A Few Conclusions...

I have come to a few conclusions...

1.) Trying to lose this spare tire during Christmas time is entirely too hard! I can't resist the sweets. My husband needs to hide them from me.... like out of the house.... because then we both know I won't ever get to them!

2.) Laundry only gets done when I am looking eye-level with the pile of clothes. Then, it takes me a week to get caught up!

3.) Sometimes laughter is the best way to get through the day! Today I had to stifle my laughter during my almost-two-year-old's ridiculous tantrum because I told her we couldn't play with playdough anymore until she learns the right way to play with it. I was wondering where it was all going, until I saw her sneak some in her mouth yesterday. Gotta be smarter than the toddler... Sidenote- I remember loving the taste of playdough and definitely eating my share when I was young. Why is this colorful, toxic-smelling, mushy dough SO tempting?!

4.) The 8-hour night seems to fly by when you are sleeping, but when you are watching the minutes and hours pass... IT'S SLOW AS MOLASSES! I wish I could know that I was sleeping to enjoy it more... anyone with me?

5.) "Me-time" now consists of doing the laundry and dishes in silence, checking Facebook without a little person crawling on me, and typing emails with two hands!

6.) Having no clue what day it is... is normal!

7.) When talking to my mom, I call her "Mommy"... I DON'T GET OUT ENOUGH and seriously lack adult conversation!!!!!!! ;)

8.) Sisters that swap babysitting are one of God's greatest blessings :)

9.) Knowing that your husband is going to walk through the door anytime is one of the best feelings in the world! He works so hard for us to come home and still change diapers, play horsey, and do bedtime.

10.) Kisses from Little Miss Thang make my heart smile :)

He is Here!! :)

Dawson Grey Smith

Born on November 23, 2011 @ 5:24pm

8 lbs
21 inches
Healthy
...and SERIOUSLY ADORABLE!!!

Yes, I am just like any other mom that just sits and stares at God's beautiful blessing... amazed that he entrusted us with such a precious gift.

He is gorgeous.

He is snuggly.

He makes sweet noises when he sleeps...even if they do keep me up at night.

He is perfect.

*The Story*

After talking with the doctor, we decided to do an induction the day after my due date. I was nervous... scared... crying... a mess :) Excited.. of course!! I felt so ready to have this baby, however the reality of labor and all the "unknowns" seemed to send me into an emotional mess!

After changing into the hospital gown, I was on the hospital bed as they began asking me family history questions and what not. They started an IV just in case it would be needed during labor. I started feeling dizzy and attributed that to nerves. Then, I could tell I was going... and going fast. I passed out on the bed and I wasn't even in labor yet!!!!!!! This was not a good start.

After coming to, they did some additional blood work to see if they could determine what caused me to drop like a fly. In the mean time, they began the induction with citotec and then 4 hours later started on pitocin and shortly after broke my water. After that, things picked up fast! The contractions I was already having began to get much stronger. Then they delivered the news... because my platelet level was so low, they didn't know if they could do an epidural. WHAT>!?!? They decided to take blood again and retest it to see if the levels had come up. In the meantime, contractions were getting MUCH MUCH stronger and I was getting a little impatient (to say the least) while waiting to find out if I could get an epidural. I was ready for it, like yesterday, and needed to know if I should start mentally preparing myself for doing this thing or not!

My husband was AMAZING during this!! I seriously could not have done this without him! Offering ice chips and holding my hand through every contraction (as I squeezed the crud out of it), and gentle reminders not to clench my jaw and to breathe slow breaths.

Long story short- they FINALLY let me know that they would do the epidural, even though my numbers were still low. However- by this point I did not realize I was nearly 8 cm and would begin pushing shortly after. Needless to say, the epidural didn't have time to completely do it's job... and I felt A LOT , but I think it calmed me, mentally knowing I wasn't feeling all of it :)

3.5 hours of active labor and 8 minutes of pushing... Dawson Grey was here, healthy and beautiful. What an incredible feeling at the completion of delivery... seeing that PRECIOUS little being that was with me for 9 months. The little one whose hiccups I felt, whose tumbling routines woke me up at night. I even recognized the sharp point of his bony heels that I would see and feel poking my belly for the past several weeks. The little one that God, in His perfection and goodness, formed for His glory. One of my favorite mental "snapshots" was watching Justin beam over his little boy. What an awesome daddy he is!

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. " - Psalms 139:13-14

So-- Sadly, it took me 2 weeks to announce his arrival to the blogworld...but frankly it has been 2 weeks of feeling good about getting my teeth brushed by dinner time. I didn't think you would mind ;)

First Family Picture :)


What does Sienna have to say about her baby brother?? That will be my next post.

Stay tuned though, she has some doosies!

You're Ready to Pop When...

...no big meals sound good, but you don't dare let a piece of chocolate slide past you without justifying a good reason to eat it!

...complete strangers EVERYWHERE ask you when you are due. It is written all over me that I am due, and due soon. One time, I want to act completely clueless when they ask me this question. "What do you mean? Due for what? Oh... you think I'm pregnant?"

...your nephew says, "Your tummy's getting Biiiiig. It's like a big hill!!"

...you knock into anyone that you try to "slide past" because you underestimate your size.

...when something drops on the floor, you debate continually kicking it to get it where it needs to be or you do the inevitable SIGHHHH and GROAN and bend over and pick it up.

...everyone looks like they're loosing weight and getting so tiny!.... hmmm- or is it the fact that I am carrying a crazy amount of extra poundage.

...your daughter can't find a good place to sit on your lap, readjusting and backing up further so she doesn't fall off doesn't do the trick.

...when looking at my belly button my sweet little daughter says, "Ouchie!"... I hear ya, girl.

...getting off the floor is an art... pretty much hitting the 4-point stance and walking your hands up your legs to stand upright. Averaging approximately 2.5 minutes and a few grunts.

...Limping or waddling is just the way you get from Point A to Point B.

...breaking a sweat while working out no longer happens because I can't walk fast enough to accomplish a sweat! However, any stairs leave me completely winded... yes, probably even your flight of 3 stairs.

...when looking in the mirror at your outrageously morphed body you say a little apology for your belly and your skin.

...laying in bed for about 3 minutes in the middle of the night contemplating the best, most efficient way to get your hiney out of bed. NOTE- this happens anywhere from 2-5 times a night. Still trying to come to the best conclusion, which might be waking the hubs up to roll his whale-of-a-wife out of bed.

...you get the door in your pajama pants one Sunday afternoon for an unexpected visitor. After they leave your husband comments, "Uhh your belly was hanging out of your shirt about 4 inches..." Awe-some.

***Here's to hoping I'm not the first person ever to stay pregnant FOREVER!***

But can I say it is 100%, absolutely, hands-down worth it. Can't wait to see this little face and kiss these little toes that have been kicking my ribs :)

So much to Say... so little time!

So I haven't been as faithful to my blogging as I intended. I have actually sat down and started a few posts, but then been interrupted (I think I am hearing a bunch of "Amen"s out there :) and then when I came back to actually finish the post... it was way outdated and I lost my zeal for completing it. So there is sits...

Today, I should not be sitting down blogging, I should probably be cleaning and finishing so many of the projects that have an upcoming deadline... BUT I am going to blog. Aren't you proud? :) This is going to be very random and sporadic, but there are so many things that Sienna has done and said lately that leaves me completely baffled and laughing. Where does she come up with this stuff?? That might be a silly question. She repeats EVERYTHING we say and everything we do.

*Sienna has picked up on the fact that we visit Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabric VERY frequently :) The kind ladies know us and get a kick out of Sienna talking their ears off.

*Today at the fabric store she was addressed any lady older than my parents age... "Hi Gamma!! Hi Gamma" Waving politely "Bye Gamma! As I was quietly shushing her, afraid we would offend someone, we snuck down another isle and she says even louder, "Where Gamma go!?"
Good question, girlfriend.

*Anytime I tell Sienna we are going to the store she starts explaining that we are "going to Hobby Wobby" ... pretty safe assumption, girl! Last week, she was walking a little push toy around with a baby in it and she told me "Be wight back. Going to Hobby Wobby.

*Yesterday Macy drug something out in the kitchen and Sienna looked at it and said, "Are you kiddin' me, Mace?" Verbatim quote from her mama... yikes.

*We have a little singer in the making! She LOVES belting out "Tinkle Tinkle Little Star" and usually requests it before bedtime.

* "I have a booger. Kiss it, Mama?" A few seconds later she makes the correction... "I have booger, get it, Mama?" Much better :)

*She was using some of her play kitchen toys... and brought me a frying pan saying, "Made quesadilla, Mama." Yes, she loves them and requests them for breakfast. Don't think so, sugar.

*Sienna has found the freedom to get out of her twin bed and if the door is cracked, she helps herself right out of bed WAYY too early in the morning and marches in our room... "Hi Mama!!!". A few times we have let her in our bed to snuggle if it is a reasonable time. That lasts a whole 2 minutes and then she climbs all over us bringing us Dr. Seuss books telling us to read them (in the pitch black) and then immediately puts in her order for toast and peanut butter. This girl loves her food.

*She now counts to ten and sings her ABCs.

*Not sure if we have a little OCD going on here or what... but she is REALLY bothered by messes or things being left open. Sienna comments on any cabinet or jar that is temporarily left open. She is appeased when it is closed. During the first few minutes after laying Sienna down for a nap, we heard two slams. Justin went in to find Sienna crawling back into bed. He asked what she was doing and she pointed to both closet doors and said "I closed that, Dada!" Not the first time that has happened and surely won't be the last. She is better than Mama at keeping things tidy.... (okay maybe that's a bit of a stretch- but she is sure bothered by it!) I am curious to see if her room will be cleaner than ours when she is a teen :)

That's all for now. My To Do List is calling my name~

Out my ears...

I feel like I have flowers, ribbons, fabrics, and bows coming out my ears!! I am excited for this weekends arts and craft fair at New Beginnings Church in South Bend. I have been working hard to create as much as I can to bring to this craft fair. Can I just tell you.... my house is reaping the consequences of spending Sienna's nap times working rather than cleaning. YIKES! Next week I will get it under control :)... next week.

Anyways...There are 45 local vendors that are going to be bringing their goods. My mom and I have a booth outside (so we're especially praying for no rain!!). My mom makes beautiful, unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry and I will have an assortment of bows, clips, bib sets, appliqued onesies, nursing covers, and other accessories for babes! :)

I have been working on lots of new things including some of these...
Fabric Flower Clips/Headbands


Fancy Rose Clips/Headbands

Korker Pigtail Sets

Holiday sets, tutus, and lots more that I haven't taken the chance to take pictures or list in my shop


Please come out :) We'd love to see you! Back to work I go... :)

Country Girl with City Girl Fears?!

I would like to think I am a country girl.... I grew up in the country and always had high expectations from my dad to get down to business and work hard. I never feared getting dirty, doing chores, marching around at my dad's hog farm with the glorious sights and smells of manure. I can side-step roadkill and consider the smell of pigs and cows "fresh air". However.... when it comes to rodents, I am as squeamish as any city-folk would be. I despise mice, snakes, rats, anything that slithers or darts here and there to find it's next crevice to be harbored in.

This afternoon I went out to the garage to put a few paints of coat on some things for Sienna's new room. I grabbed everything I needed, opened the large garage door and plopped myself down on the garage floor, just where it meets the driveway. I look up and see a snake, a garder snake, (or gardener, or garden....whatever, you get the point) had gotten squished underneath our garage door. Silly fella wasn't smart enough to jump in front of the sensor to avoid it's death. I was pleased to find that I had "caught" it, but am not going to lie and tell you I didn't squeal just a bit and high-tail it into the house with hopes of taking a cellphone pic and calling my husband to ask him if I stab it with a fork or whatnot... As I get back into the garage and head back to my scaly friend, I see his nasty spliced tongue sticking out at me and his body starts to recoil (I am seriously squirming in my seat as I type this!! YUUUCK!) Oh don't you worry--- he was just half-way squished and managed to slither back into our garage amongst our pile of who-knows-what-or-where-it-goes items stashed against the side of the garage. I am too chicken to peel everything away to catch the rascal and stab him with a fork (just kidding... I couldn't even get the nerve to touch it with a pole!). So, my husband will be pleased to know that this scaly friend will be waiting for him when he gets back in town. Hopefully, the snake will not invade the house in the process. I would move out PRONTO.


Anyways, as I was painting, I was thinking about God's creation and his amazing creativity. There are a few animals/insects that I just DON'T GET what He was thinking when he created them.... I guess I can ask Him someday... He probably has a really good answer... or maybe it is just to show his sense of humor.

For example: I don't know if I will ever understand the purpose of flies and mosquitoes.. or
This?!?!...

Or this...



But people probably wonder the same thing when they see these
...

Just a few Pet Peeves...

We all have them right?

Here are just a few of mine :)

*You have prepared a weekly menu and feel on top of the game, until it's dinner time and you realize you forgot the key ingredient at the store.

*Waiting for my dog as she paces all over God's green Earth to find the perfect place to piddle or drop a load. Like really? You've got all the land a dog could dream of and it's THAT hard to choose, huh?

*Being reprimanded at Meijer (and other stores with crazy return policies) for too many returns without a receipt. Okay... if I can't remember to take my keys out of the car before locking it, forget to put the trash out on the right days or to promptly switch the wet laundry into the dryer, and I occasionally forget to brush my daughter's teeth until she is already asleep-- chances are digging the receipt for a $3.00 item out from under my car seat isn't going to strike me as something that's really urgent. Sooo... they can keep their little message in their system that I have been warned about it... it probably won't help.

*Waking up 5 or 10 minutes before your alarm/child. Grrr... bad start to a perfectly good day!

*Every time my dog drinks water from her dish she leaves the great flood behind for each of us to walk through with our socks on.

*Baking a coffee cake for a get together, you know- the bundt-pan type that you pray over before flipping because you know the potential for disaster if it doesn't come out clean... only to flip it and find out- yes it is indeed a disaster. Just close your eyes while you eat, folks.

*Getting home from being out ALL day... when you finally look in the mirror you realize you have to absolutely, completely different earrings on. Thanks friends for not telling me ;)

*As SOON as you sit down for the evening, our dog starts pacing by the door like she suddenly has to go out to go to the bathroom NOW. Umm... if it's up to me... you can wait. Good thing my husband has a good heart :)

*Scratching the bottom of a pan with a fork, making that ear-piercing sound.

*Waking up to find yourself asleep on the couch...realizing you have to wash your face and brush your teeth before climbing into bed, an abrupt interruption to perfectly good night's sleep!

*How the house gets messy while I take a few blinks... for real... I don't get it.

*The way our dog stares at my husband everywhere he goes and starts whining if she can't see him. She is his stalker and it aggravates me!

Okay, sadly there are probably many more... but these popped into my mind. Share with me your pet peeves. Please tell me I am not alone?!

Random Ramblings for today :)

Hello Friends :)

Can I just share with you that I am loving this week :) This is the first of three weeks that Justin has a break from school! YAHOOO!! It's been fun. Of course, he has lawns to mow, a fishing trip planned, little projects to work on, time to spend with some of his students, etc.- but I feel like a happier woman having him home with us more! I feel refreshed! Many days he is working until Sienna's bedtime which leaves this mama worn out! But, he is working so hard to provide for us and for that I am so thankful. He never complains...

It is just wonderful for him to have a more flexible schedule. So far we have squeezed in a visit to the pumpkin patch and some extra family time. We are working through our "Fall Break To Do List" which includes fun memories we want to make with Sienna, but also some crunch time preparing for baby boy's arrival. I have officially hit the 8 month mark! It seems I felt the need to kick it into gear when I hit that mark. :) Still lots to do... but we are getting ready for this little guy. We are both convinced he is going to be a crazy one! He is incredibly active. Sometimes it feels like he is just going to reach out and grab my hand or perform a little gymnastics routine with all his rolling about. I have been telling Justin, "I wish you could be pregnant sometime in your life..." haha Fat chance of that happening... but honestly- it is so hard to describe the feeling of a squirmy baby inside your belly... constantly!

Sienna is getting more vocal about this little guy, too. She now says things like "baby brother" and "big sister" or "hi baby" while patting my ginormous belly. She lifts up her shirt and says, "Sienna's baby" and also wants to see "daddy's baby" ... so there is still a little fogginess in her understanding... but adorable nonetheless. I washed our little guy's bedding and she was excited to snuggle up with "baby's blankets". We have painted her room and gotten her mattress and bedding put together... but still need to put together or paint some of the bigger furniture before having her sleep in her bed. She LOVES her new bed and still gets excited and gasps when she walks in and sees it. She squeals, "new bed" and insists that I sit with her on it. I will post pictures of her room when it is actually done. I am anxious to finish it! I feel like there are many unfinished projects around here! Hoping to knock them out in the new few weeks :)

I am also feeling encouraged as our mom's group (MOTTTS) has started up again. It is a great way to get out of the house with childcare taken care of to get together with other mamas seeking guidance in this whole parenting thing!! Right now we are reading "Shepherding a Child's Heart" and I am seeing how this is going to be very applicable as my little sweetpea is showing more of an opinion about many things :) I am excited to learn more about understanding her and learning to discipline her in love, just as our Father does with us. Justin and I are also doing a weekly book study on relationships with lots of other great individuals and couples. Then, to top it off, a group of us girls are sitting under the teaching of the wise, and hilariously passionate Beth Moore :) Our study on Esther has gotten me back into The Word in a good way. All of these things are stretching me out of my comfort zone to be more intentional, relational, and grounded while building some pretty neat friendships!! :) I'm excited to see what God has in store!

Until next time! Hopefully I can get some pictures up here soon.... but someone seriously needs to ground me from taking pictures (or atleast uplaoding them) until I get some printed!!! It's been a good 14 months since I have printed pictures. Uhh... that thought makes me SICK!

I was listening to music the other day while I was cleaning and was thrilled when this song popped up to the playlist.

Isn't it amazing how a song can bring you back to a specific place, a time in your life, or memories with particular friends? I love music for that reason and so many others. For example... country music often brings me back to summer in highschool...cruising in my Jeep with the windows down. Jock Jams takes me way back to my AAU basketball days with us 10-year old girls jam-packed into a van feeling on top of the world singing, "We will we will ROCK YOU!". I am sure you could name of few songs that take you back to a place...

This song reminds me of a day 4 years ago when I walked down the long, grassy isle to my man :) I couldn't see him through all my tears, but I heard later he cried, too. I wouldn't have ever known it because I was a bawling mess, hanging on to my dad's arm. By far one of the most amazing days of my life. Picture perfect weather, loved ones, my love, my life, waiting at the end of the isle.




I LOVE this song for lots of different reasons. # 1) Dave Barnes and Stephen Speaks were played a lot in my college dorm room or in the car because their love-struck lyrics were perfect for my mushy heart. I still love hearing the simple, acoustic songs from these two guys. #2) The lyrics are amazing! The tremendous thing about a marriage is that you get to share everything (yes, even the small bathroom sink in the morning!)

One thing that amazes me is how much I look forward to him coming home in the evening. The time of sharing our day.... sometimes the low points, but also rejoicing in the small things (a smooth day at work, a good deal on groceries, a new mowing job, a small bow sale, Sienna's newest accomplishments, etc.) I am SO grateful I have Justin to share these with. More importantly knowing that in my darkest hours, I have an incredible man that loves me despite all those things. He sees me at my worst and loves me regardless. He loves me with no make-up on and in a ridiculously mismatched outfit, he loves me when I lock my keys in my car and he has to spend his entire lunch hour and more coming to bail me out, but also when I am in a crabby mood and can't explain why, when I complain 24/7 about our ridiculous dog (did I say that?!, when I leave a lights on or forget to flush. He still loves me when I have completely procrastinated with dinner and then frantically try to figure out what to make after he walks in the door. He loves me even though I am ridiculously indecisive and ask him to decide what I should order at a restaurant (seriously... what an annoying habit!) I am blessed with a forgiving, loving, handsome, hard-working, selfless husband who is a tremendous father and provider for our family. So blessed. So blessed.

Can I just start over?!?

Ever have the days where you would love to just back the train up and start over... yep, my day was today! Sure, there have been bad days before, silly mistakes, traffic jams, fits from a 19 month old, super unproductive days, forgetful mama type of stuff... but rarely do I feel like I have a day where EVERYTHING goes wrong!

Bear with me as I vent... ;) I had some errands to run today so we got around in decent time today and I planned to stop at 3 different places, I had my lists and mental map of my stops. On my way there, I realize I forgot to bring a snack for Sienna. I don't know about any of you moms out there, but I can't shop if Sienna doesn't have a snack. She would enjoy eating ALL day, however she has a pretty regular snack time and I sometime plan around it because helps me accomplish things with a few less interruptions. So Forgetful Mama makes mistake numero uno.

Our first stop to Kohls went really well, got the things I needed and Little Miss was well-behaved! I'm feeling good at this point!! When I walk out to the car I start sweating as I am digging through my purse looking for my keys. Yep, you guessed it. This is the second time, in 4 months I have locked my keys in the car. Although the first time my child was IN it! Yeah, hold the calls to CPS, please. That's a story for another day, but it WAS the hottest day of the summer (go figure) but luckily my mom came to the rescue in about 15 minutes. I earned The Worst Parent of the Year Award that day. I could blame it on "pregnancy brain" but that's just a crock... I'm just an airhead sometimes. Forgetful Mama mistake #2.

Anyways, Justin is working in Elkhart, my parents are in Chicago, Ashley is on a play-date, and my sad pair of spare keys are dangling in the kitchen. Sweeeeet. I march my pregnant-self back into Kohls with my girly starting to put on a show (you know... the one where their legs go limp and you end up dragging them because they refuse to stand...) for the customers. After calling Justin and Ashley, I ask Customer Service what they advise... So I found my options.

Option #1: Call the police although they won't send someone to unlock it unless a child is locked in the car Been there done that... where were the police 4 months ago?!

Option #2: Call a locksmith, although they will charge at least $50 to come out.

Option #3: Call a cab to take me to get my spare keys so I can drive back and get my car. Although I won't have a car seat for Sienna and I don't think Kohls provides babysitting services.

Option #4: Call my husband again and admit that I'm an idiot again and ask him to come save me.

Option 4 seemed like the least expensive (at least out of the pocket book, maybe not for the ego :) So I called my calm, forgiving husband who said he could drive nearly 45 minutes to come pick my up over his lunch. He reassured me it was okay and he'd call when he was there.

So, Sienna and I walked over to Quiznos for an unplanned lunch out while we waited. Sienna proceeds to tell the lady at the cash register "Mommy lock keys in car." Awesome. Out of the mouths of babes. After lunch, we walked back over to Pet Smart to look at the animals. Justin called and I told him we were at Pet Smart. He said, "Oh great, I'm just pulling in." We walk outside and I get this sick feeling as I don't see his truck.

I didn't tell him which shopping plaza we were at!!!!!!!!

Justin made a safe assumption that I was at the plaza closest to our house with Kohls, Pet Smart, and Quiznos... but why would I go there?! I was at the one across town! So he drives an extra 20 minutes to come get us there.

At this point, Sienna is walking around saying, "Poopy." And any passerby could guess what sort of gift she left in her drawers. The diaper bag is locked in the car. She kept asking if I was tired and I explained that I was just having a bad day. She would say. "Love you. Kissy Mama? Mama bad day..."

When Justin comes and unlocks the car, I get Sienna cleaned up and promise to make just one last stop, even though we are well into her naptime, but I figured I made the trip out and I am going to get what I need, doggonit!

Sienna is in the cart, digging in my purse and finds leftover chips from lunch. She takes one and starts eating it. Then, she starts coughing and choking, so I throw everything down, rip her out of the cart and stick my fingers in her throat. Then, of course, she pukes up what she ate... because what else would you expect on a day like this?! Luckily it was a small mess, easy clean-up and could have been a lot more (considering what this girl eats!!). Then, I realized they had NOTHING on my list. Everything I went in for was sold out... probably because it was a sale item towards the end of sale week. BUT STILL........... I just wanted to run out of the store and start my whole day over!

Anyways...... if you are still reading by now, I give you serious props... fortunately my loooong, drawn-out saga is over. Hopefully :) Just thankful my hubby loves me... a forgetful airhead like me :) He's amazing!

It Won't Be Like This for Long...

Let me just start by saying that I have been extremely sentimental and sappy lately. Many times I tear up for no apparent reason, other than the fact that my baby is growing to be a big girl (and pregnancy hormones I guess!) That alone is reason enough, right??

I mean seriously... she looks like a teenager with car keys here!

I was running the other day and Darius Rucker's song "It Won't Be Like This for Long". I bought this song off of Itunes 2 years ago for Justin for his first Father's Day. The song came on and I have heard it many times and it's one of my favs, but I pressed repeat and listened to it at least 3 times in a row before giving Mr. Rucker a break and moving to the next song.

So, there I am running, crying (not sobbing... but you get the picture!) thinking about my little girl. A part of me would do anything to push the pause button on life (even though we are anticipating a special arrival from a very special little boy :) to soak up EVERYTHING about this stage of Sienna's life. She is a hoot, plain and simple. Everyday I find myself amazed and absolutely head over heels in love with her. So many times lately Justin or I find ourselves randomly saying, "I just LOVE her!!" The feeling is indescribable. She is honestly more than I could have ever dreamed of in a million years, as cliche as it sounds, this mama means every word. She is lovey, cuddly, smart as a whip, cute as a button (see for yourself), and goofy with quite the sense of humor!

I think often times as parents, when things are hard with our kids, it is easy to think, "Oh it will be so fun when they can fill in the blank. It is nothing done intentionally, but it often anticipates the next phase without taking in the moments where you are at. And sometimes those moments where we are at are much easier to be wished away than to accept that "it won't be like this for long" and that it shall, too, pass. I can quite honestly say, I would be okay if Sienna were this age forever :) I have found myself saying so much, "I don't want her to grow up!!"
She always asks to read to Macy... so here she is showing her the pictures (upside down... but we won't tell!)


On the flip side, with 10 weeks to go before our baby boy gets here, this song also reminds me of the bare-bone amount of sleep that you get during those first few weeks (or months!), the exhaustion, the emotions, the struggles of "figuring it all out". I know that I am going to need to remind myself daily (scratch that-- maybe hourly) that "it won't be like this for long". And instead soak up the chaos and the craziness that will eventually lessen until shortly we find ourselves as empty-nesters...

To be honest, there are days I wake up scared silly about the adjustment. However, there are also so many nights where I am sitting there feeling his little elbows, feet, and knees moving across my belly where I am just dying to hold this little guy in my arms and see his sweet face... to have some snuggle time with this little life that is so precious. One thing that makes me anxious for the change is I want Sienna to feel incredibly, without-a-doubt, absolutely loved and special. I want her to feel like our special girl, important and cared for. I fear being inadequate for the job, whether that being a mother of two or a wife to a tremendously amazing man!

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." -2 Corinthians 12:9

Wow- aren't you thankful that's the case? He's got our backs during our darkest, hardest days. Days where we feel completely inadequate for the task at hand.

Well, I better wipe these tears and get my little gal going for the day. :) Thanks for reading, friends.

FALL? Is that YOU?!?

Fall makes me think of hoodies and jeans. soups. crockpot meals. apple cider. snuggling on the couch with a blanket. walks outside. campfires. soccer. hats. amazing sunsets. leaves. so much more.

I am so excited with today's weather! I hear hot weather is back on the forecast for next week... but I can C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E while it's here, right?

Can I just tell you I am SO excited for this long weekend? Tonight is the first night all week where Justin will be home right after school. I am doing a little happy dance! So excited for some good family time this weekend. He is playing in an Alumni Soccer Game at Bethel this weekend which is always fun to spend some time with the soccer wives (and now babies!) Long gone are the days of sitting, watching, and chatting... hello to the days of chasing kiddos and carrying on a completely interrupted conversation :). I'm looking forward to it since there will be lots of little soccer star off-spring to play with!

Did I mention, I just watched the CUTEST little soccer player (2nd to my hubby ;)...) last night?! Check him out in his gear. I'm a proud aunt. He's a soccer boy in the making.

Or he may just be a photographer for sporting events?! During his game he was taking pictures of family members taking pictures of him.. :) Gotta love it.

Here's our little soccer girl. Making her daddy proud sporting Puma gear and little Nike's from "Boppa" (Grandpa Smith). Looking like quite the athlete.

Cole was excited to see "Baby Nenna" at his game and even rubbed her bald head for good luck.


Switching gears, we tried Sienna in undies a few days because she is showing interest in going on the potty and despises having a dirty diaper. She makes a scrunchy face and says "Change diaper?" IMMEDIATELY after going. I know that I need to be gung-ho on the Potty Train if I want it to work. I will get there soon, but I realize potty training takes SO much time. Staying home, setting timers, lots of laundry, crazy amount of celebrating the small dribbles that DO make it into the potty. So, we will get there... when her AND I are ready. Anywho- here is what I found the day that we were working on her going on the potty....mind you this was 4 soaking wet pairs of undies later, 2 soiled diapers (because we ran out of clean underwear), and a measly 2 accidental drops of potty into the toilet. She comes to me and says "Bear go on potty chair". Low and behold the poor fuzzy guy is shoved INTO her potty chair. Awesome. Fortunately for everyone, especially Bear, there was no potty in the chair.






Last picture for today... I promise.
This picture is from a few weeks ago when we took Sienna on a walk in her wagon. She LOVES it. We told her to say "cheese" and she did. Hmmm.. maybe we won't have her say "cheese" for pictures? Hilarious. I laugh outloud when I see this picture! Any of you scholars know Mercer Mayer's books. Is it just me or does this picture remind you of the critter in the books? (Click on it for a close-up) It may be the toothy grin, the big eyes showing through the glasses, or her kissable cheeks. I just have to laugh. I love her.

Gutsy Little Fella

Not going to lie- I have acquired a real sweet tooth over the past few weeks especially! When people ask if I have had certain cravings during this pregnancy... sure chocolate is always good, but really... it's just food in general. Yes, please :)

So, while Justin was off to mow after school today, I figured I could definitely manage (and afford ;))another workout for the day. I saddled up the bike with Sienna's trailer hooked up behind it. She was excited!!! Chattering and singing as we rode. We have enjoyed quite a few bike rides together... but none really recently. Within the first few pedals I realized this was going to be interesting :) As I am riding towards the sunset (now doesn't that sound all romantic...ha) I am looking into the bright sun, but notice an animal is facing towards me. Hmmm... I can't make out exactly what it is, but I figure it is a dog. As we are about 20 feet from it, it starts running straight towards me. Sweet Jesus... Then, as we get about 15 feet from it, it is running faster at me and I stop dead in my tracks to find that it is a deer. Yep, I said it. A deer. Running at me. Lord, have mercy. That's basically how the prayer went. Just then he dashed off to the other side of the road into the corn field.

Now, I am a bit startled at the guts this guy has and began pedaling faster as I was imagining him charging at me, full-force. Lights out. As I am pedaling faster, I realize how ridiculous I look, nearly 7 months pregnant pedaling like a maniac on this bike. Picture with me this... toes pointed outward on the pedals, looking like a cowboy fresh off his horse riding this aluminum contraption, my knees dodging this protruding gut, I mean belly, with every stride. Not to mention I am nervously looking back periodically as if I am being chased, by someone... or something.

All that to say... things could have been a whole lot more interesting. Thankfully, they were not!


Today I worked at posting some of the things I have been working on recently.
Here are a few...












You can check out the rest of my stuff here :)

Have a great day!

My Heart is Full...

I decided Sienna and I needed a date night... not that we don't spend ALL day, EVERY day together already :), but Justin was out of town on a kayaking adventure for school and so I wanted us to have some "girl time" to make the time pass :) Gotta get creative sometimes! (I think Justin was jealous and is already talking about his daddy/daughter date soon!)


After her nap I said, "Do you want to go on a date with Mama?!?" She stares at me blankly "We can go get food and icecream..." Now she's excited! "Les Go! Shoes! she shots as she does her little happy-skip-dance.

As we loaded up to get in the car she kept repeating "C'mon Les Go! Mommy a date! Ahh melt my heart. We pulled in to the old-school diner, Bonnie Doon's, a place with LOTS of memories for me! My dad would take each of us girls out on our own date night. We would get to choose where we wanted to go. Sometimes it was Chuckie Cheese where I chose to go, probably way older than what was COOL to go hang out with the large, furry, mechanical singing band that frightens so may kids...not me, not when you're 12 years old. Okay I'm exaggerating with the age... I think? :) Other times we strolled into Claire's Boutique and picked out a little something. One time I actually remember going on a date with my dad and walking into a barn. I look up to the tall ceilings and low and behold there is a cow carcass... welcome to the butcher. Not sure if he was checking on one of our "pets" that we raised.. Mopsy Topsy, Buttons, or Jordan. Not completely sure what that was all about, Dad?? But it obviously has stayed in my memory and luckily I am not a vegetarian from that experience :) Often times it ended with icecream and Bonnie Doon's was the place to go.

Once we got to Bonnie Doon's, I plopped Sienna down next to be in the old school booth and she was loving every minute of not being in a booster or a highchair!

She didn't get lucky enough to get icecream- because quite frankly, she had forgotten about the icrecream comment and was completely content with grilled cheese and "apple-auce".

Next, we ventured to the park. "C-mere" she'd say and grab my hand to pull me to play. I had to get some pictures of my big girl!









After her cheeks were apple-red, her face flushed from the heat...we decided to head on our way. We did check out Claire's... just because :)

Chatting with my little love on the way... hearing "Mommy a date! Mommy a date!", sitting with my growing girl on the booth seat watching her big eyes full of excitement, holding her little hand at the park.... She is absolutely head and shoulders above anything I could have EVER dreamed up in a little girl. My heart is full. Completely overflowing and full.

Being a Mom Means...

...wearing food on your clothes is quite normal and sadly very acceptable.
...being 5-10 minutes late everywhere you go feels like "on-time".
...you ask a serious question at a surprise shower if we are all going to yell "peak-a-boo"
...a big outing, that often takes lots of planning and strategic scheduling, is to the the grocery store. Timing is key to avoid embarrassing, horrific meltdowns.
...the house is never actually "cleaned" it is just picked up or straightened to look decent. Mopping happens once in a blue moon when you're feeling like an over-achiever or a go-getter :)
...your phone conversations usually consist of talking over a screaming toddler in the background.
...you wake up singing "Oh where is my hairbrush... oh where is my hairbrush? Oh where oh where oh where oh where...." yeah... you get it
...you pick up a toothbrush in the living room, a cheerio box in the office, tupperware in the bedroom, hairbrush out of the trash, and post-its out of the toilet. And start all over after naptime.
...leaving a trail of goldfish or other snack food in the store, because snacks are what keep them in their seats and quite.
...reading story after story and having meaningful conversations crouched on the floor in front of the potty.
...you muster up enough energy for one more "horsey ride" because somehow it is funny to them everytime
...scrubbing poop off the carpet...yes, all those little poop footprints, too.
...jamming to VeggieTales in the car... clapping, dancing, and all.
...kisses make all things better.

...you find yourself in absolute amazement as you watch your baby growing faster than you thought possible. Feeling like your heart could explode with the amount of love you have for this little person...

Man, it's good!

Out Little Chatterbox

Between 15 and 16 months, Sienna's verbal skills flew through the roof. This has been exciting and amazing for us to see! We get a small glimpse of what is going on inside that little hairless head of hers :) (I say that in the most loving way!! She is actually finally getting some blonde hair!) I can't even count the number of funny things that she has repeated or come up with to try to communicate her point. It truly is incredible watching your baby grow to a little person with opinions, thoughts, words, and personality! It's the best thing ever.

Last week, at her 18 month appointment Sienna jumped up to the 50th percentile in her height and weight, now weighing a whopping 24 lbs :) Low and behold, that hairless head of hers has always measured in the 95th percentile. That'a girl! The doctor was surprised with how how chatty Sienna was and how much she could communicate through words. It is exciting (and tad exhausting) to have such a chatterbox on our hands.

Here are some of her funnies that I hope not to forget as time passes...

When she gets out of the bath she runs around, booty jiggling and all and saying "Nakey booty, Nakey booty"

Her blueberries are always referred to as "bluebabies" probably my favorite word that she says!

She has learned to say "Bye Duys, See you Yater" :)

At the grocery store, a woman commented on what pretty eyes Sienna has. She then started batting her eyelashes at the woman. Should I be scared?!?! I am nervous one day she will realize how absolutely adorable she is... then her daddy will have his hands full. As he says, he will be out on the porch in his skibbes with a rifle to scare off all her dating prospects. Only time will tell...

When Cole uses the bathroom, after done peeing he yells, "Dribble Dribble Drop Drop!" and yesterday Sienna picked up the stool he uses to stand on and started shouting "Dibble Dibble Dop Dop Dibble Dibble Dop Dop"

She is getting curious about why Cole stands up to pee and has mimcked this behavior after watching him. Lats week, when I was helping Cole in the bathroom, she came over and stuck her hand in the pee stream.... ahhh nothing like a sanitary hand-wash. sick...

One of my cousin's kids was telling a story awhile back about how she got a mosquito bite on her buttcheek. Of course, Sienna picks up on the most important word in the sentence and doesn't miss a beat.... "Buttcheek? Buttcheek?" She is the queen mocking bird.

In the past month she has seemed very interested in the "potty chair". One day came to me and said "Poopoo. Potty chair". We hightailed it to her little potty to find that she told me half-way through...pleasant. So we plopped it in the chair and did a little song and dance with a few M&Ms to celebrate. Today was deja-vu and the same thing happened and we celebrated over a pack of Gushers (Wow do those take me back a few years!). I know there are not panties in the immediate future, but I am going to hop on board while she is interested and see where this train takes us. ;)

Until Later, friends...

Not Me Monday

A friend of mine did this post a few months back where you add "did not" or something to that effect in front of everything you did that day and it was fun. So I thought I would try. Just a silly way to think of your day :)

I did not roll out of bed in the morning, earlier than I'd like, and tip toe around to not wake the cohabitants of this house so I could go for a quick run. I didn't get back to see my favorite man ever sitting in the kitchen reading his Bible and greeting me with a morning smile. I did not immediately begin my the crazy multi-tasking morning. Then, of course, I didn't have to chase to my daughter around the house like a crazy woman to change her diaper in the morning after she ate all her toast, yodurt, and bluebabies. I did not then rush off to go to my favorite place of all, the dentist, to get a certain number of fillings done. I did not fall asleep while reclined in the chair waiting for the numbing gel to take affect. Seriously, who puts a mom in reclined in a chair with calming music on and leaves her there all by herself. Luckily, I did not drool.

They didn't have to give me 6 shots (but whose counting) because the type of anesthetic did not do the job. Pretty sure that is enough to knock a horse dead, but I lived to tell about it. While hearing the crazy buzz of the drill and feeling them strike a nerve repeatedly, I did not start feeling dizzy. I didn't begin coaxing myself that I was just fine and needed to take deep breaths. I also didn't nearly pass out in the chair and cry, like a 2 year-old because that would have just been embarrassing, right? I didn't lay there with my feet above my head and let me lay with a wet cloth on my head.

I did not run around like a headless chicken during while Sienna was napping to make use of my me-time. We all know how our little lovelies are such great helpers and make it so easy to accomplish simple tasks. See picture for proof.


And of course, I did not scarf down nearly 4 cookies during this time...that would be crazy and completely unhealthy ;)

When Little Miss woke up, I did not read Mercer Meyer'sI Was So Mad in a silly voice and didn't bust out the tickle mitts for my favorite book ever, Tickle Monster to get some wiggly, squeamish, giggles from my nicely-rested sweetie pie. I did not completely procrastinate on making dinner only to find we had no groceries in the house... so we didn't have eggs for breakfast. (ps. Have I told you how I have an amazing husband who is so gracious even when his wife wastes her whole day and he comes home to scrambled eggs for dinner rather than a roast and potatoes or something fancy. Yeah, he's that good.)

Next, I did not whip up some really healthy No-Bake Cookies (okay I am lying about the healthy part). Then I didn't rush over to my mom's house to have a Bachelorette finale party while eating lots of great and healthy snacks. Of course, we didn't have a platter of roses sitting on the table to hand out at our own rose ceremony- because that would be silly. :)I didn't stay up way past my bedtime watching a show that I am not all that proud of being a dedicated follower of. I didn't come home to my husband asking "Justin, will you accept this rose?" Only to have him laugh in my face and say "No, you didn't..."

Getting Back to Work

I have finally updated my website with some new bows and things. Tomorrow I will be adding a few more of the goodies I have been working on.
Here are some of the new bows








I took an extended "leave of laziness" on creating new things... between tutoring and the goodness of summer, I failed to keep creating, but I finally got my booty in gear :)

Check out more new things at my etsy shop