Worked for me- Laundry Day!

I know that most people do "Works for Me Wednesday", but if I try, I always think of something that works for me that I want to talk about on a Monday, or a Thursday... so I am just going to tell you about this today. :oP

Laundry Day for me really sucks. Seriously. My hubby is the one who throws all of his clothes (and I do mean all) into a pile outside his closet. Clean, dirty, kind of dirty, doesn't fit, needs repair... they all go into the same pile on the floor. And he hates me doing his laundry for some reason... I think he's afraid of clean, organized drawers and closet. But that's another story for another day. But his pile is what makes my laundry day suck... I have to conduct the dreaded smell test on half the clothes... and the other half I kind of wish I would have used tongs to pick up. Kidding. Kind of.

But I knew that there had to be an easier way, so I asked my friends what they do to make their laundry day run more smoothly, in regards to sorting, and I was told about this wonderful sorter available from Seville Classics. I bought it online at Costco.com, and let me tell you... best. purchase. ever.

First of all, I really didn't want to spend the money on another craptastic sorter. Some of them just fall apart, or the bags aren't easy to remove (or don't remove at all) or have those cheap plastic mesh bags that my cats rip to shreds. I also didn't want anything made of wood (splinters in my laundry just suck) and those plastic hampers are a pain to reach into at 7 months pregnant to try to grab a sock at the bottom. This new sorter is made of a higher grade metal, with metal wheels that allow me to roll it with ease over the carpet and tile to the laundry room. Each of the 3 bags easily removes from the holder, and holds about 2 loads (at least for my washer). Plus, having the hanging bar made quick work of all of the dress shirts and jeans that I like going from the dryer to hanging before wrinkles can set in!

I just did our first laundry day with the sorter... and I was able to wash 5 loads during the day... and it was CAKE! I rolled the sorter back to the bedroom with empty bags, and a full rack of hanging clothes, hung them in the closet... and my poor little back didn't even have to squirm at the thought of carrying any laundry!

I definetly recommend this laundry sorter if you are looking for something to make life easier! Costco also carries a similar model in stores without the hanging bar for slightly cheaper, but I seriously love the bar!

I know I shouldn't admit this...

but I am freaking out about Baby #2. We are due in 89 short days... but who is counting. And I am guaranteed that in 92 days I won't be pregnant anymore... no matter what. And I was really ok with this... until today.

I don't know what happened, but this morning I woke up in a panic. Like my brain just barely realized what is going on and because I am officially in the 3rd trimester, I need to freak out about everything. Everything that isn't done yet, everything that isn't purchased yet, everything that isn't washed yet, everything.

To top it off, I totally have been playing the "we don't need anything" card with my family in regards to a shower. It's not that I don't want a shower for this baby... it's that I don't want to be a gift grubbing person... and with this economy, the last thing I want to do is impose on anyone the need to buy a bib or pack of diapers or bottles or whatever.

So... I need to get my tush in gear and start putting together my "musts"... must do, must buy, must wash, just must. I tried googling a good list for what you need for Baby #2... and yeah, that's not going to help me. And I am even more at a loss since I have no idea if this baby is a boy or a girl... so baby clothes are going to be the last thing I do.

But... I have boobs, diapers, wipes, and a crib... I'll last a little while, right?

Be a Fantastic Parent #2

If you missed the first week... you can find it here!

#2: Teach your baby to sign. Just because a child can't talk doesn't mean there isn't lots that she'd like to say. Simple signs can help you know what she needs and even how she feels well before she has the words to tell you-- a great way to reduce frustration.

This has been a good one for us! When Ryan was really little, I would sign "more" to him all the time... and he just looked at me like I had 3 heads. But one day, he figured it out... and he would say "more" to everything! He became a little sponge for these signs, and now he uses "more", "please", "thank you", and "love" daily. I know that there are kids out there with more signs, but these few words have made our daily lives much easier, and he loves being able to use them! He will point at something he wants and say "Please". He can ask for more and hand me his cup. It really does reduce frustration!

Did you use signing? What are some things that your child loved to sign? Any suggestions for other parents? Share!!

Paying It Off!

It's hard living life, having kids, and still attempting to pay off debt. It is seriously tempting to just say "screw it!" and buy things on credit that we want and live a nice plush life.

But, all things considered, our life is pretty nice! We get things we need, have a few extras, and since we are willing to hold out for a deal, we can get great things that we want when the time is right. We are blessed to live in a great house, have an awesome backyard for entertaining, and don't worry about where our grocery money will come from. And it helps that I am a little bit on the penny pincher side.

As often as I have unnecessary freakouts about money... I am happy to annouce that Dustin and I hit our first milestone in our debt payoff plan.... we have paid off over $10,000 worth of debt since 1/1/2009!!! So, when I am worried that all of the weeks with money being a little bit tight and trying to figure out why this doesn't seem to be working... wondering if I need to go back to work and do something different... Obviously we haven't completely screwed up!

My Latest Project... Tickas!

Ok... no pictures... but I wanted to put a little bug in your ear as to what you can be seeing here in just a week or so...

I have learned how to do metal work and will be starting a new hobby making Mother's necklaces and bracelets. Most of the peices are organic in nature... handmade (no cookie cutters) and personalized. I also will be using Swarovski crystals to accent birthstones. I am so excited about these... and hope to be super busy for Mother's Day! I know that my own mom will be excited to be sporting her own "mimi" necklace!

I am calling my little jewelry collection Tickas... because that is the word Ryan uses when he tickles people. I am hoping that my little Tickas can bring a smile to your heart the way that my Buggy brings one to mine!

All of the jewelry is 99.9% Precious Silver (not sterling), and is not those stamped discs that are flooding everywhere right now.

I really can't wait for you to see them!!

Hubby Help

As you all know... I am a stay at home. I am also prego. So... even though I understand that most of the stuff around the house is my responsibility, I need help with things. Like throwing the trash. My husband is the worst at throwing the garbage. And I am not very good at nagging him about it. I'd just as soon grab another bag out, hang it from a drawer, and start another bag. Which is exactly what I did yesterday.

The hubby came home and noticed and said "Remind me to throw the trash out later." I have no clue why he couldn't throw it out right then and there... but somehow my brain needed to remember to tell him to throw the trash later. The same brain that reminded me twice last week to shower and barely reminds me daily to eat lunch. Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows exactly what brain I am dealing with. And understands why the trash didn't get thrown.

This morning I got an email from the hubs about billionaires in NY... something about goals in life... I just respond with "So, do you think Billionaires have to take out their own trash?"

I'm taking bets on the first thing that is done when he gets home.

Also... here's a little quote that was emailed to me yesterday... thought you might enjoy. :o)

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

Be A Fantastic Parent!

So yesterday I got an email from http://www.parents.com/ that was 50 Easy Ways to Be a Fantastic Parent... one a week for practically a year. I started reading them and thought that this would be a great thing to talk about one day a week... so I am gonna put one of these in each Tuesday... mkay??

1. Take charge. Children crave limits, which help them understand and manage an often confusing world. Show your love by setting boundaries so your kids can explore and discover their passions safely.

Ok... this one did make me giggle... I am going to be a fantastic parent by setting boundaries... riiiiight. But, then I thought about it more and realized that the point on this isn't the boundaries... but the safe exploration of your child's passion.

Buggy loves animals, coloring, and making music. He also loves to explore. I could very well just give him run of the house, but that's not safe. He'd no doubt find something secretly dangerous (like a tube of diaper cream) and we'd be in trouble. By the way... diaper cream is a laxative... and poison control doesn't laugh at you when you call saying your kid ate a whole tube of the stuff.

Since Bug gets a certain cabinet for exploring, and has full reign of 1 room in the house, he can take off and be a boy. He is so happy knowing that he can conquer bean bag chairs, climb on the dogs, and scribble on his magnadoodle to his hearts content and he won't hear a "NO!" This helps him feel like a big boy and yet keeps me sane. ;o)

Now, if only this worked with his father.

Savings and Splurges

Well... I pride myself on being able to not *need* things all the time... on being able to resist an impulse... but the past week, I received the product I have been lusting after and then subsequently splurged on... but ONLY when I found a great deal....

Meet my new Phil & Ted's Double! Well.. it looks like a single right now... but in under 100 days, it will be a double stroller for my two little kiddos! It's pretty awesome... and if you've never seen them before, check out http://www.philandteds.com/. I found a great deal that saved me $150 and I got free shipping... but it was still a major splurge. But... I am in love with it. and that's all that matters... ::hangs head in shame::

However, in an effort to correct my splurging... I have been super jealous of Courtney's savings, and decided to give CouponSense a try. For those that don't know, CouponSense is an online database that assists you in matching your coupons with current sales and promotions to maximize your savings. Those women you see on the news that claim to get 80% off their grocery bill... oftentimes they are from CouponSense.

I gave it a whirl on Saturday... just with some basics I needed from Walgreens... I got 5 packs of Huggies wipes (a total of 984 wipes) for $6 each on sale, a Gillette Fusion Razor for Dustin for $8.99 on sale, 3 packs of Orbit gum on sale for $.66 each, 2 packs of Peanut butter M&M's for $1, and a Walgreens Strawberry Soda for $.79. Hey... I'm pregnant. What can I say.

Now, I know that doesn't look like a great deal... I mean... I would have been at $42.76... but then the coupons kicked in... I had 5 "$5 off 1 pack of Huggies wipes" coupons, a "$4 off a Gillette Razor" coupon, and a "3 packs for $.99 Orbit Gum" coupon. All of a sudden... my total was $12.77 (before tax). Woohoo!!

But... as if that wasn't good enough... I got $10 in Register Rewards from Huggies saying "Thank you for wiping your babies tush with our products!" and another $4 Register Rewards from Proctor and Gamble saying "Your face is super smooth using our razor... so here is some more money to spend later!" So... I have $14 to spend at Walgreens before the end of the month... essentially free money...

So if you followed all of that... I got $42.76 worth of products for... um... -$1.23? Yeah... they paid me to shop... :o)

Some Monday Mumbling...

Since I don't have much to talk about today... but I am feeling a desire to at least say something... here are my Monday Mumbles...

I am getting into the "baking trimester" of my pregnancy... I had this period with Ryan, and I can tell it's starting to pick up... I have an unnatural need for cookies, brownies, bread, muffins... whatever deliciousness I can pull out of the oven. It can even be a casserole or pizza... I don't really care! And for some reason... I think that my love of the smell of Pam with Flour has something to do with that!

I am loving how easy this pregnancy has been so far (relative to my pregnancy with Ryan) but a lot of things are really making me uneasy. I am terrified of another c-section, but at the same time, the risks of a VBAC are making me a little nervous, too. I think it was great to be pregnant and naive before... not realizing any real dangers. Now, my mind is filled with with thoughts that this may be my last pregnancy and that things won't go as planned. But, I also realize that I serve a big God and that I can do all things that I put my mind to, with His help. So... I try not to freak out as much and take extreme pleasure in knowing that there are no more than 15w left in this pregnancy! Woohoo!

I love to cook... and I wish I had a great way for me to organize the recipes that my family uses all the time so that I could easily point my husband in that direction when I don't want to cook but he wants a family staple! I am thinking of putting together a family cookbook... maybe pass it out to my sisters for Christmas this year (they don't read my blog, so I can say that here). But I want something that is easy to update and to use. Tell me how you keep these things straight! Pretty pretty please?

I splurged on something... sooooo not like me... but I did it. But you can't know what it is until Thursday... when it shows up on my doorstep and I have it all put together... so maybe Friday. ;o)

Lastly... I am feeling like most of my fellow bloggers are falling off the face of the planet... look over at the blog roll and you'll see that 80% of them haven't updated in months!!! Please update!! I'd love to read what's going on in your lives!! And if you aren't on my blogroll yet, why don't you post a comment and I'll come visit you! :o)

Ryan's First Garanimals

Bug is getting big... but he's still a little guy. He's only in the 13th percentile for weight and the 50th percentile for height... so he'll be a string bean like his daddy. His size doesn't bother me at all... but I feel like the worst mom when I realize that he doesn't have very many clothes that still fit him! He has lots of long sleeved tees, sweaters, jeans... but those things only go so far in sunny Arizona... I mean, it was 91 degrees the last day of February!!

So, budget in mind... we went shopping today to get a few peices to help round out his wardrobe. And Tabitha met Garanimals, which feature animals that you match up and the clothes match, making it super easy for independant toddlers and colorblind dads alike! These clothes are super cheap at $3.50 regular price per peice (although they are commonly found in the clearance section for $1 each!!) and they are actually kind of cute! I love Ryan's Gap clothes... but at a fraction of the price, I was willing to give it a shot! (11 pieces at $3.50= $38.50)

I grabbed him 4 pairs of shorts (2 khaki colors, 1 blue jean, 1 plaid) and 7 t-shirts. Then I got him a pack of white onesies (although I am not sure he'll actually let me put them on him... 3 onesies for $3). This could mean I have enough summer clothes to get Ryan through for a while at only $41.50. Much much better than that $8 clearance stuff at Gap.

I also picked up milk ($1.98) and country crock ($2.42) while I was there, as well as a pack of plastic divided plates for Ryan (4 for $1.50) and some Crayola First Marks markers that were on clearance ($5.50 after 50% reduction). Not too bad for a $61 trip to Walmart. And the only real splurge was the markers.

Oh! I have taken up a new project... but it's super secret! Keep an eye out for something fun by the end of March!! I can't wait for it... and I hope you will be excited to find out what it is!!

Kate may be right...

Costco may very well be the devil.

Shhhhh! Don't tell her I said it... maybe she won't notice.

Seriously, I love Costco. There are so many *good* deals there that I simply can't pass somethings up... but I went today to get 3 things: wipes, tylenol, country crock. Welp, they don't actually carry Country Crock... they have I Can't Believe it's Not Butter (and we don't do that in this house)! So... I got the wipes (Huggies $23.99 for 1000 wipes... cheaper per wipe than Kirkland) and the tylenol (2 pack infant drops $11.59).

But then I remembered Bug needed soy milk ($12.79 for 12 quarts). And then decided on Spinach & Mozzerella ravioli for dinner (frozen... $9.49 for a big ol' bag that'll prob be 4 meals). We tried a sample of a Teriyaki Chicken, to which Ryan "MMMMMMMM'd" very loudly and signed "more"... so into the cart it went ($8.99 for 8 servings... will likely end up being 2 meals though for us). And we were out of dishwashing detergent (2 pack Kirkland 125oz liquid... $8.99). And... as I walked past the much to expensive Cokes... I remembered we were out of sugar... and although I know it would have been cheaper at the grocery store, I didn't want to make another stop. So... 10 lbs of Sugar ($4.75, pink package... the good kind) added to the basket.

So... 7 items... $84.61... and I am not sure it was worth it... but I think I am going to add every one of my purchases to the blog so I have a little bit of a "keep me honest" group. I know I could have done worse... but I am happy to know that it was ONLY things we *needed*... riiiiight...