Shout out

I have to give a shout out to my friend Jessica, for thinking of me when she was given some medium size gdiapers.  She decided they were not for her but offered them to me to try, it turned out I was already using the gdiaper system but was desperately in need of the medium ones.  It was a true blessing when she called, she gave me several gpants, liners, and the flush able inserts.  I just wanted to remind everyone that passing along an unwanted item can really make someones day.  Remember if you are interested in cloth diapering but do not have the funds, you can always visit diaperswappers, facebook gdiaper pages, and other groups on baby center and mom central and even ebay to search for used items.

Thanks again Jessica you really made not just my day but my month and they are really appreciated and in heavy use. 

Jayde

And So it begins

School officially started for us on August the 12 and it was super crazy the first few days.  The kids are now going on the 2nd full week of school and I think we all have the hang our routine.   This year we have a kindergartner, preschooler, and one in high school.  My teen dd also has tennis practice Monday-Thursday.  Everyone comes home hungry so this for the next 30 days I will be working on my after school snack list. 

Right now my goal is to be able to make a healthy snack and I have been looking everywhere for ideas.  I have a few recipes that I have been working on and so far so good.  I am looking for any suggestions of easy, quick, healthy, homemade snacks.  If you have any please leave me a comment and I will get back to you on if it passed the kid test.  This last week I made Pretzel Monkey Bread from Amazing Moms, it was a big hit with my girls.  We took it a step further and omitted some of the salt and in turn the girls dipped their bread in cinnamon sugar.  I love the fact that they have several recipes for monkey bread and I look forward to trying a few more.  This week I am hoping to work on a bento box inspired snack, fruit platter, a few baked goods and even some cookies just for fun.

Looking forward to a wonderful school year and looking forward to some amazing after school snacks.

How Old Is He?

Our son was born 2 months premature, he is considered to be a newborn right now.  He was born over two months ago but on a chart he is only a little over two weeks old.  When someone ask me how old he is I stumble to remember his adjusted age and feel like I should explain my fumble by stating he was a preemie.  I have read the articles and know that his adjusted age is how he is currently developing, but he had actually been on the earth for almost 3 months.  I know that at some point he will catch up and we wont have to give his adjusted age anymore but for right that is the best way to go.  I will get better at it with time and once I am truly use to it, I wont have to utilize it anymore.  So yes my son was born in May, but he is only 2 weeks old. 

Side note, his father want to celebrate his birthday every year on his due date not the date he was born.  We are currently still in the middle of that argument (discussion) and hopefully by next year we will be at some sort of compromise or I will have won.

What is Normal?

L2 is our odd child, she has been since the day she was born.  The moment she came into the world I knew she was different and she would play by her own rules.  She is a loving child and a smart child, but I have been worried that something was off with her and so I decided to ask for help.  She had a physical for preschool and after talking to the doctor she was given an appointment with the behavioral specialist.  I want to be able to find out if I am just over reacting or if she is really in need of extra help.  I have vowed to not paint her into a corner or try to define her, I just want to be able to handle it when she has her famous meltdowns and when she goes off on one of her moments.  The doctor said they will work with her twice a week and also help myself and my husband handle her issues so that she is not overwhelmed.  I will let her got to preschool without putting any stigma on her and if issues arise then we will discuss them with the specialist.  This is new territory for me and I hope that I can navigate it with grace and patience.  I look forward to learning about my daughter and learning how to become a better parent for her.  Is there a normal, nope, not really and if there is its definitely not any person in this house.

Jayde

Back to the Grind

In exactly one week my life will turn from late mornings and late nights to early mornings and late nights.  School is creeping upon us and as a parent I am not looking forward to it.  A lot of my friends will be enjoying the quiet and calm that comes with school, that sadly will not be the case at our house.  This year I have 4 kids in school; the one in college still counts.  Not sure what the preschool schedule will be but it will conflict with the kindergarten schedule no matter what.  High school schedule is set in stone and so is the tennis practice and games that I will be missing once again because of my duties as a mommy to little ones.  I walk the girls to school so these will be awesome exercise for me, which means I can drop the 25 pre-baby pounds that I have been battling with for years.  I of course can only think of the horror of shopping for clothes, shopping for supplies, the physicals (2 down 1 to go), the need to get on some kind of schedule to help stabilize my day (fat chance with a newborn). 

At home with me this year will be L3(2) and L4(newborn), which means nothing will be accomplished unless both are sleep.  I plan to continue to participate in the playgroup this year as soon as it starts up, which means 2 days a week my schedule will be even more insane.  I look forward to returning to the group and allowing myself some time to unwind and interact with adults for about an hour. 

Don't get me wrong I love the fact that they are going to school, but I can see the PTA meetings, the parents nights, the parties, the pictures, the yearbooks, the gym clothes and I panic.  I look forward to my daughters first day of preschool and kindergarten and hope that they have a wonderful year.  As the summer winds down, I look forward to art projects and homework know that these are rights of passages that all kids should enjoy.  So as we mark another day off the calendar I say to all the moms with crazy schedules about to impact their lives.  "Buckle your seat belts its going to be a bumpy ride"