2012 Resolutions

What are yours??

Mine are... to save more money { dream vacation fund, keaton's savings fund, emergency fund }, lose the rest of this baby weight { yes, I am less than pre-pregnancy weight BUT nowhere near as toned } and to spend more time with my family and less on the internet, in front of a tv or by my phone.

Three major goals, we'll see how we do.  I also plan to take a daily photo and create a 2012 scrapbook of them... since I take daily pics of Keaton anyway that should be a breeze.

Totally making these...

a bit of sunshine: peppermint marshmallows

Just have to get myself corn syrup and a candy thermometer! (Hopefully the store by me has some) ...I love mashmallows, if only I knew how easy they were to make! Ack. Totally saving recipe!!!

Omaha Steaks Deal & More...

Jills Steals & Deals on the Today show featured an Omaha Steaks package I couldn't resist buying... here's what it was:

4 (5oz) Bacon-Wrapped Filets
4 (4oz) Boneless Pork Chops
4 (4oz) Omaha Steak Burgers
4 (4oz) Boneless Chicken Breasts
4 (5.75oz) Stuffed Baked Potatoes
4 (4oz) Caramel Apple Tarts
4 Mini Cheesecakes

Total: $39.99 pre-shipping... value: $185.00
+ i got a $20 gift card for my next order!! so like $19.99!!!


Ryan's home finally, we're going to the mall today to do some coupon shopping.  I have a $10 off $25 coupon for JC P -- thinking of buying some K-Cups with it... then a $10 off $25 at Yankee Candle -- thinking of buying a candle for a gift basket I'm compiling... then a free gift with $10 purchase (up to $13) at Bath and Body Works --- another thing for my gift basket.... then 15% at Kohls which I will probably save

Fun

Crafts Galore!

Totally making these tomorrow: http://www.thingsforboys.com/2011/12/salt-dough-decorations.html

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/06/birth_announcements.html

Note to self:

* stair case rail (top of stairs) = $135.10  { rockler.com }
* stair case molding under rail = $79.95 { wishihadthat.com }
 + Primer, Nail Gun, Liquid Nails, White Paint

+ lower stairs/rail... ~ $100.00

updating & recreating

note to self: ryan, please don't leave me home alone for an extended period of time again.  i just look at diy decor blogs ALL-DAY-LONG! *guilty!*

i'm going to need a separate blog to showcase all the updates i'm hoping to accomplish in 2012!!!

here's a brief idea rundown...

Pantry / Laundry Room: swap out "wire" shelves and put in solid wood shelf painted white, with decorative corbels.  Clear jar for oxyclean powder, small wood box for dryer sheets, faux flowers, colorful wreath & vases.  Move the Washer next to the Dryer (right now there is a gap) and put a skinny basket on side of dryer.  Get a large area rug in front of the w/d.  Paint room in Benjamin Moore Butter Pecan.  Change pantry shelves from wire to wood shelves with cabinets, pull out drawers, etc.  Similar to the ELFA system.

Powder Room: Change pedestal sink to white vanity with under sink storage.  Swap out oval "builder grade" mirror for a chunky white framed mirror.  Create chunky baseboard and chunky faux crown molding.  Paint room Benjamin Moore Barely Beige.  Add in grey/white photos & shabby chic decor.  Faux greenery potted plants.  I'd love to paint the ceiling too!  And change out the ugly & annoying fan for something much quieter.

Entry Way:  Paint front door interior glossy black.  Add black framed mirror to side wall with yellow vase & greenery plant.  Grey and yellow entry rug.  Maybe a funky key hook from a fleur de lis design or such.  Add in new nickel ceiling chandelier.

Dining Room: Add in white Ashley Gel Fuel fireplace on staircase wall, black framed photos above and simple black/white/yellow decor on mantle... candles, trinkets, etc.  Refinish & paint oak curio cabinet (hand-me-down from mama) in a satin black and swap out for a new nickel finish handle.  Swap out nickel chandelier for something warmer and add a dimmer switch.  Add faux chunky baseboard addition.  { Evenutally: swap out dining table for a round black dining table, like from Pottery Barn }

Kitchen: backsplash & floors tiled, microwave above stove, glass corner cabinet.  Continue chunky baseboards.

*to-be-continued*

Happy Holidays!

New Bedding!

Torn between these two, Serena & Lily "Catalina" or Serena & Lily "Wyeth" 

The first would go perfect with our room and make the white trim, doors, etc. really POP especially with white furniture.  The latter would go good with a black bed and still pop with the white details.

Day 4 Teeth

I'm trying to keep a bunch of pix of my teeth thru the invisalign process. You can't see any change but boy can I feel it. My bite is off, so my upper teeth are off center. My lower teeth were crowded so he shaved down the middle so they will sit together. I have "grippers" of cement on my teeth to help my invisalign stay on tight. I wear it 22hr a day except during eating, brushing or flossing. I need to stop drinking coffee to keep them sparkling, or invest in a good whitening program!

Oooh a door stopper!

Yay

Keaton has been asleep now for 11.5hr ... I hope this is a "7 month good luck charm" :)

In jail

Camo Baby

Camo pajamas!

Invisalign - day 1

My "push present" was invisalign and guess what... I got my molds today! I'm on 1 of 10.. and I wear each set for 2 weeks.... so 20 weeks! I'm looking forward to the results.

6mo Photo Sess - Reindeer

Photo copyrights go to Click Photo Designs by Sarah Brewer


Keaton from his recent 6mo photo shoot... is he not beautiful or what??

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

New family tradition... outdoor decor the day after thanksgiving.

Tummy time

Last night Keaton started tummy sleeping again. He's still asleep (an hr past normal) and is so precious.

Real chefs have casualties...

What's a chef without a bodily casualty? Yep me and my hard headed, stubborn self decided to use the mandoline without the protective pieces... and fell victim to a sliced fingertip.

The worst part? I can't give Keaton baths because it stings sooo bad.  Stupid self.

Black Friday? How about Yellow Wednesday, cus I'm HAPPY

• Food Network 11-pc Hard Anodized cookware set $149.99 (reg $329.99)
• Fisher Price Brilliant Basics Walker $9.99 (reg $27.99)
• The Big One Plush Throw x 2 $17.98 (reg $87.98)
• Rachael Ray 3-pc Bubble & Brown Small Oval Baker Set $29.99 (reg $59.99)
• Corningware 10-pc French White Set $39.99 (reg $64.99)

Total: $247.94 ...minus 15% promo code = $210.75 ...minus $60 Kohl's Cash Back & $20 Rebate (Corningware) & $30 Rebate (food Network)= $100.75 ...Retail? $570.94 ...Savings?? $470.19 or 83%!!!!  Now thats what I call a MERRY Christmas!!!


*Update*
I also just scored these deals...

• NuMe Flat Iron $8, just paid shipping.  (Reg $125) -- had an Eversave code!! Savings? $117 or 95%
• Gymboree Clothes for Keaton $51.16 pre-tax (Reg $169.70) Savings? $118.84 or 70%  
• Maxwell Dickson 16 x 20 Canvas Photo $Free (Reg $88) -- had an Eversave code!! Savings? $88 or 100%
• Amazon.com Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker 20oz $44.99 (Reg $79.99) Savings? $35 or 44%

Total Savings: $794.03 or 68%

Six Months

Keaton had his 6 Month Check-Up today... he is:

• 26.5 Inches (50th Percentile)
• 43 cm Head Circumference (25th Percentile)
• 15 pounds 12 ounces (25th Percentile)

The doctor said he is a "Perfect Little Boy" ...he can crawl, sit (she said this is early & good!), loves his toys, tries to stand, LOVES to eat solid foods and is healthy :)

Tv

Keaton loves watching the news

Mojo Pork

Boston butt roast + mojo marinade (1.5 bottles) slow cooking for halloween dinner... cheap $10 dinner

7 Billion People -- What Number Are You?

I took this quiz from BBC ... the female life expectancy in the USA is 80.5 and the male life expectancy is 75.4, yikes!!!

My Results:  
When you were born, you were the:4,876,486,438thperson alive on Earth79,707,206,655thperson to have lived since history began
Ryan's Results:When you were born, you were the:4,572,124,790thperson alive on Earth79,233,706,691stperson to have lived since history began
Keaton's Results:  When you were born, you were the:6,960,224,776thperson alive on Earth83,149,714,733rdperson to have lived since history began

To infinity and beyond

I carved keaton a buzz lightyear pumpkin.

Rite aid deals

Today I used my $11 +up rewards. We got 3 12pk Pepsi, 2pk twix and 1pk kit kats. Full retail $24... sale price $17.50 ...final price $6.49 (with tax) ...love deals like this!

Dinners in the Pot

Coopers going to go crazy while were at the pumpkin patch today at the smell of Oriental Spare Ribs!!!

2lb pork spareribs
1c soy sauce
1c brown sugar
1/8t pepper
4 jalapeno peppers (whole)
1/2c water

Place ribs in crockpot. Combine rest of ingredients then pour over ribs. Cook on low 8hrs. Serve over rice with a side of green beans.

Early Holiday Shopping

I'm getting a head start on shopping this year, don't know if it's because it's our first year (in 3 years) that we aren't going to Mexico or if it's because we have Keaton and I want to manage my time & money better.  Hmm, either way I think it's working well.  I am totally bargain shopping and trying to spend as little as I can since we definitely want to use the most money on Keaton... like for his highchair (that's around $175) as well as some activity toys ($80 for the activity table) and then we have his 6 month photo session in 2 weeks so we'll want to reserve money to buy those photos :)

I so far have gotten Ryan 2 gifts and my brother, Byron, 1 gift.  I need to get going on my brother since he'll be in Mexico for Christmas and I want to get him things he can open while there.  Same with my parents, they're a bit more difficult to shop for but since they all have iPod's I was thinking of gift cards for them to buy movies & what not.  Of course, though, I know they'd be thrilled to just get some photos of Keaton :) I wish we had the finances and time to fly up there and spend the holidays with them, but we're working on Keaton's first birthday to fly up there.

I know for myself what I want is cookware & bakeware!  We have so much cabinet space in the kitchen I need to fill it up, haha!  New baking pans, fancier pots & pans, etc.  Our friend sells The Pampered Chef, I have a feeling I'll be buying a lot!

So far I've spent $60 on 3 gifts, I'd love to keep it under $200 for my whole family (Husband, Brother, Mom & Dad) ...as far as Keaton, that's a whole separate budget!  LoL.  I'm redeeming a bunch of points from MyPoints and getting stocking stuffer gift cards, taking surveys on Opinion Outpost and using my rewards for Amazon Gift Cards and keeping my eyes peeled for free credit codes to get other goodies for free!

Fingers or Pacifier...?

Well, why not both!

keaton just mumbled "i love you" ... he amazes me every day.

Sipping water

5 months 12 days and figured out his sippy cup... I just bought him the Mighty Grip Munchkin Trainer Cups at Toys R Us, I love the soft silicone nipple and it doesn't leak!!  I was bummed by the color combo but at least it's not pink!

Keaton has discovered his voice vibrates when he talks & I bounce him...or tap his back, too funny!

Free For All

I love when companies offer promo/discount codes that I can use -- to get things free!  I'm on a roll today... Magazines.com gave me $10 to Zappos.com (no tax / free shipping) that I used on these Le Creuset set of 4 pinch bowls ( for salt, spices, etc)

 

Plum District gave me a promo code for $10 for today only.  The Family Fun by Disney magazine was $6 so I got that for free!  I already have a free subscription so I'll just hang onto it until mine expires.  They also gave me 20% to my next purchase.

Ergo we go

Chilling in our new Ergo Baby Carrier

4 month accomplishments

As we approach FIVE months I wanted to make note of our accomplishments!!

• Discovered he loves frozen banana's!
• He can play in his jumperoo
• He's a supported sitter
• Still in size 2 diapers
• Found his feet!!!
• Discovered his voice and will babble for awhile
• Pulls his hair when eating
• Still nursing!!!
• Wearing Carter's 3mo outfits
• Has two teethies.

Gymboree 3

Just used my $100 GymBucks on Keaton's Winter Outfits!!!



All for $115.33 including Tax & Shipping!!  (Saved about $125)

7 months left...

Only 7 months left of planning Keaton's 1st Birthday Party! Yeah, you got me.  I love party planning!!! I really want to take him home for a week after his birthday to celebrate with family, but I also want to plan a local party for our friends here!  I really want to do a Safari theme... lion's, monkey's, elephant's!  I already started looking at cake ideas, it's been years since I've worked with fondant but I'm excited.  I think I'll make Ryan a (30th!) birthday cake this December to practice.  Here's some ideas I've come up with so far...

 

Fondant Animals

My latest Gymboree Spree...

Here's my latest Gymboree shopping spree from 9/20/11 ...check out the savings!!  Everything was on sale + I had a 20% off coupon!!

Beaver Socks

Reg. $6.99 -- Sale: $1.99 -- 20% Coupon:  $1.60

Beaver 2-Piece Set

Reg. $32.95 -- Sale: $10.99 -- 20% Coupon:  $8.80

Busy Beaver Shortie

Reg. $26.95 -- Sale: $8.49 -- 20% Coupon:  $6.80

Little Pumpkin Bodysuit

Reg. $18.95 -- Sale: 11.99 -- 20% Coupon:  $9.60

Pumpkin Sweater Hat

Reg. $18.95 -- Sale: 11.99 -- 20% Coupon:  $9.60

Stripe Knit Pant

Reg. $16.95 -- Sale: $9.99 -- 20% Coupon:  $8.00

Small but Mighty Tee

Reg. $16.95 -- Sale: $4.99 -- 20% Coupon:  $3.99

Plaid Shirt

Reg. $21.95 -- Sale: $6.99 -- 20% Coupon: $5.60

Regular: $160.64

Sale: $67.42

Final 20% Off: $53.94

Savings: 66.5%

Bitten.

Just officially got bitten by Keaton while nursing!  All I can describe it as is a feeling like being stapled.  Two little prongs (his teeth) squishing into my tender skin.  Ouch!!!! This will be a long 7.5 months, lol!!!

First Food!

Last night Keaton had his first food... about a spoonful of Organic Roasted Sweet Potatoes by Sprout Foods.  His first look was that of disgust, but then he was smiling and seemed to be enjoying it!  I'll post some photos when I get the chance... we'll keep trying them out for the next 2-3 days then try fruits.  I need to buy him the Oatmeal but the brand I want I can only find online so far... and shipping is expensive :( Boo!  Maybe by October the new Babies R Us will carry it :)

Keaton's 4 Month Check-Up!

Today is Keaton's 4mo check up... yay!  Unfortunately his daddy's boss is a jerk and sent out an e-mail telling everyone there that basically they can't leave... umm retarded.  This appointment has been planned since July 12, it's not like we just are going on a whim.  I'm pretty pissed.  Whatever, though.  Keaton now has 2 teeth (first came up 9/10/11, the second last night on 9/12/11) ...I'll enter his weights & other stats after we go at 11am.  EDIT: Keaton is 13lb 1oz (25%), 24 3/4" (50%) and his head circumference is 41cm (25%)!!! Woot Woot.  He was in the 3% weight and 10% for Height/Head... so this is huge progress!  He's now in size 3mo clothing (although its still baggy) and size 2 diapers!  We also got the OK to start on rice cereal (eww!) and stage 1 foods!

Here's a photo of his first tooth, his second is still too small to really capture, especially when he bites my finger for every photo.

 And here is my sweet baby boy at 4months on 9/7/11 "sucking" his thumb (he still hasn't quite figured it out yet)