Happy New Years

Happy New Year!

How was your 2015?

Ours was full of plenty of ups and downs.  Hard decisions and fun times.

But I'm having high hopes for 2016!

 

Some of my goals include:

The stereotypical GET HEALTHY

This is a big one for me.  I've struggled with it for quite a while now.  Change is hard for me, and with the big change we just made, this may be even harder.
This includes the normal diet and exercise, but also things like making time to wash my face and brush my teeth every night, stretch, and whatnot.

 

GET ORGANIZED

This one is still a work in progress, because I need to break it down into smaller goals.  Even the things I do for fun get all mixed up since I can't make up my mind and focus on one thing.

 

BE POSITIVE/ATTITUDE MAKEOVER

I need this bad! But this is probably the one I have the least idea how to accomplish.  Part of it is just the way my head works, and I have no idea how to train my brain to change it's mind.  Time to do some research and soul searching!

 

BE A 'BETTER HOUSEWIFE'

I put quotes because I know people are going to nitpick it, but I don't mean it offensively.  It's just what I call the group of stuff I want to do. Ex: Keep up on housework, cook more home meals, work on Hailey's school, things like that

 

I don't have too many goals, but they are broad and hard to accomplish.  I need to break them down into smaller goals and work from there, but that's where I usually fail.  I need a life coach! Haha

What I should do, is sit with Matt, find out what goals he wants to accomplish this year, and figure out how we can help each other.

 

I also may sit down with Hailey and explain goals to her and help her accomplish a little goal of her own, and help her get motivated early on.

 

So...high hopes for 2016!

HYPE!

 

 

 

~hyuu!

YouTube

So, I know I've debated before whether or not I wanted to revive my YouTube channel.

Well, I've decided to do it!

Matt and I (mostly Matt) came up with the name Vlogger Roos

The name comes from our last name Rioux.  People usually end up pronouncing it 'roo' instead of  're-you'.  So we thought it would be fun to use it as a play on words.

 

So, why are we vlogging?  Well, if you know me, you know that I love to watch old family videos and look though photo albums.  I've already been making family photo albums since Hailey's been born.  But I also like video. 

I had actually come across YouTube a long time ago, back when it was first being bought by Google, because it also bought out an old video website I used to use.  I was also filming really grainy video.  I just had no idea there was an upload feature.

Since we live away from family, I love sending them video of the kids.  I used to attempt to send that grainy video to them via email.  It worked about half the time.

Now, with YouTube I can upload and send my family video easily.

The other part is, I want to learn to get out of my comfort zone.  Talking to a camera is the first step to doing that.  Also, to try new things.  Get out of my comfort zone.
I also like to have conversations with people.  So hopefully we can make lots of new friends!

 

So, if you want to join us on our adventure, head over to My YouTube and subscribe!

It's going to be a vlog Monday-Friday with an occasional Saturday video

 

 

 

~hyuu!

What's in your Diaper Bag

I don't know about you, but I'm always curious about what people put in their purses, backpacks, etc. I was fixing up my diaper bag because I wanted to clean it out, and after a week of running around with the grandparents, it needed a serious re-organization.

I've had people tell me that I'm pretty prepared before. And I'm curious as to how others have their bags.  So, here is what I keep in my diaper bag.

Ok first thing every diaper bag has....since it is in the name...Diapers!

I try to keep 5 diapers for each kid...hopefully one will be switched out soon for undies.

Then, of course wipes, and the mat that came with the bag to lay them on.

 

Another thing most bags have, snacks!

 I try to keep stocked on snacks.  Usually a bag of Gold Fish and some fruit snacks. Sometimes snacks for Mom and Dad make there way in too *wink*

 

For feeding baby...

Right now I have an Udder Cover since I breastfeed.  When she starts to take bottles that will be replaced with a bottle and my container for formula.  I also have a burp rag and bib.

 

Ok, this is where not every diaper bag is the same.

Extra outfits. Usually one of my least favorite outfits since they don't use them that often (but do get used).  I keep a pair of socks for if it gets cold, or if I happen to want to try on some shoes.  Also, the outfit for if they have an accident, get sick, or extremely dirty.  Whatever you want really!

This may seem excessive, but I have had to use them more then once, so I stand by it.  I 'stole' the idea from when I worked at a daycare.  The parents had to have extra clothes in the kids cubbies.

 

Of course, every mom needs stuff for herself in there too!

There is the normal stuff like my wallet and sunglasses.  Then the little bit less normal stuff like my hairbrush and hair tie.  Then lotion, lip balm, gum, breast pads for while I'm breastfeeding, and of course, feminine products.

 

Last but not least, the random junk.

Not all of it is in there all the time, but it does come in handy. I have binky wipes (that I have yet to use), a baby spoon, band-aids, Neosporin spray, tissues, shot records (so I don't forget them), Hailey's sunglasses, a baby toy(not pictured since baby saw it and stole it), and a big Ziploc bag for soiled clothes or diapers if there isn't a close trash can, like on an airplane.  Hailey's autograph book and pen are also in it at the moment because if I don't leave it in there, I forget it....every time.

 

Seem like a lot?  Sometimes.  But I make it all fit. No, really!

See? I can even fit my camera in there if need be.

As you can tell, it is starting to rip, and one of the snaps is missing.  I would love to get a new bag.  Instead of an actual diaper bag, I'm thinking of getting a regular old backpack.

Thoughts?

 

What do you keep in your bags?

 

 

 

~hyuu!

 



Breastfeeding at Disneyland

When it comes to breastfeeding, I'll admit, I'm a little shy about it.

I'm not quite as bad as I was when I had Hailey, but I'm still not as bold as other mom's I see.

Everyone has their own way to do things, and no way is wrong or right.  This is how I do things, and if you are anything like me, here are some of the things I do.

My family loves Disneyland.  Sometimes I can be hard to go with a baby who is still breastfeeding.  You have to take time out of your day to find a spot that you can sit and feed your little one (kudos to those amazing moms who can walk and feed at the same time).

If you are anything like me, you like to find a spot that you are not out there in the open for everyone to see, but is also close enough that you don't have to take even more time out of your day in travel.

I have found some places in Disneyland that are good for what I want, and they are in several spots around the park so you can usually find one wherever you are.

Of course, you can always go to Disneyland's amazing Baby Center.  It's at the end of Main Street USA behind the hot dog wagon.

There they have a room just for breastfeeding moms.  They also provide a ton of other parent services such as diaper changing and toddler potties, supplies for sale(cash only), and a place to store/heat your babies milk/formula.

But, they only allow the mom and the baby to enter.  So if you are with your other kids, this can be a pain.

 

There is another spot at the beginning of Main Street USA that I like.  Next to Town Hall there is a small set of stairs that leads to a balcony type area with a couple benches.  You can see all the crowds, but no one really pays attention to what's up in the corner. (don't have a picture yet)

 

If you are over by Frontier Land(and if it's not too busy with lunch/dinner crowd) there is a nice little spot between two restaurants.

Another breastfeeding mom and I both chose this spot while we ate lunch.  It's in the shade and away from the rest of the crowded tables.

 

Over in Critter Country there is a restaurant call the Hungry Bear.  There are tables under the restaurant next to the river.  Once again, it's in the shade and usually not too crowded accept at peak eating hours. (no picture yet)

 

Over by the boarder of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, under the monorail track, there are some really nice big benches.  They are in the corner near the face painting booths. 

There aren't usually a lot of people over there because it's a corner out of the way.  Personally, if I want another wall, I park my stroller in front of me and sit on the bench.  They are really big and you have lots of room.

 

And finally, if you are over in Mickey's Toon Town, there are some seats over by Chip and Dale's tree house.

Once again, another mom had taken advantage of the play area for her older child, and the lack of crowd that travels this far in the back of Toon Town. This is my newly discovered spot and I think it'll work out great when we're way in the back of the park.

 

I'm sure there are other spots around that I haven't come across.  And, of course, everyone has their preferences.  These are just my personal picks.  As much privacy and I can manage without hiding in the bathroom...gross, or traveling through the whole park 2-3 times a day to the Baby Center.

There is no reason you can't take the time out to breastfeed and still enjoy your trip to Disneyland.

I hope, if you are like me, these spots serve you well :)

 

 

 

~hyuu!

 

 

Texas

We went to Texas this last week.  I had decided to invite Austin along because it's someplace he's never been and they have tons of birds and stuff he hasn't seen.

I wish I had taken more pictures, but it was HOT and I'm not going to lie, I was a little pissy from it.  That and I didn't really think about it.

We went to the beach several times, but I didn't really go in the water much because it was making me sick a little, and there were quite a few jellyfish, and I didn't feel like getting even a little sting haha.

 

Then one day we went to the aquarium.  The bird show didn't have many birds, but I think that's part because it was so windy.  And, of course, we watched the dolphin show.  I think both Hailey and Austin had a good time.

 

We went and saw some sights.  There is a marine school there that has a little area you can go look at.  And, right across from our hotel, there is the big mermaid that Hailey thought was so cool.

 

Then of course, there are the animals.  I tried to get a picture of this derpy bird that kept hanging around the hotel, but Hailey scared him away.  There were also a couple cats that hung around the hotel...we think that may be why we saw almost no lizards.  We saw some geckos on the glass super late at night, but I didn't have my phone.  We did find a crab and a nasty spider in our stairwell though.  There was a baby crab in our hotel too from some shells we had, but he ended up drowning *sadface*  We didn't know if he was a water or land crab, so we left some water in the sink with a shell he could climb out on, but I guess the shell fell into the water.  Poor little crab.

Then there were the domestic animals......Matt was in love with Sean's bearded dragon.  I had to make sure he didn't try to steal her haha.

 

So yea, I think we all had a pretty good time.  We also had the reunion, of course, and we went mini golfing.  I wish I had gotten pictures from that, but we went at night so we wouldn't boil.

If you care, there are more pictures on my Facebook. (the link should be on my sidebar)

 

 

~hyuu!