DIY Laundry Detergent

This is hopefully the first of several posts about things we've changed over to making in our house.  I'll have more explanation of the why coming up but for now, here is the laundry detergent we've been using:

1/2 cup grated soap (my current favorite is dove basics, plus I already had it!)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soap
~1/2 cup of oxi-clean (this isn't necessary, i just had it in my laundry room and added it)

Grate the soap up, I've seen several people use food processors, but we don't have one so I use the box grater.

Mix all together and use 2-4T per load.   It is a huge help if you have a super cute helper to mix, plus a bunny for good measure.

*Note 1/2 cup of soap works out to be about 1/2 bar of soap, so I've been doubling the recipe so I don't have a 1/2 bar of soap laying around.

We've been using this for about a month now and are loving it.  Everything is getting clean and I'm not spending a fortune on laundry detergent (I couldn't coupon it as cheap as this is thusfar).  I've seen several recipes for liquid detergent, but we've had problems with it spilling on our floor (ever tried to clean that up? It is slippery for MONTHS!), so we stick with the dry stuff. 

The other DIY recipes we've done that will hopefully be up soon: baby shampoo, homemade lotion, a few recipe basics, foaming hand soap, facial cleanser.

Recipes I want to try: sunscreen, bug spray, not sure what else. The more I make the more I want to make!

Baby #3, Weeks 6-19

Oh Baby baby baby, you have been quite the experience!  I guess I haven't done any updates on this pregnancy mainly because I've been pretty sick so here's my recap (mainly for my memory).

I found out I was pregnant on a Thursday night I think, and I was so shocked I laid on the floor for about 4 hours, I don't think I could physically get up.  Literally face down on our floor in a full body sweat...for hours.  Not because I wasn't happy or thankful, but I was so completely shocked and overwhelmed I didn't know what else to do.  We knew we wanted more kids and we were thinking probably when Ruthie went to kindergarten, hah!  I think the week prior I had said multiple times to Joel how I couldn't believe how much easier things with the girls had gotten lately....should've known!

After I got myself up off the floor (by the way this entire time Joel was beyond excited, constantly telling me how great this was and how excited he was and on and on.  All while I continued to lay on the floor in a full body sweat), and the shock wore off the excitement started.  And shortly thereafter, the sickness started.

I think it was exactly week 7 where the throwing up started and the just feeling completely awful.  We were so happy to have Aunt Jessica and Uncle Tim with us the week of Christmas and I'm not sure if I got up off the couch the entire time.  I was so thankful to have the extra hands and attention for the girls.

I honestly believed I would get a break on the sickness this time.  It just seemed like since we had a 1 and 2 year old to care for, that would happen and also if I thought it would be great, it would be.  Power of positive thinking, right? Totally wrong.  This has definitely been the toughest, sickest pregnancy yet.  I'm not posting all this to complain or have a pity party, I'm posting it so that when I come back and have forgotten all this it is written down to jar my memory!

I thought by week 12 I would be done, but it continued, then I thought by week 16 it would definitely be done (thats how long it lasted with Ruthie), but it continued, and I continued to throw up and throw up.  Finally at our 18+ week ultrasound visit the doctor put me on Zofran and I am on day five of no throwing up!  I still have moments of feeling yucky but not throwing up is incredibly freeing.  We're to the point now where both my girls make really good throwing up noises.

Onto the good part, at week 18.5 I've gained about 15 pounds.  The crazy thing about this sickness is that eating (horribly) makes me feel better.  If I can scarf down a bacon covered pizza, I stop throwing up for a while.  So, despite the sickness I've got no problem gaining weight!  It could be a problem now that I'm not throwing up!

I've looked pregnant from about the moment I found out which I expected since I've been pregnant pretty much since 2009!  I don't have any pictures thusfar I don't think!

Gender:  This house is all girls!  We found out last week and I've thought girl from the start and would've been shocked if it were a boy.  We're pretty well set for a girl so that makes it easier!

Movement:
Not really.  The placenta is again in between the baby and my stomach (I'm convinced its for the baby's protection), so over the past few days I've had a few hints of movement, but nothing like i expected for my third baby (I still can't believe that).  I'm getting so big that I'm sure we'll both feel her move soon.

Maternity Clothes:
Oh yeah, from about week 8.  I'm not even trying to pretend like I can fit into my regular clothes this time.  My hips shifted early, and that was it.

Stretch marks:
Not yet, but if I keep eating like this I'm thinking I might make up for the last two pregnancy's.

Best Moment thus far:
The past 5 days of not throwing up.  Hands down.  So wonderful.

Food Cravings:
Pizza, Chinese, fries.  Whatever is awful and will make me stop puking.  I'm hoping it changes to a little bit healthier things very very soon.

Belly Button:
Still in, but man does it hurt.

Wedding Rings:
On

What I'm looking forward to:
Energy.  Where is this second trimester feeling great???  At our appt. last week the doctor told me that usually when people have 3 babies back to back, the third one is really hard, and generally you have a short time of feeling good, then at 35 weeks it all goes downhill.  She had three babies in 3.5 years so it was also her experience.

Other:
Heartburn came rapidly pretty much exactly when I started taking the zofran.  I haven't heard of that being a side effect at all, so it may just be coincidence, needless to say the tums are on the countertop.  

Also at our appointment last week the doctor read our file, asked where we lived in relation to the hospital, and looked at Joel and said "do you know how to deliver a baby?"  Half joking, half not.  We laughed and he said that he'd rather not.  After discussing how quickly the baby's have come thusfar and where we live, she thinks we should schedule to have her exactly at 39 weeks.  That doesn't mean a typical induction, but pretty much just like Lainie, where I go in, they break my water and if all goes as it has in the past, I have a baby pretty fast.  No pitocin or drugs (other than the epidural), just more controlled. We are completely on board with this plan as of now.  Of course, I know anything can happen or change, but if there is a way to avoid Joel delivering our baby, or her coming in the car, or Joel missing it entirely, I've rather take that route. My sister tried to have her baby in the car and I don't think she'd do it again!  We'll see.  It was really nice and reassuring to have our doctor know our history, take me seriously, also have had 3 babies in 3 years, and feel comfortable with her.

I think thats the update for now, this was really long and wordy and I feel like was complaining.  Not my intention, but I want to remember honestly what happened.  Time is flying, like usual!

My Little Lainie Months 12-16.5

As with Ruthie, I had all intentions of doing a 12-15 month post, but here we are at almost 16.5 months and here is her update!

Size:
This size is actually more at 15 months from her doctors appointment.
Height: 32 1/4" (91%).  I actually think this one is pretty accurate, despite the way they measure them.

Weight: 24lbs 4oz (72%). 

Comparatively, at this age Ruthie was 31" and 23lbs.

She wears size 4 diapers and is in 24month/2T clothes. There are a few 18 month things we can squeeze her into, but for the most part I get her clothes from Ruthie's clothes pile.  I think by summer they'll be in the same size clothes all the time.

Sleep:
Lainie is an awesome sleeper, something I never thought I'd say a year ago.  She is the easiest baby ever to put down, which took a lot of work but now we're incredibly thankful for.  She naps from about 9am-10:30, and 1pm-3:30 ish.

Nighttime sleep, she goes down very close to 7pm and wakes up sometime after 6am, usually talking, jumping in her crib and giggling.

Our routine for putting her down (solely for my memory) is we give her the paci, turn on the noisemaker, she almost immediately lays her head down on your shoulder and plays with your hair and then we lay her down and put her blanket on her. 

Over the next few months we're going to move her into Ruthie's room so that the baby's room is ready and I'd be lying if I didn't say I am completely dreading slightly anxious about it.  She is so easy right now, I just honestly don't want to rock the boat (although thats rapidly coming again in August!).

Eating:
Lainie is a sweet and meats kind of girl.  If its green, she is NOT interested.  She has 100% thrown me.  I honestly thought we had something to do with what a great eater Ruthie is and now I'm really thinking (like most things) I have no idea what I'm doing and how on earth to get this little girl to eat veggies, much less love them. 

She eats like a big girl and doesn't want to be fed (which I attribute to watching her sister).  She wants a whole sandwich, a whole banana, a whole cheese stick, etc.  She does incredibly well with them all too.

She loves mandarin oranges, most of the time bananas, blueberries, most all fruits, and most meats.  She eats almost as much salmon as we do and has really slowed down on her milk intake, sticking mainly with water.  I think her top fav right now is lasagna

She can spot a cupcake or cookie from a mile away and loves going to Harris Teeter probably because of the cookies after check out.

She's gotten really good at eating with spoons and forks.

Mobility:
She is a runner and even more than that a full on dance machine.  I absolutely love it, she loves music and dancing almost more than anything.  Her current favorite song is I like to Move it, Move it, with Old Chisolm trail a close second.

Nickname:
Still baby Naynay

Words:
Man, does she want to talk so bad.  She talks all the time and I wish I knew what she was saying.  She loves to sing the abc song and sings it seriously and immediately claps and says yeah when its over, then aggressively signs more until we start over.  Its so cute.

She says, Mama, Dada, Thank you, Gigi, Papa, ChloChlo, ball, yeah, wahoo, cheese, feet (a song we sing), uh oh, okay, and lots more I can't think of right now.

She's started to say 2 words together, mainly thank you Gigi.  Its so cute and sweet.

Teeth:
Wow, these teeth really do a number on this sweet girl.  For the past 2 months, she's been pretty unhappy and miserable from molars.  About a week ago, they must've all broken through, because she is so happy and came back to us!  We are loving it.  She has 4 top and 4 bottom and 4 molars now.  I'm hoping we have a small break from the teething misery.

Loves:
Chloe
going to the beach
Dancing, all the time.  One of my favorite things.
Me, I'm soaking up being her favorite for now because I know it won't last!
balloons
animals
walking Chloe (still worlds greatest dog)

Elmo- or MelMoh, loves him.

playing in the dirt and helping with the garden
swinging
being chased

being tickled (especially under her chin)
bathtime
Papa, I think she loves him more than me, pretty sure of it.  Loves love loves him.
She loves songs with hand motions, twinkle twinkle, Everybody clap (from the wiggles, although we've never seen the wiggles, it was at storytime),

Signs:
More, please, and all done.  Thats about all we need, she can get her point across.

Other:
Lainie is definitely my little cheerleader.  She loves to clap for you and say Yeah!  When Joel finishes grinding the coffee, he gets cheered,  when I turn on the washing machine I get cheered. It is so cute. 
She loves to say "Hey" when you come in the room, you may have only left for 2 seconds but she still does it. 

We're pretty sure she's a full blown genius, or either this is what happens to children when they can observe an older sibling.  She will go to the potty and use it if you ask her if she needs to go.  Crazy. She (thusfar) has gone every time I've put her on it.  We don't have any plans to try and potty train her right now, but we're both blown away at how much she understands.
We're really working on her being able to go up and down the stairs by herself.  This is a major goal prior to baby #3 coming.
She is the cuddler of the family.  She will come over and hug and kiss you and put her head on your shoulder. One of lifes sweetest things.

 





She is a girly girl.  She loves to wear earrings, necklaces, her tinkerbell dress,

a purse, and all things girl!

 

Like her sister, she can scowl.  When she first sees someone, she furrows her brow and scowls until she becomes your best friend (which happens a lot faster if you have a cookie).

She loves to get on her stool and help me and Ruthie in the kitchen, or just get on the stool.  She is a big fan of stirring things up and doesn't want to be left out of anything.  Its a little nervewracking because someone always needs to be standing right with her on the stool.

I can't believe how big Lainie has gotten and how sweet she is.  man do we love this girl.

One Day!

One day, hopefully soon, I'll be back to blogging regularly!  This pregnancy has been pretty tough and as of yesterday (18.5 weeks), I started zofran for the sickness, so hopefully I'll be back and able to enjoy and take care of my family soon!  Good News is everyone is healthy and growing like crazy!  Lainie is trying to talk all the time and obsessed with signing the abc song (with her own letters of course).  Ruthie is a full blown big girl and had her first girls days last weekend, complete with a nail salon.  One of my favorite memories thusfar and hopefully a blog coming up soon! 

 

For now, here are a few pictures of my little jailbird cuties!

 

 

 Valentines Day craft fun!

Hopefully I'll be back soon!

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Every year Chick-fil-a puts on a Daddy Daughter date night. You sign up online and when you get there they give the daughter a flower, have special tables, and other really cute stuff.

Joel and Ruthie signed up to go this year and it was so so so cute. Ruthie was beside herself excited to get to go on a date with her Daddy. 

On their way!

 

 

Here is the picture off the Chick-fil-a website from when they got there. Joel said she was really, really excited about that flower!

So cute!

I don't think she put the flower down the entire night.

It sounds like a big highlight of the night (besides the ice cream) was the cow princess, and the stuffed cows they gave out!

Ruthie and Joel both loved this night.  We're realizing just how important it is to spend one on one time with each of them and how nice it is for us to!  Last week when I asked her the best part of her week, she told me, "going on a date with my daddy"  so sweet, I almost couldn't handle it. 

I'm looking forward to a Mommy/Ruthie date, and she keeps saying she wants to go to Chick-fil-a.  extra pickles please :-).

ChaChaCha Changes

Long time no blog.  There have been lots of changes around our house, which I feel like I always say.  Ruthie seems to have turned into a full blown big girl over night and Lainie is no longer a baby.

Here are a few of our usual randoms, before I get to the big changes:

I got a turbie towel for Christmas and Lainie Loves it. She thinks she is hot stuff in it, it is really cute!

Lainie also loves the dishwasher now.  She's getting to where she will bring her dishes into the kitchen and sometimes sit them in the dishwasher.  She's a total organizer and sorter.

There is no where Lainie would rather be than on top of Ruthie when she gets in the Laundry basket.  There is no where Ruthie would rather be less than to have Lainie on top of her in the laundry basket.  This usually results in time out.

 Lainie's new favorite food is lasagna.

 

 

Some of the bigger changes in our house have revolved around our bigger girl.  We decided a few weeks ago (spur of the moment) to set up her big girl bed.  I have never seen a child happier in my life to see big girl sheets and a bootiful pillow.  It was so cute.  

 Prior to setting up her big girl bed, we made the rule that diapers weren't allowed in the big girl bed, and pacis weren't either.  As soon as we made the paci comment, she took her paci's and threw them in her crib, no big deal.  We were SHOCKED. and amazed. and thankful.  As far as potty training, we hadn't tried it yet.  It wasn't a big concern for us and we've had a lot of other stuff going on so we knew we'd get there when we get there.  Anyways, we set up the big girl bed and had to wait on potty training a few weeks.  Once we decided to start, there has been no looking back, and no paci's!  She has done great and hasn't even mentioned the paci.  The big girl bed was the biggest incentive ever and she just loves it.

The first day at naptime I actually had to take a picture that she was asleep in it, with no paci.  Incredible.

 

So, big girl bed, potty training and no paci's all in one day!  Pretty exciting stuff!  Bittersweet, all the growing up, but so exciting to see how happy and proud she is.

 

 

Our biggest change is that our party of four is going to a party of five! Thats right, I'm pregnant.  Yes. Again. :-).  It is safe to say this was the shock of my life, but we are so excited.  Due date is Aug 11 and we both think its a girl, based on our exhibits A and B above. 

 

Thats also why I haven't been blogging.  The throwing up has eased up and hopefully life will get back to our new normal where I can update a little more regularly! 

Random Update

Wow, it has been a while.  Ever since I ran out of photo storage and it takes an extra few steps to upload photos, the blog has taken a backseat.  Pretty much everything takes a backseat now that takes extra steps!  I probably need to change that.

Things are moving right along here, everyone seems to be growing faster than I can keep up with and we've been having lots of fun lately.

Ruthie has started a doggie phase.  I'm now Mommy dog, she's baby dog, Lainie is baby puppy dog and so on.  Its really cute and funny.  At any moment I'll switch from Mama to Mommy dog.  It cracks me up. 

Lainie is getting a little bit naughty.  If she doesn't get what she wants she flails her arms (aka hits).  When you tell her no, she acts like the world is coming to an end.  It is drama, and a little bit funny.

Speaking of Lainie, when did my baby get so big???  Can't stand it.

Chloe, still the worlds greatest dog.

We've been loving the beach lately.

This folks, is known as too cool for school.

 My kids are apple lovers.

 This is Lainie, in the middle of the hello song.  though you can't tell, that is some serious clapping.

Ruthie wants her picture taken all the time now, this is what happens.  Cracks me up.