Life has changed for the better since Baby Violet arrived, but it leaves little time for me to blog.  At least 3 or 4 times a day something happens and I think to myself “That deserves a blog entry!” but by the time I get to sit down at the computer uninterrupted, I sit here and stare at this post screen and can think of absolutely nothing to say.  I hate feeling like my memory is shot, but I suppose that’s what having 3 small children will do to you.  So today, I’m going for a brain dump…all of the random things bouncing around in my head that don’t qualify for a long post or that I don’t have the energy to come up with a full post about.

• The weather!  Gorgeous!  Yesterday was “Kites with Dads” at my oldest son’s school and it couldn’t have been more perfect.  Unfortunately, by 4PM yesterday everyone in my house except Violet had come down with a fever.  So while everyone else in the state is out enjoying the beautiful weather, we are stuck inside moaning about how bad we feel.  I think I’m going to manage to get out anyway, because it seems completely unfair that I should let a cold interfere with this day!
• Violet has the most amazing smile.  We spend lots of time talking to her and trying to get her to give us a big toothless grin.  Almost as much fun as the little noises she makes…the girl loves to “talk” to us.  I am very much enjoying watching all of this, especially since I am about 99.999999% sure that she is our last.  (There always has to be that *tiny* bit of doubt, right?)
• She slept for almost 7 hours the other night.  Granted it was not the 7 hours I would have liked to sleep, but 7 hours is pretty amazing!  It was 9:45PM to almost 4:30AM.  I felt like a new woman.  Sadly, she hasn’t repeated that feat!
• Facebook.  I’m hopelessly addicted.  Is there a 12 step program?
• If you think breastfeeding and/or breastmilk is weird or gross, skip this one.  Pumping sucks.  Really, really sucks.  I have absolutely awful pump output.  I’m going to a baby shower tomorrow and it took me 3 days to pump enough milk to make me feel like I could leave her without starving her.  I get up in the morning and pump when I’m full so I should be getting plenty but I just don’t respond to the pump.  I can pump for 15 minutes, get at best 1.5-2 ounces on each side, unhook everything and 5 minutes later my shirt is soaked.  I’ve tried hospital grade pumps, hand pumps, and everything in between.  I’ve tried nursing on one side and pumping on the other but it’s awkward and doesn’t yield much more.  Frustrating and annoying!  Luckily I don’t have to do this often.
• I am afraid to say anything because I’m sure I will jinx it, but I *may* have a legitimate work at home job lined up.  No selling, no telemarketing, and 100% free to get started.  I’m in training right now and so far everything is going well.  It’s ironic, because just the other day I mentioned to Amy (on Facebook) that I needed a job but that my husband’s current schedule made it hard for me to find anything.  Now I don’t have that worry!  I’m praying this turns out to be something that can help us out while we get everything figured out.
• Cloth diapers…I’m really doing them!  I have a very small stash right now, but she’s in cloth almost 100% of the time at home during the day.  I hope to add nights to that soon, but that will require a better system than what we currently have.  I have a dozen prefolds (the old fashioned flat kind) and 4 pull-on covers and 2 wrap style covers.  I also have 1 BumGenius 3.0 One-Size diaper that I absolutely adore.  We just got our tax refund back and I plan to buy some more of those once we’ve gotten caught up with all of our unpaid bills.  The advantage is that she won’t outgrow them like most other diapers and they are so easy!  Almost like a disposable…the only difference is that you have to wash them.  I’m also using cloth wipes and home-made wipe solution.  It is saving us a ton of money!
• And to wash my cloth diapers, I have found the absolute most amazing substance on this earth.  It is referred to in my house as “laundry crack” because it smells divine and I find myself going out to the laundry room just to sniff it.  Yes, really.  I got it from Simply Clean and could not be happier with it.  It gets the stains out and my clothes come out soft without fabric softener!  I’m also using their pail freshener for our diaper pail and the room smells so yummy.  My husband likes it because the smell washes out so he doesn’t get a headache, but you can use the scented dryer balls she sells to add scent to your laundry.  So far my favorite is Honey Almond, but I really like Butt Naked, too.  I have a list a mile long of the ones I’d like to try!  There’s a place that’s selling it in Concord, but I haven’t been there…I just ordered online.  And the best part?  If you buy in bulk, it’s cheaper than any of the detergents at Walmart.  Seriously, I took a calculator and worked it all out.  We’re using up the rest of the junk we have and then switching over to this for everyone’s clothes.  It’s gentle enough for me with my allergy issues, baby’s sensitive skin, and my oldest son’s eczema.  Try it.  You’ll like it.  A LOT!
• I found out I don’t qualify for federal financial aid for school.  I am more bummed than I can express about this, because it may mean I can’t go back to school.  I’m hoping the aforementioned job provides enough money to pay for tuition but unless my husband gets something better in the meantime I may have to wait or give up the idea completely.  Big time bummer.  I’m still hoping there may be something available from the school or the state but I’m not holding my breath considering the current economic climate.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…my brain feels better now that I’ve gotten all of that out.  Now I’m heading outside to enjoy the day until I need to take some more drugs for this cold!