Productive Day and a New Direction for Me!

So today the kiddos went to my Moms for the day. I have been promising Dre I would step back in to our "Family" real estate business for a while now. Today was the day I took  that first step back. 

Dont get me wrong- I love real estate. I love that Dre Loves it. I love the freedom that it has provided for our family.  I love that Dre works from home and is only a room away when the kids do something cute and need to be seen immediately. I love that I can pop in and say hi anytime I want. I love that I can grab him to take us out to lunch and he can go pretty much shape his schedule around our family activiites. HOWEVER- I was getting so burnt out with the market down turn- and working so hard for so little last year. It seemed like all we were doing were short sales that I worked my ass off on that never seemed to go anywhere. So I quit. I know that that sounds horrible- but I was so frusterated and the money was not like it used to be and I didnt want to do it anymore. So I didnt. 

Now- a year later- I see Dre working his ass off everyday in the same market and although it is better than last year- I know he needs help. The organization and office paperwork is not his forte (putting it lightly!) We sat down this morning and went through our goals for the next couple months and I promised to help out ONLY after the office was orgniazed. I had no idea how much of a task that was. So- after 8 hours of taking EVERY. SINGLE. THING. out of the office and slowly putting it back together- I feel hopeful and excited about starting again! I still have a lot of work to do- but the office is in order and I am excited to start working at our business again. I figure if I work 2-3 days a week at the business- this will free up a lot of time for him to be out in the field more (definately his Forte!). We have some lofty goals for our brokerage this year- and I can finally see it! 

We have always done well with Real Estate- even when the market has sucked here in AZ. And now that I will be working on the back office stuff and marketing- I am actually pretty excited to see where this year will take us. We have had a crazy start to our year with the pregnancy and then the loss of the pregnnacy- it has been a lot of changes of focus in  a short time- but I am focused now and cant wait to see our goals materialize together! Wish us luck! 

Beautiful Blog Find Today! Perspective People! :)

I found this incredible blog today via my friend Jill  and spent my morning pouring through every post she has ever written. I was in awe and completely humbled and inspired by this woman and the beautiful way she looks at life.  Her name is Kelle and This is her blog. She is also a gifted photographer which only makes her blog another source of inspiration....

(Images via www.enjoyingthesmallthings.com)

She recently gave birth to a beautiful little girl, her second, Nella- who has Down Syndrome. They were unaware until she was born. Kelle writes so beautifuly- and so raw- about how shocked and sad she was- yet her first daughter taught her a new perspective. The Big Sister came into the hospital and immediatly bonded with and loved her little sister without any preconceived notions or prejudice. She actually taught her parents how to see and love the new baby unconidtionally and without sadness and with a sense of wonderment and Pride!

I can not begin to tell you how much this blog made me cry and  made me feel so blessed for my family. I loved her perspective and how she can find beauty in everything around her. Kelle is exactly the kind of woman/mother/wife I aspire to be. Andre and I actually looked into being a foster family or adopting less than 6 months ago. One of the questions that we were asked was were we willing to adopt a special needs baby. The fact that my husband didnt hesitate to say yes immediately- (while in complete honestly, I wavered)  made this story mean all that much more to me. Maybe I could be one of the chosen ones to parent a special needs baby. Maybe.  Too often I fall short- and I will be checking in daily now with her to grab just a smidgen of her hope and outlook- Everyone should... 

Lots of Winners!!!!!

Ok- I am a slacker and have not updated for a while. I had 3 giveaway that ended this week! Here we go...

**** $75 Zutano Infant Clothing Gift Certificate- #124- Sylvia

**** $60 GC to PAdding or the Pea Diaper Cakes.......#79 Hadassah

**** Baby's 1st Phone Call.................#7- Cara

                                                                                  #40- PErfect Blue Moon

                                                             #2- Lauren

                                                                      #46- Buki Family

All winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to claim! Congratulations!! 

So- yesterday basically sucked.

 I went in to my Dr. for my first ultrasound, and we found out that there is no baby. I have what is called a blighted ovum- basically sperm and egg met up yet no baby was ever formed. My body has been fooled into thinking there was, so uterus is developing and  functioning as pregnant still.

It was a huge shock and we are still reeling from it. I was not expecting that at all. 

I am lucky that I have such a wonderful set of friends and family, and I am feeling a lot better today. God's plan is just rearranging itself........

Greatest Invention Ever!! Seriously.......

The Hip Slimmer is one of the coolest products out there right now! It actually shrinks your hips after giving birth to their pre-pregnancy size!! I so wish I would have known about this after my kids! 

How it Works: 

During pregnancy, your body releases the hormone relaxin, that helps your hips to soften in preparation for child birth. The Hip Slimmer is worn right after giving birth on the hips and works like a corset to hold your hips in place and pull them back in to their original shape. 

Seriously- all the pregnant women out there (unless you are one of the genetically blessesed who will not need any help getting your pre-baby shape back- that is definatley NOT me!) you have to try this! What do you have to lose? Except inches off your hips! ;) 

Miracle Worker! Air-O-Swiss Review

I have never had a humidifier for my kids. I know, I know, everytime the kids would get a cold, my mom would send hers over and it seemed to work for them. So in our house- the humidifier was only drug out when someone was sick. I had no idea what the benefits of having a humidifier in your home was until I found Air-O-Swiss. After reading through their website on all the benefits they provide- I knew I had to have one for me!  (Yes- I  share it with the kids too!) 

Did you know??? 

*When room humidity is ideal- we can concentrate better? 

 *Proper Humidification prevents Chapped Lips, Dry, Itchy Skin and Dry Eyes?

 *Proper Humidification reduces Dust Levels in your home?

 *Proper Humidification reduces sickness and tiredness?

 *Professional Singers use humidifiers in their homes to keep their voices protected?

 *Musical Instruments stay in tune better in properly hydrated air?

I was sent the AOS 7135 Digital Ultrasonic Humidifier. The coolest thing about this one is that it is all digital and you can set the temp to hot or cold (Without changing the room temp!) 

Now that I have used ours- I have noticed that I sleep better, and I dont wake up with a dry mouth. I am now testing it on my son who has the dryest skin imaginable and it may be too early to really tell yet, but it seems to be helping him. We have not had to put on his prescriptioh cream in a week! That is huge! 

I strongly suggest you try a humidifier in your room for a week and see how it works for you! Your skin will feel better, you sleep better, and just function better! 

Thank you Air-O-Swiss!! 

*I was sent a Humidifier from Air-O-Swiss to review, all opinions are my own.

Lots of Winners!!

Tons of winners to announce- I am still totally sick- so sorry for being late!! :( 

OliveBelle- #129= Traci Fritz  

Sew Cute- #239= Xenia

Sendesigne- #12- TJ and Amy 

I will be emailing you all Sunday sometime (I have to go to bed!) IF you see this post before I have emailed you- let me know!! :) 

Thanks everyone! 

Beautiful Full Moon Tonight!

I just happened to look outside tonight and notice the moon is full and super bright. I ran outside to take a picture and then read online that the moon is the brightest it will be all year tonight! Isnt it great!?

Meg Baby Boutique Review and Discount!

I came across Meg baby when I was looking for some cute gender neutral bibs for Baby A. Meg Originals caries not only the cutest bibs, but Luxe Blankets, Burp Cloths, Traveling Changing Pads and Diaper Clutches. 

Meg Originals can be found on Etsy and online . 

Check out some of the posh creations! 

I LOVE this minky blanket- I will be going back to purchase this one! 

Sophisticated and Cute Burp Cloths

Love Pink Damask

I picked out a couple bibs. and I Love them! One side is the cutest fabrics and the back is a soft chenille! The fabric is super thick and you can tell they will hold up well even after tons of washings! This will be my place for bibs once I find out the gender! (And I think I WILL be finding out- dont think I can hold out for the surprise!) 

Meg Baby Boutique has offered all Aubut Family Readers 20% off their orders if you use the code AubutBlog at checkout! So go check it out- you are going to love it! :) 

MyEmme Baby Giveaway!!

I found this shop while looking for a cute way to announce my 3rd pregnancy with my family! My Emmy Baby carries the cutest customized tshirts for toddlers. Although I ended up spilling the beans to my family the very next day! (What can I say- I cant keep good news to myself!! Zero Self-Control!!) I did however send the kids to my parents house the next week in these shirts and they got such a kick out of them! 

My Emmy Baby carries Big Brother/Big Sister shirts in almost every design imaginable, but also a million other customizable shirts as well. These are some of my favorite unique designs! 

The shirts we received were very thick and great quality. I have had shirts sent to me that the transfers cracked or looked cheap, and these did not have that problem at all!! These are very well made and it shows! 

To Win:

My Emmy Baby has offered to give one Aubut Family Reader a choice of custom short sleeved shirt! 

To Enter:

 (You MUST be a follower of Aubut Family)-

Tell me your favorite shirt! 

**Bonus Entries** (Please leave a separate comment for every entry- if it says 5 entries to grab the button- leave 5 entries!) Dont forget your Email address! 

- Subscribe via email to my blog (5 entries!!!) Top right hand column

- Grab my button and let me know where to find it (5 Entries!!)

- Follow me on Twitter  (2 entries)

-Follow My Emmy Baby Blog(2 Entries)

- Tweet about this Giveaway (2 Entries)

- Enter any of my other Giveaways (2 Entries for every giveaway you enter! )

- Post about this contest and link back to me (10 Entries!)

- Enter this Contest into a Mr. Linky (10 Entries)

-Purchase anything My Emmy Baby (20 Entries!!)

Giveaway Winner will be drawn on Feb 12th  at 12 midnight!! Good Luck~!

Triminic Strips Coupon!

With Flu season upon us- the people at Triaminic have put together some tools for us to stay healthy this season. 

 There is: 

*Sick Day Guidelines - Guidelines for knowing when to keep your child home from school or daycare and tips on how to make them more comfortable in the meantime. 

* National Flu and Cold Tracker-  This feed us updated weekly with regional data regarding flu and cold symptoms. This will list the top 5 cities reporting clod and flu symptoms so you can know if your city or one you will be traveling to is on it- you can be prepared. 

Click below for a great coupon to try Triaminics new thin strips for kids! 

CSN Review Coming Soon!

So I am sure by now everyone has heard about CSN Stores right? They have like 100 websites and sell everything from Mailboxes to baby products, every type of furniture, cookware, shoes and fitness equipment! 

I will be doing a review on CSNbaby.com- which is obviously everything baby-related! :) 

Here are some of my  favorite items! 

Head on over and check out some of their other products they carry - and stay tuned for a more complete review coming soon! www.csnbaby.com