First Snow

Today was the first big snowfall (heck, first snowfall at all!) of the year. We figured the kiddo probably doesn't remember snow from last year and her grandparents had just bought her new snow pants and boots. Therefore, out she went with her new warm gear and her daddy in his flannel jeans. 

Every time he would shovel some of the sidewalk she would scoot her little feet behind on the cleared area. She was enthralled with the cold, white flakes on her mittens and tried valiantly to make snowballs but mostly ended up with white pancakes. 

The best part of the morning was the little snow person they made. She loved this little guy and even tried to kiss it (from a good foot away). She poked each of his eyes, patted his hair and helped stick in his little carrot nose. 

I have a feeling she could have stayed out much longer, but she started refusing to wear her mittens and her little fingers were getting mighty cold. 

Luckily for her, her mama made some cocoa and gave her a cookie to warm back up. Mmm. Remember how great it used to be to play in the snow and then come in to cocoa and cookies? Maybe that's one of the best parts of kids. We get to relive our favorite things from childhood with them!

Now we just need to get a sled so we can pull her around the neighborhood and over to the park. 

Make or Buy

What is your plan this year? Do you already have your Christmas list filled, wrapped and tucked away or are you still planning on picking up a bunch of gifts next Friday? 

Generally I am a big fan of the black Friday sales and love the lure and thrill of the hunt. Not to mention, good sales help the economy, right? 

This year, due to the new roof and new attic, we won't be buying each other or anyone else anything. That doesn't mean I won't be giving presents!! No indeed. I'm looking forward to Make Something Day. Though it might take more like a month and not just a day.

Both plans are equally good and fun! What's yours this year? 

Another Great Deal

Since I'm on a kick of telling you lovely interweb folks about great deals, I thought I should let you know that tomorrow is the last day to get restaurant.com gift certificates for 80% off. 

Have you bought GCs from them before? There are restaurants available practically everywhere and the deal is impossible to beat. I just spent $4 for $50 worth of restaurant coupons. Seriously. For some of my favorite places in town. It's really the only way we can afford to eat out. We will generally have about a $30 bill and spend about $10 overall with the tip. 

Anyway, check it out. Just enter the code ENTREE at checkout. You have up to a year to use the gift certificate. Plus, these are great to give as gifts or use when you're traveling. You can select any zip code and find a great place to eat out anywhere. 

20 Weeks

Um, apparently this means I'm half-way there? That seems like a rather frightful thought. Not only is there currently nowhere for this child to sleep, but the to-do list to prepare for it is horribly long. 

We'd ideally like to have the insulation and drywall hung in the attic before the first snowfall. Then it will be a matter of finances in getting it mudded and then the room carpeted before said child makes their appearance.

Unfortunately, I can't begin to prepare a nursery until the attic is finished as everything that is generally stored in the attic is currently stored in the to-be-nursery room. There would probably be enough room to stow a bassinet, but not to walk around it or actually get to it and therefore not very useful. 

Anxiously I await the ultrasound to find out if there will be a need to buy blue and green clothing or start sorting out the tubs of pinks. Only a week and a half before we hopefully get an answer. Though I am not too worried if my child is shy. I have easily met my deductible for the year so if more ultrasounds are needed, I can get them scheduled! It's more just the wondering to know. 

As any expectant parent will say, I'll be happy with whatever gender pops out, but my symptoms have been almost entirely identical to my first pregnancy. Thus leading me to believe that there is a girl type baby swimming around in my belly. As active as the first too. I guess we'll just wait and see. 

These pics were both taken last night. I have been horribly remiss in getting good belly shots done this time around, so we're are attempting to remedy that. Am feeling rather huge lately, but the scale says I've only gained 6 pounds so far so I guess it's not too bad. Hating the reflux, and eating lots of Tums. Lovely. 

Get Them Before They're Gone!

I have been keeping my eyes out for the semi-annual sale of cloth diapers. Twice a year or so, I get an email saying that they are having a big close out at one of my favorite sites for dipes. Every order has been fabulous with them and I have been very happy with the quality of everything I have purchased there.

Click for the list of what is still available in the outlet store. Everything is half off and the discounted price will show up in your cart before you check out.  I stocked up on smalls so come March/April my new baby's buns will be well covered! Though, often newborns can be smaller than the smalls so it might be more like May before the buns are covered with cloth. 

If you currently use cloth, you already know what a great deal this is and will hurry over. If you haven't tried cloth, this is a great time to give them a chance. Your baby's bootie will thank you! (as will your budget-most people say they save over a thousand bucks)

 Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about cloth diapering as I've been at it for (gasp) almost two years now and I also have lots of resources to share to any future converts!

Kitty Kats

I don't like the scary goulish part of halloween. It always creeps me out to walk into the hastily set-up, dirty with last year's costumes, filled with hooker outfits, noisy as I go past the mummies with blinking red eyes temporary Halloween stores. Yet, every year I find myself there in the store looking for, what? Inspiration?

Regardless, I love having halloween parties. They are my favorite parties to throw. I love hanging silly things from the ceilings, cooking "scary" foods ("hand" meatloaf, radioactive hummus, brussels sprouts, etc), dressing up and eating candy with friends. Especially friends who go all out with their costumes. Even better than that, now that I have a kiddo, I get to dress HER up. And darn it, kids are so cute in their little costumes!

The week before Halloween it was cold and rainy and yet we still trudged across the park to hit "The Zoo Goes Boo." Luckily, there was one candy spot where they were handing out full sized candy bars and the Hershey bar mysteriously went right into Mama's pocket.  Here you see my little white kitten with her kitty basket trying to decide how much she really wanted to be out treating. 

The day of Halloween, I didn't have to work, so as it was cold and rainy yet

 again, we decided to brave the mall and do our treating inside. Later I found out that one of our local colleges do great dorm treating so we will have to be sure to go there next year. 

Yes, I realize that this is two weeks past due, but darn it, interweb, didn't you want to see this cute little pink & white kitten? 

I Love My Hair

In general, I have pretty thin hair. My fabulous stylist says I have plenty of hair but that the strands are thin. I guess that makes me feel a little better. Most of the time I have to wash my hair every day if I want to look presentable. 

Most of the time I don't really mind too much how presentable I am. Frankly, if I'm staying home with the kiddo all day I am perfectly ok with the Mommytail. 

However. Right now I have pregnant hair. It took a couple months to kick in, but once it did, it became glorious. Maybe not to you, maybe not for anyone else to notice, but to me--glorious. I don't have to wash it for at least three days and it can still look fresh and silky yet grease-free. 

Some days I go curly and use my diffuser, other days I take a little more time and flat iron it. The times I straighten it I know will last the longest. Somehow, I don't even get bedhead! 

In my google reader, I subscribe to several Freebies blogs. Last week I got a free sample in the mail for Pureology's Super Smooth Smoothing Elixir. I have always loved this brand for shampoos & conditioners, but haven't had a chance to try any other products before. 

Am. In. Love. First of all, i didn't just get a little bitty one-time-use packet, I got a full-sized bottle! Secondly, while I only used a little bit, this stuff seriously made my hair much smoother. I used no other products after showering and I could tell a big difference when flat ironing. Frankly, it took less time to straighten than usual as well. Big win there!

I know my hair is only going to be this great for the next six months or so, but I'm loving every last moment that I have until I start balding again. At least I'll still probably have some elixir left to at least help with the styling process. 

Drip Drop

There's something so innately soothing about rain. The drip, drip, drip, pitter, patter, pit. Makes you just want to curl up with some hot cider and a good book. Even a big storm, when it ferociously whips against your windows with gale forces bringing down the last vestiges of leaves, can somehow be calming. 

Except when it is drip, drip, dripping inside your house at 3 am. That is a whole lot less soothing. 

Last night we were awakened by my fussy child who's paci had fallen out. (Yeah, I know, she should give up the paci, but that's the last thing I want to deal with right now.) I stumbled to the crib, cram the bink in and stumble back to bed. 

Except I noticed a steady stream of drips onto the hall floor. This is made even worse by the fact that there should not ever be water coming down from above there. After stumbling up to the attic, we (mostly Andy, I can't actually see at night, am blind as a bat) discovered some serious holes in the roof tarps. Like, not-joking-around-about-rain-coming-in kind of holes. Added to which was the serious wind and excessive pouring down buckets of rain. 

The good news, which was reported to me after said husband climbed back into bed, is that the skylight already installed was dry as a bone. Phew. 

During breaks in the drips today he is going to try to get as much put up as possible. Only, of the special order windows for the other holes, we're still missing one. Sigh.

We would try to do this during the rainiest time of the year so far, wouldn't we? 

Disorganized, Disconnected, Disturbing

Lately it has felt like practically everything in my life is out of my control. Good work is getting done on the house, but like all old homes, every step of the way seems much more difficult and more time consuming and more messy than it needs to be and somehow escalates so that I am completely overwhelmed. Of course, with all home improvements, the period before the home is improved often finds the home vastly unimproved. 

I feel as though I can't but make wrong choices and life is more complicated at every turn. Everything seems like it is just harder than it needs to be. Not that I'm complaining that life should be all peaches and roses, but lately I just can't seem to handle it all. Financially, emotionally, spiritually, I am disconnected and frustrated. Drained. 

Fortunately, today was a good day. Hubby made a fantastic breakfast for us all this morning, the sun actually was shining and it was quite warm. Warm enough to go for a walk to the park and see the lake monster. Plus, I captured some fabulous pics of my kiddo. Crazy little munchkin makes me laugh all day. Here you see the most common phrase of hers, "Come on." She doesn't prefer to play alone lately, always wanting Mama or Dada to be at least near her if not playing with her. She gestures her little hand to you and you can't help but take it and follow wherever she leads. 

What I'm Living with and What I'm Missing

I'll let you guess which is which. 

Things I Really Love

I’ve wanted a kitchen corner nook table since we bought this house. It just seemed as though it would be the perfect fit and save space as well. For years, we have kept our eyes open for one and even found a great one at a local wood store, but it was a bit more than we could pay so we kept looking.

A few weeks ago in a sales flyer I saw the perfect table and bench set for my kitchen corner and it was at the perfect price.

It was flat packed and needing to be built, which is something I actually love doing. With the help of a friend, I got the table I always wanted.

You’ll never guess where I got it. No really, you won’t.

I totally have the biggest crust on Aldi. I've always been a fan, really. But seriously, this thing is fabulous. Storage in the benches for my napkins and such. Plus, every time I go, I treat myself to a bouquet of flowers that are not only inexpensive, but they also tend to last about two weeks. 

Aldi, people. Aldi. 

Fall-ish

We hit the apple orchard today. And by hit, I mean we knocked it out of the park in picking crazy tasty apples. The trees were heavy laden, some apples even touching the ground. Bright, juicy, red apples beckoned us to take a bite before putting them into our bags. My mouth is watering now just thinking of how fabulous they were. 

Sunday will be the big sauce-ing day and I can't wait to smell up the entire house with apple-y goodness. The leaves haven't all turned yet, but with the a stop at the orchard and the cooler air (and a need to have the heating guy come fix our heater) it definitely feels like it is fall. 

I'm stocking up on my fall decor and ready to put out my pumpkins. The halloween party is approaching and I can't wait for pumpkin pies and cookies and spiced cider. Not to mention a good excuse to eat more candy. 

Progress

The kitchen got a facelift today. 

Everything got moved into the newly finished basement Studio today. 

The playroom started taking shape today. 

The best part is, we got to sleep in and then have a leisurely family breakfast of omelets & cinnamon rolls together. 

Mondays are the greatest. 

Cutie Stinkin' Patootie

These days, my child cracks me up more and more. Sure, she's throwing more tantrums and obeying less, but the cute things she is doing are trying desperately to outweigh that. 

We've been trying to get it on video for a while, but she and her daddy play a game with their pianos where they both play at the same time and then she puts her hands up in the air.....and they have to stop. Then start. Then stop. And on and on. It's pretty cute and it's so funny to watch her make up games. 

The other day I heard a noise out of the corner of my ear (don't you hear that way?) and knew it was my child getting on her daddy's laptop when she shouldn't be. I immediately go over and use my serious mom voice to tell her in no uncertain terms that she should not be doing what she was doing. Andy walks into the room and she turns to him and flashes a huge silly grin, as if to say, "Yo Dad, I'm totally in trouble." Unfortunately, I completely lost it. It was too darn cute and I had to walk away doubled over laughing. Discipline fail. 

Today she spent at least 10 minutes moving the cat's food from one dish to another. Quietly picking up dropped pieces and putting them back into the bowl. The cat just sat and stared, not sure how to intervene without losing fur. Fortunately, she has become a very patient kitty. 

Some days I feel as though I will

 never get her to eat anything but cereal and then she goes and surprises me by happily eating a meal with us of salmon, rice and peas. I content myself with knowing that if few veggies get in, she will always drink a smoothie with all kinds of fruit and hidden vegetables. Nutrition by trickery, that's my motto. 

And those faces. I love the raised eyebrows and the grouchy face and the eyes squinched tight. Oh, but the best new game that we play is sleepy time. Yesterday after her nap we were playing in her room with various toys when she pulls a pillow off the rocker and lays it on the floor. Then she pushes me down, brings me a blankie and some stuffed friends, has me turn on the fan, kisses me (with the best kissy noises), says "nigh, nigh" and proceeds to walk out of the room, closing the door behind her. She was a little bothered that she couldn't turn off the light, but it all worked out ok. Gee, if my own kid makes me take a nap, I'm doing great. 

 

On Lots of Stuff and Also a Few Things...

I keep thinking that life is going to slow down. Until I realize that it really isn't. That I need to take the quiet times and hold on to them, to savor them while they last. 

This summer has been a whirlwind of travel and home improvements and gardening (at which I was sadly very unsuccessful this year) and canning (at which I was surprising adept) and work. Somehow I always assume that work will be a little quieter and a little easier in the summer but it never really is. There is always chaos and planning and extra work that wasn't originally planned. 

I will admit to being rather proud of my canning this year. It is something my mother always did a lot of and I never learned how to do, something I will always regret. Instead, I bought the bible of canning: Ball's. 

I've been able to use this guide for every recipe I have needed and it hasn't failed me yet. There were a few terms I had to look up, but other than that, I'm a huge fan of this handy dandy guidebook. 

This year I put away strawberry & strawberry rubharb jam, peach jam, peaches, pickles, tomato sauce & tomato soup, diced tomatoes and today I am working on grape juice and grape jelly. I would like to do pears, pear jam and also applesauce. Now that I feel as though I have the hang of it, I'm on a roll!

However, at the same time, I'm completely exhausted. I'm 11 weeks preggo (most of you were aware of this little tidbit via Facebook, that purveyor of all things) and this little critter is sucking all of my energy. Some days I feel as though getting up off of the couch is asking too much of me and other days I can accomplish a few things. It seems as though I can get the most done in the evenings, but I also feel the most nauseated them. Frankly, I just can't win. My house is generally a mess and there is always a pile of laundry somewhere that needs to be put away. The worst part is that there is no good tv on right now to keep my lazy self occupied!

Home improvements haven't been at all helped my my lack of motivation. I was able to prime the basement (with low-odor paint) but that was probably three weeks ago now. Theoretically, I will be energized enough to do that tonight, but I can't promise anything. We really want to have the studio finished and everything moved down there this month so that I can paint and curtain the new playroom and get these blasted toys out of my dining room. That is going to be a fun and creative project that I am really looking forward to as well. 

On top of all that, I originally wanted to be able to move into our attic master suite by snowfall but now I'm just hoping for it to be insulated and dry-walled by them. Since there is virtually no insulation up there, that is pretty much a requirement here in good ol' Michigan. The rest won't be as difficult. (again, theoretically)

Regardless, by April (or maybe late March?) this house needs to be ship shape. Because by then, I'm going to be running after a two year old and keeping an infant alive at the same time. Yikes. (ok, I know many of you have way more than two children, but it still seems like quite a challenge to me)

I am tired (of being tired and also) of feeling so very disorganized and cluttered. Of feeling like it isn't just my stuff that is everywhere, but it's also my brain and my life. Did I mention how horribly my garden grew this year? That crazy jungle needs to be cleaned out and mulched over. Next year is there is going to be a very minimal amount of growing done. We'll call it a year to let the ground rest, how about that?I need to sell a ton of things and de-clutter. There are multitudinous sewing and/or crafting projects that need to be done.  Basically, there is an endless list that I feel is hovering over me. 

I'm just so blasted TIRED.  

An Interlude

What I Don't Teach

You don't have to teach a toddler how to throw a fit. You don't have to teach her how to scream at you.

I never taught my daughter that she should throw her food or her dishes on the floor. Nor have I taught her to ignore my requests.

However, I apparently don't have to teach her how to clean up after herself either. A couple days ago she spilled some milk out of her sippy. When she noticed the dribble on the floor, she ran to the kitchen, pulled a towel out of the towel drawer and came back to wipe it up.

I'm not sure if this is really my kid after all.

Stay Tuned

I like things. No, really, I do. Stuff is good. Granted, I am trying to weed out unnecessary junk and sell it all on craigslist, but I tend to find myself spending a lot of time screen shopping. Quite often, I will even pick things out, have a full shopping cart and then just close the window. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this?

Anyway, I was approached by csn mattress to check out their products and get something in return. Geez, who's eyes wouldn't be perked by that? (I would have said ears, but since it was an email, eyes made more sense...)

At any rate, I got to screen shop for a bit and then even pick something out for free! I am going to try out some of their linens so I'll keep you posted on how the products turn out.

Pretend Money

I discovered tonight that I think cash is pretend. 

It's only the money that I put on my debit card that is real. The money in my checking account is what I have to budget from, subtract from and monitor. The green stuff in my wallet is more like a coupon. 

At least that was the realization I came to this evening. 

It all began as an innocent shopping excursion to CVS. My coupons were stacked on top of great sales and deals and more coupons. I saved at least twenty-three dollars with coupons. 

Then I handed over my cash. When I saw the final total I thought, "Sweet! All this for only twelve bucks!"

Apparently, the twenty was just another coupon. 

Mom Advice

Hey there Moms. I need some advice. I am thinking that it is time to actively start potty-training my little munchkin and wondered what your best resources, tips and tricks were/are. 

She seems to always tell me when she has just gone in her diaper and asks for a clean one and she's often dry after a nap or long stretches of time. She has a little pink potty and likes sitting on it, but doesn't seem to understand how to go. I don't expect to be able to do it in a day and am fully ready to spend some time and effort on it. I am also fully ready to be done with diapers! 

Ok. Hit me with your best shot.