tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44069125235973604442024-02-07T11:46:36.537-08:00Mom 2 MomAngelsAmongUshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542748718391645851noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-84483602166864116082014-08-22T15:08:00.000-07:002014-08-22T15:08:05.089-07:00I Love Newborn PoopsNo, really, I do! I 'll tell you why. It means my child is being fed well. Well, many of you know that nursing was a challenge for me recently. Actually, it's been a challenge for me every time. I've counted poops. I've watched their consistency. I've obsessed over poops. Why? Because newborns should poop a lot. I know you will read articles that say it's normal for breastfed babies not to poop a lot. It is as they get a little older, but in those first few weeks I feel like a well fed baby will poop and one that isn't getting enough milk won't poop. I saw the sign with my first 2 children. They were fussy and they barely pooped. That's when I knew they weren't getting enough milk. This time I was determined to do everything in my power to make it work. I want to share my story with you in hopes that others struggling will find strength to continue on and maybe find answers to their own issues. Here is my story:<br />
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A brief history of my past 2 experiences. With #1 I was told I had flat nipples and needed a shield for him to latch properly. I was given a shield that was too small and not told that I should wean him from it or that it could affect my supply. At his 3 week appointment he had only gained 1 oz in 1 week, so we had to start supplementing. I was able to get him to latch without the shield that very day, but my supply was already in the toilet, so I supplemented for 5 months then switched to 100% formula. <br />
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With #2 I was sure that if I didn't use the shield my supply would be awesome. Not so. He had a terrible latch from the beginning but everyone kept telling me his latch looked good. His lips were flanged out, but when he pulled off, my nipple was noticeably ridged. Before I even left the hospital I had blisters. I showed the lactation consultants and nurses, but everyone said his latch was fine. When he was 2 weeks, he hadn't regained birth weight and I had mastitis, open bleeding sores on my nipple, and shooting pains everytime I nursed. I was miserable. I began supplementing him because I couldn't nurse on the left side at all. He started gaining weight and I supplemented until he was 10 months old and then switched to 100% formula.<br />
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This time, I was determined. I made lactation cookies. I delayed circumcision so I didn't traumatize him. I rubbed basil essential oil on my breasts. I was ready. I did immediate skin-to-skin and nursed him fairly quickly after birth. After the very first time nursing I pointed out to my birth team that I had a ridge when he came off the left side. No one seemed concerned. Within a day I had blisters and intense pain on the left side and some pain and a blister or 2 on the right. I pointed it out to the nurses and lactation consultant and again was told his latch was fine. I tried every position but I got a ridge almost every time.<br />
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At day 3 I discovered a slight lip tie and excitedly showed it to the pediatrician because I was SURE it was the issue with his latch. He assured me it wasn't, but said if it made me feel better, he would clip it. He did. At first it seemed better, but after just a few feedings, it was back to normal. I was so sore that I couldn't bear the idea of nursing again. The LC suggested I pump and syringe feed. So, I did that for 1 1/2 days. On day 5 I was ready to begin breastfeeding again and I talked to the LC, told her I was pumping about 1 1/2 oz every feeding. She acted as if that wasn't enough and said the words that made me sick <u>"You've done well, if you have to supplement, don't feel bad."</u> I was defeated! At only 5 days old, my LC had told me to QUIT! I wasn't giving up though.<br />
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The next morning I took #3 to a pediatric dentist to check for a tongue tie. I was SURE he had one because all my symptoms pointed to it. He caused a ridge that looked like a tube of lipstick and blisters. I had researched and researched and was sure that he had one (even though the pediatrician said he didn't). The dentist checked and he definitely did not have a tongue tie. I wanted to cry when he told me! I was ready to give up. But, I had an appointment with a new LC that afternoon. I went to see her and #3 fell asleep on the way. He refused to wake up to nurse! I talked for over an hour about advice, but I already had read most of that advice somewhere and I was feeling like I wasn't sure if any of it would help. She did suggest that I pump after every feeding to maintain supply. <u>This was the best advice I had gotten!</u> Had I not done this, I would have had to supplement again, but this kept up my supply while I was figuring things out.<br />
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Finally, he woke up! As soon as he latched, she noticed that instead of extending and cupping his tongue, he pulled it back. Then while he was nursing, his tongue would push up against my nipple and hurt it. Also, because he wasn't cupping my breast, he wasn't fully stripping the milk, so he was telling my body to not make as much milk. I did some research online and it seemed like he had tongue thrust. <br />
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So, what do you do to fix it? Well, the LC suggested I stick my finger in his mouth and let him suck. Then, I pushed down on the back of his tongue and slowly pulled forward to encourage him to cup and extend his tongue. It seemed to work ok, but I wanted some way to help him while he was actually nursing. She suggested a nipple shield, but I didn't like the idea of something that could reduce my supply, so I searched for more answers. I researched tongue thrust and found I needed to get a deeper latch to help encourage his tongue to go where it's supposed to. I found this video online. I started using the "nipple flip" to latch him. Almost immediately I noticed a difference in his latch. I was still pumping over an ounce AFTER he nursed, so I knew he wasn't getting it quite yet. If you need more help figuring out the deep latch, simply google "deep breastfeeding latch" or "nipple flip breastfeeding". There are lots of great videos showing the technique.<br />
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I continued to nurse and then pump afterward (which meant very little sleep at night). I would nurse, then pump, then get about 45 min of sleep before he wanted to nurse again. At first, I fed the extra to him with a Breastflow bottle after nursing. However, the other pediatrician recommended I not do that. She wanted him to work hard at nursing and not play around nursing because he knows that he gets an easy bottle afterward. If I had known about the Medela Calma nipple, I would have used that instead of the Breastflow bottles. Even though they said they were like breastfeeding, the Breastflow bottles were so fast that he choked on the milk and I didn't feel like he had to work very hard for it at all. I have a Calma nipple now, and I'll use that if he needs a bottle in the future.<br />
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Anyway, so I froze the milk I pumped and continued on. At about 10 days old, I was finally not pumping much of anything after he ate. By 2 weeks old, I had stopped pumping all the time and I was actually healing a little. All this time, we checked his weight every 3 days or so, just to make sure he was increasing. Here is his growth for those first few months. <br />
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Now, he is 2 months old and he has gained over an ounce a day. He has never had any formula and I even have a little breastmilk in the freezer for a time when I want a little time away. I still can't believe it! I am so glad I didn't give up! I was so discouraged, but with a LOT of research and trouble, I finally found my answers and now I know what to do in the future. Most of the time it still doesn't hurt, but every once in a while, I have to strategically latch him again so it doesn't hurt. Now that he knows how much more milk he gets when he's latched properly, he often does it himself.<br />
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Well, I hope this can help someone who is struggling with breastfeeding. My biggest advice is DON'T GIVE UP! If you think something is wrong, listen to that and keep asking questions until you get an answer. <br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-35920157709220240452014-05-28T11:36:00.001-07:002014-05-28T11:44:25.880-07:00Patriotic Sign with acrylic transfer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love the acrylic transfer technique that I used on <a href="http://mom2cents.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-favorite-christmas-gift.html">these</a> signs. I needed to make a red, white, and blue item for a swap that I do, so I decided to try my hand at acrylic transfer with color. I first tried with the same paint I used for the other signs. The color came off a little more than I would have liked. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2siMBPaSGHk/U4VXKU4eGWI/AAAAAAAAANo/9HTC16rrImM/s1600/DSCN7326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2siMBPaSGHk/U4VXKU4eGWI/AAAAAAAAANo/9HTC16rrImM/s1600/DSCN7326.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went in search of a higher quality medium. I found this matt medium at Walmart and tried it. The color held perfectly! None of it wore off at all. Unfortunately, it took off a little of the paint in the bottom corner. </div>
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So, what did I learn with color acrylic transfer? It really depends on the look you are going for. I love that I found a medium that doesn't wipe all the color off, but I am actually partial to the weathered look. If I were doing a photograph or something else like that, I would go with the matt medium again, but for this sign, I chose the more weathered one. I added a vinyl heart and some burlap ribbon to finish it up.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MO2ib9xfTDw/U4Yr0H4EiyI/AAAAAAAAAN8/DIy1JKIW0Gw/s1600/DSCN7340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MO2ib9xfTDw/U4Yr0H4EiyI/AAAAAAAAAN8/DIy1JKIW0Gw/s1600/DSCN7340.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Do you want to know the best part? This cost less than $1.00 to make. I cut a $1.88 piece of MDF into 6 pieces. The ribbon cost me $0.25. The vinyl was less than $0.25. The paint was $0.50 for the whole bottle and I used very little per sign. Then, all I needed was a color laser print. Not too bad for a nice summer decoration.</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-49779977234067210742014-05-13T10:18:00.002-07:002014-05-27T20:49:01.709-07:00Menu Board<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is one of my first creations with my Silhouette Cameo. I cut the shapes on regular vinyl and then spray painted them with chalkboard paint. DON'T do it that way. Just buy the chalkboard vinyl! I ended up with tiny bits of paint all around each shape that made the lines look not very crisp.</div>
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I used a wingdings font for most of the shapes because I couldn't find what I needed anywhere else, and bonus: they were free shapes :) I used a pre-cut piece of wood from Home Depot that was already finished on the edge. </div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-64389827303700439992014-05-13T10:13:00.002-07:002014-05-13T10:13:50.247-07:00Train Big Brother ShirtsSo, I have 2 big brothers in the house now and I wanted to make them some special shirts. I looked all over online for just the right shirt, but none of them spoke to me. Well, my older boy LOVES trains! So, I thought, I'll design a train shirt myself and use my handy dandy Silhouette Cameo to create it. I'm so glad I did! It's super cute and cost me pennies compared to buying one. Since I already had blank shirts of each size in the closet, I only paid for the heat transfer vinyl (which was ridiculously overpriced because I bought Cricut brand at JoAnn's rather than buying online, but oh well). I have more than half of the HTV left, so all in all, I spent maybe $10 on all 3 shirts. I think they are pleased with them too. Now, little brother just has to come out so he can wear his too.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-54720833667153808862014-02-18T14:19:00.002-08:002014-02-18T15:59:47.915-08:00FHE lessons from the Friend Magazine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever scoured the internet for something that has been right under your nose the whole time? I feel that way with Family Home Evening lessons. I always felt overwhelmed by the idea of putting together FHE, especially for younger children. Recently, I made a huge discovery! FHE lessons have been coming to my mailbox every month for a few years now.<br />
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In the Friend magazine, they have a section called "Bringing Primary Home", and guess what? They have a little story, scripture, song, and activity on each one. And if that's not enough, some months they have a section called "Family Fun Time" with more ideas for Family Home Evening! Here is a list of all the ones I could find:<br />
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<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-january-2011/2011-01-26-the-scriptures-are-the-word-of-god-eng.pdf">The Scriptures Are the Word of God- January 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/magazines/friend/2011/02/FR_2011_02_26___09662_000_039.pdf">The Scriptures Teach of Heavenly Father’s Plan- February 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-march-2011/2011-03-25-heavenly-father-speaks-to-us-through-his-prophets-eng.pdf">Heavenly Father Speaks to Us through His Prophets- March 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-april-2011/2011-04-26-jesus-christ-is-my-savior-and-redeemer-eng.pdf">Jesus Christ Is My Savior and Redeemer- April 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-may-2011/2011-05-15-the-church-of-jesus-christ-has-been-restored-eng.pdf">The Church of Jesus Christ Has Been Restored- May 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-june-2011/2011-06-24-the-first-principles-and-ordinances-of-the-gospel-make-it-possible-for-me-to-live-with-god-again-eng.pdf">The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel Make It Possible for Me to Live with God Again- June 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-july-2011/2011-07-26-the-temple-is-a-house-of-god-eng.pdf">The Temple Is a House of God- July 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-august-2011/2011-08-25-my-body-is-a-temple-of-god-eng.pdf">My Body Is a Temple of God- August 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-september-2011/2011-09-26-the-gospel-will-be-preached-in-all-the-world-eng.pdf">The Gospel Will Be Preached in All the World- September 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-october-2011/2011-10-25-prayer-is-reverent-communication-between-god-and-me-eng.pdf">Prayer Is Reverent Communication between God and Me- October 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-november-2011/2011-11-27-reverence-is-love-and-respect-for-god-eng.pdf">Reverence Is Love and Respect for God- November 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2011/2011-12-25-the-scriptures-teach-me-about-the-saviors-birth-and-second-coming-eng.pdf">The Scriptures Teach Me about the Savior’s Birth and Second Coming- December 2011</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-january-2012/2012-01-25-agency-is-the-gift-to-choose-for-ourselves-eng.pdf">Agency Is the Gift to Choose for Ourselves- January 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-february-2012/2012-02-26-when-we-choose-the-right-we-are-blessed-eng.pdf">When We Choose the Right, We Are Blessed- February 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-march-2012/2012-03-27-living-prophets-teach-me-to-choose-the-right-eng.pdf">Living Prophets Teach Me to Choose the Right- March 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-april-2012/2012-04-25-jesus-christ-teaches-me-to-choose-the-right-eng.pdf">Jesus Christ Teaches Me to Choose the Right- April 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-may-2012/2012-05-24-i-choose-the-right-when-i-am-baptized-and-confirmed-a-member-of-the-church-eng.pdf">I Choose the Right When I Am Baptized and Confirmed a Member of the Church- May 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/lds-magazines/friend-june-2012/2012-06-25-i-choose-the-right-by-living-gospel-principles-eng.pdf">I Choose the Right by Living Gospel Principles- June 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-july-2012/2012-07-24-i-choose-the-right-by-living-gospel-principles-eng.pdf">I Choose the Right by Living Gospel Principles- July 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-august-2012/2012-08-25-i-choose-to-fill-my-life-with-things-that-invite-the-spirit-eng.pdf">I Choose to Fill My Life with Things That Invite the Spirit- August 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-september-2012/2012-09-26-the-ten-commandments-teach-me-to-love-god-and-his-children-eng.pdf">The Ten Commandments Teach Me to Love God and His Children- September 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-october-2012/2012-10-28-blessings-of-the-priesthood-are-available-to-all-eng.pdf">Blessings of the Priesthood Are Available to All- October 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-november-2012/2012-11-27-i-can-choose-to-be-a-missionary-now-eng.pdf">I Can Choose to Be a Missionary NOW- November 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2012/2012-12-27-jesus-christ-is-the-son-of-god-eng.pdf">Jesus Christ is the Son of God- December 2012</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-january-2013/2013-01-26-heavenly-father-loves-me-and-he-has-a-plan-for-me-eng.pdf">Heavenly Father Loves Me and Has a Plan For Me- Jan 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-february-2013/2013-02-26-the-earth-was-created-for-heavenly-fathers-children-eng.pdf">The Earth Was Created for Heavenly Father’s Children- Feb 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-march-2013/2013-03-28-jesus-christ-is-our-savior-eng.pdf">Jesus Christ is My Savior- March 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-april-2013/2013-04-28-jesus-christ-restored-his-church-in-the-latter-days-eng.pdf">Jesus Christ Restored His Church in the Latter Days- April 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-may-2013/2013-05-28-prophets-teach-us-to-live-the-restored-gospel-eng.pdf">Prophets Teach Us to Live the Restored Gospel- May 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-june-2013/2013-06-26-i-will-follow-heavenly-fathers-plan-by-being-baptized-and-confirmed-eng.pdf">I Will Follow Heavenly Father’s Plan by Being Baptized and Confirmed- June 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-july-2013/2013-07-27-families-are-part-of-heavenly-fathers-plan-eng.pdf">Families Are Part of Heavenly Father’s Plan- July 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-august-2013/2013-08-28-heavenly-father-hears-and-answers-my-prayers-eng.pdf">Heavenly Father Hears and Answers My Prayers- August 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-september-2013/2013-09-29-i-will-serve-god-with-all-my-heart-might-mind-and-strength-eng.pdf">I Will Serve God with All My Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength- September 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-october-2013/2013-10-18-i-will-share-the-gospel-with-all-of-gods-children-eng.pdf">I Will Share the Gospel with All of God’s Children- October 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-november-2013/2013-11-24-we-are-to-thank-god-in-all-things-eng.pdf">We are to Thank God in All Things- November 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2013/2013-12-25-i-know-that-jesus-christ-will-come-again-eng.pdf">I Know That Jesus Christ Will Come Again- December 2013</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-january-2014/2014-01-27-bringing-primary-home-heavenly-father-prepared-a-way-for-me-to-return-to-him-eng.pdf">Heavenly Father Prepared a Way for Me to Return to Him- January 2014</a></li>
<li><a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-february-2014/2014-02-28-heavenly-father-has-a-plan-for-his-children-eng.pdf">Heavenly Father Has a Plan for His Children- February 2014</a></li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-82208753533298440412013-12-13T07:24:00.002-08:002013-12-13T07:24:24.352-08:00Cute Pregnancy Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I saw this idea on Pinterest and had to recreate it. I didn't even have to pinch the little guy to get him to cry. He did it as soon as I put him in his crib.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2hqEcJfkgUk/UqsmNnSu4nI/AAAAAAAAAL8/EGMMUAQ6Pn0/s1600/DSCN6397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2hqEcJfkgUk/UqsmNnSu4nI/AAAAAAAAAL8/EGMMUAQ6Pn0/s400/DSCN6397.JPG" /></a></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-83095794276537797132013-04-21T23:16:00.005-07:002013-04-21T23:19:24.561-07:00Anger Family Home Evening (FHE)My little guy is a typical toddler boy. He lashes out whenever he gets angry. So, we are going to have Family Home Evening about anger. I created this packet from a lot of different resources I found online. <p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a title="View Anger FHE Outline on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/137285870/Anger-FHE-Outline" style="text-decoration: underline;" >Anger FHE Outline</a></p><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/137285870/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" scrolling="no" id="doc_17511" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-85191686230203397102013-03-25T21:16:00.004-07:002013-04-21T23:19:12.282-07:00Jesus is Our Savior FHE Packet<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CdmV9o2kfiU/UVEhv-GnOfI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/wdaBg8AmW4c/s1600/ArtBook__059_059__MaryAndTheResurrectedJesusChrist____.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CdmV9o2kfiU/UVEhv-GnOfI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/wdaBg8AmW4c/s320/ArtBook__059_059__MaryAndTheResurrectedJesusChrist____.jpg" /></a>I really have loved having Family Home Evening recently. We have been trying to do it every week for the past few months and our son is a completely different child! I've been using a lot of FHE packets that I've found online and they have been so awesome! But, this Sunday as I was teaching Sharing Time, I realized that all this time I have had FHE packets at my fingertips with the Sharing Time lessons. So, I made a packet based on the lesson I did this past week. It is about Jesus Christ being our Savior. Hope it helps you and your family as much as it has helped ours!<br /> <p style=" margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"> <a title="View Jesus Christ is Our Savior on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/136571154/Jesus-Christ-is-Our-Savior" style="text-decoration: underline;" >Jesus Christ is Our Savior</a></p><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/136571154/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" scrolling="no" id="doc_84947" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-25524700227100144752013-02-26T22:30:00.001-08:002013-04-21T23:19:45.561-07:00Another Reverence FHESo, if you couldn't tell from this post and the previous post, I am really concerned about my son's reverence in church. So, I made another FHE packet to use. Enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxhibRQVbe_bbllMSU9meGpVUjQ/edit?usp=sharing">Click here for the reverence FHE lesson</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3RsDGc-Mzw/US2neTLY_pI/AAAAAAAAAKA/SYcffPGHpO4/s1600/reverent_children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3RsDGc-Mzw/US2neTLY_pI/AAAAAAAAAKA/SYcffPGHpO4/s320/reverent_children.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-5285419030825620972013-02-26T20:48:00.001-08:002013-02-26T20:48:10.626-08:00FHE Packet- ReverenceI have to admit something, I have a 3-year-old and I know that we should do Family Home Evening. But...we rarely do. It's just so hard to think of things that will interest him and prepare. I know it shouldn't be that difficult, I mean, I teach Sharing Time all the time, but for some reason I just can't seem to do it at home. <br />
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Then I discovered this novel idea of an FHE packet. I'm sure this isn't a new idea to most of you, but I love the idea of putting everything together in a gallon ziploc bag or file folder and just pulling it out on FHE night.<br />
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I have another confession, my toddler is kinda awful in Primary. He is the youngest child in there and sometimes he just doesn't know how to act. I really wanted to do an FHE about reverence because we REALLY need it.<br />
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Anyway, enough rambling. So, I made an FHE packet all about reverence. It's obviously geared toward a 2-5 year old. Hope you can use it in your family also!<br />
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Follow this link to download it for yourself:<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxhibRQVbe_baTJodG1pbWFyV0k/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxhibRQVbe_baTJodG1pbWFyV0k/edit?usp=sharing</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKQ5IUdpCCM/US2O7jhQ9EI/AAAAAAAAAJw/xF8ZUJXctt4/s1600/Reverence+Outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKQ5IUdpCCM/US2O7jhQ9EI/AAAAAAAAAJw/xF8ZUJXctt4/s640/Reverence+Outline.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-28059129913091144772013-01-18T20:53:00.003-08:002013-01-19T21:47:03.996-08:00A New Take on the Freezer Meal GroupFor over a year now, my friends and I have been talking about starting a freezer meal group/swap, but I just couldn't figure out how to do it. I read in many places how others do it. I read on this blog http://freezermealsforus.blogspot.com/ about ways she suggested doing a group. They included<br />
1. Having each person make meals at home and then bring them to swap already assembled or<br />
2. Having 1 person shop for everything needed to assemble a specific meal and everyone gets together to assemble.<br />
I had issues with each of these for different reasons.<br />
1. I didn't like the idea of sitting at home by myself making meals for everyone. It seemed so boring! Also, what if someone didn't like mushrooms and would prefer I didn't put them in? What if I had a friend who had a very small family and wanted to split the meals into 2 smaller meals?<br />
2. This is just way too daunting. 1 person shopping for 25+ meals is just way too much work. Also, what if I like generic brands but the person shopping buys name brands? What if I already have half the ingredients at home so shopping for them is just spending unneeded money?<br />
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So, my friends and I brainstormed and came up with a better idea. This is how we do our swap.<br />
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We try to have 6 participants every month. Every month each person is asked to come up with 1 meal they would like to share. We then ask each person to bring ingredients to make 6 of their meal. They do any serious prep at home (anything that needs to be cooked ahead, etc) but most prep can be done at the swap. Then, we get together and each person stakes a piece of countertop. We each do any chopping or other prep. This is great because we can chat while we're working. <br />
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Each person brings their own pans or bags that suit the size of their family. When all the prep is done, we all go to one space and assemble that meal for our family. This way, people can tailor them to their family's tastes. Each meal has a copy of the recipe and cooking instructions for people to take home. In the end, each person leaves with 6 different meals. It usually takes us about 1 1/2 hours total. <br />
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I love this idea because each person has control over buying the ingredients for their meal but also over how their other meals are put together. <br />
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Many people suggested not letting kids be around during the swap because it's too crazy. We have found that the opposite is true. The kids love getting together and they stay out of our hair while we go about our business. The only suggestion I have is to bring snacks for the kids. With all the food around, they will decide they are hungry. We make sure to pick a house where the kids can have lots of room to play.<br />
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So far, we've loved doing the swap this way! We love having time together as friends and leaving with 6 new freezer meals. Please let me know if you have any questions about how to do this kind of group successfully. Here is our welcome sheet that I send to everyone who wants to join.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl4d-FAUkIg/UPomsDPLYII/AAAAAAAAAJQ/hmaw63ktptA/s1600/Welcome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl4d-FAUkIg/UPomsDPLYII/AAAAAAAAAJQ/hmaw63ktptA/s640/Welcome.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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This is what I took home today!</div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-37047420914251542052012-01-02T22:49:00.001-08:002012-01-03T11:03:06.576-08:00My Favorite Christmas Gift<div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">So, this year in our families, we drew names to buy Christmas gifts instead of trying to buy for everyone. I was thrilled when I drew my sister-in-law because we are fellow Pinterest addicts, so all I had to do was go to her boards for ideas. After debating about many of the different projects, I decided to go with <a href="http://manditremayne.blogspot.com/2011/07/its-so-pinteresting.html">this one</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbxE7X2aG48/TwKhn4WT_OI/AAAAAAAAAFs/-a3AK6HqQSc/s1600/City%2BSigns.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbxE7X2aG48/TwKhn4WT_OI/AAAAAAAAAFs/-a3AK6HqQSc/s400/City%2BSigns.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693290585462668514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I loved the signs, but as my fellow blogger stated, they cost almost $35 each to buy them! Insane! So, I am going to show you how I made them for under $2.00 for 4!!!</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ziStBALzN4s/TwKjpxJNWGI/AAAAAAAAAGs/43lcZAfhckE/s1600/DSCN0834.JPG"><span><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ziStBALzN4s/TwKjpxJNWGI/AAAAAAAAAGs/43lcZAfhckE/s400/DSCN0834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693292816911652962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">First, I started with a 1x4 from Home Depot. See the green paint? That means I got this out of the cull lumber bin. For those of you who don't know, Home Depot (and I assume most lumber yards) have boards that they can't sell full price for one reason or another. They put them in the cull lumber bin for sale at a deep discount. Home Depot sells all their cull lumber for 51 cents per piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-UplnFj3MM/TwKjpqK8evI/AAAAAAAAAGc/2CSnVLBaGlQ/s1600/DSCN0836.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-UplnFj3MM/TwKjpqK8evI/AAAAAAAAAGc/2CSnVLBaGlQ/s400/DSCN0836.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693292815039888114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I measured the piece and divided it into 5 equal pieces (in case I made a mistake on one).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlMzGokjFR0/TwKjpbpAmRI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/OC-IK6NnMeg/s400/DSCN0837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693292811139455250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>They ended up about 12 inches long and a little under 4 inches wide. I then used 1oo grain sandpaper to round all the edges and smooth out the rough spots.</span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_1j26bWkgA/TwKjpOhD1NI/AAAAAAAAAGE/aIfR-EP9Jko/s1600/DSCN0842.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_1j26bWkgA/TwKjpOhD1NI/AAAAAAAAAGE/aIfR-EP9Jko/s400/DSCN0842.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693292807616451794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Then, with a little help, I painted them black.</span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4V745wx1WE/TwKjo3hG7EI/AAAAAAAAAF4/vCk1kHs7MuQ/s1600/DSCN0845.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d4V745wx1WE/TwKjo3hG7EI/AAAAAAAAAF4/vCk1kHs7MuQ/s400/DSCN0845.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693292801442638914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRzjX616uw8/TwKm_ovbdpI/AAAAAAAAAHk/gLJxRigvwjs/s1600/DSCN0846.JPG"><span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRzjX616uw8/TwKm_ovbdpI/AAAAAAAAAHk/gLJxRigvwjs/s400/DSCN0846.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693296491148048018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>After the 2 coats of black dried, I painted them off white (it took about 3 coats to cover as much as I wanted).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wS63qoK2MIo/TwKm_XVAW-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/3gehZQJ2eJY/s1600/DSCN0850.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wS63qoK2MIo/TwKm_XVAW-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/3gehZQJ2eJY/s400/DSCN0850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693296486473817058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I bought this combo pack of sandpaper at Wal-Mart. I used the 100 grain to round the corners, then used the 220 grain after the white paint was dry. I gently rubbed off the white paint along the edges so the black showed through. It gave it a very weathered feel. However, if I were to do these over again, I would wait until the very end to sand off the top paint color. You will see why.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xp17pyh2unU/TwKm_L60uyI/AAAAAAAAAHM/efr025i6dVk/s1600/DSCN0857.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xp17pyh2unU/TwKm_L60uyI/AAAAAAAAAHM/efr025i6dVk/s400/DSCN0857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693296483411213090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Then, I designed the words in Microsoft Publisher. When I printed them, I used my printer's "advanced" settings and printed them in mirror image. It's very important to note that it must be printed on a laser printer or be a photocopy. Inkjet will not work with this technique. You can print at a UPS Store or Kinkos for like 10 cents per sheet. I used plain 20 lb printer paper. Nothing fancy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Now I was ready to use the instructions found <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6523864314427585391">here</a> for acrylic paint transfer.</span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NEp0WylNzIM/TwKm-9Us7XI/AAAAAAAAAHA/gGnbFXB7rVs/s1600/DSCN0861.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NEp0WylNzIM/TwKm-9Us7XI/AAAAAAAAAHA/gGnbFXB7rVs/s400/DSCN0861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693296479493221746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>First, I painted another layer of the off white paint onto the board. Make sure to not make it too thick or it will bubble and look weird. This is why I wished I had waited to sand the corners, because I got a lot of this paint on the corners and had to re-sand many of the edges.</span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnwD_1BG4oA/TwKm-q1FzRI/AAAAAAAAAG0/kuAfDQcn4gE/s1600/DSCN0862.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnwD_1BG4oA/TwKm-q1FzRI/AAAAAAAAAG0/kuAfDQcn4gE/s400/DSCN0862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693296474528795922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, IMMEDIATELY put down your image. If the paint dries before you put down the paper, this won't work.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhLkTzhI1MQ/TwKtuc-bRmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/jwRSVStDcZ8/s1600/DSCN0863.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhLkTzhI1MQ/TwKtuc-bRmI/AAAAAAAAAIg/jwRSVStDcZ8/s400/DSCN0863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693303892513343074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then take a spoon and rub the back of the paper. Make sure to rub all over the paper. Let it dry completely. I let mine dry for 2-4 hours. I know the video says it will only take 10 min, but I think on wood, it takes much longer. I did a test one and after drying for 1 hour, it was still too wet to work.</div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQl1RD4em34/TwKtuQ-DVXI/AAAAAAAAAIU/asgNX0BZiVE/s1600/DSCN0854.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQl1RD4em34/TwKtuQ-DVXI/AAAAAAAAAIU/asgNX0BZiVE/s400/DSCN0854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693303889290548594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After it is completely dry, dip your fingers in some water and wet the back of the paper.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdyrL39xc-o/TwKtt6D53CI/AAAAAAAAAIM/lfQ_r7QPE1o/s1600/DSCN0855.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdyrL39xc-o/TwKtt6D53CI/AAAAAAAAAIM/lfQ_r7QPE1o/s400/DSCN0855.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693303883141078050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then start to gently rub the paper off. Don't rub really hard, it's not necessary, but it takes some patience to keep rubbing until all the paper is gone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SeaNJKKcu3k/TwKttjQlZeI/AAAAAAAAAH8/K1u216ypGyM/s1600/DSCN0856.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SeaNJKKcu3k/TwKttjQlZeI/AAAAAAAAAH8/K1u216ypGyM/s400/DSCN0856.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693303877020247522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You will be able to feel when all the paper has been removed. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Now you are left with a beautiful lettered sign that looks a little weathered. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this look so much more than vinyl in a lot of circumstances! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xl2hSh6Vlk/TwKttcmxibI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Id83ZTwek9Q/s1600/DSCN0866.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xl2hSh6Vlk/TwKttcmxibI/AAAAAAAAAHw/Id83ZTwek9Q/s400/DSCN0866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693303875234269618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>So, to recap. I spent:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Wood: $0.51</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Paint: $1.00 a bottle (used less than half a bottle of each color)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Paper: FREE (if you photocopy or print at a print shop $0.10 each)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I didn't add hangers to the back because I didn't know where or how she wanted to hang them, but that would add about another $1.00. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>I loved this technique and can't wait to try it on other projects!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><u><br /></u></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-57479850089151732362011-11-23T18:07:00.000-08:002011-11-23T20:31:04.366-08:00Cranberry Salad<div style="text-align: center;">I would like to introduce you to your new favorite side dish for Thanksgiving. Cranberry salad!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaPYW7oTG3c/Ts2qKUPI_UI/AAAAAAAAAFY/PpKOtOKJKD4/s1600/DSCN0125.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaPYW7oTG3c/Ts2qKUPI_UI/AAAAAAAAAFY/PpKOtOKJKD4/s400/DSCN0125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678381799391690050" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, so I didn't want to take a big ol' scoop out of it before I took it to the inlaws' house tomorrow, so you get a picture of the whole pan instead of a nice plate or something more fancy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This really is my favorite part of Thanksgiving! Forget the turkey and potatoes, I'll just take a big ol' helping of cranberry salad! It's a lot sweeter than regular cranberry sauce, so it goes down much easier. Here is how you make it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQMLNvIR-gI/Ts2qJUNTI5I/AAAAAAAAAFA/PGBUlfKbNDQ/s1600/DSCN0104.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQMLNvIR-gI/Ts2qJUNTI5I/AAAAAAAAAFA/PGBUlfKbNDQ/s400/DSCN0104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678381782204097426" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">First, put a 12-16oz bag of cranberries in your food processor and pulverize them. I usually freeze my cranberries because the grocery stores don't always carry them all year-round. Then I take them out and let them thaw for about 15 min. That way, when I pulverize them, they chop easily but don't squish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSqARRN2XYQ/Ts2qJccNxvI/AAAAAAAAAEw/CJEWgqwZNxo/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PSqARRN2XYQ/Ts2qJccNxvI/AAAAAAAAAEw/CJEWgqwZNxo/s400/DSCN0106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678381784414144242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These are the perfect size chunks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ogGbleQgzY/Ts2qKcXDKXI/AAAAAAAAAFI/yxGDE0Omjyk/s1600/DSCN0103.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ogGbleQgzY/Ts2qKcXDKXI/AAAAAAAAAFI/yxGDE0Omjyk/s400/DSCN0103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678381801572346226" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, take 4-5 medium apples (I like Gala or Fuji). Get out your handy slicer and core & slice them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftb3TiY1lIA/Ts2o2NBKURI/AAAAAAAAAEY/-7FUKarHzKI/s1600/DSCN0108.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ftb3TiY1lIA/Ts2o2NBKURI/AAAAAAAAAEY/-7FUKarHzKI/s400/DSCN0108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678380354344997138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Put them in your food processor and pulverize them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Qqf-tV5GmM/Ts2o1bNf_HI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/sy3eWutQSEI/s1600/DSCN0109.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Qqf-tV5GmM/Ts2o1bNf_HI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/sy3eWutQSEI/s400/DSCN0109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678380340974976114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXn7Haf7lvY/Ts2o1PmRbeI/AAAAAAAAAD8/PRsGpnOpV_s/s1600/DSCN0110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXn7Haf7lvY/Ts2o1PmRbeI/AAAAAAAAAD8/PRsGpnOpV_s/s400/DSCN0110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678380337857654242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pour the cranberries and apples into a 9x13 pan. Add a drained can of pineapple in. Mix everything up. (The picture above was before I mixed them up). Add 3/4 cup sugar and stir in well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APbF7Rm6tDU/Ts2o2Dt_BUI/AAAAAAAAAEg/TOzn28PRHzs/s1600/DSCN0107.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-APbF7Rm6tDU/Ts2o2Dt_BUI/AAAAAAAAAEg/TOzn28PRHzs/s400/DSCN0107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678380351848645954" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take a large (6 oz) package of raspberry jello and a small (3 oz) package of lemon jello. Mix together. Add 3 cups boiling water and dissolve. Then add 1 1/2 cups of cold water and mix.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ep9BXjXRfk/Ts3H9vEAyOI/AAAAAAAAAFg/b_O7aijBCM8/s1600/DSCN0111.JPG" style="text-align: left; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ep9BXjXRfk/Ts3H9vEAyOI/AAAAAAAAAFg/b_O7aijBCM8/s400/DSCN0111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678414568603306210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pour the jello over the fruit in the pan. Mix slightly to combine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4QOhcIsJ3M/Ts2o04BA5dI/AAAAAAAAAD0/DqIcDadxXdk/s1600/DSCN0126.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4QOhcIsJ3M/Ts2o04BA5dI/AAAAAAAAAD0/DqIcDadxXdk/s400/DSCN0126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678380331527366098" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let set in fridge about 4 hours and then try not to eat it all in 1 sitting!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="summary_center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 300px; float: left; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><a class="recipe_title" href="http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/1927769-Cranberry-Salad" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); cursor: pointer; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; display: block; position: relative; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Cranberry Salad</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1- 6 oz. pkg raspberry jello</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1- 3 oz. pkg lemon jello</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >3 cups boiling water</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 1/2 cups cold water</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 lb. cranberries</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >4-5 medium apples</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1- 20 oz. can pineapple (partially drained)</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >3/4 cups sugar</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div class="directions" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. Mix together jello and boiling water until dissolved.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. Add cold water. Set aside.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. Chop cranberries and apples in food processor.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. Mix in pineapple and sugar.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >5. Pour jello and fruit mix into 9x13 baking pan.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >6. Let set in refrigerator for 4 hours.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div></div><div class="summary_right" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: left; width: 200px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="recipe_time" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: dashed; border-right-style: dashed; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-left-style: dashed; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Total Time: 4 1/2 hours</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Yields: 12 servings</span></p></div></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-82140403779365442092011-11-07T19:59:00.001-08:002011-11-09T15:08:39.575-08:00Housewarming Gift<div style="text-align: center;">I made this cute chalkboard for my friend who just bought a new home.</div><div><br /><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdfpIIvlehQ/TrsDRENcnrI/AAAAAAAAADE/Cf6-xZhsnD4/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673131747326074546" /></div></div><div>I wanted to do a cute chalkboard for her entryway, but I wanted something creative. So, I went digging at the thrift store and found this adorable plate. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the plate before I taped it. I put painter's tape all over it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL2bVA6Gpyw/TrsEYF98qMI/AAAAAAAAADQ/JbZXGmNljpA/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL2bVA6Gpyw/TrsEYF98qMI/AAAAAAAAADQ/JbZXGmNljpA/s320/IMG_3111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673132967568648386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Then I put a plate down and used a pocket knife to cut out the circle.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcWxpJRiShc/TrsEYaif_wI/AAAAAAAAADc/9AlTuG33X2w/s1600/IMG_3112.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcWxpJRiShc/TrsEYaif_wI/AAAAAAAAADc/9AlTuG33X2w/s320/IMG_3112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673132973090668290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Then I removed the tape and had a nice circle. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzDkuBTjTps/TrsEYuQ8-qI/AAAAAAAAADs/Iqpl2Xi0l1U/s1600/IMG_3114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bzDkuBTjTps/TrsEYuQ8-qI/AAAAAAAAADs/Iqpl2Xi0l1U/s320/IMG_3114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673132978385779362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a>I forgot to take pictures of all the next steps. So, here's what I did.</div><div><ul><li>Spray paint with chalkboard paint. When dry, remove tape.</li><li>I painted the letter and frames.</li><li>Then I mod podged scrapbook paper onto them.</li><li>To get the shapes. I traced them on the back of the paper and cut them out. Then I brushed Mod Podge onto the letters, put the paper on, and then brushed more Mod Podge on top.</li><li>I then super glued the letter onto the plate. After it dried, I super glued the ribbon on the back.</li><li>I was going to attach the picture frames to the plate, but I decided they would look better hanging on the wall.</li></ul><div>She loved it!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-20443875989691020562011-10-10T19:23:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:53:39.891-07:00DIY Magnetic Chalkboard<div style="text-align: center;">So, I've decided that we need to do some "preschool" activities now that the little guy is almost 2. So, I laminated a ton of colors, numbers, shapes, letters, etc. I glued magnets to the back. Now all I needed was a place to put all the magnets.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got the idea from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/183560179/">here</a>. (Gotta love pinterest!)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1vZV224aw0/TpOrCfoZ1aI/AAAAAAAAACs/HrA65UqE_0o/s320/IMG_2949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662057215873897890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>This is simply an oil drip pan, sprayed with chalkboard paint. The oil drip pan can be found in the automotive section of a certain big box retailer for $9.95 </div><div><br /></div><div>I couldn't find the chalkboard spray paint at another big box retailer, they only had the brush on stuff. So, I went to a smaller, hometown hardware store and found it for about $8. I used half the can on other projects and the rest on this project. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, for under $15, I have a magnetic chalkboard. </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-39593584052163189202011-10-03T15:43:00.000-07:002011-10-03T15:49:54.754-07:00Are Mormons Polygamist?<object id="flashObj" width="486" height="412" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1196053703001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fgeneral-conference%2Fwatch%2F2011%2F10%3Flang%3Deng%26vid%3D1196053703001%26cid%3D9&playerID=66819209001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAD5C7cik~,NkEKrBzbuXL1RD1uYGY2x0Vcg3Yr-Utp&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true"><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com"><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=1196053703001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fgeneral-conference%2Fwatch%2F2011%2F10%3Flang%3Deng%26vid%3D1196053703001%26cid%3D9&playerID=66819209001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAD5C7cik~,NkEKrBzbuXL1RD1uYGY2x0Vcg3Yr-Utp&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" allowscriptaccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div>A great talk about what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ("The Mormons") is really about. The name of the church says it all! There are plenty of people who call themselves "Mormon Fundamentalists." They are NOT "Mormons". </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-20745768933402856782011-09-20T20:32:00.000-07:002011-09-21T16:36:11.711-07:00Cleaning Schedule<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DJyG89e6I0/TnlkeYHjKwI/AAAAAAAAACM/wiaA1rUMQ9c/s1600/House%2BCleaning%2BSchedule.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--DJyG89e6I0/TnlkeYHjKwI/AAAAAAAAACM/wiaA1rUMQ9c/s320/House%2BCleaning%2BSchedule.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654661280173337346" /></a><br />Well, anyone who knows me, knows my house is not clean. It's not so bad it needs to be on a TV show or anything, but it's not great. So, I made a cleaning schedule that is divided into daily tasks, weekly tasks, monthly tasks, and quarterly tasks. I need a list of every task to be accomplished because if it just says "Clean Bathroom" I forget things or don't know where to start. Now, I don't forget things like washing the walls. Also, this way if I only have 10 minutes to clean, I can pick one task and mark it off so I remember I already did it. You can take the Excel spreadsheet and fill in your own duties. <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BxhibRQVbe_bMjVjOTUxZDgtMGM0YS00Mzg2LWIwOGEtODgwOGM2ZjYyNWU1&hl=en_US">Excel Spreadsheet</a></div><div>(the formatting looks a little funny on the web, but once you download it, it looks nice)</div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-53273294095334615242011-09-20T20:14:00.000-07:002011-09-20T20:41:38.689-07:00Homemade Edible Finger Paint<div>I had been wanting to fingerpaint for a long time, but with a child under 2, it just wasn't safe for him. I knew he would eat it. So, we made homemade finger paint instead. We made vanilla pudding and added food coloring to it. It was so much fun, and when he got some in his mouth, I didn't worry at all!</div><div><br /></div><div>I used a family size box of pudding, but had WAY too much left over. What you see in the bowls is only half of the pudding that box made. So, if you only have a few kids doing this, make a small box. Use as much food coloring as you like. I didn't color the yellow because I thought the pudding was yellow enough, but it didn't really show up on the paper, so I would still put in yellow.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LBMOpOWj8g/TnlZJY-RlcI/AAAAAAAAACE/jOpW8zZjRh8/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LBMOpOWj8g/TnlZJY-RlcI/AAAAAAAAACE/jOpW8zZjRh8/s320/IMG_2122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654648824997713346" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZuDDRj8gw8/TnlZJJLJIvI/AAAAAAAAAB8/asAXqM9Vrhs/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZuDDRj8gw8/TnlZJJLJIvI/AAAAAAAAAB8/asAXqM9Vrhs/s320/IMG_2124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654648820756718322" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu8nDoIKLF8/TnlZI092caI/AAAAAAAAAB0/o2U00HycsjI/s1600/IMG_2128.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu8nDoIKLF8/TnlZI092caI/AAAAAAAAAB0/o2U00HycsjI/s320/IMG_2128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654648815332258210" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MT5o3vNGgd8/TnlZIv1LkrI/AAAAAAAAABs/dGeeI37-aDo/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MT5o3vNGgd8/TnlZIv1LkrI/AAAAAAAAABs/dGeeI37-aDo/s320/IMG_2131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654648813953716914" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-55311510872205168222010-11-10T12:48:00.000-08:002010-11-10T13:37:51.515-08:002 Week Menu Planning<a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B33bWcJMhac8YTUwZTFmMDgtZjQ5Ny00N2U0LWI4ZGYtYmE1ZTE1YTQ2YTdh&hl=en&authkey=CLrjkK8J">2 Week Menu & Shopping List</a><div><br /></div><div>Are you having trouble figuring out what to cook every night? I've started planning a 2 week menu and it has been so helpful! When I first started, I got so frustrated because it was hard to stay organized. So, I created an Excel Spreadsheet that can be easily customized with all the meals for the 2 weeks. It also has a 2nd sheet that has a shopping list. The shopping list is divided into categories. I've found it very useful! Hope it helps.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and I got the idea to assign each night a different theme from the <a href="http://thefoodnanny.org/">Food Nanny</a>. It really helps break up the monotony. </div>AngelsAmongUshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542748718391645851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-91317871858420830732010-10-19T19:06:00.000-07:002011-03-14T20:35:37.292-07:00Creative Baby Shower Gifts<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, you have a baby shower coming up, but you don't just want to buy clothes or blankets. What should you buy? Here are some things I found helpful:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7ca7OI-Q_pZDgy1DkuCoZ3mS9XcWhSqihOHMQGz_MPWgtM_Ryv42Iw0dEHsT40hrHjsAd-7u9m5jC6gdlrVVaSHc7v5bpZbB7hM31QJNhteehjOTNpuXqtLjWU-tEmeapdkYltmjhQYk/s400/Sock+Bag.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 220px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584144330640903986" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mesh bag filled with baby socks. Baby socks disappear so quickly! Give the Mommy-to-be a mesh lingerie bag that she can put socks in when she washes them so nothing gets eaten by the washer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityueoc6YPQmBl1PEFJR7n5zIpQGHebUjRoHWXRvD4t3cw1I78jrfDoWy-TZlt65MfO1KWCgaQAoxp09nUqLIgZUXXPeuH_-IAeZSKjPmGkXd1RgwvaDnvwn0nEN4Eh67EzS77LWUVxom4/s400/Jittery+Pal.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584144851757327458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jittery Pal. GREAT toy! Entertains little ones while in the car seat or away from home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4w6eq77rAmnbvSyJfIIarO71pXwShOMdHdY_d08cl0UQ8mQkGvkI5ASFWVGKg-p4TdipJK2K8my09lF8dl_iLHdt49UlWR1zSi2qgCBYUJs3Cg6Pk31XaexBcVHZBTQAwg6HOlXw5QI4/s1600/IMG_7961.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4w6eq77rAmnbvSyJfIIarO71pXwShOMdHdY_d08cl0UQ8mQkGvkI5ASFWVGKg-p4TdipJK2K8my09lF8dl_iLHdt49UlWR1zSi2qgCBYUJs3Cg6Pk31XaexBcVHZBTQAwg6HOlXw5QI4/s320/IMG_7961.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529944583962383122" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">A dimmer switch:</span> This would be something you buy for a close friend or someone whose nursery you have been inside. I LOVE having a dimmer switch in my nursery!! It was only $15 at Home Depot and I installed it myself. <div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCHhCHSNMP1AK0jNR7oho3rhrM4VKQb3kgh3UmxyXBNCqCG5pGS_liJhnJK8f9xirpPlP6e00tWn5Yq1eLcsyiPL6Bm45ple9qbU6tDSN75LX8CKWXg8foNzHRZ8zkkI7O1-gWMy2dqzw/s1600/IMG_7957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCHhCHSNMP1AK0jNR7oho3rhrM4VKQb3kgh3UmxyXBNCqCG5pGS_liJhnJK8f9xirpPlP6e00tWn5Yq1eLcsyiPL6Bm45ple9qbU6tDSN75LX8CKWXg8foNzHRZ8zkkI7O1-gWMy2dqzw/s320/IMG_7957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529944573871463346" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7y0ggoCyZom2iTCcr_bLP6WGMDJXvuA-8YXFGcEdabsq7ul6VZalybdeAcpG90JF3xBvKRE83u6_upleKYC4HSj5l35AXnJ3gxwE4kb2lQp4UZBtPIuHEn_4ieMBnAC11laIkSD74Kkb/s320/Swaddle+Blanket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529949085584940034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4w6eq77rAmnbvSyJfIIarO71pXwShOMdHdY_d08cl0UQ8mQkGvkI5ASFWVGKg-p4TdipJK2K8my09lF8dl_iLHdt49UlWR1zSi2qgCBYUJs3Cg6Pk31XaexBcVHZBTQAwg6HOlXw5QI4/s1600/IMG_7961.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4w6eq77rAmnbvSyJfIIarO71pXwShOMdHdY_d08cl0UQ8mQkGvkI5ASFWVGKg-p4TdipJK2K8my09lF8dl_iLHdt49UlWR1zSi2qgCBYUJs3Cg6Pk31XaexBcVHZBTQAwg6HOlXw5QI4/s1600/IMG_7961.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4w6eq77rAmnbvSyJfIIarO71pXwShOMdHdY_d08cl0UQ8mQkGvkI5ASFWVGKg-p4TdipJK2K8my09lF8dl_iLHdt49UlWR1zSi2qgCBYUJs3Cg6Pk31XaexBcVHZBTQAwg6HOlXw5QI4/s1600/IMG_7961.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A Swaddle Blanket: </span>Swaddling calms almost any baby. It is awesome and it is a way better way to put them to bed than giving them a bottle. Both my blankets are homemade and I can't seem to find any that are big enough in stores. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V0Q5OnBklvEXlPoSNUm8U_pZb1YiRqKll6j2gBpeMpf8GfpvpGrXh1vnaZMAfE9qmd2LKiA6cFLKzw37kxDMLQihyphenhyphen1Mli4R1XpZEF5qbpfn0jVDLjTPONorvy5cI-yd_RuzXj0AsS5-B/s1600/IMG_7954.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V0Q5OnBklvEXlPoSNUm8U_pZb1YiRqKll6j2gBpeMpf8GfpvpGrXh1vnaZMAfE9qmd2LKiA6cFLKzw37kxDMLQihyphenhyphen1Mli4R1XpZEF5qbpfn0jVDLjTPONorvy5cI-yd_RuzXj0AsS5-B/s320/IMG_7954.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529944567591185538" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgox7RlhI6Tvxoozpbj6KLpCPyZINZiUo16xGl8IRtv8-KO5_uch4wFWWMkOMKUitBaS5tJAaQDNlqiQV3VwRDFISl4kzM2u5YLkLRBOu4FFcQB5POXsV38d5J5v4MudybAlqahhopGPPBN/s320/Lindsay+Brins+Mom+Into+Fitness.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529951165202335570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Workout Videos: </span>Getting back into shape is so hard for new moms, and most workout routines are too intense for moms to do right after birth. Both of these are low impact and work well for women with c-sections or other moms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL_w-4c32kRkIIcb63vjmHh9ffwDWAJH0vM-xMxjJSVDc_sHQcDA4KoD9ZtwzELP76_GBIAsCMyJKcWT3_HTbW7_JUU2VkTVkFTdANEsbJciFRCwyQyIh9jnc8DJW0NkHmC5GrJhD0d9R/s1600/IMG_7946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL_w-4c32kRkIIcb63vjmHh9ffwDWAJH0vM-xMxjJSVDc_sHQcDA4KoD9ZtwzELP76_GBIAsCMyJKcWT3_HTbW7_JUU2VkTVkFTdANEsbJciFRCwyQyIh9jnc8DJW0NkHmC5GrJhD0d9R/s320/IMG_7946.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529944566915485330" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Plastic Bibs:</span> Don't waste your time with those cloth bibs. They end up with sweet potatoes, peas, blueberries and everything in between stained onto them. These come in a 2 pack at Wal-Mart for $5. I LOVE THEM!!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8STiUYW9FWPG0J2h9WyMGMu2pqT3V7lxXruc8MMytWj5rdmXq8UExpz2bSIo56-EyAkBVzyyEnmnViWKGXUHojO3hTFxkPV7AkOTI_OsBgFmIoJpq5ye4ScA8N3mkfr3AFpBX3OLy3d96/s1600/IMG_7965.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8STiUYW9FWPG0J2h9WyMGMu2pqT3V7lxXruc8MMytWj5rdmXq8UExpz2bSIo56-EyAkBVzyyEnmnViWKGXUHojO3hTFxkPV7AkOTI_OsBgFmIoJpq5ye4ScA8N3mkfr3AFpBX3OLy3d96/s320/IMG_7965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529952675822563234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">No Spill Snack Cup:</span> My little guy loves finger food, but I hate the mess. This cup is awesome. He puts his hand in and grabs his snacks and can be independent but it doesn't spill.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RX9QvsaJsgvCY7NHcxbeILE9uHZ-pBcKCA52PAui3q5bQ2mQcmSFv2nYC-Zvg2D25yElhlw6f9Hi-z-Qg_P-Y8lVJDcjYhHGtzO2XQ7ugn2IMmHhYtML0Xme6k8-Sjx9tUu_WNiAjA38/s1600/IMG_7964.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RX9QvsaJsgvCY7NHcxbeILE9uHZ-pBcKCA52PAui3q5bQ2mQcmSFv2nYC-Zvg2D25yElhlw6f9Hi-z-Qg_P-Y8lVJDcjYhHGtzO2XQ7ugn2IMmHhYtML0Xme6k8-Sjx9tUu_WNiAjA38/s320/IMG_7964.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529952659452271138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Formula Dispenser: </span>This is great. You pre-measure your formula into the 3 compartments and toss it into the diaper bag. When you need to make a bottle on the run, there's no measuring or spilling of formula.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XQ4efuThNvCKieytFSSv8XhU57idYfr-QhGKkb8pO5uynS5hQx0XXafTuZkE7xSE5OBeYdsCUKM6kvpauL7VBKYle73DAvDB4NVmvZZEwePR4E77gwySiuphfQxvXN08tkxitwY6JFqU/s1600/Hooded+Towel.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XQ4efuThNvCKieytFSSv8XhU57idYfr-QhGKkb8pO5uynS5hQx0XXafTuZkE7xSE5OBeYdsCUKM6kvpauL7VBKYle73DAvDB4NVmvZZEwePR4E77gwySiuphfQxvXN08tkxitwY6JFqU/s320/Hooded+Towel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529952656370014066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Hooded Towels: </span>I like this larger towel so much more than the tiny infant ones. This one is different than many I've seen. This one stays on while the others have to be wrapped around.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqFtuiaX4DpB1wenCRLk0oDuXpzcF0GDmmxv1wzr81BdNTtVupftZwXyE_uL6MA07p0tT4mfJ4-FPvQ3CsEnvSDFVZMeguFXrjJ0VrXjUpyo5al1oCexvJNH1wgEEjkrgSZy9dJbhGbPy/s1600/Carseat+Cover.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqFtuiaX4DpB1wenCRLk0oDuXpzcF0GDmmxv1wzr81BdNTtVupftZwXyE_uL6MA07p0tT4mfJ4-FPvQ3CsEnvSDFVZMeguFXrjJ0VrXjUpyo5al1oCexvJNH1wgEEjkrgSZy9dJbhGbPy/s1600/Carseat+Cover.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqFtuiaX4DpB1wenCRLk0oDuXpzcF0GDmmxv1wzr81BdNTtVupftZwXyE_uL6MA07p0tT4mfJ4-FPvQ3CsEnvSDFVZMeguFXrjJ0VrXjUpyo5al1oCexvJNH1wgEEjkrgSZy9dJbhGbPy/s320/Carseat+Cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529952658235642514" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Carseat Cover: </span>Living in a cold place, this is a MUST! Keeps baby nice and toasty all the time and is so convenient for taking baby in and out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzbPUEoupu95nK3W81mNWfZIEJnlsZYAum9X03sFHaPJ2utglUNaZYBLhEvo28PQN_rZfS9iofKwrtcGQt293N8HRDVC-FzmYA17fO7VhDLFgeR9_hrMtk5Rj2Ca0Qu0IX-NYjzKfDa60/s320/Bumbo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529952651961758962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzbPUEoupu95nK3W81mNWfZIEJnlsZYAum9X03sFHaPJ2utglUNaZYBLhEvo28PQN_rZfS9iofKwrtcGQt293N8HRDVC-FzmYA17fO7VhDLFgeR9_hrMtk5Rj2Ca0Qu0IX-NYjzKfDa60/s1600/Bumbo+2.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzbPUEoupu95nK3W81mNWfZIEJnlsZYAum9X03sFHaPJ2utglUNaZYBLhEvo28PQN_rZfS9iofKwrtcGQt293N8HRDVC-FzmYA17fO7VhDLFgeR9_hrMtk5Rj2Ca0Qu0IX-NYjzKfDa60/s1600/Bumbo+2.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzbPUEoupu95nK3W81mNWfZIEJnlsZYAum9X03sFHaPJ2utglUNaZYBLhEvo28PQN_rZfS9iofKwrtcGQt293N8HRDVC-FzmYA17fO7VhDLFgeR9_hrMtk5Rj2Ca0Qu0IX-NYjzKfDa60/s1600/Bumbo+2.jpg"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Bumbo: </span>I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THIS! My guy wanted to sit up and be a part of everything from the moment he was born. Once he could hold his head up, the Bumbo made my life so much easier. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIAZYxWf_XHEsrDdPJWQsqG2GLDtLLEvOcAN2Lc4Vq6CE6AWRQmXNdo8aDucTnBLdGhuK-qVEfr9NxnC85WLQnyWfisK2FQyn7RLaN1wB600AqDnNMn2d0CxlmO9Rp11lEFHj87nvob1D/s1600/IMG_7974.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIAZYxWf_XHEsrDdPJWQsqG2GLDtLLEvOcAN2Lc4Vq6CE6AWRQmXNdo8aDucTnBLdGhuK-qVEfr9NxnC85WLQnyWfisK2FQyn7RLaN1wB600AqDnNMn2d0CxlmO9Rp11lEFHj87nvob1D/s320/IMG_7974.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529955335847231170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Mylicon (Gas Relief) Drops: <span class="Apple-style-span">These have given me many more hours of peace! Baby often gets gassy and these calm his stomach so he can sleep.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV65qVqJWRJRlpF14A9ACQyqGLUnR1GhzGhvAQh6h1K5NIUC3vC4ClEGlioZSnU1OSjkxYC-JHiBDMw1igBQJtWz_ktoMakW41kd0Lw3PQxS1TYL5jMzLZEiahP2j_AK9KUHrC13P7yFh/s1600/IMG_7973.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV65qVqJWRJRlpF14A9ACQyqGLUnR1GhzGhvAQh6h1K5NIUC3vC4ClEGlioZSnU1OSjkxYC-JHiBDMw1igBQJtWz_ktoMakW41kd0Lw3PQxS1TYL5jMzLZEiahP2j_AK9KUHrC13P7yFh/s320/IMG_7973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529955329817503490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Nursing Pads: </span>This brand is my favorite. They are so inconvenient to open (because they're individually wrapped) but they are the most absorbent ones I found.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX7einq6uFxqPfAaCCBPbcB7cU4L8Z0j7_hrvjzrb8RjjqBzHw_KYuVtZy5ONA8lM4ZZs55naYnBGWzHrba-isXFmMENL3ozfuBOdxfuKlFz6C_-XvHP-NY-wkrheGp8ILyblqBavRKMH/s1600/IMG_7971.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX7einq6uFxqPfAaCCBPbcB7cU4L8Z0j7_hrvjzrb8RjjqBzHw_KYuVtZy5ONA8lM4ZZs55naYnBGWzHrba-isXFmMENL3ozfuBOdxfuKlFz6C_-XvHP-NY-wkrheGp8ILyblqBavRKMH/s320/IMG_7971.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529955325495440370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Diaper Rash Cream: </span>This is my favorite brand. It seems to heal rashes much quicker than any other brands.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGh8RsYTxa5Dcy30qjf8FmYOtL6MD4WuFQmftaFYGnvDz6UczBP59cjS-4y88cbvlLqYGwQTQM7KhLt62ktN8ghyphenhyphendqXZGIYxv6B_R3NIdCBcaMdBnR-z6JYzN_mv9AkEyDXgj4OHAXqKv/s1600/IMG_7968.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGh8RsYTxa5Dcy30qjf8FmYOtL6MD4WuFQmftaFYGnvDz6UczBP59cjS-4y88cbvlLqYGwQTQM7KhLt62ktN8ghyphenhyphendqXZGIYxv6B_R3NIdCBcaMdBnR-z6JYzN_mv9AkEyDXgj4OHAXqKv/s320/IMG_7968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529955321000897970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Lansinoh: </span>A LIFE SAVER! This is the only reason I was able to breastfeed at all. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQI06Tk3XWK_Y3GhIuEJ1rlB7lV4d6KBYNwxBt7oJT0BowNTXNd9rgn93aAuPWgsLoRSP7gRQhPouvCThsemQrmYPkNNRNTP3vDPIql-hFWOPK_cRWzCXp8dWoFbSBe__kYiQQxSAnogGI/s1600/IMG_7966.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQI06Tk3XWK_Y3GhIuEJ1rlB7lV4d6KBYNwxBt7oJT0BowNTXNd9rgn93aAuPWgsLoRSP7gRQhPouvCThsemQrmYPkNNRNTP3vDPIql-hFWOPK_cRWzCXp8dWoFbSBe__kYiQQxSAnogGI/s320/IMG_7966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529955316464483970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Book: </span>This is my favorite toy we got. Baby loves to look at the shapes and chew on the handle. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tg8PdalFW_sSFIl3zeRi6CijSYqfp64gK03QUSvW2VfCiu06avmzjtiBY3wPlH0ka8BRQyvVoPt6wIcsQizeVq5OuQIIfoZThfcX4T6jG2aCTJpOpN97fzGOW8o6o3bKV0aSct-DePjN/s1600/Mesh+Feeder.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tg8PdalFW_sSFIl3zeRi6CijSYqfp64gK03QUSvW2VfCiu06avmzjtiBY3wPlH0ka8BRQyvVoPt6wIcsQizeVq5OuQIIfoZThfcX4T6jG2aCTJpOpN97fzGOW8o6o3bKV0aSct-DePjN/s320/Mesh+Feeder.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529957402273814210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span">Mesh Feeder: </span>This is essential during teething (see my other post about that) and then helping baby be independent when feeding himself.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgISLs8FByKLN8dL1H3pKBToX2Bws9SAk8pU9OQOevyWSS-WoeczwNMaK0jQnYXEtiTdiiv-7-2M9YC6Ik0A5btQjAbttA9uONYl1jiPSPc0j1AxZuHyk_WulNX6eyBL6S5svQ-sGG-XRD/s1600/Jumparoo.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgISLs8FByKLN8dL1H3pKBToX2Bws9SAk8pU9OQOevyWSS-WoeczwNMaK0jQnYXEtiTdiiv-7-2M9YC6Ik0A5btQjAbttA9uONYl1jiPSPc0j1AxZuHyk_WulNX6eyBL6S5svQ-sGG-XRD/s320/Jumparoo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529957398234928530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Jumparoo: </span>This is baby's favorite toy. Until he got mobile, he would spend so long just jumping around. It helped him not get frustrated with the fact that he couldn't move around. Now that he crawls, he doesn't like it much.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnsvXw4XfykZ7jBtcJFmg-N0X6DOtLgNm8Lei-raslNxNlAhusFSRjiCG9LLrPE8YPaeWhJyxf4Bp25r8nfumVkxvujuFCCV_n5kiq4dGvd_wsoV1GH6atRJu9JdWedGF21XXlbgiktPW/s320/Sassy+Sacks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529958403241037170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 220px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Sassy Diaper Sacks: </span>I never thought I would use these, but I love them when I've visiting people or putting a dirty diaper in someone else's garbage. These come in a handy little dispenser too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIBLIlk4CEi03R5FxlokqQOp9TobUOGsJ7mjUd22h_JHWregzfNr3PMqMtNjYJ7FRy3li3rBie11TdC5eZnVHdErlnGgwOzYWc2n4nyCVkCJivUYnt3gPMN6oxxDaZOpSQlifiumFWKRD/s320/Dishwasher+Basket.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529959157977265042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 254px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Dishwasher Basket: </span>This is the easiest way to wash bottles and accessories. Even if you plan on breastfeeding, there are tons of little pieces you will need to wash and this is a great way to contain them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9BHR0QUYNG4_uSxCtbWo9UZMTww6WuPCjEnxsFH470hKDJZwbkIA_LrDDkt5jvF2yR42KUnuu6buuXQrrf3THnetEUnRQLKFNjrpYAdH9g9gBhl7_cX8J3bH3Wr5BmvtbXmnKo8IVZZD/s320/Ice+Cube+Trays.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529959974753628002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Ice Cube Trays: </span>for making homemade baby food. Go to </span></span></span><a href="http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm">http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/index.htm</a> for more info on making your own baby food.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPKEGkAeWTwShj7vE0ZdGHiqf_K1z6O4RsmiqYHqQekU6wEC6W3Vr6Tqw9kjyjl_2frRsrb4xwZYRNWIffqfOKQsBkCmRujzMrI4dreJa84Lddk4QwNecN8leXxpXnJj9Uc2MuA6EIrOl/s1600/Baby+Whisperer+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPKEGkAeWTwShj7vE0ZdGHiqf_K1z6O4RsmiqYHqQekU6wEC6W3Vr6Tqw9kjyjl_2frRsrb4xwZYRNWIffqfOKQsBkCmRujzMrI4dreJa84Lddk4QwNecN8leXxpXnJj9Uc2MuA6EIrOl/s320/Baby+Whisperer+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529960824893948418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 220px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXh5KxNmA-T2KilEtv4zKiEN_ySDek_c0egE7fl9yVlWmaOn2y3ykOSXFcaLvghxhEADZKfyp7E3pOWBUT_qrQMRmqDppNit4LJTlaW3VhHc8svWutOnnvZ7iBn1rhh6dRFwaBwidyH98/s1600/Baby+Whisperer.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXh5KxNmA-T2KilEtv4zKiEN_ySDek_c0egE7fl9yVlWmaOn2y3ykOSXFcaLvghxhEADZKfyp7E3pOWBUT_qrQMRmqDppNit4LJTlaW3VhHc8svWutOnnvZ7iBn1rhh6dRFwaBwidyH98/s320/Baby+Whisperer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529960826752421458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Baby Whisperer Books: </span>These are a great gift!! These books solved all my problems! I love her techniques and advice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlLOTU50NrmUgNabNah2bzVGyzEsohlBXiW4-wGVDVE8VmRGe7uO7fCoe5jndGNvkufHy9m91LVQTyT_MMb2Rm2B2vtWd5R7780fw8VB297-yP0QS-rcgDf1Ge3UJPHemuhysp2WXO9jt/s320/Udder+Cover.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529961982260097250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Udder Covers: </span>These are great for breastfeeding moms. They allow you to be discreet but the stiff top piece allows you to see your baby. Also, the udder covers website is always running a promotion. I got mine for shipping only ($8). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I usually pick out a few of these items and put them in a reusable canvas bin instead of using a gift bag. That way, the new mom has a great tote to put diapers, bibs, or other supplies in.</span></span></div>AngelsAmongUshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542748718391645851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-91582496096814383592010-09-19T12:51:00.000-07:002010-09-20T13:15:31.591-07:003 Biggest Baby Food RipoffsLet me begin by saying I think most jarred baby food is a ripoff. I understand that everyone doesn't have the time to buy fresh produce, cook it, puree it, and freeze it. However, there are some commercial baby food items that I don't think you should ever buy.<div><ol><li>Applesauce</li><li>Yogurt</li><li>Bananas</li></ol><div>Allow me to explain.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Applesauce- The applesauce in the baby jars is the EXACT same as the applesauce found in large jars in the grocery aisles. Here is the difference: </div><div>46 oz jar of regular applesauce- $1.50</div><div>4 oz jar of baby applesauce- $0.49 ( $5.75 for 46 oz)</div><div>One caution! Buy the no sugar added applesauce. It only contains apples, water, and absorbic acid. Other applesauce has added sugar that babies don't need. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yogurt- Baby yogurt is no different than the yogurt you get in the refrigerated dept. Here is the difference:</div><div>Let's crunch the numbers:</div><div>32 oz "adult" yogurt- $2.00</div><div>14 oz "baby" yogurt- $2.66 ($6.08 for 32 oz)</div><div><br /></div><div>Bananas- Ok, these are the BEST fruit to feed babies cause they're totally portable and all you have to do is peel and mash. That's not so hard right? No cooking needed!</div><div>Bananas run about $0.49 per pound. (Accounting for the fact that part of that is skin, let's say $0.75 per pound). </div><div>Jars are $0.49 for 4 oz ($1.96 per pound)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, that's my opinion on baby food. Do not waste your money on these ripoffs. If you want to learn to make other homemade baby foods (which I highly recommend), go to www.wholesomebabyfoods.com for more info!</div>AngelsAmongUshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542748718391645851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406912523597360444.post-53775170676779078492010-08-30T16:41:00.000-07:002010-08-30T17:10:44.651-07:00Teething Advice<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Don't you just love those days of screaming and drooling, then more screaming and drooling? My son has been teething since he was 2 1/2 months old! Tylenol? Nope, didn't work! Teething ring? Yeah right. My favorite tool has been a mesh feeder (see picture below). They are less than $5 at Wal-Mart. Put a cube of ice in it (that way it doesn't make a mess). My little guy will chew on it forever!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyq3Fz4Fd7TDtdfwDFo6LvEe5IrYmfpfw5w8iv_xXkEvjKLJ-7sTGHRtPI0RGI0rAOb2orGB3TWRnTITFE1r59hcB0J02e4DAyCes8k5X2bjhT0kyytg8-cqZ3XBIHDqo6i2FUDYoCj2W/s400/Mesh+feeder.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511359584243490338" /><div><br /></div>AngelsAmongUshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01542748718391645851noreply@blogger.com0