Downtown Living :-/

Over the next couple of years, I think one of the hardest decisions I am going to have to make is deciding where we are going to have our first permanent home, somewhere that I can plan on staying for at least 3-5 years.

Before we found out that I was pregnant, I had already decided to transfer schools and we found a loft downtown that is super close to my school and Jimmy's work. However, after finding out that there is now a little one in the equation, I have a lot of reservations about living here. 

Don't get me wrong, during the day, this place is vibrant and full of fun things for families to do! Like yesterday, Jimmy and I went to the City Market, which is full of life on the weekends. There were so many people there, children included, it felt like a fun, safe environment. 

We had a blast! 

But really, the only times I feel comfortable here is during daylight hours. I think I would be able to handle it if a baby wasn't in the picture, but I know I'm going to want to be in a safer environment. 

Another huge downfall to downtown living is the lack of convient shopping! Hard to believe, I know. But we have to drive pretty far to get to a Walmart for groceries and other household items. Maybe I am spoiled because we just moved from a suburban setting where I could buzz down to the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk and it would take me all of 10 minutes to get there, shop, and drive home... But goodness, I do miss the convenience. At least I am cloth diapering, so there will be no need for urgent runs to the store to buy more diapers. Thats a plus! 

What makes it a hard decision is that the price is SO right where we are living now. For a 2 bedroom, spacious loft downtown, we pay about a 100 dollars less than we did in our old one bedroom, smaller apartment. 

There are just a lot of things to factor in. But I think when it comes down to it, safety and piece of mind will win out in the end and we will most likely end up moving, yet again, to a safer, family oriented part of town. 

Did any of you ever have to live in a place you felt uncomfortable with? How did you manage? 

Side note 

I just had to slip this in because it was so sweet! My adorable fiance decided to cook me breakfast in bed to say thank you for all the intense cleaning I have been doing lately.

I thought the skateboard was a fabulous touch. So him. I love my Jim Jam. He is going to make a wonderful, caring, and loving dad. :)

The Ultimate Stress Saver

I think most women can say they have had that moment where they had no clue what to make for dinner. I have had this moment too many times to count. I am the absolute worst at it. I really am. It is kind of embarrassing actually. I try to get organized and make grocery lists, but then I end up getting ingredients for the most BORING meals: meat loaf, spaghetti, hamburger helper, spaghetti, hamburger helper, spaghetti, spaghetti, eat out... get my point? Jimmy is pretty sweet, he rarely complains about my lack of creativity.

But after months of eating out/eating hamburger helper, I have decided to take control of this boring cycle of dinners. But I needed a way to do it cheap. I am on a budget, unfortunately. So how do I choose meals that are fun but don't cost an arm and a leg to get all the ingredients for? Drum roll please.......... EMEALS.

Oh eMeals! Such a time and stress saver. Seriously. I tell it where I shop (Wal-Mart of course), how many people are in my household (2), and wah la! I now have a full grocery list, that is separated by category (produce, dairy, etc.), and it usually runs around 50 - 60 bucks. The meals that they choose for each day of the week are amazingly delicious and SIMPLE. And with all the time it saves, it is totally worth the 7 dollar a month charge for using the service.

So, because of this awesome find, I have made some goals for myself.

1] Do not make hamburger helper more than once a month.
2] Only go out to eat once a week.
3] Make a different meal for a month strait. (this should be easy peasy with emeals.)

Wish me luck!!

Side note: 
So I bought this today at the Flea Market. It was 40 bucks and I have been wanting one for the longestttttt time!

Don't laugh.

I know it is completely unnecessary, but goodness I love it. It instantly dispenses cold and hot water. It is so handy and I am extremely excited that I got it for so cheap! Eek! 

Couldn't really ask for more

Sometimes I am truly amazed by how different my life is compared to my friends that I graduated with. I try to keep up with them via Facebook, and I smile and have conversations when I happen to run into them from time to time. But it is so crazy how little I really have to talk about with them. It's almost like I'm a 30 year old woman talking to a bunch of teenagers.

This might kinda suck for my social life, but really, I could care less. I love where I am. I love that I am basically a 20 year old housewife and a mother to be, as well as a full-time student. I wouldn't change it for the world!

But the thing that really irks me is that some people either look down on me, feel sorry for me, or think I'm just plain crazy. It's like people think since I'm young, I must not know what I really want in life. And yes, there are times where I might say, "hmm, do I really wanna be a teacher?" But honestly, ever since I found out I was pregnant, I've been nothing but happy. The first couple of minutes after seeing the positive test were scary, I was just scared, but after that passed I was filled with joy and anticipation.

Now I find myself looking at baby stuff all the time and dreaming about my little bun in the oven! I know I will have to wait a few years for my friends to mature to the level that I am at now, for them to get engaged, married, and have kids before I will really be able to relate and enjoy their company. Until then, I am just going to sit back and relish in my amazing life with my wonderful fiance and our precious little one (who needs to hurry up and get here).

Fluffy Mail!

Guess who's diapers came in the mail today!?

Please excuse the poor quality of the picture, I had to use my cell phone. But how cute are these!? The two on the right have to be the cutest and softest. They are Kawaii Baby signature Minkys. I love them!

I just ordered 12 cloth-eez newborn prefolds and 2 more Thirsties covers. Hopefully that should be enough for my newborn stash. I am hoping that the pockets that are pictured above will fit Baby as well. I hope this will be enough. I don't mind washing everyday.

How many cloth diapers did you use a day for your newborn? 

Patiently Awaiting Fluff

Or not so patiently. I keep checking the tracking number on USPS as if it will magically arrive in Kansas City an hour after it was just listed as being states away. Ugh, patience was never my strong suit.

I ordered 5 Kissaluvs fitteds size 0, 2 Thirsties covers, 2 Kawaii signature minky's, and 2 Kawaii pure and natural newborns. I am planning on buying about 24 prefolds and then I should be finished! Well, with my newborn stash at least.

Trying to convince my Type A fiance that getting different types of diapers is a good thing is proving to be quite the struggle. He wants to just buy 20 pairs of one diaper and be done with it. He doesn't understand that although that method may work for some, I have also heard horror stories about doing it this way. I don't want to be stuck with 20 diapers that I spent hundreds of dollars on that I hate or do not work well. So after doing hours upon hours of research, I have made a list of diapers that I want that include a whole range of different brands. After the newborn stage, I am planning on getting

(3) FuzziBunz pocket
(4) Flip
(3) Happy Heinys
(6) BumGenius
(2) Rumparooz
(3) Kawaii Baby
And probably a couple more.

Please feel free to make suggestions to the list!!

Even though I am only 16 weeks, I am already getting antsy. Researching diapers and various baby blogs help, but goodness, if I am already getting impatient, I can only imagine how much worse it is going to get!

One hundred and sixty three...

Is approximately the number of days I have left until little baby Fickbohm enters this world. It is also the number of days until life, as I know it, changes dramatically. But I couldn't be more ecstatic. :)