The Sweetest Little Song

Lindsey from the from OT and ET shared this sweet little song by Renee & Jeremy that both Chloe and I are absolutely in love with. This video is too beautiful not to share, so scoop up your sweet baby in your arms and press play!

Oh and make sure to check out Lindsey's blog OT and ET, she is an amazing Mama with the sweetest little family!

Lyrics to it's a big world

It's a big world baby and you're little for a little while

It's a big world baby you can fiddle in your own style

It's a big sun - It's a big tree

It's a big boat - It's a big sea

It's a big dog - It's a big plane

It's a big cloud - with a little bit of rain

It's a big world baby and you're little for a little while

It's a big world baby you can fiddle in your own style

It's a big house - It's a big chair

It's a big zoo - It's a big bear

It's a big street - It's a big car

It's a big sky - with pretty little stars

It's a big world baby and you're little for a little while

It's a big world baby you can fiddle in your own style

It's a small bug - It's a small shell

It's a small bird - It's a small bell

It's a small cup - It's a small toy

It's a small girl - It's a small boy

It's a small coin - It's a small ring

It's a big world - for every little thing

It's a big world baby and you're little for a little while

It's a big world baby you can fiddle in your own style

Summer Days and Water Play

 As usual these summer months are flying by fast so lately we have been trying to spend as much time as we can outside soaking up the warm sun. One of Chloe's favorite activities to do outside is water play and I love how simple it is to create for her.

All you need for outside water play is:

:: A large bowl, tupperware container, or even a water play table if you have it filled with water

:: Cups, bowls, utensils, spoons, bath toys and anything else your child wants to play with in the water

:: And a towel to sit on

That's it, so simple and fun!

What are some of your children's favorite activities to do outside?

Pictures From My 26

 Thank you all so much for your sweet, encouraging words and prayers on my last post! I cant tell you how much it means to me! I am feeling a lot better about everything and know that the right job will come along  for me soon!

Dinner and cake at my Grandma's house, an evening at Alpine fest, and ending the night with a cold beer with my hunny after Chloe went to bed. I had an amazing birthday this year being back home in Chicago and spending it with the ones I love!

Feeling Down

It's not too often that I write something personal on this blog. It's always been my intention to share the good, bad, and ugly but in all honesty it scares me to be so honest and vulnerable. At this moment though I am feeling down and need to share what's on my heart.

For several months now I have been searching for a full or part time nanny job that I can bring Chloe with, with absolutely no luck until just recently. I was contacted by a family seeking a full time nanny for their newborn son starting in September after the Mom goes back to work. It seemed like it would be the perfect fit for us and I could even bring Chloe with. We talked on the phone last Sunday and then on Wednesday I received an email from the Mom saying they would love to meet Chloe and I in person to discuss the position further. I was supposed to meet with them yesterday evening but never got an email actually confirming that we for sure were going to meet for an interview.

Then yesterday afternoon I finally received an email from her stating that they decided to hire someone else for the position and if it doesn't work out they will keep me in mind. It's hard for me to not feel like a failure, like I let Mike and Chloe down. A part of me really thought I had this job and I let myself get way to excited about it. I'm really trying to stay positive about this whole thing but I'm starting to feel hopeless about finding a job.

I know I need to keep looking and applying and have faith that God has the right job for me. And on a good note I do have an interview lined up in the next couple of days so if you could please send prayers and good thoughts my way I would greatly appreciate it!

Future Chef

Instagram photos @ beforeverlovely

It's no secret that my daughter is obsessed with all things kitchen , and these days her all time favorite "toys" to play with are big ladles, and this spatula. Chloe also really loves to play with the pots and pans, she'll scatter them all across the kitchen floor banging on each one as if they were drums. I personally think it is pretty darn cute and it's important to me to let Chloe discover the world around her by letting her play with other things besides her toys (as long as its not dangerous).

And who knows, maybe all this playing in the kitchen will inspire Chloe to be a chef one day!  Either way I'm going to do what I can to ensure Chloe has the best childhood possible, even if that means extra cleanup for me.

Liebster Blog Award

Thank you so much to Leah, who nominated me for the Liebster Award, which in German means favorite or beloved!

Here are the rules as follows:

:: Post 5 random facts about yourself

:: Choose 5 other deserving blogs with less then 200 subscribers to nominate and link their blogs in your post.

:: Tell your nominee's you have chosen them for this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.

:: Answer the 5 questions the tagger has asked you and ask your own 5 questions to the people you nominate.

:: No tag backs.

5 Facts About Me

:: It might not look like it but I love tattoos! As of now I have 5 but have many more planned for the future. My favorite tattoo so far in a singe red rose on the upper right hand corner of my back with the verse my lover is mine and I am his from the bible.

:: Blogging has become my "thing"! It is not only a creative outlet for me but blogging has allowed me to meet so many amazing woman that I otherwise would never have gotten the chance to meet!

:: I'm extremely passionate about natural birth, natural parenting, and alternative medicine. I wasn't always so passionate about it but having my daughter has really opened my eyes to what I'm putting in her body and also mine.

:: I love getting all dressed up and being girly but its not often that I get to do so.

:: I grew up in Illinois and then when I was 20 years old I moved to Washington State and lived there for almost 5 years. After having Chloe both Mike and I thought it would be best if we moved back home to Illinois and in March we finally made the big move and couldn't be happier about our decision!

5 questions from Leah

:: What do you do for a living? If you are a SAHM what did you do before having kids?

Before having Chloe I worked as a nanny. For the past several months I have been searching for a part or full time nanny job that I can bring Chloe with, I am ready to go back to work again and also it is much to difficult for us to live off of one income. Just recently I have had a few interviews and might be getting a job soon!

:: What is your least favorite household chore and why?

I hate putting away laundry! I don't mind washing our laundry but for some reason I always dread having to hang it up. I'm getting better at this though! Also, since moving in with my family I really don't like emptying the dishwasher, it takes way too long since there are so many dishes to put away. For some reason though I don't mind filling up the dishwasher though!

:: Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog shortly after finding out I was pregnant with Chloe. It became a way for me to document this incredible journey of Motherhood.

:: Where would you like to see your blog go in the next year?

This is a great question! and to be honest I haven't really thought that far ahead yet. I guess I would love for it to continue to grow and to connect with more Mothers through my blog. I would love to write more meaningful posts and also I hope that over time I can work on improving the way my blog looks.

:: If you could offer one piece of parenting advice to your readers what would it be?

Another really great question but a tough one! I would have to say my number one advice would be to enjoy your children. Make memories, get messy, play together, say yes, cuddle and kiss and be silly because we're only given one childhood.

The 5 blogs I would like to nominate for this award are (in no particular order)

:: A Wednesday Child.

:: Adventures of an Artist, Wife, and Mom

:: Ot and Et

:: someday ...sunday

:: DIAPERS AND SKINNY JEANS

and here are 5 questions for my lovely nominees

:: What do you enjoy most about being a Mom?

:: What do you miss the most about your life before you had children?

:: Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

:: What do you love the most about blogging?

:: What would your perfect day look like?

Birthday Sneak Peek

Thank you all so much for the sweet birthday wishes, I had the most amazing birthday this year! On Monday I will be sharing more pictures from my birthday, but for now here is my favorite picture of Chloe and I from yesterday's trip the the fair.

Twenty Six

A picture from last year, celebrating my very first birthday as a Mom. It's hard to believe my daughter was once so tiny and new and that I myself a brand new Mother navigating through countless hours of breastfeeding and sleepless nights.

To celebrate my birthday this year we are having dinner at my Grandma's house and then spending the evening at the town fair.

I have to say it feels pretty good to be 26!

Dear Chloe: Our Little Music Lover

Dear Chloe,

One of the many things I absolutely love and adore about you is your love for music! It's really so beautiful to see the way your whole demeanor changes when you hear a song you love! You stop what you're doing and listen with great concentration to all the many parts of the song, and then you smile, and dance, and clap with such passion and excitement.

 It's so special to me because both your Daddy and I are huge music lovers and your Daddy is even a musician and singer. I cant help but daydream about all the many hours you will sit listening to your Daddy play the guitar or how excited your Father will be to teach you how to play. I also love thinking about all the great music from bands like Fleet Foxes, Silverchair, Band of Horses, The Beatles, The Ramones, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, and so much more I get to share with you, or to see you really excited about a certain song or band you discovered all on your own!

Here is the song you are most loving right now, its from the band The Lumineers.

I love you so my dear Chloe, and I love that as a family we get to share our love for music together!

Love Mama

Chloe Eats: Breakfast

I know this is my third breakfast post but I swear one of these day's really soon I will remember to take pictures of what Chloe eats for lunch and dinner, I promise! 

This morning I made Chloe and I organic steel cut oatmeal with a little bit of butter and raw honey to taste. This is a super easy and nutritious breakfast that Chloe and I both love. The only thing I think I will change next time I make this is to add some dry fruit to it.

Sun Water Sand and Life is Good

splashing in the water

soaking up the warm sun

tiny grains of sand stuck in between our toes

A perfect summer Sunday with my two loves at the beach!