Need I say more? So we are trying to wean Braden off diapers. It's quite a fun experience having a boy let me tell you! He is so different from Tina.
I have heard that you should wait until they express some interest in going, so I have waited...and waited...and waited. I was starting to get a little worried since he has shown no interest and his younger friends are getting potty trained now. So I thought I would offer some "encouragement." Last Christmas Santa brought him "Thomas the Train" under-panties (Braden's term). I thought if Santa brought them, he might be interested in showing us how he would use them. Brilliant right? Well, he didn't. The only time he didn't like diapers is when I have to wipe him after a poopy mess, I guess I'm a little rough, but I have no idea; I'm not a boy. So my friend just told her son that once he turned 3 it's time to go on the potty. And without any previous interest, he started going! WOW! I thought I was too late because Braden is 3 1/2, but I just put him in underwear one day and said it's time to go on the potty. He went through all three pair in a matter of 3 hours. (Why do they only sell underwear in sets of three?) So the next day I went out and bought 6 pair of dinosaur underwear. It lasted one day too. I think it's just as hard on the parent (more so even) than the child. But today was a good day, he went on the potty and it was a success with only one victim pair. (Poor Stegasaurous). The best thing is that each day is a clean slate, and hopefully it will be a success in a few weeks of the torturous carpet/floor/couch clean-up stage!
Looking back, Tina was so easy. A month after Braden was born, she said she wanted to wear panties. When I put them on her and she wanted to go potty, she would urgently say, "I need a diaper!" I took that as my cue to take her to the potty, and sweet success! On the other hand, she was almost 5 when she learned not to go at night. I would put her in Braden's diapers for nighttime (I hate doing laundry). The miracle was when we did a sticker chart and she worked towards a pink CareBear. That was all it took, but then again, she was almost 5! Hopefully Braden will figure out nighttime a little sooner. Cross your fingers for me!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Happy Birthday Dad!
As my Aunt Lisa pointed out, my dad's birthday is cool this year. It is on 8/28/08. Here's to a good year. He is the eternal optimist, so I'm sure that won't be hard to accomplish;) Sure love you Dad! (Enjoy the random pictures!)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Dieting, Finances, and Housework
I have decided that these three things are related in terms of my will power and endurance. I don't know if this is common or not, but I get really excited to start a new "Program" whether it be Weight Watchers, exercising, budgeting, or a house cleaning schedule. Then after awhile it gets tedious, or I get busy and it gets left on the back burner. Does this sound familiar?
Well, I checked out a book called, "America's Cheapest Family" at the Library and DEVOURED it! They had all these helpful hints to save money. I am now pumped to get out of debt and still feel like I can spend some money on things I want. They were able to pay their house off in 9 years! And on only one income of $35,000 a year!! That would be amazing. So I have started a budget and debt payoff program. Now the kicker is to keep it going.
Last June, I got really going on Weight Watchers (my own version), and exercising everyday. I ran on the elliptical M,W,F and did Winsor Pilates on T, TH, and Sat. I was excited to loose all of my pregnancy weight and get back down 6 pounds UNDER the pre-pregnancy weight, but after the cruise in Feb. we came back and lost our umph. I am now back up the 6 pounds and am pretty discouraged at myself for it. Hopefully with new motivation in one area, it will bleed into others.
Housework has never been my strong suit, but the schedule I did does help. Now the house doesn't look like a complete disaster ALL the time, but it never feels completely clean either. Maybe with the new school year starting, it will help me come up with a schedule that will allow me to work on all these areas and keep them going...Wish me luck!
Oh, I have to share the tips I found helpful from the book!
1. instead of buying $5.99 a pound lunchmeat at the deli counter, get a cooked ham from the meat section (for about 1.99 a pound) and ask the deli to slice it for you (for free!)
2. To save water, fill a water bottle (24 oz) and put it in the toilet tank
3. When you want to buy something at retail, stop and think if you can get it used first.
4. I really liked their KidSmart Money program. You set up a point system and they earn a certain number of points in a day and each point is worth like 10 cents (or more depending on their age.) Then on "Pay Day" you award them the points, but also make them divide their money into three categories, Give - 10%, Save-20% and Spend-70% (or however you think is best) Then when they have saved around $30, set up a savings account at the bank. I'm excited to start that program!
5. When traveling and staying at a hotel, the family brings a slow cooker to make dinner while they are out enjoying the sights. They hook it up to the bathroom outlet:)
6. Their budget system consists of setting up different categories and putting a certain amount of money into each category. It becomes a game for them to see how much they can save in each category! I liked their attitude;)
Hope the tips were fun. I'm sure there's more on the website. Dave's the one that discovered that hidden jewel!
Well, I checked out a book called, "America's Cheapest Family" at the Library and DEVOURED it! They had all these helpful hints to save money. I am now pumped to get out of debt and still feel like I can spend some money on things I want. They were able to pay their house off in 9 years! And on only one income of $35,000 a year!! That would be amazing. So I have started a budget and debt payoff program. Now the kicker is to keep it going.
Last June, I got really going on Weight Watchers (my own version), and exercising everyday. I ran on the elliptical M,W,F and did Winsor Pilates on T, TH, and Sat. I was excited to loose all of my pregnancy weight and get back down 6 pounds UNDER the pre-pregnancy weight, but after the cruise in Feb. we came back and lost our umph. I am now back up the 6 pounds and am pretty discouraged at myself for it. Hopefully with new motivation in one area, it will bleed into others.
Housework has never been my strong suit, but the schedule I did does help. Now the house doesn't look like a complete disaster ALL the time, but it never feels completely clean either. Maybe with the new school year starting, it will help me come up with a schedule that will allow me to work on all these areas and keep them going...Wish me luck!
Oh, I have to share the tips I found helpful from the book!
1. instead of buying $5.99 a pound lunchmeat at the deli counter, get a cooked ham from the meat section (for about 1.99 a pound) and ask the deli to slice it for you (for free!)
2. To save water, fill a water bottle (24 oz) and put it in the toilet tank
3. When you want to buy something at retail, stop and think if you can get it used first.
4. I really liked their KidSmart Money program. You set up a point system and they earn a certain number of points in a day and each point is worth like 10 cents (or more depending on their age.) Then on "Pay Day" you award them the points, but also make them divide their money into three categories, Give - 10%, Save-20% and Spend-70% (or however you think is best) Then when they have saved around $30, set up a savings account at the bank. I'm excited to start that program!
5. When traveling and staying at a hotel, the family brings a slow cooker to make dinner while they are out enjoying the sights. They hook it up to the bathroom outlet:)
6. Their budget system consists of setting up different categories and putting a certain amount of money into each category. It becomes a game for them to see how much they can save in each category! I liked their attitude;)
Hope the tips were fun. I'm sure there's more on the website. Dave's the one that discovered that hidden jewel!
Monday, August 25, 2008
First Day of School
Oh, how I long for the pictures! I took a few of Tina sleeping before I woke her up. She was so peaceful! I am about as excited as she was. We have half day kindergarten so it only goes from 8:20-10:50. About as long as preschool, but everyday. I hope I can get all of the kids up before it's time to go.
Tina said she got to go on a cookie hunt, but they were pretend cookies. She sits at the black table and doesn't know anyone there, despite the fact that she has 6 kids in the same neighborhood and primary class in her K class. She even knew two from preschool. She also said two boys got in trouble for throwing rocks. Tina is excited for ladybug sticker reward system. If she doesn't have to pull a card during the day, she will get a ladybug sticker which 5 turn into a school dollar for the school store. That starts tomorrow.
I joined the PTA, and I will have volunteered to help in her class whenever I'm needed, and I am so excited about that. I think the school year will definately be a learning experience for both of us. I'm so glad she is the oldest because I have no fear of misbehavior, or learning dysfunctions. She is a bright child who has a natural curiosity for knowledge. I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging...So that was the first day of school for Tina!
Tina said she got to go on a cookie hunt, but they were pretend cookies. She sits at the black table and doesn't know anyone there, despite the fact that she has 6 kids in the same neighborhood and primary class in her K class. She even knew two from preschool. She also said two boys got in trouble for throwing rocks. Tina is excited for ladybug sticker reward system. If she doesn't have to pull a card during the day, she will get a ladybug sticker which 5 turn into a school dollar for the school store. That starts tomorrow.
I joined the PTA, and I will have volunteered to help in her class whenever I'm needed, and I am so excited about that. I think the school year will definately be a learning experience for both of us. I'm so glad she is the oldest because I have no fear of misbehavior, or learning dysfunctions. She is a bright child who has a natural curiosity for knowledge. I hope I don't sound like I'm bragging...So that was the first day of school for Tina!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
To Be or Not To Be
That is the question right now! OK I've never been into Shakespeare, but I thought this quote fit what is going on now in Dave's life. He is working at McDonald's as a store manager right now, but is looking for something more "career oriented." Since we have been married, he has worked in food and a brief 9 months in the Staffing industry. He has told me that food is his comfort zone.
He has applied for SO many different jobs, and most of the time gets the polite rejection letters. It's really hard to figure out what exactly Dave wants to do. So last night we came up with the three top jobs secretly and shared them. The only one we had in common was a job at a University. I have prayed and fasted and the only impression I was given was that he should not work on Sundays.
His new thought was to look into being a Police Officer, which I think he would be well suited for, but going back to school, and trying to work is putting a clincher into that. Hopefully we can figure it out! If anyone has an inspired idea: Please share!
He has applied for SO many different jobs, and most of the time gets the polite rejection letters. It's really hard to figure out what exactly Dave wants to do. So last night we came up with the three top jobs secretly and shared them. The only one we had in common was a job at a University. I have prayed and fasted and the only impression I was given was that he should not work on Sundays.
His new thought was to look into being a Police Officer, which I think he would be well suited for, but going back to school, and trying to work is putting a clincher into that. Hopefully we can figure it out! If anyone has an inspired idea: Please share!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wardrobe World Reinvented
This week I spent with my fun Chambers family. Mike, Dave's brother and their family flew out from Virginia to spend a week with the Utah clan. Kari, Dave's sister also flew down from Washington. We did the annual Bear Lake trip - complete with tubing, playing in the sand, a party for Zach, and GAMES (my favorite).
I was so excited to go shopping with Jen, Mike's wife. She has always had such a cute sense of style and great shopping know-how. She also loves finding the best deals possible (my kind of gal:). So we went to the DI first, and then she helped me find the perfect bra. I will post pictures when we can get our camera to work on this computer, but it is amazing the difference!! I have really big boobs and when I go bra shopping, I look for the biggest size that the store carries. I had no idea what my size was, so we had the lady take my measurement at Dillard's, and found out that I was actually smaller than the bra I had on!! It has made such a big difference on how clothes fit on me that I feel more confident and look so much skinnier! I can now wear the shirts with the empire waist or wrap - that before I would write off because they wouldn't fit over my chest. "It's a breast reduction for $20!" says Jen. She gave me tips on support and I thought I would share. They surprised me.
1. The bra supports 80% from the band around the bottom, and 20% from the straps. - I went from a size 42 to 38, and that is what made the biggest difference!
2. The nipple is supposed to lay right in the middle of your upper arm (shoulder to elbow)
3. The fitting lady said that the more seams, the stronger the bra.
4. Bras wear out really fast (like 3 months), so start on the last hooks and work up when it stretches out.
5. The Motherhood store told me to never dry your bras in the dryer or it will weaken the fabric with underwire and lead to poking out (I've had that happen so much)
6. It's a good idea to get 2-3 bras to switch off, so that you can wash and they won't wear out so fast.
I was amazed at the difference a good bra can make, and the best part was that after the $60 bras didn't work, she brought in the bra that I came in with in the right size, and it was only $20!! I was very relieved and that freed up more money to raid the 70% off racks at JC Penney:)
I was so excited to go shopping with Jen, Mike's wife. She has always had such a cute sense of style and great shopping know-how. She also loves finding the best deals possible (my kind of gal:). So we went to the DI first, and then she helped me find the perfect bra. I will post pictures when we can get our camera to work on this computer, but it is amazing the difference!! I have really big boobs and when I go bra shopping, I look for the biggest size that the store carries. I had no idea what my size was, so we had the lady take my measurement at Dillard's, and found out that I was actually smaller than the bra I had on!! It has made such a big difference on how clothes fit on me that I feel more confident and look so much skinnier! I can now wear the shirts with the empire waist or wrap - that before I would write off because they wouldn't fit over my chest. "It's a breast reduction for $20!" says Jen. She gave me tips on support and I thought I would share. They surprised me.
1. The bra supports 80% from the band around the bottom, and 20% from the straps. - I went from a size 42 to 38, and that is what made the biggest difference!
2. The nipple is supposed to lay right in the middle of your upper arm (shoulder to elbow)
3. The fitting lady said that the more seams, the stronger the bra.
4. Bras wear out really fast (like 3 months), so start on the last hooks and work up when it stretches out.
5. The Motherhood store told me to never dry your bras in the dryer or it will weaken the fabric with underwire and lead to poking out (I've had that happen so much)
6. It's a good idea to get 2-3 bras to switch off, so that you can wash and they won't wear out so fast.
I was amazed at the difference a good bra can make, and the best part was that after the $60 bras didn't work, she brought in the bra that I came in with in the right size, and it was only $20!! I was very relieved and that freed up more money to raid the 70% off racks at JC Penney:)
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