Money Saving Mom

I stole that title from a blog I go to frequently nowadays. I have caught the"coupon bug." Let me tell you, it can get confusing and very time consuming, but it is paying off. For example, Smith's is having a sale this week, and so I am taking advantage of it. I've gone and found coupons for all but 1 thing on my list.
Without the sale and without the coupons I'd be spending $28.33 (probably more since that total takes into account my smith's savings card).
If I were to take advantage of just the sale without the coupons I'd spend $21.92.
BUT with my coupons, ladies and gentlemen, I will be spending $14.55.
That's a huge savings and I'm getting quite a bit. I'll take a pic of it tomorrow to show what I got.

It feels to good to contribute to our finances in some way. I started learning the ropes from my sister-in-law and cousin-in-law. Now my coupons are organized and it will get easier from now on I think.

Here are a couple sites I go to if anyone is interested:

http://moneysavingmom.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

Baby Food Grinders

Lydia is really starting to eat anything we give her (except for the obvious peanut butter, honey, etc.), which is so convenient when it comes to eating meals together. We don't have a baby food grinder, and it's so difficult smashing the food up small enough with my fork. I've thought about using my blender.. but that's too difficult to clean as often we I'd use it. So, I've done some research. Option #1

http://www.target.com/Black-Decker-1-Touch-Chopper/dp/B000NJBYWG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=food%20processor&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-2&qid=1285088328&rh=&searchRank=price&id=Black%20Decker%201-Touch%20Chopper&node=1038576|1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0

Option #2

http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Baby-Food-Grinder-Colors/dp/B000GB0NZA

I'm currently leaning towards the food processor. I could use it for more than just baby food and it seems like it'd be easier to clean. The disadvantage is that it wouldn't be convenient to take with my anywhere like the handheld grinder. Do any of you have experience with using either of these? I need input. Thanks!

Mommy Brain...

I've had several "I'm losing my mind" moments lately. Basically, I just think my brain is so preoccupied. I'm never thinking about what I'm doing.. my mind is somewhere else. This morning I put conditioner on my loofa instead of soap. And a couple days ago I went downstairs with a hamper of dirty clothes to put in the washer. So, I put the clothes that were in the washer into the dryer. Then, inexplicably, I picked up the hamper of dirty clothes and started walking back up the stairs. I got halfway up the stairs when I realized I not only didn't push start on the dryer.. but I didn't put the clothes from hamper into the washer! Oh dear..

She Knows Her Mama

She said "mama" for the first time a couple days ago! Of course it was while she was crying and really wanted me to hold her... actually that's the only time she's ever said it.. when she wants me to pick her up. Verrrry cute. But sad at the same time.. we heard her saying it in her room last night as we were getting ready for bed. I melt.. literally.. puddle of Kori on the floor. I don't know how much she associates the word with me, but I've been working on it with her pretty often for the last couple weeks so who knows. Other cute news... she prefers Derek and I to her toys. If we set her on the floor next to her toys she will eventually find her way, army crawling, to us and climb as close to our faces as she can. It's so neat to see that she knows we are mommy and daddy... or at least that we are just 2 people who are always around and feed her and give her kisses. :)

Sad news.. I do believe she has come down with something. A cold most likely. She has been sooo sleepy and wanted to cuddle with mommy all day. She is just so lethargic and I can tell she is miserable. My poor baby :( Hopefully this sickness doesn't stick around too long!

Milestones (4 months to 7 months)

4 Months
Lydia rolled from belly to back - She did this on her 4 month birthday then did it again a couple days later, but that was it until she was almost 7 months old.
Lydia's first real laugh
Her first pigtail/ponytail experience. Super cute!

5 Months
She slept in her own bedroom for the night for the first time
Started sitting up - but fell over a lot
She discovered the joy of blowing raspberries
1st experience with solid food (rice cereal) - as you can imagine - since she just discovered blowing raspberries this was a messy occasion :)
1st time in a swimming pool! She was very unsure about this at first, but she soon fell asleep in a reclined position in her floaty with her hat covering her eyes. I didn't get any pictures of it :( But it was quite funny.
Lydi-bug rolls from back to belly - remember, she had forgotten how to roll back onto her back.. so this was a frustrating thing for her for a while. She didn't like being on her belly.

6 Months
Lydia has started sitting up really well now all by herself
She has again started rolling from belly to back. Hallelujah! This helped her sleep better too since she could be in any position she wanted.
Her first word..... drumroll..... Da-da! It's so cute because when she talks she kind of whispers. When we try to get her to say dada she whispers it or, at the other end of the spectrum, she says it when she's sleepy and screams it. lol

7 Months
She has started pulling herself to standing using our fingers. If she uses something else she can't quite get up yet.
Falls asleep without crying (most of the time) and sleeps all night long 10-12 hours
From sitting position to all fours and rocks back and forth.
She pushes up from her tummy into the plank position in yoga. (on to her hands and feet like she's ready to start a race).
Ladies and gentlemen.. our little Lydia is now mobile! She is our little army crawler. She is really enjoying her independence. Though she's also shown several signs of separation anxiety.

She will be 8 months old next Thursday (September 2nd).
We love our girl :)

Our Summer So Far

The summer's almost coming to an end already! So crazy! Here's what we've been up to:

Derek graduated from BYU in April

Derek and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary - we went out to eat at Red Lobster


Derek got a job working for Intermountain Health Care, so we moved out of our place in Provo..



And into our new place in South Ogden (pictures to come.. we haven't taken any yet..oops)


We, along with my parents and grandma, went to North Dakota to visit my brother and his family.. that was a blast! We toured the Air Force base where he lives and works, went to the zoo, had a couple picnics, went to a Scandanavian park, went to the International Peace Gardens on the American/Canadian border, and of course did the Ferree Family Reunion Tournaments: bowling, golf, frisbee golf, washers, croquet (spelling?), a couple card games/board games, and ladder golf. So much fun!
My uncle, aunt, 2 cousins, and grandma also all got to come out here this summer. We spent a fun day starting with lunch at Tucanos in Provo, Bridal Veil Falls, Sundance, Cascade Springs, and Thanksgiving Point. I'm so happy I got to see them all!Mostly everyone at Bridal Veil

Derek at Cascade Springs

Lydi and I at Cascade Springs. We left her hat at home, but her onesie worked just as well :)

Pretty views on the way up to the Springs


It's been an awesome summer! We are all doing so well, and Lydia is growing like a cute little weed. She's hitting milestone after milestone. More on that later. :)

Lydia is 4 months old...

and has begun sleeping through the night! Which is about between 5 and 7 hours. She started this wonderful new habit last week and has kept it up every night since. She'll sleep for that long stretch, wake up to eat, and then sleep for another 2 or 3 hours. It's also gotten to the point that I've been able predict when she'll need a nap. It's so nice when you figure out there's a rhyme and reason to when they sleep. Along with sleeping like a champ, Lydia rolled over for the first time on Sunday (her 4 month birthday)! She did it 3 times in a row from belly to back, but hasn't done it again since. I'm so proud of her!


She has recently begun sucking her thumb, which is just so cute I don't have the desire to make her stop.. even if I'll regret it later down the road. I have also stopped having milk and cheese to see if it helps her little tummy. It's been almost a week, so we'll see if it helps.