HT Super Doubles

Super Doubles at Harris Teeter can yield lots of free or significantly reduced items!  A lot of what I went for was already gone but I got 3 cans of cream of mushroom soup (which I need for a recipe next week), 2 lbs of spaghetti, 10 oz bottle of soy sauce, 3 pack of popcorn, tic tacs, advil (had coupon for free bottle), scrubbing bubbles toilet gel discs and frozen pierogies and refrigerated creamer (which I left at work) for $7.10 (would have been $30 at regular price).  Yay for deals!

Weekend Wonders

Is this the sweetest little cow or what?   Olivia had her first Halloween party on Sunday afternoon, hosted and attended by church friends who have babies around the same age.  We dressed her as a cow since Mark loves cows and also in attendence were adorable monkey girl complete with cute tail and VERY sleepy dragon boy!   Dragon boy was born on the same day as Olivia and in the same hospital.  They both have jungle themed nurseries and Daddies with Jeeps!  Monkey girl has beautiful blue eyes and LOVES her carseat!  (Wish she would teach Olivia the joys of the carseat!)

On Saturday morning I noticed that her SECOND tooth had made its appearance!  They are the sweetest little teeth just barely poking out of the gumline.  It's so exciting to see her changing and growing!  What a sweet blessing from God!

Now to switch gears  I want to talk about something more serious.  One of the primary reasons I started blogging was to share my journey through postpartum depression (PPD) in hopes that I might help someone else....a friend or family member who reads this blog or a stranger that just stumbles across it.  I have many embarrassing things in my past and current life but I've always been an "open book" to others because I believe that God uses the 'weak' things to show His strength.  So, with that being explained I'd like to share a little with you today. 

It is so embarrassing to have PPD!  No one talks about it for that very reason.  What mother wants anyone to know she is not blissfully happy about her newborn?  It is devastating to realize that one of the most wonderful things God has ever allowed you to experience is also causing you to become inexplicably saddened, filled with anxiety and thinking completely irrational thoughts.  It is equally embarrassing to have to be put on medication for 6 months to a year in order to deal with those feelings productively.  It's just embarrassing, embarrassing, embarrassing - there is no way around that but in order to get "better" I need to be open about my journey so that I can get the help I need and do what is best for my family.

So, how do you know when you are getting "better"?  I think it is when you are willing to try "new things" you were too afraid to do before.  For me, one of those things is taking my daughter out for an entire day including being in the car alone with her beyond the 5 minutes it takes to get her to and from her nanny.  Why would that be such a big deal you wonder?  Well, for me it is huge deal because in the early months of Olivia's life I was terrified to go anywhere with her.  She was sooo unhappy and cried all the time.  I could not handle it emotionally so eventually I just stopped trying and stayed at home all day everyday while I was on leave and even since returning to work have not been able to be out with her. 

This weekend I knew that Mark would be busy all day and most of Saturday so I decided it was time to try a "new thing".  In truth I felt afraid to be with my daughter alone all day (that's a "new thing" yet to be accomplished) so I decided I needed reinforcements.  My mom will not drive to Raleigh because she hates traffic so I knew I would have to go to her instead.  First I confirmed that she would be home and then I called my sister-in-law who is wonderful with my baby girl.  She said she could come - yay! - but then I started thinking that two extra people might not be enough so I asked her to bring her mother too!  I was getting an army together to help me with my first "new thing" because I did not want to fail! 

So, Saturday I fed Olivia her first morning bottle, managed to keep her happy until the next bottle and after that we set out on our adventure.  During the one hour drive she did exactly what strikes terror in my heart - screamed the entire way - I thought I was going to die.  But somehow we made it to Rocky Mount and she promptly fell asleep until we pulled up in the driveway.  Whew!  Made it through the first leg of my "new thing"!  There were 4 adults and 1 child total in addition to my girl when we set out to enjoy lunch.  Between all of us we managed to keep her from screaming for a few hours.  We went back home afterwards and my brother also joined our army and we kept her relatively happy for another few hours and then it was time for me to head back to Raleigh.  I climbed in the car knowing the trip home might put me right over the edge and I was right, she screamed for 40 minutes straight (while I tried every music station and noise I could think to make) before she conked out.  My nerves were in pieces but I made it home, got her ready for bed, fed and put her to sleep.  It was rough but I did it - I tried a "new thing" and saw it through to the bitter end!  I'm making progress people....slow as molasses but progress all the same!

Babylegs 75% Off!

Babylegs.com a company that sells these utterly cute leg warmers, tights and socks is currently offering 75% off any order $75 or more when you purchase items from their Costume selection. Enter code SPOOK75 at checkout. Shipping is FREE.

http://www.babylegs.com/Costume-C673.aspx

I was very giddy when I found out and I bought 7 pairs late last night for $20.50 shipped. They had a few none Halloween looking ones which were the ones I bought. Some have sold out so the selection now is getting very limited so if interested act quickly. I think our daughter Olivia is going to love these and they well help keep her warm and protect her little legs when she starts to crawl. Shannon probably thinks I am crazy and is not too sure what to make about them but I just adore them.

Here is one of the pairs I bought called Candy Apples

I am also very tempted to try out one of these WooBee Blankets which they have on sale right now with an additional 25% off using in code WOOBEE25 and also free shipping. I really would like the Cow Pattern one to go with Olivia's new Cow Pattern Car Seat.

To See they 3 different types and determine which one is right for you go to

http://www.woobeeforbabylegs.com/which-woobee.html

Or if you are already familiar with them you may go here to shop directly.

http://www.babylegs.com/Gear.aspx

They normally range from $30 to $64 and now with the discount are going from $18 to $36.

Random Friday

It has been a busy week with a teething baby!  Olivia's very first tooth made its appearance on Wednesday morning so starting Tuesday night and since it has been REALLY difficult to get her to sleep at night.  She is so pitiful it just about breaks my heart.  We are giving her baby Tylenol and orajel, teething rings, frozen washcloths, etc. but she is in pain.  Fortunately once she gets to sleep she stays asleep but I've been getting to bed myself much later than usual so I am VERY tired!!

So, all week I've had thoughts of things I wanted to blog about but no time to actually blog so today I'm calling this Random Friday because these things are scattered like the wind....no theme at all here!

Smile.ly is a website where you can sign up to become a reviewer of new products.  I read about this on She Saved, one of my favorite websites for finding deals.  So, if you click the Smile.ly link I will get more "smiles" and be eligible for more product reviews - so go there if you'd like to sign up too!

DEALS of the week: 

• Free king-size TWIX from Murphy USA (sign up on their website to get discounts on gas)
• The Christmas address labels and homemade gift enclosure cards from Overnight Prints came in the mail and are just adorable - I only paid shipping!
• The free Snapfish photobook I mentioned here arrived several weeks ago and the very next day I spilled a bottle of water on it.  Since it was a soft cover it was ruined and I was so upset.  Mark called Snapfish and they offered to replace it at no charge - THANK YOU Snapfish! 
• Also, Snapfish currently has two codes through October 31 that will get you 20 free 4x8 photocards - you can read more here.  I hope to get some photos of Olivia in her cow costume this weekend so I can order these just before the clock expires!
• I used my extra care bucks I talked about here plus manufacturer coupons to get my shampoo and conditioner at CVS for a much lower price than usual (I have to use more expensive ones because I am allergic to so many chemicals) and got $5 more extra care bucks!  I heart CVS!  If you are not currently saving at CVS or using extra care bucks and want to learn more go to my most favorite website for deals to learn how.

Speaking of deals, I want to tell you about a new ministry I am blessed to be involved in at my church.  Clipping for a Cause is about using our coupon know-how to help others.   Did you know that every week you can get food items for $1 or less at the grocery store by combining coupons with a sale price?  Clipping for a Cause marries couponing with  helping those in need and is based on Proverbs 22:9  "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."  I am so excited for an opportunity to use my administrative and deal finding skills to help someone else.  It is wonderful to get deals for my own family but even more precious to be able to get them for someone who really needs it!

My baby's gettin' teeth!

Olivia had her 4 month appointment on Monday and I swear she was flirting with the pediatrician.  She was cooing and smiling and all kinds of cuteness....of course that was before the shots! 

Here are her stats:
Weight 15 lbs 2.5 oz
Height 25 1/4 inches
These are both in the 75th percentile.

Her doctor says she is perfect - we think so too but it's nice to get an unbiased opinion!   He also told us she is ready to start cereal and that she should have TEETH (two!) in the next week or so.  I can't believe my baby's gettin' teeth!  (Actually, I can since I'm the one who has been getting up with her in the middle of the night for the past week but I'm pretending I had no idea for the fun of it.)

The shots were traumatic as usual but Olivia did not cry quite as much as at her 2 month appointment and I think that was because Daddy came with us.  She actually starting smiling and giggling not too long after screaming.  Of course then we went home and she was all sorts of cranky the rest of the day!

Here I Grow

Olivia is 4 months old today!  This morning she woke up (very early) at about the same time we hauled ourselves to WakeMed Labor & Delivery 4 months ago so I guess she is going to be a stickler about celebrating special occasions on time!

I asked Olivia about her 4th month of life and here is what she had to say:

Favorite Food:  Formula...mmmmm, give me some more!  I get 33 oz per day and on some days I might even ask for more.  I take after both Mommy and Daddy where my appetite is concerned.  I am really getting interested in the things I see them putting into their mouths and am wondering when I will get to do the same.  Mommy gave me a wooden baby spoon this week and I stuck it straight into my mouth so she would know that I am ready for the real thing!

Favorite Games:  The one where Daddy lets me dance, the one where Mommy lays next to me and we talk to each other - I tell her about my day and she tells me about hers, and oh, my new favorite one - the one where I trick Mommy into changing my stinky diaper but I'm not really done yet!  I also like the game where Daddy takes me out on Saturdays to let Mommy sleep more - we spend a long time together and I love it!

Favorite Songs:  Mommy's made-up songs are my favorite - I particularly like the one about boogers in my nose and the other one about how snuggly I am all day long.

Favorite Toys:  I love my elephant play gym downstairs and I am really warming up to this new teething blanket toy I just got.  Oh and how can I forget Mommy's favorite toy - the Crawl 'N' Go Snail?  She loves that thing so I humor her by letting her play it over and over again.  I think I'll like it more when I can crawl after it. 

Least Favorite Thing:  My teeth are trying to come through the gum and it hurts.  I wake up early a lot and when Mommy reaches into the crib I try to gnaw on her hand.  Why couldn't I have been born with my teeth already through my gums?  I think I will ask Jesus that when I get to Heaven.

On Monday I go to the Pediatrician and get weighed and measured so stay tuned for more 4 month details.  I am also supposed to get my 4 month shots but I didn't really care for the 2 month shots so I'm working on an escape plan.  I think both Mommy and Daddy are coming with me so it's going to take some real strategy on my part.

Oh, and below is a video that Mommy took of me this week. 

FLYing....

Throughout my pregnancy I was connected HERE with a group of women who were also pregnant and due in June.  We are now very busy with our babies but still continue to encourage one another, give advice when needed and share the joys of motherhood.  One of the things we have been getting into lately is FLYing.

What is FLYing?
FLY is the acronym FlyLady uses for Finally Loving Yourself.   FLYing is really just taking care of your home using routines that become habits which enable you to bless your family and spend more time with them.

What does FLYing actually involve?
Lots of de-cluttering but in short spurts of time so that you do not get overwhelmed.  Each week FlyLady focuses on a different "zone" (area of your home) and sends out daily emails that contain the "flight plan" (list of things to do for the day).  Additionally there are daily "missions" which are emails containing additional 10 minute challenges in the current "zone".  She also sends frequent emails of testimonials from other "FLYbabies" and right now, with the holiday season approaching, she sends "Cruising Through The Holiday" emails with tasks to help you get almostly completely ready for Christmas by December 1.  She even has a Holidy Control Journal you can download.  A control journal is essentially a notebook of information about a particular subject.  Go HERE for your free Holiday Control Journal or go HERE to see if there are any other free Control Journals of interest to you.

So, Shannon, how are you FLYing these days?
Well, like any good FLYbaby I am taking baby steps.  I am not doing ALL the routines from FlyLady's FLYing Lessons but I am slowly but surely developing new routines that work for my schedule to help keep the CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) from taking over. 

Here are a few things I've been doing:

• I created a list of household chores that need to be done regularly.  
• Each week I fill in a calendar for my family that lists the appointments we have and the chores that need to be done for that week.  I also use it to help plan meals for the days we will cook. 
• I have developed a routine of using my time wisely at home without compromising on the quality of time I give to Olivia.  Poor Mark, on the otherhand, might be suffering a little and I've certainly cut back on "time for myself"!  (Need to work on balance in the near future - LOL!)
• I try to put a load of laundry into wash every morning.  When I get home with Olivia at 5:15 one of the first things I do is move the load to the dryer and I do not go to bed until it has been folded and if possible, put away. 
• I shine my sink at least every other day.  I do not currently have space under the sink for the dish drainer so it stays in the sink.
• I try to do my Before Bed Routine.  When I don't I can tell the next morning!
• I have selected two areas of my home that are really bothering me (in terms of clutter) and have been working on them slowly when I have time.  I have taken before pictures and am posting them for the other FLYbabies in my group for accountability.  I will probably post them here on the blog once I have the "after" photos!!

Stay tuned for more FLYing to come.....