Showing posts with label me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label me. Show all posts

Saturday, October 1, 2011

October is here!

Time just seems to be flying by lately, and I have been having a hard time staying updated with my blog and shutterfly share site. So since I woke up in the middle of the night, and could not go back to sleep, I figured now is as good a time as any!
For the past month or so, I have been leaving mini updates on my weekly mail call posts. Which seems to picking up quite a bit! Between watching the girls, cleaning the house, cooking three times/day and more...its really hard to find a time to do all the product reviews and giveaways that I would like to. I still am loving every minute of it though! In fact, over the past few weeks I have received some really neat products to review - including leggings for the girls, a Halloween costume for Arwen, hair stuff, books, an entire box full of burritos (YUM!) and more! I will update this week's mail call probably on Sunday night or Monday :)

Destin and Arwen are doing wonderful! I have been slacking on some good updates, but I wanted to share the Destin is now 31 months old! She never ceases to amaze me how incredibly smart she is! She knows all of her ABCs - the sounds, the uppercase letters and words that are associated with each. We are currently working on recognizing lowercase letters, numbers 1 - 20 (which she can already count, I would just like her to see the number and say it aloud), and writing the letters of her name. Some may think that she may be too young to start learning how to write, but she is definitely ready. Destin absolutely loves to draw, paint, color and more...so it seems just right to get her started on learning how to write her name.

Sadly, it seems like Destin is still as strong headed as ever - and does not want to sleep in her own bed. It has been several months (if not longer) since she has slept in her bed all night; and that is after we transfer her from our bed. I just wish there was some type of magic way of encouraging her to sleep in her bed/in her room. I have tried talking to her about why she should sleep in her bed, and that if she does I would give her a "special treat" or a visit to her new favorite place "Chuck E. Cheese". But...she thinks that she should get the special treat/visit whether she sleeps in her bed or not. Now, when I talk to her about it, she says there are monsters in her room :( Does anyone have any suggestions?

Arwen is now 14 months old. She is such an explorer! Climbing, hiding, running, and laughing all the while. Arwen is such a happy girl, but is still very much a "mama's girl". She loves to play with her big sister, but also really enjoys playing by herself sometimes too. Her new love for the past couple months has been "Elmo" and she talks about him all the time. I just love to listen to Arwen talk. She is learning new words, and sounds everyday. Currently, she can make the sounds for the following animals: a duck, cow, dog, cat, monkey, owl, sheep and more! We are still working on recognizing body parts - she likes to stick her finger up her nose, every time I ask her where her nose is! Too funny!

Arwen is still such an amazing sleeper! I am so incredibly thankful for that! I know I have said it before, and I will say it again - I don't think I could handle both girls having sleep issues. Arwen still goes to bed around 8 PM and wakes up about 7:30 AM or so. She has been doing this since she was 6 weeks old! How did we get so lucky?!

Her eating habits haven't been so great though. I noticed that since the pediatrician told me to switch from 2% to whole, that neither one of the girls eats hardly anything. I am wondering if I need to switch back? They both drink milk constantly, and I really think that is what fills them up all day long. No matter what the meal is, or what is being served, they just don't seem to eat a lot. I know my cooking isn't that bad! Ha!

Patrick is doing good...he got hurt last week on the job, and cut his face. From the middle of his forehead, down the bridge of his nose, and under his right eye. Very scary, and very big noticeable mark which will probably leave a scar. We are just very thankful that it did not cause any major damage. He is still playing softball twice a week now, but I am not sure how much longer he can last. After every game he comes home being sore, and with new injuries. I think they are supposed to play until the end of October.

As far as my update goes...my eyes are still doing wonderful since my Lasik. I have my one month appt on Monday. And, I got my check from the insurance this week - which paid for 90%! Woo hoo! It is so amazing to wake up everyday and NOT need my glasses/contacts! My allergies are still drivin me crazy, and I hope that they go away forver and ever. And last but not least, I have been thinking about running/walking a 5K at the end of this month to benefit breast cancer. Someone I love very much was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and I would like to do it for her. I am wondering how much time and healthy eating/preparing it would take for me to do this though. Does anyone have experience with running or walking a 5K?

Tomorrow night, Patrick and I are going on a much needed date night to World's of Fun. I am so excited to check out all the haunted houses they have! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! If I had more more I would definitely have every decoration out there! We were supposed to go with our good friends, but since they couldn't find a sitter, and the entire month of October is getting booked up like crazy for both of us...we had to find someone else to go with :( I am so sad that we couldn't go with them, but we have already made plans to go next year in the Spring! We are making plans a year ahead of time!

Well, I think I have "talked" your ear off enough for tonight! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! And a good start to your October :D Take care, Melissa

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

What's new with us?

I can't believe I am saying this...but Fall is here! The weather over the weekend was in the low 60s, and the girls and I wore jeans and t-shirts! It literally felt like pumpkin picking time...which will be here before we know it.

I don't remember the last time I updated the blog...a couple weeks at most. So I thought I would share what we have been up to.


Destin never ceases to amaze me how incredibly smart she is! She has learned how to draw smile-ly faces...she drew a picture of "mommy, daddy, Destin & Arwen" just a few days ago. It was absolutely incredible to see a 2 year old draw such a detailed drawing and explain what each aspect of her "piece" was.

Destin is still very independent - she wants to dress herself, brush her teeth/hair, help mommy/daddy with everything and always has to know what we are doing at all times. The only thing that she is still NOT independent with...is bed time. I really think we need to set a goal for this, so that she is still not sleeping in our bed til she goes to Kindergarten! Let us hope that it won't continue for that long!

I would really like to sign Destin up for some type of activity - dance, gymnastics, sports or something...but I think we may wait another year, when both the girls can participate and we have more money to invest in something like that.




Arwen who is now 13 months old is doing wonderful as well. She is loving Elmo, and sharing it with everyone that we meet. Every visit to Walmart or Target, means that we have to visit Elmo at the toystore (even though we have almost every Elmo toy there is from Destin's obsession when she was younger!).

Arwen is loving playing outside, riding her toys, playing (eating) with chalk, going for walks, and rides in the wagon. I can't wait to take her to the zoo again - she has really taken a big interest in animals lately. To read more about Arwen...please read my last post!





 


Patrick is still working hard as ever for our family. We went on a special date night a couple weeks ago, and got to see the Kauffman Performing Arts Building in Kansas City (which he, his two older brothers and his father worked on for more than year). It was absolutely incredible to see the building in its finished state. I couldn't be more proud of him and all of his "brothers".


Melissa (ME!)...I have been busy trying to find childcare, so that I can go back to subbing for the Lee's Summit & Blue Springs school districts. I just don't see the point in going back to work if I am only making just enough to pay for daycare. I am not really sure what I am going to do...I just hope I can find something soon.

I am also keeping myself busy with blogging for Frugal Fabulous Finds still. I absolutely love working with Wendy & Melina every week. Finding great deals, saving money and of course sharing great giveaways with over 20,500 readers each week!

BIG NEWS!! I finally got Lasik eye surgery. After weeks of appointments, and second opinions...I finally found an amazing Doctor named Dr. Daniel Durrie! He did a fantastic job and I can proudly say that I am now seeing 20/20 for the first time in over 20 years without the help of glasses or contacts! I cannot tell you how exciting it is to actually be able to see the clock when I get up, or to even see Patrick's face in the morning. Before, I could only see about 6 inches in front of my face...and now I can see everything clearly! It is such a relief/blessing/miracle that I can actually see without needing my contacts/glasses. I still cannot believe it.

My surgery was Friday, September 2nd at 2 PM...and by 6 PM that night I could see 20/20! Amazing! I would highly suggest anyone to look into this...its free to see if you qualify, and they also have great interest free for 24 months! I am very lucky to have insurance that pays 90%! I have been waiting for over 10 years to have this done, and now I can say with a smile that "I finally did it!". Yay!

For the next couple weeks, I hope I can find childcare...or another way for me to make money for our family. Despite Patrick working full time, it just doesn't seem like its enough for us to survive. I am just not sure what I am going to do...waitressing doesn't seem like a good option, and all of the daycare centers in our area, will charge me full price for the girls. If you know of any ways I could make money - please let me know! I just don't have a lot to invest, if at all...wish me luck!

Until next time, take care!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Whats new with us?

Wow, so its been a week since our baby girl, Arwen turned 1, and I am hoping to soon post something about her wonderful party. Not as many people came as anticipated, but it was still great! She looked absolutely adorable in her birthday dress/tutu w/matching hair bow! And she loved eating her cake, and opening presents :) I cannot wait to share pictures with everyone! Here is a sneak peak...



All about Arwen...she is walking ALL the time (about 85% of the time) and is loving to climb everything still! The couch and the fireplace are her fav. danger zones! EEK! She is also talking more each day, and starting to act more like her big sister too! She is the sweetest baby and we couldn't be more proud!

All about Destin...she is my BIG girl, and sometimes my BIG helper too! She loves to help mommy change baby sister, and her favorite thing now is to walk w/Arwen. They walk everywhere in the house. She is learning to recognize her letters, and is wanting to learn how to write her name (that is our next adventure!). Destin absolutely LOVES to read still, so we have been checking out several books from the library lately - and even got several FREE books w/their summer reading program.

The girls have had so much fun this summer at all of our frequent playdates with our friends, Karly & Kynly :) And my friend, Holly! Its so funny how fast you can make friends with someone that has been apart of your life already for so many years. Holly's husband grew up w/Patrick when they were little. We are so lucky to have reconnected over the past year or more.

This past week...we went swimming, to the library, and to the Dentist. They both did great, and really enjoyed the fun waiting room again! It had a slide, video games, flatscreen televisions and more! I would highly recommend Spencer & Spencer Denistry in Lee's Summit for all of your babies ages 0 and up.

All about Patrick...he got rained out a couple days this week which was nice for him to have a break. Healthwise, he is doing great! He has been going to the doctor every Monday for checkups on his platelet count.

All about me..not a whole lot to report...but I did want to share that I am thinking about going back to teaching. I will still blog here and work at Frugal Fabulous Finds, but I am looking into going back into regular or substitute teaching this fall, as long as I can find adequate childcare for the girls.

Also, I have been thinking about getting Lasik Eye Surgery. I have two eye appointments next week, and then its just a matter of scheduling when and who will help me watch the girls. Any takers?

So far, so good with the start of a new month. Oh, I almost forgot...I had to go get a rental car this week, and I forgot my garage door opener...UGH! So, I am now playing the waiting game, hopefully it turns up again! :( Like I said last week, when it rains, it pours...I just hope something good comes out of the car accident from a couple weeks ago.

Until next time...stay tuned for mail calls, birthday pics and more! Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, April 22, 2011

What's new with us??

I don't know why, but I feel like I haven't really blogged in awhile...so I thought I would chime in and say what's new with us...

Arwen
  • She will be 9 months old in less a week! Wow!
  • Got 2 new teeth this week! Her top ones, to be exact...she looks so grown up! And I am currently writing another post about that...all I can say is - biting + breastfeeding = 1 sad mama (yes, that would be me!). So now she has a total of 4 (2 on top & 2 on bottom).
  • She is still saying "duck" all the time...its so cute when she actually has a rubber duck or sees a picture of an actual duck. But she likes to say it ALL the time, and labels everything as a "duck".
  • In case you were wondering, she is still saying 'dada', 'mama' & 'baba'
  • Is an EXPERT crawler! She is crawling from room to room, up and down the hall and is definitely a PRO! Its so funny to watch her, because Destin never really "crawled" at this age, she would just scoot on her belly or army crawl - but Arwen, she is on all fours, and on the go - all the time! OH! AND she is into everything - the cabinets, drawers, and more! I definitely have my hands full!
  • She is eating lots of baby foods, sleeping great and more too! But I will save the rest of her updates for next week!
Destin
  • Is loving 'Thomas the Train' and trains in general this week!
  • Loves being able to dress herself (notice the two different shoes, backwards shirt, and her favorite hat)
  • Loves the movie "Marmaduke", and still loves Max & Ruby, Mickey Mouse and more! I love how she likes to watch "Jake & The Neverland Pirates" then she goes around the house saying, "ARRR! PIRATES!" Too funny!
  • She is extremely emotional lately, throwing lots of fits when she doesn't get her way - but I think it might be partly due to the fact that she does NOT sleep (for naps or at  night)...UGH!
  • Wants to be outside ALL OF THE TIME! She loves the park, playing with chalk, her water table and helping daddy mow the yard.
Patrick
  • Getting a summer softball team together with his dad, and four brothers
  • Still working every day non-stop (Someday I hope that he won't have to do this all the time)
ME
  • Still working on our Family Trees w/Ancestry.com and contacting lots of family members close and far away for help on pics, info, etc.
FrugalFabulousFinds.com
  • Loving my new job at Frugal Fabulous Finds...I am the Product Review & Giveaway Specialist...where I get paid to post deals, product reviews, giveaways and more! If you haven't already been to the site - you should! We are also on Facebook & Twitter!  
Anyways, that's whats new with us...this weekend we are going on an Easter Egg Hunt, getting the girls Easter stuff, celebrating our niece's 10th birthday at Landmark Skate and of course celebrating Easter! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Take care, Melissa

Friday, April 15, 2011

Fantastic Friday!

Yay! Its Friday...which means its almost weekend time! Time spent with family, friends and more - no work, relaxation (somewhat) and more!

What's new with us?

Destin ~ Loves to play outside! The weather was just beautiful this week, so we were able to go out almost everyday to play. We even went to the park (which only lasted a short while since Destin decided to run away from me). This week, Destin has been saying, "I want to go outside by myself to play, mommy/daddy!". I am not sure where she learned that, but she has been asking/telling me this almost everyday. We have been drawing with chalk, and playing with our water table from last summer.

I have also noticed that she is starting to like some new things...trains (Thomas the train - we got a new movie from my Aunt last weekend, and she has watched it at least 3 times this week!), wearing her hat backwards (not new, but thought I would add this), Diego, Buzz Lightyear (from Toy Story - which she loves all 3 movies!), cars, and getting very dirty -- she is definitely becoming a little tom boy :)

Arwen ~ Still doing wonderful crawling around the house (she hasn't managed to go into another room) and can get from one side of the room to another. She also learned a new word this week..."DUCK"! This is her 3rd word (after dada & mama) and she says it all the time now :) She is still working on pulling herself up, but is very close!

Daddy/Patrick ~ Working very hard for our family :) I know he will be happy to have off this weekend, as he always is.

Me/Melissa ~ I have been taking lots of pics of the girls. And I have made some connections in my family (on my mother's fathers side of the family). I have been working on Family Tree stuff for a few years now, but I would like to try to work on it again. I cannot believe how much family I actually have that I have never even met before (some family members even live less than 15 minutes away!). Wish me luck! I am working on my mother (both sides), my father (both sides) and Patrick's mother & father (on both sides). Lots of work & research!

Weather related news...I forgot to add we had tennis ball size hail a couple weeks ago, and we have literally had at least 15 roofing companies come to our house! They must be desperate looking for work! I finally said yes to one company, and of course he said our entire roof needs to be replaced (of course!). But I am not sure if that is true..we are looking into getting a second opinion from a friend. With no money to meet the deductible for our insurance, I am sure this will go to the bottom of our list of things to do.

Last night, we had a very large, very loud thunderstorm with lightning...and Destin had to narrate the entire thing as we tried to get her to go to sleep. I think she might be scared of thunderstorms, which is something that is NEW for her. As she gets older, and starts to understand things more, or maybe her imagination runs wilder, she is starting to be more scared of things...the dark, monsters, dinosaurs, dragons, etc.

This weekend...we are going to a birthday party for Patrick's little brother (he is turning 14! Wow!), and I am not sure about Saturday yet (depending on the weather)...there are Easter egg hunts, a kite festival and more going on this weekend! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Take care,
Melissa

Friday, March 18, 2011

What I'm Not Good At

I saw this on another blogger's blog that I follow and thought I would make my own list of things I am not good at. There are quite a few..

1) Cooking..I am very sad to say I am not good/great/wonderful at cooking. I love to try new recipes, and I read all the fun creative cooking magazines and they never turn out as they should. You know that song by Brad Paisley where he says "Eating burnt suppers the whole first year...", well Patrick & I always talk about how thing song is still true for our marriage...since I burn supper about once or twice a month. I hope that with age, and some much needed training (someday!) I can be a better cook for our growing family.

2) Organization...I am a work in progress on this topic. My dresser, closet, kitchen, and other areas become organized, but within a week or two they are full again of stuff. I don't put in the effort I should to get things done and put things where they should be. As a former (future) teacher, I hope to someday get on top of this!

3) Staying off the internet - takes alot of time away
4) Sewing - I wish I knew how!
5) Public speaking - Yeah, not good!
6) Decorating like this...oh how I wish I could do this!

And just to even this post out, so I am not all "Debbie Downer" on you...some things I am good at:

1) Multi-tasking - I can watch tv, breast feed, talk on the phone, do the dishes, check my email, read to the girls, play, sing, clean, vacuum, dust, mop, sweet, laundry, dishes, dance --- all at the same time. Well, maybe not all of those things at once, but you get the picture! As a mommy of two girls (used to be two under two) I have learned that you have to have this skill to succeed!

2) Keeping up with photo taking (sometimes) and putting them into a photo book (at least every few months or so) with Shutterfly. I love making photo books of the girls and our family. I know someday I won't remember when...I am looking into digital scrapbooking for my next project.

3) Talking! Ha! Pat would love this one...all I do is talk! At least when I have someone to talk to...

4) Being a mom to my beautiful girls...they are my whole world!

5) Being a wife to my husband Patrick :)