Monday, September 27, 2010

Summer 2010

Mom's 50th birthday weekend getaway June
 Allan's retirement BBQ/hoedown June
 Ethan's swim lessons July
  Tahoe family vacation August
 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Diapers.com/Soap.com deals

Check out www.diapers.com & www.soap.com (2 Sites, 1 Account, 1 Cart) if you haven't already done so.

Diapers.com delivers diapers, wipes, formula and other baby necessities at really low prices with fast free shipping. They carry all the big brands and hard-to-find products too. If you enter my email address or Referral Code on the shopping cart screen, you'll get 15% off your first order!* It's their best offer for new customers.

Check out Soap.com. They've got great deals on all your everyday health, beauty and household essentials, from your go-to laundry detergent and toilet paper to your favorite lipstick, vitamins and much more. Best of all, they deliver to your doorstep with free, 1-2 day shipping on orders over $25.

If you enter my email address or Referral Code on the shopping cart screen, you'll get an extra 15% off your first Soap.com order.* And I'll get a $10 credit after your first order. It's a great way we can both save!  

For a limited time only, Soap.com is upgrading their referral program. You can now get 20% off your first Soap.com order when you use my referral code AND save a trip to the store. It's easy.

My Email Address: raemik@mac.com
Referral Code: RAEM1292

Get 15% off
your first order
use code RAEM1292
shop for all your baby needs: body pillows, good start formula, swaddle podBuy Baby Items at Diapers.com
Not valid for existing Diapers.com or  Soap.com customers. Some resctrictions apply.
Baby ItemsBuy Baby Items at Diapers.com

Get 15% off
your first order
use code RAEM1292
shop for all your home essentials: Gillette Razors, Dove Soap, Moroccan Oil Buy Home Essentials at Soap.com
Home Essentials
Not valid for existing Diapers.com or  Soap.com customers. Some resctrictions apply.
Buy Home Essentials at Soap.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Please vote for my little ballerina 9/20-9/26

Emily's photo is in the running to become this week's winner in the Parents Family Vacation Photo Contest. She's currently in 8th place! Please click on the link and VOTE DAILY until Sunday, Sept. 26th…spread the word! Thank you!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR EMILY GRACE

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Eco-friendly diapers & wipes

Here are two amazing deals that you won't find in stores. These diapers & wipes are great for children with sensitive skin AND the environment! I've tried a wide variety of diapers & wipes and these are definitely my favorites.

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Chlorine-Free Diapers


These are the diapers that I purchase through Subscribe & Save and Amazon Mom (both are free to join). They normally cost $43.99 for 144 count, but if you sign up for Amazon Mom and Suscribe & Save the current price drops to $30.79. That's a 30% savings! The diapers run true to size. My daughter weighs 19 lbs. and wears size 3. They've started to phase out the old diaper tabs and replace them with the new ones.

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Chlorine-Free Diapers, Size 1 (8-14lbs), 160 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Chlorine-Free Diapers, Size 2 (12-18-Pounds), 144 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Chlorine-Free Diapers, Size 3 (16-28-Pounds), 124 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Chlorine-Free Diapers, Size 4 (22-37Ibs), 108 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Chlorine-Free Diapers, Size 5 (27-Pounds), 92 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Seventh Generation Baby Wipes Refills, Chlorine Free and Unscented

These are the non-toxic wipes I've been using for years and highly recommend. They normally cost $37.99 for 840 wipes, but if you sign up for Amazon Mom and Suscribe & Save the current price drops to $26.59, which is also a 30% savings!

Seventh Generation Baby Wipes Refills, Chlorine Free and Unscented, 70-Count Packs (Pack of 12) (840 Wipes) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Place your order today by clicking on the links above. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Top 10 things I love about the fall season...

  1. Snuggling up with my husband & kids
  2. My kids go to bed earlier & there’s no struggle, since it gets dark earlier
  3. Ryan’s homemade pumpkin coffee cake, pumpkin pie, Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (nonfat milk)…anything pumpkin
  4. Bonfires and s'mores in our backyard
  5. Staying warm & cozy with lots of blankets
  6. Family trips to Oak Glen, Big Bear, The Pumpkin Factory & Day Out With Thomas™
  7. Beautiful autumn leaves & crisp sunny days
  8. Ryan’s homemade soups
  9. Wearing jeans, sweaters & scarves
  10. New TV season
What are your favorite things about fall? Add to my list with your comments below.
Ethan ~ November 2008

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Amber's surgery

June 6, 2010
I'm having surgery early tomorrow morning to repair my umbilical/ventral hernia, which was caused by my second pregnancy. I was told it's a minor surgery, but I'm really nervous about it. I watched a video clip online (so I would know what to expect), which was a big mistake!

I’m praying everything goes well. Emily is still nursing 4-5 times a day and is going to have a hard time not being able to nurse for 24 hours, so I’m praying for her as well.

It's very unfortunate that I am unable to find very few online personal stories and/or photos related to the topic "ventral hernia repair." That's one of the main reasons why I've decided to start a journal regarding my progress. Hopefully the information I share, as well as my overall experience will benefit someone else who must undergo the same surgery.

June 7, 2010
I'm in a lot of pain, but am taking it easy.

June 8, 2010
The surgery went well, but I'm still in a lot of pain...way more than I expected. They had to make a 4 in. incision in my stomach, which was unexpected. I thought it would be a minor surgery, so we've had to make some adjustments this past week. It's hard having two little ones who want to climb all over me. Oh, well...I'm just glad I took care of it before it got worse.

I'm not supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs. for 7 days. The total recovery time is 4-6 weeks. Ryan was able to get someone to work for him today, which is a blessing. He's been a huge help!

There are a lot of other people who are in worse shape than I am, so I have no complaints. I was able to find a babysitter for tomorrow, since Ryan has to work. So...God is good!
June 8, 2010












June 9, 2010
I'm still really sore, but am able to walk around more. The hardest thing is not being able to lift my 17 lb. baby this week. When I picked her up this morning it was very painful & sad because she doesn't understand. I've come to realize how much I took my abs for granted! I'm very fortunate to have people in my life who are helping me and/or praying for me. I'm looking forward to removing the dressing tomorrow and being able to take a shower.

June 10, 2010
Ethan's prayer last night: "Dear Jesus, I pray for mommy's tummy to not be swallowed anymore." He meant to say "swollen". LOL :)

My little man is so thoughtful. Several times a day he asks me if I’m going to be OK. I get emotional when we have discussions about my "boo boo", because I honestly don't know when I'll be able to pick him up and carry him again. Hopefully it won't be for long!

June 11, 2010
I really appreciate everyone’s thoughts & prayers. I haven't been sleeping well at all this week. However, today was the first morning I didn't need medication and I've been able to walk around more. So, I'm slowly recovering and don't look as pregnant today. Ryan has been a big help. I don't know what I would do without him!
June 11, 2010










June 13, 2010
Pastor Matt's message today reminded me to keep my focus on God, rather than myself. Reminders are good! :)

June 14, 2010
I'm going on antibiotics, due to a possible infection at my incision site and I still have a lot of bruising. I know that God is in control, but I would appreciate your prayers. Let me know if you have a prayer request. ♥ Phil 4:6-7

My mother-in-law (who’s a RN) had me take the tape off of my incision yesterday, because the trapped moisture was causing problems. I'm on antibiotics now and the spot that's infected is starting to look better. I just hope my stomach will eventually go back to normal...it's still swollen.

The hardest thing for me is not being able to hold Emily for very long & not being able to hold Ethan at all for the next 4-6 weeks. It’s also really uncomfortable to nurse, but I'm determined to continue 4x a day like I've been doing (at least for now). I'll slowly start weaning, but I can tell that Emily's not ready yet. I'll survive though. I keep reminding myself that God has a plan and is in control.
June 16, 2010

June 21, 2010
I’ve almost finished all of my antibiotics. I'm pretty much in pain only at night, which is caused by a lump of fluid that's bulging out of my stomach. The doctor said he'll put a needle in it to drain it next week if it's still there. My stomach is still swollen, so I ordered a Tauts belly wrap. I hope it works! I still have stitches, however now that I’m applying Vitamin E Oil my incision is finally starting to look better. 

August 19, 2010
My doctor gave me the OK to gradually start working out again. For the past month I've only been doing cardio, which is what he suggested. I'm still too nervous to do abdominal exercises, since I'm afraid of tearing the mesh inside of me.

My stomach isn’t causing me pain like it used to (thanks to the Tauts belly wrap, which I highly recommend), but it’s definitely not back to normal. I've been told my belly button, which was an innie before my second pregnancy will eventually go back to normal. As of now, it's neither an innie or an outie. It's flat like a pancake. So, I'm curious to see what the outcome will be. I’m just happy to be on the road to recovery.

If you, or someone you know has had a ventral/umbilical hernia repair, I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. :)
August 19, 2010