Thanks to Fly Lady I have a new morning treat. In one of the e-mail in the past few weeks she shared a recipe for an instant mocha mix to pamper yourself with. Even though I’m not a huge mocha fan (it can give me migraines just like hot chocolate) I thought I’d try it and see if I can make it work for me. Here’s my version
- 1 pouch powdered milk (I used Wal-Mart brand since it was the cheepest I could find-1 pouch=about a cup)
- 2 packets hot cocoa mix (I think it was Land-O-Lakes hazelnut hot chocolate-the single serving pouches)
- 1/3 cup instant coffee (I used some Folgers because it was what we had even though it is probably on the old side)
Mix all of these together in whatever you’re going to store the mix in and stir. I use 3 scoops of mix in a big mug and fill with hot water. My scoop size is a standard coffee scoop maybe 1 tablespoon or so. Since I like my coffee extra creamy I top it off with some half and half. This is also really good without the hot chocolate mix. Then you can add your favorite coffee creamer to it.
I’m so glad I found this because I’m the only one in the house that drinks coffee, and though I love my 4 cup coffee pot Mr. Man got me, it’s one more thing to prep and clean just for one cup of coffee. I can’t drink more than one cup or I feel like I’m flying high on caffeine. Plus, being prego I probably shouldn’t even be drinking the stuff at all. Now I need to make a batch of decaf to help me unwind once the kiddos are in bed.
If you try this please share how you make the recipe work for you!
After having the parts for over a year at least, I finally fixed the upstairs toilet and attached the diaper sprayer. I don’t remember when we got the diaper sprayer, but it was before we moved into the house which is at least a year and a half ago. It took forever to get one little par off, but once I got that it was easy as can be. My back is paying for it, but it was worth the effort. Now there are a bunch of other projects left to get done around here. Since we no longer have expanded cable I might get some of them done. A few are
- Patch holes in kitchen and stairwell wall
- Finish knitting longies for baby
- Sew some diapers for all kiddos
- Clean basement
- File papers for 2008
- Find our dresser tops again
The list could go on and on. Even doing one project a week would make me happy.
As far as the pregnancy goes I’m around 27 weeks or so. My current due date is May 18th I think. I’m feeling alright, uncomfortable, but alright. He’s moving a lot which is good unless it is a day he wants to camp out and have a dance party on my bladder. Life goes on though. The other kiddos are doing well and getting big. One of these days a picture will come.
So, I finally have something to write about!!
Today Mr. Man and I had a friend watch the kiddos so we could do something together. Sadly our day didn’t turn out as planned, but it was ok nevertheless. With baby #3 on the way we need to find a van. 3 car seats will not fit in either of our cars. We could drive 2 cars around when all of us will need to go somewhere, but that’s not ideal. We got one of those things in the mail to go see if you won a car so we went to start our car shopping journey there.
We started and ended the experience laughing. As we were pulling up to the dealership this morning the sales people were outside bundled up in winter clothes waiting like vultures for us to get out of the car. We went in and talked with the lady who picked us out. We let her know that we’re looking for a van or anything that will hold 3 car seats, and we don’t have a lot of money to work with. They get our info, do a credit check, realize we easily qualify to finance, and proceed to show us two vehicles. The first was some crossover SUV/Van thing. It was ok, but you couldn’t even fit groceries in the back. The next was a 2007 van which would be perfect. Once they saw we liked it they tried everything they could to sell us on it. There was no way we were going to commit to a car payment so they were wasting their time, but they wouldn’t take the hint. We said we needed to talk about it. They gave us the van to go home to grab our budgeting stuff and get some lunch.
I pickede up my budgeting binder and we headed to get some Chinese food. We looked at our numbers and realized it would be very stupid to buy the van right now. At the end of our meal we get our fortune cookies. Now at this Chinese restaurant the cookies taste like fruit loops so we never eat them. For kicks Mr. Man opens his up and starts laughing. It said, “Listen these next few days to your friends to get answers you seek.” After hearing that I open mine up and laugh so loud people are looking at me funny. My fortune read, “You will find your solution where you least expect it.” Now, we are not superstitious people who read anything into fortune cookies, or say that things are a “sign” very often if ever, but you never know God could have been sending us a confirmation through our cookies today. I’m not saying He did, but it’s just amusing how it all worked out.
After lunch we headed back to the dealership and tried to tell them no. They knock some more money off the van and it was a great deal, but way more than we were planning on spending. Plus, we have too many financial variables right now. Sure it was the only van on the lot today, but it won’t be the only van for sale in the Cleveland/Chattanooga area in the next 4 months. God will provide us with the vehicle we need when we can afford it. We’re going to keep looking and wait for our tax return and all that good stuff. As long as we find something by April or early May, even June all will be good.
Not much else has been going on. Baby #3 is doing well. I’m getting big and pregnant. The kiddos are growing like weeds and doing well. Mr. Man is about to start his final semester of school. I need to start knitting and sewing like a crazy person to make diapers and soakers for this little one, we’ll see how that goes. Even after cloth diapering as much as we have I have no idea what kind of diapers I want for this little one. Our stash is beginning to die out. Fleece is wearing thin, elastic is shot, and velcro is losing its stick. Some of these things I can fix, but I need to get motivated to sew up a new stash or find some good deals on used ones.
I hope your new year is going well, and I’ll try to make a blogging appearance more often.
I think this has been the longest time between posts I’ve had yet. In the past 5 weeks or so life has been semi-crazy, and at the same time I’ve had nothing to say. Being pregnant and working full time has been stealing away all of my energy. I’m now just starting my second trimester and I’m finally having some energy at the end of the day to get some stuff done around the house. Our mac died and the laptop isn’t doing the best so I’m not using it much. It’s more important for the laptop to survive for Mr. Man to write his thesis rather than me blogging.
Some things that have been going on in our house are…
- Ari’s using the potty on a semi-regular basis
- Both kiddos are learning more words
- I’ve been knitting up a storm
- I’ve found a local yarn store
- I’ve been working at a different bank branch and love it
- Mr. Man has almost finished up his internship
- Had a successful Thanksgiving cooking experience
- Have been listening to Dave Ramsey again and I’m getting fired up to really stick to our budget again
There’s a little update on us. One of these days I’ll get some pictures up, but I don’t want to hook the camera up to the computer just in case it causes it to overload.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Today was a successful potty day! Ari wore 1 pair of cloth trainers all day (except for nap-time) and had no accidents!! As long as we keep taking her to the potty she does a great job. Nap and bedtime are another story though. I can handle 2 diapers a day if it means she’s using the potty when she’s out of bed. She won’t wear cloth diapers anymore because “those are for babies”. Pull-ups are our standby for when we’re going out and about because it is such a pain to wash the car seat cover. My one complaint about pull-ups is that the absorbent stuff seems to leak really bad onto her skin even if she’s barely wet them. It’s like when she’s worn cheap diapers. I hope we won’t be needing those for long either.
#3 and I are doing well. I’m not feeling too bad overall. There are good days and bad days. I had my first week of working fulltime at the bank and that was alright. I think working helps the ick a lot. I can’t wait for the super-tired phase to pass so I have a bit more energy when I get home for playing, cleaning and knitting. The past few days has consisted of eating dinner and planting myself on the couch for the evening. I’ll take that over puking any day though.
Hope you had a good weekend!
We’re having baby #3! I had my first doctor visit today. I found out I wasn’t far enough along to see the doctor but had an ultrasound and found out I’m 6 weeks along and the 1st due date is for May 25. We’re really excited about #3, nervous about how it’s going to be with 3 (especially since we need a bigger vehicle) but excited. How can you not be excited bringing a new life into the world? I’ve already started to feel some pregnancy ick but it’s not horrible. A steady supply of crackers, ginger ale, 7up and tums should do the trick for now.
On top of finding out about new baby, I found out I’m going to be working full time! It will be great for now but I honestly don’t think I will be able to go back to work once baby is here. I’ve never worked full time before, and have never gone back to work just 6 weeks after baby has arrived. Thankfully there is time between now and then for things to change.
I’ve already started knitting up a soaker for the little one. The yarn is some I dyed earlier red, orange, and yellow. Some of it looks kind-of pinkish but I don’t think it’s too girly if the little one is a boy. Once I start full time I hope to have a little extra cash to buy some nice yarn and needles to knit some things up for a friend due in January or-there-abouts.
I think this is the biggest news we’ve had in a while. Here are a few updated pictures of the kiddos and baby #3.
Ok the little one is the tiny little thing next to the circle (yolk sac) in the black area. Not big at all. This is the smallest ultrasound picture I’ve ever had. I saw the little heartbeat today:) Not much to see yet but it’s our #3.
I couldn’t get a really good picture of Eli, but he was having the time of his life playing in the dirt. He was covered from head to toe. Dirt was up his nose, in his mouth, and everywhere else. If it wasn’t so cool off we would have taken the hose to the kiddos outside but it was straight to the bath after this playtime.
This little girl does not stay still. Thankfully the camera has action mode so I can sometimes get her face in a picture. Can you believe she’ll be 3 next month?
This is how I have felt for the past month or so. There has been a lot and nothing going on all at the same time. For the past two weekends Mr. Man and I have been at men’s and women’s church retreats which were amazing! I found out today that a full time position at the bank that I though would open up months from now or never will start October 16th. Mr. Man has had some stuff at work going on. Ari still won’t use the potty. Eli is walking everywhere. There’s been Hand, foot and mouth to deal with. Several mornings where you bring the kiddos from the bed to the tub because of poo issues. Mountains of laundry. WIC appointments, Dr. appointments, trying to make dentist appointments, realizing we all need haircuts, and just life.
I feel like we’ve been picked up and shook around like a snow-globe and things are slowly beginning to settle down a bit. Not all has been bad by any means, but a lot seems to be changing all at once. I know the changes are going to be good, just changes.
I was just starting to get used to being home more and really enjoying it when I get the surprise call to day that I’m going to be working full time. Thankfully we have a few weeks to get things worked out. (If you live in Cleveland and want to watch the kiddos Mon, Tues, Wed morning for a few hours we would love your help and will gladly pay you call us!) It’s funny how things workout when you least expect them to. I’m slowly getting used to the idea of working, and in the long run it will be good. Now if Ari can start using the potty in the next 3 weeks I will be a really happy mommy.
With everything going on I haven’t been able to do a lot of knitting which is really sad. Tonight I will be getting some done between budgeting and working on my Beth Moore “homework” for the Wednesday class I’m taking at church.
Now it’s time to make some peach tea, grab the budget stuff and watch some Jon and Kate +8.
Dell just released their new mini Inspiron laptops. This is what I *need* people. It’s perfect for what I need a computer to do right now. Internet, word process, it can fit in my purse, and it doesn’t even need to run windows! Some day one of these little computers will be mine.
It’s been one of those days folks. Both of our computers are going downhill right now. My laptop is no surprise. I’ve had it for about 6-8 years now and it’s ancient in computer years. I think it has a virus that I can’t get rid of, or it’s just dying. The Mac now has this wonderful 1″ white bar running down the middle of the screen. It is possible to use the computer (hence how I am writing this), but it’s really annoying. There’s no warranty and our serial number does not fit in the range for free replacement for this problem. Grrrr. A new computer will be in our near future.
I’ve only been working at the bank 2 days a week due to budget issues at my other job. This means I have been home more, which in itself I enjoy but not this week. The kiddos have had a mild case of hand, foot and mouth which means they have been banished from the church nursery until this coming Sunday. This will make 2 Wednesday and 1 Sunday for them not going to church to play. They are going crazy. I did take them to the grocery store yesterday because we needed food(I did sanitize the cart before and after so no one would get their icky bug), but they are going stir crazy. It’s still too hot/rainy to play outside and they can’t go to a park yet either. Between no church, going anywhere, being inside, mommy trying to get the apple people to help today it was an ugly day. Even the dog is driving me insane.
Days like this require lots and lots of sugar, but I’m trying to slowly dodge that habit so it’s just ugly. The house looks a complete wreck in almost every room, there’s still a lot to do and I’m not motivated at all. Somehow I will get some things cleaned up.
One great thing happened last week though. My parents are helping me out with a ticket to fly home! October 3rd Little Man and I will be traveling to the UP for a much needed visit home. It will be interesting traveling with him, but we will make it. I can’t wait to go home. I wish that Mr. Man and Ari could come too, but tickets are too expensive and I can’t justify paying $500+ for a 2 year-old.
*sigh* It’s time to go face the mess.
I have had a few friends ask about cloth diapers so here is another post about our adventures about cloth diapering.
Let’s start with some definitions and pictures.
This is a picture from Green Mountain Diapersof their prefold diapers. Prefolds are the least expensive way to cloth diaper. These need to be fastened with pins or a Snappi. They also need to have a cover. When I started cloth diapering I didn’t like prefolds a whole lot, now if I was home 24/7 this would be the main diaper I would use. I’m also at the point where I would love to try pins. Right now I only use snappis. For $30-50 about you can buy a complete cloth diaper stash of prefolds and covers. Not bad. Even less if you buy used.
Next up fitted diapers. Fitted diapers need a cover like prefolds. Most fitted diapers come with snaps or hook&loop as fasteners. This is a diaper I made to close with a snappi. There are some fitted diapers out there that are designed to use pins, but you don’t need to go there. Fitted diapers can have stay-dry liners made out of microfleece or suedecloth. These fabrics wick moisture away from baby’s skin. This is good for nap/nighttime when you don’t want the kiddos waking up, but bad for potty training since they don’t feel wet. Fitteds cost more than prefolds, but have a wide price range.
I don’t have a picture of the next one but you can visit the link. Pocket diapers are my favorite. Pocket diapers (for the most part) consist of a stay-dry wicking layer, an outer layer that is waterproof, and a pocket that you can stuff with various materials for different absorbency. Fuzzi Bunz are my favorite and have lasted for at least a year and a half and two kids and are still going strong. When I first started with pockets I loved microfiber insterts. They can absorb a lot without a lot of bulkiness. Now after longterm use I prefer stuffing pockets with prefolds. Prefolds wash better than the microfiber because they are a natural fabric and don’t get detergent buildup. Cost wise they are up there in price, but you can get one size pockets that grow with your baby. The Fuzzi Bunz I’ve used forever are size M. Depending on your kids will determine how fast you need to size up…obviously.
The easiest cloth diaper to use is the All in one(AIO). This diaper works just like a disposable except you throw it in the wash instead of the trash. It has a waterproof outer layer, absorbent layers, and some come with a stay dry inner layer. These are the most expensive but great for when you are out and about, for baby sitters and if daycare will use them. The blue diapers in the middle row are an exaple of AIOs. I made them from the Very Baby AIO pattern which I love. I used the same pattern to make some fitted diapers out of old t-shirts and sweatshirts. You can save a lot of money by sewing your own diapers out of recycle fabrics.
There are a bunch of accssories you can get to go with your diapers. The things you need are cloth wipes, some sort of diaper pail, and pail liner. We use a 13 gal garbage can with a foot open lid and the larget wet bag you can get. Cloth wipes are wonderful and worth the investment or time sewing them up. It is nasty having to separate regular wipes from cloth diapers to throw them away. You can get a diaper shower to rinse icky diapers in the toilet. We have one that has been sitting under the bathroom sink since we got it. It’s on the to-do list. My brain can’t think of any other accssories right now but they are out there.
To wash throw diapers with pail liner in the machine and do a cold rinse. Then comes a long wash on hot. You can use a small bit of detergent and it can work out. I’ve found that the best thing is original Dawn dish soap…lust a little bit. Only recently have I started using a little bit of bleach once a month or so on the diapers. Some people say to never use bleach, I say do what’s best for you. After washing do an extra rinse. Line dry or use the dryer.
Ooops, I forgot covers. For prefolds and fitteds you need to use a cover or you will have wet clothes and a mess. Here are a few kinds.
The first is a prowrap, next a wool soaker I made, and then a cover I sewed up. I love wool. It nees more care since it can’t go in the washer, but it’s a natural fiber and is more breathable. The Dora cover has a microfleece liner so none of the laminated part of the material touches baby’s skin. Covers work differently on each kiddo.
My advice for anyone wanting to try cloth diapers is to find a try-it package or just buy a few different kinds to try out. Everyone has their favorite diaper to use and one that works best for thier kids. There are a lot of resources out there so don’t give up and you’ll love the change!
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