Friday, January 30, 2009

Snow Days

For those of you who havent already seen these elsewhere ;). If you like seeing pictures of the kiddos, check out my Flickr page here





I hit Charger with a snowball-he didnt like it :(

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

7 weeks


Well really 6 wks 6 days since my due date was moved back a day, but it is exactly one week after the last picture.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Watch Out World Here I Climb!!


Do you see the changing table on the left of this picture? Guess who I found sitting on top of it? Charger. Oh my!!!

My CVS Deals January 25th

I had a really good week at CVS!

Transaction #1-2 Jumbo packs of Pull-ups (size 4t/5t) Reg. 12.99 on sale for 10.00 ea=20.00
Used 2 2.00 coupons printed here Then used a 5.00 off a purchase of 15.00 or more (printed at kiosk), and then used a 2.00 and 6.00 ECB from my last CVS trip. Total OOP=3.48, Earned 5.00 in ECB

Transaction #2-2 Gillette Men's Shampoo reg 5.99 on sale for 4.99. Used 2 2.00 coupons from the 1/18 P&G insert. Then used the 6.00 ECB from the last transaction. Total OOP=1.32

Transaction #3-2 Newspapers 1.50ea, Gummie Lifesavers 2.19 (pregnancy craving) and a bag of gummy worms .99 (another craving). Used the 6.00 ECB from last transaction and spent .18 out of pocket!!

Total Spent= 4.98, Total Saved= 39.16

Friday, January 23, 2009

Houston, We have a Heartbeat!!

Well, Mustang was 1/2 right. There is a baby in my belly :) With a nice strong heartbeat!! But, there was only one baby. Which is fine by us. We are just so excited that we are being blessed with another viable pregnancy & another baby come September. I am officially high risk so that should be interesting. My cervix measured 3 inches? or cen? dont know which they measure by so my dr was pleased. Sorry no picture. I dont own a scanner. I will try to get a picture tomorrow.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Jon & Kate Gosslins house-for sale!

I am a huge Jon & Kate fan. I am second only to Mustang in our house. Our DVR is completely full of Jon & Kate + 8 episodes. So when I came across this online, I found it very fun.

So, if you need a new home in Elizabeth, PA, this may be just the place for you.

Here's the listing: Jon&Kate'shouse

Are you Crunchy?

I personally find this phrase kinda appauling, but it the term used for a green/organic/cloth diapering, etc. mommy. I learned today that the 'crunchy' comes from the fact that many of these mommies like granola. Seems to be a bit of a stretch if you ask me!

So are you? This web-site has a cool quiz and scores you on your crunchinesss. http://themoralesfamily.us/granola.htm

I am a 66-Pretty Crispy.

And, since this blog is about me telling you about me, I will tell you my answers.

1. Do you have a homebirth?
No! I need pain killers :)

2. Will you circumcise?
Yes I have :) I am going with the whole thing that it was God's idea in the first place.

3. Do you use cloth diapers?
Yes! (I got good crunchy points here to make up for the other 2), but no I dont make my own. I cant sew. While we are on this question Elimination Communication (no diapers) Um a ur wow. I truly hope that no one around me thinks this is a good idea!

4. Do you observe your fertility signals using; Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control?
Yes - observe and use for birth control/TTC (more crunchy points) If you want to do this, check out the book 'Taking Charge of your Fertility.'


5. Do you co-sleep?
Well as a matter of fact we do. This was not our idea, it was our kids. I wish the answer was no. Most nights I have 2 extra people in my bed by morning. Maybe we can do something different in the future!!

6. Do you use a baby sling/soft carrier?
Thinking about it. Though I just realized that soft carrier was also in here-which we do use. Slings are a new thing. I think I would like to have one for this baby/babies. I dont think I have a chance without one.

7. Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
No - but use occasional bottles of expressed breastmilk and occasional bottles of formula. This was my answer. My REAL answer was I would love to but I dont seem to produce enough breast milk to feed a flee let alone a child.

8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning; even if that means breastfeeding for several years?
Yes - up to 2 years, my belief, not my practice

9. Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
Yes - nurse during pregnancy, but wean before birth Again belief not practice

10. Would you/have you ever breastfed/fed someone else's baby or have someone else breastfeed your child?
No - wouldn't consider it My mom did this once and I still think its weird.

11. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat?
No-We eat meat all the time. The organic thing I feel is hype. I wouldnt mind growing my own food, though.

12. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
No

13. Do you homeschool?
Yes currently

14. What's your take on childhood vaccinations?
Thinking about NOT vaccinating This was my answer, but really I am thinking about delayed vaccinating. We stopped getting flu shots this year and plan to not get them in the future.


15. Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom?
Thinking about it

16. Do you wear make-up?
Yes - all the time my barn needs paining-believe me!

17. Do you shave?
Yes - all the time absolutely, wouldnt think of anything else!!!

18. What is your shoe style?
Sandals when going out What kinda question is this? I wear sandals in the summer and sox and shoes in the winter. Barefoot, uh no.

19. Do you use natural cleaning products/etc?
No. I have a hard enough time cleaning. I dont want to have to make things and then clean!!

So that's my crunchiness in a nutshell. Hope you enjoy the quiz. I would love to know your score!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Tater Tot Casserole

Mmm Mmm Mmm. As promised to DD (and my growling belly) we went to Aldi after Gymboree yesterday. Which means that for at least a couple days we have a fully stocked fridge.

I bought ingredients to make our favorite meal. Please remember that up until I found this recipe my greatest accomplishment was pancakes. I am not a cook, I can read a recipe, but I am not a cook. So, when I cooked this my family was amazed. It actually tastes like a home cooked meal from mom! I have even fed it to guests!! They were of course surprised that we werent having pizza-again.

And here is how you make it (I already have it memorized!!):

Preheat oven to 350
Brown 1 lb of hamburger, drain
Mix one can of evaporated milk, one can cream of mushroom soup & one can cream of chicken soup together in a bowl.
In a 9x13 dish, put the hambuger on the bottom, then top with a bag of frozen tator tots, then pour the milk & soup mixture over the top.
Cook for 1 hour

I was able to get meat at 1.99/lb so the ingredients to make this (at Aldi) cost 5.25 plus tax. It fed us all till we were full and we have just as much as we ate in leftovers.

I got the recipe from the Duggars :). It is posted here: http://www.duggarfamily.com/recipes.html


I feel like this picture looks like I am sticking out my tummy. Seriously I am not. It is hard to twist your body to take a picture of yourself. This was the result :). First u/s is Friday!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Gymboree Clearance


This is one of my favorite shopping days of the year-Gymboree clearance. And this year it was even better!!! It is Gymbucks redemption days and they continued their red balloon clearance sale with the Gymbucks!!!

Many of you have been so sweet to complement my children on their cute clothing (thank you!). And I think that you think I spend a bunch of money on their clothes. I dont. With the exception of a select few items, I have never spent more then 5.00 per article of clothing in my kid's closets. Many items were much, much cheaper then that.

How do you get Gymbucks? Last month was Gymbuck 'earning's period.' You had to spend at least 50.00 before tax to get a Gymbuck. For every 50.00 you spend you get another Gymbuck. There is a slated 'redemption period.' Each Gymbuck is worth 25.00 off a purchase of 50.00 or more. They can be used on anything, regular priced, sale, or clearance items.

I had one Gymbuck. My total before tax and Gymbuck was 51.90. After Gymbuck and tax, my total OOP was 28.96.

Here is what I purchased:

For Charger:
~Jungle Safari Lion Romper, was 26.50, paid 4.14
~Jungle Safari Stripe Romper, was 26.50, paid 3.62
~Jungle Safari Leaf Shorts, was 18.50, paid 2.07

For Mustang:
~Tropical Garden Bike Shorts, was 12.50, paid 2.59
~Cherry Baby Bike Shorts, was 12.50, paid 2.07
~Holland Days Leggings, was 12.50, paid 2.59
~Fall Forest Leggings, was 14.50, paid 1.55
~Prep School Swing Top, was 24.50, paid 2.59

For the baby
~Little Field Mouse Blanket (hoping girl), was 19.50, paid 3.61
~Little Pumpkin Top, was 14.50, paid 2.07

Total spent: 28.96, total saved: 155.10 And that's how I dress my kiddos in name brand clothes for less then Wal-mart prices. Sometimes I even make money on them...but that's another post.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Pregnant brain episode #1

I am sure that there will be many, many of these, but I have a good one today.

I needed to go to the bank and deposit money so that I could go to the grocery store. Being pregnant, I am a bottomless pit and eat everything in sight, so I needed more FOOD. I had my mind dreaming of all the great things I would purchase at Aldi and couldnt wait till tomorrow to restock my shelves.

I waited for Charger to get up from his longest nap ever, and got Mustang and him ready for the store-which took a lot of effort today because Mustang was determined to wear her Happy Feet pj's to the store. So they were finally dressed and had their coats on and the van was running and I just needed to strap them in.

And I looked up. Huh, my neighbor's car was in her driveway. It's Monday, she is supposed to be at work. Right, of course not, its Martin Luther King Day. The bank is not open. There will be no deposit so there will be no shopping trip. Right.

Turn off the van, take off the coats, and console DD who really really wants to go to the store. Tomorrow, I assure her, tomorrow we will go to Aldi. *Sigh*

Picking Sides.

Coming in 2 weeks is the #3 holiday in the US. 1-Christmas, 2-New Years, 3-Super Bowl Sunday. Funny enough its not an official holdiay. To be a loyal all-American citizen one is required to 1-attend a Super Bowl party (whether you watch or not) 2-bring a side dish of BBQ wings or Jack Daniels Mini-Weiners, and 3-Pick a side!!

You may not watch football-except on Super Bowl Sunday, and you may have not a clue who is playing. That, however, does not exempt you from being required to pick a side and stick with that team even if they are loosing by 20 points at half time. Unless you drink so much you forgot (again) what teams were playing and get to pick again.

But, this year, choosing a side is not hard at all for me. You are reading the words of a long-time standing Kurt Warner fan!!! No I am not an Arizona Cardinal's fan (except for this Super Bowl), I am a Kurt Warner fan. I have his jersey, albieght a Ram's blue jersey, a picture, and even an ornament. For a long time my email address was onewarnerfan. I wonder if that still works?

So, may the best team win, but may that team include my loveable Kurt.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

My Walgreens Deals Jan 16th


I am a deal lover. I watch ads, shop the clearance rack, and clip coupons (if you have extras you know where to send them!). Last week, I made out pretty well at Walgreens. I am also a Mountain Dew addict. This week, I got a deal on Mountain Dew-now thats a good week :).

Transaction #1. Mountain Dew was on sale 15.00 for 5 12 packs. After tax it was 16.03 OOP (out of pocket). For purchasing 5 I got 5.00 back in Register Rewards.

Transaction #2. 2 Newspapers (1.50 ea), 2 bottles of fabric softer B1G1 at 2.79, and 2 bottles of Oust on sale B1G1 paired with a B1G1 coupon from 1/4 free after coupons. Used 5.00 RR from transaction #1, total OOP=1.24.

Total spent=17.27, total saved=16.39.

Two blogs I love to read about saving money are http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ and http://www.thethriftymama.com/

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Going Bananas!


As many of you know, we have chosen to Homeschool Mustang and eventually the rest of our children. This week we learned about the letter B and Bananas! We have a seperate blog all about our learning. This is a sneek peek about what is going on over there! Come check it out here. Or follow the link on the sidebar.

Friday, January 16, 2009




Peek-A-Boo

Today is a cold, overcast, apparenlty cranky day at my house. All my kiddos want to do today is whine. Its okay, I have those days too!

So Charger was being extra cranky earlier and I asked if he needed a new diaper. Not expecting a response, I was beyond thrilled when he said yes and took off for his bedroom where the changing table was. Well let me rephrase that. I was thrilled that he could answer my question, NOT that he had a poopy diaper.

While I was changing him, he took hold of his pants and was using them to play an exciting game of peek-a-boo. It was a welcome break to the whining :).

Speaking of pooping and peeing...yes I know that's what was on the top of your conversation list...Mustang is doing at least slightly better at her potty training. We only went through 3 pair of pants yesterday. *Sigh* I turn on the buzzer for once each hour. How could she possibly need to go more often then that?!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Puppy dog tails...or ears


I loved this picture and wanted to share. We got this hat for Charger for Christmas. He loves puppies.

Stats

Last week Mustang went for her 3 year old check up and Charger went for his 12 month. Yes we were a little (or a lot) behind. Charger got 3 shots. Mustang was very disappointed to find out that she wouldnt be getting any. You just cant please a 3 year old! I decided to forgo flu shots this year. After Charger's seizures this last year, I have decided that we will not be getting any 'extra' vaccinations (which will include chicken pox).

Charger had his blood drawn for his lead levels. I was amazed! Granted, he had 3 shots right before he went into the lab, so maybe he was in a state of shock or the medicines were already starting to knock him out. The lab tech greated Charger and then took his arm (I was holding him) and began drawing the blood. He just looked at her. He didnt smile or anything, but he sat just as still as one can. He flinched when she put the bandaid on at the end. Wow! The tech said she hadnt ever had a little one sit that still. I told her I hadnt either! With Mustang they had to get a large man to come hold her so that she would sit still-I wasnt strong enough. His lead levels came back at one on a scale of 0-20.

All right, on the the important stuff-height and weight!! I dont ever put down head circumference. I mean, when was the last time you had someone come up to you and say, what a cute little boy, what size is his head? Take that back, a friend last week asked if Charger's head was big, but thats rare.

Anyways...Charger now weighs 24.7 lbs and is 30 1/2 inches long. That puts him in the 50th percentile. Mustang is 36.04 lbs .o4? huh okay. She is in the 90th percentile for height and the 80th percentile for weight. She's going to be tall.

And while we are on stats, I had my first OB appointment last week and am starting this pg (officially with the dr) at 132.9. The nurse called this my 'skinny' weight. I dont know what percentile I am in :).

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Duck!


This ball hit my lens. I told Mustang to throw a ball at me. I have to remember that she has a strong arm and good aim. She is not my daughter lol!

Good Friends

Today we were invited to go and play with a good friend L and her mommy D. D was our babysitter for over 2 years before I quit my job to be a SAHM on September. My kids have felt like they were family. I caught Mustang calling D mommy while we were there, they were that close. We had a ton of fun.

Charger found their Barbie powerwheels and was very pleased that he could push the button and drive himself around the house. I was impressed that he figured it all out!! Mustang had so much fun that on the way home she cried. She said, 'I want to go back to L's house so that I can have much more fun.' Priceless.

We also stopped by the library. That is rewarding (great books to read) but not always so much fun. Its a wide open space full of eye catching items at kid level. It is 'kid friendly' but not really 'kid proof.' All I can say is that I was happy to get out of there without ripping any books, and without Charger finding the public bathroom and playing in the toilet!

I picked up the book, 'Belly Laughs,' by Jenny McCarthy. This is my 4th pregnancy and I still havent read it. I am looking forward to what I hear will be a good read. I'll let you know.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I got a new camera (Canon Rebel XT DSLR) for Christmas. Charger got 100 balls for his ball pit (yes they're every where). Here I used my new gift to take a picture of him loving his new gift!

And baby makes three...

Kiddos that is! We are so very excited to be expecting baby number three in September.

Its a funny story, really. On December 29th, Mustang looked at me and said, "Mommy theres a baby in your tummy." I wasnt expecting this announcement from my 3 year old. These are the kind of announcements reserved for pregnancy tests and OB nurses. "Really?" I asked her. "Yep mommy, it's a girl." Of course I wanted to believe that I had a free psychic in my home but I just smiled and hoped.

A few days later she added to her comment. "There's 2 babies mommy, 2 girls."

On January 3rd the first of her predictions proved to be correct. According to my trusty pregnancy test, there is indeed at least one baby in my belly (it hasnt been able to tell me how many lol). So of course now I put more stock in Mustang's comments about twins. That really would be cool as it would be an answer to prayer. Maybe I am nuts, but yes I want 2 babies at one time!

So, as of right now my due date is September 14, 2009. We are so thankful that the Lord has chosen to bless us again.