scenes from the safe zone

Today killer tornadoes devoured Alabama. I can't tell you how incredibly eerie and unsettling the whole day has felt. My school was on a two hour delay and then an early dismissal as well. Mr. D. is out of town leaving me to defend our child, dog and property from the storms. Here are some scenes from our time in the safe zone. We went in 4 different times over a 3 hour period. Please keep in mind these were taken with my camera phone, so please excuse the poor quality.

See if you can figure out what happened in the next three pictures.................



Shelby discovered I have toes too.....

Easter 2011

how precious

How precious I ask you are these sweet little pancakes that Shelby's Mama made her for breakfast Easter morning?????

Savings recap from this week

I continued to be inspired by TLC's Extreme Couponing. This week was an unusual savings week because we bought Shelby's new big girl car seat (3 bases and a Graco Smart Seat that converts up to a booster). With a coupon I had for ToysRUs we saved 20% plus got a free umbrella stroller to boot. Publix had some great sales this week. Their BOGO's included many things we use. I was able to use lots of coupons there. Also, I saved at Target, Costco and Walmart (receipts not shown).

Total Savings this week: ToysRUs- $76.99

Walmart $15 (Three formulas with the $5.00 coupon)

Publix $ 65.07

Costco $3.68 I didn't have a coupon but when Mr. D. went to pick up our photos the photo guy had one.

Target $24.79 (saved big on Shelby's Easter gifts, dusting spray, new toothbrushes and razor blades)

Total savings for this week: $185.53

With my Similac $5 and $3 off coupons I was able to feed Shelby formula for only $6 as opposed to the usual $40 per week.

Some people have asked what tools I am using. I get the Sunday Paper (or well it was supposed to start last week but didn't. Hopeful for this week). I also told many of my friends I am couponing and they have started bringing me their inserts that they aren't using. At the Mom's Market where I bought Shelby the super cute clothes, I met a lady who has this website and she tells you what is on sale at Publix (which I go to) and Winn Dixie (which I have no clue where is). She also tells you which coupons to use to get the best discount. Publix doubles coupons up to 50 cents every day! She also told me about this website which is a coupon clipping service. When the paper had the $5 and $3 Similac coupons- I ordered more. In fact I had my friends..lots of friends order them too since I was limited to 10. I now have enough $5 and $3 off coupons of Similac to never pay full for another bottle of Similac for as long as Shelby will be drinking it. Yay!!!

I started working on organizing my coupons in a binder today. I am hopeful to get things organized by the end of the month, develop my system and blog some more about it. Meanwhile, I am thrilled to be so successful at saving money so far.

savings galore

This is a photo of my receipt last night from the grocery store.

This week, I have saved over $100 simply by using coupons and store deals. I am actually kind of good at this!

Another first

First day in the new big girl carseat.... Obviously pretty cozy.

hours of fun.....

....for only $1.47.

first and last

First day in the infant car seat.....

Last day in the infant car seat....

Someone is feeling better

She has also figured out how to take all of the toys out of her livingroom toy box!

Wonder what Mr. D. is building....

Friday with Shelby

Shelby has really bad allergies. I am sure spending the day Thursday around all of the blooming flowers contributed to her waking with a super crusty and snotty nose.

I am glad it wasn't this bad on her special day! I had the day off to spend with her and thought I would photo journal our day to share with you. She started off lying on the couch watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse followed by a bottle of Similac.

Then she had a bath and talked to her duck.

And she brushed her two teeth too!
We dried off in her duck towel from her Grandma Linda.
Then she had an appetizer while she waited for the friends who were coming to feed her breakfast.
And she waited and waited....
The girls arrived. Bethany and Noel are our neighbors a few houses down. We've been trying to have a play date forever! They needed practice feeding a baby because it will not be long until their baby sister Makayla will be ready for solid food.

After Shelby ate the girls all played and played and played.
After they left, Shelby had a bottle and then I put Shelby down for a nap. It got very quiet in there and I went to check on her to find this....
I put Brady out of her room and a few minutes later she was fast asleep.
Then when she woke up she had a low grade fever. See her red little cheeks. She won a dose of ibuprofen! Her diaper also won her a wardrobe change on the bottom half.
After she played a little bit she sat down for a bottle and to watch a little tv....
... and I guess to nap a little more... poor baby.
After she woke up she played some more....
And played and played.....

Then for dinner she had plums, bananas and brown rice. While she was eating another neighbor stopped by but I forgot to take photos. It was Ms. Kelly - my coworker and her husband James.

Then she played with her new bestie. She is hysterical with this little lady bug. She tries to crawl and drag her around. Precious! Thanks Henry!

Then I noticed that she had the dirtiest face and the crustiest nose! So.... another bath was necessary.
After her second bath she got her pajamas on and played some more!
Then she had another bottle and was tucked into bed. She was quickly off to dream land!!!