iPad Thinga Majigga

So, we are a Apple family. My dad bought me my first MacBook a few years ago right before I had my daughter. At first I was irritated since I had grown up using a PC and I didn't really feel like learning how to use a Mac. I was pleasantly surprised when it took me less than a day to get the hang of things. Now there's no way you could get me to buy anything else. Even at work.

Same goes for MP3 players and cell phones. I love my iPod and my iPhone. Just when I was ready to buy myself an Amazon Kindle, Apple comes out with something that looks very similar but seems to do much much more. Now I know that my husband and I each have our own laptops and we have our family desktop we share, along with our iPhones. As if we didn't need another silly electronic. But seriously, if someone told me I could never have another iPhone I don't know how I'd survive. Life changing. Kind of. Anyway, I think I will hold off on buying the Kindle until I can check out the iPad and see if its worth the hefty price tag.

Speaking of iPhone, I get bored easily and love to change the cover on my phone. I found a really cute Paul Frank cover

I don't really have the time or money to shop but Valentine's Day is coming.. And as I always say- Go big or go home.

Leila Alaina Babula-Shanley

The other day I was in a carpool line picking up Dan's nephew, Kyle. As I waited I had no choice but to eavesdrop on a conversation had by two of the moms about a women they knew who was recently divorced and about to embark on a new life co-parenting her son with her ex-husband and a step-mom. I had to bite my tongue, hard, as I listened to her trash her "friend's" decisions about letting her child spend time with her new step-mom.

When I was 21 years old I got pregnant. I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was almost four months along. Luckily I took care of myself without the knowledge I was having a baby. I found out one day at a doctor's appointment. The emotions were very mixed. I was so very excited I was going to be a mom in a few short months but I was also very nervous. I had a lot to do; I had to find a place of our own and begin to start our life together. Alone. Just the two of us.

The baby's Daddy and I were never an item- if you will. He didn't know. He had by this point found a lady he really liked and they were on the road to beginning their own future.

Meanwhile, I was working very hard to make sure my child had everything it would ever need. I saved up every penny I earned at work. I was lucky, I had a great job that paid more than enough to support my single lady lifestyle. But was it enough to support the new lifestyle I had set out to achieve for myself and my baby? Time went by and I was beginning to bump in the belly region. It was time to break the news to loved ones and friends. Was it realistic to think that my partner in this particular crime would never have to know? Perhaps if I changed my name and picked up and moved my life. But in this case, that was a big NO.

Why was I so worried? My family took it okay, they weren't mad or upset, but just as I was, they were weary. How was I going to pull it off? More importantly, why did I not want my baby's father to know of his or her existence?

I didn't know the response I would get. He was in a relationship and I didn't want to come in between that with my news. I didn't so much care about me, but I was concerned that no matter how much I already loved my baby that her father may not want to be a father. I didn't mind being denied, but I didn't want my baby to be denied. It didn't deserve that. So I waited.

I was avid about keeping my body in shape during my pregnancy. I knew what a cupcake did to my thighs, I could only imagine what a BABY would do. So for weeks I worked and ran to the gym to workout. Then I met him.

I looked forward to going to the gym everyday because that's where I would see him. He was perfect. I felt like for 90 minutes each day I didn't have to worry about what was going on in my life. It was perfect. Working out left me feeling great and my little conversations with Dan were just what I needed. The best part? I wasn't hiding ANYTHING. He knew what was going on in my life just from little snippets of conversations we shared for just a few minutes everyday. He knew I was pregnant, he knew I was planning on making a life for myself and my child all by myself. My bump was becoming more distinguished and the time to tell the father was looming. I needed a male perspective. He was there for me. He talked me through the whole conversation. He even rehearsed best and worst case scenarios with me. I couldn't believe it, but I had a HUGE crush on him. It was so inappropriate given the circumstances but, it was there none the less.

Not long after that I broke the news to the father. "Whats next?" he asked me. Half excited, half terrified. "You are more than welcome to come with me to find out the sex of the baby," I told him. I could not have asked for a better father for my baby. Even though we were not together, nor did we love each other, but when I told him that he was about to be a father a smirk came over his face. Then when I mentioned that we could work it out so he never had to lift a finger and I would be more than willing to raise the baby alone and not disrupt his life as he knew it, the smirk disappeared and he gave me a look like I was nuts. "No," he said "we'll work together." We planned and talked and planned some more.

Dan was still in my life but a little more so than before. He took me out to dinner every once in awhile, or came with me to register for baby gifts. He acknowledged that I was pregnant and was so supportive. He was becoming my best friend.

When Jake and I went to find out the sex of our baby Jake came in the examination room with me. He sat next to me and held my hand. We heard the heartbeat together. And then the doctor said it. "Congratulations, it's a girl." I cried and he cried. We cried together. It was our first moment together as parents. I knew at that second he was going to be just as great a parent as I planned on being. If our baby was as important to him as she was to me, everything else would somehow work itself out.

That night we celebrated. He brought Libby, who was so supportive and seemed to be just as excited as we were. We had a very long heart to heart and gained mutual respect for one another. I brought Dan. Dan and Jake and Libby and myself all grew to be great friends in the coming months. Soon moving day came. I was extremely pregnant which worked in my favor because I didn't have to lift a finger. I just did what I do best and bossed Jake and Dan around as they moved my furniture and new baby belongings into a two bedroom condo, one room for myself and one room for baby. Jake moved several floors under us, but in the same building. Libby moved in with him.

A month later I went into labor. My family was there, and some even flew in for the birth of my daughter. Jake's family was there too. So was Libby. And Dan.

I was so overwhelmed at how many people already loved my daughter. How could this be possible? A little girl who hadn't even taken her first breath or opened her eyes had more people awaiting her arrival than I had at my Sweet Sixteen or at my graduation.

My sister and Jake were in the room with me when she was born. I couldn't believe and didn't even know how much I could love one person. I loved her a million times over than I even loved myself. She was the single most important thing in my life. From now on everything I did was either for her or because of her. Her daddy felt the same way. We named her Leila Alaina Shanley-Babula. With a name bigger than she was a little piece each of the mommy and daddy that already loved her so much.

Leila technically lived with me but had many many visits throughout the day from Daddy and Libby. Sometimes one, sometimes both. Sometimes they took her home for a few hours while I did laundry or worked from home. Dan came over once a week with dinner. Soon once a week turned into twice, and then some. Leila and Dan had a very special bond. He loved her so much. He loved her [almost] as much as her mommy did. Dan's and my relationship went from strangers, to acquaintances, to friends, to respect, to love.

When Leila was 9 months old Dan moved in with us. He took care of her like she was his own. So did Libby. People sometimes asked me about our situation and asked how I felt that I was not the only mother like figure in my daughter's life. I told whoever asked plain and simple. My daughter has four parents who all lover her equally. Was I ever jealous of the relationship she had with Libby? No. Was Jake ever jealous of the bond Leila and Dan shared? No.

The way we all saw it was that Leila had more than most children had. We might not always be able to buy her exactly what she wants but there will never be a limited supply of love. She has two sets of everything. I know that its not in a child's best interest to have parents that are not together, but what's the rule if she does times two?

Leila, Dan and I still live in our wonderful condo, along with Noelle, Harlow and Lexi dogs. Jake and Libby still live just floors below us. When Leila was a baby she left all the time but always had to come back to me. She was new and physically needed her mother. I needed to know she was sleeping within arms reach of me whenever I would wake up in the middle of the night and wanted to kiss her little forehead and whisper in her ear how much Mommy loves her.

Leila is spending her very first night with her daddy and her Libby tonight. Even though she is not only a phone call away or a twelve second elevator ride away I miss her. My heart hurts when she is not here. This is the first bump I have had in my little motherhood road. Yes, it sucks my little girl is growing up and becoming just about as independent as a three year old can be, but I am blessed that this is the first and worst bump we have hit I consider myself very very lucky.

I am so thankful for my daughter and everyone that loves her and cares for her just as they do. She's a little bit of all of us. She's grown up with what naturally I believe to be the four people with the best personalities. She looks like a mix of her mother and father. She has our light eyes and dark hair. She has my freckles. She's even picking up a little bit of her mother's leprechaun accent, as it is so kindly called around these parts. Already Leila has a heart of gold just like her father. I couldn't ask for more. I am truly blessed.

Claaaaassic Peg.

Anyway..

Victoria's Secret had a tiny bit of clothing leftover from the Semi-Annual Sale, so I got a pair of PINK jeans for $14 and a PINK Nation tee shirt for $6... pretty good. I think that's just about all I can get until the sale comes around again in June-ish?


I also got this cute tee shirt from the new Spring line and a free mini-dog! My daughter has a small collection of mini-dogs, so she was quite thrilled with my purchase. My shirt is actually a v-neck. I like myself a nice v-neck.

Today was the day I had been dreading. I was supposed to have my blood taken for my diet that I wanted to start at or before February 1st. This morning I had breakfast with my Aunt and as I was getting ready to leave for my doctor appointment she asked me if I was supposed to fast. SHIT. I totally forgot and I don't think that two huge blueberry pancakes and several glasses of orange juice is considered fasting. I forgot. Whoops. Oh, and you also see why I desperately need to go on a diet. So now I have to go on Saturday early in the morning.

This is my first week back to work full-time. Actually I start again tomorrow but its almost a full week. I'll be working 7:30 to 5, Monday through Friday until June. I am probably going to lose my mind. I am one of those people who hates getting up in the morning. I normally have to be up by 6 in order to leave by 7:15 but I have to set the alarm a good hour before I have to be up, as I snooze about five.

I am already ready for the weekend. Unfortunately, as previous stated, I must be up early on Saturday for my make-up appointment.

"No Mommy, I Not a BABY!"

The other day Leila had a play date with her cousins, Mia and Ava. I picked her up and we came home. It was just the two of us, Dan was working late. We sat at the table to eat dinner when she said "Hey Maaaammy.. uh, can I talk to you for a minute.?" I giggled to myself whenever she says something grown up in her little person accent. "Maaam. Ava and Mia BOTH have big girl beds. And I don't."
*side note- Leilas starting to talk more like a little girl than a toddler. She's in her cute stage where she repeats things she hears (regardless of what that might be). She has a toddler accent mixed with a Chicago accent she gets from her dad mixed with the awkward Chicagoan/Irish accent I have acquired through the years. People think I'm a little mixed up, imagine how they feel about my child.

Anyway, Leila's bed is for a toddler. We retired the crib at a very early age (actually we didn't, but she had Super Crib that will transform into any bed she so desires until college). I know its awful, but fifty percent of the time she sleeps in my bed with me. Anyway now she wants a "big girl bed". I was looking at fancy princess beds, or beds with cute little trundles underneath, or even beds with pink canopies and butterflies. Dan shat on that by actually making a good point- I hate to admit. Kids grow up fast. By the time shes nine she won't want a princess or butterfly bed anymore, so we'll have to do this all over again. "WHAT is your solution then?" I snapped at him.. sorry honey. "A queen bed woman, a queen bed!" We're going shopping this weekend for a queen bed that she can comfortable sleep in until shes 18, respectively.

Soon we will be shopping for a new home where an elevator ride to see Daddy will turn into a car ride. Leila is growing so quickly and life is changing whether I want it to be or not. We have lived the past three and a half years perfectly without so much as a glitch. Will our new memories be just as easy to make? I tend to look back and miss the most obsolete moments from my past without expecting that I just might miss the moment I am in.

TRYING to Get Pretty Without Spending Billions

Congratulations to Heather and Mike on their new little girl, Annabel!
You can read Heather's Blog at www.thespohrsaremultiplying.com

As I've mentioned before, killerstrands.com is really great resource for those of us who try and color or take care of our hair from home. I'm not ready to color my hair by myself, seeing as I've been there done that and it ended in disaster way more than once. I did however order a ton of products from the website that will hopefully get my hair back into great condition. When they arrive I'll post before pictures to keep track of the great results I'm expecting.

I also am looking for a new skin care routine. I love Proactiv but I've noticed that especially when I go tanning, the Repairing Lotion bleaches my face and freckles. My face also feels tight after using it so I'm going to try out a few more products and see what works best for me.

I've seen infomercials for Murad Acne Complex, which looks good on the commercial but after doing some research and reading reviews on acne.org it doesn't seem to be all its hyped up to be. As I am writing this (and watching a Teen Mom marathon) there has been a Proactiv ad at each commercial break, and apparently there is a NEW Proactiv. I might give that a try. If the "new" formula doesn't work as advertised then I'm DONE! As you can see, I am all about second chances. I love Arbonne products, but they're kind of expensive. We all know beauty products are expensive but there's only so much I can pay for an entire face kit.



Aside from facial cleansers I'd love to find a wrinkle cream that works. I've never used any wrinkle cream before because I'm still young (I'm only 25!) and I just haven't had the need. Lately I've noticed the skin under my eyes is a little thinner and sometimes darker. I also have a few wrinkles around my eyes and would like to stop those lines in their tracks before they worsen. I think I'm going to give Olay ProX a try, I've heard good things!



I love Crest White Strips! I first started using them about six or seven years ago and they worked right away! Typically I use them once a year, the results never fade but I like to use them anyway.
I haven't tried the newer versions they've come out with, I normally buy the original ones you use twice a day for half hour each time for fourteen days. They work fabulously!!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Last night I sent in my $250 to 1st Personal Diet, then I got a very quick response and an order form for a blood test. The blood test could be paid for online ($35) and then you print the form and bring it in with you when you have the blood taken. I looked online at locations and they're all in pretty shitty areas, which makes me very weary. So I picked the one that was in the nicest area and they wouldn't answer the phone. So I went to the second one. No answer. SO I called a further one and got an answer from a nice women with an accent. She gave me directions. In her directions were listed a couple things I'm not so sure of. McDonalds, Burger King, Buona Beef, and Chinese Buffet. Don't get me wrong, I like all four, but when they are used to describe the location of your "medical office" that gets me a little concerned. There was also no need for an appointment, they are open for walk ins. Not sounding too great.

I already spend the non-refundable $35 on the blood test from this specific lab, so I will drive there, look for the strip of various fast food joints and judge the book by its cover. If this place looks like somewhere I'd be most likely to contract something then I'm forgetting the $35 and hauling ass over to my regular doctor, which I should have done in the first place.

I'm going over there on Monday so we'll see what happens.

Favorite iPhone Apps

I LOVE my iPhone! I don't know what I ever did without it. I am one of those women who have about 9 million applications for everything! I'm all about making life simpler.

Here are a few apps that I can't live without:

• Bank of America - I have always been very OCD about my banking. I am guilty of checking my balance at least 48 times a day which was a pain in my ass because I would have to call the bank, type my sixteen digit account number and my nine digit social security number then sit through the automated system. Who doesn't love that? Then if something for some reason was awry there was no way for me to access it unless I was in front of a computer. This app lets me save my username and all I have to do is type in my password then I have all my info. Its secure and so easy.
• Facebook, duh. Enough said.
• Twitter - although I don't "tweet" I have stalkerish qualities I guess you could say and I like to know who's doing what.
• Google - I tend to Google anything and everything, so its great to have it at my fingertips when ever should feel the need to Google.
  
• XM Sirus Radio - So easy to use, just type your username and password and there you have it. I haven't figured out yet if that means my husband is unable to use his from his car too since I'm logged in on my phone but either way, its nice to have satellite radio when I'm cleaning or doing laundry.
  
• AOL radio - I love AOL radio, its very similar to Sirus, except free, and in my opinion there's more to chose from.
  
• Target - I like to check weekly deals and clearance items and that's the first thing that pops up. Simple. I love it.
  
• Dictionary.com
  
• Starbucks - This app is pretty awesome. I've been behind customers when they've ordered what sounded like extravagant beverages and I've always wondered what choices I had to make my perfect coffee. The app walks you through all your choices and then you can repeat verbatim to your barista (or baristo) whatever drink you so desire. You can also save your drink for future reference.
  
• Web MD - Just like the website. Its awesome!
  
• Yelp - I like to do my research and read reviews on products or places before investing time or money so this app is helpful. Its also just like the site.
  
• RedBox - I can search which RedBox has the movie i want to rent, then have it held for me until I go pick it up. It tells me which RedBox is closest.
  
• Ebay
  
• Weather Channel - the phone comes with an already installed weather app but I like the Weather Channel, because even though half the time turns out to be inaccurate, I like being able to read a more in depth weather report.
  
• Bejeweled - I'm an addict and in my opinion the phone version is easier to play than the computer version. $2.99 I believe
  
• TFLN (Texts From Last Night) - Hilarious.. I think this one is $.99 but worth the dollar.
  
• traffic.com - I haven't figured out the easiest way to use this but my main concern is highway travel so it gives me an idea what the traffic is like.
  
• urban spoon - This is pretty cool. Just shake the phone and it will bring up a random restaurant in your area. Takes the annoyance out of the twenty minute "Where do YOU want to eat?" conversation.
  
• imdb - I literally use this app five times a day
  
• USPS/Fedex/UPS - Great for tracking packages. Very easy!
  
• Sit or Squat - This is good for city living or if you have children. It compiles a list of usable restrooms in the area.
  
• TV Guide - easy to use, very useful if you're on the go and need to know whether or not your show will be a repeat. You can search shows and it will bring up a list of when its on next. You can save favorite shows or channels.
  
• Taxi Magic - This is perfect for those nights you know you need to get home but maybe had a little too much to drink. I've been there and its my opinion that trying to call for a taxi and figure out the exact location can be close to impossible when you're not of a sound mind. This app does all the dirty work for you, it literally is magic!

As I said, I have about a million apps but these are just a few of my favorites!
All the applications listed are free with the exception of the ones with the price listed.