It's Over!!!

My maternity leave that it....I just can't believe that its time to go back to work and I'm not very happy about it!! It seems like just yesterday that I had Baby M and now she'll be 3 months old next week (tears). I'm really happy that my mother in law will be keeping her during the day so at least she won't have to go to daycare, but I'm still dreading the fact that I have to leave her for a full 8 hours each day!!  I was told that every new mom goes through separation anxiety...but lets just hope I don't spend my first day back at work sitting at my desk in tears!

But in the meantime, I'm gonna be sure to live up my last full week at home with my baby girl and this weekend, Mr. M & I will be taking her away for her very first road trip! YAY! I'm looking forward to a weekend of fun with the family and then back to the working world on Monday!

Somebody better hook the coffee machine up to my desk.....

100th post and an orange box of happiness.

YAY....this is my 100th post!! And while I'm the first to admit that my blog is no where near where I would like it to be...I'm still proud of myself for sticking with it and learning to love it even more than I thought possible....heres to the next 100 and even more growth in the years to come!!

What better way to celebrate the big 100 than with a post all about goodies.  After signing up for influenster a couple of months ago (if you are interested in joining and finding out more about their sheer awesome-ness...visit influenster.com! TRUST ME sooooo worth it) I was selected to receive the Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox!! YAAAAYYY...believe me when I tell you how excited I was because I NEVER, read NEVER seem to win anything!! I patiently waited and my orange box of happiness arrived on my doorstep this Saturday...It was the perfect pick me up during the gloomy weather and the perfect thing to occupy my time while Mr. M got ready for our dinner date!

YAY!!

 

As I started to RIP off the tape.

 

I was really excited to open my VOXBOX because I had no idea what I was in for...I had read about influenster on another blog so I knew the boxes tend to be stuffed with goodies.  I was not disappointed.

 

My first glance.

 

I loved that the card included with the box told me about each item included AND the retail price for each.  WOW talk about a huge savings...as a person who loves freebies and is trying her HARDEST to start and stick to a budget...this was like Christmas in a box with a retail value of like well over $30 bucks! It was even better because it included items that I wanted to try but probably wouldn't break down and buy for myself!

 

Yay...coupons! These are for the Dickson's Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes (not pictured individually) I'm really excited to try these towels as I tend to have "problem" skin and these are the PERFECT size for throwing in my purse and helping to keep my skin under control on esp oily/sweaty days or anytime I just want to freshen up.  Plus at $5.99 a box AND with a $2.00 off coupon...it's a skin regime that I can afford to keep up! lol

 

Next up was Vaseline brand Spray & Go moisturizer. Which I LOVE!! I had just saw an ad for this in Redbook but it was probably one of those things that I probably wouldn't break down and buy for myself.  For as much money as I sometimes spend, there are just some areas that I cheat myself on and beauty products are one of them.  This spray is perfect for those times that I forget to put on lotion and I'm in too much of a rush to stop and do it.  One quick spray of this and I'm ready to go (although you do need to rub in it). It's really fast...its absorbs nicely...it doesn't make me feel greasy like some lotions do and it smells great!!! The scent might be a bit strong for some people and while it was a bit more fragrant than I expected... Its something I can totally live with.  Its a fresh scent but probably not one that I would mix with too many perfumes.  I think this alone with not only keep me moisturized but keep me smelling nice as well.

 

 

Next up was the Colgate Optic White regimen.  Toothpaste, mouthwash, and a really cool looking toothbrush!  The line claims to give you whiter looking teeth in just 5 days! I'm excited to try these (I just opened a new tube of toothpaste so these will have to wait until that is gone!) and even if my teeth don't get whiter, at least I'm sure to have fresh breath!! lol

 

Sweet.

 

Finally the "sweet" portion of my box.  NECTRESSE all natural sweetener packets and BelVita breakfast biscuits (both of which I dug into this morning) The sweetener is great because its all natural and while it was sweet, I didn't really like it in my coffee.  I'm really particular about my java and the sweetness that it added just wasn't what I'm used to. I think I'll still to regular white sugar and use the nectresse for other items like oatmeal where the "different" (sorry, that's the only thing that I can think of to describe it lol) type of sweetness would probably work.  I'm also planning on giving a few packets to my mother in law who loves anything all-natural and would definitely like to try this.

 

I've been wanting to try the breakfast biscuits for the longest time.  I've seen them all over the place but I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical about them...little cookie type biscuits for breakfast and that's it?!?! UUUMMMMM!!! LOL But I was pleasantly surprised by these!! With my coffee, they were actually pretty perfect for breakfast.  The pack contained four "biscuits" (they are actually much more like a cookie in my opinion).  They were nice and crisp and not overly sweet, they reminded me of a crispy oatmeal cookie...I could really taste the brown sugar.  Over all I liked them A LOT and they actually kept me full until lunch time.  Its not a breakfast that I would have all of the time (I'm much too greedy for that) but it's definitely something I would grab when I don't have time for much else or if I'm not super super hungry!

 

One final look.

 

Overall my first experience with influenster was great.  I'm really excited to be a part of future programs and hope that any other boxes that I receive are just as if not better than this one. 

Again...if you haven't signed up yet... Go. Now!!!

 

Are you a part of the program? What did you think of goodies you have received?

 

 

 

**Please Note....Influenster provided my Sugar N Spice VOXBOX free of charge for testing purposes.  All opinions are my own.**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SO.

So like always I have totally been slacking a bit on my blogging.  I told myself that I would go for atleast two posts a week and yet, somehow life manages to get in the way and I always seem to fall a bit short of some of my goals! lol But I guess now that I am a actual full grown adult...(I'm almost 30 and trust me I've been trying to avoid "growing up" for as long as I could) thats to be expected!

It finally hit me the other night (better late than never right?!!? LOL) I am someones wife AND mother.  I spent a night doing things that needed to be done as opposed to things that I really wanted to do...I cooked, washed clothes, washed dishes, cleaned the kitchen, gave the baby a bath, and got our clothes ready for the next day, all before even getting close to my bed and being awakened every couple of hours for greedy baby feedings!! lol I told Mr. M, OMG I really feel like a mom now! And needless to say...most other days followed suit. I can only imagine what things will be like once I have to go back to work and throw another 8 hours of busy-ness into the mix.  But yet, as I sit here typing...looking at my baby girl and waiting for my hubby to come back with breakfast, I realize it really is worth it!!

But in the meantime, I'm gonna have to get my act together and get organized...there is so much to do and so little time to do it...like washing up more clothes than I care to admit that we have.  Organizing and switching our closets and just plain 'ol getting the house in order (I swear sometimes that Babies r us exploded in here) plus not to mention I still need to fit in a little fun and me time (and maybe a shower or two ☺ lol) plus eating and drinking and all that good stuff!!

So, how do you do it? What are your tips for getting organized and staying on track?? I am a list maker...so I'm thinking a daily to-do list will help but what else can I do to ensure I get it and keep it all together?!!?

Picture my life.

 

Baby M & I are sooooo ready for spring and yes we are going to be TOO fly!!! lol

 

 

 

Baby M has her ears pierced now! Yay...she is such a big girl

(she is also having a bit of a bad hair day!! LOL)

 

 

Twists and curly bun...plus my earrings are super cute!

 

 

Pretty arm candy...to go with Sunday's yellow attire.

 

 

Lunch is served!

 

 

A Yummy belated b-day gift...Thanks Dakota! lol I can't wait to use it!!!!

 

 

I could hold this little hand FOREVER!

 

 

 

 

 

Tears....

So yesterday Baby M got her shots. (I can't believe that my baby girl is 2 months old already) OMG this was probably the worst thing I have ever seen...these were the biggest needles EVER and they gave her 3 of them!!! 3!!!! Yes, I know this is perfectly normal but as a first time mom, I was traumatized!! My poor baby cried and my heart just broke...I never thought it was possible to hurt so much at the pain of someone else!! But now I know....ah the joys and pains of being a mommy!

So I immediately turned into super mommy and hugged and kissed and rocked my baby until she was all smiles again.  I was super proud of myself for NOT turning into one of those mothers that need to be bailed out of jail for punching the nurse that administered said shots!! lol Her nurse was super nice though and extremely fast..he even sealed the deal with hot pink tweety bird band-aids for my little diva!

Thank goodness she didn't get a fever but she was a bit fussy later that night (basically crying hysterically and breaking Mommy's heart all over again) and once more I rocked, hugged, and kissed her until she fell asleep.  She woke up this morning with nothing but smiles and sweet coos for mommy.  I'm so happy she is feeling better and now all is right in my world again! 

Geez...mommy duty is hard work but oh so worth it! lol