Easter 2011

This year was sweet and simple.

sleeping in
blueberry pancakes
lovely service at Kensington
good naps for Bird
big dinner at my parents
ice cream for every one
phone calls with uncles
Easter basket full of goodies + a bunny for a special girl + awesome throwback toy (Slinky!)
matching gold shoes for mom + baby (dream come true)

Thank you Lord. We are truly blessed.

Easter 2010

Because I can't not talk about it

We found out March 6^th. Very early but very clearly.

In a matter of 10 days, things went from normal to awesome to normal again. But a different normal. A new normal.

One day, it was there. And now its not.

You were wanted. We miss you already, but we'll be OK. A different OK, forever changed -- but OK.

I choose to talk about it because I know this is normal. Not a great situation, but far more prevalent than people wish to acknowledge. I know I'm not alone. That I am one of many that experience, this but I won't do it quietly. I know we are not the only family that is going through this or will go through this. So I talk, when I'm ready. And I listen to others and their stories because that is what we need. To talk and to be listened to.

For the rest of the afternoon, after the news sunk in, we played with Bird, so so grateful that we have her. All her laughter, smiles, giggles, curls, steps, kisses, everything, made it feel OK. We are so very blessed and know that God has an amazing plan for our little family. His plan, His timing.

We are ready for the ride.

What I wore Wednesday...and why

Lots of bloggers show off what they wore on Wednesdays and I thought I'd jump in and show you what I wore in my hair today and why.

Don't mind the smudges in the mirror, c/o Bird

I have a serious love in my heart for children, babies especially, as anyone who knows me can attest to. Becoming a mother was one of the greatest joys of my life and I love the moments I get to share with my little Bird.

One of my new blog friends, Crystal has been writing about her best friend that just lost her baby at 23 weeks gestation and about another friend that lost her 4 month old the same day. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache these mothers and families are going through right now. I'm crying just typing this out.

The Staats, that lost their little girl Maddie, asked for people to wear bows today in honor of Maddie to remember her on the day of her burial service. I didn't really have any bows, but today I adorned my hair and the hair of my daughter with rosebud pins to remember Maddie and all the other kids that we lost too soon; the pins became little reminders to pray and be thankful of the time we have with each other and here on earth to do God's will. It was just such a little thing but it kept me prayerful all day, kept me thankful and reminded me to extend grace because you really never know what someone else is going through.

 Bird's hairpin - via Flair in Her Hair (my friend Andrea's shop!); my hairpin - via heart of light

Helping hands

In December I decided to sponsor one of my favorite daily reads TeamBoo because I liked her style, she makes me laugh and I was down with what the money was going to be used for. Charity.

Well, today I found out exactly which charity.  The Heifer Organization.

My friends, I had a small hand in helping a family receive a goat! Through the generosity of Carolyn at TeamBoo and the other sponsors, we were able to help out a family in need in an impoverished area.  You can read more here.

I love being a part of this community, this great big group that helps and shares and takes care of others. Thank you for letting me help alongside you all.

So excited I almost forgot to share.

Another shop update, just in time for my holiday giveaway, which you still have 10 hours to enter (!)

+

a story:

So I read this a little over a month ago and thought, this is for me. I quietly crafted my submission email and sent it off in the wee hours of the night, divulging this only to T. I was excited and nervous and didn't know what to make of it all except that I wanted the position.

After a phone interview and some time had passed I finally received word that I got it! I am so excited to be joining the papernstitch team as their intern, to gain an amazing experience and to use my skills to help from right here at home with my little lady by my side! I don't think things could have turned out any better and it feels like another great Christmas present.

--

Enjoy your holidays and I'll be back with giveaway results in the morning!

Me-time

I love when T comes home and says "Get out of here."

Today he arrived home and promptly sent me on my way, out the door to spend some time by myself doing whatever I wanted. Well, "promptly" didn't really happen as I took about 30 minutes, cleandering (cleaning/meandering) around the house, telling him about the day Bird and I had (including two naps for both of us), and making myself presentable for the public, but out of the ho use I went.

I will not regale you with my tale of finding a non-crowded coffee shop in the afternoon to hang at but it took way longer than planned.

And now: I'm learning the art of enjoying whip cream on my hot cocoa, enjoying a muffin, me time and the best of the interweb. Thank the Lord for chocolate and bloggers.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today has been nothing like I thought it would be but I still have so much to be grateful for (not in any particular order)

Bird
T
Family
Great friends that are family
Old Country Buffet
Not having to do dishes after dinner
Jesus Christ
my health (including my sugar loving teeth)
baby orajel
World of Warcraft
having rich people's problems
enough money to have clutter
my blog
me time

The list goes on but it is late and I'm headed to bed.

Oh and as a special Thanksgiving present to any who read here and wanted to pick up a little something from my shop, Goose and Trisser:

use code 

GANDTBFCMBLOG 

between now and Monday 11/29, at 11:59 pm 

to get 25% off your items (not including shipping and tax). 

enjoy!

Is that all I had to say

When I said I loved mail, it must have sparked something cosmic because this week has been full of great mail surprises.

First, we received our Christmas present very early from T's parents and we were urged to start enjoying it now, without delay. I'm good at following directions so we jumped right on that.

Then, we got the sweetest thank you card from a friend. You never know how the things you do, even your small day to day actions, will affect another person and getting a note of thanks just brightened up my day.

Finally, we received a package from Enomhen containing a handmade monogrammed blanket for Bird and a tote that I have claimed for myself. It made me teary as I received it the day after her birthday that I missed calling her for (bad friend!) But it sparked a thank you call in which we got to catch up so all is good.

P.S. I almost forgot about the package a couple weeks ago from family containing 2 new outfits for Bird in 18 month sizes. Which was perfect timing as she is starting to grow out of all her 12 month clothes. We have a little giant on our hands!

SGS Dedication + present reveal

Last weekend we had the pleasure of seeing this little bundle get dedicated.

K and B reading a letter to SGS

Their letter to her was so touching and honest and it was an amazing moment to witness. Little SG behaved so well during the ceremony and looked so beautiful in her gown. Afterward, we were invited back to their house for food, drinks and good times with friends as we celebrated together. Of course there was cake and presents too! Here is a peek at the little gift I crafted especially for her:

Custom belt with matching pouch for all her baby bits and things

At this moment

I was up at 6 this morning and stayed up. On a Saturday.

Because I went to bed before 9 last night and Bird slept through the night again. All night, until 6. And after her feeding, she went right back down. A bit of heaven.

Since I'm up and energized, I thought I'd list off the things I'm excited about for this weekend:

Being out and about with my two favorites accomplishing the most generic of things, grocery shopping and winter gear procurement
There might be a trip to Steak n Shake, I'm in mostly for the shake part
Miss SGS will be dedicated to her Lord tomorrow!
Some crafty shopping
Family naps
Time with my new little favorites in the nursery
Perhaps a bit of doing nothing at all

happy weekend...


Giveaway announcement: No one entered, no one won.

Cause she's always on my mind

Since becoming a mother in a great community alongside many of my friends that have also become first time moms, when I'm not thinking about my little Bird, I'm doting on, praying for, and wondering about my friends' little ones.

Little Julia Cook has been on my mind a lot since she first appeared on the scene in late September. And because of that I thought I'd share a little prayer request that her parents have for her.

Take a moment, I know I have.




Check out the Cook's blog to follow more of Julia's story and the adventure this amazing family is on.

Today

I completely lost it.

Thank God for hot showers, surprise family visits, drive thru library returns, plastic containers, Potbelly's sandwiches, apple cider, car keys, a quiet house, Donna Donovan, mittens, O shaped cereal, tiny sweat pants, fall walks, iPhones, and moms who call to check on your civic duty. But mostly thank God for T and Bird.

In the Photo Fridays - Week 9

Inspired by my Sarah Jane and her love for her daughter's hair, I decided it was time for my curls to come back into action. Here is a shot of me and my curly Bird enjoying what God gave us!

A helping hand with a full house

Right now I am enjoying lunch with a quiet house because I have been blessed with help!

My friend from my old job has a teen daughter, J, that just graduated from high school who loves children, and in particular mine, and has offered her help when ever I need it this summer before she heads off to college.

She came over this afternoon with her cousin in tow (cute little 2 year old) and then my neighbor's 2 daughters (10 and 12 years old) came over to play with Bird as well.  A bit overwhelming at first thought to have 5 girls under my supervision, but with J here to help things are going so smoothly.  They all were very attentive to Bird leaving me to be attentive to some things around the house that just never get done.  I have never been so excited to be able to clean! I think that I will definitely be calling on J to help at least once a week.

They are all out on a walk in the neighborhood and I am enjoying the silence and alone time, though admittedly, I'm missing my Bird.

Counting my blessings

Two 3 hours naps in the past two days.

Someone knows exactly what I need.

One year ago...

One year ago today, we found out that we were expecting our precious Bird.

So much has changed in the past year, all for the better.  I couldn't have imagined our life now with Bird at this time last year but I now can't imagine our life without her.  

We are so thankful for this healthy, playful, beautiful gift that we've been given.

Blessings

I am up entirely too early on a Saturday morning (6:20 am), when no one has to work, after a fit-full sleepless night sandwiched between a snorer and a screamer...here are some things in my life more awesome than that experience:

fresh baby laundry
wireless printers
happy uncles
loving in-laws
surprises
genius husbands who solve birthday shoe meltdowns
Down the Line
Bird's mug while she sleeps
ponytails
friends to celebrate life changes with, for you and for them
my community and new friends
sweet tea
garage sales
phone dates
generous parents
every breath

I'm a bit less cranky now.