Designer Diapers

Okay okay, so really, diapers with a design.  

I knew once they introduced the "denim" diapers that eventually they would produce adorable girly prints.  I had been great about avoiding them, rushing straight to the cheapest brand--Parent's Choice and Up and Up for example--without looking around at the other options.  Then the other day, while shopping for groceries, there was a display of these ADORABLE Pampers at the end of an aisle.  I couldn't resist, I bought them, and Kailee LOVES them.  She likes to pick which design I put on her.  Brady was immediately concerned that our diaper budget just doubled but I assured him that this was a one-time splurge... :)

XOXO,

Cry-it-Out Toddler Bed Take 1

Our littlest bedbug has made bedtime a nightmare again.  She immediately goes into hysterics which has resulted in her falling asleep in our bed the past two nights.  The problem is, it's hard to give tough love if your partner is completely unwilling and rushes in to "save the day" for our little one after less than 5 minutes.  Tonight I took control and we are trying again.

When I say "cry-it-out," I don't mean that I lock her in her room and let her scream until she falls asleep.  I let her cry, but I check on her periodically to let her know I'm still around but that she's going to stay in her room at least, if not her bed.  When I go in to check on her, the recommendation is to soothe/comfort but exit again in less than 2 minutes.  I try to get in and get out in less than 30 seconds to prevent working her up even more.  She's so high strung, the situation actually seems to worsen the more often I go in.

I set the CIAO Baby app to go off after 4 minutes for the first check.  Each subsequent check is twice as long as the previous, for a maximum of 32 minutes.  You can start with as few as 2, but I prefer to start with 4 since she's older.  Here's how it went down tonight:

Wait #1 (4 minutes)

0 minutes - The fit begins and she cries hysterically as Mommy shuts the door.  The timer is set @8:07:00 PM

4 minutes - Still hysterical, she claws at Mommy when comforted and returned to her bed.

Wait #2 (8 minutes long, total time: 12 minutes)

8 minutes (half-way through 2nd wait time) - silence

12 minutes (seconds before the 2nd wait timer went off) - The hysterics began again, she clawed at Mommy when comforted and again returned to her bed.

Wait #3 (16 minutes long, total time: 28 minutes)

22 minutes minutes (halfway through 3rd wait)- Silence (Daddy comes upstairs to tell Mommy the reason Kailee won't go to sleep is that it's still light out; sorry, Daddy, Mommy's not giving up so easily)

24 minutes (with 8 minutes left in the 3rd wait) - The hysterics begin temporarily but last less than 10 seconds, this happens periodically for the rest of the wait.  We have a VERY stubborn, headstrong little girl--I wonder where she gets it ;)?

27 minutes (almost done with 3rd wait) - She really gets worked up again briefly and then silence for the rest of the wait.

28 minutes (end of 3rd wait) - It's quiet in her room, I debate about going back in at all... I decide to set a new timer and if she cries again, I will go in regardless.  If not, I will check to confirm she is in fact asleep in 32 more minutes.

Wait 4 (32 minutes long, total time: 60 minutes)

32 minutes (4 minutes into 4th wait) - She fusses a bit.  I stay out

33 minutes (5 minutes into 4th wait) - She gets hysterical again so I go in.  She's sitting in her glider with her "bankie."  She jumps out of the chair, runs to me and gets VERY upset when I put her in bed.  She screams as I walk out, but then, silence...

38 minutes (10 minutes into 4th wait) - Kailee gets all worked up again briefly.  This continues to happen from time to time for the next several minutes.

44 minutes in (halfway through 4th wait) - Silence...

47 minutes in (13 minutes left in wait 4) - The hysteric outbursts begin again

49 minutes in (11 minutes left in wait 4) - Daddy comes upstairs and threatens to be the knight in shining armour.  At that point, I give up, go in and hold my precious baby.  If anyone gets to be the "good" guy tonight, it's going to be ME!  It took 5 minutes to calm her down.

55 minutes in (5 minutes left in wait 4) - Kailee and I are sitting on the couch, finishing up this post, about to go to bed in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

With checks included, it's been 1 hour of HELL.  This is the worst she's fought me and I totally FAILED!  When I've done CIO in the past, she was out in less than 30 minutes.  Of course, she could not get out of her bed then...

GRRRRR!

XOXO,

2nd or 3rd generation remedy :)

Growing up, I had stomach aches FREQUENTLY.  I remember praying that I didn't have a stomach ache on days we had big plans--like Christmas, family gatherings, Six Flags, Wet 'N Wild, Krause Springs, etc.  It really was random when I got them because as a creature of habit, I typically ate the exact same things everyday.

On one occasion, my mom told me to lay on my left side, and it worked!  Of course, the stomach ache would only stay away as long as I was lying on my left side, meaning the remedy was really only available when around the house.  Nevertheless, I still would try to use my trick when out in public if I was in enough pain.  When on a school trip to London in between 7th and 8th grade, I had such a severe stomach ache that I went to the infirmary at Hampton Court Palace to lie down.  They were very accommodating but the leader of our trip accused me of faking to get attention.  In all honesty, I HATED the attention I got when having to deal with my annoying ailment.  Back then I was horribly shy; thus, I did everything possible to avoid extra notice.

But back to the present, today, Gavin ate a Pop-Tart and then told me he had a stomach ache (I know I know, the source of his pain is obvious).  Instinctively, I told him to lie down on his left side on the couch.  I had to help him get situated with a blanket, but my remedy worked.  His tummy is all better now! :)

XOXO,

Mmmm Delicious! Pasta a la Mommy :)

This was one of my favorite meals as a child!

Ingredients:

Box of pasta (we prefer wheels, bowties, and/or shells)

Water

Butter Spray

Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Boil the pasta (in the water) to your desired tenderness.

2. Strain the noodles.

3. Measure out the desired amount.

4. Spray the desired amount of butter spray.

5. Sprinkle the desired amount of parmesan cheese.

    -for me it's a ton, for Gavin none, Kailee a little bit

Gavin, Kailee and I LOVE this meal.  Brady hasn't quite gotten on board.  He prefers his pasta soaked in a meaty sauce.  We like that too but sometimes it's nice to keep it a little simpler!

XOXO,

L-J's review of Sliding into Home by Kendra Wilkinson

I LOVE celebrity memoirs, even of celebrities I don't regularly follow.  I knew who Kendra was from seeing clips of her reality show and reading stuff on celebrity gossip sites, but she was not on my radar beyond that.  Her memoir, Sliding into Home, shows what a tough life she had growing up--mostly due to choices she made--and what life is really like when you live at the Playboy Mansion.  She is very open and candid about her experiences and does not leave much to the imagination.  I was curious to know what life was really like for Hef's girlfriends and she tells you.  But I'm not going to spoil it for anyone who hasn't yet read her story!

This is a quick, fun read that I recommend if you are looking for an interesting celebrity memoir.

XOXO,

Crafty girl? Me?

Most of the things I've made, though I've given away 4 not pictured

Yes, it's true, I am addicted to crafting!  Less than a week ago, I discovered decoupage and it has turned into a new obsession that has branched into painting and stenciling.  I've created so many different things, many of which will be hung in our home soon.  Who knew I would love this so much?

XOXO,

A big night!

Kailee recently has been VERY interested in the potty.  She has wanted to sit on it several times, for about 10 minutes at a time.  While we are not yet "potty-training," we are happy to see Kailee's interested and allow her to sit on the potty sans diaper whenever she wants.  

On Monday night, we had the surprise of our life!  After many occasions of just sitting on the toilet, Kailee actually peed!  Gavin and she had been tossing a ball back and forth when I heard the trinkle of liquid.  Kailee stopped, looked at me in confusion, I got all excited, and then she continued to empty her bladder.  Gavin and I were both sooooo excited while Kailee seemed a bit confused and clueless.  Gavin was excited because on the first occasion, I told him that if Kailee peed in the potty, they could both get M&Ms.  Gavin immediately ran to get the candy treat.

While she is no where near potty trained--in fact, she can't tell us when she needs to go--it was still a big day for our big girl!

XOXO,