Strolling for Two?

I love my current stroller situation. I have a cheapo umbrella stroller and a Jogger Stroller Travel System (with infant car seat and base).

But when I have two, there just might be a need to have them both in the stroller at the same time. Moseley has always loved to stroll. He never wants out. So, for things like the mall and the farmer's market where he can grab things, we will need a stroller for both of them. I have to have a jogger, I am tall and I can't stand the way my umbrella doesn't handle bumps. Plus I am looking forward to walking for exercise in Ross Bridge (and making Tally go too). I will keep the two other strollers for when it's just me and sweetpea (such as when Moseley's at school).

I have done extensive research on strollers and these are my top two. Based on width, length and weight (sans children). The other side-by-side joggers were just too heavy and wide and the front-to-backs were too long and awkward.

Feel free to comment with any insight you might have ;)

Tike Tech Trax 360 (navy, of course)



Phil and Ted's Dash Double (in navy, again)

"Tractors is so dumb!"

So, I LOVE the movie Cars. Apparently so does Moseley. I don't let Moseley watch TV. The occasional (as in once every couple of weeks) Signing Time on PBS is it. And we sign the show together, so it's educational for both of us.

So how does he love Cars? It all started a few months back when he was sick. I mean really sick. He had a fever, wouldn't eat, and wouldn't sleep. For 3 days. Which meant I didn't sleep. For 3 days. So, one night as I was holding him (he was drifting off then jerking awake) at 2am, I whipped out the movie Cars and started watching it. He was mesmerized by the show and the constant noise and he slept a good bit. It was a distraction to how bad he felt and he stopped long enough to watch it then fall asleep. So, it became our "sick movie." He doesn't get sick often, I think once or twice since then, but it works to slow him down.

A few weeks ago, we were packing up and moving our stuff out of our Southside house (B'ham) and needed a distraction - he had very little toys and heavy furniture was whizzing over his head. We found an old TV/VCR and a bunch of my nephews old Wiggles tapes (from 10 years ago!). He called it his "show" and although he rarely sat down and watched it, he'd run back to the TV for a few minutes to see what was going on. When we got back to Montgomery, he got a sinus infection so we watched Cars again. Now, he asks every morning to watch his "Show" or "Cars." Of course I don't let him but at least I know that if I have something I HAVE to do, it's a back-up plan!!

Moseley's 2nd Birthday Party

It's a few months away yet but I am already trying to figure out a date. His actual birthday falls on Thanksgiving and football games take up the rest of the weekends. It looks like Saturday, November 22nd will be the magic day though. Mark your calendars!

Sad Day

Today, Katie, my best friend here in Montgomery and I said goodbye. She is spending the weekend in Mobile and I won't be back until after they have packed up and moved to their new home in Atlanta. I am so sad. I don't like change. I thought I would be ok with leaving Montgomery and this horrible apartment. But, I am sad to not get to see Katie, Sam, and precious Lily anytime I want. Moseley and I have truly had the best year with them.

Thank you Katie for being there for me. I can't imagine what this year would have been like (I prefer to not think such dark thoughts) had you not been here. I will miss you terribly but will come and visit often!

Sam and Sister - I am gonna miss these guys so much.

CVS trip #2

I went back to CVS this morning b/c they forgot to pack my Zantac in the bag yesterday. I used my mom's Extra Care Card and repeated my deal from yesterday (it's limited to 1 per household). So, in addition to the Extra Care Bucks, it also printed out a "get $5 off a $25 purchase." So I turned around and got 3 more packs of diapers, used $3 in manuf. coupons, $7 in Extra Care Bucks and the $5 off coupon. Geez, you should've seen my car full of diapers!!

Here's my total deal...

I got all of this for $94.21. Originally it would have been $158.21 so I saved $64!!

• 40 Size 3 Huggies diapers
• 210 Size 5 Huggies diapers (7 packs of 30)
  
• 29 Size 2T Huggies pull-ups
• 696 Huggies wipes (3 packs of 232)
  
• 12 rolls of Charmin toilet paper
• CVS Acid Reducer

Oh and I still have $9 of unused Extra Care Bucks... maybe I'll get more diapers?

Ms. Moneysaver

So here's how my trip to CVS went...

I bought 3 packs of Huggies diapers for 8.99 each. That's 120 diapers for $26.97 with my Extra Care Card (ECC). But, I also had a coupon for $2 off $10 purchase that I got here. Plus, I was able to use 3 Huggies manufacturers coupons for $2, $1.50 and $1.50. So that's 120 diapers for $19.97. It comes out to about 17 cents per diaper - Amazing!! Plus, I got $5 in Extra Care Bucks (ECB) to use on whatever I want. I think I am going back tomorrow for more diapers!!

21 Weeks Pregnant - Belly Pic

Only 18 more weeks, woohoo!

Have I Mentioned How Excited I Am?

In 18 days we move into our new house. Here are some pics from this past weekend. We all went up to Birmingham to escort Kevin to his first day of work. We played at the neighborhood park nearly every day. And of course, I had to go by the house every day too!

Our new home ~ you'll see more pics once it's done :)


Moseley on the move!


Mose loves to push his umbrella stroller around.


Cheese!


Pee-Pie!!


Me with only 18 weeks left!

When Mom's away, Daddy will play!

Momma and I went on a Mother/Daughter retreat in April so naturally, Kevin retreated to his parents house in Decatur for the weekend. Here are some pictures from their revelries.


Moseley chewing on John's Scooby-doo figure.














Hammin' it up for the camera














In the wagon that Nana had for the grandchildren.

End of March...

For Kevin's Birthday (March 29) we went to Decatur fr the weekend. These are some pictures his parents took of us in the yard. I thought they were pretty cute.

Swimmer's (R)ear

Katie and I took the boys to swimming lessons at the Y. They went for 30 minutes each afternoon for two weeks. They mainly taught the boys to kick, lay on their backs, and "scoop" the water. The boys had fun for the first few minutes and then wanted to just play on the steps or with the pool toys they had out. Ever since those lessons, Moseley has pretended to "swim" while taking his Tubb-bah (as he calls a bath).

Gosh, I just couldn't get anyone to go in...

Many times my momma and I will have the same wedding/baby shower to attend, friends birthday to celebrate, etc. So, depending on who is closer to technology (yay for web shopping) or a certain store, that person gets to buy the present and be in charge of sending it.

So, there's a joke that my momma and I have where I will ask her to send something from the jewelry store to the bride and groom on my behalf while she is already there and she will pretend to only include her calling card - citing that "no one else wanted to chip in for the gift."

Yesterday, I got a gorgeous arrangement of flowers from my sweet momma. The card read "I couldn't get anyone else to go in with me... Love, Momma" I was laughing so hard I cried. Then I cried b/c I love them. We are living in chaos for the next 29 days and that bouquet brought some order to the situation! Here's a picture of the happy arrangement.

Suggestions Needed!

We are looking into building a custom bookcase in our den at our new house. It wouldn't be quite as large as this one but pretty close. Anyone have any suggestions on who to call?

Strappin' Heat

So, I am about 20 weeks now and adding to my list of "grandma-like qualities" (I do love Murder, She Wrote). I have back pain. So, I have been told to get a maternity belt (see pic below). I ignored this advice from my PT this first go-round and paid for it the last month of pregnancy. This time, it has started early and I have the added bonus of carting Moseley around so I decided to cave.

So, If I look weird in my clothes, due to the large elastic belt strapped around my waist, just don't comment. I still look cute on the outside, just with some mechanical adjustments underneath :)

Blogger-versary

On July 27th, 2007 I started this blog to reduce the number of "Moseley" emails that clogged up in-boxes (there were a lot). I also wanted to share my feelings about raising my little Moseley with the world! Who knew a year later I would have to include another Garrison :) Happy One Year Anniversary, it has been such a wonderful year!!

Big shoes to fill

Moseley love shoes. When we visit people he usually runs a sneak attack into their closet and comes back with their shoes. When Kevin gets dressed for work he pulls dress shoes out of the closet and wears them around. During the day he will wear Kevin's tennis shoes or sandals around. It is very awkward for him to walk around in these giant shoes but he doesn't care - he loves it!

School days, school days...

... dear old Golden Rule days.

Our little Moseley is quite a character. He is the most outgoing, people-loving little guy I have ever met (aside from my brother, Staples). He will talk to absolutely ANYONE. When we go to the grocery store, he yells across the produce aisles to all the shoppers, "Hey, hey, hey!" Last week he offered a fellow shopper some of our 'nomes' which is Moseley code for 'Banana.' They weren't actually Banana's - they were squash. It's funny to watch people's reaction to his friendliness.

The point: Moseley goes to 'school' a few days a week for a couple hours. When I drop him off he runs in and barely says 'bye.' When I go to pick him up he just keeps on playing. I am glad that he doesn't hate school or cry when I leave him there.

Anxiously waiting to go to school




















"Cheese!"

The thing about roaches

So I go into the kitchen tonight (I know I should be thankful I have a roof over my head but I hate this place) and there is this monster roach. So I scream and yell at Kevin to come in there and kill it. This is how the conversation went once he came in...

K - Where's a shoe?
J - What shoe?
K - [grabbing a few paper towels] I'll just squish it...
J - Sick, Kevin! I think you're my hero but I'm going to throw up!!
K - [*squishing with bare hands and only a few paper towels*]
J - Kevin, what do you call it when you want to vomit on your hero?
K - Marriage, I think...

So there you have it. Marriage is when you want to vomit on your hero ;)

Diaper Bag Dilemma, finale

I think I may have solved my problem. See, I really really didn't want anything that looked like a diaper bag. Who am I kidding? I will have 2 children to tote around - kind of hard not to notice that! What I don't want people to notice is that my children are annoying/upset/crying. So, my solution is get a diaper bag big enough to carry toys and snacks for Moseley, a pumped bottle for Sweet Pea, and diapers and wipes for both. That way hopefully people will be more surprised by how sweet my angels are than what a huge diaper bag I have. Of course, I will still have my small Kate Spade for when it's just me and Sweet Pea.

Skip Hop Duo Double Deluxe Diaper Bag - built for two!

Introducing Hannah Kate!

Our cousin Katy and her hubby had a little girl yesterday, Hannah Kate Aderholt. Click here for pics and stats.

Congrats you two! You'll have a blast...

I need some help...

As you know, we are expecting baby#2. I LOVE my little Kate Spade diaper bag. I have loved it for 20 months now and it is just small enough not to get too burdened by a large diaper bag. Now, however, I need a larger diaper bag. I will need 2 sizes of diapers, more wipes... basically,more stuff.

So, if you are a savvy shopper and/or have 2 children please give me some advice/suggestions on a diaper bag ;) This sounds like a silly request but I haven't been able to find one I love. Thanks!!

Take back your BPA baby bottles!!

Some Babies R Us stores are allowing the return of your used Avent, Playtex, and Dr Brown's bottles and issuing store credit or exchange for BPA-free bottles. Call your store for their policy. I heard a rumor that some stores exchange sippy cups as well...

**The Babies R Us on Lakeshore Dr in Birmingham IS participating in this. Their policy is bottle for bottle. For instance, they will give you an 8oz Dr. Browns Polypropylene bottle in exchange for a 8oz Dr Brown's BPA bottle. This is the same for 4oz/2oz sized bottles. You can also exchange for different brands but you will pay the price difference if there is one.

Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

We close on our house in Ross Bridge August 29th at 9 am!! I am so excited I could scream. I am ready to close this chapter and start a new one in our new home.

Happy Fourth of July!

We went to the beach with the Engwall's for the fourth. I love Perdido. Lillian, AL and Josephine, AL are my two favorite towns in the whole world!!

We ate too well (I jumped on the scale when I got home to make sure I hadn't gained any weight!). Lots of fresh seafood and delicious tomatoes and corn.

Moseley was a fish. He loved the water and just kept running into the bay. We would get him dry and dressed and he would take off into the water. I am so glad he likes the water as much as I do!

The best part was the company. Lee and Lee were there as were Caroline and Steven. Harriet joined us on Friday afternoon too. Lee-lee, Harriet and Caroline are going to make the best momma's one day. Moseley was spoiled and had so much fun with them. Kevin and I got a nice break too! Of course, Wyatt and Georgia are always a blast to hang out with.

Hopefully I will have some pictures soon!!