Intervention Update

So about a month ago I came clean about my love affair with grocery shopping and the exhorbitant amount of money I spent on consumable goods. 

During the month of February I realized that I'd already spent $661 at grocery stores, Costco and Target by the 21st and was determined not to do anymore shopping until March.  However, I found myself needing to stock up on meats and produce before month's end as my husband decided to join me on the Atkins diet.  The total for the month?  $961. 

/fail

I knew I could do better.

This month isnt over yet, but I'm on target to do MUCH better.  My mantra this month is "only the essentials".  I'm not stocking up on anything (since I have such a stockpile anyway) and I'm barely looking at the grocery ads.  For a long time I'd tried to do the "extreme couponing" that you read about on so many "mommy blogs".  People can really cut their expenditures in HALF by playing the coupon games at local grocery stores and places like CVS and Rite Aid.  However, I found that I was spending MORE money by attempting to do that.  I would get a good deal, but then I might buy too much of something and then not plan a meal utilizing it.  It ends up sitting on my shelf not getting used and then just adding to the food budget for the month.  So my new approach is just STAY AWAY FROM THE GROCERY STORE.

It's working pretty well.  Currently I've spent about $450 on groceries for the month. Can you believe it?!?!  I think I deserve a gold star or a smiley face by my name or SOMETHING!

Lauren =)

So I'm definitely improving.  The only temptation could be the fact that I would like to make a trip to Costco before the end of the month and I rarely get out of there for less than $100.  But I'm determined to be able to go with a SHORT list and get out unscathed.  I think I can, I think I can....

So stay tuned and keep the encouragement coming my way!

Gymnastics

I wish Natalie had gymnastics every day.  I'm not sure how a person so petite (who isnt allowed any sugar on a normal day) and who also doesnt nap can have SO much energy.  The childs feet barely touch the ground during the waking hours for all the hopping, dancing, jumping, running and diverolling off of the furniture she does.

Kevin and I got to attend the last session of her winter gymnastics class and see her in action. 

her class 

Natalie doing a flip.

Natalie and Dad

Note: This is what happens when you tell her to laugh so she'll give a genuine smile.  I'll just say she takes after her mother.

Nat and Mom

Yeah for gymnastics!  I just hope she'll be able to keep it up next year with the addition of preschool to the mix. (more on that to come)

19.5 Months

So I'm a little behind on updates.  But who has time for that between all the chaos of two kids, work, housework and life in general?  How do those Duggars do it?

Anyway, Liam is getting big.  He understands EVERYTHING, has slendered out and very tall for his age.  He doesnt say a lot, but here's what he does say:

• Ma! (It means "Map" or "Dora") Go ahead and yell that one to get an idea of what it sounds like and  then imagine it like 50 times a day.  He loves Dora, but especially the Map, and will stand 10 inches from the TV and not move for 30 minutes if Dora is on.
• "Ah Dah!" (all done)  Also yell this very loudly, waiting two seconds between each word, right after rubbing spaghetti sauce in your hair and throwing any remaining food from your plate on the floor
• kitakitakita (kitty cat).  He's very affectionate toward her.
• Yeah! Again, yelling at the top of your lungs, throw your hands up in the air in touchdown mode as a response to "Do you want to eat?"  "Do you want your pacifier?" "Do you want to go outside?"  Conversely if there's something you don't want to do, fall on the floor and writhe around like you're favorite dog just died.
• Mama Um... yes, he's a mama's boy.
• Da-dee (Daddy)  Its a recent progression from Dada to Daddy.  Super cute.
• Raaaar (Roar) This is what a lion says (as well as what a bird, cat, dog and hyena say, according to Liam).
• Uh oh  Usually something to worry about and means you've got Cheerios/Vinegar/Peppercorns/etc spilled all over the floor.
• Ta Too (Thank you)  He says this without being prompted - something I attribute to our nanny, Jody.  She's so on the ball with teaching manners to the kids.  It's wonderful!
• Woo Woo Woo (Siren or "Mom... you're getting pulled over")

He also does sign language for milk, more, please, help and wash hands.  He doesnt try to say any of these words since he can sign them, but he'll be happy to throw his cup on the floor (or his entire tray of food, for that matter) to get your attention so you can serve his signed requests.

And just the other day he walked over to the diaper bag, pulled out a diaper and a wipe and laid down and began mock wiping his bottom.  Turns out his diaper was, indeed, dirty.  All right kid... if you can tell me it's dirty then you can surely tell me you need to use the potty!

He's a fun kid who makes us laugh every day.  We're all looking forward to seeing how his personality develops and hoping he figures out that there's no need to talk at 500 decibels for the rest of his life. =)

Happy Half Birthday!

We introduced Natalie to the concept of half birthday's this year.  It's a tradition that my family practiced when I was growing up because a whole year is an awful long time to wait when you're a kid.  We celebrated with a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich (I called it an ice cream cake...) and a new Play-doh set.  And now she proudly announces that she's 3 and a HALF. 

Such a fun tradition to re-live with them as I've stopped really celebrating my own half birthdays!  Something about 31 and a half just doesn't seem quite as special. 

Free Shipping?

How much do you think it would cost to send them to Nana and Papa's house?

Someone's Gotta Take One for the Team

It's a little hard to see but this is salmon topped with crab dip.  It's on the Atkins diet and oooooh-so-yummy.  Hey, without the carbs to keep her company, a girl's gotta have SOME little luxuries!  So far I've been low-carb for 3 weeks now and have lost 4-5lbs.  Definitely not what I THOUGHT I would lose and I've seen no progress over the last week.  I'm giving it another week to see if my body is just being stubborn at a set point and then I might re-evaluate my plan.  There's only SO much passing up cereal, pizza and potatoes that a girl can do.