Saturday, July 28, 2012

Christmas Fund Done, What's Next?

Since I have reached my goal for our Christmas fund in 6 months time. I thought I would try for something more challenging in the next 12 months. We have added more money to our fund (sort of) but its spent already so I will start over from here. We did sell our lawn mower, our Ikea couches, and recycled some things and earned some Target gift cards. But most of that went towards our baby's first birthday party. That's why I say that from here on out its 0 again and we are going to try and earn everything for a vacation  next August or September after school starts so we can miss the crowds but still have good weather for the beach. California is usually our go to vacation destination. I miss that place. Maybe some day we will live there again. Disneyland or Sea World will be our go to attraction. Still not sure yet.

So right now my fund is $0. And my goal is anywhere between $1000 and $2000 depending on where we go and what we do. I do have some points already accumulated from survey sites but I haven't cashed out yet, so those will be added in. Stay tuned... Zehring Family Vacation Fund is starting right now!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Bargain Brag!

I thought I would post this because I haven't had a good savings like this in a long time! But today I bought all of this and paid $17 total. I also received a coupon for $2 off my next purchase so it was like paying $15 for all of this. I also noticed that at home store prices were a little higher than at other places of the same store so it would have been a better savings by a couple bucks if I went to the Fry's somewhere else but this one was on my way to other stores so I sacrificed it. I saved $44.51. That's a 75% savings!!!



So here is the run down....
  • 3 3 packs of bar soap
  • 3 gallons of milk
  • 4 boxes of fruit snacks
  • 2 boxes of cereal snack bars
  • 2 bags of chips
  • 2 bottles of hand soap
  • 6 peaches
  • 2 bottles of salad dressing
  • 2 boxes of storage bags
I thought this was awesome!!!!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Zachary is 1!!!!!

I am writing this about 2 1/2 hours before I actually meet my baby boy a year ago because I want this posted at the time he came face to face with me. Like Nathan, I will give a list of all that he has accomplished his first year of life! Wow, he is one. I find it hard and little sad because this may be our last. I don't know if I can push out an bigger baby and mine just keep getting bigger! :)

 

At 12:25 on the 2nd of July I met Zachary David Zehring. All 9lb. 4oz of him. I loved him the moment we knew we were going to have another baby. Then I met our son at 18 weeks of pregnancy. I fell more in love with him. Then we had a name and he became this little guy that had a personality. He never moved or kicked unless forced. He was calm and cool and collected. And that was just in the womb.

I realized I never told my birth story so here it is in celebration of his first year!

I made it to July 1st. I always thought I would be due around June 23rd. That lined up with all my dates. Because of a miscarriage two months before, I had ultrasound, after ultrasound to monitor this baby. He was measuring small so my due date was pushed to July 7th, then the10th at first. I told my doctor that meant I had a positive pregnancy test before I was pregnant. But no one listened. Well, every ultrasound up to 18 weeks was he was measuring small and so they pushed my due date to July 14th and stayed there.

Well, for a few weeks before the 1st I was dialating and making progress. I went from nothing to 3 cm in one week and every week after that I dialated one more cm. My doctor kept saying I wouldn't make it to July. I felt that too. She even wanted me to change my July 1st appointment to June 29th but Joel's schedule didn't allow that, so we just thought either he comes or I go to my appointment. Well I ended up at the appointment. My doc was shocked. It was the longest most uncomfortable appointment ever. I was 5cm dialated (that's half way) with nothing happening. Except my blood pressure was through the roof! And it wasn't coming down. We knew it was anxiety to get things started the whole time but it was also a huge reason I was admitted that day. Also, Zachary's hand was on his head. If I was to give birth that day without him moving his hand a C-section would have happened. I really didn't want that. Thankfully, he moved. I was induced that day. I was nervous about it because I heard horror stories. For me, it was the best thing. My contractions weren't painful at all.

Then at this exact time one year ago I was signing papers to get my epidural because he was coming soon. Not being in hard labor and getting an epidural is painful. But I knew what hard labor was like and I didn't want to experience it again.  I wanted to have the most relaxing labor and delivery possible. And I believe I achieved that. Yes, you heard me right. :) Joel and I spent most of the comparing my contractions, calling parents to check on Nathan, Joel rubbing my feet, drinking water, watching TV, talking with the nurses, and Joel getting some shut eye since it looked like it was going to be an all nighter.

Around midnight I was at 10cm. They broke my water and my doc was ready to meet this guy! I was too! 3 big pushes and Zachary was here!. And the first thing out of my docs mouth was, "Donna, you were right, he is a big one!" THANKS!!!! So two weeks early by doc's estimate (1 week late by mine) we had our 2nd born! It never gets old.

Now a year later and he is becoming this amazing little person.
This past year he has accomplished all this.

  • rolling over both ways
  • crawling
  • standing
  • pulling up
  • cruising along all the furniture
  • signing a few things
  • calling me Mama and Joel dada
  • waving
  • clicking his tongue
  • drinking from a sippy cup
  • sharing
  • banging things together
  • recognizing all of us if we ask where each person is
  • exploring
  • self feeding
  • using his pinchers to eat
  • getting 9 teeth
  • sleeping through the night
  • taking awesome naps
  • giving wet kisses
  • understanding but no always obeying "No"
  • learning to annoy big brother by getting into all his toys
  • loving up on all of us
  • and seriously being the happiest baby ever!!!!
  • and so much more!!!



Happy Birthday little brother Z! We love you so much. Praise God for giving us this tremendous gift!