Dizzy Dancing

Daddy's Lullaby's

Baby Food

Thanks to the wonderful peer pressure of my great friends, Whitney and Devrie, and special thanks to the economy for being so rotten, I decided to make my own baby food. Yes, it's more work, but it's saving $$$ and better for the baby right? Chris is all for it, as long as it really is saving money. Here's what we paid for the few fruits we bought to get started...

3 Apples - $1.51 (on sale for 1.00 a lb.)

3 Pears - $1.52 (also on sale for 1.00 a lb.)

a bunch of Bananas (7 to be exact.) - $1.17 (but I didn't use 4 of the bananas so I'm dividing this one up... I only used $.52 worth of bananas.

1 Mango - $.88 (on sale too... the sign said 1.44 each, guess we got lucky on that one.)

Total Cost - $4.43

The regular price for Gerber 1st foods is 1.19 for two cups (not actual CUPS as in the measurement, but their little plastic things.) This is equal to 4 ice cubes of baby food (2 ice cubes is one jar of baby food!)
The apples steaming!

I made the baby food this morning (didn't use 4 of the bananas, remember?) and in all I got 4 1/4 ice cube trays of baby food. With 16 Ice cubes per tray... That's 68 Ice cubes of baby food or 34 Jars of baby food or 17 of those gerber 1st food packs. It would have cost me $20.23 for that many jars of baby food. But instead I spent only $4.43, saving $15.80.

My supplies

I'm so excited. We are also adding cereal to the baby food to make it go a bit farther and thicken it up some. So far Maddie is LOVING this. She's a flavor girl and that plain cereal wasn't cutting it. I'm excited to see how long all this fruit I made will last. I think maybe later today or tomorrow I"m going to do the veggies I bought. I did buy those frozen instead of fresh, cause I don't know what to do with fresh peas and green beans. Oh, I did make a fresh butternut squash the other day though. I got a TON of baby food out of that, but didn't have the camera handy...

Homemade Apple Baby Food

Anyways. I'm so excited to finally have started this. And Madison is loving it also. She's finally sleeping through the night. she went to bed at 8 last night and woke up at 7 this morning! I'm so happy! and well rested.

All the baby food I made!

Grocio.com

For anyone who buys groceries... this website is a must. I heard about it on the news last night and signed up this morning. What it does is you type in your grocery list. Then, it comparison shops for you with all the stores surrounding you (you pick which stores for it to compare.) After that, it matches coupons with your grocery list. Then you just print our your coupons and list and go save $$$. The site hasn't officially launched yet. It will next week. But for now you can sign up with your email account and I guess they'll email you when it's up and running. Just thought I'd pass this along!

www.grocio.com

Bloggy-ness (will be long... it's been a while.)

I haven't blogged in what feels like forever. I've been just a bit overwhelmed with life in general. I haven't even checked my email. I don't want to see or talk to anyone. It's just one of those times. But I figured, so much has happened, if I don't write it down... I'll forget it all. So here it is... I'm starting with now, and working my way back. Sorry if that's confusing.

Today

Maddie has the bluest eyes!

My girls!

It started out okay enough. I had a DR. appt for my wrists and such. So i got the girls ready to take over to krystins. After I got all our stuff ready to go out the door, I remembered I didn't have my insurance card in my wallet, so I ran upstairs to get it. When i came back down, Madison was kicking in her carseat carrier funny. I came down to see her, and she was gagging. Taylor said "Madison eat!" Lately we've had issues with Taylor trying to feed madison. So far she's had chocolate, fruit snacks, gold fish, milk, juice... It was turning into a problem. (Just typing this story is making me sick to my stomach!) Lately we've also been letting Taylor eat Jelly Beans that we bought for easter. Taylor tried to feed maddie some jelly beans. I COULD NOT unbuckle the STUPID snaps on Maddie's car seat. I just kept screaming "Madison!" while I tried frantically to get her out of her seat. I finally unbuckled her and had scooped one jelly bean out of her mouth, but she was still choking. Every once in a while, there would be a tiny cough, but mostly just gagging and choking. I ran and grabbed the phone while turning maddie over on her stomach in my arms. I was beating her back and trying to decide if I should call 911 or Chris. I dialed chris's number first while I was still beating on her back with her stomach down. While it was ringing, Maddie finally threw up and the other jelly bean came up with it. Needless to say, by this point I was Panicing. I was crying so hard I couldn't even tell chris what was happening. All I could really get out was "Taylor gave, Madison, Choking" I'm sure he was freaking out a bit too. I was finally able to tell him what had happened. He calmed me down a bit. But I was still crying. The odd thing was Maddie was fine... no crying... nothing. She was just sitting there like nothing had happened. Taylor was standing beside me the whole time saying "Mommy sad? I'm sorry Mommy." It was SO heartbreaking. It makes me tear up just thinking about her telling me how sorry she was. She did understand too... After dinner tonight, chris gave taylor a couple jelly beans, she took one in each hand and said, "Maddie No eat." I hope she remembers it. And they will not be alone again like that... No way.

"Madison No Eat!"

I did get to Krystin's, and then off to my appt. I was diagnosed with carpal Tunnel! Great! The dr kinda hinted at me not crocheting anymore, but that won't happen. I enjoy it too much. He did give me a steroid pack, some pain pills, and splints for my hands that I have to wear 24/7, except for the shower. Once my hands aren't hurting so bad, then I can go to just wearing them at night. I can't wait!

When Chris got home from work, we both went in different directions... he took the girls with him. he went to target for a a couple movies... then off to best buy (he had gotten gift cards for his birthday.) He bought Quantum of solace, How I met your mother season 3, the Italian job (why we didn't already own that one I have no idea!) and a cd (can't think of who right now, I'm tired.) I went to the post office, Krogers for my perscriptions, and then off to sonic for dinner (1/2 priced burger night on tuesdays... It's becoming something of a tradition!)

I had the perfect night with the girls tonight (chris is out playing basketball!) first, they both took great baths! I even let taylor play in my shaving cream (her new fun thing to do in the tub.) And Maddie LOVED watching taylor splash and play in the tub. I love it when they crack each other up. After their baths, we went into their room and read The rockabye farm. After that, we had prayers. taylor's getting very good at saying her own prayers.

Taylor - Heavy Fawa

Me - Thank you

Taylor - Day

Me - Bless

Taylor - Daddy

Me - Bless

Taylor - Madison

Me - Bless

Taylor - Mommy

Me - Bless

Taylor - Taylor

Me - Bless

Taylor - Granma, Granpa

Me - Bless

Taylor - Mamie, Papa

Me - In the Name of Jesus Christ

Taylor - AMEN!

I Love it.

Yesterday

Was pretty uneventful... nothing real noteworthy... except I watched twilight for the 3rd time since I bought it.

Taylor in mommy's cinderella shoes!

Sunday

We had a great day at church. Relief Society was awesome. Have you ever had a lesson that you know was meant JUST FOR YOU? That's what happened to me this past Sunday. I had to read a story aloud. The story I read was almost exactly like an experience I had once. I know I was meant to read that story and remember my experience. It was a much needed reminder how much my Heavenly Father knows me personally and loves me.

Here's a pic of Maddie after church... Just chillin in her swing!

Saturday

Chris's Birthday. My handsome's getting old. We had a fun little party with some good friends. Chris got some good birthday wishes via text, facebook, phone calls... I think it was a good day for him... He had already gotten most of his gifts from me... But I suprized him with a gift card from the girls. He also got a New Titans jersey, the new Halo game, and a book. I think he enjoyed it. I know he Likes his presents. He's worn/played/read them enough... And he's already used most of his gift card... so I'm guessing It was a good day.

My Parents also left this past Saturday for a trip to TAHITI. I'm so jealous. And I can't wait for them to get back... I need my mommy :) I have so much to talk to her about. Chris's mom is away right now too... Where did all the mom's go? I need to talk!!!!!! LOL.

Friday

well, technically, Saturday Morning

Me and chris stayed up late Friday night... at like 12:04 chris said, "Hey, It's after midnight!" so i went out and bought Twilight. Chris, being the great man that he is, sat with me and watched it... til we passed out. We finished it on saturday. I've currently watched it 3 times, and planning on another one in the next day or two. I notice different things everytime I watch it. I still don't think it's a great movie, edward's still not cute, jacob isn't either... but like rita said... it reminds me of the book, which I love. So there... yes, the movie isn't good... the acting sucks. But I'll still watch it.

Wednesday

Last wednesday we went to the zoo with my friends from the white house ward and krystin. it was a great morning to go, and I'm loving that I decided to buy the membership. We got our cards in now so I'll be going all the time. Madison did very well sitting up in the rental stroller. And there was enough room for both my girls in the single stroller. I was excited to save the 2 bucks. After we had lunch at the zoo, we came home and my friend Devrie came over and her boys played for a bit with taylor. it was fun to have them over and i hope she's able to come over again.

We also talked about my next project. I'm going to make a couple/few busy books. I'm trying to decide how I want to do them. I"m just in the planning stages right now... but I can't wait until i actually start getting the peices and sewing. I'm so excited. maybe I'll even finish this one! :)

Well, I think that's about caught up. There are tons of new things taylor is saying, but i can't think of them now. I'll make a list soon. She's getting pretty funny... and sassy. So be on the look out!

Maddie at the Dr. office last Week.

Maddie's 6 Months Appt, and then some

Madison Had her 6 month dr appt this morning. Everything went very well...

She's 14 lbs 13.1 oz (27%) and 24 inches long (5%). She's an itty bitty one!

The Dr and me talked for a while! (I love this office. They'll sit and chat with you! So nice.) She actually PRESCRIBED me to hire a baby-sitter. She told me that even putting the girls in a Mother's Day out a couple days a week would be great. I think that would be a bit much for me (and we couldn't afford that...) but I do know I need more time... She could definately sense that I need a break... (the past week has been a bit rough with chris being sick and all.) She also prescribed a date night, atleast once a month. We talked about how Disconnected you can get from your husband when you're up all night and such. She talked about the resentment that can build from thinking you're doing it all on your own (and no chris, I don't resent you... I know how much you help me.) It was a good visit... for both me and Maddie!

Getting there was a different story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I speed... alot. It's hereditary. My mom and dad both do it. I like going fast. I really can't help it. This morning, it wasn't just because... I was late. I had to drop off Taylor at my mom's so I could go to the dr with maddie, and my mom could go run her errands with Pumpkin Doodle (her nickname for taylor) So there was an actual reason for my speeding.

On Long Hollow (the other side of Nashville) there's this one spot where everyone and their mother (including mine :P ) has been pulled over! My dad was even pulled over twice in this spot in the same day. Cops love to sit there cause you're coming over a hill, and people tend to let their cars go a bit faster down the hill. Then they catch you and pull you over. So I came over that hill... saw this weird thing down the road a bit, thought for a second it was a motorcycle cop, then figured it was probably just a part of the driveway he was sitting in (like a column or mailbox or something.) By the time I realized it really was a cop... it was too late. I KNEW he had clocked me and I was speeding.

This has been my first speeding ticket since fall of 02! For someone who thinks 10 over can be a bit too slow at times... this is... well... I deserved it much sooner. And the sad thing is I know I should be thinking, Man.. I shouldn't have been speeding. But I keep thinking... Man, I shouldn't have gotten caught. :P

And you remember how you felt in high school or college when you got in trouble with your parents and you had that awful uneasy feeling... had your stomach in knots... I've felt like that all day!!! It's awful. I feel like everytime I get in my car I'm going to get yelled at or something!

Chris was fine with it... well, not mad atleast. He did his "told you so" "Hope you learned your lesson" thing... I told him I already had a father! He said he had a right to say these things... cause he's the one paying the insurance. :P All this was in fun! We actually laughed about it. Til we looked at the costs...

But since it's been so long since I had a ticket, I can go to driver school and have it taken off my record. WooHoo!

Okay, so now I'm rambling. I'll be done now. And (knock on wood) no more tickets... or dr appts for that matter.

**Note** Okay carrie... I specifically didn't put in how much OVER the speed limit I was going. But it was more than 15... less than 20 though! I'm awful. I know.

Like mother, like daughter

I was looking through the pics of Taylor at the zoo, and saw the one below and thought...

I've seen that face before!

It's my face!