He's Here!

Bryson arrived on Monday

9 lbs, 11 oz

20 and 1/2 inches long

We are so glad to be home and are trying to figure out each other!

Lots 'O Links

Since I've had some extra time off while waiting for Bryson to arrive, I've discovered some pretty cool websites. I figured I'd put them all in one place and share 'em with you'all!

Online Shopping:
Both of these websites have daily deals, released at 9am, Mountain time
http://www.babysteals.com/
and their new, sister store:
http://www.scrapbooksteals.com/

I found these really neat 1-12 month baby onesie stickers:
http://www.pickysticky.com/

Photos:
Newborn photo tips- this is actually a link to a message board, but the 1st post is AWESOME!
http://www.justmommies.com/forums/f939-education/1612572-tips-for-photographing-your-newborn-epic-post-lots-photos.html

Post-Partum:
Couch to 5K Running Program- I hope to do this program once I'm cleared for normal exercise at my 6 week appt!
http://www.coolrunning.com/

Show us your life Friday: my baby showers

Over at Kelly's Korner, it's another 'show us your life' event. I decided to join in! We have been blessed with FOUR baby showers for baby Bryson. I've posted numerous photos of each shower on this blog, but I figured I'd re-post with just a few photos....

The first shower was with the wonderful women I worked with at the elementary school- back in early May. The shower was in the library at 8am! We enjoyed a potluck breakfast, but I didn't get any photos of the food.

Our next shower was at my friend Erica's house. I posted about that shower a while back- most of the photos are on my mom's camera- but here's one of me with my YUMMY cake!

We did something a little different at this shower- I took a photo with each guest and their gift. The pictures turned out really well, and its a nice way to remember who gave you what!

In July, the church I grew up at- Skelly Drive Baptist- hosted a wonderful shower for us. During high school and college, I babysat for a family of 4 children. They are all too big for me now- but my shower was held at their beautiful house and hosted by their mother. It was over the top! Here's the gift table.....And one of the hostesses, Mrs. Bobbi and I by the yummy and beautiful food table!Our last shower was a few weeks ago, at Brandon's office. It was nice to be able to meet all of his co-workers and see how much they love him!

Make sure and check out other baby shower photo tours over at www.kellyskornerblog.com

One last trip...

I decided to stir out tonight for a last-minute grocery/coupon trip before baby Bryson arrives. I found some pretty cool deals!

At Walgreens, I found the Reach toothbrushes on sale for $1.09 each. I used the $5/3 manf. coupon and picked up some chapstick, mailing envelopes and candy- a total of $2.75 OOP. BUT- I earned a $3 register reward to use on my next purchase- so I actually made $0.25 off my purchase!

Next, I was on my way to Target. I spent about $40 but I found some freebies/bargains:
10 General Mills single serving cereal cups on sale for $1 each
- 10 $1/1 Target GM cereal coupons
= free cereal!

Chef Michaels dog food- 1 Target B1G1 Free coupon and 1 manf B1G1 free coupon
= free dog food for Leia

I stocked up on alot of quick foods/snack foods for the few weeks that Brandon will be home with Bryson and I- pop tarts, Yogo's, etc. I feel pretty prepared; Brandon will just have to run to the store for milk, juice and fresh fruits.

The Nursery, completed!!!

We finally completed the nursery- and I think it came together quite nicely. Wanna take a look?

Here's the view from the door, as you enter the room- my diaper bag is on the floor :) When I was a teenager, my dad and I refinished the dresser, but it's now being re-used as a changing table and dresser. It didn't show in the picture that well, but on the R side, next to the changing pad is one of the 'Sara Bear diaper caddy's' from Target.

In the white rubbermaid drawers (to the left of the dresser) are our receiving blankets and extra sheets. We're using the multi-colored basket as a hamper.

The top narrow drawer of the dresser holds the swaddle blankets, shoes and socks. The 2nd drawer (seen in the picture below) is 0-3 months clothing, and the bottom drawer holds 3-6 month clothing.Here's what you see to the left of you as you enter the room. I haven't quite figured out where to put the cd player/radio. I love the cubbie organizer (also from Target)! I have our burp rags, hats, some toys and books stored there. Here's Bryson's crib......

His closet....I still can't figure out the best way to store blankets, so right now they are in that white basket at the top of the closet.....And, finally, the view from the window. I still have some Target bags to pick up in the corner :)

And- that's the tour! I'm really happy with the way the room turned out.

This past weekend, Brandon and I rounded up 2 baskets full of stuff from the nursery to keep downstairs to help us during that 1st week home. I figured that would be alot easier than explaining where everything was located- especially if I end up with a c-section and I'm unable to climb stairs.

37 Weeks

I'm offically uncomfortable.

Brandon's birthday is this coming week, so once we complete that celebration, I'm offically ready! :)

Walgreens deals & counting down

I heard about some cheap Huggies wipes at Walgreens, so I decided to check it out while I was in Walgreens picking up milk. Here's how I did:
4 Huggies wipes- $2.99 each
- 4 $2/1 Walgreens store coupons
- $0.50/1 Huggies wipes manf coupon
- $0.75/1 Huggies wipes manf coupon
= $2.71 for 4 packages of wipes

Not too bad, huh? If you remember my diaper stash post from a while back, we're well stocked in the diapers & wipes department, but I figure for that price, I just couldn't pass the deal up!


On the baby front- we made some tough decisions at our Dr's appt this week. Baby Bryson has been measuring ahead on our ultrasounds for almost 10 weeks. He's estimated to be close to/at 8 lbs now! He's a strong, healthy baby- but he's stubborn, just like myself :)
We decided (with prayer and alot of wise counsel) to go ahead and schedule a c-section. Its a little strange to know the exact date that little Bryson will enter the world- but who knows, he could surprise us and come on his own before! Which would ROCK!
But, if he doesn't come before the set date, that's ok too! I know that we're making the best decision for us, and that's all we can do.

So, now I have just a few days left to get the house ready, bake some stuff to keep in the freezer, celebrate Brandon's 27th birthday, see as many friends as possible and wrap up my cases at work. I'm going to try to pre-plan some meals for Brandon to prepare. Several friends have offered to bring food over, so I'm going to attempt to get that organized....I also plan on relaxing as much as I can and just enjoying this 'alone' time with Brandon.

I'm excited, yet trying not to become anxious! For the past few mornings, I've woke up with this Bible verse in my head.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4: 6-7

Baby Shower #4

Brandon's co-workers/unit threw us a baby shower this past Friday! It was nice to meet his co-workers and see Brandon's new office (since they moved to mid-town a few months ago). We got alot of cute outfits and odds/ends that we needed. Here's an OSU diaper cake that another unit in the building gave us- it was just too cute!

Now, we offically have everything we need for Bryson- he can come anytime! (hopefully sooner rather than later!)

36 weeks

Maternity clothes? Most of my maternity shirts don't completely cover my belly!
Stretch marks? Nope!
Sleep: Not bad- I feel so tired though....
Best moment this week: going to the chiropractor and my right leg/sciatic nerve is starting to heal
Movement: all over, but there just doesn't seem to be much room left in there!
Food cravings: summer fruits
Gender: for sure, still a boy
Belly Button in or out? In, but it doesn't look as deep...
What I miss: everything!
What I am looking forward to: meeting our little guy!
Milestones: Bryson is now only measuring 2 weeks ahead- Dr. S says he probably weighs 7 lbs.

Stealing Groceries

I had an amazing shopping trip at Wal-Mart today! (rarely are these words uttered around our house) I was really bummed that neither the Tulsa World nor the Daily Oklahoman had the Kellogg's insert inside on Sunday, but I figured it was still worth running the Kellogg's rebate deals.

For the past two years, I've combined the insert coupons with sales, and then mailed in the $10 rebate to Kellogg's. I thought this year I was just going to have to 'make due' and use the price-matching with the rebate....but....like I said, it was an amazing Wal-Mart trip!

I turned down the cereal aisle, only to find that over half of the Kellogg's cereal boxes had $1/1 peelie coupons on them! I price-matched to the Walgreens sale (2 boxes of cereal for $3 and $1.25/box NutriGrain bars) used the peelie coupons I had found, one 'Fuel for School' booklet I found at Reasors and a few printables I found online for all of this:

Total OOP: $35.09

- $30 (3, $10 rebates)

= $5.09 TOTAL for: 19 boxes of cereal

2 packages of Keebler cookies

1 box of Cheez-It's

2 boxes of Yogos

5 boxes of NutriGrain bars

1 package of Cinnabon cereal bars

1 loaf of store brand bread

1 package of store brand coffee

My total would have been at least $90.22 before coupons & price matching!!!!

I haven't done much couponing during this pregnancy, but this has definately made up for it! Last year, we didn't need to purchase cereal again until December- I hope we can strech it that far this year as well.

(Side note: remember that you can only use 1 rebate form per address/name;

remember to take your Walgreens ad with you to Wal-Mart, and be patient with the cashier! A little bit of kindness goes a long way.)