New Standard of Clean

As a Mommy of a relatively new baby, I've found that I have a new standard of clean. Basically, if I don't smell, I'm good. I guess I'd rather not have poo smeared on me either. It's so true that MVJ is sure to be dressed to the 9's and it's extraspecial if I've showered!

The other day I was holding MVJ and suddenly, sniff, sniff, I realized she stunk! Oh man, I don't want her to be the smelly kid in class, so I checked her out more closely. She didn't appear dirty and hadn't recently spit up. I went to wash her face, when I realized it wasn't her. It was me! I had old spit-up on my shoulder and smelled like sour milkies. Oh man, any bets on how soon into starting back at work I'll show up with a burp rag or spit running down my shoulder??

No lessons PLEASE!

Our upstairs neighbor BB always teases that her kids are going to teach MVJ a lesson or two so that she keeps us on our toes. We love your children dearly, BB, but please, please no lessons! Here are a few of the bad things little miss JB and mister EB could teach my sweet, innocent little thing:

How to --
1) climb on the furniture to try to get out the window.
2) climb up the shelves in her closet.
3) get things out of the refrigerator (and hide them in her room -- like eggs!).
4) take off her diaper and smear poo around the room!
5) balance on the foot of brother's bed and climb up the dresser.
6) open up her piggy bank to dump coins out for little brother to play with.
7) play with the potty in big sister's potty chair.
8) break the lightbulb in the lamp that was "out of reach" on the far end of the dresser and play with the broken glass.
9) open up locks on the front door to wander around the hallway.
10) run from Mommy at the mall.
11) dump out ALL the toys in her room before bed each night.

I'm sure there are more, but truly there are great things the B children know how to do too! The naughty list is just way more astonishing!

Hi-Tech Rummage Sale'n

I've been out rummage sale-ing three times so far this season and have decided I need to quit now for a while! We DON'T NEED ANY MORE STUFF! In fact, I'm also putting stuff together to give to our Church for their rummage sale! But, it's fun to get out. Fun to walk around. Browse through stuff. Buy cute things for my daughter! Lately I've really gotten into it. This is my standard preparation: 1) I go on our work email -- there are always TONS of rummage sales listed around this time. 2) I write down addresses of worthwhile sales (i.e. baby stuff). 3) I go to our newspaper's online site, where I browse through their lists of rummage sales. 4) I mapquest the addresses. 5) I order the addresses in a neat little route. 6) I bundle Chi-chi and off we go!

Today, I ended up disregarding my plans when I realized that there was a whole neighborhood of sales. So, off we went, and this time I even pulled out the stroller and we strolled along the neighboorhood checking out the deals. I didn't score too much -- there was a lot of baby boy clothes this time! After the neighborhood sale, I decided to hit up one more sale that promised lots of good stuff. I found it and found out that this sale was hot the day before and was mostly picked over. Boo. I got out my Garmin and hit "home". As I drove around in a seemingly out of the way pattern, I had a flashback to The Office when Michael and Dwight are driving with their GPS navigation. The voice tells them to take a right, and Michael all of a sudden veers to the right (nevermind the correct right turn just ahead) and drives straight into a lake as Dwight yells, "No! I think it meant the right up ahead! Wait! You're going to go right into the water!" Michael decides the technology is out to get them. It just cracked me up as I actually got right up to the river just south of Cabela's.

Crafting to the MAX!

Prepare to be jealous. That's right ladies. I am the proud owner of a CRICUT EXPRESSION!!! Woohoo!! My parents decided to get me one for Mother's Day/my bday/etc! It came in the mail yesterday and I am so. so. so. excited! I have three cartridges (two that came with it: Accent Essentials and Plantin Schoolbook and then a different school one). I found this site: Oh My Crafts! and it seems to have the best deals around. JJ mentioned that I should get a case for it or something. "Don't worry, dear husband," I told him. "That's what you're getting me for my birthday!" My bff, TAF, already has one and whenever she visits, she has been kind enough to bring hers along! Now she'll just need to bring all of her fabulous cartridges. Oooh ahhhh oooh ahhhhh... I can't wait to get to it!

Tidbits of Advice: Post Labor Must Haves!

I was in the hospital for five days, so I had to rely on things JJ brought me from home and things they gave me at the hospital. When we got home, my Mom volunteered to babysit (we really had to twist her arm!) so we could make an "essentials" Target run. This is what we bought (or remembered we needed at some point soon after we were home):

*Easy put together food -- and my dad sent along a huge "vat" of animal crackers from Sam's Club -- these proved to be PERFECT for late night feedings (for baby AND me!)
*Iron Supplements (I needed to whip my hemoglobin back into shape)
*A pack of newborn outfits (who knew our little peanut would be such a little peanut?? We found we prefer snaps over zippers -- for quick diaper changes, you can just unsnap what you need rather than taking off the whole outfit.)
*Batteries for the swing!


Now for the fabulous "feminine" post delivery products!:
*Breast pads (it takes a while to get adjusted to how much the baby needs!)
*Milk storage bags (to freeze pumped milk)
*Cold packs for your breasts (ouch, it gets painful for a few days -- I got ones that could be heated or cooled -- these came in handy later when I developed mastitis)
*Witch Hazel pads (sometimes labeled for hemorrhoids) -- trust me -- it's embarrassing buying them, but they will help heal and soothe your bottom!
*Light flow period pads (it takes a while for the flow to stop...)
*Dulcolax (as the commercial says - it doesn't make you go, it just makes it easier to go... -- you don't want to have to push too much especially if you need stitches, and the iron wasn't helping my numba twos either!)
*Dermoplast (it's a spray that can help take the sting away as your stitches heal --- another quick and easy pain reliever they used at the hospital was to fill a newborn diaper with ice -- the diaper soaks up the water and fits perfectly uhhh... on that area -- JJ still teases me that I had to borrow some of MVJ's diapers)

Happy Mommies' Day

My first Mother's Day! Wow! It is neat to have joined the ranks of motherhood. I feel unworthy and so blessed. MVJ woke up for good around 8 am and I gave her a speech about being nice to Mommy. She just smiled and smiled. It was the perfect present from her! JJ gave me the necklace I've wanted since I saw it. While JJ is an awesome hubby, don't get the wrong impression ladies... I did send him the link to the exact necklace I wanted! Then at Church I just cried when Pastor P described the transformation his wife had becoming a mother. It just brought back happy memories. Then, they honored the oldest Mom (a sassy little thing!) and the newest Mom (who would've been me, but I suddenly got the shysies) and a special Mom who is a foster Mom and single parent.

Then we got ready to head to the park for our first big grill out of the summer! YAY! We surprised AO (what cool initials!) with a bday party bash -- hubby BO (oh dear... not the coolest initials) and I schemed for a while. AO was mad --- [we're going to the park? To meet JJ and EJ? No. EJ didn't call me. She would've called me. Well, she called me at work. No she didn't.] : ) Oh yes, yes I did. YAY for surprises! We got to meet BO's sister AO (who had just graduated from UND Law School!) and hang out with lots of good friends! Even the C's randomly stopped by!! IC is getting so big! What a little cutie! She had to check out all the babies and then they were off to scope out the dog park to see if it's ready for their li'l guy. Yeah... their little GREAT DANE. Yipes! : )

I didn't even need to hit up the free stuff at TCBY or Dairy Queen!! Can you believe it? It was that great of a day.

Comment away!

I'm learning more and more that my love language is words of affirmation. So. Give me some love! Tell me if you love or hate my post. Tell me if you agree or disagree. Share a similar funny story or one completely off topic. I added the "anonymous" comment ability - so even if you don't have a google account, you can still comment.

Do it.

Just some stats

3 = the number of months old my daughter is today! Wowwie wow wow!

>$20 = total amount I spent at rummage sales this weekend

13 = number of outfits I bought for MVJ

3 = number of pairs of shoes I bought for MVJ

1 = number of toys I bought for MVJ

1 = number of toys given to me for free when the seller found out it was MVJ's 3-mo. bday!

0 = number of things I bought for JJ/I/the house

12 = number of items I already checked off my to-do list! (I got a little excited yesterday!)

7 = number of hours MVJ slept in a row last night (w00t!)

6 am = time JJ worked this morning

Spring Cleaning

I was telling JJ the other day that I had planned to get so much more done while on maternity leave. The time just goes so quickly! I feel like I haven't just been sitting around like a lump either! But, it's time. Time to do a little heavy cleaning. I love lists, so I came up with every little tiny thing I'd like to do. The list currently has 48 to-do items on it. My goal, and since I'm posting it here, hopefully I can stay accountable, is to do at least three things per day (in addition to the norm. stuff I need to get done - dishes, laundry, etc.). Some are rather big jobs and some are teeny tiny. I know they are all doable and my goal is certainly manageable. For example, one of my "to-dos" is to go through my shoe collection. (Ugh.) One is to clean all of the window treatments. (Double ugh.) But then also - switch out summer/winter clothes -- that's always a fun one for me! Or: organize the bathroom cabinet -- yay! I love organizing.

MVJ's True Identity

*Please note that we do realize MVJ will grow up and think we are huge dorks.

Lately we have been trying desperately to move MVJ through this phase of crying. We're not sure if she is sick, just going through a phase, or is just becoming a naughty child. This morning a calming bath did the trick until she had a small fit that was only cured by feeding her while walking around. Duh Mommy, how did you not figure that one out sooner? We ended up giving her a little baby tylenol and she is sleeping soundly in her room. I swear JJ gave her a little under her dose!! : ) So all of this has caused us to ponder MVJ's true identy. Here are two suggestions JJ has offered:

1) Baby Wolverine: She quickly grows "claws" and her "wounds" (though self-inflicted) heal rapidly. She unleashes her beserker rage and has superstrength (neck control, kicking/punching abilities).

2) Baby Jedi: She senses exactly when we think about putting her down. She changes our minds quickly through her mind control abilities (and supersonic scream!).

New Batch of Kiddos!

I've been going to school quite a bit lately in preparation for next year. I can't believe it's that time again! I'm sad that my maternity leave is coming to an end. : ( I know I still have the summer, but I just have a feeling that will fly by as well! But, I AM excited that this morning we divvied out kids. We tried our best to balance kiddos, balance "crazy" parents, put kids on the same team that work well together and split those who should be apart. It is lots to consider and of course it's not an exact science, but we do our best. Mr. B, team leader, was there to lend a hand (maybe more there for the muscle?). When he heard "works hard", "good attitude", "tries his best", etc. that student magically came to our team... funny how that works! : ) I have a total of 16 kids next year and am looking forward to a smaller group. I will also be working with a new sp.ed. teacher -- Mrs. KB is my new counterpart! I'm excited to work with her, but sad that DJ will be moving to 8th grade. I know, I know, right down the hall, but he sure was a great guy to work with! There are two open spots in sp. ed. at my school and I sure hope that our amazing RT, LH, snags one of them. I really should say I hope my school snags LH!

Please tell me this is just a phase...

Our sweet little girl has been a crying mess lately. Ugh. At times there seems to be no soothing her - although walks in the stroller or rides in the car (as long as there is NO stopping) seem to help at least. Bouncing her almost vigorously is a solution too, albeit a weird and inconvenient one. She seems to follow exactly the pattern for growth spurts laid out for us by Altru, and guess what folks, she is 12 weeks old!! That's right, we almost have a three month old! Can you believe it? We can't either. So anyways, at those times she seems a bit fussier and eats like a feign. Although lately she'll be SOOO hungry, but works herself up so she can't settle to eat, which leaves both baby and Mommy frustrated. Thank goodness for her sling -- she seems to fall asleep in no time when I throw her in it and bounce for a bit. Apparently baby MVJ is concerned with Mommy and Daddy's fitness levels and wants us to keep moving!

Tidbits of Advice: Must Have #1 (Shout!)

Feliz cinco de mayo! Or cinco de maja (it's my friend from high school, MFH's bday today too!).

I'm just learning what I actually use/what actually works, so this one will be a work in progress!

I have found one thing so far that I absolutely couldn't live without. A good clothes stain remover!! I really should take before and after pictures sometime. The one I happen to use is Shout - and it is grrrreat! It has a little scrubby head, so I squeeze a little on the poor victimized piece of clothing and the scrub. It can even sit like that for a day or two. Before I started using Shout, I would've thought many of the outfits MVJ pooed on (including some of mine!!) were lost causes.

Facebook Fast

I have officially joined a group on facebook that is fasting from facebook from one week. To be clear I don't think facebook is bad (or "the devil" as BIL CPJ calls it!), but I think my overuse of it is! I believe I have an easily addictive personality. I seem to jump on board things easily. This is worrisome! So for this whole week, my job is to avoid facebook and be more productive in other areas of my life. Say my prayer life for example. My reading Scripture life. My being a good mom life. (Speaking of that... my little bundle of joy was up just about every two hours last night... and peed through two outfits while changing various times in the middle of the night...).

Checking facebook is such a natural thing for me. I've had three "urges" so far. We went to Church yesterday and then headed to the Bible Study group we've joined that meets during the 10:30 service. Chi-chi (I have no idea where this nickname came from, but it seems to fit my spunky daughter's personality to a t!) was ready to eat, so I decided to head to the "breastfeeding/changing room". On the way there we saw the study leader, but he was talking to a group of people, so we just kept going. After MVJ was all fed and changed, we headed back to the room where we meet, but no one was there. Strange. On our way home, I was like, Oh! But I'm friends with the leader's wife on facebook! I can just ask her about it there... This is the communication tool I love about facebook (but has taken away from the direct contact I used to have... I even use my cellphone less).

The second time came when I happened to be thinking about a friend from jr. high. We recently became friends on facebook, and I was thinking that I hadn't checked out where she's working, her current religious views, things she enjoys doing now, etc. Yup, this is the facebook stalking part of my addiction.

The third time was when I realized I had a ton of new pics from visiting in Fargo and my recent trip to the Bizzo. I LOVE sharing pictures this way and love checking out other people's pictures as well.

The Bizzo

Bizzo. Oh, dear Bizzo. I enjoy Bismarck. I at least used to know my way around and it just feels so homey and familiar. So, last night I got home and my Mom and I decided to pick up my Grandma together. She was waiting in her usual spot by the window with my Grandpa. She looked. Looked again. Elbowed my Grandpa. They're both looking. I don't think it sunk in until I was in their house with MVJ. They were SO excited! Then at the Church my Grandma had to take MVJ around to every table. Lots of oohing and aahing ensued. She was the only baby there and got quite a bit of attention. My Grandma's prayer group had been praying for MVJ and I when my Grandma found out I delivered early and was having some health issues myself. It was neat to be able to thank them and show off my little bundle. And then MVJ just had to tell people all about how her lungs are working perfectly now. She's so thoughtful. Then she just absolutely tuckered out in Great Grandma's arms (which was perfect because Great Grandma was as proud as a peacock).

I was telling someone how I was so glad she had settled down. The lady said, "Oh, the Mom is always way more nervous and embarrassed by the crying than anyone else. Everyone else doesn't even notice the crying. They just see this beautiful baby." I think that is so true. Crying babies never bothered me before, but now I feel like I need to calm her the second she starts to make a squeak of a cry.

Back at home, it was time for Ace, the family dog to meet MVJ. He just got way too excited. He jumped a little and was barking and basically just working himself up. We aren't sure the best way to help him get over it and be the calm doggie he can be. But, to be absolutely on the safe side, he was taken to the "hotel" today. I'm so glad that I don't have to worry about MVJ.

This morning it was the return of the poopetraitor. I'm so thankful for my parents' washer and dryer -- what a luxury! ; ) Now MVJ is sleeping in our little sling while my parents are exercising. Shopping is on schedule next and then Red Lobster for my brother's birthday! (I made cupcakes and wrote 23 on one... until I realized he's 24! I can't believe my baby brother is 24!!)