Friday, September 28, 2012

Bits + Pieces


1. Enjoying the rain while waiting in the car for Mike to get off of work. 2. The words on my key-chain, " you make the world a better place."  3. Ozzy. 4. Love this adorable fall plate I got for Chloe in the one dollar section at Target! 5. Enjoying breakfast on a quite peaceful morning with my sweet girl. 6. Closeup. 7 & 8. Trying on hats at Target, we loved this one! 9. The sky was absolutely beautiful last night. Chicago sure is pretty in the fall.

Happy Friday

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Currently

Chloe's first pony tail!

I've seen this done on a few different blogs, most recently being this one, Love, Matt and Kara, so I thought hey why not do it too! 

Loving: That autumn is here, there is just something so magical about this season. Also loving earl gray tea, chocolate, and life with my sweet, adventurous toddler.

Reading: The most recent book I have read is Beyond The Sling by Mayim Bialik. I checked it out at our local library but had to return it before I could finish it, from what I read I enjoyed and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about attachment parenting. Also recently I have been reading lots of articles and blog posts on photography and growing your blog.

Watching: Lately I've been in the mood to watch law and order special victims unit, so I have been watching a lot of that, plus Dr. Phil and an old favorite, Seinfeld. Strange combination of shows I know!

Thinking About: Our future and moving forward. Also the job interview I have on Sunday for a full-time nanny position. And lately I've been reminiscing about September 30, 2010, the day Mike and I found out we were expecting are very first child!

Stressing About: Our future and moving forward, money, and finding the perfect job for Chloe and I.

Looking Forward To: The months of October and November, taking Chloe to the pumpkin patch, carving pumpkins, Halloween, my little cousins bat mitzvah, and Thanksgiving.

Making Me Happy: Life with my husband and sweet baby girl. They both mean the world to me and fill my days with so much love and happiness.
I am so grateful for my little family!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Breastfeeding At 15 Months


Those quite moments curled up in bed with my daughter who's sweetly nursing away have become my most favorite moments of the day. When the world is still and calm, and its just me and my baby laying side by side. I feel so completely grateful for this wonderful experience, 15 1/2 months and we are still going strong. I know one day this will end, and so I'm trying to take as many pictures as I can to remember this beautiful time in my life.

Monday, September 24, 2012

A Favor to Ask... Please Vote

My silly girl after breakfast this morning!

Exciting news, Top Baby Blogs has resent their counters!
If you have a moment could you please click on the topbabyblogs link in my sidebar and then click on the owl to the left to vote, that's it, super easy and simple. 
You can even vote once a day!

Top Baby Blogs has been an incredible blessing to me! I have met so many amazing Mom bloggers through their directory and feel so honored to have my blog listed on their site!

Thank you so much!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

The First Weekend of Autumn


This weekend has been simply wonderful! Full of laziness, relaxation, and precious time spent with my husband and baby. We needed this, life has been so busy these days. Right now Chloe is taking a nap, Mike is watching the bears game with my brother, and me, well I'm enjoying a hot cup of tea while blogging and editing a few pictures.

Maybe later on after Chloe gets up from her nap, Mike and I will take her to the park to run and play, or we'll go for an afternoon walk hand n hand while watching the leaves fall from the trees. Either way it's going to be a beautiful day.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Bits + Pieces


1. My current favorite lip balm in sweet mint. 2. Spotted beautiful flowers on a recent trip to the park. 3. Her cuteness kills me - taking a warm bubble bath after a messy lunch. 4. How do her little toes get so dirty? 5. The only way Chloe will eat an apple! 6. Mixing up eggs for breakfast in this cute little mushroom bowl. 7. Cooking with a naked baby on my hip. 8. The most perfect cup of earl gray tea enjoyed outside on a peaceful fall morning, love moments like these. 9. My sweet little girl taking in the neighborhood.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

15 Things I'm Proud Of

A few weeks ago I wrote this post titled 15 things I'm not too proud of. It was a way for me to be open and honest about my past and current struggles. There are so many things in my life that I am truly proud of though and so in response to my last post I want to take the time to acknowledge those things now.

:: To be a Mother, it's an absolute honor.

:: To be a wife, friend, daughter, and sister.

:: My marriage, and for all that Mike and I have overcome together as a couple.

:: This month will mark 2 years since my last cigarette and I couldn't be more proud of myself for letting go of such a disgusting and awful habit for me and my family.

:: Moving away from home. Living in Seattle was the hardest 5 years of my life that's for sure, but moving out of state away from my family has taught me so much about life and myself.

:: This blog.

:: Breastfeeding my daughter, 15 months and still going strong.

:: My body, for growing and birthing such a sweet, healthy baby girl.

:: My faith in God.

:: My flaws, they are what makes me, me.

:: For overcoming some really strong and scary addictions.

:: I do lots of research before making an important decision, especially when it comes to my family's health.
:: I am proud of my love for art, whether it be painting, photography, music, or dancing I love and cherish it all.

:: To be a hard worker.

:: To be Jewish. There was once a time in my life I was ashamed to be Jewish due to lots of bullying when I was younger but now I am very proud to have that be a part of who I am and my heritage.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Goodbye Summer


We spent the afternoon at the park, just Chloe and I. The summer sun warm against our skin, 
we laughed and played in the grass, leaves dry and crunchy under our toes. The air calm and peaceful, gently dancing though our hair. 

We felt the tight embrace of Mother earth wrap around us, warm and nurturing to our bones, as we said goodbye to the last day's summer.

Time stood still.... 

and in that moment everything was how it should be

Goodbye Summer

I can hardly contain my excitement for fall!

Monday, September 17, 2012

She Will Move Mountains


Let her sleep
for when she wakes
she will move mountains...

I am so in love with this quote and my beautiful girl! 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Chloe Eats: Snack

 It was Chloe's idea to mix the almonds and cranberries in the yogurt, I love watching her experiment with food even if that means a bigger mess for me to clean! Also she is getting so good at eating from a bowl and spoon!

A favorite snack of Chloe's lately is a small bowl of Greek yogurt with sliced almonds and dried cranberries. It's simple, delicious and most importantly nutritious! 

What is your your child's favorite snack to eat?

Linking up with Marqaux and Leah for Snacktime Saturday.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Dear Chloe: A Song From Your Daddy




Sun Soaked With Love

My world has changed
since you were made
princess

I love the sound
of you around
precious

You belong
sun soaked with love
warm and well
such a beautiful smile

On and on
I could go on
about you

You melt my heart
with every sound
pretty

You belong
sun soaked with love
warm and well
such a beautiful smile

My baby girl my love for you
will never change

My baby girl my love for you
will never, will never

You belong
sun soaked with love
warm and well
such a beautiful smile

Dear Chloe,

You father made this song for you shortly after you were born.
Your sweet face lights up every time you hear it,
like you know it was made just for you.

I love watching you two together, it's the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.
Your Daddy's eye sparkle when he's with you,
he loves you so very much Chloe
so very much.

Love you forever and ever baby girl

Mommy and Daddy

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Toddler Shoe Style

With fall quickly approaching I've been searching for the perfect shoe's for Chloe to wear throughout the colder months ( she cant wear sandals forever). I found these adorable ones on Stride Rite's website! I'm normally not a Disney fan but I love these and think Chloe would look so cute in them! 


I would also love to get Chloe these ridiculously cute boots from Old Navy.


and these ballets flats from Etsy are so, so pretty and unique!


and of course every kid needs a pair of converse shoes, I found these one's on Amazon!


Where are some of your favorite places to buy shoes for your child?

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Chloe Eats: Breakfast

Here is the story about the purple balloon Chloe's holding if your wondering. We got Chloe this balloon while grocery shopping on Sunday, she hasn't let go of it since ( expect for her morning nap and bed time), no joke! Right now we have the balloon hiding in our closet but I guarantee you she'll find it the moment she gets up from her nap! I had no idea she was going to love this balloon so much!

Chloe loves scrambled eggs and eats them nearly everyday for breakfast. So Instead of our usual scrambled eggs mixed whole milk and cheese I decided to try something a little different and add some organic spinach and lunch meat turkey breast. Super simple to make and Chloe absolutely loved it!

Here's what I used:

:: Cage free vegetarian fed eggs
:: Organic whole milk from Trader Joe's
:: Mild cheddar cheese
:: Lunch meat turkey breast
:: Organic spinach

I steamed the spinach first in a large pan with a little bit of water, when it was done I drained the spinach and cut it up into smaller pieces. I then proceeded to cook the eggs as usual, adding the spinach and lunch meat in when the eggs looked to be half way done. I then added the cheese when the eggs looked like they were almost done cooking.

Serve with a pinch of ground pepper and fresh fruit!

Linking up with Marqaux and Leah for Snacktime Saurday.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Thank You, Thank You


Thank you all so much for the sweet comments you left me on my last post.
Your love, support, and encouraging words mean so much to me! I am beyond grateful to be a part of this wonderful community of Mom bloggers! You are all truly beautiful and inspiring woman, and though I haven't met you in person I am so grateful I have gotten a chance to know you through blogging.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you.


Friday, September 7, 2012

15 Things I'm Not Too Proud Of

Image Source


This post is in no way meant to be negative. I whole heartily understand that mistakes are an important part of life and help shape us into the person we are today and the person we'll be in the future. This post is simply me sharing freely about my life and struggles.

:: Sometimes I have very little patience.

:: I'm not as healthy as I'd like to be.

:: I often struggle with feelings of jealousy.

:: For as long as I can remember I have struggled with poor self esteem.

:: I'm not close with my brother and sister and take full responsibility for that.

:: During the ages of 15 through 19 I struggled with drugs.

:: I have always done poorly in school.

:: I can be pretty messy and disorganized at times.

:: I'm really stubborn, especially when it comes to admitting when I'm wrong to my husband.

:: I'm awful at writing thank you notes.

:: It's difficult for me to open up to people.

:: I used to be a smoker. This month will mark two years smoke free and I love that I can say I don't smoke anymore.

:: Finishing projects on time or even at all is a struggle for me.

:: I wish I was a more grateful person.

:: This is something that is still so difficult for me to admit though four years have passed since it last happened.  When I was 21 years old I went through a dark depression and turned to cutting myself for comfort. If you could see me in person you'd see that both my arms and legs are covered in long white scars. I still carry a lot of shame from this and rarely ever wear short sleeves or shorts even during the hot summer months.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

12 Month Well Baby Checkup


Yesterday Chloe finally had her 12 month well baby checkup. Almost 3 months late!
 Between waiting for our insurance to kick in, finding the right pediatrician, and the month long waiting list we were on just to see this doctor it's no wonder it took us so long to get our daughter in for an appointment. Chloe's last well baby checkup was at 9 months old, right before we moved to Chicago so I was pretty anxious to get her seen by a doctor, it's always nice to have that extra reassurance ya know?

The great news, Chloe is as perfect as can be!

Chloe is growing beautifully and is right on track! Her doctor said she is in perfect health and to keep doing what we are doing! Such amazing news for any parent to hear!

Stats: 


Chloe weighs 25 lbs even and is 31 1/2 inches tall. In 5 months my sweet Chloe has gained 4 lbs and has grown 2 1/2 inches.


Vaccines:

Since Chloe's been born we have had her on our own vaccine schedule. The ones Chloe gets are the HIB, DTAP, and Polio vaccine. She has had three rounds so far so her doctor said she was all caught up and didn't need another round of the vaccine until she was 18 months old.

We are so happy with the pediatrician we have chosen for Chloe, him and his staff are extremely supportive of breastfeeding, natural medicine, proper nutrition, and selective / delayed vaccines. These are the things that are very important to both Mike and I so it was important to us to find a pediatrician who's supportive of our parenting decisions.

Overall Chloe's appointment went great! Her doctor and his staff were so kind and gentle and Chloe only cried once while the doctor had to check her out! Her next appointment will be at 18 months, I cant believe how fast my sweet Chloe is growing!