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online window shopping…

This morning, I busted out Lucas’ winter gloves for my morning errands.
It was chilly outside! However, I kept having to remove one randomly.
It was hard to use my iPhone, hold a drink, etc.
Okay, maybe I sound like a diva. Whatevs, it was my day off!
I spent half the morning with my thumbs hanging out.
Definitely NOT diva behavior.
Currently, Chris is at band practice.
All three boys are tucked away in their beds upstairs.
I already cleaned the kitchen, scrubbed my face, and curled up on the couch.
I’d planned on painting my nails & watching my new guilty pleasure on Netflix.
[I’ve never gotten into any of the medical shows before.
This is total trash. What’s my deal?]
Anyway, I sat down to paint my nails & couldn’t get the stinkin’ bottle open!
Where is my man when I need him?
Alas, no mani for mommy this evening.
So I decided to hop online & pretend shop,
specifically to address the two aforementioned issues.
I’ve been wearing blacks, browns, & purples for years. 
I even went through a navy blue phase right after I got married.
[Why do I sound like a frequent flyer? I probably paint my nails twice a year.]
Anyway, this winter I think I’d like to hop on the gray polish bandwagon.
And of course, the cute convertible mittens have been on the scene for awhile.
I used to cut the fingers off of my gloves. 
That was when I wore band hoodies & jean jackets.
I’m not sure what kind I’d like to have now. 
Obviously, the thumb has to be removable.
A girl must be able text & maneuver the interweb on her phone unhindered!

In addition to today, I have another glorious day off tomorrow.
Maybe I can convince the hubs to let me do a little shopping in real life.
Until then, I’ll be wearing my son’s gloves 
& man-handling this dried-up bottle of polish.


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fashion

Steppin’ Out Saturday…

We’re linkin’ up with Harper’s Happenings to bring you a “Steppin’ Out Saturday” post!
This is actually from Friday night. We FINALLY got a dinner out. Hallelujah!
It was FINALLY sushi – I gagged at the thought of it for months.

Rachael:
Top – Ross
Cardigan – Unkown (old!)
Jeans – Lucky Brand
Boots – from girls’ clothing swap
Christopher:
Hat – Marshall’s
Sweater – Lucky Brand
Jeans – Lucky Brand
Shoes – Vans
Ames:
Hat – Old Navy
Onesie – Target
Cardigan – American Apparel
Jeans – Target
Boots – Goodwill




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Happy Birthday, Ames!

I am so pleased with this last year! Some of it has flown. Some of it has crawled.
Here’s a look back at your birth story… Remember this?

You’ve taught me so much. Hopefully I’ve taught you a little.
I can’t wait to share many more years with you, mister man.
For your birthday, we had friends and family over (in costume) for a cookout.
F-U-N:
Lucas was an army man. Avery was Darth Vader.
Your papa & I were pirates.
You were the cutest darn monkey I ever did see.
You ate so much throughout the night; you didn’t leave room for cake.
You only got through a few bites before you gave up. It was still precious.
Daddy bathed you and brought you back down to party, but you were beat.
You snuggled with Sunshine (how perfect was her costume?!) for awhile.
We tried to make you open presents, but you were too worn out.
You chilled on the floor while some of the other babes checked out your loot.
And then you were OFF TO BED! Successful night.
Oh, and the Panthers won their first game of the season!
Chris said, “I knew the Lord wouldn’t let them lose on my son’s birthday.”
Here’s to a year, boy. Here’s to many more.




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if it grew on trees…

My men in their monkey suits… Cute, right?!
Just a little birthday costume preview. Can’t believe Ames is one next week!

I have to admit, I’ve been feeling pretty down in the dumps lately. I’ve been feeling a lot of things… tired, worn down, sickly, overwhelmed, yikes! I’m a bit discouraged about where our family is versus where I’d like to take it.

I am content in the idea of Chris playing music full-time, but I pray for breakthrough daily. I want him to be fully appreciated (and compensated) for his gifts & talents. I hope that I’ll get to spend more time at home with my kids before they get old enough to remember. Until I am able to work part-time or not at all, though, I will continue to be the provider. And that’s okay.

In the meantime, I’ve decided to make a visual wish-list of things I’d buy if money really did grow on trees.

This is about…10 years in the making. I already have a tattoo by him inside my lower lip that says “HONOR,” but I will get tattooed again for REAL, by Chris Stuart, before I die. A big ol’ pigeon piece on my calf. And when I’m 90 years old and dragging behind a walker, I will show it off proudly – beneath my support hose. The inspiration comes from a dove obsession Christopher & I have… Here is a little idea from our wedding invitations.

I’ve always wanted a nice handbag. Maybe someday, I’ll get lucky like Mandy and win a Balenciaga?! One day, I might just reward myself regardless. And when I do, I’ll most likely buy a Cole Haan.

This is a Taylor 314, one of the nicest guitars EVER. It’s been on Christopher’s wish-list for years. In fact, he jokingly tried to figure out a way to add it to our wedding registry. He also tells people it’s what our soon-to-be toddler wants for his first birthday. Bless his heart.

Also on my list are two things for the house…
A privacy fence! Bamboo floors!
And our bedroom would look like a mixture of all of this glory…
Lots of colors, textures, & layers – can I get an amen?

We will get there someday. I squeal at the thought of how far we’ve come in the last two years! And who knows…maybe by the time we “make it,” we won’t even want this stuff anymore. 
I’m just trying to take each day at a time. I’m keeping my head up and doing what it takes to feed my family. I’m proud to be an artist’s wife. I’m proud to be a nurse. I love what I do, both at home and at work. I’m thankful that a full-time job for me only means three days a week. And my husband is home to take care of the house and the kids while I’m gone. I mean, talk about an ideal set-up!
I just can’t wait to see where God takes us in the seasons to come. I know one thing…I plan on waltzing into one of those seasons with a Cole Haan swinging from my arm!
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SoftBums Mystery Product Event…

It is here!
 
SoftBums OMNI DIAPER!
 
jpeg snap
 
The first ever multi-purpose pocket: it’s a pocket diaper AND an all-in-two AND a cover!   
  • Huge pocket opening is easy to stuff
  • Larger size means it fits even BIGGER toddlers up to 40 lbs, can be easily overstuffed and fits great over prefolds!
  • Compatible with the same Pods as the Echo, as well as almost any other diaper insert!
  • Use as an all-in-2 for the most economical diapering system available!
  • Use as a pocket for a super absorbent and bulletproof diaper so easy your daycare can use it!
  •  Use as a cover over flats, prefolds or nearly anything else you already have for a worry-free night!
     
     
     
    Okay, now for the fun part – GIVEAWAYS! 
    Over 100 blogs are involved, and there will be 23 winners!
     
    Prizes Include:
    Grand Prize – an Apple iPad
    First Prize – Birth to Potty Package of SoftBums Omni Diapers
    Second Prize – $75 gift card to Softbums
    Third Prize – $50 gift card to Amazon
    Softbums Omni Diapers to winners #5-20
    BabyLegs to winners #21-23
     
    To Enter:
    Post, Blog, or Tweet about the new SoftBums Omni diaper. 
    Leave a comment with a link below.
     
    Extra Entries:
    Like SoftBums on Facebook.
    Follow SoftBums on Twitter.
    Follow this blog.
    Follow us on Twitter.
     
    Feel free to enter at any of the participating blogs, too, to increase your entries!
    Find the list here.
    HAVE FUN!!

 

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community fashion motherhood

AppleCheeks Giveaway! CLOSED

Ilana of AppleCheeks Diapers is one of those entrepreneurs who makes small business look easy. She has excellent customer service, returning emails promptly and answering product questions personally. She supports bloggers like me, in reviews & giveaways. And she really believes in her product.
The AppleCheeks diaper is unlike any we’ve ever tried. The envelope system comes in two sizes, so your baby only has to change systems once. The math is spelled out easily for you here, so that you can see exactly much you’ll be spending saving when you buy into AppleCheeks.
We own two AppleCheeks diapers, one size 1 & one size 2. The size 1 fits Ames very snugly. I’m not sure whether to be proud that we’re getting our money’s worth, or embarrassed by the fact that he probably should’ve grown out of this size months ago… Oh well, he’s petite & easy to carry around!

Our size 2 diaper is perfect for overnight, because it’s roomy enough to double-stuff!

I was skeptical about the flimsy-looking bamboo “insert” that I received with the diaper (the envelope diaper comes alone, unless you buy a “Little Bundle” or inserts a-la-carte). In fact, what I have is a doubler, and I put it over a thin insert that I already have… Ames’ bum stays dry as a bone, even when he wets. The inserts have varying levels of absorbency, so you can customize for your lil’ (or big) wetter!
The quality of the fabrics is unlike anything we’ve used. The fleece is softer, the outer stretchier and more durable, and the snaps sturdier and more reliable. The colors are amazing, and they’re always coming out with new ones after getting feedback from customers. I am very impressed with AppleCheeks’ craftsmanship, and I understand why they’re a notch above the rest when it comes to price. They will last, baby after baby! 
One of my favorite aspects of the diaper is that the slit is in the middle of the fleece, instead of one end or the other. That way, the insert agitates out on its own during the wash cycle. No pulling on icky wet inserts during diaper changes!
Thanks to Ilana & AppleCheeks‘ sweet generosity, one of you is going to receive a Little Bundle!
Valued at $26.50, this bundle is a Size 2 in “Mrs. Robinson” blue.
It includes an envelope cover and bamboo insert.
How to enter (only #1 is mandatory; post a comment for each entry):
1. Visit AppleCheeks & tell me about another product you discovered!
2. “Like” AppleCheeks on Facebook.
3. Follow AppleCheeks on Twitter.
4. Follow LettersToAmes on Twitter.
5. Follow this blog with GoogleFriendConnect.
6. Vote for us on TopBabyBlogs.
I will draw a winner using random.org on September 25. Thanks, y’all!
the winner is #44, KELISA EADES!
Congratulations! You have 48hours to email me letterstoames@gmail.com
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community fashion motherhood

CCbaby giveaway! CLOSED

  

I have been blessed (husband says LUCKY) to win a few giveaways since diving headfirst into the mommy world of internet craziness. It’s so much fun to put your name in a figurative hat and find out you’ve won some goodies. It’s even more fun to follow these businesses (most of them WAHMs) and watch them flourish. Go, mamas!

Recently, I won a wetbag from CCbaby.
Janna Craft is the owner, and she also sells her wares on etsy.
Based out of Michigan, CCbaby offers an array of baby/children items from cloth-diapering items to toys to clothes.
One of the things that pleasantly surprised me when I won the wetbag was that Janna wrote me a message immediately, asking about colors and handles and all sorts of details. She gave me several fabrics to choose from, and it was on my doorstep in less than a week. Excellent customer service!
When I asked Janna about allowing me to review and give away a product of CCbaby‘s, she welcomed me into her world with arms wide open. That woman send me a whole goodie box full of items. It was like Christmas in the Kincaid home!
I received a wool diaper cover and a pair of baby legs, both made of cashmere. This cover is, without a doubt, the SOFTEST thing I have EVER touched. Friends and family will agree. I put it on him immediately and ran to a friend’s house for the evening. She kept snuggling Ames and commenting on how soft his bum was!
It was a great fit, too. I love the way wool stretches. It’s as though the cover was made specifically for his bum, and Janna of CCbaby has never even laid eyes on my boy. So impressed!

One winner will get their very own CCbaby wool diaper cover:

The baby legs were just as soft, and a perfect fit as well! We are fans of the diaper-only outfit, so leggings come in handy when we need to keep Ames warm at night or in the cooler months. They make diaper changes easier, too!

The absorbency was great. I went through three diapers that evening before switching to our nighttime diapering routine, and I had no issues. The fitted diaper was wet during each change, and the wool stayed dry. It even smelled fresh. Magic!
I’m very thankful for CCbaby’s prices, too. Janna makes spoiling your baby easy and affordable. In addition to diapering necessities, CCbaby offers funs items like fairy wands & reusable snackbags. What a fun way to encourage your children to be creative and go green!

One lucky winner will receive this wand & snackbag:
Enter to win (comment below for each entry):
1. Visit CCbaby and tell me about a neat item.
2. “Like” CCbaby on Facebook.
3. Follow my blog.
4. Follow me on Twitter.
I’ll draw a winner via random.org on August 31. Have fun!
*CONTEST CLOSED*
Winner of the cashmere soaker – KRISTY BOCHNIAK
Winner of the ribbon wand & snackbag – EMILY ANGELL
Congrats, ladies! Y’all have 48hours to contact me to claim your prizes.
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