Mom N Me

Today does not feel like a Monday but it is! My camera is broken which is really bad! I am kind of just a little tiny bit obsessed with taking pictures, and I haven’t been able to for three days! BUT I do have a picture of me and Austin that is recent and fits this Monday Mom N Me occasion :)

Sleeping Prince

Austin just feel asleep eatting some crackers..that has never happend!

Natural Science Center

My sister and I took the kids to the Natural Science Center this week. It was fun but very hot.

The Greatest Gift

I have found that at times I look at Austin and cannot believe he is mine. I can't believe he is here, in my life, and mine to raise and nurture. Before Austin, there was no baby crying, baby giggles, or pitter patter of feet coming down the hall way. There were no cracker pieces in my hair or bath time with rubber ducks. The only things on the floors were shoes and clothes now there are books, toys, stuffed animals, and chewing rings. I didn't have to worry about sharp corners or my cleaning supplies. To me this house was empty without Austin. The person I was before Austin was so different. I look back and it feels like an old chapter in a book. I know that regardless what is going on in my life, I just need to look at him and I can't help but smile and my heart fills with overwhelming love for him. Austin will never know how much he means to me. I have learned a lot about myself since his arrival. To see him grow has been an amazing experience for me. I have seen him since he took his first precious breath and now to see him walking and learning it just blows my mind. As a mother I know that I would take any pain from him. I look at him and know that time will fly by and he will get older and his innocents will be gone. He will know about disappointments, failure, greed, and heartbreak. He will know the "bad words". He will know about drugs and alcohol. He will meet new people that will try and influence him into bad decisions. I want to make sure that my husband and I have done all we can to steer him in the right direction. We want to teach him about all the good in this bad world. I want to teach him that being loyal and determined goes further than being dishonest and unreliable.

Austin will never leave on the weekends, I will never have to consult another person about when I can get my child, and there will be no sharing him on the holidays. He is ours and I don't have to feel like we are missing out in school or other activities. We won't struggle with the thought that the time he is away is something that we will never get back. Those feelings come with my step-son and that hurts enough when it comes to Chandler.

Austin will have a big brother to look up to and to learn from. Knowing they will be brothers and grow together makes me very happy.

So for me to be a (step) mother is the greatest gift I have ever received.

Could it be?

 Does it bother you when know you put something in a specific spot and then turn around and its gone? It happens to me quit often but in the kitchen the most. It always seems to happen during the day as well. I drape my kitchen towels over the handle of the oven and they always seem to go missing! I look and look and I can't seem to figure out where they are going.....

I search and search, they can't just get up and walk away...

I check all the rooms...

I think I might be losing my mind...

or maybe there is a such thing as a Kitchen Towel robber

Mommy N Me

I love this! I think everyday should be Mom N Me! It is hard to get pictures of just Austin and me because I'm usually the one taking the pictures. But I do have some I can use :)

I could look at my punkin all day!

Smart Cookie!

Since Austin has been about 6 months, I try and read to him every day. He has a lot of books but there is one in particular that we read to him. His Aunt Tina got it for him. The book is called, Animals. Each page has four animals on it and I point and say each animal. Recently I have been asking Austin, "Where is the cat? Where is the dog?" Well the last two times I have read him the book he has pointed to that animal! My best friend came over one night and read the book to Austin and he pointed to the right animal three different times. It was great! Then we went to Landon's sister's house last night and I brought the book to show them. I read the first page and then asked him where the cat was and his hand went right to the cat! They were amazed lol it was funny. He doesn’t always point to the correct animal but I believe he is learning and his mind is taking everything in! I got a smart cookie on my hands!

Cutest Toy Story I've ever seen!

He is teething and carries around his teething ring!

My Loves

All my boys :)

Daddy tickeling the boys!

Thursday Five!

I like this blogging activity! When the weekend is coming in close sometimes you forget to reflect back on the week and enjoy those moments that made you smile.

1.) In the morning I love walking in Austin's bedroom when he is awake and being welcomed with the biggest smile! It starts my days off perfect.

2.) Tuesday, I attended church. We had a quest speaker to come to visit and talk about how as Christian’s we need to "Come Alive" The quest speaker was awesome. They had a dinner before the worship and it was nice to be able to talk and mingle with other adults..Because I am with a 9 month old 24-7!

3.) Austin always brings a smile to my face but the way he walks in and out of the living room to the kitchen and carries toys, stuffed animals, shoes, books, and socks it just makes me laugh.

4.) Austin follows me around everywhere! Sometimes this can be tough because I walk faster than him and he doesn’t want to be "left behind" But whether I am cooking, on the computer or putting clothes away he is always there and just talks away. We have our "talks" during the day and they mean so much to me.

5.) I enjoyed the company of my best friend, Alyse. She came over and helped me cook dinner. I love the company of my friends. Alyse is great to talk to and we never have a dull moment. We try and see each other once a week to catch up and since Austin seems to grow everyday she likes to keep up with him as well. She is always there for me and has been for years!

I have had a good week. It has gone by really fast!

My First Award!

I am very excited! I received my first award. I am very thankful to http://beingzaraandzidan.blogspot.com/2010/05/2-more-awards-lucky-me.html for thinking of me. It is so exciting to have blogging buddys! I will keep it going and find more new friends to share this award with. Thank you for following my blog and thinking that my blog was good enough to receive this reward.

Here are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1.) Thank the person who gave you this award.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have tons more to learn about the blogging world but thanks to you I feel more motivated to try new things! I love your blog and you do so much with your pictures, I have no clue how! You are very talented and I will keep following your blog and hope to learn something new. Thank you again.

2.) Share 7 things about yourself

Lets see...

1.) I am a mother of a 9 month old boy that is my whole world and a step-mother to a 6 year old boy that has a special place in my heart. I am a wife to a hard working man, that never has stopped trying his best for his family.

2.) I have lived in Greensboro most of my life and enjoy it for the most part. Not much to say about that.

3.) I have a sister that blogs as well. She is the one that got me started! She takes great pictures and does great on her blog. I try and learn from her and she helps me as much as I ask!

4.) I am a stay-at-home mommy. This has not always been the case. I worked until Austin was 6 months. I enjoyed working but I knew I would enjoy being with Austin all day everyday more and I haven't looked back since!

5.) I love to cook. I don't usually follow a recipe unless its for a big crowd. But I usually just throw what I have together and most the time it comes out great! The only problem is I don't always remember how I made it and then my husband complains because he wants it again.

6.) I love to dance. I use to be a cheerleader at school and would make up the dances for the team. It's a great exercise and it makes me stress free!

7.) Last but not least I would like to own my own business one day. I still have a couple ideas on what that business would be but I think I am in the right direction.


3.) Pass the award along to 10 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!

Here is my top 4 choices!

1.) Christina at http://littlegraciev.blogspot.com/

2.) Kelly at http://joyfuladorations.blogspot.com/

3.) Alisha at http://dellsdailydish.blogspot.com/

4.) Neelam at http://beingzaraandzidan.blogspot.com/

SWEET Celebration

Our family went to Gracie's Birthday this weekend. It was allot of fun. Christina made all of Gracie's treats. Everything was great and very creative. Sean and Christina had put some bubbles in the back yard and other things to keep the interest of the young children. We all had a blast. I think Gracie had a great birthday!

And of course the Princess herself!

That Brother Love

This weekend we had Chandler. Austin loves his big brother. Chandler will run around in the living room and Austin will just a giggle and try and to keep up. Chandler is a boy, so that means adventure; he wanted to put a tent up in the living room. Well I am not setting up our huge camping tent in the living room, so I did best with what we had...which was Austin's Pack N Play. Chandler and Austin sat in there and played for about 30 minutes. Austin was laughing at Chandler and Chandler was laughing at Austin. They are 5 years apart and already show signs of being close brothers. I love it! Nothing makes me happier than seeing that brother love.

Lava Cake

My friend, Ashtyn, her boyfriend works with my husband, so the days that they work late she usually comes over and we cook dinner for them. Well this past Thursday they worked past dinner so we both said, skip the dinner, let’s make a cake!! This wasn't just a normal cake with icing this was a Lava Cake. The boys had to fend for themselves on the dinner and the girls just skipped right to desert.

Loving the Park

Had a great day at the park.

You Know You're A Mom When-sDAZE

When...

Your in a rush and just changed the baby in clean clothes and as you walk out the door he decides to throw up all over himself.

When....

Your searching for the remote and you look and it's being chewed on by the baby.

When...

You walk into the kitchen and the baby has re-arranged your chairs in every corner of the kitchen.

When...

You walk out of sight from the baby and he starts to cry even though his daddy is sitting right in the living room with him.

So blessed to be a mother!!

9 Months Already?

Today my little blessing is 9 months old! Not sure where the time went but I know it flew by. He has accomplished so much in just 9 months.

Lets walked down memory lane: 

His first accomplishment was stealing my heart

Second was rolling over

Then there was sitting

Next came standing

Last was walking...

I'm so proud to his mommy. God gave me the best gift I could have asked for. I thank God for Austin all the time. I cannot imagine my life without him.

Happy 9 months Austin!

Blessed to be a MOMMY!

Today is my first Mother's Day! Last year at this time my little Austin was in my belly and I wanted so bad to speed up time and be able to hold him. Well, time flu by and now I get to hold and squeeze Austin all day
long!

I am spending most of my day with my mother and sister. These are two incredible women. My mother has so much to give and always does her best to make others feel loved. My sister is a great mother to her little girl, Grace. I am truly blessed to have these women in my life! Happy Mother's Day!

Outside Wonders

The flowers are out, the sun is out, why not Austin and I?

He's thinking, If I could only pick a flower for my wonderful mother!

He is not sure what this is...a meatball?

Reach baby! Reach!

Memorable Weekend

It’s Friday! I am usually excited about the weekends because that means I get to be with my family. But this weekend has a few extra special events going on. May 8th will mark 3 years that Landon and I have been dating. We don't usually go all out for this anniversary since we are married but we still like to have date night. This usually means laughing, talking and cuddling. Then a very special day on May 9th, which is Mother's Day! My first Mother's Day! I am very excited. I get to spend that day with the two women I love most and look up too. And the son that I adore and cannot get enough of. I hope this weekend goes by extra slow!

Night 2 down!

Well last night was amazing! We did our nightly routine that I am going to stick with. Which is bath, lotion, pajama's, book, and then bottle. Austin was fighting his sleep though. I gave him a bottle and he almost went to sleep and then he just wanted to wiggle. I think he knew that he would not get his usual visits with momma in the middle of the night. He fought his sleep for an hour until I decided to let him “cry it out” at 9:00pm. I had to lay him down while he was awake and walk away. That was hard for me. Instantly he started to cry. My husband was in the shower so I ran into the bathroom with him. With the fan being on and the shower going I could barely hear his little cries. I just sat on the toilet and hoped when the shower stopped that Austin would have too. Sure enough when all other noise was gone, Austin was asleep. I was so relived and it felt unreal how quick he went to sleep. He now doesn’t wake up at 5:30am, the last two nights it’s been around 7:00am that he wakes up. I have had some great rest the last two nights. I am actually awake and coherent to tell my husband I love him and kiss him before work. I can actually eat breakfast without little hands pulling at my food lol I can get up more rested and get a few things done now before he wakes up. It’s only the second day but it seems to be going well. I just hope it continues. I could get use to this! Night 2 down!

I have to say I am proud of myself. I am thankful for so many people that have supported me also. It feels great to have friends and family back you up and make you feel like what you are doing is right. Thank you!

1 Night down Two more to go

As you have read from past post I have been having trouble with little Austin and his sleeping. Last night was the first attempt at letting him "cry it out". It was awful. I gave Austin a warm bath, massaged him with lotion, changed his cloths and then daddy read us a book. I fed him then he went to sleep around 8:00pm. Usually he goes to sleep at 8:00pm and wakes back up at 10:00pm. I was dreading 10:00pm. I was nervous going to bed knowing soon I would have to be strong and let my baby cry. Sure enough when 10:00pm comes around I hear him start to whimper and my heart drops. So Austin starts crying. I put my head under the pillow and kept taking deep breathes. After about 15 minutes of him crying he stopped. I was relived! That wasn’t to bad I thought. As I started to get comfortable he started again. He cried off and on for an hour. Finally he went to sleep. I checked on him and he was sound asleep. All I could think about was wanting to hold his little body and wanting to fall asleep quick so I could see him in the morning.
I woke up at 6:30 this morning and noticed Austin must be still asleep. Landon went to check on him and he said he was just fine. Austin woke up at 7:00 this morning! That is great. We all got good sleep. I am nervous about tonight because I know I must do it again. I just keep thinking if I did it last night I can do it again and hopefully this time he won’t cry so long. At least I have one night down and just two more to go.

My Lil Heart Breaker

Cheese!

Cool Guy

My Blue Eye Boy

Me & My Heart Breaker <3