Blog Tears and Mother's Day Smiles

Blog Tears.....

Please excuse the ugliness that has been my blog in the last 48 hours. I try to change one little thing and my whole template goes crazy! I heard that when viewed on an iPhone or Ipad, my background was black. Now, that made me so sad, because I really like my navy and orange chevron. Anyway, I have had to change things around a bit and I still do not know if I have fixed it! I should have taken more web design {HA!} classes in college.

I am seriously considering paying someone to give me one of those cute custom designed blogs. Wonder what the husband will say to that?? He will tell me to keep reading.

Can someone please tell me if the background is black on iPhone? Help a girl out!

You know what wasn't ugly? My Mother's Day weekend. It was beautiful, the perfect weekend. Time with my husband, my daughter, my mommy, and my mother in law. 

The Paci and more

As silly as it might be....this is what I googled tonight after I put the girl down. "How to break the paci habit."

Operation: No More Paci----starts June 6th in this household.

Miss P is 20 months today and, honestly, I thought the paci would be long gone by now. She only takes it at night, it's always been that way. She is not attached to it by any means, but I feel like the older she gets, the tougher it will be to take it away. She really could go without it, but it is part of the routine. We brush teeth, put our paci in, read a book, and rock to sleep. Every night-we do that. I really hate to mess up that routine! As soon as I get out for summer, those pacis are going to start disappearing mysteriously.

More to come on that topic. 

We planted a tree this past weekend and are hoping that it does a little better than the stick that the home builders planted.  It's tiny for our tiny yard. Watering that thing like crazy!

We love books lately. This picture makes my heart so happy. The fact that my not even two year old can sit through the entire 101 Dalmatians book just completes me! She is going to be a reader, just like me!

That's all for now!

It's Almost Here

SUMMER! There are only 25 school days, 25 little school days until Summer vacation. The warm steamy weather is here. That means I have bought at least 10 new rompers for P, stocked up on swim diapers, and done an hour of research on the best sunscreen for kids and scars. We got to spend some time by the pool this weekend and it just got me so excited for June.  I have so many things I want to do with P this summer!!

Speaking of sunscreen, I have brushed up on my sunscreen basics and I am here to share.

• Use something that blocks UVA & UVB rays {broad spectrum}
• Look for ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titaniun Dioxide
• Waterproof is the way to go
• Apply at least 15 minutes before you are in the sun
• SPF 30 is just as good as SPF 60 as long as you reapply every 2 hours
• Coppertone Lotion Spray is apparently the best spray for kids. Sprays aren't recommended, but if you must, choose one like this.
• This Aveeno is my pick, because I just trust Aveeno and we love all their products for sensitive skin and they even have a face stick which I will purchase on my next Target trip.

I have learned many things about my mom since I have became a mom. One of those things is now I understand why she would make me sit on that chair while she lathered me up with some crazy SPF and suggested that I apply my pink zinc oxide (OK, i like that part) to my nose before I dashed into the wave pool.

If this picture doesn't make you excited for summer then I don't know what will!

 

 

 

A sign she's growing up

Tonight, while at dinner, I was reminded once again that I absolutely do not have a baby anymore, I have a toddler. A full blown sassy, feet stomping, finger shaking, tantrum throwing, running, climbing, talking toddler who is able to operate an Ipad, turn on her DVD player, climb in the car by herself,  and open doors.

It blows my mind. It seems like it just happened-overnight.

Miss P dislikes the the high chair like mommy dislikes traffic. She sees it and her heart starts racing, she wants to turn and go the other way. She thinks, oh please do not stick me in that thing! This only seems to happen at restaurants, and I believe it is because there is too much going on around her, she wants to get on with her exploring. Not so fast, little mama! We tried the booster seat, and that was not a hit either. Tonight we tried a new approach. We let her sit in the booth with us. She had a ton of space and was such a little gem the entire dinner. She immediately started coloring with the crayons the waiter dropped off and as I watched her, it dawned on me. That is my baby girl big girl holding her crayon with the most perfect little grip and coloring a picture and asking me to look at it. Yes, she's my baby, but she is growing up and she amazes me everyday.

I have been on a blog hiatus the past couple weeks. Just lots going on around here and it is definitely not going to slow down until we get to Summer! I am going to get back in to the routine of weekly posts......promise.

Easter Weekend Recap

I am always extra excited about a three day weekend. One with a holiday, but not a holiday with as much pressure as Christmas, is even better. We spent Easter Sunday sharing time between our families. We spent the morning with Spencer's side and the afternoon with my side. The Easter Bunny came and filled her basket with all sort of goodies. Some dress up necklaces and bracelets, a puppy purse, a couple outfits, some gardening gear,  a pair of crocs (still en route). She was more interested in the plastic eggs than anything else-still playing with them.

 P's dress was 'vintage' inspired this year. Her GiGi made it for her and it was perfect. I just love a traditional look on little girls. I know there will be a day when she pitches a fit if I try to put her in something with a fluffy collar. Until then---mama's the styist here.

                  Already learning that golf swing!

Do you think that basket is a little large? That is what happens when a Grandma is in charge of ordering it. That's what grandmas are for, right? Go big, or go home.

 I was awful at taking any more pictures that this. And now I am mad at myself that I don't have one from the afternoon. Oh well, I took plenty of mental pictures {husband's famous words}.

I have already worn my white jeans and I am over the moon excited that Spring is here! It is one season closer to summer. 

 Spring has sprung!

Happy Easter

A day early! {go me} Happy Happy Easter to all. We had a ton of fun dying eggs yesterday. P was intrigued by each different color and loved watching her own fingers turn blue. Today we shopped for the perfect white shoes & I finished putting her basket together. We have practiced hunting eggs already & it seems to be a hit. We might be hiding eggs on a weekly basis over here!

Enjoy a day with family!

Workin Mama

All mamas work. I know this. However, {in my opinion} it takes quite a someone to work 8 hours a day and still find a way to enjoy {and manage with grace} home too. I guess I am talking about how NOT to lose your mind and feel like you've 'got this'. Because, really, you do. A quick disclaimer: I do not always follow my own rules, but when I do......I am better-at everything.

1.) Meal Plan

 Write it down on Sunday and try to stick to it. Grocery shop with a serious list and try to stick to it as well you can. This makes evenings so much more predictable, and we eat healthier. We rarely eat out on weekdays so that means I cook about 4-5 times a week. Doesn't seem like that much? Try it with a toddler attached to you leg. When all else fails, order pizza.

2.) Don't be too hard on yourself

 This is hard. Really hard for me. But honestly, do what you can and do the rest tomorrow and know that it will be just fine.

3.) Teamwork with your hubby

I cook dinner, he does the dishes. I put laundry in, we fold together. I clean bathrooms, he cleans the wood floors. I dust the furniture, he makes the bed everyday.  I bathe P, he picks up the living room. I get her backpack ready, he gets her dressed-bow and all. For everything I do around the house, I can think of something Spence does too. He's pretty much wonderful.

4.) Do something for {you}

This probably won't happen very often, but it is so very important. It could be as simple as dinner with your husband, an evening with girlfriends, buying yourself a new pair of sandals or getting a pedicure, or just going to Target alone. Doesn't that sound lovely?  
Alone at Target....could be dangerous. {You won't get out under $100}

6.) Trust in your childcare provider

Whether it be in home care or the preschool in the neighborhood or the Montessori school that has a 2 year wait list-you have to pick the place that is best for your child. The hardest part about going back to work for me is always the fact that I am not involved in every second of her day. {I am kind of selfish with my time with my girl}  It was hard challenging almost unbearable at first. Now, I see her light up when she sees her friends and I see how much she learns everyday and I see how much she absolutely loves and thrives on the structure and routine that is her day. I know when I leave her in the morning that she is going to have a wonderful day full of learning, fun, and love. And just that thought gets me through my 'moments.'

7.) Exercise
I know there isn't time. Make time. As much as I wish I had enough time to join the crossfit crew and workout to the max 4 times a week, truth is I just can't give up any more time with my family. So I resort to run/walks, Jillian Michaels, or bike rides....oh and chasing my toddler. Being fit makes me happy!

8.) Leave work at work
Do I need say more? It is what it is, you can finish it tomorrow. This is a hard rule for a teacher! Before I was married with a baby, I could stay at school until 6pm and still bring a bag home to grade. I have to leave work at work in order to soak up my time with my family.

9.) Always be in a good book

Even if it is just 5 minutes that I can hold my eyes open, I read a bit of my novel every night. It is the best way to tune out the world and get lost in another story. I am loving Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven right now.

10.) Wine
I can't make a list without it, right? A glass of wine can really make all your worries go away. Just one, every now and then. If wine isn't your thing, let me suggest Blue Bell Southern Blackberry Cobbler Ice Cream.

"Ta-Da"
One happy family.

This family runs on routine and we love it!