Can't stand the cute

I haven't spent much time mentioning the world of cloth diapers on here.  I know most people reading don't really care.  In fact I also know there are quite a few who would label anyone in this "day and age" kukoo for using cloth.  I know most of my friends and family are not of the green living, budget friendly variety.  So, I don't mention it. 

I actually do have a bit of an addiction to the world of cloth.  There are several blogs I read, mostly for the awesome giveaway contests they tend to have.  What I have learned over time are the main reasons for switching to cloth. People who use them tend to be: (1) eco-friendly, green-living sort of folks (I would say this is a large part of the community. These are the ones who will give you the statistics on landfills and chemicals in disposables.); (2) people watching their budget (me); and (3) people who use them out of necessity.  I'd say the top "necessity" reasons are those who can't afford disposables (let's be honest, disposables are expensive...even store brands, even with coupons) and those who have babies with skin that just can't handle the chemicals in disposables.  Yes, there are actually babies who react poorly to them, and cloth is really the best solution. 

 I admit, using cloth diapers did not initially appeal to me.  I did some homework and decided the cost difference would be worth it (let's remember we're a one-income family. We did not make the choice lightly for me to be a stay-at-home mom, but we knew it was what we wanted for our family and we knew it would mean keeping a budget, and yes, even making sacrifices).  Even still, there have been more then one occasion where something gross happened (all you need to know) and I thought "what the what? I'm crazy.".  And then I remembered it's pretty gross in a disposable diaper too.  (Also I cheat and use flushable liners a lot of the time, which makes clean up 90% easier).  As for cost, well, there are lots of people who cloth diaper who spend large amounts of money on them (you would not believe what some folks would pay for certain dipes!), but there are also ways to do it that save loads of money.  The clincher for me was I plan to have another kid (still confident this *will* happen for me!), and I'll already have diapers for that kid.  With the exception of maybe 2 diapers in my stash (one- the lining came apart; two- the velcro is worn (easily replaceable if only I could sew!), the rest all still look like new. You'd never know someone's been peeing and pooping in them.  For realz. Also, it's not an all or nothing thing for me and my family.  He uses disposables for school, when traveling, and on a few other occasions--still not enough that it makes anything cost a whole lot more.

Another thing I've learned, it is so easy to get sucked into the cute factor.  This weekend there have been a ton of fabulous deals, and although I should hope my kid is potty trained within the next 6 months, I couldn't stand it.  You all know I cannot pass up a good deal!  A local store here had sales, a $10 off coupon they sent out, and qualified for "small business Saturday"--which meant I got to buy 2 new diapers, basically for free.  I took this opportunity to buy 2 I haven't tried before because they're more then I would spend, and also because we really didn't need anymore.  But free is free, and cheap is me! Weeeeeee! 

It's cow print! And lined with the softest fleece I've ever felt! And so cute on my boy!

This is what the cloth diapering world would call a "fluffy butt".

Now listen.  I'm not asking you to like it.  I'm not asking you to understand it.  But I don't ever, would never, critize you for the choice you make as far as what your kid poops in--so it'd be nice if people wouldn't criticize moi for the same thing. 

And what I am asking is, please, please acknowledge the CUTE! Hee hee!

The best part of Thanksgiving

How I managed to forget to show you my favorite part of the day is beyond me:

That's right.  A man who will clean up after Thanksgiving dinner.

It's ok to be jealous ladies. :-)



Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a fabulously quiet and well-rested Thanksgiving! Some people gave me the side-eye when I mention we're staying home for the holiday--like it was some rule of thumb that you HAVE to travel, be rushed, and whatnot, to have a nice Thanksgiving. And I won't lie, sure, it's a very different holiday when you are not at a big extravaganza with extended family, but that doesn't make it bad. When we lived in Oregon, it was more out of necessity as travel was just too far and expensive. Now that we're here in Texas, we're certainly closer to family, and friends, but we chose to make this our little holiday. Mike gets such little time off work, that every now and then, you just have to take advantage of it, and have some special, stress-free, family time. We had a truly had a great day.  I am thankful for all the blessings we have!

The boys washed the car in the morning, while Mommy cooked:

Our perfect little turkey. My first time doing a turkey brine- this turkey was so juicy and delicious!

Drenched after the car washing, Matthew ate dinner in just a diaper. Classy, I know. So much for our family pic wearing our Cowboys shirts.

Don't be fooled. He didn't actually eat anything other then a roll.

Ha! Told you it was a perfect turkey. Mike picked up a drumstick to hold up for a picture and the meat fell right off onto his plate!

Dearest extended family--we missed you and love you all!

BUT, we did have a nice little holiday.

Elmo says

Oh how I wish my iPhone would pick up volume better when I'm making a video.  This truly was so cute to watch- Matthew playing Elmo Says with Elmo.  You can kind of see that he's doing what Elmo's doing, but it's really, really hard to hear Elmo.

Well, ok, I just re-watched it and there's also a nasty glare on the TV. Oh well.

Sometimes motherhood is so disgusting

(warning: puke is mentioned in this post)

It started innocently enough.  After Matthew's nap this afternoon, we made a quick trip to the grocery store.  I only needed a few things, but as we were getting out of the car I noticed one of those cool car grocery carts, so I thought "eh, why not."  And let me tell you, my boy was entertained! I don't think we've used one of them before (dang, they are hard to maneuver), but I now realize it is the way to go next time we're doing a long grocery trip.  We got so many comments, "oh what a good driver you are!"; "wow- I like your car!".  It was lovely.  Perhaps the loveliest grocery trip we've had in a while.

Aww, look how much fun he's having!

So we're shopping, we're having fun.  There were a lot of samples being handed out, and we just passed them by, until we come upon a chex mix sampler. I think, well that'll be a nice little treat for Matthew, as I hand him the tiny little plastic cup of chex mix.  We continue along on our way.  I'm looking for contact solution (which was the whole reason we had to go to the store to begin with), and suddenly Matthew turns and give me the look.  My husband and I know this look well- it is never, ever followed by anything good.  In fact, some would say it is a very, very bad look.  In that moment from the time he gives you the look, to the time "it" happens, there is nothing but shear panic and terror inside me. 

Yup, one minute we're shopping, the next minute there's vomit all over my kids clothes and the shopping cart.  (In case any of you out there don't already know this about me: I do not handle vomit well.  I highly doubt anyone handles it "well", but I mean, it really creates an awful experience for me. When I was a teacher in a room of 2-year-olds, my assistants pretty much shoved me out the door when we'd have a sick little one there.  In the tiny-bite-of-spinach-turned-puke incident of 2009, Mike told me to go in the other room and don't come out until he says it's ok.  THAT'S how bad it is.)

You never want to be *that* mom.  The one with the sick-in-public kid.  But it happens.  And when it happens, you whip out your pack of baby wipes and go to work.  The clothes, the kid, the cart, the floor- clean it up with the wipes.  All the while, my poor child is saying "uh oh. Is ok? Is ok mama? Is ok? Ok, ok, ok" as if trying to convince himself, and me, that really in the grand scheme of things, it *will* be ok.

And it was.  We paid, when I got to the car I stripped him down to his diapers, and we rode home.

(for the carseat critics, I did adjust the straps before we left. I did a quick buckle job first to keep him from touching anything and snapped a picture first.)

In the end, all was well.

But man, motherhood is disgusting sometimes.

Our new love

A while back- I'm not sure when, but it was after our last move, so not that long ago--I decided I wanted a bike.  I wanted one, but at the same time I was a little scared since I hadn't ridden a bike pretty much since I was a kid.  I was also having a hard time imagining riding with Matthew on it with me.  My sweet husband found one on Craig's List and brought it home from work one week as a surprise to me.  It really was perfect, buying a used bike, because it gave me the chance to see if I liked riding without spending a ton of money.  (this is a woman's bike, that came with the baby/toddler seat already attached, so it really was perfect--and only $50 or something like that).

After the move here, we also joined a local gym and I fell in love with spin class. It is so challenging, not at all boring, a real sweat fest of a cardio workout.  I suppose that's when I first decided a real outside bike would be a good idea.  I've slowly gotten back into the class, after the hiatus called a "messed up thyroid making my heart beat too fast".  While I was on hiatus, I still got on the old bike and rode with Matthew around the neighborhood. 

This has become my new little love.  It is so much fun biking around, getting a workout in while taking in the scenery of my neighborhood.  Some days we stop and play at one of the billion playgrounds in the community.  Some days we ride for an hour, some days we ride for 30 minutes.  Some days Matthew falls asleep on the back of the bike (although to be honest, this hasn't happened in several months).  Some days (yesterday) Matthew whines the entire ride.  Some days we see something interesting or funny (yesterday the funny was a lady driving down the road wearing a big winter coat, warm scarf wrapped around her neck and gloves---ummmmm, ok. It's cooled off a bit, but we're talking low-60's/high-50's- I'm not sure it required all that.  I'd love to see her in New England). 

Anyway, you get the gist.  I love that we have a new activity that gets us outdoors, keeps us active, and makes our day enjoyable.  Each time we go out we learn something new- yesterdays lessons:

• when the child is mere inches from you, there really is nothing to drown out the whines.

• this neighborhood has a LOT of playgrounds.  Good when you're looking to play, bad when the mommy really just wants to get- and keep- her heart rate up for a while.

• Now that it's cooler weather and I must wear pants instead of shorts, it just may be time to invest in some real biking pants. I realize they may will look completely ridiculous on me, but the yoga-style pants I wore yesterday are too loose at the bottom and I kept worrying about them getting caught in something.

I leave you with these- our blurry cellphone shots--clearly taken BEFORE our ride, as evidenced by the lack of sweat and redness.

P.S. Pardon the mess that is my blog.  I somehow managed to change my layout and can't figure out how to put it back.

It's that time again...

'Tis the season!  I am not forgetting that turkey day has not come and gone just yet, but I am trying to get myself into the Christmas spirit.  Since we move, oh, ALL THE TIME, I try to get my holiday cards out in a timely manner, hoping to eliminate too many people sending them to our incorrect address.  Um, sure I could have sent out a lovely card to all my loved ones, such as this one, right after the move, but you know me.  I'm nowhere near organized enough to do such things.

Anyway, back to holiday cards.  Three things are true: (1) I am in love with cards with pictures on them, much like these ones; (2) last year we got a good deal on a local photographer and were able to get some great family pictures with professional cards.  Cute cards, but way too pricey for our current budget; (3) I recently got Matthew's files from his school pictures and in them there just happened to be a few of him in a Santa hat.  With a smile in one that said "I'm a cutie" and a smile in the other that said "or maybe I'm up to no good".  Anyway, as soon as I saw them, I knew they were perfect for our holiday card this year.  (I could show you the pics, but then I'd basically be giving away our card).  I do love a nice family pic on holiday cards, but as my laptop was recently dropped on the floor, thus busting my hard drive and sending all my pictures into lala land, I am making the executive decision that this year, it's all about the cute toddler.

Enter Shutterfly.  It just so happens that my mom is obsessed with making these photo books.  I'm pretty sure she's got a whole book shelf of them by now.  Last week I received one as a gift- Mom had made a photo book on shutterfly of her little vacation with Matthew (you know, the one where I was stuck at home with a freshly radiated thyroid).  It came with a coupon, and I tucked it away thinking to myself "perfect. I'll use it at the holidays to make a few gifts".  My cousin had just shown me her yearly calendar that she makes every year for Christmas presents- it was cute because she had pictures of all her kids in them from the year.  Really the perfect gift for Grandparents I'd say.

I started designing our card, excited that all their cards are 20% off right now, and I found a free shipping code.  Then I find out- if you're a blogger, you can get 50 cards free!  What?!? 50 cards free?!? I'll take it.  This will certainly help the pocketbook out on getting a start to the spending holiday season.  I mean, I was going to order them anyway--shutterfly really has the best selection on holiday cards.  This offer just makes the deal all the more sweeter.

Are you a blogger? Do you want free holiday cards from Shutterfly? 

Try it out.  All you have to do is blog about it.  What could be easier then that?

Mama's boy

Remember how I told you about the lack of privacy a mommy has?

He also spends about 90% of his time awake with mommy...watching my every move.

So I may as well tell you he loves to pretend he's putting on my makeup.

I find this hilarious and sweet all rolled up into one pretty little package.

Mike thinks he needs to spend more man-time with him.

He knows where the blush goes:

He knows where the eyeliner goes: 

He's slightly unclear what to do with the eyeshadow brush: 

He knows how to comb his hair:

(please, please don't mind the sticky arm and the snotty nose. He is a toddler after all.)

It's a lot of work to be this gorgeous:

Don't worry Daddy- he's been watching you too:

No he's not potty training.  But he does sneak into another room to poo his diaper in private.  I caught him tonight and slapped him on that potty real fast- but not so fast he didn't have time to snatch up the toy ads first.  

And no, he did not poo on the potty.  It seems this time he really was just sneaking into the our bedroom with no other motives.

Multi-use bathtub

In the world of a stay-at-home mom, there really is no such thing as privacy.  It just doesn't happen.  I have an audience when I'm on the toilet, in the shower, cooking, cleaning, whatever.  There is always a little person on my heels, and yes, I've come close to breaking my neck tripping over the little guy while trying to get dinner cooked.  Yesterday's shower was perhaps the funniest, as my boy set up a little bit of entertainment for himself:

He read through the toy ads and played with his trains.  Perfect set up, no?

Baking fun!

Anyone who knows me, probably knows I love to cook and bake! Today I decided it was time to start including Matthew in the baking fun.  I probably could have started sooner, but now was as good a time as any.  He loved it! He was having such a good time mixing, pouring, adding ingredients- it made it even more fun for me.

Pouring into the bowl:

Mix the dry ingredients up good Matthew! 

Time to mix the wet ingredients: 

Getting the mini-muffin tray ready for the oven: 

The finished product: 

Mmm, delicious Apple Banana Muffins! (clicky for recipe)

(I threw some chopped walnuts on the top of 1/2 of them just for kicks)

Thanks to Weelicious for another great recipe I can feel good about feeding to my kid.

He loved them! Gobbled up 2 right away.

I also baked these yummy Carrot Snack Sticks (also clicky, also from the fabulous Weelicious website).

Matthew didn't help make these, but he sure did help eat them ("more cracker mama? More please?").  They are so simple, yet, so so addictive! I had to put them in a container in the pantry to keep myself from eating the whole batch at once.

And there you have it! A wonderful afternoon in the kitchen with my boy.



Toddler talk!

Well, I'm not the only one completely entertained by my son's talking.  It's come to my attention that his teachers laugh a lot when Matthew gets on his gibberish rants.  Also, my brother got the privilege of talking to him on the phone the other day- when I got back on the line he said "I have NO idea what he just said".  Ha! Yeah, me either.

Here's a classic from earlier this week:

Matthew:  "yook! Bitch!" (pointing, but not specifically AT anything)

Me: "huh?"

Matthew: " Bitch! Bitch!"

Me: "buds, I have NO idea what you are saying. Try again."

Matthew: "mama, yook! Bitch!"

Me: (puzzled look, trying hard to figure this one out)

Matthew: (runs closer to object he's pointing at, a picture on the computer) "bitch!"

Me:  "yes Matthew! That is a beach! You're so smart."

I really should have gotten that one sooner. 

Happy Halloween!

Off to trick-or-treat!

Helping pass out candy

This is what my boy can do with the ONE piece of chocolate he was allowed.

P.S. I have no clue why those 2 pictures are flipped sideways, but I've tried everything and for some reason blogger doesn't want to put them the right way. Also, posted pictures in blogger is suddenly the most annoying thing ever.

Anyway, Matthew had a fabulous Halloween and we had so much fun seeing him so excited!! He LOVED being Mickey Mouse, so I'd say that costume choice was a success.