Good Good 2011

{A smattering of Reasons why This Week has been Plain ol' Good}

*Crepes, babies, puppies, friends, and mimosas {here}

*Throwing on a pair of jeans. I can wear {these} again. 'nough said.

*Two date nights with the stud hubs to watch {this} action. It's good to be back.

*Getting a facebook friend request from my {Grandma Bess}. my life is now complete.

*Hopelessly addicted to drinking the largest size of {this} I can get.

*1 Year of official-public- blogging-ness under my belt. wowza.

Some of my most hearted posts: {here}{here}{here}{here}{here}{here}{here} and {here}

*My boys and I, entering a new year full of possibilities.

Anything is possible.

Happy 2012!

{The world spins madly on}

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

My New Baby

Back in the day, when Daniel and I were but young and sparkly-eyed newlyweds {back in the day=about 12 months ago, give or take}, I told him that someday, someday in the hazy future, once we started having babies, we needed to get a big kid camera.

"Someday" in our minds was after we bought a plant, and then a puppy. After we traveled the world. Went skydiving. Climbed Mt. something something.

Then God laughed at our version of life.

Along came Baby Bean plus two plants from Ikea.

We are rolling in responsibility now.

Yesterday I opened my snazzy new camera.

It's going to capture a whole lotta life.

As we hop around the globe. Jump out of planes. Summit peaks. With Baby Bean and all of his future siblings.

What is your favorite Christmas gift of 2011?

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Official Christmas "Card"

Baby Bean is

A). Crying

B). Yawning

C). Singing

D). Stealing the spotlight in life by being so darn adorable

Answer: a little bit of B and a whole lotta D.

Wishing you all a Very Merry Whim Wham Christmas!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Reason #38 to Have a Baby

{Tonight's Menu: Pecan Pie/Banana Pudding smorgasbord}

Hi. I'm Bon Bon.
And I haven't cooked a meal in 3 weeks. or gone grocery shopping.
I think I made a piece of toast the other morning.
Yes. I'm getting spoiled.
Is there a support group for this phenomenon?

Don't worry. We've been eating. Good and plenty.
Thanks to family and friends.
Giving us food. Making us food.
nom nom nom.
Plus dessert.

We're eating so well and living the good life...the idea of baby #2 seems better and better with every bite*

{*Daniel, I'm completely joking. You know how I love my grub though}

The shopping I can't get out of, unfortunately...
Late late procrastinator late Christmas shopping.
Wish us luck!

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

The Best

{and then we bought a mini tree at Trader Joes. $3.99}

The past two weeks...whirlwind.
After about 4 days of no sleep (labor/delivery/hospital stay/visitors), I took an hour long nap and woke up feeling like wonder woman.
Since then, our days have been filled with pediatrician visits, shopping trips, coffee dates, family, friends, birthday dinners, christmas parties, and a concert.
A 10 day old Baby Bean at a concert? That.Just.Happened.

He did great.
He is great.
He eats great.
He sleeps great.
He makes us newbie parents look great.

Last night, the boys stayed in for a few hours while I had a mini-girls' night.
New dress. New shoes. New jewelry.
Chicken Alfredo. Italian Soda. Chocolate cake.
So insanely good.

Then I came home to a sleepy baby and a stud hubs.
And that. takes the cake. Hands down.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Giveaway: Sseko Designs

{Sseko/say-ko}

Anyone have the Monday morning blues?
It's a good thing you have me in your life.
I'm here to help spread a little holiday cheer and get rid of those blahs!

Thanks to the lovely Liz over at Sseko Designs, you can enter to win one of their brand spankin' new pleated clutches.

Haven't heard of Sseko?
Check them out {here}
You'll find a smorgasbord of handmade sandals {and now these amazing clutches}...
handmade goodies that are helping empower and educate women in Uganda, while sharing a story worldwide of beauty, hope, and restoration.

Africa.
Girl power.
Fashion.

ummm.hi.
I'm a big fan.

Want to be a big fan and win this gorgeous piece?


I thought so.


Giveaway Rules

*Must be a follower of The Whim Wham Life
*Must "like" Sseko Designs on Facebook {here}
*Must be a big believer in dreams and living life fully


Winner will be selected Monday December 19th!


xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Josiah James: Birth Story

{fresh out of the oven}


First, can we talk about what a rockstar Baby Bean is?
5 minutes old and with a faux hawk.
heart.breaker.

Now, moving on to the good stuff.
Labor.
and
Delivery.



Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I knew that (ideally) I wanted a few things in the birth experience:

1. A midwife
2. Natural delivery {no drugs}
3. and the baby. of course. regardless.

The midwife: no problem.
The no drugs thing...I think I can. I think I can.
I read "Spiritual Midwifery" and "Hypnobirthing" cover to cover.
We practiced breathing/massage/relaxation techniques.
I made Daniel uncover his eyes and watch a birth video.
Above all, we prayed and prayed and prayed.
Especially after that birth video.

Fast forward to Monday, November 28th.
I woke up around 6AM, made Daniel his lunch, kissed him goodbye and went back to sleep.
About an hour later, real authentic-none-of-this-Braxton-Hicks-nonsense-contractions kicked in.
They were coming consistently about 7-8 minutes apart.
Nothing too painful, just apparent.
I kept Daniel updated all day long, as I ate my Thanksgiving leftovers and checked my iPhone contraction timer app.

Finally, they were about 4-5 minutes apart around 4PM.
Daniel decided to head home.
And then we waited for a few hours more as I paced around, wondering if this was real life and worth calling my midwife about.

{Note: I have a high tolerance for pain. Case in point. Broke my pinkie finger in the 3rd grade while playing leap frog. Didn't complain at all, until I went home and my Dad noticed my crooked purple appendage}

More out of curiosity, we decided to go for it.
Grabbed our stuff and headed to the birthing center around 10PM.
Upon arrival, I was about 2cm and 70% effaced.
Steady contractions, but nothing progressing.
We decided to go back home and wait it out.
For the next hours? Days? Weeks? You never know.

It was midnight, we were tired. Daniel fell asleep.
I was so sleepy. heartburn. the works.
And then...

Really really real contractions started.
Like, the ones that take your breath away and leave you wishing you were a boy.
For the next 6 hours, I stumbled around. laid down. soaked in the bathtub. bounced on the birthing ball. glared at Daniel as he peacefully slumbered.

7AM rolled around.
As I'm panting through a big contraction,
I realize this can't be what 2cm feels like.
It.can't.be.
God isn't that big of a meanie pants.

So, I attack Daniel.
Literally.
Fling myself on top of him.
Grab his nose.
I grabbed onto that nose and held on for those darn 60 seconds.

So.
He calls my midwife this time.
I don't think moaning and groaning translates too well over the phone.
10AM, and we're back in the car. Back to the birthing center.

And I find out that all those contractions were worth it.
8cm. 100% effaced.

The next four hours are a blur.
Phone calls to family and friends.
The arrivals of my mom, mother-in-law, and my aunt into the room.
Moving around to different positions, trying to get comfortable.
And the pushing.
oh the glorious pushing.
Seriously, pushing is the best feeling in the world.
Like the greatest poop you've ever had.

I basically closed my eyes, didn't talk, zoned out, and focused for the last 2 hours.
No "ring of fire."
No tearing.
No real pooping. {not that I would've cared at that point in time}

Just dreaming of my baby boy and cheeseburgers.

Dare I say it,
I enjoyed giving birth.
gasp.


2:05 PM. November 29th.
We became a little family.
and life will never be the same again.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Life as of Late

Obviously, we have been doing a lot of this the past 5 days.
Amidst all of the visitors, pediatrician appointments, Target/Starbucks runs...
party.animals.
you know you're jealous.

{#1 lesson I've learned from motherhood so far}

Never underestimate the power of the miniature male anatomy during a diaper change.
You will get sprayed.
In the face.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}

Meet Baby Bean! Swooooon!

Josiah James
Born 11/29/11
2:05 PM
7 lbs 9 oz.
19.5 in.
100% adorable.


Spicy chicken curry may or may not have been a key component in his birth story.
{Thanks Uncle David}

P.S. To everyone asking about a certain picture on facebook...why yes, that is a cheeseburger on my lap 20 minutes after he was born.

xoxo

{Bon Bon}