By the Numbers

Three shots for Emma Kate for her Eight week check-up

Three pounds gained in Four weeks. She's up to Ten lbs. Ten oz.

Every Four hours, a dose of Tylenol

Two babies under my supervision tonight. Emma Kate, of course, and I'm babysitting my nephew, Corbin until tomorrow night

Two dirty diapers changed in Ten minutes from child # One

One more diaper changed Five minutes later from child # Two

Four shirts I've had to change because of projectile vomiting, from child # One

Learned that trying to feed Two babies at One time by One person is just simply Impossible

One more night with less than Four hours of sleep

Mommy Duties

Ok, so it's the night before Halloween and what am I doing? Making treat bags for 20 little Kindergarteners, of course! I volunteered to be Homeroom Mom for Morgan's class and have been busy the past two weeks assigning parents to various tasks and responsibilities.

I decided to do treat bags because that would be easy, right? Well, you know me, and I don't just take the easy way out and buy the plastic treat bags and tie 'em and go on...Nope, that's not me at all. I found these cute paper bags, filled each one with candy and spiders and fun stuff like that, then in order to close 'em, I decided to punch holes and tie 'em with curly ribbon! Time-consuming to say the least!

Oh, and because I needed just ONE more thing to do...chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles! That have to be bagged and tied as well!

And it's midnight...4 bags down, 16 to go! Better get busy...Morgan's party is at 8:30 am!!! They have to be finished tonight!

From my Kitchen

My family absolutely loves this recipe, so I thought I would share it! Very inexpensive, but super yummy!

Sausage Egg Rolls

Ingredients:
1 Roll of Sausage
1 Bag of Cabbage Mix (w/carrots)
1 Package of Egg Roll Wrappers (usually found in produce near the tofu)
1/4 Cup of Soy Sauce
Chinese Five Spice (I think I use about a teaspoon, just eyeball it)
Oil for frying (About an inch in the bottom of my pan is enough)
Soy Sauce for dipping

1. Cook sausage thoroughly until no longer pink. Drain.

2. I use my chopper to ground the sausage smaller (Optional)

3. Add Sausage, Cabbage Mix, Chinese Five Spice and Soy Sauce to a saucepan. Cover and cook until cabbage has steamed completely.

4. Drain and let cool. Prep to begin rolling the wrappers.

5. I use about 2 Tablespoons of mix in each wrapper. The directions are on the back of the package, but here are some pictures. (Was a little difficult to take a picture with one had and hold with the other! LOL)

***I use a little water to seal the final corner. If not sealed, they will open up when fried. And soy sauce and heat don't mix well!!

5. While wrapping the egg rolls, heat oil on medium heat. Make sure the oil it HOT! It should only take a few minutes on each side to brown lightly. If the oil isn't hot enough and they have to cook longer, they will be greasy! Trust me, I've had this happen a few times.

6. Enjoy with a little soy sauce for dipping!!!

She's growing...

...way too fast!! Her 8 week check-up is Friday! We started her on cereal, just a few tablespoons in her bottle in the morning and before she goes to bed at night. I know, doctors say wait until they're a little older, but she wanted to eat ALL the time! All the time meaning, every hour or so! She's now sleeping about 5-6 hours at night! And holds her head up so good! And she just coos and smiles all the time!! So precious! We are truly blessed in so many ways!

My Great News!

I have been so excited about this, but I completely forgot to post about it! I've been a nervous wreck all month long as I waited patiently each day for the mail to be delivered. Finally, last week my letter came! I am officially going to start nursing school in January!! Yay me! I have orientation in a few weeks, then it's Thanksgiving, then back to school for finals, then Christmas, and before I know it, it'll be January and time to start! I'm actually nervous! I've talked to a few people that have said getting through nursing school was the hardest thing they had ever done. It will totally be worth all the hard work when I finish!

Friday Favorites

And these are a just few of my favorite things...

*I found this new website, PICNIK for picture editing...I love Picasa, but this has so many cool things! Like the collages, so many options...Not to mention, so much fun!!

*Lavender and Vanilla Scent- Oh.My.Goodness, this is the best smell (only second to baby) Not only can you wash your clothes in it, you can clean, freshen fabric and air, AND sweep and mop the floors with it! I LOVE it! I would bathe in if I could! HeHe!

*Holiday Shopping!!! Mistletoe Marketplace is an annual shopping event that's NOT to be missed! It's rapidly approaching and will be here before I know it! So ready! And of course, Black Friday shopping as well! I'm on the look-out for a digital camera this year...hmmm...may be standing in line a Best Buy? Or Wal-Mart...I wish stores weren't so prudish about their ads and would release them early...Oh, well, guess it's just part of the tradition staying up late on Thanksgiving night mapping out our gameplan so we know exactly what we want and what time to be where!

*Grey's Anatomy!! Seriously, this is the best show ever! Did you watch the show last night? Meredith dropped the KIDNEY!! LOL! I was cracking up! Unfortunately, I have class on Thursday nights right now, so THANK GOODNESS you can catch the episodes on the website!

Happy Friday! Here's to the weekend!

"DineSaurs" need naps, too!

Ethan + quiet = I better go find him!

I searched his room, the bathroom (has a fascination with the water in the toilet, likes to "wash" his trucks!), and I finally found him...in my bed, fast asleep! This is his Halloween costume, which he hasn't wanted to take off since we bought it! Had to hide it so I didn't have to walk into Wal-Mart with a "DineSaur". Yes, that's what he calls himself, while he's Roaring around the house! And I'm reluctant about buying Halloween costumes because they aren't worth the price for wearing it one day! Thank you, my little "DineSaur", for putting that $19.99 to good use!

Can we keep her?

This was Hannah's first question after she saw Emma Kate for the first time!

She absolutely LOVES Emma Kate! She is always wanting to hold her and kiss her! I should enjoy this while it lasts! It won't be too long and I will hearing how Emma Kate won't leave her stuff alone and get out of her room!

I haven't been taking enough pictures so we tried to get some good ones today. Emma Kate normally just sleeps and eats, but I was able to get some of her awake today! She is getting so big! Can you count her baby chins!! HeHe!

I'm Determined...

...to get something accomplished this weekend! I have been slacking at cleaning, both inside and outside. I did so much cleaning before Emma Kate was born that we were able to go this long without really cleaning...I did manage to still do the day to day 'picking up', but I can't stand seeing dust balls in the corners anymore! Those last few weeks of my pregnancy I did laundry, cleaned baseboards, organized closets, and it paid off! Alas, 1 month later, and hardly nothing to wear, it's time to get up and be productive! LOL, I know this probably sounds bad, but the NUMERO UNO thing in this world that I hate doing is LAUNDRY! I wish I had one of these to make it all go away!!!! It's pretty sad when you can go this long without doing laundry and still have clothes to wear...I have an obsession with clothes, for me and the kids!

So, back to what I want to get done...no, what I WILL get done this weekend!

~CLEAN
~LAUNDRY
~CLEAN GARAGE
~WORK ON THE FLOWERBEDS (totally neglected ALL summer!)
~DECORATE FOR FALL (bought my mums, pumpkins, and scarcrow yesterday!)

I also have a few "extra projects" to work on...antique my kitchen cabinets, paint the kitchen, strip and polish the kitchen floors. We started on the cabinets last night and they look great! It's so easy too. I will post a before and after and a how-to...it's so easy!

I caught Alan off guard by my "list", but he knows me and I'm sure will go along with all my changing and re-arranging!


***Forgot to post about this....NO SURGERY FOR ETHAN!!...for right now atleast! The doctor wants to watch it for another year and hopes it will close up on its own. He said there's no need to worry because the hole is so small there's no change for his intestines to come through...Whew! With Hannah's stay in the hospital earlier this year and the pregnancy, it's nice to know we won't have another one in the hospital! Thanks for everyones' thoughts and prayers!

3 weeks old

It's been almost a month since we were blessed with the birth of Emma Katherine! I can't believe it! She is absolutely wonderful! Such a great baby! She eats all the time and sleeps very good...and a little spoiled! Is it possible to spoil a baby??!! She just loves being held!

At her 2 week check-up she weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 21.5 in. long! She left the hospital weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz., so she gained back to her birth weight and some! Like I said, she eats all the time! Like a champ!

The kids are adjusting very well...well, the girls atleast. Ethan doesn't quite know what to think and when he does get near her, he is so rough! But I guess that's a boy for ya! The girls are very helpful and love "being big sisters".

So what's it like having FIVE children? Honestly, it's really not as hard as I thought it would be! We have a daily routine and things go very smooth. Trips are a little tough! Especially trying to figure out how to get all the kids in a cart, along with all the stuff! Two carts are a must...and it's even easier if we can get the ones with the cars on the front...it keeps them occupied for the majority of the time! Don't ask what I was thinking, but I took all five kids, by myself, to Kroger, for a VERY short trip on Saturday. I really just wanted to see if I could do and I did! I wish I had a dollar for every funny look I got! It's almost like there's a bubble over someone's head and you can see them counting..."1, 2, 3, 4, and 5!!" Hilarious! Needless to say it was a very short trip, cake mix, icing, and butter...for cupcakes for Morgan's birthday party. She turned 6 yesterday! They grow up so fast! Pictures to come from her party!

Also, Ethan has a dr. visit on Thursday with a pediatric surgeon about his umbilical hernia....surgery in the near future.

It's the end of August already?!

Hi, my name is Brandi...

I am a blogger slacker...

It has been 56 days since my last post...

Yes, that's what I feel like right now! I have definitely let my blog go over the past month and a half. There have been major changes in our home during this time and I have had a lot of ajusting to do...and more change is yet to come!

Change #1: Stay at home mom: That's right. Shortly after we got back from vacation, the company I was working for downsized and I was out of a job. Just like that. I immediately had to do a role reversal and readjust to being at home with my children 24/7! I haven't had this opportunity since 2004 when I had to go back to work. Let me just say it was HARD at first! But I love every minute of it and I honestly don't want to go back to work! I missed out so much with Ethan when he was a baby and I regret it! So, besides going to school full time, I will be staying at home and enjoying the kids and the new baby!

Change #2: Mom to a school aged child: Morgan started to kindergarten August 8 and wow, what an emotionally challanging time. It seems like yesterday she was a baby! I just can't believe the last 5 1/2 years have gone by so quick! I am so proud, I didn't cry her first day! But, the second was a whole different story! The first week was hard, but each day gets better and better! She seems to have grown up so much already with being able to interact with so many new people. She loves school and I know this year is going to be great!

Change #3: Realizing I'm about to be a mom to FIVE children: Yep, Emma Kate will be here anyday and I am so excited, yet so nervous at the same time! Her room is complete, bags are packed, we are just waiting on her to decided to make her entrance into the world! This pregnancy has just gone by extremely fast! I am so emotional knowing this will be the last time I will ever experience this. I have definitely been trying to enjoy every last moment of it!

I found out at my doctor's appointment that I am 2 cent., so I will going back in on Friday and they will monitor me. My dr. said if he saw 2 contractions or if I was dialated anymore he will admit me. If not, I am scheduled to be induced next Wednesday!!! So exciting!!

Melanie took some pictures of my belly and the kids this past weekend! I do not have any pictures like this from when I pregnant with the other ones, so I wanted to make sure I got some this time! She did such a wonderful job taking the pictures! Thanks so much Mel!! Here are a few of my favorites!

I probably won't post again until Emma Kate is here so be watching for an update...Hopefully this weekend!!!

CVS Deals 6/29-7/5

I was definately having CVS withdrawals after not doing ANY deals last week! Since we were on vacation, I didn't have enough time to put any deals together! BUT, I do have to inform you of something I discovered while in Florida!

MAGIC CVS COUPON MACHINES!!!

I have read about them on different sites and begged Alan to stopped at a CVS while we were there so I could see if they had one. And they did! You scan your card and out pops coupons! I was given some for CVS brand stuff and TWO $3/$15 coupons! These have been VERY rare lately...I had to contain myself in the store when I saw these print! I seriously was like a kid in a candy store! I HAVE to tell our store here they MUST get one of these!

I went Monday to get the Huggies Wash deal before June ended because I got a coupon in last Sundays paper. Oh, by the way...Sunday Papers in Florida had SO many more coupons than we get here! I am going to check and see if I can subscribe to another regoins paper because we don't get near the amount of coupons here in the South! Ok, on to Monday's deal:

Monday: Transaction #1

Bic Soleil Razor: $6.99
Bic Soleil Cartridge: $6.99
Huggies Baby Wash: $3.49
CVS Remover Pads: $2.99

Pre-Total: $20.46
$4.00 off Bic (from FL paper)
$2.00 off Bic printable
$1.00 off Huggies Wash (from FL paper)
$2.00 off CVS Skincare Product printable
$3/$15 Coupon
$6.00 ECBs

$2.46 OOP
$7.00 ECBs earned

So I started July 1 with $7.00 and then printed my quarterly ECBs which was $4.00! I noticed before we left (Yes, of course I had shop with my favorite CVS buddy!!!) that there was a HIDDEN money maker in the July ECB book! And boy was it a moneymaker!!! It is reported that the limit is 5. I have 1 more to buy so I will let you know when I go back tomorrow! Yes, I will be going back! My store was out of the swiffer refills and the Coppertone Sticks (which is also a moneymaker!) Hopefully I can find them tomorrow! Here's how I did tonight!

Tuesday Transaction #1

CVS 15 Ct Towelettes: $2.99
CVS 15 Ct Towelettes: $2.99 Sure Deodorant: $2.99
Sure Deodorant: $2.99
CVS Pantyliners: $.99
CVS Pantyliners: $.99
CVS Tampons: $1.49
CVS Tampons: $1.49

Pre-Total: $16.92

$3/$15 Coupon
(2) $2.00 CVS Skincare Product
(2) $1.00 Sure Deodorant printable (hit back button, print twice)
$7.00 ECBs

$.91 OOP
$12.96 ECBS earned: $1.98 (pantyliners), $2.00 (tampons), $3.00 (Sure), $5.98 (towelettes)

Transaction #2

Physicians Formula Mascara: $7.99
CVS Towelettes: $2.99

Pre-Total: $10.98

$2.00 CVS Beauty Product
$3.00 ECB
$5.98 ECB

$0 OOP
$10.98 ECBs earned: $7.99 (mascara) and $2.99 (towelettes)

Transaction #3

Maybelline Mascara: $4.99
Maybelline Mascara: $2.50 (marked b1g1 50% off!!)
CVS Towelettes: $2.99

Pre-Total: $10.48

$2.00 off CVS Skincare Product
$7.99 ECB

$.52 OOP
$6.99 ECBs earned: $4.00 (mascara) and $2.99 (towelettes)

WOW, BIG NIGHT!!! I have these ECBs left:

$4 Quarterly ECBs
$4 Maybelline
$2.99 Towelettes
$2.99 Towelettes
$2 Tampons (I will be calling 800# tomorrow, all didn't print, should have been $2.98, ($1.48 x2))
$1.98 Pantyliners

I think this is the best I have ever done!! Like I said, I will be going back tomorrow to pick up these deals:

Wednesday Transaction #1

Coppertone WaterBabies Stick $4.99
Coppertone WaterBabies Stick $4.99

Pre-Total: $9.98

$4 ECB
$4 ECB
$1.98 ECB

$0 OOP
$10 ECBs earned

Transaction #2

Swiffer Duster refill: $5.99
Swiffer Wet refill: $5.99
CVS Towelettes: $2.99

Pre-Total $13.97

$2 off CVS Skincare Product
$1 off Duster refills (go here to sign up for coupon book by mail...lots of GOOD stuff!)
$1 off Wet refills
$10 ECBs

$0 OOP
$7.99 ECBs earned: $5.00 (swiffer deal) and $2.99 (towelettes)

AND....that leaves me with $15.97 ECBs for next week!! What a wonderful week it will end up being! It's about time! Hopefully July will bring on good weekly deals! Thanks to MoneySavingMom for the advice and coupon match-ups!!

We're Back!

We are home! Had so much fun, but it's nice to be back! Still resting and working on getting all of our pictures uploaded so I can share 'em! Keep checking back...here is a preview!

Welcome Baby!!

We are still on vacation, having a blast!!

I wanted to post some pictures of my nephew!

Corbin Lee was born Tuesday, June 24 and weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. and was 21 in. long! He is sooo cute! I can't wait to get home to see him!

Stay tuned for more pictures of the baby and the kids having so much fun in Orlando!!

I MUST be crazy!

This week is extremely busy already! School, tests, Ethan's 2nd birthday party on Friday, and Saturday morning we leave for DISNEY!!!! All while I am handling the swelling and pains of being 27 weeks pregnant! I pray for strength to get me through this week and the next 7 days at Disney with 4 children!!!

But, the kids are excited and have been asking everyday if we are leaving today! They are going to have a blast this year! Maybe I will post some pictures while we are gone...if not I will see everyone when we get back!!

As Promised...

Here is the sonogram picture I promised! I turned it sideways so you could get a good look at her face! She is so cute!!

98 turns into 91

Doctor's visit was yesterday! She is doing great! We did another sonogram...I promise to get the pictures uploaded!! We have a few great ones of her face!

The doctor did move the due date up to September 12...7 days earlier! She weighs around 2 pounds 1 ounce!! AND she is breech right now! Actually she is sitting straight up and down and facing foward! So I have to go back in 3 weeks for another sonogram and the "yummy" glucose test!! The doctor didn't seem too alarmed that she was breech, but none of the others were ever sitting this way so it kinda freaks me out! Hopefuly she will turn on her own!

Wow...things seem to be flying by...only 91 days to go!

SO WEIRD!

Ok, I have had 3 children, 1 more on the way and I have NEVER EVER seen anything like this before!!!! This has to be the weirdest thing ever! I thought Ethan kicked and flipped alot, but this baby has NOTHING on him!! Check this video out!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0lIuOS423U#

Free Stuff by Mail

I love getting FREE stuff in the mail! I am constanly signing up for stuff and a few weeks later I get samples in the mail AND there is usually a coupon along with it!! I will start posting links to what I find so you can take advantage of it, too!! Here are a few of the ones I have done recently!

Free Playtex Drop-In Bottle (coupon for the liners inside!)
Get 3 free On the Go Water samples (coupon, too!)
Free monthly spice blend sample
Free bottle of Uncle Bob's Sauce
Get a free Charmin Roll Extender
Free Pregnancy WristBands
Free Escada Moon Sparkle Fragrance
Free Emergen-C sample (click on "share the good")
Free DVD*R 10 Pack from Office Depot (coupon via e-mail, just go by and pick them up at the store)
Free True Lemon sample (coupon, too!)
Free Alaway Eye Drops (coupn, too!)
Free Parents Choice Formula sample
Free American Baby Subscription
Free Sippy Cup from Juicy Juice
Get 3 free Dove Hair/Body samples

Print Gerber Coupons

CVS Deals: 6/8-6/15

Not too much going on at CVS this week. Here are a few deals that I plan on getting. I have $8.00 in ECBs to start with this week:

Buy $10 in select Dove products, receive $3 in ECBs (Limit 5)
*Possible Deal*
Dove Skinvitalizer: $9.99
Dove Body Wash: $3.99
Dove Body Wash: $3.99
Dove Beauty Bar: $2.50
Pre-Total: $20.47
$4/$20 Coupon
$3.50 off Skin Vitalizer here
(2) $2.00 off Dove Body Wash here
$.75 off Dove Beauty Bar (in 6/8 paper)
Total: $8.22
Use $6.00 ECBs
$2.22 after coupons and ECBs
Earn $6.00 in ECBs

Buy $20 in select General Mills Cereals (3/$10) or Folgers Coffee ($10), receive $10 in ECBs (Limit 1)
*Possible Deal*
(2) Boxes of Lucky Charms
(1) Box of Honey Nut Cheerios
(1) Box of Cheerios
(2) Boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Pre-Total: $20.00
$4/$20 Coupon
(1) $.60 Coupon on Honey Nut Cheerios (cereal coupons from here or here)
(1) $1.50 Coupon on Cheerios (found in specially marked Pampers bags)
(1) $1.00/2 Coupon on Lucky Charms (from 6/8 paper)
(2) $.55 Coupons on Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Total: $11.80
Use $8.00 ECBs
$3.80 after coupons and ECBs
Earn $10.00 in ECBs

**If cheerios are part of this deal, for those of you who bought Pampers last week, there is a $1.50 coupon in each pack!!! If this works, price would be much less**

**Update: Cheerios ARE on the list, so the $1.50 coupon will work in this deal. I updated my deal to work this in**

There is also a deal on cokes this week. Not a great deal. I may do this, but that would only leave me with $3 ECBs. I know I can earn more eventually and we need can drinks to take on vacation with us... Plus, $1.00 for 4-12 packs isn't bad...Maybe I should see what I haven't bought for the monthly deals and see if I can build my ECBs back up before I let too many go for this deal!!

Coke 12-Packs 4/$11, receive $3 in ECBs (Limit 1)

There are a few more good deals that I'm gonna pass on this week, but you can check them out at MoneySavingMom or here.