Thrifty Wife Happy Life

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A Day in the Life

by Katie Haller

I thought that it would be fun to do “a day in the life” post and share what a normal weekday is like for me as a working mom with a one-year-old.  I don’t think my life is that exciting, but maybe some of you can relate to me. 
Lately, it’s been hard for me, because Kevin has been working more, so I don’t have the extra help that I normally do during the week.  On this particular Monday that I chose to document my day, things did not go as planned at all, but that’s why it was the perfect day.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.

Here is my day…

5:00am Wake up
The alarm goes off.  I know it’s early, but I have to set it that early to give myself the time I need in the morning to get ready for the day.  On this particular morning, I got lucky, because Jack slept in a little and gave me enough time to shower.  I like to get up before him, especially on the days that Kevin works early because it’s getting harder to get ready with him up and wanting to be entertained. 
5:30am Breakfast
Time to start getting coffee and breakfast ready.  I try to eat breakfast every morning because it really helps give me the boost I need for the day.  Currently, my daily breakfast has been Grape Nuts with lots of fruit over it with almond milk and of course my morning cup of coffee. 

5:45am Jack is up
Once Jack is up he normally eats breakfast right away.  He usually eats fruit and either a waffle or cereal.  Luckily, I packed his food for school the night before.  I try my best to have his lunches prepped for the week on Sunday night, so I don’t have to worry about it during the week, on this morning I only managed to have one day packed.

6:10am Start getting myself ready
On this particular morning, Kevin had left the house before 6, so I was on my own with Jack, so I let him play in the bathroom while I did my make up.  That was a big mistake because he ended up breaking one of my bronzers all over the floor.  That cut into my morning time because I had to clean up the mess.  I try and make my morning make up routine quick and easy.  I use the same makeup every day and wear it the same.  For my hair, I quickly blow dry it.  I’ve been guilty of wearing my hair in a ponytail more than I like to, but with Jack being so busy lately, I just live with it. 

6:45am Get Jack ready
Getting my squirmy one year old ready in the morning is a challenge.  He cries, runs away from me, then I finally wrestle him down and get an outfit on him.  I try to have an idea of what he’s wearing the night before, the same way I do for myself.  Once he’s ready it’s time to finish up a few last-minute things around the house.  On this day, my dishwasher was broken, so I did a few dishes before we left.
We matched in our stripes for the day.

7:15am Take Jack to School
I take Jack to school in most mornings unless Kevin’s around to help.  He loves his school and friends, but for whatever reason, on this morning he had a case of the Mondays and was being extra clingy.  I was late for work, but I hated leaving him when he was so sad.  It was the first day he ever cried like that and he’s been going to his daycare since he was 8 weeks old.

7:30am Starbucks stop
I don’t always stop at Starbucks on my way to work.  I try to bring a cup of coffee from home, but this was a rough morning.  Plus, I got over $75 in Starbucks gift cards for Christmas, so I needed an extra cup on my way to work. My usual drink is a tall blond roast.  I like to make my gift cards last as long as they can.

7:45am Get to work 
Mondays are always busy mornings at work for me.  Lots to do in a short amount of time before the kids arrive at 8.  My preschool class keeps me super busy.  By 2:00 they leave and I get my planning time.  I like to stay in my classroom listening to calming music as I do my work in the dark.  It’s a relaxing way to end my workday. 

3:40pm Leave work
On a normal day, I try to head out of work before 3:30, but today I was running a little behind since I got there late. My drive to pick up Jack is usually filled with thoughts in my head of my day.  It’s my time to unwind and think, but oftentimes I’m anxious on my ride home because I’m excited to see Jack. 

My car is taken over by baby even when he’s not with me.
4:00pm  Home
After I pick up Jack at school we come home.  Most days I like to either take him for a walk to the park or play with his ball at home.  On this evening he wasn’t having it.  He was a little on the cranky side because his teeth were bothering him, so we settled for his favorite Youtube channel, Little Baby Bum.

4:45pm Dinner for Jack
Most day’s Jack is starving when he comes home from school.  I try to hold him off until 5, but on this day I couldn’t do it.  It’s getting harder to figure out what to feed him.  On this night he had pita and hummus, mixed veggies, peaches, cheese and chicken.  While Jack ate and I waited for Kevin to get home, I prepared his lunches for the rest of the week.  Monday is my leftover night, since I usually make dinner on Sunday.  The night before was the Superbowl so I kind of had a random mix of leftovers, so Kevin and I ate chicken, rice and veggies on a tortilla.  It was a quick and easy meal.

6:00 pm Bath time
After dinner is cleaned up, it’s time for Jack’s bath.  He loves his bath time and it usually gives me a little down time, because he’s entertained in the water.  On this particular evening, he was not himself and bath time was kind of quiet, but he was still content for me, until I wipe his face, which I save for last.

7:00 pm Jack’s bedtime
After Jack’s bath, I lotion him and get his jammies on, which he hates.  Then we play in his room for a bit and read books together.  He is finally showing interest in books and will sit through a few of his favorite stories.  I love our time together before bed.  He gets a bottle, we snuggle then he goes to sleep.  I rock him and cuddle him more than I should according to all the parenting books on getting your child to sleep through the night, but I don’t care, because sometimes after a long day apart you just need those extra snuggles. 

7:15 pm Me time

Once Jack is asleep, I finally have the time to do what I want, unfortunately, there are usually chores that need to be done and I’m so tired I just get right to bed.  If time, Kevin and I might watch some Netflix or I try to find some time to blog, but we are usually too tired.  Usually I’m asleep between 8 and 9. 
That was my day last week.  Like I said, it’s not exciting at all, but it’s my life and I don’t think I’m ever bored.  It’s not perfect, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I know one day I will look back on this day and miss it.  That always happens for me. 

Baby Update- One Year Old

by Katie Haller

It’s hard for me to believe that I have a one-year-old already!  It is so true that the first year flies by.  It has been such an amazing year being Jack’s mom.  I used to get sad whenever Jack had his monthly birthdays because I wanted him to stay that little baby I held in my arms for the first time at the hospital forever, but now I’ve learned to just embrace his age because I know how fast he grows.

Jack loves his new basketball hoop he got for his birthday!

 Right now, Jack is at a great age!  He started walking right after he turned 10 months and he’s been on the go ever since!  He loves to play with balls.  Playing catch with daddy after school is a daily game for him.  He also loves music and dancing.  He is building up a pretty good vocabulary for his age.  He can say “Jack”, “mama”, “dada”, “baba” and his favorite word “no”.  He ‘s trouble and loves to get into all the cabinets in the kitchen, but he tells on himself as he does it, saying “no, no” and waving his hand around.  It’s so cute!  He also just picked up waving “bye-bye”.

Jack has a great personality, but he can be stubborn sometimes.  He is already starting to show toddler signs.  When I take something away from him he throws himself on the ground and screams.  But on the other hand, he loves to bring me a book and sit on my lap when he wants me to read to him.  He wants me to hold him all the time, which can be annoying sometimes, but I also love feeling needed by him, so I don’t mind doing things with one arm.

Jack is a great eater and eats pretty much anything that I give him.  He really loves fruits, especially strawberries and peaches.  He is also getting pretty good with a sippy cup.  I’m slowly starting to eliminate bottles.  I’m a little nervous about getting rid of them altogether because he really loves his evening bottle.  I’m ready to do away with the bottles though, I’m so sick of cleaning them and I can’t wait to be done with formula.

Running to Mommy.

He’s such a big boy now!

Jack is starting to get better at sleeping through the night.  He’s still not the best sleeper, but it’s getting much better than it was before.  I really don’t think I was prepared for the lack of sleep I would get in the first year of having a baby.  That has definitely been one of the biggest challenges for me, but I feel like my body has just adjusted to the lack of sleep and I just power through and make it work.

Overall this year has been amazing!  Even though I wish I could keep him little forever, I look forward to the next year.  I can’t wait to hear him talking more and gain independence.  I’m so grateful to be this little guy’s mom.

Traveling with a Baby- What to Bring on the Airplane

by Katie Haller

I am looking forward to traveling to Michigan over the holidays to celebrate Jack’s first Christmas with all our family!  However, whenever the thought of traveling with a baby comes up, I tend to get very anxious.  There is just so much to think about and so much to pack!  I’ve been making lists in my head of all the baby essential I will need for the airplane, so I thought I would share some of the items that I will be bringing with me.  

The last time I flew with Jack was in July and he was only 4 months.  It was a little easier because we took a red-eye flight and Jack slept the entire way there.  This time, we have an early morning flight and Jack is an active 10-month-old.  I’m no professional jet setting parent, but each time I travel, I learn a little more about how to make it easier on myself.  So here are some of the baby essentials I have come up with for air travel.
1.) Large tote purse- I always bring a big purse on the airplane.  On most airlines, you are allowed to bring one personal item and one carry on bag, that’s why I always like to make sure that I have lots of space to pack in my personal item.  Plus, I have been using my purse as my diaper bag, so the more space the better! 
2.) Ergo Carrier- Last time I traveled with Jack, this was so handy.  I liked being able to wear him and have my hands free.  He also seemed more content being close to me in his carrier. 
3.) Stroller and Car Seat- Last time I traveled, I checked my stroller and car seat at the gate.  I kept Jack in his car seat connected to the stroller until we got to security.  Once we passed the security, I wore Jack and I used my travel system to put all my bags in.  This made it easier to maneuver my way through the airport. 
4.) Large tote bag- When we flew in July, I used my diaper bag as my carry on, but I ran out of space.  This time I am using a large tote bag as my carry on to be sure I have an extra room, especially if we need to bring home some Christmas presents. 

5.) Travel Size Wipes- Wipes are a must and the more the better.  I use wipes for everything with Jack.  My friend had sent me a care package from The Honest Company right after Jack was born, so I have lots of travel size wipes.  An awesome thing about the Honest company is that you can send away for a free trial kit with only having to pay for the shipping.  They will send you a bunch of samples, so you can load up on some travel size wipes and other fun travel size products for the next time you fly.

6.) Changing Mat- I hate using public restrooms for changing diapers, but it’s going to happen when you’re traveling with a baby, so it’s best to be prepared.  I use the changing mat that came with my diaper bag, but I would love a travel size mat like the one above to fit into my purse. 
7.) Diapers- That’s kind of a given.  Just make sure that you bring enough for the trip, you never know when your little one is going to have a surprise for you! 
8.) Travel size diaper cream and lotion- I use the California baby travel size diaper cream and lotion because I got them in a gift set at my shower.  It’s always good to have travel-size toiletries for your baby. 

9.) Light Weight Jacket- I like to dress in layers when traveling, so I dress my baby in layers too.  You never know if it will be cold or warm on the plane.  It’s just best to have a little jacket. 
10.) Comfortable 2 piece outfits with Extras!!!- It’s best to dress your baby in comfortable easy to change outfits while traveling.  I’d also be sure to pack extra clothes, at least 2 extra outfits in your carry on.  You never know what could happen. 
11.) Books- I’m going to try bringing books for Jack’s entertainment.  I figure that they are a quiet toy and he enjoys them.  I’m nervous about keeping him entertained during the flight, so any kind of toy will do. 
12.) Aden + Anais Swaddle Blankets- We love these blankets!  They were one of my favorite shower gifts and they are perfect for traveling.  They are so lightweight and easy to pack.  They’re perfect for the plane!
13.) Pacifiers– My little guy is loving his pacifier right now, especially while he’s teething.  I’ve always heard that it’s a good idea to have a pacifier on hand while flying because of the pressure changes in a baby’s ears.  Jack’s favorite brand is Mam Pacifier, everything else he just chews on.  I like the glow in the dark pacifiers because they are easy to find in my large purse.

14.) Ready to Feed Formula- You are allowed to bring formula or breast milk through security, so this time I fly, I’m going to buy the ready to feed formula.  Last time we flew, I was breastfeeding still, so I wasn’t as concerned about running out of bottles.  This time, I need to make sure that I have enough formula and I’d rather not have to worry about mixing a bottle on the plane.
15.)Burp Clothes- My poor baby is a spit up machine.  He has been ever since he was born, that’s why lots of burp cloths are always a must for me.
16.) Baby food Pouch- Baby food in a pouch is perfect for traveling.  There is little cleanup and they can give your baby a quick healthy meal on the go.  
17.) Sippy Cup- I’ll be bringing a sippy cup of water to help make sure Jack stays hydrated and also give him some entertainment.  I’ve always liked the Playlex sippy cups, and Jack does too!
18.) Snack bowl-  Snacks are a must for the plane.  If he gets fussy, I’m hoping that the snacks will keep him quiet.  
If that seems like a lot of stuff….it is!  I didn’t even mention any of the things that I will be bringing on the plane.  Let me know if there is anything I need to add.  I’m sure I’ll forget something.  Good luck to anyone traveling this holiday season with their little ones!  It will all be worth it once you get to your destinations! 

Baby Update- 9 Months!

by Katie Haller

In my belly for 38 weeks, now in my arms for 38 weeks.  He is just as active on the outside as he was on the inside
It’s hard to believe that I already have a 9-month-old.  For the longest time, I was just thinking about him turning 6 months and how big of a milestone that would be, and now he’s already 9 months. 12 months is right around the corner.  Where did the time go?

The words to describe Jack these days are cute, loving, smart, crazy, busy, funny, cuddly, exhausting, wild, playful, determined…. those are just to name a few.  At about 6 months Jack started crawling, 7 months he started to pull himself up and by 8 months he was everywhere.  Our house is a complete mess on most days.  I find baby toys everywhere, but I love it.  We have baby proofed the living room as best we can, yet he still finds ways to get into the places he shouldn’t. 
I just recently started feeding Jack finger food and he seems to do really well with it.  Since he’s still so young, I still feed him his baby food, but I give him bits and pieces of our dinner.  He just got his first tooth the week of Halloween and a week later he had another one pop through.  I feel like he’s been teething forever, so it’s exciting to see his little teeth finally coming through.
Some of the cutest things about this age are how playful Jack is these days.  He loves it when we chase him.  He says “Uh Oh” now and “dadada”.  He also likes to wave and shake his head.  I’m trying to work on some sign language with him, but I think that will come with time.  His favorite song is the opening song to the show Dexter.  It’s funny because Kevin and I have been watching the show on Netflix now for a few months and every time we start a new episode, Jack hears the song and starts dancing and laughing.  It’s too cute, I just hope he doesn’t realize what the show is all about.
I’m still struggling to get him to sleep through the night.  That has been the most exhausting part of parenting for me.  I really don’t know what to do at this point.  I just hope and pray that one day he will stay asleep every night and I will finally get some sleep.

With each month it brings new joys and new challenges, but one thing is for sure, this little guy is very loved!  

Shopping Finds- Thrift Shopping for Baby

by Katie Haller

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love to a thrift shop, so I’m sure it’s no surprise that I love to thrift shop for my baby too.  Baby clothes can be so expensive at times.  I hate to spend a lot of money on baby clothes because they grow out of them so quickly, plus they get their clothes so messy, that’s why a thrift store is a perfect place to buy clothes for my little guy. 
I am grateful that our family members and friends have kept Jack clothed for so long.  I have so many cute outfits for him that we got as gifts, but he’s quickly growing out of many of his clothes, plus the weather is slowly getting cooler, so it’s time to start shopping for the winter.  One nice thing about having a boy is that they are so low maintenance, even as babies.  All they need are some onesies, some pants and a jacket of some sort.

Last Friday, I went to my favorite thrift store, Savers.  They tend to have a very small boy selection, so when I find cute things, I buy a lot.  It was Nevada Day on the day I was there, so all the clothes were 30% off, plus I bought 2 yellow tag items that were 50% off.  I ended up buying him 3 pairs of pants, a button down shirt and a fleece jacket all for under $10.  That’s not bad considering I already know that my little guy will only wear them for 3 months, then it will be back to summer clothes again.  That’s okay, because I will just have another excuse to do some more thrift store shopping.

Family Weekend Trip to LA

by Katie Haller

Last weekend we went on a weekend trip to California to visit family.  It was Jack’s first road trip and he did great!  I always feel a little overwhelmed traveling with a baby, but I think I’m slowly getting used to it.  You can’t let having children stop you from doing all the fun things that you would like to do. 
 On Friday morning we left our house extra early because we wanted to make a quick stop at Seven Magic Mountains.  It’s a piece of artwork that is in the middle of the desert.  It’s defiantly a great photo stop if you’re ever in Las Vegas.  We got there right after sunrise so the sun was hitting the colorful rocks perfectly, making for some awesome pictures.  On Saturday we spent the morning at the beach in Santa Monica.  I love the ocean and I was so excited to take Jack to the beach for the first time.  He loved watching and listening to the waves, but he didn’t love getting his feet wet.  Here are just a few pictures from our trip.

I just love those tall skinny palm trees.

Family picture at the beach.

Sleeping on the drive home.
I look forward to many more family trips like this.

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