Breakfast Buddies

The other morning, I was getting ready for work while the boys were eating breakfast together. I couldn't resist taking a picture!

Look at Momma's Big Boy!

Matthew is 7 months old. He loves to crawl, giggle, and smile at his momma!

We close on our house this Thursday! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Things I'm Loving Lately...

1. Xm Radio...have it in my car and at work. More specifically, the 90's channel/Oprah Radio.

2. The color green. Usually, I buy things in blue, but lately, I have been drawn to green. Hmmm...wonder what this means on a subconcious level?

3. Babies! Who doesn't love babies? I am keeping many many baby secrets right now! Unfortunately, none of them have to do with me...

4. The Bachelorette...she has the BEST wardrobe.

5. Waking up early. I feel like I can accomplish so much more in a day when I am up at 6:00AM vs. 8:00AM.

Ladies and Gentlemen...come Monday I will be bootcampin' it. This past week, I have been preparing my body for the ass kicking it will be receiving over the next 6 weeks. It's time. I have a 6 month plan to get my body back into pre-baby shape...abs and all.

Matthew and Jeff have been very supportive. Matt plays very nicely in his exersaucer, so that I can get my workout in. Jeff joins me in my workouts and motivates me to keep going when he sees the look of defeat on my face. I am looking for a sturdy jogging stroller, so that all three of us can get outside a few times a week for some cardio. Stay tuned for my progress. I will post before/afters...NOT in a bathing suit!

Busy Bee!

Yesterday, I was a busy little bee! I made 50 containers of food for Matthew! These included apples, bananas. carrots, green beans, pears, and sweet potatoes.

A great spot for finding recipes for home-made baby food is www.wholesomebabyfood.com. There is a recipe for just about anything you would want to make your little one! The recipes are simple and a great way to make sure that your baby has all the nutrients he/she needs. Home-made baby food is preservative-free AND easy on the budget.

The organic baby food I bought for Matthew was $1.05/container. He eats three containers/day = $3/day. I spent $20 yesterday and have food for a month! That is savings of approximately $60/month! Not bad...

I also managed to have time for creating a new blog (will post address soon), designed/ordered business cards, made dinner for Jeff/I, grocery shopping, playing with Matthew, taking Matthew for a walk, laundry, knitting, AND a work out! Today, I need to get moving and finish the tasks on my "to-do" list. Can't wait!

Salon 550

I have made the decision to work out of Salon 550 in downtown Plymouth! I will be starting to take clients late June/early July. Call me to schedule an appointment (616)485-0444!

Knitting 101

Here is a look at what I learned today! I learned to "cast on" and knit "English" style. Whoa...I am definetely NOT a natural! Haha.

Last night, I started to read "Stitch n' Bitch," bought for me by Jeff...recommended by Lakeside Knitter. I bought my first "skein" of yarn today and am about to get started! I am really excited. In researching knitting, I have uncovered a whole "society" of avid knitters. Who knows before you know it, I might be hosting my very own "Stitch n' Bitch" party complete with cocktails pictured below!

My SIL, Julie, surprised me with a very special Mother's Day gift from Matthew! She had her close friend/wedding photographer take photos of Matthew. Look how cute they turned out! Julie made a card with the photos with a poem from Matthew to me. It was such a thoughtful gift...one that I will treasure for a very long time. Thank you Julie!

Matty Bear loves his exersaucer. He has a mischievous look in his eye in this pic =)

Too cute for words...

I stole this pick from my MIL's facebook. I just HAD to post it! My neice Charlotte is the most ADORABLE baby girl! This picture was taken on the day of her baptism. Jeff had the honor of being Charlie's godfather. She is so cute I can't stand it! Can't wait for Brian/Ang to have another! Ang...yes, I just said that. Sorry, it is the curse you bear for making cute babies. =)

I just passed my State Boards. I am now a licensed cosmotologist! YAY!

Apologies

This made me laugh...from Parent's Magazine.

Since I had my first child three months ago I've dealt with an endless string of sleepless nights, the relentless cycle of feeding and pumping and changing and comforting, and the slow realization that my life will never be the same again. Now that I've emerged from the fog of being a new mommy, I have a few things I need to say...

I must apologize to every new mom I ever bumped into before I had a baby for judging your appearance. I mentally criticized you old sweatpants, your oversize T-shirts, and your haphazard ponytails. I figured you just hadn't taken the time to get ready before you went out or were in dire need of a makeover. Now, I understand those precious minutes you savor when the baby goes down for a nap - the desperation to make the most of them - I could shower! I could eat! I could sleep! Check my e-mail! Work out! Do laundry! I get it now. There is absolutely no time for a blowout or blusher. I was a complete jerk, and I'm sorry.

I see how people look at me - with that mixture of pity and disgust - in my old nursing tank covered in spit- up and the same maternity pants I wear every day. I'm like the Elephant Man. I put my son in fancy clothes to compensate for the monster pushing him around. I see the stares. I know what you're saying. Well to hell with you, you small-pants wearing Miley Cyrus fan. I just had a baby. I am not always this fat!

Save Early Save Often

One of my college professors taught me the mantra "Save early, save often." I try to put it to use in my budgeting/financial planning for our family. I believe that it is never to early to start thinking about the future. Jeff and I plan on funding Matthew's college education, so what better time to start saving than now?

We chose to go with a 529 savings plan. Why is this a good choice? The earnings portion of any distributions used to pay for qualified higher education expenses will be free from federal and Michigan income tax.

If you are thinking of funding your child's education, here is an idea of what you will need to save.

Using the following assumptions:

- You plan to fund your child's tuition 100%
- 4 years at an in-state University
- 6% tuition inflation rate
- Intial investment of $0
- 17 years to save before college
- 6% assumed rate of return

You will need to save $287 / month to fully fund your child's college expenses.

A 529 Savings Account is very easy to open. Jeff and I opened an account for Matthew before he was even born. An added bonus, is that you can set up an automatic payroll deduction, so that a portion of your paycheck goes straight to your child's account. Not bad!

Jeff and I had our inspection yesterday. Everything went very well. The house is structurally in great shape...just a few little kinks that need to be worked out. The house needs a new roof, which we already knew. The biggest surprise was there is a little moisture in the basement, so all existing drywall, carpet, etc. needs to be ripped out. No biggie. We were planning on finishing the basement in the next year or so. I am excited that we get to start from scratch. There is no task too big for my man! I am very lucky that Jeff is so handy.

So, on our agenda for the next two months...

1. New Roof
2. Demo basement
3. Refinish floors
4. New paint/trim
5. New blinds / light fixtures / outlet covers
8. Update bathroom with new sink/tile/paint
9. Kitchen - new cupboards, countertops, floor, etc.
10. By fall, we hope to refinish the upstairs. New paint,trim, add a closet, and carpet.

Can't wait to get to work and build some sweat equity! And, yes I will be helping quite a bit. I was ripping out trim and scraping wallpaper at 9 months pregnant...I think I can handle these projects no prob.

All I ever wanted...

I now have. I feel fulfilled, and my heart feels whole. I feel happy, almost blissful, every single day. Why, you may ask?

I love being a wife. I have an amazing husband. To me he is sexy, intelligent, and posesses the one thing that will never grow old...the ability to make me laugh every single day. He is my true love, my best friend, and my partner in crime. I love you Jeff.

I love being a mother. I always knew that I would love it, and now that I am a mother, I don't know how I got by without this peice of my heart. Matthew is a vibrant, happy, healthy little boy. He is my angel baby...a blessing in my life that I will never take for granted. He may look like Jeff, but he is just like me in every way. He is strong, determined, and likes to get what he wants!

I have a home. Not the kind that provides shelter, but the kind that gives you a place in the world. My family is my home, and my boys are my world. As long as I have them, I am fulfilled, I am complete, I am whole. And, that is why I feel happy every single day!

I had my 6 month Dr. appt. yesterday! I am 19 lbs and 26" long. The doctor told me that I am a very intelligent baby and she is so proud of what a good boy I am! I am learning to sit up and love to crawl all over the place! My favorite things to do are to read my A-B-C books, sing, and play in my exersaucer. My favorite things to eat are applesauce and sweet potatoes. I make a funny face when I eat bananas or green beans. I am growing so "big and strong!"

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Look at my little Matthew Richie. He looks as big as me in this picture...haha. He was such a good boy yesterday. Matthew bought his momma flowers and "Stich n' Bitch," a knitting book that I have been wanting.

My SIL Angie is a fricken' awesome knitter and has inspired me to pick up the needles and start knitting! The thing that I think I will really enjoy about knitting is that you can do it anywhere! I love being productive and knitting while in the car, visiting with family, or while watching TV would be very fulfilling for me. Can't wait to start!

Ang...you are officially "on call" for all my emergency knitting questions...hehe.

Inspection next Wednesday at 3:30!!!

Getting closer...

We will be getting a signed purchase agreement today, scheduling the inspection for next week, and moving forward! If all goes well...we will be in by the end of the month!

6 Months!

Matthew was officially 6 months on April 24th! He is the perfect baby. I never could have imagined how much joy motherhood would bring...I love every single moment that I get to spend with my little boy. He is my little angel baby.

Right now, Matthew is rolling all over the place, learning to crawl, and giggling up a storm.

He loves:

- Words that start with the letter "B"
- Toys, toys, toys
- Bathtime!
- Reading stories and saying prayers
- PEEK A BOO!
- Funny faces
- His daddy

NEW BLOG!

As I am sure many of you have noticed, I have been a little light in my posting in the past few weeks. I do have a good reason! I have started another blog! My new blog "Money Making Mom," is devoted to moms who would like to increase their monthly income, but do not want to spend any additional time away from their children. Check it out... http://momsmakinmoney.blogspot.com

Is Blue the New Pink?

I am sitting at Panera Bread right now with Matthew waiting for the Yukon's "U-Joints" to be fixed. He is wearing a green/white sleeper. However, he is tucked in his stroller with a BLUE blanket. THREE people came up and told me what a beautiful baby girl I have! Ha! Did they miss all of the blue?

And....

We just MIGHT have a house! The investor who is selling us the home in Plymouth, closes next week. Then, he wants to sell us the house on a land contract, which would mean FAST FAST closing and lower closing costs initially. One unique challenge...most lenders will not finance a home that has been "flipped" so quickly, so it could take up to 90 days for the house to be "officially" ours. However, I am not worried about that. Faster close, means we get in the house sooner, equals me being very happy!

Of course, we are going to have an attorney look over all contracts/documents to make sure nothing falls through the cracks, but in the short-term, Jeff and I could not be happier!

Thanks for all of the prayers!!!