We’ve been thinking a lot about potty training lately at our house.  Sebastian is nearing 3 years old and has no interest in ‘going on the potty’.  We’ve bought fun underwear, we’ve bribed with M & M’s, we’ve threatened that he can’t go places and I’ve just begged.  Bottom line (pun intended), he’s not ready.

Several of our friends have children who have mastered the act and I’ve felt the pressure, but deep down know that he’s not ready.  I realize that he won’t be 18 going off to college wearing a diaper, but I’m ready.  I’m ready to stop changing his diaper that he can tell me is dirty and I’m ready to stop buying diapers.  But once again I’m reminded as a parent that there are moments that I will be ready for when he’s not and I’m also sure that there will be moments that he will be ready to get through and I will want to hold on to.

Until then, we will still be in diapers and will probably wait until closer to his 3rd birthday to really work on it.  Here’s wishing us luck- we need it!!

Spring is in the air!  Literally, unlike any of winters I can remember it’s been so beautiful.  I realize that it will most likely get cold for a few weeks, but I’ve really enjoyed it!

With the start of the ‘springy’ season, that means that new things are coming in daily!!  This week we’ve already received Petit Lem and coming Friday is Isobella & Chloe!  There will be beautiful dresses and swimsuits- I can’t wait!  So if you are out and about- stop by and check out the new arrivals and get ready for Spring!!

I didn’t know if I should admit this online or even out loud, but somehow I’ve gotten sucked into ‘The Bachelor’ this season.  It might possibly be the worst season I’ve ever watched, but somehow, every Monday I’m ready to watch these girls make fools of themselves on national television. 

So, it’s Monday again and I’m ready for a new episode…..even though all of the spoilers online have given away the winner, I’m secretly hoping that they are wrong!  I’ve thought a lot about the trashy reality television that exsists these days and wonder why we watch it.  I’m assuming you watch it too……but I really wonder what makes us want to see these mini-train wrecks happen in front of us.  I think the sad thruth is that I’m so happy that it’s not me (or my daughter), that I can giggle and forget about real world problems for 30 minutes (I don’t watch it in real time- that would be real toture).  So, if you are out there and watching ‘The Bachelor’, I would love to know your favorite girl and we can follow along together until the finale!  Go Kacie B!!!

I’m a mom….maybe you are a mom…..and maybe you need some mom time!  Starting this Tuesday- we are going to have ‘Mom Time Tuesday’ from 10 until noon at Bella Bambini.  It will be a great way to have other mom’s who own their at home businesses bring them to Bella and have a fun mom morning.  We will have snacks and great deals.  Not to mention just a fun time with other moms! 

Now, for the exciting part- if you RSVP you can WIN some FREE STUFF.  Read below for more info about the open house: 

Last Chance / First Glance Open House

This will be your “last chance” to order several patterns and products from our Fall/Winter catalog that are being retired.
Need to add a matching wallet to a purse you already have? Here’s your chance!
Or is there a pattern you just LOVE but it’s time has come to an end?? Get it ordered now!!
Finally, this will also be your “last chance” to order our super-popular Thermal Totes at the special price of just $10.

This fabulous open house will also be an opportunity for your “first glance” at our BRAND NEW Spring catalog!
There are so many gorgeous new patterns, perfect for Spring…as well as several NEW products that you will just LOVE!!
The special for purchases made from the new Spring catalog: for every $31 you spend, get 31% off any other item in the catalog!

There will be fun door prizes given away every 20 minutes AND a raffle for an exciting GRAND PRIZE! Here is how to earn your raffle tickets:

RSVP by January 27th that you will be attending = 5 raffle tickets
Bring a friend with you to the event (that did not already receive the invite) = 5 raffle tickets
Place a $20 order = 2 raffle tickets
Place a $50 order = 5 raffle tickets
Book a party for February or March = 10 raffle tickets

Pinterest seems to be the new thing to do!  I’ve been on the bandwagon for a few months and I love it!  It helps me because I can organize all of the useless information that I collect while surfing the internet and catorgize it.  Then, other people can look at what I’m looking at it and see if they want to put it on one of their ‘boards’.

For people who aren’t into Pinterest, this probably all sounds silly, but honestly all kidding aside- it’s a lot of fun. I’ve been able to plan a baby shower, casino night, christmas dinner and now my kid’s birthday parties without using file folders and sticky notes.  I’m an organized person and I like themes, so this website really has allowed me to do everything I love to do.  I don’t have enough time to really get the most out of it, but maybe someday I will!

Today I found these Jello recipes and decided that I would attempt the Valentine’s Day one for Maggie’s Pre-School Party.  I can’t decide whether or not I will use cups or cut out hearts from the pans……oh the decisions!  I do know that I’ve had a blast finding fun projects and coming up with new ways to do things.  If you haven’t checked it out- you might want to, but beware……it will suck you in and you will start craft projects you never thought possible and plan parties that you didn’t know you wanted to plan.  Have fun!

Stop by and check out these great CDs available for purchase to help support the Champaign Public Library.  100% of the sales will go to support the library and their children programs.  Below is taken from the library’s website:

What I Like will get kids wiggling and giggling with catchy original tunes by Champaign-Urbana musician David Howie plus familiar childhood songs and rhymes. Other performers include Kathy Harden, Lynn O’Brien, and library staff members.

The Champaign Public Library has created two music CDs to help children get ready to read. Listening to rhymes and music sparks brain development, leading to success with language and reading. What a fun way to learn and grow!

You can purchase both CDs at the library and Bella Bambini for $12.

I love babies!  This past week our friends had their first baby and it got me thinking about how much I love babies!  The whole process of waiting for the baby, then those first few moments together.  No matter how you meet your child- pregnancy or adoption, babies are just so special.

I’m often caught up in the daily struggles of toddlers that it was a nice reminder to remember those special 1st baby moments that I had with both of my kids.  With Maggie, Ben and I really enjoyed just hanging out together those first few weeks- just the three of us.  There wasn’t anything else on our agendas, we didn’t look at our email and we just loved every minute of our time together.  It was simple and perfect.  With Sebastian we couldn’t really stop and relax because Maggie was running around.  My favorite memories are having Sebastian sleep on my chest.  I shouldn’t admit it, but most nights in the first few weeks I would sleep in a chair so he could sleep on my chest.  It was the only way he would sleep and I didn’t mind.

I’m sure you all have your favorite moments with the babies in your life.  With all of the stress in the world, please take a few moments and think back to those first sweet smiles and coos that you heard from the babes that you love so much.

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!  I hope you are enjoying your time off with your kids and finding an activity that will allow you to talk to your kids about Martin Luther King, Jr.  I can remember in grade school some of the fun activities that we would do to honor him and some of the unique ways that my teachers would help me learn about his life.  I hope to teach my kids that Martin Luther King, Jr. helped pave the way for people to see that we are all created the same and should be able to live together in harmony.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!  Currently we have several lovely designs available from Sweet Petunia.  There are many different shirt options that can match skirts, pants and tutus.

If you would like to design a shirt for your child- you can choose the color of the shirt, the color of the heart or lettering and it takes about a week!  We have options for both boys and girls and they retail for $32.

It’s never to early to start thinking about Valentine’s Day!