Another year

Last week I turned 25!  It is amazing.  When I was in high school there were many times I was asked where I wanted to be in 5 and 10 years.  I always knew I wanted to be married with children, although at that time I thought I would want five or six, (man what was I thinking?!?!).  One thing that is different however is I thought I would be a business woman/accountant by now.  However, I think the route I took was better because this way I get to be home with my children and go to college while I am home.  By time I am done with school they will be old enough for kindergarten and preschool and I will not have to pay for expensive daycare.

Right after high school I was offered an internship at an accounting firm.  I was also awarded a scholarship for school.  However, I decided I wanted to move to Maryland.  I think about this decision frequently and wonder what my life would be like had I not moved.  But, I can't turn back time and re-do it.  I love my life, I love being a wife and a mom.  I wish I had that college campus experience, but I am fine without it.

So, where do I want to be in 5 years?  I hope to have completed my schooling and starting a career.  Both of my children will be in school.  And hopefully my husband has a job closer to home.  I hope to be able to successfully juggle a career, my responsibilities of a mom and wife, and my home. Here's to another five years.

DIY Hair bow holder

My wonderful daughter is almost eight weeks old has accumulated a bunch of headbands and they are EVERY WHERE!  I have searched Pinterest and could not find any that I really liked.  Most of what I found used an oatmeal container or a picture frame.

I went through the materials I had on hand and looked at tons and tons of pictures to try to come up with an idea.  I ran to the store to get hooks and saw a fabric memory board to hang pictures on and thought it would look really nice on the wall.  I was going to buy it and just put the hooks in the bottom of it, but it was EXPENSIVE!  Way more than I wanted to pay and I knew I could craft something myself for much cheaper.  The hooks were the most expensive part of this project, but 36 came in the pack, so it was not too bad over all.  The cost varies on what size you make it and also what materials you have on hand.  Many of the materials needed can be found at A.C. Moore and if you use a coupon you can get it really cheap. 

 Materials Needed:
Canvas
Fabric to cover canvas
Ribbon
Buttons or beads (I used beads)
Scissors
Staple gun
Drill and drill bit (size varies on hooks)
Hooks
Needle and thread

 Step 1

 Cut fabric to the size of the canvas leaving room to wrap it around.  Using the staple gun, staple the fabric in place.  Be sure to pull the fabric tight so there are no wrinkles.

Step 2

Measure and cut strips of ribbon.  Measure and mark distance between each ribbon.  (I did this originally but the ribbon moved as I was trying to staple it.)
**Tip** Tape ribbon in place before stapling.

 Step 3
Sew on buttons where the ribbons cross.


Step 4

Measure and mark where the holes for the hooks should be drilled.  Drill holes and screw in the hooks.

Add bows and headbands and hang on the wall.  Step back and admire your creation.  ;)

(Note: This project would also be easier using a hot glue gun or another type of strong glue.) 

Magic!

The sun that is, it has magical qualities.  Hanging diapers out to dry not only dries them, it gets rid of stains.  Don't believe me?  See for yourself.

Lil Joey AIO N/B after being washed, has yellow staining on seams.  

 (Click pictures to make them bigger)

Diapers drying/sunning

No more stains!!!  

It's magic!

6 week update

Six weeks, holy smokies!  Charlotte is definitely growing.  Last time I weighed her she was ten pounds!  Also, this girl loves to smile.  She smiles in her sleep, she smiles when I look at her, she smiles when I talk to her or sing to her.  This morning she had a bath and she loved it!  She was kicking and splashing and smiling the entire time.  Charlotte also makes cute little noises, almost like she is humming.  It is adorable.

Owen is getting a little better at being gentle and asking before picking her up.  He loves to snuggle with her and give her kisses.

I have been pumping milk from one side every time Charlotte eats to build a stash in the freezer.  I had a good stash but I donated to a newborn in need, so now I have to re-build.  Owen has grabbed the pump and supplies a couple times and put it to his chest.  Silly boy.  My supply has finally leveled out and I am not constantly engorged, which I am so happy about.  Another thing I am happy about, having my body back, well almost.  I guess while I am nursing I technically do not have my body totally back.  While pregnancy is amazing and feeling kicks is breath-taking (literally and figuratively) I am happy to be able to hold my child in my arms.

So far having two children has not changed my day to day routine besides having a baby attached to my chest throughout the day, and night.  I know this will change once Charlotte is mobile things will be different and more difficult.  I am more tired and that has made me less motivated to do as well in school, but I am doing my best to make sure I continue to earn high grades in my classes.

We are still cloth diapering and I am so glad to be.  I have used a couple of disposables on our trip to MD and they leaked and they have a smell.  Since I already wash cloth diapers it does not really seem like it is too much more work, and it is so much cheaper.  If we were to have used disposable diapers at 16 diapers a day (average sometimes less, some days more) for 5 weeks, at $0.15 a diaper, we would have spent $85 approximately.  The cost of the cloth diapers was more than $85 but she still has room to grow before she outgrows them.  Plus they have a really good resell value of just a couple dollars under retail.  So if I use cloth for just two months, it will be cheaper than disposables.



I am so glad to have her and so excited to watch her and Owen grow.

Father son time

Every time Martin packs up his kayak and fishing gear, Owen gets all excited and helps him get everything ready.  One Saturday Martin headed toward the coast to do some fishing/  The night before Owen helped him get everything ready as usual.  When Owen woke up he was so upset that Martin left without him.  We decided it was time, Owen was big enough to ride in the back of the kayak.  We waited for a beautiful day and loaded everything into the truck and hit the lake.

He kept telling Martin to go faster, then once Martin started  catching fish he wanted more fish.  We brought the grill and had a little picnic.  Although, I forgot the plates and utensils, so it was a bit of a caveman dinner.  Owen had such a blast.  He asks when he can go back.  On our trip to Maryland we crossed over several bodies of water and Owen asked to go kayaking on them.  I think Daddy is proud to have a son so excited about kayaking and fishing.  <3

Family get together

For Labor Day weekend my Dad invited us up for a family get together at his house for the holiday.  We left home Friday afternoon and headed to his house in Maryland.  On Saturday the in-laws also joined us.  Owen had such a blast visiting with everyone.  On Saturday we celebrated my nieces second birthday.  My sister did an excellent job decorating.

One month!

I was told over the weekend that my daughter is not two weeks old anymore.  I was confused at first because I know that she is not two weeks old.   It was then explained I have neglected my blog.  I apologize for that.  Life has been a little crazy and time I allot for blogging has lately been going towards family and school.

At Charlotte's one month check up on August 28th, she weighed 9 pounds and 22 3/4 inches.  Really almost 23"??  She really grew that much since birth?  It amazes me.  She is definitely long and lean.

She is still doing great at nursing.  She also is doing very well at sleeping 4-5 hours at night.  When her big brother lets her, she takes good naps during the day as well.  Week three she hit a growth spurt and started cluster feeding, eating almost every hour.  I believe her stats from her month check up reflect that growth spurt she hit.  Glad to see mommy's milk is doing her good.