And then there were three...: March 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Growing Growing Growing

Friday night I went to Baby Group (formerly known as Breastfeeding support - but alas I am no longer breastfeeding so I have renamed it) and we weighed Caden.

At 5 months and 2 weeks he weighs....... 16.15 pounds. According to the chart he is in the 35% for weight. He sure is growing. I feel like he gets taller and taller each day.

As I said before he wants nothing to do with sitting down - he is ready to stand thank.you.very.much. Him and Chloe are becoming best friends fast.

Chloe isn't going to know what hit her once he is on the move. Daddy is already encouraging some bad habits - like riding Chloe like a horse!

What are we ever going to do with those boys Chloe?!?

Couponing. Man. This is quite possibly the hardest thing I have done in a long time. Typically, when I decide I want to do something I am able to pick it up fairly quickly. Now, don't get me wrong. Mostly this is because I choose to try new things that I think I will be good at... I am not like attempting to run a 10k. So, in careful scrutiny of our budget (which could be - and possibly will be a whole different post) I decided that I could start couponing... so I tried. AND... failed. Now, you may think how can one FAIL at couponing - but please remember, we are the couple who FAILED at our first church nursery experience. Hahaha. So from the struggle, and the collecting of coupons that started February 20th - I feel that I have had my first really successful week. As I am writing this Chris proclaims "I just LOVE how proud of yourself you are! Hahaha" Followed by some smart comment about my humility; however, this is something that I am proud of. I feel like I have entered into some secret world where the stores PAY YOU to shop. Yes, you read that right. So below is a breakdown of what we got, what we paid, and MOST importantly, what we saved! :)

RITE AID:

6 American Greetings cards - FREE

TOTAL Spent at Rite Aid: Actually this is the deal where THEY PAID ME $0.12 to buy the cards. What a great deal!

HARRIS TEETER:

Smart Balance Skim Milk - Original cost $2.99

FREE (HT Double Coupons - $1.50 coupon doubled = $3)

Philadelphia Cooking Cream - Original cost $2.99

FREE (HT Double Coupons - $1.50 coupon doubled = $3)

JELLO Temptations - Original cost $2.99

$0.99 (HT Double Coupons - $1.00 coupon doubled = $2)

2 tubes of Colgate Total toothpaste - $3.39

$0.39 each (HT Double Coupons - $1.50 coupon doubled = $3)

TOTAL Spent at Harris Teeter: $1.08 + $1.12 = $2.20

CVS:

3 bottles of Listerine - Sale 5/$5

$1 (Coupon for $2 off 2 Listerine products)

2 tubes of Colgate toothpaste

$2 - In hind sight I would not have purchased these - but the lady said you had to buy all 5 to get the deal - which was actually not accurate - she was new and just thought it was.

TOTAL Spent at CVS: $3.40

=================

Would have cost: $29.08

TOTAL SAVED: $23.60 (81.2% savings!)

GRAND TOTAL: $3.40 + $2.20 - $0.12 = ONLY $5.48

So in closing - it is exhausting - it takes a. LOT. OF. PATIENCE. But, in the end, today when I walked out of Rite Aid with those 6 cards - it was all worth it. Look out couponing world. Here I come.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

5 months!

FIVE MONTHS! When did this happen!??! Caden appears to be as confused as I am... haha.

Life in our home is as crazy as ever. At five months Caden is a bundle of life and energy. His favorite activities currently consist of drooling, smiling, being absolutely adorable, and grabbing ANYTHING he can get his hands on (recently long hair and earrings have been added to the list). Loves laying in the floor and "talking" to random objects that are around. He is liking sitting up with support (we are still working on balance) and LOVES to look at anyone and everyone. :)

He is a mess. Such a fun personality this little one has. And seriously, not to brag, but he is The. Best. Baby. Now... don't confuse this with us being great parents - we are often "trial and error" parents (as my lovely friend Kelly calls it - and it is SO FITTING) - but he is SO good natured. God truly blessed us. He is happy 90% of the time. He is just a blessing.

Some stats - As for weight, we won't have an updated weight until BF support next week (which is kind of ironic - since we are going and we aren't actually breastfeeding anymore) but I know he is growing! I can tell in all kinds of ways - carrying him in his carrier is harder and harder - his clothes are bigger and bigger (we are now wearing FEW 3-6 months, Mostly 6 month, and FEW 6-9 month clothes) - and everyone is commenting on his cute little cheeks! Hahaha.

He is still sleeping and napping great. Somehow in the midst of these naps I still can't manage to get all of my life together - but that is for another post. Spit up is still an issue... but we're making it. :)

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Sick mama...

So... here I am. Round two of strep. Meaning, this is the 2nd time in a month that I have been down for the count with strep throat. Mind you that prior to these two occurances I hadn't had strep since I was a small child... however, now here I am.

What does life look like in our house with a sick mama? A little crazy - that is for sure. I am AMAZINGLY blessed in that we have so many incredible people who are close by to help us out... my amazing husband, my mom who drops her whole life the moment she hears I'm not feel well, my aunt who skipped dinner last night to take me to urgent care, my dad and Pat who were in town visiting and did all kinds of things to help out... really... when a mama is sick - it takes a village.

Though Caden could certainly tell that something was wrong (and was a little more fussy than usual) - all of his needs were met, and this mama could rest a little easier. And rest I have. In the past 24 hours I have slept 14 and about to head to bed again.

To all of my mama friends - know that in the times I've been up sick - I've been praying for you specifically. Hugs to you all.