Spend Now, Save Later

Alright, we all know I love to save money. I mean I've said time and time again that one of the main reasons I'm breastfeeding is because I don't want to pay for formula. Even more so now that Tuck has the milk allergy. Well, today I'm sharing with you my grand Christmas shopping plan. Which has already started. That's what happens when you have a baby in the month of December, plus you want to throw a 1st birthday party, an adult Christmas party and lets not forget that people like Christmas gifts.

Back in April (I think) I finally gave in at Old Navy when they asked if I wanted to open a credit card. I did because my cart was filled to the brim and that 15% savings would help. I also did it because when I go on my girls trip with Danny's family we spend at least an hour and a half in Old Navy, buying for ourselves and each other's children. This card would come in handy.

At the time I didn't know just how handy it would be, but I found out in July. In July they sent me a flyer that every dollar spent was worth 5 times the reward points. Everywhere, not just at Old Navy and the brand stores (Gap, Athleta, Banana Republic, and I think there is one more). So, instead of using my normal credit card, I started swiping my Old Navy card. Miscellaneous purchases, some gas, food, anywhere I would normally use my regular credit card.

July ended and in my inbox was a $45 waiting for me. With an expiration date of 12/31/14. Well after my shopping trip. With the affordable prices at Old Navy, I could have 3/5 nieces/nephews clothing gift paid for. (I give clothes and a toy. I'm a cool aunt) So, in my mailbox this month was another flyer. 3 times the points everywhere. I've already earned $25 reward that is good until February. I now have all 5 nieces and nephews clothes gift paid for. The other nice part? I earned those points, buying Tucker's Christmas/birthday gifts. I'm using Christmas shopping to pay for Christmas shopping.

Danny is even impressed with my smarts so I know I'm doing something right!

By the way, Old Navy/Gap Brands has no clue I'm doing this so there is no additional kickback. I just like saving money and I like sharing my good ideas when I have them.

Another perk, more money for Target.

And a new car... and a camper... I like nice things :)

Weigh In Wednesday

A post from me 2 days in a row? It's a blogging miracle!

If I've ever needed a weight check in, it's now. However, I don't have any stats this week since I forgot to weigh myself before I ate breakfast. I don't want that large bowl of oatmeal throwing the scale off :)

A week and a half ago I got the orders from Tucker's pediatric GI doctor to remove dairy from my diet. The naïve and uneducated Erin thought "no problem, I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds while saving $30-40 a week and helping my baby feel better" Cutting out dairy is f'ing hard.

 

I had no idea what I was getting into and how much dairy was in the "healthier" foods that I eat. Laughing cow cheese, certain breads, most salad dressings, yogurt... Basically dairy was in almost every thing I eat and included in every meal. 

I've spent the last week and a half researching and brainstorming ideas on how I can still enjoy the foods I eat. With me being unprepared and having little knowledge, I've been eating poorly. I unfortunately remembered reading that Oreos are dairy free. I ate all an entire package with the, exception for 5 or 6, over the weekend. Another unfortunate thing is that salads from fast food restaurants are likely out of the question now. I believe most of them are pre-made so I would feel like a total dickhead asking them for no cheese. (someone please correct me if I am wrong) This leaves me ordering a burger and fries, but not before I Google the restaurants allergen menu. Most restaurants have them available online so that is super helpful.

Now that I am almost 2 weeks into it, I feel a little better about the whole thing and am getting better with my choices. Plus, it forces me to be prepared. I've said many, many times that if I don't plan ahead, I fail miserably. For instance, last night Danny and I went to Olive Garden for our anniversary. It was there or Chili's after I had done my research and I knew what I could order from both places. I knew all day long yesterday that for dinner I was going to have breadsticks (still unsure about the butter on them. The allergen menu said they were dairy free but Lose It says there is butter.), pasta e fagioli soup (I about cried when I found out there was parmesan cheese in the salad dressing) and spaghetti with meat sauce. Not counting the 9 oz small glass of wine, I walked out of Olive Garden just 97 calories over my daily limit. Had I been able to eat dairy, I probably would have been an entire days worth over. So, this might not be so bad after all.

 

Over the next week, I'm going to try really hard to document what I eat and then share with the class next week!

3 years

Yesterday I spared you guys the repeat recap of this past weekend. With the exception of no doctor's appointment for Tuck on Friday, it was the exact same. Campground on Saturday, birthday party and getting shit done on Sunday. You didn't need to read about that again.

Today is a special day though. Three years ago today, I became Mrs. Summers. Three years ago today I was getting the reception decorations all set up before heading to the salon to get wedding ready. It was seriously the most perfect day, with only a couple minor hiccups that didn't even bother me. Nothing about the wedding mattered except the open bar because I was excited for our marriage. The moment Danny and I started dating, I knew he was the one. I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with this man and I couldn't wait for that day to arrive.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our wedding day.

Danny and I opted out of not seeing each other before the wedding. We didn't want to make our guests wait too long at the reception while we finished up pictures. We chose to just have a special moment with the two of us (and the photographer obviously). After a couple shots, we were left to spend a few moments together before we finished pictures. It didn't take anything away from walking down the aisle either.

 

My brother had the duty of walking me down the aisle since our dad passed away the year before. About 30 minutes before we were to walk out, we had a Crown Royal drink in honor of our dad. I had special glasses made for the occasion with the Crown Royal slogan, "For Every King A Crown" It was a special time.

 

 

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures from our wedding. An in the moment, not posing picture. I just love it.

 

Our first dance. Who doesn't love one of their first dance photos?

 

The two most important things in my dad's life were his family and his friends. I wanted to do something special with his 3 best friends. The guy in the first picture wrote a song for George Strait called "Oh, What a Perfect Day" and my dad was so incredibly proud of him. He went out and bought like 6 of the CD's since his friend would make a cut of each record sold. I had the DJ play that song and call all 3 of them out to the dance floor. I danced with each of them for a little bit of the song. I won't ever get a true father daughter dance, but this is the next best thing and something I will hold near and dear to my heart.

 

My bridesmaids. My closest friends (except one) still to this day.

 

A special dance with some of my sorority sisters. At the end of each formal, the song Miss American Pie was played. It was only right to play it at our wedding.

 

 

Here's to another wonderful year with the man of my dreams!

The Last July Weekend

I seriously cannot believe that the last weekend in July has come and gone. I blinked and missed July. I guess that's what happens when your husband breaks his foot during your busiest time at work and your days run together. July was like 4 long days, with each week being a day.

This weekend was one that is worth talking about though. It was interesting, fun, and productive.

Friday was spent at the pediatric gastroenterologist with Tuck. The doctor said the first place to start is generally eliminating dairy to test for a milk protein intolerance. Since we are still breastfeeding, that means no dairy for mama. No milk. No milk products. Nothing with milk in it. No more picking up something at random at the grocery because it looks good without reading the ingredients. And the most disheartening restriction... no more beloved hot pepper cheese cubes from Tillie's. womp womp wommmmp. So, after the appointment and a visit to Gigi's work, we went to Cheesecake Factory for a "last supper" if you will. I buttered the shit out of my bread, ordered a chicken dished topped with mozzarella and a side of mashed potatoes, and ordered a piece of cheesecake for me to eat once we got home. I figured it was already 4pm and I had a cheeseburger for lunch so I might as well start fresh on Saturday. I'll be talking more about this little challenge later on once we know if it's helping. I still have some more reading to do on it, but I think it will be beneficial to both Tucker and me.

Saturday was our fun/relaxing day. We headed about an hour north to go hang out with a group of friends at the campground. We spent the whole day so we could get a feel for what it's like so we are ready for next year when we hopefully have a camper of our own. The amount of crap you have to take when you have an infant when the high is in the 80s but there's also a chance of rain, but you might also go boating, is incredible. We had a lot of fun. Danny enjoyed about a whole case of beer and I had a good time socializing, which I really have only done a few times this month. We headed home way past Tucker's bed time which led to an hour nap on the way home at 7:30 and him not going to bed until 12am then getting up again at 1am. I won't lie, I shed a few tears because mama had been up since 6:15 and was tired. And hungry.

nap time in the cool A/C of the camper

Sunday was better and entirely too productive and busy for a Sunday and went a little like this: up at 7, breakfast, meal and grocery plan, pick green beans, shower, grocery and back, rush to a birthday party. Then with the help of my mom and Danny, I made dinner, cleaned the kitchen up, took a bunch of trash out, prepped some food for the week, froze the green beans, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something else. My mom swept the floors and washed bottles for me. I thanked her with dinner. After she left I made some homemade make up wipes. After I use them, I will share my thoughts and the recipe source.

It was a pretty good weekend and I'm looking forward to a similar one next weekend. Life is getting back to it's "normal" state.

Weigh In Wednesday

This girl has about 20 minutes of spare time this morning, so it sounds like a perfect time to jump back into Weigh In Wednesday.

The last time I participated was over a month ago and I was in my second week of T25. Things were going smoothly. I was back in my pre-pregnancy jeans, I was consistent with my workouts, and my food choices were better than they had been in probably months.

And then Danny broke his foot and life got in the way. I decided to put T25 on hold for the first week of his recovery then I would pick it back up the next week once I got my bearings on the whole full time working single mom and nurse thing...

Yeah I haven't done a single T25 since and the only exercise I've gotten in the last month, aside from being on the go from 5:30am-9:00pm every night, is one Zumba workout and .7 miles at the park with Diesel. I plan on getting back to Zumba next week. Right now, a 2-3 time per week workout program with the occasional walk at the park is about all I can commit too until Danny can walk without crutches and help me take care of the house and Tucker again. I'll re-evaluate after that and come up with a free 10 or 11 weeks to try T25 again. I was seeing results and would love to give it another shot.

Now to the eating. I'll be honest. It's been shitty. My 2 biggest food problems are that I: 1. I have a "finish my plate" mentality and 2. I eat my feelings. Happy, sad, mad, stressed... I eat... or drink sometimes. Mostly I eat though. Plus, being so busy and having few spare moments has left little time to meal plan and grocery shop as often as I'd like.

Also, it's fair week. Deep fried goodness lines the walk ways at the park. I've already  had half of a breaded tenderloin (if you're not from Indiana, you likely have no idea the deliciousness that is a breaded tenderloin) and a corn dog. If it weren't for the broken foot, we'd be out there every single night. Plus, with free parking courtesy of my father in law, the food is too easily accessible.

With all that being said, with all the stress and craziness, I have managed to lose 3 pounds in the last month. I'm not sure how between the ice cream, chips, nightly glass of wine, peanut butter bars, pizza and take out from every single restaurant in town, but I have. Gotta love breastfeeding.

The numbers:

Starting Weight: 175

Last Month: 169

This Week: 166

Change since last weigh in: -3 pounds

Total change: - 9 pounds

We're getting somewhere!