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| I love Buggy's smile in this picture |
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| I love Bam Bam's smile in this one. It's like he's saying, "Oh yeah, life is good." |
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| Now we're just humoring mommy |
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Almost Wordless Wednesday: I Wanna Hold Him!
Bug has been enamored with her new baby brother since before he was born. She often demands: "I wanna hoooooold him." The other week while Hubby was gone on business, I managed to catch this sweet moment when Bugs demanded to "hoooooold" her baby brother.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
One Down
I am doing a happy dance. Finally, finally, my eldest is nighttime dry. This journey has been two years coming and he has finally done it! It's like a switch flicked on and now he is dry all the time! I am no longer doing loads and loads of laundry because of sheets. (Although I am doing loads and loads of laundry because Bam Bam spits up a ton and all the time so there's that issue).
I don't know how it happened. A few days after his 5th birthday he was dry at night and he was dry consistently. He's out of nighttime pull-ups and wearing underwear to bed. I know that it has bothered him a great deal that he couldn't stay dry, but now he is and it's just one more step into him becoming older and more mature.
So I have one of the three completely out of diapers/pull-ups. I'm working on number two. Buggy is working in the right direction, however, has found that having an "accident" gets attention from Mommy faster than anything else. (I know, sad). She's working on it and I know that she can stay dry because we have been on play dates, errands, and family gatherings outside of our house and she has used the bathroom like a big girl. I would like to think that by Summer time she'll be daytime dry consistently and will go to the bathroom on her own. Right now I'm still checking on her and (strongly) encouraging her to use the bathroom. Her favorite places are those that have a Buggy sized potty. She thinks they're "cute."
So here's to one down! Yippee!
p.s. I will admit that I find potty-training to be the most loathsome daily chore in parenthood. But one down! Woohoo!
I don't know how it happened. A few days after his 5th birthday he was dry at night and he was dry consistently. He's out of nighttime pull-ups and wearing underwear to bed. I know that it has bothered him a great deal that he couldn't stay dry, but now he is and it's just one more step into him becoming older and more mature.
So I have one of the three completely out of diapers/pull-ups. I'm working on number two. Buggy is working in the right direction, however, has found that having an "accident" gets attention from Mommy faster than anything else. (I know, sad). She's working on it and I know that she can stay dry because we have been on play dates, errands, and family gatherings outside of our house and she has used the bathroom like a big girl. I would like to think that by Summer time she'll be daytime dry consistently and will go to the bathroom on her own. Right now I'm still checking on her and (strongly) encouraging her to use the bathroom. Her favorite places are those that have a Buggy sized potty. She thinks they're "cute."
So here's to one down! Yippee!
p.s. I will admit that I find potty-training to be the most loathsome daily chore in parenthood. But one down! Woohoo!
Monday, April 25, 2011
1st Family Photo
I realized yesterday that we have not taken a family photo with all five of us in it. I have several pictures of the all 3 kids together, pictures with Daddy and the kids, pictures of me with at least one of the kids, including our new addition, but none of us all together. Yesterday we were all dressed in our fancy duds for Easter and we forgot our camera in the car. Fortunately a family at church took our picture with their camera and sent it to me. So here we are:
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| Our First Family Picture |
Seems appropriate that the Discombobulated Mommy not only forgot to take a picture with all of us in our fancy duds, but missed my opportunity to take even one photo (with my own camera) of my children in their Easter outfits yesterday. *sigh* I'll get it together one of these days :)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Little Man, Big Bed
We have a king sized bed. It's been great...especially as I tend to be ginormous when I'm pregnant. It gives me enough room to turn when needed. It also fits our entire family when need be...especially for those sleepless nights for the little ones or when we watch a family movie in bed, complete with popcorn. The first night I was home from the hospital with Bam Bam, we decided to have a picnic dinner on our bed. Hubby spread out a picnic blanket and we ate picnic style. The kids loved that special treat.
Below is a picture of our little man enjoying the big bed with out the other kids :)
Below is a picture of our little man enjoying the big bed with out the other kids :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Trying to Find those Darn Big Girl Pants...Again!
Last Sunday, Bam Bam turned 9 weeks old. That same day Hubby had to leave for a week on business. I'd like to say that I finally put on the "big girl" pants and handled myself just fine that week. I mean really, I'm an adult, I should be able to handle 3 children on my own. I do it on a daily basis anyway...just because Hubby is gone at night, does not mean I should not be able to do it on my own.
Um, yeah, right. I keep forgetting that lack of sleep comes with having a newborn. If it weren't for my parents, my best friend, and my sister-in-law coming to visit at various times during the week I think the week would have been that much tougher. I held it together until Wednesday, which is about par for the course. It helped that on Sunday and Tuesday nights my parents provided dinner and then bathed the big kids. They even tucked in and said prayers with them while I nursed the baby. During the day on Tuesday my BFF came over, provided lunch, and provided me some much needed adult time where talked about a ton of stuff and caught up (Thanks, J!) Unfortunately, on Wednesday, I lost my "big girl" pants. I think I lost them sometime around the time Buggy decided to start peeing on the floor. And no, it wasn't an "oops," it was "I see you're nursing the baby and can't give me attention so I'm going to make you give me attention." By the third time I was done. I was completely exhausted from the lack of sleep (I can't swaddle worth a darn and the baby loves being swaddled. Every time he broke out of his swaddle he would wake up. We both slept poorly last week) and irritated with her attention getting antics.
I called Hubby after the kids went down for the night and I hate to admit it, but I was crying. I sobbed on the phone about the unfairness of being left alone with 3 kids and with one of them being an infant. I sobbed about the difficulty of potty-training and trying to get things done. I sobbed about the lack of sleep. In all honesty, the baby was a dream except for not sleeping at night. Boogie was pretty good most of the time. It was my darling middle child. But I should clarify that I found out after the fact that she had another ear infection, she was getting in her 2 year old molars, she's potty-training, she was missing her daddy, and she's still trying to figure out where she fits in the world. Plus I had spent the previous two weeks pretty much trapped in the house with the kids because Buggy had a stomach bug and the following week, Boogie got it. And then Hubby was gone. I kind of felt trapped for 3 weeks.
After a healthy cry and some ranting, things looked up on Thursday. It helped tremendously that my SIL came over for a playdate and I was able to vent and share my misgivings about how I handled Buggy the previous day. She gave me a few suggestions and listened. She also gave me 30 minutes to myself when she watched Buggy and Bam Bam when I picked up Boogie from school. It was the first time I had been completely alone for days and it was nice to have that time to be by myself (Thanks, L!)
It was completely unfair for me to call my husband and rant. There was nothing he could do. He was hundreds of miles away and he had to go for his job. And his job allows me to stay home with the kids.
I just wish it was easier when he was gone...now to find those "big girl" pants again...
Um, yeah, right. I keep forgetting that lack of sleep comes with having a newborn. If it weren't for my parents, my best friend, and my sister-in-law coming to visit at various times during the week I think the week would have been that much tougher. I held it together until Wednesday, which is about par for the course. It helped that on Sunday and Tuesday nights my parents provided dinner and then bathed the big kids. They even tucked in and said prayers with them while I nursed the baby. During the day on Tuesday my BFF came over, provided lunch, and provided me some much needed adult time where talked about a ton of stuff and caught up (Thanks, J!) Unfortunately, on Wednesday, I lost my "big girl" pants. I think I lost them sometime around the time Buggy decided to start peeing on the floor. And no, it wasn't an "oops," it was "I see you're nursing the baby and can't give me attention so I'm going to make you give me attention." By the third time I was done. I was completely exhausted from the lack of sleep (I can't swaddle worth a darn and the baby loves being swaddled. Every time he broke out of his swaddle he would wake up. We both slept poorly last week) and irritated with her attention getting antics.
I called Hubby after the kids went down for the night and I hate to admit it, but I was crying. I sobbed on the phone about the unfairness of being left alone with 3 kids and with one of them being an infant. I sobbed about the difficulty of potty-training and trying to get things done. I sobbed about the lack of sleep. In all honesty, the baby was a dream except for not sleeping at night. Boogie was pretty good most of the time. It was my darling middle child. But I should clarify that I found out after the fact that she had another ear infection, she was getting in her 2 year old molars, she's potty-training, she was missing her daddy, and she's still trying to figure out where she fits in the world. Plus I had spent the previous two weeks pretty much trapped in the house with the kids because Buggy had a stomach bug and the following week, Boogie got it. And then Hubby was gone. I kind of felt trapped for 3 weeks.
After a healthy cry and some ranting, things looked up on Thursday. It helped tremendously that my SIL came over for a playdate and I was able to vent and share my misgivings about how I handled Buggy the previous day. She gave me a few suggestions and listened. She also gave me 30 minutes to myself when she watched Buggy and Bam Bam when I picked up Boogie from school. It was the first time I had been completely alone for days and it was nice to have that time to be by myself (Thanks, L!)
It was completely unfair for me to call my husband and rant. There was nothing he could do. He was hundreds of miles away and he had to go for his job. And his job allows me to stay home with the kids.
I just wish it was easier when he was gone...now to find those "big girl" pants again...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Do You Coupon?
Last night I was intrigued by TLC's show Extreme Couponing. I watched in amazement as each person was able to buy hundreds of dollars worth of items and saving more than 90% on their purchases.
When we first married I tried couponing. But I was buying things that we didn't use right away and I certainly didn't pair them with any sales so was I really saving money? My husband didn't think so, so I gave up on it.
However, since becoming a SAHM, I decided to try my hand at it again. I'm certainly not saving hundreds to thousands of dollars as the couponing queens, but I'm happy when I don't buy something at full price. There are a few times that I have been able to purchase children's clothing by buying something on sale while using my $10 off coupon and spending less than $5 on a quality clothes. I was able to buy a nice children's 3-in-1 jacket for less than $5 for my son's winter jacket that he wore this year and will probably be able to wear next winter as well. Not bad.
Now in watching the show, I saw that these coupon dynamos have ginormous stashes of various items. I don't have the room to store all of these items, but I'm wondering if they aren't onto something. I actually looked at the coupons that came in my weekly local paper. I also looked at one store's sale circular, if I had the time, I might be able to save a few dollars here and there. I might give it a try.
Do you coupon? Do you think it's worth it? Thoughts?
When we first married I tried couponing. But I was buying things that we didn't use right away and I certainly didn't pair them with any sales so was I really saving money? My husband didn't think so, so I gave up on it.
However, since becoming a SAHM, I decided to try my hand at it again. I'm certainly not saving hundreds to thousands of dollars as the couponing queens, but I'm happy when I don't buy something at full price. There are a few times that I have been able to purchase children's clothing by buying something on sale while using my $10 off coupon and spending less than $5 on a quality clothes. I was able to buy a nice children's 3-in-1 jacket for less than $5 for my son's winter jacket that he wore this year and will probably be able to wear next winter as well. Not bad.
Now in watching the show, I saw that these coupon dynamos have ginormous stashes of various items. I don't have the room to store all of these items, but I'm wondering if they aren't onto something. I actually looked at the coupons that came in my weekly local paper. I also looked at one store's sale circular, if I had the time, I might be able to save a few dollars here and there. I might give it a try.
Do you coupon? Do you think it's worth it? Thoughts?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Almost Wordless Wednesday: Bliss
One of the cutest things I've ever seen is when my children are on their belly busy coloring. I especially when their little feet go up in the air. It's so natural and so peaceful. Here is my sweet Bug busy coloring before dinner the other night. Note her feet. Love, love, love!!!
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| Busy coloring before dinner. LOVE HER! |
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| Graceful |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
His Grace is Sufficient for Me
I officially resigned from teaching in our local public school system last month. It was a huge decision, yet at the same time, a somewhat easy decision to make. I knew that I wanted nothing more than to be home with my kids. I now have three and I love being home with each of them.
But the decision to stay home full-time also put a little more stress on me as I worried about our finances. When I first started my family leave three years ago I was thrilled to be home with Boogie while expecting Buggy to make her debut. However, that first year was a rough one. My husband, who wanted nothing more than to support my decision, was stressing about our finances. There were often talks about what expenses (if any) we could cut out or about him getting a second job so that I wouldn't work. Hubby was very stressed about money, but didn't want to stress me out so we didn't talk about it in depth, but you could still feel the tension as he worried about making it possible for me to stay home full time. (Have I mentioned that I have an absolutely fabulous husband? I do, and I'm so grateful for him).
We survived the first year without my income and my husband relaxed a little bit. I renewed my leave for another year, but I was still worried. That year we received a blessing in the form of an unexpected inheritance from a great-great aunt. It was just the amount we needed to pay off our property taxes for the year. We survived another year without my income. This past year was a little tough and Hubby and I looked over our finances and had to make some decisions of what to cut out. We realized that food was a huge expense (going out, more specifically). We went out for food as a convenience. Stopping at the food court while at the mall, a stop at our favorite fast food restaurant on the home from practice or class, lunch at Hubby's work is less than $5 (but can add up over time), etc. and so forth. Our "going out" expense is an easy one to cut out and while we still go out now and again, I think whether or not it's worth it before satisfying any cravings. I have also been more cognizant of my purchases and have used coupons when I can. We're definitely doing better.
Since I've put in my paperwork to resign I sometimes wonder if I have shot my family in the foot financially. But I also remember that God has provided for us, year after year, in one form or another. I also have to remember that we're never given more than we can handle. Sometimes it's hard to put my faith and trust in God because he's not a tangible being. But nonetheless I pray. I pray because I've seen His Grace and Goodness in my life and in the life of others. I also trust. I trust that He will take care of us.
Once again I have found that His Grace is sufficient for me. My husband has been blessed with a promotion at work that included a slight pay bump. Enough for me to realize, yet again, that I have made the right decision to stay home for as long as is good for our family and that we'll be able to make this work for us, again.
Each year I grow in confidence that my staying home is the right thing for our family. I thank God for His Grace as I spend another year home with my sweet babies.
But the decision to stay home full-time also put a little more stress on me as I worried about our finances. When I first started my family leave three years ago I was thrilled to be home with Boogie while expecting Buggy to make her debut. However, that first year was a rough one. My husband, who wanted nothing more than to support my decision, was stressing about our finances. There were often talks about what expenses (if any) we could cut out or about him getting a second job so that I wouldn't work. Hubby was very stressed about money, but didn't want to stress me out so we didn't talk about it in depth, but you could still feel the tension as he worried about making it possible for me to stay home full time. (Have I mentioned that I have an absolutely fabulous husband? I do, and I'm so grateful for him).
We survived the first year without my income and my husband relaxed a little bit. I renewed my leave for another year, but I was still worried. That year we received a blessing in the form of an unexpected inheritance from a great-great aunt. It was just the amount we needed to pay off our property taxes for the year. We survived another year without my income. This past year was a little tough and Hubby and I looked over our finances and had to make some decisions of what to cut out. We realized that food was a huge expense (going out, more specifically). We went out for food as a convenience. Stopping at the food court while at the mall, a stop at our favorite fast food restaurant on the home from practice or class, lunch at Hubby's work is less than $5 (but can add up over time), etc. and so forth. Our "going out" expense is an easy one to cut out and while we still go out now and again, I think whether or not it's worth it before satisfying any cravings. I have also been more cognizant of my purchases and have used coupons when I can. We're definitely doing better.
Since I've put in my paperwork to resign I sometimes wonder if I have shot my family in the foot financially. But I also remember that God has provided for us, year after year, in one form or another. I also have to remember that we're never given more than we can handle. Sometimes it's hard to put my faith and trust in God because he's not a tangible being. But nonetheless I pray. I pray because I've seen His Grace and Goodness in my life and in the life of others. I also trust. I trust that He will take care of us.
Once again I have found that His Grace is sufficient for me. My husband has been blessed with a promotion at work that included a slight pay bump. Enough for me to realize, yet again, that I have made the right decision to stay home for as long as is good for our family and that we'll be able to make this work for us, again.
Each year I grow in confidence that my staying home is the right thing for our family. I thank God for His Grace as I spend another year home with my sweet babies.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Boogie Turns 5!
We started the morning with singing to Boogie while he was still in bed. He had a huge smile on his face and asked for"fancy" toast (french toast). He asked for fancy toast with a Night Fury outlined in chocolate chips. I did the best that I could and he was pretty happy with it. Buggy asked for a gronckle on hers. They happily ate their french toast. Since I told Boogie that he could do just about anything that day he requested watching his favorite movie, "How to Train Your Dragon." He watched his movie, and then we got ready for preschool.
Boogs brought cookies and juice boxes to share with his classmates to celebrate his birthday. It was also singing day and Hubby came home early from work so that he could watch Boogie sing with his class. Boogs was so excited to have all of us there and we loved being there for him.
After we came home we played several sessions of Mario Kart. Being his birthday we allowed him to play as many games as he wanted before we opened presents.
Our house is now filled with all sorts of dragons. Boogie loves dragons and was and is very excited to have a bunch in our house. He thinks that there isn't enough appreciation for dragons and will happily tell anyone within in listening distance about all the different types of dragons. My parents came over before going out to dinner and gave Boogs a new & shiny red balance bike. It just so happened we recently listened to Henry and Beezus on audio book and Henry Huggins really, really wanted a shiny, new red bicycle. It was coincidence that Henry wanted a red bike and Boogie received one for his birthday. But it made it all that much cooler.
After tearing Boogs away from his presents, we all went out to dinner at Boog's favorite restaurant. Boogie was so cute when he ordered his meal, "May I please have one of your corn dogs? May I also have some of your fries?" were surprised to find out that the large bird "Red" of Red Robin would also be there. Boogs and Bugs were so excited when he came over to say hi. Boogie's birthday was getting better and better.
The icing on the cake was at the end of the night when Boogie said, "This was the best birthday ever." He also thanked us all week for giving him a fun birthday and for all of his gifts. It was so sweet, especially since we hadn't even had a party yet. His birthday day was just a simple day of having fun and celebrating Boogs, yet he absolutely LOVED it. It's so nice when the simple things can make my kids happy.
We did have a party this weekend celebrating with our extended family. Simple, fun, and perfect.
Happy, happy birthday, Boogie! You make our lives better with your smile and laughter. You amaze me every day with your love. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and you make the world a better place. Thank you for giving me the best title in the world, "Mommy" and giving me the best job I have ever had, being your mommy. I love you more than you will ever know. I love you, my precious Boogie Monster!
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