Ho Ho Ho

Holy Smokes. It's December and the 19th at that. Where does the time go?

We are in the Christmas season. Actually nearing the end (WAAAHHHH). I love Christmas. For the feelings, the memories it evokes, the traditions. I love it more this year that we are starting/continuing our own Christmas traditions with our family of 3 and a half:)

We hunted our Christmas tree (from a lot this year due to bad weather) but alas we still umm and haawwweed over it, measured, shook and finally decided on a nice fat tree:) Our daughter with us sniffing, touching and running around like a wild woman. We decorated the tree with her help. More like redecorated the tree a million times. Her little voice exclaiming over all the ornaments she knew "Baa" "Oink" "BABY".  And then she found an ornament that I have had since I was a little girl (a

porcelain doll sitting on a moon) and insisted on carrying it around, hugging it, kissing it until I removed it from her tiny little hand when she fell asleep. I put it back at the top of the tree, until the next day she saw it and the same thing happened and has been happening everyday since. The joys. The magic of it all, seeing it through her eyes. The smile she gets when she looks at the lights on the  Christmas tree. The "ho ho ho" I hear every time she sees a Santa. The "BABY!!" exclaimation as she looks at all the Naitivity scenes.

We have prepared gingerbread houses, have crafts galore to finish before Tuesday, and finish our cookie baking that we give to the neighbors. It is the season. I wish we could have this feeling always. The togetherness, the joy of doing together, of giving to those less fortunate. The magic.  

My favorite memory of this season thus far. My daughter enjoying her first sled ride. The giggles and screams of glee. I was nervous she wouldn't like it. I should have known better. My free spirited, thrill loving girl LOVED flying down the rather steep hill towards the large trees, with our dogs barking along beside us and snow flying up in her face. That sound will be forever etched in my mind. I am so happy we are getting this time. These fun memories just the two (three with dad) of us before her sibling arrives in a couple of months.

This Christmas season has been better than I could have anticipated and we are not even finished yet. The days get better, sweeter, more fun with this girl of mine. Her father and I could never have imagined the joy and love she has brought into our lives. I wouldn't trade these days for anything in the world.  

Merry Christmas if I dont return before then. Enjoy this season. Not for the gifts or the wants but for the memories and the time together. It's the magic of it all!

Amazing Giveaway

Head over to Everyday Love to enter her amazing 30th Birthday giveaway. Turning 30 is AMAZING (well for me it was since we finally welcomed our amazing daughter shortly after I turned 30). I hope Leah has a wonderful happy birthday tomorrow!

 

Coming Soon...

BW Version 2.0

I apologize for the screenshot and the ya know work out clothes, etc

 

Thrilled is an understatement.

More to come...

(Yes, I am 20 21 almost 22 weeks and over half way through. We are just announcing due to some unforseen complications. However, since we are almost at viability, we feel comfortable announcing our great news.)

On My Mind...

There is so much on my mind these days. So much that I am still trying to wrap my head around. You always think, that won't happen to me and then you are blindsided when it does.

Then on top of that I am a government employee. You can guess how much this fiasco is thought about, angered over and prayed on. I have been lucky thus far, I am considered essential therefore I am working - however we are not guarenteed to get paid on time. Congress did manage to aprpove the bill that states we will get paid back, but when is the question. I am so angry that these people cannot manage to come together and do the job that they were voted by us to do (all the while still getting paid conveniently).

The weather has turned fall like overnight and I believe the girl and I are getting sick! UGH!

However pumpkin patches, lattes and lots of pictures to be had this coming long weekend and for that I am thankful. (Perhaps even a zoo date, who wants to join us??)

I may have some exciting news in the near future. So keep a look out for that.

In the mean time I will be doing some online Christmas shopping since this season will be busy with sticky fingers, hunting the hillside for a perfect tree, lots of DIY crafts and baking - no time to be wasted shopping. I want to get all of that done BEFORE or shortly after Thanksgiving (hello black Friday).

Happy Tuesday!

Thoughtless Thursday

How about some pictures? Here you ask? On this blog? That hasnt happened in what, forever?! IG photos in review.

I just think she is the best thing since sliced bread.
She is also turning into quite the mini-me - don't tell my husband but I secretly love it.
Have a fabulous weekend. My girl and I are off tomorrow to do some explorin'.

One day... Things will fall into place. My daughter will not be so miserably sick everytime she catches a bug. I will miss these days. I will sleep more than 2.5 hours at night. Work will not seem so long and nights so short. My bitty baby will be grown. My husband and I will have aged. Until that day, I am going to enjoy the moments I have. I am going to make most of the sick cuddles, the extra time spent holding my daughter at 2AM. Praying she gets over the FLU quickly. It has been one nightmare after another when my girl gets sick!

Hello out thereeeeeeee.

I am still here, reading mostly occassionally.

I am mostly unplugged, as many would say.

Summer has come and it quickly speeding by us.

Our daughter is blossoming, our lives are enriched daily.

I have tons to update. Wonderful vacations, lots of travel and even more to come.

My computer is still on the fritz, mostly likely will have to purchase a new one (GAG!).  Until then no pics, because I am not savy enough to do it via the iPad.

Also - please say a prayer, currently our family is being affected by this furlough, sequestrian nonsense. Hopefully this is just a short bleep in our otherwise wonderful summer as a family of three.

10 Things I Love

 

Link Up with From Mrs. to Mama

10 things I Love (it is going to be hard to limit this to just 10 things)

My Family of Three, this may shock some but I was never the girl who wanted a family of her own. I always grew up thinking I would travel the world and have these fantasticly wild adventures. I did have wonderful adventures until I met the one. All of the sudden I just knew I wanted to be a mom. 11 years later, here I am, a mom, a first time mother, mama, mommy "Mom" said in that dramatic voice of a teenager that my one year old has down pat. I cannot believe I waited this long. I cannot believe how much joy and happiness I have found in my little family.

Animals, This one is pretty obvious if you know me. I work in an animal profession and always have. I have ridden horses since well probably since I could walk. Dogs, check, cat, check, goats, check, chickens, check, pigs, check, raccoons, check, deer, check, possums, check. Anything that needs tender loving care has been tended too in my house. I absolutely am so happy that I do something I love. I am also so happy that I have been able to pass my love for animals on to my daughter. My sweet tiny fiesty daughter has NO FEAR of anything animal.

Coffee, My day starts EARLY. Hello 4:30AM or 5AM. I need my one cup of coffee. While I dont think the caffeine really does all that much. It definately helps my psychy.

My Husband, He is an extension of me. Nothing I think or do doesn't have him involved some way. Even if it's just to bounce ideas off him. He is my other half, my better half, my evertything. We have been through lots. We have grown up together (well matured perhaps). 11 years and counting and I couldnt love him anymore.

Online Shopping, There is something so soothing as having FULL shopping bags/carts online. I think all of my favorite stores are full of things I want right now. When I have a bad day, I pull the trigger on one or two items. Those brown paper packages are definately one of my favorite things.

Traveling, This is a bit tricky. I love to travel. Alone. With a group. Anyway. My husband not so much. So we compromise and do a few long distance trips a year and lots of short excursions. Makes me happy to even drive around the countryside and stop at tiny shops and vineyards.

Reading, Huge bookworm. How I wind down after a long day is reading a few chapters or a book. (I am one of those people that cannot sleep until I know the end which means I will stay up all night finishing a book). It takes a lot for me to put down a good book.

Swimming, I am a lover of water. I could swim 23 hours a day well or float. Ocean, pool, pond, lake, tub. Whatever. Which means I cannot wait for our vacay in a few weeks. I will be swimming nap times away. (Please pray she naps).

Cheese, I LOVE cheese. (Yes, I am a vegetarian, however I eat cheese). Actually the only dairy product I do it. I just love it. Everything tastes better with cheese. Course, my belly would probably love it if I didnt eat it. But I do (in moderation now).

Running, I love to run. However, since baby, I have not been able to motivate myself to get started again. Let me remind you, she just turned 13 months old. The whole starting at the beginning thing is mentally psyching me out. If I could just DO IT, I would be so so happy again.

What are your 10 things?

I swear, one day things will go according to plan.

I finally downloaded ALL of my pictures from all my devices onto the computer. I have drafts and drafts written ready for pictures so I could start scheduling a post or two and then BAM. Computer crashes. If I lose all of my pictures I don't know what I am going to do.

Hopefully the IT guys at work can perform a miracle and save my pictures.

Until then I will be here, writing draft upon draft, because let's face it, not many like to read a post without pictures in it.

Life Update:

Baby C is almost 13 months. She is getting funnier and more fun each and every day. She is trying so hard to walk but she just won't let go and do it. (I am not in any hurry) Trust me her crawl and walking along side the dogs gets her everywhere she needs to go. And she has figured out how to get the dogs to go where she wants too. I am so going to be in trouble when she gets older. She is TOO smart at 12 months, what is 3 going to be like!?

Husband has been working like a mad man. This weather this winter/spring has been a killer for him. why can't it just be nice. Rain in the evening (not monsoon rain either) and sunny during the day. Is that too much to ask??

I have been busy busy busy. Planning family vacations, wedding trips, working and preparing for my furlough! GAH! How did the President and congress get raises yet I am being forced to take unpaid time off to save the government money? This doesn't seem right to me. You??\

Hopefully I will be back soon with pictures and some better updates on Baby C. I have months and months to catch up on.

Oh and everyone and their brothers are having babies right now. My uterus cannot take it and is begging for a baby. I am not ready, I am not ready is my new mantra right now. Daycare for infants is expensive. My first must be out of that age range before another is added, right?!?! What is that age range exactly because my daycare says until they are two.

My Sweet C,

One. I keep saying this number over and over in my head. I just cannot grasp the thought that I have a one year old. You have been in our lives for 12 whole months. After years and years of struggle and tears, we were given the greatest blessing when we found out we were expecting (you). You made me a mommy (and your father a daddy).Words will never be able to express the joy you have brought into our family. You were perfectly made and fit into our lives seamlessly. I would not change one minute.  Not one second.  I cannot imagine life without you.

Your sweet, spunky personality is blossoming daily. You have an opinion about everything. You are a definite mommy’s girl but you also light up when you see your daddy. You have stranger anxiety and a lot of separation anxiety, which I hear is perfectly normal at this age. Needless to say morning drop-offs at daycare are not enjoyable for either of us.  You adore being outside. There is so much for you to point out. You want to know what each thing is and will point and give a little “eeeeehhhh” sound and then squeal in delight, especially if you get to touch whatever you may have been pointing too. You have learned to “smell” the flowers. You scrunch up your little nose when I dip you over them. 

You take after your momma in the animal loving department.  Virgil, our Dogue de Bordeaux, is your best friend. He lets you do ANYTHING to him and is always near. Our other two dogs are a little more reserved. Cede, the Shar-Pei, loves to sniff you, but Chubbi, the bulldog, still hasn’t forgiven you for taking all the attention away from him. He is slowly coming around. Every morning and afternoon you look and look until you find your doggies and then you have to crawl/walk as fast as you can to Virgil and pat him. (Your daddy and I are so thankful that Virgil is so good with you). You have NO fear in regards to dogs and we have to watch you very carefully around other dogs because you try to hug and kiss them all.

You, my girl, know we are wrapped around your little fingers right now. Your Mima says that I am at your beck and call, which is true. I cannot bear to hear you cry or fuss.  I am sure at some point you will learn the word no, but I do not foresee it being anytime soon.  You are one smart cookie and it amazes us how fast you pick new “tricks” up. From signing, to working the CD player, to climbing the stairs, you do it all after studying it for a minute. We have even caught you trying to get yourself into the bathtub and on the coffee table.

Outside of the house, you are quiet and content to sit in my lap, or in the Moby and watch the world around you. You never make a peep or complain – you do point out everything! We even sat in the MVA for hours and no one would have known you were there.  I have no worries taking you in public, restaurants, shops, theater, wherever I go, you go. Again, I do not see this changing anytime soon.  Everyone always comments on how good you are and your hair, which is exactly like mine was at your age. Wild. Fuzzy and blonde. You have lots of your daddy's traits but have mommy's coloring.

While this year has been the fastest most incredible journey and it saddens me that my little bitty baby is gone. I am amazed by the child you are turning into. You are showing your daddy and me the world through your eyes and we absolutely adore it. I just wish time would slow down a little. Please.

Happiest of First Birthdays sweet girl.  

We love you to the moon and back,

Mommy and Daddy

"If you live to be a hundred. I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live a day without you." - A.A. Milne

"Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."                       - Robert A. Heinlein

So What! Wednesday

This week I am saying so what if

- I am in denial that I have a ONE year old. She is still my baby, daggoneit.

- The party has come and gone. Hours spent on Pinterest, crafting and shopping - over in the blink of an eye. I am not even sure I remember most of the party!

- My one year old got a pony (techniquely a mini horse) for her FIRST birthday. We are big or go home parents. She ADORES him and squeals in delight. I have a feeling her birthdays are going to be more and more expensive if we are going to try and top this one! oy-vey!

- I have decided I am ready to jump on the eat clean and be fit bandwagon. I am officially below my pre-pregnancy weight however it still isnt sitting on me as well. Hello jelly abs. Time to get back in the groove.

- I am over this week. I think working three days is harder than working five. Why is that??

Head over to Life After I "Dew" and link up!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR C! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

I cannot believe you are ONE today.

Your daddy and I love you more than you will ever know, more than words can ever express and to the moon and back times infinity. I have a letter started (and in the drafts) but I cannot keep the tears away so I am putting it off for today. I only want to smile and enjoy my girl.

What a joy you are, big personality and all. You have an opinion about everything (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE). You enjoy the world and all the things in it (especially now that you can ackowledge them with your pointer finger).  You have opened my eyes and made me slow down and enjoy them with you. For that I will be forever grateful.

We are going to celebrate you today and put the party planning on hold.

Enjoy today sweet girl, enjoy today!

Wasn't this yesterday?

My sweet animal lover. The only girl I know that squeals with delight when mommy uncovers a possum in the grain barrel. Yuck. Then gets mad when I won't let her pet it. The pony you are getting tomorrow will make you're angry cries all better. And yes, she is getting a pony on her first birthday. I cannot wait to see her reaction.

Thursday Tidbits

A quick Hi, Hello, How are you?

I have been MIA in life lately. You see, my bitty baby has been sick, with a capital S. It seems she cannot catch a break. Colds, fevers, teeth, RSV, croup and now PNEUMONIA. YUP, pneumonia in May.

Spring is supposed to bring warmer weather and less sickness. Welp, not here.

Hopefully she is on the mend now. She seems to be feeling much better. Her little (or big) attitude has returned full force.

Side note. Can I tell you how much I love her sass? Absolultely LOVE it. I know it will be a challenge to channel this sass into good but right now I could just eat her up. Even when she is adamant about NOT getting dressed, or eating, or sleeping. I just love it. This little person has a voice and an opinion and I could not love it more.

Anyway - hopefully now that she is on the mend we will get back in the swing of things. Currently I am also in FULL ON PARTY PLANNING MODE. two weeks and counting! sigh. I will have a ONE YEAR old. How, pray tell, did this happen.

So I do have drafts and drafts in the archives, to catch up this space. and to get it in writing for me and my memory.

Here is a snapshot of what my princess is doing these days.


Harrassing loving the dogs.  I mean serious, this girl is her mommy's mini. She loves animals and has NO fear.

I feel like my posts have been downers, and I apologize in advance for this one as well ending up that way.

I learned Saturday morning that a dear dear friend passed away unexpectedly Friday morning. She left behind two girls. She was a single mother. Their father is not a part of their lives. My friend's family lives in Italy. My heart is literally breaking for these girls. These girls that I still remember as babies. These girls that I spent many summer nights watching grow up. 

I am amazed by their strength and courage. I am amazed by the wonderful job my dear friend did raising them to be such strong beautiful people. To still want to help others while their world has literally just crashed to the ground. (I type this with a burning lump in my throat, and tears blurring my vision).  I cannot imagine their pain.

I am happy they have each other. I am happy my dear friend has many wonderful friends taking them in, giving them support, hugs, laughs. I am happy these girls know how much everyone adored, loved and respected their mother. They know my house, arms, and anything else I have is theirs without question.

I am sad they are visiting their mother's home country for the first time without her. I am sad that this trip that should be joyous is absolutely devastating. That they are burying their way to young mother, next to their grandfather.

I know my dear friend will be welcomed into heaven. That she is watching over us, hoping we are not sad, willing us to remember her enthusiasm for life. Watching everyone wrap her daughters in love.

My friend is(was) such a passionate, loving person. Her accented English always brought a smile to my face. She had so many trials and mountains put in her way and she joyously overcame each and everyone of them.

I pray that I leave such a lasting impression on people. That my legacy will affect even one person as hers has affected so many. 

Mi ricorderò sempre Cristiana! Sei una persona meravigliosa. Ora avete ali d'angelo!

I was working on a post last night of randomness and then I watched on the news and now I feel like my bits of randomness are so unimportant. This week has been crazy and the more I think about it the more I see that our lives are not guarenteed.

Imagine sitting at your dinner table, talking over your day with your loved ones, including your precious children, or putting those precious children to bed and then have an explosion take everything away in a blink of an eye. I cannot even wrap my head around it. While the Boston Marathon bombing was horrible and horrific - there is some crazy person or group responsible. This fertilizer plant - complete randomness. My first reaction, ANGER. Anger that these people had everything taken away, loved ones, homes, memories lost in a flash. My second, SADNESS. I am sad. I am sad for these families affected, I am sad for those affected in Boston. I am sad that our world is not full of love and peace.

I pray that those that survived will be able to come to peace with the events of last night. That tomorrow or the next day, there will be helpers and heros. That this community will see the goodness of mankind and be showered with love and support.

Today, tonight and through this weekend - I will hold my daughter tighter and longer. I will tell my husband how much I appreciate him and love him. I will pray that I get as many days, months and years to spend with my family as is needed for them to know they are loved and valued.

I will look into ways to realize my dreams (of being a stay at home momma) and ways to help all of those families that have been effected by both the Boston Marathon bombings and the Texas fertilizer plant explosion. 

I want no regrets if something should happen tomorrow.

"Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace

You, you may say
I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one"
- John Lennon

Tuesday Tidbits

How is it April 9 already??

How is it that my baby is 10.5 months old??

Or that I am in the midst of planning a FIRST birthday party??

Or that this child of mine is on the MOVE? Not walking but cruising and doing this weird crabwalk-scoot-crawl thing.

Life is busy, per the usual. But I would not give up one minute of it.

I will be back with some Pinterest birthday inspirations @b_wackyamzgrllfe

A condensed post of monthly pictures

Some other fun - house project posts

And some budgeting questions.

Also I need a blog designer. I want to spruce up my space (and I want to make this a .com site). I have seen some how-to's out there but honestly... Can someone just do it for me?? and I can learn the ropes later??

Have a blessed day! and just for kicks! How was THIS taken  ONE YEAR AGO?? Things sure change in a hurry~! (I noted that I do LOVE exclamation points! I'll work on this)

Friday Letters

 

 

Dear Weather: Make up your dang gone mind. Warm, cold, sunny, windy. I am ready for spring so can we please stop acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum and be SPRING? Umm, and its Easter this weekend. Please let it be nice enough for our family to wear their matching Easter outfits without freeing our patooties off.  Sincerely, Fedup with wearing sweaters

Dear Husband: I wish you were more of a morning person! There I said it. Mornings are so hard for me, a little help would be appreciated. Or if you could invent a way I had more hands in the morning, that would be good too. Love your tired wife.

Dear Dogs: I love you. You are my first babies always. PLease stop vomitting behind the couch, pooping in front of the house so someone walks in it, eating the garbage on the carpet, stealing the baby blankets and sleeping on the clean clothes. You are making WAY MORE WORK for me and I do not need any more work right now. K, thanks.  Love, your crazy overworked mom

Dear Daughter: I love you! You can do know wrong. I think you are the cutest, sweetest baby in the world. How can you be 10 months old already! STOP GROWING UP! Love your adoring, overprotective, smitten, baby obsessed mommy!

Dear IRS: How come I need to pay your MORE? Do you not get enough from me every payday? Angry American over taxed under paid worker

Dear Government: See above, do we really need to furlough the civilian employees. How about we furlough congress since apparently they cannot do their jobs and they got a pay increase. I havent gotten one in two years and now I have to give up 18 hours a pay period! BITE ME, upset employee!

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend!

Finding Time

I desperately want to blog.

Sounds cliche right. But I do.

For me, my family and most importantly has a record for this amazing time in our lives.

So how do I do it? Work full-time, enjoy my daughter, be a good wife, keep up the house, and still have extra time to blog. And to blog about topics that mean something to me and my family.

How do you do it?

I am also looking for people to give my little slice of the intranets a make-over, as well as a little instruction on downloading, uploading photos. If I had some time I could just play around until I get it figured out, but it would be helpful to get some tips and advice as well!

SWW

 

This week I am saying So What! too

• The fact that I HATE the IRS. They take WAY too much of my money. (hopefully I dont get in trouble for saying that on the intra nets!)
• I am started to dread an upcoming work trip. Granted it is just one day, but I have yet to leave the cherub longer than 4 hours. I am sure she will be fine, it is me I am worried about.
• Spring is coming and I have a NEED to go shopping. However see point 1 and the last point!
• I have baby FEVER bad, and my baby is still a baby.
• I dont actually WANT another baby b.c I want to spend LOTS of time with the one I do have, but EVERYONE else is having them and that makes me want to, too!
• I am NOT thrilled with the forced paycut the government is forcing me to take, but secretly love the fact that I get extra days with baby girl ALL SUMMER LONG!

Head over and LINK UP.

St. Patrick's Day

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY (almost)

I am as Irish as they come - off the boat anyway:) and my parents were proud enough to name us all with very traditional Irish names. My brother, my sister and I (though for privacy purposes, you'll never see them on hear). My sister's most would guess, mine is semi-unusual and my brother is the only one I have ever heard of having that name - EVEN IN IRELAND.

I will be celebrating with a traditional Irish brew, dyed green OF COURSE.

Who's with me?

SLAINTE and BLESSINGS

Have a wonderful weekend.

Friday Letters

I think there is a link up somewhere as I have seen this on NUMEROUS blogs. I am going to hunt it down and edit it in (when I find it).

Anyway ~

Dear Congress, President and anyone else who is NOT doing there jobs,

I am a little PO'd at the way things stand. Mainly in regards to the fact that I am being FORCED to take a day off a week, without pay. However on the upside I am semi-excited about the time with the babe and being off in the summer. (Not excited about losing 25% of my pay though).

Thanks,

A MUCH POORER ME

Dear Bloggers who post cute spring/summer fashion,

STOP, please. I LOVE the spring styles and have to HAVE most of the things. See above letter to see why I will NOT be shopping this summer.

Yours Truly,

Heartbroken shopping me

Dear Weather,

Make-up your DAMN mind. Warm or cold, dry or wet, spring or winter. I can't handle the back and forth OR sickies any longer.

Thank you,

Hard to dress me

Dear Always awake babe,

I LOVE hanging out with you, however I do NOT enjoy doing this at 2AM, 2:15AM, 3AM and 3:15AM.  PLEASE start sleeping a bit better, I beg you.

Love,

Your SUPER tired Mommy

Dear Loving Baby,

I love you too. All of the time. It is OK to spend some time out of my arms, I promise to never leave you, to always be there when you need me and to love you forever. But your daddy would love to see you too.

As always,

Your loving mommy

Have a blessed weekend! And if you know of some alternative ways to make some money let me know, come April it will be desperately needed.

I won't be this small

I saw this on someone else's blog! And now I cannot stop thinking about it! I had to share and post it here for memories sake. Brought tears to my eyes just thinking that this is SO true! And time does not wait for anyone or anything!

I won't always cry, Mommy,
When you leave the room,
and my supermarket tantrums,
Will end too soon.
I won't always wake, Daddy,
For cuddles through the night,
and one day you'll miss
Having a chocolate face to wipe.
You won't always wake to find my foot
Is kicking you out of bed,
Or find me sideways on your pillow
Where you want to lay your head.
You won't always have to carry me,
In asleep from the car,
Or piggy back me down the road,
When my little legs can't walk that far.
So cherish every cuddle,
Remember them all.
Because one day, Mommy,
I won't be this small.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Kiss your babies (big and small)

Awesome Deal! Toms on Zulily!

I typically do NOT post these things BUT this is ONE deal you cannot pass up!

Go HERE to check out Toms on Zulily.

I may or may not have gotten a COUPLE of pairs for little Miss. I have visions of matching with her this summer! I know - I have completely GONE off the deep end! BUT GO GO GO before they are all gone.

and can I tell you HOW cute the boys Toms are and Tiny Toms slay me, dead! Makes me want to have a few more kids just so I can dress them all in Tiny Toms! :)

Happy Friday!

Once again I have NOT been able to sit down and get all these draft posts finished. Who wants monthly updates without photos? Not me. I promise I will do it (mostly so I can make a book out of the updates) soon. 

It amazes me how fast baby C is growing up. Seriously, it is amazing to watch any baby learn and grow but your own is even more special. To see her learn to clap and be so proud of herself, or wave hi and bye-bye, warms my heart. I made this sweet, funny, loving girl and am so proud at the little person she is becoming. Side note, this morning she woke up (in our bed) as my husband was getting ready, little Miss C started waving hi. It was the sweetest thing ever!

We have a busy weekend once again and we are ALL recovering from some nasty daycare cold. Hopefully it goes away soon and does NOT return.

Have a wonderful weekend! and for fun a little collage of Miss C playing at daycare!

So What! Wednesday

So What!

• If I still call daycare a couple of times a day, as well as go there on my lunch break to nurse. Being a working mom is hard on my soul.
• If I secretly LOVE when my baby swats other peoples hands away and reaches for me. I just love her to pieces.
• I have NO patience. All these wonderful mommas-to-be in bloggyland are getting ready to find out what they are having and I cannot wait. Including the Fabulous Mrs. Dew!
• I am so so so ready for spring.
• If I desperately want a closet make-over or someone who is into fashion to help me. I used to be much much better about getting dressed, these days I throw on khakis, grey dress pants and whatever blouse or sweater that is close. No accessories, make-up or nicely styled hair! I need HELP.
• If I have just started styling our house! We've only lived there for three years. Completing the nursery kicked me into gear!

Head over and link-up. It's LOTS of fun. Click the button up top!

Monday Monday

Monday is here again.

This seems to be a recurring theme. And happens faster than I can blink my eyes.

I say it time and time again. I am going to update on C's monthly posts (all 8 of themuplaod. One day I will get it together. Do you like the positive attitude?!?! Anyway, just a quick HI and a reminder to myself to get it together.

I did wake up this morning with a serious case of the Mondays, insert sad face.

A little back story why. Saturday Baby C and I headed to a little baby shower fun for a friend welcoming her first baby BOY in March. All these wonderful local mommies were there with their babies and baby bellies, inviting me to all of these play groups, baby and mommy yoga, etc etc. Sounds like oh so much fun. This is where is goes downhill, FAST! Then I explain I work full-time, away from my baby. Everyone of them looks at me like I have two heads, like why would I choose not to stay home. I felt guilty, trust me I would MUCH MUCH prefer to stay home with my baby. And not be paying an arm and 1/2 a leg for someone else to care and nurture my nugget. But at this time it is not feasible for me to stay home full time. I feel the need to explain myself, and I shouldnt have too.

They were all sweet and invited us for weekend activities etc etc.

It could be me being sensitive, since I desperately want to be a stay at home mama, but I felt judged. The first time in 8 months of this mom gig. It broke my heart. I came home to my husband and vented my feelings. I was hurt I couldnt be a stay at home mom. I was hurt that we cannot get pregnant as soon as baby weans (b.c we cannot afford day care for two under two).  I was hurt that I felt judged.

I guess my little bubble has been popped. I am determined to bring it back! I will be happy that I get to be a mom. period. Regardless of our working arrangements!

Time seems to be going at warp speed these days. I am not sure if it's because I work full-time out of the home or if this is how all mother's feel. But alas it is the New Year. And my birth month. And one month closer to C turning ONE (well lets not get too ahead of ourselves, she is only 7 8 months old:) ). Time please slow down. 

I always think I am going to make a New Year's resolution, and never do. This year, I am going to follow along with the rest of bloggy land and choose a word. I didnt have to think much about this b.c as soon as I say everyone else talking about it, this word just popped right into my head.

ENJOY. I am going to enjoy this year. Period.

I am going to ENJOY each day of my child's life.

I am going to ENJOY working (sounds silly, but I LOVE what I do regardless if I would prefer to spend all day with my baby).

I am going to ENJOY my husband more. (not that way). In the way he always makes sure to make me feel special. The way he does things for me without asking. The way he is always calling to check on me, seeing if I need anything when he is out.

I am going to ENJOY my friends and try being a better friend. Since having the baby I am pretty consumed with work, baby, taking care of the home. I need to enjoy all of the good friends I have in my life. The ones that will give a lending, hand, shoulder or ear at the drop of a hat.

And I am going to ENJOY getting my old body back - completely. Rock solid core and all!

I hope to be back tomorrow with some monthly update pictures of my sweet girl! and work on completing her monthly update posts - back dating all the way to her birth, in May.

If not, have a wonderful weekend. I will be soaking in the moments with my little family of three, and ignoring the fact that I am a year older. I will be enjoying the fact that this is my first birthday celebration as a mother. Only took 10 years.

I will be linking up on Monday with some DYI goodness too!

Friday Randoms

It is hard to believe the New Year will be here in just a few short days! 2012 has been the best year of my life thus far, even turning the big 3-0, didn't seem to slow us down!

Celebrating Christmas with our own small family has been wonderous and magical.

Santa brought baby C her first baby doll (I have always dreamed about buying a baby doll for my daughter) and to say she loves it would be an understatement!

Watching my husband play with baby C has been amazing. It makes me love him all that much more!

Unfortunately the sickles have invaded and I have been home (off work but working harder) for the past two days! I pray she gets better soon.

I L.O.V.E my animals but I'm getting so tired of cleaning up vomit diarrhea and dumped food from the baby when you multiply it by three dogs a baby and a husband. Ovey! (I'm not dumping my dogs off on anyone, but I will not be adopting any MORE anytime soon)

I have no plans this weekend and I pray that nothing comes up. I need some relax time that doesn't involve work, cleaning or running a million errands

I miss hometown VT like WHOA even though I know the current high temp is zero! Fires, hot chocolate snowboarding sledding and cross country skiing are so much fun!

2013! The Best Is Yet To Be

Cheers! 

2013 is here! 

It is going to take a lot to top 2012.

2012 has been the best year yet! My husband and I welcomed our amazing daughter, after a long hard fought battle.

I have complete faith that 2013 will only be better.

This coming year I promise (to myself) to be the bet ME I can be for myself, my husband and my daughter. To be present. To be healthy. To be loving. To be forgiving. To enjoy every single moment!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years and I look forward to 2013. 

BRING IT!