BPA Free

Filed Under Input Needed | 1 Comment

One thing I try to do is make sure that everything the kids eat/drink out of is BPA free. I got new bottles for Taylor, and I think most of the kids bows and sippy cups are BPA free. We try to use glass when we can, too… if it’s a situation where it’s less likely to break, like sitting at the table for dinner. However I want to try and find a good stainless steel waterbottle for each kid. I have seen some cool looking custom water bottles with straws that I would like to order. I want two different ones so we can tell them apart. Bailey likes pink or purple but that’s not a requirement. If I could get their names on them that would be fabulous but also not required. I’d love to hear any recommendations if you have a waterbottle you like.

Video Game Systems

Filed Under Input Needed | 2 Comments

I have been bugging Jonathon for a while to get a Wii. There are a few reasons so if you have a Wii please give me your opinion based on these reasons.

1. I think it would be really fun to play as a family. The downfall to this is that Jonathon thinks we will “waste” a lot of time just playing video games when we should be doing other things.

2. I would like to use the Wii Fit or whatever else is available for weight loss/fitness. Do you think it is worthwhile for that? If so, please tell me what you have used and how much “gear” would be required as far as games, controllers etc for the specialty things.

3. Would Bailey be able to play any of the more basic games yet? She just turned three.

(I know there are other popular gaming systems like xbox 360 and Playstation but at this point we are just specifically interested in the Wii. Thanks!)

Disney Vacation

Filed Under Disney Vacation, Future, Input Needed, Travel | 2 Comments

I am so excited! We have decided to take the kids to Disney World for the first time next fall. My parents are actually going to come with us, so we will have help with the kids and also other adults to hang out with. We are planning to go for at least ten days probably two weeks so that we have time to do “everything” (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, maybe Hollywood Studios-Jonathon and I aren’t crazy about HS but I know my dad will want to see it again, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney, and probably a day trip to Sea World and I want to go to the alligator place!) Also I want it to be relaxed and not having to go from sunup to sundown with two small children. We will either stay at a value or moderate resort (definitely on property) at this point I am thinking either Pop Century- I have heard horrible things about bus rides from ALL Stars- or Caribbean Beach. We stayed at CB once a long time ago and liked it. We are starting to save now so that we don’t have to put anything on a credit card. Although I am thinking maybe we should get the Disney visa or whatever it is to start earning points for our trip!

If you have any input on doing Disney with little kids, please comment and share with me. I have been reading Disboards and All Ears as well. That helped me a lot with our last trip but it was two years ago.

Slinging the baby

Filed Under Firsts, Input Needed, Newborn- Taylor, Slinging | 2 Comments

I have been putting him in the sling a little bit just so I can have my hands free. At first he didn’t seem to like it and I got kind of frustrated. I think I needed to pull out the slack from the middle but I kept pulling the edges (this will only make sense if you have a sling). It must have been twisted funny… but the last few times he has enjoyed just looking around. He loves to stare at our dining room chandelier and at the Golden lighting fixtures. I keep him facing out so that he doesn’t think about eating. He has fallen asleep and kind of catnapped in it but no “real” naps yet.

He also seems to like the Baby Bjorn (I honestly don’t know why anyone would like being in that position with their arms and legs stuck out crazy). Unfortunately he is still a little too small for it and his face just smooshes against my chest and I get worried that he can’t breathe. I think he is right at 7 pounds right now so I need to look up the weight for the Bjorn. (Okay just looked it up and it says starting at 8 pounds so we will wait a little while before trying again). I didn’t have this with Bailey, but I used to use one with the baby I took care of several years ago. He was a huge baby though so it wasn’t comfortable for too long. I am looking forward to using this carrier with Taylor.

Here he is the first time in the sling.

I would be curious to hear from any mamas who have another type of sling. Ours is the Kangaroo Kids Ring Sling. I have been curious about the Moby and the Mei Tei… can’t remember which is which at the moment though. I have also heard good things about the Ergo carrier.

Wedding this Weekend

Filed Under Input Needed, Second Pregnancy, Two and a half years old, Weddings | 1 Comment

This weekend I will be a bridesmaid in my friend Faith’s wedding. Haven’t you always dreamed of being a bridesmaid at 34 weeks pregnant? What? You haven’t?

I will be glad to stand up with her and I am looking forward to taking part in all the wedding stuff. But honestly I am terrified to wear my (maternity) bridesmaid dress and heels with my beginning-to-swell ankles. My little daughter is the flower girl and I’m sure she will either charm everyone or be a disaster. Here she is trying on her dress a few months ago (with a onesie under it).

I am just doing her hair myself since I know she won’t put up with anyone else trying anything crazy on her hair. At least I can threaten bribe her while I fix it myself. My husband is the only family member who is not “in” the wedding. (Hey, at least we don’t have to rent a tuxedo!) He will be helping to get Bailey ready to walk down the aisle since I will already be at the front of the church. We are planning to tell her to walk to mommy to get her new present and a lollipop. Hopefully one of those will sound appealing at that moment and she won’t have a two year old stubborn fit. Then once he is seated he will be videoing the rest of the ceremony.

If you have had your two year old/younger three year old in a wedding please tell me what you did to help it go smoothly!

Inkblots

Filed Under Input Needed, Random | Leave a Comment

Normally I am not a huge online quiz type person- but this inkblot one completely describes me. Either it’s freakishly accurate or I had really good random luck with it. Take it for yourself and tell me whether it worked or not!

You Are Balanced and Thoughtful

You view people with optimism. You have many meaningful relationships in your life. You had more conflict with your father than your mother. Your relationship with him was healthy but challenging. You don’t deal with stress well. Even moderately stressful events tend to send you in a tailspin. You require a lot of calm in your life. When things get too hectic, you need to step back and reassess things.

And since I am all about relevant things here (clearly, right?) how many commercials need to be on for mesothelioma lawyers/cases during one daytime television show? I am so tired of hearing the same commercial over and over again while trying to watch my HIGH QUALITY court tv.

Getting Back in Shape

Filed Under Future, Input Needed, Pregnancy, Second Pregnancy, Weight | 3 Comments

One thing that I really struggle with is my body since becoming pregnant with Bailey, and now with this current pregnancy. The problem is that I never lost the weight I gained with her. I was on pro.zac for a while and I breastfed for a full year. Everyone kept saying that once I quit nursing the weight would come off, but it never did. I had a weight watchers membership for a year (online) after that and I lost a few pounds. In fact I just remembered to cancel that membership the other day after Jonathon griped at me for paying for something every month that I don’t use. Once I have this next baby and get back into a normal/new routine I would love to seriously do something about my weight. I want to be look better for myself but I also want to be healthy and have more energy for my children and spouse.

My plan is to either get some type of exercise equipment like a treadmill, or to join a gym. There are a few nearby that I have heard mixed things on but if anyone has any specific recommendations I would love to hear them. One thing is that I LOVE to swim and would prefer a gym where I can swim laps if I go the gym route. Also price is a big consideration. Thanks for any input.

Minivan Shopping

Filed Under Input Needed, Shopping | 4 Comments

Yes, we’re doing it. As in, tomorrow. Jonathon’s car (my old car for those of you who remember it, poor guy!) started having trouble today. So we are going to look tomorrow and Saturday and hopefully buy a minivan within the next few days or week. We have some ideas of what we might want but have not driven anything yet. If you are a minivan driver, please share any thoughts or opinions. Brands, dealerships (St. Louis metro area), specials, things to avoid etc.

And if you think I am lame for getting a minivan, you can bite me. I’m excited about it. Yep, I’m officially a mom. Pushing thirty. And looking forward to driving a nice big minivan instead of a Camry.

I need a favor, please

Filed Under Blogging, Input Needed | 4 Comments

My friend Mae needs some votes for her video clip. She is neck and neck with some other chick for first place. If she wins, she is donating all the money to a women’s and children’s shelter. That other lady? She’s probably going on a selfish shopping spree. So go vote for Mae! You have to register but I did, and I promise they do not spam you.

Here is the link:
http://www.mindbites.com/tags/the-baby-formula

And the person you vote for is the one with the title “Cleaning up toys” or something like that. She has brown hair and a big hot pink boa around her in the picture.

If this is any inspiration to you- comment and let me know that you voted, and I will link to your blog. I know that’s nothing huge, but who couldn’t use some linky love?

On another topic- I was curious if anyone has gone through Insurance Bureau for auto insurance. We got some info from them and I was wondering if anyone had an opinion. We have considered switching from State Farm, but right now we get a multiple line and multiple car discount, so it would have to be a whole lot cheaper!

I need a graduation present

Filed Under Gifts, Input Needed | 11 Comments

We just got an invitation to our neighbor kid’s graduation party. I have absolutely no idea what to bring except money. I really don’t want to spend more than $20 and I am worried that a $20 check looks shabby. It’s a guy, and he is going to a state college for engineering in the fall. He likes outdoors stuff (camping, working in the yard, etc) and I think he’s a little bit dorky. Oh and he’s a wrestler. Is there somewhere cool that I could get him a gift card for? Or a gift that wouldn’t be cheesy? I have no idea what to buy guys, honestly, except for my husband. Please give me some suggestions.

Also I should probably say that my husband and this kid’s dad talk a lot and they came to Bailey’s birthday party and stuff. So they aren’t just random neighbors, we actually know them fairly well.

Google Reader issues

Filed Under Input Needed, Technology | 3 Comments

For some reason I can’t add any new feeds to my Google Reader. You know how normally you click “Add” or “Add Subscription” or something like that? It’s not there anymore. I am not normally this dumb with internet stuff but I am totally lost.

Fuzzi Bunny

Filed Under Cloth Diapering, Input Needed, Seven Months | 4 Comments

I got my Fuzzi Bunz diapers in the mail on Friday, and got them washed and tried them for the first time today. So far we have only done about 2-3 cloth diapers each day. I only have 8 total so far, since I am still waiting to get a lot of them in the mail/delivered. Plus I have been nervous about putting her to bed in cloth, but today she used a Fuzzi Bun(z?) at naptime and she didn’t leak. Here is a picture of her trying one on for the first time. (The black spot is where I removed our last name from her bottle)

In fact, she hasn’t leaked yet in cloth. I noticed that the leg holes are a little gappy between her legs in the FBs. I have them snapped on the tightest setting for both legs and waist. They are mediums, and she is kind of at the beginning of that weight range still. Is it really bad that they gap a bit like this? Is there something I can do to make it better or is it a matter of her just growing into them?

I tried to take a picture in case anyone has any input.

Instead of a drug rehabilitation I think they need to make a rehab for cloth diaper junkies. I always thought people were crazy for being so into them. I spend way to much time shopping online for them and reading about them.

Housekeeping

Filed Under Blogging, Input Needed | 3 Comments

‘Scuse me while I try to find a new template I like. I want to go with something Christmassy. If you use Blogger, what templates do you use? What have you found are the easiest? And do you lose all your customizations every time you change or is there a way around that?

Anyway, I couldn’t deal with the Fall orange one anymore. So we are in girly mode until I find a suitable holiday theme.

Weight loss shakes, supplements, etc

Filed Under Input Needed, Weight | 1 Comment

So I have been doing the working out thing lately- but I know I can’t really “diet” while I am BFing. What I am trying to do is cut out the junk but still get enough calories. (You can read about my weight loss issues on my other blog, Nine Months Off).

But what I am wondering is if I can do any sort of nutritional supplements or shakes or anything to help me get the stuff that I need. I am always afraid that I am cutting TOO much out of my diet. Has anyone had a really successful pregnancy plus previous extra pounds weight loss/exercise plan? Want to share?

Jonathon’s loans

Filed Under Input Needed, Money | 3 Comments

Does anyone know anything about student loan consolidation? We only have one student loan but it’s enough that it annoys me. We constantly get the letters in the mail about consolidating. Someone at my bank (our mortgage person) recommended NOT doing this because then the interest is no longer deductible because it’s not considered a student loan anymore… but that’s really the only input I’ve had so far. It just sucks because over the past few years the interest rate on it has gradually risen to a little over 8 percent!

Any advice?