Fashionista

I have had a few questions about where I get Rebecca's clothes, so I thought that I would take this opportunity to share my "tricks of the trade."  

I am very luck that I have two sisters who each have 3 year old girls.  They have been very nice to share their hand-me-downs.

 

 My mom also makes a lot of Rebecca's clothes.  She is very good!  I think that we all need to learn to sew.  I am actually thinking of asking for a sewing machine for my birthday and some sewing lessons. (Hint, hint Mom!)

I get a lot of Rebecca's "playclothes" at Gap Kids or Gymboree, but I very rarely pay full price for these clothes.  Both of these stores have lots of sales, especially Gymboree who is constantly changing over their lines.  I also buy things in advance. I have begun shopping for Rebecca for next spring already, because I am able to get things on sale now.

This dress was bought at Gap last summer for this spring.   

I am a sucker for anything smocked or appliquéd.  I will, but rarely, splurge at a children's boutiques.  I check websites often for their sales items.  Kelly's Kids is a great website.  Their clothes are pricy, but not too bad if bought on sale.  I just got a smocked dress and two blouses for this fall from there and spent less than $50.  

My favorite trick is to find a friend or relative who can get you into the Apparel Mart.  I am lucky enough to live in a city that has an Apparel Mart, and even luckier that I have a wonderful cousin that can get me in to it.   This is where I get most of my smocked and appliquéd clothing for a fraction of what it would be in stores.  But you have to be able to plan ahead.  This summer I will shop for Rebecca's winter wardrobe.

I hope this answers some questions.  Happy shopping!

Wordless Wednesday

Sick Baby, Super Husband

Rebecca is still feeling pretty puny because of her allergies.  I took her back to the doctor on Friday because I was sure she had an ear infection.  Of course she did not, "It's just her allergies,"  said Dr. Knox.   He told me to continue to give her the Zyrtec, and he gave us a prescription for Nasonex.  It is a spray that I have to squirt up Rebecca's nose.  Fun stuff!  He said that it takes 7-14 days to start working, so hopefully it will do the trick.  

I was talking to my dear (and super smart) friend Neila.   She suggested giving Rebecca her allergy medicine in the morning instead of at night.  Since Zyrtec dries out Rebecca so much, it does not help for her to lay on her back with her mouth wide open for 11 hours right after getting the medicine.  It has only been two mornings since getting this wonderful advice.  Again, hopefully it will help Rebecca.

Yesterday Rebecca woke up with a fever, and she was feeling not so great.  John and I had to quickly change our Sunday plans and opted to stay home all day.  I was able to go to the store for our weekly shopping trip and run a couple of errands.  John stayed home and was a FANTASTIC Mr. Mom.

He cleaned up the kitchen, washed the dishes, loaded the dishwasher, unloaded the dishwasher, put up the clean dishes, reloaded the dishwasher, hung up a new shade for the downstairs bathroom, did 4 loads of laundry, folded said laundry, made a fort, went running, had a tea party, and emptied all of the garbage cans.  

When I asked him what had gotten into him, he responded,  "It's just less you have to worry about this week."  

I swear that if I was not already married to him, I would marry him again.  He is the BEST husband!  And a pretty awesome Daddy!

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Rebecca woke up this morning with no fever.  She is still congested with a cough, but not as bad as it was.  

Where's the Baby?

Sometimes when I get Rebecca out of her crib she wants to bring everyone with her.  Bubbie.  Monkey.  Pink Blankie.  Yellow Blankie.  And pillow.  

Then she will say, "Out, out!"  and I get her out of the crib.  

We drag all the lovies downstairs where Rebecca continues to cuddle with them on the couch for about 2.2 seconds.  

Then she is on to new things.  

Today I went to get her after her nap.   Monkey was on the floor.  She was holding Bubbie over the edge.  

She looked up, saw me and said, "Uh-oh Mommy, Monkey dkjfalrueialdkflak."  

I picked up Monkey off the floor.  She then handed me Bubbie, both blankets, and the pillow.  When her bed was empty I said, "What about the baby?"

She held her hands up (in the "where did it go" gesture"), looked left, looked right, turned in a circle, and looked over the railing.  

She then looked at me and said, "I ont see baby."

My thoughts exactly.  My baby is no longer a baby.  She is growing up right before my eyes.  

Spring is FINALLY Here (a few days late)

Written 4.27.09

It was finally warm (okay hot) at home this weekend.  We spent lots of time outside!  Rebecca loves to be outside.  

On Friday we met some friends at the zoo.  The zoo was an actual zoo.  It was SO crowded.  We did not spend much time there, but Rebecca loved seeing the animals we were able to see.  Here she is looking at the Gorillas.  She kept calling them monkeys.  Notice her monkey harness.  I swore I would never do that to her, but she is such a runner that I had no choice.  She refuses to stay in a stroller, and I can not let her roam free, especially in big crowds.  It was so funny to see other parents stare in awe at my child on a "leash".  I got several smiles, lots of "I need one of those!", and a few "Where did you get that?"  I got it at Target.  They have other animals other than monkeys, but since Rebecca is part monkey, I couldn't resist.

Strolling with Julie

Saturday, Mimi and Poppy brought over Lucy and Caroline's old turtle sandbox.  Rebecca was so excited.  We stayed outside most of the day.

Saturday night we met the Gorneys for dinner at Galla's Pizza.  It was so nice outside that we were able to dine al fresco.  After dinner we went to Bruster's for some ice cream.  Here is Rebecca enjoying her first ice cream cone.  She loved it!

After church on Sunday, Rebecca spent most of the day outside.  

On Monday her allergies were in high gear.  Ever since we got back from Jamaica her allergies have been horrible.  She has a constatly running nose, lots of sneezing, and a very itchy face.  The doctor suggested Zyrtec, but it made her very hoarse and dry.  Then we tried Clairitin.  It did the same.  After this latest flare up, we tried Benadryl.  It made for a horrible night.  I am not sure if it was the Benadryl or not, but I am not willing to try again right now.   I need my sleep.  

It would help if we kept Rebecca indoors all day, but like I stated before, she loves to be outside.  So last night I gave her 1/8 of a teaspoon of Zyrtec.  She slept a little better.  She is still stopped up this morning, but her nose is not draining constantly like it was yesterday.  She does not seem hoarse either.  We will try this route for a few more nights and see how it goes.  If anyone has any suggestions on dealing with allergies, please pass them along.  

Updated 4.30.09:  It is now Thursday and we are still giving Rebecca the small amount of Zyrtec.  She wakes up hoarse and very thirsty.  She has been drinking a lot of water with a splash of juice.  The hoarseness goes away after a while.  

Her allergies seem to be under control as long as she keeps chugging liquids.  

Wordless Wednesday

Play Ball