Coupon Challenged

The biggest challenge about being a SAHM is living with less money. I have been noticing how my friends deal with it and I am pretty impressed by their shopping expertise. When it comes to clothes, I am good at finding bargains and shopping around. Groceries, however, are another story.

Considering the fact that there has always been a big black hole that eats up my shopping list between the time I write it and the time I walk in the door of the store, it is no surprise that coupons are also difficult for me to handle. I can clip them out of the newspaper. Sometimes I can even remember to take them to the store with me. If there is more than one though, I cannot seem to give them to the cashier.

Last weekend, I got the closest ever. The list and the coupons made it through the whole shopping experience. As I was walking to the front, Jordan started crying. He was hungry, so I rushed to wrap it up. I felt bad for him, so I picked him up. In the process of trying to unload the food onto the conveyor belt, pay and reload the bags into the cart while holding him and entertaining Lexi, I forgot that the coupons had been shoved into my pocket. I didn’t remember them until the food was in the trunk and we were ready to take off.

I guess I will continue to clip coupons and make an effort, but I have realized that I am truly coupon challenged.

Starting A Play Group

Don't let the title of this post fool you, I am not starting a play group. We have been invited to join one that some ladies are starting. This morning, they had the first gathering. We had a potluck breakfast at someone's house and talked about what we'd like to do and when we'd like to meet. I guess we'll be having fun every Friday. As far as activities go, we will be doing a monthly brunch and a monthly field trip other than that we'll figure things out.

Sounds fun, right? While I know that these outings are exactly what all of us need (especially Lexi) I can't help but feel a tad bit guilty about having too much fun. My poor husband is slaving away at work while I am enjoying being a SAHM. Even on the worst days, I'd rather be home. The only things I really miss are the pay checks and contributing to my 401k. Shhhh, don't tell him how great it truly is.

Falling Behind

Excuse me while I catch up on life. So far, being a mom to a toddler and a new born isn’t that hard (at least emotionally). In fact, it is easier than being very pregnant and taking care of a toddler. At least I have more energy and my body is not screaming about being uncomfortable all the time. The main problem is that there are just not enough hours in the day to deal with other things like sleep, catching up on e-mails, talking to friends, blogging, making birth announcements, sending out thank you cards, cleaning the house, baking lots of Christmas goodies, organizing my desk, etc. I did manage to finish wrapping gifts, make treats for Steve’s work, and buy a few more gifts. Not much, right?

Fortunately, help is coming tonight. My sister is flying in. I am looking forward to her entertaining Lexi and holding Jordan in order for me to rush around the house and catch up on a few things. Unfortunately, time will still be limited. The fact that I am nursing every 2 hours & it takes about 30 - 45 minutes each time pretty much leaves little time for life. No wonder I am falling behind.

That reminds me... today is the day that I was scheduled to be induced. Thankfully, that is all behind me. I guess I am not that behind. Some things were early & other things have been delayed & neglected. Perhaps, I'll find a balance soon.

New Arrival

My sister, the one any only Freckle Face Girl, has asked me to declare to the world that she has had her baby! Little Jordan was born at 4:15 houston time and I (Auntie Paige) got his first picture in a text message not two seconds ago! He is adorable! Six pounds nine ounces, and 18 1/4 inch tall. Imagine how large he would have been if they'd waited a month!

There are no problems, he's breathing just fine and he's been bathed and swathed. As soon as I get some e-mailed pictures I'll guest post them here :)

-Auntie Paige

We Are a Happy Family

The move to Houston has defintely been great. We have been here two weeks and we are still beaming and thankful about how much we like it here. For me, being a stay at home mom is amazing. I really enjoy it, but I feel a like it is a guilty pleasure since Steve is the only bread winner.

I have a huge list of things I have been wanting to do or work on, but pesky things like setting up new doctors, getting our vehicles registered here, and getting new drivers licenses have been hogging up my days that I don't have fun activities/play dates planned. This week, I have three set up with one of my friends. She has a 4 year old girl, a two year old boy and a two month old girl. We went to a kid water park for an hour and a half yesterday. Tomorrow, we are going to a kid movie. Thursday, we are going to the library for a butterfly experience. The strange part is that all these things are free, which is nice because the reality of only having one income is bound to hit soon. For now, we will just keep smiling away and enjoying our new surroundings. (Yes - even Steve is VERY happy because he loves his new job and being a little spoiled by me)

Mall Mommies

For the past decade, trips to the mall during the week have been a frantic dash to purchase a few things during the 1 hour allotted lunch time. During those trips, I have seen scores of mall mommies who seem to be out on an insignificant excursion. They casually walk around with oodles of time to kill in an effort to entertain themselves and their little ones. I have often wondered what that is like.

Today, as I was dashing through the mall during lunch, I realized that I only have 8 more days of work. It will not be too long until I too can be a Mall Mommy or I can at least try it.