Friday, February 27, 2009

convenience (for me!) food

While my husband is away for a few days I have decided in order to make survival of raising a toddler w/ molars coming in and sleep issues without any help, I need to make things easier on myself. I wont be cooking while he is away. I feel this will allow more time playing with our baby and keeping her happy while maintaining my sanity! (aka; not having a huge mess in the kitchen to clean up 3x per day)

While this may seem like no big deal to many of you, keep in mind that we are vegetarian and I keep my daughter on a vegan diet as well. And, we are on a budget and I generally eat really healthy. Fast food is out, 'prepared' frozen meals are out and Im not about to spend big money on gormet veggie take out.

Instead I have prepared a few things for us to enjoy while we are having some quality girl time together.

First, I made a big batch of peanut butter oatmeal muffins that we can have for breakfasts and snacks. They were a little dry so I wont share the recipe!


Second, I made a HUGE salad. I chopped up any vegetable we had, some peas and even a green apple and threw it together. I plan many things for this salad, and have enjoyed a few already!

1: Taco Salad; throw on a can of pinto beans, chips, thousand island

2: Boca Wrap; microwave boca throw in tortilla w/ salad mix and tofu ranch!

3: Soup and Salad; heat up a can of soup, pour balsamic on salad

4: Burrito; heat up a frozen burrito, throw it on salad and pour on salsa

This will keep up happy and healthy while not tempting me to eat chips for dinner or to create a big mess in the kitchen!

(of course I am posting this after he returns home as to not advertise being alone!)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

I love winning natural products!

Last week I found out I won this wonderful Zarbees natural cough syrup from Jane at All Together Beautiful.  

So many conventional products used these days are so horribly harmful to our bodies.  That is why I am converting our family slowly to living on 100% natural products.  

My daughter is first, of course!  She has never had any drugs in her little precious body.  I never even took a tylenol during pregnancy!  This cough syrup is something that we will use and continue to buy more of!

As Zarbees is completely natural and loaded with honey, your kids will love it, no horrible drug or alcohol taste!   It is packed with Vitamin C and Zinc, well known for kicking colds and boosting the immune system. 

Harmons stores in Utah seem to carry it, and Im sure others will soon!  The rest of us will have to buy it on-line from the Zarbees site, but shipping is free!

Thank you so much Jane, and thank you Zarbees!

Monday, February 23, 2009

a few freebies...

Get a free BPA free water bottle when you let 5 people (5 different emails) know about Salada tea here. 

Sign up with Quiznos for a free small sub!  Printable coupon expires 5 days from printing. 

Get four free issues of Esquire magazine from Start Sampling.

Walmart is offering Crest Strips Whitening Advanced Seal...  big long fancy name.. blah, blah, blah...

well, thats all I see worth anything right now!

does this void my warrantee?

Only kidding!  This is a real cell phone though, an old one of mine we let the little one play with as she loves 'talking' on the phone so much now.  Guess we wont be able to donate this one to any charities in need.  Oops!

I was cleaning up the kitchen, my husband was in the other room and our daughter was clearly having her own fun while her bath filled up tonight.  

Sometimes I think my laughter is only encouragement....

albertsons Sneak Peak...


Its monday already?


A smaller one this week with just a few deals:

GM Cereals and Fruit snacks 1.50 when you buy 4.  Heres $1/2 Cocoa Puffs or Golden Grahams making them only $1 each. Have any Cheerios coupons?

Soy Dream is 1.40, use .75 coupon here= .65 each (that is a screaming deal!) (when you spend $10 on participating)

Soup at Hand are 10 for $10 (ha, ha!!)

Use in-ad coupon for Premium saltines at .97 each.


Check out BeCentsAble for you local grocer!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Earning a few dollars...

American Eagle is offering a $10 gift card for a research study survey.   Sign up for their panel here!

Join with Zoom Panel and earn rewards and gifts for simple surveys!

Amazon is giving a $10 gift card for moms with children under 2 who participate in this short survey. 

okay, and this one is not survey related, but Gevalia is having a really great deal right now.  They are offering 3 boxes of coffee and a stainless steel coffee mug for just $3. 

 This is one of those subscription things where you have to cancel the minute you get your order, like the free magazine 'trials'.  I have no problem doing it with magazines, I just haven't done it with coffee before.  Its really not that much hassle for practically free, really good coffee.  I've heard of many women who have successfully done this....  this might be one of those deals worth grabbing!  hmmmm....


When convenience isn't.

A long time back I got ahold of some really great Campbells coupons that earned me a number of these Soup at Hand meals free.  

This is normally something I would not purchase as it is not very natural, requires microwaving (literally zapping some of the nutrients out), nor is it filling.  

Every time I nuke one of these suckers it seems to make a mess!  Two different houses, two different microwaves and following the directions each time.  Then I have to add spices, salt and pepper and tabasco to make them palatable!

We have to remember just because we think we spot a good deal doesn't really mean it is a good deal! 

 These certainly WERE worth free, and I would be happy to try them again.  For .25 cents or less!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

sleeping better

Well, technically you can say she has slept through the night twice in a row!  Technically, because 5 hours straight counts as a 'full nights sleep' according to the 'experts'.  

(how can we trust these so called experts if they feel 5 hours of sleep is enough!  hmmm..)

I think she is learning that nursing is great for comfort and food, but she can sleep without it.  She now finishes nursing and rolls over to go to sleep!  She only woke up twice last night and only once the night before!  Getting her to bed is easier as well, thats dads report at least!

We have our early dinner (5:30pm sharp-ish) and early bath(6:45pm) and bedtime(7:45-8:15ish- we are working on that!) firmly in place.  I am doing WHATEVER it takes to get 2 naps in during the day.  Weather I rock and nurse her for an hour, or go for a drive in the car, I make it a priority to get her to nap at least 1 hour 2x per day.  That really is the hardest part right now!
I had a lot of faith in The No-Cry Sleep Solution and now I have even more faith!

We are still working on creating a 'lovey' for little one.  She has never had a favorite stuffed animal(I am her favorite 'lovey'!), so we are sleeping with a bunch of them!  Its such a funny sight to see stuffed animals all over our bed.  We are so NOT stuffed animal people! (as adults, you know)  I think she is getting more attached to them now and will slowly send them to her crib one at a time.

Also, the nap issue I will continue working on.  Maybe I will try to see if she will nap in our bed during the day...

Anyway, off to a good start today!  Nothing beats waking up happy and rested!  Yippee!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Free Eden Organic Pasta!


Check out my bloggin' friends awesome giveaway here on All Together Beautiful.  She is giving away some whole wheat organic pasta.  My 2 favorite things; Organic and Food!!

Be sure to look through her blog, she has a few other giveaways as well.  I think she is becoming quite the blog queen!

Monday, February 16, 2009

The Albertsons Ad is here...




Looks like there will be some good deal scenarios with the buy 10 save $10 deal through Betty Crocker/Pillsbury/Progresso catalina.  (the $10 will be a catalina, (aka; coupon for $10 usable @ albertsons for any groceries) to use on your next shopping order)

Progresso Soup is 2 for $3 or  10 for $15, get $10 back= .50 each!! (we should have some coupons as well!!)

Check out the Grocery Gathering for your local grocers! 

Did anyone see any great scenarios?  I'll dig through my coupons and see what I come up with...

Friday, February 13, 2009

sleep much?

I was going to get myself some coffee this morning and my daughter some juice w/ liquid vitamins.  Yup.  Thought I'd have her vitamins in my coffee instead.  Mmmmm... B vitamins...


It was great to start the morning out with a good laugh though!

Actually, we did start the morning out all smiles.  For the second night in a row!!  I think this sleep plan stuff is working already.  I remember a few times last night when she woke to nurse, finished, then ROLLED OVER to sleep.  WITHOUT me!!  I cannot believe it.

Which brings us to why she didn't wake up miserable and crying like normal, maybe she knows she can now sleep without it (it being nursing) and is not distressed when waking as she doesn't feel like she is missing out now.

We really struggled to get her down to sleep last night.  My husband was finally successful by rocking her.  I am scavenging for ways to get her to nap during the day as well.  I think many of these issues are heaviest right now with her molars coming in.  I took a 30 minute drive today to finally get her morning nap in.  We tried rocking, nursing, walking around, lullabies....  Hopefully her naps will get easier too.

All in all, I think Elizabeth Pantley is on to something.  We are planning to progress each day (and Night!).

I thank you for all your warm thoughts and support.  Everyone has been so kind and inspiring.  I know everyones wishes and advice will help us make it through this hurdle.  I know that we all may raise our children differently but we do have in common the fact that we are all doing it the best way we know how, with our treasured families and children first.

Lets all sleep well tonight.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

feeding the birds: free

Just the other day after a trip into town to drop off a package at the post office, I noticed how nice of a day it was.  My daughter was in a great mood and it felt like such a shame to rush straight home to clean as usual.  I knew I had a bag of possibly stale cheerios in my diaper bag and I had been wanting to see how the little one liked feeding the birds.

Our post office is in our downtown, which consists of a waterfront park and some cute boutiques.  I did something I am only now learning to do, and on a whim took her to the waterfront for some fun.  It was a little breezy, but we had jackets and hats.

Approaching the park I did not see any birds and was concerned this idea was bust.  I decided to toss a few Os over the fence to see if I could get any action.  Not 10 seconds later the lawn behind us was covered with maybe 30 ducks!  The little one squealed with delight and if you can imagine we had a wonderful time.  She still makes the duck 'quack' today!

As I now want this to be a normal activity for us I thought of a great way to collect 'bird food'.  

I put a jar on the kitchen counter and have started to fill it with any stale crackers or pretzels she doesnt finish, the bottom of the chip bag or whatever else would get otherwise discarded!  I will keep baggies of it in the car for those spur of the moment joyful events!

For anyone who knows me, this was a ever so much needed break this week!  We had so much fun and are planning to go saturday morning with daddy.  

I will report tomorrow how night #2 with the sleep schedule goes.  Night one was okay!!

For more fantastically frugal ideas check out one of Crystals many blogs.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

the no-cry sleep solution

Well, I have a couple of blog posts only partially done, I am hoping to finish them in the next few days!  Our lives have taken a little bit of a sudden turn when I decided last week that I just cant live with our sleeping patterns anymore.  Something has to change before I completely loose my mind.  I am totally serious.  Seriously.  Totally.  Totally and seriously.  I am not kidding.

I had previously mentioned the fact that our daughter wakes up numerous times during the night to our pediatrician and she basically said 'thats what co-sleeping, breast fed babies do'.    Great, thanks.   

I also had been unable, until just recently,  to connect with anyone I know who does both of these things.  Anyone!  Most families co-sleep and bottle feed or breast feed and allow baby to 'cry it out' or the so wonderfully coined 'self sooth' (by bawling their eyes out for you???).  There are a few moms who state their dear babies slept through the night from the beginning.  I wonder, are they taunting me?  Kidding, but really?  How is that possible.

Anyway, I just discovered this wonderful author, who happens to live in the super awesome state of Washington as well!, named Elizabeth Pantley.  I actually left a comment on one of the greatest attachment-parenting type give away blogs; Mama In Flip Flops2.  I didn't win, but ordered the book anyway even before she drew names!  I knew it was meant for me to read.  I knew it.

Elizabeth Pantley is a mother of four.  She supports breast feeding and co-sleeping, as well as most of the american 'modernized' methods of child raising.  She feels any variation of the 'cry it out' method is truly just not answering babys needs.  Finally, someone who doesn't want to suffer but at the same time doesn't want their sweet child to suffer either.

I started to read monday, a difficult task these days with a toddler that wants everything I touch or look at!  Oh, and her molars are coming through, I actually just discovered that this afternoon after she wouldn't stop screaming.  I went to give her some of my clove teething oil and reached back there and felt what I can only describe as a small marble pressing up through her gums.  The poor sweet dear.  Some of the 'magic numbing oil' and chamomile tablets quickly helped.  

So, as I was saying.  A few pages into the book and I was getting teary.  I do blame this mostly on sleep deprivation!  But, by the time I hit page 20, I was in a full on cry-it-out-cause-you-don't-know-what-else-to-do-session.  

Here is what did it, actually its on page 11, a quote from one of Elizabeth Pantleys 'test' mothers;

''I am truly distressed, as the lack of sleep is starting to affect all aspects of my life.  I feel as though I can't carry on an intelligent conversation.  I am extremely disorganized and don't have the energy to even attempt reorganization.  I love this child more than anything in the world, and I don't want to make her cry, but I'm near tears myself thinking about going to bed every night.  Sometimes I think, 'what's the pint?  I'll just be up in an hour anyway''..... ''

It really hit home for me.  That could have been out of my mouth.  If I were only coherent enough to state it so eloquently.  No, instead I am spending my time loosing most things I put my hands on, putting the crackers in the freezer and being unable to finish sentences.  Sleep deprivation does not sit well with me.  

Last night we started step one in Elizabeths plan:  the sleep log.  Oh, how I dreaded writing down every waking moment AND how long she was up.  It really wasn't that bad, I mean, hey, I was up anyway.  :-)  

Funny thing, when she woke me for the third time last night, at 5:30 am, I was actually peeved because we had gotten so much sleep!  I wanted a 'bad' night of almost no sleep for our first log.  I thought by doing so, our results would only get much, much better.  After doing the math, I learned on our 'good night' the longest stretch of sleep we got was 3 1/2 hours.  Not cool.

Step two was today: the nap log.  I can sum that one up: a nightmare.  With her current teething, and me allowing her to fall asleep nursing  for the past 15 months, I have had a really tough time now getting her to sleep without her 'pacifier', if you know what I mean.  After letting her doze in my lap for just over an hour I had to call it quits.  Truthfully, I needed to run to the restroom.  Breast feeding makes you thirsty, ect. ect..

I was able to pretty much finish the book while she was napping and was more prepared for step three, our nighttime routine.  We had a very early dinner, an earlier bath, a much quieter and dimmer house, and now, an early bed time.

I am so afraid for step four, weaning her off the breast for sleep.  Her teachings sound wonderfully gentle and still encourage answering babies cries in ways I am comfortable with,  I am just really scared to have a horrible and long night.

This will be 100% of my focus for the next week or two.

Wish us luck.  The good Lord knows we will need it.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

I will do as many no-prep, no-cooking meals this week as possible.  There are a few organization projects I want to finish around the house,( you'll see a few tomorrow) a couple things I need to finish for Etsy,(hopefully you'll see by the end of the week)  a book to read called The No Cry Sleep Solution, (I think I will share my readings and progress...)  Im got to page 50 today and I actually, truly have hope that I may be able to get some real sleep one day soon!  (oh, without sacrificing my daughters emotional needs)

Here it is:  short, sweet and minimal effort

monday
just the girls- leftovers from the fridge

tuesday
lipton teriyaki noodles
broccoli
morningstar farms asian patty

wednesday
macaroni grill pesto type pasta w/tomatoes added
green beans
green salad

thursday
taco soup
chips

friday
pizza night

saturday
stir fried tofu
veggies
rice

sunday
spaghetti
fresh bread
salad left?


groceries;
more lettuce?


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Albertsons Sneak Peak...

I hope everyone got to take advantage of last weeks great deals.  This week looks a little dismal...



Sara Lee bread is $1.67

Arm and Hammer 20lb cat litter is 5.99.  Go here to print $1 off.  Not a bad deal.

For more great grocery deals at your local stores, check out The Grocery Gathering!


Saturday, February 7, 2009

why I don't do 'diet'


Okay, now Im going to bore you with some of my healthy propaganda...

From ABC News: (whole article here)
A Purdue University study released Sunday in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience reported that rats on diets containing the artificial sweetener saccharin gained more weight than rats given sugary food, casting doubt on the benefits of low-calorie sweeteners.

"There's something about diet foods that changes your metabolic limit, your brain chemistry," said ABC News' medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard.
Though Savard said more research needs to be done to uncover more information, the study does hint at the idea that the sweeteners alter a person's metabolism.
Savard said another recent study, which included more than 18,000 people, found healthy adults who consumed at least one diet drink a day could increase their chance for 
weight gain.

"Splenda/sucralose is simply chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon. Common chlorocarbons include carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethelene and methylene chloride, all deadly. Chlorine is nature's Doberman attack dog, a highly excitable, ferocious atomic element employed as a biocide in bleach, disinfectants, insecticide, WWI poison gas and hydrochloric acid.

"Sucralose is a molecule of sugar chemically manipulated to surrender three hydroxyl
 groups (hydrogen + oxygen) and replace them with three chlorine atoms. Natural sugar is a hydrocarbon built around 12 carbon atoms. When turned into Splenda it becomes a chlorocarbon, in the family of Chlorodane, Lindane and DDT.

Dr. Bowen continues: "Just like aspartame, which achieved marketplace approval by the Food and Drug Administration when animal studies clearly demonstrated its toxicity, sucralose also failed in clinical trials with animals. Aspartame created brain tumors in rats. Sucralose has been found to shrink thymus glands (the biological seat of immunity) and produce liver inflammation in rats and mice.
"In the coming months we can expect to see a river of media hype expounding the virtues of Splenda/sucralose. We should not be fooled again into accepting the safety of a toxic chemical on the blessing of the FDA and saturation advertising. In terms of potential long-term human toxicity we should regard sucralose with its chemical cousin DDT, the insecticide now outlawed because of its horrendous long term toxicities at even minute trace levels in human, avian, and mammalian tissues.

"Synthetic chemical sweeteners are generally unsafe for human consumption. This toxin was given the chemical name "sucralose" which is a play on the technical name of natural sugar, sucrose. One is not the other. One is food, the other is toxic; don't be deceived.

Aspartame: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
(from Mercola.com -whole article here)
Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:(2) Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. The book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," by James and Phyllis Balch, lists aspartame under the category of "chemical poison." As you shall see, that is exactly what it is.


There are so many alternatives out there!  Stay away from the poison!

my coupon shopping this week...

ahhh, finally!  It has been awhile since I have done some serious coupon shopping.  Not that this is a TON of food or anything, but I still count it as a major coupon trip as I used coupons and sales for everything!
Oh!  I forgot to add in the shopping bag that came free with my Quaker purchases!  I think it is adorable and as we only use cloth grocery bags now, it will come in quite handy.

Our Albertsons did a double coupon deal.  I was able to use 4 double coupon coupons!  This made my granola bars .50 and the lipton Asain Sides (GREAT with broccoli) .25.  Funny, I got better deals on the other items without double coupons!  The beans were 10 for $10 and I used $1/1 coupons, I had a free soup coupon and the coffee creamers plus can of store brand coffee (eeew) was .50 total!

All said and done I spent $2.42.  

Friday, February 6, 2009

Bringing Back Celery.

Is this in your fridge??  Don't toss it out!


How often do you buy celery only to use two stalks and discover a week later that it has turned limp.  Now what to do?  Sure, you can cut it up and toss it in soup.  But, why not just revive it and start over?

Cut the bottom 1/2 inch or so off the celery and place it in a glass of cool water.  Place in fridge and check it after 24 hours.  It should have 'drank' some of the water and come back to life!

Yeah!  Its just that easy.

For many more economical tips in these tough times check out Biblical Womanhood!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

My favorite Veg Cookbooks

I am asked all the time where I find good vegetarian recipes.  I thought it might be fun to post a list of my favorite books and websites.  I mainly cook vegan.  If I am going to put energy into something, Im going to do it right and not load it with extra fat, calories and other stuff that wont keep our bodies at optimal health and feeling great.

Oh, and just for fun, maybe I'll post some corresponding Amazon advertisements on the side here to make it easier if any of you are interested in making a purchase!!  I recommend the used versions, shipping is the same unless you spend over $25 on new books.  (hint:  click on the used price otherwise it will take you to the brand new, higher priced book)

I know, I know, such a shameless way to make a buck.   I have bills to pay too!  ;-)

My favorite books:

My favorite Crockpot book is Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson.  All of the recipes are really easy to prepare and always good and very healthy, generally low in fat.

One book I have relied on for years for simple and even more complex tofu recipes is Tofu Cookery by Louise Hagler.  I use many of her base recipes all the time, my meatloaf if a version from this book.

I really enjoy anything by John or Mary McDougall.  They keep things very, VERY simple and the recipes are the ultimate package if you want to loose a few pounds or just stick to a very healthy, low fat, no sugar diet.

I was given a wonderful book from a California restaurant called The Real Food Daily, by Ann Gentry, cookbook as a gift.  I have only made a few items in it, as they are more complex in preparation, but they are by far the very best vegan foods I have ever eaten.  She uses some atypical ingredients in her foods for the most amazing results.

My mother has Fast Cooking in a Slow Cooker and I have copied many really great recipes from it!  I really need to get my own copy I guess!


Some of my favorite Recipe Websites are:

FatFree.com:  their site is a little 'basic', but I always find what I want there.  I would guess almost half of their recipes are vegan, the rest vegetarian.

The Post Punk Kitchen is just a kick to visit.  All vegan and very funky!

I really like Vegan Mania.  They don't have a ton of recipes, but everything I've made there was good!

I actually use the Morning Star Farms recipes on occasion when I want to 'not cook' and just fancy up some prepared goods.

I have just recently found Fat Free Vegan and have bookmarked a few things.  I have yet to try them yet, but they are making me hungry!!

I also used to subscribe to Vegetarian Times, my subscription recently ran out and I've gotta renew again.  They always have TONS of wonderful, seasonal recipes in them. (and good coupons, too!)

Happy Cooking!

and the winner is...


Lucky number Seven won my Sweet Sydney Bean soap giveaway! I appreciate all the wonderful suggestions, advice and kind comments, thanks guys!  I will do my best to fulfill these!

So, what did Rachael from Beans and Rice win??  She won a Parfait gift set containing one of my cupcake soaps and a matching lotion.  Both pure and natural without any preservatives so she can even feel good about using them on her girls!  

I am also going to throw in my favorite Summer Lemon Organic soap bits, as I know she is a cloth diapering momma too!  Actually, these are wonderful for all child cleaning needs.  Just drop one in a cup of hot water, let dissolve and transfer to a storage container.  Many moms keep the formula in a spray bottle to spray on baby bottoms or clean cloths for safe and easy clean up after meals!

(I actually keep some small cloths pre-moistened in a wipes container in my kitchen drawer, cleanup could not be easier!!)



I know I don't advertise my giveaways very well, so just keep a close eye out for my next one!  

And, for everyone who is interested in trying my products or purchasing a gift from my Sweet Sydney Bean shop I will offer a 20% discount on anything purchased through the end of the month!!  Just type in 'Blog Discount' and I will manually adjust on your bill before finalizing!!


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

7
Timestamp: 2009-02-05 16:05:30 UTC


Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Commissary Deals Pac NW


A few really good deals I saw...

Muir Glen Tomatoes had a $1/1 coupon on the back for $1/1 when you buy organic soup.  Soup is 2.59 and tomatoes .89 - .75 from paper insert and $1 on can=  .84 for tomatoes AND soup

Eight O'Clock Coffee 3.00 ($1/1 found in bags of coffee)

Honey Bunches of Oats 1.59

Jolly Time popcorn 1.09 a few $1/1 or $1.50/1 here

Kashi soft Bars 2.09 recent $2/1 printable here

Wacky Mac pasta .89 recent .50/1 = .39



Tackle It Tuesday!




    
Over the past 2 weeks I have been very busy working on various project around the home.  My two 'tackle it tuesday' projects got thrown aside while I got distracted with other projects.  

Here are my before and afters.  Its nice to be able to use our bulletin board again!      

I also bagged up the rest of the clothes and toys our daughter just grew out of and those are going to storage for now.

Next week the changing table should be out of the pictures!!  She hasn't let us 'hold her down' to change her in probably 6 months or so.   She prefers standing! 

I am going to find another place to put her diapers, her many, many big bulky cloth diapers!  And her wipes warmer.  I also plan to finish painting the trim in her and her closet door.   The home we just moved into was only pre-owned for a 'brief' time (3-4 years?) and the previous owners didn't get a chance to finish everything.    We have a lot of projects ahead of us for the next couple of weeks in order to complete her room!  I am excited and will post more pictures of what we 'tackle' next week!!

Does anyone have any big projects they are tackling this week?

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