Mama, We're So Close!

Awhile back I entered this photo of Max and I into the Natural Parents Network Flickr Photo Contest. The prompt for entries was, "What Does Natural Parenting Really Look Like?" And this ... this is so us :)

Max in comfy jammies talking to me through grunts and smiles and tickles. 

Me wearing sunglasses to hide tired eyes and soothing Max with a little "pat pat" on his bum.

Please take a quick moment and vote for our photo! We're #18, about half way down in the babywearing section! There are some awesome prizes to be had, but more than anything - I'm happy that we were chosen as a visual reminder that natural parenting isn't always an effervescent stroll in the forest - sometimes it's no eye make-up and jammies at noon on a Sunday :)

VOTE HERE

You can vote for up to 5 photos - so feel free to select your top 5 in the poll at the bottom of this link.

Currently

Eating / / / Mongolian beef for dinner. Chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Because life is not living without dessert ... after the kiddos bedtime, of course.

Loving / / / Jemma's infatuation with picture taking. She loves grabbing my camera, or my phone or my old Kodak that I've passed on to her and taking photos. It's fun seeing the world from her perspective ... ants, grass, her brother, favorite toys and this gem that she snapped of her mama :)

Missing / / / being alone. I never used to like being alone, but now that I'm never alone. I miss it. I'd schedule some alone time, but Max is in full swing separation anxiety these days. Poor boy wails for his mama and I don't want to leave him upset ... or ask someone to stay with an unhappy Bubba.

Moving / / / boxes. Still. I make a little progress each week but this settling into a home isn't going to be complete for quite some time.

Taking / / / a leap into a new sector of babywearing - WRAPS! I've been watching YouTube videos and practicing with a doll. Tomorrow, it's Max's turn :) There is so much to learn - brands, carries, acronyms and lots of lingo. Are you a wrapper? What are your favorite resources? Wraps? Videos? Share!

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's Back To Work He Goes

It's true! Dominic has been back to work for three weeks now! Praise the Lord!!!

He was actually offered two different positions by two great companies about a week apart in late April. We weighed the pros and cons of each and landed on the perfect place for him. He's working for a national lumber yard and his official title is Administration Manager. In this position he'll be doing many things I have no interest in fully understanding :) Most days when I ask how things went he says he worked in Excel. And I'm pretty sure if he wasn't married to me, he'd be married to Excel, so this job is obviously a good fit. 

Amidst his Excel time he's been doing lots of training with different departments and local yards. He may even be traveling to corporate at some point. To keep up with all the new people, lingo and procedures he has been taking notes on his iPad like a maniac.  

When he first got his iPad he had one of the simple covers, but with his daily use he definitely needed something more robust. Thanks to the awesome case and cover company, Snugg, I was able to send Dominic off to work with a Snugg iPad 2 Case in black leather. He's a hip, professional note taker now, that's for sure! Dominic is pretty picky about his technology gear and he has given me the thumbs up on his Snugg case. That's saying a lot. Trust me.

Dominic's first casual Friday and a peek at his desk ... I need to visit for a lunch date soon!

Honestly, I am so thankful that a perfect, even better, job came along so quickly. Dominic was laid off on March 23rd and he started his new one on April 30th. That's quite the answer to prayer! It's definitely scary being a one income family faced with unemployment and we're praising the Lord for his faithfulness to our family. Plus, with this job Dominic is traveling less, doing something he enjoys more and once his 90 days is complete we'll even be able to switch to his health insurance which is much more reasonable than what we have now. All in all, we're happy to be settling into a long-term employment opportunity, it takes a weight off and fits perfectly in my 2013 word of "settle". One step at a time; one more step to be thankful for.

"I Love You Soooooo Much!"

This is Jemma's new phrase. I hear it a few days each day or so and it melts my heart. Especially since it's accompanied by a giant leg squeeze, kiss or bear hug. I mean, she is awesome. Like, throw all the tantrums you want kiddo, just as long as you ask to "swuggin" me every night and emphasize the "soooooo much" we're golden.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my two munchkins this year. Dominic's parents and my family joined us on Saturday for a zoo adventure and we all went to church and had a yummy mom's day luncheon afterwards. Dominic took on desserts and whipped up TWO Pinterest creations - Oreo Krispies and Cake Batter Fudge. Both were fabulous! I even got to sneak away after Max's bedtime (which he was not happy with and made that very clear to Dominic and my Mom when he woke while I was gone) to see my bestie who was in town for a short visit.

Oh, and gifts! I gave my mama and Dominic's mom a pair of super soft jammies. For my mom and my two sisters (who are practically like second mother's to Jemma and Max), I gifted a kitchen towel with one of my Grammy's handwritten recipe cards printed on it. Jemma bought me the Expedit desk to add to one of our bookshelves and someday soon it will house my crafts and sewing in a corner of the guest room. Max is ordering me a special "Max" present since I already have this necklace from my first Mother's Day with Jemma. Of course, behind every thoughtful child is a wonderful Daddy making it all happen ;) 

Here's a picture peek at our weekend ...

 Attempting a pre-church Mother's Day photo. No one was very interested.

Max's moccs c/o Freshly Picked

My Mama teaches kindergarten and therefore, is quite the artist! She and Jemma blessed me with this sidewalk love note :)

Jemmie and I both wore our zebra shirts to the zoo | Another attempt at a photo with my babies - bombed by Jemma's gift shop purple monkey who never leaves her side now | Talk about a gorgeous!!! day for a zoo trip

We forgot to tell my Mama to wear her zoo stripes :(

I'm definitely in love with our most recent Craigslist purchase, the BOB did us well at the zoo | Jem talks most about the elephants after each zoo trip, I mean, they are pretty awesome

Happenstance blogger meet up at the zoo with The Pierogie Mama and her family

My Mama made the most delightful picnic lunch ... a variety of pasta salads in mason jars, watermelon, a cheese/sausage/cracker platter and banana roll up bars

Did you know that a mama hippo can bite an alligator in half if it threatens her young? Yay, I think I could do so pretty ferocious things to protect my babies too. | Trying to get some smiles by the "Mom and Me" sign | "Wook! It's a fa-gogo!!!"

Lordy, Lordy - Max is one sweet little picnic man

Leak Free Is the Way To Be

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Parent’s Choice Overnight Baby Diapers.

This month I embarked upon my 31st month of diapering. It's been a wild ride filled with fluffy bums, messes, research, lots of laundry and a hefty dose of trial and error. Diapering children definitely has a learning curve - one I still seem to be figuring out most days!

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19/52 & 20/52

 a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013 

Jemma / / / We broke out the "outside chalk" this week. Jem. is. a. fan.

Max / / / Incessant giggles came from this boy during his first swing adventure.

 
Jemma / / / Kids start smiling for pictures when they turn three, right?

Max / / / Because they obviously smile a ton when they are 9 months :) And wiggle. Hence the plethora of blurry photos I have these days.

Style File | Barefoot, Not Pregnant

CHURCH ... dress, target | lace cardigan, pink blush

I first wore this dress when I was 32 weeks pregnant with Max. I love love love maternity clothes and other closet treasures pieces that can transition through life with me. It's good for my pocketbook and it's equally good for my self-esteem. This dress is one such piece and so is this gorgeous lace cardigan I recently paired it with. I bet you can't even guess which one is technically maternity clothing?

Do you have maternity clothes you've worn during pregnancy and long after? How about "normal" pieces that have seen you through your 9 months with child? Share and you may win $25 to go shopping at Pink Blush Maternity!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. Are you on the hunt for trendy maternity clothes? Stop by Pink Blush! This, this and this are my current favorites!