Dear 18 Month Old Simone...

Dear Simone,

Hello you wild little monkey, you.  You are certainly learning to voice your opinion these days, and you are quite....opinionated.  Although, if you weren't I would be beyond shocked.  You see, sweet Simone, your Daddy and Mommy are a lot like you... or more you're a lot like your parents.  When the task is frustrating, when we have to leave a friend's house, or when you're angry you get upset and make your voice heard.  I know it's hard to understand why you're not allowed to climb on the kitchen table, but I promise that we just want you safe.  Someday it will all make sense...

What's amazing about a kid like you is that your opinionated side comes out in other ways, beautiful ways.  For instance, there's no wondering who you love, when you love someone we all know it!  You show affection freely giving hugs & kisses to your family & friends.  One of my very favorite things you've been doing is holding my (or Daddy's) face in your tiny hands & looking right into my eyes.  After a good long look at me, you throw your arms around my neck and squeeze me with the best hug I've ever felt.  It makes any of the challenges of our day melt away.  It tells me that you are happy and proud of your Mommy despite mistakes I make along the way.  And, I could never really put into words how it FEELS... but I think it's along the lines of pure sweet bliss.

You are also talking up a storm!  You've mastered many words (Daddy, Mama, cup, keys, cheese, Ozzie, Landon, doggy, kitty, baby, shoes... to name a few) and you're working on many more.  We are always impressed by how much you understand.  Even when you don't want to listen, you show us that you understand what we are saying.  I see you playing pretend with your babies, your cars, and blocks.  Some days I can't believe you're the same tiny baby girl who we first snuggled a year & a half ago.

We love our evening walks out front... and now that you love to hold hands with Daddy & I, it's even better!  Stealing moments with you looking at the trees Daddy planted, snuggling on Saturday mornings as a family, and family kisses & hugs before bed time are some of the most meaningful moments I've ever had in my life.  Daddy & I also love working with you in the garden, and while taking care of the yard.  You have become such a great helper and your love for the outdoors shows.  One of the sweetest things you do is when there is a big gust of wind, you throw your arms out to the sides and toss your head back.  You really feel everything around you and we just feel so lucky to be a part of your life.

We are so proud of how you have excelled at swim.  You were awarded your first level survival medal a few weeks ago.  I was beaming with pride and couldn't believe how far you've come in your lessons.  Right now you can float (airplane) on your back by yourself, reach up for the wall, almost climb out of the pool alone, and go under and find the step.  You're confident and comfortable in the water and each day you show me how independent you are becoming.

Simone, you are smart and beautiful, but more importantly you are determined.  I hope you carry that through your entire life.  Even when the world weighs you down, because it will no matter how hard I wish it wouldn't, keep that determination.  Hold on to it, and no matter where you go in life it will serve you well.

Most of all, Simone, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for being my girl.  Thank you for being a trooper when things aren't easy.  Thank you for every little thing that makes you, YOU!  Even the stuff that challenges me.  I love you more today than I thought I could yesterday and I can't wait to see what adventures are next!

Love always & with all of my heart,
Mama

Ever Try to Save a Few Seconds, and Make Things Crazier?

Apples for the first time

Well, I have.  Did it yesterday!  Simone has been a little fussy about me feeding her.  Don't get me wrong, this chick loves to eat!  She eats all of her food and takes a boobie for dessert after every meal.  But, apparently I'm way too slow at getting the spoon refilled and in her mouth.  I think if I worked a two spoon tactic it might go better.  She's very independent when it comes to certain things, and she grabs the spoon from me to try to feed herself.  Problem is, her coordination just isn't there yet, so food goes every where!

Peas.  See that grab?  That's what I'm on about...

So, what's a genius like me to do?  I've heard from Moms about these food pouches that kids love.  And, I'm such a Rhodes scholar I thought, PROBLEM SOLVED!  Let's give Simone the chance to feed herself!  Entering Target I sashayed towards the baby food section.  Just full of myself thinking look at me... promoting independence in my sweet girl, who's far superior to other seven moth old babes who need to be spoon fed.  Motherhood has a way of not only knocking you off of your high horse, but it kicks you several times after you've fallen into a pile of horse "S".

Oh, look at that sweet face.  So smart... so wonderfully behaved.  After showing her how to squeeze it a few times, and her doing it perfect (perfect = a few dribbles) I was completely full of myself.  More like full of something else.

She was telepathically telling me... "Mom, this is better."  We have this "connection" you know... 

Engage palm to face.  

I walk away to grab a bib, and suddenly hear a loud squeal followed by banging.  I look over and she's slamming the pouch on the table of her high chair.  Running towards her she's splashing me (and our walls, curtains, and dog) with apricots & sweet potatoes.  After I grabbed the pouch I had to snap this picture.  That little monkey was in hog heaven.  

 Ryder (our dog) was already running around taking care of the mess on the floor.  Kids love dogs, and dogs sure as shit love kids.  I had to post this picture on my Facebook & Instagram, because I had proudly posted her feeding herself moments earlier.  It was like Mommy karma.  Simone learned a bit about sarcasm, too.  As I told her "I really WANTED to wash the walls & curtains anyways", with an added Liz Lemon eye roll.  

And, you KNOW the cheap-o in me came out.  I scraped up every bit of food that landed on her or the high chair that I could and spoon fed her.  Don't worry, I went extra slow to try and teach her something.  Kidding of course.  

So, for the record, those pouches are pretty cool.  But I'm taping up plastic tarps next time... or doing what I should be doing, sitting there helping her keep it (somewhat) clean.

Hope you all got a kick out of it.  My best friend called me and could barley breathe when she saw the pics!

Pin Pal Gift Exchange

Elizabeth over at Get Busy Living did a "Pin Pal Gift Exchange" for the month of April.  I got paired up with a rocking super-mom named Kelly.  She lives in New Jersey and is a new mom, a full time working mom, and just got into her Ph.D. program.  Whew!  Made me tired just typing that!  She is an expert at cloth diapering and is living a vegan lifestyle.  You can catch up with her on her blog Hoppy Bottoms.

Kelly made me a really adorable beauty jar gift!  I love it!  She included my favorite nail polish (Essie), a top coat, and supplies to do a mani.  She also included my favorite mascara, tweezers, a Starbucks gift card, a letter A, all wrapped in a mason jar (my fave!).  She did a super job at personalizing a gift for me.  It was exciting when the mail lady brought it up to the door, too.  Getting mail is so fun when you don't know what's inside the box!

After boxing up her gift and getting it to the post office just in time to meet the dead line, I sadly forgot to take a pic of my gift to her.  

I had a blast doing this months Pin Pal exchange.  I'm debating on next months only because May is an insane month for our family, but I still might try to participate.  Check out Elizabeth's blog for the details if you would like to join in!

Dear Six Month Old Simone

Dear Simone,

Today you are six months old.  You are half way from the first day you arrived in the world and only half way from your first birthday.  When you were born I could not prepare myself for how much I would love you, or how much being your Mom would mean to me.  My Mom would tell me when I was young that I would never understand how much she loved me until I had a child of my own, and she was right.  

Your beautiful eyes see the world in a way I can only imagine.  You examine everything around you and from a young age have been acutely aware of your surroundings.  I watch you watching your toys, other children, and your Daddy & I.  I see that your mind is moving faster than mine, and I keep that thought with me as I go about my day.  Right now, you are learning so much, so fast.  Though, you won't remember this time when you are older, what goes on now will play a role in who you are forever.  You are smart.

Playing on your tummy, rolling over, and sitting up.  Your strength is astounding.  Passing your toys from hand to hand, and playing with your Cousins & friends.  Your nickname isn't monkey for just any old reason.  You wiggle and move any chance you get.  You're no longer a tiny infant.  Doctor Judy says you'll be on the move in no time.  I'm just trying to cherish every last moment that you are as little as you are right now.  You are strong and growing up.

You have your very own way about you, and your personality is beautiful.  Everyone who meets you knows it, and tells Daddy and me.  Your smile is infectious, and your laugh makes me feel more joy than I knew possible.  I know as you grow up you will know the power of being a social person.  Remember to include others who are on the shy side.  I know you will, because you are kind.  

Our life before you is a bit of a fuzzy memory by now.  It's hard to think of when you weren't with us, because it feels as if you've always been a part of our lives.  But, six months ago at this exact time of day Daddy and I were just staring at you hoping that we could be as good of parents as you deserve.  

I'll end this by telling you we are so proud of you, we are so in awe of you, and we are so excited for what life holds for you.

Love you forever and for always,

Mama

My New Passion...Walking

So about a month ago I decided it was HIGH TIME I got my buns back in shape.  I feel the pressure of bathing suit season approaching.  Especially in Arizona, because that starts in April, FRICK!  So I started doing my favorite at-home workout Jillian Michael's Thirty Day Shred.  It's super cheap (I got it at Walmart) and it kicks your ass.  Side note, Jillian looks like my friend Jenny!  Ha, Jenny!  I always think of you while I'm basically crying through my workout.

I started doing this twice a day.  Which was a sick joke.  The second workout was me flopping around like fish out of water.  So I decided to just do the work out three days a week.  The other days, I've taken to walking.  I'm now kind of obsessed with walking.  It's easy to do with Simone.  She usually sleeps, or watches me while playing with her toys. 

I've been walking about a mile here or there.  Then I started pushing it to two miles.... I walk up to the grocery store and buy little things I need and then walk home.  But, the other day I went for the big kahuna.  I walked a total of four miles.  I don't a light stroll either... I power walked this bia (the word I say so I'm not caught saying the B word in front of Simone...)!  By the time I got home I was totally pooped, but I felt like I worked every part of my body.  It was a great workout.  I even told Todd that I think it was harder than Jillian.

It's not like the old days where I would just hit the gym for an hour and push my body to the brink.  I have to get in my exercise any way I can.  I try to do things all day long to push my body.

What do you do to stay in shape?

That's what I'm talking about...

Simone's Carte Du Jour

When did this happen?  Our precious baby can now eat like a big kid (kind of).  It's bittersweet.  I love being the person who can feed her, and in that same breath I say hallelujah because I get somewhat of a break (can I get a "hooray, beer"?).  As I posted in A Regular Girl's Breastfeeding Experience I love nursing this sweetie.  Seriously, it makes me feel so great to give her everything she needs.  BUT, a big but (like in the Sir Mix A lot song...) watching Simone devourer new foods is pretty freakin' sweet.

Everything she tries has the same response.  It's hilarious.  First we nurse for a few minutes, it gets her into the "eating" mode, and then we eat some real (aka really mushy) food.  She eagerly opens her mouth, dives into the spoon, and gives me a face & look as if I just fed her a lemon topped with Sriracha!  Post lemon-sriracha look she dive bombs the spoon again realizing that she now loves the new food.  

Her first (beyond rice cereal...which is clearly just really thick boobie milk) food was avocado.  We love it in this house, so clearly we are trying to gear her towards our tastes.  First bite, I was thinking commmmmonnnn guac girl.  By the second it was clear we created a smart child.

Yay, Dad... I can get DOWN!

The Progression of Carrots

Bananas are a big MEH...

The only food that she had a slightly different reaction to was strawberries... it was a, shall we say, thoughtful response to that sweet taste...

See what I mean?

I'll keep posting about her first foods as we head further along this road.  So far I've been making them at home, but I'll fully admit I bought a few of the jarred baby food for "on the go" meals.  It's nice to have something as a stand-by... HELLO judge-y eyes, I see you over there! ;) 

Can I just add, this girl really is a character.  My Mom used to call me a "ham" when I was a kid.  I would always play up for the crowd.  She always swore that someday I would be an actress or comedian... what do ya know, Mom... I just wanted to be like you! :)  That's exactly what I see in Simone.  She's so social.  She loves strangers (something we will have to work on...) and has to chat with people while we are out and about.  I wore her to the grocery store the other night, and you would think it was just her walking around.  Every parent says this (as they darn well should), but this girl is something SPECIAL!

Who, ME!?

Bits of Seriousness

Many of you reading this know me.  For those of you who don't in December of 2011 I lost my Mom to overian cancer.

 

She was diagnosed with stage four cancer and almost four years post diagnosis, after sugeries, radation, ROUNDS AND ROUNDS of chemo... the cancer had spread to her liver and she passed.

 

I don't think I'll ever get over losing my Mom.  Because she was so young, because she was one of those people everyone connected with, and espically because she was my Mom.

 

I was lucky enough for my Mom to watch me get married to Todd.  She looked like a dream at the wedding... she was on an "off" time of chemo, doing really good, had her own hair, and was able to kick up her heels a bit.  So happy & thankful for that.  I just wish she could have met Simone.

 

After my Mom died, my whole focus changed.  I realized the only thing that matters in life is your family.  This change in my focus caused me to really examine having children.  Leading Todd & I to begin trying to have a baby.  Which lead to the greatest silver lining in our life... Simone Michelle. 

 

Being pregnant, having a brand new baby, and being a Mom for the first time is daunting.  For me, it was even more so without my Mom around.  I wished so many times I could talk to her, ask her advice, talk about what it was like when she was pregnant, or when I was first born.  But, without her passing, we wouldn't have Simone.  Sure, we might have had another baby down the road, but for it to be this exact little person we have today it had to happen when it did.  For that (and a million other things), I'll always be grateful to my Mom.

 

I miss her everyday.  I think about her all of the time.  And, I know she would be proud of the person I've become since losing her.

 

 

Lunch Time

This week I wanted to cook from our family cookbook every night.  Two years ago my Mother-in-law gave us a great gift of recipes in a family cookbook.  She used a great website called TasteBook where you can add to a cookbook from recipes on the site, or add your own family favorites.  I love ours because we can make her special meals even when she is all the way in Michigan.  Although, I never claim they are as good, because it's always better when Mom makes you something with love! 

Todd, Me, & Linda (aka Mom)

I wanted to share a few of the meals we are making out of Mom's cookbook because they are amazing, creative, & beautiful... just like her, go figure!

Last night I made Kale-Quinoa Salad.  Now, Todd introduced me to Qunioa (sounds like KEEN-WA) a few years ago.  I was skeptical, but seriously this stuff is better than rice and WAY healthier.

Don't be scared fellow junk food lovers!  This is one healthy salad that this mac & cheese craving, meatloaf loving, and brownie scarfing girl can really get down for.  And it's insanely simple to make.

You will need...

Kale, one large bunch, finely chopped

Quinoa, 1 cup (1 cup quinoa cooked in 2 cups of water)

Dried cranberries (*really ties the room together, man.*)

Almonds, finely chopped

Olive oil, drizzled all over ingredients

Lemon juice, drizzled over all ingredients

Combine first 4 ingredients, add olive oil and lemon juice sparingly (to taste).

Store in covered container in the fridge.  Better when sits over night... but we ate it straight away and it was perfect!  We had this with turkey wraps and left over pumpkin soup from the night before...I'll post that recipe, too.  It's my hubs favorite thing of all time...except for his little beeb, Simone!



ENJOY!