Levi's 1st Birthday

 My first Birthday. Of course I will not remember it. Funny how everyone goes all out and celebrates huge for those first birthdays that none of us little guys remember. She was crazy about this party thinking it might be her last "first birthday" of her own. She started thinking about and planning this day months in advance. I think she outdid herself and enjoyed it more than anybody.

First there was the cute Mickey & Minnie shirts she ordered for me and Gracie with our names on them! Then the huge balloons that were bigger than me. The table toppers she made herself with the help of big brother Elijah; Mickey and Minnie balloon wreaths, pictures of Gracie and I. It really was cute. My cake was a simple white cake with a Mickey head silhouette that mommy made all by herself. She even made cupcakes and little Mickey and Minnie toppers.

My family came to help me and Gracie celebrate turning one. We played games and eat pizza and had cake. I got lots of gifts and enjoyed the fourwheeler still in the box. I also got a special card from my papaw all the way from Rocky Mount North Carolina. It played music when I opened it so I quickly learned to open and close it to make it play.

Saving Money Online

Of course I'm addicted to the world wide web. Who isn't these days, right? I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite sites. Each morning I sign in and after stalking my facebook friends I move on to money saving sites. Then if I find a great deal I'm interested in purchasing I check other websites for additional savings.
 I have already started on Christmas and Birthdays. I am also hoping to create a 'gift closet' soon that will help reduce the last minute trips to buy pricey gifts.

My favorite sites:
www.babysteals.com One deal each day starting at 11am. A great deal on baby or maternity items. Since they only have one deal a day I recommend looking here
http://babysteals.stealnetwork.com/dailydeals/archive.php if you find something you are interested in. That way you can combine shipping if you wanted something before but just didn't want to pay shipping on the single item.
also check out www.kidsteals.com and www.scrapbooksteals.com and www.babyhalfoff.com  and google their archive pages.

www.zulily.com Daily deals for Moms babies and kids. This is a great website with daily deals up to 90% off retail on clothes, shoes and more. You will often find home decor and cute purses 50% off. They also have toys and baby gear. The daily deal starts and 9am, and usually lasts about 3 days with new deals added each day and old deals expiring.
www.totsy.com Basically the same as above. With both of these sites you will receive $15 credit to spend on anything for each friend you recommend when they sign up and order from the site.

As I mentioned before with every website I order from before I purchase I check out these sites:
www.retailmenot.com This site has all the coupon codes and discounts available.


www.shopathome.com this site is new to me. Go Here and sign up and we each get $5! http://www.shopathome.com/?IAFCG=aIwqYWDBx/gbanUG8XJkqA==  The cash back reward ( up to 35 percent Cash Back, Daily Deals featuring Extra Cash Back , free shipping for selected orders, exclusive double and triple Cash Back promotions) that I am most interested in is only one of their features. You can get 3% cash back from sites like Old Navy, JCP and Walmart. Once you've earned $20 in cash back you get a check mailed to you. You are already shopping these sites anyway why not earn cash back. Sign up today http://www.shopathome.com/?IAFCG=aIwqYWDBx/gbanUG8XJkqA==
They also offer free printable coupons and a coupon toolbar

www.swagbucks.com  Last but not least is Swagbucks. Also something new I've been playing around with. They give you "swagbucks" for searching the web via their "google bar." You can also participate in daily polls, surveys and watch short video clips to earn. They also have "games" and put out codes you can enter to add to your swagbucks. Basically this means that you can get $5 -$25 amazon gift card or others such as overstock, macys and paypal just for doing things you do everyday such as searching the web. So go on (click on the swagbucks banner on my blog) and start swagging today!

Levi's Security

           When Levi was about 6 months old he started having trouble staying asleep when placed in his crib. I done a lot of reading about how to 'sleep train' an infant. I remember reading something that said holding a baby (rocking or feeding) until he fell asleep and placing him in a bed was like going to sleep with a pillow and waking up with it gone. Hmm. I really wouldn't like that. So I picked out my favorite blanket and started holding it close to him and placing it with him in bed. He was NOT impressed and it never caught on. I gave up on the idea and eventually he started sleeping in his crib all by himself for the night.

              One day we were at Grandma's and as we were leaving Uncle Jamie gave the boys a stuffed toy doll "Woody." We brought him home and he was thrown in the floor along with the rest of the toys. One night we were putting Levi to bed and Elijah picked up "Woody" and placed him in the crib and said "Here Weebye."

   And that is how Levi came about his security object. Several mornings we would find Levi awake talking/playing with his little friend. Soon he started reaching back for Woody when we got him up from his sleep/nap. He "grabs his little Woody" and takes off. (That is another story of how Levi embarrassed Mommy before he could even talk)

       

        Since Woody seems to bring Levi comfort we decided to bring him along for his Well Child Checkup and shots yesterday. I really wish I had a camera. Big brother gave Woody to Levi as soon as he was dressed after the shots and he calmed right down. In the car he hugged Woody tight and drank his sippy cup til he fell asleep.