Making Waves

Let me just say that I have started this post 300 times over the past few years. At the risk of offending my friends who sell products via this method, I want to point out something about it that I recently became aware of.

If you don't know about Multi-Level Marketing then you legit live under a rock. Beauty products, Jewelry, Health/Fitness products, etc. You see it all over your Facebook. You probably have people contacting you that you haven't spoken to in YEARS asking how you've been and oh btw, do you want to join my group and try my products? Of course it takes major balls to reach out to people like that (it's essentially cold calling, so good on you) and it is also time consuming outside your real job (which, all of them have despite the claims that you can "work from home!"). Don't get me wrong, you gotta do what you gotta do. And I got sucked in once too, which is why I'm writing this.

I, too, fell into the trap of "get healthy, make money!". I joined, paid, and after that I realized the products weren't working for me. They were making me physically sick. And I had to keep consuming them in order to make money! I also was not aware that I was signed up for automatic refills and additionally, I had to pay a fee each month! WTF! I ended up severing my ties with that company and apparently screwing over the girl who was directly up the line from me in the process. I felt terrible and it was incredibly awkward for a while.

When I joined, I was invited to join a secret Facebook group of members in this same company (I'm trying to be vague here to protect these people!) and for some reason, I never left the group. It is a group of ~130 women all who report (in some way, shape or form) to the leader who is a ~30 year old single mom. She is constantly sharing her tips on how to get more business (and more money for her, obviously) and one day recently she shared her income.

She said that after working for this company for 3 years, with 130 people working for her, she was taking home $3500 a month. Now, don't get me wrong. That is SUPER impressive for what she and her people are selling. But, if you do the math, it comes out to $42,000 per year. And that's BEFORE TAXES.

I was just shocked (and maybe I am just dumb) that she works SO HARD (allegedly) and has all these people working for her and making money for her; she's always talking about living her dream and being a stay-at-home-mom, and she makes $42K pre-taxes. Ouch. I guess it really depends on your definition of "living the dream", doesn't it? Maybe if you live in the middle of nowhere that salary would be okay. But anywhere I have lived you'd be pretty screwed.

Why am I sharing this? Because it's easy to get sucked into the game. As a Mom myself, I know how tempting it is to be a stay-at-home-mom and these companies LOVE to prey on new moms that are dying to quit their jobs and be with their babies- if only they could afford it! These Multi-Level Marketing companies claim to be the answer but unless you want to be eating table scraps (or moving to the sticks), I suggest you keep your day job.

Do I still love and support my friends who sell products via MLM? Of course. You are all bad asses and I HOPE that you become the exception to the rule and make a million dollars. I truly do. I'm sure the self-help literature that you are required to read will tell you that I am seeing the glass as half empty, but I am just reminding you that there is something in the glass already. Better be careful not to spill it. 

Love you all,

SG

18 Month Update

Well, 2016 wasn't off to a great start but things are slowly looking up. After a relaxing and timely vacation to Disney World (and our first Disney Cruise!), it has been back to work and life. With everything that happened in January, I had not worked a full week since before Christmas. So coming back from vacation to full weeks of work in February has been difficult. We have enjoyed several celebrations like Jason and Lydia's engagement party and Corinne's baby shower and are looking forward to meeting Baby Davis very soon!! While we wait, I thought I would give you an 18 month update on my own baby, who is in full toddler-mode and is quickly turning into a little girl.

Caught with her hand in the cookie jar dog bowl.

How many? 18 months on February 13th. A whole year and a half of Abby!

At the Pediatrician for her 18 month check up!

Stats: 25 lb 14 oz (85%), 33.25 in. (89%). They say if you double a 2 year old's height, it is a good indicator of how tall they are going to be. Good news for Abby as she is on her way to being taller than 5'5. 

I turn my back for 1 minute and there are stickers on the dog.

Diaper Size: I think she is going to be in size 4s until she is done with diapers. I don't see her weighing more than 37 pounds before she is potty trained!!! Speaking of potty training... we got her a Mickey Mouse potty... it's going well.

Clothes Size: She is wearing 18 months and I am starting to buy 24 month and/or 2T for the spring/summer. I am so used to jumping up to the next size so quickly but her growth has slowed down now that she's almost 2. UGH I can't believe I just said that!

Making Valentines with Aunt Lydia

Eating: Abby's school tells us she is one of their best eaters. Hahaha. I don't know if I should be proud or not. She has started to refuse foods at random times. For example, she won't eat meat right now. Wtf.... I'm glad she likes eggs/cheese/yogurt. She drinks milk (of various %s), water, apple juice, and if you want to see something funny, give her orange juice. One of her favorite foods is "sraw sraws" (strawberries) and she will try just about anything as long as it's on my plate/I am in the middle of eating it...

Sleeping: Abby is a pretty good sleeper. No matter what time she goes to bed, she will be up between 5 and 6. So I try to get her down around 7pm. She still uses the paci and I'm looking for ways to ditch it. She also likes to wake up in the middle of the night and yell until someone comes in and re-tucks her in. So, I'd like for that to stop.

Teeth: She has a ton of teeth and is not very good at brushing them. I try, but it usually ends with her chewing on the toothbrush and trying to run away with it :(

Eye Color: Still very gray. I'm pretty sure she got her eyes from my Dad.

Milestones:
Walking- Abby is a champ at walking and borderline running. She is quick! 

Talking- I tried counting her words the other day and I got to 45 and quit. She's on-pace for that milestone so I'm not too worried about keeping an exact list. Her favorite thing right now is telling me "Hot. Don't touch". 

Firsts:

First cruise! Disney Cruise Line is highly recommended if you would like to take children on a cruise, especially young ones. Major bonuses on DCL vs other cruise lines: Swim Dipe-friendly splash area (babies in swim diapers are not allowed in cruise ship pools), Bathtubs in EVERY stateroom, Child-friendly activities, Character meets, Accommodating restaurants/servers (the first night she threw a FIT at dinner and we were able to get our food super fast and outta there, with dessert to-go!), Child Care (excellent, safe, clean) and tons of adult-only places to go on the ship!

Interests:
All things Mickey Mouse...er... "Mimi", Minnie (also Mimi), Donald Duck (Duck), Goofy (Fifi), Daisy (Dizzy), Pluto (??-she has a word for Pluto that sounds nothing like Pluto), Toodles (Oh Too!), etc.

What's Next?

Abby is getting to the age where people start asking when the next Gish baby will come along. And to tell you the truth, I don't know. We had a plan. But it all went out the window when I started my new job. And now, I don't know. As a planner, you'd think that would give me extreme anxiety but instead I feel at peace because there is no pressure. For now, we are just focused on the excitement of Abby's cousin who will arrive any day!!!

Congratulations Uncle Al and Aunt Cori <3