Emmie Cakes Giveaway

You may or may not have noticed the sad plastic princess banner showcased in my post about Lydia's birthday. Sad because only after the party did I notice the banner spelled party "aprty". Guess that's what you get when you buy "Made in China". What I will be doing for next years party is ordering an emmie cakes banner. Have you seen this little store? The coolest handmade banners ever. I am all about celebrating every holiday, and emmie cakes has a banner for almost every one. I am seriously jonesn' the Easter one...but the baby boy banner is calling my name too.
Want to win one?

emmie cakes is offering one reader a banner of their choice. All you have to do is click the emmie cakes icon and let me know in a comment which banner you want.

For a second entry, let me know in a separate comment that you are a Natalie's Sentiments subscriber/follower.

I will announce the winner Tuesday, Feb 24th. Good luck!

Only US residents eligible.

Our "Day of Love"

We decided to have a low key Valentine's day this year since we have a big date planned for Shane's birthday next week. Still we had a wonderful day......

The only thing better than seeing your husband walk through the door with flowers and a white Godiva bag, is seeing him walk through the door with flowers and this little blue bag. Of course, in this economy I would have killed him if he brought home one of those. Unless the bag had this inside of it. That I would have let slide :) Yum...I am savoring some Godiva even as I type.

Shane and Lydia made their Saturday shaped pancakes - this time Shane added pink food coloring and made hearts.

I contributed by making chocolate fondue.


Soon after breakfast the doorbell rang. The Valentine Lady has struck again!

"Daddy, the Valentine lady is sneaky!"



We had a babysitter for 3 hours, so we decided to head up to this incredible park overlooking downtown Chattanooga.



We then took a long walk through this beautiful neighborhood of historical homes. Our house looks a lot like the one in the top left. I am seriously considering painting our door red too.




This may sound a little odd, but I decided that we had to go to our favorite cheap Chinese restaurant for v-day. I never get Chinese food because of Lydia's peanut allergy. And as a bonus, this place was totally dead. (Go figure) No two hour wait for us. We really like that this restaurant is called "Mister Wok 2", like it is a sequel.

My fortune said "You will soon be singled out for a promotion". When you are a full time mom, what does that mean? Maybe that I am having another baby? Can it be a promotion when it is still no pay but more hours?

That night, after Lydia was asleep, I fired up my kitchen blowtorch and made Creme Brulée. While Shane was waiting for me to finish the preparations I asked him "Why is Creme Brulée particularly romantic for us?" He stared at me like a deer in the headlights. (I rarely ever ask him these kind of loaded questions, so I could tell he was a bit terrified of the implications of not remembering.) Slowly his terror turned into smugness. "Well, obviously it is because this is the dessert they served at our wedding dinner". Bonus points to you Shane. I used this recipe and it was divine. Sometimes the simplest dates are the most romantic, don't you agree? -

Happy Valentines Day

Last night was the "Daddy Daughter Dance". Lydia had her first experience with hair spray :) Shane brought her home a real rose, but she opted to take her favorite silk one to the dance. I teared up as I watched them drive away. Lydia was so excited. It was the sweetest thing ever. Something about a little girl's love for her daddy. It is pretty much unrivaled.

(P.S. Love you Dad)

Winner!

The winner of the Mighty Leaf Giveaway is Stephland3. Congrats! Email me your address I will get you your prize. Check back this Wednesday for my next giveaway!

The Best Valentine treat EVER.

Oh wow. I am not a huge brownie person, but I finally got around to making Ina Garden's Outrageous Brownies this week. Chocolate Bliss. This recipe makes enough to feed an entire classroom. Or 20 REALLY hungry adults. I switched the unsweetened chocolate for bittersweet chocolate to sweeten them just a little more.

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Speaking of sugary goodness.....A couple weeks ago I was at the OB/GYN for a routine pre-natal visit. I had been waiting in the exam room for a while when my doctor's nurse rushed into the room looking angry. "Why haven't you been to see the high risk doctor yet?!" she asked with alarm. I looked at her for a moment and then calmly answered. "Why exactly would I need to see a high risk doctor?". The nurse stared at me, recomposed herself and said "I will go get the doctor to speak to you."

Hum. That didn't sound good.

A couple weeks previously I had been exposed to the parvovirus (also known as fifth disease). Lydia had it, but she didn't show symptoms until she was already past the contagious period. Fifth disease is no big deal for those who have it. Just like a cold with a rash. Unfortunately, it has very serious complications for pregnant women, and more importantly, their unborn babies. I was tested for immunity and received a cheery message from a nurse that all came back back fine and that I didn't need to worry about it. Apparently she had misread the results. I had a lot to worry about.

As the doctor discussed things like heart failure, brain swelling and anemia- I was grateful a friend has offered to watch Lydia during my visit and I was kicking myself that I didn't ask Shane to come with me. The doctor made an appointment to get me into the high risk doctor and calmly assured me that all of this was most likely just a precaution. I smiled and keep my cool.

I called Shane to update him on the situation. I again stayed cool as did he. No reason to worry until we knew more.

On my way home I realized I need to grab something for lunch so I turned into the local grocery store. I grabbed a few things and walked into the bread aisle. There I saw a box of Entenmann's Family pack donuts. Every time I go grocery shopping I look at that box and am tempted. For years I have walked past. This time I grabbed the box and threw it into my cart. There was a large women shopping next to me, grabbing a similar product. She was walking briskly back to the motorized shopping cart that she had been driving around the store.

I was in a huge hurry as I already was much later than I told me friend I would be. I rushed to the checkout lane, but the scooter lady beat me there. I watched her ever so slowly try to put the food onto the belt without actually standing up. I asked her if she would like any help, and she looked at me as though I had horribly insulted her. "No! I can do it." ----Well, duh. I knew she could do it. I saw her basically running in the cookie aisle, but apparently now she was crippled.

After 10 minutes or so, she was finally checked out. Sweetly she asked the checkout girl "Could you be a dear and help me out with my groceries?" My mouth dropped, as did the checkout girls. There was a huge line of shoppers waiting and this was obviously not part of the service this store provided. "Um, I will have to find someone to do that for you." the confused girl finally replied. Then she left. I could see her aimlessly walking around the store, looking for anyone free.

As I watched this shopper, perfectly content to cause so much needless delay, I could not stop all the pent up emotion from welling up and spilling over my checks. I rammed my sunglasses over my eyes, tore the Entenmann's donuts open and shoved half a white power donut into my mouth.

It is amazing how fast comfort food can work. I immediately felt better. Driving home I felt the baby react to the sugar and I was overwhelmed by fear for his well being. I crammed a huge chuck of a chocolate doughnut in my mouth. It tasted exactly like wax, but it was fat and sugar and it was hitting my bloodstream at record speed, so I finished it quickly.

By the time I got home I was working on my third donut and my suede jacket was completely covered with power and chocolate crumbs. I keep my sunglasses on to hide my swollen eyes.

That day I had five donuts. Five. I didn't even feel guilty. I only wished I had picked up some funyuns to go along with them.

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Update. I am seeing the high risk doctor weekly now. So far the baby seems to be fine. The doctor is hopeful that within 8 weeks we will know for sure either way. I feel pretty good that all will be well. Prayers on his behalf are always welcome. - I like my new doctor. He is really handsome and charming which pairs nicely with his Spanish accent. I feel like I am on the set of Grey's Anatomy when I see him. His office is gorgeous. Even his nurse is incredibly attractive. (Shane verified that for me.) I would normally play along and imagine I am the stylish and mysterious patient, but Lydia having an "accident" in the exam room kind of breaks scene.

Advice for the New Mommy

About a month from now, my sister Emily will give birth to a little boy. She will be the first of my siblings to have a baby and I was thinking about what advice I would give her. I'm not an expert. I have only one child with one on the way. Still, I know a few things:

• Start wearing a night bra now. I would recommend this for anyone pregnant, starting at about 5 months. Your "girls" get big. Night bras really can save them from unnecessary gravitational damage. You will definitely want one if you are nursing, but I recommend wearing one from now on, even after nursing. They are totally comfortable and so worth the return. You can find them at Motherhood for under $15.


• Invest in a really comfy, but cute black "sweat" outfit. Black yoga pants with a matching hoodie would work great too. Most new moms choose one comfy thing that they wear basically as a uniform for a month or so after their new little bundle arrives. Choosing something black hides that unfortunate weird shape your body will take on. Also, people will be showing up with food, gifts and just wanting to see the baby. For some reason, when you are in all black, you look like you are trying. So many people mentioned to me how they were impressed I was already getting ready for the day, when in reality I was just wearing my black sweat outfit that I had been in for days, had thrown my unwashed hair into a high ponytail and (maybe) brushed my teeth. Remember, you will be as big as you were at about 5-6 months, so that is a good time to buy your outfit.


• Read Happiest Baby on the Block. It is a non-controversial, easy read about calming a screaming newborn. Reading this before you have a screaming newborn is much easier than waiting until you really need it. Have your husband read it too.


• If you are wondering what you actually need for your baby, and what to register for, read Baby Bargains. Seriously, this book saved me so much stress and money. It basically rates every possible baby purchase and tells you what you actually need - and what you can re-gift at a different baby shower. (You don't need a wipe warmer. Just hold the wipe in your hands for a few seconds and it will be nice and toasty.)


• Ignore most advice. Of all the advice I give, this is the most important. :) Most advice really won't apply. Before relating my next experience, let me say that I love my mom dearly. She is a wonderful mother and did a fabulous job raising 5 children. However, these 5 children were the easiest babies imaginable. She remembers mostly holding them close as they slept. Mostly I will remember screaming into a pillow as mine screamed in the next room. - One day on the phone with her I was trying to explain the nightmare I was living. She replied, "I remember when you had colic. It was horrible." I was amazed. I hadn't known I had had colic. She continued, "Yes, I remember it happened one day. I couldn't get you to stop crying all afternoon. I was a mess." I just sat in silence as the epiphany hit me. My mother's worst memory with a baby was ONE afternoon of crying. That is what she thought colic was? I had been dealing with constant screaming and no sleep everyday for over a year. I realized that while my mom knew a lot about being a mother, she could give little advice that would help me at this time in my life. (I will be stalking her right around the time I have teenagers though.)

Every baby is so different. I remember watching Lydia's best friend Kate for the first time and just staring at her. I was doing everything I could to keep Lydia from scratching my eyes out, and Kate just sat on the floor. For hours. She just played with a few toys and looked around the room. She needed no comfort, no stimulus. She was just...easy. She just came that way. Mine...came a different way. People gave me well meant advice, but usually it just did not apply to my situation. It applied to the situation the advice bearer was used to.

I will say something that 2 years ago I never would have believed could have come out of my mouth. I am grateful for that difficult first 18 months of Lydia's life. I am such a better mother because of it. I seriously have developed some super-human calmness when it comes to her. I understand her and the huge spirit within her. Had I not had that difficult experience with her as a baby, I probably would not have become the mother Lydia needed. - As for this next baby, I have "requested" an easy one. I pray for you Emily, that you will get an easy one too. If not - call me me anytime. I probably won't have any good advice, but you can vent all you want.

Oh - and one last thing. If they offer the epidural, take it.

Valentine Lady

Did you have anything that you did in your family that you just assumed everyone did? Some tradition that you were surprised later in life to find was totally unique. My Mom invented the tradition of "The Valentine Lady". (She says it is based on how Valentine's day use to be. In the olden days.) This was basically the equivalent to the Easter Bunny. Every Valentine's day - usually after dinner, the doorbell would ring. All the kids would race to the door, only to find gifts left for us by the Valentine Lady. No matter what we did, we could never catch her. Each child would get a few things: some candy, a card, two or three small gifts. One year I was thrilled to find a pair of pale pink dress shoes. I remember this because I was about 11, the age when I was way too short for my weight. Every photo of me for a year has those pink shoes showing off some major kancles. Lovely.

Anyway, it was such a fun tradition, Shane and I are continuing it for Lydia. I thought maybe you would like to start this Valentines day tradition in your home.

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I am 6 months along today! I really need to start preparing for this baby!

Still Dreaming....

A few months before Lydia was born, I was shopping with Shane at Ethan Allen. I discovered there my dream "rocking chair". I just stared at it before sitting down in its downy bliss. I closed my eyes and imaged rocking my baby and drifting to sleep while she nursed. I opened my eyes to discover a $1600 price tag. "What the What?! Is it made of gold?" Even for Ethan Allen it was pricey. - They have since stopped carrying my dream chair, but Pottery Barn picked one up that is pretty darn close. Funny they call it the Dream Rocker.

A few weeks later I was returning a shower gift to Wal-mart and I saw a little rocker being raffled off. Nothing too special. Just a Wal-mart rocker. I thought to myself....who is going to bother buying a raffle ticket for that? Then I smiled, bought 5 tickets at a dollar a piece. The next week I took my chair home. :)

So it isn't my dream chair. There is no way I could fall asleep in it and after rocking Lydia for 3 years the cushions are basically pancakes. Tonight I am going to dream that all is right with the economy and that for this next baby I could justify buying my dream chair. Cash.

Valentines Day Giveaway - Mighty Leaf Tea

If you have been reading my blog long, you already know that I am a huge herbal tea connoisseur. I blame it on the fact that I grew up Mormon in Washington. I was constantly frequenting the local cafes, but I did not drink coffee or straight tea. (For more on my strange fixation with coffee houses, click here.)

Mighty Leaf Tea carries the absolute best selection of herbal teas, and now they have started carrying something that makes me gitty. Just in time for Valentines day....Chocolate teas. Be still my heart.

Now, don't think these drinks are going to be thick like hot cocoa, or cloyingly sweet. They are still teas, but with the infused flavor of dark chocolate. The smell alone is heavenly. I have put all my other teas aside for a while to focus on this new line. Hello, non-fat, basically no calories but still chocolate? What is not to love?

Mighty Leaf is going to send one lucky reader a box of Chocolate Mint Truffle herbal tea - along with their Chocolate Truffle Tea Collection.

This collection comes with 3 boxes of loose Truffle herbal teas and 3 boxes of Truffle Black teas - if you don't drink black tea (like me) you may want to gift these to a someone who does.

To enter - visit Mighty Leaf Tea and let me know in a comment which product is the most tempting to you. For a second entry, let me know in a separate comment that you are a Natalie's sentiments subscriber/follower.

I will announce the winner on Valentines day. Good luck!

Princess Party

I know everyone has been biting their nails in anticipation to see photos of Lydia's princess party. No? Oh, that must just be my mom. In any case, here they are:

Right after Lydia woke up, Shane and I gave the birthday girl her first gifts. A princess dress and a REAL tiara!

I'd like to say that I served only healthy refreshments....but on the counter are boxes of pizza and glasses of pink lemonade.

The entertainment...Princess Sing A-long Movie.

As a side note - I am really not a fan of the of the big screen TV above the fireplace. I hope this architectural trend doesn't last long. We bought our home new, but finished, so we didn't have a choice on this particular element. Our next house will have a nice empty mantle all ready for Christmas stockings and family photos. The first architect who designed the big screen TV above the fireplace was most definitely a man.

So about the cake....I decided to try and do the entire thing myself. I'm not too bad at cupcakes, so I thought, how hard can it be? Apparently I need to take a few cake decorating lessons. Still, it tasted good.

And of course, after all the effort, Lydia would have nothing to do with it.

Opening treat bags. I can't believe my stomach is already that big.

Lydia got so many great gifts. I have to say though, I am obsessed with these dolls that my sister Emily made. I want to design Lydia's new room around them.

Since Lydia was turning three I told her she could invite three princesses to her party. They all looked so adorable!

In all, Lydia's day was a fun success.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it special.