Wow, it's been almost a year!

I cannot believe it's been almost a year since I've last posted.  Wow! Time flies. Well, here is my update kiddies.


Xavier (Xman) is starting school (Kindergarten) in a few weeks. It's only half day in my city and I can't see how in century that makes any sense. Kids need school to learn.  Kindergarten is the base for all learning.  Everything you learn there carries on for your whole life.  That's why every Valadictorian speech references the poem "What I Learned in Kidergarten" right?  Half days just make no sense to me.  How can a child learn anything in 3 hours time? I mean come on.  They get to school approximately 9am, learn a little something, have a snack or lunch, draw a picture and go home.  Really, am I paying taxes for my kid to eat lunch at school or to learn something? But I digress!

With Xavier away at half day Kindergarten, Addison will be in preschool all alone.  I hope she makes it through.  Her and "Brother" are so attached. They are very close.  Although, Addy tends to go off on her own now.  Being out of the "baby" room has been the best thing for her.  We were able to get them into a new preschool (Head Start) the same two days a week.  I like it there.  It's more of a school environment.  and I think it is a much better influence on Addy.  Within a week of being in the new preschool, Addy completely potty "trained" herself.  I think being around kids that were learning themselves and on their own helped her realize she was a BIG girl now and didn't have to be in a "baby" room anymore! Best move we ever made for them I think.

Don't get me wrong, I loved their old school but it was very busy.  A lot of kids, a lot of yelling and screaming.  A lot of commotion.  My kids were never use to that.  It's usually pretty tame and quiet at my house.  No one is allowed to run around crazy (unless Mumma is chasing them around the table to tickle them). We jump on the furniture for a little while everyday.  But, it's not "crazy". At Memere's house things are much more tame. No jumping on furniture, no running allowed and a lot of playing on the front porch in the summer are great fun for them. But, nothing was ever as "crazy" as their first preschool.  Again, not in an OMG that place is awful kind of "crazy" in a their really busy kind of "crazy".


With all that said, their first year of preschool went pretty well.  They attended two days a week.  We had quite a few bumps along the way but, I think it had a lot to do with them being separated.  Addy didn't like being in the "baby" room and Xavier didn't like his sister would crying when Mumma left so, he would cry and get upset.  I felt bad at first.  I felt like I was the most horrible mother on the earth.  I thought long and hard about my decision to take a new position at work.  But, eventually I decided it was the right choice for our family.  The kids needed to be around other kids to learn some "street" smarts.  They needed to learn how to make friends and they needed to find some independence from adults in their life!



Xavier graduated from preschool in the most adorable baby blue cap and gown (a real cap and gown).  It was an adorable ceremony.  Like I said, the boys wore baby blue and the girls had a pretty pink cap and gown.  I definitely teared up quit a few times.  I'm not usually a "crier" and I'm not emotionally sentimental but, that was my baby boy up there telling the world why he wanted to be a "Police Man" (Cop in his words) when he grows up.  (Inside, I hope it's only the little boy in him that wants that job) Being a public servant is NOT all it is cracked up to be. But, for him it seems like the most awesome job because in his words, "I can lock up the bad guys!" 


That felt like a little bit of rambling but, it's how I remember the last "year"!

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So Do You Believe Me Now!

Jimmy Wayne

Do you remember
The day I turned to you and said
I didn't like the way he was looking at you
Yeah
How he made you laugh
You just couldn't get what I was saying
It was my imagination

So Do You Believe Me Now'
I guess I really wasn't that crazy
And I knew what I was talking about
Every time the sun goes down
He's the one that's holding you baby
Yeah, and me, I'm missing you way across town
So do you believe me now'

I'm kicking myself
For being the one foolish enough
Giving him the chance to step in my shoes
Oooh
He was biding his time
When he saw our love was having a moment of weakness
He was there between us

So do you believe me now'
I guess I really wasn't that crazy
And I knew what I was talking about
Every time the sun goes down He's the one that's holding you baby
Yeah, and me, I'm missing you way across town
So do you believe me now'

Oh yeah, I bet now you see the light
Oh yeah, what's the use in being right'
We're not the lonely one tonight

So do you believe me now'
I guess I really wasn't that crazy
And I knew what I was talking about
Every time the sun goes down
He's the one that's holding you baby
Yeah, and me, I'm missing you way across town
So do you believe me now'

Yeah
So do you believe me now'
Yeah
Every time the sun goes down
He's the one who's holding you baby
Yeah, and me, I'm missing you way across town
So do you believe me now'

Great lyrics!

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The Tooth.....

Last Friday, November 5, Addison had her first "serious" accident at preschool. I say "serious" because it required a phone call to us (her parents) and an accident report was written by the school. I like that the school wites down what happened and how they corrected the problem. I've had an incident in the past with my son. It was minor, another child pinched his face while at the lunch table. He wasn't hurt but they still wrote an incident report and I was happy to know that they told me before he did and they handled the situation with the other child.  I know kids are kids and this stuff will happen. The fact that it happened to him does not make me upset.  Kids are kids. Now, on to the story of Addison's boo boo. 


I received a call from my husband saying Addy got hurt at school and I needed to go check her out.  Mind you, I am almost an hour from her school. I immediately hopped in the car and started toward the school not really knowing what I would find. All I had to go on was, her brother Xavier got a little over zealous and her brother tackled her down at circle time.  Their teacher said he was playing a little too rough. Addy apparently smacked her face on the floor and her tooth seemed really loose and it was bleeding. She also said Addy would not stop crying.  I was confident she was okay but, I wanted to see her for myself.

My husband managed to contact my SIL. She works walking distance away from their school. She was able to get to the school quicker and check on Addy. I got into the city about 45 minutes later and headed to my SIL's house still not knowing what I would see. I was picturing my adorable little baby with an extremely noticeable, crooked tooth or worse.  I was hoping it was no longer loose and that the tooth would not "fall out".

When I got to my SIL's house, Addy was sitting at the dinner table happily eating crackers. Thank goodness she was fine. So, I worried for nothing. Her tooth was fine. There was a little dried up blood behind the tooth and it was not nearly as loose as I was lead to believe! But, she was fine and better she did not blame her brother for hurting her.  She still hugged him and kissed him when he came into the room. She even remarked, "brother made an accident." "He tackled me down and I falled on my tooths!" LOL I love how she talks!

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Momma Cloth, My Review!

I thought the same when I first heard about Momma Cloth, gross right? That is what you are thinking?  I was there too.  But, the more reviews and blogs I read the more I became intrigued. I use cloth diapers for my little lady, why not use cloth for myself. The more I thought about the idea, the more it sounded do-able.


It took me quite some time to order my first set. I researched what seemed like every single WAHM and "name brand" Momma Cloth pad maker out there. I mean there were a lot! The "name brand" cloth pads were all too expensive for my taste.  They are cute and all but really, cloth pads should not cost $15.00 a piece, I am sorry.  Well, not unless they are lined with gold and silk! 

http://www.facebook.com/CCBums
Momma Cloth from CC Bums

I "liked" a page on Facebook of a WAHM who sold cloth diapers. I checked her page almost daily looking for cute patterns and debating whether or not to purchase diapers from her when I came across her Momma Cloth Pads.  They had a wonderful price on them so I inquired.  I debated and inquired again.  Finally, I got up the courage and ordered.  I purchased six pads made in the flower style and my length/absorbency specifications.  Cami was really accommodating.  I wasn't picky at all about the fabric pattern however, I did request cute and girlie, cotton and white fleece for the bottom.  Cami picked the perfect fabric for me. Visit Cami on her Facebook page and check out her wonderful items.  You'll be glad you did.  She is kind, accommodating, helpful, economical and has fast shipping!  


Find CC Bums on Facebook!

After a couple days of using my new Momma Cloth, I have fallen in love! I really like them. They are very comfortable. I am most pleased that I did not get a rash like usual. And bets of all, Momma Cloth does not leak! I'm hooked and shall be returning to CC Bums the next couple of weeks to order more! Cami, if you are reading this, Thank You from the bottom of my bottom! LOL

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Autumnfest

The Crazy Train!

The kids taking a ride on the train at Autumnfest in our city was a hoot. Xavier took great care of his baby sister during the ride. Addison had so much fun that when the ride finished, she climbed off, crossed her arms and told the attendant, "I go again cause I want too!" Then, proceeded to pout. She only cried for a second.
Xavier was on his best behavior and only asked to go on one ride. At the booths, he only asked for a lollipop. One for him in blue raspberry and one for sister in watermelon slice. Their good behavior earned that surprise for them!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.1

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Lulu's In the Fluff (Giveaway Notice)

A friend Mindy over at The Inquisitive has a great review of Lulu's In the Fluff laundry detergent.  
CLICK HERE
Go check it out and you can enter her giveaway to win your own bag of Lulu's in the Fluff Glamour Wash in your choice of formula!

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the bribe.....

I have finally figured out what bribe works to potty train my 2 year old daughter. Since some of you have little ones my daughter's age, I know you must be intrigued.
I've tried a lot if different techniques with my son and nothing worked. I mean NOTHING! After about a year of trying, we gave up and decided to let him go when he was ready. In a few months, he trained himself. Because of the difficulty with my son, I wasn't going to push the issue with my daughter. However, she is in daycare twice a week and they are pushing for her to start training.
I tried a few times over the past few months without success. She has been happy to sit on the big girl potty but, does not do well with a portable kids potty. She prefers to use the big toilet with a potty seat on top. She would sit but did not understand how to go. I was okay with this because she was not afraid like her brother had been while training.
Over the past few days, Addy has successfully used the potty but not without a little Mumma encouragement! This brings me to the reason for my post. So without further introduction here is how I have helped my daughter to go on the potty. A little Mumma dance called, "I did pippy on the potty." :)

The Lyrics
I did pippy in the potty.
I did pippy in the potty.
All sung while doing a hokey pokey like dance and my daughter loves it!

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My Little Man....

Xavier a few hours old
09/30/05

Today is my son's 5th birthday.  I can't believe 5 years have already gone by. I was looking through old picture of his cute little face the afternoon he was born.  I remember thinking how far away 5 years felt. My nephew was 5 when my son was born. I couldn't imagine my little baby being that big.  Now, the time is here.  


Xavier was my first miracle baby.  After 7 years of infertility treatment, we finally conceived through IVF.  I will never forget the day I found out I was pregnant.  On January 11, 2005, I received a phone call from the RE's (reproductive endocrinology) office with the news.  Pregnant! My HcG levels were in the 400's.  It was definite, we were pregnant! I remember at the exact moment I was told a light snow began to fall on me.  I was at work, outside in the parking lot.  I didn't want to give anyone a clue to the answer until I told my husband. I wanted him to be the first person I told.  I called him immediately and when he answered I said, "Hi Daddy!" He was so happy and kept saying, "Really? Really?"

The right to King Richard's Renaissance Fair
09/25/10 

Here we are 5 years later and Xavier amazes me ever day.  He's a smart bright kid. He's currently obsessed with Star Wars and loves to play Star Wars Lego on his Play Station. He attends preschool twice a week and takes great care of his baby sister. I'm proud to call him my son.  Happy 5th Birthday My Prince! Mommy, Daddy and Addison love you!

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I made....

I made the most adorable crochet case for my new phone... It's charcoal grey and heather grey striped and I love it!  I think I might make some and try selling them.  hopefully I can get a photo up soon!

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Testing out blogger on my new phone!

Just got this exciting new phone for work and heck if I wasn't told I could download any free app I wanted! Guess what the first app was I wanted? Yep, you guessed it! I found a blogger app!

Maybe this new "toy" will help me to keep up with more frequent blogging.

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Changing my look again!!!

I know, I know, changing again! I just can't find my look... You know, that look? The one that makes you say, "yup, that's me"! I think I am close to it. Maybe for this month anyway.  I just love designing a look. I like my Linky Spot page so, maybe I can make something out of this blog with that look. I can't seem to get the title right though.  I'm not liking the "said so" section. I think the pink and brown stripes are killing it for me! Let me know what you all think. Do you like the beginnings of my new look?? Let me know!


Also, if anyone knows how to put a changing photo frame in there.  Can you help a girl out? I'd like to have something like my bloggy friend Mindy has over at The Inquisitive Mom. I don't want it exactly. I'm just looking for maybe some code to get a changing picture background in a frame.  And seriously, I found the cutest frame to use!!!

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Cool, fun and a day with my Son (and daughter)!

The Upside, down Son!

Today was such a cool day out.  It was perfect weather. Perfect. After naps, we took a ride to the park while waiting for Daddy to get out of work.  We were going to meet him at Applebee's for supper.  We went to another new park today and the kids loved it.  

The park had swings, slides, a merry-go-round and a few see-saws.  There were other kids there having fun too. I am sure we will head to that park again.  It was really nice and the Mommy/Daddy seats were shaded!

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I Knew My MIL was WRONG!!!

I found this posted by one of my friends on FB. I knew my mother-in-law was wrong.  I mean what is human relationship but a RELATIONSHIP!!!

Can we "mother" our children too much? Can we "SPOIL" a baby?

READ THE FULL STORY

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Booroi at the Beach!

My Little Pirate Booty! :P

Warning: Do not use a Gdiaper insert as a "swim diaper".  They are much too absorbent! LOL I should have stuck with the thin Gerber prefold I was going to use.  I was so not aware a disposable Gdiaper insert could hold the amount of liquid it contained! My daughter was in and out of the water, never really going in further than mid-thigh.  


When I took off the Booroi cover, the Gdiaper liner literally FILLED the inside of the Booroi.  That little pad is AMAZING! SAP was EVERYWHERE but luckily, nothing stuck to her! I thought it would be fun to use the Booroi with the "pirate-like" striping at the beach.  It was adorable.  I think next time I will either use the Booroi with nothing or with a thin Gerber prefold tucked in. That seems like it would be easier to clean up the mess LOL!

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A Dip in the Woods!

The brave Xavier

Today I took my kids to a place I haven't been to since I was about 7 years old.  The beach at Lincoln Woods. I don't remember the place being so nice.  I believe my brother was a park ranger there when I was a kid so, my sister-in-law (well, she was my brother's girlfriend at the time) use to take me and my sister there a lot.  I think I remember going with my parents too for picnics and cook-outs.  They have some camp sites that surround a large lake.  


The kids loved it.  We met up with a friend and her son.  They played in the sand, made mud puddles near the shore and tried to get buckets of water to form rivers to the water.  It was such a blast, my son asked if we could go back again tomorrow! LOL! I'm sure we will be going there much more during the rest of the summer because well, after all, the price is right. Free! 


We took along a small lunch to eat on the beach and watched as some seagulls and ducks attempted to steal the sandwiches right out of another families lunch pack.  Smart little creatures.  How they knew that container had food in it is beyond me.  But, that crazy seagull went right for the wrapped up sandwich!

Addy digging in the sand

The best part about the beach is SHADE! Can you believe it? A fun beach with tree shade right next to the shore.  I am not a sun person and rather detest sitting out on the beach in the sun.  It makes me rather cranky. This place, wonderful! We sat in the shade almost the entire time.  Addy was able to dig in the sand without being exposed to direct sunlight and it also made a perfect place for a picnic lunch! We will surely be back there again VERY soon!

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Flat Fold Diapers Re-purposed!

A while back I purchased some flat fold diapers.  I think it was a 12 pack from Target.  The Gerber type.  I thought they would be great to use in the Gdiaper liners since they fold and did not appear bulky.  I was wrong.  They were way to small to fit in the liners so, they sat in my diaper draws waiting for a purpose.  I found one! Cloth "paper" towels.  These little suckers are perfect for it.  They are a large enough size to use to wipe hands after washing.  They are also great for spills, large or small, because they are so super absorbent. I even use them to wipe the dishes when I have a small bit that was sitting in the sink.  AMAZING! I actually re-purposed/re-cycled them. I don't feel too bad about the purchase now and have thought maybe I should go out and get some more.  I think tow more twelve packs would be the perfect amount in this house AND I just through them in the diaper pail to wash with the diapers since I want them to maintain their absorbency!  Ahhh, do you think Gerber should be marketing there crappy diapers as something else??? LOL

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14 Rules to Live By!!

I came across this list while searching the internet.  The list was created by Charles J. Skye and in it he listed  the 14 things children/young adults DID NOT and WILL NOT learn in school. They are great rules to live by.

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Want to Win a DATE NIGHT?

If you're anything like my husband and I, you have NOT had a date night in a long time. For me, it's been almost 18 years.  Not that I have never been out with my husband but never as a DATE. We go out for dinner just about every Saturday and have since we got married but, I wouldn't consider them dates.  


Happily Domestic is doing a wonderful giveaway right now.  It ends when her blog reaches 1,000 public followers.  To be entered into the drawing, head over to the Happily Domestic blog and become a public follower. Then, leave a message on her post. Le her you are a public follower and your email address! That's all and you will be entered into the drawing for a $50 Date Night package that will include:

• a $20 gift card to Regal Cinemas and 
• a $30 gift card to the restaurant of the winner's choice from the list on her post

So, you want in on it don't you? Well CLICK HERE and remember to become a public follower of Happily Domestic and leave a message on the post you are directed to.  

(PS: She was on 756 followers as of this post. Almost there!)

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Our 4th of July Fluff...

Wondering what FLUFF we are using for the Fouth of July this year? We have themed Addy's diapers to match her adorable Fourth dress! I'll be using Red, White and Blue.  I've packed a RED Softbum, WHITE Econobum and BumGenius AIO and a navy BLUE Apple Cheeks!  Each of them will be used as a cover over some awesome unbleached Indian pre-folds and a couple of Gerber Star print pre-folds (doubled up). I prefer using pre-folds since I completely DETEST microfiber! I can't seem to get the smell out of them no matter what I do or how long I Rock-A-Soak! I've tried every single thing that I suggested to other Mommas (all of which have worked for them) and nothing has worked for me so, I give up on microfiber!


Now I'm curious, what does (or did) your Fluff Stash consist of for the Fourth of July? Did you match them to your little one's outfit? Did you go with an old faithful? Did you try something new? Did you use red, white and blue?

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My Baby is Turning 2!

Here is the invitation my DH made for her party. I think it came out cute.  I was only annoyed that the colors were pink and purple. I wanted red and white dots, black and yellow accents.  Unfortunately, everything party themed is pink and purples. So, I guess we'll go with it! What do you think? Cute?

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