Product Reviews

All right friends, it's that time again...I've been trying some new products, and I've also been going back to old favorites. I've also been using coupons to get things free from CVS (a little addiction going on there) Anyway, here are some of my new and old FAVORITE THINGS!! (And if you've tried any of these things and DON'T like them, feel free to let me know. I won't feel bad! I'm no expert. I'm open to trying new things too, so let me know what things you love as well.)
*Hard Anodized Cookware:
I can't tell you what brand I have, because I don't know. Last year I desperately needed some pots and pans, but I wanted stuff that was durable and safe. I have had some concerns about the coatings on non-stick pans these days so I looked in to other options. I almost got stainless steel until I stumbled upon an amazing deal on amazon.com. I LOVE HARD ANODIZED!!! First, you should know they are NOT dishwasher safe. I didn't know that, but I don't care. They are so easy to clean. They heat up faster than other cookware I've used, they cook things evenly, and they are so dang durable. I highly recommend you get some. I got a similar set for under $50, so be patient and find a good deal. You don't need to pay hundred of dollars.

* Tae Bo Advanced.
Billy Blanks is a good instructor, but the original Advanced workout is my all time favorite. It ruined me because every other workout video has just bored me to tears ever since.
I haven't been able to find it for years (except on VHS) so we are in LUCK! Some blessed soul just uploaded it to youtube in 6 segments. You've got to try it!! Go HERE to get started. It will make you DRIP SWEAT. You'll be burning the calories like crazy, and at the end (floor workout!) YOUR BUNS WILL BE BURNING!!! I LOVE IT!! Have a towel and water ready, you'll need it! Oh, and ignore his tight spandex crotch, ok? He's really motivational, if you can get past the pants.*Aveeno Shower & Bath Oil
I found it on clearance, had a coupon, and just bought it for no reason. But I and ended up LOVING it. I thought it was an in-shower moisturizer but I was wrong. You put it on right after you get out. It makes my skin super soft (does a better job than lotion) and with very little greasy residue.
*Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners:
I normally buy the cheapest little liners I can find, but when CVS had a coupon promo that made them free (actually a moneymaker for you coupon gurus) I stocked up. Like, somehow I have 17 packages in my closet. But they are AWESOME!! They are the softest things ever, and they have the sticky tape things in all the right places. Watch for coupons and get these for way cheap, or get a coupon or request a free sample HERE
*Avon Perfect Wear Eyewriter
I've tried a lot of Avon products because you can get them shipped to your house for free. This is the only product I order again and again. I love it. It's a liquid eyeliner, I think it's easy to use (I smudge with a wet q-tip after putting it on so the line isn't too severe) and it lasts forever, and then washes right off.*Revlon Color Stay Mineral Mousse
This was another CVS freebie. I buy almost all my makeup at drugstores, but not foundation. That's one thing I will spend more $$ on. So I was surprised when this mineral mousse foundation worked so great! (Normal price is around $9.99). The color blended perfectly with my skin and had awesome coverage, and didn't sit in the fine/dry lines on my face very much. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the scent, but it's not too strong. Try it out if you can get it for a good deal.
* Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara
I was so excited to try this mascara. I know Lancome makes a higher end version of it. It's the mascara with a vibrating wand. I was able to get it for $6, but I think it's normally around $12-15 (high for a drugstore mascara.) Pros: It definitely volumizes. It lengthens well too. I used it on Sunday and Samuel asked me if I had fake eyelashes on. And that was without the vibrator turned on. I can't see a big difference when it vibrates. Cons: It can get a little clumpy. And it doesn't last as long as I think it should. 10 hours post-application it was flaking. That's happened more than once. I'm a contact wearer so I don't like that. But I am still using it. I'm giving it a partial recommendation, especially if you can get a great deal on it. Don't pay full price for it.
*California Pizza Kitchen Five Cheese & Tomato Pizza
So, they sell these in the restaurant and I order it every time. It has basil sprinkled on it and is so cheesy and delicious. Here's the good news: They sell them in the frozen food aisle at your grocery store and THEY TASTE EXACTLY LIKE THE ONES IN THE RESTAURANT. I just picked a few up for $4 at the grocery store yesterday. Kalia loves it, Samuel loves it...and (secret confession) when I was pregnant with Annaliese I would eat a whole pizza (in one sitting) at least once a week. That's about 1000 calories and 45 grams of fat in one meal. And that's why I pack on the pounds during pregnancy my friends. TRY THIS PIZZA. Right after you do Tae Bo Advanced.

This is why they have separate rooms

Most of the time Kalia is finding a way to torture Annaliese (maybe tease is a better word) but she is usually screaming for me to come rescue her. She was fairly toleant in this video clip, but I'm afraid she's going to grow up and be a mean little thing, and scratch/bite/kick other kids in the nursery, like her mama supposedly did. Here, once again, Kalia woke Annaliese up from her nap.I think my favorite part is how Annie's face keeps getting smooshed into the mesh. Kalia woke her up from naps/bedtime so many times...I finally got smart and started start locking her in while she's sleeping. Kalia did figure out how to open the door with a key, but now the keys are hidden and Kalia is only torturing her little sis when she is already awake.

Haircut

Several of you saw this already on facebook, but this is my haircut. I'm wishing for a little more volume (like Stacy!) but she's got a professional doing her hair, and I don't even know how to use a round brush. Anyway, I still can't get over how dark my hair is growing in. The top 3-4 inches is my new natural color. When did I cease to be a blonde? Can we blame it on pregnancy hormones? I've had a lot of those in the last 2 years.

Me

1. I got a good haircut. Five inches off. I feel like a new woman. I would have gone for the full 8+ inches and donated to locks of love, but they don't take hair that has been bleached. It probably falls apart when they try to make wigs out of it. Oh well. I went to the closest, cheapest place (Cost Cutters) and I got lucky and left so happy (love it when that happens.) It looks kind of like Stacy London's hair, which I've always wanted.

2. I can't find time to make dinner. In an effort to change this, I am creating a dinner calendar with easy ideas, and I'm going to try to make them early in the day and refrigerate for later. The late afternoon is just a stressful time. I don't know how everybody does it.

3. I've started a new thing: I'm trying to eat a piece of fruit before every meal. I also take extra Omega oils as a supplement, and then some other great vitamins. I cannot BELIEVE the difference in my energy levels. For one thing, I no longer have to nap every day (I used to in Vegas, I couldn't make it through the morning, I'd have to go back to bed.) I had no idea that my junky, sugary diet was dragging me down so much. I still have bad days (or weeks) where I fall back into the junk, but then my body starts slowing down, and you know, it just might be worth the hassle to eat healthy. There's an amazing book I've been reading that has helped me make changes, I'll tell you about it later.

4. Does anyone know how to REALLY get your post-baby pooch to go away? I feel pretty good about the weight loss, but then I sit down and have all this mush on my stomach. Someone tell me your secret. Is pilates really the cure? I'm sure just exercising would be a good start.

5. The house that we're renting has 3 offers on it. That's good news because #1, the listing has been taken down so we don't have to show the house anymore. The last week before they pulled the listing, realtors came to show the house EIGHT times in one week. I was ready to move out into a tent after that week. It was so annoying. I'm glad that's over. #2, the more offers there are, the longer the process will take. Short sales can take forever. From what I've learned about them, chances are we'll be here another 3-6 months. I'm happy about that. If the offers fall through, which happens frequently, it will all start over again.

6. I started an ebay business. Not a huge one, but one day at Marshalls I found Robeez shoes, brand new, selling for $9.99. I went home, checked on ebay, and they were selling for $15-20. (Full retail is $34.95.) So I went back, bought all 23 pairs (on my credit card of course!) and started selling them. It's going well! It's a pretty easy way to make money! But I've already learned that the 3-6 month size are not in high demand. I will probably return about half of those. I went to a second Marshalls store today and bought 9 more pair of the bigger sizes. It will be nice to have a little extra spending money around here. But the shoes are so cute, I want to keep them for Annaliese. I must be strong! Course, her birthday is almost here...

8x10 Canvas *DEAL ALERT*

Artscow.com has a great deal right now. Get an 8 x 10 picture made onto a canvas...normally $24.99 each. Use promo code 8x10GPDAY and get TWO 8x10's for free, you just end up paying $8.99 shipping. They don't have to be the same. Did I confuse you? In a nutshell, $8.99 for two 8x10 canvas pics...nice! Ends 9/30/09.

Annaliese-10 months

Blueberries! Her favorite treat. Sometimes her face and hands get stained purple.

Would someone tell me what is going on with these eyes of hers? They have definite brown streaks, but now it looks like they're going LIGHTER but only in certain spots? Cuh-razy! Here's the monthly update on Annaliese, for the Grandmas and for the record:

Weight: 21 lbs

Height: I forgot...I'll fill this in later

She is standing on her own, and has taken 6 or 7 steps. She still prefers crawling and probably will for awhile.

She's putting up with a lot of bullying from Kalia. She'll take it for awhile, but if Kalia holds her and won't let go (7 or 8 times a day) she just starts screaming til I come rescue her. She has a VERY loud yell, one she perfected when she was 2 months old.

She's not really into signing like Kalia was. I've seen her do "more" once or twice, and "milk" but she just looks at me like I'm a weirdo when I do signs with her.

She's at that age where she likes to drop everything on purpose, just to watch it fall. Then she says, "Uh-oh."

She can't have any juice, not even pear or apple, because of the citric acid and ascorbic acid, (it gives her face rashes, cradle cap and makes her cranky) but she LOVES water out of a sippy cup.

I am mixing chamomile tea in with her formula to help her body deal with the allergies and also to help her relax and sleep at night. (I'm a big fan of chamomile myself.)

She says 4 words: Dada, Ni-Ni (ni-night), Uh-oh, and my personal favorite, "Toot" (she says it like the "toot" in "tootsie". I'm still waiting on "mama"

She is a great clapper and gives high fives.

She seems to love music a lot more than Kalia ever did, and I see her bouncing and dancing to music all the time.

She's in the process of cutting all 4 top teeth. She bit me the other day with her razor bottom teeth and almost hit the bone.

She is getting really hard to handle at church. She's almost hyperactive when I try to contain her in the pew. I am confused about this because I thought she was going to be my calm baby.

Still taking 2 naps a day and going to bed at 6 p.m.

Has been nicknamed "Chubbas" by her dad, and so now Kalia calls her that all the time,

Loves to climb up the stairs (but she won't even attempt going down.)

Loves to wave hi to people.

She got called "Thumbelina" by someone at the store the other day. (random!)

Follow up on Birth Control

***DISCLAIMER*** I am talking about menstrual cycles and birth control and sperm and eggs, so DON'T read this if you can't handle it!! Thanks!

Right before Annaliese, I started thinking really hard about what form of birth control I should use after she was born. Having 2 kids in a row, well, let's just say I was motivated to make sure there weren't 3 in a row. I don't think I could have handled it! Also, we didn't have any maternity insurance, so money would have been a problem if baby #3 came along, especially with my history of c-sections and Vbac's.

I asked all of you what birth control you had tried and liked or disliked. It was a very enlightening conversation. (If you want to see that post, go HERE.)

I wanted to follow up and let you know what I chose and how it's working out for me.

As many of you know, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at age 49;It was a very agressive form, but they caught it in time, and after chemo and radiation, she is now cancer free (yahoo!!!) This was obviously a significant event in all our lives, and since it's already running in the family (both grandmas and now my mom) I feel the need to be EXTREMELY careful about any increased risk of breast cancer. I've also become a lot more concerned about hormones that are added to our food, specifically our meat. I'm trying to avoid those too, I think they are definitely not helping our health in any way.

Breast cancer is heavily related to hormones, in fact one type of breast cancer is driven by hormones, meaning your hormones is what feeds the tumors and makes them grow.

I don't mean to scare any of you, since the studies have shown that oral contraceptives only very slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. However, that was enough for me. Especially when you combine it with the fact that I am a MOODY BEAST on any sort of hormonal birth control, even the Mini-pill (you take it when you're nursing a baby...it's progersterone only, no estrogen). My doctor told me it wouldn't make me moody. OH, BUT IT DID!!! My body just seems to have big reactions, even to tiny doses of hormones, so I felt really good about going with the Paragard IUD.

The Paragard is an IUD that does not put any hormones into your body. It just releases tiny amounts of copper into your uterus and that naturally prevents pregnancy. It's been used for a LONG time, which was very important to me, because some of the newer forms of birth control have not a lot of testing to prove they're safe, so they are sometimes recalled and lawsuits happen, etc. etc. etc.

A concerned friend knew I was going to try the Paragard. She emailed me and told me that she and her husband considered IUD's a form of abortion. Scary, eh? So I immediately looked into it and came to the conclusion that it's definitely not a form of abortion, since pregnancy, conception, even the egg being fertilized...is completely prevented in the first place. The IUD affects the movement of the sperm so they can't get to the egg. It also changes the lining of the uterus to prevent the egg from implantation.

My insurance did not cover IUD's, and when I told my doctor that, he suggested I order one online from a canadian pharmacy. He wrote me a prescription so that I could do it. (He's LDS.) I was so glad he did that. I got it for $80 instead of $400. I highly recommend it.

I had the IUD put in last January, so it's been in for 9 months. The insertion was easy, only a tad of discomfot, and I've never felt or noticed it since. Samuel can not tell it's there. It prevents pregnancy by 99.9% (only 8 out of 1000 get pregnant while on it.) I never have to remember to take a pill, I never have spotting or irregular bleeding, my cycle is very normal, and I have not had any side effects, except for one:

This is the only drawback to the Paragard. It makes you have heavier bleeding and longer periods. Before I was married, I would have a 4 day period, every 21 days. Sometimes moodiness and back pain, but mostly simple, short periods. I didn't know HOW much the Paragard would affect that, so I decided just to try it and see. If I hated it, I would switch to the Mirena, which IS hormonal, but gives you short/non-existent periods. (I may try it someday, I know most people really like it.)

I now have 7 day periods instead of 4. I have 2 days that are heavy. Really heavy, like, having to buy the highest absorbancy tampon made, and changing it every 2-3 hours (Tampax just came out with a higher absorbancy, called "Ultra" and I LOVE it, it's perfect for those days.) My cycle is longer too, it's every 30 days now instead of 21. That kind of makes up for the longer/heavier period. I had heavy cramps the first 3 months, but I don't get them anymore. I am really happy with the Paragard, mostly because I am not MOODY (beyond the normal of course!)

There is one other side effect that is not a problem, in fact, it kind of adds to the sex life, but I'm not sure I want to fully disclose it to all my readers. If you are considering the Paragard for yourself, or you just really want to know, feel free to e-mail me and I'll explain it privately.

Finally, the Paragard is NOT recommended for anyone that:
*has had a tubal/ectopic pregnancy
*has a copper allergy (obviously)
*is prone to pelvic infections
*has severe pain during menstrual cycles (you'd hate to make it worse, eh!?!) As another friend pinted out, if you already have a 7 day cycle, you probably don't want to make it any longer!!

Oh, one other thing. The very first month I had the Paragard in, I was like, 2 weeks late on getting my period. I was sure I was pregnant. I was FREAKING OUT, Annaliese was only 2 months old! Luckily my body was just adjusting and now it's a normal predictable pattern.

Well, hope you liked all those details, I'm sure some would call that T.M.I. but oh well! I believe in being well informed. Hope this helps some of you.

Birthday Party- Kalia is 2 (Part Two)

First, let's not forget Samuel, he turned 32 on the 23rd. He's doomed forever to have his birthday combined/downplayed/overshadowed by Kalia's (on the 24th).My labor started at midnight on the 22nd (technically the beginning of his bday on the 23rd, then I was admitted into the hospital at 10 a.m. He was preparing himself that whole day to share his birthday with his firstborn, but I had that long and arduous (never used that word before, that was exciting) labor that didn't end until 3:37 a.m. on the 24th. So he thought they'd have the same birthday, but Kalia stalled as long as she could so that they could have SEPARATE birthdays (as if it did any good this year). Anyway, Happy Birthday to Samuel too! (His mom made that cake, homemade German Chocolate, it was divine! I was the hostess, so that's all I did. Host.) I know my mom will like this picture, because she sent Kalia some fun little things, but Kalia's favorite part was the Princess napkins that came with it. A NAPKIN! Kids are so easy to please when they're this young.

The birthday kids sharing a birthday kiss. (Kalia has the best pucker. She always puckers that hard. That is a really funny word. It's late and I'm tired.)

She's been watching Elmo's World, he taught her ALL about birthdays, so she was super excited to have the full "PARTY" experience. We were super excited to wear those uncomfortable elastics under our chins, and to listen to those goose-like horns honking for 3 hours.

I found a cool bike/trike thing on craigslist, she can actually pedal it. (I think that's significant because of the line in the birthday song (see above right column) that says, "And soon your legs will grow, and make the tricycle go, and take you away from us all." So sad and sweet! Anyway, we let Nana and Papa Bigler give it to her, since they picked it up for me and paid for it! Thanks Nana and Papa! (And thanks cousin Rowan (3) for showing her how to do it.

Rowan's mommy, my SIL Erin, made this Elmo cake for Kalia-- and she did it without a pan! I was SO impressed (and SO relieved that I didn't have to try to make a cake myself. No skills in that department.)

Last year's video was funny, at least to us, if you remember she lifted the whole plate of cake up to her face to try to eat it. This year's video was cute because she was taking the whole "blow out your candles" thing VERY seriously. (She'd even practiced several times that week on my Bath and Body Works candles that were lit.)

Finally, a few more things that Kalia is doing at age 2

*She counts objects accurately, and can count to 16 (she skips 15)

*She can correctly identify these colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Purple, Black, Brown, White, and Light Tan (just kidding, Nacho fans.)

*She LOVES shapes and points them out everywhere we go. Like in the parking lot, she found a triangle where some diaganol lines were painted for the shopping carts. I was impressed.

*She does the funniest dance that includes her arms held up close to her (like chicken wings)

*Whenever she coughs she says, "I'n sick"; She likes to ask for "Grape's juice"

*She is being a MAJOR bully to Annaliese right now

*When people ask her what her name is, she says, "KaWee-a"

*She says sentences pretty well, but not always that clearly. Word Example: She can say "Dominic" with perfect clarity, but still cannot say "Lara" in any recognizable form.

*She's starting to say, "What's That?" and pointing at things and it's driving me crazy because she already knows what 99% of the things are.

*She loves to say Hello "Hull-o", Good-bye "Guh-bye" , and Good Morning, with super huge amounts of enthusiasm.

*She likes to ask where people are when she notices that they're gone.

*Still potty training herself really well. More details on that in another post.

The birthday party was amazing, we had so many family members here, and they brought almost everything, and grilled the food for us too. I didn't do anything but get party supplies from the dollar store, and decorate. How easy was that? It was the first party I've ever thrown...and I may just do it again sometime, if it's really THAT easy!! :)

Kalia is 2! Part One

Here's a recap of the last two years!

My little 9 pounder!Fascinated by everything...

Was she really once this small?

I love the duct-taped diaper in this one (above)

3 months ago, at a park in Vegas, we found a rock climbing wall. Here's Kalia's very first time: (Phone video, sorry, couldn't rotate it.)

A little of Kalia

Kalia is turning 2 on Monday. It's hard for me to believe. I went back through my blog thinking I probably had a million pictures of her, but I was surprised to find that there really weren't that many. In my attempt to make sure this blog is about my life as a whole, and not just all about my kids, I think I didn't put enough of what I'll really want to see later. And that's pictures. Anyway, this post (and my next one on Monday) will be dedicated to Kalia, the little fireball who wears me out and tickles me pink, all at the same time.
While we were in Vegas packing up boxes, my 15-year-old sister was in St. George, taking a flat iron to Kalia's hair (for the first time ever.) She said she had to do a quick job, and she only took these blurry phone pictures, but here they are: She looks quite different, in my opinion. I love it, but I don't think I'll have the patience to do it anytime soon.

Here's her natural curls. They are making pretty cute ringlets these days. Sorry about the food-in-mouth picture, I didn't even notice it when I took it, I was just trying to get a good shot of the ringlets.
2. Kalia gets really excited these days if she sees anything that resembles a steeple or a temple. She asks me to sing "Temple" to her almost every night (and "Families"...a.k.a. Families Can Be Together Forever") When I was in St. George I took her to see the temple. It was a hot day. And there was a sprinkler on. I wasn't even fast enough to stop her... Oh, to be a kid again.

Kalia is getting us up at 6:30 a.m. these days, instead of 8:30. I miss 8:30 a lot, and I am sooo tired by 10 p.m. I guess it's probably better this way. Some of the things she's doing and saying at 2 years old:

*She LOVES to be naked, and I catch her outside, in the buff, several times a day.

*She loves to tell everyone good morning.

*One day in the pool I had Annaliese in one arm and her in the other, and she giggled and said, "Two friends!"

*She has this plastic little man doll, just one of many accessories to this little doll house, but she laid him in the little bed, put a dryer sheet over him, and said, "Good night, guy." She's called him Guy ever since, so that's his name now.

*She's doing good with manners, and I usually hear Please, Thank you, Bless you, Sorry, Scuze me (when she burps) and Toot! or a giggle when she has gas.

*She likes to call Annaliese "Annie". Lately she is walking in on Annie while she is napping or sleeping for the night. She turns on the light and climbs in the bed with her (and wakes her up.) I've had to lock Annaliese in (and Kalia out) to stop this vicious cycle.

*So far she is not a hitter, a kicker or a biter. Just a pusher. She loves to shove people, but time-out has helped this almost 100%.

*She sings to herself all day. She sings the Clean Up song when I tell her to clean up ("Kween up, Kween up, evee buddy evee where") and Twinkle Twinkle is one I hear her singing often. My personal favorite is when she sings Ring Around the Rosies, cause she sings it like this, "Wing Awound da Wosies, Pock-a-pull-a-posies..."

*She LOVES to kiss everyone, but especially me. She puckers her lips as far out as they'll go, and frequently kisses whatever part of my body she is closest too. I love it.

*She is still going through her Accident-Prone stage, and is always getting hurt.

*Another favorite phrase lately is, "I need it! I need it." She's usually saying it as she takes things away from Annaliese. She also says, "Be Careful" (Be Kehfull) to herself all day long.

*Getting her to stay in her room and go to bed is a huge process right now. Not fun.

And last but not least, yesterday Annaliese was crawling up the stairs (we were at the top) and Kalia turns to Annaliese, pats her thighs real fast as if she were calling a dog, and said, "C'mon Annie! C'mon! C'mon!"

Cute Oven

How ADORABLE is this little oven? No need to spend all that money on those little kitchens. Just make it!The instructions sound all complicated, but watch the video on Martha's website, and it's easy as can be. Now if I can just find that certain box.
More info on how to make this HERE

Court Postponed

The court date was set for this morning at 7:50 a.m. Samuel called his lawyer at 8:10 a.m. and the lawyer, who did show up that morning, was told that the paperwork was only filed very recently and wasn't in the computer system yet, so they court date would be pushed off another 30 days or so. Apparently this is not uncommon, and we shouldn't read into it very far. The lawyer didn't know if Judy had showed up or not, but both Judy and Samuel will be notified by mail of the new court date/time. So we'll just wait longer on that. I think this just makes it even MORE unlikely that Judy will show up (more time for her to cool off? Or get hit by a bus? Oops, did I type that outloud...) Anyway, in 2 days the restraining order ends, and at least he can legally carry guns again. Not that we need them here.
:)

Trying to keep em busy...

We only get 1 channel on TV right now (the weather channel!) and we don't have any good toys. The girls are still struggling to entertain themselves. I've been devoting a LOT more time than I ever have before to...da da da DA! Cleaning the house! It looks so nice when it's clean, but WOW, it's a lot of work to keep the sink empty of dishes, the floor swept, and the laundry done. I am exhausted at the end of the day. But I guess it just goes to show how lazy I was before all this...oh, I kind of miss those lazy days.

Anyway, Kalia and Annaliese just follow me around making it harder to get things done. Since we don't know how long we'll be here, I feel the urgency to take full advantage of the wonderful things that are around us. Most days we fit in a trip to the park, and then a swim at the pool (hopefully to get them good and tired for bed.)
Our house is in the neighborhood that you can see behind the pool, so it's a nice short walk. I only have our single jogger stroller right now, so I squeeze both the girls in (choo choo train style) and take off, and they have done pretty well sharing the seat . It's been really fun to be outside everyday, and not too hot! It's a pretty nice time of year to move to Phoenix.

When I'm desperate for a 20-30 minute break, I stick them in front of an online show on the laptop. I'm sorry, but TV was the most helpful babysitter I had, and until I get an entire play room/game room, I'm going to tell you that KID SHOWS ARE SUPER HELPFUL...and I miss them.

I got this sand/water table on craigslist for $10. It helps occupy Kalia for a little bit, but not long enough. Annaliese lasts as long as I'm out there, but once I go in the house, she's done.

This little girl is SO MUCH HAPPIER now that she has some stability in her life. I cannot BELIEVE the difference. She's finally off her beloved pacifiers (we just lost them all, and that was the end of it. Way WAY easier than I was imagining that going.) And she's decided she likes to use the potty. I'm not ready to go full force on it just yet, but I let her run around in panties (she calls them "Pannies") and she just runs to the potty and goes all throughout the day. But one random day when I quit making a big deal out of it...she started having accidents all day. So although I'm feeling really excited that she feels ready, and I don't have to force her on it, I'm not going to have any false ideas that this is going to be a piece of cake. But I would love to be wrong.

One more thing that Kalia found to do: Make the garage door go up and down. It's our first time having a garage OR a garage door opener, and I have to admit I always feel a tiny thrill when I push that button and the door opens and closes for me. I love living in a house. So much.