First Pool Trip in 2012

As you may remember Zack wasn't a fan of the pool last summer...

Well this year I decided we need to nip this because little man wants to spend all day outside and where I love taking him outside I am not ready to be outside in the heat all day everyday this summer.  I really need Zack to like taking a dip in the pool to cool off every once and a while. 
The first few seconds looked a lot like the photo above.  After he learned to splash he held on to me as if his life depended on it with one had and splashed with the other.  If I held him out at all he would freak out.  The nervous laughter gives me hope that sometime he will LOVE the pool. 
I didn't get any pool shots because it was just the two of us but after we spent 5 min. in the pool we played...

Zack's version of sitting on a chair

"gis" His word for anything he doesn't know the word for...pointing to an airplane

Is that my kid walking on the grass?  Maybe there is hope for the pool!

After pool relaxation with Sesame Street.  I see London I see France...

Getting the mail

Everyday Zack and I take a trip to the mailbox around 5:00...the time Zack is done with the day but not ready for bed or dinner.  It's a great time of day to go out around the apartment because it's the time people get home from work and walk their dogs...or "daw" as Z-man says.  He loves dogs.  Not touching them but getting close to them and barking at them ("pffff" is his version of woof).  As they walk away usually because the owner figures: ok...this kid really doesn't want to be near this dog...and Zack chases it.  No we will not buy him a dog!

I think the trade off for having a small living space and play area is having the biggest sandbox ever!  And is there a better time to stop and play in the sand than when you are on the way to pick up the mail.

 I can't believe this picture actually turned out alright...you can see we have the same eyes, smile and crazy hair.

 Zack is a big helper.  He always carries my keys.  At first I was afraid to let him thinking he would throw them and I would be stuck somewhere but he holds on to those keys for dear life.  He will even hold the keys through a whole grocery trip. 

I really don't need to check the mail everyday because all our bills are electronic but I enjoy our 30 minute (should be about 30 seconds) daily trip to the mailbox.

Hmmmmmm

Last Wednesday I skipped breakfast.  Not an unusual event since little man ends up eating my food or panting like a dog, crawling up my leg while I try.  Ironic because he won't eat his own food and call me crazy but I don't think I am ready to give Zack a bowl of Special K and skim milk.  I give him milk and cereal of his own.  Anyway I digress...
At around 10 I felt a feeling I hadn't felt since...oh...January of last year.  I ran to the bathroom and threw up the glass of water I just drank.  Zack was taking a nap so I laid down and fell asleep for 20 min.  I woke up and still felt queasy and really wanted a bowl of popcorn (acceptable lunch/late breakfast...right?).  I ate the whole thing.
Hmmmmm.  I knew exactly what the feeling was!  Pair that with the bloating, fatigue and the sudden need for a midnight snack...CAN IT BE?
It was still a couple days early for the EARLY pregnancy test (I know...I hope the morning sickness isn't starting this early).  I took a test a couple days later and there was a faint line...last time I had a faint line it resulted in Zack.  I know that it still could be false but I will take another test this week then call the doctor. 
With Zack we waited 11 weeks (we wanted to wait 13).  I honestly wanted to tell everyone the day of my faint line so if the doctor confirms it I don't know how long we will wait.

Egg Hunt at Duke Garden

I know I am like a month late but these pictures are too cute to keep to myself.  Maybe someday I will get around to posting pictures on facebook again but one thing at a time...

Doesn't he look like a big boy here?

sporting the latest battle wound while trying to pull off the hat

his girlfriend...they are really cute together

His girlfriend's twin sister...I feel like E & Z will be getting in a lot of trouble together.  It's funny that he and P are so close being so different.  I guess opposites attract even at 1.

"ba...ba..ba...ba"

"BA"

Chasing E...with an egg in each hand.

A day in the life...Zack 13 months

After breakfast Zack makes me put his shoes on then he waits by the door...no I don't let him go out like that.

We do some cleaning

We go at least one place everyday...Zack likes to read in the car.

After we get home we go for a walk and usually end at the volleyball court AKA biggest sandbox EVER

Dinner

and yes because of dinner he has a bath every night

Couponing Update

I haven't blogged about it for a while but couponing is awesome.  I am truly addicted.  I had to pay full price for groceries the other day and it ruined my day...not really but sort of.  I only pay full price for bread milk, Zack food or K-Cups.  I try to find these on sale or use coupons...or both...but I have to keep my boys happy!
Last week was super douples at Lowes Foods AND at Harris Teeter.  Meaning they doubled coupons up to $1.99.  That combined with my new found love of printed coupons, my electronic coupons and my fully organized coupon binder made for some AMAZING deals.

Lowes Foods...total cost under $12...for almost $40 worth of food!  Tyson Frozen Chicken Tenders + Oreida SP Fries + 2 bags of Birds Eye Frozen veggies = FREE  Velveta Cheesy Skillets 18c, 2 boxes of Club Crackers $3, 4 Boxes of cereal $3 and Angel Soft TP $4.50  plus tax

This was a lot more money but I picked up some big ticket items...2 packs of batteries, contact solution and spray sun screen.  Total cost under $42.  My favortie deals Starbucks Coffee = $2.50, Wholy Guacamole 50c and emerald nuts (origionally $6.99 each) for $2.50 each.

After a coupon swap and cutting the next sundays coupons I had to go back...



I don't remember the total cost but I got free jelly and free I can't believe it's not butter.  The cake mix and frosting cost me $1.50 for both and the dry shampoo (got 2b brand) was only $1.50.

$4.50 plus tax!

I know what you're thinking...that is a lot of cereal and a lot of butter.  I eat cereal every day and I have enough of a supply that I won't buy anymore unless it is under 50c a piece.  As far as butter we use it and I won't buy that anymore unless it's free.  Other things on my "free" list are jelly, toothpaste, deodorent, and crackers. 
According to my coupon teacher it should take 12 weeks to really see a difference in our grocery budget and I am at that point.  I was able to plan a whole month of meals (I buy and freeze meat when it is super cheap) without needing to buy anything but a few fresh ingredients a week. 

A boy and his "ba"

Zack has a favorite toy.  Not one in particular but something he prefers over anything else.

Anyone who has been around him will hear "ba" over and over...in fact I walk into his room in the morning and say "good morning" and Zack points to the living room and says "ba".



 Should I be insulted that he no longer says "mama" unless he is tired? 



 After I change his diaper and give him some cheerios we like to have playtime in our pj's...or should I say we DID like to have playtime in our pj's. Now Zack brings me his shoes, sits in my lap and holds up his foot and says (something like) tsu...I have a feeling shoe will be his second word. 



 After I put his shoe on (Adam and I aren't indoor shoe people but this isn't a battle I choose to fight) he gets his outdoor ball and off we go. 

How cute is a little boy in overalls?