Thanks Erika, meeting you has pushed me to get back to my goal of writing and sharing and talking about stuff...with people other than my husband. Bear with me, as kooky as my writing and actions can be. (re: reusing a Panera Bread Bowl is strictly up to you, even though I gauruntee it is frugal, stylish is how you do it...best for those with good breadbowl purses). I started the blog because I want to talk about doing fun stuff with your friends, partners, kids and families-for yourself, on a budget. I love to discuss deals and finds and love a budget-a tight one.
It's been far too long, and typing feels good. Cheers! To Erika!
Since July, things have changed a lot in our household. We took a class to become Foster Parents, which we affectionately called baby class. What a cheap date. For no $$ we spent every Wednesday night and Saturday morning together, meeting people and learning something. They served great breakfast too. I was sad when our baby class was over in November because we wouldn't get anymore free hot bagesls. I also was going to miss the women who taught the class and my foster family friends, and the time spent talking to my husband about parenting and our future on such a regular basis. Must keep in mind to have a date soon.
For the rest of November and December, I panicked as we got the house ready for whomever the State were going to send our way. I was sure we were going to get a call on Christmas Eve to go to a hospital and pick up a newborn, but it happened much differently.
They called on December 26th with two sisters, a 2 year old and a 1 year old. How could we resist? We set off to Target on the "second" Black Friday of the year after successfully avoiding the first Black Friday to get goodies for our new cuties. Well, there goes our introduction to the system. S & T (names omitted to protect identity) were only 6 months and 19 months when they arrived, two tiny sleeping bundles ushed into our living room in car seats. None of the things we frantically purchased at Target fit.
The next few days were spent loving on the girls and scrambling to get the house up to speed for our cuties-and man, did they have needs. We did have a crib and a pack and play from our dear friend Jennie's mother Joanne (thank you). We didn't have much else, some boys clothes I got at a clothing swap...and patience.
Friends came to the rescue beyond imagination. I never knew this pay it forward mommydom existed. People don't really talk about it. You have to be down.
We got some items that saved us those first few days of trying to establish who the girls were and what would make them comfortable. These wonderful things included an excersaucer shaped like a VW-beyond cool, a little table that is perfectly sized for S to eat snackies of frozen peas and halved grapes. One piece sleepers that were perfect for being in the house for a week and FOOD! I lost 14 pounds the first two weeks in January, but God love Adriane for feeding me. We must bring food to new mommies. Simple things like cold cuts, bread and fruit bowls, I didn't know before, now I know. A booster chair and sippy cup, burpies and teethers, diapers!! Thank you mommies, you saved us and helped get our two little loves very comfortable. They feel your love.
Initially, S & T slept in our room and we slept in the guest room. We slept in the guest room during the winter anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Moving them out of our room was.
First we had to get it ready. Getting their room together was a fun frugal shopping experience.
The White Crib: $50 on craigslist, with brand new Sealy baby mattress
The Brown Crib & Dresser: DYFS, the state has nice taste
The Rug: $20 at Target.
Decals: $9 at TargetChanging Table: $14 at the Goodwill
Shelf: $15 at the Goodwill
Tomorrow, I am going to a friends to meet her new baby and look in her "bins". I am very excited and going to stop at the Deli.
Update: Don't ask new mommy if she wants something, get it anyway.
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