back, breastfeeding was definitely required a learning curve.  I can remember those first few weeks of nursing and putting my head back and crying.  Was she latched on correctly?  Was she getting enough milk?  Will it always be so uncomfortable?  And what about the amount of time it consumes at first!?  It feels like in the beginning, all you do is nurse, pump, clean your pump parts, and then it's time to friggin' nurse again.  There were many days and nights where all I wanted to do was drink away my sorrows.  It is just another one of life's cruel jokes on women; we have to watch our drinking if we choose to breastfeed as well!  As though ten months of pregnancy wasn't enough!

There are some haute moms looking out for all us nursing mommies and created the greatest thing since Spanx (also another necessity since baby).  This creation has helped me through many nights (and, ok, days too) when I felt like being a normal person and having a glass of wine or two. Milkscreen is another fabulous  product from Upspring Baby to make the haute moms life a little easier.  They are alcohol detection strips for breastmilk.  That's right!  They are easy to use strips that tell you if that last cocktail was one to many for your precious little one!

I surprised my hubby last weekend and took him to see Prince.  We went early and had a little picnic, with alcohol of course.  I used Milkscreen when I got home to see if the milk I had pumped needed to be dumped.  Check it out!

Pre-partying at Prince

Testing...

Just one dunk into the milk!

Clear means safe milk!  Stella can drink this milk!

I used this for months while I was breastfeeding and never had to wonder about safely nursing Stella.  I would just test my milk right before I was going to nurse or test my pumped milk.  It literally takes less than 5 minutes.  With this, haute moms can go out without worrying about passing up on that glass of wine or cocktail.

Upspring Baby has again generously offered to host a giveaway for a 20 pack of Milscreen!  They have recently come out with a new and improved version and Haute Mom followers get a chance to test it out!  To enter this giveaway you must follow Haute Mom publicly and tell me what your favorite signature drink choice is! Leave one comment telling me this and please include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries!

 

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these

 

• Like Haute Mom on Facebook
• Like Milkscreen on Facebook
• Follow Haute Mom on Twitter Follow Upspring Baby on Twitter
• Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
• Tweet about this giveaway (leave the link to your tweet up to once a day)
• Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post)

Good luck to all you haute moms! The winner will be chosen by Random.org at the end of this giveaway which is Saturday, June 25th at 9 p.m. PST.

 

Thrifty Thursday

There is a sale today on Pedipeds! I have posted many times how fabulous these shoes are and they still hold first place for Stella's favorite shoes. I am convinced that she finds them the most comfortable. The thing that I love the most is that they are sized to last. Stella gets at least 6-9 months out of her shoes!

Pedipeds is donating up to 50% of the shoes in the sale to give to children's charities. I love to help out any cause so I participated by purchasing Stella three pairs of shoes! What can I say, I was feeling generous. :) Happy shoe shopping! Now if I could just find such a sale for me...

Http://www.pedipeds.com

Stella in her favorite pedipeds

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