Dear Shane.....

I know the day is steadily approaching..that day you will make the first of many sacrifices for your family and your country. You are going to leave behind all that you have ever known for weeks of physical and mental strain..only to be rewarded with another 7 months of time away from us.
It seems so far away but I know July 19th will soon be our tomorrow, and I can't help but think about a million different things. I am totally being selfish when I think "what am I going to do without you?". What will my days be like without my best friend, my biggest fan, my daughters father, my husband? I can only imagine what's been on your mind. I keep a straight face when we talk about it...Its not fair to burden you with more stress..but the truth is underneath this cool, calm and collected woman's demeanor, her heart is breaking a little more everyday. How am I going to do this by myself? I know our family is here, so that brings me some comfort....but no one can replace you. No one will be sleeping beside me Indian style, poking me with their knees...rolling around mumbling things that make no sense..and kissing my forehead before they roll out of bed.
I know how much you love us....and I hope you know how much we love you, and appreciate you. We are the luckiest little family in the world with you in it.
I know with this change I have to do my part to support you...it would hurt your heart too much to know how I feel...So out of respect for this decision we made together I will only write these fears and never tell you..I am having doubts that I can run a successful household without you. I am nervous I will forget to pay a bill, afraid our daughter won't remember what it's like to play with you, scared of how lonely I am going to be, and absolutely terrified that one day you may not come home. That being said......
I am so incredibly proud of you and hope the next 12 months go quickly. I already can't wait to have you home again...you are now a real life hero, like so many other soldiers serving. Thank you for being you and for loving me.

XoXo
-Your forever grateful wife

We walked because we can!!!

We participated in the annual ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) walk this weekend. Definitely good stuff for your soul!
So I will dedicate this post to the people affected in hopes of raising awareness.

Protect your baby this summer!

So while planning for my trip to FL next week I started making my list of things to buy and pack (FUN FACT- I am a ridiculous list maker, and will probably make 3 more before I leave) and sunscreen was of course towards the top. I feel like in Florida the sun is a little shinier than here in NC and I needed to do some research on the best options for not only when we would go to beach but jus practical everyday use.
There is so much more to sunscreen than one would ever think. Last year I just ended up perusing the isle in Walmart reading all the labels for the "best" protection available for my then 6 month old. I chose the number 1 pediatrician recommended brand of Coppertone's water babies(SPF 50), the label says it offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and is also hypoallergenic and waterproof.
Sounded like just what I needed for my girl...I am so glad I decided to do some research this year, because that is definitely NOT something I will use on her again. A friend from my mommy board shared this site when I brought up the topic. It lists the most popular brands and compares what the brand claims to do vs what it actually does/doesn't do. Take a peek at your's!!!

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/buyer-beware/

Did you know the FDA is not allowed to regulate the advertising these companies use? So basically they can put whatever they want on the tube/bottle/can regardless if it is true or not. I was angry when I read this website telling me my baby was not protected from the possible damaging effects caused by the sun, and to top it off this product even contains possibly harmful ingredients.
An FDA study found that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight. Retinyl palmitate is found in a LOT of sunscreens, so check the ingredients. Also oxybenzone, which is a "potential hormone disruptor".
This is my babies health we are talking about....how is it fair to clearly false advertise when my daughters well being is at stake?!
Here is a list of the top brands available

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscreens

I found California baby brand at Target and Babies R Us, Badger brand at ULTA, Johnson & Johnson's at Target..and the others available to order online(mostly through amazon).

I decided, based on the reviews to use the Badger brand and picked some up at my local ULTA store today. I wanted to share this info because I am sure there are other oblivious moms out there just like me!

Pumpkin Diddle

So my big lady is 14 months old. She sits on her potty everyday before bath time, and even though she doesn't understand fully what it's all about ....she looks mighty cute sitting like a big lady!
We are waiting for our vacation next week to FL. We leave Thursday and are so excited! Not so excited about the 8 hour + drive with a 1 year old, but she isn't a terrible rider so we should do just fine.
She went on her first vacation at 1 month old...to Florida :) it was easier then because alls she did was sleep. She flew the first time when she was 6 months old (the trip was a disaster- but she did surprisingly wonderful through it all)....We have made 3 2 hour trips to Myrtle beach too.. So my pumpkin has been well versed in proper travel etiquette, and I am positive she will be on her best behavior! She won't cry because she is tired, whine when she wants a snack, scream because she wants out...and I know for a fact she won't smack herself in the head because she is frustrated.
The only thing I can do is prepare myself for every little thing that can possibly go wrong, and I will be fine...right?! Well the good thing is I drive an SUV so I have plenty of room for the over packing that's about to happen.
I will make a list of my must haves for long road trips with a toddler once I find out what I needed and didn't :)
Have a happy rest of the week bloggers!!

Just can't fight this feeling anymore!

Inspiration, things to do, encouragement, fulfilling

So I am reading blogs and just thinking about things that are going on around my life and I got this feeling of wanting to actually "do" something good. Sure I donate to good will..I am participating in the annual ALS walk this Saturday...I try to help friends in need, yadda....yadda....yadda....
For some this may be more than enough, but I only find myself partially fulfilled. I feel like there must be something out there I can do for a great cause that will help quench this thirst! I am doing some research on options locally that are kid schedule friendly- but that seems more difficult than I anticipated. So I have resorted to possibly doing something online.. I just have no idea what I want to do or how I can help. I already have a pretty full schedule, but can't fight this feeling! If anyone has any ideas, I am totally open to suggestions!

St. Patrick's Day

Daddy and Emerson(3/17/2011)



Daddy and Emerson (3/17/2010)







Hubby come's from a long line of Irish, take a peek at the scrapblog celebrating the current 3 generations :)

http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbid=1571497

Piggies

This week has been everything piggy. We had our first set of pig tails...and our first pedicure, with pink painted piggies!

 This was before I was able to clean it up a bit- she's a kicker.

My week!

It's been a few days since I last blogged..here is a quick post to catch up!

Em has been a sweet little model for my tutus..I have been crafting up a storm, perfecting my bow making abilities and I am pretty happy with what I have done. Business isn't booming but I think it's too hard without a huge following or "fans" to entice. So I am about to open my etsy shop, should be way easier to make sales but I will also have lots of competition.


My trees think its spring time and have began to bud..so pretty but smelly.. I think I am the only one that notices. Anyways I went through and stored all of Emerson's clothes..what a day..my husband thought I was insane when I picked up a newborn sleeper like there was a baby in it. So yeah I have a bad case of baby fever, what's so wrong with that?! I'm married...my "baby" is over a year old...we are financially stable..so no biggie right? I have yet to find a reason not to. Welllll except for the small fact that for the next 9 months my husband will be in training, but that can be a positive for him so that's not a deal breaker.


The rest of the week we played outside..went shopping for summer clothes with grandma and just relaxed. I am still trying to get used to the idea that I am an Army wife..and will probably be one of those ladies you see with a bumper sticker that says I <3 my soldier- and I hate bumper stickers :)

SHE LOVES THIS SWING.

SHE LOVES GRANDMA'S PINK SEAT

THIS ISN'T EVEN HALF OF IT, THERE WAS SO MUCH SHE NEVER EVEN WORE.

THE NAUGHTY STOOL

PIG FACE, THAT'S MY GIRL!