WE'RE MOVING!!!

I decided to make a blog change.  Within the next week I will no longer be posting on this blog.  I set up a new one with a name that I like a lot better.

 Bare Feet and Blue Jeans  will be our new site!

Miscellaney Monday

1.  I need to become a better cook!
Hubby asked if the lasagna we had for dinner was homemade.  I was tempted to lie and say yes.  It was from a bag.  I really need to try some new recipes.  We eat the same stuff over and over and over.

2.  Oh the joy of two boys!
Trying to put my 6 month old to sleep with a 2year old running around is nearly impossible. 

3.  I'm Jealous!
My boys have such pretty hair and eyelashes.  Even my DH (Dear Husband) has nice long eyelashes.  I"m jealous!  What are they ever going to do with pretty hair and long lashes.  It's not fair, lol.

4.  Keepin' up with the Joneses
I want a bigger house.  Our house is nice and in a decent location but I want more space.  Or do I need less stuff!?!

5.  I love Christmas! 
I'm am sooooo looking forward to Christmas with 2 little ones.  I'm already planning!

6.  I need to find a new doctor.
My current primary care physician is always pushing diet shakes and supplements.  I don't want to deal with pushy sales people during an exam

Sunday Prayer and Meditation

Matthew 6:25-33


25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

An Inconvenient Truth....about motherhood

One of the many inconveniences experienced by mothers is the public restroom changing table.  I have seen some changing stations in the most ridiculous places.

One restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida had the changing table behind the door of the entrance to the bathroom.  Which means you can expect to get smacked in the back with a heavy wooden door anytime some comes in.

Another place has the changing table directly opposite the stalls.  The space between the open changing station and the bathroom stalls is so narrow that no one can get in or out of the stalls if a baby is being changed.

Then of course there are the ones that are old and or damaged.  I'm afraid to put my kids on some of them but changing them on the nasty floors is certainly not a better option.

I wonder what the ones in the men's rooms look like?  I wonder if they even have them in men's rooms.

Follow me!

I'm new to this world of blogging but I decided to jump on in with both feet.  I'm participating in this blog hop sponsored by The Adventures of Goober Grape and Monkey Man  and   Life of a Sippy Cup Mom, and  Mannland5 .

I also found another blog, Toddler Awesome , that I really like and decided to participate with them also!

Discipline or start drinking?

I need to either start learning about discipline or start drinking!  It's as if a switch was flipped as soon as Aaron turned two.  If he's told not to do something he'll go right ahead and do it anyway.  With a little grin on his face, he'll keep on doing what I told him not to do.  I started reading Love and Logic Magic but had to return it to the library so I won't comment on that yet.  I did however finish the book called Supernanny: How to Get the Best from Your Children by Jo Frost.

I liked this book because it was a straight forward easy read.  Unlike some parenting books it doesn't weigh you down with psycho-babble and mind-numbing statistics.  In case you don't know,  Jo frost is the nanny from the hit show Supernanny on ABC.   She's a nanny from England and has about 15 years experience with children from newborn to age fourteen.  She's not a psychologist or a parent, heck, neither am I.  Jo Frost does have what I don't and that's experience.  She writes what she practices and what she has seen work.  I enjoy watching her show and thought I'd enjoy the book.  I was right.

Basically the book presents 10 rules.  These rules are 1. Praise and Rewards, 2. Consistency (I need this big time!), 3. Routine, 4. Boundaries, 5. Discipline, 6. Warnings, 7. Explanations, 8. Restraint (Must work on this too), 9. Responsibility and 10. Relaxation.   These ten rules are then applied to various situations that parents face such as eating, sleeping, potty training and getting dressed.

I really like that the book highlights consistency.  I really have a problem with this.  I have caught myself several times saying no and then giving in.  It's also important for DH and I to be on the same page so as to present a unified front. In the chapter on eating (what parent of  a toddler doesn't have issues with eating?) it says to stick to the same rules and follow them through.  You're not supposed to change your mind in the face of a tantrum or melt-down.  I have a hard time with this.  I don't want to be a push-over but sometimes I don't want to deal with the crying of a tantrum either.  Also, she instructs not go give a child who hasn't eaten his meal a snack.  Well, duh, that makes sense right?  I must admit I have done this. 

One thing that I didn't like so much about the book is the technique of using the "naught step".  It's basically just putting a child in time out.  I have no problem with time outs especially  at this stage but I don't like the wording.  I don't want to use the word "naughty" for fear that Aaron might think I'm calling him naughty.  I want to make it clear that his behavior is unacceptable not him the person.  I just won't use the word naughty.

I would recommend this book to friends/family if they are like me and new to parenting and discipline.  If their child is already headed to the big house,  this book is probably not in-depth enough for them.

Thankful on a Thursday

I got this idea from a blog that I follow called   The McGlothin Family Nest.  It's a cute blog about an equally cute family. 

Anyway, I have soooooooo much to be thankful for everyday.  Here's just a few.

1. My Husband - He is so very, very, very helpful!

2.  My Children - Adorable, healthy, funny, and bright.

3.  Our home - We have one

4.  My family - crazy but always there when I need them

5.  M.O.P.S  (Mother's of PreSchooler's) - This is a Christian based organization designed for moms of young children.  We meet at Celebration Church for prayer, devotions, and fellowship.

6.  I'm thankful,  that even though I got fined at the library,  I had the money to pay the fine.

SCREWED!!!!!

I had planned on only posting once today but I'm irritated.  I met up with some mommy friends at the library for story and craft time.  During the craft time I noticed that the crayons had seen better days and the glue sticks were empty.  As I left,  I asked one of the employees about donating some supplies.  With many stores having back-to-school sales on supplies I figured it would be a nice yet inexpensive gesture. 

I went to the other desk to check out books for Aaron.  The lady told me that I had a fine of $14.95.  Huh?!  What?!  Fourteen dollars and ninety-five cents!  Apparently, one of the books I returned last week was damaged.  Well, it wasn't damaged by me!  I remember the book having some stains on some of the pages.  She couldn't do anything and told me that I could go to the Regency Branch to complain and discuss getting it overturned.  I paid the money.  What was my defense?

I was standing in line with 2 kids, a stack of books and and a line of people behind me.  I was in no mood or position to make a big fuss.  That's just not my nature anyway.  It's my nature to be more of a doormat.  Oh, well....

Wordless Wednesday

Notice Anything?!?!?!?!?!?

The new look was created by Jocelyn at Blogs by Jocelyn. 

I wanted my blog to look awesome and eye-catching.  After realizing that I wasn't going to make it happen, I decided to let someone who knew what they were doing handle it.  The process was easy and I am more than pleased with the result.

THANK YOU Jocelyn!

Sunday Prayer and Meditation

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Five Question Friday

I follow several blogs but have never participated in a blog hop.  I decided to try this out.







1. Do you collect anything?
Plastic bags, gift bags and I guess scrapbook supplies counts.

2. Name 3 celebrities that you find good looking.
Oh, I love this question!  Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas, and Christopher Meloni

3. Do you have any scars? If so, what's the story behind it (them?)?
I have two little scars on my forehead.  I have no idea how they got there but I used to tell people that they were a result of emergency brain surgery.

4. What is a food that you like to eat, but others might think it's gross or weird?
Macaroni and cheese with hot sauce. Yummmmm!

5. Have you ever seen a tornado in real life?
No, thank God.

What am I going to do?

When Aaron stops taking a nap!?!

I don't even want to think about it!  I really look forward to the 2 hour toddler-free time each day.  Sometimes saying, "It's almost 1:00pm!", is what gets me through the day!

I typically, use the 2 hour break to pay bills, prep dinner, facebook, read, blog or keep up with other blogs.  When Ethan was a newborn, I would sleep as well.  It was wonderful to be able to sleep when they slept.  Now that Ethan is almost 6 months old he's awake a lot more.  I'm no longer guaranteed that their naps will coincide.  In fact, the past couple weeks, Ethan would wake up as Aaron was going to sleep.

After talking to other mom's of two-year-olds, I know I'm quite blessed to have a toddler that's still napping. Especially a toddler that naps for two hours and still sleeps through the night!   It's typical for tots to drop naps between ages two and three.  I pray we make it to at least two and a half years old.  Please God, Pleeeeeaaaaase!

Wordless Wednesday - Ethan and Grandma

Christmas In July

Rumble And Learn Driver



I LOVE Christmas!  Love it, love it, love it!  The shopping, the music, the decorations, family and friends.  It's wonderful.  Oh, and let's not forget the food.

I started a list of things that I wanted to get for the boys in February.  Whenever I go to the store I browse through the toy section and look at all the trucks, cars, little people, books, and games.  Well, I went to Babies R Us to get a video monitor.  I was browsing through the toys section.  Babies R Us and Toys R Us are side by side and you can walk from one store into the other without going outside.  Anyway,  the Fisher-Price infant toys were buy one get one free.  So Ethan has two presents.  I hope I can resist the urge to open them before Chrismas!



Storybook Rhymes

Grrrrrr! Two year olds!!!

I'm going to lose it!  I think (and sometimes say) this every day!  Aaron is wearing me out!  He's so contrary all the time.  I guess this is the terrible twos.  I thought I'd get lucky and the phase would skip over us.  Nope!

I make waffles, he wants toast. I put his sandals on him; he wants to wear sneakers. I put him in the stroller; he wants to walk. I let him walk; he wants back in the stroller...uuuugggghhhhh!  He used to love taking a bath but the past few nights he's began and ended the bath in tears. When you try to take him out of the bath he whines, "Still washing".  But he's not washing anything.  During meals he says he's finished and then gets mad when you move his chair back so he can get down.  He'll whine, "Still eating".  But he's not eating anything.

I think maybe he's getting his second set of molars and that might be the cause of some of the crankiness.  I haven't checked yet, 'cause that will probably cause another meltdown.  I have to take Ethan to the pediatrician when he turns six months.  I'll ask the pediatrician about Aaron during that appointment.  She'll probably tell me what I already know but, it can't hurt.

I have a parenting book that I'm reading called Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood by Jim Fay and Charles Fay.  I'll review it when I'm finished.

Sunday Prayer and Meditation

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope
Romans 5 : 3-4

Thursday Thirteen

Questions to ask a Babysitter:

1.   How long have you been babysitting?
2.   Do you have any experience babysitting for infants?
3.   How many children have you cared for at one time?
4.   What do you like about babysitting and being around children
5.   Have you taken a First-aid and CPR course?  If so, are you certified?
6.   Will you always be available on the days I'm scheduled to be in class?
7.   Are you interested in being called for other babysitting times?
8.   Do you have references?  Can I call your references?
9.   How much do you normally charge for someone with two children?
10. Do you Mind coming by and letting my acclimate you to the children and the job?
11. Do you prefer payment in cash or check?
12. Are you a non-smoker?
13. Do you have any questions for me?

Daycare Search - Babysitter

Since I didn't get accepted into the Radiography program, I don't need full-time childcare.  I will need someone to watch both little fellas at my house.  This scares me!
1.  I don't want to hire some psycho who's going to abuse my kids.
2.  I don't want someone, in my father-in-laws words, "Casing the joint".  LOL!

I hate the idea of having to interview someone.  People are always on their best behavior during an interview.  No one's going to beat or neglect your kids right in front of you.  Most aren't going to whip out the booze or crack pipe along with their list of references.

I joined care.com after hearing about it from some other moms.  I have numerous possibilities, over 50 to be exact.  The service just to view the prospects is free but to contact them you have to pay up.  I was lucky enough to find a coupon code for 25% off!  Thanks RetailMeNot.com !

I have a list of questions prepared.  My plan is to email each person to clarify what I need and to make sure that it matches what they're looking for.  I need someone who can commit to August through December; the fall college semester.  The person needs to be mature, patient, outgoing and know CPR/basic first aid.  I don't know about the pay rate.  What I do know is that we aren't made out of money.  There was one applicant that wanted $35.00 per hour!  Ummm......not going to happen watching my kids!

Gaaahhhhh!

I'm tired!  It's been a long day!  I mean long!

My day started at 1:30am.  Thanks to Aaron!  He woke up crying.  I went in to his room and adjusted his pillows, put his blanket back on the bed.  I sat on the edge of his bed and patted his back.  By the time I got back in my bed it was 2am.

At 3:15am  Ethan was up and ready to eat.  I changed and fed him thinking he'd go back to sleep.  Nope!  He thought it was playtime.  For the next 45 minutes Ethan gurgled, cooed, kicked and wiggled. 

At 4:00am, Aaron was up again crying and carrying on.  So I put Ethan in the bassinet and went to Aaron's room.  I readjusted his pillow and blankets.  I turned the fan on.  I told him, "It's nite-nite.  Go to sleep".  He rustled about for a little while as I laid on the floor next to his bed. 

4:30am,  in my room Ethan is still fidgeting around.  I picked him up and laid him on the bed next to me.  He drifted off to sleep cradled in my arm.  I placed him back in his bassinet so I could try to sleep.  I fell into a deep sleep and didn't hear my husband come home. 

I was awakened at 7:30am by Ethan.  I once again fed and changed him.  I was hoping that Aaron would sleep in since he was awake last night.  Nope!  Aaron was awake, whining and grumpy at 7:50am.  I gave him as sippy cup of milk and sat him at the table.  He whined and cried, "Eat, eat.  Breakfast." while I cooked his food.  I gave him waffles and sausage.  He ate one bite!!!

As usual I had to chase Aaron around to get his diaper changed and put clothes on him.  He calmed down some and played with his ball popper.  He began asking for bear cookies (aka Teddy Grahams).  Well, no you can't have a snack if you haven't eaten breakfast.  So a crying fit ensued.  He got over it and watched some TV.  He wanted to watch something that wasn't on and became grumpy about it.

We had to leave for my doctor appointment.  I put his sandals on him.  He started taking them off and wanted to put his sneakers on.  Oh, good grief.  Fine!  Fortunately, I was able to get him in the car with little problem.  It was a rough morning and the day wasn't even half over.  I'll spare you the details of all of the other fits and meltdowns that we had the rest of the day.

REJECTED!!!

Dear Radiography Program Applicant:

I regret to inform you that you were not selected for the 2010 ABC State College at XYZ campus Radiography Program.  The large number of qualified applicants for the program made the selection process extremely competitive....blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda.

This is part of the rejection letter that I received from the Radiography program that I applied to.  There are four programs offered in Jacksonville.  I missed the deadline for two of them because of Ethan's birth, the recovery from a c-section and having a 19.5 month old toddler to chase after.  I didn't apply to a third because I didn't meet all of the qualifications.  The fourth sent me a rejection letter.  Needless to say I was disappointed.

All four of the programs are limited access and only accept a few (10-20) students each year.  It's competitive to say the least.  I meet all of the prerequisites for two of the programs.  I took, and did very well, in Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Medical Terminology and the other general education requirements.  Two of the programs require an essay.  I've written the essay but I need to do some editing.  I also have to submit three reference letters.  The crazy thing is that my old job went out of business so getting references from those supervisors/managers may be an issue.

I'm going to spend the next several months doing what I can to increase my chances.  Hopefully, I'll get 4 acceptance letters!  Wouldn't that be something!  I registered for a Chemistry class.  I hate math and I am average when it comes to science.  I've been told that the campus has very good tutors.  I certainly hope so 'cause I'm definitely going to need it!

Since I'm not going to school full-time this year I won't need daycare for the fellas.  I'm not going to look at my trips to the daycare centers as a waste of time.  I'll need full-time care eventually so it was good practice.  I am in the process of finding a babysitter to watch the boys for the couple hours that I'm at school.  I'll also need someone to watch them when I have to study or meet with a tutor.  Interviewing an individual babysitter is a whole new adventure.

Fourth of July

We had a pretty nice July 4th weekend.  Friday was business as usual.  Saturday my sister and brother-in-law came over and we watched the UFC fight between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.  Brock Lesnar won.  Booooooo! On Sunday we drove to my sister's house  had lunch and went to the beach. 

Poor Aaron was so tired.  We planned on timing the drive so that he could take a nap on the way to Aunt Melissa's house.  It was working great until Ethan woke up hungry.  He was getting more and more fussy so we decided to pull over and feed him.  Aaron woke up and couldn't get back to sleep.  After lunch, Aaron fell asleep on Mark's lap but then it was time to head to the beach.  We tried to not wake Aaron but that didn't happen.  So he was very cranky the whole way there.  I mentioned to my husband that I didn't think the beach was going to be much fun.  He agreed but we went anyway.  I didn't want to be a spoil sport and end the day for everyone.

Once we got there it wasn't too bad.  At this particular beach we were able to drive on the beach which is great when lugging stuff for two kids.  Aaron played in the sand and spent a little time in the water.  Aaron decided to throw sand at me and Aunt Melissa.  Not good!  Uncle Scott tried body boarding and skim boarding.  I spent most of the time on the blanket with Ethan.  Mark and Aaron dug in the sand and played in the waves.  Aaron laid down for a little but didn't fall asleep until the ride home.

It was a long but fun day.

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America!

Yummy!

We decided to start Ethan on infant cereal.  I wanted to wait until he was five months old like I did with Aaron but his digestive system had other plans.  When he was about 4.5 months old he had diarrhea (cha cha cha) and the pediatrician suggested that I give him some rice cereal to slow him down.  I didn't like the idea but hey he needed something.  He didn't really take to it at all.  The poopy problem cleared up and I put the rice cereal away.

After he turned five months, I brought out the oatmeal cereal.  I mixed it with some formula and more of it ended up on his bib that in his stomach.  That's to be expected though.  Each day I give him a few spoonfuls.  It's very runny and he seems to be getting some of it in his little body.  He spends most of the time laughing and sucking his fingers. He's adorable!  I plan to wait 'til he's six months old to introduce sweet potatoes.  Can't wait to see how that goes!

One things for sure, I'm not nearly as stressed out about starting solids with Ethan as I was with Aaron.  I studied books, magazines and websites about introducing solids to infants.  I wanted to make sure I did it exactly right.  I didn't want to make any mistakes.  After I started Aaron on solids I worried about whether or not he was eating too much or too little.  Should he be eating one meal or two?  In hindsight it was ridiculous!

There's a big bone of contention amongst moms these days when it comes to solid foods.  There's the camp that thinks giving your baby any type of solids before six months is a kin to child abuse and then there's us normal folk, LOL.  I'm only slightly kidding.  I remember some heated exchanges on The Bump between moms that started solids at four months and those that wait 'til six months.  It's amazing what women can use to club each other over the heads with.