I am thrilled to bring you not only a review of three Gigi Hill bags, but a giveaway that will allow you to experience a truly unique product developed by two busy moms. Each bag, although varying in design, offers the on-the-go mom and the modern busy woman superior functionality and fashionability. Gigi Hill prides itself in its “Signature Pocket Design”, which ensures that you will find a pocket for everything in each fully lined interior–keys, pens, sunglasses, cell phone or PDA, water bottles, and all those other personal items. Handcrafted and made cruelty free, Gigi Hill bags are both smart and stylish.

The Carol

Because I am a new mom, the Carol is probably my favorite Gigi Hill bag. It is the ultimate diaper bag! I love the messenger-style design with an outer pocket in the front and back, a generous outer pocket on each side for a cell phone or PDA, large adjustable strap and detachable identification holder. The laminated body in the “Dusk” fabric is also the perfect match for my everyday style.

The interior of this bag features the Signature Pocket Design Gigi Hill is known for. There is a place for all of baby’s needs—diapers, bottles, change of clothes, you name it. The bag is deep and roomy. Accompanying the bag is a thick (and I bet comfy) changing pad covered in the bag’s coordinating fabrics. It too is laminated for easy cleaning. The ladies at Gigi Hill obviously put a lot of thought into designing this bag!

The Katharine 

I love this bag for many reasons. The first is for its simplicity. It has an inner and outer pocket, two shoulder straps that allow for easy access to the inside without having to take the bag completely off the shoulder and a deep inner compartment.

The second thing I like about this bag is that it can serve multiple purposes. As a teacher, I would use this bag to carry picture books, papers that needed to be graded, and my lunch. As a mom, I would use this bag on those short trips out with my little one. You know, the trips that don’t require the use of a large diaper bag that is overpacked with everything but the kitchen sink. I would even use this as a shopping bag to carry fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and all those little items acquired on those quick trips to the store.

My favorite thing about this bag is that it is reversible. Even the solid bottom that helps give the bag shape and stand up is made with each coordinating fabric. And speaking of fabric, the bag is made of two different kinds of durable material; both sturdy, yet flexible for ease of use. Inside and out, this bag features a fashionable pattern that will surely please most any palette. Whatever the purpose, I love that this bag can be cleaned easily by just wiping it with a damp cloth.

The Audrey

The size of this bag makes it the perfect companion for any busy mom and/or fashionista. It has enough room to store all of baby’s (and mom’s) needs, carry weekend essentials when on that romantic getaway or organize all of life’s necessities when out and about for the day. The outside features durable, easy to clean fabric in colors and patterns that represent the latest fashion. The same durability extends to the shoulder straps, which are the perfect length and allow one to gather things inside the bag all while keeping it on the shoulder. I also love the chunky hardware that attaches the shoulder straps to the bag—very stylish! An outer pocket, magnetic snap closure and hardware on the bottom to keep the bag off of the floor add to the functionality of this bag. The inside offers a tremendous amount of room and Gigi Hill’s Signature Pocket Design to keep everything organized and easy to find. For me, the greatest features of the Signature Pocket Design are the built-in key fob and cell phone pocket. I hate searching for my keys and cell phone, especially when it is dark out!

Want to experience Gigi Hill Bags? There are several ways to get yours. Here’s how:

1. Enter to win one of these amazingly fashionable and functional bags through our Baby’s First Christmas Photo Contest.
2. Become a Gigi Hill stylist! Gigi Hill allows women to enjoy their bags all while building a rewarding career.
3. Host a party! Find a stylist near you to learn more about this month’s hostess specials.
4. Purchase your favorites on the Gigi Hill website.

For more information about Gigi Hill, the products and how to become a personal stylist, visit the Gigi Hill website.

For some reason, I have always thought that making a lentil soup and having it actually taste good would be difficult. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I made this vegan lentil soup the other day and it was not only easy to make, but it was hearty and delicious–perfect for the cold days of winter.

In case you didn’t know, lentils offer many nutritional benefits that include being high in protein, dietary fiber, folate and vitamin B1. And unlike beans, they do not require soaking before cooking. Yay!

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 large carrot, cut

4 cups vegetable broth

1 cup dry lentils

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp dry thyme

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

In a large pot, sautee carrots and onion until onion looks clear. Add broth, lentils, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are soft. Serve with your favorite Artisan Bread. Don’t forget to remove that Bay leaf!

This is a great deal. We ordered one of these to tell the story of Nathan’s first few weeks and the book turned out awesome! It is actually a little book we could read to him as it has his photos and short paragraphs on each page. What a treasure to share and keep for years to come.

Grab this special discount while it is here!

I originally came across this recipe in one of my Gooseberry Patch recipe books. I have since made some modifications and have even simplified the recipe from its original form. If you love peanut butter and chocolate, you’re gonna flip over this pie. It has been the rave of many potlucks since its discovery. I have to caution you that this pie is highly addictive. Give it a go and see what I mean…

Ingredients:

1 Oreo Cookie Pie Crust

1 cup Natural Peanut Butter (smooth or chunky can be used)**

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened (low fat versions can be used)

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups Cool Whip, thawed

2 Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, chopped

Directions:

With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread mixture into Oreo crust. Garnish with Reese’s cups. Chill for at least 3 hours. Makes 8 servings.

**You can use peanut butter brands that already have sugar in them.

My baby boy has finally arrived! Nathan Andrew entered the world on October 12 at 2:35 a.m. I am in the process of writing my birthing story. Overall, everything went really well. My labor and delivery was as amazing as my pregnancy. I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful experience both in pregnancy and in giving birth. I am now left with the task of figuring out how to be a mom. For now, it is easy just staring at my little one, thanking God for every breath he takes and feeling amazed at the fact that I am now a mom.

Its been two more weeks and I am in week 34 of pregnancy. I am constantly amazed at how fast the weeks are flying by. My baby boy will be here before I know it! For the most part, I am still feeling really good. The only pregnancy symptoms that are most bothersome for me are tiredness and shortness of breath. As my bump continues to grow, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the shortness of breath part. It doesn’t really seem to matter if I am lying down, sitting or standing. I often feel like someone is sitting on my chest and I can’t take in a sufficient amount of air. I have to admit that there have been a couple of instances when it has actually scared me. This is an issue that I have mentioned to my doctor. She said that it is common, especially in the third trimester when the baby will be growing significantly and pressing on things. With up to 7 more weeks to go in my pregnancy, I am wondering how uncomfortable are things really going to get?

34 Weeks Pregnant

Tired, After a Day of Cleaning

Now that I am past 30 weeks pregnant, I am seeing my doctor every 2 weeks. Things are going really well. It is encouraging when the doctor says, “perfect” after checking out me and the baby. In terms of the baby, he’s getting big! He now weighs about 4.8 lbs. and is an active one. I feel him move consistently throughout the day. He seems to become most active when I lie down at night to watch a movie. Maybe it’s the emotion that movies evoke in me : )

Mommy is also doing well. My bump is getting bigger and rounder as the weeks past. I am sleeping less during the night, which now warrants a nap during the day. My nights are spent with at least one trip to the bathroom. The rest of the night is spent in and out of sleep. Just my body’s way of preparing me for baby, I ‘m sure. I usually wake around 4 a.m. only to return to bed for a catnap around mid-morning.

The only other pregnancy symptoms I have had is shortness of breath. This has been quite bothersome and scary at times. I usually feel a bit of tightness and a feeling like I can not catch my breath. This seems to only happen to me when I am lying down. The weird thing about this is that I only lie on my side. It was recommended by my doctor (and other medical sites) that once a pregnant woman reaches about 30 weeks, she should lie on her side to avoid shortness of breath and dizziness. This is because the uterus is too heavy. It can actually put pressure on the baby (and other internally important stuff like the diaphragm) and cause the mother to feel those symptoms. To combat the issue, I am trying to sleep propped up with pillows. It is not the most comfortable way to sleep, but then again, no position is ideal at the present time. For now, I will just look forward to being able to sleep comfortably (although not for very long) on my back after the baby is born.

Throughout my pregnancy, I have taken special care to eat healthy and nourish my body (and baby) with things that are of nutritional value. I have, of course, had some cravings during pregnancy that have required a little indulgence.

The most prominent craving has been for candy. Not just any candy. Sweet Tarts candy.

I picked up a roll one day from the local PX here in Germany and now think about them all of the time. I love the tartness paired with a bit of sweetness…yummy. Because I do not go to the PX that often, I am forced to ration the pieces when I do have a roll. And it all depends on the day if I will share any with my baby daddy.

My other craving, which was present before pregnancy, is for macaroni and cheese. Not the powdery boxed kind or even the heat and serve kind, but the homemade from fresh ingredients kind. I can’t think of a better meal than pairing a buttery cheese sauce with pasta. Um, okay except for cake. Cake is probably THE perfect meal. Definitely cake.

Here I am! It is hard to believe that I am in week 30 of pregnancy! I am, for the most part, feeling really good. That is not to say that I do not still experience pregnancy symptoms.

On a daily basis, I experience…

fatigue

some swelling in my feet (if I sit for more than 10 minutes without elevating them)

nasal stuffiness (I am also struggling with allergies)

frequent urination (although not as severe as the first trimester)

I am also still experiencing, on occasion…

acne breakouts (around the jawline)

constipation/abdominal cramping

heartburn (mine is more of an ache than a burn)

As I progress through the third trimester, I am a little nervous about what is to come. I have been extremely blessed with a wonderful pregnancy. With that, I am wondering if things are going to change as I near the end. I realize that childbirth will be painful. Even though I plan on getting an epidural, there may be some pain involved until I receive it. I will just keep my faith in God knowing that He won’t give me more than I can handle (but remembering that He already said childbirth will hurt–thanks Eve!).

My mother-in-law recently sent us the most adorable first gifts for our baby boy–bodysuits, onesies, and sleep n’ plays! She did an amazing job picking out a variety of styles fit for a boy. The items are from Target and feature some of the most trusted brands in baby clothing (Carter’s, Circo and Gerber). I also love that she bought multiple sizes so we have items that our little one can wear in the months to come. Here is what she sent…

My favorites (I love the little bear on the bum):

Go wildcats!!! The college fund is already designated for attendance to the University of Arizona.

Grandma’s favorites (it is funny that she incorporated her favorite food–seafood–into gifts for the baby):

Baby Boy Sleep and Plays:

About a month ago, a dear relative of mine asked me if I had considered using cloth diapers. I chuckled and said, “Yeah, for about a second and then I decided I don’t want my baby wearing plastic pants.” That was my idea of cloth diapers, which was based on one experience I had using them back in 2002 when I was a nanny for a young boy. Intrigued by her question, I went searching on the Internet. Boy, was I wrong about cloth diapers! Today’s cloth diaper is not only fashionable, but versatile and functional beyond belief! I was amazed (and still am) at the ingenuity that has taken place in the cloth diaper world. But, with all of my newfound knowledge, the decision to use cloth diapers wasn’t solidified. I had one more person to convince–the hubby.

I gathered all my resources and statistics and threw in a few YouTube videos. I am happy to report that it didn’t take long to convince him that cloth diapers were the only choice for our family.

Now that the decision has been made to use cloth diapers, I am now faced with the decision of which particular ones to buy. There are many brands of cloth diapers and many types of cloth diapers available on the market. It seems a bit overwhelming at the moment, but I am determined to sort it all out. May my adventures in cloth diapering begin!

I have to admit that in my search for some cool and unique nursery ideas for a boy, I came up rather short. There just wasn’t anything that I came across that “wowed” me. I do, however, love the following nursery themes for a boy:

Nautical/Whales/Fishing/Underwater

Vintage Cowboy

The Great Outdoors/Log Cabin

Curious George/Dr. Seuss/Favorite Children’s Picture Book or Character

I did find some really beautiful baby boy nursery rooms at potterybarnkids.com. Of course, I think the average person could pick specifics to use out of each room but would find it financially difficult to recreate the actual room at the price their offering. Here are my inspirational pick’s for boy nurseries…

Max and Harper Nursery

Baby Boats Nursery

Peter Rabbit Nursery

Kingston Nursery

Curious George Nursery

Well, it has been confirmed that we are having a baby boy! I was hoping for a little girl for the longest time, but am thrilled to be giving my husband a son. We were hoping not to find out the sex of the baby, but since an ultrasound is done every time I go to the doctor here in Germany, it seems inevitable that a little boy would make himself known. You know, because of his little “equipment”. So, I have now turned my attention to all things baby boy. Now that I know, it is much easier to shop for baby items and register for things that are specific to just him. I do still hope that in a year or two I will have the opportunity to experience all the joys of pregnancy with the gift of a little baby girl.

In my search for nursery ideas, I came across some REALLY beautiful ideas for a baby girl nursery. Yes, most of them will incorporate traditional pink, but you may be pleasantly surprised by some of the lovely ways various shades of white are used. See what you think…

Pink and Brown Ladybug Theme

Beautiful and Simplistic Elegance

Interior Design Using Wall Decals

Bright and Cheery

Coco Dot Nursery By Pottery Barn

Emerson Paisley By Pottery Barn

Pretty in Pink

Here are some neutral nursery ideas for the few of us that don’t want to find out the sex of our baby : )

Neutral Nursery Themes:

Americana

Winnie the Pooh

Little Lamb (or feature any other sweet, young animal–bunnies, turtles, ducks, elephants, etc.)

Farm

Zoo

Owls

Birds and Bees

Teddy Bears

Angels

Alphabet

Your favorite Disney Movie

Your favorite Children’s Picture Book

Argyle or Gingham

Paisley or Damask

Stripes or Polka Dots

Neutral Nursery Bedding:

soft, stylish and healthy baby bedding from giggle

neutral crib bedding from buybuybaby

gender neutral crib bedding sets by carousel designs

designer neutral crib bedding from tiny totties

Save on Everything for the Baby’s Room at Walmart.com!

For the past couple of weeks, I have noticed a new symptom of pregnancy. I am starting to get swollen feet and, at times, swollen ankles. I notice the swelling when I have been sitting for more than 10 minutes (without feet elevated) and when I get out of the shower or bath. To combat the swelling (and feeling like my feet will explode), I have located a helpful site that explains why swelling during pregnancy occurs and how to decrease occurrences of it. Swollen ankles, hands, legs, feet and even the face (to an extent) is a normal part of pregnancy as a women produces 50% more blood and fluids to meet the needs of her developing baby. It is amazing what us women (by the grace of God, of course) can do!

When I first found out I was pregnant, my head was racing with nursery ideas. Because my husband and I did not want to find out the sex of our little one, neutral nursery themes were our only option. Finding nursery decor that would suit a boy or a girl was quite challenging. I wanted something fun and colorful, which in my opinion, is not typical of the neutral baby items offered in stores. It seems like the world has designated pastel yellow and mint green as the “official neutral colors for newborn babies”. Yuck. It is not that I completely dislike those colors, but why not give baby something more exciting that says, “welcome to the world!”. Here are some resources I found in my search for nursery ideas:

neutral nursery themes

baby girl nursery ideas

baby boy nursery ideas

Now that I am pregnant, I am trying to think of ways to make my life even more organized. By establishing efficient habits now, I am hoping to ease some of the stress I may feel as a first-time mommy. One thing that I have started implementing is the use of a monthly meal planner. I decided to use the planner as a means to help me:

• provide a variety of well-balanced and nutritious meals for me and my husband
• form a grocery list and stick to it
• plan ahead so I (and my hubby) am not left wondering what’s for dinner each night
• avoid relying on eating out because I am not prepared and/or overwhelmed

The best part about using a monthly meal plan is that you can always recycle what you have already used.

Beginning a monthly meal plan is fairly easy. I developed a printable monthly meal planner template, which acts as my monthly meal calendar. If planning for a month seems overwhelming, use my printable biweekly meal planner to cut the time in half. Planning for two weeks will allow you to still stay ahead of the game.

To fill in the template, I set some guidelines for myself to make things easy and consistent. For example, I try to balance each meal with a protein, carbohydrate, and a vegetable/fruit. I also…

• include fish at least once a week
• limit pasta dishes to 1-2 nights
• limit meat and incorporate other forms of protein (we are not big meat-eaters)
• cook more time-consuming dishes in large quantities so they can be frozen and reused
• have a low-key sandwich night at least once a week
• incorporate a soup at least once a week (summer may not seem like the time to eat soup, but you can choose soups that are light on the stomach and pair them with a crisp salad)
• throw in a couple “brinner” nights (breakfast for dinner) because it is easy and totally fun

For those of you who want the planning already done for you, I have that option too. Here is a printable copy of my monthly meal plan for the month of June as well as my monthly meal plan for July. You will find that I have several recipes that I reuse. I hope to get around to posting the recipes included in these meal plans soon. If you are interested in anything in particular, just leave me a message in the comment bar. Happy planning!

Back in the fall, I found a neat little book at my local library in N.H. on how to knit flowers. With all of the life changes we have endured since then (we now live in another country), it has taken me a while to complete the few projects I chose from the book. I still have a couple more I am working on-a knitted daisy, a knitted cactus plant, and several small knitted cherry blossoms. Here are some pics of my completed projects. I think they turned out to be pretty cute. Each one was knitted in pieces and then hand sewn to form a specific flower.

The first project is a knitted tulip. I knitted the stem and three petals. I then used black pipe cleaners for the stamens.

The last two projects are knitted roses. I made the pink one for a niece of mine and the red one for a friend. I personally like the red one better. I think the yarn was more pliable so the rose turned out to be not as stiff. The goal for the red one is to embellish it with some small translucent sequins to give it a little sparkle. I left two tails on the rose so that it can be added to a lovely black scarf I made my friend for Christmas.

Here is the book I used for my knitted projects. It offers twenty different knitted flower patterns with colorful illustrations of each. I would recommend this book for an advanced beginner. The book does not offer any insight into the terminology used, so you will not find descriptions on how to complete various stitches or techniques. If you love to knit and are searching for some fun projects that are not time-consuming, get this book!

I just received an e-mail from an online fabric store called the Fabric Fairy. I am signed up to receive alerts when they have sales or new fabric available. It is not too often that I am wowed by “fabric swatches” that I view online. Probably because, for me, it is not the same as holding and feeling the fabric in my hands. I do want to share a sample that I think is really pretty and would make for a super cute bag:

I also love the pattern on this “Blue Lagoon” fabric. Can’t say that I would ever buy it since it is a lycra. This past weekend I altered a Harry Potter robe for my neighbor’s little boy. It was made of a similar fabric and boy was it a complete headache to sew. The sewing machine just wanted to eat it up. I ended up hand sewing much of it.

Finally, look how absolutely adorable these sewing projects are! I LOVE the owls! I contemplated using an owl theme for the baby’s nursery, but decided against it since we are not finding out the sex of the little one (many of the owl fabrics feature girly colors). You can bet that if I do end up having a girl, she is going to get one of these little owls and the cute little ruffled top. Isn’t that little girl on the front cover as cute as a cupcake?