The Next Generation of DigiScrappers - Ages 29 and Younger

[JenniferG]

There's a Grannies Thread and a Thread for those who are 30-something, and a thread for Men, but not one for us younger scrappers (I'm 26)....even though all are welcome to join any thread. So I thought I'd create a thread just for us 29 and younger! Of course, anyone is more than welcome to join!

So start chatting!!!

[JenniferG]

It seems as if people are starting their scrapbooking addictions earlier and earlier in life, wanting to preserve the memories of their families. So, when did you start digiscrapping? Why? Just curious.

I started traditional scrapping when my firstborn was 3 months old. When she was 9 months, I converted to digiscrapping. It took me 6 months to create about 30 layouts the traditional paper way, and in less than a year I had easily 3 times more than that!I've never looked back!

I scrap because I want my children and children's children, and so on and so forth to have these memories recorded and preserved; to know where they come from, what they looked like, what we thought and felt, and what was going on around them now. I also scrap because these stories were lost to me. We don't have much knowledge about our own ancestoral line. One day, I'll pay to have a geneology company research for me. I'm in the process of collecting stories from my grandparents and any photos they may have. My mom's parents are both gone, so I can't gleen anything from them. My mom's dad died when I was a small child and my grandmother died when I was a teenager. On my dad's side, we don't really talk much about our feelings or discuss things like how things were when Grammy and Pop-pop were kids, so I don't have stories from memory. I'm stepping outside the comfort zone of our family and asking them to share these with me for the sake of our future generations. I believe it's important, and it's a shame that I didn't ask sooner. To truly know yourself, you must know where you come from and who sweat and toiled and bled so that you could have the life that you have now. That's my motivation. That's my drive. That's why I scrap.

[happybeingamom]

It seems as if people are starting their scrapbooking addictions earlier and earlier in life, wanting to preserve the memories of their families. So, when did you start digiscrapping? Why? Just curious.

I started traditional scrapping when my firstborn was 3 months old. When she was 9 months, I converted to digiscrapping. It took me 6 months to create about 30 layouts the traditional paper way, and in less than a year I had easily 3 times more than that!I've never looked back!

I scrap because I want my children and children's children, and so on and so forth to have these memories recorded and preserved; to know where they come from, what they looked like, what we thought and felt, and what was going on around them now. I also scrap because these stories were lost to me. We don't have much knowledge about our own ancestoral line. One day, I'll pay to have a geneology company research for me. I'm in the process of collecting stories from my grandparents and any photos they may have. My mom's parents are both gone, so I can't gleen anything from them. My mom's dad died when I was a small child and my grandmother died when I was a teenager. On my dad's side, we don't really talk much about our feelings or discuss things like how things were when Grammy and Pop-pop were kids, so I don't have stories from memory. I'm stepping outside the comfort zone of our family and asking them to share these with me for the sake of our future generations. I believe it's important, and it's a shame that I didn't ask sooner. To truly know yourself, you must know where you come from and who sweat and toiled and bled so that you could have the life that you have now. That's my motivation. That's my drive. That's why I scrap.

Beautifully said.

I hope you get a great group going for you.

[littlekiwi]

Well I'm 21 so I think I fit in this group the best

[Hildur]

It seems as if people are starting their scrapbooking addictions earlier and earlier in life, wanting to preserve the memories of their families. So, when did you start digiscrapping? Why? Just curious.

I started traditional scrapping when my firstborn was 3 months old. When she was 9 months, I converted to digiscrapping. It took me 6 months to create about 30 layouts the traditional paper way, and in less than a year I had easily 3 times more than that!I've never looked back!

I scrap because I want my children and children's children, and so on and so forth to have these memories recorded and preserved; to know where they come from, what they looked like, what we thought and felt, and what was going on around them now. I also scrap because these stories were lost to me. We don't have much knowledge about our own ancestoral line. One day, I'll pay to have a geneology company research for me. I'm in the process of collecting stories from my grandparents and any photos they may have. My mom's parents are both gone, so I can't gleen anything from them. My mom's dad died when I was a small child and my grandmother died when I was a teenager. On my dad's side, we don't really talk much about our feelings or discuss things like how things were when Grammy and Pop-pop were kids, so I don't have stories from memory. I'm stepping outside the comfort zone of our family and asking them to share these with me for the sake of our future generations. I believe it's important, and it's a shame that I didn't ask sooner. To truly know yourself, you must know where you come from and who sweat and toiled and bled so that you could have the life that you have now. That's my motivation. That's my drive. That's why I scrap.

I just turned 29 so I guess I fit in this group :)

I started traditional scrapbooking about 8 years ago or so and loved it. I moved to the states in 2001 and was introduced to scarpbooking there. I juts love the idea how to make fun memories bright and lively and more acurate with a little bit of journaling. I want to cherish all possible memories for my children and their children.

Back in 2006 I decided to give digi scrapbooking a try but never had the time to actually sit down and do it, now I don't really have any more time as I got two kids instead of just one but am using this as a theraputic measure for me in getting some alone time. Am finding it to be a lot of fun though I am not ready to give up the traditional scrapping.

[JenniferG]

Hildur,

I hear you. I have two little ones, ages 2 and 6 months, and I'm going to school online half time, and participate in SO many challenges and am in the Trendsetters Contest and will soon be signing up for the DET Contest. Busy busy busy! But I like it! I've saved all my paper scrapping stuff in hopes to allowing my daughters to create their own traditional pages when they are old enough, with Mommy's close help and supervision, of course!

[nachtstern]

I started with 29, in April 2008.
Now I am 30 and out of your age bracket :)

I probably would have started earlier if Digi would have been on my radar... I always sucked at paper scrapping :)

[JenniferG]

I started with 29, April 2008.
Now I am 30 and out of your age bracket :)

I probably would have started earlier if Digi would have been on my radar... I always sucked at paper scrapping :)

You're still more than welcome to join...not sure how many of us are out there... So the more the merrier!

I should take some photos of my paper pages and post them...There are about 30 of them or so. Maybe I'll do that now!

[MsJessica]

I am 23, and started scrapbooking about two or three months ago. I made my husband (at the time boyfriend) a paper scrapbook, and since I didn't have a lot of money being a college student, it was nice, but plain.

I love that there is so much flexibility with digi scrapping, and so little mess!

I am doing it because both my husband and I love taking pictures and it's a great way to preserve memories for our kids. Plus, it's a great creative outlet for me!

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Hi,
I started digital scrapbooking in 2005
I just turned 25. I expect I'll get into it a lot more now that I'm about to have my first DS. Much more pictures to take. I'm very excited!

[Tina]

Well, I won't stick around in this thread (i'm 35), but I started scrapping at 23 when I had Tate :)

Didnt start digi scrap til 2003, and didnt totally give up paper until 2006.

[JenniferG]

Hi,
I started digital scrapbooking in 2005
I just turned 25. I expect I'll get into it a lot more now that I'm about to have my first DS. Much more pictures to take. I'm very excited!

Congrats!!! Kids definitely create the need for scrapbooking! We're sure to see MANY more layouts from you!

[JenniferG]

Here is a link to the traditional pages I did. 44 of them that I took pictures of. There are lots of unfinished ones. And a few more unfinished ones that I didn't even bother to take a picture of. I kind of inundated the gallery. And the camera isn't hundred's of dollars, so the photos aren't the best quality they probably could be with a more expensive camera. And I don't have a wide format scanner. This is the best I could do.

Traditional Scrapbook Pages (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6427)

[JenniferG]

Well, I won't stick around in this thread (i'm 35), but I started scrapping at 23 when I had Tate :)

Didnt start digi scrap til 2003, and didnt totally give up paper until 2006.

And that's why you're so good at scrapping!!!! And designing, of course! Thanks for stopping by Tina!!!

[Seratonin]

I guess this is where I fit for now. :) I'm 26 also. I started scrapping when I wanted to make a scrapbook with wedding pictures. I've done paper, but when I discovered digital it was wonderful! Since then I've had a son, another great thing to scrap, he's 8 months old now.
Jennifer, I remember you posting about returning to DSP after being gone while you were pregnant, because I did the same thing. Being on the computer really made me feel sick for a while there. LOL.

[JenniferG]

I guess this is where I fit for now. :) I'm 26 also. I started scrapping when I wanted to make a scrapbook with wedding pictures. I've done paper, but when I discovered digital it was wonderful! Since then I've had a son, another great thing to scrap, he's 8 months old now.
Jennifer, I remember you posting about returning to DSP after being gone while you were pregnant, because I did the same thing. Being on the computer really made me feel sick for a while there. LOL.

I'm with you! I had major morning sickness for a while, then, once it was gone, I was too tired to do more than lay on the couch most of the time!

[JenniferG]

BTW, Sarah, Congrats on making Designer Apprentice!!! Can't wait to see your stuff in the store!

[JenniferG]

Hmmm....must not be many of us around...

[JenniferG]

hmmm...must not be many of us around....either that or we're just not a talkative bunch...

[JenniferG]

I could always just talk to myself...something I've been doing with increasing regularity ever since I had children...at least it seems that way to me! LOL!

[JenniferG]

I am 23, and started scrapbooking about two or three months ago. I made my husband (at the time boyfriend) a paper scrapbook, and since I didn't have a lot of money being a college student, it was nice, but plain.

I love that there is so much flexibility with digi scrapping, and so little mess!

I am doing it because both my husband and I love taking pictures and it's a great way to preserve memories for our kids. Plus, it's a great creative outlet for me!

Didn't see your post! Congrats Newlywed! :applause:

I love taking pictures too. Both DH and I don't really like having our pictures taken so we have very few of us. My sisters are self-photo fanatics, meaning they LOVE to take pictures of themselves...even when they aren't doing anything. Maybe when I lose the baby weight and get back to the sexy status I was in when I was 22 (I believe that's how old I was in 2004), that's when my avatar photo was taken, I'll get more pictures of myself. Yeah, it's an insecurity thing, but what can you do, huh? I'm not as heavy as I was after my firstborn was born, but I'm still about 50 pounds heaver than my ideal weight. Good news? We'll be getting a portable treadmill next week so I can start to shed this unwanted weight! WOOHOOO! :yahoo: The easiest and fastest way for me to lose weight is to run. I used to do it every Mon, Wed, and Fri when I was in the Navy (also the time I took the avatar photo), along with other various exercises :yippee:. DH is working out already, but because of my very young children and my SAHM status, I don't get to work out much. DH works from 830 to 5 and leaves home at 7something and doesn't get home until 6pm, and the work out facility at our apartment complex opens at 9 and closes at 6, so there's no opportunity to work out unless I take the girls with, which I REFUSE to do!

But I'm rambling...LOL. I tend to do that a lot.

[lmilgram]

Jennifer...if it's too quiet here come on over to the 30-something thread...we'd love to have you! All ages are welcome. --Lisa :)

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

hmmm...must not be many of us around....either that or we're just not a talkative bunch...

I seem to notice on the birthday calendar there is hardly ever anyone in the 20's. Hmmm... I would have thought there would be more of us.

I am super impressed with the grannies who scrap. Not saying they couldn't or shouldn't, because they are awesome and have skills, but my mom couldn't. I still help her with her email. :lol:

[JenniferG]

I seem to notice on the birthday calendar there is hardly ever anyone in the 20's. Hmmm... I would have thought there would be more of us.

I am super impressed with the grannies who scrap. Not saying they couldn't or shouldn't, because they are awesome and have skills, but my mom couldn't. I still help her with her email. :lol:

Really? Where is the birthday calendar? Or are you talking about the one at the bottom of the Forums Tab?

I would have thought that there were more of us, too! It's such an addictive thing, scrapbooking...

I tried to get my mom to use PSE to scrap some stuff, but she said that she doesn't have anything to scrap, since both my sister and I scrap our kids (mostly me). I told her she could scrap the photos of us as kids, since she has a clearer and better memory regarding what the photos were about. I told her I could scan the photos for her and she could scrap them. But she prefers to spend her time at the yahoo answers thing, building up points or whatever. To each his own, huh? :)

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Really? Where is the birthday calendar? Or are you talking about the one at the bottom of the Forums Tab?

I would have thought that there were more of us, too! It's such an addictive thing, scrapbooking...


Yeah, the bottom of the forums it has today's birthdays with everyone's ages. It's also, on the main calendar.

Maybe it's just harder for those with young children to scrap, participate in forums, and chase little ones around.
I wonder how much my presence around here is going to drop when I give birth.
Right now it's great. Nothing to do, but wait and scrap. :D

[JenniferG]

Sometimes it can be difficult. I have two daughters, ages 2 and 6 months. And I go to school half time online. And I'm a stay at home mom. I am pretty fast at scrapping my layouts. Usually it takes me 30 minutes to an hour to create a layout. Blame it on my need for efficiency in the military. It causes me to work quickly...as long as my muse cooperates, anyway.

At first your scrapping will drop drastically, then, as your precious little one gets a bit older and you get more sleep, you'll be back to scrapping during naptimes. But you may miss a few naps just so you can scrap those first photos of your precious baby. It'll pull at you when you want to nap when baby naps. Maybe you'll be successful in ignoring it...I wasn't! LOL!

[IglooWigwam]

I've not longed turned 28, and I started digi-scrapping about a couple of weeks ago. I've never done any kind of scrapbooking before, so this is all brand new to me. I do have amateur Photoshop experience, so at least I've not had a huge learning curve to climb in the technical area as well.

My motivation is my son too. He's six months old now (and just about to wake up... so I'll have to finish this post quickly!). I get most of my scrapping done during the day when he naps on my lap (he's a terrible sleeper, have never been able to get him to nap in his own bed).

Great idea to create this thread BTW, but I apologise in advance if I don't chat as much as I'd like to. I'm one-handed when DS sleeps on my lap during the day, and typing is a pain!

[IglooWigwam]

Oh forgot to add: congratulations Flips! I agree with Jennifer, it does get easier as they get older, and I bet your scrapping motivation will come back with a vengeance.

Are you excited? I remember being both excited and terrified in equal measures throughout my pregnancy lol.

And yikes: just spotted last post before mine was almost a month ago! Sorry if I've necro'd a dead thread :o

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Oh hey, thanks! I'm totally doing the one handed typing thing too. :D
Lots of pics waiting to be scrapbooked. However sleep is just too wonderful to pass up!
I really can't wait for the little guy to start sleeping longer at night.

[JenniferG]

I still sometimes type with one hand. Like right now!

And Im with you IglooWigwam. My daughters find sleeping on their own to be some sort of treason on my part! I try putting Rayah (7 months) in her crib as often as I can and still have to sleep with Alethea (2 years) at night. Im weening them off of me though. I miss my bed! And my dh!

[IglooWigwam]

LOL congrats on the little boy Flips! I'm really going to have to remember to check timestamps before posting :D

I know what you mean about wanting your own bed back. Ben sleeps in a bedside crib at night, but normally ends up in bed with us at some point. It's sweet really, and one day they will grow out of it. In fact I bet one day (probably when he's a stroppy teenager) I'll look back on these co-sleeping days and miss it :love2:

[bludlfn003]

Hi ladies!!! I am going to be 24 next week so I should fit right in. I have a 5 year old son. And I am starting nursing school in August. I notice that there was a thread for grannies, 30 somethings, and men as well. I just figured there weren't many of us around.

Congrats Flips on the little guy. Boys are so much fun. Well most of the time:think:. No really they are. My son is going thru a total attitude adjustment right now. He doesn't know if he wants to be the sweet kid that we all know he really is, or the monster that keeps yelling and hitting everyone. He's been doing that alot.

I am so glad my son has finally stopped sleeping in the be with me. It stopped about two years ago when he was three. Almost everynight he was at my side of the be climbing up me to get in the bed. That lasted from the time he was about a year and a half old. I was so tired for that next year or so. But now he sleps in till 9 in the morning so on weekends we're golden.:tup:

[IglooWigwam]

There must be more of us, but perhaps we're just not as energetic and active as the grannies and 30-somethings! I almost joined in with the 30 somethings (I'm only a couple of years off), but that thread moves WAY too fast for me. I can't keep up!!

[bludlfn003]

I'm sure there are more of us. They're probably off hiding.:lol:

[JenniferG]

LOL! Well, I'm glad that you ladies are here. The thread has been pretty lonely, with not much chatting going on. Since I'm clearly not a Granny, and I won't be in with the 30 something crowd until the end of 2012, I figured that we needed a place of our own. But I can understand that having young children can take away the extra time we would normally have to chat. The majority of members here are, however, in the 30 something and granny age-range. Our age range seems to be a slowly progressing new thing. Most people our age are probably still working on paper scrapping!

[bludlfn003]

LOL! Most people our age are probably still working on paper scrapping!

I think it's funny actually. My mom bought me a scrapbooking kit (paper) with everything included, for Christmas. My stepdaughter and I only got thru three pages and it really just got crazy. I realized I didn't have stuff I needed and it just got crazy expensive. I will probably finish that book eventually, but this is so much better. I love mess free scrapping. Hopefully soon we will see more of our age start to creep in.

[IglooWigwam]

I wonder how most people hear about digi-scrapping? I came across it completely by accident - I was trying to find some graphics to customise my blog. Now I've got completely side-tracked with scrapping and my blog is gathering dust!

[JenniferG]

I didn't even know what a blog was until I joined this site. How's that for being in the dark? I don't know exactly how I found digi-scrapping. I think it was that I was just doing a search for scrapbooking products (paper) and ideas and came across this site. That was 2 years ago!

I hope more people our age start flowing in. It is so much more cost effective than paper scrapping!

[bludlfn003]

Well I can't go as far as saying I didn't know what a blog was but I was doing the same thing as you Jennifer, looking for paper scrapping ideas and boom, here I am addicted to DSP

[JenniferG]

And now it's expanded into photography for me. I'm switching my major from digital design (i can't draw for anything!) to a bachelors in photography. I'm totally looking forward to the classes. Going to school and dealing with both of my girls is trying at times, but its so worth it, I think.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

I have one paper scrapbook and it's pretty lame. Mostly just pictures stuck to the page, or cut out with those cute shape scissors. Elements and things just cost way too much. Plus it was hard to keep the pictures I wanted on there and make them fit. I kept cutting them all down, until there was practically nothing left!

I love digital scrapbooking because I can just resize! DSP was the first place I found. Not sure what I had been looking for. I had made up a whole bunch of pages of me and a boyfriend, but when he broke up with me I deleted them all!

I would have thought that more people our age would have known about this ours being the more tech savvy generation.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

And now it's expanded into photography for me. I'm switching my major from digital design (i can't draw for anything!) to a bachelors in photography. I'm totally looking forward to the classes. Going to school and dealing with both of my girls is trying at times, but its so worth it, I think.

I would SO love to take some photography classes. I couldn't imaging trying to go to school with my baby, let alone two little ones. It will be worth it though.

[JenniferG]

Definitey! Especially after I finish and can earn some income! We want to buy a house soon, so I need to get on it! Just ordered my camera and tripod...LOL!

I wanted to take photography in high school, but at that time, I also wanted to be a lawyer, so I decided to take speech as my elective instead. Kept telling the creative side of my brain to shut up! LOL! Now sometimes when I want it to talk, it refuses....I think it's throwing a tantrum; paying me back for telling it to shut up all those years!

[bludlfn003]

I took photography in high school. I loved it, but it wasn't digital photography. It was film. I just loved being able to develop my own pictures in the dark room. I was going to talk photography as a just because class but didn't want to mess up financial aid.

[JenniferG]

yeah, my financial aid is going to change, but all I have to do is sign paperwork! the photography bachelors degree is new to the school for the online division, so they don't have all the classes set up yet. I may have to withdraw from the school for a period of time until they get more classes set up. Which is fine. I'm sure it will only be for a brief period of time anyway if that happens.

i get my camera in a week so I'm looking forward to learning it before i need it for classes. still got to order software. I love student discounts!

[bludlfn003]

Congrats on the new camera. What kind did you order? About 2 years ago my husband (then fiancee) got me a brand new digital Cannon IS3S. I really wasn't expecting it because he was telling me they were to expensive and he couldn't get it. When I saw it I thik I stopped breathing for a few minutes because it was a total surprise.

[JenniferG]

You gotta love surprises like that!

I got a Nikon D40 6.1mp. It's nothing overly fancy, but it's a good first DSLR, I think. I'm partial to Canons, but this was a great deal and I've never had a Nikon before.

[IglooWigwam]

Sounds fancy, though I confess to knowing nothing about cameras or photography. I just kind of point and click lol, that's as far as it goes. If I'm lucky, sometimes the picture isn't blurred beyond recognition :D

So much to learn...! Especially with putting layouts together. Every time I create a new layout, in my head I'm going "yeah, I've really nailed it this time, it looks awesome!" then I go and upload to the relevant challenge, see what everyone else has done... and realise just how far I've got to left to go before I'm anywhere close to the standard set by the regular posters. Puts me right back in my place! :eek: :D

[bludlfn003]

Every time I create a new layout, in my head I'm going "yeah, I've really nailed it this time, it looks awesome!" then I go and upload to the relevant challenge, see what everyone else has done... and realise just how far I've got to left to go before I'm anywhere close to the standard set by the regular posters. Puts me right back in my place! :eek: :D

I've actually commented on some of your layouts. They are great. You definitely have nothing ot worry about.

[JenniferG]

I agree with Amanda, Jo. Your layouts are great! No need to worry! You should have seen my first layouts (many of which have since been replaced). They were pathetic, really. I knew NOTHING about PSE5, my program at the time. Over time you'll learn some of the tricks that are all the rage at present, and then something new will come along...as it always seems to do once I get the hang of a new technique. Sometimes I skip a fad altogether and just do my own thing. Studying the DET layouts is a great way to learn a new technique. Many of them post how they did some things on their layouts. It's fantastic to get that. And some in the DET contest are leaving technique notes as well.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

I agree also. I'm pretty sure I commented on one of you LOs yesterday. I have to say that I've been digital scrapbooking for a couple of years now, and I thought I was good. Then I started participating here and all the old stuff I've done before is a little sad looking. :D It's only been a few months, but since participating in challenges and going around seeing everyones' LOs (which is really inspiring) I think I've improved quite a bit. I love looking at the tutorials too and figuring out little ways to give a LO that extra something.

[IglooWigwam]

Thank you! I didn't mean to sound like I was fishing for compliments (though all are gratefully accepted ;)), but at times it does feel as though you're scrapping amongst giants, so to speak, which can be intimidating (as well as inspiring) for a newbie.

I agree, the challenges are excellent for inspiration and improving technique. Wish I had the time to partipate in them all, hehe.

[Jesmchool]

I know what you mean IglooWigwam (or jo) does that mean your in canada btw? I think its a cool as nickname!

I find myself feeling very overwhelmed with the amount of amasing talent on here. I do have a few lo's that i am proud of tho. Like my flowergirl one which is of my beautiful little one at our wedding :) AND i am finding new techniques i want to try!

But with all the posting and downloading and chatting i have to say i am running out of time to ACTUALLY scrap!!!

Different from you ladies i actually resisted the digiscrap pull for several years, holding my nose up thinking it was less creative (WTF?) less REAL (What the hell was i thinking???) now i lok back and shake my head at my former self. How could i have been so blind? but it goes to show, you can lead a thirsty man to water, but he has to want to drink!

INTRODUCING ME!!!!! I am Jes, i am 24, i have a FABULOUS hubby called don, a beautiful 5 year old daughter called Paige, and am due to have my Twins in about ten weeks (they MUST stay for AT LEAST ten more weeks) i have my little laptop so i am enjoying the fact i am on limited activities at the mo cos i get to lay on the couch or in bed and be here haha.

To finish my rather long post! I want to share what i still cant help but chukle over (sorry jennifer i already told you in the chat b4) i was at the mall yesterday, and overheard a pair of teen girls (whom were looking at my extremely large belly) say "oh ew thats so gross! I could NEVER push something outta my (insert appropriate term here)" i wanted to tell them not to let anything IN it then....

:P

[Jesmchool]

OMG SORRY JO!!! I just saw you're in the UK... my bad, i blame twin brain!!!

[IglooWigwam]

Hello Jess! :wave:

My username is just a silly word combination that came about when my DS was babbling and said something like "ah-gler-wi-wa". DH interpreted this creatively and claimed that Ben had just said "Igloo-Wigwam" - it just kind of stuck after that! Glad you like it though!

Congrats on your twins :tup: I've always thought that it must be so special to have a twin sister or brother. All the twins I've known have always been such close friends.

and overheard a pair of teen girls (whom were looking at my extremely large belly) say "oh ew thats so gross! I could NEVER push something outta my (insert appropriate term here)" i wanted to tell them not to let anything IN it then....
:rofl::rofl:

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

:wave: Hi Jess, welcome to the thread.
Good luck with the twins. I thought having one was hard. :eek:

I know what you mean about all the time getting taking up by chatting and threads and such. It's a lot of fun though now that I can't get out and about as easy with the little one.

[JenniferG]

Hey Jess! Glad to see you in this thread!

You got any big baby belly photos you planning on scrapping? When I was prego with my girls, I had my hubby take 3 photos, from different angles, of my belly...a week or so before I was due, give or take a few days. That's it. That's all they get! LOL! As I've said before, I HATE being pregnant. For me, pregnancy sucked every bit of "beauty" and the only "glow" I had about me was excess oil, which then caused excess acne. Yay. But I scrapped those photos and wrote about my pregnancy for each one. Gotta do it for the kids, right?

[JenniferG]

I was wondering about your username, Jo. Thanks for sharing how it came about! So cute.

[bludlfn003]

Congrats on the twins Jes. Knowing me I would've actually said that to the teen girls you were talking about. But that is just me, sometimes my mouth runs faster than the brain.

I wasn't to keen on being pregnant either Jen. It didn't affect me much, no morning sickness, or anything like that. I hated the pain I felt in labor and the weight that I have not lost 5 years later. What really did it for me was when I was in labor the nurse looked at me and said "Are you going to have anymore?" and I told her NO and she said "Well I guess I'll see you back here next year." That didn't make me very happy to have a nurse that was so inconsiderate. But really I always thought it was alot easier than people said, especially since I had a brother 13 years younger than me and I took care of him, and because of my brother who is the next youngest from me and I pretty much raised him from the time I was 11 until I moved out at 18. It really isn't, me and my son are so much alike that all we do is bump heads at everything he does.

[JenniferG]

The first pregnancy was pretty laid back. Alethea decided to take her time, though, and was 2 weeks past the due date. Exactly 2 weeks. I had originally planned for a natural waterbirth with an independent midwife, but she had other plans. I was in labor with her for 29 1/2 hours. 20 of those hours were without pain medicine of any kind. I was crazy! I did a 5 page birth story that's in my gallery if you are so inclined to read it. Basically, I ended up with a c-section after being too tired and worn out by the time it came to push. I only was able to push for about a half hour. The nurse commented to my midwife that I "wasn't even trying." I wanted to cuss her out, but remembered my Chrisianity...lucky for her. It's a good think I made the decision on my own, because they would have had to do an emergecy c-section anyway as Alethea was too big (10 pounds) and they said my pelvis wasn't big enough for her. The 3 days in the hospital were spent getting over an allergic reaction to whatever they gave me besides the epidural. I was irritable and itcy all over. I litterally scratched my skin off in spots. It was horrible. I still have scars that are slowly fading.

With Rayah, I had a HORRIBLE pregnancy. I had morning sickness (only throwing up twice, when I had spaghetti) for the first 3 months and the rest I was exhausted, but couldn't sleep when I wanted because of Alethea. The delivery, however, was MUCH smoother. 8 hours from the onset of labor to the end of the c-section, which I opted for. Oh, and I had an epidural right away! This time I had Alethea in the hospital with us for the 3 days we were there...she can't sleep without me. Literally. It was an interesting 3 days, to be sure, with VERY little sleep. Rayah suffered from severe acid reflux and wasn't very comfortable sleeping, so she didn't sleep much, and cried a lot. Until we knew that she had the acid reflux though, we were just suffering and at the edge of our nerves all the time. For 4 weeks we did this. Sleep was such a rare thing in our house. Then we figured it out, got some medicine for her, and life has been good since. You can't imagine the change in her countinence. Like night and day.

[Pezjunky]

I just found this group. I'm 26 (1 day older than JenniferG actually).
I started scrapping when I was about 15. My mom was good at taking pics, but terrible at putting them in albums. My friends mom was a Creative Memories person, so I got my mom to buy some stuff and I started scrapping all our family photos. They are now all in 8.5x11 albums, in 5 year increments. I was pretty good about scrapping as I got pictures developed up until I got married and we got a digital camera (I was 19).
My 1st baby has a paper-scrapped album with only about 7 pages done in it. My 2nd kid has an album with no pages in it, and my newest baby doesn't have an album yet. I have digital pages done, but haven't printed them yet. I also have a lovely KC&co military album for DH, with only 10 pages in it, nothing from the past 3 years at all.

[IglooWigwam]

Wow, some nurses really seem to forget their bedside manner at times don't they? My midwife was practically mute :rolleyes: It was weird... me and DH sat together by the bed while she sat at the other side of the delivery room doing paperwork. But maybe better nothing said than the wrong thing, eh? I don't think I could have been so calm as to have bitten my tongue if someone had accused me of "not trying"!

I must be odd because I actually quite enjoyed my pregnancy. I had some problems with fainting lol, but other than that, it was pretty easy going. The birth wasn't so great - I'd had plans for a water birth too but it didn't happen and I ended up with an instrumental delivery instead (bleugh), but at least it was reasonably quick for a first labour (10 hours total). Ben was also pretty big at 9lb 2oz, which came as a surprise as my bump wasn't particularly huge and I am quite small. My midwife had even told me confidently that my baby was going to be "average" sized.

Hey there Desiree :wave: How nice to have an album for each of your kids! I've done quite a few layouts for Ben, but not printed any out for myself yet. I am putting together an album for my mother though (Mother's Day in the UK this Sunday). Still need to get two more layouts done!

[Jesmchool]

Hey all! Since we sharing birth/pregnancy stories i may as well share mine too.

It seems like my body is built for being pregnant, with paige i had really mild morning sickness but never actually threw up, and after 12 weeks i was fine, i was also 18 and alone, so probably a good thing i didnt have too much nasty stuff with it! I got quite tired at the end, and ended up moving back in with my folks, which was the best move i did as my mum was so supportive of us and helped me out so much when paige was a baby. My birth was ok, as births go, i didnt go into labour naturally (i think she was quite happy to stay in there, she'd probably still be in there if we hadnt insisted lol) my waters broke and i still didnt go into labour so they induced me, and i ended up with an epi after 6 hours of severe labouring (they told me that my contractions were the strength of 10 cm but i was only 3 cm dialated) so i could get a little sleep, which was good cos then i was able to push her out. They told me that if i hadnt started bearing down in the next 20 minutes they were taking me to ceaser which was the one thing i was absolutly determined was not going to happen so i had pushed her out in the next twenty minutes, which was a little bit too fast so i had fairly severe tearing.

I still feel really good about the whole thing in the end, look what i got after all, the ultimate payoff. The hospital stay was HORRIBLE however, there was a stqaff midwife there that got a little vendeta against me (i think cos i was young and alone) she told me that paige was the worst behaved baby on the ward, and that she had ever seen that i didnt even know how to feed her right, that she just screamed and screamed (which was a total lie, she hardly cried at all) that she needed to take the baby so that everyone else could get some sleep, because she would care for her and feed her properly, at which point was terrified that if i let her take Paige that i would never see her again, so i was afraid to go to the loo or anything in case she came in and took her. I rang mum and said come get me or i am walking home!

In 2008 i fell pregnant with our son, Reiley he died in utero at 18 weeks, and i had to be induced to give birth to him. That was a hard pregnancy, i never actually threw up but i felt neuseas (sp?) all the time and absolutly exhausted. I had a lot of early spotting at 11 weeks and again at 18 weeks when we lost him. We have him at home buried in a pot with a magnolia tree groing over him. We talk to him a lot and we are going to celebrate his birthday every year.

AND the twins, our "honeymoon" babies, although apparently we got pregnant on the ninth which was 4 days before the wedding, and i am certain we got pregnant on the 12, the day before our wedding! This has been the easiest pregnancy so far, apart from my limited movement, i got literally 2 hours of morning sickness at 14 weeks one afternoon, and thats been IT! i have been very tired and falling alseep almost standin up and i am finding myself in increasing pain. Its been wonderful to share this pregnancy with my hubby and feel like i have the right to ask him to get me things, since he put me in this condition lmao!

Anyways thats my stories. Jennifer -yes i have done a couple of pages, i will do another one today and link it to this spot so you can all see :)

Amanda - the problem is i didnt think of that till i had walked on a bit so it was too late... my preggy brain im usually very quick with comebacks and not afraid to use em! AND what a rude nurse to ask you that! And in the delivery room, im not sure many women would be concerned with how many they want right at that moment, theres one big one trying to get out!!!!

Jennifer - im surprised you could remember your own name when you were in labour! I have to admit i swore like a drunk sailor in mine! and Swore off men forever!!!

Jo- thats the cutest story! i love toddler babble hehe My eldest brother an sister are twins, my mum didnt know till she gave birth though! I think that my brother is about the only person m sister actually gives the time of day to now, so theres definatly a stronger connection there. The poor womans turned out very very bitter. I wont really have anything to do with her much now, and only any contact for her kids.

AND welcome to Desiree (what a cool name!) i have a few unfinished paper scrapbooks too. Is your hubby in the army?

[Jesmchool]

crap what a long post! sorry guys!

[Jesmchool]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=308042&cat=500&ppuser=147697 Heres a preggy pic LO :) im WAY bigger than that now tho haha thats at 23 weeks i think...

[JenniferG]

Hi Desiree! Welcome!

I haven't printed any of my girls' pages, either...well, actually, I've printed 1 of each of them, and one of both of them, to hang on my wall. But that's it. And I just printed those yesterday! I'm waiting to see how my wedding album looks printed before I print my extensive collection! I just don't want a closed album when I'm still scrapping photos from the first year! So I'm going to have sheets printed and then stick them in albums. Figure that's the safest way.

[Teresa]

Here's a freebie if anyone is interested.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6890/84_Extra_Dreamland.jpg

To get this freebie, follow the link labeled Woodsy's Magic door in my signature line.

The freebie matches this Brand new kit in the DSP store found here (http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_18&products_id=10118).

http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/bmz_cache/6/6f65973f852a4c6ecd75c69340088b39.image.400x400.jpg (javascript:popupWindow('http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=10118'))

Get the freebie while it lasts. The link will be gone from the Magic Door thread in a couple of days.

Enjoy!!

[JenniferG]

Jess, if I had a nurse like yours I probably would have reported her! Goodness. The nerve. I would have made sure she lost her job! She sounds as if she were positively evil!

People ask if I'm going to have more, after what I've been through with my girls...the answer is always yes. My husband and I agreed before we even got married that we wanted 4 kids, as long as God was willing to grant them to us. After that, I'm so done! We're waiting until Rayah is potty trained though. I've learned my lesson and do NOT want to change diapers on 2 kids. It's too much!

[JenniferG]

Thanks Teresa! Love that kit!

[IglooWigwam]

LOL nappies are SO expensive too! I don't think I can start considering number two until Ben learns to fall asleep without me (and then STAY asleep heh)! I'd be too scared that the second baby would have the same habits as him, and I'd spend the whole of my days and nights just turning back and forth between two crying kids!

Great kit, thank you!

[JenniferG]

That's pretty much what I do, Jo! Every night. Alethea's waking up less and less, so I will soon be kid free at night...I hope. I'm determined to not have them sleeping with me by summertime!

[Pezjunky]

I have 2 in diapers right now. Not fun. I do hope to start potty training soon, maybe when DH gets back from Iraq. My kids are in bed with me a lot too. Well, my 6 year old isn't but the other 2 are. I have a toddler bed that is only used the first half of the night by my 2 year old, and a crib that is barely ever used by my 4 month old. Some days I wish I had the bed to myself, but mostly I'm happy with the arrangement. I'm not ready to give it up just yet.
Jennifer-where are you going to school? Majoring in photography sounds fun. I just got a canon rebel xsi, and have really been enjoying learning to use it.
Jess-DH is in the Air Force, he's in the reserves right now while he finishes college, then will go back to active duty. He's in Iraq right now, but should be home in 6-7 weeks.

[Jesmchool]

Man Desiree if my hubby was off in iraq or wherever for that period of time i think i would have my kids in with me too! I would be all lonely in bed alone every night!

Paige has never really coslept with me, i "sleep trained" her at 6 months (coslept before that) and she doesnt get out of bed after i put her in it except to go toilet. This is actually quite annoying in one way in that if she wakes up she just lays there and yells till i go in, and so i am forced to wake up properly! And often the reason she got me up is to ask, what are we doing tomorrow? grr! LMAO

I am going to have two in nappies!!! No choice for me there, i am going cloth tho, stuff paying for disposables! i am telling everyone that asks me what i wan as a gift to get me one of the nappies i want, so thats one less i have to buy hehe.

I was doing a phsyc degree before i met hubby and had to go off benefit, so i had to get a job and now that im preg i am not planning to go back cept perhaps part time if we can afford it, no more student loans for us. I really want to tho, i want to be a family mentor :) (like a supernanny without the tv programme lol)

[Jesmchool]

Lol at your comments on the LO guys! Sleep Jennifer? Whats that? i seem to remember it in some distant hazy memory! I know Jo i am MASSIVE and i have ten more weeks to grow YIKES the babies are doing real good tho so thats good, they are apparently the same size as singletons of the same gestation.

[Jesmchool]

Ok ladies, heres my gallery i just uploaded two LO of me now!!! ARGH im so huge hahaha!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=147697

I'm not really very good at the acvanced techniques yet, but i am practising and practising!!!!

Put your gallery links up! I would love to look at some of your guys layouts!

[JenniferG]

Desiree, I'm going to the Art Institute of Pittsburg-Online Division.

[JenniferG]

You can view people's galleries easily through the posts. There is a link under the quick member information that appears to the left of the posts. There is a little blue arrow next to the number of photos the person has. This links to their galleries.

But mine is here: www.jenniferg.digitalscrapbookplace.com

I have TONS of layouts...have fun LOL!

Off to view yours.

Ok ladies, heres my gallery i just uploaded two LO of me now!!! ARGH im so huge hahaha!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=147697

I'm not really very good at the acvanced techniques yet, but i am practising and practising!!!!

Put your gallery links up! I would love to look at some of your guys layouts!

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Wow, this thread is buzzing now.
I've been taking care of a sick 1 month old all day today. :(
It's not like I get a whole lot of sleep anyway, but I have a feeling I'm in for a rough night.

I scrapped a page of my growing belly awhile back. Not actually sure what album to include it in. I feel a little weird putting it in my son's baby book.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/6832/thumbs/Prego.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=301288&ppuser=56318)
Growing Love (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=301288&cat=500&ppuser=56318)

Sneaks (dh) and I seriously underestimated just how many diapers this kid would go through. We went to the store again after only a week when we thought we could make it two weeks...

Anyway, back to tending sick baby...

[Pezjunky]

Flips- that page is so cute. Sorry you have a sick baby.
I never took many pics of myself when pregnant. With my first 2 kids I did take a photo the day after my due date, and would have with #3, but she came 2 weeks early. Why I didn't think to get a picture when I was in early labor I have no idea (I had contractions off and on for a whole day before they got steady). So, the only pic of me pregnant with #3 is a silhouette I did at 6 months.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6533/thumbs/Adore15.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=278360)

[JenniferG]

At least you got one, right? Gotta have at least 1, right?

Be back later to comment on your baby bump layouts

[JenniferG]

Flips, I can't comment on your layout. I think you turned off the comment option on it?

[Jesmchool]

WOW ladies you are all so talented! I have GOTTA do some more tutorials!!! :) Oh Flips, having a sik bubba is so hard! I love being able to look through what other people have done and use their ideas on my layouts. There seems to be no end of talent and inspiriation out there!

ohoh we have 3 pages of post's now hehe. arent we awesome!!!

[littlekiwi]

I do pop in here when I can but studying full time and working part time don't leave a lot of time to be online or scrap

[Jesmchool]

Hey girl! Nice to meet another kiwi!!!! What part of auckland you in??

[Lynnie]

Thank you! I didn't mean to sound like I was fishing for compliments (though all are gratefully accepted ;)), but at times it does feel as though you're scrapping amongst giants, so to speak, which can be intimidating (as well as inspiring) for a newbie.

I agree, the challenges are excellent for inspiration and improving technique. Wish I had the time to partipate in them all, hehe.


You are doing a wonderful job ...

You live in Berkshire? I live in California now, but used to live in Bracknell before I moved here.

[JenniferG]

I just wanted to say how THRILLED I am that this thread is starting to move again! You chicas rock!

[IglooWigwam]

Hey Lynnie! Thank you :) I live near Newbury. Been here for about 3-4 years now, it's a nice area.

I think that LO from Flips is in an archived area, so maybe that's why comments are disabled? It's a fab idea though, must remember to scraplift it if I ever have another!

Makes me wish I'd taken pictures of my bump, but I've got nothing! Just never occured to me at the time... silly.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Flips, I can't comment on your layout. I think you turned off the comment option on it?

Weird :think:
I didn't do it on purpose, but I looked and I'm not sure how to turn it back on.
Hmmm...

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Hey Lynnie! Thank you :) I live near Newbury. Been here for about 3-4 years now, it's a nice area.

I think that LO from Flips is in an archived area, so maybe that's why comments are disabled? It's a fab idea though, must remember to scraplift it if I ever have another!

Makes me wish I'd taken pictures of my bump, but I've got nothing! Just never occured to me at the time... silly.

Haha, Thanks Jo. I really should read all the posts before I comment. :doh:
Learn something new everyday. Guess I'll be moving a few others out of the archived galleries.

Oh, and Baby Boots slept nearly 5 hours! Which could have been due to being sick. Plus we put him in his car seat, which I do NOT want to make a habit out of, but poor dear can't breathe. Regardless that is the most sleep I've gotten in a row in about a month!:yahoo:

[bludlfn003]

Sneaks (dh) and I seriously underestimated just how many diapers this kid would go through. We went to the store again after only a week when we thought we could make it two weeks...

Anyway, back to tending sick baby...

Sam's club....that's where I bought my diapers when my son was still in them. For a newborn they usually lasted about 2-3 weeks, and when he got a little older they lasted a little over a month. When I was buying them I think they came with 100-150 somewhere in there. And the cost was about as much as a regular pack at the grocery store or walmart.

Oh, and Baby Boots slept nearly 5 hours! Which could have been due to being sick. Plus we put him in his car seat, which I do NOT want to make a habit out of, but poor dear can't breathe. Regardless that is the most sleep I've gotten in a row in about a month!

I went through the same thing with my son not being able to breathe. It was worse when he was crying but sleeping was a problem as well. So I took him to the doctor and they gave me a breathing thing and albuterol. I ahd to give him two breathing treatments a day for a week, and never have I had the problem again.

[Teresa]

I wanted to comment about the picture while pregnant thing. I did not get enough. I have two. That's it. Once from my baby shower and once at Christmas. Not that I was a particularly pretty sight at full term, it still would have been nice. I am a tiny person and I was HUGE. All over! I had sausage arms and chunky cheeks. I guess that's why you should not have a box of cereal next to the bed while in your third trimester.

[Teresa]

Sam's club....that's where I bought my diapers when my son was still in them. For a newborn they usually lasted about 2-3 weeks, and when he got a little older they lasted a little over a month. When I was buying them I think they came with 100-150 somewhere in there. And the cost was about as much as a regular pack at the grocery store or walmart.



Oh yeah...the Smiles brand at SAMS is PERFECT. What a deal! I still use some of the boxes 11 years later!

[bludlfn003]

I wanted to comment about the picture while pregnant thing. I did not get enough. I have two. That's it. Once from my baby shower and once at Christmas. Not that I was a particularly pretty sight at full term, it still would have been nice. I am a tiny person and I was HUGE. All over! I had sausage arms and chunky cheeks. I guess that's why you should not have a box of cereal next to the bed while in your third trimester.

thats funny, I was huge too and really I didn't eat much. My eyes were always more hungry than my stomach. I would get a big meal and eat 3 bites. I have one picture that I took the night before I was scheduled to be induced. I got so big,

[Seratonin]

Sorry I haven't been a great chatter - part of it is that I'm a little bashful, and the other part is that I have to do most of my typing one handed with my little guy in my lap :)
He's teething right now, so he's needing extra love.

How fun to have a new DSLR Jennifer - I'd really like to try one someday. Of course I'm not great with my point and shoot :) but it would be fun to learn more!

[JenniferG]

Teething time is so much fun...not! Well, Alethea was pretty easy with her teething. She cut her first tooth at 3 months and had all her teeth (except the last two wisdom teeth) by her first birthday. But Rayah is taking her time. She'll be 8 months next Tuesday and has yet to cut any teeth.

She's crying right now so I gotta make this short...

[Pezjunky]

My kids didn't cut any teeth until 9-10 months, but then they all seemed to come at once. It was like one day no teeth, the next week, they had a mouthful. At least they were only cranky once for all those teeth. But no fun to go through.
Jennifer-I just got a Rebel Xsi for Christmas and am loving it! I'm sure you'll love your DSLR too.

[IglooWigwam]

I keep thinking that Ben is teething... but then nothing. I think he just gets very cranky whenever he's tired!

[bludlfn003]

teeth cutting...YAY! no thats not true. that is the worst time for a baby I think. Aaron cried and cried. I felt so bad for him. Now I'm getting ready for the teeth to come back out. Atleast it doesn't hurt so bad the second time around right?

[JenniferG]

Well, I'm not looking forward to when Rayah starts teething. I see a little bit of a tooth just below the gums... I just hope she doesn't become too irritable. I have baby oragel and herbal teething tablets at the ready. yes, the teething tablets work. And they put them to sleep! Gotta love that! I used them on Alethea and they never failed to make her feel better and fall asleep. Usually around nap and bed time she was given them and life was great. She only had a fever for the first two teeth, then the rest came through so fast with little fuss from her. She loved feeling them when they were in....always putting her hands in her mouth. She would bite her tongue a bit at first, though.

Right now Rayah has just learned to crawl and has been turning into a pro crawler over the past few days. She has only been crawling since the end of last month and already she's trying to climb up onto things. Just like Alethea I know she won't be satisfied with crawling for long. She was pulling herself up to stand yesterday. *sigh* They grow up so fast.

[bludlfn003]

Sorry I haven't been a great chatter - part of it is that I'm a little bashful, and the other part is that I have to do most of my typing one handed with my little guy in my lap :)
He's teething right now, so he's needing extra love.

How fun to have a new DSLR Jennifer - I'd really like to try one someday. Of course I'm not great with my point and shoot :) but it would be fun to learn more!

Being bashful is ok. I am kinda the same way, but everyone here seems to like to talk about the same things...their camera and kids.

[littlekiwi]

Hey girl! Nice to meet another kiwi!!!! What part of auckland you in??

I'm in Papakura, South Auckland

[Pezjunky]

JenniferG where in Washington are you? I'm up about an hour north of Seattle (near the San Juan Islands).

[JenniferG]

JenniferG where in Washington are you? I'm up about an hour north of Seattle (near the San Juan Islands).

I'm in Federal Way.

There's a crop for us Puget Sounders that's going to be April 18th at the Federal Way Library. Hold on. Be back with the thread link.

[JenniferG]

Ok. Here's the link:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37139

Hope you can join us! It's going to be great to finally meet some DSP'ers in real life! I'll most likely be bringing my brats, as I'm quite certain Christian (my husband) won't be able to deal with them without me for too long. Alethea is very attached to me and crys whenever I go somewhere without her. The whole time I'm gone. It near breaks your heart. Needless to say, I don't really get out much. :)

[JenniferG]

Jennifer-I just got a Rebel Xsi for Christmas and am loving it! I'm sure you'll love your DSLR too.

I am counting down the days. Thinking of downloading the manual now just so I can have a head start on learning it.

[Jesmchool]

Hey all! wow you must all get busy while i sleep on the other side of the world lmao!

I never even knew Paige was teething till a tooth popped out her gum, i knew all about it for the next few tho, it horrible watching your babies suffer :(

She came home from school yesterday and told us that all the kids called her a "jerk" and that no one would play with her :( shes recently moved classes and apparently none of her friends came with her from her old class. GRR. I am now trying to figure out what to do, we gonn have a few of the girls in her class round to play for a start. I was so badly bullied at school the thought of it happening to Paige just made me cry and cry :(

[JenniferG]

Poor girl! I couldn't imagine someone doing that to my girls. I would have to be restrained from going to the school and yelling at the bratty girls. I would forget I was an adult, for sure! Your approach seems much better. I'm sure that once they get to know her they'll love her, though. She just LOOKS lovable, you know?

[Jesmchool]

Thanks, we think so lol. We were sitting there talking after she was asleep and saying, how could anyone not like Paige?????

If i get too many more stories like this im gonna talk to the teacher and ask her to help me nip it in the bud. I am VERY VERY angry dont get me wrong, i would love to go down there and call them "jerks" and see how they like it! you know, pull hair and kick their little butts for being mean to my daughter... but, my mother used to do that sort of thing "for" me, and unfortunaly it backfires on the child, having been there. So i am restraining myself... just... it's really hit a raw nerve for us, as we were both badly treated at school (harder on hubby, as his homelife was a ton of crap too, i had the supportive loving family at least) we are just really glad she told us so we can deal with it.

[Seratonin]

Hope things work out with school, sometimes kids can be not nice

[Jesmchool]

Yeah... she hasnt said i dont want to go to school today yet so thats something i reckon lol.

[Pezjunky]

There's a crop for us Puget Sounders that's going to be April 18th at the Federal Way Library. Hold on. Be back with the thread link.

Oh man, that's my mom's birthday, and I have a friend getting married that day. I wish I could go.:cry: Maybe next time.

[Jesmchool]

Hey jo! Saw your LO in the gc challange, its soo cool well done!!!! Thats such a fun technique eh? hehe i feel like im starting to learn!!! :D :D

[IglooWigwam]

Thanks Jess! You mean the mystic cake right, lol. It's a really good tutorial that Robyn put together.

Sorry to hear about your kid being upset at school. Whoever said school days are the best days of your life must have had a very sheltered childhood. Personally I was glad to see school behind me and I've never looked back!

[Jesmchool]

Same here! Paige says she had a better day today... i hated school so much, i want paige to love it, i have worked realy hard to give her the social grounding to do well... sigh i just gotta keep working!

yeah the mistic cake hehe i wanted to eat sum!!!

[Jesmchool]

And to answer ya q on my L/O for the g/c challange, yeah thats paige, she was our flower girl :) and i sort of tried for a pink/soft look, since its meant to be all lovey dovey lol :)

[bludlfn003]

all right ladies, here it is some birthday cake for you all. Just thought I'd share some cake since it is my birthday. :party: and everyone gets a slice YAY!!!

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g79/bludlfn003/Birthday20Cake_slice.jpg

[IglooWigwam]

YUM! Happy Birthday Amanda!

[Seratonin]

Happy Birthday! And thanks for the cake :) sure does look yummy

[bludlfn003]

Thanks ya'll :party:

[JenniferG]

Oh yum! Happy birthday Amanda!!!!!

[Teresa]

April Freebie is UP!!!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/6890/buttons_for_because_copy.jpg

Follow the link by clicking on my Woodsy's freebie flair button for more details.

[bludlfn003]

thanks teresa. this is cute

[Pezjunky]

Happy Birthday Amanda. Thanks for the cake.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

:party:Happy Birthday Amanda!:party:

Just popping in to say hi! :wave:

Baby Boots is not happy. We went to the urologist this morning to get the * snip snip * done. :(
I'm exhausted, I can't imagine how he feels. I'm just glad Black Sneakers was there to take him in. I was too chicken to watch. :no:

[JenniferG]

Flips, I love how you guys refer to each other in terms of shoe type! Cracks me up. So cute.

My sister is flying in from Alabama this afternoon with my brand new niece. I am so excited! She'll be here for 2 weeks, so don't be alarmed if I'm a little infrequent during that time! I haven't seen her for a few years. Not since before I was married in 2005. I think the last time was a couple months after I got out of the Navy, before she moved to Hawaii. It's been a while, as you can tell. I miss her. She and I have never really had a close relationship like I have with my youngest sister, Tiffany (who is a member here: AnthonysMom), who moved up here in December of last year. I'm the oldest. The joys and pains of being the oldest are that you sometimes need to be "motherly" to your younger siblings, and they don't appreciate it most times. Tiffany ignores what she doesn't care about, but Trish as always been annoyed with my advice and guidance...even when I am proved right 99% of the time. I don't rub it in, though. I'm trying to be better so that she and I can become closer. Maybe Trinity (my new niece) will be the bridge that finally binds us closer together.

Oh yeah, and my Dad is coming next week for a few days to knock out a visit with his kids and grandkids all at one time! A regular mini family reunion! It's going to be fun! Maybe I can pursuade him to make his ribs for me! They're my favorite! His and my Pop-Pop's are the best EVER! Last time I saw my Dad was in 2007 when he flew me and Christian and Alethea to Hawaii for a 2 week visit! He hasn't met Rayah yet.

Ok, that's enough for now. I gotta go make a pbj sandwich for Alethea and put Rayah down for a nap.

[Pezjunky]

How fun to have so much family come visit! And for your dad to meet your baby...how great. DH's family is not from America and we can only afford to visit every 3 years or so, so they haven't gotten to see our new baby. We've only been to visit them twice, ever. I'm sure he's happy to get to see the grandkids.
I'm the youngest in my family, but I am also the bossiest. I never listened to my older brothers. I'm sure I got annoyed with them a lot growing up. Hope you and your sister are able to bond over becoming moms. Having kids can really bring people together.
It's cool that you got to go to Hawaii for a few weeks. I lived in Hawaii for a few years and miss it a lot. I am hoping to go in May/June when DH's sister has her first baby. She's my favorite SIL. I'm very excited for her.

[bludlfn003]

thanks for all the birthday wishes.

Jen, I'm the same way, except I'm the oldest by default. My oldest brother (dads son) didn't even know he was my brother until he was nineteen. I knew my whole life. I actually raised my oldest younger brother pretty much because my mom worked nights when i turned twelve and so I was taking care of him getting him off to school bc mom was sleeping, and then making sure he had dinner and did homework. That's why me and him are the closest. My youngest brother lives in Cali with my dad and stepmom (she's in Coast Guard) so I don't get to talk to him much.

[JenniferG]

Yeah, it's hard when family is spread out over states. That was our problem. Tiff and I lived with Mom mostly and Trisha lived with Dad. Since Dad has been in the Navy since we were born, having just retired in January after 27 years, he moved around a lot, while Mom didn't move much after the divorce. Trish is more like Dad and Tiff and I are more like Mom. Tiff has a bit of Dad in her...and she was spoiled, being the baby and all.

[Jesmchool]

:party: HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :party:

Hope you have (had?) a rocking day! :tup: :hug:

Oh yay Jennifer! New babys are so easy to gush over!!!! You and your sis should hopefully find it really easy to bond again with that common ground to start from. Wishing you luck and white light to be warm and safe in!


I am the baby in my family, but i also sort of grew up an only child as i am the product of second marriges so my siblings are all way older than me. My next brother martel is 6 yrs older than me and my eldest brother/sister paul/jen (twins) are 15 years older than me.

Martel lived with us till he was 14 then lived with his dad, and the twins had left home before my memorys are clear lol.

So i was mostly the only kid in the house. I get on really well with both my brothers now that we are all adults. Not so much my sister, we just dont really connect now. She lives in wellington (other end of the North Is.) so i dont see her often either. Only difference between me and you Jennifer is i dont really want to build any bridges there, i have tried and tried and i am just done with it now. (long long long story)

Martel lives in london, thank goodness for facebook i can keep an eye on him there haha. Paul and his wife are nearby and we see them a lot.

Its funny really, i am the youngest but i am really the "second mummy" in our family. Whenever things are going funny in the family im almost always the one to fix it... I am also the only one breeding, and its looking more and more like i am the only one thats gonna!

[Jesmchool]

:party:Happy Birthday Amanda!:party:

Just popping in to say hi! :wave:

Baby Boots is not happy. We went to the urologist this morning to get the * snip snip * done. :(
I'm exhausted, I can't imagine how he feels. I'm just glad Black Sneakers was there to take him in. I was too chicken to watch. :no:

poor you! poor Baby Boots! I hope he feels better soon, do they give you cream or anything to put on it? I dont blame you for being chicken i couldn't watch it either! :hug:

[IglooWigwam]

Aww, I hope Baby Boots (lol love that) is feeling better again soon.

My mum is coming to stay for a few days this Friday. It's always nice to see family, especially when it's a granny who loves to spoil her first grandchild and give me a chance to slump on the couch with a cup of tea. :D

...Or more likely, take the opportunity to go on a housework blitz :( I only get the chance to clean properly once a month when she comes to visit :lol:

Hope you have a good time with your sister Jennifer.

[IglooWigwam]

87474 - 132 = 87342!!!

Only 87,342 posts to go until we break the granny thread record and get our own sub-board! Yay!

[bludlfn003]

87474 - 132 = 87342!!!

Only 87,342 posts to go until we break the granny thread record and get our own sub-board! Yay!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Jesmchool]

lol jo you crack me up!

[Pezjunky]

87474 - 132 = 87342!!!

Only 87,342 posts to go until we break the granny thread record and get our own sub-board! Yay!

:rofl:
Here is one more post! Almost there now.

[bludlfn003]

Today has been such crappy day, literally. My son was not feeling well this morning so I let him stay home from school and the chores I wanted to get done have not gotten done.

[Pezjunky]

I'm sorry your son is sick. It seems there is a lot of that going around, everywhere. Hopefully he'll sleep and you can get some stuff done. I wanted to clean yesterday and had to call my mom to take the kids for a few hours so I could get it done.

[bludlfn003]

No he hasn't gone to sleep. Actually just the opposite, he's been up my butt all day. But I want my little man to get better, so cleaning will come later. With 3 kids home from 3 in the afternoon till 8 the next morning, fighting the entire time except in their sleep (which they probably do in their sleep knowing them) I love my few hours of alone time.

[JenniferG]

87474 - 132 = 87342!!!

Only 87,342 posts to go until we break the granny thread record and get our own sub-board! Yay!

lol Jo! They average about 3 pages a day :shocked:, so we have a long way to go!

[JenniferG]

Today has been such crappy day, literally. My son was not feeling well this morning so I let him stay home from school and the chores I wanted to get done have not gotten done.

Hate when that happens. Well, I don't know about it personally, but I'm guessing... You know what they say about chores though..."A clean house is the sign of a lazy scrapper" :rofl::rofl:

[JenniferG]

No he hasn't gone to sleep. Actually just the opposite, he's been up my butt all day. But I want my little man to get better, so cleaning will come later. With 3 kids home from 3 in the afternoon till 8 the next morning, fighting the entire time except in their sleep (which they probably do in their sleep knowing them) I love my few hours of alone time.


I so agree! All mommy's need "alone time." Hope he gets better soon!!

I don't really get alone time....rarely ever. Alethea's too clingy for me to leave to do something, or to leave her with others... She crys and crys and screams and crys some more the entire time I'm gone... Even with dh. Sometimes with Me`me`. The only people she seems to work with is her godparents, who have to watch her together in order for her to be distracted. At least, she didn't miss me much in November, which was the last time dh and I were able to go out together. Sad, I know.

[JenniferG]

Oh yeah, and I am enjoying my sister's visit. Trinity (my niece who is 5 weeks old) is suffering from jetlag and was cranky from around 4:30pm to when I left around 8:30pm and couldn't go to sleep. I think she fell asleep while I was gathering up the girls to leave. Hope it didn't continue throught the night.

I'll be heading over there this afternoon I think. Either that or she'll be coming over to my place. She wants to work out while she's here and I have the treadmill.

It's great seeing her after so many years. And great to finally meet Trinity. Of course I took tons of photos! And I'm sure I'll have an entire 4gb dvd full of photos by the time they leave. My camera will forever be by my side!

[Seratonin]

Hope Boots feels better soon.

Sounds like there's lots of family getting together. Hope you're all having fun together :)

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Amazingly Baby Boots is feeling better. Lots of screaming yesterday, but today nothing! :yahoo:

Sneaks family used to all live close together. His little brother went on a mission for our church. Then we moved when Sneaks got a new job. His parents sold their house and moved to another state and his older brother went to graduate school. Sneak's sister is the only one left behind with her family.

I'm actually excited because next month we'll be blessing (christening) Boots at church and the family is trying to make it out here for it.

My family is all in AZ, so it's easier for them all to come see us.

[JenniferG]

So glad he's feeling better. More sleep for mommy and daddy!

[Jesmchool]

I kept my girl home today too, i decided she needed a "mental health" day, and she has also been feeling a bit concerned about how that new arrivals are going to effect her life (having been the only only only for 5 years now) so me and mum took her out and got her a new toy and took her to luch and the pet shop and got some wool so we can make her a hat and jacket (as we have been knitting for the babies) she has felt really special all day, and now we are both shattered!! I can feel her relaxing a bit tho, shes still very important to us, and she is talking about things she want to do with the babies again, which she stopped doing.

So glad baby is feeling better flips! its so hard watching em suffer eh!

Jennifer -have you thought about slowly de-sensitising Alethea so she feels more comfortable out of your company? or are you not too worried about it atm? If you wanted to you could do things like take her to a playcentre (if you have them over there) and spend time with her, and slowly let her take inititive to feel more confident with you standing back until you can spend a session away and leave her there. You can get her dad to do that too, hom to do activities with her, and you go into other rooms, or out to the car until you can actully go out in the car and she can cope. Just a couple suggestions from my mate that had a really clingy child too :)

[IglooWigwam]

At six months, Ben is maybe a little young for separation anxiety. So far he seems to quite enjoy new people - I think he gets bored of looking at my face lol.

He has however insisted on being nursed to sleep for naps and night-time pretty much since his very first night! I don't mind, although I am little bit worried about how he will nap when I go back to work in June. Wish I didn't have to but there's this pesky mortgage that needs paying. If he really hates it though, we could probably work something out with me staying at home for longer.

[JenniferG]

Well, I've thought about it but it's easier said than done. Soon enough, though. We're doing baby steps. VERY baby steps. I have separation issues as well! LOL. I want my "me" time, but I'm just a bit apprehensious of leaving her without me. Probaby has to do with me not having confidence that anyone can handle her like me. But eventually we'll both get over it.

Rayah is more used to me leaving her with others because from a younger age she's been left with others while I went somewhere (usually with Alethea in tow). She likes it fine. She loves meeting new people. I've left her with my mom, my husband, my sister Tiffany, and her godparents. I know, not too many people, but it's a start, and I trust them to watch her. If Alethea would be happy without me, I'd leave her too! When summer comes around I'm thinking it will be easier to leave her with others...especially if they take her to the park or whatever. My husband took her to the park every day after Rayah was born and he took his 4 weeks off to help me (c-section). She loved it. It was a great opportunity for the two of them to bond. But since winter, the bond has subsided just a tad, and she has reverted to wanting Mommy all the time. Again.

Ok, this is a LONG post! I should end it now.

[Jesmchool]

LOL Jennifer! That is nothing compared to some of mine!!! I am trying to slow myself down but i always seem to have so much to say.... Im shocking that way!

hope you didnt mind me giving you advice! I just thought you might be interested, i'm sure you have looked at lots of things haha! I studied human development for a year (wanna go finish) so i kinda cant help myself from sharing! I dont mean to sound like im telling anyone what to do, i'm just sharing.....

[JenniferG]

No problem, Jess. It's all good.

[Jesmchool]

cool i would hate to offend anyone!

Hope your all having a great weekend :) i have the house to myself DD at her bio daddys and DH is fishing hehe its so nice and quiet :)

[Pezjunky]

I'm gonna have a busy weekend. Tonight was the Pinewood Derby for my cub scout pack. Have to go to a funeral. Finishing up a bathroom remodel. And playing the organ in my church.
Have a great time in the quiet Jess! I am so jealous. :)

[JenniferG]

Yeah Jess! I'm jealous too! And you are so busy Desiree!

I'm just enjoying the visit of my sister and niece. I can't wait to have my Dad here, too. He's only visiting for a couple of days because he has to look for a job after retiring from the Navy. He says one job is here in Washington...I'm hoping that he gets that one..of course! I'll get to see Dad all the time and my girls and nephew will get to see Grampy all the time. Who could want more? I only wish Trish would move up here! (Totally unlikely...but who knows? God may be working in my favor after years of praying and hoping.)

[Jesmchool]

Lol believe me ladies, im enjoying it while it lasts, i wont get any time off these ones!

Oh cool Jen, i love having my mum and dad close and my brother :) I just wish he and his wife would breed! Paige needs a cousin! lol

WOW Desiree! You are busy! And playing your church organ that must be totally awesome!

Makes me feel a bit guilty i havent been very busy in a few weeks now, and theres so much that i COULD be doing i am just NOT doing it, but i did go through all our bubba clothes today to see what else we needed :)

[IglooWigwam]

If you wanted to you could do things like take her to a playcentre (if you have them over there) and spend time with her, and slowly let her take inititive to feel more confident with you standing back until you can spend a session away and leave her there.
That's sort of what our nursery does. They have a few trail days where the mum (or dad) stays with the child at the nursery, then gradually distances themselves. Then they let you leave your child with them for shorter periods, like an hour. I think it's to help the parents adjust to the separation as much as the baby!

Understand where you are coming from Jennifer... so far the longest I've ever been away from Ben is about 3.5 hours when I left him with MIL to go to a wedding. It felt "weird" like I'd left the house without a limb or something and it was hard to enjoy myself. Ben on the other hand was completely fine and didn't miss me a bit :lol:

EDIT: trail days?? I meant trial days :doh:

[IglooWigwam]

Oh cool Jen, i love having my mum and dad close and my brother :) I just wish he and his wife would breed! Paige needs a cousin! lol
Heh! Yeah, I wish some of our family lived closer. As it is I only really see my mum about once a month, my dad and my brother maybe twice a year. My husband's brother's family moved to Spain a couple of years ago and they had a little girl two months after Ben was born. We're all going to meet up at Christmas this year at the MIL's house. It's going to be chaos... two one year olds, a seven year old, plus six "adults".

[JenniferG]

Sounds like fun though, Jo! I bet you can't wait until Christmas!

I agree, leaving without my girls makes me feel like I'm missing a limb. The first time my mom watched Alethea when she was about 3 months old, I had her text me every 30 minutes to let me know how she was doing. When Alethea fell asleep, so did my mom and I didn't get a text over an hour. I was SOOOOOO worried. All I could think about was getting home and making sure everything was ok and that the horrible scenarios going on in my head weren't true! I was out on a date with my husband at the time, and didn't want him to think I was trying to "rush" home, but it was hard to try to fake calm. When Mom finally answered she told me she and Alethea were sleeping. I got a few gray hairs over that night, let me tell you!

Dddy takes Alethea to the store with him every now and then. He can't go too long in the car, though, which limits when she can go with him, because she gets car sick and throws up all over herself.

[Jesmchool]

Poor alethea! Poor mums. Yeah i still have a bittersweet kind of feeling when paige is away from me, like the house is too quiet and there is something not quite in sync with me, but at the same time i enjoy the time cos its all back on when she gets home. I used to call it my sanity time as a solo mum. Paige and i had no choice but to get used to it, as she has been going to her dads from birth with me in tow and from age one she started staying one night and now she goes every second weekend for two nights and stays there every wednesday night as well, i am glad that she has such a close relationship with her dad but its still bittersweet and i often ask hubby if we can go get paige now lol.

Jo - sounds like you have a fun-filled holiday coming up this year! lots of potential for scrappy pages hehe

[bludlfn003]

wow I've been absent. got alot to catch up on. Ya know, Aaron never had a problem with being without me, thank goodness. My mom was always around, plus she was the one who would babysit when I went back to work when he was a few months old. I have three kids here, even though 2 of them are my step kids, and so when I don't have school, and they are all at school, I just love the quiet when I'm home. It was hard the first time I took him to daycare though, he didn't want to go but after a few days of being around kids his age, he was hooked. Then last year was his first day of public school, in pre-k, it was hard. I didn't want to leave him there. I was strong for him because he was a little nervous but as soon as I walked to my car I cried the entire one minute drive home.

[Jesmchool]

it IS hard eh amanda, even though paige had been going to morning kindy 5 days a week and avo kindy two days, i STILL had to hopd it together for her first day at primary, and i cried once i got back to my car. I felt dumb cos we were both so used to it, but somehow its different when they start school! lol

I have a question, it might be stupid, on one of my uploaded layouts the two ppl that commented both mentioned that they liked my OOB and i have no idea what that is! It was for the spotlight member scraplift challange, heres the link.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=308954&ppuser=147697

[Pezjunky]

OOB means 'out of bounds'. It's when you extract part of the image outside the 'bounds' of the frame.

[Pezjunky]

My kids have never had many problems with separation. I don't know if I should be proud, or offended :) My son (now 2 yrs old) has a few problems when I leave, but I'm told that once I'm gone he gets distracted and is fine. I've asked my mom and she said my brothers and I were the same way. My oldest got used to being with other people because I went back to school and work when she was 2 1/2 months old. I've been pretty ok with the separation, but when she went off on the bus ob her first day of 1st grade this year I did cry a little. I tell others it was because I was 7 months pregnant, but I know I would have cried anyway.

[Jesmchool]

THANKS Desiree! I felt like a bit of a dick asking, i kept looking at my layout tryong to work out what it meant but i couldnt :no:

I have had the same with paige, i went to uni when she was 8 months and soon after she was staying with her dad by herself, she got so used to it she has never had any huge issues with seperation, i sure have tho! She told me to leave during her "school visits" and i was like, but i wanna stay! lol

I think its gonna be a bit different with these guys, we wont be able to afford daycare so they will probably not go into any till they are at least two... not sure how it will all work, but we shall see!

[Jesmchool]

oh oh oh!!!!!!!!!! I upgraded, it says "love this place" under my name now hehe....

[Pezjunky]

Congratulations on the upgrade. I'm not terribly chatty most times, I think it took me months to get to 'love this place'.

So, I was going to practice my photography skills by taking pictures of my kids running around. I'm trying out different settings on my camera. Anyway, my plans got ruined. DD got an ear infection! I hate when kids get sick, especially on weekends. So, had to take her to the walk-in clinic and get her checked out. Then the pharmacy had problems billing the insurance, so I had to wait 4 hours and go back. And I live out in the country, so it's 25 minutes just to get to the pharmacy. Argh! But we also got good news this weekend, DH got a return date of when he should be leaving Iraq. So, I should have hubby home in May. He'll miss our anniversary by about a week. But that's ok, we can celebrate when he gets back.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend :)

[Pezjunky]

Sorry, double post!

[JenniferG]

That's good to hear Desiree!!! Nothing like having your hubby home! I know you miss him terribly!

[Jesmchool]

YAY desiree, hubby coming home! It must suck not actualy being able to claim solo motherhood, when part of the time you are! Poor little one, ear infections suck. Cos of being pregnant and on partial bedrest i manage to get on here heaps on my little laptop, i wouldnt normally be able to be about so much haha and i suspect it will definatly go down somewhat when the small ones arrive!

[bludlfn003]

I am so glad that it is tuesday!!!!!! No school and I can just hang out and get my laundry done. Well I do have to go buy underwear and socks for all of the kids, but hey thats a trip to walmart. maybe I'll buy something for me too while I'm there.

[JenniferG]

My dad is coming tomorrow...hopefully :pray: We'll see. He's flying standby, so things may change...again. He was supposed to be here on Monday, but that didn't happen, then he was supposed to come today, but then they switched his flight and now he has to go through Guam, then Japan, then Houston TX, then here (washington). :angry:

This is effecting Bingo, man!!! :lol: But I haven't seen him since summer 2007, so other things get postponed or moved.



On another note, I got my camera yesterday! WOOOHOOO!! I've been playing with it and reading the manual like crazy. SOOO much more to learn! Like, now I actually HAVE to look through the Viewfinder. Go figure! Takes some getting used to. And the 18-55mm lens doesn't go very far! I am now eagerly awaiting the arrival of my 55-200mm lens, which comes on Monday. And now I understand why I sometimes see people holding cameras with a crazy long lens! *lightbulb*

[bludlfn003]

Jennifer have fun with the camera. Don't forget to show off some of those pictures you take with the new camera too!!!!

[JenniferG]

Oh yeah! I have taken about 75 photos yesterday! And I plan on taking many many many more today! Got to get as MANY as I can while my niece and sister are here...and then when my Dad comes. My poor hard drive is going to be stock full of photos, and I'm going to be busy transfering and deleting to make more space on my camera....or maybe I should just buy a larger memory card for the camera? I have a 2GB...maybe I should buy a 4GB? Hmmm...I'll have to check out the prices.

[Jesmchool]

LOL awesome jennifer, who says girls dont love their toys too!!!! hehe I just want a new computer, this one is sooooooo slowwwwwwwww lol but it works fine for the meantime and a new vacuum is way up further on the list, in fact a new car is even higher lol

My hubby might be getting a new job within his company, which is a distributor, they earn really good money and basically work for themselves!!!!! be such a good move for us :D fingers crossed please!!!!!!

[bludlfn003]

Fingers are crossed that he gets that new job Jess. That is very exciting.

I need a new vacuum too, mine is a POS. But until I get out and get one I will continue to readjust the belt before every use. lol

[Pezjunky]

I got a 4 gb when I got my camera. then in Jan I got a 16gb. Good thing I have a 500gb external HD to store everything. I have taken just over 1400 pictures since Christmas. I do throw out the very bad ones though. The ones too blurry or dark or bright to salvage. I'm jealous of your new lens though. I only have the kit lens and though I'm still learning to maximize it's potential, I really want one that can do more. Maybe someday. Anyway, hope your dad makes it there safely.
And Jess-I'm crossing my fingers for you! :)

[JenniferG]

Thanks Desiree. I hope so too!

Jess, I would LOVE a new car...a Lincoln Nav, to be precise! In either metalic baby blue or navy blue. For our ever growing family.

My husband has been trying to get my mind open to the idea of a Mac notebook, but I'm so used to pc's that I dont think I'll convert. Then I'd have to get all new software too! NO THANK YOU! I like my pc laptop just fine, thank you.

Hope you ladies can make it to bingo tonight! I'm hosting along with Melissa.

I've been working on my faithbook album like crazy! Hoping to get it done by the end of next month at the latest. I'm sure there will be about 100 pages, so I need to get cracking! I'm still working on my favorite verses. There are MANY of those!

[Jesmchool]

Whats a faithbook?

Yeah i just sort of sold my car (my mum and dad bought half of it so its sort of shared) im having it a lot at the moment, as i cant walk long distances lol but its really too small, i need a bigger car for my three kids and their mates, like a people mover (geese i swore i would NEVER own one haha) if don gets the new job i will be able to get the car :) yay

I will go look up bingo now! :D

[JenniferG]

A book about my faith.

Come on into the chatroom. Bingo just started

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Hmmm...I'm a little late on this conversation, but I left Baby Boots for the first time this weekend! It was only 1 1/2 hours, but it was great to get out with Sneaks just the two of us y'know?

That's so exciting about your camera Jennifer!

Good luck with the new job Jess. Hopefully your DH gets it!

So, I'm very excited about getting a Wacom tablet. Sneaks said I could get one with our tax return. I can hardly wait! Weird thing is he tried to e-file it and it told him he had the wrong birth date? :confused:
So we had to make a trip out to the Social Security Administration today to change it to his right birthday. It's crazy that no one caught it before now. Hopefully it won't take too long for them to verify because it already seems too long now. * sigh *

[Jesmchool]

Hey Flips! Yay having a nice break! Whats a Wacom Tablet?

Thanks for inviting me to bingo Jennifer! I had so much fun and then i found the newbies chat hehe so i ended up with 3 freebies!!!! I feel so blessed today.

So do you put photos in a faithbook? or is it like really nice pages with psalms and stuff on? Sorry i dont get it!!!

[IglooWigwam]

Hey ladies, been a bit quiet lately as, funnily enough, all that talk about teething must have reminded Ben to get started with his. He definitely is teething now - I can see the little bumps on his gums, poor guy. He's not too miserable fortunately, but his sleeping and napping has got worse (just when I thought that wasn't possible lol). Not much time to myself these days (not that I had a great deal previously).

A Wacom Tablet is like a board with a pen that enables you to draw in your graphics application as if you were drawing on paper. They're good for doing things like photo extraction, sketch outlines etc as the idea is you have better control than you do with a mouse.

Good luck with the job, Jess and yay for new toys Jennifer!

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Oh yes, a Wacom Tablet...
Yeah, Jo beat me to it. I was an art major in college. The painting drawing kind. I love the no mess quality of computer art, but I definitely miss being able to actually draw with a pencil or pen. Hopefully this will feel enough like the real thing.

Sorry about the teething Jo. I am not looking forward to that when it comes! :D
I'm really just trying to enjoy Baby Boots as he is right now all gummy tooth and smile.
Oh yeah, he started to smile this past week. I really wish I could get it on camera. Maybe soon. But yeah, I know he will grow up too fast for me and so I try not to think like, oh I can't wait for when he does this...or I wish he was doing this already...

Sorry if that was all sporadic. It's too early for me to be up and my brain is a little fuzzy.
:doh:

[bludlfn003]

I was looking at he tablets online the otherday just to see how much they cost, but the DH is not going to let me get one, because he's going to say w can't afford it and a bunch of other blah blah blah's, plus I don't think I need one not just yet.

So for the past couple of days I've been spitting out new LO's and today I just can't find my scrapping mojo:cry:. It's so sad, but on the other hand maybe it's my way of unconciously telling myself you need to do something else besides sit at a computer with my face in the screen all day.:think:

Ben knows we've been talking about babies and teething, he's good. Hopefully it won't be too bad after the first couple of teeth JO. Just remember cold teething rings and cold washcloths.

[Pezjunky]

It took me weeks to get a smile from my baby on camera. Poor DH, he didn't get to see her smile until she was 3 months old because I could never get her to do it for me when I had the camera.
I hope I don't have to worry about teething for a while. My other kids didn't get teeth until 9-10 months, so I hope baby doesn't either. As a nursing mom, I appreciate not getting bitten.
I haven't made a layout, other than the DET contest ones, in weeks. I don't know why. I have lots of photos I could catch up on. But I just haven't been in the zone. I usually do SWTS, but this month I didn't get past day 3! I have been doing better with my housework though.

[JenniferG]

Hey Flips! Yay having a nice break! Whats a Wacom Tablet?

Thanks for inviting me to bingo Jennifer! I had so much fun and then i found the newbies chat hehe so i ended up with 3 freebies!!!! I feel so blessed today.

So do you put photos in a faithbook? or is it like really nice pages with psalms and stuff on? Sorry i dont get it!!!

Wow, 3 freebies! Lucky you!! Melissa will be doing bingo tonight as well, just in case there are those who still think it's tonight and are going to go...but the prize is still the same. Which you won so you could go and play for fun. :)

It's whatever you want it to be. For me, I'm doing a combination of my favorite verses which inspire and move me...and I'm combining some of the Faithbook Challenges, as well, as I desire. Statement of Faith (what I believe), stories of my faith being tested and what not, answered prayers, and other such things. There will be photos of my family and me and other important events in there as well, I'm just focusing on my favorite verses right now as they're quick to push out. I haven't been reading my bible as much as I used to, so this is wonderful for me right now.

[JenniferG]

The most inexpensive tablet is the Bamboo tablet...$99. Mine is a Graphire Bluetooth Wireless tablet and set us back a whopping $250! yikes! But I use it a lot and hopefully it'll pay for itself. I was going to try my hand at designing but I cant draw for anything...not even stick figures. LOL. That's also why I switched my major from digital design to photography. I LOVE taking photographs. And eventually I can combine professional photography and scrapbooking for hire when I'm done. Nice little income there...as long as the economy is better by then.

Dad is supposed to be flying in today, but I still don't know what time....

Alethea cut her first teeth at 3 months...Rayah is taking her time. 8 months old and still no teeth. I don't mind though, because she's a biter! Alethea wasn't. And biting babies and breastfeeding just don't mix!! (Did I already say that about the teething...I'm a little out of it right now...so much to do before Dad gets here!)

I still have to do my DET layouts for the final round! Yikes! And I'm 2 days late on my homework for school, so I have to do that, as well. *sigh* We have to build a pop display 3-d mock up and I am still trying to put together the spout and handle...which dont want to work- Don't ask. I'm just not motivated...even though I need to make sure my grades don't sink...this course just isn't very inspiring to me...no inspiration and no drive to make sure work is on time or anything. Sucks.

[bludlfn003]

I kinda feel the same way about my algebra class. I don't have to build anything but even though I'm there for class I just don't feel like doing the homework. It's my last semester at my college before I go to another school for nursing school and I guess my non motivation must be a type of senioritis...who knows. The problem is I don't feel like I should be in the class. I learned all of this stuff in the last algebra class I was in, s I feel like I already know this but my grades are only B's on the two tests that I've taken. Maybe if I would have done the homework I might have gotten A's on those tests. I really need to buckle down and get on the ball huh????

[Jesmchool]

Its so hard when your just not interested eh. i have had the odd class like that. Pshc 101 was so annoying, i like the brain and human development stuff, but the history bored me to tears. I used to use paige as my reward and motivation, so if i got all my homework done, then i was allowed to take her tothe park that day. I also used chocolate, i put it in front of me and wasn't allowed to eat it till i had achieved such and such amount of reading. Maybe you ladies coule set up your own little motivation system like that? haha you gotta be real strong tho, some days i just ate the choc and lay on the bed!

Thats a really good idea Jenifer about the photographer/scrapper for hire. Such a fun little business that would be eh! And i love the idea of a faithbook, im sort of doing things like that (althought i am not christian, i am earth spiritual, so its more about the changing seasons and how we honour them etc. and its more of a diary than anything else) but i never thought of incorporating it as a scrapbook.... hmmmm my mind is ticking now!!!!

Paige was good at biting my nipples once she cut teeth, boy it hurt, she only done it like twice tho, cos i yelled! She didnt like mummy yelling.... little cute one!

[Jesmchool]

Oh and flips, a good one i had with paige was that if i tickled her lower lip she would smile, i managed to get some good pics of her toothless grin that way...

[Pezjunky]

Jennifer, I was just looking through your faithbook. That is so great. I love how you used texture on the pictures. I may have to make a faithbook of my own.
Did your dad make it there?

[IglooWigwam]

Alethea cut her first teeth at 3 months...Rayah is taking her time. 8 months old and still no teeth. I don't mind though, because she's a biter! Alethea wasn't. And biting babies and breastfeeding just don't mix!!
Ouch, yes, I'm still nursing Ben and will probably continue until he decides he doesn't want to anymore. He's only bitten a couple of times so far, so let's hope he doesn't develop a habit once those teeth are through!

Good luck with the DET contest and big congratulations on making round 4 :tup:

I'm really just trying to enjoy Baby Boots as he is right now all gummy tooth and smile.
I know what you mean - I'm going to miss it! But I think a little toothy grin will be cute too, just different! It gets a lot easier to catch their smile on camera as they grow older, since they begin to smile a lot more. I've got lots of good ones of Ben. Just wait until Baby Boots starts laughing. When Ben laughed for the first time I nearly cried it was so cute - soppy cow :rofl: The other day my mum and I were making him laugh in the supermarket and the entire queue joined in! Baby laughter is incredibly infectious :love3:

[Jesmchool]

Baby laughs are infectious Jo! Its just so real and natural!

[Seratonin]

Oy. Such a crazy time lately. My little guy has learned about power buttons this week. He's getting really good at sneaking up on us and turning off the computer right when we're in the middle of homework or designing. Ahhh! But it's not just computers, it's the lights on surge protectors, the TV when we're watching it, the DVD player and Playstation. Plus some of the time he can get a CD/DVD out which is a great toy! :yikes: :doh:

On top of that we're trying to buy a house and little guy is still kind of teething and cranky, so I'm feeling behind on designing and overall kind of stressed out. :yikes:

The house I was really falling in love with just sold (and not to us :no:) so we've got to go back and look again which means a 3hr trip and overnight stay tomorrow. We have a pretty tiny budget, so I hope we can find something that'll work for us.

But, for good news :) I've got a 'blog freebie' up so if you get a chance to check out my blog http://sbscraps.blogspot.com/ you might a link for a freebie :)

[Jesmchool]

Goodluck house hunting sarah! How old is your little one? Paige went through that stage too, didnt last long thankfully just a few weeks, hope your little one gets bored soon too!!!

[JenniferG]

Jennifer, I was just looking through your faithbook. That is so great. I love how you used texture on the pictures. I may have to make a faithbook of my own.
Did your dad make it there?

Thanks for checking it out Desiree!

Yeah. He got here yesterday afternoon and we went over to my mom and sister's place for a bit. My sister, Trisha, flew in from Alabama for a couple weeks (last week) and is staying with them. Since there were more there we went to them. Today, Mom and Tiff have to work, so we're going over there until they leave for work then we're coming back to my place with Trisha, the baby and my nephew Anthony...and possibly going out for dinner (if not I'll be cooking something) after my husband gets home from work.

Dad is sleeping right now...it's 8am and he basically didn't sleep yesterday at all...didn't sleep on the plane here. Really bad jetlag...as you can imagine after 36 hours of flying over the course of 4 days. Poor Dad. He has to leave tomorrow sometime, though. Which is too bad for us. But we're snapping away with the cameras. He's got his Canon DSLR and I've got my point and shoot and my Nikon DSLR...so between us we've probably already taken about 1000 photos, easy. And we'll probably take MANY more today.

But we're having fun, reminiscing about our childhood and family moments...and making fun of each other. You know how it is. We were watching some old family videos in the VCR last night. Man, how we dressed in the early 90's! :shocked: What were we thinking!!!

[JenniferG]

Ouch, yes, I'm still nursing Ben and will probably continue until he decides he doesn't want to anymore. He's only bitten a couple of times so far, so let's hope he doesn't develop a habit once those teeth are through!

Good luck with the DET contest and big congratulations on making round 4 :tup:


I know what you mean - I'm going to miss it! But I think a little toothy grin will be cute too, just different! It gets a lot easier to catch their smile on camera as they grow older, since they begin to smile a lot more. I've got lots of good ones of Ben. Just wait until Baby Boots starts laughing. When Ben laughed for the first time I nearly cried it was so cute - soppy cow :rofl: The other day my mum and I were making him laugh in the supermarket and the entire queue joined in! Baby laughter is incredibly infectious :love3:

Thanks Jo! I still have to do my layouts! I've been so busy with Dad coming...Thank God the deadline isn't until Sunday night! Otherwise I'd be toast!

Yeah, I nursed Alethea until she was through with it! She decided she'd had enough when she was about 15 months old. I'm kinda secretly hoping Rayah will decide she's through a bit sooner...like her 1st birthday!!! :lol:

So true, when babies laugh, you just have to laugh too. It's so hilarious...especially the deep little belly laughs. I just crack up. I love hearing Rayah laugh. She's got a slightly deep and raspy voice...will be "sexy" when she's all grown if it sticks. That along with her baby blues and dark brown hair... The guys don't stand a chance. I'll be buying a shotgun soon! For both of my girls! Alethea is freakin gorgeous! I can't take it! (I know, I'm biased, but who cares?) :lol:

[JenniferG]

Oy. Such a crazy time lately. My little guy has learned about power buttons this week. He's getting really good at sneaking up on us and turning off the computer right when we're in the middle of homework or designing. Ahhh! But it's not just computers, it's the lights on surge protectors, the TV when we're watching it, the DVD player and Playstation. Plus some of the time he can get a CD/DVD out which is a great toy! :yikes: :doh:

On top of that we're trying to buy a house and little guy is still kind of teething and cranky, so I'm feeling behind on designing and overall kind of stressed out. :yikes:

The house I was really falling in love with just sold (and not to us :no:) so we've got to go back and look again which means a 3hr trip and overnight stay tomorrow. We have a pretty tiny budget, so I hope we can find something that'll work for us.

But, for good news :) I've got a 'blog freebie' up so if you get a chance to check out my blog http://sbscraps.blogspot.com/ you might a link for a freebie :)

Yeah, Alethea did that for a while...and sometimes still does. Which is why I'm so glad we got a mount for our flat panel. Now that it's on the wall and out of her reach, there's no more fingerprints all over the screen... and we did it just in time because she had just learned how to eject the dvd from the tv (built in)(we just bought it before Christmas). Each new phase of childhood is even more mischevious than the last. Yay for us... I have to remind myself sometimes that she's only 2 and soon she'll be a teen and want little from me...except money to go somewhere.

[bludlfn003]

Oy. Such a crazy time lately. My little guy has learned about power buttons this week. He's getting really good at sneaking up on us and turning off the computer right when we're in the middle of homework or designing. Ahhh! But it's not just computers, it's the lights on surge protectors, the TV when we're watching it, the DVD player and Playstation. Plus some of the time he can get a CD/DVD out which is a great toy! :yikes: :doh:


Aaron did the same thing when he turned 2. Actually it wasn't as bad as turning off the TV and computer, it was just the opposite, he would put moves in and watch them. He learned how to work the VCR and DVD player so that he could watch blues clues. One time I couldn't figure out how to do something with the VCR and he walked over there and said here, and all of a sudden whatever it was I was trying to do, worked. And my 2 year old was the one who did it. :think: Maybe that is why at the age of 5 he is reading 2-3rd grade level books :tup:

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

One time I couldn't figure out how to do something with the VCR and he walked over there and said here, and all of a sudden whatever it was I was trying to do, worked.

I think this is so funny Amanda. These little kids are growing up in such a digital age. It's going to be funny to tell them that I grew up with something called CD's or even cassette tapes.
Black Sneakers was picking up one of our neices from a nap, she was just older than 1 yr and he was trying to figure out how to turn off her sound machine. He was looking all over and then she pointed at the power button. Crazy smart.

Good luck with the house hunt Sarah. That's too bad about your favorite. At least you get to go out and look. It may be years before Sneaks and I can buy one. :(
Oh, and thanks for the freebie!

[Jesmchool]

What a clever boy Amanda! Paige is doing pretty good in reading too :) she has been at school only the one term and shes on level 5 :D Its fun to be proud mums :D

Our kids are definatly generation Techno! lol by the time they about 6 we wont be able to keep up with them!!!

Jennifer - i am not biased and both your girls are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! they wil definatly be heart breakers when their time comes! (thankfuly for our hearts theres a few years till then!)

So i had my midwife appt this morning, I am 29 weeks preggy, but my belly is the size of 38 weeks :-o lmao i am biiiig and i am gonna get bigger! (just felt like sharing!)

[JenniferG]

What a clever boy Amanda! Paige is doing pretty good in reading too :) she has been at school only the one term and shes on level 5 :D Its fun to be proud mums :D

Our kids are definatly generation Techno! lol by the time they about 6 we wont be able to keep up with them!!!

Jennifer - i am not biased and both your girls are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! they wil definatly be heart breakers when their time comes! (thankfuly for our hearts theres a few years till then!)

So i had my midwife appt this morning, I am 29 weeks preggy, but my belly is the size of 38 weeks :-o lmao i am biiiig and i am gonna get bigger! (just felt like sharing!)
Thanks Jess!

I think it's amazing at how much children know from a young age...and how much of their strengths we can see as they grow. Alethea will most likely be very good at English and reading and such. She learned her letters VERY early. I started teaching her before she could talk. And she can count to 16 and knows her animals and stuff. Still working on colors...she's not too interested in colors. Don't know why. Rayah is only 8 months old and she is an escape artist. She is also very good at figuring out the way things are supposed to go. Very inquisitive and curious. She's always observing. She's also very personable. I think she'll be very good with people as she gets older.

Even though you'll be getting bigger...eventually you'll be free of the belly and your arms will be full of babies! I know you can't wait!

[Jesmchool]

It is amasing watching different personalitys come out, Paige is a bubbly happy girl, and most people get on with her pretty easily, she laughs constantly! and when she does, people always laugh with her :) Sounds a lot like your Rayah jennifer, but she was not very adventurous as a baby, she used to crawl to the edge of the mat and stop hehe. she is more adventurous now, but still very cautious physically. Its so cool watching and learning their personalitys.

Yeah I am DEFINALTLY loking forward to being rid of the belly!!!!! I dont mind being big and all that but the discomfort is soooooo hard!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha

[Seratonin]

Good luck with the house hunt Sarah. That's too bad about your favorite. At least you get to go out and look. It may be years before Sneaks and I can buy one. :(
Oh, and thanks for the freebie!
You're welcome for the freebie :) We just got back from house hunting again and it is pretty stressful. We found another house that seems like it should be perfect, it just doesn't feel right - so we'll have to try again. I think we'll wait a couple of weeks before we make the trip out again. We wouldn't be able to get a house, except that my mom is helping. DH is still a student, but we're going to be there at least three years and we've got to live somewhere!

[Seratonin]

Yeah I am DEFINALTLY loking forward to being rid of the belly!!!!! I dont mind being big and all that but the discomfort is soooooo hard!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha

I bet! Hang in there! :)

[Jesmchool]

Thanks Sarah!

House hunting is so hard sometimes, especially when your looking for a place with bubba in tow! Its got to have the right feel though, houses get "vibes" in them i reckon and they have to mesh well with your vibes!

One thing i always do when im looking around at houses is the numerology for the house (add yours and hubbys birthdates up so you end up with two numbers that you can watch for, or something, i have always found that house that merge with my nemerology numbers have my kinda "vibes" odd but true lmao)

so i am 4-10-1984 (4+1+0+1+9+8+4=27, 2+7=9)
DH is 4-4-1979 (4+4+1+9+7+9=34, 3+4=7)
Our combined number is 7+9=16, 1+6=7

numbers that work well for us included 7, 9, 97, 79, etc, also numbers that add down to those numbers such as 34, 27 etc. then things like 24, 72 etc also would work well for us.

I know it sounds cheesy or weird but it realy works!!! lmao

[Seratonin]

One thing i always do when im looking around at houses is the numerology for the house (add yours and hubbys birthdates up so you end up with two numbers that you can watch for, or something, i have always found that house that merge with my nemerology numbers have my kinda "vibes" odd but true lmao)

so i am 4-10-1984 (4+1+0+1+9+8+4=27, 2+7=9)
DH is 4-4-1979 (4+4+1+9+7+9=34, 3+4=7)
Our combined number is 7+9=16, 1+6=7

numbers that work well for us included 7, 9, 97, 79, etc, also numbers that add down to those numbers such as 34, 27 etc. then things like 24, 72 etc also would work well for us.

I know it sounds cheesy or weird but it realy works!!! lmao

:lol: Wow! So, I tried our numbers from your directions and I found our numbers - we are both =28 so we both end up =1 ! I think that's crazy! :) So our numbers are 1 and our combined number is 2 lol
That we're the same number and that it's one is just kind of weirding me out right now :) :lol:

[IglooWigwam]

Heh, house-hunting by numbers! I'm too much of a rational cynic to give that a try (never really been into astrology either), but hey, if it works for you why not?!

[IglooWigwam]

Thanks for the freebie!

[Jesmchool]

lol yeah Jo! its an each to their own thing! We currently live at number 9 which is a great house for us, we love it :D but obviously thats not the only thing we were thinking about when we moved here!!!!! lmao

lol Sarah the chances of having the same number is reasonably high considering there are only 9 to choose from. you guys would probably do excellently in a 21 or a 12 lol in fact 21 is a power number as well so it would suit you extra well hehe

Little joke: my daughter and i attempting to get out the door on time and Paigey fluffing around, i said, "gosh paige, you are really trying my patience this morning!" she replied, "i know mum, you are really trying your best!"

That broke my tension haha

[IglooWigwam]

LOL! Well at least she appreciates your effort :D

[JenniferG]

LOL Jess. Gotta love kids.

right now Rayah is trying my patience. She refuses to take a nap and everything is making her cry. she's tired but just doesn't want to go to sleep. kids!

[Jesmchool]

Yup i thought it was good, i scrapped it hahahah thought that was too good to forget!

Poor Rayah, Poor YOU! Maybe shes teething finally??? Or is she just certain she doesnt need a nap when she does?

[Jesmchool]

Oh and i hope your family visit is going awesomely (i think i just made that up!) Jennifer!

[JenniferG]

A little of both. But she's asleep now, thank God!

[IglooWigwam]

BTW, the upside-down thread...

http://www.fileformat.info/convert/text/upside-down.htm

It's a funny website with a hack that turns your text "upside-down" by replacing letters with international characters. Clever! I thought it was a special font at first, but then I Googled upside-down text and found that site.

¡¡ssǝʃʇuıod os sı sıɥʇ 'ʍoM

[Jesmchool]

Lol jo that is a crackup!

Hope Rayah gets easier soon Jennifer!!!

Hubbys childhood album came today. Im not happy, they charged me 50 bucks for the damn thing, the pages (which on the computer preview were fine) have the edges cut off, and its not quite as well presented as they made out. grrrr

[JenniferG]

who did you use?

[JenniferG]

check out my link to artscow below. They're great and you can preview before you purchase....and you get lots of free prints where you only have to pay shipping (which was $8 for me). $50 is insane for a substandard print!

[bludlfn003]

Sorry to hear about your book Jess, that really sucks. Have ou tried to contact them and let them know about it yet. I don't know how much that will help but maybe it might do some good.

[Seratonin]

I'm sorry your book didn't turn out! That's so frustrating! I've printed an 8x8 with shutterfly and thought they were good (you still do have to watch the edges - a book works out different than the computer screen) and I've been meaning to give artscow a try.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

Jess that's a bummer about the book. I've always thought about printing mine into one, but decided that little hands would be looking at these and it would be best if I could replace individual pages.
I think I will make a book of something in the future though.

Yeah, who did you use, so we don't give them our business?

Oh, and Amanda I like your avatar!

[Jesmchool]

I used Snapfish, apparently the ppl down the road (who are lovely and brilliant and better priced) also do bound books, but yeah i am also thinking of getting individual pages printed, but i like the bound book thing for the mirror margins. I am going to email them this avo and see if i can get some money back because i think if i see the preview image it should really tell me to "watch edges" grr

Is artscow international? i might look em up too.... but i think i might end up going local cos i can stand there and they will tell me how its gonna work!!! lol

Hubby loves it so i guess thats what matters! I told him we are going to get it re-done someday tho, so i feel better about it hehe. He got all tearful and emotional aver it :)

[Seratonin]

Well at least he loves it! That's good. I think Artscow is based in Hong Kong? I'm not sure...local people will probably take good care of you though - so if they're in your budget you may as well try them. You don't have to pay for shipping or wait so long to see your stuff that way!

[Jesmchool]

yeah thats what i reckon Sarah, so im going there first then we will see....

[JenniferG]

Yes, Artscow is in Hong Kong. The only thing I didn't like was the wait...because I'm impatient! It's my weakness. I want things NOW. But It only took a couple weeks to get my photobook, and a little less for the canvases. Not too bad for the price, I think. I'll keep going to them because of the quality of their work and the price. (boy do I sound like a saleswoman! LOL)

[bludlfn003]

Thanks Jess, I thought it was about time I put on my birthday avatar. Plus I thought it was pretty funny. At least your husband liked the album. I kinda did something like that for my husband for fathers day except I hadn't gotten into digiscrappin yet so I just got pictures of all of his kids and put them into one album. He had no idea. And he :cry: like a baby. It was just so sweet. He didn't really have any pics of his older two kids from when they were kids and so I was in his moms photo albums stealing photos for scanning, and I asked his ex wife (yes I get along with her) to loan me some pics

[Jesmchool]

Its so good when you can put aside any (dumb crap) and just be about the kids, eh Amanda. Theres just no point in keeping old grudges, easier on the kids if everyone gets along.

We have a policy of that with paige's bio, always amicable (we all actually get on reasonably well), if we have any issues (inevitably about her) we make sure its not in front of her. Hes just got a new GF whom i havent met yet but have heard LOTS about from paige lol and she put a note in paiges bookbag saying "dear paige i am really proud of you doing so well in school, love Nadine" i was so touched by that so im looking forward to meeting her when (if) the time comes, Bio is thinking about moving in with her he tells us so it must be getting serious...

[bludlfn003]

Well it took a while for me and the ex to get along. Alot of hard work as well, bc she still makes me mad as hell some days, but I just take a deep breath and remember that everyone has their quirks.

So how was everyons BIRTHDAY BASH? Lot's of freebies for you all? I got lots of them, and I'm glad bc I don't think I will be in the store for a while as I am planning a trip to Pennsylvania with the 3 kids (by myself:eek::yikes:) to visit with my aunt and uncle and Grandfather in June, and make our way to Hershey Park :yahoo::yahoo:
So I have to save my pennies (that's what my aunt says god love her).

[Teresa]

Freebie UP!!! Come and get it (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?p=652770#post652770)!!

[JenniferG]

ooooh! Hershey Park! You lucky girl, you!!!! A woman's dream! Well, at least mine...to be surrounded by chocolate...

[Pezjunky]

Hershey! Lucky you. I went once when I was little. I remember the 'how to make chocolate' tour and getting a giant candy bar (which later melted a bit in the car).
I totally missed the birthday celebration. Last week was just too busy for me to spend much time online at all. This week, however, is spring break, so I have lots of free time. I think I'll take the kids out to the tulip festival (if it's not raining).

[bludlfn003]

I'm all about the chocolate too. Thats why I gotta save those pennies, so I can buy lots of it.

[bludlfn003]

Hopefully you get to go to the festival, Desiree. I love tulips, they're so pretty.

[IglooWigwam]

I managed to find time to do one of the birthday challenges... but then the non-virtual world got in the way. I like your avatar too Amanda, it made me laugh. Reminded me of a lol-cat image:

http://www.funnyphotos.net.au/images/lol-cats-i-baked-you-a-cookie-but-i-eated-it.jpg

I didn't even get around to changing mine :rolleyes:

Thanks for the freebie Woodsy! *yoink* (that's the sound of me snatching it up).

[bludlfn003]

That's funny Jo, my step daughter sent me that as a text the other day, because I built something and said I builded it.

[Jesmchool]

i been busy with hubbys 30th and visiting reles all weekend! then i was recovering lol. paige is about to go on holidays so i probably wont be around as much next wee while... busy being a mummy...

Thanks for the freebie Woodsy :) i currently rely entirly on freebies as the rescession has hit us very hard.. i cant wait till we crawl with bleeding fingers outta this hole and i can start buying the odd product! i could easy as buy the ENTIRE store lmao there are so many beautiful products in there!

[bludlfn003]

I hear ya Jess, I've tried to limit myself to only ging in the store once a month, and a limit of 2 kits. Though now with my trip, I won't be in the store until it's over.

My kids are going on spring break next week, but I will only have the youngest until Wed. evening as they will be hanging out at their mom's house. Then they come home and my grandfather is going to come down for a visit, so even then they'll be occupied by Grampa. YAY!

[Jesmchool]

I love family hahaha! a couple of my close friends are going to take her for a day each and my mum is going to be her usual fabulous self and help me out heaps so thankfully i will get lots of rest time. I think i might set a wee routine that we do things together in the morning, then after lunch she can either have a vid or play quietly in her room and i will lie down otherwise im not sure if i will survive the next two weeks!!!!

Yay i am in a cleaning mood and getting some of those NIGGLY jobs that stare at you for weeks done.... sooooo good, our baby showers on sat so thats probably why im all motivated hahaha!

[Jesmchool]

I cant sleep so i am curled on the couch with my little laptop eating some fruit and being on the computer... i am starting to feel sleepy now. i might just stay here til paige comes and snuggles in with me a watches telly, im cosy under my minky blanky and theres something kinda magic about the house in the middle of the night, the way its so intensely quiet and how black it is outside...

[bludlfn003]

Did you get what you wanted cleaned Jess? I love a quiet house, but I love sleeping better...unless I hear a 5 year old coghing so bad he sounds like he's choking. Which happened last night, at about 230 in the am. So he stayed home today and has been coughing all day. URGH.

[MyPinkFlipFlops]

I kind of like being up in the middle of the night too. I find it very peaceful. Of course I don't like getting up in the middle of the night. When Baby Boots gets up I have to make sure I don't make a stop at the computer because then my brain wakes up more completely and I lay in bed kicking myself..."Why didn't I just go to sleep?!?!?"

On a happy note, I got a great nights sleep last night. Boots is starting to sleep longer. I'm super excited.:yahoo:

[JenniferG]

I love the middle of the night, too. It's when my brain becomes the most creative.... I am also free of children at that time..LOL.

Yay for you Flips! Glad he's sleeping more. It's always a great thing, isn't it? But sometimes you go in and check to make sure they're breathing..at leat at first.. I know I did, anyway. LOL. I was so used to getting up every couple of hours that when I got more, I woke up wondering if something was wrong.

Amanda, that sucks. My girls are sick with colds too. Both of them kept me up with little sleep last night...Alethea had a fever and Rayah had a stuffy nose, her first one so she was upset about it...a lot.

[bludlfn003]

Well I am just ready for a day of peace and quiet with no kids or Red (DH), maybe I could take a nap...yeah right. I'd be right here at the computer. I do need a nap though. I just spent an hour cleaning my bedroom, the vacuuming took about 45 minutes because my old vacuum was in such horrible shape it didn't suck very well, so my new one was working overtime, I dumped it like 5 times. But at least its clean.

I was the same way when aaron was a baby. He was only 3 months old when he started sleeping all night long, and I would get up because I didn't hear him. It scared me.

[Jesmchool]

Lol i remember when paige slept through the first time i lay there at six in the morning too scared to move cos i was so certain she was dead. I almost started crying with relief when she start to cry lol.

Your poor sick babies! (big and little) mines been coughing a little bit it i dont think its going to develop into anything too serious, just changing weather niggles.

Yes thanks Flips i got so much work done, theres lots more i need to do (the house has gone to a bit of wrack and ruins during the past few months, despite DH being amasing with the housework its all the little extras) i want to get the lwindows done still and the egdes of all the rooms and the cupboards. But i think i can space it out over the next few weeks then when the babys come they can come into their nice beautiful house!!!

Gosh im good at rabbiting on! Sorry ladies!

[IglooWigwam]

Geez, I'll be bowled over with shock when Ben sleeps through a nap, never mind the night. Little guy just doesn't need much sleep. I get no sympathy from my mum; she loves it and says it's poetic justice. Apparently I didn't sleep through until I was three and half years old (can't remember if I already wrote that here lol). Still, it's worth flipping repeating: three and a half!!?

*goes off to paint one inch of make-up over the bags under her eyes*

[bludlfn003]

Well Jo, Aaron slep through the night until the afternoon I caught him climbing out of his crib. I think he was just about a year old, and I decided right then and there he was going right to the bed, bc my stepson had bunkbeds. As of that moment, I couldn't get him to go to bed by 8:30, insteadhe was all over the house until 11. Then back up at 6. This went on until he was 3 1/2 when I put him in Daycare, so I could go to school.

[Pezjunky]

It's only been in the past 2 months that I got my son (2 1/2) to go to sleep before midnight. He is such a night owl. Now I cut out his nap completely and he's asleep by 9. I can't let him sleep for more than 20 minutes or he's up all night. He doesn't seem to need any sleep! He gets up around 8am while I'm getting big sister ready for school. He wakes several times a night though and wants me to hold him until he goes back to sleep.
Baby girl slept 6 hours last night! Yay! I woke up at 6:30 and realized she hadn't woken me, it was weird. But, we cosleep, so it was easy to check on her. I hope she turns out to be a good sleeper like my oldest (a 6 year old who never complains about bedtime).

[Jesmchool]

Thats what i have Desiree! Well she certainly complains about bedtime but she only ever gets out of bed to go toilet (not always good, once she sat there with a bleeding finger and i didnt think it was urgent so i went in in the ads and her hand was a little bit red from all the blood... poor wee thing had tears streaming down her face, looked up at me very accusingly cos i hadnt come in sooner... my bad)

I wonder what we will get next!! These guys always seem to know that i am trying to go to sleep and thats when they start dancing!

[Pezjunky]

How was everyone's Easter? Only me 6 year old was actually interested in it. My 2 yr-old only wanted to put stickers on the dyed eggs and play with toys. He didn't want to hunt the eggs, and wasn't even interested in his Easter basket. Oh well, maybe next year. At least they all looked good in their new Easter outfits.

[Jesmchool]

lol cute :D we try not to do easter as we arent christian which just really makes it all about the chocolate and i dont really like that... i like the new begginning tradition (resurection, new starts) but im not sure how to make it a part of the chocolate lol. Paige got given eggs by various family members tho so she ate some chocolate, doesnt really get why tho... any ideas?