Honesty

I feel like a failure some times.

I'm not writing this to get sympathy, compliments or words of encouragement, But to be honest.

Alot of times the life we put out to the Internet world or public world is all peaches and cream. But that's not life, is it? I'll admit, most of the time I do feel like my story is pretty great! Today is not one of those days.

I have one child, one on the way and I stay home. Yet, I feel like I can't keep up. I can't keep the house clean and I'm starting to wonder if I even know HOW to keep my house clean. When I worked, at least I had an excuse. Now I feel like there is no excuse.

River's birthday party is this weekend and no matter how hard I try, I feel like it's not good enough. I'm serving "junk food" and I'm worried about the other kids being bored, not having fun or worse finding their OWN means of entertainment in my house. My printer is a piece of trash and doesn't work and in order to do what I need to do, I HAVE to have a printer.

My laundry is backed up, my floors need vacuumed, my bathrooms need cleaned, my son needs bathed, the playroom is a mess, I've gained too much weight, and my world is not perfect.

When I see moms that "have it all together" and they seem to always be on top of it, I feel guilty. The perfect parties, the perfectly matched kids in expensive clothes, mom all dressed with a full face of perfect make up and designer clothes, big houses, respectful and well-behaved children, healthy eating families..... It all looks so good...... on the outside. And I want to be that mom.

Then I realize, I am! Or at least that is what I show. "Putting my best foot forward"

So on Saturday when I post about River's party and how "perfect" it was, I hope that I don't make another mom feel guilty! The party will be perfect no matter what, my house will be clean, I will be showered and dressed with a full face of make up, and my son will have a shirt especially made to match his party theme. And when/if you think, "man, I could never do that" or "why does her life seem all 'peaches and cream'?", or "how does she always do it and seem so happy?" ......

Just remember this post and how just days ago I was laying on couch feeling like a failure wife/mom who can't keep up. I think we all feel this way sometime, and that's ok, as long as it doesn't control us!

Time to get up and try to "keep up"
(Or at least make it look that way)

:)

The easiest way to shred chicken

Not sure if I'm the only one behind on this, but a year ago I figured out the best way to shred chicken. It's just too good of a trick to not share!

- boil chicken breasts until cooked
- trim chicken and cut in quarters
- throw in kitchen aid
- lock kitchen aid
- turn on "2" for a few seconds then up the speed

Result: perfectly shredded chicken!!

Just thought I'd pass along this great trick!

Suggestions: River's Bday

We don't really have THAT many toys.  For a home daycare and a two yr old, I've been pretty impressed with how we've kept the toys to one small room in our house.  However, I can't think of what to get River for his second Birthday.

Originally I was to get him an outdoor play set! It was the PERFECT gift and I was [am] really excited about it.

However, my mother-in-law (after finding out that is what we wanted for him) went ahead and bought him this one

I won't go into that situation too much.... at least we don't have to spend money on it now, I guess.  But I would really love to get him something just as exciting.

Anyway, that is the situation and now I don't know what to get him.  I'd LOVE some suggestions from you all as I know most of you had experience with kidos.  Keep in mind that we don't have alot of space. Our small playroom is full, and the outdoor toys are nice, but just seem to get dirty and yucky in a matter of days when not played with.  Also, remember that he is behind physically.... honestly, he can't even go down the slide that my MIL bought him.

SOOOOO, any suggestions?  What did/ do your kids love at the toddler stage.

The [roller coaster] story of baby #2

I thought it was about time to write a blog about Baby Basnett #2

So far 2013 has been a very fast year!  The most exciting news is that we are expecting our second child. I haven't shared "The Story" in any public forum so for those of you that would like to hear about it; here is:

On October 15th, sadly, we had a miscarriage at 8 weeks.  We were very sad, but ready to start trying again, the doctor said that I needed to wait three months..... we waited two-ish.  I found out December 10th and shared with Todd and family the first day we were home for Christmas.  I was only 6 weeks at the time and still very nervous.  While we were home, I had some symptoms that lead me to believe that I was having another miscarriage. It was a VERY emotional time for us.  I was so thankful that I was with my family at this time.  I scheduled an ultrasound for the day after we returned and surprisingly, THERE WAS A HEARTBEAT!  We were excited again!  For two weeks everything was great.

Then on January 19th, I was in the ER just CERTAIN that I was in the process of miscarrying. There were many more tears, until we saw the heartbeat again! I was diagnosed with a subchorionic hemorrhage,  put on modified bed rest and told the baby was healthy and growing, but that the hemorrhage could cause a miscarriage.

This was a picture from Jan 19th when we realized that we had a healthy baby! They gave us a 3D ultrasound of a very little baby. pretty cool.

It is difficult to be on modified bed rest while having a toddler, as well as a home daycare.  One of the children I was watching kicked me hard in the tummy which sent me to the ER one more time.  Again, the baby was strong and healthy.  On Feb 3rd I had a follow up ultrasound for the SCH and found out that it was healed!  PRAISE GOD!

Here was my facebook announcement a week or so ago. 

I am now 15 weeks and have a typical, healthy pregnancy!  We had such a roller coaster of emotions that the first trimester went by so quickly.  There were so many times and days that I had accepted that we had lost the baby then a few days later we were on cloud nine knowing that we were still pregnant... and not only pregnant, but a week farther ahead!

I have started showing quite a bit earlier than with River.  I also feel like I'm carrying much higher. Hopefully we will have an early ultrasound on Wednesday to determine gender, however, when I was 16 weeks with River we were told he was girl! I won't start buying clothes or painting the nursery after that appointment. 

Boy or Girl, either way this little boy is going to be such a great BIG BROTHER!

Now I will leave you with some cute videos that were NOT posted on fbook. :)  Enjoy!