Hot Yogurt?!

I've noticed these things in the baby food isle lately. Not in the refrigerated section. There's just something about yogurt which is still edible even if it's gotten hot that freaks me out. What is in this stuff? It just ain't right.

My 2-year-old cusses... and I am so proud!

Yep, it's true. K2 says "ass", a lot. Well, he means "yes", but it sounds like "ass". It cracks us up. The reason we're so proud is because up until about 3 months ago, he didn't say much at all.  He was 22 months old before he said mama. So hearing "ass" is like music to my ears!  He also says "caca", which is a term of endearment for his little brother.

He's had pretty intense speech therapy for the last year or so. We'll take him saying "ass" is progress!!! Go K2! Who knows what will come out of his mouth next!

Is it legal to duct tape your kid?

Seriously is it? My 10 month old (K3) is such a wiggle worm! It's a challenge just to get his diaper changed. And putting on his pajamas?! Forget about it. It takes two of us. Well I'm exaggerating a tad, but seriously it's tough. He flips and rolls like no body's business. You have to change him with ninja-like quickness. It would be so much easier if I could just duct tape him to the changing table.

Of course I'd never really duct tape this little nugget, but the thought has crossed my mind!

Mr. Wonderful bought himself a purse!

Okay, okay before he kills me... he bought it for me!
He did it all on his own, just for me! I was so surprised and impressed!  I love it! Thanks babe.
I don't call him Mr. Wonderful for nothing. {grin}

Sunday reflection

Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

~ John 14:6, NLT

Potty Training Rocks Sucks!

K2 & K1 think it's pretty fun/funny though! This is the second time that my 2 year old has TRIED to pee on my 9 year old. Little punk. Now if he'd just pee in the toilet. Arggghhhh, BOYS!

Okay so he does actually make it in the potty... sometimes!

Deal of the year!

I've been drooling over these Learning Towers for 9 years! I wanted one for K1... then for K2... and of course now for K3. They run about two hundred bucks... yep that's 200 big ones. Yikes! We've got much better ways to spend our money than on one of these suckers.

BUT...I love Goodwill hunting. I love the challenge and excitement of the search, the thrill of a great find. I love making up stories about where the objects have been... where they came from, why they're at Goodwill. I just love it all. The best part is that you NEVER know what you'll find. I get excited just thinking about shopping at one. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine. Case in point, I found a brand spankin' new Learning Tower for $19.99.  Still in the box, no parts missing! I was so pumped! K2 is totally loving it too. Now he can safely help me cook/bake any time he wants!

I wonder where all of my Goodwill donations end up!?

Blizzards in Texas

Yesterday my oldest son (K1) who is 9, got his cast off of his leg. Woo hoo! Well he still has to wear a boot, but it's removable, so that's HUGE! I decided that I would get him a celebratory Blizzard from Dairy Queen. We very rarely go to any fast food joints for meals, much less just for an ice cream treat, so it's a big deal around here! 

I ordered him a small cheesecake Blizzard and the cashier said, "that'll be $3.02 please drive forward." WHAT?! Three bucks for a small milkshake thingy? WOAH. I was floored. I mean they are good, but DQ must be REALLY proud of their blizzards!

I guess I don't get out much, but man, I could totally buy at least a quart of ice cream at the grocery store for that price. Of course I paid for it and it made K1 super happy, so it was totally worth it. But geez! 

To top it off, the DQ worker is supposed to turn it upside down right before serving it to you, and they didn't even do that!  Oh well.

Is it just me, or is that one high-priced treat?? 

Anyone?

Bueller?

Join the Boob-olution!

August is National Breastfeeding month. I cannot begin to tell you all of the benefits of this womanly art. Okay I will begin... it lowers the risk of childhood CANCERS!!! That right there is enough for me! But I'll let "The Bump" (a fantastic website) explain it for you... keep in mind this is just a sampling of the benefits!  Extended breastfeeding may not always be the easiest commitment, but it is the most rewarding and the least selfish thing that a mom can do for her baby.

10 reasons why
breastfeeding doesn't suck...

1. You'll feel far less crazy (we promise!)
A study of postpartum mamas found that those who breastfed their babies showed far less anxiety and more mutuality at one month postpartum than those who didn't.

2. It lowers the risk of childhood cancers
One study found the risk of childhood cancer in formula-fed children was 2-8 times that of long-term breastfed children. The risk for short-term formula feeders was 1-9 times that of long-term breast feeders.

3. ...And breast cancer in mamas!
Get this: If women who breast fed for less than 3 months were to stick it out for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduce by 11%. And if they stayed with it for 24 months or longer, those risks could be reduced by nearly 25%.

4. Smart kids rule
Studies show that breastfed babies have significantly higher IQs by 8 years old than babies who didn't breastfeed -- even after adjusting the stats for differences between groups and Mom's educational and social class.

5. You could save on braces
The longer you breastfeed, the lower the liklihood that baby will suffer from malocclusion -- aka a fancy word for misalignment of the teeth and dental arches.

6. It cuts down on childhood obesity
Breastfeeding has long been tied with reducing the rate of childhood obesity, regardless of Mom's diabetes or weight status.

7. Allergies and ailments are no biggie
Respiratory wheezing, influenza, diarrhea, allergies, and eczema are way less common in breastfed babies -- think about all those trips to the doc you won't have to make!

8. It saves lives -- and government money!
If just 90% of US mamas breastfed exclusively for 6 months, not only would an estimated 900 babies live, but the United States would save $13 billion per year. (Yep, $13 BILLION.)

9. Oh, and it'll save you a ton of cash, too
Believe it or not, formula supplies for just six months can cost upwards of $1,000.

10. You'll fit into your skinny jeans faster!
Breastfeeding burns an average of 500 calories a day. Yes, really. Need we say more?

Source: The Bump
(I do realize that some moms aren't able to BF for various reasons and they can still be great moms!)