Catch Up

So...a lot has happened since my last post...almost 3 months ago!  The main thing is the arrival of our sweet girl Peyton!  Over the next few days I will be catching up on posts to get up to date.  Peyton's nursery still isn't complete but I have some projects to share (and a few I haven't done yet).  I hope to get better about posting, but taking care of a newborn is unpredictable!  Some days she wants to be constantly held, and this momma is happy to oblige.  I love me some baby snuggles!  I wish there was a (good) iPad app for Blogger...it would make posting so much easier for me! 

Right Now...

I'm back!  Moving and the holidays were quite time consuming for us!  But we are (mostly) settled in our new home so I don't really have any more excuses!  Also, I have lots of projects in my head to complete in the next few weeks so I can't wait to share them!  But before I get to the projects, I saw this on another blog and thought I would participate.

Right now I am...

watching: Nate Berkus on my DVR.  I love his show and I am sad it is ending in May!  Even worse people such as Rosie, Queen Latifah & the host of Survivor are getting daytime talk shows!

eating: actually nothing!  surprising for a pregnant chick, right?!  But I'm about to eat some leftovers from our date night last night.

drinking: I just finished a glass of milk...trying to be a good mama and get enough calcium!

wearing: yoga pants, maternity tshirt, & my UofL snuggie.  Yes, I have (and love) a snuggie!:)

avoiding: Decluttering & organizing...it's amazing how fast paper accumulates in my home!  I plan to get to it tonight though since it has gotten out of hand.  And since it's Sunday I have today's paper/coupons to go through.  And the kitchen and hall bath still need some organizing after our move.

feeling: lots of jabs, rolls, kicks, etc. from Peyton!  The past week or so she has had VERY active stretches of about 20 minutes once or twice a day.  It's kind of comical how much she moves around at once.  It makes me think that she will not be a baby that is content to just sit/lay by herself.  I can't wait to find out! :)

missing: my husband.  He just left for his last few days of work in Alabama.  :(  When we found out we were moving back to KY we decided I wouldn't return to AL after Christmas, which meant he would have to spend 10-14 days by himself in AL.  A 5 hour drive at 35 weeks pregnant just didn't sound that great!

thankful: for so many things!  Mainly my wonderful family and friends.  They have been so helpful with the move back to KY.  I feel bad since I can't do as much these days (even though I try and my body protests!) but we have gotten so much help that I am beyond thankful for!  It has helped me be less stressed and overwhelmed.  I am also thankful for a healthy baby & pregnancy and my wonderful husband!  We cannot wait to meet our sweet girl!

weather: it's getting cooler, but it was a beautiful sunny day!

praying: for family and friends with health issues.

needing: being pregnant has shown me that my needs are so minimal!  But besides time, I need to get prepared for Peyton's arrival!  Her room is devoid of furniture...I do have some cloth diapers and a few clothes for her, but I definitely don't feel prepared! 

thinking: I need to get off the couch, eat, organize and tackle my sewing/crafting to do list!

loving: my comfy bed (it has helped this pregnant girl sleep!), friends that love, encourage and support me, family that loves us and is helping our little family get off to a great start, sweets (just about any kind!), finding good deals on baby stuff, and getting to work on organizing and decorating Peyton's room!

What are you all up to?

28 weeks and an update

Sorry for my absence!  I have been busy making Christmas gifts and a couple of Etsy orders, not to mention getting ready to move.  I am headed to KY at the end of this week and our stuff will be packed up early next week.  Our stuff won't be delivered until about 10 days after it's packed up.  Kind of a bummer, but doable.  Just means we will have to take a lot of stuff with us to my parents house!   And the good news is that we will be moved in before the end of the year so I can start on the nursery, finally!

My posts might be sparse for the rest of the year (which is only 18 days, crazy!), but I know you understand. :)  I do have some good stuff to share this week and I will share the gifts that I have made this year (after they are given of course!). 

In the meantime here is my 28 week picture (which is now 10 days old!).  It's hard to believe I will be 30 weeks on Friday!  So excited to meet our little girl!

Hope you survived Monday!

November Birchbox

Have you all have heard of Birchbox?  I hadn't until I read about it on The Small Things Blog.  For $10 a month you get a box of 4-5 beauty product samples.  It's a great way to try different products and have someone else do the shopping for you!  I just got my first box the other day, yay!  Here's what was inside.

The blue one on the left is chocolate...with chipotle, salt and popping candy!  Crazy!

As soon as I opened the box I was excited...it smelled so good! ha!  In my opinion the best part is that the products are personalized!  When you sign up you take a beauty survey and they base what they send you on that!  As you can see from Kate's November Birchbox, hers is different than mine.  Very cool!  And a fun way to spend some of my monthly "allowance"! 

If you want to sign up for your own, go to this link.  I've only tried the body butter so far (because it was what smelled so good) and it's already worth the $10!!  They also offer gift subscriptions in 3, 6 or 12 months.  Perfect if you need a last minute gift for the holidays!!

*Birchbox is not paying me or sponsoring this post...I just wanted to share!*

My To-Do List

Image Source

Although I'm not posting every day I am usually working on a project every day (I promise I haven't forgotten about you all!).  So I thought I would share what is on my to-do list for the next few months (probably until Peyton comes).  It is ever changing, but here it goes!

1. Finish purse into camera bag transformation
2. Make iPad case
3. Make countdown board (and tutorial to share!)
4. Refinish thrifted bedside table for guest room
5. Make potholder clutch(es)
6. Make baby blankets for Peyton
7. Make boppy covers
8. Make Christmas gifts
9. Plan Peyton's nursery (lots more projects with this!)
10. Make diaper bag and changing pad
11. Make items to sell in my etsy shop (that is to be opened...soon!)

Next week I will be putting out our Christmas decorations (woo hoo!)  Since I will not be back to Alabama after Christmas (we are spending 2 weeks in KY for Christmas/New Year's and I will be staying since travel after then wouldn't be the best for me) I would rather take the decorations down myself before Christmas than have the movers pack them up with the rest of our stuff.  And we will be in KY for Thanksgiving so hubby agreed to let me decorate before we leave!  I love this time of year!

Baby Bump

I haven't talked much about my pregnancy yet, so I thought I would share how our little girl Peyton has grown so far!  I am 24 weeks, 3 days today and feeling pretty good.  Nothing really to complain about, just some heartburn with anything I eat (I got it after eating oatmeal this morning!).  My most favorite part so far is feeling her move.  I love it!  It is the best feeling in the world!

8 weeks

12 Weeks

16 weeks

20 weeks

24 weeks

The bump grew a lot from weeks 20-24...hence the shock on the scale at the doctor's today! (But I blame it on a post-lunch appointment time and full bladder :)  haha  Time to pop in my prenatal exercise DVD! 

Poor Neglected Blog

I never meant it to happen, but time got away from me!  My plate was full with school (still is), moving states and preparing for everything that goes with a big move.  Now that we have been here (Alabama) for about a month, I decided I didn't have an excuse anymore!  So here I am.  I have a lot more time on my hands so I will hopefully be able to complete projects I've started and tackle a whole bunch more.  Especially since we just shared the big news that we are expecting!  I envision a lot of sewing and nursery decorating in the future!

I am due February 24th, 2012 so today I am about 11 and a half weeks.  Here is the last picture we got of our precious little one.

We are so thrilled and cannot wait to meet him or her!  We plan to be back in Kentucky when this little one arrives, as long as everything goes as planned with Brett's work.

In the next few months I also plan on opening an Etsy shop with paper and fabric goods made by me.  So stick around!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's day is wrapping up and I just want to wish you all a Happy Love Day! These beautiful two dozen roses were from my year round Valentine and hubby. Isn't he sweet? They were delivered to me at work with yummy chocolates! I'm a lucky gal! Unfortunately I haven't seen him today, silly second shift! But he still spoils me even when we're not together. I love him! Here's to all those wonderful hubbies out there!

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What I'm Loving Wednesday

I decided to join Ryan in linking up for What I'm Loving Wednesdays!!  This weather has got me in a bummed out mood, so I definitely need to think positively!

*I'm loving that the Silhouette now cuts fabric!!  This has opened up the machine up to so many more uses and projects!  I was actually looking for something to cut fabric into smaller shapes, so this saves me some moolah!!

*I'm loving that our tax return is a whole lot more than I was thinking!  That means more money towards a new car in the next few months.  Score!

*I'm loving that I have a 100% in my first class of my Masters program!  I started my first class January 13th for a Masters of Arts in Teaching for Elementary.  I hope to have my student teaching completed and graduate in Fall of 2012.  Only reason that might change would be a little one, which I am completely open to!!

*I'm loving the craft supplies I got at Michael's and Home Depot.  Hopefully I will have it completed and posted soon!  But with work and class, crafting time has decreased.  Sad panda.

*I'm loving these newbies at Gap:

 And this purse by Big Buddha.  I bought a groupon today to a shop here that sells them.  Can't wait to get mine!!

And I of course am loving my husband, even though he's working right now.  :(

 Hope you all had a great Wednesday and have a fabulous Thursday!!

Thank you Mail(wo)man!!

My mail lady just brought these to my doorstep.  I cannot wait to play!  

Thank you grandparents for the Christmas cash to satisfy my crafting cravings!  (The alliteration was unplanned, but I like it).

The cutest nephews on the block

I just may be biased, but these boys are the cutest nephews around.  I can't wait to see their cute faces in a few days and to cover them with hugs and kisses!  The oldest (Ethan) may not cooperate, but Elijah sure will!

 Baby obsessed with paper+jewelry catalog=happy baby! (unhappy dad)

Isn't that face just the cutest?! He's such a happy kiddo.

So deep in thought, probably planning a paper attack.

Ooo camera!

Would some one please come play with me?

Yayy! More paper!

Teething baby+Aunt Lauren finishing off a 2 liter of Diet Coke=a fabulous toy!  Too funny!

Isn't that awesome?! My mom finds *awesome* deals at a local flea market. Me on the other hand, I get way too overwhelmed at a flea market and "flee" the store!  Wow, my jokes are corny.

Hard core biker dude.

Elijah already liking the mo-mo!  Big brother isn't up for sharing just yet...

Darn, why did I look down & ruin the picture?

 

Ethan loves Uncle Brett!

 

 I just couldn't pass up posting this face.

Probably begging for him to give me a hug.  

At least he's sitting still.

Come back next week for Christmas pictures with these cuties.  Can't wait to watch them open presents! 

Now off to wrap said presents...

Makeover!

You may notice the complete makeover of the blog...I was looking at my last design and decided there was WAY too much color for me!  I love neutrals because when you add a color, it pops so much more.  So I hope you like this one!  It may change (the banner's details) a little once I have more time to play around.  I'm using GIMP (like photoshop, but free) and it can be annoyingly complicated.  Anyone used GIMP before?

Well I started my new job yesterday (Tuesday) and so far so good.  It's a lot of information, not a lot of explanation and a lot of me asking questions or going "huh?".  It is taking me a while to adjust to a Monday thru Friday full time job again (haven't had that schedule since the end of last year!!).  That would explain why I am up right now.  My brain needs some good sleep, especially after day 2 of the job and finishing up my tedious projects at the Paint Spot after work.  I went Monday to the Paint Spot and every time I go I am extremely ambitious.  They closed Monday before I was finished so I went back today around 6:30. I left when they closed tonight...at 9.  So I spent a little under 5 hours working on 3 pieces there.  They better be awesome!!!  I'll be sure to post one of the 3 when I get them back, the other two are Christmas presents for 2 special (little) people in my life.  :)

My precious nephews.  Ethan (in daddy's Army hat) is 3 and Elijah (those cheeks are so yummy!) is almost 6 months.  I love them!!

Well I have lots of posts coming (they're piling up in my head! especially after several Goodwill & Dollar Tree visits!) so don't go too far.  :)

Goodnight all.

Money Saving Tips

I never really shopped at drug stores (i.e. CVS, Walgreens) until I had to get something on my way to work a couple years ago and there was no stores between my home and work besides CVS.   So I ventured in and to get the good price on the item I wanted I had to get their ExtraCare card.  It is pretty much like a Kroger Plus card, but on steroids. It tracks your purchases and you get 2% back in the form of ExtraBucks every quarter.  ExtraBucks are basically a coupon for anything in the store.  And every week they have special deals where if you spend so much on a product (or group of products) you get X amount of ExtraBucks to use on your next purchase (you can even use them that day).  This is where you can get great deals (a while ago I got a normal size container of laundry detergent for $.90!)  


I will tell you about a couple of my recent trips to help you maximize your money when shopping here.  I'm using CVS because it is very close to my home, but I know Walgreens has a similar program-Register Rewards-but without the (free) ExtraCare card, if that is closer for you.  To get the best deals, it's good to visit the store weekly, or at least 2-3 times a month if you can.  If you stop going, you stop getting the Extra Bucks.  :)


Purchase 1:


ExtraBucks (or EB) Offer: Purchase $20 in Excedrin products, get $10 EB (you want to look for the offers that have 50% or more in EB.  So the offers for spend $20, get $5 EB are good, but spend $20 get $10 EB are best).


So I paid $21.49 for 3 bottles of Excedrin (and I used my HSA, score!)  There was several types and I figured out how to get the closest to $20 (before tax my total was $20.27, I think I did a good job!)  Usually there is a group of products to choose from so make sure to take a calculator so you can figure out the best combination.  I left that day with enough Excedrin to last me a couple years and $10 EB.


Purchase 2:
I don't remember the exact details, but I got $7 EB and a coupon for $5 off a purchase of $25 or more (*when you have these coupons, get your total to just over $25 and use that coupon first*).  I used my $10 EB (from the Excedrin purchase) to get Physician's Formula mineral powder make up, CoverGirl eyeshadow and 2 candles, all for $10.  It would have cost about $30-35 normally):


Purchase 3 :


I was excited about this weeks deals!  Here's what I bought:  

-Coke products on sale for 3/$11 and if you bought three 12-packs you got $2 EB
-Buy one CoverGirl Makeup item (I got face powder) for $7.99 get $2 EB (normally costs $6.50 @ Target)
-Buy 2 Biore face items, get $5 EB (I got the nose strips & face wash that had a $1 off coupon on it-*look for items that have a coupon on the package, this maximizes your savings!)
I also bought Brett's type of deodorant (on sale for less than Wal-Mart had it), adorable folders on clearance ($.69 a piece and I haven't decided on a use yet, maybe some creative filing/organizing system), and the album to organize my coupons. 
I paid $35.52 for items that would have cost me $60-65.  Whoo hoo!


Purchase 4:


I'm pretty proud of this purchase!  I'm getting better as I do this more. :)

The deals weren't that great this week but I really needed some new chap stick and my hands are becoming severely dry. So I went in with my $5 off purchase of $25 coupon, $12 EB and a coupon I was emailed for $2 off a $10 purchase to see what I could find.
The only EB reward I got was:
-Buy one Pantene, Herbal Essence, Head & Shoulders or Aussie item, get $2 EB.  But I had coupon for $2 off 2 Pantene items so I bought 2 (unfortunately you can only get one reward per card so I only got $2 EB for this).
Then I found the Curel Hand and Cuticle lotion that had a $1 off coupon attached.  Perfect!  And I got my chapstick, 2 kinds to last me a while (I'm interested to see how I like the ChapStick Ultra Shimmer). 
With all my coupons, I paid $8.06 for my items that would have cost me over $30!  Yay!  And I got $2 EB,  a $5 off purchase of $25 coupon, a $2 off $6 bar soap/body wash purchase and $4 off Dr. Scholl's for Her.  


These ExtraBucks deals are a great way to stock up on items for less.  


And at the bottom of my receipt of my last purchase it says my YTD savings is $100.69!!  And I could probably count on both hands the times I've been to CVS this year. I'd say that's a good percent saved per trip! 


Saving money and good deals make my bargain shopper soul happy, I'd love to hear about your good deals & tips!

Trip to Hubers

As I mentioned in my post on Friday (I believe), we went to Huber's Farms in nearby Starlight, Indiana.  Although the weather wasn't great (began sprinkling then full on raining after we got there and sunny after we left) it was a good time with friends and we got a pumpkin & a half peck of apples.  Haven't decided what to do with the pumpkin yet (carve, paint or nothing...suggestions?), but with the apples I've already made apple strudel muffins (for the tailgate with our Sunday School class, recipe to come soon) and plan to make another dessert.  Maybe a tasty pie?  Lots of thinking to do.  :)


Here are some pictures from our trip.  Enjoy!

 Animals (goats) at the Kids Petting Zoo area.

 Two adorable baby goats napping!

 Joe and Julia getting a picture with the goat trying to escape.

 What an adorable family!

Julia and her Mom Lindsey.

Brett and I with our pumpkin.

Zach and Sowmya with their pumpkin.  Don't know why Zach decided to put it on his head.  That just shows his personality!

A lovely couple!  

Julia is fascinated with that pumpkin (she's really just trying to figure out how to get it into her mouth).

"Who me?"

"Can I eat this?"

She's got a good grip on that pumpkin, but her posture is terrible!

Mommy & Daddy teasing her with the caramel apple.  Of course she wanted to gnaw on it.

More teasing.

Julia loves her "Aunt" Sowmya!

Baby smiles are the best!

Kisses from mommy.

An attempt to get a good mother-daughter picture.  The mom looks great, but daughter is a bit distracted. 

The awesome rainbow flower bed.

If you haven't made your Huber's trip yet, I recommend it!  There's still some good pumpkins out there! :)