Making this House a Home

If you haven't already noticed.....

I am taking a break from blogging. I am really trying to find my way with this new career of stay at home mom. I am trying to find a system that best fits our family where my house is clean, the baby is happy and I am a helpmate to my wonderful husband. I have had my good days and bad days. What I have notice that the bad days usually came about when I spent too much time online and not enough caring for the wonderful home my husband has provided. So I am going to take an extended break from blogging and surfing online to concentrate on being a stay at home mom. I praise God that I have been given this chance and I want to be able to make the most of it.

See you in the future.

Vacation for my dear husband, costco and spring clean update.....

My wonderful husband is on vacation on this week.  The baby and I love having him around and to ourselves.  So what did he decide to do with his vacation today.  Help me spring clean our basement.  He is so wonderful!!!!!!  I am so lucky to have him.  We also went to Costco and got a membership.  As suggested by some members here we went ahead and purchased the membership that gives us the 2% discount.  I plan on doing my monthly shopping there from now on.  They have a way better selection on food then my local stores.  With the 2% discount it will be worth it considering how much we spend on food.  I really enjoyed my first experience there.  The best part was their seafood section.  Our local supermarkets have a horrible selection when it comes to fish and the times I did buy it I was very disappointed with the freshness...not the case with Costco.  Good price and fresh!  We went in and got just a select amount of things due to time contraint so I can't wait to go back and do a mega shopping trip.  I am due for one as I shop once a month for our groceries and that time is coming up.

I am also excited because my brother-in-law, for our combined birthday and anniversary, purchased a deep freezer for us.  I been wanting one for awhile so I was so excited. My dh birthday is the 4th our anniversary the 8th and my birthday the 18th.  My dh and I usually just purchase something that we really need for the house to celebrate.  Since my BIL already purchased what we were thinking of getting we are now considering a new mattress for our bed.  It is sorely needed.  When the little one is laying in bed with us he is usually rolling one way or the other because of the lumps LOL.

Here are the rooms I have to still to do for spring clean:

~Master Bedroom

~Master Closet

~My office

~Baby's Room

~wash wood floors in foyer

Have already completed: country kitchen, dining room, parlor, powder room, basement/gameroom, laundry room, spare room, hall bath, master bathroom

So I am over half way there :)

I hope to everything completed by the end of the week so I can give you a photo tour of the house.  Once spring clean is done I am hoping to implement my home management binder zone cleans to keep the house looking good.  For the 6 months after the baby's birth I just couldn't get myself motivated to clean.  But I am so happy to finally be reclaiming the house and making it feel like home again instead of a pigsty!! (Trust me it was that bad LOL)

Have a wonderful week everyone!!!

I am still going..

I am excited because my spring cleaning is coming along so well.  I keep forgetting to take before pictures.  So I decided that once I have finished all the spring cleaning I will go ahead and do a picture tour of our home.  Even though it was just snowing the other day I am ignoring the weather and going ahead pretending it is spring.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Think Spring!!!

Here is the spring clean before and after.....

As stated here are the pictures of the before and after cleaning of my country kitchen.  I took the before pictures as is.  I did not attempt to clean at all before taking them.  So you could see how bad it really had got.  I love the after.  I arranged the furniture different and it really opened up the room.  My husband loved it when he came home to find it tidy and rearranged.  He really likes how I have the furniture now also so it looks like it is going to stay this way for awhile.

Before:

After:

Another step in spring cleaning....

Menu this week..........

Monday:  Fish and Chips

Tuesday: Sweet Sausage Sandwhiches

Wednesday: Roasted Chicken, roasted potatoes, mixed veggies

Thursday:  Steak Salads with french bread

Friday: Tuna Steaks with rice and mixed veggies

Saturday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn

Sunday: Ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, cranberry sauce, bread

I know for me if I have the week's menu planned it makes it so much easier.  It makes shopping easier and when I get up in the morning it is nice not to have to stress about what I am going to be making.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

~srusnowangel

Wit, Wisdom and Practical Advice .......

This is from Ben Franklin's Almanac of Wit, Wisdom and Pratical Advice.  There are some very interesting things in the book that I thought would be neat to share.  It is set up by the makers of the farmers almanac.  They have several different things for each day of the year.  Part of the entry for February 20th is as follows:

Cleaning Up around the House:

• To remove spray starch from the bottom of an iron rub the plate with a baking soda and water paste. Wipe it off with a clean cloth.
• To clean cobwebs from the hard-to-reach corners, slip an old sock over the end of a yardstick and fasten it with a rubber band. Reach up into the corners and twirl the yardstick to gather up the cobwebs.
• A can opener is a handy tool for removing old grout from between tiles.
• Don't be in a big hurry to sweep all the ashes out of the fireplace. An inch or two of ashes makes a good base for a fire.
• To remove a blood stain from the carpet, sprinkle it with salt, then cold water. Gently blot the area with a wet sponge (do not rub), then dab it with paper towels until dry.

Saying: It takes 3 cloudy days to bring a heavy snow.

Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. -William Hazlitt

Where I am at with baby boy.... update and photo

I talked to my friend Annoria who gave me much needed conformation and knowledge about getting baby to sleep (She is a wonderful mother to 4 very loving and well adjusted kids) So taking her advice and then reading baby wise.  I am using their format to help train baby boy to sleep better. Baby wise  AKA let the baby cry it out. (Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions I have worked some of your suggestions into our nightime routine) 

So far it is working out well.  Baby boy  use to only takes 25-30 minute naps at a time.  Was usually cranky and woke every hour on the hour at night. I read Baby Wise front to back two times and started to use their methods just this week.  Someone gave the book and I had forgot about it. In praying for guidance, wisdom and strength to help my son to be able to sleep better I came upon the book in cleaning.  I believe God answered my prayers in bringing this book to my attention and having Annoria's first hand accounts of her children.   I started doing the cycle during the day of:

Wake

Feed baby

Playtime

Naptime

I am already noticing a difference in the length of my baby's naps.  Because of the better sleep he has been a very happy baby (he was a happy baby before but now he hardly has any fussy times).  He is averaging about 12 minutes of crying before settling himself into sleep.  He was hard to hear him cry but I prayed and this is the right course for us.(Thanks for the reassurance Annoria!)  I know in the long run I am teaching the baby better sleep habits which will make him and me happier in the end.  The night time routine is harder to work on.  When first put down he will sleep 3-4 hours. (Which is pure joy compared to his longest run of 2 hours previously.)  But after that its 1 to every 2 hours he is up.  This is the most trying time as I am so tired and have a harder time to try and just let him cry it out.  I have caught myself wanting to just pick him up and rock him or take him to bed with me so he will go back to sleep but I have to refrain. I pray for the strength each night to what is best for my child.  So that is his sleep update and now new pic..

My prayers and thoughts go out.....

Costco question.........

Does anyone here shop at costco?  If so, can you give me some insight on what type of deals they have? There is one about 30 minutes away from our house.  My husband and I are trying to decide if the drive time plus the membership fee worth it.  Are their meats good?   Do they happen to have organic food? Any infromation you have would be great.  We currently shop at Aldis food, County Market and Giant Eagle all within 5-10 miles of us.  I am looking for ways to cut our grocery bill and I am wondering if this may be the way.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Advice welcomed.....

I am a new mother and welcome any advice from experience mothers here.  My son does not sleep for long periods at night.  I am not sure what is causing this.  I breasfeed him and he just recently started eating rice cereal.  I am not sure what the best way to get the baby to sleep comfortably through the night or at least for several hours. There is so much information out there from letting the baby cry to not letting the baby cry etc.  So I was hoping that I could seek advice from all of you.  Any advice on should I put the baby on a routine verses demand feeding...how to get the baby to sleep better at night......how often should the baby be napping during the day at 5 months.......... Any infromation you are willing to share would be helpful.

Thank you all!

Hubby home with a cold.......

My dear husband is home from work with a cold today.  So I am making him my home made chicken noodle soup.  He does not like being sick but he is looking forward to the soup because it is one of his favorites.  I am just hoping the baby doesn't catch anything from him.  I know he has to get a cold eventually but I rather him not :).  Hope everyone is staying warm and healthy.  Have a wonderful day.

~srusnowangel

Thought I would post some pictures of the wee little one....

Here are some pictures of my darling baby boy. He is just a little over 3 months.

The best baby wrap out there..........

I have been off adjusting to my new role as stay at home mom to my now 3 month old baby boy.  I wanted to jump on and let you all know something I found.

I love the idea of baby wearing but was having trouble with the two different store bought carriers that I was given.  I went in search of something better. I found it in a little thing called the moby wrap.  I know this sounds like a commercial but this thing is the BEST.  You can tell it was designed by a mom who loves to have her kids close to her.  I was a little unsure at first when I saw the 18ft piece of fabric but the online video and instruction book had me in the thing in two minutes flat. My son absolutely loves it. I am able to get work done around the house and he is able to be with mommy and see everything that is going on.  If you have young children this is a must have.  It is the most comfortable thing. You can view details about it at www.mobywrap.com. You can buy it on ebay and amazon. I love it and baby billy loves it too!

Let me know if there is anyone else out there who has tried this.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.

God Bless,

srusnowangel

The baby is 2 weeks old.......

My son finally arrived in the world on September 21st.  Its been a wonderful and hard 2 weeks. Breastfeeding has had its up and downs. I had to pump for several days and feed him a bottle but he is going between bottle and breast well. Something so satisfying about providing him with his food.

This being my first baby it is hard. I didn't realize how little sleep I would get and how run down. But we are adjusting more and more. My husband has been wonderful in helping and being here for us when he is not working. Well back to motherhood

baby update.......

Thanks to all the words of encouragement on my last post about the baby maybe being too big. It was nice to hear similar stories and feed back on that situation. Since then I have had an ultrasound and guess what. The doctor was wrong!Baby is in the normal size range. He was measuring about 6lbs on the visit. Praise God that is a huge weight off my shoulders.

Now its just a matter of waiting for baby to come. Little Billy hasn't made any progress. He is in the headdown position but no change to my cervix or anything. I am still 25 days away from my due date. I am just getting anxious to see the little guy. Its interesting to wonder will he be early? will he be late? I have my bags completely packed along with all the little baby things (his receiving blanket, little hats, socks, onsies..etc) I can literally go into labor at any time after this week and that makes me so excited.

My husband has been absolutely wonderful through this whole pregnancy. He has helped with the house when I am too tired, carries the clothes up and down the stairs to the laundry and so much more. He is just so supportive and sweet. He is so cute too because now that we are getting closer to time if I wake up at night to go to the bathroom I will hear him say, "Is everything ok? Are you having contractions?" I have had to reassure him that I will be getting up at night to deal with a full bladder and heartburn. If and when something changes I will wake him up and he will be the first to know :)

Well hope everyone has a happy Wednesday!

~srusnowangel

Praying for the best outcome...aka all natural birth........

So the doctor feels that the baby is really big. I am 34 weeks pregnant but the doctor feels that the baby may be as big as 37 weeks. We know we have the dates correct because due to complications I had to have an ultrasound done very early in my pregnancy. They said with an ultrasound done so early that they are almost 99% sure of what week I am on.

So the doctor asked me to come back again next week for an ultrasound so he can have them measure the baby, the fluid and position of the baby. So I asked him what does it mean if he is as big as they think. I asked if they would induce to have him come early. He said that they will not induce any earlier than 38 weeks and if the baby is as big as he thinks then inducing at 38 weeks won't matter. So all I am hearing is he is thinking that they are going to be giving me a c section. Well I DON'T WANT IT!!!!!!!! I want to have my baby all natural. No drugs etc. My husband wants me at the hospital incase something happens.

I want what is best for the baby but I am praying that 1. If he is as big as they think that his lungs will be developed and he will make an early appearance. 2. That he is not as big as they thought and all is well. 3. If he his big and doesn't come early that I will still be able to deliver naturally.

Anyone have any birthing stories they want to share or had any similar issues with "big" babies......

The last Friday I will have to work......

I am so excited. This is the last Friday I will have to work at my job. My husband and I made the decision for me to go down to just 2 days a week working until the baby comes. So I will be working just Tuesday and Wednesday of each week.  Then once the baby comes I can decide if I want to come back or not. Which unless something happens where we absolutely need the money (i.e husband loses job, unexpected medical bills) I will be staying home with my precious baby. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom so I am very excited. I can't wait.

The baby has been doing great. He feels so big. I went to the doctor's on Monday. He measured the baby and said, "Oh I think this is going to be a big boy." I have gained 28lbs all together and hope not to have to gain anymore. From all the ultrasounds, tests, etc baby seems to be healthy. My husband and I are so thrilled. We talk to him every night. Read him stories and tell him about all his different relatives he will get to meet once he comes into the world. People are thinking he is going to come early. My husband would love to have him on September 4th (this would be 37weks) but I have a feeling he is going to come October 2nd (which would be 41 weeks). But we both know that the timing is between God and our precious little one.

Well since this is my last Friday at work I better get back to it. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Duggar update.........It's a girl.........

I love that the Duggar family always takes us on an incredible journey with their family. Here is a link to the news article about the latest addition to the family:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20097968/?gt1=10251

Sorry I have been a little MIA..Wanted to share some ulrasound pics.......

I have been so busy between doctor appointments and trying to keep my head above water I haven't had a chance to blog in a little while. My husband and I went and did the 3d/4d ultrasound. We couldn't believe the pictures we got of our little man in there.  I just wanted to share some of the pics with all of you. Well back to getting things done. I feel like I just can't keep on top of things. I just don't have the energy I had before pregnancy.