Vanderbilt Wife

Facebook Fan Me?

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:40:00 +0000

For those of you who are subscribers and perhaps don't comment (AHEM), you may not have noticed that I started a little Facebook Fan Page for Vanderbilt Wife:

I'd love for it to be a place where I can learn a little bit about you! Have some conversations! Create community! Isn't that what every blogger aspires to do?

Seriously, if you'd become a fan and interact over there it would make my day--nay, year!

And then, maybe 90% of my fans wouldn't be related to me too. Ha.

______

Hey, while I am begging for favors... this two houses thing has tightened my purse strings (or whatever that saying is) a little too tight. If you are Christmas shopping on Amazon, will you please consider going through my link or my little Amazon widget on the sidebar? I could use the pennies.

Choo-Choo

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:44:00 +0000

I want to write. I really do.

But today has been a messy mess, I need to work, and I of course need to make sure I watch The Big Bang Theory. (Because they don't put it online. The nerve!)

I put my resignation in at work today (for Dec. 31) and it's kind of freaked me out royally. Because if on December 31st I don't have another job or we still own this house, I don't know what we will do.

And in spite of that ordeal, I feel joyful. Joyful at having a sweet, sort-of-walking daughter. Joyful at fall leaves, good books, and leftover Chinese food.

I am not controlled by my circumstances. My joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Even though life may not be so hot in the day-to-day, the Big Picture is still awesome.

How's that for a train-of-thought post?

Mouthwatering Mondays: The Easiest Dessert in the World

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Last night (Saturday), I threw a little Surprise Belated Birthday Party for Mr. V.

His birthday falls two days after Libbie's--or I guess I should say, she had the nerve to be born just two days before her daddy! Haha. Honestly, I think he was pleased as punch to bring home his daughter on his 27th birthday.

This year not only we were separated on his birthday--a school day, after all--we really gave it no mention with all of Libbie's first birthday hoopla.

So we had a little get-together with some of our friends and it was great! Despite the fact that Mr. V is the last person you want to throw a surprise party for. He had pretty much no reaction. But I think he enjoyed the time with friends.

Since it was a surprise I couldn't very well bake him a birthday cake while he watched, so I decided to make dump cake (one of his favorites) and told him I was supposed to bring dessert to the dinner we were supposedly having with friends.

My mom made dump cake a lot for potlucks and parties when I was growing up. We discovered from a lady at our church now that you can use the same method to make peach cobbler. Mr. V just loves it. So while it's not the healthiest thing in the world, it IS easy and really delicious.

Cherry Dump Cake

1 can crushed pineapple
1 can cherry pie filling (regular or light)
1 boxed yellow cake mix
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

Pour the pineapple and pie filling into a 9x13 pan. Stir them together. (You're not allowed to use a bowl to do this or it isn't the easiest dessert in the world.)

Sprinkle the cake mix over the top evenly. Make sure all of the fruit layer is covered.

Cut your butter into little slices and dot the top of the cake mix with butter. Use the whole stick and try to spread the slices out evenly. (My mom melts the butter, but that dirties a dish and goes against my policy.) (Mom also adds a little shredded coconut to the top, which I like, but Mr. V hates it.)

Bake in a 350 oven for 45-55 minutes or until bubbly and the top is a little brown.

Just be warned you might want a cup of very strong coffee with this to cut the sugar rush you'll get!

To make it a peach cobbler, substitute 1 large and 1 small can of peach slices in light syrup for the pineapple and cherry pie filling. Drain the large can but use the juices from the small one.

For more delicious recipes, visit Mouthwatering Mondays at A Southern Fairytale.

When NOT to Go to Kroger

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:39:00 +0000

Warning: Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT go to Kroger on Senior Discount Day (Wednesday) during triple coupons and the Mega Event!!

It had been a very long time since I went to the Kroger store in Bellemeade, a pretty upscale area of Nashville. I think maybe they had just built it when we lived closer to the area and I went there once or twice. It was a shock to my system when I went in this Wednesday on my lunch break and saw a cello player in the produce section.

I am SO not kidding.

It was one of the nicest grocery stores I've ever been in and a far cry from our Nipper's Corner Kroger near where I live. My Kroger is just your basic grocery store, where you're lucky if the cashier says hi. There are definitely not announcements about how if you are a senior and have a pineapple, you can get a free gift on aisle 13. (SERIOUSLY! OK, maybe they do this at my Kroger and I'm just not ever there in the middle of the day on a Wednesday.)

Anyway, this post is really about the incredible deals I got at Kroger using triple coupons and the Mega Event. If you're in Nashville, the Bellemeade Kroger is doing triple coupons until Tuesday and I think the Mega Event ends this Sunday (11/8). Usually the Nipper's Corner Kroger does triple coupons as well since it competes with Harris Teeter, but I haven't been by to verify that.

Here is what I got on Wednesday for $4.46--and that is WITH $1.07 tax! (All coupons .99 and under were tripled.)

*Three (130-count) boxes of Kleenex tissues [$1.49 ea, used .50/3 coupon = $2.97]
*Two Lean Cuisine pizzas [$1.99 ea, used $2/2 catalina coupon = $1.98]
*One Bird's Eye Lightly Sauced frozen vegetable [$1.99, used .50/1 coupon = $.49]
Two StarKist tuna pouches [1.35 ea., used two .50/1 coupons = FREE--no overage, they adjust the amount down with triples]
*1 package Pillsbury Simply Refrigerated PB cookies [$2.49, used .55/1 coupon = $.84]
1 box MultiGrain Cheerios [$3.17, used $.75/1 coupon = $.92]
*2 boxes Betty Crocker special potatoes [$1.49/ea, used 2 .40/1 coupons = $.58]
*2 cans Carnation Lowfat Evaporated Milk [$1.49/ea, used 2 free vouchers from Carnation Challenge, but there is a coupon for .50/2 available = FREE or $1.48 if you were to use coupon]
3 cans Hunt's tomatoes (2 fire-roasted and 1 whole tomatoes) [$1/ea, used .75/3 coupon = $.75]

- $5.00 for Mega Event

* denotes items that went toward the Mega Event, where when you buy 10 items, you get $5 off your order. I acutally got 11.

Those numbers won't work out exactly, because the $5 came off first and they adjusted coupons so items would not be more-than-free. But it does appear that before tax I only spent $3.39 on all of this food! Can you even believe it?

I will likely donate the potatoes, along with another 2 boxes I have from a previous Mega Event purchase, to a food pantry since I'm not big on the boxed potatoes. And I gave the cookie dough to a friend and made a little girl very happy. Since I don't have a lot of excess income to gift with right now, being able to get these items for pennies and use them to bless others is a HUGE BLESSING for me!

Linking up to Super Savings Saturday so others can see these coupon match-ups and hopefully use them as well! I found great match-ups at Stretching a Buck and Mommy Snacks, which helped me plan precisely what I wanted to get. Just keep in mind prices may vary per area so I checked against my ad.

Show Us Your Life: Thanksgiving Traditions

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:49:00 +0000

In my immediate family, we are pretty tradition-heavy. My family of 4--Dad, Mom, my sister, and I--had the Christmas traditions down to a T: we would go to Christmas Eve service, go out to dinner with the same people, come home, read the story from the Bible, read the Night Before Christmas pop-up book, bring down our presents ONE AT A TIME WHILE RINGING THE BELLS AND YOU BETTER NOT BRING THEM DOWN BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE, leave cookies for Santa, and go to bed. In these post-marriage years for me, the traditions have relented a lot, by force more than choice. But it's good to establish our own traditions, too.

Anyway, Kelly's "Show Us Your Life" carnival theme this week is Thanksgiving Traditions. There have been a few years we've had to divert from the norm and host Thanksgiving in Tennessee--like last year, when we had a one-month-old--but for the most part our Thanksgiving holidays have a good rhythm.

We go to Ohio, where my grandparents and a lot of my extended family still live. On Thursday we have Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family. The menu differs very little from year to year, and there's comfort in eating those same foods that we've had since I was a little girl: turkey, sweet potato casserole, scalloped corn, mashed potatoes, stuffing (and not that nasty cornbread dressing stuff they have in the South), deviled eggs, relishes, Grandma's layered salad, rolls, green bean casserole, pickled beets and eggs …

Did I mention we usually have 30+ people for this gathering? I have 13 first cousins on that side, many of whom are married and have kids. So all that food is not as unreasonable as it sounds! (And I didn't even start on dessert!)

We even have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner--leftovers from the lunch feast, plus baked beans, sandwich fixings, potato chips, and as much pie as you can get down.

The VERY NEXT DAY, we go to my dad's side of the family for our "Thanksmas." There our menu consists of turkey, fruit salad, green salad, the icky oyster dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, Uncle Steve's special potato casserole, and lots of appetizers. Dad's side consumes olives like they're going out of style (ick). After we manage to let our stomachs deflate, we open Christmas presents and sing Christmas carols.

It sounds quite crazy--and it is. But the memories are so precious. This will be the first holiday without my grandpa, and I do fear the gathering a little. It's so easy to not think about the lack of his presence when we're not somewhere he's supposed to be. I'll be missing his strange questions, his demands for more cheese and pickles, and his adoration of my sweet little girl.

Do you have any quirky Thanksgiving traditions or strange foods your family eats? Maybe a favorite recipe? Let me know! Link to it in the comments if you have a post about it and I'll add the links to this post. And don't forget to visit Kelly's Korner for hundreds more posts on tradition.

Also added to Your Life, Your Blog.

Things I Love Thursday: Glee

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:04:00 +0000

Mr. V and I have the tendency to get really addicted to TV shows. You need only read this post devoted to How I Met Your Mother to see it's true. I think it's probably because we are not huge TV people, and we only watch a show if we think it's really good.

When I accidentally caught a half-hour of the series premiere of Glee back in the spring, the quick wit and singing caught me immediately. Later in the summer, my sister let me watch the whole episode on her (tiny) iPod, and I knew I'd be keeping an eye out for the show in the fall.

Although there are some things I don't love about it--I feel like it's a bit too sexual when it could be very family-friendly and some things are very unrealistic--the incredible music and hilarious one-liners have me completely hooked.

In case you are not ~~completely obsessed and getting Glee updates on Facebook~~ ~~incredibly angry because the World Series has preempted the show for two weeks in a row~~ a slightly obsessive fan, you should know the Glee soundtrack (volume 1) came out this week. It's a very reasonable $8.99 on Amazon right now and full of great tunes.

I've played most all of them through on LaLa this week and while I'm not in love with their version of "Defying Gravity" (which has not been shown yet on TV), the insanely catchy "Don't Stop Believin'" is worth the 9 bucks itself! I also LOVE "No Air" and "Take a Bow." The woman who plays Rachel is an incredible Broadway actress and her phenomenal voice really makes this show and the CD.

So, you know, if anyone wanted to get it for me for Christmas, I wouldn't complain. :)

Read other fun semi-obsessive posts at Things I Love Thursday, over at The Diaper Diaries!

P.S. One of my best bloggy friends Mary, from Giving Up on Perfect, does a recap of Glee each week at Blissfully Domestic. They are funny and great! You can see me comment over there most weeks, 'cause you know I've always got something to say about it!

*I was not compensated for this review in any way, no one asked me to do it, I just love the show and the music. If you use one of my links to buy something off Amazon, I do get a minuscule percentage and will be your friend forever.*

Menu Planning for Dummies

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:36:00 +0000

This was originally posted on Money Saving Mom.

Not too many months ago, I was spending $80 to $100 a week on groceries. For two people. I knew it wasn’t quite right, that I didn’t need to spend so much; yet, how would I get to cook the things I wanted if I tried to pennypinch? Wouldn’t we end up eating macaroni and cheese and cereal for every meal?

I read many blogs on saving money and using coupons, but I could not get it to click in my head very well. I thrived on trying new recipes, exciting and exotic meals from the pages of Cooking Light and Southern Living. I planned my meals, made out a list of ingredients I needed, and zipped off to the store each week.

Then, in October 2008, I had my first child. Suddenly the cost of daycare, pediatrician visits, diapers, wipes, and other baby paraphernalia was eating at our loosely planned budget. In January, once I was back at work and more in the swing of things, I decided it was time to tackle my grocery spending. I thought surely the two of us could eat for $40 a week if I were more careful.

It’s not been nearly as difficult as I imagined. Mostly I just flipped around my way of doing things: instead of choosing meals and then making my list, I make the list and then choose meals. First, I cut out the coupons from that week’s circular that I might use at some point. I flip back through my coupon box to remind myself what I have. Then, I scour the ads of my two local grocery stores to find the great deals for the week, and match up items for which I have coupons. [Now I often use Southern Savers to point me to great Publix deals and online coupon match-ups as well.]

After that, I use my list of items I can get for a steal to plan my menu. I’ve found that doing it this way, I can still make many meals from those magazines I love. Some of my recent favorites have been Gnocchi with Italian Sausage and Swiss Chard, Pork Tenderloin with Shallot-Cider Sauce, and Grilled Chicken Burritos with Jalapeno Sauce. I use healthy, whole ingredients to make our dinners—with an occasional side of frozen veggies or Rice-a-Roni.

I never thought I would be the kind of person to go through the grocery store with a calculator, but I do now, every week. I get everything on my list, then use any extra money I have for the week for unadvertised deals, manager’s specials, or treats for my husband.

Some weeks I still groan at the idea of laboring through the coupons and ads; but truly, it is just an hour of my time each Sunday while the baby naps, and it saves a great deal of money. Some day I would like to stay home with my daughter, and having these habits now is great practice for the future, when I might be on an ever tighter budget!

Right now my $40 budget is just for the week’s groceries, but I hope as I get more and more used to it I’ll be able to squeeze my household items in there as well.

Great Resources for Online Savings:

What's your menu planning method? Do you have a grocery budget? A favorite budget-friendly meal? I'd love to know!

Combating the Lazy

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:14:00 +0000

There are two things that never fail to surprise me--and yet they shouldn't.

One is that is never takes as long as I think it will to get my (itty bitty) house looking decent. About 25 minutes of sweeping, dishwashing, and counter-wiping later, it's good enough for a dinner guest to see tomorrow night! (And in case we have a showing, of course.)

Second is that being productive and active in one area spurs me on to be productive in other areas--especially in my Bible reading and quiet time with God.

I always think I just want to sit at my desk, floating around the Internet, wasting precious hours of my life. Ten minutes of activity and I feel exhilarated, happier, and more motivated in other things.

Perhaps the next time I'm on Twitter complaining of this or that, someone could remind me about this post!

The Tale of the Breaking Point

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:50:00 +0000

Well, this is it. I've reached the breaking point. I've taken a swan dive off the tippy-top of the cliff and am definitely in over my head.

I miss my husband. I miss real life, life before I had to leave for house showings, cook for one, and pretend I can do it all for other people's sake.

Should I be stronger, tougher than this? Should I suck it up, knowing I have it better than many. Should we rent? Keep waiting? ~~Accidentally set the house on fire and hope for a good insurance claim?~~ (REALLY KIDDING.)

I don't know. Only God knows. This past week I feel that I've not done much except seek His guidance on what to do next. No clear answers fill the night sky. I wait.

I'm sort of looking for a job without really wanting one. The practical thing, of course. Who can even find a job in this economy? And yet two days after I Tweeted, "I'm thinking about looking for a job in Chattanooga," I was scheduled for an interview. Nuts. Or God?

Things are spinning. I need to lose weight. When would I go to the gym? When should we have another baby? I need to lose weight first. And hey, where's that Halloween candy? I have all the five minuteses to myself that I need at night, but I can't get done what I need to do. I even started playing Farmville. Another speck of precious time sucked into the vortex.

And in my head plays the tune, "'Tis the gift to be simple. 'Tis the gift to be free."

Simplicity. It haunts me, lures me, dances around me, but I can't catch it.

I breathe a prayer. It's all I can do.

Photo from stock.xchng user eschu1952.

The Saga of the Costume

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Months ago, as soon as it hit the Internet, I fell in love with this bumblebee costume from Gymboree. (Just so you know, as much as I LOVE Gymboree, I am definitely not paid for any of those links. In case you were wondering.)

The problem? It was in the neighborhood of $35.

I usually spend about $5 for pieces of clothing for myself--if that--and $1-$3 for pieces of Libbie. I just didn't feel like I could justify spending over $30 for a Halloween costume Libbie would probably wear once or twice, be angry about wearing, and she would not even go trick-or-treating in. I honestly probably talked about it to five people because I am that insane. I was trying to find some way to justify it to myself, because darn it, I wanted her to have an outfit that I picked out for her first real Halloween.

[Last Halloween she was 4 days old, and I hadn't bought a costume because I wasn't sure I'd have a baby by then!]

I think I pretty much had it in my head that I was going to buy that costume one way or another. We can justify a lot in our heads.

And then we had that whole budget talk thing and realized that with a mortgage and a rent, we don't have a lot of expendable income. Dreams of a baby bumblebee fell to the wayside. In exchange for, oh, heat. And food. Things I think Libbie probably appreciates.

Then my sweet friend Steph brought me a pile of hand-me-downs from her daughter, Ella. And in that pile was a precious Minnie Mouse dress. It was perfectly sized for Libbie.

And although she was grumpy, tired, and had just had four shots that afternoon, she rocked it at our church's Fall Fest on Thursday night.

Maybe we'll try dressing up again tonight. Maybe we'll just enjoy the evening and chill instead.

I'm giving up on a perfect Halloween. Are you?

Libbie's Birthday Bash

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Since I couldn't convince Amanda to plan Libbie's party for me--although she did offer some great suggestions--I had to do it myself. (Truly, you'd want her to do yours, too! Check out the Snowflake Party, Snow White Party, and Asa's "Ace" Party!)

Because Libbie's birthday is October 27, I decided an "Our Little Pumpkin" theme would be cute and simple. I am sorry, but I was not about to hire a unicorn and have a bouncy house for a first birthday. A) I don't have that kind of budget and B) We'll save that for when she can remember it!

I started off with these cute invitations from Carrie's Kiddie Closet (which may have cost more than the rest of the party... but they were adorable!).

The only other thing I was stuck on was I wanted to carve a "1" into a pumpkin and have it on the front porch. And I did--well, my dad did! It was adorable. And I didn't take a picture of it! Argh. I got the idea from the comments on this post.

My mind usually goes to food first when planning anything. I knew there should be cake, of course. And pumpkin cookies, the "Vanderbilt" family recipe. For other foods, I decided on caramel apples and a veggie tray. I made the caramel apples from scratch with a recipe from Simply Recipes. They were NOT easy--especially considering I was really sick the night I was making them--but my mother-in-law declared the caramel a hundred times better than melting the store-bought caramels, so that made it worth it!

I also made the cake, which is a story in itself. I wanted to make Kate's Ridiculously Good Chocolate Cake. And I did. But it wouldn't come out of the pan it was so moist! I guess greasing with Pam was just not enough for that baby. It was SO good, but we had to eat it out of the pan, and that would not do for my baby's first birthday!

But I had seen a picture of this pumpkin cake at Kraft Foods, so I decided to go that route instead. I just made a yellow cake from the Betty Crocker Big Red Cookbook, dyed it orange, frosted it orange, and then frosted an ice-cream cone green and stuck it in the middle. I just kept repeating to myself, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!"

For activities, I decided to have one table where guests could make a Libbie's First Year scrapbook page. I had lots of fall papers, stickers, and such, and a stack of assorted pictures from the year. It was a hit among the ladies! I also had the mat of a frame where guests could write a blessing for Libbie. On the top, I wrote the verses from her dedication at church.

She definitely enjoyed the cake:

Libbie had fun, the guests had fun, and it didn't drive me too insane, so I would count it as a success! Thanks, everyone, for coming!

Mommy, Daddy, Auntie Roo, and Libbie with her new Plan Toy xylophone from Aunt Sharon!

Thanks for reading this monster post! Hope it will help give some ideas for other pumpkin/first birthdays!

((Oh, and her adorable Little Pumpkin outfit is from Gymboree's "Halloween Harvest" line in case you were wondering! Both pieces are on good sale right now, especially the pants.))

Wild and Crazy Birthday Party Weekend

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:23:00 +0000

All pictures taken by my lovely sister.

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

12 Days of Libbie: Day 12

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:34:00 +0000

10-26-09

Dear Libbie,

Last year at this time, I was in labor, probably being sent home from the hospital because I wasn't quite ready yet. It's hard to comprehend that it's been a year already.

You are still a baby and yet a little girl as well. You're fearless--climbing (and falling down) stairs, opening and closing everything, discovering every nook and cranny wherever we go.

At 12 months, you:
- stand on your own, take a few steps here and there, and move constantly
- eat a lot of fruit, bread, and cheese, despite my constant attempts to get you interested in other foods
- laugh constantly and love being tickled
- have 6 teeth (5 and 1 coming in)
- have huge blue eyes that people always comment on
- have a little mop of curly, dark blonde hair
- are a total Mama's girl
- are very easygoing and sweet, but also demanding and quite forceful!

All my life, I've wanted to be a mother. I don't have a huge career drive, although I love to write. A year ago, you fulfilled my dream. I never imagined how it would feel to have you look at me, grin, and tackle me for a hug. How your laugh would make me do wild things. How your true, heartbroken wail would shatter my heart. Being a mother--YOUR mother--is both difficult and wonderful, heartbreaking and joyful. I love you in a way so different than I have ever loved another human. It is awe-inspiring.

I prayed with you tonight and told God that now I understand a little more how much it must have hurt to send His Son to die. I can't imagine giving you up to any pain voluntarily, not for anyone. He loves us so much, Libbie. I pray you will know the amazing love of God more than anything else I wish or pray for you.

Love you always, Peanut.

Your Mama

_________________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

12 Days of Libbie: Day 11

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Please don't berate me for putting this picture on here.

It's just SO stinking cute. I LOVE baby booties. Why are they so cute? Mine, for example, is definitely not so cute.

Libbie learned to make quick work of taking her diaper off. Usually I'm pretty good at keeping at least bloomers or pants of some sort on her to avoid any poop-on-the-floor accidents.

I'm going to blame this one on Daddy leaving her in just her diaper, because, well, he's not here to tell otherwise.

I believe I was in the kitchen washing dishes after dinner when Little Miss crawls in, casually trailing her pink BumGenius behind her. It struck her daddy and me as really funny, especially when she pulled up and starting wiggling the booty up and down, dancing and laughing.

Girl, I'm not sure how I feel about you liking being naked so much.

But this was definitely better than the night she only half took off her diaper so that I couldn't tell it was undone and then PEED ON MY FLOOR.

She's a squirrely girl.

_____________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

12 Days of Libbie: Day 10

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I've been waiting for the right time to share this story, and this is it!

In the end of August, at the very end of Libbie's 10th month, we rented a UHaul and moved all of the furniture from our storage unit into our rental house in Chattanooga. One of my friends at work offered to drive the UHaul down for us since neither Mr. V nor I was comfortable doing it. So he and his wife were in the UHaul and we caravanned across the mountains.

We stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch and Libbie was seated in her high chair at the end of the table next to me and my coworker's wife, Cheryl.

After we got our food, we bowed our heads to pray. When we looked up, my child was gnawing on the piece of toast that had previously topped Cheryl's BLT. She snatched that thing right off while we were IN PRAYER.

Can't close your eyes for a second around Miss Libbie. She's a ravenous beast.

____________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

12 Days of Libbie: Day 9

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Dear Libbie,

I wish I could come up with a reason why I have very few pictures of your ninth month.

I think I will attribute it to the fact that you started crawling, and I was busy fetching you from various and sundry places.

The crawling, it's extraordinary! At first, so slow. And now you can get to the cupboard where our pots and pan are and have them all on the floor before I even realize you've moved.

It seems like we waited a long time for you to crawl. And, of course, now I miss the days of you being stuck in one place, unable to scare me by nearly falling down the stairs or pulling a coffee table book off the shelf and onto your head.

But there's something sweet about crawling and pulling up. You're so proud of yourself each time you pull yourself to a standing position, waving back and forth. You like to do a little dance sometimes, shaking your booty up and down while clinging to a chair. It's precious.

Have I distracted you from the no pictures thing? Please forgive your silly Mom. Just remember that we probably won't take any picture at all of your younger siblings!

____________

I'm feeling lazy today. MckLinky will return tomorrow if you'd like to link up a post!

Frugal Fashionista Style

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:30:00 +0000

I know I have my own carnival going on, but I've been waiting MONTHS to share some frugal style with you via Jen's "fashion show"!

This was my go-to summer outfit that I wore everywhere. I just LOVED the skirt. Although it was one size too big, wearing a longer top you couldn't tell at all. The skirt was $2 at Goodwill on half-price day! My Ralph Lauren tank top was also $2 the same day. My cardigan was on clearance at Lane Bryant and I picked it up for $5 brand-new! And although my shoes were not as inexpensive, I wore them and one other pair throughout my entire pregnancy and am still getting good wear out of them. That makes them a deal in my book! (And they were from Payless in the first place...)

(sorry the picture is so blurry)

When we were visiting the new house in Chattanooga for the first time, I eyed a small consignment store that looked promising. Not only did I find my $7 Vigoss jeans there, I got this lovely suede jacket for $5. (As well as some great gray work pants.)

Probably 75% of Libbie's clothes come from either thrift stores, consignment sales, or are hand-me-downs. This pink Liz Claiborne dress came with matching bloomers and was 75 cents at a small local thrift store. More frugalista baby fashion here.

Right now pretty much all of my clothes are from thrift stores, as I'm still carrying baby weight and my body is just different than it was pre-pregnancy. If you look hard enough, you can find some GREAT pieces. My #1 tip is search out thrift stores in upscale areas. Our local Franklin Goodwill is a goldmine, even for plus-sized girls like me!

Visiting Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for great frugal tips on all aspects of life!

12 Days of Libbie: Day 8

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Sweet Libbie,

Month 7 wedding, month 8 funeral.

But also a vacation.

On the trip over to Pigeon Forge, we learned the trick of feeding you snacks from the front seat to the back in order to keep you quiet those 15 extra minutes 'til we get there.

(Now when we do that, you sassily stretch your little arm out toward me for the next piece and get angry if it doesn't appear in your hand quickly.)

First pool experience. You loved it, obviously!

You continued (and still continue) to be a healthy, happy, hungry baby. I'll never forget the look on your face when you rode the pig ride at Dollywood. It was the first "big girl" moment: you, sitting alone in the seat (with Daddy behind you for safety, of course). Hanging on for dear life as the ride whipped around at the speed of Turtle Taking Its Time. A glimpse of those years ahead where you'll tell me "My do it, Mama!" (Only...I will try to teach you proper grammar, of course.)

At eight months you started to seem more little girl than baby. Assured of yourself. Full of sassy personality. It tears Mama's heart into pieces and yet is very satisfying, that my baby is a person.

It's all very perplexing, this motherhood thing.

I love you.

______________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

The 12 Days of Libbie: Day 7

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:18:00 +0000

In her seventh month, we took Libbie to her first wedding. Well, other than the one where she was inside my belly, a tiny thing of unknown sex that mostly equated lots of restroom breaks on our way to West Virginia last Spring.

She sat on laps in the back pew during the lovely, child-filled service uniting Mr. V's cousin to his bride. We had to leave just once, to nurse, during that time. We hid on the back stairs of the church and she happily sucked down her meal and returned joyfully to Grandma's arms for the remainder of the wedding.

During the reception, Libbie ate applesauce, bounced to the music, and fell asleep on my chest, exhausted by the festivities. It was a lovely wedding and a brand-new experience for both of us.

While things may be more complicated, everything is still better with a smiling baby involved.

___________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

A Working Parent Tip

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:38:00 +0000

These days, we're REALLY trying to save money due to the abysmal selling-our-house situation. So I try to take my lunch to work most every day.

In the mornings, however, I'm not only trying to get myself ready for work, but also getting my baby girl up, changed, dressed, fed, and packing her diaper bag for the day. She eats a LOT of little things so it takes me time to prepare all of those each day. In addition, she wears cloth diapers so if they aren't already folded and stuffed, it's another task I add to the morning routine.

(This single parenting during the week stinks! Not only do I have to get all our stuff ready, I have to make sure she's not trying to swim in the toilet or falling down the stairs.)

If there is not something I can easily grab for breakfast or lunch, I often give up and end up eating out for lunch at work.

So my number one solution to this has been to divide up leftovers in individual portions right after dinner. That way, I can easily grab a tupperware container on my way out the door in the morning and have a delicious lunch.

I keep them stacked at eye level in the refrigerator so I can see my selections and make a quick choice.

This tip helps me save money, eat healthier, and it works for me!
___

If you're visiting from Works for Me Wednesday, I have a fun little carnival going on called The 12 Days of Libbie. I'd love it if you'd link up a post you've written that loves on your kid(s)!

The 12 Days of Libbie: Day 6

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:05:00 +0000

Sometimes I feel like I barely recognize this little not-even-six-month version of my daughter.

I went in and peeked at her in her crib this morning. She looked so grow up in her two-piece pajamas, laying on her back, blanket thrown halfway over her stomach. Her pacifier had been long-forgotten in the night.

At six months, she was just starting to eat solids. Starting to sleep longer stretches again. Learning to love singing and playing with toys. Starting to sit up on her own.

It's amazing how fast the time flies, how quickly she advances in skills, how blurry everything in the last six months seems as we've encountered change after change after change.

That little baby who was trying to sit up is now attempting to walk, has an attitude the size of California, and will happily eat a whole grilled cheese sandwich.

It's wild, and I know it will only continue in this blurry fashion. I hold her tight, trying not to let the time go too quickly.

___________________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Posts

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Today Amanda listed her Top 10 most visited posts of all time. Well, I don't have data going back to all time, but mine does go back to March or so. Most of my most-visited posts, however, are recipes (and most of those because they are linked to Once a Month Mom). Mom's Enchiladas, Scalloped Corn, and Sloppy BBQ Chicken Pizza are the top contenders for most-visited recipes on this site.

So, instead of my real top 10 posts, I'm going with Top Ten Most-Visited Posts That Are Not Recipes. So there!

1. We Came, We Cooked, We Conquered

This really is my #1 post--undoubtedly because Meredith linked to it from Like Merchant Ships. It was a fun adventure!

2. A Little Bit About Me

Because I know everyone wants to see my scary snake picture! I really need to update my About Me page, but so much is transient right now I've kind of been waiting.

3. I Think This Officially Makes Me a Mommy Blogger

Without a doubt, MY favorite post ever. And perhaps my most honest.

4. Top Ten Tuesday: Baby Paraphernalia

This was for the very first Top Ten Tuesday! I had a four-month-old, which of course made me an expert on baby stuff. :)

5. Menu Plan Monday (The Last One?)

I honestly have no idea why this is a top post. I must have been at the top of the linky list at Org Junkie or something!!

6. The Case of the $8 Veggie Tray

Another Menu Plan Monday post; a case study on how I went over my grocery budget. Probably a top post because I get a lot of Google searches for "veggie tray."

7. Top Ten Birthday Gifts I Probably Won't Be Getting

Another Top Ten post! And much to my surprise, I did get quite a few of them due to the fact that my sister-in-law reads my blog and sent the list to my in-laws!

8. Dear Male Readers--Especially My Dad--And People I Work With, Please Don't Read This.

(Yeah. That's a little ironic, dontcha think?) Stephanie made me do it, is all I have to say about this.

9. Transitioning to Big-Girl Foods

A desperate plea for advice. Advice I still probably need, as I have a child who will happily subsist on fruit and bread.

10. Once-a-Month-Cooking Recipes: a Review

Pretty much exactly what it says it is!

So, there you go. Just in case you ever wondered. I still recommend more highly the posts in my "Popular Posts" section of the sidebar.

What's the most-visited post on your blog?

For more Top Ten Tuesday, visit OhAmanda.

The 12 Days of Libbie: Day 5

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:18:00 +0000

My sweet girl was not even five months old when she went on her first plane trip.

I was 16 when I was on a plane for the first time!

I guess in "this day and age" it's not that rare. Flights are less expensive, especially with airlines like Southwest.

By the time she was 5 months old she'd been to Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia, mostly as part of our Great American Christmas Roadtrip.

I hope, like her mom, Libbie will love to travel. There's so much out there to see. So much to experience in other cultures. I hope she will appreciate the accessibility we have to the rest of the world that many generations have not had. I also hope she recognizes the work of God's hands in the mountains of Montana, the waterfalls of Brazil, and the oceans of Thailand.

Like any parent, I want her to have everything I've had and more.

How far has your child traveled?

__________________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

The 12 Days of Libbie: Day 4

jessie@vanderbiltwife.com (VanderbiltWife) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Dear Libbie,

So much happened in your fourth month! Looking back through the pictures, I can tell you were a very busy baby.

You:

--had a week-long visit from Nana (AKA The Grand Spoiling)
--went to our triplet friends' first birthday party
--went with Mommy to BlissDom
--started wearing cloth diapers
--enjoyed visits from Mommy's work friends and supper club friends at our house

One thing I remember very vividly about that month, though, is that it's when we gave our dog, Chester, away.

I hope you'll understand this when you're older and begging us for a pet: we loved you more than we loved that dog. A lot more! {What my parents told me a lot when recalling the story of how Buttons the Dog tried to rip my ear off.} And there IS a reason we might never want a dog again.

Libbie, that dog woke up more than you did. And while he was very, very sweet with you, he did not care for the lack of attention from your Mom and Dad.

Honestly, sometimes I still wish for a pooch to cuddle--you don't enjoy cuddling much these days except before bed. But I think it was a wise decision for us. I'm guessing he is much happier with people who have a backyard and time to walk him and enjoy him.

So try to understand, honey, when you ask us about having a dog and we say NO. It's not because we don't love you. I promise. It's because we had one too many nights of getting up not only two or three times with you, but also four or five times with the dog; too many mornings of waking up to pee and poop on our nice kitchen floor; too much worrying about you stuffing dog hair in your mouth.

How about a nice goldfish?

Love,
Mommy

________

If you'd like to help celebrate Libbie's birthday, please write a post loving on your kid(s) and link to it here. You're welcome to use something you've already written, I just ask that you link back to my site. We all get so wrapped up in the everyday of parenting that I think it's important to remember the special moments. I'm excited to share these moments with you and to read yours! Code for the button is in the sidebar.