tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86880273402494295022024-03-13T08:38:52.288-05:00living the dreamKateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-67251611512033124432014-08-23T14:40:00.000-05:002014-08-23T15:03:36.699-05:00How to potty train your child in 2 easy stepsSo I've had a lot of mothers asking me how we were so successful at potty training Bryce. I don't really consider myself a potty training guru, but here is what I think every mother needs to hear:<br />
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Step 1: Decide when your child is ready. <br />
Step 2: Potty train them.* <br />
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*if you are unsuccessful, revisit step 1. Repeat when ready. <br />
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If you care to read my ramblings on the matter, continue reading.<br />
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When my son was just about 14 months old, I walked in to my local Barnes and Noble and found myself in the parenting section. I wanted to find a book, a bible, a holy grail for potty training. I started so early because its not like I have a lot of time for reading books in the first place so I wanted to be well read on the subject when the time did come to potty train Bryce. At first, I was completely overwhelmed. All these books had different methods promising to be the best way to potty train your child. How was I ever going to decide which way was the best? I spend a lot of time standing in front of the bookshelves, agonizing. I eventually bought a book that had cataloged several methods and how to achieve success. I never read the book. I can't even find it now, so I can't tell you the title. <br />
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A few months later, I was at local consignment sale. I saw a potty chair/contraption that was like $5 and it was in perfect condition so I bought it. I took it home that night and Bryce immediately wanted to know what it was. He couldn't even talk. He was 16 months old and had like 2 words. I just remember him pointing to it looking at me like "tell me about this". So I did. I told him all about how it worked and how to use it. I asked him if he wanted to pee pee in the potty and he grunted his cave man grunt that only his mother would know meant "yes". I had no intention what so ever of starting the potty training process when I bought the potty chair that day, but I figured if he was so interested in it, why not? What happened next still amazes me today. I pulled off his diaper, sat him on it, and he immediately peed and then pooped. I couldn't believe it. I mean, this stuff isn't supposed to be this easy is it? I didn't read to much into it and just decided it was a fluke. Beginners luck. I put the potty chair in the corner of his room and left it there for the future. Whenever that future might be, I didn't know. <br />
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In the months that followed, I did not offer the potty chair to him, not once. I didn't even mention it, or refer back to it. I knew he was WAY to young to start pressuring him to use it. However, he did use it multiple times in those few months. It was all his idea. He was chronically constipated so pooping was always an Olympic event at our house. I think that this actually helped potty train him. We could always tell when he was working on a poop and had time to get him to the potty. He quickly realized that it was a lot more comfortable and easier to go on the potty than in his diaper. He was about 20 months old when he started requesting the potty to go poop. At this point, peeing in the potty was just happenstance. <br />
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It was also around 18-20 months that I noticed he could control his stream of urine. Sorry, I know this is kinda invasive! I would lay him down to change his diaper and he would grin a very mischievous grin. Then I would notice that it was like he was concentrating very hard on something. Then he would pee. I was CONVINCED he was peeing on me on purpose. No one believed me. Everyone was like "Oh he can't control it yet, he is too young." But after awhile I knew for sure he was controlling it because I could tell by watching him do it that he was using his "muscles down there" (sorry I don't know how else to say it).<br />
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My thoughts were that at 20 months old, he was ready to start potty training full time. I couldn't get anyone to support me in this. My mom, the school, other moms, all told me he was too young. They all kept saying, "But he's not even 2!" As if 2 is some magical number that suddenly makes all toddlers "ready" to use the potty. He was already pooping in the potty and could control his pee, so what did it matter how old he was? I was his mother and I felt like he was ready. <br />
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I didn't want to fight the school on it. I just made up my mind that when he turned 2 we would go all in. Right around his 2nd birthday, I noticed that his diaper would be completely dry every morning. This was another big indicator to me to stop waiting around. So I got onboard with his teachers at school and we laid out a plan to potty train him. <br />
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I feel like pull ups are kinda pointless really. They are just a glorified diaper. A great marketing ploy by Huggies. And I'm not even sure what the point in training underwear is. Maybe they soak up the pee so it doesn't run down the child's legs? Idk. Anyways I felt like going cold turkey from a diaper into some big boy underwear was the best route. <br />
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I sent him to school in some underwear on Monday. He had 1 accident where he emptied his entire bladder on the floor of his classroom. (Sorry Ms. Kyesha!) I sent him to school in underwear on Tuesday. He had 1 accident where he peed all over himself as he was trying to get on the potty. And on Wednesday, no accidents. <br />
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That was 4 months ago. We have probably only had 1 accident at home and maybe 3-4 accidents at school. At school, his teachers offered to use the bathroom every 30 mins -1 hour. Once he got the hang of things, they left it up to him to say when he needed to go. He also never napped in a diaper. At home, I always made him go when we got home and right before bed. Any other time, I would let him tell me when he needed to go. He doesn't nap in a diaper or pull up at home either. I do put him in a pull up at night. We just keep re-using the same pull up until he wets it. <br />
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It was amazingly easy. I know there are mothers right now cursing at me as they read this because they are in the potty training trenches and it hasn't been an easy Sunday afternoon stroll. But let me just be really clear on this- I fully believe that the reason it was so easy was because he was 100% ready. He was ready for months before I tried. Not only was he physically ready, but he had the motivation, <em>he</em> was ready. He had all the classic potty training readiness skills: <br />
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1) staying dry all night<br />
2) indicating when wet or dirty<br />
3) language skills to tell caregiver when he/she needs to use the potty (this can be verbal or non-verbal)<br />
4) shows and interest in the potty<br />
5) gross motor skills to get on and off potty (with assistance of course)<br />
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I know what some of you are thinking. "This girl just got lucky and had an easy experience." Maybe I did. But I really feel that it was because he was ready. Oh and Ms. Kyesha! I owe most of the credit to her. Bryce is in her care for most of his waking hours and she obviously had a lot to do with his success. <br />
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Some of you might be thinking "My son is 3 and he has all of these readiness skills and he still is not potty training". I know we mothers have heard it a million times but I'm here to tell you again: All children develop at their own rate and develop differently than others. Just because my child was ready at 2 years doesn't mean that your child should be ready at 2. It doesn't mean that he is more advanced or smarter than your child either. It doesn't mean that I'm a better mother than you (b/c believe me I am not).<br />
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My husband wasn't potty trained until after his 4th birthday. (I know I'm embarrassing the heck out of him right now). He is a completely normal, healthy, adult with a college degree. The age at which he was potty trained has absolutely no bearing on the rest of his life. He had all those skills on the list too, but he, himself, wasn't ready or motivated to actually use the potty. It wasn't until he was denied a field trip to the zoo with the rest of the 4 year olds that he made up his own mind to potty train himself. His mother patiently and gracefully waited it out until he was ready. <br />
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This is why I don't think there some magic age to potty train. I don't believe there is one magic way to potty train either. I picked a way that I thought was best for him and my family and my parenting style and it worked. Every mother out there can find a way that best suits her child and her parenting style. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Its all up to you as a mother. <br />
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All that really matters is that you and your child are happy and have a successful experience. If it really has become such a burden, then take a break. Give your child a break from the stress of being expected to use the potty. Give them a few months to grow and develop a little more and then try again. <br />
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And under no circumstances should you ever feel like a failure! No mother really knows what they are doing! If anything, I hope this helps mothers realize that they are spending too much of their precious time trying to compare their child to someone else's. You are doing just fine momma!Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-55470430616665583412014-05-31T21:39:00.001-05:002014-05-31T21:39:22.134-05:00Another day goneHe came running asking for a goodnight kiss. He looked so precious in that moment. Shirt off, covered in pizza sauce, his grin showing his crooked little teeth. I wanted more than a kiss. <div><br></div><div>I pulled him into my lap, leaned way back in the chair, and laid him on his belly right on top of me. He props his head in his hands. His face is just inches from mine. I feel his baby soft skin. But he's not a baby. His legs dangle off my lap. He his heavy against me. </div><div><br></div><div>"Sing momma" he says with anticipation. "What would you like me to sing? I'll sing you anything."</div><div>"Had a farm. Old Donald had a farm."</div><div>I smile. He says farm with 3 syllables bc his southern accent is so thick. I start singing and he excitedly shouts out animals. </div><div><br></div><div>In this moment he is mine. Neither of us are distracted. We are in the moment. He is so intoxicating. My heart overflows and I can't stop it. How did I ever live without him? </div><div><br></div><div>He seems so big! Not the kind of big you'd expect. Like really really big. His face has changed. He is taller. Heavier. I noticed earlier when I picked him up it seemed he doubled his weight over night. </div><div><br></div><div>When did you get this heavy?</div><div><br></div><div>12 months ago when he would run into our room in the morning his eyes were barely high enough to see over the mattress. Tonight I noticed you can see not only his whole face but his chest too. </div><div><br></div><div>When did you get this tall?</div><div><br></div><div>He talks in whole sentences. Makes demands. Has opinions. He counted to 20 the other night in the tub.</div><div><br></div><div>When did you get this smart?</div><div><br></div><div>This past week I keep starting at him, trying to soak it all up. Partly in disbelief. He is a little boy. My baby is gone. My heart keeps trying to deny it but brain knows what it sees right before me. </div><div><br></div><div>My suspicions were confirmed and that I wasn't going crazy when I measured him tonight. He HAS gotten big and isn't showing signs if slowing. And I can't help but be completely heartbroken. </div><div><br></div><div>Another day gone. He'll never be this little, this small again. Tomorrow he will be bigger, faster, smarter. I'll blink and he will be asking to borrow the car. </div><div><br></div><div>Oh sure, we all want our kids to grow up into healthy successful adults. I do too. But he'll never be mine like the way he was tonight. </div><div><br></div><div>I can't stop it. All I can do is try to remember each day as much as possible. Try to savor every moment, every slobbery kiss, every tantrum, every laugh, every cry, because tomorrow will just be another day gone. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F83-JhOAeqw/U4qSVhPTJcI/AAAAAAAACGg/yHLJ4Yg23x0/s640/blogger-image-818875514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F83-JhOAeqw/U4qSVhPTJcI/AAAAAAAACGg/yHLJ4Yg23x0/s640/blogger-image-818875514.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">His big boy haircut</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UZc3v-5ia9k/U4qSOc7BM2I/AAAAAAAACGY/ZR2M8lrvSG8/s640/blogger-image--406105675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UZc3v-5ia9k/U4qSOc7BM2I/AAAAAAAACGY/ZR2M8lrvSG8/s640/blogger-image--406105675.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Jan 1, march 16, and June 1. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">36 inches tall</div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-77765536396989719622014-05-29T15:37:00.001-05:002014-05-29T15:37:15.186-05:00Red, white, and blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I'm a little late for Memorial Day but I plan on leaving these up all summer. I love red, white, and blue! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8aPbB89nxA/U4eaXcAK5EI/AAAAAAAACGA/Gu5tRjzNums/s640/blogger-image--976262704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8aPbB89nxA/U4eaXcAK5EI/AAAAAAAACGA/Gu5tRjzNums/s640/blogger-image--976262704.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My new motto is simple is better. I cut some stars out of scrapbook paper I had in my crafting arsenal. I didn't cut any blue stars bc I didn't have any blue paper but it worked out because I think the blue shutters incorporate it so well. I already had the red lantern on a bookshelf and the white pitcher I use for everything. I picked up some flags for a dollar at target. I actually taped dowel rods to the flags to make them taller. I stuffed some Target sacks down in the pitcher to stabilize the flags where I wanted them. Bam and done! The whole thing cost $1! I really withheld the urge to buy some really fab red white and blue pinwheels while I was at Target, but I told myself it didn't need to over the top, just simply stated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JrKLZ_fbFlM/U4ead3vi-6I/AAAAAAAACGI/ns4-mNb-Gn8/s640/blogger-image-1917707403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JrKLZ_fbFlM/U4ead3vi-6I/AAAAAAAACGI/ns4-mNb-Gn8/s640/blogger-image-1917707403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was a Goodwill find. I've been waiting for months to bust it out! It looks handmade and vintage and that's why I love it more! It was $3. I hot glued some twine to the back to make a loop to hang it on. I need to stick some sticky tack on the back so it won't bang so much when you open and close the door. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-70244474319900777552014-05-17T12:50:00.001-05:002014-05-17T12:50:52.256-05:00Master bedroom sneak peakSo it may actually be awhile before you get to see the reveal but I might as well get you excited right? As I'm sure everyone in the blogosphere is as excited about my bedroom as I am! <div><br></div><div>Over the past 5 years I've slowly accumulated things and picked out things to make each room the way I want it- except the master bedroom. I'm not sure why, just now getting around to it I guess. </div><div><br></div><div>This is the painting that is my inspiration. I love the colors! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Nfv0LTDy9HA/U3eheauZSdI/AAAAAAAACFw/gfulDiTPRvs/s640/blogger-image-2084806711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Nfv0LTDy9HA/U3eheauZSdI/AAAAAAAACFw/gfulDiTPRvs/s640/blogger-image-2084806711.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>So here is one sneak peak:<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UNFNMW2SDBk/U3ehYyclbhI/AAAAAAAACFo/pCTthr8XjUk/s640/blogger-image-1210438601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UNFNMW2SDBk/U3ehYyclbhI/AAAAAAAACFo/pCTthr8XjUk/s640/blogger-image-1210438601.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Up cycled an old picture frame- painted it the color I wanted and added some snazzy canvas fabric from Hobby Lobby. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I plan on DIYing the curtains, refurbing a goodwill kitchen chair, sewing some pillows, buying some lamps and picture frames, and finding something fab for the wall above the headboard. Any ideas? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-41566578769698544682014-05-04T09:28:00.000-05:002014-05-04T09:28:00.020-05:00"Eggs! More eggs!"So this year we were so excited about Easter because it would be the first time to hide eggs for Bryce and for him to really understand the whole Easter basket thing. I stuffed his basket with stuff from the dollar section of target. I splurged and bought him an Easter sippy cup. I re-used a basket we had around the house and tied some tulle to it. I also made a basket for Scott! It was a complete surprise to him and he really loved it! I also just used a basket we already had and taped a bow to it. <br />
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That morning Bryce woke up early and wanted to go into the living room to play. I told him to go out there. He came running back to our bed screaming "Eggs! Treats! Open treats Momma!" He spent a good 20 mins opening all his eggs in his basket. I put little packages of Sixlets in his eggs. The Sixlets were perfect for a 2 year old because they are small and easily chewable. <br />
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We got dressed for church and then headed outside so B could "hunt" eggs. He keep saying "Red egg!" and then running to the next egg and saying "A yellow egg! A green egg!"<br />
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Overall, we had a wonderful Easter. We had 2 delicious Easter Dinners with both sides of the family and we went to visit Grandma in the hospital. Bryce was just so excited over his Easter basket, he wouldn't let go of it. He STILL (2 weeks later) is carrying his plastic eggs around! I think Easter is slowly becoming one of my favorite holidays!</div>
Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-76117350170566790702014-04-26T14:23:00.003-05:002014-04-26T14:26:07.928-05:00Ring The Alarm! Bryce's Firetruck Birthday PartySo I really really tried to not go overboard this year on the birthday party. I really tried to make what I could and buy the rest without stressing myself out and spending a load of cash. Here is a guide to how I did all!<br />
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1. Venue<br />
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Bryce is obsessed with firetrucks, so this years theme wasn't hard to decide on. I called the Fire Captain and found out that you can't have birthday parties at the station but you can schedule a tour. I even got to pick my date, time, and which station I wanted! Even better? Its free! There is private neighborhood playground with a pavilion directly next to the station I wanted, so it was a double win! We don't have membership in that neighborhood, but my in-laws do, so it was easy to get. <br />
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2. Invitations<br />
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Last year I made them by hand. Yes by hand. Spent several hours designing them on the computer, printing, cutting and mounting. I've got toddler now, so Etsy was my best friend. I easily found a design I loved and a price I loved even better! $12 for a digital copy that I could print and mass produce as I please. A friend of mine actually printed them professionally for me, however you can print them at Walgreens on photo paper for next to nothing. <br />
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3. Decorations<br />
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I made most of the decorations myself. I really love making stuff so it didn't bother me one bit!<br />
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I made a simple banner out of scrapbook paper and stickers and hung it up with string and tape. I bought all of it at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. I just cut a triangle out about the size I wanted. I traced that triangle on all the paper and cut them out. Then I made more triangles in the secondary color but just made the top length 1 inch shorter so that they ended up 1/2 inch from the edge of the bigger triangle all the way around. I mounted them together with scotch tape. Then I added the red glitter stickers. I taped them on some thread and then hung them up on the fence with some tape. It was incredibly easy! from start to finish it prob took less than hour to make.<br />
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I recycled some tissue paper pom poms that I made for my brother's 21st birthday and hung them up in the pavillion and added some table cloths to cover the the graffitied tables. It just spiffed things up a touch. I actually still had the roll of red plastic table cloths left over from last years party! Good investment!</div>
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For the gift table, I bought a table runner from Oriental Trading online. It didn't really need a table runner, but it matched and I thought it was cute and it was like 3 dollars. </div>
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4. Party Favors</div>
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I bought the red gift bags and most of its contents from from Oriental Trading. There is stuff is so cheap you can't go wrong. Well maybe you can. On the website the firemen rubber ducks that I purchased, looked so cute! When they came they looked like a 2 year had hand painted them. I was going to return them, but I realized they were so cheap it wasn't worth my time and the hassle than to return them so I passed them out anyways. I bought some other cheap crap at Party City to put in there too. I put some orange tissue paper in the tops so it would look like flames. I wanted to dress up the bags with fire badges with the kids names on them, but I was trying to be as simple as possible. </div>
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5. Food</div>
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Now the food is where you can really blow your budget! I picked fire themed food that was also kid friendly. I even tried to pic something diet friendly!<br />
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yellow and fireman napkins - Oriental Trading</div>
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plates- Kroger</div>
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yellow dishes- Goodwill (my new love affair)</div>
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red chip bowl- my mommas house</div>
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tiered food server- Target (it is white- I taped yellow ribbon to it)</div>
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I made the labels for the food myself. I'm in love with the chalkboard cut outs that I found at Hobby Lobby! Seriously guys, the package had a bunch (sorry I can't remember how many maybe 20?) for like $3. They are perfect for parties and weddings! The best part is you can mount them on anything you want (in this case left over scrapbook paper from the banner). I bet you could use a wet paper towel to erase them and keep re-using them too!</div>
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The fireman poles were a huge hit!!! Kids and adults loved them! They were so easy to make! If you are willing to fork over some extra money you can buy pre-cut fruit at Kroger and then most of the work is done for you. I bought things that I could easily just pop on there. They only thing I had to cut was the strawberries. I bought the skewers in the pots and pans section at Kroger. </div>
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yellow snack cups- Hobby Lobby</div>
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If you wanted to dress up the water bottles you can add some festive ribbon on personalized labels.</div>
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Ok so Target has those dollar bins in the front of the store. Here recently they have been carrying a brand called <a href="http://paperanddots.com/" target="_blank">Paper and Dots</a> which I am absolutely obsessed with! That jar was $1! I bought a bunch of them to use around the house! I just added some ribbon that I had left over from my brother's party. The paper straws came from Oriental Trading. They had the cheapest deal on paper straws. I was going for a Dalmatian spot look. The punch in the background is one giant thing of Hawaiian punch mixed with 2 liters sprite. Several people loved it and asked what concoction it was. It is my go-to party punch. </div>
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6. The party!</div>
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The firemen were so awesome! They showed us around the fire station and then to garage to check out the trucks. They made it interesting for the adults too! We had so much fun! My Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Cousin's kids, friends, kids from school, coworkers, grandparents, family friends, all came out to celebrate!</div>
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-40206035851123829032014-03-30T09:40:00.003-05:002014-03-30T09:40:25.103-05:00The FarmI LOVE SPRING! Its the type of weather and scenery that makes you feel alive. I just want to run and jump and frolic and sing. Unfortunatly, we havn't seen too much spring just yet. So when I saw the forcast was going to be in the 60s this weekend I KNEW I had to put housework aside and do something outdoors. Then my parents mentioned they were going to take a day trip up the farm and I jumped at the chance to go. <br />
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The Farm has been a part of my life as long as I've been around. Its not really a farm at all, but it once was. Its land that has been in the family for probably over century. This is the land that my Grandmother was born on. She was raised in the 3-room homestead. She picked cotton in these fields in the depression. She went to school in the one room school house that was once there on the corner acre. My Grandfather went to school there too. My Grandparents lived there for the majority of life. I have many memmories of entire summers spent there; running barefoot through the grass and walking all over the hollers and hills. I've spent many hot July afternoons waist deep in Big Creek, many slow sunny mornings in a hammock, many nights shooting fireworks, many walks, hikes, 4wheeler rides, hunting adventures, fishing, camping, and front porch swinging. I could go on an on.<br />
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I've always dreamed of taking my kids there. Unfortuntatly, I havn't spent as much time there in recent years as I'd like. We've moved 4 times in 5 years and Scott works every weekend so there hasn't been much time to go. We left daddy behind and went anyways. Bryce absolutly LOVED it! I've never seen him so happy! It was like a little boys paradise!<br />
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When we got out of the car he just ran and ran and ran. I dont think Bryce has ever been in such open space before. He was busy checking out every rock and tree and flower. He wasn't scared to get on the four wheeler though! I was nervous about letting him ride, but we never took it out of 1st gear. He loved the 4 wheeler ride through the woods! I would rev the engine and he would say "Go momma!" <br />
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We rode down the spring and spent some time there just sitting and enjoying the view. Bryce of course wanted to play in the water and almost fell in a few times. He helped Papa move rocks. <br />
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Then we rode down through The Bottom to the Creek. I've never seen the Creek so full before! The water was really rolling. Bryce was so good staying away from the edge of the water. He just walked along the sand bank picking up rocks and throwing them in. He drove his toy car through the sand. We hung out on the banks of the creek for a long time just watching him play and enjoying himself. He fussed when it was time to leave. <br />
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We rode back to the house, ate some dinner, cleaned up, and then headed back home. Bryce was so worn out, he was asleep before we got to Cave City. <br />
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-52831382993251567552014-03-22T08:15:00.001-05:002014-03-22T08:15:03.727-05:002 years old!So my baby has turned 2! <div><br></div><div>I haven't done a milestone post in awhile. I guess bc he learns something new everyday so it's too hard to keep up with. Here are some if my favs! </div><div><br></div><div>Like most 2 year olds, everything is "mine". Heaven forbid you try to carry his jacket for him, he wants to carry it. "MY jacket momma!" He reminds me that anything that belongs to mom and dad is also his. My toothbrush, hairbrush, pillow, my spot on the couch, anything I'm eating or drinking- all his. We argue a lot!</div><div><br></div><div>Again, like most 2 year olds he wants to be so independent. Most mornings he will start screaming at me when it's time to put on shoes and socks bc he wants to put them on. "I do it" is his mantra. </div><div><br></div><div>He loves to clean up! Just start singing that cleanup song and starts putting his toys away!</div><div><br></div><div>He loves to help me do laundry! I hand him clothes and he tosses them in for me. He loves to hold the "heavy" wet clothes and throw them in the dryer. He meticulously pushes the edges of the clothes into the dryer so the door will shut. He slows me down, but I love my little chore buddy. </div><div><br></div><div>He poops in the potty inconsistently. He goes through spurts were he doesn't want to have anything to do with the potty and others where he's really into it. </div><div><br></div><div>His favorite foods right now are cheese cubes, yogurt, grapes, donuts, pizza, Mac and cheese. In that order. At least the first 3 are healthy right? You know you have a problem when you drive past Little Caesars and your kid starts screaming "pizza!"</div><div><br></div><div>His language development has grown by about 9 months in the past 3. At Christmas his vocabulary consisted of about 20 single words and no phrases. </div><div>We were just happy he was finally repeating words. The week and half we were at home for Christmas break its like he magically started talking. Then after he got tubes the first week in January, all of the words sounded much clearer and new sounds were emerging all the time. If I had to guess, I'd say his vocabulary probably is around 100 words or more now! He has many 3 word phrases he uses consistently. I feel like I can finally breath a sigh if relief! He's been behind in the language department since day one. He does have a lisp and is a tongue thruster so I guess we will see if he outgrows that or if we need speech therapy. I wouldn't be surprised, I was in speech as a kid for the exact same thing. </div><div><br></div><div>I think the thing I enjoy most about his new language skills is he can actually tell me things now! He used to stand at the fridge and scream when he was hungry. Now he comes to me and says "snack momma?" When I ask him what he wants he can tell me "applesauce" or "yogurt" instead of me guessing what he wanted, which was usually wrong, followed by more screaming. </div><div><br></div><div>Here are some of my favorite things he says: </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Where did it =where is it?</span></div><div><font face="Noteworthy" size="4"><span style="line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094);"><b><br></b></span></font><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">I get it!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Quick! No do dat!= Quit! no do that!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Uh-uh </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">I coming</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "> Ok mommy- he says this with the thickest southern accent it makes me so happy. His "ok" has like 3 syllables!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Zeus = horse (he can say it correctly with prompting)</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Dih-naw= donkey (I think he is combining heehaw with donkey)</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "> </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Am-nance=ambulance </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">He-cop-dee= helicopter </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Gogurt=yogurt </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Nankets=blankets</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Counts one, dos, four, five, gicks, tebin, eight, nine, ten! He leaves out numbers all the time. Last night he counted my toes "one, five, three, five!" And the "dos" for two cracks me up every time! </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Can name all the characters from Mickey Mouse clubhouse: Micky, Goopy, Minnie, pootoe, Donna duck, daisy. </div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Overall, he has grown and developed so much I've the past year! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-stjANNhxzPg/Uy2M04iDZZI/AAAAAAAAB5o/XzHMiOgHPBU/s640/blogger-image-1344968625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-stjANNhxzPg/Uy2M04iDZZI/AAAAAAAAB5o/XzHMiOgHPBU/s640/blogger-image-1344968625.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); ">Love this kid boogers and all!</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); "><br></div></div><div><br></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-16913793929566969782014-02-11T22:54:00.001-06:002014-02-11T22:56:31.208-06:00Big Boy Room So part of Bryce's Christmas gift was re-doing his nursery into a functional room he could actually spend time in and play in. Of course it was hard to not go to open up the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and not go insane with ideas because Pottery Barn isn't even near our budget. So we went to the Target clearance isle and raided grandma's storage shed instead. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Before:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogUoMUiskVA/Uvrz4-WGalI/AAAAAAAAB5c/g_ZdrtUJnoY/s1600/DSCN4240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogUoMUiskVA/Uvrz4-WGalI/AAAAAAAAB5c/g_ZdrtUJnoY/s1600/DSCN4240.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the dresser/changing table. See those pegs in the wall? They were hanging up embroidery hoops with fabric in them. I don't know why hanging them above the changing table was a good idea. Ill let you guess where they ended up. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we moved back in the summer, I kinda just put up the crib and dumped everything else and never got around to making any order of it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A92TNwCcDtc/UvrxQQrQ5qI/AAAAAAAAB3s/OSR-QzbdlEs/s1600/DSCN4241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A92TNwCcDtc/UvrxQQrQ5qI/AAAAAAAAB3s/OSR-QzbdlEs/s1600/DSCN4241.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made the ONE sign out of his baby pictures and used them as décor for his first birthday party. When we moved, I just hung them up. Might as well enjoy them instead of stuffing them in a closet. Complete waste of a wall. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V7FAQgkSPjc/UvrxRF8tUVI/AAAAAAAAB30/fbiZUbcFg60/s1600/DSCN4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V7FAQgkSPjc/UvrxRF8tUVI/AAAAAAAAB30/fbiZUbcFg60/s1600/DSCN4242.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not, that book shelf is pretty organized compared to what it once was.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The After: </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0TkUsSCNyQ/Uvrx2LjJd6I/AAAAAAAAB4o/9j8_gaGOFtw/s1600/DSCN4255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0TkUsSCNyQ/Uvrx2LjJd6I/AAAAAAAAB4o/9j8_gaGOFtw/s1600/DSCN4255.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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I found this pretty cool toddler bedding set at Target for $8. 8 freaking dollars. They practically were giving it away. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew it was destiny. Yes, I am the kind of person who believes destiny exists for things such as bed sheets, especially while shopping at Target. It was destiny because Bryce's room already was decorated in those colors (blue, green, orange) and I had already planned on keeping the color scheme. AND I had bought some fabric in Branson that was these colors AND had letters on it! Freaky weird. <br />
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I moved the crib to the long wall. I left it a crib because I didn't want him to be able to get up and wander around his room at night. When we start potty training, I plan on changing it over to a toddler bed.<br />
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I made these circles for a dear friend's baby shower. I loved them so much I took them home with me and said I'd use them in Bryce's room. 4 months later, I hung them up. They are just cardstock circles taped on thread and then taped to the wall. Im sure they will tear up as time go by, but that's ok. I FINALY hung up his measuring stick AND actually measured him on it! Re-styled the bookshelf to make more user friendly. <br />
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This right here was what I was probably the most excited about. I searched high and low for "picture ledges". They come from IKEA. Of course I paid an arm and a leg to have them shipped here but I didn't care. Other companies don't make them in that length and in white. They are perfect for babies/toddlers to use as a bookshelf! Most toddlers lack the hand eye coordination to shove a book in a bookshelf without tearing up the book. I also love that you can SEE the book! Seriously, I might be in love with a bookshelf, I love it so much. IKEA definitely ranks on my top 5 fav places to shop! Also moved the embroidery hoops from the changing table to above the bookshelves, out of reach.<br />
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Ta-da! I acquired this table from the storage unit. It was once Scott's. It's in great shape! I'm pretty convinced it came from IKEA too. I mean, it's so awesome, how could it not be from IKEA? I love that it is laminate and is scratch resistant and easy to clean. The seats are also vinyl, a MUST when you are dealing with small children. <br />
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My dad made the coat hooks. I know right? Like used a saw and some glue and actually made them. I just think that is so cool. I wish I had tool skills. He made them for our laundry room when I was a kid. My parents weren't using it anymore so it got handed down. I painted it blue. I actually didn't want it to be that dark, but that's how it turned out. I bought the galvanized buckets at Hobby Lobby. I put crayons and play-doh in the buckets for quick access to art supplies. <br />
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I feel like his room looks so big! and inviting!<br />
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My dad made the deer antlers for Bryce for Christmas. He has been mesmerized by my dad's rack collection so he felt like every boy needs a rack hanging up in his room. I actually bought the clothes pins and rope at Kroger. I know- who knew? It was in the Kroger the size of Dallas on Hwy 10 so they carry lots of home goods. I've already hung up some of his art work from school. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Im such an awesome blogger, I don't know how to rotate pictures. Damn you Windows 8. </td></tr>
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-60573887215252646372014-01-15T22:00:00.001-06:002014-01-15T22:00:12.217-06:00ChristmasChristmas was super exciting for me this year. Mostly because Bryce is old enough to get excited about opening presents and all the pretty decorations and lights. Some of my favorite memories from Christmastime this year include watching Bryce play with our nativity scene and hiding baby Jesus all over the house, him putting ornaments on the tree by shoving them up into the limbs until he perfectly balanced it and it stayed put, and his fascination with "Ho-Ho". <br />
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Christmas morning was special because we spent it at home just the 3 of us. I videoed Bryce running into the living room. He ran straight for his bike. He tried to push himself around the living room on it. He is not a fan of using the pedals yet, but he will get there. He loved opening all his presents and he was perfectly content with playing with each toy for 20 mins until we would get impatient and convince him he needed to open another. <br />
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After we opened all our presents we headed over to Scott's parents house for more Christmas. We did Christmas with my family the next day, but I forgot to take pictures! He was so incredibly excited about opening presents at my parents. He had the routine down. He opened a pair of house shoes and screamed "socks! momma socks! socks! a socks!" Like someone gave him a winning lottery ticket.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He sat right here for like 30 mins. He was putting the animals from his nativity set into the top part of the truck, but 3 wouldn't fit and 2 was too loose. He sat there and tried and tried and tried to make 3 animals fit. He kept taking them out, rearranging, and moving them around. I am constantly surprised by his problem solving skills. </td></tr>
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-24704790620206636752014-01-07T23:31:00.003-06:002014-01-07T23:31:42.159-06:00Branson<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yqMi7Sg19Ic/Uszb0JjC4mI/AAAAAAAABzk/O64rleWOsSQ/s1600/1471532_10100438849175081_417630613_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yqMi7Sg19Ic/Uszb0JjC4mI/AAAAAAAABzk/O64rleWOsSQ/s1600/1471532_10100438849175081_417630613_o.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>Every year for their anniversary, my in-laws go to Branson. This year they invited us to go along. How romantic!<br />
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It was a very interesting trip. We got there Friday afternoon and hit Branson Landing for some shopping. All I could think about was a peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks because my throat was on fire. Me, being the diva that I am, drug the whole family to Starbucks just so I could fulfill my soar throat fantasy. Friday night the first stop was the urgent care at the hospital. Diagnosis Bronchitis. After an inhaler, antibiotic, some cough syrup that would make Courtney Love feel a little trippy, and the best night of sleep I've had since Bryce was born, I felt much better and up for a trip to Silver Dollar City on Saturday. <br />
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Taylor Lautner?</td></tr>
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Saturday we got up, took our time getting ready, went fabric shopping (like I need more fabric for projects around here), and then off to Silver Dollar City. Bryce was about 1/2 inch too short to ride most of the rides. Scott rode a few rides with him! OMG it was so funny! Bryce threw a major tantrum when the ride stopped! He wanted it to keep going. And he most certainly did not want to get off to let other people on. We had to drag him out kicking and screaming. And then when we got in line at the next ride he did not want to wait! More screaming. Tears like the Nile River. We got so close to the front of the line and then the elf lady shut the gate right in front of him and OMG did we really see a show then! He tried to squeeze his big 99% head through the gate while screaming "No-no!" All the other moms looked so pathetic for him. Or for me, I couldn't tell. <br />
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Sunday we slept in and then hit the outlet mall. We found some major deals on clothes for Bryce. It was crazy slammed because it was the start of the holiday season. Then home again, home again, jiggity jig. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His presh curls!!!</span></td></tr>
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-47013160971187501232014-01-07T22:24:00.001-06:002014-01-07T22:24:11.821-06:00Trick or Treat!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">This Halloween I made a homemade costume (2 of them actually). I know Im stupid crazy. This costume I literally just cut out the fabric and hot glued/sewed it together. There was no pattern. If you are really that interested in how I made it, just email/msg me. <br />
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Scott had to work (no surprise there) so I wasn't even planning on taking Bryce trick or treating because he isn't going to even remember it and he doesn't eat candy. But my parents literally scoffed out loud when I said it was "too much trouble" to take him trick or treating and then they scooped him up and started off down the street. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aStgRJwH0L4/UszN78JtBiI/AAAAAAAABwo/SkGr-d-disA/s1600/1395642_10100429847768971_378912714_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aStgRJwH0L4/UszN78JtBiI/AAAAAAAABwo/SkGr-d-disA/s1600/1395642_10100429847768971_378912714_o.jpg" height="400" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the best picture I could get. There was more to his costume but he wouldn't put it on. We were lucky he put this much of it on. Oh by the way, he is a wolf. Its is favorite animal at the moment.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So this was actually our 2nd house to visit. At the first house, I was busy deleting everything on my phone because my memory was full. Again. At the first house, he ran up to the house like he had been trick or treating his whole life. So when we go to the 2nd house, he thought someone should answer the door! He didn't understand the whole bucket on the porch thing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the 3rd and final house, my parents neighbors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The neighbors have a little girl named Faith. She was more than happy to share her wagon with Bryce.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then off to Chick Fil A to see Daddy! He was excited for all the treats in his bucket. That bucket my dad dug out of the attic. Its from a McDonalds happy meal circa 1999. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We had so much fun! I can't wait until next year!</span></td></tr>
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-61802059005241456582014-01-07T21:35:00.002-06:002014-01-07T21:35:21.105-06:00first hair cutWhen I was pregnant, I had a very vivid dream that I gave birth to a curly haired little boy. Well, I did have a little boy, but he didn't have much hair and it definitely wasn't curly. Not that it mattered because all of it fell out with cradle cap and never grew back. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the best picture I could find to show the craziness <br />
that was his hair before the haircut. And that is chocolate<br />
all over his face. </td></tr>
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Fast forward 1 year. My bald headed baby started growing hair!<br />
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Fast forward 6 months. My baby has long flowing locks of curly hair! Oh the precious curls! I was in love! They just curled up in the back like he slept in some perm rods. I never wanted to cut them off. EVER. <br />
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Well he was starting to get called a girl by complete strangers even though he was clearly dressed in all boy clothing. My only explanation for this had to be the fact that his hair was hippy long. I definitely didn't want my kid to be <em>that</em> kid. So I new a hair cut was in our immediate future. <br />
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I took him to Pig Tails and Crew Cuts here in Little Rock because they really cater to small children and specialize in children's hair cuts. <br />
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When we showed up the place was packed. There was 3 boys getting their hair cut and all 3 of them were screaming like Freddy Kruger was the one cutting their hair. Bryce just stared. I don't think he too much minded the screaming, he was too focused on getting in one of the cool cars. When it was finally his turn he did so great! He wasn't scared at all! He sat very still and was very cooperative. He was not a fan of the electric clippers she used on his sideburns, but even then he did very good considering. <br />
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I told her to the leave it long and I wanted to keep the curls in the back. She told me he would still look like a baby and not a big boy. I said I don't care, I'm fine with him looking like a baby (because he still is a baby) I just want it trimmed and shaped up a bit. She asked me more questions like if I wanted it completely off his ears and if I wanted the bangs straight across and before I knew it, she had chopped off his curls in the back!!!! I was so mad! I didn't stay too mad too long though, its just hair and will grow back. She gave me a lock of curls in a baggie. He did look completely different! He really did look like a big boy with his hair cut!<br />
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People have asked me if I liked going there. I really don't think I'll be going back. They were so busy and I really felt like we were rushed. The whole haircut from start to finish probably took 5 mins. And obviously there was a miscommunication at some point about whether the curls in the back should be cut or not. And it was kinda pricey for a kids cut. So if you know of any awesome places that do kids cuts for an affordable price, let me know!<br />
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-36809119965379757642014-01-07T20:58:00.005-06:002014-01-07T20:59:45.553-06:00Stop, colloborate, and listenSo I know Im way behind on my posting.<br />
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For Halloween Bryce was Vanilla Bryce! It was a huge hit! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-vi2ANxqEc/Usy-quHn1-I/AAAAAAAABvk/bJZkluQlGZ8/s1600/DSCN4195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-vi2ANxqEc/Usy-quHn1-I/AAAAAAAABvk/bJZkluQlGZ8/s1600/DSCN4195.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a>Many people have asked where we came up with the idea. Well I have to give all the credit to Scott. He calls Bryce all sorts of nick names like Bryce-a-roni, Bryce-krispy, Vanilla Bryce. So I made up my mind I was going to make some hammer pants and I never looked back. I have gotten a lot of question on how in the world I made the hammer pants. I didn't use any sort of pattern, so I will try to do my very best explaining it to you. <br />
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Bryce already had a pair of hammer-ish looking pants. They are pajama bottoms made by Carters. They have an elastic waste, baggy through the but and thigh, then taper tightly around the ankle area with a band of elastic around the bottom. I decided I would use these pants as my template.<br />
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I bought some awesome gold fabric at Hobby Lobby. (I should really get an endorsement from Hobby Lobby). I layed the pajama pants on the gold fabic. I eye balled it. Yes, that's how I do things around this place. Who has time to add and subtract quarter inches and measure a squirming toddler? Not me. So I traced the outline of the pajama pants with a sharpie. When I traced the pants, I stayed at least an inch away from the pants to allow for a seam allowance and to create extra bagginess. I also purposely made the crotch about 2 inches lower than the pajama pants because this is what makes hammer pants hammer pants. When I say I stayed an inch away, again I was eye balling so it was by no means perfect. I cut out 2 of the outlined pajama pants. <br />
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I placed the 2 pieces right sides together and stitched up the outside and inside length of the leg. I did not hem them at all. Again, I don't have time for that. Also, he is wearing these pants once and never again, so it really is a waste of time. If you are washing and wearing these pants regularly, you should hem them. <br />
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I bought some elastic at Hobby Lobby (I think it was 1/4 inch but it really doesn't matter) to use for the waist and bottom of the legs. Now I use a really janky method to sew in elastic. I basically taught myself to sew in a era when there was no such thing as a you tube tutorial so I actually do a lot of weird things when I sew. What I did was put the elastic around Bryce's waist to see how long of piece I needed. You want it to be tight (but not too tight) I cut the elastic to the correct length and then sewed the ends together. Now you have a circle of elastic ready to be "installed" into the pants. I think the correct term is "sew a casing", but who are we trying to impress?<br />
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So I places the circle of elastic in the pants and folded the fabric over the elastic. I stitched the fabric down. This was not perfect at all. It puckered up in places, and the slick gold fabric slid all the over the place. No one is going to notice anyways. His shirt covered up the waste of the pants anyways. Again, he was only going to wear it once, so no need for perfection. I did this same process around the bottom of the legs. <br />
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It took 1 hour and about $10 to make. <br />
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Around lunch, he sat down and busted the seam in the crotch. This fabric was super stretchy and I probably didn't use a close enough stitch to really hold it. But again, not a big deal at all, it was a one time thing. <br />
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I added a gold chain and a t-shirt with gold lettering to the outfit. I simply cut out the letters myself and used fusible Pellon to iron the letters on the shirt. <br />
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I actually had a bunch of pictures on my phone at one point to use a demo but I had to delete them because I was out of memory. Story of my life. sigh. <br />
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<br />Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-89554515020535429192013-12-28T22:37:00.001-06:002013-12-28T23:34:25.953-06:00Cheers to a new year!So I havnt blogged in awhile. It's not because I'm busy or unmotivated. It's mostly because every time I read the blogs I like to follow, I start feeling really depressed about my life. <div><br></div><div>Take Jessica Garvin for example. You can check her out at http://littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com <i> </i></div><div>She's got her shit together. Her house looks like a magazine spread, her gorgeous daughter looks like a living breathing Baby Gap advertisement, she has this amazing job where she works from home, she bakes, she crafts, she can throw a birthday party that would make all other parties look like a joke, Hell, she even has an Etsy shop so you can pay her to make all these beautiful things for you. And to top it all off she's skinny and beautiful. </div><div><br></div><div>What the eff. </div><div><br></div><div>She has perfectly edited Instagram pics of her entirely perfect weekend. Sipping mimosas in the hammock in the huge back yard, a family trip to home depo, spending the afternoon redoing the half bath, snuggling in bed watching a movie.</div><div><br></div><div>Can one person really have it all? </div><div><br></div><div>Where are her blog posts about listening to her child scream for the entire ride home from work? Or having to spank her child every single day because her child runs through the parking lot and refuses to get in the car? Or how bout when she has to cook dinner and entertain her child at the same time because her husband works nights? Or not being able to pee, change clothes, take a shower, or do anything because her child wants to join right in? Please tell me her child still sleeps in their bed. Please tell me her husband works nights and is still a full time student. Where is the post about the shit storm that is every day life?</div><div><br></div><div>And the worst part is I don't even know this girl. Honest. I just stumbled upon her perfectly charming blog by accident via Pinterest And I've been stalking/ living vicariously through her blog for almost 2 years now. I know. I'm so embarrassed to even admit that.</div><div><br></div><div>Even more embarrassing than that was when I dreamed the 2 of us were best friends. And our kids were best friends. An we lived this perfect little life where we would hang out together and shop and make chalkboards together. And I secretly hated her. When I woke up that's when I knew I had a problem. I had let someone, who is borderline fictitious, become this idol of perfection and everything I wanted but didn't have. </div><div><br></div><div>It was so bad that I just had to make myself stop reading her blog, and other blogs like hers. It was robbing me of all my happiness. Well, I guess I should say I was robbing myself. Jessica and her blog were the innocent bystanders in this scenario. </div><div><br></div><div>I had spent so much time and energy comparing my life to a complete strangers and focusing on what I didn't have that I missed so much joy and happiness right in front of me. I have no one to blame but myself. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We've never had that perfect weekend lounging in the hammock, and I've come to terms with the fact that we probably never will. At least in the forseeable future.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> And it would be terrible of me to think I haven't had a wonderful life because of someone else's blog. What a waste to think that I didn't already have it all. Everything I've always wanted. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I have so much to be happy about. For starters I have a good man who loves me. He is faithful and loyal to me. Our relationship is built on complete faith and trust. He supports me in all my decisions. He endlessly tries to make me happy, and I all to often refuse to let him. I am completely undeserving of his love. </div><div><br></div><div>I have a perfectly healthy and handsome little boy who adores me. He is so smart and funny. He is my everything and I'm pretty sure he is the only thing that keeps me going most days. </div><div><br></div><div>I have a job where I get to use my gifts and talents. I have a job that provides for my family. I get to invest in our futures by investing in changing a childs life. Who else can go to work and say they are changing the world one day at a time? I may not make as much as I would like to have the life I dream of, but I make just enough to have what my family needs. </div><div><br></div><div>I have an endless support system of parents, in laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the best brother anyone could ask for. </div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the stage of life I'm in. Who doesn't? I bet even good ole Jessica has her moments, she just doesn't blog about it. </div><div><br></div><div>So I've bought a little journal to record these little moments of perfection and happiness so that when it feels like my life is in a blender I can remember every single little reason to be perfectly happy. </div><div><br></div><div>So cheers to a new year! My goal for 2014 is to be happy. It really is that simple. I need to learn to focus on what I already have, which is all ill ever need.</div><div><br></div><div>And cheers to Jessica! I don't know you, but I know your awesome! And if by chance you read this, I promise I didn't escape a mental hospital. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-81859517199491168172013-11-06T23:19:00.002-06:002013-11-06T23:19:36.437-06:00Toddler Gift Guide: Under &10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I've been doing some online pre-shopping for Christmas and I've found some really great deals! Some of this stuff I really couldn't believe how cheap it was. If you are shopping for a toddler or a small child, you should check some of this stuff out! Of course, all of the websites had awesome toys for any price range, but here is the cheapest of the awesomeness. <br />
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<a href="http://rk.pkimgs.com/pkimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201344/0165/img49o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jumbo Clipboard" border="0" height="282" src="http://rk.pkimgs.com/pkimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201344/0165/img49o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Giant Clipboard</div>
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Pottery Barn Kids</div>
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$9</div>
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<a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/jumbo-clipboard/?pkey=cdecor-organization">http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/jumbo-clipboard/?pkey=cdecor-organization</a></div>
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What I love: It doesn't take up room like an art easel would. It also doubles as a chalkboard.</div>
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<img _prototypeuid="18" alt="MULA 24 building blocks with wagon IKEA Durable building blocks of solid wood. The cart is both a toy and smart storage for building blocks." border="0" class="zoomMousePointer" height="400" id="productImg" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/mula--building-blocks-with-wagon__21601_PE106540_S4.jpg" title="" width="400" /></div>
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MULA 24 Building Blocks with Wagon</div>
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IKEA</div>
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$7</div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80028929/">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80028929/</a></div>
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What I love: I love that its only 24 pieces (because lets be honest, who wants to pick up 117 pieces) and I love that it comes in a wagon! </div>
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<img _prototypeuid="18" alt="LILLABO Toy vehicle IKEA Possible to create lots of combinations." border="0" class="zoomMousePointer" height="400" id="productImg" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/lillabo-toy-vehicle__0111891_PE262961_S4.JPG" title="" width="400" /></div>
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LILLABO Toy Vehicles<br />IKEA</div>
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$9.99 (3pack)</div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40171472/">http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40171472/</a></div>
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What I love: They are made out wood, perfect size for a toddlers hand, and don't make obnoxious noises. </div>
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<a href="javascript:showEnhanced('0','12918230');"><img alt="Just Like Home 2-Piece Broom Set - Blue - Toys R Us - Toys"R"Us" border="0" height="500" name="prodShot_0" src="http://www.toysrus.com/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-12809848dt.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Just Like Home Broom Set</div>
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Toys R Us</div>
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<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12918230&cp=2255956.2273442.2256395.4486211.2256451&parentPage=family">http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12918230&cp=2255956.2273442.2256395.4486211.2256451&parentPage=family</a></div>
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What I love: I love that it isn't pink. I could write a whole other blog post on that.</div>
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<a href="javascript:showEnhanced('0','3368815');"><img alt="Melissa & Doug My Favorite Peg Puzzles - Vehicles - Melissa & Doug - Toys"R"Us" border="0" height="400" name="prodShot_0" src="http://www.toysrus.com/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-5419700dt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Melissa and Doug Puzzle</div>
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Anywhere (Walmart, Target, Toys R Us)</div>
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What I love: I've always been a fan of Melissa and Doug. Durable, simple pattern, promotes fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. They have puzzles for any theme. </div>
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<img alt="Dirty Cars" height="400" src="http://images.reallygreattoys.com/product/888W.jpg?maxheight=225&maxwidth=225&mode=pad" width="400" /></div>
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Dirty Cars by ALEX</div>
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Really Great Toys</div>
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$9.49</div>
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<a href="http://www.reallygreattoys.com/product/79726/dirty-cars">http://www.reallygreattoys.com/product/79726/dirty-cars</a></div>
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What I love: I love that the dirt "disappears" when you pour warm water over it! ALEX makes all sorts of bath toys for girls and boys! You should really check them out! They also make really great learning toys as well. </div>
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Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-54503197444317036612013-10-31T21:35:00.000-05:002013-10-31T21:35:05.550-05:00Pumpkin Patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year we took Bryce to Motley's Farm. We loved it! There was so much to do! Best of all, it was in town and cost to get in the gate and then you could do as little or as much as you liked. </div>
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We started off with a hay ride. He was more interested in the tractor pulling the hay ride than anything else. </div>
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They had a petting zoo area with all sorts of farm animals.</div>
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This is as close as he was willing to get. I have no idea where he got his scaredy pants genes from, haha! </div>
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He was so cute pointing to all the animals and making their noises at them. </div>
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Hay mountain. He was kinda freaked out by the hay. Are you seeing a pattern here? He doesn't like anything new or different. </div>
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Once he got to the top, he was so proud.</div>
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Scott was an awesome dad and climbed up on the hay and made all the cracked out big kids to quit pushing Bryce out of the way and to let him have a turn on the slide. </div>
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Again, he was scared of the slide. He isn't used to one that big. </div>
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They had a maze made out of hay bales. He loved running around and around in there. I stood at the exit and Scott at the entrance to make sure he didn't escape unnoticed. </div>
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The older kids were playing hide and go seek inside the maze. Bryce didn't understand of course, so he just followed that little cutie there with bow around and would hunker down with her. Then, Bryce and the little girl went into an area of the maze where I couldn't see him. Then, the little girl started screaming something awful. Her dad jumped the bales to her rescue. She was covered in ants! It was a terrifying moment for me because I had just seen Bryce go around the corner with her and now I couldn't see or hear him. He probably was covered in ants too and I couldn't reach him. There was a commotion, as you can imagine, with parents jumping the walls, snatching up their own kids, tearing their clothing off searching for ants. They were pouring bottled water over the screaming girl in an effort to get the ants off. When I finally saw Bryce, he was panicking. Luckily he didn't have ants on him and he was just freaking out because of the mass hysteria. </div>
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Overall, we had a great time! </div>
Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-13100711656175467602013-10-16T22:27:00.001-05:002013-10-26T08:47:32.033-05:0018 monthsSo Bryce definitely has his own little personality and opinions on things these days. It's been so much fun watching him grow and turn into a toddler (a little adult) right in front of my eyes. Here are some of the moments I wish to remember from these days. <div><br></div><div>1) he is crazy about trucks! In the way to school we ride down the freeway and Bryce has his eye out for trucks. He screams "duck" and points out the window</div><div><br></div><div>2) his favorite shape is oval. I don't know why, but he loves to find ovals everywhere we go. The old navy sign, the Ford logo, a number zero, and anything else he can see. I'm curious if he knows his other shapes but oval is just the easiest to say. </div><div><br></div><div>3) he has taken an interest in watching TV. I still limit his TV watching, but it is a MUST when you are basically a single mom. It's pretty much impossible to get anything done when Scott isn't around to entertain him. </div><div><br></div><div>4) he have pooped in the potty! We haven't don't it again since, but I'm not stressing. I think he'll be more ready around 2</div><div><br></div><div>5) he has started to pretend play. He loves to make his toy cow moo and stomp all over me. The pig too. It's a lot of fun. </div><div><br></div><div>6) he does this Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunting for "yes". For example "Bryce, you wanna play outside?" He responds with grunting. It's really cute. </div><div><br></div><div>7) he loves bananas! He goes to the kitchens saying "nana, nana, nana" until he gets what he wants. I'm creating a monster, I know. </div><div><br></div><div>8)he know only cries for 10 secs if he cries at all when I put him in his crib. Some nights he actually points to the crib and throws himself into it. He is so cute when he pulls Curious George up under his arm. At least a few nights a week he actually sleeps trough the night without waking at all. </div><div><br></div><div>9) he is so independent. He feeds himself and has been for awhile now. He attempts to put on his shoes and socks, but we are a long way from accomplishing that. He can drink from a straw cup with ease and understands not to tip it up or it won't work.</div><div><br></div><div>10) he is such a problem solver. The other day he was trying to pick up his paci and his sippy cup at the same time. His sippy cup doesn't have any handles so he had to grip the entire cup. He was trying to grip the cup with one hand while the other hand picked up the paci. This didn't work. He needed both hands to pick up the cup. He tried both hands while the paci was still in his hand. This didn't work either. So he put the paci down and focused on the cup. Once he had it wedged between his arm and body he then went back for the paci. I'm so excited to see this develop. Dynamic vs static brain development, you know I'm all into that. </div><div><br></div><div>11) he thinks that the longer he holds out the N, the more serious his "no" is. Lets change your diaper. Nnnnnnnnnnno</div><div><br></div><div>12) spanking is a waste of time. He is about as hard headed as I am. We have been trying timeout. Surprisingly he actually stays in time out, usually pouting and looking over his shoulder to give us some pathetic heart melting face of repentance. It's like he really understands WHY he is in timeout. Yes I know what all the research says about time out before 3, but I know my child. He knows. </div><div><br></div><div>13) he is terrified of vacuums, hair dryers, animals, and people in wheelchairs. Not sure about the wheelchair thing, he is around them all the time at school. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-11160039020215603712013-10-06T22:31:00.001-05:002013-10-06T22:31:52.391-05:00DIY Painted Canvas CurtainsSo in the 4 years we've been married, we've only had curtains on our windows once. When we lived in the basement apartment in Provo, I bought some $8 valance curtains at Walmart. In all the places we've lived, out windows have always been curtainless. Why? Idk, I guess when getting settled curtains are kinda last on the list I guess. Also, I think they are kinda stupidly priced. By the time you buy 2 panels (presumably for 1 window) and the curtain rod, you've spent $50. I'm cheap, so this doesn't work for me. <div><br></div><div>I saw on Pinterest where they made curtains by buying a drop cloth at home depo, cut it up the middle, painted the 2 panels and then hung then up. Sorry I don't remember which blog it came from so sorry I can't give them credit for the idea. </div><div><br></div><div>I bought the drop cloth at home depo for about $11. It just happened to be the perfect size. I have 10ft ceilings and wanted them to hang from really high up.</div><div><br></div><div> I cut it right up the middle. I didn't really measure, just folded in half and cut. It's not a quilt or anything, so being precise doesn't really matter. The great thing about using the drop cloth is that you get a lot of fabric for cheap but also it's already hemmed all the way around! Now that you've cut up the middle you have 2 raw edges. You can fold the raw edge back an hot glue it down. I actually was out of hot glue, so I just decided to see it anyways. Not a big deal, just a straight stitch. So to make the sleeve for the rod, I just folded the top over a few inches and made another straight stitch. Again you can hot glue just as easy. </div><div><br></div><div>For the painting you can use craft paint or fabric paint but for some crazy reason I thought I should use latex paint. I guess bc I had some red left from the cabinet doors I redid. It worked out fine, just smelled up my apartment for days. My original plan was to do something trendy like chevron, thick stripes,maybe even an ombré look. But then after a good look a around my living room I decide I really needed something really simple. There is a lot if busyness in the rug and lots I color on the walls and the ladder shelf, so I didn't want to make it too crazy. So I decided to just paint the bottom 1/4 red and leave the rest plain. I did measure and tape off where I wanted the paint so it would be straight and even on both panels. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wcKkKBxR-88/UlIrJo18pbI/AAAAAAAABsk/WQEE9DvVVN4/s640/blogger-image-75682049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wcKkKBxR-88/UlIrJo18pbI/AAAAAAAABsk/WQEE9DvVVN4/s640/blogger-image-75682049.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know it's hidden behind the TV. My thinking was that we won't be in this apartment forever. The tv isn't always going to be in front of the window. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spent about $25 total after I bought the curtain rod and the paint. So I saved myself about 50%! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love how it completely changed the room! It feels so much more homey! I definitely underestimated the value in having curtains! </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eHvZCXTBszw/UlIrFqzDdoI/AAAAAAAABsc/_7TABb2BqTM/s640/blogger-image--1473192758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eHvZCXTBszw/UlIrFqzDdoI/AAAAAAAABsc/_7TABb2BqTM/s640/blogger-image--1473192758.jpg"></a></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-56386253075003777432013-09-01T14:14:00.001-05:002013-09-01T14:31:10.793-05:00Ladder Shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>So I've been wanting a ladder for awhile now. The original idea was to hang it on the walk above our bed and put picture frames and such on it. The problem is I couldn't ever find a wooden ladder that was just a rail ladder and not A-framed. Well I did find a few at antique malls. I'm sorry, I'm not paying $80 for a half rotted ladder. So I bought 2 A-frame ladders from a little ole man in my parents neighborhood who was selling all his possessions before being shipped off to the nursing home. I paid $10 for the 2 of them. <div><br></div><div>Then I decided I wanted to make a book shelf instead. Can you tell I like to change my mind? Our old apartment had these nice built-in bookshelves in the living room, but now I have no book shelf! And we have LOTS of books! So a book shelf it was. I decided on this style since it gave more shelf space.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zi_oRIDgeVo/UiOVyLolJWI/AAAAAAAABr0/QkOaBhr524c/s640/blogger-image-1929688547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zi_oRIDgeVo/UiOVyLolJWI/AAAAAAAABr0/QkOaBhr524c/s640/blogger-image-1929688547.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Step 1 was painting the ladder. I went to Home Depo and picked out a color I liked and had a quart mixed up. I also bought 2 pre finished 4ft boards to make the shelves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Painting took awhile. There are a bazillion sides. But it only took 1 coat since it was a dark color. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I brought it inside once it was dry and laid the boards across. The shelves were lopsided. This was due to the way the ladder is designed. So naturally, I found some cardboard and folded it up and stuck it under the board to level it up. I'm all about cheap and easy. I didn't want to nail down the boards because I'm sure we have several moves ahead of us before we get settled so I wanted to make the bookshelf very movable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And that's all there was too it! No nailing, sanding, installing, ect! Literally all I did want paint it and lay boards across it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8nfS5tdr4rE/UiOV2cB-aNI/AAAAAAAABr8/EevNZiwQkLE/s640/blogger-image-495285022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8nfS5tdr4rE/UiOV2cB-aNI/AAAAAAAABr8/EevNZiwQkLE/s640/blogger-image-495285022.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rnaTgkuL8-s/UiOV7Mai19I/AAAAAAAABsE/r0_REXwVKMg/s640/blogger-image--2006430659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rnaTgkuL8-s/UiOV7Mai19I/AAAAAAAABsE/r0_REXwVKMg/s640/blogger-image--2006430659.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3wEj5BNhBi0/UiOV_UhvApI/AAAAAAAABsM/dV8FNNfVNMQ/s640/blogger-image-579560216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3wEj5BNhBi0/UiOV_UhvApI/AAAAAAAABsM/dV8FNNfVNMQ/s640/blogger-image-579560216.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Now I just need to put books on it! </div></div><br></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-52817910246397895822013-08-31T21:27:00.001-05:002013-08-31T22:24:21.978-05:00Kitchen Cabinet Door DIY<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>So one of my favorite blogs is Shanty-2-Chic. If you havnt seen them on Pinterest, then you prob don't have a Pinterest account! <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t1Pza4y2poQ/UiKzZLPiG8I/AAAAAAAABrk/_lcjae0SmvM/s640/blogger-image--70820530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t1Pza4y2poQ/UiKzZLPiG8I/AAAAAAAABrk/_lcjae0SmvM/s640/blogger-image--70820530.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wanted to make something similar to this. And I wanted the hang them in either side of my window above my couch. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_Qs1YUptizg/UiKyz_gvEsI/AAAAAAAABqk/xF_br8CMVYo/s640/blogger-image--26108433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_Qs1YUptizg/UiKyz_gvEsI/AAAAAAAABqk/xF_br8CMVYo/s640/blogger-image--26108433.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ofcourse I don't have power tools. I'm no where near the creative genius that the people at Shanty 2 Chic are. So I tried to come up with a similar project that was much less invasive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Somewhere, very doubtfully in my own mind, I came up with this idea to use a kitchen cabinet door as my "canvas". I thought a cabinet door would be a good idea because the wood is already cut to size, finished, and painted. They also can be very decorative and give some character to the piece. My dumb self actually went to Home Depo to buy cabinet doors an then a lightning bolt struck me and I remembered seeing a mound of kitchen cabinet doors at the Habitat For Humanity Store. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So off we went to the HFH Store. I hit the jackpot! Cabinet doors for $1 each!!! The projects are absolutely endless! So I picked out 2 that I liked and headed home to get started.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">First step was to clean the doors. They had things that I would really not like to know on them since they came donated from a house demolition to the HFH Store. Then I unscrewed the hardware and filled the holes with putty. <br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QsuS9ZxMROY/UiKzL1KSu3I/AAAAAAAABrM/aEXB9noeLKQ/s640/blogger-image-1344695408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QsuS9ZxMROY/UiKzL1KSu3I/AAAAAAAABrM/aEXB9noeLKQ/s640/blogger-image-1344695408.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Mi8QF2NONSc/UiKzVG9vg1I/AAAAAAAABrc/0OVmnN25IM0/s640/blogger-image--2039115475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Mi8QF2NONSc/UiKzVG9vg1I/AAAAAAAABrc/0OVmnN25IM0/s640/blogger-image--2039115475.jpg"></a></div>Now here is where I went way wrong. I know I should have sanded them before ever trying to paint them since they already had latex paint on them. But I didn't have sandpaper and I was too impatient. I know. I know. Mistake. I'm note sure why I desided to use more laytex paint instead of spray paint? Maybe heat got to me? What happened was 6 coats if laytex paint that did not have very even coverage at all. So that's when I was like I'm just gonna spray paint this and call it a day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-260Z7_isybg/UiKyuQLXimI/AAAAAAAABqc/H_trsuBUfQM/s640/blogger-image-523531151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-260Z7_isybg/UiKyuQLXimI/AAAAAAAABqc/H_trsuBUfQM/s640/blogger-image-523531151.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3fk_bF5J1QY/UiKzQllq_lI/AAAAAAAABrU/YvTSelfHTLU/s640/blogger-image-353430450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3fk_bF5J1QY/UiKzQllq_lI/AAAAAAAABrU/YvTSelfHTLU/s640/blogger-image-353430450.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Still looks at hot mess!!!! But I had invested too much excitement to not bring them inside and continue my project! I decided that the lighting inside was much more forgiving and when I hung the sconces on, your eye would be drawn to the sconce not the paint job. At least thats what I told myself! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I looked around for a couple of weeks before I found the perfect sconces. I found them at Blue Suede Shoes Antique Mall in Bryant for $5 for each. They were even gold, which is what color I wanted them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So they were kinda a booger to nail to the cabinet door. I just nailed a nail at an angle to the middle of the cabinet. I had to re-nail a couple of times to get the angle just right to secure the sconce perfectly. I dropped and cracked one of the sconces in the process. I was sooooo mad!!!!! Oh well, I'm still hanging this up! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9BNT1M_YEKY/UiKy7conr-I/AAAAAAAABq0/TFs8kl5pgSc/s640/blogger-image-1394473229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9BNT1M_YEKY/UiKy7conr-I/AAAAAAAABq0/TFs8kl5pgSc/s640/blogger-image-1394473229.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then I installed the sawedge picture hanger to the back. Got that at Target for about $3. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AKTabU6eRXQ/UiKy3oz0wFI/AAAAAAAABqs/W-znQ6siE7Y/s640/blogger-image--1606307110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AKTabU6eRXQ/UiKy3oz0wFI/AAAAAAAABqs/W-znQ6siE7Y/s640/blogger-image--1606307110.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Then I hung them on the wall! I have since added candles. I plan on putting pumpkins on them for fall and possibly tiny Christmas trees for December. I love that I can change the look throughout the year! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-piyTy0sdooo/UiKy_j3g4UI/AAAAAAAABq8/VPGpBTrsXwo/s640/blogger-image--1641200326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-piyTy0sdooo/UiKy_j3g4UI/AAAAAAAABq8/VPGpBTrsXwo/s640/blogger-image--1641200326.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aCvFqthaYF4/UiKzHTrcNnI/AAAAAAAABrE/3FGpKqX4tdo/s640/blogger-image-1873955103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aCvFqthaYF4/UiKzHTrcNnI/AAAAAAAABrE/3FGpKqX4tdo/s640/blogger-image-1873955103.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-70547437752070824952013-08-19T21:29:00.001-05:002013-08-19T21:29:37.464-05:00A Working Mothers Guide to Meal Planning
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">So much has
been going on! Scott traveled some this summer for Chick Fil A and enjoyed
every minute of it. So for weeks on end, I’m at home doing all the laundry,
dishes, diapers, trash, folding, scrubbing, sweeping, bill paying, mail
checking, bathing, errand running, grocery shopping, cooking, vacuuming, gas
pumping, and paci finding. Oh yeah and I work full time. I have a new appreciation
for single working mothers. I don</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">t know how you do it! Having a
husband pretty much spoils you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">So a couple
of people have asked me how I do it all. How do I work, cook meals for my
family, keep my house clean, and have all this </span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">leisure time</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> to be doing Pinterest projects and
such. Well I don</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">t have much leisure time, except when I get to potty alone.
Any other leisure time I have is spent playing candy crush and occasionally
updating this blog. All the crafting I do, I see as a nessisity to life. Just
like eating I NEED to do it. It makes me happy. And we all know as a working
mother you have to have that </span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">me</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> time to keep your sanity. All my little projects are
my </span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">me</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> time. And pedicures. Pedicures are
my drug of choice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I
think the key here is time management (which I am not always a pro at) I will
share with you other methods I use to deal with the madness. However, I will be
focusing on meal planning, since this is what I get asked about the most. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">First, there
are many blogs and Pinterest boards devoted to meal planning and I am
definitely not an expert. But I am lazy. And busy. So I feel that there are
millions of other moms out there just like me who would like to know how to
make this work<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a side
note, most people meal plan for the whole month. This is great if you know that
you are not ever going out to eat or ever have last minute plans that mess up
your eating agenda for the day. Also, I live in an apartment with a rather
small fridge/freezer so I really do not have the space to store a whole month’s
worth of food. I cant figure out how people keep the produce fresh for the
whole month. Obviously, they buy frozen or they are going to buy fresh produce
every week, which totally negates meal planning in the first place (at least in
my eyes). I also know I get paid bi-monthly so there is no way we could afford
to shell out the money to buy all the groceries at once. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monthly
would work if you:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">*get a big
paycheck once a month (or if you just have a ton of money in the first place)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">*have a big
fridge and/or a deep freeze<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">*have a
large pantry<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are
in the same boat as me, then weekly works fine too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THE
LIST<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I make a grocery list. It
is bizarre to me that people actually go to the store without a list. How to do
you remember everything? There is nothing more annoying than running from one
end of the store and back again because you keep remembering other things to
you need. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are several pros to
making a list<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*you save money<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*you save time<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>*do you need more pros? I didn</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">t think so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s how I break it
down. Pull out a piece of paper and make categories that correlate to the
sections of your grocery store. Mine usually looks like this: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Produce:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meat: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dairy:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Canned:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dry: <span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>Frozen:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Misc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Then I move into step 2</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">..<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PLANNING
MEALS<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Again, I cannot just walk
into a grocery store and think </span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">what do I want to eat this week?</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> $180 later, I have a buggy full of
things that make like 3 meals. So I must plan it out in advance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">First, I look at Scotts schedule to
see how many nights he will be working. On those nights, I do not plan to cook
because it is pretty much impossible. My “go to” meals for these nights are
either frozen skillet meals or chicken noodles with a veggie as a side. I love
the skillet meals because they always have a meat, a veggie, and a carb in
them. They are always tasty. And lastly, they take 14 mins to cook. It doesn</span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’t
get easier than that. If you can boil water you can make chicken noodles. Cook
noodles, drain, pour a can of cream of chicken on it and call it good. When I’m
real lazy I microwave a can of green beans to go with it. (Gosh, if I never
sounded white trash, that was it) I always keep a stock of canned veggies in
the pantry for such nights. If you don’t believe in canned veggies or only eat
organic…I don’t think I can help you much. Bless your heart. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">For
the nights that Scott is home, I prefer to cook and prepare a meal. I don’t
know, I kinda like being that wife that woos my husband with food. I like to
rotate a few of our favorite meals with new meals every week. I get my
inspiration from Simple and Delicious magazine and Pinterest. Also, as a side
note, I LOVE my Six Sisters Cookbook. Never a bad meal out of that one. They
have a blog, I highly recommend it!<a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Six Sisters Stuff</span></a> I pick a complete meal (main dish and a
side) for each night remaining in the week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
I have picked my meals, I then plug in all the ingredients I will need for each
meal into my grocery list. Pretty easy. I then add the other things, like
breakfast and lunch items, into my list. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now
here’s how you stay on budget….<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">IF ITS NOT ON THE LIST DO NO BUY IT. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">You
have already listed EVERYTHING you need to make dinner, lunch, and breakfast
for an entire week. If it is not on the list, you do not NEED it. They only “snack”
item I buy is goldfish for Bryce. We are never home during the day, so we don’t
need any snack food. If we get that hungry we eat a banana or a bowl of cereal.
You waste so much money buying empty calories. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Couponing
is over-rated. Kroger brand is the cheapest option even if you have a $2.00 off
coupon for the name brand. This is true 99% of the time. Also, most of the coupons
I come across are not for products I would ever buy anyways. Like cat food and
contact solution. If you are into couponing, great. But its not for me. Everything
that goes into my buggy is Kroger brand. EVERYTHING. And then I DO use my
Kroger coupons that come in the mail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
picking meals, I tend to scan the list of ingredients. If I am going to have to
buy more than 4-5 ingredients, then I toss that recipe out the window. The cost
of the meal goes up with each ingredient. Obviously, I’m not including spices
and pantry items I already keep stocked. This rule helps with cost but also
with simplifying your meals. As a rule of thumb, I aint go no time to be
cooking no meal that requires cutting an peeling 6 things. However, I usually
go all out for 1 meal each week. This is usually our Sunday Dinner. I might
spend $20 on that one meal alone. We eat good on Sundays. Mmmmm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
follow these 3 simple rules, and I spend between $80-$100 dollars a week on
groceries for a family of 3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully,
all of that made sense. Maybe you read that and was like “Wow, that was stupid.
Everyone knows that.” Maybe it actually helped you. If you have any feedback on
your meal planning experiences, please let me know and leave a comment!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-83652564404045861282013-07-15T12:00:00.001-05:002013-07-18T21:11:01.830-05:0016 monthsI can not say enough about Bryce's teachers! They have taught him so much! I am constantly amazed at what all he is learning everyday. <div><br></div><div>1) I am fully convinced Bryce understands 99% of what I say. From "stop jumping in the couch or ill put you down in the floor" to "I'm sorry you can't drink dr pepper you have to drink milk" </div><div><br></div><div>2) he can point to his belly button, toes, hair, tongue, eyes, and ears on command.</div><div><br></div><div>3) he can identify people in our family by pointing </div><div><br></div><div>4) he can identify most all farm animals, some jungle animals, and some food by pointing to pictures in books.</div><div><br></div><div>5) he wants to help do everything! Including helping mommy get dressed! He will bring me my shoes and socks and bra and then start bringing me dirty clothes from the hamper. He wants to help fold laundry and sweep. He loves to sweep! </div><div><br></div><div>6) he is starting to communicate much better for his wants and needs. If he is hungry he will walk over to his high chair and motion to be put in it. If he is sleepy he will lay his head down and say "Night night". He is even starting to tell me when his diaper needs to be changed. He will grab his diaper an say "this?" </div><div><br></div><div>7) he can say:</div><div>Ball=bah</div><div>Night night= nah nah</div><div>Milk= ck</div><div>Juice= oosth </div><div>Hot= dop</div><div>No=no (he's got that one down!)</div><div>Yes= sssssthbra ( his s sound always results in raspberry blowing sounds)</div><div>Up= dup </div><div>This= dis </div><div>Dog= dah</div><div><br></div><div>8) he would rather read books than play with toys! He can sit for a long time in a heap of books in the middle of the floor and examine in each page and babble to himself in his Bryce language. I can only assume he his reading to himself. It melts my heart when he brings me a book and says "dup" and points to my lap. He loves to be read too! </div><div><br></div><div>9) he loves being outside. He will go to the door and scream until someone will come take him out. He would stay out all day if he could. Doing what? All things boy ofcourse! Eating rocks, digging in dirt, chasing bugs, climbing up a hill covered in pine needles, barking at dogs, chasing cats, and running away from me. </div><div><br></div><div>10) by far, his new favorite thing is running away. If I say "Bryce lets go change your diaper" or "Bryce lets go get in the car" he takes off running in the opposite direction! He looks over his shoulder as he is running and laughs hysterically. When he sees I'm gaining on him he will find a corner and back himself into it. As if his back is hidden so I can't possibly grab him and pick him up! This is not a fun stage for mommy! It makes going anywhere nearly impossible.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qm65dNzLjWI/UeicX2wTU8I/AAAAAAAABpI/eZAZUFMTMl0/s640/blogger-image--450967574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qm65dNzLjWI/UeicX2wTU8I/AAAAAAAABpI/eZAZUFMTMl0/s640/blogger-image--450967574.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a9oibdirXZY/UeicTf10Q9I/AAAAAAAABpA/qic8V3L9R6g/s640/blogger-image--1481101161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a9oibdirXZY/UeicTf10Q9I/AAAAAAAABpA/qic8V3L9R6g/s640/blogger-image--1481101161.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K1jdP99BTRA/UeiccHwfjFI/AAAAAAAABpQ/qioNsSePMIw/s640/blogger-image--1992974816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K1jdP99BTRA/UeiccHwfjFI/AAAAAAAABpQ/qioNsSePMIw/s640/blogger-image--1992974816.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1D8Ncg6Hb1E/UeigM8hqBHI/AAAAAAAABqM/Y_dknhN0Vck/s640/blogger-image--1027786441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1D8Ncg6Hb1E/UeigM8hqBHI/AAAAAAAABqM/Y_dknhN0Vck/s640/blogger-image--1027786441.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IFZuHlNci3Q/UeicKK8DQuI/AAAAAAAABow/8CDbzNASd4g/s640/blogger-image--1834253768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IFZuHlNci3Q/UeicKK8DQuI/AAAAAAAABow/8CDbzNASd4g/s640/blogger-image--1834253768.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZXu1sOZ6tVY/UeicN5LwFtI/AAAAAAAABo4/BknFdE3j6WA/s640/blogger-image-246697576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZXu1sOZ6tVY/UeicN5LwFtI/AAAAAAAABo4/BknFdE3j6WA/s640/blogger-image-246697576.jpg"></a></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-87638706083857630492013-07-07T14:12:00.001-05:002013-07-07T14:12:45.217-05:00A lazy girls guide to chalk boardingSo we've all seen the endless possibilities of using a chalk board in our home on Pinterest. From pregnancy trackers to quotes to weekly menus; they are insanely cute and versatile. Who wouldn't want one? <div><br></div><div>Making the chalkboard was easy as pie. Bought a mirror at an antique store for $30. Of course it wasn't the color I wanted so I taped down a layer of newspaper over the glass and spray painted the frame red. Then I painted chalkboard paint over the glass. Easy. </div><div><br></div><div>Next I bought a pack of chalk at target for quarters. Now all I had to do was write in some cutesy font. </div><div><br></div><div>I watched several tutorials and read several blogs on how to do this. And my thoughts where "ain't NOBODY got time for that." Except maybe childless women who work part time. </div><div><br></div><div>Most of these guides included using rulers and grids and making "guidelines" very lightly with the chalk so you would keep the text straight and even. Then afterwards you would go back and erase. One woman went as far as printing her text in the font she wanted off the computer on tracing paper. Wow. We average middle class working mothers who's husband is still in school and works nights and weekends most def don't have time for such foolishness. </div><div><br></div><div>I decided I wanted mine to say "home sweet home". Pretty easy to just stack one word on top of the other. Now I just need to pick 3 fonts. I didn't have time that night to try to look up cute fonts online so I just went with the 3 fonts I already knew. 1) skinny all caps 2) modified cursive 3) block letters. </div><div><br></div><div>I remember reading somewhere (Pinterest I'm sure) that picking alternating fonts makes it more visually appealing. For example a bold block font paired with a skinny handwriting. So I kinda kept that in mind when I was writing my text.</div><div><br></div><div>Since I picked an oval shaped mirror instead of square or rectangle I think it leaves room for error. It's not as noticeable if your text starts slanting or is off center. </div><div><br></div><div>I decided to start with my middle, which was the word "sweet". I just put the S on the far left middle and went from there. I did the "home" on the bottom next. Last Idid the "home" on top. As an afterthought I added the door and chimney. At most, it took me 15 mins.</div><div><br></div><div>No rulers. No grids. It's not perfect but I think that's what makes it yours. I'm excited to try some new fonts next time and we will see how it goes! </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EhkuFdnq-Sg/Udm9qX1yV3I/AAAAAAAABog/OZcq1_TbSLE/s640/blogger-image--1683147962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EhkuFdnq-Sg/Udm9qX1yV3I/AAAAAAAABog/OZcq1_TbSLE/s640/blogger-image--1683147962.jpg"></a></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688027340249429502.post-63281860111544126092013-07-05T19:38:00.001-05:002013-07-07T11:22:08.368-05:00Erythema Multiforme: what every mother should knowIf something doesn't seem right , then it probably isn't. <div><br></div><div>We are not newbies to rashes. Bryce has had an amoxicillin rash and a fever rash (Roseola) just within the past few months. He used to get a rash from the carpet when he used to army crawl on his belly. I knew this rash was different. </div><div><br></div><div>Dr:I think your son has erythema multiforme but I'm not completely sure.</div><div><br></div><div>Me: what? </div><div><br></div><div>Dr: erythema multiforme. </div><div><br></div><div>What I heard "I think your son has polywollydoodlealltheday" </div><div><br></div><div>Me: what is that? </div><div><br></div><div>Dr: well we don't really know a lot about it. It can be triggered by several different things. It's probably going to get worse before it gets better. It may blister and seep. He may also bruise around his diaper. It is also a precursor to Steven Johnson's Syndrome...</div><div><br></div><div>What im thinking: What the hell is that? It sounds bad. It is a "syndrome" for goodness sake. Wait the dr is still talking...</div><div><br></div><div>Dr:... If he gets any in his mouth, on his lips, around it in his eyes do not call here or bother coming up here. You take him to the ER at Children's Hospital immediately. Has he taken any medicine recently? </div><div><br></div><div>Me: yes he is currently on amoxicillin </div><div><br></div><div>Dr: discontinue that immediately and never give it to ever again. He might be having an allergic reaction to it. </div><div><br></div><div>Me: what did you say it was called again?</div><div><br></div><div>Dr: supercalifragilisticexpialidosis</div><div><br></div><div>What I'm thinking: Right. Dont be an idiot and ask her again</div><div><br></div><div>Me: what did you say caused it again? </div><div><br></div><div>Dr: it could be the amoxicillin or it could be viral. The herpes simplex virus is know to cause it. If HSV caused it, he might get this again multiple times throughout life in times of illness. </div><div><br></div><div>What I'm thinking: wait, what? He can get it again! Herpes? What is she talking about????</div><div><br></div><div>Dr: it will probably last up to 2 weeks before it goes away and all we can is give him Benadryl for the itchiness. Again, if any come up anywhere in or around his mouth or eyes take him to the hospital immediately. </div><div><br></div><div>What I'm thinking: this is not what I wanted to hear. I wanted you to tell me it was a heat rash so I could sleep with ease tonight. And your not even sure it is "polymitoitisdosis" or whatever the hell you called it. </div><div><br></div><div>We leave and head to Walgreens for Benadryl. My mind is going in circles. What did she call it again? You can't really google "pollywollydoodlealltheday" so I googled the one thing I did remember her saying. Steven Johnson's.</div><div><br></div><div>I do not advise anyone doing a google image search for Steven Johnson's because I almost threwup. Basically your skin blisters and falls off, including your lips and eyelids. It has a very high fatality rate. Survivors are left blind and their skin forever deformed. </div><div><br></div><div>I freaked out. She didn't say SJs was what he had but i did remember her specifically saying what she thought he had was linked. </div><div><br></div><div>Just moments before I had wished it wasnt chicken pox. How ignorant of me. Now my head was filled with visions of Bryce's skin falling off. </div><div><br></div><div>I spent the next 48 hours walking around thinking "But there aren't any in his mouth. There aren't any in his mouth. There aren't any in his mouth. Maybe I should go check his mouth."</div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile his spots were getting more red and bigger and spreading further all over his body. </div><div><br></div><div>I was trying my best to keep my cool. If only I could remember what the dr called it! But then again she didn't seem so convinced herself. So I spent some time online looking at pictures I all sorts of rashes. I was so perplexed. None of them looked anything like his. I even found a multitude of slideshows of "common childhood rashes" that included everything from scarlet fever to heat rash. Still, none of them looked like his. </div><div><br></div><div>I was frustrated. So I put the pics of his rash on Facebook and waited to see what people thought. It was actually one of Scott's friends who is in med school that started asking all sorts of questions and finally told me his educated guess was Erythema Multiforme. </div><div><br></div><div>When I googled Erythema Multiforme I immediately felt some relief. His rash, while much much milder, looked identical to the pictures online. Everything I read about EM matched what the pediatrician had said. All of his symptoms fit. </div><div><br></div><div>It was clear that Bryce had EM minor and would probably not need any treatment and it would clear up on its own. Apparently the minor form is much more common than the major form which leads to hospitalization and sometimes Steven Johnson's. </div><div><br></div><div>By Friday morning the redness had faded and his spots were more flat than raised! It was a huge sigh if relief! </div><div><br></div><div>So my message is this- </div><div><br></div><div>If something doesn't seem right it probably isn't. </div><div><br></div><div>If your child ever gets a rash and blisters pop up in his/her mouth,eyes, or other mucus membranes take them to get seen immediately. It could be harmless Hand Foot Mouth but it could be much more serious. </div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oVrpyAXYJzY/UdmVrjTuOmI/AAAAAAAABoQ/k2HbfO2mpG0/s640/blogger-image-1985657630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oVrpyAXYJzY/UdmVrjTuOmI/AAAAAAAABoQ/k2HbfO2mpG0/s640/blogger-image-1985657630.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iXKmPcRKD30/UdmVkHaOGUI/AAAAAAAABoA/ajfou9ic2eI/s640/blogger-image-1541300998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iXKmPcRKD30/UdmVkHaOGUI/AAAAAAAABoA/ajfou9ic2eI/s640/blogger-image-1541300998.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUo5EqLDYC0/UdmVn_0Gc6I/AAAAAAAABoI/D7pSKOzAhUE/s640/blogger-image--1645747090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUo5EqLDYC0/UdmVn_0Gc6I/AAAAAAAABoI/D7pSKOzAhUE/s640/blogger-image--1645747090.jpg"></a></div>Kateehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18345188197456228668noreply@blogger.com0