Things Only a Mother Would Do

I usually don't let my kids bring a toy with them in the store, mostly because they would end up losing it.  But today was a running around town, no nap kind of day and one of our last stops was Target.  Rachel asked if she and Reese could bring in their horses (the small ones from the Lincoln Logs).  "Sure," I answered because I didn't feel like arguing.  Halfway through the store, Rachel says, "Reese!  Where's your horse?!"  We found it in the big part of the cart, and when Rachel wanted to get it out, I told her I'd get it when we were paying to leave.  Of course you know what happened.  We paid.  We went out to the car.  And "Ah!  Reese's horse!  You forgot Reese's horse!"  Reese could have cared less, but no-nap Rachel freaked out. 
"Mom!  Go get it!  You have to go get her horse!" 
I tried telling her I'd buy another horse next time. 
"No!  It won't fit with the Lincoln Logs!"
She had a valid point.  I tried explaining that our cart was most likely already being used by someone else.
"Pleeeeaaassssee, Mom!  We have to go find it."
So laughing to myself at the ridiculousness of what I was about to do, I got both girls back out of the car and went back into Target.  I eyed two women, each with empty carts, quickly leaving the dollar section.  I followed them, trying to see if the tiny horse was in their cart, but unfortunately they were not in the mood for browsing.  I had to follow both of them halfway across the store before one of them turned into the make-up and one to the greeting cards, and I was finally close enough to see The Horse!  Not only did I laugh at myself for cart-stalking, but also because now I had to explain to the lady why I needed to reach into her cart.  Thankfully she was totally understanding.  She has a granddaughter who also loves horses and would have had a fit if that happened to her. "Don't you worry, honey, I would have done the same thing."

Saving on Diapers

Diapers:  the totally necessary, can't get around it, money-sucking must-buy when you have a baby.  That is, unless you are brave enough to go with cloth, which I am not.  So, what is your diaper-buying, money-saving strategy?  Here are my own personal tips:

• Definitely start with coupons.  Every few weeks they can be found in the Sunday coupons ($1 off).  Even better, sign up with your favorite brands, and they will often times mail you higher value coupons ($2-3 off!). 
• Stack your manufacturer's coupons with store coupons!  Did you know that you can use both a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon on the same item?  And when you sign up for a Target baby registry, you will usually receive (in the mail) a coupon booklet full of Target coupons for baby/toddler items.  You can also stack coupons at BJs!  Not all stores have their own coupons or will allow you to stack, so be sure to double check first. 
• Match your coupons with a sale!  Target often has diaper sales in which you get a $5 gift card when you buy 2 boxes of diapers...you know you'll use them eventually!
• My most recent diaper deal is from Amazon! (thanks, MamaCheaps!)  Join Amazon Mom (free!) and get 30% off select diapers and wipes when you use "Subscribe and Save" delivery (this signs you up for scheduled automatic shipments, but you can cancel it immediately after you place your order and the shipping is free!).  But wait, it gets better!  On top of my 30% off, I also was able to stack a coupon code from my November issue of Parenting magazine for another 20% off!  Here's my breakdown:

                        Pampers Baby Dry Diapers, Size 4, Economy Plus Pack, 176 Diapers
                                                                                Item(s) Subtotal:     $37.98
                                                                         Shipping & Handling:       $0.00
                                                Amazon Mom & Subscribe and Save:   -$11.39
                                                     Parents magazine coupon Applied:      -$7.60
                                                                                                              --------
                                                                                               Total:       $18.99

Do the math!  That's less than 11 cents per Pamper!  The only other time I find a deal like this is when I have a coupon for diapers that are on clearance, and even then I am lucky if they have the size we need!
Here's hoping this helps some fellow mommies make it to... potty traning! :)

The Little One Turns Two

My baby is no longer even close to being a baby anymore.  Yesterday, she turned two and I fear they might be terrible!  But even with the already increased whining and stubbornness, there are still a million reasons to love her.  Here are a few...

• The way she refers to herself in third person when she is talking about something possessive.  "Reesie's blanket" or "Reesie's milk".  Yes, she calls herself Reesie, even though I usually do not.  However, she says "Aahh come, peeez" for "I wanna come, please!"  Rachel was such an early, talker with correct speech that I just eat this "learning to talk" speech right up.
• Her manners.  She may not be in the habit of saying please and thank you on her own yet (although she does with prompting), but she does say "excuse me" at the appropriate times.  She even surprised me the other day when she was trying to get past Rachel and said "ooozme, Yashel"....which leads me to...
• Her pronunciation of certain names.  She calls Rachel, "Yashel"; Brooke, "Byookie", and Olivia, "Ahhya" but has recently been saying "AahYIVia".
• The way she shares.  Anytime she gets any sort of treat (candy, gum, etc) she always asks for a piece for Rachel too.  Now if it's a toy, it's sometimes another story, but after asking her to share it, she usually will with no problem.
• The little mommy she is already.  Whether it's helping take care of her baby cousin, Olivia, or playing with her baby dolls, she has got it down and knows just what to do.  From breastfeeding to changing diapers, she pretends to do it all!
• What a great helper she is!  Asking her directly to do something helpful will always get it done, but even if she overhears someone say they need something, she is on it!  And when it comes to cleaning, the girl will put things away that she didn't even leave out.  She will be my little neat freak.  And with Rachel as my little hoarder, they will make for some interesting times down the road!
• Her mostly predictable prayer.  Every night before bed, we say our prayers, and every night, Reese says the same thing, "Yord (Lord)...Jesse, Nana, Joey, Hayee(Halie)...Amen!"  She thanks God for some of her favorite people.  Occasionally she thanks Him for her family too ;)  And last week she surprised me by praying for Rachel's headache....a hint that she might be starting to understand what it's all about!
• Her beautiful sweet smile!  She just has the cutest smile with a little gum showing and a tiny dimple...

I am so blessed to have you, Reese Caroline!  Love you to the moon and back!