Halloween 2015 and Why We Love Curious George

"What kind of family did I get myself into?"  --Goldie  :)   

Leo loves Curious George.  Like a lot.  And we have to admit...we love him, too.  George on PBS has become a staple in the morning as we're trying to get showered and dressed.  And we watch George in the evening to wind down before bedtime.  We love the whole cast of city characters and country characters.  A luxury apartment downtown NYC and then a country house just a short jaunt away? What a life!  George is well...curious, but a problem solver!  The Man with the Hat is oh-so-ever patient.  There is math, science, diversity, cause and effect.  There's an occasional random song by Belinda Carlisle. No one ever yells or whines. There are no bad attitudes. No scary villains. GEORGE FOR PRESIDENT!

This is our third year doing a family theme for Halloween and I will keep it up until one or both kids is too embarrassed or has a strong opinion about what to wear.  haha.  The easy choice for Leo would have been a monkey costume.  There are adult "Man with the Yellow Hat" costumes readily available online.  I decided to go the less traveled route of making Leo the Man with the Hat.  Because I have lots of free time on my hands.  How hard could it be to make a felt hat?  Extremely, stupid hard I found out.

After a month of stretching wet felt, carving styrofoam molds, experimenting with fabric stiffeners, pins, and YouTube tutorials...I gave up.

Halloween was ruined forever.

Until...Billy had the brilliant idea to use one of his once ever-so-hip fedora hats.  We took off the ribbon, stretched out the creases in the top and sprayed fabric stiffener to help it hold it's shape. Then a coat of matte yellow spray paint and a black ribbon hot glued on, and voila!  Perfection.  Or close enough.  :)

Leo thought it was a riot that Daddy was Chef Pisghetti and Mommy was Professor Wiseman.  Goldie was Gnocchi the Kitty.  Gnocchi is not a perfectly white kitty, but this costume was the next best thing.  I added her signature blue ribbon to the front.  Leo was ALL about dressing up.  Goldie...a normally very happy, smiley girl...would not crack a smile the entire night!  She was not happy about Halloween or costumes, or Mommy in a wig.  She wanted no part of these shenanigans.  haha.  But she was still a cute little kitty!

Here are pics of Leo's first time Trick or Treating!  We love our sweet neighbor across the street!

I hope all of your Halloween costume dreams came true this year.  Stay curious!  XO

The Man With the Yellow Hat:

Hat:  Recycled from Daddy

Black Ribbon:  Hobby Lobby

Shirt:  Amazon

Tie:  Amazon  (Black Fabric Paint for Polka Dots)

Belt:  Amazon

Pants:  eBay

Boots:  Secondhand from a friend

Baby Kitty (Gnocchi):

Costume:  Pottery Barn Kids

Tights & White Onesie:  H&M

Blue Ribbon:  Hobby Lobby

Professor Wiseman:

Shirt:  Men's Blue Button-Up - Borrowed from Billy (Forever 21)

Lab Coat:  Goodwill

Glasses:  Amazon

Chef Pisghetti:

Chef Coat:  Amazon

Chef Hat:  Amazon

Chef Scarf:  Amazon

Goldie Girl's Nursery

Our boring beige guest room has now been transformed! It's now a cozy place for both out-of-town guests and Goldie to sleep.  At least for the time being.  We'll see how it works out as she grows.  The room started with this vintage coral dresser that I found on a a local Buy, Sell, Trade group on Facebook.  I didn't think I would go with so much pink…but when I was picking out paint, I just couldn't resist going full-out girlie!  I was also really inspired by florals from Rifle Paper Co.  And of course, we had to have some golden touches for our Goldie Gene.  

(Check out all the links below if you're interested to know where I found some of these pieces.)

Lindsay Letters Print from Hobby Lobby.  

Land of Nod Gold Dot Crib Sheet

Paint Color:  Angellic from Sherwin Williams 

Handmade feather mobile by my dear friend Erin Sparks at Vintage Sparkle.  

Rifle Paper Co. papers from Paper Source 
Poster Frames from Michaels

My ballet shoes from my dancing days.  :)

Shelf:  Ikea

Ivory Bedding:  2nd hand from local Buy, Sell, Trade site on FB

Pillows:  Nate Berkus for Target

Kitty Pillow:  Babies R Us 

Glittered Feather Banner from Buffies Babies Shop on Etsy.
Bible Verse Prints from She Reads Truth
Rifle Paper Co. for Penguin Books

Gold Mirror is a vintage find from Vintage Sparkle

Ikea RASKOG Utility Cart
Rifle Paper Co. Papers

Custom Name Banner from LittleLoveLane on Etsy
Ivory Curtains from Zulily
Jellycat Bashful Grey Bunny

Gold leaf headband from NoheaLaBelle Shop Etsy

DIY: Talc-Free Baby Powder

Lots of mamas ask me about using essential oils for diaper rash.  I love sharing this DIY recipe because this stuff is seriously magical!  My friend Mary gave away shaker bottles of this powder at an essential oils class I attended when Leo was a baby.  I pulled it out whenever he had anything red going on under his diaper and it always cleared it up immediately!

Why talc-free?

I don't use anything with talc in it such as baby powder or make-up because it's highly likely you will breathe in some of the particles.  It may seem harmless enough…but talc has been linked to lung irritation and some other pretty scary stuff.  So let's all avoid it, shall we?

Why essential oils?

Certified Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils are a safe way to add aroma to the powder without adding any phthalates or synthetic chemicals that can cause funky side effects or skin irritations.  Roman Chamomile and Lavender are 2 oils that are both soothing to the skin and calming scents as well.  And who doesn't love a calm baby?

Why DIY?
OK.  I admit.  It's a messy project and and takes a little legwork to get all the ingredients.  But once you make it, you'll have a supply for years!  Or you'll have extra to give away. And you can be sure of all the ingredients you're putting on your baby's skin are safe and non-toxic.

Talc-Free Baby Powder Recipe

Use organic, gluten-free, GMO free ingredients if possible.  

Click on links to see where I purchased.

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup arrowroot powder

1/2 cup finely ground oats

1 drop Roman Camomile

2 drops Lavender

4-5 Shaker Bottles

Cute Labels (optional)   

Use a blender or food processor to grind up oats.  Then mix with arrowroot powder and cornstarch.  Then add essential oils last.  *I only trust Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils. Email me at allisonbrimblecom@gmail.com to order and learn where to buy them.  

After mixing, distribute into shaker bottles. 

Want to see more about how I use essential oils in everyday real life?  Follow me on Instagram @essentially_allie.

Enjoy!

Steps of Faith Foundation Update

Did you know that there are hundreds of leg jokes/idioms?  

"That costs an arm and a leg!"

"I feel like we've gotten off on the wrong foot."

"Break a leg!"

"You've got a leg up on the competition."

Cheesy sayings we say all the time become really hilarious when someone says them around an amputee like Billy.  And then their eyes get really big as they realize what they just said.  And then Billy acts like he's offended…for one second.  And then laughs and lets the person off the hook.  haha. 

Billy lost his leg to cancer in 2005 and now is the executive director for a non-profit called Steps of Faith Foundation.  Next month, Steps of Faith will turn 2 years old!  I'm bursting with pride for as he uses his story, testimony, skills, and faith to help build this charity from the ground up and help other amputees in need receive the gift of mobility.  There's nothing better than telling someone they are going to get help.  "We can help you.  We're giving you a new leg.  And you don't owe us a thing."  And then seeing that person walk with their new prosthesis for the first time.

Many people we meet are surprised when they find out Billy is missing a leg. His prosthetic limb (C-Leg) is such a miraculous gift.  He would be so limited with out it.  We are so passionate about giving other amputees that same gift.  To walk instead of being on crutches.  To move around their house and job easily instead of relying on a wheelchair.  To pick something up a robotic hand instead of adapting to live without one.  To work and take care of their families without feeling handicapped.  All of these things are possible with the help of an organization like Steps of Faith.  

Click the video below to see our mission and the need for this cause.

Consider becoming a monthly donor to this cause and helping change the lives of others. 

Spread the word.

www.stepsoffaithfoundation.org

www.crowdrise.com/stepsoffaith

Leo is Two

Our Leo is two!  It's like overnight my little baby became a toddler.  I'm exhausted most of the time trying to keep up with him, but absolutely love this age.  He's makes us laugh so hard on a daily basis with his new words, faces, dances, and big personality.  He takes it all in and doesn't miss a thing.  Just before age two…he started having more opinions about things.  What he ate for meals, what socks he wants to wear…and of course the word "no" became the main staple in his vocabulary.  He's become extra snuggly lately and loves to cozy up on the couch with mommy on these cold days. He's Daddy's number one fan and belly laughs at all of Daddy's silly faces and songs. He loves people, fun, life, laughing and learning which is such a blessing.

After months of not sleeping as a baby…he's now a champion sleeper with a 3 hour nap from 1-4 and sleeps 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM on most nights.  I'm praying fervently this sleep situation continues and his baby sister (due next month) will magically be a much better sleeper from the start.  That will happen, right?

Most recently, Leo learned the word "Cheers!" and loves to toast anyone who has a drink at the same time he does, or really any food at the same time or even toys may get a "Chuus!" as well.  Hi-larious. He's a big song lover and will say and sign "more" if a song on a commercial catches his ear.  It's tough to explain that songs on the radio can't be rewound like the DVR or a CD and tears may ensue.  

Leo's Favorites

Activities:  Flushing the toilet, pushing buttons, baths, wearing daddy's shoes, hiding behind clothes in closets, cooking with mommy, playing drums, dancing to the rhythm of the washing machine, unloading the dishwasher

Things:  Balloons, Balls, Tents, Dogs, Drums, Olaf from Frozen

Books:  Goodnight Gorilla, B is for Bear, Goodnight I Love You

Foods:  Annie's Organic Gummy Bunnies, Chick-Fil-A Fries, Green Smoothies & Juices, Beans and Rice, Chili, Strawberries

Songs:  "Get Up Offa that Thing" by James Brown, "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift, "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson, "Stars" by Coldplay, "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors, "Speak Life" by Toby Mac, and all songs on the Frozen Soundtrack

Lovies:  Tiddliwinks knit white blankie and green paci - "beedee and wassi"

TV:  Curious George

Movie:  Frozen

Places:  The carousel at Opry Mills Mall ("neigh neighs"), the slide at any park, Fountains 

Restaurants:  Chipotle, The Juice Bar, Pie Five Pizza

We love you sweet Leo, and the little man you're becoming.  We are so thankful for you!  XO

 

  

Fun Fact:  This little horse was Billy's when he was little!  His Aunt Angie saved it and gave it to us as a shower gift before Leo was born.  It still "neighs" when you pull the handle!  

Birthday T-Shirt:  "I Am This Many" shirt from The Kids Next Door Etsy Shop 

Dear Sleep-Deprived Mama, You are not alone.

It's probably the number one question friends, family, and total strangers in Target will ask you when you have a baby.

"Is he sleeping through the night yet?"

And if your answer is no, it's a dreaded question.  There are many things that can make you feel like a failure as a mom...and if you don't have a "good sleeper" it can be emotionally tough. Not to mention the toll that a lack of sleep has on your brain and body.

I knew realistically that when I had a newborn, my usual 8-10 hours of sleep would be interrupted.  I would be waking up for feedings for several weeks.  I thought...wow.  That's going to be a tough 10-12 weeks.  Haha.  Silly me.  That was cute.

I read BabyWise when I was pregnant.  Piece of cake, right?  I assumed that since I read the book, my child would follow what the book said would happen if I followed steps A, B, C.  When what I read didn't match up to real life, I went on to read other books. I realized that book after book contradicted itself.  I wanted someone to tell me the right way to fix my problems.  I talked to other moms.  I talked to my pediatrician.  No one had THE answer.

It's normal to wake up every 3 hours until age 1.
He's waking up every 3 hours?!
My daughter slept through the night at 6 weeks.
My daughter woke up twice a night until she was 3.
Let him cry it out.
Crying it out can damage his emotional psyche.
He's hungry.
He's definitely not hungry.
He's just spoiled.
He needs mother's comfort.
You should co-sleep.
Co-sleeping is child abuse.
He's probably too cold.
He's probably too hot.
He's teething.
Give him Advil.
Advil is poison.
He's not sleeping because you don't give him rice cereal.
Rice cereal causes leaky gut syndrome.
He needs crib bumpers.
Crib bumpers are so dangerous.
He needs a night light.
He needs complete darkness.
He needs to be swaddled.
Swaddling causes hip dysplasia.


After buying a crib vibrator (yes...they make those), organic sheets, melatonin, essential oils, a magic sleep suit, Zipadee Do Da Blanket, and every white noise machine and app on the market...I accepted the fact that Leo wasn't going to sleep through the night and neither was I.  6 months had passed and I needed to cope and quit being frustrated and angry.  Instead of groaning, punching my pillow, and waving fists in the air...I accepted it.  He woke up, I nursed him, he went back in his crib happy and sleepy and I would get another 3-4 hours until he woke up again.  I'll continue this and then in time, one night, he'll just sleep through the night when he's ready. Right??

Then Leo turned one.  Surely now.  He's 12 months.  C'mon.  It's going to happen.  This is getting freaking embarrassing.  I'm going to be like that mom on the cover of Time Magazine who is nursing her 7 year old.

15 months.  It was time.  TIME TO SLEEP!  I mean...the kid eats like a teenage football player at this point.  He eats 3 solid meals a day, plus breast milk 3 times a day.  He can eat an entire avocado in one sitting.  He definitely is not starving.  His growth chart is on track.  He's completely happy and healthy.  I knew I only had one thing left to try.  Cry.  It.  Out.  I knew it would be excruciating.  Leo is strong-willed.  He doesn't give in easily.

I committed to not nursing at night no matter how hard it was.  It took 3 nights of torture.  He woke up many times crying.  Sometimes crying for 1-2 hours with varying levels of volume and intensity.  It took 3 nights of praying, crying on both our parts, and very little sleep.  Then it happened.  The 4th night...no crying.  We made it.  Just when I wanted to give in, I realized it was working.

We've now gone 2 weeks of ups and downs.  I haven't slept well at all and I've had massive anxiety, but I didn't give in and nurse him after bedtime once I decided to give it up.  Last night, for the first time in nearly 16 months, I slept for 8 solid hours without either of us waking up.  It's the most amazing feeling on Earth!

To any mamas reading this...this is NOT an plea to let your babies cry for hours at night.  It's just my story.  And to let you know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  There are many other mamas up at all hours of the night praying, cursing, crying, bouncing babies, nursing babies, hiding in the pantry eating cookie dough, or laying there in their beds holding their breath in hopes that little noise they heard will go away and won't turn in to wailing crying.  You are not alone.  Keep the faith and press on with what your gut tells you is best for your baby.  XO

Love is Alive

Exciting things are happening with Billy's non-profit, Steps of Faith Foundation.  Things with celebrities.  And I probably find celebrities way more exciting than the average person.  ha.  What? Yes.  I admit it.  But I know how to play it cool, don't worry.

SOF had their first Nashville fundraiser at the restaurant/private club The Standard. It's an amazing, huge, old mansion that has has dining rooms, meeting rooms, private lounges, bars...and literally...a hidden wardrobe to Narnia.  I'm not kidding.  We got VIP access for the night.

Wynonna Judd (!!!) was so kind to lend her golden pipes to this event.  She has a special connection to our cause because her husband, Cactus Moser, lost his leg in a motorcycle accident.  Cactus is on the SOF board of directors and is an amazing testimony of where prayer and positivity will take you after tragedy.  They are an awesome couple.  And those SONGS!  Her new ones are fabulous and the old ones really stand the test of time.  It was such an honor to see her perform in such an intimate setting.  I was a total nerd when I met her and got sweaty when I told her I was a big fan.  She was incredibly sweet to me anyway. Warm fuzzies all over.  We have been singing in our house ever since.

Love is alive          
and at our breakfast table
every day of the week
Love is alive 
and it grows every day and night
even in our sleep...

Invite by Simply Smitten Designs on Etsy.  

Makena Pendant Necklace by Stella & Dot.  Shop with me here!  

We were also ECSTATIC to see our pals Jason and Olivia on NBC's Hollywood Game Night.  Jason was able to play in the final round of the episode and chose Steps of Faith as his cause. What?! It was so exciting to hear the name of the foundation and what they do on such a big platform like this.  Some very kind people across the country heard about the foundation on the show, found the website and sent donations.  Very cool stuff.  Click here to see a video of Jason behind the scenes mentioning SOF.  See the full episode here!

Photos courtesy of Hollywood Game Night on Facebook