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As of today I have been nursing for one hundred and thirty-seven days. Its might as well be a decade, since that's what it feels like.

As I've mentioned before, I can't say that breastfeeding has been all sunshine and roses. Its been more of a journey, with some parts harder than others. On more than one occasion I decided to start weaning, then changed my mind. As much as I desperately want my body back, I also am much too familiar with the bittersweet sadness that accompanies an early weaning. On more than one occasion I have supplemented with formula and had hubby give the bottle so that I can have a break. On a lot of those occasions I was able to sneak in a good nap or go to bed super early, both of which left me feeling fantastic. Other times, I ended up having to wake up anyway and pump, thus making the bottle idea a not so good one after all.

In the end I am still nursing. Don't know for how long and depending on the day I may not necessarily breastfeed exclusively. Its been a journey with many twists and turns and many lessons learned. I have been challenged in the art of patience while running on little sleep, and most times I think (hope?) I've risen to the challenge accordingly.

And so I continue...

Picture Of The Day: 2.05.10

Stop n Shop on a Saturday morning.

22 Items = $19.95

Have I told you lately how much I love rain checks? Well, I do. Although not all stores issue them, if a sale item is out of stock, it certainly doesn't hurt to ask for a rain check on the item. I did just that a few weeks ago, and today was able to get all my coupons together for a quickie stop at Rite Aid:
Quick Tip: Check out Redplum.com for $5 off a $25 purchase at Rite Aid.

Where Is My Cape?

Being a parent is hard work. Parenting two kids who have two totally different needs is exhausting. Yesterday I learned the hard way a very important lesson. I learned that when you are the solo adult doing bedtime that you should never, ever, EVER attempt to have bath time for both kids on the same night. OMG. What the hell was I thinking?? I swear, a lot of times my good intentions really get the best of me.

Since Gabriel cannot sit unsupported, he's still unable to bathe in the tub and so I can't bathe both kids at the same time. Instead, he bathes in a baby tub that fits in the kitchen sink. My great idea to bathe both kids by myself and have them both in bed by 7:30pm started at 6pm with great intentions and much gusto, and ended at 9pm with me still cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom from the splashing party both kids decided to have while bathing.

Hubby has started classes again for the semester, so I've had to really step it up in terms of keeping the tempo going through the day and squeezing out whatever 'me' time I can get. So far, I have been successful at somehow getting dinner cooked every single day for the last week. I've managed to kinda-sorta stay on top of the laundry, officially start a new home school curriculum and make it to all our scheduled play dates.

The accomplishment that I am most proud of is taking place right now as I type. Every day for roughly 90 minutes or so, both kids now have overlapping naps. A part of me now wants to pull out my Halloween costume and start wearing the cape around the apartment.

Useful Sites For Frugal Peeps

For Baby
Huggies‐ huggiesbabynetwork.com
Pampers‐ pampers.com/en_US/home
Luvs‐ luvsdiapers.com
Johnson & Johnson‐ johnsonsbaby.com/special‐offers‐expanded.jsp

For the home
Mr. Clean‐ mrclean.com/en_US/index.shtml
Charmin‐ charmin.com/en_us/pages/offers.shtml
Lysol‐ lysol.com/products/product‐promotions

Health/Beauty
Colgate‐ colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/SpecialOffers.cvsp?Section=OralCare
Proctor & Gamble‐pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/brandsampler.jsp#

Groceries
Kraft Foods‐ kraftfoods.com/kf/kraftcoupons.aspx

Free product samples
Walmart free samples‐ walmart.triaddigital.com/In‐Stores‐Now‐free‐samples.aspx

Coupons 101

What is a coupon?
A coupon is a printed promotional discount on goods and/or services. Coupons are generally distributed by manufacturers or retailers for the purpose of getting you to try their item at less than retail cost. Coupons contain a bar code that is scanned at the register in order for the discount to take effect. All coupons state the discount amount as well as information on the specific item being promoted. Coupons have an expiration date and must be used before this time. Some coupons have restrictions, so it is important to read them carefully prior to use.

How do you use coupons?
Carefully read the details of the coupon prior to use and then find the specific item that the discount is valid for. It is important to get the exact type and size of the item in order for the discount to apply. Once at the register, hand your coupon(s) over to the cashier once he/she has rung up your order. The bar code on the coupon will scan and the discount will immediately be applied to your purchase. If the coupon does not scan, check carefully that you have the correct item type and size and make sure the coupon is not expired. If this is not the case, the cashier may be able to manually input the coupon code.

Where do you use coupons?
Coupons can be redeemed at most major retailers. This includes grocery stores, major chain stores and some independent retailers. When in doubt, call your preferred store and inquire if they accept manufacturer’s coupons.

How do you get coupons?
The traditional way of getting coupons is via the Sunday paper. This however will run you 1-3 dollars per week. In order to truly make couponing a frugal affair, there are ways to get free coupons. Home mailers are one example. Coupons can also be printed free via the internet. There are various sites that offer free Internet Printables (IPs). The best place to check for IPs is on the manufacturer’s website.

Things I Have Wondered

Since becoming a mom, I have had the opportunity to wonder about the different things that don't quite make sense to me. Such are the thoughts that take place in the middle of the night when one is up with a little one. For example, I've always wondered about the scoops inside the powdered formula cans. Like, how come its usually buried in the middle of the damn can? Taking hygiene into consideration, its certainly not recommended you dig your finger around looking for the darn thing. So how the heck are you supposed to find it? The first time I ever opened a can of formula I was quite perplexed by this dilemma.

And since we're on the topic of formula, is it just me or has anyone else noticed that there is never an even amount of scoops? I've always ended up with a remaining half-scoop at the bottom of the can. What the heck am I supposed to do with that??

Moving on, I'd like to discuss baby wipes. How come they are now made with so many different scent options? Is poop supposed to suddenly smell better with the added undertones of shea butter & cucumber or kiwi strawberry scents? I think not. I would much rather wipe my kid's butt with a simple, unscented, moist wipe that doesn't add to the already existing odors.

I have also wondered how come the loudest, most annoying toys seem to have batteries that last for.e.ver (and no volume control)? My daughter has a singing alphabet thingie that is loud as hell and annoys me to death. She has played with it almost every single day for the last year and change. The batteries still haven't died :(

Lastly, I have wondered on many, many occasions about baby clothing designers and what they are thinking about when they design clothes. Do they sit around coming up with ways to add even more snaps to their garment? Gabriel has a onesie pajama that has twelve snaps on it. 12!! Its hard enough getting a diaper on my wiggly, jiggly baby, and now I have to do twelve snaps? Aye! The best ones are the outfits that have both snaps and buttons. Even better, the buttons are located on the back.

The Yellow Monkey

This is Enrique, the yellow monkey. He belonged to my favorite aunt when she was young. It was her most favorite toy. When my mother became pregnant with me, my favorite aunt was so happy at my anticipated arrival, that she decided she would part with her beloved Enrique and give him to me as a gift.

Growing up, I loved Enrique. He came with me everywhere I went and I took him to bed with me as well. When we moved to the United States, Enrique was initially left behind and I was really upset about this. Years later, on our first trip back to the Dominican Republic, I brought Enrique back with me.

It is guesstimated that Enrique is at least 45 years old. He looks good for his old age, considering the abuse he has suffered at the hands of more than one toddler. He has received many surgeries, including efforts to reattach his arm, close up his back, replace the stuffing and reattach his foot. Some of the surgeries were performed by yours truly :)

All these years later, Enrique is still my favorite aunt's most beloved toy as well as mine. He now belongs to my daughter, who I hope will love him and care for him as my aunt and I have all these years. It warms my heart to be able to pass on something so cherished as the yellow monkey. I hope he'll be around for many more years to come and that he can continue to be passed on through the generations to another little girl who will love and care for him.

New Resolutions

Its that time of year again! Its time to make new resolutions. Last year, I think I did pretty good with all but two of my resolutions. I smiled more, made new mommy friends, pruned my old friends and had another child. This time around, my resolutions are going to be shorter and (I hope) more easily attainable.

1. This year I WILL NOT have another baby
We have reached maximum occupancy and I am still trying to get my bearings with two kids. We most certainly do not need a third child in the mix. This resolution is an absolute must to fulfill.

2. I will get more sleep
A lot of people think this is an unrealistic resolution (and maybe it is). But dammit!! I am determined to get more sleep! With the exception of times when he is in a growth spurt, Gabe doesn't wake up more than once a night, so why the heck am I not getting more sleep??

3. When things suck, I will remind myself that it could be much worse
Shit happens. Its one of the few guarantees in life. This year, in an attempt to better myself, I will trudge through whatever crap life throws my way because the truth is that it could always be worse than whatever is happening at the moment. Regardless of what may be going on in my life, there is probably someone out there who would be willing to trade places with me 'cause their situation is far worse. So my focus for the year is to not dwell on the bad stuff so I can better appreciate the great things I already have.

So that's it. Just three main goals for the year.

100 Days

Yesterday was my 100th day of breastfeeding. I'm pretty proud of myself 'cause there were many days and nights when I swore I wasn't going to breastfeed any more, yet continued on just one more day, just one more feed. That's literally what it comes down to a lot of times, just getting through one more nursing session.

I honestly don't know how long I plan to nurse Gabriel. Ideally, six months would be the minimum, but to tell the truth, sometimes I don't know if we'll even make it that long. In the last 100 days, I have dealt with engorgement, plugged ducts, thrush and mastitis. I really thought I was dying when I had mastitis! That's a kind of sick I never ever want to be again. I've survived growth spurts (one of which we're in the middle of right now) by the skin of my teeth. Through the oftentimes fuzzy view of frustrated tears, I've continued on.

Its not always like that, though, and that's partly why I'm still nursing. On non-growth spurt times, when the day falls into place like a synchronized dance, nursing is a piece of cake. Its convenient, quick and easy. Its also relaxing and a great way to take a break from the hubbub of the day. I wish it were like that every day.

So congrats to me for getting this far, and kudos to all moms who breastfeed no matter what the length of time.