I am very excited to announce that I have partnered up with WhatToExpect.com.  I practically lived on the whattoexpect.com forum and read the book while I was pregnant with both of my girls.  Not only do they have books for What To Expect The First Years and What To Expect The Second Year but they are making a What To Expect movie with a very hot cast.  So, be on the look out for additional information and giveaways and be sure to check out my What To Expect button on my sidebar and find out all the great things they have to offer expecting and new parents.

In late 2006 I had the opportunity to live with my mother’s best friend, Linda and her husband Kevin for 4 months in Easthampton, Massachusetts while Nate and I were awaiting a transfer that never came through.  Linda and Kevin took me in their home and treated me as one of their own kids (they have 2 adult children, Victoria and Kyle) and I am forever grateful to them for their generosity. Read the rest of this entry →

Growing up in a house with two parents in the Retail business meant that the December was a crazy month for them and there wasn’t much time for anything else but work.  We had a couple of events that I wouldn’t consider Holiday Traditions but they were things that we did every December. 

First we would decorate the Christmas Tree, back then mauve was the “in” color so our tree had mauve lights and mauve decorations.  At the time it was cool but looking back it was just one of those fads that we should have skipped because everything we had was mauve or had mauve in it; carpet, grout in the tile of the foyer, blinds, couch, dinning room chairs… you get the idea. 

Then, we would have family over for Christmas eve, my mom and my aunt would have too much to drink (normally) and call my Grandparents, cry and tell them how much they missed them.  Good times!  My brother and I were able to open one present Christmas Eve, we knew what most of the presents were because we would peek through the bags of unwrapped presents my mom would “hide” in her bedroom closet.  I’m not even going to mention that she made us wrap our own presents after she put them in boxes so we couldn’t see what they were while we wrapped them.  Well, I guess I did just mention it…oops.  (I’m surprised my brother and I aren’t more messed up than we are.) 

Lastly, we would get up Christmas morning and open gifts.  Then, my brother and I would go to our Dad’s house and my mom would usually go back to bed and watch movies since it was her only day off.  My mom refused to have a TV in the Living Room because it was the “nice” room and the Family Room was in the basement and no one wanted to go down there but my Step-Dad so we were forced to be anti-social and watch TV in our bedrooms. 

As you can see  these are not traditional Holiday traditions and it wasn’t that my parents didn’t want to do the “normal”  traditions it was that after working 12-14 hours a day 6 days a week for 5 weeks and my brother and I with our sports and other activities we just didn’t have time.

After I had OG Nate and I decided that we didn’t want our children to grow up in a home where both parents were in the retail business full-time so we decided I would become a stay at home mom.  I’m determined to make the Holiday season special for our girls so I have come up with a couple of traditions that I want to start this year.

First, the girls will be able to open 2 presents Christmas Eve; one being a gift of their choice and the other will be Christmas jammies.  I love the thought of them wearing them to bed Christmas Eve and then opening their presents Christmas morning  in them.    

Another Holiday tradition we will be doing this year is The Elf on the Shelf.  The Elf on the Shelf is a little elf that watches over the kids and when the kids go to bed each night the elf returns to the North Pole and lets Santa know if the kid’s have been naughty or nice.  When the kid’s get up in the morning the elf is back but in a different spot in the house and it will be fun for the girls to try to find .  The kit also comes with a book to read with the kids about why the elf is in your home and it explains that the kids are not to touch the elf or he will disappear.  I think this is a great idea because it answers the question: How does Santa know if I’ve been naughty or nice? 

Read the rest of this entry →

Philly: The City of Auntie Love

Written by: Livie (with a little help from Auntie G and Mommy)

I went on a trip this weekend…to visit Auntie G in Philadelphia. It was a really long car trip, but it was worth it. Here are a few highlights from my trip:

The first morning I got up extra early (5:45) because I was so excited. Auntie G made me pancakes and sausage and I got to eat at the big girl table on a big girl stool. Auntie G sure bought a lot of food for an almost 2 year old to eat!

Then we ran errands. It was fun to see the kitties waiting to be adopted at the pet store. I said good-bye to all of them when I left. After that we went to Wegmans, of course.

When we got back I video chatted with Mommy, Daddy and Lexi. I think they missed me too much.

After my nap Auntie G took me to the pool where she teaches swimming. We went out to the splash pad first, but I really wanted to get in the big girl pool to show her what I could do. I think she was surprised at how I like to jump in (60+ times) without needing anyone to catch me. And, with my goggles I can see really well underwater. There was a Daddy there with his kids who told me that I was a really good swimmer. I said, “Yeah.” I mean, of course I am. Both Mommy and Auntie G were swimmers…it’s in my blood.

Once we were all dried off Auntie G and I played in the yard with the miniature golf club Auntie G got me. I am really good!

On Sunday we went to the Crayola Factory! There were lots of things to see and do. I colored and I played with modeling clay (for some reason Auntie G wouldn’t let me eat it). And there was this area for kids to run around in with a tunnel to crawl through. I loved it!

Then we got in the car again to meet Mommy and Lexi. I thought for sure Daddy was hiding somewhere in the car, but it turned out we had to go pick him up. I gave Mommy a big hug and wanted to hold Lexi right away.

So, it was a busy weekend, but I had a great time! Oh, and if you ever have a chance to bounce on a blow-up mattress that’s just your size I highly recommend it! Someone needs to tell Auntie G that she should let me have a turn once in a while.

A couple of weeks ago we were able to spend a couple of days at Nate’s family’s A-Frame cabin. This has been Nate’s favorite place to go since he was little and now that we have a family of our own he wants to make a lot of special memories there with his two girls.  Fortunately, when we go there we are able to bring my brother and his family as well.  It’s nice to get away and not have to worry about the daily stresses in our life, all we have to worry about is; Read the rest of this entry →

Welcome to our first post on The Sprouting Springetts.  This is a blog that will keep our friends and family up to date in the fast pace life of kids.  Kids grow up so fast and it is important to Nate and I that everyone knows what goes on in our life on a daily basis.  There will be posts, good and bad and be prepared for a lot of pictures.  Here is one to pique your interest.

Check back often and enjoy.