I'm not as good at this as I hoped to be

But, I hope that I get better.

On the 4th of December, Bob and I had a 3D/4D ultrasound done. We got to see some cool pics of the new baby and found out we're having a...

GIRL!!

So, here are some photos of our newest daughter:

Profile

Another Profile with her hand up to her mouth

She's getting a finger into the mouth

Her face (a bit blurry from moving) with both hands up by her head

She was not the most cooperative baby. =) Both times I went in, she was facing away from the "camera," so the Ultrasound tech had to really work just to get this one almost-full-face photo. Oh well, in 6 weeks she'll make her debut and then I'll get to see her all I want!

Not quite forever and a day

So, it's been a while since I've posted anything, but I could have taken much longer. =)

We finally cut Olin's hair this weekend and I thought I would post some before and after photos. I really liked his retro '70s haircut, but the back needed to be trimmed as it was about 1-2 inches past his collar. And, my husband was tired of being complemented on our little "girl." This haircut really was overdue.

Olin's Retro Hair

Squirming Olin

Really, is it any question that people thought he was a girl?

Haircut & the after bath complete

It's amazing. I have a boy again! Honestly, to me, he looked like a boy before. I dressed him in blue and red and sports stuff. Still, we received comments on what a cute girl we had. It's taking a little time to get used to, but it's just hair. It grows back. However, I really like the cropped boy cut!

Something I made

I don't get a lot of time lately to do any of my "crafty" things. I was able to carve out some time the other day and get this name frame done.


I've been wanting to make it for a while and now that I've got the bugs worked out (i.e. what works and what's too thick to be in a frame), I have another to make for my dear friend Bonnie and her new baby boy, Tiernan.

So, hopefully, I'll be able to make more things soon. It's really nice to be able to do something I enjoy with few interruptions. I really long for the day that I have *no* interruptions, but that's still several years away. =)

A quick post

to share this hilarious video. ***Edited to add: Not the most small kid friendly! Just FYI.

I was looking through random blogs today and came across this post.

In that post, she has a "literal" music video from YouTube. I'm posting it here. Bob and I were laughing SO hard. I hope you enjoy it!



So, really that's it. Just wanted to share a good laugh with you all. :)

From my computer's "archives"

**I had this post done, but had problems uploading the photos. So, here it is:

While searching for some other pictures, I came across these and thought the family and friends that read this might enjoy them. I know I did, but then again, they are my kids, so I'm a little biased.

Newborn Audrey

Audrey in the Hospital room while I was in early labor with Olin

Daddy and newborn Olin


Audrey put on chapstick. I call this look "Hey, baby!"


Jacob's Bath-time Mohawk


Silly Face Audrey

From the archives...

**I had this post done, but couldn't get any pictures to upload. So, it's finally here.

So, last year the Elmo Live tour came up here (I don't remember what it was called). Bob's Mom & Grandma entered the kids in a drawing to win tickets and a meet-and-greet. Well, they won! And, apparently, Jacob's name was announced on the news, but I missed it. I do have to rant for a moment, though. The "Meet & Greet" was a pizza party sponsored by one of the news stations. The invitation specifically stated one parent was to accompany the winners. Since Jacob won two tickets, it was him, Audrey and me. Well, they had prize bags for the kids. It was really cool, actually, because they were things that they sold at the show, including a pennant, stuffed Elmo, a folder and a book (that were exorbitantly priced at the show). Well, we should have received two. We only got one (Audrey lost out) because this one family brought the two parents AND ALL THREE KIDS. They were ahead of us in line, all three kids received a bag and Audrey didn't get one. I have to say that the people that were in charge of the program should have been paying attention to how many tickets each family actually won, not just handing them out to everyone and their brothers. I mean, one of the kids was a BABY. That baby didn't know what was going on, but my 2 year old kept asking me where her bag was. Yeah, it was great. But, it worked out well. Rather than having a bunch of Sesame Street crap floating around the house, we received something more useful as a "sorry" from the news station: a Gift Certificate to a local Pizzeria and coupons for free rounds of Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf. I guess it wasn't that bad, but I can't believe the nerve of some people, since I'm pretty sure one of the organizers went over to the family to try to explain the situation. If it had been me, I would have relinquished the extra gift bag. Anyway, on to the pictures:

This is cake, I've got this under control.

Okay, maybe not. I didn't know they were so big!

Well, this wasn't so bad. But there is NO WAY we're sitting on their laps like the other kids!

So, it's been a while...

Yes, I've done horribly with keeping up with the blog the last few months.

Summer is here and the weather is beautiful. We've had quite a few things going on:

1. We've been helping Grandma (kids' Great-Grandma) get moved in, I've been taking her out once in a while and now I think she's comfortably settled.

2. The kids caught a nasty, let me reiterate, NASTY virus. While dealing with this, I had kids that were gushing at both ends. That's the nicest way to say, it was gross. Did I mention I love being a mom?!? Olin caught it first and, I have to say, was the last to recover. It hit him hard. He lost a couple pounds and was miserable. The other two took about a week to fully recover. But, THANK GOD, everyone is better and back to normal.

3. Had family up for a whirlwind visit that didn't last long enough! (We miss you already, Papa!)

So, here I am finally updating. And, that's pretty much it!

I had a booth at a bazaar...

and met some really nice women. While I was there, I called my friend (you know who you are!) to talk about some of the deals I've been able to get up here using coupons. This particular bazaar was pretty slow, so I had free time...

Anyway, it turns out one of the ladies in the booth next to mine was a "couponer" at her previous base, was eavesdropping (she couldn't help it, our booths were right next to each other) and was impressed with some of the finds I've made up here. So, for quite a while we were talking coupons and deals and rebates, etc. Now, I will say, it's not my own genius that leads me to these deals. I frequent a website (www.hotcouponworld.com) that gives you the lowdown on these deals, store by store. However, it's a crap shoot as to whether or not I'll find something similar up here.

Also, when shopping, remember to ALWAYS look at the unit price. If your store's tags don't have unit price on them, go shopping with a small calculator handy. While there are times that buying large is more economical, I have found that a lot of times the smaller package of a product will be a better buy, especially after coupons. For example, I've been getting 10 count packages of BandAids for $0.33 after the coupon. That's (easy math) $0.033 per bandaid. The larger packages of various character bandaids are $1.14 after the coupon for 25 bandaids. That breaks down to $0.0456 per bandaid. So, always keep an eye on the unit price! Also, pay attention to sale prices or closeout prices. My Wal-Mart, for whatever reason, has the 36 count packages of Kotex tampons marked down to $3.89. The 18 count packages of the SAME thing are priced at $3.64 or something like that. So, duh, it's a fantastic deal after the coupon. Needless to say, when I went the other day to use up more coupons, the shelves were practically bare!

Anyway, some of the latest deals I've been able to get (I will list price AFTER coupon):

12 packs of disposable razors- $0.22
16 count Huggies travel wipes- FREE or $0.08, depending on which type of wipe
Rolaids- FREE after a coupon that gives UP TO $4.00 off on 2 products
Cheese Ritz Bits (the small travel size)- FREE, after coupon
Tucks Wipes 12 count, individually wrapped- $0.84 (definately handy with kids around, since it's basically just a wipe soaked in Witch Hazel, which is great for scrapes and bruises!)
"Go, Diego, Go!" Bandaids, 10 count- $0.33
Kotex 36 count tampons- $3.24
Johnson & Johnson Buddies Soap- $0.12
Dove trial size deodorant- $0.33
Ester C supplement 1000 mg, 60 ct- $4.12 (after $5.00 coupon! great for cold season)
Kotex liners 14 count- $0.37
Crest Kids toothpaste & Oral B kids toothbrushes- $1.17 each (have to buy 2 of each, it's Buy 1, Get 1 coupons)

Anyway, I know, I'm probably sounding like a freak, but I really enjoy seeing what kinds of good deals I can get. It's addicting... My latest trip to Wal-Mart, I only bought items for which I had coupons. My total before coupons was $114.58. After coupons, I paid $42.34. I've seen some people, mostly those who live in the Lower 48 and have CVS, Walgreen's, and tons of grocery stores, do much better than that. But, for Alaska, I'm happy with saving over 60% on things that I'd be using anyway!

Well...

There has been a lot of shopping going on...

First, our local Fred Meyer had a great deal on clearance clothes a few weeks ago... an additional 60% off. The next weekend, it was an additional 70% off, but they were pretty picked through by the time I got there, so I didn't find much. I picked up some goodies for my new niece, Cabrini.

Our local BX just opened a new facility, where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is in one building. So, they had a great sale at the old store on Feb 28th. It was a "we're not moving it" sale and everything was on clearance. I picked up some Levi's for Bob at 60% off. Levi's for $13.50 a pair? Yeah, I bought them.

They're having a FINAL sale this coming Saturday. Everything will be 75-90% off. I'm hitting that sale, too. What better time to stock up on things we need and/or want?

With the sale prices plus my obsessive couponing, I've gotten lots of free & dirt cheap stuff the last two Saturdays (this past Saturday was the employee only shopping). When I was there a few days ago, they still had LOTS & LOTS of Gerber items and baby/kids clothing, so when it's on sale this coming weekend, I'm getting a lot more. Look out for some fun boxes, Cabrini (and Mommy & Daddy). With some Gerber coupons I have, it'll be the best deal in the universe. :) I'm exaggerating, but, really, it'll be great!

While I was out shopping on the 28th (I think), I had Audrey & Olin with me. I was looking at the baby stuff at Fred Meyer and Audrey came up with this adorable outfit. While it wasn't on clearance, it was on sale, so I bought it... I bought it because Audrey brought it to me and said, "Look at dis, Mommy. I wanna git it for A-Beanie." Well, for Cabrini, but she can't say her name. So, it's A-Beanie. I'm going to get it on video, or at least audio, soon. It's so cute! I had to get it, since she picked it out on her own for her cousin... Here's the outfit, it's 2 onesies and a pair of pants:

"Made you Smile"

"Love Me"

In other news, we had a lot of snow this past week. From Thursday to Friday, we set a 20 year record for the amount of snowfall in a 24-hour period. I ended up getting stuck in my parent's driveway. I felt like a fool... I know better than that, but I didn't on Friday.

All that snow makes me wonder... What's all this talk about Global Warming? In my humble opinion, it's a load of bull, if you ask me...

Jacob's Valentines

This picture doesn't do it a lot of justice, as I took it quickly before Jacob went to school, but this is a picture of the candy box I made for Jacob's teacher. I made the box using Stampin' Up! paper and acetate sheets, filled it with Hershey's Bliss & Dove dark chocolates and attached dark pink ribbon and stickers.



Here are the Valentine's I made for Jacob's class mates. I stamped, colored and mounted the elephant panels to some pre-made, printed cards from JoAnn crafts. I procrastinated too long, so it took me a while the night before. I will definately make stuff ahead of time next year.

More evidence...

that if you are tired, you will sleep anywhere.

Sleeping, from the right

Sleeping, from the left

Yucky, dirty face

Messy ketchup face


Trying to get comfy cozy

So, like last time, after I took the pictures, I cleaned him up. He slept through it. I took him out of the highchair & he slept in my lap for a bit before I took him to bed.

It's been a busy week

... at least, it feels that way. My husband was busy doing other things all last week and into this week, so he was hardly around to help. I realize that I don't think I could be a military wife. I have the utmost respect for the spouses of our soldiers who are overseas fighting for our liberty & freedom. I was a military brat, but I was remarkably lucky that my dad was never gone for absurd lengths of time.

My oldest just turned 7 last Thursday. I can't believe how fast the time flies. We took cupcakes to his class last Friday to celebrate. It's not hard to impress 1st graders, that's for sure. They were thrilled to have extra sugar! Let's see what I can pull out of the hat for Valentine's Day.

All the kids have this lovely cold. And the weather is getting colder again. I was so enjoying the 30 - 40 degree weather we were having. Especially after two weeks of -40 degrees. But, alas, all good things come to an end. We are now back into our typical weather for this time of year... Hovering right around 0, with the nights going into the negative.

Hopefully I will have more pictures soon, after all the runny noses go away... Or, if I can keep them clean long enough to get a pic.

It just goes to show...

that when you're tired, you'll find a way to sleep.



Olin fell asleep while standing near the ottoman and made the ottoman useful. After the pictures, I took him to bed. But I couldn't NOT take pictures. It was too funny.

Dinner? I guess...

On the 9th, I had no idea what I was going to make for dinner. But, I had chicken, sweet potatoes, apples & onions. So, I cut up the fruit & veggies, put them in a dish and seasoned them with parsley. I placed the chicken on top, seasoned that with sage & rosemary, covered with foil & baked it all.

It looked like this:


Well, the veggies & apples were well cooked and I wasn't sure how they would hold up to trying to eat them with a fork. I had the *great* idea to just mash it like mashed potatoes. I should have known that after that the kids probably wouldn't touch it. It was good. I liked the flavor, but the kids were having none of it. I put myself in their shoes.


Admit it, as a kid, you probably wouldn't have eaten it either. But it did taste good... to my husband & me. I know what bothered the kids, I think. I should have used the immersible blender and really given it a good mashing. But I used my hand mixer, so the onions didn't quite get mashed up as well as I would have liked. I think that is probably what did it in for the kids. At least they tasted it.

My Kids... From Monday, January 5

Just a few pictures from last Monday, the 5th. It was still really cold. We didn't do much other than stay in the house and stay warm.

Peek-A-Boo

Playing with Daddy's Hat

Still smiling for the camera

Kiss the Camera

Audrey loves to pretend. She recently watched a Backyardigans episode where one of the characters was a guard in a museum. She kept walking around the kitchen with the magnifying glass, repeating "Who goes there?"

On a side note, it finally started warming up two days ago! FINALLY! It's around 24 degrees. Yay!

We love 'comets!'

It all started with a request.

My nearly-7-year-old asked me if I would make him an omelet. Being that it was a lazy Sunday and I enjoy cooking, I happily obliged. I don't run a restaurant, mind you, but I thought it a simple request. As active and slender as Jacob is, I was happy to give him something that he wouldn't fight with me about eating.

So, I made the omelet. With cheese & leftover sausage from the day before. And some Tabasco...

My daughter looked at Jacob's plate while he was away from the table (he can't sit still through an entire meal, not even one he requests). She looked up at me and said, "I want a comet, too!" Hence the title of my post. :) She's funny & cute! All too soon, however, she decided that comets were not her thing. She made sure to mangle it first.


I, on the other hand, was really craving a baked potato. So, I decided the rest of us would have potatoes and ham sandwiches. Maybe not exactly a balanced dinner, but not McDonald's. Had I gone through with my original plans, I probably would have thrown in an apple for good measure.

I made the mistake of showing the beautiful omelet to my husband. "Oooo, I want one of those," he said while pointing at it. *sigh* Okay. "Can you make hashbrowns, too?" he asked. Sure. No problem. I told him to tell his friend to come over for dinner, too. So, just like that, dinner plans were changed. But I still wanted a baked potato, so I popped four into the oven to cook while I made dinner for everyone else. Why bake one potato, when you can cook many in the same amount of time and have awesome leftover lunches?

I had omelets going in one skillet, while I fried up some hashbrowns in another. The hashbrowns were quite easy using the new Microplane graters I received for Christmas from my father-in-law.



Dinner didn't look too bad! I was a little proud of it. :)


And, just because, here are some extra pictures of Audrey with messy hands (from mangling her omelet) and Jacob.

Messy Hands

Jacob, enjoying gingerbread cookies he decorated with his great-grandma

She loves the camera!


Popeye Audrey