Update

Busy Times

I haven’t had a chance to blog for a while. We have been keeping busy at our house. Last week I wrapped up my job teaching and this week I am finalizing paperwork, sending off files and getting my classroom all packed up. I am hoping by this afternoon I will be all packed out and ready to turn in my keys.

It is such a nice feeling to be done teaching. Five wonderful years… but ohhh, such a wonderful relief to put it behind me and begin a new chapter, as a mom at home. We have already had so much fun.

Here are some of the things that have been keeping us busy:

A picture to illustrate that Daisylyn was once smaller than her doll.

Doctor Visits:
For the first month of life Daisylyn was visiting the doctor bi-weekly, then weekly until at seven weeks of age, we finally surpassed her birth weight of 7lbs 3oz. At that point we have started seeing the doctor every two weeks. On her last appointment she weighed 7lbs 12oz. We have another appointment in a week. She is doing pretty good and we are grateful she is starting to gain some weight. We have had some troubles with throwing up and reflux, but with supplementing with soy formula with a little rice cereal added, things are getting better. Daisylyn’s over all nature is very sweet and cheerful. She has her moments, but she is a great baby.

Ending the school year:

My half packed classroom.

I had three weeks of work after returning from maternity leave. It was a busy tired time. My sister Alisha and her daughter babysat Daisylyn the first two weeks and my Mother-in-law watched the last week of school. I am so grateful for family that is willing to help out with our little one. It was much easier to go back to work knowing that our little one was in good hands. It was also easier to go back to work knowing there was an end in sight. I am still working on packing things up and have already taken one car load of things home. I am hoping the next car load is much less. I am so grateful to be home now and feel a great sense of relief knowing that I won’t be burdened with stacks of paperwork in my daily life for now.

Ward Campout:

All Snuggly in the tent.

We took Daisylyn on her first campout last weekend. Our ward went to Three Island Crossing State Park. Although the drive was short she did well until we pulled into the camp ground where she screamed and hollered until I took her out of her car seat and fed her. It rained hard until we got to the campground, then it let up for just enough time to get the tent up and for it to get dark. It rained the whole night and into the next morning. The campground had a big group shelter, which was nice for socializing with the ward in the rain. This weekend we are headed on a longer road trip to Bear Lake for the Waite family reunion. We hope the car ride goes well and that there is a little less rain.

Baby Blessing:

Daisylyn was blessed by her father on Sunday. He gave a beautiful blessing. She has many great days ahead and we are so blessed to have her in our home. We gathered with family after the blessing at our place to celebrate and have lunch. It was so much fun to have family gathered. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day.
Shopping:
I have been researching for the past couple months about couponing and saving money. Although I have much to learn. I decided that once I was an at-home mom I would start clipping those coupons and saving money for our family. I have been trying to organize our food storage and start getting it under control. It all seems to be balled together. Stocking up on stuff, as well as saving money in the process.
Here are my latest purchases from Albertsons and Target.

Albertsons: Purchased in three transactions totaling: $15.86 Total Savings: $32.61 (13 items)

Target: Purchased in two transactions totaling: $8.80 Total Savings: $11.74 (11 items)

I saved more than I spent so I am satisfied with my purchases. I am trying not to buy things that we don’t need (I learned if you bring your husband along, you will come home with more items than you were planning on, brining the total spent higher than anticipated). The things that are a really good deal or nearly free I am trying to think about before purchasing to make sure it is something we will use. Sometimes I think we end up spending more on things just because they are a “good deal”. I think I will enjoy getting our meals planned and emergency storage stocked up as I seek out the bargains.