Cousin-ly Love

This weekend was the second time Lyla (my 8 week old baby girl) and Aurora (Amanda's one year old) "met".  Their first meeting was Lyla's first few days after birth and Aurora showed little interest in the motionless doll in a constant state of sleep.  What a difference a month makes!  Not only in the girls' individual personalities, but also their interaction with one another.  Aurora is now "talking" up a storm (some of my favorites include "ching chong" and "rhwow!" [wow]) and Lyla is now, um, crying up a storm.  Aurora would even mimic Lyla's crying sounds (already picking on her cousin!!).  I'm so excited to see the age gap get smaller and smaller as they get bigger and bigger.

"why, hello there!"

kisses (swoon!)

LOVE these girls!!!

xo

Jayme

P.S.  I hate to be a pest...but while you're here, would you mind clicking the brown box on the top right column to vote for us?  Thank you so so much!

We get by with a little help from our friends...

Those of you who read lots of mama blogs probably know by now that Top Baby Blogs has re-set their counts.  We work hard to bring you great giveaways, fashion and decor ideas, and honesty about being a mom.  We love our readers and are so thankful for all of the support and encouragement...but we'd also love to meet more readers!  Top Baby Blogs helps us do that.


Will you take a second (literally, a second) to click on the little Vote For us! banner to the right?  You click on it, click again, and that's a vote!  More followers gives us the opportunity for more giveaways and more chances to do what we love while supporting our own little families.  Also, you can vote everyday!

Thank you so much...xo
J&A

Quick Spring Preview

Hey guys!  Hope you're having a great weekend.
Our weekend here is winding down....Amanda is on her way back to Virginia after coming to Pennsylvania to celebrate baby Aurora's first birthday (she'll be blogging it this week!).  It was a busy and super fun weekend--and of course we got some shopping in!  Look forward to some super sweet vintage baby stuff and some awesome vintage maternity dresses, coming soon to the shop!  Here's a little preview:

A couple other things:

-Don't forget to enter the giveaway from Kira Kids!  (CLICK HERE)

-Also, if you like reading our blog, would you mind voting for us on Top Baby Blogs?  We'd love to make the Top 50!  CLICK HERE (and then click through)

We wish you a lovely Sunday evening (anyone else planning on watching the red carpet coverage of the Grammy's?!).

xo

Jayme

CLOSED: Handmade Feature/Giveaway: Kira Kids

We are super excited about this week's giveaway from a quirky and cute, Kira Kids--a shop featuring "hip, modern baby and kids clothes."  The designer/owner, Christine creates the most clever little onesies for your little guy or gal.

Meet Christine of Kira Kids:

What does your life outside of your work/business look like?

My family and I are extremely close. Without their influence and support Kira would not be possible. I also work full time in design and product development for a manufacturing company. This background definitely gave me insight into creating my own line.

Christine of Kira Kids

Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.

Happy, Silly, Open-minded

Fall piece you can’t live without:

My black leather ankle boots - I could hitchhike across the country in those bad boys!

Most recent fashion-related purchase:

My coral one shoulder dress by American made label Audrey 3+1. Its super comfortable and I always get tons of compliments!

Christine's nephew and a friend

Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?

I love making stuffed toys for my cousin’s pup (a.k.a. Kira’s mascot), Peyton.

Any pet peeves?

The rainbow wheel (mac spinning wait cursor)....

Bad habits?

Texting while walking.

Desert-island food?

527 Cafe’s sweet potato fries with plum seasoning and Andy’s frozen custard!

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:

The Black Keys, Lauryn Hill and The Strokes are in constant rotation.

Another blog you follow regularly (link us!):

www.smittenkitchen.com - Yum!

Oh and of course Kira’s blog www.kirakids.blogspot.com !

What made you decide to start a shop?

I started Kira when I met my first nephew Ethan. Spending time with him inspired me to follow my passion and create products that make kids happy.

Significance of your shop name?

Kira has a similar meaning in many languages (Latin, Japanese, Persian): “ray of sun”. This represents my line perfectly because kids light up our world!

Favorite item in your shop right now?

My favorite item in the store right now is the “Party Like a T-Rex” toddler tee. 

It’s inspired by the imagination of kids and their rebellion against reality. Who said a T-Rex can’t wear a top hat? ...maybe he’s going to a party! By blending different elements, I hope to inspire cleverness in kids and remind parents to nourish their children’s limitless creativity.

Christine is giving away one of her signature pieces to one lucky reader!  Winner will have the choice between:

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry- 

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Kira Kids is.  If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Kira Kids is!

Additional Entries-
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from Kira Kids is.

3. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

4. HEART  Miskabelly on Etsy (leave us a comment to let us know!)

5.  HEART Kira Kids on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

6. 

"Like" Kira Kids on facebook (www.facebook.com/welovekira) (leave us a comment!)

This contest will run until next Wednesday, February 16th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 

Good Luck!!

Manda &Jayme

WINNER: My Little Critterz Giveaway

Thanks to all who checked out Lindsay's shop--My Little Critterz, and entered to win the adorable owl hat!  The lucky winner is....number 58 (chosen by random.org--sorry, I closed out the window with the image before I remembered to paste it here!):

 Kerrie said...

I Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter @36momma
my favorite is the Sock Monkey Hat With Pom Pom

kerriekg@yahoo.com

February 3, 2011 4:41 PM

Congrats Kerrie!!  We'll email you shortly with details on how to claim your prize. :)

Stay tuned for our next giveaway coming later today!

xo

Manda & Jayme

Oh, those baby weight blues.

So I'm sure you thought it was Jayme about to write this post, and you were all, "Oh, you just had a baby a month ago!"  But no, it's not Jayme.  She's already back to pre-prego weight...maybe even less.  It's me, Amanda, just 4 days away from Aurora's first birthday and wondering why those pounds didn't just "melt off."

I breastfed for six months.  I exercise (not as regularly as I'd like).  I wasn't eating great--I was eating for comfort and convenience, which is really all a new mom can do until you figure out how to make a dinner with vegetables and lean meats and take care of feeding a child at the same time.

I started Weight Watchers a little before Thanksgiving.  The weight loss was steady at first.  Then, I had a pretty icky holiday gain.  Then it's been up and down, in little increments.  I feel like I'm in pudge purgatory.  It's too cold to motivate me to do the exercise I want to do (jogging, biking, longer walks).  But slow is better than nothing, I guess.  I am down 13 pounds as of Sunday.  The slowest 13 pounds ever.  My initial goal was to lose 19 pounds by this birthday (and my own 29th birthday next week), but I'll be happy with 15.

I know I've made progress based on my clothes.  I can wear some pre-pregnancy jeans and fit into things I couldn't.  I am trying to look at these photos and see the progress, but I'm blind to my own body (I thought I looked "okay" 15 pounds ago)...can you see a difference (besides the obvious haircut)?


I still have a long way to go.  I haven't talked a lot about it with anyone because...it's kind of embarrassing.  Embarrassing to say I let myself go.  Embarrassing not being able to eat or wear whatever I want.  I believe women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful, but for me, my body and self are not comfortable where I am.  So I work...and look to y'all to encourage and hold me accountable!  Hopefully, my struggles can motivate you to stick with those goals you have for your physical health post-baby as well.

Thanks for listening,
Amanda

Look-a-likes

I talked a little before about how when I found out I was having a baby girl (rather than the boy that I thought for SURE was swimming around in my tummy) I was kinda sad--because I wanted a mini-Andrew running around.  Well, turns out I got my wish after all, sort of.  Lyla has an uncanny resemblance to her daddy!  I can't help but look at her and see him.  Especially the other day when she had a terrible case of bed head which left her with even the same hairdo as her adorable daddy:

Love those two SO much!  

By the way--have you entered our giveaway from My Little Critterz yet?  If not, click HERE!

xo

Jayme