Ava's 3rd Birthday on a Dime

My daughter turned 3 back in November and she very much wanted a Dinosaur Birthday. What can I say I have a princess who loves dinos and robots. She watches a lot of Dinosaur train and we were lucky enough to be given som decorations from a friend who had some left over from her son's birthday.

For the food we had herbivore food (fruits and vegetables) carnivore food (dino shaped chicken nuggets) Dino claws (bugels ships) and dino print cookies (sugar cookies, in which I stomped in a dino foot right when they came out of the oven and dusted with cinammon. We had water and juice for drinks. She loved it all and I have to say we were pretty pleased with the outcome.

While we were waiting for kids to show up I had crayons and coloring pages out for everyone to color and take home with them.

We laid down some different dino tracks through out the house that the kids could follow to and from different activities (got the at Toys R' Us on clearnace).

After coloring we went to an excavation site. You could very well do this outside but she is a winter baby and it was cold so I put down a painting tarp and covered it with sand where the "fossils" were buried. Each kiddo had their own brush ($.49 small brush from walmart that I painted the handle) to use to unearth the fossils which again the got to take home. The fossils I used a corn startch based clay (recipe can be found here) I pushed some of her plastic dinos into it, used a small paint brush to dust cinammon into it and then baked it per the recipe.

Lastly we had a dino egg hunt where the kids went to find a dirt and coffee grind egg which housed a baby dino. I didn't catch a picture of this part but the recipe I used can be found here and then I used small dino's from the dollar store. The kids were able to take everything home in a small galvanited steel bucket from the dollar rack at Target which I adorned with Dino stickers from the dollar store and put "scream" cadbury eggs in there as the one piece of candy along with a lil dino puzzle game and plush triceratops from the dollar store.

 

 

This was the main table, the balloon dinos were from the dollar store, the leaves I bought three bunches and broke them apart from Wal-Mart and everything else came from my good friend. 

 

Everyone had a blast and the best part????(The whole thing cost me less than $100). Here are the links to some of the recipes I used. best Party ever :) She was one happy kid.

Hate your lightswich faceplates....Here's a cheap way to change them!

Oh Pinterest how I adore you. So I saw this on Pinterest and it was exactly what I needed for my daughters room. Here is the site and the directions are pretty much the same but I made a few changes to make it slightly easier with explanations why.

Reface your Switchplates

My daughter is obsessed with birds so I found scrapbook paper with feathers on it that I fell in love with and the best part? Each sheet was $0.39 and I already had the faceplates! Here is what you need for this project!

Ugly faceplates
Mod podge
xacto knife
Sponge brush
Scrapbook paper
Paint to blend into the paper

 

 First you want to take your scrapbook paper and flip it upside down and then trace the faceplate onto the back. In this case I had 4 of the same plate so I traced it four times and cut only the outside edges out with scissors slightly smaller than the pattern (cut just slightly inside, if you don't do this it will not smooth evenly when you apply it). DO NOT cut the inside holes yet.

Now this is where I don't have pictures because I learned afterwards it's easier to do now. Paint the faceplate a color that will blend easily into the scrapbook paper. In this case I used black but silver would have worked really well as well. You can hand paint it or spray paint it but either way paint and let dry.

Once it is dry you want to cover the entire front side of the plate and the backside of the scrapbook paper in Mod Podge with a sponge brush and then place the scrap book paper on the plate and smooth it. Notice you still won't have the holes cut out yet.

I did two coats, letting each coat dry in between and then flipped the switch cover over to cut out the holes.

Once you have cut the holes out flip it back over and apply 3 more coats of Mod Podge (I did a total of 5 coats because I want the ability to clean it since this is going in a childs room)



 

This is where I tried to paint all the edges to blend into the paper and quite honestly it was ridiculous, this is why I say to paint it first because the edges will show a little. Here are the before and after pics with the switch plate on the wall. I LOVE it and while it's hard to tell it really blends into her decor nicely.

Had the directions been a little clearer I would have given this a 5 star but since I had to spend a few hours figuring it out I took away a star. 4 star project for ease and the fact that I can now blend my house together all the way makes me very happy. This plate will most likely be redone simply because I like everything to be the same but I hope you all enjoy the project as much as I did.

This is a great re-pin for Pinterest. The actual link takes you to the following site ...

a real-life housewife

Ok here we go. I am always skeptical of anything until I try it myself. I have all stainless steel kitchen appliances and a very annoying tea kettle. We have had everything (kettle included) for 5 years now and as you all know, no matter how much I cleaned, this sticky oily residue has accumulated over the years on everything.

Gross right? There are water stains, cooking stains and kids with gross hands stains. I have run this through the dishwasher, washed it but always been weary of chemical products because we ingest water from this and while I am a good cleaner I don't want to have that residue on there too. So I saw this post...Just take 1 tbs of Cream of tarter, a little bit of water and clean....

I added enough water to make it into a milky paste with the consistency of soft scrub and then applied it directly to a scratch free blue scrub pad. I them wiped it on the teapot and did have to apply some elbow grease. Once I felt I had gotten all the grease and water spots off I rinsed the pot, dried it with a paper towel and then polished it with a clean dish towel. Here are my results...

 

HUGE DIFFERENCE!

 

I give this a 100% 5 star rating. It's natural and amazing. Again you have to apply elbow grease if it has really built up grease and I really recommend polishing it. I also decided to try a bit of my microwave over the stove. Now I haven't polished it in these pictures but you can again see the difference!

 

Highly recommend for anyone who wants to be natural and chemical free or anyone who is simply tired of paying a ton of $ for all those products that promise results and don't produce. Also remember to use a no scratch sponge when using on delicate surfaces such as stainless steel. 

Orange and Cinnamon Boil

So this is the first Pinterest item I chose to try out mainly because I had everything on hand and my house has been too cooped up due to heat/rain.

Boiling Orange Peels or if you have a Pinterest account Boiled Orange Peels

Here is what I did...

I had some oranges that had perfect intact skins but were over the date I would eat them. I filled a small sauce pot 3/4full and peeled the oranges to put their skins in it. I also decided to squeeze half and orange worth of juice in for a more fragrant smell and added 1 tbs of cinnamon. I brought this to a boil and left on for 30 mins. Here are my findings.....

This is perfect for a small living space. My kitchen and dining room smelled wonderful but the rest of the house appeared unaffected.

Very easy and inexpensive.

You can leave and reboil the next day but I would advise no longer than that due to bacteria and possible mold issues.

I think that instead of cinnamon next time I will use cloves which just seems to mesh better together in my own opinion but I imagine you can use a variety of different spices.

Biggest disappointment is that I don't feel like my house smells heavenly but it does smell fresh in the small rooms surrounding my kitchen.

Overall rating 3.5 stars

Wow! It's been a while!

Wow! It's been a while and so much has happened. Without going into too much detail we can say the economy hit this family hard but we are strong and recovered...Here are some good things that happened since my last post!

• Vic got not one but two amazing opportunities for jobs
 
• I am now a Stay at home mom
 
• We have a new addition .... baby boy... Ventura Franciso dob 7/31/12 8lbs 5 oz 21" long

 
 
• I found Pinterest
 
• Ava got a new big girl room and loves it (still needs a lot of work)

 
 
• One of my besties came out to visit last year and we had a blast!
 

 

So lots of amazing things came our way but it wasn't without a price that we paid for 8+ months. It is amazing what things can do to you to bring your family closer together and for that I am very blessed. With the newest addition to our family I have decided that I want to do more crafts with the kids and just for myself/the home to save money. I am going to start using my blog to document these crafts, their process, ways I might change them or make them easier and if they really work. I figured it will be a good way for me to see what I do over the next year and I am also going to post a product that is similar and sold in stores so we can see the cost comparison and how much savings I create by doing this. Super excited! These crafts will include holiday/home and outdoor decor, crafts for kids, hygiene, organization and  cleaning!

 

Where has the time gone???

As I sit here I realize it's the first bit of true quiet I have had in a week and I look at a picture of Avalina and I wonder, "Where has the time gone?" Last night I had her leaned back on my legs sitting on my tummy and she just sat up completely unassisted. She is going to be 3 months old this Sunday and I simply refuse to believe my little angel is growing up. Everyday I look at her and want to pull my hair out because she desires so much attention and wants little to do with naps although she needs them but then I stop and just take in all her little babiness. Her adorable chubby cheeks, her soft skin, the fact that everytime I look at her she smiles...I don't have to do anything and she loves me unconditionally. I LOVE THAT! I love that I am her hero and I make her happy, I love snuggle time and hugs...well what we call hugs ;).
All I have to say is my baby is growing up too quickly and I don't care for it but I have cherished every day of it thus far and can't wait to see all her milestones.

Avalina's Firsts thus far:
Sat up unassiasted
Said dada, doesn't know what it means but it was her first constant/vowel combo
Smiles out of nowhere
Squeals in delight
"talks" cooing, squealing, babbling
Grasping for things and grabbing them
Held a rattle
First Cold :( but all better now :D
bearng weight on legs, she loves to "stand"

Ava Newborn and 1 week old

Newborn



1 week old

So much has happened.....

Since the 17th when I posted my last picture so much has happened. On Friday the 20th I went into the hospital fully expecting to come home. I still hadn't had contractions or any signs of labor but there were small traces of blood when I was going to the bathroom. My doctor suspected it was my "bloodt show" but wanted the hospital to confirm it. When we went in they had to check everything and hook me and Avalina up to monitors before they would release us. Unfortunately they ended up admitting us because Avalina's heart rate was very sporadic. It would be fine and then just significantly dip down.
The doctors decided because of this they wanted to induce labor so they set me up on all my IV's and started the pictocin and penicillin. For those of you that don't know how this works, they start the drip at 1 and gradually like to work you up to 10 to dilate you and what not. Well I never made it past 4. Everytime we got to 4 Ava's heartrate would drop too quickly because my contractions got too close together. They had to keep giving me a shot to stop the contractions and then race to find a position to get her heart rate up. The only position that seemed to work was me on my right side. So for the next 20 hours I spent labor on my right side trying to dilate to 10 and get completely effaced. At this time we still thought we were going to have a vaginal birth so I kept getting the penicillian, for anyone who has ever had this via IV, if it isn't well mixed it burns so bad it makes you think they are ripping your arm off. I am apparently very sensative to this drug and had to endure that pain four times. By the time I hit a dilation of 9 my epidural had stopped working on my left side because I am what is called a gravatational person. The side I was lying on took all the epidural and the other side was left feeling everything. This is when I started having extreme pain in my left hip. The doctors told me we could try another shot of pictocin to get Avalina out vaginally but I would feel all the pain on the left side of my body and it most likely wouldn't work which would mean she would become an emergency C-Section and I would be put under. The other option was to have a regular C-Section and be allowed to stay awake and let Vic be in the room. Since the options were limited we decided to try the normal C-Section since the risks of being put under were far greater than just having a huge epidural.
At about 6 pm I was wheeled into the surgery room and had been administered a ton of epidural medicine and morphine. 34 minutes later I heard the most beautiful cry in the world and saw my daughter for a split second before they had to start stiching me up. After they were done I was wheeled to postpardum where they monitor you for 2 hours, in those two hours you are supposed to be able to wiggle your toes, ankles, bend your knees and lift your bottom. I was told that this often takes the whole two hours to happen. The minute I was wheeled in I was able to do everything. The poor nurse was so impressed they didn't know what to do because they had never had this happen before. They decided to keep me for an hour and then finally I was wheeled to recovery postpardum and finally able to see my daughter and hold her for the first time. This was the most wonderful and exciting moment of my day. She is and was the most beautiful thing in the world to me. At that time I learned that she was born offically at 6:34 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz and was 20 inches long. The reason that I was only able to lie on my right side without her heartrate dipping was because her umbilical cord was on the left hand side so lying flat or on that side put the pressure on the cord which dropped her heartrate. I also learned that the pain in my hip was her head. She was sunnyside up with her head turned so I was getting the back side of her head slammed into my pelvis. As much as I disliked the C-Section it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
From there we were monitored for 48 hours and were released at 6:34 on Monday and came home to finish the recovery process. I am very stiff, swollen and in pain. My abdomen feels like I was punched relentlessly and my legs to my feet are so swollen that I literally cannot fit into my pants. I was told the swelling will go down, it's because I had so many IV's for so long and my kidney's just cannot process all that quickly. Here were are 4 days after the C-Section and I am able to move around but slowly. I won't lie, it hurts like nothing I have ever felt and no pain medicine makes it feel better but everytime I hear a hunger or diaper cry I am reminded of how very blessed I am because despite everything I went through, God gave me a perfectly healthy baby girl!

40 weeks and still baking!

2 Days till D-Day and......

I am still only 1 cm dilated and 25% effaced. The doctor said at least another week of baking in her professional opinion. So here is a run down of what I learned today:
My blood pressure has been steadily going up....what does this mean? I may be at risk for Preeclampsia. http://www.preeclampsia.org/about.asp. If my Blood pressure keeps going up and I go into labor then they will run some blood tests and urine sampe to see if I need magnesium during labor.
I also have noticed decreased fetal movement but after 30 minutes of monitoring, Ava is healthy, her heartbeat was between 130-150's which is good and she had lots of movement tracked. They were also able to see my contractions which there were 4 of them during this time.
I also had an ultrasound today where they checked her fluid in the sac. Apparently the deal is that they take the largest and deepest sac and as long as there are 2 cm of fluid on all sides we are good. Not only did she have two deep pockets but one measured the normal requirements and one was 4-6 cm on all sides. So she is good in that department.
She is head down and locked and loaded. Apparently even while engaged she can still rotate around to be sunnyside up or down so we still aren't sure which way she will come out but at least she is head down!
If I am still the same next week and Ava is still not wanting to come out we will talk about induction.
So what does all this really mean? It means I have a butterball turkey in the oven and while done it's just not ready to come out.

I will post a 40 week picture soon. As always love you guys!

38-39 week appointment

I had another appointment yesterday. I have to admit I do not like the checking for dilation because the nurse is a little rough but good news is that I am finally 1 cm dilated and 25% effaced! On a grosser note and probably TMI I lost my whole mucus plus this am so hopefully this all means things will be moving along from here on out. I have heard mixed reviews of people who lost their plugs and it was weeks and others where it was days so we will keep you updated. If the baby doesn't come before the next appointment, which is the 16th, then I will update you again on that day or shortly after. Love you all!

Weekly Update

I had another Doctor appointment, now they are in weekly increments. I had the strep test done and am awaiting results. I was also checked for dilation....I am still firm and closed so 0 dilation. I have been doing everything to try and help the process along so that there is better news this coming Thursday at our next appointment. We are so excited to meet our daughter that the suspense is killing me. Am I ready to go through labor and needles? NO!!!! For anyone who knows me well they know I hate needles and I don't know my pain tolerence but it will be so worth it. I cannot wait to meet our daughter, let's just hope it isn't on Thanksgiving. I will give you another update after Thursday, as always love you all!

36 week picture of me

So now that we are in the last month I might as well provide a new pic of the ever growing belly. Sometimes it looks good and sometimes not so much. It seems it depends how curled up the lil wiggle worm is.




We are pretty much set to go. Ava's bag is packed, her clothes and sheets are washed, My bag is mostly packed (just missing a few things I use every day and can't yet part with), Birth plan is done, we are pre-admitted and car seat goes in on Tuesday.
Are we ready to meet our daughter? YES!!!!!!!
Am I ready to go through the whole labor process? NO!!!!
I admit there are days I am rip roaring ready to go and then there are other days I am scared outta my socks. I think this has to be normal with the first one and once things are in action I will be fine, it's just getting to that point.
My whole pregnancy has been easy compared to others I have spoken with so I hope it continues in the labor room.

We have our next appointment this Tuesday where, again supposedly, they will finally do the tests they keep telling me about and check me for dilation. Apparently from this point on I go in every week which will be both exciting and frustrating since it is such a long drive for a five minute appointment. I will keep you all updated on the results of the tests and whether or not I am dilated.

Just as a reminder, both Vic and I have Blackberries so all hospital pictures and pictures of the baby will be up on facebook before they are on this site. So once you get the text/call/e-mail that we are going to the hospital look there for updates. Love you all!

Today's Appointment

Well, today was very disappointing to say the least. I went in and was supposed to have my strep B test and be checked for dilation but lo and behold the military strikes again. They decided they want to wait until my next appointment on 10/27. Please keep in mind I may be giving birth by then. I am so frustrated with them that I could spit but this is what close to free healthcare gets you. Trust me, it's not all it's cracked up to be.
To give you a rundown of today, I went in and got the most inpersonable, cold, stinky nurse ever. Lord she made my blood boil and my blood pressure proved it. Then of course I got the news that the tests I was going to have weren't going to happen. I literally walked out crying.
I am thankful that the pregnancy is going so well and the baby is healthy (her heart rate was still in the 150's) but I just want answers and things to happen when I am told they will.
Enough of my ranting tho, I am thankful and happy to be so blessed with such an easy going pregnancy. If my only complaint is pelvic pressure I have had it much better than most women. I am def in the countdown stage and can't wait to meet our daughter, though I wish I could avoid all those dang needles ;).

Ava's Room

I know I have been slacking but we have had so much going on. Ava's room is almost done, I just need to reframe a picture and put up two shelves. All her lil clothes and what not's are washed and waiting for her arrival. As you can see it is a room fit for a princess, the only thing that will be different is the bassinet is for downstairs, however, we cannot trust the animals until she is here! Lemme know what you all think. xoxo

Amazing Baby Shower

The baby shower was yesterday and it was great. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out because I didn't think a lot of people were going to come but there were still a lot of people. My friends; Stacey, Katie and Alena threw it for me and they did an amazing job! Everything was perfect and honestly I couldn't have even imagined something so wonderful. Here are a few pics from the shower. The rest are on facebook :) love you all xoxo

Baby Shower

This weekend is going to prove to be awesome. My girlies are throwing me a baby shower on Saturday and I honestly cannot wait to just have girl fun. While Vic has been amazing it will be nice to sit and chat/laugh with the girls. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. I promise to get pics up as soon as possible :D

GD results and the going's on of the Perry's

So it felt like it was forever but we did find out I am good to go and don't have gest Diabetes. However, I am apparently borderline anemic, usually women become anemic in their third trimesters so the doctor's aren't too worried. The normal number to be is 11 and I am right on that brink. Other than that mommy and ava are doing just fine!

We have lots to look forward to this month. Classes are starting, another 3D ultrasound, the baby shower and of course we are counting down. Vic has literally placed money on the fact that I will go into labor on Halloween. Part of me wouldn't be suprised but you never know. She is constantly moving and kicking. Just letting me know that she is in there and it makes me more and more excited every day.

Hopefully after the baby shower we will be able to finish the room. I have been hesitant on buying anything since you never know what you are and aren't going to get.

Also, for those that want to see me at my worst here is the latest belly shot. I was having a rough day and you can tell but it's all worth it.

GD test

Yesterday I had my gestastional Diabetes test. I won't know the results until tomorrow. I have to say there is no planning in the world that gets you ready for flat tasting orange cough syrup soda that you have to chug in 5 minutes. Nor, is there any way I will ever accept needles. While this time for my bloodwork I didn't shed a tear or turn into a hot mess I still had to pratically make vic lose his hand. Poor guy! I will keep you all updated. Other than that we are gearing up for the end. I have all the classes in place, the room is coming together, the baby showers are planned so all we need know is for the lil princess to get out of her transverse position and move forward! xoxo

Some 3D Pics

We had to reschedule to get more because the lil princess would not wake up or move her hands. She was tucked up against my bladder to make the experience even more fun!