It's done!

I feel like I've been "planning" on making this dress for weeks... I've had fabric since before Easter... and totally over-thought this process so it took me twice as long to sew it. Haha! At least it's done! I'll definitely be making another one.

Awesome CD Store!

Just wanted to share with this cloth diaper (cd) store I found while looking at reviews of the Wonder Wrap (that just came in the mail!! I got Blackberry, Kiwi, and Vanilla!)

Kelly's Closet

Check it out! I paid $14.95 for the Wonder Wrap at DiaperJunction.com (they're having a pretty good deal of 30% off wonder wraps so I got them for $10.50). But I lost some of my savings because you don't get free shipping unless your order comes to $75 (which is easy to do, but I didn't, this time...). Kelly's Closet, on the other hand, gives you free shipping for orders over $49! That's incredible!

Anyways, just wanted to share that with you!

I'll have my own review of the Wonder Wraps in coming in the next few weeks.

Communication

Disregard this post if you don't give a rat's patooty about childhood development or the Paulus home. Sorry to bore you. :)

Communication - a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior.

I share the definition because my daughter, Audrey, communicated with me for the first time. For the past 7 months I've been guessing what she needed. Bottle? Diaper change? Burp? Nap? You know. The mommy game.

But today Audrey communicated. By rapping her fist on her high chair she was trying to communicate that she wanted her favorite toy (a wooden spoon). Yes, I had to do some guessing. But after I figured out that she was showing me what she does with her spoon and how she got a huge smile on her face when I rewarded her with it I realized she had just asked for her spoon!

Yup. I'm a proud Mama. Sorry you had to read my bragging... Can't help it. I sure do love that kid!

Voila!

I made it! Home made laundry detergent!




1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar (2 cups shredded) soap


Mix it all together and store in an air-tight container. Use 2 tablespoons per load. Makes about 32 loads.


I was hoping to show the consistency... It resembles store bought detergent.

*Update*

I found Borax and Washing soda at the Commissary for $2.59 and $2.05, respectively. (Thanks, Jen!)

I've also been told you can find either of these at Ace Hardware stores and Whole Foods.

Happy shopping and saving!!!

Saving $$ and Time

This seems to be an ongoing process: being frugal and organized. Haha! As soon as I think I'm doing well in one area I've let the other go. Recently I've come across some sites that are helping me accomplish more in my day and make my money go further.

Here are some websites:

Making you own laundry detergent:

• Tipnut
• Planet Green (the powdered recipe is the one I'm going to try)
• The Simple Dollar (this is a video tutorial)

I have not tried this yet, but my good friend Megan Fischer makes her own. You spend pennies per load!! What an easy way to save money! The hardest part I'm finding is finding the ingredients - my Walmart doesn't carry Borax or Washing Soda. If you know where to find it pass the info on!

Organization: Making a Household notebook

• Organized Home
• FlyLady (She calls it a "Control Journal")
• {SimpleMom} (the Daily Docket - very helpful!)
• {SimpleMom} (the mini Daily Docket)

I'm in the process of making my Household notebook (I don't call it a Control Journal because I have enough issues with being the "boss"... oldest sibling syndrome, hehe!). So far I LOVE it! I've been more productive and I've learned a lot about my own organization and cleaning style.

Cutting coupons:

• CouponMom.com (Just signed up, don't know how it works but I've been told I'll save $$)
• "The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half" - Stephanie Nelson (I just got a copy from the library - saving money (; - and already I'm enjoying it!)

Hope this all helps! I know it's been helping me! Good luck becoming a more efficient, thrifty housewife!

Being a Frugal Woman

The Lord's been putting on my heart to be more efficient in my house and to keep myself from the temptation to be lazy. I find that the easiest thing for me to do is sit at the computer, doing research, stalking facebook, and reading blogs. [Yes, I know that's what I'm doing right now... but I'm being useful by sharing my experience (; ]

That being said, I wanted to share what the Lord's been revealing through Proverbs 31

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides for her family and portions for her servant girls. vs 15

I hate waking up early. I'd rather scrub the floor with a toothbrush. But I've found that early in the morning is the best time for me to get things done and I'm much more productive if I have a head start. And when I wake up early I have more time in the day to do the things I really want to do but get pushed back due to lack of planning. Things like devotions, playing with Audrey more, cooking larger dinners, and just being cheerful!

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable and her lamp does not go out at night.

This applies to my small business of burp clothes and nursing covers. More and more I see how beneficial it is for me to really map out my projects. I came across a snag in my last project when I didn't calculate Michael's homecoming impacting my time. I ended up getting the project done much later than I promised. I have also found that when I plan I feel stronger and more encouraged and confident in my work. It's a win win situation, if I just take some time to plan ahead!

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

The more efficient I am the more this comes true. I know the Lord is taking care of my little family, and that He's giving me the strength to thrive and serve them. I need not worry about tomorrow or next week. He's in control. Just keep on keeping on. :)

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

I'm still learning how to do this. Michael and I are working on making a budget (yippee!) and I'm working on becoming more organized and thrifty. I find that when things are organized it's easier to "watch over the affairs of my house". As for idleness... I really struggle with this. It's so easy to get sucked into facebook, blogs, or sitting with Audrey on the couch in front of the boob tube. So I'm learning to multi-task: get a load in the washer while I unload the dishwasher for example. It's a process.

Thanks for catching up on my little life! Sorry if I ramble...

We're mommies now...

Just wanted to give a shout out to my dear friend Isabella!! She just found out she's having a boy!!! Yippee!!

I'm looking forward to meeting Edward Reagan Hodge this fall!!!

Congratulations, Mike and Bella!!

~ Michael, Katie & Audrey

Itty Bitty Baby Dress :: FREE::

Just wanted to pass on this amazing website and dress pattern. I'm looking forward to making a few dresses for Audrey. (We'll see how they go!) She has a pattern for newborn, 1-3 months, and toddler.

Hope all of you mommies of girls enjoy it!

~ Katie

P.S. If you think of us, Audrey and I are still down with a cold and would love some prayer. Thanks!

*Cough Cough* *Sniff Sniff*

My baby's sick. :( I hate colds.

"You have to let it take it's course." Just what I want to hear when I've got a cranky, stuffy 7 month old.

Off to Walmart to find Puffs Plus, Infant Benadryl, and hand sanitizer.

Yuck. Audrey's not sleeping well unless cuddled on me (which I love, but also means we don't have food in the fridge...) and every time she needs to cough she coughs in my face.

Yup. I'm coming down with whatever it is as well... Shoving vitamin C down my throat.

Praying Michael doesn't come down with it.

Piggy prizes

So the story goes, forgive me if I don't get it all right, that when my husband and brother in law (twins) were infants Mom and Dad P would award "piggy prize"s for the messiest diaper of the day. Understanding, of course that diapers in the early 80s were nothing compared to the "leak-proof" diapers of 2010. Or so one would think.

Audrey proved that to be false today as she has many days (more than I wish to recount). Yup. She got the piggy prize. She pooped all the way up her back to her shoulder blades. One of those diapers that you run the bath water and consider the best way to approach taking off the offended clothing. Scissors? Roll it? Over her head? Slide down her legs? You know it's going to be bad, regardless of how you take it off.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we tried prunes recently... yeah. It RAN through her system.

And the best thing about babies (at least Audrey) she couldn't give a rat's patooty about the mess her patooty's in. Sitting there happy as a clam. With her pants full of ... you know.

It's good to be a mom. It's good to be a mom. It's good to be Audrey's mom. Right. Keeping things in perspective. :)

Haha! On to the next adventure!

$$ in my pocket

So I've got the diaper bug again. Excuse me, the cloth diaper bug.

For the last few months I've been using disposable diapers because I found that I was only spending $4 a week to diaper Audrey... and it was easier since Michael was deployed.

But, the other day I spent $20 on a box of diapers and realized that I could have taken that $20 and bought 2 cloth diapers that would last me months rather than days and that I could use on baby #2* (and hopefully #3 +).

*note: I AM NOT PREGNANT

So now the search begins again for the most cost efficient cloth diaper system. I'm planning on sticking with prefolds and covers but I haven't decided which brand.

The debate is between Bummis and Thirsties, both of which I've used before.

I would love any advice! (especially if you've used the Thirsties Duo Diaper cover)