A City Life For Me

Let me just get this out of the way up front.  No – I am not expecting.  These are not pregnancy cravings.  Sorry Grandma, grandchild #3 is not on the way. Okay, moving on.  I gave up my coffee recently for several reasons.  It is expensive.  I like it only with liquid creamer or half and half.  Also expensive.  And I was wasting a lot when I would get distracted by kids and household disasters, coming back to find my coffee cold.  You can only reheat it so many times before it looses something, you know? I have never liked hot chocolate, except on rare occasions.  Until now.  With a tight budget, the sweets have also been gone.  One night I was desperate for something hot and chocolate-y.  So Ben whipped up some homemade hot chocolate.  I was instantly hooked.  It actually tasted like chocolate – not like a powdered cocoa packet.  Smooth.  Creamy.  You get the point. But alas, hot chocolate ...

Admission: this former coupon addict hasn’t used coupons or played the “drugstore game” since moving to New York City.  I tried a few times when we first moved here, but I was quickly discouraged.  I had a hard time finding my coupons, and the newspaper here is expensive.  The grocery store that accepts coupons isn’t overly convenient, and it doesn’t double any coupons. I tried to score the free deals at CVS, RIte Aid, and Walgreens, but they were always out of the free items.  I guess it’s because there are so many people living here!  And, dragging two kids to the store when I can’t walk there and don’t always have a car isn’t easy.  So I gave up. Entere Money Saving Mom’s new book, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget.   I got the book, and the audiobook.  With Ben’s recent unemployment and the tight budget, I knew it was time to get back on the frugal track.  I was still mostly there, but slightly derailed. I found a local free paper tha...

We have been up since 1 a.m.  Elaine lost her “cookies” all over her bed.  The stomach virus has been going around several of our friends here.  While we were cleaning up the bed (and Nolan was screaming his head off in his bed), Elaine had round #2 all over the floor.  We went through 3 sets of pajamas in less than an hour! I stayed on the couch with Elaine and after some dry heaves she finally succumbed to sleep.  Then it hit her on the other end, if you know what I mean.  Poor girl was so thirsty, and kept asking for (of all things) chocolate!  But every little sip I gave her just came back up. A newly washed Bunny was soiled again in 30 minutes.  Elaine cried and cried because she puked all over Betsy, and her dolly has no more clean clothes.  My girl just wants to be held…and she wants to wear her new boots.  Nolan wants to be held, and he wants to touch the new boots.  Elaine does not like that! It’s tough being a mommy ...

Found this when I entered the room… From earlier this week:

Winter has finally descended on the Big City.  We have about an inch of crispy, icy snow.  Elaine couldn’t wait to get on her snow pants and go outside to play.  We made it a family affair and headed to the park.  Elaine got to ride along on the sled, even though there wasn’t really enough snow for sledding.  This is Nolan’s first snow.  It’s a litlte late…his snow suit barely fit!  Guess it’s time to move him up a size!   Elaine & Nolan on the sled.  Nolan was so bundled he couldn’t move!  Then Elaine insisted that Ben sit on the sled so she could pull him! Elaine kept losing her mitten, so Ben gave her his gloves.  She looked so funny with her giant hands!

I’m on a roll this week – finally doing some projects that I have pinned on Pinterest !  I captured this photo of Nolan that was inspired by a picture pose on Pinterest.  Yesterday Elaine and I made a fishing game, also from Pinterest.   We took old socks – ones that were too small, or had missing mates, and stuffed them to make fish.  In the toe of each sock is a heavy duty magnet.  We tied off the ends with ribbon, so that the ankle of the sock looks like a tail.  Then we had fun gluing buttons, wiggly eyes, bows, mustaches, and foam fins onto them.  And finally, we were able to go fishing using a dowel rod, string, and additional magnets.  Too much fun! I found the mustache in a jar of ribbons and bows that my Grams gave me.  I couldn’t resist putting it on our giant fish, and I think he is just too cute!    

I finally got it done…Nolan’s six month pictures, edited, and digital scrapbooked.  Enjoy! These pictures were inspired by Pinterest .  I finally did something that I had pinned!  (For those of you who are not yet addicted to Pinterest, let me know and I’ll send you an invite!) Ben’s new name for Nolan is “The Nolanator”.

We have Broncos fever in the Hamilton house! Go Tim Tebow!!! Beat New England!

Elaine always wants to share what I have  - even if it is “coppee” (coffee)!  Recently I gave up coffee and have been drinking tea instead.  Elaine is always asking for some, so I started giving her some milk with a little tea in it.  She likes to drink out of my pretty tea cups.  After I took this picture, Elaine wanted me to take “one more” for “Ma”.  So here is another shot! She was right – the smile is much better in this picture! Next time “Ma” comes to visit, I think we will have to do a tea party!

Nolan doesn’t have to be prompted to open his mouth.  Just hold a spoon in front of his face, and he’ll come find it!

This is a little late in coming, but I wanted to condense 2011 by listing my favorite blog posts!  Here are my top picks, in several categories… Homemaking: My Homemaking Binder – we are still using this system! T-Shirt Skirts – I had so much fun sewing for Elaine! Nursery Organization – I was featured at IHeart Organizing! Random Posts: Sledding at Owl’s Head Park The Tree that Saves Grandpa Painting Elaine’s Toes Nolan’s Newborn Pics What’s In A Name? – I think this is my absolute favorite post of the year.  Don’t know why…I just enjoyed writing it! The Height of Sisterly Love… Cake and i-keem A New York City Spectacular The Feast of Tabernacles It was a year with several big family events.  Here are the highlights, in chronological order: Kenny & Becky’s Wedding Meredith’s Graduation It’s A Boy! Elaine Meets Nolan Remembering Gramps Danielle’s Wedding It’s A Family Affair...

Nolan is six months old now.  He is crawling (army style), sitting up, and cutting his first teeth (hence the rosy cheeks).  He loves to steal toys from his sister and is very good at seeking out electrical cords to chew on.  (Elaine is the Daddy-appointed tattle-tale, and she loves to say, “Nolan.  No cords.  No-no.”)  He has a great smile, likes bubbles in the bath, and wears shoes, to Elaine’s delight.  He eats like a champ – just wave a spoon in front of his mouth, and he will open wide to let it in!  He’s my boy! :: Baseball is in his name.  Read more here !   :: Mommy’s kitchen helper.  Don’t tell Daddy! :: First Tie – he looked like a little man for church!   :: Exploring – he found the pots! :: Yum, yum!  Give me more! :: Happy Little Man