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Monday, March 29, 2010

OH MY GOSH.. She went potty on the big girl potty!

I wrote a paragraph in the previous post about Julia NOT potty training.. Well Guess What she did today.


Julia went peepee on the potty! I need 2 go buy stock in some dum-dum suckers and hit the dollar store 4 some great stickers. Thanks to Vanessa, Abbie, Keira and Harper ( Thanks to their mommies for showing Julia recently how their girls went on the big
girl potty!)

Now I need to take her shopping tonight to buy some big girl undies. WOOOOHOOO!

Good Monday morning.

Today the word on the street is Pollen. No, really, that is the word on the street on Sesame Street and let me tell you it is also in the air here at my house. I had to double up on meds already at 8:30 this morning because I could not stop sneezing. I do have the windows open and refuse, REFUSE I tell you, to close them and turn on the air. It is really not that warm for AC yet anyways and I can't stand being cooped up inside with two toddlers so I MUST open the windows. I have my prescription allegra and dosed a round of sudafed on top of that today already. Ahhhhh, SPRING is here. I do love Spring in so many ways it outweighs the allergies I have (as long as I keep a dose in me each day).

My tulips have about 40 leaves to them. I wonder if they will produce any budding flowers this year. I'll post pictures when I can see the bud stems if there will be any. Otherwise, next week I'll invest in my tomato, cucumber, lettuce seeds and maybe some strawberry plants and get them going. I am thinking St. Louis is not out of the freezing zone just yet so I might wait a week or two longer.

Julia told us the other night that she is ready to go camping! She even had her tinkerbell lantern in hand ready to go. I told her soon baby, soon. We have 7 camping trips planned already for the Spring, Summer (few of those) and Fall!

Ok, time to get back to tagging the buckets and buckets of clothes and toys of Julia's I will be selling in the Mehlville Baby Mania sale May 1st. My sister and I got 2 selling spaces and I can't wait to get everything in line to make some cold hard cash so I can buy her next years round of toys and clothes. Currently she is in a 3T shirts and pants, but the shirts are all getting too tight and the pants are getting too SHORT. She has very little of a butt to hold up the pants so the myselfbelt helps in that area.

Potty training is not happening. I really believe she was on track to train, then I took on a 14 month old a few days a week of sitting so I think that set her back. Regression is what I read it as and I agree, that is what she is doing. Hopefully that has plateaued and she will pick up the idea of the potty seat again now that she saw Abbie, Vanessa and Harper using the big girl potty last week.

There are so many things Julia is saying to us now and I need to run to the computer and write them here as soon as she says them or at least on paper to blog later. They are way too funny. Of course this sleepless brain of mine can't even remember one phrase from last night she kept cracking us up with. She says thins with such conviction and attitude now it is like she is acting. Maybe we have a future Hollywood movie star on our hands. (I can dream right?)

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Federal Adoption Tax Credit extended and even increased for 2011!

I got an email that linked to a blog discussing this.

http://betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com/



Joint Council is pleased to confirm that the Adoption Tax Credit (ATC), which was scheduled to expire in 2010, was extended for one-year (through December 31, 2011). The highlights of the ATC are;

* The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13,170,
* The ATC is now retroactive to January 1, 2009. This represents a potential increase of $1,000 for adoptive families.
* The ATC was made refundable. If a family has no tax liability, the IRS will refund the amount due.

The extension of the ATC through 2011, was passed as part of the health care reform bill which was signed into law by President Obama on Monday, March 22, 2010. There was some concern that the ATC would be included in the reconciliation process, however we have confirmed that it is not part of reconciliation which means the ATC is law until December 31, 2011.

Joint Council along with many other advocates and adoptive families have long advocated for making the ATC permanent. We applaud Congress and the Obama administration for the extension and continue to call for a permanent tax credit.

The ATC is a critically important element in finding permanent families for children in the U.S. foster care system and the children of our world, who live without permanent parental care. The ATC makes adoption a viable option for many families who may otherwise be unable to afford to adopt. We again applaud the extension and improvements to the Adoption Tax Credit.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

a day of change

Although I write this in the wee hours of St. Patrick's Day 2010, just few short hours ago we put our daughter to bed in her newly converted toddler bed from her original crib. Actually, truth be told, she fell asleep in our bed (like she does many a night during the week) and then I always put her in her own crib before I head to bed in the wee hours of each day (night owl I am).

I decided today at lunch time it was time to remove the side rail from Julia's crib and convert it into a toddler bed. Yes, I put a safety rail on that open side, don't fret. For the last few weeks we have been planting the idea of redecorating her room with her. Including getting a toddler bed for her. Well, I converted her crib instead. I wanted to tell her she is a big girl now and she can sleep in a big girl bed like mommy does. She loved the idea the last few days so I went with it today.

I know I am running the risk of her not sleeping through the night, but I am hoping and praying she stays asleep like she normally does any given night for 10-12 hours (even near 14 hours last night). Boy, I sure need to get some overnight diapers for her for those 14 hour nights. LOL She rarely wakes (I know, go ahead and say it... I just jinxed myself, right?) during the night. Fingers crossed that this long sleepy nights remain for her for a long many years to come. I really truly believe she gets these sleep filled nights from her birthmother. H admitted to me that both of her older children sleep very well. I sure hope that carries on here for a long time to come.

Change is happening in our lives with Julia so much lately. Milestones too many to keep up with. She become more versatile in her vocabulary each day, she is working on sharing with her new playmate each day. She loves to go for walks and rides in her wagon around the block. Loves the gym a few days a week and loves swimming.

Speaking of swimming, I had bought her a D.ora body swim flotation suit at a sale last summer, it fits now and helps her swim like a fish in the pool at the Ymca.

The I love you Daddio and Mommio are so frequent and unprompted nowaday. Today, I called daddio at work and she didn't get to talk to him. She asked to speak to him so I called him back and she just told him all kinds of things (many we couldn't understand because she was talking so fast). Then at the end of the conversation she said to him "Daddio, I love you". So sweet. When he got home tonight, he said when he hear the "daddio, i love you" it made him so proud of her and almost made him cry. I love it. She did that same thing to me a few weeks back.

During the day she often sings the abc song all the way through, now and she is working on 1-15. Surprisingly, the other day she counted backwards from 8 to 1. WOW. Way to go Julia!

I am working on some preschool functions for her to do during the day. She keeps me busy for sure, but I just don't want her or her playmate to be in the house all day long with this nice weather around us. I have a few outside activities for her to do now outside and I can't wait to introduce them to her.

Monday, March 15, 2010

to share or not to share

of course we, as mothers, have or will have this in their vocabulary soon. Sharing is not something that comes naturally for a little 2.5 year old. Julia has been in a really possessive mood lately with her toys, but who can blame her? This generally only happens when the little boy I watch part time is here. Hahaha. Poor B. He is innocent enough and just wants to learn and play with these toys. According to Julia, that is against her rules. I am learning to defuse the situation of Julia acting out on B before it happens. I try and ask her to please teach B how to use her toys so he can be a big boy like she is a big girl. She likes that idea and talked to him in a semi-authoritative voice when she does. I praise her when she is showing him how to do something and when she won't share, I try not to be negative towards her, instead saying that sharing is a big girl thing and she is a good girl when she shares.

I need to go get some of the younger baby toys out of the basement so he can have a few to play with. B is near 15 months old and I don't see that most of Julia's toys are age appropriate for him.

the beachnut lets grow email reminded me today that I need to help julia with sharing more and setting more of an example of sharing between us adults so she can pick that up from us to share with B.

Friday, March 05, 2010

A post on another blog worthy to link to. Those that coupon will understand!

check out this post: http://www.coupongal.net/2010/03/did-that-really-just-happen.html

I just laugh out loud at those that roll their eyes behind me in line when I have my coupons. If they say something to their partner, child and or anyone else, I purposefully take my time getting my stuff up on the belt and then take my time putting all my coupons on the shelf / register for the cashier to scan. I know that is mean to an extent, but I am just sick and tired of being degraded for my hard work that saves me loads and loads of money while others are oblivious to the FREE or near FREE items I have in my basket! FREE PEOPLE FREE! I started couponing a few years back with the intent to cover my taxes on each invoice total. Today, I coupon to kill over 1/2 to 3/4 of my receipt total or even more! Shame on them for not using the system of coupons to save. NOT SHAME ON ME! I am one coupon crazy laid off mom!

Monday, March 01, 2010

2010 baby mania resale events, consignment sales, etc..

I'll try to do these in date order, but please be kind if they are just a little out of order. If you find a date of a sale you know of and I don't have it listed, Please Please email me at twogoots (at) yahoo (dot) com

HERE WE GO FOR 2010:
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KIDMANIA SALE

Saturday March 6, 2010
8 am - 12 pm
Edwardsville High school Illinois

http://www.edwardsvilleonline.com/jsc/Kidmania.htm


entry fee 3.00
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MOMMES and Dads
http://www.mommes.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=1
This is the IL sale. I have yet to find the MO sale and will post it as soon as I can.

SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2010 8am-12PM
AT GATEWAY CENTER,
1 GATEWAY DR.
COLLINSVILLE, IL

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Just Between Friends
Kids Consignment Sales Events

Serving you in Kirkwood/Arnold, Missouri

Spring 2010 Event Now Scheduled!
March 19th & 20th
Concordia Lutheran Church
505 S. Kirkwood Rd
Kirkwood, MO 63122
UPDATED DATES AND LOCATIONS BELOW:

ST. CHARLES
http://saintcharles.jbfsale.com/
The Spring/Summer St Charles Sale will be
March 26th & 27th
at Harvester Church of the Nazarene on McClay
http://saintcharles.jbfsale.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showevent&eventid=2006120511093921&siteid=2006112810183970

WEST COUNTY (chesterfield)
http://chesterfield.jbfsale.com/
May 15th & 16th, 2010
Maryville University Gymnasium
650 Maryville University Drive
Chesterfield, MO. 63141

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http://www.storklady.net/Shoppers.htm
* Spring 2010 Registration NOW OPEN *
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


SPRING-SUMMER 2010 SALE

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Thursday, April 1st - 9am - 7pm
Friday, April 2nd - 9am - 7pm
Saturday, April 3rd - 9am - 1pm
(Saturday only: 50% off most items)

LOCATION:
Former MACY'S Dept. Store
Crestwood Court mall
Use entrance and parking lot at northeast intersection of Watson Rd. & Sappington Rd.

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http://recycledkidstreasures.com/flyer.pdf
April 9th - 11th

go to the link and check out their page. They won't let me copy over their advertisement page. @@
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http://3rkidssale.com/default.aspx


SPRING/SUMMER SALE 2010!!!
APRIL 9-11, 2010
RALLO PLAZA
1139 N. LINDBERGH BLVD
FLORISSANT, MO 63031
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
FRIDAY, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (50% off MOST ITEMS)
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Greater St. Louis Mothers of Twins Club
RE-SELL-IT SALE
Re-Sell-It will be April 17, 2010 at Lindbergh High School.
Saturday April 17, 2010
Open to the Public 1-3 p.m.
($1 admission per person)
Where: Lindbergh High School
4900 South Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63126
GO HERE for the sales flyer: http://www.stlmotc.org/sale_flyer.pdf
PLEASE READ THEIR DETAILED ITEMS A SHOPPER CAN BRING IN OR NOT!!!!!

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Mehlville High School baby mania sale

http://www.mehlville-moms-club.org/articles/fundraisers/baby-mania.html


May 1st
8 am
at Mehlville High School parking lot.
3120 Lemay Ferry Road

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