Fabulously Crazy Week

So our great but crazy week started Monday.  With only $1000 left to pay on student loans before we are debt free (minus the house mortgage), the idea of a new vehicle went up.

Keith's sweet parents have been on the lookout for great deals, and found a fabulous vehicle for an equally fabulous price.  Before making an offer, Keith, Knox and I went to test drive a similar one at a local dealership.  Long story short, we made an offer on the one we test drove and dealer wouldn't come down $1500 so we said no thanks, and I next thing I know I'm in TN and the proud new owner of a 2007 Chevy Tahoe!!!  :)  I even got to see my sweet grandmother and aunt while here, since Knox and I stayed an extra night so we wouldn't feel so rushed.

Now, on our way home, we are meeting Brother and Lindsey in Birmingham so that they can ride with us in the new Tahoe, to help keep Knox happy and Mommy sane.  If only I could fall asleep now, and get some good shut eye...oh well.  Friday Ma Jack & Big Daddy will be join us (after us kids hit the GA Aquarium) for a fun filled weekend of cooking out and a trip to the ATL zoo!

In other crazy news, while we've been here in TN, we've come to realize that Knox is growing way too fast (like we didn't already know!)  We put him to sleep in his pack n play Grammy has for him here, and we woke up to find him on the BIG BED next to the pack n play, playing and gibbering to himself!!!  I tried to put him down for a nap today, and as soon as I closed the door, THUNK, there went Knox overboard since I pulled the pack n play away from the bed!  So my inability to fall asleep has a little to do with the munchin asleep on my leg, that has regularly sat straight up in attempts to get comfy himself, and the three glasses of a Pulaski delicacy, Sundrop, I consumed before bed.

Oh and please keep Grammy in your thoughts and prayers--she's having outpatient surgery on her hand tomorrow.  Hope she makes a speedy recovery, so she can give Knox sweet lovings next time we see her!

Update on the "plan"

After talking with Michelle, Knox's pediatrician, our current plan regarding Knox's lack of verbalization is to wait.

When talking with her about the extra tests the ENT "prescribed," Michelle was not familiar with the ABR test, and said that the sedation would be a bit extreme.  (Thank goodness!)  She said that she could send us to the autism early prevention center to have him tested, but again stated that she DOES NOT think that Knox has autism.  So she said she felt comfortable revisiting the situation at his 18 month checkup.

Several of my sweet readers, one being a sorority sister 

that works with delayed children, assured me that Knox's situation is quite normal--so my nerves are a little more at peace.  Thank you to everyone, including Ma Jacks and Grammys, for all of your help/assurance/input.  We love you all.  We are so glad to know that Knox is so cared for and loved.  And of course, now I think, since he has found a new love in Blue's Clues, I could swear he tries to say "Blue's Clues" when I go to put it on--but I could just be delusional at this point!  :)

My Non-Verbal Sweetheart

Many of you know that Knox hasn't really been talking--at all.  Not even his first word.  He has been walking since he was 8 months old, and I've been told that when their gross motor skills are advanced that fine motor skill, like talking, are often delayed.

We went to his 15 month check up yesterday, where his growth is fabulous--weight normal in the 57%, head circumference in the 73% and height in the 85%, so he might be a tall one!  All else checked out great, with the exception that he hasn't said one single word yet.  Michelle, his nurse practitioner that we ALWAYS see, wanted to check his hearing, to rule out that as a possible cause to the lack of talking.  She also said that not talking is a major warning sign for autism, but that she did not believe that Knox suffer from that.  He may very well, just be a little stubborn in verbalizing what he wants.

Anywho, we call yesterday and manage to get an appointment at the ENT today at 2:00pm.  I wish I had followed my own advice and waited for a morning appointment.  It was QUITE difficult to keep Knox entertained for AN HOUR AND A HALF.  Regardless, his hearing check out fine, but now they want to see him back in 4-6 weeks to "run more tests"--I think it's to get more money, so I asked if it was necessary, and of course they said yes.  Then they want me to call and schedule a test called a ABR with SEDATION through the Children's Hospital of Atlanta!  I am completely freaked out to put my child through some form of sedation for an optional test, especially when it's known that some children don't really talk until they are 18 months old.  Needless to say, I'm waiting a few days/weeks to schedule the later test until I get more info.  I am calling his pediatrician to go over today's test results, and to see what Michelle thinks we should do.  I was okay with him not talking, but now I'm getting a little more uneasy with it...

Lovely Springish Walk in the Neighborhood

We (meaning Knox, Mommy and the "girls") love going for walks in the neighborhood on beautiful days like what we've been having here. Sadly, our last walk was too long ago to remember, so Mommy and puppies were both out of shape. Regardless of how often we walk, Chloe, aka Puddin' Pop, can never really keep up with her sister. Our first two walks last week proved to be almost too much for our fat one. This is what happened half way through our walk on both Thursday AND Friday.

I know I've always been the crazy lady of the neighborhood--walking, pushing a stroller and walking two shih tzus all at once. I just can't leave the dogs at home when we're getting out for some excercise since they need it too. Now I'm just the REALLY crazy lady that lets her fat dog ride in the cargo carriage of her baby's stroller. I'm surprised I haven't caused any wrecks, from the looks of amusement/shock I some times receive. Ha! At least the people of our neighborhood are getting their laughs for free! ;)

Knox's Newest Favorite Toy

This is Knox's newest favorite toy.  He loves this mixing bowl that I found at Dollar Tree.  Isn't it funny how they love the most inexpensive thing that's NOT a toy?  He also enjoys using one of mommy's mixing spoons and "stirring it up!"  Anyways, there are several more of these pictures, so this is just a small smickling of how funny he is with this thing.  Even funnier is that he laughs and runs full speed with it on his head.  All fun and games 'til someone gets hurt--which he does multiple times.

I'm on a Publix/Couponing HIGH!

I know I haven't spoken of my couponing and sale seeking adventures, but I have been at it full force.  I recently have been visiting a site called Southern Savers.  It's similar to Coupon Mom, but Southern Saver included links to printable coupons that aren't in the weekly paper.  I have only used this site for my Publix shopping trips the past two weeks, but I'm quite impressed with myself.

Last week I spent about $52 and saved a little over $80--$130 dollars worth of groceries for $52!!!  Today, we (Keith, Knox and I) ventured out to Publix together.  I had a Rite Aid coupon for $5 a total purchase of $20, which Southern Savers said that Publix would honor (Publix honors "all" competitors coupons).  Thanks to Southern Savers and my collection of coupons, I had a hefty stack o' coupons in tow.  Plus Publix had fabulous deals for the current week, so I knew that I would have a great saving day.  So, today's grand total spent was $43.10 and, drum roll please, total amount saved was $102.62!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Can you believe it???  $145 worth of groceries for $43!!!  I did have to haggle the manager to accept my Rite Aid coupon.  I had a similar coupon for CVS--$5 of $30 purchase, but he said that it was for a pharmacy purchase, which is not the case.  I had to read the fine print to him.  I didn't push my luck with the CVS one, but I did with the Rite Aid.  He also said that they weren't competitors, but I asked if he accepted Walgreens coupons for things like aluminum foil.  He said yes, if they are local.  Guess he doesn't drive to work or venture out of the store, since there is a Walgreens across the street and a Rite Aid in the Publix parking lot.  Don't know how much more local you can get than that.  Oh well.

I just can't quit looking at my sales receipt!!!  I was so giddy when I came out of the store and couldn't wait to report my savings to Keith and Knox.  (No surprise that Knox got fussy, so he and Daddy headed out to the truck to wait on me.)  I know there are people out there who put me to shame with their grocery savings, but I am just so proud of myself and I know that I will continue to save more the longer I'm in this "grocery game."

Great Play Date

Knox and I were invited to have a play date over at Ada & Laura Beth's house today.  The kids played relatively well together, given their ages, but I think the play date might have been more for the benefit of the mommies.  :)  I guess everyone wins here!

There were no huge arguments between the two sweet little toddlers, but some slobber was exchanged in the sharing of sippy cups--at least no one is sick.  You can see in the pics that Ada loves Knox's green cup, and Knox the same for Ada's blue one.  So funny!  We had a wonderful time playing in general, and Knox only did his screech money impressionation (sp?) about four times, so that was great.  He played so well with Ada's toys, I guess since they are new to him.  They didn't try to take each other's toys but a few times.  The only "fight" they got in was when Knox scared Ada by knocking her down trying to give her hugs.  Sweet boy just doesn't know his own strength, especially when it comes to petite little Miss Ada!  :)

Thanks Ada and Laura Beth, for having us over!  We'll have to do that more often.  Knox was asleep before we hit the main road, and slept for 2 1/2 hours--unheard of in this household!