The Beard

Last year, Brad wanted to participate in 'NO SHAVE NOVEMBER' but wanted to get a little bit of a head start -he is a slow beard grower- so he didn't shave from September - January. Today, January 26th he shaved it off. We had to document this moment.

We had some fun with Paisley's hair elastics. Brad is such a good sport.

 

He looks like a totally different person!

I love this picture! It is Paisley feeling Brad's face with nothing on it. He has had facial hair for basically all of her life, so this was a new experience for her.

 

7 ways I'm saving money in 2014

Now that I get to stay at home with Paisley, Brad and I have been working hard to save money and make our income last longer. Here are a few ways we are saving money.

1. We don't have smart phones.
A lot of people think we are "lame" for not having them, but we calculated it and we are saving about $50 a month. It doesn't sound like much but that is the equivalent of 2 dates a month, not to mention $600.00 a year.

2.We made a budget.
We have never done this before, but so far it's going well. I made some tracking sheets and found some really simple tracking sheets here.

3. 4 days a week we commit to being a one car family.
I am a stay at home mom 6 days a week, and one of the biggest ways to save money is actually staying at home. Except for the day I go to work and an extra day to run errands, I pretend we only have one car and that Brad has it at work. Luckily we have 2 cars, so if I need to go somewhere I still can, but I'm trying to think like we only have 1. (This is new for me, I'll update next month about how I'm doing)

4. Pack lunches.
This is really so simple, but I think the fact that it takes time is why people (including me) don't always do it. Packing lunches not only saves you money, but it is much healthier too.

5. Check price labels and don't buy name brand groceries

6. Only eat out once a week

7. Be creative.
For the last 2 years, every January Brad and I do the $7 challenge. We each only get $7 a week to spend however we would like. (This excludes our regular expenses like gas, groceries etc.) You can combine it and spend it on one thing or buy little thinks like treats or eating out if you want, each week. We found it's nice to do in January because the holidays just got over so we don't really need anything. You should try it!

How are you saving money this year?

Photos of Paisley

1.Laughing at Zeus
2.I found her sleeping with her hood covering her eyes
3.Cutest little feetsies
4.She LOVES her crinkle toy
5.Making waffles with mom
6.Tummy time with the crinkle toy
7.Story time with mom
8.Hood buddies
9.My happy baby girl

Another month older

*Loves "talking"

*Blows bubbles all the time

*Giggles a lot

*Rolling over is getting easier

*Still only eating breast milk (Brad can't wait to start feeding her "real food")

*Loves story time

*Likes when you sing to her

*Has a few onesies and pajamas that are 0-3m ~ most are 3m, but can now fit into 3-6 month

*size 2 diapers

*getting used to being in her car seat

*Loves sitting in the bumbo and helping me cook

*a happy happy baby

I'm 4 months!

This little nugget turned 4 months! She is 13.8 pounds and 23.25 inches long. She is in the 75th percentile for weight and the 50th for height. She laughs all the time now! The first time she really laughed was on Dec. 17. Brad and I were giving her a bath and she let out a really high pitched squeal and then laughed and laughed. It was so amazing to hear! I am so glad that both Brad and I were there for that!

*she is still a great sleeper

*still doesn't like to be in her car seat in the car. She is fine to be in it when we're in stores, but she hates it in the car.

*Likes to grab daddy's beard

*only eats breast milk

*is mostly in 3 month clothing now. She can still wear 0-3 and 3-6 is just a little too big.

*wears size 2 diapers

*loves putting everything and anything in her mouth

*likes her bumbo chair

*can occasionally pass light objects from one hand to the other

*definitely knows who mommy and daddy are. When she gets tired or overwhelmed she won't let anyone else hold her but mom or dad...it's so cute and makes us feel like we're doing something right! :)

 

Our happy baby girl!

Brad & Leah in real life

I know this blog makes our life look super fabulous and perfectly edited (not really), but we have had our fair share of blow outs, spit ups and messes that come along with a new baby. I just happened to capture one of these lovely moments on camera.

Brad was lucky enough to get Paisley's "spit up" in his face. He was super happy about it as you can tell :)

Pictures!

It is so crazy how fast time seems to go now that I have a baby. I constantly feel like I am playing catch-up, especially on this blog. Here are some pictures of our little family throughout November and December.

 

Top Row: Lights at Temple square on Dec. 1st 2013

Second Row: 1;Thanksgiving morning at Brad's parent's house.

2; Family pictures at wheeler farm

3; Thanksgiving weekend at Solitude with the Fortuna family.

Third Row: Paisley meets Santa! Dec. 7th 2013

2; Paisley and Zeus...best little buddies

3; Festival of Trees

 

We have been busy but having a great time enjoying life as new parents. Latest news from us- PAISLEY ROLLED OVER!! DECEMBER 7TH 2013 at 2:37 pm

 

We are excited for Christmas and love watching Paisley discover new things each day. She LOVES looking at Christmas lights. She was having the time of her life downtown and at the festival of trees. She was kicking her legs and was just mesmerized by all the lights at people.

 

We have a little group of friends that we have been trying new restaurants with each month. So far we have tried Couscous, Sugarhouse BBQ and Adobos Caribbean Grill. Each of these restaurants have been delicious and we would recommend all of them. It is so fun exploring our own city.