Pictures

Cloth Diapers- RAVE!!

I have been on and off the cloth diaper wagon for years now. First with Christopher and now with Joseph. I have tried more types and brands than I can recall. And I have finally found the perfect cloth diaper! Blue Penguin makes a couple of All in Ones (AIO) that I adore. They are as easy as disposables. No pins. No covers. No folding. No stuffing. No stripping (that happens with the ones that are not all cotton- they get stinky and you have to go thru this big process to strip the stink away- ugh!)
These things are like heaven. They are so soft and wonderfully absorbent. Joseph has yet to leak through one. I have all three kinds they make, a couple are used and I bought them from diaperswappers, but the majority are new from the company. They customer service is fabulous! They write a handwritten note on each order and have enclosed little thank you gifts, like a doubler (for more absorbancy at night) and some cloth wipes (which work really great if I need to use some diaper cream, lay them in and no worries about it staining/wrecking the diaper).

Joseph's First Birthday Party

Cake with help!




















Eatin' good stuff!














Can we help you with the cake?















All 6 of the little ones!
Joseph, Christopher, Mark, Timmy, Thor, Lorelei.








Eating Cake Video!

We bought furniture!!!

We bought furniture! Now this is a big deal for us. We have been living with hand me down couches for almost our entire relationship. At one point we did buy an incredibly cheap set of living room furniture that didn't last- at all! So we have a couch from his brother another from his parents, two recliners that we bought for our Christmas presents to one another the year before we had Christoper. We have two gliders that were each well under $100 one of which is falling apart already. None of this furniture matches, it is a major hodgepodge of clutter/old/icky stuff. So after many discussions about it, we decided to go and "just look" again. Well we fell in love with a couch at the new Hom Furniture store here, and after going multiple places and sitting on umteen million couches, we decided to buy it. Can I just say I LOVE IT! It is the most buttery feeling deep dark brown leather with contrast stitching that adds interest. The arms are perfect for laying on without another pillow, a big concern of mine. I go for comfort first and looks second when it comes to couches. We found two recliners (buy one get one FREE!) that go beautifully with it and so the entire living room will be changed tonight! Jamie and the neighbor guys will go pick it up and I will get to enjoy it!!

Bye bye threadbare couch, hello matching set for my living room! I don't think it is normal to be this excited about furniture, but I can't help myself.

Paperwork sucks!

Why is it that paperwork seems to take over so much of my life? Between the two businesses I really cannot get on top of it. I spent several hours at the accountants this week learning the accounting program. I got all the Snap On stuff organized through June. Now I just have to enter it. Oh yeah and all the daycare reciepts/mileage/time-space calculations/ payments..... Ok now I am really feeling lost. I do most of this while Jamie is at work, during nap time mostly or after the daycare kids leave (you know when I am supposed to be cleaning up, starting supper, running errands and taking care of two very active little boys. )
No wonder I run screaming to the computer and surf or play packrat. All that is overwelming. I will be shipping off a bunch of the daycare reciepts to my sister, and if I am lucky will be able to get Jamie's sister ot niece to enter some of the quick books stuff. At least they know what they are doing with Quick Books, me, not so much.

I consider it a sucess when I can see the top of my desk (or just open its roll top and NOT have something fall out at me) and we have only one basket of papers waiting to be filed. I swear I get caught up and the papers start breeding like rabbits. I walk back in the room and it is everywhere, AGAIN. *bangs head on wall and walks away*

Mid August now what?

So what's been going on around this place lately? Well, first of all I had to find another cleaning lady. To me this is devastating as we have had the same lady for the past 3 years. Well life has gotten busier for her, she is going back to school and working full time so having time for her part time job cleaning here has gotten to be too much for her. So while we will miss our Michelle we had to interview several new cleaners and have chosen one to start next week. Having a cleaning lady is one of my absolute essentials for running my daycare. I spend way to much time cleaning already. Knowing it has been deep cleaned once a week makes the clutter and toys so much more bearable.

Alexis and boys were here yesterday and today. They brought sweet corn and we put up several dozen ears for the freezer for the winter. Timmy got to play with Christopher and Mark got to beat up/crawl on Joseph. Poor boy needs to grow up quickly to keep up with his cousins attempt at playing. :)

Last night Lexi and I took the boys and went out for Chipoltle. Yum! We all left the house in clean (enough) clothes. By the time we were done, I was mortified by how dirty I was, all thanks to Joseph. And of course, we had to go to Target after as we were out of milk. Joseph looked like I hadn't changed his clothes in days. And that was his 3rd outfit for the day! Why do I have such messy eaters? No wonder my laundry is NEVER done!

Summer

I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone. It is sad to think that in less than 3 months (yes that is terribly optimistic) we will have snow on the ground again. Ughhhh I love MN in the summer, spring and fall but I could live without going thru another MN winter. Especially with a house full of daycare kiddos and nowhere to go.
Well now that I am completely depressed..... :)

Last week I spent at Mom and Dad's with the boys. Jamie worked but I needed to get away from the house for awhile, so to Amma and Bap Bap's we went. We started out at the family reunion in South Dakota, Jamie was able to come with us. Our family reunions are an annual event and they can be huge! (100 people?) But this year was a smaller group as many families had other obligations, babies on the way, plans ect.... So we had around 35 people I believe. It was nice to visit and let the kids run crazy. Christopher was in 7th heaven being outside all day and night! Sleeping in the tent was a big adventure for him. One night his cousin Lorelei had to come over and have a sleep over in our tent. Bap Bap and Daddy did the annual fireworks show on Saturday night, lots of cards and Scrabble were played by many. Large amounts of food was prepared and immediately devoured. The night before we arrived there was a huge storm that blew thru Millbank, taking out several trees, large and small. Several were incredibly close calls as they barely missed landing on tents. Thank goodness no one was hurt. What could have been is scary to contemplate.

So after the reunion Jamie dropped us off at Amma's and went home all by himself. So what did we do with ourselves? Went to Como Park with all three 3 year olds. Went rug shopping for Amma's living room and found a very nice one. Tried to sleep in (but was woken at an unholy hour every single morning). Went out for lunch like the big people do, unfortunately the boys didn't get the memo on good "out to lunch" behavior. Played in the little pool, watered everything in sight, learned to pedal a bike, started pulling up to a stand, played and played and played. Dragged out every toy and brought a good portion of them out to the pool. Took a bath in the big tub (boys not me :( )

And then on our way back home we went to Auntie Julie's for a grill out/picnic/family get together. The boys got to see some of their cousins and Auntie Debbie. Christopher loved the pool, especially the raft in the pool. I got to play 500 for the first time in along time and now I really would love to play again soon. Although it would be nice to play with the same partner instead of the rotating partners that I ended up with. But I will take it anyway I can get it. Especially with someone else watching the boys. It was a nice change of pace and we still had a day at home to get some things done before I was back to work.

With school starting soon there are some big changes in my daycare group, several going to K, new ones joining, schedules changing, teachers kids coming back. So the days of small daycare groups are coming to an end, yesterday I had 10.

I had visitors!

Mom and Lorelei came for a visit this week. What a great time that was. Lorelei is my only niece on my side and is the oldest of all the cousins. She is 3. Everytime I talk to her on the phone she asks when she can come to my house. So Amma made it happen, she brought her all the way here. (2 hour drive) They came on Tuesday morning and left after lunch today, Thursday. Lorelei got to play in the sprinkler, go to the park, play in the backyard playset, sleep in Christopher's room(!), and spend lots of time with Auntie.

So fun, but when it was time to leave, she wouldn't give hugs good bye because that would mean she was accepting that she had to go home. Christopher insisted on keeping her bed in his room "just in case", he had tears in his eyes when they left as well. I love the bond they have with each other.

It was great having company in Mom for a few days as well. Most of my daycare kiddos are on vacation so the groups were very small and I had another adult to talk with during the day. I think that is one of the biggest things I miss about teaching. Other adults. Thank goodness I have my online friends to chat with in my journal and on the message boards. I think they keep me sane many a day when I haven't heard a voice belonging to someone over the age of 4 all day.

Mom brought a very thought provoking book along and now I am trying a whole new approach to losing this baby weight I am carrying around. Here is a video with the author




Basically it is high fats, no refined carbs, lower whole carbs, high protein. So far so good, I have lost 3.5 pounds in just a couple of days. Fingers crossed that this is the plan for me to actually have success with.

Summer Vacation

We are back!!! We just spent the week at a cabin, up north, on a lake, with my parents and our boys. It was wonderful. We fished, relaxed, ate, relaxed, slept, ate, boated, fished, ate....

It was, of course, not long enough, but when is a vacation ever long enough? I really think another 2 or 3 days would have been perfect. It just takes us that long to settle into vacation mode and start to really enjoy it.

We were on Long Lake, just outside of Park Rapids. Far enough removed to feel nice and isolated yet close enough to run to town to get groceries, go out to eat, do a little shopping- you know just the essentials.

Joseph let for vacation weighing in at 16lbs 2 oz, came back at 16lbs 9 oz and is 16lbs 13 oz today. Little boy has really started gaining the weight. It is about time too. He weighed 14lbs 4 oz at his 6 mo check up and is coming up quickly on 3 pounds in 2 months! He left for vacation eating solids once a day, and came back eating 3 or 4 times a day. You cannot feed it to him fast enough. Growth spurt!!! He is sleeping in his crib for naps now as well. Amma taught him how to do that on vacation as well. I had been working on it with him but it just wasn't going well, and I just won't do crying to sleep, so slow going it was. But this week he has napped in the crib every day. In fact he is sleeping in it right now! Yeah Amma!!!

Christopher caught his first fish on vacation. Reeled it in and everything. Mommy held the pole he did everything else. It was a sunfish and it was actually big enough to keep. Way to go big boy! He is also making progress on the potty training, again thanks to Amma. We just need her to come move in here and teach the boys stuff.

Oh yeah she taught Joseph how to sit as well on vacation, and he is loving his new perspective on the world these days. That Amma! Teach my boys how to be big.

I caught a couple bigger large mouth bass myself on vacation. Yep I like to fish. And yes I can bait my own hook, take the fish off and tie my own line thankyouverymuch. (Granted I take the fish off with my fishing shirt- long sleeve shirt that I pull the sleeves over my hands when needed, don't actually need to touch a leech to bait it- have my own unique way involving a small bait net/cooler top that works for me. But still........)

Jamie got all the "stuff" installed on his boat. We have a Larson, which is more designed for fun/skiing/tubing, but he is making it a makeshift fishing boat as well. Which is fine by me as it is wayyyyy more comfortable than any fishing boat I have ever been on. So he got his high tech fish finder/GPS and a rear mount trolling motor. (No ugly front mount one that you can see for my pretty boat- nope, no way, not gonna happen) Oh, and the seat lifts so they don't sit so low. Maybe he is done now. Nahhhhhh I am sure there must be something else absolutely essential that I will start hearing about shortly. Isn't there always? ;)

What a nice surprise!

So last night I was sitting in the couch waiting for my cleaning lady to come, dreading trying to keep the boys out of her way and get supper made, when my friend Molly calls. We taught toghether for years and both had kids at the same time, but just don't get much time to get together anymore. She invited us over to go to the park and I jumped at the chance. So off we went, BK for supper it was. (yeah nutrition choices could have been better there, but whatever;) It was so nice to visit with her. And see little Will who is 3 1/2 months. Soooooo cute. She is super mom, 3 kids all under 3, the oldest will turn 3 in August. Yikes! Just thinking about getting all 3 out the door in the morning makes me cringe. Christopher had a blast and is still talking about the dog (poor Jane and Maggie get forgotten about for the dog).

Then I come home to a clean house and life is good.

Buses and Trucks and Diggers Oh My!

Saturday morning was every little boys dream. All the trucks, fire engines, race cars, city and school buses and ambulances you can imagine, all in one place and all for them to climb in, sit in the drivers seat, honk the horn and explore all around them. It was the annual Transportation fair put on by our local PAIR group. Christopher was none to fond of all the loud horns, but otherwise loved it.

Now that spring has finally arrived, Christopher is impossible to keep inside. He has escaped out the front door twice this weekend. Little boy, little boy, you have to wait for us. Luckily the backyard is fenced and keeps him contained somewhat.

Knock knock jokes are all the rage around the house these days. Actually telling them as a joke however, is still a challenge. The jokes go like this: Knock, knock. Who's there? *insert random object from the house* Sigh. They will get it eventually. Daddy has been trying to teach him a couple real jokes.

Joseph is loving his solids. He gets mad if you are not shoveling it in fast enough. We started with avocado, which he promptly hated, and still doesn't like. Too bad to as that is the one I really wanted to stick with for a while with him as it is high calorie and full of good fats. He loves sweet potatoes and pears however. Cereal, he can take it or leave it.

Campfire

Sitting by a campfire last night was so peaceful. I had all my boys, nice weather, and a calming fire to watch. Christopher was so excited to make "mushmellows", and the way he was grabbing the bag they were on there way to becoming mush. Joseph nursed outside and then fell asleep in Daddy's arms. Christopher ran around finding anything and everything to throw into the fire. I think we have a pyro on our hands. Daddy said he played with fire when he was little too. (Note to self, lock cupboard with matches, even though it is on top of the fridge.) Jamie dug the pit in the garden to make our temporary firepit. Now the ashes will be tilled into the garden and add nutrients to the soil.

For Mother's day the boys bought me flowers and plants. Tomatoes and peppers for the garden, tons of fun flowers for the front pots. Wave petunia's and geraniums are my main flowers for this year, with lots of fun fillers. I can't wait to get them all planted.

Christopher went to his first dentist appt this morning with daddy. No cavities, thank goodness. He brought home a toothbrush for his baby brother as well as himself. Daddy asked the dentist about the nuky's, hoping for a little push for Christopher to be willing to give them up, no such luck. Which is irritating as he had asked the dentist to say something about needing to get rid of them now.

Socks

Yep socks. I am going to blog about socks? Really? I guess it is more of a rant than a blog, but whatever.
I have been trying to buy socks for Christopher. No problem right? Wrong. I want white socks, some ankle some crew. Except he is 2, and all the socks labled 2T-4T are too snug. So I venture into the little boys section,pick up some packs of Fruit of the Loom, package says they fit shoe size 9-1, he's in a 9 now, they should be fine. Nope, they are HUGE, I can easily wear them and I am an 8 in adults! Plus they feel horrible- thin and itchy. Ick. So I start checking my favorite online stores, either very, very expensive or nothing I want. Socks should be easy to buy and for Pete's sake they should be sized accurately.

OK rant over, I feel better now.

Coupons and deals!

Added a new section to the blog. All my new favorite sites for finding the best deals on groceries and online coupons. I discovered the Grocery Game and Hot Coupons this last week. I think I am addicted :) The Grocery Game is a list of sales for a local grocery store, then any coupons that have been in the weekly newspapers matched up. It uses a computer program to determine how good of a sale the sale is. And tells you when to buy/stock up. It is the thrill of the find. Gotta love it!!

Cribs, snuggles and boys.

New crib for the new baby. Ahhhhhhh Christopher's crib was cheap and ended up recalled. We chose to go the route of a good one this time. So off we all trek to the Amish store, can I just say how much I love this crib! It was the one I spotted right away and fell in love with its simple lines and solid contruction. No drop sides, no moving parts and a real spring under the matress, not just the 4 rods on the old one. The wood even smells good. I love this crib. It should be the kind of crib that is safe for all of my children to use and then eventually my grandchildren when they come to visit. Classic Mission style, no gaps, no unsafe parts. Just quality, sturdy construction out of real wood.


Too bad he doesn't sleep in it much yet. But that will come, naps are starting, some nights he starts in there before coming to snuggle with mommy and have nums.

Yes we co-sleep, and love it. Pre-kids we never dreamed we would, but it is amazing how things change once you have one or more of your own. We are following our parenting instincts to guide our parenting. (Well and a little mommy push when needed :) ) Christopher still likes to snuggle with daddy to go to sleep at night. It is his special time. After thinking we needed to break him of this habit, we have come to realize that there really is no reason he cannot have daddy cuddle with him to go to sleep. It may not be the "norm", but it works for us. Christopher and daddy have such a close relationship and this just nurtures that. Christopher has his own bed and sleeps in it 80% of the time. But some nights he just needs his mommy and daddy and then he is welcome to join us. We are more and more grateful that we made the decision for a king bed! We need every inch.

Taking Turns

"Winter is not taking turns." says Christopher, gazing out the window at snowflakes in April.

"I know honey, I want spring to come too."

"Take turns!" and runs off to play.

If only it were that simple. Winter is really trying to hold on this year. We drove through a snowstorm this weekend on our quest to pick up our boat. The trees still are leafless and May is coming this week. Very weird weather.

I want to get peas in this weekend. I may need winter gloves to dig the soil, but I am going to get something in the garden and soon! The garden nursery is sending the weekly newsletters which always gets me so excited to get outside and work in dirt after a long winter of being cooped up inside. My raspberries have been trimmed, the rhubarb is up. The days of gazing at the Gurney's seed catalog is here (well, past time to order, plan from it, buy from the nursery down the road)



The boys got to see Great Grandma, Amma and Bap Bap all this weekend. They also spent 8 hours total in the car in 3 days. Poor things. But they really did wonderfully. This was the first trip with the new carseats. We broke down and splurged on Britax carseats for the boys. Joseph is in the Boulevard, which I love with the side wings. Both for the side impact protection and for the comfort while he is sleeping in the car. Christopher has such a tall torso that he outgrew by height his Alpha Omega Elite so we got him the Regent. It will keep him in a 5 point harness for many years yet. I am not ready to switch him to a booster for so many reasons.

Rainy days and My Boys

Rainy days. Grey and dreary, yet so full of hope and life. Spring has finally arrived, winter this year was brutal and so terribly long. Flowers are blooming, tree buds are breaking out, perennials are peaking out from below the brown leftovers of last year.

Joseph is still not sitting on hs own, should I be worried, I have decided not yet. He rolls, eats his precious little toes, talks to everything and everyone, he loves to stand on my lap and just talk and laugh. He has a really ticklish area along his spine, he will giggle and squirm and smile when you get him there. He is such a snuggler, he really only naps while being held, Amma has him here. He just loves to cuddle and be the center of attention, just like his brother. My little cuddlebugs. Last night daddy had them both cuddled with him, in bed, asleep. Both were snuggled up to daddy as close as they could. So sweet.

Plans are being made for the summer, cabin up north with Amma and Bap Bap, trip to Las Vegas for us all for a Snap-On Franchisee big meeting, a camping trip with the boys, some weekends on the boat. Ahhhhhh summer is my favorite season.

Rescued Blog from the bottom of the barrel!

I am rescuing the blog!

Joseph is already 5 mo's and hasn't had a mention. Poor second baby, less pictures, less info.
He is peacefully sleeping next to me.

Life has gotten busier than ever. 2 boys will do that to you I guess.

So to bring Joseph up to date:
Born November 9th, 2007 at 4:57 pm. 17 hours of labor in an attempt at a VBAC. Ended up with a c/s after all. But the recovery was so much better than the first time.
He was exactly 2 weeks early. But still weighed in a 8 lb 4 oz. 20 inches long. He developed jaundice in the early weeks, had many, many difficulties with breastfeeding but we persevered!
He is a very slow grower. He is long and skinny. Didn't get that from me, that is for sure!
He has had to have some high calorie formula supplumentation, adding extra calories to a bottle of expressed mama milk or a 4 oz bottle of high calorie formula. Not the ideal situation, but that's what it takes to get him gaining.