Tiny Talk Tuesday

We've been working on learning manners...

David burps.
Mom: Say "excuse me" when you burp.
David: Excuse me when you burp.

>^..^<

David has learned the routine - when Elizabeth falls asleep while nursing, I put her in the swing for her nap. Now when he notices that she is asleep in my lap, and he wants to play with me, he says:

Mom, you put Elizabeth in the swing.

>^..^<

David earned his first patch for his vest in Cubbies last Wednesday! I was so proud! He recited the verse:

God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

>^..^<

This picture was taken this morning. Doesn't look like he was awake good, does it? : ) Sometimes I get caught up in the whining, crying, waiting beside the potty, changing diapers, etc and forget to take note of the cute things that are happening right under my nose. So I just wanted to say again how much I enjoy "Tiny Talk Tuesday" because it keeps me looking for cuteness all week long! See more Tiny Talk over at Not Before 7, where it all gets started.

So what cuteness did you see this week?

Elizabeth's First Cup: Avent Magic

Elizabeth's first cup

is the 5 oz

Avent Magic Trainer.

As I researched safe plastics for sippy cups, I came across information about the Avent Magic Trainer Cup. It is polypropylene (recycling number 5 - this is a safe plastic) and I think this purple one is really cute.

Magic Cups are available in several different sizes. I also like that all of Avent's products are interchangeable. Several sippy spouts are available or I can switch the sippy spout out for a nipple, I can put the handles on a different size cup or take them off completely, and I could even attach a Magic Cup to Avent's Isis Breast Pump to pump directly into the cup! Oh, one more plus - these cups are made in England, not China!

*NOTE* - I do not recommend the Avent Bottles! These are the bottles that I used with David when we had to supplement breast feeding, but it has since been brought to my attention that they are made from polycarbonate plastic (recycling number 7). Polycarbonate is the plastic that has been found to leech the harmful toxin, Bisphenol A (BPA).

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And now, the winner of last week's gDiaper Giveaway: Olivia! Congratulations!!!

Never in my wildest dreams...

would I have imagined myself drooling over a VACUUM CLEANER!!! But here ya go...
Dyson has now come out with a pink one, giving $40 from the sale of each Limited Edition vac to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and they're donating the full price of one of these babies ($400!) just in honor of this giveaway over at 5 Minutes for Mom! This model is available exclusively through Target.

While the odds are getting slimmer each day, one of us WILL win this gem in the giveaway this week over at 5 Minutes for Mom! Will it be you?

Remember When?

I took a picture of Dad holding Elizabeth the other day & was taken back 3 years when I saw it...

So, I decided to give Throwback Thursday a try to share it with you.

I had to pull out David's baby book and found this shot taken in November of 2004, when David was about 5-6 months old.

And this was taken last week of Dad and Elizabeth, age 8 months:

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by the girls at Pinks & Blues.

Don't Miss My gDiaper Giveaway This Week!

Ouch! It's a tooth!

Elizabeth had her 8-month check-up yesterday. When the doctor leaned her back and put the cold stethoscope on her chest, she began to cry. That's when I saw it... a little slit in her front lower gums with a hint of white peeking out... Elizabeth's First Tooth!

I know, you still can't see it in that picture, but that's as good as it gets for now. I made sure Grandma saw it this morning before they left for California. We'll see how it looks when they get back.

Anyway, Elizabeth weighed in at 15.1 pounds and 26 inches long. That puts her between the 50th & 25th percentile lines on the chart, but in proportion. Her head circumference was above the 50th percentile. And just as last time, the doctor thought E's lower weight was a problem. I could understand if she was down in the 5th percentile or something. I think I'm going to start looking for a new doctor for Elizabeth's year check-up; I just don't have the confidence in this doctor that I think I should have. Elizabeth is happy, healthy and growing. She is alert, sitting, inquisitive, and has done a lot of developmental steps that David didn't accomplish until much later. She even mimics word sounds and is starting to pick up on some signs.

And even though she obviously loves Dad - she still said Mama before she said Dadada! : )

Don't miss my gDiaper Giveaway this week!

Wordless Wednesday

More Wordless Wednesday can be found at Wordless Wednesday HQ

and also at 5 Minutes for Mom

Don't miss the gDiaper Giveaway this week!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

David was watching some new show on PBS yesterday where this duck was looking for a V so that he could go on his vacation, but he didn't know what V he was looking for. In the background, you can see the V in the sky and David said,

Ducks flying in the sky!

Perhaps I'm easily amazed, but I was. I hadn't heard them mention anything about ducks flying!

I used one of these sunset photos on last week's Wordless Wednesday post. This one's kinda dark. Anyway... David was looking up at the broken tail of the little windmill and said,

Mom, you fix windmill?

Seems like I'm hearing, "Mom, you fix..." a lot lately!

Elizabeth hasn't said anything new this week, but this was her first time to sit in a high chair. I made sure to keep her plug in her mouth so she wouldn't start chewing on the table! She has started saying Mama again, though! : )

See more Tiny Talk over at Not Before 7! And don't miss my gDiaper Giveaway this week!

Our Trip to the RR Salvage Yard

Friday, Dad had 1/2 day off because his class won the canned food drive at work, so we went for a little road trip! Special thanks to Grandma & Grandpa and Uncle Bubba's family who shared David that day!!!

One man's junk... This is the pile where Dad found his 2 searchlight signals. One of them was in good enough condition that he's already had it lit up! And yes, I forgot to photograph the stuff that he loaded into the truck.

They had a couple of old BN cabooses sitting out there.

These are relays. I think it has something to do with making the signals switch colors?

And I think these are the control boxes that you'll see at the base of a signal alongside a railroad track. Looked kinda like a cemetery.

Meal Plan Monday

We got way off last week's plan, so I repeat some items this week because we never got to them last week!

Monday: Pork Chops

Tuesday: BLT's

Wednesday: Homemade Pizza

Thursday: Meatball Stroganoff

Friday: Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo

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Don't miss the giveaway this week for a gDiaper Prize Pack!

Two Thumbs Up for gDiapers!

The more I use these gDiapers, the more I love them! I have now made the switch so that all of our away-from-home diapers are gDiapers. It felt good last Sunday at Lowe's to just drop the wet liner into the toilet & flush it away! (as opposed to a disposable diaper in the trash can that would eventually find it's way into a landfill... and then sit there for about 500 years!)

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At home, I use the soft covers (in addition to my AIO diapers) as diaper covers, putting washable prefold diapers in as the liners. And another piece of good news - I have never had a leak in gDiapers! That's no leaks with flushable inserts and no leaks with cloth inserts!!! This Mama could not ask for much more than that!

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Wanna see how they work? Check out the gDiaper website! You can watch a video and get answers to all your questions, sign up for their newsletter, and order diapers to be delivered to your home! AND...

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I have this great prize pack to give away this week! Prize pack includes one gDiapers t-shirt (size XL, but fits more like a M!), one window cling sticker that reads, "Leave less of yourself behind," and two $2 off coupons for any gDiaper purchase at a retail store. This would be a great way to spread the news about gDiapers, and save you a couple of bucks!

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To enter the giveaway, visit gDiapers. Then come back HERE and leave a comment, telling me your favorite thing about gDiapers! Make sure to leave a way to get in touch with you - either through your blog or your email address! The winner will be announced next Monday, September 24. Feel free to spread the love & link back to this giveaway post!

Updated: The winner is Olivia! Congratulations!!!

Cubbies Song

Cubbies Song,
originally uploaded by onemotherslove.

I wonder if I know anyone who would be willing to make either an audio or video recording of the Cubbies Song so that David & I can learn it?

Cubbies: Week 2

David got his Cubbies Workbook and vest last night! He was so proud to get the vest just like Cubbie Bear wears. He even asked to wear it to bed! (no, I didn't let him because I knew that would require me getting up in the middle of the night to unbutton it!)

David recited the Cubbies theme verse:

God loved us and sent His son.

And the Cubbies motto:

Jesus Loves Me!

Wordless Wednesday: My Men Make Me Proud

See more Wordless Wednesday at

WWHQ and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tiny Talk Tuesday & Our First Bus Ride

Elizabeth's vocabulary has now expanded to include vowel sounds and consonant sounds. Now that she's got dadada down, mamama seems to be a thing of the past. But I will always remember that she said my name first! At times her dadada seems like dadid... hmmm... could she seriously be saying David? Yesterday was her 8 month birthday. I just can't believe it. No teeth yet, but look how long her hair is getting!

Monday, we went with Grandma's quilt club, the Sew & Sews, to the big Jo-Ann Superstore in Dallas. Before leaving the church, we all made a potty run. Grandma ended up in the stall beside us, and she waved under the partition. David quickly caught on...

D: Grandmas go tt in the potty?
Mom: Yes.
D (rather loudly): Great job, Grandma!!!
Loud cackles from the rest of the bathroom.

We went in the church bus, making this both David & Elizabeth's first bus ride! David thought it was pretty cool getting on the bus.

I think he liked the big windows and he pointed out all colors of cars on the highways, a Target truck, and lots of rain.

Elizabeth also seemed to enjoy herself. Actually, she slept most of the time that the bus was rolling.

We quietly sang a few songs while the ladies visited with each other. David had finished off all 3 of the granola bars that I brought by about 30 minutes into the trip!

Grandpa was our bus driver. He wore his cowboy hat.

After letting the ladies off at Jo-Ann's, we stayed in the bus a little bit while Elizabeth nursed, then went to the Whole Foods Market across the parking lot where I was able to get some yummy fresh bread, David's Omega-3 Oil, and some gDiapers liners! (Earth-Friendly Diapers. Happy Baby. Happy Planet.) We got our lunch in the Market. I had a delicious sandwich from the deli & David had a slice of 4-cheese pizza. When I opened his box, he exclaimed, "PIZZA!"

We did finally make it to Jo-Ann's where David pleaded, "Ride moving stairs, Mom???" (the escalator), but since we had a basket we rode the glass elevator instead. Much to my surprise, that suited him as well & on the way back down, he asked, "Ride the escalator, Mom???" meaning the elevator this time!

Speaking of Jo-Ann's, if you bought the Robbie Ducky Watering Can this year, you need to take it back to the store ASAP, as it is another made in China play pretty contaminated with excessive levels of lead paint. I hope you're thinking of alternatives to made in China toys for Christmas this year... seems that nothing's safe these days. NotChinaMade.net has a list of alternative shopping websites and I have added a Toys Made in the USA page in my Amazon store.

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I know I covered more than just Tiny Talk today, but if you want to read more cute things kids are saying, visit Not Before 7. Even though she's on vacation, I think Tiny Talk Tuesday will still be there.

Meal Plan Monday

I hope to have some fresh salad ingredients at the beginning of the week that I can use on my lunch sandwiches also. I'll make a batch of fresh salsa on Monday that Dad will probably eat with each of this week's meals. Our evening meals will be enough for one meal, plus lunch for Dad to take to work the next day.

Monday: Salmon Patties, macaroni & tomatoes, salad
Tuesday: Hamburger Steak cooked with onions, peppers & portobello mushrooms, brown rice, and salad
Wednesday: Quesadillas with onions & peppers, chips & fresh salsa
Thursday: Pork Chops, stuffing, green beans
Friday: Chicken & noodles, veggie TBD

Last Saturday, we went to Fort Worth. It was almost like a date... except the kids were with us. David is finally interested in seeing the tall buildings & all the cranes that are up now. We ate an early supper at Qdoba Mexican Grill in Sundance Square. It was really good tasting and priced. I had a Grilled Chicken Taco Salad - crispy flour tortilla bowl filled with shredded romaine, black bean corn salsa, fat-free picante ranch dressing and sour cream. Mmmm...

One of Dad's cousins recently moved out of state. While packing up, Cousin found this pair of scuba goggles that had belonged to Grandpappy & brought them to Dad.

David has enjoyed playing with them, but did take some time to figure out how to wear them! I can't help but think how Grandpappy must be laughing as he looked down on his grandson playing with his old goggles!



Elizabeth has been doing a lot of growing lately. She doesn't like to sit back much any more, so I traded out her bouncy seat-type rocking chair for the exersaucer from storage this week. She has really enjoyed the ability to "stand up" while we're in the kitchen and the new toys that are part of the saucer.

Next I may need to see if I can go dig the shopping car cover out of storage... I have no idea where that box is though...

I didn't think I could maneuver this huge basket with her in my pouch sling, so throwing caution to the wind, I buckled her in! Aren't they adorable sitting up there together??!!?? She was having a ball watching David so closely. (David was shielding his eyes from the sun.)

Embedding was disabled, so I couldn't just post this video directly, but click here to see what Dad did at work yesterday. There is some printed language on this page, so don't click if your children are watching & can read. This is not him or his class in the video, just what they did... except he didn't have the safety rope. Glad I wasn't there to watch.

Do you have any of these toys?

Yesterday, Mattel announced even more toy recalls! The following toys have been recalled due to excessive lead content (and yes, they were all manufactured in China):

• It's a Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys
• Geo-Trax Locomotives
• 7 different Barbie Accessories

To check out the specifics on these recalls, visit the Mattel Product Recall page.

Thanks to my sister for bringing this to my attention. Keep up with product recalls by visiting NotChinaMade.net, where Mommy Zabs keeps you on top of things with daily updates.

Do you think Chinese children play with toys that were made in China?

Tiny Talk Tuesday: Expanding Vocabularies

Mom: What color is the apple?
David: Delicious!

David: You're a good helper, Mom!

David saw Grover in the potty this week...

I gave David a cup of juice that had some water on the outside of the cup & he floored me by responding with his biggest sentence ever:
I need a napkin to wash my cup off.

Lately he's found counting things exciting. He'll say this, as if it was the best idea ever:
I know - let's count the cookies! 1, 2, 3...

Grandma got found this little plastic cell phone (see photo above) for David & he's been mimicking us with our cell phones. I got a couple of calls in the store the other day & Grandma had her phone out, too. David said, "I know - let's count phones! 1, 2, 3 - three phones! Brrring... Hello? Aunt Jana?"

After Elizabeth's bath, I towel-dried her hair. Can you see it curling straight up??? The second picture is after I brushed it.
Elizabeth's vocabulary now includes 2 words: mamama and dadada! I still came first!!!!

Read more Tiny Talk this Tuesday at Not Before 7. Grandpa also shared some Tiny Talk last week.

Meal Plan Monday & Plastic Update

I may be too late to participate in Meal Plan Monday, but I'm going to put it out there anyway.


Monday - Ate Out (we split fajitas at On The Border)
Tuesday - Pasta Revisited, Meatballs, Bread Sticks (using homemade sauce that was frozen last week & adding in a few more fresh ingredients)
Wednesday - Grilled Sandwiches (David starts Cubbies!)
Thursday - Enchiladas Again (I found a great Enchilada Sauce recipe last week, but it made MUCH MORE than I needed!)
Friday - Homemade Pizza (using last of homemade pasta sauce)


Regarding my previous post on plastics, I found a pdf file called, "Smart Plastics Guide: Healthier Food Uses of Plastics for Parents and Children." It includes a good explanation of the recycling symbols & numbers, the different types of plastics, and the potential hazards of some plastics. I'm continuing to add safe baby bottles, sippy cups, and feeding items to my BFA-free shopping list as I learn about them. I hope this helps anyone who might be searching for them.