Thursday, March 31, 2011

5 Months

Miss Banks is 5 months old today...WOW! 
Here are some pics from our monthly photo shoot.

Hanging with her critters

A smirky smile like Daddy


always smiling...

...and drooling :)


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

sleeping beauty

For about the past 2 months, Banks has been getting up only once during the night (usually around 3:30am) then goes back to sleep pretty easily after a snack and sleeps until 8:30am.  Well, I am not going to get too excited yet, but we may be turning the corner on sleeping all night.  3 out of the past 5 nights she has slept all night long!  The first night was Friday and I woke up in a panic when I opened my eyes and saw the sun outside my window.  She had slept from 9pm-7:50am!  Then the past 2 nights she has done the same thing!  She kind of stirs around a little bit between 4am-5am, but goes back to sleep without us even going in her room.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all this extra sleep...ha!  

Monday, March 28, 2011

happenings

Last week was a great week!  The weather has been beautiful (until the last couple days) so Banks and I have been outside almost every day.  She LOVES our walks and I do too.  It is so nice to finally be able to get outside!

Hanging with Daddy in Southport



We took a day trip down to Southport and strolled Miss B around.  We had lunch at Provision Company and enjoyed being by the water.  Banks always draws the attention when we take her out.  She knows how to turn on the charm!

The most exciting thing is that Banks got to meet Aunt Kat!  Kat came up from Florida this past weekend.  We had a fabulous but way-to-short visit.  She got to spend some quality time with Miss B and we put together the shadowbox for Banks' room.  It looks like we will be taking Banks on her first vacation in July...when we go visit Kat in Ft. Lauderdale!


Shopping with Aunt Kat



Monday, March 21, 2011

over the hump

Banks rolled from her back to her tummy today!  She has been trying for the past couple weeks, but always got stuck on her shoulder.  She has been so determined and finally made it over the hump and onto her belly.  Of course, I missed it...I looked up and she was all the way over.  Hopefully I will be able to get some video tomorrow.  She really is doing something new everyday! 

Sunday, March 20, 2011

baby pterodactyl?

We finally got some footage of Banks laughing...it is really cute, but she does kind of sound like a baby pterodactyl!  Be sure to turn down the music below so you can hear her...

Thursday, March 17, 2011

wake me up, before you go-go

Banks is a morning girl...all smiles and giggles.  I love seeing her smiling face to start my day.  When Brian is home, its a race to see who can get in her room first to see the wake up show (but I always let him win!)

Here she is...our little Morning Glory ♥

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

wiggles and giggles

We are here!!!  Sorry for the lack of posts.  It has been a long 3 weeks because Brian has been on the road non-stop.  Being a single mom all week is exhausting and at the end of the day I just didn't have energy to blog.  I have missed it and I hope that you missed us!

Banks is a wiggle worm now!  She is trying her hardest to roll from her back to her stomach, but keeps getting stuck on her shoulder.  I know she will make it one day soon...she is little, but determined!  Her newest thing is scooting around in a circle on her playmat and scooting backwards when she's on her back.  She loves "standing" on my lap and just beams with accomplishment when she gets "tall."

The custest thing is her little laugh.  She started laughing out loud last week.  It's hilarious because she starts smiling so big that she can't get her mouth any wider and then she lets out the giggle.  That wide, gummy smile always brightens my day.  I hope to have some video soon, but Banks seems to freeze up and just stare at any camera that is in her face.  Great for pictures, but not so great for action shots.  

Friday, March 4, 2011

click, clip, save

Since I am a stay-at-home mom now, my new job title is "Home Economist."  There has been alot of buzz lately about couponing and how much money it can save.  I tried it in the past, but it didn't really seem like it was worth my time.  Working 50+ hours a week, I was happy to pay for convenience foods and just get my shopping done each week.  Now, I feel like it is my duty to save our family as much money as possible...become a "Couponista."  We are not going to save as much as some people because we are specific and health-conscious in what we eat and we incorporate alot of organic products into our diet.  It really is a shame that it cost so much more to eat healthy!  I do not have enough storage room to truly "stockpile" as many coupon sites suggest, but I do stock up on certain things like toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, cleaners, canned tomatoes, pasta, frozen veggies, etc. I am not going to be a crazy coupon lady...clipping for hours a week, walking around the store with my 3 inch thick binder.  I am a lazy couponer.  I found a site called Southern Savers (see the link to the right) and it does all the work for me!  I have to say that it is a little addicting to see how much you can save.

My track record so far:
1/31: $111.13 in groceries - spent $63.67, saved $49.42 (first real try at couponing)

2/6: $74.18 in groceries - spent $37.94, saved $36.32 (49% saved!)

2/13: $91.96 in groceries - spent $58.84, saved $33.12 (had to restock our meat supply that week)

2/21: $299.02 in groceries - spent $166.77, saved $132.25 (super double coupon week so I stocked up!)

2/27: $32.42 in groceries - spent $23.72, saved $8.70 (didn't need much after the week before)

3/2: $60.11 in groceries - spent $29.40, saved $30.71 (saved more than I spent & got Huggies for $3.50!)

I really want to work the system so that I am saving more than I spend every week...we'll see if I can become a true Couponista!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

4 Months

Banks went for her 4 month well-check yesterday.  She is doing great - growing and thriving!  She is still little, but now in the 25th percentile across the board. 

4 Month Stats:
weight: 12 lbs 10oz
height: 23 3/4 inches (3 inches taller since her 2 month visit)
head circumference: 40 3/4cm.

Yesterday morning, Banks woke up so happy - excited to see Daddy - and I was dreading putting a damper on her day.  I am so thankful that Brian was in town and able to go with us to the pediatrician.  Banks was all smiles the entire time we were there, giggling and cooing...that is, until the vaccines.  Oh, how it breaks my heart to see and hear her cry.  And now the real tears flow too.  She really was a trooper and recovered pretty quickly.  I did pretty well myself...my eyes watered to the brink of tears, but I was able to keep the waterworks at bay.  The rest of the day she wasn't her happy little self and I know her chunk-a-munk thighs were hurting from the injections.  I gave her infant Tylenol, so I hope that between some medicine, Bugs Bunny band-aids and Mommy's kisses it wasn't too bad.  She slept good last night, but has still been fussy today.  I hope my happy girl returns soon!