Waiting for Peace & Quiet

I hate waiting, it makes it even worse when you are waiting for news that you really need.  I have been out of work since the end of February after being laid off after 3 1/2 years and have been staying home with my two girls and my husband. Yes we are all in the house 24/7. Well you know except for errands and walks and interviews. Which due to lack of funds errands are low and due to the heat walks have been cut down too. Interviews come and go, some weeks I get a couple and others I hear nothing.

The week of Big J's birthday which was the 12th I actually had two. Company A is for an Office Manager job, but I still have not heard anything back about going in for a second interview. Now this does not mean much around here because sometimes it takes forever! Company B which is for an Executive Assistant/Marketing/ and more position,  I interviewed with three people on a Friday, then had a phone interview with a fourth person on Wednesday and then a third interview with another partner on Monday. (If you understood that it was this Monday) So now I am waiting and waiting to see if I am actually going to be offered the position. I am thinking that three interviews was a good thing but I am not sure if I was the only person who was being interview that much of not. The recruiter said she has not heard back yet but I am really hoping to hear something tomorrow.

By something of course I mean a job offer because things are getting pretty desperate around here and I really do not want to have to move out of our apartment. Where would we go? I have not idea, likely a long term stay hotel until one of us lands a job and we can get back into an apartment. Not a happy thought with a 5 year old about to start kindergarten, a 17 month old who still gets up anywhere from 1-3 times a night and 2 kittens. I am trying to stay positive in thinking that one of these two positions will work out in the end. God does have a plan, I just wish he would let me in on it every now and then.

It will be nice to get back to work because I may actually get some peace and quiet. I am really looking forward to peeing in peace, that does not happen very often in a house with kids! Even when I close the door my 5 year old thinks it is ok to just open it. Which is so not ok when her friends are here. Speaking of her friends, they are here all the time!! There are 2 boys that live downstairs that I believe are 6 and 8. Then there are 2 other children that live on the 1st floor, 1 girl who is 7 and 1 boy who is 5. The boy and girl are pretty much here everyday, although sometimes we are lucky and Big J goes down to see them instead. Usually she goes down and then about 10-20 minutes later they are back upstairs because we have the cooler toys. The two boys come up every now and then (I think they visit their dad a lot) but they like to play our video games. There is also another boy who is 8 or 9 that lives a few apartment buildings over that comes over just to play our video games. It is funny because he asks for Big J and if she is downstairs then he asks if my husband is home.

It will be hard to leave my family, especially Little J who I think will have a very hard time when I leave. She is very attached to me, but I have noticed that the last week or so she is getting better if I leave or take a nap. It used to be that if I slept in the morning and my husband got up with the girls, Little J would be banging on my door most of the morning looking for me. Now she does not even bother me. But she is still very happy to see me when I do get up.

Ok now that I have gone on and on. I am off to read for awhile before bed.

Share with us if you are waiting for something and what it is?

Photos to Make You Smile

I have just been in a down and out mood lately and thought I would share some photos to make my followers and hopefully myself smile. Nothing wrong per say, just fighting my depression and stress. On the plus side I have a third interview on Monday with a company so hopefully I will land a job very soon!!

Enjoy!

 Little J just chilling

Little J on Daddy's computer, which now he can never use without her yelling. 

Big J decided that Bengi needed a blanket. 

   Bengi in Little J's Bumbo  

Big J's birthday present - new earrings 

Little Princess - In Big J's costume  

More Birthday Presents (Bought from  Mommy Maid It) 

More  from Mommy Maid It

My Bengi Boy 

My Carmi - All wrapped up in pink tulle from the Birthday Party. 

LIttle J's Allergies

So poor Little J has pretty bad eczema and what is now confirmed as some pretty bad allergies. After the call from the Pediatrician and a good cry and went into action and started searching for what I need to do now.

Here is the list of her allergies:

• Very high to peanuts - This is what started it all because she had a reaction to peanut butter
• Very high to cats - Yup very sad about this one, I mean we just got two new kittens that we rescued. Not sure what we are going to do now. To see pics go here
• Moderate to dogs - Someday we would like one, but for now we had to intention so this is not so bad. Of course my father and step-mother have 4 so it will be hard to visit them. 
• Mild to egg whites - This means she cannot eat straight eggs but can eat pancakes, cake, etc. 

Everything else is fine, which means no allergy to wheat, seafood or milk and no outdoor allergies. The weird part is we thought she was allergic to dogs because she broke out really bad when we visited my parents for the holidays, but does not seem all that bothered by our cats. 

I am so upset, I mean of course my daughter's health is more important then our cats but I love them and Big J is going to be crushed if we have to give them away. I am also worried because I have never had to deal with allergies before. I have eczema, but not really bad at all and I have seasonal allergies but no food allergies. My husband has not had to deal with this either. Especially Peanut allergies because I know that can be bad. 

So my question is anyone else dealing with allergies? Or does anyone have any great references for help with children and allergies?

Little J's Nighttime Adventures

This is how my and my hubby feel right now, although he is sleeping and I am awake.

 Oh how I wish I could be doing this:

I secretly believe that Little J is tired too, she is much too whiny for my good lately. I am so not used to this, Big J thankfully was sleeping through the night at 6 months and was never really grumpy when she got teeth. Little J on the other hand cries a lot and wakes a lot at night, still at 14 months.

This was last night's adventure:

• Put Little J down to bed at 7:30 pm
• Here crying around 9:30 pm - Hubby goes to soothe her
• More crying at 10:30 pm - I soothe this time
• We head to bed shortly after 11:00 pm

A little information: Since we are both out of work and the nights can be so crazy we take turns. So last night my Hubby had night duty, meaning he had to get up with the kids when needed and I had morning  duty which means I am up with the girls this morning. 

• Crying at 12:30 am - Hubby heads in to soothe again
• Crying at 2:00 am - Hubby heads in again
• Crying at 4:00 am - Same old same old
• Big J then comes in at 4:30 saying she had a nightmare. Now if she actually is upset then we let her stay, however many times she just says that to get in our bed which is not big enough for three.  
• Crying again at 5:00 am - I roll over but no hubby and yet crying continues.  I get up and find hubby in Big J's bed. Crying stops so I lay back down and crying starts again. I head off to make a bottle (yes she is still stuck on bottles, something else new to me) and the crying stops. I lay down again and the crying starts but I can hear Hubby heading in. 
• I decide now is a good time to get Big J settled so Hubby can come back into our bed. Find out her nightmare was about being poked by a porcupine. Yup not sure where that came from.  Then she starts crying saying she misses us. (Mind you we are together all day long!) So I settle her down and tell her that we will not be sleeping in her room and no she cannot come into our room. 
• I end up bringing the bottle into Little J and the hubby which of course means she wants me and I end up feeding her. 
• Head back to bed and the snoring begins! Poor Hubby is on some medication that makes him sleep deep which means snoring. So I head to the couch. It is now about 6:30 am and I am praying to God that she sleeps until 8:00 am.
• Little J cries out at about 7:45 am and I pray to God to give me some more sleep. Which works because she is not up until 8:45 am. 

So this has been going on for a long time now and I am not sure if the lack of sleep is because she is teething and if so will it end soon?????

I miss this (Little J)

 And this (Little J)

 Anyone else going through this lack of sleep drama? Any advice and does it ever end???

More School Photos!!

Here are the rest of the school photos

Little J was not really impressed at this whole procedure.  

Big J was grumpy until the clicking started.  

When my Mom was here we stopped for Easter Bunny pictures. Little J is mad because I took her Wub-a-Nub (Binky/Pacifier) away. 

School Photos!!

So we got our school pictures today! (Well daycare pictures) Thanks to our Nana for purchasing them for us, since I was laid off right before they were taken. We got a couple prints and then the cd's so that we can  purchase more later.

 Big J all ready to graduate from her daycare program

 The kept asking Big J to kiss Little J but she kept kissing her too fast and they could not take the photo!

 My beautiful Little J

More to come later of Big J and both girls, but I am having trouble with the disks. 

Little J is 1 Today!

I cannot believe that a year ago today, well 5:47pm to be exact I was seeing my Little J for the first time. I just cannot imagine my life without her in it.  I love both my girls so much.

Happy 1st Birthday Little J!

mOmma Rocking Cup and Spoon Review

First let me say how much I love the name mOmma, it is so creative and unique! Thanks to Family Review Network and Ginsey Home Solutions Little J was sent the rocking cup w/straw and the spoon from mOmma to review.

About mOmma
Innovation, technology, movement and colors. mOmma is the newest revolutionary line of baby products that encourages baby to discover their surroundings with products that are unique in shape, movement and color, thus transforming each moment of your baby’s mealtime into a moment of growth, learning and pleasure.

The main mOmma products rock, entertaining baby during mealtime. This movement stimulates baby’s curiosity and captures his attention. The « rocking » system always ensures maximum hygiene: the point of suction never comes in touch with the surface of tables or high chair.

A complete line of products designed according to baby’s changing needs during the various phases of growing. These simple but innovative products help baby become more self-assured and independent.

Spoon

• Round ergonomic shape The round shape has been specially designed to make the grip easier for baby’s tiny hands.
• Safe and hygienic The spoon rocks happily but it always remains upright. The point of suction never comes into contact with the surfaces of tables or highchairs, thus guaranteeing maximum hygiene.
• Soft Texture The soft tip of the spoon encourages the natural transition from teat to spoon.
• Roly-Poly The Roly-Poly movement is one of babies’ favourite games. It entertains them during mealtime and stimulates their reactivity and concentration.
• Non-slip The special rubber coating ensures perfect adhesion to tables and high chairs.

Rocking cup w/straw

• Round ergonomic shape The round shapes have been specially designed to make the grip easier for your baby’s tiny hands.
• Safe and hygienic The bottle rocks happily but it always remains upright. The point of suction never comes into contact with the surface of tables or highchairs, thus ensuring maximum hygiene.
• In&out straw system The straw goes into and out of the cup by simply turning the cover. This modern closing system ensures maximum hygiene even when you carry the cup around.
• Rocking The rocking movement is one of babies’ favourite games. It entertains them during mealtime and stimulates their reactivity and concentration.
• Non-spill The straw only delivers the liquid when the baby sucks.

My Review

Little J loves the cup mainly because it rocks and it is a great game for her. I love the cup because while she is playing with it there is no spilling juice/water anywhere, which we all know happens a lot with children. Although she has not gotten the hang of the straw yet we still let her have it at meal times. Usually my husband uses the straw to get some juice out and drop in her mouth. I also love that you can travel with it and it keeps the straw clean and that all the pieces come a part for easy cleaning. There is nothing worse then sippy cups with hard to reach spots!

The spoon is also a fun toy for Little J because it rocks and rolls, of course now we are in the throwing and fetching faze so she is not allowed to keep it long. The spoon also travels well because of the case it comes with and that is great because I hate always having to put baggies of spoons in the diaper bag when we go out.


mOmma items can be purchased at Amazon

This post was written for Family Review Network & mOmma who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions. All opinions in this post are mine.”

Episencial "Mommy Party" - Great relief for Little J's Eczema

I love to try new items and love to share with my friends so I was so excited to be picked to host a Episencial Mommy Party. Episencial is a new all natural skincare line for babies and children. I was equally excited because Little J has very bad eczema and I have been looking for new products to use on her skin. Before I even talk about the product let me say that the soothing cream worked wonders! Even her daycare mentioned how great the cream was and cleared her skin up very fast.

Episencial is the first and only professional-quality, all natural skincare system created specifically for the unique developing skin type of babies and kids. Free from the bad stuff like parabens, phthalates and fragrances, Episencial products are loaded with all-natural goodness and healthy organics. Plus, these gentle, newborn safe formulas feature an exclusive skin immune complex™ to boost the skin’s immune functions and help the body ward off illnesses. Packaged in recycled and sustainable materials, and manufactured using solar power, Episencial products are good for your babies, kids and the planet.

Let's not forget how adorable the packaging is!! How do you go wrong with Eric Carle and images from The Very Hungry Caterpillar?

My Kit included (For me)

• Playful Foaming Wash - which is so gentle and great for Little J's skin!
• Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath - Have not tried yet but I am sure Big J will love it
• Better Body Butter - I have actually used this one myself.
• Soothing Cream - Or as I like to call it miracle cream! This is fantastic and I know eczema is tricky because the same thing does not work for everyone but this is worth a try if you or your child suffers.
• Nurturing Balm - Made for the diaper area
• Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35 - Always something we need in a house full of pale people!
• Protective Face Balm - This has also been great since Little J is really starting to teeth and the balm helps her chapped chin, cheeks and lips.

In addition every guest also received a goody bag with items. (Below are some assemble pictures)

I really cannot say how much I love the soothing balm from Episencial. As a mother it is great to finally find something that stops my baby from scratching and scratching her little body.

I want to thank Episencial and Mommy Parties for introducing me to this line of skincare products and allowing me to share it with others!

 I received the product line for myself and samples for my guests from Episencial and Mommy Parties. All opinions expressed are my own and 100% honest. I learned about Mommy Parties from Mom Select

Driving Pet Peeves

This has been bothering me a lot lately, ok every since I moved to the city and had to commute to work. I really do not commute for, it typically only takes me about 20 minutes of driving time. I am also very lucky because daycare is less then a mile from our apartment. I find that most days by the time I get to woke I have yelled at more then one car and am angry at how stupidly people drive.

Here are some of my pet peeves while driving. Feel free to chime in!

• Directional use - Man put those lovely blinky lights on the cars for a reason, not just for looks people. USE THEM! It will al least tell me you are planning on cutting me off.
• Speaking of cutting me off.... Just because there is a car length between me and the car in front of me does not mean you belong there! I have left that space their for safety reason, something you do not know or care about!
• If by some miracle you use your direction in order to get in my lane and I am nice enough to let you in, which I usually am, how hard is it to raise you hand up for a split second just to say thanks???????? It is not your given right to cut in front of me.
• You know there is more then one exit on highways? Oh you didn't? Is that why you slammed on the breaks and reversed in the breakdown lane because you were too busy on the cell phone to notice your exit? Or perhaps you simply cut everyone off in order to get from the left hand lane to the right hand lane before you missed the exit? and then because you were just too slow, or of course you will blame it on the other drivers you have to cut over the solid white lines and dart onto the exit. 
• It is simple..... Go to the next exit and turn around!!! Go back and take your exit!!! I know it may take a few more minutes but it is better then being dead!
• If you decide that you need to be in front of me for some unknown reason please do not slow down when you get there. The right lane is for slow traffice and the left lane is for fast moving traffic. Maybe you need to learn your rights and lefts again??
• If it is raining or even worse snowing (because we live in the South and people are afraid of that cold white stuff) just drive carefully. Now this does not mean drive 15 down the highway with a 60 mph speed limit. Just choose a nice speed and stay consistant. DO NOT slam on your breaks. DO NOT cut people off so they have to slam on their breaks. DO NOT speed up and slow down and speed up and slow down. ALL not safe. If you really cannot drive in it, STAY HOME!

Sorry for the crazy rant, I just needed to get that off my chest.

On other notes, Poor Little J has been under the weather for the last few days. Monday she was sent home from school with a fever and she had been throwing up. She stayed home yesterday but had such trouble sleeping last night. Up every few hours and screaming in her sleep. I feel so bad because I just do not know what is wrong. She has not had the fever since late Monday night. I am not sure if she just needs sleep or if there is something else wrong. Looks like a trip to the DR. I have to say we have been lucky because she is 8 months and this is the first sickness, impressive I think for a baby in daycare.

Random Cuteness

Big J being a Cat

Little J rolling around