Fast forward 2 yrs

Ok, so alot happened in two years. Last time I wrote I had just began to stay home with Joey after working full time since I was like 19. I can happily say that I still stay home with Joey. But we have 2 more! yep! you read that right. September of last year we had twins! I will do another post on that whole experience. But long story short, they were a surprise ( ok more of a shock) but I would not change a thing. 

So in other news, after the twins were born, we realized really quickly that we were going to need more space. So in January of this year we started looking a houses. Again, that is a whole different post, but long story short.. We decided to build a brand new house and it should be complete next month. 

More to come... Especially now that I can write from the app. Now to just find the time in this crazy thing we call life :)

Extreme couponing.... maybe

So now that I am a WAHM (see previous post for explanation on this one) we are trying to save a little money by clipping some coupons. I don't know if you have ever seen the show on TLC, but wow those people save some crazy amounts of money, not to mention get things for FREE! Now I won't be building any stock piles or at any given time have 50 mustards on hand, but I will be saving some money and yes getting some things for FREE. Me and the hubs have been doing some research on the deals and today we had a great one! 
So here's what we got at CVS for $8.35:  2 hawain tropic chapsticks, 2 dove deodorant, 1 Pantene Shampoo, 1 Pantene conditioner, 1 24 pack of Deerpark water  (Retail value: about $30)

1st transaction:  two Hawaiian tropic SPF chap sticks       total spent: $6.40
 BUT, you get 10 Extra Care Bucks when you buy any two Hawaiian tropic products. (to use on your next transaction) So we made $3.60 on this transaction.

2nd transaction: case of 24 Deer Park water, 2 Dove deodorant, 1 Pantene Shampoo, 1 Pantene Conditioner Total spent $1.95  How is that possible you ask? here is the breakdown:

Water was on sale for $3.88, deodorant was 2/$5 and we had a coupon $1/1, Pantene was 2/$6.97 and we had a coupon $3/2.  then we applied the $10 ECB from our previous transaction.

AND we got $2 ECB for buying any two Pantene Products. So we walk away spending $8.35 out of pocket and $2 in ECB !

The best thing about this transaction is this is all stuff we need at the moment and will use. So again... no 50 mustards hanging around for no reason. You can coupon, get good deals, and get stuff for FREE with out being EXTREME. :) 

SAHM

This acronym is part of my world these days. "Stay at Home Mom". That's me! Well I guess technically I am a WAHM "Work at Home Mom". I have been home with Joey for 2 weeks now. I left the corporate world and crazy hours to be able to stay home with my little boy. SO FAR... the best decision we ever made. We have had such trouble finding reliable childcare for Joey since the time he was born. With both of us in retail (having to work weekends, weird hours, etc...) it has be very stressful. So when our last sitter told us she couldn't watch him anymore we knew we had to figure out a permanent solution.

Since I have been doing so well with my MaggieBelles business, it made sense for me to stay at home since I would still be bringing in money. Not to mention doing what I love... creating fun things AND seeing my son grow and learn everyday.

Now it's not all fun and games, there are times when it is tough being at home all the time. Kudos to those moms who have several children and have done this there whole lives. I'm still figuring it out with just 1 right now. But I am enjoying seeing Joey everyday. He learns and does something new all the time and now I am the first one who sees it. I don't have to hear a story or see a picture. They are only little once. And we don't get second chances to see them grow up. And hey maybe now I will be able to catch up on blogging...

Joey's First Birthday

Wow! a whole year! has it really been a year? It seems like it was yesterday. He was so small and helpless and now he is this smart little person. So much happens in a child's first year. They say it's the most we grow in our lifetime. in the first month alone a baby doubles in size. I think.. who can remember. I am glad I kept track of all those firsts in his baby book. They say you have baby brain when you are pregnant, but after that well you have mommy brain.

But Joey's party was a success! We had it at Mom and Dad's house. Yummy food and cake! and sooooooo many toys. well lots of books. That is what we asked for. he really likes books, well flipping the pages at least.

A year in review

Its almost 2011. Doesn't that sound kind of space age like. I mean shouldn't we be flying Jetson cars or something now?

Joey's First Christmas

I remember last Christmas (2009) I was 32 weeks pregnant. huge... miserable...but also waiting with anticipation for my sweet baby to be here. I remember thinking that this time next year I will have toys everywhere and excitement of my little guy. Well fast forward (way to fast) and Joey's first Christmas has come and gone. And I think Santa left every toy he made this year at my house. :)


For Christmas eve we went to Mom's house. It has been a tradition as long as I can remember that on Christmas eve my mom's side of the family has always gotten together. We used to always go to Grandma's house when was little. We always had good food and then opened presents. I remember being so excited to open presents and get home and wait for Santa. It is one of those feelings of anticipation/excitement you don't get to feel that often. For the past few years it has been at mt mom's house. But this year was different. It was the first Christmas without Grandma being there. She passed away in September, but I am sure she was looking down from above watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchild celebrate this holiday. Christmas will always remind me of Grandma. She loved Christmas. When Joey is older I will tell him stories about all of the Christmas Eve's I can remember. And we will creates new memories and traditions so that he will always be able to remember.

On Christmas day we wnt back to Mom's. Christian's mom and sister came up from Florida for the day. And Joey got more toys. I seriously don't know where I am going to put all of this stuff. :) It seems like time just goes by to fast. Especially now. I sometimes wish I could stop time. Just pause in a moment and treasure it for ever. I guess that is why I take so many pictures. I look back at them all the time and remember his little smiles and faces he would make. He is the most amazing gift I will ever get. Better than any Christmas gift could ever be.

Going to see Santa

We attempted to go see Santa Claus at the Mall in Hilton Head last Thursday. You would think that the week before Christmas Santa would be there at 3 pm. WRONG. Apprantly Santa is only available on the weekends from 11am to 6pm. I forget sometimes that we live in such a small town with the biggest joke of a mall there ever was.

So we tried again this week and Santa was there. Joey did really well. He wasn't afraid of Santa at all. He just looked at him and smiled. Although he did look at Santa's glasses a few times with all intentions of taking those things off. :)

So yet another one of Joey's first to add to the list. his first time sitting on Santa's lap. And tomorrow night Santa will visit him for the first time!