Holiday sprinkles anyone?

Midnight snack.

Twirly Whirly thought it was a nice night for a fire and some marshmallows :)

Mmmm.

We elves like to stick to the four main foodgroups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and SYRUP! Yum.

Date night

It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!

Bath Time!

Being an elf is hard work. Twirly Whirly decided to take a break for some R&R.

Elf on the Shelf

It's that time of year again! Our Elf, Twirly Whirly, came back to visit our home until Christmas. He showed up on Thanksgiving night with a sign stating, "I'm back!!"

He is quite the character. I'm going to attempt to show you his picture each day.

I missed taking pictures the first few days. But here is a list of those.
1. Been in the fridge eating butter. The evidence was on his face.
2. He replaced our stockings hanging on the mantel for a pair of every one's underpants (including a cloth diaper in honor of Rossin :)
3. Made a snow angel on the kitchen table in a pile of sugar.
4. Buckled up in the car on his way to church last Sunday.



And now for the first picture.

Happy Halloween from the Toy Story Bunch!

Jessie, Bullseye, Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

Boys and Girls

I was changing Rossin yesterday and Silas decided to come over and chat...

"Is Rossin a boy?" - S

"What do you think?"

"Yeah, he's a boy" - S

"Do you know the difference between boys and girls?"

"Yep! Girls wear hair-bows and boys don't!" - S

Happy Anniversary to us!

7/14/01 - Met Andrew in Toronto Canada

10/19/01 - Started dating

2/12/04 - Got engaged!

10/9/04 - Said "I do" and became Mrs. Lamica

7 years and 3 children later he's "Still The One"

He's my best friend and my partner in life.
He makes killer hamburgers, grilled cheese and fried eggs :)
He loves Coke and cookies for breakfast. Had everything to do with me becoming a Red Sox baseball fan.

He prefers the indoors and air conditioning. He never gets sick, loves joking around, hates sweet tea, still plays video games, loves to wrestle with the kids and has a horrible habit of loosing EVERYTHING!

I promised myself I would marry a southern gentleman. Instead I fell in love with a Yankee who said weird things like "Wicked good, Cah (Car), and bubblah (Water fountain), Yous (instead of y'all) AND he drinks Iced Tea?? Gross!

When he was little he always had a Kool-Aid mustache...just ask his Mom.

His face is covered with freckles and easily sunburns.

His hair is starting to shimmer with silver...I absolutely love it. I hope and pray that he's the rocking chair that rocks beside me when we are old and the kids are grown.

Most importantly he loves to serve God and works hard in leading his family to do the same. And that makes me love him more and more each day.

Still The One

Orleans

We've been together since way back when
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one -- I want to talk to in bed
Still the one -- that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- that makes me laugh
Still the one -- that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You're still the one -- that makes me strong
Still the one -- I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one (yes you are)

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new

You're still the one -- that I love to touch
Still the one -- and I can't get enough
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- who can scratch my itch
Still the one -- and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You are still the one -- that makes me shout
Still the one -- that I dream about
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You're still the one, yeah still the one
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

Happy Anniversary to the one I love most.

There are days when I look and feel like this...

Happy 2 Years Lamica Bunch!

Guess what? Today is my 2 year blogiversary! If you are a loyal follower you may remember this post and when it all started.

I've often wondered who actually reads my rambles on this blog.

So to say thanks I am going to give away my first freebie. Just leave a comment below and you will be entered to win a free Mary Kay mineral eye-shadow, your choice of color.

Here's to 2 more years...cheers!!

:)

Homemade Diaper Wipes

I got this recipe from a friend. I've made 3 batches of wipes so far and they seem to work just as well as the Huggies brand. Sometimes I use 2 at a time for the messy diapers. I like the way they smell and love the fact that I know exactly what's in them.

You'll need a roll of good-quality paper towels (bargain brands won't hold up to the moisture). Cut it in half length-wise. This is most easily done with an electric knife but can be done manually.

For each half, you'll need to mix together 1 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of baby wash, and 1/2 tablespoon of baby oil. Put the half roll in an air-tight container and pour the water mixture evenly over it, making sure to wet the inner cardboard tube. Put the lid on and wait about 10 minutes. Turn the container over and wait another 10 minutes. The tube should now be soft enough to remove. If it's not, you can pour some more water over it and wait a few more minutes. Once the tube is out, you're ready to pull the wipes from the middle.

I use the Bounty Extra Soft and really like it. For mine, I mix up half as much again water/wash/oil mix to make sure the whole roll gets evenly moistened. I've read to not use a select-a-size type, but I have a friend who does and she just tears off 2 wipes for diaper changes and uses the single small wipes for hands and faces.

I also suggest finding a container that is easily opened and closed with one hand. The one I have has a thing on top that you pinch to release the lid. (I use empty Huggies wipe containers)

If you want to, you can make up both halves of the roll at the same time and they'll keep for awhile as long as they're in an air-tight container.

If you need a visual demonstration, there are tons of videos on Youtube showing how to make them.

Based on the ingredients I use, this is the general math:

1 59-sheet roll of Bounty Extra Soft paper towel: $1.60

1 tbsp Aveeno baby wash: $0.18 (based on $6.50 for an 18-oz bottle)

1/2 tbsp Target brand baby oil: $0.04 (based on $3 for a 20-oz bottle)

Total: $1.82 for 118 wipes = $0.015/wipe

Compare to $7.00 for 216 Huggies wipes = $0.033/wipe

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

Love this.

All I wanted was cookies.

I was waiting in the car at preschool for JC and Si. And it hit me...a need for something sweet! I'll go home and bake cookies! Yep, that's what I'll do! I baked cookies yesterday for an activity at church and knew I had all the ingredients to make white chocolate cranberry cookies. I couldn't wait to drive home...

30 min later we pull into the driveway.

I unloaded the car. Kids and backpacks are inside. I asked the kids to put away their backpacks. I put Rossin in his high chair. He looks hungry. I preheat the oven. Notice a bottle and a few other things in the sink. Run a sink full of soapy water. Silas wants a snack. Get Silas a snack. Rossin is still hungry. Pull out baby food to feed Rossin. JC needs help in the bathroom. JC needs a snack. Start to feed Rossin. The kids decide they want to watch a video so I give instructions on how to rewind a video. They are finally settled. Feed Rossin. Start dishes in the sink. JC and Silas want a drink. I notice a case of water that needs to be put into the fridge. Then I notice a load of clothes that need to be dried. Start dryer. Pull out ingredients to bake cookies. Rossin wants out of his seat. Put him in the swing. Take a bag of chips from Silas...he cries. Go back into the kitchen and see magnets on the floor, place them back on the fridge. Put away Rossin's spoon and empty food container. Now back to the cookies...get out bowl to start melting butter. Silas needs help in the bathroom. Phone goes off. Text from my mother-in-law needing help with Facebook. Log onto computer. Fix problem. Have an email from a friend who has a question, respond to email. Rossin is fussing. Change his diaper and discover we are running low on diaper wipes. I'll make a some wipes after the cookies! Fix a bottle and lay R down for a nap. Take a bag of chocolate chips from Silas as I head out to the garage to toss dirty diaper. Find some dirty clothes...toss into hamper. JC asks me to show her how to do her prek homework. Silas wants to paint a picture. Remember I need to call about a picture order and do that. Find Orbeez on the floor. Clean those up. Silas is finished and wants to hang his picture on the fridge and can't reach the magnets. Rossin wakes up...he lost his paci. Find my utility bill on the kitchen table covered in paint. Wipe it off and take it to bedroom. See my purse and remember I needed to mark something on my calendar. JC asks for a popsicle...I tell her no. Hear my phone going off again...I'll check it later. JC wants her little Bible to look at but can't find it. Help search for Bible. Bible found. Silas has boogers in his nose and is now crying. "I can't get them out!" Dislodge boogers. Rossin is now awake from the booger commotion. Realize Rossin has leaked through his outfit. Change diaper and clothes. Needs a new bib too! Toss out another diaper...walk past the oven and wonder why it's preheating??? Oh yeah....

cookies. I was going to cook them at 1:00 this afternoon. It's now 3:40.

Maybe I'll get to them sometime today.

You think I'm kidding....wish I were :)

5!

5 years ago today I was admitted to Huntsville Hospital for a c-section.

I had spent the last month on bed rest trying to "cook" this baby a little longer. I remember waking up in recovery wondering what I had...boy or girl...boy or girl? The nurses wouldn't tell me, they said Andrew wanted to tell me.
So I waited....and waited....close to an hour to find out if I had a Camden Andrew or a JaneClaire Elise.

Andrew finally met me in the hallway as I was riding to my room in the hospital bed. He was holding a blanket and a little pink and blue cap peeked out from under it.

And I met her...

He said it's a girl. Meet JaneClaire. I've been in love ever since.

I can't even begin to describe how much love I have for this girl. She is my first born. I spent many hours in the hospital for various tests, 7 months of nausea, high blood pressure, many shots of steroids, early labor, painful contractions, hips dislocating, 4 weeks on bed rest and I would do it all over again. In a heartbeat.

She wanted to come out early...and she did. 4 weeks before her due date, it would have been 8 if she had it her way :) And she hasn't slowed down since.

JaneClaire has many names. She is our JC, Janie Claire, Boot Boot, Toodle Doodle, Sassy, Wild Child, and our favorite here lately, Legs. She has the longest legs in the Lamica house :) She has a stork bite that resembles a "V" on her forehead. It was very red and noticeable when she was born but has faded some over the year... When she gets mad or upset it still turns bright red.

She crawled at 7 months, walked at 11 months and was talking in sentences by 18 months. She is smart and funny, caring and kind. She can also be a tad dramatic and sassy :) She is generous and she loves attention. She likes to be "held like a baby" but doesn't want to be called a baby. She gives huge-knock-me-down hugs and some of the best "sugar" around. This girl can eat her weight in ice-cream. She would prefer salad and fruit over french fries. She loves pink, sparkles, princesses, ruffles and bows. She loves to play doll house and pretend being a Mommy. She is a great big sister to her little brothers. She loves to paint, color and make crafts. She loves being read to, it's one of the few moments when she will sit still. Her feet are huge, there is only a one size difference between us. AND let me tell you - this girl loves to SING! Anything and everything. I love watching her from the rear view mirror in the car. She knows just about every song that comes on the radio. She loves Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Sugarland and The Band Perry.

She has been looking down at me for quite a while now...



And now she's 5! 5 seems like such a big age. I can't wait to see what God has planned for her in the next 5 years. I know he enjoys watching her just as much as I do.

This is the song that reminds us so much of our girl. We call it "Daddy's song to JaneClaire"

She was a surprise baby. A baby Andrew and I wanted to wait 5 years for. She came in 2. Thank you God for our surprise!

Cloth Diaper Shoot

As some of you may know, I started using cloth diapers on Silas when he was about 15months old and now use them on Rossin. A friend of mine is a Photographer and sent out a post on Facebook asking for models for an upcoming cloth diaper shoot. The cloth diaper pictures would be used to promote cloth diapers in a local store, A Nurturing Moment and hung for customers to admire. I knew I wanted to sign Rossin up but there was an age limit of 7 months to 15 months. Darn! It wasn't long before I received an email from my friend asking that Rossin be a model even though he was only 5 months. This made Momma happy :) I took him in the next week for his shoot. And this is what she did...

Is that not the cutest baby booty you've ever seen? :)

Rossin and a friend

My handsome guy!

We don't know which photos will be chosen for the store, but we sure had fun being a model for the day! Can't wait to have these printed and hung in my house :)

Summer update

Our summer has been extremely busy (notice the lack in blogging). Andrew was gone almost the entire month of July (a week at Youth camp, a week in Nevis and 2 weeks getting ready and putting on a VBS). We have had countless devos, VBS, Little Light playgroups (see photo below), Camps, retreats, lock-ins, weekly swim playgroups, trips to the lake, more play dates, visits with family, a few holidays and birthdays, and did I mention the intense heat? I haven't seen a summer start so early and stay so hot in a long time. I knew all that crazy AL snow would bite us later on :)

I hope to get back on track with my blogging. The kids start Preschool next week and I'll have a few more quiet moments when they are gone.

Until then here are a few pictures.

Rossin is 4 months. Well actually he is 5 months...but that picture will come later :)

Family picture 8/2011

This is the Little Lights Playgroup that has been started at Chase Park church of Christ. Awesome group of kids and their Moms! And if you look in the background you can see me working away :)

Biter Boy!

Thursday we went swimming with some friends from church. We came home to rest and change before going out that night with Andrew to run some errands. I was sitting on the couch with Rossin, feeding him a bottle while the kids were in the floor playing. A few days ago JC found my stuffed musical lamb I had when I was a little girl. She's been carrying it around the last few days and sleeping with it at night.

I heard a scream! Loud scream! JC stood up, crying and holding her cheek.

"Silas bit me!"

I checked JC's face and sure enough there was a slobbery, crescent shaped bite mark on her cheek. It almost broke the skin.

I called Silas over. "Silas Andrew!" "Did you bite your sister?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"I want that lamb...but it's ok, it's not bleeding"

I guess as long as they're not bleeding it's all ok...right?

Mr. Silas got in BIG trouble. Later I asked him..."Do we bite our friends?"

"No"

"Is Sissy your friend?"

"Yes"

"What do we bite?"

"Food only"

So if you have something and Silas wants it...watch those cheeks!

Dinosaurs

A few days ago we were driving to church and this is the convo that was going on in the backseat...

JC - Silas, did you know that a hundred thousand seventy-five years ago there were dinosaurs?

Silas - Yeah...

JC - And they all died.

Silas - Why?

JC - God killed them.

Silas - Why?

JC - I don't know. But he made their skin come off and people found their bones and put them together...without the skin. And now we have museums.

Silas - Eww. That's gross.

JC - Yeah. You learn a lot from me because I'm older.

Silas - Sissy...You are smart.

JC - Thanks little buddy.

I love that they learn from each other ;)

3 Months

I should have waited and put them all together...oh well.

He looks just like JC in this picture.

Happy Chubby Baby :)

Month 1 and 2

I can't believe how much a baby can change in just 1 month! Aren't

these stickers adorable? Sara bought them for Rossin when he was born.

They come in 1-12 month stickers and you place them on a white onesie.

Now why didn't I think of that idea? They sell like crazy on Etsy. I just took Rossin's 3 month picture today (yep, 3 months already!) but haven't uploaded them yet. He's just so cute...and such a sweet baby!

Cookies at 3 am

JaneClaire and Silas got bunk beds a few months before Rossin was born. They have adjusted pretty good sleeping in their new beds. They still manage to end up in our bed a few times during the week. Most of the time it's one or the other, but when it's both no one gets any sleep.

Friday night we put the kids to bed and I went and baked some chocolate chip cookies for Andrew (his favorite). I forgot to put the plate away before going to bed so it sat on the coffee table with the last two cookies.

"ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz" - sleeping good!

And then I wake up to "These are the goodest cookies ever!"

I checked the time...3 am. I could see JaneClaire standing at the foot of our bed munching away on the leftover cookies. She had one half eaten and the other in her hand.

Guess she gets chocolate cravings just like her Mommy!

Boys will be boys

This is Silas. He's my 3 year old boy. And this is what he did today.

JaneClaire had her last day at preschool so we dropped her off at Happy Times and came home. I opened the garage and unlocked the door. I went back to the car and unbuckled Silas from his car seat, helped him out of the car and inside the house. I went back to the car for Rossin. I had just unbuckled him when I heard...

"HAHAHAHA, I pee on the ground!"

I turned around to see a pudgy naked bottom and a puddle in our driveway.

I hope our neighbors didn't mind seeing the moon out at 9:30 this a.m.

And this is what he did a few days ago.

"Look Mommy! Rossin is a Unicorn!" - he licked and stuck his nerf bullet to this innocent victim.

Updated Pictures

JaneClaire and Silas - Tigers T-Ball Team

Rossin is 1 month!

Easter 2011

Big Sis, Big Bro, Little Bro

Better late than never.

Here he is!

Rossin Dean Lamica

Born 12:49 pm on 3/7/11

6lbs 11oz

18.5 inches long

He is precious and such a sweet baby. He takes the winner for best sleeper in the Lamica family. Only wakes me up 1-2 times during the night. And guess what? He has HAIR! JC and Silas were both white fuzz/bald babies and Mr. Rossin has a good bit of dark brown hair. I think he looks just like JC but everyone else says he looks like Si. I win that debate because I am the Momma :)

We are all in love with this little man. Some a little too much (JC and Silas)

I would have updated sooner but I have been really sick since the c-section. Bladder infection, mastitis, bronchitis and a nasty stomach bug that left vomit everywhere. All this within 3 weeks of coming home. I think we are finally on the mend so I'm getting a chance to finally update.

Here are a couple more pictures.

JC and Silas holding Baby Rossin.

4 days!

Only 4 days until the Lamicas become a family of 5! Rossin Dean will make his debut sometime Monday afternoon after 12:00 pm. My c-section is scheduled for 12:00 but with my luck he will be born later that night just like JC and Silas. JC was scheduled for 9:00am, born at 5:54pm and Silas was scheduled for noon and born at 7:27pm. Let's just say Momma was not happy that I had to go that long without eating. Please keep us in your prayers on Monday. I'm starting to get a wee bit nervous. I don't like being put to sleep.

Just a few funnies...

I measured myself yesterday. I am 42 inches tall and 40 inches around. Neat. Just call me Roly Poly Lamica :)

Silas asked me today "Mommy, is Rossin Dean still cooking?" That is always my answer when he asks "Is Rossin Dean coming out?"...."Nope, he's still cooking!"

In one day

In one day.

I've been asked far more than I care to answer about birthing babies.
On the way to preschool this morning my always-surprising-me-with-what-she-asks four year old says...

"Mom, I know that you have your babies out of your belly, but some women have babies other ways. Where do those babies come out of?"

"Ummm. (trying to think of a way to tell her without going into detail) "They have them from between their legs" - *thinking/praying that this will satisfy her*

"So will I have a baby out of my belly or from my legs?"

"I don't know yet. You have a long time to wait and find out!!"

"When Baby Rossin gets here can I help you feed him from a bottle?"

"Well you can sometime, but Mommy will do most of the feeding because his milk will come from me."

"Where will it come from?"

"From here (patting my chest)"

"Oh, so you mean you will feed him from your boobs?"

And then....to top off the day. We are sitting at home and Silas comes over to me and I notice his nose is dripping red. I thought "Oh great. He's picked his nose again until its bleeding." And I see it. A red M&M. I quickly got it out in a gooey red mess. He looks at it and asks "Can I eat it?" Ummmm....hello!! Why didn't you do that to begin with!! Last year we had a similar incident with JC. She put a stick on earring (which was never recovered) up her nose. What is it with my kids, small objects and their nostrils?

Moms should really get paid for their jobs. I know we get paid in love, hugs, kisses and funny stories....but wouldn't it be nice to receive a bonus check in the mail every now and then? :)

Baby Pool

We created a baby guessing game when I was pregnant with JC. We had lots of fun seeing what everyone's guesses where. Somehow when Silas came around we forgot to do one for him (poor middle child)....but it's back! Come guess Baby Lamica #3's birth stats.

Have fun!

http://www.expectnet.com/games/Lamicababy3

Happy Times Preschool

JaneClaire has been going to Happy Times Preschool for 2 years now. She goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and stays for lunch. Today she was very chatty on our way home from school.

JC - We had to eat lunch in our classrooms today.
Me - Oh yeah? Why is that?
JC - Because the Sonrisers came today. They are old people who come to eat and talk about God and stuff. Sometimes a large man gets up and preaches. That means he isn't skinny. I say large because you remember you told me not to say fat because it might hurt people's feelings?
Me - Yep. That's right. The word fat can hurt people's feelings. It isn't very nice (at the same time I'm thinking "large" probably isn't the best word either!).
JC - Hey Mom? I'm ready for Rossin to get here. I can't wait to see what he looks like. Mom? Do you like Rossin?
Me - Yes! Of course I do! Why would you say that?
JC - Because you are always saying how being pregnant drives you crazy!! Does that mean Rossin drives you crazy too?
Me - *giggle* Rossin doesn't drive me crazy. I love him! I just have been pregnant for a very long time and I'm tired. It makes Mommy hurt and grumpy.
JC - Ok. Just as long as you aren't mad at my little brother.
JC - Hey Mom?
Me - Yes?
JC - I love you and I don't think you're large.

She's 4. And she's super smart. She's already learned to never call a pregnant woman "large".

33 weeks and ready to be done!

This morning I dropped JC off at preschool and heard the dreaded sound of the gas light ding. I hate pumping gas. I always try to weasel my way into making Andrew get it for me and it usually works. I knew I couldn't make it back home and was going to have to pump it myself. I drove to the nearest gas station which is close to my parents house. When I stepped out of the van I slipped and fell between the pump and my van. I landed half on my belly and arm, my ankle and knee scrubbed against the concrete. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, especially when you are as big around as you are tall. I stood up quickly thinking "Ahhhh, I hope nobody saw that!" And then I hear "Hey, what are you doing here?" I looked up to see my Dad driving up beside me. Then with a puzzled look he says "And why do you have dirt all over your belly?" Neat. I thought I had escaped explaining that I'm an over pregnant clutz. Luckily no Lamica was hurt during this accident. Rossin has been rolling around like nothing happened, while I have a few bruises and a skinned up ankle. Must be nice to be surrounded by all that fluid :) haha

Silas says.

Silas likes to look at my belly and talk about Baby Rossin. This is our convo from the other night.

"When Baby Rossin gets here I take him out and pinch him"
"Uhhh no Sir!"
"I bite Baby Rossin"
"No, we don't bite. We love Rossin and take care of him. If you bite, you will get a spanking!"
"I spank Baby Rossin!"
"No, Rossin is the baby. He won't get spankings."
"NO! I the baby!!!!"

Uh-oh. I can sense a problem here :)

By the way - today is day 1 of potty training Silas. So far he has had 3 accidents. Not looking well. Dear Lord, please give me strength and patience to get through this day!! :)