I may have to go live with the new theme before it’s finished, once I get it relatively usable. I hate that because I wanted a big exciting reveal with it JUST THE WAY I WANTED… but the current state of things is so depressing I want to get it switched as soon as possible. Are you with me?

To sum up:

• The current site is ugly as sin.
• I know it.
• It won’t be that way forever.
• It’s going to be WAY better when I change over to a new theme.
• But it might not be WAY better all at once.
• Sorry.
• This is embarrassing for me.

I’m trying to keep things in perspective… there are much much more important things for me to be concerned with at this point. We’re getting ready to move (oh yeah, I haven’t told you yet? I should post about that soon), there’s a sweet baby sleeping in the other room who wants me to cuddle, there’s also a sweet husband whose work schedule is about to get VERY BUSY, not to mention the poor neglected dog.

Still though, my blog is a bit unsettling (to me) in this state of disarray.

Most of this has been crazy behind the scenes stuff you probably haven’t even noticed. But today I did something you probably noticed. I moved my image custom field images into wordpress 3.0′s “featured image” spot. In the theme I’m going to switch to, featured images will be used to make thumbnails, but my current theme is outdated and doesn’t support that.

So oops. For now there are no thumbnails. I promise they’re coming back.

Hopefully I’ll get the new theme figured out pretty quickly! Wish me luck.

I wonder about what we’ll be doing together in 10 years, but then I realize that what we’ll be doing together tomorrow is just as much of a mystery.

Every now and then, I worry that time is rushing by too quickly, and then…

…this happens, and time freezes again. Because this 3-month-old baby?

Exactly the same as this 2-week-old little girl.

And this is my post for the day.

I’m doing NaBloPoMo again, where you post every day in November. Well, sometimes there isn’t a whole lot to say. Or things you want to say but can’t say just yet. So that brings me to a picture of shrimp that were “just fine.”

If you didn’t get your full daily dose of me from this, and you feel like you need a supplement, you can follow me on twitter or facebook. I’m VERY talkative on twitter, and love conversations. And I love interacting with you guys on Facebook too.

Here’s a refreshingly simple recipe for fudge that only has a bit of honey, instead of tons of sugar. I’ve adapted it from the recipe here.

Low-Sugar Chocolate Fudge

In your stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer (whisk attachment), combine:

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 Tablespoons honey, or however much you think you need.
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 Tablespoons coconut cream concentrate

At first it might seem like it’s not going to come together, but just keep mixing on high speed until everything is combined. It’ll look like a rich chocolate dough.

Scoop the dough out onto a piece of waxed paper, fold the paper over the dough, and press to form a sort of patty. Refrigerate or freeze until firm, then cut into pieces to enjoy.

This recipe made 9 small (rich) pieces.

My husband and I both really enjoyed this fudge. It’s almost like eating a dark chocolate truffle. Mmm.

They were delicious.

First, I washed and baked all the potatoes. Poke holes in them so they won’t explode, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40-60 minutes depending on how big the potatoes are.

Then I let them cool for a while so they were cool enough to hold. I cut each in half and scooped out the innards into a pot, using a soup spoon and being careful not to break the skin.

I dumped some things into the potato guts to make them taste amazing (and to make them have more worthwhile ingredients/foods in them) – chicken stock, butter, cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic salt. Basically you can add whatever you feel like. Stir it really well!

Then, I filled the bigger potato skins with the potato mixture (overfilling them) and topped with crumbled bacon, gently pressing the bacon into the top a little so it wouldn’t fall off.

With the smaller skins, I  put some cheddar cheese in each one, and topped with bacon. So that the bacon wouldn’t fall off when I froze them, I broiled these for a couple minutes just to melt the cheese.

If you want to freeze these, put them all on a cookie sheet and freeze unwrapped so they will be like little blocks of ice that will hold their shape instead of squishing… then once they’re frozen solid, vacuum-seal them in serving-size packages. I put 2 twice baked potatoes in some packages, and packed some by themselves. I did the same with the skins – some packages of 4, some of 8. That way, if my husband and I were eating together, we could take out a bigger package, but while he was away I didn’t have to thaw so much.

To reheat – just warm up your oven (350ish is good), pop these suckers on a foil-lined cookie sheet (unwrapped of course, no plastic) and heat through. The twice baked potatoes take about 30-40 minutes from a frozen state, and the skins only take 15-20 minutes.

These would be great to make in batches and have on hand any time, not just for postpartum. They make a great addition to meals, or serve as an easy snack.

As a congratulations for the birth of my daughter, Patty of Little Pat Pat sent me some burp cloths and a bib that she lovingly made and customized just for us.

My Thoughts:

First of all, SO CUTE. We haven’t used the bib yet (or any bib at all) but the burp cloths are GREAT and I’ll tell you why.

Most “cute-ified” burp cloths use quilting cotton as the accent fabric. That’s fine for looks, but if you’ve used them, you probably noticed that if the baby spits up on the quilting cotton part, the milkpuke just rolls off… NOT what you want for a burp cloth.

Instead, Patty uses cotton flannel as the accent fabric on her burp cloths. It’s SO soft, and instantly absorbent. That means the whole burp cloth is USEFUL. You can’t say that about all burp cloths, crazily.

They’re also adorable, and her personalization is just that much more special. I don’t know if she drew the butterfly by hand for the embroidery on mine, but in her shop she has some really cute birdie embroidery that she drew herself – so you’ll have a one of a kind gift to give at a baby shower (or gift to give to yourself).

Buy It:

Visit Little Pat Pat on etsy to shop! She has other things too, like ADORABLE animal wall art for kids’ rooms.

Win It:

One lucky Joyful Abode reader will win up to $15 of Little Pat Pat goodies of your choice.

To enter the giveaway, you must visit Little Pat Pat’s shop, then come back to this page and comment with your favorite product, and a link to that product’s page.

Be sure to use a valid email address when commenting, otherwise I won’t be able to contact you if you win!

I will select the winner using Random.org on Monday, November 15 when I get up. I’m not giving you a specific time because, hey, I have a new baby. But it will be in the morning, Pacific time.

Update: Tricia is the winner! (Comment 7)

Extra Entries:

If you’d like an even greater chance of winning, you may leave an extra comment for each of the following:

• “Like” Joyful Abode on Facebook (1 extra entry)
• Subscribe to Joyful Abode. The RSS and email links are in the right sidebar. (1 extra entry per subscription method)

The SupaFine Print:

Little Pat Pat gave me these things as a gift (she didn’t ask me to do a review – I asked if I could host a giveaway for her since I loved them so much), and I promise these are my real thoughts and opinions of the product. If you win, I’ll contact you via email and you will have 48 hours to respond with your shipping information, otherwise I’ll pick another winner. Sorry, Charlie, but that’s how it goes.

What Is It?

Rockabye baby music takes favorite adult albums and kid-ifies them, changing them into lullabies. I suppose the theory is that you can listen to “kid music” but not go crazy because you’ll be singing your favorites in your head while you listen. I received the Pearl Jam album to review.

In the words of Rockabye Baby! :

Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. Guitars and drums are traded for soothing mellotrons, vibraphones and bells, and the volume is turned down from an eleven to a two. Rockabye Baby! is the perfect way to share the music you love with the littlest rocker in your life.
Are new baby’s cries turned up to ten? Need an alternative to the nightly riot act? When it’s you vs. them, these sweet lullaby renditions of Pearl Jam’s rock anthems are as comforting as a warm flannel blanket. Just breathe, Mom and Dad–it’s sleeptime in Seattle.

My Thoughts:

In general, I’m not a huge fan of “kid music.” Dr. Jean makes me want to burn holes in my eardrums. After years of teaching and taking care of kids, I decided that if I don’t find the music worthwhile for ME to listen to, I’m not subjecting my kids (Anneliese, students, or kids I’m taking care of) to it.

So when I listened to this album, I judged it based on whether I ever wanted to hear it again… or not. And my feelings were mixed. After the first couple of songs, I was thinking, “Dear lord, I don’t think I can make it through an entire album of this.” All the songs sound roughly the same, because they’re synthesized arrangements with chirping crickets and frogs in the background. But when “Better Man” came on, I got into it a bit. I danced with Anneliese and heard the REAL song in my head.

But then again, would I ever choose this album when I have so much other GOOD music to listen to? I’m thinking probably not. But I thought that maybe if they sold their songs individually, it might be fun to pick and choose (they have TONS of albums based on music from so many popular artists and groups!) my favorites and compile them into a hand-picked album. It might be a good choice for just some quiet background music, or white noise for bedtime, or (if you’re a preK teacher) music to play during that naptime hour when you can’t stand to hear the same classical music over and over, and you’re sick of the yoga/zen/massage/chimey music.

And then guess what I found. They DO sell the songs individually in the iTunes store. Green Day, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Queen, Journey, Led Zepplin, U2, Nirvana, and so many more. It might be worth picking and choosing your favorites for when you need quiet-time music and your usuals just aren’t cutting it.

Buy It:

Go to Rockabye Baby! or the iTunes store to purchase.

Win It:

One lucky Joyful Abode reader will win a Rockabye Baby! album of your choice.

To enter the giveaway, you must visit the sponsor’s website, then come back to this page and let me know which album you would be most excited to win. Be sure to use a valid email address when commenting, otherwise I won’t be able to contact you if you win!

I will select the winner using Random.org on Friday, November 12 when I get up. I’m not giving you a specific time because, hey, I have a new baby. But it will be in the morning, Pacific time.

UPDATE: The winner is comment 17, Michele!

Extra Entries:

If you’d like an even greater chance of winning, you may leave an extra comment for each of the following:

• “Like” Joyful Abode on Facebook (1 extra entry)
• Email at least 5 friends about this contest, and BCC: me (emily at joyfulabode dot com)so I can see. Only email friends you think would truly be interested, because I don’t want you to annoy people!  (1 extra entry)

The SupaFine Print:

If you win, I’ll contact you via email and you will have 48 hours to respond with your shipping information, otherwise I’ll pick another winner. Sorry, Charlie, but that’s how it goes.

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

What Is It?

Glidden Paint has these little cute bottles of tester paint, with a brush built into the lid (like nail polish brushes are). Each one lets you paint up to 3 square feet, so you can buy a few to test out colors before painting your walls, or you can buy one for the color you’ve already used on your wall and use it for touch-ups (covering up accidental sharpie marks, anyone?).

My Thoughts:

The package Glidden sent me was really cute, and ice cream themed. I don’t think you get this if you just buy a paint sample though.

The little note said “Try ‘em all” so I did.

First, I painted the little white ice cream cones in the lid of the box. They were so tempting and blank! I did drip a little, so if you’re clumsy like me you might still want to cover your floor or carpet wherever you’re testing your paint (or doing touch-ups). Drips and spills can happen, folks.

Then a bit later, I used the nice soft peachy color to paint the baby gym T made for Anneliese.

The paint covered nicely, and only needed a second layer of touching-up in a few spots (but I did not prime the wood, and that probably would’ve helped). The little brush was well-made and didn’t get those fray-y stray “hairs” so that was nice. The color is pretty, too.

Another thing I noticed was that it didn’t fill my room with fumes (I painted inside). I don’t know if that’s by design or just an incidental perk, but I noticed and appreciated it.

I think these little cute bottles are great, and you could use them for:

• Painting a swatch on the wall to decide if you want to paint the whole room that color. (Observe it in different lighting situations, at different times of day please!)
• Keeping around for touch-up jobs.
• Painting small items like I did, that would perfectly coordinate with your walls if you want them to (or that will just be a pretty color on their own).

Buy It:

You can get the Glidden Paint Testers online at their site, or in Home Depot.

What Is It?

October is national SIDS awareness month, so I had the opportunity to review the HALO SleepSack Swaddle. It is a roomy sleep sack that you zip your baby into, with an optional swaddling band to wrap and velcro around the baby’s arms.

HALO wants you to know that putting babies to sleep on their backs can prevent SIDS. Your child’s sleeping area (wither a crib, bed, or cosleeper) should have a firm matress with a tight-fitting sheet, with no soft bedding or toys. Pacifiers can also help prevent SIDS (wait a month to introduce it, if you are breastfeeding) as does breastfeeding. Babies shouldn’t get too warm when they’re sleeping. 68-72 degrees are recommended. Also keep your baby away from secondhand cigarette smoke. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.

Every one of your child’s caregivers (mom, dad, grandparents, babysitters, daycare workers) needs to be aware of safest sleeping practices.

HALO is donating $1 to SIDS Awareness for each new fan to join their Facebook page during the month of October. You can also follow the company on twitter.

My Thoughts:

I promise you I’ll always be honest in my reviews. And here’s proof:

It’s okay. Just okay. First of all, there is a LOT of velcro on this sucker. Of course, the swaddle strip velcros around to hold your baby’s arms securely…with two giant strips of velcro.

The back also has two giant strips of velcro to hold the swaddle strip in place. And the front has these two tabs (see below) of velcro to keep the strip from riding up and getting in your baby’s face. I understand the safety issues at hand, but since it’s not an expensive product, I’d prefer to cut down on the velcro and have the swaddle strip actually stitched in place… yes, you’d lose the versatility of being able to use it has a “wearable blanket” without the swaddle, but the whole thing would be much less…crunchy.

Also, if you want to impress me with quality workmanship, loose threads aren’t the way to go.

All that said, I did give it a fair try. I’ve used the SleepSack for several naps and several nights of sleeping. My baby girl can’t sleep without being swaddled because her arms fly around (strong Moro reflex!) and wake her up. So I used it with the velcro-y swaddler attached. It’s pretty easy to put on. There are arm holes like any other piece of clothing, then the whole bag zips down from the top (with a jacket zipper type thing) and then you wrap up your baby’s arms individually with the swaddle part.

It seems pretty secure at first, but she can definitely wiggle her arms out. Sometimes they poke out of the bottom of the swaddle strip, and other times she’s managed to sneak a fist out of the top to suck on, then worm her entire arm out of the top. Now maybe this is because my girl is on the higher end of the weight/size limit for the swaddle, or maybe it’s just something you have to deal with. It’s not a huge deal either way – she wasn’t woken by it since it still held her arms still enough for preventing the Moro “startle.”

I do really like the zip-open-from-the-bottom feature, because you can change diapers in the middle of the night without taking off the whole thing.

Still, when we need to swaddle our daughter, my husband and I both found ourselves reaching for our favorite blankets (I should do a review of those later, shouldn’t I?), instead of reaching for the HALO SleepSack. We’re both really good at wrapping a tight swaddle though, and if you haven’t been able to master that, the SleepSack might be a step up.

HALO definitely has your baby’s safety in mind and this could be a really good tool for a lot of families.

Buy It:

HALO SleepSacks and SleepSack Swaddles are now available in Target stores.

Win It:

HALO is giving one Joyful Abode reader a SleepSack product of your choice.

To enter the giveaway, you must comment to tell me how bad or good you are at swaddling your little one. Funny or sweet stories are even better!

Be sure to use a valid email address when commenting, otherwise I won’t be able to contact you if you win!

I will select the winner using Random.org on Monday, November 8 when I get up. I’m not giving you a specific time because, hey, I have a new baby. But it will be in the morning, Pacific time.

UPDATE: The winner is Karen, comment #38.

Extra Entries:

If you’d like an even greater chance of winning, you may leave an extra comment for each of the following:

• Tweet about this contest, including @JoyfulAbode , @HaloSleepSack , AND a link to this page. Comment here with the link to your tweet. (1 extra entry PER DAY)
• Subscribe to Joyful Abode via email, and confirm your subscription. (See in the right sidebar.) (1 extra entry)

The SupaFine Print:

HALO provided me with a free sample of this product to review, but I promise these are my real thoughts and opinions of the product. If you win, I’ll contact you via email and you will have 48 hours to respond with your shipping information, otherwise I’ll pick another winner. Sorry, Charlie, but that’s how it goes.

This contest is open to residents of USA and Canada.

This Product Was a Free Giveaway