Introducing Thrifty Mich

I just started Thrifty Mich - A blog dedicated to my shopping deals.

I am still pretty new at this couponing thing. I've only been at it for 6 months, but I have managed to get some great deals in that time. I've been wanting to start this blog for awhile, and now it's finally here!

Now, go on and check it out.

"I had blood work today"

I took Alex for blood work today - since he seems to be healthy. The pedi wants to see a complete blood count to determine if he has a normally low white blood cell count. We had the same phlebotomist that we had last time - the one that cried when she couldn't get a vein in Alex's tiny arms. This time she decided to prick his finger.
He screamed and cried the whole time - not because it hurt, but because he hated being held down. We were all a bloody mess by the end and Alex's day was pretty much destroyed. Then, they had a hard time getting his finger to stop bleeding...
We made a quick stop at the library, where Alex passed out in the stroller and Ava decided to be cranky (she wanted to get out and run around.)
When we were finally home, the lab called. The blood they had taken had clotted and we need to re-do the test. ugh. Are you kidding me? His finger wouldn't clot after the blood was drawn but the vial clotted? So now we have to go through this whole ordeal again, but I think I need a day to regroup. Maybe we'll shoot for Thursday.
Robert got a sticker that said "I had bloodwork today" and he was the happiest kid in the world. Ava got one too, but she ate hers before we even got back to the car. I wonder why Alex didn't get one...?

Update on me

Not sure if you follow my weight loss blog. If not, you wouldn't know that I have lost 25 pounds since March 25th. I am going to Hawaii in 3 weeks for my best friend Kate's wedding, and I started this challenge in a quest to become healthy again before this trip.
I am running between 10 and 12 miles each week, and weight training 2-3 times/week. I have also started taking a Yoga class at my gym and Spinning (cycling) each once/week. I use The Daily Plate to track my calories and weekly weight. It is an excellent tool and really keeps me on track. I eat mostly whole foods - or foods as close to their original form as possible. I have eliminated almost all refined sugars and caffeine and I am sure to get lots of fiber and water every day.
I have created a new lifestyle for myself. I am teaching my children good habits and nothing feels better than that!

My own stupidity - a sign of the times

Over the weekend I was out running some errands. My last stop was the food store to pick up some fruit for a fruit salad I had to make for a family outing. I promised Bobby I'd be home by noon. After standing in line behind half a dozen people who only had one item (those lines are always the slowest!) I got out of the store with 5 minutes to spare. I got to my car and tried to unlock it using my key fab. Nothing. I pushed all of the buttons. even panic. nothing. How was I going to get into my car?
My cell phone was IN the car. I quickly looked around for a payphone. I haven't used one of those in 10 years! I was grossed out by thought of using it and finally appalled that it costs 50 cents to make a call! When did that happen???
A woman was coming out of the store and must have seen the look of disgust on my face as I grumbled while I dialed. She offered me her cell phone.
I called Bobby and explained my dilemma. He gave me a simple solution. Put the key IN the keyhole ON the door and turn it.
I wasn't even aware my car had keyholes! I've only ever used my keyless entry. I'm an idiot!

A few new tidbits

Alex loves watermelon.
Ava like avocado. (Now I have someone to share with!)

Ava loves to write/color. She often will carry a pen or marker around the house with her looking for something to write on. She will climb on and off of her little riding pony, and yesterday I caught her standing on it!
Last night I asked Alex for a kiss. He looked at me with a big grin on his face, and walked away. I pretended to start crying and he ran back to me and threw his arms around me.
On vocabulary.... Today Alex asked for 'Jue' as I was filling his sippy cup with orange juice. I've pulled out Robert's old flashcards and started going through them with A&A - they actually pay attention.

We are now working on taking one nap and having one bottle each day. I have cut out the morning bottles, but Alex will not drink milk from a cup. We are working on this. (Oh, and Alex is off of soymilk! I transitioned him to 2% sicne he doesn't throw that up and I am now trying to get him to whole milk.)
I find that as long as we keep busy in the morning, they are fine with just one long afternoon nap. Today, we had no morning plans and they were ready to nap by 9:30am. (They were also up much earlier today than usual)

And Robert... he is just Robert. Quite the chatterbox. The love for his siblings is there, tho not always evident. He is a good boy (who sometimes makes bad choices.) Gotta love him.

Alex's ears

Alex experienced yet another ear infection while we were away. Luckily, we were only an hour from home and we were able to take him to Dr. Novak. We finally discussed the possibility of tubes in his ears. I made an appt with the Ear Nose and Throat specialist for mid-July. He is the same ENT who completed Ava's tongue surgery (snipped her frenulum) last year.
Another topic we discussed is the possibility of Alex having a consistently low white blood cell count - hence his tendency to pick up illnesses. Dr. Novak would like him to have a blood test done when he is healthy. He said that while it is possible, it is not likely. The blood test will rule that out. I will take him next week, once he is finished with his current antibiotic.

Staycation

We got back Sunday night from our "Staycation" at Gram and Pape's house. The weather was great (heatwave) and we had a blast in their pool nearly everyday and even got to visit both sets of Great Grandparents while we were 'away.' All of the cousins were together for a few days. (The Halls returned to Boston mid-week and since Gram babysits for Hannah, we got to see her a whole lot - but still not enough!) The Pittsburgh Gladus stayed the whole week and we had such a great visit with them. I'm sad it's over - Robert won't stop asking for Uncle "Wob" and Aunt Germaine.
Bobby insists that this Staycation was much better than a week at the shore. And, as much as I am a fan of the shore, I have to agree that this was a pretty awesome time.

Puzzled

I pulled out some puzzles this week and the kids took a whole lot of interest in them -especially Ava, who really seemed to know what she was doing.

Spoons

Ava and Alex have been starting to 'grasp' the use of utensils with their meals. We're still practicing, but they are starting to come along.
Of course this doesn't mean that mealtime has become any cleaner - in fact, I think things are getting even messier!

How we 'lock' our cabinets

When we moved into our home in 2006, we were unable to find locks that worked with our custom cabinets. We tried many types, all to no avail.
Finally, we found a method that worked for us:

Rubberbands! Sure, it may look silly, but they seem to do the trick and are just enough to deter the little ones from getting into the Tupperware and the chemicals under the sink. (but sometimes tupperware play is okay!) And thanks to our weekly subscription to the Morning Call, we have an endless supply - and best of all, this method is FREE!

Alarm clocks

A few nights ago, Alex was running a low grade fever - and well, you know how that goes. We gave him Tylenol before bed and decided to set the alarm for 12:45am to check and re-dose him if necessary.
It had come to my attention, just then, that I had not used an alarm clock in a few years. I had no idea how to use the dual alarm clock in our bedroom - not that it is complicated in any way, but half asleep, I'm bound to ruin the settings and- that could be a problem. Not to mention the problems that would follow - like my husband oversleeping and missing the van-pool for work.

Bobby gave me a crash course and we were good to go.

Just another example of how mommy-hood has changed my life. I no longer need an electronic alarm clock. I've birthed 3 of my own personal time bombs.

Growing Tree

This tree is planted in our front yard. It was a gift for Ava and Alex from Uncle Rob and Aunt Germaine (my brother and sister in law) for their Christening in May 2007.
Each year in May, I plan to take their picture in front of their tree. Here is the 2008 shot:

Too much TV

When I taught preschool many years ago, there was a little boy in my class named Brandon. Cute kid with the biggest brown eyes - much like my Robert.
Brandon was not the brightest of all the kids in the class, but man did he know his tv shows. He would bring movies to school a few times a week, knowing he'd have to keep then in his cubby all day. He knew every character of every tv show on Nickelodeon and I just knew that his parents let him sit in front of the tv all day long when he was under their supervision. It was a good thing he was in daycare 8+ hours/day. I always said "I'll never let my kids watch that much tv!"
Fast Forward... I am so so so embarrassed about this: Robert is becoming my very own Brandon! The tv is usually always on in our house - a habit that must stop. A&A don't care either way - in fact Alex doesn't care much for tv at all. Summer is here and we need to spend more time outside and less time in front of the boob tube. I have removed the tv from the guest room (where Robert has been sleeping for the past few months) and relocated it to the basement so I can have something to look at while I am on the treadmill. No more falling asleep to Nicktoons. Mark my words, "My children will not have televisions in the bedrooms!"

New habits forming -- TODAY!