Things I love Thursday - Coconut Oil!

After coming home from the store the other day I was bemoaning that I forgot to get more coconut oil and my husband said, "You should write a blog about how coconut oil is so awesome."

My husband is a genius.

Coconut oil IS awesome. I was a little sceptical when I first tried it, but I am completely hooked now. Only one, ONE, grocery store in our area carries it :( I have read both that coconut oil is wonderful for you and that it's the worst thing you could possibly eat. We haven't had any problems with it.

I like using coconut oil as a lotion - it makes my skin really soft without a greasy feel, plus it doesn't have a strong odor. It rubs in easily too. I am convinced that coconut oil is responsible for my lack of stretch marks from my last pregnancy.

Coconut oil is great to use for baking. I'm told it makes the best popcorn, but I haven't tried that yet.

The best use for coconut oil though, is as a KY substitute :) Seriously, this is why I buy the stuff.

It. Is. The. Best. Period. Natural, safe, odorless, not sticky or greasy, actually beneficial to your body, it is just awesome stuff. In case you haven't noticed, I really, really, really love coconut oil!

What do you love? Head over to the Diaper Diaries to let everyone know.

Brotherly Kisses

I turned around and caught sight of Will leaning on Evan's highchair to give him a kiss the other day.  It was so precious I grabbed the camera to catch the moment.  Brothers=love.  So very special :)  It just gives me warm fuzzies all over.

Check out the Diaper Diaries for more Things I love Thursday.

(Bet none of them are as sweet as this though :)

Elmo

I found this at the grocery store the other day & impulsively purchased it thinking it might be useful.  I AM SO GLAD I DID!  My son, being a typical two-year-old boy falls down a lot.  Before it was sometimes difficult to distract him/calm him down from being upset.

Today he fell pretty hard and smacked his head.  No injuries or anything, just a little bump & a very upset kid.  So we pulled out Elmo.  He calmed down almost instantly & put Elmo on "to kiss the owie" for longer than I can usually keep ice on him.

I decided today that I love Elmo :)

To read things that other people love, or include your own, visit the Diaper Diaries for Things I love Thursday.

The Total Gym XL

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My husband and I have just started regularly exercising together.  He wants to get in better shape, I want to fit into this adorable/sexy dress I have for a wedding the end of May.  We got a total gym for free (from our in-laws basement) and have had it set up in our bedroom for occasional use for an embarrassingly long time.

We are only doing two different exercises that are supposed to work 80% of the major muscle groups.  All I know is, it really makes you sore all over!  I think that's a good thing :p

If you ever see one of these at a garage sale/craigslist/etc. & have the room for it - I'd encourage you to get one.  They are SO easy to set up & use.  Just make sure if you have a cat he doesn't sharpen his claws on it.  Our ex-cat had the habit of doing that.

What do you love this rainy Thursday?  Head over to the Diaper Diaries to link up :)

My Vacuum Cleaner

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  Make sure to visit the Diaper Diaries (assuming you didn't just come from there :) for more Things I Love Thursday.

I love my vacuum cleaner.  I realize that may shock some people since I greatly dislike cleaning.  What can I say?  I'm weird :)

I have a Kenmore Progressive Canister Vacuum.  I had never tried a canister vac before getting married.  I wasn't too sure about it to tell the truth, but my husband convinced me.  He was right (as usual).  It is the best vacuum ever!  It's light to push, which is great since I'm ususally holding a little one while vacuuming.  It's easy to vacuum in the corners of the ceiling while I'm standing on the ground - this is amazing since I am 5' 3".  It has several different, easily attachable parts, which means I can use the vacuum on the ground, high chair, couch, and rug without any difficulty.  It has great suction and I've never had an issue with anything tangling in the beater bar.  The cord is LONG and retractable (that is Will's favorite part, pushing the button to wind up the cord) and everything packs into the top of the vacuum for easy, compact storage.  The best part?  This vacuum retails for around $300, but we found ours on Ebay for $100.  AND it lasts - my mother-in-law has the same vacuum.  It's ten years old and still going strong!  So that's what I love today.  Excuse me, I think I need to do some vacuuming now :)

PLEASE enter my giveaway in the sidebar if you haven't already done so!!!

Fruitsense Drinks

  Last time Shoppers had triple coupons I picked up several bottles of Old Orchard Fruitsense drinks.  The first flavor I tried was the key lime colada.  Blech!  The coconut left a very chemically aftertaste.  It was baaaad.  I decided to give the juice another chance (since I still had several bottles) and opened the kiwi dragonfruit one afternoon.  It is labeled the "energy" flavor and I really needed energy that day.  I was pleasantly surprised at the taste - MUCH better - light and fruity; it tasted like watered down juice.  (But not like apple juice, you know how some juices are labeled "strawberry banana cocktail" or whatever and you look at the ingredients and it's apple and grape juice?  I hate that!)  It actually seemed to work giving me energy too.  I don't know if it was actually the "energy" properties or just the fact that I took the time to drink something, but I had more spring in my step to deal with the rest of the day.  I have also tried the pomegranate blueberry mangosteen flavor and while I didn't like it as well as the kiwi, it also has a pleasantly light taste.  There are two other flavors of Fruitsense: cranberry raspberry & tangerine grapfruit, but I didn't have THAT many coupons :)

I don't think I would purchase these full-price, but with coupons they make a nice occasional treat from water.  They would also be perfect for when you are sick, since they have all sorts of added vitamins.  I don't know that I would go straight to "love" for Fruitsense...though I do strongly "like" it.  Have you tried Fruitsense?  What did you think?

Cuisinart Smart Stick

I received the Cuisinart Smart Stick as a wedding gift from a chef I worked with.  She told me that I would absolutely love it.

She knew what she was talking about!  I use this almost daily for a mulitude of tasks.  The chopper is great for fast food prep (onions, baby food, nuts, etc.) and the blender is great for pureeing soup/sauces in the pot.  The whisk attachment is only good in a deep bowl, but 
I have found that to be true with any electric whisk.  Cleanup is a breeze as almost all of the parts release easily and go into the dishwasher.  Light, easy to handle, and quick to use!  I love it!

If you'd like to see more stuff people love, head over to the Diaper Diaries for Things I Love Thursday :)

Two Thursday Carnivals in One Post - Woo Hoo Me!

Today is Things that I love Thursday hosted by the Diaper Diaries!  This is one of my favorite carnivals, because it was one of the first I ever participated in :)  I also saw a photo carnival for today on Everything Except the Grill that I am linking to.  Her theme for today is "Something you do everyday."  Well, the first thing that came to mind was changing diapers!  So I figured I'd participate in both carnivals today.  Aren't I ambitious?

So, here is my picture of what I do (several times) every day:

"Hi to all you bloggy people reading this!  My mom is going to change my diaper & that makes me so happy!"

The thing that I love today that goes along with the picture (actually, it's in the picture) is Balmex.  Desitin is good too.  Diaper rash cream.  It is awesome stuff!  My boys have been suffering from diarrhea/flu/vomiting this past week and I have been SO glad to have diaper rash cream on hand for their poor little butts.  It works wonders for them and saves my sanity.

Plus, when you buy Balmex, you can submit it for $1 rebate from Caregiver's Marketplace.  I got mine from triple coupons at Shoppers for about $2 before the rebate :)  Not just awesome working diaper rash cream - it's cheap awesome working diaper rash cream.  That's what I love!

Carnation Instant Breakfast

Geez it has been a busy week! My boys have been HORRIBLE at naps this week and I have dropped into bed each evening exhausted so I haven't posted a whole lot :( I'm hoping to come up with more of a schedule for posting to remedy this. Anyways...

This Thursday the thing I love is Carnation Instant Breakfast mix. I got some for basically free last time Shoppers had triple coupons. Will, Ken, and I tried it for breakfast one Saturday and are hooked! It isn't super-sweet but still flavors your milk, plus it really does give you energy! A quick, tasty, healthy form of energy is something I definitely love in the morning (and as a after nap pick-me-up).

For more fun Things I love Thursday, head over to the Diaper Diaries :)

A Bear of Very Little Brain

Winnie the Pooh.  My son (and I) love Pooh.  The old classic cartoons and the book are just wonderful.  I love the unique, memorable characters and the situations they get themselves into.

For his second birthday Will got a snuggly Pooh blanket and giant plush Pooh from Nana.

Winnie the Pooh is so much fun - how could anyone NOT like him?

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.  "So it is."  "And freezing."  "Is it?"  "Yes," said Eeyore.  "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."

~ A.A.Milne

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you."

 ~ A.A.Milne

Join in the fun of Things I Love Thursday over at the Diaper Diaries!

I love pacifiers

Ode to a pacifier

Biting, munching, sucking, chewing
always soothing
though small, you are sturdy and hold up well
even when my little one starts to yell
taking my place to soothe and quiet
so I am not the only diet
pacifier, pacifier without you I'd be lost
we will not lose you at any cost
and when my little one has grown too tall
I'll hang you on my tree to recall
that happy, busy, crazy season
of pacifiers, diapers, and two-year-old reason.

Want to join Things I Love Thursday? Head over to the Diaper Diaries.

Nail Polish

I love nail polish!
Painting my nails makes me feel so girly and pretty, even in my sweats :) Plus, as the only girl in our family, it's one thing I get to do ALL BY MYSELF!
It always makes me feel better if I'm having a bad day. I especially love the way my toes look when they are painted some outrageous color (like black with glitter, or red with white stripes, or purple, etc.)
I don't particularly care if painting my nails weird colors is juvenile - I like it!

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PS - I only use weird colors on my toes. My fingers are usually painted light, demure colors. Cause then it doesn't show as much when I chip them doing dishes/changing diapers/laundry/being a mom.

PPS - Want to join in the fun? Head over to the Diaper Diaries for Things I Love Thursday!

Who Doesn't?

It's Things I Love Thursday over at the Diaper Diaries - head on over to join the fun!
In honor of Valentine's Day. The thing that I love is CHOCOLATE!!!
Seriously, who doesn't love chocolate?
I have discovered since becoming a mom that I love chocolate more than ever now too. It's the perfect afternoon pick me up when I need a little extra energy. It's a great dessert as I unwind from the day. It's a quick breakfast on-the-run for busy days. It's a great treat to pack in your husband's lunch to tell him you love him.
Chocolate is the perfect food for any situation.
Forget flowers for Valentine's. Bring on the CHOCOLATE!

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What's your favorite dessert/flavor of chocolate?

Em

I had three brothers before I got a sister. I REALLY wanted a sister. In fact, I prayed for a sister. And then, the summer after I turned five years old, I got my wish. My favorite little sister. My only little sister. Eight boys and just the two of us girls. I am SO GLAD I have my sister.
Not that she's a perfect angel. Trust me, I shared a room with her forever (and the mess was all hers let me tell ya). But she is lots of fun and has a sunny personality. She's a great photographer and babysitter.
Em is the thing that I love this Thursday. 'Cause she's my awesomest little sister.



Auntie Em & Will <3

Things I Love Thursday

I was reading on the Diaper Diaries last night about how she put diaper cream on her daughter's chapped chin. Then I noticed her button for "Things I Love Thursday" and started thinking. What are some things I love?

Sleep was probably the first thing I thought. Then I read the rules and realized that it has to be an actual THING. Oh. Well, sleep is still WAY up there on my list :p

How about the internet? Without which I would become a crazy, isolated mom that only speaks baby gibberish. Seriously. What? Not tangible enough? Rats.

Um, okay how about my laptop or my cell phone? My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1525 - I bought it from my younger brother when my old laptop died. If no major accidents befall it, I hope to have this wonderful computer for the next ten years. Don't freak out, you don't really NEED the latest/greatest computer every year, Nate!

My cell phone is from Verizon. I'm not a huge fan of Verizon. But it is comforting to have a cell phone with me when I go out alone with two boys under two. Or to call my handsome husband in the middle of the day for no reason. I especially love doing that :)

Besides sleep, the things that first came to mind that I love help me to connect with the people I love. It's not the thing itself that I love, it's the people I use it for. I used the word 'love' a lot in this paragraph. Oh well, I'm feeling too brain dead to change it now. Hope you enjoyed my first edition of Things That I Love.

Sleep is still way up there.