Budgeting...is it wrong that I enjoy it?

Can you tell I am totally avoiding cleaning the house and working on our grocery list? I am. Oh well, the dishes will wait for me. One of the things I have been meaning to blog about lately is our budget. Mostly because I am proud of the fact that we have now successfully followed a budget for two whole months! Santi and I have tried for the past couple of years to create a monthly budget and really stick to it, but it wasn't until recently that we really had any success. We read Dave Ramsey, tried creating budgets in Excel, mint.com, etc. but just couldn't find something that worked for us and kept us organized. We save receipts and everything...no luck. We even had Sunday evening budget meetings every week to discuss the week's spending and upcoming expenses.
In February someone told me about a budgeting tool called "You Need a Budget" (www.ynab.com)
We hesitantly purchased the download hoping it would work and not be a total waste of money. It was the first time we had spent money on actual budgeting software rather than trying to create our own or use the freebies. It was well worth it! At first it's a little tricky, and Santi didn't want to follow or read directions (as usual) and we tried to budget out the whole month at once, which is why we had been unsuccessful in the past. Finally I just told him to hand over the reins and let me take care of it. So now, he actually pays the bills (since he works at the bank and it's easy for him) and I just keep track of the bottom line. Every two weeks when we get a paycheck, I only budget that amount, and I only budget two weeks at a time rather than the whole month. That way, when things come up mid month it's easier to work them in. Plus, this software allows the budget to be continuously tweaked as needed. If you are under budget in one category and over in another mid-month, it's really easy to rework things. We have done much better managing our money the last two months, even with some unexpected expenses, and we have been able to add some extra money to my "maternity leave" account, which is what we will live off of when I am out of work for 12 weeks (which I am thrilled about) taking care of Luca. I love the way this budget works, and I actually enjoy sitting down  to work on it, which I now do every couple of days rather than once a week (much easier to keep up with). It's much easier and enjoyable to shop for groceries or other needs when you know exactly how much you have to spend instead of getting home from a shopping trip and realizing you went over and have to dip into your emergency fund (yes, we did that often). So, as I sit down about to work on our budget and plan our menu for the week (which is also key to saving money at the grocery store), I just thought I would share with my blogging friends how much I love our new budget system!

My Latest Addiction

Besides trying to improve our family blog (I am so jealous of all those super talented writers with really creative blogs), my newest hobby addiction is reading teacher blogs. I am slightly obsessed. There are so many fabulous teachers out there with so many great ideas, and luckily for me so many of them have joined the blogging world with some fantastic teaching blogs! They are just full of great ideas, free resources, and tips of all kinds. I could spend hours and hours collecting new ideas. I get so motivated by these teaching blogs, and they renew my energy and excitement for teaching, even being 30 weeks pregnant with 4 weeks left in the school year!
One of my goals for my summer/maternity leave is to really get my teaching blog going. Okay, I know I am going to be busy with little Luca, and I have already listed several other goals for my summer/maternity leave such as learning how to use our fancy camera and improving my baking skills, but I really love blogging and I feel that I won't have much else to do being trapped in the house with a little one. I want to teach myself some of the technical things I don't already know, as well as really dive into my notebook full of ideas and start getting them organized via blogging. I attempted to start a kindergarten blog back at the beginning of this school year, but once I got pregnant it became very difficult because I was always exhausted. It was all I could do just to make it through the week. So I am going to give it another try.
For my fellow teacher friends, if you would also like to be up to your eyeballs in new teaching ideas, check out the blog button in my sidebar:) Caution: you will lose hours of your life and most likely leave with idea overload.

29 Weeks...and the Easter Edition of Sunday Blessings

 Happy Easter!!! He is risen!!! Easter is a time of renewal and new life. This year not only do we celebrate the new life we have in our Savior Christ Jesus, but we celebrate this beautiful new life that God has blessed us with. We celebrate 29 weeks of a healthy, mostly uneventful pregnancy. We celebrate the new journey into parenthood on which we are about to embark. We celebrate this amazing little boy that has already changed our lives. God is good!!!


How far along?: 29weeks!

•Total weight gain: After looking at some pictures Santi took of me today, I am scared to know. I didn't really think I looked any heavier until today. Before it seemed as though I was "all belly". Now I feel like I am putting on weight in more places than my belly...which is tough to swallow. But it's all for this little boy!!! I just hope I can lose the weight quickly after he is born. And I should probably refrain from sending Santi out for some Cadbury Cream Eggs...

•How big is baby?: Luca is the size of a squash!

•Maternity clothes?: Still haven't purchased anymore actual maternity clothes. I am hoping I can make it the last 5 weeks of school with what I have. I did buy some cute dresses and skirts (non-maternity) that I will hopefully be able to wear before and after delivery. I also found a cute outfit for the maternity pictures we are having taken on Mother's Day.

 
•Movement: He has been having bigger and stronger movements lately, which I love, but it feels like he is using my ribs as monkey bars sometimes!

•Stretch marks?: Ummmm....I did find some this weekend, but they are not on my stomach. I will not disclose where they are located.

•Sleep?: I got up at 7:30 on a Saturday...voluntarily. For those of you who know me well, that is very abnormal. That should tell you how I am sleeping.

•Symptoms?: Just worn down and my body hurts from the excess weight. How do obese people live?!

•Food cravings: This week strawberries and grapes...YUM. And I just caved and sent Santi out for some Cadbury Cream Eggs. In my defense, the Easter Bunny forgot about me this year and I have not had one single piece of Easter candy.

•Belly button in or out?: About flat still.

•What I miss: Being able to move and get around easily. And being able to really exercise. 

•What I'm looking forward to: This week I am thrilled that AIMS testing is over at school so I can have my prep periods back. Last week was exhausting. I am also looking forward to my doctor's appointment on Wednesday and more fun in the sun with my girlfriends on Saturday.

•Best Moment this week: Enjoying a three day weekend which included pool time with my girlfriends, yard sales and shopping with Santi, and of course celebrating our Risen Savior at church!

•Milestone: Luca is gaining body fat and with that more energy. I can tell, he has been pretty active this past week! 


•Nursery Progress: We hung up the soccer print, and all that's left besides washing clothes and organizing the closet is finding something to go above the crib. I love going into the nursery and just sitting or reading. I can't wait to be sitting in there with Luca!

Belly Pic:

Sunday Blessings

Is it really Sunday again already? Wow the weeks are flying by. And here we have Sunday blessings!
1. Baby Luca-of course he will always make the list of blessings. I am so thankful for all the kicks he has been giving me lately.
2. Santi-I have the most wonderful husband. Today he told me I was not allowed to get up and I needed to relax, so he went to Costco and the grocery store all by himself.
3. Our church family-I spent the morning yesterday with a friend from our church small group. I am so blessed by the wonderful people we have met through church. Today I am taking a meal to another couple from our small group who just had a baby. I know that we will be blessed in return by them when Luca arrives.
4. I am officially in the third trimester of pregnancy. This is a huge blessing. After the losses it was difficult to imagine ever getting to this point in a pregnancy. I know there are so many other women out there who would do anything to be in my shoes right now.
5. Lastly, a small blessing. I am going to have angel food cake with whipped cream and berries on top later. Mmmmmmm....

What?! I am in the third trimester?!

I woke up this morning (bright and early for a MOM sale with a good friend) and realized it was Saturday. There are many things I love about Saturdays. No work, sleeping in, family time, relaxing, catching up on things I am too busy for during the week...but since being pregnant I have had a new reason to love Saturdays. Saturday is what I refer to as "ticker change day", meaning my little online ticker that tells me how far along I am in my pregnancy changes over to a new week. This morning that little ticker moved from second trimester into third trimester. 27 weeks and 6 days, to 28 weeks. I never in my wildest dreams imagined getting to the third trimester of pregnancy. It seems surreal. This is really happening. We are having a baby. In less than three months. Holy crap.

Sunday Blessings

It's hard to believe Sunday has almost come and gone once again. Time is flying by this month! It feels like I just posted Sunday Blessings. Anyways, here they are in no particular order, the blessings I am counting today:
1. A great doctor's appointment on Friday
2. A bonus from work that allowed a little extra cash for a pedicure (I am so thankful for that foot massage), and a decent chunk of money was able to go into my maternity leave savings fund
3. The weather is beautiful here in the spring, and we have been able to enjoy a lot of time outdoors which we are taking advantage of before it gets too hot.
4. Luca- I am so blessed by him already and we are so thankful to have such an amazing little boy on the way.

27 Weeks!!!

I have been slacking off on the bi-weekly pregnancy updates and survey...so here we have week 27!

How far along?: 27 weeks!

•Total weight gain: I will not disclose my weight from my doctor's appointment Friday, but it's around 20lbs so far.

•How big is baby?: Luca is the size of an eggplant!

•Maternity clothes?: I am going to *try* really hard not to buy anymore actual maternity clothes because I really only need to get through the last month and a half of school. In June I will be sitting around the house or I will be poolside (and yes, I will wear my bikini and I don't care...no shame in this belly). I would like to buy some regular clothes in a bigger size along with some more stretchy waist band skirts so I have something to wear after Luca arrives and I am not back to my normal weight. I also need a cute outfit for maternity pictures in a couple of weeks and a bachlorette dinner. Maybe I will give next weekend a try. 

 
•Movement: He has gotten more consistent this past week, and I feel him more throughout the day. I honestly wouldn't mind if he was active all the time. I love feeling him move, it's so reassuring.

•Stretch marks?: Nope. Thank goodness.

•Sleep?: Apparently I have developed pregnancy induced Restless Leg Syndrome. Let me tell you, I thought that disorder was another made-up disease that pharmaceutical companies invented...but I was wrong. It sucks. My legs go numb and tingle all the time at night and I have to move in order to relieve the feeling. I also have achy hips. But it's all a small sacrifice.

•Symptoms?: Aching body and exhaustion, and the doctor mentioned yesterday that I should be expecting another baby growth spurt in the next couple of weeks...so I am going to feel even more tired and achy. 

•Food cravings: Water with lots and lots and lots of lemon or lime juice...still...and food of all kinds. I am always hungry.

•Belly button in or out?: About flat now...soon to pop out. It's very odd. 

•What I miss: Margaritas, sleeping on my back and stomach, and being able to bend over.

•What I'm looking forward to: According to the Bump I am already in my third trimester, but my doctor said it starts at week 28 (next week). I am going to go with what she said, so I am really looking forward to being in my final trimester next weekend! I am also looking forward to having a day off school on Good Friday next week, and going to the Mom's sale with Miranda next weekend! I am hoping I can find some great used items for Luca.

•Best Moment this week: My doctor's visit on Friday, hearing Luca's heartbeat again, and getting a pedicure!

•Milestone: Luca is now practicing breathing!


•Nursery Progress: This weekend we found a soccer print that we framed and plan to hang up, and a couple weekends ago we put up the shelves. We just need to decide what is going above his crib. I can't decide. 

The next step is finishing up the wall art. I cannot wait to start putting together all of his things too, like the bouncer, stroller, and high chair. I am also dying to wash that first load of baby clothes...but I am thinking all of that probably won't happen until after school gets out. My other kids are keeping me very busy! Which is fine, because it's making the time fly by! We are soooooooooooo excited to meet Luca!!!!

And last but not least....a belly pic.

PGAL Thoughts...and an Article.

PGAL=Pregnant After a Loss

That is my unfortunate title. When I go to the doctor's office, there it is on my chart. Of course at the doctor's office they use the tag of  "multiple losses" or "history of abortion". Why do they refer to it as "abortion" when I most certainly did not choose to abort my pregnancy? I hate that term. It has such a negative connotation. I much prefer pregnant after a loss. And it's a blessing and a curse at the same time. Blessing because I know that had we not gone through the pain of pregnancy loss (not once, but twice) we may not fully appreciate the blessing and miracle that is now thriving in my body. Curse because I have lived nearly every day of this pregnancy imagining all that could go wrong. Constantly worried and fearful. Taking it "one day at a time" has been a challenge. And getting this far has required a lot of strength and faith. Not only on my part, but on Santi's part as well. He has been a pillar of strength for me, my rock, even though there have been many times in the past year that he must have thought I was downright crazy. I have fought off the fear of not wanting to tell anyone until it was too difficult to hide (never imagining the day I would actually have a baby bump). I have battled with the terrifying fear of buying maternity clothes and trying to squeeze into my regular clothes as long as possible in fear of having to return things (really optimistic, I know). Excited and terrified all at the same time to shop the baby sections...to (gulp) make purchases. But with each passing week I have managed to muster up enough faith to finally allow myself to be the smug pregnant woman I always wished I could be. And it feels good.
Today marks exactly one year since the day we found out not only that we were expecting twins, but that the pregnancy was not viable. This time last year we were heartbroken, devastated, and lost. I faced surgery the next day because my body didn't react as it should have. One year ago today we began a journey to parenthood unlike what we had ever imagined. But that journey has shaped us, our relationship, our faith, and will shape our parenting. And as difficult as it was, I am thankful for it.
This article expresses perfectly what it is like to be pregnant after a loss. I cried when I read it.
Why I Still Keep My Maternity Clothes

Sunday Blessings

Sundays are kind of sad because they mean that yet another weekend is coming to an end, but I am going to focus on my blessings for now and forget that I still have piles of school work and lesson plans to wade through, dinner to start, and dishes to wash. What am I thankful for today? Let me see...
1. Less than 100 days now until baby Luca arrives! Now that spring is officially here, we are starting to get busy and time is flying!
2. I got some sun today while Santi, Tevez, and I were out delivering door hangers for Easter service at church. There are two blessings in that one: sunshine always puts a smile on my face, and so does inviting people to church, especially Easter service! We also met a couple that lives on the street behind us.
3. I was asked to complete an online assessment for the online teaching position I applied for. This means I am moving forward in the application process and I may have a way to stay home at least part time next year. That would be such an amazing blessing!!!!
4. My student's Godmother made the most adorable little booties for Luca. They are just precious! And on the same note, my friend Heidi from high school sent me a message asking for my address so she could send another pair of booties from her shop after she saw that my mom had purchased me one pair. I am blessed to have so many loving and generous people in my life!


That's all for today. I know I missed my pregnancy post yesterday, but it's just been a busy weekend after an exhausting week last week. I will update with belly pics and new nursery pics next weekend! 

4/1 Update on My 101 (even though I know it's not 4/1)

I have been very bad about updating my 101 in 1,001 list on here, so I am going to try very hard to update on the first of every month. That's the first goal. The next goal is to blog more and keep it interesting! I have been focusing on my pregnancy updates every weekend, but I would like to start getting creative and blogging more than once a week! So, I am going to attempt to add Sunday blessings posts and go from there. I am going to keep pregnancy updates for Saturdays since that is when my ticker changes. Hopefully I will be able to get more blogging in...baby steps.

My 101 in 1,001: 101 things to tackle in 1,001 days
Start Date: April 24, 2010
End Date: January 19, 2013 (wow that seems like a long time from now!)

Personal Improvement:
Attend yoga at least once a week for two months
Attend kickboxing class at least once a week for two months
Try acupuncture
Not eat out for a month (we have come very, very close to this a few times on our new budget)
Have a no tv/internet week
Participate in some type of run (5k, etc.)
Finish my Master's Degree (DONE!!!! I officially completed my program in October!)
Try a whole Zumba class at the gym
Do strength training exercises twice a week for a month
Jog 3 miles again like I used to be able to do:)
Have a spa day
Get some new jewelry (I am going to go ahead and count the beautiful jewelry that was gifted to me from my mother-in-law and Santi's grandpa. A beautiful ring from Ximena, and a gorgeous silver pendant and matching earrings from Italy that Santi's grandpa purchased. I know I didn't buy them, but they are the nicest and newest pieces I own, and will own for awhile!)
Get an awesome pair of heels and actually wear them
Get a tan! (completed 7/10, I have been spending some time at the pool with my friend Audrey!)
Get teeth professionally whitened

Faith:
Finish reading the entire Bible
Consistently journal my Bible reading daily for at least one month
Share my faith with someone new
Complete a missions trip of some sort
Pray for others every day (work in progress)

Travel:
Visit San Diego (completed 6/10, our five year plan now includes moving here!)
Visit Tombstone
Go camping
Return to Ecuador
Go to the Galapagos
Go on a cruise
Drive route 1 in California (completed 6/10, only the southern portion, we will work on the northern portion!)
Stay at the Venetian in Vegas
Go to the Phoenix Zoo (and not just for Zoolights)
Go to Napa Valley
Stay somewhere new in Sedona
Visit Flagstaff in the winter

Adventures:
Hike Camelback mountain
Hike the Grand Canyon
Learn to play golf
Learn to play blackjack
Try 20 new recipes (8/20)
Learn to make a new mixed drink
Chop my hair off (Done! 5/28/10)
Read 10 new books (read 2 of 10, currently occupied with pregnancy books)
Try the night tour of the Desert Botanical Gardens
Try 5 new hiking trails in Phoenix
Find 10 new restaurants to try in Phoenix (3/10) 
1. Ta Carbon (super yummy Mexican hole-in-the-wall kind of place)
2. Joe's Farm Grill (another restaurant from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)
3. Over Easy (great little breakfast place, also from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)
Make ceviche again  Done 5/16/2010
Learn to bake and decorate a cake
Get a bike or rollerblades
Go horseback riding again
Go to a concert
Stay for both movies at the drive-in
Go swimming in Lake Pleasant
Find a place to go fishing in Phoenix
Drive across the border
Buy an expensive bottle of wine (more than $20)
Try 5 new sushi rolls (2/5)
1. Hawaiian roll
2. Pink Lady

Family/Friends:
Have a baby (Baby Luca Alberto is due to arrive around July 9th!!!)
Have a girl's weekend with my college roommates (NYC in July 2010, fantastic trip!!)
Have a designated date night once a week for a month
Go on a picnic with my husband
Take my dog to the dog park in Gilbert with the lake (checked it out on 5/16/10, planning to take Tevez eventually)
Get grandma and grandpa out here for a visit
Have a candlelight dinner with my husband once a week for a month
Take a dancing lesson with my husband
Take a mother/daughter trip
Host a wine and cheese party
Go to at least 5 sporting events with my husband (we have tickets to the Rattlers game at the end of the month)
Get professional pictures taken of my husband and I (currently in search of a maternity/newborn/family photographer...I guess baby Luca will just have to be included)

Financial:
Pay off the Nissan Altima (LOVE that I can cross this one off! As of 2/11 we own the Altima!)
Get a minimum of $5,000 in the savings account (technically this could be crossed off, but the savings are for the big fat hospital bill and my maternity leave, so they won't be there long unfortunately)
Reach a point financially where I can stay home or work from home (Now that baby Luca is on his way, I am more desperate than ever to make this happen. Taking suggestions!)
Stick with a budget for five full months (March 11 was our first successful budget month, hopefully we can continue on this path)
Not buy any new clothes for a month
Spend less than $300 on groceries in a month (Done! 3/11...spent around $275 thanks to our new budget)
Put $5 in the savings for each completed task and donate $5 for each incomplete task

Hobbies and Creativity:
Make Shutterfly albums with all of our pictures
Learn some type of new craft
Get a nicer camera and learn how to take great pictures (This one gets partially crossed off. We purchased a fancy new camera, but I won't say we are great at taking pictures yet. I am going to spend some time researching and learning before Luca arrives)
Update blog at least once a month (in progress, and being pregnant makes it much easier!)
Go to a pottery studio

Home:
Redecorate/repaint our bedroom
Buy a sectional sofa with a pullout couch for our guests (Okay, so it's not a sectional because we learned sectionals just don't fit well in our living room, but we did purchase two new sofas with recliners built in and a pullout bed for the guests! Even more important now that the guest room has been converted to Luca's room!)
Finally clean and organize the office  (completed 5/1/10 thanks to my husband!)
Buy something from Etsy (I have started a wish list for Luca's nursery)
Put grass in our backyard
Get some flower pots for the front yard
Have a shredding party and clean out the filing cabinet
Get a digital picture frame (done 7/10, love it!)
Make the bed every day for a week  (done 5/10)
Organize my favorite recipes
Keep up with cleaning for an entire week (done summer '10, does it count since I was on vacation?)
Bake something once a month for three months

Reaching Out:
Volunteer somewhere other than church
Leave a 50% tip for dinner
Give money to one of the homeless people by school
Actually meet and know both of our neighbors names
Lend someone a microloan
Send handwritten notes to each of our sponsor children in Ecuador (We didn't manage to send handwritten notes, but we did send email notes. Unfortunately we had to cut our sponsorship due to baby's arrival and cutting back expenses.)
Pay for the person behind me in the drive through
Make a new friend  (I met Valeri online through The Bump and we have actually gotten together in person twice! She lives in Gilbert, which is way on  the other side of  Phoenix, but she came to my jewelry party and I went to her baby shower. Hopefully we will be able to get together again soon.)
Buy a goat for someone in a poor country

Getting Green:
Use reusable shopping bags every shopping trip for a month
Try a new "green" method of cleaning (I have switched to using mainly Green Works cleaner in the kitchen, but I need to transition to using it in the bathrooms as well. I also want to do the old vinegar/water trick, but Santi gags at the smell of vinegar.)
Eat fruit off the trees in our own backyard (Enjoyed some limes 12/10)
Grow an indoor herb garden (done 6/10, unfortunately there is no good place to keep them and they died)
Learn to garden desert style and actually have a vegetable garden in our backyard

There you have it! If you are interested in starting your own list, here is a great website to get you going:
http://dayzeroproject.com/