Am I Reverse Cycling? and Product Recommendation and Other Stuff

Michael is worried that the baby is reverse cycling.  I'm worried that I am reverse cycling.

Actually, I think I'm just cycling.  I'm going round and round and round.  I don't know how to sleep.  I truly feel like one eye is always open.

Thankfully, we purchased the Angel Care Baby Monitor.  I don't know how any mom ever slept without this monitor.  It sets off an alarm if your baby stops breathing.  It's absolutely amazing.

I was in a zombie-like state the first few days we had to sleep without our parents here.  I would put her down, try to lay down, then get up literally 5 times to check on her.

Now, I'm still going on just a few hours of sleep, but it's not as exhausting.  This morning, I actually slept for three hours solid.

So, I highly recommend the Angel Care Baby Monitor.  I would get it before the baby is born and test it out and get comfortable with it.  It will make you feel so much better that first night home from the hospital.

*I have heard of some people getting false alarms with it.  That has not happened to us yet.

~

So back to me reverse cycling.

It's 12:27 AM, and I've been trying to work on school stuff.  This seems like a perfectly normal hour to do some grad school stuff, until I have a question about something.  I really wanted to text my friend Ellen and ask her about it, but she might punch me if I text her at this hour.  So, I guess this means I need to start working on stuff at a normal time.  I doubt that will happen though.

I know I need to get back to normal, because I only have five more weeks of off time.  It's going to be so hard to adjust back to a regular schedule.

~

I've also been feeling really panicky about school, both teaching and going to grad school.  I'm actually about to get on my soapbox.  Hold on, it's slippery.

I fully expected for things to be a little crazy with grad school.  I knew I was biting off a lot when I applied to grad school knowing I was pregnant.  I am having to work on stuff while on maternity leave.  I don't mind it that much.

But, when it comes to teaching school, I'm completely stressed.  I'm constantly worrying about what is going on my classroom.  This is because my students' TCAP scores are such a big factor in my life, not my job, my life.  This six weeks that I am out is still going to count toward my final eval score.  Even though I'm not there teaching right now, how my students perform on this material that is being taught to them my a substitute will be on TCAP and will count as thought I taught it to them.

I say this score will play a role in my life because, if you weren't aware, there is turmoil happening within Shelby County Schools.  No one is sure where or if they'll have a job next year because of the whole SCS versus Suburban Schools craziness.  My scores will probably determine whether or not I get a job somewhere.

So, rather than be able to focus and think only of little Presley, I have all this crap running in and out of my mind.

~

I believe that these next few months will be the hardest of my life.  Things will get a little easier once I know I have a job somewhere.  Things will be even better once I graduate in July.  So, I have to make it 9 more months... ha ha, like having another baby.

~

I am so incredibly thankful to be blessed with Presley.  It is because of her that I am finally learning about what really matters in life.  I suddenly don't care if I am a 5 or a 4 or a 3 or a 2 or a 1 at school.  All I know is that I am a darn good teacher, and I'm determined to be an even better mother.  I will not let evaluations and worry about school run rule my thoughts.  In the end, I have Michael, Presley, and Stella.  And that is all that really matters.  If I don't have a job next year, we will make it work.  I was one of the fastest checkers at Schnucks.  I can always go back to the grocery business.

Product Recommendation: Fab.com

I'm in love with this website, but I haven't purchased anything from it yet.

Fab.com

I'm sure you've seen advertisements for it.  It actually sometimes shows up on my blog as a sponsor.

This website has the most interesting knick-knacks.  

The cool thing is that you can purchase these things for a discount off their usual price.  I guess it's a way for companies to get there products out there.  They offer a limited amount at a discount, then when they sell out, you go to their website and pay a little more.  

*Be aware!  Some of the items are not for kids.  Don't let your children use this website. 

Here are some of my favorites:  (You can click on the pictures to link to the product.)

http://fab.com/

Product Recommendation: Janice Sung Designs

I am in LOVE with my friend Janice's earring creations!

Not only are the earrings gorgeous, the packaging is adorable! 

They are beautiful! 

Check out some of these pictures!

Janice Sung Designs 

Janice Sung Designs

Janice Sung Designs

I'm officially in love with all of them, but the yellow roses are my favorite.  HINT HINT!

Full disclosure:  Janice is one of my closest friends, but I'd be purchasing these anyway.  

To purchase her earrings, check out her Etsy site!  

Product Recommendation: Be Free Revolution

Have you heard of Be Free Revolution?

It feels weird calling this a product recommendation, because the pieces brought to you by BFR are so much more than products.

Be Free Revolution sells homemade products from countries in need.  My favorite product is their Papers of Peace necklace.

I've now got three.

These necklaces are handmade.  They are made out of paper!

When you buy one of these necklaces, or any product by Be Free Revolution, your money goes back to helping a country in need.  They have a ton of beautiful products.  You need to head to their website to learn more about them and see everything they have to offer!

Recommendation: Boudreaux's Butt Paste for Your Bikini Zone!

Okay, if you're like me.  You STRUGGLE with bikini zone bumps.

I have seriously had an extremely difficult time dealing with this until earlier this year.

My friend Caren recommended trying Boudreaux's Butt Paste.  It's supposed to be for diaper rash, but as I discovered, it can do amazing things to heal bikini bumps.

It's not the "cure all" that I wish it was, but it is the best thing I've come across on the market.

My other recommendations are to use a brand new razor when shaving, use plenty of shave gel, and take your time.  When I get out of the shower, I start by putting some baby powder on the area, then I usually rub on the butt paste.

This stuff can be found in the baby aisle at Target!

Happy Summer!

Yeah Right: The Invisible Bra

When I was a reporter, I always wanted to be one of those consumer alert product tester reporters.  I was never given the chance.  That's okay, because this blog will give me that opportunity.

I've decided to (HOPEFULLY!) post once a week about a product that makes me go, "Yeah right!" when I see it advertised.  In the end, I'll give you my full opinion.

Since I'm a teacher, I'll rate it A, B, C, D, or F!

This week's lucky winner:  The Invisible Bra

As you can see, the bra claims to be invisible under clothes.  I bought this for $14.99 at Target.  The reason I wanted to test this is, I am currently in process of working on another blog where I try to make a white t-shirt and jeans new and fresh each day for a week.  Basically, I want to just use accessories to change the look of my white t-shirt.

But to do this, I needed a bra that would work under a white t-shirt.  I also don't want to wear a tank top under my white t-shirt.  I want it to work with just the bra.

So, here goes...

The bra worked!  Honestly, this is the best bra I've ever attempted underneath a white shirt.  I am extremely happy with it.  

To be fair, I'm also posting me wearing my usual bra underneath the shirt.  This one does have a little more padding than the invisible one, but it's very similar to most bras you see out there.  There's little thought given to the bra lines showing through the t-shirt.

In the 1st picture, I know it's hard to tell a difference between this bra and the invisible, but in person, it's there.  There was definitely a line in which you could tell where the bra stopped.  From the back, it's a little easier to tell.  The bra easily shows through the shirt.

Bottom Line:  The Invisible Bra gets an A!