I wanted to have an easy surface for kids as young as 8 months to play on. Tables with chairs are sometimes too complicated to navigate at first. I simply used a Closet Maid (available on Amazon) cabinet and laid it horizontally! An expansion idea is to put a cushion on it, and it can … Continue reading How to Design a DIY Activity Center (Part 2)
How to Design an expandable DIY PlaySpace (Part 1)
So many people have asked me this question, either in person or online. My general rule of thumb is that it is safe, but also expandable and adaptable as kids age. We started out at around 7 months old, when crawling really became a well-developed function... We saw the usual Pack-n-Plays, but they were so … Continue reading How to Design an expandable DIY PlaySpace (Part 1)
Why do moms “gatekeep” each other?
Okay ladies, can we all agree to stop "gatekeeping" each other? Gatekeeping is loosely defined as "the activity of controlling, and usually limiting, general access to something." Still confused? So for example, working adults casually say to a college kid, "Oh, you won't get it till you get a real job." Or a married woman … Continue reading Why do moms “gatekeep” each other?
Unnecessary baby registry items
THINGS NOT REALLY NECESSARY TO BUY People / lists often tell new moms to buy these things, but really, can be postponed or skipped entirely. Diaper bag. I know, I know. A billion people will fight me on this. And I have a diaper bag. Several actually. But I ended up never using any. Diaper … Continue reading Unnecessary baby registry items
Baby items people tell you NOT to get (but you should)
If you're a new mom, you're more than likely to scour either retailers' websites for baby registry recommendations (which is always an overestimate - i.e., getting way too much stuff than needed by 100-fold) or you search on Google for recommended lists from mommy blogs and parenting websites. I got the book "Baby Bargains" (on … Continue reading Baby items people tell you NOT to get (but you should)
Battling Diaper Rash
From newborn till potty-trained, we were always able to avoid diaper rashes. We've used multiple brands and types of diapers and wipes (from Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, Babyganics, SeventhGeneration, Amazon Brand, Cuties). And we've also traveled (with extended stays of several weeks) to places with extreme temperatures and climates (extremely dry deserts and extremely humid tropical … Continue reading Battling Diaper Rash
DIY Jewelry Organizer (Cricut on Canvas)
Recently, I was shopping for a simple jewelry organizer. I wanted one could hold my most used items and would display them in a way that I could easily find them. And I wanted everything to be displayed: necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Most of the organizers I found were horizontal boxes that made all your jewelry … Continue reading DIY Jewelry Organizer (Cricut on Canvas)
How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks (and get rid of them after)
Stretch marks are a common frustration with pregnant women. Stretch marks are irregular streaks on the skin when the body has been stretched quickly before the skin is able to catch up. Everyone will have a different degree of stretch marks, some women won't even have them. This depends on the woman's genetics and sometimes, … Continue reading How to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks (and get rid of them after)
New Move to Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona
Our most recent move was from Kentucky to Arizona. In our first 5 years of marriage, we've moved to 5 different states! Philadelphia to Michigan to Chicago to Kentucky to Arizona. Whew! Hopefully, we'll be here for a much longer stay this time!
Post-Holiday Breakups – what is it with the Holidays?!
Seems like more than just a few of my friends are going through break ups right after the holiday season. And while I'm not surprised by the disintegration of the shorter termed relationships (6 weeks, 3 months), I am surprised by the longer termed relationships (3+ years). What is it about the holidays that cause … Continue reading Post-Holiday Breakups – what is it with the Holidays?!
New move to Louisville, Kentucky
I've recently moved from Michigan to Chicago and now in Louisville. Yes, the South. Yes y'all ... I'm IN THE SOUTH! While most of my East Coast friends either respond to this news with horror, nervous laugh, or left speechless - I must say: I'm pleasantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, I'm ready to move … Continue reading New move to Louisville, Kentucky
Happy Hours – East Coast vs Midwest
It's a beautiful sunny day (yes, still cold, but there's SUN!!) here in Michigan. And what should we do?! Well, of course, go get a window seat in one of the many riverside restaurants as we watch the sun-glistening waters of the rivers, the few ships and tankers floating up along, and enjoy the sunset … Continue reading Happy Hours – East Coast vs Midwest
We can be set FREE from our brokenness, just pay S&H …
JK, it's actually for free... not some Jenny Craig Program for the heart or something... Last week, my women's Bible study group was studying about brokenness. And as I was one of the youngest in the group, I didn't feel like I had much life experience to share. People shared about broken relationships with spouses … Continue reading We can be set FREE from our brokenness, just pay S&H …
Valentine’s Day… WHAT? Single Valentine’s Day = Wonderful!
So... Now I'm married, I'm wondering if I really have to celebrate this valentine's day thing... since we married, doesn't that show ultimately that we love one another? Enough to take the vow... "till DEATH do us part"? Now I don't mind if buying a Valentine's Day gift for a guy means flowers and a … Continue reading Valentine’s Day… WHAT? Single Valentine’s Day = Wonderful!
Back In Philadelphia!
So I went back to Philadelphia for 9 days! I was so happy! I got off the plane in Philadelphia, and suddenly realized that I started to smile at people!!!! Oh my goodness. Me?! I started being unable to control myself and would automatically look people in the eye and smile at them. People in … Continue reading Back In Philadelphia!
Only in the Midwest (and maybe the South)
I walked into a major grocery store chain, biggest in the country, actually. Ok, fine, I say it... it's Kroger. Anyway, one day I was picking up some items. After having just getting out of my car, I was still humming to the last tune in the car while listening to the Sirius XM Satellite … Continue reading Only in the Midwest (and maybe the South)
Chronicles of a New Wife
I should think to re-name my blog. Just kidding. Hopefully, in a few years... I'll be not so "new" at being a wife anymore. Being a wife... is HARD! Not just suddenly thinking for two people, but also being responsible for a whole new set of things, and on the other hand letting go control … Continue reading Chronicles of a New Wife
Midwest Postive
Notice that it's singular. Just kidding. But I've noticed one big thing is that moving here has made me realized how rude the East Coast is... i.e. how rude I used to (still can be??) to be. And since it's for survival, you just become so toughened up and used to the rudeness. You grow … Continue reading Midwest Postive
Christmas with the new In-laws
So here we are. Newly married, and trying to figure out how to balance the holidays. Some time spent just to ourselves as a couple, and how much time to spend with his parents. (My parents are currently in another country... so I'm guessing that's not as easy to just spend a dinner or a … Continue reading Christmas with the new In-laws
I never thought of myself of a hard core Democrat… or even a “Liberal”…
Today, I was doing some routine grocery shopping, yes, in that suburbian looking SUV of mine... shopping in these ridiculously stepford wives looking areas... I walk into a grocery store... and I lift an eyebrow as I walk past a sign saying "Impeach Obama". I finish my shopping, and now there is a guy standing … Continue reading I never thought of myself of a hard core Democrat… or even a “Liberal”…
Pop?
I've heard about this controversy before, but never had I actually lived in it. Occasionally, I will have friends that have just moved from the Midwest and when they order a soda/fountain drink, they'll call it pop. Usually the group laughs and makes some funny remark, we give our friend(s) a slap on the back … Continue reading Pop?
Where did all the restaurants go?!?!
I wanted to go with my husband to Saturday brunch tomorrow. Simple. Easy. No sweat. Everyone does it, and it's so common, right? NO! Apparently, only ONE place offer brunch, and apparently it's also only on Sunday. What?! Where is the brunch businesses?? Why isn't anyone eating/demanding brunch service? Apparently, it's been a trend that … Continue reading Where did all the restaurants go?!?!
Let it snow Let it snow…
I'm in the tundra... It's been snowing since last night and it's still snowing and it's already noon here. WHERE IS THE SUN?! I just checked the temperature for today. It's supposed to be about 19F here in Michigan tonight and I'm supposed to go to a formal holiday party. Say What?! It's currently in … Continue reading Let it snow Let it snow…
And now… how to pump gas…
So no matter if you're driving around NYC or Philadelphia, you always... and I mean ALWAYS gas up in New Jersey. Why? Because on average, NJ gas is about 40-50 cents cheaper. Yes, I know we'll have to pay for all those bridge tolls and NJ turnpike is a nightmare... but still, when we make … Continue reading And now… how to pump gas…
Why do guys like long hair?
There is something about the long hair on a woman that men love... and can't stop loving. Sure, the occasional celebrity scores a bob or an above the shoulder cut and still is deemed hot, if not even hotter (re: Charlize Theron, Uma Thurman, Katie Holmes). But for us "common folk", it seems like long … Continue reading Why do guys like long hair?
The Adventures of a Third Culture Kid 