::monthly subscription packages::

...it's official...i'm obsessed.  once i found citrus lane...i quickly came across many others in this growing/ever-so-popular subscription service.  here are the ones that i decided to try.

for the kids:
kiwi crate
$19.95/month

"In Every Crate:

• Every month you'll receive all the materials and inspiration for projects related to a theme such as safari, space or colors.
• Projects may include arts and crafts, science activities, imaginative play and more.
• We've hand selected and kid tested projects that are open ended and encourage curiosity, exploration and creativity!"

i entered to win a year's subscription...highly doubt we'll win, but it never hurts to try right?  i wasn't going to sign up...but when i entered, it gave me a 25% off code, so i decided to try it for one month.  i will post when the crate comes and report on how kaiya (and most likely her cousins) like the activity.

citrus lane
$25/month; $75/3 months; $125/6 months; $250/1 year

see this post about our first citrus lane package
i'll write another post on what we received in our june citrus lane boxes soon.  but for may...the bucket of toys have already seen a lot of use, and they haven't even been to the beach yet!  the hat, kaiya isn't really into wearing outside, but she does use it for dress up.  i have the spf and the disinfectant in my bag.  and the teensy fruits were a HIT!  all in all...citrus lane is a winner.  fyi: june is also a good box!

for me:
birchbox
$10/month

"Birchbox is the best way to discover new grooming, beauty and lifestyle products. Sample top products from high-end brands, get expert advice, buy new favorites and earn points with every purchase."

this is what i received in my may birchbox.  i have to admit...i was somewhat disappointed.  the nail polish, although it was an awesome coral color...basically sucked.  it was very thick and sticky and i probably won't be using it again.  i haven't tried the perfume or the ojon hair stuff, but i'm happy with the kiehl's sample since i already love kiehl's.

i'll post about my june birchbox soon.  it's waaaay better this time around.  and one of the products i got was band-aids...must be pretty cool band-aids for me to be happy about it.  :)



myglam
$10/month

although the contents were pretty good...i decided to cancel it.  i think i'll just go with birchbox for now.  the bag that all the goodies came in smelled pretty bad, so i let my daughter have it for play time.  but...i just realized, maybe it has some sort of toxic chemical that may not be very good for her.  :/  i tried the lipstick color, not me at all.  but then again...i only wear lip balm and lip gloss usually, if anything.  i have yet to try the other products.  regardless...this was the first and last myglam bag that i will come across.

well, that's it for the subscription services that i've come across.  there are many many more that i would love to try.  including some healthy food ones and a diaper subscription service created by jessica alba...but shipping is WAY too much!  oh well.  so for now...we keep looking forward to citrus lane and birchbox days.

::one month::

already...i'm behind.  nonetheless...a keelan update.

.mom...seriously.

 

.the little guy a few days after coming home.

it's hard to believe that keelan is ONE MONTH old already!!  it's even harder to believe that if he stayed put until my induction date...he would only be 2 days (that's when i started it...therefore, he would have been a little under 2 weeks old) today!  we are very lucky that keelan is a great baby...he will go to anyone, sleeps great, and eats great.  he does get fussy when he gets gassy...and we all feel bad for him and help him push his farts out as best we can.  :)   (won't he LOVE that story when he's older!) 

he has grown so much in just one month! here are his one month stats:
weight: 9 lbs. 10 oz.
length: 19 3/4 in.
head: 14 cm

he already needs a haircut.

::indoor picnic::

Since we've brought Keelan home, things have definitely changed for Kaiya.  She no longer has our 100% attention anymore.  For the most part, she's dealing with it quite well.  But she's always wanting us to "eat with me mommy", "watch cartoons with me daddy", "sit by me".  I feel sooo bad for her, and she's always getting scolded for jumping or running around her brother.  We just have to realize that she's still only 2 and just wants to play.  So today, I asked her what she wanted to do (since Keelan was happily napping).  We browsed Pinterest and I asked her if she wanted to have an indoor picnic.  She got really happy and we just laid out a blanket, a couple plates/forks/spoons/cups, a pitcher of "juice" and had a picnic.  She served herself and I some chicken...then Keelan started crying.  So as I was feeding him, I told her when he was done eating we could finish our picnic.  She replied by telling me, "I ate it all already and put it away."  Sure enough, when I came back to the picnic, everything was neatly stacked on the table. 

I told her that later today, after Eric gets home, we can make homemade ice cream in a bag!  She got all excited and ran off and made herself and I some ice cream cones.  Kaiya is so funny and she does some crazy things, things that we have no idea where she comes up with it.  But she constantly makes us all laugh.  We hope Keelan is the same way when he's her age.  And we can't wait for them to play together...even with the fighting that will come along with it as well. 

I'll try to continue to post more pictures of the activities we all do since I will be home on maternity leave for a few more weeks.  I know I'm definitely enjoying the time off to be with the kids...and I know Kaiya is loving having her mommy home as well.  She keeps telling me..."don't go back to work mommy."  Well...if we only won the lottery...that Hawaii doesn't have. 

::k+k=love::

what's not to love...

and check out this side by side...

::citrus lane::

I'm not sure how I came across CITRUS LANE...but i'm so glad that i did.  What it is, is a monthly subscription service that sends out a package geared towards the age of your child.  In it contains 4-5 items for you and your child to test out.  They are a combo of full sized and travel/sample sized products.  May was our first month trying it out and we are pleasantly surprised over it.  It's $25/month for a month-to-month subscription, or you can purchase 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscriptions.  I searched the internet for a coupon and got a 6-month subscription for $100.  This includes FREE SHIPPING to Hawaii!!!  A miracle!!

Each month's package has a theme.  May's theme was: Fun in the Sun. In the package we recieved 6 different items: an iPlay Sun Protection Hat in pink, Green Toys Sand Play Set, Plum Organics Teensy Fruits in Apple, Episcencial Sunny Sunscreen Travel Size, CleanWell Disinfectant Spray, and Joyus $15 Gift Card.  After bringing home a new baby, Kaiya was extra excited that a package came for her!!  :)

 (Sorry for the blurry pics.)  Kaiya LOVED the Plum Organics Teensy Fruits so much that she told me she wanted me to order more right away.  Being that we are on Kauai...I would have to search high and low for someplace the might sell these.  So I just went ahead and ordered it from Babies R Us at the same time I ordered a stroller for Keelan.  The sheet that came with the package that includes descriptions of the items says that they included 2 packets, we received 3!  Lucky for Kaiya!

 Kaiya and her cousin, Caleb, got right to playing with the Green Toys Sand Play Set.  Even though there was no sand near them, they pretended to scoop sand and water like they were at the beach.  Along with pretending that it was a big fork. 

  I have yet to try out the sunscreen or disinfectant spray, but they are all ready and waiting to be used in my purse.  Both Kaiya and I anxiously await next month's Citrus Lane arrival!

::introducing::

KEELAN KAZUHIRO LEONARD

05/14/2012

6lbs. 9.2oz.

18.5 inches

born at 35 weeks + 2 days

Kaiya is in love with her little brother.  She is always asking to hold him, kiss him, hug him, where he is.  She is a great helper!

 

Keelan had a hard day the day he was born.  He spent his first two days in the nursery being watched 24/7 by a nurse.  The nurses and staff at KVMH are AMAZING.  They all took such good care of Keelan we are forever grateful.  Dr. Carolan also confirmed that they all did an amazing job.  He did not have to spend any additional days in the hospital, which is great news for a preemie.  He's a little guy...compared to his sister.  But compared to other preemies his age, he's actually kind of big.  I can't imagine him being any smaller!

He is one week old today. He spends most of the day sleeping.  He doesn't cry much (knock on wood!), and when he does cry it's such a cute scratchy little cry.  He has lots of hair as you can see, and he turns really red when he cries.  He looks just like Kaiya did when she was born...just not as chubby.  :)  I'll try to update as often as I can...being that I will be home for the next 2-3 months.

::what's new::

Ok ok...the looooooong break of silence has ended. As mostly everyone knows by now...Kaiya is going to be a big sister!! And in only a few short weeks! I'm currently 34 weeks with a baby BOY!!!

::kaiya turns two::

Little Miss Kaiya turned TWO on September 14! I know, it was almost a month ago. We didn't have a big party, just some cupcakes with the family and a little celebration later in the week at potluck. She scored with the presents and got an art table, a tricycle and helmet, a bunch of clothes, and a ton of books. And a whole assortment of Hello Kitty loot! I'm not sure she totally understood the whole birthday ordeal, but she sure enjoyed the Happy Birthday song and present opening! And when you ask her how old she is she says three. For some reason, she can't grasp the concept of the number two. Even when she counts, she says one...three...five...haha.

I started an email address for kaiya...no she will not be sending out emails any time soon...but I will be the one emailing her about the happenings of her life and the important events in the world. So when she's old enough, she can read through them and watch videos and see pictures. If you would like to join me and write something to kaiya that she will see in 15-20 years, let me know and i will give you the address. I'm sure she will be thrilled when she comes across your e-mail in the future. Fun idea huh?

::who doesn't love all things mini::

Mini tabasco, mini ketchup, mini hand sanitizer, Tide ToGo...I LOVE all things mini/to-go. So when I came across this post on DIY single use antibiotic packs (via Brian's Backpacking Blog) on pinterest...I had to pin it. And I have to try it. I'm just trying to figure out what I want to make into single use packs first!

::manic miscellany monday::

this is my first time actually linking up to another blog...I'm so unfamiliar with it, is that even what it's called?!?

anyway, I'm not sure how I found lowercase letters or miscellany monday...but I like the idea of random postings to kick off the start of a new week. So here is my first (possibly, but hopefully not the last)...

::one::

Today, july 11, 2011, is quite the milestone in my life. A short 20 years ago (I can't believe I can say 20 years ago and actually remember...the reality of getting older) my family moved from southern California to the beautiful island of Kauai. I am the first to admit...this did not make the then-10 year old happy one bit. Who wouldn't want to live in paradise right? Well...20 years later (and having spent 10 years after high school on 'the mainland')...I now have a new appreciation for the once loathed slow-paced Garden Island. I mean, one look at the photo above of Kalalau and anyone in their right mind would love to make this place their home...I blame it on being 10.

::two::

Warning: Do not let this cute little girl fool you!! Karma is biting me in the ass...with a vengeance! The terrible twos. Kaiya is lucky she's so cute. She is and has been in her terrible twos I swear before she turned one. She thinks EVERYTHING is hers..."hey, that's mine!". She beats up her cousin. Her favorite word is, of course, NO! She throws a mean tantrum. She does not have an inkling of an inside voice. The list goes on. BUT...she is the cutest and smartest little 22 month going on 15 year old I know! She also loves to give hugs and kisses. She loves playing in the water. She loves her family. She loves her dogs, "FafyLennox"...Foxxy and Lennox. She loves animals and knows a lot of them of you show her a picture. She loves to go riding and shopping. She loves to hear herself talk. She is simply THE BEST!!

::three::

potlucks. Ever since I can remember my family has gathered every week for potluck. The picture above is our Mother's Day spread...I think. Maybe it was Father's Day? Either way...this is a typical Saturday or Sunday at Grandma's house. A tradition that will hopefully continue for generations and generations. The little kids...going around hugging and saying hi to everyone, and hugs all around again before leaving. The food...Lauya, Chicken Papaya, Baked Spaghetti, Uncle Sonny's Adobo, Aunty Flo's 'Adobo', Aunty Aileen's Sesame Chicken, and much much more...the staples that we could eat week after week. If only every family did this, the world may be just that much better.

::four::

S'mores Candy. I came across this recipe for s'mores cracker candy and decided I had to try it. Super simple. Super quick. Super yummy. Try it...now. FYI...super sweet too.

::five::
One-piece swimsuits. It never crossed my mind that I would be wearing a one-piece bathing suit. But...after trying on numerous bikinis and not being happy with what was staring back at me in the mirror...I saw one at Macy's that was actually cute. So I thought, what the hell...tried it on and not only liked what I saw...I LOVED it. And may possibly never go back to buying another bikini again. It miraculously sucked everything in and kept it there. Amazing after having a baby! I am now a one-piecer convert.

::six::

The Box Lunch. Gotta love it. Is this just a Hawaii thing? It has to be. Look at the variety of foods. Great for school field trips.

So that is my random miscellany monday rant. Hopefully I'll see you again next week with more miscellany manic monday madness...