Tastes of Fall

So my best friend showed up a few weeks ago.  You might know her, her name is Autumn.  She's pretty darn cool.  I love her visiting and am always so sad when she leaves us.  While she is hanging out with us we make the best of it!

Before Miss Piper, hanging with Autumn included lots of just sitting around with adult beverages and begging and pleading my husband to go to the farms and pumpkin patches with me.  Only to go there and watch other families laugh and make memories with their precious kiddos and feel a tang of jealousy every once in a while.  Now, it was my turn!  Dude, Autumn and I have been kicking bootay this year.

 That's a whole thing filled with corn kernels.  Hello awesomeness.  Nice to meet you sensory learning activity.

 Runnin' thru the corn maze.

 Yup, she caught a corn kernel coming down the shoot.  Nice fine motor skills there, kid!

 As Piper says, "Vroom" and "Beep Beep!"

 I spy with my little eye...a Dada and Piper!

 Mommy, Piper and Auntie Christy.  In Piper words "Auntie Christy" becomes "Thchithyyy".  Loves it.

 Jeremy, where did you go!?

 Uncle Matt, Piper and Auntie.

While driving she kept waving to all the people we passed.  She also kept saying, "Come on!  Come on!" and couldn't understand why in the world they weren't on the ride, too!

Nicely played, Autumn.  A weekend to remember!

*I would also like to add that I have been noticing all the pictures I take, my child is either refusing to smile or looking away.  I seriously hope she doesn't hate the camera like her father does.  Fingers crossed it's just a phase.  I swear, she really is a happy camper!:)

FaLlin' InTo FaLl

We are now in my most favorite season in the entire year.  October and November are my favorite months in the year.  I am like a kid in a candy store right now.

Halloween.  Crisp mornings.  Turning the AC off and letting a breeze blow through the windows.  Cinnamon apple candles.  Caramel apples.  Evening strolls.  Pumpkin patches.  Roasting marshmallows.  Carving pumpkins.  Roasting pumpkin seeds.  Trips to Flag to watch the leaves change.  Sweater, boots and leg warmers.  Pie.  Candied nuts.  The colors yellow, brown and orange everywhere you turn.  Sweet blissful Autumn.

This year I decided to regularly call this beautiful season Autumn because it's just that kind of year.  The word Fall needs to be fancied up this time around.  It needs to be given the credit it deserves by being called a beautiful name.

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This picture is totally random but I love it too much to not share.  It's even framed in Piper's room.  These are a few of my students from a few years back, Jack and Jordyn.  We have become such good friends and Piper has known her all her life.  Ever since she was 3 months, she has always lOvEd Jack. She adores him and wants to do everything he does.  This picture just wraps it all up for me.  Her leaning on him for support, her hand on his shoulder while he teaches her how to drive the race car game.  Looks like Miss Piper has found her first boyfriend;)  And we approve!!!

The Bigger the Better!

As my cousins and I get older things are bound to happen.  Boyfriends, engagements, weddings, babies and a whole lot in between.  It is so interesting being the older of the cousins.  There is such a big age difference and my youngest cousin, Mary, who is now in middle school {cue gasp}.  With all the cousins, starting at me pushin' 30 to the youngest in middle school there's a lot of differences with where we are in our lives.  

I have already gotten married and had a baby, my sister has gotten married, cousins are now in college, graduating high school and generally growing up.  

Sometimes it's hard because, being the oldest, I don't feel like the "cool" cousin I sometimes felt I was-crap, I can't talk the talk anymore, it's just so "cray", hahahaha.  I feel ridiculous even writing that.  And my cousins probably have no idea or can relate to having a career and balancing a personal/family life while raising a child.  

I will say, that with all those differences there is a lot of similarities, too.  The first one I want to bring up is so corny, but honestly, it's the truth.  I feel that we will do anything for each other when all is said and done.  We all love each other.  When we finally get together, which is hard nowadays with everyones crazy lives, you can just sense the love through the laughter and silly glances...we can all have conversations with each other by just exchanging glances by the way:)  

Another thing is that we are comfortable with each other.  We have known each other our whole lives and it shows.  We are comfortable enough to snuggle on the couch while watching movies, share food off plates, say whatever comes to mind even if the possibility of offending someone may arise and comfortable with our appearances with each other.  Sweat pants to family functions?  Uh, duh!!

As we cousins grow up, naturally, our family is growing.  Bringing spouses and babies into the picture.  Friggin' babies people!  It is still surreal that we aren't little kiddies sitting outside eating popcorn and ice cream at grandma and grandpas house while grandpa smokes his cigar and the guys grill.  Now, it's the second wave of cousins.  Piper was the first and Mr. Brayden will be the next.  Now, let me tell you, my cousins-we are all girls.  So, to have a young MAN join the cousin group is the most amazing thing ever!  We can't wait for his arrival and to love on him like crazy.  Poor guy is going to be surrounded by older lady cousins that will be fighting for his attention all the time:)

I can't wait to see the next generation of cousins grow up together and go on vacations together like we did growing up.  Make memories and even when they are separated for decent amounts of time, come together like they were never apart.  Support each other and have a good time together.  Lots o love!

 Cousins with the Grama.  Also known as, the coolest damn lady you could ever meet.:)

Happy Birthday Grampa Bill

Ok, so many of you may know that I totally believe in angels and all that jazz.  WELL, this literally just happened so I had to stop and write it down before I forgot.

Went to go change Piper's wet diaper and for some reason decided to do it on the ground in her room rather than on the changer.  For what reason?  I dont know.;)

As I'm changing her diaper, Piper looks right past me to my left and goes, "Woooooooow!"  And starts pointing.  I casually look up and see nothing so I continue on with changing her.

While changing my child's diaper, she is normally a complete wiggle worm and wants to get up and moving as soon as she can.  This time however she kept looking right past me and stayed completely still and almost in a trance.

Then it happens, I got the chills down my back and a big ass smile on my face, since it hit me what was happening.

Piper, while looking up past me says, "Bumpa".  What the hell!?!?!  This is what my sister and I call my grampa and the only time she has heard this word is when we're driving and we say hi to him when we pass the cemetery.

After she says this, she starts giggling and waving and then continues on with her, "Wooooow" and an occasional kiss to the air.

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So, I think I know exactly what was happening here today Grampa!  You are such a sneaky one sometimes:)  I miss you and think about you on the daily.  I'm so glad Piper knows your face and that you are there to guide her and all of us through life.  Love you forever and ever and Happy Freaking Birthday!!!  You are missed beyond belief and today we celebrate you and your amazing life!  Cheers to you and I think it's time to drink some Tullamoredew!:)

How Aimo Got Her Groove Back

Last Tuesday I wrote and showed a more vulnerable side of me.  A bit more gloomy, if you will.

It was a rough few weeks and transitioning back to being away from my tagalong sucked.  Real bad.  And then I got sick.  Nasty!

I felt I was just sinking and nothing was there to help pull me out.  So I prayed, meditated, made sure to get myself healthy and reflected a lot.

Then, it happened people.  Not even when I was expecting it.  I did something that got me out of this icky-i-dont-even-wanna-be-around-myself funk.  And when I realized what I had done to get me all better, my reaction was, "DUH"!

I danced.  I turned on some of my favorite Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears songs and danced until I collapsed.

If you know me at all, you know that I freaking love dancing.  At every wedding, where can you find me?  Dance floor baby!  With a drink in my hand and a smile on my face.  I love dancing because it strips everybody down of all things that make us different.  It comes from within.  Everyone has their own style or favorite move, but it all does the same thing to your soul.  It makes you laugh, feel embarrassed at times, gets you to let loose, gives you goose bumps and can even make you emotional.

It was Thursday and Piper loves music so I decided to turn on an old playlist that I hadn't listened to in a while.  Jer was watching tv on the couch.  I turned that sucker down and blasted that music as loud as we could stand.  Piper and I danced and danced and danced.  Normally I'll dance like that by myself and not in front of people, especially Jeremy, but I needed this.  I needed it in a bad way.

I remember after about an hour of full out dance moves, remembering old routines, and trying to teach Piper how to point and flex and how to do a perfect arabesque, sweat dripping down my face, my shirt clinging to my body, looking at Jeremy.  He just had this huge smile on his face and said, "Welp, that was fun!  You feel better now?  Haven't seen you that happy in a long time."

Right then and there I realized it.  Every single day of summer, Piper and I would have a dance party.  We would stretch and dance to old school music, country two steppin music and even flutter around like prima ballerinas in tutus.  I was missing this since I went back to school.  And I was miserable.

Well not anymore!!  The daily dance party is back and it feels damn good!!:)

Hmmm

When I go through and read blogs, even my own, I find that every entry is about the joyous and happy times.  It definitely brightens my day hearing all the great mommy stories and how the day started out so rough but it ended on a high note.

But then I was starting to think, holy cow are these mommies that much better than me that they only have good days?  Never experience frustration or moments that you just break down?  Is it bad to write about it for everyone to read?  Obviously people don't want to read constant complaining, but its good to vent right?

Well, I think so!  I feel it's therapeutic for people to express emotions and even write them down.  When I read about someone having a rough day or something they didn't expect happened, I almost feel relieved that they are human too.  I don't think everyone can be perfect at all times of every day.

I write this because I have been feeling a little "off".  I have been completely overwhelmed by school and all the changes there.  I feel like things keep getting put on my to do list but nothing ever gets taken off.  Then I got sick and that was just the icing on the cake.  I just haven't been myself and feel like there's a big negative aura surrounding me and I hate it.

With that said, I wonder what other people do to center themselves again.  When life goes a bit haywire, what do you do to bring yourself back to you?

I clean.  I love to clean and get things in order and organized.  I wear lipstick.  Makes me feel girly.  I wear heels.  Makes me feel like a lady.  I shop.  That makes everything better.

With this crazy schedule our family is on now I don't get much time to do those things.

 So what do you do?  I'm curious!:)

The End.

Summer is coming to an end, sadly the nasty heat isn't.

I am thrilled and nervous about this school year that is ahead.  I have taken a new position that is very new and innovative which is exciting and yet nerve-wrecking at the same time.

Helping daddy with dishes quickly became bath time!

I say it every school year, but the summer went fast!  Honestly, this summer went way too fast.  August 1st is going to be a hard day.  I love what I do, but dammit I wish Piper could be there too!

I'm going to miss my little love bug.  She has been my tagalong for the past two months.  Splash pads, little trips here and there, pool time, sprinklers, listening to the rain in the car, coloring, puzzles, dancing, cooking, laughing, we did it all!

 Shadow people-I love that you can see her cheeks even in the shadow.

 Our teething bathing beauty at Splash Pad.

 Her reaction to the fireworks!

It was a good summer and I'm sad to see it go.  Now, I'm just going to cherish the weekends that much more!

Feelin' the Love

I have been noticing lately that there is definitely a big baby BOOM happening all around me.  Coworkers, friends, family.  These gorgeous little blessings are popping up everywhere!

I don't know what it is but I have always loved babies.  LOVED babies.  When I was young and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say a teacher and then almost immediately I would add, a mommy!  I think it's just in my blood.

Obviously, there is no love like a mother's love for a child.  There is nothing like it.  It's amazingly powerful and so intense.  But I will say, I love the babies that are in my life.  No, they may not be my own but I still love them.  When I see them I squeal with happiness or I'll even tear up the first time I meet them.  I really do love them and want to see them grow up happy and knowing that they are all loved.  

With that said, I am starting to notice the love for my own child in others around me.  I notice friends, family and even our neighbors!

 I notice them sitting in a pile of ants while Piper plays with a toy.  I notice them sweating bullets when it's 110 degrees outside because my daughter is happiest out in nature.  I notice when they get down on the ground even though it's uncomfortable just to play with her, pull out books and any random toy they can find around their house to make her feel comfortable.  I notice when they pick Piper up and whisper sweet nothings into her ear as soon as they see her.  I notice them making her a first birthday cake since they've known her "all her life, since she was inside the tummy".  I notice when they actually talk to her and pay attention to her and include her in what they are doing.  I notice all these things and I see how loved my daughter is.

I am a strong believer, especially being a teacher, that it takes a village to raise a child.  I am so blessed to have a great village of family and friends that love and support my child.  And I feel so lucky to be a part of other kiddo's village as well.

Keeping It Cool

OoOeEeY!  It is hot, hot, hot!

My bug loves to be outside all the time which makes it a bit difficult to keep her mind and body busy when it's 113 degrees outside.

I've been getting rather creative with what to do with Piper to keep her cool outside, other than the pool.

Her favorite activity so far was to make, what I call, water bombs.

Quilt.  Check
Water bomb.  Check
Bucket o' water.  Check
Grassy area.  Check

Time to have fun and keep cool!

*Can't wait until we can do this is our own backyard someday rather than out front of the condo where the whole world can see.*

My Faith and Hope for the Future Has Been Restored

OH.MAH.GAWD!

I am so happy and hopeful for our future after what I had seen today.

Not to be a complete "Debbie Downer" but I had lost a whole lot of respect and hope for the younger generation.  Yes, there are the bad apples in all generations, but the younger one, ick.  I have been experiencing so many times where I have been disappointed by the actions, lack of respect, rude beyond belief attitudes and my list can go on.  Honestly, I was becoming almost hurt and yet at the same time really fricking pissed off.  I've had to restrain myself from "educating" the rude ones.  It could have gotten ugly.

And now I feel a sense of relief.  After experiencing all the negative attitudes around me, I FINALLY got to witness something so sweet it brought a tear to my eye.

Jeremy, Piper and I were at Target.  As we came to the cart bin area, we caught a glance of an elderly woman(in quite a fancy getup by the way) who was struggling horribly to get into the wheelchair cart.  Just as Jer was about to go help her, a young girl probably about 14 came out of nowhere to help her.  She picked up her cane and held her hand while she stumbled her way to sit down.

ALLELUIA ALLELUIA!

We watched and I immediately said, "My faith in humanity has been restored."

Yup, the girl helped her.  Didn't laugh, didn't walk past her, didn't roll her eyes, didn't ignore the struggle, but came out of nowhere and HELPED.

I hope that girl knows what she did.  I hope her parents know what she did and what an impact she made.  Those little acts of kindness really go a long way and don't go unseen.

Lollipops, gumdrops and unicorns

I believe that there are moments in life that are happy.  Happy with bright colors, happy with a certain calm feel, happy with an excited tummy that makes you squeal.

When I was in 8th grade, I had to talk to someone about some issues I was having in my little world.  I remember an exercise she had me do.

"Close your eyes and picture something that makes you happy."

When I did that, for some reason I pictured massive lollipops in every color and gum drops falling from the sky being caught in bright green and yellow umbrellas.  Having a white dress on and rolling through green grass, greener than I've ever seen.  Fairy godmothers, little fairies that live in the forest, a land full of unicorns that glisten in the sunlight.  I don't know why those things came into my head, maybe I was holding on to my youth when I was being forced to grow up in a weird and awkward way.

Now that Miss Piper is here, I want her to use her imagination and believe in things like that.  Believe in things that will make her happy whenever she needs it.  No, it doesn't have to be my massive lollipops or glittery unicorns, it can be anything that she makes up in her head, she decides.

We went to Munds Park this weekend on an impromptu getaway.

I had my lollipop and gumdrop moments thats for sure!

The weather was perfect and Piper loved to be outside in the fresh air.  We even looked for gnomes and fairies hiding in the woods;)

One of my favorite moments however was when all three of us were taking a nap in the bed at the same time.  It was calm and peaceful.  I swear there was a unicorn in the room:)

Big Ace

She's one, she's one, she's really really one!

We got Miss Piper's one year photos done by a very talented young photographer, Ace Fanning.  I will say that this guy has the best personality.  He had Jeremy and I laughing hysterically the entire time.  I loved the experience that we had with him.  Not only did we have a good experience, but Ace was able to capture our little munchie's personality.  Piper adored him and loved being goofy with him.

Here are some of my favorites from our day!

There were so many pictures that we loved.  How the heck are we going to decide which ones we frame?!

Thank you Ace for everything!  You are so creative and so business savvy.  You have us as return clients for sure!:)

Summer is Here!

Hip hip hooray, summer is here!!  I will say that it was very hard to say bye to my first graders this year.  They were an unbelievable class and really made me LOVE my job.  I think I needed them to bring me so much happiness after a few rough groups:)  However, it is so nice to have my days with my girl!

I have a bucket list for this summer.

1.  Cook/bake-I've already picked out a few dishes and drink recipes that were delish.  Thank you pinterest for making me a better wife:)

2.  Swim lessons with my lady- CHECK!  We have that all scheduled and we get to experience that with a good friend from college and her son.  Can't wait!!

3.  Father's Day surprise- Can't tell just yet:) heehee

4.  Hit up a Goodwill and find something amazing.  This may be difficult but I will find something without settling!!

5.  Once a week do a random act of kindness.

This summer is going to be fantastical.

 Zoo time with my wiggly worm.

 She digs pudding.

 My fave part of summer?  Super cold lemonade!

One more challenge this summer is getting this girl to nap without being held.  Nap in her own crib!  Somehow this year that little habit began and as much as I love it, I hate it.  She needs to sleep in a crib for nap time.  Fingers crossed!

 Bathrobe makes its appearance again.  My how it is so much smaller this summer!  Ha ha ha.

Dr. Kanagal got a visit from Miss Piper Hornbeck today.  All I have to say is, those shots are a heartbreaker.  I think it gets worse every time we go-having to watch her get pricked.

She is currently weighing in at 21 pounds which is the 50th percentile and 30 inches tall which is 75-90th percentile.  Still our little model:)

 This cracks me up.  Tantrum happening.  Cant you tell with the super straight legs?  Such a goober butt!

 Piper and I had our first girls weekend while daddy was in Colorado.  It wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be, quite honestly.  I was exhausted by the end of the day, since daddy normally takes the early morning shift while I catch an extra 20 minutes.  Lemme tell ya, that 20 minutes really makes a difference.  We definitely missed big daddy and couldn't wait for him to come home.  Pipey even stayed up late to see him.  She was so excited she started to cry, so sweet.

 I would like to take stock in RuffleButts.  Cutest clothes ever.

I'll end this bloggy blog with a reflection.  At this time last year, last summer, it was crazy.  Jeremy was in SuperDad role and I was adapting to being a mom.  Super hormonal and just trying to discover my role as a mother.  We were waking up every two hours to feed a hungry baby and change her teeny diaper.  Learning how to swaddle a baby who hated every second of it.  (She still hates being confined by the way)  So much has changed and we have grown so much as a family.  Good things are a comin'.  I can feel it in my bones.  As long as I have my Jer bear and monkeybutt by my side, it'll all be good!