Preparing for a Little One Link Up

My friend Kaitlyn and I came up with a great idea that I absolutely love.

As you know, Kaitlyn is expecting her first child. This can be so overwhelming and I know that other first time moms probably feel the same. She has so many questions and would love to hear the opinions of moms who have already been through this a time or two before.

Because of this, we are hosting a weekly series to try and get some answers to some of the most common questions.

Here are the topics we still have for future weeks:


Friday, May 31: Cloth Diapers vs. Disposables

Friday, June 7: To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate

Friday, June 14: Tips For Quick Recovery After Labor

Friday, June 21: Struggling With Postpartum Depression

Friday, June 28: BabyWise vs. Attachment Parenting

Friday, July 5: What You Really Need In A Diaper Bag

Friday, July 12: Buying vs. Making Baby Food

Friday, July 19: Cord Blood Banking vs. Not Cord Blood Banking

Friday, July 26: Moving Baby To Solids: Ideas, Tips & Tricks

Friday, August 2: Shopping For A Little One: Favorite Stores & Shops

Friday, August 9: Introducing Your Child Into A Home With Older Siblings Or Pets

Friday, August 16: How To Stay Connected To Your Partner

Friday, August 23: Baby-Proofing Your Home

Friday, August 30: Baby-Proofing Your Marriage

So without further ado, let's get on with Week 9: Cloth Diapers vs. Disposables! 

Cloth Diapers vs Disposables:

When we had Noah 3 years ago cloth vs. disposables was an easy decision for me.  I knew I was going to do disposables hands down.  Cloth diapering was really getting popular and even though that was the case I didn't really feel like cloth was for me.

A lot of my friends were doing them and still do and yes I do believe you save money but not nearly as much as what they try to advertise.  Some people have used  them successfully for multiple children and I know some people have chosen to buy new for their second children because they just couldn't get the smell out of their old ones.  Another thing to think about it most cloth diapers have a certain weight they will fit, I have known multiple momma's who have either had to do disposables in the beginning until their cloth fit or buy a whole other set to fit their newborn.  That's an added expense for sure on top of the normal starting cloth diaper set.  Also not figured in on the price is the cost of extra laundry and special laundry detergent, it's not huge but it's added money onto your original investment.

Over the last year and  a half I have really done a lot of research as far as the products used in our home and have really been a lot pickier when it comes to what we use.  If I was just starting out with kids now I probably would be doing research on disposables to find out if everything I read about them is true and that may of swayed my cloth vs disposables decision but I can't say for sure.  Carson will be 2 in August and we will be potty training soon so it's too late now I'm not changing.

But since we went with disposables, here are a few tips that can help save money in the diaper years.

1)  Try out the different brands.  We tried a few different ones and always went back to Pampers.  Hands down I feel Pampers Swaddlers are the best for newborns but once they are out of the newborn stage, try some of the cheaper diapers or off brand ones and see if they work well for you.  Every baby is different and sometimes certain brands just don't work so be careful if you are stocking up beforehand and make sure you can return / exchange them from where you are getting  them if they don't work.

2)  Sign up for Amazon mom.  When I first had Noah Amazon mom was free and you received 30% off diapers if you set up a monthly subscription for them.  It was awesome, I did it for diapers and wipes and it helped us save a ton.  Sometime,  before Carson was born I remember the rules changing to not quite as awesome of a deal but still a good one.  Now you can get a free 3 month amazon mom membership and receive 20% diapers and wipes but after that to get the discount you have to have Amazon Prime which is a $79 /year membership.  We did the math and it was still worth it to pay the fee and get the discounts when we had 2 in diapers. Now that we don't go through that many it's not quite as much of a savings.  However we also order a ton off of amazon so the free 2 day shipping perk is great along with tons of free unlimited TV and movies we can stream through our Ipad or our Xbox.  The stuff they have to watch is a lot like Netflix just not quite as good.  So that is an option for you to look into, even if you don't do the amazon prime, at least do the 3 months, buy some extra diapers during your trial and then call it quits.


3)  If you buy diapers/ wipes in the store always look online for coupons first.  There are quite a few out there especially if you aren't brand loyal and could buy whatever the coupon if for.

4) Before I knew about and signed up with Amazon with Noah 3 years ago  I went online a lot and  would buy a lot of coupons on Ebay.  You can't actually sell coupons on Ebay so you are paying for someone's time to clip and list  them.  You may pay a few dollars for the coupons but can save a lot more if you use them all.  It always worked out well for me doing that.

Remember there isn't a wrong decision when it comes to cloth vs. disposables.   You and your partner talk it over and decide what is best for you,  your baby, your lifestyle, and your finances.  You aren't a bad mommy to do either one.   The decision is yours!

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My First Tabata

I don't know about you but I keep hearing all these new workout and fitness terms and have had no clue what most of them are.  I started doing some research on the newer ones and most recently really started hearing about Tabata.  Since I am one of those weird people that really do enjoy working out I thought I would give a Tabata workout a try.  My husband is still out of town so after the boys have gone to bed the last few days it's been really quiet around here.

If you haven't heard of Tabata or have and aren't sure what it is, here is the jist.

Tabata is a type of HIIT training.  HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training.
I have fallen in love with HIIT training from doing Turbo Fire.  I never really got into all the other workouts in the problem but have done the HIT's a lot.  HIIT's are great because you burn not only a lot of calories during your workout but after as well.  Shorter workout, burn more calories, YES please!

What makes a HIIT a Tabata workout is that you do 20 seconds of intense workout with 10 seconds rest in a four minute round.

I found this awesome article on Fit Sugar and it even gives you a free printable workout, and multiple free Tabata workouts to do in your home without ANY equipment.  So the other night I simply decided to get up off the couch and try one.  The one I did was 10 minutes ( it was #2 on the list I have linked above).   I figured I have been running, I do lots of cardio,  I got this.

I'm not going to lie,  I feel like I'm semi-fit but this was challenging.  It was short but I was SWEATY and hard up for breath.  However I still loved it.  I love pushing myself and reaching new goals.  I'm definitely going to be doing these more often.   I think  I will do the same workout I did some more until I feel better about my quality of the moves then will after my race will move into some of the longer Tabata workouts by adding more rounds.

Have you tried Tabata?
If so what do you think Love or Hate?

If you are wanting to get into a workout regimen and are hard up for time, I highly suggest you try adding something like this into your day because it's quick, you can do as many rounds as you want, and they can be done anywhere.

ABC's of Thankfulness

Saw this post on Simple Clarke today and needed this today.  So here goes my ABC's of Thankfulness.

A  Air conditioning ( stole this one but so true) 

B Blankets.  

C  Carson,, my baby

D  Dots... My Candy weakness

E  Experiences.  Thankful for all the things we have been able to do already in our young married life and with out kids.

F  Family... I have a ton and thankful for everyone of them

G Genesis Pure Changed my daily life

H House... Blessed to have a beautiful one

I Income-  We both have jobs

J  Jesus.. Undescribeable 

K Kids-  Can't imagine my life without them

L  Laughter... Makes my heart full hearing my boys

M  Matthew, my hubby

N  Noah, my first 

O  Others in my life.  We have great friends

P Phone-  I remember days without cell phone but wouldn't want to go back

Q Quiet time... Ahh love it

R Rest.   I love sleep

S Sehy and Jones, where my hubby practices.  His dream came true

T  Toys, what would we do all day without them?

U USA- We are blessed beyond compare here.  Period.

V Vehicles... Can't imagine life without one 

W Water-  My husband is in Honduras right now on a mission trip where some places don't have running water. 

X, Y, Z

Couldn't think of any for these so here are some extra of other ones

Cuddles, prayer, my senses ( hearing, sight, taste) and our safety and health

What are you thankful for?  

Want to make a list, head over to Simply Clarke and Link Up

Truth Behind the Photo

Aww, look at this sweet photo of my precious boys.  They are both smiling, happy, getting along so well.

They were in that moment.  That is true.  

But do you ever take photos like this, plast them all over your social media like this is the appropriate depiction of your day or something you did?

 I know I'm guilty.  

Then because of pictures like this that everyone else posts I'm feeling bad maybe because I didn't take my kids to the park that day or because I'm wishing my kids would get along better like other's I see. 

Well let me tell you about the park.  While most of our time spent there was happy.  Noah thinks he is boss over all the park and was bossing around the other kids telling them what they could and couldn't do.  He wouldn't stop and it was getting on my nerves.  Then every time Carson was about to go down a slide or do something he would jump in front of him or push him aside so he could go first. 

He kept calling the other kids poopy and wouldn't stop with that either.

Then he hit my last nerve and really shoved Carson and he almost fell backwards down some steps.  I told him we were leaving because he wasn't being nice.

Of course he didn't go willingly so I carried his little butt to the car while he kicked and screamed.  I used all my might to get him buckled in his seat while he is still screaming bloody murder for all to hear.  

Next I had to go get Carson who wasn't in trouble but had to leave anyway and started the screaming process all over again and had to work to get him in.

Then I put myself in the car, tried to get my breathe back, turned on the ac, to combat the sweat and then drove away with the little dignity that I felt I had left.  

That picture doesn't tell you that now does it?

I don't know about you but if I'm being honest  I kind of delight in hearing other people's stories like this.  I like to know I'm not alone in the struggles of mommyhood.  I like to know my kids aren't the only ones that aren't perfect.  

I've been thinking of hosting a link up called the Truth Behind the Photo and would love to see and hear your  behind the scenes stories about your photos.  

So here is my next question, if you blog would you join in?

Linking up here today!

Palmolive® Soft Touch Review

A few weeks ago I received my first Influenster items to try out and review.  I was excited, free products and coupons-  Sure would love to try them and give my honest opinion.

I received 2 bottles of the new Palmolive Soft Touch Dish Soap.  The pink is infused with Vitamin E and the tan is Cocoa butter.  The first thing I noticed was that they both smell wonderful. Most of the current products in our house are all unscented.

 A little over a year ago I started looking for healthier options for a lot of the products in our home and started selling Norwex.  It was at that same time I switched over to mostly all Norwex products so I haven't bought any dish soap from the stores in a long time.  Since I received them though I did give them a try.  I used the pink which is the Vitamin E and have washed a full batches of dishes with them.   They cleaned as well as any other dish soap, and filled my kitchen with a wonderful scent.  I was also really surprised these did leave my hands feeling very soft.  They actually felt smoother after I washed dishes which was crazy to me.  If you buy dish soap at the store and usually use Palmolive, Dawn or any other brand  I suggest you give Palmolive Soft Touch a try.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

My First Vox Box

Saturday I received my first Influenster Vox Box and was beyond excited.  I knew that some were shipped out so I was hoping I was in that batch and had been watching for it all week.  Of course as soon as I saw it I opened it like right in my drive way using my keys to cut the tape.  Unfortunately, it wasn't really a surprise because I seen some other people's pictures and had seen some promos of what was in it so I pretty much already knew but still was anxious to see my own.

Here are the items I received.

Secret Outlast Clear Gel Deodorant-  No white marks and has 48 hour odor  and wetness protection.  I actually had been meaning to try a new one for awhile now.
My Thoughts:   I feel like after you have been using the same one for awhile it starts to be less effective and sometime when I run I sweat like a man.   So far I have been impressed in the few short days I've had it.  I love that it's clean and seems to work great!

NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm-  little color, shine and moisture in one single swipe.  Unique apple-shaped core is filled with Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Avocado Oil to give lips a healthy, irresistible look.
My Thoughts:  I would really like it I think if the color was a little more subtle.  This gloss made my lips a little too pink but that tends to happen with a lot of products.  Loved the shine and the way it made my lips feel.  I will use it a few more times and maybe will get used to the color.  I never wear anything really on my lips so that's a hard comparison for me.  The price is also good for a lip product at 2.99 too so it's something I would purchase if  I wanted to continue using it.

Broadway Nails ImPRESS Press-on Manicure-  Features advanced nail technology, so you can get a salon-perfect manicure in seconds- simple peel off, press-on, and you're done.  There's no drying, a killer-shine and a manicure that lasts up to a week.
My Thoughts: Great idea and now  that I have nails I would probably like this product.  It seems easy and they have some good color options. The particular one I received I don't like but looked online and there are 36 options and some were ones I would see myself using.

Osis Dust It is a multi purpose mattifying powder that dds incredible root lift, texture and control.
My Thoughts:  I was probably most excited to try this particular product.  It basically is another type of powder to help give your hair some lift and use it as a styling tool.  Osis really  helped my hair have some more volume at the scalp and it's easy to use.  I don't normally use product in my hair so the texture and the feeling it give my hair is something I will have to get used to.  I'm going to continue to try this product and see if it becomes something I use long term.

Tastykake Kandy Bar Kakes are light and fluffy chocolate enrobed cakes with a delicious creme filling in a unique kandy bar shape.  Available in S'Mores, Peppermint and Peanut Butter.
My Thoughts:  1)  I don't need any more junk food things I like and keep seeing these around and been tempted to try but haven't.  However since I got them in the mail now I "had " to try them right?  Well  I did.....And I was actually glad I didn't love them.  They are good but not my favorite and this girl loves her some Reeses anything.  Not sure what it was,  I think the cake was a little different and the middle peanut butter seemed odd.  The outside coating was delicious,  I found myself peeling it off in large pieces, that was good!  Sorry Tastykake  I don't think these will become a regular purchase.

Thank you Influenster for selecting me for the May Vox Box.

If you don't know what Influenster is and want to check it out, head over here.


"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Today is Matthew and I's 7th Anniversary!

I seriously cannot believe it has already been 7 years, that just makes me sound old.

I will save you the mush but thought I would take a trek down memory lane and share some pictures from our years together!  

Our Engagement Photo

Wedding Day 2006

My First Mission trip to Honduras, Matthew went almost every year when he was younger.  He has always had a passion for missions.  This picture was the year of our first anniversary, we were actually there for it and 6 years later he is there again on our anniversary.  It has been a long time since he has got to go and I'm glad he got the chance to do it again!

My long hair, haven't seen that in a long time!

San Diego Early 2009

Florida Late 2009   Our Babymoom

Grand Cayman -  A stop on our cruise in 2009.  I was pregnant here but didn't find out until we got back.  Someday we will make it back there, so far that has been our favorite place we have been

Our Family of 3 in Tybee Island 2010 

Noah was about 5 months

Our family grew to 4 in 2011

The tired looks on our faces.  Challenging year!

Summer 2012

Family Pictures 2012

Disney April 2013

We don't have any pictures of just the 2 of us anymore.  It's always pictures of the boys.  We should work on that!

Happy Anniversary to us!

The Week Before

I cannot believe I will be joining around 30,000 other runners next Sunday for the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.  I've never been a runner but magically became one this spring.  I ran a few times in January, then started working on it from February on.  I can't believe I have worked up to 11 miles in the last 12 weeks and am about to break that by doing 13.1 on Sunday.

My emotions are everywhere.  I watched a marathon video this morning and cried.  Running is a challenge.
It's a mind game.  My mind always wants to quit before my body.
My first few miles are a challenge every time I start hitting the pavement.  I usually want to stop because starting those first few is hard.

 Then I usually find my groove around mile 3 or 4.  Each week I haven't given up and have met all of my goals thus far.

Each Wednesday I do my "long runs" and they have been increasing by 1 mile each week for awhile now.

Each week I felt like I was about to my max, but the next week I have made it one farther.

Next Sunday I will be running 2 miles farther than I ever have.

That makes me nervous but so excited to cross that finish line.  I know I can and will do it!

I know I'm about to feel a runner's high like I have never felt running in the midst of thousands of people and seeing the 60,000 spectators that come to watch.  

That moment is going to be emotional.  I'm also sad that when I cross that finish line my hubby won't be there to see it.  He is flying home from Honduras that day so I most likely won't even be able to talk to him until later in the day.  I already decided if I do another it will be closer to home so that  I can have someone there waiting for me.

I'm hoping I will not only have pictures to share afterwards but an awesome race time to share as well.  My last few runs my pace has been increasing so I'm hoping that's it's just a bad week and I can get it back down for the race.  I really want that time under 2 hours, but trying to tell myself 2:15 will be okay as well!

Thursday, my mom, sisters and I will be flying out to have a few days of vacation before the race.  Since I'm a single mom all week while Matthew is gone  I know I am going to be ready for some time away and  am so looking forward to spending some quality time with just us girls!  We are going to have a blast!

Wish us luck!