Posts with the label 1st grandchild
Showing posts with label 1st grandchild. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1st grandchild. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2016

Standing on what?

*headphones may be needed to hear her sing
Standing on the Word of God. The B.I.B.L.E!

Those Mother Goose Gospel videos are paying off. Lisette loves the B.I.B.L.E. song. I'm so humbled she loves to play piano and sing Jesus songs!

Capturing memories,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap


Standing on what?

Friday, May 13, 2016

Thursday, April 28, 2016

My Granddaughter: Clever or Manipulative?

She's so precious with those piggy tails. Sweetness oozes from every pore of her being! We went to the grocery store today. She was the perfect little angel riding in the buggy with her "babies". She didn't ask for a thing until....



Just in case you couldn't hear her plainly she said in the sweetest possible voice ever
"My Baby Wants a Toy Please!"

This is the toy she picked for her baby. A set of plastic Cowboys and Indians for $1.

plastic toys

She's extremely Clever
She may be a tiny bit Manipulative
I'm TOTALLY in love with her!

What do you think? Leave me a facebook comment of your vote. Clever or Manipulative!

I would have bought any toy she asked for,
Tammy :)
The Happy Handicap

My Granddaughter: Clever or Manipulative?

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Kids Do Say The Smartest Things!


Lisette Epperson is my granddaughter. My only grandchild currently. I have the blessed priviledge of keeping here during the week. I was a working mom when both my daughters grew up. I changed my mind about women in the workplace long before "Sette" was born but after being Granmom to her daily for the past two years, I so wish I could have spent this much time with my own kids. Anyway, I digress. Kids do say the smartest things. I'm blogging these to keep a personal record of some of the stuff my Sette says.

See our bucket heads in the pic? Lisette saw her bucket immediately putting it on her head calling it a hat. I said "I need a pic." She said "Let me take your picture." I gave her a quick lesson in iPhone photography and my picture above was her 5th attempt. I got cracked up watching her position me in the phone screen! Not a bad job. Her hand to eye coordination is amazing at 26 months.
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This Winnie the Pooh picture hangs in what used to be my kids bathroom. I've always loved the picture too much to take it down. Lisette studied it for the longest yesterday before turning to me saying "Winnie the Pooh, Granmom!" I replied "Yes, Sette, it is Winnie the Pooh. Say hey to him." I waited for her to wave or say hey in her sweet baby voice but nothing. "Aren't you going to tell him hey?" I asked. Standing to the left of the picture looking concerned she said "He's not wooking at me!" Astounded, I had to agree.
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My mom's favorite pasttime is arguing with Lisette. I usually ask mom not to argue when she does but yesterday, I was driving failing to catch the conversation in time to prevent a small argument. Lisette decided to stop it by saying to my mom, "Don't aggravate me!"

Enjoying every minute,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap (or Granmom)

Kids Do Say The Smartest Things!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Easy and Inexpensive Strawberry First Birthday Party

Happy 1st Birthday to my granddaughter Lisette Arabella! She's sweetly Lissy to us. She's a beauty with strawberry blonde hair, big round blue eyes and a spirited personality that leaves me shaking my head while trying to hold back a smile. I love this little girl. Her mom is my daughter Sydnee. We wanted her first birthday to be as special as she is, yet easy and inexpensive. Mom picked a strawberry theme and Operation First Birthday Party commenced. If you like our ideas, you can do it too! Here's how with approximate costs and where to find the stuff you'll need.

DECORATIONS. Mom used fabric to make streamers. She tore them for a shabby chic look. They are her signature design even using them at her wedding for the cake background.

You will need 1/4 to 1/2 yard of 3 to 4 coordinating fabrics for streamers. She used a Strawberry Shortcake fabric, olive green and beige chevron, pink and white polka dot and pink and white chevron. Cost $10 Be sure to use coupons for fabric at Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's. Streamers were draped from the light fixture over the food table as shown and hung from the curtain rods in the dining area. Sydnee used chalk and a small decorative chalkboard for Lisette's name as seen in the picture. Cost $5 You can find all these supplies at Hobby Lobby or JoAnn's.
The Birthday Girl's high chair was decorated in the same fabrics as the streamers as seen in the pic. Buy about 1/4 yard extra of the two fabrics you want to use to decorate the high chair. Cost already included above.  We try to reduce costs by clipping coupons also.
FAVORS. Helium balloons courtesy of Auntie Scronge were tied to the food table legs. The balloons doubled as decorations and favors. Young party guests were given a balloon to take home as a favor. Kids love balloons! Cost $10 from a local grocery floral department.
SMASH CAKE. Lisette doesn't eat sugar. I was challenged to plan food with low or zero sugar content. I found this adorable cake on pinterest and recreated it. I used a Wilton 4" cake pan I ordered from Amazon for $6 to reproduce the small layers. My icing is 1/2 cup real heavy whipping cream whipped with 1 tbsp. powdered sugar. The layers are Duncan Hines Classic White with a smidge of Wilton Christmas Red for the bottom layer, a smidge of Wilton Pink for the middle and 3 drops of liquid food coloring for the green. A white chocolate (colored with pink) dipped strawberry on top with a drizzle of yellow white chocolate. Cost $10 (including pan cost) I had all the coloring on hand so I don't have a cost for them. You don't have to use Wilton, it's just what I had previously purchased. What do you think?
smash cake
FOOD. Food is the biggest expense. Pink Princess Punch I'm serving above was a hit with everyone. I used this recipe. I bought a cute water bottle label on Etsy. Cost $2.50 for label file. I had the label paper on-hand.
strawberry labels
Strawberry Shortcake for all Adults! I used fresh strawberries and Classic White Duncan Hine Cake Mix as the shortcake baked in cupcake tins. I used 1 to 1 1/2 cupcakes per cup with about 1/4 cup strawberries each cup. I whipped more cream from the recipe above layering in the cups with cake and strawberries. 1 bag of frozen strawberries and 1 cup sugar pureed together made the strawberry sauce which was drizzled into each cup just before serving. The perfect touch! Cost $35-$40 depending on price of strawberries.

shortcake cups
A plate of white chocolate covered strawberries fit the theme perfectly!
white chocolate covered strawberries
THE OUTFIT.  Onesie from Etsy. Hard decision with so many to choose from.  Simply pick the one you love the best! Search "first birthday onesie" and so many different themes will come up. Cost $26 including embroidery Lisette's Grandnan (my mom) made the Strawberry Shortcake skirt. I'm sure you can find one on Etsy or maybe sew one yourself. And finally....
strawberry shortcake skirt
THE SHOES. Red Baby Converse from shoemall.com Cost $24
baby tennis shoes
Total Cost Estimate for this Easy and Inexpensive Strawberry First Birthday Party is $150 - $200 for 25 guests or $8 per person. Such a SUCCESS!

One Tired Tammy,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Easy and Inexpensive Strawberry First Birthday Party

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy to the 7th power!

Happy 4th of July from our family to yours!  

Happy to the 7th power!

Friday, July 4, 2014

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Diaper Rash & Thrush: 2 Fast-working Natural Remedies


DIAPER RASH
I may be a new Grandmom but I feel older and wiser. I used a few home remedies with my kids. Glad I have a second chance to use more with my granddaughter. Diaper rash creams most often contain zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a harmless water insoluble powder that works well on baby's rash. But I've found a mixture of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil works better. The recipe is so easy. Mix equal parts of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil. Apply like any other diaper rash cream. Conveniently buy the ingredients now to help your little one be happy and healthy.

 
 My daughter and I used this recipe and it works! A few other things we did to promote fast healing are:
  • apply cream at bedtime and remove baby's diaper for the night. place a puppy pee pad underneath baby's bottom to soak up baby's water
  • make sure you let baby wear an absorbent, properly sized diaper. moving to a larger size diaper that is too big allows urine to stand on baby's skin which promotes diaper rash
  • be vigilant about changing baby as soon as he/she wets
  • clean baby's bottom with a regular washcloth instead of a chemically treated wipe
  • make sure baby's bottom is completely dry before applying mixture. this insures that no moisture is held on baby's delicate skin
 THRUSH
Be sure to check your baby's mouth for thrush whenever diaper rash is present. Your baby can get thrush at any time but they usually go hand-in-hand. What is thrush? According to WebMD, thrush is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the mouth and on the tongue. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal such as Nystatin. A good natural home remedy for thrush is Grapefruit Seed Extract. Mix 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract with 1 oz. distilled water. Moisten cotton swab with mixture and apply to inside of baby's mouth 3 to 4 times daily where thrush is visible. I have provided a link to buy Grapefruit Seed Extract if you don't have it in your cabinet. I didn't.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This blog is for informational purposes only and not meant to diagnosis or imply cure. If your baby has diaper rash or thrush, please consult your pediatrician.

Let me know how these recipes work for you and your baby. Leave me a comment.

Never too old to learn,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Diaper Rash & Thrush: 2 Fast-working Natural Remedies

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

DIY - Vintage Crib Makeover

My sentimental side came out just lately...wwaaayyy out! The vintage love started oozing about 11 months ago when my daughter showed me a blue plus sign on a dip stick. Fast forward to November 20, 2013 and my first grandchild skyrocketed my sentiments to explosive levels. Have you ever visited Disney World and watched the fireworks over Cinderella's castle, felt for yourself and saw the wonder in children's eyes? YAY? Well...You don't even know!Having a grandbaby is better than fireworks at Disney! Try to imagineer that.

DIY - Vintage Crib Makeover

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

5 Things the New Grandmom Learned

MY OH MY have things changed! This post could be titled...

grandmother
The last time I held a baby was some 25 years ago...literally. The lack of any brothers and sisters doesn't offer many opportunities to hold babies. Our family welcomed Lisette Arabella Epperson on November 20th weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. She's a beaut!
grandchild

Check out her vintage onesie she wore home. Lisette's mommie Sydnee wore this onesie home on July 6, 1988 and her auntie Sloane wore it home on October 28, 1991.
  Here's a picture of all three of my angels.
What are the 5 things the new Grandmom learned you ask? 
  1. Formula is not warmed when given to a baby. Formula works best when fed at room temperature. I was ahead of the curve on this one. Laziness probably but I fed my girls room temperature bottles 25 years ago. But last week, I learned it is OK and I can put all guilt aside now!
  2. Belly Button Cords are not cleaned anymore. Researchers have learned that the cord produces an enzyme that heals the naval naturally. Who knew? I like it though! It's like a "Get the cord out of the belly FREE card!"
  3. 48 hours is no longer the magical time to leave the hospital after giving birth. You can leave anytime before 48 hours (even C-sections) if the doctor feels you and your baby are ready.  I raised an eyebrow at this but it seems to be working out just fine.
  4. No food restrictions when breastfeeding! What? Everyone knows broccoli and chocolate causes breastfeeding babies to have gas. Not any more...I guess EVERYTHING is GMO...for the better?! NOT!!!
  5. Babies stay in the room with the parents at all times, you can't take your baby out of the room until you leave the hospital to go home, the mommie and baby bonds best with Skin-to-Skin contact directly after birth and finally, parents and baby benefits from a "Golden Hour" after birth where they spend the first hour together, just the 3 of them.
Okay, that was more than five! But...this new Grandmom feels way enlightened, do you? I'm sure I'll be learning much more and I can't wait to be edge-u-ma-cated some more!

Leave me a comment with your tips and tricks you've learned that all us new Grandmoms should know.

So excited and blessed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
 

5 Things the New Grandmom Learned

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Baby Shower Cupcakes for the Daddy!


My first granddaughter is due in 13 days!
Tonight is the "man-shower" for the Daddy
My contribution to the party are these cupcakes
I found these darling free printables at Embellish
I printed them on a sheet of Avery 8165 label paper
then stuck them to a piece of card stock for stability
Cut a regular straw into 3 pieces, slit the end and inserted the topper!
So simple....


Extra simple cupcakes using Pillsbury cake mix!


Easy Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting from Savory Sweet Life
The only ingredient not pictured above is the butter.
WHY?
because it's imperative NOT TO USE SALTED BUTTER.
Don't do it!
I think me and salt have a love/hate relationship
and...this time I hate salt.
Did I say not to use salted butter in this recipe?
I used Wilton "PINK" to color the frosting


What do you think?
I think they are girlie enough for a shower
and an expectant grand-girl
but still a touch manly 
with the brown's and yellow.

Can't wait for our new arrival,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap


Baby Shower Cupcakes for the Daddy!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Monday, June 24, 2013

Why I want to be called "Grandmom"!

it's a girl!
Feast your eyes on these precious red patent shoes! I'm anxiously awaiting my first grandchild in November. Those beauties belong to her!!! I knew right off what I want her to call me.."Grandmom!" And, here's why....

Why I want to be called "Grandmom"!

Monday, June 24, 2013