1 Year Old!

On Sunday my little Bubby will be One Year old!! I can't believe we've made it a whole year! I remember when he was born and we were battling colic, reflux, breastfeeding issues, little sleep, and a fussy baby. I kept asking everyone "how much longer will this go on?" and everyone said different things:

wait till he's 6 weeks old, he'll be different baby

12 weeks is when things really start to settle down

at 6 months you'll see changes

9 months is the best age

the first year is always the hardest

...and you know what? I agree, the first year IS the hardest, especially with your first child. But God has totally blessed me with a beautiful little boy who loves to laugh and play and be tossed around and eat!


Bubby currently has 3 teeth (the 3rd one popping through just a few days ago, which may have explained the recent battle with diaper rash). He weighs probably around 25 lbs. and he's very close to walking. He'll take off with his walker across the room, but if he gets stuck then he has a big meltdown. He's also known for going from room to room and throwing everything he can on the floor. He still takes 2 naps a day and sleeps about 11-12 hours a night (this is awesome!). He can sign "all done," "more," maybe "drink" but I'm not sure if he quite gets it yet, and he loves to play SO BIG!

The Week To Come

You should take a look at my calendar! Next week is CrAzY! Here's the list:

Saturday-shopping for Bubby's birthday and getting ready for his party

Sunday-Bubby's 1 year birthday! 9:45 a.m. be at church for dedication, 10 a.m. service for dedication, 12 p.m. party and lunch with family, 6-8 p.m. possibly going to baby shower

Monday-Clean all day from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.

Tuesday-Clean all day from 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m., 7 p.m. Small group

Wednesday-Clean from 8-11:30, 1:50 p.m. Bubby's Dr. Appointment

Thursday-9 a.m. Bubby's other Dr. Appointment, spend afternoon getting ready for first Norwex show, 6 p.m. Norwex Show

Friday-9:30 a.m. Chiropractor Appointment, Rest of the day off to clean home to prepare for Launch Norwex show at my home on Saturday (Hubby's also working the weekend!)

Saturday-10 a.m. Norwex Launch Party (again Hubby working and I don't have childcare for Bubby...eek!)

Wow what a week I have to look forward to. Not only do I have to finish my Norwex training and prepare for my shows, I have to keep up with life at home: laundry, dishes, taking care of Bubby AND Myself, and probably planning a surgery for Bubby. We have to see a Urologist next week because one of his testicles didn't descend when he was born, and since it still hasn't dropped they will likely have to do surgery and bring it down. Not cool but apparently necessary.

And you know what? The week after looks very similar. It's going to be very busy all the way until Thanksgiving!

I'm Blue

Yesterday at MOPS we had a speaker who talked about personality colors. We took a test and figured out what our color was. The color results were:

1. Orange-Risk Taker
2. Blue-Nurturer
3. Green-Problem Solver
4. Gold-Organizer

I was a Blue-Nurturer. And you know what? It totally makes sense. The main description of a "Blue" personality is "people pleaser" and I am definitely a people pleaser. I am ALWAYS worried about what people think of me and how I am treating people. I do not like conflict and it's very hard for me to tell someone how I really feel (which usually brings me to tears because I'm so worried about what they'll think of me). The other day I was drawn for a raffle prize and didn't even go up to redeem it because I felt bad that other people didn't get drawn. How weird is that??? They ended up bringing it to me in the audience.

I am also the type of person to constantly obsess over what other people think of me. The Enemy likes to get me to this point so that I retreat into my hole and avoid having any community. Realizing this, I try my best to command the Enemy to leave, focus on God and spend some time in community.

At MOPS we also discussed what "colors" our kids were so we could recognize and respond appropriately when disciplining. For instance, an "orange" child loves attention, so disciplining them in public makes the thrive, however a child who is "blue" would feel humiliated if they got in trouble in front of others because they wouldn't be making everyone happy. It's nice to realize this early before Bubby gets older so I can pay attention to his behavior and respond correctly. However, I also need to remember that every child is different and no discipline model is best for everyone. Hubby and I have decided that as Bubby gets older we will really try to be consistent, because consistency is the best thing you can do when disciplining. Right now we are doing a lot of redirecting, and whenever Bubby touches something he absolutely can not touch; like a fan, cords, blinds, etc, we say "danger!" Obviously since Bubby's just about a year old that's all we can do, but as he gets older I will definitely think about his personality and how discipline will affect him. Right now I can see some "nurturing" personality in Bubby. He likes to cuddle and hug, especially when he's upset.

As I sit here typing up this blog post Bubby is opening his dresser drawer, pulling out all of his clothes and throwing them on the floor, replacing his folded clothes with kleenex's that he pulled out of the box, pulling down the curtains, and taking books that he's not supposed to touch off of the shelf.

Crazy Week

I'm not sure what's going on with Bubby, but if you remember from my previous post we've been battling diaper rash. However, that's not the only thing we've been dealing with, since Sunday Bubby's been having occasional diarrhea, constipation, and about 6-8 BM's a day (the obvious cause for his diaper rash!). I've tried getting him to the chiropractor but they are completely booked so I have to wait till tomorrow, and I've called the doctor's office several times with very little help from them. So, I've taken matter into my own hands, what else can a mommy do for her little one who's suffering?

Here's what we've been doing:
1. Eating lots of blueberries-apparently good for curing diarrhea

2. BRAT diet

3. Stopping all dairy-including switching to a non-dairy formula

4. Squeegee Bottle of water and cotton balls to wipe his bottom

5. Resinol mixed with Clotrimazole for his bottom

6. 2 Baths per day plus some diaper free time to air out his bottom

7. Pedialite and lots of water

8. Changing A LOT of diapers, even in the middle of the night when he wakes up and has a BM

9. Gripe Water

I know I've mentioned using Colic Calm before but we were out and couldn't find any in the store so we are using Gripe Water instead to calm his tummy. I haven't decided if it's really working or not because we've made so many changes in his diet and not much has happened yet. The doctor says it's just a virus and that I don't need to worry unless he has diarrhea for 2 weeks. 2 WEEKS! Seriously...isn't that a little long for a baby to be having diarrhea? If I have diarrhea for a few days I get concerned. Sometimes I think doctors are just nuts. Thankfully his diaper rash is starting to clean up and his BM's are looking a little more normal so I'm slowly coming off of the BRAT diet and giving him his regular formula again. We will see if things continue to get better! I hope they do!

Bare Butt Alert

Bubby has diaper rash...horribly! It's not bad enough yet to take him into the doctor for some prescription ointment, but we are pretty darn close.

Yesterday morning Bubby woke up and was super cranky. He had SEVEN BM's throughout the day and by 4 p.m. his lil' behind was really swollen and sore. I am blaming teething for this one (those darn teeth take their time to pop don't they?). Today he was super cranky again and his poor bottom was even worse. I called the doctor to see if I needed to bring him in. The doctor recommended I do a bland diet, get some Resinol Cream, give him a couple baths a day and let him go without a diaper for a bit. So...look out people there's a bare butt in the house! I was brave and let Bubby go about his room for a bit without a diaper. I have no idea if he peed anywhere. I am also letting him go to bed without a diaper (I'm so brave!). I plan to get him up and put a diaper on him when I go to bed in a few hours because he's woken up with a huge poopy diaper the past few mornings and I'm NOT going to be cleaning up poop all over his crib (or him for that matter).

I lost count of how many BM's he had today, but it was probably the same or more than yesterday. I am seriously praying that this goes away and that he stops being so cranky! I am also hoping for some regular BM's? Not anymore of these little squirts that make for a screaming child because his bum hurts.

More Randomness

Here are some more Random Facts about me...in more detail.

1. I am a t-shirt kind of gal.
I don't like dressing up, period. It's probably because 90% of my wardrobe is t-shirts and jeans, and ALL of my capri's are jeans that I've cut into capri's. I guess that show's just how frugal I am to not buy new clothes and my lamo style.

2. I am good at packing, but horrible at unpacking.
When I go on trips I am a very good packer and rarely ever forget anything because actually I tend to over pack. But when it comes to unpacking, my bag will sit on my bedroom floor for weeks!

3. There is always ice cream in our freezer!
The current flavors in my freezer are: Blue Bunny Monster Cookie, Breyers Reeses and Breyer's Chocolate.

4. You can rarely catch me on my phone.
I tend to leave my phone in places where it isn't always heard or easily accessible, which means if you call me you will most likely have to leave a message.

4 1/2. I'm horrible at replying to voice messages.
So pretty much if you want to get back to me you should just text or email. I check my email more than I check my phone.

5. Some of my current favorite TV shows are:
The Office, Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, The Sing Off

6. I am currently reading a book called "The Reckoning" by Beverly Lewis.
It is the 3rd book in her Heritage of Lancaster County series.

7. Every Christmas I like to watch:
The Chronicles of Narnia, Little Women, Elf, and It's A Wonderful Life

8. I drink LOTS of water!
I especially love ice water or chilled water.

9. My husband is an artist.
We have probably over a dozen of his paintings and drawings on our walls.

10. I'm not a very good baker.
I am more of a home cook than I am a home baker. I had to bring a pastry for MOPS today and you know what I did? I went to the local grocery store, picked up some $1.30 packages of muffins, the ones where you just add water, and made mini-muffins. But...I have no problem cooking a homemade meal every night!

Unmotivated.

This week has been such a downer! To be honest I've felt completely unlovable and alone. Whey does Satan do that to me? Probably because it was only a week ago I was feeling uplifted and encouraged so OBVIOUSLY the enemy has to strike when I'm doing well. What point does he have to attack me when I'm low? Deep down I knew he would come so I was trying to prepare myself by reading scripture, like:

My shield is God most high, who saves the upright heart. God is a righteous judge who expresses his wrath every day. If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword, he will bend and string his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons, he makes ready his flaming arrows. -Psalm 7:10-13

...and

Away from me all you who do evil, for the LORD had heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed, they will turn back in sudden disgrace. -Psalm 6:8-10

Well...the enemy struck and I am admitting to falling into his scheme. I've been feeling very lonely and unlovable. Hubby has been working a lot and I feel like I haven't really seen him in a awhile. I haven't had much time to spend with friends. I currently don't have a mentor which I've been longing for! I am so extremely worried about our finances and debt. I haven't been sleeping well. Bubby has been teething for what seems like 2 weeks now, which means approximately 6 poopy diapers per day and little sleep. I've been eating horribly (pizza, BBops, Chinese). I lost a client this week. I've had family in the ER. And lastly, my hormones are starting to go berserk because I'm done breastfeeding Bubby.

So, now that I've discovered my loneliness the only thing I can do is to give it to God and just simply trust. Too often I allow addictions like food or television to keep me from community or from striving to do better in my work. Well you know what Satan? God is on my side and he ALWAYS wins! I am thrilled to know that I don't have to fix my finances or worry about what will happen 3 years from now, or even tomorrow for that matter, because God told me I don't have to worry about those things. He will provide!

A Series On Apartment Living

Welcome to our bathroom!

Our bathrooms is very much updated compared to what it was before we moved in. The mirror on the wall used to be about a foot to the right (not even above the sink), the drywall was falling off, there was no shower-just a floor with a hose coming out the wall and plastic to create a shower, and the floor...I don't even remember what the floor was. So before we moved in our landlords put up some new drywall, painted, moved the mirror OVER the sink, put in a new shower, and new linoleum. Personally, I like this bathroom better than our previous home.

What I like about this bathroom:

1. Lots of light!

2. Mostly updated and fresh feeling

3. Easy to clean (with no tub, little counter space and a small amount of space it doesn't take long)

What I don't like about this bathroom:

1. No bath tub. I really enjoy baths! Growing up I would take a bath every night and then shower every morning. Not having a bath tub is really a downer for me. It also makes giving Bubby a bath somewhat difficult. Instead we have to set him in the bottom of the shower and spray him with the shower hose. We asked our landlords to put in a shower hose specifically for this purpose. Bubby doesn't seem to mind as long as we keep the water on him so he doesn't get cold.

2. Little storage space. As in any small apartment with a child, you really are limited on storage space. Literally the only closet in our apartment is our bedroom closet (which you will see how bad it is when that room comes) so here's my solution: dresser in the hallway full of towels and washcloths, hair supplies under the sink, toothbrushes/toothpaste and daily meds in cabinet above the sink, make-up and extra items on shelf next the sink, and baskets of brushes and more hair supplies on the shelving over toilet. I also have rods hanging on the doors for our towels. It makes for a not so nice looking bathroom, but it works!

3. Size. I dream of having a bathroom with tiled floor, a walk in shower with glass doors, a jacuzzi tub as well as 2 sinks and plenty of storage space. I'll be honest...I don't know when that day will come, so for now I'll just have to deal.

4. Old Door. The bathroom door does not lock. So when you come to my house: Door open=free for all! Door closed=do not enter! note: Bubby likes to sneak in the bathroom to unroll the toilet paper, flush the toilet, and pull my feminine products out of the cupboard to throw all over the place.

5. The only outlet is the one that is attached to the light fixture above the mirror.

6. The shower door doesn't always close all the way which means if I don't pull really hard so that it latches I get water dripping onto the floor.

In my opinion, this bathroom works. It has all the essentials and I'm VERY happy that I don't have a "hole in the wall" shower like it was before.

Just a few fun facts about our bathroom:
1. When you come over put down the toilet seat before you flush. I learned on Dr. Oz that feces go flying everywhere when you flush with the lid up! Seriously!
2. Bubby will gladly come and unroll your toilet paper for you, or flush the toilet. Just please wash his hands afterward. Again...I don't need feces anywhere, especially on my child!
3. Don't be fooled by the Bath and Body Works Foam Soap Bottle, I make my own soap and use the recycled foam bottles.
4. There is some room spray on the shelf above the toilet.
5. The seashells in the basket and picture on the shelf are from our first trip to the ocean at Myrtle Beach, NC.
6. The drawing above the mirror is hand drawn by my Hubby, and the wooden turtle is from our trip the Isle of Palms in South Carolina.

Our Daily Schedule

Our house is pretty routine these days. Now that Bubby is sleeping through the night and taking 2 decent naps a day we have a schedule that we seem to follow.

6:45 a.m.-Bubby usually wakes up. Remember how he used to wake up at 5:30 a.m.? Yeah, not anymore!
7 a.m.-Bubby has a bottle. No more nursing, he's all formula!
7:30 a.m.-Breakfast. I try to eat at the same time he does, but this doesn't always happen, often I'm putting dishes away from the night before, washing dishes, or packing my bag for the day.
Then Bubby plays till he's ready for a nap. This is usually between 8:30 and 9 and he'll sleep about 30-60 minutes.
10:15 a.m.-Snack and 2nd bottle.
Then Bubby plays some more till it's time for lunch!
11:30 a.m.-Lunch
12:00 p.m.-Afternoon Nap. Bubby usually naps for 2-3 hours, this is sooo nice!
When Bubby wakes up he has a snack and his 3rd bottle and then we play some more and take a walk.
5:00 p.m.-Dinner for Bubby, with a bath to follow at least every other day. Sometimes we will try and push him till 5:30 so he can eat dinner with us, but he doesn't always make it and we'll end up putting him in the high chair anyway.
6:00 p.m.- Bubby's 4th and final bottle.
7/7:30 p.m.-Bedtime

In the morning's Bubby has been doing a really great job of playing on the floor by himself. I usually sit on the floor and play with him, but I tend to start off by reading from the Bible and writing in my journal while he's playing. If he gets fussy and wants me to play then I will put off my God Time until his morning nap.

During naps I like to be productive...most of the time! I have to force myself to stay up during the majority of his afternoon nap because if I lay down I will most likely zonk out until he wakes up! I always try to make the bed (because if I don't then it won't get made until right before I go to bed), do the dishes, clean up toys, put any laundry away or start any new loads, and do one cleaning project (sweeping/mopping floors, wiping down bathroom, vacuuming, etc). That way the housework is always caught up. On days when I am working my Aunt usually does some of this for me (SO AWESOME!) so when I come home I don't have to do anything but relax!

Since the weather has been so nice this Fall we've been taking multiple walks a day. We typically go before lunch time and either before or after dinner. I try to go around 3 and 4 p.m. because that is one of the most boring times of day (not quite dinner time...yet you've been playing all day), plus it keeps me from watching shows like Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz which can sometimes be rather addictive for me. Not that I enjoy Dr. Phil that much anyways...it's mostly just to waist time.

I am so glad Bubby goes to bed early because that gives Hubby and I some alone time. We enjoy watching movies and are currently going through the Bourne series. We finished all of The Lord of the Rings a couple weeks ago. We usually end our day with some ice cream and a glass of wine as well. Our bed time is usually 10 or 10:30 so we typically get a good 3 hours of hang out time!

I've learned that routines are really great for young kids. When Bubby went to the daycare there was no routine, especially for eating and sleeping! He is so much happier these days and I actually enjoy being with him. When he goes to bed I sneak in and pet him or give him kisses because I miss him being awake! He's also learning a ton! He can now sign "more" and "all done" and we are currently working on "drink" which he's only done once. I don't think he quite knows what they all mean, but he will soon! Also, having a routine makes planning things so much easier! I can plan appointments, play dates, and outings without having to worry about interfering with his nap or eating schedule.