Please check out my latest venture, my chunky beaded jewelry shop, Bauble Yumz! You can become a fan at www.facebook.com/BaubleYumz and shop in our Etsy store at www.baubleyumz.etsy.com. 

Are you on Twitter? If so please follow us for updates on new products, specials and giveaways at www.twitter.com/BaubleYumz. 

And join us on Pinterest too at www.pinterest.com/BaubleYumz!! 

I'm really loving getting creative with the color palettes and different styles of beads. 

More to come on this new venture in the next two weeks. In the meantime I would love it if you stopped by to say hello. Thank you!

Here are a few shots of our current designs. 

Isn't she just the cutest! Autism Super Hero to the rescue!

Looking for a great Valentine's Day gift, take a peek at our "Silly Valentine" design.

Gorgeous warm tones with a flair for the dramatic with "Iridescence".

How many Mickey Mouse fans are visiting today? She will make an excellent accessory for your trip to Disney! To purchase "Mouseketeer, please click here.

I absolutely loved Strawberry Shortcake as a child and my daughter still does today! She will bring a smile to your daughter's face this Valentine's Day. To purchase please click here.

Looking for the perfect accessory to complete your little one's Woodland inspired Birthday party? Look no further, "Woodland Whimsy" will charm you from the first moment you spot it.

On March 26, 2012 I was blessed with a baby girl!  She was 19 inches long and weighed 7 lbs, 7 oz.  She came via cesarean section and was delivered at 1:48 am that Monday morning.  

She is now 10 weeks and is still the most beautiful girl!  She smiles so big and has a sweet laugh.  She's a big sleeper (like I was when I was a baby).  She's starting to stay awake for longer periods and enjoys watching all the silly things her big brother does, like running up and down the hallways or jumping on the couch while laughing!  

Here's a pic of her at 7 1/2 weeks

Here are a few more photos...

Aidan is doing so well with his baby sister.  He is a big helper, makes sure she has her paci when she's unhappy, says "It's okay Ava", and gives her impromptu hugs and kisses throughout the day.  He tells us often, "I love Ava!".  Such a sweet boy.






Coming up... Aidan's 3rd birthday celebration....

Looking back at this year's Valentine's Day...

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day yesterday!  It was a pretty hectic day for us here.  My husband was off to work early while Aidan and I were still snoozing away.  Once we got up and mosied out to the living room I saw a dozen roses on the dining room table.  Just gorgeous and really made me smile.  The day took a little turn when Aidan demanded he didn't want to take a nap!  I ended up taking a LONG road trip to get him to doze off. I really needed a break so I was determined to get him to sleep.  Just my luck, right as we pulled into the driveway he woke up!  Ugh.  But eventually I was able to get him back to bed for a somewhat good nap!  

Aidan after he fell asleep in the car, my little angel!

I got to visit with my husband and Aidan for about 20 minutes before I headed off to my Prenatal Aquatics class in the evening (no time for a nice sit down dinner).  I really love my class, it gets me moving and doesn't stress me out.  And it's an hour of "me" time.  LOL!  I arrived home in time to give Aidan his Valentine's gift and get him off to bed.  He was so excited when I got home.  He shouted "Mom, I have a Valentine for you!".  It was beautiful! Aidan was so happy that 'I liked it' he was beaming.  My husband said he peeled the paper backing off each heart and stuck them to the card where he saw fit.  Handcrafted all on his own with a little written help from Daddy.  

Cover of my Valentine's card 

Inside of my Valentine's card... isn't it just beautiful!

We gave him his Valentine's gift just before bed -- it was the only time we were all together!  He got a few DVDs of his favorite shows and he really lit up.  He has such a great smile!  All in all a really good day.  

Sprucing things up a bit!

Wow, so it's been almost a year since my last/first post!  I guess things got a bit busy in our household.  
      
I have spruced my blog up a bit.  Please take a look, what do you think?  I have added some great links to my blog, please check them out!  I would like to highlight an AWESOME sight called Ebates!  I found this site about 2 years ago and have found them to be a definite "go-to" site.  I try not to shop in the stores if I can and instead plan ahead for what I need and purchase online.  I usually can get free shipping and this way can keep my "blinders" on!  No excess spending because I purchase only what I need.  
     
They are the pioneer and leader of online cash back shopping.  Ebates pays members (free to join: bonus!) cash back every time they shop online as well as provide them with the best coupons and deals online.  Click on the Ebates button -- side of my blog -- or the link above to check them out (please, it gives me credit for your referral, thank you!).  Once you setup an account and pick your first store to shop in you'll see just how easy it is to save.  Even if you earn 1% cash back that's money back in your pocket for shopping you were going to do anyways.  
       
Most stores offer between 2% - 5% daily, with additional "Daily Doubles" or Holiday specials.  Take Valentine's Day (1 more day)... if you haven't bought your sweetheart a gift yet check out this site first!  If you order flowers through Teleflora for example (using Ebates first) you could earn 20% cash back on your purchase.  This is one great reason to send your sweetheart some flowers.  :O)
       
Another great site to pair with Ebates is RetailMeNot.  Have you checked them out yet?  They offer a plethora of online coupon codes (and some printable ones too).  If you're shopping and wondering if there's a code to help bring the total down; do a search on their site and you may just get lucky.  I make it a habit to check them out before I submit payment on any online site.       
     
I would love to hear your thoughts on both of these sites, what did you think?
    
Happy Monday!

What to write....

Please don't judge!  This is my first post and my first blog.  I am starting this blog to share with others my thoughts on being a mom, what works for us and what doesn't, and the fun happenings with my family; especially with my son Aidan (who will be turning 2 in just over 1 month)!  I am a SAHM who is working on a business start up, working part-time at a department store, taking care of the house and Aidan, and contemplating going back to school to become an Early Childhood Education Teacher, among many other things.  I hope you like what you see here and maybe pick up some new recipes or ideas.  I will try to post every couple of days or so, at least once per week.  Thanks much and talk with you soon!!