Im swallowing my ego with this one.

So I know very well that I have expensive taste, im not sure if its just cause im all about quality or if its a complex Ive developed over time.  Either way it goes, Im also a big bargain hunter, if i cant get what I want for cheaper than normal, im all over it.  So Lancelot and I originally were planning on getting the Teutonia T-Linx travel system for baby A.  the theory being that she is our last baby, why not get what we REALLY want, no matter the cost ($700) Im well aware its not the highest end system, however after hours and hours being spent browsing buybuybaby with empty strollers of all prices, believe it or not, it was by far the best roller, and I fell in love.  we had previously thought we wanted the orbit system but after reading consumer reports and safety issues having been in its past, we decided to nix that idea completely.  Well, were nearing the point that we need to make a for sure choice, being 31 weeks into this journey isnt leavin much room for lolligaggin when we have none of the large items actually purchased, and half of them require shipping.  That being said, I was online browsing and came across Gracos new stroller in the "signature series" and decided before we take the final leap that it at least deserved a push around babies r us.  Graco and Teutonia are very similar, while teutonia is German made, they are partners with Graco when it comes to the American available products, even modeling thier infant seat after the graco snugride35.  Anywho one random afternoon between picking up Moe and waiting for Liv and Tim to get out of school, i decided to make the trip to check it out..... lemme tell ya, its just as amazing as the teutonia.  It rides just like it, and there are a few improvements on the Teut (in my opinion) as well as a couple drawbacks (also in my op) Plus #1- the price.  the t linx system is $700, never on sale, no coupons accepted.  the graco is $300 for the stroller and the average carseat is around 4150- $170 but can be even cheaper depending on seat type and sales or coupons you can catch.  Plus Numero dos- cup holders.  theres cup holders for both the parent and the kid, super great for a starbucks fan such as myself.  the Tuet sells a cup holder separately for an additional 25 bucks, and there are many different "snack trays" you can find for the baby, however, thats not exactly ideal if you ask me. Plus #3- The basket.  It not a must, just like cup holders, but with 5 kids a big basket deff has its perks.  the gracos basket is about twice the size of the teutonias, and for me, thats rather sexy.  Short comings of the graco are few, and not really short comings, but here they are- the handle.  its a funny shape, while its designed to make it so youre closer to baby, I dig the handles that you can attach the diaper bag to like the teutonias, also, the teutonia has a flipping handle making it so you can change the direction the kids facing with the pull of a button-- granted the seats are reversible on both strollers, so its not a huge deal, but I will make not of it for the die hard teutonia lovers.  Finally, for the fashion savvy mommas out there, the graco is only available in 2 very similar and rather dull patters, both mostly black, the teuts can be completely personalized, the system comes in black or red, but there are accessories sold separately to dress either color up and make it completely individual.  All in all, i really feel like theyre bout the same stroller, and after I got off my high horse and got more logical, i decided the graco is right for us, plus the strollers are so similar (almost exact in measurements) I can always buys the teutonias accessories and dress up the graco a bit :o)  moral of the story, dont let your ego get in the way of a great steal.  Im takin in an old booster to BRU for the trade in event and getting 25% off the stroller bringin it to 224, then im tradin in another used carseat for the snugride in logan, and then i plan to buy a houndstooth teutonia pad for the stroller, and voila, perfect set for us.  Im posting this in the event that theres anyone else in a similar position, maybe unable to try either of these strollers out but wanted to know how they handled, theyre both amazing, but if youre lookin for a better bang for your buck the gracos the way to go :o)
Graco stuff-

Teutonia t-duo cushion im gettin :o)


Teutonia T-Linx

Family Time

so sir lancelot and I are very family oriented, it probably helps that were both homebodies, and love doing kids friendly things, but lately, Im so pooped (for no real reason other then being pregnant) that i find myself switching the "scheduled" family date for "movie night" I know its not terrible, and theres a lot of people that dont do family time at all, but my kids have become very dependant on having family time every night, and i love that they love it so much, i dont want their opinions to change when they get tired of movies on demand!  Tonights going to be a little different, were going to watch american idol.  Its something we started last night, and they seemed to love it, so maybe itll keep their interest goin a little longer.... 12 more weeks (tops)  I CAN DO IT!!!  then well just have to battle the newborn not sleeping tiredness.... lord have mercy, please let this kid be a sleeper.

That Can of Worms I was Talkin Bout

Ok so heres a proper introduction to my family, that way, should you choose to return, you wont be confused when I refer to them by name, nickname, etc.
first, heres me!

except heres me lately....thats right large and incharge.... 28 weeks to be exact!

Next up, my amazing hubby, sir lancelot, also known as Lance.


then we have the next man in line, Mr Timothy Alexander, better known as Tim or Timmy, and even T-man.  He's 10.  Hes the sunshine of my life, I had him when I was VERY young, 15 actually, and he honestly saved me.  I cant say thats how it works all the time, I know its very rare, but he helped me get my head on straight, and we have an extremely special bond because of it.  he has a very mind case of CP and youd never know it with his determination and positive attitude.  he honestly inspires me to be more like him.  Hes been my hero.


Then we have Olivia and Katie, now.... let me put this out there right now, they re twins, they re 7, and only Olivia lives with me.  They were the result of a rape, and although their bio dad was convicted and sentenced to prison time, he had rights until he was out and able to represent himself, so although i had intentions of giving them both up for adoption, he would only sign away rights to the 2nd baby born which ended up being Katie.  She was placed for adoption (an open adoption) with some amazing people who've become family.  we keep the girls in very close contact, with sleepovers, visits phone calls etc.  it helps that we live close, and it isn't a big deal to get them together.  That being said, Olivia, also known as Livie, or Libby Lou, is my dare devil.  Shes a pistol, always up for new things, and FEARLESS.  She has a heart bigger than the USA, and is always eager to help someone in need.  We've been having some problems academically lately, but were working hard on them, and they seem to be improving.  Here she is with Katie, and then by herself :o)


then we have Miss Kaleya Simone.  Also known as moe, monie, momo, or bookie.  Shes 5 and shes my diva princess.  Shes recently found out she can be hilarious, and is relishing every opportunity she has at it.  Shes also sweeter than can be and very eager to help whenever she can.  shes very smart and is enjoying Kindergarten this year, soaring above her class.  Here she is in all her glory..... first with Olivia (to show her diva mode) then by herself.

the photo shoot was so beneath her haha

Then  we have my baby, Lance Jr.  better known as Jujy, Jr., juju, booba, or any other random name you come across.  He is pure sweetness.  Hes my little teddy bear cuddle bug, and I have been blessed to be able to say he has been so well tempered, and mellow.  Hes very laid back and a typical mommas boy, super friendly and eager to make friends with just about everyone.  I thought he would be my last baby, but well you see how that worked out.  here he is!

                                                                                            rawrrrrrr!

Last but not least, we have Avarie Berlin, aka the baby, numero 6, ava, jellyfish, butterbean, anything that makes you think little item still in my belly.  So far i cant tell you much other than she was not at all in my plans, i had an IUD and when it grew into my uterus and i had to have it removed i went on the pill, even still we were using protection [lol i feel so you and unmarried typing that] and when we had a condom break i took plan B-- not that we didn't want more babies, but I recently had brain surgery and was on some majorly not ok drugs (nothing fun just to take care of thinning my blood, keeping my cranial pressure in check) and i didn't want to risk a baby being hurt by them.  long story short, she wasn't in my plans but was clearly in Gods cause shes happy healthy and kicking me as i type this blurp.  We love her a ton and our whole tribe is super excited to meet her on or around April 4th.  This is what we've seen of her so far!


You will also more than likely read about other important people in my life, and Ill post pictures as I go to give you a visual ;o) but for the time being, this is us.  have a good one!!!

Leave it to a rookie....

SOOOOOOO.  I had a HUGE Blurp about all the madness going on in my mind (nursery related choices, and i accidentally clicked off of the page, LOSING my entire thing....) lets begin again shall we?

First and foremost, I'm Kim, I'm 25 (almost 26  yay for my golden bday!!) I'm married to my soul mate, Sir Lancelot, and we have 5 beautiful kids, 6 if you count the gorgeous gal in my belly also known as numero seis-- that's a whole nother can of worms which i will open in another blurp.  I promise.  I decided to create this fabulous blog to keep up with myself better.  I tend to think a lot, and move from one thought train to the next, and then forget what i originally was thinking, so my thought is, this will help me remember!!  not to mention the added bonus of keeping my sanity by having a place to ramble when my poor hubby gets sick of my randomness. 

In this blog (should you choose to follow it [score for me!]) you will more than likely find day to day thoughts of mine, vents of course, and then cool stuff that you might actually care about, like easy DIY crafts that I was actually able to pull off, interior design ideas that I love, helpful hints and lessons learned when it comes to keeping this ginormous familia running smoothly (the word smoothly is being used very loosely here), and anything else that comes my way and i think you friendly folks could get some use out of!

At this very second I am in my extremely comfortable and overpriced bed [lesson #1- when you have a million kids, don't spend 4,000 bucks on a Vera Wang mattress... its bound to be introduced to red Gatorade and potty accidents sooner rather than later.] I just finished a grand cup of homemade hot chocolate (a recipe I've mastered in the last few months of being knocked up) and listening to my 3 year old and his big sister enjoy the Grinch movie because apparently even though its nearing the end of January, its still Christmas in this joint!  As relaxing as all this sounds, let me tell you whats REALLY taking place.  I'm having a nervous breakdown.  Numero seis, also known as Avarie Berlin (or Ava for short) will be here in 12 short weeks at most, and we have NONE of her furniture yet.... "why?" you ask- well Ill tell you why... I cant decide what I'm doing!!  pretty rare for me, I usually when it comes to design have an image in my head or get inspired by one small thing and just run with it, however.... this time.... well its a whole new ballgame.  Allow me to explain.

We plan to share a room with this bundle of joy for a while, and i thought that made life more simple, our walls are grey so her bedding has grey in it, and out furniture is modern and in espresso finish, soooo i thought i would get hers in that finish also, BUT... shes going to stay in a little "cove"  (I know hard to imagine, ill post a picture to help) and I'm worried the dark finish will be TOO dark in the small space.... my next thought was well we have white trim doors etc in our room, our bedding is white, maybe white furniture would work, or maybe a combo of white and espresso even... Help me out folks, I'm losing my cool.... SO the pieces i plan to have are a crib, a cubicle storage unit thingy to house her clothes, and possibly a chair.  I'm now going to post pictures of all the options, and hope to God someone is kind enough to share some input....

First up: Cribs

Number one is from Ikea, the gulliver crib in white its only 100!!! and converts to a toddler bed.

next up, the babyletto in espresso, runs about $379 plus shipping, also converts into a toddler be with or without rail

Thoughts please!!  I Love them both, for multiple reasons, and I'm seriously torn.

Next up: Storage unit thingies.
If i do the espresso crib i plan to get an espresso unit, and then what color baskets??  who knows... well hatch that egg later... but heres the espresso one.

Its a crappy picture but the best I could find.

Then we have the white ones.... ok so if I do a white crib, the espresso unit could work with white baskets, OOORRRR, i could to a white unit with espresso baskets.  Here are the white choices.

OOOORRRRRRrrrr- this one on its side (it goes both ways)

Now heres a picture of the cave, its completely empty and looks a lot smaller than it is in this picture but whatever.... I plan to put the crib against the wall with the tree painting thing and the storage unit against the wall with the dresser.... the chair if it makes it into the official plans will be at the end of the storage unit.

so theres the issue im mulling over (and over and over).... opinions much needed and greatly appreciated....


Onto for sure choice already made stuff (food for thought i guess) so you can get the whole picture....ish.... well now that I think about it the only for sure thing goin on is the bedding, heres her bedding.

I absolutely love it, and got it on etsy.com from babydarling.  lemme tell ya that chick can sew, its super good quality and very affordable, id buy it again in a heartbeat.

I think im done raving for now, Ill post more whattaya thinks later on, but honestly, I cant decide on anything til the furniture is outta the way.... so ya good day everyone!!  thanks for reading, and nice to meet you!