Extreme Couponing

A few weeks ago, we caught a show on TLC titled Extreme Couponing.  The show followed 4 people (2 from Cincinnati) through shopping trips where they would use coupons to lower bills from approximately $1200 to about $60.  During a typical week, we spend between $120-140 at the store.  Chris and I were completely inspired to try our hand at couponing.  What's the worst that could happen? 

This past week I spent quite a bit of time looking up deals on several websites and combining those deals with coupons.  This is probably the most useful site I follow:  Stockingpiling Moms.

On Tuesday I visited Kroger and saved 55% with their $5 off 10 item sale + coupons.  Today, Chris shopped at Walmart and only spent $69.  I went to Meijer and purchased a bulk of the meat we'll need for awhile along with discounted fruit.  I only spent $30!  What a great start!

We'll Miss You Molly Girl

Today we had to lay to rest our Molly Dog.  Molly was the best dog any person could ever have.  She's been a part of my family since I was just 15 years old. 

She started out just this little ball of fur hidden within a laundry basket.  She poked her head out from a towel and sniffed the air, curious from the start.  Molly loved chasing tennis balls, snuggling in bed next to your side, singing songs in her own doggie language, getting excited at the words car, walk, and leash.  I distinctly remember when I had just broken up with my first boyfriend and I lay crying in my room on the floor.  Molly would walk up and lick the tears off my face and snuggle until she thought everything was right again.

Molly wasn't too fond of the idea of having another dog in the house to share her space.  Sure, she remained complacent with Maggie, but I'm sure she felt as though she had to take a back seat from that point on.  She did allow Maggie to take of her though, licking her face, chasing her, and getting cleaned by Maggie.  Imagine her surprise when yet another family member showed up last year.  Molly kept her distance from Ethan but did allow him to climb and snuggle every once in awhile.  In fact, just yesterday, Ethan gave Molly a hug and said "awwww."  Adorable yet heart breaking.

I know Molly is in a better place.  She's no longer suffering from pain and that's all I wish for her.  We'll definitely miss our Molly girl but memories of her will continue.

Off to the Doc We Go

E's been dealing with a morning/nighttime cough for the past week.  Out of caution, I took him to the doctor today.  All is well, he just has a cold.  The good news...E weighs 25 lbs now!  What a big boy!

When Will This Stop????

A little bit TMI but oh well.  When Ethan turned 12 months old, we cut down to just one nursing session a day.  Aunt Flo reared her ugly head again around that time.  Since that day two months ago, she has returned every 1.5-2 weeks.  That's 4 freaking periods in 2 months.  This is ridiculous!  I realize it takes awhile for your body to regulate once breastfeeding is stopped but come on!!!  I'll be calling the doc tomorrow.

14 Months Old!

I'm 14 months old today!  To celebrate, I asked God to make it snow really hard so Mommy could stay home with me.  It worked! 

I'm getting bigger and bigger now.  I eat so much, Miss Dawn calls me a bottomless pit.  I eat almost everything but sometimes I just don't feel like eating vegetables or noodles.  I don't like the slimy texture of noodles so I spit them out all over my bib.  Mommy says it's pretty gross but I think it's funny.  Since I'm getting so big and strong, I have to wear bigger clothes.  Now I wear size 18 month clothes and size 4 shoes!  I like to compare my feet to daddy's but he's got some awfully big shoes to fill!

I've learned a few more words too.  I try to say turtle, or teacher, or is it thank you?  It's hard for me to figure out what I'm trying to say too.  Just the other day, I pointed up at the ceiling and said ight (lights.)  One time I tried to say my name but it just came out eeeeeth.  Good start though, right?!  I also like to point out body parts.  I can say eyes and point them out to you.  I also know where my head, nose, and belly are.  I LOVE bellies.  Whenever I touch someone else's belly, they giggle really hard and that makes me giggle.

I have a total of six teeth now, two on the bottom and four on the bottom.  I even like to show my bottom teeth while making scary faces the way Mommy and Daddy do.  I'm pretty funny!

Well I'm off to play in the snow.  Hopefully Mommy doesn't try to put me in it again and I can just hang out in the wagon.  That stuff is too cold!

Weight Watchers Again

I've decided to join Weight Watchers again in an attempt to lose weight.  I've waited to join again until I had weaned Ethan because I feared my supply would dip massively.  Since I'm down to just one nursing a day, I decided now was the time.  I just want to feel better about myself.  I want to be able to fit into clothes hidden deep in my closet that really haven't fit since WAY before getting pregnant.  I want to be health so I can enjoy playing with my son.  And lastly, I want to be in the best possible shape I can be in for when it's time to think about baby #2.

Today was my first day and I didn't do too well.  I went over my points allowed by 4 which forced me to dip into my weekly reserves.  Luckily we went grocery shopping today which counts as activity points.

I have a long road ahead of me but I do have a lot of support from those around me.