I Won!

I'm an Organizing Junkie (one of my favorite blogs even before today), held an online contest and I've won a year's subscription to the new periodical, Organize Magazine!

Could I have won a more perfect prize? Organizing is one of my passions. I almost cried when The Container Store in my town went out of business. One of my favorite possessions is my P-Touch Labeler. And I actually follow the FlyLady system. (Except I had to unsubscribe from her hourly e-mail reminders to banish clutter - they were cluttering my inbox!)

Many, many thanks to Laura at Organizing Junkie for hosting the contest.

Foto Friday

Now I'm no child development expert, but I thought that was pretty amazing coloring from a 4-year-old boy!

Foto Friday

Bittyman attended his first Vacation Bible School this week. Four hours a day of games, art projects, music and chocolate treats (judging by the mess on his mouth when I picked him up each afternoon).

Since this was the very first time Bitty had been involved in an activity away from Mom and Dad (other than his weekly Sunday School class) I had a huge list of projects I intended to accomplish with my Bitty-free time: Painting the kitchen, a deep cleaning/purging in Bitty's room and making tie-blankets for the boys.

But instead I spent the week showering Ittyboy with undivided attention, trying to cherish each newborn moment before it's gone.


In the blink of an eye they will BOTH be attending Vacation Bible School. Then I'll have no excuse for white kitchen walls. But for now I'm proud of those walls. They mean this type-A personality took time to stop and smell the baby.

I'm 3 Months Already?!?

Foto Friday

We enjoyed a festive 4th decked out in our Old Navy Flag T-shirts/Onesies. (If only I knew how to work the timer on my camera I'd have gotten a family picture!) Despite the heat we headed to the heart of town to watch the fireworks then stopped at Baskin Robbins for 3 of their 31 flavors. (Itty got his flavor from Mommy - Peanut butter fudge milk!)

God Bless America

I grew up just 13 miles outside of Washington DC. Every July 4th we'd head to the Naval Annex parking lot and watch the amazing fireworks over the skies of our Nation's Capital, just like those pictured above.

On this day more than any other I'm homesick. No city celebrates the 4th like Washington, DC.

This year we'll be enjoying the local firework show from the comfort of our air-conditioned minivan as the temperatures here in the desert soutwest at 9pm will still be in the triple digits. Excessive heat warnings and newborns don't mix.

God Bless America and God Bless our military and their families! Happy 4th of July!

Foto Friday

Got Books?

This is my new favorite website. No gimmicks, no spam, no advertising - just a way to swap your old books for new ones. Simply create an account and start posting the books you are willing to swap by their ISBN number (the number on the back above the bar code). You earn 3 credits for the first 9 books you post. Use the 3 credits to request your first 3 books from other members (who ship the books at no cost to you).

When another member requests one of your books, simply print out a 'wrapper', tape it around the book, put media-mail postage on it ($2.13) and send. When the member receives your book you'll earn another credit to use.

And yes, it really works. I've already shipped off one book and received another!

So clean off your bookshelf and get some new (to you) books for your summer reading pleasure! Click on the link above and you'll help me earn additional credits. Itty spends a lot of time nursing so I need more books!

Blog Business

I started this blog as a way to keep friends and family updated on Bittyman's life. Obviously my mission now includes the adventures of his little brother, Itty, as well.

I included a PayPal donation button on my sidebar in case someone wealthy happened to come across my blog and decide to subsidize my stay-at-home Mom lifestyle. (Sadly that hasn't happened yet.)

There are also links to Amazon which would earn me money... if anyone ever clicks through them. (So if you're going to shop from Amazon, surf here first and search using the Amazon button so I get credit, por favor!)

I've now discovered a more important reason to blog besides bringing a smile to the faces of those who love Bitty and Itty - Winning free stuff! 5 Minutes for Mom is sponsoring a July 4th Giveaway with a bunch of great prizes for those who post a button on their blog's sidebar. (The contest is also open to those who don't blog so surf on over!)

Just don't plan on winning the new Land's End swimsuit. That's all mine, baby!

Foto Friday

I'm Clean!

Thanks to Ms. Wendy and the loan of her super-cool glider seat:

So those of you who forgot my birthday are off the hook... for a bouncy seat anyway. Only Starbucks or iTunes gift cards will get you back into my good graces now!

Hell Is

our Fisher-Price Kick 'n Play bouncy seat dying. (And yes, we tried replacing the batteries. The seat plays when kicked, but there's no bouncy in the seat.)

Sunday was my birthday. (I can hear the collective "DOH!" from here, judging from the number of birthday cards that I received.) But it's not too late to make amends. I'd like this for my birthday.

Don't think of it as a gift for Itty. Think of it as daily showers-in-a-box for Mommy.

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing Daddy, Grandpa I., Grandpa E., Uncles Tony, Bob, Tom, John, Andy, and Tony (yep, two Uncle Tony's) a relaxing Father's Day!

FYI

Recall of Thomas the Train Wooden Vehicles and Train Sets Components

If your kids have any trains or vehicles from the Thomas the Train line, check out the link. There has just been a recall of 26 different items due to lead in the paint - 1.5 million toys in all.

Bitty was bummed to learn he has 8 of the recalled items, including his favorite Red Hook & Ladder Truck. We packed up the trucks and trains and will ship them back tomorrow. The items are supposed to be replaced within 6-8 weeks but I have a hunch it'll be Fall before Bitty receives his new trains. Every kid in his playgroup has at least 2 recalled items. Sir Topham is going to be busy on the Island of Sodor processing all those trains!

Flashback

This morning I showed Daddy my latest photos of Itty, including the one I posted yesterday. Daddy immediately exclaimed, "that picture looks just like the picture of Bitty at Mammoth Lakes... wasn't he about the same age?"

Sure enough, this picutre of Bitty was taken when he was 8 weeks old:


Call Ripley's - I have twins born 4 years apart!

Happy Two Month Birthday, Itty!

Obviously we've got another little cheeseball on our hands! Thanks, Uncle Tony & Aunt Cristie, for the great Harley Davidson onesie!

Foto Friday

This week we're enjoying a visit from Daddy's older brother and his family who drove all the way here from Green Bay, WI. Bittyman had never met these four female cousins and he's basking in all the attention. He has since proclaimed, "I love my girls."

He is especially smitten with Diana, who is just 6 months older than Bittyman. And from the looks of it, she's got a cousin crush as well.

Third Time's a Charm

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I'm Free!

Well, released from my OB's care anyway. I'm 6 weeks postpartum and, according to my doctor at this morning's appointment, back to 'normal'.

'Normal' to me is still 12 pounds away, but I joined Weight Watchers online and my goal is to really be 'normal' by our trip to Mammoth Lakes in July. Four days into The Plan I've had no problem staying within my allotted 'Points' for the day. Being a breastfeeding Mommy helps - I get 10 extra points a day for nursing! That's 70 Caramel Quakes! (Any woman on WW will know exactly what I'm talking about.)

Now that my OB has given me the all clear, tonight I'll be doing the one thing every woman desires after months of waiting...

relaxing in the hot tub!

(What did you think I meant?!?)