Black Friday

Hey everyone! I know its been another long run of no blogging... but I am still going to blame it on potty training. While things have been getting better... Evelyn still has her days of wishing we would just throw a diaper on her again... and believe me I sometimes really want to!

Anyways... I thought before I do my 35 week post and my Thanksgiving post that I would write about Black Friday.

I am a pretty big bargain shopper... you kind of have to be when you're a one income family with almost 2 kids. I'm not the type to haggle people in stores and at their yard sales.. but when I see a good deal, its a good deal!

Black Friday, its only been my thing since I had Evelyn. Do you know how expensive kids are? Then to get online and see this amazingly cute $40 dress on sale for $10?! But I will say this... I'd rather do the Black Friday thing, online. I don't really feel like dying over a pair of shoes.

But it really disappoints me to see people just rag on anyone who participates in Black Friday. I mean.. I get that it is madness! But I really honestly don't see the harm in the people who aren't going to kill you for that TV, saving some money and spoiling their families. One thing about Christmas is it is the time for giving, and I love to give my family everything, and Black Friday makes that a possibility. Sure these are material items, they will be junk in a few years, and hey maybe they will be someone elses junk, but to spend money on it, and watch my family enjoy their gifts is a huge blessing for me.

Evelyn still loves her toys she got for Christmas last year, and soon when she's over them, they will be passed on to her little sister. Its like a saving money merry go round!!

I am really grateful for times like these, when P and I can watch our money and then blow some of it on having an amazing holiday with our family! This year we wished we could be home, but its definitely not happening this year. So it will be just us 3, and I don't see any harm in making it special. I don't know what it's like to grow up away from family, and sadly my girls will have to grow up that way. I want them to always know how special these holidays are, especially when we cannot be with family. I will teach my girls that Christmas is not just about gifts. Its about Jesus, Love and Family! Black Friday will never change that view for us. I'm glad I get to spoil my family, and we've worked hard to make sure we can.

If your shopping today, be careful out there. If not, I hope you enjoy those leftovers :)

And your point is?

Lately I have been really wrapped up in sales, discounts, coupon clipping, menu planning and present wrapping! Can you blame me? Thanksgiving is coming up very soon and right after that is Christmas! I like to finish my Christmas shopping early, and it seems like every year I start earlier and earlier. I'm pretty big into getting the best deal I can. If I was brave enough you would probably find me actually in line to get into stores on Black Friday... but instead you'll find me going through online sales and finding coupons to get my family their gifts.

As you can see I get really wrapped up in giving gifts to my family. I know the season is not all about gifts, but this is the one time of year I feel it is appropriate to spoil my family!

As I was searching through my shopping apps on my phone this morning, looking at weekly deals and coupons at my favorite stores, I remembered what P said to me last year about my shopping. He told me; "If you don't stop shopping, you won't be getting anything for Christmas."... and my reaction was the same as last years... "So?" But then as I was searching some more, I started to think about why P would actually want to buy me a present... I mean, I don't need anything. I don't want much either... other then baking pans. My gift is to spoil them rotten, because I love them so much! and then there! You see it? I realized... P feels the same way! He never gets to buy me anything because if I ever need anything, I go get it. I take care of Evelyn's presents, parties and her needs as well. I do all of that. If P needs something, I make sure to grab it too. This is also his one time of year he gets to spoil his wife. He may not be so into finding the perfect gifts for Evelyn, but when he gets the chance to shop for his wife, he does take it seriously.

P treats his girls very well! He sometimes gets frustrated when I buy Evelyn a gift she doesn't need, or a cute outfit that is so not necessary, but you'll almost never hear him complain about it. He works 12+ hours a day and just wants to relax on weekends, so he really doesn't ever get the chance to go all out for anything other then Christmas and my Birthday.

So as I am going through ads and such thinking of going out and shopping this week or next, I stopped myself and decided to throw some more money into our "extra money" account. Its money we put aside for occasions such as Christmas, Birthdays and Vacations. Its money for P to use to shop for me... and money I won't touch. I still want to spoil him rotten for Christmas... and just a hint... Online Black Friday shopping is so worth it! Especially on...Video Games. But I'm glad I stopped myself and realized how important this is for him too. I hope he enjoys it... I'm sure I'll enjoy receiving it :)

Potty Training... Its happening!!

I never thought this day would come... after at least 10 false alarms, and Evelyn thinking she was ready, and turning out to not be ready, its really here! Last Sunday, Evelyn insisted on using the potty so I took her to the bathroom... she went, and then she went again and again and again!! Words cannot describe the joy I felt knowing this was more then likely it! I really didn't think she'd want to do it for a while, and to be honest... I was mentally preparing to fly to Germany with two kids in diapers.

Its been over a week now since I have even touched a diaper! Not including pull-ups. I know in some situations pull-ups are no no's but Evelyn does not understand getting up and using the potty at night, and until she has control of her bladder, I'm not going force it.

I'm glad that I decided to take a step back and stop trying to force her into potty training... this is a huge step for her and she should be the one to make the decision to do it, not me or her Dad. Now that she's using the potty... almost like a pro, it makes me so proud to see her have made this decision.

I'm still cleaning up messes sometimes, and of course she's having an issue pooping in the potty, but I expected that. But I know we are on our way! I couldn't be prouder of my little one.

She's thrilled to keep her Minnie Mouse and Bubble Guppie panties dry, and gladly tells me she is dry when I ask her if she is. She also gets the hint that if she does good all day she gets to pick a treat from her Halloween bucket. Best use for Halloween candy I swear!

Now that she has this new found freedom... she also has decided to learn how to take clothes off, and at this point... I don't mind. I'm glad we aren't living in Utah though so she's not freezing!

32 Weeks!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week... someone became very interested in potty training this week, and I've been busy! But I'll write more on that later :)

I can't complain too much.... but I can. Its rough the last few weeks of being pregnant, and I'm pretty ready to be done. My hormones are all over the place, its hard getting up off the floor, chasing Evelyn is hard on my hips and did I mention I started to waddle? Its been a long pregnancy for me to say the least, and I'm ready to be done and meet our baby girl!

How far along: 32 weeks!

Total weight gain: I have gained 7 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Size and growth of the baby: According to my baby apps, she should be about 16 inches long, and about 3-4 pounds. Geeze!

Sex: It's a Girl!

Maternity clothes: I wear sweats and dresses... unless I have to wear regular pants.

Sleep: have to wake up to roll over, my hips pop when I roll.

Best moment(s) of the week: Evelyn became interested in the potty!

Food cravings/aversions: I haven't had steady cravings this pregnancy... it varies.

Morning sickness: GONE! WOO!

Labor signs: Braxton hicks.

Belly button in or out: In!

What I miss: regular sleep. No hip pains. 

What I'm looking forward to: MY next appointment. Thanksgiving menu planning.

 

 

 

Sick of it.

I really try to avoid writing posts about me being miserable in pregnancy. I know sometimes they come off as "ungrateful", or "whiney"... but that couldn't be further from the truth. I am so excited to expand our family and meet this little girl who refuses to leave my rib cage. So excited in fact that I am beyond sick of being pregnant.

I really seriously am.

I think I have had a pretty good pregnancy... could have been better at points, and it could have been worse, but all in all I'd call it a pretty normal one. But the last week... I am an emotional, hormonal, over reacting, nesting mess!! I seriously don't know how to handle it anymore.

I have SO many things coming up in the next month! Thanksgiving, P's Leave, Christmas, Anniversary, Baby being born... PLUS all the little things like finishing preparing for the baby and getting the things I will need when I have the baby. Nesting is a great thing.... but when your trying to find a happy budget medium to finish Christmas shopping before becoming a HUGE whale and buy all those other little things you need which of course none feel "inexpensive"... oh my lordy! My brain is going to explode!! Nesting this go around is a nightmare!

Did I mention how even my maternity clothes are starting to not fit... yepp. I have hit that awkward stage of not knowing my belly is hanging out in public sometimes. When I realize it all I can think about is what people must have been thinking!? I just want to constantly be in sweats... and even though I am not tired enough to want to be on the couch all day... I'd rather be on the couch.

Evelyn is in the midst of another HUGE power struggle with me... and I find myself losing my temper really fast and needing to walk away from her. I text P all the info while I bawl my eyes out feeling like there is no way in hell I can handle two kids... and then, Evelyn has one of those days... those oh so sweet days that make me feel like I can handle 5 kids. Terrible two's are definitely the worst thing I have had to go through in a while! I'd literally take a deployment over this crap!

Yesterday, after putting all my Halloween décor away, dealing with a refusing to nap toddler plus all the house work... when I got my Fall décor out, I found that I didn't seal the box from last year... found 4 cockroaches living in the box, their poop and they had been munching on some of my Styrofoam décor. It was the last thing to throw me over the edge from the day. I'm just already super hormonal and have a toddler who's fighting me on so many things, then to find out those nasty bugs were eating my stuff! Oh I called my Mom and just bawled! I'm so just ready to be back to being me again!

P and I had date night last night, and as much as I felt like I needed to get out of the house and do a big thing just us two... we settled on KFC and sitting on our couch watching The Walking Dead. It was bliss! When we picked Evelyn up, I felt so refreshed! We let her stay up a little later and we all sang our ABC's and some other songs. I just soaked it up.

I know I am bound to have some good and bad days for the next, hopefully only 9 more weeks. I know its a blessing to actually be carrying my child. I also know these are only temporary feelings I am having and pregnancy doesn't last forever. Even if it feels like it will. :)

Halloween!

Halloween is usually my favorite holiday! I have a ton of décor and my house is decked out. I'm always looking for ways to get more into the spirit of it all. It's such a unique holiday, which is why I love it so much! I'm curious how it will be in Germany next year :)

This year we actually had a lot going on! We had my churches trunk-or-treat, plus P's work's Halloween Party, Playgroups Halloween party and then Halloween! Evelyn ended up with so much candy, and I'm telling you, most of it will end up in the trash... I wish I had done the switch witch thing this year.

At my church's Halloween Party.

(ps. I got so many compliments on this shirt!)

A lot of people were confused about Evelyns costume... A LOT of people asked me if she was a ladybug. I guess that's what we get for going with the Original Minnie Mouse color of Red and not a traditional store bought costume.. also probably the fact she refused to wear her ears.

Other then that I thought Evelyn looked very adorable! this is her second time trick-or-treating and she was able to say the words "tick or treat!" and always made sure to say thank you! She knew exactly what she was doing, and nothing brings a smile to mine and P's faces more then seeing her really involved in something and enjoying it!

We had a moment during the night where she tripped and spilled some candy and Evelyn without skipping a beat said "Oh no! My candy!!" But after collecting her candy and putting it back in her bucket, she was off to the next house.

When we were done trick-or-treating we came and sat with P and passed out candy, Evelyn loved seeing everyone in their costumes! It was a really great night! I swear having kids makes Holidays so much more fun and important to me. I'm so glad Evelyn had a fun filled October and Halloween :)