Preview

If you're on our Christmas card mailing list,
you'll be getting a hard copy of the final photo.
But for now, a sneak-peek.

I feel like I'm running a mile a minute.
But I promise I will find time to post pictures
of Kellie's birthday extravaganza
and the prefold-dying tutorial this week.

Thanks for your patience!

Family Photo 2007

This is mostly to give Terra a chance to see what she's working with. Sorry so short on words.

Kellie is going to be one year old on the 25th.
We've asked Terra to take our family photo that day.
Here's our getup. Thanks for the gorgeous (perfect!) dress Deah!

And the shoes that were too small... boohoo.

Every Year

When the holiday season comes banging on my door, I find myself rearranging furniture. Do you do that? To make room for your holiday decorations? Problem is, I like it better this way. Brian likes it better the other way. I usually cave and put things back to "normal" to keep the peace. But the holiday setup is so utilitarian. So me.

Kellie's first birthday is coming up. We're having a small dinner with cake and gifts. Our gift to Kellie will be kitchen-themed toys. Child-sized stainless steel pots and pans, child-sized stainless steel cutlery, the tea set my Grandma gave me, and child-sized cookie cutters, rolling pins, and serving spoons. For Christmas, I'll be making her some pot holders and an apron. Then we'll be getting her a small wooden "stove." It's a box that holds kitchen accessories. When you take the top off, it slides into the vertical grooves in the box to make a back splash for a pint-size stove. So cute. And so Kellie.

I've been having some killer migraines. My sleep schedule is gone! We've been doing so well ever since Kellie got her big girl bed. I have a feeling I'll be hating life tomorrow since I'm staying up to blog and rearrange furniture. The only pain killers that work for my migraines contain caffeine. Ever since I cut caffeine out (When I was pregnant) I've become very sensitive to it. Even the slightest bit keeps me wired for hours. Harrrumph...

I'm the grumpiest gal in the world. Don't know why. I wish I did, though. Poor Brian is afraid to open his mouth. It's like I'm in my last trimester again!

I've decided to keep Keeta. (Formerly known as Pequita) I decided a while ago, but I just realized I never wrote about it. Her original owners had planned on taking her back in October. When I never heard from them, I felt so sad for her. I went to break the news to her and ended up snuggling her and brushing her hair. We bonded and I want her to stay with us. Even if her previous parents get in contact with us. Too bad. She's mine. This is her first day in our house. She doesn't care for coming out of the basement. But the first day, she didn't know the basement existed.



Amy - I'd love to make you a soaker or longies. If you're interested, email me at MrsBGent at yahoo dot com My prices are more than reasonable. :)

'Pin Love

I'm a member of Diaperpin.com's PinPals program - A program for the kindhearted to share their love.
I was 'Pinned this gorgeous tee for Kellie from PinMaMa Amy (Mama Genevieve).

Isn't she just darling?

Amy, if you're reading this, thank you!

Back to Basics

When I find myself straying on the Flex plan of Weight Watchers,
I get myself back in line by doing a week of the Core plan.
So, another tour, my friends.
This is a day in the life of a Weight Watcher - Core style.

Breakfast
Egg and spinach omelet, Grits with Splenda, Skim milk

Lunch
Grilled chicken, Baked potato, Green beans, Skim milk

Snack (At a baby shower)
Strawberries, Cucumbers, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Broccoli, Pineapple

Dinner
Egg Salad (made with fat free mayo), Mango chunks, Black olives, Dill pickles

Let's Dance

Well, it's official. I am never ever getting a haircut in Alaska ever again. Not when I can do my own and still look like a hottie! Nevermind that this haircut is a decade old. That's right. I'm bringing back... "The Rachel"

Bad Hair Day

You know when you cut your hair in the middle of the night and it turns out okay, but you miss your layers?

You know when you go to MasterCuts on a whim and trust the first stylist available to restore them?

You know when you grimace in horror as you watch a middle-aged man, dressed like Al on Tool Time, hack away at your hair?

You know when you politely squeak, "Wow! That's a lot shorter than I was thinking!"?

You know when your aging stylist replies with a huff, "These are long layers. They're what you asked for. That's why we consult before cutting."

You know when your stylist continues to chop, ignoring your gradually slumping body? Maybe I can slink out of this chair unnoticed...

Now you know where I was less than eight hours ago. This is bad. Very bad.

Luckily, I remember most of my schooling. I can fix it. It'll be shorter, but it'll be tolerable. I only cried once.

Remember when I swore off haircuts in Alaska? Okay. Now remind me of that next time I rush out the door to have my hair viciously attacked.

Pictures tomorrow. Only of the repaired cut. I couldn't let the world see the mess that is my head! Good thing Kellie has become a sound sleeper. Looks like another Midnight Haircut for Laura...




Amy C. in VA - I was wondering what brand of wool soaker you showed in your lanolin article - it looks so cozy and cute! ...do you use a fitted under a wool soaker?

Hi Amy! I actually made that soaker from this pattern with a few of my own modifications. I use prefitteds or fitteds under wool. I also make my own prefitteds and fitteds. I've got to do something with all this pent up energy!

I've Gone and Done It

I've reached my 10% goal. I am now 10% lighter! Yay! That's 16.2 pounds lighter.

Kellie keeps biting while nursing. Ouch! Makes me seriously contemplate quitting.

Off to go grocery shopping!

Today Is the Day

The day I will forever know as...

The day I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans!!!

That's right baby! Work it!

As you may know, I've been back on Weight Watchers for about two months. I know that WW has a bad rep for being stingy with the foodstuffs. So for fun (and accountability) I'm going to give you a tour in a day of the life of a Weight Watcher.

I am allotted 24 points in any given day for nourishment. These 24 points are enough calories to keep me alive and well were I to lie in bed all day long. So, any movement I do aside from rolling over in bed burns calories. On top of that, I have 35 points to spend weekly as I see fit.

Here are my 24 points in picture:

Breakfast 3 points
(Blackberry oatmeal with Splenda 2, Pears canned with Splenda 1, Coffee with Splenda 0)

Lunch 7 points
(Tuna 1 on wheat toast 2 = 3, Baked Doritos 2, Yogurt 2)

Snack 1 point
(Orange slices 1, Sugar-free Jell-o 0)

Dinner 10 points

(Homemade veggie lasagna 7, Wheat toast with butter spray and garlic 2, Unsweetened applesauce 1)

Snack 3 points
(Honeydew Melon 1, Granola bites 2)

I feel satisfied (most days) on this type of menu.
And occasionally I need those 35 flex points.
It can be done! I weigh in tomorrow. We'll see how it goes... :)

Halloween