Recession Fashion

So my intent for this blog was for it to be an outlet of sorts, for anything I felt like spouting out, yet the primary focus has been (and expectedly so) my little man. So - in an effort to get some variety in here - my Owen posts will be mixed with those including other little tidbits. And what better way to start than a post on shopping!!

Recently, the writer of a blog I love to read has challenged her readers to put out a post on tips to save $$$ and still look cute...I love a challenge (and love to shop) so here you go...

The biggest strategy for bargain shopping is to head straight for the clearance racks – if I know where I’m headed once I get somewhere, there is less of an opportunity for me to stray and purchase something *gasp/wince* at full price. It's amazing the deals you can find when you’re persistent and patient.

Among my favorite spots to bargain shop: TJ Maxx, Younkers, and Kohl’s. Other spots I've had some luck are Chico’s (they do 50% off already reduced items frequently), Maurice’s (I recently hit a random sale where select regular priced items were 75% off), and even WalMart has some fun finds – love their George line.

Here’s a shopping excursion in the life of me: while perusing a bargain blog - I found a coupon for 30% off at GAP and Old Navy, so I decided to head to Old Navy on my lunch hour today where I picked up the following:

• Lightweight cardigan for the spring
• PJs for O that say “Midnight Monster” – how appropriate
• Cute little striped socks for O

And the following for my ‘gift bin’ (which is a bin of deals I just couldn’t pass up – but for which I didn’t have a recipient in mind – I keep these things on hand for ‘future use’)

• Pair of Christmas baby socks
• Three pack of adorable baby socks
• Sweet little baby soft soled shoes with reindeer

Grand total – 19.97

Other than shopping strategies, my tips for dressing on a dime are: stick to basics for bottoms (think brown, black, grey pants and or skirts) and go for the fun in your tops which you can mix and match with different bottoms. Cheap jewelry (which you can find @ Claires, WalMart, Maurices, etc) also helps make something plain look fun! I also recently fell in love with scarves...The Bridge in downtown Holland has TONS of fun ones - and are anywhere between $10-15!

Bottom line, is be creative, think outside the box! And have FUN! :)

Little Man Update

Lots to report on the development of my little man!

His new point of pride (and mom's too) is that he has learned how to wave - at first it was more of an accidental thing - and starting around the last week in Feb he does it intentionally - he will wave at anyone who is around him and smiles so proudly as he does it - he even waves at the babies in his Baby Einstein video! Here he is, waving (just a little in this clip - I've really got to get a cute waving session on film) and also screaming at the cat (see below for details on his love for the cat) - notice how he tries to wave while he's screaming but he's just so excited, he can barely do it (so cute!)...



Mobility-wise, Owen has no interest in crawling or even rolling over for that matter - I think he'll be the type of kid who bypasses the crawling stage and just takes off walking! He's already started to pull himself up to standing. While he's sitting on my lap, he'll grab on to the exersaucer and just stand right up!

His newest discovery is the cat! Usually he screams (a gleeful scream) when he first sees her and then continues to scream like a mad man until she leaves his line of vision. When she comes near him, he loves to try to grab her tail - here's a video that showcases his love for her (and her subsequent fear of him)...



Don't worry - he was fine - I think it scared me more than it did him (if you couldn't tell by my shrill scream). (btw, the wonderulf background noise you hear is my friend Mr. Milker)

Verbally, Owen has moved on from the gremlin laugh and has begun to growl...yes, growl. On Thursday, at daycare, he was gobbling up his sweet potatoes and cereal (because he was STARVING, that boy is wasting away to nothing at a hefty 21 lbs!) and a little girl in his room came walking/crawling near him and he growled at her! Wow, quite the territorial little bugger! But he also uses this new-found vocal ability to show excitement as well! I really need to capture the growling on film - it really is something - everyone at daycare gets such a kick out of it!

Stay tuned for the 8 month photo shot - yeah, that's right, he's 8 months old already!!

In the meantime, here are a few pics to tide you over!

Happy Anniversary...

...to us!

This past Saturday, Feb 28, was our FIVE year anniversary!! I can't believe how fast time has gone by!!

Last year at this time I was about 22 weeks pg...




...and this year we have an 7 month old!! its crazy how time changes things!





To celebrate the occassion - Scott and I decided to go on an excursion. Grandma came over to watch little man and we headed out. We decided to go shopping in Michigan City - the best deal of the day was a 19 cent little visor hat for Owen at Children's place - I mean when can you pay for something with a quarter and get change back? Its a super cute blue plaid - and he can even wear it over his helmet!! :)

After shopping we headed over to Blue Chip to do some gambling - we didn't come out big winners, but had a great time nonetheless.

It was good to get away and spend some time together! I love my hubby!

I'm lazy so this will be a picture post...(You'll notice no helmet in the pics - Owen got an awful rash - poor little guy! So we're keeping the helmet off until the rash is totally cleared up...it's doing much much better and we're starting him back in his helmet tonight)...

Owen is getting too small for his 'baby' towels, so we got him a cute monkey towel a couple of weeks ago...here's dad trying it out and goin to get Owen w/ it on...

All cozy after his bath...


First chomper!

Riding on his car...


Braving the weather for some much needed fresh air!!

Hugs...

Owen's new form of communication...

How Romantical

Ok so its official - we're awesome! We celebrated Valentine's day in style at none other than the Dutch wonderland of Russ'!

I will say, we did have a rather enjoyable evening and Russ' really did hit the spot (and with some snowcap pie to take home for later, how can you complain?!)

Granmuffin came over around 5 or so to hang out with Owen...



and Scott and I headed out on the town, we thought we would head over to Jude 3 to grab the new Third Day cd and check out the store, if you haven't been there, its a really neat store, and I'd recommend checking it out - they even have a cafe! mmmm, coffee!

After that we went to Hobby Lobby to stock up on all of our hobby needs (have a fun painting project for Owen in mind, will post later on that one!)...Then we headed over to Target. Once our shopping was done, we were HUNGRY, but every single place that sounded even remotely apetizing was standing room only, so we ended up at Russ' which suprisingly at 715 was quite busy, Scott and I couldn't help but comment about how we would have thought all the blue hairs would be fast asleep by that hour, but no...they were out and about at that hour! The blue hairs in the waiting room kept getting up to check their status on the sign in list, even though they had only been waiting for like five minutes. quite humorous!

We got home around 9 and it was good to get out and enjoy some time together (I feel like we never even see each other anymore!)

Oh, I can't forget to mention, my hubby also was super sweet and got me a nice card and a necklace for v-day! Little O got me a Willow figurine of mommy and baby....AND scott also MADE me a v-day gift, it was a joke gift, and oh so funny...has anyone seen this commercial?



well, here's nannerpus himself (isn't scott quite the artist, the little flag says "happy valentines day. love, nannerpus")...



Also, I just published a post that I started earlier this week with seven month pics of Owen w/ his froggy buddy - it will show up below the video of Owen that is right after this post ...

Bouncin Baby Boy

Our happy little guy has discovered he loves his Johnny Jump Up (previously he was NOT a fan)...

Seven Months

It's hard to believe, but Owen is seven months old already, seems like I was just doing the post for six months!!

Here he is with froggy buddy...



Pullin some faces...





Gettin so big..standing on his own...



Nice hat, er...hats (his helmet is underneath)...



Seems we've been so busy lately, but I'm not sure with what! Time just flies by so fast!!

Weather this week was great, so we took advantage of it one night after work and Scott was waiting for us in the driveway when we pulled in and we left right away for our walk - it was great to get some exercise and some fresh air! (though he doesn't look so enthused in the pic, Mr Murph did LOVE his walk!)...