Are you a Bum Genius?

Before I was even pregnant I decided that I wanted to use reusable diapers if we could. I had no idea what kind or how but I really felt convicted to at least explore the options. One of my childhood friends who had recently had a son posted "I love fuzzy buns" as her Facebook status. I had no clue what she was referring to! My brother had a similar nickname in high school and I was wondering what she was talking about.

After doing some online research and talking to my long time friend I realized that there are a lot of options out there for disposable diaper alternatives. I ended up ordering a "Fuzzy Bun" diaper so that I could show it to Phil and see how it worked. At this point Phil was sort of on board but not quite. I think that he thought it looked a little complicated. It is a pocket diaper with snaps to secure it. After playing around with the Fuzzy Bun I thought "Hey, I can do this!"

Eventually I came across the "Bum Genius" diaper that we currently use. I ordered one of the Bun Genius 2.0 diapers and after receiving it realized that it was going to be the way to go for us. It is a pocket diaper that comes with a liner, uses Velcro to fasten it, works like a traditional disposable, and fits babies from 8 lbs. to 34 lbs! I ordered three more so that we had six diapers total to get started.

In January we ordered 12 more Bum Genius diapers because we loved them so much. Now we use reusable diapers most of the time. We have some disposables around in case we are behind on laundry! We really love them. They are economical and I feel good knowing that we are cutting back on the amount of trash that can accumulate because of diapers.

I highly recommend the reusable diaper route for anyone!

Luke is 5 Months Today!

Today is Luke's 5 month birthday! I finally broke down and bought him one of those stationary play centers. You know the ones that have all of the toys attached and he can stand upright in it and twirl around? Well I am so glad that I did because he LOVES it! Now was the perfect time to start something like this. At first he was so serious and studying each toy and then he let loose! He was trying to hug the toys and put them in his mouth. This toy also does something else interesting for his world...he is at Sanibel's eye level when he is in it. His fascination with her grows everyday. He talks to her the most out of all of us! It is so funny to watch.

Girls!

It is so great to get together with just girls!! I had forgotten the importance of this wonderful social gift. I have definitely been finding myself outnumbered in the testosterone department at my house. It is a blessing and encouragement to be surrounded by other women and more recently other mothers! When I find myself confused and rundown by the rigors of motherhood it is always encoraging to share your struggles with others that have been through something similiar.

It is also exciting to swap motherhood experiences with friends from the past that have more recently become mothers as well. It is fun to see your childhood friend all grown-up, married and having children. I have always tried hard to embrace the present season in life wholly as well as appreciate the past and look to the future! I love getting together with a college roommate to catch up and meet their offspring! I sometimes can't believe that we are at this point in our lives. Recently a lot of my highschool and college friends have started families. What a wonderful season of life to share together. And even more wonderful that we can stay in touch!

Women definitely need other women! We need each other as friends, family and mentors. In life I have always had a godly woman that I have in my life to look up to and aspire to model my own life after. This is something that do not think that I will ever grow out of! It is extremely encouraging for me to run into another mom of 2, 3 or 4 and realize that if they can do it then I can do it with one!

During my daily devotionals recently I reexplored the book of Ruth. This short but sweet book of the Bible conveys the relationship of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. It is neat that this unique of the Bible explores the relationship of two women and it's biblical importance. I find it encouraging that Ruth was so loyal to Naomi and looked to her for guidance and support. Although I cannot directly relate to Ruth, I see her as an attractive and loving woman that saw the virtue in another womans experiences.

It is my experience that embracing the season of life that you are in right now is a positive thing. I realize that change is inevitable and I embrace it! Sharing your experiences with other women whether positive or negative is such a wonderful thing. Girls night is the best!

Yumminess + Bunko

I was wonderfully fortunate to be invited as a "sub" tonight for a game called Bunko. I really had a blast!!! Everyone was so friendly and interesting. It was so fun to move from table to table and meet tons of different people. After the 3rd game there is dessert which is perfect timing. The dessert we had was sooooooo yummy. It is super easy to make and I think that it is a fun one for the kids to make. Here it is! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!!!

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 cans crescent rolls
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 stick butter
• 2 tps. cinnamon
• 2 c. mountain dew (1 can)
• 4 or 5 apples
• 9 x 13" baking dish

Step1

Separate the crescent rolls and cut apples into wedges.

Step2

Roll each wedge into a crescent roll and place in a 9 x 13" pan.

Step3

Thinly slice the remaining apples and place on top of apple rolls.

Step4

Melt butter with cinnamon and pour over apples. Pour the can of mountain dew on top as well.

Step5

Bake for 45 minutes in 350 degree oven or until brown & bubbly

Hello Wonderful Dr. Franklin!

We took back to the doctor today for a follow up appointment. He is doing very well! His ears are fully cleared up and no wheeze! What a relief. We felt a little silly going back again but it was worth it to hear that he has fully recovered.

We also found out that he weighs 18 lbs. 14 oz!! What a big guy! He will be 5 months old on the 27th and has not had any solid food yet! He is still breastfeeding 6 times a day and sleeping a 9 hour stretch at night. We are thankful for that in many ways.

Bathtime is getting better too! Today he actually seemed to be enjoying himself and played with a bath toy and his legs!!! It is fun to watch him discover the simple things of life. Everything is new!

Roll Over, Roll Over...!

Luke rolled over for the first time yesterday and the 2nd and the 3rd and the 4th...you get the picture!! I missed it too! I laid him on his back under his play gym and I was folding towels. The next thing I knew I looked down and he was on his belly! He has worked so long and hard to finally do this simple thing. He then proceeded to roll over throughout the day and we did not see him do it. We would put him down for a nap in his bed and find him sleeping on his belly. Ha! What a funny guy. I finally saw it this morning in his Spiderman pajamas! He must have had extra sticky fingers and toes.

Now that he has found this new freedom...I wonder what he will do...? Roll off the changing table maybe, try to get out of bed, take Sanibel for a run?

Kelley Experience Weekend

This past weekend was the Kelley Experience Weekend for the potential incoming MBA's and their families. It starts on Friday evening with a cocktail hour and ends Saturday evening with a dinner and reception. I was involved this year as a member of the Partners Club which is an organization for the partners of Kelley MBA students. What a fabulous weekend!!!!

Saturday morning started early at 7:45am with breakfast and Dean Smith was the welcoming speaker. I was having a wonderful talking with potential partners and getting to know new people. I was telling a girl that I am from the Ft. Wayne area originally and all of a sudden a girl turned around that was in line getting breakfast and said "Allison?" I looked at her and my jaw literally dropped to the floor. It was an old friend of mine from High School and youth group!!!! We were both so shocked to see each other!! Immediately we were talking am mile a minute trying to catch up on lost time. I don't think that we have seen each other for close to six years!

She was her as a potential partner as her husband is considering the Kelley MBA program to start in the fall. What a blessing! I have been praying so much for next year. We are going to be in Bloomington another two years when most of our friends that we have made while here are going to be graduating in one year. When I think about it I get very worried that we will be all alone here for a whole year and I have been dreading it. This is an area of my life that I have been bathing in prayer! I have been praying that we will be able to make more friends that are in a similar situation in life.

This is why it was such an encouragement for me to see this long time friend this weekend. Although I have no idea if her and her husband will be making the move to Bloomington, it has given me hope! It is sometimes hard for me to know if God is talking to me. I feel like seeing this friend is a sign from God that this is an area of my life that God has taken care of already. I have no need to worry because he knows the plans for our future. I need to trust Him completely, even in the area of good friendships. God knows that we need others to come along side us and share life with.

I am content in knowing that God is providing for us. It does not even matter if this friend moves to Bloomington or not. I feel like seeing her was the breath of fresh air that I needed to know that God is in control and I am not. This is also something that I pray: "Less of me and more of You." What an encouragement!

We have been so blessed in life with wonderful friends; old and new!!!!!!!!!! We are very thankful for the relationships that come into and out of our lives on a regular basis. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I LOVE trying to figure out what that is! Blessings to all of our friends and family!

Well, the littlest Wagler has been sick. He seems to be feeling a lot better lately. He ended up having RSV which can be very serious in the little ones. We ended up having 4 doctor visits and one emergency room visit late one Sunday night. As a parent, it is so hard to know what is going on with your 4 month old because the communication just is not there. Actually, I should say the "verbal" communication just is not there. My parental intuition was telling me that something was not right.

It started with an ear infection and then moved into the chest. Of course I started getting it too after a few days and I felt miserable! I kept thinking he must be feeling horrible if he was feeling like me! Poor buddy. Even though he was feeling so bad he still managed to squeal in delight and smile. At the emergency room he has smiling and squealing at all of the nurses. What an emotional roller coaster! We frantically rushed him to the hospital thinking that he could not breathe and by the time the Dr. saw him he was breathing fine and actually snoozing for the first time all day. Oh well!!! We are so glad that we can laugh about it now. At the time it was very scary!

We are hoping that he is feeling better and that we can put this whole month behind us. It has been hard for me to be inside taking care of him every day. I am feeling very restless...I am just glad that the semester is almost over. We will be leaving for Ft. Wayne very shortly!!

Welcome Home!

I have created this blog as a way to keep in touch with our friends and family. We are currently living in Bloomington Indiana where Phil is a graduate student. In fact we live 9 blocks from the Law School! School is a big part of our lives right now. It dictates where we live and what we do. Sometimes it is hard being controlled by credit hours and internships...but sometimes it is very fun and exciting too! This summer we will be living with my mom and dad and then living in Paris for 5 weeks. Hopefully this will help us keep in touch!