Finding "Memo" and other random thoughts

Addison's latest obsession is "Finding Nemo", only she calls it "Memo." From the minute she wakes up until she is fighting her sleep at night it is "Memo! Memo! Memo!" As a parent, I have find myself going between the two thoughts- "It's so cute to hear her say "Memo." and "If she says "Memo" one more time, that DVD is a going out the window!" She now has a Nemo blanket (thanks, Aunt Brooke and cousin Ella) which she carries around and sleeps with. She also has a Nemo backpack (so cute on!), a Nemo glitter globe and a huge stuffed Nemo. I think we are going to borrow some Nemo books from her cousin, that way we can read about Nemo instead of watching 2 hours of Nemo a day!


Just picture this face, pleading with you to watch "Memo...." only to have to distract or simply say "No" 99% of the time. It's not easy! :<)


Sophie, on the other hand is getting HUGE! She is almost 7 weeks and has gained at least 5 pounds since she was born. She is smiling now and is sleeping more at night (she only woke up twice last night!). We are learning how to parent a 2nd child who is the complete opposite of the first. Addie was a completely content baby. She would eat every 4 hours, sleep all the time and rarely cried (seriously!). Sophie eats every 2 hours, sleeps 20 min. at a time (during the day), and cries or is fussy quite consistently. Let's just say, I am ready to be beyond the newborn phase! To Sophie's defense she does have reflux, which causes most of her fussiness. We love, love, LOVE her- but I can't wait until the crying phase is over. Maybe a few more weeks?? Isn't she so cute! Here she is with a contemplative look going on... what is she thinking about??





I am currently reading 3 books. One of which is extremely motivational. In dealing with finances and budgets I often get frustrated and confused, but Dave Ramseys, "A Total Money Makeover" holds a lot of wisdom and practical tips. Here is a huge tip I have learned so far from this book:
1. Staying away from car payments by driving reliable used cars is what the average millionare does. If you invested $378 per month (average American car payment) from age 25 to 65, a normal working lifetime, in the average mutual fund averaging 12 % (the 70-year stock market average), you would have $4,447,084.01 at the age of 65.

Can I just say, Wow, that would be some retirement! Our goal now is to pay off our one car payment and to never have a car payment again. That way we can put the $ from our car payment and hopefully save for our future. Now, I know you are saying- "You will eventually have to buy another car..." True, but we plan on having cash for our next car (van?). Dave also has an excellent tip for how to save to pay cash for a car.... totally do able! Want to know? Gotta read the book.... :<) Or... maybe I'll post on it next time if there are those that want to know.

For now... just think about how nice it would be to have $4.4 mil. to retire on...