Pinterest Cleaning Part 1

Pinterest is great, I don't care what anyone has to say about it.  I love it.  I have learned so much already.  Yes, I can google things but it's so great to get other people's opinions at the same time and sometimes from people I really trust, which I do not trust Google.

So, I have tried a couple recipes I found on there, Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread, which was DELICIOUS!  Super involved but delicious.  I also did a crock pot mac n cheese, it was pretty good.  A few days ago I tried the "Yellow Armpit Stain Remover" and with a little bit more effort than I hoped, it did help.  The shirt was not 100% white when done, but was a noticeable difference.  And these stains have been around for a while, so maybe if I had this a few months ago it would have worked perfectly.  AND my hydrogen peroxide was probably expired, so maybe if I had fresher stuff things would have worked more efficiently with less effort, so I will be using that one again.

Today, I tried the "Miracle Microfiber Cleaning Solution", which is basically spraying rubbing alcohol on it, scrubbing and that's well, about it.  I was a little skeptical at first, my couches and recliner are disgusting.  I had a manufacturer's warranty on them, including cleaning but I'm pretty sure it's expired and the cleaning stuff they sent me never worked, ever.  So I had pretty much given up.  And my carpet cleaner had an attachment, it claimed for furniture, but as the posting says water on microfiber, especially a lot of water is not a great idea, it can actually make a water mark.  So glad I didn't try that... 

So, I found all the rubbing alcohol we had and it wasn't much honestly, so I knew I'd only be able to do a small portion of something.  I picked the grossest part I could find.  Which, was our recliner.  Jeremy and I fight over it.  I think I actually bought it for him when I was a Sonic GM years ago but I love that chair.  I spent HOURS in it when I was nursing Zoe and will probably spend hours in it again with Kiwi.  I couldn't even begin to tell you the crap that is on this chair:

If I had to guess I would say soda, milk, water, tea, juice, possibly a little pee (not from me or Jeremy, duh), breast milk, who knows.  It's disgusting though, right?  I mean, how does it even get that bad (well mostly because I never clean it up as soon as I see it...).  So, I sprayed and wiped, well scrubbed and then did it again and probably a third time.  It was quite a bit of scrubbing but honestly after seeing the results it was so worth it...  I only had enough alcohol to do this front part of the seat as you can see right here, I was actually sad when I ran out, however the room did smell like rubbing alcohol for a while after that (you really have to saturate the fabric).  But the small spot I did resulted in THIS from my white cloth (HAS to be white):

That, my friend, is disgusting, for the small area I did!  Ewwwww!!  It even soaked through to the other side... 

Then, a few hours later, while I let it dry, which is actually dries pretty quickly, it's rubbing alcohol, it's the best part of it.  I actually did the yearly "file swap", which is such a long, drawn out process, but totally necessary and now I just have this huge piles of paperwork to shred, but I'm also glad it's done, it's one of my least favorite chores.  So, after a few hours, I looked over at my chair and was honestly shocked:

Can you believe it?  I'm cleaning my entire microfiber furniture as soon as I get some more rubbing alcohol.  Now I'm totally excited about doing more fun things I've learned on Pinterest.  I'm actually planning on making the homemade laundry detergent tomorrow and the homemade dryer sheets also.  (Which means I get to try to sew...haha).

New Year 2012

I guess I need to address the New Year.  Last year, obviously, I talked about my new journey to loss weight and just be healthier.  I gave myself a little over 5 months to loss 60 pounds (or as close to it as possible).  I fell very short of this goal BUT I did loss weight and that's the main point.   And had I not gotten pregnant I'm very confident I would have reached it at least by the end of the this last year.  However, now I'm pregnant, which I'm so happy about.  Last baby, last time putting my body through this, I know that sounds negative, but I don't really know what else to say about it.  I mean, my belly is being stretched to it's max, all my organs are being squished and kicked, my ciatic nerve freaks out on me, making my left leg go numb well pretty much whenever it wants, those sort of things.  Once I have this last baby I won't have to do that stuff again.  My doctor will only "allow" me to have one more csection (after this one), so IF a day comes that my sister would need a surogate we can bypass the tube tying and I can still help her out.  It's honestly the only way I'd have another baby after this one!

I have some ideas for goals for 2012.  With two little kids and a baby coming in March, I have to be a litttle liberal with myself as far as these goals go.  I can't expect to be able to do everything!  So I'm going to try to be optomistic but also keep a grasp on reality.

Having a csection means no exercising after baby for 8 - 10 weeks, and this time I really feel like I need to follow the doctors instructions.  I didn't exercise for a while after Zoe, well because she cried for 5 months straight, so there was no time, literally.  But I was told not to lift my son for 6 weeks, which I did, I was told not to drive for 2 weeks, lift laundry baskets for at least 2 weeks, climb stairs for at least 2 weeks and I did all of those pretty much a day or two after I got home from the hospital.  My step sons birthday was the day we got home from the hospital and between feedings (every 40 minutes) I made a huge pot of chili for his birthday, so yeah I wasn't very good at this listening to the doctor thing.  This time, I feel like, being my last time, I need to rest and take it easy and listen to the doctor so my body will heal REALLY well so I can put my body back in order.  I honestly think that my lack of listening is partially what caused my belly to be sooo bloated for a long time after Zoe and made it so much harder to loss the weight.   So, I think I need to take his advice seriously this time and really give my body the time to heal.  So that's sort of a goal, also I've gained 14 pounds so far, I have about 10 weeks left, I only want to gain 20 pounds, so.... gotta keep that in check!

Also, tomorrow is my last day drinking soda.  It just seems to be the right time for this.  I mean what if Zoe's colic was related to it?  I know it sounds far fetched, but it could be true.  And I cant' allow myself "one" soda a day, it just doesn't work for me.  It's like a smoker saying they'll only smoke one cigarette, eventually it'll become two, then more and more and more!  At least that's what happens with me.  I quit smoking cold turkey 7 1/2 years ago, so I'm just gonna quit cold turkey and move on.  It doesnt' mean I won't drink caffeine, as I'm planning on making tea and I do drink a cup of coffee here and there (drowned in creamer and sugar).   I just have to get rid of the soda, it's become gross to me, (although delicious), it's the habit that's gross, not the taste.

I also would like to get my little ones on a routine.  We have no routine, not AT ALL!  They go to bed whenever they want, sometimes 10/11 at night and then wake up whenever they want 9/10 the next morning.  Which, I do love the sleeping in, but there's no sleeping in after baby gets here.   And I'll need the other two in bed at a decent time so we can work on baby getting a night time routine.  So, we'll be working on that.  In the routine I'd like to incorporate some "school" stuff for Isaac.  He's so smart, well, they both are, so I'd like to get him better on his letters, numbers, ect, so when he does go to pre-school, hopefully next Fall, he doesn't feel like he can't do the same stuff as other kids who've been in pre-school.  He's so competitive, he'd lose it if someone could do it better than him. 

Also, I'd like to switch to mostly homemade cleaning products.  I do love my Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen spray!  So that might have to stay and I'm not doing it because I'm green or am worried about what my kids are being exposed to (even though I sort of am) the real reason is, I'm cheap!  And we're a single income family, so any dollar I can save, honestly the better!!!  I've actually started working on getting the "recipes" written out so I can put them in a recipe book and have them available (without opening my computer which always distracts me and then nothing gets done). 

The always missed Christmas Decoration

The title may seem a little misleading because I'll probably talk about more than this, however, I've never really cared about my titles...soooooo....!

I put away Christmas stuff today, honestly, I was over Christmas on Christmas Day.  I'm not a scrooge, or at least try not to be, but I was pretty exhausted this year.  However, today I finally got around to it.  As I was packing stuff away, the plan was to make sure all my stuff fit into the 3 Red Tubs I have.  Here's the deal, when putting things away I was counting my cloth napkins (which I got at a resale shop simply for my ladies Christmas dinner, but I'm glad I did) and I could only find seven, yeah seven.  Which means, somewhere is a green napkin laying around, awesome!  This happens every year, about a week after Christmas I find one straggling thing laying around that never made it into storage and honestly, I will not go downstairs, manuveur around our games, open the tub and then find a spot for it.  Last year it was a frog ornament.  I'm not even sure where it even came from, but it sat in my desk drawer the entire year, yup, this is why my life is at time chaos but the frog ornament did make it in the tubs this year.  Anyway, so this year I walked around the house like a million times (for sure) to make sure I had everything, and I'm pretty sure I got it, EXCEPT that stupid green napkin!!!!  Am I the only one that has this problem?  It's like the sock gnome that steals the socks out of the dryer (I get so excited when the entire load has matching socks), how does it even happen?  I put everything out, I know what's out and where I put it....HOW does it vanish just long enough for me to put everything else away?

THEN how in the world do you get all the ornaments back in the box/boxes they go in?  How am I supposed to remember what box it came out of?  My mom wrote on bags and tried to write on all ornaments and boxes, but even that doesn't always help!  "Mom, I do NOT remember which ornament I made for Dad in 1987.  NOR do I remember what ornament grandma got me in 1982."  I gave up on the bags today, it was like the worst mind game I've ever been a part of!  It's like a blind folded game of Tetrus.  I do not understand this phenenom.  Again, am I the only one with this issue?  Can't they put a picture of the ornament on the outside of the box?  That would make the most sense to me.  And if it doesn't come in a box, then what am I supposed to do?  I mean, at least I can just wrap it in bubble wrap or whatever and put it in a shoe box, but then I don't remember where I got it...  It's like a vicious cycle once a year that I think about even after the box is put away and I shouldn't care anymore.  Until next year when they stare me in the face, mocking me because they are still disorganized and confusing and I have no clue where some of them came from.....  Oh next Christmas I already want to punch you!  Oh and by the way, when we were putting the boxes in storage (which is a tiny space that is never fun to try to get around in) we found a small box of my mom's Christmas stuff, which means it did NOT all fit in 3 red tubs...and you can just assume that I didn't try, left my mom's box where it was....cause that's what I did! 

Oh man, upon re-reading I just had the greatest idea!  Maybe, okay, WAIT, WOAH, I need to remember myself for a second,  I already know this is an idea that I'll probably never do, but maybe someone else will... I could take pictures of all the ornaments, print those off (small photos) and write on the back of the photos where it came from.  THEN either tape it on the box (or slide it inside the box) or if it doesn't have a box then I could slide the photo inside a baggie along with bubble wrap or whatever... sound great, now, to follow through.  In 2012 I need more follow through I think!

Speaking of disorganized, Kiwi's room has become "shove everything in here I don't want to deal with and shut the door".  All the Christmas boxes were in there so I'm so glad that's out, but it's still the biggest, most disorganized mess and it's sort of freaking me out.  Today I'm only a little over 10 weeks from my scheduled c-section, at 39 weeks.  I've never carried longer than 38 weeks...so.... BUT I'm believing for the scheduled date, it's the date I want, so Kiwi and I have talked about it, baby is staying in there until that date!!!  So, upon realizing I only have 10 weeks left and we all know I'm only going to get even more ginormous and unmotivated and whatever, I really need to get on top of my "do before Kiwi gets here" list.  I haven't officially made the list, but it's in my mind right nowm but I will make a list, I love lists, the crossing off, it's like therapy.  First things first, I have to deal with the baby's room.  The time is going to fly, as it always does.  Funny thing, a friend of mine (Candice Davis) told me when I was near the end with Zoe, to make a to -do list and when I crossed off the last thing I'd have her.   It's honestly what happened.  The last thing on my list was to dust the fans and clean bugs out of light covers.  I did that Wednesday afternoon before church and that night at church I was in labor.   It could be coincidence, but I still think it's funny.

One more thing!  So the no 'pooing.  My hair is dry, I need to research this.  I've read olive oil, I DO NOT want to do this and I won't honestly.    It's really gets dried out about day 2 or 3 after I 'wash'.  So, IDK, I'll have to research this, maybe I just need to wash every 4 days or something.  About 2 weeks ago we had a lice episode at the house and it's the first time I've EVER had to deal with lice, so I shampooed with the Rid stuff, not because I personally had any lice but because I didn't want any!  I thought, better safe than sorry!  So I'm not sure if this has restarted the 'transition' period.  I also switched from white vinegar to apple cider vinegar.  I read on a few sites that's what they use, so I switched.  The smell is wayyyy more pungent, which is sort of grossing me out, but my hair still doesn't smell, it just stinks in the shower.  So, still working with this.  I like the curls coming back and I love not wasting money on shampoo/conditioner so I will keep at it.

And in a week or two I'm having myself a little "home made cleaner" party.  Starting with laundry stuff.  I'm kind of excited about it!!! 

That's it, hopefully the next couple days I will talk about 2012.  Since this started almost exactly a year ago...time to reflect and renew :)

Update on no 'pooing and whatever else I feel like talking about

I don't know if I'm at like 2 weeks or week 3.  But it seems like I'm still a little bit in the transition period of this 'no pooing'.  The first week didn't bother me at all.  Now it's this weird combination of 'is my hair greasy or dry'.  One minute it'll feel a little greasy the next it has soooo many fly aways and looks very dried out!  My hair is pulled back most of the time, and when it's down I can usually work it out so it doesn't look ridiculous.  I have used a little product on it, not shampoo or conditioner, but usually a little smoothing serum and I did spray it with leave in conditioner last week sometime and a few nights ago I used "curl booster", but nothing crazy, I've never used a lot of product in my hair, well once I got out of high school when aqua net was one of my best friends.  I definitely am still about this and am sticking with it.  My hair has definitely gotten some curl back.  I decided to go get a trim last night, it's been 6 months or so and the girl even noticed it was dried out.  She had no clue that I don't use shampoo/conditioner, so that's good!  Weird, that it's dried out, I was definitely expecting it to be greasy.  I don't know if it's the weather or my method, but I can fix dried out easier than greasy, so I'm going with it.

Here's a few things I have learned.  First, I really only "wash" every 5 days, this works for me, at least for the first few weeks.  I would recommend to REALLY try to last 5 days and just push through the transition period.  I still have the urge occasionally to shampoo/condition my hair, simply because of the lathering, the routine, the habit (more about habits at some point), but I'm excited to see how my hair will be in a few months, so I resist.  If you're trying to get body back in your hair:  There was a time months ago where I would only brush my hair before the shower, because I thought it helped with my curls.  Only to realize that when I had to brush it again in a few days I was ripping my hair out of my head, no matter how careful I was being.  So...if you're wanting your hair to get some natural wave/curl back I wouldn't recommend not combing your hair, instead just avoid putting it in a pony tail until it's totally dry.  And since I stay at home, pretty much all the time, my hair is always in a pony tail, it's hard to not do it, but I've been resisting.   And it's especially been hard not to considering this transition period, but I'm sticking it out..  Secondly (okay I realize that everything I said under "first" does not go together, I've never claimed to be a grammar specialist/or whatever), keep your mouth closed really tight when putting this stuff in your hair.  It's obviously going to be very runny, it's well a cup of water really.  As far as I tip my head back (and yes, I do currently have a double back neck, that really cute roll of fat in the back of my neck that when I throw my head back in laughter - or to wash it - shows up, and probably inhibits how far back my head will actually go, whatever) I still tend to get a little bit of stuff on my face and you'll taste it.  It's not exactly yummy.  Thirdly, DO NOT shave your legs BEFORE you do this.  The water/vinegar mixture will run down your freshly shaven legs and it will burn, badly!  So, just wait to shave until after you've washed.  I also wash my body last, just in case there's any smell of vinegar.  I have not noticed any greasy smell or dirty smell in my hair , my hair actually smells pleasant but I do plan on getting some essential oil and I've had my husband smell it multiple times and no vinegar smell either.  When I actually take the time to edit my photos (thanks Pinterest - I'm a new member) I will post pictures of my hair.  I think I should have one from each week.


I was at dinner Monday night with some ladies from church, it was a great night really.  And mentioned something about not shampooing anymore, which most people just ask about, no judgement.  My hair doesn't stink or look gross by any means.  But when I came home and told my husband that the subject came up he said "you probably shouldn't advertise that."  Does he know me at all???!!  I have no issues being an open book to my life, past, present or future.  I'm not ashamed of anything I've done in the past or choose to do now, I'm human!  I think what he was REALLY saying was "people already think you're weird, why give them anymore ammunition?"  And, well, that's probably true.


One of the biggest desires of my heart is to NEVER let a person in front of me at the grocery store pay for their groceries, or the person behind me in the drive thruchapstick my aunt makes, to buy like 100 from her and walk around with them and just randomly hand them out to people (obviously this will help my aunt too), to make the phone calls I say I will make, to open my doors when another mom needs a day out or a date with their husband, or any of those things.  To quit always talking about myself and actually start listening to people and asking questions.

At one point I thought how amazing it would be to collect the stories of my congregation at my church and make a book about it.  When someone had a prayer request, a need, a struggle, then we'd know who to send them through, someone who's been through the same thing.  Or just to be a book that will encourage someone that's going through anything at all.

That's it for today!  Yes, random, with no purpose, my English teacher would have NEVER accepted this paper :)

For my Friend And Soon to be First Time Mom

My good friend, Terrie, is soon to have her first baby.  She swears she knows nothing, I'm sure her instincts will kick in, but when she swears her husbands knows nothing, this I will believe.  However, I told her today I would blog about things a first time mom should know, I have no instructions but I do have stuff to say...

First, during pregnancy, no matter how organized you think you are, you probably aren't.  The "mom mush brain" starts during this time, you will forget every day things and it continues until your child is much older.  This is fine, you can always blame the "mom mush brain" for phone calls you forgot to make, mismatched socks or the baby picture you forgot to bring to the baby shower.  It's a great idea to try to be organized, but after baby gets here, you will rearrange things like 100 times, this is normal.

At the hospital, you "lose" things.  Whatever they open for you, you get to take home.  If you are only there 48 hours (normal delivery) you will probably not have as much luck at this, as I do, since I am there 72 hours, but by all means try, and the nurses know what you are doing, so they wont' judge you.  When they open the pack of diapers, pretend to change the baby's diaper every 15 minutes or so (instead shoving them into a diaper bag) and they will open a new pack of diapers for you, that you get to take home.  If they have to give your baby Tylenol for any means and they only use it once they are "supposed" to throw it in the trash, some nurse will wink at you and leave it on the table, others will throw it away just take it, it's totally fine.  You will also get these pads that are the biggest, non adult diaper pads you've ever seen, take them home, not only are they free, but they are also very absorbent and comfortable, and if you happen to go through like 25 in a day, they will bring you more.  The hospital issued pacifiers are the greatest, lose them, a lot, they will bring you new ones!  (Although my kids never took them anyway.)  You will also receive a free diaper bag (at least this is the case in most hospitals), it contains free sample, if you tell them you are nursing the formula sample is small, if you tell them you are formula feeding the sample is much bigger, if you want the bigger sample just tell them.  ALSO, hide it as soon as you get it, then if the nurse on the second shift notices you don't have one, you may be offered a second one.  Do not feel bad about taking it, formula DOES NOT cost $25/can to make this I promise you.  The diaper bag is not exactly useful, but you'll feel better by donating it to the local Goodwill or whatever, someone will use it.  Or you can use it as the 'back up' diaper bag you leave in the car, for those cicircumstances that you forgot the real diaper bag or the baby poops through two outfits, or you forgot to restock the diapers in the real one, etc.

During delivery, the nurses will teach you and coach you through everything you need to know.  There is NOTHING they haven't seen, seriously, nothing, and if you do gross stuff they will not even tell you it happened, they will move on, you will be none the wiser.  You will not see your doctor until like the baby is almost out, get to know your nurses, they will DEFINITELY get to know you in ways you never imagined.  When your water breaks (either on it's on or if they have to do it), it smells like Chlorine, I have no idea why, but I personally think it's because if gives a woman a sense of clean during a time that's very messy.   There are things that may happen that you never read about in books (for me, it was vomiting and shaking) however, again, the nurses have seen it, nothing you do or your body does will scare them or even really panic them.  They are the calmest people I've ever met on the planet.  By all means, ASK for the pain medicine every 3 hours, you get to push a button and be demanding and someone walks a cup of water and pain medicine to you, this will probably not happen at home, so take advantage.  Also, you have to follow your instincts (for example, I was told not to nurse my son until after his circumcision, the doctor was 3 hours late, by the time little man got out of surgery he was so insanely hungry he wouldn't latch again, my mothering instinct told me to feed him, the nurses told me not to, I wish I would have listened to my instincts).  The instincts apply to many things, use them they your greatest resource.

After baby gets here you will find out things that came easily before are no longer easy, if not down right impossible.  For me, it was mostly getting to places on time.  Now, I wasn't always good at that as it was, but now it's so much worse.  Even if you're not taking baby with you OR let's say you get totally organized (or so you think) the night before, something will happen.  The baby will poop everywhere, or decide to take 2 hours to drink 1 bottle of milk, when it normally takes them 20 minutes.  Or, the baby doesn't wake at 6:45 or before, like usual, and you have set your alarm for 6:45, I promise you those extra 15 minutes of sleep or so worth it to show up late.  I feel like if my kids don't wake me up, I have no reason to be out of bed yet.  If you had a clear car before baby, it will no longer be clean.  Maybe not at first, but soon, very soon, she will hold her own bottle, then decide to throw it, or she will need 17 toys at one time, only to watch them slowly fall off her lap onto the floor and you won't pick them up when you go inside because your hands are always full!  You will always be carrying at least one bag, if you are a purse carrier, you will be carrying two bags.  At first you will thank that you'll just carry your stuff in the diaper bag, this will not be as easy as you think and you will eventually carry two bags.  Then there's always a bottle in your hand for baby and maybe a bottle of water in your hand for yourself.  Not to mention keys, possibly a cell phone (because we KNOW those maternity pants that you still have to wear briefly after baby DO NOT have pockets that can carry anything other than a tic tac...yes ONE tic tac, not ONE container of tic tacs).  The car seat + the baby weighs probably 123982912 pounds, when you put baby in for the first time it's like this "awww, look how little she looks in that big car seat" then you have to carry it in and out of places and you think your child weighs that of an adult elephant.  And there is no easy way to carry those things, they are big, heavy and insanely awkward, you will use more wet or dirty carts that you ever thought, AND you will also park closer to cart corrals simply because it's faster and easier to put carts away.

Some hospitals require that you take these "classes", mine were conveniently located on a touch screen video that just came down from over my head, and I could lay in bed and watch them.  They might not be required, but I was there 5 days last time, and didn't have many visitors so...I watched them.  The nurses DO NOT think it's funny to laugh at the videos, they are apparently very serious, but I promise you it's also very funny.  Speaking of funny, the maconium (I totally spelled that wrong) poop is probably the funniest moment you'll ever have in your life.  I hope someone who finds poop as equally as funny as I do is there to enjoy this moment with you.  For me, with both children my sister was there and when I was changing a regular pee diaper and I pushed baby's legs back to put the new diaper under, that motion somehow squeezed the tiny little belly and the blackest (or purplest, I cannot decide which color it is) poop you've ever seen comes screaming out, luckily both times I've had the new diaper in place, but the whole thing was so funny!  IF you had a normal delivery, cross your legs, you may pee (not on purpose, those sort of things just happen now, this should be added to things that you thought were easy that are almost impossible now - holding your pee), if you've had a c-section, you need to brace your stomach with a soft pillow when you laugh, because it will hurt, and then it'll be so funny that it's hurting that you'll laugh even more or that might be the medicine, whatever. 

There will also come a moment at the hospital that you realize you are going to have to do this on your own.  This may be overwhelming, for me, it was beyond that.  I actually walked out to the nurses station in tears, they did not freak out, again, they've seen it all.  They helped me through, answered any questions I had but the thought of going home and doing it alone (yes, we have husbands, but we're the mom) was a little more than I could handle for a few moments.  These feelings are very normal, but if for some reason they linger longer than you feel is "normal" you should probably tell someone, but you are probably not nearly as neurotic as I am....

And finally, being a mom means, not panicking.  If you react, your child will react.  Which means if you over-react, so will your kid.  If you child wants to use your nasty flip flop as her teething ring, there is no harm in that.  If you decide not to make every person sanitize up to their elbows every time they touch your baby, that is fine.  If all those neat little contraptions that you bought for baby (or got as a gift) your baby never even touches, it's totally fine, there is nothing wrong with your kid, just blame the product. 

And when all else fails call your mom or hand baby to daddy and breathe!!!!

Let's try no 'pooing...

I probably shouldn't admit this, but let's be honest, I say A LOT of things I probably shouldn't.  But, I CANNOT be the only woman on Earth who gets like 5 really annoying, random hairs on my chin that are like coarse and disgusting and grow at random intervals and are never there at the same time and when you go to pluck them you can NEVER find them.  And when you pluck one, like 2 days later there's another one that's as long as your forearm.  How does this happen????

Here's something new.  I have decided to quit shampooing my hair, or as many people call it "No 'Pooing" and some of you probably think I'm doing it, just so I can say I'm not pooing, and as much as I LOVE saying it, it's not why I decided.  There are a few reasons.  Number one, I really do not like buying and paying for shampoo and conditioner, especially once I knew that all your doing it stripping your hair of it's natural oils and then putting some back in.  That doesn't even make sense.  It's like rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher (okay, it's not like that because I totally do that, but it might be like that for some people).  Or maybe it's like brushing your teeth before you get in the shower, just do it at the same time, geez (that's more like me).  So, upon reading this post written by a friend of a totally awesome friend, I thought hmmm...how interesting.  And, the idea of possibly getting back some of my curls is great too!  THEN, to be honest, which I try to always be, I only shampoo my hair twice a week as it is, MAYBE three times, if we're out of the house a lot.  I do love my hair, so whatever I can do to keep it healthy is good by me. 

The last time I used shamp/cond was last Wednesday, then on Sunday I rinsed my hair in the shower (other than that I just didn't get my hair wet when I showered) Then yesterday I actually "washed" my hair and it is GREAT!  Well, first, let me explain DO NOT make the baking soda/water mixture with cold water and then got into a hot shower and try to dump it on your head, that was really dumb.  But whatever, I did it.  I actually used 2 tablespoons of baking soda, versus 1 and I was sort of wanting a fizzy feeling or something, I guess we're all so used the "suds", but nothing really happened.  I "massaged" it into my scalp/hair.  Then rinsed, then did the 1 tablespoon vinegar with 1 cup of water (hot water from the shower this time) and dumped it on my hair, rinsed.  So, got out of the shower, combed through my hair and that was that.  My hair is actually really soft and not at all greasy and I made my best friend smell it, it doesnt' smell weird at all, it actually smelled sort of good.  So, hurray, week 1 a success!

I'm not by any means a "crunchy" mom, we buy LOTS of boxed foods, I drink a lot of soda and give my kid juice and koolaid, I don't think I even have anything "green" or even organic in my house.  And we only recycle aluminum, because they'll pay me for it, everything else goes in the trash, and I honestly feel no remorse for it.  My parents pretty much recycled everything, not because they cared about the environment, the only reason they recycled was because they refused to pay for trash pick up and so the recycled everything they could and burned what they couldn't.  Sounds reasonable to me.  One day I will get better, not for any other reason that I'm thrifty and if it'll help my kids in any way (body, mind, etc) I will gladly try it.  But, obviously, I'm slow to all things I do, so I will get around to it!

So, on a "healthy" note, I have officially decided to dump the soda at of January 1st.  Last year I started the diet, then some hot guy that lives with me and gave me a big ole rock like 8 1/2 years ago (okay, my husband) knocked me up (hurray!), so that came to an end after a poor showing of only 21 pounds in about 6 months.  But, whatever, I'm past it, next year is a brand new year with NO chances of getting pregnant!  My daughter was very colic, for about 5 months, it was pretty miserable, I honestly don't remember those 5 months much.  I drank 2 caffeinated sodas a day and then tried to stay off the caffeine as best as I could, but, I didn't sleep, so I really needed it.  So, I decided, what if by some freak chance Kiwi could possibly be addicted to caffeine or soda pre

You know, I kind of feel like writing about my dad, so I think I'll go do that.

Being a Mom..

There are so many things I had no idea about before I had kids. 

I'll get the most serious one out of the way:
Guilt/Judgement:  It'll generally start when your kid(s) is born.  A nurse, doctor, friend, family member will just simply question your choice of feeding, or if you're co-sleeping or not, if the coat goes under the car seat straps or over, if you're filing your kids nails or cutting them.  And the "harmless advice" will pretty much immediately feel like judgement or guilt.  Now, probably not all people are judging your parenting choices, but some people are and whether they are or not, as a parent, it will feel like judgement.  I don't know why, and maybe it is just me and I have bigger issues than I thought.  I never asked, or I simply didn't care, anyone to wash/sanitize their hands before holding my kids.  They are insanely healthy children, but maybe your kids are healthy too and you had people do that.  Hearing I'm having a 3rd section raises people eyebrows, like I CHOSE my first one, I promise you I tried to push that kid out of my woo-woo and it just wasn't happening and I did argue the 2nd one.  But it may not be the ideal choice or the perfect situation but it's the best for me, my baby and my body. 
The guilt/unassuming judgement will continue as your kids get older and sometimes will get worse.  If you're a Stay At Home Mom, you'll hear all sorts of judgment.  Some people will think you're husband is controlling, and some people will never understand why you don't have extra money to go out to eat or go the movies and then they'll question why you don't try to make extra money to do that sort of thing or they'll judge your husband for not making those resources available to you.  And I promise there is your own guilt for not financially contributing to the household, especially if money is tight.  People will assume your kids will be behind b/c they aren't in pre-school, they will think they lack social skills or wont' have friends, etc.  And if you do work outside the home you'll receive the same judgement and guilt.  Your kid is always sick b/c they go to day care, you only have 5 short years before kindergarten, your kid will prefer peers over parents.  UGH.  It's all whats best for you and your family, I tell myself that everyday but I also hear guilt whispering in my ear.  THEN when your kid is in school, to be a room mother or not to be a room mother, to be able to attend field trips, field days, etc, every decision will revolve around the noise in your head.  If you have kids in Middle School, don't even get my started, and ESPECIALLY if your kids are spread out in age, and you continue to have kids.  "You can't even focus on the kids you have, why are you making more?"  Or, you had to miss a concert, game or didn't get to help much on a homework project.  People will never understand why those things happened, they don't know you had a colic kid at home or a toddler who hates to be confined or nap time was more important for every one's sanity. And if you only have one kid people will judge that as well.  Most people will say that's not true and they don't judge and it's my own fault I turn it into guilt and that's fine, I take full responsibility for my emotions. Guilt is the evilest emotion as far as I'm concerned.  And I always tell myself "what other people think doesn't matter" and I put on this tough exterior like it doesn't bother me, but it really does.  Judgement can come in the most passive aggressive ways (a very good skill of mine by the way) or it can come with just a look.  Maybe I look too much into what people think but when you have kids all you want to do is do a good job and when there's not a lot of positive reinforcement, then I shall use guilt to fuel me.... (ok that was a little dramatic).  I have read some of my moms old journals and she also felt the guilt/judgement from being a mom, so I know I'm not alone, just maybe the most dramatic :)

One more point of seriousness:
Safety:  I had no clue that I'd think about the safety of my kids 24/7 and yes, I even mean when I'm sleeping.  Now, I'm not talking about them getting hurt like breaking an arm, which I don't want to happen.  But I do let my kids jump off furniture, ride bikes without helmets and run around outside without shoes on.  But they DO NOT go outside without an adult and I check the windows in our house at least once a week to make sure they are locked and I check all the doors every night to make sure they are locked and I WILL NOT let certain people watch my kids because I listen to my motherly instincts, regardless of who thinks it's personal.  The thought of one of my kids missing or getting abused makes me so sick to my stomach.  Thank God I know my kids are protected by angels and protected by God's grace and provision.  But I still think about it, constantly.

Now, onto the not so serious stuff that I never really knew about being a mom:

Stain Remover:  There is NO stain remover on the planet that gets out poop, tootsie roll, red koolaid and mac n cheese out of the same shirt at the same time.  And just when you think you've found one what works your kids will test it and it'll fail and you'll start searching for a new one!  We buy most of our kids clothes (well the little kids) at garage sales (and clearance racks - it's this single income thing) and it truly amazes me when I find clothes that aren't stained.  I wont' buy stained clothes and not ALL my kids clothes are stained but seeing an entire collection of kids clothes that are stain free, is amazing to me, and it gives me hope that one day I will find that magic fairy stain remover...

Books:  First, my own books, I have had the same 4 books that my sister let me borrow when I had Zoe almost 21 months ago.  I'm about 50 pages into two of those books, that is it.  I love reading, and yes, I have some attention issues, but I do love reading.  But that's not even what I'm talking about, it's my kids books.  Again, we buy most of our books at garage sales/resale shops and I'm floored by the books that have both covers and all there pages.  How does that happen?  We thought Isaac was the ultimate destroyer of things, but he's got nothing on Zoe when it comes to books.  She ADORES reading, even has to take a book to bed with her at night and is usually carrying around a book, but she is violent with them.  She can rip the cover off of a hard back book and rip an entire hard baby book in half in no time.  And let's not even get started on the subject of baby books.  We have a book called "Pudgy the Beaver" which I can't even get past the cover because it's so hilarious to me.  And the noises they try to spell out in a book will have you saying the most ridiculous things ever, but reading to your kids is good and fun.

Hygiene:  As a Stay at Home Mom, I spend 90% of my time within the 4 walls (ish) of my house.  Many days I only see and talk to the people in my immediate family and many weeks the only place I go is church, where I help my husband with Children's Church (more kids!).  So when I do get around adults I tend to dominate the conversation, it's a terrible habit.  But, why is there a reason to go beyond a pony tail?  And put on deodorant?  I rarely take a shower without at least one kid playing in the cabinets in the bathroom, usually eating lotion or deodorant.  Hygiene is a thing of the past after you have kids, especially when you have no where to go.

House Cleaning:  Now, I obviously have lots of time on my hands since I don't work out side the home and since that was a choice of mine I probably love cleaning.  I do spend time on facebook (cause I never talk to other adults, this is the only way I can), I write in a blog (not often and not always well) and I take online surveys (it's sometimes the only way I reward myself with prizes from the points and what not I accumulate doing them).  So, obviously, if I gave all that up (and yes, I often hear about it....) and the DVR I'd probably have a cleaner house AND carry a brick of resentment on my shoulder...no wait, not a brick, a boulder.  When I pick up the living room it takes my kids less than 10 minutes to destroy it all over again, and I have to do it all over again and repeating myself is one of my pet peeves.  The same goes with wiping the table where they eat.  I do not enjoy walking on crumbs (I actually detest this), or making food on dirty counters, or peeing in dirty toilets or tripping on toys.  But I do enjoy trying to be "Dawn" at some point in my day and not just wife, mother, maid, cook, etc.  And I much prefer to play with my kids other than clean.  And yes, sitting here writing this while Zoe sits on my lap and watches Team Umizoomi and points at (pokes) my eyes, nose and mouth 100 times and tells me what they are is playing with my kids.

Whining/Complaining:  At some point you will get so accustomed to your kids whining and complaining it almost seems fruitless to continually ask them to stop or even to discipline them for it.  But we all try.  And when your kids fight, you WANT to intervene, but you also know they have to work it out on their own.  The older the child doing the complaining/whining the more draining it is.  And when the whiner/complainer is an adult and you are a parent it will literally go in one ear and out the other, but, nontheless be as annoying and draining.  I had no idea how much whining/complaining literally, physically can hurt my ears.  (I PROMISE you what I'm saying here or in all of my blog posts is not whining/complaining and if you think it is, please quit reading..thank you.)

Poop/Food:  If "pooping while mom is eating" was a sport, my kids would hold Olympic Gold Titles in this.  During at least one of meals, at least one of my kids will poop and often both of them.  One needs a butt wiped on the toilet, one needs a diaper changed.  And I've actually helped my daughter 'birth' a poop when she was constipated, yes, disgusting, but it's what you do when your kids needs it, well, what moms do when her kids need it.  And whatever you are eating/drinking your kids will see as theirs and want to eat/drink it also.  My kids eat probably 10 - 15% of all my food and sometimes even more than that.

So, there's more, but that's what I have today.  I would just like to say that I absolutely adore and love my children, they are the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I was a 90's hippie that never wanted to get married or have kids and probably would have stayed stoned and stupid the rest of my life but I'm so glad that God never gave up on me and my life is completely different.  (Although I'm still sort of a 90s hippie, minus the stoned and stupid part).   My kids are truly amazing and weird and beautiful and healthy and I wouldn't change anything in the world for them.  They are exactly who I need in my life and bring pure joy to my life everyday.  They are 100% a miracle and a true blessing.