Levi Brian Robert is here!

Ok so better late than never. We had our little man on July 29. He was 7lbs 10 oz and he is adorable. His brothers love him. Asher won't stop kissing him. He is an easy going little dude. So here is our newest addition, Levi Brian Robert.

Asher

Today Isaac is sleeping a little long for his nap. Which means I get some time with just Asher. He is just so cute! I love watching his little walk and his little talk. He is in a baseball phase right now and everything can be a bat and ball. While usually this is a pain. today I'm watching and just adoring my cute little man. He won't be the youngest for long...He is at such a defiant but adorable age. Ah, the joy of toddlers.

Homemade = less expensive.

I found something I'd love to try. I've never personally made homemade laundry soap, but I've heard it is amazing. A friend posted this recipe and it looks easy enough to make. Right now I have about six months worth of detergent stockpiled, but when that is used I'm hoping to try this. Here is the recipe for any one else who is interested. Let me know what you think.

Laundry Soap Recipe: 2 bars Fels-naptha soap (you can buy at Kroger laundry aisle),
2 cups Arm & Hammer Soda Wash (also at Kroger in the laundry aisle),
and 2 cups Borax.
Grate bars of soap into small pieces (I use my blender on "ice chop" setting to shred - washes up great!) and put into 2 quarts boiling water and stir occasionally until melted.
Put Soda Wash and Borax into clean 5 gallon bucket (I used a kitty litter container, well rinsed). Add 2 1/2 gallons hot tap water and stir until dissolved.
Add melted soap mixture and stir. Cover. Use 1/4 cup to 1 cup in each load (depending on load size and dirt amount). It will become gel-like. Sometimes a little like jello.


Another money saver is home made baby wipes. I've done this since Isaac was a baby. It is quick and easy. I really like these for newborns because they are very sensitive and there are minimal ingredients.

Cut one roll Bounty paper towel in half. In a tupperware pour 2c. water, 2T. baby oil, and 2 T. baby shampoo. Set half the roll in tupperware for a few minutes to soak. Turn roll over until entire half is wet. Gently pull out cardboard from the middle. Wipes will pop out like a wet wipe roll. Each roll makes two tupperwares full.

I love doing this. It really only takes a matter of minutes. Plus the boys like to help pour in the ingredients.

I really like finding "recipes" for homemade items. If it saves money and is better for us and the enviroment then why not take the extra couple of minutes. :)

Free Parents Magazine

Click on the link below for a free two year subscription to Parents magazine. I've done them before you are never billed. I love free stuff.

http://www.valuemags.com/freeoffer/Parents-BBS.asp

eyes closed

Isaac is working on going poop in the potty. Today he was sitting in the bathroom. We had read a few books and he was not getting anywhere. So I told him to push and see what happened. He started grunting and closed his eyes. Then he opened one eye and kept the other closed tight. He stopped for a minute and said, "did you see me close my eyes, Mommy? One eye is for pooping, but two eyes are for sleeping..."
I thought is was funny, but I am his mom.

33 1/2 weeks...and counting

We are nearing the end...I'm getting more and more anxious. I am feeling huge and it is VERY hot. I haven't ever experienced the swelling I am this time, but I hear it is normal with the heat. I get another ultrasound on 7/7 which is really exciting. Our 20 week ultrasound showed us a very shy little guy who kept his legs crossed and his face covered which didn't give us very good pictures. We have been hitting the pool quite a bit more lately. I love the pool. In the heat it just seems like my happy place. The boys really enjoy it too. Isaac especially. I love the feeling of being weightless in the pool. I instantly feel pressure off my feet. It is soo nice. Isaac seems to be getting really excited for the baby too. He keeps talking to my belly lately. I LOVE it. He will say "Hi, baby, you are so cute." I'm excited to see how he reacts to the new guy once he is out. I think he will be a much bigger help this time around. Asher however, does not like to share his mommy and daddy. We'll see how he does. He likes being the baby. Oh, the suspense of what a new person will bring. Well, I'm going to head to bed now. Good night.

Prayer request

Last night at our house church we talked a little about praying very specific prayers. We talked about how Abraham was confident God had a wife for Isaac and how his servant was very exact with his prayer. So I was thinking about a few things that I really want to pray for. If you wouldn't mind joining me in praying for them that would be great.

I am really praying that Isaac potty train before the baby is here. If he isn't fully trained he can't start school that he is registered for. Also, it would relieve some of the financial stress when the new baby comes. 3 in diapers would be hard. I'm also hoping that Asher will follow his brother's example and train soon after.

I am praying that if it is God's will our house would sell quickly and for the price we need. I'd love to have a home where we can have guests, a playroom, a bigger yard, and just more space for our growing family. I know God knows what we need and if we are supposed to move I just pray he has the perfect house in his perfect timing. I'm not good at waiting, but God is so faithful.

I haven't had a lot of time to think about the third little boy who will be joining us very soon. I'm really praying God makes the transition smooth for our family. Asher is very used to having mommy and I'm a little nervous when he is not the "Baby" anymore. I want to be able to be a mom and wife without too much stress. All this will possibly be in the midst of having the house on the market. So, I just want to pray I handle it all with God's help and not try to do it all on my own. (I never do very well, but I seem to try to do it on my own too much).

Those are just a few things I want to be in specific prayer for. So often I think I generalize my prayers. I don't bother to take time to be specific. Then I remeber I'm his child. I think how sweet it is when Isaac tells me about his day. Even though i was there. i already know what happened I love to just spend that time with him. I love to hear him verbalize his perspective. It is amazing how much more I understand my relationship with God my father now that I have my own kids. And how much more does the heavenly father love us. God is so good.