So as many of you know I have started couponing...this is my first week. I am really starting to keep my eye out for deals. So far I have made 1 really great purchase (hey it's a start) and have 3 rainchecks. I was really upset that I couldn't do anything more than this but I guess it's an okay start. All at CVS...
I bought Mitchum Advanced Control Deodarant - original price $3.99. On Sale for $1.99. Had a 0.75 cent coupon. So got it for $1.25. Not too shabby.
I have 3 rainchecks too since they were out of the product:
- Charmin 4 count toilet paper - original price $4.99. On sale for $2.99. Have a $1 off coupon. Final price: $1.99
- Schick Hydro Razor - Original Price $8.99, on sale for $8.00. Have a $4.00 off coupon. Will receive $4.00 extra bucks to use on a future purchase. Final Price: Practically Free
- Colgate Total - Original Price $3.69. On sale for buy one get one free. Have two $1 off coupon. Final price: 0.85 cents each.
Stay tuned for some more success stories (I hope). One day I hope to have a $200 bill that I got down to <$100! We shall see :)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Start of Being a Coupon Mom?
I am making a change in my life. I am going to become one of "those" moms who clip coupons. After watching Extreme Couponing on TLC I have made a promise to myself - by the end of the year I am going to cut our grocery bill in half. By this time next year, my ultimate goal is to cut it down by 1/4! Do you think I can do it? I am not sure but I am definitely going to try!
I am starting to watch out for ads. I am keeping a close eye on CVS and Walgreens...I guess these are where you can really save money! I have discovered based on reading up on those that coupon that you should never pay for bath and beauty, or at least have over 75% savings on anything you purchased. Toothpaste and toothbrushes should be free. Deodarant and razors should be free or at least no more than a couple of dollars.
So how am I going to do this? I have been reading up on multiple sites - including couponmom.com, thekrazycouponlady.com, and coupondivas.com. I will get the Sunday paper and save all coupon books. I will keep an eye on ads, and match up manufacturer, store, and discounts at the store so that we can start building our stock. In a months time I hope to be starting ot create a stock of nonperishable items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc) so that we can not have to worry about going to the store for these items.
Can I do it? I don't know but I sure hope so. It looks like it might take some time - but if others are doing it and only paying $10 for $75+ worth or product why can't I?
For once, I am excited about saving money! I will keep you up to date on whether I actually accomplish this - and I am hoping to post when I get good deals so hopefully you can enjoy these benefits as well!!
I am starting to watch out for ads. I am keeping a close eye on CVS and Walgreens...I guess these are where you can really save money! I have discovered based on reading up on those that coupon that you should never pay for bath and beauty, or at least have over 75% savings on anything you purchased. Toothpaste and toothbrushes should be free. Deodarant and razors should be free or at least no more than a couple of dollars.
So how am I going to do this? I have been reading up on multiple sites - including couponmom.com, thekrazycouponlady.com, and coupondivas.com. I will get the Sunday paper and save all coupon books. I will keep an eye on ads, and match up manufacturer, store, and discounts at the store so that we can start building our stock. In a months time I hope to be starting ot create a stock of nonperishable items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc) so that we can not have to worry about going to the store for these items.
Can I do it? I don't know but I sure hope so. It looks like it might take some time - but if others are doing it and only paying $10 for $75+ worth or product why can't I?
For once, I am excited about saving money! I will keep you up to date on whether I actually accomplish this - and I am hoping to post when I get good deals so hopefully you can enjoy these benefits as well!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
I have been a Posting Fool!
So I know I have just posted on my blog. I have been updating pretty regularly actually compared to my normal. But I posted mostly facts.
Now I am going to post some thoughts.
This has been a roller coaster of a ride...this thing called being a mom. The first time around I felt like it was easy - I had a daughter who was growing well, a pretty great baby whose only downfall was crying...a lot. But she was so cute I could handle it.
Than I got pregnant with my second. I loved every minute of it just like the first. But I was living on the edge. On the edge of will I be having her early? Will I be able to go back to work? Will I ever make it to term?
And I got close...4 weeks early just like the first. She was on the verge of being concerned when she was born. She was only for observation but just enough to worry me with her breathing, her sugars, her bilirubin, and her head. But never enough to worry the doctors.
Than her head started growing...quickly! And the doctors were worried. The tests were negative, but I was still worried. And we looked at her head 4 times with different tests - all pretty much the same - enough to be a little concerned and follow but not enough to do anything.
Than her breathing became an issue. She was holding her breath at night, she was snoring, she is constantly getting sick, and now we are working her up for asthma. Again, not enough to really worry the doctors, but just enough to worry momma!
And now we have this tiny thing called a PFO. I went in to cardiology thinking we would hear that her heart is perfectly normal - or rather perfect! Instead, we heard that she has a tiny whole in her heart. Again, not enough to worry the doctors, but enough to worry her momma...again.
Don't get me wrong. I am SOOO very grateful that everything we have done has not found anything serious. I just wish that every doctor we went to see would not find something tiny that we still have to monitor. Because a "it's essentially normal but we have to monitor" is not good enough for a mom. I want to here "it is normal and there is no concern."
I hope you don't think I am complaining. I hope you don't think I am not grateful for the fact that I have two beautiful girls who are growing and interacting and developmentally perfect. This is, however, my blog where I can write how I feel. And that is how I feel.
Still waiting on the sleep study and again...I am worried we will hear something is wrong. Something else to make me worry that one of these days the rug is going to be pulled out from under me and something will actually be really wrong.
On an end note - I love my family and I always will. I love being a mom, even when I am on the uphill sweep of this roller coaster.
Now I am going to post some thoughts.
This has been a roller coaster of a ride...this thing called being a mom. The first time around I felt like it was easy - I had a daughter who was growing well, a pretty great baby whose only downfall was crying...a lot. But she was so cute I could handle it.
Than I got pregnant with my second. I loved every minute of it just like the first. But I was living on the edge. On the edge of will I be having her early? Will I be able to go back to work? Will I ever make it to term?
And I got close...4 weeks early just like the first. She was on the verge of being concerned when she was born. She was only for observation but just enough to worry me with her breathing, her sugars, her bilirubin, and her head. But never enough to worry the doctors.
Than her head started growing...quickly! And the doctors were worried. The tests were negative, but I was still worried. And we looked at her head 4 times with different tests - all pretty much the same - enough to be a little concerned and follow but not enough to do anything.
Than her breathing became an issue. She was holding her breath at night, she was snoring, she is constantly getting sick, and now we are working her up for asthma. Again, not enough to really worry the doctors, but just enough to worry momma!
And now we have this tiny thing called a PFO. I went in to cardiology thinking we would hear that her heart is perfectly normal - or rather perfect! Instead, we heard that she has a tiny whole in her heart. Again, not enough to worry the doctors, but enough to worry her momma...again.
Don't get me wrong. I am SOOO very grateful that everything we have done has not found anything serious. I just wish that every doctor we went to see would not find something tiny that we still have to monitor. Because a "it's essentially normal but we have to monitor" is not good enough for a mom. I want to here "it is normal and there is no concern."
I hope you don't think I am complaining. I hope you don't think I am not grateful for the fact that I have two beautiful girls who are growing and interacting and developmentally perfect. This is, however, my blog where I can write how I feel. And that is how I feel.
Still waiting on the sleep study and again...I am worried we will hear something is wrong. Something else to make me worry that one of these days the rug is going to be pulled out from under me and something will actually be really wrong.
On an end note - I love my family and I always will. I love being a mom, even when I am on the uphill sweep of this roller coaster.
Brooklynn's Cardiology Appointment
Today we went to see Dr. Bingler in cardiology. They started with measurements - she was 81.2 cm long, 12.2 kg, and her blood pressure was 107/66. I asked about the blood pressure because it is the same as mine, and they said it was in her leg which is usually higher and also that the dynomaps that they take them on are not 100% accurate. Okay...I guess I am okay with that answer.
They did an EKG which I am assuming was normal because they did not say anything. The doctor came in, said he heard a soft murmur, and therefore wanted to do an echo. We did the echo, and found out that she has a 3-4mm PFO (patent foramen ovale). This is a whole that is there in utero to help with blood flow from the placenta to the lungs in the fetus, but should close after birth. Hers did not. He said that there really are no complications that they know of for sure with PFOs. If they are large enough it can cause respiratory infections (which he said it sounds like hers are not necessarily from here - but it could have complicated things when she had RSV as a baby and required oxygen). He said since this is the first time we have seen her, we don't know if her PFO was larger when she was a baby, and therefore it is hard to determine if it is closing or staying the same size. They will be following her again in 9 months with another echo to see if the PFO has grown larger as she gets bigger, has gotten smaller, or closed.
I guess there is some research out there that this possibly might increase the chance of her having a stroke when she is older, but there is such conflicting research that it is not sure if this is true. He said hopefully in 5 years we will know more and that will be beneficial for her if it is still there to know this research. He said there is no risk at this time of a clot, and if it was less than 2mm they wouldn't even follow it any more. So let's just hope next time it is closed. Makes me a little nervous for a long term outcome, but hopefully the research is not true!!
We are still waiting on the results of the sleep study...
They did an EKG which I am assuming was normal because they did not say anything. The doctor came in, said he heard a soft murmur, and therefore wanted to do an echo. We did the echo, and found out that she has a 3-4mm PFO (patent foramen ovale). This is a whole that is there in utero to help with blood flow from the placenta to the lungs in the fetus, but should close after birth. Hers did not. He said that there really are no complications that they know of for sure with PFOs. If they are large enough it can cause respiratory infections (which he said it sounds like hers are not necessarily from here - but it could have complicated things when she had RSV as a baby and required oxygen). He said since this is the first time we have seen her, we don't know if her PFO was larger when she was a baby, and therefore it is hard to determine if it is closing or staying the same size. They will be following her again in 9 months with another echo to see if the PFO has grown larger as she gets bigger, has gotten smaller, or closed.
I guess there is some research out there that this possibly might increase the chance of her having a stroke when she is older, but there is such conflicting research that it is not sure if this is true. He said hopefully in 5 years we will know more and that will be beneficial for her if it is still there to know this research. He said there is no risk at this time of a clot, and if it was less than 2mm they wouldn't even follow it any more. So let's just hope next time it is closed. Makes me a little nervous for a long term outcome, but hopefully the research is not true!!
We are still waiting on the results of the sleep study...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
bp photography
I am starting a new blog to display my photography work. If you are interested in being a member please let me know.
It is http://photographybybp.blogspot.com.
Either join just to be able to look at the pictures (there will be lots of the girls I am sure), or feel free to contact me for a session.
If you want to book a session contact me either through here, facebook, or e-mail me at kityhawk13@aol.com.
It is http://photographybybp.blogspot.com.
Either join just to be able to look at the pictures (there will be lots of the girls I am sure), or feel free to contact me for a session.
If you want to book a session contact me either through here, facebook, or e-mail me at kityhawk13@aol.com.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Brooklynn's Genetics Appointment
Today we had our genetics appointment (finally after waiting for 3 months!) It was a great appointment. They took our family history, family tree, and B's medical history. They measured our heads and sure enough - we both have large heads (not to the capacity that Brooklynn does). They did all sorts of measurements (measured the space between her eyes, her ears, her hands, her feet), took her height and weight, measured her head, etc. etc. Dr. A determined that based on her growth being so perfect and her development being on point, there is no concern or reason to do any more tests. She said based on what she had been told she was prepared for us to have her chromosomes drawn, but after meeting her, and seeing how cute she was (her words not mine) :) she determined this did not need to happen. She is saying that we will label it "familial macrocephaly".
She did say, however, that if there were ever any concerns that popped up (she stopped hitting her milestones, her growth halted, we found something medically wrong) to call and they will see us again. If we find out anything at cardiology to notify them and they will probably want her seen. I have a feeling our cardiology appointment will go smoothly as well - she only has an intermittent murmur and she is growing leaps and bounds so I don't see how it could be anything wrong.
Other than that we are doing really great! Had a wonderful weekend taking pictures of the girls and going to the pool and enjoying the SUPER hot weather!! Still waiting on the results from the sleep study, hoping to hear about that soon!
She did say, however, that if there were ever any concerns that popped up (she stopped hitting her milestones, her growth halted, we found something medically wrong) to call and they will see us again. If we find out anything at cardiology to notify them and they will probably want her seen. I have a feeling our cardiology appointment will go smoothly as well - she only has an intermittent murmur and she is growing leaps and bounds so I don't see how it could be anything wrong.
Other than that we are doing really great! Had a wonderful weekend taking pictures of the girls and going to the pool and enjoying the SUPER hot weather!! Still waiting on the results from the sleep study, hoping to hear about that soon!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Brooklynn's Sleep Study
Brooklynn had her sleep study last night and it SUCKED!! We arrived at 7:15pm, and they started putting wires on her by 7:45pm. It took them 45 minutes to put them on and the whole time she was crying. Literally the only thing that calmed her down was the movie Curious George. Thank heaven for Child Life because they found us a portable DVD player and the movie!! She finally was able to lay down and fall asleep by 8:45pm. Unfortunately, the whole night either she woke herself up or the RT would wake her up because of the wires falling off. I bet it was probably about 10 times throughout the night she was woken up. She looked like a war victim! There were probably 20 wires going from her head, one on her chest, one on her back, 4 on her legs, a sat probe on her foot, and two bands that wrapped around her chest and abdomen. This afternoon she is back to her old self and smiling and playing! So I guess it did not effect her too much!
They told us it takes 2-4 weeks to have the results read. The RT however said that he thinks ours will be read earlier than that because he is putting it on the top of the list. He said she snored so much throughout the night that it worried him. Strange, because I felt like other than her crying and seeming exhausted from that, I felt like she was quieter than normal. I guess we will see how it is interpreted. I will be really freaked out if they show she is doing something really bad because she was 100x worse prior ot starting the Prevacid back up.
Thank you to my mom who watched her this morning so I could sleep! Here are some pictures of her adventures last night.
They told us it takes 2-4 weeks to have the results read. The RT however said that he thinks ours will be read earlier than that because he is putting it on the top of the list. He said she snored so much throughout the night that it worried him. Strange, because I felt like other than her crying and seeming exhausted from that, I felt like she was quieter than normal. I guess we will see how it is interpreted. I will be really freaked out if they show she is doing something really bad because she was 100x worse prior ot starting the Prevacid back up.
Thank you to my mom who watched her this morning so I could sleep! Here are some pictures of her adventures last night.
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