Early Learning

I've always loved learning new things. I enjoy a challenge and solving problems. So it's only natural that I take on some new challenges when it comes to Julia. This week I began Julia's "early learning" as the section in her baby book states. She loves to be stimulated and involved. She's always been an observer and I really think those wheels in her head turns non-stop - even in her sleep! So in order to fulfill her needs, early learning is starting early - at 7 months old.

• This week we began "Baby Can Read". She sits and watches it for about 15 minutes- usually with a bottle in her mouth. I'm trying to associate it with good things so eventually she will sit and watch it without Mommy sitting with her. I know this is something that is going to take months of doing to yield results. Right now my wild woman of a daughter will only watch it if I sit with her. I do love the time with her. It feels good that I am giving her this gift.

• Next Jarred came home the other day discussing Baby Sign Language. He had dinner with a woman who had taught her child a few signs and it was helpful. Jarred was sold! I ordered 2 books and flash cards so now Julia is set up to learn baby sign language. We've been discussing the signs tonight. Next weeks signs to work on:  more, all done, bed, sleepy, milk, food, help.  We'll probably work on these for 3 weeks before introducing more. Afterall she is only 7 months     and those fingers and hands just don't go in the desired direction all the time.

• On Tuesday Julia attended Gymboree for the first time. She LOVED it! Each week she will focus on a different style of play/learning. Last week was tactile. However, some many of her senses were stimulated and she was completely intrigued. Of course I joined so every Tuesday we will be attending her class along with other days we can drop in and she can play and learn. There is also a music class that I really think she would love. She enjoys any of the musical instruments she gets her hands on. She bangs her xylophone but holds the stick correctly 50% of the time.

In a few weeks I hope to start swim lessons but that involves me in a bathing suit so we'll see. Sorry Julia but Mommy has her limits and bathing suits at this point are one of those limits!

Playdate with Lilly

"Is your Mommy crazy like mine?" asked Lilly.

As Julia listened intently, she replied "Yes! I thought I was alone!"

Julia and Lilly are starting to be able to interact with each other. Julia is the passive one while older Lilly is the one in control. It will be interesting to see how their relationship evolves as the both become mobile and vocal. They are so cute together though. I can see a great friendship in the making...if Lilly doesn't keep hitting Julia.

She loves this! Off to Target tomorrow to pick one up.

Julia loved the puppy. She got so excited when it came around. I guess we're getting a dog.

"You're so funny Lilly."

My musically inclined child picked up the xylophone immediately.

This is for you Nana and Aunt Beth.

Love at the McNeals

It was another great Valentine's Day although quite different this year. However this year I am filled with more love than I ever imagined possible.

The big weekend was kicked off with tha arrival of a bouquet of cala lillies, tulips and orchids. Jarred had planned a romantic dinner Saturday night at Prime 108. We ran around like crazy people all day getting the house ready for a showing so by 7:00 we were tired! However, we enjoyed dinner and drinks out and were ready for bed by the time we got home at 11. It's so funny how our conversations 2 years ago was all about us and our future, then last year we talked about the pregnancy, this year we talked about Julia the whole time with a dash about our dreams. So funny how things change but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Saturday Bouquet

Today we got Part II of our date. The day began with the arrival of a dozen roses. Yeah,  how wonderful is my husband. We spent the morning playing with our daughter, watching Love Happens and eating Samoa Girl Scout cookies - can every Sunday be like this?? Katy arrived at 1 and we headed to see the movie Valentine's Day.

Sunday Roses

I am so blessed to have so much love in my life.I have a husband who loves me and a daughter who adores me. But the greatest gift was the smile that Julia had waiting for me when I got home from the movies.

My Funny Valentine

Sleep Update - Julia Slept In Her Crib All Night!

Yesterday Julia took all of her naps in her crib and slept for atleast an hour both times. So last night was the night I was nervous about. I just knew she had to get out of our room because I was no longer sleeping. Not because she was waking up but just little noises would wake me.  Plus when we were coming to bed we were waking her up and ruining her deep sleep.  So last night Jarred laid her down in her crib around 6pm. He left the room and not a peep. Around 12:30am she let our a yell but fell right back to sleep. Same thing at 4:30. She woke up finally at 7:30 and played in her crib for an hour. Let's so hope this isn't a one time thing and that it continues!!

I am so ready to get MY beauty sleep again. Julia obviously gets her beauty sleep but now Mommy needs it! We are going to New Orleans in mid-March and the thing I look forward to the most - uninterrupted sleep! Then I'll appreciate the architecture, spa, food....but I look forward to sleep the most!

Taxes Suck!

So somehow I was nominated to attempt to do our taxes this year. I have always done my taxes and our taxes (since tying the knot) using turbotax. It was always pretty straightforward and easy. However this year is a quest - a quest to regain my sanity!! Let's look at what I have to manage in this year's taxes.

• Jarred's EngleMartin job
• Jarred's Real Estate flips
• Jarred's Side Consulting Job
• Job expenses for EM
• Job expenses for his other 2 jobs

Sure I could just enter all of the money earned but WE NEED RIGHT OFFS!!!!! So hence the loss of my sanity! Can you deduct mortgage interest for home office even if it's deducted already ....can we even deduct home office expenses since it's a part time gig?? I know I can read the IRS Manual but do I have time?? This is what accountants are for! I can claim to do a lot of things but jumbling numbers and turning them in the be accounted for is not one of them. I'm pretty sure that if I turn it in we'll get audited and I'll go to jail. It's so confusing. I think Jarred likes to watch me cringe as I enter numbers and watch the refund go red back to green back to red. Isn't this what an accountant is for? I know TurboTax is so easy and reliable but I'm scared to death to hit the send button. You have to have an actual knowledge of tax law to do these detailed taxes. Even HR Block shoudn't touch these! Wish me luck!

Shopping Cart Cover Drama

So back in February I ordered Julia a custom made shopping cart cover. I carefully picked out the right fabrics and added all the bells and whistles a baby or mom for that matter could want. This thing had a built in pillow, attachments for toys, a bottle holder, leg flaps and safety cords. So I paid my $83 with my Visa and began to wait. Estimated arrival: 1/11/10. In those two months I fell in love with it and thought about how easier life would be once I could sit Julia is a shopping cart. I dreamed of strolling into Target with the baby on my arm and sitting her in the cart and strolling around....notice all the strolling. Life was going to be easier! Grocery shopping would no longer be a chore I had to do on nanny day. Try unloading a buggy with a 17 lb baby strapped to your chest - not happening. So, I decided I would be patient and wait. Afterall I really didn't need it until Julia was sitting on her own. Flash forward to today.

It is now three weeks past the estimated arrivall. Julia is quite capable of sitting up without assistance and would rather see the world that way. So this creates a bit of an issue. I don't want to sit her in the cart this small without a cushy cover but I don't want  to buy one until I know the whereabouts of my already paid for Kozypal. so why not just contact them and ask? I HAVE! I have emailed via gmail and via their online contact form. When using the contact form on their website I always receive an automated response that states someone will contact me within 24 hours and if not then resubmit my inquiry....I've now resubmitted 10 times! So just do the old fashioned way of contacting - call. I do. EVERYDAY I call at different times. Sometimes it just rings forever and somedays I get the phone companies "this person is not availble to take calls" answer. No answering machine to leave a message. My calling the Better Business Bureau threat on the contact form didn't even get them interested. So today I found out I'm not alone. Another mommy blogger had it happen to her and she disputed the charge only to have the Kozypal arrive a week after the charge was disputed. She had another mom contact her about this as well.

This company seemed reputable. Even Oprah recognized her cart cover at some point. However now the Kozypal blogs and newsletters aren't even updated. This is the worst customer service I have ever experienced. I'd rather have a rude woman to talk to than no woman at all. I need my cart cover!!!
Tomorrow I will call the bank to start the process of disputing the charge and I am going to report them to the BBB. This is ridiculous. On top of it the owner is a mom! she should know how important fast customer service is to new moms. I don't have time to track down my cart cover however thanks to this company's poor service I am having to make time.