My random thoughts on life

Everyone is talking about the state of the economy, and I am one of those people. Yes, I'm scared. However, I just had a thought and I'm going to speak off the cuff here for a minute. I'm good at talking and then thinking, so if this doesn't make much sense, wait for the revised version tomorrow.

It amazes me sometimes at how freely people spend money when they have it, buying things you don't need. How now in life we can't go without the Internet, cell phones, a few cars in the family. The barter system is out the door, and forget doing things to help out a neighbor. Speaking of neighbors, name 3 families on your block. Can you do it?

This weekend I saw a garage sale sign and wanted to drive past it. Haley asked where we were going and I told her. She got very excited and said "I want to buy some old stuff! Mommy, can we buy me some old stuff to play with?" She could care less if it is not new and in a shiny package. A bike from a garage sale is still a bike. At what point do we learn to think it has to have a store tag on it?

My grandmother made her clothes, made my teddy bear, and would damn near pass out if she saw how much pre-packaged food was available at the grocery store. My father always told me I would need to learn to cook, but I have graced by on purchasing most things all ready done for me. Well now I am kicking myself and learning as I go. I have learned the importance of coupons and that a box of Bisquick is cheaper and makes way more pancakes then a box of frozen toaster pancakes...and more fun for Haley to help with.

So as nervous as I am about the future of our family and the future of America, I take solace in thinking that maybe this is what our generation and the ones behind us need. When Bruce lost his job, I had to really learn to save money. It wasn't as hard as I thought because I didn't have the money to waste. My toes have not fallen off from not getting a pedicure on a regular basis. This is a wake up call I think to everyone to slow down. Instant gratification is going to have to take a back seat. Maybe even a seat on the city bus because you can't afford gas. It's ok, we'll get through it, and our priorities will once again be where they should be. On family, neighbors, community. Look to your neighbors and maybe you'll even see that a potluck with some of them is a much cheaper (and more entertaining) evening then going to dinner at a restaurant. I'm not going to lie though, I really miss pedicures!

Pajama time!

I can't figure out how to rotate a video, so turn your head. Ha. I bought the kids matching pajamas. I know they'll hate this later in life, so I figure I can do it now. I have no idea what Haley is talking about in this, she just talks and talks

Haley got herself all dolled up the other day. She is such the fashion queen! Sorry the pics are a little funky, no flash.

Picture Time!

These are some pics I was able to take right before my camera decided to take pictures in the red. I guess my flash is broke. Anyways, these are Megan at 5 months. Told you she likes to stand! She can stand by herself if holding onto something. Yikes. She is going to be mobile!

Care Bears and a snack

Driving home from a stressful trip to the store with both kids today, we were almost home when Haley spots a cloud with the sun behind it, making the cloud a beautiful bright orange. She became very excited and said "Megan! I just saw where the Care Bears live! Mommy! I think I saw a Care Bear!" Not wanting to be Debbie Downer, I played into it. She was so convinced she had seen where they live, who am I to ruin that? She was so happy and quietly gazing out the window looking for the cloud again through the trees. I was enjoying her young imagination and the silence until I hear "mmmmm boogers. Megan, I'm having a snack"

Megan is 5 months!

We have made it 5 months! I can't believe how much she has grown and developed in such a short time. She is so cute that I can't help but cover her in kisses every chance I get, and kissing her hands is still the best way to get a smile out of her.

She is still enthralled with her feet and Haley's hair-her two favorite things- but is working on mastering some new skills. She is officially an independent sitter...she can sit for long periods with no support, but of course you still need to stand by for the occasional topple over (which I still find entertaining). Her legs are very strong and she is great at standing. Of course we hold her hands, but I really don't think it's going to be long before she is mobile. Yikes. Haley was fully walking at 9 months, so we'll see if Megan beats that. Her first steps were at 8 months but she fell alot...oh wait, that may be because she never looked where she was going!

Today was a big day for her. She loves her cereal and so we decided it was time...maybe premature, but to each his own...I got out the green beans! We gathered around her in the kitchen, spoon in hand and up to her lips went the first taste of food (cereal is more about texture then taste). She had this look on her face, a mixture of confusion and disgust. I gave another spoonful, same thing. We thought for sure she didn't like it when all the sudden she was smacking her lips. Haley got out her spoon (such the mommy) and we both took turns feeding her. She LOVED it. She was smacking her lips and I swear she was like a dog begging for more. She ate the whole container, every last bite. When she was all done, she was sitting in her chair for a few minutes just smiling away. Happy as pie.

*There is no picture of her eating because my camera is not working. Not sure how I will survive!

Deep Thoughts.... by Haley Davis

If you have spent any time with Haley, you know that she asks alot of questions. Here is just a few from the other night when she couldn't sleep. She asked all these within 15 minutes. I'm going to continue this segment as time goes on because I find her questions funny and it makes me stop and realize that yeah, at 3 (almost 4!) you really don't know these answers.

"What are we going to name my baby brother in your tummy?" I explained there is no baby in my tummy right now. She was a little upset because she has decided she wants a brother next and told me to hurry because "It's going to take a LONG time mommy"

"Why do people bury treasure then dig it up?"

"Why do we HAVE to sleep?"

"Why do we go to school?"

The lip thing

I really don't know why she is sucking in her lip! All weekend she has been doing it.

Weekend...Wish it was longer

All in all, great weekend. Not a whole lot to tell, just a good relaxing weekend.

Haley and I went swimming... twice...the second time daddy and Megan joined us. We made strawberry cupcakes, watched the Hannah Montana concert, went to Target with Grandma, stuff like that. Haley even played by herself for awhile in her bedroom today!! I about fell over. She does that when I'm not here, but looses the ability if I'm within a one mile radius. Today, however, she knocked my socks off. And she played Barbies nonetheless!

Megan has continued to go to bed extremely easy, which is wonderful. She woke up Friday and Saturday night around 3am, not so wonderful. She napped pretty well today so I'll take what I can get. She thought it was hilarious watching Haley learn to jump rope, laughed and laughed. After she went to bed, Bruce and I were helping Haley with the whole jump rope thing. She didn't do too bad, considering it was her first time and she's 3!

Megan's Drool

This is one of those posts that unless you have kids, you may not want to read. Once you have kids, nothing grosses you out.

Babies drool. I know that. I'm worried what's going to happen when Megan startes teething. I have bought life jackets and we have an escape route set up for when the flood starts. I have never seen a baby drool like her, it's actually kind of embarrassing. Dr assures me it's normal, but I think he is just being nice.

The other day I'm playing Barbies with Haley (can you feel my excitement?) I had Megan sitting on my lap. Haley: "Mommy! She drooled all over this dress! Ugh!" Oh, um, sorry? Then Haley picks up another barbie : "MEGAN! Ewww! her hair is all wet!! Stop drooling on my toys!" Walking through Target yesterday, Megan was fussy in her car seat so I picked her up and was holding her facing out. Splat. She drooled and it hit the floor -it literally made a splat sound. A minute later, my toes were covered. If you pick her up over your head, you don't need to worry about her spitting up on you. You need to becareful of a "drool bomb" as Bruce calls it.

This picture is from today. I'm not sure how well the drool will show up on here. It literally took just seconds to produce this. And now she has taken on a new trick...sucking her lower lip in so she looks like an old lady. And old lady with a wet, red chin. She is still really dang cute though!

Long Weekend!

This was a great Labor Day Weekend. We didn't do anything fantastic, but spent alot of time together and played alot. We started the weekend at WonderWorks, where I work. Not exactly where I wanted to be on a day off, but sometimes I forget that it is a place for kids and the Haley loves it. Dropped Megan off at Grandmas and off we went! She was thrilled and told the lady at Walgreens later that day all about it. (I swear they think she's insane -everytime we go there, she always has something to tell the employees) As we were leaving WonderWorks, she was really tired and resting on dad's shoulder....she's not really sleeping but thought it would make for a cute picture. Yes, her words.

This weekend was also filled with craft projects (we made a mosaic stepping stone!) and playing lots of different stuff. And Barbies. I really really really dislike playing Barbies. I cringe when I hear her ask. But you can only come up with so many excuses and sometimes you just have to give in. Grow up Megan and play with your sister is all I can think.

For all of you who think I exaggerate on how girly Haley is, let me tell you about the difficulty in getting Haley ready to go to WW. I got an outfit out of her drawer, she says "That's not adorable mommy". Oh, my bad. Here, how's this? "That's not adorable either". Ok, well...outfit 3? Nope. Ok, outfit 4? "Yes Mommy, good job." And last night after she went to bed, I put some pajama pants on and a tshirt. I heard a noise in her room and went to make sure she wasn't playing. Now keep in mind her room was dark. I stood in the doorway and asked what was going on. She was in bed and asked for water (turns out the noise wasn't her). As I walked back out to get her some water she says "mommy, that doesn't match". I said it did, and she shook her head and said "Go stand by my bathroom with the light on so I can see." I'm being critiqued by a 3 year old!!!!

Megan had fun too. She spent Saturday morning with Grandma then had a visit from her little cousin Lucy. She also has been working on standing. Yes, standing. It is all she wants to do lately! Her legs are very strong and she is doing pretty good with it. Honestly, she holds your thumbs to steady herself and stands for about a minute. We have been working with her to sit up unassisted, but she falls over pretty quickly. It's kinda entertaining for us in a weird parenting way. Oh, your parents laughed at you too.

Weekend Pictures

Lucy came over for a visit this weekend. The babies are getting so big!

Megan has such a big smile. I couldn't get the picture with her eyes open (thanks flash) but her smile just lights up a room.