Bittersweet post

This post has two opposite spectrums of emotions.. hence the title bittersweet. There is a sad tone but then there is a good tone! And an exciting offer! :) So on for the bitter part first!!

If you have been following along with this blog, you probably realize that I post AT LEAST every Wednesday. I think it's good to give a midweek update of your life... at least for those who find my life interesting! But yesterday life caught up to me and I was unable to. I usually have a pretty happy healthy baby but this week Madison caught the stomach bug... Yes yes my darling Maddie is a sick little bug. Throw up everywhere! So I had to put my classes on hold for the day to take her to the doctor. Good thing is she still is pretty hydrated. I've been constantly giving her pedialyte. She hates it but there has been some improvement. AND.. She now weighs 14 pounds 8 ounces! What a chunk! Justin and I both stayed home to give her all the cuddles she deserves. She still is a happy little thing though believe it or not!

I mean who is THAT happy with a bug in your tummy! I am seriously amazed at how joyful she constantly is. Trust me, holding your child too much is a GOOD thing!!!

So on for the sweet part! (Even though said picture above is pretty dang sweet!) I woke up this morning to find out I was a featured blogger on the Mom Lovin Thursday Blog Hop!!! You can find the button in my blog hop tabs at the top as well!

I've only been blogging for a month and I enjoy every bit of it! I am still fairly new to everything but I am thrilled that I have gained readers and followers and that people are taking notice. My traffic is growing, my follower count is rising, which motivates me to post more. So in light of my page growth I have decided to offer 5 FREE AD SPACES FOR ONE MONTH!!!! These will go on the left side and it is a great way to increase traffic. Contact me whichever way is easiest for you! It is first come, first served so dont miss out on my generous offer! I hope everyone has a blessed Thursday!

Back to school

Well well well... it has been a busy start to the week and I feel that I need to type out my various emotions that I have experienced so far since yesterday. Madison is 5 months old. And out of those 5 months, there has not been a whole day that I have been without her. Until yesterday... 

I have been in a college classroom before so it's not necessarily a new setting for me but it felt like everything was completely different. All I have ever known since Maddie has been born is taking care of her, playing with her, feeding her, changing her, cleaning the house, and taking care of the dogs too. Now I am waking up, feeding her, getting myself presentable, getting Maddie all cute, and taking her to daycare!! And yes a big day like yesterday called for some big hair! That's how it is done in Texas!

It was bittersweet to leave my Maddie Bug. Sweet because I get to go to school to get my degree which benefits her so that I am able to provide more for her. Bitter because everytime I leave, a part of me is missing. Thankfully her first day at daycare went good. Is it weird that I was a little bit disappointed that she seemed really happy to be at daycare? But I know it will be good for her to be around other babies and be able to play and learn.

I was happy to be able to get back to school and finish up my degree. But I kept on always having to check my phone to see her sweet little face.. My classes have all been good so far. Accounting will definitely be the death of me. I'm not the greatest with numbers sometimes. One good thing about things being different is that I am more motivated than ever before. My daughters well being depends on my academic success. So I plan on making sure that I succeed with flying colors!

After classes were done, I was so ready to get back to my favorite little lady and it felt so good!

Sunday Social and My Weekend

1. What do you miss most about being a kid?

I miss how everything was carefree and how there weren't any real problems to deal with. My only concern was who to be friends with and making sure I watched my tv shows. Now I have to worry about rent and bills and doing grownup things :(

2. Did you have a nickname growing up? What was it?

Zoe actually is my nickname. My actual real name is Zoette.

3. What was your favorite thing to do at recess?

I loved me some swings that's for sure!

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be different things. It always varied. And I still do want to be different things even now!

5. Did you participate in any school activities?

In elementary I did soccer. Then in middle school I participated in a variety of sports and clubs and then in high school I stuck with cheerleading, drama, and FFA.

6. What is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?

This one time I stole a candle from a store we went to. But it was on accident obviously!! :)

So on Friday night Justin and I got free tickets to go see Whiskey Myers at Billy Bobs! We also invited my friend Kaitlin who I haven't seen in FOREVER! It was such a fun night and a a really good show!

I love the day after I curl my hair because that's when I feel that it looks the best! I really should curl it more often.

And we also went to go see family today!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I start school tomorrow and Maddie will be going to daycare!! :(

I will make sure to post about my day! 

Much love from Maddie Bug and I!

Are you ready?

It has been almost one year since I announced to everyone that I was pregnant. So many emotions were running rampant in my head. Emotions of surprise, joy, fear, excitement, shock, and what the hell is gonna happen?!?! Sometimes I have a hard time taking care of myself, how am I supposed to take care of another individual who needs my constant and undivided attention? How am I supposed to handle labor when everytime I stump my toe I lay down and cry on the ground in the fetal position? How do you change a DIAPER?!?! 

After all the congrats and well wishes were set in place from all of our family and friends we had to answer the same question from everyone...

Are you ready?

Hmmmm was I ready to be a mom? Was I ready to lose all my freedom? Was I ready to lose control of my body? Was I ready to start a new journey in my life when I was still trying to finish my journey of college?

If you must know, Madison was unplanned and a surprise BUT everyone was extremely happy when we announced. Justin and I had been together for 4 years at the time so it really was bound to happen sooner or later! 

I always had a set plan for how my life would pan out. Get a degree, get married, have kids, grow old. So it really threw me off balance when my life plan didn't stay on the path that I had planned. It jumped a couple of milestones and decided to switch the order of events. It took me some time to grasp my situation and come to terms on how my life would be.

Why do we make set plans? Sure it's great to have some organizations and a clear image of how you want to live your life? But do you EVER really know when you are ready to set yourself on a new journey? You don't know what married life is like or what the joys and frustrations of parenthood brings until you experience it. Analogy... you never get to know how coffee can make you feel alive and on top of the world until you try that cup of joe. You don't what the feeling entails. If you wait until you're ready, then you will be waiting to be ready for the rest of your life. Everything will be so new and different. And you don't know what all it entails until you experience it. Sure you can do research but that's just a bunch of do's and dont's, it doesn't portray the various and numerous emotions parenthood entails.

So when people asked me...

Are you ready?

I replied...

No but it's happening. I am going to be the best I can be. I will make mistakes, I will make accomplishments. Everything will change but it is a beautiful change. A change full of life and joy.

They have this saying for young moms. A beautiful saying. 

"Even though I had you young. I got to meet a little bit sooner and love you a little bit longer"

Even though my life plan did not stay in order, I would not change it for the world! Little did I know that I do NEED her in my life right now. Life without her is unimaginable. She is a beautiful little girl full of joy and happiness. She is full of Justin and I's love for each other. And that sure is a beautiful thing.

So if you are experincing a change.. It is OKAY to not be ready. I wasn't ready but it's happening and I am doing it and I am loving every single moment.

Randoms for the week

I am out of coffee and I could REALLY use about a good 3 cups at the moment

School starts next week but because of Tarleton Financial Aid (which is a joke of a department), I have no clue if I have enough money for school. I turned in my FAFSA TWO MONTHS AGO!!! During that time, they have forgotten to put documents in my folder for me to fill out and lost one of my contracts! Talk about FRUSTRATING!!!!!!

So we got Netflix again and I decided to finish up my Gossip Girl obsession. I can't remember where I left off so that means I have to rewatch the ENTIRE show! Aww shucks right??

Maddie is ALMOST sitting up on her own! So excited for her to sit up like a big girl!

Have you tried these sippy bottles? I had never heard of them and gave it to Maddie yesterday! In case you missed it,you can read my personal review of it right HERE!

I can never get enough of my crock pot! I have pot roast cooking at the moment! Yummmm!

We go on vacation NEXT FRIDAY!!!! So excited!! :)

So those are the random thoughts and happenings going on in my world this week! 

Much love from Maddie Bug And I 

Sippy bottle?!?! :)

So I don't know if it's the over excited new mom feeling that I am still experiencing or if I just didn't do a lot of research on baby products. I had never heard anyone talk about these sippy cup transition bottles?? I went to the grocery store real quick on Saturday to grab some chips. As always, I make a quick stroll through the baby aisle. I always go down that aisle even if I know I am not getting anything. So I'm strolling and I see the Avents bottle to sippy cup transition.

I know that you are supposed to start introducing the sippy cup at 6 months. But the sippy part is silicone like a bottle nipple. It is BPA free. The age requirement was 4 months and up and since Maddie just turned 5 months, I decided to give her a gift so I threw it in the basket and decided to try it out!

So after I gave her some cereal this morning, I decided to give her some more formula to finish off and fill up that belly. I was worried she may not take well to the change since I ALWAYS hold her when I am feeding. I never give her a bottle in bed. I always hold her to gain that bonding time. Surprisingly she took the change quite well. 

When I feed her, she grabs the bottle but as soon as I let go, she lets it flop down. So I was wondering if she would actually hold it herself. But once she grabbed the easy grip handles, she didn't let go! She didn't know how to lift it up so at the very end I ended up laying her on the floor so it would be easier for her to lift up.

Here is a close up view of the product

Look no spills!!!

I am very happy that I found these things because I had never heard of them!! I now feel more confident of the upcoming transition to a sippy cup and I think this a great tool to start the transition and a stepping stone to bottle weaning. So now I need to buy more of these and buy the 8 ounce ones! Have any of ya'll tried these bottles? And what brands do y'all like? I LOVE reading your comments so show some love! 

Month 5 Update

Hello Hello! Yes I know... 2 posts in ONE day! Craziness but I have to for good reasons! Today Madison is officially 5 months old!!! Almost to that half year mark! I am certainly enjoying watching her do new things every single day. Here are random things she is doing!

• Sits up while supported
• Rolls from tummy to back and from back to tummy again
• Picks up toys and holds them in her hand
• Eats stage 1 baby foods (favorite is squash)
• Started laughing this month
• Talks, talks, and TALKS!
• Wears size 2 diapers
• Wears 3-6 months clothes
• Loves looking at herself in the mirror
• Starting to learn how to scoot forward

Sometimes I really don't see how fast the time goes. Not until the next month mark comes around. I always find myself looking at all the old pictures on the 18th of each month. That's when it clicks that time is moving and fast. Before Madison, 5 months could seem like an eternity. But now, it feels like it happens in a day. But I am cherishing every single day! She is a joy and a happy girl. Ready to see what this next month brings!

Social Sundays

1. What is something you've always wanted to do but are afraid of?

I've never been afraid to do anything. There are many things I want to just run off and do but my responsibilities and obligations happen to get in the way. My number one dream I HAVE to accomplish is to visit New York City

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself FINALLY settled into a career, married, driving a different car, in a home that we own, and hopefully another baby. Preferably a boy!

3. What are you looking forward to before the end of 2013?

I'm excited to celebrate Maddie's first Thanksgiving and Christmas. She is gonna love it! Especially Christmas!! She is gonna be SUPER spoiled since she's the only grandbaby on both sides so she will be getting ALL the presents :)

4. What are your hopes for your blog?

My hope for this blog is to gain a loyal set of followers who enjoy my posts, to become a source of information and guidance for mothers like myself, to do reviews and giveaways, and to continue making new friends through blogging.

5. Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city?

Nooooo! 

6. What is your morning routine?

Well Maddie usually wakes up at 5:30 so I go to change her diaper, I make her morning bottle and my morning coffee, I feed her while watching the news, play with her in the bouncer,  then tummy time, she usually takes a nap around 10 so when she naps I get ready for the day and clean and do a blog post.

4 Baby Essentials Every Mother Needs

When I was pregnant, I had absolutely no clue on what you truly needed for a baby. I was having a girl so my main focus was having clothes and bows and creating the perfect nursery (which actually turned out pretty perfect). But I was pretty clueless on what I should have been focusing on! So if your an upcoming new mom or looking for baby shower gifts, I will show you what items have helped keep my sanity in good condition. Now I am sure there are many other amazing, must have products, but these are items that I have found helpful or useful!

Swaddle Blankets

Your baby has spent the past 9 months in the comforting warmth of your womb. All cuddled up and looking oh so comfy and cute in those sonogram pictures right?? Well when they come into the great big world that is not as warm and comforting as your belly (besides Texas of course!), this can serve as an issue. I had trouble getting my daughter to sleep at night that first month. Sure you can swaddle with a blanket but I couldn't ever get the swaddling technique down. So here comes the easy version!! I loved these summer infant swaddle blankets with the velcro. It helps recreate the lifestyle of the womb. Your infant also has the moro reflex at this time where they startle and flail their arms out which can cause them to waken from their sleep. This will help keep their arms restricted.

Gripe Water

That first week, we discovered that Madison had a little issue with colic and gas which made it hard to get her to sleep at times. We didn't necessarily want to medicate her but we needed to do something to help her feel better. So we tried gripe water and it was an INSTANT RELIEF! Gripe water is a natural herbal remedy. It contains no alcohol or gluten and consist of ginger and fennel. Maddie LOVED it and it really helped her a lot. I SWEAR by this product and we still give it to her from time to time if her tummy is feeling upset.

Boppy

My boppy is MY FAVORITE ITEM! It was easier to breastfeed on. My mother in law loves it to hold Maddie on since it helps prevent her arms from getting tired quickly so she was able to hold her longer which in turn gave me a longer break! Haha :) I have also found it very useful for the beginning stages of tummy time. Your baby's head is the heaviest thing on their body. So on tummy time, the pressure of the floor makes it uncomfortable for them. So I decided to put her on the boppy to start tummy time and it worked! Especially if you want to start tummy time early like I did. I started at one month and she was rolling over by the next week. She didn't want to stay for a long time but she stayed a lot longer on the boppy than she did without. I actually recommended this idea for other moms who were having trouble with tummy time and it in turn worked out for them as well! It also is a good head rest pillow!

Swings

Get a swing. Just do it. You may think you don't need it, but you do. This is the only thing Maddie would sleep in the first month. This is actually the same exact swing that I have and it was a lifesaver! It swings, makes music and noises. It's just perfection. Like I said, just get one. Trust me.

I hope this is a source of help for new moms or for others searching for gift ideas! By the way, I was not compensated for anything in this post. This was just something I personally decided to write for my readers. I love reading comments so comment what you think and what items you found essential!

I am grateful

I am loving the idea of this link up! I have become quite fascinated with themed link ups since they give me a chance to post, build followers, and follow other amazing blogs all at once! 

I am grateful for the big man upstairs. My lord and savior Jesus Christ. What an amazing and selfless love he has for me. Dying for my sins. No matter what, I am never alone. He is always there to guide the way. When the going gets tough, he is a source of comfort and helps build my strength to just keep going.

I am grateful for my family. They have always been there to guide me in the right direction, even if at times I did not follow on the path that they wanted me to sometimes. They always have my best interests at heart and they truly have an unconditional love for me.

I am grateful for my one and only tough guy. He works so hard to provide for Madison and I. Enough to pay our rent and bills, food, diapers, etc while I have the chance to be a stay at home mom for the time being. I enjoy being a mom and I am so grateful that if I choose to stay home, that I can. Even though it has been a tough road, our love for each other has increased and he has become a true best friend and great companion. And Madison just adores him!

I am also grateful for the little things listed but are not limited to.... coffee, netflix, scentsy warmers, glee, my iPhone, Demi Lovato, Jackie Collins books, gripe water, hobby lobby, forever 21, cardigans and scarfs, pinterest, and social networks.

Last but not least, I am grateful for the best little thing to ever come into my life. My sweet Madison Grace! I am so grateful that I get to be her mom. She may not have been planned but little did I realize that I needed her in my life. I cannot imagine a life without her. She is my whole world :)

Midweek Randoms

This is my second mid week random and I love it!

• So on Monday I took a spur of the moment trip to my parents house with Maddie Bug in tow and it was quite the surprise! It is so great to see them since visits are not as often as I would like

• Maddie got some new toys! Had to get her something to chew on for her teething! Can't wait for those little teeth to come in!!

• So in about 2 weeks Justin and I will be going on vacation! We will be going to Austin, Tx. We are taking a much needed break from parenthood and work. We are desperately needing some US time since we haven't really had any since Maddie has been born! 

• My sister made these amazing blueberry muffins with cinnamon toppings! They were so delicious and I wish I had a picture to document it!

• Tonight I am making enchiladas! Something quick and simple since I just got home from my parents house

• I'm thinking of putting up a recipe for zucchini cake! I'm really craving it and want to bake! This dessert is seriously TO DIE FOR!!

• I have been very frustrated with Tarleton financial aid since they decided to lose my paperwork that I faxed to them. School starts in two weeks and I still have no clue if I will have enough financial aid!

• And here is another darling pic of Maddie Bug from the trip to my parents

Much love from Maddie Bug And I XOXO

Inspirational Mondays: The Two Pots

So before I start Inspirational Monday I just have to share a funny picture I took last Friday.

Justin and I just started laughing because she looks like a nun. I'm sure Justin would approve of her nun lifestyle if that is what she wishes ;) Oh the catholic church will never be the same again. And she just looks too happy. I am so blessed to have such a joyful baby and she turns 5 MONTHS this coming Sunday! AHHH where does the time go???? Okay so on with Inspirational Mondays!!

The Two Pots

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a

pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in

it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion

of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house,

the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only

one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the

perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for 

which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own 

imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of

what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a

bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?

That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.

In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.

So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.

Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."

Social Sundays!

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I had always dreamed of being a successful pediatrician or a nurse. I also dreamed of being famous actress or a singer.

2. What was your favorite way to kill time as a kid?

I would read.. A LOT!

3. When did you get your first cell phone?

When I was in the 7th grade I believe. I was the first one in my grade to get one. It was one of the many perks of my dad working for Sprint!

4. What is your favorite magazine to read?

Cosmopolitan!

5. What is the one random object people would be surprised to find in your purse?

I actually don't carry a purse. I'm not a big fan of them. I carry around a wallet clutch just to hold my cards and keys. I think a random object I have in there is probably a library card haha!

Craft Mania

I never classified myself as the crafty type but as soon as I found out I was a mom, the craft bug entered my body. I have found that it is easier and cheaper to craft your own things instead of buying them. For instance BOWS! As soon as I found out I was having a little girl I started buying hair bows left and right. I then realized how much of Justin's money I was spending... Whoops! But then I sat down and decided to try them out myself... So stinkin simple! And it literally only cost me pennies to make. Then of course I learned to make them more extravagant. And then I learned how to make tutus and even bow holders. Even though I do splurge on custom bows and outfits from time to time! I mean come on I still love the thrill of shopping and buying new things ;) But with that being said I have thought about putting up some tutorials of how I make items for Madison to share. Here are a sample of things I have made!

My FIRST BOW!!!

Maddie's Bow Holder

 Fourth of July bow!

Tutus!

So watch out for some upcoming tutorials and watch my crafting skills expand! Subscribe and STAY CONNECTED on upcoming blog posts! Happy Friday! :)