Midnight Sun

Stephenie Meyer has posted her unedited draft of Midnight Sun--Edward's version of Twilight on her site.

Cow's Milk

My daughter is 17 months old and still nursing. I am totally ok with this, as I'm not quite ready to give up nursing yet, but I am concerned about the fact that she won't drink cow's milk. Whenever I hand her a cup of cow's milk, she takes a sip, then hands the cup back to me and "asks" for something else to drink... I know she needs the calcium, and up to this point I haven't wanted to fight her on the issue, but seeing as she is nursing less and less, and I know we'll be weaning in the next few months, I'd really like to get her drinking milk. I've tried giving her chocolate milk (something I'd rather she didn't drink often, but I wanted to see if that would work) and she didn't like it. I have also tried giving her milk over ice, since she loves all other drinks ice cold. She drank a few sips more this way, but still hardly drank any.

What suggestions do you girls have??

Nie Nie Day

I'm sure you girls have all heard about Nie Nie Day... its all over the internet right now! But I just wanted to post a reminder about all the auctions going on today to benefit Stephanie & Christian Nielson and family. Check out Design Mom for a listing of over 100 auctions going on around the blogging community today. Happy bidding!

Wednesday Weekly

What are the first three words/images that come to your mind when you think of RED?

Taking classes with a new baby and 2 year old.

I need opinions and fast. I am due Oct 16th and I already have a two year old. My husband is really pushing me to take two classes this semester so I can continue trying to finish my education. I want to finish but I really don't know that I can handle taking two classes this semester with a new baby coming half way through and having a toddler running around. The reason I would have to take two classes is to get financial aide. So I need opinions. Especially from Mom's with two babies. Do you think I will be able to handle it or am I crazy? Should I just put my foot down and say I am not going to take any classes to my husband, even if it causes conflict? By the way the only classes that are offered online that I can take are history and biology. Two pretty tough classes. Please give me your thoughts and advice. Classes start today!!

No no no no no no!

When we get in social settings, my (almost) two year old, says no repeatedly to any child! If someone is following her up the stairs on the playground, she says no no no no no. If a baby is playing with a toy 10 feet away from her, she says no no no no no. Most of the time, the other child is not playing with something that is even hers! It drives me bananas. I have taken this word completely out of my vocabulary, but the problem still exists. Is this a time-out worthy behavior? We give time-outs for other things and they are effective, but I don't know if I am up to giving time-outs like when we are at library storytime and she's saying no to the other kids under the parachute. But is that what I need to do? Do I punish her by taking her away from the fun activity and then have to watch twenty other moms stare at me as I drag a screaming toddler out of the room? HELP!

Any suggestions for cheap dates?

My husband and I TRY to go on dates twice a month, but sometimes it's hard on the budget. Do any of you have any great cheap date ideas? What's your favorite date?

Coupon Site

I know a lot of you like to look at the different coupon sites on the web. I found a pretty cool blog with coupons for all sorts of different places. They are printable coupons which I like. I am more of an instore shopper than internet shopper. Anyway the site is http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/ Check it out. My favorite coupons are the children's place and gymboree ones especially if you are shopping at the outlets!

Frustrating feeding

My 6 month old is refusing to eat baby food. I read through the posts in the parenting section about it and got some great ideas, thanks everyone. I'll try my best to persevere, it's just so frustrating when he'll turn his head or spit out the food. I'm wondering though, do you think it would be okay to give him soft cut up foods like sweet potatoes, reg. potatoes, carrots or some other food? He has two front bottom teeth, not that he knows how to use them yet. I may get one of those net pacifier things that food can be put into so he can chew and get the juice. I'm also thinking about starting with baby puffs. Can he eat crackers or teething biscuits yet? I have a toddler but he was such a good eater, he didn't put up a fight at anything.

Wednesday Weekly

What's been your favorite summer olympic sport to watch thus far in Beijing?

Request from the church

I just found this request from Church Public Affairs and thought I'd pass it along. CPA has asked that we post our experience with food storage on blogs, facebook, youtube, etc and then send a link to their office. Thought it may be something many of us would want to do.

Moby Wrap

I really want to get a moby wrap to use when I have my second baby(which is in two months from yesterday!). I have tried one on and really like them. Plus so many people have them out here in Utah they must be worth the money, Right? Do any of you have a moby? What do you think about them? I am also wondering if anyone knows the cheapest site to buy one from. I found one sale for $35 and free shipping that ends tomorrow but I wanted to see if anyone knew of anywhere cheaper. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I Love You- August Book Club

Alright... I've been meaning to post this for the past 14 days! Who was able to read P.S. I Love You for our August discussion? I know we've discussed a couple other books already this month, and I have to tell you, I am loving it! I love to read and I'm really enjoying the discussions we have about books as well as all the great book recommendations I get from you girls.

So what did you all think of P.S. I Love You? I've mentioned before that it is one of my favourite books. And Cecelia Ahern is one of my favourite authors. I'm excited to hear what everyone else thought of the book.

Ready to Discuss: Jodi Picoult "Change of Heart"

Any of you who have read a Jodi Picoult book know that she loves to add some twists and turns. I'd hate to ruin the book for anyone who hasn't read it, so I'm going to leave my thoughts in the comments. Just want you to be aware that there will be spoilers in the comments, so read at your own risk!

Cord Blood Banking

I've been curious about cord blood banking since I had my first girl in 2006.  It seemed like it might be a fad back then, but it's definitely still around.  I have read some but definitely not a ton.  I understand the benefits, but I also have always assumed it cost a ton to bank your child's cord blood.  In recent reading, I learned a few things.  It costs around $1500 up front to bank cord blood and about $100/year to keep it preserved.  However, I also learned that you can donate your child's cord blood to a public non-profit bank that anyone can benefit from.  We didn't bank baby #1's blood and there's this teeny part of my brain that thinks, someday she or her siblings will need it and we will be kicking ourselves that we didn't do this "insurance" if you will.  I'm pleased with the idea of donating it though so someone out there can use baby #2's if they need it.

I'm curious though.  Stem cells are a hot topic in politics and religion even.  How do you feel about cord blood banking?

Anyone have any personal experience with it? 

What do you feel the pros and cons are?

Would you do it if the money weren't a factor?   

New Jodi Picoult

Are any of you girls reading the new Jodi Picoult novel? Change of Heart? I would LOVE to have someone to discuss it with as I'm reading... any takers?

Wednesday Weekly

What's your favorite meal that you/your spouse make?

What's your favorite meal that your mom/dad made when you were growing up?

These is My Words Revisited...Again!

I probably shouldn't re-repost a discussion on this book but I have to give props to Tiffany for recommending this book!!  I actually checked it out twice but kept getting side-tracked on my reading.  This time, I read it in 3 days, it was so wonderful!!! I have to echo everything Claire said. It was wonderful and if you were a slacker like me, you should still read it! 

I reminded me of the Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas (who also wrote the Persian Pickle Club) and reminded me as well how much I love historical fiction!!

Punch

Does anyone have a great punch recipe?

Breaking Dawn Discussion

If you haven't finished reading, don't worry, I'm sure we'll all be willing to discuss it again! :)

So...what did you think?

Were you satisfied?  Not?

What did you think of how things ended?

What surprised you? Or what did you predict early on?

I was satisfied and enjoyed it and obviously devoured it :) but I was also a little disappointed with a few things.  I'll expound more in comments later.

Breaking Dawn

Are we really supposed to wait until September to discuss this book???? :)

Just kidding! Maybe I'll finally finish the last one!

Biggest Loser: Final Weigh In

AHHH!! I can't believe I forgot to post the final weigh in!! My brother in law is getting married on Friday so I am crazy busy putting together the guest book, getting music ready and making the wedding cake. And yesterday his fiance went through the temple... its been a busy, busy week.

So! How did everyone do? Use the comment section to post your success stories! I want to hear how you did, what you learned, what works for you, what doesn't... tell it all! I don't know about everyone else, but I'm certainly looking forward to reading your stories!

Fathers and Daughters

Sorry, I just had to share this beautiful picture of my daughter and husband.

Wednesday Weekly

1. Three things you're great at:

2. Three things you're not so great at:

Instilling Self Esteem

I have always had low self-esteem for as long as I can remember.  When I was a little girl, I was always the "I can't girl".  I know a lot of the roots of my own self-esteem problems, but now that I'm raising my own little girl, it's been on my mind a lot.

When I scold her, I worry that it's breaking her little spirit.  When I boost her up, I worry that I could push too far in the other direction too.  How do you build self esteem without turning your kid into a boastful, prideful thing?  How do you teach humility without making them feel scolded? How do you do you strike a balance?  I would love for my children to grow up with strong, healthy spirits and not have the same doubts that I was always plagued with.  The world is hard enough as it is and getting tougher to live in with high standards and I want my children to be armed with all the confidence necessary to stand up for what's right.   

Have you found good resources?  Are there books I should read? Am I the only one that worries about this? 

Pinecone

Hey girlies... I don't know how many of you have heard of Pinecone. Its an online survey company that is usually quite hard to get into. You have to come across one of their banners on a random site, sign up, hope to get accepted! The banners are hard to find, and you aren't suppose to advertise that you find one or you can get in trouble...

But, for the first time since I've been a Pinecone participant (over 2 years now) they are allowing us to email our friends and allow them to sign up. I don't get anything for referring you, other than the warm fuzzy feeling of sharing in the money making!! The surveys are easy. You get paid right away. I usually get my checks within a week of completing the survey. Scott is always excited when the checks come in the mail. He says "Look honey! More money from the Pinecone people." Occasionally they will send you products to test. Its a great company to do work for. I would say I average $15 a month. Not a ton, but that's still enough to buy a package of diapers and wipes!!

If any of you are interested in signing up, email me at officerswife33 at gmail dot com and I will forward you the link. Then sign up and start earning a little money!