"We Heart Kisses" at I Heart Faces

I Heart Faces is gearing up for Valentine's Day with a "We Heart Kisses" photo challenge. I just had to post one of my favorite "kissy" photos....

Monday Carter Edition #59~I've Got Sunshine...

I've got sunshine

On a cloudy day

When it's cold outside

I've got the month of May

I guess you say

What can make me feel this way...

My Girl

29 and Holding!

This past weekend I turned 29. It was sort of overshadowed by the fact that I'm just a little tired, and we are still adjusting to the newest member of our family...but, it was still a very special birthday. Mainly due to the fact that my husband always goes out of his way to make me feel adored. I used to think this was just the norm, but I realize more and more that he is about as special as they come. He also makes me laugh, as in when I opened up the cookie cake he and Carter got me and it looked like this...

When I asked him if he had them write that he said no, he just told them I was turning 29 and would like a lot of icing. He couldn't have been more right. I love that he knows the road to my heart is paved with butter cream icing (a trip the spa and a new ipod are pretty nice too). The cookie made me laugh, but it was also kinda' true. I am 29 and holding. Not in the sense that I never want to be 30 or anything like that...but, in the sense that I am doing my best to hold on to the moments that are right here in front of me. Some of those find me feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted, but they also find me feeling like maybe, just maybe this is exactly what life is all about. Two little lives that need you and a man that you are madly in love with, I couldn't ask for anything more...

For the year ahead I'm hoping I can hold on to all the little moments that really matter...let the ones that don't go...and treasure all that I've been given.

*Note to self: This is the year Carter picked out a "barking birthday card" for you. She had to have it and sang along with the dogs as they barked.

Monday Carter Edition #58~Guess Who...

Is spending the week with Monday Carter???

That's right Roxi's in town! We are three very happy girls!!

I can't think of anyone I'd rather...

...share my birthday with than you! Happy Birthday to my very best friend and sister...



The best birthday present is one I've already gotten, getting to live in the same town with you! This is gonna' be fun!! I love you, have a wonderful day!

Calling all members of the Ma-Ma Sisterhood

You may be asking yourself what the heck is the Ma-Ma Sisterhood? Well, I just made it up...and if you have ever uttered the words "I'm breastfeeding my baby" or better yet "That's about as good as a Soothie on a sore nipple" you're in!In other words if you're a guy, this blog posts NOT for you!

I breastfed Carter for a whopping 13 months, but we got off to a really rough start. I was so sure that this time would be different. I just knew that things would go so much smoother. I was wrong. The last 10 days have been painful and I've thought more than once, "sure would be easy to just make a bottle". I think the issue was an improper latch initially (Carter's problem as well) and by the time I corrected it I has some nice sore "ninnies" as Carter likes to call them. Cracks in places there should not be cracks make feeding your baby like entering a torture chamber every few hours.

I think at this point things are looking up. But, being that so many of you are moms I thought what better place to ask for a little advice. What are your thoughts, tips, and pointers for getting through the "early stages" of breastfeeding. I'm determined not to give up, knowing that once you break through it really is an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. So Ma-Ma's I'm all ears...

Beam Me Up Scotty

Continuing on with the saga of Carter and her latest blow to the mouth (which you may remember from a couple of weeks ago)...

We just took her to the pediatric dentist to have her two front teeth checked out, and she looked a little more like a space cadet than a dental patient...

One tooth had started to change colors, which is really all the indication you need that there is a problem, but I still felt the need to have a "professional" confirm it. Unfortunately it is confirmed, and it looks like we may have a visit from the tooth fairy in our near future. While my post baby hormones may have contributed I definitely shed a few tears and gave myself a guilt trip about the whole thing. A few hours later, and with a healthy dose of perspective under my belt, I realized it will all be fine. She may be missing a front tooth for a while, but let's face it, there are worse things in life. Besides our soon to be toothless wonder seems a lot more excited about the possibility of meeting the tooth fairy than she is concerned with missing a tooth. She teaches me more about life than I care to admit sometimes, and her glass half full approach is one I'm trying to grasp a little better. Thanks Carter, for being four, for being positive, and for loving life...I love you munchkin'.