Sunday, November 30, 2008

bargain weekend

^ i paid 20cents for 20 cards on snapfish.com!
that's a 98.5% savings of retail
(my *free* photobook should be here anyday, watch for pics!)

^ black friday bargain,
2 movies for parker for christmas and 2 4gb memory cards for my camera!
retail: $80
paid: $40
saved: 50%
(pardon the belly)

^ We hit up the outlet mall on the way home Saturday
Carter's
retail: $165
paid: $82.50
saved: 50%

^ children's place (on of my faves)
4 shirts, 2 shorts
retail: $66
paid: $9.94
saved: 85%
^ when i bought all my favorite outfits i got a $10 gift certificate
retail: $20
on sale: $10
paid: $0
(they didn't even charge me tax!)

we also got my christmas present from michaels on black friday.
it's a scrapbook organizing desk! finally i can move my things outta bags.
although, i can't set it up/play with it until christmas.

=]

Saturday, November 29, 2008

reflections of the way life used to be

In these past couple days, I have done a lot of reflecting and a lot of changing. I've decided now is a really great time to get rid of negativity in my life. I need to surround myself with positive people and positive influences.

A couple things have caused this reflection. I was part of an online group for mommies. Although I found a lot of support, strength, encouragement, and advice. I also found a lot of cliques, backstabbing, hypocrites, lies, ignorance, and gossip. If I want to live my life and set a good example for my kids, I need to not be associated with that. So, all ties to those groups have been cut.

There are, however a few friends I've made along the way that I will most definitely keep in touch with. Although they are all the way across the country, they have become some of my closest friends and I love them dearly.

Reflecting on Thanksgiving I am so blessed to lead the life I do. We may not have all the money that other people do or all the nice things, but we are together and we have love. And, that really is all that matters. Everyday that I get to take care of and nurture Parker is a fulfilled day for me. He is most definitely my pride and joy.

I leave you with a final thought:
When Brian and I were first married, we were counselled by a man and his wife. They stated that early in their marriage they didn't have a lot at all. They had a little car, a little place to call home, and few belongings. They squeezed inside to their little car while going places often brushing the others hand or arm during the drive. They sometimes shared the same room- trying to do different things. Everything was tight. But, so was their love. As they grew older and had some kids, they had to get a bigger vehicle and a bigger house. As their bodies grew apart- so did they. Now, instead of accidentally brushing the others arm- they had to reach across a large console in a truck just to touch the others hand. They learned they had to work a lot harder to maintain that marriage that they once had in that tiny little car.

Friday, November 28, 2008

happy turkey day

its so hard to take pictures of toddlers!!
these are the best i got:



Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

baby boom

Woah! So many people are having babies within weeks or even days of eachother. It's insane. Economic crisis, says who?! Haha....

ps- my baby boy is 1yr 1wk 1mon and 1day old! =]

Sunday, November 23, 2008

fun in the snow

^ ooOoo snow



^ makin snow angels w dad


^ Parker's first snow angel!


Parker, Daddy, and Mommy played outside in the snow this evening. I think we all had fun, whatcha think?


<100

less than 100 days til baby steffen is here

time to start really deciding on a name!!

get your tissues

So, I was just watching the news and this was the story that caught my attention (i've bolded/italicised a couple things):


SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Police were called to an apartment on Fage Avenue Friday after getting a 911 call. Inside, they found 20-month-old Imani Jennings’s lifeless body.


On Saturday police arrested both the child's mother, Cherron Patterson, 18, and her boyfriend Anthony Weakfall, 15.

Police say it was Weakfall who viciously beat the toddler to death after she had a potty training accident.

"The boyfriend repeatedly strikes this child, and he strikes this child with a metal rod, he strikes this child with a cable wire, with a metal spring and also with his hands, and this goes on for a period of approximately an hour," said Syracuse Police Chief Gary Miguel.

Weakfall was arrested and charged with second degree murder, but will likely face a lesser punishment because of his age.



"There's a different sentencing structure. Usually for an adult, murder has a sentence of mandatory minimum of 15 to life, maximum of 25 to life. For a juvenile offender, it is minimum of 4 to life, maximum of 9 to life," said Chief Assistant District Attorney Rick Trunfio.


The girl's mother is also charged with assault and endangering the welfare of a child after police learned what had been happening to Imani while the two were at high school.



"What they have been doing for approximately the last two weeks is leaving a bowl of chicken nuggets and a glass of milk out for the child, and they would return after school," said Miguel.

Patterson told police both she and her boyfriend had beaten the toddler in the past.

Neighbors on Fage Avenue say they had no idea such horrible things were taking place in the apartment.

"I'm like in total shock. Like that is really crazy. How could somebody do something like that to a child? That's really crazy," said Doreen Davis, who lives across the street.

"I cried when I heard the news, but I didn't know them, and I wish that maybe they'd have came over, knocked on my door, asked me if I would maybe watch the baby for them while they go to school. I'd have been more than glad to do that," said neighbor Gwen Kearse.

Police say Social Services had not been involved with the child at all.

They also say they expect their investigation to continue for days as they collect evidence.



Now, my thoughts:
What is she doing dating a FIFTEEN year old?! And why on EARTH were they POTTY TRAINING HER AT TWENTY MONTHS!?!?!

I do not think that he should be treated as a minor. He, at 15, better know right from wrong and I think he should be tried as an adult. He needs to learn a very tough lesson from this. I have no mercy.

I can't believe that they would leave food for this little girl, like a dog, and leave her home alone and go to school.

I have one question for them: " WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

I'm feeling such a mix of emotions: I'm enraged with this couple and I want to beat them myself && I'm so incredibly sad for this little girl. =[ Being a mom, I just do not (nor will I ever) understand how people can intentionally hurt their babies. It's just not fair....

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

o.a.?


(click picture for a clearer view)
Parker and I had a crafty day! We made this wonderful little project. It took a while because we had to do one color at a time and let it dry but I think it turned out GREAT! =] He can't wait to wear it on the big day....
total cost: $3.50

mr. mailman

I love getting packages!


Today, this is what the mailman brought me (okay, actually he was the ups guy): 12 New Cloth Diapers!
one size with insert, and newborn insert/ soaker

4 baby yellow
and their new colors...
4 orange
4 bright green


and they started a special a couple days after i ordered my diapers where you buy 12 diapers, you get a pair of 'baby legs' free. i was a little bummed that i missed that... but when i opened my package there was a pair in there! yay!

family photo shoot for parkers 1st bday

major picture overload.
=]

















































Tuesday, November 18, 2008

it's like a breath of fresh air

We had a horrible experience with a pediatrician when Parker was a baby and so when we moved back we knew we had to find someone else. Well, we did and let me just say: I love him!

He is an old man (think wrinkles and gray hair) who has been a pediatrician for a very long time....

I went today for Parker's 12m checkup. The wait wasn't long (at the other office- it took forever) they were very nice and helped me switch my primary care dr with the insurance so I didn't have to make another appt. The doctor took his time, looked parker over, asked if I had questions and actually took the time and care to answer them. He complimented me on my use of cloth diapers and teaching Parker sign language. "You guys are really doing a great job!".... Everything on Parker looks fantastic. He has 'perfect ears' so he said that he shouldn't have a lot of ear infections growing up! (YES!)

I dicussed my worries of vaccines with him and he let me hold off on the chickenpox and flu. He said he doesn't agree but he respects my opinion and my wishes. What a great thing to hear from a doctor!!

He told Parker not to get ahead of schedule- he's not supposed to be saying bye yet- just waving. Doc has a great sense of humor.
He let me hold him for the shot! I've never gotten to do that!

Parker's head is still big. Like the 85th percentile. 18 3/4in
Parker's still short. Around the 50th percentile. 29 1/4in
Parker's still skinny. Between the 5th and 10th percentile. 19lb 4oz

Overall he is in "excellent health and development". =]

Monday, November 17, 2008

i'm a winner!

Yay! I won a blog giveaway!
I won a $50 gift certificate to sugarplumdreams.com =]

I'm not sure what to get!!
... a backpack
... some board books
... a stroller diaper bag
something different??

Thursday, November 13, 2008

my lil' buddha


There's our little boy! He was being very wiggly and stubborn (just like last sono) but at least they could get the views of the heart they couldn't get last time. Don't worry- everything with the heart looks okay! =]

I'm measuring 24weeks and 3days which is right on for my due date- they had mentioned I might actually be due the end of Feb but they never change the actual due date. So, only time will tell I guess!

He is weighing in at 1lb 9oz!
Which the doc said is perfect
(but seriously, would you expect anything different from my child?!)

The only thing that they are a teeny-tiny bit worried about is that he's breech.
He was basically sitting like Buddha in my womb.
(doh! I shoulda gotten a picture of that!)
They said that he has plenty of time to flip, so I've been talking to him all day threatening to take his allowance away if he doesn't turn!
I'm not totally worried but I am definately hopeing he flips so that my chances of a vbac aren't totally gone.

Plus, this TOTALLY explains my constant need to go to the bathroom. He literally is stepping on my bladder!

And no, we haven't picked a name yet...
I have a feeling he might be nameless for a while!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

i think i'm in love

So, my friend Bev invited me over last week to attend a meeting about living with essential oils. She told me a little about it and I was instantly intrigued. I'm all about bettering myself, my family, and the planet.

Living with essential oils is all about removing all the toxins in your body and purifying your enviornment for living a healthier, happier and longer life. And seriously, who doesn't want that?

There are essential oils you can ingest (a drop or two in water) and you can rub on your skin in target areas to help elievate symptoms and improve overall help. There is so much to it I can't even begin to skim the surface here. So, contact someone in your area associated with Young Living Essential Oils. Its amazing.

They also make everyday supplies out of the essential oil called thieves <- read the history of thieves. They make a household cleaner, handsoap, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and even a waterless hand sanitizer. Of course being all natural and harvesting, manufacturing, and producing locally in Lehi, Utah- the stuff is a little pricey. So, I was a little leary about spending money on a product I didn't know if I would like. So, Bev made up a bottle of the cleaner for me to try (you use about 2 capfuls and dilute it in water in a spray bottle) And let me say this product is amazing!

Let me tell you why:
- i have certian things in my house i have not been able to get as clean as i wanted and a little of this sprayed and wiped up made the surface look practically new!
- i don't have to worry about using it when pregnant or parker getting near something i'm cleaning
- i don't have to worry about 'suiting up' to clean with gloves/masks
- the smell is refreshing and light
- one spray bottle replaces about 4 other cleaners
- the thieves properties make it antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal
- finally, its theraputic to clean =]


<-- Now, the concentrated cleaner can be used for SO MANY things:
-light degreasing
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 3¾ cups water
-medium degreasing
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to a little less than 2 cups water
-heavy degreasing
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to a little less than 1 cup water
-hand cleaner
½ cup Thieves Cleaner to ½ cup water
-dishwasher
1 capful Thieves Cleaner in the bottom of the dishwasher
-pots+pans
½ capful of Thieves Cleaner to 3+ cups water
-floors
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 6¼ cups water
-walls
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to a little less than 2 cups water
-fabrics
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 2 cups water
-washing machine
Depending on size of washer, use 1–2 capfuls Thieves Cleaner with each batch.
-carpet
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 6¼ cups water
-glass+windows
1 capful Thieves Cleaner to 5 quarts water



Food for thought:
TOP 10 "KILLER" HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS

AIR FRESHENERS Air fresheners interfere with your ability to smell by releasing a nerve-deadening agent. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener; Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Phenol: When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. Even a small amount of this commonly known cleaning agent can cause cold sweats, convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma, and even death!! At all costs keep this chemical away from you and your loved ones. AMMONIA A very volatile chemical, it is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin. BLEACH Strong corrosive. Irritates the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Vapors can cause fluid in the lungs which can cause coma or death! WARNING: Never mix bleach with ammonia or other acids, even vinegar, the mixture causes DEADLY fumes!

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY SHAMPOO Designed to overpower the stain, they accomplish the task by using highly toxic substances. Some include: Perchloroethylene: Known carcinogen, damages liver, kidney and nervous system. Ammonium Hydroxide: Corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respirator passages.

DISHWASHER DETERGENTS Most products contain chorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated; and is the #1 cause of child poisonings (poison control center statistics).

DRAIN CLEANERS Most drain cleaners contain lye, hydrochloric acid or trichloroethane. Lye: Caustic, burns skin and eyes. If ingested will damage esophagus, stomach. Hydrochloric acid: Corrosive, eye and skin irritant, damages kidneys, liver and digestive tract. Trichloroethane: Eye and skin irritant, nervous system depressant; damages liver and kidneys.

FURNITURE POLISH Petroleum Distillates: Highly flammable, can cause skin and lung cancer. DANGER! Phenol: (see Air fresheners. Phenol) Nitrobenzene: This chemical, easily absorbed through skin, is extremely toxic. Known reaction to skin contact can cause skin discoloration, shallow breathing, vomiting and death. Repeated exposure can cause genetic changes, birth defects, cancer, liver, kidney, heart, and central nervous system damage. Remember, once this stuff is on your furniture it will continue to give off residual fumes.

OVEN CLEANERS Next to drain cleaner: oven cleaners are some of the most toxic chemicals in your kitchen. If you read the label carefully you would probably be afraid to even pick up a can, let alone use it. Its lingering affects can sometimes be smelled days or even weeks after use. Not to mention that fine aromatic taste it leaves on your food after it comes out of your newly cleaned oven!! Sodium or Potassium Hydroxide (Lye): Caustic, strong irritant burns to both skin and eyes. Inhibits reflexes, will cause severe tissue damage if swallowed. These products come in aerosol spray containers. These sprays send thousands of tiny droplets of ammonia or lye, into the air that land on your skin or in your eyes, and of course they are easily inhaled. Oh, and another thing unless you have six foot arms. I'm not sure how you can clean your oven with these highly toxic substances without putting your head in the oven, so you might as well get a gas mask too!!

DISHWASHING LIQUID & ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANERS The new concern is salmonella. While this can be a potentially deadly bacteria, we think a little common sense would stop it from affecting you or your family. Typical cleaners claiming to inhibit salmonella might be worse than the problem itself! Triclosan: Absorption through the skin can be tied to liver damage. Some artificial dyes (included in some dishwashing liquids) used in food products are allowed, even though they are a known cancer causing agent. Not to mention the hazard of soaking your hands in these products many times over your lifetime.

LAUNDRY ROOM PRODUCTS Numerous products are used in our laundry rooms to clean our clothes, but what types of toxins are we using at the same time? Sodium or calcium hypocrite: Highly corrosive, irritates or burns skin, eyes or respiratory tract. May cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes which may be fatal. Linear alkylate sulfonate: Absorbed through the skin. It has been known to cause liver ailments in test animals at comparatively low dosages. Sodium Tripoluphosphate: Irritates skin and mucous membranes. Causes vomiting. One of the problems with most of these chemicals is that they are absorbed through the skin. As we continue to wash our clothes in these products, residue builds up in the fibers. As we wear our clothing these rub against our skin and these noxious chemicals are absorbed through the skin.

TOILET BOWL CLEANERS Hydrochloric acid: Highly corrosive irritant to both skin and eyes. Damages kidneys and liver. Hydrochloride Bleach: Corrosive, irritates or burns eye, skin and respiratory tract. May cause fluid in the lungs leading to coma or death. Contact with acids causes fumes which may be fatal. Take control of your own life, create a chemical FREE home!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

you turn around....


and this is what you see when you turn back around.

I have an explorer on my hands.
At least it was two seperate days...
that is how I keep my sanity.


--------------------------


updated belly shot for inquiring minds....
i'm about 23.5 weeks here

Thursday, November 6, 2008

i was caught again!

So my friend and fellow momoz-er tagged me!! So, here are 7 random things about me.

1. I am scared to death to drive in the snow. Like I will have a panic attack and refuse to drive whereever it is that I have to go.

2. There are certain animals that make me want to vomit (aside from the 'normal' snakes and insects) emus and ferrets. I can't even say the word without feeling sick to my stomach.

3. I am longing for a house. I want a space I can call my own, paint, decorate, and be proud of.

4. I'm totally into trying to 'go green' right now it's hard bc our budget is so tight but I love hearing about and trying new things!! I'm all for au natural. I take it one step at a time and our newest change has been we are now a cloth diapering family! (okay, it's only our kid that wears the diapers but they are pretty stylish!)

5. I have a very gung-ho (sp?) personality. I give 300% and then 'drop it like its hot'. Examples, my countless 1/2 knitted scarves, my scrapbook that stops at christmas 07, my 3 different kinds of baby bottles, my partially started sewing projects.... and I'm sure there's more.

6. Even when I'm wrong, I'm right.

7. I despise the sound of people chewing, brushing their teeth, flossing their teeth, swallowing.... etc. It just gets under my skin and makes me want to rip my hair out piece by piece.

I am tagging:
whoever wants to do it!! =]

good buy

I went to the outlet mall today and I found some really great deals!
I got a going home outfit for babyboy2.
Parker's going home outfit was a set it only in blue. He got a couple pieces of the outfit from a man that I worked with at the time and then I bought the rest at retail price so he could have an outfit to go home in.
Here's Parker ready to go home:

And here is the outfit for the new baby!!

I also got shoes bc they were on sale (course) and they were cute. Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate putting shoes on my babies before they walk, but maybe I'll actually put these ones on the new baby! They are soft soled and adorable!!

Retail for $60.50.
I paid $21.93.
------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, so I'm a little {okay, a lot} obsessed with these outfits..... Parker already has about 5 in different sizes. (here are the pictures to prove it)

^ size 3m

^ size 6m

^ size 12m ^ size 12m
(&& there's a 24m hangin in the closet)
I TOLD you I was obsessed!!

So, I got a good deal today && so I stocked up!!! =]
Retail: $390.00
I paid: $109.80

=]

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Election 2008

Nope, not the presidential election!

this election:
--------------------------------------->


so...
go & vote!
it's your duty!


Parker and Mommy went for a walk along Beaver Lake yesterday. I have never been there and it was so scerene and beautiful. The sounds of geese filled the nice crisp air.
It was the perfect fall day.
Parker laughed at the squirrels and admired all the huge trees.
The best part it: it was only $2!