mama things....

I just need to take a minute to vent. In an effort to not take it out on my husband or kiddos I feel this may be the best place to relieve some stress. Here goes...

I am having a baby in 3 days...no for real...Im scheduled for a C Section on Tuesday the 21st. This last trimester of pregnancy actually has not been so bad, with my other 2 pregnancies I was already very uncomfortable and irritable by like week 36. I am just now starting to feel it. Well, it started last week at 38 weeks. I find my patience getting REALLY thin, and I pride myself on how much I usually have when it comes to kids and life etc. Not now...not these last two weeks. I love my kids, and my hubs, but a part of me is ready for the hospital stay that follows a C section b/c I will be alone...well, with my newest little one, but at least this one will sleep most the time, and cant yell at me or refuse to eat or trash my house etc. 

I find myself yelling at my kids over the stupidest little things. Things that would annoy me normally (like my kid taking the top off his cup and spilling milk all over my couch) are annoying me x10. I hate raising my voice, but it seems the only way to get through to them. And most the time THAT doesn't even work. They are 3.5 and 22 months and they don't take me seriously. 

My body is sore. Yesterday was the worst so far. I think I was having those lovely Braxton Hicks contractions for a good 3/4 of the day. It was a TV and do whatever you want day with my boys pretty much b/c I could barely move. I know they are small, and that "clean up" is a hard concept for them to grasp...(well my oldest knows what it means and how to do it, but its a constant battle and I usually end up just doing it, I know...bad idea) but I cant help but become annoyed by this either. I feel like this awful mom b/c as much as I love my kids...I want and need a break so bad.

Its not just them either...next rant: dear husband, who I love with ALL my being and it totally my best friend and partner in life...he either DOESN'T get how I feel...or he does but completely ignores it b/c its too much for him to handle. I am clearly uncomfortable, I have to take tubs like every nite to soak my aching hips and belly...yet he will watch me attempt to bend over to pick up toys, or slowly lower myself to the floor b/c bending is not an option. He will watch me carry our youngest upstairs, or carry laundry upstairs. He will sit on the couch while I clean up the kitchen after the dinner that I just cooked. I dont think he does it to be insensitive...I just really think he doesn't get it. He is so used to that being the norm...and b/c of that I get bitter. I dont usually say anything, I just wonder why on Earth he doesnt realize I could use help and ask. I WANT him to offer up some help...but there he sits, oblivious...playing on his phone, in front of the tv. Dont worry dear, I got it...again...like every freaking day and nite prior. WAKE UP HONEY!!!!! 

Anyways...again for the record...I LOVE my kids and I LOVE my husband. If it sounds like I am complaining...well I am lol...Im 39 weeks pregnant. If you have been pregnant before I guarantee you know where Im coming from. 

For times like this I turn to things that could perhaps help me to calm the heck down. Today I pulled out some essential oils, a book and a beverage. I sat on the couch while one kid napped and the other kept himself busy. There were dishes to do and laundry to be folded but I left it. Which is hard for me b/c I get slight anxiety thinking of a dirty sink and unfolded clothes. But I have learned after kids that sometimes it is ok to say NO. I dont take enough time for me as I should...it is really tough to fit it in. The hubs finds a reason to be gone most the day (its lay off season for construction which means goof off time for him) Shit sorry...theres that bitterness happening again. 

I did manage to get my toes done this am before getting on the operating table Tuesday. I got a whole hour and a half to myself. 

As soon as I was home the hubs took off to "go wash the dog beds at the laundry mat" it has been 5 hours and I still haven't seen him. (See what I mean? I seriously needed to vent b/c I might lose it on someone else)

So here we are....2.5 days til baby.  I can only imagine what life will be like once this little comes home with us. I cannot wait to meet baby...and I am blessed to have the family that I do. But sometimes mama life gets to me (gets to us all) and I have to step back and take a breath or 3...I have never felt stress like I have the last 3 years since becoming a mom. Its mostly good times...but I never truly knew what true stress was until parenthood.  I hope sanity finds me soon lol.

much love...            

DIY Laundry Detergent Experiment!

good afternoon all! I have been wanting to make my own laundry detergent for some time now, especially since getting into essential oils. As you know I am all about living life chemical free, or as free of chemicals as I can...let's face it...they're in flipping everything. I am not sure why it has taken me so long to do it...but I did it this morning and it was so easy. The first batch of clothing is in the wash and today just so happens to he a great day for line drying!! 

When searching for a recipe, simplicity was key for me. I don't have much time to shave soap, or to mix this and to heat that, with kids running around my house the less work the better. I stumbled upon this recipe on Pinterest and I decided I'd give it a whirl. As you can see in the photo above there's only three ingredients. Boom.

What you need for this is as follows:

* 1cup Dr Bronners Castile Soap

* 1 cup Baking Soda

* About 30 drops of your favorite EO (for fragrance purposes. If you don't want fragrance...don't add anything!)

* Empty detergent jug or large glass jar

* First thing to do is remove the spout from the jug so you can add ingredients and mix easily. 

* Next, add in your castile soap

* Add in the baking soda

* Now add your essential oils if you chose to. I was not sure which I wanted b/c I love the smell of both those oils...but I chose Lemon. (Seems like more of a laundry fit) 

* once these things are all together, fill the container most the way with warm water. ( Helps with the dissolving)

* give the jug a good shake to mix it all together and voila!

* for an average load of laundry measure 1/4 cup detergent. 

There are SO many different recipes when it comes to DIY...some are more in depth than others. As I mentioned above, I need something simple. Now, if you have a piece of clothing that looks like it was thrown in a mud pile and then stepped on, you MAAAAAY want to pre treat/soak prior to using this detergent. ;)

I'll post an update once I have dried the washed clothes!! 

Xo

*UPDATE*!! Check out my instagram account @the_caffeinated_mama to see a before and after of one of the items I used this on yesterday! Not bad if I do say so!

EO Diffuser Jewelry Special!!

Hey everyone! If you follow my instagram profile (either @essentiallydani or @the_caffeinated_mama) then you have seen me show off my Essential Oil diffuser necklace a time or two! Well, I wanted to share here for those of you that may be interested! 

I got my first diffuser necklace from the lovelies at Drops of Joy Jewelry. There are so many pretty styles, each with leather diffusing dots included. You just add a couple drops of your favorite oil and wear it throughout the day! My favorite at the moment is Young Livings Stress Away oil. It is amazing. I wear it in my necklace and enjoy one of my favorite smells all day long. 

Need a burst of energy? Add peppermint oil to it and take a whiff when  you need a pick me up! They don't just have necklaces either, they make key chains and bracelets as well, and in many different styles. For kids and adults! 

Interested? Click below to save 20% off your first purchase at Drops of Joy!! 

Click Here to Save!!

 

xo!

...adult coloring? ok!

 good Wednesday morning!

my current work of art lol

"adult" coloring seems to be the in thing these days. It makes me laugh because I remember being younger and seeing books filled with geometric fancy coloring pages. They looked more like the inside of a kaleidoscope but the idea was the same...use a bunch of fun colors to create a neat looking picture. So really, this is not NEW...just an old fad that someone turned fancier and labeled "adult" so that we feel like it's a little more substantial than just coloring in a coloring book...(it's not though). And of course it's a new way to get us to spend more money.

Don't get me wrong! I have always loved to color. In fact, I have my own "mama stash" of permanent markers, crayola markers, MR SKETCH markers (yea I got him too), colored pencils and crayons, that NO ONE in this house is allowed to touch except for me. I laughed the other day b/c my hubs asked my permission to use one of my permanent markers to write something on the calendar lol. HE KNOWS. 

As a stress reducer, coloring is amazing for me. Why? Because I totally get lost in it. It is one thing that when I am focused on it I am paying no attention to anything else. I'm busy making sure to stay in the lines & picking the right colors to make sure they compliment each other. I don't really have too much time to indulge, but when I do I do it at night when the babes are asleep. I make a cup of tea, roll on my "stress away" roller bottle and sit down with my supplies. It is the best. There are so many books out now with all sorts of themes. It is hard to pick one, but I know for me, it will take me months (maybe the year) to even finish one book. I don't want to get overwhelmed haha. Just to finish one PAGE takes me forever. 

Some of these pictures are so pretty, that if you have a good eye for color you could even frame them and hang them on a wall in your office or somewhere you want a burst of color. 

I found my book at Target for pretty cheap. I also found a TON at Michaels too. Really you can find them anywhere, (but I'm a frequent at Target.)

I wanted to share a couple links to some pretty printable pages for anyone that might want play around:) 

Pages 1 

Pages 2  (coffee pages!!!)

Pages 3

**Also check out my EO recipes tab....added a new Roller Bottle Recipe for anyone who experiances head tension!!! 

xo

New year, New things...

Here we are again. The start of 12 new months on dear planet Earth. I have to be honest, 2015 was an insanely busy year here. A baby, a toddler, school , taking care of a house, (barely) managing bills and in between all of that...trying to find time for myself. It was great, and stressful, wonderful and exhausting. At this very moment I am sitting down for the first real time today. My kids are in bed, my hubs is making popcorn and we are getting ready to continue RE watching "Breaking Bad" on Netflix. I love this time so much, though in the back of my mind I am thinking that I shouldnt stay up too late because my darling little one will be waking to eat at some point. That point is usually as soon as I am falling into sleep. Oh well, as mamas we do what we have to do. I will take my two hours a night with my love and risk less sleep. It wont happen forever, and one day I will be missing snuggling my babies in the middle of the night. 

I am not one that believes in making New Years resolutions. I feel like when trying to make one of these promises to yourself, it is just really for talking purposes. It is hype. I am sure there are people out there who do it and can stick to their guns and that is wonderful. I am not one. I wish I was. No, what I believe in is setting goals. Taking little steps to accomplish something you truly want. There are a few things I want to try and change this year. Things for my family, but also for me. Since 2012 I have either been pregnant or nursing (with about a yr in the middle off) and yep, still nursing at the moment. However, there is no reason why I cannot set a few goals now evem though part of me still physically belongs to someone else for the next few months. Dont get me wrong, I love being home with my children. The thought of having to have left them and gone back to work makes me want to cry! I wouldnt trade one crazy day of the last 2.5 years, but when you are a mama, one that stays   home and probably one that works also, you tend to lose a bit of yourself. You become so wrapped up in taking care of your little family that you sometimes forget to take care of yourself...or perhaps youre just too darn tired. I have decided that this year that will change. In order for me to be the best mother and wife, I need to be happy and to focus a little on myself. And there is nothing wrong with that. 

So, here are a few goals I am setting for myself in 2016. They may not happen in order, they may not happen at all...but I am going to do my best to tackle them in small bits. If I try to many things at once, forget it. I will become overwhelmed and will give up all together. 

1. Budget!! By The end of March I will have a budget in place and will stick to it best I can. With a husband who works seasonally and myself who does not work...you can imagine how tight things get this time of year. I WILL find a budget that works for us. No more sweating and stressing over bills.

2. Use my cook books. I have many cookbooks that are taking up space in my cabinets and I refuse to get rid of them. Every few weeks I will take out my books and plan meals. I will post each that I do. 

3. Keep up with my blog. I was not great with this in 2015. This is a wonderful space to be creative and get my thoughts out, even if noone reads it. I will try for the first 3 months of this year to organize and plan blog topics. I will try to make this page more fun and informational. Continuing on the theme of natural living.

4. Me time. This will be sporadic b/c I do have two littles who require my attention 95% of the time...but I am promising myself that I will find time to do something that I want. Read a book, take a drive, get coffee with a friend, take a bath, etc...It is going to happen. 

5. Take charge of my health. Even if it is only 30 minutes a day, I need to get some exercise in. I do not do anything besides chase kids and go up and down stairs. I have this post-double C section pooch that I want gone. I will try to add healthier options to my food choices and try to work out at least 3 times a week.  

6. Random Acts of Kindness. This is something that I have done and enjoy doing, but would like to do more of. I think I can handle a RAK once a month.

In fact I KNOW I can. It is important to think of others even when trying to better yourself. There is so much negative going on on the world, we need to remind people that good still exists. 

7. Put more energy into my business. As I may or may not have mentioned, I am a Young Living Essential Oil distributor. Hoping to spread the word about a product I love and help out my home financially. My goal for this is to have sold at least 1 full kit by April. I will invest more time in talking to clients and sending samples etc...time to get serious. 

For now, these are the main things I want to focus on in my life for the start of 2016. It seems like a lot, but like I said...they may happen randomly and when timing allows, or they may not happen at all. I set them as goals however because I plan on meeting each one this year. No matter when it happens. I will follow up with posts and I encourage anyone else to set their own goals. Start with one and once its met, try another. Just the thought of it already makes me smile!!

Have a peaceful sleep all 

Xo