(With all the silly Blogger issues last week, this didn't publish when it was scheduled. At least I didn't lose it, though!)
I mentioned in Baby Girl's 21 month post that we were done with nursing. I'm ready to talk about it, to explore the feelings I had and have had in the 2 1/2 weeks since.
But first, the story.
Easter Sunday (April 24th) we came back from the in-laws' and had a completely normal night. I nursed Baby Girl for what would be the last time. It was a normal session for us, from what I remember (had I known it would be the last time, I would have etched every single moment into my mind). She was a little distracted, as usual. She popped off to look at Daddy to talk to me, to watch TV. Nothing abnormal at this point. I handed her off to her daddy and they went upstairs and did their bedtime routine and she went to sleep for the night.
Monday evening we were gearing up to start our bedtime routine. I asked Baby Girl if she was ready and she said, "Stairs?" This means she is ready to go upstairs, so I asked, "don't you want some milk first?" and got the reply, "No milk". I asked her a couple more times, The Hubby asked, and she said no each time. So no milk that night.
I honestly don't remember if her daddy did bedtime that night or I did. I know I went to the grocery in tears. I cried most of the drive there and probably looked like a crazy woman while walking the aisles. I collected myself before I entered the store, but I'm sure I looked a wreck. I couldn't believe my baby was done.
I got teary during the next day at work from time to time, but honestly thought she'd want to nurse that evening again. I just hoped that I'd be able to produce something for her. I hadn't felt any fullness and had already known that my supply was pretty low at that point.
I was wrong. She never asked for it again. I got up the nerve to ask her this past weekend if she remembered what mommy's boobies were for (she's obsessed with talking about boobies right now) and she said something random. I told her that she used to drink milk from mommy's boobies. She seemed wholly unimpressed and went along with her playtime.
Honestly, the biggest problem with the weaning is that she's still having a really rough time with bedtime. She doesn't seem to be winding down like we'd like and we've tried different things so I don't have to spend an hour upstairs with her every night (because she's now refusing to let The Hubby do bedtime) and nothing is working. She won't sit quietly and drink a sippy cup of milk and read, a bath isn't winding her down, sitting and reading books isn't working. She's incredibly wound up and wants to play upstairs once we get there. I give her a limit on the number of books and warn her after each book how many she has left. I try to set limits on the number of toys and blankies and demands she places on the way I rock her. Last night I finally put her in the crib and just rubbed her back for a minute, which worked well and might be what we try again tonight.
But back to the weaning. Once I realized that Baby Girl is actually weaned, I've been trying to celebrate it.
I've been wearing a real bra since 4/27 (one with UNDERWIRE!).
I've taken allergy medication
I've started back on Weight Watchers (and have lost at least 5 pounds)
We went out to dinner and didn't worry about being back in time for bedtime (although we were and were happy to see our girl before she went to sleep)
I could (although I haven't yet) start drinking caffeine again if I want
I have been able to drink wine without really worrying about any implications
I know there are positive aspects to weaning, but I still miss that requisite time with my girl each night. As much as I resented nursing sometimes, I do really miss that quiet time with her. She's now an active toddler who doesn't have time for cuddling with Mommy. She's moved on. And I'm trying to do the same.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Hello....
Hello, blog. I've missed you. Have you missed me?
You see, real life has gotten in the way again and I've neglected you.
Wait! Don't walk away yet. I'm sorry.
See? I'm down on my knees. Can't you see how sorry I am?
I'll make love to you
Like you wa--
What? You don't like my singing?
Well, then how about a little interpretive dance?
No? Then what can I do to make it up to you, to make you realize how sorry I am?
What's that you say? Blog more?
Oh. I can do that.
I'm sorry, blog. I get intimidated. I have lots of posts in my head that I want to put out there. I have so much to say and am struggling with how to say it and how much judgment I'm going to encounter once I do. So I stay silent. But now I know that that's not how to treat you. So I'm back.
I promise.
You see, real life has gotten in the way again and I've neglected you.
Wait! Don't walk away yet. I'm sorry.
See? I'm down on my knees. Can't you see how sorry I am?
I'll make love to you
Like you wa--
What? You don't like my singing?
Well, then how about a little interpretive dance?
No? Then what can I do to make it up to you, to make you realize how sorry I am?
What's that you say? Blog more?
Oh. I can do that.
I'm sorry, blog. I get intimidated. I have lots of posts in my head that I want to put out there. I have so much to say and am struggling with how to say it and how much judgment I'm going to encounter once I do. So I stay silent. But now I know that that's not how to treat you. So I'm back.
I promise.
Friday, April 29, 2011
21 Months
Every time I write one of these, I'm tempted to start out with the same, tired line. "I can't believe it's been XX months". But it's true. In ways, I cannot remember a time without my baby. But in others, I can't believe that she has changed from a baby to a toddler seemingly in the time it took me to take a breath.
She is amazing. In this past month, she has started exerting her independence more than ever. Her favorite phrase of the last month has been "DOOWIT!!!!" or "Self!" In other words, she wants to do it herself, whether it's get dressed, put on her shoes, eat, change her diaper, climb the stairs, brush her teeth... You get the picture. It's generally been okay except when she had a cold. A toddler trying to blow her nose and hold the tissue gets a bit messy.
In the last couple of weeks, we've noticed a big push toward using phrases instead of single words to convey her thoughts. She had been using two-word phrases some, but now it's almost always at least two words (even if they still sound like one word sentences because of the unnatural break in between them).
Baby Girl is also becoming more reliable with her manners. She says "Sank You" and "Peeease" and "Cue Me" on a regular basis. And she says "Sorry" when she hurts herself. I think this is because whenever we hit her head getting her into her car seat we'll tell her "sorry".
This month has also been one where Baby Girl learn to climb and descend the stairs standing up. I don't know if her height was her previous limitation or if it was our hesitation, but she's getting to be a pro now. As long as she has something to hold onto, she can go up and down any stairs. Of course, this also means she wants to prove her abilities whenever we're around a set of stairs, so our baby gate has been getting a good amount of use.
The last, less pleasant development that we've experienced has been, as of this past Monday, a complete shift in attitude. She's decided that Daddy isn't worthy of putting her to bed. She now knows that brushing her teeth is very likely going to kill her. She also now believes that booby milk is for babies.
Yep, she's now weaned. Look for another post all on its own about that. It has been since Easter Sunday that she last nursed.
All of these changes have meant that bedtime has become an incredibly painful battle. I think she's having a hard time winding down now that she's not nursing. It could also be because she's throwing tantrums about brushing her teeth and about Daddy trying to change her diaper and put on her PJs. Oh, and she's screams and cries if we even mention Daddy doing bedtime, even though he's done 98% of her bedtimes since she was born. It's loads of fun. I'm praying it's a phase and fearing it isn't.
All of this means that she's becoming her own independent little person. I have moments of loving it...and moments of not being so happy about it. But it's inevitable, so I'm accepting it and trying to adjust to her ever-changing personality. Only three more months until we hit age two!
She is amazing. In this past month, she has started exerting her independence more than ever. Her favorite phrase of the last month has been "DOOWIT!!!!" or "Self!" In other words, she wants to do it herself, whether it's get dressed, put on her shoes, eat, change her diaper, climb the stairs, brush her teeth... You get the picture. It's generally been okay except when she had a cold. A toddler trying to blow her nose and hold the tissue gets a bit messy.
In the last couple of weeks, we've noticed a big push toward using phrases instead of single words to convey her thoughts. She had been using two-word phrases some, but now it's almost always at least two words (even if they still sound like one word sentences because of the unnatural break in between them).
Baby Girl is also becoming more reliable with her manners. She says "Sank You" and "Peeease" and "Cue Me" on a regular basis. And she says "Sorry" when she hurts herself. I think this is because whenever we hit her head getting her into her car seat we'll tell her "sorry".
This month has also been one where Baby Girl learn to climb and descend the stairs standing up. I don't know if her height was her previous limitation or if it was our hesitation, but she's getting to be a pro now. As long as she has something to hold onto, she can go up and down any stairs. Of course, this also means she wants to prove her abilities whenever we're around a set of stairs, so our baby gate has been getting a good amount of use.
The last, less pleasant development that we've experienced has been, as of this past Monday, a complete shift in attitude. She's decided that Daddy isn't worthy of putting her to bed. She now knows that brushing her teeth is very likely going to kill her. She also now believes that booby milk is for babies.
Yep, she's now weaned. Look for another post all on its own about that. It has been since Easter Sunday that she last nursed.
All of these changes have meant that bedtime has become an incredibly painful battle. I think she's having a hard time winding down now that she's not nursing. It could also be because she's throwing tantrums about brushing her teeth and about Daddy trying to change her diaper and put on her PJs. Oh, and she's screams and cries if we even mention Daddy doing bedtime, even though he's done 98% of her bedtimes since she was born. It's loads of fun. I'm praying it's a phase and fearing it isn't.
All of this means that she's becoming her own independent little person. I have moments of loving it...and moments of not being so happy about it. But it's inevitable, so I'm accepting it and trying to adjust to her ever-changing personality. Only three more months until we hit age two!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Judging
After I post a blog post like I did yesterday, I fear that I'm being judged. I know there are about 30 people per day that visit my blog and I don't know who most of them are. So I picture them all sitting there, reading my post, and just judging how crazy I am instead of offering (any!) words of support.
The feedback I get from those of you who post comments means the world to me, but the silence I hear from everyone else makes me want to run and hide and not post anymore entries that are so revealing of my soul. I realize that yesterday's post was about 24 hours ago and not all blog readers are soobsessive devoted to reading blogs, but this just isn't the first time I've felt this way. It makes me want to make my blog private and not share what I'm thinking and feeling with anyone.
This is NOT trying to beg for comments or anything--just sharing, again, how I'm feeling. Honestly. Openly.
Why does it matter if people are judging me? It just does. I wish I could take on the attitude of not caring what others think of me, but that's not who I am or how I operate.
I love blogging. I love expressing my feelings and talking about my little girl in a place that people can choose to visit and read (rather than bombarding all my FB friends and message board members with story after story of all the cute things she does). But I don't just do it for me. I don't just do *anything* for me. I try to tell funny stories to amuse you. I try to talk about how I'm feeling in the hopes that someone else might be feeling the same way and either I can help them or we can, at least, find some camaraderie in it. Some part of this blog is for my own record-keeping. It's what I do instead of a baby book. One of these days I'll go fill out her baby book and I'll use this blog to determine when she took her first steps, got her first tooth, and said her first word.
But mostly, I blog for the community. And rather than hearing the comments I do get, the silence is saying more.
The feedback I get from those of you who post comments means the world to me, but the silence I hear from everyone else makes me want to run and hide and not post anymore entries that are so revealing of my soul. I realize that yesterday's post was about 24 hours ago and not all blog readers are so
This is NOT trying to beg for comments or anything--just sharing, again, how I'm feeling. Honestly. Openly.
Why does it matter if people are judging me? It just does. I wish I could take on the attitude of not caring what others think of me, but that's not who I am or how I operate.
I love blogging. I love expressing my feelings and talking about my little girl in a place that people can choose to visit and read (rather than bombarding all my FB friends and message board members with story after story of all the cute things she does). But I don't just do it for me. I don't just do *anything* for me. I try to tell funny stories to amuse you. I try to talk about how I'm feeling in the hopes that someone else might be feeling the same way and either I can help them or we can, at least, find some camaraderie in it. Some part of this blog is for my own record-keeping. It's what I do instead of a baby book. One of these days I'll go fill out her baby book and I'll use this blog to determine when she took her first steps, got her first tooth, and said her first word.
But mostly, I blog for the community. And rather than hearing the comments I do get, the silence is saying more.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Priorities
Last night I start reading Good Enough Is the New Perfect* and the first chapter was talking about priorities and that we need to decide what our priorities are so we can decide what we can let go by the wayside. I know already that I am a Never Enough, which means that I keep trying and trying and it's never good enough for me. I made Baby Girl's food, nursed until TBD, don't feed her sweet, limit her TV-watching, etc. And I still think "I should feed her more organic" or "she loves Spongebob far too much"--it's never good enough for me. Other people look at her and think she's wonderful and perfect but, for me, perfect seems unattainable.
And it's driving me crazy.
I know, logically, that no one can be perfect. But in my head I think, "but maybe I can" or "I'm going to keep trying". It's driving me crazy, though, beating myself up for any little thing. I second-guessed myself for days when I took a Benadryl (a does is two pills and I only took one) before bed last week. I beat myself up for not getting Baby Girl Stride Rites and putting her in shoes from JCPenney that are too big so she can wear them longer (and yet, I still did it...). I kick myself for not bringing unsweetened applesauce because my mother-in-law only got the sweetened stuff.
I know, logically, that sweetened applesauce for a weekend, wearing good--but not the best--shoes, and taking a Benadryl a full 22 hours before nursing Baby Girl again are NOT going to kill her. But how badly will they hurt her? How badly have I messed her up down the road? How much therapy is she going to need to get over the things I still haven't done?
Yep, I know. I'm neurotic. And the worst problem is that I worry like this about everything. I spent too much at the grocery store. I slept in too long and am going to make The Hubby late for work. I didn't exercise and feel like a blob. I haven't emailed that friend in 3 days--what a horrible person. I'm constantly criticizing myself and I need to find a way to stop.
And that is why I've ordered this book and started to read it. The problem is, I don't know what my priorities are to be able to determine what to let go. This is what I'm going to be working on this week. Unfortunately, I don't know where to start. I start a list, then get all nit-picky and can't determine how big or small it should be. Should it be "Keeping Baby Girl healthy", "Teaching Baby Girl to eat healthy" or "Making sure Baby Girl doesn't have sugar" (and one for each food I don't like her to have)? Should it be "Saving money" or "Saving enough to do XX"? How specific do these need to be?
Yep. I'm neurotic.
* Just days apart I received this book as well as Two Kisses for Maddie, which I have been dying to read. I started Good Enough Is the New Perfect, thinking that Two Kisses for Maddie might give me nightmares to wake up in a cold sweat at 4:15 from the more horrific nightmare I've ever had and never get back to sleep before The Hubby's alarm went off at 6:00. So much for that!
And it's driving me crazy.
I know, logically, that no one can be perfect. But in my head I think, "but maybe I can" or "I'm going to keep trying". It's driving me crazy, though, beating myself up for any little thing. I second-guessed myself for days when I took a Benadryl (a does is two pills and I only took one) before bed last week. I beat myself up for not getting Baby Girl Stride Rites and putting her in shoes from JCPenney that are too big so she can wear them longer (and yet, I still did it...). I kick myself for not bringing unsweetened applesauce because my mother-in-law only got the sweetened stuff.
I know, logically, that sweetened applesauce for a weekend, wearing good--but not the best--shoes, and taking a Benadryl a full 22 hours before nursing Baby Girl again are NOT going to kill her. But how badly will they hurt her? How badly have I messed her up down the road? How much therapy is she going to need to get over the things I still haven't done?
Yep, I know. I'm neurotic. And the worst problem is that I worry like this about everything. I spent too much at the grocery store. I slept in too long and am going to make The Hubby late for work. I didn't exercise and feel like a blob. I haven't emailed that friend in 3 days--what a horrible person. I'm constantly criticizing myself and I need to find a way to stop.
And that is why I've ordered this book and started to read it. The problem is, I don't know what my priorities are to be able to determine what to let go. This is what I'm going to be working on this week. Unfortunately, I don't know where to start. I start a list, then get all nit-picky and can't determine how big or small it should be. Should it be "Keeping Baby Girl healthy", "Teaching Baby Girl to eat healthy" or "Making sure Baby Girl doesn't have sugar" (and one for each food I don't like her to have)? Should it be "Saving money" or "Saving enough to do XX"? How specific do these need to be?
Yep. I'm neurotic.
* Just days apart I received this book as well as Two Kisses for Maddie, which I have been dying to read. I started Good Enough Is the New Perfect, thinking that Two Kisses for Maddie might give me nightmares to wake up in a cold sweat at 4:15 from the more horrific nightmare I've ever had and never get back to sleep before The Hubby's alarm went off at 6:00. So much for that!
Meal Plan: 4/24-4/30
Because we were out of town (again) this past weekend, I didn't get to do my normal plan on Saturday and shop on Sunday. I tried to plan last night, but it just didn't happen. So here it is--my haphazardly thrown together meal plan for the week:
Sunday: BBQ pork leftovers from last week, mashed potatoes, peas
Monday: Quesadillas made from chicken, onion, & mushroom leftovers from last week
Tuesday: Whole chicken (thank you Tupperware microwave cooker!), mac & cheese, frozen veggie
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Braid with frozen veggies
Thursday: American Chop Suey
Friday: BBQ meat cups (biscuits in muffin tin, filled with ground beef coated in BBQ sauce, then topped with cheddar cheese and baked until biscuits are done), pasta, veggie
Saturday: Nieces' birthday party
I'm also looking for side dish recipes--something really, really easy but just a bit different from orzo/rice/pasta/mac & cheese/quinoa (or something to throw in with these). I always look for main course recipes and never spend time on side dishes.
Sunday: BBQ pork leftovers from last week, mashed potatoes, peas
Monday: Quesadillas made from chicken, onion, & mushroom leftovers from last week
Tuesday: Whole chicken (thank you Tupperware microwave cooker!), mac & cheese, frozen veggie
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Braid with frozen veggies
Thursday: American Chop Suey
Friday: BBQ meat cups (biscuits in muffin tin, filled with ground beef coated in BBQ sauce, then topped with cheddar cheese and baked until biscuits are done), pasta, veggie
Saturday: Nieces' birthday party
I'm also looking for side dish recipes--something really, really easy but just a bit different from orzo/rice/pasta/mac & cheese/quinoa (or something to throw in with these). I always look for main course recipes and never spend time on side dishes.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Back in the saddle....or something like that
Watch this video and sing along with my words below:
Back on the potty again
Trying real hard to go
Where I sit and I can read
Waiting for the need to pee
I'm back on the potty again
Sitting here once more
Maybe for a minute, maybe four
Where I spend a lot of time
Gonna make this potty mine
I'm back on the potty again
Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin' to and fro
Back on the potty again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go--say "Yay!"
Back on the potty again
---
It's true--we're back to hanging out on the potty. We're not pushing at all, but she's just started being interested again. The best part is that her first two tries with this renewed interest, she peed in the potty! She hasn't again, but she's actually giving it a good try, which is all we can ask for right now.
We're giving her stickers for trying (when we remember....) and giving her change for her piggy bank when she actually goes. We aren't holding out much hope that this will be it, but the fact that she's interested is really encouraging!
Oh, and this is now Baby Girl's favorite video (the whole thing is much longer, but this is our favorite part of it):
Back on the potty again
Trying real hard to go
Where I sit and I can read
Waiting for the need to pee
I'm back on the potty again
Sitting here once more
Maybe for a minute, maybe four
Where I spend a lot of time
Gonna make this potty mine
I'm back on the potty again
Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin' to and fro
Back on the potty again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go--say "Yay!"
Back on the potty again
---
It's true--we're back to hanging out on the potty. We're not pushing at all, but she's just started being interested again. The best part is that her first two tries with this renewed interest, she peed in the potty! She hasn't again, but she's actually giving it a good try, which is all we can ask for right now.
We're giving her stickers for trying (when we remember....) and giving her change for her piggy bank when she actually goes. We aren't holding out much hope that this will be it, but the fact that she's interested is really encouraging!
Oh, and this is now Baby Girl's favorite video (the whole thing is much longer, but this is our favorite part of it):
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Happy Birthday
I think I mentioned this in another update, but it's worth re-sharing.
Baby Girl has really taken to singing Happy Birthday. I think one of the other kids at daycare sang it, so she started. When she'd started, she didn't say anybody's name, though. She'd just sing "Happy Birthday..." over and over...and over.
Her cousin's birthday was April 4th, so we sang it (A LOT) with her cousin's name in the song. And then her twin cousins' birthday was April 9th and one of the kids at the sitter had a birthday on April 15th. So she started singing TO people. It still wasn't the actual song, just "Happy Birthday, Daddy..." over and over.
She's now sung to her cousins, every kid at ther sitter, the sitter herself, the animals at the sitter's house, Minnie, books, herself, Daddy, Grandma, Papaw, baby, Cheerios, Fishies....you get the idea.
Well, this morning she sang to an unlikely recipient.
She was sitting at the table eating her breakfast and started singing "Happy Birthday....cough" Yep, she sang Happy Birthday to her *cough*. Let's hope the cough doesn't hang around long enough to celebrate its birthday.
Baby Girl has really taken to singing Happy Birthday. I think one of the other kids at daycare sang it, so she started. When she'd started, she didn't say anybody's name, though. She'd just sing "Happy Birthday..." over and over...and over.
Her cousin's birthday was April 4th, so we sang it (A LOT) with her cousin's name in the song. And then her twin cousins' birthday was April 9th and one of the kids at the sitter had a birthday on April 15th. So she started singing TO people. It still wasn't the actual song, just "Happy Birthday, Daddy..." over and over.
She's now sung to her cousins, every kid at ther sitter, the sitter herself, the animals at the sitter's house, Minnie, books, herself, Daddy, Grandma, Papaw, baby, Cheerios, Fishies....you get the idea.
Well, this morning she sang to an unlikely recipient.
She was sitting at the table eating her breakfast and started singing "Happy Birthday....cough" Yep, she sang Happy Birthday to her *cough*. Let's hope the cough doesn't hang around long enough to celebrate its birthday.
Allergies
Baby Girl has another cold. Who would've thought, huh? We were actually healthy for a week or two, but then she went back to the sitter's (the sitter took a vacation), where one of the other kids had a snotty nose and a cough. And now, guess what? She's got a snotty nose and a cough. She's really handling it well and it's only cut a couple of naps short, but she is overall sleeping fine. I'm hoping she's on the uphill now--we'll see. As usual, if it doesn't clear up some by mid-week we'll be heading to the doctor to have her ears checked.
Oh, and now I've got a runny nose. I was blaming it on allergies yesterday, but today I'm not so sure.
This brings to me to my ongoing question--to medicate or not?
I was having this debate mostly when I thought it was allergies. You see, before getting pregnant, I was on four different allergy medications with limited success. I am allergic to just about every environmental allergen out there and the worst part is that it settles into my ears and causes major ear pain and dizziness. Oh, and my other allergy sufferers have runny eyes and nose and sneezing, making it obvious they're suffering...and I don't. So that sort of sucks.
But since getting pregnant and then nursing full-time I haven't dealt with much as far as allergies go. I've had days where I felt stuffy or had some ear pain, but it was never as bad as it had been--yay! Unfortunately, it seems that whatever those hormones were doing to keep me from suffering has stopped working and now I need to make some decisions about whether I should start taking some medications. The medications that I would think would be the safest for nursing (since I am still nursing once a day), nose sprays, aren't classified as particularly safe. And the pills are going to do some drying and I fear they will impact my supply (which is pretty much non-existent anyway). So I could take the meds right after nursing Baby Girl and hope that she doesn't get much through the milk the next evening, which is what I'm leaning toward.
The biggest problem, though, is that I'm frustrated that there isn't a single doctor that can help with both symptoms and knowing what's safe for nursing. Even my OB/GYN didn't seem to know for sure what meds are safe during nursing. My primary care physician looks it up in a book, which is more than any other doctors I've had. My allergist, though, didn't seem to know what would be safe when I'd asked him previously, which is why I haven't been back to see him since 2008 (besides the trip for Baby Girl's allergy testing). I need someone who can look at my allergy symptoms and suggest medications that will work well and will also be safe for Baby Girl. There are suggestions out on the web, but I would prefer to get it from a doctor who can see the whole picture. I suppose that's where a holistic doctor would come into the picture...but they don't seem particularly apt to prescribing meds, which, in this case, I need!
Just frustrated, I suppose. I'm not looking forward to suffering through the next 7-8 months without any allergy meds. I'll do what I have to do, but am hoping I can find some sort of happy medium that won't harm Baby Girl but will help me with my symptoms.
Oh, and now I've got a runny nose. I was blaming it on allergies yesterday, but today I'm not so sure.
This brings to me to my ongoing question--to medicate or not?
I was having this debate mostly when I thought it was allergies. You see, before getting pregnant, I was on four different allergy medications with limited success. I am allergic to just about every environmental allergen out there and the worst part is that it settles into my ears and causes major ear pain and dizziness. Oh, and my other allergy sufferers have runny eyes and nose and sneezing, making it obvious they're suffering...and I don't. So that sort of sucks.
But since getting pregnant and then nursing full-time I haven't dealt with much as far as allergies go. I've had days where I felt stuffy or had some ear pain, but it was never as bad as it had been--yay! Unfortunately, it seems that whatever those hormones were doing to keep me from suffering has stopped working and now I need to make some decisions about whether I should start taking some medications. The medications that I would think would be the safest for nursing (since I am still nursing once a day), nose sprays, aren't classified as particularly safe. And the pills are going to do some drying and I fear they will impact my supply (which is pretty much non-existent anyway). So I could take the meds right after nursing Baby Girl and hope that she doesn't get much through the milk the next evening, which is what I'm leaning toward.
The biggest problem, though, is that I'm frustrated that there isn't a single doctor that can help with both symptoms and knowing what's safe for nursing. Even my OB/GYN didn't seem to know for sure what meds are safe during nursing. My primary care physician looks it up in a book, which is more than any other doctors I've had. My allergist, though, didn't seem to know what would be safe when I'd asked him previously, which is why I haven't been back to see him since 2008 (besides the trip for Baby Girl's allergy testing). I need someone who can look at my allergy symptoms and suggest medications that will work well and will also be safe for Baby Girl. There are suggestions out on the web, but I would prefer to get it from a doctor who can see the whole picture. I suppose that's where a holistic doctor would come into the picture...but they don't seem particularly apt to prescribing meds, which, in this case, I need!
Just frustrated, I suppose. I'm not looking forward to suffering through the next 7-8 months without any allergy meds. I'll do what I have to do, but am hoping I can find some sort of happy medium that won't harm Baby Girl but will help me with my symptoms.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Meal Plan 4/17-4/23
We were out of town this past weekend and will actually be out of town again this coming weekend, so I only needed to plan for five meals. One meal is reusing some shredded BBQ pork from last week and one other is a repeat from last week that didn't get made (we'd planned on cooking at home on Saturday, but were visiting my parents instead). So, meal planning was easy this week...but I still somehow spent $80 at the grocery. Stay tuned as I explore how this happened and hopefully you can learn something from me.
Sunday: Chinese with my parents
Mondays: Crockpot stew beef & cream of mushroom soup served over rice with some steamed veggies--one of my favorite childhood meals
Tuesday: Southwest Pasta Skillet
Wednesday: BBQ pork with rice & steamed veggies
Thursday: Pork Chops Over Rice
Friday: Some sort of veggie & chicken pizza...to be determined. I'd planned on using Flat Out, which was supposed to be on sale at my grocery store...but couldn't find any. So I instead bought some high fiber tortillas that were BOGO and may do something with it (or I might do something completely different). Let's face it, I'm really bad at winging it in the grocery store, which is why I go with a list!
Sunday: Chinese with my parents
Mondays: Crockpot stew beef & cream of mushroom soup served over rice with some steamed veggies--one of my favorite childhood meals
Tuesday: Southwest Pasta Skillet
Wednesday: BBQ pork with rice & steamed veggies
Thursday: Pork Chops Over Rice
Friday: Some sort of veggie & chicken pizza...to be determined. I'd planned on using Flat Out, which was supposed to be on sale at my grocery store...but couldn't find any. So I instead bought some high fiber tortillas that were BOGO and may do something with it (or I might do something completely different). Let's face it, I'm really bad at winging it in the grocery store, which is why I go with a list!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Crisis Mode
I discovered this morning how I react in a perceived crisis. It isn't particularly pretty.
When we're trying to get to the car in the morning, many times we'll let Baby Girl walk around the car by herself while we carry bags, lunches, and all the other things we need for the day. This morning The Hubby was helping her out to the car while I finished up my breakfast and set the alarm. She had walked around to the other side of the car while he was loading on the passenger side.
I walked around to get her and she wouldn't listen to me and get in the car (which has become a trend recently...). I was setting down my English muffin on top of the car and looked and saw that she was going even further away from the car, toward the mouse poison.
I yelled "No! No! NO! NOOO!" and she just didn't listen. I freaked out. I don't know if she touched it or not--I don't think she did. I yelled at The Hubby--"I need you to take care of that rat poison!" He threw his glass of lemonade against the wall of the garage in frustration (I'm sure he was feeling attacked). He grabbed the tray of poison and threw it in the trash can as I stood over Baby Girl, who I had grabbed and thrown into her car seat, panting and near tears.
The Hubby got into the car as I lectured Baby Girl. I tried to explain that we needed her to listen when we say "No" because it means she's doing something that could hurt her. I kissed her, twice. The Hubby asked if I needed him to get something to wash her hands, but he said it in such a tone that I knew he would feel incredibly bothered by it that I told him no.
I got in the car, shaking. I drove down the road, barely listening to Baby Girl talking--pointing out a bus, a truck, a bird. And then I hear her eating the English muffin piece we'd given her.
Shit.
So I pulled over the first logical place I could find. I grabbed an old napkin I found on the floor of the backseat and licked it and tried to clean off her hands. I tried not to panic. And I proceeded to try to avoid panic every time I heard her cough or whenever she'd stop talking. It was really difficult to do during a half hour drive on the freeway.
She's fine, thank goodness, but that was scary. And The Hubby and I didn't exactly speak at all in the car, even after we'd dropped her off. I think the fact that I resent having mouse traps and poison in my house came out. I also think the fact that I resent my husband not cleaning them up now that we've trapped over 10 mice in our house because I've *always* feared that Baby Girl would get into them came out as well. I snapped. I know it wasn't the best reaction and definitely wasn't one of my more attractive moments.
We'll talk today after work. I'll apologize and so will he. I think I need to find a constructive way to discuss my frustrations with him...before I'm too frustrated.
When we're trying to get to the car in the morning, many times we'll let Baby Girl walk around the car by herself while we carry bags, lunches, and all the other things we need for the day. This morning The Hubby was helping her out to the car while I finished up my breakfast and set the alarm. She had walked around to the other side of the car while he was loading on the passenger side.
I walked around to get her and she wouldn't listen to me and get in the car (which has become a trend recently...). I was setting down my English muffin on top of the car and looked and saw that she was going even further away from the car, toward the mouse poison.
I yelled "No! No! NO! NOOO!" and she just didn't listen. I freaked out. I don't know if she touched it or not--I don't think she did. I yelled at The Hubby--"I need you to take care of that rat poison!" He threw his glass of lemonade against the wall of the garage in frustration (I'm sure he was feeling attacked). He grabbed the tray of poison and threw it in the trash can as I stood over Baby Girl, who I had grabbed and thrown into her car seat, panting and near tears.
The Hubby got into the car as I lectured Baby Girl. I tried to explain that we needed her to listen when we say "No" because it means she's doing something that could hurt her. I kissed her, twice. The Hubby asked if I needed him to get something to wash her hands, but he said it in such a tone that I knew he would feel incredibly bothered by it that I told him no.
I got in the car, shaking. I drove down the road, barely listening to Baby Girl talking--pointing out a bus, a truck, a bird. And then I hear her eating the English muffin piece we'd given her.
Shit.
So I pulled over the first logical place I could find. I grabbed an old napkin I found on the floor of the backseat and licked it and tried to clean off her hands. I tried not to panic. And I proceeded to try to avoid panic every time I heard her cough or whenever she'd stop talking. It was really difficult to do during a half hour drive on the freeway.
She's fine, thank goodness, but that was scary. And The Hubby and I didn't exactly speak at all in the car, even after we'd dropped her off. I think the fact that I resent having mouse traps and poison in my house came out. I also think the fact that I resent my husband not cleaning them up now that we've trapped over 10 mice in our house because I've *always* feared that Baby Girl would get into them came out as well. I snapped. I know it wasn't the best reaction and definitely wasn't one of my more attractive moments.
We'll talk today after work. I'll apologize and so will he. I think I need to find a constructive way to discuss my frustrations with him...before I'm too frustrated.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Our weekend trip to the doctor
The weekend of March 19th was generally a good one for us.
Saturday morning we made a trip to the zoo. During the early spring, the zoo doesn't open until 10 a.m., so we got there around 9:50 and waited at the gates. We were among only about 40 people waiting, so once inside we didn't see anyone else for awhile. It was a nice day--the sun was warm and the animals were out and active. It was actually the first zoo visit where Baby Girl was able to watch the animals and enjoy them. We saw Beco, the elephant, some monkeys, the fish (the aquarium was almost empty, so we didn't feel like we were going to lose her in the dark), the manatees, and some tigers. She loved it!
We left the zoo and headed to get some lunch because once we got home, it would be naptime. Of course, she fell asleep during the 10 minute drive to lunch, so we woke her up and took her in the restaurant to eat. She didn't seem really interested in eating, but we weren't concerned since she doesn't typically eat well at fast food restaurants. We got back in the car and The Hubby entertained her until we got home so she didn't fall asleep. She went down for her nap wtih no problems and off I went to meet a friend's new baby.
When I returned, Baby Girl was awake and had been crying for me. I picked her up and snuggled her a bit and realized that she was pretty warm. We couldn't find a thermometer with batteries, so we decided to take her to one of the clinics inside a pharmacy. We sat down and were looking at the information and discovered that they didn't accept our insurance. We didn't know how to find out if the other pharmacy clinics accept our insurance, so instead of going home we decided it made more sense to go to a clinic inside a grocery store a bit away that we knew would take our insurance. On the drive, we could tell she didn't feel good. She didn't talk, sing, or whine and we could hear her breathing was a bit fast and loud. We got there and there was one person being seen and another waiting.
Baby Girl was clingy and lethargic--something we'd only seen from her one other time, when she'd had a double ear infection (it was also the only other time she's had a fever). She sat on my lap (wouldn't go to Daddy) and snuggled with me. She's half-heartedly wave at the baby who was waiting with her mommy, but I could tell she wasn't herself. After we'd waited for about 30 minutes, I went and got her a snack and some water--we'd left the house without a diaper bag or anything. Good thing we were inside a grocery store.
While we were waiting, a few other people came in to see the nurse practitioner, including one couple that apparently had already signed in but needed to leave. They went to see her before we could. At this point I was starting to get a bit upset--couldn't these people see we had a sad, sick 19 month old???
Eventually we got in to see the NP. She took Baby Girl's temperature--101.5. She did an exam and, of course, found an ear infection. She kept looking up things in her tablet PC, making me feel a little uncomfortable. I know her specialty isn't pediatrics, though, so I suppose it's good that she's double-checking her thinking. She prescribed us Omnicef for her ear infection (what I was actually already on for my sinus infection) and then also a steroid for her breathing. I asked her to check her temp before we went and it had indeed gone up to 103.4. After paying, we immediately went out to the pharmacy area and picked her up some ibuprofen to bring her fever down.
We submitted the prescriptions and went to look for something for dinner. You see, this grocery store is a-may-zing. Seriously. The Hubby and I decided we could have a really great date night there. At a grocery store.
We went to the hot foods station and found some personal pizzas. We got pizzas for all of us and sat down to eat. Baby Girl wasn't really interested in eating, but did seem to perk up--she was chatty with some little girls at the next table. Eventually it was time to pick up the prescriptions and go home--we got home around 7:00, just in time to nurse her and put her to bed. She slept well overnight as we alternated Tylenol and ibuprofen to keep the fever at bay. She still had a bit of a fever when she woke up, so we kept up with the fever reducers until about noon on Sunday. She was acting like herself by then and had a great day with my parents at our house. You never would've known she'd been so sick the day prior.
We go to our own pediatrician for a recheck next Monday to see if her ears are healed. They seem to be, but what do I know? The kid never shows signs of an ear infection unless she's got a fever, which has only happened twice. She's acting like her normal happy self, though, so we assume it will be an easy visit.
(This was written over a week ago. The recheck was fine, but she still had some fluid in her right ear. We're going back in the middle of May to see if the fluid is still there. If it is, we'll be referred to an ENT.)
Saturday morning we made a trip to the zoo. During the early spring, the zoo doesn't open until 10 a.m., so we got there around 9:50 and waited at the gates. We were among only about 40 people waiting, so once inside we didn't see anyone else for awhile. It was a nice day--the sun was warm and the animals were out and active. It was actually the first zoo visit where Baby Girl was able to watch the animals and enjoy them. We saw Beco, the elephant, some monkeys, the fish (the aquarium was almost empty, so we didn't feel like we were going to lose her in the dark), the manatees, and some tigers. She loved it!
We left the zoo and headed to get some lunch because once we got home, it would be naptime. Of course, she fell asleep during the 10 minute drive to lunch, so we woke her up and took her in the restaurant to eat. She didn't seem really interested in eating, but we weren't concerned since she doesn't typically eat well at fast food restaurants. We got back in the car and The Hubby entertained her until we got home so she didn't fall asleep. She went down for her nap wtih no problems and off I went to meet a friend's new baby.
When I returned, Baby Girl was awake and had been crying for me. I picked her up and snuggled her a bit and realized that she was pretty warm. We couldn't find a thermometer with batteries, so we decided to take her to one of the clinics inside a pharmacy. We sat down and were looking at the information and discovered that they didn't accept our insurance. We didn't know how to find out if the other pharmacy clinics accept our insurance, so instead of going home we decided it made more sense to go to a clinic inside a grocery store a bit away that we knew would take our insurance. On the drive, we could tell she didn't feel good. She didn't talk, sing, or whine and we could hear her breathing was a bit fast and loud. We got there and there was one person being seen and another waiting.
Baby Girl was clingy and lethargic--something we'd only seen from her one other time, when she'd had a double ear infection (it was also the only other time she's had a fever). She sat on my lap (wouldn't go to Daddy) and snuggled with me. She's half-heartedly wave at the baby who was waiting with her mommy, but I could tell she wasn't herself. After we'd waited for about 30 minutes, I went and got her a snack and some water--we'd left the house without a diaper bag or anything. Good thing we were inside a grocery store.
While we were waiting, a few other people came in to see the nurse practitioner, including one couple that apparently had already signed in but needed to leave. They went to see her before we could. At this point I was starting to get a bit upset--couldn't these people see we had a sad, sick 19 month old???
Eventually we got in to see the NP. She took Baby Girl's temperature--101.5. She did an exam and, of course, found an ear infection. She kept looking up things in her tablet PC, making me feel a little uncomfortable. I know her specialty isn't pediatrics, though, so I suppose it's good that she's double-checking her thinking. She prescribed us Omnicef for her ear infection (what I was actually already on for my sinus infection) and then also a steroid for her breathing. I asked her to check her temp before we went and it had indeed gone up to 103.4. After paying, we immediately went out to the pharmacy area and picked her up some ibuprofen to bring her fever down.
We submitted the prescriptions and went to look for something for dinner. You see, this grocery store is a-may-zing. Seriously. The Hubby and I decided we could have a really great date night there. At a grocery store.
We went to the hot foods station and found some personal pizzas. We got pizzas for all of us and sat down to eat. Baby Girl wasn't really interested in eating, but did seem to perk up--she was chatty with some little girls at the next table. Eventually it was time to pick up the prescriptions and go home--we got home around 7:00, just in time to nurse her and put her to bed. She slept well overnight as we alternated Tylenol and ibuprofen to keep the fever at bay. She still had a bit of a fever when she woke up, so we kept up with the fever reducers until about noon on Sunday. She was acting like herself by then and had a great day with my parents at our house. You never would've known she'd been so sick the day prior.
We go to our own pediatrician for a recheck next Monday to see if her ears are healed. They seem to be, but what do I know? The kid never shows signs of an ear infection unless she's got a fever, which has only happened twice. She's acting like her normal happy self, though, so we assume it will be an easy visit.
(This was written over a week ago. The recheck was fine, but she still had some fluid in her right ear. We're going back in the middle of May to see if the fluid is still there. If it is, we'll be referred to an ENT.)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
20 Months
This month has been a big one developmentally for Baby Girl! It feels like she's grown and learned so much just in the last month.
Just this past weekend I discovered teeth #9 and #10 poking through, her top molars! She's still pretty behind, but that's okay. Hoping this will decrease the crankiness, but who knows...
Went to a Japanese steak house with Baby Girl for the first time and she really enjoyed it. She ate a TON of the food and didn't seem bothered by the fire. She just looked and said "fire". The chef was really nice and warned us and asked if it was okay to do the fire and interacted with the kids well (we went with a couple of good friends and their little boy).
I think morning nursing is done. Last weekend Baby Girl asked for oatmeal and didn't even ask for milk once she saw me. She was happy enough to read her book. The Hubby takes her on downstairs for oatmeal instead of having her nurse unless she asks for milk and now hasn't nursed in the morning since last Saturday. When she has nursed last week , she'd thrown an absolute fit when we "poly-ed" (as in rolly poly (how the heck do you spell that???)) from right to left. She'll point to righty and whine "miiiiillkkk". I have started to try to get excited about coming back for more with "lefty", so she'll say "efty" and doesn't get as upset now.
Baby Girl has started wanting to do things "self"--the most prevalent being the stairs. She wants to take them standing up and always tells us that she doesn't want help, so we just tell her we're spotting her as we stand down a step or two. She does a pretty good job all of a sudden--it definitely isn't something that we've pushed her to start doing.
We went through a period of waking between 4:45 and 5:30, which is too early on any morning. Once it was happening consistently, we knew something needed to change, so we pushed her bedtime back closer to 8:00. It cuts into our "us" time, but it's nice spending more time with her and feeling less rushed in the evenings. Maybe we'll actually start getting her bathed more often! This will be really useful once we get back outside and start jogging again. After changing her bedtime by just about a half hour, though, she started sleeping until close to 7:00, which is too late on weekdays! We're working on a happy medium :)
She's also been learning like crazy! She can count to 10 if we get her to say 4 after 3 (she likes to say 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 and gets stuck in a loop). She also suddenly knows pretty much all her colors about 85% of the time. She can tell us strings of letters (usually G through L) and can recognize letters (definitely E and O and some others some days).
We have to go bus-hunting some days. She LOVES busses and will point them out everywhere. And some days she'll get cranky if we don't see any, so I've told her they're all sleeping. So now when we see one, she'll say "wake!". So lucky we could find one that's awake.
Late this month Baby Girl has also started becoming more interested in the TV. We don't typically turn it on and they only watch it at the sitter's during drop-off, so she doesn't know many TV shows. She really likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and loved Spongebob until we pulled the plug on it. I will sometimes turn on Fresh Beat Band in the evening (it's hard to find cartoons at that time) and we'll watch Chuggington (about trains) On Demand sometimes. But generally it's just background noise while she's playing. More recently, though, she's actually sat on the couch and watched almost a full episode of Special Agent Oso or Handy Manny with me. She'll ask about her "toons" and we'll typically oblige.
Loves: Singing ("Happy Birthday", "Pider" (Itsy Bitsy Spider), "Happy" (If You're Happy and You Know It), "Bus" (The Wheels on the Bus), dancing (we have regular dance parties now, especially to Glee music), bathtime, vegetables (multiple times this week she's asked for more corn, peas, green beans, carrots, and broccoli), cookies, "toast" (bread), Mommy, Daddy, babies, friends, hugs, kisses (she even makes the little smacking sound now--adorable!), jammies, animal sounds, counting, letters, colors, busses, jumping on the couch, walking
Dislikes: Not getting her way, not having Mommy or Daddy's attention, cow milk (she doesn't hate it, but definitely doesn't drink it like water), some meats sometimes, riding in the car, being strapped into a stroller
Just this past weekend I discovered teeth #9 and #10 poking through, her top molars! She's still pretty behind, but that's okay. Hoping this will decrease the crankiness, but who knows...
Went to a Japanese steak house with Baby Girl for the first time and she really enjoyed it. She ate a TON of the food and didn't seem bothered by the fire. She just looked and said "fire". The chef was really nice and warned us and asked if it was okay to do the fire and interacted with the kids well (we went with a couple of good friends and their little boy).
I think morning nursing is done. Last weekend Baby Girl asked for oatmeal and didn't even ask for milk once she saw me. She was happy enough to read her book. The Hubby takes her on downstairs for oatmeal instead of having her nurse unless she asks for milk and now hasn't nursed in the morning since last Saturday. When she has nursed last week , she'd thrown an absolute fit when we "poly-ed" (as in rolly poly (how the heck do you spell that???)) from right to left. She'll point to righty and whine "miiiiillkkk". I have started to try to get excited about coming back for more with "lefty", so she'll say "efty" and doesn't get as upset now.
Baby Girl has started wanting to do things "self"--the most prevalent being the stairs. She wants to take them standing up and always tells us that she doesn't want help, so we just tell her we're spotting her as we stand down a step or two. She does a pretty good job all of a sudden--it definitely isn't something that we've pushed her to start doing.
We went through a period of waking between 4:45 and 5:30, which is too early on any morning. Once it was happening consistently, we knew something needed to change, so we pushed her bedtime back closer to 8:00. It cuts into our "us" time, but it's nice spending more time with her and feeling less rushed in the evenings. Maybe we'll actually start getting her bathed more often! This will be really useful once we get back outside and start jogging again. After changing her bedtime by just about a half hour, though, she started sleeping until close to 7:00, which is too late on weekdays! We're working on a happy medium :)
She's also been learning like crazy! She can count to 10 if we get her to say 4 after 3 (she likes to say 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 and gets stuck in a loop). She also suddenly knows pretty much all her colors about 85% of the time. She can tell us strings of letters (usually G through L) and can recognize letters (definitely E and O and some others some days).
We have to go bus-hunting some days. She LOVES busses and will point them out everywhere. And some days she'll get cranky if we don't see any, so I've told her they're all sleeping. So now when we see one, she'll say "wake!". So lucky we could find one that's awake.
Late this month Baby Girl has also started becoming more interested in the TV. We don't typically turn it on and they only watch it at the sitter's during drop-off, so she doesn't know many TV shows. She really likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and loved Spongebob until we pulled the plug on it. I will sometimes turn on Fresh Beat Band in the evening (it's hard to find cartoons at that time) and we'll watch Chuggington (about trains) On Demand sometimes. But generally it's just background noise while she's playing. More recently, though, she's actually sat on the couch and watched almost a full episode of Special Agent Oso or Handy Manny with me. She'll ask about her "toons" and we'll typically oblige.
Loves: Singing ("Happy Birthday", "Pider" (Itsy Bitsy Spider), "Happy" (If You're Happy and You Know It), "Bus" (The Wheels on the Bus), dancing (we have regular dance parties now, especially to Glee music), bathtime, vegetables (multiple times this week she's asked for more corn, peas, green beans, carrots, and broccoli), cookies, "toast" (bread), Mommy, Daddy, babies, friends, hugs, kisses (she even makes the little smacking sound now--adorable!), jammies, animal sounds, counting, letters, colors, busses, jumping on the couch, walking
Dislikes: Not getting her way, not having Mommy or Daddy's attention, cow milk (she doesn't hate it, but definitely doesn't drink it like water), some meats sometimes, riding in the car, being strapped into a stroller
Grocery Shopping Trip 3/27/2011
(I had scheduled this to post on Monday, but obviously that didn't happen...)
Simply Potato* = $1.59
2 Birds Eye Frozen Veggies* = $2.49 x 2 = $4.98
- $0.50/2 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
2 Birds Eye Steamer Veggies = $1.99 + $2.49* = $4.48 (for some reason the $1.99 didn't count for the deal)
- $0.50/2 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
2 Green Giant Frozen Veggies = $2.19 x 2 = $2.38
Dannon Yogurt 4-pack* = $1.99
- $0.40 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.20
Heluva Chip Dip* = $1.99
8 Ronzoni Pastas (see footnote about this)* = $0.99 x 8 = $7.92
- $1/2 x 4 = -$4
2 Wheat Thins Sticks* = $2.49 x 2 = $4.98
- $1 x 2 = -$2
6 Vitamin Water* = $0.99 x 6 = $5.94
Franks Wing Sauce* = $2.89
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
2 Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese* = $2.59 x 2 = $5.18
- $0.50 x 2 x 3 (tripled) = -$3
3 Annie's Mac & Cheese* = $0.99 x 3 = $2.97
3 Fruity & Cocoa Pebbled Treats* = $2.49 x 3 = $7.47
- $0.50 x 3 x 3 (tripled) = -$4.50
Onion Soup Mix = $1.29
SuperPretzel = $2.29
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
Cascadian Farms Granola Bar = $2.49
2 Fiber One Bars = $2.50 x 2 = $5
- $0.50 x 2 x 3 (tripled) = -$3
Nature Valley Granola Bars = $2.50
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) - $0.50 (e-coupon) = -$2
Kroger Granola Bars (The Hubby requested granola bars...guess he got them!) = $1.99
Pampers Wipes = $2.49
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) - $1 (e-coupon) = -$2.50
3 Dole Fruit Cups = $2.50 x 3 = $7.50
- $0.50 x 3 x 3 = -$4.50
Kroger Taco Seasoning = $0.47
Kroger Fajita Seasoning = $0.79
Reach Floss = $1.49
- $0.50 x 3 = -$1.50
Buitoni Refrigerated Pasta = $3.99
- $1 - $3.99 (e-coupon) = -$4.99
Baby Carrots = $1.89
Carefree Pantyliners = $2.42
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
Dole Mandarin Oranges (large jar) = $2.51
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
Kroger pretzels = $1
Pop Tarts = $2.12
- $1 = -$1
2 Franks Hot Sauce = $1.69 x 2 = $3.38
- $0.50 x 2 x 3 = -$3
Kroger frozen veggies = $1
Kroger raisins = $2.78
Kroger 1/2 gallon milk = $1.25
Kroger long-grain brown rice = $0.99
2 Navel Oranges = $1
Gerber Baby Juice = $2.18
Kroger Whipped Cream (manager's special...love this stuff) = !.99
Stove Top Stuffing = $2.39
- $0.50 x 3 = -$1.50
Pringles RF Chips = $2.99
5 lbs Chicken Breast = $9.27
1.19 lbs Sweet Onions = $1.15
Aunt Millie's Bread = $1.99
- $0.55 x 2 = -$1.10
Head of cabbage = $1.39
Grapes = $2.03
Mushrooms = $1
Bell Pepper = $1.25
Bananas = $1.80
Coke = $3.34
- $15 Mega Event
Over $180 before coupons and $74 after coupons and discounts.
You can see from this list what my problem is...impulse buys. My grocery list is always short, but then I have on there "snacks". We pack all lunches, so I need things to pack, but never decide until I'm at the grocery store. This is something I'm going to work on. Everything was a great deal...but it would be a better deal if I didn't pay anything for it! This is something I always try to keep in mind and it did keep me from buying even more stuff!
Simply Potato* = $1.59
2 Birds Eye Frozen Veggies* = $2.49 x 2 = $4.98
- $0.50/2 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
2 Birds Eye Steamer Veggies = $1.99 + $2.49* = $4.48 (for some reason the $1.99 didn't count for the deal)
- $0.50/2 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
2 Green Giant Frozen Veggies = $2.19 x 2 = $2.38
Dannon Yogurt 4-pack* = $1.99
- $0.40 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.20
Heluva Chip Dip* = $1.99
8 Ronzoni Pastas (see footnote about this)* = $0.99 x 8 = $7.92
- $1/2 x 4 = -$4
2 Wheat Thins Sticks* = $2.49 x 2 = $4.98
- $1 x 2 = -$2
6 Vitamin Water* = $0.99 x 6 = $5.94
Franks Wing Sauce* = $2.89
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
2 Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese* = $2.59 x 2 = $5.18
- $0.50 x 2 x 3 (tripled) = -$3
3 Annie's Mac & Cheese* = $0.99 x 3 = $2.97
3 Fruity & Cocoa Pebbled Treats* = $2.49 x 3 = $7.47
- $0.50 x 3 x 3 (tripled) = -$4.50
Onion Soup Mix = $1.29
SuperPretzel = $2.29
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
Cascadian Farms Granola Bar = $2.49
2 Fiber One Bars = $2.50 x 2 = $5
- $0.50 x 2 x 3 (tripled) = -$3
Nature Valley Granola Bars = $2.50
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) - $0.50 (e-coupon) = -$2
Kroger Granola Bars (The Hubby requested granola bars...guess he got them!) = $1.99
Pampers Wipes = $2.49
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) - $1 (e-coupon) = -$2.50
3 Dole Fruit Cups = $2.50 x 3 = $7.50
- $0.50 x 3 x 3 = -$4.50
Kroger Taco Seasoning = $0.47
Kroger Fajita Seasoning = $0.79
Reach Floss = $1.49
- $0.50 x 3 = -$1.50
Buitoni Refrigerated Pasta = $3.99
- $1 - $3.99 (e-coupon) = -$4.99
Baby Carrots = $1.89
Carefree Pantyliners = $2.42
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
Dole Mandarin Oranges (large jar) = $2.51
- $0.50 x 3 (tripled) = -$1.50
Kroger pretzels = $1
Pop Tarts = $2.12
- $1 = -$1
2 Franks Hot Sauce = $1.69 x 2 = $3.38
- $0.50 x 2 x 3 = -$3
Kroger frozen veggies = $1
Kroger raisins = $2.78
Kroger 1/2 gallon milk = $1.25
Kroger long-grain brown rice = $0.99
2 Navel Oranges = $1
Gerber Baby Juice = $2.18
Kroger Whipped Cream (manager's special...love this stuff) = !.99
Stove Top Stuffing = $2.39
- $0.50 x 3 = -$1.50
Pringles RF Chips = $2.99
5 lbs Chicken Breast = $9.27
1.19 lbs Sweet Onions = $1.15
Aunt Millie's Bread = $1.99
- $0.55 x 2 = -$1.10
Head of cabbage = $1.39
Grapes = $2.03
Mushrooms = $1
Bell Pepper = $1.25
Bananas = $1.80
Coke = $3.34
- $15 Mega Event
Over $180 before coupons and $74 after coupons and discounts.
You can see from this list what my problem is...impulse buys. My grocery list is always short, but then I have on there "snacks". We pack all lunches, so I need things to pack, but never decide until I'm at the grocery store. This is something I'm going to work on. Everything was a great deal...but it would be a better deal if I didn't pay anything for it! This is something I always try to keep in mind and it did keep me from buying even more stuff!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Grocery Trip - 3/20/2011
18 boxes of Ronzoni SmartTaste Pasta: $0.99 x 18 = $17.82
- $1/2 x 9= -$9
5 boxes of Annie's Mac & Cheese: $0.99 x 5 = $4.95
2 pkgs Dole Fruit Crisps: $2.49 x 2 = $4.98
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) x 2 coupons = -$3
3 boxes Rice a Roni & 1 box Pasta Roni: $1.29 x 4 = $5.16
Buy 3 Get 1 Free = -$2 (automatically deducted this)
Sargento String Cheese: $4.99
- $0.40 x 2 (doubled) = -$0.80
Heluva Chip Dip: $1.99
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) = -$1.50
2 tubs Philly Cooking Creme: $2.79 x 2 = $5.58
B1G1F and a free coupon, which both deducted $2.99 (original price) + $0.75 e-coupon: -$6.73
2 Reese's Mini Cups + 1 Almond Joy + 1 York Peppermint Patty = $2.49 x 4 = $9.96
- $2/2 x 2 = $4
1 Powerade Zero (my favorite filler) = $0.99
Dannon Yogurt 4-pack = $1.99
2 French's Spicy Brown Mustard = $1.69 x 2 = $3.38
- $0.50 x 2 x 2 coupons - $0.50 e-coupon = -$2.50
------End of items that are part of March to Savings event------
Kroger Pretzels (Baby Girl's lunch) = $1
Lay's Chips (wanted something to go with dip) = $1.99
7 bags Kroger Frozen Veggies = $1 x 7 = $7
Kroger Natural Peanut Butter (part of my breakfast daily) = $1.79
Kroger 1/2 gallon milk = $1.25
Kroger Pretzel Braids (for my own lunch) = $1
Betty Crocker Cake Mix (impulse buy...) = $2.69
Smoked Chicken Sausages = $3
Marzetti Yogurt Veggie Dip = $2.50
Some coupon...
KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce = $2.39
Muir Glen Tomato Paste = $1.59
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) = -$1.50
2 Voskos Yogurt = $1.69 x 2 = $3.38
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) x 2 - $0.75 e-coupon = -$3.75
Pop Chips (impulse buy....)= $1.19
Pillsbury Pizza Crust & French Bread (Manager's Special) = $1.49 x 2 = $2.98
- $0.40 x 2 = -$0.80
Kroger Tortillas = $1.19
Kroger Buns = $1.39
Kroger Bread = $1.79
2 Navel Oranges = $0.33 x 2 = $0.67 (must've been $1/3)
Red Bell Pepper = $1.50
Yellow Bell Pepper = $1.25
Strawberries (which later got returned because they were moldy in the middle) = $1.67
1.91 lb Grapes = $0.97 x 1.91 = $1.85
3.06 lb Sweet Onions = $0.97 x 3.06 = $2.97
1.68 lb Bananas = $0.54 x 1.68 = $0.91
-$20 for Mega Event
- $0.50 - $2 -$1.50....no idea what these were for :)
Grand total.....$54.01
Yes, I actually spent a lot more than I'd hoped since I didn't buy much meat or much produce. The string cheese was the only really pricy thing I got. But I have A LOT of food on the shelves in the basement, ready for use. One of these weeks I'm going to have to do a pantry challenge--someone tell Kroger to stop having these great deals!
When I add up everything I bought that was used this past week, I get about $35, so under $20 for all the additional stuff that WILL get used in our house is a pretty good deal, I think. But I also think you all give me too much credit. I'm good and organized...but not THAT good!
- $1/2 x 9= -$9
5 boxes of Annie's Mac & Cheese: $0.99 x 5 = $4.95
2 pkgs Dole Fruit Crisps: $2.49 x 2 = $4.98
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) x 2 coupons = -$3
3 boxes Rice a Roni & 1 box Pasta Roni: $1.29 x 4 = $5.16
Buy 3 Get 1 Free = -$2 (automatically deducted this)
Sargento String Cheese: $4.99
- $0.40 x 2 (doubled) = -$0.80
Heluva Chip Dip: $1.99
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) = -$1.50
2 tubs Philly Cooking Creme: $2.79 x 2 = $5.58
B1G1F and a free coupon, which both deducted $2.99 (original price) + $0.75 e-coupon: -$6.73
2 Reese's Mini Cups + 1 Almond Joy + 1 York Peppermint Patty = $2.49 x 4 = $9.96
- $2/2 x 2 = $4
1 Powerade Zero (my favorite filler) = $0.99
Dannon Yogurt 4-pack = $1.99
2 French's Spicy Brown Mustard = $1.69 x 2 = $3.38
- $0.50 x 2 x 2 coupons - $0.50 e-coupon = -$2.50
------End of items that are part of March to Savings event------
Kroger Pretzels (Baby Girl's lunch) = $1
Lay's Chips (wanted something to go with dip) = $1.99
7 bags Kroger Frozen Veggies = $1 x 7 = $7
Kroger Natural Peanut Butter (part of my breakfast daily) = $1.79
Kroger 1/2 gallon milk = $1.25
Kroger Pretzel Braids (for my own lunch) = $1
Betty Crocker Cake Mix (impulse buy...) = $2.69
Smoked Chicken Sausages = $3
Marzetti Yogurt Veggie Dip = $2.50
Some coupon...
KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce = $2.39
Muir Glen Tomato Paste = $1.59
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) = -$1.50
2 Voskos Yogurt = $1.69 x 2 = $3.38
- $0.75 x 2 (doubled) x 2 - $0.75 e-coupon = -$3.75
Pop Chips (impulse buy....)= $1.19
Pillsbury Pizza Crust & French Bread (Manager's Special) = $1.49 x 2 = $2.98
- $0.40 x 2 = -$0.80
Kroger Tortillas = $1.19
Kroger Buns = $1.39
Kroger Bread = $1.79
2 Navel Oranges = $0.33 x 2 = $0.67 (must've been $1/3)
Red Bell Pepper = $1.50
Yellow Bell Pepper = $1.25
Strawberries (which later got returned because they were moldy in the middle) = $1.67
1.91 lb Grapes = $0.97 x 1.91 = $1.85
3.06 lb Sweet Onions = $0.97 x 3.06 = $2.97
1.68 lb Bananas = $0.54 x 1.68 = $0.91
-$20 for Mega Event
- $0.50 - $2 -$1.50....no idea what these were for :)
Grand total.....$54.01
Yes, I actually spent a lot more than I'd hoped since I didn't buy much meat or much produce. The string cheese was the only really pricy thing I got. But I have A LOT of food on the shelves in the basement, ready for use. One of these weeks I'm going to have to do a pantry challenge--someone tell Kroger to stop having these great deals!
When I add up everything I bought that was used this past week, I get about $35, so under $20 for all the additional stuff that WILL get used in our house is a pretty good deal, I think. But I also think you all give me too much credit. I'm good and organized...but not THAT good!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Partial giveaway results
I'm sorry, y'all...I've been neglectful. But the good news is that a winner has been identified and contacted. Tricia was the winner of the giveaway and her coupons were put in the mail yesterday! I hope you enjoy, Tricia!
Reasons for my neglect:
1) Busy times at work
2) No laptop power cord at home
3) No energy at any time...the kid has been waking between 4:45 and 5:15 every morning for weeks and we have no idea why. We think the bottom 2-year molars are imminent, but they haven't poked through yet and if they're anything like her other teeth, they will take a few more months to completely come in. We tried feeding her more last night and we've tried getting her to bed earlier and later with no difference. She transitioned during the time change just fine, but now here we are.
4) I want to type up my entire transaction at the grocery...and I just don't have the time. But the receipt goes everywhere with me and today or tomorrow I WILL type it up and show you what I did. But it's not nearly as impressive as you all seem to think it will be. You ALL were way under in your guesses.
But I'm going to leave you in suspense for now what my actual total was...because I feel like it merits an explanation.
Reasons for my neglect:
1) Busy times at work
2) No laptop power cord at home
3) No energy at any time...the kid has been waking between 4:45 and 5:15 every morning for weeks and we have no idea why. We think the bottom 2-year molars are imminent, but they haven't poked through yet and if they're anything like her other teeth, they will take a few more months to completely come in. We tried feeding her more last night and we've tried getting her to bed earlier and later with no difference. She transitioned during the time change just fine, but now here we are.
4) I want to type up my entire transaction at the grocery...and I just don't have the time. But the receipt goes everywhere with me and today or tomorrow I WILL type it up and show you what I did. But it's not nearly as impressive as you all seem to think it will be. You ALL were way under in your guesses.
But I'm going to leave you in suspense for now what my actual total was...because I feel like it merits an explanation.
Monday, March 21, 2011
GIVEAWAY!
Okay, so it's not *that* exciting of a giveaway. But it could be for you! I'm giving away 10 coupons for Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta--they're $1 off 2 boxes. This normally isn't a great coupon, but it is when Ronzoni is essentially $0.49 apiece! With these coupons, you could get TWENTY free boxes of pasta!
Unfortunately, I can only offer this giveaway for people local to Central Ohio because I want to make sure I can get the coupons to you before the end of the week. I'm going to end the giveaway Wednesday, March 23rd at 10 a.m. so I can get the coupons in the mail on Wednesday--hopefully that'll get them to you by Friday.
The way you can enter: Look at the picture below and tell me how much you think I spent on the food in the picture.
The closest guess (you can go over--we're not going Price Is Right style) will get the coupons! There are a few tricky things in there that weren't part of a deal to throw you off :)
Make sure your entry has a good way to contact you (you can either put your email address in the comment or make sure your email address is in your user profile) so I can contact you for your mailing address so I can put these in the mail on Wednesday!
Good luck!
Unfortunately, I can only offer this giveaway for people local to Central Ohio because I want to make sure I can get the coupons to you before the end of the week. I'm going to end the giveaway Wednesday, March 23rd at 10 a.m. so I can get the coupons in the mail on Wednesday--hopefully that'll get them to you by Friday.
The way you can enter: Look at the picture below and tell me how much you think I spent on the food in the picture.
The closest guess (you can go over--we're not going Price Is Right style) will get the coupons! There are a few tricky things in there that weren't part of a deal to throw you off :)
Make sure your entry has a good way to contact you (you can either put your email address in the comment or make sure your email address is in your user profile) so I can contact you for your mailing address so I can put these in the mail on Wednesday!
Good luck!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Amazed
I always thought of this song in the context of a romantic relationship, but for the first time tonight I started thinking about my little girl:
And then she'd get silly. She'd decide it was time to climb on Mommy and jump on my belly.
Then she'd grab a tissue, ball it up, hold it to her nose and say "HONNNNNK", giggle and say "Daddy", because that's how Daddy blows his nose. But then she came over to let me blow my nose. And then she pressed the tissue to my ears, my knees, my feet, my back, my chin, my nose, my eyeballs, my hair, naming each one as she went, and said, "HONNNNNNNK". Then she helped Minnie blow her nose.
And I just laid there. Watching. Amazed. Watched as she tooted and said, "toot!" Watched as her tower of blocks toppled and she'd just start anew, unfazed. Watched as she found an old fishy under the edge of the couch and ate it (whoops....). Watched as she laid her head down on the same pillow as mine. Watched as she gently came over, laid down, and wrapped her arms around my neck and said, "hug".
I watched her hair that has a very slight curl, especially after being in the rain today. I watched those eyes, so full of wonder, light, and excitement. I watched those fingers, still so very small, but so much bigger than they used to be. Watched those lips form words. Words that are far beyond her age.
She just amazes me. It's so hard for me to believe that this little person came from ME. She's so incredibly beautiful, so smart, so sweet. I'm so very blessed to have her in my life and cannot help but be amazed by her. Baby, I'm completely amazed by you.
Every little thing that you doI just laid on the floor this evening, watching her play with her blocks. She kept repeating "Really. Tall." (because she still doesn't really string together phrases--they're all separate words). Then she'd randomly list people she knows. "Grandma. Papaw. Grandma. Pots. Mommy. Daddy."
Baby, I'm amazed by you
And then she'd get silly. She'd decide it was time to climb on Mommy and jump on my belly.
Then she'd grab a tissue, ball it up, hold it to her nose and say "HONNNNNK", giggle and say "Daddy", because that's how Daddy blows his nose. But then she came over to let me blow my nose. And then she pressed the tissue to my ears, my knees, my feet, my back, my chin, my nose, my eyeballs, my hair, naming each one as she went, and said, "HONNNNNNNK". Then she helped Minnie blow her nose.
And I just laid there. Watching. Amazed. Watched as she tooted and said, "toot!" Watched as her tower of blocks toppled and she'd just start anew, unfazed. Watched as she found an old fishy under the edge of the couch and ate it (whoops....). Watched as she laid her head down on the same pillow as mine. Watched as she gently came over, laid down, and wrapped her arms around my neck and said, "hug".
I watched her hair that has a very slight curl, especially after being in the rain today. I watched those eyes, so full of wonder, light, and excitement. I watched those fingers, still so very small, but so much bigger than they used to be. Watched those lips form words. Words that are far beyond her age.
She just amazes me. It's so hard for me to believe that this little person came from ME. She's so incredibly beautiful, so smart, so sweet. I'm so very blessed to have her in my life and cannot help but be amazed by her. Baby, I'm completely amazed by you.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thrifty Thursday: My Grocery Planning
(Yes, this is called Thrifty Thursday....but it took me a couple of days to compile, so you're getting it on Friday. Hopefully some of you weekend shoppers can still make use of it since Kroger's deals run Monday through Sunday around central Ohio. Also, you'll be glad it took me a few days since I found some unadvertised freebies in the March to Savings Event!)
I thought I would walk through my process for grocery planning with you all so you can see how I generally do things. And if you have any suggestions to make the process better, please let me know!
First I look at our meal list from the previous week and see if there's anything we didn't eat and if all the ingredients are still good. If we didn't eat a meal, we'll usually have it early the next week and I'll pick up any replacement ingredients if necessary.
Next I look around at foods that we have that will be spoiling soon and consider how I can use them in a meal. Sometimes it's something as small as sour cream, sometimes it's meat, sometimes it's produce.
When looking at the weekly ad, I first look for meat deals. This week (3/14-3/20) Kroger has the following meats on sale:
Here is the blog I typically use for my Kroger deals: Deal Seeking Mom (sometimes her prices differ from mine, so I've started comparing my ad to the prices she lists)
These are the best deals that I've found for this coming week:
FREE after coupons and instant savings (the price I list is BEFORE coupons or instant savings):
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, San Giorgio, or Smart Taste Pasta: $0.99
Coupons: $1/2 printable HERE and HERE
$1/2 SS 1/23/11
Pedigree Dog Food: $0.99
B2G1 printable coupon on coupons.com
BOGO RP 3/6/11
The “free” price when entering coupons should be $0.99. So you could use one BOGO: $1.98 for two - $0.99 = $0.99 then subtract $0.50 for each item for the promotion and you actually make $0.02.
Dole Fruit Crisps: $1.99
$0.75/1 SS 1/9/11
(And here are these unadvertised freebies)
Heluva Good Dips: $1.49
Printable coupon HERE for $0.50/1
Frank's Red Hot (12 oz): $1.99
$0.75/1 SS 1/23/11
Printable coupon HERE for $0.50/1 (this would make the final price $0.49)
---------------------
Cheap (remember to take $0.50 off the price when you buy 10 participating items):
Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni: $1.29
B3G1 RP 1/2/11
$0.27 ea when you buy 4 after coupon and instant savings
Hershey’s Pieces, Drops, or Reese’s Minis Candy (The Hubby loves these): $2.49
$2/2 SS 1/30/11
$0.99 ea when you buy 2 after coupon and instant savings
Dannon Yogurt: $1.99
$1 DanActive SS 3/6/11
Philadelphia Cooking Crème: $2.49
$1.50 SS 3/6/11
Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch: $0.99
Annie’s Mac & Cheese: $0.99
Del Monte Tomatoes: $1.19
Tombstone Pizza: $2.99
Fuze, Vitamin Water, SmartWater: $0.99
Powerade: $1
---------------------------------------------
Voskos Yogurt (found in the Organic section): $1.69 regular price
$0.75 printable on coupons.com
Kroger Frozen Veggies: $1 (I have seen these for $0.88 each, but this is a decent price--regular price is $1.19, I think)
A lot of these items are more for snacks, but I make note of the Philadelphia Cooking Creme and all the pasta and will keep those in mind when determining a meal plan for the week.
The last thing I look for in the ad is produce. Meat and produce drive my meal plans for the week (although I'm currently at the point where our deep freezer is full of meat so I'll only buy it if it's on a crazy sale or I find some on manager's special). The best produce deal I found was red, yellow, and orange bell peppers for $1.25 apiece.
Now I take all the pieces I have--look at the cheapest meats, cheapest produce, what I have in my kitchen already, and formulate a plan. If I really want to use up something but don't know how, I visit All Recipes and use their Ingredient Search to find meals using my ingredients. You can save recipes in a recipe box there as well.
Edited to add: I forgot to mention that once I have my grocery list in place, I go to Coupon Mom and look for coupons from any brand for the items I need to make my meals and clip or print the necessary coupons.
Once it's made, I'll post my grocery list and my meal plan for the week (this time before Monday) so you can see how it all comes together.
How do you do your groceries and meal plans? What do you think of my preferred method? Any suggestions for improvement?
Has it been helpful to see Kroger's deals? I go through them weekly, so would it help you for me to compile them here?
I thought I would walk through my process for grocery planning with you all so you can see how I generally do things. And if you have any suggestions to make the process better, please let me know!
First I look at our meal list from the previous week and see if there's anything we didn't eat and if all the ingredients are still good. If we didn't eat a meal, we'll usually have it early the next week and I'll pick up any replacement ingredients if necessary.
Next I look around at foods that we have that will be spoiling soon and consider how I can use them in a meal. Sometimes it's something as small as sour cream, sometimes it's meat, sometimes it's produce.
Then I go to the Kroger website to view their weekly ad. I know some people aren't convinced that Kroger is better than Giant Eagle, but it works for us. The fuel perks work better for us and the food is definitely cheaper for the things that we buy. If I wanted to do shopping at more than one store (which I'll do for a great sale), I'd probably hit up Aldi. But with my time being valuable as well, I usually just shop at Kroger.
When looking at the weekly ad, I first look for meat deals. This week (3/14-3/20) Kroger has the following meats on sale:
As I'm looking at the meats, I realize Kroger is running (another) promo where you buy a certain number of items and get a dollar amount off your order immediately. This time it's buy 10 items and get $5, essentially taking $0.50 off each item when you buy any factor of 10. When I see promos like this, I usually seek out a blog that covers Kroger deals because they've already done the coupon match-ups for the promo. I look for things I use on a regular basis (no use paying for something you won't use) or for items that are free or money-makers.
These are the best deals that I've found for this coming week:
FREE after coupons and instant savings (the price I list is BEFORE coupons or instant savings):
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest, San Giorgio, or Smart Taste Pasta: $0.99
Coupons: $1/2 printable HERE and HERE
$1/2 SS 1/23/11
Pedigree Dog Food: $0.99
B2G1 printable coupon on coupons.com
BOGO RP 3/6/11
The “free” price when entering coupons should be $0.99. So you could use one BOGO: $1.98 for two - $0.99 = $0.99 then subtract $0.50 for each item for the promotion and you actually make $0.02.
Dole Fruit Crisps: $1.99
$0.75/1 SS 1/9/11
(And here are these unadvertised freebies)
Heluva Good Dips: $1.49
Printable coupon HERE for $0.50/1
Frank's Red Hot (12 oz): $1.99
$0.75/1 SS 1/23/11
Printable coupon HERE for $0.50/1 (this would make the final price $0.49)
---------------------
Cheap (remember to take $0.50 off the price when you buy 10 participating items):
Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni: $1.29
B3G1 RP 1/2/11
$0.27 ea when you buy 4 after coupon and instant savings
Hershey’s Pieces, Drops, or Reese’s Minis Candy (The Hubby loves these): $2.49
$2/2 SS 1/30/11
$0.99 ea when you buy 2 after coupon and instant savings
Dannon Yogurt: $1.99
$1 DanActive SS 3/6/11
Philadelphia Cooking Crème: $2.49
$1.50 SS 3/6/11
Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch: $0.99
Annie’s Mac & Cheese: $0.99
Del Monte Tomatoes: $1.19
Tombstone Pizza: $2.99
Fuze, Vitamin Water, SmartWater: $0.99
Powerade: $1
---------------------------------------------
Voskos Yogurt (found in the Organic section): $1.69 regular price
$0.75 printable on coupons.com
Kroger Frozen Veggies: $1 (I have seen these for $0.88 each, but this is a decent price--regular price is $1.19, I think)
A lot of these items are more for snacks, but I make note of the Philadelphia Cooking Creme and all the pasta and will keep those in mind when determining a meal plan for the week.
The last thing I look for in the ad is produce. Meat and produce drive my meal plans for the week (although I'm currently at the point where our deep freezer is full of meat so I'll only buy it if it's on a crazy sale or I find some on manager's special). The best produce deal I found was red, yellow, and orange bell peppers for $1.25 apiece.
Now I take all the pieces I have--look at the cheapest meats, cheapest produce, what I have in my kitchen already, and formulate a plan. If I really want to use up something but don't know how, I visit All Recipes and use their Ingredient Search to find meals using my ingredients. You can save recipes in a recipe box there as well.
Edited to add: I forgot to mention that once I have my grocery list in place, I go to Coupon Mom and look for coupons from any brand for the items I need to make my meals and clip or print the necessary coupons.
Once it's made, I'll post my grocery list and my meal plan for the week (this time before Monday) so you can see how it all comes together.
How do you do your groceries and meal plans? What do you think of my preferred method? Any suggestions for improvement?
Has it been helpful to see Kroger's deals? I go through them weekly, so would it help you for me to compile them here?
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Donald's Duck Farm
Baby Girl has a newfound love for Old MacDonald. It's on a CD that we listen to in the car and she has really started to understand the format (insert animal name, then insert animal sounds). Yesterday we were on the way home and she said, "Donald?" I asked if she wanted to sing Old MacDonald and she said "yeah". So I started singing:
Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o
And on his farm he had a....
DUCK!
e-i-e-i-o
With a....
[insert demented duck sound here...if you've ever heard her quack, you know what I mean]
We finished the verse and began the next:
Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o
And on his farm he had a....
DUCK!!!
(seriously? Okay, we'll do duck again....)
We finished the verse and began again. And again she wanted to sing about the duck. I suggested maybe we sing about a cow and she cried. The Hubby suggested a sheep. Then a pig. Then a giraffe. Then a horse. More tears each time.
So we sang about Old MacDonald and his ducks for about 15 minutes (which is a long time to sing the same song over and over, especially when it's only so long).
Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o
And on his farm he had a....
DUCK!
e-i-e-i-o
With a....
[insert demented duck sound here...if you've ever heard her quack, you know what I mean]
We finished the verse and began the next:
Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o
And on his farm he had a....
DUCK!!!
(seriously? Okay, we'll do duck again....)
We finished the verse and began again. And again she wanted to sing about the duck. I suggested maybe we sing about a cow and she cried. The Hubby suggested a sheep. Then a pig. Then a giraffe. Then a horse. More tears each time.
So we sang about Old MacDonald and his ducks for about 15 minutes (which is a long time to sing the same song over and over, especially when it's only so long).
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Thrifty Thursday?
Because so much of my life and time revolve around saving money (both out of pleasure and necessity), I would like to bring back Thrifty Thursday. I would, however, like to hear from YOU, my readers, what you'd like me to discuss. Would you like some current deals (online? brick & mortar stores?)? Grocery sales? General dealing tips? Most of my blogging is really for myself, but this feature would be for YOU.
I love sharing tips for saving money to as many people as possible--it PAINS me to see people paying full price for things at the grocery store. So please talk back and let me know what you'd like to hear about!
For any of you who have missed this feature, here are a few of the past Thrifty Thursday entries:
Making Money
Online Coupon Resources
Buy BEFORE You Need It
I love sharing tips for saving money to as many people as possible--it PAINS me to see people paying full price for things at the grocery store. So please talk back and let me know what you'd like to hear about!
For any of you who have missed this feature, here are a few of the past Thrifty Thursday entries:
Making Money
Online Coupon Resources
Buy BEFORE You Need It
Monday, March 14, 2011
Meal Plan: 3/13-3/19
I've been under the weather since last Thursday, but am hoping by Wednesday of this week we can get back outside (it's supposed to be in the mid-60s by the end of the week!) and get back into our workout routine. I might try to push and Shred tonight, but we'll see. I may just take one more day to rest.
Sunday: Chipotle (had to use up that buy one get one coupon!)
Monday: Whole chicken (cooked in Tupperware microwave cooker), rice, broccoli
Tuesday: Salsafied chicken--an old favorite
Wednesday: Tamale Pie (leftover from last week--we didn't cook on Saturday as we'd planned)
Thursday: American Chop Suey
Friday: BBQ Chicken Braid
Saturday: Chicken Pot Pie
Sunday: Chipotle (had to use up that buy one get one coupon!)
Monday: Whole chicken (cooked in Tupperware microwave cooker), rice, broccoli
Tuesday: Salsafied chicken--an old favorite
Wednesday: Tamale Pie (leftover from last week--we didn't cook on Saturday as we'd planned)
Thursday: American Chop Suey
Friday: BBQ Chicken Braid
Saturday: Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Our Plan for Health
Sunday, February 27th, The Hubby and I started began our plan when we made our meal plans for the week. We decided it was time to do something about the extra weight we are both carrying around (I first mentioned this plan here).
Essentially, the plan is to do the Couch to 5K program three nights a week, weather permitting (since we have to take Baby Girl with us if we want to do it together (except this past Sunday--my parents were in town and watched her while we went out)). We're looking at the weather forecast on Sunday to determine which nights we think we'll jog and planning on slow cooker meals for those nights (since I barely had enough time to cook dinner after we got home before Baby Girl went to bed). Then all other nights we're planning to do The 30 Day Shred.
The Shred has three parts to it and is intended to be done every single day for 30 days (aha....thus the "30 DAY Shred"....). Each part should be done for ten days straight. We're trying to decide if we'll do each part ten times, switch after a couple of weeks, or just play it by ear. Right now Part 1 is free On Demand through our cable provider (thanks to Sara for pointing this out!) and you can download each part for $1.99 on Amazon Video.
This is what this has looked like so far:
I'm not changing how I eat, as I really do eat pretty reasonably. I feel like I should, but am afraid of cutting my precious milk supply and also am afraid it will cause any progress to stall out. Unfortunately, though, I've gained five pounds in the week that we've been working out. It's disappointing, but I'm going to chalk it up to natural variations--water, time of day, scale weirdness, etc. I'm planning to keep this up for a month before I get discouraged by my lack of weight loss and reevaluate this plan.
I'm also drinking more water. I've always drank at least 64 ounces of water per weekday (the weekends are another story), but am trying to get closer to 100 ounces now, which is where I was when we were losing weight before.
I can't express how helpful it is to have my husband on board with me--I don't know that I could (would?) do this without him. We spend all of our time together, so if he wanted to lay around the house while I worked out...well, it just wouldn't happen. The only time I've worked out without him was when he was working evenings--I was great about going to the gym while he worked.
Here we go!
Essentially, the plan is to do the Couch to 5K program three nights a week, weather permitting (since we have to take Baby Girl with us if we want to do it together (except this past Sunday--my parents were in town and watched her while we went out)). We're looking at the weather forecast on Sunday to determine which nights we think we'll jog and planning on slow cooker meals for those nights (since I barely had enough time to cook dinner after we got home before Baby Girl went to bed). Then all other nights we're planning to do The 30 Day Shred.
The Shred has three parts to it and is intended to be done every single day for 30 days (aha....thus the "30 DAY Shred"....). Each part should be done for ten days straight. We're trying to decide if we'll do each part ten times, switch after a couple of weeks, or just play it by ear. Right now Part 1 is free On Demand through our cable provider (thanks to Sara for pointing this out!) and you can download each part for $1.99 on Amazon Video.
This is what this has looked like so far:
- 2/27: The Shred, Part 1 (after Baby Girl was in bed)
- 2/28: The Shred, Part 1
- 3/1: Jogging with Baby Girl in a jogging stroller (Couch to 5K, Week 1 Day 1)
- 3/2: The Shred, Part 1
- 3/3: The Shred, Part 1
- 3/4: Jogging (Couch to 5K, Week 1 Day 2)
- 3/5: Rest (mostly because we were exhausted from being at our niece's 4th birthday party for four hours)
- 3/6: Jogging (Couch to 5K, Week 1 Day 3)
- 3/7: The Shred, Part 1
I'm not changing how I eat, as I really do eat pretty reasonably. I feel like I should, but am afraid of cutting my precious milk supply and also am afraid it will cause any progress to stall out. Unfortunately, though, I've gained five pounds in the week that we've been working out. It's disappointing, but I'm going to chalk it up to natural variations--water, time of day, scale weirdness, etc. I'm planning to keep this up for a month before I get discouraged by my lack of weight loss and reevaluate this plan.
I'm also drinking more water. I've always drank at least 64 ounces of water per weekday (the weekends are another story), but am trying to get closer to 100 ounces now, which is where I was when we were losing weight before.
I can't express how helpful it is to have my husband on board with me--I don't know that I could (would?) do this without him. We spend all of our time together, so if he wanted to lay around the house while I worked out...well, it just wouldn't happen. The only time I've worked out without him was when he was working evenings--I was great about going to the gym while he worked.
Here we go!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Meal Plan: 3/6-3/12
One week down of "the plan" I referenced in this post (currently writing the post about this and will post it in the next day or so) and we've realized that we desperately need to start using the crockpot more often. So this week we're doing almost all of our meals in the slow cooker!
Sunday: Chipotle (using the BOGO coupons to treat my parents to dinner as well)
Monday: This Chicken Pot Pie using Philadelphia Cooking Creme (Savory Garlic flavor) & leftover shredded chicken from Friday
Tuesday: Pulled Pork Tacos
Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings Soup
Thursday: Tamale Pie
Friday: Chicken with Vegetables (basically cabbage, tomatoes, and chicken) from my Fit It and Forget It 5 Ingredient cookbook
Saturday: Quesadillas made with leftover pulled pork
Sunday: Chipotle (using the BOGO coupons to treat my parents to dinner as well)
Monday: This Chicken Pot Pie using Philadelphia Cooking Creme (Savory Garlic flavor) & leftover shredded chicken from Friday
Tuesday: Pulled Pork Tacos
Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings Soup
Thursday: Tamale Pie
Friday: Chicken with Vegetables (basically cabbage, tomatoes, and chicken) from my Fit It and Forget It 5 Ingredient cookbook
Saturday: Quesadillas made with leftover pulled pork
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Fastest blog post ever
Just a few minutes ago, Baby Girl was standing next to me, looked up, and said, "Potty" and proceeded to try to rip off her clothes (which was really difficult since she was wearing her zip-up pajamas). I got the pjs off of her and took her to the potty, not expecting much since she has asked to go potty many times and we've gotten nothing. We went into the bathroom, took off her diaper, she climbed onto the potty and immediately peed!
I'm still being cautiously excited because she's SO young, but I'm hoping this is an indication of how potty-training will go with her, at least partially.
I'm still being cautiously excited because she's SO young, but I'm hoping this is an indication of how potty-training will go with her, at least partially.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Fat
I. Am. Fat.
Ooh.....she said WHAT????
Yep. Fat. Been fat for a very long time. I was a fat kid. I was a fat teenager (until I stopped eating...that was a great decision). I was a fat college student. I was really fat around the time I graduated college and for a year or so afterward. I topped out at 274 pounds. No typo there...TWO hundred and seventy-four pounds. The Hubby and I both realized we were very overweight (well, he was very overweight for his body and history) and started a little competition. We worked together and lost a bit of weight. We did the normal yo-yoing, but I got down to 235 for my wedding. And then gained back 20.
After some time (about a year), I decided it was time to get serious. I wanted a baby, after all. So I started out on my own. I lost a little under 30 on my own this time and got down to 228 when I started Weight Watchers in March 2008. My weight when I got pregnant was 183, thanks to Weight Watchers (no, they are not paying me for this opinion) alone. Whenever I would try working out, I would plateau or gain weight, no matter how much I adjusted what I was eating--more or less. I believe in the program.
During my pregnancy, though, I gained 50 pounds and when I delivered Baby Girl, I was approximately the same weight as I was when I got married. I hated the way I looked when I got married, but at least now I had a baby bump.
Everyone had told me about how easy weight loss would be while nursing, so I believed it. I ate when I was hungry and spent my time focusing on my baby. Apparently I was eating too much or that magical nursing weight loss just wasn't true for me. Either way, 14 months after Baby Girl's birth, I hadn't lost more than 5 pounds from the day I came home from the hospital. I tried to cut calories around this time and found that it cut more than that--it cut my milk supply.
Since then, I've been using my milk supply as an excuse. It's a valid excuse, but an excuse nonetheless. And worse yet, I've gained about 10 pounds over the winter. I have a horrible sweet tooth and am frugal. The Manager's Special bakery rack and cheap cake mixes were not my friend.
I went to the doctor the other day and, although their scale has always read about 7 pounds above my home one, I weighed in there at 239. Yuck. Heavier than I was when Baby Girl was born.
So I need to do something. But I still don't feel comfortable cutting calories. That said, I'm an all-or-nothing type of girl. If I'm going to cut some calories, I'm going to do it right--eating fruits and veggies, no cake or cookies in my house. This is what lead to the anorexia in high school--I couldn't stop myself at just one piece of pizza. I made a choice at that time--it was easier to stop eating almost all meals except dinner than to eat in moderation.
I, of course, regret this decision. My husband looks at my high school pictures, where I thought I looked fabulous, and tells me I was too skinny. If he were looking at anyone else, he would never say that, as I was a size 12 at that point. But since he's only known the fat me, I *was* far skinnier than he's ever seen me. And he knows how I got to that point, so he knows that I wasn't healthy skinny.
I think I let my weight go because I'm a perfectionist. And when things feel out of control, I give up. So when my weight goes spiraling from one splurge, I say "forget it" and binge. I fight these tendencies every single day. I'm like this in other aspects of my life as well--if anything gets overwhelming, I tend to remove myself from the situation rather than deal with it. Again, this is something I'm working on.
I also have always had a lot of influence from my mother. Growing up, I'm pretty sure she hovered around 300 pounds. And I know she didn't want me to be like that, so she would criticize. Not in a way that she could hear as mean, and not in a way that I necessarily *heard* as mean. But I *felt* it as a criticism. And when all you want in the world is to please everyone, it hurts. And if you're trying and it's still not good enough, you give up after awhile. So that's what I did.
Back to the present, though. I've decided it's time. I need to be healthier for Baby Girl. I need to be able to go up a flight of stairs without getting winded. I need to be able to feel comfortable in short sleeves. I need my clothes (my fat clothes, now, since I got rid of all of my REALLY fat clothes), to fit. I need to start to feel comfortable in my own skin.
Stay tuned for another post on what we're (The Hubby is on board, too) doing about it.
Ooh.....she said WHAT????
Yep. Fat. Been fat for a very long time. I was a fat kid. I was a fat teenager (until I stopped eating...that was a great decision). I was a fat college student. I was really fat around the time I graduated college and for a year or so afterward. I topped out at 274 pounds. No typo there...TWO hundred and seventy-four pounds. The Hubby and I both realized we were very overweight (well, he was very overweight for his body and history) and started a little competition. We worked together and lost a bit of weight. We did the normal yo-yoing, but I got down to 235 for my wedding. And then gained back 20.
After some time (about a year), I decided it was time to get serious. I wanted a baby, after all. So I started out on my own. I lost a little under 30 on my own this time and got down to 228 when I started Weight Watchers in March 2008. My weight when I got pregnant was 183, thanks to Weight Watchers (no, they are not paying me for this opinion) alone. Whenever I would try working out, I would plateau or gain weight, no matter how much I adjusted what I was eating--more or less. I believe in the program.
During my pregnancy, though, I gained 50 pounds and when I delivered Baby Girl, I was approximately the same weight as I was when I got married. I hated the way I looked when I got married, but at least now I had a baby bump.
Everyone had told me about how easy weight loss would be while nursing, so I believed it. I ate when I was hungry and spent my time focusing on my baby. Apparently I was eating too much or that magical nursing weight loss just wasn't true for me. Either way, 14 months after Baby Girl's birth, I hadn't lost more than 5 pounds from the day I came home from the hospital. I tried to cut calories around this time and found that it cut more than that--it cut my milk supply.
Since then, I've been using my milk supply as an excuse. It's a valid excuse, but an excuse nonetheless. And worse yet, I've gained about 10 pounds over the winter. I have a horrible sweet tooth and am frugal. The Manager's Special bakery rack and cheap cake mixes were not my friend.
I went to the doctor the other day and, although their scale has always read about 7 pounds above my home one, I weighed in there at 239. Yuck. Heavier than I was when Baby Girl was born.
So I need to do something. But I still don't feel comfortable cutting calories. That said, I'm an all-or-nothing type of girl. If I'm going to cut some calories, I'm going to do it right--eating fruits and veggies, no cake or cookies in my house. This is what lead to the anorexia in high school--I couldn't stop myself at just one piece of pizza. I made a choice at that time--it was easier to stop eating almost all meals except dinner than to eat in moderation.
I, of course, regret this decision. My husband looks at my high school pictures, where I thought I looked fabulous, and tells me I was too skinny. If he were looking at anyone else, he would never say that, as I was a size 12 at that point. But since he's only known the fat me, I *was* far skinnier than he's ever seen me. And he knows how I got to that point, so he knows that I wasn't healthy skinny.
I think I let my weight go because I'm a perfectionist. And when things feel out of control, I give up. So when my weight goes spiraling from one splurge, I say "forget it" and binge. I fight these tendencies every single day. I'm like this in other aspects of my life as well--if anything gets overwhelming, I tend to remove myself from the situation rather than deal with it. Again, this is something I'm working on.
I also have always had a lot of influence from my mother. Growing up, I'm pretty sure she hovered around 300 pounds. And I know she didn't want me to be like that, so she would criticize. Not in a way that she could hear as mean, and not in a way that I necessarily *heard* as mean. But I *felt* it as a criticism. And when all you want in the world is to please everyone, it hurts. And if you're trying and it's still not good enough, you give up after awhile. So that's what I did.
Back to the present, though. I've decided it's time. I need to be healthier for Baby Girl. I need to be able to go up a flight of stairs without getting winded. I need to be able to feel comfortable in short sleeves. I need my clothes (my fat clothes, now, since I got rid of all of my REALLY fat clothes), to fit. I need to start to feel comfortable in my own skin.
Stay tuned for another post on what we're (The Hubby is on board, too) doing about it.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
18 and 19 Months
I've been a slacker recently with updating the things Baby Girl is up to! Now that most of the major physical milestones have been crossed, the verbal ones are much more difficult to itemize in a blog.
Physically, not much has changed. She's got quite a bit more hair (but still won't keep a clippy or headband in it). She's still got some adorable little thigh rolls that keep getting gunk in them (that part is much less adorable). She's now jumping, especially on the couch, thanks to the Five Little Monkeys.
The one thing that I was fairly stressed about, physically, was that she wasn't using silverware. Silly, I know, but I know kids younger than her that were proficient at using the spoon to scoop foods other than thick oatmeal. But it seems like it's clicked recently. She actually wants to put food on her fork, instead of holding the fork in one hand and eating with the other. And this past weekend, she started having Cheerios with milk and eating it like an adult. Yes, she still picks out those last few O's with her fingers, but I understand--those last ones are tricky to get with the spoon, floating around, evading you.
Baby Girl is still sleeping well. She woke up in the middle of the night during a recent thunderstorm, but was easily calmed and went right back to sleep for the remainder of the night. She went through a spell of waking early, grunting and groaning, but this morning we had to wake her to get ready for the day.
I think we're getting ready to drop the morning nursing session. When I've picked her up from her crib the last few days, the first thing out of her mouth was "oatmeal" instead of "milk". I'll miss it (since her morning session is typically more relaxed), but it's part of her growing up, I suppose. The evening session is a struggle almost every night, but she still wants it. She twists and turns (and stands up!) and pops off every few seconds to tell me something about her day. It's adorable, but frustrating! And when she finally settles down, she'll "nurse" (because who knows if there's even anything left...) for another 20 minutes.
As far as talking, Baby Girl will say anything we ask her to. Her favorite word right now is "dangerous". We told her once that climbing behind my parents' computer was dangerous and since then, when we say "You could get hurt" she'll respond with "dane-rus". Yep, it's dangerous.
Another cute thing she says is "mup", "mon", and "moff". Don't sound like words, do they? Oh, but they are.... Whenever she's in the backseat, taking her shoes off, we'll say "Keep them on", but it comes out more like "Keep 'em on", which she hears as "mon". Or "Pick them up" becomes "mup".
She's also quickly learning her ABCs. It started with her repeating the letters after we say them, but now she can rattle off strings of them at a time. Her first string was H through L. She also is very interested in counting...but always skips the number two! So everything is "one......three....." It's a work in progress :)
Baby Girl's eating evolves every day. A few things that were on her dislike list were avocado and broccoli, both of which she's eaten in the last few days. She actually ate ALL of my broccoli while we were out to dinner (and her own zucchini and Daddy's green beans....) and begged for more. We're also starting to work in some sweets (I made a batch of cookies over the weekend and gave her some bites of mine when I would eat them in front of her), but not too many--just as a treat. Her most regular treat is graham cracker Goldfish.
Loves:
Mommy (yes, I'm called Mommy now), Daddy, Gamma (both of our moms), "Pots" (My father-in-law is called "Pops"), "Papaw" (my dad), all the kids at daycare (we even sing songs with their names), kitties, dogs, birdies, giraffes, making animal noises, trucks, cars, airplanes, FOOD (especially: "wishies", which are Goldfish crackers; peas; corn; Cheerios; cheese; taco sauce; ketchup; BBQ sauce; bread), bare feet, going "fast", "flip-flop" (tumbling), taking walks (especially when she can do the walking), her "friend" (her lullaby-singing seahorse), jammies, water, juice, pulling things off the end tables that she shouldn't have, remote controls, phones, putting away dishes, dance parties with Mommy & Daddy (we typically dance to the Glee soundtracks), Five Little Monkeys, If You're Happy and You Know It, saying her ABC's, counting, Mommy's singing, rocking in the rocking chair at bedtime, playing with hair, The Wheels on the Bus, being tickled, rough-housing with Daddy, reading (of course), Daddy reading from the front seat of the car, baths, hiding in the bathroom, going potty with Mommy & Daddy, peek-a-boo, blowing "bubbles" (raspberries)
Dislikes:
Being "stuuuuuuuuck" (in her carseat, especially), wearing shoes and socks, snuggling when it's time to be awake, blankets on top of her, being told she's all done (especially after we've read a book five times in succession), not having Mommy & Daddy's complete attention, hair bows and clippies, Mommy or Daddy pretending to sleep, cow's milk as a drink, getting out of the bath, laying still for diaper and clothing changes, the number eight (she won't ever say it!)
She really is a wonderful little girl. She's starting to develop empathy (if she sees one of us crying, she'll show concern, give us a hug, and say "cry"). She gives the best hugs and kisses. She's incredible and amazes us every single day with her abilities and we fall more and more in love with her all the time. I am so incredibly honored to be her Mommy.
Physically, not much has changed. She's got quite a bit more hair (but still won't keep a clippy or headband in it). She's still got some adorable little thigh rolls that keep getting gunk in them (that part is much less adorable). She's now jumping, especially on the couch, thanks to the Five Little Monkeys.
The one thing that I was fairly stressed about, physically, was that she wasn't using silverware. Silly, I know, but I know kids younger than her that were proficient at using the spoon to scoop foods other than thick oatmeal. But it seems like it's clicked recently. She actually wants to put food on her fork, instead of holding the fork in one hand and eating with the other. And this past weekend, she started having Cheerios with milk and eating it like an adult. Yes, she still picks out those last few O's with her fingers, but I understand--those last ones are tricky to get with the spoon, floating around, evading you.
Baby Girl is still sleeping well. She woke up in the middle of the night during a recent thunderstorm, but was easily calmed and went right back to sleep for the remainder of the night. She went through a spell of waking early, grunting and groaning, but this morning we had to wake her to get ready for the day.
I think we're getting ready to drop the morning nursing session. When I've picked her up from her crib the last few days, the first thing out of her mouth was "oatmeal" instead of "milk". I'll miss it (since her morning session is typically more relaxed), but it's part of her growing up, I suppose. The evening session is a struggle almost every night, but she still wants it. She twists and turns (and stands up!) and pops off every few seconds to tell me something about her day. It's adorable, but frustrating! And when she finally settles down, she'll "nurse" (because who knows if there's even anything left...) for another 20 minutes.
As far as talking, Baby Girl will say anything we ask her to. Her favorite word right now is "dangerous". We told her once that climbing behind my parents' computer was dangerous and since then, when we say "You could get hurt" she'll respond with "dane-rus". Yep, it's dangerous.
Another cute thing she says is "mup", "mon", and "moff". Don't sound like words, do they? Oh, but they are.... Whenever she's in the backseat, taking her shoes off, we'll say "Keep them on", but it comes out more like "Keep 'em on", which she hears as "mon". Or "Pick them up" becomes "mup".
She's also quickly learning her ABCs. It started with her repeating the letters after we say them, but now she can rattle off strings of them at a time. Her first string was H through L. She also is very interested in counting...but always skips the number two! So everything is "one......three....." It's a work in progress :)
Baby Girl's eating evolves every day. A few things that were on her dislike list were avocado and broccoli, both of which she's eaten in the last few days. She actually ate ALL of my broccoli while we were out to dinner (and her own zucchini and Daddy's green beans....) and begged for more. We're also starting to work in some sweets (I made a batch of cookies over the weekend and gave her some bites of mine when I would eat them in front of her), but not too many--just as a treat. Her most regular treat is graham cracker Goldfish.
Loves:
Mommy (yes, I'm called Mommy now), Daddy, Gamma (both of our moms), "Pots" (My father-in-law is called "Pops"), "Papaw" (my dad), all the kids at daycare (we even sing songs with their names), kitties, dogs, birdies, giraffes, making animal noises, trucks, cars, airplanes, FOOD (especially: "wishies", which are Goldfish crackers; peas; corn; Cheerios; cheese; taco sauce; ketchup; BBQ sauce; bread), bare feet, going "fast", "flip-flop" (tumbling), taking walks (especially when she can do the walking), her "friend" (her lullaby-singing seahorse), jammies, water, juice, pulling things off the end tables that she shouldn't have, remote controls, phones, putting away dishes, dance parties with Mommy & Daddy (we typically dance to the Glee soundtracks), Five Little Monkeys, If You're Happy and You Know It, saying her ABC's, counting, Mommy's singing, rocking in the rocking chair at bedtime, playing with hair, The Wheels on the Bus, being tickled, rough-housing with Daddy, reading (of course), Daddy reading from the front seat of the car, baths, hiding in the bathroom, going potty with Mommy & Daddy, peek-a-boo, blowing "bubbles" (raspberries)
Dislikes:
Being "stuuuuuuuuck" (in her carseat, especially), wearing shoes and socks, snuggling when it's time to be awake, blankets on top of her, being told she's all done (especially after we've read a book five times in succession), not having Mommy & Daddy's complete attention, hair bows and clippies, Mommy or Daddy pretending to sleep, cow's milk as a drink, getting out of the bath, laying still for diaper and clothing changes, the number eight (she won't ever say it!)
She really is a wonderful little girl. She's starting to develop empathy (if she sees one of us crying, she'll show concern, give us a hug, and say "cry"). She gives the best hugs and kisses. She's incredible and amazes us every single day with her abilities and we fall more and more in love with her all the time. I am so incredibly honored to be her Mommy.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Meal Plan: 2/27-3/5
I have a whole other plan I want to talk about. Maybe tomorrow. But for now, my meal plan.
Sunday: Chicken Manicotti. This, y'all? This was the best thing I've had in a long time. Baby Girl ate as much as her daddy and I did. And it's easy as long as you have enough baking time between getting home from work and dinner time. We don't, so it was a great weekend meal for us.
Monday: Beef Tamale Skillet Dinner. Hopefully the third week is the charm, eh? It sounds delicious, but we just always forgot to pull the ground meat out of the freezer!
Tuesday: Chicken Quesadillas, using leftover meat from here
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Braid
Thursday: Tortellini Soup
Friday: Sweet Soy Glazed Chicken and Onions
Saturday: My niece's 4th birthday (birthday isn't until 4/4 but she has twin sisters whose birthday is 4/9, so we're celebrating the older one's 3/5 and the twins' 4/30)
Sunday: Chicken Manicotti. This, y'all? This was the best thing I've had in a long time. Baby Girl ate as much as her daddy and I did. And it's easy as long as you have enough baking time between getting home from work and dinner time. We don't, so it was a great weekend meal for us.
Monday: Beef Tamale Skillet Dinner. Hopefully the third week is the charm, eh? It sounds delicious, but we just always forgot to pull the ground meat out of the freezer!
Tuesday: Chicken Quesadillas, using leftover meat from here
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Braid
Thursday: Tortellini Soup
Friday: Sweet Soy Glazed Chicken and Onions
Saturday: My niece's 4th birthday (birthday isn't until 4/4 but she has twin sisters whose birthday is 4/9, so we're celebrating the older one's 3/5 and the twins' 4/30)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Stigma of Nursing
When I was pregnant, it didn't feel like there was a choice to be made--I was going to try my damnedest to breastfeed my baby.
Once I had her, even though I hadn't planned on it, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best breastfeeder in the world. And, honestly, I was the best breastfeeder that my baby had ever had or needed. I filled her needs, eventually*.
I still, however, got jealous of those women. Those ones who had thousands of ounces of extra milk to donate, to save, to take a bath in. I also was jealous of those women who were fine to go out at night and "just give the baby a bottle". I always felt like I needed to pump if I wasn't going to feed her directly and, well, if I could just make it work to feed her directly....I'd, of course, prefer that. So I haven't missed a bedtime in almost 19 months.
I've worked my ass off to nurse Baby Girl. I've sacrificed a lot. And I like to celebrate that sometimes. She's beautiful and intelligent and funny and hasn't been horribly sick (yet), so I must be doing something right.
Why, then, did I begin to feel guilty about nursing her once she hit a year old? I was SO proud of how long I'd nursed until then. But now? I fear being chastized.
I was one of those women. Before having Baby Girl, I'd always said, "If the kid can ask for it, they're too old". I never planned on nursing this long. My kid can say "milk, PLEASE", even. She's been able to make the sign for it for half her life. And yet, I still nurse her, as much as I'd been against it before having babies. Just goes to show you can't judge anything until you're in the situation yourself.
Where is that line? When does it go from "wow, you're a fabulous mommy for doing what you do and would be a failure to yourself and to your kid if you stopped"** to "oh. gross."? I haven't figured it out yet, but would love to know. And why is it there?
I still look at the 7 year old nursing and think, "not me", but when will we stop? I have no idea. I was just talking to The Hubby about this. We'd like to have another baby...someday. And I don't want Baby Girl to still remember nursing and dive in and take it from the baby. Or to resent the baby for taking away her nursing. The plan is to let Baby Girl lead, but at 19 months and still nursing twice a day...I don't know if she's ever going to give it up. And I don't really know if I'm totally ready for her to, either.
* My milk didn't come in until day 5 or so and, therefore, we were subject to a couple of weeks of weight checks. She finally returned to her birth weight right at 2 weeks of age, so we didn't need to supplement.
** No, this is not the way I feel about it. I get that feeling from other women, though, and, honestly, I would've felt like a failure if I hadn't been able to. But I don't judge other women either way. Seriously.
Once I had her, even though I hadn't planned on it, I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best breastfeeder in the world. And, honestly, I was the best breastfeeder that my baby had ever had or needed. I filled her needs, eventually*.
I still, however, got jealous of those women. Those ones who had thousands of ounces of extra milk to donate, to save, to take a bath in. I also was jealous of those women who were fine to go out at night and "just give the baby a bottle". I always felt like I needed to pump if I wasn't going to feed her directly and, well, if I could just make it work to feed her directly....I'd, of course, prefer that. So I haven't missed a bedtime in almost 19 months.
I've worked my ass off to nurse Baby Girl. I've sacrificed a lot. And I like to celebrate that sometimes. She's beautiful and intelligent and funny and hasn't been horribly sick (yet), so I must be doing something right.
Why, then, did I begin to feel guilty about nursing her once she hit a year old? I was SO proud of how long I'd nursed until then. But now? I fear being chastized.
I was one of those women. Before having Baby Girl, I'd always said, "If the kid can ask for it, they're too old". I never planned on nursing this long. My kid can say "milk, PLEASE", even. She's been able to make the sign for it for half her life. And yet, I still nurse her, as much as I'd been against it before having babies. Just goes to show you can't judge anything until you're in the situation yourself.
Where is that line? When does it go from "wow, you're a fabulous mommy for doing what you do and would be a failure to yourself and to your kid if you stopped"** to "oh. gross."? I haven't figured it out yet, but would love to know. And why is it there?
I still look at the 7 year old nursing and think, "not me", but when will we stop? I have no idea. I was just talking to The Hubby about this. We'd like to have another baby...someday. And I don't want Baby Girl to still remember nursing and dive in and take it from the baby. Or to resent the baby for taking away her nursing. The plan is to let Baby Girl lead, but at 19 months and still nursing twice a day...I don't know if she's ever going to give it up. And I don't really know if I'm totally ready for her to, either.
* My milk didn't come in until day 5 or so and, therefore, we were subject to a couple of weeks of weight checks. She finally returned to her birth weight right at 2 weeks of age, so we didn't need to supplement.
** No, this is not the way I feel about it. I get that feeling from other women, though, and, honestly, I would've felt like a failure if I hadn't been able to. But I don't judge other women either way. Seriously.
Monday, February 21, 2011
A Weekend of Growing Up
This was a wonderful weekend for our family. We had a fabulous time spent together, playing, cleaning, eating--we did everything as a family.
Two things happened this weekend that really show how much Baby Girl is growing up.
You know she calls me "Mom-mom"? It's always actually bothered me a bit. She can say "daddy", but "mommy" just never came out....it was always "mom-mom". It's adorable, yes, but why am I not mommy? I've always called myself mommy and The Hubby has always called me mommy (well, you know, since Baby Girl was born...that would just be creepy otherwise) and she's always called me "mom-mom" in response.
But this weekend she started calling me mommy. And you know what? I sort of miss "mom-mom". I didn't think I would, but now "mommy" sounds odd coming out of her mouth.
For the other part of the story, I need to go back to last weekend. Baby Girl has been really interested in going into the bathroom whenever we do. She'll sit on her stool and read while we go potty and she always wants to watch us, so we let her whenever we don't have guests. She loves to watch Daddy make "bubbles" (lol--he would probably kill me if he knew I wrote that here) and always needs to wash her hands when we do.
Since she's been interested, we thought we'd get her a potty, just to get a little more comfortable with having one around. We definitely aren't pushing her to potty-train anytime soon--she's not even 19 months old yet! We picked up the potty on Sunday, February 13th and she's practiced sitting on it off and on all week. On Saturday (2/19) Baby Girl told me she had to go potty (not unusual), so I took her into the bathroom, took off her diaper, and sat in there with her. She asked for her book and sat there reading. She stood up and wanted to play and I explained that if she didn't have a diaper on, she either needed to sit on the potty or needed to put the diaper on. She then started to grunt a little and I sat her back on the potty. She tried to get up once more (I don't think she's ever actually pooped when she isn't laying down or standing up--she's not a squatter), but I gave her my finger to squeeze and she sat there and pooped on the potty!
I have no idea what this will mean--I don't expect her to fully potty-train or anything, but it looks like we're officially on our way...how frightening! After telling my mom this story, she told me that I was fully trained by the time I turned 2 and that I was really easy to train--I was ready and once I was trained during the day, I was done at night, too. So hopefully Baby Girl will be the same. If not, that's totally okay--I don't have any expectations.
What a big, big girl....I cannot believe she's over a year and a half old and working her way toward 2.
Two things happened this weekend that really show how much Baby Girl is growing up.
You know she calls me "Mom-mom"? It's always actually bothered me a bit. She can say "daddy", but "mommy" just never came out....it was always "mom-mom". It's adorable, yes, but why am I not mommy? I've always called myself mommy and The Hubby has always called me mommy (well, you know, since Baby Girl was born...that would just be creepy otherwise) and she's always called me "mom-mom" in response.
But this weekend she started calling me mommy. And you know what? I sort of miss "mom-mom". I didn't think I would, but now "mommy" sounds odd coming out of her mouth.
For the other part of the story, I need to go back to last weekend. Baby Girl has been really interested in going into the bathroom whenever we do. She'll sit on her stool and read while we go potty and she always wants to watch us, so we let her whenever we don't have guests. She loves to watch Daddy make "bubbles" (lol--he would probably kill me if he knew I wrote that here) and always needs to wash her hands when we do.
Since she's been interested, we thought we'd get her a potty, just to get a little more comfortable with having one around. We definitely aren't pushing her to potty-train anytime soon--she's not even 19 months old yet! We picked up the potty on Sunday, February 13th and she's practiced sitting on it off and on all week. On Saturday (2/19) Baby Girl told me she had to go potty (not unusual), so I took her into the bathroom, took off her diaper, and sat in there with her. She asked for her book and sat there reading. She stood up and wanted to play and I explained that if she didn't have a diaper on, she either needed to sit on the potty or needed to put the diaper on. She then started to grunt a little and I sat her back on the potty. She tried to get up once more (I don't think she's ever actually pooped when she isn't laying down or standing up--she's not a squatter), but I gave her my finger to squeeze and she sat there and pooped on the potty!
I have no idea what this will mean--I don't expect her to fully potty-train or anything, but it looks like we're officially on our way...how frightening! After telling my mom this story, she told me that I was fully trained by the time I turned 2 and that I was really easy to train--I was ready and once I was trained during the day, I was done at night, too. So hopefully Baby Girl will be the same. If not, that's totally okay--I don't have any expectations.
What a big, big girl....I cannot believe she's over a year and a half old and working her way toward 2.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Doctor Updates
(Dude...this is long.)
Wow. I was looking back through my old blog posts and realized I never posted an update to our specialist appointments we had at the beginning of December. I must've been a bit burnt out from NaBloPoMo (or whatever the abbreviation is!).
Since her 15 month appointment, we've now visited three specialists and the pediatrician three times (at least?).
Specialist #1, The Cardiologist: On December 1st we had an appointment at a center run by the local Children's Hospital because of the heart murmur that has persisted. Our pediatrician told us he was really sure it wasn't anything, but thought we should get it checked out. Good news is that he was right. The cardiologist told us that it's not problematic and that we shouldn't even mention it on medical history forms. We left that meeting feeling really great!
Specialist #2, The Endocrinologist: The same day we went to the cardiologist (in the same building), we visited an endocrinologist, who was supposed to look at her development. He asked us a lot of questions and looked over Baby Girl and determined that there wasn't any reason for concern unless we started noticing more signs of her approaching puberty (pubic hair, armpit hair, etc.). We still haven't and, in fact, her baby boobies seem to be more in proportion than they were. Great doctor visit again!
Pediatrician visits: Ear infection after ear infection. Enough said.
Eighteen Month Pediatrician Visit: Still planning a whole post on her development, but should give the important stats. Weight: 23 lbs 4 oz. (30th percentile) Height: 31 inches (35th percentile) Head circumference: 75th percentile (although we're done with head measurement now) She got some vaccinations and handled them really well, as usual. She'll get one or two more at her 2 year appointment (2 year??!??!?!!??!!) and then that will be it until she starts kindergarten (again...kindergarten???!??!??!?!!?!). The doctor was impressed by her development but did think we should talk to a specialist about our suspicion of a milk allergy. He told us "Before we'll through, we'll have you at every specialist in town". Let's hope that isn't true. He figured it wasn't a big issue, but thought we should get her tested.
Specialist #3, The Allergist: This morning The Hubby and I took Baby Girl to see our allergist (I started going to him years ago, then he went and visited him not long before Baby Girl was born), who was also the person that our pediatrician was recommending to us. We got there at 9:00, checked in, then were taken for Baby Girl to be weighed. She was a little freaked about standing on the scale and cried some, but was fine by the time I took her off. We went back to the room where we found....TOYS! They weren't great quality (much to the dismay of The Hubby, the Etch-a-Sketch was broken), but Baby Girl was excited to play with them all. We gave some background to the doctor's assistant, then to the doctor himself. The assistant asked us to get her disrobed (or nakey, as Baby Girl calls it) from the waist up, then came back and had us lay Baby Girl across my lap. Begin tears (from Baby Girl...not me. This time.). She didn't even know what was coming, but still started crying. The assistant then left to allow the reactions to happen.
We were looking at her back during the 15 minute wait and saw 2 pretty large spots that were reacting and then one much smaller and another that was BARELY red. We assumed one of the big spots was milk. When the doctor came back he said one of the big spots was a control and the other was eggs. The smaller spot below the egg one was milk and then the very smallest was peanuts. She didn't react to tomatoes, cod, soy, chocolate, and some others. The doctor mentioned that the reason she doesn't seem to like eggs (the only way we've gotten her to eat them is by covering them in ketchup) might be because of the allergy but said that as long as we don't notice a reaction from things made with eggs, we can continue to cook with them and proceed as we are--just don't try to force her into eating just eggs anymore.
As for the milk, he said we could keep giving her milk and milk products as we are now and give her cow's milk when we're ready as long as her reaction doesn't worsen. He says it isn't doing any harm to keep giving her milk.
He also said that there isn't any connection between allergies and breastfeeding. Bummer! Sort of glad no one told me that in the first few months of nursing.
Lastly, he said we should delay introducing nuts until she's 3 because she has other food allergies. Not a huge deal, I suppose (although I love peanut butter and that makes me a teeny bit sad that she can't have any until then!).
We'll go back in a year to get her retested.
Whew. And that's it. For now.
Wow. I was looking back through my old blog posts and realized I never posted an update to our specialist appointments we had at the beginning of December. I must've been a bit burnt out from NaBloPoMo (or whatever the abbreviation is!).
Since her 15 month appointment, we've now visited three specialists and the pediatrician three times (at least?).
Specialist #1, The Cardiologist: On December 1st we had an appointment at a center run by the local Children's Hospital because of the heart murmur that has persisted. Our pediatrician told us he was really sure it wasn't anything, but thought we should get it checked out. Good news is that he was right. The cardiologist told us that it's not problematic and that we shouldn't even mention it on medical history forms. We left that meeting feeling really great!
Specialist #2, The Endocrinologist: The same day we went to the cardiologist (in the same building), we visited an endocrinologist, who was supposed to look at her development. He asked us a lot of questions and looked over Baby Girl and determined that there wasn't any reason for concern unless we started noticing more signs of her approaching puberty (pubic hair, armpit hair, etc.). We still haven't and, in fact, her baby boobies seem to be more in proportion than they were. Great doctor visit again!
Pediatrician visits: Ear infection after ear infection. Enough said.
Eighteen Month Pediatrician Visit: Still planning a whole post on her development, but should give the important stats. Weight: 23 lbs 4 oz. (30th percentile) Height: 31 inches (35th percentile) Head circumference: 75th percentile (although we're done with head measurement now) She got some vaccinations and handled them really well, as usual. She'll get one or two more at her 2 year appointment (2 year??!??!?!!??!!) and then that will be it until she starts kindergarten (again...kindergarten???!??!??!?!!?!). The doctor was impressed by her development but did think we should talk to a specialist about our suspicion of a milk allergy. He told us "Before we'll through, we'll have you at every specialist in town". Let's hope that isn't true. He figured it wasn't a big issue, but thought we should get her tested.
Specialist #3, The Allergist: This morning The Hubby and I took Baby Girl to see our allergist (I started going to him years ago, then he went and visited him not long before Baby Girl was born), who was also the person that our pediatrician was recommending to us. We got there at 9:00, checked in, then were taken for Baby Girl to be weighed. She was a little freaked about standing on the scale and cried some, but was fine by the time I took her off. We went back to the room where we found....TOYS! They weren't great quality (much to the dismay of The Hubby, the Etch-a-Sketch was broken), but Baby Girl was excited to play with them all. We gave some background to the doctor's assistant, then to the doctor himself. The assistant asked us to get her disrobed (or nakey, as Baby Girl calls it) from the waist up, then came back and had us lay Baby Girl across my lap. Begin tears (from Baby Girl...not me. This time.). She didn't even know what was coming, but still started crying. The assistant then left to allow the reactions to happen.
We were looking at her back during the 15 minute wait and saw 2 pretty large spots that were reacting and then one much smaller and another that was BARELY red. We assumed one of the big spots was milk. When the doctor came back he said one of the big spots was a control and the other was eggs. The smaller spot below the egg one was milk and then the very smallest was peanuts. She didn't react to tomatoes, cod, soy, chocolate, and some others. The doctor mentioned that the reason she doesn't seem to like eggs (the only way we've gotten her to eat them is by covering them in ketchup) might be because of the allergy but said that as long as we don't notice a reaction from things made with eggs, we can continue to cook with them and proceed as we are--just don't try to force her into eating just eggs anymore.
As for the milk, he said we could keep giving her milk and milk products as we are now and give her cow's milk when we're ready as long as her reaction doesn't worsen. He says it isn't doing any harm to keep giving her milk.
He also said that there isn't any connection between allergies and breastfeeding. Bummer! Sort of glad no one told me that in the first few months of nursing.
Lastly, he said we should delay introducing nuts until she's 3 because she has other food allergies. Not a huge deal, I suppose (although I love peanut butter and that makes me a teeny bit sad that she can't have any until then!).
We'll go back in a year to get her retested.
Whew. And that's it. For now.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A surprising first
Yesterday I decided to delay our arrival home by a few minutes. After breakdowns in the car (by both of us), we needed a little fun without thinking about sickness...too much.
We stopped at the library.
This may not sound like a big deal to most. And you might think that the kid who had a book-themed first birthday party would have amassed many books on her library card, but that isn't the case at all. This was Baby Girl's first trip to the library. And it was everything I had hoped for. She was ready to run and just completely enamored by the number of books. I first picked up my reserved book and then guided her toward the kids' books. She trotted up the aisle, touching books and then finally grabbing one off the shelf. She looked at me and said "book?" and I told her she could sit down and read it. And so we did. We sat in the middle of the small aisle of books and flipped through the book. She then decided she was done with that one and left it in the aisle. I put it back for her but told her that they needed to go back where we found them when we're done. So she went racing through the aisle again and eventually stopped at another book. She sat and read it for awhile, then looked at me and said "back?". Good girl. We put the book back where it belonged and then I guided her to the aisle I was aiming for--I wanted to get either some Llama Llama books or the If You Give a books. None of the Llama Llama books appealed to her (they're a little long, especially when her attention is scattered while surrounded by books), so I grabbed a few of the If You Give a books. I asked her if she was ready to check out our books. I put her on the counter and told her all about what we were doing and she was loving the "beep" when the book was scanned.
All in all, it was definitely a bright spot to a pretty awful day yesterday (we aren't even getting into the many meltdowns we both had and my poor baby getting quiet and saying "Mom-mom? Mom-mom? Cry?").
We'll definitely be returning to the library soon!
We stopped at the library.
This may not sound like a big deal to most. And you might think that the kid who had a book-themed first birthday party would have amassed many books on her library card, but that isn't the case at all. This was Baby Girl's first trip to the library. And it was everything I had hoped for. She was ready to run and just completely enamored by the number of books. I first picked up my reserved book and then guided her toward the kids' books. She trotted up the aisle, touching books and then finally grabbing one off the shelf. She looked at me and said "book?" and I told her she could sit down and read it. And so we did. We sat in the middle of the small aisle of books and flipped through the book. She then decided she was done with that one and left it in the aisle. I put it back for her but told her that they needed to go back where we found them when we're done. So she went racing through the aisle again and eventually stopped at another book. She sat and read it for awhile, then looked at me and said "back?". Good girl. We put the book back where it belonged and then I guided her to the aisle I was aiming for--I wanted to get either some Llama Llama books or the If You Give a books. None of the Llama Llama books appealed to her (they're a little long, especially when her attention is scattered while surrounded by books), so I grabbed a few of the If You Give a books. I asked her if she was ready to check out our books. I put her on the counter and told her all about what we were doing and she was loving the "beep" when the book was scanned.
All in all, it was definitely a bright spot to a pretty awful day yesterday (we aren't even getting into the many meltdowns we both had and my poor baby getting quiet and saying "Mom-mom? Mom-mom? Cry?").
We'll definitely be returning to the library soon!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Okay, I give
I was planning a post in my head all about how my daughter has taught me to go with the flow, especially when it comes to sickness. In her 18 months of sicknesses (and there have been plenty), she has very rarely acted sick. So why should I stress so much about us getting sick and passing it around the household? Is it worth the weeks of stress (since the incubation & contagious periods can be so long) and not enjoying my daughter (and, more importantly, not getting her kisses) to then just get sick anyway? Or even if we don't end up getting sick...was it worth it?
But now? Ugh. Now I'm totally over it. I'm beyond stressed out. I'm scared to death that my daughter is going to get sick.
Why? Because my husband has pneumonia. Seriously??? Pneumonia? I always thought pneumonia was something you got after being sick for weeks--I thought it was something that "settled in". But no, not for The Hubby. He started coughing a bit and feeling a bit phlegmy on Sunday night, but we just assumed it was a cold. The panic set in for me at this point, but that realization that I need to just relax came last night as I got my snuggles and smooches from Baby Girl. He went to work, not feeling great, but again just assuming it was a chest cold.
He wasn't able to sleep laying down last night so he slept in the recliner (Best. Purchase. Ever.). I brought Baby Girl downstairs to him while I showered (since she woke before I could get in the shower) (and now I'm kicking myself for doing). He told me he wasn't going to work and was going to go to the doctor.
I got a call from him while in a meeting, so I called him back around 3 after the meeting was over. And that's when he tells me that he has pneumonia. And he had a fever of 103.6.
And I lost it. I just feel so incredibly done right now. I don't feel like I can handle anymore. Of course I will, but I just...I'm so tired and stressed out. I want to cry.
I still can't hear out of my left ear. It's been two weeks now (been almost a week since I took my last antibiotic). I don't have any more pain, but it's just a reminder that I'm still sick. Baby Girl has been waking up snotty every morning for about a week and has been coughing overnight, but it hasn't developed into something else. Yet. The kids at the daycare are all coughing and sick, so I assume it's only a matter of time.
And now I get to be a single parent. Much less stressful when I can take her to the sitter's and still go to work during the day (well, at least it's a different stress...I still stress about her and home, but I don't have to spend the day occupying her and watching her get sick...I get to occupy myself with the immense stress I'm under here at work). It's not The Hubby's fault that he's sick, but damnit, I just....need a break. And I need to not feel the need to stress about keeping Baby Girl and myself healthy.
I'm so done with this. With all of this. I've had an overwhelming feeling of "I'm done" for awhile now...and that was independent of the sickness. This just feels like the straw that will break my back.
But now? Ugh. Now I'm totally over it. I'm beyond stressed out. I'm scared to death that my daughter is going to get sick.
Why? Because my husband has pneumonia. Seriously??? Pneumonia? I always thought pneumonia was something you got after being sick for weeks--I thought it was something that "settled in". But no, not for The Hubby. He started coughing a bit and feeling a bit phlegmy on Sunday night, but we just assumed it was a cold. The panic set in for me at this point, but that realization that I need to just relax came last night as I got my snuggles and smooches from Baby Girl. He went to work, not feeling great, but again just assuming it was a chest cold.
He wasn't able to sleep laying down last night so he slept in the recliner (Best. Purchase. Ever.). I brought Baby Girl downstairs to him while I showered (since she woke before I could get in the shower) (and now I'm kicking myself for doing). He told me he wasn't going to work and was going to go to the doctor.
I got a call from him while in a meeting, so I called him back around 3 after the meeting was over. And that's when he tells me that he has pneumonia. And he had a fever of 103.6.
And I lost it. I just feel so incredibly done right now. I don't feel like I can handle anymore. Of course I will, but I just...I'm so tired and stressed out. I want to cry.
I still can't hear out of my left ear. It's been two weeks now (been almost a week since I took my last antibiotic). I don't have any more pain, but it's just a reminder that I'm still sick. Baby Girl has been waking up snotty every morning for about a week and has been coughing overnight, but it hasn't developed into something else. Yet. The kids at the daycare are all coughing and sick, so I assume it's only a matter of time.
And now I get to be a single parent. Much less stressful when I can take her to the sitter's and still go to work during the day (well, at least it's a different stress...I still stress about her and home, but I don't have to spend the day occupying her and watching her get sick...I get to occupy myself with the immense stress I'm under here at work). It's not The Hubby's fault that he's sick, but damnit, I just....need a break. And I need to not feel the need to stress about keeping Baby Girl and myself healthy.
I'm so done with this. With all of this. I've had an overwhelming feeling of "I'm done" for awhile now...and that was independent of the sickness. This just feels like the straw that will break my back.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Weekly Meal Plan: 1/30-2/5
Have lots of posts, as usual, but no time or energy to post them. This one is an easy one since we plan out our meals anyway :)
Sunday, January 30th: Cheesy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
Monday, January 31st: Mexican Mac & Bean Skillet
Tuesday, February 1st: Breakfast (scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, waffles)
Wednesday, February 2nd: Saucy Slow-Cooked Chicken Thighs with rice & veggies
Thursday, February 3rd: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas (from the $5 Dinner Mom cookbook)
Friday, February 4th: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Saturday, February 5th: out (we have a couple of birthdays to celebrate, so we'll be out with someone that night, we think!)
Sunday, January 30th: Cheesy Potatoes with Smoked Sausage
Monday, January 31st: Mexican Mac & Bean Skillet
Tuesday, February 1st: Breakfast (scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, waffles)
Wednesday, February 2nd: Saucy Slow-Cooked Chicken Thighs with rice & veggies
Thursday, February 3rd: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas (from the $5 Dinner Mom cookbook)
Friday, February 4th: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Saturday, February 5th: out (we have a couple of birthdays to celebrate, so we'll be out with someone that night, we think!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
