Wednesday, February 29, 2012

These Hands


These two people mean more to me then I could ever express or say, and its because of them that my life is filled with so much richness and love and joy.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

It's Offical - We're Moving

I've been keeping this somewhat of a secret for a few weeks now and am excited to finally announce that at the end of March we will be moving back home to Chicago! We have grown so much in the last 5 years living in Seattle, moving away from home and out of our comfort zone has been such an incredible part of our journey and we have loved living here in the beautiful northwest, but when we found out we were pregnant with Chloe we knew the best thing for us would be to move back home to be closer to family. We have a busy month of packing and planning ahead of us but we are so excited and ready to make this move! 

Monday, February 27, 2012

Good Music: Our Wedding Playlist

It's hard to believe that two years have already passed since that beautiful day Mike and I said " I Do" surrounded by the ones we love. Today is all about remembering and celebrating that incredibly special day for us! Here are a few songs we played during our wedding, every time I hear one of these it takes me back to that day!

I walked down the isle to Been To Long by Brian Wilson!









Friday, February 24, 2012

Engagement Photos 9.5.09


We had our engagement pictures done in September of 2009 at a beautiful garden in Tacoma. Mikes youngest sister Brittany did them for us and she did such a beautiful job. We even used one of the pictures for our save the dates!

Fact Friday


:: Sometimes I think I can be a bit to sensitive and emotional.
:: I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon.

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:: My favorite drink from Starbucks is a vanilla latte with soy milk, it's so good!
:: One of my favorite places to go in Seattle is the Pike Place Market! I could spend all day there!

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:: Whenever I really love a song I listen to it over and over again!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Our Love Story: The Proposal


Mike proposed to me on May 20th 2009 on our 4 year anniversary. We spent the day at Mt. Rainier, holding hands, laughing, exploring, stealing kisses and admiring the beauty and magic around us. We found a beautiful cliff overlooking what seemed to be a million evergreen trees and parked the car to take pictures. While I was out taking pictures I noticed Mike was still in the car, I asked him what he was doing and he nervously answered that he was looking for something. In that moment I just knew what Mike was looking for, I knew what he was going to ask me and I couldn't believe the moment I always daydreamed about was finally happening!

After a few minutes Mike got out of the car and sat next to me on the cliff overlooking the most beautiful view we had ever seen. I felt so nervous and excited all at the same time and couldn't stop smiling and giggling. Mike looked me in the eyes while holding my hands and told me that I meant so much to him and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me , then he said those 4 magic words "will you marry me"? I jumped into his arms, kissed him on the lips and without any hesitation said YES!


I couldn't believe it, the moment I have always daydreamed about had finally happened and now Mike was my fiance and I was his! I couldn't wait to call everyone I knew but my cell phone had no service where we were and so I had to wait until we were on our way home. The first person I called was my Mom, she told me they already knew Mike was going to propose that day since Mike called my Father a few days prior to ask for his blessing, she said she was having the hardest time keeping it a secret from me!! We told everyone we knew and spent the next few months planning for our February 27th wedding!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Our Love Story: How We Met

In 2005, a few months after we started dating

In exactly a week from today Mike and I will be celebrating our two year wedding anniversary! These two years have been life changing, truly. A part of me wishes I could say how easy marriage has been for us but that would be a lie. Marriage is difficult and takes a lot of work, I'm learning that everyday, but marriage is also beautiful and sacred and more then I ever imagined it to be and two years later I'm still madly in love with my best friend.

So in honor of our 2 year anniversary I thought it would be fun to share the story of how we met! Thank you for taking the time to read it and I hope that in someway it brings a smile to your face.

Our first date looked like this, I in all white smelling of sweet patchouli sat indian style on his living room floor listening to music and drawing pictures with his sister Brittany. Butterflies danced in my stomach as I sat anxiously waiting for Mike to get home. I heard the front door open, and soon a young man in all black and long hair appeared standing in the doorway of the living room. He was handsome and kind, his smile infectious. He sat down on the floor with us, and after a little while the three of us decided to get in my car and drive to the sand dunes. We climbed a fence, Mike wrapped his hands around my waist and helped me down, I fell more in love. We sat in the sand just the two of us talking while Brittany wandered off to explore. I cant remember much of what was said between us, I only remember the way his voice sounded when he said my name, the way his smile gave me butterflies, and  how incredibly good it felt to be near him. The air was much to cold and soon we headed back to their house to warm up. Mike showed me a few songs he and his friends made while we stat in his room. He soon then had to go to work, and hugged me tightly as he said goodbye. When I asked Mike about that day we finally met he says he knew instantly that I was the one for him!

Summer of 2005, no more long hair!

Mike and I lived in the same town as each other growing up, we went to the same school and even had some of the same teachers but never once talked to each other. Then when I was 15 my family and I moved into a house directly behind Mike's house. My sister Becky quickly became best friends with his younger sister Brittany and soon after that Brittany and I became close friends as well. From time to time Brittany would mention her brother Mike, said I would like him and that we had a lot in common, but nothing ever came of it. A year after I graduated high school Brittany tried to get Mike and I together once again, and this time it worked. After him and I played phone tag for a few days I called him one Sunday afternoon and he finally answered, we agreed to meet the following Saturday at his house, my stomach filled with tiny butterflies as I hung up the phone!

On our second date Mike asked me to be his girlfriend while we sat in the afternoon sun on a pier overlooking the lake. He said I said yes but for some reason I cant remember him even asking me to be his! 

Thinking about the day we met always makes me fall more in love with Mike! I am so happy that God chose him to be the one for me!


Look out for the next part of out love story - how Mike proposed! Oh, and sorry for the grainy photos, I had to take pictures of these pictures.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Keepsake Box


The front cover of the box


Baby book and inside the drawer

Cards, newborn feet prints and newborn hat

The front cover of the baby book


Details

Our family tree

When I was younger my parents kept a baby book for me, the pages filled with memories and pictures from my childhood. Though the book is now aged with time I still love looking through it and am forever grateful to my parents for keeping it for me.

During my pregnancy I couldn't wait to find a baby book for Chloe. After a few weeks of searching I found this one on Amazon and new immediately that it would be the perfect place to store pieces of Chloe's childhood in and memories I never want to forget. What I love about it is that its a box, with the baby book inside and a drawer on the bottom to keep special treasures in. I love that its unique and beautiful and that when I look at it I think of the innocence and purity of childhood.

I cant wait till the day Chloe's old enough and I can sit her on my lap and together we can look through this box full of memories. I cant wait to see the joy and excitement in her eyes as I share with her they story of her life.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Fact Friday


:: I have a major sweet tooth!
:: I'm always ashamed to admit this but I used to be a smoker. The day I found out I was pregnant I quite, its now been almost 17 months since my last cigarette, and definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made!
:: I used to be more of a "free spirit" when I younger. I think the combination of growing up and going through some pretty difficult times has really changed me a lot. There are times when I really miss that part of myself.
:: I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my Mom, we wernt always close when I was younger but now that I'm an adult we have a great relationship and I'm able to talk to her about so many things. More then anything I want Chloe and I to have a strong relationship when she's an adult!
:: I love getting lost in books but always get a bit sad when one ends.

One of my favorite books

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

8 Months Old ( On Valentines Day )


Today on Valentines day my little love turns 8 months old! Its hard to believe another month has passed us by and once again I find myself writing her monthly update and reflecting on all those sweet, fun, challenging, unforgettable moments that have made up this month.

Here's whats new with my little love:

:: Chloe has been crawling now since she was a little over 7 months old. It's so cute to watch her move around the apartment with such speed.
:: She is pulling herself up onto everything and everyone and loves to stand.
:: Whenever Chloe get's excited she lets out a loud squeal, claps her hands together and kicks her legs all around. It's seriously the cutest thing ever!
:: She loves when you get on the ground with her and chase her all around the apartment.
:: Chloe is such a little daredevil already, she loves being thrown in the air and hanging upside down. 
:: She stills loves bath-time.
:: She dances when she hears music!
:: Chloe is still mostly breastfed and that is going wonderfully. She does like to eat baby oatmeal, plain whole milk yogurt, apples, pears, puffs, carrots, and some purees.
:: She still hates diaper changes and is constantly trying to roll and crawl away!
:: Chloe loves to be silly and laugh.
:: She also loves to get into everything!
:: Chloe would much rather play then sleep



Stats:

Still not sure on how much Chloe weighs or how tall she is but I can tell she has grown a lot in the past month! I'm guessing she probably weighs around 23 lbs now. Chloe is in size 4 diapers and wears 12-18 month and 18 month clothes.

It honestly blows my mind how quickly my sweet Chloe is growing. Each day I notice her looking more and more like a beautiful little toddler, full of curiosity and wonder and less like the sleepy newborn she once was. I'm constantly amazed by Chloe, constantly in awe of how someone so little could have such a huge impact on her Father and I.

Happy 8 months baby girl! We love you you so much!


Monday, February 13, 2012

Good Music: Kiersten Holine

 Today I'm featuring a few of my favorites from the very talented and lovely Kiesten Holine
Her voice is stunning and I just love her style of singing/songwriting!





Sunday, February 12, 2012

A Quick Hello and Random Thoughts


Just wanted to say a quick hello to all my new readers and followers! Thank you so much for following along my journey though Motherhood, your support and friendship has been such a huge blessing to me and I have had so much fun reading your comments and getting to know each of you!

Here are a few random thoughts and updates:

:: Can you believe it's already February? Time feels like its going by so fast nowadays.
:: Chloe is going to be 8 months old in 2 days!! Ahh I cant believe I have an 8 month old already.
:: I started planning Chloe's first birthday (since it's only 4 months away) on pinterest, I'm thinking a garden themed party. Have any fun ideas?
:: On the 27th of this month Mike and I will be celebrating 2 years of marriage!
:: On Friday I got my hair colored and cut, I wish I could say that I loved the way it turned out but unfortunately I'm not happy with it at all. I'm supposed to go back Wednesday to see what the stylist can do to fix it but I don't feel comfortable with her doing my hair again. Has anyone been in this situation before and have any advice for me? Each stylist at this salon works independently so I'm not sure I'm able to have someone else do my hair or if I can even get my money back.
:: Yesterday we went to visit our friends Erika and Eli and meet there beautiful baby boy Jonah for the first time! Jonah is doing great now and is already 2 weeks old, thank you to those that said a  little prayer for him!
:: If any one is interested in swapping buttons just let me know. I'm always interested in having more swap sponsors!

Hope you all have had a happy, fun, eventful, relaxing, lovely weekend, see ya tomorrow for music Monday!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Fact Friday


Happy Friday everyone!! I'm so excited for the weekend! Today Mike is watching Chloe alone for a few hours while I get my hair done and then on Saturday we finally get to meet my friends son Jonah for the first time! Hope everyone has a great weekend too!

:: My favorite show to watch when I just want to curl up on the couch and relax is The King of Queens.
:: I can be pretty shy.
:: I've always wanted to be a ballerina, I just think their so beautiful and graceful.

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:: I love being a Mother, it's the most difficult, exhausting job I have ever had but at the same time the most amazing, humbling, life changing  job I have ever had. I know with all my heart that this is what I was made for!
:: My first car was a blue 1978 Chevy Impala, I bought it off ebay for $800. It wasn't the prettiest thing but I always got so many complements on it!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

On Baby Food

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Prebaby: I knew nothing about making your own baby food until I was around 19 years old. I was working at Whole Foods as a cashier at the time when a fellow employee came in my line with a bunch of fruit and vegetables, as I rang her up we chit chatted for a few minutes. She told me she had go home and puree all the fruits and veggies she just bought for her baby because she makes all her own baby food. I remember thinking that this was the greatest idea I had ever heard and one day when I had a baby of my own I was going to make all of his or her own food too!

Pregnancy: All throughout my pregnancy the plan was to make my own baby food for Chloe when the time came for her to start eating solids.

At 7 1/2 months in: When Chloe was around 3 months old I started researching more about making your own baby food, I wanted to know everything there was to know about starting solids when the time was right for us. That's when I learned about Baby Led Weaning. Both Mike and I were really interested in it and decided we wanted to at least give it a try. Now here we are at almost 8 months old, doing a combination of blw and jarred baby food. Chloe is one of those babies that just has no real interest in food and the only thing she wants is to nurse. I know that this is normal for some babies, and that food is just supposed to be for fun right now but I still cant help but feel a little worried. We gave Chloe baby oatmeal for the first time a few weeks ago and she loved it so I decided to try giving her a few different kinds of jarred pureed baby food as well to she if she likes food better that way. Chloe still doesn't seem crazy about food yet but she will eat a little bit of the purred food which is an improvement for her.

It's easy for me to feel like I failed when things don't go as planed. I'm learning that each child is unique and different in his or her own way and that parenthood isn't about following a set of rules, parenthood is about doing whats best for your child. What worked for others might not work for you and sometimes you just simply have to improvise and be ok with going with the flow!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Good Music: Foo Fighters

Good morning everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, did anyone watch the Superball game on Sunday? What team were you cheering for? We were supposed to watch it at my Father in-laws house but Chloe was on a sleep strike and very grumpy so we decided it would probably be best to stay home instead, oh well maybe next year!

Anyways, here are a few of my favorite songs from an awesome band - Foo Fighters.