The Truth Is

buckbuckgoose — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:14:47 +0000

The Truth Is…

Being a mother is not always easy, but it is the most rewarding.

Looking in your eyes and sharing a smile is pure happiness.

Hearing you laugh with your father is the sweetest sound I know.

Spending time with you is my favorite hobby.

Loving you is as natural for me as breathing.

Holding you in my arms completes me.

Remembering my life before you is impossible.

Having you here with us, when I thought it might never happen, is all that I need.

Once Upon A Time

buckbuckgoose — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:01:31 +0000

Okay, so I don’t know if a television show qualifies as a “product”, but for purposes of this blog, it does. I just want to share how much I adore ABC’s Once Upon A Time. It airs at 8pm on Sunday nights and I can’t get enough of it! If you are a die-hard storybook person, then this show will speak to you. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know the complex characters and viewing traditional fairytales in whole new ways. The premise: all of the characters from famous children’s stories – such as Snow White, the Evil Queen, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, etc. – have been catapulted into our world due to an evil curse conjured up by the Evil Queen. No one remembers who they really are. The only one who can help break the curse is Snow White’s daughter, Emma Swan, who was protected from the curse on the night she was born. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away as I encourage you to watch the show and experience its magic for yourself. *Those of you who were big Lost fans, like myself, will appreciate that Once Upon A Time is produced by the same team.* Once Upon A Time is a show that builds on itself, so if you do decide to start watching it, you’ll want to catch up with previous episodes on Hulu. I’m a sucker for “happily ever after,” “one true love,” and “good vs. evil.” Once Upon A Time has you chasing after these themes, rooting for the heroes, and hoping for a dream come true. However, it isn’t a “pink unicorns and glittery rainbows” type of show that will leave you with an aching sweet tooth. I has a dark, complicated side that really adds to its overall entertainment. I can only hope that you decide to give it a shot and fall in love with it as much as I have.

Hoodies and Daylight

buckbuckgoose — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:48:43 +0000

Thankful For Thursday, January 26, 2012:

1) Snuggly, warm hoodies to wear around the house on gloomy, wet days

2) Watching my little girls cruise along the furniture as they make their earliest attempts at upright travel

3) Guilty pleasure #37: Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips…mmm!

4) Attempting to incorporate painting and drawing back into my life

5) How each day has a little more light than the one before (Let’s hear it for spring!)

Renpure Organics Hair Products

buckbuckgoose — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:34:08 +0000

I have yet to venture into the world of “no-poo.” I know, I know. What’s the big deal? Just do it already. Well, I’m working up to it (or so I think.) I have been trying to at least buy products that are more healthy for my hair as compared to the average bottle. The latest shampoo that I’ve been using is Renpure Organics My Luscious Hair Needs Lift! Volumizing Shampoo. I got it for a decent price at Wal-mart, but you can get it at other stores or even online. I have to say, that I’m really pleased with this product. The scent is very nice (mix of ginger and aloe) and I have found that a little bit goes a long way, even though I have some pretty long locks. I’m not crazy about “fragrance” being on the list of ingredients (even if it is the last one mentioned) since that means unknown chemicals. I looked up Renpure on the EWG Skin Deep database, and they only have one product listed. I’m hoping that they’ll add to the list so I can see how the Volumizing Shampoo measures up. I can’t speak to their line of conditioners, as I have yet to try any of them. (Unfortunately, I’m finishing up some Garnier Nutrisse stuff that I really have come to despise.) In the mean time, I’ll be using this shampoo until I muster up enough nerve to go with just baking soda and vinegar and then eventually nothing at all. Someday…

Blue Skies and Clean Laundry

buckbuckgoose — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:03:54 +0000

Thankful For Thursday: (I remembered!)

1) Blue skies and sunshine during the dreary months of winter

2) How the house gets still and quiet when my little ones are napping

3) Refreshing, fruit-flavored tea to warm me up on a chilly day

4) The smell of clean laundry as it comes out of the dryer

5) Watching my twin girls intertwine their fingers as they drink their morning bottles and begin the new day

Second Life for Silverware

buckbuckgoose — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:59:14 +0000

I’m always on the lookout for unique, artistic items that also happen to be green. Most people who know me know my style and often send me some great links. This comes courtesy of my mother-in-law. She recently had me check out this link, which takes you to The Spoon Jeweler’s website. The jewelry made out of spoons is pretty incredible and decently priced. (I like the ones that incorporate pearls the most.) After perusing the site, I then ventured out to see if there are other places with some old silverware ware. (Ha!) I really liked this place because they go above and beyond jewelry. (Check out the wall hooks, refillable pen, and thing-a-ma-cobs!) More jewelry items can be found here. This shop on Etsy includes bracelets, cheese markers, key rings, and more. If you like these ideas and are feeling a bit crafty, you can do some yourself. Directions for different projects involving old silverware can be found here. These one-of-a-kind treasures would make great gifts or add some interest to your personal decor. Everyday items with a whole new purpose…ahh…the beauty of reusing.

Letting Go

buckbuckgoose — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:51:02 +0000

The months of November and December were busy ones for Baby Ap and Baby Er. They accomplished so many things: sitting up, crawling, pulling up, waving, clapping, eating finger foods and table foods…the list really goes on and on. The latest development has been standing up and letting go. Yes, letting go. The first time each of my girls did this, I felt this strange feeling inside. I’m always one for metaphors, so I immediately felt like I was witnessing one playing out right before my eyes.

Letting go.

It is really the first time that I took pause for a moment, caught my breath, and experienced a little twinge of sadness in my heart. These first ten months of my daughters’ lives have been amazing, challenging, exciting, and exhausting. I’ve cherished every day that I have spent with them and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be home with them. When they each stood up, concentrating so very hard, and released their chubby little fingers from my grasp, it really hit me. This is a new beginning. A new leap forward into a life of independence. Not only were they letting go, but so was I. And that thought, that epiphany, left a tiny ache deep inside me that has lingered.

I want to be able to rock them to sleep forever. I want to be able to soothe them with a lullaby forever. I want to be able to hold on to them forever. But I can’t. This realization has made all the sleepless nights and overwhelming days worth it. Worth. Every. Minute. For I know I won’t get that time back and I’m so overjoyed to have the memories of their first months in this world.

Sure, I’ve had to let things go in my life before – comments, criticism, relationships, mistakes. It’s never really an easy task. But this time it’s different. This time I’m really being put to the test. This time, it’s hard.

So, I can’t really say that this latest milestone is one for just Baby Ap and Baby Er alone. They’re learning – as daughters, as toddlers – and we’re learning – as parents, as Mom and Dad - just how to let go.