Brotherly Love

I love Drake.  We could not have asked for a better dog when it comes to having a dog and a child.  He is so good with Brady.

Rough Week for a 1 Year Anniversary!!

It's been one year since my last week of work.  And Brady has had a rough week to mark the anniversary.  We started our week off with a Monday morning doctor's visit for his bathroom issue.  We left the office with a solution to that problem AND a double ear infection.  Wednesday night, I noticed his feet had a rash on them, but assumed it was from playing out in the grass.  After getting worse through the night and Thursday morning (and really bad sleeping at night), we headed back to the doctor's.  We walked out of that appointment with the diagnosis of Hand Foot and Mouth.  Unfortunately for Brady, it covers his whole body.  He has cried for two straight days.  It really breaks your heart because we have never really seen him sick or so miserable.  It's a first for all of us! 

So it's been a year already of being a stay-at-home mom.  I like to think of it like "we survived".  We had some ups and downs, but it's kind of like taking a big sigh of relief that we did make it work for the whole year.  It was challenging for me although I wouldn't change a thing.  I think one of the things I like best about it is that I am home for Drake all day.  With him being on steroids, I always worried about his long days with no bathroom breaks.  It's nice to be at his beck and call too.  Drake has made huge sacrifices in this stay-at-home process.  We switched him from the Hills food to regular dog food and treats.  We feed him less (we were over-feeding him), and we stopped his flea and heartworm through the winter.  We save almost $60 every two weeks because of this.

People have asked me how we did it.  I tell them every pay period is still a learning process.  Thank goodness we have a savings account because we have depended on it.  I have given up a lot also.  I basically have no clothes, shoes, etc.  I never go out unless it's a friend get together with kids.  I gave up concerts, home parties, birthday presents, spent less on Christmas presents, I don't get pedicures any more which was a huge sacrifice because I used to get them once a month, I did not renew our magazine subscriptions, gave up our lawn service, we rarely go out to eat unless it's Subway or some place like that.   We buy a lot of generic products (as a friend mentioned, generic is often cheaper than using coupons), we bundled services, gave up our home phone, I make my own baby wipes and laundry detergent, and we have a lot of used/borrowed things.  I try and shop at garage sales and second hand stores more.  Brady and I walk everywhere when the weather is nice (the gym, the library and the Dollar Store).   For awhile last summer, I was filling my car up with gas every two weeks.  It was awesome.  Now this may not sound like much fun to you as the reader of this blog, but let me tell you that when you are home every day with your little man and the only place you go is the gym or grocery store, no one cares if your toes are painted, or if you have nice clothes in your closet.  I don't have any desire to go out and party, so I don't feel like I am missing out on anything.  Material things just do not matter anymore and in a way, it feels very freeing.  All that matters to me is that Brady is happy and provided for.  And after watching that little guy, I feel like we are succeeding!!!  It's been worth every single thing I have given up to spend this time with him. 

So here's to another fantastic year with my boo!!!  :)

Brady stories....

More about Brady...

* He loves to try and wear our shoes now!  Ignore the mess in the picture - I was painting..

* He likes to be the one to press the button to close our garage door when we come inside.  He also likes to be the one to hit the automatic door openers at the Y.
* He's a little fish.  He loves the water and loved WaterBabies.  We had to miss the last class because of a double ear infection (1st one ever at 16 months!!), but I think I will sign him up again since he had so much fun!
* He's been sleeping like a champ.  Last week he woke up a few times, but after an hour or so, talked himself back to sleep.  I am liking this...
* He would much rather push his wagon than ride in it. 
* Last week, we went outside to play in the evening.  He wanted to walk down the sidewalk and grabbed his basketball to carry.  He stopped at the neighbor kids house and just stood there watching him shoot hoops while he held his little basketball.  It was really cute.  
* He loves school buses and often waves to them if we see one while walking.  He likes to walk on the sidewalk behind our house since the road is a busy one and he likes to watch the cars.  Well, after standing there for about 10 minutes (school was letting out), we saw five school buses.  He was in heaven and kept saying "Hi" and waving.  It's cute when the drivers wave back!!
* Last night, he was pushing his wagon from the back and I was steering up front.  He saw two neighbor kids on the other end of the street shooting hoops.  About two houses away, he stopped, grabbed his basketball out of the wagon and walked/ran up to them and threw his ball.  He melted my heart.  :)

* He is becoming really good at sitting down and turning himself around at the top of the stairs so he can go backwards down the stairs.  He just caught on the other day.  I'm so proud of him!!

Before and After Pictures

I've been working on converting the den into a playroom and painting the kitchen.  There are still a few things left to do (new light fixtures in both rooms and a shelf/coat shelf/bench in the kitchen), but here are some pictures!!

the den before- - - BLAH

the new playroom!! 

the new playroom comes with a toddler playing with his golf toys.. 

there is also a plane scene above the door.

red kitchen

LOTS of blue!!  Not as gray/blue as I was expecting.  It's taking some time to get used to!!

The first thing I thought of when I saw the color on the wall was Grandma's bathroom in Breda!!

Five Question Friday

1. Groceries are high right now what is easiest way you have found to cut back?  I make my own baby wipes and laundry detergent.  However, I am spending more on groceries than ever.  Maybe it's because I am stocking up more, but I really dislike checking out and seeing the total!

2. What are the top 3 things on your "bucket list"?  I want to skydive.  There's a place in Iowa that is good and I plan on doing it within the next few years.  I also would love to fly into Miami, rent a convertible and drive down to Key West.  Another thing I would love to do is a triathlon.

3. Would you rather give up AC or heat?  AC for sure!  I cannot stand being cold and could never give up the heat.

4. What's your favorite cocktail??  I love margaritas although I hardly drink them anymore because the calories scare me!!

5. What was your first job & how old were you?  Oh boy.  Let me think.  Besides babysitting when I was younger, I would have to say my first consistent job was A&W in high school.