Citrus Lane March 2014

This is the 3rd month we've gotten a box from Citrus Lane. We bought a six month subscription, $126 total (no additional shipping cost) so each box is $21. My favorite box out of the three we’ve gotten so far was the February box. This post is a month late, but one advantage is now I can talk about what/how we’ve used the items in the box.

When the box came this time, Neil was having a bad day and was very clingy. I did take pictures but in between pulling things out he was crying and that made it harder to try to take pictures. If I tried to take the box away he started crying. He still really liked opening the box though- he’s getting the hang of this.

Here's a breakdown of the items and how much they would cost on Amazon as of today.

You Are My Baby Book from Chronicle Books 

It seems like every month they put a book in the box, which is great. Neil loves to read; in fact he now reads a book while we change his diaper (training early for sitting on the toilet with a magazine). With that said, I didn’t like this month’s book as much. It’s meant to be two books in one but that makes it really hard to hold the book up and turn both pages. Neil doesn’t seem to gravitate towards this book, either. But it’s still a book, which is always good for Neil, and we read it sometimes together.

In this picture you can see how there are kind of two books in one
where you can flip a page within a page.

$8.99 on Amazon but on sale for $7.92 and eligible for Amazon Prime (free shipping for me since we belong)

Push Pull Toy from Hape

The day we opened the box I would have said this was kind of a bust, too, but Neil actually likes to drag it around. He doesn’t get the concept of leaving it on the ground and pulling it behind him, though. He picks it up by the string and kinda half carries, half drags it around. It’s really cute. We actually hid this away to take to my parents’ for Easter since it’s fairly small as well. (We hid some toys so that they would be “fresh” for Neil.)

$12.89 on Amazon and eligible for Amazon Prime.

All Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes from Cleanwell 

Even after a month we haven’t used these yet. But looking it up on Amazon and reading the description provided, I think I’m going to throw this in my car or downstairs in the “’playroom” for wiping Neil’s hands, nose, etc.

$17.97 on Amazon but on sale for $11.67 and eligible for Amazon Prime. I am often surprised how much this kind of stuff costs- the lotion, wipes, etc.

Medi Buddy from Me4Kidz

This is already in the diaper bag. We haven’t used it yet but it’s only a matter of time. By the way, I love that we got a penguin.

$6.99 on Amazon and eligible for Amazon Prime.

Chronicle Books, Hape, and Me4Kidz included coupon codes as well.

So overall counting the "sale" prices on Amazon (and most of this stuff doesn't sell for their listed retail) the value of the box was $39.47. This was a decent deal for paying only $21. I think the savings from the February box spoiled us though. And honestly I think some of my disappointment is that 2 of the 4 items weren’t toys. I prefer getting something Neil will enjoy. I’m sure the sanitizing wipes and first aid kid will come in handy but they aren’t as “fun” for Neil to pull out of the box.

Happy Anniversary!

Six years ago I married the man of my dreams. Six years has flown by and I can't believe we are now a family of three. Seeing my husband also act in the role of the dad has changed who he is to me in ways I never imagined.

I hope we have many more years together and I love Dave with all of my heart.

Game night at a friend's house (when we were dating)

Easter 2010

San Francisco 2011

Savannah 2012

Dogfish Head 2012

Toonseum Party 2012

Boys Behind The Blog April Edition

This month the theme was questions from last month's final question (suggest a question for a future boys behind the blog). I left in whose questions they were with the link to that blog.

1. Your significant other’s blog; a blessing or a curse? - Joe @ Another Clean Slate  I wouldn't say it's either a blessing or a curse. I'm glad that she does it, and it's great to look back and read about some of our adventures, past and present. I've often gone back and looked over trips and stuff. And to see how much Neil has grown during the year.  
2. Do you read your wife's (or insert relationship to blogger here) blog? Brian @ Heather's Hurrah I think I just answered this above.
3. What is one thing you can do better than anyone you know?- Justin @ Our Fairy Tale Geez... I have no idea. I mean, I'm good at my job, but I think my boss is better. I'm good at playing the drums, but I know a few who are better. I'm not bad a drawing (Jen mentioned recently to me that she remembered my portrait drawings of Batman, but I definitely know someone better, my good friend Scott McDaniel). I have been known to sing Rubber Ducky pretty well. I could be the best at that, although Ernie is better (but I don't personally know him). I'm kinda like a "jack of all trades". I know a little about a lot of stuff, but master at none. lol! Maybe Jen could answer this. She knows me pretty well, and she could probably come up with something...  
Jen's input: So I know this is a sappy sappy answer but it's true. I really think that Dave is the best husband I could have. He really complements me, helps me calm down when I'm getting upset, and is there for me especially when it matters. I know that's not really what the question is asking but it's what really comes to mind when he asks what I think he is better at than other people. And this doesn't downplay anyone else's significant other- Dave is better as MY husband. He is a good man and I'm so lucky to have him. Honestly it also took a bad marriage to see what I really needed and grow up a little bit myself. And to appreciate who he is and what he does for me, and now that we have a son, for Neil.

4. What is your favorite TV sitcom from the 90's? - Sam @ Jessie Jo At Home I actually really had to think about this one. At first I'm like "what sitcoms did I used to watch in the 90's?" I've watched shows like Seinfeld and Friends, but those are my favorites. I can tell you what my favorite tv show of all times is. It was from the 90's but isn't a sitcom (maybe I'll answer that in a future post). That's the first show that I really went out of my way to watch, whether to tape it (setup the vcr to record it) or watch it with NO interruptions (no answering the phone, answering the door,etc...). I don't think I've ever done that with other shows from the 90's...  But there HAS TO BE a sitcom that I really really liked, so WHY am I drawing a blank?!?! To google I went. Searching for 90's sitcom. I found this site from Rotten Tomatoes that had a quiz, match the picture of the 90's sitcom with the name of it. I actually know every single show on this (all 20!). Some pretty good shows on here  Then I was like "oh oh oh!!! I remember now about a show I really liked but isn't on this list!" It only lasted 2 seasons, but it was really really good, it should NOT have been cancelled. The show was called "Sports Night". It was about the production of a sports news and highlight show on a sports network (similar to the tv show "30 Rock", but instead of a sketch comedy show, it's a sports highlight show). Very witty dialog and was very very good. If you're a fan of the West Wing, I've been told that the dialog is very similar to that show (same producer for both of those shows, I think).
5. If you were opening a small business or shop, what would it be? What goods or services would you sell? Nate @Kate & Trudy Hmm... I dunno... I think I'd want to open up either a bar or a bottle shop. Maybe a comic book store or a music shop. Maybe a combination of all 3. There was a bar in New Orleans, called Igor's, that Jen and I went to that was a combination of bar / laundromat / library. It was a pretty fun place  Maybe I should open up a place like that here. Who wouldn't want to have drink while doing your laundry? Get some reading in as well!

Burned Out

I have gotten even worse at posting and it's not really that I haven't had times I could write posts- I still have pictures for the March Citrus Lane Box that I haven't put into a post yet as well as a few other blog posts waiting.

 

But honestly at this point I'm burned out in every aspect of my life. When I do have some time (which is rare) it's so overwhelming to think about all that I have waiting and blog posts are the least of my worries. Sometimes I just sit on the couch and ignore everything (and believe me I don't even have time for that very often). Dave and I have started a list of things we need to do around the house. My guest bedroom has turned into a storage room. I keep cleaning it out (mostly, still have a few boxes that I don't want to put in the attic/summer heat and haven't found a place for them) and then I fill it back up again cleaning out other areas of the house. Most of our house is actually pretty picked up but then we go through Neil's clothes to get out the next size, or decide to put some of the toys he's outgrown away, etc. Plus our garage and any storage areas in the house are pretty stuffed right now. That doesn't mention any of the projects we need to do, regular upkeep on the house.

 

I also am having trouble exercising. I do have an exercise bike and treadmill at home but often when Neil is napping I'm doing other chores and I don't really have time when he's awake. He tends to be somewhat clingy, and especially lately it's been worse. I bring clothes to work and try to run sometimes at lunch with a coworker or two but that's probably been an average of once a week. I often don't get lunch unless I force it. Exercise does seem to center me though and get some of my emotions out, especially when I run. Nothing like working up a sweat...

 

Speaking of work, I won't say a lot about that but I've burned out there as well (and I think that's where my overall burn-out started). I work on the test team and you know where schedule crunch is going to come since we're last before the equipment ships. We test up to 4 systems (actually 5 at one point) at the same point on our test floor and it's hard to keep everything straight and keep things moving. There is a lot of pressure there as well.

 

Then coming home I only get a few precious hours with Neil. I try to cook dinner and make sure he has food for daycare and that in itself is another job, especially when he's clingy. He literally grabs onto my legs and I can't even move as he screams. He's perfectly fine if I'm either paying attention to him or he's in my arms. Actually, even if I pay attention for a bit and he gets busy playing, he distracts but that only lasts so long.

 

I completely can feel (I think) what the stay at home mom's are saying about not being able to get anything done. I was just thinking the other day that I don't even clean out the litter box- don't want Neil getting into that while I'm doing it!

 

And you would think I would have evenings but often I get on my laptop for work to finish things up, plus I get into work around 6am (that's kind of been pushing later lately though I have to admit) and with a pumping session at home before work I get up at 4:40am and am exhausted by 9pm. It's all just crazy!

 

I'm just hoping I can push through this. Honestly I think there are times I'm feeling depressed. So say a few little prayers that I can somehow relax a bit and calm down a little. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of my awesome son. I haven't mentioned Dave, either, but I wouldn't be able to do any of this without him. One night as he walked in the door after work (I get home first and try to have dinner ready about when he gets home, doesn't always happen), I was making dinner for that night and the following night since we were going to be going to a Penguins hockey game together (which was a lot of fun). I had all 4 burners going on the stove along with the oven, and Neil chose that day to be extra clingy. Poor Dave walked in to me almost crying, feeling like an absolute failure. Work had been terrible, I was feeling dumb, and I couldn't even get food on our table as my son was screaming. Dave just gave me a hug, told me I was doing a good job, and took Neil away so I could try to finish what I was doing. He didn't even comment on how late dinner ended up being and said the food tasted good.