Missing Mom. . .

As many of you know from reading "Tootlepops" that Mom passed away on May 31st. We had a full week of family and are now home. I think of Mom every day and miss her.

We had a video at her Memorial Service and yesterday I watched it for the first time since being home, it brought tears to my eyes and so many good memories too.

So, last night I gave Justin some applesauce for dinner with Cinnamon (the good kind) . . and about 10 minutes later this appears....it went away after about 30 minutes, but I guess I need to be a biyt more careful with cinnamon? He has graham crackers fine, but this was a good amount in the applesauce - it kinda got out of control....I read online to give him some more in 2 weeks and see what happens...I think I might try the cheapola kind though. I did read that the cheap kind and the good cooks kind have different ingredients in them and surprisingly enough - many people have a reaction to it.



We have been talking for a long time about doing some painting - but frankly we were afraid to add color...we have been here for a year and a half and were / are ready for something new. Here is the sample colors...first one for the one wall behind the entertainment center in the living room.


and this one will be the whole wall in the kitchen, we started with a sage green and progressed a bit darker....

We got the Yucks!

Well, yesterday when I was getting breakfast for Justin and I, he threw up all over me...he was just fine before that, playing and helping me vaccum the house.....so after that he just layed around most all day. He napped and then right before lunch, threw up again....last night again about Midnight and a little bit this AM...the doctor says the stomach flu is going around and it just has to pass by itself.....We will see how today goes....oh and lovely diarrhea too.

Naughty . . .

The other night Justin and Todd were playing in his room and this is what I found. . .



Here is Justin helping Todd hang up curtains for his room....the sun hits in the afternoon, so we are hoping these help with the temperature. .

this past week.

pics are a bit out of order, but here we go. Yesterday Todd took the day off to spend with Justin and I as it was our Anniversary on Thursday. Justin had a doctor appt at 2pm (he weighs in at 22.08 pounds / 25th percentile, and 32 3/4 inches tall / 90th percentile...the doc scared me as she asked if he had a previous heart murmur...and I said no, so he had a little bit of one, she says it is totally normal when they are growing, then she layed him down and it was gone...geez...terrify the mother!

So here is Justin before we are off to town for the day - in his new outfit from Grandma Nellie.



Hanging out one day - Justin now enjoys playing with hats on his head - maybe we can get him to wear them soon.


Goodwill find - a few weeks ago Justin was asleep in the car and there was a Goodwill nearby...He scored a few toys...I just cleaned them up yesterday though, this is one of them. It was a great deal at $2.50 (reg price $40)

He really likes it.

Parade Today

This picture was at the parade one year ago. . .




















And, here is Justin today!

Mothers Day BBQ

We had our first night of Mother's Day for June last night. We did a BBQ and enjoyed spending time with the family. Justin was really enjoying playing outside. . . and he got to put his feet in, so we might have to start swim lessons soon.















Here is a close up

Tonight

Today I have been inside most all day long, so as soon as Todd got home, he took Justin outside to play for a while. Justin is a bit crabby this afternoon, so I think we are getting another tooth.












He loves playing in the grass.

Todd made Justin a picnic table last weekend. . .

Here is Justin enjoying his table.

Sprinklers Anyone

Today has been a busy day here...well sorta. Todd worked outside most of the day. Justin is pretty much transitioning to one nap (yesterday and the day before we had 2 naps, the 2 days before that one nap, and now again just one nap)

Here is Todd and Justin today before we had dinner.


And we decided to take advantage of the sprinklers after Daddy mowed the lawn. . .Justin had great fun.

Another week

We are enjoying our yogurt in this picture. All is normal around our house. I (mommy) go walking every day with my friend and enjoy the outdoors. And, Justin now wants to be outside all the time.



Too cool.

At the Park with friends

Yesterday afternoon we spent at the local park with friends...here are some pics.



The kids play really well together.


Justin loves playing on the grass.


and we are up and walking now all on our own, can even get up by himself, this actually started when we got home from Mom & Dad's last visit.

Frugal Friday . . belated

not much this week has been frugal about me. I had a conversation with my dentist though about generic medicine (Infant Tylenol and IB). He said they are most likely made in the exact same plant and just have a different label on the front. After a patten expires, then anyone can make the item and so generics are a dime a dozen. We now only buy generic and I know that saves a lot of $$$. I bet I save at least $2.50 per bottle.

I wish there was a way to be more frugal about the cost of Gas....it sure does hit us when we go to the big town 1 or 2 times a week. We do drive our car now more than ever and only put in about $20 of gas when we need it in our SUV.

I have also been wanting to get a few books, so I looked at the online library catalog and they have them there, so I will be off this week to check them out - if time permits.

Molars . . . Again

So Justin is still struggling with his teeth. I noticed today that another molar is coming in, but on the bottom and the other side is really swollen. We gave him Tylenol and will keep it up...poor guy - he is drooling like crazy too.

We had our first tantrum yesterday at the grocery store too! I think the whole store knew we were there. He really wanted to get down and walk and when you are at this store, you really don't want him down walking on his own, too many people and trying to get through the store, so Justin and I were off to the car (kicking and screaming the whole way).

We have had a lazy day here. Had planned to go to the store, but nap time didn't happen on schedule, so it was later and we were ready to eat dinner. No new pics today.

Frugal Tuesday

Cook from home. . that is my frugal thought for today (since I have missed 2 fridays so far). Todd asked for Angel food cake for his Bday and I assumed we would just buy the store bought already done one that costs about 3.99. Well, we were in the cake section and you can buy the box mix for 88 cents..you just add water and bake...so easy. You don't even have to have the correct pan, you can do it in bread pans if you like. So, we saved almost $3 cooking ourselves..and we didnt' waste the plastic container and top that you buy and throw away or recycle.

Mustard . . .blogworthy?

Okay, so I was chatting with Aunt Dana yesterday and told her what I had gotten Todd for his birthday and she said I had to blog about it, everyone should get a kick out of it.

So, first let me say that Todd and I (since having Justin) have put more effort and thought into our child than ourselves, so our Christmas and Birthdays are more for Justin than us. And, agreed to not do Bday gifts this year.

Ok, so for months now I have been eyeing some Mustard (yes the kind you put on a sandwich) at the store. This is a special mustard from a local brewery (honey and spice I think)....and I thought it would be a fun and consumable gift, so that is what Todd received for his Bday from me & Justin!
So, he can now enjoy his gift for at least 2 weeks on his lunch :)

Happy Birthday to Todd today

Today is Todd's 32nd birthday. We haven't been too lively here. Yesterday Nellie took us to lunch and we went out window shopping a bit together.

We woke up (after our treacherous night with Justin) and I made Todd an Omelette - I must say that Todd is better at making these than I am. We went to the local store to get some goods and then hit the park, but Justin again was not in a great mood, so that didn't last long.

We are teething here, hence Justin being so grouchy. . and sometimes the mama being grouchy too.

I made an angel food cake with strawberry's for Todd's cake (per his request)...it was good...oh and we had BBQ steak for dinner (a treat that we rarely have) with sauteed mushrooms....and a salad...yummy!

Home again, Home again, Jigiddy Jig. . .

Justin and I spend a week at home with Mom & Dad...We had a nice time with them, and were able to visit with Tootlepops as well. . .

Oma came with me on the drive to get there and I did the drive home by myself...it was perfect. Justin is a great traveler. . the ride up was worse than home, as he didn't nap all afternoon - but was so very tired...oh well.

He slept great at my parents house, only woke up 1 time per night to eat and back into his pack n play....at Tootlepops house, it was a different story and since we have been home, another story as well. . . he is so stubborn...but, we still love him.

Here he is today on his car...



And in his other car. . . note the new hair cut . . .


Riding my car.


This is the way Justin rides, Justin Rides :)


Big Smiles . . I see a little bit of both Todd and I in this picture...mostly I think he looks like Todd.

Easter Sunday

Here are the two kids playing together yesterday. Justin and Nellie rec'd Easter bags with goodies...both were in love with their dogs......



What is inside?


Nellie was a good spirit and most of the time let Justin play with her dog too...he wanted whatever she had all day long.


See...I got both of them.


Surprise....later last night we got a visit from Uncle Sam.....Justin took to him very quickly....he found a new friend to play with. He was showing him how the hammer works and showing him all his books too...

a day at the park

Today I met up with a friend at the park...here are two photo's to share.

Frugal Friday - Week 3

cloth bags....I have about 6 of them and one from Costco...they are great...

1. you can put more groceries in a cloth bag than plastic - thus less trips from car to house
2. Some stores offer a bag credit if you bring your own....my store is 9 cents per bag...I average about 5 bags...that is 45 cents per week times 52 weeks and I save $23.40 per year.....pretty good.
3. you are saving the environment

Sometimes I forget my item, so if I am not buying too much, I ask to not get a bag. Yesterday I was at the local store and just picking up tylenol and motrin for Justin (teething)....and I asked to put them in my purse.....it worked great...between carrying a 23 pound child, bags of stuff, Iand a purse, it was easier to put the items in my purse.

Here we are walking

Molars

So, for the past few days we have been working on 2 more teeth. I though they were the "fang' teeth, but after looking online I think they are going to be his first set of molars.....Great! So far we have had a runny nose...mostly clear..only had to wipe this AM once...hoping it doesn't get worse, as I would like to go see Mom & Dad next week.

Fun with Justin

I have been a slacker at taking pictures....my camera has been full and so finally today I am clearing it off...here are some from the past few weeks.

Hanging out with Mom...


Here we are trying to get Justin to walk to us....we have tried to video it, but he then is more interested in the camera.


Justin rec'd a new plate, bowl, and cup set from a friend this past weekend...we have been having fun "playing" with it. We pretend we are eating from the bowl and drinking from the cup..he even shares with us :)

Frugal Friday - Week 2

I don't have a lot for the week...but here are a few thoughts.

Sometimes I have coupons that I don't end up using and after a while I know I won't use them, so when I am at the store, I will leave the coupon by the item that the coupon is for. I figure maybe someone will use it before it expires.

I haven't instituted this yet, but Justin's playgroup is only about 10 blocks away...I figure as long as the weather is nice, I should put him in the stroller and walk there....next week I hope to do this.

I had more, but I can't remember them right now....

Anybody have any GAS saving advice? I have heard only fill your car 1/2 full, and as I read recently in Reader's Digest to empty all unnecessary items out of your car...I don't see the article online, but if I find it I will add to post.....it is about this guy who gets his car to get 150 MPG...driving slow, windows up, no a/c, no stopping at the stop signs, etc....

Frugal Friday

Hi all,

I have been thinking of making my Friday a frugal thoughts day. I am always looking for ways save money and use what we have. Here are two things I have done this week:

1. I started looking in the pantry and the refrigerator to see what was on the verge of going in the round container and included that in our meal plan for the day.

2. I am in love with Bath and Body hand soap, so much that I use it in every bathroom. Not that this is bad, but I have 3 huge containers of bulk soap in the laundry room (paid $3.00 for them) and I have had them for about 3 years. Just plain antibacterial. So, I decided that when my B&B containers went low, I would refill with the stuff I already have...hoping I will still feel good about the soap usage....B&B smells so good.

Steps

Justin is starting to do a few steps, just today..I think he took 2...I figure that counts. he is now standing for longer periods of time and has a lot of fun with that. You will see in the pics below that he is standing up in one and about to fall down...really cute.

One Year Photo Session

We took Justin to get his one year pics yesterday. Since we were sick and gone this past month, it didn't happen on time. So, we are really 13 months, but we will call it 12 :)

He wasn't the happiest for pics, but here are the best ones.