Walmart Double Deals!

Yay! The Bemidji Walmart has decided to double coupons when Kmart does! This is pretty awesome for savings (especially since they will double up to $1 coupons whereas Kmart only goes to $.99), but so much easier to do at Kmart. Kmart's registers do the doubling automatically. Walmart not so much. The cashier didn't know WTH I was talking about when I said they were doubling, but called a manager who came over and verified that I was correct and showed him how it is done. First you have to hand over coupons individually with each item, can't just scan them all at the end like normal. Before the cashier scans the item, he has to look to see what the coupon amt is, hit the price override button, scan the item and then input the price minus the coupon, then scan the coupon, ending in doubles. It seriously took forever, but I did leave with BAGS of groceries and some pretty awesome deals :)

My deals (IP = Internet Printable, MQ = Manufacturer Coupon)
Del Monte whole fresh pineapple: $2.98 - (.50 IP) = $1.98
Rhodes Rolls: $2.28 - (1.00 IP) = $.28
(2) Toaster Struedels: $2.37 x 2 - ($1/2 IP) = $1.27 ea
Pillsbury Breakfast sandwiches: $2.50 - ($1.00 IP) = $.50
Pillsbury Breakfast skillet: $2.50 - ($1.00 IP) = $.50
(2)Steamfresh veggies: $1.78 - ($.50 MQ) = $.87 ea
(2)Softpretzel boxes: $2.33 - ($1.00 IP) = $.33 ea
(4)Totinos Pizzas: $1.25 x 4 - ($1/4 IP) = $.75 ea
Ovaltine: $3.48 - ($1.00 MQ) = $1.48
Vlasic Baby Gherkins: $2.28 - ($.75 MQ) = $.78
Tobasco Buffalo Sauce: $2.43 - ($.75 MQ) = $.93
French's Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce: $1.97 - ($.75 MQ) = $.47
Hidden Valley Salad Mix: $2.50 - ($1 MQ) = $.50
(2) KCMasterpiece BBQ Sauce: $1.42 - ($.50 MQ) = $.42 ea
(2) Hungry Jack Potato mix: $.98 x 2 - ($1/2 MQ) = +.03
eggs = $1.04 (no coupon, needed eggs though :)
(2)Dole Real Fruit Bites: $2.98 - ($1 MQ) = $.98 ea
Hormel fresh Pork: $4.50 - ($1 MQ) = $2.50
(2) Hormel Compleats: $1.68 - ($1 MQ) = +$.32 ea
(2) Mrs. Dash: $2.64 - ($1 IP) = $.64 ea
Int'l Delight Creamer: $1.81 - ($.55 IP) = $.71
Country Crock: $2.18 - ($.75 MQ) = $.68
(2) Crescent Rolls: $1.98 x 2 - ($1/2 IP) = $.98 ea
Trop50 OJ: $2.98 - ($1.00 IP) = $.98
Welch's Grape Juice: $2.00 - ($.75 IP) = $.50
Langers Pineapple Juice: $2.68 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.68
(2) Sierra Mist 2L: $1.38 x 2 - ($1/2 IP) = $.38 ea
(2) Finish Quantum dish tabs: $2.97 - ($1.00 IP) = $.97 ea
Krunchers Kettle Chips: $2.68 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.68
Windex Wipes: $2.87 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.87
Jet Dry: $2.51 - ($.75 MQ) = $1.01
(2)Glade Decor Scents: $2.98 - ($1.00 MQ) = $.98 ea
Gerber Little Entrees: $2.00 - ($1.00 IP) = 0.00
(4)Beechnut baby food: .68 x 4 - ($1/4 IP) = $.18 ea
Gas X: $3.33 - ($1.00 IP) = $1.33
(4) Schick 12 ct razors: $1.97 - ($6/2 IP x 2) = +$4.03

Total was $31.34 plus tax, saved around $90! I love that you can get overage on coupons at Walmart (the ones in the list that have +) - every little bit helps :)

Even though the checkout took forever, they were really nice about it and it was definitely worth it. I could have gotten way more, too, but I was definitely past my normal 8:30 bedtime :P Happy shopping!

2011-10-02

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Freezer Runneth Over

or almost runneth over anyway...


Had to take all the food out (except for the ice cream - our above-fridge freezer won't freeze ice cream well enough). Not really sure what I am going to do once it is completely full. Especially now that spring is coming, can't just put it outside ;) I need to buy stock in Lansinoh milk bags, too. Especially since I can't find any coupons for them!

Very thankful to have a good supply!

CLOSED! Purex Crystals Review & Giveaway

Thanks to Purex (and as a Purex Insider), I was able to to try out their new fabric softener crystals.
Now 3 of you all can, too!

I'll be honest, I was skeptical, but I really like Purex Complete Crystals Softener! The smell is good & refreshing and the clothes were nice & soft coming out of the dryer, too.
Also, as a mom of two (including an infant with sensitive skin) I was very happy to read that Purex Crystals are 92% natural. I used it with the girls' clothes and haven't had any problems whatsoever and am still snuggling those baby soft cheeks :)
Check out the videos on their site if you have a chance. The video showing how liquid softener works definitely caught my eye!

I have to admit, it took me a few tries to realize I was supposed to put it in the washer BEFORE putting in clothes - ended up getting crystals all over when I poured it in on top of the clothes. Wouldn't have been an issue if our machine was a top loader (and if I had read the directions) :P
Overall, I'd give it 4.5 out of 5 stars, great smell, affordable & soft :)

Now for the fun part! Purex sent me 3 coupons for a FREE bottle of Purex Complete Crystals Softener (max. value $5.50) to give to my blog readers. Post a comment here stating whether you use softener and if you do, what kind. I have to admit I am curious :)

I will allow comments until Tuesday @ 8PM CST & will use random.org to choose 3 winners, each receiving one coupon.
I'll announce the winners here and on FB shortly after (as long as I have a few minutes while baby sleeps) so don't forget to check back so I can get your mailing info if you win! I might throw in a few extra coupons, too!

***Congrats to Carren J & Heather P! I will mail your coupons asap :) Only 2 comments on here & FB so you both WIN :P

Picture Overload

Speaking of sisters... My lovely & talented sister Emily took these gorgeous pics of the girls. I just love them! (the pics & the girls lol!)












You might also notice Elise's ticker no longer states gestational age - that's because her due date was yesterday :) She's also over 7lbs now!

Sisters

Seeing my girls together is making me miss my sisters so much! I just love how sweet Keira is with her baby sister (who as of today is 6lbs 12oz!)... I know they will have their fights, but right now I am enjoying this perfect time and hope that they will be as great of friends as I am with my sisters!

The first pic was the morning after I brought Elise home, Keira was already asleep so she didn't get to meet her sister until morning. She saw her in the playard, smiled and said, "night, night sister!" It was adorable!

I'm a bad blogger!

Life gets in the way sometimes I suppose :) Especially with trying to work as much from home (did I mention we are finally HOME as of Valentine's Day?? Yay!) as possible to extend my leave time and a zillion doctor's appointments. Aside from that, not much new in the Page household. Keira is finally to the age where she will smile for the camera and say cheese! She has her terrible twos moments (OMG she will be TWO in only a month!) but overall she is a good little girl. Strong as ever, a little climbing monkey, and a little too many "mines" that come out of her mouth, but my gosh she is so smart (she can count to almost twenty!) and is a great cuddler :)
And speaking of strong, little Elise is keeping up with her sister nicely, now weighs over 5lbs 12oz, holding her head up and then rolling out of the boppy today almost all by herself. Luckily we caught her :) I remember Keira rolling at 3 weeks old, and although Elise is now 6 weeks+, she still should be in my belly and is so close to doing just the same as her sister. Apparently we make babies of steel :P
As for me, I was able to get out for a few hours thanks to my loving husband so I could get a much needed haircut and highlight. I am now quite blonde! It has taken a bit to get used to, but overall I really like it :)

Here are some pics of our beautiful girls over the past few weeks:

One Month Old!

And no more tube!!! We are set to "room-in" tonight, and then we can bring Elise HOME either Monday or Tuesday! What a wonderful Valentine's Day it will be :)

We also found out yesterday that Keira is a fan of SQUID! "More please, more please" over and over for the Calamari at Santa Lucia's. It was hilarious!

2 Months

That is how long it has been since I have been home :( I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't missing everything there, but really, it is so worth it. It is such a short period in the grand picture and for the very best of reasons.
Also, tomorrow Elise will be 4 weeks old! It has gone so fast, feels like just yesterday I was walking into the hospital unaware that I was in active labor :P I keep wishing and hoping that today will be the day that they tell us to get ready to go home, and even though it hasn't happened yet I do still have hope that it will happen soon.
Only one hurdle left to break, and that is for Elise to be able to take all of her feedings either by breast or bottle for 48-72 hrs without needing the feeding tube. She has been improving for sure, she even went a full 24hrs with only one gavage feeding. The next 24hrs were pretty sleepy, but then today has been better. A bit of a roller coaster, but seeing improvement overall despite the down days is fantastic. She is also gaining weight steadily (now up to 4lbs 8oz), another awesome blessing.

Soon Keira will meet her sister and things will be back to normal chaos :) I can't wait :)

Progress!

It's been a few days since my last post and a lot has happened in that short period of time! We are now situated nicely in Fargo (and loving the free parking!). Elise did great on the transfer, slept the whole way I am told :) Her days have been similar, she's mostly a feeder & a grower. Just today though, she is being weaned out of the isolette (and doing great keeping her temp regulated!), and now up to 2 breastfeeds/day and a few bottles. If this goes well, she will both be out in a regular crib and have her feeding tube taken out in about a day or two! They told us today that we can bring her carseat in at any time now, too! We are overjoyed by this, and so proud of our little girl :)

















Keira has been visiting as well, and will be spending the week with us in Fargo while Daddy gets the house ready for our newest arrival. Keira is having a blast and I cannot thank Josh & Heather enough for their help. Bishop, too - him and Keira have so much fun together, I love it!

Hello World!

Closer to Home!

We found out last night that our insurance approved the transfer of Elise to Fargo! Two hrs less to drive makes quite a difference for us. Josh will be able to travel after work on Fridays to come see us and get more time to spend together. Less time in the car with Keira will be nice as well. She has handled it well so far, luckily, but I think this will help with the stress level trying to keep a toddler happy while driving :) I am pretty excited to see Boscoe soon as well :P
We checked with nurses and drs and they all say the transfer is completely safe (especially because Elise is doing so well) and one of her nurses will be traveling with her :)
We have been so lucky to have my sister here to allow us to stay and feel welcome. Now we are fortunate again that Josh's sister and our good friend, Josh M., are welcoming us to their home for as long as Elise is in Fargo :)
We love you all and cannot thank you enough!

Ten Days Old!

Some pics from the past few days :)

A Little AW for Myself

One week postpartum :) I haven't weighed myself, but I am pretty sure I am at or less than pre-pg weight. Recovery from an incredibly quick labor with no problems is also soooo much easier. Very little bleeding and no pain. I've said it before, but it's pretty surreal. Makes focusing on Elise my one and only job right now, which is perfect!