Friday, June 29, 2012

Work in Progress: Digital To-Do Lists

Like many of you, I love a good to-do list! I like a visual representation of what I need to complete. Now that I'm on leave, I also like a list to help me be productive during this critical (QUIET) pre-baby time! Finally, I love to cross items off my list.

However, I'm working towards using digital resources to manage my daily tasks. This is keeping in line with my previous post on Digital Home Management. This week, I tried using the spreadsheet function within Google Drive. It has worked well so far. I love that I can color code my tasks by type. I also love that I can insert links within the spreadsheet! Here is a glimpse of my list!



Instead of crossing items off my list, I change the color. So far, it feels just as satisfying!

How do you keep your to-do lists?

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

37 weeks!

I officially started maternity leave on Monday! It's nice to have this time to finalize stuff around the house, seeing friends and family before I'm on lockdown (haha) and just kicking my feet up.

Here is a picture of me at 37 weeks!


Monday, June 25, 2012

Work in Progress: Digital Home Management

I have been kicking around the idea of making our own family home management notebook. The gals of Twitter have been very helpful in sharing their tips and notebook examples. While I LOVE paper, I wasn't sure that a paper and pen version would work the best for our family.

I started researching online home management systems. I found this particular blog helpful. I searched for templates on Google Docs, but didn't find anything that thrilled me.

Then I started to get overwhelmed. Breathe, N, breathe!

So I started slow. J and I both use Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive. I have created the following so far:

Family Calendar - I have this shared with J on Google Calendar. So far, I've put all of Truffle's appointments and flea medicine reminders on the calendar. His reminders are color coded in green. I've put in my remaining doctor's appointments and color coded those in blue. I anticipate putting Jack's appointments, Birthdays, and other important events on this calendar.

Truffle Information - This is shared via Google Drive. I typed up a control document with the following information on our favorite pooch:

  • Microchip Information
  • Feeding Schedule (including food portions, brands and where to buy, acceptable treats, unacceptable food)
  • Bathroom Schedule 
  • Medicine Information (Preventative)
  • Truffle Quirks
  • Favorite Toys
  • Vet information
Truffle Medical Records - This is shared via Google Drive.  I used Google Docs' Spreadsheet to list the last dates of Truffle's shots, visits etc. I also included the anticipated next dates for any medical needs. Our Vet's office provides this listing every time we visit, so the information was readily available.

Medical Contact Information  - This is shared via Google Drive. I used Google Docs' Spreadsheet to list the following information on our doctors:

  • Name
  • Practice Name
  • Speciality
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Special Notes
  • Website link (embedded in spreadsheet to enable us to click links)
That's all I have for now. There is so much more to add, including cleaning schedule, meal plans (a challenge as J does all the cooking), pantry/supply inventory, and (of course) Jack information!

It remains to be seen if an online management system will work best for us in the long term. However, I look forward to seeing how it works out! Hopefully, I'll be able to post some pros and cons of online management after a few months of using.

Do you have a home management notebook or binder? I'd love to hear your tips on information you think I should have available!


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

CVS Baby Supply Sale

You'd think I wouldn't head over to my local CVS any time soon since my last great spree just a day or so ago. However, I got wind of the Baby Supply Sale and had to check it out. Items were anywhere from 50% to 75% off. Here's what I got!


5 MAM 2 packs of Pacifiers - Reg. $5.99, on sale for $1.49 each (75% off)
3 Nuk Pacifier holders - Reg. $5.49, on sale for $1.37 each (75% off)
1 box Boudreaux's Butt Paste - Reg $6.29, on sale for $1.57 (75% off)
1 5 ct. Munchkin bowls - Reg $5.99, on sale $2.99 (50% off)

There were plenty of diapers on sale also. However, since we don't know what brand will work best, I decided not to purchase any.

What do I plan to do with all this stuff? We're keeping one of the paci holders, 2 packs of the paci's and the butt paste. The rest is being sent to my cousins in the Philippines who are having their own babies.

Love that I could save even without coupons!!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A whale of a post

It is no secret that I adore whales. I really can't tell you what started it all. However, if you ask my sister, she'll say it started back in 2004 when I won a whale stuffed animal at work. Perhaps. Regardless of the origin, whales are darn cute, yes?

My friends indulge me in my love of whales. How so? Just check out some the generous whale gifts I've received for Baby Jack!


This cute zip up is from Amy at Forever 29 .


This adorable whale longall is from my college friend, Allie.


Aren't these whale shoes too cute? My fellow preggo, Jaclyn at Mrs. Domesticity sent me these!

The lovely (and also preggo!) Tricia of Tricia Loves Makeup gave me this adorable bib and burp cloth (made by her Mom!).

My mother-in-law's friend Sharon made me this bib and carrying case for diapers and wipes!


Fellow preggo tweep Jodi sent this fantastic tote! I couldn't wait to use it!

I am blessed to have such great ladies in my life. Thanks for enabling my love of whales :)

Monday, June 18, 2012

Pretending to be a super couponer!

Every time I ordered something from Destination Maternity, I would receive coupons for various baby products. I saved all the Huggies wipes coupons plus received one from a friend. Combined with my recent $15 Extra Care Bucks bonanza plus $5 off $15 coupon, i decided to try my hand at getting stuff free!

I decided we needed some dishwashing tabs and softener, both of which happened to be on sale this week at CVS. After pulling another online coupon for the dishwashing tabs, I headed out to my local CVS.

While looking for the wipes, I happened upon the Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Normally $6.29, it was marked at 75% off! I could not pass that up.

So what did I get?



And what did I pay??



Grand Total: $4.65. Had I not diverted from my original list, the total would have been more like $1.50!

Edit: I just did the math and I saved 90.75%!!!!

Yes, I am pretty darn proud. :)

Thursday, June 14, 2012

So this nesting thing...

Previously, when I heard people speak of nesting, I thought it was strictly in regards to cleaning. However, I've been tearing through errands like a mad woman. I feel they count as "nesting" activities. Here are some examples. Thoughts?


  • Buying greeting cards to get me through anniversaries, birthdays, showers etc through the end of August.
  • Ordering 3 books of stamps for thank you notes and baby announcements.
  • Working my CVS Extra Care card extra hard by stocking up on paper towels and TP. Recently, got 10 ECB back for spending $30 on paper towels. This is $30 before I applied my $5 off of $15 and my 25% off coupons.
  • Signing up for online prescriptions management through CVS
  • Scheduling pediatrician "meet and greet".
Not to say that cleaning has not been occurring. I had a mini meltdown last Saturday over vacuuming. Thanks to J for coming through on the help :)

Interested to hear your nesting commentary!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Nursery Organization

I'm not quite ready to do a full out nursery post. However, I've gotten a few questions about how I was organizing all these baby things! I have had 3 showers thus far. Plus I've received many hand-me-downs. To keep my sanity, I have been washing/organizing all the gifts within a day or two of receipt. Considering this is our first baby, I can't say that my way of organizing will be the best. I hope it is functional, at the very least!

Here we go! First up, the changing table.




The baskets are from Michael's. You can't see in the picture, but the basket's have "Baby Things" embroidered on the liner. However, if I store them with the name showing, it is not the best use of space.

Next up, the tall dresser.





 Finally, part of the closet!









If you have any tips you'd like to share, please leave them in the comments! Thanks!