Baby Gear Much Like New Cars Depreciate In Value Almost Immediately

Jenn:

   When I was pregnant with my son I could not afford to buy new baby items. His crib was hand me down, stroller, car seat, and clothing bought at yard sales. There is nothing wrong with this. It didn't mean I loved him less or was incapable of caring for him properly. I just couldn't afford brand new things. Ten years later and better off financially, I wanted new things for my daughter. So off we went to Babies " R" Us to shop. We agreed upon a travel system, swing, and play pen that I loved. I couldn't wait for my baby girl to be born to make use of her things.Growing up poor, it gave my husband and I a great sense of pride to buy Katherine new things.I had the intention of reselling her things when she grew out of them. I made sure they were kept clean and well taken care of. I even kept the instruction manuals. Because I took good care of her things they still look brand new. There are a few marks here and there, but over all they look great.

  Recently I took her swing, travel system, a baby gym toy and a baby monitor with 2 handsets still in it's box with all the pieces to a resale shop. This shop will buy "gently used" items from parents and either give you a check or store credit. I was looking to get a check since most of the things in the store were not my idea of "gently used" and for used things overpriced. Since my things were in such good condition and many of the items in the store had sun damage or stains I thought I would receive a pretty good offer. So I packed up all my stuff and off I went.

  Now I am not an unreasonable person. I knew I was not gonna get as much as I spent. I expected at least 140 dollars for the items I took in. They offered me 80. Now I know they are a business and have to make a profit off the things they buy. But 80 dollars for 4 items that combined I paid about 380 for!!!!! Needless to say I was a little miffed. After packing all my stuff up, and waiting around for an hour for them to make me an offer I was less then pleased.

  I declined their offer and asked for my things back. They told me they simply couldn't offer me anymore. I was in disbelief. As I had previously mentioned a lot of the things in their store where not in good condition, and overpriced. I felt they were attempting to rip me off! I mean really you want to buy my swing for 20 bucks and sell it for 55? They told me I should try craigslist. I now have my stuff listed on craigslist, and already had offers! Hopefully it sells pretty fast as I don't want it in my garage forever.

  This whole experience has been a lesson to me. People are never gonna pay you what you think something is worth. I have my travel system listed for 80 dollars. Because I payed so much for it and it is less then 2 years old I feel it is worth 150. Being as I am sensible I do realize no one is gonna pay that much for it. I wish they would though!!

    I am glad that we could buy Kat all new things. Had I known we would have this issue selling her stuff I would have just bought used.


Jamie:
  Looking back at when I was pregnant with my first born, I had the idea to buy everything new.  But taking one look at the price for a crib I quicky decided that buying new was not an option for me.  Being on a military budget does not permit buying a $300 crib and $200 bed set, unless you want to go into debt.  So for me I have for the most part bought used, except for things such as socks, underwear, pacis, bottles, and pj's.  I don't see the point if your kid is only going to use it for less than a year and you definatly will not get your money back.  If you have the money and want to spoil your child Great!
    Jenn and I went into Gymboree the other day, and I really hate going in those stores.  The clothes are soooo expensive, but oh gosh they're adorable.  I do wish that I could afford to buy them, especially because I can find matching outfits for the twins.  It's near impossible to do that with boy girl clothes.  But alas I can not do it due to the fact that they'll grow out of it in less than a year.  Maybe when they're older for like the first day of school or something.  Not now, not while Andrew is a pig and ruins all his clothes.  My advice is to garage sale go online and look for deals, kids cost enough without buying them the best of the best baby things.  Also be sure to have one hell of a babyshower, people love to buy baby things, they're irresistable.  And finally keep a level head and ask yourself will it be worth it to my pocket book in the end, do I want my baby to have cute things or straight teeth later when they need braces, which by the way run about $4000 a mouth (that's $12,000 for me!) 


 

Why?

Jenn:


  Jamie and I were having a conversation today about my daughters year old check-up. I was asking her if it was normal that Kat hasn't said her first word yet. I was concerned because at her appointment her doctor had given me a pamphlet with information on where she should be developmentally. According to said pamphlet Kat should be saying 3 words other then mama or dada at this age. She doesn't. She rarely says mama, usually saves it for when shes upset. Hardly ever says dada. She babbles a lot makes lots of noise, yells. But doesn't really talk. So now of course I am concerned because maybe something is wrong! Do I not talk to her enough? Is there more we could be doing to encourage speech? Well I talk to her all the time,and try to get her to repeat me. She has talking toys and I read to her. For all intents and purposes she should be hearing enough words to carry on full conversations by now!! I think the more important question should be: Why am I worried so much because of a piece of paper? Also why does her doctor not address my concerns? Instead the doctor usually gives me more to worry about!! Example: during the appointment she asked if we had given Kat milk yet. I said yes we had given her some 1% because that was what was in the house. My doctor looked at me like I was trying to hurt my child and told me to give her formula until I got some whole milk for her. I was taken aback by this reaction because correct me if I am wrong, but aren't they the same with the exception of fat content? Now I know she's a growing girl and needs the extra fat. But I really didn't think a week of 1% was that detrimental to her development. Who knows maybe that's why she isn't talking yet!!!!! After discussing all this Jamie and I realized that all these pressures doctors and society put on parents is the reason we started this blog. The last baby I had before Kat was 9 years ago. So while I am not new to motherhood I can tell you it's A LOT different now then it was back then! The pressure new mothers or just parents in general are under is ridiculous nowadays. It's no wonder so many parents are stressed out! With the news,doctors,friends,family,the Internet,and pamphlets telling us we are raising our kids wrong we have no choice! It honestly makes me wonder how the human race survived this long. I mean how did our ancestors over come drinking unpasturized cow milk if my baby can't even drink 1%?  How have we gone from eating mud pies to practically dosing everything in Lysol? I understand that as humans we are constantly evolving, but I think maybe we need to relax some. I am sure our children not talking right when they hit a year or drinking 1%  milk won't be the end of the world!

Jamie:

It really get to me how much pressure is put on us as parents that our children have to fit this "standard" that society has deemed "normal", and if we waver a little then we feel inadequate.   It's really frusterating.  I have been running into a lot of problems with the head start program.  They interfere way too much and sometimes I question whether or not I want to keep the twins in the program.  Last week I was supposed to have a home visit where the kids teacher comes and we have a lesson plan sort of.  Well she called and told me she wasn't able to come due to the fact that Chloe's last hemo level read too low.  So I had to take her to get her blood drawn, which I had done 6 months ago I just forgot to call and get the results.  I think it's overstepping to have me take my 18 month old at the time to have her blood drawn when her hemo levels were .5 under the norm. 
  There have been times when I have questioned whether or not my child was in fact up to "normal" standards, so much so that I have taken Colin to be evaluated for speech twice!  And both times I was told he was doing just fine, but according to reading material I get from the dr. he isn't where he should be! It's just tiring.  I think we should let kids develop at there own stage and take the pressure off of how well he's counting or if she's getting the right kind of milk.  Kids need to be kids, it's no wonder we end up feeling like we're never good enough.  It's engraned in us at an early age.  All I know is I do the best that I can as a parent, and my kids are all unique and will develop on Their own schedule and time.

New Years Thoughts

Jenn:

  I hope you all had happy and warm holidays. I had to work today on New Years Day. It was good and bad. Good because I had plenty of time to think up this post, bad because well it was work! I was thinking today that I don't really like New Years resolutions. The reason why is I don't like feeling as though I have an obligation to change something about me or my life before the next year. It's kinda like I am rebelling against myself. I understand wanting to have resolutions for the New Year. New Year new start and all that. They just don't work for me! So that's why I have decided to have goals for the new year. Now I know what you may be thinking a goal and a resolution are the same thing. I don't feel that they are. To me a goal is more flexible.If you don't complete your goal no biggie you just set a new one. You don't follow through with your resolution then bad things can happen!!! At least that's how it works in my head. Now that I have given you that knowledge, maybe you can understand why I don't like starting off my year by resolving to do things I may not be able to do. My family and I have made some goals. I will share them with you now.
Goal # 1
  We are going to try to get our finances under control. This will be hard considering that I feel you should be able to have some fun with your money. You work all week get a paycheck that all goes to bills that's no fun. So I have a  bad habit of overspending sometimes. Also I have a bad habit of always thinking oh well we will get paid again and justifying a little splurging. We are setting a goal to get a better handle on our debt.

Goal #2
  I feel like losing 2 pounds a week is obtainable goal. That is my personal goal and will also help with goal #1 as we will not be eating out as much.

Well those are the 2 main goals. I have smaller ones such as starting scrapbooks for both my kids, keeping my desk cleaned off, making life less hectic, and keeping a cleaner house. I shall now leave you to your resolutions or goals. I hope you all had wonderful starts to your new year!

Happy New Year! Well almost.

aThese last few weeks have just been chaotic.  We left for our family vacation last sunday the 19th, and the trip started out really well considering we planned to leave at six in the morning and didn't end up getting out the door until nine. But hey lets face it with kids you're usually running behind schedule.  So we started the first leg of our journey to the Grand Canyon.  Our first official stop was in barstow at the marine corps base out there.  It was very desolate and we even saw some tumble weeds roll on by.  The wind was so strong that it knocked Chloe on her butt.  We stayed there for a bit and resumed our first day to Las Vegas.

        Let me just tell you that I'm not really for the whole vegas scene. I don't gamble and the place just gives me horrible vibes.  Anyway, so the grand plan was to go to a really good buffet.  I figure, hey I take the kids with Jenn all the time to a resturant, what's the big deal with taking them out to a buffet.  Well let me tell you what's wrong with taking three kids to a buffet in Las Vegas.  We get there, and get the kids situated with their food and drink.  I am sitting with the kids while Sean goes to get his plate, and after Andrew chugged his lemonade he promptly vomits all over himself.  I tried my best to catch as much of it as I could with the napkin.  Of course I forgot to bring the kids a change of clothes, and it's not like we could just leave we paid $80 for the meal!  So, Sean comes back and as soon as I get ready to take my first bite of food after cleaning up Andrew as much as I could, Chloe poops up her back. Luckily only getting on her back and a little on her pants.  I go to take her to the bathroom and there is a group of tourists taking a photo blocking the exit, finally they move and I can proceed to the bathroom which is lacking a changing station.  So I changed her on the sink, the rest of the dinner was alright considering how much we spent.  So the next time you're thinking of going to a buffet with small children remember that disasters happen usually when you're left alone.

   The next morning, Colin threw up in his bed around 3, and I was up at 7 sick myself throwing up and diahrea.  What a way to start off our trip!  That day we continued on to the grand canyon!  We stopped at the Hoover Dam.  It was really neat, had never been there before.  The wind was crazy strong and oh my gosh was it cold!  The kids were fussy so we didn't stay there too long.  I don't blame them I was cold and couldn't wait to get back in the car.  We checked into our hotel that night and had some jacuzzi time. AHHHH, relaxation!

        The next day was our day at the grand canyon!  It was so spectacular, photos don't do it justice!  It was a lot of fun and we met some cool people there.  The storm came in that afternoon, it had been a little behind us the entire trip.  San Diego and the base were flooded, Las Vegas strip was flooding from what I heard.  I'm glad to have missed all that weather.  So we saw some snow and the clouds blocked the view.  But we were able to see it more the next day after it cleared up. 

      The next day we went to my dear old friend Ashley's house.  I got to meet her son, Fiance and hairless cat!  Those things are so strange, but friendly.  We spent the night there and hung out the next day took the kids to the park and just let them have a kid day.  Then I bathed them loaded them up and we made the last leg of our journey, HOME!  I will say that it's not such a good idea driving at night.  Sure the kids are sleeping but it's sooo hard to stay awake for a 6 hour drive!  Luckily we made it home around 4 am, and I just dropped my head in the pillow and fell asleep.

    Overall it was a really wonderful trip, I'm glad to have had this time with my family.  I will forever remeber this trip and smile.  Now that 2010 is almost over, I'm looking forward to 2011 and hoping it will be just as fun and productive.  May you all have had a happy holiday, and be safe in the new year!!

                            Happy Holidays

                                                 &

                                                Happy New Year!!

So Many Reasons to Be Happy!!

Our Family 

I shall be blogging alone Jamie went on vacation for this week. Last week I wrote about things that irritate me during this season. This week I want to spread joy by sharing all the things that make me grateful for this season.

1. Christmas lights!! I love Christmas lights. Big display, small display it doesn't matter. I makes me extremely joyful to drive down the road and see them.

Kat hanging her ornament.

2. Decorating the tree with my kids. Sure my son hangs the ornaments too close together and my daughter would rather eat them it's still a great time. I love seeing the old ornaments and remembering when and where we got them. It's like family history on a tree!
3. One word: COOKIES!!!!!
4. Going to great lengths to surprise my husband. He is a present shaker and tries to guess what he is getting. This steals my joy cause then I don't get to see his happy face when he opens it. So now I find joy in wrapping his presents so that there is no possible way he can guess what is in them! How is he gonna know it's a movie when it's wrapped in a box with rice, pennies.and rocks. Take that present shaker!!!!!
5. Cookie caravan. Every year after baking ridiculous amounts of cookies my family, friends and I deliver them to police stations, fire stations,and hospitals on Christmas eve.
6.Armed Services YMCA. Every year they provide Christmas presents to at least 300 military families.
7. My daughter trying to learn to walk and dance to Christmas music. I am an experienced walker and I cannot walk and dance at the same time!!
8.Family coming over for Christmas dinner. We don't have much family here so it's nice when we can all gather together.
9. Presents!!!!!!!!!! Not necessarily for me. I love seeing the excitement on my families faces when they open their gifts.
10. Kat's first birthday! My baby is almost one!!
11. School Christmas shows. I love seeing my son in an elf hat.

School Christmas Concert

12.Christmas movies. Who doesn't feel warm and fuzzy after watching " It's a Wonderful Life"
13. My birthday. I have a complex cause my birthday is 3 days before Christmas. It gets forgotten a lot. I tell complete strangers it's my birthday so they will tell me happy birthday!
14. Christmas music


Well there it is my list of Christmas joy. I am sure I forgot some things. Overall this is a season for joy, family, and sharing. I wish you and yours all the joy and happiness of this season.

'Tis the Season......... I guess

Jenn:

First let me start saying that I love Christmas and the meaning behind it. It's just nowadays I can't help but be disgusted by people's behavior during the holidays! I have been run into, harassed by mall employees, and have even seen two people get out of their cars to ARGUE over a PARKING SPACE!!!!! All that I can kinda ignore and still try to teach my children better manners. The biggest problem I have had every year since being a military spouse is our battalions Christmas party. Let me explain. I volunteer with the battalion as a Family Readiness Assistant therefore I am involved in the planning of this party every year. The other volunteers and I spend time decorating, arranging for a Santa, and coordinating with a charity ( Words of Comfort, Hope, and Promise ran by Ms. Cynthia Martinez who is wonderful by the way!!) who has adopted our battalion. Usually the charity provides us with gifts for the Marines and there families and a dinner. Sometimes since they do sponsor other units they can only provide toys for the kids. This is no problem for most people, but this is where my irritation comes in. Every year while eating amongst the families of the battalion( most who don't know that I am a volunteer) I hear complaints about the gifts they got. On top of the complaints about the gifts not being good enough, my kids get trampled and shoved out of the way to get to the gifts people deem as cheap. Furthermore while eating the meal provided for us for free my family and I get to listen to the charming conversations ( I am being sarcastic here) of the single Marines. The whole experience is just very frustrating. Why can't people just appreciate the things given to them? Why do they have such a sense of entitlement? Why don't they know how to behave in public?  I am thankful that the battalion my husband is in cares enough about the families to even throw a Christmas party!! Let alone provide food a Santa and gifts for my children all for free!!! Apparently this is not good enough for some people though. It makes me sad that very few people are actually happy that they were thought of. There doesn't have to be an organization that provides gifts to us. These volunteers are providing us with these things because they truly are thankful for what the military does not because they are obligated too. Its is sickening to me that so many people are unappreciative. In this world we live in where so many people are down on the military it is heartwarming when people actually go out of their way to help us. Cynthia Martinez is not a military spouse. Neither are many of the people that volunteer with her organization. They are just thankful of the service our loved ones provide. So if they give me anything even just a simple thank you it warms my heart. They don't have to. I may not go to the Christmas party this year. It gets harder every year to hold my tongue around ungrateful people. The only reason I will go is because there are always people every year who actually do appreciate the things given to them.

Jamie:
This season really is one of those that makes you question what peoples real intentions are.  For the most part what I see is people trying to keep up with the "Jones'".  It's a bit ridiculous that it is expected to spend a obscene amount of money on gifts for people  that you hardly ever see and  half the time either don't appreciate it or like it.  My mother in-law has stopped doing Christmas because she used to hand make gifts for her family and they would look at her like she had given them a lump of coal in their stocking.  I love this holiday but too many times have seen the fight over the last tickle me elmo or whatever the hot toy is that season.  Coming from working retail basically since I could work I have seen the best and worst of people this time of year.  It is really sad that it's only a season where you're supposed to spread kindness and generosity, and half the time most people miss the point all together. 

Sorry just haven't had the time!

Jenn:

     I know not many people read our blog and if they do they don't wait with bated breath for us to post an entry. But I would like to apologize for the lack of timely posts. The reason is simple we were being moms and had lots of stuff going on. My daughter is sick, and has a birthday coming up. The holidays. My house never being clean enough. My sister getting married and staying with me until her house is ready. My husband playing too many video games. All reasons I haven't had time to blog. Kinda makes me think. Sometimes  as a housewife I am bored. Mind numbingly bored. Then I have a ton of stuff to do and don't have enough time in my day!!! It's like HOLY SHIT BATMAN!!! Why is everything happening at once!!!! Hopefully I will be bored again soon. Maybe. P.S. Having a sick baby sucks. Especially when you have tons of stuff to do. I am hardly ever sick so I get pretty irritated when others are. Even my kids. I am not very nurturing in that way. I think I even told my 11 month old to suck it up. I should work on my bedside manner.

Jamie:
  Ok the last few weeks have been chaotic.  My oldest son got sick which he so kindly shared with his brother, sister and me.  It's funny I never get over how hard it is to be sick when you have sick kids.  Thank God for my husband,  I was able to get a little sleep last weekend and recover enough to get throug the week.  For some reason this last week has been especially horrible.   My kids still aren't feeling well so they have been whining and throwing fits, my eldest is going through a phase of being glued to my hip and doesn't stop talking and I'm still not feeling 100%. Not to mention I'm dying for some time with adults and away from the house. I'm going bonkers!!!  It's a real relief to have a moment to blog, I still need to go get in the shower which I haven't been able to do in 2 days.  I feel at times like I'm running in  circles and don't get anything done.  It's absolutly frusterating!! Well thank you for letting me vent.  Hopefully next time it wont be so long between blogs.