Basement clean up

Well, after nearly four years after we realized our basement gets wet a few times a year, we decided to put an end to it by hiring the pros to redirect the water problem. Now, I am scheming ways to unclutter and organize that little baby to look and function as a more appealing living space. I've been scouring the Internet and come across a million great ways to reuse cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, coffee cans and other household leftovers. Now, I need the time and the boxes. I did make some toy bins for Ayla out of diaper boxes, but that took some time and she is really rough on them...and they are already starting to look a little worn. I came across this blog called Sew Many ways that has me wishing I had weeks and weeks to go crazy! However, my first goal is to start collecting boxes that are the same size and shape...I am starting with copy paper boxes...it might take some time, but I am collecting them at work! Let the clean up begin!

Christmas Eve

Wow, this time last year I was not yet a mother. This year, I am taking toys out of the package and preparing the presents for my very own little girl. It is making my heart soar.
Tonight at church, tears welled in my eyes for this wonderful and magical night. Not because of the legend of Santa Claus and his eight tiny reindeer, but of the truth of Jesus Christ and what his birth brought to all of us.
My favorite Christmas song is, "Mary Did You Know," and seeing the beauty and wonder of my little baby, a normal baby, I can only imagine what joy and wonder Mary experienced all those centuries ago. Christmas, to me, will always be about Jesus Christ's birth. In this politically correct society that we live in, people are offended by Christmas Carols and the mention of Jesus, but no matter how materialistic it becomes, I will always remember that I am a child of Jesus, and that is why I celebrate this season. I celebrate this season as a time of giving and kindness. I celebrate extra time to spend with my family and friends. I celebrate the chance to proclaim my love for my Savior.
Merry Christmas Eve! May the peace and joy of the season well in your heart!

Absent from the blog

I swear, I do this post all the time.....
"I'm sorry I haven't written, I am really busy. I don't have time. Blah, Blah, Blah."
Bottom line is that I love to write. I miss it, a lot sometimes. I have missed it terribly lately as I have been helping my students with their research papers. I find all sorts of ways that "I" would write the paper. Of course, I have to remember, I have years and years more experience than they do. It's hard. I need to write a good essay or something. Sick, I know.
As for the frugal part of my life...I miss that, too.
To be honest, I have a hard time even getting to the grocery store, let alone shopping sales and matching coupons like I used to. And, I just lost a very valuable coupon and it frustrated me to no end. Fortunately, I work and make money to make up the difference in the money I am not saving. I am still frugal when time allows me to be, but more often than not, I am just grabbing what I need, whatever the price may be. I love to shop at the bread outlet, but it's pretty far from my house and going there means picking up Ayla late from daycare, a trade-off I am not willing to make. So, I buy bread at the regular grocery store at double the price, because we NEED to eat, right?
I have been able to work on a few projects, including making a diaper box into a storage bin with fancy fabric and a liner (I will try to post that soon. TRY is the key word.) If you can't wait for my post, Google it. It's amazing. And I have tons of diaper boxes in all shapes and sizes.
And, on the home front, we finally refinanced our home...our payment is $60 less a month and we went from a 30-year mortgage to a 20 year. Woo hoo. How about that for saving money?

Busy Mommy

I miss writing on my blog. But I have to say that every time I am on the computer it's usually managing the millions of photos I have been taking of my little lady and backing them up, since we had a computer scare, nearly losing all of our data and photos on the lap top. And, Life has sort of taken over. In one week, our DVD player, DirectTV, bathroom electrical outlets and laptop all took a crash. It all happened while I juggling phone calls and scannning and sending documents to two mortgage brokers in an attempt to refinance our house.

I have found time to do some frugal things such as can salsa and pickles, make homemade baby food and stock up Ayla's wardrobe by shopping yard sales and consignment sales. I also seemed to amass hundreds of diapers.

I recall writing a blog about being scared to be a mom. There is so much to worry about, so much to do, so much to handle. But, it turns out, God blessed me with a wonderful little baby girl with the happiest and most predictable personality. We have really shared some fun together this summer. We dance, sing and have a great time together. Unfortunately, I have to go back to work in two weeks. I am soaking up every moment of those two weeks and looking forward to next summer already. I know she will love the ladies and kids at day care. I can already tell she is a social butterfly.

Let's hope that I can find time to keep up my frugal, crafty ways and share them on my blog. I love this blog...and I hope to find a schedule to keep on writing, since writing has always brought me joy.

On working....

In just three days, I will be headed back to work. Fortunately for me and my dear baby girl, it's only for a week before summer vacation, and daddy will be home to watch Ayla. I can already feel the guilt and regret. My favorite time with Ayla is the morning. I love going into her room to see her playing with her hands or feet and cooing softly just waiting for me. ME. She needs me. And, I love morning feeding time. Then we play on the floor, singing songs and reading books. These times I cherish so much. I know her dad will be wonderful with her, but she has to drink from a bottle which oddly bothers me the most. Nursing is a comfort for both of us and a time to bond.

I keep reminding myself that if we want to provide our children with a sprawling yard to play in and a larger house, I need to go back to work. And when August rolls around, Ayla will be older and needing to eat less often...so maybe it won't be so bad. I try to remember the positives of day care such as the socialization and stimulation from other babies her age. If all goes as planned, she will be in the same building I am in which may mean that I can even feed her myself if the schedules works out just so.

All I know is that I would have regrets and doubts with whatever decision I make, so it's probably best to just make one and be content with it. As a Mom, I realize I am going to have to make a lot of tough decisions and this is just the beginning.

Mommyhood

So, life hasn't been so ordinary around my household. I mean, a little bundle of joy as joyous as they are, really throws your ordinary life for a loop-de-loop.
The first weeks of motherhood were so exciting and new. Then reality kicked in and a little depression hit. Then, mommy read an amazing book about sleeping, Ayla found her thumb and started sleeping like a log. Now, Mommy isn't sure what to do with the segments of free time she has during the day, especially now that she is rested and well. I can't throw on the running clothes and leave like I used to. I have to make sure the few clothes that fit are clean. I have to don two sports bras and even then I feel like I am dragging like a two-ton tractor at the Buck. And I have to strap Ayla into a jogging stroller that with her in it weighs at least 25 pounds, if not more. It's really not appealing. I am working through finding my new identity. I get the taste of what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom for approximately 6 months before the new school year starts (with a week in the middle to finish out the current school year.) I have mixed feelings about to stay at home or not and I don't think I'll ever feel secure with any decision I make...more on that later!

Mommy must-haves

After two-plus weeks of Motherhood, I came up with a list of items that have made life a little easier.

1. Burp cloths, and a lot of them! I am sure even the best fed babies spit up. I lay one under Ayla every time I put her down to sleep. It's an extra layer to protect from the continual washing of crib, bassinet and Pack 'n Play sheets.

2. Swaddle blankets. These seem to be the key to getting little Ayla back to sleep after a nighttime feeding.

3. Diaper pail (or two). The Diaper Genie II Elite is a wonderful invention. We have one in the nursery and I am thinking about putting one downstairs near her Pack 'n Play. We were putting diapers in the kitchen trash and the smell just became too much. The Genie keeps odors at bay and is a convenient way to dispose of diapers...and you will go through a lot of diapers.

4. Travel system. The stroller/car seat was a Godsend. I love to go for walks with Ayla and the Graco travel system makes it very easy. We bought an extra base for another vehicle. It's just very versatile and useful.

5. Breast pump. If you are breastfeeding, you need this. It's great to pass over the feeding to someone else with a bottle. Ayla was a champ after 2 weeks taking the bottle from Dad. And, sometimes a bottle is more convenient out in public. The cost of the pump is worth the investment.

6. Pacifiers. I was afraid to give Ayla a pacifier, but it's also a key component to soothe her back to sleep at all times of the day. She seems to know the difference between the paci and when it's time to eat.

7. Amazon Mom membership. This has been invaluable to me. Since I couldn't drive, shopping online became the way to go. By joining Amazon Mom, I was awarded free 2-day shipping on baby items. By using Subscribe and Save for diapers, I have saved a ton, and I don't even have to leave the house.

8. Subscription to various parenting magazines. The parenting magazines are not only filled with helpful articles and reading material to pass the time, they also contain valuable coupons to Amazon.com. Sometimes there are $10 coupons, and sometimes there are 20% off coupons. With a $10 coupon, I got a case of diapers for $3.15.

9. Practical PJs. Skip the cute newborn outfits

10. Pack 'N Play. I set up the Pack 'N Play in the living room. That is where Ayla gets changed, during the day. She also takes naps in it. I set up a little station for her with all of the items I need during the day, so I am not constantly running upstairs to her nursery.

11. A REALLY comfy chair. I obtained the corner of a sectional at Pottery Barn for $75. It takes up a lot of space in the nursery, but it's ideal for nursing in the wee hours of the morning. I can sit in various positions and lay my head back. It makes nighttime feedings very doable.

12. Boppy. It's very helpful in feeding.

13. A night light. The put one of those cheap battery operated push lights on the changing table. It's bright enough to help me change her, but also dim enough that it doesn't wake her up too much.

I am sure there are more must-have items, but 2.5 weeks in, these are the things that stand out to me.