Push-em-ups

Jonathan does push-ups every day. Sometimes Jonah joins him. Sometimes Jonah tries to "help." And sometimes he is just stinking CUTE:

Five for Friday: My Wish List

Getting into this pregnancy I've begun to think about products that might be useful. I have most of the "baby" things (highchair, crib, car seat, etc.) that I need. But, I've discovered some neat things that might prove handy after the baby comes. 

These bumpy labels will be my our first purchase after the ultra sound. Once we know the gender I'll order a package of these with the baby's name on them.  They are great for the church nursery. Especially when there is more than one kid with the same type bottle/sippy cup. 

I just saw this little thing called the Tag-Along. I've been debating this double stroller . But, I already have a Graco stroller that matches our car seat. I'd hate to not use it. And we have an umbrella stroller...and a jogging stroller...I just don't think I want to purchase/store another stroller. I'll have to keep thinking about this one. I wonder if the tag along will hook on to a shopping cart?

Speaking of strollers/car seats. What about these mesh "bug screens?" Since we will spend time outside (ie: have nice weather and a two-year-old) when this baby comes, I want to protect the infant. 

I also think I want one of these Cooshee Boosters for our big boy. 

 The new baby won't need the high chair for a while, so I have time to shop around. 

While I'm wishing, why not wish big! 

How about this nice video monitor. The monitor we use now is just fine. It is a 13-year-old hand-me-down, but works for us. I would probably rest more easily with a video feed of the infant. (especially with our split floor plan...save me a trip across the house in the night) We have some friends who said we could have theirs when they are done, but their baby will be exactly a year when ours is born. I wonder if they will be ready to part with it then? (or 3 months from then when we move the baby to the crib, perhaps)

I would love to hear from those of you who've made the one-to-two transition...are there any FABULOUS products out there that I should know about? 

Any input I shouldn't live without? 

Having a Ball in the Bath

Drano Test

Maybe you've heard of the Drano Gender Test. I tried it with my first pregnancy. And now I've tried it with this one. The results?? Rather inconclusive if you ask me. 

If you want the full details/instructions, click HERE.

Basically, you mix a certain amount of drano crystals with a certain amount of first morning urine. If it changes color within a certain time frame, you're having a boy. If it doesn't change, it means a girl. 

You are supposed to base your results on the first 10-15 seconds...of the "reaction."

(yes, there is quite a reaction in that jar...the test MUST be 

done outside)

I did my best to get some video (while avoiding the fumes).

Well, when we did the test, it didn't start reacting right away. I don't know what that means. But, it did end up turning very  dark, which I assume is brown, so I guess it indicates a boy. 

I have no idea at what point I should have started timing the 15-20 seconds. 

When I was expecting Jonah I did this test three times. Each time the end result had a different appearance. I am not going to waste the product/effort on multiple tries anymore. I'll wait to find out in a less crude, more modern way! 

BUT, the GOOD NEWS is we have an ultrasound scheduled for March 16th.

 I am so excited to learn the gender of our little one.  

We already have names picked out. We've had the girl name in mind since we got married. The boy name came to me last summer (before we ever  even anticipated another pregnancy) when a friend was having trouble choosing a name for her boy.  Once we know the gender for certain, we will call the baby by name and let Jonah get to know his sibling more tangibly. 

Another Valentine.

ok, so I couldn't resist posting another one. 

we gave jonah UNDERWEAR for his Valentine. 

and for ours, he's keeping them DRY! 

I'll post more about potty training another time, but just wanted to share this today. 

Valentine's SNOW DAY

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. We got out as a family this morning to enjoy some of the snow that fell all day yesterday. This was really the first time Jonah has appreciated/understood anything about snow. He was so excited to get all bundled up!

 Jonathan built him a snow man...which pretty much cleared the ground in that area. We didn't have a ton of snow, but it has been pretty. It is all melting away now. 

I caught some of the fun on video for you. Since I didn't get around to making Valentines this year, I hope that this goes straight to your heart! 

Piggy Pig.

The other day, completely out of the blue, Jonah started making this pig sound. I was on the phone and he was trying to get my attention. It worked. I could not stop laughing. While the sound is cute, and I love that he just came up with it on his own, the face he makes is my favorite part! Hopefully you can see the cuteness I saw. If not, I'll just treasure it up for myself. 

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I have been meaning to post this for a while. I loaded some pictures over a month ago...to use on a rainy day, when I needed a new post. 

Well, I've been asked about it again, so I thought I'd just go for it. 

I love making my own laundry soap. Before I tried, it felt overwhelming, but then I saw this method that made me so curious I just HAD to try it. Just so I don't plagiarize or steal anything I found the original idea HERE.

These are the only ingredients you will need. They can all be purchased at Walmart. (you can also use a bar soap called Fels Naptha, found on the laundry aisle.)

Powdered Laundry Soap

2 cups borax

2 cups washing soda

1 bar soap

What is the secret? What is the thing that snagged my attention? 

MICROWAVE the soap first. 

Yep. 

Have you ever seen what happens to a regular bar of soap when it gets zapped? 

SO cool! It gets big, fluffy, dry, and brittle. 

I cut it into fourths or sixths before microwaving (so it gets dried all the way through) and put each piece in for one minute on high.

Then, the dry brittle soap goes into the food processor (or some kind of blender) to be ground into powder.  (the powder WILL go up your nose when you open the food processor and you WILL sneeze)

I should say you CAN do it without microwaving. Simply grate the bar soap with a food grater (or zester, to make it really fine). But, really, where is the fun in that? 

The finished product fills a 10lb (120 load) detergent box a bit less than 1/3 full. It would take three or four batches to fill my regular Tide powder box. BUT I use much less. I think I use about 3 Tbsp. of this detergent per large load. If you have a fancy HE washer, you can use ONE Tbsp. 

Wake-Up Wednesday

I have not posted much Jonah footage lately. I've mentioned that he's hard to "catch in the act" these days. Anyway, I heard him wake-up today. So, I turned on the video before I went in. It isn't fancy, but he is always cute!

Just Monday

It's just a plain old Monday around here. Nothing fancy. Shoot, rarely do we get fancy. However, plain does not mean dull. 

There are so many funny and cute things that Jonah is saying these days. I really should write them down through the day. I WISH I could capture all of our conversations on video, but it happens so quickly, I would do good to just get it recorded on paper. Some of them are only funny in the moment/context in which they happen. Others, like today, are just so sweet and cute that I must share!

Jonathan got the chance to substitute teach at the local high school today. So, he came home right as Jonah and I were leaving. And then he headed out to the ice cream parlor soon after.  (translation: we only saw Jonathan for a few minutes today) In those few minutes Jonah very simply, yet completely, stole our hearts and made us laugh. 

               Jonathan: Jonah, do you know how much Daddy loves you?

               Jonah: SO much!

               Jonathan: Jonah, do you know how much Mommy loves you?

               Jonah: Too much!

some days are like that

Some days there is only one way for me to get anything done around the house. Now, don't let that fool you. There are many many days that very little is even attempted. However, there is the rare occasion that I MUST get a bit of housework done and my little sweetie just can't comply. SO, I work around it.

Do you see his pitiful runny-nosed face? I want to reach into the picture and wipe his nose. 

As you can see, Jonah wasn't feeling the best yesterday. So, I strapped him on and went about my work. He soon grew tired of the sling and decided he didn't need to be held anymore. 

He and I are both getting bigger (yes, I think I'm finally growing a baby belly). So, I know the day I can no longer lift/hold him is coming quickly. Until that day, I will work in all the holding I can.