Holidays Made Better

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love the family gatherings, Christmas lights/decorations and happiness that I associate with this time of year. Now having said that, my husband is a slight bah-hum-bug. He doesn't like anything to do with Christmas. I have to prepare him for when I turn on Christmas music or am going to decorate the house.

The last few years at this time things have been busy, or I am just too tired to really enjoy decorating or appreciating anything. This year is different though. My daughter has changed it for me. Ms. Spaghetti is loving everything to do with Christmas.

I had my husband get out all the decorations for me a couple of weeks back. Every box I opened she would say,"What do we have here?" Every ornament we put on the tree she would declare,"So pretty!" Any time Holly Jolly Christmas comes on she yells,"Reindeer song" referring to Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Tonight was no different. We got home late from Grandpa's house, so it was after dark. She was very excited about all the lights in the neighborhood. I decided to drive past our house and take a driving tour to show her all the decorations. I loved hearing "Holly molely", "Wow" and "Pretty!" from the backseat.

I am not having to wait for retirement to get my second childhood. I am getting to experience my second one right now.

The Tree Huggin' Mama Doopsy SD giveaway

The Tree Huggin' Mama is giving away a Doopsy SD diaper from Joana at BabyEcoMart.com . I just won a doopsy from Joana and am excited to give it a try. I have several friends who have them and are in love.

http://thetreehugginmomma.blogspot.com/2010/12/doopsy-sd-diaper-giveaway.html

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer Giveaway!!!

3 Kids and Us and KitchenAid want to make your holiday wish come true and offer you the chance to win a brand new KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, in your choice of over 20 colors, valued at $349.99!

Enter the KitchenAid Stand Mixer Giveaway KitchenAid Stand Mixer Giveaway and check out the Homemade Holiday Feast recipes that show all the ways the KitchenAid Stand Mixer and attachments can be used to create unique family dishes and save you counter space with one appliance that can be converted to meet your every need.

Fitteds and Pockets and Snappies, oh my! Merry Fluffy Christmas

Maria over at Fitteds is having a great Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway sponsored by CNS. Babykicks and gDiapers for $98 in prizes! Ends Dec 7.
http://www.change-diapers.com/2010/12/merry-fluffy-christmas-giveaway-5.html

Give away at Mama B's

Mama B is giving away $25 to Earth Angels Diaper Co. They have quite the selection of diapers and accessories! Giveaway ends Dec 19.

http://mamabmy.blogspot.com/2010/12/eadc-bumgenius-review-giveaway.html

Stop to smell the roses, or pick berries.

After last week's cold spell, the last two days have been beautiful. I have taken the kiddos on walks both days. Today's walk was longer than yesterday's. I love watching my daughter as she runs along for a few feet, then stops because something is infinitely interesting. After a few minutes of exploring whatever has caught her eye, I have to remind her we are on a walk and away she runs again.
All the leaves are down in our neighborhood, and some people (us) haven't picked them up. This is an endless source of entertainment. Spaghetti stomps her way diligently through each pile. I follow suite. She also has each berry bush memorized on our route. If she is in the stroller, she jettisons from her seat to pick as many as can fit in her pockets. There are red and orange ones. Today she informed me that birds eat berries, and so do dogs and airplanes. I reminded her that we don't eat these ones.
We have also seen a road runner the last two days. We commonly have them in our neighborhood. It is the state bird of New Mexico, so no surprise that they are everywhere. Spaghetti decided to chase it today. Of course, it was always three houses ahead of her barely walking fast, but she giggled the whole time. Super Y squealed, also enjoying the great outdoors.
I love living in a place where I can wear a t-shirt outside in the month of December.

9 Months!

Super Y is 9 months old today. I can't believe it.

What are you doing?

We have done a lot in the past few weeks, but not a lot is happening. So here are some pictures of what we have been doing.

Visiting the Great Grandparents

Not happy about wearing the hood.

Reading.

34 to go! Life with the Lebedas

The suspense is killing me! I am so excited they are close to 1000 followers. Once they reach the goal, they will give away a $100 Visa gift card. Can you say Christmas shopping?

http://lebedafamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/100-visa-gift-card-giveaway.html

Countdown continues! $100 Visa Gift Card

So over at Life with the Lebedas they are less then 40 followers away from giving away that $100 Visa gift card. Maybe it will happen today. Go sign up on the blog and maybe you'll win.

http://lebedafamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/100-visa-gift-card-giveaway.html

$100 Visa Gift Card on Life with the Lebedas Blog

So this give away is available when she reaches 1000 followers on the blog. She has less than 50 to go, so enter quick! $100 Visa gift card, could come in handy especially with the holidays coming up.

http://lebedafamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/100-visa-gift-card-giveaway.html

$100 Diaper Junction Shopping Spree

OK! WOW! The cloth Diaper Report has a giveaway for a $100 shopping spree at the Diaper Junction. If you enter and win after reading this post, I at least expect one diaper from your spree. ;)

http://www.theclothdiaperreport.com/2010/11/pregnancy-new-baby-event-100-diaper.html

Fun to dream about what I would buy!

bumGenius 4.0 Artist Series Giveaway on The Cloth Diaper Report

I am really excited about these new prints. If it was in the budget, I would get all of them. Since I don't have a budget for even one, I have to enter the giveaways. So, The Cloth Diaper Report is having a giveaway for this awesome looking/performing diaper!

http://www.theclothdiaperreport.com/2010/11/pregnancy-new-baby-event-5-off-25-at.html

Event ends November 14.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

I have had a lucky week! I have won three cloth diapers and a coupon for mama cloth. I am so excited. I may have to buy a lottery ticket. So, I have to say thank you to everyone who was holding the giveaways that I won.

Doopsy! facebook.com/BabyEcoMart
I have their button on the top of my blog. They are a great diaper, hemp inserts and fun colors.

The Cloth Diaper Whisperer! http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com
I won their 30 minutes of Fluff, a Katydid diaper. I have two of these diapers and am excited to add a third. I really like this blog and their store Kelly's Closet.

Tree Hugger Mama Cloth Coupon! http://hyenacart.com/TreeHugger
I really excited to try these in the future. Tree Hugger Mama Cloth was one of the first pages I found when I started to investigate this option for me.

Bellalojo Baby! http://www.bellalojobaby.com
She was having a bad day on Friday and decided to do a quick giveaway for a Fuzzibunz OS diaper (lavender). I am so excited to try this diaper. I don't have this brand yet.

Thank you to all of these retailers/blogger for the giveaways. They are huge "pick me ups" and a lot of fun!

Motivation

Wow! It is amazing what motivates different people. Some it is money, some power or some just doing a good job. What motivates my 2 year old?... Stickers. Not just any stickers, Mickey Mouse or Toy Story stickers. We've been in the throes of potty training. She has been doing a great job, except for No. 2. That she saves for night time, which is pretty common. Well, this week we've made some progress. She realized that her tummy wouldn't hurt if she used the potty.
Last night, we told her if she pooped on the potty she would get a Mickey Mouse sticker. Before we knew it, she ran to her potty and what do you know? No. 2. She proudly put her sticker on her horse. It was a little poop, so we tried this technique again. What do you know? No. 2. We repeated this process 5 times. The horse is covered in Mickey themed stickers. Spaghetti was sitting on the potty and said "I am so proud." We had to laugh. Tonight it was all potty success!
Super Y has also taken to rolling everywhere. He has been rolling over for months, but in the last two days he is rolling to get places. Yesterday, he rolled under our bed. Today, he rolled under the dining room table. He is unsure how to control the rolling direction, but I think he is figuring it out. It is causing problems with sleep (well coupled with teething). I go in his room and he is rolled to one side of the crib sucking on his thumb, or his feet are straight up in the air.

Vacation Refresh

I did not realize how much I needed the vacation away from my house and daughter. Since I have been back, I much more patient and understanding of my 2 and half year old. I expect a lot out of her and sometimes I think I am too hard on her. She is only 2 and I had forgotten that.
Since I have have been back, we smile, talk and laugh much more. I have given up on nap time all together with her. I can't seem to find the balance of when to get up in the morning (usually because I can't get up), what time to take a nap and what time bedtime is. I find that she is ready for a nap so late in the day that bedtime usually gets pushed an hour or later if she does take the nap. If she doesn't take the nap, she is very cranky. So, what to do?
Yesterday, she woke up at 7:00 am. I didn't even push for a nap or put her in her room. We had a slow day, lots of movies (mom was really tired), coloring and we took a walk later in the day. While on our walk she started acting like she wasn't feeling well. At dinner at 6:00 pm, she was yawning and rubbing her eyes. By 6:45 pm I was reading her stories and she was in her pj's. By the time my hubby carried her down the hall to sing to her in her room at 7:00 pm, she was asleep. She slept until 7:00 am this morning, at which point she came and slept in our bed for another half hour. She has never just fallen asleep in the middle of an activity. Still trying to figure out nap time, even after two years.

"I am a cutie-pie"

My daughter is learning all about language. It is hilarious as to what she is coming up, sometimes hourly. The other morning I was changing her brother's diaper, when she came in and told me, "I am a cutie-pie." Later that day she told me all about the "tri-me-atops" dinosaur. Her name is Sarah, you fill in the blank. I love it.
Super Y is learning about language also. He bounces in his bouncer commentating what is going on around him in high squeaks, squawks and squeals. Of course, he is the only one who understands any of it. We get tons of smiles after each comment, asking us if we agree. How can you not agree with such cuteness?

My trip to Texas with just my son was a success. We got to meet the new cousin, who is tiny, but very cute. Much to my satisfaction, my daughter was overjoyed when I got home. I also found out that she turned down the cookies grandma offered her and opted for carrots and a pb sandwich. That's my girl!

First Vacation

Life is good. The kids are doing good, business is starting to pick up. Sunday I leave to go visit my sister and the new baby. I am only taking Super Y with me... Spaghetti is staying home with daddy and grandma. WOW! This is big. The only time I have left her over night is when I had Super Y and my dad watched her. I have to say I am nervous. I will be gone 3 days. What if she regresses with the potty training? What if all she eats is cookies? What is my house going to look like when I come home?
I guess I just need to just let these things go. I know that I can get things back on track when I get back. And anyway, my house isn't that clean right now.

Doopsy Giveaway

Doopsy is having a fantastic giveaway on their blog.
http://doopsy.com/blog/2010/09/big-doopsy-celebration-giveaway/

Take a look at their video from WPTV/NBC News Channel 5
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/money/consumer/the-new-eco-friendly-and-fashionable-trend-in-cloth-diapers 


I am entered to win... are you?

Raising my 5 Sons bumGenius Giveaway

Go check out Raising My 5 Sons. She is giving away a bumGenius 4.0 provided by Wee Little Changes.

http://www.raisingmy5sons.com/2010/09/bum-genius-40-review-giveaway.html

The Mommy Times: Thirsties Diaper Review and Giveaway

The Mommy Times reviewed a Thirsties Diaper cover and prefold. It was a great review, I would have never considered Thirsties before this review. Anyway, the giveaway ends Sept 29 midnight. Go on over and enter!
http://themommytimes-scmomof2boys.blogspot.com/2010/09/thirsties-diaper-review-and-giveaway.html

I was that mom today...

When did it happen? When did I become that mom? I think it has been a gradual process. Having a second kid, didn't help. Sometimes when I discipline my daughter, I hear myself being that mom. When I make my own baby food, I think of myself as that mom. However, today I involved another family. I became that "know-it all" mom in public.
We went to the aquarium today as a family. It was unplanned and very pleasant. The hubby and Ms. Spaghetti were looking at the sea horses (which say "neigh" if you didn't know). I was with Super Y at the jellyfish tank. I took him out of the stroller and was letting him touch the tank. He was having a blast. Little did I know, seconds later the defining moment would happen.
I am standing there, enjoying my baby explore the world around him. Then I find myself face to face (or rather Super Y was face to face) with another baby. Dad was carrying this baby in a front facing carrier. Super Y immediately gets excited and reaches for this new baby. The parents and I laugh and exchange pleasantries.  I ask Super Y to say "hello", haha. The parents say to their own "You don't want to play", haha. Their baby is being very quiet and subdued. Then it happens. I ask, "Is this your first?" "Yes," they reply... "Oh, that explains it. Super Y here has a big sister that is why he is so outgoing."
Now here is the problem. Why did I suddenly know all about their child and why child are social or not. Who am I to tell another couple what their child will do or not do? I couldn't believe it. They went on to reassure me that he is usually very social he is just teething right now. Of course, this was done very apologetically as if having a baby who doesn't want to interact is a bad thing.
Spaghetti is very shy and does not respond to strangers. As a baby she never wanted to touch other babies, and as a toddler she has to warm up to new situations. Super Y is already more prone to talk to other kids and want to explore new things. I know this has nothing to do with birth order, being an only child or whatever. It is just who they are.
I guess what I caught myself doing today was making judgements on who's other people's children are based on stupid stereotypes I have developed. I hate when I pass judgements like these. I don't like it when other people do it to me, why would I do it to someone?
Anyway, I am sorry to the couple who I was giving my so-called "parental knowledge"to. It was unfounded and assuming.

Keurig Giveaway

I am very excited about this giveaway at Serendity Mommy... a Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer. Check out the button on my sidebar to enter.
This is a great coffee maker. It is easy to use, no waste, coffee tastes great. I hope I win!

Hard times, Soft diapers

My husband and I started our own business in January of this year. My son was born in March. We thought business would pick up fairly soon and quickly since the nature of his job is in demand. It has taken (and still is taking) longer than we thought. Nine and half months into it, we are really having to be creative with our financial situation.
I started cloth diapering my son when he was two months. I hadn't used cloth with my daughter because I thought it would be difficult and gross (let's be honest here.) When I started looking into the cloth, I was really surprised at what quality was out there, and that it didn't look at all difficult. The more I looked, the cuter things I found. I was actually sad that I had missed the opportunity with my daughter.
I didn't do cloth full time at first, I didn't have enough and I was worried about the nighttime effects. About a month into it, I got a bumGenius Pocket diaper and a Kaiwaii Baby Pocket diaper, and I had found my night time solution. Over the next couple of months I have added more diapers and been able to stretch my laundry loads to every 2 and half to 3 days.
This week has been especially difficult with our finances. We are holding out breathes just as much as our purse strings. I am finding that each time I change my son's diaper I am finding comfort. I am not throwing away $.25-$.30 each time. I see the diapers and I know I have found some friends who are sticking it through with me. I take as good of care of them as I can. Each laundry load of diapers is done with the diaper soap. I put the inserts in the dryer without a dryer sheet, the covers go on my garden fence. Every stained diaper is loving hung on the fence to let the sun do it's magic whitening act.
I know it sounds crazy to be in love with the cloth diapers, but right now it is comforting to me to not worry about buying diapers. I can put that $40 to some other use (like food on the table.) It is amazing what you find solice in when times are hard. My husband and I are working to do everything we can, and so are my cloth diapers.

Doopsy Giveaway

Liz Has a Life is doing a giveaway for a Doopsy diaper, ends Sept 12.

http://lizhasalife.com/2010/08/28/doopsy-cloth-diaper-review-and-giveaway-912/

Rumparooz Giveaway

Well I have been on vacation for almost two weeks. Time to get back into the routine.  Here is a giveaway from Liz Has a Life.

http://lizhasalife.com/2010/08/22/rumparooz-g2-cloth-diaper-review-and-giveaway-from-monkeybunz-com-94/

Coupon Mommy of 3 Diaper Week

Coupon Mommy of 3 is celebrating diaper week with a bunch of giveaways.

Looking in a Mirror

Mr. Dreamy (the hubby) and I always joke that our daughter got all my bad traits. She refuses to go to sleep, is cranky when she wakes up and she has my temper. Of course, she got all Mr. Dreamy's good traits, fixing things, figuring out how they work, and she is very observant.
So today at nap time, Ms. Spaghetti was restless as usual. However, she was also very cranky. This means that she actually does need a little shut eye, and I have to be creative on getting her to sleep.
I let her play for a little while in her bed. Today she was putting on her light up shoes and reading Always in Trouble. Spaghetti would hit her shoe on the book to make it light up while reading it out loud to her horses. After a few minutes I can hear her talking next to her door. Time to get up and check if the diaper is still on her. NOPE! The last week she has been taking it off if she pees or poops in it. Filled diapers are a good door stop by the way. I had a hard time opening the door because the diaper was behind it.
Okay, now to get down to the business of sleeping. Ms. Spaghetti has a new diaper on and is beyond cranky now. The trick I have discovered in the last few weeks is playing with her hair while she is laying down. I love when people play with my hair. I will drop the conversation mid sentence if my hair is touched in anyway. It is so relaxing. Apparently, my daughter has the same affinity for it.
So as I am laying next to her, my arm is starting to get soar from the stroking. I think okay, she will let me stop now. WRONG! I had to switch arms. I think again, okay, I am finished. WRONG! As, my fingertips are starting to go numb from the lactic acid build up that is happening, Ms. Spaghetti finally closes her eyes and goes to sleep.
Bliss! Now, how do I get out of bed without the function of my arms?

The Pretend Nap

My daughter went down for her nap about a half hour ago. My son was really fussy and wanted to nurse to go to sleep, so I couldn't lay down and sing with my daughter like we normally do. As I was feeding Super Y, I could hear Spaghetti in the next room. She was reading The New Potty, which has a grasshopper and spider in the background on every page. She was giggling and saying what a silly grasshopper with each page turn. I had to smile.
I would love it if she would go to sleep, but now as I just peek into her room she is putting all her stuffed animals to sleep. Each one is carefully wrapped in its own blanket and placed lovingly on the pillows. As Ms. Spaghetti is doing this, she is making soft snoring noises. I can't help but laugh myself. She is so relaxed just taking care of her babies that maybe not napping is just as rejuvenating.

Getting Started

There are so many choices when starting a blog. It is like starting a new school or job. What should I wear? What do I say? Where do I go? So, I have been playing with the idea of writing a blog for a few weeks now. I guess anytime is as good as now.
My kids are asleep, kind of. My daughter is in her room, laying on her bed singing. My son is in his swing chewing on his hand. This is why I dream of naptime. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.