Hello Again,

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Its been little over 2 and half years since I have posted here. To be honest its been that long since I visited this blog.

Have I thought about writing? Yes.
Did I miss writing? Yes, a lot.

What has kept me from posting was time, I haven’t given myself time to sit down and write. For the last 2.5 years I have been a little busy with the kids. Madison is in 3rd grade and has started playing travel softball and cheerleading. Beth started kindergarten and is playing soccer, t-ball and cheerleading as well. James is in his 2nd year of preschool and wants to do whatever activity we are at for the girls.

I figured this would be a good time to start writing again since we are all home for who knows how long and writing has always been a way for me to deal with stress. With all the uncertainly in the world I am finding myself more stressed then normal. I am teaching from home, Madison and Beth are in the midst of e-learning and they require lots of help, and James is 3, that one should be self explanatory.

So, the plan is to get here and write as much as I can!!

1st Day of 1st Grade

September 5, 2017Leave a comment

Madison has moved to the other side of her school.. no more kindergarten hall, on to the back playground and PE 3 times a week! We started a tradition last year of asking her a few questions on the first day of school so here are this years answers!
How old are you?: 5
What grade are you in?: 1st Grade
What do you want to be when you grow up?: A veterinarian,
Favorite color: Red & Green
Favorite thing to do: Cartwheels
Favorite food: Cinnamon buns
Favorite song: The new Taylor Swift Song – Look What You Made Me Do
What are you looking forward to this year?: Seeing my new teacher.

7 & 8 Months

September 1, 2017Leave a comment

Summer got a little busy around here and I forgot to post James’ 7 & 8 month updates so here is a combined post!

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Weight: approx 17lbs

Length: approx 26in

Milestones: Crawling everywhere! He pulls himself up on things and has started cruising between the couch and table! He even says “mama” and has said “daaa” a few times. Can feed himself with food pouches.

Sleep: No more dock-a-tot just the crib! He is been learning new skills and getting more teeth so sleep is a little touch and go. Most nights he goes to bed around 7/730 and wakes up around 1130 for a bottle and then sleeps again until 430.

Clothes: James still fits into 6 month clothes, but he’s wearing more 9 month since its getting chillier and we are packing up all the summer clothes!

Mood: Happy, Happy, Happy!

Loves:

Food!
Cruising around
The swing
Being tickled
Kisses from Bailey
Jumping in his crib

Hates:

When his sisters hug him a little to hard.
Being in the carseat for a long time

6 months

June 16, 2017Leave a comment

Weight: 15lbs 13oz

Length: approx 24in (appt in July will update then!)

Milestones: Rolling EVERYWHERE. He has figured out he can get around by rolling. Holds his own bottle (so much easier for me now!) Sitting for short periods! James was also baptized in May!

Sleep: We started using a dockAtot about 3 weeks ago and since then sleep has been amazing! He usually goes to bed around 730 wakes up around 1130 for a bottle and back out until 430 when he gets up for a diaper change and 2oz of formula and back out until 7am!

Diapers: Still on size 2’s.

Clothes: 6 months for everything!

Mood: Everyone asks “is he ever NOT smiling?” the answer is rarely!

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Loves:

Mema’s jolly jumper!
Rolling around
The swing
Being tickled
Kisses from Bailey

Hates:

When his sisters get really loud

DIY Make-up Remover

May 16, 2017May 15, 2017Leave a comment

I have tried every make-up remover you can think of from the fancy ones at Sephora to the cheap ones at Target and they either make my face break out OR make my face feel super oily and greasy. So I did decided to make my own! It took me about 15min that included getting the materials ready!
Ingredients
-2tbs of carrier oil (I used fractionated coconut oil)
-2tbs of Witch Hazel (alcohol free if you can)
-2tbs of water (distilled if possible but not necessary)
-10 drops of oil (I used lavender and frankincense)
– Air tight container (Similar to this one from IKEA)
– Cotton pads

Step 1 – Combine water, carrier oil, witch hazel and oils in glass jar and mix up
Step 2 – Add cotton pads and rotate until all the liquid is soaked up
Step 3 – Use! Squeeze out the excess liquid in jar when you remove!

As for my choice in oils – I decided to use Lavender because of its cleansing and calming properties. I chose Frankincense because it helps reduce fine lines and promote healthy aging of the skin!

5 months

May 15, 2017Leave a comment

Crazy to think that a year ago we were getting ready to announce our pregnancy!

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Weight: 12lb 4oz

Length: 23in

Milestones: I decided to add this one since James is starting to hit some big milestones. He cut 2 teeth this month!!! James also started eating pureed foods!

Sleep: Sleeps has become a struggle for us! James was sleeping in his crib 6-8 hours and now he is only comfortable in his rock n play and will only sleep 2-4 hrs in his crib.

Diapers: Size 2

Clothes: James has moved into the 6 month clothing!

Mood: James is usually in a good mood. Everyone always comments on how happy and smiley he is! He only gets fussy when he’s super tired or hungry!

Loves:

Sitting in his bumbo
When people sing
Eating!!!
Walks around the park
The swing

Hates:

Waiting for food
Sleeping

DIY Carpet Refresher

April 28, 2017April 28, 2017Leave a comment

With 3 kids and a dog our carpets are put through the ringer between shoes, muddy paws and baby spit up its tough to keep our rugs looking and smelling clean! It’s because of the 3 kids and dog that I am super conscious of the products I use. Since one of the littles is going to be starting to crawl soon I started looking at the carpet refresher I was using – chemical filled! I tossed that bottle right in the garbage and whipped up my own using some essential oils!

: DIY Carpet Refresher :

1c Baking Soda
15 Drops of Thieves Oil
15 Drops of Purification
– store in glass container and sprinkle on carpet as needed-

The reasons I chose to use Thieves and Purification is because of the many benefits these 2 oils have, here are just a few.
Thieves – helps support a healthy immune system and helps purify air
Purification – purifies air & deodorizes

I use this recipe for the rugs in the playroom, living room and hallway, for the bedrooms I use a mix of calming oils that promote a restful sleep.

So many great oils come in the Starter Kit including Thieves and Purification, the possibilities are endless!

4 months

April 15, 2017Leave a comment

Weight: 12lb 4oz

Length: 23in

Sleep: Depends on the night.. some nights he will sleep 830-4 and others he is wide awake and ready to eat around midnight. During the day he still takes little cat naps.

Diapers: Finishing off the size 1’s this week and then onto the 2’s.

Clothes: Still rocking the 3 month clothes.. I put a few 6 month pieces on him and he was swimming in them!

Mood: Generally pretty happy, he has his moments like any baby that is cries a lot. His feeding issues were causing most of the crying fits!

Loves:

His little exersaucer
BATHS- finally!!!!
Eating food!
Walks around the park
The swing

Hates:

Being hungry

3 months

March 15, 2017March 15, 2017Leave a comment

Weight: about 12lbs

Length: about 23in

Sleep: Sleep has become a little bit of a struggle. James was doing so great sleeping 9 hrs straight in his crib.. then he started waking up every 2hrs seemingly in pain. We have in the last 2 weeks figured out where that pain is coming from – his formula. We have tried a different formula and he is back to doing 6hrs straight, eats then sleeps for another 3-4hrs.

We love tummy time

Eating: We struggled a bit this past month. James tried a few different formulas – AR, Alimentum and Nutramigen. It has been determined that James has a milk protein allergy (causing him pain) and since switching to Nutramigen he has been such a happy baby!

Diapers: Size 1’s! Thinking of switching to 2’s in the next few weeks to give him some more breathing room.

Clothes: Filling out the 3 month clothes nicely! We are getting great use out of all the outfits because he was spitting up so much with the allergy that he was wearing 3-4 outfits a day!

Mood: Since figuring out the formula he has become such a happy baby. There was a brief period that he was inconsolable, and stiff, so glad we’ve got our happy little baby back!

Loves:

Being in the moby wrap
Car rides
Eating
When his sisters sing
Tummy time

Hates:

Baths .. I am really hoping that changes
Diaper changes

2 months

February 23, 2017Leave a comment

I am about a week late with James’ 2 month update, I wanted to wait until his check up so I could record his measurements!

Weight: 10lbs 12oz (25th percentile)

Length: 22 3/4in (10th percentile)

Sleep: NO COMPLAINTS! James is a great sleeper! We moved him to his crib a few days before he turned 2 months old and he has been sleeping amazingly. He usually has his last bottle between 730 and 830 and is fast asleep by 9. He tends to wake up between 3-4 (sometimes 5 if we are lucky). He still sleeps a lot during the day but will be awake for 2 hour periods between feedings.

Eating: James loves food! He is eating about 24oz of formula day! He is having some reflux issues so we are switching formulas to a heavier formula with added rice in hopes it will help keep the formula down, if not he will be prescribed zantac. We are zantac pros at this point.. both girls were on it!

Diapers: Size 1’s seem to be working well so at this point no need to change!

Clothes: James is comfortable rocking the 3 month clothing now! Newborns still could have been worn but I would rather have clothing little bit bigger on his then clothing that makes him look like 10lbs of flour in 5lbs sack!