Baby on the brain??

If you are thinking about starting a family, I am sure you have done some research about diapers, bottles, etc.  If not, it's never too late to start.  Don't know where to start? Ask family and friends what they used or their suggestions and build from there. 

When we decided to have a baby our decision was a little rushed.  Read my about me, it will explain why.  We didn't take the time to plan and save.  We didn't take the time to be prepared.  So while there are circumstances that prevent you from preparing for a little one, it is important to do so when you can.

When thinking about a little buddle of joy snuggled in your arms there are other factors that you don't want to consider, but should.  The biggest one is....How much that sweet precious peanut is going to cost you.  Now, I am not telling you this to discourage you from having a child, rather to prepare you for it. Having kids is an amazing blessing.  While money isn't everything, it still matters.  We live in a society where most people are living paycheck to paycheck.  When you add a baby to that you have to start finding ways to stretch that paycheck.  Maybe you can't go get your hair colored at the salon every 6 weeks or maybe your husband has to cut back on all his "toys", OR maybe you need to find an additional source of income.  Either way, being prepared makes having a baby much more enjoyable and a little less stressful.

Something to think about...Daycares can start at about $120 a WEEK and go up from there.  If you have family members that will be watching your kids for free, then you are one lucky mom/dad!!  Otherwise, my suggestion is to take a look at your monthly budget (don't have one? start one!).  If you don't know where you would get roughly $500 a month for daycare, now is the time to figure out how.  It may be time to start clipping coupons, or getting a part time job.  If you can handle this no problem, then virtual high five!!  If your budget can handle it and you have the time, I suggest taking a year of saving that $500 a month.  You will thank yourself later.  This could help too if you don't get paid for maternity leave.  If you are blessed enough to be a stay home mom, keep in mind that preschools are usually tuition based.  They are not as expensive as daycare though.  For 2 days a week I have seen preschool as low as $120 a month.  I have also seen it as high as $189 a month.  Some states offer a 4yr old pre-k that is through the school district.  We were fortunate to be able to send my oldest to one in Wisconsin that was only $25 for the YEAR!  Now we are back to paying $238 a month for preschool.  So it is a good idea if you are working and plan on leaving your job to stay home, to save as much of your paycheck as you can before you leave.  Again, you will thank yourself later. :)

Another big one is diapers!!! I know some families are doing cloth diapers to help cut cost and waste, I never ventured that way.  If you are going for disposable diapers here are a couple of suggestions.  One is to ask everyone that is coming to your baby shower to bring a small pack of diapers.  I was very fortunate with my first son and ended up with a year supply of diapers!!! Keep the receipts of the diapers you get before the baby is born.  You never know just how fast your little peanut will grow.  If you keep the receipt you can usually go and exchange your diapers for a different size as long as it's in it's return/exchange window. Also, as you enter into your last trimester you could start purchasing larger sized diapers for as the baby gets older (sizes 1/2 are good ones).  All of these things will soften the blow.  Those big economy size boxes of diapers are roughly $45 for name brands.  If you can front the money, buying in bulk will save you some money here.  If you want to try a generic brand, I found Target's to be really good when my boys got a little bit older.  I just couldn't part from my newborn Pampers in order to try them out sooner. 

Another big expense may be avoidable.  Breastfeed if you can!! It may seem odd to some at first, or it may seem too time consuming.  But think about that little peanut and how good it is for them.  The other thing to keep is in mind is how much money you will save.  A 22 oz container of formula is around $23 and you may go through it in a week or less.  So at a minimum you will spend around $95 for the month, and that is on the low side.  So like I said, breastfeed if you can!!!


Now, don't be discouraged.  The good news is that out of all the expenses in life: utilities, medical bills, mortgage/rent, etc. these three do have an end.  After about a year the formula will be gone (if you decided to go that route).  Diapers will be done as soon as you potty train (around age 2/3).  And the daycare for the most part will subside when they start school full time.  Again, this post is not to discourage you from having a baby, rather be more prepared going into it.  If you are already pregnant and haven't started any saving, it is never too late.  Babycenter.com has a calculator to help you figure out how much a child will cost.

A few more suggestions for the road.  Enroll in mailing programs.  You can get samples and coupons.  If you don't clip coupons, consider starting! Especially for diapers!!  Enroll in any free rewards programs, you never know when they will pay out. :)  Most important: enjoy every second because they really do grow up faster than you think.  I know everyone says that, but you don't truly realize it until it happens to you. 

<3 Ashley

Read it! Love it!

I just finished Wicked Business!  OMG! I loved it!! Every time I read it my desire to visit Salem, Mass. increases.  If you haven't read Wicked Appetite (the first book in the Lizzy and Diesel Novels), I strongly suggest you do!

If you read the Stephanie Plum between the novels by Janet Evanovich, then you will already have an idea of who Diesel is.  If not, Diesel is a hunky man that has special abilities that are never fully disclosed, but they seem to be magical.  Lizzy is a baker that makes amazing cupcakes.  It is safe to say that every time I read these books I get the desire to make a batch of cupcakes.  Diesel enlists Lizzy for the help in finding a stone that is supposed to posses the power of one of the deadly sins. There are of course obstacles for a little bit of action and humor.  But don't forget the attraction between Diesel and Lizzy that they can't do anything about.  Intrigued? Read the books!!!  Click here for a look inside Wicked Appetite.

Now, what to read next?!?!  Any suggestions?? There is a series my mom wants me to start, but I don't know that I am ready for anything too intense.  Sometimes you just want something light hearted! I will keep you posted!

Want to read my thoughts on having a Kindle? Click here.
<3 Ashley

EWWWW!!! That came off my fruit?!

So a few years ago I was at a friends house for a play date with our kids.  As she was getting lunch together, I noticed the grapes soaking in water.  When I asked her about it she told me that she mixes water and vinegar together to clean the fruit.  Now, I am sure some of you have heard of this, but I never had.  Like I said in my post about the refrigerator, vinegar and water are a natural cleaner, I just didn't think to use it on my fruit.  So of course the next time I was cleaning fruit at home I tried it.  Can I just say, YUCK!!! There was so much dirt left over in the bowl after I dumped out the grapes!!!  I couldn't believe it!! All these years of just rinsing my fruit off with water!!  Now I know some people wash all of their fruit at once.  While this may save on time and maybe water, I don't suggest it.  It is best to wash as needed, you decrease the chance of it spoiling faster.  I know that when you wash grapes and you don't get them completely dry, the moisture locked inside a container can make it spoil faster.  This also works with veggies!! So, get out your fruit/veggie, a bowl(or your clean sink for bigger items), and some vinegar.  NOTE: If you are using your sink, make sure it is free of any chemical residues that may be there from cleaning.  I always put the fruit/veggie in the bowl/sink first.  Then I add water and a tablespoon (or more if needed) of the vinegar.  If you can't smell the vinegar, you probably need a little more. Let the fruit soak for a few minutes, then rinse and enjoy! :)

Something to think about...Do you wash the outside of your melons and pineapple before you start slicing?  Any dirt, chemicals, salmonella, etc. that was on the outside, will go inside once you make that slice.  Last year there was an outbreak of salmonella on cantaloupe!  Better to be safe then sorry and make sure it's all clean!

<3 Ashley

Ben 10 Omnitrex Cake

For my son's 4th birthday he requested a Ben 10 cake.  He had got an "omnitrex" a couple weeks ago, so I used that as my inspiration.  For the recipe for the super yummy chocolate cake and butter icing click here.  Trust me, this chocolate cake is really good and you will be happy you made it. :)  Enjoy!!

To make this cake I poured the batter into two round pans.  I mixed up some grey icing for the base color of the cake.  Then I mixed up the black to outline the center and star tip in the black.  When trying to get the black I have found that Wilton's icing coloring is the best.  If you use any liquid food coloring it will thin out the icing making it very difficult to star tip.  Most often then not I am using a #3 round tip and #16 star tip to decorate my cakes.  Wilton has a very convenient set of them together if you are just starting out.  Click here to check them out.  If you don't want to make your own icing, I have also used Wilton's Buttercreme mix.  It is easy and very good.  To get the green for the center and the writing I used Wilton's Leaf Green.  As always when mixing icing colors start small. You can always add more, you can't take out.  TIP: Especially with the heat this summer, keep an eye on the consistency of the icing as you go.  You may need to refrigerate it for a minute if it gets too warm.  Also, when using the star tip it is best to keep the tip straight up and down.  If you do it at an angle it has a little different affect.

Let me know how you like the chocolate cake!

<3 Ashley

Who's with me?!

Just checking in to see how you all are doing with the 30 Days of Running Challenge.  Who is running with me? I have to be honest I already had a few days of wanting to give up.  Then I remembered that my friends know that I am doing this and I would feel silly to not finish.  Let me know how you're doing!  Get some of your friends to do the challenge with you! Keep up the good work!  And remember to drink LOTS of water in this heat!

<3 Ashley

To Kindle or Not to Kindle

My mom get a Kindle a couple of years ago, and for whatever reason I just couldn't wrap my head around reading a book like that.  I love having that book in my hand as silly as that can sound.  My mom kept trying to get me to purchase one and I refused.  Then my mom got the Kindle Fire and wouldn't stop talking about how much she loved it!  By that time I was thinking more about getting one just because I was tired of moving all my books from one state to another!! So when it came in the mail I wasted no time downloading 2 of the books I was missing in one of my series.  Now that I have had it for a few months I have to say that I LOVE it!! I love being able to download a book the minute I decide I want to read it.  My mother in law has a Kindle, and she loves it too.  I am sure there will be books that I purchase time to time, but for the most part I am sticking with my Kindle!

So now that I have professed my love for my Kindle, let's talk about what I am reading right now.  So I am sure many of you got sucked into the 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy the way that I did.  I was actually the first one to read it out of my group of friends/family.  If you haven't read it yet and you like a good romance, READ IT!!  There a lot of haters out there who are talking about how it was poorly written, blah blah blah.  Listen, the story line is good and it has a fantasy line down that wont disappoint.  Some things that you should know before reading the trilogy.  First, purchase all 3 books at once (you'll thank me later).  Next, if you are a Twilight fan be aware that the books are Twilight fan based.  So there are many similarities between Twilight and 50 Shades.  For example, Bella and Ana are both clumsy and a bit awkward, they take place in the Pacific Northwest and the leading man has a mysterious secret to uncover.  Also, if you are having trouble with the whole idea of Christian wanting Anastasia to be his submissive, look past it.  If you can get past all that the love story is enough to keep you coming back for more!  When I first read the trilogy all I knew about it was that it was a Twilight fan based book.  When I got farther in the book I was shocked.  But the interaction between Christian and Ana kept me coming back for more.  So, after I read the trilogy the 3rd time, my mom got on me to explore some new books.  Lucky for me Janet Evanovich came out with the second book in the Wicked series.  Did I mention I love books that are apart of a series?! Because I really do!! ;)  I read Wicked Appetite and loved it.  It has a little bit of action, a little bit of sexual tension, a little bit of mystery and Evanovich's quick witted humor.  What's not to like?!  So, when Wicked Business came out I was very excited!  I am still reading Wicked Business so no spoilers please! ;)  Read the Wicked series with me! I would love to hear what you think about it. 

My mom is a big reader too! So look forward to some book reviews from her.  Any suggestions of what to read next? I would love to hear from you!

<3 Ashley

What's hidding in your fridge?!

Around the time the crazy tornadoes went through and cause such utter devastation in Joplin, Missouri we were living in St. Louis, MO.  We didn't have the awful tornado come through, but we did get enough of the storm to knock out our power.  Thankfully it was only for about a day.  This is when I picked up on the habit of cleaning out the fridge.  I never realized how often something spills and you just don't realize it.  Cleaning the kitchen is almost up there with my hate of cleaning the bathrooms.  But since it is Monday (my grocery shopping day), we will just be tackling the refrigerator. 

I pick Monday mornings because my husband can be home with the boys while I do my shopping.  But before I go to the store, I tackle the refrigerator.  Sometimes my husband does this for me while I am at the store. Yeah, he is pretty great! :)  The main thing I do is check the expiration dates on the food and toss anything that is old.  In the process I wipe down all of the shelves.  I mix vinegar and water in a bowl and use a wash cloth.  I don't really measure how much vinegar to water.  I usually just smell it and make sure you can smell a little vinegar but that it is not overpowering. Then I go shelf by shelf.  Toss the leftovers that have been there more than a day.  Check the deli, fruit and veggie drawers to make sure you don't over look anything.  Don't forget to wipe down the sides and underneath the fruit and veggie drawers.  You would be surprised how often something spills and you don't even realize.  For Newbies: Don't use any kind of chemical clean the inside of your refrigerator.  Don't laugh either, you would be surprised how often people do this without thinking.  Vinegar and water is a natural cleaner that can clean just about anything!  If you have time to do your clean out the day of your shopping you can save your self the hassle of thinking you have something just to find it is expired!

By cleaning out your fridge once a week you ensure your new, fresh food wont get contaminated by anything that may be lurking in there.  Also, if you are like my family and move often, this can save you time later.  Nothing sucks more than packing up the house and realizing you still have to scrub the refrigerator!

Now pick a day and clean out your fridge! You'll thank me later when you bring your groceries home to a clean fridge and it is so much easier to put stuff away!

What are your refrigerator tips? I would love to hear from you!

<3 Ashley