Pregnant, Baby's Moving & I Am Just Thankful

Sometimes things get in the way of the things we want to do.

Ha-ha I am not talking about my pregnancy!

I took this photo two days ago and I was all pregnant aglow and in a glorious mood and was going to write a beautifully written, inspiring post...but blogger or google or my computer was not responding and now I am not feeling well, cranky, am watching the kids from another room (I gotta get back there - they're annoying everyone back there!) and I am not in the mood I was in two days ago.

Still though, I am thankful for my love of my third pregnancy. I always thought I'd get tired of it or at least wouldn't have the same awe about it, but feeling the baby move the other day was still wondrous and miraculous.

We're so thankful for our babies and their health and we pray that we continue to be so generously blessed.

I am 17 weeks now, due March 19th. We'll be up to 3 March babies!

Love,
Amanda & Cubs

Avoid Fisher-Price and Other Recalls! Live Simply and Shop Smarter!

With all of these new recalls of baby products, it is to my complete relief that we live as simply as possible.

First, we save money by not buying every product out there. Babies grow up so fast that once you haul that truckload of baby things home, you are out there getting rid of them again when they start school, or sooner. I can name everything I own for my children because it is not that much.

Second, when we buy, we look at a baby product's moving and small parts and keep in mind that even if it's for our older child, what our younger one can do to it. Anything that moves, say the wheels of a toy car for our son, can come off and become a choking hazard for our daughter. Don't just buy it, but really look at it; if you can imagine something becoming detached, it might not be worthy of buying. We have a baby gym mat from which I removed one hanging duck because it's tail looked a tad too loose. Examine, imagine the worse, and don't let a company decide what it safe for your baby.

Lastly, when we get e-mails about all the recalls, we do not have to get rid of anything - we don't have it or I've already deemed it unsafe and stopped using it. I got second-hand an infant carrier and after obsessing whether or not my daughter had suffocated every two seconds, decided it was better not to use it. Now it has been recalled for that same reason.

So please parents, live more simply, shop smarter and when recall lists are released, breathe easier!

Love,
Amanda and Cubs

Rarer, Classic Character Halloween Costume Ideas

It's autumn, again. It's already below freezing at night and we're scrapin' off our car windows in the morning here in Alaska (well, not me; I watch from the window :) ) so we know winter is almost here. 

Although I know most people don't have that experience, especially my cousin who's melting in over 100 degree weather in San Diego, I still call it Autumn because that's what most people think it is now. But the winter and its holidays are approaching, and my first favorite is closing in faster than I realize: Halloween!

Most classic characters are easy to find: Tom and Jerry, Snoopy, Tweety Bird, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, etc. but a few of my favorites have been neglected. I managed to find some I miss and like a lot.

    ****Remember reading Charlie Brown comics on a lazy Sunday?  How about Dennis the Menace?

    ****How about tapping your shoes together repeating "There's no place like home?"

    ****Older folks might have enjoyed Felix the Cat? Was older correct, or should I have put more experienced? Even more experienced might get a kick out of Charlie Chaplin.

    ****I remember being encouraged to eat more spinach like Popeye (scroll down a bit for this one).

    ****I couldn't find one, but I really wish someone would make a Ziggy outfit - he was such a cute little guy.

    ****And don't forget about your dog's high aspirations.


Anyway, I'm still pondering what to dress up my little ones like. I like unusual, homemade costumes, so we'll see what I can come up with in the next few weeks here.

Love,
Amanda and Cubs

Making a Relationship Last: A Love Journal

My husband is a romantic guy, though I'm sure he wouldn't like everyone to know that. We've celebrated every year for the past ten years the day he asked me to be his girlfriend. He holds it more dear than our wedding day. It's sweet and he remembers when it is and how soon it's coming up better than I do!

He says that our love blossomed in those days. In the first couple months, that's when real love grows. And the wedding is the public celebration, not nearly as intimate as the details of "the beginning."

I love this CNN story on the 'Original Grandparents' and their 72-year (now 73!) marriage. Their beginning sounds so much like ours. He bought a ring and swore one day he'd buy me an expensive one. It was all so very high school student hopeful, excited, bright, etc. If you check out www.the-ogs.com, it's really very cute, their story and tips.

One thing we used to do is keep a love journal, and I think it was what brought us closer together during some difficult times. All couples struggle with keeping up communication and our love journal was one place we could write what we were feeling positively. If we had a happy moment with each other, a discovery about the other, or just a 'wow, I love you' moment, we'd jot it down and put it away. It was sweet because the next time I'd go into write something, I'd read his last entry and just beam the biggest smile.

We lost our love journal in our move back from Belgium but we haven't needed it as of late. It would have been nice to treasure, but now we keep baby journals of our parenting moments.

We've only been married six years, but I am so hopeful to make it to 73 years like the ogs!

Love, Amanda and Cubs

Busy Summer

We had a wonderful summer! In July, we flew to PA for a wedding and spontaneously ended up in Atlantic City. We slapped on our beach gear and had a great day...

Observing shells

Kinda cranky

 At the beginning of summer, we spend a lot of time strolling to the town park.

 

I love this stroller...too big for our car though :(

Slid down by herself at 14 months...way earlier than my cautious son!

She's very agile and brave...this thing spins

Elijah likes indoor technology fun with the iPhones

In the car, Monica sometimes doesn't like our choice of music...boogers

Anyway, I'll try to post more often now that we're at home, the sun is not out as long, and we are settling in for a long winter!

Love, 

Amanda and Cubs

Hey, I Have Fun with my Kids!

A clean house is definitely not a fun house.

And a perfect body is definitely one that has not had a lot of fun.

I've been down on myself over this and that, but I've realized that

Without this or that, I wouldn't have had the fun I've had with my kids!

The scar on my face is from Monica reaching up her little arm and scratching me.

If I wasn't breastfeeding or if I didn't cuddle her so much, it never would have happened.

My painful ankle wouldn't have happened if Jeremy and I weren't teaching the kids to play soccer

My various bumps and bruises wouldn't be there if I wasn't on the floor wrestling with my kids

Listening to them laugh so hard is complete bliss!

I'd definitely be skinnier if I didn't take bites of their food and spend time over special meals with them

I wouldn't have this itch on my knee if I didn't think it was important to take my son to the pool

And I wouldn't have such back pain if I didn't carry them as much as I do, but we love it

I probably would have less zits, wrinkles, sun spots if I did x, y, or z, but that takes away the good stuff

Of long days in the sun, laughing and probably getting germy kisses on my face but

All Worth It!

Because I Love My Kids!!!

Love, Amanda & Cubs

Addiction: They Just Can't Let Go (JK)

They're addicted.

It's sick.

They think about it when they wake up.
 

They track it down.

They find it.

 

They steal it.

They know how to use it.

It's a bad case of iPad addiction!

Love,
Amanda & Cubs

The Meaning of Monica

If you look up the name Monica, it does not give a definite meaning. It might mean to advise or solitary but they aren't sure.

You might find St. Monica or Monica Gellar from friends.

I think I've got a meaning though...

My Monica

Whimsical, sometimes to the point of being clumsy...(yes, she fell in that)

A bit shy at first, but she will warm up...

Knows how things gets done and just gets her hands dirty and does the job!

Is such a daddy's girl if there ever was one...

The most wonderful daughter there ever was...

Thank heaven for little girls!

Love,

Amanda & Cubs