Poll: How Mad Would One Get...

...if someone threw your stuff away in the garbage without asking you if it needed to be thrown away?  In this case, it was a bag.  Just saying...I did just get the bag the night before and it was thrown away in the morning.

If you answered: irate; then welcome to the club!

Who Likes the New Target.com Website?

I will admit that I am not a big fan of the new Target website.  Call me old fashioned but I was just finally getting adapted to the new Nordstroms website and now Target had to do a major overhaul?  I have warmed up to the Nordstroms website but I definitely am NOT a fan of the new Target website for the following reasons:

• Is it me or does it crash every other day?  Given all or the unhappy facebook comments, it seems that this is a common happening especially for the "new and improved" website.
• Another complaint of mine is that the website times out when you have been inactive for several minutes.  Like c'mon...so I had to change a diaper while I was in the middle of ordering, or the doorbell rang, etc...did you want the sale Target?  Obviously not.
• Finally, my biggest pet peeve of Target.com...if you are sold out of an item then why show it on the website?  Even if you are out of one size, then don't show that size...why go through all that trouble for me to pick through all the options and then tell me it is "out of stock".

So I have completely strayed from my original intent of this post which was to eliminate the information Target.com collects about you.  We all know nowadays that every website we visit collects information about us to create those "targeted advertisements" that is pretty successful in capturing our attention (at least that is case for me).

Apparently there is a way to opt out of this, and does it actually work?  I have no idea.  But Target.com did provide a link where you can opt out of behavioral advertising (so as it is called) and according to Target's website...I did successfully disabled their website from collecting information about me.

For Those That Love Free Samples

Who doesn't like free things?  I will admit that I like requesting free samples and I get giddy like a little girl on Christmas morning when my sample arrives in the mail (pathetic, isn't it?).  Currently, Walmart has free samples of Poise Pads and Playtex Tampons while Costco is giving out samples of their own Kirkland Signature boy lotion as well as a Dove Ultimate Go Fresh deodorant.  We all know that samples are only available as supplies last so you better hurry before I take them all!  Ha...just kidding.

I'm Just a Girl

I am just a typical girl (and now mom) that is obsessed with fashion.  But now that I do have kids in tow, "fashion(able)" is another f-word that has been eliminated from my vocabulary and life.  With that said, I cannot help but peruse the internet looking for new things to add to my wardrobe...a girl can dream right?

Exhibit A: Salma Hayek

She's a mom and I think this look would be great for Hawaii which is why I absolutely LOVE her outfit!  Most importantly I love her handbag and we all know how much I love Gucci.  I think that bag will get along really well with the other handbags in my closet.

Exhibit B: Miranda Kerr

Another mom and another handbag I have fallen in love with, it even pairs well with a baby in tow!  I have yet to add Prada (or a red bag for that manner) to my collection, so why not kill two birds with one stone?  Now if only I can look as great as Miranda...hmph.

Exhibit C: Pippa Middleton

Who doesn't love Pippa?  I love all three of her outfits pictured above...and the emerald green gown she wore to the royal wedding after party...and the red gown she recently wore to a charity event.  You get the point.  I want her whole wardrobe including accessories, and why not throw in her stylist as well...does she have a stylist?

Well that is all I have for now considering that the little princess is calling for help.  We all know I lack a good portion of motherly instincts most women and girls are blessed with, and I say that only because little princess has somehow come down with her second cold.  Yes, that makes two colds and she is only one month old.  To add to that, I came down with the cold this time around too.  Oh the joys of being a mother!

I love Marshalls!

I will admit that when I first heard of Marshalls I was slightly apprehensive of even stepping foot into one.  But I finally caved in last summer considering that it is only a couple of miles away from my house and now I will admit that I am a converted Marshalls shopper.  I have had many successes there including a couple of the following things I picked up today:

Fisher Price/Brica Snack Pod: $12.99 both at Toys 'R Us and Amazon.com; $7.99 at Marshalls

And who doesn't love Trumpette sock, aren't these a doozie?  I was able to pick up this cute Minnie Mouse Trumpette sock set for $5.99 at Marshalls.  Trumpette is still selling the same set for $13.25, and that is even their sale price.  This is definitely the highlight of my impromptu shopping trip!

The last item I picked up was a breatheable crib bumper.  It surprisingly goes with the rest of our crib theme so that was a defnite plus!  Another plus is that it was only $12.99 at Marshalls as opposed to $58.99 as seen here on Amazon.

All in all, I think I had a good shopping day even though the original plan was to NOT spend money.  Let's just hope the hubby approves when he gets home from work...crossing my fingers!

My Obsession with Old Navy

I will admit that I am a cheap skate especially when it comes to maternity clothing.  Surprisingly, I somehow get compliments on my outfits so it can't be too bad right?  Anyways, I will also admit that I clothe my family in Old Navy clothing a majority of the time.  Their casual style and hard to beat bargains (especially when they have an extra 50% off clearance) make it a one stop shop for me.  Sure I still splurge on jeans, shoes, handbags, ahnd other accessories but when it comes to kids clothing and the wardrobe basics for adults...Old Navy is my place to go.

So with that said, today's Groupon (there goes the cheapskate in me again) is $10 for $20 of merchandise at Old Navy.  And you bet your bottoms I will be purchasing my limit of one coupon...hahaha.  Anyways, have a look at it and seriously consider it!  It's okay too...your secret is safe with me!

The Banh Diggity

I will admit that I was not a big fan of Vietnamese food up until 3 years ago.  What changed?  Maybe it was the hormones from my first pregnancy but who knows, just all of a sudden one day I decided that cilantro was the greatest thing on Earth.  No lie, that had to be the turning point.

I typically do not have any pregnancy cravings...I take that back...with my first it was cantelope and with my second it was Asian food (trust me, when I keep it vague by saying Asian food).  During my last (second) pregnancy, I finally caved in and had a banh mi or as it is more commonly known as a Vietnamese sandwich.  Just like I only eat one Thai dish, I only have had one type of banh mi - the bbq pork banh mi.  You can never go wrong with it!  I have no idea why I have kept my distance from Vietnamese food but I definitely have been missing out until recently.  To say the least all I can think about right now is a banh mi:



Which of course would not be complete without honeydew boba.  I like other flavors but honeydew is definitely my favorite flavor as of right now.

That sums up my post for tonight.  Sorry to bore y'all but I secretly know you are now craving the exact same thing. :)

Happy Birthday!!

9 months ago today we welcomed our little boo boo to the world!  He was a stubborn little stinker considering I was barely in my 37th week of pregnancy but nonetheless he was a healthy chubby 8 pound baby.  Can you imagine how big he would have been if he went the full 40 weeks?  Oy vey.

Well happy birthday boo boo!!  We love you!

Week in Review

It is finally Friday and I swear the past [two] weeks have been hectic.  Remember that stomach bug I spoke of about last week?  Well my big boy was able to make his zoo playdate but by the end of it the hubs and boo boo came down with the exact same stomach bug (minus vomiting).  So sadly enough, I did not receive any of my mother's day wishlist but with the hubby being sick for my holiday, I was able to make a spontaneous trip to spend mother's day with mi madre.  But the fun doesn't stop there, let me just give you the shortened version of my past week:

Saturday: zoo date, hubs and boo get stomach bug, leave for my mom's (g-ma) house
Sunday: spend low key morning and afternoon with the boys and g-ma, come home and feel somewhat sick...uh oh
Monday: *yak*...stay home from work due to feeling like death...*yak*
Tuesday: still unable to stomach anything, visits labor and delivery for extra fluids.  Apparently being pregnant can be a perk as it helps you get a bypass of the emergency room and into labor and delivery, complete with your own personal nurse and full food menu (no appetite unfortunately).  Drop of kids back a g-ma's.
Wednesday: first attempt at work...nothing fun to report
Thursday: drive to work, see guy get hit by bus, almost get ran over in crosswalk, witness a car accident on the way to pick up kids from g-ma
Friday: it's Friday the 13th?  I thought that was yesterday given the events.

So that is my semi-uneventful life.  Oh was there something that caught your attention...did I mention I watched a guy get hit by a bus with my own two eyes?  Yes, you did read that correctly.  Walking back from lunch yesterday, my coworker and I (along with another 50 people) watched a guy get ran over by a metro bus.  It was surreal, everyone stopped in their steps and then out of nowhere I swear every Seattle police officer, fire truck, and ambulance was on the scene.  So if you wanted to cause some mischief, that would have been the time.  Why am I trying to make light of the situation?  Yes, I did feel bad for the guy but he was jaywalking, the bus honked its' horn and the guy looked at it like a deer caught in headlights.  Now you think I probably have no soul, but I figured at that instant that guy was either high on drugs or something was going on...turns out this was what happened.  See, karma acted quickly that time...but at the end of the day his medical expenses are covered by none other than you and me...there is a happy ending for him, right?  Okay...I'll stop opening up that can of worms.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Happy Mothers Day (Weekend)!!!

It has been one rough week with the eldest battling a stomach bug.  He has not fully recovered yet however he is doing much better than earlier this week.  The professional pictures from the baptism is up and I swear that I plan to burn any hard copy photos of myself being pregnant.  Most women love their bodies as they house new life within themselves but my face just looks as if it say "feed me food".  The joys of being a mother right?

I am horrible and miss the point of mothers' (and fathers') day.  Each day with my family doing well is fine enough for me so I feel like I do not need a day dedicated to me.  Do I mind the extra attention and love?  Not at all, but I prefer that things be kept low key...with the exceptio(n of the hubs getting me that Burberry coat a couple of years back...oh wait, can't wear it since I've been pregnant the last two mothers' day.  But if I were to reflect on what I wouldn't mind for mothers day, it would include:

 A new set of golf clubs

A nanny (or two)

And perhaps a paddle board (as well as the skinny and in fit body)

If you can see, I already have Hawaii in mind.  But now back to reality, no big plans for us (that I know of) except play date at the zoo tomorrow and the off to the complete other side of King County to pay a visit to our friends that is showcasing their vintage Mustang in a car show.  Let's hope I survive tomorrow!  I plan on taking LOTS of pictures tomorrow (not of myself).

Anyways, happy mothers day to all the mothers out there and may everyone have a good weekend!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Here is a random fact about myself regarding Cinco de Mayo: of the past 5 Cinco de Mayo's, I have spent 3 of them preggers.  Oh em gee...yes my friends, that is a whopping 60% but let me tell you that is no fact that I like to brag about.  I can never fully celebrate with a full on margarita, some shots of tequila or better yet, a full on trip to Mexico.  I shouldn't complain though, I guess I can have some wholesome fun with a pinata filled with...prenatal vitamins?  Ehh...perhaps I should have put more thought into planning that one.

In case anyone was wondering, my little boo boo's baptism went without a hitch.  Granted there are a couple of moments that made me livid, which we won't go into detail about, but all in all it was a good day to bring the little boo into the church community.  I will post pictures later but mind you, there are only a few good photos of his special day (fail on the hubs and my part).

Hope everyone has an awesome Thursday and Cinco de Mayo!  Also, feel free to take a shot or two of tequila for me, please and thank you!

Danger! Not for the Weak [Shoppers] at Heart

Today I am writing from the confinements of my work cubicle.  Shh.  Today is also my half day at work so during my bus ride into work this morning I got the lovely idea in my head that I would go shopping when I get off.  To me it made sense, the afternoon to myself and I am already in downtown...why not peruse through some stores that I have not stepped foot in the last three or so months (think Nordstrom Rack or just plain Nordstroms).  Depending on the rain, I might even venture over to the Gap since it is one of three Gaps within our state that sells maternity clothes considering I need something decent to wear for AJ's baptism this Sunday...see I haven't forgotten yet.

My shopping agenda consists of shoes and a dress...eh....let's make that dresses if I get lucky.  I don't get why maternity dresses always have patterns, but when you are large and in charge the last thing I want on my belly is a huge pattern.  With that said, and with the help from a Nordstrom email that landed in my inbox yesterday, I was thinking of the shoe below:

Steve Madden "Russhh" Pump

I absolutely love the look of this shoe!  Unfortunately, I did not find anything like it at the downtown Nordstrom rack but I did find two pairs of what I thought were cute shoes...my judgement seems to be impaired when pregnant.  I would show them off except, the camera battery died on me.  So you will have to wait until later!

On a completely random note, I have fallen in love with a brand of maternity clothes.  I told you this post was dangerous, the shopping addict in me is starting to make a comeback.  I am somewhat saddened that it has taken me this long to find it but I will share but for those who have already heard of them then boo on you for not introducing me to it!  Anywho...without further to do, I proclaim my love for:

 Not only do they some cute maternity clothes, their regular clothes are not half bad as well...but don't take my word for it considering I do not remember what it is like to NOT be pregnant.  Oy Vey!

Easter Hangover

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter weekend!  We sure did especially as it was Andrew's first Easter.  Last Thursday we were able to take the boys to see the Easter Bunny which is something we took a hiatus from since Tyler has had a major meltdown at just the mere thought of a huge bunny.  Andrew was not too fond of sitting on the bunny's lap and given the picture of them, Tyler did not look too comfortable as well.  But when it was all said and done Tyler exclaimed "I love the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause too!".  Well alrighty then...

But the easter bunny was extremely nice to Tyler and Andrew (courtesy of Party City) and we were able to have our own Easter egg hunt within the coziness of our own abode since the weather was subpar on Sunday (go figure).  But here are some pics of my little boo boo on his first easter!

Purging

Here is a little secret to our household, I am the breadwinner when I am working full time.  Then again, nowadays it is not uncommon to have the wife the breadwinner of the family.  My husband likes to point that I make more than him and quite frankly, I kind of enjoy being the breadwinner.  The only exception is that I am only working part time right now...and it is driving me INSANE!!

Since we are moving to Hawaii the hubs is pushing the fact that we need to purge and downsize.  So yesterday on our bus ride to work he mentions that we should probably sell our dining room set.  Granted, we have not eaten a meal at this table in over a year (obviously).  But this is what it looks like a majority of the time.  Just another reason as to why I fail at being a housewife.

Okay, so it is a bad picture but with a 72" long table and 8 chairs (with the plastic still on them of course) I am having a hard time parting with our dining room set.  But once again financial common sense governs in this case as we could probably purchase a whole new set with the money we would spend storing our current set.  Let us see here...

$60/month (5'x5' storage unit) * 36 months = $2160

Oh em gee...I know my math is flawed considering a 72" long table will not fit in a 5'x5' storage unit...or can it?  That is besides the point, I lurve that set but for $2000 I think I could get a far better set.  Yes, I had to say that quietly as to not hurt my dining set's feelings.  So if you know of anyone looking for a dining room set in great condition send them my way.  I want it to go to a good home...sniff.

It is FRIDAY!!!

Happy Friday to the few readers of my blog!  I have my ultrasound today and you betcha we are finding out if we are finally having a girl or a third boy.  Life will be crazy with THREE under three.  What are we thinking?  But below is just a glimpse into how excited the boys are to add a third to their rambunctious household faction.

Now it is time for my random, off the wall thought for today.  I am watching Bethenny Ever After while folding my boys' laundry.  Even though she has never been my favorite housewife (I also am not a big fan of the NY series) I never realized how much I can relate to her.  Once again, my life nowhere parallels hers but personality wise it is like looking into a mirror.  Perhaps I belong in New York or just on the east coast in general?  So why the heck am I moving even further West?  Maybe I will find my way there in my 40's...oh wait the kids would be in high school.  Well then New York, I will see you in my 50's when I will wipe out my 401k just to pay one month of rent...in Harlem.

Oh and I cannot forget...tonight I get to see my dear friend Rachel!!  It's always a breath of fresh air when she comes up to the PNW especially since my motherly self cannot get down to NorCal and visit her.  But I am so excited for dinner tonight!!

Parents of the Year

According to me, I have been the self proclaimed parent of the year at least 5 times this year and we are only halfway through April.  The criteria for parent of the year is typically an unsurmountable amount of choices that only one parent (myself) can make.  I hope everyone can sense my sarcasm right now.  So below are events in which I earned parent of the year thus far for 2011:

• Being the only parent to allow my kid to drink and have his own soda at a birthday party.  Oh if only y'all saw the looks other parents gave us.
• Bribing my kid with a candy cane in Target...it was March.
• Letting our kid play Angry Birds during church just to get him to sit still and be quiet.
• Feeding our kids McDonalds at least 4 times at week...yes, I mean kids as in plural.
• Our 3 year old has a sweet tea addiction.

So to add onto the list, and in my opinion this one definitely takes the cake.  I would like to present parent(s) of the year once again to myself for forgetting about Andrew's Baptism.  The only reason why I even remembered it was because I had scheduled a zoo-date for Tyler and went to go put it in the calendar and realized my uber BIG boo boo.  So here we are with about two weeks to go and Andrew has a godparent (yes, singular) and no invitations to the baptism.

That my friends deserves parent of the decade.  Wish us luck and if you happen to have May 1st, 2011 at 10am open...feel free to join us for Andrew's Baptism.

My Mid-Twenties Crisis

Perhaps my life is just a crisis but I swear I am going through my mid-twenties crisis.  Or maybe I went through that when I was actually 25 considering I freaked out one morning and then after 6 months of searching we bought our first home.

I am thankful we were able to buy and keep our first home.  In a nutshell, it is a first home.  I love our home and I love making it even more of a home with each day that passes.  So why am I going thru what seems to be another mid-twenties crisis?  Well, it is the lack of vitamin D in the Seattle area.

Our winter has been HORRIBLE.  But even most skiers and snowboarders will agree that winter never made its' appearance until 3 weeks ago.  It is only now that we are getting lovely white powder after enduring a soggy past 5 months.  I know Seattle is gray, rainy and cloudy more times than not but this past winter was by far the wettest I have ever experienced in my gray days here.

I cherish the days that it doesn't rain in Seattle BUT (yes, there is a big BUT) when the skies are not dumping rain on us, it is just gray and...ick.  I love a nice slate gray as a bathroom or bedroom color but it is definitely not my first preference for sky colors.

So one day, hubs shoots me an email regarding a job opportunity in what many of us know to be the 50th state.  Yes people, Hawaii.  Fast forward through working on emails, cover letters, and getting good reference...hubs was offered the job and is wanted out there by...drum roll please...June 1st.

"Woo hoo!" is how I feel on the outside but on the inside is "OH @#(*&$%)($%".  Here is just a taste of the chaos that is about to ensue:

• Must sell house (and possibly payback tax credit)
• Job for me or just plain housewife?  (Trust me, I am not good at the latter)
• Find place in Hawaii (Just when I got accustomed to 1800 sf)
• Move family including two three kids
• ...and so much more...

Oh what is that you're asking?  Was that TWO kids crossed out for three?  So a wrench was thrown, sorry we are apparently being blessed with a third child.  Considering, I do not want to change doctors while 7 months pregnant, I plan on staying in Seattle until number 3 graces us with his or her presence.

Chaos I tell ya...my life is absolute chaos but I wouldn't have it any other way.  As a bonus, this is what is going on around me as I write this:

I want! I want! I want!

As my friends and family would like to point out, I tend to WANT a lot of things.  Most of the time I try to mask it by saying that I need it, but they pop my bubble almost instantaneously by telling me that what I am requesting is not a necessity.  Which leads me to my already long list of wants that I have mustered up all before 8AM.  Is that a record?

First off, the fact that I am on the best west coast...I get the pleasure or having my favorite bloggers already write their daily post just as my newspaper is being delivered.  Okay, so I don't have the newspaper delivered but I do wake up early enough that having updated blogs to read replaces a newspaper.  But one of my favorite blogs over at Mr. Goodwill Hunting had today's post titled as "No Sew Drapes".  SCORE!!!  I love me a craft that doesn't require sewing considering that I failed home-ec in high school all because I am anything but domestic.

Did I mention that I love Mr. Goodwill Hunting's blog?  It reminds me that you can have glam without going broke.  So back onto the topic of my wants...his post made want the exact same duvet set he was intending to buy.  I have been looking for a duvet set for our room to finally bring our room's decor all together and that set would be perfect!  Trust me, perfect is an understatement.  Also, who can beat that price?  So what do you all think?  The orange or the black?  The link above goes to the orange set so I've decided to show the black set below (courtesy of Walmart via Mr. Goodwill Hunting).