Family update

It has been forever since I've written anything other than reviews I know. Right now we're excitedly anticipating the arrival of baby #4. She is due to come May 4, but like Rachel, wants to come and play already. Friday I'll be 30 weeks and I'm hoping and praying we can make it another 8 weeks before her debut. My doctor is doing everything he can to keep her put, short of putting me in the hospital (something I really appreciate). I've been getting weekly injections and taking a daily muscle relaxer to try and lessen the contractions. My last injection is April 12, so we'll see how long she waits to come after that.

We've decided to name her Evelyn Mae. That was the name we'd chosen for Connor if he was a girl so the moment we found out #4 was a girl, her name was chosen. I keep asking everyone if we're really sure, and they insist we are. So I guess it is a go. Evelyn was my Grandma Mason's middle name and Mae was my great-grandmother's middle name. Glen had no idea that Mae was a name also in my family when he chose it. He thinks that April should have a Mae, so now we will.

We couldn't be more excited. Glen brought down the bin of newborn baby girl clothes from the attic. Kate and Rachel loved going through them and seeing how little they were and looking at their cute clothes. It will be fun to dress this one in their clothes. It is crazy to me how time flies and how grown up my three already are.

Kate and Rachel are loving thinking about genetics and how Evie will fit in to our family. Will she have curly hair or straight hair? Will it be brown or blond? Blue eyes or brown? Will she have dimples or not? Since Kate, Rachel, and Connor are so different it will be interesting to see. She is already extremely active like Kate and determined to come early like Rachel.

Connor turned 3 a week and a half ago and was miles past excited. He's been waiting for months for his "urtday" to finally come. To him, having a birthday means opening presents. So when anyone asked him about his birthday he pointed to his presents on the mantle and said "there's my urtday right there." Since Connor is not a fan of cake (another Mason trait), we had yummy brownies and ice cream to celebrate. After 2 years of making cakes and his refusal to eat them, I learned.

Review: Kroger's Comforts baby line

I recently signed up as a Bzz Agent with www.bzzagent.com. As an agent, they send me samples of different products to try. In return, I write reviews, share coupons and tell friends about the products.
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I received a awesome box of products from Kroger's Comfort's for Baby line, including baby wipes and sippy cups. Connor was thrilled with the cups and could hardly stand for me to wash it before he used it. I'm excited about the wipes, they're comparable to Huggies, which are my favorite wipes. When at the store, I was surprised at how many products are included in the Comfort line, diapers, wipes, feeding utencils, food, snacks, potty training pants, etc. I have a couple of coupons to share if anyone would like to try it out. I often think that with a great sale and a coupon you can usually get national brands at a better price, but a coupon on a store brand is also a great deal. I haven't tried out the diapers yet, won't be too long though!

Review: Meijer Canvas Photos

I recently signed up as a Bzz Agent with www.bzzagent.com. As an agent, they send me samples of different products to try. In return, I write reviews, share coupons and tell friends about the products.

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Today I picked up my canvas print from Meijer. I love it! It came out beautifully and was so easy to do. I did mine at the kiosk at the store, but you can do it right from home and pick up the next day. I chose a picture that my friend, JoDee Yost, took of me and Connor when Connor was 6 months old. It is my favorite photo of us together. I just love it. Right now (through January 7th I believe) you can load a coupon to your mperks account to get a canvas print for 50% off. I might have to order another one!

Review: Kroger's Private Selection line of gormet food

I received coupons from Bzz Agent to try Kroger's Private Selection new line of food. I got an appetizer, a pizza and a dessert. I have to say I LOVED it, much more than I expected to. The appetizers I chose were southwestern chicken trumpts (cheese, peppers, chicken). They were so good. My pizza choice was garlic and pepperoni (big chunks of garlic and cheese), oh so good! For dessert I chose chocolate lava cakes. I have not had the cakes yet, I'm too full from eating everything else. I don't think there is any chance though that I won't like it. The pizza was so delicious. I liked it more than anything I've ever had from Pizza Hut or another chain. It reminded me some of the pizza we ate in Connecticut at Pepe's. I have a new favorite. Glen and I shared it for our lunch date today. It was perfect for 2 people. Can't wait to get it again!

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Review: Fekkai hair care

I recently signed up as a Bzz Agent with www.bzzagent.com. As an agent, they send me samples of different products to try. In return, I write reviews, share coupons and tell friends about the products.
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A couple weeks ago I got a box of Fekkai's glossing shampoo and conditioner. I love it! My hair feels so soft and silky after each wash. I got a sample of the glossing cream as well. I didn't like that as much as the shampoo set. I don't know if I used too much of the cream (I only used a pea sized amount) or not, but my hair felt a little on the greasy side with the cream. I was so excited about the new shampoo though that I looked for it at Target. It was more than $20 for the shampoo and conditioner. I wasn't expecting it to be that much. So right now I'm thinking this is going to be a possible treat from time to time, not my mainstay shampoo. We'll have to see. I still have half a bottle left so it's easy for me to say that now.

Review: Burt Bees Sensitive Skin line

I recently signed up as a Bzz Agent with www.bzzagent.com. As an agent, they send me samples of different products to try. In return, I write reviews, share coupons and tell friends about the products.

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I received a Bzz kit with a full size Burt Bees sensitive skin cleanser and daily moisturizer recently. I LOVED them. I do have sensitive skin and these products are fragrance free, dye free, etc and worked great. I felt like the cleanser really cleaned my skin without stripping it. And the moisturizer feels great. I can't wait to try the eye cream and the night cream as well. If you're thinking about buying it, Target has coupons on their website right now that you can use with a manuf. coupon to save any more. I think I'll have to make a Target run this week!

Cookie review: Krogers truly Awesome Chocolate Chip Cookies

I recently signed up as a Bzz Agent with www.bzzagent.com. As an agent, they send me samples of different products to try. In return, I write reviews, share coupons and tell friends about the products.

Yesterday I received two boxes of Kroger's The Truly Awesome™ Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookies. The kids and I opened them immediately. The loved the cookies. I liked the cookies, but didn't fall in love with them. I thought they were a little dry and the cookies were all broken in the box. Of course, mine were mailed to me. I didn't get them at the store. I do have to say they were full of chocolate chips which made them an instant hit with my kids. I believe there were 8 cookies in a box. If I have a coupon and they are on a good sale, I might be tempted to get them again. However, I think I'll stick with homemade. Nothing quite beats fresh from the oven.