Valentine's Day

I have been dealing with a sick pathetic baby all week. Worst time for her to get sick is when Daddy is traveling and Mama's work week is crazy. But it is okay. We have had lots of snuggles. On Tuesday, when I picked her up from school her temperature was 101.8. And well it definitely kept going up, so she has been home all week. It is an ear infection, rash, and cutting teeth trifecta!

I was super sad yesterday to miss Mason's school party. Michael went in my place, thank goodness he is back or I would have been even more upset. I told him before he left take lots of pictures for me. He took NONE! Zero!!!! I was soooooo mad. I even sent him a text while he was there reminding him. MEN!

I am super grateful that our friends have a kiddo in the same class and that our boys are best friends, because SHE took pictures and sent them to me. Thank goodness. They were cute pictures too! Michael doesn't have the greatest picture eye anyway, so I am glad she was there and grab some of Mason.

Mason checking out all the Valentine's. He told me after it wasn't a Valentine's Day party it was a birthday party. It was 2 kiddos birthdays too. So there might be some confusion.

How cute is this one? Mason came home and showed me it right away. Matched his shirt.

These two will most definitely be Heart Breakers when they are older! 

Mason's favorite part! Candy, cupcakes, SUGAR!!! 

Addison Allergies

When Addison was born we were breastfeeding champs. She started having some bloody poop early on. Second kid problem, I still freaked out. We were at the doctor within an hour. They said it might be a milk intolerance. So, I cut out all milk. ALL MILK PRODUCTS. What did that mean? I couldn't eat anything. After a few weeks, I started not being so crazy about it. I wouldn't read the backs of every product and she did fine.

Then we weaned her and started formula. I gave her regular formula, thinking she was good on the milk allergy problem. She did fine. No rashes. No weird poop. Nothing. Then 2 months into straight formula...she started having diarrhea. Every kid in her class had it. I figured it was just a bug. Three weeks into the diarrhea the doctor said lets go to Nutramigen. I was super familiar with it as we used that to supplement early on. It is expensive. The doctor thought at the very least it would give her tummy a break. So we switched. They also said after the diarrhea was gone we could slowly bring back the milk formula. I started that about a month ago. I gave us plenty of time in between.

It was a slow progression. As of this weekend, I was completely out of Nutramigen. Now, over the last few (2) weeks Addison has had a rash. Not a bad one but eczema rash. She is eating everything in sight, so I didn't know if it was formula related or new foods related. So, yesterday I didn't give her anything but straight milk formula. And the rash is now to her toes. I am guessing it is the formula. I am changing her back to Nutramigen and see if the rash clears up in the next few days. I also called the doctor about it. I feel bad for her. It is in all her little fat rolls, the bends of her arms. Everywhere! Her poop has been fine, so that was always my go to for the milk allergy. I know a rash can be a sign too, but I am so upset. Boo. Hiss! I would love to not have to worry about at least one kids rashes.

30 Day Challenge - Week 1

Week one is done. It was hard. It was soooooo hard. Both Michael and I spent some money. Michael bought some medicine, which isn't cheating. I had to get some woman products when I got a surprise visitor. Both are in the essentials category.

Now, for the Non-essential purchases. I am keeping it real here. Michael went to play poker Friday. He does this every month. I was so mad at him, because I kept telling him that it was spending money. His response. Only if I lose. I was so mad at him. Well, he didn't lose and he even won some money, BUT it was so breaking the rules. I knew he wouldn't be able to go the whole month I knew it. I told him on Saturday during an argument over poker that we might as well quit. He kept saying that I am the one who spends more money. As, I explained to him, this is for both of us to realize what we spend the most money on. I rarely ever do for myself. When I do spend money it is on my kids.

My payback, yes, I spent money. I signed Mason up for swim lessons for March and April and that required that I pay for said lessons now. Obviously, I couldn't wait until March to sign up for lessons in March. See money spent on my kids!!!!!!

Other items, I am refraining from purchasing right now. Mason needs new shoes. I put on a pair of his favorites the other day and his toe was all the way at the end. Now, I have a few a half size up, but they are too big. Barely, but still. I need shoes that lace up for him. He has one good pair of converse and some boots that still fit, so I can wait until March to get him new shoes. We will go shopping together and try a bunch on.

We will see how this week goes. I am guessing easier. Michael is gone part of this week on a work trip, which makes it easier on him to not spend money. I will be playing single Mom, which makes my life harder but busier. I will be heading to the grocery store today or tomorrow to pick up milk, eggs, bread and formula for Addison. Check out an update on Addison this week.

January/February 2016 StitchFix #4

This StitchFix was a HUGE disappointment. Out of 5 items, I kept 2, and really it didn't meet my requests. I had asked for jeans, so I got one requested item. I love love love jeans. I have specific information that I wanted low rise jeans. I also request great transitional items for Spring. I did receive a pair of mid-rise (WAY to high for my taste) jeans and NO Spring items. Not even remotely.

They changed my stylist this time around and I am requesting my last one. She listened to me. My last fix was ski clothes for night time and it was a 5 for 5.

Pixley, Greenich Striped Knit Top ($48) & 

41Hawthorn, Shara Herringbone Vest ($68)

The only items I kept. Even though, these two items are the furtherest things from Spring. I still like the vest and I thought the shirt went great with it. The Pixley shirt is super soft and I like the patches for detail! 

Just Black, Madelyn Released Hem Skinny Jean ($88)

These are horrible. Mid to High Rise jeans. As soon as I took them out of the box, I could tell the rise was too high for my from the zipper. Other than the rise of these jeans, which are completely not my style, the feel of them is great. The stretch is perfect. But what part of Low Rise do these jeans say. NOTHING. Okay, disappointing rant over. I also have spent less on better quality jeans. My jean prices range from $65-$200 and I have about 15 pairs in my closet. I know good jeans. 

Brixon Ivy, Sylvester Split Neck Blouse ($54) & 

Renee C, Melisa Mixed Geo Print Pencel Skirt ($48)

I know some of you are going to think both of these items are great. I have requested NO dresses or skirts. I have 2 kids I am chasing around. I never wear dresses, except to weddings or fundraisers. I was disappointed when my stylist said it would be great to wear to meetings. Yeah, those hundreds of work meetings I go to daily on the phone in my home office. BTW, my profile says that too. Also, it is a knit cotton material. In my business world, I have to wear suits to my business meetings, so a knit skirt would be TOO casual. The skirt was a great fit, and would be super comfy. Now the shirt, I liked the color, but the style wasn't great. My husband said I looked like I was on Little House on the Prairie. Now, I did have my hair in braids, but I promise he was talking about the shirt. It is hard to see the detail around the neck, but I just wasn't loving it, so I sent it back. 

https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5438494

30 Day Challenge

Michael and I decided that we were going to do a 30 Day 29 Day Financial Challenge during the month of February. It started Monday, of course. The goal, not to spend any money during the month of February.

The Rules:
     1. No eating out.
     2. Only buy Milk, Bread, Eggs, Cheese at the Grocery Store.
     3. Eat our way through the pantry and freezer.
     4. Nothing that is not essential. Like if we need toilet paper, gasoline, diapers...done.
     5. No Extra Activities.
     6. NO SHOPPING!!!!!

We decided to eat through our pantry, mainly because we have a deep freezer full of food that half the time we forget we have and therefore buy more of it or never eat it. So, we are planning to avoid the grocery store, except for items for the kids or items that won't last a month.

Michael and I have bets on who will break first. I definitely think it is him. Why? I work from home. I don't have people calling me everyday asking me to go to lunch. My day consists of getting up, getting kids ready, working, eating lunch, picking kids up, making dinner. Repeat! Michael leaves the house and goes to an office where people ask about lunch. For instance, he has a lunch Wednesday (already breaking the rules), but it is okay because it is a lunch that has been planned for awhile. But case in point. He will not make it!

What is going to be hard for me? No shopping. I am a shop-a-holic. Mainly for the kids. I have already been thinking about things for the kids like new shoes for Mason that I need to get. Oh well. I can wait until March. But it is going to hard. Super hard. I already realized one essential item I am going to have to get soon. Powder foundation. I am out. Like emptied it this morning. GRRRRR! I would wait, but I have a work trip this month, and can't go looking like a scary person.

I think it won't be as hard this month as it could be. Michael and I both have work trips this month. We will get to cheat sort of. We will eat out and probably eat very well, but on our company's dime and not on our dime.

I will give an update every so often. Hopefully we make it the full month! Wish us luck!!!

Happy Birthday Gabby

Today this sweet girl turns 6!!! I cannot believe 6 years ago I convince Michael to get a dog. And I cannot believe he found her. We adopted her and she has been the best fur child I could ever ask for. She listens, most of the time. She loves her brother and sister to pieces. She is super tolerant of them loving on her. She has the best personality. Even though, I can tell she is moodier about other dogs or she will hide in our room when she needs a break and that is a tall tell sign of her age.

She is definitely aging. Her gray and my gray are about the same. Too bad they don't have Doggie Hair Dye for her. She will be spending her day doing what she loves best...sleeping. I will take her out this afternoon to play Frisbee, her second favorite activity. Too bad the pool isn't open during her birthday or she would be in it today. The weather will be perfect today in the 60s so we may even take her on a walk.

I love seeing how she has changed over the years. She is thinner than she was during year 2-4 and a lot grayer. My old lady!

~Check back tomorrow for Michael and I's challenge for each other during the month of February~

Addison 9 Months

Weight: 17lbs 10oz. She is actually down from earlier this month. The doctor didn't seem worried about her weight, which is good, but does make me worried a little. She shot up when we started formula at 5 months, so might just be evening out.

Height: 28 inches. She is long, but not as long as her brother was at 9 months.

Clothes: Addison is still wearing 9 month PJs. 6-12 month clothes. There are some 6 month items that still fit and even a few 12 month items she can wear. I feel like at this age Mason could not fit into 6 month ANYTHING, so it is weird but good too.

Eats: Addison eats great. 4-5 6oz bottles a day. 2-3 table food meals. It depends on her sleep if she gets table foods with us.

Sleeps: She is still going strong on her sleep. 7pm-7am. Weekends 7pm-8am. The girl likes her sleep like her Mama. She also naps 2x a day anywhere from an hour to two hours.

Likes: Loves being on the move. She is crawling and pulling up to everything. She wants to walk so bad. She even lets go and stands on her own a few seconds at a time. She is proud of herself when she is cruising the furniture. She loves her Mama. She is constantly at my feet and using my legs to pull up to a stand. She cries/gets mad when I hand her off to anyone. Loves Loves her Mama.

Dislikes: She really really hates the car. If she doesn't have her paci in the car she cries. She doesn't need the paci except during naps/bedtime and car rides. I hate taking her anywhere that will take longer than 20 minutes unless it is nap time.

Teeth: Nothing. Absolutely no teeth.

What's New: Nothing new really. She is eating lots of yummy table foods. This weekend we tried Avocados and Scrambled Eggs. She loves to feed herself. If I place anything into her mouth it immediately comes out, she looks at it and then usually will put it back in. It is funny.

Here is Mason's update Mason 9 Months

My 3 babies. 

Big Brother helping guide her hand to that Cheerio.