Welcoming the New Year

As I type we have about an hour until the New Year here.  I could to a sappy reflection of the year, but I will spare everyone the details.  The best thing that came from 2011 was Lily, and 2012 brings even more greatness.

On the last day of 2011, Lily has almost rolled over and almost gotten into perfect crawling position.  I don't want to say she will be crawling by the end of January, but if she keeps up this rate she probably will be.

Her Great-Grandmother taught her something yesterday and she has been trying to do it aaaall day -- blowing raspberries with her lips.  Instead of the tongue out, it's just the lips.  She's been sucking in her bottom lip, blowing out and getting spit everywhere while she hums.  It's so cute!  You can tell she's trying.

And update on the rolling over -- She would have JUST rolled over if a bar from her play gym wasn't in her way.  Good lord, it's too soon!  I will let everyone know if she rolls.

Well, I'm off to watch the ball drop and the like.  Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Wordless Wednesday

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas everyone!  I hope it was a good one!  Lily got to try pureed food for the first time as a gift from mommy :)

Every Day Is A Holiday For Baby!

It's time for another round of... Today in Pictures!  Extended version: Holidays in pictures!
Lily chillin' with Mama, playing World of Warcraft, and going to the farm!

Free Shipping On Orders $25+ On EdenFantasys With Freebie Promotions!

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Breakfast of Champions

Sometimes when you're low on food, all you can really do is eat what you have.  However, I feel it pays to be creative when these times do occur.  You never know what you will find you like.

For example, we have obtained some crunchy almond butter.  It is like peanut butter, but obviously with almonds.  The taste is not bad, just different.  I personally do not go to this first when making a sandwich.  However, dipping some crunchy rosemary bread-sticks (Alessi brand) in this almond butter make a great snack or, in my case, breakfast.

So whenever you are low on food or sick of the same-ole same-ole, get a little creative with what you have.  If you have anything like this you wish to share, please do!  I like to try new things!

Wordless Wednesday

Cook'n Recipe Software Review

I once had all of my internet-found recipes in a Microsoft OneNote notebook on my laptop.  It was pretty cool, but my computer crashed and I lost everything.  Disappointed, I quit trying to get recipes and figured I would just leave them in the books.  That was, until I learned about Cook'n.

Cook'n is a recipe software that allows you to get virtually thousands of recipes  on your computer.  The Cook'n website has e-cookbooks that go right into the database, or you can type in your own recipes.  With the holidays and all of the good dishes being made, it is good to have somewhere to store all of your swapped recipes!

It took a bit for me to get in the swing of things, but that's because I was stubborn and refused to watch the tutorial and read the manual that came with it after download.  If you are not software savvy, the tutorials will probably help.  If you are stubborn like I am, you can figure it out just the same.  It's actually very easy to use once you use it a few times.

It's pretty nifty because when you are typing in your things a list will come up of various ingredients to make the process faster.  There is also a button on the side to re-calculate your ingredient amounts if you need to change the serving size.  No more calculator for me!

There is also a menu option where you can plan your daily, weekly, or even monthly meals!  Now I have no reason not to plan meals ahead of time.

I definitely recommend this product to my readers as it is a great, paper-free way to store recipes.

I would just be sure to back up my Cook'n on a disc, flash drive, external hard drive, etc. just in case your computer crashes and you are unable to recover it.  While most don't have this problem, I always say, "Better safe than sorry!"

Overall, Cook'n is a wonderful product and if you hurry you can get it for only $79.95 with a money-back guarantee!  Try it for 30 days, and if you don't like it then it's all good; just ask for a refund and you haven't wasted a penny.  Though, I'm sure you'll like it.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Life of Lily Bud

Well, Lily has has a big couple of days.  Every day is Christmas for Lily!  Cute little bundle of fun...

Saturday she finally got to meet her other grandmother and her Aunt AB.  She was so good!  Definitely knows how to leave a good impression.  I'm sure they would never know she could be a fussy butt when she wants to be.  Yeah, she knows what I'm saying.  She's trying to look cute and talk to me right now, like, "No, Mommy, I'm always a good girl!"  Yeeeeaaaaaah riiiiight.  But she's adorable anyway.

Her Columbia College Aunt Naomi sent her some cute outfits for Christmas.  If you read this, thank you Naomi!  You rock!  They are awesome!   I will probably post a bunch of pictures in a post or two showing everything off.

Teething has definitely started.  She's gumming everything she can get her hands on.  Including Mommy.

Other than that, things have been really chill.  She likes Pokemon Snap.  More on that, later :)

$50 PayPal Giveaway!

Are you ready to win $50 in PayPal cash?!  Brought to you by MomBlogSociety.com!  Just follow these awesome bloggers via TWITTER in the Rafflecopter form below.  If the form doesn't show up, refresh the page!  All of us will have the same Rafflecopter entry form, so no need to enter everywhere else.

This will be live until January 1st, 2012.  Happy Holidays!

Thanks for entering!!

Mega Swagbucks Friday and Earn an Extra 100SB for Signing Up!

It's Mega Swagbucks Friday again!!  If you aren't on Swagbucks.com you're missing out on the big earnings and the free stuff!  I've already earned $80 in PayPal cash alone!  Not to mention all the gift cards I've received!

Earning Swagbucks is simple -- Use your Swagbucks Search Engine to win!  That's it!  You also can gain more Swagbucks from Tasks, Special Offers, Games, Polls, Referrals, and a lot more!  Why AREN'T you signed up already?!

Not to mention...

Swagbucks is going crazy on Monday, with more ways for you to earn reward points towards free stuff. First, they're having a Swag Code Extravaganza, which means a fun day where you can earn up to 70 Swag Bucks from 8 different codes throughout the day! 

Second, there's a new set of Holiday Collector's Bills which you can only earn through search - get all five and you'll receive an instant 12 Swag Bucks bonus! The set starts at noon on Monday.  Can't wait to start grabbing them!

Finally, for any referral you bring in today through the 19th, you'll not only get up to 1000 matching Swag Bucks from Search, but 1000 Matching Swag Bucks from everything they earn (not including codes) all day Monday - they're calling it Mega Match Monday!

Three big reasons to visit Swagbucks this Monday!

When you sign up, use the code HOLIDAYSWAG to receive your extra bucks!  But hurry, it only lasts until December 31st!

Win $50 PayPal Cash Sign-up!

 We’re giving back! As a thank you for all your support. If you want to be listed on this giveaway, go fill out this form! It’s FREE!

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Copy all this information and make a blog post on it in order to promote the SIGN UP phase.

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These Boots Are Made For Walkin'...

So two days ago I got a pedometer out and, out of curiosity, counted my steps throughout the day.  I thought with all of the running around I do I should be getting the minimum recommended 3,000 steps a day.  At the end of the day I was like, "Yeah, let's see what I got!"  ...1,347.

I didn't even get halfway.

Starting yesterday I have decided to get my 3,000 steps a day, if not more.  I just did a little extra walking around outside and up and down steps.

So if you're looking to lose weight, inches, or just be all around healthier, I suggest a pedometer and those 3,000 steps per day.  I totally thought I was walking enough and was not.

while looking to find where people can get free pedometers, I found a great post with many suggestions.  ...As well as learned we need about 10,000 steps a day.  OOOOH BOY don't know if I got it in me, but I'll try.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/292741-how-to-get-free-pedometers/

Slice™ Safety Cutter - Great for Couponers! -- Review

To those of you that love to coupon or just like to cut pictures and things you like out of magazines, the Slice™ Safety Cutter is something you will love to have!

It is metal-free, pocket-sized, and easy to maneuver with clean cuts where you need them! I love this thing. I really do. I'm an image hoarder as well as beginning couponer, so sitting around using scissors eventually makes my hand cramp. Not anymore, though! I just take that cutter and slice-slice-done!

If it isn't metal, how does it work? Is it really safe?

The blade is actually a ceramic blade. It does not require sharpening, and though it is sharp enough to glide through paper, it won't break your skin. Really! I tried. Like, didn't just see if I would be able to avoid cuts, but actually tested it on my arm tried. Left many marks, but none bled. It stung later, but I never drew blood or caused any major damage. It makes me feel 100% safer around Lily now. I wouldn't hand this to a baby, but now I don't feel as paranoid with her sitting next to me while I cut up magazines and newspapers.

Now, I do not yet have a coupon binder, but this is DEFINITELY going in it. It's small, flat, and not as bulky as scissors so it can easily be carried in a pocket, purse, binder, clutch, whatever!  There is a built-in magnet so you can put it on your fridge.  It has a small hole on it, so I imagine it would fit on a key-ring as well.  Lefty?  No problem!  The Slice™ Safety Cutter  is right- AND left-hand friendly!  It has a nice rubber finish so you can grip it, and the green color rocks!

Tike Myson Approved Magnet!

Concerns?
The only problem I had was when it cut through two or three thin sheets I didn't mean to cut. Usually it was fine with another piece of paper under it, but if you're particular do NOT cut directly on a a table. Use something you don't mind getting sliced underneath what you're cutting, like a mat, cutting board, or even a magazine you don't care for.

Pros

Small

Portable

Safe

Rust-free

Smooth Cuts
Left- and Right-handed
Built-in Magnet

Cons

If you aren't careful could cut your table

Where Do I Get One?
You can purchase a Slice™ Safety Cutter for $5.99 at Sliceproducts.com.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Wordless Wednesday -- Late

Lily Teething?

I'm sure Lily is getting to the point where she is teething. GGB says she's too young, but she isn't the one that has a baby gumming her thumb every hour. Lily doesn't like the teething rings yet, but noms on everything. Anything in her hands goes straight to her mouth. Kind of. If she doesn't miss her mouth. She's still getting used to that. Right now she's rolling over onto her side and kicking the sides of her play gym, making everything move. She's also talking to her toys... Earlier I put her in her chair and let her play with her toys that way instead of laying down. She grabbed her toys and kept putting them in her mouth. It was cute. Now I guess I need to invest in some teething stuff. Any suggestions?

Couponing: The EXTREME Video Course -- Review

I looooove watching the extreme couponing shows on TV and get so revved up to make the same awesome savings. I'll run around after the show, scrambling to find coupons in our newspaper bin, only to realize I don't know how to do what they do. They mention methods vaguely in the shows, and don't give all of their information. So how do they do it?

Well, now there is Couponing: The EXTREME Video Course that explains it all! I must say, I am so glad I watched these videos because I now feel as if I have been enlightened by the gurus of freebies and savings. Hosted at Stay A Stay At Home Mom, it's alongside many different ways to stretch your dollar and save.

What It Is

It is fourteen relatively short video chapters with visuals and narration of savings, covering all the steps of where to get coupons, how to get free groceries, couponing ethics, and a lot more. I went through the videos over the course of a day and had time to stop in-between and take care of Lily, get food, finish laundry, or whatever. The chapters were short, simple, but condensed with a lot of information. If you get stuck on something or forget how to do a specific task, you can always go back to the videos or refer to your workbook that comes along with it.

Pros

What I really liked was the emphasis on stores in a few of the chapters, like Target, CVS and other drugstores, as well as the generic chain grocery store. It made it easier to navigate through specific questions I had about couponing.

There is also a helpful link page tied to the video course, so if you wish to dive deeper and check out further references or examples you can. I LOT of helpful resources come with these videos, and it's awesome.

Cons

If I could change anything about the course I wouldn't. As I try to think of cons, the only con I had was not being able to start gathering coupons soon enough! I'm ready for some savings!

Where do I learn to get massive savings?

Are you ready to learn all you can about extreme couponing? I don't blame you. Well, if you go to Stay A Stay At Home Mom you can get everything I experienced (Video courses, workbook, awesome resources) PLUS a BONUS video on more grocery savings for only $37. If that sounds like too much, just think about all those couponers on TV that got by only paying a few dollars for over $1,000.00 worth of groceries! Put into that perspective, sounds better, right? And you will always have them to reference back to if you have any question. I think it's a great price for greater savings.

Get it here.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Funny Things Lily Has Done Today

Today has just been a laugh-fest for Lily. From this morning when she woke up to right now where she's babbling to a toy frog that makes sounds. While it might seem normal or not-so-funny to some, I really enjoyed it.

When we woke up she was giggling uncontrollably as I changed her outfit and diaper. I powdered her butt and right before I put on the diaper she decided to fart. *POOF!* There was a small powder cloud. She thought my reaction was funny, so she laughed some more.

She doesn't usually like the paci, but I thought it was funny when she spit it every time I specifically told her not to today.

At dinner she was sitting in my lap and I was talking about something and she caught me off-guard and stuck her hand in my plate and put it in her mouth. Luckily she didn't get anything on her hand, so while I was checking that she somehow took her OTHER hand and grabbed at my fork. I decided to hold her closer and she grabbed my plate. The rest of the time she sat there staring at the food on my plate.

She is now currently in her playpenyardthing "talking" to the Christmas Frog.

Super Stalker Sunday!

Sunday blog hop time! If you're a new follower, please let me know in a comment with a link so I can follow you back! If you grab m button I'll grab yours, like my facebook fanpage, follow on twitter, etc. and I will follow back. Sound good?



Other Hops

Mail Call! And Other Lily News

So, I made a post before about being addicted to Listia. Well, I got some awesome stuff I won in the mail! Lily volunteered to model her cute bows.

Aren't they precious?? I originally won just one, but due to some communication issues the one sending the bows sent two! Awesome! Many thanks, if you read this.

I also got a cute little coyote pendant :) It's really pretty. I will show it one I get it on a necklace

I got some Mederma products I won in a giveaway to remove stretchmarks. SCORE!

And a free perfume sample. Awesome.

In the life of Lily Bud, she is beginning to grab her paci and try to put it in her mouth. She's close! I also gave her a little massage after her bath. It totally energized her, opposite of desired effect. Oh well, she's asleep on my arm now.

A whole bunch of awesome over here.

Call All Cloth-Diapering Bloggers!

Kebbie's Diaper Bag is looking for cloth-diapering bloggers to review and giveaway some new diaper products! US open, free to bloggers. Check it out!!!

Apply here.

Wordless Wednesday

Eden Loves Bloggers!

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