Give a Girl Some Warning

No one ever told me that after I had Henry, random physical characteristics would change. My hair got a little thinner, my shoes went up half a size, and my eyesight altered enough to merit getting a new prescription. I have a blown blood-vessel on my nose that looks like a eternally premature zit, and although the tummy stretch marks significantly faded (thank God), my stomach still looks pizza dough that's ready to be punched down after raising (it's like the sun; just don't look directly at it). For a while I felt a little betrayed by my body, but I eventually got over it.

This is NOT Okay.

Henry got a spa-quality oatmeal bath last night, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't steal the the mix to use for my evening shower. My wash was luxurious and totally relaxing; his, unfortunately, was necessary because he's got an awful case of diaper rash. Like, the blistered and bleeding kind of diaper rash. I feel terrible about it, and never worse than when he screams as I've been changing him lately because I'm sure it hurts like hell. I can't help but think that if I had maybe just changed one of his diapers sooner or something maybe he wouldn't be so uncomfortable. I have a point for sharing this, and believe it or not, it has to do with you.

Just Don't Call Us Cheap.

I always get a little excited when I see a news story teaser for budgeting friendly tips, or when the Parade newspaper insert headlines an article about how to save your family money. You could be pocketing hundreds of dollars more a year with these easy steps! When recent figures show that it costs more $225,00 to raise ONE child from birth to age 18, what's not to like about learning how to save as much cash as possible? Especially when those projections don't even include college costs. Woof.

Then I read or see those stories and I'm almost always let down - Dan and I usually are already doing 90%  of the things they mention. We always joke that if that's the best they've got, then WE should be writing the tips.