Finally my Christmas post...I know a little late

So we were way spoiled this year for Christmas. I don't have a ton of pics sorry. I was to busy playing with everything. Italia was way spoiled. This was not my intention in the beginning but I did get killer steals on most everything. She got a leapster with a few games, babies, movies, clothing, and much much more. Donny got some Nintendo DS games, (this is why Italia got the Leapster because she plays with Donny's DS all the time) a helicoptor, a book on CD, a softhair pistol, and rubber band gun (which Italia also loves, most of Donny's toys are thouroly enjoyed by Italia) Plus my mom, scott, and I surprised Donny with a Craftsman tool chest for our new garage. I originally was just going to get a few little things cause we just bought all of our appliances and I got what I wanted in those with out to much protest from Donny. but then a good deal came along and I got a Bosch mixer with blender attatchment and a Nutrimill wheat grinder. Some of you may not think this is great but I am very excited to be able to use them. My goal is to make homemade bread instead of buying it. ( part of Donny and my goal to be self sufficient)





Italia's loot

Italia walking in to see what Santa brought



Italia went straight for the Leapster by passing every other toy. We didn't even show it to her she knew exactly what it was.



Italia also got this dance video thing where you can see your self on tv and dance to the music she wasn't overly sure about it.

Hair Cut

So Italia has had one minor hair cut before. Destinee quickly trimmed the ends one time at my dads house but this time we went in to her salon and got the works.


The before shot. I had not done her hair for the day yet can you tell?
Her hair cut was so traumatic because she had to sit in the chair and not move. You must think I am a bad mom because I have been putting through many traumatic moments lately.

After wards. Suckers make everything better.





I tried so hard to get a good pic of her hair cut but my attempts failed miserably. This is the best I got and I couldn't get the back but Destinee straightened it and fliped it out. Way Cute. She looked so grown up. Also in the back her hair is past her shoulders. You don't realize how long her hair is because it is curly.

Sleeping

So I believe in a couple past posts I complained about Italia's sleep habits. This is an update and its going good.
Background: Italia has always been a late sleeper but she also slept in so I never was overly concerned about her not getting her sleep and she would take naps. She would also wake up alot during the night. Recently the waking up at night was due to the fact that we are all sharing a room. So she would wake up and see us then instead of going back to sleep she would call out to us. Italia was still on a bottle to go to sleep and would still require a bottle during the night. At one point I had her only using bottles for bedtime and nap time and sippies during the day but then somehow she would up having a bottle all day no more sippies. I am not overly sure how this happened.
About a week before Thanksgiving her sleeping got worse. She was staying up later and she required being rocked to sleep then placed in her crib. Needless to say this was hard on everyone. Then after Thanksgiving we all got sick and all Hell broke loose. She was staying up until 2am and we were fighting her fever many nights and days so she took random naps and she wound up in my bed everynight. While she was sick I allowed this and also cause I was sick I didn't have the energy to attend to her all night and her in my bed made it easier for everyone. So once she was better I knew I needed to get her out of the bed but it didn't go to well. Italia decided she would much rather sleep with us every night then in her crib. So needless to say I had had it.
One night I kind of had a break down. I knew I needed something drastic and I needed rules cause I had tried letting Italia "cry it out" but I always gave in it just hurts my heart to much to listen to her cry. Also Italia has a bad habit of gagging and throwing up when she cries to hard. And she also knows gagging is what gets me out of bed when we are trying to get her to fall asleep in her crib.
So I came across website about sleep tips and downloaded the ebook. I liked this cause the book was honest and let you know most likely there would be some long rough nights and it didn't happen over night. I knew I had to be strong and not give in once cause the book said if you give in once then your baby will know you have a breaking point and won't give up until you are to that point.
We are on our 4th night and Italia is adapting surprisingly well. I thought cause she was so hard before that we would have a really rough few nights but I was preparing myself. And remind you I am doing this alone cause Donny is a work. I also felt that I couldn't go much longer the old way and I needed to start as soon as I read the book and not wait for Donny.
The first night was def the worst. We did a bed time routine which has helped her a lot. Then I laid her down and left the room. And she cried and screamed like expected and I went in there after a couple minutes and that made it worse so I left again. And eventually she fell asleep it was really hard but I kept reminding myself I can not give in once not once. Then she woke up about an hour later and I am suppose to give her 10min before checking on her but after 2 min I knew throw up was involved. So I went in cleaned everything up and settled her back down. And left again withing a few minutes we had throw up again (at this point she is making her self throw up on purpose) cleaned up again settled her down put her back to bed and keep reminding myself not to give up once not give up once.
Then she did it a third time. I put her to bed a third time. Then she fell asleep that third time was the toughest cause by that time I was out of sheets her blankie was in the washer and I didn't know what to do. But I found a couple extra blankets and laid them down and and put her down again.
She woke up a couple times but was able to put herself asleep without me giving up. Naps have been easy everyday with little crying.
Last night she did throw up but then was asleep and didn't wake up at all.

Okay this has been long enough

Winter Fun

Again my pics are not in order so you will just have to get over it:) I have been wanting to take Italia out in the snow to play for awhile but it just never seems to be a good time. The first day it really snowed she was sick and then it was been pretty windy or snowy most days and since she is little I wanted it to be a sunny day so that she would actually have fun. So today was the day.




Riding on a shovel. I didn't buy a sled this year and my mom didn't have any sleds you could pull. So we improvised.


Making snow angels. Italia would have stayed out there forever but I was worried she would get to cold and especially her hands because her big gloves that I bought kept falling off so she just had little gloves on that weren't water proof.
This is just a random pic I thought was funny. The other day she decided to put on this hat that is from her stuff penguin ( when it was on the penguin we had to cut it off cause she didn't like it) So I turned around and she had this on her head, it was actually on better the first time but by the time I grabbed my camera she took it off so I had to convince her to put it on again.
After our adventure in the snow we came in and had hot cocoa while she watched Grandpa use the snow plow.
Learning to shovel
Helping grandpa. I knew kids would come in handy some time j/k.
Just chilin'

3in1 Family Pics/Santa Experience/ Welcome to Idaho

So my pics didn't upload exactly how I wanted them too. Oh well here they are.


Side of the garage. Look at that snow can we say Welcome to Idaho. We really can't complain to much cause this is the first "real" snow this winter. It has snowed since early Saturday morning and suppose to continue thru tuesday.



The front of our house. The siding is almost done:)
So this is after the traumatic Santa experience. The sucker made her happy.
So dramatic
"Someone save Me!!"
At the beginning of the Breakfast with Santa dressed as a elf in training

Our family pic. I thought it turned out good. Sorry it is a pic of a pic

Strange Places

So right before Italia got sick last week she decided she doesn't like her crib anymore so I have had to fight her more to get her to go to sleep. Since being sick it is even worse. She use to fall asleep in her crib with just a little rocking and singing. Now I have to have her fall asleep else where then move her to her crib. ( we are working on this) So for naps the past couple days I have had to resort to having her fall asleep on the couch watching a movie. So today I had been hoping to get her to fall asleep for awhile and finally I was sure she was asleep. So I walked in and found this. She was on the floor asleep.

Scentsy Giveaway

there is a Scentsy giveaway here. Go there to win.
Free is always good.

For Lexie

Arm & Hammer Liquid Detergent--$1.99 after in ad-coupon (Reg. Price $6.99-$7.49)
Use $1/1 internet printable here
$0.99 each after coupon

This week when you buy 3 Robitussin you get $5 back in RRs. There are $3/1 coupons here. This is how the deal will play out:

• Buy 3 Robitussin at 3.99/1=11.97
• Use 3 3/1 coupons=-9
• Total=2.97 and you get $5 in RR back

spend $25 before coupons get $5 RR

Deal buy 3 Robitussin at 3.99/1 =11.97
buy 2 arm & hammer 6.99 = 13.98
total 25.95
use 3 $3/3 Robitussion Coupons
use Walgreens in ad coupon 1.99 detergent
use 2 arm and hammer coupons

total OOP $4.94 + tax
Reciever 2 $5 RR

Blogging More

So I am going to try to post more often. I like it when others post often even the mundane stuff. So I will try. I am not promising anything though:) This week has definitely been hard. With Italia being sick and I am to(not as sick as her just a cold). It definitely makes me respect single moms even more. I definitely wanted and needed Donny around but he is at work. :( There was many times at 2 in the morning that I got very frustrated cause she wouldn't sleep. I was even trying to be lax about where she slept cause she was sick. She has slept in my bed most of the time. If I put her in her crib when awake she would freak out. but she wouldn't just lay down on my bed either she wanted to play. and go up and down off and on the bed and also play with the dogs. That was something I did try hard not to allow. When we go into bed it is for sleeping not playing especially at 2am!. Also I freak out cause she almost falls off the bed all the time when she is playing. Like I need more stress.
I would take her to the family room and try to get her to lay with me on the couch or by herself. Let her watch movies whatever she wanted I just needed her to fall asleep I didn't care where at that point.
Yesterday we fought her fever all day with lots of liquid, tylenol, motrin, baths. Anything I could do. I had a couple scares when her temp was almost reaching 103 cause that temp can cause seizures.
That is all for now sorry about the rambling I have a killer headache from lack of sleep and also cause I need a new glasses prescription.

Making Cake

When Chad, Amber and the kids were here my mom made pumpkin bars and these are pics of Italia and Addison enjoying the frosting. It was actually really cute cause they were sharing too.

Update on Long Days

We are still sick but getting better. I took Italia to the Dr on Thursday and no ear infection which is good just a bad cold and she is cutting her eye teeth. The NOT TRYING HARD POTTY TRAINING is going really well considering I am not doing to much of anything. Yesterday she was a turkey though about going potty. In the morning she was in my bed and she was just waking up and I go "do you need to go potty" she tells me NO! then I changed her diaper cause I knew if she went one more time I was going to have a wet bed. Then after changing her again I asked her again lets go potty. She again tells me NO! then I hear a toot and she pushes and I hear a gush of pee. She purposing went potty in her diaper cause she didn't want to go on the potty. Funny girl. This morning she woke up at 8 and didn't want to go back to bed and so we went to the potty and she went again on the toilet. This time she got potty treats M&Ms. Then cause she was grouchy we laid back down around 9:30 and when we got up at 1030 she pretty much told be she had to go potty and went again in the toilet. She was asking for treats as she was sitting there.
So that is five times in one week of going potty on the toilet. All I am doing is taking her when she wakes up in the morning. I am not trying to train her persay I am just trying to get her use to the idea. A lot of the time she tells me when she goes potty. she says AHHH potty and I tell her to tell me before. Occassionally I sit her on the pot during the day but not much. I usually put her on potty before baths but we have done that for months now.
I am not pushing it cause I know she can't be completely potty trained for awhile for a few reasons. 1. she drinks a ton 2. she pees even more. 3. she is in a crib so I don't think she could be potty trained at night until she is in a big bed which won't be until we get in our house even though she is ready now 4. Shh don't tell but she still takes a bottle at night. Cause we are in the same room and that is not a good thing for sleeping inthe night casue if I try to ignore her she just sits there yelling at me "mama baba mamma baba all gone" I know she shouldn't have a bottle at night she should be sleeping all night but that is not an option right now since we all sleep in the same room

Long days

So it has been a couple of long days. Monday morning Italia woke up at 7am and decided not to go back to bed (she usually sleeps till 9 or so). So we got up Donny and I started getting ready since we had family pics. As I was putting Italias dress on she threw up all over it. So I took it off and scrubbed it clean and put it in the dryer and then I had to go get my hair done by Destinee for pics so I left. Dest was running late since Dreadyn decided to have that be the only morning she slept in for weeks. As I was waiting Donny called and said Italia fell asleep. Well I said she will get at least a 20 min nap while I get my hair done. Then when we were almost done Donny called and said Italia threw up again. So I said should we bag the pics or try it Donny said since we were ready lets just try it. So we got to pics a little late but they weren't busy. I got Italia dressed and she was actually happy even though she didn't sit still. (I forgot to mention that Donny and I are also sick with a bad cold)
We actually did manage to get a cute family pic. The rest of the day was pretty long but that night was longer. Italia had to be held or sleep with us and woke up one time with a fever of 101. Then yesterday was the longest day of my life. Italia was whining, crying, screaming all day. And everything was so tramatic. We both were able to get a long nap in but it was because I had to sleep with her so Iwasn't able to get things done that I wanted.
also she hadn't ate much of anything both days and I had to make more pumpkin bars cause that was the only thing she would eat. She also had to have 3 baths yesterday to keep her happy. Finally last night I did get her to eat a hamburger. then last night she did sleep okay but in our bed.
On the happy note Italia has gone potty in the toilet 3 times. In the morning I have taken her potty and every morning she has gone:)

Thankful For...

So I decided that I would list a few things I am thankful for at this Thankgiving time

*Donny
*how hard Donny works for our family so that I can stay home and that we can have a nice home
*Itaila
*Parents-
Mom and Scott for letting us live with them and putting up with us
My Dad for working so hard on our house
Rakay for letting me have my Dad around to build our house while she is in Arizona with out him
Donny's Parents for not getting mad at us for not visiting since we are so busy with our house
*Family in general
*holidays
* the fact that for the next 3 days I get Donny home.
*Health
*Happiness
*Good Marriage
*Gospel
*Running cars
*tithing
*Donny's job and insurance
*conveniences
There is so much more but that is all for now I may update it later
I encourage all of you to do the same since it is good to remind ourselves how lucky we really are because it is so easy to forget and just concentrate on the negative

More House Updates!

Our front door and off to the left is our laundry room door
The back of the house Looking Good!!
Two men hard at work. Thanks Donny and Dad for all your hard work:)!
Just so you know I worked hard today too. I went and picked up the bark and drove it to the house:)

WE HAVE SIDING!!!!!!!!!

This is my Dad working hard in the freezing weather. Thanks Dad!
Its coming along. I am getting excited I can't wait to move in and decorate.

2 for 1 Halloween/House Update

Halloween was fun. I was glad that Donny was able to be home so we could enjoy it as a family. Italia looked so cute as tinker bell


All decked out and ready to go



I put sparkling pink blush on her cheeks and eyes and she was very fascinated with the whole process we may have a makeup girl sooner then we want:0

Showing how to light up her wand and smiling for the camera
I just think she looks so cute here.
Our only carving pumpkin pic my battery died as I tried to take more. but Italia did really well and it was funny cause she kept sticking her spoon in the pumpkin like we all were doing but then she would stick it in her mouth and say "yum" but she didn't think it was so yummy when she actually got some pumpkin on her tounge.
Trick or Treating.
at our church was a trunk or treat /halloween carnival we went inside for a minute but only did two things cause everything had a huge line and Italia didn't know what she was missing. Those two candies in her hand were her first two of the night and she swiped them out of the basket and wouldn't let go of them. She probably had them in her hand for over an hour.
Out finished product.
Our house has windows. The siding has arrived and if everything goes as scheduled we will be sheetrocking the inside during december then it is just a matter or finish work :)

Panties and Cheese

So I don't know if you can tell in the pics but she is wearing panties. So I am not trying to potty train her but I am trying to teach her what potty is and what it entails. I have had a potty seat upstairs for awhile now and I put her on it sometimes like before baths. Also when I change her diapers I try to talk about going potty. She has been figuring it out more lately and shone some interest. The other day she was sitting on Grandmas lap and grandma asked if she was going potty and Italia got down and ran to the bathroom. If I say go potty she usually runs to the bathroom or points to her diaper.
I am not going to rush this cause I think kids need to be "ready" for you to have good success without too much headache.
So Donny and I have talked about trying to be better about teaching her about "potty" so Saturday I bought a seat for the basement, a stool, and panties. She wanted to open the panties when we got home then wanted to wear them. (over her diaper I am not ready for the real thing yet) Then later after bathtime and jammies she wanted to wear them again so I put them on over her jammies. Same with tonight.







Now you may be wondering why this post is called "Panties and Cheese" considering I haven't talked about cheese yet? So On Friday we stopped to get something to eat before taking Grandma to the airport and Grandma took her pic and she smiled and said "cheese" this is the first time she ever has done this and did it without prompting. I am not overly sure how she learned this cause I don't think I say "say cheese" when I take her pics cause the few times I do this she gets up and wants cheese. So tonight when I wanted to take her pic showing off her panties. I got the camera out and sat down with her and she says "cheese"

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Oh my gosh look at this lovely dress. I can just picture Italia in it. Obviously next halloween but it is gorgeous I can't believe anyone could be so talented. I hope I win

Pumpkin Patch

We went to a pumpkin patch and had lots of fun.


Italia sitting on a hay bail in the maze. She wasn't to sure about walking through the maze.


Carrying her pumkin
I love Italis face in this pic it says "what exactly am I doing here?"

Cheap Beef

There is a fantastic deal going on right now. This morning I purchased 18 Hamburgers and a set of cutlery from Omaha Steaks for $3.98. Go to My Good Cents for one of the best explanations on how to do this. You don't have to be a member of Geico to register for their Privileges program. And if you don't have an ebates account, it is super easy and free to sign up. It took a day for Geico to send me my email with the code.

***side note make sure when you click on the omaha steaks site it says "sign up to save with omaha steaks" if it says differently exit out of everything and try again.

Train Show

We went to the annual train show here in town. Italia loved it. Just was fascinated with all the trains chugging right by her.



Waiting for a train to come.
Italia is telling me about the trains in her girly conductor hat.
Enjoying some more trains