So I decided last minute literally since the race was on Saturday and registered Friday night to do a 10K (6.2 miles). Crazy huh? What was I thinking? As my husband drove there I kept asking him which one I should do. He told me to do the one I felt comfortable with and like I new which one that would be. So he drops me off because parking was crazy since last minute people were registering and everyone else who already registered and was picking up their packets. So I go fill out my application and it gets down to the part of which race I want to do. You have the choice of the 10K or the 5K and I'm still not sure, but I selected the 10K. I get back in the car after I pick up everything. My husband asks which one did I register for? I replied with 10K. He said you can do it! He is so supportive of me.
So now it's race day. Not like it was that far off since I only registered the last minute. I'm nervous of course. I'm by myself because the rest of my family was busy with something so they couldn't be there to cheer me on. :( I drive to the location of the race which is about 30 minutes from my house. I'm eating on my peanut butter toast gradually while getting there. So I get there early since some of the streets were going to be closed as well for the race and they also had a parade. I get out of my car and start heading towards the start line which was about 6 or so blocks away. The 10K was starting at 9:25 a.m. It's getting close to the start time. Nerves are taking over me. Why in the world would I sign up last minute? I'm stretched or what I think is good. I get my music ready on my ipod that my amazing husband stayed up late the night before downloading songs. The race as now started and I'm at the back because no way was I getting up there at the front.
I ran well, but was getting tired around 3.5 miles. I can't believe I'm doing this to myself. Just stay positive and have fun. So my chip time was 1:14:44. I was upset, but so glad it was over. I knew I could have done better and I knew where I slacked off during the race. Why was I beating myself up over this time? I should be felling great. I haven't even trained for this race. In fact I haven't ran 6.2 miles since 2010. I had only ran with a friend 3 miles about a month ago. I guess I shouldn't be upset with my time, but I was. It is hard to run a race for 6 miles with no training. My husband says it's the competitiveness inside me. haha
I guess next time I will train, but can't guarantee it.
A Chic Mommy
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Rain
This past year Houston really needed the rain, but lately it seems like it is raining all the time. Mommy and the kids hate it because they don't get to go outside to play. I feel like we are in a prison or a small confined area since we have been staying inside a lot lately. I guess it's going to be a craft kind of day. Recently I came across a website called, "Pinterest". This site is amazing and very addicting. I've found great ideas on there to do with the kids. I guess I need to go look at it and decide on what we are going to do today.
A Chic Mommy
A Chic Mommy
Friday, February 10, 2012
Paper plates
The other day I was at the grocery store getting a few items because we were going to have our neighbors come by for dinner. I thought about getting paper plates since they would be easier for clean up. I usually by the name brand since they are stronger, etc. This time I went with the store brand which was Kroger. On the package it says, Nice'n Strong Designer Plates. They are microwaveable and soak resistant. Personally, I do not like these plates. It states that they are soak resistant, but it felt like the plate was about to bust apart due to the bottom being not sturdy. I felt like when my spaghetti was on the plate, I was scraping the bottom along with it. I do not like that feeling. On the back of the package it states, Microwave Usage: Recommended only for limited use in re-heating food. I felt like the limited use it was stating was talking about only 10 or so seconds. That is not re-heating to me since I needed to heat up my previous dinner for lunch the next day. On the back of the package, it says Quality Guaranteed. I will be calling today since I'm not satisfied. Note to self is that I will buy the name brands next time since I like their products of being sturdy.
A Chic Mommy
A Chic Mommy
Viral Pneumonia
So last week my youngest son started to have a runny nose and started coughing. The boys get like this every time the weather changes it seems. Here in Houston, it has been raining a lot lately which we need. So I started giving my son treatments everyday to help break up the mucus. As of Friday morning, his chest was beating so fast. It looked like you could see his heart beating on the outside of his skin because it was so rapid. It scared me to death. I called his doctor to see if I could get an appointment. The nurse told me to go ahead and bring him in. Thank goodness I was telling myself. So I got myself and my younger son ready and headed up to the doctor's office.
You can tell the crud was going around because all the little kids were all coughing and looked so helpless. We didn't wait long till they called us back which was a relief. Sometimes you have an appointment and it seems like your there for an hour before you even get called. This was not the case this day. So they weighed him, measured his height, and took his temperature (which was around 101) before we went back to the room. The nurse asked what brought us in today and I explained what was going on. So we waited for the doctor to come in. At this time, his heart beats had slowed down then when it was beating so fast at our house. The doctor came in and started checking him out. First off the bat, she stated he had double ear infections in both ears. I felt so bad. Then she listened to him breathe. She didn't like the way he sounded and said he was wheezing. She wanted to test his blood so he had to get a finger prick. He thought that wasn't to bad. The blood work came good. She then told me that she would like for him to get a chest x-ray at the hospital next door. While she was getting the paperwork together, she said she wanted to him a steroid shot in his leg before he left. This was not going to be fun since I hate needles. The nurse came in with the shot, etc. I immediately can't look at them and hold his hands while almost laying on him to hold him down. The nurse told me she was ready and I was trying to talk to him to hold my hands tight. I mean telling a 3 yr. old to hold my hands tight, well poor baby tried. The nurse stuck the shot in this leg and boy did he scream. He did not like that at all and I didn't either. My poor baby was in pain. After we stayed there a little bit to make sure he didn't have a reaction I got him ready to leave. She wanted us to also come back the next day to see him again and check him out. She stated she wanted me to give him 4 treatments a day and then gradually decrease it. Wow, that seemed a lot to me. She had also mentioned that we as parents don't like to give that much treatments so we usually only give them one like I had done. She said anytime he starts to cough, etc to start giving him 4 treatments daily. I thought the treatments were for only wheezing, but I guess not.
So we went next door to get a chest x-ray. While waiting in the waiting room, he stated he wanted to call his Meme (which is my mom). I had already been texting her the whole morning keeping her informed. He kept telling her that he was not sick. It was cute and the other patients waiting started smiling at him. He did great because the x-ray tech explained to him what was happening and they were going to take a picture of him. He liked that and he liked that we were able to go home now.
We go home and just sit back and wait for the doctor to call back for his results. Later that evening the phone rings from the doctors office. The nurse tells me that he has Viral Pneumonia and to follow up in the morning. Great, I was thinking. Poor little guy and I had no idea it was this bad. I felt really bad now. The rest of the night I just wanted to cuddle with him and let him know it was okay.
We follow up the next morning and doctor still says he wheezing. She also wants to give him another shot in his leg. Please no!! Here we go again with the screaming, etc. This poor little guy is not going to come back with me to the doctor anymore if this keeps happening.
I could tell his medicine was making him tired. One of the medicines was so bad that he didn't want to take it. I don't blame him because I hate taking medicine as well unless it was flavored and chewable. I still to this day hate to swallow those big pills when I get sick. Yuck! This past week he missed a classmates birthday party and running around, but I took the gift up there because we had already RSVP. I told his teachers to watch him if they were going outside because I didn't want him running around. I definitely knew he didn't feel well all week long because he asked to lay down. After his treatments, he would be sitting on the couch and the next thing you know he was out. This was not like him at all because he loves playing with his brother. I just wish he would get better. This morning it is raining again and supposed to bring a cold front behind it. Stop with all this wishy washy weather for my little man to get better.
A Chic Mommy
You can tell the crud was going around because all the little kids were all coughing and looked so helpless. We didn't wait long till they called us back which was a relief. Sometimes you have an appointment and it seems like your there for an hour before you even get called. This was not the case this day. So they weighed him, measured his height, and took his temperature (which was around 101) before we went back to the room. The nurse asked what brought us in today and I explained what was going on. So we waited for the doctor to come in. At this time, his heart beats had slowed down then when it was beating so fast at our house. The doctor came in and started checking him out. First off the bat, she stated he had double ear infections in both ears. I felt so bad. Then she listened to him breathe. She didn't like the way he sounded and said he was wheezing. She wanted to test his blood so he had to get a finger prick. He thought that wasn't to bad. The blood work came good. She then told me that she would like for him to get a chest x-ray at the hospital next door. While she was getting the paperwork together, she said she wanted to him a steroid shot in his leg before he left. This was not going to be fun since I hate needles. The nurse came in with the shot, etc. I immediately can't look at them and hold his hands while almost laying on him to hold him down. The nurse told me she was ready and I was trying to talk to him to hold my hands tight. I mean telling a 3 yr. old to hold my hands tight, well poor baby tried. The nurse stuck the shot in this leg and boy did he scream. He did not like that at all and I didn't either. My poor baby was in pain. After we stayed there a little bit to make sure he didn't have a reaction I got him ready to leave. She wanted us to also come back the next day to see him again and check him out. She stated she wanted me to give him 4 treatments a day and then gradually decrease it. Wow, that seemed a lot to me. She had also mentioned that we as parents don't like to give that much treatments so we usually only give them one like I had done. She said anytime he starts to cough, etc to start giving him 4 treatments daily. I thought the treatments were for only wheezing, but I guess not.
So we went next door to get a chest x-ray. While waiting in the waiting room, he stated he wanted to call his Meme (which is my mom). I had already been texting her the whole morning keeping her informed. He kept telling her that he was not sick. It was cute and the other patients waiting started smiling at him. He did great because the x-ray tech explained to him what was happening and they were going to take a picture of him. He liked that and he liked that we were able to go home now.
We go home and just sit back and wait for the doctor to call back for his results. Later that evening the phone rings from the doctors office. The nurse tells me that he has Viral Pneumonia and to follow up in the morning. Great, I was thinking. Poor little guy and I had no idea it was this bad. I felt really bad now. The rest of the night I just wanted to cuddle with him and let him know it was okay.
We follow up the next morning and doctor still says he wheezing. She also wants to give him another shot in his leg. Please no!! Here we go again with the screaming, etc. This poor little guy is not going to come back with me to the doctor anymore if this keeps happening.
I could tell his medicine was making him tired. One of the medicines was so bad that he didn't want to take it. I don't blame him because I hate taking medicine as well unless it was flavored and chewable. I still to this day hate to swallow those big pills when I get sick. Yuck! This past week he missed a classmates birthday party and running around, but I took the gift up there because we had already RSVP. I told his teachers to watch him if they were going outside because I didn't want him running around. I definitely knew he didn't feel well all week long because he asked to lay down. After his treatments, he would be sitting on the couch and the next thing you know he was out. This was not like him at all because he loves playing with his brother. I just wish he would get better. This morning it is raining again and supposed to bring a cold front behind it. Stop with all this wishy washy weather for my little man to get better.
A Chic Mommy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Neighbors
So this past weekend was gorgeous here in Texas. My boys played outside and my husband and I were supposed to work in the yard. That didn't happen on Saturday. We we're down the street talking to some neighbors outside. One neighbor who we have not met yet since we have only been here since June came down and talked to us. He said he had extra mulch and if we wanted some, we are more then happy to get it because it was on his driveway. What a nice guy. His mulch ended up helping three different neighbors. My husband didn't want to take it all because others wanted some. This neighbor lent us his wheelbarrow to help carry it all. It was funny seeing the men pushing the wheelbarrow down the street about 4-6 houses down while the women just stood there chatting and watching the kids play in the street. It was nice to have grown-up conversation. :) The neighbor ended up giving the men a beer to drink, a wheelbarrow to use and free mulch. That is a good neighbor. It was great seeing everyone outside and getting to know each other. It finally got to cold to stay out there any longer so everyone went home. I mean we only stayed outside talking for about three or four hours.
On Sunday, I woke up early to work in the yard since it didn't get done on Saturday. It was nice working while everyone else slept. I usually don't like to pull weeds, but actually enjoyed it because I saw it coming together to look nicer. I love to mow and that sounds crazy, but my husband did the rest of the yard work. Since we didn't have enough mulch on Saturday which we were not even expecting to get, mu husband had to go to the store to get 10 more bags. After him and the boys went to the store, I finished moving stones and sprayed ant spray all over. It seemed like it was never ending. Finally all the mulch was put down and the other stones were put around the edges. It looked great and I was proud that it was done. Here's to a great weekend of spending time outside and getting to know your neighbors.
A Chic Mommy
On Sunday, I woke up early to work in the yard since it didn't get done on Saturday. It was nice working while everyone else slept. I usually don't like to pull weeds, but actually enjoyed it because I saw it coming together to look nicer. I love to mow and that sounds crazy, but my husband did the rest of the yard work. Since we didn't have enough mulch on Saturday which we were not even expecting to get, mu husband had to go to the store to get 10 more bags. After him and the boys went to the store, I finished moving stones and sprayed ant spray all over. It seemed like it was never ending. Finally all the mulch was put down and the other stones were put around the edges. It looked great and I was proud that it was done. Here's to a great weekend of spending time outside and getting to know your neighbors.
A Chic Mommy
Computer
I know, I know. I haven't blogged in a while. Last week my computer started having problems and said I needed to back up my files because my hard drive was going to crash. Luckily I backed up almost everything. I took it to the computer repair place. He stated that my computer could crash at any time. Great, just what I need. So I decided to go ahead and leave my computer before I couldn't even turn it on. The guy called me back and said I needed a new hard drive. I couldn't believe that my computer already needed a new hard drive since it was only 2 years old. The man stated that some hard drives don't even make it a year. Guess that is news to me. So I told him to go ahead and install a new hard drive. It should be ready soon. Thank goodness.
A Chic Mommy
A Chic Mommy
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Computer/McAfee
I'm so sorry that I haven't blogged in a while except for the previous post of Mutton Bustin. My computer pretty much crashed this past weekend. So I'm using an older computer to write this message that takes forever because it just loads and loads since it hasn't been used in so long.
I took my computer in on Monday morning and today I was told that I need a new hard drive. Yay, what fun! :( I believe I backed up everything prior though so that is good. So they will install a new hard drive as with the addtional programs. I'm hoping it will be ready by Friday afternoon.
While I was at the computer place on Monday, the guy told me that McAfee is really not a good program to use for viruses, etc. Did you know that? I know I sure didn't know that. He said that it seems like they use more money on the marketing then the actual product. My husband and I had bought the McAfee Total Protection which was not cheap. We thought it would be great for viruses, spam, spyware, etc., but I felt it wasn't that good of a product. I had McAfee before when we purchased the computer so we just upgraded to the total protection. I had to install McAfee three different time because it stated, " You do not have anything backing up your files and your computer is at risk." Why is my computer at risk if I already have the McAfee installed? I felt like I was going round and round in circles with this. Needless to say, I will not be getting McAfee again. The computer guy told me to get Kaspersky anti virus program. He said it works great.
I also talked to him about getting an external hard drive. I know I know most of you probably already have one. He said a good brand for an external hard drive is Western Digital. He said to stay away from the brand Seagate because they always fall apart even though it is the same price as Western Digital. Since he knows what he is talking about, I know what I will be purchasing next.
A Chic Mommy
I took my computer in on Monday morning and today I was told that I need a new hard drive. Yay, what fun! :( I believe I backed up everything prior though so that is good. So they will install a new hard drive as with the addtional programs. I'm hoping it will be ready by Friday afternoon.
While I was at the computer place on Monday, the guy told me that McAfee is really not a good program to use for viruses, etc. Did you know that? I know I sure didn't know that. He said that it seems like they use more money on the marketing then the actual product. My husband and I had bought the McAfee Total Protection which was not cheap. We thought it would be great for viruses, spam, spyware, etc., but I felt it wasn't that good of a product. I had McAfee before when we purchased the computer so we just upgraded to the total protection. I had to install McAfee three different time because it stated, " You do not have anything backing up your files and your computer is at risk." Why is my computer at risk if I already have the McAfee installed? I felt like I was going round and round in circles with this. Needless to say, I will not be getting McAfee again. The computer guy told me to get Kaspersky anti virus program. He said it works great.
I also talked to him about getting an external hard drive. I know I know most of you probably already have one. He said a good brand for an external hard drive is Western Digital. He said to stay away from the brand Seagate because they always fall apart even though it is the same price as Western Digital. Since he knows what he is talking about, I know what I will be purchasing next.
A Chic Mommy
Mutton Bustin
Here in Houston, we have the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It is a huge rodeo that takes place for about two weeks or so. They have bull riding, wagon races, barrel races, calf scramble, different entertainers each night, Mutton Bustin and a lot more.
My older son wanted to do the Mutton Bustin last year, but was to young. You have to be between the ages of 5 and 6 before February 28, 2012 to participate this year. Since he is 5 this time, I first filled out an application and listed some dates if he were selected that he could do. I heard back that he got selected, and he is really excited.
Here is a brief description below per Wikipedia:
Mutton Bustin is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding, in which children ride or race sheep. In the event, a sheep is held still, either in a small chute or by an adult handler while child is placed on top in a riding postion. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off.
This past Saturday he had to be dressed up in his western/rodeo attire for a mandatory meeting. The kids had to be dressed because they were getting their picture taken in case they were to be used for promotional pieces. This picture below was taken after the photographer took his picture for the event.
When he rides he will have a vest and helmet on to help protect him. We can't wait till he gets to do this.
A Chic Mommy
My older son wanted to do the Mutton Bustin last year, but was to young. You have to be between the ages of 5 and 6 before February 28, 2012 to participate this year. Since he is 5 this time, I first filled out an application and listed some dates if he were selected that he could do. I heard back that he got selected, and he is really excited.
Here is a brief description below per Wikipedia:
Mutton Bustin is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding, in which children ride or race sheep. In the event, a sheep is held still, either in a small chute or by an adult handler while child is placed on top in a riding postion. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off.
This past Saturday he had to be dressed up in his western/rodeo attire for a mandatory meeting. The kids had to be dressed because they were getting their picture taken in case they were to be used for promotional pieces. This picture below was taken after the photographer took his picture for the event.
A Chic Mommy
Friday, January 20, 2012
Leapster LeapPad
As most of you know the Leapster LeapPad was a hot item for kids this past Christmas and contends still to be selling out at places. I was fortunate that Santa got a Green Leapster LeapPad for my youngest son who is 3 for Christmas. My husband and I decided that we didn't want Santa to give him an ipad or an itouch because we felt he was too little. To be honest, mommy or daddy doesn't have an ipad and we didn't feel that a 3 year was going to get it first or needed it. LOL So we researched the hot ticket item. It seemed like a great toy and it was from Leapster. He already has a Leapster Explorer and a Leapster Tag and loves them so we knew we couldn't got wrong with this.
This is what the LeapPad comes with:
• A library of 100+ cartridge games, apps, digital books, videos and flash cards
(sold separately, also works with all Leapster Explorer™ games and apps).
• Includes a built-in camera & video recorder, 5" touch screen for use with finger or included stylus. Also includes 4 apps (Pet Pad, Story Studio, Art Studio and one app of your choice).
• 2GB of memory, enabling it to host a robust suite of apps including: innovative book apps that provide a fully interactive, cinematic reading experience with word-by-word support and state-of-the-art gameplay; a Story Studio to combine art, audio and writing; Art, Animation and Photo studios to inspire imaginations.
• A broad curriculum including reading, mathematics, science, geography, art, music, language and culture, health and more. Plus, skill levels automatically adjust the challenge to match each child's pace and remember progress from game to game and book to book.
• Access to see learning progress through the online LeapFrog Learning Path. Parents can also share their child's achievements, artwork and creations with loved ones.
Now coming across this item was very hard. Mommy had to wait at Toys r us one morning at 5 a.m. to be hopeful that it was still available and it was. YAY!!
My youngest son has been playing it since he received it from Santa on Christmas. He loves it. I had found a case prior to Christmas that Leapster sells to hold the LeapPad and purchased it. You look at it and it was great. It would hold the LeapPad on one side and hold the cartridges(games) on the other side. So the day after Christmas my son is playing on his LeapPad and I was going to start putting the games in the case. I put the games in and couldn't believe how it held them. I was thinking this is great especially since my son was only 3 1/2. Then I try and put the LeapPad in the slot in the case. It didn't really fit all that well. So I pushed it a little bit more down and it finally fit, but I wasn't really satisfied with it. So I zip it up and open the case back up to test it and guess what? The LeapPad falls out completely. What, are you serious? This toy is not cheap, it the hottest toy right now and it keeps falling out. What was I going to do because there is no way that my 3 yr old would not drop it? I kept trying back to fit in the case and my husband did as well. Finally after about 6 attempts, we decided it was not worth to keep it. We could not believe that here Leapster has such a great product and products that we have used previously, but such a poor case for their newest item. I have not found another case that would hold it, which is a bummer. I've even tried other tablets and so forth for something to protect it, but came up with nothing.
I called Leapster and they said sorry, but that was the only case.
After a couple of weeks I got on Leapsters web page and found a silicone gel skin for the LeapPad, but it was out of stock. I needed to get the AC adapter as well because the batteries don't last that long and I wanted to charge it. Recently I went back to the website and the Gel Skin was in stock. So I ordered the AC adapter and the Gel Skin for the LeapPad. Today, I received them in the mail and I'm going to try it out. Anything is better then nothing on protecting this hot item.
A Chic Mommy
This is what the LeapPad comes with:
• A library of 100+ cartridge games, apps, digital books, videos and flash cards
(sold separately, also works with all Leapster Explorer™ games and apps).
• Includes a built-in camera & video recorder, 5" touch screen for use with finger or included stylus. Also includes 4 apps (Pet Pad, Story Studio, Art Studio and one app of your choice).
• 2GB of memory, enabling it to host a robust suite of apps including: innovative book apps that provide a fully interactive, cinematic reading experience with word-by-word support and state-of-the-art gameplay; a Story Studio to combine art, audio and writing; Art, Animation and Photo studios to inspire imaginations.
• A broad curriculum including reading, mathematics, science, geography, art, music, language and culture, health and more. Plus, skill levels automatically adjust the challenge to match each child's pace and remember progress from game to game and book to book.
• Access to see learning progress through the online LeapFrog Learning Path. Parents can also share their child's achievements, artwork and creations with loved ones.
Now coming across this item was very hard. Mommy had to wait at Toys r us one morning at 5 a.m. to be hopeful that it was still available and it was. YAY!!
My youngest son has been playing it since he received it from Santa on Christmas. He loves it. I had found a case prior to Christmas that Leapster sells to hold the LeapPad and purchased it. You look at it and it was great. It would hold the LeapPad on one side and hold the cartridges(games) on the other side. So the day after Christmas my son is playing on his LeapPad and I was going to start putting the games in the case. I put the games in and couldn't believe how it held them. I was thinking this is great especially since my son was only 3 1/2. Then I try and put the LeapPad in the slot in the case. It didn't really fit all that well. So I pushed it a little bit more down and it finally fit, but I wasn't really satisfied with it. So I zip it up and open the case back up to test it and guess what? The LeapPad falls out completely. What, are you serious? This toy is not cheap, it the hottest toy right now and it keeps falling out. What was I going to do because there is no way that my 3 yr old would not drop it? I kept trying back to fit in the case and my husband did as well. Finally after about 6 attempts, we decided it was not worth to keep it. We could not believe that here Leapster has such a great product and products that we have used previously, but such a poor case for their newest item. I have not found another case that would hold it, which is a bummer. I've even tried other tablets and so forth for something to protect it, but came up with nothing.
I called Leapster and they said sorry, but that was the only case.
After a couple of weeks I got on Leapsters web page and found a silicone gel skin for the LeapPad, but it was out of stock. I needed to get the AC adapter as well because the batteries don't last that long and I wanted to charge it. Recently I went back to the website and the Gel Skin was in stock. So I ordered the AC adapter and the Gel Skin for the LeapPad. Today, I received them in the mail and I'm going to try it out. Anything is better then nothing on protecting this hot item.
A Chic Mommy
Vintage Couture
So as I stated in another post, I used to work full time at company for five years. After they closed down our office I didn't know what to do. Still paying an in home daycare was pretty expensive with only one income. So that is when I became a stay at home mommy. I've worked since I was 16 so what was I going to do?
In January 2010, I came across this company called My Vintage Baby. It is a business like Mary Kay where you have home trunk shows, etc. They sold children's clothes, bows, headbands, doll dresses, diaper bags, and blankets. The company used to be in stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and about 800 boutiques so I knew it had to be a good company to work for. I love the latest fashion pieces, and I love to dress my children up nice because I like to dress nice as well. I have about 80 or so different pairs of shoes and that number has come down from about 100 or more. :) Shoes and handbags are my weakness!! So I researched more about My Vintage Baby and talked to the sales manager. After speaking with her, I decided to join. I love how not all kids have on the same clothes. Now two years later I'm still with the company, but the name has changed to Vintage Couture. They wanted to change the name to reflect more on them and the company growing. Since it used to be called My Vintage Baby, customers assumed it only sold baby clothes. So not true. We sell size 0mths-14 for girls, 0mths-16 for boys, women's tops XS-XXL and we are introducing a new line called DRAMA TWEEN for the tween girls. This line will be available to see at the end of January 2012. We have a bow and headband to match each outfit, a few doll dresses to match the collections and some boys shirts to match the girls. This season has a lot of new changes. We're offering purses, separates for the DRAMA TWEEN line, a leopard bag, ties for boys, new prices on our diaper bags and new hostess rewards. What more could you ask for? Here below are some sneak peeks for this Spring 2012 Collection.
What's not to love about these? Got you wanting more? I just got my catalogs in the other day and it was like Christmas all over again. Who wants to host a show and earn FREE CLOTHING? Who wants to have fun working for a great company where you design your own hours? I can't wait for this season, it is going to be the best one yet. Please visit my website if you are interested in learning more or contact me at stefonealVC@gmail.com.
www.vintagecoutureinc.net/stefanieoneal
A Chic Mommy
In January 2010, I came across this company called My Vintage Baby. It is a business like Mary Kay where you have home trunk shows, etc. They sold children's clothes, bows, headbands, doll dresses, diaper bags, and blankets. The company used to be in stores like Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and about 800 boutiques so I knew it had to be a good company to work for. I love the latest fashion pieces, and I love to dress my children up nice because I like to dress nice as well. I have about 80 or so different pairs of shoes and that number has come down from about 100 or more. :) Shoes and handbags are my weakness!! So I researched more about My Vintage Baby and talked to the sales manager. After speaking with her, I decided to join. I love how not all kids have on the same clothes. Now two years later I'm still with the company, but the name has changed to Vintage Couture. They wanted to change the name to reflect more on them and the company growing. Since it used to be called My Vintage Baby, customers assumed it only sold baby clothes. So not true. We sell size 0mths-14 for girls, 0mths-16 for boys, women's tops XS-XXL and we are introducing a new line called DRAMA TWEEN for the tween girls. This line will be available to see at the end of January 2012. We have a bow and headband to match each outfit, a few doll dresses to match the collections and some boys shirts to match the girls. This season has a lot of new changes. We're offering purses, separates for the DRAMA TWEEN line, a leopard bag, ties for boys, new prices on our diaper bags and new hostess rewards. What more could you ask for? Here below are some sneak peeks for this Spring 2012 Collection.
What's not to love about these? Got you wanting more? I just got my catalogs in the other day and it was like Christmas all over again. Who wants to host a show and earn FREE CLOTHING? Who wants to have fun working for a great company where you design your own hours? I can't wait for this season, it is going to be the best one yet. Please visit my website if you are interested in learning more or contact me at stefonealVC@gmail.com.
www.vintagecoutureinc.net/stefanieoneal
A Chic Mommy
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Weight, sports, and my first pregnancy
Let me start out with being that I've always been an athlete. I've been doing and or playing sports since I was 3 yrs. old. I know crazy, right? Being in sports when I was as young back then as made me appreciate today the need for exercise and the love of sports.
My whole life I've been involved in some sort of sport until my third year in college. I played collegiate soccer, but stopped after having spinal meningitis and having three ankle surgeries. It was hard to give it up since I had been playing since I was 5, but I felt that I needed to. So I just concentrated on finishing school and graduated in 2003.
I noticed after I stopped playing and being active that my fitness level and energy changed. It was like a depression of some sort. I've never not been active or playing something. This was hard to adjust. I slowly noticed that I had packed on the pounds. Ugh, I say. I graduated in August 2003 and got married in November 2003. My heaviest was in 2005 and 2006 when I was wearing a size 12/14 for a 5'4" frame. That is not good and it is unhealthy to be that way.
I tried to get pregnant, but that didn't happen for a while. In fact, we had to go to a fertility specialist. Are you kidding me that I had to go through this? I knew some women couldn't have children, but never thought it would be. We thought about adopting if it got to that point, but financially we decided against it and would have been fine just having our two Yorkies, Ace and Abbie. I was really upset that at age 25 I had to go a doctor, but that there were younger ones getting pregnant like it was nothing. After using a round of shots and Clomid, I became pregnant in 2005. It was a miracle and John and I were so blessed. I didn't really have an easy pregnancy. I was sick almost the entire time. Then came one weekend that was full of happiness or supposed to be you would say. One of my best friends threw me a shower on Saturday. My whole body was so swollen that my flip flops looked like they were still on after taking them off. Then on Sunday evening, we had our tour of the hospital with our Lamaze class. The nurse (Angie) that was showing us around the floor started screaming. Everyone in the group didn't know what was going on. She told other nurses to come here and look at her! Look at who we were all wondering? Then she walked up to me and pointed at my feet and hands. She said you need to call your doctor to schedule an appointment for tomorrow. The rest of the night John and I were freaked out a little. So I call my doctor on Monday to schedule an appointment, but she tells me they are booked and if I can come on Tuesday. So I go to work on Tuesday (when I was working full time) and tried to stay positive. I left early to go see the doctor and was a nervous wreck the entire time driving there. So I get to my appointment and wait for them to call me back. The first thing they normally did when they called me back was check my blood pressure and weight. The lady took my blood pressure and her eyes looked puzzled. So she took it again and again. With the look on her face getting more worried, she told me to relax. Relax? What? It is a little late for that. She told me the number of the room to go to. As I sit there and wait for my doctor to come in, everything is going through my mind. Not once through this whole pregnancy has the nurse taken my blood pressure that many times. Not once have I had any blood pressure problems. I could not figure out what is going on. For what felt like an eternity, the doctor came in. She looked kind of puzzled. What came out of her mouth next felt like my world was crashing down. She told me that my blood pressure was sky high and I was going next door to the hospital to get admitted. That they (her and the high risk doctor) were going to monitor me there. Now I start fully breaking down. I was there all by myself. My doctor told me to just sit there for a little bit until they got all the paperwork together. My husband was still at work and the only other person I would want to talk to is my mom. I call her immediately and can barely talk because I'm hysterical. She told me to calm down and that she was leaving work and wanted to know the full details of what was going on, where would I be, what would I need etc. She is the greatest. So I walk next door and got admitted. I called John and he asked if he needed to leave work and I told him no, but I sure wanted him to be there. The high risk doctor comes in and starts talking to me explaining everything. They were going to monitor the protein in my urine and see what levels it was at. I had to collect my urine each time so they could track it. Now it's Thursday morning. My mom comes early before she heads to work because she knew the doctor would be there. My dad is already sitting there because he likes to be at everything at least 2 hrs before and because he is a nervous wreck. John wasn't there yet, but was coming. My breakfast just got delivered and guess what? The doctor came in and said I couldn't eat it because I was going downstairs to go to the delivery room. Wow. We all just sat there in shock. She told me that I have an hour to get ready and take a shower if I wanted and they would be back to come get me. She then leaves and I just start crying. My mom consoles me and tells me that this is something they need to do and it wasn't getting any better. So she starts to get all my stuff together and my stuff to take a shower. I start running the water for the shower and just stand there. I get in and just bawl my eyes out. I could not believe this was happening and that I was not full term. So I go downstairs and they start hooking me up to all these monitors explaining what each was. They have to induce me and give me medicine (Pitocin). After all day of lying there, the doctor came in and said that we would continue on Friday because it was going to be a long day and I needed my sleep. So come Friday early morning around 5:30 a.m., the doctor came in and decided she was going to break my water to speed up things. I ended up having two epidurals because the first one didn't take. I was screaming in pain and everyone couldn’t figure out why. My nurse that day was older and set in her ways. I was throwing up while having contractions. I wanted to push and she didn't want me to. So I do my first push in which my mom and my husband had to help out with since they were the only ones in the room. It was crazy in there and they did not want to help this nurse because they had no idea what to do. The nurse told them to push down my legs and they did that, but then got yelled at because they were no supposed to be holding down my legs. LOL. They were supposed to be holding my legs in the stirrups. So then doctors and nurses coming running in panic. What is going on in here? My doctor told me to get on all fours and maybe push out that way. So there went my second push. They were still running in everywhere, but some had to leave because the woman next to me was worse off. So they lay me back on my back. The doctor is now yelling, what is her blood type? She is hemorrhaging. She tells me that I need to get him out this next push and that there is not enough time to prep for a c-section. She said he wouldn't make it if they prepped me for a c-section. It is total chaos in the room. He is now in distress and I'm not doing any better either. So she asks me if I can do it. I'm looking at John and my mom in total shock. With me being a swimmer I could hold my breath. So on the third push, out came a beautiful little boy name Cade born 5 weeks early along with my placenta. The nurses whisked Cade away. We kept waiting for him to cry, but he never did. I want to see him and hear him cry. Why is he not crying, I asked? Cade was then turning blue. The nurses ended up doing CPR on him for about 2 minutes or so because he couldn't breathe since he swallowed a blood clot. I did not know this was happening at the time. So my first look at Cade when they let me hold him, he was black and blue. It was horrible. John and my mom had no idea the extinct of everything that was happening or that had happened. I was so out of it due to all the medicine. Needless to say, Cade never went to the NICU which was amazing by itself. I couldn’t breastfeed because of all the medicine and magnesium. After all the problems with me having pre-clampsia, hemorrhaging, protein in my urine, etc. I was able to actually hold Cade longer than 20 seconds on Saturday. Friday, I pretty much slept the whole day due to me being out of it. The nurses told my mom to go buy build-a-bear clothes because Cade was a preemie and needed some clothes to fit him. He left the hospital weighing 4 lbs 15 oz.
After that long of a story it goes back to my start of this post. I look back on all the pictures when I was pregnant with Cade and afterwards and I look huge. I know some may say I didn't, but deep inside I was completely humiliated with the way I looked. I couldn't believe where I let my body go to. It was embarrassing and I didn't even want to even step outside. As I looked at the pictures of me at my heaviest, I swore that I would never get back to that again. Sometimes you have to hit a low in order to succeed and to be able to grow.
A Chic Mommy
My whole life I've been involved in some sort of sport until my third year in college. I played collegiate soccer, but stopped after having spinal meningitis and having three ankle surgeries. It was hard to give it up since I had been playing since I was 5, but I felt that I needed to. So I just concentrated on finishing school and graduated in 2003.
I noticed after I stopped playing and being active that my fitness level and energy changed. It was like a depression of some sort. I've never not been active or playing something. This was hard to adjust. I slowly noticed that I had packed on the pounds. Ugh, I say. I graduated in August 2003 and got married in November 2003. My heaviest was in 2005 and 2006 when I was wearing a size 12/14 for a 5'4" frame. That is not good and it is unhealthy to be that way.
I tried to get pregnant, but that didn't happen for a while. In fact, we had to go to a fertility specialist. Are you kidding me that I had to go through this? I knew some women couldn't have children, but never thought it would be. We thought about adopting if it got to that point, but financially we decided against it and would have been fine just having our two Yorkies, Ace and Abbie. I was really upset that at age 25 I had to go a doctor, but that there were younger ones getting pregnant like it was nothing. After using a round of shots and Clomid, I became pregnant in 2005. It was a miracle and John and I were so blessed. I didn't really have an easy pregnancy. I was sick almost the entire time. Then came one weekend that was full of happiness or supposed to be you would say. One of my best friends threw me a shower on Saturday. My whole body was so swollen that my flip flops looked like they were still on after taking them off. Then on Sunday evening, we had our tour of the hospital with our Lamaze class. The nurse (Angie) that was showing us around the floor started screaming. Everyone in the group didn't know what was going on. She told other nurses to come here and look at her! Look at who we were all wondering? Then she walked up to me and pointed at my feet and hands. She said you need to call your doctor to schedule an appointment for tomorrow. The rest of the night John and I were freaked out a little. So I call my doctor on Monday to schedule an appointment, but she tells me they are booked and if I can come on Tuesday. So I go to work on Tuesday (when I was working full time) and tried to stay positive. I left early to go see the doctor and was a nervous wreck the entire time driving there. So I get to my appointment and wait for them to call me back. The first thing they normally did when they called me back was check my blood pressure and weight. The lady took my blood pressure and her eyes looked puzzled. So she took it again and again. With the look on her face getting more worried, she told me to relax. Relax? What? It is a little late for that. She told me the number of the room to go to. As I sit there and wait for my doctor to come in, everything is going through my mind. Not once through this whole pregnancy has the nurse taken my blood pressure that many times. Not once have I had any blood pressure problems. I could not figure out what is going on. For what felt like an eternity, the doctor came in. She looked kind of puzzled. What came out of her mouth next felt like my world was crashing down. She told me that my blood pressure was sky high and I was going next door to the hospital to get admitted. That they (her and the high risk doctor) were going to monitor me there. Now I start fully breaking down. I was there all by myself. My doctor told me to just sit there for a little bit until they got all the paperwork together. My husband was still at work and the only other person I would want to talk to is my mom. I call her immediately and can barely talk because I'm hysterical. She told me to calm down and that she was leaving work and wanted to know the full details of what was going on, where would I be, what would I need etc. She is the greatest. So I walk next door and got admitted. I called John and he asked if he needed to leave work and I told him no, but I sure wanted him to be there. The high risk doctor comes in and starts talking to me explaining everything. They were going to monitor the protein in my urine and see what levels it was at. I had to collect my urine each time so they could track it. Now it's Thursday morning. My mom comes early before she heads to work because she knew the doctor would be there. My dad is already sitting there because he likes to be at everything at least 2 hrs before and because he is a nervous wreck. John wasn't there yet, but was coming. My breakfast just got delivered and guess what? The doctor came in and said I couldn't eat it because I was going downstairs to go to the delivery room. Wow. We all just sat there in shock. She told me that I have an hour to get ready and take a shower if I wanted and they would be back to come get me. She then leaves and I just start crying. My mom consoles me and tells me that this is something they need to do and it wasn't getting any better. So she starts to get all my stuff together and my stuff to take a shower. I start running the water for the shower and just stand there. I get in and just bawl my eyes out. I could not believe this was happening and that I was not full term. So I go downstairs and they start hooking me up to all these monitors explaining what each was. They have to induce me and give me medicine (Pitocin). After all day of lying there, the doctor came in and said that we would continue on Friday because it was going to be a long day and I needed my sleep. So come Friday early morning around 5:30 a.m., the doctor came in and decided she was going to break my water to speed up things. I ended up having two epidurals because the first one didn't take. I was screaming in pain and everyone couldn’t figure out why. My nurse that day was older and set in her ways. I was throwing up while having contractions. I wanted to push and she didn't want me to. So I do my first push in which my mom and my husband had to help out with since they were the only ones in the room. It was crazy in there and they did not want to help this nurse because they had no idea what to do. The nurse told them to push down my legs and they did that, but then got yelled at because they were no supposed to be holding down my legs. LOL. They were supposed to be holding my legs in the stirrups. So then doctors and nurses coming running in panic. What is going on in here? My doctor told me to get on all fours and maybe push out that way. So there went my second push. They were still running in everywhere, but some had to leave because the woman next to me was worse off. So they lay me back on my back. The doctor is now yelling, what is her blood type? She is hemorrhaging. She tells me that I need to get him out this next push and that there is not enough time to prep for a c-section. She said he wouldn't make it if they prepped me for a c-section. It is total chaos in the room. He is now in distress and I'm not doing any better either. So she asks me if I can do it. I'm looking at John and my mom in total shock. With me being a swimmer I could hold my breath. So on the third push, out came a beautiful little boy name Cade born 5 weeks early along with my placenta. The nurses whisked Cade away. We kept waiting for him to cry, but he never did. I want to see him and hear him cry. Why is he not crying, I asked? Cade was then turning blue. The nurses ended up doing CPR on him for about 2 minutes or so because he couldn't breathe since he swallowed a blood clot. I did not know this was happening at the time. So my first look at Cade when they let me hold him, he was black and blue. It was horrible. John and my mom had no idea the extinct of everything that was happening or that had happened. I was so out of it due to all the medicine. Needless to say, Cade never went to the NICU which was amazing by itself. I couldn’t breastfeed because of all the medicine and magnesium. After all the problems with me having pre-clampsia, hemorrhaging, protein in my urine, etc. I was able to actually hold Cade longer than 20 seconds on Saturday. Friday, I pretty much slept the whole day due to me being out of it. The nurses told my mom to go buy build-a-bear clothes because Cade was a preemie and needed some clothes to fit him. He left the hospital weighing 4 lbs 15 oz.
After that long of a story it goes back to my start of this post. I look back on all the pictures when I was pregnant with Cade and afterwards and I look huge. I know some may say I didn't, but deep inside I was completely humiliated with the way I looked. I couldn't believe where I let my body go to. It was embarrassing and I didn't even want to even step outside. As I looked at the pictures of me at my heaviest, I swore that I would never get back to that again. Sometimes you have to hit a low in order to succeed and to be able to grow.
A Chic Mommy
About Me
I'm a wife to a wonderful man name John. He is my best friend and continues to amaze me daily. We have been married since November 2003 and our love for each other only gets stronger as days go by. We have two beautiful boys name Cade and Carson. Cade is 5 1/2 and Carson is 3 1/2. It seems like just yesterday they were born and I'm so blessed to be their mom.
Both John and I have wonderful parents and we considered ourselves lucky to be raised the way we were. We both are very close to them and I only hope that our boys will remain close to us. We are so blessed to have Cade and Carson in our lives.
I hope this blog finds you well. I'm going to blog about my family, fashion, cooking (well trying to get there) traveling, fitness and just everyday life of being a Mommy.
A Chic Mommy
Both John and I have wonderful parents and we considered ourselves lucky to be raised the way we were. We both are very close to them and I only hope that our boys will remain close to us. We are so blessed to have Cade and Carson in our lives.
I hope this blog finds you well. I'm going to blog about my family, fashion, cooking (well trying to get there) traveling, fitness and just everyday life of being a Mommy.
A Chic Mommy
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