Sippy Cups

So, last month I purchased Justin a sippy cup thinking he might like to try it out with some water here and there....really to keep him occupied...so I bought a NUBY sippy...and it leaks. I just finished writing a letter to the company to ask them to either reimburse me or send me a coupon for a new "sytle" sippy - one that doesn't leak.

We will see what they do. I have heard in many cases that if you mail the company, they will try to compensate you in one way or another. I will let you all know if my letter works or not.

Sippy Cup

Living on a budget 101

I have to say that transferring to being a one income family has been an adjustment, but so worth it. There are still a few things that we have to figure out. I feel like it is a game to see how much money we have left at the end of a pay period...and can we afford to get a pizza? I have become the coupon queen - so if you have any great coupons, send them my way....I have been on the hunt for great sites that has good coupons, found some, but the coupons aren't always what I would buy anyway....

I love collecting points on our CC. We got an c-card last year...in the first year we got cash back almost $220 for the year. I am hoping that we can reach that this year. So, here is my trick..so you don't get a shocking bill at the end of the month (something that I used to do all the time - about get a heart attack when the bill came)..so now, every time I make a purchase on the CC, I write it in my checkbook, just like I wrote a check...then when the bill comes, I match everything up and pay it...this system has worked great for us this past few years, and I find myself spending less, because I know exactly how much money we have at any given point. If there isn't enough money in the account, then one can't make extra purchases....No surprises in the mail....

Another adjustment is that I can't just go to town (90 miles round trip) whenever I want...it costs money to go to town, so I have to wait until I have a reason to go....just to shop for fun isn't a good enough reason...so this week I am at home all week. Hoping to have a friend come over with her baby one day this week.

We are getting into a better routine. Just now takes 2 or 3 naps a day (depending upon what time he wakes up). This morning he woke up at 8am and went for a nap about 11am....this is good, he will take another nap about 3pm, and then stay up till bedtime around 9pm. We had a slight relapse from sleeping in his own bed for a bit, but for the past three nights he has been in his own bed. The first night he cried a lot, but the last two night have been just cry a few minutes, then he falls asleep - amazing!!!

Okay, almost lunch and Todd will be home.....so nice to have him come home for Lunches!

New Feeding Chair

This weekend Justin got a new feeding Chair - Thanks to Grandma Paula.....The Bebe Pod was just getting too small and he could move himself around on the counter...so before he takes a spill, we decided to get him this. Now he can hang out in the kitchen while we cook and he can sit like a big boy at the kitchen table.....

This weekend has been full. We went to my friends house to take care of her 3 week old baby for a few hours, and then we were off to see Grandma Nellie...Auntie Miranda and Cousin Nellie were there too...so good to see the family. Then, off to do our grocery shopping for the week...and get a few needed things....

Today has been a nice relaxing day at home...Todd got up early and went to work for a few hours while Justin and I slept in a bit...then I met my good friend Michele for coffee here in town...and before we knew it, it was 10am....Justin was with us and did so very good...didn't really cry at all the whole 2 hours. Then home to hang with Daddy while Mommy got stuff done in the office, a nap for Justin....Lunch....hang out as a family....nap for Justin and then Todd made us a great dinner. We finished dinner and played cards....(Justin was playing with his Bob cards...he likes them and I can see he will be a card player). I remember playing cards with Grandma Erma all the time as a child...good memories....we always played Spite and Malace...what a goodie. Tomorrow is Monday...don't have any big plans for the week, but it seems that there is always something to do or organize, etc.

At least I got the bills filed and the office cleaned up a bit.

1st Haircut

Here is Justin before his haircut today.



And, here is Justin sitting on Daddy's lap as Auntie Meg cuts his hair..you can see his bangs here. Sides aren't done yet, but the front is better. I can see what is going on....


It was a real struggle to get Justin to keep his head still, he really did good considering he doesn't understand what is going on....Meg even got out the clippers and trimmed around his ears. He seems to be doing well, we didn't traumatize him from the experience.

Vacation.....

The three boys are really enjoying their time together while we are on vacation....it is so nice to have entertainment for Justin...and after a week with Grandma & Grandpa, he is adjusting to not being sooo needy.



Today we went to a museum....here is the Jim & Dana family at the entrance.



Justin hanging out in the backpack...his favorite place to travel...



Grace and Reese petting the sheep.


The girls....Michelle, Grace, and Christina...


Reese hanging out waiting to go..



Also, see Tootlepops for more photos...

a good nights sleep

Well, Justin has been sleeping with us since month 2 when I came to visit Mom and Dad, and my current visit had a goal of getting him to sleep on his own. Last night I finally took the plunge and tried it.

It worked. He was very tired from spending a great afternoon with cousins, so he was tuckered out. I put him down at 8:30, he cried for about 10 minutes, so I went to check on him, he looked to hot, changed him into cooler clothes, watched him on our bed for about 5 minutes until he was almost asleep, and put him in his own pac n play...he cried for about 5 minutes and fell asleep...heaven!!

I was able to visit with Mom for a bit and went to bed myself, for fear of a night of crankiness, but he did awake many times, but I left him alone and he fell back asleep. He did awake at almost 2am, so I did feed him and put him back down in his own bed. It was great. I awoke at 6:30, was able to shower and have a cup of coffee before he awoke at 7:30....and I just put him down for a nap at 9;45 and he only cried for a few minutes...by the time I was done swapping out the laundry, he was asleep....YAHOO...hope t his lasts!

At the Park / New Bathroom for Mom

Ya all should check out Tootlepops blog for more pictures of the park...Aunt Dana, Reese, Carsten, and Oma came for a visit last week. Arriving on Thursday night and we had a packed full day Friday. We met at the park, then to lunch, and then off to hang out at a friends house until Gina was off work to visit with her at our favorite yogurt shop!....

Carsten


Tsiava


After our eventful Friday, Dana and I dared to ride in the car with 3 children for 8 hours. That was actually really good time. We only make 2 or 3 stops the whole way and only one real screaming time, (Justin didn't want to fall asleep-but that only lasted about 10 minutes).

So, we made it home. Monday we had a lunch with Terry, Sara, and Abigail. After all was said and done, Dana and I decided to take on redo-ing the bathroom at Mom & Dad's house. It was in our plan for the week, but we weren't sure when....this is the before picture....lovely 70's...




Here is a during pictures....


And, here is an after picture...Dad still needs to put up a mirror and we are going to get new stuff to decorate the room....all in due time....


As for us, we are looking forward to a quiet day tomorrow...we will see if that really happens. To all of you whom I haven't responded to email, etc.....I will in time...miss you all!

This is where Justin spent some of his time while we were doing our painting...or he was in the high chair right outside the room...so he could see Mommy...