Fall Festival Picture

The Ripple Effects of Breastfeeding

This is how Caleb plays with his dinosaurs.

Well, he doesn't play with them like this everyday. But this was how he played with them today.

Necessary Evil

I don't think I've mentioned this on the blog yet, but we've been having some tough times as a family. Nothing internal...just the external necessity of a JOB. As I look at the calendar, I can tell you with complete accuracy, that Jadie has worked 32 out of the last 33 days. And I mean weekends and all. Not pleasant. We are really starting to miss our family time. Or rather, we've been missing it for an entire month.

He has been very gracious to continue to do family things, like a date with me a few weeks ago when my mom was in town. And a trip to the HOT Rodeo to watch Mutton Bustin', Steer Ropin', and Bull Ridin'. And our church's Fall Festival this past Wednesday. But this schedule of 10 hour days, 7 days a week has taken a toll. Poor Jadie is irritable and straight up worn out! This Sunday he'll finally get a day off. And hopefully, if it really doesn't rain here at all next week (like the weather station predicts), he'll be done with this non-stop work nonsense! Sheesh!

FREE Holiday Postcards

I almost ordered my christmas cards from Vista Print yesterday. They were really adorable and would have included a photo of the kiddos. I was going to pay $22.49 + shipping for 100 4"x8" cards with envelopes. But then I came across this deal today...

See my post HERE.

Random Info

As the parent of a little boy, I have dreaded the purchase of batteries on many occasions. I tend to purchase wither Rayovac batteries or the HEB store brand batteries.

I recently purchased four Bob the Builder toys for Caleb at our local Just Between Friends sale, which is a twice a year children's consignment sale. I thought Caleb would enjoy them since he enjoys the two BTB videos he has. After only a few minutes of playing with his new toys, Caleb discovered that they have buttons to press for voice effects. Great. I was sure batteries would be required. I unscrewed the battery cover and discovered the toys required disc-like batteries. I priced them at Wal-Mart...$5.67 for three batteries. Each toy requires three batteries. So, new batteries would cost $22.68. I decided that this was not happening, so I told Caleb he'd have to make his own voices for Scoop, Muck, Dizzy, and Lofty.

Then I made a trip to the Dollar Tree for something else. I didn't find what I was looking for, but I passed by a battery display before leaving the store. I spotted disc-like batteries. Could this be for real? Could I really get a package of three batteries for just $1? No, but I was able to pick up eight batteries for $1. No joke. The exact batteries I needed, for all four toys, for under $2! Take note and remember this information!

Roll Over Day!

Sarah rolled over this afternoon!

I had her on the Baby Einstein activity mat for about 30 minutes while I fixed dinner. Then I turned her over for some tummy time. When I left her to go wake Caleb from his nap, she looked like a paratrooper--arms and legs straight out--just squirming away. When I returned to check on her, she was on her back!

**UPDATE**

I have tried and tried and tried to get her on video rolling over. I have nine videos on our camera, and this is the only one that has her rolling over. She was too quick for me to catch the whole thing!

Caleb's First REAL Haircut

Although I've cut Caleb's hair myself many times, I've never taken him to have it cut by someone else. There is a great little haircut place for the kiddos in the local kids' resale shop, but I didn't do any planning ahead, I just stopped by Great Clips on a whim yesterday. Here is the result...I was pleased.

How do you like it?

The finished product!

MUCH better than I've ever done!

He had his first electric trimmer experience. He handled it like a pro!

Defective Diapers

**UPDATE** I received a coupon for a free package of diapers and two coupons for $1 off any Huggies product.

Can you tell what's wrong with this diaper?

Jadie was actually the one to open this package of diapers, but he didn't say he noticed anything wrong. When I tried to put the second diaper, I noticed something was wrong right away. I asked Jadie if he had trouble putting her diaper on. He said, "Yeah, it was too small, but I used it anyway." Ha! These aren't too small. And they better not be because I have about 4 more packages this same size!

Anyhow, I called Huggies on Monday to tell them about my defective package of diapers. I was asked to go through the package to determine if the entire package was defective. It turns out that 11 out of 44 were defective, but the other 33 were just fine. She asked for the lot number from the package and said she'd send me a coupon in the mail for a FREE replacement package of diapers as well as several more coupons for the inconvenience. I'll try to remember to let you all know what I actually receive in the mail.

So, really, can you tell what's wrong with these?

Caleb Reads!

Well, sort of.

Apparently, he has memorized this book called Hot Dog. It is repetitive and uses rhyming words. It's sentences also go along well with the pictures. Sometimes when he "reads" the book, he says the wrong sentences with the wrong pages. But...all in all, this is a great start to reading! Way to go Caleb! We are so proud of you!

P.S. Our camera stops the video after 3 minutes. I did start a new video, but it was only 10 seconds long. You get the idea anyway!

Growing Girl

We had Sarah's two month check this morning. This appointment was much better than her nightmare of an appointment at two weeks. Apparently getting into the doctor's office (with an appointment) during the first week of school means you'll be waiting at least two hours. This morning we were in and talking to the doctor within fifteen minutes!

After talking with the doctor, we had a jolly old time getting poked with needles! I went first and I took it like a champ for once. I got the seasonal flu shot and didn't even shed a tear. Trust me, this is usually a tearful experience. Caleb's flu shot was next, and he was already panicking as the nurse rubbed alcohol on his leg. What followed was not pretty. Let's just say I'm glad I brought my mom along so she could escort him to the car. Finally, it was Sarah's turn. She was not a happy camper to be awakened by having medicine squeezed into her mouth. She had to endure an oral medication plus THREE shots in her legs. Thankfully, that part is over.

As if today's trauma of the doctor's visit wasn't enough, Sarah is sporting her first battle wounds from her big brother. I'm sure he didn't intend to hurt his little sister, but I just wanted to scream at him at the top of my lungs. We were at my mom's new house (No, she's not moving. This is an investment property) just hanging around while the appliance man fixed the dishwasher. Caleb was rolling this knitting loom across the floor.

I had already told him not to roll it anywhere near Sarah's car seat, which she was sleeping in after having endured the torture that was her check up. As usual, he continued doing as he pleased, quickly forgetting my warning. Sure enough, as he tossed the ring for another roll, it whacked her right in the eye. She's got a red mark above and below her eye. Man, have I got a challenging time ahead of me.

Anyhow, here are Sarah's new stats:

• 10 lbs, 1 oz/3 lbs, 3 oz gained (40th percentile)
• 22.75 in long/3.25 in growth (55th percentile)
• 15.25 in head circumference/1.75 in growth (49th percentile)

Praise the LORD for:

• A healthy, growing girl!
• A little boy who doesn't listen...

Praying for:

• Continued health and growth for Sarah
• A little boy who doesn't listen...
• Balance and time management for me

Too Much Clutter

I've decided that my deal seeking blog entries are crowding out my precious family posts...so I'm moving all deal seeking, bargain hunting, and crazy cheap stuff posts to this address.

Not-So-Secret Saving

Have fun saving money!

Sarah's 2 Months Old!

This was the best she would do for me on her actual 2 month birthday.

Maybe it's the non-girly, but still very appropriate red "Hold Me, Hug Me, Kiss Me" Onesie. Maybe it's the fact that I didn't try to get a picture until 10pm. Maybe it's that I didn't even realize it was exactly 2 months until I was talking to a trio of grandmas at Wal-Mart last night who were oooooohing and aaaaaahing over Sarah. But I was left unsatisfied.

So I took about ten more this morning. She was still uncooperative. She has a new thing for her hands; She can't keep them out of her mouth. At least for the 45 second time period that I'm trying to take pictures of her. This was the best one I got. Enjoy!

You'd never guess Caleb's been feeling under the weather. He's had a cough and drainage since Sunday evening. No fever, praise God. I'm keeping an eye on things and we'll be in the doctor's office Monday morning for Sarah's 2 month check up and a round of flu shots. So if something happens this weekend, at least we already have an appointment. Sort of.

Good Point(s)

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.
5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

My Kid Is Obsessed With GEICO

Exhibit A:

P.S. That high-pitched squeal is Sarah. She wanted in on the action too.

Exhibit B:

Caleb insisted upon taking this card to PawPaw Freeman's for football time last night. He was totally distraught when he couldn't find it when it came time to leave. After I did find it, he began jumping up and down, saying "My GEICO, My GEICO!"

Exhibit C:

When the GEICO commercials come on TV, he is enthralled and has an ear-to-ear smile plastered on his face.

Free Greeting Cards for Preschoolers to Color

You can print free greeting cards from Fisher Price HERE. Caleb will love coloring these! When I did my thank you cards after Sarah's baby showers, he was very adamant that he do some of his own!

Thanks Melissa!