DIY Oversized Ruler Growth Chart

First, let's start with a quick update. Haddie is rotten. Nothing new. She continues to grow, learn, and amaze me each day. The saying that "the days are long, but the years go quick, " could not be more true. Life is good lately. Summer is here. New relationships help the heart and the sanity. A fellow named Chris is responsible for that. And we can't forget Haddie's new best friend, Bristol, the golden retriever. I see a happy future in the works!

Alright. You know I love a great DIY! I love it even more when it's been forgotten on the to-do list and someone makes it happen. I had mentioned while cruising around Pinterest that I loved this project, and Chris took note. Haddie (and Chris) got me a board for Mother's Day. :)

I love the idea of this growth chart. It is charming enough for a kid's room, but sophisticated enough to display in the living area of the house. (Which is were mine is located). Plus, it is portable! We will not be living in our current location within a few years, and I don't want to lose those growth markings that would typically be on the door frame. And if you are stationed in your home permanently, then no worries about painting over during touch up or a remodel.

Before I got started, I chose a design and style that I liked. Some go for what looks like an actual giant ruler and some use colorful paint and decals to decorate the board. You can find many variations on Pinterest. I combined several components that I liked and created my own. I knew I wanted a rustic/distressed look, but I wanted a white surface instead of stained wood for better visibility on the markings. You will also need to decide how to number the measurement markings. Some different ideas include paint (my choice), vinyl, mailbox numbers, etc.

Based on my design plan, my supply list included:
a board (1″x8″x6′)
dark walnut wood stain
white paint
a multi-grit sandpaper pack
paint for measurement marks and numbers
number stencils
various sized paint brushes

I am the world's step by step picture taker, but the process is pretty easy. First, sand the board to make sure it is nice and smooth. I made sure all of the dust was blown away and stained the board using an old burp cloth by following the direction on the stain can. I did two coats because I wanted the rich color to come through for the distressed look. I let it dry overnight.

Next, I did one coat of white paint. I covered the entire board, but I didn't obsess over brush marks and complete coverage because I was going for a worn look. Because of the blistering heat and a single layer, the paint was drying fairly quickly. I decided to keep working. Using sandpaper, I began distressing the board. I focused on the edges and sides. Going with grain, I also chose a few interior places on the board. I went back and forth between sandpaper grit numbers. I sanded just enough so that the layer of paint was coming off and the stain could peek through. I think it is a good idea to work a little and then step back, so that you don't get too carried away.

Next, I made my measurement marks by laying the measuring tape down beside the edge of the board and placing a pencil mark for each inch. I used different sized marks for the inch, 6 inch and 12 inch measurements. Don't forget to leave off some room for the bottom. I began marking off my board at 9 inches because I wanted my board to have an 8 inch clearance from the floor. After all the pencil marks were made, I went back over the pencil with a dark brown paint. Once again, I wasn't going for perfection.

Next, I chose and downloaded a free font from DaFont. I created a word document and entered numbers one through six. I increased the size until my numbers were about six inches tall. Then I printed the document and cut out the numbers to make stencils. I like to think that may spatial awareness skills are pretty good, so I just eyeballed the placement of the numbers on the board. After some adjusting, I traced the numbers using pencil. Once the stencils were traced and removed, I painted in the numbers using the dark brown paint.

After the numbers were dry, I went back over board with sandpaper a few more times to give the measurement marks and numbers a worn look, as well. Then, I nailed a hanging bracket to the back and BOOM. I have yet to put any marks on the board. My plan is to measure her every six months. I am going to double check her measurements with the pediatrician at her next checkup before they are written in stone.

Not only are these great for your own home, but this would also be a great baby shower gift :) Thanks for stopping by!

One "Thrifty" Mama : JBF - Consigning

Check out the website here!

Hopefully, I piqued your interest with my last post about JBF. As promised, I have the inside scoop on how to get involved and make some extra cash. Who doesn't love a little extra money?!

All you have to do is sign up to be a consignor and start tagging. You can find all the details and become consignor on the JBF website (link is posted above). I am going to give you the quick and dirty version. I have a method for tagging that seems to work well. If I was a little less of a procrastinator, it would be even better!

As soon as Haddie outgrows something or I swap her closet over due to seasonal change, I put it in the consignment pile. I have two tubs: fall/winter and spring/summer. Some items can be sold in both sales, so those things go in the upcoming season sale pile. Because I do this, I don't have to hunt down or sort clothes once it is time to tag. Another thing I love about JBF is that you can enter tags at any time! In a perfect world, I would tag as I go. But in the procrastination that is my life, I wait until the last minute. Once your tags are entered, simply print them out. I place items on a hanger or in a ziploc bag, attached the tag, and place the items back in the bucket. All done and ready for drop-off!

A couple additional tips: ALWAYS save hangers. I find that if I save the hangers when I buy new clothing or after shopping at consignment sales, I don't need to buy any to prepare my items. Another tip is to check your clothing in a couple different types of lighting. I have taken things to consign that were covered in stains that I couldn't see in my home lighting.

Once your items are tagged, you wait for Drop-Off. There is usually a two day drop-off period. During Drop-Off, your items are inspected for quality. Inspectors are checking for holes and stains. They are also checking to ensure that your items have been properly tagged so you get credit for all your items that are sold. Recently, JBF has started a Perfect Consignor program. If you pass inspection with three or fewer unacceptable items and everything is correctly tagged, you get to bypass inspection during Drop-Off at future JBF events!

After Drop-Off, all that is left to do is sit back and wait. You can track items sold by logging on during the sale. You get a percentage of the total amount of all your items sold. This percentage can be increased even more by volunteering during the sale! At the end of the sale, you can pick up any unsold items or donate them to charity. Once the sale is over, it only takes a few days before time to pick up your check! Boom.

What could you do with that extra money? I plan to stock up on some great deals at JBF! I am on the hunt for some great play clothes, PJs, and an Easter dress.

Drop-Off for the Spring/Summer event ends tomorrow. But the great news if you can starting tagging for the Fall/Winter event now! Check back in a few days to see what deals I find!

  

One "Thrifty" Mama : JBF

Visit the website here!

If you haven't heard about Just Between Friends, affectionately known as JBF in the Consignment Mommies circle, then let me share! I pride myself in being crafty, but I am equally proud of another adjective: thrifty. One of my most favorite ways to be thrifty happens twice a year.

Just Between Friends (JBF) takes place at Camp Jordan in East Ridge, Tennessee. It is a week long consignment event where you can find gently used items local Moms have gathered up and are selling for GREAT prices. They have everything that you need to help you along your journey through motherhood from maternity clothing to school-aged children items. Clothes, toys, carseats/strollers, bedding, etc. You can find name brand and boutique items for almost 1/2 price!

 There are several ways you can get involved: shop, sell, and volunteer. There are great incentives for volunteers and consignors! I love to volunteer because it allows me to shop before the public. But most importantly, I get a preview of all the goodies! Consignors also get an early pass to shop. And who doesn't love making some extra cash?! The system for consignor tagging is very user-friendly and allows you to track how much you have sold throughout the sale.

I think my favorite thing about JBF is definitely the deals I get when shopping! I never worry about getting Haddie stocked up for the next season. I have found so many great deals, I can't even keep track. I think my favorite so far was last year's Easter dress. I found a beautiful Children's Place linen dress and I only paid $6! Score.

If you are someone you know has children is expecting a little bundle of joy, you don't want to miss out on these deals! If you want to make some extra cash, drop off takes place on Wednesday, March 12th and Thursday, March 13th. The PreSale for consignors and volunteers takes place on Saturday, March 15th. The Sale opens to the public on Sunday, March 16th through Friday, March 21st. On Saturday, March 22nd, many items go to 50% for even better deals!

To get involved with JBF and more detailed information about the Sale, make sure to check out the website here.

Check back in a few days for my post on how I make some extra bucks by consigning!

Oh, Baby! : Nosefrida and Twilight Ladybug

Two blog posts in a month?! This could only mean one thing: I have a million other things I should be doing right now. Seriously. My house is upside down and I have no excuse. Thanks to the two inches of snow that shutdown the South, I have been at home since Tuesday afternoon. My house should be in pristine condition. Well, as pristine as living with a toddler can get. It is my honest opinion that a toddler deposit is much more necessary than a pet deposit for renters and tenants.

I decided to share/review my two favorite baby items that I am still using to this day. If you are expecting a little one or know someone who is, these are two great gifts that may have been left off the registry list. Neither were on mine! These are my opinions, but I know that I love to research anything before I buy it. Especially, when it comes to Haddie.

Nosefrida

First, we have the Nosefrida. When Haddie was about three months old, she developed a stuffy nose. And honestly, it has never left. She is genetically cursed with nasal/sinus/allergy issues, I am afraid. Being the crazy new mom, we were at the pediatrician's office every other week for answers. She couldn't breathe and had a horrible time with drainage. Seeing a tiny little one struggle so much is horrible. I just wanted a fix. The bulb syringe, saline, and humidifier/vaporizer combo just weren't doing enough for me. I was so frustrated. Finally, a fellow mama suggested that I try the Nosefrida. I had never heard of it, but I was desperate at the point. I did some quick research to see what it was about. It sounds very strange and disgusting, but if you have ever been in my shoes, you would try anything. Basically, you place the tip in the nostril and use the hose to "suck" out the snot.

There are a few reasons why I love this thing. The bulb syringe never had a enough "power." Haddie had a TON of snot and congestion, and the bulb syringe just wouldn't suck hard enough or long enough. With the Nosefrida, you can control both. Plus, I dare you to Google what the inside of a bulb syringe looks like after it has been used for a while. YUCK! You can easily take the Nosefrida apart to clean and sanitize it. Another reason I love this thing is something only a mother can understand. It is kind of similar to the way that you inspect and rejoice over the contents of your little one's diaper. It gave me a thrill to SEE all that gunk that I was getting out of her head.

Now, I will say she was and still isn't the biggest fan of being held down and having her sinuses sucked out. But, I know she has to feel better afterward. I was the guinea pig for the product before I used it on her, and it is painless. The product website says that it is doctor invented and recommended. You can find a video and even more information about the product there. I'm not certain if it is sold in stores. I ordered mine from Amazon. The product itself is about $15, and comes with four filters. You can buy the product and a box of 20 replacement filters for less than $20. I definitely recommend getting the extra filters. I didn't, and I regretted it while waiting for them to be delivered! You can order from Amazon and read even more rave reviews here.

 

Twilight Ladybug

My second favorite thing is the Twilight Constellation Ladybug by Cloud b. I have a feeling we will get lots of use out of this thing for many more years! It is so cool, I would even buy one for my room. Haddie started sleeping in her own room when she was a couple months old. I have always been a stickler about bedtime, sleeping habits, and routines. I wanted her to be able to sleep in her own room and I knew the best way to start was from the beginning. I didn't like the thought of it being dark with only a small little nightlight. I had seen several products from Cloud b, and fell in love with this little ladybug. I read some reviews and thought it sounded pretty neat.

I know there are several other brands and versions of something similar, but I think this was the "original." Some of my Pre-K kiddos have brought the other varieties in for nap time, and I don't think they work as well. The ladybug has actual constellations incorporated into the nightlight, and it comes with a star map. So once Haddie gets old enough, it will even be educational. It also projects very well. Haddie has a decent sized bedroom, and the stars shine clearly on the ceiling and even the walls. You can choose from three different colors to project: red, green, or blue. The red seems a little creepy, so I always have used the green. It has an auto shut-off timer that lasts for 45 minutes. The product also comes in a pink ladybug or turtle version in various colors.

When Haddie was still tiny, I think it was mostly just soothing to have the calming light. She was out like a light quickly at bed time anyway. She may not have even paid it any mind. After quite a few months, the batteries died. I am the worst about keeping new batteries in the house. So, the ladybug was forgotten. Flash forward to a few weeks ago. Now that Haddie is a little older, she plays a little bit before falling asleep. She had started to fuss when I would lay her down, turn out the light, and close the door. Her sound machine has a light and she also has a nightlight in her room, so it was not because it was too dark. I decided to fire up the ladybug again. Worked like a charm. No more fussing. I think it gives her something to look at as she falls asleep. Like I said before, it is pretty neat to look at. Pictures don't do it justice, you just have to try it out.

I have seen these for sale in several stores such as Target and Babies R Us, or on the product website. I purchased mine from Amazon for about $35. You can order your little one a ladybug and read reviews here.

Random Sidenote: If you are getting a monitor, go ahead and get the video monitor. I was trying to be frugal and thought it wasn't necessary to actually see her. When she was teeny and I jumped at every sound she made in the night, I really didn't miss it. But now that she is a little older, the video would be very handy to see if she is just fussing in her sleep or legit awake in the night. I think it will be even more necessary to spy on her once she is in the toddler bed. But, I'm not ready to go there yet! Needless to say, I am upgrading my audio monitor to video very soon.

Once again, these are my opinons. I love a good product and the fact that I am definitely getting my money's worth, makes me a happy mama! Feel free to share you thoughts on these products! Thanks for stopping by.

Hooray for Bedtime. And I don't mean my own.

Hello, folks. It's been a minute. Or two. I am, in fact, still alive. I have started about twenty posts since the last one that made it to the blog, but I just haven't had the time, desire, or words to finish them. I think it may be good for me to actually complete one.

I never did a twelve month post for the Hadster. To be honest, I couldn't tell you her weight or height from her one year checkup now to save my life. I imagine it was written down on the little souvenir sticker you get at each visit, but Haddie probably ate it or something of that fashion.

Since we last caught up, Haddie has grown. Obviously. We celebrated a first birthday. Started walking. Moved up to the toddler room at school. Expanded the vocabulary to about ten words. Turned the car seat around. Gave up the bottle. Sprouted a total of twelve teeth. Kicked the high chair to curb. Had a stomach virus, RSV (again), and an endless snotty nose. Learned to give kisses and high fives. Developed quite the temper and attitude, that is evened out by the cutest little personality. Don't get me wrong it isn't always marshmallows and sunshine.

Being a mom is hard.

Being a single mom is harder.

I think it is fair to add a little "-er" to the end of that word. I am not taking away from the families who have a tag team. Raising a child is extremely exhausting and just as rewarding no matter what your situation is. But I think it is probably nice to call in backup at least once a day. I obviously didn't set out to be in this position, but I like to think that I find the best in all situations. Sometimes, I look back and wonder how I got this far and made it out with a smile. There were definitely tears and headaches. But when being strong is your only option, you just step up. Enough of the past. I'm moving forward. I've learned many lessons and see lots of brightness in my future. There are many changes going on in life lately. I'm pretty excited to see what is in store for Haddie and I.

Now for the explanation of the title of this post. Have I said that being a Mom is hard? Let me say that Haddie is, without a doubt, the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. No one could have prepared me for the love and connection that I would share with this little human. She has helped to make me the strong person that I am today. Taught me how to truly be selfless. Shown me what true love feels like. And also, made me appreciate her bed time.

I can only speak for myself, but after reading many other blogs, I think I am probably not alone. I am exhausted. After a day of tripping over toys, picking up four boxes worth of Cheerios off the floor that were dumped from the "spill-proof" snack cup, mopping the floor for the third time that day after half the lunch was thrown to the floor, reading the same book thirty times in a row, changing the poop diaper five minutes after it was freshly put on, squirting medicine into a screaming mouth hoping it gets swallowed, I would (and do) do it all over again every day just to get one of her snot covered kisses on the lips from out of nowhere.

I have read certain articles and posts that try to make me feel guilty for checking Facebook in her presence, feeding her french fries and chicken nuggets during our Walmart trip just to keep her quiet, not breastfeeding her until she is in middle school, vaccinating her so she won't contract illness and diseases, among other things. I have said before that I think moms in today's society are under constant attack. Sadly, it is mostly from each other. But I don't need them to make me feel guilty. I do enough of that myself.

I am not the mother I always thought I would be. In some ways for the best, and in some ways probably not for the better. I deal with that guilt every day. The biggest struggle I have is feeling guilty about feeling guilty. On those days where I just want to hide in the closet, I beat my self up about feeling that way in the first place. I have to tell my self that it is OK to feel that way. I am only human. At the end of the day, Haddie loves me and she knows that I love her. She waves at me each morning, kisses me during the day, and snuggles with me at bedtime. And I cherish that.

Motherhood is not a walk in the park. You will want to pull your hair out, cry, scream and hide in small dark places. A lot. But that will all be overshadowed by the love that you feel in one small moment. I am so beyond blessed to have Haddie. Even if I sometimes want to put her to bed a few minutes early.

If you are still here from my personal rambling therapy session, thanks for hanging in there. If you are a fellow mama, I hope that you can relate. It is nice to know that you aren't alone sometimes. I hope to visit the ole blog a little more frequently. Perhaps a first birthday post is in the future. We shall see. This little blog of mine has been around longer than any journal I ever had. I'm kind of attached. It has been there through my trials the past couple of years. It is strange to go back and see where I thought my life was, to read the ways I was sugar coating things, and how I was trying to put every thing out there without revealing too much once I accepted how things were.

Thanks for listening.

    

Ten And Eleven Months Old

Weight: 20lbs 9oz

Length: 28 3/4in

Eat: We have a pretty good routine going now with her meals. She wakes around 6:30am and takes a six ounce bottle (3oz formula and 3oz whole milk). We are in the process of transitioning to whole milk. I wanted to gradually change over a period of weeks to let her belly acclimate to the cow's milk. Notice there was no breastmilk mentioned. Yep. All done. Post to follow.

At 8am, she eats a single serving carton of yogurt. We have been using vanilla YoBaby. She enjoys it. I bought the strawberry banana with cereal variety. But at the moment, we are dealing with tummy issues and a blistered bottom. So, I don't want to introduce anything new that might add to that situation.

At 11am, she eats lunch. This is usually two ounces of fruit and two ounces of veggies with a water sippy cup. I usually give her toast or goldfish to go with it or whatever table food is around for her to try/munch on. At 12pm, she gets another six ounce bottle.

She usually snacks around 2:30pm. This includes goldfish, cheerios, or crackers, etc. and a water sippy cup. That tides her over until 4:30pm for her next six ounce bottle.

Dinner is at 7pm. It is the same as lunch, but I have been cutting up tiny pieces of chicken nuggets to go with it. Her last meal of the day is her six ounce bottle before bed at 8:30pm.

Table food is going OK. She loves pinto beans, chicken nuggets, and all breads! French fries, mac and cheese, fish sticks, and fruits are hit or miss. Most other things are instantly ejected. She does not care for juice at all. But she does sip on ice water. She doesn't do well with sippy cups with chewy tops. The cheap, plastic Take N Toss cups have been the best for us.

Sleep: Bedtime is 8:30pm and she usually sleeps until 6:30am. On the weekends she takes two 1 1/2 naps: between 8am and 11am and then between 12pm and 3pm. During the week, she only sleeps about an hour max at daycare from 7:30am until 3pm. She usually crashes in the car on the way home and sleeps until 4:30pm. Naps are on my bed. I should probably start making her nap in her crib, but I lay with her to get her to sleep (and sometimes nap too). That wouldn't work out so well in the crib. Night time is easy! She still goes right to sleep on her own in her crib. Thank goodness!

Favorites: Kitty. Music, especially "Royals." Snacking. Blankey. Mama's cell phone. Daycare. Playing ball. Going bye bye. Peek-a-boo. Pat-a-cake. Singing the ABC's. Giving loves. Monkey. Getting in the bathtub. Pointing at things. Cheesy grins.

Clothing Size: A few 9 Months things are still lingering. Mostly 12 Months and 18 Months things. She wears a 4 1/2 in shoes according to Stride-Rite. However, it depends on the brand.

Diaper Size: Size 3

Firsts and Milestones: Pulling up. Pushing toys. Standing alone for brief seconds. Says "dada, bye bye, mama, ball." She also says "yes and no," but I don't think she is comprehending why just yet. First night away from Mom! Visited Ikea with Mom on her first trip. Starting whole milk. Fake laughs. Loves to jabber. Six teeth. Second set of tubes. Starting to pitch mini-tantrums.

Worst Moment: The Diaper Rash hell that we are in at the moment. I was just thinking to myself how we have managed to avoid this dreaded thing even after all the rounds of antibiotics. Then out of nowhere, it hits. She has cried. I have cried. I think we are finally on the downhill slope, but it has been a doozie!

Best Moment:It is hard to choose one moment. Especially, when I get behind and do two months at once! There really are too many best moments every day. I love how excited she gets when she sees me. How she giggles when I come into her room in the morning. All the silliness. The personality. She is a mess. I love how much she is loved by others too.

I guess the thing that sticks out the most about her that she is still ever so slowly becoming even more snuggly. I have caught her a couple times snuggling up with me on the beanbag. Until she realizes she is being still. Then its over. Last night we were reading "Love You Forever." As I was choking back tears, she laid her head on my chest for second. It was a perfect moment. I am so blessed with such a wonderful little girl!

Now you know what time it is! Photo dump in 3....2.....1.....

These two kill me! Don't worry, he is not laying on her face!

Feeling good before Tubes: Round 2

Marianne's Baby Shower for Ben

Diva

That face.

Haddie Claus

Cruisin'

Hanging out with my #1

I can't believe the next Monthly Update will be one year!!!

Eight and Nine Months Old

First of all, this little booger is getting harder to squeeze into an Instagram photo! These past two months have been amazing to watch. Each day she does something new to blow my mind. Let's get to the details.

Weight: 19 lbs (slightly above average)

Length: 28 3/4 in (85th percentile)

Eat: She is taking 4 ounces every 4 hours. I feel like this such a small amount, but I was crying a little every time I poured the leftovers she didn't want down the drain.  I think it must be because she is eating solids now. So, I dropped her down an ounce. My electric pump bit the dust yesterday morning. With only a couple months left, I am not buying a new one. Thanks goodness for the manual pump aka "Manuel." Sidenote: I roughly estimated how much money I have saved by exclusively pumping. It came to a whopping almost $1500! I guess that "part time job" is paying off financially.

We are working on the sippy cup. Mostly, she just chews on it. I haven't really found anything that she likes as much as milk, so she isn't as interested in drinking between bottles. But she also doesn't really like to take her milk from it either. I am not being such stickler right now. I plan on really working on it starting next month. I have heard that using the hard lids instead of the silicone tops can helping with the chewing. Maybe we should try that.

Now for the solids. She gets 4 ounces of yogurt for breakfast with some Cheerios, 2 ounces of fruit, 2 ounces of veggies, a serving of oatmeal cereal mixed in, and a piece of toast for lunch and dinner. I also let her snack on Cheerios and Puffs throughout the day with her sippy cup available. She samples anything that I am eating that is acceptable for her to have too. She loved cantaloupe from Auntie Christy, which was surprising to me. She also is a big fan of Sonic ice (Gets that from her Mama).

Sleep: Bedtime is 9pm. On a good night, she sleeps until between 6:30 and 7am. Waking maybe once or twice until she (or I) find the paci. There have been several nights lately that that isn't enough. Those nights, I usually just wind up putting her in bed with me after a few tries. That was fine and dandy until I woke up once and she was at the end of the bed! Now, I am terrified she is going to go overboard while I am sleeping. I am not sure if the bad sleeping habits are because of the change in routine on some nights or because of the FOUR top teeth she has been trying to cut forever! Maybe both. Hopefully, we can get past this and get back to our perfect sleeping habits that Mama loved for so many months...

Favorites, Firsts, and Milestones: Now for the fun stuff. Crawling! Four top teeth (trying to come in). She has found the musical instrument otherwise know as a door stopper. Says "bye, bye" and waves. She smacks her lips when she sees food. Claps her hands together and will occasionally say "Yay," while doing it. Holds her own bottle. Picks up food like a pro. Pets Kitty (not so nicely). Baths in the bathtub. Loves to be in the water. She is becoming very vocal. No more swing. First pedicure. Dances when she hears music. Got her first small shiner on the coffee table at Mamaw and Papaw's house.

Diaper Size: Size 3

Clothing Size: She can wear 9 months, but mostly, she is wearing 12 months. She has also worn a few 18 months items, especially dresses.

Worst Moment: I guess it would have to be the bump on the coffee table. That was probably the hardest bump she has taken yet. She was pretty pitiful, and took advantage of the cuddling between Mom, Mamaw, and I. She is tough, and after a few seconds of the piano app on my phone she was over it. It was really red that day, and I assumed would give her a black eye. But luckily, it barely even left a spot.

Best Moment: We have been battling an ear issue for months! Somehow and at some point, she developed a fungus (Gross, I know!) in her left ear after her tubes were put in. The ENT was unsure how or why it happened and said it was quite uncommon. It started out as drainage when she had some congestion, and then it started to have blood in with it. We tried anti fungal drops for weeks with no relief. Finally, the ENT prescribed an acetic acid (vinegar) drop to use with the anti fungal drops. Evidently, between flushing the ear with the acid and changing the pH level, we found the magic combo. Last Monday we got the all clear! Best news ever.

Our Summer is winding down. I am excited to get back to work. Haddie loves daycare too. So, that helps. Being a stay-at-home mom, has many fun parts, but I think Haddie and I are cut out for more social interaction. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to spend so much time with Haddie during the Summer. It has been so great to see her grow and change over these past few months. I am planning to work on First Birthday Party Ideas post in the next weeks. My little tiny Haddie is almost ONE! Speaking of birthdays, I am so excited about the new royal baby! I am such of fan of Will and Kate. It is the closest thing to a real life fairy tale. Anyways, here are some photos of the big girl from the past few weeks....

Like a boss. 

Supposed to be napping

Chillaxin

Besties

First Pedi

First Shiner

She wasn't a fan of Daniel Tiger

Big Girl Seat

Caught Ya!

He loves to snuggle

Oh, Baby! : The Beach

Bathing Beauty

Hello, friends! Summer is in full swing at this house. I am getting a taste of the "Stay-at-Home Mom" life. It is not just naps and picnics. Entertaining an eight month old twenty-four/seven is quite exhausting. We have to get out of the house at least once a day, or one of us goes crazy. A few weeks ago, we had a spur of the moment opportunity that I just couldn't turn down.

Our spot on Lake Weir (plus Gabe)

Lets talk about a wonderful place: the beach. And how it takes on a whole new adventure when you throw an infant in with it. Some families go to the beach every year. That was not a tradition in my house. Over the years, I have been to various beaches for various reasons: dance camps, mission trips, a few vacations, and a honeymoon. It has been three years since I have had my toes in the sand. My dear friend, Christy, was taking her family to Florida for their yearly vacation. Jokingly, I said I wanted to tag along while we were getting a pedicure the afternoon before she left. A few hours later she text me and said there was room in the family guesthouse, and that Haddie and I were welcome to join them. I have never been a person who makes rash decisions, so this was quite crazy. After securing a more reliable vehicle for the trip (thanks, Dad), I decided to go for it! We stayed on Lake Weir, and one day we drove to Ormond Beach for the day. It was nice to see the ocean, but I actually preferred the lake. It was private, there was definitely not a rip tide or waves, the water was warmer, and it was within walking distance of our accommodations. Haddie had a blast in the lake, not so much in the ocean. More on that later, now for the tips.

Last minute packing at its finest!

Tip #1: Avoid last minute packing when traveling with a baby. Obviously, I had no choice in this situation. Packing for a baby is stressful. They require so many things. My head was spinning. Amazingly, I managed to make it there and back with everything we needed and not forgetting anything. Next time, I will make a checklist and start a lot sooner. I think it was a little more difficult because I exclusively pump and prepare her baby food. In addition to all the usual baby items, I had to have a cooler to transport the expressed milk and baby food cubes. Also, pumping on the road is ridiculous. Hiding out in parking lots and pumping as we were riding down the interstate (I was not driving) is no fun. I love Haddie and would do anything for her, but I will rejoice from the hilltops when I can throw that pump out the window! Trust me, I have a countdown.

Tired girl after a day at Ormond Beach

Tip #2: Plan driving times around sleep schedules. This is just my opinion. It worked for us. We chose to leave out in the middle of the night. Haddie isn't the best rider, so her being asleep was perfect! If she had been awake during the day, I have a feeling that 8 hour trip would have not been so smooth. I know some might not be comfortable driving all night, but for this sleep-deprived, night owl of a Mom, it went well. The ride home was a little harder because there wasn't the excitement of getting to the beach and I was worn out from the trip.

"Sand is delicious, Mom"

Tip #3: Pack the Baby Powder. I am sure we all have seen the pin on Pinterest about baby powder taking off sand. I loathe sand. Loathe. It gets EVERYWHERE. I hate how it feels on me. It drove me insane seeing it all over Haddie. She didn't seem to mind. She even tasted it. Sounds like I love the beach, right? When it was time to dry off and go in. We tested it out. Amazing! While on the beach, I laid her in the stroller, striped her down, coated her with baby powder, and wiped it away. Boom! I am not sure if it matters, but I use the cornstarch variety and not talc. It definitely made the sand (slightly) more tolerable.

The only acceptable nudist on the beach

Tip #4: Take a baby pool and umbrella. I wasn't fond of the idea of Haddie being in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, even with sunscreen. So, an umbrella or canopy was a must for me. I had remembered a pin on Pinterest in the mad rush of packing and decided to throw her mini blow-up pool in pile to take with us. Best decision ever. The day we visited the ocean, she was not a fan of the waves. She hid her face and cried when they came at her while I was holding her, and she was in complete panic when I tried to put her down in the water. So, I filled up her pool with a little ocean water and plopped her down under the umbrella. She was happy as a peacock. Well, for as long an eight month can be with one thing. I was able to lay out beside her while she played. Score. Thanks to the pool she was able to stay cool and enjoy the water without me having to hold her constantly.

Those are the four biggest things that made our trip run quite smoothly. I actually had a blast! Haddie was a superstar the whole time. I was afraid that the change in scenery and activities would completely throw off her schedule, but she took it all in stride. It is definitely a whole new experience to vacation with a baby. It is no longer grab a towel and go to the beach. Now it involves planning for every possible scenario: Where can I heat a bottle? What if she needs a nap? Do I have enough of this and that? In my case, I also had to work in enough pumping sessions and how to store it until I could get it in the fridge. With a little planning and preparation, vacationing on the water with a baby can be quite enjoyable. I am very glad that I took that leap! It was a much needed get away.

Haddie will be NINE MONTHS OLD in a few days. I plan on doing a quick update on her new milestones. She is growing and changing so fast. Bittersweet. Of course, her birthday party prep is in full swing! To close out this post, here are a few of my favorite snapshots  from the trip:

Race Car in the lake

Trying watermelon

Love this chunk!

Last sunset of the trip

It's OK

It's OK. Just keep telling your self that because really it is. I am not sure if it is because we had our End of the Year Celebration for Pre-K today, or if it is just because the year is winding down, but I am feeling nostalgic. That seems to happen a lot lately. I have had so many comments about Haddie and how she has grown. When I see others holding her or look at pictures, I see it too. Even though when I hold her and I feel that my little chunker has grown, she is still just my itty bitty. Thinking back also reminds me of the realization I had not too long ago.

These last few months have shown me that life isn't always the perfect scenario that you dreamed of. I already knew that, but I can say that I have actually lived it. And you know what? I am going to be OK.  I haven't blogged about her 6 or 7 Month Updates. And you know what? It's OK. When it comes to Haddie, I had always envisioned being the Mom that is up to her eyeballs in DIY crafts and keepsakes. Hairbows for every outfit. Holiday décor and goodies for every occasion. Pictures and notes of each tiny milestone. Never a hair out of place. Blogs about each fabulous weekend and outing complete with pictures and video. Obviously, that is not a reality for me. And you know what? It's OK. I will say that I do still envy those that are capable of such. At first, I had a real guilt trip about it. It didn’t help to constantly read other blogs that included Easter Eggs with color coordinated fruit pieces inside for breakfast while I have poor Haddie's bottle propped up with her in a bouncer so I can pump and we can make it out the door in time for school. But you know what? It is OK. She is a happy and healthy little girl with an amazing little personality. She doesn't care that she doesn't have a hairbow for each outfit (yet), or that I haven't blogged about the new foods that she tried (and hated) last month. She just knows that I love her and I take care of her. And that is all that matters.

This brings me to another realization that I have had. Maybe it is because of the search engines, countless Birth Club boards, hundreds of social media friends and outlets, etc., but I feel that there is a lot of hostility and judgment in the “Circle of Mothers” these days. I am not sure if it is because I am a Mom now and I actually pay attention, but I think there is a lot more pressure to do things “this way” and “never that way.” It seems like instead of sharing thoughts, opinions, beliefs in a constructive and helpful way, we blast others who do not agree, see, or share those same ways. I try to be open minded and respectful of others, but I have seen some people say hateful and cruel things to someone (they don't even know) over something as silly as a picture on Instagram. Come on, ladies. We are all in this together. I think I can safely say that most mother's only want the best for their children. We can't know circumstances or reasoning for each choice that is made. I try not to take a “holier than thou” outlook on things and share what little knowledge and advice I can give all while trying to be open and respectful of others. Because after all, I am just trying to figure it all out myself. And you know what? It is OK. I guess I will step down off my soap box now. I just needed to vent a little evidently. I didn't mean to run off on a tangent.

I suppose since I managed to log on to this blog, I can do a little update on my pride and joy.

Haddie is now a little over 26 inches long and weighs about 18 pounds. Mama is still pumping away and making baby food. It is definitely time consuming, but she is worth it. It also doesn't hurt that it is a heck of a lot cheaper! She is doing well with solids. She now eats green beans, peas, pears, and apples. She still despises sweet potatoes and is not thrilled with bananas or plums. We have tried apple juice and Puffs. Neither of which she cared for. She enjoys picking up the Puffs, but could care less about ingesting them. She has one and a half teeth. The second is just kind of hanging out at the gum line. She can sit up like a pro and rolls from one end of the room to the other. She doesn't seem interested in crawling, but gets frustrated that she isn't mobile on occasion. She is no longer in the “bucket” and is now rear-facing in her big girl convertible car seat. She loves paper. She has walker that she only moves backwards in and tried out her pool for the first time last weekend. She had tubes put in her ears at the beginning of April, but she is still bothered with them. Hopefully, we can figure out a solution for her soon. She can say “da-da” and “bye-bye”. She wont say “ma-ma” unless she is whining or crying. She loves to pat things and touch them with only her pointer finger. She continues to learn and amaze me each day. I guess it is the teacher in me, but I am constantly assessing and comparing her to others in her age group. She is not a step ahead of everyone. But you know what? It is OK.

This school year is wrapping up. It will be one I will never forget. Not just because of the special kiddos I had the pleasure of spending my days with, but because my life change so drastically during this year. I am more than ready to spend my Summer with my sweet girl! Not sure when the next post will take place. But you know what? It is OK!

And now for a giant photo dump of Haddie. Sorry, I have some lost time to make up for.....