Sunday nights

My Sunday nights usually look like this:

Earlier in the day I already went through all the ads and coupon inserts and pulled out the coupons that I will use and clipped them.  Don't get the Sunday paper then sign up to receive notifications of coupons via email (I sent up a gmail account for all coupon notifcations to be sent too) from websites such as RedPlum, Print Coupons Online, also check out TheKrazyCouponLady there she will do the research for you if you don't have the patience or time.

I gather up my 4 store ads that I always look at: Meijer, Target, CVS and Walgreens.  I compare my list to the ads and what coupons I have.  When it comes to bathroom personal essentials I feel we can never have too many now too many to you may be different than too many to me so that is up for translation. I'm in no means a candidate for Extreme Couponing.  As the week goes on and we run low/out of something then I add it to the list and come Sunday night I break my 1 list down to 4-5 lists with the store names on top and then what I'm getting from that store and cross the item off my master list of needs.  The other thing we do is make out our menu for the week based on what we have in our freezer, what's on sale and what our palettes are craving.  Now when I say a menu I don't say on Monday we are eating such and such and Tuesday such and such.  Instead when I make out our dinner options I choose 3 that are kinda quick and easy and 3 that are a little more time consuming for the days I'm off work.  And we pick that day which one we are going to have for dinner.  I know some families have it planned down to the day and that is a bit too much structure for our family.

I primarily look to CVS and Walgreens for our bathroom personal essentials: razors, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, face wash, lotion, girly items, etc.  With both of these stores they often have money back offers with different products for example a couple weeks ago Walgreens had the brand of tampons I buy for 6.99-$2 (in store rebate, to be used on a later purchased) then I had a $2 off coupon. I also had buy one get one of the same product and for each of those I got $2 so I really got buy 1 get 2 free with the coupon and in-store rebates.  Another great buy I had was on Bic razors they were buy 1 get 1 50%off and I had a $2 off coupon which was applied to both packages of razors. I also used some in store rebates from the previous week to help pay for the items.

At all 4 stores you can combine manufacturers coupons with store coupons this is where my research comes into play.  Since we don't buy pre-packaged meals I turn to stores websites for coupons off produce and deli.  I also go to Aldi for produce and items that we aren't brand specific about such as certain cereals, baking items, milk, etc.

Meijer: you can sign up for mperks where you can "clip" coupons and when you go to check out you select the mperks logo and you enter your phone number into the kiosk and any coupons that correspond with what you purchased.  Last week I decided before going to the store to print out a list of the coupons I "clipped" and  I'm glad I did as I purchased items I had "clipped" coupons for but it wasn't taking them off so with my proof of clipped coupons an employee was able to make the proper price adjustment. 

Target:  there is no limit to how many times you can print the same coupon from their website unlike brand websites.  They also take $0.05 off for each bag you bring in to bag your groceries with.

Brand Websites: If you are brand specific on certain items as we are in our house then go to the brands website they often will have coupons that you can print off.  If we buy juice at our house then it's V8 Fusion juice so i will google V8 Fusion and find their website where they almost always have coupons for.  And then if I have a store coupon I pair them together and wait, I wait for the store that I have the coupon too has the juice on sale and then I go in for "kill", haha.

Diapers:  I have stopped buying diapers from big box stores and now they get them sent to our door on a monthly basis from Amazon if you sign up for their subscribe and save program you save 30% and you can cancel your subscription at anytime.  So right now I get 192 Pampers size 4 for $31.49 that's $0.16 a diaper and free shipping.  If I went to Sam's Club I would buy Sam's Club brand and would get about 147 diapers for $35.00...

Couponing is not hard once you get started and organized and have yourself a game plan.  Happy clipping and if you have any questions feel free to email.

Jeans

Thanks to Crowdtap I got to sample Old Navy jeans and boy did I sample I think I tried on about 6 different pairs 3 different times the poor fitting room attendant.  What I found when tyring on was that a size 8 fit the same as a size 10 in the waist band area, can you say loaded with spandex??  I really liked these

But...I needed long inseam and they only carry long or petite inseams online and my coupon for a sample was for in-store use only so I stepped out of my jean comfort box of bootcut and flares and got:

SKINNY JEANS

For the sole purpose of in the winter not having to stuff a bootcut or flare into my boots this afternoon I tested a winter errand running look out.  No I didn't go out into public to test it just to our spare bedroom that doesn't have a bed...yet.

shorts party

Thanks to Crowdtap myself and 3 friends got to go shopping together at our local Old Navy! We had a blast trying on the different styles of shorts that Old Navy has to offer. We each found a pair of shorts that complimented our body types as well as a top and accessory to make a complete outfit. We are ready for summer!

Mary Clare went with a versitale look that will take her from a casual BBQ to a night out with her lovely hubby John!

The look that I went with reads a great outfit for going out on a date night with my hubby while our son enjoys some bonding time with his grandparents. Or girls night or a chic BBQ so versatile.

 

 Jen went with a versitale look as well that she can sport to many different summer functions with her hubby Jay and son Ethan.

Fine Print:

Here's what happens when you don't read the fine print that clearly states women's apparel only.

So a back up plan comes into play when your orginal 3rd person is on vacation 3hrs away.  You shop for them.  This was FUN the opportunity to A: shop for my mom B: Shop for her without her C: get her something she may normally not get for herself  are all very rare things to happen let alone happen at the same time.  Her look is being sent to her but a sneak peak of her shorts, I can't locate the other items on Old Navy's website so I will attempt to describe picture the same top Mary Clare has on only in a offwhite color with print on it.  And the shoes are a cute strappy sandal in a coral color. Wow that was a really bad description I apologize!

What I like about Old Navy is how versatile their clothes are each piece can easily be paired with other pieces in our current wardrobes making even more outfits.  We did each change at least one piece of item from what we tried on.  Mary Clare got different shoes, Jen different shorts, and myself different top (same style just different color).

We had a great time and look forward to another opportunity to do it again.  I did just find out I was approved for their embellished tank top promo so that will be fun, gotta love embellished tanks.

workout pants

Last Saturday I posted about the dress I got for free and the workout pants I was going to be getting for free thanks to Crowdtap.  Well, my coupons came in the mail Monday and I got busy getting them into the hands of 3 great girls.  Today was the first day they were valid so off to Old Navy Ian and I went.  If you recall I had already in my mind which ones I wanted however the store didn't have them in stock in fact they were on clearance and only had a size 2x.  Yeah that's not gonna work, so onto searching.  I took 3 pairs into the changing room and got to business.  I orginally wanted pants but after some thought I decided to increase my summer workout wear selections.

I ended up with these (now, I normally don't take pictures of everything I get new but pics are a requirement for crowdtap so whatever I'll do it, thanks to selftimer I was able to "model" all by myself) :

Products

When I was pregnant with Ian I sent an email out to other momma's asking for their top 3 can't live without baby products.  If anyone has been in Babies R Us it can be a little overwhelming and that is putting it lightly.  Once I received responses back it was onto figuring out which brand to go which is comparing sizes, reviews, functionality, etc.  Now that we have made it throught the 1st year I will go through my list of must haves and items I could've passed on.  My must haves and could've passed on's all come down to personal perference.


Must Haves:

Jogging stroller: I get that this is not going to a must have on a lot of people's lists but thanks to the jogging stroller I was able to train for a half marathon.  He was probably put in the jogging stroller sooner than what is recommended I always tried to make sure there was support around his head and neck.  I also ran on a well paved route so bumps and turns were few and far between.  We found our stroller on craigslist for a whooping $75 this retails brand new for around $200. This is the stroller we purchased it's Jeep Overland Limited Jogger has built in speakers, pedometer and a front fixed wheel which I perferred I felt I was able to handle it better while running it allowed me to push with one hand:

*Now it is a big stroller is fills up the entire cargo area of my vehicle leaving very little room for bags if road tripping or grocery shopping

Swing: we have a lil house and needed a lil swing so we got for our lil guy: A Boppy Rock in Comfort travel swing.

Breast Pump: this is something that I would not skimp on the brand/price it is pricey but for use was a huge money saver compared to formula.  We purchased a Medela Pump In style Advanced.  I used this up to 8x a day everyday

Bottles: We use Dr Brown's bottle system there are a lot of parts and a lot to clean but I never knew any different as these were the only bottles we ever tried.

Powder: this powder was actually given to us for when Ian wore his helmet to help prevent/treat heat rash.  It's called Caldesene and let me say any redness that was at diaper change #1 by diaper change #2 it is GONE...SEE YA LATER...

Vaporizer: at any sign of congestion causing wakefulness at night we plug this in:

Swaddle Blanket: for some reason when husband's become fathers they have the ability to wrap your child in the tightest unbrakeable burrito. Me on the other hand couldn't do it so this came into great use it's Summer Infant Swaddle in those middle of nights feedings and the need to be re-swaddled occurred.

Monitor: this monitor gives us peace of mind at night it's by Graco and is an Angelcare movement sensor monitor again we have a lil house and at first we weren't going to get a monitor because we have no problem hearing Ian if he is awake.  My sister actually found out about this monitor, an alarm will go off if no movement (breathing) is detected.  Now there is a downside but it doesn't come till later now that Ian is mobile he will often times wind up in the corners of the crib where there is no sensor meaning the alarm goes off.  It gives huge peace of mind especially after Ian's stay in the NICU and the constant monitoring that is done there.



Burping/Spitting: Ian is not a big spitter upper so we would usually go through one of these a day if that.

If you are looking for something that has style and more appealing to the eye check these out by Courtney Bock:

And if you are in the Michiana area check them out in person at Orange Tree

Those are my must haves so that means it's time to move onto could've passed on.

1. gilder/rocker, currently all of Ian's stuffed animals are sitting in it. 

2. boppy nursing pillow

3. diaper bag, let me explain.  I searched high and low for the "perfect" daiper bag and I have one it sits in my car.  I can't tell you the last time it has left my car or that I have gotten anything out of it or put anything in it. When I leave the house with Ian I take a wipes carrier and toss a diaper in it and then toss that into my purse and if we are going to be gone for more than two hours I toss another diaper into my bag. 

4. everyday stroller, we purchased from my boss a peg perego stroller and then purchased a car seat that adapted to it.  Looking back I would have gotten a snap n-go  and then a nice (chicco or McClaren) lightweight stroller and our jogging stroller.

Well, there's my lists of must have's and could've passed on of items.  Again it's personal perference and what is going to work best for your lifestyle and family.

close to my heart

I remember when Marcus and I were walking the halls at the hospital as we attempted to speed things along our walking route contained the NICU hallway. And during our 1st round of walks as we walked by the NICU I told Marcus our goal is to not end up in there. As my family has quite the NICU track record, my uncle, sister (Jamie Elaine 12/24/78-4/1979), my cousin and I really didn't want to add to our record. They do however have a great NICU as Memorial's NICU is the regional referral center for north central Indiana and a portion of southwestern Michigan. I at the time had no idea how highly they were rated when it comes to NICU's. Anyways if you recall Ian did end up having to camp out in the NICU as he had a few things to figure out and needed close monitoring as he got the hang of things. You can read about his stay here.

During our 2nd visit with Ian we were given a blanket that we still have and is part of Ian's history. We don't know who made this blanket: and they don't know who received it All I know is someone took the time to make a beautiful blanket and my baby was lucky enough to receive it. It occupied him in his car seat as he needed extra support around his lil noggin. We were actually given 2 blankets one for around his noggin and another to cover him while in the car seat during transporting him from the hospital to the car and then from the car to the house. We gave the 2nd blanket back to the NICU for another family to have.

Now, I don't knit or sew but I do crochet and I know the time it takes to make blanket let alone a blanket that is even on all sides and has the right gauge in each stitch and it's not easy. Not only did someone donate their time to make a blanket but they also donated the materials and good yarn/fabric can be pricey especially when you are talking about blankets for babies who have sensitive skin.

According to Memorial's website they have over 400 newborns admitted to their NICU each year. That means over 400 blankets are given to families each year. Blankets that have been made especially for the NICU babies, to offer comfort and warmth to the families as they receive the care necessary in order to get their babies home.

Did you know there is a way you can help? You yourself can donate blankets to the NICU. No time or not crafty enough? Then Courtney from Courtney Bock Designs can help you, help the NICU. She has started Operation Warm Christmas which is an amazing project that the NICU will benefit from greatly. Click HERE to read more about it. You have that hard to person to buy for or trying to figure out what to get for the person that has everything? Then help the NICU and donate a blanket in their name. You can contact Courtney here

Want to share Courtney's project with others? Go for it, she's ready to be locked in her sewing room for days upon days with her dog Lola.

so helpful

If you are ever in question if you should purchase something and you ask me the conversation will go like this:
you: do you think I should get this? It's on sale (includes picture of art work)
me: how much on sale
you: I think 59.99
me: GAH...remember you are talking to someone who is on a uber doober tight budget (thinking about wall decor is the fartherest thing from my mind)
you: I know but I think it would be something fun and I don't really have any wall decor it was $99.99
me: gah...I don't know if you want someone to say yes then ask mom
you: ha, I just sent it to her.

Yep, I very helpful what can I say. And I can pretty much guarantee my mom said yes and it will be hanging on a wall very soon at my sister's place.

which ones

It's time for new ballet flats my current goes with everything shoes are getting worn out.

Current flats:


Option 1:



Option 2:


I basically wear the current flats anyday that I'm not working in the spring, summer and fall. Both options are the same price and both options are at Target.

What do you think?

cheater

It's true I'm cheating on my raw veggies and instead have jumped into a lovely relationship with

We are currently only seeing each other 2x a day but instead of 8oz at each date I'm doubling it. I figure if we're only going to see each other 2x a day we better make the most of it. I find it to be quite tasty I went with the strawberry banana flavor and I didn't know it until I went to V8's website but it is made up of 10 different fruits and veggies while the other flavors are only made up of 8 fruits and veggies.

There I'm coming clean and admitting to my cheating I don't feel bad about it rather I feel good knowing that I'm getting more veggies by cheating than if I didn't cheat.

against me

I have come to the conclusion that bra makers are against me and want me to wear a sports bra the entire time I'm producing milk. And well that doesn't make me happy. On Saturday I went to the motherhood store for them to measure me and they tried telling me that I'm still my pre-prego bra size. I laugh in their face, I haven't been able to wear my pre-prego bra size properly since I was about 32wks. But what the heck I'll entertain your measurement and try the size on that you measured me to be. I go in attempt to try on the 4 bras she so kindly pulled so I could once again laugh and give them all back to her and ask for the next cup size. Which they don't carry in the store, but you can order online. Oh, but wait you can't return any nursing bras b/c of the chance of milk discharge. Delightful, I still don't really know what cup size is going to be the most comfy and unless I want to order the next 2 sizes online for the chance that they will fit I'm still stuck with 1 or 2 bras that may or may not fit, all b/c of the chance of milk discharge. And how do you know when you handed me those 4 bras to try on that I didn't have any milk discharge (I didn't). I think their system has a flaw in it.

Next stop is JC Penney's, I don't even waste my time looking I ask the sales clerk if they carry my possible in the store and once again I get a no but you can order from the catalog or online. Delightful, I'm still stuck not knowing what cup size will offer the most support. At this point I could careless if it's a nursing bra, since Ian isn't getting milk straight from me I just figured a nursing bra would be a little more convinent when it comes to pumping than a regular bra. So at this point I'm simply looking for a bra to offer me more support than my sports bra that I had to 3x bigger than I normally wear and in order to have real support I must wear a tank with a built bra for reassurance. My mission today is to find a bra with 2 straps, back closure and wires without spending a fortune or taking the entire day to find. I can't wait for swimsuit season, that should be fun.

Wish me luck...oh the joys