Monk and Mama Date

Today Monk and I had a date. I have been feeling like I don't get to spend as much one on one time with Monk as I would like. Babies take a lot of time and energy so I tend to expect a lot out of Monk. It was soooo good to get out and have no rules. He loved playing at the children's museum. His favorite thing by far was the fishing boat fully equipped with life jackets and fishing poles.

He liked the bubble tables too

On our way home we went out to lunch. It was some great time spent together.

Makin' the Sauce

So I decided to devote my whole day to making the b-digity some baby food. I wanted to do this first and foremost for the health of it. Secondly I wanted to save myself a little money honey. So I kept track of everything I bought, I checked out at our local store with a bulls eye how much a glass jar of baby food was, and then I kept track of how many I made. A good friend of mine loaned me her glass baby food jars, HUGE PLUS, so I didn't have to spend any money there. I did run out and put some in ice trays and then bagged three "ice cubes" into a freezer bag. Ok so the news you are all waiting to here, how much did I save? I saved about $22.00 and my supply will probably last me a month or so. So lets do a little math here. Your baby eats baby food for 6 months say, that's $132 in savings. It did take me a long time, but there were many interruptions taking care of two kids. I made sweet potatoes, beans, lima beans, peas, carrots, peaches, blueberry peaches, plums, bananas, and blueberry bananas. I am sure I could have saved even more money by looking for sales on produce and what not. All in all it gave me a good sense of accomplishment.

Grass In Our Toes

We have been trying to enjoy the nice weather while we still can. Bebo felt grass in his piggies for the first time yesterday. He was in sensory overload.

Quick Weekend Review

It was nice not having too much going on this weekend. We were able to spend some time as a family. Friday night Monk thoroughly enjoyed his "house" pictured above. He was very serious about it.
On Saturday evening we went out on a friends boat. The water was beautiful, our kids were not. We had a good time, but as you can see from the picture above Bebo's life jacket is eating him for breakfast. He was a pretty good sport about it, but there was a little bit of crying involved. Monk wouldn't sit still so there was more than one occasion where he almost fell. We had a good time though.

Almost Disposable Free

So I made the permanent switch at our house and got rid of disposable diapers for the most part. I still need to find the right formula for Bebo at night and I will still use them if we travel or something of that sort. Monk made the switch easy on me because he potty trained so well. He is wearing training underwear for his nap and a bumGenius 3.0 for bedtime even though he stays dry, it just gives me peace of mind and he doesn't mind wearing them. Bebo has pretty much had a butt rash since he was newborn. It would come and go and peel, but since I switched him over to cloth he has not had a problem. There is a little bit of extra work involved, but for the most part cloth diapers are a lot easier than I thought they would be. I am happy with the switch!

Baby Wearing and Cloth Diapering Meeting

Come and join me on Thursday for a SUPER laid back instructional meeting on wearing your child and the differences in cloth diapers. If you are the least bit interested in either of these topics this is the place for you. I am going to have all my carriers and diapers there so you can look, feel, and try on! Bring your kids, get to know some other moms, and have some fun! There are two time slots for different schedules.

WHEN: This Thursday September 18, 2008
WHERE: The Howard Miller Library in Zeeland, MI (If you need directions email me)
TIME: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM AND 6:30PM - 8:00 PM

Lemonade

We may have looked a little crazy because Fisherman decided to take out the beach umbrella to keep Bebo dry. It worked GREAT though.

Small Business Expo

So I hate to say it, but this would be a GREAT time to get in some early Christmas shopping. The Sling Shack will be there and I also hear that Andrea from Tastefully Simple will have some delecitble items for us to taste. Come and check it out!

Saturday:
A Fun Filled Party @ the Prairie Winds Barn!
(Directions Below)
Saturday, September 13
11am-2pm

Businesses That Will Be Available:
City Leisure Bags-Suzanne Israels
Longaberger Baskets-Marilyn Kuipers
Wallwords-Tricia Haynor

Tastefully Simple-Andrea Brink
Lia Sophia-Kris Boersma
Discovery Toys-Kathy Casey
Beauty Control-Ruth Hurt
Pampered Chef-Nancy Baron
Herbalife-Jill Spoelma
Creative Memories-Melanie Zahn
Southern Living-Brenda Adsmond
Tupperware-Veronica Dubois
Shaklee(cleaning products)-Becky Pollack
THE SLING SHACK (Baby Wearing/Baby Items)-ME!

Purchase gifts for yourself of for someone you know!
Book a party to receive extra benefits!
Purchase items to take home!
Bring your friends, daughters, mothers, etc.
Enjoy refreshments and door prizes!
Take advantage of specials!
Try Products!
Directions:From Holland/Zeeland area:
Take Byron Center Road(84th Ave) to 64th in Drenthe.
Turn left at the corner. Go about 1/2 mile to the entrance of Prairie Winds. Turn left and go under the barn arch all the way to the barn.

Sling Shack Featured Item- bumGenius 3.0

The Sling Shack has a new item , bumGenius cloth diapers. After my long search for the right diaper for Bebo I decided to add to my store because I loved them so much. I tried about eight different brands of diapers and three different types of diapers and came to love the bumGenius 3.0 One size pocket diaper. I loved the fact that it fit both Bebo and Monk and I also found that I loved pocket diapers because they were easy to use AND they dried quickly. Out of all the diapers I tried the bumGenuis never leaked on my boys so I knew it was the right diaper for me.

bumGenius 3.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper Features:
* 3x3 snap design* adjusts the sizing to fit small, medium and large sizes (approximately 8-35 pounds)
* Trim, snug and comfortable stretchy tabs* provide improved fit.
* Wide slot makes it easy to stuff and remove insert
* Slot cover* keeps your baby protected from wetness.
* New waterproof insert stopper* prevents leaking at the tummy.
* Diapers are bundled with two inserts, a newborn insert for newborns and a one-size insert for your older baby.

Highly Absorbent The bumGenius one-size cloth diaper is one-size off the shelf. In addition to the regular insert, there is a newborn insert/booster with all version 3.0 diapers. The newborn insert is designed to reduce bulk for small babies.
When the baby outgrows the newborn insert, it works great as an overnight booster or extra absorbancy for a heavy wetter.

Cloth diapering has never been so easy! bumGenius! one-size cloth diapers offer an industry first, stretch-to-fit tabs (patent pending). Our unique tabs provide a comfortable fit and trim look. This simple design makes cloth diapering as easy as using disposables. bumGenius! one-size cloth diapers are perfect for care providers who might be resistant to cloth diapering!

Only the Best for Your Baby The soft, waterproof outer fabric keeps the diaper just as trim on a newborn setting as it is on a toddler. Soft, sueded inner fabric wicks moisture away from your baby's skin. Super stretchy, ultra gentle leg and back elastic with rolled out casings keep the yuk in and to help keep red marks away. Plus, our unique covered (patent pending) pocket opening keeps wetness completely off of your baby. After the diaper has been used, you can even avoid messes in your wet bag by rolling the diaper up and fastening the tabs before storage!

Come Check out the bumGenius diaper and the other neat things that we have to offer

Thirty-One Months Old 09/08/08 - Monk

Monk this past month you have come a long way because you learned how to go POTTY ON THE TOILET! I can't believe how easy you made it for me. I know I will never have it go this smoothly with any of my other kids. I have to say that when I sit down and think about it, it doesn't really surprise me that you caught on this fast. You have always been a go getter and have always caught on to things quickly. It took four days with only a hand full of accidents. Now you are even staying dry through the night. You are AMAZING little man!

This past month your talking has come such a long way too. We can sit and eat breakfast with each other and carry on a conversation somewhat. I love our breakfast and lunch time together. Bebo, you, and me sit together and slow down during our usually very busy days.

You LOVE treats. Maybe this is why potty training went so well? If there is a treat involved in the deal you are in 100%. Even before you sit your buns on the toilet you are telling me that you get a treat when you are done.

You are starting to have a little mind of your own. The last couple of weeks when you don't like something that I am saying to you, you tell me "don't talk Mommy." So here marks the spot, Thirty-one months and you are already back talking.

I love ya though kid! I love that you are up for anything and how independent you are. I never have to worry about you being shy or scared. I am so excited to be able to spend another great month with you Monk! I love ya! - Mama

Seven Months Old 09/06/08 - Bebo

Bebo seven months old little man! This past month has been a good one. You are getting to be so much fun! You are able to interact a little more and your smile is infectious.

Dinners have been spent as a family now that you are able to sit in your high chair and eat like a big boy. You just started eating some biter biscuits and you LOVE them. Cheerios and puffs have also become a favorite.

You love water! You just started splashing in the last couple weeks. This never fails to make me smile. The intent look on your face is priceless.

You love hanging out on the floor rolling around to get from place to place. You aren't really crawling or creeping yet, but you still get around really well. You love to be outside. If you are fussy a sure way to make you happy is to take you outside for some fresh air. Bebo you are a wonderful little baby. Not a day goes by that I don't thank your maker for you. I just love your sweetness and I can never get enough. You light up my life little man. Love you, Mama

The only word I use

For the last couple of days I feel like the only word that is coming out of my mouth is potty. We took the leap and started potty training Monkadilly. I knew the time was nearing and the straw that broke the camel's back was when we were camping a couple of weekends ago, Monk took off his diaper twice because it was full and he didn't like it. I vowed then that I would start the day after labor day. I have been putting this off because I wanted him to be ready. I have heard from many that if you try to train too early you end up training a lot longer than if you just wait until they are ready. It has been three days so far and the little man has amazed me. The first day he stayed dry through his 2.5 hour nap and last night he stayed dry through the night. He has only had a couple of accidents. I have to admit that I thought it would be worse than this with the way that people talk about it. Anyone have some tricks of the trade that made the whole potty thing stick for good?

Cadillac's Finest

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fisherman and I were getting gas when we spotted this gem. She was rockin' out man! She was making gestures like there was someone she was dancing for, but when we drove out of the gas station right past her house we found this presumption to be FALSE!

Bless-ED

Where do I begin with the goodness of our anniversary/labor day weekend? We had such an amazing time and the bed and breakfast we stayed in was the bomb digity. We were served breakie whenever we felt like having it and we had a choice of what we wanted. There was wine! The owners were the coolest couple there ever was and were so laid back. Our room had it's own kitchen, own bathroom, and it's own hot tub. The picture above was the view from the hot tub. If you are interested in going to this place I can give you the info on where it is. They have scooters to ride, which Fisherman and I did and we had a BLAST!

We went to this cute little restaurant on the lake. It was so nice to relax without the kids. By the end of our break I was ready to see them again, but I really did enjoy my time away.

This was our little buddy Billy for the weekend. He hung out with us a lot. He reminded me of a favorite cat of mine that passed away so I welcomed him. We loved this place so much that we just might go back again next year.

Seven Whole Years

Fisherman, we have been married for seven whole years now. Seven years of growing up and growing together. You keep me grounded, you keep me sane, and you seem to love me no matter what. Here's to seven more! Love you and as the inscription on your wedding ring states, forever yours.