March 29, 2020

52 weeks, week 13. (and a giveaway)

It's another week of 52 weeks of kindness.
I can't NOT do them, guys. You're just gonna have to deal with it.
If you're lost, read last week's post. I almost quit this project all together.

Manic Mother


March 28, 2020

Ways to Fight Postpartum Depression

7 Ways to Fight Postpartum Depression

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of emotions. Most women expect these ups and downs to disappear once the baby is born and the excitement of meeting your newborn sets in. Unfortunately, up to 80 percent of women experience some form of the baby blues in the days, weeks and months following child-birth. Here are a few ways to ease the emotional upheaval that accompanies postpartum depression.

Make Sure You Get Enough Rest


Image via Flickr by //No more

Having a newborn baby is exhausting. Newborns generally sleep most of the time, yet new moms and dads rarely get ample sleep during the first few months after welcoming a new baby. Common advice given to new mothers is to sleep when your baby sleeps, and it helps. Taking turns with baby duty with your spouse or partner helps both of you get a few straight hours of sleep, which in turn reduces stress and eases anxiety.

Put the Right Food Into Your Body


Image via Flickr by b r e n t

You’re so focused on making sure your new baby is getting enough nutrition that it’s easy to forget to take care of your own nutritional needs. Eating breakfast boosts your metabolism and gives you the energy you need to make it through the first part of the day—especially if you’re short on sleep. Avoid foods high in salt and saturated fats, and stick with complex carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.

Consider Taking Anti-Depressant Medication


Image via Flickr by epSos.de

If your symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, it’s time to see a doctor. You can buy Paxil or other medications to ease severe mood swings, anxiety and sadness that often go with postpartum depression. Typically, women can stop pharmaceutical treatments in a few months after their hormones reach more consistent levels.

Don't be Afraid to Ask for Help


Image via Flickr by marc falardeu

Feeling overwhelmed when you bring your new baby home is a major cause of anxiety and depression. New mothers sometimes feel inadequate or overly stressed about taking care of a newborn all by themselves, especially when their partners return to work. Accept the help that’s likely being offered by friends and family, and ask for help if you need it.

Reach Out to Family and Friends


Image via Flickr by zigazou76

Feelings of loneliness and isolation are common among new mothers. Reach out to your family and friends not only for help with caring for your baby, but for socialization. It’s natural to want to spend all your time with your baby, but you need adult interaction, too.

Connect with Your Spouse or Partner


Image via Flickr by FrauSchütze

It’s easy to focus all your attention on your newborn, but you and your partner still need to pay attention to one another. Maintaining a strong bond with your partner lifts your mood and solidifies your relationship. 

Take a Walk and Get Some Sun


Image via Flickr by John-Morgan

Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind, but it helps get your blood flowing, makes you feel better about yourself and gives you a jump-start to lose the extra baby weight. Don’t start an exercise program until you’ve been cleared by your doctor. Simple exercises, such as a walk outside in the sunshine with your baby, will lift your spirits after your doctor has given you the go-ahead.

Getting the baby blues is common after having a child. If you’re feeling down and out, you’re not alone. Following a few tips to take care of yourself can ease your anxiety and depression, but be mindful of when it’s time to seek professional help.

IRS. -Identity theft.

This is the part 2 of the last life update thing here.

I don't mean for this to be a "woe is me" kind of post. I just need to write it all down so that I remember and can keep up with who I've talked to and what we've done so far.


February 12th.
We woke up to over $9,000 missing from our tax return and found out it was for some student loans in my name which is odd because I have NEVER in my  life taken out a student loan. Ever.

March 25, 2020

1,000.

Happy Monday, guys!

This weekend we attended a birthday party and that was about it.
David had to work all weekend, the weather was gloom and doom so we just kind of hung around the house playing games, reading books, cuddling up and eating ice cream.

Sunday afternoon the sun decided to shine and my three bittles enjoyed some fresh air in the backyard. Mud puddles and dirty water made for TONS of fun. Even Baby Owen joined in the mess. It was hilarious!

In other news, for those curious Lucy and Bo are best friends. I mean they play NONstop. Bo loves her. She loves him. It's pretty cute. Seeing Bo play with her makes me that much more glad we rescued her. He was pretty lonely with David working so much.

That's about all I've got for you today....

JUST KIDDING!

Look!!

 photo PicMonkeyCollage_zpsf6b4b014.jpg
My Three Bittles hit 1,000 followers a bit ago.
I want to thank you all so much, SO much!
And a special thanks to these lovely ladies for helping me celebrate!
$100 Target gift card.
$75 Amazon gift card.
$50 Forever 21 gift card.
$25 Starbucks gift card.
$25 Paypal cash.
These lovely ladies.
Bam!
Need I say more?!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


March 22, 2020

52 weeks. 12.




Happy Friday.


52 weeks of kindness

March 21, 2020

My Bedding


edo furniture and edo beds
(source: http://www.haikudesigns.com/europa-platform-beds.htm)

You know what drives me crazy? My bedding! I kid you not, it drives me crazy! I bought it last year when David was in Afghanistan. I completely loved it. This was actually the second bedding I had bought within the year because the first one, eh, well I just didn't love it.
This second one though, it was lovely, fit my color scheme, cozy, etc etc.
And then I washed it.
Poor thing never stood a chance against my washing machine.
I mean, I pulled it from its little bag and put it in the washer before even using it and it came out of my washer with a giant hole in it.
Imagine my disappointment.
My brand new comforter.
We still use it.
We just keep it flipped to where the hole is on top after one time it was flipped the other way and my toe found it's way inside and made the hole bigger. Oops.
So we keep it flipped to where the hole is on top but every time I look at it, I just get so mad about it.
So I've been browsing for a new one.
We won't get it anytime soon of course given our current financial situation, but let me just say that I am so in love with the Candlewick Bedspread from damart that I've seen.
They are all SO pretty and would just look amazing in my bedroom and on my bed.
Do these not just look so cozy? You know I'm right and you know that you kind of want one as well!
I actually love that dusky pink one, but I really do not think David would approve of it. It would not be "manly" enough for him. Ha ha.
So who wants to donate to the "Amber's washer ate her last pretty bedding" fund.  *wink*




March 20, 2020

Wanna win an Ipad?!

I know that that's a silly question!
Who wouldn't wanna win an Ipad?!

Well now's your chance!
I along with some other great bloggy ladies teamed up, pitched in and bam!

Ipad Mini giveaway from The Vintage Modern Wife & A Complete Waste of Makeup & Friends!




Blog Hoggery (and a giveaway)


Hi y'all. My name is Rachel and I am so excited to be one of Amber's sponsors this month!


 I'm so glad that I am on her sidebar because I love her blog so much. Let me tell you a little bit about myself...
I blog over at The Easley's. I'm married to a great guy and have a cute little 16 month old boy. We live in Nashville. We're actually from there. I'm a stay at home mom and a part time personal trainer at a private gym. I'm an avid runner, I love DIY projects, cooking, and trying out new restaurants in our city. We like to eat! We have one fur baby. A little cat named Phoebe. 
***
I started blogging, well actually my husband started this blog right after we got married to keep friends and family( especially out of towners )up to date on our life. I quickly took over and made it my little space on the www. I enjoy blogging about my day to day activities, DIY projects that I try to do at least a few times a month, things I enjoy, and of course my husband and baby...there is a lot about him on here! He is just so cute that I can't help but take tons of pictures of him! I do like to include lots of pictures in each of my posts. I think it makes reading about me/my life more fun if you can actually see what I am doing. And I just like to take pictures!
***
And just because I love giveaways, I am including one just for y'all. Enjoy!





March 19, 2020

Hey mommas,

My Three Bittles is very-excited to give YOU the opportunity to WIN a $200.00 Diapers.com Gift Card!

Bellyhood
Are you a woman who is trying to conceive, pregnant, or a brand-new Mommy? If so, you need to look into BellyHood.com. Have you not heard of BellyHood.com? Well, it is an online meeting place to talk to and get advice from other moms. The forums are easy-to-navigate and full of useful information. Plus, they have monthly drawings for $10.00  babies"R"us gift cards!


I wish I had known about BellyHood.com when I was pregnant! It would've been nice to chat it up with other Preggo's and new moms.


Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 have teamed up with a wonderful group of Bloggers to offer you a chance to WIN a $200.00 Diapers.com gift card from BellyHood.com!


diapers





This giveaway:


  • Will run from 12:01 am CST on Monday 3/18 until midnight on 4/7



  • Is opened entrants 18 years and older living in USA,  Alaska,  or Hawaii (anywhere Diapers.com can ship to)


  • All mandatory entries MUST be completed


  • See all disclosures in the entry form



  • ⇩⇩⇩⇩Enter Giveaway Here⇩⇩⇩⇩

    **DISCLOSURE** My Three Bittles is acting as an advertisement for the Sponsor and is not responsible for prize. Prize will be given by BellyHood.com. This event is brought to you by Blog with Mom and Adventures of 8 through Advertise with Bloggers! If you are interested in sponsoring an event like this, please contact Advertise with Bloggers.


    Karma is a bitch.


    Sorry for the B word, but it needed to be said.
    Karma is totally a bitch!
    But the best part-it never hits the ones that deserve it.

    David and I are decent people. We tip well when we go out to eat, we hold doors open for people behind us, we are super polite to like everyone, we give our friends a loaf of bread if they're out, or buy their coffee or whatever ya know.... we try to be good people.

    With the move, the army's BAH (rent money) mess up, pulling Maddie from preschool, the bike loan because the truck broke down, the second bike loan because of a deer, the IRS/identity theft crap, I just kept thinking "that has to be it. I mean seriously-that HAS to be it".

    Then David got the nail (or screw, I can't remember which) in his tire and the bar broke and we were out another $40. Thankfully that was it.... then when trying to fix it, his friends kind of messed up another bar.... that'll cost $70 to replace. LOVELY.
    I kind of laughed about that last bit-I mean really.... at this point, I HAVE to find humor in this crap somehow or I'm going to lose my mind.

    Then Harley called.... "Hey man, you're payment is 2 weeks late, you owe us a $10 late fee now too"..... Uh, no it's not. We set it up as an allotment. Our paycheck on the 1st was TERRIBLE because of the allotment to you and the last bit of the army's mistake in our BAH being taken back.
    I set up that thing myself, I triple checked each number to make sure it was right.
    Come to find out that when they gave David the routing number and account number to set it up, they gave him his loan number instead of the account number so now Wells Fargo bank randomly has $320 floating around somewhere that we get to track down.
    So David went to finance after making a million phone calls and turns out they caught it and stopped it and sent it back to us. So now we have to pay Harley 2 payments.  Arg.


    I mean seriously, at what point does it stop?!
    I'm exhausted. We're broke. We're stressed. I'm drained, on all accounts.
    David tried to call the lawyer again yesterday and once again got his voicemail.
    He finally just set up a new appointment with him in hopes to just get a hold of him.

    I just don't get it. I truly don't. I mean I do know that it could be worse but it just seems like hit after hit, they just keep coming. I mean, I know it'll be okay and I'm sorry to be such a negative Nancy, I'm just stressed out and tired.
    And I know I have so many things to be thankful for, we're not starving or homeless, Owen still has diapers on his butt on milk in his bottle, it's just frustrating. We were supposed to be good. I mean, great and we're not even decent right now.  It's just so wrong.

    In attempts to cheer myself up, I'm sitting outside in the sun watching my bittles play in mud. They're cute. They're funny and I'm truly thankful for them.
    It just makes me a bit more annoyed though because there is supposed to be a swing set currently in our backyard for them.... thanks fake me for jacking my identity and messing that up.  *insert eye rolling here*

    Okay.... tiny ramble/rant/blargness over.


    BLT Wraps


    One of my all time favorite foods-hand down, a BLT with cheese. Seriously.

    I mean you just can't go wrong with bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. You just can't.
    (unless you're allergic or something in which case, I'm sorry!)

    But have you ever tried a BLT WRAP?!
    Yup, a wrap!

    This isn't rocket science, but I took some pictures for you guys the last time I made some. DELICIOUS!
    I kid you not.

    You will need:
    • Bacon
    • Lettuce
    • Tomato
    • Shredded cheese
    • Tortilla shells. (I used whole wheat)
    • Ranch Dressing
    Bacon-Cooked and chopped
    Lettuce
    Tomato-I used cherry.
    Layer.
    Eat!


    March 18, 2020

    Oh, baby.... I'm a wild one.

    Hey lovers!
    Yeah, it doesn't sound right to me either.....
    AWKWARD!

    Anyway, hey guys! Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend.
    I'm a bit tardy to the party today but in my defense, it's been a busy weekend and Monday.

    Thursday, Maddie, Owen and I went shopping! Spent a whopping $60 and got all three of them new wardrobes for summer! We're in the high 70s-80s already, people! INSANE! Definitely not Alaska anymore!
    Maddie wore her new hair clips! I bought them here.
    I snagged this chair for Baby O for $2.75!! SERIOUSLY!! That still amazes me!
    He looks like a little old man, so freakin' cute!


    Finster had a four day weekend so we spent Friday doing this:

    I was quickly reminded of how decent of a job we're doing raising Fin when he willingly helped blow dry Princess Maddie's freshly painted toes. What a great brother!

    We played outside.

    Saturday David went out with some friends, called me and told me he (once again) laid his bike down.
    Apparently he was at a stop sign and picked up a nail or screw in his front tire. Went to drive off after the stop sign, front tire came off the ground, went back down hard, bike went down.  *sigh*
    Thankfully the only thing messed up was the tire and a rod to his back brakes. The tire is covered under his warranty and the rod will cost $38.  His only damage, a burnt hand.
    If y'all remember the last time this happened, this one is definitely less bad.
    I yelled at him, "STOP CALLING ME LIKE THIS!!! SHIT!! I CAN'T TAKE THIS STRESS!!! OH MY GOSH!! ARE YOU OKAY?!?!" and then tears came pouring down my face.
    Even my momma was like, "he's got to stop doing this to us!"
    This man..... he's going


    Sunday we went to the PX,
    got Fin a hair cut
    Picked up some things for puppy no name yet.
    Ate pizza for lunch

    Speaking of Fin being like such an awesome big brother:
    He was holding Owen's hand and walking around with him saying, "walk. walk. going for a walk. finnie and pollie are going for a walk" in a little sing song voice like I used to sing to Owen when he was just learning to walk!
    (Ignore the mess-Bo had just shredded his toy while I was folding laundry)

    So then Sunday night, David had staff duty (usually it's 24 hour duty but he just pulled a 12 hr one from 6pm-6am)
    and while he was gone, I bathed the babies, put away laundry, cleaned their rooms, organized their rooms, then after they went to bed, I shampooed the carpets with the help of Bo dog.

    Oh and Monday we drove an hour and a half away to adopt a puppy!

    David told me that if I could raise the money to adopt her, I could go get her.
    Well, challenge accepted! A few hours later, I texted him, "BAM! Done! Money raised"
    I think he seriously underestimated me.

    I've had puppy fever for a few days now, if you follow me on twitter you've probably read that and now and was so bummed that I couldn't find one here that I loved and then my lovely friend, Kelly told me, "Give it time ur perfect puppy will come to you"..... she was right.
    I was browsing again and came across this sweet face
    And read "URGENT" next to her and clicked to read more and then just died inside when I saw that she was on the "to be put down" list because she'd been there since January!
    Thankfully, she's now mine. I'll be driving back out there to pick her up on Friday and I can not wait!

    Now I'm off to enjoy some dinner with my loves and try to not blow away in this crazy weather we're getting.
    Hope you guys all had a great weekend and Monday.

    March 17, 2020

    Pond Filters

    (source:http://www.aquaserene.com/fish/?page_id=202)


    As many of you know we are a military family.  Part of being a military family means we move around often.... quite often.
    Every three years or so. (Unless something comes up like deployment and you get stuck at Fort Wainwright, Alaska for that extra year.... and by year I mean two)
    But with that in mind, David and I often talk about how we want our house to be when he retires and when we buy land and build a house.
    I have no doubt that it will be an amazing house! David's beyond obsessed with secret passageways and hidden doors and stuff like that. He is a giant a kid at heart, it's pretty funny at times (there are times when it is a bit less funny but that isn't the point today)!

    Anyway, we know that when we do build our own house, we want a huge, gorgeous back yard and a pond full of fish and to be able take the grandchildren (that is SO weird to even say or think about since our oldest is only five) fishing and have a pond for the dogs to drink out of, etc etc etc.

    I had no idea how much upkeep something that seems so simple, like a pond could be! Like finding the right pond filter to help us out-would you have ever thought of such a thing?! Me neither! I'm very thankful for the ability to browse the internet and look into all of the stuff you would need for something that seems so simple.

    But in reality,  wouldn't it just be amazing to sit on your back porch on a nice spring or summer day and watch your husband, your son and your grandson out there bonding while you enjoy a nice glass of sweet tea?! It really does sound like such a nice afternoon.  I used to worry about our future but with images like that, I worry a little less and smile a little more. 

    March 15, 2020

    Lucky Leprechaun Reveal Day & an act of kindness.

    So some of you might remember that Sarah, Melissa and I had spots open a while back for the Lucky Leprechaun Book and Polish swap....

    Well, reveal day is here!!

    I was lucky enough to get paired up with the lovely Ashley of Wannabe Green.

    I laughed a little when she requested no green polish because she had PLENTY!
    After chatting a bit, I sent her an Essie polish and a book off her wishlist.
    (I also emailed her two kindle books that I already had on my laptop)

    I seriously squealed when my package arrived from Ashley! She was on top of that by the way, if you ever get her as a partner, she's awesome! I got mine from her while I was waiting for the book I ordered her off Amazon! SHE WAS QUICK!!

    Anyway, she sent me this:

    (the plish is Essie, Plumberry)
    I love it! I'm actually 1/4 of the way done with "Are you there God, it's me Chelsea" (I'd have been done the same day I started it if I didn't have bittles, darn them for always needing stuff like diaper changes and dinner. Ha)
    She picked em off my goodread to-read section.
    She's good!
    Can't wait to see what you all got!!!






    And since it's Friday (Friday....gotta get down on Friday) (is that the right wording or did I make that part up in my head?) (oh well) (I hate that song)
    Let's start over..... AWKWARD....

    And since it's Friday. (ahem...)
    It's time for another round of good deeds! Hip Hip Hooray!
    Did you do anything kind this week?
    I did! I was SO SO excited about it.
    According to Miss Post Office Lady that Loved Baby Pollie's fat cheeks, miss Jessica of My Little Mustache should be getting a box today!
    Hopefully she gets it before she sees this.
    If she sees this. I'm honestly not even sure if she follows my blog, let alone knows who I am.
    Anyway...
    Jess is my inspiration! Seriously, if you follow her blog or her on instagram you see all the stuff she does! SO MUCH NICENESS! She's constantly trying to encourage someone!
    She is currently donating all of her shop funds to an amazing cause.

    Now if y'all remember a while back where I kept talking about my super secret 52 weeks project--well this was it!
    I put SO much effort into this. Haha. I wanted to encourage the encourager!
    The post office lady also was super impressed with my cupcake tape. I'm NOT joking.


    I thought it'd be easier to get her address. I asked someone for it but she politely told me she wasn't comfortable with that which I completely understand.
    So my next idea.... order something!
    I ordered a hat for my sister in France and just prayed that it would come with a return address.
    I was so happy to see that it did!
    So Jess, if you're wondering how I got your address, well there you go. Sorry, I think?!

    OH!! This post is where I talked about it! That took me a bit to find. So yup.
    Okay. tell me yours!






    March 14, 2020

    Things I Don't Love Thursday.

    Today I could use a good vent so I thought I'd link up with my friend, Melissa for her Things I Don't Love Thursday! Yay!

     

    1. Identity theft. -enough said. Oh and now that I've updated my address on my credit report, guess who's getting collection notice letters for stuff that I have NO idea what it is?! Hooray!

    2. When people say, "I think tattoos are tacky". I just wanna say, "Well I think you showing that camel toe in those shorts is tacky!" or "your sock bun is tacky" (nothing against sock buns, I wear them but I needed another example). Etc etc. But nope, I keep my mouth shut.

    funny-tattoos-old-men

    3. I also hate when people talk about how messed up looking some tattoo is going to be when you're 80..... umm, hello... obviously if I've made it to be 80 or higher, I'm not going to give a rats ass what my tattoos will look like! Lots of other things will be flabby/flappy at that point too and I'm pretty sure those won't really concern me either, but the fact that I (hopefully) have grandkids and maybe even great grandkids that I'll hopefully be healthy enough to play with. Or I'll be concerned about where I am when I wake up if I take a less healthy detour when I grow older. Seriously, wrinkly tattoos will be the LEAST of my concern and honestly I think they'll just show that I was a pretty cool young person.

    4. The fact that my mail comes around 5:45pm. That's just torture! That's seriously like ALL day of having to wait and hope for good mail.

    5. Allergies. My sinuses are going crazy lately. I think it's starting to calm down a bit but PHEW. For a few days (like 2 weeks) sinus pills were my B.F.F. (no offense, Jenny G.)


    So head over to Melissa's blog to read what others are not loving this Thursday!


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