Barley is yummy!

I made the executive decision to put Ben on an elimination diet, thanks to Dr. Sears. I trekked to Whole Foods, dropped a large wad of cash and set out to make this as pleasant on him as possible. We're going to nix these allergies and rashes once and for all!

Today we discovered:


Ben really likes peach/mango/goat milk smoothies!


A child can consume a huge bowl of butternut squash in one minute. Who knew it would be his favorite new veggie?!


Barley is AMAZING with a little goat milk and a drizzle of honey. Seriously - AMAZING! I ate a whole bowl for dinner. Ben didn't share my excitement, however.


Also, I have awesome friends! My friend Anne came over last night with a bottle of yummy wine and an awesome chick flick to give me some adult interaction. She rocks!

Tim should be home in 2.5 hours and I'm counting down every last minute!!!!

Barley is yummy!

I made the executive decision to put Ben on an elimination diet, thanks to Dr. Sears. I trekked to Whole Foods, dropped a large wad of cash and set out to make this as pleasant on him as possible. We're going to nix these allergies and rashes once and for all!

Today we discovered:


Ben really likes peach/mango/goat milk smoothies!


A child can consume a huge bowl of butternut squash in one minute. Who knew it would be his favorite new veggie?!


Barley is AMAZING with a little goat milk and a drizzle of honey. Seriously - AMAZING! I ate a whole bowl for dinner. Ben didn't share my excitement, however.


Also, I have awesome friends! My friend Anne came over last night with a bottle of yummy wine and an awesome chick flick to give me some adult interaction. She rocks!

Tim should be home in 2.5 hours and I'm counting down every last minute!!!!

Milk's the culprit?

For those of you following the WHERE IS THIS STUPID FACE RASH COMING FROM?!?!?!?!!? saga, time for an update. As of last Sunday, I got rid of the milk. It seemed too coincidental that this face rash started around one year, when he also began drinking milk. What didn't, and still doesn't, make sense to me is that he can eat things with dairy in it just fine. Anyway, let's get to the results of this experiment, shall we.

About six days off the whole milk:



Since the rash didn't go away, I chalked it up to a failed experiment and reintroduced milk yesterday. This afternoon, he looks like this:



YIKES! I still don't know if it's coincidental because I reintroduced the milk yesterday afternoon and he was completely fine until just about an hour ago. And his rashes have been known to come and go in intensity regardless of diet. But it's a start and we are becoming a dairy-free family...that for sure.

In other news, Tim's coming home Thursday! Man, it can't come soon enough!

Milk's the culprit?

For those of you following the WHERE IS THIS STUPID FACE RASH COMING FROM?!?!?!?!!? saga, time for an update. As of last Sunday, I got rid of the milk. It seemed too coincidental that this face rash started around one year, when he also began drinking milk. What didn't, and still doesn't, make sense to me is that he can eat things with dairy in it just fine. Anyway, let's get to the results of this experiment, shall we.

About six days off the whole milk:



Since the rash didn't go away, I chalked it up to a failed experiment and reintroduced milk yesterday. This afternoon, he looks like this:



YIKES! I still don't know if it's coincidental because I reintroduced the milk yesterday afternoon and he was completely fine until just about an hour ago. And his rashes have been known to come and go in intensity regardless of diet. But it's a start and we are becoming a dairy-free family...that for sure.

In other news, Tim's coming home Thursday! Man, it can't come soon enough!

Just a whole sleu of pictures...

...because today was a GREAT day!

Woe is me.

So I've been kind of quiet the last few days, and it's for good reason. I'm trying not to be a total downer. But I'm giving up. I just am a downer right now, and getting it off my chest helps. So here goes. This week, while Tim is away, I've had to deal with:

1. A pukey baby. I'm VERY vomit-phobic and while I knew the stomach bug would definitely happen at some point, I wasn't prepared to handle it alone.

2. A pukey dog. Our Yorkie is a puker. He just is - it's his nature, I guess. But yesterday was a doozie. Can dogs catch stomach bugs from people? If so, then he did. To get really gross on you, I'll mention that my other dog is an eater of all things disgusting - including other dogs' vomit. Sorry, I warned you. Couple that with a curious baby and it was no easy feat to clean up dog puke while warding off our other puke-eating dog and a baby who just wanted to play in puke puddles.

3. A burned out kitchen lightbulb. In the face of everything else, this is really no big deal, I'm aware. But it's NOT an easy light fixture to change out by yourself and my house is kind of creepy with a dark kitchen at night.

4. A broken bathroom pipe. I awoke to a soaking wet bathroom today, which was so uncool. The pipe under our sink has never worked, but Tim had it rigged up temporarily. Until it decided to screw with me and break open during the night, soaking the floor and possibly ruining our vanity. Yay!

5. A sleep strike - Why does Ben choose these kinds of weeks to go on sleep strike?

Truly, I shouldn't complain. I have it easy in comparison to my hubs, who is severely overworked right now. And because I don't tell him enough:

I appreciate you, honey, and all that you do for our family!

Woe is me.

So I've been kind of quiet the last few days, and it's for good reason. I'm trying not to be a total downer. But I'm giving up. I just am a downer right now, and getting it off my chest helps. So here goes. This week, while Tim is away, I've had to deal with:

1. A pukey baby. I'm VERY vomit-phobic and while I knew the stomach bug would definitely happen at some point, I wasn't prepared to handle it alone.

2. A pukey dog. Our Yorkie is a puker. He just is - it's his nature, I guess. But yesterday was a doozie. Can dogs catch stomach bugs from people? If so, then he did. To get really gross on you, I'll mention that my other dog is an eater of all things disgusting - including other dogs' vomit. Sorry, I warned you. Couple that with a curious baby and it was no easy feat to clean up dog puke while warding off our other puke-eating dog and a baby who just wanted to play in puke puddles.

3. A burned out kitchen lightbulb. In the face of everything else, this is really no big deal, I'm aware. But it's NOT an easy light fixture to change out by yourself and my house is kind of creepy with a dark kitchen at night.

4. A broken bathroom pipe. I awoke to a soaking wet bathroom today, which was so uncool. The pipe under our sink has never worked, but Tim had it rigged up temporarily. Until it decided to screw with me and break open during the night, soaking the floor and possibly ruining our vanity. Yay!

5. A sleep strike - Why does Ben choose these kinds of weeks to go on sleep strike?

Truly, I shouldn't complain. I have it easy in comparison to my hubs, who is severely overworked right now. And because I don't tell him enough:

I appreciate you, honey, and all that you do for our family!

It starts.

The one-time baby drawer has become Ben's newest playpen.

It starts.

The one-time baby drawer has become Ben's newest playpen.

Free photo dog leash!

I just snagged myself a FREE photo dog leash from Snapfish. And guess what? So can you!

First, create a new account with Snapfish here.

After I did that, I just searched for the term leash to find the listing. Upload a picture to add to your leash.

You'll have to use a credit card (I tried Paypal and it didn't work for me, though maybe that was a fluke) but your total will come to zero when you use code PRESDAY under coupon codes to get FREE shipping, too! It'll make a great present for someone - maybe an early Christmas present stockpile?

Thanks, MSM!

Monkeying around.

We had an awesome little play date tonight that was SO much cooler than I even thought it could be. There's this local play gym called Little Monkey Bizness that's pretty much the coolest spot to be as a parent. Kids play, we eat pizza & drink coffee! Brilliant, right?

We met our friends Anne, Jon and little baby Will (he's 3 days younger than Ben) and had a rockin' good time. Will & Ben actually played together, which is pretty much a first. I guess Ben must be getting to that age where playing together is finally fun! He used to be a lil bully. :\
















(And no, I haven't cut his mullet yet.)

I even threw together a little updo and felt kinda pretty for the first time in awhile. It's amazing what a little make-up and fifteen minutes in the mirror can do for a girl's self-esteem. I'm not a snow driver (as I've already documented) and with my month-long shopping excursion done long ago and snow on the ground, we just haven't been out of the house much. That means I've been sporting sweatshirts and comfy pants for weeks. I think I needed tonight as much as Ben!

Now, proof that I'm an absolute dork, here's a picture of muh hair. I'm obviously quite proud of myself for pulling this together in ten minutes:

Deal Dishin'

Someone pointed out recently that I've gotten completely away from any deal posting whatsoever. And you're right. I'm sorry to anyone who has continued to follow my blog for good deals! Well today, I'm jumping back on the bandwagon. I'll try to make a few posts each week that lay out the best deals I've found. Promise. ;)

WALGREENS
{If you're new to the Walgreens Register Rewards program, read up on it here.}

You'll definitely want to get into a Walgreens tomorrow if you have a child in diapers.

First things first, tomorrow, Friday, February 12, use this coupon for 15-20% off your entire purchase. Sidenote: I just used 4 commas in a single sentence! Highly doubt it was grammatically correct, but I did it. Anyway. Make sure you purchase your items at the photo or cosmetics counter to get the discount. If you don't feel like printing the coupon out, you can do what I did. Just text HEART to 21525 and you'll be sent an ecoupon on your phone to use.

Next up is a FREE 8x10 photo collage. Order online and use coupon code VDAY. Then choose in-store pick-up and get it totally free.

Finally, Huggies Jumbo packs are on sale for $8.99
-15% off coupon
-$2/1 printable here
-$1/1 coupon from Walgreens Childrens Activity Book - this can't be found at ALL Walgreens but people have found them by the toys, pharmacy, registers, etc. Just be on the lookout! The great thing about it is that it only costs 99 cents but the coupons can be used over and over. The cashier only needs to scan it, not take it. Even if you can't find this book, the diapers are still SUPER cheap.
-$3 Register Rewards
Final = $1.64! For a pack of diapers!

Thanks, MSM!

FREEBIES

Get a coupon for a totally free bottle of Excedrin when you fill this out. Apparently you should NOT choose an Excedrin product when filling this out. According to For the Mommas, the week of February 21st, Excedrin will be priced at $2.50 with a $2 Register Reward on the Menstrual Complete at Walgreens. If you use the FREE coupon you get, you'll make a $2 profit for buying this!

TARGET

$2.14 4-Pack of GE Reveal Light Bulbs (on price cut in many areas)
-$1/1 manufacturer's Q from 1/3 SS
-$1/50/1 Target printable here
Final = FREE plus possible overage

$1.50 Coffee-Mate creamer {16 oz}
-$0.75/1 printable here
Final = $0.75

A few of my favorite things.

First, I've got to start by thanking you guys for all your suggestions! I'll undoubtedly keep you posted on his skin situation.

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately and figured it wouldn't hurt to share a few of my little gems.

Simple Mom - I couldn't love a blog any more than this!

Simple Organic - A spin-off of Simple Mom. The title pretty much says it all. Perfect! If you read nothing else, at least check out the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database that evaluates the health & beauty products we put on our bodies everyday. Yikes!

Money Saving Mom's posts (part 1 & part 2) about saving 100% for a house. And they only did it in a couple of years!

Within the Simple Mom blog is a series on Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover - part 1, part 2, part 3. We're currently on this plan and, frankly, loving it! Just mapping out the road to getting debt-free is the most incredible weight off our shoulders. I can only dream about what it will feel like when we're actually there! Hers is the best, most straight-forward explanation I found about this system.

Frugal Dad - Cool blog, cool perspective. I like this guy!

Get Rich Slowly - Another good read. Hey, are we sensing a trend here? My mind is clearly all wrapped up in money these days.

Please solve our mystery.

I'm currently accepting ALL suggestions as to this plague running through my little guy's body. As documented earlier today, Ben's face rash was finally almost gone. This was amazing since his face has been in such bad shape for so long now. So I'm like, "Ooh, let's document this occasion with a picture!" I guess I jinxed us, because I put him down for a nap right after that picture and this is how he looked when he woke up:





HELP! I'm so frustrated and so tired of seeing my little babe like this. :( He's been allergy tested and he's only allergic to eggs and peanuts. I've scrutinized everything that's gone in his mouth for a week now, and there hasn't been a trace of either. I thought maybe it could be something in his crib, but I just washed his sheets over the weekend with the same detergent as always and he slept in that same crib all weekend, when his face improved. I just don't get it. He ate his normal breakfast this morning.


Yeah, kiddo. I feel ya!


UPDATE as of November 2011: FINALLY found a solution!  Read about it here.

Please solve our mystery.

I'm currently accepting ALL suggestions as to this plague running through my little guy's body. As documented earlier today, Ben's face rash was finally almost gone. This was amazing since his face has been in such bad shape for so long now. So I'm like, "Ooh, let's document this occasion with a picture!" I guess I jinxed us, because I put him down for a nap right after that picture and this is how he looked when he woke up:





HELP! I'm so frustrated and so tired of seeing my little babe like this. :( He's been allergy tested and he's only allergic to eggs and peanuts. I've scrutinized everything that's gone in his mouth for a week now, and there hasn't been a trace of either. I thought maybe it could be something in his crib, but I just washed his sheets over the weekend with the same detergent as always and he slept in that same crib all weekend, when his face improved. I just don't get it. He ate his normal breakfast this morning.


Yeah, kiddo. I feel ya!


UPDATE as of November 2011: FINALLY found a solution!  Read about it here.

The Case of the Overnight Mullet.

Sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, this sprouted:



It's a little scary looking and definitely in need of a cut. How does that happen overnight? I thought maybe it was just a bedhead thing; that maybe it just needed a wash. Not so. I washed it this morning and when it dried, it looked exactly the same. Don't you love how it just shoots right out the back of his head?



In other news, I am not always the mom I thought I'd be. No, I let Ben watch Sesame Street and I DON'T FEEL GUILTY. Imagine!



And in other other news, gosh, this kid is CUTE! And his rash is almost gone!



Our weekend was filled with sweet relaxation. I even let the house get dirty for a few minutes. We are trying to load up on Daddy time since he's leaving for ten days on another business trip. What's the worst part, you ask? Oh, just the fact that HE'LL BE GONE ON VALENTINE'S DAY. But, you know, it's whatever.