Halloween

It has been a rough couple of weeks....last week I had a stomach bug/food poisoning...I say the latter because no one else around me managed to get it.  Lucky me, I have not thrown up since 2000 (yes, I escaped pregnancy and delivery without vomitting), but I literally wanted to die Sunday night.  I was out for 2 days, and then Emma had a slight fever later in the week so I had to drive all the way back to Durham, take her to the doctor only to find that she is teething and fine, and then take her to work with me in Raleigh....I might be getting a few more grey hairs just reliving that week of hell.  So this is my first normal week, and I love that we had an excuse to wear 2 outfits in one day (well...it ended up being 5...one Halloween daycare outfit, 2 outfit changes at daycare due to blowouts:), one cutesy/super impractical Halloween outfit, and then jam jams!)

Here is our week in pictures...enjoy!



Emma's first day of work....she had a blast rolling all over the floor of my office, then finally was rocked to sleep in her carseat.  It was not until that point that I could actually get some work done....



Because mid-rift and bare belly is in these days......



Someone looks like her daddy!




I love this one...she was too busy smiling and making new noises!  Every week she makes a new sound and it is sooo funny to hear her do it all the time!




"hey...when do I get to go panhandle for some candy?"



Emmabear

Have I mentioned how awesome Emma is lately? Well, she is. I have a somewhat biased opinion, but she is awesome and I think you should agree with me. Our little monkey is 4 months old. I have loved every single second with her..and I mean that. Even the seconds where she is screaming or fussy. And that isn't saying a whole lot about me and how great I am for loving her through those hard moments because honestly, this child is a dream. Yes, she has fussy times, but they are rare. She has taught me so much about my attitude and life that I can't imagine it any other way. I only hope that I can be half as easy going and happy as she is.

Take today for example, she smiled the entire time at the doctor's office...even though she has a ferocious cold (3rd one since starting daycare), and got 4 shots. Yes, she cried/screamed bloody murder when the needles poked her chubby thighs, but after a few seconds of being held and kissed (and a little bottle), she was back to her smiley self. I dropped her off at daycare (reluctantly) and she was as happy as a clam. I got a phone call around 4:15 saying that poor Miss Emma had a fever of 100.9. I knew it was a result of the shots, but still I was in panic mode. I couldn't drive fast enough. I'm pretty sure I ran about 5 people off the road on Wade Ave (sorry...it was an emergency, right?!) I got to daycare, expecting to find that Emma had been screaming all afternoon, inconsolable, and teary eyed. I expected Miss Cheryl and Jean to be totally pissed at me for even bringing her after the shots and cursing me under their breath. I walk in and Miss Sunshine is laying on the rug, playing, smiling, having a grand ole time. I kneel down to kiss her and her whole face lights up, as if to say, "Hey Mom! I'm fine, but I sure am glad you are here. I missed you!"

I mean honestly, I wish I could be half the person Emma is. At only 4 months, she sure has it figured out...smile often, love big, and let the small things roll off.

I love this girl with all my heart.  I am beyond blessed that God has chosen me to love her.

Pumpkin shopping..

This year, we went to three four pumpkin patches. Yes, I know....a bit obsessive. But I am sort of a pumpkin snob and I know exactly what I want. I started a new tradition last year that has made my life soooo much easier. I LOATHE carving out a pumpkin....it's messy, time consuming, and really annoying. Part of my problem was that I was carving out 2-3 pumpkins every year...and trying to be Martha Stewart with fancy designs.  One neighbor even called my pumpkins "Kate Spade" pumpkins....a title I am proud was mine!  But I finally stole my parents ceramic, already lit up, just plug it in pumpkin last year.  And we started doing all kinds of gourds and fancy/weird pumpkins that do not get carved on the doorstep.  Plus, those things can stay out until Thanksgiving for the full fall decor effect.
So....that's why our search led us to 4 different pumpkin patches. I desparately tried to get a good picture of me and Emma on our trips.  I dressed her in cute outfits (and loved the fact that it was cool and she would need to bundle up).  But she is not really into pictures these days.  She smiles non-stop, but as soon as I whip out the camera phone, she goes into "I will not smile!" mode.  Hope that's not an indication of future defiant behavior:)
Here are a few attempts.....

"This is so embarassing...I hope none of my friends see me."



"The real question is...where is my bottle?"





"Hey guys....check out that pumpkin over there!"


We finally got one that says a lot about both of us...I am smiling, and Emma is sticking her tongue out.  Alright, alright!  No more pictures...we give up:)

My current faves...

I got this idea from a friend's blog...and always love the chance to share my faves.  Anyone who knows me even remotely well will know that I love deals, and I loves sharing my finds.  I'm not afraid to tell complete strangers about the awesomeness I just scored at whatever local store.

Red Bowl...love this place.  We always order a Bento box..and then we proceed to eat on it for days.  It comes with a large entree (we always order sesame chicken..not too sweet, and the chicken is really chicken....not gummy or stringy or mysterious like other asian places' meats), 6 sushi rolls, brown/fried/white rice (love their brown rice), and another side - eggrolls, spring rolls, crab rangoons.  All this for only $12!  We usually share the meal, then have enough leftover for 2 lunches the next day.  Unfortunately, the only nearby RedBowl is in Chapel Hill...so it's not that convenient.

Etsy...my go to store for all things Emma.  She is a bit of a drooler, and I can't bear the thought of her sitting in her own wet, cold, drool all day.  But I am also super picky about bibs.  I know I might offend someone, but I really dislike things that say "mommy's sweetheart" or "cutie pie."  I just want a plain, cute bib without any cheesy saying.  I recently ordered these cuties from an etsy seller, and love them.

Ebay..my other go to store for Emma.  Before you judge me for buying my child used clothes, keep in mind that she is an infant, has blow out poops once a week, and grows out of clothes faster than I can wash them.  I love cute clothes, but cannot afford, or even justify spending over a certain amount on pieces for her.  I have found super cute Zutano and Ralph Lauren rompers on Ebay for under $10 (and that includes shipping.)  I'm also hunting for those adorable smocked numbers.  If someone else wants to pay $60 for her smocked dress, than I say "thank you" but this mama just can't do it. 


E's Christmas monkey dress....we call her monkey alot - for no particulair reason..so when I saw this, it was a no brainer!




Obsessed with these Polo rompers




LOVE the vintage flowery prints that Polo does...so girlie:)



Menchies...First, we can walk there. Second, the people there are always sooo nice.  Third, it's froyo.  Enough said.

Indie Girl hair ties.....because who doesn't need a trio of colored hair ties that costs $7?!?  I cringe everytime I buy some, but I can't help it.  They come in fun colors, and don't pinch my wrist when I wear them if my hair isn't pulled up yet.  I also love that they don't snag my hair.  I have been going through post-baby hormone changes and my hair is literally falling out if you even look at it wrong, so I can't afford to have a hair tie pulling out any more precious strands.


Scout and Molly's in Chapel Hill has a good selection.



Groopdealz and Very Jane....if you don't know what these are...stay away, stay far away.  I waste 10 minutes everyday perusing the site for the daily deals.  I have ordered a few things...the first purchase came super quick...I am still waiting on these refridgerator magnets from 2 weeks ago....sigh.

I actually won something last week at a Raleigh Chamber lunch event I attended with some co-workers.  Tommy Bahama has a new store open at Crabtree Valley Mall and one lucky winner (that would be me) won a free pair of jeans.  I was skeptical since I had never even tried their clothes before, but since they were free and because I have a very small wardrobe now thanks to post-baby body...I was excited!  I set up an appointment and tried all different styles on.  It was actually really fun:)  And...I love their jeans!  They were really comfortbale, flattering, and.....the real kicker.....they were not so low rise that my butt crack hung out every time I even thought about bending over!!  I will certainly be going back there again.  Plus, they have really awesome coastal home decor (and candles!)  Next time you are over at Crabtree...stop in and see them, they are right next to Brooks Brothers on the second floor.



I settled on these boyfriend jeans...and I can't wait to wear them now that it is cooler outside.



SO...those are some of my faves (besides my wonderful husband and daughter!) I know I will think of tons more after I post this, but I'll spare yall and do it another time. 

1,248

That's the number of pictures on my iPhone...1,248....and yes, I do delete them every so often after I upload to shutterfly.  That being said, I thought it rude not to share some with y'all.

Happy viewing!

Hands!

Emma's latest craze is her hands...wow...how she loves those things.  She had been sucking on them a lot lately in the last month, which is great because I would much rather her self soothe with her hands than have to find a paci for her every 5 seconds.  But it has been hilarious to watch her figure her self out.  She would pull her hands up right in front of her face - stare at them in delight and wonder, then put them together, and proceed to eat them...trying to fit both of them in her mouth at the same time!  All the while, she was concentrating so hard on them! 

This was her daily routine for the past few weeks, but she is now moving on to grasping all her toys on her activity mat.  Guess her hands are boring now.....



"Mom, don't bother me.  I'm working on this super important and top secret mission."



"These things are sooo cool! What are all these pointy things...they intertwine sometimes."

"I put them together.....and whoa....cosmic."

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." (Mother Teresa)

I thought it only appropriate to post today....although the pain that was felt 11 years ago is something that lingers daily for those who were impacted.  I am constantly reminded how precious human life is, but also how great our need for relief from suffering is.  Pain is all around us...in the car behind me, on the face of the student sitting in my class...its so disheartening.  We are always so touched by any news story that has the slightest hint of a positive outcome, and it shouldn't be that way.  We are so conditioned to see pain as the norm, and happy endings are few and far between.  It makes no difference what your political beliefs are, whether you are religious or not....the need for salvation from our pain is evident.  We live in a time where your life is not your own...just going to the movies, to the mall, or driving to work can mean an end to your life.  Sometimes I look around at all this misery and chaos and wonder why I even would bring Emma into this world.  What will it be like when she is older?  Will it be worse?  Will it be better?  Will she know of a time where fear is not a constant factor?  Will she be able to live her life with her guard down, enjoying the little things?  Or will she always be looking over her shoulder, always worried?  We are such a selfish bunch...humans.  I believe we are selfish by nature, and I also believe that life makes us even more selfish.  There are so many people who resort to selfishness because no one is there for them...no one is there to love them..to affirm them daily....to tell them they are worthy and valued.  I can only start today and make sure that those around me feel truly loved and cherished. 

My dearest Emma, May you always have this bright smile and the widest eyes ready to take on everything that God has planned for you.  You are a most precious gift that I am not worthy of receiving.

My boo...Brent, you make life the beautiful, hilarious, and loving ride that God intended it to be for us.  I am in awe of who you are daily.

Daddy...I hope you NEVER lose your sillyness.  The most precious lessons you have taught me are how to live selfless, and how to joke...what more is there to learn?

Mom, I hope you always have this peaceful glow.....a sense of feeling loved and loving another.  May your life be always filled with this sense of calm and value..resting in the arms of someone that loves you.