Count down begins

We have a little over a week until M leaves and instead of spending it relaxing, we are running around like its a mad house trying to get as much out processing done as possible not to mention trying to buy a house ( more on that later). M reenlisted yesterday, another 4 years!! As of Saturday he has been in for 8 years. Im so proud of him. Although he signed for only 4 and get out right after when he first decided to go into the military he decided against that, and here we are now!! Next reenlistment is at 12 years and by that time it too close to 20 to get out. It would seem like a waste.

We have a week and a half full of nothing but appointments and tasks. Get new IDs or they will expire while he is away, all military wives should know that that is the worst nightmare ever!! That ID is our golden key! Find and book a good company to chip Ms car to Ohio. Its brand new, no way he was putting miles on that thing so soon!! Not to mention I refused to drive my Armada with 3 dogs and a toddler box all while pulling a small uhaul tailor behind it!! I would wreck. No doubt I would wreck. M needs to get his mom and I power of attorneys so we are able to deal with all of this stuff such as the house and car and everything. Also I need him to pull out everything he wants to get rid of so we can either sell or give away.

We will have no time to do anything when he gets back. He comes home and does the rest of his out processing. We ship his car. We have the movers come, we clean the house, we get it inspected. We have a first birthday to attend, as well as our going away party. MJs 18 month appt just days before we leave ( early no less because I refuse to find and use a doctor as soon as I get to Sandusky when I love ours so much) We rent the Uhaul, load it, and leave. No time for any extras in there. It all must be done before he leaves, or if I am able to do it on my own, before he comes home. Did I add I need to get Kimba fixed while M is away?? Of course I do thats my thing, M leaves I get the dogs fixed.

Then there is the house searching. As most of you know by my constant statuses complaining about how we cant find a house, its been a frustrating journey. After finding a house so soon when we thought we were going to Medina, we thought Sandusky would be just as easy. Well it was not. My In-Laws have looked at more houses then I can count and I bet our realtor is so over us. I am happy to say that we found the house!! Our offer was put in yesterday, she will receive it today. I do not think our realtor put a time limit for her to accept it on so she has as long as she wants, but she knows we have 1 week until M leaves to get the papers done and seems to be such a sweet lady I hope she doesnt take longer then a few days. This house is beautiful. I dont want to jink us so when she accepts our offer I will tell you all about it!!

So this is our next week and a half. Crazy busy and full of stress, panic, and excitement. PCSing is amazing, here we are getting ready to start another 4 years in a new location and next to our family. We couldnt ask for anything better. But its stressful. I do not wish this upon anyone hahah Just playing. Sorry this post is so boring. I just wanted to rant and what better place to do so then to all of you.

Thankful Monday

I just realized as I sat down to write this that it is not Monday! Woops!! Holiday has me all messed up. I thought it was Sunday since Friday!! So here we go!

Thankful Monday

That my in laws are skyping with me this morning as they look at houses for us

for an awesome four day weekend with my Boys and great friends

For the Air Force. M has been in for 8 years as of this Saturday and he is reenlistment for another 4 tomorrow!

For Ms job in the Air Force because he is able to fix my expensive straightener that Kemba chewed the cord off of. Girl cant live without one!!

For MJ. He has such a fun personality hath I am constantly laughing at him. He makes my days interesting.

Wearapy

As I was reading this months Military Spouse Magazine, a favorite of mine, I came across an article that was right up my alley. Now I can relate to most of what they put in this magazine, as can you military spouses, but this one was a little bit closer to my heart.

Jeannie Mai, a makeup artist and expert stylist talked about how she believes that the right outfit can boost your mood. She directed this toward military women in this article. We go through countless TDY's, Deployments, long work hours, raising kids on our own, PCS every 3-4 years and more. All of this effects our mood and do not even say it doesn't. I know that right now, during this PCS season, our PCS, I am tired and stressed. She thinks that picking out the right outfit, the right color, textures, accessories can make your mood change drastically.

A woman who feels good about herself is a happy women. One that feels like she can take on the world because she just rocked those wedges to the commissary instead of wearing sweats. Yes I know y'all think I am crazy but that is me, I dress up. Well I do not 'dress up' Im not in heels and a mini dress strolling down the produce aisle on pay day. No. Hello I am a mom, at the commissary. But I will tell you that I will rock some wedges and cute skinny jeans and new top and dont forget the accessories, oh we all know Its all about the shoes and accessories.

Is this really true? Do you think that a change of outfit can really boost your mood? Feel good about yourself when you have been feeling down in the dumps? I think it can. It is crazy to think that something so simple can really do that to a persons mood. Just make it change, just like that.

I suggest you go read her article as she answered questions from real military spouses about fashion and everyday living. While your at it, the next time you are about to walk out the door in your sweats to make a trip to the BX because your husband is deployed and its been a long stressful week, turn around. Go back up stairs. Go to your closet. Pick out the Coral top and the white Jean shorts and wedges you bought a month back but have not worn. I can almost guarantee you will walk in the BX with a new attitude and a smile on your face...all because of a cute set of earrings.

My Sandusky ToDO List

Well Since I have sat on the computer for a week straight looking for houses with no luck at all, I decided to take a break and look at the fun side of this move. Most of it is so exciting, that is after we get past all the stress of getting there and settling in. Once we are settled in though, it is going to be an amazing 4 years, hopefully longer.

So I decided to make a Sandusky To Do list, a list of all the thinks I want to do in Sandusky before we move that I know there is to do, I will leave finding a house off this time :)


Sandusky To Do List

Buy a Boat. ( you cant not have a boat when your on the lakes)

Get Season Passes to Cedar Point

Find a moms group

Visit Kalahari Indoor water park, alot

Visit Castaway Bay Waterpark 

Lets just say visit all the water parks

Go to Sandusky Speedway

Visit the African Safari Wildlife Park

Go to all the Zoos within a 3 hr drive, probably more 

Golf at all the beautiful locations 

Go fishing...yup I said it

Eat all the food I miss so much

Go to a few Winerys 

Got to Lake Erie Islands

Shop. Alot.

Love the fact that I do not have to drive over 30 min to go get good food and shopping

Just enjoy the fact we will be around all of Ms family ( within a 30 min drive) and in such a beautiful city that might be where we stay for good!!

I know as the months go on there is going to be so much more I find out about and want to add to it!!

          

Thankful Monday

Thankful Monday

That we have a babysitter we can trust so M and I are able to get out on our own once and a while

That we found out our orders changed before we put the offer in on the house we wanted in Medina even if it was only 5 minutes before

That M found something he liked at Mexican restaurants so we can go more often ( its the little things)

For the internet so we are able to look for houses from so far away

For family and friends that know  so much about buying a house, building a house, or just house stuff in general so we make sure we make the right decision when we choose a house  

This past week has been extremely stressful. As you have read from previous post, we were five minutes away from our Realtor sending our offer in on the house we wanted in Medina when we found out our orders got changed to Sandusky. Now for the past 6 days we have been looking non stop for a house to buy in Sandusky. Our family has gone to a number of houses, and I am pretty sure we have seen every house that is for sale that is posted online, with no luck. We have thought about building and then decided not to, and then decided to, adn then not to again. Found a house we truly LOVED other then the unfinished basement and the fact it needed a fence, and after 5 days of trying to get a hold of someone on it, found out it is under contract. We are praying hard that this house does not sell. This house it the only one we like in Sandusky and surrounding areas. We are starting to look at fourclosures which is almost impossible considering you cant see them online and we arent there to look! 

I know that this was probably a blessing our orders got changed. Maybe we would love Sandusky more then Medina ( I am almost positive). Maybe M will have better luck with his recruiting job in Sandusky. Maybe the house we were about to put an offer in truly wasn't the perfect house for us and God knew that. There are many reason why this could have happened, so in a way I am Thankful that it did,  We just would like a little luck on finding a house and getting settled in there. M leaves in 22 days. That means we have 22 days to find a house. That stresses me out just thinking about it.

So here we are, another week to do nothing but look at every site and house possible until we find one we love.

Citrus Lane Review : May

I got my first Citrus lane box today!!I was extreamly excited for this. Those of you that do not know what citrus lane is, it is a subscription box ( of course it is I love these things) that you get monthly but for your kids. You would subscribe online where it would ask you if you have a boy or girl and their age. It goes from birth to age 3 I believe. They send you 5/6 things a month based on your childs age. It can be anywhere from cool new toys to fun new snacks that are out. Like my Ipsy bag, this is a fun way to get to know other brands that are out there and get something you might not have bought otherwise. Also like other subscription boxes, you either love it or you hate it. I figured we would give Citrus Lane a try for a few months. Oh did I mention that they send a gift for mom in the box? So that makes it fun!

Click Here if you want to Subscribe to Citrus Lane and for a discount on your first box!
Price: $25 for a month to month or $21 for a 6 month 

So now for The...

 May box Review

Up,Up,Up!, Book and CD set from Barefoot Books 

 

 This book and CD set uses playful, rhyming text and sing-along songs to take readers to an airborne adventure across the land. I really am excited about this book!! MJ just loves books and music and has never really been a part of a sing along one so this will be so fun to try!! I have also heard amazing things about Barefoot Books. Citrus Lane has used them before and I have heard nothing but good reviews!

Price- $9.99




Blue Race Car from Green Toys

These Race Cars are made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. They are BPA free as well as free from PVC and phthalates and small parts like metal axles and wheels which makes it so safe for your little one! MJ got a red and blue one for Christmas from his NaNa and we also bought him an airplane from Green Toys for easter. He loves them and so do we!! It was such a fun first car for him. You can find cars, planes, trucks, and even tea sets for girls!! Its safe, great for the environment, and MJ loves them!! What is better then that?

Price $8.99


Nibbly Fingers from Ella's Kitchen

 Our Cirtus Lane box came with a box of 5 granola type bars. Ella's Kitchen offers a full line of products for babies and kids that are tasty, natural, and 100% organic!! MJ was not a fan of these today. We will try again a different day since he was a bit crabby at snack time. BUT M did love them lol

Price $4.21







The Red One Smoothie Fruit Snack from Ella's Kitchen

The new thing is pouches. MJ is obsessed with the organic ones with peter rabbit on the front of them. And by obsessed I mean if he sees it he HAS to have it. I do not mind most of the time because we are going through a picky stage and this is a way he can get more than a full serving of veggies and fruit. I knew he would love this one just as much and I was right! Ella's brand is also 100% organic and is gluten, wheat, dairy, and lactose free!

Price: $14.80 for a pack of 7

For MOM

Moisture Stick from Deep Steep 

For mom we got a moisture stick from Deep Steep in Lavender and chamomile. This moisture stick is small enough to throw in your purse and easy to apply. It helps hydrate and prevents premature aging, Something all of us moms would love. I am not a huge fan of the smell but it is not horrible. I for sure will throw it in my purse to use. Idaho is so dry! It does go on a tad greasy and although that does not completely go away it isnt bad. It definitely leaves your skin feeling soft!

Price: $5.95

Total Worth about $31

Although I was not amazed by this box it was still a good one. The book is awesome, I wouldnt mind seeing a book in each box, the car is way cool but since we already had it kind of a bummer. As for the snacks it was something I would have never bought for MJ to try but its always fun to try new things. The moms gift was also decent!! I will for sure try Citrus Lane for at least 2 more months before I decide to keep it or do way with it!!

Ipsy Glam Bag Review : MAY

Well I got my Ipsy glam bag today for the month of May!! Im extreamly excited. This was my first one and the waiting just killed me!! There are some great products in it this month!

I had an Idea of what I was getting because you can see in your glam room on their site. You dont know the color or the smell and such but you know the items for the most part.

First was the Yaba Concealer in Buff. They did good in this area color wise. It was a small sample which I am kind of bummed about but then not really because I rather get other products instead of this!

The next Item I got was Zoya Nail Polish in Julie. I really love this color. I have bought many purple colors and they all go on really clear. This one you can actually see and has a hint of sparkle which is cute!! I also love the brand Zoya. This was my first time trying their brand and I will definitely buy again. I have always had a problem with polish taking forever to dry and with a one year old running around that sucks. Zoya dried pretty fast!!

The next Item in my bag was Pacifica Perfume Roll-On in Island Vanilla. I didnt think I was going to like this to be honest. When I saw I was getting it I was not too excited. Then when I got it and it was vanilla I was bummed but it actually smells amazing!!! Totally surprised! Also the roll on is kind of nice to have in my purse!! I am not huge on perfumes and such But I would probably buy this product again.

Another Item I got was Juicy Lip Gloss in pink. I love lip gloss but was hoping for the lipstick. I just started using lipstick again and really wanted to try a new one out! But I still love the gloss. This one looked pretty dark in the tube but went on lighter then I would have thought. I wold have preferred one of the lighter colors they had but I still love this one! Yo can never have too much lip gloss!

The last product I received in my Ipsy Glam bag was NuMe Finishing Serum. I am glad I got this product because I have been having a hard time with dry, dull hair since having my son over a year ago!! I have been trying product after product with pretty much no luck. So getting this in my bag was awesome! I love NuMe products!

We also recieved a NuMe coupon for $110 off their site. This is awesome!! I did just buy a curling wand from there ( which I love) and got $110 off from another code but need a new blow dryer so this is great!! Cant wait to use it.


Also I would like to add that the Bag is way cute too!! So excited to get cute bags because you can use them for anything!!


If you do not know about Ipsy I want to tell you that you also get Discounts on the products in your bag if you love them and want to purchase more!! So excited!

I am already excited for Junes Glam bag!!! I cant wait till they post the sneak peeks!!

Starting Over

I just put MJ down for his second nap today, like any other day. Except for today I was putting him down for his morning nap and then emailing our Realtor a copy of our signed offer for a house we really love in Medina Ohio. As for the afternoon nap I put him down just to go downstairs and start looking for a new house but in Sandusky Ohio. That is right, it changes that quick with the Military. Our orders have changed.

Turns out someone was already assigned to the Medina Station and is already there but since they were having problems with their systems they did not know until today. So we were given our Second choice. I think I wouldnt be so upset if we had not fallen in love with the area and found a house that we just adored and cheaper then we wanted! But instead I spent most of the afternoon crying because I do not like one house in Sandusky. There all expensive, or old old old, or too city with no yard. There is no perfect house there.

When we got Medina it started out this way too. I did not like any house, until I found THE HOUSE but I have searched high and Low in sandusky and 30 minutes out and still can not find the one that comes close. I need to get that town and that house out of my head. Maybe that will help me. I know that we will find a house eventually, I know that we will love the area, maybe even better then Medina, I mean it is cloer to the family ( by like 15 minutes) and is right on the lake. I do not know it like I do Medina. I had this amazing picture of Medina in my head from what friends explained to us and what we researched and saw. Now all I see is a tourist town with crappy houses. Again Medina started the same way.

So here we are starting completly over. Starting from scratch. Looking at houses again in a different area, researching vet offices, schools, day cares, gyms, things to do. We start all over. The stress starts all over.

Here we go again...... Pray we find something and we love it.

Thankful Monday

Thankful Monday

That we found out where we will be PCSing to this summer

That we only have three months left here in Idaho

That we have a family that is there to help us buy a house in Ohio when we can not be there

For the spouses I have met through the 726th Hardrock Spouses Club

That I was able to spend Mothers Day with both of my boys yesterday!    

This past week has really been a good one. We finally were told where we will be moving too which is a huge relief. We have family already out looking at houses for us to buy and I got to spend Mothers Day with my two favorite boys. We take a lot for granted really. A Mothers day or Birthday or holiday is just another holiday to us. Unless you are a military family that is. Being a military wife, I am blessed to get to spend any holiday with M. Our first year married M was deployed for  Halloween ( no biggy) Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day. This year he will be gone for Fathers Day, and both of our Birthdays. Although it really is not that big of a deal, it does help you cherish the ones you do get to spend together, like Mothers Day this year, Or even our Anniversary!! He will be home 2 days before it!

A little advice for you newer Wives, you may already know this, but cherish every single moment, ever birthday, ever holiday everything. I know many spouses who have spend only one Christmas, or one birthday or one Thanksgiving with their husband, of 10+ years, only a few times. You do not know if next Christmas he will be Deployed, or Even Thanksgiving when it is just a month away. 

As we all have read before: Live like he Deploys Tomorrow

Make Up Favs

ahhh make-up how I love you!! So I have been trying a lot of new things lately when it comes to make-up and hair products. I have always used the same thing for years and finally decided I needed a change. There are so many great products, and bad ones, out there that I can not, not try some out!! So here are some of my favs right now!

My Arbonne make-up brushes are really awesome. It is hard to find a good make-up brush and it is even harder to find one for a good price!! It comes in both a large set as well as a small!!

Also Arbonne has a great concealer!

I am new to the Ulta Brand but so far I really like their blush, eye shadow, lip stick, and mascara. I never was a lipstick kind of girl but lipstick with a hint of gloss over it is just amazing! Oh also their eye liner has become my favorite!

Right now I am finishing up my mary kay loose powder. I dont have anything and to say about it but am excited to try something new next.


I love Maybelline products. I always suggest yo use two different types of mascara to get the volume and length you want. So right now I am using the Ulta as well as the Maybelline brands. I also have the Arbonne's new 'Its a Long Story' mascara. I wouldnt say it is my favorite but it is a good one.

Victoria Secret Lip gloss will always be one of my favorites and it does last a long time!!

As for my hair I am using the new Caviar shampoo and conditioner. It is pretty good, but I switch out every so often. I am also using the Moroccan oil on my hair which I am in love with! Helps your dry hair without leaving it looking oily!

My IPSY Glam Bag was shipped yesterday so keep a look out for that review!! I am reading good things about it on the IPSY website!

Make Up Favs by lesley-gainer featuring an ulta lipstick

Mary kay foundation
marykay.com

Volum waterproof mascara
maybelline.com

Ulta lipstick
ulta.com

Victoria s Secret lip makeup
victoriassecret.com

Maybelline pencil eyeliner
walgreens.com

Moroccanoil styling product
$47 - thehut.com

Alterna haircare
bergdorfgoodman.com

Alterna haircare
neimanmarcus.com

Maybelline New York Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quads, 40q Designer...
amazon.com

Orders Are In!! Drum Roll Please....

After 6 months of dealing with the incredibly long process of applying to become a recruiter, finding out he made it then waiting for a class date, finding out a class date and then waiting to find out where we are going, we finally got our orders last night.

Let me set the scene for you:

Dinner is in the oven.
We are in a hurry because M has a volleyball game and I was already running late with dinner.
We are sitting in the living room playing with MJ.
Matt looks at his Phone.
He says " we got our orders"
I of course think he is joking, why in the world would he know by reading his personal email.
He isnt joking.
I remember he started getting emails from work to his phone a month back for some reason.
He reads the email to me.
Of course he has to go into work to see where we are going, the email pretty much just says congrats you got orders!
I dont waste a second and tell him he needs to go in to work... NOW.
He looks at me like Im crazy, but he knows he will because he wants to know where we are going just as bad.
He puts shoes on and decides to take MJ. Why are you taking MJ we are in a hurry here!! But whatever.
I call him 2 minutes later, he hasnt gotten to his office yet. He tells me he will call in about 3 minutes.
20 minutes later, JK im sure it was only 3 minutes but the longest 3 minutes of my life where I spent pacing back and fourth and looking out the front window like looking outside was going to tell me where we were going, he calls.
He isnt logged in yet..ug hello hurry up.
Medina Ohio!! Our first pick! We are shocked of course. M really thought we were getting Sandusky, he wanted Sandusky of course because we made a bet and he now has to buy e a $200 robot vacuum what what!
I ask him when we have to be there.
He pauses.
Departure date August 1...uhhh honey you dont get home from Recruiter school until August 1.
Report no later than date August 31. Hmmm
A month sooner then planned.
 Enter panic...NOW.

Yep that is right, we have 3 months to buy a house and plan an entire move, more like 4 weeks because M leaves soon and it all needs to be done before he leaves. Well most of it. We figured he would have a Report date of September 30 or October 30 and we would leave about September 1 take 30 days of leave to get settled, no rush. There is a rush. He comes home and we leave the following Saturday for him to report into work 3 weeks later. No time to relax, no time to settle in our house. We get there, and he drives the 4 hrs to Wright Patt to check in.

Welcome to military life. 3 months. We are given 3 months notice to buy a house, prepare a move, and get to Ohio, all while he is gone at school.

The out processing doesnt bother me. It will get done. TMO will come right on time and take our stuff and that will be that. We will ship Ms Charger so we dont have to drive 2 cars. We will rent a Uhaul no biggy.

Its the buying a house that Im freaking out about. I had originally planned to go out in July and pick one out and do last minute stuff with Ms mom but yesterday we decided that with his mom and step dad looking at all the 'mechanical' stuff, his sister knowing exactly our style we like, and our brother in law being a mortgage broker in the past, and a friend who lives in Medina, we can get it all done. Skype will be glorious as his sister is walking through the houses for us to see. That all takes some stress off, but not much.

We have paired up with USAAs Movers Advantage, that was referred to us by a good friend. He said it was amazing and made buying a house so much easier. We need all the help we can get.

I panic. That is me, you should know by now that is what I do. Add normal PCS stress and panic to PCS in 3 months, not a good combo. Im sure M is already sick of me :)

This should be interesting.

Medina Ohio here we come!

Mrs. Idaho America

This is not a huge deal but I decided to post about it anyways!! I was at the mall with MJ Friday letting him play in one of those play areas they have at some malls. I try and get him in there every time we are there, if he is being good. I usually am standing real close to MJ since it is crazy busy in there and there are tons of kids even above the age limit and with MJ being so young still, it freaks me out... anyways. I was watching MJ play with another boy, who told me he was going to be 5 in November. After watching them for a little I kept seeing his mom in the corner watching him and saying his name every so often, Matthew. So of course here I would say Matthew to MJ and she would say it to her kid. I was standing at the end of the slide watching them play and she came up to me and asked what my sons name was. We laughed and though it was funny they both had the same name.

This lady was gorgeous, especially after having a baby just a few months ago. Well I didnt say anything other then MJs name to her and I was just about to turn away when she introduced herself as the Director of Mrs Idaho America, I did not really put anything together as to what that was exactly until she handed me a card and told me that I would be perfect for it. She said to contact her and then we went our separate ways. It wasnt until I had left that I looked at this card and realized what it was.

I had a friend who had applied and was going to do it but then they were blessed with their baby girl. SO I knew what it was. It really isnt my thing honestly but I went home and looked it up online. M really wanted me to do it but there was no way it would be possible since we are moving and the Idaho Competition is in November and then you go on from there. But it did get me interested.

Now I probably will never do a Mrs America..ever but I think I might look into it if we Move to Ohio, just to get a little more info on it. It could be fun. I know I wouldnt win but dressing up and the experience would be fun. It was kind of cool to have this director of Mrs America walk up to me and say that I would be perfect for it after watching me for 15 minutes from across the play area.

That will make you smile. Like I said its no big deal I wasnt going to go around and tell My twitter and FB friends all about it but figured I would post here :)

Thankful Monday

Thankful Monday

That we decided to do this sleep training with MJ and it is going so well.

That Kemba is fine after eating a ton of bark and having to go to the vet, could have been a lot worse!

For Military Spouses who have decided to write about their experiences in books for all other military spouses to enjoy and relay too. In particular the book 'Faith Deployed' and 'Faith Deployed Again' By Jocelyn green

That we have someone to trust in Ms squadron that will come and take care of our three dogs while we are out if we need to. He has been more than a life saver!

For all of the people who read my blog and follow me. I am not very interesting yet somehow I have 17.484 page views! 

JELLO Fun Gone Bad

 I am always looking for fun things to do with MJ. Being a stay at home mom in a state that is almost always windy is not fun. Also being a mom of a toddler boy who wont stay still for 2 minutes makes it hard to do activities in the house that do not include cars, trains, and chasing the dogs. So when I find something that MJ loves, I do it often.

I am constantly searching for activities for him to do. I often come along other blogs like my own that have amazing ideas. Ones that sound great for kids, and ones that are great for MJ. Last week I decided to try one where you make JELLO , different colors, and place them in different containers, or the same which ever you prefer, and let him explore the colors and texture. This is awesome for kids his age. 

I went ahead and Made the JELLO on Thursday, forgetting we had plans to head to Boise Friday. So we would have to wait until Monday to try this. Today I decided the JELLO really needed to be used so after snack we went ahead and gave it to him.

Three containers. Red, Blue, and Green. I decided to use three separate ones. This started out awesome!! He loved it! He loved the the colors and textures. He actually isnt a big fan of 'gooey' stuff like that. He would place his finger on the top not breaking the 'seal'. He would go from color to color doing this. Daddy decided to join in to show him what to do. He really did have a blast with this.

He then started to put his face in it because daddy said YUMMMY...seriously dad!?!?! We are trying to use this as an activity not as a snack!! Not that it is bad if he eats it. So he starts picking the containers up with his mouth, why he wont use his hands Im not quite sure. As he does this with the Red it falls out because I think I used too much water.

He sticks his face right in it and gets a little taste..."WHAT!!! MOM why didnt you tell me this was JELLO!!!" That is what I think he would have said if he could talk, but instead he just continued to Slurp the red JELLO up. Yuck, I am not a fan of JELLO so that made me sick lol. We finally had to take it away.




Once the red was cleaned up he wanted to show us how smart he was by going right to the Blue JELLO and pouring it out and starting to take chunks out of it with his mouth. Then again with the green. Yes MJ we get it you now know it is JELLO and exactly how to get it out of the container so you can eat it.

 Well after a few bites of each I decided enough was enough, we did not need him hyped up on JELLO ( if you saw my kid right now you would see that it is too late since he is running around chasing the dogs with a balloon on a stick...non stop...).

Well this activity was fun. I can imagine we wont be able to do it again because he will just go straight to eating it instead of playing with it. But I know we will try again on another day.

I suggest you try it though!!

Sleep Update

So M and I decided that letting MJ cry himself to sleep would be the best for all of us. It is sad to listen to your child cry and cry especially when for 14 months, he fell asleep next to us. I started Friday with his morning nap.

9AM : I Changed his diaper, while doing so calmly explained to him that it was nap time, time to go nigh nigh. I also talked about how Simba needed to take a nap as well.

I then placed him in his crib, standing up and hugged him for a little while he held Simba. I continued to explain that it was nap time and how he needed to hug Simba tight and take a nap with him. I would be right down stairs. I told him I wasnt going anywhere, that I would be there when he woke up.

I laid him down and continued to be calm and talk to him. He laid there and cried, sosos sad. He tried to get up, I put him back down, byt he third time he got up I laid him down said nigh nigh and left the room.

He immediately screamed. Standing up throwing his blanket over, shaking the bed rails. It took 20 minutes until he fell asleep. I did not go in the room one time, We chose that way because going in there would just make him more upset and we would start over.

He only slept for 45 minutes but he did it himself!!


3PM: We did the same steps as above to get him down

He cried, much better then screaming, for 10 minutes then talked to himself for 10 and then laid down and went to sleep.

Again for only 45 minutes

7PM: We actually had to run Kemba to the Vet last minute this first time so his schedule was a little off on time.

When we got home ( after dinner) we gave him his bath got him dressed for bed brushed his teeth, brought him into our room and read to him and then he was able to watch 5 minutes of TV. At exactly 5 minutes we brought him into his bed and did the same routine.

He kept getting up so that third time we left the room as usual. It was horrible, he freaked out. This was Ms first time doing this since he was at work the other two times.

He cried for 22 minutes and then fell asleep for a few hours.

He woke up about 11PM cried and then fell asleep in 8 minutes WINNING He woke up I believe around 3AM and cried for 5 minutes and then fell asleep until exactly 6AM

At that time we brought him into our bed for a little cuddle and TV time.

He was absolutely AMAZING all day in Boise. He did not cry once, not once!! That was awesome considering it was in and out of the car and shopping all day.

We could not do the nap time routine since we were out the entire day but he slept good in the car too Boise (10:45-11:45) and from (5:30-6:30) Yea I know late for a nap but that happens in Boise

We didnt really do a dinner last night because we ate at 3 with friends at Tucanos which will keep you full for days. He didnt seem to want anything when we got home.

About 7PM I got him into the bath as usual, dressed, into our bed, read, 5 minutes of TV.

We then went into his room and did the above steps again.

He cried when we left but not as bad as the night before.

He actually laid down before 10 minutes hit, but then got up. So it took about 30-35 minutes of calm crying until he fell asleep.

He slept until 3:15AM ahhhhhhmmmaaziing. Best sleep since he was like 4 months old and stopped sleeping through the night!

He woke up and seemed to go back to sleep in 3 minutes but then got up, cried, laid down, got up cred laid down.. He did this for about 20-25 minutes.

After he went down he slept until 6:45 when the dogs woke him up.

We never went into his room.

I am sure at some point we will if he has cried for too long or seems to not even be trying to lay down, or of course if we can tell his teeth hurt or whatever. But when he lays down and gets up over and over we know he will eventually fall asleep.

This and taking the binky away a few weeks ago have been absolutly amazing! He has woken up so happy and continues to be happy.

As a mom, I feel accomplished by these two things. I know it sounds lame BUT if you are a mom you understand how hard those two things can be.

I am hoping we are able to get in a nap time routine today. We are having a babysitter come for the first time at 10:30 while we go gold. He slept so good last night that I am not sure he will go down before we leave and it can be hard to explain what we are doing to a babysitter. We shall see!!

I am hoping that last night was just the first... a sight of how it will be from now on. I have to say that I sure do love it!

Now we need to work on the puppy and getting the dogs OFF our bed!

Wedding

Its wedding season!!! Its always fun to get dressed up and go to a wedding, that is not yours, that you do not have to stress about hehehe. Well I know of three in the upcoming months, a friend, a cousin, and my brother. Two I know for sure I will be attending and one, my cousins, possibly not due to us PCSing that same month. My brothers is going to be hard enough to make!! Well I went shopping today for a dress that I can wear to all of them. I had the shoes already and I had this dress in mind but needed to try it on. I bought the clutch and earrings online separately and am praying they look good. They look a tad dark compared to the shoes but we shall see!! Although this is not SPRING colors, I am loving this dress. So easy to dress up or dress down depending on the occasion and I can wear it to the wedding in May as well as the last one in October! I call that a good deal!

Wedding by lesley-gainer featuring short to long dresses

Ipsy: May Glam Bag Sneak Peek! UPDATE

Do you remember me telling you a few weeks ago that I subscribed to the Ipsy Glam bag?? Well if you know nothing about it check it out here at the Ipsy site!!

Well Ipsy just posted on twitter, facebook, and their web page a May Sneak peek!! Exciting!! So I thought I would share it with you guys!



May Sneak Peek

 "Passionate for pastels? This May your nails are in for a treat!"

 Sneak Peek Number 1

Of course we all can tell this is going to be nail polish. Im extreamly excited about this one. Who doesnt like painting their nails!?! I know I change my polish a few times a week!

Rumor is that is Zoya brand. Many of the girls on Ipsy know this bottle perfectly. I have never heard of Zoya but am excited to try it out!! Perfect for Spring!

"Sweet lips for spring are yours with one of these fun lip products"

 Sneak Peek Number 2

Lip Gloss and Lipstick. Now we will probably get one or the other. The lip gloss looks a little purple for me so I am hoping if we get one or the other, to get the lip stick. I am in need of a bright color! It seems like a lot of Ipsy glam bag members are wanting the lipstick according to their post.

"Fresh and flawless just in time for spring!"

Sneak peek Number 3

For our last sneak peek it seems to be concealer. To be honest I have always used the stick for under my eyes until I got Arbonne's. i am loving Arbonne's concealer BUT since its the only one I have tried, I cant really compare it to any other. It will be fun to try this one!!


They recently added Sneak Peek 4

"Get ready to have a memorable Spring Fling with TWO of these remaining goodies! What special two do you have your eye on"?

So its hinting that we get TWO out of the 7? 8? Items in this picture. It looks like perfume could be a few of these. Someone also suggested face wipes?  Someone also mentioned self tanner!!! Yes please! Hair treatment?? I can not really tell what these item are but with this 4th sneak peek I am extreamly excited!!


That is it for the Sneak Peek for the May Glam Bag!! I should be getting mine within a few weeks so come back and see the whole picture plus my review on each product!!

Co Sleep until Middle school

ahahah JK scared you huh??? Ok really, MJ was so good with sleeping in his own bed, and through the night. At two months he started this. It was AMAZING we were such lucky parents, that maybe bragged a little too much because at about 5 months he stopped. By stopped I mean he woke up multiple times a night. We freaked. Had no idea what to do, were dying of lack of sleep. So we would pull him in bed with us so we could get a little sleep. We found out the cause of that was ear infections, mostly. He had them continuously. no med seemed to work. The first one lasted 4 months. Then another and another. We felt sorry for the poor kid. We would put him to sleep in his crib and if he woke up we would try to get him back down but would usually end up bringing him into bed with us. We all seemed to sleep better that way. I seemed to sleep better that way. In March he got another ear infection as well as croup. We decided to get tubes in. We had him in bed with us a lot because of the croup and then because he got tubes in, for about a week. Shortly after the molars started coming in.  It was one thing after another that had us bringing him into bed with us. It was really no big deal at the time.

Well know here we are, no ear infections, no croup, only slight teething pain, and a toddler sleeping in our bed. This past week he WILL NOT sleep in his crib for ore then an hour or two at a time. We get him to sleep put him in his crib he wakes up by 10PM. We bring him in our room get him to sleep put him in his crib he is up by 1AM. Then same routine for 3AM then 5AM. He is becoming dependent on this I think, and we are at a total loss at what to do.

We have never been ones to let him cry it out because lets face it our room is seriously right across from his. He can see us on our bed from His crib, we cant shut his door because base housing sucks and it gets freezing in there or way way too hot, Val you know this lol. That makes his crying extremely loud, and when your military and trying to get sleep you do not want that crying in your ear pretty much. Also its sad. The other day he threw a big fit and I was pretty upset so set him in his crib and let him cry for 2 hours until he fell  asleep..WHAT?!?! Awesome! But it only lasted like 20 minutes but it was a start. Since then we have not rushed to him when he cries after a nap I have let him cry for at least ten minutes, nothing he just gets louder and louder. At night same thing, we try but he starts screaming bloody murder. There is no way the going in and laying him down, telling him its tie to sleep and leaving would work. If he sees you, its over.

We are seriously at a loss. This cant continue. M leaves this summer for training and I can not have MJ up all night unless I get him into our bed. Here and there I dont mind, but every night almost all night. Nope Nope Nope cant happen.

I feel like I have read everything on this subject. I know it is our fault, I am not blaming it on anything else. We did this. We made this monster horrible sleeper but something needs to be done.

So here is to trying everything possible to make this work in the next month. First took the binky away and now this challenge.

Challenge accepted! Not really.