Bargains and Coupons

Watch out...once you start...you become obsessed and can't stop.  I started doing my "deals" at CVS...Troy always called it my CVS cult...first he hated it, then when he'd see me leave CVS w/3-4 bags worth of items, and they pay me to leave...he was okay with it. 

Now don't get me wrong...Troy still hates that I look up deals & coupons online, save the coupons (which end up on the kitchen table), but he does love the free razors and deals that I get.  It's soo cute to hear him brag about my deals and steals.

I've slowed down a bit since being pregnant w/Brynnleigh, and having her.  It's just not as easy to do things with two kids, and with it as cold as it is, I don't want to keep dragging them in and out of the car.

Well today I decided to try a scenario at Rite Aid...and it worked.  Everything I got was things that we use...or will need to use/want to use...so I didn't feel like I was wasting our time or money.

Here's what I got:
10 Nivea lip products (chapstick)
1 Jumbo pack of Pampers diapers (size 3...since I've go soo many 1s and 2s already)
1 Gillette Fusion Razor holiday pack (razor, shave gel, extra cartridges, and something else)

And I paid $5.79 for all of that....plus they gave me a $6.00 coupon (Up reward) to use next time...so essentially...it was all free!!

This was at Rite Aid....I've been able to do this at CVS, Walgreens, & Kroger in the past.  I tend to stick w/one store at a time...I'm not talented enough to do the deals everywhere...but maybe one day!!

There are lots of websites out there to help you get the most bang for your buck....and trust me...they totally help me w/my deals!!

I don't think I've paid more than $4.00 for a pack of diapers for Brynnleigh!!

So I may look like an old lady w/my coupon organizer, or may be dorky for clipping coupons...but I'll be able to get face lifts or buy new friends with all the money I'm saving!!

Twin Cousins??

So...we were lucky to get some hand me downs from my brother's little girl.  We thought it would be cute, to take a picture of Brynnleigh in Kyra's outfit especially since we had a picture of Kyra in it.  Well, when we dressed B, we thought she looked a tad like Kyra....and then when we took the picture, with the picture....they are almost identical.  Now keep in mind that Kyra is a month older than B in the picture...but they are soo soo similiar.  Kyra is now 15 months old and a super cutie pie...so I hope that B continues in her footsteps!!

Now we need to figure out where all these blue eyes are coming from...but I'm not complaining, I love them.  All three kids have the same eyes...they must be my brothers!

Happy 2 Months Brynnleigh

One day...I will post closer to the actual date....but I'm still adjusting to working full time with two kids.  Mornings and evenings are so hectic trying to get in and out the door, fed, bathed and kids in bed...so of course the blog has been put on hold.

So on 12/4/10 my baby girl turned 2 months old...crazy I know.  At times it seems like she's been here forever and at others, like she just got here.  She is still such an easy/good baby.  She has her moments of course...but she's great.

She smiles, talks, and more importantly...sleeps!!  My baby girls is still sleeping all night long.  I'm soo soo spoiled!!  We feed her anytime around 8pm-10pm...and we wake her up at 7:15am, put her in the car, and take her to my mom's, where she gets her first bottle between 7:45-8am.  She's been doing this since about 8-9 wks old.

To celebrate Brynnleigh's 2 month birthday, I ran a 5k!  Crazy I know.  I did fairly well..37 mins and a few seconds (can't remember...sorry).  I could have done better, but I thought we had another hill, and it was just some idiot running for fun! : )  It was super cold though...20 some degrees....and I'm running.  At least my kids will see exercise as fun, or crazy....or well who knows!!

Brynnleigh's 2 month check up went well....she's up to 10lbs 9 oz (double digits...finally) and 23" long...so she's growing!!  Her little legs actually have a few rolls....when she was born, her poor legs were so skinny I was afraid I was going to break them!!

Happy 2month birthday baby girl!! 

Book Reviews!!

So....I just signed up to review books for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  I selected my first book "God Gave Us So Much" written by Lisa T. Bergren and illustrated by Laura J. Bryant and cannot wait to get it in the mail.  I know Owen & Brynnleigh will love looking at the pictures and having us read it to them.  I will be stalking the mailbox waiting for this to come in!!

If you have a blog....you can sign up too at http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/sign-up

Don't worry....they have big people books too....I just thought I'd start off w/a childrens book to make it more of a family affair (That and I still need to finish reading the last book from the Twilight series!).

Happy Reading!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I know this is a tad late (but not as late as B's 1 mth post)...but we hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!  We had a relaxing day with family.  Normally we go to King William to enjoy Thanksgiving lunch w/my family and then head back home to do Thanksgiving dinner w/Troy's family.  This year we just had lunch in KW...Troy's family had all had a stomach bug and we didn't want to expose the kids...totally upset about not spending the holiday w/them....and the good food!! : )  It was nice not to be rushed to run from one place to the next, and not too too overstuffed either.

My aunt and uncle had raked up some leaves for the kids to jump in....O was soo excited he wouldn't even let me change him into his old clothes!!  I'm pretty sure that he could be turned into a country boy.  He loves to be outside, and would have played in the leaves for three weeks straight if allowed.

This was Brynnleigh's first Thanksgiving....she enjoyed it with a bottle & a few naps (hey...some people really do that right?). 

Both kids enjoyed seeing their King William family and can't wait to see everyone again at Christmas.  We are very lucky to have 99% of our family within an hour away!!

Thanksgiving was followed by Black Friday shopping (yes...I was the idiot w/a 7 wk old who got up at 3am to go shopping....of course B slept until 7:30 that morning) and a trip to Granny's.  After I got home from shopping (yes I went by myself...I wouldn't drag my kids) we loaded them up and headed to South Boston for a nice relaxing afternoon.  It was great!! 

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

Owen & His Cousins

Jogging Stroller...updated...again

So...before Brynnleigh arrived, I went back and forth on the need for a double jogger....did I really need one...if so...did I really need a top of the line super expensive one? Well, I had talked myself out of it....I mean...was I really really going to be that into running that I would need to bring the kids along....and do we really take that many trips that I would need a double stroller?? They could take turns riding...right??

Well after Troy was all excited that I had talked myself out of it....I talked myself back into it. It helped a bit that it was on sale...and well O kept telling me he wanted one (so then we totally needed it right?). I had tried to take the kids on a walk while on maternity leave, but it was a pain. O wanted to push the stroller, which he can't see over the handlebars...so I was a tad leary. I mean...can't you see the news stories now...Breaking news...idiot mother let's 3 year old boy push stroller w/3 wk old baby.....story at 11?

Soooo.....I expressed my need/want for this fancy dancy stroller...but said I didn't absolutely have to have it....and magically, about 2-3 wks later, it appeared on our front porch...two days before the marathon! Of course B is too young for us to use it for running...and really even for walking....but we let her test it out one afternoon in the driveway. O helped put it together, and took the first ride around the house. This stroller is by far the EASIEST stroller I've ever pushed....and it's a double!! It fits through every doorway downstairs (yes....O & I tested)...I can't wait to take it out and about. Seriously though...for being a double stroller...I can push, turn, rotate w/one hand...it even folds up easily and I can lift it by myself...and it fits in the trunk. I can't wait to take the kids on a run.....but we'll have to wait till it warms up a bit and B gets better head control.

And yes...I know who magically delivered it to my doorstep....and I'm very very thankful. I really really appreciate it...and honestly, you really didn't have to do so much...esp. right before Christmas!!

My Marathon Man!!

Yes folks...that's right...I married a marathon man!! Actually...he turned into one about 6 years after we got married. I had always said that I wanted to run a marathon...and well he beat me to it. Troy...you are awesome...not only have you run 1...you've run 3...and at least 1 more to go. I don't know how you do it, but I admire you motivation, consentration, and person drive to complete your goal. Maybe one day I too can be like you!! : )

The last marathon he ran, was this past November....Brynnleigh was only 6 wks old...that's crazy...he wasnt even getting full nights of sleep.

Even funnier...when you run slow...you can collect all the loose change!!

Here are some pics of my marathon man in all his running glory!!

Also, congrats to Miguel on his first marathon....maybe in a year or two...this will be the two Amy's!! (Or then again...we did have fun on the sidelines catching water bottles, discussing running attire/shopping, and the "other" things we saw & discussed).

Brynnleigh smiles!!

Baby B can smile!! Yippeee.! It's the best thing in the world when your child smiles at you. It melts my heart, and well they can pretty much get whatever they want!! Brynnleigh has been smiling for a bit, but mostly in her sleep, and well, it probably was just gas.

Just the other day she let one out...wide awake. So what does psycho mommy do?? She picks her up...and grabs the camera. Nothing like shoving a camera close up in your face to get you to smile right?? This pics aren't the best angle for Little Miss...but you do what you gotta do to get that big gummy grin!! Hopefully they won't do an eye test on her anytime soon, since I'm pretty sure I blinded her for bit w/all the flashes. At least if she decides to become famous she'll be used to the paparazi!!

So on 11/11/10 we caught baby girl's smile on camera. Can't wait for many more Brynn!! : )

Playdates!!

While I was home on maternity leave we were able to take advantage of playdates for both O & B! Owen had a playdate with his friend Holden, and a Halloween party playdate with Ramsey & Emerson. Brynnleigh had her first playdate with Chloe who is exactly (well as exact as you can be minus 1 day) 1 month older than her and then had a playdate with Camryn & Kaitlyn who are about 2 weeks younger. Both of my kids are blessed to have so many good friends close in age.

I'm going to miss playdates when I go back to work. I love to see how my kids interact with others, and chit chat w/the mommies and compare notes. Luckily my Mom volunteers to take the kids to the playdates, so at least they won't miss out.

Happy 1 Month Brynnleigh

Yes...I know...this is a tad late (like 3 weeks)...but better late than never right?? I would think about posting...but never had a chance when I had two hands to type!!

So Brynnleigh turned 1 month on 11/4/10 and of course I made her take pictures. She wasn't too into it, but I got a few good ones so I'm happy.

At a month old, she's basically sleeping through the night. She's such a good baby!! For the most part she gets up between 3am -5am and goes back to sleep after her feeding! Her last feeding at night is between 8-10 pm.

Right now I am still pumping, but I'm spreading it out so I'm only pumping about 3-4 times a day. She's getting 2 formula bottles and the rest is breast milk. During the day she goes between 3-4 hrs between feedings, normally only 3 hrs.

She still sleeps a lot during the day, but has more alert time each day. She's fussy in the evenings from 7pm-9pm, but I'll take it if she keeps these long sleep patterns.

Happy 1 Month Brynnleigh....we can't wait to see what new things you'll do during the next month...and maybe Mommy will post your 2 month birthday closer to the actual date!!

At a month Miss Brynnleigh weighs 8 lbs 3 oz

Halloween 2010

So...I'm way past due on a blog post. I have a few lined up, we'll see when I get them on here! : ) I'm trying not to be on the computer all the time, and now that I'm not pumping anymore, I'm losing computer time, but gaining more quality time. Before when I would pump, really the only thing I could do was dabble on the internet (I was one handed...barely, so no typing, just searching) or watch tv. Not really what I want to do ALL day long every day. One day every now and then is nice.

So...back to the topic...Halloween!! Owen was soo soo excited, and well Brynnleigh was excited too...she just didn't know it yet. O wanted to be a white robot...so Troy helped O make it while he was on maternity leave. O looked awesome...and had a huge smile on his face as he walked up to every house. Everyone commented on his costume...and as we were walking the neighborhood...I realized that most kids did not "make" costumes anymore. Owen was unique....and he loved every second of attention he got. He did get upset when people thought he was a microwave...until he realized that he could use the costume again...and now...next year...he wants to be a microwave!!! My little frugal trick or treater!! : )

We had a halloween party at O's girlfriends' house and he loved it. Brynnleigh slept through the whole party....but she had a blast too...and met a future boyfriend!! Thanks R & E for inviting us!!

Halloween evening we went trick or treating w/O's other girlfriend & neighbor. He loved walking around w/G and wanted to hold her hand all night. He asks me every few days if he can go trick or treating w/G again!!

While Owen was out and about, Brynnleigh hung out at home with Missy & Papa while Daddy handed out candy. Brynnleigh cannot wait to walk around next year.

O was a good sport and always said Trick or Treat, Happy Halloween and thank you. The cutest thing...his favorite house was the one w/two boys that gave him pencils & twizzlers. He still talks about the "two boys who gave him pencils & twizzlers".

Name Update

So it's been brought to my attention that I need to change the name of our blog (originally T&A...& Owen too) now that Miss Brynnleigh is here. Any suggestions?? It's almost 9pm and well, my brain is gone...it's what happens when you've been around a 3.5 & 2 wk old all day!!

So I realize that our family of initials...is well kinda funny...T & A...and now the kids are O B...I guess that's better than BO right?

So I will rack my brain this evening...in my sleep...and may even let my creative husband have some say as well!! But please...if you have a suggestion, I'd love to hear it!

Happy 30th B-day Troy!!

So yesterday was the big 3-0 for Troy!! Poor thing had to go back to work on his birthday...totally poor planning on mine & Brynnleigh's part! O & I were supposed to make Daddy some special birthday cupcakes....but Mommy started feeling feverish and decided it was best not to be baking. We have plans to make them today...just waiting for Little Miss to wake up & eat!

So...Troy I'm sorry we celebrated your b-day a month early at the surprise party and that yesterday wasn't the best birthday in the world. Just know that you are the best husband and father out there and I brag about you every second I get. I may not be the best wife/mom in the world, but I sure do have the best of the best to make up for my flaws.

Thanks for always wiping my tears (even when I'm in crazy preggo hormone mode) and making me laugh. I look foward to seeing your next 30 years.....

Big Bro Owen!

Owen is a great big brother to Miss Brynnleigh. I was a little worried at first that he would get jealous or resent his little sister. Boy was I wrong!! He has soo much love for his little sister!! Everytime she cries, he asks "what's wrong w/my baby sister?" He LOVES to hold her, give her the pacifier, and even feed her. He actually likes diaper changes too..maybe I can put him to work!! : )

Owen, Brynnleigh is lucky to have you for a big brother. I love to see your eyes light up everytime you see her!! I know that you will always protect her and keep her away from those mean boys!! I love that you always want her around, and when you wake up, you want her up as well. I'm sure you will have your moments as you both grow, but you will be the best of friends as well!!

I'm sure you will also take advantage of your 3.5 years age gap...as did my brother. I'm sure I will find you "teaching" her how to play poker w/her money, talking her into "wrestling" just so you can't get in trouble for beating her up, and locking your door while you play video games w/your friends just so she can't watch!! But all in all, I know that deep down, you will want your sister around, if for nothing else, so you can look at her cute friends!! : )Congrats on being a big brother baby boy....you are the best!!

Happy 1 Week Brynnleigh!!

I can't believe it's been a whole week since Miss Brynnleigh made her arrival!! She is such an easy baby (Yes I'm knocking on wood). I've been able to get a total of at least 6 hrs of sleep each night so I can't complain. She is super content and is happy or asleep as long as she gets fed & changed!!

On her 1 wk birthday she was 6 lbs 3 oz (she dropped to 6lbs 1 oz when we left the hospital).

So Happy One Week Birthday Brynnleigh!!

The Milk Truck...

This would be my new name...at least at this point. I decided to attempt to breastfeed Brynnleigh, fully anticipating a failure. Well I was run....she nurses like a champ, and I have milk. This is so different than my experience w/Owen. I nursed him exclusively while in the hospital, and by the time we got home, I was in so much pain and he was soo hungry that we went to formula. I tried to go back and do both, but he would never latch on. I pumped for 6-8 wks, but not enough to make it worth it. So this time, I thought for my conscience I would try...and when my milk didn't come in, I'd be okay to do formula. Boy was I wrong!!

First off, my milk has been in for at least 24 hours....and Brynnleigh can go from boob to bottle with no problem what so ever. So...what's the problem? I feel trapped, and I feel like I'm neglecting Owen as much as I'm helping Brynnleigh. I'm constantly nursing, or putting something on my nipples, and Owen has to wait or I have him running around picking things up for me while I'm nursing. Troy wants to help, especially now while he's home for 2 weeks, and he really can't.

I want to breastfeed for the following reasons:

1 - Benefits to Brynnleigh
2- Benefits to me (can we say weight loss!!)
3 - Easy on the go & cost effective

Reasons I don't want to breasfeed:
1 - it hurts like hell
2- I feel like I'm neglecting Owen
3 - Troy can't help/bond w/Brynnleigh
4 - Not much of a money saver when we are going through multple diapers a feeding
5 - I'm a slave to the clock
6 - I really don't want to pull my boobs out in public
7 - I'm not sure it's a good decision for Owen to constantly see my boobs, especially since he was talking to my boobs instead of me tonight....that shouldn't start until he's 16 right?

So what am I going to do?? I don't know. I want to try and stick it out and see if I can make it through the pain.....but as I'm saying that...I'm sitting in the family room w/my boobs hanging out because it hurts for anything to touch them. I guess I'll take it one feeding at a time. I've already decided that we will give her formula at her next feeding (normally we do the midnight/early morning feeding w/formula) and if she needs to eat during O's soccer game tomorrow I will probably do formula as well. But beyond that, I don't know. I feel like it's a no win situation, and once I make the decision to stop, I can't go back. I don't want to regret my decision.

I know formula fed babies are fine, healthy, etc. I mean, Owen is one of those!! I could pump, but how would I know how much expressed breast milk to give her....and I still run the issue of my boobs always being out in front of Owen.

Why can't things be easier??

Announcing Brynnleigh Allen Lacks!!

She's here....and is perfect!! We were scheduled to be induced Monday morning at 6:45 am, but Brynnleigh had other plans!! At 2:13 am I felt a little kick, and then a small gush of water. I jumped from the bed and ran to the bathroom....Troy followed me asking me what was wrong. I told him that I thought my water had just broken. For some strange reason, we were both calm...and luckily, we had already taken Owen to my parents in preparation for the induction.

So I ran to the toilet (cuz that's what you do when your water breaks I guess!) and sat there...looked at my pajama pants...which were wet...and yes, I smelt them to make sure I hadn't just wet myself! ; ) Then, I looked into the toilet, and saw the famous mucus plug....I had never seen one before...but trust me, when you see one, you'll know you saw it!!

Troy asked me what I wanted to do, and I told him I was fine since I wasn't having contractions at that time. I jumped in the shower (because again...that's what people do when they are in labor....take a shower) and Troy laid back down. 8 minutes later as I'm exiting the shower, Troy runs in again in exasperation "what's wrong??? Why didn't you take your normal 30 minute shower....I was trying to lay back down" Yes, this is the man I married!! Of course he was joking, and I thought it was funny. I simply explained to him that I didn't think it would be smart for me to sit down and stand back up just to shave my legs while in labor with a second baby. He agreed, and proceeded to get himself ready.

While he shaved and showered and my nonexistant contractions were now 5 minutes apart....I made up the bed (no water leakage there thank goodness), dried my hair, and thought about jumping on facebook to of course update my status!

Troy & I gathered all our bags which were already packed, loaded up the car, grabbed the bills and mail because, once again, we decided that it would be smart to stop by the post office on the way to the hospital. We also took a few "in labor" pictures because well...what else would we do??

We arrived to the hospital around 3:30-4 am and I sat down in the waiting room to read a magazine while Troy parked the car (at this point, we my be crazy). Once Troy walked in, the receptionist finally noticed me, and said "Mrs. Lacks?". Poor lady was rushing trying to get all of the registration/check in process taken care of (I had pre-registered). I told her not to rush, that I was fine....her response..."You are in labor aren't you Mrs. Lacks?" "I guess so, water has broken, and my contractions are 5 minutes apart, but I'm fine, no biggie"

We walked up to the 3rd floor where labor & delivery was, checked in, met our nurse, and went to our room. I undressed...sat in bed to answer all the fun nurse questions...and then the rest of my water broke. Obviously before, was just a slow leak....because my bed was soaked! Even my socks were wet (gross I know). I told the nurse "Umm....the bed is like soaked"....she lifts up the sheets...."Wow...that is a lot of water" Thank goodness, we didn't plan another stop along our way to the hospital...that would have been bad to have happened at home or in the car!

So when the nurse checked me around 4ish I was 5 cm and 70% effaced. Contractions were 2-3 minutes apart...steady. She told me, you'll have her this morning...no problems! At this point, I probably should have listened....but I didn't. No one even knew we were in the hospital already!

I got the epidural about 6-6:30 ish and from then on I was golden. It was stronger/heavier than what I had w/Owen...I had absolutely no feeling in my legs....it was weird. At 9 am when my doctor checked me I was 8 cm (not sure on effacement) and at a 0 station. He told them to call when I was ready. My nurse decided to check me at 10 since I was having absolutely no feeling from my waist down and didn't have any pressure or urge to push. When she did, I was 10 cm, fully effaced, and ready to push. She called the doctor and at 10:15 I was set to start pushing.

14 minutes of pushing, 11 total pushes (actually 10.5) Brynnleigh was here!! It was 100 times easier than Owen...I guess the difference of 1st versus 2nd babies, and regular labor versus induction.

I never had pitocin to speed it up or anything...thank goodness...if they had given me pitocin, she would have been here at 6 am!

Luckily we started calling our parents around 6:45 am and they were all there just in time for her birth.

Brynnleigh Allen Lacks

6lbs 7 oz 19 3/4 inches tall

Owen is sooo excited to finally be a big brother....he's been on cloud 9 since Monday!!