Sunday, May 31, 2009

Swing Set is Done!





Like most things in life, the swing set was hard work putting up, but totally worth it. Now every day after lunch we go outside and play. Scott and Jake came over last Saturday and then Charlie was able to finish it up Memorial Day Weekend. Scott came over two Saturdays in a row, and we would not have been able to get it up so quickly without him! We are so thankful for him. We were prepared for how long it was going to take, and excited to now have some more time to get other projects done around the house....like keeping our house clean...haha! It basically took us all of May to complete and we missed out on Chick Fil A Tuesday night Family nights. But again, totally worth it. I think Charlie now things he can build anything. Yay for us!

I did order a baby swing for Abigail that should be coming in the mail this week!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Children's Place 20% Off Coupon

Click here and print to get a 20% off coupon to Children's Place till June 7th. You know it is my favorite children's clothing store! I just bought Abigail 3 zip up Pj's, Jackson two pairs of shorts, and some shoes for $38 and I earned points. Still within my goal of not spending more than $500 a year on both of my babies clothes.

I found it off a great new blog I found entitled $30 a week grocery challenge. Check it out here.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Fun Friday: Art Day



Friday is Art Day at the Wallace house. Before nap and after lunch I try my best to do an art project of some sort. Usually we just color. However, after Jackson was in Puggles last year I learned that kids still play with playdough. Yay! Ashley had them playing with playdough at the beginning of every Puggle Time. Jackson had no clue what playdough was so he would not play with it. I feel so out of the loop sometimes with my friends that have older children, I am thinking to myself that is so cool that kids still enjoy playing with playdough.

So I got some playdough but it was pretty boring for Jackson so last week I got an animal kit for $5 at Walmart and today we made animals. He was very excited about the elephant. I know the next step will be painting of some sort, but I am a little nervous about the mess that painting is going to make. Any advice on more fun arts and crafts projected to do with 2 year olds?

Random Advice Needed


on my Sunday clothes situation.

I really need a cute white top to go with these skirts as well as a cute white sweater so go over the outfit since it is so cold at church. For some reason I cannot find a cute white top or sweater anywhere. I have looked at Old Navy, Belks, Ann Taylor Loft, and online. I have even started looking in junior section of department stores. Actually, I got both these really cute shirts about four years ago in a junior department (I just get the biggest size..haha). They are great because they are colorful and not too short.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where I can find a cute white or pink top to go with these skirts as well as a white sweater? I have many black sweaters that go great in the Fall but not Spring and Summer. I have been looking for a month now, and we are going back shopping Saturday night.

Ps-While I am asking, do you know where I can get some comfortable cheap shoes to go with these skirts?

Thank You So Much For Your Prayers

the doctor's visit went really well. The doctor was very patient with us and asked a lot of questions. Here is a summary
  • He really thinks that Jackson is retaining water every 10 to 12 days and needs to be cleaned out. He believes it is just extreme constipation. He has prescribed Jackson to be on a adults dosage of miralax for the next 7 days and then 2 teaspoons after that. We also have to go back in 3 weeks.
  • He does not think he has the gluten allergy or any impaction.
  • He directed us not to try potty training at all during this time. Sounds good to me!
  • He did not lecture us about Jackson not eating well, but explained that with him retaining water he is going to have big time eating issues. He said that this stomach problem could be an influence on him having breakdowns.
  • He suggested no matter what to offer him a vegetables (like carrots) every day after we get his stomach situated. He felt confident that after Jackson's stomach situation was resolved that he will try new foods.
  • He did want us to rule out everything else and so he sent us to the hospital for Jackson to have a x-ray of his stomach and three vials of blood to test for food allergies and all kinds of stomach diseases. Getting his blood drawn was bad and I am so glad that both me and Charlie were there and that Betsy had Abigail. If anything turns up on these test they will call us in the next couple of days to come in, but the doctor said he would be shocked if something else did show up.
  • I am just praising God that we are getting Jackson's stomach issues resolved and that the doctor was not conservative with doing all the tests that need to be done. God is so faithful! I have found that doctors are so reluctant to do all the procedures that need to be done on little ones. I had to go to two different doctors before I could find a doctor who thought frenulum surgery would help Jackson. I cannot imagine not having that done. Right after it was done he could eat so much better and could say "yellow" finally. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Pray for "Buddy Jack" Tomorrow


Jackson is going to the GI doctor tomorrow at 1:30. Please pray that the doctors will find out what is going on with Jackson. He has been on Miralax since March 15th and it has helped a lot but every 12 days he has major issues that I will not go into here. My pediatrician is concerned there might be a blockage, and she is also concerned that he might have a gluten allergy which would explain a lot. Jackson has had so many hard to discover issues (frenulum issues, bowl issues). Pray that we will not have to keep on going to doctors, but discover what his stomach issues are. Pray in Jesus' name that Jackson is healed from all these crazy issues. Pray that demons leave Jackson alone in Jesus' powerful name.

I am so grateful that a really great friend is going to keep Abigail during this time, and Charlie is going to meet us there.

On a lighter note, this picture is from our Zoo trip last Friday. My parents were able to meet us there and Jackson had the best time! I am planning monthly zoo trips for the last Friday of every month so we actually use our membership this year. Riverbank Zoo is awesome!

Wednesday's Word: Depression During and After Pregnancy


I was different than most women I have talked with, I struggled with depression during pregnancy not at all after my baby was born. I struggled with it majorly while I was pregnant with Jackson. Some days I could not get out of the bed. I truly believe it is very complicated but huge change in hormones during and after pregnancy are a major factor. Most women struggle with an imbalance of hormones after they give birth, but my problem happened while I was pregnant. Major weight gain I feel was also a factor for me.

I talked with my Christian OBJYN and she said since I struggled with depression so severely while I was pregnant with Jackson that I needed to be on a pretty intense work out plan before I got pregnant again. So, I started back up with step and combat classes and worked out till I was 8 months pregnant with Abigail, and I was not depressed while I was pregnant with her. The second I give birth my "blues" go away. I was prepared for the battle with Abigail and I fought it with everything I had by exercises and eating better, and being attached to God's Word.

  1. Post Partum Depression --- 10-20% of first time mom have some version Baby Blues 1 week after birth, massive hormone changes.

Here are my notes on Depression from my counselling class at SEBTS. I hope this is helpful and would love to hear your feedback.

Key Points on Depression:

  1. Depression=self focused, hopeless, emotional pain; an introverted form of suffering that totally obscures hope.
  2. “Causes” of depression are multiple and sometimes complex. Depression is a pneuma-bio-social phenomenon. Depression always has significant spiritual components. Spurgon, Rainer, and Carey all struggled with depression
  3. Suffering invariably reveals that allegiance of our hearts. Depression is more than just a feeling. It is something we “do.” Depression speaks; it says something.
  4. Key spiritual foci when counseling depression: excessive self-focus and hopelessness
  5. Initial counseling strategies:

Lead with mercy and compassion (Jms. 2:13)

Provide biblical hope and encouragement (Rms. 8:28)

Understand and assess

Explicitly commit yourself to counsel/disciple them as long as necessary

  1. Develop and elicit commitment to initial steps of trust and obedience: assign direct, simple, achievable homework/goals
  2. Diagnose heart condition/spiritual/God-related issues.
    1. Invite the counselee to examine their own heart
    2. Identify hopelessness and self-focus
    3. What is the depression saying?
  3. Renew the mind (Rom 12:2; Eph. 4:23, Phil 4:8)
    1. Take the soul to task; “you must preach to yourself (M. Lloyd Jones); the depressed person must talk to themselves rather than just letting their depression talk to and beguile them into staying in the pit (Ps. 42, 43)
    2. “Watch how you muse and what you choose when you lose” (Jim Berg)
  4. Deal with passivity and lack of motivation
    1. increase pleasure activities
    2. increase competency activities
    3. increase altruism/love others
    4. attack procrastination
  5. Practice RX: put off/putt on – from/to
    1. sleep
    2. exercise
    3. diet/nutrition
    4. spiritual disciplines
    5. relationships
      • Discipline of Grace, Jerry Bridges is a great book and has great examples. Many Christians just put it on cruise control
      • 2 Tim. 4 (The Race and The Fight) War is going on in her heart. Remind her over and over again who she is in Christ. Sin is not stronger than she is.
      • Must get that following God is not passive, there is no shortcuts in holiness. No book can do it for her, she needs to fight, fight, fight.
      • Many women describe depression as a pain that is crippling, a room, a black hole that they just cannot get out of. Ask them what they mean! It is a form of suffering (Prob. 18:17) and women are 2 times more likely to become depressed than men. It is not simply hormones, it is very complex.
      • Could be many biological factors even chronic stress, lack of sleep, overworking
      • What are your goals when counseling (Big Picture)

        1. For God to be glorified in her life and be sanctified
        2. to know Him and trust hum
        3. her faith to be purified
        4. grow in the fear of God
        5. mind of Christ
        6. love others
        7. her heart reveals who/what she is living for
      • Best book to read is Depression a Stubborn Darkness by Welch
  6. How would you recommend a women fighting depression during and after pregnancy? I would also add that if you are still struggle with it months after giving birth, you probably want to go see an endocrinologist to make sure you do not have some sort of deficiency, such as a vitamin deficiency, that could be causing you to feel depressed...especially if you have never struggled with depression before.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday's Tip: CVS!

In honor of the grand opening of the new CVS in Lexington, Tuesday's money saving tip is learning how to shop at CVS. This new CVS is right in front of Steinmart in Lexington and is taking place of the one that was right beside Steinmart in that shopping center. It is opened 24 hours a day, and tonight Jackson and I are planning to go there after supper. He can actually be a good helper and it is a great way for him to get out of the house.

Here are my tips on starting earning money at CVS:
1. Start small. My advice would be buy an item that you need (such as toliet paper) that you can earn extrabucks for. We get the paper on the weekends so I can see the ads on Sunday and get all my coupons, but you can also find the ads online. Try to shop there at least once a week.
2. Check the money saving blogs such as MoneySavingMom, and I heart CVS. They do all the work for you and show links on many coupons you can use for the items that you can earn money for. Money Saving Mom always has links to other blogs who have learned how to spend just a few dollars on tons of items that we all need.
3. Get your prescription filled there and scan your card everytime you get a prescription filled. You earn .50 cent of free extrabuck to use in the store for every prescription. Every quarter I end up with about $10 of extrabucks to use in the store and I know a lot of that money comes from my prescriptions.
4. Stock up on items you need weekly there. I have a stock of toilet paper, paper towels, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, and baby wipes.
5. Many times when I shop there I do multiple transactions. If I know we are going to have a busy couple of weeks, I do one transaction on all the items that I will be earning extrabucks on and then I do another transaction on items we need and then I go ahead and use the extrabucks that I have just earned on the second transaction.

Tonight I am planning to buy:
3 12 packs of Pepsi and getting a free pack of Diet Pepsi which is ends up being $2.75 a pk. which is good
Gain detergent for $5.99 earning $2.00 in extrabucks
1 Speed Stick Pro Deodorant for $3.99 and I will earn $3.99 in extrabucks which will make it free.
1 Coppertone sun screen for $8.99 and I will earn $2.00 in extrabucks and then I will print a coupon from coppertone's website for $3.00 off. I would have never known about that coupon if I had not looked at moneysaving mom's comments under her CVS post.
I have $5.00 off my purchase on extrabucks that I earned last week on Miralax.

I actually missed out on many more deals by not going to CVS on Monday because they had many great two day sales (Sunday and Monday only) where I could have earned money. I could not get to CVS yesterday because we had to take Charlie car in for new tires since he did not have to go into work.

Do you have any more tips to share?

Monday, May 25, 2009

Movie Monday: Jackson and Abigail Speaking Their Own Language to Each Other

I really had no idea how Jackson was going to react to having a baby sister. At first, it was hard for him to get adjusted to not going to many places during the morning, but now we are out more now that I have the minivan. Really the hardest part of having two babies is that what is good for Jackson schedule wise, is not good for Abigail. Abigail needs to take a morning nap, and Jackson wants to go somewhere and always is bringing me the keys to the car and saying "go, go, go." So I comprise and Abigail gets a full hour and a half morning nap every day except Monday Wednesday, and Sunday mornings (she still gets two 45 minute naps in the morning on these days).

Jackson loves Abigail to death. He hugs and kisses her a lot. Jackson laughs at her, and they make each other laugh all the time. He is very gentle with her. They now seem to have their own language that they speak to each other and it is crazy but they seem to understand each other. Abigail really loves to squeal now she has become quite the character.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Great Ruby Tuesday Coupon

Rubytuesday01

From Moneysaving mom:

"Use this printable coupon at Ruby Tuesday to get one free entrée when you purchase any Specialties, Seafood, Fork-Tender Ribs or Hand-Crafted Steak entrée. Coupon expires June 2, 2009.

Thanks, Coupon Cravings!"

I actually cut this coupon out of last Sunday's paper and we all ate at Ruby Tuesday Saturday night for $20 which included a 20 percent tip. Also, Jackson was able to eat his meal again today so that also saved us money. We never go to Ruby Tuesday so this was a good treat.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Fun Friday: Monogramming


I love monogrammed items. I always have. Now, that I have a baby girl it is crazy. Her room is basically done in a monogrammed theme. How can I afford monogramming? First, I have a very talented and creative mother in law who has hand made many decorations for Abigail's room. Second, is Jill Mason.

Jill did Abigail a nightlight and lampshade. Recently she has monogrammed a onesie, bow, and t-shirt for Abigail for a wonderful price. She does towels, bags, boy collared shirts, dresses, or basically anything that you get to her. She also can mail you items for a really good price. If you know someone who is having a baby girl, she is the person to call and most all of my friends get bibs and burp cloths that she does. Feel free to contact her and tell her I gave you her email address at rlandkkidsrep@yahoo.com. Any other questions you have about how to get items to her just email me at emilywallace80@hotmail.com

Don't you love this t-shirt, onesie, and bow?

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Wednesday's Word: Biblically Handling Conflict


For some reason in the last month I have had random conflict from mainly strangers. My way to handle problems or conflict is probably not very common. I usually immediately try my best to speak the truth in love by saying, "the way you are speaking to me right now is hurtful." Now, because I immediately react, I am sure I am not completely thinking before I speak or speaking the truth lovingly. When we deal with the problem right then and there our goal needs to be redemption not destruction. We need to do our best to forgive that person right then by praying through it and then it is over. We need to really never think about it again, and it does not affect us in the long run at all. I think most people are too much in shock to react right then and so they say nothing and then it ends up doing a lot of damage to their lives. Is your goal redemption when you are in an argument with someone? Do you want to redeem them or are you really trying to destroy them?

I know that with many words sin is not absent (Proverbs 10:19). So, I think God keeps on allowing all this random (not that important) conflict to keep on happening so I learn how to handle it as biblical as possible. My goal in conflict is also not to make the other person pay for a wrong I believe they did to me. If you do not speak the truth in love, the other person might not even know that they are treating you unfairly. Communication, I believe is the key.

With all that said, I am currently trying to read The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Sande. If you live in this world you are going to have conflict and I think this is a great resource. We always need to be learning and growing in every facet of our lives. I hope to blog more about what I am learning through this book.

If someone will not be reconciled to you, I just believe you never give up hope on them, just as our Savior never gives up on us. You cannot make the other person be reconciled to you, but you can keep on trying to be reconciled to them in a not annoying way.

ADDED LATER:
I was thinking last night on why I do not shy away from conflict. The main reason why is that I am a huge problem solver. If there is a problem I really do my best to try to find the solution to that problem. So I think the key is that when you are in conflict do not just complain to the person you are in conflict with, find a solution. If I feel that someone is not is speaking to me harshly, I say, "I think you are speaking to me harshly, have I wronged you in any way?, is there anything I can pray for you right now?" Usually, it is not about me. If it is a woman, we usually end up praying right then and there, and it is usually something that is personally going on with their own life, and has absolutely nothing to do with me! So if I am in conflict, I really do try my best not to take it personally. If you are in a conflict, what is the perfect solution? Really spend time thinking about solutions, not how the other person has done you wrong.

A goal of redeeming the situation is realizing that there is a problem and working through the solution.

How do you Biblically handle conflict?

Also, I am really enjoying the song "Worthy is The Lamb" I downloaded Darlene Zschech's version from itunes

Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for your nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Update on Abigail: Five Months Old

Abigail is still funny as ever. Her laugh is hilarious. I really wish I could catch it on video. She has such a fun sweet disposition, a lot like my grandmother. However, Abigail has been fussier recently. Mother's Day really wore her out and she went to sleep (actually a coma) early with only have about 25 ozs. That night she woke up every 2 hours and we would flip her back on her stomach and she would go right back to sleep. So then she got constipated and now it seems every other night she is waking us up every 2 hours. She wakes up on her back and I know she wants to be back on her stomach. Today she has eaten a ton of pears and drank a lot of formula. However, overall she is more fussy during the day. It is just hard to get adjusted to because most days and weeks she would never fuss, not even a little. I am pretty sure she is already struggle stomach issues, mainly constipation. Her bottom two teeth also look like they are about to come through. Do yall have any advice on how to alleviate her waking up upset on her back?

Doesn't she look beautiful in her church outfit? She finally has enough hair where the bow will really stay in. Yay!

Added later: Her schedule:
7:45 am 6 ozs bottle (sometimes 8 ozs) Pears
9:30 or 10 am Nap till 11:30 am
11:30 am 6 oz bottle Pears
1:30 pm Nap till 3:30 pm BOTH BABIES SLEEP WHICH IS GLORIOUS
3:30 6 oz bottle Most days takes a 45 minutes nap after she has been awake for 1 and half (which Baby Wise recommends)
6:30 6 oz bottle Pears
9 pm 6 oz bottle
10 pm Bed

She eats 5 times a day. I am not nearly as strict about her schedule as I was with Jackson. Mondays and Wednesday she does not get much of a morning nap because we go to the gym. We are working towards just 2 naps by 6 months of age and her taking her night bottle at 8 pm and going to bed by 9 pm. I have discovered on the nights she goes to bed early though she ends up waking up every 2 hours and the nights she goes to bed late, like 10:30 pm. she has no problems. That is a mystery to me.

Tuesday's Tip: Diapers

On Tuesdays I am going to try and start posting money saving tips. Having two babies in diapers in harder than I thought it would be. Jackson is going to see a GI doctor soon (more on that latter) so we are going through about 10 diapers a day. If he was not having all these bowel issues, we would not be going through this many diapers a day and would be making headway on potty training.

Friday I went to Kroger and bought:
40 Huggies Diapers with a $1.25 coupon off
2 Packs of 40 count Kroger Diapers and 1 26 count pack of Kroger diapers $3.00 coupon off
30 Count Pack of Huggies Diapers with another
$1.25 coupon off


Total of 176 Diapers for $36.56.

By my calculations that will last me 18 days.

I really am hoping it will last me 21 days. I am ok with paying that for 21 days. However, when buying diapers for two, you are really spending 20 cents a diapers instead of the 8 or 10 cents when just buying diapers for one.

Tuesday's Tip: Figure out much you are spending per diaper, it will probably surprise you.

Because of all Jackson's issues, I have really thought about trying out cloth diapers on Abigail. But I want to be 100 percent committed to it so I do not waste our money on them. Right now, I am still trying to figure out exactly how much we are spending on diapers per month to see if it would really save me a ton of money. Since I am having to bottle feed, I am trying to cut cost everywhere. A good friend from Spartanburg uses cloth diapers on her son. It works for her and is not too time consuming for her family with just one in diapers. She recommends to:

1. "I would say if you just want to try it out, order the following from www.greenmountaindiapers.com. 1 dozen cloth pre-folds, 2 Thirsties covers, 1 pack of snappis (these are what you use in place of the old fashioned diaper pins), and a small wet bag if you plan on cloth diapering when you're out and about (it's a waterproof, smell proof bag to put dirty diapers in in your diaper bag). I think that's the bare-minimum you need to get started. With only 1 dozen, you'll most likely need to wash every night. And, I've not used the prefolds since my baby has been sleeping through the night, so I don't know if they're absorbent enough to make it 10+ hours. You may want to order one of the one-size diapers from https://usshop.motherease.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=5&cat=Introductory+Offers. It's what we often use over night, it's a great diaper, and their intro offer is a good price to try one out. You can also check out www.clothdiaperoutlet.com and www.clothdiaperclearance.com as well as www.diaperswappers.com for deals. I've not used Diaper Swappers before, but it's kind of like a craigslist for diapers I believe. You also may find diapers on craigslist occasionally! Just remember with prefolds, they're technically the 'most difficult' diapers (just because they involve 2 steps), but if you decide you like CDing, you can easily build up your diaper stash with other diapers, like the BumGenius."

2. The only other thing is that you cannot use Destin when using cloth diapers. You can order special cream made for cloth diapers or you can use a liner for diaper rash.

Right now, with us trying to get our playset done, I am not going to try out the cloth diapers. However, I am very open to it, and might try it next month. My main concern is how time consuming it will be on me.

Do you have any tips on cutting back on your monthly diaper bill or on using cloth diapers?

Also, as far as potty training goes I think we are going to have to take two days and just put him on the potty every 30 minutes. He still has not even gone pee pee in the potty. Any suggestions?

Monday, May 18, 2009

Pray for This Family: Warning: You Will Probably Cry

Please pray for the Freemans. I only know them through the blog world. Kaleigh is now in heaven with our Wonderful Redeemer. She is now complete. The only time they got to hold their baby girl without all the cord hooked up to her was when she was no longer living.

Their blog is one of the best blogs I have seen on the journey of having a premature baby. Warning: I cried reading their blog and seeing pictures of their baby girl no longer living: http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/

If you cannot read their blog just pray for Kaleigh's parents and you can go here for more information about them: http://ferrisjoye.blogspot.com/

"When you tuck your children in bed or kiss your loved one goodnight, please say a prayer for our family. Please pray that we will have strength to get through this difficult time and we will grow in our faith so much more for having experienced the work of God through Kayleigh. Pray we will be there for each other and hold one another tight, as Kayleigh was and will forever hold a special place in our hearts."

"
Kayleigh rests peacefully, in no more discomfort, and in no more pain. She looked so beautiful tonight as she took her last and final breath, and her beating heart took one last and final beat. Her sparkling brown eyes are now closed and her body now remains still. She is now in the presence of our Lord, her broken body made new, surrounded in the comforting arms of those we've loved who greeted her in the glorious Heaven we know. "

Movie Moday: Our Family Christmas Eve

I have so many old videos still on my camera. So today for "Movie Monday" I decided to upload fun video from Christmas Eve. Abigail is only 2 weeks old here. Enjoy!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Update on Our Playset

Jackson trying to put a screw in. He can be a great helper!
Jackson using the wrench on the level...
Scott and Charlie trying to understand crazy directions
What our playset will eventually look like...

We were so excited to buy our playset on May 7th 2009. I called Toys R Us and they had the Pathfinder Adventure Playset in stock and they had my rain check for $120 off which made it $379.99 and then we got an addition to 10 percent off for opening a Toy R Us credit card. Rain Checks are Awesome! We will be paying around $50 a month for six months with zero percent interest. We will close the credit card after we pay off the swingset.

I know many people who have gotten this Pathfinder playset and have been very happy with it (however, it does not have monkey bars). We were able to take the seats out of our minivin and fit it in. I know Walmart usually has it for $400 and if you call around many stores do keep it in stock. You can also open up a Walmart credit card and pay zero interest for 12 months.

So we bought it May 7th and our goal is to have it installed by May 28th which will be 3 weeks after buying it. Our wonderful brother in law, who is an engineer, came over Saturday and I think they are almost half way done with it now. Maybe on phase 11 out of 27 phases. That is crazy, but Jackson is so excited about it and is already climbing on the ladder and figuring out how to go down the slide that is up against the fence. Jackson wanted to help them so bad and he even applaud for himself when he put some random screw in the wood. It is also crazy to pay someone $1,000 to install it. I do think it takes 20 hours to put together.

We will also be getting baby seat for Abigail to swing with. I am so glad I sought out advice from friends and did my research. Thank yall so much for all your help!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wednesday's Word

On Wednesday I am going to try to start to post what the Lord has been teaching me through His word and through songs.

Right now we are working on memorizing "Just As I Am" (the first two stanza's) and Psalm 23. I found a great version by one of my favorite Christian artist Nichole Nordeman. I would definitely recommend getting this version from itunes. Here are the words to her version of "Just as I am:"

I wondered how to come to You,
I did not dare believe it true, that You regard the orphaned ones:
beloved daughters, worthy sons,
the broken and the barren too,
I heard I could find some rest in You.

What kind of love in injury's place,
would leave instead the stain of grace?
So I come in sorrow and I come in shame.
I come to the cross with my pain.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me
and that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

The pardon that I found from sin spilled out from where the nails went in.
My heart will ever more proclaim
I had not lived until that day.
And I know there is a crown for me
beyond where mortal eyes can see
and I don't nod to any man,
but offer me just as I am.

So I come rejoicing with hands held high,
and I come singing words of new life.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me
and that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God,
O Lamb of God,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

O Lamb of God, I come.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Printable Coupons

Here is a link to printable coupons online. It is the best I have seen in a long time. Thanks Moneysaving Mom! There is even coupons for Kraft single cheese.

Ear Check


I have wanted this product since Jackson was about 1 year old. It checks to see if there is fluid in you baby's ear. It was around $50 when it first came out. Now that Abigail has already had an ear infection, it became more of a priority for us to save up for. I went to the Lexington Walmart and they had it for $30! I was so excited because now I have two babies who and it seems like I am always worried about their ears. Of course, it did not work at first for me but I called the number on the box and got a nice lady on the phone within a minute and we figured out it just needed new batteries within minutes. I have used it many time already and been satisfied with this product. If you are not satisfied the company will give you your money back! However, this product does not work if your baby has tubes in his ears.

I now usually do know when my babies have an ear infection. If they have been very congested for more than 3 days and I have had to blow out their nose it usually turns into an ear infection if my baby is under the age of two years old. Under the age of two their ear cannal is still straight and the congestion usually goes to their little ears. How to you tell if you baby has an ear infection?

Qualifications for Ear Tubes (according to our ENT)
  • 6 Ear infections within 6 months
  • An ear infection that last more than 6 weeks
Jackson was on the border line of getting tubes. He probably should have had them because I think he had two ear infections that lasted more than six weeks.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

My Best Mother's Day So Far!


















Today was definitely my best mother's day I have had in the few short years I have been a mother. My beautiful baby girl was dedicated today at church and all my immediate family was there. Even Aunt Sandra!

Jackson makes me thankful for every little thing that we take for granted.

Abigail makes me enjoy being a mother. I love having a baby and some days I just never want her to grow up!

Abigail looked so beautiful in the dress I wore when I was dedicated and the necklace I wore. She also had the ring on that Charlie's sister had when she was a baby. She did great and even smiled up there! Dr. Estep preached a wonderful sermon. Probably one of the best mother's day sermons I have heard.

Charlie wrote the most beautiful mother's day poem to me I could ever imagine. I am almost too embarrassed to link it because I wish I could be half the women the Proverbs 31 women is. Words really mean more to me than any gift could. Charlie is such a great writer all I really ever want for him for gifts is homemade cards that he writes.

I am so blessed. I have always wanted to be a mother. I think I was ready at 20 years old. I have always dreamed of having babies and being able to stay at home to raise them. I know this sounds crazy but for me there is not a day I wake up staying at home that I dread. There were many days going to school that I just dreaded the entire day and wanted the week to be over. Every since I married Charlie and had our babies I have felt complete. Motherhood is such a high calling, and a life that is lived for eternity.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Abigail's 4 Month Stats


Weight: 15 pounds 1 oz (60%)
Height: 26 inches (89%)
Head: 42 1/2 cm (79%)

We had to wait to have her 4 month check up till the day she turned 5 months old because the church changed their insurance. Everything looks great with her. She is so much stronger on her core than Jackson because she has been sleeping on stomach since like 3 months old. She actually tries to crawl some days. Jackson also weighed 15 pounds at his 4 month check up as well. I am sure she will not be in this high of a percentile next month when she has her 6 month shots. The doctor did say that her bottom gum were swollen and that she is teething.

I might be trying cloth diapers on Abigail. I will hopefully have a post soon about it. It is just crazy having two in diapers. I will of course have regular diapers for when she is in nursery situations.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Pictures from Our Trip to Charleston--Our Family

This picture was taken on the Folly Beach Pier outside the restaurant Locklears.
Jackson loved the pier on Folly Beach. He especially loved climbing these seats.

Still on the pier on Folly Beach
Here Charlie is looking at the Sea Turtles in the Charleston Aquarium. If you have a Riverbank Zoo membership you get I think half off admission.
Here we are outside of the Charleston Aquarium which was beautiful.Cooper River Bridge is in the background.
Abigail was having her morning nap in our Greco double stroller so she missed out on these pictures. If you go to the Aquarium take these picture before you leave because you can not go back in to get these great shots.
I love this picture of them looking out!
Here we are outside the Charleston Crab House. It is really hard to get a good picture of us four!

15 Minutes

My house is probably the worst it has ever been. In my room, I have maternity clothes, winter clothes, and spring and summer clothes all over the place. In Abigail's room there are clothes everywhere. I need to put clothes that I want for another possible baby in a space bag. Not to mention all the unpacking that still needs to be done for our trip. On my desk are many papers that need filing. The only problem is that we need another filling box and the only place it can go is in the garage which is not very practical. I do really like those huge 2.5 gallon zip lock bags to help organize papers. I have absolutely no motivation because it is so overwhelming.

What is my solution to the problem? Yesterday when both the babies where napping I decided to get my stopwatch and spend at least 15 minutes putting up my maternity clothes into a huge space bag to be put in our attic. Guess what? I ended up having an entire hour and got so much done! Charlie spent 15 minutes of his time unpacking his clothes and Jackson's clothes. Every day, I am going to give organizing at least 15 minutes of my day except on Sundays which are too crazy for us.

Do you have any other solutions on getting your house organized?

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Pictures from Our Trip to Charleston-Grand and Gigi

The above picture is of Grand and Jackson playing ball on Folly Beach. We got this ball in town and it provided hours of fun for Jackson. The below picture is us celebrated dad's birthday at Molly's house.
Grand and Jackson at Charleston Crab House. They are really funny when they get together.
Grand, Gigi, and Jackson at the Charleston Crab House again.



Since we have so many pictures I have decided to post them in two post. One post of our babies with my parents. Tomorrow will be pictures of our immediate family. We came home and I was uploading some of these pictures and Jackson saw a picture of my mom and said, "Look, Gigi." That is a big deal for him. Each week he amazes me with how much he will say with his speech therapist (I wish he would work that hard for me!). He does well with his motor skills and fine motor skills. He can hit a ball with a bat when it pops up from a little device, catch a ball, and buckle himself into his car seat. More pictures to come!