I tried Barmon but didn't find it helpful. I also thought the consistency was waxy and smelly! I tried Emu Oil and others. I have stretchmarks that are 25 years old. (I'm 36) I got them from growth spurt and then as an adult with pregnancy. My son is now 13 and my marks are starting to disappear! On my lower ab and breasts and upper arms. The improvement is wonderful! The creme, Striae from Regentrol Labs is no more expensive than Barmon and is backed by US Patent and clinical study. I researched this product extensively as I was tired of trying products that just didn't work. I found them at www.stretchmark.com. Good luck with the Barmons and Cocoa Butter. Shaketa, there is hope to eliminate marks, not just lighten them. You may want to consider checking that product out. Thanks! :)

Thanks, D-ro, enduring, Francoise, and Herb. I am happy with this. I appreciate your comments. I forgot to mention that, as part of the decision process, I constructed fake "uppers" from cardboard boxes, and hung them on the walls. I also used tables and sawhorses to simulate countertops. I could then swap upper locations around easily, going back and forth between the layouts posted, say, on Wed, Sep 28, 11 at 19:40 and Thu, Sep 29, 11 at 13:38. This made it easy to sort out issues like possible crowding of the big window, the overall airiness of the kitchen, lights in the sink area, and the difficulty of reaching above the shoulders into the upper cabs with a laden soup bowl. Therefore, I am more confident in this arrangement than I was when only relying on Sketchup. Francoise, you are so right about how hard MW placement is. After this struggle, I have concluded that chest-high is the only really good placement; this either means in the middle of a tall cab (like CluelessinCo) or hanging below un upper (like someone posted recently... Dianalo? remodelFLA?). I didn't want to give up the pantry to do the former or effectively give up the counterspace to do the latter, so the drawer was the next-best alternative. Funny that I never really understood that about MWs before.

A little late to the party but what incredible and joyous news! I can imagine how thrilled you and your husband are and the doll story really made me smile to know that he's as thrilled and involved as are you. They sound like wonderful children. So sad about their eating problems in the past and yes it'll take a while to get over that but you're clearly taking great steps to help her and them settle in and soon they'll know that this is a different and better life. One suggestion, take it for what it's worth. How about letting them help plan out meals? Do a menu for a week or so and let them help. I would think that would relieve some apprehension about whether they will eat and it's never too early to let them help in their own way on the meal prep. BTW, don't forget about the library! That can be a regular outing. One thing I want to say though, there's a lot of comments and I'm sure even more thoughts about the natural parents and I want to point out how many people give children bad lives but WON'T give them up. I want to give credit that the mother realized she couldn't handle them anymore and willingly gave up her rights. That must be difficult to do. And the fathers gave up their rights too. Kudos to them too. I hope they're not left out in the cold. Not suggesting visitation or anything but maybe an update occasionally to let them know how the kids are doing could be nice. Just something to think about... not that there's anything else on your mind now!!! ;) They'll probably ask about their parents sometime and should know the full story age appropriate and I have confidence you'll do what you feel is right. I have the utmost confidence in you and your husband, respect for you for doing this and taking all three - not everyone would take on a chore like this, and it really is a win-win-win situation. For you, the kids and yes the bio-parents. Make that a win-win-win-win, since they didn't wind up in some shelter, orphanage or something. Really puts a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. Good for you and all of you. So many things to do, so much fun too. Of course there'll be ups and downs but I can tell you'll do just fine and be one big happy family. My best to all of you!

irIn the last 2 years dirt makes me itch and break out. I use kitchen gloves. The orange pair is for playing in the dirt and the yellow pair is for pulling up poison Ivy. My birds like to sit in the trees and deposit the seeds with personalized liquid fertilizer amoung the shade plants.. My hands sweat and the gloves do get stinky so I have to wash out the inside and outside with bathroom and tile cleaner mixed with Dawn. I hope you find something that works for you.