Me Time

This past weekend, I did something for ME! I didn't really have time to do it and I probably should have been doing work, but instead I drove 4.5 hours to Greenville, SC for a Furman Singers Reunion.

It was amazing! Not only did I get to see and catch up with some fabulous college friends whom I haven't seen in years (and to visit with my bestest college roomie, Kelly!) BUT...I got to sing ALL WEEKEND LONG.

Now I missed the bug. I missed the bug like crazy. But it was awesome to have some time to do something that I absolutely love to do...and not feel bad about it. For several hours, I was just immersed in the singing. It totally took me to another place. Here is one of the songs (a good Russian piece).

The second best part to being away all weekend....the MASSIVE grin on my son's face when I walked in the door on Sunday. Totally heart-warming.

Priceless Picture

Utter perfection in my book!

Congrats to the Sprout Organic Baby Winner!

Congratulations entry #25,Melissa!!

Please contact me with your email address so I can give you the prize information.

Didn't win? Don't forget you can get $10 off your first order with code EL10.
(I may also have another food giveaway next week. STAY TUNED!)

Challenge to Myself (Pursue Your Passion)

I fully intended to post about some of the bug's latest developments until I came across this YouTube video.

At tradeshows, I am often interviewed about our products for Web sites, trade magazines and sometime even radio. But since our founder and CEO is our main spokesperson, I rarely see the footage...until today.

Wow. Could I say "actually" one more time? In my defense, the woman introduced herself and said "do you mind if we video you talking about your product offerings?" I barely had time to blink before the camera was rolling and I was blabbing away.

As much as I feel like I was rushing and I tilted my head to the side WAY TOO MUCH (I'm definitely out of practice), it reminded me that I LOVE doing things like this. I was addicted to performing in high school - loved doing things like theater and chorus. In college, I sang with the Furman Singers. And now....now I just sing and act for my son. (Lucky boy huh?)

I took acting lessons the year before I got pregnant, but I've never found the time to really put things into place and put myself out there. Now with the baby, there is absolutely NO time. But I want it. I love being interviewed. I like sharing my thoughts with the general public. I like taking on another character...even just a different voice persona. So this blog entry is a reminder and a challenge to myself. At SOME point....don't know when....but some point, I want to start putting myself back out there. So if you know of anyone that needs cheap vocal talent, a cheap emcee for events/shows, interviewers for vlogs, etc. -- give me a call!

How's that for a shameless plug?

P.S. I really am better than this video portrays!

Yummy Food..and a giveaway to boot

Sorry for the short hiatus folks, but we spent last week in Kentucky introducing the Bug to his extended family. It was a fantastic trip where we interacted with lots of cousins and just wore ourselves out! The Bug was just GO GO GO the whole time with minimal naps…but when he did nap he was ADORABLE (as you can see in this cute photo with Granny).



While we were gone, we obviously had to pack some food. I had the FANTASTIC opportunity to taste test some baby food from Sprout , a great company that creates organic baby food. The fine folks at their exclusive online dealer, Sprout Baby sent us several delectable offerings that were sure to tantalize the Bugs palate. (My fingers were crossed since my homemade attempts have all failed miserably.)


Talk about yummy -- yummy tasting (yes, I tried some) and yummy looking! Sprout uses all natural, organic ingredients and you can tell. The Bug was able to try out the following flavors:
• Roasted Apples and Blueberries
• Sweet Baby Carrots
• Roasted Bananas and Mango (This was REALLY REALLY good. I was supremely impressed.)
• Sweet Peas and Garden Green Beans
• Summer Squash, Yukon Gold Potatoes and Parmesan (We had this tonight and as you can see from the picture, he kept wanting more!)



We still have Baked Sweet Potatoes and White Beans to try…but I couldn’t wait to post about this, so we’ll have it tomorrow and let you know how it went over. Based on our other meals, I’m sure he’ll love it.

Who creates these wonderful meals? Celeb Chef Tyler Florence . He’s been on multiple Food Network shows and is the author of “Eat This Book: Cooking with Global Fresh Flavors."

Another cool thing about this baby food – the packaging! They don’t come in jars; they come in pouches. This is what they say about it on their Web site “In comparing the pouch to glass, which is the material used in the majority of competitors products, Sprout Foods found that the energy (fossil fuels) used over the entire life of the glass package for its manufacture and transport far exceeds the energy that goes into the manufacturing and transporting of a pouch package.” Plus, you can, OF COURSE, recycle the pouches. I really admire that considering we all know I’m not the greenest person around (but hey, I’m trying!)

So what’s it going to cost me you ask? $16.95 for a pack of 12 pouches. That’s $1.42 per pouch, which really isn’t that much more than the Stage 2 and Stage 3 of Earth’s Best that you can get at your local grocery store. And trust me, your baby will thank you.

Are you jealous? Do you wish YOUR baby could try some of these yummy yummy foods? Well I have a fabulous surprise in store. ONE LUCKY READER will a one month SproutBaby Club Membership, which includes 60 individual package, which can be customized to their liking. How awesome is that? I wish I could win! :)

To enter, all you have to do is visit Sprout Baby and leave a comment below telling me which flavor you think your baby would enjoy the most.

Want an extra entry? Tweet about it and leave a comment letting me know you tweeted.

Winner will be drawn via Random.org on Friday, July 24.

And don’t worry if you don’t win. Visit Sprout Baby and enter promo code EL10 upon checkout, which will give each new customer a $10 discount on their first order over $50. WOOHOO!

Enjoy!

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In Memory of my Father

Time has passed quickly.
Spring and fall have come many times.
I am older.
Yet you stay the same.

Do you see me down here?
Do you watch me grow?
Are you proud of the things I've done
and of the person I've become?

I wish that you could meet my husband.
My heart aches that you won't meet my son.
I hope that you will watch over us as our life continues.
That you'll hold us in your hands as we raise your grandson
and keep him safe.

Happy Birthday Daddy!
Steven Carnahan 7/7/50 - 7/7/82

Trying to Crawl

We had a very entertaining afternoon yesterday. We took the bug to the pool, which he wasn't totally sure about and then spent the day at my mom's house with both grandmothers.



He attempted to crawl. It was very entertaining as you can see below. We have a way to go, but we're happy to see him so delighted with himself.