Couponing and deals

So many deals lately and here are some that are worth mentioning:

I got 4 24-pack of Coke products at CVS for #1.17. We have a mountain of these sodas in the garage. CVS also had a bunch of diabetes monitor deals this month. It was on sale for $9.99 and there was a manufacturer coupon making it free and CVS gives you $9.99 back. I basically made $70 in Extra Bucks on each card buying these monitors. I have a box full of them right now that I will try to sell at my neighborhood gargage sale in a couple of month or donate them. There is also at rebate on these monitors so I can make even more money off of them! CVS also had a $50 off coupon on thse monitors out. Usually the cashiers just adjust the coupon to the $9.99 sale price but some doesn't. One time I bought a monitor with some diapers and wipes for the kids. I gave the cashier the $50 coupon and it took off the entire amount. I had coupons and extra bucks out but didn't have to use any of them!!!

CVS had a great deal on Energizer coupons last month and I think I got over 20 packs of them. They were selling the 8-packs for $5.29 each, then they have a $5 off coupon. If you combine that with the $1 manfufacturer coupon then they are paying you to take these batteries already. On some weeks they give you $5 back if you buy $15 of these batteries so I was going crazy buying these batteries for a while.

CVS also had Valentine M&M candies for $3.49. They are B1G1 Free and you get $3 back making it $.49 for both bags. I got 20 bags of candies, as if I need anymore to go to my hips. I got Hieu 2 dark chocolate bags and he called me evil for doing so. He said he ate so much the day that I gave them to him. Too funny.

CVS just has too many good deals. They had some of their value packs on clearance which included the 20-pack of Cottonelle toilet paper. Of course they are hard to find but I devote one day during lunch to hunt for them. I mapped out all the CVS near my work and start hitting them. On the way I met a fellow couponer at every store and we just laughed and said how now we know we are not the only one doing this at lunch. I got 10 double-packs of q-tips that was on clearance for $2.49 and gives $2 back on each. I also found Dial 3-pack foam handwash for $1.25 and it gives $2 back also. I also got my Cottonelle that I was looking for...9 of them to be exact. They were on clearance for $4.99 with $2 back on each. I also had $.55 off coupon so that made the deal even sweeter. We had a hard time finding a place to put them all so Hieu was glad I couldn't find anymore..hehe. I gave 2 packs, some q-tips, and dial handwash to my parents.

I got 20 Electrasol tabs from Target for $0.40 each. I also got a cart full of toys when they clearanced it at 75% off. I bought a bunch for Ky-An's birthday and for other kid's upcoming birthdays.

Last week I got 6 bottles of shampoo, 6 bags of chocolate covered macadamian nuts, 12 Adidas deodorants at Walgreens for $3.21. The machine then printed $7 for use on my next order. What a pleasant surprise!

I bought some shelves from CVS with me excess Extra Bucks and we now have some new shelves in the garage. I move all the dishwashing liquid, Electrasol, extra Zip-locs and trash bags from the Pantry to there. Things were falling over each other in the pantry and it was driving me nuts. Now the pantry has plenty of room for more stuff..hahaha.

I also got a new set of coupons each week, bringing my total to about 7 or 8. I saw that my backyard neighbor subscribes to the newspaper so I left her a note attach to her newsletter one Sunday morning asking for her extra coupons. Turn out she doesn't even use them at all and promise to give them to me every week! Score!!!

Kroger has been having Kleenex anti-viral for $1. I have a $.40 off coupon and they double it so $.20 for each box of Kleenex. I got about 12 of them in the garage. Softsoap is also free at Krogers. They had it on sale for $1 and I have a $.35 off coupon that they triple. I also got some Birds Eye frozen corn and brocholli for free there. The only bad thing is that they only double/triple one like coupon at a time so I have to make several trips. Luckily Kroger's is right outside our neighborhood so Hieu goes there all the time. He even grab coupons that printed out and people left behind for me! He's coming around..hehe.

This past week I've been buying so many razors, Robitussin, and Chapsticks Natural at Walgreens. Robitussin was on sale for $3.99, I have a $3 off coupon making it $.99 and they give you $2 back. Hieu deplenishes my supply last time he was sick so I get to re-stock it again now. I think I got about 13 bottles and 6 Peditratric ones. Chapsticks Natural are included in the sale for $.99 cents each and they give you back $2. I have a stack of these now also. Fusions and Venus razors are free after coupon so I bought a bunch.

CVS has Huggies on sale last week also. If you buy $30, they give you $15 back. That's like 50% off all the products in addition to coupons you can use. I bought some diapers, zip-loc bags, and Viva paper towels. They are my favorite paper towels because they are so soft!

This week I am on the hunt for KY Jelly gift packs that's on clearance at Wal-Mart. They are clearanced for $2.25 and there's a bunch of $3 off coupons out. I think I have about 21 of those coupons. So far I hit 3 stores, got into arguments with 2 cashiers, an email to corporate, and a phone conversation with the manager to get 10 packs. Will I risk the trouble and hunt down some more? Probably, I do have 21 of these coupons. Will I use all of these KY Jelly? Not unless I take a bath in them. I don't even know why I am buying that much because it's not something that you can just hand out to people. Here mom, have some KY Jelly...here sis, can you use this? LOL. So why am I doing it? It's my hobby and I just love the thrill of the hunt and who doesn't like free stuff?!!!

Crying over spilled milk..literally!

Pumping is not going so great because I've been so busy at work that I don't get to pump as much as I should. I am sure stress and lack of sleep doesn't help either because my milk supply is decreasing. It's hard work and I am depress to see that I can't keep up with Ai-Vy's demand anymore.

Yesterday night I pumped for 20 minutes and manage to squeeze out 5 oz before bed. I put it in a little bottle on the kitchen counter to take it with me whenever I am ready to go to bed. I went upstair to take a shower, came back down and the bottle was gone! I panicked and looked for it all over the kitchen. I then remembered hearing Hieu washes the bottles and had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I asked him and sure enough, he dumped the whole bottle because thought it was formula. I was sooooo upset I started crying! I know other people may think it's silly but I think you moms can feel my pain. It's like liquid gold and it got dumped down the drains. I felt really bad because Ai-Vy is sick so I wanted her to have as much breast milk as she can hoping it will help her fight the illness. Then I felt sorry for myself because 20 minutes of pumping is wasted. Poor Hieu was upset because I was crying. I wasn't upset at him, I was just mad about the whole situation. I guess there is no point crying over spilled milk but it sure does feel good to get it out of your system. :)

Ai-Vy's 4 months checkup and Ky-An's 2 year's

Things has been crazy busy at work. I just hosted a two-day training at work last week for the new Content Management system we are using so I was busy getting the training material together and creating a manual. It's basically me supporting over 100 staff at work and developing websites. It's so tiring when you are busy at work and at home. It feels like you have 2 full-time jobs and it leaves me stressed out most days. The only time I can relax is when I am holding Ai-Vy or playing with Ky-An. I force myself to slow down and enjoy the rare time with my kids during those times. I refuse to let work ruin the small amount of quality time I have with them.

Everyone is doing well. They both have a cold right now but they are very good about it. Ky-An just had his 2 years checkup and Ai-Vy had her 4 months. They both did very well on their shots. Ky-An got one and Ai-Vy had 3..poor thing. Ky-An cried only a little bit and Ai-Vy was good until her third shot. Poor thing just can't take it anymore. Hieu had to come to the doctor's visit to help me to handle both kids. Ky-An is now 30lbs 12 oz (75%) and 35" (75%) tall. For fun, the doctor double his height and said he'll probably be about 5'10 when he grows up. Hieu and I are happy if he gets to be that tall because Hieu is only 5'8.

Ai-Vy is 16lbs 12 oz (95%) and 25.5" (90%) long. She is still trying to catch up to big brother because he's at 19 pounds at this point. Ai-Vy drinks 7 7-oz bottles per day and I only pump about 5 bottles maximum. I have to supplement formula for her at night. She's been waking up about once a night to drink her milk. Sometimes she won't go back to sleep right away and I'd have to be up with her but most nights she's really good. Most days she come home tired and sleeping so we don't get to spend much time playing with her.

Ky-An:

• Today as I put him in the carseat, I bumped my head on the dvd player. I pretend it hurt and starts pouting going "ow, owie". Ky-An looked at me, smile and asked "you okay". I smiled and said yes still rubbing my head. He grabbed my hand and give it a kiss. If I was really hurt, it would've melt all the pain away. :)
  
• He just learned how to kiss with the kissing noise and loves doing it.
  
• He is so affectionate with his little sister. He would get so happy whenever he sees her and he'll touch her and kisses her. It's very sweet to see. Last night Hieu put Ai-Vy next to him on the bed. He picked her up and Ky-An goes "em dau rui?" meaning where is little sis?
  
• Mobility-wise, he can jump and walk backward.
  
  
• He can feed himself and loves doing it. However, he 's a very picky eater lately. He will mostly only eat meat and soup such as Pho.
  
  
• He can drink from a cup like a big boy.
  
  
• He can sing the ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Row Row Row Your Boat.
  


• He can recognize shapes such as "sfare", "cir-kle", and "tri-ingle"
  
  
• He can recognize colors such as "oh-range", "wred", "yeah-low", "purple", and "gr-win".
  


• He can count 1-10 in English and Vietnamese..
  


• He can now put words together to form short sentences.
  
• His new obsession now is Thomas the Train and would be a zombie whenever we turn the dvd on for him.
  

Ai-Vy

• She likes to sit and if you lay her down, you'll keep hearing grunts of her picking up her head and try to sit up.
  
  
• She can recognize my voice and gets really happy whenever she sees me. Very cute.
  
  
• She is teething so she'll gnaw on anything, especially her chubby hands.
  
  
• She can be in the exersaucer now and would actually reach out to grab toys.
  
  
• She is just now discovering her feet.
  


• She is still a very difficult feeder and sleeper. I will have to give her the pacifier and swing/bounce her until she calms down. Then I yank out the pacifier really quick and replace it with the bottle. Only then will she settle down to go to sleep. I have to do it quickly like a magic trick or she'll have a tantrum.

Happy Birthday to Ky-An!!!

Dear Ky-An,

Happy birthday my sweet little boy. I can't believe you are two already! Time has flown by so fast and it has been such a joy the last two years. My heart jump with happiness whenever I see you smile. I just love cuddling up with you each night and sing you to sleep. Every night before I go to bed, I just lay there watching you sleep peacefully. I am so bless to have such a sweet son who is so affectionate and listens to his parents. You are such a great sharer and I am so proud whenever you share toys and food with your little friends. You are so loving towards your little sister, cousins, and family. No wonder everyone just adores you to death.

This past year you never cease to amaze me of all the things you accomplished and how quickly you learn things. Your vocabulary grew rapidly as well as your mobility. Last year you couldn't even walk yet and this year you are already jumping, running, and walking backward. Everyone just loves your galloping run and how you concentrate so hard before you jump. You just bring laughter to everyone who is around you. Your dad and I just love hearing you talk and how you try to communicate with us. I respect that you are your own little person now and always try to acknowledge your emotions when you are upset. I think that helps tone down your tantrums and I don't see much of the terrible twos everyone is talking about.

I cherish all the time I get to spend with you, how little it may be now that your sister is here. I love watching you sing to your Little Einstein show. I love our little ritual every morning where I go to the study to pump and you sat on your dad's computer to watch Little Einsteins. It's the only thing that gets me up from an exhausting night with your sister. I love coming home to your little excited face running up and hug me tight. Just seeing that face melts all my exhaustion from work away.

I am just so so proud of how you handle mom and dad bringing Ai-Vy home. You rarely show any jealousy towards your sister even though I rarely see you the first few months. You just whine for me but never turn your frustration on your sister and I am so grateful for that. Even when I am holding your sister and you wanted me to hold you, you just come up and hug my leg or turn to daddy but never push your baby sister out of the way. You are truly a blessing.

You are so sweet sometimes that I worry other kids bullying you. Whenever we have cousins over or go somewhere, you always patiently wait for your turn on the toys. Even if other kids are not good sharer, you just stand by to watch and wait until they are done so you can play. Seeing you so kind like that really tugs at my heart. I really have to refrain myself from intervening so you learn to fight your own battles. Last week when we were at the Children's Museum and you try to climb into the pit with another child, he screamed "NO" and you quickly climbed back out. You then just stood outside and wait for him to be done without causing a scene. I saw that and I was so sad but proud at the same time. I wanted to run over and give you a huge hug and tell that boy to be a good sharer but you seem okay so I just let it go.

I wish that you will continue to be a happy, curious little boy who listens to mom and dad. I hope this next year will be more fun for your than the last and you get as many hugs and kisess from mom and dad as you want...and toys of course. :) Happy birthday sweetheart. I love you so much!

Your mom

Happy Birthday to me!

This year's birthday is a no frills one and I don't feel like it's a big deal at all. Our life is too chaotic and I can't go out with my friends leaving Hieu alone at home with the kids. Hieu is still too sick to do anything special for me and we all know he would've done plenty. He did manage to go out during lunch to get me some flowers so it's very sweet of him. He ordered a nice pendant for me with our three kids' birthstones. It's beautiful and I love it.

My little sister came home in the weekend and we tried to go to this new Chinese restaurant but the wait was too long and they sat other people in front of us. On top of that, we see that even the people who were seate received no service so we decided to leave. I am glad we did because we went to a Korean buffet place and it was yummy. Hieu's mom and sister is so sweet. Not only did they call me to wish me a happy birthday, the sent presents beforehand. I am really touched.

I was disappointed when my parents and my other sister didn't call me at all nor any mention of my birthday. I was sad that my in-laws remember but my own family didn't. I mentioned this to my oldest sister telling her how upset I was. Of course she called my parents and let them know. They called me immediately afterward apologizing and said they mixed up the date and thought it was on the 16th. They really felt bad about it so I felt better. If they had been passe about the whole thing then I would have been more upset. All I want is a little "Happy Birthday" wish. :)

Hieu is sick...

Hieu's been sick since Christmas. :( He has a throat infection and the doctor told him to try and stay away from the kids so I've been doing everything. It was tough yesterday trying to put them to bed and I wasn't successful. I come straight home from work,say hi to KA, then bath AV while KA "help" me. Then I took KA outside to give him his milk and try to put AV to sleep. She was too tired that she was fighting it so I just set her down while I give KA a bath. By the time KA is done with his bath, AV is really tired and wants to go to sleep. I put them both in the bed with me and sing to them while KA drink his milk. AV's eyes already close but because I keep turning back and forth she became alert and starts singing along with me. So I got up to try and put AV to sleep and KA became alert because I got up. He keep on talking and running all over the bed and I had to chase him around. Of course when I do that while holding AV, she can't sleep and starts getting mad. Poor thing was so tired but I can't put her to sleep until KA goes to sleep first. I had to put her outside with Hieu while I put KA to sleep. After he's asleep then I put AV to bed.

I ate dinner for a little bit, wash dishes, pump, shower, and wash bottle. I then have to pick out clothes for the kids and I for the next morning. By that time it's almost 11 and time for me to get ready for bed and finally catch a little break. I sleep for about 4 hours when AV wakes up for her feeding and then 1 more hour before I have to get up to get ready and the day starts all over again. I am so tired and I am not sure how long I can keep this up.