If You Can't Leave Em, Bring Em

With the winter looming ahead, the hubby keeps pushing me to commit to a few ski trips. Ah, I remember the days when we would take off on a whim to fly to the best snow for the weekend. My ski bag was always packed and awaiting its new destination. Now all I can see is a packed car of strollers, toys, and baby gear. I used to get 20 plus days on the slopes and last year I got four. FOUR! I had to ride in a packed car and take a nanny in order to get that.

Lately I have felt like this is the story of my life. Finding the time to do little things like run, get my hair done, or anything remotely FUN on my own has been so difficult. I know that part of that is due to my inability to just chill and not take on a million different things but it always worked out before, why not now? Oh yea, motherhood. I know a babysitter or leaving Stella behind with hubby is always an option but I have this inner struggle about being away from her when I am already away from her all week and two nights a week between both my jobs.

So, I have come to the decision to find more hobbies where Stella can join me. I have already worked her in to most of my runs and although running with a baby jogger is DREADFUL, at least I can convince myself that I am getting more of a workout. And she loves rocking out to my Dave Matthews tunes. After dusting off our kayaks a couple of weeks ago, we took her with us (she rode in my kayak with me) and had a blast. We also had a gondola ride (with champagne and appetizers) booked and decided to bring her along at the last minute since she loves the water. (Who needs romance these days?) I am going to put a trailer on my road bike and start getting out there on some long rides. The hubby and I recently tried Stand Up Paddle boarding (sans the kiddo) and I have decided that I am going to just try and stick her on the front (not to worry fellow moms, she will have a life jacket on.) That is tomorrow's activity. I know I do need the ME time but until I can juggle my schedule into a more effective one, I am going to try every attempt to find things to do for FUN where Stella can tag along without it being a total kid centered activity. Who's with me, haute moms? Let's get those ideas coming!

Happy Friday!

Family Gondola Ride

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! With school in full swing, I feel myself giving in to the burdens of daily life! How about you? I am in serious need for some fun so I hope you join in on the hop! 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>

This week's guest hostess is Nap Time is My Time. Emily is one haute mom blogging about her stay-at-home days with her beautiful son. Even better, she has some GREAT stuff about Halloween posted. She sure got my Halloween mood going! Be sure to stop by and say hello! 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 Nap Time is My Time.
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!

Crying Over Spilled Milk

I love all the different stages of sippy cups that they make. Although confusing, it's nice to slowly be able to wean the little ones off the sippers. Stella can drink out of a regular cup now but walking around with it is disasterous. Those sippy cups come in handy for the times when we need some drinks on the go or when we can't watch her every second.

Every morning Stella sits in her pajamas and drinks some milk out of her sippy cup as I get ready for work. I'm really happy that she doesn't take a morning bottle and figured this was a good thing for her.

The other day I was sitting on the couch, putting Stella's shoes on and I smelled a horrific odor. I thought our dog had rolled in cat poop again. I sniffed out the dog and she smelled dirty, but was not the culprit. I caught a wiff of the ungodly smell again. Letting my nose be the detective, I traced the smell to the crack between our couch cushions. Sticking my hand in (clearly I am a mom now -fearing nothing that could possibly get on my hand), I felt wetness. Stumped and now gagging, I pulled the cushions up to reveal a smell so terrible, it gave me another notch on my mom belt. What was the wretched smell? Yup, spilled milk. Apparently, according to my hubby, it was from over a week ago when she spilled half her milk on the couch, don't I remember he had told me. Why he didn't clean it up after he supposedly told I'm not sure; if someone has figured their kind out let me know. I've tried everything, vinegar, baking soda, a whole lotta Fabreeze. Suggestions anyone? I'm crying over spilled milk...and may be in the market for a new couch.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! With school in full swing, I feel myself giving in to the burdens of daily life! How about you? I am in serious need for some fun so I hope you join in on the hop! 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>

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 in front of you - we need to spread the love.
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!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

A Bore in the Kitchen

For those of you have gotten to know me, you know that I'm no Betty Crocker. In fact, I wouldn't even feel comfortable saying I'm Chef Boyardee. Nevertheless, I have been trying to sharpen my skills in the kitchen so that I can make Stella good, healthy meals. Well that and the fact that her daycare provider is like a gourmet chef. She makes homeade pizza for Pete's sake. I can't have her making me look bad.

I have my go-to recipes that I make for Stellas. They aren't very many but she seems to enjoys them and they are nutritious. I've been feeling like maybe I need to branch out and find some new things to try. Apparently Stella feels that as well. The other day, she was enjoying her ravioli, peas, and milk. This is a meal I make fairly often, which she usually gobbles up. Well this time she fell asleep. That's right. FELL ASLEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEAL! I think she was trying to tell me something about my cooking. Anyone have any recipes they can share? This haute mom needs a little spice in her dishes it seems!

My mom's cooking is a snoooze!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Haute Mom Dilemma #53 - Stop the Clock!

I've been feeling this tight feeling in my gut lately (gut...sad, I know). I'm starting to realize that it's stemming from the fact that Stella is growing up way too fast. I know that all my mommy friends have warned me about how quickly it all can happen but nothing could have prepared me for this.

I was watching Stella yesterday while on a walk. I let her out of her stroller to give her a little taste of freedom. She dug out her sunglasses and put them on before heading to the railing to look at the beach. Strutting around, my husband and I wondered where our little, snuggly monkey went. We have a 16 month old little lady who is potty trained with #1 already!

I could not have imagined how much I could love being a mommy and watching Stella grow up. Every day there is something new she discovers or a new word she adds to her vocabulary. I am so proud of her but at the same time, I wish time could stand still! I guess either way, she will always be my little baby.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! Summer is over for me! Can you believe it's back to school time? I am in serious need for some fun time with my fellow bloggers so I hope you join in on the hop! 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>

This week, the guest hostess is They Don't Call Me Blank For Nothing. Her blog is darling and her posts have both focus and quite a creative humor! She is called a "mom" among many other things....Be sure to check this one of a kind blog out.

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.
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! Let me know if you are interested in being our weekly spotlight blogger and guest hostess!

Weight on Your Shoulders

No matter how hard us haute moms try to keep it together, there always comes that time where it all getrs to be too much.  There is that feeling that everything is crashing down all at once and it takes every last bit of energy to keep your head above water.  I am having one of those times. 

I never know what exactly triggers it.  Most of us haute moms are busy because, well, we are haute.  We juggle our roles of employee, mother, child, cook, creative soul, wife, sibling, and whatever other roles we choose to fill in our daily lives. Usually it is effortlessly and with style.  Sometimes, however, those balls we are juggling all come crashing down into a useless heap on the floor.

As a woman, some spa time, a drink with the ladies, or a quiet night at home is enough to rejuvenate us.  Now I find that some of our roles (like being a mom) don't offer any time off and finding that important time is next to impossible.  The hubby asked me today why I needed any time, especially when he never gets any time off.  You can imagine where that conversation ended up.  Tonight I am struggling with finding my place, and picking up all of those balls that have fallen.  To be honest, some I would rather just leave on the floor.  While there once was a day I could steal for myself when times got rough, I know that tomorrow, the alarm will go off, Stella will be up, and I will be forced to deal with my twelve hour day.  I guess I need to find a new way to rejuvenate; one that is a lot less time consuming.  For now,  maybe I will just go by a really hot pair of heels online.

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! Summer is over for me! Can you believe it's back to school time? I am in serious need for some fun time with my fellow bloggers so I hope you join in on the hop! 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>

This week, you are all guest hostesses. Follow the blog above you and get at least one new bloggy friend! Better yet...check out everyone!

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.
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!

Back from Heaven

After an absolute amazing weekend at The Gorge in Washington, it is back to reality. To me there is nothing better than the Dave Matthews Band. To top it off with a completely surreal venue like The Gorge takes the experience to another level.

Although we left Stella behind for four days, my hubby and I were soon thankful for my parents (who came down to watch her) while enjoying the view and free cocktails from the VIP tent. Friday was the first of three, wonderful, music-filled days ending each night with the Dave Matthews Band. I looked longingly at the small kids that were there and even got my baby fix by holding a few, but was grateful to be able to share the weekend with my hubby and some baby-free time. There were some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities (like a midnight screening of a movie after the concert) that we were able to enjoy, which would not have been possible with Stella. I even met Boyd and Jeff, two members of the band, after the screening!

This weekend taught me that we all truly need and deserve some time off from parenting and that when you do have the chance, take it and make the very best of it. I was so happy to come home to my baby girl and will never forget this weekend. I am not do happy about the extra pounds I put on from endulging myself all weekend but these tight pants are a small price to pay for the weekend. Have any of you had similar weekend getaways? I hope they were as great as mine and if you haven't...take one! A haute mom deserves it!

The Gorge

Me and Jeff Coffin

Hubby and I in the VIP tent

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Hitting the Road

A haute mom is always dreaming about that "escape" vacation where the children are just a loving thought and the concept of time to yourself has returned. The reality of actually getting that vacation is not easy but every now and then a chance pops up and you grab it!

The first time I left Stella overnight was to fly across the country for one night to go see my favorite band Dave Matthews Band. I cried all the way to Chicago (a 5 hour flight) but once I got there I had a blast. Today I am preparing to leave my little sassy pants behind to head to see the Dave Matthews Band in a 3 day music festival at the Gorge in Washington. Did I mention we are going as VIP; haute all the way! Four days is a lot more than 36 hours and I must say the excitement is squashed by anxiety.

My parents are landing from San Francisco in a couple of hours to hold down the fort for four days. The hubby and I take off at the crack of dawn until Monday afternoon. I have some guilt mixed with that pang in your heart you get when you know you will be away from a loved one. My husband keeps reminding me how much I need and deserve this trip but the mommy in me wants to be home with Stella. I keep reminding myself that Stella is going to have so much fun she probably won't know we are gone but I still can't shake that feeling.

I know we will have a fantastic time and that the feeling will pass. I am already changing our flight so that we get back earlier Monday then originally planned even though it will involve us waking up at 4 a.m. This is just a reconfirmation that even when you can grab that kid free vacation the mother in you never goes away. :)

"It's just me and you doggy."

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4