embarrassing attire

Post a picture of the most embarrassing article of clothing you own.

my favorite capris in all their glory around my 8 month preggo belly

I love these capri's and I'm sad to say... I'm going to retire them today because it is the most embarrassing article of clothing I own. I bought these almost 10 years ago but I'm not exactly sure what year; sometime during college. I liked that I could pair them with a tank and that the band was thick and didn't dig into my belly. The length was pretty good and they didn't have elastic on the bottom making me have to pick them up every 3 minutes. I wore them all the time, kinda retired them for a while, and then broke them back out when I was pregnant. Well, I wore the crap out of them with my oversized bump and now they have a gigantic whole in the butt, the elastic is coming through the top band and there is absolutely no fit left to them... but they were my favorite. Honestly, it's so hard to say good bye. I wish I could buy another pair exactly the same. Yes, they are embarrassing to be seen in now... but that doesn't make them any less comfortable. Never-the-less... it's time to move on.

facts of life

Post 7 random facts about yourself.

1. I love going to the dentist.

2. Caffeine has no effect on me. I could drink an extra large cup right before bed and go right to sleep without a problem.

3. My second child's name has already been picked; boy or girl. For someone who insisted I was only having one child, this is hilarious to me!

4. My favorite color is yellow.

5. My favorite and least favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.

6. I have no idea how to do laundry properly. I will wash everything all together on cool/warm with fabric softener. Occasionally, I'll wash towels/sheets separately on hot... but most often, it all goes together.

7. Even though I went to college and even have my masters, I think additional schooling past HS is pointless unless you have a job in your field already or if you know exactly what you want to do without any hesitation at all.

never have I ever

What's one thing you've never done that most people have?

I have never seen The Hangover. Not the first, or the second. Yes, I can identify some movie quotes because everyone LOVES the movie and has seen it a few hundred times. But not me. I guess one day I'll sit down and watch it and see what all the hype is about.

good deeds

What was the last good deed you did for someone/someone did for you?

This topic kind of threw me off... And that's pretty terrible huh? How awful is it that I can't think of a good deed that I've either done, or had done for me recently. I think the reason why I was so taken aback was because I was looking for something like volunteering your time, chasing down a purse snatcher, giving money to the homeless. But I think a lot of little things can count as good deeds, too. Routinely in the morning, I hold the elevator for at least one other person. While I never give money to homeless people on the corner (probably because I doubt they use it for food and more likely for alcohol), I *always* give money to firefighters or police officers with their boots when they collect at intersections. Even if I have to pass through the intersection twice - at least I know that money goes to something good. Those are good deeds right? I bought and donated school supplies to a drive in our office. I mean, it's something little... but every little bit helps right? I do wish I had more time to devote to actually doing good deeds on a regular basis.

A good deed that's been done for me? I have to say I'm VERY thankful for the daycare/sitter set-up I have for Caleb. As much as an adjustment it has been to have to return to work, to have to leave my boy with someone else, I'm glad he's with someone I already know and trust rather than a group of people at daycare with many other babies. He's also around other children (3 months and almost 3 years) but not to the point of having to be nervous that he's going to catch a bunch of germs. She's been so patient and kind with all of the "let's try this" and "what if we did that" to get him used to different bottles and figuring out amounts for his feedings and his crazy no napping to finally a normal napping schedule. She's doing a great deed for us because it not only gives me comfort knowing he's being taken care of, but she isn't charging us an arm and a leg for that comfort. And that's a HUGE good deed to me.

14: make your mark.

Do you have any birthmarks? Tattoos? Piercings? Scars?

No. Yes, yes, and yes.

I don't have any birthmarks but I certainly have my fair share of freckles and skin tags, especially after pregnancy. Tattoos - just one. Piercings - my ears, tragus, and my navel. Tragus sounds scary right? It's just that little thing in the middle of your ear. Scars - a 6 inch stripe across my lower belly <3

your handsome face: month 4

Caleb,
Four months already? This month was a hard one... While you're learning seemingly something new every day, you seem to have bouts of sadness and crying more often, too. I love to see your smiling face as you are starting to recognize me when you see me, but sometimes, you just will not have a good day. No matter what your mood, you always seem to have a way of reminding me that life is so good especially when you're near.
I love you always,
mommy

Four months

Caleb,
Being a baby is hard work! Just when I think you're settling into a routine, we shake things up on you. You're still adjusting to being with Natalie all day long, taking a bottle, sleeping in a crib, etc. Meanwhile, your mind is working overtime learning how to pass toys between both hands, rolling over from front to back, using your little voice to make high pitched noises and even giggling sometimes. I'm getting so excited with every new thing that you learn and can't wait until you start forming words with all that babble you've been doing, or being able to identify the objects you pick up, or actually reaching for something because you know what it is and want it! Some thing's I am so excited to teach you and have been excited for those things for a while... Sleeping through the night was not one of the things I anticipated having to teach you or help you to do better. I almost feel like I've done a disservice to you by not anticipating this trouble that you're having, but I promise. Your momma is learning, too, and together we will make you a happy sleeper!

Sorry your pictures aren't fabulous this month... You were in a very grumpy mood. But I love those little puckered lips anyway!

Love you always,
mommy <3

13: to be or not to be

Would you rather be rich or healthy?

Rich. Because if I were to get sick, I could just buy a cure... like Michael Jordan. People who are rich don't get sick and die. And even if I did happen to get sick, so sick that I would die... while that would suck, I could pass on my wealth to my family.

I know I say that now, but as I look at my son, I know there is so much to look forward to and so much I could miss out on if I did get sick and pass... or even just to sick to enjoy those things. It's a hard decision... but I still think rich is the way to go.

12: worst injury ever

Write about the worst injury you've ever had.

I have never broken a bone - except for my second toe on the left foot which is now crooked, but who really counts a toe? The only thing that I injured that could have come close is tearing the ligament in my right ankle when I was about 12 years old. My mother will probably remember this. I was outside with my sister building a snow man and I pulled the sleigh filled with snow on top of myself or slipped or a combination of the two... I wish it was some dramatic story like, "they were throwing me up to the top of the cheerleading pyramid and I slipped and tore my ligament but we still won first place!" But no... It was in the "backyard." In the cold snow. And my mother didn't even believe me when I yelled up to her to tell her I couldn't walk back into the house. My dad had to carry me over his shoulder to the car and from the car into the hospital. I didn't even get a cool cast as they only use an air cast on that type of injury. I was told that it was more painful than breaking a bone and to this day I still can't stretch my foot out as far as the other one. I have to say it was pretty cool to have to walk around school with crutches though. :)

what an accomplishment.

Write about one of your biggest accomplishments in life.

Well, hey. I'm all caught up! That's a friggen accomplishment in my book. No, but seriously, as I sit here at type this from my phone, I feel accomplished. Most recently, breastfeeding my son has made me feel a sense of accomplishment that truly makes me more confidant in myself as a parent.

I am a firm believer that your support system and conviction in yourself will have a direct effect on your success with breastfeeding. Not that there is anything wrong with formula feeding or even supplementing a half and half style... Breastfeeding is hard and it's not for everyone! For me, I gave birth via c-section and think that it made starting to breastfeed that much harder. I had a hungry baby in my arms but a body that I don't think knew it had birthed a baby and hadn't started producing milk, sore nipples from poor latch/improper positioning multiplied by the fact that I couldn't sit up or move without feeling my incision site... Yea... There are a lot of hurdles to overcome before you can get to the point of exclusively breastfeeding. But I knew before I have birth to KC, I wanted to breastfeed him for at least 6 months to a year. Four months later, we're still overcoming new hurdles with nipple confusion, Drs who don't support my decision to EBF, and figuring out exactly how much you need in your bottles each day while I'm away at work. Pumping is a chore; there's no doubt about that. But, for you, I'm doing it and I feel awesome about that! I hope a year from now, I can look at this post and maybe even still be breastfeeding you. There are proven benefits to breastfeeding and even if it kills my breasts right now, even if you start biting me in a few months (oh, please don't do that), I'm still going to work at this and find a solution. We've already made it through the first 4 months, (wow, time flies!) and that is quite an accomplishment for the both of us. :)