White Cloud Diaper Party!

*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Diapers.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This last week I had a wonderful opportunity to attend a White Cloud Diaper party with some fellow bloggers.  We all met up at a local park to discuss our experience with White Cloud Diapers and have a bit of fun.  :)  This was really my first time doing something like this and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to work with Wal-Mart, test out some diapers, and meet up with friends!  

The party was really a blast.  We played a couple of games, sort of like a baby shower!  We had a contest of chugging water out of baby bottles, where poor Noah got a bit drenched since I was wearing him in my wrap when my bottle leaked.  It was probably the most unsexy wet tshirt contest ever.  Ha!  But loads of fun and laughs!  We also tried to guess what baby food was placed in a White Cloud Diaper.  You can imagine how this looked, and I'm gonna just say, this is NOT my favorite game.  Barf.  But overall there was food and laughter, and finding out lots of information about White Cloud Diapers.

Being on a pretty tight budget, I try to find the best deals possible when it comes to our "staple" items.  Having a new baby means, well, that this list is going to include diapers for quite some time to come!   Babies ain't cheap people!  And this being my second baby... well, I've learned that you gotta get bang for your buck with diapers.  I'm not a brand snob when it comes to diapering.  I find what works well with the cheapest price, whatever the brand.  So when I tested out these diapers, I was really surprised by the quality of the diapers for the price.  I have found with many of the store brand diapers I've purchased that the diapers tend to be stiff and kind of crinkly.  They work ok for the most part, but don't seem to be the softest thing to put on my baby's booty.  White Cloud Diapers were very soft inside and out!  And the size 2s I tried also had a quilted liner on the inside to keep wetness away from baby's skin.  They were nice and stretchy so I could fit them properly to him, and the quality was really superb.  They have also included a wetness indicator on sizes Newborn, 1, and 2 that lets you know when the diaper is wet.  VERY handy when you don't want to completely undress your child to see if their diaper needs changing!  They were also really durable.  Noah is sleeping for longer stretches at night now, and I didn't have a single leak.  (Thank goodness, since we are still co-sleeping, so that leak would have been in MY bed!)  

I can honestly say, the price and quality of White Cloud Diapers are really awesome, and I'm a convert!

(Here is my little diaper model... he was very squirmy!)

Diapering can be one of the biggest expenses in a family’s weekly budget and a great performing diaper is a must-have for parents. In order to make this affordable, Wal-Mart has reintroduced their premium line of White Cloud diapers to address the needs of today’s busy parents.

White Cloud Diapers provide your baby the highest quality diaper with superior leakage protection, exceptional softness and great fit. White Cloud Diapers are available exclusively at Walmart, where you can find low prices everyday on all your family’s needs. Check them out today!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of #WhiteCloudDiapers.

Trying to find a routine

Hello internet world, if anyone is still hanging around to listen after my little (and sporatic) this year.   I am still trying to get into the groove of having two little boys hanging around, so I appreciate you bearing with me!  Finding time to get to my desktop has been a bit scarce, between a non-existent nap schedule with Noah, and trying to find special mommy time with Charl so he doesn't feel left out.  Oh, and all the errands that need to be run, clothes to be washed, and house to be cleaned.  Needless to say I've been in a pretty constant state of slightly to moderately overwhelmed pretty much since we moved in December!

But all in all, we are doing great.  Having two boys is hectic, and I'm so thankful everyday that I get to be involved in the tornado.  :)

Noah has been an amazing baby so far.  Not saying that Charl wasn't a joy, but Noah definitely sleeps and eats a bit better than Charl did!  Which makes it much easier for me to juggle the needs of both of them.  Noah is a very happy baby, and smiles a LOT!  If you were in our house the last couple of weeks, you'd probably be seeing me do a number of very stupid things to try and make him giggle, but no little laughs just yet!  I apparantly need to brush up on my comedic stylings.  Ha!  We are still trying to get into that "sweet spot" with a napping schedule, and while I'm not ready for him to grow so quickly, I'm a bit ready to have a more steady routine.  (Like, taking a shower while not poking my head out every 15 seconds because I think I hear him crying would be one example of "steady routine".)

He turned 11 weeks old yesterday, but these pictures are from when he was 6 weeks old.  I thought I'd snap a few pictures quickly in his nursery, but we were bombarded by every other living thing in the house.  Such camera hogs...

 Don't you just love little baby feet?

 Don't forget me Mama! Cheese!

 Yet another photobomber...

Well, I knew the silence was too good to be true!  Someone has woken up from his 20 minute napping stretch.  *sigh*  Off I go!

Sometimes life gets in the way...

So I had a message in my inbox asking me why I haven't been blogging... Honestly, life has gotten crazy, and this blog has been put on the back burner... and then further back... and then shoved in a little dusty corner.

I can't promise how much I'll be blogging in the next few days/ weeks/ months, but I will promise I'll make a better effort.  I do enjoy being able to come here and get my random thoughts out, and update on my life.  But, ya know, I am a stay at home mother... so I have a lot of shit to do.  Lol!

So one of the big things that has been a road block to blogging has actually been a MAJOR life change, which I've kind of talked about here before.

We finally bought a house!!  We closed the end of November, and with trying to move, paint, shop, and then, oh yeah, Christmas, my life was seriously non-stop.  Oh, and I'm still pregnant.  So there's that too.  Ha ha!  Moving in the third trimester is not for the faint of heart.  (So why is this the SECOND time I'm done it??)

Trying to spruce up the new house and get settled has taken up pretty much all of my time.  Especially since the further in pregnancy I get, it seems the slower I move, and the less I can do.  How annoying is that?!

I keep telling my friends and family I'm just in constant panic mode that things aren't done and ready for the baby yet.  (Speaking of, gotta go put another coat of paint on that crib!)  It's coming along, but I won't really be satisfied until everything is absolutely perfect.  Which, knowing me, will never ever happen.  I can't imagine what I'd do without some sort of project in the works.  Ha!

For those who have lost count, I'm now 37 weeks pregnant.  In previous posts, I've mentioned how wonderful I feel, and what an awesome experience pregnancy is for me.  (I know, I know... please don't hate me.)  But let me tell you this... I forgot about the 8th month.  HOLY MOLY.  I'm sooo ready to be done!  I'm extremely sore, very tired, and this little boy is not exactly gentle anymore.  Ha!  Don't get me wrong, I'm still incredibly glad I'm pregnant, over the moon!  But damn, I just forgot how much this last month suuuuucks.  And another bad part is how anxious I am to meet this little baby.  I tend to get really really sappy about it, and tear up when I think about holding him and kissing him for the first time, and the thousands of times after that.  :)  I'm so so so excited!  Not to mention, I'm going crazy with curiousity as to what he will look like and be like.  All I can imagine is another Charl, and I know that certainly won't be the case.

Ok, so there is my little update while I have a few minutes to get to the computer and type.  I'll try and get a bump pic up this week and maybe even share some of fun baby things and house things that have been going on around here.  (Especially because, hell, if I don't have time NOW, goodness knows when I think I'll have it when a newborn is hanging around!)

Thanks for being patient with me.  :)

REALLY late school pics...

So I know I've previously spoken about homeschooling my son.  Which we still do at home to some extent.  I more of see everything as a learning opportunity, and when he shows an interest in something, try to expand on that.  We do have a formal workbook type of thing, which we work in from time to time.  Usually about 20 pages at a time actually, because he really enjoys it.  But it is sporatic, seeing as that takes a BIG chunk of time since he could happily do them all afternoon.

So with me being tired quite a bit with pregnancy, doing things to buy a house, etc, we thought it would be good for him to be in some sort of formal activities.  We went through our city, and found a preschool program that wouldn't break the bank, was only for a 6 week session, and only twice a week.  I say "only" because I figure that "I" could handle that better.  Ha ha!  It gave me more options to not continue the preschool if it wasn't working out after 6 weeks, and at twice a week, didn't cause me quite as big of an anxiety attack as it might of been if he went every day.

So this post has been VERY late in posting, considering he's already finished the first 6 week program.  Ha ha!  Late to the game Mom.  Anyhow, he LOVES it.  So much so, that we signed up for another 6 week program (which he started last week), until we move (hopefully) and will have to find something else for him closer to home.  The house we're looking at is like a 45 minute drive away from where we are now, so it wouldn't be financially feasable to keep him going to the Richardson preschool.

But today I want to share with you his pictures from his very first day of "school".  This mama did relatively well.. until I started taking these pictures.  Then I started tearing up sooo bad!  I tried hard not to cry though, because I didn't want to freak Charl out or anything.  He did fine of course when I took him in.  I hung around for a bit, and finally he says, "Mommy, you can go now!"  Ha ha!  So I worried for nothing, of course.  And he's loved it every day since, so it was a good move.  :)

Such a little ham... haha!

25 Weeks

I guess these pregnancy updates are sort of starting to become "house" updates as well.  Ha ha!  Really though, we are still playing the waiting game.  I believe I updated that we signed some papers last week that the bank requested so everything was looking like it was making progress.  And so far as I know, it is.  I checked up on it on Tuesday, and it turns out that basically one of their papers (a BPO) is expired, so they have to get a new one.  From what I understand, this is kind of like an appraisal to determine the value of the house for the bank.  This is not uncommon I've been told.  But it just means more waiting for us.  UGH!!!!!  So it is looking like my dream of cooking a turkey in our new house for Thanksgiving is probably not gonna pan out.  Oh well though.  Those were some pretty high hopes on my end anyhow!  But Christmas, now THAT I think is a reasonable goal to hopefully set to move in by.  And goodness, it's starting to cut close.  Before I know it it will be January, and I really want to be ready for baby by then!  

Have I mentioned that I'm not ready AT ALL??  Literally the only things I have for the baby is a dismantled crib in my bedroom, that needs to be painted, and a few onesies.  ACK!  We still have a few things from Charl, but seeing as we moved from London when he was about 8 months old, we had to get rid of a LOT of things to save space in our luggage/ shipments.  So yeah, its almost like starting over completely.  I know baby doesn't *need* a lot, but it would sure feel better to feel a little bit more prepared and organized!  

Also, if we move, I think I'm going to need to change my doctor/ hospital, considering that they would then be an hour's drive away.  So that's a little scary.  I'd really like to switch as soon as possible, to get to know the new doctor, etc, but I can't really do that until I have more of a firm answer of when/ if we're gonna move.  I'm going for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), so having an hours drive, especially with this being my 2nd child, which from what I understand, can progress MUCH quicker than the first birth (THANK GOD), makes me really anxious.  I want a natural birth, but I'd prefer it not to occur on the access road of the George Bush Turnpike.  

Cross your fingers for me people.

On to preggo news:

25 Week Bump Pic-

Baby is as big as an Acorn Squash, very festive - 

How I'm feeling - Good.  :)  My pelvic bones are starting to get a little sore, but nothing too major.  And my feet get pretty sore if I don't sit down and rest throughout the day.  (Which is not something I normally let myself do.) The belly button is starting to disappear and I'm pretty sure it's gonna look like it's shouting "Turkey's done!!" soon.  Ha ha!  Though, of course, turkey will still be cookin.  Sleeping is getting slightly challenging.  Not the falling asleep part.  No way, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat at night these days.  (See also: old lady who went to bed at 9:30 last night)  But I do wake up at least twice to make a trip to the bathroom.  UGH.  That is seriously, for me, the worst part of pregnancy.  I have to pee ALL THE FRICKIN TIME.  But again, if that is all I have to complain about, then whoa, I'm doing pretty damn good.  

Also, you can't tell in the pictures or anything, but my hair and nails are OUT OF CONTROL.  Pregnancy seems to be the only time I have have nice looking manicured nails, because they grow out quicker than I can bite them.  Ha!  And I seriously took scissors to my hair like a month ago to cut off about 3 inches, and it's already needing it again.  But I'm loving the full lovely hair!!  Woohoo!

One thing I have a problem with, and maybe you preggos/ mamas can give suggestions?  I keep rolling on my back during the night.  When I wake up through the night, I turn back on my side, but I'm like one of those toy clowns that you punch and they bounce back.  I just keep rolling back over!  I know it isn't good for the baby though.  I've thought of putting a pillow behind my back, but I kind of feel like I'm putting up a total "anti-husband" barricade when I do that.  Not to mention, I'm pretty sure my husband will pitch a fit if I bring one more pillow into the bed.  I seriously sleep with like 5 now.  Suggestions?

Cravings - 
Nope!  But if you suggest something to me to eat when I'm hungry, I'll have to have it.  RIGHT THEN.  So I guess that's kind of a craving.  lol

Food Aversions - 
Nope.

Favorite things from last week- 
Finishing up a Christmas present for my cousin. IN OCTOBER YALL!  This is a big deal.

Things I'm looking forward to this week - 
Halloween coming up, and finishing up Charl's little costume.  ;)  Also need to get out to the pumpkin patch soon!  Charl always has such a great time when we go, and I'm eager to get out my camera and snap some shots.  :)  Oh, and pumpkin carving!  Gotta do that too!

Backyard Camping (Image Heavy)

A couple of weeks ago, my parents and brother came in town to go to the State Fair of Texas.  Well, Charl got it in his head that we were also going camping.  Don't know how that happened, but we decided that this would be fun to do while they were in town.  

Mostly because we could just set up a tent in the backyard.  

Which meant I could sleep cozily inside.  In my bed.

So I took out my camera to snap a few pictures of the boys setting up the tent.  Charl was SO excited!

Unfortunately the forcast for the next day was 100% chance of rain.  But luckily the night held out ok.  (Though the next day after the fair, a tent stake came out, which caused the entire tent to leak... which meant a LOT of bedding for me to wash over the next week.  Ha.)

This was that night, as per Charl's instructions we had to build a fire, cook smores, and tell spooooooky stories.  Ha ha!  He had a blast.

 Ok Mom, enough with the camera.

 This is a terrible shot, but it was a wee bit difficult to shoot with the indoor lighting (which i've definitely not become adept at), and a wiggly and marshmallowy 4 year old.  But this is his "Smore" face.  Needless to say, an entire change of clothes and copious amounts of soap was needed after this picture.

I'm not sure the boys had much sleep that night ,but I DO know that Charl was one happy camper.  :)

24 Weeks

Oh my goodness, isn't October FLYING by??  Way too fast in my opinion.

Things have been ok around these parts.  There isn't much to report on, because I've still mostly been in "wait" mode on this house situation.  Which means, doing a lot of little things to keep me busy.  I've been itching to start packing and cleaning, but I think it is mostly because I'm starting to feel the MAJOR need to nest.  So I've been vacuuming behind furniture, making great progress on a big Christmas project I'm working on as a gift, and cooking up something sweet almost every day.  (My boys have seemed pretty psyched about that last one...)

As far as the house news, we have still not heard if the seller's bank has accepted our offer.  However, it's looking really promising, as they asked for some paperwork from us last week, and have sent us over a couple of disclosures and affidavits to sign.  So it looks like it is moving along!  I'm really really hoping we hear something soon, so we can start this process moving along!  Once I get the go ahead for that, it's kind of gonna be a crazy house here, trying to get everything we need to do sorted.  Utilities turned on for inspection, inspection, appraisal, figuring out a closing date, finding a moving company to use, packing, cleaning, measuring, buying furniture.  Total chaos.  I guess I've just been bracing for that storm of "to do's" for such a while now that I'm just ready to jump in and get it done with!  ha ha!

But on to important things, like the baby update.  :)

24 Week bump:

Notice the cat tail... I had to take about 4 zillion pictures because the cat kept rubbing up on my belly.  Or my hand with the phone in it, causing an even worse shot than this.  Ha.

Tried to get a front view, but it just wasn't gonna happen.  It's like this cat NEVER gets lovin.  Yeah right.  He began to get VERY insistent for cuddles at this point.  

Baby is as big as an ear of corn - 

How I'm feeling - 
Really good!  I'm starting to really feel "pregnant" now.  Like as in, a lot heavier and bulkier.  I can feel the difference when I give Charl a bath, or dress him, or pick up the zillionth lego off the floor.  Just a bit more strain to get myself upright again.  I have had a little lower back soreness, but nothing major.  I think that's mostly because I keep myself moving all day long, and I just get tired.  Speaking of tired, the husband has noted more than once how he wishes he could just fall asleep like I do lately.  I literally turn off my light (sometimes before 10pm) and within about 5 minutes I'm OUT.  It's nice to be able to fall asleep so quickly, since I've had trouble with it off and on in the past, but honestly, its just because I'm so exhausted!  It's actually a great feeling to be that tired at the end of the day though.  Is that weird?

Cravings - 
Nope.  Just still eating a LOT.

Food Aversions - 
Nope.  Boring pregnancy here.

Favorite things from last week- 
Hmmm... not a ton happened last week...  Oh!  I found out an appeal to my health insurance that I had submitted was accepted.  LOOOONG Story.  But this basically just means they are taking off $800 worth of charges for sending me to a place to get a scan that they SAID was covered in network, but in reality, wasn't.  NIGHTMARE.  But soooo relieved that they are realizing that it was their mistake and I am not responsible for the bill.  Thats a crap ton of money around this house folks.

Things I'm looking forward to this week - 
Just hanging out with the family!  I'll be working on Charl's Halloween costume this coming week, and just trying to keep busy while I wait to hear about the house situation.  Fingers crossed for me guys!