Coffee Tip

Don't you just love your morning cup of coffee!! I never really drank coffee until I left Verizon and had a job where I had to be there early every day :) I am not an all day coffee drinker.. I just like one cup in the morning and depending on how much sleep I got the night before I may have one more around 3:00. I love cream and a little sugar in my coffee!! Well, I read that it is so much healthier to use honey in your coffee instead of sugar. Sounds gross right? Well, today I tried it and it tastes just like sugar!! You body processes it much easier and it is a natural sweetener that lasts longer in your system so you don't have the crash effect. Just thought if there are any coffee drinkers out there you may want to give it a try :) Jennifer, I know you are a fellow coffee lover so try it and let me know.

Tiffany

Not funny

Do any of you have certain things you can't stand? There is really only one pet peeve I have..which is to see someone made fun of. I don't think there is anything worse than that... I don't even watch American Idol (I know crazy right). But, the reason I don't is because I cringe during the first few weeks when they take turns critisizing people who they say cannot sing. I know this may sound silly, but it is not entertainment to see someone's dreams crushed and on top of that be made fun of. Or, when people make cracks at someone being overweight or looking different. Wouldn't it be easier to just smile or say hello to a stranger rather than talking about them after they pass by. I just feel there are so many amazing people that come in all sorts of packages. What started this was Mark telling me about this lady who was overweight...He went on to say how you could tell she took a lot of time making sure her makeup was perfect and she wore clothes that were just a little too tight, but that she looked really nice. Well, when she got up to leave he said that a lot of people starting making fun of her and saying that they would hate to be that chair... you know really mature comments. It just broke my heart. What if that lady had heard everyone in there? She took so much time making sure she looked just right then people treat her like that. Everyone is special and unique... Wouldn't it be nice if we could point out what is beautiful in someone instead?

Tiffany

Could I be a match?

I have always asked myself how I could help out a stranger?...One way I have found very simple is to donate blood....And when I broke my knee I actually needed a blood transfusion after surgery....So, you see it really does help!! Well, over the years I have always had a nagging feeling that I needed to sign up to be a bone marrow donor... For some reason I just really feel that if I get on a list I would be a match for someone one day.... I feel like this illness is going to hit close to home in some way... friend or family?... And after having Lucas I have thought about it more and more. So, yesterday I decided to look up what it takes to be on the donor list. There are different bone marrow drives all through out GA. All I will have to do is go to one of the drives and give a blood sample and answer some health questions.. then bam you are on the list!! You have to be in between the ages of 18-60...I was under the impression that it is extremely painful to donate marrow, but these days you are put to sleep...They can even get the marrow from you blood. So, I called Mark to see what he thought and he said it was a awesome idea. He said we would both get on the list. I may not be a match for someone, but even if there is a small possibility that I could help save someones life it is worth it. I think of my sweet Lucas...What if he needed a transplant one day? Would a stranger be willing to help my son? If you are interested in getting more info go to www.marrow.org. You never know if this could be your family. Love to all!!

Tiffany

Everyone Needs a Break

It's that time again!!! Time for a much needed girls night of dinner and a movie!! Being a mom is great, but sometimes don't we all need a break? I have a lot of friends who are moms, teachers or both!! What I love about my friends is I can call them up (or text them) and they are always willing to do what it takes to make girls night happen. It is not always an easy task to prepare for a night out you know. For one it means our husbands will be on their own for an evening...And no matter how wonderful and involved they are you can almost see the terror in their eyes when you announce you will be gone for an evening...or an even bigger challenge is single moms who have to go through the even bigger task of finding a sitter....But, once the details are worked out it is always well worth the trouble!! I am so lucky to have friends in my life that go WAY back, which makes catching up that much more fun...We laugh, talk about old times, talk about our babies, husbands, the challenges of motherhood, work and so much more!! After dinner it is a must to see a chick flick and have buckets of popcorn, candy and coke. And when the night comes to an end I love the feeling of happiness that I am coming home to my sweet Mark and Lucas... Yes, every now and then we all need a break from our everyday routine, but that everyday routine is what I look forward to coming home to...

Tiffany

We're traditional

Touching on a few of the things Tiffany has already wrote on, I wanted to share a few traditions that I've started with Lauren. Being a single mom affords a lot of opportunity for one-on-one time with your kiddo, but oftentimes, it's hard on the pocket book. So, I have to get creative sometimes when thinking about things to do with Lauren.

Mac & Cheese:
Since our very first week in the apartment, Little Bit and I have had a weekly tradition of Macaroni Monday. It started with a 50 cent box of Kraft mac and cheese and a box of Wal-Mart brand macaroni noodles. We have mac and cheese for dinner, then use the noodles for a craft project. We've made macaroni men, rainbows, pictures frames, jewelry. She loves it, and it's something we can share for a very low cost.

Music & Singing:
Lauren and I have also started other traditions. Like on Tuesday nights, we sing. After dinner, we do a little karaoke show. She loves music and delights in the opportunity to stand on stage (our coffee table) and sing at the top of her lungs into a microphone. In fact, she changes into her "rock star princess" clothes before her performance. I record her on my phone. She totally gets a kick out of it.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned being a mommy is that Lauren needs my time and deserves it more than anyone. So, if she's ever whiny or grumpy, I know that instead of parking her in front of the TV or sending her to bed a few minutes early, I can spend 15-20 minutes of quality time with her. She perks right up.

Crib Time?

So Lucas will be 7 months tomorrow!! He is on the verge of crawling...so, after his fall last week I decided it was time for him to sleep in his own bed (snif snif)....A lot of people can't wait to get their kids out of bed, but we are so sad!! The main reason I want to get him sleeping in his crib is because I don't want him to crawl out of bed and fall on our hardwood!! Right now his bedtime is 8:30...so our routine consists of getting him changed into his PJ's and we read Goodnight Moon and a Mirror Me book... After that I feed him and he usually falls asleep pretty quick....So once he is asleep we barricade him with pillows so he won't roll off the bed before we come in...Yesterday I was talking to my friend Robin about getting him in his room...She agreed that it would be best to have him take some naps in his crib before we transition to nights. So, you may wonder where he has been taking his naps...Usually he falls asleep in his play pen or on the couch curled up next to me :) So, at 10:00 yesterday for his first nap I got him all comfy in his crib. Of course he cried for about twenty minutes and I had to go in several times to calm him down, but low and behold he fell asleep!! I just knew he would hate me when he woke up, but he was all smiles :) So, we got ready to go have lunch with Mark..I was trying this without Mark knowing because every time I mention it he says no way not my sweet baby!! I told him at lunch and he agreed it would be best, but was pretty devistated..When we got back it was time for his afternoon nap...this time he cried for about thirty minutes before falling asleep..I was able to get so much done during both naps!! OK, so I thought since his naps went so well I would try putting him to sleep in his crib and see how long he would sleep..This time it took about forty five minutes to get him to sleep. I was feeling pretty good until we went to bed. We were sooooo sad without our little guy with us!! It was awful. It felt like he was a million miles away!! We laid there and just kept waiting for him to wake up so we could go get him. After a few hours he woke up and I ran in there to get my sweet baby. I know what you are thinking..since he was doing so good I should have got him back to sleep in his room...but I just couldn't do it!! Tonight I promise I will be better!! So, anyone out there who is trying to transition their baby I promise it will be harder on you than on your little one :) I would welcome any advice!! I need all the help I can get :) Don't you love the picture..He is looking at me like...What are you thinking putting me in here!! Until next time...

Tiffany