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Morgan Manages Mommyhood

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WIAW – First Birthday Day in the Life

May 27, 2015 By Morgan Last Updated: December 5, 2020

Back to the grind post Memorial Day and Ryan’s first birthday! I took the weekend off from phones and computers for the most part and I’m so glad because I really got the savor the last few days of Ryan’s first year without checking my phone and checking out. Sometimes it’s really nice to just be, as much as I love social media and reading blogs.

Anyway, here’s to another What I Ate Wednesday! This is actually our eats from Ryan’s birthday, thought it would be fun to be able to check out what we did on his birthday. Alex was at work so it was a pretty low key day. My mom came up to take the birthday boy toy shopping. Without further ado, here’s our day in pictures!

Good morning little boy! Ryan’s up later than normal at 8:30 due to teething all night. He’s smiley though so after a nursing and a change he’s in his jumpy chomping dried apples and watermelon.

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Breakfast: Watermelon forever for the momma. I sprinkle mine with salt and eat so much that I’m too full for any other breakfast. Pancakes, veggies, watermelon and eggs for the birthday boy.

nakey baby

After breakfast was playtime, where the little boy was moving so fast and furious that every picture I took of him was a blur. Also, he didn’t want to put on clothes after breakfast, and who am I to make a birthday boy unhappy?

A nap later, Gammie (my mom) was here and ready to hang!

taco salad

Lunch: I made my mom and myself chicken taco salads (chicken, avocado, tomato, onion, cucumber, olives, homemade salsa, chicken, greek yogurt and homemade avocado vinaigrette) and Ryan had bits and pieces as well. Salads make BLW and meals SO easy – take what you’re having, cut some up and give to baby. Easy Peasy. No picture of Ryan’s food because he gobbled it as it came to him.

 

wpid-20150526_140308.jpgNext was a trip to the store where he got VERY spoiled. #onlygrandchild

Followed by a trip to the grocery store and saying goodbye to Gammie. An unpictured free Panera iced coffee may have happened in between.

Pla

failed selfiesytime and a bunch of attempted selfies later, it’s naptime again.

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After his nap, Ryan plays with his walker while I get dinner together.

 

Dinner: Grill food for me means minimal clean up. BBQ chicken kabob of half a chicken breast, mini potato kabob (boil mini potatos until tender, coat in olive oil, salt and pepper and throw on the grill to get crispy) and a charred corn cob. Ryan gets all of his favorites for dinner – seasoned chicken (chicken cut small with paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and a litttttle bit of salt cooked in a non stick pan) watermelon, tomatoes, olives, eggs, sweet potatos, apples.

birthday boydessert wiaw

 

A little playtime with his birthday balloon, a tub, and bedtime for the little birthday boy and a snack for the momma. More watermelon and a coconut Chobani. Dip the watermelon in the yogurt=amazing.

So, a great, low key first birthday for my favorite boy. I’m feeling so sad and so happy that he’s already a year, it’s the weirdest feeling.

I hope you guys all have a great Wednesday!! Linking up with Peas and Crayons for What I Ate Wednesday!

Do you like salt on your watermelon? Whats your favorite greek yogurt flavor? Let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Happy Birthday, Ryan Richard

May 26, 2015 By Morgan Last Updated: December 5, 2020

Ryan bday

I can’t believe that you are turning one year old today. In the weeks leading to this day, I’ve tried to not to think too hard about the fact that you are no longer going to be a baby. In the past year your dad and I have watched you grow leaps and bounds into the funniest little man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You are so handsome, which I knew would happen, but it still amazed me when I see your big blue eyes and crazy curls when I see you standing in your crin each morning.

ryan bday 2

You are such a happy little boy. You laugh at everything, big screeching belly laughs that sometimes come from nowhere. You love your big puppy brother, Cooper and let him lick you face and give him your food all the time, much to mommy’s adamant ‘no’s. I know you’re going to be a handful in the coming years, especially when I tell you no and you crack a big smile and shake your head no. You also love your big sister Molly, and have a nasty habit of catching her when she’s not paying attention and grabbing her tail or hugging her. She’s been really good with you, thankfully, and doesn’t retaliate.

You light up every time you see your daddy, and it melts my heart. You run (crawl) over to him everytime he comes home as fast as you can and climb up him, asking him to pick you up. He is already your hero and I can’t wait to watch him teach you things and watch the bond between you two grow.

You love love love to be about and about, running errands. You flirt with all of the cashiers who talk to you and then shyly rub your face in the the nook of my neck. I’m going to have a big problem on my hands once you’re at the age where girls are more interesting.

ryan bday 3

Food is your favorite thing, and, just like your momma, I can calm you down or buy a couple of extra minutes of times by giving you a banana cookie or some dried apple. All of your meals are always so fun, and you are very open to trying new things.

Bud, you are just the coolest. I’m crying while I type this up, which I knew would happen, but you make me one big ball of mush. This past year has been the hardest, most fulfilling and amazing year of my life, and you have every bit to do with it. I am so blessed to be your mommy, and I can’t wait to see who you grow into. But please, slow down!

I love you so much munchkin head.

Love, your momma.

 

 

** Tomorrow we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming. This weekend and today we soaked in Ryan sans much phones/computers/tv and loved it. Thanks for understanding! See ya back here tomorrow for WIAW **

Filed Under: Parenting

Memories on Memorial Day

May 25, 2015 By Morgan Last Updated: December 5, 2020

Memorial Day will always be a really special day to me. As a kid living in NJ, it meant the start of the summer. As a teenager, it meant the day when all the “benny’s,” or tourists came down to the beach to intrude on the locals. When I was in college it meant school was out and I had 3 months of freedom.

I met Alex on Memorial Day at a party. He was living in a rented room in a house my best friend was also living in. We hung out the whole night and a month later he told me he loved me and I told him I was going to marry him.

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The following year, we went on our first vacation together to Ft. Lauderdale on Memorial Day weekend. The night before we left we were walking on the beach and he told me he wished he had a ring so he could propose to me then and there. (Granted, it took another four months until he actually did, but it was still on the beach when the time came.)

Two years later, Ryan came to us, on, you guessed it, Memorial Day.

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When I was pregnant, I had a silent hope that Ryan would be born on a day with a lot of meaning. I originally was pulling for the 22, since I had gradated on May 22 and we were married the following June 22 the prior year. But when Memorial Day rolled around, it all made sense. Alex’s father, who passed when he was 16, was a veteran of the Vietnam War, so to me it was like his saying, “Hey, I’m here with you guys too, you just don’t see me.” Ryan has the same middle name as the grandfather he will never meet, which was something I held in high importance.

Memorial Day is a day to remember the brave men and women that have served our country to guarantee that we can live our own lives how we wish safely and securely. But while I am remembering and thanking all of them, I am celebrating my own little day of joy.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Go out and make some of your own memories while honoring those who have allowed you to do so!

Filed Under: Holidays, Summer, Uncategorized

Making Present You Accountable for Future You

May 21, 2015 By Morgan Last Updated: September 18, 2020

The other day I went to the cabinet where I keep the chocolate chips to grab a handful and I couldn’t find them. Then I remembered. They were in a jar with the lid one as far back in the cabinet as I could put them. I’d need to either climb on the counter or grab a chair to get them. In that moment, I thanked my past self and went on with my day.

Do you ever eat just because it’s there? Do you ever snack because it’s accessible and easy? I know I do. These are some of the scars that a lifetime of over eating and free range snacking have left. Even four years after losing 45+ pounds, I still have trouble with mindless eating, over eating, and snacking when I’m not hungry. I have to plan ahead in order to combat my weak moments. I have to make my stronger, present self accountable for my weaker future self.

We see it all the time. On Monday, we vow to eat great, work out daily, and live a healthier lifestyle. By Wednesday, we’ve all but forgotten our goal, and by Friday we’re telling ourselves that we’ll “start next Monday.” Lather, rinse, and repeat. It’s too easy to submit to temptation when you pretend that it’s not there.

I recently starting owning up to all of my mistakes. Now karma is kicking my ass for everything I've done in my past.Got leftovers? Either chuck ’em or freeze ’em. Tasty leftovers are an easy target when they’re sitting pretty in the fridge. I am definitely likely to take a bite here and there if they’re easily accessible. If it’s enough food to make a serving, I’ll throw them in the freezer for an easy meal later. If not, I try my hardest to just throw them out to avoid temptation.

Put it somewhere harder to get to. If it takes me a few extra steps to get to a tempting food, I’m more likely to build the willpower to say no. You will be reminding yourself why it is where it is, and more likely to stop.

Double wrap it. If I can’t freeze it, or don’t want to throw it out, I either wrap it two times in plastic wrap or foil or twice in a baggie. Again, make it harder to get to, and you’re more likely to resist later!

Write a note. This used to work great for me when I would bring meals and snacks into my office at work. If I let myself, I’d eat all of it before 12 and then have to go out at 3 for a snack. I KNOW. I started putting post-it notes on things, telling myself when I could eat them. That way, I could re-evaluate whether I was hungry or bored at work. Did I really need to eat my snack before lunch, or did I just need to get up and stretch my legs.

Set an alarm. My weakest time is nighttime, when I slowly snack the world away. This year I imposed a 9 o’clock rule. Except for very rare treats or emergencies, I don’t eat after 9 pm. Sounds fine and dandy, but its upholding the rule that’s tricky. I found if I set an alarm for 9:15 I am more likely to not eat or snack after 9. It’s a visual reminder of the pact I made with myself.

 

Look, if you’re the kind of person who has willpower of steel, ignore this post. But if you’re like me, you need an extra push. This is what helps me keep my present self accountable for the future, to help me prepare for weakness. I hope it helps you too.

Linking up with Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud.

How do you keep yourself accountable? Do you have willpower of steel, or do you need tricks to help along the way like me?

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

How I Save Money on Groceries (and More!) Using My Phone

May 19, 2015 By Morgan Last Updated: December 6, 2020

Does anyone else miss the days of opening up the fridge at your parents’ house and going to town on all the groceries they just bought? Man were those the good days. (Also, sorry mom and dad. And even more, sorry dad because I still do that when we come to see you.)

Grocery shopping is expensive, guys! While we eat pretty clean, have a membership card at Sam’s Club, and try to keep an eye on sales, it really adds up each week, and I can see it getting more and more expensive as the little dude starts eating more . So what do I do? I use my phone.

The thing is, there’s tons of ways to get discounts, coupons, and rebates for the groceries you buy if you just take the time look. I don’t have the patience, the printer, or the Sunday paper subscription to clip coupon. But that doesn’t mean that there are no other places to look. Apps and mobile coupons can help you save big $$! Below are my favorite apps that can help you save money on groceries this week!

Open this post on your phone and you can click on the links to open the download page for each app directly on your phone. 

**Some of the link in this post are referral links. This means that if you get and use the app using my code/link, I receive a bonus. I will note which ones are referral codes, and I greatly appreciate anyone who uses mine!**

Ibotta

I downloaded Ibotta a while ago and didn’t use it, then on a whim tried again last month and now I’m hooked! They offer rebates for some “any brand” items, as well as different name brand items. Sort by whatever store you’re headed to, and a huge list of potential rebates comes up. You have to unlock them by watching a short clip or answering a question, but the rebates are from $.20-$5.00 on average. Take a picture of your receipt after you buy and submit it to earn your cash back. Have your friends join and you can earn team bonuses as well. (For example, this month, if you redeem $5, and your team redeems a total of $10, you receive the level 1 bonus of $2.00, which puts a total of $7 into your account! But don’t worry, no one can see what you buy!) If you use my referral code or link, qumsmfo, when signing up, you’ll join my team and we can help each other get that goal! (Full disclosure: I will receive $2.00 as a referral bonus is you use my code. Thanks for supporting me!) Get your money sent to Venmo or your PayPal or in the form of gift cards such as Starbucks and Amazon when you hit a $10 minimum.

SavingStar

Link up your club cards to this app (for stores without club cards like Target you can submit a picture of the receipt) and earn rebates for your purchases. They offer a weekly ‘healthy offer’ of 20% back on a produce purchase (this week it’s bananas). You can earn cash back on name brand purchases of food, household supplies, and over the counter medicines. It’s usually a buy 2, get $.75 kind of thing, but they also do something called ‘one or many’ where you spend a certain amount on one or many trips to earn your rebate. (Right now, they have spend $30 on SC Johnson Home Care products, get $5. If you buy Glade, Windex, Ziploc, this is easy, especially since you are usually given a few months to reach the goal) With no minimum required, you can cash out directly to your bank account, PayPal, or Upromise account, or give it as an American Forests Donation.

Apple // Google

Checkout 51

This is another receipt rebate app. Take a picture of your receipt with qualifying purchases using the app and earn money back. Each week they have a different fresh food that you can choose from five options to claim as well as a gallon of milk. If you claimed both each week, you’d earn $.50 a week, they also have name brand products you can redeem. Some are definitely not the healthiest choices, but others are! This week there is a $.75 option for Kashi cereal or snack bars. Once you earn $20, they will send you a check in the mail.

Apple // Google

Snap by Groupon

This app is owned by Groupon which is cool. They offer coupons on produce as well as name brand, but the produce ones go quick, so keep an eye out for them. Again, take a picture of your receipt and submit to earn your money. Right now they have an offer for $.75 off Wonderful Almonds. Like Checkout 51, you can request a check when you hit $20. (Full Disclosure: Using my referral link above earns me $1)

Local Grocery Store App

We shop most often at ShopRite, and I quickly found out they have a Mobile App you can use and link to your club card. From there you can select and load digital coupons from their site to your card that are automatically applied at the register.

Cartwheel

If you don’t know about Cartwheel, I’m about to make. You. Life. I love Target. LOVE Target. Cartwheel is an app made by Target that gives you discounts on your purchases at the register by scanning a barcode off your phone. You can select and load different offers (there are usually over 1000 offers at one time!) based on what you are buying, with discounts from 5-60%. There is a limit to how many offers you can load at once, but the more you use it, the more offer ‘slots’ you get. You can also use it with mobile coupons…

Apple // Google

Target Mobile Coupons

There are a bunch of different codes you can text to Target to enroll in a monthly text service to receive different types of coupons that will be sent to your phone. Again, at the register a barcode is scanned and the discount is applied. Usually its X dollars off, but also percentage coupons are offered.

Pampers Rewards

If you use Pampers (Huggies does this as well!) you know that there are codes on wipe and diaper packs that you can enter into the Pampers Rewards site that you can redeem for toys, magazines, coupons, gift cards, Shutterfly goods, and more! I always forget to sit at my computer and put them in a bunch at a time, so I downloaded the app and now I can put them in when I remember/when I’m nursing Ryan/when I have a a spare second. If you remember to put in at least one code per month, Pampers will reward you every 3 months with a different prize. If you follow Money Saving Mom, she occasionally posts freebie codes you can enter for points without making a purchase.

Apple // Google

ShopKick

I’m pretty new to this app, but the concept is, each store you go into that qualifies, you make sure the app is open and earn ‘Kicks’ or points that can be later turned into gift cards. If you link your Mastercard or Visa, some stores award you with extra kicks per dollar spent. (Full disclosure: If you sign up with my link, I will receive 2000 kicks per 3 referrals) Choose from the rewards store what you’s like to redeem with your kicks, including gift cards to a ton of different stores, (Target, Macy’s, Nike, Walmart, Tiffany’s  to name a few) coupons, magazines, or goods (125000 kicks gets you an iPad, and 6,250,000 gets you a cruise around the world. No, really.)

RetailMeNot

I’m sure you use RetailMeNot to get coupons while online shopping, but did you know that if you download the app, you can use it in stores as well? I try to check this app each time I’m shopping to make sure I’m not missing out on savings!

Apple // Google

Pick and choose which ones are best for you and your family. I use these apps to help make my grocery list and when I get back I make sure I submit my receipts to the proper apps. No, I don’t save hundreds each week, but I can usually count on around $5 or $10, not including when I get bigger saves. It adds up!

Do you use any of these apps? What are your favorite ways to save money on groceries? What ‘untraditional’ ways do you use your cellphone? Let me know in the comments!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Hi! I’m Morgan!

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