A happy mommy’s Weblog

My DD is so precious. She enjoys making long conversations with people who are playing with her. Her leg and neck are much stronger now. She can stay up with just one arm being supported. When you lie her on her belly, she lifts her head up for a long time and she even does this to flip herself on the side once in a while. She loves to smile, giggle and laugh. She’s such a happy baby. When she’s excited, she stretches out and turns her head from side to side. She loves her aquarium bouncer. She enjoys kicking the toys that dangle on her feet. It can keep her amused for at least 15 minutes. She started crying in the car on the way home at night, but attaching a night light next to her, minimized that. She also likes grabbing things. Many times she’s quietly playing with her burp cloth or her dress. She’s so cute!

DH has been feeling under the weather since Monday. He was out of commission till Tuesday. These are rare situations to our family since he’s the primary caretaker (errr spolier) of the whole fam! He was complaining of a cold/sore throat! I hate how that is. He warned me that I’ve probably caught his germs already and yep, now I have this annoying cold and a sore throat! The icing on the the cake of my darn canker sore, boo!

DD also has not been feeling her best lately. She caught a cold due to the temperature changes around here. She was feeling miserable, I felt so bad for her. She slept pretty much the whole day yesterday. Things are looking up, though. I think her cold’s almost out of her system.

On a lighter note, DS finally started potty training. We tried the whole going to the restroom every so often. We tried the wearing big boy undies. We tried the bribing thing. They didn’t work. We figured that he just wasn’t ready yet. Then, with my getting sick and DD’s arrival, we just haven’t had time to work on it. But since DH was home all day Tuesday, we decided to give it a try. We just put DS on long pants without diapers. When he felt his pants getting wet, we would tell us and we would rush him to the potty. It’s been working so far, but we’ve been putting him on diapers to take a number 2 and to go to bed. He ’s been having little accidents here and there but he’s gone at least 4 times each day since Tuesday. And that’s an accomplishment in my book!

Well, that’s it for now, gotta get back to DD!

Here are a few ideas on what to give your father this Father’s Day.

1. Remake his favorite meal from a restaurant at home.

2. Take out his car and fill it up with gas

3. Get some car maintenance done for him (get the tires rotated, get an oil change, get the car detailed, etc.)

4. Make a youtube playlist of all his favorite songs and music videos.

5. Give him a box of refills for his razors.

6. Put some favorite family photos in his phone memory card.

7. Give him a shopping spree to his favorite hardware store or electronics store.

8. Buy his favorite Meat and dessert.

9. Join him in his hobby.  If he likes bowling, golf or swimming, go with him.

10. TIVO his favorite TV shows for him.

11. Make him a card and write out a personalized message.

Hope these were helpful.   Fathers deserve much appreciation for the things they do for our families. Your present need not be fancy or expensive, just spend time with your father and enjoy each other’s company. He’d love that!

Last week was a great week for “almost free” Listerine Smart Rinse and some bandages from CVS. They also had a great sale on Pull Ups. I was able to purchase 3 bags for 15 dollars. That was a good deal.

I also had a great shopping deal at JC Penneys. I was able to use (3) $10 off coupons. I only spent $11.61 and came out with 8 items. woohoo!

My free Playtex BPA-free bottles also came in the mail. I received 3 in total. I’m so happy they all came in different colors, one pink, one green and one purple. Now, I just have to buy some liners and some more nipples.

And yesterday, one of the pastors from church gave us about $70 worth of diapers and wipes. What a blessing! DD has been going through them so quickly.

But I have to say, the biggest blessing we received this week are a few lessons to make us better Christians.

1. Learn to forgive, because none of us are perfect.

2. The best way to stay out of trouble is to be quiet.

3. Show other people you appreciate them.

4. Never burn bridges with friends.

5. Every problem has a way out.

6. If you want to help someone out, don’t hesitate, just do it!

7. Stop dwelling on your past mistakes, learn your lesson and move on.

8. Having children is a miracle, don’t take them for granted.

9. Do what’s right, even when no one is looking.

10. Love your spouse, honor your commitment always.

And with that in mind, may everyone have a blessed week!

This week DH has once again proven to be a wonderful “Man of the House.”

The dryer a set old friends gave us when we first got married stopped working as good as it initially did.  It was taking longer than normal to dry the clothes or it would only dry clothes every other time we would try to use it.  We’ve been canvassing prices for a new dryer and it’s about 400-500 dollars. Well, that’s a big heap of change and it’s such a big decision to make.  The washer we have still works and we have to put into consideration the size and type we’ll be getting. There’s way too much thinking involved in it, if you were to ask me.

Well, DH once again put his skills to good use in regards to this problem.  He pulled the dryer and squeezed behind it.  He did some examining, then some referencing online and he ordered some parts.  The parts came today in the mail and he started working in the laundry room for about 30 minutes.  Tonight, he came in the bedroom and announced the laundry I put in there for testing are DRY! YAY! 

The diagnosis of a repair dude would be $100 in itself, plus the cost of labor and and parts for the repair. DH’s final cost, $40 including shipping and handling of the parts! I’ve been blessed with the handiest husband ever! I love him so!

Here’s something a friend sent me in my email…
I thought it would be worth sharing…

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING
(A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say)

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’ t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of
life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,’Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn’t looking.’

I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW
WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT.

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.

How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by
sending this to someone else, you will probably make
them at least think about their influence on others.
Children learn what is acceptable and healthy from watching
the adults in their lives, as well as what is not acceptable
and is unhealthy.
Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

DS has been taking late naps lately, so he’s been staying up longer than usual. Unfortunately, I become exhausted and ready for bed before he does. So, I’ve been trying this strategy for 2 days now. I turn off the light and point to the clock. I tell him it’s late and when the clocks says 1:00, we have to sleep. He would fight me a little bit, saying he still wants to play. Then I would explain to him that it’s really late and we need to rest. I also tell him that his toys are right here and he can play with them as soon as he gets up in the morning. After my explanation, i tuck him into bed and he tries to fall sleep on his own. It’s been working so far—whew

This morning, I was the first one up so I decided to go over other ppl’s CVS scenarios online. Then, I saw my DS toddling towards me with a “Good Morning Mommy!” and a big smile. I asked him if he wanted to help me do the dishes. He said yes. I pulled the small step ladder so he can work at the sink. I started him off with the unbreakables. I taught him how to wash his sippy cups. He did really well. Then, I asked him if he wanted to help me fold the laundry. He nodded his head and started folding his sister’s burp cloths. He did much better than I expected. He followed creases where they were obvious. The rest, he just folded evenly (well, almost evenly). Then it was time to wake up daddy and the baby. DS helped me measure and put in water to make the rice. I also taught him how to use the microwave. He found the right numbers to press and I told him that once the screen says 00, we can eat. Then he jumped for joy! lol

I remember when my boss procrastinated on putting together her son’s 3rd birthday party. I can totally relate. I barely finished designing the invitations and half of them have already been given out today. Here’s a preview!

I just need to print and distribute the rest of them so I can start on making some crafty details. It’s gonna be a little tricky, because I want to make some decorations, but I want to be ECO and not be wasteful. DH reminded me that as long as I make my crafts and decorations out of paper, they can easily be recycled either at his work or mine. Both places have recycle bins for paper. Hooray for an opportunity to be crafty! And another hooray for being able to recycle afterwards!

DH got me the best Mother’s Day present ever! It was a sewing machine that also does embroidery! It came as a big surprise because I didn’t really expect him to buy me one, since these things cost a pretty penny. I actually didn’t mind receiving a cheap $99 machine, but instead, he got me one that did everything that I wanted. He’s so SUPER!

We’ve been playing with it, personalizing bibs and burp cloths. I’m also practicing some of it’s other stitches on some long overdue sewing projects. But I have to say, it’s DH who’s been having the most fun with it. Look what he made!

I can’t tell you how much the mini fridge DH got me from Target a year ago has been the best time and energy saver…EVER!

It started when my son used to ask for fresh milk whenever he woke up at about 7AM in the morning. Unfortunately, 7AM is still pretty early to us considering our schedules. We’re night owls, and since we don’t start work till later, we’re used to waking up at about 9:30-10 AM everyday. The worst part of it was when I got sick during my pregnancy for DD and it became difficult to get up.

The mini fridge allowed for me to just reach for the milk whenever DS asked for it. And now as an added bonus, I stock up with apple juice filled sippy cups in the mini fridge and DS just gets one whenever he gets thirsty. It works out because he’s been trying to become more independent lately. Not only does he get his own drink from the fridge, he also manages to change his own pull up when we ask him to. What next? Driving himself to Sunday School? lol.