Giveaway Saturday!

Sorry - - I'm not giving anything away - - just hoping to win some things on a lazy Saturday!

1. Green to Grow -- not too many products on the site, but they all look very cool!
2.  Cotton Corner -- Etsy site with SUPERcute handmade baby products (hats, booties, etc.)
3.  Lilla Rose -- I can just imagine that this hair jewelry wouldn't stay mine for very long!  That's ok, M has some beautiful hair!

To go digital or not to go digital...

When I'm trying to make a decision, I talk to everyone, get tons of opinions, hem and haw, make a list of pros and cons, sit on it, pray about it, ask people their opinions again, etc.  This process drives. JJ. crazy.  Now, this decision I am pondering is NOT a matter of life or death by any means, but I'm still struggling with it.

Should I go digital with my scrapbooking or not??  Here's my list of pros and cons:

Pros:
*Convenience/storage -- everything in one place, taking up much less space.  Scrapbooking night?  I can just pack up our laptop.  Get a creative bug on a Tuesday evening?  I just need to head over to the computer.  Right now it takes me so much time to organize my pictures, take out my stuff, lay it out, and get going that I basically never do it.  Plus, our bedroom would be happy and less cluttered with a big corner of space open instead of stuffed to the gills with scrapbooking paraphernalia.   
*Cost -- I'm not EXACTLY sure how cost efficient it would be, BUT I do know that I have lots of supplies (mostly paper, stickers, that sort of thing) that I have bought but not used.  So, if you factor in the album, pages, page protectors, supplies (paper, stickers, pens, tape runners, and even the reusable things like punches and cutters), photos, etc., I feel like the one time cost of software plus a few digital packs here and there (at a cheaper cost than their traditional counterparts that can be used over and over again) would make it cost effective even with having to order the digital books to be made.
*Photos -- Not having to upload my pictures to Sam's Club, choose the ones I want, buy them, and end up not using many of them would be fabulous.
*Shelf space -- photo books take up way less room than the stuffed traditional ones I currently have 
*Digital features -- being able to use as many J's as I need, not having to worry about using a fabulous sticker or page of paper only once, being able to resize stickers and other embellishments, "pens" never wearing out, etc.

Cons:
*I have SO MUCH STUFF -- It would be so sad to switch and not get good use out of all of this stuff I have accumulated over the years.  I have new paper packs, tons of tools, a few storage bags, etc.
*That personal touch -- when I was pondering this the LAST time I thought about it, the thing that sealed the deal was my BFF TAF saying how special it would be for my kiddos/grandkiddos/etc. to be able to see my handwriting, see exactly how I wanted things placed, the size I chose, the hand placement, etc.
*Start-up cost -- let's face it, right now isn't the best time in my life to invest in something new for just a hobby.
*Ability to customize/personalize/economize -- I don't know how easy it would be to add memorabilia-type stuff (though truthfully I don't do too much of that in the first place), plus I STUFF my albums full -- we're talking AT LEAST two packs of pages but usually three.  This would not be as easy with digital (or would for sure drive up the cost).
*Showing off unfinished products -- Even if I have only a few pages done, I can easily show them off to friends and family when I see them, which wouldn't be quite as easy with digital.
*Hands-on projects with MVJ -- MVJ already likes to punch out paper and play around with some of my supplies.  This wonderful crafty interaction would not be as possible with digital.
*Crossing over into other crafts -- If I were to stop traditional THIS SECOND, I would still keep a fair amount of tools because I use them with my card making hobby as well.

My thoughts: I'd love to do it but there is this nagging feeling of my investment in the traditional supplies.  If both money and space were not an issue whatsoever, I would do BOTH digital and traditional hands-down.  I would probably do the kids' baby albums in traditional and do digital for everything else.   

Soooo... what should I do??  : )

Making Money the Easy Way

So here's the story.

I had a skirt to return to Old Navy -- as my SIL LJ noted, "Woah.  That's too big for M and too small for you!"  I know, it was supposed to go with leggings but, well, didn't.  So, anyways, I knew that I would have a little money coming back.  Since LJ and LJ : ) were shopping around, I decided to browse too.  I can NOT resist cute clothes for my babies even though they BOTH have closets full (and currently C's clothes are in OUR closet so I really should be trying to pare down, but no). 

While checking out the clearance I noticed the Batman onesie JJ had picked out for C a few weeks ago was NOW on clearance!  Score!  There was a cute Superman (yeah, that's how we roll... with a name like C, we really can't stay away from the superheros!) shirt there too for under $3, and another superhero onesie now on sale so I picked that up as well. 

WELL, I got to the register and mentioned to the lady that we had bought a onesie a few weeks ago that was now on clearance and showed her the receipt.  She said that THAT day was the last day I qualified for a price adjustment (must be two weeks).  Score again!  She scanned my receipt, rang up the two new items, and told me my grand total: she owed ME $6 something.  Jigga-wha?  I thought she might have made a mistake, but glancing at the receipt it had both the price adjustment and the new shirts, so I figured I was in the clear.

Looking at the receipt more closely, SIL LJ noted that when she price adjusted for the onesie, the whole receipt from our shopping two weeks ago was adjusted, and two other items were now also on sale.

Isn't that awesome?!  So now I really can end my story with, "And then I found $5." Except it's, "And then I walked out of Old Navy with two "free" shirts and $6."

I'm pretty sure this means JJ should have me go shopping more often.   

A Big Happy Easter!!

We love holidays here at the J house and Easter is no exception.  This Easter was extra special because J's brother A, SIL L, and kiddos L, B and A took the plunge and drove to visit us.  I get excited to have visitors even though I am a terrible host.  I try, but being a hostess just doesn't seem to be my thing.  Despite my flaws : ), we still had a good time! 

They arrived Thursday evening and I started my hosting extravaganza by making them guinea pigs to two new recipes!  Nice, huh?  The turkey sandwiches were a bit on the fake Velveeta cheesy side, but otherwise OK and the "broccoli pie" was an egg bake!  Who knew?  JJ said I should've since it  called for three eggs... oooooh... : )  I'm learning!  M was in second heaven with THREE, count 'em THREE cousins to play with plus an adoring auntie and uncle to love up and play with.  I thought she did a fairly good job sharing her toys, everyone got to meet baby C and we got a little catch-up time in before they headed out to check into their hotel for the night.

Friday morning we went to their hotel for some swimming.  JJ decided to skip school that morning since it was "just three lectures" and he got in some swim time too.  M was a bit hesitant --- especially with her life jacket on.  I found out that the strap was super tight under her bottom (oops... I think it was not loosened from last summer...).  We got it fixed and after some prodding, she was back at it.  When she saw cousin A (22 mo.) without his life jacket on, she decided THAT was for her and Daddy helped her swim around.  That wasn't quite enough either -- she kept saying "M do it herself."  So, in the end, Daddy convinced her to help him swim and it was all good!  : )  We HAD to hit up Panera for lunch because A & L are big fans --- and of course we need our arms twisted so much to go out to eat!  ; )  We learned that cousin A is a marathon sleeper -- seriously -- 3 hours + for naps -- when he takes them!  The kids played at our house until A woke up and then it was off to a local park to play.  The weather wasn't the best -- cool and a little windy.  I swear, we do have nice weather here, it's just that when our families visit from ND they bring either snow or rain...

Saturday we hit up Deanna Rose, our favorite local farmstead!  Animals, gardens, clues to solve, playgrounds, oh my!  It did seem there was something for everyone (well, almost everyone - poor B was not having the best day, and later we learned that he was running a fever).  Even C did a nice job until the VERY end when we had to make a fast move to the car for some foodies.  The boys and kids picked up Chik-fil-a for lunch (L's request and J's personal favorite fast food place) and brought it home.  All kids napped/had quiet time except for Mr. A who was just having none of it.  He did play well quietly -- just no nap.  The boys golfed in the afternoon and the girls (plus baby C) did some shopping.  At Old Navy, I made money (don't you think JJ should let me shop more often??!).  I'll tell you about that tomorrow!  : )  CLIFF HANGER!  ; )  We picked up some classic Oklahoma Joes for supper and enjoyed each other's company until bedtime (or a little past...).  : )

Sunday morning came bright and early with an Easter brunch at our Church at 9.  It was DELICIOUS!  I have NOT been able to get my eating under control -- this nursing thing is requiring a lot of calories, yes, but I eat ALL THE TIME.  Anyways, yummy brunch!  Then A's family met us for Church at 10:15.  The tables were still set up from the brunch so the Church setting was quite casual.  I don't know... this is definitely MY personal problem, but I had trouble getting in the worshiping "mood" or mind set.  I've taken some personal time today to reflect on Easter and the message from the Pastor, but at the time I really struggled being able to fully take in the pivotal Resurrection meaning this morning.  After Church we came back for some pictures and food, a little more chatting and play time and then it was time for the AJ family to hit the road.  M was ready to leave too, poor thing.  Tomorrow will be the roughest for her when she realizes her playmates and object of affection (Uncle A) aren't around.  She did pray for them to get home, but I don't know if she totally realizes they're gone.

We're so looking forward to July when we get to spend more time with A, J, and their kids (who are SO BIG).  Seriously, who told them they could grow up so quickly?!    

How did we do without??

My mom spent time with us after both kiddos were born and we were talking the other day about the modern conveniences we now have with CEJ that we didn't have with MVJ.  It makes me shudder just a little bit to think of our old apartment.  Ugh.  We were so crammed in there and the paneling!  OH the humanity!  Let's see, we didn't have a dishwasher (unless you count the hottie housekeeper/live-in daycare man I hired for the year --- AKA JJ if you're still wondering! hehe).  We didn't have laundry in our apartment - we had to lug it up one floor and THEN pay for it.  (That's almost as fun as paying to take those really important tests.  You mean I have to torture myself through this AND pay you that much money??!)  We only had two bedrooms... we didn't have a garbage disposal or even a sprayer on the sink.  The biggies with a baby were the laundry and dishwasher.  I honestly can't think about two kids minus those two things.

What will we "need" next time around?  Well... since I'm making a wishlist, I would certainly have a garage tacked on there as well as garbage curbside - none of this taking our garbage to the dump.  While having the mail right outside our door would be nice, the walks to the mailbox have been priceless for us this year and I would be sad to see them go.   

Top Ten: M's Books

A friend did a similar post and I loved it!  Here's my Top Ten List of M's books!  I had to be careful to think of MY 10, not necessarily M's, but when she gets excited about a book, it's hard not to get caught up in that excitement!

A Night Night Prayer
This was the first book I can remember M responding to -- like, "Where's the puppy?" and she would point to it.  We used to read this one every night until she was old enough to choose books for herself.  This was a gift from my dear friend, AO.

This Little Light of Mine
I love this one because apparently I used to sing this song at the top of my lungs holding out my little finger like my light.  M enjoys it too, and she IS a singing aficionado.  However, now when we take this book out, she only lets me read the words, not sing them.  If I start singing, she puts her little hand on my arm and sternly says, "No Mommy."  I bought this from a book order.

Counting Kisses
I love reading this with M because she is so smart and is working on her numbers, but also because we count the "kissies" by making kissy noises with our fingers.  The last one always gets a long, loud kissy that makes M erupt in giggles.  M got this one from Auntie K.  

I Love You Because You're You

This is actually just a good reminder for me.  Even when she's being a stinker, I DO love her so much.  This is such a sweet book!  This is sad - I know this was a gift for M, but it was either from BB (dear old upstairs neighbor) or NW (a sweet friend I used to teach with). 

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
You should ALL know this one, and if you don't - shame on you!  Go check it out!  I love Eric Carle's stories because they are just so gorgeous.  This one made the list because I laugh EVERY time we start reading it.  The very first time I read this with M, I started out, very soothingly, "In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf."  Promptly M replied, "Eat it!"  (She is my little egg-eater!)  This was also a book order find.

Corduroy
I love Corduroy just because of how M participates in the reading of it.  She feels so sad for poor Corduroy, and also has some lines memorized which makes it that much more fun, too.  Examples: "Not today dear," her mother sighed. "Now who in the world did that!" he exclaimed.  "Somebody must be hiding around here!"  I also love Corduroy because it's so classic.  This was a $1 book order find!  : )  What can I say?  I love the book orders...

Llama Llama Red Pajama
Llama Llama was a favorite of our upstairs neighbors in GF.  I was always amazed and impressed with their oldest daughter's ability to "read" the story and now I have those same feelings as M does the same thing!  The cute rhymes make this book so sweet.  I wasn't sure at first about this one because it deals with the Little Llama being worried while going to sleep and I certainly didn't want to introduce those feelings to M (as in being scared of the dark, etc.), but so far M focuses on a) when Little Llama drops his stuffed animal and b) this beautiful line: "Little Llama don't you know, Mama Llama loves you so?  Mama Llama's always near, even if she's not right here."  Well, she's been known to bust this one out there when she wants Mama to be doing something with her but Baby Brother is crying: "Baby Llama, what a tizzy!  Sometimes Mama's very busy.  Please stop all this llama drama and be patient for your mama."  You guessed it, another book order.

Little Rabbits' First Farm Book
M loves animals so we have quite a few farm/animal books.  This one just has so many components -- it's a good one!  First of all, the rabbits show what jobs there are on the farm.  Then there is of course the animal part (complete with sounds they make as well as animal families with names -- I had forgotten a daddy duck is a drake for example).  There's also products from the farm and even an activity page at the end.  M's lines from this book include, "Don't fall in the water brown rabbit!" and "Hold on tight black and white rabbit!"  This book came for M from my aunt R and uncle D.

Snappy Little Farmyard
More animals to love -- and these pop out!  This one is very, very special because it comes from my Grandma's book collection from the farm.  My aunt R and uncle D chose to collect them when my Grandma passed away and it seems like they've been distributing them as special gifts when there are new arrivals to the family.  Such a sweet and precious gift! 

It's Okay to Be Different
I've written about this one before.  I LOVE this book.  I love that it celebrates everyone's differences in a bright, fun way.  M reads this one on her own now and LOVES the part about eating macaroni and cheese in the bathtub.  I LOVE when she picks out different "people" in the story because the drawings are all funky.  Really, sweetie, you think that one is Mommy?  Which one is DADDY??  ; )  She also has an "Uncle Will" and "Grandma" that she picks out every time.  I bought this one from Amazon after a classmate talked about this one in a behavior class.

Phew!  I hope you enjoyed my list as much as I did!  Now get out a find a new book at the library!

THOSE parents

Conversation as JJ headed out the door:

JJ: Remember to make an appointment for C.  Ugh, we're going to be those parents.
EJ: What parents?
JJ: The ones that go to the doctor for every little thing.
EJ: Oh, those parents.  Well, my parents took us to the doctor a fair amount, and we turned out ok.  (snicker) Well, at least half of us did!
JJ: Honey, you turned out ok too!

THANKS sweetie!

So why are we going to be those parents?  I just made an appointment for C... well... because he is the loudest darn sleeper known to man.  Or to us anyways.  Trust us - we even took a video for posterity (and the doctor).  Well, he's not quite as loud as Uncle CPJ or my Dad... but that's the problem: he actually sounds like an adult with sleep apnea (which both of those relatives happen to have).  No snoring for baby C, but just about everything else.  The wheezing and grunting and just overall all around noisiness.  And it has to stop because a) I need to sleep between feedings and b) JJ needs to sleep a lot because he doesn't get nap time like I do!

Update: M has been sleeping through the night again like a champ and usually taking a two hour nap!  Woot woot!  PRAISE THE LORD!

Mastitis and Me

I feel like I did a post like this... oh... about two years ago.  Boo.  I have mastitis again.  Sorry if that is TMI (like for my BROTHER WJK who was a little offended that I posted about it on facebook!).  : )  I don't know what it is but I really enjoy talking about medical issues.  My hubby being in med. school?  Starting off pre-med myself in college?  My mom being in the medical field my whole life?  My love of the show ER until it turned into a big soap opera (same goes for Grey's Anatomy)?

Anyways.  If you'd rather not hear/read about my medical issues, you can stop reading this post... now!  : )

Tuesday about 3 am I knew, just knew I had mastitis.  Grrrr.  I was angry.  I waited patiently for my doctor's office to open and called the scheduler.  She was sort of all sassy and said, "Well, Dr. H. does NOT usually take same day appointments."  I must've sounded pathetic enough when I said, "My son will be four weeks old tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I've developed mastitis and am pretty miserable."  She quickly said, "I'll put you back to her nurse and see what she can do!"

The nurse took down my information and called me back about an hour later saying she had called in a prescription for me.  I picked it up, quite a while later, because CVS was confused about the order since it wasn't emailed in, only called in.  Oh dear.  We may become Walgreens customers from now on!

So anyways, I was feverish and sore all Tuesday.  I should also note that M was amazing.  I was worried that she would be a handful when I was down and out, but she was so good!  C on the other hand was a bit fussy, but it helped me that he would nurse a bit more often anyways.  I took my temp. and it was right around 100, so nothing major.  That evening I had a bad case of the chills.  Ugh!  To give you an idea, I was wearing a tank top, shirt, long-sleeve shirt, yoga pants, fuzzy socks and THREE blankets to bed and my teeth were chattering uncontrollably I was so cold.

Yesterday I woke up feeling much better, but by about 11:00 I was back to feeling yucky.  I took my temp that afternoon and it was past 101.  So last night instead of chills I was treated with sweats.  I soaked through three different t-shirts as I slept with one measly blanket.  This morning I'm feeling better again but am going to try to take it easy so I can stay feeling better!  I know that this medicine takes a while to fully kick in - and my doctor (well her nurse anyways) said to call if I didn't feel better after 36 hours.       

Feeling Blessed

With our pediatrician saying we should NOT take C out in public for six weeks -- RSV has been huge down here this season -- and us following the rules carefully, it has been a little trying for this Momma used to being able to go-go-go!  Instead of feeling stuck at home, I want to think about the many, many ways we have been blessed since the birth of our son.  Here are SOME of our recent God-sightings:

*My Mom, who only currently has about three jobs (Director of the Lab at a hospital, interim Director of Radiology at the same hospital, and phasing out as Director of Clinical Research Services) --- YEAH, she's a busy lady!, dropped everything to come be with us for almost two weeks.  I get emotional just thinking about how huge it was for her to come, but also how huge it was to have her here.  M thrived being able to stay with Grandma while we were busy at the hospital and a special bond definitely developed.  And being able to share the special first moments of her first grandson was precious to share.  Then when we were all home, just being able to take a nap.  Or JJ being able to leave and keep up with schoolwork knowing that we would be just fine.  (Not to mention the cleaning, and cooking, and baths, and bedtimes, etc.).  It was so awesome.

*Our Church family has been amazing.  First of all, the baby shower with so many sweet gifts -- that just keep coming, too!  Then the kind well-wishes after C was born, including a visit in the hospital from our pastor!  THEN a sweet yellow rose on the alter at Church signifying new life.  A visit from a gal at Church to go over some of her favorite easy recipes.  A play date with M's friend S and her mom M.  And the meals.  I haven't fixed a meal (not counting breakfast : ) ) in three weeks.  I'm not joking.  The first Sunday after C was born, JF (a gal at Church) came up to me and said she organizes the meals and was wondering if it was ok if people started bringing us meals.  Ummm... yeah!  : )  We have been eating like kings -- it's no small thing for me to be EXCITED for left-overs!  Swiss chicken, taco bake, pizza, meatballs, poppy-seed chicken, spaghetti, sloppy joes, McDonald's, Nick & Jake's, IHOP, OH MY!

*Diapers, diapers, diapers!  Toys, toys, toys!  We are VERY well stocked thanks to my parents!  My Dad is sure to spoil M (and C) any chance he can get and loves to bring new things for M to love and adore every time he visits.  At M's bday in February, they loaded their van with diapers (some from my Grandparents too! -- who ALSO sent us some money for groceries - so sweet!) and we have not subsequently we have not bought a single diaper for C.  He is working hard to go through these, though, to be sure!

M's Vocabulary

Our little M is just a talking (and singing) machine!!  She picks up on new words ALL the time (some we're not SO proud of her knowing...).  When my Mom was here taking care of her, I chuckled to myself as I typed out some "helpful hints" so that she could keep M's routine as similar as possible to "normal".  Here're a few of my current favorite M-isms:

*Get the ponies out = brush teeth (M has My Little Pony toothpaste!)

*Put a Mickey on my bottom = bedtime diaper (daytime ones are monkeys, nighttime ones are mickeys!) -- hopefully this one fades out soon!

*Yum-yum = vitamin --- I may regret that term later but M does loooove to take her yum-yum every morning and says, "Just ooooone" because she has obviously been reminded of that often!

*Muffcakies = cupcakes or muffins --- a combo of both! -- a must-know term since M "bakes" muffcakies and tea multiple times daily!

*Hold you = hold me --- I must've said, "Can Mommy hold you?" or something too often because when she wants to be held, she says "hold you"

*Nilkies = milk --- we have probably too many conversations about nilkies lately because M observes C eating nilkies quite often.

*(insert name)'s here = seems to be M's self-comforting strategy when she's worried.  She will often say, "Mommy's here."  When I was in the hospital, my Mom said that she would be playing just fine and stop, pause, and say, "Grandma's here.  Grandma's here."  One precious time, C was crying during a diaper change from Grandma, and M ran up to them both and cooed to C, "Grandma's here."

Diapering Debacle

I was chatting with a friend who had just had her second baby -- a beautiful little girl -- when she made the comment that she was "finally getting used to changing newborn diapers."  I replied something like, "Oh good!" but in my head I was thinking, "How can you forget how to change a diaper??"  Oh yeah, you forget. 

First of all, newborns need to be changed ALL THE TIME it feels like (I don't think I have to tell you that that's ROUND THE CLOCK all the time).  Especially since M is so on the verge of being done with diapers, there is huge difference between the number of changes for Baby C vs. her.  And it seems that C's biggest joy in life is to fill his pants as soon as he has a new diaper on.  He's fancy like that. 

And with this new little mister we had the whole circumcision to contend with.  Poor little guy!  I'm NOT sad we had him circ'd, and instead, am very glad we had it done right away.  But dude, that looked so sore!  With that, the changing process got a few extra steps, too.  *If you're going to have a baby boy, stock up on gauze and petroleum jelly --- my Mom had to make an emergency run on the way to picking C and I up from the hospital so that we were ready to go!  

Then there's the whole uncontrolled peeing/pooping.  I remember getting peed on, ok, and let's be honest pooped on too (she WAS the poopetrator after all) frequently in the beginning with M.  And now, with this new little man, when HE pees, he can actually make direct hits!  We've had to heroically protect M from the stream more than once!  I *think* I'm almost to the point of "remembering how to change newborn diapers", but it took me a full three weeks!   

Someone else's fault!

I have seriously had so many ideas going around in my head for blog topics but for some reason my kids keep contradicting my thoughts.  For example, I was going to blog alllll about how I think changing boy diapers are easier than changing girl diapers, and then C peed on me.  three times.  in the SAME changing.  Then I was going to blog about how I could totally get used to being a SAHM.  And then both kids threw tantrums at the same time.  And when Daddy came home and I was telling how I had felt frustrated during that time, M shared a phrase she picked up from Mommy, "Darn it".  Ooooops.  Good thing we don't REALLY swear at this house, even if I would definitely rather her not say that either!!  Oh, and then I was going to blog about this nutrition book study I'm doing, but then we got the third pan of brownies from our Church community.... enough said there...

So there you go.  There's my first post of April.  Here's hoping there will be more!