Walking Wings Winner

We have a winner for the Walking Wings giveaway.  Lucky #2 - Meggan Taylor Columbo has won Walking Wings for her beautiful baby boy Ryder!  I know that Meggan will love this when Ryder is starting to walk - it will help him and it is such a mommy back saver!  A special thanks to Upspring Baby for generously supplying one Walking Wings vest for Meggan! Watch for the upcoming product review and giveaway of another of Upspring Baby's fabulous products, Milkscreen!

Check out Upspring Baby for all of their fantastic products.  They sure know what haute moms need!

Thrifty Thursday - Clothes For One, Clothes For All!

I have been having a HECK of a time finding pajamas for Stella. All the summer PJ's are out right now but since Stella doesn't sleep with a blanket yet, I am still looking for some lightweight long sleeve pajamas. I have combed store after store and can only find sleepwear that are short sleeve with pants or short sleeve with shorts.

At lunch yesterday, my girlfriend was talking about how addicted she was to some online sites, and it finally hit me that maybe I should try looking online. I went to trusty Old Navy only to be greeted with a wonderful surprise...a Buy One Get One 50% Off Sale! Hurray!

Old Navy  is always one of those great places where us Haute Moms can find cute, affordable clothes for the whole family just in time for each season. They never fail me and guess what - they have pajamas for Stella! Head on over because the sale ends this Sunday, May 1st. Be sure to pick something up for yourself moms and remember, buy one get one 50% off just means you have to buy more! :)

Use the code ONBOGO at checkout. They also offer free shipping! Happy shopping! 

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! Can you believe how fast April is going?!  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!



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This week we have our Guest Hostess- Elaina from A Time Out For Mommy. If you didn't visit her last week, be sure to stop on over 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 our guest hostess A Time Out For Mommy.
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!

Haute Mom Dilemma #40 ~ Time to Wean

My goal for breastfeeding Stella was always to make it to one year.  I had read that this was the best thing for your baby and one year was the recommended time period.  I also had some personal issues with giving Stella formula and so my goal for a year was powered by that as well.  I must say, two weeks into BFing and I didn't think I would even make it to one month.  Yet, here I am, still a nursing mom just a few weeks shy of Stella's 1st birthday.

I have started reading about the weaning process here and there.  I started with my What to Expect the First Year trusty book and then started combing through other sources.  As always, there is a wealth of information out there with plenty of props for making it to one year (yay for me!).  It looks like a gradual process will be the least traumatizing for Stella as well as for my milk supply so that is the route I plan on taking. 


Weaning?  I don't think so!



I have to admit, eliminating one feeding at a time has me a little nervous.  There is something inside of me that is slightly worried that Stella is going to starve if she doesn't nurse before dinner, or before bed, etc.  Can I really just not give her any milk and just feed her solids for dinner?  I usually nurse her, then plop her in her chair for her jar food and whatever finger foods may come her way.  Isn't she going to get less calories without the milk?  Do I just feed her more of something else? Is this where the role of whole milk is going to come in?  Yikes!  This has me so nervous!  So I will go on with my neurotic self and blast her pediatrician with all of these questions (and I am sure there will be more by then) or her next doctor's visit. 

I did some experimenting today since I am home for spring break this week.  I pumped and then put her milk in a sippy cup in place of her mid afternoon BFing session.  At first she sipped it right up and even followed it with a little, "Mmmmm."  I was so excited.  This was going to be easier than I thought! The little rascal must have been doing it for show because she then threw her cup, turned and went for my shirt.  So much for that idea.  I guess it will just take some time but I would love some advice on how everyone else went about it.  Between the pulling of the shirt and the four LARGE and SHARP teeth, I know it is time to get this weaning party started.

Thank You Easter Bunny!

Although we were not particularly religious growing up, Easter was alwasy one of my favorite holidays.  I have fond memories of the smell of vinegar floating through the air as I drew on my eggs with the clear wax crayon before dunking them in dye.  The Easter Bunny never failed to bring us a basket of goodies, balanced well with both fun items and candy, as only a mother could do.  A box always arrived in the mail just in time for the weekend with Peeps and other digustingly good sweets from my grandmother.  Of course, after the grand egg hunt in and around the house, the day always ended with a wonderful Easter dinner.

 Now that Stella is 3 weeks away from turning 1, we have completed our first round of all the holidays, gingerly trying to start our own traditions.  Those traditions happen to mostly follow what hubby and I experienced growing up.  For Easter, Stella got a number of baskets from both grandparents and from my sister, Auntie Amy.  She enjoyed the baskets and wrapping more than anything inside the baskets just like a baby should.  My parents came down for the weekend and got to share the holiday with Stella.  It was nice to have a family brunch and enjoy the day. After all, that's what holidays are all about in the long run.

I hope all of you enjoyed fun Easter festivities with your loved ones!

Stella with her Easter chick from Auntie Amy

Stella tearing through her Easter basket

And what am I supposed to do with a purple egg mom?

Easter brunch

Enjoying the weather

Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh

As I finally am starting to get back to normal, being sick is taken back over by life's daily stresses. Because I couldn't eat my milk supply dropped off, bills have to get paid, and trying to buy a bigger house still looms over me like a dark cloud (rather paying for it does). Throw taxes in there and I am in need of a cocktail and it isn't even noon yet.

But then I see this video and it reminds me, much like Stella does on a daily basis, that life is good. Sometimes you just have to enjoy it...and laugh.

Happy Easter weekend to all of you!

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Thrifty Thursday - Summer Sale!

Carter's Summer Sale started today and just in time too! Stella is at that awkward clothes point again where her 9 month size pants look like capris and she is still able to crawl right out of (literally) her 12 month size pants. For some strange reason, ALL of her pajamas are too small, no matter what size! I swear, these brands got together and pulled out some type of sizing consiracy, didn't they?

Anyway, who doesn't love Carters with the cute yet fairly inexpensive children's clother. When it is sale time, you can't beat it! The numbers for this sale are $6, $8, and $10 so be sure to check it out. I know I will be stalking up for the summer months now. I also plan to outsmart them by buying a VARIETY of sizes - who's smart now, huh? Yeah...I just caught on.

For all of you that are actually in-store shoppers, I have a special coupon for you. An extra 20% off if you spend $40 or more! Who needs more of an incentive than that?

Carter's Coupon - click here