What better way to sum up your life, your day, or even your year than spelling it out in six words? This is my growing list...
Yes baby, I'm ready for you. (4/26/11) She melts my heart every day. (10/5/10)
Two days begins full time mommy. (5/18/10) So sick of being sick today. (3/2/10) Dream big, but also be proactive. (1/5/10) Lower your expectations for pleasant surprises. (1/5/10) Ask on Facebook. Answers will come. (12/28/09) Never forget that you are blessed. (6/25/09) Pregnancy for me equals constant sleepiness. (10/11/08) Pick something meaningful. Stick to it. (8/14/08) Have baby. Plant tree. Experience growth. (8/11/08)
This is my tribute to the greatness that is Oprah. Unfortunately, you will not spontaneously receive any of these items just for reading. That is unless Sophisticated Redneck Mommy blog blows up one day and companies start sending me crap and I start having giveaways. Don't hold your breath. For now, my personal opinions about things I own will have to do. In no particular order....
Silpat - "The original silicone non-stick baking mat". I bake on it. I roast vegetables on it. I basically use it like I used to wastefully use aluminum foil. Brilliant
Ergo baby carrier - This is an older model (purchased from craigslist)....the newer ones look fantastic, but I'm broke you know? Why do I love it? I tried the Bjorn. My big baby outgrew it very quickly and my back was killing me after ten minutes of wearing it. The ergo has multiple supports and allows you to carry the baby/toddler for much longer. Some people dig baby wearing for years. I just dig that I have the option and it is very comfortable.
Bumgenious All In One cloth diaper - this thing is magic. And they are pretty cute too. Cloth diapering, however, is a world of information in and of itself. If you want my take shoot me an email.
The Magic Bullet - This is one of those "as seen on TV" things that is TOTALLY worth getting sucked into buying. Before I was blessed with the Beaba babycook I made all of my baby food in this. It's quick, easy to clean, compact, and efficient. Why can't everything be that way?
Vegetable chopper - Apparently this is an "as seen on TV" item too and I just realized it. I know it's the lazy man's way. I never claimed to not be lazy. I have a toddler that shoves herself between me and the kitchen cabinets/counter while I am trying to cook. Things that make cooking faster are a must.
Trofast (Ikea) - This is a horrible picture and does not do this stuff justice. The playroom is still under construction, but it is getting there. Just know that I feel pretty strongly that if I had enough money every room in our house would have this set up in it in some way.
Flip Video Camera - This camera is the busy mom's tool for documenting the life of her child. It's as small as a cell phone, very easy to operate, and takes decent videos of hard to catch moments!
There are many lists made within this blog. These are the ones that count.
You know you're a mom when....
...you take a rare hour or two to go shopping for yourself and you buy more outfits for your child than you do for yourself.
...you leave the house with no make-up and no attempt at looking decent and you truly don't care (and you are not hungover from some party the night before).
...you find yourself humming the tune or singing the song of a toy or gadget that your child constantly plays with.
...you can suddenly picture older children as babies and it makes you smile (this may be the teacher in me).
...you find yourself appreciating your own mom more than ever.
...you count the hours: sleep (sometimes minutes), time spent with your husband, time spent with your child(ren), time spent doing household nonsense, etc. There are never enough hours.
...you realize that you were so diligent in filling in the baby book until the baby no longer spent most of the day staring at you.
...your child is screaming at some public place and you feel the slow motion effects of being judged.
...you have to make hard decisions in the hopes that one day she will look at you and say she is proud of what you have done for her.
How to get rid of a diaper rash (courtesy of many sophisticated mommies):
- Use a wet soft cloth for wiping rather than a baby wipe - something about the chemicals in the wipes worsens the rash. - Boudreaux's Butt Paste is great but even an egg white works wonders as gross as that may seem. Try it if you have nothing else on hand. And yes, you can use wet paper towels. -Try Maalox. Diaper rash is caused by the acid in the pee, and Maalox is a base. It works best if you let it dry out a little bit in a bowl before applying it! -We were also told to mix maalox wtih cornstarch to make more of a paste to spread on. It worked really well. -Let them crawl around without a diaper a few times a day. Just spread out a big sheet or something for accidents. And then when you put her diaper back on, put whatever diaper cream on that you're using and DUMP a ton of cornstarch in the diaper. -Using desitin several times a day when they don't have a rash will also help prevent them.
For my children.
I want you to know...
…that music is the ultimate healer. Good times, bad times, it doesn’t matter. Embrace it. Music will walk you through your life and sometimes be your best friend.
…that your dad is the best person you will ever know. Hands down. No contest.
…that someday in the future we, as your parents, will disappoint you and it will be a difficult day for you. Just know, we knew it was coming and we aren’t proud of ourselves. Our parents weren’t proud of that day either. It’s just a part of life.
…that seeing the world is what makes you a whole person. People may tell you not to leave home and that everything you need is here, but they are wrong. If they had gone far, far away even just once they would know. Home will always be here when you get back. Home makes you who you are…everywhere else shows you what you could be.
…that laughing at yourself is the best way to deal. Having too much pride is toxic.
…that you should treat your family like company and your company like family (care of none other than Paula Dean)
…that life is short. It’s so very short. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Don’t stop at status quo. Be daring when at all possible.
…that making good friends is an absolute necessity. They will be your family when you your family is unavailable, they will be your level of accountability when you falter, and they will see in you what you might not see in yourself. Being a good friend means returning the favor.
We are your typical youngish parents starting a family. When this blog began (before baby) my idea was that my husband and I would write together on the blog about the randomness of our lives. That worked for a little while, but over time Seth became more of a reader and less of a writer. I became a little obsessed with the blog and that is where we are now. I love to write. I want this blog to be somewhat of a journal that will eventually remind me of how I want to do things (or maybe how I don't) when baby number two comes along. I also want it to be something Lila reads one day and gets a good laugh out of. It would be nice if this blog could inadvertently show others starting a family that they are doing a great job as well. Regardless, it gives me an outlet without having to hire a shrink. Happy reading!
I really struggle with music today. I grew up with a dad who worked like crazy. He would come home and bang away on the piano or guitar and it would put me in the best mood. I have an obsessive nature when it comes to music, and there are so few musicians out there these days that really live up. This is a place where I will acknowledge music I find that is worth speaking of. I love words. Lyrics are the best representation of words in my opinion. Since this is a blog, I was typing words from the chosen song (instead of playing the actual song). But I have a new love for youtube....
8-20-12
I have serious respect for singer/songwriters who can cover a song in a completely new way and make me love it as much as the original (if not more!). These two do that like it's a piece of cake. I am so impressed by The Civil Wars and pretty obsessed with them right now. Enjoy ;-)
7-20-12
Apparently I really like clapping in songs. This girl is going to BLOW UP if she hasn't already and I am just behind. And The Lumineers whole album isn't fantastic, but the below song is more than fantastic. And then there's Grace Potter just because I love Grace Potter.
4-12-12
It's been a long time ya'll. Here's two to make up for it. One you know and one you may not...
2-23-12
This video is not great quality, but I love these guys. I'm on a very folksy kick since falling in love with Mumford and Sons.
2-9-12
Has it really been seven months since I found something inspiring enough to post here? It appears so. Nevermind the fantasticness of this song. This video is BRILLIANT.
"And we'll hate what we've lost but we'll love what we find." BRILLIANT
7-17-11
I just had the good fortune of going to see the Indigo Girls...these local guys opened for them. Loved them.
11-15-10
All I can say is "early 2011" can't get here soon enough... (and thank you Sara for this little gift)
10-5-10
9-1-10
8-7-10
7-14-10
5-26-10
Song seven...
LOVE THAT BAND
5-18-10
Song six...
"The House That Built Me" - Miranda Lambert
I know they say you can’t go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam
But these handprints on the front steps are mine
Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
5-12-10
Song five...
"The Only Exception" - Paramore
I'm loving the story this song tells so I am putting it all up.... When I was younger I saw my daddy
cry and curse at the wind.
He broke his own heart and
I watched as he tried to re-assemble it.
And my mamma swore she would
never let herself forget.
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love if does not exist.
But darling..
You are the only exception You are the only exception You are the only exception
Maybe I know somewhere deep in
my soul that love never lasts.
And we've got to find other ways
to make it alone or keep a straight face.
And I've always lived like this
keeping a comfortable, distance.
And up until now I swore to myself
that I'm content with loneliness,
'cause none of it was ever worth the risk.
But you are the only exception But you are the only exception But you are the only exception You are the only exception
I've got a tight grip on reality,
but I can't let go of whats part of me here.
I know you're leaving in the morning, when you wake up,
leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream.
Whooa..
You are the only exception (x8)
And I'm on my way to believing.. (x2)
4-13-10
Song four...
My little one is 11 months old today...this is the most perfect song about having a child that I have ever heard...
"The One Who Knows" - Dar Williams
Time it was I had a dream, and your the dream come true.
If I had the world to give, I'd give it all to you.
I'll take you to the mountains, I will take you to the sea.
I'll show you how this life became a miracle to me.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day.
So when they ask how far love goes, when my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
4-7-10
Song three...
(Sorry I'm a day late!)
I just spent most of the week with my dad. So this is an oldie but a goodie....
"Come and Go Blues" - Allman Brothers
People say that you're no good,
but I wouldn't cut you loose, baby, if I could.
Well, I seem to stay down on the ground,
Baby, I'm too far gone to turn around.
Oh, if only you would make up your mind,
Take me where you go, you're leaving me behind.
Lord, you got those come and go blues,
Lord, you got those come and go blues,
Yes, you do, oh and you got me feelin like a fool.
3-31-10
Song two...
"American Honey" by Lady Antebellum
She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring and strong love grows
She grew up good
She grew up slow
Like American honey
Steady as a preacher
Free as a weed
Couldn't wait to get goin'
But wasn't quite ready to leave
So innocent, pure and sweet
American honey
3-24-10
The very first song of the week is "Revelry" by Kings of Leon:
What a night for a dance
you know I'm a dancing machine.
With the fire in my bones
and the sweet taste of kerosene.
I get lost in the night
so high I don't want to come down.
To face the loss of the good thing that I have found...
This is where you will find my lame attempts at doing things myself. Lucky for you I have no original ideas as of yet. Therefore, the title of each "demonstration" will be the link that told me how to do it. Happy doing it yourself!
~ Pinup Wreath ~
12-13-10
Martha's is way cuter than mine. Seriously though, this was by far the cheapest and easiest thing I have ever made.
You need a hot glue gun, festive ribbon, mini clothes pins, and an embroidery hoop.
Hot glue the pins to the hoop. I have far more than Martha...I got carried away.
