So we got a new computer last week, so I am still trying to figure out how to load pictures on the one comp- for some reason I just can't get it to work right. I do have a new belly pic to show, so for those of you interested, that is coming!!
On an unrelated note, I was reading all about crayons this morning- mostly about how long they take to break down in landfills. Did you know that crayons are petroleum based?? I started thinking about how many crayons we must go through every month- if you add up that every restaurant we go to gives Henry at least 3 to color with, and all the broken crayons that we get here on a monthly basis, we are talking LOTS.
So I looked into donation, and although it is cool that these companies take the old crayons and make new ones to sell, I figure we could save some money (and maybe produce a little less trash) by collecting all of our crayons and making new funky crayons. They are simple to make in the oven and Henry would end up with some fun shapes and colors....
We are starting our collection now, and we will let you know how it goes and show you some cool new crayons soon!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Going from a family of 3 to a family of 4
Some days I cannot believe that in 9 weeks or less we will have a family of 4. Two kids. Crazy stuff.
And although I am super excited and ready for E to be here, in some ways I am not ready at all. We have a routine and schedule here. We all know each others quirks, likes and dislikes. We know how to make H happy and we know how to deal with boy stuff. I can easily go to the grocery store or run into the mall with H, because I am used to it. We can handle a meal out and we can go to the zoo without much hassle. And most importantly, we give all our attention to our adorable, mostly sweet baby boy.
I know that we will love E just as much as we love H, and I know that eventually we will settle into a new routine and schedule. I know that SOMEDAY I will be able to run into Nordstrom to look at shoes and not have to worry about how to get my double stroller together. Someday.
What I worry about most though is H. Will he like his new sister? Will he be mad that we have someone else we have to care for too? Will he still want to hang with momma on the couch and watch CARS? I sure hope so.
So in an effort to make H feel as loved as we can, we are planning all kinds of fun "H" days in the coming weeks and months. We will be going to the zoo, trying out new fun places to play and going to the park. After E gets here we are planning to take him to his first real rockies game (just the three of us!), take him to a little water park just up the road, going to the reservoir to play with friends, golf outings and what I am sure will be his favorite, "Daddy Day" where daddy will take him out for a couple hours and they will do "boy" stuff- have doughnuts, play outside, go to a baseball game- whatever they feel like.
Here's to hoping that everyone settles into this family of four..... sooner rather than later!
And although I am super excited and ready for E to be here, in some ways I am not ready at all. We have a routine and schedule here. We all know each others quirks, likes and dislikes. We know how to make H happy and we know how to deal with boy stuff. I can easily go to the grocery store or run into the mall with H, because I am used to it. We can handle a meal out and we can go to the zoo without much hassle. And most importantly, we give all our attention to our adorable, mostly sweet baby boy.
I know that we will love E just as much as we love H, and I know that eventually we will settle into a new routine and schedule. I know that SOMEDAY I will be able to run into Nordstrom to look at shoes and not have to worry about how to get my double stroller together. Someday.
What I worry about most though is H. Will he like his new sister? Will he be mad that we have someone else we have to care for too? Will he still want to hang with momma on the couch and watch CARS? I sure hope so.
So in an effort to make H feel as loved as we can, we are planning all kinds of fun "H" days in the coming weeks and months. We will be going to the zoo, trying out new fun places to play and going to the park. After E gets here we are planning to take him to his first real rockies game (just the three of us!), take him to a little water park just up the road, going to the reservoir to play with friends, golf outings and what I am sure will be his favorite, "Daddy Day" where daddy will take him out for a couple hours and they will do "boy" stuff- have doughnuts, play outside, go to a baseball game- whatever they feel like.
Here's to hoping that everyone settles into this family of four..... sooner rather than later!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Henry's Birthday Gift
I am sure that this will be the first of many posts regarding our first born's SECOND birthday, but I just had to share this one.
This last weekend while B and I were out running some errands sans Henry we decided to hop into Golfsmith (my husbands favorite store) and look at some, well, golf stuff. This is always so exciting to me as you can imagine. But on this particular visit, I was actually pretty excited. We were looking at kids clubs.
We looked at the first set of clubs- they were made for children 2-5 years. As you can imagine, they were adorable. Only problem, they were WAY to small for our gigantor child. So we looked at the next size up, made for children 5-8. Now we were getting somewhere.(don't worry grandma and grandpa George, these are the right size, his height falls smack in the right range for these clubs!) We decided on the set- they are yellow (so cute!) and are left handed.
We are so excited for him to open these clubs, he loves his little plastic sets and he really loves Bryan's clubs that are up in our bedroom (yep, you read that correctly, my husband has golf clubs in the bedroom, not a whole set mind you, but still). We think he will really like going out with Bryan this summer to hit balls and play. And he might even make a golf trip up to Fort Collins to show his grandpa what he can do!
This last weekend while B and I were out running some errands sans Henry we decided to hop into Golfsmith (my husbands favorite store) and look at some, well, golf stuff. This is always so exciting to me as you can imagine. But on this particular visit, I was actually pretty excited. We were looking at kids clubs.
We looked at the first set of clubs- they were made for children 2-5 years. As you can imagine, they were adorable. Only problem, they were WAY to small for our gigantor child. So we looked at the next size up, made for children 5-8. Now we were getting somewhere.(don't worry grandma and grandpa George, these are the right size, his height falls smack in the right range for these clubs!) We decided on the set- they are yellow (so cute!) and are left handed.
We are so excited for him to open these clubs, he loves his little plastic sets and he really loves Bryan's clubs that are up in our bedroom (yep, you read that correctly, my husband has golf clubs in the bedroom, not a whole set mind you, but still). We think he will really like going out with Bryan this summer to hit balls and play. And he might even make a golf trip up to Fort Collins to show his grandpa what he can do!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Valentine's Day Plans
Every year on Valentine's day my loving husband makes dinner for us to enjoy at home. I have come to look forward to this day every year- you see, Bryan doesn't cook. He can make eggs, and grilled cheese sammies and he can even make mac and cheese (unlike some people in my family). But a real dinner? Never happens. And let me tell you, he always does really well! He roots around for fun menu items and comes up with meals he knows I will love.
Well this year Valentine's day lands on a Sunday. And we have an almost two year old who doesn't like to eat his meals at the table, AND it isn't like I can enjoy a bottle of wine with this meal, so what are we going to do? Easy.....
A day at the Denver Children's Museum and an indoor picnic. We figured that this year we would make Valentine's day a day for Henry. We will probably do this going forward (as I recall my parents always made a big deal out of Valentine's day. We got fun presents and we always had a fun dinner as a family) and I am looking forward to celebrating with my little family of 3!
We will post some pictures of our little adventure after the holiday. I hear there is a golf ball room at the children's museum... that should be fun!!
Well this year Valentine's day lands on a Sunday. And we have an almost two year old who doesn't like to eat his meals at the table, AND it isn't like I can enjoy a bottle of wine with this meal, so what are we going to do? Easy.....
A day at the Denver Children's Museum and an indoor picnic. We figured that this year we would make Valentine's day a day for Henry. We will probably do this going forward (as I recall my parents always made a big deal out of Valentine's day. We got fun presents and we always had a fun dinner as a family) and I am looking forward to celebrating with my little family of 3!
We will post some pictures of our little adventure after the holiday. I hear there is a golf ball room at the children's museum... that should be fun!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Lululemon Pants
I love these. Period.
I think that I might live in them until Elizabeth gets here. And then I might not take them off after she gets here.
I might have to go and buy the capris and the shorts to make it through summer.
I feel like I have been under a rock- seriously.
If you are pregnant, or tall, or like workout pants that you could actually wear to an office, or have $98 to spend, please run to your local lululemon store and buy these NOW.
I think that I might live in them until Elizabeth gets here. And then I might not take them off after she gets here.
I might have to go and buy the capris and the shorts to make it through summer.
I feel like I have been under a rock- seriously.
If you are pregnant, or tall, or like workout pants that you could actually wear to an office, or have $98 to spend, please run to your local lululemon store and buy these NOW.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Cloth Diapering- Part 1
We decided a couple months ago (after much research) that we would be using cloth diapers with Lizzie. Everyone we told thought that we were crazy, thought it sounded gross, and couldn't see any benefit in the whole process.
Now, I know that I haven't actually had a cloth diaper on a newborn, but I did make Henry try one on this morning. They fit great, and really, I know he thought they were more comfortable because he looked down and said, "Soft!" And soft is never a bad thing.... right?
First, why CD over the easy option of disposable diapers? Well, for one thing, disposable diapers stink. Literally. They smell. They make your child smell. The chemicals they use to make the pee smell better, actually makes the smell worse! Two, they are expensive! Especially in those first few weeks/months when you are changing 10-15 diapers in a day. Three, they cause diaper rash. Serious diaper rash in Henry's case. We took him to the dr no less than 4 times for SEVERE diaper rash. They had to give him a steroid medication all those times. Four, the waste created by diapers is astonishing, and honestly, a garbage can of diapers in our garage reeks. It smells awful, in the winter and is actually hazardous in the summer! And finally, they are just plain cuter than a disposable, and they way I figure it, Elizabeth will be wearing plenty of dresses this summer, so we will be able to see her cute butt in them (even if that means that the diapers make her look like a mini- jLo.)
I was sold as soon as I started the research (for most of the above reasons) but Bryan? Not so much. All he could think about was how gross it would be to have to clean out a poppy diaper. My question to him? "How many diapers do you change exactly?" (ESPECIALLY DIRTY DIAPERS!! He always tells me, "your turn". What a rip off) His response? "You're right baby, lets do the cloth diapers" (and yes, I am pretty sure that he thinks he will have to change even less diapers this way)
So once we decided on the cloth diaper we had to decide on the type of diaper. Type of diaper you ask?? How many can there be? The simple answer is, too many. Did we want to go with the old fashioned, cheapest option of prefolds and covers (think 1970's diapers with diaper pins). The simple answer here was "no". At first glance this is the hardest CD you can do. Although with research we (I) found that it was in fact pretty easy, just time consuming.
Did we want to go with the fitted diaper and covers? Not so much (although, now we actually do have a few of these in our stash, they are just as easy as the all-in-one diapers). So that left us with the all-in-one/pocket diapers. These diapers are pretty much as easy as a disposable diaper. They are basically one piece (in the case of a pocket diaper, they are two pieces that we would have already assembled, making them seem like one piece)
Of course the option we went with was the MOST expensive (and of course the diaper brand we chose ended up being the most expensive). However, the cost comes a little easier when you realize that the diapers we purchased will fit lizzie from birth- potty trained (and again, they are on Henry now and fit great!)
We realized that we needed anywhere from 16-24 diapers to have on rotation. So since the start of the year we have been working on building our diaper stash- buying one here and there every week or so. So far we have 13 one size diapers and 8 newborn size diapers (both AIO). I also purchased 2 fitted diapers yesterday and I plan to buy 2-4 more of these in the next month or so. I am looking for cute diaper covers online now, so hopefully we will end up with some cute stuff!
So there you have it. That is why we chose cloth diapers. Nothing too earth shattering. In coming CD posts (for those of you who care....) I will share the diapers we have purchased as well as how we will deal with CD out in public and CD with grandparents/babysitters (who am I kidding, we don't have babysitters, we have three sets of grandparents :)
Now, I know that I haven't actually had a cloth diaper on a newborn, but I did make Henry try one on this morning. They fit great, and really, I know he thought they were more comfortable because he looked down and said, "Soft!" And soft is never a bad thing.... right?
First, why CD over the easy option of disposable diapers? Well, for one thing, disposable diapers stink. Literally. They smell. They make your child smell. The chemicals they use to make the pee smell better, actually makes the smell worse! Two, they are expensive! Especially in those first few weeks/months when you are changing 10-15 diapers in a day. Three, they cause diaper rash. Serious diaper rash in Henry's case. We took him to the dr no less than 4 times for SEVERE diaper rash. They had to give him a steroid medication all those times. Four, the waste created by diapers is astonishing, and honestly, a garbage can of diapers in our garage reeks. It smells awful, in the winter and is actually hazardous in the summer! And finally, they are just plain cuter than a disposable, and they way I figure it, Elizabeth will be wearing plenty of dresses this summer, so we will be able to see her cute butt in them (even if that means that the diapers make her look like a mini- jLo.)
I was sold as soon as I started the research (for most of the above reasons) but Bryan? Not so much. All he could think about was how gross it would be to have to clean out a poppy diaper. My question to him? "How many diapers do you change exactly?" (ESPECIALLY DIRTY DIAPERS!! He always tells me, "your turn". What a rip off) His response? "You're right baby, lets do the cloth diapers" (and yes, I am pretty sure that he thinks he will have to change even less diapers this way)
So once we decided on the cloth diaper we had to decide on the type of diaper. Type of diaper you ask?? How many can there be? The simple answer is, too many. Did we want to go with the old fashioned, cheapest option of prefolds and covers (think 1970's diapers with diaper pins). The simple answer here was "no". At first glance this is the hardest CD you can do. Although with research we (I) found that it was in fact pretty easy, just time consuming.
Did we want to go with the fitted diaper and covers? Not so much (although, now we actually do have a few of these in our stash, they are just as easy as the all-in-one diapers). So that left us with the all-in-one/pocket diapers. These diapers are pretty much as easy as a disposable diaper. They are basically one piece (in the case of a pocket diaper, they are two pieces that we would have already assembled, making them seem like one piece)
Of course the option we went with was the MOST expensive (and of course the diaper brand we chose ended up being the most expensive). However, the cost comes a little easier when you realize that the diapers we purchased will fit lizzie from birth- potty trained (and again, they are on Henry now and fit great!)
We realized that we needed anywhere from 16-24 diapers to have on rotation. So since the start of the year we have been working on building our diaper stash- buying one here and there every week or so. So far we have 13 one size diapers and 8 newborn size diapers (both AIO). I also purchased 2 fitted diapers yesterday and I plan to buy 2-4 more of these in the next month or so. I am looking for cute diaper covers online now, so hopefully we will end up with some cute stuff!
So there you have it. That is why we chose cloth diapers. Nothing too earth shattering. In coming CD posts (for those of you who care....) I will share the diapers we have purchased as well as how we will deal with CD out in public and CD with grandparents/babysitters (who am I kidding, we don't have babysitters, we have three sets of grandparents :)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Single Digits
Well, we officially have 9.5 weeks until Elizabeth's due date. It is like a mantra- I say it everyday. "Only 9 weeks to go." It makes me feel better most days, and some days it reminds me how much we need to do before she gets here.
Being pregnant this time around is so different than it was the first time. When we were expecting Henry we had everything done by now. The clothes were washed, the nursery was painted and decorated, the bottles were clean, we had all of the "baby stuff" we could imagine needing. This time? Not. So. Much.
The nursery? Oh, you mean Henry's bedroom. Not done. Not even started. We have the bedding, it is all ready to get steamed and put on her crib at some point. Does that count? Her clothes? Mostly washed, not organized and put away. Bottles? I think they are in the basement somewhere. Guess we should look for them. Lots to do I tell you, I guess we will see if it all gets done beofre she gets here. Funny thing is, this time, I am not that stressed about it (well, B would tell you otherwise, but really, not as stressed as I would have been if it had been this way with H)
That said, I did manage to pre-register at the hospital today (see B, I did it!). That must mean that things are coming to an end. Right?
I am off to get Henry out of his crib... we tried for the elusive morning nap today seeing as how he was up at 3:30 this morning, but alas, Henry wins. No nap!
Being pregnant this time around is so different than it was the first time. When we were expecting Henry we had everything done by now. The clothes were washed, the nursery was painted and decorated, the bottles were clean, we had all of the "baby stuff" we could imagine needing. This time? Not. So. Much.
The nursery? Oh, you mean Henry's bedroom. Not done. Not even started. We have the bedding, it is all ready to get steamed and put on her crib at some point. Does that count? Her clothes? Mostly washed, not organized and put away. Bottles? I think they are in the basement somewhere. Guess we should look for them. Lots to do I tell you, I guess we will see if it all gets done beofre she gets here. Funny thing is, this time, I am not that stressed about it (well, B would tell you otherwise, but really, not as stressed as I would have been if it had been this way with H)
That said, I did manage to pre-register at the hospital today (see B, I did it!). That must mean that things are coming to an end. Right?
I am off to get Henry out of his crib... we tried for the elusive morning nap today seeing as how he was up at 3:30 this morning, but alas, Henry wins. No nap!
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