Stocking Up!!

Okay, well for most of you that know me you know that I can get a deal on just about anything. Well, a couple of weeks ago Target had a coupon for Huggies products and I definitely took advantage of it. I bought 140 travel size packages (normally $1.47 each) and I got them all for free (well actually I got money off the rest of my purchase because the coupons were for $1.50 off any Huggies product). I also bought 60 containers of the normal size wipes (normally at least $2.50 each) for a total of almost $5.00. I think we'll be set on wipes until both babies are out of diapers (seriously)! I also got 12 bottles of Huggies shampoo or baby body wash (normally $3.00 each) for $1.50 total.

These are the regular size of wipes, the 140 travel size are already packed away!! Right now they're taking up a good portion of our closet.

Then yesterday I found a great deal at CVS. I bought 16 packages of Pampers diapers jumbo pack (normally $10.50 or more each) for a total of $40.00 (that's $2.50/package). Then this morning I went back to CVS because I found more coupons and they had a great deal on Huggies diapers. This morning I bought 32 packages of Huggies diapers jumbo pack (normally $10.50 or more each ) and 6 bottles of Johnson's baby wash (normally $4.50 each) for a total of $29.00!!! It turned out to be about $.75/package of diapers!! My mother would be so proud!!

It's going to be a pain to move them all, but I couldn't pass on such a great deal!!

Riley was excited to see all the diapers because they all have pictures of babies on them, so she went from package to package kissing each baby!! It was priceless.... (This picture shows half of the diapers)

Pampers in Riley's closet...some are for her and some are for the new baby!

So this is what we got and how much I spent:

140 travel wipes: FREE

60 pkgs. of normal size wipes: $5.00

16 pkgs. of Pampers: $40.00 ($2.50/package)

32 pkgs. Huggies Supreme: $25.00 ($.75/package)

6 J&J products: $2.00

12 Huggies shampoo/body wash: $1.50

Our little "Dancing Queen"

FINALLY I captured Riley dancing in the living room-it is such a riot to watch her dance, but every time I run and get the video camera she gets camera shy. Here is a small video of her dancing (until she realizes that I am taping her). Keep in mind that she gets her dancing skills from her father :)...

Some recent pictures

Ty and I were going through pictures of Riley and have discovered that we have over 4,000 pictures of her already!! Not that I'm surprised, she's so photogenic and we love pictures :)! These are a few recent pictures:

Riley in her ballerina outfit

I got the feeling that she was tired of waiting for us to get ready, hence her trying to escape!

This is a perfect example of why we get Riley naked before she eats spaghetti!!

Acting innocent, but we know better!

Prayer Request

Ty was recently offered a position at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo to do fitness testing on employees and other companies associated with Borgess. If Ty takes it we will have to move within the next month and a lot would change. There are many pros and some cons to the position but we hope to make the right decision (he has to let them know on Monday whether he wants it or not). I am just asking if you would all say a prayer that we would make the right decision when it comes to taking or not taking the job. Thanks for your prayers!

UPDATE: Ty has decided to take the job in Kalamazoo, we went apartment hunting last weekend and found a place that we really love! We both feel it will be a good opportunity, at least until he finishes his Masters. As of today we're all set to move on February 7th. We are just waiting to hear back from the apartment complex to see if we get approved (it is really hard to get into these apartments)! Ty would start training on the 11th and start working soon after. Thanks for all of your prayers! It is definitely going to be an adjustment for all of us (even though we're not moving that far away). I have loved living in Spring Arbor, especially because most of our friends live here as well. My girlfriends come over very often or we go out to lunch once a week and Riley always has a playmate...it will be a change without them around. But they're only an hour away :)! We'll also be closer to both of our families and with another little one coming soon I think it will be great! We've only been out together once since Riley has been born, so maybe this will help us get out a bit too :)! I'll keep you posted when more details are available.

Some Funnies at the Paulk Residence...

Something I've always tried to do is write some of the funny things Riley has been doing down, so here is my attempt at some recent events.


1. So one of Riley's ultimate favorite things to do is to read!! I probably read to her a total of 2 or 3 hours out of the day! She loves it! I find her reading everywhere; under the table, in the bathroom, in the closet, etc. One morning I heard something knocking against her wall in her room and I went to see what was going on, this is what I saw (she didn't know that I was spying on her) :

2. Every time I open the door to our apartment, to check the mail or go get something downstairs Riley enjoys running as fast as she can down the hall knocking on everyone else's apartment door. It's cute until they all open their door and realize it was just Riley again!


3. One of Riley's favorite snacks is goldfish crackers, every time she wants them she goes to the cupboard, points and looks up at me with fish lips. Just like these lips:




4. A couple times a week, before Ty heads off to work I make the three of us pancakes for breakfast. Riley loves her pancakes! Also, one of Riley's favorite "games" to play is pat-a-cake. So every morning I make them I say "Riley lets get in your high chair and eat your pancakes" she comes running over to me, clapping her hands together as if she's ready to play pat-a-cake!! I guess she doesn't quite get the difference yet!! But it is very cute :)!


5. Whenever we read to Riley, if she sees a cat or a baby in the book she has to kiss it...she will put her entire face on the ground just to give it a smooch. In real life, however, she does not like cats at all (but thankfully she likes babies)...silly, I know :)!

Belly Pictures: 23 Weeks and Counting!

Okay, as promised here are my updated belly pictures. I feel like my belly is getting huge even quicker than it did with Riley. You be the judge :)! I hope this little guy isn't bigger than Riley was!!

23 Weeks

Doctor Updates

So I'm a little behind in posts, but am trying to get caught up. Last week Riley had her 15 month doctors appointment. We have truly been blessed with such a healthy and active little girl! She has only been sick once since she was born. She went for her routine checkup and to get another round of shots. We got to the doctor's office and were immediately called into an exam room (they're always good about being on time, which I am thankful for). I got Riley naked and waited for the nurse to weigh her and measure her length. She is now 19 lbs. and 31 inches long! She definitely had a growth spurt and I was so happy to see that she's back on the growth chart for her weight, granted she's only in the 1 percentile, but 3 months ago she was way below the line!! She is, however, in the 50th percentile for her height so maybe she'll be tall and thin...but then again who knows! She got three shots in her little thighs, and the poor little thing screamed so bad when she got them. I ALWAYS get teary-eyed when she gets her shots because I hate to see her in pain. I brought her sippy cup along because it always comforts her and it did until she drank all of her milk...then she cried the whole way out of the office and the entire 25 minute drive home. She was much better when we got home, as long as I was holding and cuddling her (I love that she's a cuddler!!!!). This went on for about 2 1/2 hours...lets just say that I was exhausted carrying her around for over 2 hours. It's hard carrying her for so long because I have to hold her high enough to carry her over my growing belly!! By that night, daddy got home and she was back to her normal self! THANK GOODNESS!!

The following is Riley's WEIGHT growth chart, so far:

The following is Riley's LENGTH growth chart:

I also had a doctor's appointment the next day for this little guy that I'm carrying!! It was also just a routine appointment. I was 22 weeks at the time and everything is going very smoothly. This pregnancy, so far, has been a breeze compared to my pregnancy with Riley! I started out at 105 lbs. and am now 115. So I've put on 10 lbs...not too bad, the doc is very pleased with my progress. I'm hoping to not put on as much weight as I did with Riley. This baby is very active and is constantly moving...definitely the best part of pregnancy! I love feeling him move and knowing that he's growing and getting stronger daily. We're also going to have another ultrasound at 32 weeks to make sure the placenta has moved. I'm starting to get really big and have alreay gotten the comments "You look like you could be due anyday" and "Are you having twins?"...then I tell them I still have 4 months to go and they are in shock. It's actually kind of funny, but gets old after a while! I will be posting some belly pictures soon...check back. :)