New Stuff, and FoundHandmade

The EtsyBaby Team, of which I am a proud member, is having a "Spring Fling Challenge" in order to motivate us to create something new. We all get to enter an item and then we'll vote to determine a winner.
Well, I've been in serious need of some motivation, so I'm very thankful for this challenge!
So far, I've come up with two new items, and I *might* get another one done soon!
Here they are:

Bernie the Chocolate Covered Easter Bunny


Eli the Elephant


Let me know what you think!

Also, I found out today that one of my items was featured on the FoundHandmade Blog.
Check out the FoundHandmade Website for lots of handmade goodies!

My baby is growing!

Ainzlee is now 5 weeks old. Where has the time gone?!
I took her to the doctor for her 1 month check up on Monday. She is now 8lbs, 9oz and 20 3/4 inches long! I guess breast milk really helps put on the weight! (Now that weight just needs to start coming off me!)

Here's some recent pictures

In the Valentine's Day outfit from Brandon's workmates




Getting so strong!


Ready for church


What a cutie!

Potty Training - AGAIN

I KNOW I posted several months ago that we were potty training. But, we kind of lost steam and I gave up on it for a while. Not a very smart thing to do, I think.
So, we are trying again.
I just read a great article - Potty Training 101. So, we are trying some of their techniques. We have NO MORE DIAPERS for Ady in our house, and yesterday, I set the timer for every 30 minutes. I made up a "potty time" song, and sang it every time the timer went off. Plus, I started using stickers and treats as bribes. (which I never thought I'd do!) It worked pretty well. She did not have ANY wet accidents. But poopy is a different story. What's weird is that she usually only has a BM once or twice a day. Somehow, she had FOUR yesterday. And only 1 was in the potty. *sigh*
But, at least we are making progress.
She is super stubborn though. Today, I'm going for every 45 minutes. The novelty of the potty song has worn off. She's started saying "I don't like potty time!" Even my bribes aren't as exciting as they used to be. I've told her that if she would go potty without me telling her to, we wouldn't have to do potty time. But, I'm not sure she gets that concept though. I don't know if she can tell when she has to go yet.
We'll keep working on it. Hopefully, it will all be over soon.

More of my favorite things - blankets

I mentioned in a previous post about the "5 S's" for soothing a crying baby. The first, and possibly most important, step is Swaddling.
To properly swaddle a baby, you need the right kind of blanket. It needs to be big enough, and preferably somewhat square. The receiving blankets that are sold in stores work for maybe the first week. After that, they are completely useless. (Who came up with those anyway?)
So, I've tried to find other blankets that will do the trick. Technically, I could probably make some for myself, but I'm sure they wouldn't be nearly as nice as the ones I found.

The first one that I bought came from cootiepants. Coincidentally, I came across her shop because she bought from me. Just proof that shopping really is an advertising expense. *wink*
Anyway, the blanket I got from her is SO cute! It is very simple, just one layer of flannel, serged around the edges. But, it is PERFECT for swaddling! In fact, it was the blanket that we used when we first brought the baby home from the hospital.


We got another swaddling blanket from mamaslittlemonkeys. It is also very simple, but very functional! We chose the monkeys, of course, because big sister is STILL very much obsessed with them!

High School Tag

These Blog "Tag Games" are kind of fun. This is another one from my sister who must have WAY more blogger friends that I do. (Where do you get this stuff anyway?! ;)
It looked like fun, so I thought I'd play along, although my answers won't be as cheerful and full as sunshine....

High School Tag
1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL?
Of course, doesn't everyone?
2.WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE?
"Sunny" the amazing Sunshine Yellow, 1978 Toyota Celica. Which, for the record, was MY car first! I paid a whopping $500 for him!

3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY?
Yes. But I had driver's training. Ran a red light or two during that and the teacher threatened to fail me more than once. But, amazingly, I passed.
4. WERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL?
What is the definition of "party animal?" I had friends. We hung out. Very few actual "parties", but we had fun.
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT?
I had my moments. But I don't think so...

6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR?
Choir, of course. But, I was also a band nerd. I was only officially in one semester of band, but that was just so I could "legally" join the pep band and get into all the games for free. And so I could go to band camp. Yup, I said it. Band camp.


7. WERE YOU A NERD?
YES. Most definitely. But a very cool nerd. I was the queen of the nerds. All the nerdy boys wanted to date me. It's true.
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS?
I am not a very "sporty" person. But, I did go to lots of games.
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED?
Nope, my evil deeds were never known..... *wink*
10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG?
YUP!
"We took the blue from the sky on a bright summer's day and the blue from the rolling sea...
White from the lilly that blooms in May and carried them to victory.
Oh we're proud of our school 'cause we win every duel and if not spirit still is HIGH!
For we'll rise triumphant, victorious in the end, for we are SKYLINE HIGH!"

11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS?
In high school?? umm... Mr. Dunmire (band)... Mr. Brown (chemistry), Mrs. Roberts (Computers, and she lived across the street), The government teacher (old guy with white hair, can't think of his name), There's probably others, but that was a LONG time ago!
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH?
Depends. Hung out in the seminary building most of sophomore year. Spent a lot of time in the band room junior and senior year. I also went home a lot once I had a car.
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME?
Skyline High School
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS?
The GRIZZLIES! Light Blue, Dark Blue and White
15. WHO WAS HOMECOMING ROYALTY?
Does anyone care? Seriously? I have no idea. I never even went to homecoming.
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU?
Not a chance.
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION?
The all night party. Karaoke. Fun.


18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY?
Was that the day we went to Lagoon? I don't remember.
19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS?
Not really. Not officially anyway...
20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN?
Yup. 3 kids will do that to you.
21.WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE?
Junior year - Dennis Brown (I found out later that my brother paid him to take me how very sad for me)
Senior year - Jon Lofthouse

22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION?
Just went this summer. I think I've seen enough of those people. I don't know if I'll go to another one.
23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Yup. Little Caesar's Pizza for a year and a half.
24. WERE YOU AN HONOR STUDENT?
I had straight A's the first semester of my sophomore year. Kinda went downhill after that.
25. DID YOU TAKE SEMINARY?
Yes, of course.
26. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST FUN TIME?
Tough one. Probably hanging out with friends. When there wasn't crazy drama...
27. WERE YOU CONSIDERED SHY OR OUTGOING?
I think most people thought I was shy. But I could get crazy load too.
28. ANY LAST MEMORIES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Not really, just glad it's over and I never have to do it again!

Just Trying to Surivive

I won't lie.
This week has been a little rough.

Brandon went back to work on Monday, so I was left alone with all three kids.

Monday actually went surprisingly well. I got more sleep than I expected (which really isn't saying much), and I had the kids fed, bathed and dressed in plenty of time for school. I even (miraculously) got all three to take a nap at the same time. (Now that takes talent)
Then, I went above and beyond (ha) and made a delicious supper out of what little we had left in the house - Potato Cheese Soup. The kids didn't think it was so great, but Brandon and I did.

But, my triumph was short-lived.

Unfortunately, the yummy soup I made included onions. Personally, I know better than to eat onions. They give me terrible heartburn. But, they are oh so good, it's hard to resist every once in a while. I think the onions had the same effect on my breatmilk - and Ainzlee was up and miserable all night long.

Tuesday, I decided to be brave and take the two girls grocery shopping while the boy was at school. Not so much fun. It had been quite a while since we had really had a "stock up" trip to the grocery store, so my list was rather extensive. That meant that the cart was soon full and there was no room for Ady. She actually was remarkably well behaved (she didn't run away from me), but she wanted to "help" push the cart. This wouldn't have been so bad, except that Ainzlee started SCREAMING. So, I took her out of her car seat and attempted to carry her, keep Ady from steering the cart into everything and everyone, and shop all at the same time. Oh what fun.

By the time Zander was home and we had lunch, I was exhausted. But, I didn't get the amazing nap time like I had the day before. The big kids did spend some time in their rooms. I think Ady slept. I finally managed to get Ainzlee to sleep and I lay down on the couch. I had JUST fallen asleep when I felt something. I opened my eyes to see Zander's face inches from mine. He was done napping and wanted to play video games. I let him and tried to snooze a little while he was jumping around chasing the bad guys.

Wednesday was slightly better. While Zander was at school, the girls and I had some fun. We put Ainzlee on a blanket for some tummy time and Ady and I took some pictures.

Miss Ainzlee on her blanket from Mommys Little Monkeys.

My Girls

"Take a picture of my FOOT, Mommy!"

"Now take a picture of my LIPS!"

Baby

"Baby's HAND!"


Now, I have to survive today. No school for the boy. So far the morning has been pretty crazy with several fights having to be broken up. Brandon has tomorrow off. Thank goodness for reinforcements!

Hamster drama

Remember the hamsters that Brandon insisted on getting for the kids about a month ago? The ones that have been keeping us all awake at night? The ones the pet store told us were both MALE?
Well, this morning, when Zander was getting dressed, he called to us - "Mom, Dad, come quick! Look!"
"What is it Zander?"
"BABY HAMSTERS!"

Really.

Baby hamsters.

The hamster known as Black Stripe, who we've noticed was getting quite a bit bigger than Speed Racer, is the proud MOTHER of 8 little hamster babies.

Great.

Brandon took them back to the pet store. We'll keep Speed Racer.

Zander can have a fish.

Book Recommendation - The Happiest Baby on the Block

Every first-time new mom has been there. Up with a screaming baby at 3:00am for the ump-teenth night in a row. All you can think is "why won't this kid stop crying so I can sleep??!"

I was thinking about this experience today, and thinking about why this baby seems so much easier. I think it's because I know how to help her calm down. With my first baby, I didn't. He was about 6 weeks old when a friend recommended a book to me that was literally life changing. (When you haven't slept for 6 weeks, getting just 1 night of sleep can definitely change your life!)

The book is The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D. Now, I'm not saying that I agree with everything in the book. In fact, most of his theories about WHY his method works are a little out there, in my opinion. (He talks about evolution, how babies used to be in the womb for 12 months before our brains got too big...yeah...) But, that aside, the method WORKS!

Like I said, I read it for the first time when Zander was about 6 weeks old. It took a little bit of practice to get it right, but then, WOW! When I had Ady, I didn't want to forget how to do it, so I borrowed the book from the library. There is one page in the book that is the most important - the one where the method is summed up and demonstrated with cute little cartoons. I made a photocopy of that page and returned the book to the library (shhh). I wish I'd kept that page, but I didn't.

Now with my third baby, the method is pretty much ingrained in my brain, so I have been doing it without really thinking about it. This baby seems to be by far my easiest.

So, what is this method you ask?
It is the 5 S's

1. Swaddling - wrap the baby as tight as possible in a blanket.
   
2. Side - Hold the baby on his/her side or stomach.
   
3. Swing - Vigorously swing the baby from side to side.
   
4. Shh - Loudly "Shhh" in the baby's ear.
   
5. Suck - Give the baby a pacifier (or something else) to suck on.

You'll have to read the book to understand why/how this works. But trust me, it does! Ainzlee started crying this afternoon, and I did all these things, and she was out almost instantly. Like magic!
(And no, I don't work for the book company. If you can get it from your library - do it!)

New Website - and a Blog Makeover

You may have noticed that I've made some changes to my blog.
(Yes, I KNOW - It's about stinkin' time!)

I was very sick and tired of the old look, but I just hadn't gotten around to changing it. I figured while I had a few more days left of Brandon staying home to keep the kids busy, I had better take advantage and get some things done.

So

ta-da!

I might still tweak it a bit, but I think it looks quite a bit better than it did before. I'd love to get some opinions though.

I've also been working on a new website. Not that I don't love Etsy (ya'll know I do), but I thought it would be nice to have an actual website as well. I'm almost ready to officially launch it for the world to see, but I'd like to have some opinions on it first.
If anyone is willing to be my guinea pig and test my new website - I'll give you a 20% discount! Just use the code "OPEN20" when checking out. I have items listed there that aren't currently on my Etsy page.
Here's a link to the new site