Good Things Come to Those That Hustle

Tomorrow starts a crazy busy week for me, like insane.  So in honor of my fab hustle I framed this little gem for my desk. Just for work I have five meetings in three days. Great for business, not so good for my eating and sleeping habits. Plus I have two doctors appointments, a play date for BK, S has big project at work and will likely be pulling a 70 hour work week, a family beach day, the Cox cable guy is coming so we will finally have reliable internet and a Pure Barre workshop. Needless to say I am needing to micromanage about every second of this week, so I treated myself to a super fun little planner. I'm super excited about it, and really isnt it adorable?

Since we knew that our week was going to be pretty wild we wanted to really enjoy our weekend. And that we did. There was a long family walk and along the way BK fell asleep in her little car.

There was a girl's night out for me on Friday. Though we aren't sharing any photos from that night for plausible deniability. There was a date night for the hubs and I, which included the movies + shopping + fantastic sushi + too many drinks with friends we havent seen in far too long + possibly getting kicked out asked very nicely to leave an establishment due to dancing on tables.

And at the end of it all we got home and someone woke up to eat some cheesy fiesta potatoes with mama and dada before an amazing snuggle session. 

Now I have to straighten the house because I know I wont be doing much of it the next few days, cook some yummy salmon for dinner, and relax with a good book while the baby finishes her nap. 

How do y'all survive and unwind from a super busy week? 

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The Thing About Parenting...

You know, you read eight million books while you're pregnant + ask all of your mommy friends for advice so that by the time your sweet peanut comes into the world you think you're super prepared. Too bad you were wrong. The thing they don't tell you about parenting is that really you are undergoing more vigorous activities than Olympic athletes. No really, parenting legitimately should be an Olympic sport. Let me give you some examples why.
1} You give up sleep. Like for 18 years. Even if you're blessed with an angel baby in the sleeping department, guaranteed you will never sleep as well as you previously did. In the early days its out of fear/nerves. When you reach toddler-Dom it's because after the little one goes to sleep you have to be productive and REclean the house that your wildabeast destroyed all day or anything else you had high hopes of doing during waking hours. I'm not even going to breach teenage years, I know how bad I was so I am bound to suffer through some hellacious years with BK.
2} You get way more physical activity than you used to pre-baby ( even if you don't go to the gym anymore). I am constantly on the go with BK. For one, she has the attention span on a peanut so we are constantly changing activities. For two, she has the ferocity of a hurricane and creates similar paths of destruction that I continuously run around trying to clean up. Lastly, when IF you eat it is usually a much more wholesome meal. I cook better for BK. Toddler eating is a fight of its own, but on the days that she does eat I have to be sure to get the best food possible in her. Therefore you eat better too.
3} Changing a diaper 100% should be an Olympic sport. Once your child surpasses the age of four months they no longer lay sweetly and coo at you while you change their diaper very easily in about 30 seconds. They start kicking + bucking + rolling + arching, pretty much doing anything that makes it impossible for you to smoothly and efficiently change a diaper. You're forced to resort to extreme tactics. Bribery works well. The "evil eye" is hit and miss. Sometimes i enlist extra help so i dont get hit by a flailing limb. But at least once a month, at least in the summertime, you have to add in he dreaded diaper cream to equation. It's cold, it's thick, and its messy. Sounds fun right? It's not. Well not until I was introduce to Dr. Smith's Diaper Ointment. It has been our saving grace this summer, especially with all of our time on the go. We keep one in the swim/beach bag and one in the diaper bag. I highly recommend it!
And now Dr. smith's is available nationwide at Walgreen's stores, and you have the chance to celebrate their new venture! You can win a $50 Walgreen's gift card and a supply of diaper rash cream! Just enter using he widget below. You won't regret it!

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4} Children make EVERYTHING better. Literally everything. Though things may take more planning, the joy you get in return is SO worth it. I have never been happier. And hey, winning an Olympic medal must come in pretty damn close to parenthood.

So tell me, what were you surprised to learn about parenthood?

This post was sponsored by Dr. Smith's but all thoughts are my own.

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It's All About the Balance

Hey, hey, hey! I am ashamed at my lack of blogging lately, but I am also not going to lie I have been thoroughly enjoying our summer. S is finally back from all of his work travel, I got myself a little part-time j.o.b. {that I love}, we got family pictures taken, BK is walking all over and a 100% toddler that is into everything, we took a mini trip to the OBX, and it is hot as hades here. We spend most of our days at the beach, meals are usually cooked outside, the inside of our home often looks like a tornado hit it, and we have just been making the most of our time together.

I do need to be better though, I need to allow a little more time that is just about me. I miss writing, writing is such an escape for me and it truly brings me so much joy. So I'm determined to find the balance.

How do y'all do it? When is your designated "blogging time"?


And because no post should go without pictures...

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These Are My Confessions

It's time to play a little catch-up, so I thought I would it of the confessional variety. It's always a little more fun that way.

-My husband comes home on Sunday. I plan on sending BK to the babysitter for a few solid hours on Monday night and locking S in the bedroom. It's been a long three weeks.

-I started reading Bared to You. {See above confession}

-We started researching preschools for BK. Very exciting and emotional time for mama

-BK loves festivals, especially the music, and is already dressing the part. Check out that flower headband. Coachella 2022 watch out!

-I have been stealing BK's headbands on the regular lately. It is wayy to hot to have my five pounds of hair down, and at least I accessorize my doodoo bun/topknot. 

 -Busch Gardens is BK's new favorite place on Earth. I mean look at that face.

 -Her beauty still stuns me on a daily basis. {Not so "new" news, I know}

 -Sassy Sunshine is rather bossy to all the other kids on the playground. Especially when they are bigger, and faster than her (i.e. most of them). She doesnt understand why she can't keep up and they wont stay with her.

-We had a few sleepovers with our best pals, and these girls are just the cutest, sweetest things ever. Vivi is a year older than BK and calls her "my baby", and the way BK says Genevieve is just about the cutest thing in the world. I am so blessed to have friends like these.

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Do NOT Sext your father in law...

My husband has been gone for nine days. Now don't get me wrong, to many, many admirable couples, nine days of separation is nothing. I mean really its the equivalent of  a Spring Break vacation with a hangover on either side.

However to me. To me it's long, it's cold, and its damn lonely. I have a teething toddler damnit! And she's getting molars at that. So there are my excuses and this is the result.... I SEXT my father in law. Yes you read that right. Now go say a prayer for me. No really, do it.

This is a snippet of what my phone book looks like. I thought I was being "grown and mature" just using everyone's first and last names, whelp obviously I need to be a little less mature and embrace nicknames more.

See how I could accidentally send a text mentioning solo shower activities to the man above my husband? His name is right above, and damn that autotext prediction. I mean i guess better to him than a girl that babysat for us maybe twice. Especially when I'd already begun said "solo activities" and they would be best performed without the phone.

Well damn me and my need for speed. I waited nine days before taking matters into my own hands {literally}. Nine more minutes of carefully placed texting wouldn't have killed anything, though those few short minutes did manage to destroy my pride.

I died. Part of me died right there.

So now that I've learned that "sexting" is out, any ideas on how to keep the spice alive in my relationship? Buehler? Anyone? Anyone?




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So You Had a Baby... Now What

I'm linking up with the fabulous Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals for part of her baby series. 

Today they're discussing bringing a baby home and surviving the first few weeks. We got discharged from the hospital on a Friday, Brooklyn was two days old. 

Our first weekend home was actually really nice. My dad and Stephen's mom both brought food, and Stephen was home with me as we got acclimated to being a family of three. Then Monday came and S had to go back to work. I was terrified. I was also sick. I had ten long months to get accustomed to the idea that I was having a baby, but now I had no idea what in the hell I was supposed to do. Here are my tips for your first few weeks at home.

-Relax. It is scary knowing that you are in sole control over the precious life of your little one, but I promise that it will all be ok. Take a deep breath. Take it moment by moment. Your mama intuition will kick in and you will know what to do.
-Process. Having a baby is a massive life change, give yourself some time to take it all in. You might have some baby blues, you will d.e.f.i.n.i.t.e.l.y. be emotional. All of that is totally normal.
-Create a routine. Initially baby will sleep a LOT. Maybe you will nap some, maybe you won't {it's ok if you do though}. You can get yourself into a routine even if baby isn't. Blog during the first nap, prep dinner during the second. Set yourself up for some future normalcy.
-Enjoy. Babies grow so so so fast. Treasure every coo, every gassy smile, every tiny cry. You will blink and your baby will have changed tremendously. So it's ok if you sit on the couch and watch tv just holding your baby for hours. It's ok if some days you dont shower until your husband gets home. Time goes all too quickly, enjoy this while you can.

Most of all just know that whatever you're doing is okay. The first few days I was in shock, and I cried a.lot. I cried over how blessed I was, I cried over how beautiful my daughter was, I cried because I scared. I cried over everything. Eventually my shock went away, I felt more in control and I was able to venture out. Just know that every baby and every mama is different, so take things as they come for you. Your baby will just be happy having you there.

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I also want to introduce you to two of my fabulous sponsors Katie and Katy! They are chatting a little about their spring plans.

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Finding My Passion

Yesterday I had a job interview, my first interview in five years. To say I was nervous is a complete understatement, I mean I legit had an anxiety attack on Monday. It wasn't just that I was going to be interviewing for the first time in f.o.r.e.v.e.r, it was so much more than that. It was the idea that I would be leaving BK, that BK might be going to a preschool full time. She is smart, she is so ready for the interaction, BK would totally rock preschool. I would probably be the one suffering from serious separation anxiety.  Is my little mama heart ready to give up my time with her? I mean I know it has to be done eventually, it's just wondering if "eventually" is right now.

And, to be completely honest I really fear failing. Putting yourself out there is hard. I don't think anyone truly enjoys feeling vulnerable, and that was exactly how I felt going into the interview. I fear failing. I fear still not knowing exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life.

So I survived the interview. I dressed up. I got some quality adult interaction. And it was good. I might not get the job, but I'm ok with that. And you know what, today I have another interview and this one I am actually really excited about. Wish me luck!





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The Nitty Gritty

I'm linking up with the super fabulous Erin from Living in Yellow. She asked some real humdingers, but these questions might give you a little more insight to the "real" me.

1. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would it be? I would have to say college. I slacked off, dropped courses, and took wayyy too long to graduate. If I could go back I would buckle down and get it done.

2. Where do you see yourself in five years? Content. I suffer from severe wanderlust, in all areas of my life, so I'm hoping to have a few things figured out by then. Mainly career wise, but I wouldn't be opposed to our family relocating either.

3. Do you honestly want kids? Considering we have BK I think that answer is obvious. She is the light of our lives, and we are thankful for every second we've gotten with her. Do we want to give her a sibling? Yes. But if God doesn't have that in store for us, I would be completely happy with just her.

4. What has been the best moment of your life so far? The day that Brooklyn was born. After we had visitors, after things had calmed down. It was quiet in our room. The lights were dim. BK was softly coo'ing. Stephen was holding her and the look on his face is one I'll never forget. It is my perfection.

5. What is your life theme song? Hmm, I'm a big music lover so this is hard. I would have to say She Talks to Angels or Meet Virginia.

6. What is one thing you have yet to accomplish that you want to do before you die? Find my career niche. I'm still working on that one. And travel to Europe. I need to cross that off my bucket list.

7. If you could choose one thing to be known for, what would it be? My heart. I'm a giver and a nurturer by nature, I hope other people see that. I want people to say "she had the kindest heart."

8. If you could do anything you wanted right in this very moment (no consequences, no fear, etc), what would it be? Hop on a plane and take the trip of a lifetime. Italy, Greece, Turkey, Fiji. Ooo and Africa.

9. What has been the most challenging moment in your life? Probably when my parents divorced. It was a really hard time for me.

10. Summarize yourself in one word. Exciting. I'm pretty much down for any adventure, I love to have fun and I embrace change. I try to always have a good time. And if not exciting, then Devoted. I am 1000% devoted to my family and friends and would do absolutely anything I could fo them.

So that's that. Tomorrow is Friday, woo hoo! And this mama is getting a dirty martini!

 

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Lightning Strikes Twice

{Written- Tuesday April 2, 2013}
Tonight was just a typical Tuesday night. We made dinner, my husband went to the gym, we read a story before bed. Everything was within our normal routines. Tonight was just a typical Tuesday night, except that it wasn't.
S got off early, so we had an extra three hours together as a family. One third of that was spent visiting the puppy store at the mall where BK screamed "dawg" every time she saw a new puppy behind the glass and then laughed hysterically. One third was spent pushing BK in her pink whip to the park. The park is our haven. She swings and is in her own personal heaven. S plays like a little kid on all of the equipment. And I, I soak in the both of them. Their smiles, their pure joy. The last *extra* hour was spent in the kitchen while I cooked dinner. BK carried around pieces of Daisy's food and giggled uncontrollably while Daisymae chased her. S sat in the kitchen while we caught up on our day and snuck kisses.
From an outsiders perspective it was nothing special. Just your typical family of three going about their evening routine. But to me, to me it was heaven. I had a permanent smile on my face. My happiness just radiated from every pore.
It got me to thinking though, as happy as I am {truly 1000% satisfied with my life, not lacking a thing}, does it get any better than this? Can lightning strike twice? Will we be so lucky to be blessed to one day expand our family and have another baby so perfect and delightful as BK? It just seems impossible. I know it isn't, I know that God's grace is SO good. I'm not saying it will happen, I'm simply saying that it could happen.
Life just doesnt seem like it could possibly get any better than it is. I am so blessed. Blessed with my true soul mate, the man that God picked specifically for me. Blessed with a beautiful, crazy intelligent, sweet, funny, perfect daughter. My family is kind and supportive. I have good friends that the Lord brought into my life for a reason. I have wonderful worldly possessions.  I am blessed.
My life was not always this way. It was not always everything I dreamt it to be. But now I wake up and I think to myself...

You have everything you ever wanted. Welcome to your happily ever after. 

Sponsorship

I'm going to get real honest with y'all, lately I have not had the best experience sponsoring blogs. It's a total bummer too. I mean I shell out my hard earned cash for those advertising spots, so it is really disappointing when people dont follow through with their side of the bargain. The upside to that though, is I know exactly what I want to do for the people who choose to advertise on this little blog of mine.

So with that being said, beginning in April my sponsor spots are going to change. I never want anyone to feel disappointed in choosing to advertise here. One of the greatest perks of the blogging world is the community and how supportive {most} girls are to each other. I know I haven't been on the scene for too terribly long, but I do want to make the most of my little space. So as I go about setting things up for changes I would love your input. What do you want out of the blogs you sponsor? What blogs have you had the best experiences with?

Blissdom - The Left Behind

Unless you've been living under a rock you know that Blissdom is this week. Blissdom is one of if not the biggest blogger conferences, it's supposed to be spectacular. I remember reading all about it last year, before I had even started to blog, and thinking about how badly I wanted to be there. Most of my favorite ladies were there {Kelly, AP, Molly}, and they're all going again this year.  In retrospect I should have started blogging right then, perhaps if that was the case then I would be there this year, but hey hindsight is 20-20 right?! I digress. I remember how exhilarated everyone came back. The stories they told. The fun they had. The friendships that were formed. It was like they were all on fire.

So today I'm talking about the top three reasons that I'm jealous of all the fabulous bloggers at Blissdom.

1) The Party. I'm a self-proclaimed reformed party girl, so this really appeals to my inner fun girl. There are parties, concerts, a hotel slumber party. And don't forget being surrounded, in real life, by all the fabulous ladies that you know and love from blogland.  

2) The Confidence. The ladies that attend this conference are strong. They have massive audiences that they appeal to with every post.  They have found their blogging voice. I feel like I am still struggling in this area a little bit. It's an area that I am definitely trying to improve.

3) The Vacation. I mean who wouldnt want three days away? Plus, this year it is in Texas and Texas is home for me. I always love a return to my old stomping grounds.

Now that I have my own blog I am so excited to have the opportunity to go. So I'm making it my mission to go next year.

Thank You

Today is a really special day for me, today I get to thank you. I reached my goal of 500 readers by BK's birthday! This was a huge milestone for me. When I first started this blog a little over four months ago 500 readers seemed like dream. Well lucky for me that dream came true. I am so thankful for people that this blogging world has introduced me to, the comments that yall leave on every post, the friendships that have been formed, the inspiration I've found on other blogs. Needless to say I had no idea how wonderful blogging could be.

So today I get to thank you. Thank you for your love and support! And an extra special thank you to the ladies that helped in the creation of this special giveaway for you. Since this giveaway is all about YOU, the prizes are too. So we're giving you the makings of a fabulous "you" day. You get a $50 Sephora gift card {because we all feel better when we look our best}, $20 to Pipley Vintage {everyone loves new clothes}, $25 gift card to your store of choice {to enjoy some guilt free shopping}, and $50 paypal cash {in hopes that you have a very happy day}. Be sure to thank my fabulous cohosts!

Now to achieve my new goal of 1000 readers by summer!

Ashley/ Erin / Elise / Kelly / Kiersten

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Time to Start...

drinking green sh*t, and jogging.

So True

Fact. I didn't even know that tomorrow was St. Patrick's Day, until my husband informed me yesterday.

Bigger Fact. I am a lame mom now.

Right about now I would usually be whipping up the jello shots and prepping some pigs in a blanket for the shenanigans that ensue, but it's supposed to rain tomorrow. Rain = do I really wanna get a babysitter and drive 30 minutes to only be able to have one drink so that I can drive home a few hours later?!? Instead I think I"m going to whip up some drinks, rent a movie, and hang out with my two main squeezes. Just to prove that I'm not like grandma lame, I am going to share a super delicious adult beverage recipe.

Lucky Shamrocks
1 part sour apple liquor
1 part vodka
1 part sprite

Mix & enjoy.

Do you have big plans for St. Patrick's day?

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One week

One week. Seven days. 168 hours. It's truly not very long when you think about it. Usually I find myself wishing weeks away, looking forward to a big event or the next season. However for the past year I've wished all my time would slow down. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that there would be a time that I would benefit from time slowing down, or even pausing. Not pausing forever, but pausing for a moment. The special ones, the ones that deserve to be relived. Motherhood changes everything though. Now I stall all my time, instead of wish it away. This week in particular I wish would pause. Just be one long week of perfection. Where my baby is still a tiny baby, because really and truly that is all that I want. For my baby to remain my baby.

How has a year even passed. How am I one week out from my baby girl turning one years old? I honestly dont even have the words yet.

Today was a beautiful day. We laughed and sang, we danced, we snuggled, and were goofy. It was a perfect day for me. It ended with my tiny girl in footie pajamas snuggling me in bed. I wouldnt change anything about today. I loved it, I embraced it.

The problem, is that at the end of this week I will have a toddler. My baby girl will turn o.n.e. And honestly I don't know how thats possible. I know I just need to enjoy these last few days, and trust me, I will. Theres no doubt there.

In the end, I just want to do right by her. She won't remember this time. She'll remember what I said about this time, how I documented this time, what we did with this time. So I make a vow, that the next week will be nothing short of fabulous. Your last week as a baby will be wonderful, even with mommy's tears.

I love you so much Brooklyn Grace. I can't wait to see what next year has in store for you.

 

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Friendships After Baby

Yesterday my blog sister, Ashley, wrote a post on friendships after baby. It was really refreshing to read the non-mommy side of things. I thought I might give a mommy's perspective to things. I'll go off of her main points, because I agree with them all.

1. Understand that the things that are important have changed...and be ok with that.
-Yes we are mommies now, our main priority is definitely going to be our small bundle of joy. And {initially} our life is going to be a little crazy. It'll take a little while for us to figure things out, so bare with us. Soon life will be pretty much completely back to normal, minus the tiny human that's our newest accessory.

2. Even though our priorities are different than yours, we still care and want to know what's going in your life...even if it seems petty compared to a baby.
-Sometimes a mom just wants to hear the goings on of our non-mommy friends, we want to live vicariously through you, and we want to have a little "escape" from our mommy routines. But most importantly we still care about you and your life. We might not call as frequently, sometimes we will have to rush off the phone, and we might even carry on a conversation or two with a crying baby in the background. Even saying all of those things it doesnt mean that we arent listening and it doesnt mean that you arent still a priority for us.

3. It is a little harder to hang out...we have babies.
-We wont be able to pick up and go as easily as we once did, more than likely we will be the lame people that need to make plans more than two days in advance, but we still want to hang out. Actually I would say that most moms feel "shunned" at times. People often dont ask us to hang out because they dont want us to feel obligated or they dont want to put us out, but when a lot of people think that way it often leaves us alone. So please dont be afraid to stop by & make plans, you'lll probably make our day.

4. All of the things that you had in common are still there...that doesn't change.
-Yes we will have new mommy friends, yes we will go on play dates, but ultimately we are the same person. I still want to grab happy hour, I still love to shop, I still want to go dancing. Sometimes we might have to have a glass of wine while the baby is in the bath, sometimes dance parties will be in our living room. But sometimes we'll have a babysitter, and we can let loose on the town like nothing has changed.

 Friendships grow and evolve, and adding a little one is just a part of us growing. Babies change things, but they are such great blessings. You never know a baby may be your new best friend.

The Lost World

Today I am feeling discouraged. I'm sure it is normal. I'm sure all bloggers face it at one time or another. But it sucks.

Over the past week or so I've lost a few readers, and to be honest I'm not sure why.

Is it my poor grammar?

Is it my content?

Is it a lack of giveaways lately?

See I think I'm pretty witty. Most of the time I think I write quality content that can appeal to a pretty diverse audience. I post on the regular.

I dont want people here simply for the giveaways, I want you here because you can relate to what I have to say. I want to interact with you, get to know you. This blog is real and it's raw. It's honest. So I take it personally when that number on the sidebar drops. Probably a little too much, I've always been a sensitive soul. But I want this blog to grow. I want to open new doors and opportunities. Not just for me but for you guys as well.

I have a goal of getting to 500 readers by Brooklyn's birthday. I'm going to get there. I'm going to take these feelings and turn them into motivation.

Time to brush the haters off. ha! {I've always wanted to say that}