Now that I can take a breath

So starting a blog right around the holidays is a not so smart idea. Now that I can breath I shall start again. Christmas was great as was the New Year. I loved seeing my boys with all their new toys and how excited they were but the highlight was definitely seeing all the girly toys. Never in my life had I thought I would see all those things.

We have decided that this year is our year financially. We will spend on nothing that is not needed and we will save every penny. I have begun collecting coupons from people that do not use them and I search online for deals at every place imaginable. Our hopes is to pay off credit cards and other debts and get us into a house within the next 2 years. This is absolutely doable if we keep at it. Half our problem is that we get careless. So with a strict budget, a folder full of coupons and some time spent, I will get our family out of this apartment and into a house.  I am also implementing the envelope system for our home as well as no debit card purchases. It seems we always spend more when we swipe.

The Santa Rip Off

I have been going back and forth on the whole Santa in the mall thing. I would love to get my kids pictures taken with Santa especially since this is Ashlynns' first Christmas (even though she does not know any different). But for gosh sakes it is so darn expensive. To sit in line with all the kids to smush them all on the lap of some Santa looking stranger and then pay $30 for A picture. Is it really worth it? I have not decided, I will let you know...

Adventures in Baby Feeding!

I have been having the same conversation over and over with my husband George. I want"ed" to delay foods for Ashlynn as long as possible. Maybe I am just not ready and want to prolong the baby in her as long as possible since she is our last or maybe being part of a mommy community has shown me that somethings you need to hold off on.

Against my better judgment, George coerced me into giving her just a tiny bit of cereal last night. Should not be anything new since she is getting cereal in her bottle for reflux anyhow. Now everything was fine and dandy when we gave it to her and I did take note that she most certainly is not ready for foods (a big emotional relief) but fast forward to last night and I nearly had a nervous break down. She had the ultimate freak out. Something I have never seen before. Is this a girl thing? Did she aspirate cereal into her lungs and is now in serious trouble? Did the cereal (yup same kind she has been having for 2 month now) somehow cause an extreme stomach ache? Amazing how all these scenarios run through your head. You would think after having 5 babies, I would be immune to this type of meltdown by now and be cool as a cucumber but nope, I was convinced she needed to go straight to urgent care. George being the more level headed of the 2 at that moment convinced me that it probably had more to do with the fact that a super bug of sorts is going around our house and everyone from me to my 4 year old have been hugging the toilet as recently as 2 days ago.

Today she has been her shining self other then a little cough. So my decision is to hold off on foods for now and for tomorrow and even for the next few months no matter how bad my husband wants to see his daughter become a big girl.

Tips for moms old and new, do what feels best to you even when that annoying husband, mother in law, or mother say baby is ready to eat. Do not allow anyone to guilt trip you into doing something for your child that you know is not needed.

Sick Days - Hmmph not in this house

So we all know it. When mom gets sick, the world must still keep on turning. Well why is this? I mean when the kids are sick they get to sleep all day. When the husband is sick, they get to complain and whimper and beg you to shoot them like a horse with a broken leg. A mom can literally have her head hanging over the toilet and you still feel the need to ask what is for dinner. Really?

Yup, that is the life we choose I suppose. My all time favorite is when the husband is kind enough to "let" you lay down and try to rest but then proceeds to let every child in the room to bother you. Thanks for that Hun.

So my tip for the sick mom; I do not have one but if you have any ideas please comment because I am dying to know how to gain a mom's sick day!

The Start of it all ...

The start of my motherhood career began in November 1997 when my son Andrew was born. At the time I was 18 and oh so in love with his father (you will see how that turned out on another day). My name is Shannon and here I sit at 31 with a 13 year old son, crazy how that happens. I have since married a mostly wonderful man and created 4 wonderful boys, Matthew who is 7, Nicholas who is 5, Lucas who is 4 and Jacob who is 2. We recently added our first and only little lady to the clan. I feel bad for her sake because she will be the only one in this family. I can advise her well though seeing as how I grew up with 3 older brothers myself. But as far as my child bearing years, those are done!

From here I will update daily my trials and tribulations of raising such a monstrous family. I will have helpful tips on how I am raising 5 boys into men and 1 little lady into a woman. How I am keeping the love alive with my husband, how I financially manage this clan on one budget and how I handle having a child who has been diagnosed with ADD and ODD.