Walgreens 8/28

My Shopping Trip to Walgreens today. Thought I would share. I type out each transaction (T) so I stay on track at the register. I type out how many of each product I need and much each product is, and what coupons/register rewards I am using per transaction... and then the register rewards given for buying the product. Filler items are anything in the store that do not require a coupon to purchase. At Walgreens you can not have more paper (coupons and register rewards) than items to purchase. Also, the reason for multiple purchases is to obtain maximum register rewards (in store credit). Most items that give a register reward only give it once per item per transaction.

WAGS

T1) Purchase (1) Estroven $10.00

Purchase (1) Carmex Twist or Vanilla Stick $1.50

Purchase (1) Playtex Sport 18 Count $3.99

Purchase (2) Oral B Glide dental floss 2/$5

Purchase (2) Renuzit Adjustable Air fresheners $0.99 each (In store coupon)

Purchase (9) Hershey Chocolate bars $0.59 each (In store coupon)

USE (1) $3 off Estroven coupon

USE (1) $0.50 off Carmex coupon

USE (1) Free Playtex coupon

USE (1) $0.75 off Oral B coupon

USE (1) $1.00 off Oral B coupon

USE (1) IN STORE 99cent Renuzit coupon

USE (2) $1.00 off Renuzit coupon

USE (1) IN STORE 59 cent Hershey coupon

USE $5 off Hershey product RR from last week transaction

USE $10 RR from Renew Life from last week transaction

EST. Spend $2.50

GET $10RR for Estroven

GET $1.50RR for Carmex

GET $1.00RR for Playtex

GET $3.00 RR for Oral B

(**** TOTAL ACTUALLY SPENT $3.17**** on T1)

T2) Purchase (1) Carmex Lime Twist or Vanilla Stick $1.50

Purchase (1) Filler item

USE (1) $0.50 Carmex coupon

USE $1.00RR from previous Playtex purchase

EST. SPEND $0.00 before tax and filler item

Get $1.50 RR for Carmex

(**** TOTAL ACTUALLY SPENT $0.41*** on T2)

T3) Purchase (1) Playtex Gentle Clide 18 ct $3.99

USE (1) Free Playtex product coupon

EST. SPEND $0.00 before tax

Get $1.00 RR for Playtex

(****TOTAL ACTUALLY SPENT $0.29**** on T3)

T4) Purchase (1) Estrovan $10.00

Purchase (1) Carmex Lime Twist or Vanilla Stick $1.50

Purchase (1) and (1) Oral B dental floss- Crest or Oral B 2/$5

Purchase (2) filler item

USE (1) $3 off Estroven coupon

USE (1) $0.50 Carmex coupon

USE (1) $1.00 off Crest coupon

USE (1) $1.00 off Oral B coupon

USE $5RR from Kellogg last week transaction

USE $6RR from Dove last week transaction

EST. SPEND $0.40 before tax and filler item

GET $10RR for Estrovan

GET $1.50RR for Carmex

GET $3 RR for Crest/Oral B

(****TOTAL ACTUALLY SPENT $1.21***on T4)

T5) Purchase (1) Carmex $1.50

Purchase (1) Filler item

USE (1) $0.50 Carmex coupon

USE (1) $1RR from Playtex

EST SPEND $0.00 before tax and filler item

Get $1.50 for Carmex

(****TOTAL ACTUALLY SPENT $0.41***onT5)

NEED for all purchases to work

(2) Estroven

(4) Carmex vanilla or twist

(1) Playtex Sport 18ct

(1) Playtex Gentle Glide 18ct

(1) Crest toothpaste

(3) Oral B floss

(2) Renuzit solid air freshiner

(9) Hershey bars

(4) Filler items

**** TOTAL SPENT ALL TOGETHER $6.04! TOTAL SAVED ALL TOGETHER $99.44! TOTAL REGISTER REWARDS EARNED FOR FUTURE PURCHASE $32.00!****

Das Tatas Rant

Talking with a lady at the WIC office, I was complaining how being big busted takes a toll on a breastfeeding Mom... she responded "You sure are blessed in that department".

Blessed?

I see it more as a curse.

Being blessed with large boobs means that you can graciously fill out a Victoria Secret bra and look stunning. Not have to special order bras online because no store in town carries your size... not Wal-Mart, not the lingerie store that advertises "ALL SIZES IN STOCK", not even the plus size clothing stores.

Being blessed with large boobs means that you can still rock a bathing suit in the summer. Not having to for-go a trip to the lake because department stores simply do not carry swim suits with size 48G cups.

Being blessed with large boobs means that sometimes shirts fit snug. Not having to wear a shirt two sizes too big just to fit the ladies... and not being able to wear strapless dresses/shirts because of the law of gravity. There is no way on Earth that boobs that big stay up and in place without the two inch wide strap.

Being blessed with large boobs means that you can still have perky breasts. Not have breast that hang half way down your stomach... there is nothing "sexy" or "hot" about that. Saggy boobs before 30! Oooolala...

Being blessed with large boobs means that every department store carries cute bras in your size (up to DD). Not having only the option for black, white, or nude colors. Oh wait... sometimes you can choose between having five snaps in back or six snaps in the back.

Breastfeeding in public is impossible. I don't see that as a blessing. It is impossible to discreetly unsnap the giant bra, hold the breast so it doesn't crush the baby, juggle a wiggly baby and keep your giant boob covered. It is quite an art to master breastfeeding in public... but I would rather sulk to the back of the store and hide out in the dressing room till baby is full.

Paying $50 for a size 48G nursing bra online is no way near a blessing. I so wish I had the option of buying one at Target or Wal-Mart. They don't even sell them online at those stores! The worst of it was when my one good nursing bra busted from the weight of the boobers even before Ana was born... $50 down the drain! I haven't been able to afford another one. I went to Motherhood Maternity and found one I could shove my boobs in for now. There is nothing blessed about having a nursing bra two cup sizes too small.

I have gotten the comment "At least you have some" so many times... I always respond "you can have em'! They are killing my back".

I can honestly say I hate breastfeeding... hate it with a passion. My back and neck hurt so much from the weight of my boobs it makes me nauseous sometimes. What I love, though, is spending time with my baby. I love seeing her smile when I get myself positioned in the "football" hold. She knows its chow time and she gets the biggest grin. I love seeing her smile and give a little laugh when she gets full. What I love more than ever... and makes all the other crap worth it, is seeing her grow... pack on the pounds... and be deemed a "healthy baby" all because of my choice to breastfeed with these unconventionally large breasts.

Rant over...

Fatty Fat Fat Blog

What I don't understand is...

Why people feel the need to bully? When people are bullied effectively ( I say effectively because not all 'bullying' "works"...) they feel isolated... alone. I just never understood it. I like the take the Justin Beiber approach and go for "One less lonely girl in the world"... and stay away from being a bully.

And why do they point out the obvious? "You're fat"... what reaction were they hoping for? "OH MY GOD... I am?" That is like trying to make fun of me because I have toes. What really makes me chuckle is when the offender is "fat" as well. Of course the best response is none at all... in my head I am thinking... "I am fat... you are fat... the majority of the population is fat... but at least I am not a jerk. AND sugar... I know I am fat... that is why I shop in the 'Plus Size' department".

I am quite aware of what I look like... I live in my body and look at myself in the mirror. I don't see fat despite the numbers the scale reads. I see a body that has held seven babies in my womb... a body that has endured months equivalent to years of hormones to break through infertility... a body that has birthed two healthy children... and a body that my husband says is beautiful.

Bullying is pathetic

My Buddies and Me

This week I had the privilege of visiting with BOTH my bosom buddies!

Crystina had texted me awhile ago and asked if I could be penciled in for a visit on Tuesday... Amy spur of the moment trip to Redding had us visiting on two separate occasions.

During one of Amy's visits she asked me if I believed in soul mates... if Daniel was my soul mate. It got me thinking... I think soul mates are not necessarily always romantic counter-part. A soul mate can be a friend and of course, a sibling. I think God made specific people and put them in your life to be your soul mates. A soul mate is a person that knows you on your most intimate level... someone who knows your soul... your heart... (and STILL loves you despite what is inside).

I think of Daniel as my soul mate... I also think of Crystina and Amy as my soul mates. Whenever I think about these people my heart smiles.

I got to see Crystinas baby belly! She is simply glowing! I am so excited to share Motherhood with her! We have been talking about "Our babies" for two decades now! During her visit she said to Ana "If I have a boy, you are going to marry him" then she looked at Eli and said, "If it is a girl, she will marry you!" Eli crinkled his nose, and I said "This is something we have been planning for 20 years! There is no getting out of it!".

Besides my own pregnancy and meeting my own children, I don't think I have ever been more excited for a baby! My heart gets so excited whenever I think about that little babe!

6 more months!

Anamarie's Birth Story

I tried everything to go into labor before June 9th (day scheduled for c-section). I wanted my sister in law and nieces to be there for Anamarie's birth, I tried to have her when they were in town. I seriously did EVERYTHING I read that was "suppose to bring on labor". Ana was very content to stay put. I went in to Labor and Delivery three times hoping they would just take her... I was in so much pain... each time they just gave me pain pills and sent me home.

The waiting was awful. After nine months you are just done... though I still feel incredibly blessed as to how un-eventful and mostly pain free this pregnancy was!

June 9th, 2011 5am... after not sleeping for two nights due to excitement levels, Daniel and I give Elijah kisses and head to the hospital. Daniels Mom stayed at our house so Elijah could sleep in his own bed and what-not.

From 5am to 9am, the nurses poke and prodded... dressed me up (like a Transformer, my Mother said... AUTOBOTS UNITE). The nurse that did my IV totally messed up, so they tried the other hand... TWICE... then just decided to stay with the original poke. Three IV's... not cool.

A little bit before 9am I waddle, sporting my Autobot swag... to the operating room. I sit on the bed and the Anesthesiologist started my Spinal... holy cow... he had to poke and re-poke and re-poke... at least a dozen times! That was the worst experience! It lasted maybe a whole five minutes, but when someone is messing with your spinal cord it seems like they are taking a life time! He apologized even though it wasn't his fault... dang Scoliosis! But once the spinal was in, it took literally seconds before Doctor Williams said, "you will feel pressure now"... gag barf... pressure and nausea! ... they have drugs for that though!

"It's a girl, what's her name?" I couldn't even talk... combination of wanting to barf and pass-out, but mostly holding my breath, I kept thinking "cry cry cry why won't she cry" It seemed like an hour passed before I heard her gurgle and cry... but that sweet sound came quickly.

8 pounds 13 ounces 20 inches long the nurse said. She is perfect! Not the 11 pound baby the Doctor predicted! Daniel brought her over to me so I could give her kisses and marvel at her beauty!

Anamarie was taken to the nursery to be cleaned up while I was being glued back together... yes, glued! They used glue! Daniel went with her and showed her to the family who was in the waiting room. I was wheeled back to the recovery room to be messed with some more and wait for my baby to be brought back. I couldn't feel much from my shoulders down... but everything itched! Even my eyeballs! I remember the same itchy feeling from the medication from when I had Elijah. Itchy eyeballs... ick!

I can't remember holding her for the first time... I don't remember anything about being in the recovery room after she was brought in. I don't remember who was in the with me... what family came in or anything. I don't remember being wheeled to the hospital room... I don't remember much... I must have been so into Ana that I just ignored and blocked everything else out.

The next few hours were filled with nurses pushing on my belly and adding more medications to my IV bags. That night the night nurse bent the rules a bit and let me take the leg compressors off (I had to wear them to avoid getting DVT's), and she took out the IV and catheter. PRAISE GOD! I was finally able to stand up and move around. Thinking I would sleep was a joke though. I was tired from the day and not sleeping days beforehand... I really wanted to just sleep, but I laid in bed and stared at her. "Is she breathing... is she breathing... Daniel see if she is breathing". I just worry so much...

Just as I feel asleep the phlebotomist came in to take my blood... then the nurses came in... then breakfast... then the lactation consultant... then the lady with the birth certificate then the picture lady. It was a busy day... and Ana had many visitors!

The nurses kept telling me I needed to move around and walk... that it would help with the healing. With all the people that were in and out I had no time to walk! The hospital staff is really good at their jobs and are always bugging you. I wouldn't have it any other way though. There is a sense of security with being in a hospital. If something went wrong there are many people to take care of it. Amy got to put Ana's first outfit on her... and from that minute on Ana has been a very stylish girl!

Having a c-section for a second time is very different than the first time. The surgery is the same, but the healing process was very different this time around. It actually hurt... and still hurts (two weeks later). I didn't need pain medication after having Elijah... this time I NEEDED the pain medication... I couldn't even walk it hurt so bad! The pain medication gave me horrible God awful dreams in the hospital... the few minutes I did sleep I was plagued with dreams of Hobo's stealing Ana and leaving town on the train.

The next morning Doctor Williams came in and discharged me early... telling me I don't need to keep doing the Lovenox or Heperin injections! He says my numbers are good and to just keep taking the low dose aspirin. After being discharged we waited over six hours for the NICU to discharge Ana. She was a little bit jaundice, so they were the ones that had to discharge her. I got her all dolled up (her newborn size shoes were WAY TOO BIG... something we did not anticipate... she has Colbert feet!!! Colbert flat and narrow feet with Whipple size toes) and we went home!

I had wanted to include more info... more thoughts and feelings... but I am content with just sharing the basics and keeping the rest to heart.