Liam -- Week 2

• At his pediatrician appointment on Monday, he had gained 6 ounces!
• He's getting the hang of nursing.  It seems to get a little easier everyday.
• Dino jammies.  Sigh.  Love.
• He went to church for the first time on Sunday.  We kept him in his car seat to avoid a game of "pass the baby".  
• Grandma went home.  Mommy cried.  Liam didn't.
• He's starting to stare at his Rainforest Waterfal Soother. 
• He and Daddy like to make monkey faces at each other.
• He took two trips to Lexington this week for various appointments, and was so well-behaved!
• He and Mommy went solo for the first time on Saturday while Daddy had his grad school exit interview. 

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I stayed behind the camera this week. But this is by far my favorite photo. Liam has gorgeous eyes.

Guest post from Melonie

I am so excited to share this post from Melonie!  I always love the ideas for kids that she shares on her blog, and am so happy that she came up with a couple of new ones for this post!  Thank you so much for the awesome ideas, Melonie! 

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Hi Bekka's Blog fans!!! I am super excited and honored to be here guesting for Bekka this week. I am sure that little Liam has been doing a great job of keeping his Mama busy....but all too quickly Bekka will be looking for things to keep Liam busy and that is where the projects that I want to share with you today come in:)

As I was scouring the aisles of the  store the other day thinking about what I would write for this very post......a pot holder hit me in the face...no literally it hit me in the face and I considered it to be crafty fate.  :) 

Hey I don't mess with the hands of the craft Gods.

Long story short  I picked that pot holder up and gathered a few of his friends and headed home to create something out of him.

Here is what I came up with:
 

There are endless possibilities for homemade and personalized toys out there but what I like about using pot holders is most of the hard work is already done for you making the projects I am showing you here today very easy to  create in just an afternoon. You know in between naps, and snacks, and laundry, and the rest of that endless list of to-dos.   If your child is older you can even create these together and personalize them to keep him or her busy in the car...or more importantly at your favorite restaurant because lets face it after a long day in the house tackling that aforementioned list...who doesn't love a night out?

Materials needed:
 pot holders

felt and or fabric scraps
ribbon in assorted textures
and basic sewing skills.

I started the busy book off by cutting out a  couple of critters from  felt.  As I said above try to personalize the book to  YOUR child.  Make your busy book work for you.  If he or she likes a certain animal,  make the book revolve around that animal...if he or she likes to  color you can add a crayon holder like the one shown below:

If little Liam should end up liking cars or trains it would be really neat to make a couple of pages with a felt road and a pocket to hold the cars or trains in. ABC's and 123's you name it you can craft it.
Here are the remaining pages of the book that I made:

picture pages to put some of those super cute photos of Liam and his Mommy and Daddy in...or simply a place to showcase his artwork.  :)

a pocket page to hold a favorite rattle or other small toys and a peek-a-boo page...everybody loves peek-a-boo right?
 

Finally here is a simple puppet made from another pot holder. This pot holder was the culprit that smacked me in the face and started it all so he had to look a little mischievous.

To make this guy you simply gather a bunch of fun ribbon (assorted textures add another dimension of play for baby), cut along the top seam of the pot holder and place your looped pieces of ribbon in like this:
 

sew the seam back up and turn right side out.

Add an eye and a tooth and ta-da a new found forever friend:)

Thanks for listening today and hopefully this post will get you thinking outside of the box for creating toys for your little one.  Have a great day everyone!! 

Liam -- Week 1

• Liam's first week began Thursday, February 10th at 8:25 pm.
• He started the week with sucking and spit-up issues.  He has improved so much this week, and is nursing like a pro!  
• He got a pony.  Not a real one.  But it is Liam-sized.  
• His first pediatrician appointment went well.
• He looks cute in jammies.
• He does this great "zombie" impression where he sticks both arms straight out, and his little hands go limp.  I'm trying my best to get a picture of it.
• He got to hang out with Grandma a lot this week. (Who, by the way, was a lifesaver on the nursing, laundry, cleaning, and keeping-mommy-sane front!)
• Yesterday, I told him that if he wasn't finished with his diaper, then he needed to pass gas to let me know.  He smiled (yes, I know it's a reflex at this age), then passed gas.  No joke.  You can ask my mom. 
• My dad called him a hippie due to his abundance of hair.  (It's already growing over his ears!)
• He loves it when you talk to him, and hates it when you bathe him.

Oops!

I had plans of giving you an update of Liam's first week.

I also had plans of sleeping. 

Guess which won out? 

So for now, enjoy a cute picture of my child.  Once nursing is more routine, I'll hopefully be back to my regular bloggy self. 

NEW MOMMY ADVICE FOR BEKKA.... (Guest post by Michelle B)

A big thanks to Michelle B. for putting together this wonderful post full of advice from my Fave Things girls!  I really treasure all of your advice!  Thanks to all you amazing ladies!

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Bekka - I wanted to give you some helpful New Mommy Advice for my blog guest post... so I called on some our TAAFOMFT DT members to help me out.... Because I know the more advice you get the better you're equipped you are for anything that could come up.... so these are from our hearts to yours....

• Even though you think that no one can take care of your baby better than you, it's important for dad to form a bond with the new baby too. Give him some time alone with the baby for feedings, diaper changes and playtime. Chances are his way of doing things will be different from yours, but that doesn't make his way wrong... just different. Relish in receiving the help that you need. And, go take a nap!
Hugs, Jenneke

• First of all follow you instincts, you're his mom you know him best!!! Don't forget to take good care of yourself and your relation, But most of all ENJOY, LOVE, CHERISH, CUDDLE, HUG, KISS, SING and caress him!! I don't have any particular advise for you, I always and still am following my heart, try to do best that I can and love them the most I can I am not afraid to make any mistakes I am only human and don't need to be perfect (that took me some time to realize) and it's the only way to learn!!!!


So sweet Bekka congrats on your sweet baby, I know you are a great mom!!!
Hugs Hanneke

• Here's my advice.... lay a blanket or something (a towel or a small pillow will do also) underneath the mattress ( head side) to help ease  gastric discomfort that may interfere with the baby's sleeping. It helped Levi to sleep better after drinking.
And of course enjoy all of this baby time!!!
Big hugs, Jeanet

• I remembered a trick that I used with Kian when he was super grumpy: I switched on the hairdryer or the vacuum cleaner and that noise helped him to quit being nervous and he almost immediately fell asleep and I'm pretty sure that works with almost every baby! Maybe a lot of you used this trick but they say that those loud noises are similar to the noises the baby used to listen when was still in the belly.... I don't know this but I can say that as long as I had the hairdryer on he slept like an angel :-))
Hugs, Jana

• "Always TAKE a NAP when they do! You may want to clean the house, do the dishes, or get the laundry done... but TRUST me... the best thing for you is to take a nap when they do! LOL! The laundry and cleaning can wait... your sleep can not! LOL!" :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

:):):):):):):) HUGS - - Julie

• And lastly from me.... All these ladies have given such great advice... all of which I've used... and am a better mommy for it... now for me.... I think my all time BEST ADVICE is to start teaching Liam "BABY SIGN LANGUAGE" at 9 months... simple words like... all done... more... hungry... bottle... eat... wet diaper... poop... please... thank you...  you will be amazed at how quickly he will pick it up.... his vocabulary along with yours will grow.... and one day you'll be looking at him telling you he's hungry in sign language... and it will blow you away!!! I have to say.... it was one of the most wonderful gifts I had when Rainee was a baby... to be able to communicate with her even before she could talk... it was a blessing!!!

Love you bunches... congratulations to you both.... and Liam you're one lucky lucky lucky little guy!!!! {{bunches of hugs hugs hugs}} MichelleB

Guest post from Jeannie

I'm still taking a break from blogging...at least for a few more days.  (Remember, it's never too late to guest post for a sleep-deprived mommy!)  

Today's post is from Jeannie, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the last SIS event a couple of years ago.  I really enjoy reading about her experiences as a graphic design student.  And looking at pictures of her adorable kitty, Moo.  This post is a fun little peek into her world!  Thank you so much for sharing this, Jeannie!

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Hi Bekka's readers! I am so excited to be guest blogging for Bekka while she's snuggling that super cute babe. 

So I am a graphic design major at the University of Tennessee. But it's hard to actually know what that means. I mean, I had no idea what it was going to mean until last semester. It's a ton of fun, but two tons of hard work and all-nighters. Last semester I took one design class and a design productions class. The design productions class was essentially a class on the basics of the Adobe Creative Suite (including Bridge, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign). At the end of the semester we had portfolio review. Our three teachers from our design class, our teacher from our productions class, and another design professor that we didn't have interviewed us and looked through our work from the semester as well as two-three other pieces of work of our choice. It was an intense process. I redid every project, or at least added to what I had for those projects. By the grace of God, I got through portfolio review, which meant that I could continue as a graphic design major. If you didn't get through (which was about 70% of the class) you had to either try to get through again next year (and retake the class), change majors, or transfer schools. I was so thankful. 

So this semesters classes are just as hard, but I'm better prepared. I'm taking a design class focused on typography and a design for interactive media class (mainly meaning designing for the internet). I am also taking History of Photography and a printmaking class, Intaglio. 

Here is our board after our "free association" brainstorm. We talked about the topic of "rogue" and then gave words and phrases of things that rogue made us think of. 

My homework for design is about half physical art and half computer-aided design, programming, and research. 

Intaglio is a printmaking class. I am having a lot of fun in it, but there are a TON of little details to remember.

 These are the Intaglio inks. They are all high-quality oil based inks, rather than the water based inks you can find at art supplies stores. Once using these, you will NEVER want to go back. 

(Photo by Tara Sripunvoraskul)

Here I am printing a dry-point on lexan print. All that means is that I used an etching needle (but an xacto knife works) to etch a picture into a small sheet of lexan (which is kind of like a shatter-proof plexiglass). The parts that are etched actually hold ink by attaching to little burrs that you made in the lexan. After you etch the plate, you use a small square of chipboard to apply a reduced ink over the entire plate. Then you carefully wipe the plate with a material that is similar to a starchy cheese cloth. You finish up the wipe with a piece of newsprint or a sheet from the telephone book. The less you wipe the plate, the more "plate tone" you have (background color). You print this kind on a damp sheet of paper. It's a pretty straight forward process.

We've moved on to more complicated processes that use acid to "bite" the plate. 

(Photo by Shannon Herron)

These are the processes that I have been relying on my classmates, teacher, and teaching assistant to answer my questions. Somehow I got a little behind. We have demos during class where our professor shows us how to do the technique or process. They are usually pretty long and detail intensive. The last printmaking class I took I never needed to take notes on the demos because I was able to do the process right afterwards. This time, since I'm behind, I have been doing the processes about a week after the demos. So from now on I will be taking notes on the tutorials so I won't have to rely on my classmates so often to help me out! 

Being an art student is amazing, but it's no walk in the park. I have a hard week ahead of me, so wish me luck!

 

Also, be sure to keep up with my art school endeavors, random ramblings, and projects over at my blog: Jeannie Talks. Be sure to comment! I love meeting new readers!

More to love this Valentine's Day

Based on the recent slew of guest posts, you've probably guessed by now that a certain someone decided to make an early appearance. 

Meet Liam Michael Bess.  Otherwise known as the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.  He was born Thursday, February 10 at 8:25 pm, weighing in at 6 lbs. 9 oz., and measuring 20 inches long.  He has his daddy's hair with his mommy's hair color, his daddy's feet with his mommy's toenails, and his daddy's ears with his mommy's earlobes.  I'm totally amazed by our little miracle. 

I can't even begin to describe how much I love him. 

Have you ever... (Julie edition)

Here she is...my favorite smiley girl!  Thank you, Julie, for your take on a previous post of mine!  I love learning more about my blog pals!

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Hi everyone! Julie here filling in for Mama Bekka!! I saw this list on Bekka's blog awhile ago...and I thought it would be FUN for me to have a try at it! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Have you ever...

Bold these if you’ve ever…

1. Started your own blog (scary thing is... I monitor 13 of them!!) 
2. Slept under the stars (I was a girl scout... of course I did! lol!)
3. Played in a band  (Ok...so I was a roadie for U2.. does that count?? LOL!)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disney World (as a child and as an adult!)
8. Climbed a mountain (I live in Phoenix, Arizona..I think its in the rule book that I have too...the whole city is surrounded by them!)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child 
16. Had food poisoning  
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty  
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight  
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort  
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice  (Does the one in Las Vegas count at the Venetian?? LOL!)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset  
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person  
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing  
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke  
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant  
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted 
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater 
54. Been in a movie
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Got flowers for no reason  
63. Donated blood, platelets or plasma   (I have tried... but sadly, I always get turned down) :(
64. Gone sky diving
65. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp   Auchwitz
66. Bounced a check
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial  
70. Eaten Caviar
71.Pieced a quilt
72. Stood in Times Square  
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job (pink-slipped due to budget cuts...it counts) 
75. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
76. Broken a bone 
77. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (Live in Arizona... again.. I think its in the rule book! LOL!)  
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car (which is funny since I have NEVER driven a car in my life! LOL!)   
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper
84. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
85. Visited the White House  
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87. Had chickenpox
88. Saved someone’s life  
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous (Remember...U2 Roadie here... and I am also related to Frank Sinatra, Harpo Mark, and George Reeves {google him...then you will know who he is! LOL}... though I never met Frank, Harpo or George... ) 
91. Joined a book club
92. Got a tattoo (I actually have four!)  
93. Had a baby ( I have had 3!)  
94. Seen the Alamo in person 
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a law suit
97. Owned a cell phone 
98. Been stung by a bee

What about you?  Link your list up below if you decide to try this.

What Makes My Heart Sing (guest post by Kim Whitten)

Can I just say that I love that Kim did a list post?  We all know how I love a good list.  :)  She is such a great inspiration...and probably the biggest reason why I've taken at least one photo a week this year.  :)  Thank you, Kim!


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So excited to guest post on my favorite list-maker blogger, Bekka!  I hope by now she is snuggling with Mr. Liam and enjoying the bliss of motherhood...and catching some sleep in between all that bliss! hehe ;)


In an effort to be true to the fun lists that Bekka is so good at forming, and because this month is the month of hearts and love, and because for some reason the song “Wild Thing” is randomly in my head, I thought it would be fun to make visual list of what makes my heart sing.

• The Grace of God that I am so blessed to have.

• The first signs of Spring...green grass, yellow jonquils, tree frogs in the evenings and longer days.

• The fact that my dog, Angus is always with me wherever in the house I am.

• Wearing my silver glitter Tom’s!

• Somebody buying something that I have hand made to give as a gift or keep for themselves!

• Taking pictures for no reason whatsoever.

• Watching my favorite 80’s movies, or listening to my favorite 80’s music. :)

• Buying something on clearance out of season and rediscovering it when that season finally rolls around.

• Eating a fresh avocado.

• Bright colors!

What makes your heart sing?  


I challenge you to blog, photograph, scrapbook, journal or capture in whatever form that blows your skirt up, those things that make your heart sing!  

Thanks to sweet Bekka for letting me share my list on her little piece of cyberspace. :)

Polyvore -- Liam Edition (guest post by Inka)

I think Inka may be one of my oldest blog friends, and I'm delighted that she wanted to share a little something on my blog!  Thank you, Inka!  This was such a sweet post!

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Hi! I'm Inka, all the way from Finland guest blogging today.
We've "met" here in blogland with Bekka and I'm always curious to read her news and hear what's happening in her life. And I'm so happy to guest blog on her blog. It's an honour. :)
I got a Polyvore inspiration and made a collage for Liam. Welcome to the world little man!

Breakfast Croissant Casserole -- Guest post by Kim

I found Kim through the blogging world very recently.  I was so excited when she offered to guest post for me! Her blog is a fantastic source of inspiration, and I highly recommend it to you!  Also, I am so using this recipe next time I have to make breakfast for Sunday School class.  Thanks, Kim!

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Hi, everyone! My name is Kim and I'm really excited to be here at Bekka's blog. I always look forward to reading her posts, and it has been really exciting to watch her get ready for Baby Liam. I know we all wish her lots of blessings and happiness with the new addition to her family!

I have a blog called It's a Crafty Life where I share all of the crafty things that I create or am inspired by. I'm definitely pretty new at it, but I'm really enjoying that I get to share some of my ideas and make new friends. I blog about all kinds of things, like scrapbooking, craft projects, organizing, photography, recipes, and printables that I use to decorate around my house.  Stop by and say hi!

I wanted to share a delicious and easy recipe with you while I'm here.  This is my go to recipe for Sunday brunch.  It has a croissant crust and I think that adds a sweet flavor to it, plus it is so quick to prepare.  Let me know what you think!

Breakfast Croissant Casserole


Ingredients:

1 tube of crescent rolls

8 ounces of sausage

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

6 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 t salt

1 t oregano

1 t onion powder

baking spray (such as Pam)

1.  Chop and sautee the sausage.  While it is cooking, spread the crescent dough onto the bottom of a sprayed baking dish. 



2.  When the sausage is done, spread it over the croissant dough.  Sprinkle the cheese evenly on top.

3.  Beat the remaining ingredients together and pour the mixture over the cheese.

4.  Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes.  {I would really check it at 25 minutes.  I let it go for 30 minutes this time, and I think the eggs were a little too well done.  I haven't had this problem when making it before, so I think I just let it go too long! :-)}

Trust me, this casserole is going to be a big hit with your family!  Thanks for letting me be a guest on your blog, Bekka.  I hope you are enjoying this time with Liam!

YOU take GREAT photos... (guest post by Jen Kinkade)

Today we have a guest post from the lovely Jen Kinkade.  I've known of Jen for quite some time, thanks to scrapbooking.  Turns out, she's a pretty amazing photographer as well.  I encourage you to check out her blog. (PS - Her 52-week project is awesome!)

Have you ever heard or thought,

“Wow! Your camera takes great pictures!!! What kind of camera do you use?”

While a good camera helps, your skills will take you further than the equipment.

Case in point...would you ever say to your hairdresser...

“Wow! Your scissors give great haircuts!”

or would you say to your friend...

“Your oven makes delicious cookies!”

Now that I have gotten my point across... ;)

I am even guilty of thinking such things like, “I need a new or better __________to take great pictures.” Let’s look @ how our mind and our eyes can be a big factor in improving our skills. Below are some tips to get you started on improving your photography skills with whatever piece of equipment you might have! :)

1. Know your camera! Chances are whether you shoot film or digital, point and shoot or SLR your camera came with a manual on how to use it. One of the BEST things to do is READ the manual and know the settings on your camera.
2. Tell the Story Is it purely a way to keep a record of a moment? are you trying to capture the emotion of a moment? is it possibly a shot to give to someone? is it part of a larger series of shots or will it be the only shot to commemorate the moment?, etc.  Photography is a way to freeze a moment in time and remember the person, the activity, the event, the emotion FOREVER!!!
3. What is in the background and foreground? One of most common places for distractions in photography is the background of your shots. Run your eyes over the space behind your subject to see what else is in the image (do the same for the foreground). Look for toys, furniture, plants, etc Omit those things that might give distraction or add an extra appendage to your subject!
4. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!! The #1 thing you can do is practice. Trial and error goes a long way, and with that comes experience. I guarantee the more you practice you get, the more “light bulb moments” you will have and you will see your pictures improving!

And this is what you do next time you hear....

all material was taken and adapted from http://digital-photography-school.com with the exception of the cartoon strips that can be found at www.whattheduck.net

**visit http://digital-photography-school.com for more basic photography tips.

*While this post is to encourage you to take better pictures in a very basic way, it is in NO way diminishing the hard work, education and time that custom photographers put into their career. Please take the time to find a custom photographer in your area.

Trust your instincts.

Turns out, I'm not a basket case.  More on that later. 

Pregnancy observations for the week.

• Today for lunch, I packed some leftover sausage balls (from last night's Super Bowl party) and a bagel with strawberry cream cheese.  One of my coworkers saw it and said she had never seen a pregnancy craving that strange.  Because she thought the sausage balls were chicken livers.
• I've been a basket case since getting over the stomach virus.  I'm over-analyzing every little thing that isn't normal...even though I know all those things normally occur to anyone getting over something like that.  And I still over-analyze these symptoms after they go away. 
• Liam has been told that if he wants to meet his grandma right after he's born, he has to stay in for at least one more week.  My poor mom has the flu. 
• My students keep asking when I'm going to go on maternity leave.  
• Amazon Mom is such a great deal!
• Yesterday I split part of my fingernail trying to put together Liam's swing.  Because, really, it isn't enough that I have to go through labor.
• For reasons unknown to me, I want a Toaster Strudel.  I don't think I've had one since high school. 

Making Valentine's Day Cards

This morning our Sunday School class made Valentine's Day cards for the children in the BMT unit at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati.  The scrapbooker in me might be a bit biased, but I think this might have been the best service activity we've ever done! 

Here's a peek at our creations.  It was fun to see people who didn't have a lot of confidence in their skills make some truly amazing cards! 

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This week has been all about checking things off the "before Liam gets here" list.

• Make a call to make certain my short-term disability wasn't the victim of some poor financial management (it wasn't -- whew!).
• Clean Liam's room and organize his closet.
• Take the aluminum foil off of the crib, and replacing it with actual bedding.  (I promise we aren't trying to protect Liam from the aliens.  Cats apparently hate aluminum foil, so it was a good way to let Lola know that the crib is not for her.)
• Schedule a prenatal consult with the pediatrician.
• Preregister at the hospital.
• Put together the swing/bouncer...which I would already have done if I could carry it into the house.
• Buy a pump, mirror, and mobile. 
• Install the carseat.
• Finish packing.  I'm very close to having this one.  In fact, I could probably get by on what I've already packed.  It just seems like there's always something else that needs to go in the suitcase or diaper bag.
• Clean the house.  
• Get the guest room ready for my Mom.
• Hang curtains.

I missed a day of blogging...

It's been awhile since I did this.  But I have a good excuse. 

No, I didn't have the baby. 

I had a stomach virus. 

It started last night, and the worst was over by 3am.  I'm still feeling really wiped out, and my main goal has been re-hydrating.  I'm just happy the worst of it was relatively short-lived, only about 6 hours or so.  I'm always super-cautious about bouncing back from a stomach virus.  So far, I've managed to eat numerous popsicles, some saltines, and applesauce.  I threw caution to the wind a few minutes ago and ate a NutriGrain bar.  I know I'm on the mend when I start thinking about what I'll eat tomorrow...and right now I'm thinking about a nice, greasy breakfast at a local diner.  Liam will be happy.  I've gotten lots of "hey Mom, it's time to eat" kicks and punches today.  Poor little guy.  I'll make it up to him tomorrow. 

Mike as been really awesome...he made a trip to Walmart very late last night for ginger ale and popsicles.  He's the best!  :)

Meet Hagar Blaze

She was our stand-in child tonight during b-feeding class.  (Sorry, I'm afraid if I type out the entire word, I'll get creepy, icky comments from creepy, icky Googlers.  Sad, huh?)  She was able to get out for a little while tonight from her usual home in Mike's classroom desk.  Yes, my husband keeps a doll in his desk.  Apparently for laughs.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall of his classroom...

So what's with the name?  Hagar Blaze was our stand-in baby name before we knew that Liam was a boy...or that his name would be Liam.  The kind of name that was sure to bring a puzzled look to anyone's face who dared ask us what the baby's name would be.  The process for coming up with such a name was quite complicated and scientific:  Mike flipped through the baby book and blindly pointed at Hagar, I did the same to come up with Blaze. Thankfully, no one took us seriously and monogrammed the name on a onesie. 

Just a reminder

If you offered to write a guest post for me, you still have a couple of weeks.  (Hopefully!)  You can email it to me at bekkabess [at] gmail [dot] com.  Thank you to all those who volunteered!  And a big thank you to those of you who have already emailed your posts to me!  You guys are really going to enjoy what they have in store!

And if you're thinking to yourself, "I should have volunteered.  Now I'm bummed because I totally missed out..."  Don't worry.  I'd still love for you to guest post!  :)  Just let me know you're interested in the comments.