Red Pencil Diaries

Ok... some of you will groan. Some will snicker. Some will slowly raise your hands and admit that you, too, are addicts. It's Gymboree clothing for my kids. I used to make fun of the moms who collected these outfits for their children. I couldn't understand the fascination with it all. And then, I discovered a couple of older lines (yes, people trade, buy, and sell clothes that go back YEARS) for boys that I loved for Zack.

The clothes are worth it--they are so well made. They withstand repeated washings and mistreatment from my child and with my Oxyclean spray in hand, I tackle the tough stains and feel jubilant when I conquer another and it comes out clean. I save the clothes that are outgrown and sell them to fellow Gymbo lovers. I peruse Ebay in the middle of the night hoping to score the matching shirt to go with the pants I found for $.99 at the Goodwill.

Many of you don't even know what Gymboree is... but those same ones are the ones who have more than once complimented Zack (or Lola) on their cute outfits. I now scour the racks and bins at thrift and consignment stores to complete outfits from older lines. And, I can make money off of this stuff! I once found two outfits (whole outfits) at the local Goodwill that were too small for Zack, but I sold them on a mom's site for $20--and I paid only $.99 per piece!

My favorite lines (I prefer most of the older lines, most of which I can find on Ebay or the moms board I belong to)... Custom Hot Rod, Space Trooper, Rocky Mountain, Gone Camping, Imaginary Friends, Tiger Love, Park City Luxe, Mod Zebra, Apres Ski... Perhaps I sound pathetic. But until my kids reach the age at which they tell me they are tired of Gymboree, I'm all about the score... I'm learning the ropes. I know all the sales, all the coupons, all the markdowns. I never buy full-price--yes, this stuff is expensive, but when you wait for the right sale, you can get stuff for less than Target prices. I'm just happy to admit my new hobby... er... addiction. And now back to my Ebay auctions.

Yesterday I finally went back to the Y to workout. I hadn't been since last September. I jumped back on to the elliptical machine, and I think it won the battle. I lasted only 12 minutes. My legs started to burn and tremble--I had to stop. I spent a few more minutes with the freemotion machines working on my arms/chest. For two hours after I finished working out, my legs felt like jello. Today, they are kind of sore. I'm gonna try to go back on Tuesday--give myself a day to recover.

At home, our washer is on its last leg, so Dave and I ordered a new washer/dryer. Then we decided to finish the laundry/craft room before it arrives later this week. Dave has been working on the drywall, and I think we are going to rip out a few cabinets before we paint and put down new linoleum--yes linoleum. The dog stays in there and since' she's older, she has accidents, so with linoleum, it will be easier to clean up. Not to mention, I need a place to do my crafting and I also like to hang clothes to dry on the line in that room too. Linoleum is cheap and it makes sense. Someday, when we get to really rip out our kitchen and redo it the way we'd like, we might rip up the linoleum and make the flooring consistent between the two rooms. But for now... it is cheap and easy to clean.

I can't decide on a color to paint the room, though. The kitchen is a bright aqua/turquoise color with white trim. I've added some yellow accents in there... but since you can see the laundry room from the kitchen, I can't decide what colors to use. I'm wanting to make it a bright, fun, clean looking room. Maybe I will do some sort of design on the wall. I was thinking stripes or polka dots. So maybe I can incorporate several colors. I'll have to post pics once I decide and actually get it done. I'm excited! Another room down. And we'll have our master bath redone at the end of the month--we've hired contractors to do that one, which makes it even more exciting because we won't have to do the work ourselves! Woohoo! Can't wait!

Thanks, Kachina, for the pep talk about birthdays. You are very right. I guess I was starting to feel sort of old because A) my closest friend's birthday was the day before mine and she was TURNING 30, while I was turning 36, which seemed oh so much older in comparison. But then I realized that, hey, one of my best friends is only 30, and so that should say something about me--I mean, if I can hang with younger people and still feel like I fit in, then being 36 is nothing but a number. And I don't think I look older. I'm not all frumpy or anything. I was considering changing my wardrobe in fear that people are talking behind my back saying "She should dress more her age." But, who cares. Instead, I'm considering growing my hair out long and dying it red--the color red, not an orangey shade of it. I also can't wait to go get my family tattoo updated with a star for Lola, and I might add another tattoo to my collection if I can afford it.

Yes, I feel good again. I had a decent birthday. And I'm so thankful that I got to spend it with my family--my hubby, Dave and my two beautiful, wonderful, very much loved kiddos!  Who could ask for anything more?

I'll be 36 this Saturday. I'm kind of bummed about it. 35 didn't bother me. I guess 36 shouldn't either. But it does.

Stewart/Colbert in '08! 

All of their shirts are great, though!

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

Joseph Addison

Friday, Lola had her one month checkup. She is now 9 lbs. 9 oz. and is 21 1/2 inches tall. She's growing so fast! She had to get a shot, but she did well. I hate watching my baby get a shot, but I was ok. I didn't cry.

Not much else is new. I got a bit of extra sleep this weekend because Dave got up and fed Lola Friday night and some last night. Oh, and last night I went to the movies with Natalie to see "Evan Almighty," which was actually really funny.  I hadn't been to the movies in about a year! We also had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, which was yummmo! It was so good to get out of the house.

On a totally different note... Zack just stole a piece of ice out of my cup and then said "Mama, it toooold." (He is still learning to talk, so "told" means "cold." Too cute.

Happy one-month birthday Lola! She's growing so much--almost 9 lbs. now! I need to post more pics soon. She's just beautiful!

I feel more liberated and relieved this week. I think breastfeeding was frustrating me more than I'd realized. I was trying so hard to do it and make it work, but I don't think it was working as well for me, or Lola, or Dave, or Zack. I know it's best for Lola, and that's why I tried. But we are all doing well and I am still breastfeeding her some. Just not exclusively. And I know I probably won't continue it much longer, but I'm ok with that now.

We were able to get out of the house on Friday and go to The Playground in Crestwood with Natalie and her daughters. The kids had fun and I had Lola in my new Jeep front baby carrier--think Baby Bjorn only much cheaper. I love it and so does Lola. I can put her in and out of it by myself and she seems all snuggled up against me and slept soundly while we were there with all the kids screaming around us!

Hopefully we will be able to get more done this week--maybe even go visit my friend Ellie who had her baby girl just three weeks after Lola was born!  Also, we're having the family over for the 4th of July, so I need to get the house into some sort of cleanish shape. It's just sort of messy now and I haven't put as much time into making things neater for quite awhile. I just hope people understand that with a toddler and a newborn, some things aren't top priority any longer.

Lola is fussing and hungry. I will post more soon. But we are well and feeling much less stressed now! Yay!