It's Time!

Did someone tell me Gator Football season starts tomorrow?




I'll be working on my Gator Chomp!






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6 Months

How can it be that I’ve held you in my arms everyday for half of a year?

Time flies when you are having fun, and we are having LOTS of fun!!

I’m not exactly sure how you get more fun, but you sure do!

At your 6th month appointment you weighed 17 pounds 13 ounces, 63rd percentile and are 28.5 inches tall, 98%.

I’m writing this while you are taking a nap, ahh naps, how I love them. You love them, too. You take three naps a day at 9, 12 and 3. Two, two hour naps and one, 45 minute nap. Sometimes you sleep 2 hours in the morning, sometimes 45 – sometimes the noon nap is the short one, sometimes the afternoon one is. I just keep your monitor close by so I can come and see your smiling face as soon as you wake up. It's so fun to walk into your nursery because you break into the brightest smile when you see me. You also hoot and holler if I don't pick you up right when I walk in. You aren't afraid to let your feelings be known!


You are pretty insistent on a 6-6:30 bed time. You are NOT a fan of staying up late…at all. I’m so happy you sleep so well and am even more happy to see you in the morning.

You nurse 4 times a day and take a bottle before bedtime. You also are starting to learn how to use a sippy cup. After starting solids and me taking herb supplements again I finally feel like I can keep up with you.

Speaking of solids, you started eating food this month and you really like it. So far you’ve had:
Rice and Oatmeal Cereals, Pears, Avocados, Squash, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Bananas, Apples and Carrots. Your favorite is squash, I can't wait to share all my favorite butternut squash soups with you this fall.

Sometimes I make your food, sometimes it’s from an Earths Best jar. Ironically I think the organic jarred food tastes better than what I make. I think your daddy gave you a heads up about my cooking.

Your favorite song is Apples and Bananas, which I re-create to be whatever fruits and veggies you are currently eating. Maybe you love it because I am feeding you and maybe you love it because I make funny faces trying to figure out how to swap out the vowels in Pears.

My favorite song to sing to you is You are My Sunshine. We sing it before each of your naps. Somehow you just seem to melt into my arms as I rock and sing to you. You lift your little hand and rest it on my cheek while sing, and my eyes tend to water as I reach the verse "you’ll never know dear how much I love you." It’s such a sweet, tender moment we get to share a few times a day and I really treasure this special moment. It's so wonderful to experience you express that you feel safe and loved.

You just love playing with and helping me take Molly for walks during the day. When you see or hear her come into the room, your face lights up. She continues to warm up to you, I think with the nearing addition of puffs to your menu, she will quickly become your very best friend.

Sitting has become second nature to you, but you prefer to stand, and can hold yourself up for quite a bit. I’m sure you will be figuring out how to get into the sitting and standing positions on your own soon. You do a cute little 'crunch' lifting you head and shoulders while laying down so you can see all around.

The mobile of bugs and flowers over your changing table is a big hit. I've named them all for you and we talk to them each time I change your diaper. You've gone back to baby babble, no more buzzing our lips! "haaa", "heee", "goo", "gaaa" and of course "coo" are you go to sounds.

You are a pro at your exerciser and LOVE to play with all the toys and jump up and down. Your bumbo is still acting as your hight chair, and you love sitting in it and reaching all around.

Reading is a popular pastime in our home. Snuggle Puppy (which is also a song) is no question your favorite, followed by which ever Llama Llama book I have on hand.

Night time is another Sandra Boyton classic; The Going to Bed Book.

Lots of firsts this month:

There is a three way tie for sitting up, rolling over each way and army crawling, not sure which is cooler.

We are going through all the motions for teething, but there is nothing to show for all the drool, tears, cries and overall grumpiness. I’m starting to catch on to when you are in teething pain.

We went to see daddy place softball.

Meeting friends for lunch.

Your 6th month shots had much more of an effect on you than the others. You were a very sad baby after them.

We love our little "coo" man!

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My Savings Strategy (ha ha)

I used to pride myself on my bargain shopping.  I read a few blogs that focus on couponing and saving money. I love a good deal or rewards program, and who doesn't want to save here and there?
 
I've tried to get into couponing, but it never seems to work out that it's worth the time an energy I put in for the savings.  When I shopped at Harris Teeter, I would even do research on Southern Savers.  I did save, but was always buying processed foods, which I try to avoid.  In all reality, I know I could do coupons on cleaning supplies, but just like my reuseable shopping bags, I tend to leave things at home or in the car.

Needless to say I'm just not that into it. 

I have however been checking ebooks out from the library and downloading a few free kindle books every week...savings right?

Friday, I had my first pretty exciting couponing experience.  I was able to successfully combine coupons and saved $18 off diapers and wipes.  I probably buy the most expensive ones, so for what I "saved" on Pampers Swaddlers, is what the cost of the generic ones at Costco are-ha!  I was happy and the sales clerk ringing me up was impressed.  I felt I needed a reward on the way home and treated myself to a "free" McDonalds Chocolate Chip Frappe - I think I used 5 coupons in one day. 

I was feeling pretty good about myself, so I decided to use the drive home from Babies R Us to call my insurance company about the new women's coverage effective August 1, to see if they would cover a breast pump.  We've been renting the hospital grade, which I super duper love, but was willing to buy one at $300 vs paying $70 a month.  Well, low and behold my insurance completely covers the cost of buying a pump.  I was pretty excited, so I asked about covering a rental.  They said that was 100% covered as well, AND I could send in all my receipts since February and that would be covered too.   I just couldn't believe it, and asked again.  When I called in Feb, to ask about pump coverage they said no dice unless the baby had to stay in the hospital without me.  While I'm not sure I will be this trilled about every aspect of Obamacare.  I'm very happy that women are receiving these benefits, and that it's resulting in a savings for my family for the time being.

So as far as Friday was concerned, I was one money saving momma.  Take that WORLD (and accountant husband). 

Summer's Bounty

Last week I got to get dressed up in real cloths and went into a real office with lots of people.  It was very exciting for me.  My husbands office was having a lunch and learn and the person coordinating it asked Josh if I would like to come.  Luckly for me, it was the day and time that our babysitter comes every week. 

It was a food tasting and demo from the executive chefs at Seasons 52.  I wish I could have taken pictures, but in order to gain access to the building I had to sign documents that I would not take pictures inside-darn. 

There was video footage of all the awesome things Seasons 52 does playing behind the chefs as they worked their magic.  It was unreal.  I felt like I was on a cooking show. 

I've been REALLY trying to make us healthy dinners around here, and actually failed miserably last week.  The Greek Chicken over Quinoa crockpot recipe I pinned on pinterest, turned out to be the most disgusting thing I've ever made.  I was slightly jaded about trying to make creative healthy dishes, but am excited to get right back up on my horse after all I saw and tasted.  WOW! 

They said, let the food speak for itself, among other dishes taught us how to make beets.  After a trip to the farmers market this weekend, we stocked up on plenty of beautiful fruits and veggies and Josh roasted up those beets.  Just cover in water, bake in a 350 degree oven until tender - time depends on size, once cool you can wipe the skins off with a paper towel.  We've been enjoying lots of the local summer produce from fresh eggplant parm to big beautiful salads, we are enjoying all the crops summer has to offer.  Everyone knows how I adore my tomatoes, so they seem to work their way into a dish every day of the week.  

We are finally signing up for a CSA, which I have been wanting to do for such a long time.  Little did I know, that South Mountain Veggies delivers right to Josh's Office-AWESOME!

I also have to share a special at Seasons for the month of August a wine flight, a full glass of your favorite and a flat bread all for $15 from 1-6 during the week.  I know I'll be paying a visit to Tyson's a time or two to enjoy this treat.

Speaking of enjoy I'm off to do just that with my roasted corn, cucumber, basil and feta salad I just made for lunch - ingredients thanks to my local farmers market and back yard!