Winter storms.

I love the look after a snow storm, everything looks clean and if it's sunny out it appears to be gleaming. Growing up in Arizona I never had anything like this. We would have flurries once every few years or more but if we wanted to see real snow we'd have to drive to Prescott or Flagstaff. Even then unless we were on the ski slope there would just be patches on the side of the road.
I can still remember the first time we drove up to see snow. I was probably 7, maybe 8 and my dad had to travel to Flagstaff for business and took all of us. There wasn't much snow left after the storm a few days before so my dad drove around until he found a patch that was a good size and us kids piled out of the van and played until the snow was mud.
So the first snow that we have every year is always the best for me. I have a lot of fun playing with the kids in the snow or like this year just watching them play in it. After the first storm it gets old lol. This year we have had more snow in the past few weeks than we have had all winter most years. My husband has snow drifts on each side of our driveway that are taller than I am. Our housing developement never organized together to vote a chair or get a home owner organization together so no one clears our roads. Toby has a skidsteer and he has been moving the snow but having to pay for the diesel fuel is getting expensive. Some of the drifts in the road were 4 to 5 ft tall and his skidder was getting stuck.
The kids love playing in the drifts and try to make tunnels. The snow was so blown around that it's just too patchy to sled but that didn't stop them from trying. This was Kira's first time out playing in the snow. Last year she was too little and up until now this was the first time that there was snow on the ground and she was well enough to be out in it.
She didn't like the dog and she didn't like to touch the snow but she really loved sledding and constantly asks to go back out and do it again.

Wordless wednesday - Snow!

This is what we woke up to Christmas morning.

Do what?!

Lay in a bed all day?
That's right, I went to my dr on Wednesday and got my usual Thursday shot, the office was closed Christmas eve. Since he was leaving and would not be back next week he decided to check me to see if there was any change from the last week. There was and now I am off of work and on bed rest now. Bed rest is doing what it's supposed to, the contractions have slowed down a lot. I am seriously beginning to wonder if I'll make it to my goal of 36 weeks.

Wordless wednesday - Snow Tunnel

Gearing up.

This little guy is gearing up to show himself. He has already landed me a 5 hour stay in L&D due to contractions. I am now constantly getting them. The more I am up and moving around, the more I get. I am not sure how much longer I'll be able to work, not that I'll miss it when I am forced to stay home lol.
I have another dr apt tomorrow for a shot and I plan to talk to him about my continued contractions and see what he wants to do.

Where's my $?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.


After my daughter Kira weaned herself last January we spent a small fortune in formula over the next 6-7 months until she transitioned to cow's milk. Not to mention the first 3 months of her life that she was on EnfaCare, a special formula to help her gain weight. Had I had known that PBM Products were just as good, we could have saved so much money!

PBM has fought the formula giant Mead Johnson and won. They were vindicated in court that their product all though far less expensive is just as good as the name brands. I have had conversations with another Mom that actually thought she wasn't doing right by her babies because she had to buy the 'generic' brand formula. These companies had actually made her feel like less of a mother when in actuality the formula she was feeding her babies was just as good.

I don't plan on using formula right away for this baby but when I do need it, I at least know there is a great alternative out there that will save us some money. When you have as many children as we do, every little bit counts!

The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:

• http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf
• http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf

Conversation between Jake & Toby

As you read this, keep in mind that Jake knows all the Jonas Brother's names but Toby does not, nor does he like them....

Jake: What will the baby's name be?
Toby: Mom likes Jonas.
Jake: What about Nick? Nick Jonas would be good?
Toby: Nick is a good name but I like Joesph. Joesph Jonas would be ok, we could call him JJ.
Jake: Or Joe, he could be Joe Jonas.
Toby: No, I don't like Joe as a name.
Jake: Kevin is a good name. Kevin Jonas, does that sound good?
Toby: Kevin is a good name but we have a lot of K's already, we could call him KJ though. Kevin would be alright.

As you can imagine I am turning red/purple and fighting back the laughter at this point. Toby is convinced that if we name the baby Jonas (which I have like long before anyone even knew who or what a Jonas Brother was) he will be teased because of the Jonas Brothers. Then as he and Jake are talking they went through not one, not two but all three of the famous Jonas Brother's names! After they were done I informed him of such and we had a great laugh about it. He must have thought I was nuts sitting there nearly in tears from holding back my laughter.

As you can tell the name debate is still going strong at our house. I can in all certainty tell you that Nicholas (Nick), Joesph and Kevin were all X'd off of the list though ;).

Wordless Wednesday - Crashed out

Found Kira like this after I got done switching a load of laundry this morning.

Whole day is off!

So I took yesterday off to take Kira and Kaly to the dr and to stay with them since they were both sick. I make far less than Toby does in a day so it just makes sense for me to be the one at home with them. Plus Toby at a dr's office? LOL the thought alone makes me laugh so hard I can't breathe! Any way so here I am on my lunch break at work trying to reschedule all the apts that I had scheduled today (my normal day off) and I am so lost! Today feels like either a Monday or a Wednesday not a Tuesday. I actually tried to correct a lady that it was a different day when trying to reschedule :), sorry! She didn't really find the humor in it like I did while explaining-or rather trying to explain to her why I was off.

Kaly is doing much better, I wish the doctor would have given her this medicine last week. I am a little upset that she had to suffer like that before they would do anything different. Kira still looks horrible but was laughing and playing as I left today. Toby would have stayed with her, but Haley was running a fever and thought she could handle Kira. I wonder if I sat down and figured out the amount of money that I pay in unused daycare and medicine from all of Kira's illnesses with doctor copays and such how much I really make working? It can't be much, especially if you add on the gas I spend to travel all the way out to my job, the money I spend on lunch/snacks because I am always running late and can't pack things.

I suppose we will just make it until I either deliver or am pulled out of work and go from there. My guess is I will be staying at home for at least a year after this little guy shows up..........but you never know!

Again?!

Ok, so last week we got the all clear from the Dr re: Kira's pneumonia. One week later and she's back on antibiotics, breathing treatments, and eye drops for gunk that is pouring out of her eyes. Kaly has been on an antibiotic for a week and still isn't any better and she had a fever today too. Sheesh, you'd think we'd get a freaking break in here at some point right? Wrong, on top of all that I am starting to have 4 -6 contractions an hour. Just peachy! I really do not know what I will do if I'm put on bed rest. How does one w/so many kids even DO bed rest? LOL is it even possible?

I see my doctor on Thursday and will see what he says. I don't think that he uses terbutalin anymore so not sure what he'll do.

FAIL!

Ok, after I posted that I actually made my way down to the storage room and battled the boxes to locate not only the tree but the decorations tub as well. I pulled them out and set them near the stairs to be carried up by my oldest or hubby whom ever I could wrangle to get it brought up first. Then I got sidetracked looking for a specific outfit that Jake had worn that I wanted his baby brother to wear.

The next two hours were spent with me elbow deep in tubs and boxes looking for an outfit that I knew was there a few months back but has now since disappeared. I blame my husband. After I had last set eyes on the outfit I had put it back into the tub I got it out of (the kids at this point didn't know we were expecting) and then Toby wanted to shuffle rooms around and mixed up all of my tubs! Who does that? I mean all you have to do is carry the box/tub from one room to the other. How hard is that? Apparently for my guy it's pretty hard because he thought that some tubs didn't have enough in them so he MIXED them! I had them that way for a dang reason! So now the gorgeous preemie outfit that my #1 son wore home from the hospital will not be worn home by #2 son unless it miraculously turns up between now and Feb. With my luck I will find it 5.6 seconds AFTER we bring son #2 home from the hospital @@.

Where is Christmas?

I am having the worst time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. There are only 15 days until Christmas and I have yet to get the tree up, get cards figured out or even begin to shop. When a song comes on the radio that pertains to Christmas at all, I find myself groaning and before I know it I have switched the station as if on auto pilot. What the heck is going on? Granted I have never been an over the top Christmas enthusiast but I used to enjoy this.

Ok, so to start to get into the spirit, my goal for today is to drag out the tree and decorations and let the kids have at it. Maybe watching them having fun and being excited will kick my Ebenezer attitude.

The stash...

I have been getting things here and there when I come across a cute outfit and then on the way home from my u/s I stopped at the Carter's outlet and got a ton of cute stuff. So here is the stash so far. I think I am set as far as newborn and 0-3 month clothes I just need to see how the weather will be and how big this little guy will be when I will need 3-6 month clothes for him. With all that I've bought and all that I still have from Jake we are good. I wish I could remember where I put Jake's preemie coming home outfit...........I'd love to have it to bring baby brother home in.

I am sure that the guitar outfit will get a lot of wear, I think it is just too cute!

The matching receiving blankets might get claimed by Kira, she loves her blankies lol.

Spaceships and football! Can it get anymore boyish?

The onesie "No girls allowed except mom." was a must have! Little bro will have to wear it when I send him w/daddy when he and Jake are in the 'man cave' lol!

I love this set! I can't wait to see my two boys in them!

Wordless Wednesday - Group shot!

Getting ready for baby.

Wow it is hard to believe that this little guy could be here in as little as 8-10 weeks. I am due 3/15 but since the last two were 6 weeks early that puts me at 2/1, I'd rather go closer to 2/14 (how fun would that be?) and will most likely be put on bedrest this time around. I do not want a NICU baby, it just doesn't seem like your baby when someone is telling when to feed, change and hold the baby.

Toby and I are still fighting over names. I LOVE the name Jonas Tanner he likes Tanner Jonas or Brody Tanner. I just don't have another name that I like, I have tried to find one but can't. We had better get it figured out soon or he will be named Baby Boy lol.

Snow day, day two.

OMGosh I am going to go insane! Another snow day tomorrow! I will have to have Toby dig out the sleds from the attic so that the kids can sled down our hill. Maybe my work will be closed tomorrow giving me a three day weekend, one can hope lol.

Finally..........

Ok, so I got the results of my test back and I don't have mono but probably am working on a nice little sinus infection. Kira is on the mend but still has fluid in her ears, her ENT apt was supposed to be this morning but thanks to mother nature it was canceled. So all the kids were out of school all last week, finally went back yesterday and had a snow day today, yeay me lol. Now back to what I was saying. When could the ENT get her back in you ask? Not until after the first of the year @@. Her dr apt went well and as long as she can shake this cold we are good to go. She will still have an apt with her pulminologist (SP?) in the next few weeks. Lets hope this hospital stay did the trick!

Another tid bit of news, turns out I am not on a final warning with work. They decided to put me at one hour off of a final warning. So if I am more than 5 min late to work I will be on a final and the next time I have to take off of work I'm fired ::sigh:: at least it gives me time to get into January when I will have more time to cover any thing that may happen.

Not so lucky!

Well we were not lucky. We got hit with yet another bug. Just when we thought we've gone through it all ::sigh::. Loryn has mono for sure, Kaly and Paige probably have it, they didn't test them, Jake was tested and doesn't but has a wicked bad sinus infection, Kira had ROUND FOUR of pneumonia and ended up spending a few days in the hospital. I have something but my damn doctor/nurse decided that I can just wait until Monday to figure out what exactly I do have. I am very, very close to loosing my job. Funny how the Mothering Magazine Friendly Mom Employer of the Year company would actually action plan an employee who is at the hospital with her kid (not really funny at all). I shouldn't have expected more since they action planned me when I had h1n1. Guess I should have came in and infected the whole building @@. Yes, not only am I ticked off but at my breaking point. Grrrrr! 2010 had better be better because I cannot take another year like this!

The haps.

I have not been a good blogger lately. Things have been so busy here, between h1n1, stomach flu, dr apts, school, kid functions, and work I have been so busy I can't see straight most day.
Yes so you read that right, we went through both flus here. Kira had pneumonia for a month, I had (still getting over) some lung thing along w/a sinus infection right now. I really hope that the last of the winter illnesses are gone from my home. If not, I am not sure how much longer I will actually HAVE a job lol!

Wordless Wednesday

Yup, that's right! One more on the way........due to arrive March 2010.

Winners!!!

The two business card winners are Lisa and Little Ladybugs. You ladies should have already received an email from me and should receive the code to claim your business cards soon! Thanks so much for participating!!

Wordless Wednesday - Too pooped to party.

She just laid down and fell right to sleep, very unlike her. She usually likes to be held and/or rocked to sleep!

Wall Sticker Giveaway!

Have you ever wanted to hang a photo but didn't want to damage the walls?

Have you ever wanted to turn your favorite picture into one of those wall stickers?

Online Poster Printing is giving you the chance to check out their new product, it is being rolled out on OnlinePosterPrinting.com, and they are giving you the chance to win it! The new product is an innovative adhesive fabric that we call a Wall Sticker. Just imagine a huge sticker that you can peel and stick on any flat surface! (Similar to the Fat Heads stickers you’ve seen on TV) In addition, these use the same high-quality printing we use for our poster prints, so you can print photos, artworks or patterns in great detail.

They want to offer (2) of readers a 24”x 24” Wall Sticker.

In addition, they will be hosting a Video Blog Challenge in October to find the most creative Wall Graphic Print! The winner will receive a cash prize, so win this giveaway or make your own Wall Sticker and submit a video entry!

** Winner must pay for shipping. Open to US residents only.

GIVEAWAY INSTRUCTIONS:
To enter simply leave a comment stating what you would use your cards for.

Extra entries:
Tweet about the giveaway.
Post about the giveaway.
Follow me.
Subscribe to my blog via email.

Contest ends SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 – winners will be notified via e-mail.

Need some business cards?-CLOSED

(2) PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE

500 Business Cards

If you win, you can choose between 3 different business card sizes!
Choose size: 2x3.5”, 2x3”, 2x2";
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Choose Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside

Shipping must be paid by Winner. Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.


GIVEAWAY INSTRUCTIONS:
To enter simply leave a comment stating what you would use your cards for.

Extra entries:
Tweet about the giveaway.
Post about the giveaway.
Follow me.
Subscribe to my blog via email.

Also check out their Die Cut Business Cards.

Contest ends SEPTEMBER 10, 2009. Winner will be e-mailed September 11, 2009.

Wendy's Boneless Chicken Wings

I had the opportunity to try Wendy's Boneless Chicken Wings today. Just so happens there is a Wendy's not even 5 minutes (by freeway) from my work. I zipped over for lunch and I am so glad I did.


Not only were they better than I expected but the Bold Buffalo wings were both hot and spicy. I have been to other fast food restaurant that claimed to have 'hot' and 'spicy' wings, yet they were neither. Such a disappointment. These were nothing like that, now don't get me wrong, I wasn't breathing fire after eating them, nor was I running around at work looking for someone who had Tums. They were also quite filling, I normally can finish most of my fries but today they were wasted. Really sad because I love my Wendy's fries.

These were just the right mix. I would recommend these, they also come in Honey BBQ and Sweet and Spicy Asian.

Recommendation: Go get yourself some, you will love it as either a snack or to eat while watching your fav football team play (or just to have a quick lunch while people watching:)).