Saturday, January 31, 2015

Indoor Farmers Market

I had to stop by my pediatrician's office to update my insurance. I got a full bill for services because I hadn't updated yet. Gah!

Then we went to an indoor farmers market in Glenview where The Boy made a potato stamp painting (his first ever!), had a freak-out (it was too close to nap time) and did some wandering. Mama (who talks in 3rd person a lot) got a cup of Fair Trade coffee and some apples. The Baby was yelling a lot, but I get worried taking him out in the event that I have to quickly grab The Boy. Poor little guy. On our way back to the car, The Boy spotted a cool park and said,
"Slide? Slide?"
How could I deny him? It was a cool park with a really big slide. I chatted with another mom, whose kid had a name we considered for The Boy.
A pretty good field trip all in all.

Friday, January 30, 2015

El Tipico

The Hubs and I had our date night tonight! I was really excited and did my make-up and hair really well. We (I) chose El Tipico because I had a coupon from the Entertainment book. The food was great and the manager was very accommodating. But the waitress was terriable. And we left a terrible tip, which now I feel bad about. She told us that we weren't the only people in the resturaunt. But we pretty much were when we first walked in. The waitress never checked on us and when she did it was for a negative. Like that we couldn't get the dessert we wanted for our babysitter because they just put in the oven. Which didn't make a whole lot of sense. And earlier in the meal, one of the waiters came up and said that our waitress lost the order and/or it was never placed. The whole situation seemed odd. We probably would go back. And hope for the best.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Get Ready

My husband's boss stopped by to check in. My face, hair and house are all hot messes which reminded me why I need to get my shit together because unplanned things happen.

Monday, January 26, 2015

The Dentist

Today was The Boy's first dentist appointment! He did really well. He didn't freak out, just ran his tongue over his teeth a lot. She was able to clean his teeth, and get his mouth open a little.
Apparently his 'gink' which is his pacifier is causing a oval-shaped bucking of his front teeth. In order to avoid expensive dental work later, looks like we'll have to wean him. Wish us luck!
Both the dentist and receptionist are letting their grey hair grow out. Looks awful now, but more power to 'em!
The receptionist seemed a little slow and/or out of it. Hope she isn't always like that.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Play date!

We had a play date today! My friend and her baby came over, and we had a great time! I did, anyway. I hope the others did. We rolled around on the floor, had tummy time, made cookies, and talked about raising kids. My friend likes the way I'm raising my kids, which I find validating.

I have a trip to Costco planned tomorrow. And I read on krazycouponlady.com that although Costco does not accept manufacturers coupons, there is an app with coupons. Which of course I downloaded.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Jammin' Jungle

The three of us went to a place called Jammin' Jungle, which is a free indoor park. The Boy had a lot of fun rushing around and pushing the little carts. It took us a long time to get out of the house, but I'm glad we made it.

I had to stop at Walgreens to get formula. I misplaced my high-value coupon, but I found a $2 one instead.

The Boy's vocabulary is increasing everyday and it is so gratifying and astounding to watch him build up his language.
I was washing dishes and he ran up to me and said,
"Hood? Hood!"
He was holding an orange matchbook car, whose hood was open.
Although it took me a minute to understand him, I was really excited for him. And he gave me a big, toothy grin, pleased that his mama was so proud.

I think I might be feeding The Baby too much. At the beginning of his life, I was exclusively breast feeding, and the poor little guy was hangry (hungry and angry) all the time. So now I feel like I should feed him a lot, I guess.
Tonight he was fussy and tired and I gave him about 6 ounces. I picked him up, and he spit up all over me and the floor.
I was so annoyed, but when I was changing him, he gave me his heart-warming grins.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

The 'Libo'

I just finished a back care yoga session from Comcast. My baby is hanging out on the couch; he fell asleep during my exercise session.
My work-out routine is house-bound. One day is a kid's yoga session, which I do with my oldest. The next day is a mom-only session. And the third day I ride the stationary bike. This activity is in addition to chasing The Boy, walking around, and running up and down my stairs daily.

This morning we went to the library, or the 'libo'. It takes us a long time to get out of the house. We finally got there and I chose several books for myself; a few resolution books, a romance novel and a couple of parenting books. We headed over to the kid's section and The Boy ran over to fish tank. He stood really close to a little girl, who was a few inches taller then him. I look over to my sleeping baby and look right back up when that little girl started crying. The Boy was flat on his back, looked startled, the girl was crying and had fallen over him, and another little boy stood on the other side of her! My baby started to cry, and the other mom reprimanded her son for apparently pushing his sister, who fell into my kid. I picked up The Boy, who was still looking startled, and we rushed away.
I didn't say anything to other mother; I just walked away. I wasn't mad, but I didn't feel like discussing.

My father-in- law said he didn't think The Boy even knew that I went out this evening. I don't know why he would say that. Some people are so mean.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Webster

I'm in the waiting room right now, at Webster Dental. I need to get more fillings! I'm pretty nervous...but I'm also 5 minutes early! Wish me luck!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Northbrook Court and Red Mango

The boys and I picked up my mother at her house this morning. We were early! We hung around her house for a little while...played with cars, drank coffee, and collected coupons.
We finally collected ourselves and got out of the house. We drove up to the Northbrook Mall to play at the indoor Treehouse, which is an indoor play area. My mom rushed around with my oldest and I hung out with the baby.
We headed over to Red Mango because I got the app and signed myself with their club. I am now very interested in eating more frozen yogurt. Both my boys liked it too. My mom just told me that she looked up the nutritional facts and said,
"In the grand scheme of things, it is healthy!"

I recently finished People I Want To Punch In The Throat by Jen Mann. It was everything I hoped it would be.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

2nd Birthday Party

I had so much anxiety before the boy's party.
Will people like my food?
Will there be enough food?
Is anyone going to fight?
How will I respond to snarky comments?
Is my house clean enough?
I think the party went well, and my anxiety was for nothing. Good friends, family, and food are important and we had all three.
My friend said my boy was compassionate and indeed he is. We opened presents and he was excited about all of them. He showed people his toys and everyone played.
My coffee-maker is on the fritz and that is my only complaint.
When we send out our handwritten thank-you's, it will give him a chance to use all his cool art supplies.

Friday, January 16, 2015

Fresh Farms and The Library

Today we took a trip to Fresh Farms because I had a coupon and because I needed to shop for my oldest's birthday party!
I've decided to have a spread of things with condiments. We're having artichoke dip (homemade) red pepper dip (homemade), cookies (homemade), cake (homemade), chips, homemade potato chips,bread, melon, and probably a few other things I've forgotten.
I spent more than I thought I would but I also uploaded my receipt with Checkout 51.

We went to the library so the older could play with the kids. He rushed into the children's section to look at the fish. Then he rushed around looking for cat books. Today was the first day we checked out a book for him!

There is so much to be done! I don't know how to finish everything!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Laughter

I love both my son's laughter.

Sometimes I laugh to keep the madness away.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Happy Birthday!

Today is my first-born's birthday!!
He turns two today! I'm so grateful to be given the opportunity to raise someone such as him. And I'm astounded at how fast the time has gone.

I baked him a chocolate cake, using condensed milk. Which is great because I have several cans of milk I wasn't sure what to do with. (There were several sales and coupons). The recipe I used was  on the website:
Spiceupthecurry.com




Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Paid Research Studies

When I put in my resignation letter, I started to panic. Even though I was about to do what I've always wanted, which was to be a Stay-At-Home Mom, I was worried about not bringing home a paycheck. I've never had high earning power, but at least I was bringing home something. I thought about applying for paid research studies, which I went to occasionally before kids. But folks who run those rarely appreciate small children, which means I'd need a sitter. Which would make it hard. So now I've decided to focus on freebies and writing contests.

Freebies.org

FreeSamples.org

Friday, January 9, 2015

La Fitness

As my sister said
"La Fitness is ridiculously persistent. Hence the year contract."
They called me to let me know I could come in for Friends and Family day. They have childcare available. And they have yoga classes available. I agreed to whatever she was offering. But then I thought about the daycare, such as it is...and I don't have time to check it out beforehand. So I cancelled.

We haven't left the house in a while. My oldest is getting good at helping me with laundry.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Tired Yoga

Sometimes I feel like I might be to lazy to have kids. My house isn't the cleanest, and we are often late. I was so tired from about 6pm till 7:30pm. I couldn't focus on my kid's block games. I feel really guilty about it.

Doing actual yoga while my kids are awake is near impossible. But hilarious.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Showers of Mashed Potatos

I gave my youngest some mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. He kind of liked them. Then he had 8 ounces of formula, then I nursed him! We also took a shower together. Just for a few minutes. I had to take a shower because he spit up on me. In the shower, he kind of gasped, but he seemed to like it.

It's supposed to be in the negatives and/or single digits with wind advisories and winter storm watches. I had plans to leave the house, but after knowing that, we might not!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

New Year's Day!

Happy New Year's Day!

I dyed my hair today, while my hubs watched the kids. And he complained how long it took.

I got my youngest down about an hour ago and I'm afraid he'll wake up as soon as I try to sleep.