Way Back Wednesday

A Few of My Favorite Things

Anyone who knows me knows I'm all about a good deal. My brother once asked me if I pay full price for anything and at that point my answer was yes, ink for my printer and gas. Now that's no longer true since I discovered Rapid Refill Ink and HyVee gas (daily discount plus an additional three cents a gallon if you pay cash).

However, in addition to getting a good deal, I also like to support the small businesses. I've already told you about a couple of those that I love (Sportraits LLC and Betsy Milder Photography) and I'm going to share another one today (be on the lookout for more in the future).

I found out about babysoftshoes on Craigslist (I foresee another post on this one day, lol). Myself and two of my co-workers placed an order with her on our morning break on a Friday for a total of five pairs of shoes I believe. One pair was already made, however, she still needed to make the other four. Less than 12 hours later I got an email from her that they were made, shipping label printed, etc. This was not a fluke either as the next order I placed was lightening fast also. She is very friendly and easy to work with, she has great prices, she's super quick, they actually stay on, and are one of a kind. I've had a crazy number of pregnant friends and relatives this year and all of them have/are getting a pair. I've given my gift (paired with a Sportraits newborn ornament) knowing it would not be a duplicate that would be returned.

Check out her website and tell her Shannon sent you :).

Shaun is modeling his monkey shoes above.

http://shop.babysoftshoes.com/

The Versatile Tutu - Thanks Aunt Jan

I saw a tutorial online to make a tuto and checked with Aunt Jan who said yes she could make it. Then I checked with Matt who was TOTALLY against it. The more he expressed his hatred for the idea, the more I wanted to do it, lol. He thought it was too girly, but I think since he has a tomboy for a daughter he can deal with the occasional girly stuff. My co-worker Kris hooked me up with the tulle at Hobby Lobby (where it was on sale and she gets an employee discount). One of the ones I saw online was hot pink and black and Katelyn has a long sleeve grey shirt that says I Love Soccer in hot pink and black. I can't wait until it is warm enough for Katelyn to wear the shirt and tutu. Tuesday at soccer it was FREEZING. Matt and I both had sore throats the next day. Shaun was in layer upon layer and then in a doubled up flannel blanket and slept the whole time. Both of the kids (Shaun and Katelyn) have multiple soccer outfits to wear to support their big brother :). We got a ton of compliments, mainly from other mommies on the tutu.





You can watch your big brother play soccer or jump on the trampoline in one.

In case you thought Shaun missed out (that's his head).

Soccer

I have no previous experience with soccer. I never played myself (wasn't offered back in those days at CCHS, lol), my nieces and nephews never played, etc. So this is a whole new experience for me and I'm loving it. We did swim lessons through Cedar Rapids Parks & Rec and are now doing soccer through them too. Their moto is "noncompetitive atmosphere, all soccer players are equal, and sportsmanship is encouraged". It's very hands on, more games to teach skills than drills, etc. Dalton is thriving in this environment and I was happy to see during the scrimmage last week he was always right where the ball was.

I also love the soccer ball Uncle Jay made :).

Favorite Foto Friday - Me

I've been reading Sarah's blog http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/ for years now and always thought I'd participate in Favorite Foto Friday if I ever got my own blog. However, I picked the worse week to start, lol, I'm the photographer, finding pictures of me (especially since I hate having mine taken) is not easy.

So I had to go back to our last professional family pictures with Besty. I figured since I was posting one of Betsy's pictures, I'd go one step further and tell you all how much I love Betsy's pictures and how you need to give her a call for your own pics. http://www.betsymilder.webs.com/ My co-worker Kris set us to take pictures at the Marriott. Picture an almost 8 year old, an almost 2 year old, a 13 day old, a dad who doesn't smile, and a mom who doesn't like her picture taken. Betsy was great working with us and obviously use to the choas as Katelyn running all over the Marriott (barefoot no less with her pants falling off), Dalton chasing her, and Shaun wanting to eat (and then peeing all over his clothes) didn't phase her. We can't wait to get them done again soon, but outside this time.



The "me" picture.

Apparently I didn't get the memo this pictures was the "serious" one.

I love how this looks like they're being all loving on each other when really Dalton was trying to keep her from running away, lol.

I love the way she's looking at him. She wanted nothing to do with him at the hospital, but ever since we got home she's been very attentive and protective of him.

Put em up, put em up.

One of the few moments she held still.

How do you get a picture of an almost 8 year old, almost 2 year old, and a 13 day old? Have the almost 8 year old put his hand on the almost 2 year olds head and on your count, pull her to you. Very creative and worked great :).


Is she giving him a kiss or mouth-to-mouth?


This so captures her personality.


A great picture of him where he's not making some weird face, something I can't get him to do.


One of my favorite pictures ever of him.

Here kitty, kitty

Dalton had his music concert on the 7th. I'm not sure who designed the parking lot at his school, but you can pretty much guarantee you won't find a spot in the parking lot and instead will end up parking four or more blocks away and walking. Since we live five to six blocks away, we decided to just walk up. We put Katelyn and Shaun in the double stroller and took off. Dalton was running ahead of us as he thinks we're too slow (maybe a little nervous energy too). He came running back at us and about the time I was wondering why, I saw a little dog who was not on a leash/chain "chasing" him. He ran behind Matt and I as the owner came around the corner and was hollering for the dog. Considering all of the animals he is around with his mom, I was a bit surprised this small dog would scare him. However, I about fell over laughing when Katelyn looked at the dog (she's usually terrified of dogs) and said here kitty kitty, here kitty kitty.

Mederma - Magic

Our first and only phone call from daycare of course came the day they decided to admit Shaun to the hospital. I was at work feeling helpless as there was nothing I could do until Matt and Shaun got down here when Debbie called to let me know that Katelyn fell when they went outside and had a cut just below her eye that was pretty deep and probably needed stitches. I called Matt and told him to turn around and go back and get Katelyn. Then I set to work figuring out short of the ER where we could take her at the U to get stitches saving us a $50 co-pay and a long day in the ER. Not sure if it was pity on me for the situation or just their excellent service, but General Peds fit Katelyn in that afternoon. Daddy took her down for her "stitches" that turned into just being glue while I waited with Shaun to be admitted. They then put a band aid on it and a big piece of tegaderm. We spent the next 24 hours saying no picking as she tried and tried to get that darn band aid and "tape" off. She HATES band aids. When she gets her immunizations she rips the band aids off about as fast as they put them on, she takes band aids off of me and Shaun too. Once she got the band aid and "tape" off we thought she would leave it alone, but we were wrong. She'd look right at us and say "no pick pick" as she picked it. Needless to say by Sunday I was calling the doctor to see what to do since she had picked the glue off. They said it was too late to reglue it and at this point just to keep it clean and free from infections and try to minimize scarring. I had a few people suggest Mederma to me so for the next week or so I alternated the Mederma and antibiotic ointment. Once the scab was gone and the risk of infection was over, I went to just using the Mederma. Needless to say, we now swear by this stuff. It says for fresh scars to use 3-4 times a day for 8 weeks. We're just barely at the 4 week mark and look at the difference.

Wordless Wednesday - 5 months

Hey, Hey We're the Monkeys

Before

After

I would like to say he got tired of me saying hey, hey we're the monkeys when I looked at him or asking him to flip his head so his hair was out of his eyes so I could see him when I talked to him, but I think it was actually the interview that FINALLY convinced him to get a haircut and the $7.99 Great Clips sale :). Sorry about the pictures (especially the after), but he didn't want his taken so I had to pass it off like I was really taking it of the kids, haha.

What Can Jay Do For You?

In case you've been living under a rock, I'd like to introduce you to one of the coolest, most original ideas I've seen in a long time http://www.sportraitsllc.com/. Mybrother has wanted to follow in our dad's footsteps of being an entrepreneur and has just been looking for the right business to do it with. He finally found that with Sportraits, LLC and his photo sports balls. I can't tell you how many jokes this lends itself too and how often we joke about Jay's balls. This business is of great interest to me in that I want to see my brother succeed and I like to take a few pictures, lol. My dad always says my kids may be afraid of thunder, but they'll never be afraid of lightening. Here are a few examples of his work and of his cute models :).

Pretty much anything you want, he can do. He also does fundraisers so if you know of a group looking to make some money, here is a great opportunity. Be sure and let him know I sent you.