So, 2011 is here! I don't make New Year resolutions. I find it awful that every diet program, gym membership and all sorts of sports equipment/clothing are all over the commercials and in stores this time of year. Why don't we commit to "being better" all year around? (anyways, that's a whole other blog...)
This year I was pondering the thought of what my children would make for New Year resolutions. I know they are only 8 months, 2 years and 3 1/2 years old, but it was fun to think about. Here is what I think they would say...
Jack (8 months) - "I want to be fully independent of my mom in 2011. I will stop nursing. I will learn to walk and run. I will learn to torture my sisters for all of the weird things they've done to me in my life, and will fully assume the role of 'pesky little brother!' I will also give up all forms of baby food! I'm tired of eating mush and blender-made food."
Mia (2 years) - "I will finish this potty training marathon I've started and be a big girl on the potty! I will join the local diaper derby race and beat every kid in town with my amazing running abilities! I'm tired of everyone calling me 'tiny' so maybe I will weigh more than 20 pounds in 2011 and grow out of my size 4 shoes!!! I'll put my attitude and 'spunk' to good use and stick up for my little brother when someone picks on him! I will turn 3 in 2011 and maybe stop giving Mom such a hard time about everything!"
Bailee (3 1/2 years) - "This year is going to be a big year for me! I can just tell that my vocabulary and education is going to blossom! I will stop throwing fits about every little detail and learn to reason a little bit better. I plan on attending our public school's Pre-K program in the fall and hope to make lots of new friends. I'm sure I will have a few things to teach the teacher, but overall I think it will be a great time for me! As my sister tries to keep up with me this year, I will have to stand my ground and make sure she is clear about who is the boss in our relationship. I will not back down and will continue to dominate as the older sister. (Don't tell Mom, but maybe I can be nicer to her as I learn to be kind and more mature.)"
Me (the "Mom") - (if I could choose some resolutions for my kids, this is what I would pick!) All fighting between children will stop. No more conflict. Things won't matter to you, just the memories we made together. Please sit quietly when I ask you to. Don't pick your nose. And leave the attitude on your pillows in the morning. But most importantly, don't stop smiling! Sometimes that's what gets me through my day!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Uses for Lansinoh lanolin...
If you're a breast feeding mom, or have ever nursed your baby, then you probably have heard of or used Lansinoh lanolin ointment. It's a think vaseline type cream that you apply to your sore nipples when breastfeeding. It was a life saver for me when I started nursing my first baby, but did not need it for my second or third baby.
I was cleaning out my baby items the other day and came across a new tube of it that I had bought before having Mia. It doesn't expire and I hate to just throw things away so I researched what lanolin is used for. I was shocked at how many different things I could use it for! I am excited to try some of them!
The first and best use I found for it was to put it on cracked or chapped skin! Two of our kids have really dry spots on their faces that crack, dry up and get really sore. I cannot wait to try it on their dry spots and see if it helps!
Here are a few different uses I found... so, if you have any lanolin laying around, give one of these ideas a try!
1. Be used as lip balm.
2. Treat diaper rash.
3. Help heal minor cuts, burns and skin abrasions.
4. Soothe itchy stretch marks.
5. Replenish the lanolin in wool diaper covers and wool nursing pads.
6. Heal cracked, dry winter cuticles or wind- and cold-chapped cheeks.
7. Treat eczema.
8. Un-stick a stuck zipper.
9. Remove a too-tight ring from fingers swollen from pregnancy.
10. Moisturize dry and itchy skin on elbows, knees and heels.
11. Some sailors use lanolin to create a slippery surface on their propellers and stern gear to which barnacles cannot adhere. The water-repellent properties make it valuable as a lubricant grease where corrosion would otherwise be a problem.
12. Lanolin is often used by baseball players to soften and break in their baseball gloves (shaving cream that contains lanolin is popularly used for this).
13. Anhydrous lanolin is also used as a lubricant for brass instrument tuning slides.
14. Lanolin can also be restored to woolen garments to make them waterproof, such as for cloth diaper covers.
(I found all of this info at wikipedia.org and blisstree.com.)
I was cleaning out my baby items the other day and came across a new tube of it that I had bought before having Mia. It doesn't expire and I hate to just throw things away so I researched what lanolin is used for. I was shocked at how many different things I could use it for! I am excited to try some of them!
The first and best use I found for it was to put it on cracked or chapped skin! Two of our kids have really dry spots on their faces that crack, dry up and get really sore. I cannot wait to try it on their dry spots and see if it helps!
Here are a few different uses I found... so, if you have any lanolin laying around, give one of these ideas a try!
1. Be used as lip balm.
2. Treat diaper rash.
3. Help heal minor cuts, burns and skin abrasions.
4. Soothe itchy stretch marks.
5. Replenish the lanolin in wool diaper covers and wool nursing pads.
6. Heal cracked, dry winter cuticles or wind- and cold-chapped cheeks.
7. Treat eczema.
8. Un-stick a stuck zipper.
9. Remove a too-tight ring from fingers swollen from pregnancy.
10. Moisturize dry and itchy skin on elbows, knees and heels.
11. Some sailors use lanolin to create a slippery surface on their propellers and stern gear to which barnacles cannot adhere. The water-repellent properties make it valuable as a lubricant grease where corrosion would otherwise be a problem.
12. Lanolin is often used by baseball players to soften and break in their baseball gloves (shaving cream that contains lanolin is popularly used for this).
13. Anhydrous lanolin is also used as a lubricant for brass instrument tuning slides.
14. Lanolin can also be restored to woolen garments to make them waterproof, such as for cloth diaper covers.
(I found all of this info at wikipedia.org and blisstree.com.)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Uh oh!
I'm in trouble! Big trouble! My son Jack, who is 8 months old, is starting to pull himself up onto toys, furniture and people. Just last night Tom came into the bedroom to tell me that Jack had pulled himself up onto the kid's wooden table and was standing by himself! I was excited and sad all at the same time!
I have a few friends with children the same age and they are much more advanced than Jack, but I am in NO hurry for him to be walking! He is trouble enough already! He really is a good boy, but I don't need the added hassle of chasing him around everywhere!
Here he is pulling himself up on his driving car and seems pretty pleased with himself!
In this picture he was actually growling, grunting and giggling all at the same time! He is ALL boy! :0)
Look out Bailee and Mia... Jack will be chasing you in no time!!!!
Monday, December 27, 2010
A few tidbits from my day...
Hello everyone! Long time, no blog! :0)
I love the holidays, but I get so out of my normal routine! I've basically ignored all of my blogs, my Facebook friends, and I've only answered important e-mails. I've done minimal housework and spent all of my energy and time focusing on my family and friends. That's what the holidays are all about anyways, right?
Tom also has had some time off from work, so I haven't kept up on my normal daily things, but we have spent all of my time "being" a family. Not just getting through the daily grind, but actually sitting down and doing things together. It's been WONDERFUL!
I'm hoping to get back to my normal blogging and other household duties when he goes back to work, but for now I am enjoying our fun family time! (I have so much I want to blog about, but I'm not sure where to start!)
For now, here are a few photos I've snapped today...
All three kids were sitting on their little couch watching a baby einstein movie. Mia was so happy to "snuggle" with Jack!
This was the view from the back! Bailee's arm was around Jack and Mia was rubbing his head! SOOOOO Sweet!!!
We stayed in our jammies all day because there was a blizzard outside! Maine was in a "state of emergency" but we were in a "state of laziness!" I could certainly use more days like this!
Bath time was fun tonight. Jack was fascinated with the water I was pouring out of a cup. He kept trying to grab at it and would then giggle! It's the simple things!
I hope everyone is enjoying their "after Christmas" week. I know I am glad that the craziness of Christmas parties is over. We can now try to get back to normal life around here! :0)
I love the holidays, but I get so out of my normal routine! I've basically ignored all of my blogs, my Facebook friends, and I've only answered important e-mails. I've done minimal housework and spent all of my energy and time focusing on my family and friends. That's what the holidays are all about anyways, right?
Tom also has had some time off from work, so I haven't kept up on my normal daily things, but we have spent all of my time "being" a family. Not just getting through the daily grind, but actually sitting down and doing things together. It's been WONDERFUL!
I'm hoping to get back to my normal blogging and other household duties when he goes back to work, but for now I am enjoying our fun family time! (I have so much I want to blog about, but I'm not sure where to start!)
For now, here are a few photos I've snapped today...
All three kids were sitting on their little couch watching a baby einstein movie. Mia was so happy to "snuggle" with Jack!
This was the view from the back! Bailee's arm was around Jack and Mia was rubbing his head! SOOOOO Sweet!!!
We stayed in our jammies all day because there was a blizzard outside! Maine was in a "state of emergency" but we were in a "state of laziness!" I could certainly use more days like this!
Bath time was fun tonight. Jack was fascinated with the water I was pouring out of a cup. He kept trying to grab at it and would then giggle! It's the simple things!
I hope everyone is enjoying their "after Christmas" week. I know I am glad that the craziness of Christmas parties is over. We can now try to get back to normal life around here! :0)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My simple Christmas decorations
Inspired by my friend Sue & her blog, I decided to share some of my favorite Christmas decorations that are around our house. They are simple and humble, but they are special to me! Here are a few photos from inside my house...
A fresh bouquet of red and white flowers always brighten up a room and look Christmasy!
The front door!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Easy and cheap neighbor Christmas gifts!
Earlier this year I was searching for easy and cheap Christmas gifts for those people in our lives that are special to us. The people you love, and want to give a small gift to, but if you don't have a lot of money then it can be hard to think of something fun! For me, those people include, neighbors, close friends, our "mail lady," and our children's Sunday School teachers.
I wanted something that wouldn't take much energy, much money, but would be fun and memorable. I googled some different ideas and came up with this...
I was excited that the dollar store had packs of 4 wooden spoons for $1 and I watched for sales on brownies at our grocery store all fall. I used coupons on some to make the money spending even less. With some "online clearance" shopping I was able to find these Christmas books for $.25 a piece! Yes, $.25!!! So total, I spent about $28 to make 20 of these gifts!
Some of you reading this might be getting one of these gifts, so I'm sorry if I've ruined the surprise, but I couldn't help but share this idea with others!
I wanted something that wouldn't take much energy, much money, but would be fun and memorable. I googled some different ideas and came up with this...
It doesn't look fancy, but I fell in LOVE with the saying attached to it!
"Christmas is Jolly,
Christmas is Sweet.
I'm too stressed out,
So make your own treat!"
I've also included this fun book with cute stories and sayings about Christmas!
I was excited that the dollar store had packs of 4 wooden spoons for $1 and I watched for sales on brownies at our grocery store all fall. I used coupons on some to make the money spending even less. With some "online clearance" shopping I was able to find these Christmas books for $.25 a piece! Yes, $.25!!! So total, I spent about $28 to make 20 of these gifts!
Some of you reading this might be getting one of these gifts, so I'm sorry if I've ruined the surprise, but I couldn't help but share this idea with others!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas traditions!
I absolutely love the Christmas season! There is so much to be thankful for and to celebrate! And I enjoy starting and continuing traditions that our family enjoys! Here are a few traditions that I LOVE!
1. Putting up the Christmas tree! I love the ornaments, the lights, the smell, and the wrapped presents underneath! There is something so romantic about sitting in front of a beautiful tree and snuggling with your hunny!
2. Making Christmas chocolates and goodies. Every year since my husband and I have been dating he has helped me make peanut butter balls for Christmas gifts. This year will be no different, we just need to find a quiet evening together!
3. Christmas Eve we always spend at my Memere and Pepere's house. We have dinner, open presents and then go home to our first present of the year. Everyone gets to open one present Christmas Eve night and it's always new Christmas jammies to wear to bed!
4. Reading the Christmas story from the Bible Christmas Eve night before bed! It's the most important thing to focus on and it makes a great bedtime story that night!
5. Christmas morning (at my house growing up) started in Mom and Dad's bed opening our stockings. It gave us the chance to sit as a family, open our stockings, and Mom and Dad didn't have to get out of bed at 6:30!! Tom and I hope to continue this with our kids!
6. No breakfast until AFTER presents! We always had a big breakfast, but we didn't have to sit and eat until after we opened our gifts! Tom's Dad always made pancakes, so I think he should have to always do that too! ;0)
Since our family is young I hope to make new traditions as the years go on and continue celebrating the old ones we love! Do you have any traditions that your family celebrates? I would love to hear your family stories!!
Here are a few photos from our family Christmas last year... :0) I was pregnant with Jack and the girls have grown soooo much!
1. Putting up the Christmas tree! I love the ornaments, the lights, the smell, and the wrapped presents underneath! There is something so romantic about sitting in front of a beautiful tree and snuggling with your hunny!
2. Making Christmas chocolates and goodies. Every year since my husband and I have been dating he has helped me make peanut butter balls for Christmas gifts. This year will be no different, we just need to find a quiet evening together!
3. Christmas Eve we always spend at my Memere and Pepere's house. We have dinner, open presents and then go home to our first present of the year. Everyone gets to open one present Christmas Eve night and it's always new Christmas jammies to wear to bed!
4. Reading the Christmas story from the Bible Christmas Eve night before bed! It's the most important thing to focus on and it makes a great bedtime story that night!
5. Christmas morning (at my house growing up) started in Mom and Dad's bed opening our stockings. It gave us the chance to sit as a family, open our stockings, and Mom and Dad didn't have to get out of bed at 6:30!! Tom and I hope to continue this with our kids!
6. No breakfast until AFTER presents! We always had a big breakfast, but we didn't have to sit and eat until after we opened our gifts! Tom's Dad always made pancakes, so I think he should have to always do that too! ;0)
Since our family is young I hope to make new traditions as the years go on and continue celebrating the old ones we love! Do you have any traditions that your family celebrates? I would love to hear your family stories!!
Here are a few photos from our family Christmas last year... :0) I was pregnant with Jack and the girls have grown soooo much!
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