The zoo

I almost forgot we also went to the zoo while on vacation. Something we didn't want to do, but decided too b/c we honestly had NOTHING better to entertain Avery. He loved the feeding the ducks and the goats. (more pics on myspace if you would like to see!)

vacation in a nutshell

i really did attempt to blog while on vacation but Avery decided to be a mama's boy so it didn't really happen.

So let's see...we ended up leaving a day early b/c we just couldn't seem to keep an 18 month old busy anymore. It rained/stormed just about everyday that we were there so this made it VERY hard to do anything outside.

The first time we brought Avery to the beach was going well and well....then he fell in the waves and then WOULDN"T touch the sand the rest of the week. So it made it very hard to be at the beach without going to the beach.

We ventured up to portland, Me to their children's museum. It was AWESOME!! Avery had a blast. We stayed for 4 hours and made for some tired parents too. At least he was able to be a kid and do what he wanted and when he wanted to do it.

He also LOVED the pool so we spent the time that we could there. He got to the point where he was jumping into the pool by himself and we would catch him. He loved splashing in it too...now i just wish we had a big pool especially in this weather.

The only time he would take a nap was in the car so we drove a lot unfortunately. I left him and Keith in the car a couple times to check out the outlets, especially carters. I sadly didn't get to all of them, but that's ok.

Keith had terrible and I mean terrible allergies the whole time we were there. Apparently I bought the wrong meds, he went through 2 boxes of tissues. We ate out a handful of times, but this too was challenging with an 18 month old.

We also made a trip to the ER. We thought avery had lyme disease. I had called his pedi and they said to bring him in...except we were 3.5 hours away. It was stated that it wasn't lyme just a bug bite and to keep an eye on it. Never a dull moment I swear...

We learned that we won't ever go on vacation for an entire week with an 18 month old again!!! Only a few days next time...it just made for a long week with very little sleep.

I have a TON more pictures....you can view them on myspace!

Tales of the beach part 1

ok so we haven't exactly made it to the beach yet....

we finally arrived in Maine around 4 yesterday afternoon. Avery did amazingly well in the car. He slept for 15 mins. Woke up as we were passing through DD in orange. We made a couple stops along the way for potty breaks. Avery got a stuffed moose at one of them. I stopped to look at a red sox bracelet he picked it up and wouldn't let go...at least it is quiet and doesn't take up much space.

We got to our condo, unloaded the car, and avery headed for the pool. Ok that wasn't in the agenda, but that's fine. We took him in and he absolutely LOVED every moment of it. He drank some of the yucky pool water by mistake, yuck! I'm sure we will be going in the pool again quite a bit despite what the weather might be.

After swimming, we went and figured out where we were, as we came in from the opposite direction. My mom wanted to know where we were...I quickly figured it out. We grabbed some pizza for dinner, avery actually ate pretty well, and then we went and got some groceries. The store was SUPER busy. I bought some delicious looking beef kabobs that we will have tonight for dinner. I only bought 2 as I didn't want a whole lb...yeah it was 2 lbs. But as long as they taste good then it will be worth it. We have a small kitchen with a fridge, micro, and stove, plus a grill. I got junk food as well as Keith requested it. I don't usually buy it
.
Then we attempted to put a very crabby avery to bed...haha yeah right. we started around 7 and I don't think he went to sleep until after 9, not sure on the time as i didn't have a clock. Finally we just put him in his pack and play and he cried himself to sleep. we had him in the bed with us and all he did was jump and bounce. So clearly none of us were sleeping. I tossed and turned all night and fought over the blankets with Keith.

Avery woke up around 4 am...so i laid in bed with him, then Keith joined us. It is now 5:30 am and I've been up since then. Mind you they are both SOUND asleep. Now I'm debating whether I can sneak out and get the paper and coffee...but im not sure about that. Maybe I'll take a shower...gee so many choices! lol

I do know we will be closing our windows tonight as we are RIGHT on the main road and there is TONS of traffic that kept me up all night. These are the nights I wish I was deaf!

Not sure what is on the agenda today...Keith wanted to go to church, but it depends on when the sleepy heads decide to get up. We are in walking distance to the church. We may just hang out here, go to the pool, and the playground. But we shall see what the day brings!

oh and i should add that the dvd player is broken...not good when you are trying to distract your 18 month old or to keep him somewhat quiet. we did bring our portable one that we used in the car. but we like to play with the buttons, so that has been used less frequently. I should also add that I had to go and pay FULL PRICE for a dora dvd before we left b/c I was going to go to the library and they were closed due to the ceiling falling in. But I got a variety dvd that has all his favorites on it, plus a veggie tales and kermit dvd. Who knows we may not even need or use them.

SOO SLOW!!

Can I just say this day is going by so so slowly!! We leave for our week long vacation tomorrow around lunch and man i feel like the last hour has been dragging.

All 3 boys are sleeping, the dog is in b/c of course its raining out, and the evil oil guy just came! At least I won't see the evil bill until I get back and they have better have only given us what we asked for. We are currently researching a better heat source, but we shall see. Something will break us eventually.

This week has dragged on by and I KNOW that vacation will zoom right along. It always does. Hopefully it will be a nice relaxing one and Avery will actually sleep better than our nightmare of a weekend a couple weeks ago. Sadly, I have to leave my beloved new fetish at home...cloth diapers. There is a laundry room but not sure how accessible it is. Plus we may be out and about so ill just take the disposables.

I am surprisingly all packed...not sure how I managed that. Usually I wait until the last minute to get it done. The car is half packed and the rest is just waiting to get in the car. Keith took my car to work today to get it out "of the yard". It doesn't go far these days, maybe once a week. Keith's car is a bit better on gas so we are taking that with us on vacation.

So no blogging for the week...unless I get bored and have really good internet access. We have a hookup, but its in the laundry room, im hoping the wireless will work.

Take care to all the 3 people that read my blog and I'll catch up when I get back and I'm sure I'll have some adventures to share!!!

Dumbfounded....

So I have been using cloth diapers on Avery all week and...

I LOVE THEM!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!

I should have switched a long dang time ago! Holy cow they are so easy especially compared to disposable and I don't throw them away everyday. I do one extra load of laundry every other day and that's basically it. Even Keith is liking them. Plus Avery looks so darn cute in them.

At first I was very overwhelmed with all the choices, styles, sizes, and care. But I found a wonderful message board and a few people that has used them so I have gotten help and opinions from them.

They seem like they can be expensive at first, but if you do your research its actually cheaper than disposable and plus its MUCH better for the environment.

I was lucky enough to find a local mom selling some of her pocket diapers and some aio(all in one). I got 7 of the fuzzi bunz and 3 motherease aio. I figured if i didn't like them I can just resell them. Well I'm keeping them, plus I got all 10 for $70! Not bad when they retail for $20 a piece.

I also got a trial pack from jilliansdrawers.com this allowed me to try out each of the different kind of diapers(prefold, pocket, aio, covers, fitted). It arrived on monday and I have been using them all week. Trying to decide what I like. The great thing about this package is that I can send them all back and get a refund(minus $10 and shipping). So all in all, Im not loosing a ton of money.

I think I am pretty set on the pockets and the aio are nice too...until today. I decided to look up how to fold a prefold...OH MY GOODNESS! They were so easy to fold...in fact I had already folded it without even knowing it. I try one on Avery today and he was so cute in his fluffy bum. yes they were bulky but they are so much cheaper and then I can get cute covers to go on them.

I am still pretty much up in the air about what I want to finish my supply with. Someday Avery will have a brother or sister so I can't wait to cloth diaper with he or she then. Its so much fun....who knew I would say that!

My mom and sister thinks I'm crazy, but I'm really not. It really is easy and its not the diapers they once were. Just as simple and NO they don't smell.

Here is a picture of avery with his fluffy bum!

I really try to be flexible...

ok so since starting this whole daycare process, I really try to be flexible. I know people are on tight budgets and childcare costs money. But why do I have a feeling I am being taken advantage of..

I have one little boy(J) who is a full time child. I have his contract written that if he's not here, I don't get paid. This is something that his mom and I discussed and there are reasons behind why its set up like this.(it also gives me a break from him if he isn't here) He has been very consistant and they are understanding of when I get paid and how. (probably b/c they were at a center before and most of my guidelines and pay rates are based on that.)

Well another little boy started last week(L). His parents call me friday night mind you, saying " we have some concerns about your contract" please call us back. well it was after 9 when i got home, and no offense but the weekend is my time to get errands done and see my family. So I was finally able to call them back sat @ 4. I left a voicemail and of course they never called back.

Today his mom calls to tell me of her schedule for the week. So while I have her on the phone I asked what the concerns were. Basically it was all about money...why do we have to pay if he isn't there? well hello he still has a spot in the daycare and I can't take another child on if the spot is taken. Basically I loose money if he isn't here...so to prevent that I have it stated "you pay regardless if he is here"(not word for word, but you get the idea). well why do you get paid for holidays? don't you get paid for holidays? so why can't i? I only picked the major holidays, there are some out there that pick every little tiny holiday and are closed and you need to get paid.

Her schedule changes, so I told her that seen as she is only part time and only for the summer, we could work it out that you only pay when he is here. Pretty black and white right?? wrong she was still confused! ugh...i hope she gets it now, but in the end I'm still loosing money. She really wants a full time spot, which I do have now, but I won't come the end of aug. I'm sorry but according to guidelines I can't have 4 under 2...I told her I would have an opening in Nov when avery turns 2. she says well everyone has an opening then, i need one now. Daycares can change overnight...so just keep asking and calling!

I wonder what I got myself into sometimes!

a day in the life...

of me! so it seems I haven't really blogged much lately. Its not that I don't have anything to say, b/c boy do I ever. I just don't seem to have the time. By the time I am done checking my email and what not...all my brain compacity is spent!

So an update of sorts. My baby sister graduated high school a week ago. I couldn't see her very well b/c we were sitting so far back, but she did actually recieve her diploma!

We stayed at my aunt's house friday night through sunday. BIG MISTAKE AND IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! Highlights from the weekend: people saying I allow my son to do anything he wants too(he didn't do anything that was unsafe. he was overall pretty good) so he played with the stereo buttons and was looking at her pictures(she almost cut his fingers off for looking at it) but in all honestly she knew he was coming, he's an active 18 month old boy, she could have childproofed, and I was watching him like a hawk. He was just sitting there looking at the pic(no lie, my sister can vouch). My aunt complained all he did was cry...well you would too if you were in a strange house, and NOT sleeping. He slept a little bit but was not himself. it was also hotter than the amazon that weekend. I basically stayed so Avery had a chance to spend time with my grandparents and he did. We went to my old church sunday morning and Avery was a prince. A little clingy, but that is expected around people he dosesn't know. He didn't eat particularly well either. At least its over.

I have recently decided to go with cloth diapers. My mom thinks I am absolutely crazy, but I am determined to prove her wrong. I should have done it a long time ago, but with the economy the way it is, I'm trying to save every penny I can. Today was the first full day that Avery has been in them and so far so good. He seems to like them and I am learning along the way. Right now we have some pockets and all in ones, and hopefully my variety pack will arrive today so I can try out a fitted and prefold. Great thing about the package arriving today? I get to send them back for almost a full refund(minus $10 and shipping). seems pretty good to me! Even Amy is going to give them a shot soon too for gracie and for the new baby. I hope she likes them too.

Last night we had all my inlaws over(i say all meaning my brother in laws too).It took a VERY long time for them to warm up to Avery...but that's what happens when you don't make time to see him.(I can be a bit bitter at times about it, but I learn to pick and choose my battles now) I would love to see it change in the coming years but I don't have high hopes at this time. I was able to get a nice picture of Avery and his Uncle Shaun, and Keith and all his brothers. They were all actually looking at the camera and not goofing off. Keith showed them our cleaning robots and they were amazed. Shaun thinking he was so funny...had this conversation with Keith.

Keith: want to see the best investment for cleaning?
Shaun: get a wife?
me:haha
shaun:how much does it cost?(roomba/scooba)
me:retails for $200 roomba/$250 scooba (although i used coupons and discounts)
shaun:it might be cheaper to get a wife, actually Noriko pays for more things than I do.(his girlfriend)

they think they are so funny!Men...you gotta love them!

I also decided that if someone was to look into my windows on a daily basis they would think I am absolutely nuts! I am either singing, dancing, or talking to myself. I stopped myself yesterday and just laughed. ok so i normally have an 18 or 14 month old watching me...but NOT always!

cloth diapers

ive been thinking about making the switch for a while now. I seem to have a bag of trash a day with 2-3 kids in diapers. so i started to do a little research. Man there is ALOT of variety out there. Someone pointed me to a website that you can try out all the different kinds/brands of diapers to see what you like best. you can keep them or send them back. the only thing i will loose is $10(price of a pkg of reg. diapers.) great deal if you ask me! so hopefully it won't be too bad! ill still have disposable for vacation and out and about(but that may change too)
im kinda excited!

There are so many brands, styles, and information out there. I really hope it will work out. I like to do a little bit to help the environment along or to keep what I can out of the landfills.

afterall we don't have disposable clothes!

Awards Night

Last night I attended my sister's senior awards night. Basically they award seniors awards for doing a good job in certain areas. My sister got excellence in gym/health, and excellence as art co-op.

They also put together a video montage of everyone in the class. Boy could you tell who were the "popular" ones as they were in almost every picture. It was sad too that there were 80 something people and I'm sure not everyone was in it. Definately more than others. Apparently, they can be very...(ok im trying to say they have a lot of cliques and that spelling does NOT look right). They also had a classmate sing a song that he and another classmate wrote. It was actually a great song and maybe someday I can get a hold of the words.

They also did something called "class of 2008 future". Something we never did when I graduated. It was basically where you saw yourself in 10 years. Most people said, graduated, married, raising a family, etc. Some were even funny:one was about 2 girls skipping through a field wearing yellow tutus, and being chased by a deer. You could tell who the comical ones were in the class.

But this part really made me think. I was sitting next to my mom and grandparents, but also my old gym teachers. I had one as a volleyball coach and lets just say she wasn't a very inspiration coach and essentially made me quite the team and made me cry. She also belittled me. Well she walked in first said hi how are you? Then the other came in(yeah they are "partners") and she called me by my name, asked how I was etc. I always liked her better than the other, but at least she remembered my name! I was a little nervous about going knowing that his coach would be there...but I got over it.

I realized something...as I sat there with my wedding ring/engagement ring on that I was successful in my life regardless of what this coach thought or did to me. I might have been a "nobody" in high school, but now I have become somebody. I have a house, a wonderful husband, and a handsome son. So my life has never been easy and not always happy, but I perserved through it and came out on top! I went to college, got my bs, and now I am able to stay home and watch my son grow up. what more could a person ask for? It was like I wanted to rub it in her face and say "haha" so very high schoolish!

If you had asked me 8 years ago when i graduated where I was going to be in 10 years, I might have hoped that I would be where I am today, but honestly I didn't think I would be. Somehow, somewhere, someone was watching out for me. So that I am able to go back now and really say haha...

so where did you picture yourself 10 yrs from when you graduated? and did you make?

Growing up to fast!

I can't believe I have an 18 month old son...it seems like just yesterday I found out I was preg nevermind him growing into a little boy!

He has been so darn cute lately, I just hope this cuteness continues into the weekend where we will be with family all weekend. One can hope...

He has reminded me of a little bird! He had some blueberries this week(one of his absolute favs) and if i was holding one between my finger he would open his mouth and I would drop one in. Or if I had them laying in my hand he would eat it out of my hand with his mouth, just like a little bird might!

Also, when we are outside he waves to ANYONE that goes by in a car or walks by. He sits there waving his little hand with much excitement and saying "ello" just like I would when people walk by.(ok so i would say hello...) Last night we took him for a walk and he walked a pretty good distance before we got to the main road and we had to carry him. Mind you we were EATEN alive by mosquitos(such happens when you live in the woods and mommy has sweet blood). He was on Keith's shoulders and he waved every time a car when by it was adorable. He was also very proud of himself.

He has also learned the sign for "more" and "thank you". He says thank you as well(his version) but he actually uses them in the right context. He is finally becoming more verbal and able to communicate better. I haven't been very adamant about signing but he sure did pick those two up!

he's just growing WAY to fast....

Taking a GIANT leap!

yes that is right I'm taking a giant leap of faith here. I just hired "3" babysitters. Ok so not 3 all at once, but 3 sisters in hopes that I won't need to struggle to find a sitter again. Now that Avery is older I feel I can leave him. I have struggled with this for a while and so far all I've been able to leave him with his my mom, sister, and mil(mother in law). To bad my mil, is too "busy" so I've had to hire outside help. I know my mom would in a heartbeat, but she lives 30 mins away, same as my sis and they both work.

So I hired the sisters from church that know Avery and see them every week. They do really well with him while we are there and he loves them. I called tonight told them a couple dates and their mom called back and said that they could. (I don't have a preference as to who does what) The youngest is 15(i think). The bonus: I don't have to pay them $10/hr!! As this seems to be the going rate. I just can't afford that kind of money and I don't even get that watching a kid 40 hours a week. Their mom said to pay whatever and I said I would at least pay gas money(the 2 oldest drive) she said that is fine. I struggle with this as I know I don't want to be cheap, but 2 hours avery will be sleeping, so I don't feel $10 is worth it. I know they are just glad to get some extra cash and plus they love avery and he is a happy go lucky kid.

Next week is the first night(10th). Keith and I have to take a cpr course(yay...not) and then the youngest will stay with Avery so we can go out for our anniversary in July. Its about time I enjoy life a little bit with my husband again. Its not that I dont' want to spend time with my sweet baby boy, but I need adult time too. Something I have been lacking A LOT lately! Might make me a "happier" mom.