Diapers & Wipes Case

Let me just go ahead and say this is by far one of my new favorite products. I love the convenience it provides for me as a mom. I hate having to carry the entire diaper bag with me when I need to change Emily's diaper. So now I just grab this cute little case & make a quick run to the bathroom. I also love that with this I can occasionally carry my purse instead of the diaper bag & still have what I really need. I've looked online at many diaper & wipes cases and this is by far one of the cutest I've seen. If your a mom constantly on the go like myself I'd say it's totally worth the investment.

Ashley from My Sweet Lizzy has been kind enough to offer my readers 10% off any purchase through the month of February. Just use the code: GGGsave10

Don't miss out on this because it's a diaper bag must have!!

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Tuesday Glam Party #66

I'm sorry there are no features this week. I got caught up and the week slipped by me a little too fast. Will have features back up next week. Have a great week!!!

Can't wait to see what you have to share!

Do me one favor and link back to my page with either my button or text link.
Also, go ahead and visit the 2-3 people before you and leave some comment love.

<a href="http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb381/gigglesglitzandglam/whosgotglam.jpg"/></a>

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A Praying Mommy

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So, now I give him over to the Lord, for his whole life he will be given over to the Lord" 1 Samuel 1:27-28

As you already know Emily visited the NICU shortly after she was born. It was then that I remembered that she is on loan to me from God & ultimately she belongs to Him. It was much to my relief that He loves her far more than I can ever love her and I love her a lot. Knowing how much He loves her I knew that everything would be perfect no matter how it turned out. It was then that I committed her life to Him & released my control over her (as if I had any). I remember praying for her that afternoon as His child & begging Him to take care of her. I'm elated that He has chosen for me to be her mommy, but rest knowing He is her Father.

Little did I know that this would become a truth I would rely a lot upon. When I am faced with a moment where I can choose to worry or let go of it and trust God it's easy to remember I need to trust Him. I have spent a lot of time praying over sweet Emily already and thanking God for watching over her. It's amazing how much you begin to pray once you have a child. I needed to learn to be a better prayer warrior and I think motherhood has taught me that among the millions of other things it has taught me. I've prayed through her NICU experience, through breastfeeding & sleepless nights, for her future & her present. I've prayed for my ability to be a good mother. I've prayed a lot & hope to continue to pray a lot. I hope that my daughter will always know that momma was praying for her. I'm delighted to spend the rest of my life praying for her in every way possible.

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Tuesday Glam Party #65

I love all the pretty decorations that come around Valentine's Day. The stuff in the stores really kind of makes me want to vomit a little. It's just too much. I love the simple yet sophisticated stuff that I seem to find in the handmade community. This is stuff I can accidentally leave out and not be embarrassed that I left out my holiday decor. OR even purposefully leave out because it's so darn cute!

This yarn wrapped wire from Everything Under the Moon is simply stunning. I just absolutely love it & would totally put it up in my house which I promise is saying a lot.

Loving the simplicity and the creativeness behind this beaded heart frame from over at The Tattered Tag. So cute!

I love how pretty this rosette Valetine's wreath is from I Heart My Glue Gun!
I'm really hoping to have time to make a Valentine's wreath this year, but of course no promises with a baby in the house.

Can't wait to see what you have to share!

Do me one favor and link back to my page with either my button or text link.
Also, go ahead and visit the 2-3 people before you and leave some comment love.

<a href="http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb381/gigglesglitzandglam/whosgotglam.jpg"/></a>

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Valentine's Giveaway: Facebook

I am hosting a giveaway on my facebook page today! Look for the status with all the rules & then comment away. Up to 5 entries!!

You will win one of my Valentine's onesies!

Don't worry I didn't forget the boys...

If you want to order one then check out my shop & get 20% off using code: SUNDAY20

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Floral Headbands

Just had to share these two adorable headbands that were sent to us from Amanda at Toaster's Transformations. I desperately wanted some red & black headbands for Emily's newborn photoshoot. Amanda sent these my way and I just love them! Plus Emily looks adorable. I loved the two completely different styles and how perfect they were for the shoot. They were exactly what I was looking for.

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Sleepless Nights

Before we had Emily everyone kept telling us to get plenty of rest which I did occasionally. I didn't really realize just how little of sleep I'd get that first week. The first night Emily was with us in the hospital after a few minute of trying to get her to fall asleep we paged the nursery for them to come take her. It was nice to store up on two nights of okay sleep. She was brought in every 2-3 hours to feed plus I had my vitals checked in the middle of the night too, but other than that we had peaceful sleeping!

The first night we were home I grabbed Emily's swaddle wrap, then got her all nice & snug! I got her to sleep & laid her down in her cradle. Easy! Only 2 minutes later she let me know she wasn't about to sleep in her cradle. My thoughts? Must be too big we will try the bassinet tomorrow. We took turns that night holding her in the living room...me, Cody and then my mom. We were exhausted day 2 home from the hospital.

The next day came & I laid her in the bassinet, to no avail she had no desire to lay there either. She wanted to be with us. Not to mention she hated being swaddled. She loves her legs to be swaddled, but she likes her hands up in her face. I should have known considering she literally had her hand by her face at birth. This is when we came up with shifts and everyone got a 3 hour block to sit up with Emily while she slept on their chest. I became increasingly sleepy at night as I had to get out of bed every 2-3 hours to nurse, but at least I was getting some sleep between nursings at least twice a night. Once when Cody was on shift & once when my mom was on shift. Our schedule worked for us at least for the time being.

Once my mom left Cody & I worked out our own schedule. I'm blessed that he's so willing despite the fact that he has to get up early to go to work. We average about 6 hours of sleep a night granted it's broken up. I'd like to say things are improving but not yet. It will get there & for now I'll cherish all these cuddles because I know in a year or two I'll be wishing desperately that I could sneak a cuddle in.

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Removing the Stress: Nursing

One thing I kept hearing over & over again as I gave my hand at nursing was that if you were stressed out then your baby would know it. It's crazy to me that your baby can be that intuitive. This reason is one of the number one reasons why I decided to remove Emily from the breast. As she would bobble around & scream at my lack of milk supply I'd become increasingly discouraged & frustrated only adding more stress to the matter. It was only a matter of minutes before we were both crying.

I just read a blog post over at Mama and Baby Love called Make Your Boobs a Happy Place. After reading her post I am encouraged to continue giving it a try occasionally to see if perhaps Emily will take to the breast. I love those moments when she latches because there is a bond in that moment that is like no other. Sometimes when she's really fussy I just let her nurse herself to sleep because she will take the breast in those moments and she's completely comforted. In those moments my boobs are a very happy place for her. We still mostly pump & bottle feed but occasionally I still try the breast. I've been on domperidone for a couple weeks now & my supply is up but still not enough to take care of all her needs. My lactation consultant has encouraged me to nurse her from time to time even if I do spend a majority of my time pumping. So I'm going to attempt to continue making it a happy place. And when it doesn't work I'm not discouraged as much & it doesn't end in tears. I take her off & give her a bottle making all well in the world. No stress.

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One Month

8 lbs 12 oz 21. 5 in.

Dear Emily,

You are one month old. It's hard to believe that a month ago I was going into the hospital to have you. It feels as though all that happened just yesterday. You are growing up too fast already. You are no longer that teeny tiny baby, but you are starting to get so big. Every time I look at you I am surprised by how much you have grown. You try very hard to hold up your head as long as you can. You have a very strong neck!

You actually love tummy time which I hear is rare. Not to mention you love playing on your play mat. You kick and kick and kick while the music is playing. This is one place you are always happy to spend time. All too often you'd much rather be laying with either me or daddy than swinging or sitting in your chair.

You have brought so much joy to our lives. While we still would like extra sleep the cuddles we get with you make up for the hours we are missing out on. Not to mention nothing is sweeter than the grins & giggles that occur in your sleep. We both love you with everything in us & find you absolutely adorable!

Love ,

Mom

Okay here is your real one month photo. The other one was taken 7 days late but I wanted to trick people into thinking I had it all together.

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Tuesday Glam Party #64

So happy to be back & enjoying all the wonderful things you guys are sharing! Getting me excited about some projects brewing in my head. If only my child would take long naps outside of my arms so that I can get some fun things done. Oh and I need money to grow on trees so I can afford everything I need to accomplish my goals.

Loving this floral fabric & vinyl rug from over at Happy Go-Lucky!

This china cabinet from Dumped & Discovered turned out fabulous. The before & after is amazing! I need these skills.

I just love this tile frame made by Loving Life! I think I will have to make one of these for little Miss Emily's room. It would be perfect for some of the empty space on her bookshelf.

Can't wait to see what you have to share!

Do me one favor and link back to my page with either my button or text link.
Also, go ahead and visit the 2-3 people before you and leave some comment love.

<a href="http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb381/gigglesglitzandglam/whosgotglam.jpg"/></a>

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The Birth Story

Normally I would not be one to share my birth story, but I've been encouraged to share it. If you've ever been pregnant you know just how quickly one wants to share their horror story with you. I personally never let anyone because I didn't care to hear it. Between my sister & my close friends I had a good understanding of what birth looked like, both the good & the bad. So I share my story with you because I want you to know that good stories do happen...

The night of December 7th I didn't get very much sleep after a night of contractions. They would be getting closer together and then just dissipate. I called my doctor on the 8th & went in to be checked. I was at a 2 so she advised me if I started contracting again to be sure to head to the hospital this time. That night I had excellent sleep, but woke up around 6:30 because I had "wet" myself. I called my mom & told her I thought my water had broken but not to come to the hospital just yet in case it was a false alarm (i.e. pee'd my pants).

We got to the hospital around 6:45 or so & got all checked in. The nursed check me and my water had not broken, but I was indeed in labor. I was dilated to a 3 so she was keeping me there. We called our parents to let them know it was a go. They asked if I was in pain & if I wanted an epidural. I had no pain but knew I wanted the epidural and didn't want to miss out on it because I waited too long.

The anesthesiologist was in with another woman, but would come see me as soon as he had a chance. Pretty sure it was a couple hours and I was dilated to a 5 by the time he came to visit me, but I wasn't experiencing any pain so I didn't mind. I wouldn't have known I was having contractions if it wasn't for the machine telling me so & according to my mother-n-law some of them were fairly severe so I was lucky. Getting the epidural hurt a little, but was totally worth it. It wasn't long before I couldn't feel from my tummy down. I was happy!

We spent much of the day just watching TV & talking. Sometime around lunch my contractions started getting more intense so my mother decided to tell my dad to get to the hospital around 1:30 because that's probably when I'd have a baby. My guess was closer to 3:30, but what did I know? So around 1:30 my contractions slowed down so much so that the nurse decided to put me on pitocin. She had to keep increasing the amount I was getting because I wasn't progressing at all. I was starting to have to push my epidural button to get more drugs because I was actually starting to feel some of my contractions just a little bit. At one point my nurse asked about my pain & when I told her I was feeling them but it wasn't too bad she told me that there was no reason for me to feel anything since I had chosen to get an epidural. So my sweet friend, the anesthesiologist came back to up my dose! Shortly there after the nurse came in to tell me it was go time, she was going to go call my doctor so we could start pushing. However, my doctor was busy so wanted to hold off 30 minutes. Fine by me I couldn't feel a thing ;)

About 10 minutes later the nurse came in to prepare me because my doctor was ready. They told me to pull up my legs and I just laughed because I couldn't do a thing with them. They just lay there motionless even though I was desperately trying to move them. The nurse took one leg & Cody the other. It was time to push. Four contractions & 16 minutes into pushing and we had a beautiful baby girl! My doctor really thought she might come out during the 2nd contraction, but it took just a little longer. Needless to say I was lucky!!

Emily came into this world at 4: 18 pm weighting 8 lbs 2 oz. & measuring 21 inches long. She was absolutely flawless & I was madly in love. As I lay there holding her I thought the sweet little grunts she was making was adorable until the nurse told me it wasn't a good thing. It was only a matter of minutes before they decided to take Emily to the NICU. She never let out a big wail to let loose the fluids so when she started grunting they were concerned especially since I was Group B positive. Hours passed by before I even received an update on my child & one with which I didn't want to hear. She was fine, but they wanted to monitor her for 48 hours. They wanted to definitely keep her in the NICU over night, but maybe even longer. I sobbed. All I wanted to do was hold my sweet baby again. I prayed & called on my closest friends to pray. I wanted her in my arms again. I wanted everything to be okay.

Around 10:30 that night I held my baby again. I went down to the NICU to see her. The nurse told us we could stay as long as we wanted. So as I sat there doing skin-to-skin I prayed over her. I prayed that we would get to have her back with us soon. As it got later in the night I knew I needed to get rest as I wouldn't be getting much of that so we left her even though I could have sat there all night with her on my chest.

Before we left the NICU they told me they would bring her down for feeds in the middle of the night & that I could visit whenever I wanted. I felt better as we headed back to our room. I slept pretty good that night & was so happy to see her that morning even though my sleep was interrupted. When 7am came they released her from the NICU to the regular nursery which meant my baby could be with me. God had answered our prayers! Our parents (aside from my mom) got to see her for the first time on Saturday morning. We were released Sunday morning which was a blessing because they originally weren't sure if they would be willing to release Emily until late Sunday afternoon.

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White Noise

My husband is one of those people who has to have a fan on & the room completely dark in order for him to sleep. I on the other hand am that person who lays down with the lights on, people talking and the dogs barking and just pass right out.

I had always heard that whatever noises your baby is used to in the womb they will sleep through once they are born. Boy is that true because I can yell at the dogs with her right at my chest and she doesn't budge. However, she flails about if a cabinet door is opened in the other room. I knew that we should make as much noise as we wanted so our child wasn't that child who could only sleep in the pure dark in absolute silence. I leave the TV on all day mostly so she will always have background noise. I yell at the dogs just like I normally would. I still vacuum & don't care if someone rings the doorbell. I keep the lights on during the day to help her differentiate day from night (once she's older she can nap in the dark).

So I am all about getting my child to a place where she can sleep anywhere and everywhere with no problems, but I've seen a growing trend in using some sort of white noise in infants rooms. I took a survey among friends and of 30 something only 2 didn't use anything. It has me thinking on if I want to do something or not, but I'm still liking my method of not using a thing. I may use a lullaby CD to help her fall asleep, but it shuts off when it's done and doesn't keep playing all night. I still have month or so to make a decision though...

Here's some of what people told me they use & there are TONS more products out there:

The white noise machine:
The slumber bear...
The sleep sheep...

The box fan...

So what do you do? White noise? Nothing special?

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Tuesday Glam Party #63

Hoping I can convince my father-n-law to make Emily a doll house like this one from Sew Much Ado. How fun!!

This black end table from 551Eat Furniture Design is simply gorgeous!

I am loving this craft room from over at Alyssabeths!

And a yummy treat...

This apple cinnamon cream cheese coffee cake from Feeding My Temple looks delightful!

Can't wait to see what you have to share!

Do me one favor and link back to my page with either my button or text link.
Also, go ahead and visit the 2-3 people before you and leave some comment love.

<a href="http://gigglesglitzandglam.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb381/gigglesglitzandglam/whosgotglam.jpg"/></a>

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Emily's 1st Christmas

Emily's 1st Christmas was wonderful! We are so blessed to be given such a sweet gift this Christmas. Our little girl was more than enough for me!

I was a little nervous to visit Santa because of the germs, but decided I just had to. We got up early on a Sunday morning & headed to Bass Pro Shop to get our picture. I handed her over in her blanket so he didn't touch her. We all survived!!

Here is me & Emily on her small little family Christmas.

I'm reading her the book we got her for Christmas, I Love You Through and Through.

Here is a great picture that shows just how our photo shoot of the cousins went. I think we got a half way decent photo, but for the most part they are full of chaos!

My nieces & nephew just adored Emily. It was so sweet to see how caught up in her they were. This moment was such a special moment for me.

Christmas morning we all headed to church. All of the girls wore matching dresses so this was our attempt to get a cousin picture yet again!

Christmas morning dress!! :)

Our little family...

Little Santa baby!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!

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Chicken Pot Pie

Hello Giggles, Glitz, & Glam readers!

My name is Amanda, and I blog over here. I'm so thankful that Jana is allowing me to come and spend some time with you today!!! I'm hoping Jana is enjoying her break and her time to getting adjusted!

That's me and my wonderful hubby, Aaron.

My husband and I are expecting our little one in mid-January! I can't wait!

I don't know about you but whenever it starts to get cold out, I start to desire comfort foods. Soups (oh if only my grandma lived closer, I'd have her chicken noodle every day), Stews, and Chicken Pot Pie.

Last year, my husband I decided we should have chicken pot pie for dinner during the fall when it was just getting that chill in the air. I thought it was a great idea, so I decided to make one (or two). They were so tasty that they have become a staple in our house home, (we have an apartment). And they're not terribly difficult to make, just slightly time consuming. (But I'm a slow cook, you can ask hubby about that. It usually takes me twice as long to make something as it does him.)

So without further ado:

Chicken Pot Pie

• First I start by making a pie crust or 2. If you need a good recipe go here. (or you can always buy a double pie crust.)


• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. And if your oven looks like mine, get out your lighter, turn on the gas, and light it up, yup, it's that old.
  

• In a sauce pan, combine 1 lb chicken (cubed) and a bag of mixed frozen veggies.
  

Source

• Add water to cover and boil 15 minutes.


• Remove from heat, drain and set aside.


• In a sauce pan over medium heat, cook 1/3 c onions in 1/3 c butter until soft (very soft, we don't want them to crunch so yucky!) Sorry for that, continuing.

Your onion cutting attire (if you're anything like me)

• Stir in 1/3 c flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper (unless you've been having gall bladder attacks), and 1/4 c celery seed.


• Slowly stir in 2 c chicken broth and 2/3 c of milk.


• Simmer over medium-low heat until thick.


• Remove from heat and set aside.


• Place chicken mixture in bottom pie crust.


• Pour hot liquid over chicken.


• Cover with top crust and make slits.


• Bake 30-35 minutes.


• Cool 10 minutes before serving.
  

And that's it! It really sounds more intense than it actually is. A few useful tips:

Make sure you put foil on the bottom rack of your oven in the event that your pie inevitably possibly spills over.

If you make this for your husband, he will tell you you're the best wife ever.
He'll also ask you to make it again, tomorrow =P.

What are some of your favorite comfort foods in these cold winter months? Do you have any go-to recipes that you can share? I would love to have more recipes (especially easy ones with a little one on the way).

Well thank you for allowing me to share this recipe with you today. If you try it out let me know how it goes please!

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