Life

So we made the executive decision to cut our cable. We just really couldn't justify spending that kind of money especially since we never have time to watch anything.

So instead we will have HuluPlus. Thanks to our Sony Blu-Ray player (which we got in Dec for only $88 now $114) we can connect remotely and use that. The only programs that Hulu doesn't have that we watch is Showtime (Dexter, which is on its last season. But we will buy the DVDs like past seasons) and Disney (but you can go to their website and watch them all online.) We will still keep Netflix for the moment, but we rarely use it so that might get the axe too!

We will enjoy our last day and pack up the receivers once DirectTV sends us boxes.
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Want to thank Allison for selling ThirtyOne stuff! Now the boys have nice and HUGE bags for spend the night trips to the grandparents! Love Love Love them!! The other one is black with red "Lambert" writing. I decided not to do the 1st name, because as they grow older my luck would be if Aiden's bag was the camo he would want the black. lol So win-win in my book!

The other two bags are to keep my car organized. The dot bag is for the front (chapstick, baby wipes, hair brush, travel 1st aid kit, etc). The teal is to go between the boys seats (cars, books, etc.) Trying to keep my car from looking like a tornado went through it.
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Our nightly schedule during the week. Since Wes works 2nd shift I'm on my own at night. So how do I do it with these wild ones?! Well.....

1. Once home we unload the car and then play outside for an hour
2. We come in. I start cooking dinner, while Aiden watches a show (98% time it's Mickey) while Brody gets some exercise too (jumping).
3. We eat dinner.
4. Brody gets a bath 1st, while Aiden plays with toys, reads, or finishes his Mickey.
5. Aiden gets a bath, while Brody jumps some more and watches Baby TV.
6. We pack our lunches and bags for the next day, while Brody watches sitting in his Bumbo on the counter.
7. Jump in Mommy's bed to watch one more Mickey and read a book. Then off to bed or as Aiden likes to call it "Nap time".

Pattern. By that time it's around 8:30, I pick up a little, wash bottles, take Murph out, watch about 30 min of tv. and off to bed myself. And repeat. ;-) We live exciting lives during the week.

 JUMPING MACHINE!!!!

Getting Aiden to bed used to be AWWWFUL! Talk about meltdowns....resulting in him sleeping with me most the time. But now since Wes is home by 12am Aiden can't sleep with me anymore. I kinda was worried how we would transition....glad to report he's doing GREAT!! Shocking...it's like within the past 3 weeks he has grown up SOOOO much! Don't get me wrong we still have our moments, but he can tell when I'm getting upset and when he's being bad because the first thing out of his mouth "I'm sorry Mommy! I didn't mean to....Can I have a hug?!" haha Can't get any sweeter than that. Eat him up!
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Sunday Aiden helped me wash the cars. He actually did a good job too. According to him its because his "a big boy!" Such a little helper. It's why his teachers love him!

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I end with pictures of this little stinker, who didn't want to sleep last night. Can you blame him for wanting extra snuggles from his mommy?! Also, promise I'm working on his 5mo post....and this little bugger is soooo close to crawling. Getting up on all 4s and moving backwards!! Ekk! Can't believe it!

Ears

So I can officially mark another experience off the checklist. Brody's eardrum ruptured on Tuesday night. { insert freak out moment }

During his bath that night I went to clean his ears and I noticed this yellow snot like substance coming out of his left ear. I kind of brushed it off thinking it must have been snot from his nose that got shifted over there when I was wiping his face (He had a runny nose since Sunday- dang pollen!). Then when I went to clean his ears with a Q-tip after the bath I notice there was this white pus stuff coming out of the same ear. Now I knew something was up.

After a very sleepless night we headed to the doctor yesterday and yup ruptured eardrum. LOVELY! This poor guy had an ear infection and gave NO indication before the big rupture.

• No tugging at the ear
• No fever
• Ate normal
• Very active
• Happy
• Slept normal

I felt horrible that I had no idea, but he didn't give any signs...which concerned me and his doctor. So now we are on 2 weeks of meds. Antibiotics oral and ear drops 2x a day. Feel so bad for him! I know he has to be in some pain!

After the 2 weeks we have to go back to the ENT for the checkup and so they can check to see if his eardrum healed correctly. { insert freak out moment } So I will probably be worrying for 2 weeks...
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Aiden has been a great big brother through these past 2 days. Understanding that Brody needs a little bit more attention because he's sick. Here is a glimpse of what I mean.....

So I FINALLY got Brody down for a nap around 6pm since he missed his afternoon nap because of the doctor visit. Aiden was eating dinner and I was in the bathroom bathing Murph. Then I heard Aiden talking. Talking his head off. I laughed it off thinking "That crazy boy is talking to himself." I bring Murph in the kitchen to dry off...and no Aiden at the table.....Where is that boy! I still hear him talking....I go in his room. No Aiden. Peek into Brody's and this is what I see:

He turns around saying "Hey Mommy! I'm reading to Brody. It's his naptime, so I picked out a couple books to read." As he is picking up a stack of books to show me. Did I mention he dragged his chair in there for a comfy spot to read. Did I mention that he woke up Brody? Did I mention Brody was loving it peeking his head over his bumper just smiling away.

So no there was no way possible I could get mad at him for WAKING Brody. lol Just too sweet!

Tease

Post 2 of the day.
This weekend was great and exhausting! My feet were literally THROBBING last night. (Just dawned on me I haven't done Brody's 5 mo post nor taken pictures. UGH! This week promise! { inside my head for a moment }

 The BEST view in the morning!

Aiden was super happy about our new bird feeder....

now if hes good for another week (no timeouts during school) we will get one for the front yard too.

Saturday we got up bright and early and headed to the zoo. Aiden was super excited because Daddy was coming with us. (Loving him not working on the weekends anymore!) It was such a pretty day!

 

We headed home around lunchtime so Brody could nap while the rest of us headed outside to do yard work. Aiden helped me finish my flowerbed. I planted a few Marigold (did you know they help control mosquitos?! Going back to add more when Lowes gets them back in stock). See how nicely my Hydrangeas are coming back! I didn't kill them!! YAH! I'm going to add a third one in the bed to fill it up in the meantime. (Can they please hurry up and grow big?! impatient!)

Once all that was done, the little guy woke up and man he's getting SOO talkative! I don't remember Aiden "talking" this much. I LOVE it! Could just eat him up!

Sunday we cleaned inside the house. So you know that is exhausting! Keeping Aiden out of the bathroom while using all those chemicals is nearly impossible, so I think I'm going to start using def products like just good ole vinegar. I completely gutted our frig and freezer. Makes me alot happier to see our frig so green!

And between all that cleaning me and Wes still tag teamed to spend some time with our goofy boys! I will say this Brody is becoming a VERY needy baby. lol If he sees you and you don't acknowledge him the whining begins. For example he was in his jumper having a good ole time. I walked by to put up a toy on the shelf and didn't talk to him. Oh not a happy boy! I came back in the room said "Whats going on little man?" He looked up smiled and jumped away. I left the room again and he was a-ok. So needless to say he spent most the day in the Bumbo so he could sit and play and watch me clean.

 Mommy see my belly?!

 Pretty awesome shirt right?!?!

 

Prepping for my juice cleanse. LOVING these bottles (Half the price at Walmart!)!! Holds my 16oz perfectly and easy to fill! Selfie and shocked I'm not STARVING considering all I've had was 2 Green Juices.

My birthday present from Wes has been teasing me ALL weekend! It's just sitting there on our dresser. Such a tease! Looking forward to our date night though!

Citrus Lane

Another month. Another Citrus Lane box. HIGHLY impressed again!

If you click this link you will get $10 off your 1st month!! Welcome!

Lets start with Brody's box. 5 month.

Melissa and Doug Spinning penguin- $9
Innobaby EZ Grip Training Teether- $5
Oogaa Silicone Train Spoon- $6
Plum Organics Little Cremes- $3
The Honest Company Shampoo and Body Wash- $10
15-30% off future orders for each company.

Total box value: $33 (I only paid $12.50)

Aiden has already claimed the penguin and spoon. lol The spoon is quite adorable! The teether is PERFECT! Look at him grasping it!! He's chewed on that more than he ever has with his Sophie the giraffe (which is weird because Aiden LOVED Sophie!)
Review: Right on target for age. Amazing products!

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Aiden's box. 3 year old.

Melissa & Doug Paint with Water- $6
Oogaa Silicone Placemat- $9
Plum Organics Mashup- $1.50
Innobaby Keepin' Fresh Kids Food Storage-  $8
The Honest Company Shampoo and Body Wash- $10
15-30% off future orders for each company.

Total box value: $34.50 (I only paid $12.50)

 The mashup was ingested in 2.5 seconds and he wanted another. I loves his placemat because it's covered in different animals and carries it all over the house. He thinks he's special! The food containers were a miss....WAAAY to small for a 3 year old, but perfect for Brody. All about sharing in this house! The Paint with Water is GENIUS! Perfect for traveling. Just carry the pad and don't have to worry about grabbing two items...and best part WASHABLE! haha We still have an issue with coloring our body. ;-) lol All weekend "I wanna paint! Can I paint? Paint after nap?!" lol
Review: If we didn't get the Paint book I probably would have to say this was a miss. The other items will be used more by his little bro than himself.

Can't wait for next month review.

Planner

I get picked on all the time for being a planner. I plan WAY in advance for everything, but I do it for several reasons.

1. I can shop around for the best prices
2. When the day of the event comes there aren't surprises
3. Time management
4. Allows me to come up and develop the best ideas.
5. etc

I mean heck my first position was in Planning and Scheduling IT for a reason right!? hahaha Nothing makes me crazier than when things are unorganized! Makes my stress level go through the roof.

(You don't want to see me when I can't find something...drives me more bonkers! Best to stay away...)

So I break from that to say YES, I have started to plan for Brody's 1st birthday...which is 7 months away (will FLY by!! sniff sniff).  Since his birthday is in November (our crazy time at work before year end freeze.) I want to have everything set and in line before. I by far love this theme the most, and it's sooooooooo easy for me. I like easy!

Milk & Cookies

Pretty much only involves a lot of baking, but at least I can handle most of that the week of instead of the day of. You guessed it all different types of cookies and plenty of milk. Easy enough!

Cake. I found the CUTEST smash cake on my go-to for inspiration, Pinterest. A round cake frost with tan icing with chocolate chips ontop. One giant cookie. Me not being a master baker can handle that!

For the guest- cupcakes. I am going to attempt cookie monster cupcakes....but I'm afraid after seeing sooo many peoples failed attempts. But I hope they look something like this, haha hope!

Cookies. To not go over board I was thinking I'd probably have 5 different kinds.

Milk. We would have 3 options. Chocolate, Skim, and Banana (If you've never had it. OMG. Yum! I've been wanting to purchase some 8oz plastic milk bottles that can be reused for future parties, so I will bite the bullet and order some. I definitely did a lot of price hunting trying to find the best deal. I went with that store because they let me customize which lids and already provided the hole.

Paper Straws. I had been pricing paper straws online and every time would cringe....how much for a straw?! Almost resorted to solid straws...then one trip to Gordmans I headed down their kitchen clearance....I got 50! FIFTY! for $2!!!!!! I was looking at the exact same thing online and the cheapest I found was $7.50 for 25 straws. { Pat myself on the back for that one!!! } And they are totally in theme (brown, blue, and white!)

Adults will get Frappuccinos.  Since not everyone drinks milk (cough my mom) I thought I would have coffee on hand. Thanks to this recipe it was very simple and inexpensive to have a copy-cat Starbucks recipe.

I make this for my morning coffee because running around like a wild woman trying to get 

2 boys out the door and hot coffee DO NOT mix! lol My carafe bottle is perfect for the frig storage!

• 12 cups of DARK Expresso coffee
• 1/4 cup of Bailey's Creamer (This is the only creamer that makes it taste like SB)
• 3 Tablespoons of sugar
• 3 Tablespoons of brown sugar 

Put the sugars at the bottom of the container. Once the coffee is done brewing pour over sugar. Let it dissolve then add the creamer and stir. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

Party Favors. Milk straws so simple. so amazing!

Simple huh!? Party planned. Mark your calendars for Nov 16th!