My money saving secret of the day! Ebates and Sunshine Rewards!

Today Burke is napping (yay!) and I thought I would share my money saving secrets!

Good luck saving! :)

Somebody asked me about ebates today and I thought I'd share with you guys.  I know its silly, but I thought most everyone knew about it!  It's a way to shop online and get a percentage of your purchase back.  Basically, you just have to shop "through" their site and then you get a percentage back.  Each store is a different percentage and they have TONS of stores (including ebay!).  It's an easy way to save money.  You can get paid through paypal (which is what I do) or you can get a check.  I don't go out of my way to spend money, but if I am buying something anyway, it's a good way to get something back!  I've already gotten over $50 over a few months! I really like ebates a lot.  Its super easy and they even have coupon codes for various stores, so you can save extra money.  Click here to sign up!

Sunshine rewards is another site you can use also.  I like ebates better, but sunshine sometimes has stores that ebates doesn't.  I actually started out with Sunshine rewards a couple years ago and probably have gotten over $300 in gift cards (disney gift cards for me!).  I haven't used it much lately because I discovered ebates, but its great too!  It's better for earning gift cards though.  I usually look to see which has a better payback percentage and shop through that site (usually its ebates) . You can click here to find out more or sign up!

Ask if you have a question!  These are my money saving secrets for today!

FINALLY PICTURES!

I've been totally slacking on my duties lately as a mother/wife/photographer/blogger/employee/sitter... Okay.. maybe I've just been to busy to blog?!? I wish I could say I was sitting around watching the Olympics all week, but have basically been working and working and working some more.. Today was the first night in a week(!?) that I have been home to put Burke to bed!  Tomorrow we go in for our booster vaccines (flu) and weight check.. Let's hope the little guy has gained some weight!  Well, here are some pics of our last couple of days!

We found a biter biscuit (baby mums - only can be found at walmart) that Burke can eat and not choke on!  And he absolutely loves them!  Its a great snack to give Burke while Brian and I eat dinner.  I really want to have family dinner time each night, so I'm hoping this will help Burke learn we eat together (yes, I know he's 7 months old.. but habits are formed early!)..

I wish we could get Burke to stay on his belly for more than half a second.. his truck does help distract him for a few seconds sometimes!

At work the kids love Burke!  They were all trying to make Burke laugh by making funny faces... so cute :)

How can you not love that face?? Bath time with daddy is always fun!  Tonight the boys decided to wear some new hats!

The best part about bath time is when we let Burke play with the mirror... He is so intrigued.

Daddy found that Burke loves playing with the dresser knob..

Is tomorrow really monday?

Susan had a facebook status talking about tomorrow being Monday and I really thought.. wow? Is it really?  Needless to say it was another busy weekend.  Unfortunately I don't have any new photos, I'll have to get on that this week, but we were busy.  I spent Friday babysitting.. Saturday working at the club and babysitting overnight.  It was the first time Burke and Brian stayed home alone overnight.  I have to say, it was probably the first time in months that I have slept for a straight 6.5+ hours.. (random 4:30 wake up)  but I was still tired today?  I debated for a couple of days what to do, but decided it would be best for Burke to stay on schedule than to be with me (not that I don't completely trust Brian, but Burke still eats about 3 am-after 8 hours of sleep).  Tonight will basically be a daddy/son night too, as Ryan won't get home til close to 4am (Hokies play Duke at 8pm 2.5 hour game and then the team bus will roll in 5ish hours later?).  I sure hope we win!!

We did get to spend the afternoon at Alex's Birthday Party.  Burke was good and enjoyed it, although he was exhausted since he didn't nap for more than 20 minutes today!  Linda always plans great parties, so we ate a ton and watched the very organized activities for kids.. I can't wait til Burke is old enough to participate!

We hope you had a relaxing weekend!

Our First Valentine's Day!

Another busy weekend for us... since it was Valentine's weekend I had to work each day/night at the club.  Burke and Daddy got to spend lots of time together this weekend! 

Saturday we went over to Chad's (and Ashley's) for a chicken roast.. It was a great time!  They had quite a set-up!  I wish I had taken my camera to the pit to show you how it was all done.. but imagine a pig roast, but with 20 chickens instead!  It was probably the BEST chicken I have EVER had!  It was also great to meet new people.  Burke was the hit of the party.. He's just too cute.. We had a great time and so glad we went.. That night I headed in to work and Brian and Burke hung out..

Sunday (Valentine's Day), I headed into work for the Valentine's Day Brunch.  It was a great success and lots of fun.  Our first one ever and it was sold out!  When I got back, Brian showered me with lots of junk food and a couple of gift cards.  And the best part was he took Burke with him shopping!  Burke got lots of goodies for V. Day!

Yes - those are halloween PJs.. is it my fault he was a half pint and I bought them before he was born ? :)

Burke got his first V. Day gift from us last week, but enjoyed a new car and some gifts from the Vaughts! They are too good to us! 

That night we met up with Brian's brother and SIL for dinner at Cracker Barrell on their way through town.  It was great to catch up and spend some time together.  Burke had his first experience in a highchair out.. He loved it!  I just recommend Cracker barrell get better seats, so babies don't slide out :)  Burke also had his first biting biscuit.. but that got cut short when he bit off more than he could chew (literally!). It was a great night and great to catch up!

Aunt Kelly and Burke

Uncle Dave and Burke

A fun night! GO TEAM GO!

So this pacifier totally cracks me up.  Thanks Meredith!  If only we had it during football season!

The kids have been out of school all week for the weather/road conditions, so we've had extras at the club.  It's been nice to have new faces and offer the services to the parents (i totally understand needing a break!)... but some days its totally crazy and thus Burke won't nap, which means a very cranky baby! 

So tonight we decided to go out to cheer on some friends playing rec volleyball and had a fun time.  I had trouble getting any good pictures, but it was a good time.  AND they won!  But the best part is, we went to cheer on our friends who mostly work with me.. and they were playing against brian's work friends!!  Small world :) Burke was soo good, especially being how late it was (he is usually in bed by 7:30!) and was yelling and smiling.. so cute :)

a LONG day!

Burke loves bath time with daddy!!

We had a VERY LONG day today! We had more snow of course, so no work.. Burke and I were playing this morning when out of nowhere he started crying.. a poor pathetic cry.. I was like.. huh what's up?? Then I was hugging him and felt him pushing.. yes, my baby was constipated!  which made for a very long day.  I made Brian get out of bed and go straight to the store for prunes and juice.. Well Burke loves prunes.. not so much the juice!  We were able to practice with the sippy cup.. Although he was having trouble, so I went and got a different kind to give it a try and BINGO!  He knows how to drink from a sippy cup (well sort of)!.. but it ended up being a long day.. Burke is usually so happy and today it was probably good we didn't have work b/c he was miserable!  I don't think he was in pain all day, simply not acting like himself, not napping, etc.. LONG DAY! but he's so dag on cute, how can I really complain?

V. Day a little early and a Sippy Cup!..

So we decided Burke needed a mat, since his rolling over and sitting/toppling over isn't very comfy on hardwood floors.. So Sunday I went on a mission to find a good (fun/colorful!) mat for Burke.. and with a coupon, found a great deal!!  So he got his Valentine's Day present a little early this year! 

Sorry I don't know how to turn it? You will notice, I made Brian spell Burke's name with the letters :)

The Richardson's (THANKS NR!) went to Disney World and sent Burke a shirt.. I of course was thrilled and put it immediately on him!!  (and its big, so he will be able to wear it lots!!!)

Tonight we also decided to let Burke try out a sippy cup for the first time.. He immediately put it to his mouth, but wasn't sure about how to get the water out!  He just wanted to bite it.. Fun to watch though!

Trying hard!

And yes in case you haven't heard.. We're supposed to get more snow tomorrow.. but only 4-6 inches, so that's nothing ;)

7 months old!!

Our baby is 7 months old today! Hard to believe!

- He's weighing in at 13 lbs 11 oz and 26 3/4 in.. too skinny according to the doctor.. but he eats plenty!
- Is wearing size 2 diapers and still 3-6 months clothes, but they actually fit now :)
- Has now eaten all the different fruits and veggies.. Eats anything we give him, but enjoys fruits much more than the veggies.. and not a fan of spinach...
- Eats two solid meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
- Is a master of rolling both ways
- Is sitting all by himself for long periods of time
- Is so happy most of  the time!
- Is "trying" to crawl.. kicks his feet when a toy is out of reach to try and get it
- Takes a good hour nap in the morning and 2 hour nap in the afternoon..
- Sleeps for 6-8 hours at night.. we still have to let him fuss after about 4 hours, but he goes back to sleep
- Has mastered the art of putting his own pacifier (aka the plug) in the right way!

he's too cute!

This is the project we started when Burke was 1 month old.. We just bought a giant canvas and make feet print each month..We want to watch his feet grow over the first two years.. It's hard to get good steady prints each time.. Hopefully we'll get better over time and/or before the next baby!

We love Snow! and Burke is 7 months old!!

Ok not really loving snow.. But since we live in Blacksburg and have gotten about 40+ inches so far this year, we are somewhat getting used to it.. Friday morning snow started early and everything was closed by 5AM, even VT (which is saying a lot!).  We spent the day inside and got lots done.. Okay, well some stuff done.. I finally took the time to organize the office and clean out the filing cabinet and got all of our tax stuff together!  Laundry, cooking, cleaning, I would say a pretty successful day.  But that being said, we were definitely itching to get out today!

Burke loves computers as much as his daddy.. and is obsessed with the keyboard, luckily we have an extra!

Burke was working hard, while mommy and daddy were cleaning the office :)

We were so itching to get out today, I made Brian get up (at 10am) and start digging us out.. It took a long while since we were pretty deep in!  But after all the hard work, Brian had worked up on appetite, so we headed out for lunch.  We enjoyed a quiet lunch at BW3s (since no one else was there!).  And then headed to Kroger to get groceries, since we hadn't been in weeks and I was going through diet coke withdrawl.  I do have to brag.. I saved $100 at Kroger today with coupons and my plus card.  The guy behind us, even looked at us and said, "wow, i like that.. i really like that!"  I love hearing people recognize my hard work ;)  and not being annoyed at all my coupons!  We then headed home and unloaded.. I decided to spend the afternoon alone out shopping and left the boys to bond over video games. Dave came over and evidently allowed Burke to skip his nap (Brian laid him down and Dave went and picked him back up!).  I went to Target and stocked up on some good deals.. where I saved $108 with coupons!!!  What a GREAT shopping day!  Although, I do save more when I don't go out at all :)  now we are hanging out doing nothing again :)  All and all a good day! 

Burke is 7 months old today!  I can't believe it.. I'll post his milestone post once we take pictures tonight! Happy Birthday little man!                

I'm not too sure he likes it :)

Brian digging us out! Yes, that's our car behind him (the one you can't see!)...

REALLY?!? MORE snow??

So I read today that Blacksburg has gotten more snow than Vancouver (yes - the WINTER Olympics is there in a week!), Denver Colorado, and Anchorage Alaska.. SERIOUSLY!! They are calling for more this weekend.  I have heard anything from 6-24 inches and 1/2 in of ice.  Brian is hoping it happens tonight, so he can have a snow day tomorrow.  Since all of the schools are already closed, it looks like we are going to get something! Years ago a great friend and professor of mine, asked us to move to Penn State with her, we said NO WAY! it's too cold and way too much snow (and no Hokie football)! But I think we may have been better off (and we do miss the Richardson's very much!)!  I have said many times, I despise snow.. and I will say it again.. I HATE SNOW!  I use to love missing school, but that's about it.. And now that I'm an adult, it just causes me problems! As someone said yesterday "I thought Virginia was in the South?!" .. So we have a new plan.. Win the lottery and move to Southern Florida for the winter :)

On another note, we are doing great.  Brian and I are staying busy and Burke is feeling much better!  I've been housesitting this week, so have been without the camera, but will get you the snow pictures from last weekend this weekend!  I'm sorry! I hate reading blogs without pictures :) Plus I know all of you just want to see Burke anyway :)