Kid Tested...Mother Approved!

For those of you who don't know this about me, 

I love a good deal!!!  Who doesn't, right?

I collect Coke points to earn free tickets to the movie theater.

I buy the Sunday paper solely for the coupons.

I compare prices before buying anything.

I blog about movies to earn a $15 gift card every month.

I fill out surveys if it means that I will receive something free.

I willingly participate in things like MyBlogSpark.com.

I recently received a box of goodies to "test out," and it was like Christmas morning for this frugal Mama of almost two kids.

When was the last time you had Kix cereal?

www.KixCereal.com

We've nearly polished off our first box in the last couple of days, and it has been a fun change for all of us.  Phil reminisced about eating Kix when he was younger, and Clare has really enjoyed something different than the standard bowl of oatmeal of Cheerios.  I'm excited to try the Honey Kix as well.

We've also had fun with the puzzle, and I particularly LOVE the snack cup because of its tight seal.  I know that many of you have young children at home, and you would enjoy these goodies as well.  Thanks to MyBlogSparkTM, I get to award one of you with the same box of goodies that you see pictured above.  Interested???

In the comment section, tell me about your typical breakfast routine.  

When, if ever, was the last time that you tried Kix? 

A winner will be chosen randomly on Tuesday, November 9th (my due date), so share your thoughts before then.  :)

Day 3 of the 3-Day Walk

First of all, I want to add an asterisk to yesterday's post about pregnancy:

* I LOVE being pregnant.

* I don't get offended by the silly things that people say.

* I find it humorous that complete strangers are drawn to my belly.

I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!

* I LOVE being pregnant!!!

On Sunday, we (my mom, dad, Clare, and I) went to St. Petersburg to cheer on the people walking in the 3-Day breast cancer walk.  My mom and I participated in the walk in 2006, so it was fun supporting those who were making a difference this year.

Clare enjoyed handing out candy, 

and the walkers couldn't resist a sweet treat from such a sweet girl.

 My dad certainly ate more candy than he passed out.

My mom and I passed out bags of ice, and the walkers LOVED that.

 Clare discovered Smarties.

 After all the sharing, she was ready for a treat of her own.

If I Had a Dime...

If I had a dime for all of the pregnancy-related quips I've heard in the past few weeks, I could pay off our mortgage...
or at least buy some ice cream.

YES...I'm pregnant!

~ NO...I'm not having twins...

(although SEVERAL people have said, "You must be having twins").

~ I don't know if I've "dropped,"

but everyone else seems to think that I have.

~ YES...I know all of the supposed methods for getting labor started.

None of them worked with Clare...except for ice cream.  :)

~ I don't know when he's coming.

If I knew how to predict that, I could probably make a fortune...

and perhaps pay off our mortgage.  :)

NO...I don't think that my skin can, or should, stretch any further...

and YES...I am putting lotion on it.  Thanks for the advice.

 39-weeks...and anxiosly waiting.

39-week post when pregnant with Clare (click here).

 Can't wait until I'm reading to both of my peanuts on this chair.

Halloween 2010

Clare was Tinkerbell for Halloween.

Naturally, she had to practice her flying skills.  :)

 Clare has no idea who Tinkerbell is, 

but it was a cute hand-me-down costume.

 Hand-me-down = FREE!

 Clare didn't seem to mind what she was wearing as long
as she got to dance and eat candy.

 Halloween in 80 degree weather...

not quite like our trick-or-treating days in Michigan.

 Tinkerbell in flight!

 Spinning and dancing...as the sugar hits her bloodstream.

 This was our fourth annual Halloween with our Sarah and Tory.

Next year will be extra FUN with 3 kiddos in the mix.

 Phil dressed up as Tory.

 One more miscellaneous picture.

Happy Halloween!

Another Day at "The Big Park"

My parent's arrived on Sunday, 

and we decided to head to Busch Gardens on Monday.

Among Clare's list of favorite things, Daddy, Busch Gardens, Grandparents, and Elmo are all at the top.  You can only imagine how excited she gets when all of those things are combined!

 She loves feeding the ducks, 

and Phil's sure that she'll be a "bird girl" just like her Daddy.

 Even though Phil was in the middle of his work day, 

we were still able to see him for a few minutes.

That is my highlight of the day!!!

 After having a baby wallaby in our house for a weekend, 

Clare is always drawn to the joeys.

 I'm afraid she'll want one for her very own someday.

 Anxiously awaiting Elmo!

Even though we've seen the Elmo Show countless times, it never gets old for my little Elmo lover.  I, on the other hand, have the whole thing memorized and could use a little variety. 

Her joy makes it ALL worth it...every time!!!

Still Kickin'

38-Weeks Today

After a bout of false labor this weekend, the countdown is back on.

 The good news is that my mom and dad decided to head down to Florida a little earlier than expected.  Now we don't have to worry about our little Clare Bear when her brother decides to join the fun.  Other than waddling around like a penguin, I'm still feeling well...albeit ready to hold our little boy on the outside rather than the inside!

Stay tuned...

Phone Talker

Clare loves talking on the phone...

to anyone who will talk back to her.

 Seriously...

this is one of the few things that holds her attention
for more than 45 seconds.

Anyone want to talk to a 2-year-old?

Pumpkin Store

Clare and I spent the morning at a local Pumpkin Patch 

with some friends from our playgroup.

She insisted on calling it "The Pumpkin Store."

 She also insisted on picking up as many pumpkins as possible.

 She likes the looks of that warty one....hmmm...

 Off and running.

She wasn't too interested in the group photo.  

There's always one in the group, huh?!

 I think this is when Clare was telling me that 

my belly is bigger than most of the pumpkins.  Ha!

36 Weeks

Today marks 36 weeks of growing our little boy.

 As of last week,

I was 2-cm dilated...

50% effaced...

having Braxton Hicks several times a day...

and told that I could go into labor before my due date.

 I went back and read my journal from when I was pregnant with Clare.

At 36 weeks with Clare, 

I was 2 cm. dilated, 50% effaced, having Braxton Hicks,

and told that I would probably deliver before my due date.

She was 5 days late!

All that to say, I think we'll have a baby within the next month.

Full frontal picture.

Here's a link to this stage with Clare.
                                                                                                                        

Left: 36-weeks with Clare

                 

               Right: 36-weeks with "Jethro"

How do they compare???

Potty Time

Clare has been potty trained for a little over a month, 

and she's been doing very well.  Yeah!

She had no idea that we were watching her 

as she helped one of her stuffed animals go potty.

 And wash his paws.

I think she's got it down, and she can help us train any pets that we might have someday.  Okay, anyone who knows me knows that will never happen...not the part about Clare helping 

but the part about having pets.