Ramblings of a Stay-at-Home Mom

Keeping it short this week, as we'll be busy for a couple days with numerous Christmas gatherings. This weeks intentions: Enjoy Christmas, despite 4 gatherings in 3 days Go to the gym 2x Continue working on my Geek-Along square (it won't be done in time for Christmas 😞) Make a freezer lasagna Clean out the art/craft/paper drawer and organize  Hang up artwork on the art wall Go through the junk drawer Catch up on December Daily Come up with some goals for 2018 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!🎄🎄

Hello December! And December means that I can start up my December Daily project! I'm doing it all digitally this year in the 8x8 size. While I'd love to do a physical project, I just don't have the time or money this year. Which I'm OK with, as I can print out the photo book whenever I have the chance. Anyway, here's Days 1-5 for your enjoyment!    

Happy 5 months Zach! You currently weigh almost 20lbs. Which is amazing, considering that you used to be a tiny little thing. You love cuddles and snuggles, especially with your sisters, Grandma, Auntie Natalie and Mommy.   You especially love being held when you're getting a bit on the grumpy side and just need someone to cheer you up. Daddy finally got some good giggles out of you. And that really made his day. You're not very ticklish, so he had to try other way to get you to giggle and we finally got some! Rolling over onto your tummy with ease. Which means that you're slowly getting mobile. You love your Jolly Jumper and bouncing around. It seems to make you happy and keeps you occupied while I do stuff around the house, and it keeps you contained away from the puppy.   Just started on pureed baby food ad loves sweet potatoes. Applesauce, not so much. And the faces you make when you don't like something are hilari

Yay December! December means that Christmas is coming! And I can stat work on my December Daily album again! And did I mention CHRISTMAS!!! Yeah, I know, I'm weird. Lol. Anyway, without further ado, here's my list for this week: This Week's Intentions: Go to the gym 3x Finish my current Geek-Along square (Lord of the Rings) Start a new Geek-Along square (Game Over) See a Chiropractor Get a haircut! Color my hair! Set up the Christmas tree Wrap the kids' gifts Work on my December Daily (try to keep up) Make a proper meal plan for next week Write down all my upcoming Christmas gatherings and what I have to bring Write Zach's 5-month letter Last Week's Intentions: Finish October journal (not quite) Continue working on a Geek-Along square (Lord of the Rings) Go to the gym 3x (only went once and then came down with a sinus/head cold) Write Christmas letters for out of province family Send Christmas letters/cards to out of province fa

Hello there! I'm pleasantly surprised that I got a lot done last week. Between dealing with a baby who wants to nurse every 2 hours, dealing with three-year-old temper tantrums, helping a six-year-old with her reading and chores and keeping an eye on the wild puppy, sometimes I feel like I didn't get anything done. But I did this week! Yay me! I've got a couple big things on the list this week, so we'll see how far I get in getting everything done. This Week's Intentions: Continue working on kids journals (still really far behind) Finish October journal Continue working on a Geek-Along square Go to the gym 3x Write Christmas letters for out of province family Mail Christmas letters/cards for out of province family Drop off donations Deep clean bathroom Clean/organize shoe entrance Make cookies for cookie swap Make perogies for freezer Make a lasagna for the freezer Organize Lego bins Make homemade chicken broth? Last Week's Intentions

Hello Monday! And it's been a while. Oops. Seeing as it's a school holiday today, here's the list for the week and hopefully I'll be able to knock off quite a bit! Intentions for this week: Continue working on the kids journals Clean up Zach's room Figure out a daily cleaning schedule Work on October journal Continue working on a Geek-Along square Finish organizing yarn and Geek-Along squares Make the Christmas gift list of who/what to buy Finish organizing October photos Drop off donations Violet meet the teacher conference Go to they gym 3x Switch over all of Zach's clothes to 6+ months Finish writing Zach's 4-month letter Finish September journal

Dear Zachary, Happy 4 months handsome man! You currently weigh 16.5lbs (!!!) Holy cow little guy! I guess you’re not so little anymore. But you’re new nickname of “chubsy wubsy” definitely fits you now. Guess this is what happens when you decide to nurse every 2-3 hours every day. Your appetite has definitely gone up. And it shows. You love to make noises, especially the new shrieking noises that you found that you could do when you’re really happy, along with all the cooing, babbling and crying you do. My little noisy but happy baby. You recently found out that you can roll from front to back, but you’re not a big fan of tummy time. Huh. And you only did it for a couple days and then stopped. Guess you found out that you got stuck doing tummy time by rolling over. You always have a big toothless grin for everyone. And you’re pretty chill about everything. Even the nursery workers at church have commented that all you do during Sunday School or Pre-School is sleep and chill. You’re one

Wow, am I behind. If you may remember from my last intentions post, my last remaining Grandmother had taken a turn for the worst, and she went home with Jesus Monday evening. So I've been a bit of an emotional wreck these past few days and didn't realize that I had forgotten to post my Intentions list for the week, until today. Womp, womp, womp. I'm keeping it short and sweet this week. Intentions for the Week: Write Violet's 6-year letter Finish up September journal Organize yarn storage Get back on the meal-planning bandwagon Attend my Meme's funeral Continue working on the kids journals Continue going through my Recipe board on Pinterest Last Week's Intentions: Violet turns 6! Write Violet's 6-year letter (didn't do due to circumstances with my Meme. I do have the points written down, so hopefully I can put it together this week). 2 things off my 101 list (nope) Do Devotions 3x this week (did twice, so I'll count it). Orga

Dear Violet, Happy 6th Birthday big girl! [gallery ids="3744,3745,3746" type="rectangular"] As per usual, here are some current things about you on your birthday. You are a very highly energetic girl. You are almost always on the move, anywhere we go. You’re always running around outside, playing tag with your friends or running around the garden with Dominique and getting Ruby the puppy to chase you. You find it hard to sit still right now, but I really don’t blame you. It’s hard to keep those long legs contained! You are very loving and caring. You always look out for other kids if they get hurt, especially when it comes to your sister and brother. You go to help Zach when he’s crying and Mom’s busy making supper and usually make silly faces at him so that he’ll smile his big toothless grin at you. You help Dominique when she’s having trouble with something and help calm her down. You also help your friends at school and that makes me so proud. You’re very helpful

Good Monday morning! I've been feeling a bit less productive than I usually am, due to a nursing baby who's going through a growth spurt, and my Grandmother who's been in the hospital for the past month due to several strokes, but I'm hoping that everything will smooth out soon. Here's my Intentions for this Week: Violet turns 6! Write Violet's 6-year letter 2 things off my 101 list Do Devotions 3x this week Organize yarn storage Go through Recipe boards on Pinterest Go through all kids toys/books Work on the kids' journals Finish up September journal Wash ALL the pillows in the house Clean/organize shelf unit in the kitchen Last week's Intentions: Catch-up on Violet's journal  (made some progress!) Do my Devotions 3x this week Go through all kids toys  (nope) Enjoy Pre-School field trip with Dominique Violet picture day Catch-up Violet's scrapbook  (not quite) Finish September journal  (not quite) Organize p

Good morning! Wow, I've really fallen off the posting bandwagon. Really sorry about that. I do have some posts being written and hopefully I'll find some time to get them up shortly. Here are this week's intentions: Work on Violet's journal Do my devotions 3x this week Go through all the kids toys Enjoy Pre-School field trip with Dominique Violet picture day Work on Violet's scrapbook Work on September journal Organize pantry?? Finish Lego Geek-Along Square Switch out Zach's closet to the next size up Enjoy Canadian Thanksgiving Monday! Field trip for Violet Make Christmas cards??

Dear Zachary, Happy 3 months little guy! You’ve grown so much in the last little while and I’m completely astounded by it! You currently weigh around 12lbs (I think). It’s nice to see that you’re finally putting weight on and starting to turn into my chunky little man. Of course it helps that you have a big appetite and love to nurse as much as you can. You have some really big toothless smiles and grin for everyone. You always seem to be happy, except when you’re hungry or tired. But otherwise, you have smiles and just a happy little camper. You also found your voice recently and love to coo and babble as much as you can. Especially when you’re in your bouncy chair or playpen. You talk  constantly and make all the noises that you can. You also found your hands recently, which makes for some hilarious faces from you when you try to shove your hands down your throat and chew on them. But it keeps you calm and happy, at least for a little while. You also love long car rides and walks. It

Oops. I realized that I haven't posted for a while. My bad. I've been battling a sinus cold this past week and it knocked me on my butt. At least I'm on the mend now. I'm gonna try to keep more on top of my lists and (hopefully) start writing a bit more. Intentions for the Week: Work on making chore charts for the girls Work on August and September journals Continue working on 2016 scrapbook Start working on 2017 scrapbook Make a photo book of Violet's artwork Write down an evening routine for myself Get 10 rows done on my current Lego Geek-Along square Organize and overhaul the pantry Set up October in my planner.

Hey there! Not a whole lot has been going on this past week.... Except.... I officially have a Grade 1 girl in my house! She's so excited, loves her teacher, is in the same class as her best friend and loves it. And this next week starts Awana's (with both girls going!), Pre-School for Dominique (!!) and Mom's Group for me! Whew! Anyway... I did pretty good with last week's intentions and got quite a few things done. And now that we're getting back onto our school schedule (and Violet is gone all day!), I'm hoping to be able to get more done. All of this, of course, depends on how much little man wants to nurse and also spending time with Dominique as well. This Week's Intentions: Start organizing small storage closet Find ways to file all paperwork Start going through my Recipe boards on Pinterest Finish August journal Take 2 things from my 101 list and work on them Work on 2016 scrapbook Work on Dominique's baby book Work on Zach's

Dear Zachary Happy 2 months little guy! And you’re starting to be not so little anymore! You’re finally putting on some decent weight (praise hands!) and jumped from 7.9lbs to 10.3lbs in just over a month! Very impressive little man! Dr. Porath has made comment that she was impressed that you jumped from the 4% to 12% that quickly, but I guess everything (including your insane appetite) is finally catching up. I’m just happy to hear that you’re growing and keeping the weight on. You also grew to 22.6 inches, so still on the small side, but at least you’re healthy. Speaking of awesome, you are a pretty awesome eater. You still nurse every 2-4 hours (depending on mood and how long you’ve been awake), but it’s always a really good nursing, and then you’re happy afterwards. And because you’re still sticking to the 3-4 hours at night, it also means that Mommy can get some sleep at night as well. You’re also an awesome sleeper. You sleep through pretty much anything. Your sister's being

This one is a hard one to write. I was really hoping that the story of our new Boxer puppy would continue to play out for years to come, but tragically ended after 3 weeks. This story started a couple months ago. We had been debating for quite a while about getting a puppy. Me and Keith both grew up with dogs and had been wanting one for a while. We decided that we'd casually look at getting a dog, seeing as I'd be home with 3 kids by myself for majority of the day and wouldn't mind having a dog to protect our house. And then a slew of break-ins started happening in our neighborhood and we agreed that we needed a dog. And not one that I can punt over the fence. It was Keith's idea to get a Boxer puppy, as he had one growing up and they make really good family dogs and are awesome with kids. We both kept our eyes/ears open for something close to us when Keith found her online, and only a 1.5 hour drive away from us. We made the drive out there one afternoon to take a loo

Hello Monday! I'm getting this post up a bit later than I planned as it's been a really stressful weekend and my head just wasn't in the game at all. I did make a good dent in my list for last week. Like I said before, some stuff will take me a bit longer to go through and complete, and others are easy to do. I need a mixture of both in order to actually get stuff done around the house. Anyways, here's this week's intentions: Go through 1 cookbook and copy favorite (or ones I want to try) recipes and then donate cookbook Get another 10 rows done on my current Geek-Along square Finish August journal Start organizing small storage closet Find ways to file all paperwork Continue going through all warranty/instructions Continue working on a morning routine for myself (devotions, journal, self-care) Finish Violet's baby book Have a successful first week of Violet back to school! Write Zach's 2-month letter Go through the girls' clothes and transition them ove

Hi there! So it seems that with me posting my weekly intentions, I can actually get my butt in gear and get some stuff done around the house. Granted, I am nursing Zach full time (and he's going through a growth spurt), taking care of the other 2 girls until school starts next week and trying to housebreak a puppy. Whew! My list for this week looks long (doesn't it always?!) but I can get a couple things done while I nurse Zach (thank-you cell phone technology!) and the others I can get done during quiet time in the afternoons. This Week's Intentions: Organize food /baking cupboards Organize plate/bowl/cup cupboards Go through all Kitchen dishes Get another 10 rows done on my current Geek-Along square Work on puppy potty training Go through 1 cookbook and copy favorite (or ones I want to try) recipes and then donate cookbook Get all Violet's school stuff ready (buy shoes, double check backpack and lunch bag) Continue getting Violet on her school schedule

Hi there! I'm deciding to start up a new small series on Mondays that have some of my big "to-do" list items for the week. I've seen this done on a number of different blogs (most notably on Shutterbean ) and figured it might help me get back into my blogging again. It might also motive my lazy butt into getting stuff done, seeing as I'm writing it down for other people to see and hold me accountable to it. So without further ado, here's my big list items for this week. Clean inside fridge Clean outside fridge Organize small freezer Organize food /baking cupboards Organize plate/bowl/cup cupboards Go through all Kitchen dishes Go through 1 cookbook and copy favorite (or ones I want to try) recipes and then donate cookbook Get another 10 rows done on my current Geek-Along square Start figuring out Violet's lunches for Grade 1 Work more on potty training the puppy

Dear Zach, This first month has flown by so fast. It feels like I just blinked and all of a suddenly the month has gone by. You've added to and have completed this family in ways I can't explain. You're so loved by your big sisters and everyone in our extended families. I love your little quirks right now, even though sometimes they're frustrating. Like the fact that you won't nurse if you have a dirty bum. And that you need to be wrapped up tightly (arms in!) to fall asleep. And, sometimes, you hate your soother to the point of spitting it out and then falling asleep right away. You also love snuggling with Mommy (and sometimes Daddy) in the big bed in the mornings, wrapped up in our arms.  You are such a content baby that as long as you're fed and changed, you're happy to be held or to sit in your bouncy chair while Mommy does stuff around the house and you keep an eye on her. You're not much of a crier or screamer (unless you're hungry or dirty),

3 weeks overdue and here it is finally! Just a refresher for those of you who aren't up to date, I had to have a scheduled C-Section due to having 2 previous C-Sections for the girls. The hospital that is in my town doesn't allow for a VBAC after 2 C-Sections and if I really wanted to push for it, I'd have to drive to the city for all my appointments. 2-hour round trip for a 10-minute appointment is not my cup of tea. So a scheduled C-Section is was. The morning of July 7 came early, of course. Thankfully it was just me and Keith as my Mom had taken the girls the night before so that we didn't have to wake them up at 6am to drop them off. After Keith having his breakfast (fasting for myself sucks) and me grabbing a shower, we headed to the hospital around 6:30am. Of course when we got there, there was a mix-up in paperwork which meant that we had to wait for a bit to get everything straightened out. And once we got on the elevator, I got a call from the Maternity Ward,

We welcomed them newest little addition to our family on July 7, 2017! Say hello to Zachary Keith Neufeld! He came via a scheduled C-Section at 7lbs, 20 inches and as perfect as can be! I'll have a birth story up shortly, but for now, enjoy some cute pics of the little man!

Seeing as the little guy is due for his eviction notice tomorrow morning, I figured it might be due time to do up a post on how I got ready for my upcoming C-Section and recovery. One of the biggest obstacles was setting up his room and getting meals ready. His room before was the girls' playroom, so it had all the toys and books in there. We managed to move all the toys (while doing a great big purge) into the girls' room and then start moving the baby stuff around his room. I still had the crib in the shed, so that was easy to put together, but I was missing a dresser for him, until Keith's step-brother and wife came to the rescue with a dresser  and a car seat! I also had my rocking chair and side table from before, so that helped as well. When it came to clothes, I didn't do any shopping until we knew what we were having. And then it didn't even matter because as soon as we announced that we were expecting a boy, my friends and sister came together and gave me

Hi there!  With 2 days to go until my scheduled C-Section (!!), I figured it might be time to do an update on this pregnancy and how me and the little guy are doing.  This pregnancy has been a bit harder than the girls were. He's been head down the entire time and starting to cause quite a bit of pain, as well as messing around with my sciatica nerve in my right leg. Never mind the restless leg syndrome that's been bothering me at night. Although I did find out that with drinking enough water and taking magnesium supplements helps with the pain. And 3rd trimester insomnia has kicked in fully. Which means that I'm only sleeping roughly 6 hours a night.  Phew! Can you tell that I'm ready for him to get out? And just for kicks, here's a comparison from my 4-week photo to my 38-week photo (😳!!) The bonus part is the major nesting that has kicked in. I've made about 3 weeks worth of meals for the freezer, which is a mixture of oven- ready meals and slow cooker meals

Yesterday I participated with Ali Edwards for Day in the Life. I'm still trying to do it monthly right now, so it was a perfect opportunity to get June's DITL done and recorded. I think overall it was a pretty good day to document. The only thing that I really miss is getting Keith in the picture more. Right now it's a bit harder than usual as he's working some longer hours than we're used to. But it's a season that we're in and I just have to remind myself to get more photos of him when I can. All photos were taken on my iPhone 6S today as it's the camera that's always with me. Any photo editing is done in Pic Tap Go (still love it after a couple years).  Enjoy! 6:45am | Finally dragged my lazy, sick, pregnant self out of bed, get dressed and made my way into the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee. 7am | Keith is out of the shower and starts making his breakfast while I get the girls up and start on their breakfast. 8am | Keith leaves for work, th