Coupons-holic!

*check out some photos at the end*

When I finally came to (for a minute or two, from ongoing sleepless night, changing diapers, and bottle feeding to a little being resulting in me becoming some type of zombie) I realized that I had a blog! Babies are tirering but how would I have known in my 32 years of life? I had no idea and now I'm learning my lesson on how carrying, giving birth, and caring for a baby it ain't an easy job. It also made me realized....how darn good I looked before I gained 40 pounds! Ok. I know that sounds selfish but honestly like you haven't thought about stuff like that... ever! hmmm?

Since I'm a stay at home mom (sahm) and we are living off one income, for now, our budget is a little tight to say the least. So, I've started to use coupons, as in Sunday newspaper coupons. I wake up in the morning morning and go out specifically to buy the newspaper. Ooh, how things have changed. I remember when I used to read the newspaper a couple of years back....ok more than a couple of years back when the newspaper was $1.50. Now, that I drag my feet to go out in the morning morning to buy the newspaper I can't believe that it's 2 bucks!!! seriously?! I mean, I understand due to the inflation but still, 2 bucks for coupons! I shouldn't bitch too much either 'cause after I'm done with reading the newspaper I put them down for the dogs to do their biz. So really, the newspaper serves 3 purposes; coupons, reading material in the bathroom...ehem...reading material, and doggie bathroom (I'm sure they take a peek at the news when they're "concentrating"...)

Anyhoo, back to the coupons. I have already collected more than a few coupons. So far my greatest saving has been 18 dollars! I was so excited and so proud of myself but, I was also such a mess!! trying to search for coupons in the middle of the aisle... not a good thing. So I went to wally world (walmart which I hate but I had no other choice after checking out walgreens and cvs and didn't find a coupon organizer)and got another coupon organizer. I separated the pockets into more than a "few" categories so it would be easier for me to find a coupon.

If you're thinking why am I taking the two organizers well, I tried the big folder organizer way but didn't work for me so well, 'cause I have a terrible memory. I'm a hands on kinda person so I rather have everything with me so I won't forget what I have. As a result, I'm sticking with carrying all the pocket size coupon organizers. I have lots of baby stuff coupons and even thinking of getting another organizer just for the baby stuff but I'm thinking that would be overkill for sure. So far this way of organizing is working out. Imagine when I go grocery shopping I take the two coupon organizers. Now, if i take a 3rd one, people are gonna think that I'm this great coupon-saver-genius who was tons of coupons and saves tons of money that's why I need 3 organizers...Not yet kiddo, not yet. My goal is to pass the 20 dollar savings in coupons so I can feel as a coupon savvy chick.

Here are some sites you may want to check out...

http://www.familycorner.com/family/frugal/grocery_bills.shtml --for tips on how to get started and/or shopping wisely.

http://www.coupons.com/ --- to print out free coupons without having to sing up.

http://www.couponmom.com/ ---and my favorite, because they have links to Smartsource and Redplum to print out coupons and all free with the sign up, but they don't send you junk mail, so it's all good.

This October In Photos

Scarecrow Stroll 2009

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

In My Effort to Shed...

My part-time weekend trainer

60+ pounds of baby weight, I have started to go the gym. Honestly, It's more like 40 lbs I have to lose thanks to my super cute and big, baby who weighted 9 lbs when she was born...And yes it was via C-section...thank god! Trust me, that's one lesson that I learned through this painful pregnancy and that was to exercise, even if it's walking at a snail's pace, or as I call it Lazy Walking. It will help you release stress and keep fit in order to carry the ever so growing baby. But I, of course didn't do that. With my back problem and my left leg feeling numb all through out the pregnancy I chose to indulge in the fact that I was pregnant and that I was eating for 2 and felt no immediate need to exercise 'cause I thought I was going to be ok.....In the words of Borat...NOT! And because, apparently, in the process of being in labor for more than 16 hrs I lost most of my memory part of the brain I can't remember if I wrote about my whole difficult pregnancy issues, which leads me to think I did (so I won't have to write about it again) and keep writing about.......what was it again?...oh yeah !!! working out.

Although, challenging at times the pros of having grandma living with us 24/7 is that I don't have to wonder if my child is in good hands or not while I'm off to the gym. I gotta admit that once the baby was born I had some issues with mom living with us and trying to care for the baby. Big generation gap and both of us are stubborn as hell in wanting to do things our way. But then again I'm understanding that she has alot of experience in life, and with babies and she just wants her grandkid to excel from the beginning.

Anyways, going back to the gym thing. Because I'm starting to be active after I was practically comatose with a big belly, I decided to start slow. And with that I mean by walking instead of running. And who am I kidding? the only way I would intend to run would be if my life was at risk or if they would open up a Starbucks in this tiny town and I would run around the block out of sheer excitement but, fortunately or unfortunately that hasn't happened yet.

I guess holding the baby and walking her to console her while she's crying her little head off has kept me in some level of shape, 'cause the first day that I got on that threadmill and walked for 30 mins at 3.0 mph wasn't so bad like I had forseen! Since then, I've made it to the gym for my walk training ('cause I'm day dreaming that I"m training for a walking marathon) 5 times a week. So far, it has been 3 weeks. Unfortunately, no weight loss yet but fortunately mentally I'm feeling better and I think that's more important outcome.

I'm still doing the threadmill routine for 30 mins but now I have added an elliptical work out for 15 mins to spice up the routine and so i won't get bored of it too fast. I'm hoping that I'll be somehow a tiny bit slimmer or toned up by when husband gets back from deployment. Thanks to my little trips to the gym I've been able to keep up with CNN and FOX News. Who knew I would be so up to date with current news by going to the gym....I feel physically smarter already.......get it? physically smarter? HeHe

Found a great website where you can read or hear books for free

thought it was worth sharing the site...
www.booksshouldbefree.com

Night and Day by Virginia Woolf - Free mp3 Audio Book Download

Shared via AddThis

When I see things like these in my back yard...

It reminds me how much of a city gal I am. It also reminds me that I need to clean that glass door!

Our dear mutt Reina started scratching the door as we where sitting at the table eating like any other day. She's a crazy mutt. She's a crazy mutt who plays by herself even though there are two other dogs in the house that she can play with. She follows and eats the bugs she catches. And she just stares at thin air for no reason. So when she starts scratching the floor or at something we really don't pay much attention. That's crazy Reina for you. But If it wasn't for dear Paco aka the cranky dog who, starts barking at Reina who, in turns keeps on scratching at what she thinks is the snake we wouldn't have even looked.

I didn't throw out my gutsy beans out the window at the sight of this snake but I gotta admit that I did get surprised at the fact that there was a real wild snake right by the back yard door. I mean, my holy schizzyl! I was raised and bred in apartments (now called condos haha) in the middle of the sahuesera in Miami. Consequently, the only snakes I saw were worms and lizards...OH yeah, and fake snakes. Well, there was that one time I did see snakes at the Metro Zoo when I was a kid, but this snake is free admission to see, right here in my back yard. And you can't beat that. So what was my immediate reaction? To snap a picture of the fugitive so husband will believe me when he comes home that I was confronted by a huuuge snake. And also, to recognize the darn snake for next time she decides to make a "show" to my mutt Reina.

How to Put Into Practice Every Day the Art of Loving Yourself | eHow.com

You gotta admit that some of those ehow articles are pretty funny and plainly pathetic. But in my humble opinion this one is more of a reminder ...I came across this article looking for interview tips.
How to Put Into Practice Every Day the Art of Loving Yourself | eHow.com

Shared via AddThis

No to Shaken Baby Syndrome

Well, I'm sure now you know why I haven't updated this blog lately :) Mommyhood is a very special event in one's life and I'm loving it. However, I don't want to sugar coat how hard it is to be a new parent and that's why I want to be honest for whoever gets to read this and thinks of having kids.

A baby is such a miracle that god gives to most of us and to some it's denied. After I had my first miscarriage I wondered, thereafter, if I was going to be able to have a baby at all. And thanks god I did. She's a beauty and a very good baby, but I'm sure all parents say that of their offspring. So, now what? Tons of diaper changes, desitin, feedings every 2 hours no matter if it's day or night, constant colic, crying...etc.

I was astonished to come across this statistic:

cited: http://aboutshakenbaby.com/
An estimated 1,200 to 1,400 cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) occur each year in the United States. Only 1 out of 4 babies dies of Shaken Baby Syndrome. HOWEVER, the other three babies will need ongoing medical attention for the rest of their short lifespans.

Just to think that a little human being can be hurt in such violent way makes me sick to my stomach, it really does.

It's easy to think that you can care for a baby and do all those things previously mentioned but add to the mix lack of sleep. Imagine that you haven't slept for a couple of days. Now, add to that scenario a baby crying, constantly. Just take a minute and imagine.

The best advice that I can give you it's to take it easy. Actually the best advice I can give you it's to make sure you want a baby and that you're ready. But if you are almost there or you are a new parent the just take it easy. Although, this new experience can be extremely overwhelming and frustrating just think that the baby is depending on you for everything and one of those is to be taken care of. Sleep when the baby sleeps, bond with your baby, be ready for constant crying and be patient.

Our New member

To say the least the last bit of my pregnancy wasn't an easy one. Sixty pounds over and 41 weeks later my precious daughter was born on July 20, 2009 weighing 9lbs and 2 oz. and measuring 21 1/4 ". What a blessing...now i'm in the process of getting used to this new life.

Pregnancy Diary 36 weeks and counting

I've never been MRS preppy vanity-girly-girl. I'm your regular tennis shoes, jeans, and a t-shirt tomboy with minimal make up if any at all. With that said, I never imagined the changes that my body would go through throughout pregnancy (I did think about it before I actually got pregnant the possibilities that my body would morph into...but just to get myself psychologically ready) would affect me so much now that I'm going through them. Like swollen feet...

That's not a biggy. I mean, I expected that. Chubby legs, I can handle chubby legs. I have chubby legs anyways so not much of a difference there. However, once I put on my shoes I can feel the difference. It's tighter and more uncomfortable fit. And believe it or not unconsciously after fitting into tight shoes day after day takes a toll emotionally. BTW, that black blob you see on the upper, left corner it's of Reina, one of the dogs who insisted on being in the picture after I had pushed her away more than a couple of times. She won.

Now, the next picture may need a "BEWARE" sign. It's not a pretty picture and you may end up traumatized and never want to have children. And if you do have children, then have sympathy for me. Stretch Marks...

When I thought of taking a picture of my belly I thought it would be cute in a "priceless" sort of way picture that could go into the baby's book. Once I saw this picture, the not so cute and priceless expression came from me. "Holy cow!! (no pun intended), that's like a white, full of wigglely lines,..... watermelon!" Of course, it doesn't help that my immediate family like my brother, mom, and cousin, and other relatives like SIL, MIL and friends have muttered the expression " WOW that's big!" after taking a mere glance at this picture. Emotionally it doesn't help. But I know that it will be worth it.

I'm 36 weeks now. Feeling extremely tired and my legs hurt but I'm glad that we are gonna see our wookie pretty soon.

Not Gain more than 25 pounds...haha too late

It's quite frustrating when the the doctor tells you not to gain any more weight but you can't really help it because you have a human being growing inside you who constantly demands food even when you are supposed to be sleeping. Not to gain more than 25 pounds.... Errr sorry doc I'm reaching the 50 mark.

Trust me, I'm feeling them. With my scoliosis, my back has become very painful and along with it I have constant headaches, continuous numbness of my left leg, and episodes of feeling like crap because I'm in constant pain. I've learned my lesson for the next baby....If there's a next baby. Although, I'm sure I will eventually forget the pain and have a second baby...and my mom will be right once again...Darn it! I still hate it when I know she'll be right.

The closer the due date gets. The more I think of how I will raise my child. The values that my parents installed in me and the things that I will do differently. This is the point in my life where my mortality is becoming a little bit more clear.