Complaining

A Few complaints on this beautiful day.

1. I feel fat, ever since I stopped nursing Keira my body has decided to store an extra eight pounds. I like to pretend it is eight pounds of stored milk but it just isn't.

2. I tried to work out but can't. Yesterday when Keira was pretending to be a "Scary Bear" at the park I slowly ran away. I wasn't even running...I was more walking fast or bounding joyously away from the growling "Scary Bear". I had to stop because it was hurting my cellulite. If running, or in my case walking fast, hurts cellulite where does one start to exercise?

3. I am tired. Apparently at 15 months Keira decided to assert herself and show us that she means business. This means tantrums, and the tapering off of naps. I can't decide who needs these naps more, me or her.

4. I am anxious. I am going back to work in the fall and can't stop thinking about it. When most teachers are counting down the last week of school with excitement I was counting my districts

days with dread. Everyday closer to the end of school meant summer was here, which meant fall was approaching, which meant school was just around the corner. When your 68-week maternity leave is coming to an end one might have some confusing feelings...no?

5. I feel guilty. I feel guilty about EVERYTHING. I feel guilty about going back to work. I feel guilty about putting my daughter in daycare. I feel guilty not contributing to the family's finances. I feel guilty that my daughter doesn't interact with more children her age. I feel guilty that I stopped nursing when I could have kept going. I feel guilty that I don't think I will nurse my second child as long. I feel guilty that I am sitting inside on a gorgeous day. I feel guilty that I don't want to go out because I hate the tantrum sunscreen causes. I feel guilty, I feel guilty I feel guilty.

5. I am stir crazy. My house is messy and dirty (two VERY different things) and I don't want

to pick up or clean at all. I look around and don't know where to start. I then get mad that my husband's dirty socks are scattered (in what seems like) every room of the house. When I tell him this, he then walks into each room of the house proceeding to pick up (no less than) one half full or empty (optimist or pessimist?) can of Diet Coke and showing me my mess around the house. Apparently when it is your mess you don't see it.

And now I am done. I feel much better and will now take a rest from all this hard work.

16 and Pregnant

Don't let the title scare you....too much.

Any of you that know me on a personal level know that I am obsessed with Reality Television.  It can be anything; Real Housewives, ANTM, Survivor, True Life, Real World, The Hills, etc.  I recently saw an advertisement for a new reality show called 16 and pregnant.  It is on (the ever so educational) MTV, so I HAD to watch it.  

Unfortunately (really?) I was in California at the time so I totally missed it.  As I was sipping wine in Napa I even had a fleeting thought; "I am missing 16 and Pregnant right now".  (Please don't tell my husband-apparently he doesn't read the blog? hmmmm, maybe he has lived with me too long and has to "Survive"  my stories)

ANYWAY

As I was watching it I couldn't believe how amazing little Maci was, and yes I can call her "little Maci" because she was only 16.  Sixteen years-old people!  She had a little boy named Bentley (that's a whole different blog entry...BENTLEY?). 

She was just darling with her southern twang and soft demeanor.  I wanted her to live in my city so we could go to ECFE together or maybe have a play date-But then I remembered she is 16! 

When I was 16 I still had stuffed animals on my bed, and I may have still had my baby blanket under my pillow where no one could see it.  Maci probably wouldn't be able to come over for a 

play date because she wold most likely have been taking a college class (went to an accelerated high school), at dance (joined six weeks after giving birth) or maybe at work (part time for her father).  

This brings me to my point.

How can I complain...literally how can I complain?  When I go back to work this fall and am a littler irritated when a parent can't make it to a meeting or a conference on time I am going to remember this girl.  I also have to remind myself that I am 30 years old and I still struggle to get out of the house on time even though I have;  1. A vehicle to get me places,  2.  A supportive husband that works so I can stay home with my daughter,  3.  The ability to get online, use my house or cell phone to ask for help, and  4. Over 20 people in my family that would jump at the chance to babysit my dear daughter. 

I love it when I get a piece of Humble Pie whilst watching MTV.  Some people may get their fulfillment from Church, meditation, or reading a good book...no, not me. MTV

-a couple of footnotes-

1. I do not endorse anyone 30 or younger to have a child.

2. I do not endorse anyone 1-9 months pregnant to ride a "quad" as she called it.

3. I plan on sending very strong hate mail to Ryan. (see photo and watch the show)

4. Bentley is a good name if your like...16.

5.  I just broke a promise I made to myself never to make fun of a baby name (Keee-aira?) (Key-ra?) come people it is not that friggen hard!

6. Maci if you happen to stumble upon this please call me, I really want to hang out with you. 

7. You.Must.Watch.This. Show.  Thursday 7:00 pm Eastern time. (or online like I did)

Pretty in Plaid

So I searched and searched and couldn't find any great pictures of myself wearing 80's clothes. It could be because of one or more of the following reasons;

1. There weren't digital cameras in the 1980's.

2. I didn't have facebook in the 1980's

3. All my photos are stored some place at my parents house (thank GOD!)

4. I was only 1-10 years old in the 1980's.

I pretty much wore what ever my mother put me in and unfortunately still do to this day. I hate shopping and love going to visit my mother because she will have piles and piles of clothes from sales at the mall, sales at speciality stores and even sales in peoples garages ;) I have been getting less and less now that I am 30 years old-or maybe it's because she now has two granddaughters to buy for. Either way, I am thinking it is time I start to buy my own clothing once in a while. She is a hard act to follow and I am resisting it to the end-any woman that can find a Gucci bag (no joke) at a garage sale is going to stock my closet until I am in the nursing home.

I did, however, find this shot circa 1987. I like it because of my beautiful perm,

bangs that start at the back of my head, and the Red and Blue Plaid dress.

The reason I am having flash backs to the 1980's is because tonight I am heading to Borders in Roseville to see Jen Lancaster speak about her new book: Pretty in Paid-A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart Ass Phase.

I have been following Jen Lancaster's Blog for about three years now and literally laugh out loud when I read it. If you haven't visited Jennsylvania yet please do. You won't know what you did before there was Jen.

Also, if you haven't yet read a book by Jen Lancaster you are TOTALLY missing out. You must start with Bitter is the New Black, followed up by Bright Lights Big Ass. If you have ever struggled to lose weight or find the energy (or even desire) to work out you must pick up Such a Pretty Fat. Let's not forget the reason I get to meet her tonight, Pretty in Plaid.

They are all great summer reads and you will not be disappointed with her hilarious, smart-ass, know-it-all style.

PS- she has requested we wear clothes from the 80's! Any ideas?

Congratulations Rob!

Rob has won the Amelia Bee Blanket Giveaway.  He picked the Shadow Monkey fabric for his 9 month old son.  Rob has another son (4 years old)  that had a blanket that he brought home from Guatemala.  Rob stated that this blanket has provided his 4 year old with comfort and calmness.  Rob has tried many blankets for his 9 month old, none of which have been a hit.  He is hoping (as well as I am) that the Shadow Monkey Amelia Bee blanket will be a source of comfort and calmness much like his older brother's!

If you are not a winner this time around don't worry! Amelia Bee is going to be doing another Giveaway very soon.  We are introducing Nursing Covers and are hoping to do a giveaway next month. Be sure to follow www.lifewithkim.blgspot.com so you don't miss the give away!

Thank you all for entering and showing support.

Kim 

Amelia Bee Giveaway

I was planning on keeping this blog a "personal" blog but I have to make a plug.

Amelia Bee is a business I started up when my daughter was born. I made her a cozy Amelia Bee blanket to keep her warm on the cool Minnesota nights. The blanket was so popular when we went out in public, I decided to make business cards. I wasn't really sure what I would do from there but when people started asking me how to order a blanket I decided to create a website. 

I am currently doing a blanket give away to one lucky follower. You will receive one

large blanket from Amelia Bee of

your choice.

How to win it!

1. Visit --------and pick your favorite fabric.

2. Leave a comment on this post including;

- the name of your favorite fabric

- why you want an Amelia Bee original

- your email address.

3. Follow Life with Kim blog.

**Amelia Bee supporters have reported having a difficult time leaving a comment.  

1.  Below the comment box there is a drop down tab labeled Comment As.  

2.  Chose the Name/URL option.  If you have a website or blog be sure to include it!  If not you can leave that option blank. 

3.  Press submit.

- If it doesn't let you submit your comment, simply press submit one more time.  I hope this helps!

-Kim

Want an EXTRA entry? Follow us on Twitter @ameliabee

This contest will be closed on May 8th 2009 at midnight. Be sure to include your email address so we can contact the winner!

Good Luck, happy blogging!