My dorky New Year’s Resolution – organize our health history & expenses

We’ve welcomed the new year and with that comes our annual shift in health, dental and vision insurance. Nearly every year our insurance (through my husband) is completely different. That means I need to figure out if our doctors, dentist etc. all fall in our network and make sure we have new cards … there was the one year I got stuck paying $600 for new glasses after finding out my doctor was no longer in network!

Anyway, this year is no different. In fact, our insurance is drastically changing. Our out-of-pocket expenses will be much more, but instead we have been given a hefty health savings account.

So my goals are to A: organize all our information in one place. Make it easier to look up when Ella had her last flu shot and who even covers our dental insurance and eye insurance (we aren’t even given cards for those!) See how it can get confusing?

And B: Shop around and save some money. We take the girls to a dentist who specializes in pediatrics. And we love her. And we felt good seeing her when Ella chipped her tooth at age 2. But do we need to pay so much to have my toddler’s teeth cleaned? I don’t know. I think some people aren’t even taken there little ones to a dentist until they’re 3.

Anyway, you can see I have a lot to figure out. And this is my point. I found a great, free site called Family Health Portfolio. I’m going to save everything in one place. Our 6 doctors, our 3 insurance plans. Every appointment, prescription, checkup and the cost of everything.

Well I  hope I didn’t bore you to tears. For an organizing dork like me, this is exciting stuff.

Girls’ clothes, a slippery slope

The other day I picked up a few new tops for Ella at Target. A darling plaid tunic shirt that looked so cute on her with leggings.

And she also got a very cute fuscha and white striped boyfriend cardigan. Steve – it’s only called that because it’s meant to be kinda big and long, don’t get scared! And I can’t find a photo of that particular item. So you’ll have to take my word on it that she wore it well.

So when I got an email from zulilly about their seasonal sale, I figured maybe I should pick up a little something for Eva. I mean, I don’t want to be unfair!

BTW, if you don’t know what zulilly is, it basically is a site that combines a whole lot of stores’ sales. And they are over-the-top cute, expensive clothes, but if you swoop in quickly you can get some good deals. Tell them I sent you if you check it out here. I think I may get a discount!

So, I picked up these two cute little dresses.

I can just see her in pigtails in this polka-dot dress with the red-heart buttons. So cute.

But now, I am wondering if I made a huge mistake passing up these other darling items. I do get free shipping the rest of the day …

For Christmas next year?

Dance class

Ella’s taking ballet and tap this year. Surprisingly she likes the tap better than ballet. And this is the first class she’s taken where I don’t stay and watch. I leave her there! It felt really weird at first. The parents are invited to watch a few times over the year though. I was impressed by the 3 instructors. They have everything under control and the kids area learning a lot. Eva, on the other hand, was out of control. Are you surprised?

Some of my favorite recent photos

You may have seen some of these on Facebook or even a text from me, but I want them to be immortalized on my blog (which I hope to turn into a keepsake book for my kids one day.) So here they are…

Just a cute picture of Eva at home. And I love this corduroy jumper. It was London’s. Then Ella wore it to my dad’s surprise 60th birthday party. Funny how my memory is sharp when it’s comes to my girls and clothes.

A sweet moment on a hike at Vandolah Nature Preserve one Sunday this fall.

Probably one of our last jacketless days for a while.

My girls running with their little friend Mara. She’s the perfect little friend — being right between the girls’ ages so they both love her.

Ella and her cousins are getting so big.

This girl isn’t still for a minute, so sometimes photos aren’t all the way in focus. She tried on a lot of glasses when I went for a fitting at the eye doctor this week.

And the coat. I love this red coat from Grandma. And Eva even likes it!

2011 preschool photo. Love, love it. She’s wearing a dress her friend Bryn gave to her. She loves this dress and asks to wear it constantly. I wasn’t sure if it was the dress or because she looks up to Bryn. I think it’s a little of both.