Just to make you smile

I love the way this kid lights up whenever he smiles. It's absolutely contagious. So just in case you needed something to make you smile, this is my gift to you.

Personal shopper anyone?

So tonight I scored big on groceries.... and I'm not even done for the week. Our local store was offering "doubler coupons" for manufacturer coupons up to $1.00. They only had four printed per circulation, so it really made it seem as though you could only use four per transaction. Fortunately, I read fine print and it did not say that at all. The only stipulation was that you had to purchase $15 worth of groceries prior to coupons.

Things on grocery list/items on sale that I also happen to have a $1 manufacturer coupon:
Tribe Hummus (larger container $5.99 Buy One Get One FREE)
Tropicana 50 (2 for $5)
Vitamin H2O (10 for $10 - I hate when they do this, just say it's $1 each!)
Special K cereal (all varieties 2 for $5)

I purchased: 6 boxes of Special K, 2 Tropicana 50, 4 Vitamin H2O, and 2 containers of Hummus.

Total: less than $11

Between doubler coupons from the store and manufacturer coupons, I totally scored!

Personal shopper anyone? I wouldn't charge very much.

Thought I'd never see the day

Something miraculous has been happening in our house for almost the past month now. I've been extremely hesitant to say anything because, well, I just didn't want to jinx it.

While Gramma and Pop-pop were still here and I was visiting hubby in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri last month, Little Man became a Big Boy and started peeing in the potty!

Not just the little potty that you dump the pee into the toilet after they have gone, but the big kid potty!

How'd Gramma do it? She told him to make the water wiggle. Then, when he finally let go, he looked up at Gramma and stated, "Just like Daddy, Gramma?"

So we've been following through with this every morning and then throughout the day instead of asking we tell him, "Let's go try to potty." I'll go in with him, bring over the step stool, help lift the seat, pull his pants and pull-up down and congratulate him on a job well done.

The other day, he kicked me out of the bathroom. Said, "I do it on my own, Mom. Get out." He did everything on his own. Pulled down and up his pull-up and pants, flushed the toilet, and wash his hands. Now he does it all on his own, with a little reminder from me every once in awhile, but that's ok.

I never thought I would see this day. I'm a proud Momma.

Now we just need to work on #2 on the potty.

Got my back, Mom?

There is one piece of baby equipment that I absolutely love. The exersaucer. If you aren't familiar with these, they are basically a stationary play seat for your child to be entertained while you are conducting other business in the house (ie dishes, laundry, cooking). Some are elaborate bouncer seats while some are just seats that spin when the baby turns. Some have an array of entertainment for the child to stay busy while others are ho hum.

The only bad thing about these? When your child poops while sitting in them and continues to bounce and play.... the poop goes up his back. He tries to tell me, but sometimes I just don't listen.

That'll teach me.



P.S. I've been having some crazy comments in a completely different language, so I've placed a comment moderation on the blog. I'll just have to approve what you say before you see, but please don't let that stop you from saying hi.

On our own

After six months, Pop-pop has finally returned to the west coast. He hates good-byes, so we made sure to make them short and sweet at the airport. LMA was relatively good about the entire process of saying good-bye. Probably because he knows that Gramma and Pop-pop will be back in only 6 short weeks.

It's hard to believe that he has been here every step of the way over the past six months. He has been able to watch BBZ go from being nursed to getting strictly bottles. He's been here to watch him go from detesting baths to taking one everyday with LMA. He has been able to see every milestone along the way. From his first smile to his first taste of baby cereal.

He's also been able to see LMA and his many mood changes. But he's also been here when we changed him into a big boy bed and then just last week to his own big boy room.

I know I've driven him crazy along the way and I would be lying if I didn't say the same, but when hubby couldn't be here to help with the boys, my dad was here. He helped clean and of course cook. He helped with baths and the night time routine. But most importantly, he helped me stay somewhat sane through the entire process while hubby was gone.

Thanks, Dad. We know you are always a phone call away. And don't forget to bring the duct tape. :)