Goodbye 2010

Happy New Years Eve! This is such a fun time of year. Gathering late with friends and family to ring it in. You start off a new year with the people who matter most having a great time.



Since joyfully pregnant I will miss the customary, to the holiday not necessarily me, (okay sometime me too)over indulgence. Instead I will be cheering with the kiddos and trying to keep them awake. Just as much fun and not a bad feeling in the morning.



But if I got to celebrate this Lilly collection is how I would have like to do it. Jay said he will get it for me when baby is born. Yeah! My most exciting event planned for 2011.

I am soon headed down to retrieve my older boys from their grandparents. They got to spend a couple of days down there before the weather up here turn bad. So I will be out of bloggy land till next year. Till then Happy New Years to all of you I wish the best in 2011! And I can't wait to read all the best of 2010 and goals for 2011 over the next week.

Extreme Couponing

Tonight a show on TLC caught my eye, extreme couponing. Now I love to save money just like anyone else the more I save the happier I am. I thought maybe I could catch a few secrets from this show. I have book marked a few money saving sites that lets you know internet deals and have printable coupons. I don't check them daily but when I do I have come across some great deals. I do try to buy the Sunday paper every week. Not only do I enjoy looking over it, especially the local sections, but I by it for the add: coupons. I am a coupon clipper. I have a special folder in my day book that is just for them and I carry it with me most everywhere I go.



There are certain restaurants I will not go to unless I have a coupon. Last year we bought a discount book. If you have not seen these they do hold hundreds of local restaurant, golf, movie and other sorts of coupons in them. We used it till the thing was expired and dog eared. You have to buy these books but if you use it like we do than you get your money out of it. However there are two outcomes that came from that book I did not think about. The positive one was we spent a lot of time as a family going out to many new restaurants. It became a great bonding time for all of us and we tried places we normally would not have. The flip side we went out to eat a lot more and that unplanned spending got very high. With these coupons you often order more or higher priced meals than you would normally get leading to higher bills. Still over all we had good experiences with this book but we are not planning on buying it again.




Curious I started watching the show.



I was blown away. The profiled couples were mostly husband and wife pairs and there was one family with a child yet these people had enough in there home to last them years. I am not exaggerating. They had 3 years worth of toilet paper, thousands of boxes of pasta, you see the insane quantities in which I am talking about. For two people! It is great to save money, to catch a good deal but how much is your house worth? In all the cases these families were above ultra organized but hoarders still comes to mind.

In a house that I am fighting for every inch of space having stockpiles of shampoo is not as important to me as a place to put the legos. People were dedicating rooms, floors, and garages to this collection of their own mini supermarkets. This is insane. As a family of 6 we do not keep that much on hand and yes we buy in bulk for nearly all items. Unfortunately I do go to the store often but I don't think I would know how to handle the amount of stuff these families buy, or coupon to free.

Lately we have been trying to eat up what we have in the freezer and pantry. This has lasted us for weeks now. Even over Christmas. We have only had to buy a few items to complete the recipes and of course your daily staples and we go through a lot of milk, bread, eggs and frozen pizza.

Now financially they did fantastic. The total price of there grocery bill was so high sometimes over a thousand mostly in the upper hundreds. When they would walk out of the store after the coupons the out of pocket price would be a fraction. A few times under $10! Wow that is savings on stuff you don't need.

That part was inspiring. They were great savers. I wish I could save like that but I don't want a stockpile. But I know who does. Every week I am asked by multiple organizations to donate food, supplies, all kinds of items. I can't give to all there are a few I do give what they ask for every time but there are many others I would like to help. With two young boys, one baby and another on the way time is also hard for me to give and cash is tight. So for what I took from this show is that if those people can save and stockpile like that then I can do more to help those in need.

When looking through the Sunday coupons there are plenty I don't clip because I would not use it. But from now on I am going to make an effort to clip more find those great deals and give it away. Just think how you could change some ones life and fill a food pantry. I am by no means saying I will be like the families featured. I don't have the time or addiction that they do. But I want to help and I do have drive and determination.

So here's to a new passion for the new year... semi extreme couponing for the community.

Self portraits of a 1 year old

Smiley stole my camera



proof was in the pictures when I found it. Plus I found it in his sticky fingers.



Probably due to the lack of quality babysitters around here.

Boxing Day

Yeah we believe. It is bitter sweet though. For as much as we loved Christmas we are ready to move on. The decorations are beautiful but there are just so many everywhere it is very clutter some after awhile. I am going to miss my big beautiful tree. It is so gorgeous I thought it could be a valentines tree, birthday tree heck lets stretch this out and adorn it in stars and stripes. After all it all ready has the white lights. Aw summer dreaming, warm weather, flip flops. But out of everything that is the one thing my husband wants out of here the most. It just takes up a lot of space and he wants to reclaim that. I am okay with it because I hate watering this monster. It drinks so much and I come out with battle wounds every time. I think I might start my own club, VCT, Veterans of Christmas Trees. We can get together downtown drink egg nog eat fruit cakes and tell each other about our heroic adventures with our Christmas trees.

After church my family braved the worst to head out to wal mart.
1. Sunday after church rush
2. The day after Christmas
3. The last good chance to shop before we are expected to get a big snow storm
4. Windy and cold temperatures with a very hungry mom

It was like the perfect storm. We were prepared for the wost. But we need more rubbermaid tubs, batteries, and dish soap. The parking lot was full, the store was busy, there were very few eggs left and almost no milk. But we bought those before Christmas so no worries there and as far as the rest it really was not that bad. We knew what we needed, were on a mission, got in and got out. It turned out okay.

During the time the tree was up it lost almost all the ornaments that were two and half feet and under. It looked pretty funny by the time Christmas came.



Please someone remind me when our new baby is one we should only decorate with ribbons that year.

I started taking down the surviving ornaments but could not reach the top.



Evan brought a stool for me to reach the top. Oh thank you Evan I said. He replied in one of those 5 year old saying I just love. "Your just a kid mom. Remember your Memas and Pepa kid. You are a big kid but your still a kid and need help. I will help you." I love him!

The boys helped me as much as I could stand.



We continued to box up the rest. Most is now done a little left for tomorrow. The clean up to Christmas 2010.

It is here!

Wow today is Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all from our family to yours. Does it seem like Christmas? Yes today does. It came so quick but we had a great month of celebrating. Looking back on all the memories made with my family touches my heart. I hope we can hold them all in our minds as well but if we can't a great reason why I have this blog we can look back and get a little help remembering.



Today was very nice. We stayed home, stayed together and played together. Christmas eve Gregory was hoping that Santa would fill the room with presents. Now Santa all ready was not bringing him what he asked for but Santa did fill the room for him. Santa and some very generous neighbors and grandparents.



I could not believe how many gift for the children there were. It was was so much fun to lay them out and getting to be Santa. Luckily the boys can not yet tell Santas writing.

I could not sleep last night I was just as excited as the children. I woke and waited for them to wake up. Gregory was the first up running into our room and said I think Santa has been here. I told him to go down stairs and check then let us know. He raced down the stairs and started cheering. Exactly the response I wanted, I love.

We all got up and went down stair to enjoy all the gifts he had brought. Pajamas on hair undone in was okay. I was not going to stress this year about them in picture perfect matching clothing. We were going to enjoy each other however we may be. And some of the boys are still in there pj's now. They are happy and I am happy too.



Gregory did not get what was on his list. He did not get a DSI, cell phone or Nerf gun. He checked each package and thought many of them would be those items. He mentioned Santa did not bring him what he asked for but he was happy with what he got. And he got so many nice things that he liked. Many great toys that he did not even know he wanted. He has had a great day!

He made my day over and over. Yesterday he gave me and his dad a story book about what he loved about our family, doing with our family and what we do together on Christmas. It was very special. He got bendaros, a clay molding thing, and he made it say I LOVE MOM. He drew a picture of mommy including the baby in her belly. He also got me a number 1 mom necklace. Constantly wanting to play and cuddle with me he is the sweetest son.



Evan had a great day too and scored big on the hot wheels. He started the day off with a smile and a cookie and remained sweet throughout.



This is the first Christmas that meant anything to Smiley. Last year he was just 9 months and adorable. He was a tiny baby who laid there and smiled at us and the lights. This year he could enjoy the festivities. He ate so many cookies and had a big sugar melt down in the afternoon.



He was able to unwrap presents but did not care for that yet. He enjoyed watching us and getting into the things his brothers got. He got many balls and trucks that put a big smile on his face.

I actually did not buy that many presents for the children. For the older ones a little bit more but under seven for Smiley under 5 including Santa's 1 gift. The children received gifts from many others. They were such great toys. Many we had never thought about but are amazed how much the kids love them. They have been playing non stop all day.



They got a huge outside hot dog house but it is so cold out there it snowed all day! They wore me down and I let them put it up inside. It was so cute to watch them play. They made me be there customer many times over.






We did not have a traditional dinner but Christmas tacos. We did not have anyone over just kept it to our family. As the night progressed it was nice not to have the stress of traveling or preparing a big meal but I am hungry and I do miss it.

Christmas was great this year. The whole month was something special. As I look forward to wrapping up the day I am very much looking foward to tomorrow going to church. It will be the Sunday conclusion of the true meaning of Christmas. What a wonderful way to end the holiday to end the year as it is also the last Sunday of the year.

Here are a few pictures of the kids on a train outing with Santa.



They played a minute on the tire swing. They went on like brave little boys and came off like dizzy drunks.





Look at these two boy with excitment all over there face.



It could only be...



SANTA!

He even let Gregory drive the train. It made his day. Worth the freezing temps. It was so cold this day the coffee would not stay warm.









Again Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. (okay I stole that line)

Reindeer food

You can't just make cookies for Santa. Although we made a ton!



If you want to be on Santa's good list you also have to feed his four legged friends too. What do reindeer eat? One website said carrots. So at the last trip to the crowded hectic grocery store the boys made sure their dad got the reindeer carrots.

Evan came home from school with the cutest little thing. A bag of reindeer food.



It will guide the reindeer to our home and then feed them. Evan dumped a big pile on the front lawn.



Gregory took a more lets fed them all approach and scattered it all over the back yard.



Three different ways to feed the reindeer. Three more tries to get on the good list.

Super Duper Sack

As I mentioned in an earlier post Evan received his gift from his grandmother in a big bag. A bag that he was so excited about a bag that is a present in itself.



All three boys were being shipped separately and I hoped they all would arrive in such a grand bad bag. But they did not. Only Evans.

A sack such as this they would use all the time. I could easily see them putting all sorts of things in it. Playing Zelda and carrying it around. Both boys needed a bag. So I decided to make one for Gregory.

I had bought the fabric in sparkly green. Gregory's favorite color and I knew he would love the sparkle shine to it. He did. He thought the fabric was great and could not wait till I made him a bag too.

With my time running out I got to it this morning. It is super easy to make and took no time at all. The hardest part was having my little elf help.



I still got it done. A sack fit for Santa. It turned out great.



Gregory was so happy. He set it right up front. He told everyone that came over today my mom made this for me. That made me feel so good. He told me this is what I am going to open first. Aww... thanks little guy. And thank you Grandma Ginny for the gift inside.

1 gift on Christmas Eve

The excitement in the air is unstoppable. From too early this morning, actually yesterday, the boys have been in a screaming whirlwind of jubilation. "Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" We started hearing all day two days ago. Then naturally progressing to being woke up this morning by them "Today is Christmas Eve!" Followed by "Can we open our present yet?"

They have had the present they want to open picked out and center show cased for a bit now. They had been guessing what they are. They guessed right. Maybe I should add snooping to this. We tried to deter them telling them it was anything other than what it was. But they were insistent on which ones they were gonna open and why.

Evan opened his big blue sack. Sure enough it was his Nerf gun from Grandma Ginny.



He LOVES it. He has been playing with it and shooting us all day. He has two jelous brothers who have been sneaking in turns whenever they can.



Gregory opened a wii game that was wrapped up and boxed in yet another package but he still knew what it was. He said by the shaking sound and the weight. That boy is good. But he did not know what game it was, we are still better. It was wipeout. He loves that show and is waiting for the winter one to come on. It was also a black Friday deal that was a great price. He has also very much been enjoying it. Playing when I let him. Beating me every time.

Sweet Smiley. My child that is also dreaming of warmer weather.



Both his brothers went shopping for him separately. Both brothers bought him the same soft, spiky, light up ball with googly eyes. Gregory was very happy to give him his today.



Smiley loved it.



And that's a good thing because we know whats in store for him tomorrow.

26 weeks

How is this pregnancy going? Fast! I have never had a pregnancy hurry along like this. When I stop and think it has been since July I have been pregnant and we knew so early it should feel like forever but no it has flown by.


10 weeks


11 weeks


12 weeks

For the most part I would say it has been a pretty good pregnancy. I had my share of morning (all day) sickness mostly in the 3rd and 4th month. That was tough. I had more with this baby tan any other. But it has passed and been replace with an insatiable appetite. I eat so much and nothing healthy. I only want and crave junk food. I tried not buying it but then I bake it. The house has been filled with the best sweets. I have told the doctor about my sweet tooth and they said don't worry you will lose the weight. I don't want to gain it. My 5 year old Evan told me I am doing a good job keeping the baby fed.


13 weeks


14 weeks

I have had a hard time with the weight. I always gain a lot of weight with each pregnancy. I always loose it or most of it before becoming pregnant again. It is hard to watch myself gain weight. I know I need to and it has not stopped me from eating but I so very much wish I could make better decisions. This time I set a goal of 150 pounds as the top. I passed it. I knew I was headed that way though. With Thanksgiving dinner, high calorie treats, soda everyday and a little person in me I blew it and I still have 14 weeks to go.

I have been doing water aerobics as well with this one. Maybe it is helping slow the weight gain. I started in July and proudly have kept up with it. Four mornings a week I drag myself to the gym and jump in the pool. I don't enjoy it. I thought if you do something for a few weeks it becomes a habit, but not this. It is more like a ugh feeling. I hate defrosting the car to go to the pool. I will still continue with it though. I know have very beneficial exercise is to me and the baby. And the old ladies that are also in the class are the sweetest German things. I am by far the youngest and those old ladies, they can do circles around me.


15 weeks


16 weeks

Tired. I am so tired! I do not nearly get enough rest. A night away form the kids, the house, propped up on to many pillows at the Plaza is very much needed now. It is just not going to happen here.


17 weeks

Pain is there with this pregnancy too. Each month I have sharp debilitating pain that last for a few days. At first it would happen once a month but now is more frequent. It is a pain that stops everything. It completely over takes me and leaves me immobile, crying, and unable to do anything. I have gone to the ER a few times with it. I have talked to my regular doctor and baby doctor and no one can figure it out. I would love to know what is wrong so I can know how to prevent it. They all say wait to your pregnancy is over and either see if it stops or then we can run the right test on you.

Other growing pains are there too. I am often sore and very achey. Resting does help. I have found myself on the couch a lot with this one. I have watched a lot of holiday specials. I have many great ideas for things to do when I can move again. My last pregnancy was so tough on my body I was nervous to become pregnant again. I would often come home from work and cry because it hurt so bad. Thankfully and luckily that is not the case this time. I do have those bad days but most are normal.


18 weeks

The baby is growing and so am I. I do love to see the beautiful round belly that develops as I move along. Baby is 2 pounds now and bigger than a Barbie. The best part is feeling the little movements and kicks. I love it!. Sometime a bit painful but I will take that pain any day to know baby is okay. I constantly hold my belly for these little kicks are the thing I miss the most when I am not pregnant. But now my belly is getting big enough that I have a hard time holding my other babies on my lap.


19 weeks

Stress is up. Emotions are everywhere. My poor family they live with my jeckel and Hyde self right now.



Last month I found out I have placenta previa. Hearing that made me look into it quite a bit. I just have a partial previa which means the placenta connected low and is partially covering my cervix. The baby can not come out naturally like this. It will require a c section IF the placenta does not move. The doctors are pretty sure tht it will and I should be able to have it naturally. There is nothing wrong or harming baby with placenta previa. Nothing harming me either. I told friends about it and was surprised to hear how many of them have had this as well. In every case their placentas moved. Only one actually moved to cover it further and she did have a c section ending with a healthy happy baby and mom. I am not at all worried but this news was actually nice to hear because the doctor followed it with you will have to get some more ultrasounds done. Yeah! I get to see my precious baby a few more times before the birth. How wonderful and reassuring.


20 weeks

I did have a big ultrasound done at 20 weeks. I was so excited. At this one I was going to be able to find out the baby's sex. Every bit of me said it was a boy but my heart hoped for a girl. I went alone to the appointment. I was very disappointed my husband could not be there, that he would miss this. However I had a fantastic tech she was the best company. I told her I had 3 other children all boys 7 and under and she almost immediately she said those boys are to be welcoming a....

SISTER!!!






She scrolled across the bottom area and said I really think this one is a girl I don't see a turtle. I will keep looking further. And she did. I would not take probably a girl for an answer. I wanted 100%. It was not easy but we still never saw a penis. Finally through an internal ultrasound we got the 100% proof I was after. There clear and present was my answer IT'S A GIRL! I was so happy I cried. I was also as I still am in disbelief. A girl really a girl, finally some pink in our home. I was so excited, over the moon would not even be the beginning of the description of how happy I am/was. I think in many ways in will only be a complete reality once I am holding her.


21 weeks


22 weeks


23 weeks

I left from there to see my boys and told them they were having a sister. Happily the older ones told me how they have know it was a girl all along, followed by a bunch of I told you so's. They did know. I guess sibling have that inherit sense. They knew before I knew that was pregnant with Brendan. I had people congratulating me on a girl from the boys telling them that before this day, before it was proven.


24 weeks


25 weeks

Overall it has been a good pregnancy. Moving quickly to my March due date. We are all very much anticipating her arrival and joining us. We are all ready to spoil her unimaginable. I am worried about Smiley. He is my baby! Boy is he ever the greatest baby. I am worried about his potential jealousy but I figure he will be 22 months almost 23 when she arrives. By the time she does any thing more than just lay there he will used to her and hopefully wont be jealous but playful with her. If not he will be bigger and stronger a better fit to keep up with his big rough and tough brothers. But there is time and plenty of love to go around. I will pray and I am sure everything will work out fine.


26 weeks


26 weeks