Oh...the family budget woes

So tonight Bigger Baby and I worked on our family budget.
OUCH.
Not fun to do on a Friday night. More Wine Please!!!

Where does it all go?
Two kids...expensive
Day Care...expensive
LIFE...EXPENSIVE

I mean honestly, its really sad when the only way to help out would be to actually be the one in one billion odds person that wins the lottery. However, looking at my budget I am not able to actually play the lottery so therefore, it does not look like I will be winning.

And yes, we crunched the numbers...I must remain a working mother.

HOWEVER...silver lining...
We will be debt free if we stick to this budget in two years and can then start actually preparing for OUR retirement future and their college education. Until then...we have to pay back before we can put back.

I think a visit with Boss Man may be in order...
Again, more wishful thinking.

However, I know there are people in far worse situations that we are in and therefore...we KNOW we are very , VERY lucky!!!!
I have two beautiful children, a great husband, a good job, an awesome family, a nice house...I am blessed.

But I will admit, a little extra moo-lah would be nice.

2 month stats

Katie Jane had her two month well visit today. It was medically proven and will be in all journals...she is perfect.

She weighs 12lbs 2oz naked, is 23.5 inches long and her head is normal. I always forget that one...I think something like 14 inches.

She is doing GREAT on her reflux medicine. It seems to be working really well...thank God.
Still not sleeping through the night but can go as long as five hours between night feedings. I am hoping that with the more weight she gains the longer she will be able to sustain herself.

Owen has been moved up to the 2 year old classroom and is doing great. I cannot tell you how much I love his school. They are the greatest place ever and I wish my children could go there until they graduate high school. He is going well in music class, art class and LOVES reading time. The teacher says that he sits in the front and likes to help turn pages and is so attentive during the stories. His vocabulary is growing and he is starting to put sentences together. Of course, like most toddlers Jeff and I are about the only ones that can fully understand what he is saying but he is getting there.
He is starting to realize that the baby is not going anywhere. He is interested in some of the things that she does but is becoming very clingy to whoever is holding her. Typically me. He likes for me to hold both of them at the same time. We do that during story time at home. He likes to give "Baby book".

I am thinking about moving her into her crib in their shared room soon. She seems to sleep longer in that bed. I think she is starting to get uncomfortable in the cradle. It's hard to tell. My apprehension to this is that she still gets up at night to be fed and I do not want to disturb Owen too much. He is a heavy sleeper but once he is up...he is UP. Maybe in the next few weeks.

Katie Jane starts school February 1st so I am trying to get her on a schedule so that they can follow something once she is there. I know that once she starts school they will keep her on and start her on a schedule. I am actually looking forward to taking her to school. I need to get out of the house, I need adult interaction and I need to feel like a human instead of a sweat pant wearing house wife. I have been working from home for the last four weeks but I think it will be great to get back into the office and back into a routine. I know she will be taken care of at school so I am not as nervous as I was with Owen. Plus, I know he will LOVE having her there...he likes to show off "Baby".

We are starting to really get into the swing of things around here. I did forget how much work goes into having a baby. They require a LOT of pre-planning just to take a trip to see Nana and Papa. However, I am starting to get it down again. I know another curve ball will be thrown but so far we are getting things accomplished in a timely manner.

I want the weather to HEAT UP soon though so I can get these children out of the house on the weekends and to the play ground. A few more months though...I know.

Whats that new scent you have on?

Oh, that would be the sent of VOMIT.
Classy right?

So Katie Jane is a bit of a puker? We went to the doctor today because she has literally been exploding bottles. It's like someone pops her while she is feeding and she spits up everything and then some. It flies across the room. She is covered, I am covered...it got on poor Sam once. He was none too happy. I never had to deal with this with Owen so I was caught off guard.

I was a bit surprised that she has reflux because she is gaining weight and eating like a champ. She just explodes at least one of her bottles. Weight today was 12 lbs, 5 oz with clothes on. The doctor prescribed some zantax and suggested to put a little rice cereal in her bottle to help the food stay down. I am also hoping that the rice cereal may help her sleep at night. I need sleep!!!

Owen moved up to the big boy 2 year old room this week. For those that know Owen, he does not like change. He gets very uneasy and nervous. It makes me so sad for him but he adjusted very well. I am very proud of him!

I have also started a new weight loss blog to chronicle my weight loss for 2010. I will be hitting the big 30 this year AND will have to squeeze my butt into a bridesmaid dress in October. Feel free to read and enjoy.
www.fatsofatno.blogspot.com

We go back for our well visit with Katie Jane next week. Hopefully the reflux will be a bit better and her face rash will be gone. Did I forget to mention the fungus growing on her face...NICE.

Stat update

We had to venture to the doctor today for a well check-up for my big two year old.
Owen is skinny...only 25 lbs but is 35 inches long so according to the medical professionals, he is healthy and just fine.

Katie Jane is already a whopping 11 lbs, 6 oz, at five weeks old. I am looking forward to her hitting the 12 lb mark because that was when Owen started sleeping through the night. I am sure she will have to hit the 20 lb mark before I get that luxury...just for pay back.
However, the past few nights she has gone five hours in between feedings at night. Still every three hours during the day though. She loves her food.

We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

One Month update

We have made it a month and Katie Jane is still just as perfect as the day she arrived.
Owen is the best big brother in the world and is actually very helpful. I have gotten him to throw away diapers, grab the paci, anything I ask him to do for the most part he actually wants to help with. He gives her big hugs (sometimes body slam hugs but we are always there to protect her) and HAS to tell baby night night when it is bed time.

The bond between siblings is amazing. He just seems to know that this baby is his.

Owen had a fabulous second birthday. I cannot believe that he is already two years old. Where does the time go? I will post pictures soon of his Froggie Birthday Party at Nana's house. It was so cute!!!

So far life in the Ferguson house is settling into a routine. The baby is still of course getting up a few times a night but so far has been able to go as long as five hours which I think is pretty great. She is up to 4.5 oz a feeding but still has most of her days and nights confused. Some days she is up all day, other nights she refuses to stay still and wants to be held so she can look around. Of course I miss my sleep but I know that one day I will get it back.

Today I am scheduled to be back at work, working from home, and while I am trying to be productive I am also at home with a two year old with a low grade fever and a one month old. Needless to say I am not getting a lot accomplished. Maybe tomorrow!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas! We have been blessed this year and hope that you are your family have been as well.

Long Overdue Update

As I am sure most of you know, we are home, settled and loving our new Baby Girl! Big Brother Owen is about the best big brother ever and thankfully has been nothing short of an angel during this transition.

Our Katherine Jane (Katie-Jane) was born on November 19th at 2:23 pm after a smooth labor and delivery. At a whopping 9 lbs 4 oz and 21 inches it was no wonder I was the most uncomfortable girl in the world. A good 10 minutes of pushing and "Hello World", Katie-Jane was here for us to love and adore.

We have settled into a routine, as much as we can with a one week old. She is going about every three to four hours for a bottle and is very laid back, similar to how Owen was when he was a newborn. I am very thankfully that the good Lord has blessed me with two wonderful children. I could not be happier.

I promise to post some pictures soon. We have been having some issues with our computer so I am hoping to have that repaired soon. Nothing major, could be user error.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoying the start of the holiday season. I am in LOVE with the holiday music already on the radio and cannot wait to start decorating my house for Christmas. The nesting thing has not left my body yet!

My Christmas wish list

Aside from the obvious -healthy children, family, etc. I thought I would blog about all the wonderful things I want / need for Christmas this year.

Every year I tell Jeff that I am going to write down 5 things on a list and he can write 5 things down on a list and we get to pick three that we purchase for each other. He never goes off the list. Not to sound selfish, but this year, I sort of need him to. This is not to say that the presents I have received in the past are not awesome...diamond earrings are always fun, but I have enough jewelry (did I just say that?) so I am actually pulling a Brat and telling him he must stick to the list...in some way shape or form.

With that said...this list does consist of more than 5 things...all of which I really want so Jeff, if you are reading...please order, purchase, etc.

1. Baby Sling

I never thought I would need one. However, I am wondering what I will do with Katie-Jane when I go and pick up Owen from school. I cannot leave her in the car. The carrier is WAY heavy and will take up my hands and arms which I will need to hold Owen's hand to walk across the street. So, I thought, I can put her in one of these slings, hands free and can walk with Owen and Katie-Jane at the same time. Genius.

Yes, I know you can "make" them but please...I do not even know how to use a sewing machine so to Target we go. If you have any suggestions on the right one please let me know. I am going by cost because I really do not see myself sporting this thing all the time.

2. The InStyler
Being a pregnant insomniac I am always watching paid programming commercials. The InStyler is ALWAYS on and on more than one occasion I have taken the phone and credit card to order this thing. It just looks cool and my hair is a bit of a mess. As a mom to one the task of drying and fixing my hair is a little laborious. I can only imagine when I am the mom of two. HOWEVER, as my mother says, if you look good you feel good so I at least make the effort, not always succeeding but I try...most of the time...during the week. I would LOVE something that I could blast my hair dry and then use to actually "fix". PLUS, they swear it will make my hair look like silk. Jeff - please see Ulta or feel free to order online.

3 and 4. Feather Bed and Down Comforter
This is a dual gift yes but should only count as one. The feather bed was the first thing that Jeff ever purchased for me for our first Christmas together. What a sweetie. I LOVED it and it always made me happy to fall into my bed at the end of a long day. However, during the most recent house move Clover decided to use it as a potty and thus the feather bed went into the trash. I was crushed. To date it has not been replaced and I blame part of my insomnia on the absence of this. The down comforter has been in my life since college and it has a few tears from paws being on it. Feathers fall out all the time and it makes life tough for my Dyson. Both need to be replaced. Now, it does not have to be super fancy...just functional. Jeff - please see Ikea or Bed Bath and Beyond.

5. AAA Membership
Now, I think this is pretty practical seeing as how I will have two small ones in my car with me. Should something happen I am forced to either call my dad or Jeff to help. No, I do not know how to change a tire. No, I do not want to learn how to. So...a membership to AAA will ease all of my worries. While it is an odd request I think it shows just how adult I really am!!!

Jeff - can be purchased online.

6. Wii

I am the only person in the world without a Wii. However, I go back and forth about this because 1) my house is small and you need room to play and 2) it would be one of those things that I use for about a month and then never again.

HOWEVER, Jeff and I have been discussing gym memberships again. I know, I know...what are we thinking. So, I thought maybe a Wii with the Wii fit might benefit the whole family instead of paying for a gym membership that we will never use. I find every excuse I can to not go to the gym and now with having kids I use the "I don't want to put them in another nursery" excuse. I just don't think I NEED the Wii...I want it yes, but I don't NEED it and therefore, Jeff, this is a last resort present only if you are seriously in the dog house!

7. T&Co Earrings

Another splurge and really should be my push present but whatever.

I LOVE these. They match my ring that I adore but again, the above mentioned are more things that I really need...so this is also a last resort type present. Look how pretty though...ahhh.

So there you have it. My 9 year old Christmas wish list.

If anyone else needs more ideas, I have tons of wants / needs.

Happy Holidays!!!!!!