18 Months

My Baby Girl is 18 months old today!

A year and a half!

Ahhhhhh!

Seems like Gwen was born just yesterday, yet, it is hard to picture our lives before her.  

You are growing up more and more each day, peanut.  We love you SO much!  You bring more joy to our lives than we could have EVER imagined.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Baby Girl!
Now, STOP growing up so quickly!


xoxo.

It's OK

It's Ok...

...that there are many days Jason comes home and asks, "What am I cooking for dinner?" {he likes to cook, and I like to let him cook, hehe!} AND, relax, it's NOT EVERY day, I DO cook too ;)

...that both Jason and I need to see the iPhone doctor :(  Hopefully today we can get there. 

...to let Gwen fall asleep on my chest.  {it's very rare that she sleeps ANYWHERE but her crib or the car, so I have to take advantage, right?}

...that I have unpainted toe nails right now.  {Hey, it's winter, well technically.  Ok, I'll go paint them now. Geesh!}

...to just get in the car and drive {it's new, and I just like being in it!}


...to not give a hoot about anything Bachelor/Bachelorette related.  {I don't watch.  Don't care.  To me, that show jumped the shark a looooong time ago.  ANY Real Housewives show is better than that stuff! lol}

...that my little baby girl is going to 18months old TOMORROW!  {Isn't it?  My heart just sank as I typed those words.  And now I am tearing up.  HOW could a half of a year have gone by already???  Ugh.  I know that every day older brings a new adventure, new things, but I want my baby to be a baby forever.  Ok, maybe not forever, but I LOVE this age. most of the time, hehe.  Time, please slow down.  Thanks.}


I am so happy that it's almost the weekend!  
xoxo.

Uggghhh. Schedule FAIL!

{This post was scheduled to be posted yesterday 3/13, but apparently, I still don't know how to work that feature of BLOGGER.  Sorry!}

Today {now, yesterday} is yet ANOTHER important birthday! {March is a VERY busy birthday month for us!}

Gwen's Grandpa's Birthday is today {yesterday}!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!!! 

We love you so much and can't wait to celebrate with you!

xoxo.

My $150 Lenten Sacrifice

{Thank you Serena D. for my title, I stole it from a comment you made a few weeks ago :)}

SO, every year {except the year I was preggo}, for Lent, I try to give up something and stick with it.  Something that I like, have often, and that I would notice without in my life.  

This year, I gave up, my DD "Medium Iced Mocha Latte w/ Skim Milk" {that's exactly how I order it}, but it isn't for the reason that you are thinking.

Yes, I am obsessed love this drink, with my whole heart, BUT I am not addicted.  It is not something that I NEED, rather something I like to have.  I don't get caffeine headaches without it, I just love the taste, the feeling of carrying my cup in my hands while I shop, drink, run, errands, etc.  

Then, why did I give it up, right?

When I was thinking about what to give up, I realized that I didn't just want to give up something that would be good for me, but something that would be good for my family in a way, maybe even... something that would save money??

Yes, I gave up my DD love, because I did some math. lol.

If the time allows, I get a $3.74 drink every single day.  {Even though I consider it worth every penny, I do agree that it's a little over priced. }  Now, let's multiple that by the 40 days of Lent...

$149.60

Say what?!?!  In just a little over a month, I spend that much money on COFFEE????

Now, just for arguments sake, let's multiply that {$3.74} by the 366 days of this year... {you may want to sit down for this}

$1368.84!!!!!!

Do you know what I could buy with that money??? Shoes!  Clothes!  Anything OTHER than COFFEE!!!!

I was floored.  And at that moment my decision was made.  Now, I can't guarantee that I am giving it up forever, but I will definitely be cutting WAY down and making most of my java{does anyone still use that word?} at home.

I do have to admit that I did cave one time 2 weekends ago, BUT it was only bc Jason accidentally bought me one, not remembering I gave it up, and I didn't want to waste the money!  Haha.

Even though I am missing it a bit, I am really happy with my decision and almost a little proud of my savvy sacrifice!

Happy Hump Day, peeps!  

xoxo.

Tag, I'm It!

One of my favorite bloggy friends, Melissa from the mommyhood chronicles, tagged me in a post{thanks, girl!}, so I thought it would be fun to play along.


She asked these questions...

1. What is your favorite all time movie and television show? The Princess Bride {can recite it word.for.word.} and Sex and the City {although there are a few very close runner ups, Carrie & crew take the cake!}

2. What is your favorite season? Anything but winter?!?  Lol.  Spring and Fall tie for 1st place here.  Summer a close second.  Winter, dead last. 

3. Coffee of Tea? Coffee! 

4. When did you start your blog and what is the focus of your blog? March 5, 2010 {I can't believe it has been 2 years already!} and the focus of my blog began as a place to keep our family updated on my pregnancy, and now it is about all things Gwen, our parenting adventures, and everything else that occurs in our lives.


5. How did you come up with your kids names? Gwen was the only name that Hubs and I could agree on.  He kept coming up with stripper-like names, and would shoot down any of mine.  Then I said Gwen, thinking he would hate it {btw my inspiration was Gwen Stefani... LOOOOVE her!} and he said he liked it.  So I said "SOLD" now let's not discuss it anymore.  And Gwen it was!


6. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas, only because Gwen has made it fun again! {I don't like Holidays much, because for us it just means travelling between all of our family, who usually feel jipped in the amount of time we get to spend with them.} But, Gwen is finally going to be at the age where Christmas becomes magical again, and I love it!


7. What was your favorite subject in school? I am a math lover.


8. What is your favorite book? I don't have a specific favorite, per se, but I have a favorite genre, Memoirs.  Love them.  Could read almost any one out there.  


9. Cutest things your kids have ever said or done? Ugh, I have to pick just one?!!  Lately it has been that Gwen will hug me so tightly and pat my back {like I do to her}.  It is so cute to see her imitating me!


10. Are you a morning person or a night person? I am totally NOT a morning person, like don't mess with me or talk to me until I talk to you kinda stuff.  Lol.  


11. Are you a SAHM, full time working mom, or part time working mom? I am a SAHM, and pretty thankful for the opportunity to be one.  Although some days I need a break from it all, I would not change it for the world!

Now, I am supposed to ask my own 11 questions and tag other people, well I am going to steal an idea from my friend Alyssa over at Diary of Me and tag you all.  That's right, you answer and post, you.

Here's my questions:

1. Lefty or righty?

2. Red or white wine? Or maybe blush?

3. Favorite reality show?

4. Most embarrassing moment? {we won't laugh... too hard ;)}

5. Age of first kiss?

6. One place you would LOVE to go, but are pretty sure that you may never get there?

7. Favorite Comedian?

8. Donald Trump... is his hair real or fake?

9. How do you like your eggs?

10. Dogs or cats?

11. Favorite type of pizza?

Thanks again, Melissa for tagging me!

xoxo.

P.S. I think that I am going with the first Easter Basket... thanks for all of you opinions!

Your Opinion, Please...

I am in the process of choosing an an Easter Basket for Gwen, and I am torn between two.

Therefore, I need some guidance...

Which do you like?

Thanks for your help!

xoxo.

My Baby Brother

Michael, 


     It seems like just yesterday we were playing kickball, waking up SUPER early Christmas Morning to see if Santa had made an appearance, fighting over whose "day" it was to sit in the front seat, and cheering each other on during Pop Warner days.  And yet, here we are, 25 years later, celebrating the 1/4 of a decade that I have been blessed with such an amazing brother.

     Thank you for always being that "ear" that just GETS me.  For being a supportive and very present person in my, actually our lives.  For, being such a great Uncle and Godfather to the most important person in my life.  Gwen is very lucky to have you in her life, and I know that you will be the person that she comes to for advice or help when her Mom & Dad are annoying the daylights out of her :)


     This is a very big year for you!  It is almost bittersweet to see you getting married and starting this new chapter in your life, because I will always see you as the little brother that lives down the hall from me, in his baby blue room, with Jurassic Park comforter, and every sports memorabilia he could fit into it.  lol.  I hope that this year and your wedding is EVERYTHING that you want it to be. {I know it will be amazing!}

     I hope that one day, Gwen has a sibling that she loves and adores, as much as I do you!  I couldn't imagine her not experiencing the same type of relationship, it is something that I truly wish for her.  I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments, and know that I am always here for you, no matter what!

    So, Happy 25th Birthday, Michael Scott!  {just think, you're half way to 50! haha!}

    We love you! Have a great day!   

Love Always, 

Samantha, JJ, Gwen & Wiley