On Being A Mom

Being a Mom is 100% the best thing I have ever done.  It's what I was made to do and I felt that the moment I held Georgia for the first time.  I've tried and failed at many career ventures, not really liking any of them along the way, but being a Mom, I love.

I know I will always love being a Mom, but that isn't to say it won't have it's struggles along the way. I'm blessed with a happy, easy going baby who is funny, smart and healthy. 

Lately though, my girl has been grumpier than usual.  She's been whiny and a little stubborn.  So many things are happening for her right now.  She's almost done getting her teeth, except for her 2 year old molars, she is starting to talk, she enjoys feeding herself and so many other milestones that are huge for a little girl that's almost 15 months old.

All that metamorphosis is bound to make a sister grumpy, right? 

I decided today to hold off on any housework and limit my distractions.  A messy house can wait.  I knew Georgia needed to have my full attention and I tried so hard to give her that.  I try and give her my full attention everyday, but it can be so hard when your to-do list is continually growing rather than shrinking.

But, at the end of today, I had a happy girl.  So, despite the messy house, I'd call today a victory.

April Round-Up

April just zipped by!  Before I knew it my favorite month had turned into May!  April was filled was lots of fun though.

Garrett and his brothers took a little boy's trip to Washington DC to celebrate Cameron's graduation from Cal Poly.  (Go Cameron!)  Washington DC is a great place for 3 men of the law, don't you agree?  They had a great time, but Garrett came home feeling like he had barely seen anything, which is exactly how I felt when I went there two years ago.  So, I think we will be making a return trip and going together!

*Washington Nationals Game*

*Reflection Pool and Washington Monument*

*Lincoln Memorial*

*Supreme Court, complete w/ fake facade during construction*

While Garrett was away, Georgia and I decided to go to Phoenix to meet my family and celebrate my birthday.  I turned 27, btw.  We also had a great time. The flights to and from Phoenix were perfect and short and Georgia behaved just like a lady.  We spent our first couple of days at a casino resort, which was so much fun and our last few days at my Aunt Debera's house. 

*Three Generations of Gamblers*

*Georgia and Barrett sharing a waffle*

We rounded out the month of April by celebrating our SEVEN year wedding anniversary.  Seven years??  Yes, that is right, folks!  We decided to get a hotel in Pismo Beach and spend the weekend up there as a family.  We had a great time relaxing, swimming and eating at some of our favorite places.  Aunt Felicity even watched Georgia while Garrett and I went to dinner.  It was perfect!

*Splash Cafe, a must if you're in Pismo.  There's always a line so you know it's good*

Easter

Easter was very fun this year.

Even though Georgia doesn't know why Easter is a special day,

having her around just made it more fun.

Our celebrations were a 24 hour affair!

Saturday we decorated eggs.

We made it easy on ourselves and just helped Georgia put stickers on plastic eggs.

She definitely got the hang of it!

She thought egg decorating was very funny, apparently.

Sunday, we donned our Sunday Best and went off to church.

Although, Garrett changed before I could get a picture of him in his Sunday Best.

I was so excited to be matching with my baby girl!

After church, we had brunch, our family favorite: Biscuits and Gravy with Bacon and Sausage.

While Georgia was taking her nap, the Easter Bunny made a visit and left her a trail of eggs leading to her Easter basket. 

Overall, she was more excited about the eggs than the basket.

Sunday evening, some of our friends and Uncle Cam came over for dinner.

I'm grateful for all our good friends here!

Everyone brought a dessert, so we had quite the spread.

We rounded out the night with a trip to the vet ER with Thor. 

He'd been sick all day and was getting worse as the night drew on.

After our guests left he was shaky, so we decided to take him in, just in case.

Saturday, he had eaten some wet wipes. 

He threw one up, but we weren't sure how many more were in there!

After some x-rays, it was determined he didn't have an intestinal block and was able to get some fluids and come home.

By Monday evening (and passage of the wipes) he was feeling much better!

Poor little guy!

We hope everyone had a very Happy Easter!
I felt extra grateful for our Savior's sacrifice.
I'm so glad I can be with my family forever!

Meatless Monday- Pizza and Pasta

Need a yummy new pasta dish to try instead of boring old spaghetti?

Give this Ziti a try.

I recommend following all the steps very closely. 

Don't cut corners, or you may create more work for yourself.

All the work is worth it though!

Do you like Goat Cheese?

(Sorry Mama May, this one isn't for you...)

I suggest trying this pizza recipe.

Little side note, I used red onion and cooked it balsamic vinegar.

I like to think it added some pizza-zz! (haha)

Enjoy!

Bye Bye Butt crack!

I have to share my latest obsession with the world!  

I have the hardest time finding jeans.  For as long as I can remember, I've never been able to find a style that fit right.  Usually what happens is the pants fit great in the store, then I get home and wear them and about an hour into the day, they are so stretched out, I have to change! 

Then, there is the butt crack!  Mine is always trying to make an appearance and belts don't work for me.  

Needless to say, jeans and me have had a love/hate relationship and having a baby has not helped matters.  

Well, I finally found a brand and style that works!!

BDG Cigarette High Rise by Urban Outfitters

(about $60)

 

I got a couple of pairs right before I got pregnant and I've since gotten two more.

All of them have held their shape and I've been able to wear them several times before they need to be washed.  It's been awesome!

All I can say is: Hallelujah! 

Thirteen Thoughts

Sooner or later, I'll have to accept that Georgia is basically a toddler.  There isn't a lot of baby left in her; just a few precious things that I am holding onto.

And even though she is 13 months old now and growing in lots of ways all the time,

she will always be my baby.

Here are 13 things to know about her and 13 months:

1. She weighs 22 pounds exactly.

2. She is 31.5 inches long.  Tall much?

3. She is a really good eater and will eat anything!

In the picture above, she is eating yellow curry and an egg roll.

The only thing she seems to not love is bananas, but even then she'll eat them if I really push the issue.

4. In the last couple of weeks, she has started sleeping through the night. 

I don't wanna jinx myself though so I just pretend this isn't a big deal.

5. She really only says mama and dada right now, but can make a couple of animal sounds.

(Monkey & Elephant)

6. She likes putting things in things, but usually not in the right place.

For example, this tablespoon in the hair accessory drawer.

7. She loves her wagon and being outside.

8. She knows how to use her nose to smell things and will stop at flowers to sniff them.

9. She thinks it is hilarious to put things on her head, like blankets and laundry and she likes to put things on her wrists to make bracelets.

10. She knows brushes are for hair and tries to brush what little hair she has.

11. She likes to put lotion on her tummy.

 

 

12. She did not like going on the carousel!  Look at that face and her death grip on the pole!  She so rarely gets upset or scared, I wasn't even sure what to do.

13. She has 8 teeth, but is getting 6!! So she almost has a full grill.

Cool Whip Painting

Yesterday, we had Klisa and Jameson over for a play date.  

Into the tub the babies went, with colorful cool whip and spoons to play with and paint.  

They loved it!

This was such a fun activity!

Easy clean-up and the paint was all edible!

Plus, it kept these two occupied for almost an hour.

One of those days...

Sunday was one of those days...

It looked a lot like this:

*Dress by H&M (My favorite children's clothier)

 

Georgia was just grumpy and sadly her grumpies have carried into the week. 

 

Needless to say, I felt/feel a bit like this... Tired and worn out:

 

 

Luckily, even when Georgia is grumpy, she is still cute and can manage a few smiles, laughs and kisses:

Play Time

Georgia had some wiggles to work out this evening before bath time.  So, we went out to the new lawn, blew some bubbles and Georgia went up and down the step to the deck about a thousand times.

Our only casualties were a couple of unripe lemons!

Plus, I loved her little outfit today.

Target, H&M and thrift store moccasins. 

(We're very excited about our new Freshly Picked moccs though!

Special Bday present from a Special Auntie!)