Sacrifices

We all have to make sacrifices when money is tight. Since the cash flow isn't really flowing we have all had to give a few things up. I don't get my daily Diet Dr. Pepper with Vanilla from Sonic anymore, I don't eat out, I quit buying magazines, I'm cutting coupons and buying all groceries on sale, and I've given up the male escorts. Like I said we all must make sacrifices.

The Hulk has even made a few sacrifices but he doesn't really know it. He no longer gets a new book every time we are at a store. We use the library more. He also isn't getting new clothes like he used too. I use second hand stores and eBay more and more. I have found some adorable stuff for him for next to nothing! Mad props to the Once Upon A Child People! And he is no longer allowed to go to the strip club. Throwing away money on girls just isn't acceptable.

So while we are all making some sacrifices our poor dog Lena is really giving up a lot! This poor dog no longer gets tons of scooby snacks! Those things are pricey. She doesn't even get the name brand dog food anymore. She didn't even get any new toys for Christmas. But the worst part is that she hasn't been to the groomer in I don't know how long. I just can't bring myself to spend the $36 for a dog haircut when I don't even have the money to get my own hair done. She won't let me trim it so you can't even hardly see her eyes anymore. So her is poor Lena girl in all her sacrificing glory. What a sad looking little dog she is.....



Clickin Mama

Randon Picture Challenge

Yeah Brittany is doing another random picture challenge. So for this week the picture is from the January folder and it's the 8th picture. Which means we get this photo!!!!



This photo was actually taken on Christmas day but I didn't upload it until January. This photo is of The Hulk trying out the Retro Riding Rocket that Monte and Cathy got him for Christmas. His legs aren't quite long enough for it yet but I have a feeling that in a few more months he is going to be a rocket riding fool.

Join the challenge. It's always fun!

Clickin Mama

Hot Chocolate

Yummy! Hot Chocolate is one of my very favorite things. I just love it. For some reason it is a total comfort for me. When I was a kid I always knew as I ran home freezing from the bus stop that my mom would have hot chocolate waiting for me. And sure enough she never let me down. Every once in awhile she would switch it up and have apple cider but almost every day it was hot chocolate. I loved that!

Now as an adult I am a little bit of a hot chocolate snob. I really like flavored hot chocolates. The raspberry chocolate and the mint chocolate. YUM YUM YUM! I'm a bit picky about the brand. The swiss miss packet works every once in awhile but I'm more of a gourmet hot chocolate girl now.

And you would think the cup wouldn't matter. But oh it does! See some mugs just are big enough. There is nothing worse than trying to mix up your hot chocolate and having some of it spill over the side. Oh no that just doesn't work for me. So I've been on the hunt for a huge wonderful hot chocolate mug. I used to have one years ago but it got broken. And I wasn't having much luck. But my bestest friend Darby hooked me up with a super hot chocolate mug for Christmas! Check out my new delicious beverage holder. It got a good work out today.



Drink up and Enjoy Friends!

Clickin Mama

Sickly The Hulk

Oh this poor little The Hulk baby. He just doesn't feel good. We made the trip to the ER last night in the freezing cold and I'm not sure it was necessary. He seemed a lot worse at home but sure enough when we got there he perked up some. He does have an ear and upper respitory infection though so at least it wasn't a totally wasted midnight excursion.

We would have been home a lot sooner but the doctor couldn't seem to figure out what dosage of medicine to prescribe for him. He kept saying how big The Hulk is and that he was the biggest kid he had ever seen. He and the nurse debated for a good 30 minutes before he finally gave us a prescription. Needless to say all of his confusion didn't leave me real confident. So I double checked the dose with the pharmacist and Darby before I gave it to The Hulk. I didn't want to over medicate the poor kid.

Darby saved us this morning and came and watched The Hulk this morning so I could go get his meds filled. I didn't want to drag him out again when he doesn't feel well. So she came and played nurse. Wait she really is a nurse... So she came and loved on him while I did the dreaded Wal-mart run. Thanks Darby!

So now The Hulk is all medicined up and resting. He actually has done his seal bark cough in a good 30 minutes. Praise God! I hate that cough! I am gonna pick up the house some and then I might have to steal and afternoon nap with the little guy this afternoon. This mommy is tired!

Co Sleeping

You know back when I was a perfect mother. You remember that time. It was before I had a kid. Yes that was a wonderful time. I had wonderful plans. One of my plans back then was to have a family bed. Yes co sleeping was on my list of things to do. In all of my pre adoption classes they talked about how wonderful it was for attachment and bonding. Indeed that would be our family. All cozy and warm in our family bed. Bonded and happy sleeping in attached bliss.....

Ugh not so much. This just doesn't work for us. I think The Hulk and I both are a little to selfish with our sleeping to make this work. From the time he was born he made it clear he is a solo sleeper. He wants to be alone. He likes for you to lay him in his bed and leave him the heck alone! And seriously when I try to have him sleep with me I'm a mess. There is no sleeping. There is a little boy kicking me in the ribs, clawing at my face, turning in circles and keeping me up all night. I don't feel blissful and happy. I'm tired and grumpy!

Last night I tried to put him in bed with me. He was doing this weird coughing thing that made me think he was choking to death. So I got him out of his bed and put him in mine so he would be close and I could make sure he was okay. Well he was okay. I was awake all night so I know he was fine. He was a twisting, turning little bed hog. I have a big bed and I got a little sliver of it because he just inches over and over and pushes me out.

So the whole family bed doesn't work for us and I'm okay with that. I would rather we both be well rested. So what parenting technique have you had to reevaluate since you've had kids?

Baby Whatcha Reading

My little guy loves to read. Well he loves to be have me read to him! He also loves to play with his books and look at the pictures. In all honesty he spends more time playing and looking at books than he does any other toys. And I LOVE that! I always enjoyed reading with my mom and I still enjoy reading to this day. I hope and pray that this is just the beginning of a long love affair with reading for The Hulk!

So whatcha reading baby boy?

Right now Sandra Boynton books are a huge hit at our house. We have several of her books. And they never get old. What I love about her books is that they are actually kinda funny. I don't get bored reading them to him over and over again. And the illustrations are great. So The Hulk and I both recommend them for your kids or as gifts for kids!

The Hulk has three baskets filled with books that are accessible to him pretty much all the time. He loves to dump them out and sort through his books. He stacks them, he bangs them together, he turns the pages, and sometimes he even eats them. But boy does he love his books!

Do you have any kids books to recommend? What book did you love as a kid?

Wii Fit

I have the Wii Fit and I really enjoy it. I'm a hula hoop champion and I've even gotten the step aerobics figured out. That is a quite a feat considering what a klutz I am. I'm digging the Wii but I don't use it near enough. I have a problem sticking with it. Image that. I'm thinking that my problem with sticking with exercise is directly correlated to the fat sticking to my butt. Hmmmmmmmm

So I'm trying really hard to make myself stick with it. And it doesn't even have to be the Wii. I'm really trying to stick with 30 minutes of exercise a day. No matter what else is going on I just need to do it. So any tips for staying motivated. Any really great ideas or things you are doing that seem to help you.... I'm struggling to stay focused and with it. Any suggestions?