Toilet Paper

I know it has been a long while - sorry!

I have been super busy and, to be honest, completely out of sync. The house is a mess, my workout schedule is off, I'm feeling tired lately, we have been running around every night, work is crazy, my to-do list is out of control, and my DVR events are all piling up! :( Debbie Downer...and, more to come on my bummer mood in future posts.
Hopefully the long weekend will snap me out of it! I hope to get the house cleaned and get organized (literally and in my mind!).

I don't have any running updates today. I tried to upload them to YouTube; it was being slow and I finally said "to heck with it." Hopefully I will get some more time...and patience...to do it later.

Have a good week. Hopefully you'll be hearing more from me soon!

Shout out to my cousin - he played awesome the other night in his first varsity football game. We were proud. Now, keep it up and I'm sure you will get some Ws! :)

Save a Buck, or 50

We've all seen the show Extreme Couponing on TLC and we all know that sometimes it's a little far fetched.

1) Most of us don't have all the time in the world searching the internet for coupons and good deals. If we do one week, we can't the next; it isn't practical.
2) Most of don't have extra rooms in our houses for 'stock piles'.
3) Most of us would never eat 30+ boxes of cereal before they go bad.
4) Paying a coupon cutting service for more coupons is defeating the money-saving-purpose!
5) Proctor & Gamble products limit you to only four coupons that are the same, being used at one time.

And, the biggest number 6 of all time:

6) We don't have stores around here that double coupons.

I googled it and local stores just don't cooperate. I couldn't find a store within 100 miles that offered double coupons and super saving with a store card. If I could find one though, would I be willing to always drive over an hour to go get groceries? Probably not every trip.

So, I thought...

I've been couponing for over a year now. I would cut them out of the Sunday paper. I started by cutting lots of coupons and saving them all. I would end up purchasing things that I wouldn't normally purchase. I quickly realized that I had fallen into the company couponing plan!

It didn't take long for me to break that habit and start to only cut out coupons of products that we actually buy! I even took a few minutes to request a coupon book from Proctor & Gamble (P&G); we use a ton of their products (Tide, Tampax, Bounty, Old Spice, Venus, Crest, Pampers, Herbal Essence, etc.). Go check out their website for free samples and sometimes really good coupon offers.

With coupons, I was saving money. I averaged, and still do average, about $10 in coupon savings a trip. My all time high savings was $19.00. I thought that was pretty impressive.

Some people may think that couponing is "beneath" them. But, when I am shopping at Walmart? Who cares? Seriously? Watch me save $19.00 and judge away! I do sometimes apologize for the extra time it takes, to the people behind me in line. They always say it isn't a big deal.

I was inspired though. I watched Extreme Couponing and I wanted to save more!

One day at Walmart I stood behind a woman in line. She had a notebook and was telling the cashier the prices of her items. It took me a while; but, I realized that she was price matching.

Price matching!

Price matching is the key to savings! Combining price matching with coupons is amazing! Walmart price matches all the time! Let me tell you a bit more about it.

Every week I pull sales adds out of the Sunday paper (Target, Walgreens, CVS, etc.). Then, in the middle of the week the Penny Press arrives (Sunmart, Glenns, Fairway, Pamida, etc.). Finally, if I get time, I check internet sales adds (Bakers, Hyvee, SuperSaver, etc.).

I comb the adds looking for things that are on my grocery list. Sometimes I will have 'lunch items' on my list for Heath and me. I look for items on sale that we could use for lunch. Once I find a good deal, I write it down:

Product, Type or Size, Sales Price, & Store

My list is usually about a page long. I even started making a cute print out to use, for straight lines and organization. :)

I walk through Walmart and look at the prices before I put it in my cart. Sometimes, I'll be honest, Walmart's price is cheaper. However, sometimes I find amazing deals too!  Some to take note of are:

Easy Mac - sale price $0.47, originally $.98
General Mills Cereals - sale price $2 each, originally $4.37 each, & I had two $0.75 coupons = $1.25 each!
Venus Razors - sale price $2.99, originally $4.99, & I had a $2 off coupon = $.99!!!
Wagon Train Dog Treats - sale price $1, originally $4.50, & I had a $1 off coupon = Free!!!

These are just some of many, many dollars that I've saved. The saving from the last three trips were: $39.99, $47.65, and a whopping $57.83!

It is amazing what you can save when you just spend an hour a week looking at sales adds. It sure beats running from store to store to get the prices you want. Plus, I don't feel bad making Walmart lower their prices for me. I mean, it's Walmart...

Don't believe me? Look for yourself. This is from my last trip.

I keep track of the Walmart price too; that way I can calculate my savings when I get home.

They price match anything and everything as long as the brand is the same.  Fruit and veggies, they will match the pound price.

Try it! Next time, take some notes, and tell them at the register that you want to price match.

Does anyone else price match? Who is going to start now? :) :)

She Works Hard for the Money

Too hard sometimes. :(

I am very often reminded at work, when I look at Lucy's pictures on my desk, that I only spend approximately four hours with Lucy every weekday.

How sad is that? Does it make you want to cry? Well, it does me sometimes...I am missing out on so many things! I could start naming off all of the wonderful things about DayCare (teaches social skills, independence, sharing, etc.). However, I could also name a few, sometimes selfish, reasons for her to be at home (bonding time, individual attention, consistent potty training, day trips, etc.).

Either way, it seems you can never win...(wahhh-wahhhmp).  That was my Debbie Downer sound, by the way.

I don't want to start a debate; because, obviously there are benefits to both. I just want to know if the grass sometimes appears greener on the other side to all of us. Full-time working moms: do you ever wish you could stay home with your child(ren)? Stay-at-home moms: do you ever wish you had a career and extra money?

"Ahh...Man!"

When your little girl goes to daycare all day and spends the weekend with family, it shouldn't be surprising that she comes home with a new phrase. However, Lucy has clung onto, "Ahh...man!"

Heath and I have decided that we say it, but only sparingly. She had to of picked this up from daycare or her cousin, Alex. The amazing thing is, she uses it in the right context. It's hilarious. Heath and I enjoyed the other evening when Lucy's personality was really starting to shine through!

She was wound up. I don't think it was from sugar, but that we were all together playing. She was all over the living room. On one pass, she cut the corner too sharp and hit her arm on the coffee table.

"Aowww....aowww....aowww...," she repeated looking at us.

"Did you hurt your arm?" Heath asked.

"Aowww," was the only response.We both laughed.

"You're okay," I told her.

Seeing that we weren't going to come running to her little arm's rescue, she gave herself a kiss on the arm. We laughed, as we continued to watch her roam the room. She started to run a little too fast and past the ottoman. Her toe caught the carpet and down she went. She just disappeared behind the ottoman as we heard a light thud.

Silence.

We waited to hear if she was going to get upset.

"Ahhh....man!"

We laughed until we almost cried. I can't wait to see what she'll say next!

Happy Three Years!

Happy Three Year Anniversary Heath! :)

I can't begin to describe how in love I am with Heath. We have always considered ourselves truly, madly, deeply in love (to quote some Savage Garden and J.P. off of the Bachelorette). When we think about our marriage, we always think of it in terms of forever, like it should be. We want it to be that way.

We hope to be old, with grandchildren, and a large RV; then, we are going to steal those grandchildren and travel the United States. :)

Can you believe it has been three years? So many changes have taken place in our lives and in the lives of people who were in our wedding. Change is scary; but, it is mostly exciting! :)

I can't believe that we've been together for ten years, married for three, and parents for 1 1/2. Wow! 

Heath - here's to three years and I'm looking forward to forever with you. :)

Baby Registering

Look at me with all the baby talk now!

Well, I recently found, in the bottom of my nightstand drawer, a couple of lists I made while I was pregnant. I made a list of things I wanted to be sure I registered for. Of course, we always register for way more than that; but, I wanted to make sure I registered for some items at either Target, Walmart, or Amazon.com.

I thought about sharing the list with my friend. However, why not share it with everyone else too? Sure! Then, those fellow mothers out there could add other things. It sure would save her some time searching the internet! :)

Here were my 'Must Register For' items:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Enfamil Formula
• Hamper
• Video Monitor
• Play Pen (with bassinet and changing table)
• Car Seat
• Stroller
• High Chair
• Tub
• Car Seat ‘Snuzzler’
• Pacifiers
• Bottles & Liners
• Bottle Washer
• Baby Hangers
• Crib Bedding
• Extra crib sheets
• Water proof crib sheets (2)
• Swing
• Thermometer
• Brush/Comb
• Nail clippers
• Clothes (all sizes)
• Pajamas (all sizes)
• Bibs
• Socks/Booties
• Anti-scratch mittens
• Diaper Bag
• Hats/stocking caps/PJ hats
• Blankets
• Hooded towels
• Diaper Genie II, Elite
• Diaper Genie II, Elite refills
• Changing pads
• Sun shades for the car
• Rattle/Toys
• Play Mat/Gym
• Vibrating/bouncy chair
• Diaper rash ointment
• Baby powder
• Travel wipes
• Baby oil
• Baby shampoo/body wash
• Wash cloths
• Teethers
• Travel formula dispenser
• Gas relief medicine
• Long sleeved onesies
• Baby Orajel
• Baby Tylenol
• Night Light
• Nasal Bulb
• Carbon monoxide detector
• Boppy
• Water for formula
• Breast pump
• Car sear cover (for winter babies)
• Boogie wipes
• Sleep sacks

Here were my 'Need - Later On' items:

• Toilet Seat Locks
• Toddler Shoes
• Safety Plugs for Electrical Outlets
• Cabinet locks
• Sippy Cups
• Plates & bowls
• Spoons & forks
• Potty chair
• Booster seat
• Tooth brush/paste
• Bath toys
• Snack cups, to-go
• Cheap stroller to keep in the car
• Toy box of some sort
• Faucet cover
• Outdoor swing
• Bath bucket
• Baby gates

Here were my 'Want to Register For' items:


• Bows/Headbands/Hats

• Infant Shoes
• Bumbo
• Bumbo tray
• Baby leggings
• Pacifier clip
• Baby food carousel
• Bedtime books
• Sound machine
• Dishwasher basket, for baby accessories

Here was the list of items that I wanted or needed for myself before Lucy came:

• Pads
• Nursing pads
• Nursing Bras
• Nursing pajamas
• “Granny panties”
• Tummy compressor

If anyone has any questions about what an item is or what I used it for or why I used it, I would be happy to share. Please share any other items that you thought were very helpful or necessary for you.

One thing I didn't use; but, I know a lot of mothers do, is a baby bjorn or a swaddler/carrier. New moms might want to try them out. :)

Happy baby registering, friend!

Baby Boom!

Two of my best friends are pregnant.

Also, I know at least three other women who are pregnant.

Four of the five women I've mentioned are due in January! Can you believe that?

My first thought is: what happened in April that I missed? :) No one can say that it was the long, cold winter. :)

I am so excited for my friends. Being pregnant, while sometimes nauseating and scary and irritating, is so wonderful. Bringing babies into the world seriously might be the most touching and miraculous thing ever! :) I am so excited to take part in their journeys.

The big question now that two of my best friends are pregnant?

"Cori - when are you going to have another one?"

I'll be honest - I had baby fever as soon as Lucy turned one year old. However, Heath and I knew that it just wasn't right for our family. I had to think rationally. That would just be too much for Heath and me. We want Lucy to be out of diapers (crossing-fingers) and in a big girl bed before we have another one. Having two babies in diapers and/or cribs, just isn't for me.

Seriously, no offense to anyone who likes children that close. I get it.

But, as most of you know, Lucy isn't even close to potty training yet. She did sit on the potty chair the other night though...with a diaper on. Small steps! :) And, we still need to lower her crib one more setting, because she is starting to monkey-climb.

We have a while. And, does all of this make me want to have a baby more? Or sooner? No - not really. This is their time. I will just share in their happiness and Lucy will get a sibling soon enough.

In the mean time I get to buy baby stuff! :) Yay! It is so fun to buy; I can't wait. I hope that one is having a boy and the other is having a girl; then, I could buy some of both!

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes and if my baby fever raises at all. :)

What do you think is the perfect age difference in children?

Where did Heath and Cori go?

This is a rhetorical question. Don't think too much about it.

However, I do think a lot about it. Heath and I both do. We've reached a point in parenting where we are constantly being thought of as mom and dad; we are always a family. But, where did Heath and Cori go? Where did the couple go? When did 'relationship' become 'co-parenting'?

When we first had Lucy, it brought us so close - closer than we could have ever imagined. It was such a wonderful feeling to share the miracle of birth with Heath - to look at him and know that we created this beautiful baby out of love. Wonderful!

Since Lucy turned one year old and became a mobile, tantrum-thrower, who can't be left alone for two seconds...our relationship has shifted. It is all we can do to have an adult conversation in bed at night before falling quickly asleep.

Lucy goes to sleep at 8:30 pm, you say?

You are right. However, that time is when I can actually use a pen without someone crying and having a fit, trying to snatch it out of my hands. Or, when I can cut coupons without someone thinking they need to shred my papers or steal my scissors. Or, use cleaning products without having someone right behind me, digging in my cleaning bucket or trying to wipe her face with the Pledge towel I just used.

Alright, alright. I know. I can do these things, if I can distract her. However, let me give you a quick example of such a case. I wasn't watching her for a few minutes and left her in the living room. It should have been pretty safe - no exits, no electrical outlets, no heavy items, no swallow-able items. However, Heath found her.....sitting in the middle of the coffee table, watching television. She had moved a couch pillow over to the side of the table and climbed right up.

I wouldn't change a thing in our lives. I love my family so much. However, Heath and I need to find one another again. We need a re-boost of relationship energy.

We often feel guilty for having date nights. We feel super guilty when Lucy stays the night somewhere. And, when you feel rested and good the next day, you almost feel guilty for enjoying yourself so much. It's like you shouldn't be happy, if Lucy wasn't involved...

We recently went to Weston, Kansas and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast with my family. Lucy stayed at her Grandma Jeannie's. It was so relaxing. Heath and I had a great time. We found each other again.

Monday came and we went back to the old routine.

We know that we need to be more active in making date nights a routine. We need to. It's tough; I'll admit. Since we work so much, we don't get to spend as much time with Lucy as we want. Any time we get with her, we cherish. We hate to give up even a couple of hours to go out to eat.

So, perhaps we need to take one night a week to not do chores, not mow, not cut coupons, not work, not do all of the things we just 'have' to do. We could take one night to put Lucy to sleep, pop some popcorn, and just watch a movie, cuddling on the couch.

It's easy to feel guilty about not cleaning or making lists of to-dos. The weeds in my flower bed mock me. The unswept floor really grinds my gears. But, when it comes to our relationships, it's easy to put them on the back burner to these minuscule, unimportant to the big picture, things.

This weekend we are going away for our three year wedding anniversary. Hopefully we can start a trend of date night.

Have you and your significant other ever reached this bump in the road? How did you get over it?

Note: Heath and I are doing just fine. Family - don't freak out like we'll get a divorce or something. haha.