Free photo canvas!

Here is a great deal on high quality photo canvas.

http://www.canvaspeople.com

Here’s how to get your free 8×10 Photo Canvas (pay only shipping!)

1. Sign up for an account with CanvasPeople
2. You will receive a $55 Credit in your account which will get you an 8×10 Canvas for FREE, or you can use it toward your purchase of a larger canvas!
3. Shipping is about $15, but that’s an amazing price for a high quality canvas print!
   If you have friends or family members who’ll order a pic for you, you could make a cute grouping of photos!

Start to build your photo canvas here!

All prices are as follows:
8×10: FREE
11×11: $8.99
11×14: $9.99
16×16: $23.99
16×20: $33.99
18×24: $43.99

My only problem with this website is that there is no way to change the position of your photo; they crop it and you cannot drag and drop to center you picture and because the sides are wrapped, it ends up cutting off some parts of your photo on the front and using it to wrap the sides. I have a great family picture that I wanted to use, but it cut the top of Eric's head off so I couldn't use it. Looks great with distance photos though. Additional canvases are also 50 percent off.

Commissary deals!

In all my thrifty blog searching, I have yet to find one that shows what deals they have found at the commissary. Here are a few really great deals to get you free or almost free stuff!

Snuggle fabric softener -
There was a coupon for this in the 4/18 redplum insert. A 36 load bottle of snuggle is only 2.49 which makes it free plus 51 cents overage. You can search ebay right now and get 20 of these coupons shipped to you for about 11 dollars.

You may be asking, why would I pay to get coupons? Doesn't that make it not worth using?

Here is why - most people do not have access to more than one of these coupons and it is a great deal! Let's do the math -

11 out of pocket + (20X2.49) 49.80 purchase price - (20X3.00) 60.00 coupons = 80 cents.

This means you would only pay 80 cents for 20 bottles of snuggle . (plus tax/convenience fee on 49.80, bringing your grand total to less than $5!!!) this coupon is also good for softener sheets and at about $3.30 it is still a great deal!

This coupon is only good until 5/2, so order today if you want to get in on this deal!


Scotch Brite has a printable coupon $1 off 2 right now that you can find here

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scotchbrite/ultranailsaver/coupon.pdf

Single sponges are 78 cents so (2x78) - $1 coupon = 2 for 56 cents!
Last week the coupon was for $1 off 1, so I snagged 3 singles and a 3 pack for about 25 cents.

Walmart has them for 88 cents so you can catch a great deal there as well.

Frosted Mini Wheats are Charlotte's favorite cereal! On sale this week for $2 a box, use an in store coupon for $1 off two and get them for $1.50 a box. Yummy!

A few other good deals - no coupons needed!

Popsicle brand pops 10 count 49 cents a box!

Blue Bird Honey Buns are on sale for 25 cents a box!

Nature's goodness baby food is on sale for 19 cents a jar!

I got a full cart of groceries for just over $80 dollars today... sometimes there are perks to being a military wife!
Happy deal hunting!

Superwomen and their kryptonite

Since Eric left, I have been surprised at my strength in situations where I would normally lose my cool.

I no longer have the luxury of breaking down when things get tough.
In all honesty, becoming a single mom of two babies has been an easier transition than I expected it to be. The weeks leading up to his departure and worrying that I wasn't going to be able to do it by myself were harder on me than actually doing it. I like to think of deployment as an adventure - you finally get a chance to see what you are made of.

So far, i have tackled so many things that would have crippled me if I had a husband crutch to lean on. I dropped Eric off at the pier at 9 am and at 9:15 took my 3 and 19 month old kids on a 1500 mile road trip through 5 states. During our 10 day trip, Charlotte came down with the stomach flu. It was on our way back from visiting in Florida... during our 4 hour trip, the vomit started flowing! I stopped at Wendys. I couldn't figure out a way to get my barf covered toddler, the diaper bag and my sleeping infant into the bathroom by myself, so I decided a parking lot change would be the easiest for everyone. 15 minutes, my last two wipes and dozens of marshmallow barf pieces later, Charli (in outfit #2) was happily "driving" the car while I nursed Christian in the passenger seat.

That was when I heard it. Her face was priceless... "I poot mama... ow."
I have never moved so fast to get Christian back in his seat and sprint around to the driver's seat where Charlotte stood gripping the steering wheel. I laid her down on the driver's seat to change her diaper and stood in awe is the contents ran down the seat and the side of my car, splashing my feet as it hit the pavement.

Panic? No.

This is the point where in a normal situation I would have leaned on my husband crutch.
However, I can tell you that as I dug through the suitcase in a effort to find clothes or blankets that could double as poop catchers, I was calm. I dealt with it. I did it because I had to! I think God made Charli sick that day to teach me that I can handle anything.

Outfit #3 lasted 10 minutes before the puking started again and she was completely naked and covered in vomit by the time we reached our destination. She even puked one more time on her way to the bathtub for good measure. The next week was a testament to the importance of good friends; we are coming to visit and bringing the uncontainable diarrhea and vomit for free!

When we finally decided that our great friends had had enough, we began our journey back to our empty house. Did I mention a rock cracked our windshield during our little adventure? Or that while stopping to give Charli a break, I lost both my debit and credit cards and had 4 dollars and 1/4 tank of gas 200 miles from home? Or that after everything FINALLY seemed over, 8 hours of driving later with only 20 to go, it started pouring and we got stuck because the downtown tunnel was closed and my son was screaming bloody murder in the back seat?

There really is a point of sharing with you our little "adventure." It amazes me how extraordinary circumstances can bring out your strengths and give you confidence in yourself that you can handle anything.

On the same token, a simple everyday thing can be your kryptonite, Supermom!

Case in point - I was checking our dryer vent outside tonight after the kids went to bed... (One of the many "honey-dos" I have to do myself these days)... and there she was. My kryptonite.

It was the biggest, nastiest Black Widow Spider I have ever seen. This is where I scream and run my fastest ever 100 meters back in to the house and seriously considered packing the kids up and going back to South Carolina.

I can handle the toughest situation, except I need someone to come over here and kill this spider asap so I can sleep tonight. Where is my crutch when I need him?

The Story of Stuff

I have made it my personal goal this year to stop living in excess. Although I have always been frugal and made the most out of my dollar, I haven't always made the best choices when it came to what I need and what I want.

Here is a great starting point for those of you who, like me, need a good kick in the butt to show you the impact of changing your family's spending habits. A few minutes of your time can widen your narrow view of consumerism as we know it. Watch it!

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Leave me a comment and let me know if you were as surprised as I was... even though I think we all know this on some level, we just choose to see what they want us to see.

Is my baby going to die in there???

Babies have been worn by their mothers since the beginning of time. They are comforted by the sound of your heart, the warmth of your breast and your familiar smell. Some babies around the world are worn around the clock while mothers work, sleep and play. This is the most natural place for them to be. Studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding.
The current media hype has given all of us a bad name. People everywhere are now looking down on me for wearing my children all because they do not have the correct information. As I stood in line today with Charlotte's new training panties (yay!) a 30 second clip on the 6 o'clock news was enough for the ladies behind me to make a passive aggressive attack against me and anyone who, "GASP!" still wear their baby. Loud enough so every person in line could hear, said ladies proceeded to discuss how dangerous it was, how all these babies were dying, how they were all recalled and how they can't believe that people are still using them... they must not care about their babies!!! Shocked at how BOLD people are when they think they know everything, I refrained from turning around to tell them about this subject they are truly ignorant.

More babies die every year sitting in their car seats than have ever died in a baby sling.

Could it be that the news failed to mention this and not give a one-sided newsworthy story on the dangers of baby wearing in America??

One of the biggest problems with baby wearing today is that more and more people are choosing to buy them as an accessory rather than a tool to keep their baby close and comfortable. I cannot go out without having someone comment on "how cute" it is to see Christians little head popping out of his sling. Countless times I have heard, "that is so cute, I have to have one!!" What they do not realize is that I don't do it for the cuteness factor (not that I don't adore his cute little mug in there!) I carry my children because I am an attachment parent.

Now pay attention!! This is the most important part!!

AP is responsive parenting. By becoming sensitive to the cues of your infant, you learn to read your baby's level of need. Because baby trusts that his needs will be met and his language listened to, the infant trusts in his ability to give cues. As a result, baby becomes a better cue-giver, parents become better cue-readers, and the whole parent-child communication network becomes easier.

I trust my son to communicate his needs and he trusts me to listen. Mother's wearing their children for fashion are not in tune with their needs and may miss cues of distress from their infants, especially when they are carried in slings like the slingrider which lays the baby away from your heart. Keep your child close to your heart and you will hear their rhythmic breathing and be fully aware of their needs. Does this mean that if you are not an attachment parent you can't wear a sling? no. Does this mean that if you are an attachment parent that that could never happen to you? no. When used properly, slings are an invaluable tool for parents and their children.

For those of you who choose to make comments or ask me if I think my baby is going to die in there, get informed before you decide to save my baby from my obviously horrible parenting skills. God, please grant me patience and understanding for them.

Sling info:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3718984.htm

I know for my son and me, our Baby Ktan

http://www.babyktan.com/

has been the most important tool I have for keeping us both happy.

I'll be seeing you....

It is finally here, the moment that always seemed so far away. The last few seconds when you have so much you want to say but no words come out.

I'm sorry. Don't go.

When all your mind can handle is taking in each breath and hoping it is all just a dream.

I will take care of them. I promise.

Until we meet again, my love. I'll be seeing you.

I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through

In that small café
The park across the way
The children's carousel
The chestnut tree
The wishing well

I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day
In everything that's light and gay
I'll always think of you that way

I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new
I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you

Billie Holiday

Have a little faith....

As my faith in the decency of the human race was plummeting, I was sent a lovely reminder that among the masses are a few good men. In this case, women.

The piles of half packed boxes were beginning to close in on me. Move day was looming. We were drowning in a sea of unfolded laundry and mismatched socks.

Relief came in the form of my wonderfully caring, ever so pregnant neighbor. Said neighbor knew I was trying to do everything myself between diaper changes, naps and constant rocking, bouncing and patting my constantly fussy baby boy with a teething toddler hanging on my skirt tails.

This week I had a few extra helping hands and at the end of every one was a generous stranger.

Women I had never met spent hours with me scrubbing baseboards, packing boxes, bringing food and showing me that there are some people out there willing to lend a hand to someone who needs it. Luck has not been on my side lately and it seemed that life was conspiring against me... I can only hope these amazing women know how much our family appreciates their help and giving spirit.

Thank you so much!

Crunch Time!

So the big moving day is coming up next month. Now that Christian is here, I can no longer avoid the fact that we are headed out of town. We still have no definite orders, nor do we know if Eric will be assigned to a boomer or fast attack submarine. Our hope is that we can be stationed in Kings Bay Georgia, which is only a 3 hour drive from the great city of Charleston and all of my and Charlotte's great friends we have made here.
The reality is that we cannot even start looking for houses or packing until we get orders... Not knowing whether we will be making the short drive to Kings Bay or long journey to Guam has put us at a standstill. Eric's definite deployment is looming over the family a bit during this Christmas season, but we are doing our best to make the most of the time we have left as a family. Orders can be here as early as the New Year, but as late as a week before we have to report to our next duty station... This is going to make January "crunch time." We have to cram months of planning and packing in to less than a month (or possibly a week) and prepare dear Charlotte for daddy's first deployment.
On a good note, the transition from 3 to 4 has been a smooth one. Christian is a wonderful baby and Charlotte has proved to be an amazing big sister. I couldn't ask for two better kids! Charlotte has mastered all of her letters except for W which she thinks is an M, and L which she thinks is an F. She is counting to three and beginning to understand the concept of "how many." Her vocabulary is growing so fast and her words get more clear everyday! I am so proud of my big girl!
I give a lot of credit to the Signing Time Series for her language development, as well as Meet the Letters by the Preschool Prep Company for her letter recognition. These have proven to be invaluable tools in her learning development - not to mention she absolutely LOVES them!

Welcome to the family! Christian's birth story

Introducing the newest member of the family,

Christian Alexander Richardson!
December 6, 2009 8:13 AM
8 lbs 14 oz and 20 inches





"Little" Christian surprised everyone with his lightning fast entry early Sunday morning. I woke up about 4:30 AM with the same back labor contractions I had been having for the past few nights. I expected them to subside like the other nights, but instead they got more intense and by 5:30 I knew it was Christian's birthday! It had been a really tough week since Charlotte is cutting her first molars; all three of us were running on just a few hours sleep every night, so I tried not to wake Charli and Daddy who were snuggled up together peacefully after a long night of intermittent sleep and back to bed cuddles.

I used all of the labor positions outlined on www.spinningbabies.com to turn him around since he was "sunny side up" aka posterior - head down but facing out instead of in - which can make labor and delivery long and difficult. Around 6 AM he successfully turned around and labor really picked up! Right about the same time Charli woke up very upset that mommy was laboring in the tub and had not invited her to play in the bath! So Charli and I played foam letters in the bath while daddy gathered our things for the hospital.

I called my wonderful friend Dawn to let her know that it was Christian's birthday so she should get ready to take Charlotte for us at some point that day... little did I know that less than two hours later he would already be here! I was feeling like labor was progressing and decided to time my contractions... they were already 2-3 minutes apart at 7 AM. I called the doctor and told them to expect me. Shortly after that point I decided to let Dawn know that she needed to come NOW, that I couldn't wait since she had to travel about 30 minutes to get to us. Less than 20 minutes later she arrived safely (no speeding tickets!) and we were off to the hospital about 10 minutes to 8.

By this point all I could think was that I couldn't do it! I was in so much pain and I was ready to kill for some pain meds - I thought I still had a lot of laboring left to do!
Eric ran a few red lights, but we arrived safely at the hospital and headed up to labor and delivery. We stepped off of the elevator and eric was holding me up because I was in too much pain to stand. The nurse says, "what's wrong?" from behind the desk so I told her "baby is coming!!" Everyone just stood there and looked at me except one nurse delivering a food tray who rushed over and helped us in to a room. They asked me to put on a gown and give a urine sample, but my water broke as soon as I sat on the toilet! Eric was panicked that he was going to be born in the bathroom, so he and the nurse helped me to the bed. She checked my cervix and we were all shocked to find that I was already 8-9 centimeters dilated.

For the next 5 minutes I had to sign paperwork while everyone ran in different directions to try to get an IV, find a doctor and get ready for delivery. The whole time I was saying I couldn't do it, but Eric said "too late, you are doing it!!"They had me on my side telling me not to push and to wait for the doctor to show up, but he was coming fast and within 10 minutes of being at the hospital he was on his way out! 5 pushes and out came our baby boy in less than 2 minutes. He was delivered by the nurse who was close enough to catch him.

And so we had a SON!

In our rush to get upstairs, we had no camera to take pictures and resorted to our phones to catch his first moments. Everyone in the room was in awe of this almost 9 lb baby who couldn't wait to make his grand entrance. He was breastfeeding within 15 minutes and hasn't stopped since!

The doctor made it about 45 minutes later, but our nurses were all wonderful and I could not have been happier with our birth experience. Our time in the hospital was short and Christian, mommy, daddy and big sister are settling in to life at home with one more.

Groovy Guitar Diaper Bag

I have been searching everywhere for a nice diaper bag that wouldn't cost me $100. I couldn't find one I liked, so of course i resort to making it myself... i decided to make it a hobo style bag in this awesome Groovy guitar fabric by Michael Miller. It took me longer than it should have to wrap my head around making the outside pockets the way I wanted them, but I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. It is the perfect size for carrying around enough stuff for two kids. This bag was made completely from scratch and cost me about $10 in material. I added a snap closure to the top and stroller straps on the sides to snap it to a stroller or cart instead of stuffing it in the bottom and they work great!










Now I am working on a blanket to match!

Car seat canopy

Saw these on www.etsy.com and decided I had to make one!!
Great for keeping out the prying hands at the grocery store.

Nursery

For any of you who missed it, here is Christian's nursery!!

$500 was the price of the crib I wanted to get... not including anything else! I could not bring myself to pay a thousand dollars just for a crib and changing table....
We decided to put the money we would have spent in the bank for the new baby and make our nursery "green" by reusing things!
Instead here is my nursery on the cheap!
Antique crib - refinished solid wood. many hours of sanding a painting! $70 including paint, hardware and supplies.
Swivel rocking chair from Baby Bloomers. big splurge at $125 on Craigslist.
Changing table $50 on Craigslist.
Gorgeous bedding on clearance for $20!!
Dresser - a seriously ugly find from a few years ago just needed some new white paint. $20
Tissue paper pom poms just like the ones in all the high end nursery magz. Made my own for about $10.
The only "new not clearance item" was my numbers sign $10 and baby things basket. $8
Everything else in the room was re-purposed from our own home.
I just got some awesome fabric to coordinate everything together, I used it to cover some ugly but super soft pillows and upholster the doors of the changing table and front of the dresser. Covered some old square frames in batting and polka dots behind the crib. Some brown paint made my old baskets look brand new.
So pretty much got everything for about half the pricetag (600) on the rocking chair I got.
Buying used and recycling old stuff doesn't have to mean you can't get a beautiful result!

Hoot Hoot nightlight

Here is the nightlight Eric and I have been working on for Christian's room.




It is a paper collage on a 12x12 inch canvas with a set of battery powered floral lights to create a nice glow in his room. I saw something similar for a ridiculous amount of money and I said, I can sew make that!










Charli's new room theme is forest friends, hope to have some of her stuff to share soon.

Isn't it about time?

Sometimes I feel like I am a little behind the times, like who doesn't have a blog? Who has never been on twitter? ME! So this is me, catching up. ;)
Life in the Richardson household is crazy these days with Eric working 12 hr rotating shift work, Charlotte's quest for independence and Christian's fight to break out of my uterus several times a day. But this is my life and I love it. My current project is redecorating Charli's room to match the forest friends wall stickers I found at Target. Making progress but no where near done. Christian's room is complete, we just finished making his night light yesterday evening. Now all we need is a baby to put in it.
My goal for this week is to finish up any small projects I have in the works before I start any new ones. Will let you know how that goes.