July 2010 – Our Family Adventure

The Lake

What an exciting day for the little man! We officially did away with the paci today, cold turkey. Ajax was starting to wake up in the night and would only go back to bed if Dave or I went downstairs, searched around in the dark for another paci and gave it to him. After a few weeks of interrupted sleep, we were both done with it. It’s only been one day and it’s been a bit tough, but I think in the long run we will all be happier.

Today we also headed out to the lake for a small get together with close family friends to celebrate a graduation. We had a great time and ate a ton. Ajax ate the entire time we were there (growth spurt?). He ate so much that I began getting concerned that he was just eating way too much (he had a hotdog and some hamburger, strawberries, chips, party mix, cheerios, and of course ketchup). He never stopped, he was a machine. Ajax also went swimming and then took his first boat ride. He loved it.

DSCN6209 — Getting ready for a ride! We couldn't get him off the boat.

DSCN6230 — Grandma Mary, Ajax, Darcy, and Mary W.

DSCN6241 — This was Ajax's post for most of the boat ride.

DSCN6235 — The lake was very calm as it had just gotten done raining. There was mist rising up off it and it was pretty cool.

DSCN6215 — This was the first time Ajax got to wear his life vest, I think he thought it was pretty cool.

Books

Lately Ajax has been all about reading. He’ll bring you a book, sit on the floor and then listen to you read while turning pages. It is so darn cute. His favorite right now is still “Hippos go Berserk” and “Goodnight Moon.” Dave can’t seem to read “Goodnight Moon” without doing a Christopher Watkins voice (like that SNL skit), however, the humor is completely lost on Ajax. I think it’s funny though. I’m hoping Ajax likes to read as much as we do!

Target

Tonight after Ajax went to bed I noticed that my savings blogs were gloating over their prizes from Target. Apparently Target was having a toy mega sale (75% off). Well, I couldn’t let that such a thing pass me by, so I headed out to the store.

I ended up snagging quite a few toys – specifically, $180 worth of toys for only $44! So I saved roughly 75%. I picked up a few Christmas and birthday gifts, yea!

Strollers

I received this picture today from Kristy who was watching Ajax. Apparently Ali (Kristy’s oldest) loves to push Ajax around in this baby doll stroller. Although he looks a little squished, he absolutely loves it and adores Ali! I think I need to start paying her for her babysitting assistance, lol.

Tuesday

Today I was home with the nino. Since it was a Tuesday I was able to take him to his baby class which was of course a ton of fun. My cousin Wendy and her two kids were also there as they are in from England. Ajax’s favorite part of class is music time. All the kids and adults sit in a circle and sing nursery rhymes and Ajax sings right along, what a cutie.

After class I had friends over who are currently visiting from California. Although I’ve known them for … goodness, I guess I’ve known them for about ten years now, this was their first time back to Michigan since Ajax was born. Ajax actually took to them right away and was excited to show them his toys.

Overall, a very nice day at home. Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures because I completely neglected my camera (I’ve been kind of bad about that lately). So here’s some pics from the “archive.”

Coupon Notes

A while back, you may remember I gave you my thoughts on coupons and savings. Well I’ve put a bit more thought into the subject and again, humor me, would like to share my ideas about this whole coupon lifestyle.

1. Although I have come to realize that since jumping on the coupon wagon it has become quite a part of my life and therefore my family’s life, it’s ok to fall off the wagon. I’ve been so busy this summer that I hadn’t touched my coupon binder in weeks. When I finally pulled it out last night I realized that I had $13 in catalinas (basically free money) that had expired, but ya know what? It’s going to be ok. I beat myself up a bit and then moved on.

2. Use every last drop of that shampoo. This sounds silly, but as a woman I am prone to advertisements and commercial peer pressure, for example no matter what product I am using, as soon as I’m browsing the hair product aisle and a new flashy bottle catches my eye, well out with the old, in with the new (no matter how much of the old was still in the bottle). I am proud to report that I have been using all of one item before moving onto another and you know what? That bottle of shampoo really does last long!

3. Even if you don’t use coupons, money-saving blogs are a great resource for great finds! For example, I’ve been wanting a professional ceramic flat iron for years, however, the $250 price tag has always made me gag. Fast-forward a bit to a more savvy shopper and what do you know, I found my dream iron on sale at Amazon for $30, normally $250 (Mr. Dave has already ordered it for me for my birthday). Well, actually I didn’t find my iron, a saving blogger did and passed the word along. Yea!

So, yep there’s some of my coupon thoughts for the evening. You may or may not find this useful, either way let me know.

I also wanted to report that our garden is getting a little out of control. We’re definitely getting a lot of veggies from it, but it’s getting pretty crowded. Our zucchini plant is huge and taking over some of our tomatoes, our cucumbers are stretching into squash territory, and one tomato plant seems to really be some sort of crazy bush that keeps toppling over no matter how much string I use to prop it up (remember how I said I didn’t need those silly cages?).

Stats from 15 Month check up

Today Ajax had his 15 month check up. I had promised him no shots, but of course I miscalculated and the first thing the nurse told us when we checked in, was – oh, Ajax just one more shot buddy! So yes, I lied to my child. He received the last of his DTaP/HIB booster and is now all set with shots till he’s two.

Ajax weighed in at 24 lb 9 oz, putting him in the 50th percentile; for length he was 33 in., putting him in the 90-95th percentile; and for his head circumference he was at 48.5 cm, putting him in the 75-90th percentile (not quite sure what the head measurement is supposed to show but there it is). The doctor said that he was very healthy and tall! He was also impressed with how many words Ajax knew and then commented, ah yes, only child, lol.

DSCN6154 — Now trying to climb into the "neighborhood".

Purses

Ajax thought it was quite humorous to carry my purse around the house. I kept asking him, so are we going shopping? And he would nod his head, yes yes were are going shopping. It was too cute. Dave was a little concerned that his son was carrying a purse around, but I assured him that that was completely normal for kids.

I also wanted to show off our recent harvest from our garden! We’re getting tons of tomatoes and zucchini… which makes me wonder. What am I going to do with all this zucchini? Ajax isn’t totally sold on the veggie so I’m going to have to be creative. If you have any suggestions I’m all ears.

Mikado

Ajax spent some quality time with his grandparents this past week.

On Tuesday Rod came and picked up Ajax and took him home to Mikado, MI. Ajax did wonderful up north without mom and dad (really, he slept better for grandma and grandpa than he has been for us, lol). Ajax took a trip to Dara’s work (she’s a nurse) and they weighed him in at 24.6 lbs, he also ate lunch with her coworkers and stole a bag of potato chips from someone. Dara also took him to a wedding (his first), where he had a blast! Dara said as soon as the music started he was off dancing and running between the tables, she also said there was a laser light show and he was enthralled. Ajax also visited the great-grandmas and apparently great-grandma Indish caught him right as he dove off the couch.

Now Ajax loves tractors, we all know that, however, I now believe he is obsessed. As soon as Ajax would get up he would run to the door, wanting to go outside and once outside would take your hand and lead you right to the John Deere for a ride. I think all grandpa Rod did this weekend was take Ajax for rides, lol. Ajax is now spoiled rotten with rides.

On Thursday night Dave and I headed up north as well and spent a very relaxing weekend hanging out. The weather was just lovely and we had a great time. We came home on Sunday as we had a funeral to attend and then put the nino to bed early as he was worn out. (note: grandma isn’t in any pics because she was the photographer!)

DSCN6140 — Grandpa made a hillbilly swing for the nino and he loved it!

Helping Grandpa fix the tractor with Milly dog in tow.

Ajax was all about swings as well as tractors.

DSCN6145 — The addition is all finished and looks wonderful! Ajax was helping to decorate.

Freezer secret

Although I’m still new to the whole freezer cooking thing I’ve learned a secret and just had to share! The other day when we were grilling I took one whole sweet onions, peeled the outer layer away, wrapped it in tin foil and place a large dollop of butter with some veggie seasoning salt inside. I wrapped it up and threw it on the grill till it was almost translucent. Well the onion didn’t turn out perfect for dinner, but I ended up saving it anyways.

Recently I took out some precooked chicken and pork that I had in the freezer ; while reheating I cut up some of the above mentioned onion and added it to the meat. It was incredible! It added such a great flavor and moistness! I think I’m going to keep one of these cooked onions on standby now that I’m jumping into this whole freezer cooking thing. lol.