Gymboree Savings!

Right now Gymboree is having a "30% off fill your bag" sale.  You may also use any other coupons you have in addition to the sale.

Today I bought 7 items (6 dresses and 1 onsie) for $40.84!

All of the items were on sale, then I got 30% off and then an additional 20% off with the coupon I had!

Starting from left to right (bottom)...

The pink dress with flowers: Originally $36.95
The white and pink dress next to it: Originally $32.95
Striped dress with pink bow: Originally $32.95
Yellow Onsie: Originally $14.95

Starting from left to right (top)...

Pink dress: Originally $32.95
White dress with green and yellow: Originally $21.95
Bright pink outfit: Originally $26.95

Original total: $199.65
Total spent: $40.84

Thirsty Thursday

We continue our 'Thirsty Thursday' series with a new drink for both Ben and I.
It's called Southern Country Lemonade! 

It is:

One part Jack Daniel's Whiskey (or any Whiskey)
One part Triple Sec
One part Sprite
One part Sour Mix

Mix all the ingredients, stir and serve over ice.

We have everything but the Triple Sec so I picked some up today.

Ben got creative with the pictures tonight so I have a bunch of our Thirsty Thursday beverage.

Cheers!!!

Wait... it's Tuesday!??!

I've been saying that all day!  I keep forgetting that today is Tuesday!  Having Monday's off from work really throws me off as to what day it is.  But as someone reminded me at lunch, in a few weeks I won't have any clue what day it is because I will be off for summer!  Yahoo!

So here are some of my random thoughts:

I loved spending all day in bed on Saturday watching movies and I am so glad Ben wanted us to do that to relax!

I love kissing Elizabeth all over her stomach, arms, and cheeks.  She has started giggling A LOT when I do this and it makes me giggle and we just sit there and giggle and giggle.  I love it!

I really, really enjoy rotisserie chicken- we may make this a weekly dinner.  It is soooo yummy!  (And you can eat it for 2 nights in a row!)  Yum Yum!

Speaking of dinner- I love when Ben grills!  Last summer I couldn't stand red meat and we opened our grill maybe once- we have a lot of catching up to do this summer.  We had left over hamburgers and hot dogs last week from his camping trip and I think we have a few left to enjoy this week!  Yum Yum!

Today I started my new work-out.  Meaning, I started working out.  I haven't done so since my car accident because my neck has been really sore.  I did 30 minutes of cardio (15 on the treadmill and 15 on the bike) and then lifted for a bit (about 20 minutes).  This was also the first time I took Elizabeth to the gym daycare.  She slept almost the entire time and I am so glad that she did well.  Hooray for getting in shape (because despite my argument of round being a shape, Ben says that it isn't).

I have seen one episode of 'Mrs. Eastwood and Company' and the housekeeper says "yum yum!" all the time and since then I can't stop saying it.  Yum Yum! (see above)

Stacy will be here in two weeks!  I am super excited and I tell Ben every day that Stacy will be here soon.  Last time we were together was October...

Have a great week!

Yum Yum!!!

Thirsty Thursday

Continuing with our 'Thirsty Thursday' evenings, Ben and I had margaritas tonight to enjoy with our dinner of grilled hamburgers, french fries, and summer salad!  I LOVE summer and margaritas put me into summer mode (even though we have 19 days left of school).

Yum

Yum

Yummy!

(This is me playing with the zoom feature on my camera)

Cheers!!!

Three months old

Dear Elizabeth,

Today you are three months old!  Time is flying by and your dad and I cannot believe that we have a girl baby that is so old!  ha!

Two weeks ago you started going to a babysitter because Dad went back to work.  Your babysitter is Laura and she is fabulous!  You play all day with her son (Sam) and her daughter (Alice).  They both love to read to you, play with you, and kiss you all day!  We are so fortunate that Laura (and her family) keep you for us.  Now don't get me wrong baby girl, we miss you all day long, but mom and dad are working hard to provide for you.

This month you tipped the scales at just over 11 pounds and we are not sure how long you are.  We go back to the doctor when you are 4 months old so we will have better statistics then.  You now have green-blue eyes and you still have all of your hair.  You love to smile and talk to us.  You still only get mad when you are wet, being burped, or starting to get sleepy at night.

You are still taking 5 bottles a day.  At 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, and 10pm.  They are all 5 ounces, except at 2pm- that one is 6 ounces.  We think you will move to all 6 ounce bottles in the next week.  You wear a size 1 diaper and 3-6 month clothes.

This month you went to a few (3) wineries, several restaurants, and had Pari and Quin watch you while dad and I went to celebrate our 3-year wedding anniversary.  Dad brought you to visit me at work and all of my work friends loved to hold you and play with you.  Your Grandmother came to visit this month and you were so excited to see her again!  You watched hockey with Dad and cheered for the Penguins!  In the last week you have started rubbing noses with me and you love it!  You just smile and giggle the whole time.

You sit a lot in your bumbo seat and love to play on your tummy time mat (but while on your back).  The tummy time mat has a mirror on it and you love to look at yourself.  We got the mesh crib bumpers this month so you no longer get stuck in the rails.  You do however, move yourself 90 degrees in your sleep (on your back!).

You also had your first professional photos taken this month.  We tried one weekend but you were not too happy, so we went back the next weekend and you did so good!

We love you so much!

Love,

Mom & Dad

Here are some photos of your adventures from the past month:

Triple Coupons and Thirsty Thursday!

I promised there would be more shopping at Harris Teeter and there was!

I went this morning and picked up (2) packages of Pampers wipes and (2)  Kraft Fresh Takes seasonings. 

The wipes are normally $3.29

They were on sale for $2.89

I had (2) 75 cent coupons that tripled to $2.25

So I paid $0.64 per package of wipes!

The Kraft Fresh Takes are normally $2.99 each

I had (2) 75 cent coupons that tripled to $2.25

So I paid $0.74 per package!

Total before coupons: $12.56

Total spent: $2.97

After work, I picked up Elizabeth and Ben and we went back to Harris Teeter.  I didn't do so great this time around because I bought a couple of things that I did not have coupons for.

I got Trix cereal, 1 box of bagel bites (no coupon), 2 packages of cookies, 2 Lindy's Italian Ices,

2 Dove bars, Icebreakers mints (no coupon), 2 packages of tuna, and 1 package of sausage.

The cereal, Italian ice, and sausage were on sale (plus coupons!)

Total before coupons: $33.18

Total spent: $19.74

Thirsty Thursday continues...

Ben made our Thirsty Thursday drink tonight.

It's an oldie but goodie.

Orange Juice and Vodka (we used our orange infused vodka from last week)

Cheers!!!



Wineries and Triple Coupons!

This past weekend, we went with the Goff's to two wineries.  We first went to Capitol Vineyard and used our Groupon.  It is an up and coming winery with a delicious wine tasting and cheese plate!

Our second winery was Rappahannock cellars (Pari and Quin have a membership) and we enjoyed the swanky club room wine tasting and then we opened a bottle and our picnic basket out on the porch.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures at Rappahannock cellars but you can see all about the winery if you click on the link.

Today, Harris Teeter kicked off triple coupon week!  I made my first visit today and plan on going back tomorrow.

I picked up:

Reynolds Wrap Foil- on sale for $3.49

Betty Crocker Cake Mix- on sale for $1.37

Betty Crocker Frosting

Resolve carpet cleaner

Lysol Toilet cleaner- on sale for $1.59

Lysol Bathroom cleaner- on sale for $2.27

Kens Teriyaki marinade- on sale for $1.62

French's onions

Franks Hot Sauce

French's Honey Mustard (2)- on sale 2 for $4.00

Smithfield Bacon- on sale for $3.34

Total before sales and coupons: $41.56

Total spent: $12.19

Woo hoo!!!



Mother's Day

It is my first Mother's Day as a mom.  It is still surreal that I'm a mom (when does it feel real?) but I thank God every single day for a beautiful, healthy baby. 

My first day as a mom.

With my mom and my Grandmother.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's out there.

And to everyone that wants to be a mom; keep praying, don't lose faith, it will happen.

SUYL- New Moms

On Kelly's Korner this week her 'show us your life' Friday is for new moms.  I am excited to say, I AM A NEW MOM!!!

My daughter, Elizabeth, was born on February 18, 2012.

I was due on February 10, 2012.  My doctor let me go to 41 weeks.  I was induced on Friday, February 17th at 9am.  Finally started pushing at 11pm, pushed until 1:30am then ended up having a c-section and at 2:27am on February 18th... Elizabeth was born!

She weighed 9 pounds and 14 ounces. 

She came out with a head full of hair and being able to hold her head up.

She laughs, talks to us, smiles, sleeps, eats, and loves us!
She loves her bumbo and playing on her tummy time mat (but on her back).

Thirsty Thursday

I am instituting Thirsty Thursday for Ben and I starting this week.  It's our own little way of starting (and enjoying) summer!  I want to try a new drink each Thursday, something out of the ordinary and something to help me expand my horizons...

Today's drink: The Blue Sparkling Star

The glass is rimmed with blue sugar.

In the drink:

1 ounce orange infused vodka

1 ounce blue curacao

Topped with champagne

Cheers!!!



3 years of marriage!

Today is our 3-year wedding anniversary.  I love you Ben and I have been truly blessed to be your wife for the last three years.  Thank you for our life together, thank you for our daughter, and thank you for doing everything you do.

I love you!

Appreciation

This week is teacher appreciation week.  Last week (or the week before) was administrative assistant appreciation day.  It is so easy to forget to express appreciation for those that do so much for us.  When I'm praying a night I always thank God for a healthy baby, my wonderful husband, and our life together.  However, this teacher appreciation week has reminded me to express my appreciation for more than my husband and daughter.

* I appreciate the custodians at school that clean up after a long day in the building, and those that keep the building clean while we are here during the day *

* I appreciate the postal worker that delivers our mail 6 days/week.  It's like getting a little present everyday.  I love getting the mail! *

* I appreciate my family and Ben's family traveling here when Elizabeth was born *

* I appreciate a good manicure and a good pedicure *

* I appreciate my husband for packing my breakfast and lunch every day.  I didn't realize how time consuming it was until I did it for the last month because he was off from work. *

* I appreciate every day that I spend with my mom or talk to her since her heart attack. You never know when someone will be gone and you must appreciate every moment. *

* I appreciate the quiet time I get to spend with Elizabeth before Ben gets home *

* I appreciate having a job, having a house, and having my health *

* I work very hard to appreciate everything God has provided for me (and my family) *

Those are just some things off the top of my head.  What are some things you appreciate or forget to appreciate?

Sunday Savings and Last of the Home Cookin'

I hooked up some good/decent deals at CVS today and then loaded up on groceries at Giant. 

First up, CVS...

There are a couple of deals this week that I took advantage of.

First, if you purchase $25 in Huggies products, you get $10 extra care bucks (ECBs)
Second, if you purchase $25 in other select products, you get $10 ECBs.
Third, if you spend $20, you get a 12-pack of coke products for 99 cents.


I purchased a box of diapers, a 3-pack of wipes, 1 (12) pack of diet coke, razors, sunblock, and tampons. 

I had 2 of the same coupon for tampons.  Buy 1 box of 36+ count, get a 18 count free. 

Total before coupons: $87.11
Total spent: $61.46
Got back $20 in ECBs

I used the $20 in ECBs and the $10 in Similac coupons to get the formula for FREE!
Which is a savings of over $30!


Second, I went to Giant...

This is shopping for the next few weeks.  I only had a few coupons, but I purchased a lot of sale items and stock up items.
3 boxes of Cheerios, 2 taco kits, 2 packages of sausage, 10 yogurts, bread, 2 boxes of granola bars, 2 OJs, 2 types of milk, bananas, hot dogs, ground turkey, special K bars, eggs, and pasta is just some of the stuff I got.

Total before coupons: $119.79
Total spent: $95.51



Tonight was our last 'Home Cookin' by Ben before he returns to work tomorrow:

Steak, twice baked potatoes, green beans, and Cesar salad!

Yummy!

Home cookin'

Let me start off by saying I like food.  I just don't enjoy cooking very much.  Very, very, very fortunately for me- my husband does enjoy cooking.  Even more fortunate- he has been off from work the last month taking care of girl baby and has made some delicious dinners!

I took a few pictures of some of the delicious dinners Ben made for us.  I'm hoping to be able to recreate some of his master pieces and I am now (slightly) motivated to try some new recipes myself.

I don't have pictures of everything.  Ben also made lasagna, tacos, grilled chicken, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, spaghetti and meatballs.  This is just to name a few.

Ben made a whole chicken in the crock pot along

with carrots and onions.  He made green beans and biscuits as sides.

Ben made pork chops with brown sugar and onions.

Green beans and sweet yellow corn as sides.

Ben made beef stew.  Yum!

Thank you Ben for a wonderful month of dinners!


*** Edit***

After Ben read my blog he reminded me that he also made cheese and ham quiche and chicken fried rice.