Organizing a Boy's Room

I need some organization help for people who know how to save space.  I want some type of display shelving for my son's room that doesn't take up floor space for his trophies and awards (as well as all his books). He has no room in his bedroom because his drum set is in there taking up a quarter of his floor space. I'm not sure what is the best option on how to organize everything so it looks nice, is sturdy, and big enough to hold what I want it to. 

We have that storage problem in every room of our house actually.  What I wouldn't give for an actual utility room, walk-in closets, and a master bathroom!

Your Secret for Losing Weight

I am so thrilled that my weight is coming down again!  I have 19.2 pounds left to lose.  With my fat reduction eating plan (thanks to gallstones) and the increase in my thyroid medication, I am finally seeing results.  I am wondering if there is something else I an do to lose it a little quicker.  It seems like I've been unhappy with my weight forever (in reality, it's been five years).  Wow - five years.  That's a lot of years to be unhappy every time I look in the mirror.  How depressing. 

How do you lose weight safely?  I've heard some people talk about http://www.dietpillswithephedra.net/, others restrict all processed, fatty foods, while others exercise religiously.  What's the secret?  I wouldn't mind a little healthy push in the right direction.

Work at Home Mom

I am a work-at-home mom.  I guess my title, if I had to give one, would be freelance writer.  It makes me a decent income for extras in the house and allows me to set my schedule around my kids' schedules.  I have thought about how to become an affiliate and if it is another branch I should look into. I'd definitely like to increase my at-home income!  If I can do it around cheerleading practices, soccer, and homework - all the better!

2010 Hot Christmas Gifts

I found out over the past two days what the hot toys are for Christmas this year!  I was wondering what they were.  Apparently the XBox 360 Kinect system is one of them because they're sold out in the stores I've been to so far.  Another hot item is the Monster High dolls (Frankie Stein, Cleo de Nile, Lagoona Blue, Clawdeen Wolf, and Draculaura). 

I'm not sure what is hot for the teenager girl age, perhaps the best acne treatments? Kidding. My teenage daughter wants books (including a journal), a necklace, Legos (yup, she loves those building sets like the ships and stuff), and some PSP games. 

My Fashion Misfit Husband

Is your husband a fashion kind of guy or could he care less what he is wearing, if it matches, or if it fits?  Mine doesn't care if his pants are too short or if his clothes match.  I am definitely putting men's clothing on his Christmas list this year. He is good-looking and fit and I like to see that displayed in a nice pair of pants!

My First iPhone

I just got my first iPhone!  All these years, I've been lagging behind with the latest and greatest but not anymore!  Now I have to figure out iTunes (I have an iPod and never figured out iTunes so the prospect of it happening now isn't good), buy a good case to protect it if (when) I drop it, and get myself a Bluetooth headset.

It's too bad I can't tune my kids out when they argue with that headset.  Perhaps the ear buds for the music part of my iPhone can tune them out. That is what a friend of mine recommended anyway.

Firstborn on her first "sorta" date

My firstborn has a "sorta" date tonight - she is meeting a boy at the movies because she isn't old enough to go on a real date yet.  I am stressing a bit over my firstborn growing up.  She's excited about it though. 

She's also a bit nervous - she got a HUGE zit on her nose the other day and I'm sure it has to do with stress.  Hopefully, it doesn't become a regular occurrence or else she'll want acne laser treatment. She is not liking this pimple stuff at all but she is really excited over her "sorta date" tonight. I'll adjust to her growing up eventually. Right?

Lost Six Pounds Recently

Weight loss is hard!  I never realized how hard it was for the first 30 years of my life because I was always one of those skinny chicks who could eat anything.  After four kids and thyroid disease, I'm overweight and I can't stand it.  How do you know what works though and what doesn't?  I wonder does phentermine work, do those weight loss companies work, which exercises work? How do you know?

I've lost six pounds so far but still have 20 to go.

Sprint and AT&T Cell Phone Service

We are switching from Sprint to AT&T this weekend and I can't wait to try something different.  My current phone has the Android platform (Samsung Moment) but it has been freezing up a lot lately.  I loved it until we had a big storm a few months ago and my service disappeared for several days.  Ever since it came back, it's been touch and go. 

I'm getting an iPhone!  I can't wait to browse the available apps.  That is one thing I loved about my Droid platform - all the apps.  I have health apps, an app that works as a barcode scanner (using your camera), movies, weather, etc.  Now I get to browse Apple's apps and see what new goodies I can find!  I love new, electronic goodies!

Kids Falling Down Stairs

Our kids keep accidentally sliding down our stairs and it's not pleasant when they hit the bottom!  My youngest fell down after a bath while just in her towel.  By the time she hit bottom, she didn't have her towel anymore. I'm not sure what bothered her more - the pain or the embarrassment.  I think we need to refinish our stairs, lay a good carpet down the middle of them, and then add some great stair rods.

Of course, while we are working in that area, a new front door would be nice too with more glass for light in the entryway.  Of course, if my kids keep falling down the stairs in just towels, perhaps a window to the outside world right by the stairs wouldn't be a good thing!

Making Jewelry

I've been thinking about starting a little home business making jewelry.  This is a big thing with my teenage daughter right now and with my musician husband who has his own little side business making guitar picks, it'd be a great little nook to branch off into - guitar pick earrings and necklaces.  I need to get myself some jewelry making tools and get started!  I also love the idea of making bead jewelry as well. 

Sounds like fun!

Bathing While Pregnant

When I was first pregnant, I was told no baths while pregnant and no jacuzzi tubs (something about the force of the jets). Then during later pregnancies, I was told baths are fine when pregnant because the baby is protected. In fact, many women choose to give birth in the water now so is it generally known now that baths are just fine while pregnant or are they still being cautious?

Symptoms of Gallbladder Attacks

First, I have gallstones but they were always asymptomatic.  I wouldn't have know I had them if I hadn't had an ultrasound five months ago for an unrelated issue and those showed up. 

Symptoms vary when your gallbladder starts screaming at you.  Mine were:

• Pain on the right side of my abdomen, under my rib cage
• Pain through my back
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Inability to get comfortable in any position

My first attack was manageable.  It lasted 4-5 hours and the pain was more like very bad heartburn.  My second attack was excruciating.  The pain level was off the charts.  My daughter almost called for emergency assistance it was that bad and she was scared.  As I was getting dressed to drive myself to the emergency room, it was over.  It stopped.  The attack was over.  Thankfully, the second attack only lasted about 2-1/2 hours. 

Both attacks happened at night and both attacks happened after a day of high fat eating.  Since then, I've been on a very low fat diet and there have been no more attacks.  Believe me, I really want to avoid it.  That second attack was scary.  I see my doctor on Friday so I am hoping to learn more then.

Gallbladder Attack, Gallstones

Apparently, my gall bladder is unhappy with me and has decided to go on the attack and let me know.  It screamed at me for hours twice this past weekend.  Gallbladder attacks are not pleasant.  The pain is worse than childbirth.  I've given birth four times so I know. 

I am now on a very low fat diet until I can get in to see my doctor on Friday to find out what he can do and what else I need to do.  Too much fat can cause an attack.  I am also increasing my water intake.  From what I've read, I should be drinking 10-12 glasses of water a day!  That is a lot of water.  I usually drink bottled water but at that amount, it would be too expensive so I need to look for a water filter supplier for good filtered water because I don't like drinking directly from the tap.

I plan on doing everything I can to keep my gallbladder. 

I don't make a good girl

What is thread count?  What is a good thread count? 

These are things that I have no clue about.  I was window shopping for Luxury bed linens today because our bedroom linens are about ten years old but I don't understand about thread count, different cottons, etc.

I don't think I make a very good girl.  I'm clueless when it comes to things like this (and sewing, cooking, and cleaning).  Wow, what a wife I am!

Human Growth Hormone

There is a lot of talk about the use of human growth hormone prescriptions, injections and supplements for your health.  I was looking for the best hgh releasers to see how to get my body to release more if its own hgh without the need for prescription or injectable help.  It has nothing to do with my fear of needles.  OK, maybe it does but I'm allowed. 

Still Gaining Weight Back!

This is so frustrating!  I'm gaining back the weight I lost and I'm not doing anything to justify the weight gain.  Most of my 30's were spent pretty much unhappy with my weight and how I look and now that I am 39, if I don't get something fixed soon (my thyroid), I'll spend my 40's unhappy and unhealthy as well.  Vitamin and mineral supplements might help rev up my thyroid.  Perhaps phentermine would rev up my weight loss! I don't want to be this big anymore.

Colon Cleanse

OK, who will admit to using a colon cleanser? What was the reason? Did it work for the reason you wanted it to? What was it like?

I'm really curious.  I've read up on colon cleansing before but never tried it because I'm unsure of the side effects.  I'm the type that needs to answer all my questions, about anything, before I'll try it.  Personal experiences make great information.  Anybody want to share?

My little sister has IBS.  I wonder if she's done this to see if it would help.  I'll have to ask her too.

New Mom Questions

There are a lot of questions new moms have so I thought I'd post a few of them here:

• So how long did it take you to lose that pregnancy weight after the baby was born and did it come off naturally or did you need dietary supplements for weight loss?
• When does baby sleep through the night?
• Bottle or breast?
• Does childbirth hurt?

My personal answers:

1. Weight:  The weight loss for my first child came off pretty well.  The second child took a little longer and it didn't all come off (most of it did).  After my third child was born, I developed thyroid disease and was up a size by the time it was all said and done.  By my fourth child, I lost it all within two weeks of her birth (I was nursing) but then it all came back (thyroid disease - whacky hormones!).  For me, I ate healthy and lost weight.  When you're nursing you HAVE to eat right so it definitely makes it easier.
2. Sleep:  This varies with each baby and whether you are nursing or bottle-feeding and what time you give that night-time feeding before bed.  One of my babies was wanting to sleep through the night by the time she was two months old.  Another woke periodically throughout the night to nurse for what seemed like forever (about her first year) and I nursed her on demand. 
3. Nursing vs bottle:  After doing both for my children, I have to say that breastfeeding, definitely!  It was such a good bonding experience, was convenient no matter where we were, and we just loved that snuggle time.  Nursing also meant no ear infections at all for my daughter who was nursed for two years.  I've done both breast and bottle and breastfeeding is definitely my first choice.
4. Childbirth:  Yes, it hurts.  Unless you use drugs to deaden the pain, contractions hurt like a you know what and that head and the shoulders coming out isn't a picnic either.  However, it's all worth it.  I did it four times - believe me, it's worth it. 

Babies are worth it!

I'll bet one thing you might not have realized about pregnancy is the funny things your skin can do!  From stretch marks to acne to dry skin - what's a girl to do?  Geesh!  Like nine months of needles, check-ups, gaining weight, and getting sick weren't enough!  You also have to get acne face wash, stretch mark cream, and get more used to those very personal doctor visits than any girl wants to!

That little baby at the end of those months is definitely worth it though, right?  I think so.  I had four kids so that must be true.

Baby Clothes by Very

Baby clothes are not just a practical need; they're fashionable and fun.  How can you pick just one clothing set when this outfit, and many others sold by Very, would look adorable on your child? 

ELLE Infant Long Sleeve T-Shirt & Skirt Clothing Set
sold by Very

When shopping for baby clothes, there are several things to keep in mind:

First, size is important.  Check the clothing size charts to be sure you are purchasing the correct size for baby.  Remember it is always better to go a little bigger than smaller if you expect ample wear of the clothing set because babies grow fast.

Second, comfort, comfort, comfort.  Nobody wants a crabby baby so keep the comfort of the child in mind when shopping because uncomfortable fabric or fit may turn a smiling baby into a frowning baby.  Make sure the fabrics are soft and the fit is right so babies movement isn't restricted or uncomfortable, like this outfit sold by Very:

Timberland jeans & t-shirt clothing set
sold by Very

Third, laundry.  Babies equal a lot of laundry from spit-up to leaking diapers to spills.  Buy clothes that are easily washed for the regular, daily wear clothing sets. 

Fourth, and this has to do with the third point above, expect baby to need more than one outfit a day due to all of the above in my third point.  With the special Very is running right now, to buy now and pay nothing until October 2011 when you spend £50.00 or more, stock up for the season!

Very also sells jackets, snowsuits, hooded tops, blankets, bodysuits, 4-piece or 3-piece dress clothes, dresses, and more.  With brands like Elle, Timberland, Mamas & Papas, Diesel, Ladybird, Winnie the Pooh, Tommy Hilfiger and more, Very carries something for every occasion with the comfort and style of baby in mind at prices parents can appreciate.  For savings, check out Very's "latest offers" in baby clothes for great sales going on right now!  With the holidays around the corner, it's a great time to buy gifts and save money at the same time.

New Baby at 40?

My kids are asking for another baby sibling.  I just turned 39 on Saturday.  In the middle of my birthday dinner, they asked us to have another baby.  Woo hoo - Happy Birthday, Mom.  Don't choke on your food. 

I'd be starting over again after just getting all four of my kids into school, no diapers, no naps, no bottles, etc.  Starting over would mean needing all that stuff again, sleepless nights, etc.  I wonder if I could get another baby shower out of the deal?  Hey, if I have to get morning sickness 24/7 for nine months, shouldn't I get a playpen, some personalized baby gifts, and baby gift baskets out of it?

I'm just kidding (well, not about the kids asking for a sibling but about my getting pregnant again).  I am not trying to get pregnant again.  If it happens, it would definitely be our "oops" baby and it'd be my husband's fault because he's afraid to get a vasectomy.  I'd just blame him. 

Works for me!

My teenage daughter thinks Santa is made of money

My daughter has put both an iPod Touch and a laptop on her Christmas list.  My jaw about dropped to the floor.  We have six kids. We can't afford to buy them all laptop computers and I know if one wants a computer, the rest of them will want one. Besides, she already has my Gateway laptop that has a webcam and everything. I'm not sure why she wants a new one. Perhaps she wants one of those little notebook computers that are smaller than her current laptop computer.

I think I'll buy her a Barbie laptop and tell her Santa thought that was what she meant.

Not Feeling the Love

Not feeling the affection lately! 

Between our four kids' busy schedule, arguing over my husband's daughter, my "girl" time, my husband's herpes simplex cold sore on his mouth, and then arguing about my husband's daughter again (which we are still doing), I'm sure not feeling the love lately!

I am actually too angry to care at this point.  What we are arguing about is not scheduled to happen for a couple more weeks so I would imagine the next couple weeks will be tense.  Oh the fun of marriage to a non-custodial father when we don't agree!

Sad About Moving?

24 hours from now, we will know whether we will be packing up our family and moving north in a few weeks.  It's making me a little sad now.  Before I wanted out of this town, but now that it is likely to happen, it's easier to see some of the good that we'd miss. 

We were going to take a family picture at the stable with everybody up on horses for our recycled Christmas cards. If we move, and move our two horses with us, we won't have the rest of the stable horses to put the kids on.

I'm getting a bit sad.

Love the Kid Anyway

Ha!  I just found a deep wrinkle cream that should appease my daughter who enjoys poking at and squeezing my cheeks because she says they are "squishy" and pointing out the wrinkles on the bridge of my nose.

Isn't it amazing that no matter what your child says or does, you will always love them beyond anything imagineable?  It is a good thing moms are programmed that way because squishing my cheeks wasn't very nice! 

Gotta love them.  Really, you have to.

Disadvantage of Working at Home

I never thought this would happen but being a mom working at home has its disadvantages.  I recently found one.  Yes, I can work in my pajamas, multi-task between work, cleaning, reading, etc. and make my own hours, but getting around the kids sometimes can be difficult when they're home.

I needed to research male enhancement reviews but how can I do that with a kid looking over my shoulder? Yup, there's a kid over my shoulder!  Good thing it was my younger child and not my teenage daughter who would've freaked out and gone all embarrassed and mortified on me. 

Teen Criticizes Mom's Face

My teenage daughter was investigating my face yesterday.  Just what I want - a teenager who is fit and wrinkle-free criticizing me!  Apparently, my cheeks are "squishy" and I have lines on my forehead.  Do you think I told her that SHE probably put them there all these years? 

She thought the squishy cheeks were cute but that I needed the best wrinkle serum for the wrinkles.  I turn 39 in a few weeks.  It's only gonna get worse!  It's not like I am going to start aging backwards!

Do you use fat burners?

I am researching fat burners and found a review site for lipo 6 hers - a female fat burner. We all know men and women's metabolism and hormones are vastly different.  This has both a rapid release and extended release so the effects last longer. 

Has anybody used fat burners?  What do you think about them?  Did they work?  What were some of the side effects?  Would you use them again?

Hypoglycemic

Well, if I keep forgetting to eat, it'll make up for my stress eating I do in the afternoon I guess.  I forgot to eat breakfast - again.  I don't realize it until I start feeling sick (hypoglycemic).  Not exactly healthy, eh? 

My husband said that is prohibiting me from losing weight, along with my thyroid, because I'm not keeping my metabolism going.  He said I should be eating many small deals starting with breakfast. 

If I could lose the weight through my thighs, figure out how to lose the belly fat and a little weight loss through my face, I'd be happy.  The weight around the middle is the worst!  There's a "how to" at www.losebellyfathowto.com that gives reviews on supplements if you're interested.

Stress Eating

Well, relocation to another state is looking more and more likely and it's likely to happen sooner than we imagined.  In about three weeks' time, I could be packing up four kids, five dogs, and two horses and moving us to another state. 

I am seriously stressing!  How am I doing to do this all by myself?  I can see me adding another 20 pounds in stress from stress-eating over the next month!  I can do this - with or without an appetite suppressant, lol. Maybe the stress will actually burn more calories for me and make up for the extra stress eating.

Smoking Appeal

I'm a mom so I worry about my children starting to smoke young. At a festival a couple weeks ago, we saw a teenager pretending to smoke. She looked ridiculous!  I know kids think they look cool but they really don't.  I thought I looked cool too so I understand.  Then today, there was an advertisement outside of a store for cigars and they were completely wrapped in bright colors - they looked like popsicles.  At least, that is what my five-year-old daughter thought they were when she asked if we could go back and get some popsicles. 

An adult can make the choice whether they smoke or not.  They're adults.  Whatever the product - Acid cigars or any of the others, adult's choice.  I just don't like seeing kids get interested and thinking they look "cool" or putting them in pretty packages that kids like.

Helping Siblings Adjust to Baby



With the excitement of a new baby, older siblings sometimes feel left out.  It's a good idea to include them where you can, even before baby comes.  My stepdaughter reverted back to baby behavior after the birth of her brother at mom's house - wanting to be held like a baby, wanting a bottle, even though she was beyond the age for either.  So when I became pregnant with my first child, I wanted to make sure she didn't feel left out in any way.  We made her a part of decorating the nursery as well as a part of my baby shower (she even received her own present of her own baby doll with car seat at the shower and helped me open presents).  We took lots of pictures and gave her a photo album.  She didn't display any baby-like or attention-getting behavior after the birth of her younger sibling.

With the birth of each of my children, we made sure the older siblings all had "big brother" or "big sister" shirts.  You can even get personalized baby stuff and put their name on that "big brother" shirt!

Keeping the older siblings a part of it all seemed to really help the kids adjust well to a new sibling in the house.  We definitely saw the difference with my stepdaughter when my husband and I had our first child together so we made sure to do that with each subsequent child too.

Putting Weight on a Child

My nine-year-old needs to gain weight.  Doctor's orders.  She's a stick.  I was a stick as a child and her dad is one now so I'm not surprised, but the pediatrician wants her to gain some weight.  She mentioned butters, oils, whole milk.  Really?  Just load on the fat?  Sounds healthy!  Not.

I tried a carnation drink in the morning but she doesn't like them all that much.  I'm going to have to let loose on the bucks and get some PediaSure or something.  She says she likes the "ones with the bear."  That's PediaSure.  They're also not cheap.  Did you know that sometimes you can contact the manufacturer of a product for coupons or samples?  I've done that before.  I don't think I'll get away with asking for samples for, say, the next four months worth?  I didn't think so either.

Getting Rid of the Baby Urge

How do you get rid of that "baby urge" without having another baby?  Does anybody know?

I figured that I'd just hold babies and it'd take care of it.  When they started crying, I'd give them back.  Sounds great to this mom of four and stepmom to two more. 

It doesn't work.  Not that the idea in particular doesn't work but I can't find any babies to hold!!  Where are all the babies when you want them?  They are always in restaurants when you have a headache, yelling at the top of their little lungs, so why can't I find them when I need a baby cuddle?

Work at Home

I live in a small town where it's not that expensive to run a business.  As I was driving home from grocery shopping, I was thinking about business opportunities in the area. If I wanted to start my own business, it'd be really easy to do in our town from a financial standpoint.

I work from home though and my goal is to increase my work-at-home income so I can be here when my kids get on and off the bus. I am so lucky that I can do that.  It's what I always wanted to do when I had children.  I gave up a really good income working outside the home to do it so I better enjoy it! 

Drugs Harm More Than the User

My niece's dad is in prison for a crime he committed while on drugs.  She has been without her dad for years, and will continue to be for a couple more years at least.  The crime he committed - he definitely deserved the time (and more in my opinion).  It makes me wonder though, if he'd had been sentenced to entering one of the detox centers for a rapid detox and then major rehab, before things got so bad, would he have ended up a felon?  How does an Engineer with a great job go from having what most people want to sharing a cell, leaving a little girl without her dad (and believe me, she feels the absence of her father badly).

He tried to kick his drug habit a few times but it never worked for him.  If he'd gone into a detox that lasted longer, with longer recovery and follow-up psychological counseling for at least a couple months, would he have been successful? 

I wonder if he's received the detox and rehab while in prison so when he gets out, he'll be able to stay clean and actually participate in raising his child.  I hope so. 

Garmin Navigation Systems

Taking my youngest to children's hospital a few weeks ago made me realize that the navigation system on my cell phone isn't good enough to navigate downtown roads in a big city.  I need to look into Garmin GPS I think.

I also tested my cell navigation on a trip out of state and if I would've followed my cell phone navigation directions, I would've ended up in trouble in downtown Detroit! I definitely need to upgrade the navigation system I use when I travel.  I don't want to end up lost.  I have a hard enough time with no sense of direction as it is.  Getting lost would send me into a full-blown panic attack I think.

Disney for Christmas

Who has taken the kids to Disney?  Did you like it?  Did the kids enjoy it?  Is there a time of year, or age of child, that you would not go if you had to do it all over again?

I am thinking about Disney vacations for Christmas this year. Our youngest is finally old enough. I wanted to wait until she was old enough to remember it and she just started kindergarten so I think it's a great time now.

Two parents, four kids, and Mickey Mouse?  I need to look into how much it would cost us.  It'd be a great surprise for the kids.

Dogs Chewing - Separation Anxiety

Ack!  Dogs!!  Two of our dogs are chewing on our faux wood blinds. They end up back in their kennels when we leave when they do that. I can't have them chewing up all of our belongings because they don't like it when we leave.  I guess it's called separation anxiety?

It doesn't help that the kitten we found riding under my truck also climbs them AND shreds the underside of my couch. 

It's a good thing we love our pets because the frustration level of having pets can be quite high at times.

Wanting to Relocate

We are seriously considering moving back to our home state. The prospect is a bit daunting, especially in this economy where we know the chances of being able to sell our home in the time we need will be difficult.

We are looking for automotive jobs (or even aerospace) but those types of jobs aren't easy to come by in this economy. I hear technology jobs are more in demand. 

Picking up and moving four kids, the dogs, the horses, a kitten and a snake - easy, right?

Sweet Children's Book

I just read Child of Faerie, Child of Earth to my five-year-old daughter. I've had this book on my list of books that I wanted and finally got it. I am glad I did!

School Shopping Time

The time has come for school shopping.  I dread the hemorraging of money for school supplies, school fees, and school clothes (oh yeah, and school taxes).  Friday is the day to take care of the clothing part of it.  I'm going after jeans and mbt shoes. I'm not that concerned with shirts just yet since it's still warm for a couple months at least and they have plenty of summer t-shirts.

What's the deal with having to pay school fees AND school supplies?  I thought the fees were taken care of with taxes.  We pay state and school taxes.  Money, money, there goes the money...

What Every Woman Should Know, Part II

I forgot a few from my previous post on what every woman should know (well, what I wish I knew anyway):

• How to replace a battery and watch band on a watch.  Mine die or break and then they sit in a drawer for years, never to be fixed again.  They're not Vacheron Constantin watches but they still mean something to me. I'd like to wear them again.
• How to winterize a lawn mower.
• How to stain a deck (hubby won't do this and I really need it done).

What Every Woman Should Know

I've made a list of things I wish I knew, things I wish I didn't need to depend on other people to do for myself.  They are:

• Know basic electrical (like when a light bulb keeps blowing...what does it mean or how to replace a door chime?). 
• Know basic plumbing (like a toilet keeps running or won't flush).
• Know how to use basic power tools (I don't know how to use any.).
• Know how to change my oil and give my car a tune-up.

These are things I wish I knew and I'm envious of women who know how to do those things. 

Family Dysfunction

Hubby has been stressing over his parents lately.  There's been some problems with some of the relatives that is affecting them.  They're older and his dad has heart problems so he's worried that these issues are going to hurt them. 

It's all drama, all the time.  Total dysfunction.  We were supposed to go on vacation up there in a couple weeks but hubby is not too upset about not going now that he knows it's a war up there right now.  It makes me wonder how much his parents are giving up financially as well as mentally and physically for these relatives that can't seem to take care of themselves.  They're supposed to be enjoying their retirement.  I hope they're not selling their life insurance for seniors and stocks and stuff to take care of adults who won't take care of themselves. They've worked hard for all the investments they have.

Not Pregnant

Well, the pregnancy test was negative AND I started my period.  Guess I didn't need to waste money on a pregnancy test. 

Now that I know I'm not pregnant, I am looking into the best weight loss supplements or a change in my thyroid medicine. I get my thyroid tested again next week so I will be able to see exactly what my thyroid is doing, or not doing in my case.  These thyroid symptoms are really irritating.  I'm pulling hair off my hands when I touch my hair, off my shirt, etc.  My daughter pulled a piece of hair out of her eggs today.  That was kind of gross. 

Unexpected Pregnancy?

Well, if my period doesn't start soon, I am going to have to take a test to see if I am a mommy again.  As my youngest gets ready to start kindergarten, the thought of starting over with diapers, personalized baby gifts, high chairs, and sleepless nights is a bit scary. 

It's a week late.  It has me a bit worried, but hubby isn't.  He thinks it is thyroid-related because my medication was changed a month ago.  The chance that he's right not to be worried is very high but I'm still going to worry until I start or a test tells me otherwise.

Vitamins for Pregnancy

With the pregnancy scare, I've been thinking about my health just in case.  I've been making sure I take my vitamins and extra supplements until I find out one way or the other.  Then, I'll look at pregnancy vitamins if I need them.

I "think" my thyroid is what is messing up my menstrual cycle right now and not a little bun in the oven. My oven is supposed to be closed - it's not out of business but definitely closed.  If hubby would get a vasectomy, then he'd be out of the baby-making business...but he won't.  He's scared.  *big eyeroll here*

I've given birth to FOUR of his children.  I think it is HIS turn to drop his drawers and display all for a change!

I've Lost 20 Pounds!!

My weight loss finally dropped to 20 pounds!  That leaves 11.3 pounds left to go.  They say the last ten are the most difficult.  The first 13 seemed to fall off easily enough. The next seven were a long time coming.  I'm hoping these last 11.3 pounds aren't going to be just as difficult to get rid of. 

I feel like I've been overweight since my daughter was born five years ago.  Oh wait, I have been.  I've exercised, considered natural weight loss products, and even was on a "sports" diet from my doctor but none of it worked. What worked for me was changing my thyroid medication. Sure did wonders for my metabolism!

LeBron James Decision Tonight

So what is LeBron James going to do?  Which team will he choose?  Personally, I don't care but from the news reports, I guess I'm the minority.  My kids like LeBron James but they don't watch basketball.  How does that make sense? 

I'm not going to be watching the broadcast.  I have too much work to do still tonight and then I have to go to bed.  Two nights without sleep has left me dark eye circles and a bit crabby (ok, more than a bit).  I need my sleep.  I feel like a zombie and my shoulders are burning something awful.

Mom, can I pierce my face?

That's sure not a question I think about hearing down the road when I'm holding a newborn in my arms, but my 13-year-old wants to pierce her face.  I told her she couldn't pierce her eyebrow, her lip, or her tongue and the only piercing I might consider (when she's a few years older) is a nose piercing until she's 18.  Dad agrees.  I showed her videos on YouTube of nose piercings thinking it'd put her off for a few years, but it didn't.  She still wants a nose piercing.

It might be easier to buy her that iPhone and iphone accessories she'd love to have, that all her friends have. She gets "that look" on her face when she seems me using my iPod Touch - that "why do YOU, being old, have one of those when I can't" looks.

Teen Dreams of iPhone

My 13-year-old is asking for an iPhone because a few of her friends have them.  I'd be worried about the dog chewing it up or her losing it.  Do you know how many times I have to call her cell phone so we can find it?  I'd need to find insurance for iphones to set my mind at ease.  Maybe when she's older and can help pay for it, I'll google iphone 4 insurance and see what we can do about insuring an expensive item like that if she'll help pay for it.

It doesn't help that I have an iPod Touch that looks like her friends' iPhones.  I got my iPod as a gift for a job well done.  Considering a need a crow bar to even get her out of bed in the morning, or by noon, she's not earned anything!

How to tell if a child or adult is drowning - very surprising information!!

Do you know the drowning you see on television isn't usually the way drownings occur?  Every parent should read this article here.  I had no idea.

Another important article to read, about dry drowning, can be read here.

Baby Walker for Baby Shower Gift

My husband's second cousin (or is it cousin once removed?) has a baby shower next week that she invited me to.  I can't attend but I'd like to send a gift so I am looking at a baby walker.  We used them safely for our children on the lowest level (do not use them around stairs) when they were developed enough and they loved it! 

I remember my daughter had an activity walker but I don't remember what brand it was.  It looked like this Chicco Activity Baby Walker.  That one was a favorite.  Then there is the Disney Botanical Baby Walker that is just too cute.  What child doesn't like Tigger and Winnie the Pooh?  My stepson carried his Winnie the Pooh with him everywhere when he was a baby! 

Choices, choices.  I know whichever I decide, it will definitely get put to good use.  They're great for entertaining the little ones.

How did Father's Day go?

I hope everybody's Father's Day went well.  I'm sure there were dads everywhere getting big ticket items like a LCD TV, fishing gear, golf gear, etc. My husband got a new guitar and our four kids adoring him (his older two children didn't bother to contact him).

Bikes and guitars are his thing so we went with a Yamaha acoustic guitar.  He's been trying to get me to give up my Yamaha acoustic to him for months now so now he has his own! You would think that would stop him from wanting mine but, of course, it hasn't.  He always wants what he can't have until he gets it.  It drives me crazy.

Gift Ideas for In-Laws

We are going to visit the in-laws next month and I am looking for outdoor gift ideas for them.  We've bought them garden fairies and made homemade stepping stones with all of our kids' handprints in them.  They have statues and a water fountain already.  I am looking for other ideas for their rural setting like perhaps garden windmills or something like that. They come in different colors so it'd be easy to match their house. 

I have no idea.  Gift ideas for the in-laws are getting more difficult each year because they buy what they need when they need it.

Forgetting the Woman You Were

The weight scale is starting to come down again.  Since having my fourth child, it's been impossible to get the weight off because of my thyroid disease so it's been nice to see the weight come off now with my new thyroid medicine.  It makes me feel better in my clothes and revving up interest again in finding some pretty lingerie to sleep in again.

Between four children, two stepchildren, work and my health, it becomes too easy to forget to feel pretty about myself sometimes.  Losing weight is helping me feel like me again.  I used to be a fun "me" so it's nice to remember she still exists underneath all the daily "mom" needs that can sometimes swamp a mother.

Pecked to Death by a Duck

I saw this little sign in a country store and couldn't resist buying it and hanging it in my house.  Of course, my kids don't appreciate it but they will...when they have their own kids. 

It's amazing how much love you can feel for these little people and in the next minute, they're frustrating the heck out of ya.  It's enough to send me to prototype 37c in fear of wrinkles!

We have about nine weeks together and I'm trying to figure out how to keep things fun but organized, interesting without major frustration.  It's the last summer before my littlest one goes off to school.  Then she turns into one of THEM and she's no longer my baby anymore.

"Before" Fat Picture

I forgot to tell a little tidbit one of my kids did today when I was talking about weight in my previous post...

My oldest daughter snapped a picture of me today, unexpectedly, in my pajamas.  I was horrified!  I can't stand the way I look in pictures.  I guess they tell the truth and I can't stand seeing how much more weight I still have left to lose.  I looked like I needed to find diet pills that work. It took me all of three seconds to delete that picture to ensure it never showed up on facebook or anywhere else. 

What I should do is take a "before" picture of me now in the hopes that eventually I will have an "after" picture to compare it too.  I've thought about doing that before but I'd be really horrified actually.

Picking a Weight Loss Supplement

How do you pick a weight loss supplement?  Do you just pick up something off the store shelf and hope for the best?  Do you talk to your doctor?  Do you research online with the company?  Do you look for scams?  For instance, if I was considering Apidexin, I'd want to look up reviews from real people as was as google apidexin scam and make sure it was a legitimate supplement.

I would also talk to my doctor because I take medication for asthma and thyroid disease. It would be very important to me to make sure there wouldn't be any dangerous interactions, especially because of my thyroid medication.

Rent a Fetal Doppler

When I was pregnant, we had to wait for doctor appointments to hear our baby's heartbeat.  Now I hear that you can rent your own fetal doppler!  You can set your mind at ease or share with anybody and everybody as you wish of your little's one beating heart, especially the first few months when assurances seem more necessary (and appreciated) than after that worrisome three-month point.  How cool is that? 

I always loved hearing the heartbeat and then seeing the ultrasounds for a little preview of the little one.  Plus, I always wanted to know whether we were having a boy or girl so we always found out. 

Things have advanced so much in the five years since I gave birth to our youngest child.  I wish losing that extra baby weight naturally or with a weight loss dietary supplement would advance just as quickly!  They say nursing helps you lose weight and I nursed for two years.  Because of my thyroid, all that weight that was supposed to drop off...let's just say I'm still carrying too much of it five years later.

Am I Infertile?

I am contemplating whether I should make an appointment now with my gynecologist to see if my illness made me infertile or just wait until my normal appointment in August.  Part of me thinks it would be ok if I was but there is a part of me that doesn't like the fact that the choice may have been taken away from me.  I guess I'm a control freak that way. 

We talked about being done having children but to make it "permanently" done with no chance whatsoever (because, let's face it, there's always a chance with two fertile people), I didn't plan for my choice to be taken from me like that.  We have six children total (two "his" and four "ours") and that is a lot of kids!  Our youngest is getting ready to start kindergarten and if ever there was a time when I'd start feeling the urge for another baby, it'd be when I put my last baby on the bus the first time.  Was I really done with diapers, breastfeeding, personalized baby gifts, and soft baby skin and smells? 

I won't know until I have more tests done.  The question is do I get my answer now no matter what it is or wait so I don't have to know yet?  I am not sure if I am ready to hear the answer to that yet.

Might Be Infertile Now

I was looking for one of my posts about car insurance (should just go to carinsurancelist.com instead of wandering through one of my dozen blogs looking for my notes) when I realized I was posting about my illness on here, and my stay at the hospital, and yet I never wrote what I was in the hospital for. Big duh!

I was hospitalized with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease due to bacterial vaginosis.  Usually it is STD related but in our case, as all the hospital tests proved to the disbelieving doctors, that was not the case for us.  I can't believe how unbelieveable people (doctors in our case) find it that married couples are actually faithful to each other!  They were seriously irritating to both myself and my husband for the entire time I was in the hospital.

Doctor to me:  "Are you married?"

Me:  "Yes."

Doctor:  "Do you have multiple partners?"

Me (thinking didn't I just answer that when I said I was married):  "Of course not, I'm married."

Doctor:  "Does your husband have multiple partners?"

Me:  "Not if he knows what is good for him.  No, he wouldn't do that to me or to us."

I received these questions throughought my 2-1/2 day stay at the hospital.  I was horribly sick from the antibiotics and even hallucinating (those were seriously freaky) from them and then to have irritating doctors asking these repeated questions...ugh!  The test results, which took a few days, shut those questions up thankfully.

So I was hospitalized for several days and given major antibiotics through the IV.  I was so bad, they were worried about abcesses and the need for surgerty.  I may be infertile now but I won't know more until I see my gynecologist for further testing to see if there is scarring and how bad. 

Pictures of Burned Little Boy So Sad

I saw a picture of the little boy I posted about yesterday who fell into a campfire while with his grandparents.  It is so very sad.  He's so little and wrapped up like a mummy.  I feel so bad for him. 

I'm not sure what those picture were doing posted on somebody's facebook - I can't imagine doing that!  That's just too horrific and too private.

If this happened to one of my kids while my kids were in the care of one of their grandparents, I'm not sure what I'd do, or not do.  I'd have to walk away or have them wishing they had a good life insurance rate because I'd want to strike out at them.

I know accidents happen but what business does a three-year-old child have around a campfire without an adult hanging onto him dearly?  It's like leaving a child on the edge of a pool unattended.  You just don't do it!

Best Blackhead Removal

Can somebody tell me what is the best way to get rid of a blackhead?  I've had this little bugger forever and no matter what I use on it, it stays underneath the skin.  I've tried over-the-counter acne treatments and different types of cleansers.  I've read that pronexin is supposed to be good but I don't have major acne problems so I'm not sure if this would be overkill for one tiny blemish. I have the occasional acne problem and one stubborn blackhead.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Always Ask for copies of Medical Reports and Labs

I found out after going back to the hospital to ask for copies of my lab results that the CT scan they'd done to check my appendix showed diverticulosis AND gallstones.  The bad thing is (like that's not bad enough), neither the ER doctor or my floor doctor while I was in the hospital mentioned those findings to me.  I would never have known about it had I not gone and asked for those records! 

I think it was sorta important for them to tell me.  There are things I can to do (diet, medical care) to try to ward off a gallstone attack, forming more gallstones for blockage, or my diverticulosis turning into diverticulitis.  I see a little bit of pain in my future and some changes in my diet.  Another benefit to that would probably be weight loss.  Hey, some people use ephedra diet pills and I use illnesses to lose weight. *sigh* Not really...just trying to find humor in a situation I don't see much humor in.

My Stay at the Hospital

Today has been the first time in awhile that I've been able to post.  I was really sick and hospitalized for awhile.  I missed my kids while in the hospital, even though my husband brought up our littlest one in the morning and then all of them in the evenings to see me.  It's not the same - being away from them and missing things.

Even though I felt horrible, I was ecstatic when they discharged me from the hospital.  I took a good look in the mirror the morning I was to be discharged and was shocked to see the zits I'd accumulated around my nose.  I looked like I needed the best acne products instead of antibiotics for my infection. Ha ha. Plus, when you can smell yourself, you know the desperate need of a shower! 

My "private" room wasn't so private in terms of bathroom needs.  It was more like a prison cell.  The toilet was IN the room across from my bed with just a curtain to pull around for privacy.  I am a very private person (married 14.5 years and still have never gone to the bathroom in front of my husband before) so having the toilet IN my room was just plain weird.

Be Cautious with Fire This Summer

With summer here, many people are enjoying the outdoors with campfires.  We have a fire pit in our yard as well, which my husband enjoys (me, not so much).  It makes me nervous even though my kids are starting to get old enough to know better.  Accidents can still happen.  We just heard of a friend of a friend whose three-year-old fell INTO a campfire over the weekend.  How horribly sad for the little child who had to be airlifted out.  Was the three-year-old not holding an adult's hand around that fire?  It's scary!  Avoidable accidents where young children are hurt like this make me very sad.

I'd probably be nervous to even use a fireplace around younger children that age.  I'd be more apt to try an electric fireplace insert instead.  I am overly cautious when it comes to safety with my kids, even though I know it drives them crazy.  Whether it is a fireplace, campfire, or enclosed fire pit, please watch young children.  They have no business close enough to fire to risk being hurt!

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

My four-year-old woke up this morning with a fever and stomach pain.  That led to vomiting a short time later.  Poor thing.  I thought flu season was over with!  I don't think it's anything that needs to be seen by a pediatrician unless she gets worse thankfully. 

I do need to think about whether to get my four-year-old all the vaccines due before kindergarten.  Our state requires chicken pox vaccine now.  I don't think that should be a requirement - it should be optional.  I had chicken pox as a kid as did all my siblings.  Other than a few small scars from itching, it was just an annoyance more than anything. 

I'll have to talk to the pediatrician for all their well-checks this summer.  For the last two years, they've been pushing the Gardasil vaccine every time I am there for my oldest.  I am totally against that vaccine after doing much research (my Healthy Me blog has some information on that).  They have me craning my neck for the exit signs when they get going on that one. I tell them no every time and they bring it up again at each appointment. 

They'll want me to sign a form on my kindergartener's vaccines (my refusal for some of them) but I've already seen their form.  No way will I sign that one.  If you haven't seen it, you should look it up.  My sister sent me a different one to use.

Reminder: Check Out Weight Loss Reviews First

This is just a reminder to moms out there.  I know after each baby, I wanted to lose the weight and after the fourth, it just became impossible to take off.  Just make sure that before you take any weight loss supplements, you check out the reviews, side effects, etc. online.  For example, google adipo-x version 2.0 side effects if you're interested in Adipo-X. Remember to check for interactions between medications (even over-the counter medications) and any weight loss supplements you consider.  If not for yourself, then for your child or children. 

Teens Are a Whole Different Species

By the time all six of our kids are adults, I am going to be in some serious need for some intervention to remove wrinkles. Teenagers are like a whole other species!!  I remember being a teenager and the things I went through so it's not like I've lost touch with what they go through.  They just seem different nowadays.  So are they really that different or is my level of patience anc ompassion just lacking? 

Three of our kids are teenagers right now.  Three more to go! 

Though my baby turns five in a few weeks.  That makes me a little sad.  Kindergarten is around the corner and then it's all over.

Mommy Weight Around the Middle

Today was my four-year-old daughter's mommy/daughter lunch.  Before we left, she put on a skirt and wanted me to put a skirt on too.  I told her no so she asked me why.  I told her I wanted to lose a few pounds first and then I'd wear a skirt again.  She innocently said, "You mean around here?" and she pointed to her waistline. 

Yes, sweetie, around there. 

Even a four-year-old can see what just doesn't look healthy and that I carry extra weight around my middle - where my four kids used to be. 

I've been looking up about diet pills reviewed since I wouldn't know where to start. It's hard to go from a size 2/4 all your life to a size 10 with a lot of the weight around the middle like a lump.  My husband excuses it all with, "Well, you've had four kids." 

Yeah but still.  I don't want to look like I'm still pregnant!  I'm thankful he doesn't care about the added weight, but I do.

Men Obsessed

If you are here and a mom, it's most likely because all the boy parts worked, right (well, unless you adopted)?  Why are men so obsessed with their boy bits?  I don't understand but they are. 

I am one of the lucky women, married to a man who is so attentive and unselfish in the bedroom that I have no complaints at all.  14.4 years of marriage (and six kids total) and still shaking the chandelier.  Maybe it is the movie industry that skews a man's idea of what is normal or maybe for women, it is the thighs/stomach but for men, it's their boy parts? 

My husband brings up, every now and then, supplements like vigrx. I guess it's a really big industry. I don't know a whole lot about it.  Do any of you?  I am curious to hear more about it, other than those late-night television commercials.

My Thyroid Blog

I forgot to mention in my last post that if you have thyroid disease or think you do, I have a thyroid blog called Thyroid Hell that you should read.  It gives my story as well as links on where to go for more information (better information that most doctors don't know or won't give by people who have been there, done that). 

I have found huge amounts of disappointment for most of the years I've had thyroid disease in my doctors.  They just don't know how to treat it well.  I finally found a good doctor now and have lost 19 pounds so far.  Who knows how far he will take me.  I hope he gets me totally symptom-free to where diet supplements like Lipofuze are just research but I just don't know yet. 

If you have thyroid disease or know somebody who does, my other blog may be able to point you in some direction.  At the very least, you will know you are not alone in the thyroid struggle.  Who knew such a little organ could cause so much frustration?

Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy

It is common for some women to develop thyroid disease soon after a pregnancy.  It must have something to do with the whacky hormones or immune system.  I developed Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Hypothyroidism with goiter and multiple nodules after my third baby was born.  It started with neck pain and when I checked, found swelling.  Turns out that was the goiter.  Blood tests determine what type of thyroid disease I had.  A biopsy determined whether the nodules could be cancerous.

For almost nine years now, I've struggled with thyroid symptoms (brain fog, cold, weight).  The memory lapses and weight has been the hardest to deal with.  I was always skinny no matter what I ate.  Now I am always large no matter what I eat (or don't eat).  I considered weight loss supplements like clinicallix but so far, I've just been dragging my way through doctors trying to find one who treats thyroid disease to where the symptoms actually go away. You would not believe, if you do not have thyroid disease, how hard that actually is!

No Whacked Out Momma

I am such a procrastinator! Yesterday I was teaching my four-year-old how to make heart emoticons on Facebook when I was supposed to be working and doing some of our shopping online.  I need humidifier filters badly and we couldn't find them in the stores (well, duh, winter is over with). I know winter is over with but with our guitars, we need to keep the humidifier running on automatic to keep humidity levels even at all times.  Besides my horses, learning to play guitar is like another stress reliever for me.  With 4 - 6 kids, managing my stress levels is important.  Otherwise, my kids would have one crazy mom.  Who wants a whacked out mom? 

Should I Die Before I Wake...

I know, that title is morbid right?  It's something, as a parent, that has to be considered though.

When we were newly married and had our first child, we went right out and got a term life insurance quote in the event something happened to both of us. We bought that term life insurance policy.  Since then, we've also added a regular life insurance policy on top of the term life. We have to make sure our children will be financially taken care of should something happen to us.  It'd be a huge burden to put on my sister - the financial burden - as guardian of our children.  So, we've made sure they'll be well-cared for financially with our life insurance and emotionally because my sister just adores my kids. 

Have you thought about life insurance?  It really doesn't cost that much for a decent policy.

What a day!

This morning, every one of my four children found my last nerve and yanked on it as hard as they could.  What a morning! 

I've been messing with my Internet connection all day too.  It keeps going out on me and when it is on, which isn't often, it is more like dial-up than high-speed!

I can't wait for this day to be over with!

Preserve Childhood Memories

If you are like me, you take a ton of pictures and videos of your children.  It's important to preserve those memories and I do it at every opportunity...so much so that my kids wish I'd just put the camera away often.

I found a Slingbox online that allows me to watch my digital media on our new HD television. It can be used with my computer (wirelessly), DVD or with the Internet. Sounds cool.   Right now I have to create discs to play in our DVD player but if I could wirelessly watch videos that are stored on my computer on the television, that saves the middle steps I take now.

Going Back to College

I have wanted to go back to school since my first child was born.  She is now 13 years old and my youngest starts kindergarten in August.  What a great time for me to start school as my baby leaves me to go to school with her siblings.

I am looking for a school to get an online degree.  With four kids and two stepkids, it's the easiest solution for me to study online around their schedules as much as possible.  I am checking out Western Governors University right now.

They offer programs for teaching, business, technology and health programs.  I would love to get an online business degree.  Their tuition is based on a flat rate (not per credit hour). 

I was wondering about the name including 'Governors' and I came across interesting information on their web site.  19 governors from 19 states founded this college!

With federal aid or a low-interest loan, I wonder if we could swing my going back to school.

Great Compliment from Husband

My husband gave me a great compliment the other day.  We were sitting outside on our deck enjoying the nice weather, watching our kids hunt around the yard for Easter eggs.  We were talking about home improvements (the light on our deck needs a new lighting fixture) and then our kids came running around the house after the Easter eggs.

He told me that our four children would not be as well-behaved as they are right now if I would have worked outside the home and they'd been in day care all these years.  I was starting to worry and feel guilty because our youngest starts kindergarten in August and I didn't know if he expected me to go back to work full-time then.  Between all their activities, illnesses, and before/after school day care costs, I didn't know how I'd manage everything they do in sports, music, and with the horses, around an outside work schedule.  He doesn't.  We are raising our children ourselves completely (we have no family help nearby) and they're doing great.  They are all A/B students, no problems in school, and no behavioral problems at all.  All four of our own children are just really good kids.

Some women want a career or have no choice and have to work outside the home.  I had a great career outside the home making great money and I didn't want it when I put it up against my kids when we started having them.  We definitely had to tighten up the budget and forego many things with less income, but it was worth it.  I'm thankful I can work from home part-time so I am available whenever my kids need me and can leave at the drop of a hat to go to the school for a sick child or assemblies.

Great Mother's Day Gift Idea: Samsung Moment Cell Phone

I have a great Mother's Day gift idea.  I have this new cell phone called The Moment that has a ton of free applications on it.  I have apps for grocery lists, games, weather, weight tracker, facebook, and even an app for a barcode scanner that I use. The barcode scanner is really cool.  It uses my phone's camera function to scan a bar code in on an object (like a book for example) and then you can find online prices for the object. Great for finding the best prices on things! It's not like a retail scanner but it works for my own personal use.

I have to say that my Sprint Samsung Moment is the BEST cell phone I have ever had to date and I've had them since the clunky Motorola's came out way back when.

Mother's Day Gifts

Easter will be done in a few days.  After that, it's no holds barred for the top mother's day gifts. My husband always does awesome for Mother's Day gifts. He does great for all gift occasions actually. I am very lucky.

I've had diamonds, other gemstones, red cowboy boots, a red leather jacket, and a great saddle.  I wonder what it will be this year.  I am thinking it will be either a mini shopping spree for the expensive jeans he knows I like that I borrowed from my sister or something to do with my guitars.  Unless I want a new bridle for my horse...so many things to pick from!! 

What's a girl to do? 

Living Far Away From Family

My kids want to move back to our home state where the rest of our family live.  If jobs were what they used to be, we could.  With the economy being what it is, I don't see our residence changing states anytime soon.  It's hard being far away when you need somebody to help with the kids once in awhile.  We've been doing it all on our own for ten years now.

I could raid my sister's closet if we lived closer.  I won't spend a lot of money on jeans but she will spend $100 on jeans without a thought.  Before losing weight and constantly looking at diet pill reviews, I could never have done that. Now I can fit into all her expensive clothes.

We head back to our home state this summer. I am definitely going to raid her closet again. It will be time to update my mommy makeover she gave me this past weekend.

Horseback Riding in Spring

Spring at our house means getting out the riding helmets and riding boots to ride again after the frigid temps of winter are gone.  My daughter took her first ride yesterday after a few months of not riding and she found she outgrew her riding boots during that time.  Her riding instructor also had to lengthen her stirrups another hole too or else she'd be riding like a jockey. 

This is my oldest and her horse.  They both did great.  You couldn't even tell either had any time off all winter long. 

Now we have a shopping trip to look forward to for more riding boots because her size 7.5 are too tight!  I need to get her a pair of breeches too for those long, skinny legs of hers.  She just became a teen and she's growing like a weed!

New Parent Duty: Life Insurance

Becoming a parent means taking responsibility for the life of another human being and that should include if something were to happen to you. Who would care for your child?  How would they provide for your child for the duration of their childhood?  These are important!

My husband and I obtained several life insurance quotes and took out a couple different life insurance policies to care for our four children in the event something to were to happen to both or one of us. Children are expensive!  It's important to us to alleviate whatever financial strain we can for the caregiver of our four children.  My sister would be taking on a huge responsibility for our four children.  I wouldn't expect her to bear the entire financial burden as well.

Child Restraint Recall

Dorel Juvenile Group just sent me a postcard in the mail about a recall on some convertible child restraints.  I went to their web site and I believe it is the Eddie Bauer car seat we are using but I'm not positive.  I have to run out to the car and get a model number from the seat.  I will call for a repair kit if it is one of ours but I'm irritated.  This recall was noted on their web site on January 18, 2010.  Why is the postcard just now coming over two months later? 

When you get pregnant, most people try to do everything right. You eat right, get insurance quotes for what is covered for the pregnancy and delivery, go to the recommended doctor visits, tour the birthing center at the hospitals, child-proof the house, find the perfect baby name, paint the nursery, pick out the safe car seat, etc.  It sure would help if these types of recalls were taken care of in a timely manner!

I Got Pampered!

I had a "mommy makeover" over the weekend.  We just returned from vacation with our four youngest children.  We went to visit family, including our oldest two of our six children.  It was a fun trip and a four-hour car ride with four kids wasn't bad.  It made us think about moving back to our home state.  Anyway, my little sister took me to a salon to have my hair cut and highlighted and my eyebrows waxed for the first time. I looked hot (so my husband and some guys in a club said:)  I just enjoyed the pampering for a change and tossing off the "soccer mom" look for a trendy mom look for a weekend.

We stayed with my sister on the river and watched the sun rise every morning over the river.  It was really pretty.  I saw my first swan this year in the marshes.  Many of the houses along the water have a sailing or water theme to their outdoor décor.  It was nice to get out of the country boonies as a family for a long weekend, leave the regular routine behind, and have some fun.

Graco Recalling High Chairs

1.2 million high chairs are being reported in USA Today as being recalled by Graco due to the fall hazard they represent.  Apparently, screws can loosen and fall out in the legs and that plastic brackets can crack according to the article.

Model:  all Harmony-TM high chairs

The report says to stop using the high chair immediately.

Out of the Mouth of Little Ones: Trinity Strikes Again

My four-year-old attends speech therapy once a week.  During therapy today, her therapist was using a picture of a witch to distinguish between the |r| and |w| sound.  Trinity blurted out to her speech therapist that she looked like the picture of the witch!  Her speech therapist laughed and said this was one of those things to go into the preschool book.  Good thing she has a good sense of humor and was laughing about it.

Then after we left speech therapy, we went through Wendy's drive-thru for a chocolate shake.  In the past, they have always messed up our order.  After I give the order and start to pull away, Trinity yells, "...and get our order right."  My window was still down! 

Potty Training Problems

We are not having any success with potty training our youngest.  She has an appointment at a children's hospital to see what is wrong in May.  It is a long wait to get in but we don't have any other choice.  I am hoping she won't need the appointment by May but it's likely wishful thinking.

Out of the Mouth of Little Ones

I love how little kids get these ideas into their head and think they just have the best ideas ever!  The other night at the dinner table, my four year old came up with this:

"Hey, daddy loves wine and I whine!"

She was SO happy about it too.  It was hilarious watching her grandly announce that to the entire dinner table.

YouTube Has a Safety Filter

I just found out that YouTube has a safety filter to filter out inappropriate content before your kids can see it.  Watch this very short video on how to turn it on and how it works.

Infant Swimming Leads to Lung Infections and Asthma

If your infant/toddler swims before age two, are you setting them up for lung infections and asthma later in life?  Read about one study here.

Easy Way to Get Out Loose Tooth

My son is afraid to manipulate a loose tooth out of his mouth.  He drags it on for days, complaining about it the whole time with the tooth hanging by barely nothing at all.  So, two teeth ago, I put some Baby Orajel on a Q-tip and rubbed it around the gum of that tooth (including in between the loose tooth and the gum where it was separated).  It was quickly numb.  He had the loose tooth out both times within seconds!

Getting Kids to Eat Vegetables

If your kids are like mine, getting vegetables into their little stomachs can turn mealtime into a frustrating time.  I have found that if I hide the veggies, they kids don't even know they are there.  I'm not talking about burying them in the mashed potatoes.

Here's what I do:

• For spinach, I dice it up very small and throw it in a pot of spaghetti sauce.  It looks like spices to the kids.  They don't even know the difference! 
• With carrots, I use a food grater to grate it very small or buy it in baby food jars so it's really creamy.  It mixes right into a pasta sauce with no problem.  Again, the kids have no clue.  Same with sweet potatoes.

My next goal:  how to hide corn!

Do you have baby brain?

If you've been told you were suffering from "baby brain" (memory lapses) due to pregnancy, a recent study just proved that concept all wrong.  Read about it here.

Template Problems

Well, I haven't received a response from the creator of this template yet about changing the timestamp - it's the same on every post!  I started dating my posts until they either get back to me or I change my template.  I really liked this template too. 

Graco Stroller Recall

JANUARY 20, 2010

Graco is recalling 1.5 million strollers because of the canopy hinge.  It's caused severe damage to several toddlers.  To find out if your stroller is on the list, go to the CPSC site.  This defect can actually amputate a child's finger so CHECK IT OUT AND PASS IT ON!

Changing Templates

I changed the template for this blog.  I LOVE this template, but the date timestamp is messed up.  They are all saying the same date!  That isn't going to work.  If I can't get the kinks worked out, expect another template change in the future. 

Make Your Time Count

JAN 17 2010

My oldest became a teenager yesterday.  It's amazing to me that 13 years has gone by already since the time she was born during an ice storm in the early hours of the morning. 

Time flies with the kids.  Appreciate the time you have with them and make it count.  Save those memories up because they grow up so fast!

Potty Training Woes

My four-year-old and I were in Wal-Mart today and she ran ahead a short ways to get to the yogurt before me.  She suddenly squats down and yells, "Mom, I'm not wearing a pull-up."  Uh-oh.  That means she has to go NOW and she's having a hard time holding it.  That also likely means she's had an accident in her new princess underwear we bought her to encourage her to want to wear them during the day and just her pull-ups at night.  After she was able to stop and be sure she could hold it, she stood up and we fast-walked to the restrooms to finish the job. 

I can't wait until potty-training is entirely over and there isn't another pull-up in my house - ever!  They've been great but it's definitely time to be done with the potty training.  I'm not sure if she's taking longer because she's the baby and she enjoys being the baby (I've potty trained four other children much earlier than she) or if she truly is just a late one when it comes to potty training.

Parenting has some potty training articles if you'd like to read up on it. 

Pull-Ups has a Potty Dance video now.  Personally, I think the one my daughter and I made up is MUCH better.  It's called "the pee pee dance"  (or "poo poo dance" - depending on the...um...deed being done). 

Canine Baby to Squash Baby Urge

This little girl was a present from my husband.  I think he was hoping that having a "baby" in the house would ensure that no more human baby urges hit me anytime soon.  She lays in my arms like a baby to sleep.  She makes messes like a baby.  She loves to be cuddled like a baby.  However, a baby wouldn't chew on my wall or armoire (at least none of mine ever did).