Our little helper

Lily loves to help. She loves to be doing whatever we are doing. If we are pumpkin cookies, she is helping. If we are fixing one of her toy kitchen, she is helping. If we are cleaning the garage, she is helping. Two of the pictures listed are proof that she LOVES to help!

The other pic is of her on the jungle gym just around the corner. She got brave and wanted to do the balance bars...Matt helped her, but she did a fantastic job.

It was another busy week. I like the busyness, but sometimes the monotony of the busyness makes me depressed. Every day is different, but really it is all the same. We went to Chicago last weekend and I think that helped. Getting away from the monotony helps break it up. I am concerned about November and December though. It is going to be a long couple of months.

The memories of bedrest come and go. Today I was standing by my magazine basket in the family room (where I spent every waking moment of bedrest, except when I was at the doctor which was a close runner up...haha). Anyway, I was standing there thinking I needed to clean that area up, but I think there are some remnants of bedrest. So, I just ignored it....And then I turned the corner and thought, I really should move the tote of Daisy's things that are sitting in my dining room....But I didn't. It is still sitting there. I guess I am somewhat paralyzed. Numb. I think numb is a perfect way to describe it. I am living a new normal, but am going through the motions somewhat numbly/emotionless. However, there are upcoming dates that will probably will make me emotional, so I guess numb is an okay place to be for now.

And, I am finding joy in some things again. Joy in Lily.

And there are some frivolous things that I can do to help me try to feel...like shopping, going to lunch with Lily or a friend, taking a walk in the warm fall air while kicking the rustling leaves, eating pumpkin cookies or caramel apples, seeing new life.

Growing (literally) UP!

Lily is GROWING. Her 2T clothes that fit a few weeks ago have been put in the "too small" bin and I am pulling out her 3T clothes! Thankfully, I had recently purchased a few new things for school and decided to buy them in 3T!

I really realized how much bigger she is getting last night. At 3AM she was crying. Not sure why....But I went in and picked her up to rock her for a minute. Usually her head is on my chest and she wraps her legs around my sides and hugs me from the front while we rock. SHE WAS TOO BIG to do this. Her head was on my shoulders and her legs were hanging awkwardly down off the rocker. I almost had a mini panic attack.....I have enjoyed the growing up process, not wistfully wishing she was still younger. I like that she can walk, talk, eat on her own....Last night was one of the first times I was so sad that she wasn't my "baby" anymore.

Here is a pic of her on her way to school this morning. She LOVES her new backpack!!!

The other pic is of Lily in her big sister dress. We didn't even ask her to pose, but what a wonderful pose!

Got some chicken out of the freezer and need to figure out what I am making tonight. Off to figure that out.

Feeling like I am running a million miles an hour and cannot get caught up!!! Part of it is that we did a show for our recipe cards on Sunday. All of the stuff from the show is sitting in my family room. Need to go through and put it away. However, we got invited to another show on Nov 12th while we were there and we may do that. So, I don't really want to haul it all down to the basement......But, that is a MONTH away! Candace will be a new mom by then, so I am on my own for that show. Both shows are in homes of a couple of girls we met. The one on Sunday was amazing--very fun to be apart of!

Lily said to me yesterday morning--"I a big gouwl and I a pincess." (I a big girl and I a princess!) She talking nonstop right now and Matt and I are giggles several times a day. She has such an imagination. Many times a day she is a monster, monkey or a spider. She even crawls around like a spider. (She is pretty girly so crawling around with the possibility of getting dirty is pretty major.) This morning she was jumping on my bed singing, "No mour monkeys gumping on the bed!" I need to start documenting the funny things that come streaming out of her mouth. They just happen at the most random moments. Wish I had a video recorder on me every moment to capture it all.

Off to work on laundry. Matt and I are going away this weekend. I must get caught up before we go.

A word from Emily Post....I really wish she was family

Took Lily to Debrand tonight for the first time. We had a gift card that we needed to use up. She was tired, so we didn't get quite the reaction we were expected as she was looking at the chocolate. BUT, she still LOVED EATING the chocolate! I will get a picture from Matt's phone and post it soon.


I got this from 1 800 Flowers.com and think that it is great advice for hostess gifts. Thinking ahead to our next week, I need a hostess gift for a friend that has little room for more THINGS because she lives in a small condo. So, I was googling hostess gifts and thought this information was helpful for more than just an overnight stay....I know that this is a little random, but I think hostess gifts are important and in our culture, I feel as though we often do not think ahead and take one. I know I am guilty of it......So, here are some good insights on when, where, and what:


Host and Hostess Gifts

When should I bring a host or hostess gift?

Cocktail party
Host and Hostess gifts are completely optional for cocktail parties. But if you’re in a generous mood, a bottle of wine or a batch of blueberry muffins for the next morning—or, for the holidays, something seasonal, like an ornament—would be thoughtful. Be sure to enclose a gift card so the host won’t wonder whose thought it was that counts.

Dinner party
Yes, bring a gift, but keep it simple and under $25. Anything that distracts the host may be a nuisance. A bottle of wine, a small potted plant, a flower arrangement already in a vase, candles, or soaps are better bets. Present the gift to your host when you arrive, or leave it on an entry way table if your host isn’t there to greet you.

Casual get together such as brunch
A gift is optional. You may choose instead to bring something to the meal—a side dish, dessert or drink. But ask: just showing up with a tray of Danish puts the host on the spot.

Overnight stay
A gift is mandatory. You can present the gift upon your arrival, during your stay, or after your exit. Consider giving your hosts something you note in the course of your visit that would be right for them, like a tray that goes with their color scheme. The longer the stay, the more expensive or elaborate the gift. For example, for a weekend stay, you may decide to send flowers. If you’ve stayed for three nights or more, a gift certificate to the host’s favorite spa or restaurant would be a good bet.

What do you give the host who has everything?
Everyone likes a thank-you. Even the simplest token can have an impact—flowers, homemade jam, or a batch of your fabulous chocolate cookies.

Should you send something if you're not attending?
There’s no need to send a gift to a host or hostess if you’re not attending the event.

If I call a host the next day to thank her, must I also send a note? Is an email acceptable?
A call the next day is always thoughtful. For a dinner party, a phone call is enough. For informal gatherings among close friends, either a call or an email is fine. But after an overnight visit, a handwritten note is the way to go.

If a dinner party guest brings me a special gift, should I acknowledge that thank-you gesture with a thank-you note?
A verbal thanks is sufficient. But if you didn’t get to thank your guests at the party, you do need either to call or to drop a short note so that your guest knows you received the gift.

If I bring a gift or a contribution to a dinner, do I still need to send a thank-you note afterward?
If you’ve brought a gift or contributed to dinner and said thanks verbally for a wonderful evening, a written note isn’t necessary.

Perfect Host and Hostess Gifts

* Bestselling book of interest to the host
* A fresh flower arrangement in a vase
* Hand towels for the powder room or beach towels for sunning
* Packages of cocktail napkins, perhaps with the host’s monogram
* Calendar for the coming year
* Bottle of liqueur or cognac the host is fond of
* Sturdy canvas tote bag
* Unusual kitchen tools such as a pasta lifter or egg separator for an avid cook
* A dozen golf balls for a golfer
* Set of nicely packaged herbs and spices or a selection of peppercorns (black, white, red, green)
* Picture frame, with a picture taken during your visit sent later
* Candles and informal candlesticks
* Houseplant in a simple yet decorative pot

When to give?
If it’s a dinner party, offer your gift when you arrive. Overnight guests can give upon arrival or during their stay. A gift can also be sent once you return home, once you’ve had a chance to see what the host may need.

Re-gift a Host or Hostess Gift?

The Wine Bottle Redux
Is it ok to recycle that bottle of wine you received from a guest at the dinner party you held last week and give it to the host or hostess of the party you’re attending tonight? What about the lovely box of chocolates you didn’t open because you’re dieting?

Regifting has become part of our culture—and a hotly debated topic. Is it OK to pass on a gift you’ve received to someone else? Is it ethical? The answer is a very qualified yes. Regifting can be done, though rarely, and under these very specific circumstances:

1. You’re certain the gift is something the recipient would enjoy.
2. The gift is brand new (no castoffs allowed) and comes with its original packaging, box and instructions.
3. The gift isn’t handmade, or one that the original giver took great care to select.
4. Neither your gift giver nor your recipient will be upset.

Simply put, you have to make sure you don’t hurt feelings—neither the original giver’s nor the recipient’s. For instance, if you received a set of wineglasses from your sister-in-law that you didn’t need, do you think she’d mind if you passed them along to a friend who just bought a house? Do the two women know each other? Would it be awkward if they found out? Is there a chance your friend might need to exchange the glasses for something else herself, and if she asked you where you bought them, what would you tell her?

When in doubt, do not regift. Only you can decide whether to regift—and how to do it appropriately. Think through each situation carefully, and if you’re in doubt, don’t do it. A gifting gaffe isn’t worth the price of a coffeemaker or bottle of wine.


About the
Emily Post Institute
The Emily Post Institute, created by Emily in 1946 and run today by third generation family members, serves as a "civility barometer" for American society and continues Emily's work. That work has grown to address the societal concerns of the 21st century including business etiquette, raising polite children and civility in America.
Read to find out more about Emily Post Institute and the Etiquette Expert

So my new mommy attire is quickly becoming sweatpants and a cute top. Seriously, I have decided I am really okay with it. At first, I felt like a bum. However, I am getting more comfortable by the moment. Some days, I try to change clothes before I go out in public. Most days, I have decided that throwing on a scarf and possibly a hat turns out to be cuter than a sweater and jeans.

I ended up buying several things at Old Navy online recently. They are always have discounts via email AND their stuff has gotten much more stylish. Old Navy and Gap both carry tall sizes and they are typically the same price as the regular sizes. I got 9 tall sized shirts (and a pair of sweatpants) through Old Navy last week for $86!!! You cannot just go buy 9 cotton, long shirts (with embellishments!) anywhere for that!!! Definitely gave me a little boost.

As for Lily, she has the most adorable clothes of us all. So, if I am with her, I am sure everyone is looking at how fantastic she looks and barely pays much attention to me anyway!

Off to clean up my house a little bit. Then, I must work on Trifle some more. We have a show on small holiday show on Sunday.

A Psalm that seems most appropriate

Psalm 40:1-3a

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth; a hymn of praise to our God."

The week is over and the new week and month (oct!) is beginning.

I LOVE dreary Sundays that I get in the mood to bake. Today I made Polly's pumpkin cookies (posted on the Tried and True tab). And with the leftover pumpkin, I made my first ever pumpkin pie. I just so happened to have all the ingredients (whoa!) on hand. It is in the oven now and Matt is VERY excited. As for Lily, she doesn't know about it yet. I am sure she will love the pumpkin cookies, filled with oats and pumpkin goodness for her.

Pics are of Lily at the Auburn Fair...She got to go a couple of times and LOVED it, of course. I love the pic where Lily is on the ride (by herself!) and mom is in the background with a huge smile on her face.

I am glad the week is over.