Ok, I'm obsessed...

With clipping coupons! Yes you read that right. If you know me at all you KNOW that I absolutely loathe coupon clippers. They take forever at the checkouts, they always seem disorganized and air headed, they are never paying attention to their children because they're too busy comparing prices meanwhile their children are running all over the store making me trip over them, and they NEVER tip (when tipping is necessary). AH!!!! I remember when I worked at Sport Clips I SWORE I would NEVER be one of them.

Never say never, right? Well it's that time in my life where clipping coupons is necessary for survival. Well, not that bad...but it's just something I can do to help out a little. Especially with the "big move" coming up on the horizon. I can almost taste it...anyways, that's besides the point. My point is, I am now someone I used to hate.

Now that I'm in this position however I think I understand those annoying coupon clippers a little more. Not only am I trying to save our family money, but it is like an addiction. I see a coupon and my heart starts beating, "how much can I save this time?" And if I notice that a coupon is expired I almost cry because I feel like a basically just threw away money.

How did this obsession start, you ask? Well, I was standing behind the usual coupon clipper at the check out who had so many coupons she couldn't even keep them straight, she dropped a couple, her child was screaming, she had to run back for something else, and all the while I was annoyed out of my mind! How dare she waste my precious time?!? Then the moment of truth: checker "your total before coupons is $223.64 (ish), after coupons it comes to $67.89" ARE YOU JOKING ME? I about had a heart attack right then and there. How could this possibly be? She basically just stole from that store! As she left I starred after her with a new found respect for all you coupon clippers.

She is my hero.

Now, mind you, I plan to be organized and watch my child/children, I plan to keep on tipping, etc...but oh my goodness?!?! How can you NOT want to be like that woman?

Ouchy!

On Saturday Mara FLAT IRONED her entire left arm...we didn't see it happen, but that's the only thing we can figure. It looks like she must have clamped it on her upper arm and pulled it down until it fell off at her wrist. I unplugged the flat iron and left the room, but Sean was still in the room with her. It had been unplugged for a good 5 minutes before the screams started. So I can only imagine what it would be like if it hadn't cooled down a bit.

It's inbetween a second and a third degree burn. It blistered up and started to turn gray...which is NOT a good sign. Right after it happened we called the pediatrian, and they told us what to do for it, and what to look for if we needed to bring her in.

After she stopped being hysterical she passed right out (it happened right before her normal nap time, and it took her a good hour to calm down, meanwhile we were icing it). When she woke up, it was all blistered and some had even popped. So I called the Dr's office again, and we were told to come in.

The doctor had to clean it. Which consisted of him literally scraping off all of the dead skin. Can you even imagine how that would feel? It basically covers her entire arm...it was SO sad. He gave us instructions on how to take care of it. Guess what I get to do twice a day? Scrape it myself... I bawl the entire time while I scrape and Sean has to basically hog tie her to keep her still. I can't even imagine scratching off the skin on a fresh burn. It is terrible. Just thinking about it makes me tear up again.

We take her to the doctor again tomorrow to make sure it is healing properly. The only available appointment is when Sean has to be at work, so I have to take her myself. I don't know if I can handle that.

The picture at the top was actually so funny, I was trying to get a picture of her bandaged arm, but couldn't get a good shot, then she streched out her arm and pointed to it like, "duh mom, it's right here!" It was cute.

She is actually quite the trooper about the whole thing. While we are scraping it she is hysterical, but she gets over it fairly fast as soon as we're done. She always uses her left arm the most, so I expected her to favor it and not use it...I was wrong. She uses it just as much as normal. Except for today she was a little shy with it.

I thought I'd post this next picture to show how she just plays around like no big deal. This was actually right after we went to the Doctor's office.


I decided against posting pictures of the burn itself. I really wish I had never seen it, so I'll spare you.

It's my Party I can cry if I want to!

Mara's birthday party was a hit! Despite the fact that I woke up with some terrible sickness and ran to the doctor. Thankfully they were open for a couple of hours! I left with a prescription for my double ear infections and sinus infection! Geez! Of course in good old Brittani style I hadn't bought the plates and cups yet so I got to run to the store after my appointment looking like crap I might add. Oh, the things we do for our children! Never in a million years would I have gone in public looking like that. I must love her or something! I was so excited about her party that I didn't even care about mine coming up a couple of days later. I'm really liking this mom thing.

We had some family over (so sad about the family that couldn't make it! Don't worry, there will be another awesome party in a year!) Thanks to everyone who were able to come and make it special! I know Mara totally doesn't get it, but she will one day when she sees the pictures.

She started off the day by climbing her "mountain" of presents. That is by far her favorite thing to do lately. Climb. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I'll get over it!


Before the guests arrived she could be found doing her other favorite thing. Playing the piano.


Once all of the guests arrived it was time for presents! She didn't understand why she couldn't stop and play with each gift before moving on to the next. Everytime Sean laid a present back down to pick up another one she was one mad girl! But as soon as she was unwrapping the next one she had forgotten all about it.





We played with the presents for a while. Thanks for the slide Grandma! She is finally brave enough to go down it without you holding her hands! As long as you are waiting with outstretched arms at the bottom. What a cutie pie.


Then it was my FAVORITE part of the day! Cake time. It was so fun to watch her attack it...but for my birthday I asked for Rice Crispy Treats instead because I just couldn't stomach cake after watching this:






Her guests got to enjoy cupcakes of their own (normal size of course) and ice cream cones. A shout out for Grandpa Miller for putting up with my crazy ideas and making the stand for me! Thanks a million!



Here is a picture of Mara on her actual Birthday. Sadly I only took one the whole day, it's not even very good...but it's the thought that counts, right?


Here are Mara's stats from her one year check up!
18 lbs. 7 Oz.= 13% (yes you did read that right...aparently she is tiny! Wouldn't know it by looking at her would ya? But if you pick her up you can definitely tell!)
30 inches long = 74% I guess that's why all her pants are too short but still don't fit around her waist!
Head circumference is in the 85%...good old Evans heads!!!! Thanks Grandpa Evans!

I couldn't love this little peanut more. I am so blessed to be her mommy. It's been fun to hear her call me that, and to grow more and more attached to me. She's always been a daddy's girl, but lately she is growing more attached to me...and I am totally loving it!!

I guess I should include my reasoning behind the title. On the morning of her actual birthday she woke up quite cranky, so we started to sing that song to her. Later in the day we heard it at the grocery store and on the radio! What a coinkidink! ;)

We made it a year!!!

Then:





Now:



Wow...how crazy is that to see??? It's been a long but short year. I'm so blessed to have her in my life!!!

Her birthday party is on Saturday so I'll do a birthday post later!