My first day on site I drove up and there was a truck sitting in a ditch on its side and I very quickly realized there was no running water. No sinks and no indoor toilets and I can’t use regular hand sanitizer because the alcohol in it makes my hands crack and bleed. This really wasn’t what I had imagined.

I was still pumping breast milk for my youngest, he was about 7 months old at the time. I was able to pump in a storage closet and I know it’s not ideal conditions but in the temporary trailer we were in, there weren’t many options so it was either that or the car.  I was bringing my own cooler for milk and supplies because it was easier. We did have a water cooler and I used sanitizer bags in the microwave for my equipment. It wasn’t easy but it wasn’t that bad either.  I only continued nursing for another month and half due to some health issues.

The work has been low stress and since it is a temporary job with no benefits they have been very flexible on my schedule. I was able to be at home when my kids were sick, take days here and there for long weekends and leave early when nothing was going on.

Summer was hard when my hubby, the teacher was home all the time. I occasionally feel guilty if the kids have a hard morning or ask me to stay home with them but usually it was a great situation for everyone. My daughter is very social and gets other people to pay attention to him, the boy gets packed around and snacks and I feel like I am contributing to society.

There is nothing wrong with any kind of mom out there, stay at home, work from home, work outside the home, whatever works for you; go with it. I just feel the need to work outside the home and with the impending end of situation, I am so worried about what it means for my family and myself that I won’t be.

Homemade Derby Hat Contest

I love the idea of the fancy hats and in October the hubby visited Churchill Downs and brought me back the official mint julep syrup.

 Now all I need is the burbon and a great hat idea!

Babies are everywhere! Since I was pregnant with my first it seems like almost all of my college friends had just recently had a baby, was going to have a baby or was thinking about having a baby which all adds up to a whole lot of baby showers. Now I know that they created registries for just that reason but I like to think that I’m creative and wanted to come up with some unique baby gifts. I don’t remember who got us this toy, that teether or one of the million outfits but I do remember the thoughtful stuff. I am going to do this in a couple of posts because they are all so unique! I started by making burp cloths, which includes 2 different kinds. I have made blankets, diaper cakes, wipes cases, diaper/wipe bags, peepee teepees, nursing covers, and binky clips. I have ambitions to make some other things now that my kids are older including an activity book, car organizer, crayon roll and gifts for others! I don’t have a craft/sewing area set up in our new house yet but I hope to soon. By the way, maybe I will get motivated sooner if other people are having more babies!

From This:

To This:

And This:

To This:

We’ve had some great times but I just don’t think I can do it anymore. Of course there will be the occasional one I just can’t pass up (I am looking at you $2.50 off dishwasher detergent).

After all the time and energy that I have put into this relationship I just don’t feel that I get that back in the form of savings. Sure we had some pretty successful outings but what about all the ones that just expired before they were put to use? Was it because I forgot? or did I really not need you?

I know a lot of people can make you work successfully but preparing a trip to the grocery store became a trip of exhaustion and anxiety trying to make sure I had the right store coupons plus the right manufacturer coupon plus the right sale. Nothing was more stressful than a trip to the grocery store and I just don’t think we saved that much over the year. In fact my grocery spending total went up $2500 last year and I know we have a 1 year old now and that includes some diapers and formula but really?!?

So now instead of clipping all coupons I am cutting back to the ones that I know I will use in a reasonable amount of time. And how come I can never find coupons for the expensive stuff I actually buy? I need some Beneful Dog Food coupons by the way…  the Brown Dog likes to eat.

Invitations

I hand made these and the blah, blah became:

“She’s having baby! She lives far away and it’s her day so let’s get wild and crazy.  We’re having a shower, 10:30 am the hour. We will brunch and drink punch on Date at Address.”

Decorations

We had a clothesline with boy wild animal themed clothing and toys. A pregnant wire form with flowers. Paper lanterns in blue, white and animal print. Blue painted letters to spell baby Dylan’s name and safari themed rubber ducks.

Games

Guests brought baby pictures of themselves and we had to guess who was who. We had a matching game of the baby animal to its momma. And A Price is Right, guests had to guess the price of common baby items. The mom to be guessed the least cost of anyone, it was pretty funny. We also wrote messages on baby diapers for the parents. A lot of them said, this one’s for you dad! Plus  WSU/UW rivarly sayings.

 Food

We had mini-quiches, fresh fruit, muffins, parfait bites, sausage links, eggs and various drinks.

Everyone had a great time, well hopefully and the mom to be got some wonderful gifts. We can’t wait for Dylan Cole to arrive in Februrary. He is such a loved little boy already!