Bulk is Better?

Last night we were at Wal-Mart picking up a few things that we needed.  One thing that was on the list was my soda.  For some reason Wal-Mart never has 12 packs of Diet Mountain Dew.  I'm not exactly sure why this is.  It frustrates me.  You see a 12 pack of Pepsi products at Wal-Mart costs $3.00.  Now they will have the 24 packs of it, but do you know what they charge for this?  $6.49.  Now why in the world would they charge $0.49 more than they do for the 12 pack for buying 24?  I don't get it.  But of course since they did not have a 12 pack and I didn't want to run anywhere else just for soda I spent the extra and went with the cube.  Grrr.

Then we were down the toilet paper isle to pick up some Cottonelle.  Immediately I am drawn to the larger 24 pack again, but after my experience with the soda I go and take a look at the price.  AGAIN the 24 pack is about $0.70 I think more than the 12 pack.  Why?  So of course we bought the 12 pack instead.

Does anyone know why they would charge you more for buying the larger packaging?  In my mind it should cost the same or less, but it seems it isn't so.  Maybe it's just Wal-Mart too.  I'll be keeping my eyes open next time I go to Target and the grocery store and see what they have these items listed for. 

Ooooooh it was the toothpaste!

K-Girl - "Are Nan and Pap coming?"

Me - "No Pap is sick."

K-Girl - "Why is he sick?"

Me - "He caught germs just like you and Daddy did."

K-Girl - "I didn't catch germs!"

Me - "Yes you did.  You caught germs and that made you sick."

K-Girl - "No!  I swallowed toothpaste!  Toothpaste made me sick!"

Hahaha!  I am constantly telling K-Girl when we are brushing her teeth not to swallow the toothpaste and if she swallows too much it will make her sick.  Not quite the kind of sick I meant.  ;)

Week #10 Menu Plan Monday

Well this whole Weight Watchers thing is going a bit rough here lately.  Seems The Husband and I have fallen from the wagon and each time we get back on we fall back off hard.  This week there was a Tupperware Banana Split party - it was fun but there is still ice cream left...not for lack of eating it though.  The scale is showing it too.  :(  I actually gained 2.2 lbs this last week and I anticipate this week to not shape up much better.  I'm slowly getting back to things, but as everyone knows once you derail it's hard to pick up and keep going.  But I must.  So this plan is somewhat Weight Watchers somewhat not.  We'll get there.  So without further adieu...

*click banner to see what others are having this week*

1.  Baked French Toast & Turkey Bacon

*FINALLY ATE THIS TONIGHT!*  It's been on my menu plan for the last maybe 3 weeks??  It just kept getting bumped and after having it tonight I don't know why.  It's YUMMY! 

2.  Rosetto Cheese Tortellini (1 c. = 5 pts) w/ Prego Traditional Sauce (1/2 c. = 1 pt)

3.  Shake N Bake Pork Chops (not sure - may update), Betty Crocker Julienne Potatoes (3 pts = 2/3 c. prepared) & corn (1/2 c = 1 pt)

4.  Freschetta Brick Oven 5 Italian Cheese Pizza (7 pts for 1/4 of whole pizza)

5.  Goulash

Here comes another not so recipe recipe...

Cook macaronis according to package...probably about 1/2 a box or so depending on how big a batch you want to make.

While that is cooking, brown (about a pound) Hamburger and drain.

Add garlic salt, pepper, oregano, basil, onion

Fry all together and add about 1/2 cup sugar

Add a large can of diced tomatoes and cook down a bit

Add tomato sauce (15 oz) & tomato paste (8 oz)

When macaroni is done drain and mix with your tomato mixture. 

*This is a sweeter tasting sauce.  It should not be bitter.  Like a lot of these family recipes I just don't have amounts...it was frustrating to me in the beginning too, but you'll catch on.  ;)  Lots of tasting as you go. 

6.  Jerk Chicken, Mac N Cheese, Green Beans perhaps? 

*Jerk Chicken is cheating - Marinade chicken pieces using store bought jerk sauce marinade - no fancy recipe here*

Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time 25 Minutes * Bake Time 25 Minutes * Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (7 ounces)       

¼ cup butter or stick margarine

¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon ground mustard (dry)

2 cups milk

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 ounces)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Cook macaroni as directed on package

3. While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in 3 quart saucepan over low heat.  Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and mustard.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubble; remove from heat.  Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat.  Stir in cheese until melted.

4. Drain macaroni.  Gently stir macaroni into cheese sauce.  Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole.  Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Oh and I want to let you know that I have a bonus recipe because I forgot to add it last week.  I ended up making "Chocolate Mint Grasshopper Pie" (From Kraft Food & Family Spring 2008) for the dessert to take to our friends' house this weekend.  It was DELICIOUS (and more kid friendly than my original idea of Tiramisu).  So click here to go back to last week as I added it for you.  :)  Enjoy!

A love story...

Last week Missy over at Bees and Boo-Boos  gave me this cute award.  Thanks, Missy!!  You're super sweet.  :) 

I find this a very difficult award to pick just a couple to pass it on to, but here are two and both of you please spread the love!

Amy - You're an amazing friend both online and off.  And you're always commenting which makes me smile.  :)

Cari - I'm so not a phone person and I've managed to kill the battery before on a few accounts.   I know if I need someone to talk me down you're always there.  And now you're working on making my blog all spiffy and new.  You rock!

Method rocks!

So if you have followed this blog at all you know that I have a special place in my heart for Method and their products.  A while ago I signed up as an advocate with Method.  Since that point I have received a BUNCH of freebies from a really cool Method shirt, their line of microfiber towels with samples of 4 different cleaners, body lotion, a reusable bag, and more. 

Last week I got a package in the mail from Method containing this book...

This is an awesome book.  It's sectioned off by rooms of your house and how to make them cleaner and greener.  I love it!  It's got a permanent home on one of my tables in my family room. 

Then just this week I walked out of the house to find a small package right outside of my door.  I brought it in and found this inside...

Hmmmm...  What could this be?  And opening it further...

Ooooh now isn't this nice?! 

On the left is Method Kid squeaky green 3-in-1 shampoo in fuzzy peach.  It is body wash, shampoo, & conditioner all in one. It boasts 99% natural, pediatrician tested, and hypo-allergenic.  It's tear-free which is always a good thing.  On the right is Method Baby squeaky green hair + body wash.  The front reads that it is "gentle, tear free + 99% natural + pediatrician tested + hypoallergenic".  It is rice milk + mallow.   They both have printed on the back label that it "contains no animal by-products, numbing agents, SLS/SLES or parabens + never tested on rubber duckies."  And of course it's an adorable little bottle.

I cannot wait to start using these products.  What's more is that on Earth Day I was watching Oprah and these products were actually featured and I nudged The Husband and told him that K-Girl was just about out of shampoo.  Method has wonderful timing!  I just love my Method! 

*Editing to add - This stuff smells yummy and both kids are nice and clean.  One notable difference is that it doesn't bubble up quite as much as the old stuff does, but I notice that a lot with more natural cleaners.  To me this is not a "con" it's just an observation.  So yes another thumbs up to a new Method product!

They also included 5 $1.00 off coupons to use and share...and share I will.  :)  Go get yourself some Method.  You won't be disappointed.  I promise!

Two things that I am adding here...

First about the coupons.  Nathan @ Method Lust shared with me...

"A note about the $1 coupons method is sending out; if you take a closer look, you'll notice on one side it says "$1 off" but on the other it says "good for one method product". Take a look at the small print, it says coupon good for up to $4.99! It takes $5. off your purchase! Great deal! Just a FYI! I'm not sure why this is (or if the coupons got messed up in the printing?) I'll look into it."

I checked it out and sure enough it says that in the fine print!  Awesome coupons!  :)

***Another note about the coupons - Nathan wrote me back and told me that it is indeed a printing error and they are supposed to be just $1.00 coupons.  So yeah use your judgement.  I don't think I could do the $4.99 thing now.  Just wanted to add that. 

Second is about the advocate program.  I know that not everyone takes the time to read all the comments so steve parker @ squeaky clean + green left this comment...

"i asked Sarah Homeijer, who works at method, about not being able to sign up to be an advocate on the new site. she said the method advocate page will become available on may 6th. check the method homepage that day or the next to sign up to become an advocate. it's like christmas when those advocate kits come in the mail!"

Nathan posted this at Method Lust - "UPDATE Sarah has let me know that the advocate portion of the site will now not be available until May 20th. method is hard at work fixing some kinks, they want to make it just perfect you know! So patience, patience!"

So mark your calendars and sign up and SPREAD THE WORD!!  :) 

Haiku Friday - The dreaded wipe

If let up to him,

he'd wear his food all day long.

No!  No!  Not the wipe!!

Why is it that kids hate to be cleaned up after meals?  I know that my little guy isn't out of the norm.  My daughter hated it as well.  He gets so fired up - biting at my and himself and crying and screaming - it's quite the performance.  What is really that bad about wiping the food off of all parts of their head and hands?  I swear I don't use sandpaper wipes....really. 

Earth Day & Primary Voting Day

I don't have much time but I want to wish you all a happy Earth Day (what is left of it) and say that I hope all you PA voters made your way to the polls and did your thing!  :) 

Anyone watch Oprah today?  I TiVo'ed it since I had to pick up my daughter as it came on.  I'm excited to watch.  I hope it lives up to my expectations.   Love Julia Roberts so here's hoping. 

I've been busy today with tons of running and cleaning and whatnot.  Tomorrow night I'm having a banana split Tupperware party.  Yay for junk food and company!  So I'll be back tomorrow with something to say.  ;)

Menu Plan Monday

Alright so this is not so Weight Watchers "friendly" in all aspects, but eh oh well.  I've been behaving poorly here lately but I've been doing alright with my weigh-ins so I'll take it.  I'm in the mood for these meals so I'm going to go ahead and make them anyway just keeping in mind portions and keeping the rest of my day fairly in line.  Either way - ENJOY!

*Click the banner to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie and see other great menu plans*

1.  Hamburg BBQ & Fresh Cut French Fries

1 lb lean ground beef

1 ½ Tbsp vinegar

chopped onion (I use frozen)

garlic powder

1 – 1 ½ cups ketchup

2 Tbsp mustard

½ cup brown sugar

***This is my mom’s recipe and with all of her recipes these amounts (if actually given) are just a starting point. You may want to add more or less depending on your tastes. This is a sweet BBQ and my personal favorite.

All you do is brown your meat and then drain if necessary. Add your onions and brown those up a little bit. Then start adding your other ingredients. Once all mixed you’ll want to cook it down just a bit until it is all heated and a bit thicker. Easy peasy!

 

2.  Spaghetti Pizza Pie

Ingredients:

8 oz Spaghetti, cooked & drained

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

1 egg, beaten lightly

1 lb ground beef, cooked & drained

2 cups spaghetti sauce

1 package (8oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Toss cooked spaghetti, parmesan cheese, and egg.

Place in 9” pie plate or deep dish baker.

Press along bottom and sides to form crust.

Mix cooked meat and spaghetti sauce.

Spread meat mixture over spaghetti crust.

Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.

Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes or until heated.

Let stand 5 minutes before cutting

Very yummy and super easy!

3.  Stuffed Peppers

Hollow and deseed the peppers. Put peppers in a pan with a bit of water and cover with a lid. Steam peppers until soft.

Fry hamburger with onion and cooked rice. Add a small can of tomato paste, tomato sauce, and a little ketchup. This mixture should be thick. Add in any of all seasonings as desired – oregano, basil, pepper, garlic salt. Stuff each pepper and add ketchup on top.

Bake at 350 till brown which is approx. an hour. You’ll want to sit them in a small bit of water so the peppers do not burn in the oven. .

*Sorry again for lack of real amounts as this is another one of those family recipes that I was told what goes in but measurements just don’t happen. ;)

4.  Freschetta 5 Italian Cheese Brick Oven Pizza 1/4 of pizza = 7 points

5.  Baked French Toast makes 2 servings @ 6 points each, Esskay Smoked & Sliced Turkey Bacon 1 point per slice, & Eggs 1 whole egg = 2 pts

6.  Eating Out!

7.  Lasagna @ The H's - bringing "Chocolate Mint Grasshopper Pie" - Kraft Food & Family Spring 2008 - for dessert

I haven't decided what to bring for dessert yet, but when I do I will update and add the recipe.  Perhaps Tiramisu???  Yummm...

*Edited to add the decided dessert*

Prep: 15 Minutes

Total: 2 Hours 15 Minutes (incl. refrigerating)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. cold milk

1 pkg (4 serv. size) Jell-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling

2 c. thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping, divided

6 Double Stuf Oreo Cool Mint Creme Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, chopped

1 Oreo Pie Crust (6 oz)

1 square Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

Instructions:

Pour milk into large bowl.  Add dry pudding mix.  Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended.  Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping and the chopped cookies.  Spoon into pie crust.  Spread with remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping. 

Melt chocolate as directed on package; drizzle over pie.

Refrigerate 2 hours or freeze until firm.  If frozen, let stand about 10 minutes at room temperature or in refrigerator to soften before serving.  Store leftovers in refrigerator or freezer. 

Makes 8 servings, 1 piece each

*It was absolutely DELICIOUS - like a Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie!  The kids loved it too.  :) 

Works For Me Wednesday - CHORES!

I'm a very schedule oriented person.  I like things to be just so.  I like things put away properly - and by properly I mean the way I do it and not the way you do it.  It drives my husband crazy, but seriously it probably drives me crazier.  Since I am a stay-at-home-mom this house is my job and I don't really get an escape so if the house is not in order then I cannot relax and really be happy.  So really I operate so much better with a plan. 

Since having E-Man things have been really thrown out of whack.  You know a baby will do that to you.  :)  But now that he's getting older and I'm getting better at multi-tasking yet more things at one time I've decided it's time to get back on the horse and get myself a game plan.  I'm sick of being miserable.  I'm sick of being cranky with everyone.  I'm sick of being unhappy with the state of the house.  I'm just ready for some change.  So this is what I came up with...

We'll call this Part One:  My Stuff...

So that everything is understood I'll first tell you about that little piece of paper hanging there.  That's my chore list.  See...

   There at the top are the things I must do every day (even weekends) or the wheels will start to fall off.  Once those things are done everything else is bonus. 

Next down to the left of the divide are my "Zones".  I have sweeping broken down into 3 easy to manage zones.  Also by doing this I ensure that each room basically gets swept twice a week.  Now I should technically sweep more with the cats and dog, but I'm being realistic here and this is better than what previously was happening.  Next are my cleaning zones.  All of the areas in the house (minus the office which I'm going to need to add once we get it completely in order or you could just say it goes with bedrooms) are broken down to 6 zones and at one zone a day each room gets focused on once a week - leaving one day for catch up if life got in the way. 

On the other side of the divide are "Daddy Duties".  Those are things that The Husband said he'd like to do each week.  They are not my concern.  ;)

And then lastly at the bottom are things that need or should be done day specifically. 

Now we can move up to the board...

I bought a dry erase/magnetic board.  I really wanted a weekly one but the more I started thinking about it the month works out perfectly.  So this is how I work the board. 

At the top it has the days of the week of course - Sunday thru Saturday.  In that top row of boxes I put the date in the box and use it for the regular calendar stuff like appointments and notables - at the beginning of that row I wrote "To Do:" up the side. 

Next row down is "Dinner:".  Finally a place to put my menu plan other than on scraps of paper that inevitably get misplaced by the end of the week. 

Third row down is "Activity:".  I've decided that I need to make a plan for K-Girl primarily.  So I've started to plan a special activity above and beyond playing doll house or coloring or anything like that.  I only plan this for Monday - Friday.  But it is something that we can both look forward to doing special and it makes sure that I really get that time to focus on her/them.  This week we have done/will do Flying Fish (craft), Flower Book (craft), Frogs in the Grass (game), Bubble Fun (above and beyond just regular bubbles), and Going on a Nature Hunt. 

The last two rows are my zones.  The first is "Zone Sweep:" and the last is "Zone Clean:".  I don't have any specific day assigned to what zone I will do.  If I have time I can do a bigger one and if I need to do it quick I can pick one that takes less time.  So in the date box I write which zone I did and then simply what tasks I did or any notes that I need to leave.  The thing with these zones for cleaning is that I leave it open ended.  I used to have this list that said wash windows, do the dusting, wipe the floor boards, wipe the walls, polish the light bulbs - well not really but you get the point.  It was so much in one day and every week I had to do that.  I never seemed to get it all done and I would just say enough and not do it at all.  If I don't feel the satisfaction of completing the project then I'm just not going to stick to it, you know?  And that's a lot of my perfectionist way.  If I can't do it just right then I can't do it at all.  For example today I cleaned zone #6 being the kitchen.  I cleaned the faces of my cabinets, moved everything and scrubbed down the counter good, wiped the wall above the counter, washed the window, cleaned the icky thing under my water in the fridge door, then cleaned the floor.  I listed those things.  Now next week I can build on that and if things need done I can do those, but I hope next week to get to clean my microwave down really well and whatnot.  It's so open ended that it makes it work for me.  As long as I focus my attention to that specific zone and do actually clean the room then I have succeeded.  I really really like it and I feel I can build on what I did last week if I keep it going.  I'm only on week two but I feel GREAT.  Typically by the end of a week you can tell if it's going to work or not.  I still have my down time and I do have the success to make me want to stick with it.  I'm so happy with this so far. 

Ok onto Part Two: K-Girl's Chores...

My daughter is almost 4 and we've been struggling with some behavior issues with her.  We decided that giving her something to work on and work towards might be a big help with some of those issues.  The first week we were doing really well but now she's sick so I'm not pushing anything and she does it if she wants to do something great.  When she's feeling better we'll get back to it.  So here is a closer look at this...

First I put this together using cup holders - I tried to find eyelets but I couldn't - and a piece of string tied between the two.  Then my friend Amy  spoke at one point about using this idea for her daughter's preschool art and that she found these adorable little clothespins at Border's.  Now these clothespins ended up costing me about $1000, but I digress.  Typically they will only run you about $2.00 a pack.  For the tags...

I got a pack of plain white tags from Michael's a while back.  They measure somewhere about 5"x 3" not counting the part up with the hole.  Then I used my friend Google Images to find pictures to go with her chores and the rewards.  For the chores I photoshopped the word "DONE" over the original image so when she completes the chore I flip it and we can see what she did still but know it was done. 

The bottom row of tags are chores and the top are her rewards.  The rewards come from earning beads...

Each chore is assigned a bead value depending on how easy and how much she wants to do the chore already.  And then the rewards come basically the same way - the big daddy rewards take a while.  She has used a BUNCH of the 5 and 10 bead rewards and has actually held onto them long enough to rent a movie this past weekend, but she's rather impatient to get to the new toy so I don't know if we'll get there or not.  But she seems to enjoy it and loves when she can get something special. 

Here is the list of chores and rewards that we have currently...

K-GIRL’S CHORES:

1. Make Bed (2)

2. Feed Cats (1)

3. Feed Molly (1)

4. Set the Table (2)

5. Pick Up Toys Before Bed (2)

6. Jammies, Brush Teeth & Go Potty Before Story-time (3)

K-GIRL’S REWARDS:

Two Books at Bed Time – 5 Beads

Watch Movie – 5 Beads

Piece of Candy – 5 Beads

Eat Breakfast at a TV Tray – 10 Beads

Play a Board Game- 10 Beads

Go to the Library – 15 Beads

Go to the Park – 15 Beads

Go to the Pet Store – 15 Beads

Rent a Special Movie – 20 Beads

Ice Cream – 20 Beads

Pick Dinner – McDonald’s/Stevie B’s/Chinese/Etc. – 25 Beads

New Toy $10.00 max – 50 Beads

So this is really working for us right now and I hope that something that I have here will work for you too.  Head on over to Rocks In My Dryer to see a bunch of other great tips!

Death to the Germs!

First it was The Husband and now it's K-Girl.  I'm hoping that E-Man and I will be spared.  K-Girl is  sick sick sick.  We went to the doctors yesterday instead of preschool and I'm guessing she'll be out again Wednesday.  I'm waiting for another hour to be able to call into the office to find out how the strep test came back.  She's been running a fever all weekend and her throat is sore.  She's cranky and not sleeping well. 

E-Man has decided that once again two nights of sleep were good enough for him.  He did this once before about 5 or 6 months ago.  I'm really hoping that it's not that long until I get another repeat performance.  I'm cranky as result of little sleep and dealing with the crankies of my daughter.  Good times in the Gohn household. 

The good thing is that my house is staying pretty clean - although I'm going to have to break out the cleaner and clean down all the toys and everything as soon as this sickness passes.  And another good is that after today the rest of the days this week are supposed to be nice and warm so I should be able to open up and air out. 

Last week I came up with a new cleaning schedule for myself and chores for K-Girl.  It's all I can do not to share this, but I figure it will make for a good Works For Me Wednesday post so be looking for it tomorrow.  I'm in my second week and I'm feeling good with it so I think I may have actually found something.  Now K-Girl is boycotting her chores, but I believe it's the whole sick thing.  Last week she did REALLY well with them and earned some pretty good rewards.  I'm looking forward to sharing that. 

So make sure you come back tomorrow and hopefully the strep test comes back clear and moods improve. 

It's party time. P, A, R, T. Why? Because I gotta!

Now I know as soon as I post this things will go right back to normal, but I just have to share.  I feel good.  I feel awake.  I feel RESTED.  And I wasn't that upset about starting my day at 6:00 rather than 7:00.  And why you ask?

E-Man slept through the night the past two, yes TWO, nights!  No crying no nothing special just nursed down and rubbed the head and out like a light. 

The first night he went down at 7:20 and was back up at 8:00 for a brief eat (I think he wasn't finished when he fell asleep), but then slept straight thru till 5:45am!  Then last night I put him down a little later I think around 7:45 ish and he slept straight thru till just after 6 this morning. 

Is it possible?  Could we have turned a corner on the sleeping?  Maybe just maybe could I start getting a full night sleep?  Oh please Lord let it continue and not let this post jinx the whole thing. 

It's going to be fun...

Did you catch the sarcasm in that heading?  If not - well note it now. 

So my son is now 10 1/2 months and still not sleeping through the night.  About 3 weeks ago or so he got the boot out of our bed so he is sleeping in his crib now (in his room).  However, now that he's not less than a few inches away from me when he wakes I'm really feeling how bad of a sleeper he is.  He has me up about 3 times a night.  His first stretch is about 4 - 5 hours and then after that he's up every 1 - 2 hours.  It hurts. 

Last night I went to bed at 11:00.  Fell asleep at 11:20ish.  He woke up for the first time at 11:30.  I got back into bed around 11:45 and he was up again at 12:30.  I got back to bed after 1 that time and then he was up again at 4 something.  This time I finally gave up and at 4:45 brought him into bed with me.  He ate and then woke wide awake.  I finally took him over to his crib and got back into my bed at 6:00.  And then it was time to get up at 7:15.  Last night hurt, but it's not out of the ordinary. 

Those of you that followed my "Operation Free My Heiny" know that I've tried a lot to get him to sleep.  I still accept some of the blame because no matter what I cannot get a concrete - every night the same - bedtime for us.  It just doesn't happen.  But still the bedtime ritual is very similar every night and most nights it's within 30 minutes of the previous so I do think that is what counts.  I mean we didn't do that much differently with my daughter and she was a sleeping champ.  I really didn't want to do cry-it-out with my son after the terrible experience that it was with my daughter.  Especially the fact that with her it did seem to work, but my son is more of the type that is revved up more by crying.  I tried the book The No Cry Sleep Solution and she's got great tips in there.  I've implemented a bunch of them, but when it comes down to it I think it's time to sleep train and unfortunately I think some crying is going to be involved. 

Right now to get him to sleep I must use the boob.  He must eat till he falls asleep and then I can put him down.  Typically he wakes a bit when I put him in the crib so then I have to stand there bent over the rail and rub his head until he drifts back off.  The whole thing is just getting to be a bit much anymore...especially 3 or more times a night.  I just can't do it anymore.  This morning for nap he was sound asleep when I put him in his crib.  I accidentally stopped rubbing his head before he was completely asleep and in turn he woke up ready to go.  FRUSTRATING!  So I laid him down and said "Lay Down" to him.  Then I laid down on the floor beside the crib.  After a while I got back up and had to lay him down and again told him "Lay Down" and got back on the floor.  After a few repeats of this I ended up in the chair instead - much more comfortable.  However, all I had to tell him was "Lay Down" and he would stop standing up or sitting up and lay back down.  It took us 40 minutes but he went to sleep - BY HIMSELF!  Now I don't think I could leave the room while I'm doing this because I want to be able to see him and know he's alright and I think that him seeing me there helps, but I think this might be it.  I think this is my new plan.  But I still worry about for nighttime if he's going to truly be hungry.  Maybe I need to pump and offer a bottle after I feed him just to make sure that he's full and if I know he's had enough then I might feel better not to nurse every time he wakes up.  Breastfeeding is such a different experience than formula feeding.  That and that my kids are soooo different in personality it feels like I'm totally new at this and have very little idea what I'm doing sometimes. 

Now the only part that stinks is that I'm going to have to go wake him up to go get my daughter at preschool here in a few minutes.  Ugh.  Unless I put my sick husband "on call" (he's sleeping upstairs).  Hmmm....

Oh well I guess that doesn't matter after all.  He's crying...off I go. 

It was definitely an "Alexander"day

"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

Ok so there wasn't gum and a skateboard, but still from the time I woke up I knew it was not going to be a great day.  It definitely lived up to the expectations and exceeded them. 

What started out as your typical bad day ended with a car accident - my first accident since a few months after I started driving.  Don't worry - we're ok.  I left the house because I just needed to get out and do something other than trying to keep E-Man entertained without letting him on the floor in the family room/dining room/kitchen.  (Remodel mess)  I decided to go to Wal-Mart and get my planning board instead.  I left the house in a bad mood and angry with the husband.  It wasn't his fault just my mood.  I've said before that we should never leave mad and then something like this happens and it confirms it.  It started out nice though.  I stopped and got gas, found what I needed at Wal-Mart, left and went to the ATM, and then to Borders.  Leaving Borders it all went down the tubes. 

From the time I pulled out of that parking place from the time the accident happened it should have told me to park the car and go back in shopping or something.  I pulled out behind a black car with a lady driving it with the four-ways on.  That car almost hit one other car in the parking lot and then swerved over onto the other side of the road to miss hitting an imaginary pedestrian.  We got to the exit and turned onto the road - four-ways still on.  As we approach the intersection here comes a white car full of laughing teens flying up the wrong side of the median.  I turn to look to make sure they got on their side alright and continued on the merging lane.  I looked back and saw the traffic had a green arrow and all of them had passed.  I thought I saw the black car go ahead and I turned back for another quick check.  I saw a van at the intersection turning right onto the main road (NOT using the merging lane like we were).  I figured there was plenty of time to get on the main road, hit the gas, and BANG!  Umm yeah so I guess she hadn't left - and I guess maybe the four-ways were a foreshadowing of things to come, because she didn't need to turn them on.  She saved herself that much. 

E-Man started crying at impact but then calmed right down.  The crash scared him, but he was just fine.  My collar bone hurt from the seatbelt, but I was just fine.  I immediately called The Husband and then the lady got out of her car and came back and yelled at me for being on the phone during the accident.  I told her I wasn't and asked if she was ok.  She yelled back at me that she almost bit her tongue off and I apologized and she got back in the car and called the cops...ambulance...traffic directors...fire trucks...although the cop got there first and canceled the fire trucks and dismissed the traffic directors since we had gotten off the road.  I did a good number to her bumper and my bumper.  I broke the driver's seatbelt, the airbag lights are on, and E-Man's car seat tether came undone.  She's claiming injury (her neck hurt) - thank goodness for insurance.  But I walked away with a big deductible for myself, one for her, needing to buy a new car seat for E-Man, and a citation for a traffic violation.  Should be an easy thousand.  ~sigh~  But we're alright and accidents happen so says the husband.  But it still really sucks. 

I'm hoping that I don't have any more "Alexander" days for a while.  That one definitely was enough for a long long time.