Bed Time

For me!

I am headed off to bed this very moment because I deserve more than 4 consecutive hours of sleep for a change!!! Abby is fighting yet another cold and a case of the snarphs (if you are keeping count this is number, um, 4 or 5--I've lost count myself!!) which means she is coughing like a banshee and not sleeping well. Last night we were up from 1 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. at first due to the cough, then she decided that it was time to eat and play--not cool.



Anyway, I put Abby down at 7:30 and now I am headed to bed...lets hope she sleeps till at least 4!!!!!

Play Ball!

It's opening day for the Tigers! Abby and I will be supporting our team from the warmth of our home while Daddy braves the April weather and goes to the game :) Here is a quick pic. from this morning:

Thanks to Uncle Tom for getting Abby her official gear!!

SafeMama

Once upon a time, I was a Nalgene toting girl. I thought I was doing the right thing by avoiding the typical 20 ounce bottles of water and using my large, colorful, reusable bottle instead...

Then the news of BPA exploded and I freaked out! I started reading all about BPA and shortly realized that it is a scary, chemical-filled world out there and BPA is not the only chemical we should be worried about. The list of endocrine disrupting chemicals is oh-so-long and the issues they cause are even more scary (in short, they mimic hormones and may cause major problems over time). I did a lot of searching on the Internet for information on what products help limit my exposure to such chemicals, but had a hard time finding a site that compared products side by side. Then one day, Emily pointed me to SafeMama.com and I have been hooked ever since!!

Then I became pregnant and the worry launched into overdrive! Not only am I responsible for keeping myself healthy but now everything I rub on my body will in some way make it to my baby (chemicals in lotion soaks in to the skin...shower gel on body winds up in the mouth of a nursing baby) AND I'm also responsible for the products I put on her once she is born...I decided that I can not eliminate our exposure but I can do my best to limit our exposure by being an informed consumer.

I do have to give this warning: Once you start reading labels you may freak out as well. You are not a bad person. You may have a few decisions to make (what are you willing to give up, what are you able to spend, what do you think is something you should avoid, etc.).

My everyday favorite "Cheat Sheet" is the Safer Skin Care:

And because Lake Keliann is growing with each April Shower (which means 'Sketer season is almost upon us) I found this one tonight:

Be sure to visit SafeMama for Sunscreen and kiddie pool info too!

Easter Time

Our Easter fun started on Friday with a visit to The Village of Rochester Hills for a little visit with the Easter Bunny. Abby wasn't too sure what to think of him (neither did MJ or I--I think the Easter Bunny was not felling well, or perhaps he is getting a little old and needs to appoint an heir, because he did not look so good....) and really did not want to smile for the camera. Oh well, at least she did not cry! That is 2 for 2 if your keeping track!

Abby and the Easter Bunny

On Saturday night, MJ and I colored some eggs! I had a blast! It has been years, 8 in fact, since I colored eggs, which is hard to believe since it is one of my favorite things to do! Next year I am buying a kit for each of us along with a dozen eggs each so that I won't have to share...only problem is I don't think I could eat all of them by myself :(

Easter morning came a little too early...I got up at 6 a.m. to get ready for 9:30 mass and the rest of our day. It is amazing how long it takes to get the three of us ready to get out the door for the day! Abby did pretty well at mass. She loves when it is time to sing! She gets to "singing" and then doesn't want to stop when the song is done...you would think it is cute, but I hate being "that" family. This week wasn't too bad because there were a lot of kids at Mass so Abby wasn't the only one chatting from time to time. We did have to leave a few times in order to give Abby a chance to "let loose".

Our Family after Easter Mass

Then it was on to the Johnson's for a little Easter Brunch-yummy! We spent a few hours hanging out with Connor and Brendan and the rest of the family...Connor is getting ready for his little sister and played house with me! He was the Daddy, I was Mommy and we had lots of kids! I wish I would have taken a few pics...

Next we headed home for a little visit from Grandma D and Gramps. Abby had lots of fun playing with her Easter basket (as well as the wrapping it came in). Here are a few pics:

Abby stared in her new book as the face of the animals and loves it!

Every little girl needs a Glow Worm:

Abby also hunted for her basket from the Easter Bunny. Silly bunny hid it behind the T.V.!

Abby's First Easter Basket:

She was excited to get her hands on all the goodies:

She loved to shake her eggs filled with Jelly Beans:

Then it was time for bed! We love experiencing all these first with our little girl!