pumpkins, a kitty, & the mommy-brain mixer.

Time for a new blog design? You can learn how to design it yourself!

Sign up for the eCourse here. Or enter my current giveaway to win a free spot!

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This past weekend was our chance to do Halloween up in style.

Because we wanted to. And because we might be paddling through the streets by Wednesday night.

Wonder if anyone's gonna go trick-or-treating dressed as Hurricane Sandy? She's be a hussy for sure.

S is getting pretty good at walking, and she's just a tad bit obsessed with pumpkins, so Saturday was devoted to finding the perfect pumpkins at the patch and visiting a local farm that opens up to the public. We teamed up with Hubs' sister and brother-in-law and their three boys and took on the town. With four kids under four you gotta know you're in for a good time.

Baby-brain thinking: trains to climb on, hayrides, farm animals, and even more glorious pumpkins.

Little girl was amazed. 

Who knew all this fun stuff existed out here beyond the walls of her playpen?

Then, on Sunday we had S's first Halloween party to attend.

At the assisted living home where Great-Great-Grandpa F lives. Most kids don't have great-grandparents, let alone GREAT-GREAT grandparents. No lie. Grandpa F is 93 and still kickin'. He even sported his funny nose and mustache face as his costume :)

Other than the "magician" who took wayyy to long to wrap up his act, the party was a hit with the littles.

And needless to say, all the grandparents {and the other kids!} loved baby girl's kitty costume.

Baby girl, she just wanted to eat everyone's Goldfish.

Always staying true to her character, that one.

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I'm beyond excited to be co-hosting the Mommy-Brain Mixer with Cassie at Two In Diapers!
A big thank you to her for this fun opportunity :) Happy Thursday everyone.

Come on over this Saturday for a wonderful new blog series called "The Mom Connection!" You don't want to miss out on parenting tips and advice from some of your favorite bloggers, so put this Saturday, November 3rd on your calendar! We will be discussing ways to get your littles to clean up!

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Come on over this Saturday for a wonderful new blog series called "The Mom Connection!" You don't want to miss out on parenting tips and advice from some of your favorite bloggers, so put this Saturday, November 3rd on your calendar! We will be discussing ways to get your littles to clean up!

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Welcome to week 15 of the Mommy-Brain Mixer, ladies!

Last week we had a wonderful 92 link-ups! The Mixer is thriving!

If you haven't noticed, one of my favorite things to do here at Two In Diapers is to share stories about motherhood and my littles. One of my favorite things about sharing these stories is your comments with stories of your own children!

Welcome to...

At the Mommy-Brain Mixer, we will be linking up our writings about anything and everything motherhood!

We want to see funny posts, serious posts, sweet & sappy stories, mommy-brain episodes, memories from when your older children were younger, thoughts & lessons learned, and anything related to motherhood or little people. You know that post you wrote yesterday about your teething baby? Or that hilarious post you wrote about your 2nd grader's school play? Those are perfect, so link 'em up! 

The Mommy-Brain Mixer is the perfect place to find some great new blogs to follow, make some wonderful new blog friends, and enjoy some entertaining new reads!

To make things even more fun, my friend Mar, over at Raising Bean, is hosting a sister link-upfor you to join, too!

Head on over there after your finished here and link up your recipes, DIY, arts & crafts, and sensory activities!  

Let's get to it, friends!

 

RULES:

1.Follow Two In Diapers

{the first link below}

If you are new to the Mixer, please leave me a comment so I know to follow you back! I try to get around to all the posts but, as the Mixer is growing, there are some weeks that I'm not able!

2. Follow your co-hosts

This week's lovely co-hosts {the first 3 on the linky} are:

Meredith from The Mom Of The Year

Kera from Nugget On A Budget

Megan from Absolute Mommy

Jennifer from Mommy Huh 

3. Link up your mommy post!

4. Make sure to visit some of the blogs in the link-up and maybe even follow them!

{and comments are always loved} 

5. Tweet about the Mommy-Brain Mixer to help spread the word! 

Tweet 

6. Grab this adorable button and place it somewhere on your blog!

 

 <a href="http://www.two-in-diapers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w351/laurenjh04/Gracie%20Marie/mommybrain-mixer200.png" /></a><br/>

7. Don't forget to check back throughout the week, as we gain many new links throughout the week!

If you are interested in co-hosting a Mommy-Brain Mixer, send me an email at twoindiapers@gmail.com!

Like my blog? Don't forget to vote for us! One click on the banner below = one vote for our blog, and you can even vote daily to keep us at the top!

Fag Cop ‎– Complete Shit Volume 1 7in [2008]

try
support the artist - buy the new LP at bandcamp

Damnation Kids - the Runaway 7in [2003]

try
support the artist - released on ptrash

Homostupids - New York Jammin' 7in [2012]

try
support the artist - part of hozac's hookup klub

no power but we're safe!

Time for a new blog design? You can learn how to design it yourself!

Sign up for the eCourse here. Or enter my current giveaway to win a free spot!

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Just wanted to write a quick post to tell you all that we're okay!

We lost power last night due to a downed tree on power lines near our neighborhood and unfortunately it's still not restored. So Hubs, S, the pup, and I are staying at Hubs' sister's house for the time being.

At least here we get heat, hot showers, and the internet!

And of course S is having the time of her life playin' it up with her three cousins.

We're just thankful that the storm wasn't worse and we didn't have any damage to our house or property.

My heart and prayers are with our friends and all others in NJ or those living where the storm hit hard.

We're praying for your safety.

Thank you to everyone who has commented, emailed, or left well wishes on my Facebook and Twitter pages. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers with all our hearts.

That said, the bloggy might be sparse on posts over the next week or so. I hope you understand!

{I WILL be co-hosting the Mommy-Brain Mixer with Cassie at Two In Diapers this Thursday though, so don't forget to come on over here and link up with us!}

Also, I'll be keeping you all updated via Facebook & Twitter,

so check in with me there for the next few days. Love you guys!

do hurricanes & giveaways go together?

Not usually. But thanks to our wonderful friend Sandy, they do this week. 

House is on lock down, seriously. We've got our water jugs, batteries, lanterns, and the outside property is either in the garage or tied down. You're a fool to be messin' with New York, girl!

If you're new to my blog or haven't stopped in for a while, on this day I revealed my super lovely new blog design. Which I was able to easily create myself, thanks to Desirae at Sommerfugl Design, who asked me to test and review her blogger design eCourse. {Best decision ever.}

Why creating my own blog design was amazing:

--I learned exactly HOW the coding works to produce the look and feel you want. Such as aligning text and widgets, installing fonts and changing font sizes/colors, and creating borders and underlines.

{And that's only some of it.}

--Having knowledge of HTML lets you do basically anything you'd like instead of just following a template.

--Instead of paying the big bucks to have a template designed for you {and you not having a clue how to change anything to your preference}, you now have the ability to change, add, or redesign any of the different elements as you choose. Freedom!

--The step-by-step lessons provided by Desirae were simple and very clear. Easy to use and understand.

--I finally learned how to get rid of the border around my post signature!

Bringing us to today.

How'd you like to get all the tools you need to create a rockin' sockin' blog design that's all yours, that you can add cool things to and change up anytime you please?

Or having the chance to redesign your blog and not having to pay anyone else to do it?

Meaning you can design it yourself. With basically whatever look you're hot for at the moment.

Sounds pretty fab, right? Yes, ma'am.

Well. ONE lucky duck will win a spot in Desirae's eCourse by entering the giveaway below. The eCourse is set to begin November 15th. A little something to look forward to during all this depressing hurricane weather and lame-o shorter days.

{IF you decide to enroll in the course directly, but end up winning the giveaway, your moolah will be refunded.}

Blogger Design eCourse Details:

Cost: $25 {If you win, then it's free!}

Length: There will be a number of lessons over a two-week period.You'll have access to all lessons and personal help from Desirae for one month.

Size: Class is limited to 30 people.

What's Included: Access to the lesson website for one month, an eBook with the general lessons for future reference, free easy-to-use Blogger templates, resource lists, one-on-one assistance from Desirae, peer feedback/assistance on your design, and video tutorials. 

What's Taught:

--Basics of coding for your blog {CSS & HTML}

--How to design a header image & blog button

--Fonts: How to install them on your blog, and use them in your designs

--Backgrounds: How to add them, and what works best

--Blogger elements and how to customize them

--Navigation Bar: How to customize, and how to create drop-down menus

--How to add social media buttons

--Adding additional widget areas to your blog

--Extras: Post signatures, post dividers, and MORE

--How to install your new blog design

Spots are filling up fast! Lock in your spot for the November 15th class now by purchasing your place in the Design Shoppe here. If you can't make the November class, Desirae is also offering a class beginning December 15th {with all the same benefits}.

Now. Get your winning pants on and enter away :)

And stay safe all you fellow Northeasterners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nice Face - Can I Fuck It? CS [2008]

try
support the artist
buy it used...
or buy the nice horizons LP on hozac
nice face the band on fb

the Men - Think 7in [2011]

try
support the artist - released on karmic swamp
http://wearethemen.blogspot.com
think is a diff't version than the one on 'leave home'
b-side is a devo cover

Blackfeet Braves - Demos/First Cuts [2011]

try
support the artist - buy the new LP at bandcamp
blackfeet braves on fb

Shark Week - S/T EP [2012]

try
support the artist - buy this at bandcamp - name your price
shark week on fb

Yokohama Hooks / Flip Tops - Split 7in [2007]

try
support the artist - buy the new flip tops LP at bachelor
flip tops on fb 

Gloryholes / Flip Tops - Split 7in [2003]

try

originally released on johnny cat
support the artist - buy the new flip tops LP at bachelor

super sunday sync blog hop #7.

Alrighty, third times a charm, right? So, 75 it is! We CAN do it!!

This week, Kera and I would like to welcome Cassie from Two In Diapers as our Guest Host! We are super excited that she said she would take the time to Guest Host with us. She has tons of fun stuff on her blog, including a recent post about allergy bracelets {who thought those would be cool?}

Rules for the "Super-est" hop ever:

1)  Link up a family-friendly post {or your homepage if it will always be decent} that you think is SUPER!

2)  GFC follow your hosts {Dawn and Kera} and guest host {Cassie}. We also appreciate {and return} any Facebook Likes, NetworkedBlog and Twitter Followers. Be sure to leave a comment, we'll follow you back on any and all of them!

3)  Visit the blog before you, and a few others {the more, the merrier} and follow them.  We're all looking to have more followers, that's why we're hopping, right?  Remember to leave a comment and we'll follow you back.

4)  Grab a button and put it somewhere people will see.  We'd love for this hop to really take off and be a weekly event!

<center><a href="http://www.dawnsdisaster.blogspot.com/"><img_proxy border="0" src=" https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tL_l7vRSVdo/UFVO58wyxXE/AAAAAAAAAK4/dkmogTJz3g4/s144-c/September152012.jpg?gl=US "/></a></center> Don't forget to Tweet!Tweet

a new look & friday letters.

Dear baby Halloween costumes >>

You've got the niche market down. Parents {us included} obviously need at LEAST two costumes to put their babies in so we all can gush over how cute they are. And take a million pictures. Don't lie. We all do it!

Dear lovers >>
Here it is! The new design I've been slaving over for the past week. I actually love it. Thanks to that lady below. What do you think? If you like, stop back here Monday. I'll be hosting a giveaway to WIN a spot in Desirae's upcoming Blogger Design eCourse.

Dear Desirae and Sommerfugl Design >>
Thank you SO much for asking me to partake as a guinea pig in your super awesome blog design course. Your lessons are well written and easy to follow. And I have no idea how you managed to do all this {and answer our bazillion questions} with a newborn. Super Mom!

Dear blog Facebook page >>
You've reached 100 likes! Wahoo. I love all my new fans, yes I do. And the old ones too!

Dear Hurricane Sandy >>
Please prove all the meteorologists wrong and make a last minute right turn out to sea. I really don't want to deal with the effects of torrential rain a la Irene. And I'm pretty sure no one else here in the Northeast does either. So listen up. Baby girl has her one year photo shoot this Sunday and we need Mr. Sun and a few leaves still left on the trees.

Dear pumpkins. In the patch. >>
We're coming for you this weekend. Just wanted to warn you. There's no telling what can happen when you put the nugget with her three boy cousins. Especially now that she's walking. Just look out for a little girl pointing at you, screaming something about balls. Don't worry, you'll have a good home.

Dear sleep-deprived self >>
GO TO BED. You're not as young as you think you are. Please dedicate tomorrow and the weekend to your daughter and puppy. And yes, even the husband.

Who else is gonna go out and do something fun before this hurricane traps us inside for three days?

Happy Friday lovers :)

Real Numbers - Tear It in Two 7in [2011]

try
support the artist - buy it at florida's dying
the real numbers on myspace
http://real-numbers.bandcamp.com/

Flip Tops - Dangerous Game 7in [2008]

try
support the artist - buy the new LP at bachelor
flip-tops on fb

Baseball Furies - All-American Psycho 10in [1999]

try
support the artist - buy it - released on flying bomb
baseball furies on fb

Human Eye - Dinosaur Bones 7in [2006]

try
support the artist

buy it used... 
or buy something else 
or the live record from third man
http://timmyvulgar.blogspot.com 
originally released on ypsilanti records

what if there's a bigger picture?

So the past few days I've been feeling a little overwhelmed by all that comes with blogging.

I love it, I truly do. If I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't keep doing it.

Because honestly it takes time away each day that I should be spending with my daughter. Or the dog. Or the Hubs. I'm sure you all can relate in some way or another.

But it makes me happy, so I suck it up and pretend I'm a college kid staying up until 3 AM.

Me. Sitting here in the dark with the light of my trusty computer and my dog's snores to keep me company.

Besides being swamped with emails/scheduling posts/keeping up with other blogs and trying to design a new look for my blog {to hopefully make it's debut along with a giveaway this coming Monday},

I keep feeling as if I'm not quite reaching my blogging potential.

No, not about seeing how many followers I can get or how many hops I can join...

But about what God wants me to do with this blog.

With this gift He's given me.

Because I don't think I'm using this gift to the extent that He deserves.

It's been on my heart lately that God wants me to delve deeper.

Yes yes it's all good and fun to post about what the crazy nugget's been up to or what I did last weekend.

But I don't frequently share anything of substance.

Stuff that I feel compelled to write here. Stuff that reaches out to others.

Because sometimes that's all we need to see on a given day. To help lift our spirits or to let us know that "hey, I'm not alone in this". Sorta a piece in the puzzle of what blogging's about, right?

Then on the way home today from running around town like a mad woman, I heard this song. I've heard it many times before and kinda liked it, but I never really listened to the lyrics.Seriously, people, eyes were welling up.This is exactly what I needed to hear, today. That God. He's good. He'll always send something down your road to meet you when you're swerving off the path a bit.Our own little world is not about us.
In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
population me

I try to stay awake during Sunday morning Church
I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts
And I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
Yeah, it’s easy to do when it’s
population me

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now?
Check out the rest of Matthew West's lyrics to My Own Little World here.How about you? Does anyone ever feel like God chose you to blog for a reason?

sleepy kids & like me on facebook!

Wordless Wednesday's worn-out babies.

&

So I'm really excited to bring "Like Me" on Facebook to you this week! I'm one of the lovely co-hosts {thanks Julie!}. If you're like me and just started up your blog's Facebook page recently, this is THE hop for you to built up your "likes". So g'head--start linking up your awesome FB pages and Twitter accounts. I'm looking forward to meeting some fab new ladies {and you should be, too} :)

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Welcome to Like Me on Facebook

<center><a href="http://www.thenaptimereview.com/"/><img src="http://s147.beta.photobucket.com/user/awages/library/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r306/awages/JulieFBbutton2copy2_zps027fdf29.png" /></a></center>

This is a link up designed for bloggers who want to increase their facebook likes and share their facebook pages with others. PLEASE DON'T LINK UP YOUR BLOG.

Come back for Mom's Monday Mingle to link up your blog!

Please TWEET about the hop!

PLEASE LIKE FROM YOUR PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGE ONLY!

**Facebook doesn't recognize likes from blog fan pages.
Please use your personal account to like.

***Please comment on facebook pages so we can make sure to RETURN follows.
Thank you!

Rules:

1. Please follow ALL of the hosts on facebook and twitter. They are 1-6 on the list.

Naptime Review- Hostess

Nugget on a Budget- Co-Host

Mommys Bundle- Co-Host
Singing Through The Rain- Co-Host
Gallamore West- Co-Host

The Things We Find Inside- Co-Host

2. Like as many facebook pages as you can. Just don't put your name into the list hoping to gain followers. Visit pages and say hi! Leave your facebook page so they can return the follow.

3. Please grab the blog hop button from my right side bar and provide a backlink. Together we can help each other grow!

Would you like to learn how you can be a co-host?

Email (julie_marling@yahoo.com)

Scheduling NOW
for next week!!!

Check Out This Months Sponsor:

LINK UP YOUR TWITTER ACCOUNTS HERE:

and then i got trapped in a vortex...

Phew! It's safe to say that it's been a week after returning home from Arizona and I'm still catching up in every area of my life. Which includes blogging. I have no less than five to-do lists running at the moment.

Ah, nothing like running on overload after a vacation.

And as all you mommies out there know, a mommy only gets a "working" vacation.

Oh yes. We take our work with us.

In the forms of "hey, my carry-on is filled with toys" -- holding a squirmy worm for 5+ hours in the cramped quarters they call an airplane -- sitting in the hotel room instead of the hotel hot tub -- getting up with a sick baby three nights in a row & taking poor sick baby to urgent care -- oh, and the best: having to upgrade the rental car to a Suburban so we could fit all of our crap. Crap which may or may not have been my overpacking for a baby.

But ya live and ya learn, right?

Seriously, we had a fantastic time in Arizona.

Baby girl did wonderfully on her first airplane trip and stole the show at our friends' wedding. Obviously.

We traveled to Sedona for the first part of the week. Absolutely breathtaking. The red rocks, the landscapes, the weather. Everything. It's amazing, the beauty God can create.

Sedona is actually one huge vortex, but there are spots that are said to have "healing powers" if you visit them. You know, take off your shoes and get down in the dirt.

Now, I didn't believe one bit about all that hippie nonsense.

Until we stopped by the Chapel of the Holy Cross and I wandered down into the gift shop.

The pressure was insane! I had to leave. It literally felt like I was in a plane that was descending too fast.

Whaddaya know, but the Chapel itself turns out to be a vortex.

I thought these things were supposed to make you feel better?

So yeah. No one wanted to leave Sedona. Let's just say it's an entirely different country than New York.

Entirely. You need to see it.

Phoenix, it paled in comparison, but it was still interesting. I love any place that's warm enough to grow palm trees. And it was interestingly a bigger city than I had imagined.

Our friends were married in the courtyard of the Phoenix Art Museum. At dusk. Lovely.

Baby girl slept through the reception, so Mommy & Daddy lived it up on the dance floor.

Par-taaaaay.