Baby Charmer, Second Edition

Samantha soothing techniques have taken a more visual approach since the hairdryer days.

Note the "Zen Hands." Right goes over left. Always.



This trick comes in quite handy when:

• She fusses in the car (I toss my phone to Lucy who holds it in front of her)

• Getting dressed (While getting undressed is perfectly acceptable, you may as well be pouring acid on her when you put anything on her- even when she is turning purple with cold)

• She's tired (as in the video)*
  

*the cough is a remnant of the sickness- trust me, it's much improved!

Sickness and Shamless Self Promotion

I don't know if you've noticed, but in many of the posts for about the past month there has been a sheet on the couch.

No, I'm not paranoid about keeping the couch clean. No, Jer and I are not fighting. He was horribly sick for 2 weeks and then had a cough that would not go away for another 2 weeks. So to allow me and Sam a decent night's sleep (or to get one himself as she was getting up every 2 hrs), Jer has camped out on the couch for the past month. After two doctor visits, antibiotics and lots of puking Jer is finally back in the bedroom. As much as I missed him, I have to admit it was really nice having the bed to myself. But now we get to have cuddle time:

What, did you think I meant me and him? HA! See- Samantha has been sick too. Poor baby has been mis-er-ab-le! Note the red eyes and zoned look:

I'd go into snotty details, but- quite honestly- it's all been a blur. She was sleeping 8 hrs at a time before she got sick and then went back to being up every 2. Talk about torture! But I guess misery loves company- and a sick baby needs her mommy.

That being said, I would like to brag. All this sickness and guess who has escaped unscathed? Now, don't get me wrong, I have not felt well some days-- nothing can replace sleep deprivation. However, I didn't get sick!

At the beginning of the month I was taking Nutriferon, but ran out in the mist of the germ war. One morning I woke up with a scratchy throat and a really sensitive spot on my head (am I the only one that gets those?) These are two signs that I'm going to have a major sinus infection soon. I called my mom and asked if she had any D&R. She did (thank God) and I popped a few that morning and before I went to bed that night. The only problem with D&R is that it works so well and so fast that I always forget to take it the next morning because I feel fine! So I'll get a scratchy throat again the next morning and lather, rinse, repeat. Anyway, after 3 consecutive days of taking it I've usually kicked the cold and don't have to take it any more.

In light of Thanksgiving I'm offering a special on the two items that got me through the past month- Nutriferon and Defend and Resist. The special (running until Nov 9th) is:
Nutriferon for $36 (Reg 45.90) and Defend and Resist for $16 (Reg $20.35).

What? Too expensive?
This is how I think of it: A co-pay for the doctor is around $20, right? Then there are the prescriptions and/or meds you take to help you survive said illness. If you decide to avoid the doctor and "ride it out," you are still miserable for several days and may even miss a day or so of work.

As I've told Jer- I prefer a planned expense to avoid rather than an impulse expense to recover.

Now, if you purchase anything from Shaklee you get a 30-day money back guarantee. You can literally send back an empty bottle for a full refund.

And best of all- they are both kid/nursing mom/pregnant mom safe. If your child is too young to swallow- crush them up in some food and you're good to go!

And now, back to your regularly scheduled program:

Can't decide what she likes more- shaking the rattle or hitting me in the face with it.

Stupid Tax

This week I had a plan. Dave Ramsey says to sell stuff. The only thing we have of value to sell is books.
So...

Monday we decided to sell our books. Well, not all of them, but the ones we feel we can part with. So I posted 16 items on Amazon.com. Being on the seller side of the equation for the first time I'm now not so happy with the people selling their items for .01. Seriously, how do you make any money? Amazon takes a commission. I dunno.

Tuesday I get an e-mail- my first item is sold! Woo Hoo! The item sold for $5 and Amazon gives a 3.99 allowance for shipping. I'll be getting 5.09 in my bank account. This is my profit plus allowance for shipping as a total (yes, that is a HUGE commission for Amazon).

Wednesday I pick up the book sold. Hm. "This thing is big." I think. I suddenly realize that it probably going to cost more than 3.99 to send it. The book weighs in at a whopping 4 lbs 9 oz. Wanna take a guess as to how much that is to ship?

11.58.

That's right. I paid 6.49 to sell my book.

(insert picture of baby to make one feel better)

Where is the "off" button?

Ok, so this is still cute, but getting a little old. She does this all... day... long. And she expects you to watch her while she does it too.

8AM

1PM

Chinny Chin Chin

Samantha was hungry and my chin passed by her mouth. Who knew it was a perfect fit?

It really tickled!

My Caffeine

This evening I. was. dragging. Couldn't even find the energy to comment on peoples' blogs. (Sad, I know) Jer offered me his pepsi- only because he knew I wouldn't, I'm pretty sure! (pop gives me hiccups) Anyway Samantha started making this gurgling noise and I made it back at her- and she cracked up! The following video was made (thanks to my Flip being fixed! Oh, how I missed your quick load up and editing capabilities!). Suddenly I woke up and had tons of energy. So much so that I decided to make a new post. So, enjoy!

Laughter is the best medicine. And baby laughter is the best caffeine.

Penny Pincher

I love torturing money. Something about hearing a penny scream is very satisfying. So after garage sale shopping last week I was on a "Look at the deal I got!" high. I went hunting for winter clothing for Samantha and an exersaucer. At the first garage sale my list expanded to clothes for me and later toys for Sam and Lucy.

Here are a few things I got:
Two bucks! Even Jer knew how great a deal this was. Pretty cool how they are in ABC order, huh? No, they didn't come that way. Jer couldn't go to work until they were in order. He was late. The extra "o" confused him. No, it's not a zero (he informed me).
I got these for Lucy, $2 each! I probably should have gotten the 2nd grade level. Most of the questions "everyone knows". Except that the Ugly Duckling turning into a swan. That, she is quite sure of, is not common knowledge.

A few other finds were 3 shirts for me (I have no winter clothes due to 8 years of living in the south)and a pair of pants that I have worn every day since I got them all for $16. I'd sleep in the pants if they didn't need to be washed.

The best garage sale was the one that was a hard competitor for Walgreens. They had tylenol, batteries, folders, erasers, pantyliners, pens, pencils, protractors, compasses, flashlights, razors, shampoo, body wash- and much much more. And I'm not talking one bottle of pain relievers. There were at least 50. I also found 2 pairs of jeans for Lucy for .25 each and tons of winter clothes for Samantha for $11.

And my favorite deal! For $15 from Craigslist.com (cue drumroll)

Ta Da!

Cute chubby legs

Her thumb was more interesting at first. She has now figured out how to bang toys and grab at things while in it.


Next up- Take2 sale! Stay tuned for more money torture.