New Look & Catching Up

I've been missing writing my blog lately, (as weird as that sounnds) and was thinking it was about time for a change. So this is it, The new me. If I have any readers left after my horrible lack of blogging over the last two months I'd be amazed...I guess thats what happens when you work 40 hours a week and have a toddler and husband to care for. ;) 

I'll be the first one to admit I was pretty unprepared for it all. I'm still getting into a routine and trying to juggle everything, which seems impossible most days. Let's just say I have a new found respect for all you working moms out there and especially my mama who worked and raised four children. Despite that, overall life has been pretty good. Things aren't quite what I was hoping for with this new job but then again they usually aren't. I'm praying things get easier as time goes on. 

[Enjoying some snuggle time with Grandma in St. Augustine]

My son is growing like a little weed and it seems as though he's doing something new everyday. He makes me smile and helps me forget even the most awful of days. I really wish I could slow down these sweet moments just a bit so I can enjoy them a little longer. In January we celebrated Bubby's first birthday and really enjoyed our visit with his Grandma. She loves him so much and we had a great time visiting St. Augustine and getting everything ready for Bubby's first birthday party. I was a little sad that the rest of our family couldn't be here with us, but so thankful we were able to share it with my mother in law. 

[The Birthday Boy, One Year Old!]

[La la la la...it's birthday time!]

[Finger Lickin' Good...]

Since then we spent the entire month of February and March being sick one time after another, (thanks grubby little daycare kids...) and Bubby ended up with a bad cold that turned into a double ear infection. We thought he had gotten better when another ear infection came on and he had to get more antibiotics. Not two days after he was done with his second round he caught another cold and he is still fighting it. We've been told by his doctor along with everyone and their mother that it's normal for kids to catch 7-8 colds their first year in daycare and I can't even think about how we are going to get through the next nine months of this!

 Every time he gets sick he passes it along to my husband and I which makes for an unusually cranky household. My job doesn't pay sick time until you've accumulated so many hours over the year so it has been extremely difficult to schedule doctors appointments and take trips to the er when I technically can't leave work and not get paid for it. I could care less about losing out on the money when it comes to making sure my child is healthy but it really frustrates me how behind the times America is when it comes to this sort of stuff. As a parent when your child is sick it's stressful enough without having to worry about being fired if you leave work because they need to see a doctor. Since we are a miliatry family and we recently pcs'd here we don't know too many people or have any family close by that could help out during these times. Sometimes I really wish we lived closer to home! 

Anyway, there have been lots of exciting things going on along with all the crappy stuff. Bubby started walking last month and I still can't get over how adorable he is walking all over the house. ♥

[Walking around with his basketball♥]

 I also found out that my husband was planning to surprise me with a visit from my mom who I've been missing so much lately. She'll be here in a little less than two weeks and I absolutely can't wait! I'm still going to be working of course but we will have the weekends together and will get to celebrate Easter and my birthday while she's here with us. :) I can't wait to take lots of pictures and do some sightseeing around Florida and hopefully Georgia. I'm so ready for what this month has in store for me and am thankful for all my blessings. If you stuck around and made it through this neverending post then God Bless You! Lol ;) Until next time...XOXO. 

Growing up

Change isn't something that usually happens overnight, instead it tiptoes in slowly, quietly leaving its mark on your life. I realized that this morning as I chased my ten month old around the house, playfully dashing after him while he crawled at light speed. "Where has my little newborn gone?" I stopped and thought to myself while catching my breath. The chubby little rolly polly who couldn't even sit up on his own and nursed what seemed like every hour? It seems as though it was just yesterday. At times the days and weeks seemed to drag on, while other days flew by. In a few weeks my little baby will be eleven months old and no sooner will I blink and he'll be a year. They say the days are long but the years are short and well, they couldn't be more right. 

{Newborn Bubby...one of my all time favorite pics of him snoozing so peacefully. ♥}

Its a beautiful yet incredibly bittersweet feeling to watch your children grow up. I have good days and bad days as a stay at home mom, but always try my best to soak it all in. To cherish the days filled with more kisses than I can count, to capture the moments when he does something new for the first time, and to just remember him how he is now, at this very moment. ♥ I know he will continue to change and grow, and I am so grateful for the chance to witness it. 

   

{Dancing on his changing pad. For some reason it was always his happy place♥}

These days he is curious, stubborn, playful and sweet. I am constantly amazed by how fast he learns new things. Recently he started calling me "Mama" and I can't deny it melts my heart every time he says it. :) 

{Getting him dressed is definitely a challenge now that he can move so fast!}

I'm so lucky to have such a smart and smiley little boy. His favorite time of the day is bath time! He loves splashing and playing with his bath toys, along with eating the bubbles every now and then. ;)

{Bathroom selfies! So fresh & clean after his bath.}

He is learning everyday and has recently started snuggling anything and everything he can. Every time he does this, I die a little, simply because its so damn cute. ;) I can actually tell him to go snuggle Elmo and he will go find him, pick him up and snuggle him!! ;') 

{Elmo & Bubby snuggles♥}

He's also a fan of his monkey. ;) These two are the things he loves to snuggle most, other than me! 

{Sorry its blurry, but this little guy moves fast!}

 Recently we took Bubby to a park near our house and he got to go on the swings for the first time. Seeing the smile on his face as the wind rushed past him was a memory I will cherish forever. 

{Weeeeeee!}

We're also trying to start good habits by brushing his four little teeth everyday which proves to be quite the challenge. This little guy sure gives me a run for my money when it comes to this! ;) 

{Toothbrush shenanigans...}

Things are changing each day around here, and its a beautiful thing.♥

What's changed in your life recently? 

8 months

I don't know how it happened, but somehow this day came out of nowhere. Today you are 8 months. 

As I sit here typing this out & looking back on our time together I am amazed at how quickly you have grown up. It seems like only days ago I held you for the first time, and was amazed at how much love I felt for you. I feel like I'm going to blink and we'll be sitting here celebrating your first birthday.

These last eight months have been beautiful, trying, lovely, stressful, joyous, challenging and in a word a gift.

Motherhood has changed me in ways I never could have imagined. 

{This face! ^^ How could I not love you?}

Even though there are days when I am exhausted & I feel like a complete failure at this motherhood thing, I am trying my hardest to cherish each day. To snuggle with you while I still can, to kiss you a million and one times, to breathe in the sweet smell of your baby shampooed hair and to hold your hand and catch you when you fall.

I know there will come a day when you no longer need me as much, & although I love seeing you grow up there's just something about it that's so very bittersweet. I am so lucky to be your mama....I love you sweet boy. ♥