Five Months As Of 01.27.14

Where oh where is time going? I can't believe my precious little boy is growing so quickly! It seems that each day brings growth, changes & new things learned and while it excited me greatly it also saddens me to see him leaving the baby-ness behind so quickly! I am a few days behind {per usual} with this update but getting our little man to sit still long enough to snap photos has really become a challenge! He is a on-the-go type of boy!

Update: Garrett is at an age now where is is really, really becoming aware of what's going on around him and making his needs & wants known! He  is becoming more and more vocal and isn't afraid to let you know when something is ticking him off. He recently started an ear piercing scream and while it's adorable when it's a happy scream it gets old quick when it's an irritated scream. He's also started laughing, blowing bubbles & grabbing food when mommy and daddy aren't looking.
 
Stats & Recent Appointment: Our 4 month check actually fell when Garrett was 20 weeks old so I'll use those stats today even though they are almost two weeks old. At 20 weeks he weighed 18pounds 8ounces {88%} and was 26 1/2 inches in length {82%}. His head circumference was 43.6cm {86%}. The nurse was so impressed with how equal his proportions are! My mom dug out my baby book & I wasn't 18pounds until I was 10 months old! Chunky baby! He had his 4 month shots and while he screamed his little lungs off it was a much shorter than when he had his 2 month shots. Thank goodness!

Features: Our little balding boy! I'm incredibly sad to report that my baby is loosing his adorable head of hair! He has a large oval of near bald-ness on the back of his head and this past week I've noticed it thinning everywhere else too. :( His eyes are still pretty blue but slowly seem to be getting more and more hazel/brown in them.

Sleep: Well we've mastered the art of crib sleeping! Garrett now takes 90% of his naps in his crib and sleeps in it at night. There are times during the day that I let him sleep in his swing but I really try to keep those minimal. He is however quite the stinker at night still. He usually starts getting sleepy about 7pm. So we do bath at 7pm, lotion, jammies and bottle. He starts really dozing between 8pm and 8:30pm and is out around 9pm. I'll lay him down right away then at 9pm. He usually wakes up then around 10pm/11pm and will start screaming {and won't stop} if we don't come in there. Rock him back to sleep and he'll sleep until about 1am/2am. When he gets up at 2am I'll go ahead and nurse him or give him a bottle because he really does seem hungry. From there he's up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Talk about an exhausted momma! There are nights though where he won't even give me that three hour stretch meaning I'm up every 45mins to 1hour with him. During the day he's usually pretty good about taking three naps. The middle one is usually two hours long unless he was up a lot the night before...then the morning one is the long one. 

Eating: Our breastfeeding days are numbered I'm afraid. My supply is non-existent these days and despite my restarting Fenugreek {which worked wonders in the beginning} I've seen no increase. I'm incredibly sad yet sort of relieved about this all at the same time. {I'm considering writing a post about our trials with breastfeeding...would anyone even want to read it?!} I'm sad because it's true what they say about breastfeeding to incredible bonding. I loved knowing that I was providing nutrition and goodness for Garrett. At the same time these past few weeks have been hard on me because I knew my supply wasn't great and was constantly having to supplement with more and more formula. So, being nearly on 100% formula is sort of a relief because I know he's getting what he needs & isn't going hungry. Right now he's doing somewhere between 5-8 ounces every four hours of so. At times he'll even chug 9 or 10 ounces...no wonder he's huge huh?! We started rice cereal on January 2nd, just after he turned 4 months and he did okay with that. Last week we started oatmeal which he LOVES! We're using Earth's Best Organic cereals and mixing them with either breast milk or formula. This weekend we'll start with his first non-cereal food-avocados! I spent an entire day making baby food for him awhile back and became totally addicted to it! I love knowing that he's getting organic foods that I prepared myself! We used our blender and the Infantino squeeze station to make up our very own little pouches. More on that coming soon! 

Diapering: Chunky is wearing six three diapers! We're using all Target brand and I'm finding I like them much more now than I did when he was little! They also seem to run a bit bigger than Huggies or Pampers so I think he'll be in this size for some time!

Clothing: We spent many weekends last year hitting up rummage sales purchasing clothes from newborn to 12 months. Most of the 9month and 12month stuff I bought was warm spring/summer stuff. Who would have though that at 5 months old my little boy would already by outgrowing 9month clothing? Our little guy is truly a chunky monkey and I can't keep his drawers stocked with clothes that fit! I'm hoping we can limp by during these last few months of winter and snatch up loads more clothes at some rummage sales this coming spring/summer. I love buying clothes for him but at this rate the cost really starts to add up! I was lucky to find a whole mess of pants for $2-$3 a pair at Kohl's recently which where size 9months but he's nearly outgrown those now too :( If we're home he's usually in jammies as we have plenty of those that fit or he's nudie, which is his preferred state. And don't worry, it's 72* in our house.

Social: Our little guy remains a charmer though he seems to have a bit of stranger danger lately. Almost everyone that has visited lately has gotten a healthy dose of the pout face. He screamed his little head off when my bestie & her boyfriend visited. I think it was his beard. At times he'll bust out crying if people laugh or say "ouch". And don't even think about fake crying around him because that really brings the waterworks. As I mentioned above he has really found his voice and will be sure to let you know what he wants! There is no keeping him still these days either...he constantly wants to be sitting or jumping!

Nicknames: Monkey, monkey butt, squirt, little man, handsome, chunk, big boy, little love, Mr. Magoo, Stinky Magoo

Likes: Baths, his Baby Einstein phone {and nearly any toy that lights up and makes noise}, cuddling up while falling asleep with his blanket next to his cheek, tv {though momma rarely let's him watch}, music, being sang too, his jumperoo, being read to, standing on the couch to look out the window and sitting up {with help from momma and daddy}

Dislikes: Having his hair dried, having his nails clipped, the hiccups, being stationary in his car seat, going down for naps, being woke up and not getting food fast enough when he's hungry. 

22 Benefits OF Being Married

It's no secret that I love being married...like love it. In my just over one year of being a married gal I've found there are certain times, situations & reasons where being married is even better than usual.

 

1. You’ll have a live-in spider killer.
2. Someone will always be around to reach the top shelves in the kitchen.
3. You’ll live longer; studies have shown married couples live longer.
4. You’ll always get a Valentine’s Day present… and an anniversary present!
5 Your husband is like a built-in toe warmer waiting on the other side of the bed.
6. You will always have someone to share your deepest secrets with.
7. You’ll have a dishes-doing partner… and a dance partner.
8. There’s always someone to wake up if you have a creepy dream.
9. You’ll have someone to support you in all things.
10. Having someone there to bring you soup when you’re sick.
11. Starting a family with the man you adore.
12. Having a husband is like having a handyman on-call 24-hours a day.
13. Gaining a whole extra family that you’ll love and who will love you.
14. Knowing that someone always has your back.
15. You’ll have a Sunday morning newspaper-reading partner.
16. He’ll be your partner in crime.
17. It’s nice having someone who knows you as well as you know yourself.
18. Two heads are better than one, especially when you’re coming up with excuses for staying home from work, getting out of a prior obligation, etc.
19. You always have a date for Saturday night.
20. Someone is always there to share laughs with.
21. Looking forward to your husband walking in at the end of the day.
22. You’ll have someone to try new recipes on… and someone to tell you how your butt looks in those jeans!

  Original Post Found Here

Five On Friday

Ahh Friday. How I do love thee. This morning has been pure wonderful. Cuddles play time with my babe, a warm cappi & reading. I was even able to catch up on a bit of TV as Garrett actually went down for his morning nap. #awinformomma

I've got so much to share but I'm sticking with these five things today! :)
  
- One - Who knew I'd ever be so obsessed with making baby food? I had originally planned to follow more of a baby led weaning but our little man was ready for food far earlier than I expected! We started rice cereal on January 2nd and he's been doing great with that! I'm thinking we'll start oatmeal today and more foods then come February! So far I've made up an entire shopping bag full of these little packets: squash, sweet potatoes, sweet peas, mango & avocados. I still have pears, apples & peaches on my to do list and we'll have all of Garrett's first foods ready to go! I think my absolute favorite part is that I know exactly what is in Garrett's food! We've been using organic produce so I know I'm giving him the best that I can! And you wouldn't believe how much cheaper it is! I'm seriously obsessed with this little system and will be sure to write a post soon! 

- Two - Things certainly change in multiple ways when a baby arrives. One of which is the amount of momma time/momma spoiling you get to do. I really noticed this the other day when I was going though my closet and found that I literally have no clothes. So many of mine are years old or just plain worn out. So yesterday I actually bought myself a few things while out shopping...that's right people, I spent money...on myself. It certainly is the little things in life.

- Three - Talking all things baby I'm also obsessed with scoring deals on clothes for him! I had gone to a load of rummage sales this past summer and stocked up on clothes for what I thought would last him until this year's rummage season. Who knew our little ham would be wearing nine month clothes at 4-5 months old?! Meaning all those cute spring/summer clothes won't get worn as he'll be too small for them by the time it warms up around here. Little stinker. I stopped at Kohl's the other day and found a whole pile of pants for him for $2-$3 a pair though which made my momma heart happy! 

- Four - Can I get an amen on how amazing five day weekends are. Why oh why can't this happen every week?


- Five - Our Advocare is going ka-BOOM! And it's amazing! I'm loving the fact that we're helping SO many people! The changes that people are making, the happiness they are finding & the healthy lifestyles they're starting to live is incredible! The greatest thing this week though was getting an order in that was mine, all mine! I've been CRAVING my chocolate meal replacement shakes since I ran out a week ago. I'm also so excited to try all the new Rehydrate flavors and the V16 Energy Drink! Whoo!  

10 True Things About The First Year Of Parenthood

I read this article shortly after we found out we where expecting last year. At the time I didn't take too much of it to heart. I simply pinned it in my bookmarks for later reading and went on with life. Yesterday as I was cleaning out said pins I stumbled across it once again. While we are not even close to being through the first year of little Garrett's life I feel like so many of these things have already become true for us. As I read through it again last night I found myself nodding my head non-stop. I simply have to say "amen" to every word of it. 

 Orignial Article by Karyn Thurston of Huffington Post 

1. You are going to suck at this parenting gig and be awesome at it at the same time, all the time. You will be a different parent every morning to a child who will also be different, sometimes changing in just hours, or minutes, or before your eyes. There will be good days and bad days, good minutes and bad minutes, good choices and not-so-good ones. You will do some things, probably a lot of things, wrong. Be gentle with yourself, because you are wildly loved and incredibly needed. You are climbing Mt. Everest with basically zero conditioning -- expect to be kind of terrible at it for a while. You are beautiful. We are for you.

 

2. Postpartum bodies are squashy and wobbly and dimpled and stretched and foreign and embarrassing and difficult and painful and gorgeously imperfect, and they tend to stay that way for quite awhile. You made a human. Now make your peace. Eat good food. Walk around when you're well enough. Listen to the people who tell you you're beautiful. Take them at their word. Remember where your worth comes from.

3. Your baby is not like the other babies. Your baby is the only one of herself who has ever been, and you and your partner are the only experts on her. Your baby will not behave like the books say, won't like what she's supposed to like, won't do what she's supposed to do when she's supposed to do it, and that's normal and great and perfectly OK. The best thing you can do is put down your literature and get to know your baby. What does she like? What makes her laugh? How does she best fall asleep? What does hungry sound like? The discovery of these things will serve you so much more than any stranger's care instructions ever will. You don't have to make your life or your family look like any particular model -- you don't have to follow the rules. You just have to create a life that works for you and fosters love and security and a whole lot of laughter. If that looks like 2 a.m. pancake parties, I'm not going to tell on you. I might actually admire you and be just a little bit jealous.

4. We have got to stop telling people that things should be easy and painless. We live in a culture that equates ease with value -- the easier it is, the better it is; if it hurts you, something is wrong. Reality check: sometimes things that are hard and painful are also really, really good. Every once in a while as a parent, one of the things that you thought would be really difficult turns out to be incredibly easy and drama-free. This is called a miracle, and though it might be somehow related to some book you read and the alignment of the stars and a magic way you pat the soles of your baby's feet and the tea you drink on Thursdays, it's still mostly a miracle, and the odds of that same miracle happening to EVERY OTHER PARENT EVERYWHERE are pretty slim, even with books and stars and tea and so much foot-patting. We get excited in our victories, and want to share them, but it's important to remember that we are all struggling with different issues. One daddy's easy is some mama's nightmare. And just because your baby doesn't sleep through the night at five weeks or eat with a fork by her first birthday or cries a lot or your boobs get sore from breastfeeding (even though her latch is perfect) -- just because it isn't EASY and PAINLESS -- it isn't necessarily wrong. Sometimes hard is OK, sometimes, often, it's even good. Hard is how we grow. And guess what, kiddo -- parenting is hard. Any book that tells you otherwise deserves the big fat sticker of bullshit.

5. Speaking of bullshit, oh mylanta, the poop. They warn you. They tell you. And despite every warning, it is still baffling and alarming and downright awe-inspiring how much of your next year is going to be spent dealing with, assessing, smelling for, washing off, evaluating, discussing, logging and transporting poop. Get good and comfy with poop, friends. The poop cometh. For whom the poop tolls. The hunt for poop-tober -- you get the idea.

6. The sooner you can figure out how to accept unwanted advice gracefully, the easier your year is going to be. For whatever reason, people love to weigh in on babies -- everyone has an opinion, and everyone wants to share. I believe that most of this advice is pretty well-intended -- most of it falls into the "it worked for me and I am so happy and I want to share my joy joy joy with you because you look very tired" category, which is at least only mildly offensive and really very sincere.

Here's the thing -- you can stumble through this crazy first 12 months in defense mode, snapping witty comebacks at judgmental old ladies or know-it-all childless people, or you can decide to give everybody the benefit of the doubt, smile and say thank you, and become very zen and confident about knowing what's best for your child and not giving one ounce of your abundance of poop about what anyone else says.

If I were you, I'd aim for zen.

 Nobody is out to get you. Everyone wants you to succeed. And screw them all anyway, because you are raising a child, and that is awesome. Did your kid eat something today? Is she relatively hygienically sound? Smiles occasionally? You win all the things. You are awesome enough to absorb any and all commentary, keep the bits you like, and toss the bits you don't. How sweet of them to care.

7. Start stretching, because it's time to get flexible. I'm not a big fan of general statements like "All babies like swaddling," or "Co-sleeping is best for everybody," but there is one I can get behind -- babies are really inconvenient. Your schedule, your sleep, your stellar punctuality record, your deadlines, your best shirts, your relationships -- everything is about to get messy and complicated. You have two choices: become a cweepinghungrytiredmess of doom, or swallow every ounce of pride you have and become flexible. Ask for help. Admit failure. Be late. Stay in your pajamas. Ignore the dishes. Let slide what can slide and rejoice when you make it through with all your bare necessities intact. You are going to miss a few parties and a lot of snoozes and probably many other important things, and it will be OK. It will be better than OK. It will be amazing.

Maybe, just maybe, you'll be one of those parents who gets a magic baby who responds to the methods in whatever book you read or is just naturally benevolent and fits like a glove into your fabulous and organized life. Again, this is called a miracle. We love you and are happy for you. Now please, shut up.

8. The most important thing to get for your baby is not a Rock n' Play, nor a good set of swaddling blankets, nor a high-end stroller. The most important thing to get for your baby is a village. Your village will keep you afloat. They will carry you when you are tired, feed you when you are starving, forgive you when you are unkempt and hours late and a neglectful friend who can't remember to wear socks let alone whose birthday it is. They will love your baby when you are too tired or frustrated to hold her at the moment, because you are imperfect and human and have imperfect and human failings. They will remind you who you are when you start to think your whole life is only about poop. They will lift you up.

9. We have to lift each other up. Raising babies is the hardest thing many of us have ever done. We can tear each other to bits, criticize choices and turn up noses, or we can love each other, admire adorable babies, offer a hand and celebrate victories. This is not a difficult choice, people. Nobody cares that your way is better. Everyone cares that your kid is gorgeous and let's chat over coffee and what have you been doing with your hair lately because, girlfriend, you look fabulous. Don't be horrible. It isn't really that hard.

10. Success is found in being willing to grow. Here's the truth: you don't know much of anything. A year from now, after your fantastic kid turns 1, you won't know much of anything still. Gather wisdom around you. Learn from your mistakes. Stay humble. Stay open. When you know better, do better. Be a better parent tomorrow than you were today, always, everyday, as often as you can. Try things out and leave them behind shamelessly if they don't work out. Life isn't a contest or a game -- it's simply only beautifully life. 

Live the minutes instead of scoring them. Love that incredible baby.

Cheers Not Jeers {Round Two}

Hey there loves, hey! Guess who is on standby today? You're right...me! So thankful for it too as Garrett has been on a major anti-sleep rant lately and has been up every stinking hour...if he even sleeps at all. Plus, I have the next four days off! And honestly, what can be better than your 4 day weekend turning into a 5 day weekend?? 

Today I'm linking again for Cheers Not Jeers. I totally love the idea of spreading love through out the blogging world and introducing you to some of my very favorite bloggers ever! So today I'm sharing with you so more of my lovely little dears! 

Kristen of Live, Laugh, Frappy is one of my very first blogger pals! She is such a sweetheart and I love keeping up with life through her blog! And, while I'm freezing my tush in the frozen tundra I can always count on her to rub Cali's nice weather in my face ;) {Thanks for that dear!} Kristen has the most adorable little dog, had an amazingly beautiful wedding just 13 days before mine, and is gorgeous! I can't wait to see what this year brings for her and her hubby! 

Katie from Tomorrow, With A Smile is another of my dearest blogger pals! She is one of the sweetest, kindhearted, inspirational girls that I know! I love keeping up with her home decorating, diy crafting and growing baby bump! This year is a big year for her & her hubby and I can't wait to see the adorable little bambino when he/she arrives! 

Brittany from This Beautiful Life is a local blogger and while we've never actually met I love her just the same! Her blog is packed full of delicious looking goodies, inspiration and adorable earrings she sells in her Etsy shop, Kitt + Kaboodle. 

 

Baby Style: Valentine's Day

Boy, oh boy is there bound to be more lovin' this Valentine's Day! With Garrett in the house I have double the boys to smooch on this year...oh darn ;) With that lovey dovey holiday coming up quick I thought I'd share with you some of the adorable little clothes that I'm loving! I'm totally not lying when I say I was a bit sadden that my husband wouldn't let me dress Garrett in the ruffle butt pants and that adorable heart dress but then I stumbled up the cupid sweatshirt and the prince charming shirt and all was well again. #lovemylilstudmuffin

Too Cute Long Johns l Pleated Heart Dress l Ruffle Butt Leggings  l Hearts Sleep & Play l Striped Hearts Dress   Silver Flats l Ruffle Headband l I Love Daddy Tee l Love One Piece l Striped Tee

Love Dinos Long Johns l Blue Suede Sneakers l Love U Hat & Mittens l Heart Breaker Tee l Cupid Sweatshirt   Prince Charming Tee l Red Straight Jeans l Eligible Bachelor Tee

I mean really how adorable can clothes for the littles be?

Getting Back To Myself #ImGettingFit2014

Having Garrett has really changed my outlook on so many things in life. Life is no longer about me or my husband but rather about this innocent little being that we created. One huge area that has changed for me is health. I'm obsessed with starting to follow healthy habits...both to keep me around longer and to pass them onto Garrett ;) Some of you already know that we've been apart of the Advocare world for about a half of a year now (but using products for years and years) and I can't tell the good that has come out of that already! My husband and I have never felt so good! We use a range of their products and they've certainly weaved their way into our daily routines! There's not a day that goes by that I'm not sipping on some Rehydrate or a Meal Replacement Shake (hello tasty!) And my husband is addicted to their Spark & Slam and usually has a few each day! 

My obsession with the products really started after I gave birth. I gained 30 pounds while pregnant and for someone who has always been on the smaller side that was a lot of weight for me. I wouldn't say I was determined to lose it quick, I was just hopeful. In high school I was on the dance team and worked out like mad and I loved it! I loved the feeling of sweating and getting my heart going...I've since lost that ambition. I entertain the thought of working out but never actually get my tush off the couch. So, I knew when it came to loosing the baby weight it was going to have to be something simple...something easy to do from the comfort of my home while taking care of a newborn. I turned to my Advocare catalog and ordered some Meal Replacement Shakes. With 220 calories, loads of vitamins and 24grams of protein I knew they'd be a quick, easy way to get all my nutrition and make sure I wasn't snacking on junk food. I'd mix up a shake and sip it instead of snacking on junk and the best part? They're tasty and it was so easy to do while breastfeeding, bouncing and burping! #awinformommas

I'm going to be completely honest and let you know that I don't give 100% of the credit of my baby weight loss to Advocare. I know that breastfeeding played a part in it as well. But, between breastfeeding and Advocare I lost every last bit of my pregnancy weight, plus an additional 2 pounds, in less than 8 weeks. And I've kept it off. I now weigh 2 pounds less than I did before I got pregnant and I can't tell you how good that feels. 

While I'm totally happy to have lost my baby weight I'm still wanting more! I'm on a mad hunt for the six pack abs I once had (I think there still hanging out next to my spine from being pregnant) and would love to tone some of the squishy areas left from birth.

Just as I was pondering all of this yesterday I got an email from my dear friend Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals. It was as if this girlie was reading my mind! Together we've put together a little program for y'all and would LOVE if you joined! You don't have to be a new momma at join us! Maybe your just looking to tone up for bathing suit season! Either way we'd love to have you join!

For more info head here.

If you have questions about Advocare, the cleanse or 24 Day Challenge please feel free to ask! I'd love to help you on the path to healthy & happy! 

Finsh This {Round Two}

 

 1. If I could make anything grow on trees, it would be… I'm gonna go with either airline tickets or money. I'm not talking a large sum of money by any means...just enough to pay our bills so that I was able to be a SAHM. That's not asking for too much is it? If I couldn't have that I'd love airline tickets so I could spend the cold winter months somewhere warm and see all the beauty this country {and world} has to offer! I mean really I'd love to get to Cali, Mexico {again}, Virgin Islands, Bora Bora, Ireland, Rome, Arizona, Texas. #listisendless

2. I can’t stop smiling…when I'm around Garrett. He just simply makes my day better no matter what. Wednesday I had a horrible day at work and within minutes of being home he had me laughing. He's just such a joy.

3. I get back to nature by…I love to simply sit outside when it's nice, eyes closed soaking up the warmth. There is something so relaxing and peaceful about the sunshine and birds chirping. I also love being curled up on the coach with my little family-tons of blankets and cappi in hand. Pure bliss!

4. I dread washing...laundry! One of my most hated house chores! I don't mind the actual sorting or washing part it's the folding and putting away part. And just a mere hours after I'm done washing, folding and putting away there's more piling up to be washed. Ugh. 

& that's it for today friends! I hope that you all enjoy your weekend! It's a working weekend for me {ick} so yours is bound to be better than mine! I'm alright with that...as long as work goes better than it did this week...more on that later. 

Goals & Resolutions From My January Sponsors

Hey girls! How in the heck did we get to Thursday already?! This week flew by! {Thank you 12 hour work days turned 14 hour work days!} I thought I'd take today and introduce you to some of those lovely faces on my sidebar! I don't know about you but I'm always looking for new blogs to read and ladies...these do not disappoint! Be sure to check them out!

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I'm Shayla of Moons & Junes. I don't usually do a New Years Resolution. But lately I've been really convicted about the time I spend with my phone when I'm around other people. I've noticed several times making an effort to put my phone down, and totally failing. I find myself refreshing instragram when my husband is sitting in the front seat with me. silence. My daughter has been grabbing my face to kiss it lately in an effort to turn my attention from my phone to her. That was the last straw. Recently, I've broken up with my phone. You can read more about what that means for me in this post. 

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Hey! I'm Kenzie of The Ashcraft Bunch! One of our main goals for 2014 was to find a church for our family! Since we moved we have been hungry to find a new church family. One that we could be involved in and plant some roots for us to grow as well as Paisley. We visited a new church last Sunday and absolutely loved it and are going back again. We are even joining a life group too. We are so excited and pray that this is where we are supposed to be.

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  I'm Lisa from Two Martinis!I got on the 'one word' resolution bandwagon and decided to focus my year around being more 'still'. Last year I also choose one word, and I think it's really helped me to think about doing less and focusing more on the way I respond to life. To me, to be 'still' means taking the time to reflect more, to read daily, to spend more quality time with friends, and to take some time off of planning and over-analyzing and spending more time enjoying the moment and taking things as they come! I would actually love to be more reactive in life and less proactive. (Which might be the opposite of many people, I suppose!) Also, my husband and I are expecting our first child in July (YIKES, when did I become an adult?!), so I'm hoping that focusing on stillness will allow me to enjoy these next few months and maintain a sense of peace! This year is definitely going to be filled with adventures and challenges for our little family and I cannot wait for all the new experiences.

 
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I'm Megan and I write at Rivers and Roads. For this year, instead of listing resolutions, I picked the phrase "be brave." I want to be brave enough to trust the Lord with absolutely everything running around in my little heart. I want to be able to hand everything over to Him and be willing to leap when He tells me to. I want to be brave enough to take chances, try new things and step out of my comfort zone. I'm excited for all the opportunities and adventures this next year has to offer and I just can't wait to see what they all are!

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Hi, I'm Casey and I'm the girl behind the keyboard over at The Aslan's Auspicious Albany Adventure. This 2014 year brings many new promises that I can wait to (attempt) to accomplish. Since we seem to have our feet firmly in our New York soil, I want to challenge Joe and I to branch out and explore the North East. I would love to visit Canada and take a trip across Western New York to experience the beauty that is still so novel to us since moving from the South. I also hope to get back into running and get rid of the extra holiday cake around my waist. 

We hope that you will stop by, say hello and share with us your holiday resolutions!

I'd LOVE to know what your goals & resolutions are for 2014! I'll be sharing mine soon! ;) 

Finish This & Cheers Not Jeers {Round One}

Hey there, hey! I'm here today joining in two new links up! :)

1. I first felt like a grown up...I'll let you know when this happens. Being married, owning a house & having a baby should certainly make me feel like an adult but for some reason it doesn't. Most days I don't feel old enough to be a college graduate, nurse, wife or momma! It doesn't help that most people look at me and think there's no possible way I'm over 16 {18 at the most} so convincing them that I am in fact a legal, 25 year old adult is always a challenge. And let's not even talk about the looks I get in public when I'm out and about with Garrett. #imnotateenmompeople
 
2. I am one of a kind because...I used to feel that having a name like Stormy made me one of a kind enough but lately I've been hearing about more and more people who share my name so there went that. Let's see...I think I'm one of a kind because I have scoliosis, a bunion on my left foot, and I broke the 3 middle toes on my right foot kicking a garage door {long story}. 

3. Spanx...Aren't for this girl. First off they are WAY too tight and second I'll never wear them. Flaunt whatcha got loves!

4. My favorite family tradition...is Christmas Eve with my family. We make snacks and goodies and open gifts. Before bed mom would read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" to us. It's something we've been doing for years and something I can't wait to continue with Garrett! 

5. The last thing I do before bed is...check on Garrett.

6. Happiness is...time spent with family, snuggles with my little boy, warm sunshine on my face, lunch with friends, and lazy days cuddled on the couch with my boys!

And because I love this blogging community and all the lovely ladies that are part of it. I'm also taking part in Cheers not Jeers today. This amazing link up is brought to you by Casey from The Aslan's Auspicious Albany Adventure. 

Casey is also one of the ever so lovely ladies gracing my sidebar this month and I'm SO happy to have "met" her! Besides the fact that her blog is adorable {and I love her color scheme ;)} she's drop dead gorgeous, sweet and an RN like myself! So many reasons to go check her out and show her some love! 

Kenzie writes over at The Ashcraft Bunch and is a recent find of mine as well! She is far too sweet, has mason jars on her blog design & has the most adorable little girl! Her home is decorated so adorable that it makes me wish I was cozied up on her couch sipping cappis with her! {Is that wierd?}

 Whitney from Black Little Button is the first blogger I ever met in real life and has turned into an amazingly kind friend! She lives not too far from me and is an AMAZING photographer! She has captured some of the biggest moments in our lives: our pregnancy announcement, our maternity photos & Garrett's newborn photos! She is also expecting her own little bundle of joy and I can't wait to meet him/her!

New Years Recap 2014

While this may seem horribly backwards I'm sharing our New Years Recap before our Christmas recap. Silly I know but I have tons of photos to go through from Christmas and more details to share so New Years first it is! 

We didn't have any plans for New Years up until two days before. We've never been ones to hit up huge parties or hang out in the bars on New Years. We've always stayed on the quite at home type of celebration. This year was really no different. We packed up Garrett, stopped and picked up three large pizzas, and a stack of movies and headed over to hang out with some of our best friends. It had been quite awhile since we'd hung out with them and a really long time since they'd seen Garrett so we did loads of catching up and laughing! Though we where at home and in bed by 10pm {I had to work the next day and let's face it...we have a 4 month old} it was simple, fun and pack with delicious pizza. Yum.

 Wishing you the best in 2014-from my lil' family to yours!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Can I just start off with saying that if you're reading this and enjoying weather that is warmer than 40* we are no longer friends! It's currently -18 here in Wisco and with the wind chill we've officially hit -56*. I took the pups out this morning and my breath was literally taken away the minute I opened the door. Walking into work this morning was plain terrible-everyone was making a mad dash for the doors!

 

I was scheduled to work this morning but when I called home to see how my boys where doing my husband said that he wasn't feeling well at all...chills, body aches, fever, cough, congestion and nausea. Mix all that with trying to care for a 4 month old all while trying to prevent him from getting sick? No beuno. So, home I came. If I'm not busy caring for people at work I'm playing nurse at home. 


This weekend was a long, boring yet wonderfully relaxing one. Husband was in Iowa for Advocare's Success School so it was a momma & Garrett weekend. Friday I was supposed to work but ended up home on standby. Garrett & I took it easy all day and started taking down the Christmas decorations. While I've got all the decor down I do still have 3 of the 4 trees up. I'm planning on taking those down this weekend. Saturday morning we cuddled and played for awhile and then headed out to my parents for the afternoon/evening. Seeing my parents laugh and play with Garrett is so much fun! It also gave me a chance to catch up with my brother and play some of our favorite board games together! 

My mom came and spent the night then at our house on Saturday. I can't tell you how wonderful she is! It was so nice to have someone to chat with because after days of baby talk I start to crave a little adult interaction! Sunday baby and I spent a little time with my parents again and after they left we cleaned the house a bit. Steve came home then and we watched the Packer game. And we aren't going to talk about how that ended. #comeonpackers

That was our weekend.
Lazy...laid back...just the way we like em'

2013 In Review

The fact that it's December 30th just blows my mind! I feel like I was just sitting here typing a 2012 recap as a blushing newlywed full of excitement for the coming year. And here we are at the very end of that year. 2013 was a fabulous year but it was also filled with its share of anxiety, sadness, worry and grieving. 

I started off the year with loads of excitement for being a newlywed. Husband & I chatted about all the fun things we wanted to do. We had a {week long} 1st anniversary trip planned to the very same beach we spent our honeymoon on. We where excited to finish our home, sell it and purchase another. We where excited to purchase a new truck. We where looking forward to being spontaneous, free and doing all the fun things newlyweds did. What we didn't know is as we chatted about all of this there was a tiny being growing inside my belly...one we wouldn't know about for weeks and weeks to come but one that would greatly change {for the better} our plans for the coming year. 

December 2012 went out with a bang. We where busy settling into life as newlyweds. We enjoyed Christmas with both our families and soaked up time with all of our loved ones. We where working like mad and having fun. The week of Christmas I wasn't feeling quite so great but chalked it up to nasty germs floating around, being tired from working 5+ days a week & the go-go-go of the holiday season. New Years Eve came and we had plans to head to a friends house. It was going to be a quite night of friends, drinks & hot tub soaking. I worked until 4pm, came home, showered & got ready to go. I sat down on the coach to watch a little tv before we went as we didn't have to be there until sometime around 8pm and woke up hours later feeling like total junk. I was lightheaded, nausea and beyond exhausted. I text my friend Andrea to let her know that we weren't coming as I'd suddenly come down with what I thought was the flu. I spent New Years Day cuddled up on the coach feeling like death as well leading to a very lame New Years Eve recap. Happy 2013 to me! 

The 3rd of January I had a 8 hour meeting at work to become stroke certified. I dragged myself outta bed that morning and headed to the meeting. It was all I could do to keep myself awake. Left the meeting, headed home and crawled into bed for the night. The next week went along with me not feeling the greatest. My body ached, I was nauseous each morning and constantly felt like I was going to pass out. It wasn't until January 10th that the thought of a growing little bean popped into my head and I took a pregnancy test. And much to my surprise: 

We had positive test after positive test. I didn't have the flu. I wasn't knocking death's door. I didn't have some rare life long sinus issue. I was pregnant. There was a bean growing in my belly. 

After telling my husband and our family I began to document the weekly bumps. Husband and I decided to keep things on the "DL" until about week 12. I've always been a cautious person and felt that announcing too soon would just put a jinx on it. Keeping our little one a secret was the hardest thing we have EVER done! I knew our parents, siblings and friends would be so excited to hear and it was SO hard not to tell them every time we saw them! We finally told our parents and siblings at week 10 after my first doctor's appointment. After having some fabulous photos taken by Whitney of Whit Meza Photography we announced to the rest of the world on Valentine's Day 2013.   

March brought loads of baby talk. Husband and I where still trying to adjust to the news that we where going to be parents...FAR sooner than ever expected. While I'd always wanted to be a mommy it was hard for me to suddenly face the fact that it wasn't just about me and my husband anymore. The trips we had planned where canceled as baby was due August 24th and our flight to Mexico was set to leave just three weeks later. No beuno. Though I was THRILLED about our little bean realizing that we wouldn't be chilling on the sand drinks in hand for our 1st anniversary was a big pill to swallow. We celebrated my fathers birthday in March as well with a laid back dinner and gift opening...small, quite and relaxed is just how we do things. I also faced loads of trying situations at work which really had me questioning my strength. Husband and I celebrated six months of marriage and I talked with you ladies about what I had learned in those six months. 

In April bump continued to grow and grow though most people didn't really start noticing it until about halfway through the month. I however definitely felt a difference! Luckily, I still fit in my regular pants and most of my regular shirts though so there was that. April 1st was our second ultrasound when we where able to see our little bean once again and find out that we where having a little boy! Though I had big plans, I spent about a week of April on the couch as I was sick...no voice, tired as all get out, miserable kinda sick. Steve actually took off work to be home with me because I couldn't move. 

May brought a new change around Life's A Dance as well as an ever growing baby bump. We spent a weekend up North and attended the wedding of some dear friends. Steve and I fell in love with a house that we wanted to buy badly, did some landscaping on our current house and enjoyed some bonfires with friends. 

June was an exciting month! My mom & sister hosted my baby shower which was wonderful! We attended a wedding for one of my husband's cousins and celebrated Steve's first father's day. Husband and I also celebrated our five year date-aversary on the 28th of June! I also talked about how important it is to live life fully as sometimes it's taken far too soon.

July was a month of all things baby! The month started with the kick off of a two month Etsy baby giveaway extravaganza & my sister's birthday! I had so much fun bringing attention to so many wonderful Etsy shops out there! I'm looking forward to my next series already! We took maternity photos with the lovely Whitney of Whit Meza Photography {part one and part two} and spent a Saturday morning learning all about labor, delivery & basic baby stuff at our baby class. Husband wasn't excited about baby class but totally lucked out when none of the videos where working. No birth videos for him! We went camping overnight with a couple friends in which I learned camping at 34 weeks pregnant is exhausting! Especially in 90+ degree heat! We really started kicking things off with our home business-Advocare as well!

And then there was August-quite possibly my favorite month of 2013! I kept up with the bumpdates as the bump grew & grew & grew! We celebrated my brothers and my mom's birthday where I played kickball with a big ole' belly! Four days before my due date husband and I decided it was time to act on something we'd been talking about forever...redoing our living room! We tore out the carpet, floor boards and replaced them and then painted and installed new carpet. It was beyond exhausting but I was so glad to have it done before baby! 40 Weeks rolled around and I was still pregnant so at 40 weeks 4 days we induced and welcomed our precious baby into the world! His birthday was by far the best day of my life and sharing one of his 1st photos with all of you was so exciting! 

September flew right by! I captured Garrett's updates and shared them all with you {Week one, two and three} It seems like when you have a baby times goes by ten times faster than before! Though our 1st anniversary weekend didn't contain a beach or glasses full of tequila it was wonderful and relaxing all on it's own. We went out to dinner and spent the time together, as a family. I shared Garrett's birth story as a way to forever remember all the little details {Part one, two and three}

In October we celebrated my husbands birthday by going out to eat. We had Garrett's newborn photos taken once his jaundice faded a bit and he celebrated his first holiday-Halloween!

November brought a Packer party with friends, Thanksgiving {in which I had to work} and my 25th birthday! All the while Garrett continued to grow and grow making me wish he'd stay a little baby forever! It also brought an end to my twelve week maternity leave. I also talked about how it's alright to be 100% unique and how sometimes we all feel down. I also shared five things you might not have known about me. 

And that brings us to December-the very last of 2013. I decked the halls, wrapped lovely gifts and listened to Christmas tunes all while trying to make everything seem okay. Inside I think I was battling a bout of postpartum depression {more about that coming later in 2014}. I hid it from most everyone and tried my best to be my usual upbeat self...it wasn't until my mom mentioned it to me that I really took some steps back and opened up a bit about it. Meanwhile my precious baby turned four months old, I shared our first Christmas card as family of three and we did a little catching up. We took Garrett Toys for Tots shopping, baked a few Christmas goodies {including this treat which has become tradition} and celebrated Garrett's first Christmas!

2013 made us a family of three & brought more blessings than we ever imagined!