Halloween Happenings

Halloween sure does change when you become a mom! I was looking through a friend's pictures from an adult Halloween party over the weekend and felt strangely disconnected.

I had done this party thing for years and this weekend was spent carving pumpkins, teaching Stella to say "trick or treat", and putting the finishing touches on our decorations. Today I will be going to Stella's Halloween party at her day care and later, ordering pizzas and having another family over to trick or treat.

I can't wait to get home and spend our first year taking Stella trick or treating, watching her expressions, and seeing her in her costume. Halloween is my favorite holiday and being a mom has brought it to a new level!

To kick off Halloween, my first article as a parenting columnist for a local newspaper came out yesterday and guess what, it's about Halloween.

Please take a look!
Gazette.com - The Mom Column

Have a happy and safe Halloween!




Pumpkin Patch Fun

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Tales from the Skies

Because we can't seem to sit still for too long, hubby and I took a quick trip to the Bay Area to attend the Bridge School Benefit Concert and pay grandma and grandpa a little visit. It just so happened that Dave Matthews was playing so I was super excited for the getaway. Because we were just heading up for the weekend, we decided to fly up and take Stella on her first plane ride. I figured, that the worst that could happen was that she would cry the entire one hour and fifteen minute flight.

I must admit, getting through security with the extra pursing hanging around my neck was a little nerve wracking and stepping onto a tiny 2 by 2 seated plane didn't help either. But as soon as we walked onto the tarmac and saw the plane (yes, that is how small the plane was...barf) Stella's excitement took over. She loved the plane, charmed everyone around us (which was pretty much everyone on the flight, did I mention it was a small plane?) and the flight went off without a hitch.

After no more than a couple hours of getting settled, we kissed Stella good bye and headed off for the Bridge Benefit Concert. The event was two days and we were in for tons of music played by Neil Young, Carlos Santana, the Foo Fighters, Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire, Tony Bennett, Eddie Veder, Norah Jones, and of course, Dave Matthews. The Bridge School is a school that was founded by Neil and Pegi Young for children with severe speech and physical impairments. This benefit concert is an annual event that has been going on for 25 years, and this is the first time we have attended.

It was one of the most touching events I have ever been to. The children of the school are allowed to sit on stage and watching them enjoy the music was life changing. There were touching videos of the children in the school environment that made me understand how wonderful the school is and how it touched the lives of so many impaired children. While I am grateful for Stella's health, I am now also grateful that there are schools such as this to ensure that these children are given an environment in which they thrive.

My 1st plane ride!

Look at all the amazing children on stage!

Ready for my flight home!

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WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is starting to feel a lot like Fall and I love it! 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!





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> 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. Share that you are participating on your own blog. 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!

Insipration to Us All

A few days ago I wrote a post about the importance of taking time doing things that you love to do. I recently decide to sign up for the Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in January to motivate getting back into one of my greatest loves, running (no, I am not crazy.) The post was prompted by a number of different things that have come to the surface in my life, including this quote that I read from Steve Jobs:
“When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

The quote inspired me to do just that, to be sure that everyday, I make the most out of what I have and with the chance of being cliché, to stop and smell the roses. There have been three separate events in the last 24 hours that have reminded me just how important this is. Two of these events are hitting very close to home as a mother, a sister, and a friend. One of my closest friends has just learned that her younger brother has cancer at the age of 29. Knowing her and the special relationship she has with her brother, I can only imagine the grief that they are feeling at this time. I have gone through the last few days heavy hearted, with her family in mind, as I waited the news. Shortly after hearing the diagnosis, I saw a story on MSNBC that caught my attention, again provoking tears, about a mother who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after she found out that she was pregnant with her first child. Given the choice to save herself with chemotherapy or ensure the health of her unborn baby, she chose to risk her own life. The mother was able to hold her newborn daughter shortly after giving birth, but died three days later.

I want to share this story from MSNBC because, as a parent, the choice this woman made is very relatable. We would give anything, including our lives for our children, our family. Keep in mind the quote from Steve Jobs, another person who died before his time and be inspired to live everyday to its fullest. Don’t focus on the negative or the little things that could be better but instead go out and spend the time doing what you once wished you could do, doing what you were thinking about doing “when you retire”, and doing things you enjoy with the ones that you love.

Cancer-stricken mom chooses baby’s life over hers

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is starting to feel a lot like Fall and I love it! 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 Mommy's Reading Too. She is a mommy and a reader! I know, unheard of, right? She finds the time during naptimes, playdates, and any other free moment! Check out her fanstastic blog and be sure to leave her a comment so she knows you stopped by!

> 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! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

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Haute Mom Dilemma #55 -Going For The Gold

I was 33 years-old when I found out that I was pregnant with Stella. I will describe that moment as an unexpected surprise. Children had always been something the hubby and I had seen in our future, just a little further away. Still, who was I kidding, I was 33 years-old and not getting any younger so it was one of those things I chalked up to "it's that time". We were able to embrace this surprise, feeling that there were so many things we had already been able to do as a couple, that it was the right time to expand our family.

Now that Stella is 17 months, I couldn't imagine life differently. She is honestly the sunshine in my day. Everything I do is for her and I wouldn't change a thing. Things in my life are obviously altered, and I feel that time is passing by at a dizzying speed. Every now and then, I see myself doing things I used to do before Stella; things that seem like a faint memory. I catch myself wishing I had more "me" time to do those things. Being a career mom with two jobs, as well as a small business owner, I know that if I want any time to myself, it is going to have to be scheduled time. The hubby is WONDERFUL with helping out so that I can have time to do things that every woman needs to do like getting my hair done, or a much needed mani/pedi. He is always saying that I should go out and do this or that while he watches Stella, but I feel guilty. I feel like I am already gone so much because of work, all my free time should be spent with her. Yet, I can't help but wish (shamefully so), that I could find time to do something on my own.

For that reason, I have decided to bite the bullet and do it. I have signed up to run a half marathon in January. I used to run all the time, I mean ALL THE TIME. I have run in the Long Beach Marathon, done the Long Beach Triathlon, and a number of Ragnar Races. Running used to be my escape, and now, I am lucky if I can get one run in a week. Not anymore. By signing up for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland this January, I am SCHEDULING something that will push me to take more "me" time and train for this run. It is a happy medium for me because running is something that is flexible and I can do it at the best time for my family, and even take Stella along if needed.

I do find it comical that I have to schedule a half marathon in order to take "me" time, but we all have to do what works for us, right? I urge all parents to find the time to do something they love to do on a consistent basis. It keeps us sane, it keeps us happy, and it keeps us healthy. What is something that you loved to do before the little ones came along? Get out there and do it again! Go for it! And if anyone needs a running partner...

Dusting These Babies Off

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This Is How We Do It

Ten years ago, the word "haute" brought forth image of designer heels, backstage passes, city nightlife, and red roped VIP areas. Obviously things have changed since then and although many of those images still come to mind, the reality of my "hautness" looks a little different. This morning the amount of truth in that really took shape. I get up around 5:30 every morning. I used to get up at 5:30, go for a run, workout, shower, eat breakfast, and head out to work. Now I get up, shower, pray I get all my makeup on and my hair straightened before Stella wakes up, get her out of bed, get her milk, and hope I can spend five minutes with her before heading out to work. Things have changed.

I must share though, this morning I did a very haute thing. Something, I think, that may be some type of groundbreaking idea in the making! I was finished getting ready, got dressed, and noticed my pants were a little wrinkled on the bottom. I shrugged it off because, let's face it, to look presentable AND have wrinkle-free clothes is asking a lot these days. Especially on a Friday. I headed back into the bathroom to make sure there were no hints of those annoying curls left and turn off my flat iron (last week I left it on and got BUSTED by the hubby when I forgot). Picking up the flat iron to get that one stubborn piece of hair, I caught a glimpse of my pants with the wrinkled bottoms and...DING (that's the bell going off!) I ironed my pants (while wearing them) with my flat iron. Then, I got that stubborn piece of hair, shut off the flat iron (can't let hubby scold me twice!) and went to get Stella out of her crib. How haute is that? This was for all of you multi-tasking, scheduling, career moms out there - power to us all! That's how we get it done.

Stella thought it was a fabulous idea!

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WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! Halloween is right around the corner and I am excited! How about you? I am in need of some new blogs to read and love 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!







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This week's guest hostess is GirlieMom! Just like me, she is a working mom but she has THREE little girls! She loves to write and since "life" has swept her up, she blogs! There are great tips for us hatue moms on her blog and you are sure to find more than one that you can relate to! We are welcome to have her join us this week!

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 GirlieMom.
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!

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Haute Mom Dilemma #54 - So NOT Haute

Back when Stella was born, I mourned the loss of my "haute" life; dressing up, nights on the town, designer shoes, handbags, jeans, and eating and drinking to be jolly because I could hit the gym the very next day. Over time, I have not only come to terms with being a mommy, but embraced it, and found the happy balance between the joys of motherhood and keeping my peep-toe Louboutin wedged in the door of my old life. Stella is the highlight of my day and time with her has made finding a Gucci bag for 40% off meaningless. Well, not meaningless but...ok, that was not a good example. You get my drift. But there comes a time in a woman's world where all things considered "haute" come crashing into all things considered "mom". We have hit that point of no return...at least for a little while.

Now that Stella is becoming more and more independent, I have been able to enjoy fashion and fun with her in tow. Her personality and opinions are beginning to come out and my daughter becomes more and more fun each day. I envision afternoons of lunch, shopping, and mani/pedis in our future. Stella's growing independence has led her to become a self-feeding machine (among many other things). This is where the worlds have collided. I love that we can take her out to eat at our favorite pre-Stella restaurants and enjoy a glass of wine without having to spoon feed Stella the entire time, HOWEVER, this learning task has turned out to be well, quite messy.

Spoon or fork, it doesn't matter which, dangerously tipping left and right, front and back as I watch the food teeter near the edge, is not my idea of having a nice, chic dinner out. I have come to the brink of OCD, trying to pick up the food off of the floor each time a piece falls here or there. (Some may say don't go to those types of places with Stella but sometimes, a haute mom WANTS to.) Whatever pair of designer jeans or shoes I have chosen to wear that night run the risk of becoming a napkin or splash mat. I am not going to even address Stella's clothing at this point in time because all of you out there know what I am talking about here - and what is up with their ability to spill on the few places that the bib does not cover?! My hubby bought me a beautiful jacket for our anniversary and sadly wonders why I don't ever wear it out and I try to explain that "it has white honey, not safe with the little one at this point in time." Even at home, we struggle with the eating, the food, the spilling, the mess, the laundry! I'm too hot and sweaty from bending, picking, scraping, and washing to be haute, at least during meal time. Ugh. Maybe next month. In the meantime, I give big claps for Stella's learning to using a spoon, fork, and big girl cup - with my hair pulled back and ready to catch the droppings, of course.

Mmmmm! Yogurt all by myself!

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WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I hope everyone is having a great week! It is starting to feel a lot like Fall and I love it! 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 Delco Deal Diva! She knows the ins-and-outs of being a haute mom with her 19, 8, and 3 1/2 year-olds! Wow! Check out her fanstastic blog and be sure to leave her a comment so she knows you stopped by!

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 Delco Deal Diva.
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