Cutting Back

First of all, congratulations to Courtney and Casey Skelton on the birth of their second son, Tucker Casey, 8 lb 10 oz born on Monday morning around 10 a.m. He is a doll and I can not wait to meet him!!!

If you've followed us for a while now, you know we are a family that goes by the book. The hospital used Pampers, we use Pampers. The hospital used Similac Formula, we use Similac. The hospital used Baby Phisoderm to bathe Ryder, we use Baby Phisoderm. The milk storage bags say they can be refrigerated for 8 days, we didn't go more than 2. The doctor said to do this, we did this. The doctor said to do that, we did that. It's pretty ridiculous, but that's how we are. So, the older he's gotten, the easier it's been to let loose on certain things. I don't wash his paci every time it drops, and over the past few days, I've actually just rinsed his bottle in hot water before using it again instead of letting it soak in blistering soapy water for an hour. Our biggest leap yet happened yesterday, two things we said we'd never do.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with either of these two items, but because we strayed from the "hospital's choice" it was a big deal for us. Now I know good and well that on #2, we will not be this way, but it's just something about that first baby. I did the math, and every two weeks we'll be saving at least $20. Just THINK what we could've saved over the past 8 months on diapers.

FACT FRIDAY

1. I am obsessed with "products." Face wash, body wash, lotions, toothpastes, shampoos, etc. and whatever deodorant Kristen uses (she knows what I'm talking about). I LOVE shopping in the beauty section at Walmart. I've never been a big spender when it comes to "health and beauty", I just go with the cheap-o depot. However, I went through a stage in 7th-9th grade where I had to buy Clinique. You just didn't have it going on if you didn't use the 3-step.Mom, why did you buy this for me when I was in 7th grade? This mess is like $50 a pop. I know all of you from my junior high years of school will remember this fad we all went through. The stinky half-cylinder soap that went in the green slide through case and in the middle of the soap it dipped where we rubbed the soap so much (Meg - don't you still use this?). The stinging clarifying lotion that felt like it was ripping my face off everytime I rubbed it with that cotton ball, and eww, that yellow moisturizer, it stunk too.
Here are some of the products I live by now. Nothing fancy, but they get the job done:

Far left: Shampoo - never picky about this, I usually get whatever my hairdresser/good friend Maghen has on the shelf to sell. Clean and Clear exfoliating gel, Dove Citris scent soap, any Bath & Body Works lotion, TRESemme Hairspray, Aquafresh toothpaste (this is all I remember having growing up, so I've just continued to buy), Viva la Viva perfume, Bath & Body Works handsoap, my roll brush, my pink brush that I've had for as long as I can remember, and my wonderful PICK. What would I do without my pick? I love a good tease do. My mom got me started on teasing a long time ago. You know those interviews in Cosmo where they ask celebrities certain beauty secrets such as what is something you would never leave the house without? Mine is 100% teasing my hair. And at least a dab of mascara, my eyelashes are blonde.

What do you use?

Tonight we cooked out with a few friends in the neighborhood. I've never seen Ryder so chill. He hasn't stayed up past 7 pm in months and between the hours of 8 and 9 pm he stayed in this position and didn't make a peep. This is so rare since he is constantly on the move, he must have been major sleepy. Here he is with Lindsey and Gaines, who is Melanie's little one who at 3 weeks old.

As most of you know, I am OCD about wasting things. Now I know this is a bit extreme, but JM was wanting to throw out the remaining specks of formula. I couldn't do it. This is what I saved from the container. Is something wrong with me? Do I need help?

I'm so excited to say that I have my giggle box back. Ryder is back to himself and I am thrilled. He laughs and smiles and talks and it's just so refreshing. I was worried for a while there because the blank stares and the droopy eyes were just too much. But his precious face is smiling and life is good!