Coupon Clipping

I have become very aware of how we spend our money over the last year and do what I can to cut back on unnecessary spending. One of the ways I'm trying to save a few bucks is by clipping coupons. I have clipped coupons on and off in the past but usually get so frustrated when I'm in the store trying to flip through all of my expired coupons to find something I can actually use that I give it up. My time is valuable and I found all that coupon flipping had me in Target and the supermarket much longer than I liked.

I also think coupons tend to make people buy things they wouldn't have necessarily bought if they didn't have the coupon. It is advertising after all, and I have fallen for this, usually when it involves some sort of frozen creamy treat. But I typically do not clip coupons for products that I don't already use.

Anyway, I have recently been on a coupon kick and reading those "money wise mommy" blogs. I've been printing out lots of high value coupons ($1 savings) and I saved about $12 on my last shopping trip. The only downfall to those coupons is that they print one per page, with a huge advertisement on the bottom half of the page, so lots of paper and ink is used AND! they tend to expire very quickly. This stinks for me because I try to go to the grocery as infrequently as possible because I think I spend more if I go more often.

Other grocery practices that I find save money:

• Bake all of our snacks...no prepackaged junk food! This can be time consuming, but makes me feel better because I know exactly what is in our food and it creates a lot less packaging garbage.
• Cook meals that allow for creative leftovers. Ok, I have to admit that I haven't been so good about this lately, but I am trying to get back to making dinner more exciting.
• Buy meat when only when on sale and freeze it for later use.
• Menu plan in the beginning of the week and stick to it...and include leftover days.
• Use up everything that is in the pantry before buying more. The same applies for the freezer every now and then. Sometimes I feel like we could eat for months on what is in the pantry, but creating menus in advance and only buying what I needs helps that.

Any suggestions or advice? Anybody know where I can get coupons doubled?

48 Weeks

You are sick this week, my dear. Hard to tell by looking at some of these pictures but you are feeling pretty puny. But here you are coughing.


You've been coughing a lot. And sniffing a lot. I just hope you don't end up with a sinus or ear infection. We've been sticking you in the steamy bathroom to help break things up in your nose and chest and it seems to be working.


Well, your most notable change this week has been your steps. On your own! You won't do it very often for just me. As a matter of fact you have the death grip most of the time on my fingers. But today you walked away from me and manged a good five or six steps before falling on your face. I was totally shocked and am not even sure what prompted it. You just decided to take off.


You have become the master of impersonating sounds. Best yet is your mimicking my sneezes.


You are clapping now too which is so much fun, especially when you get it going with some head bobbing to the music.


You're not eating much lately. Maybe you're protesting since I am finally pushing you to only two nursings a day. You never really nursed to sleep, but nursing sure helped that nap happen. We're working on a naptime routine. Lots of cuddling.


My very favorite moment of the day was sitting on the porch swing with you and the moment you caught site of your Daddy approaching the gate you said , "Dada, Dada, Dada!"

Love you, sweet boy.

SupaBeauxl Bound!

Oh what a night! Our boys are NFC champions and headed to the Superbowl!


The feeling in the city over the past week has been amazing. *Everyone* has been giddy in anticipation of last night's game and I imagine the ride on cloud 9 for the next two weeks will mean even more brotherly love in the Big Easy. I cannot count the number of strangers I planted a kiss on last night...or who planted a kiss on Charlie.


Reading the articles about the "love affair" between the fans and the team makes me grin. It certainly is a love affair; we're some passionate folks here in NOLA. There just isn't any other way.


It was bitter sweet for us. It was our last night in the Dome, as regulars that is. I imagine this time next year we'll be pulling up a bar stool, who knows where, next to a handful of Who Dats who have been waiting to turn up that yat accent.

Southern's band rocks the half time show!

Who Dat!!!

To do:

• Finish Mardi Gras costumes, incorporate black and gold
• Get king cakes
• Mardi Gras food: poboy fixins, bloody mary fixins, Zapps and other junk food
• Finishing touches on the ladder chair, make it cozy
  
• Order keg of Abita Amber
  
• Call for port a potty to be delivered 2.4.10
• Pick up Jazzfest tickets before $120 weekend prices run out
• Superbowl food: burgers and fixins (or pulled pork and ribs?)
  
• Take 2009-2010 Saints tickets to be framed in a collage

It's an only in New Orleans list, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Bike Ride

This morning we got Freddie's new bike seat strapped on and took off to Audubon Park. Around the park we went and through Tulane's campus and then along Jeff Davis Pkwy to the bayou. We made our way along the bayou and through City Park to the Wisner Bike Path along Bayou St. John. We rode to the Lake with Freddie squealing and clapping and smiling all the way.

"I love my brain!"

Finally a break. Granola bars (cereal bar for Freddie), water, and lake viewing!

I'm a big boy, Mama. Gimme that bar.

22 miles round trip. Riding out is always easy, but I was huffing it on the ride back.


Freddie loved, loved, loved riding on the front of the bike. He has a great view and everyone is able to wave to him as we ride past. He got to peek under Charlie's arm and flash me a smile. He also got to pat Charlie's knee each time it came up while peddling. So much better than the rear mounted bike seats where the poor kid would have a view of Charlie's rump for 22 miles.


He was more than ready for a nap during the last 30 minutes and kept trying to rest his head on Charlie's arm. This is when the rear mounted seat would come in handy because it has some head support. We will just plan shorter rides in the future. My thighs agree.

A Note about Fever

Freddie's sick. He was bit stuffy when I put him to bed last night. He was restless all night, letting out a little whimper here and there and finally at 2.00am I went to him and discovered his fever to be about 100 degrees. After some Tylenol we rocked for about an hour and a half and he was finally content to be back in his crib. He slept until 5.00am, nursed, and then more sleep until 6.30am. Fever was near 100, so another Tylenol dose.

By 10.30 am his temperature was up to 103.5 and he was just so pitiful. After 45 minutes and no change I talked to the on call nurse.

Instructions as follows:

• If temperature is 102.5 or above, then alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours. If fever remains under 102.5 then every 4 hours is fine. Nothing if under 100.
• Lots of cold fluids and only a diaper on his body.

She was very helpful and reassuring. It was good to hear that I can make an after hours appointment at any time, 24 hours a day, and going to the emergency room is not necessary.

Poor guy. His fever is currently down to about 101 and he's flashing those pearly whites again. He has his first babysitter tonight, who insisted that we still go out as planned. Any bets on how many times I text her from the game?

First Steps

He did it! He left my hands and was able to string together 4 steps to get to his Daddy. Just like that; he was a lot steadier than I imagined he'd be, as if he's been walking for weeks.


He giggled and back he came to me, and then to Daddy, and then back again, grinning from ear to ear....as were we.

A Note about Poop

Freddie has not had a solid BM since we arrived home 12 days ago. It's no blow out, but it sure ain't the cute little turds we've been accustomed to.

The only difference I am able to think of is the addition of cow's milk to his diet. We're talking like 2 oz of milk a day. Racking my brain to think of what else is different.

47 Weeks

You are up at and 'em this week, moving all around. You have figured out how to turn your walker and put it in reverse to make your way around obstacles. You're standing on your own for a few seconds here and there and have a controlled "plop" back to your bottom. No steps just yet though.


We are back to routine with sleep. Your bedtime has shifted later, almost 7.00pm, and you are still getting up about 5.00am to nurse. You are letting me put you down in the crib awake with a few minutes of patting on the bottom and I am able to leave you awake lying there. You're generally asleep in 5-10 minutes and you don't seem to mind being alone for a bit of quiet time.


Eating has been interesting this week. I am trying to lay off the pureed fruits and veggies and move to as much finger food as possible. That has meant that what you're willing to eat is pretty limited. The dogs have been feasting. You love carbs and will hold out for some goldfish, cheerios, or banana bread. You did scarf up some meat sauce so I see another pot of that in our future.

Daddy coming in to help me keep you still for one minute.

You like handing me things. And today you decided to feed me goldfish. When I leaned in for one to be placed in my mouth you yanked it and popped into your own mouth. Psyche, Mama. When I protested you took it out of your mouth and handed it back to me. It's really all for you, sweet boy. You've been testing out those teeth. It gives me chills to hear you grind them. You also like chomping down on a goldfish and eating it in two bites.


You are very into hugging and will hug your lamby. You'll give the dolls and animals hugs and kisses. Love those tight squeezes.

Well, we've reached a point where I am counting down to your first birthday. I am trying not to do it. Trying not to look too far ahead. Trying to enjoy each moment and not wanting to miss anything.

Happy Holidays

Our 2009 holiday cards should be in mailboxes by now and hanging on refrigerators, so I think it is safe to archive them here.

Made the cards with iphoto and was happy with the double sided card. Hoping to be inspired with something a bit more creative for next year.

Please let me know if I need to add you to our list for 2010. After deleting my address book accidentally I have had some trouble getting everyone's information current.

My Danny

I lost my grandmother on Sunday. She was my Danny and I was her Budgie. I loved her and my did she ever love me. I don't think there was anyone she met that didn't know that.

Christian and I were truly her heart. Her love was unconditional. She was so proud of us. Each time we'd talk she'd say, "Ok, now tell me about your job one more time. I want to be sure I told the man at Rouses' (and the lady at the doctor's office and the postman and my neighbor and Ms. Phyllis...you remember Ms. Phyllis, don't you?) right."

She always told me I was beautiful and made over my curls and eyelashes. Really, I can't think of a time she laid eyes on me that she didn't tell me I was pretty even though I knew she was cringing inside over my straightened hair. She was proud that I had "snagged" such a loving husband and wanted to make sure I cooked enough to keep him. And was she ever proud that I had birthed the most beautiful baby ever, with a "perfect, tiny face and lips." I am so thankful that she was able to see me as a mother and meet her great grandson, another Budgie. There just is not enough time.

I have a lifetime of memories with her. I never grew tired hearing her tell the story of seeing me in the hospital and hearing my petite cry, only to make myself really known once we got home. One of the memories that I have been coming back to over and over these last few days is snuggling in the big bed with the giant jar of animal crackers between us, listening to her tell the story of Rumpelstiltskin over and over and over. "Is your name....Erin? No! No! No! Hmmmm. Oh, I know, is it Christian? No! No! No!" Freddie will know Rumplestiltskin. I hope I can tell it like she did. I want to cook the way she did, play cards the way she did, garden the way she did, dream of traveling the way she did, love the way she did. I have certainly been shown how.

I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye and she didn't get that last kiss from Freddie. I just wish I could kiss him right now. I love you. Kiss him for me. I love you. I love you, Danny. Thank you for loving me.

46 Weeks

Buggers, you give the best hugs. Nothing makes Mama (and Daddy) feel better than scooping you up and feeling your arms squeezing around my neck and shoulders.

6 weeks until you are one. I wish I could stop time.

45 Weeks

Likes:

• Putting things into containers or bags
• Having your picture taken
  
• Music and music making, which can be mistaken for banging when you're not dancing along with it.
  
• Books, looking at them by yourself or flipping through or reading with someone else
• Stroller rides, especially in the umbrella stroller where you can sit straight up and lean around the sides and really get a good look at things.
• Hanging upside down. You throw yourself backwards when someone is holding you to get the game going.
• Kisses on your toes and fingers. I get the picture when you're waving your toes in front of me incessantly, my dear.

Dislikes:

• Getting dressed
• Wearing hats
• Getting your face wiped, at least 80% of the time
  
• Having your nose wiped, 100% of the time
• There aren't very many, my guy. You're a rather agreeable fellow.

Vocabulary:

• Fussing during mealtime: often an indication that you want your "sip." After a few swigs of water you toss it on the ground. And you do NOT want it back. It's in your way on your tray so don't even attempt to put it there because it just ends up right back on the floor. You'll fuss when you're ready for it. Perhaps I need to work more on the sign for "cup" with you.
  
• Babble, babble, babble, complete with hand motions for emphasis.
• Lots of Mamas, and Dadas when appropriate.

Diet:

• 5.00am-ish: Nurse
  
• 7.00ish: Breakfast: 1/2-1 banana with 3-4 oz pureed apple or pear, 2 tablespoons oatmeal, and sometimes with a few blueberries, 3-4 oz whole milk yogurt, and then some goldfish or cereal bar (favorites: apple and blueberry)
• 10.00ish: Snack: Usually nursing, but we're working on dropping this nursing (but there is usually still a nap at this time and the nursing helps the nap) so I am starting to offer you other options....crackers, cereal, oranges, berries.
• 12.00ish: Lunch: 4-6 oz pureed veggie with rice cereal, a jar of your favorite baby food tender beef in spinach or vegetable turkey dinner or some cheese or other protein, and more goldfish.
  
• 2:00ish: Snack: Nurse. This goes with a nap.
  
• 5:00ish: Dinner: I am trying more and more to give you what we are having for dinner. The different textures often elicit a scrunched nose from you and some refusal, but I'll keep trying. But, more pureed fruits and vegetables are offered as well.
• 6.00ish: Nurse. It's bedtime.
• *This estimated eating schedule is WAY off with us out of town this week!*

Working on:

• Walking! You are so steady on your feet now, moving anywhere you want. You are letting go more and more to use your hands for other business, balancing or steadying yourself with your tummy on the furniture. You're still pretty cautious. I imagine 2 busted, swollen, bleeding lips would do that to a guy.
• Teeth? You've been drooling off and on and really gnawing on stuff, but I am not seeing any signs on your gums that more teeth are on their way.
• Drinking out of a cup, not a sippy! You have gotten the sippy down, both the soft and hard spouts. You are very interested in my drinks and like taking sips when offered. I'm getting better about not drowning you when tilting the glass in your direction.
• Taking bites of food offered to you. You really want to jam the entire piece of bagel or orange into your mouth but usually give in pretty quickly when you see I am not letting go and take a big bite with your front teeth.
• "Not for your mouth." We say this a lot. I know you are exploring but I want you to learn that food and drink goes in your mouth. I have not read anything about when or if this course of "training" is appropriate for your development, but I think you may be catching on to what I am talking about at least.

Personality:

• You love people, kids especially. When you see kids you lean in and give them a hug and sometimes an open mouth kiss. Sometimes you are a little cautious with new people and take a while to observe their face and gestures and listen to their voice before you crack a smile.
• I find you to be whiny sometimes. I think this is more a "just for Mama" thing. I try to recognize it as a cue that you need something but I am thinking it is just an "I'm a mama's boy" whine, much to your Daddy's disapproval. I'm working on ignoring it when appropriate.
• You are very much into giving hugs. You give a tight squeeze, and sometimes pull away only for a second before going in for more hugs.
• You laugh when we laugh. And then we laugh some more. Your laugh is sometimes a giggle, LOVE this, and sometimes it is this silliness where your nose is scrunched and you are breathing heavily in and out through your nose...kinda like a snorty laugh like your Mama.

Lovin'

• Ski pants that fit
• A patient ski instructor
• Cold babe nose on my neck
• Letter writing
  
• Hot chocolate topped with 2 inches of marshmallows
• Snowflakes on eyelashes
• Cowbell!
• New ski socks
• The last few hours of sleep with Buggers by my side
• Chapstick
• Trip planning
• The Bug in his new hat
• Beer thirty

More Cowbell!

2010

First self portrait of 2010

I didn't do so well with my resolutions list from last year...I didn't run a single road race, we never seem to even make it to the Farmers' Market anymore, my camera is getting a lot of use but I really am not better than I was a year ago with photography, and I had completely forgotten we had a ferry in New Orleans. But you know what, I don't feel badly about any of it.

Personally I feel I have grown considerably. I am far more patient with myself than I have ever been. I'm getting better about moving the focus away from my "lists" and working to find satisfaction in what is. As overwhelming as motherhood has been, Freddie has certainly been a catalyst in this change.

2009 has been the best year on record. Really. We live a good life. I can only expect that 2010 holds more of the same.