She Is Safe!

You may remember this post from a while ago.

Gabby has been found alive in California and her husband is now in jail!

Getting Ready

Well we are off to Mom and Pop's this weekend for DS's birthday party. I bought some things for the trip at Kroger while DH mowed. It kept the kids busy and we got a few things done.

While we were there, I forgot that I hadn't started stocking up for an emergency. Now, I bought stuff for our trip, including diapers, but our bill came to under $100. Here is what I bought for our emergency kit:

- Cat Litter
- Cat Food
- 24 bottles of water
- 3 gallons of water
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter
- Crackers
- Beef Jerky

Not a lot, but some. I also put some plastic utensils in a baggie to put in the kit.

What is left:
- manual can opener
- spare clothes (I just realized I have old pull-ups I can pack for DS even though they are too big)
- copies of documents
- blankets/sleeping bags
- crayons and the like for the kids
- hand-crank radio (can't find this anywhere but online)
- wrench
- cash
- bleach
- medicine dropper
- matches/lighter
- paper and pen
- more food

Do disasters happen here that I really need all this? Not often, but you never know.

Don't forget to go to www.ready.gov to learn how to be prepared!

Happy Birthday to DS!

DS is ONE today! 29 hours of labor followed by a C-Section and DS entered the world on July 2, 2007!

For his birthday, he had his seat turned around in the van! That was a big hit with him!

On a sadder note, I will no longer pump at work. He has been refusing the bottles of breastmilk at daycare and since he is one, he can have whole milk now. I don't like the pumping, but I love nursing my boy. I hope he hangs on to that just a little longer. He likes to nurse to sleep, so I can continue that bonding time with him.

There will be no more babies for DH and me, so every milestone in his life will be bittersweet in some ways.

Right now, he is saying some words, but not associating those words with anyone or anything. He is picking things up with the thumb and forefinger. He loves to eat and play! All in all, he rarely fusses and is a happy boy!

I cannot wait to see how he compares to DD when it comes to weight and height. He seems smaller than she was at that age.

I guess I need to retire the "Boob-a-holic" onsie I got him at the beach.

Are You Ready?

If a disaster were to strike your area right now, what would you do? Panic? Call the police or fire departments looking for help? Call the Red Cross?

How would you get in touch with your family? Are they safe?

Where would you go if your home was destroyed?

During a disaster is NOT the time to prepare for one. Be ready NOW!

I am working on a video on emergency preparedness. I didn’t want to be a hypocrite about this, so I am beginning to practice what I preach. I went to Target, and for $30 I got a first aid kit that had first aid basics, as well as a flashlight, gloves, dust masks, and a water-resistant bag for important papers. My next steps are: to get enough three days worth of supplies together for each member of the family, get a hand crank radio, get paperwork copied, get stuff together for the cat, and make a video of our valuables.

I am also looking into joining the local Citizen Corps and getting involved in the local Community Emergency Response Team Program (CERT).

That is not everyone’s cup of tea, but here is what you can do to make sure your family is ready for a disaster:
Get a Kit
Make a Plan
Be Informed

Get a Kit
Basically, you need enough water and food to last each member of the family for at least three days. The first aid basics are needed as well as copies of important documents, extra prescription medication, pet stuff, cash, and stuff to entertain the kids, etc.

Make a Plan
Chances are your family will not be together in times of a disaster. Come up with a predetermined meeting place for your family. Since it will be easier to call out of state during an emergency, ask a family or friend living outside of your area to be a family contact – to make sure everyone is OK.

Be Informed
What kinds of disasters are common in your area? For example, earthquakes are not that common where I live, but hurricanes and ice storms are. And as much as I hate to admit it, terrorism can happen anywhere.

But with these three steps, you can be prepared for pretty much any disaster that may hit.

All of this information is available at www.ready.gov. There is also excellent information available for those with disabilities and for the elderly.

September is National Preparedness Month.

Are you ready?

Quoth the Raven, "Oh Snap!"

I love TV Disney. They have so many things for the kids and I don't have to worry about as much commercialization or questionable language for my kids. I even checked out some of the stuff for the older kids, and I hate to admit it, I found myself LIKING the shows.

Remember Raven-Symone from the Cosby Show? She is all grown up now and has her own show on Disney called, That's So Raven! OH SNAP!

Once DD gets a little older, I am sure I will have to go to some concerts with her, like we do with The Wiggles now. She is so into singing and dancing, I am sure she would love to go see Raven-Symone and the like in concert.

I am not keen on doling out a lot of money for a concert for kids, but Radio Disney is having a FREE concert at Morey's Piers and is one of the great Things to do in New Jersey. I know, entrance to the park is not free, but I love a good amusement park and if DD gets to see some of her favorite stars and I get to have fun, then so be it!

Maybe in a couple of years we could head up to Jersey for Wildwood vacations followed by a trip up to Connecticut to see Grammy and Grampy.