Guest Post- Brittany @ Everyday Thoughts

While I am off enjoying sandy beaches, a ten hour flight with a two year old and sunshine, I have lined up a few guest posts by some of my favorite blogger friends for you! Today, I want to introduce you to Brittany. Brittany and I met through the Bigs & Littles Blogging Network. I am so grateful to have been partnered with Brittany- she's such a sweet girl with an adorable son, Austin. Let me introduce you to Brittany!

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Hi, I’m Brittany from Everyday Thoughts and I’m so excited that Sarah asked me to be a guest blogger for her while she’s on vacation. I’m so jealous happy for her that she is getting to experience it with Aubrey, what a blessing. I hope that she’s having a wonderful time, soaking up every second, and taking lots of pictures.

I’m a new mom to a three-month-old little boy. As a parent I have so many hopes and dreams for my little man. One of those is to travel the world. I dream that one day I can take him skiing in the snowy mountains and journey with him to the pyramids in the blazing desert. I hope to hike with him through the luscious rain forests of South America and sit in the sun with him in front of each of the world’s majestic oceans. I want to experience the world all over again through the eyes of my child, through his curiosity and innocence.

Growing up my family always made sure that we took a vacation every year and no matter where we went each vacation was always, always, always a special time for us to remember just how important it is to relax, enjoy life, thank God for our short time on earth and enjoy one another. My family vacations are some of my most treasured memories and I just pray that I can provide the same loving memories for Austin as he grows up.

Now onto the shameless plug... I’d love it if you stop by and visit my blog, EverydayThoughts, a lifestyle blog dedicated to my journey as a working mom, sister, wife and friend who loves to cook, read, stay up on the latest trends, and dedicate my life to a God that has given me so many things for which to be thankful.

Friday Letters 5.17.13

Vacation weekend-
Yay! You are here! It's only been a year in the making. I wish I could say that I am excited but to be honest, I've got a lot on my plate. At least I finished all my major work projects so that's all buttoned up.

Sickness-
Seriously. With Aubrey going to the ER on Tuesday, I am so thankful that her puking has stopped and she seems to be in better spirits. I wish I was. I woke up Wednesday with a slight sore throat. Thursday, it was so much worse and now I had chills, fever, body aches and a diagnoses of Strep, just 36 hours before vacation. Yippie.

Packing-
I'm staring at a half empty suitcase. Can you please finish for me?

Blogger friends-
I will see you when I get back! You better prepare yourself for lots of vacation recap posts:) 

The Bloglovin' Collective

I am thrilled to be a part of BreAnna's collective! I have met so many great blogger friends through her link ups that I was so excited to be a co-host. If you've never participated, feel free to link up! It's a lot of fun and you will meet so many great new blogger friends!

<center> <a href="http://peacoatsandplaid.blogspot.com/search/label/bloglovin%20collective"> <img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/bre916/bloglovinhop200_zps1f5121c1.jpg" border="0"/> </a></center>

Welcome to the weekly Bloglovin' Collective party! 

There are many out there like it, but this is the Bloglovin' blog hop you do not want to miss.

Host:

Bre from Peacoats & Plaid

and my co-hosts for the week:

Ange @ Hairspray and High Heels

Jacqueline @ Nora and Jac
Tessa @ Tessacotton
Sarah @ Dreaming About Baby
Jacquelyn @ Just Jacq
Chrissy @ Parlo and Logi

Interested in co-hosting? Send an email to peacoatsnplaid(at)gmail(dot)com to get on the waiting list.

Emergency Room

I know some of you were concerned when I posted this photo on Instagram last night:

We had a rough 24 hours and I am glad to say that everything is fine (as of right now!)

It all started yesterday at 3pm when I picked up Aubrey from daycare and we went to her pediatrician for a check on some pimple-like spots that popped up under her lower lip between her chin. They wouldn't go away and some spots were showing on her body and arms/legs. The doctor determined that Aubrey had a form of Staph infection on her chin and that's why it's not going away on its own. She prescribed two antibiotics. One oral and one topical. We headed to Target to fill her prescription.

We got home and Aubrey seemed a little tired but nothing abnormal. She hung out on the couch with her baby doll.

At 5:45, Micah was cooking and Aubrey went into the kitchen complaining about her belly hurting and the next thing I realized, she was projectile vomiting. I took her up to a bath and Micah cleaned up the kitchen. Aubrey's been known to randomly vomit on occasion especially if she's eating something and she gags on it but this time she wasn't eating. We waited about 30 minutes later to give her the first dose of her medicine. 30 minutes after that, Aubrey and I were on the couch snuggling and she puked again. 

As I was cleaning her up again and giving yet another bath, Micah looked up Staph infections and discovered that if there is committing associated with it, it could be fatal and wanted me to call the triage nurse line of out pediatrician office. As I was on the phone with the nurse, Aubrey puked again this time all over IMicah. Because she had been throwing up prior to giving the medicine, the nurse wanted us to bring her to Children's Hospitsl's emergency room. I immediately started to cry. This was too much. So we washed up and off we went. 

On the car ride to the hospital. Covered in a towel, just in case.

We checked in and got Aubrey a wrist band and waited 1.5 hours to be seen. It was frustrating seeing so many people going in before us even though they came after, but I realize they prioritize by severity rather than first come, first serve. It took everything to keep Aubrey from going crazy in the waiting room. 

Finally we got back in a examination room:

Just watching TV. No biggy!

How cute is she in a hospital gown though?

A nurse and a octor came in to see Aubrey. They decided that Aubrey's staph infection was not severe enough to cause vomitting and they didn't know if the Staph and the vomitting we're related so they decided we would bring Aubrey home and treat them separately. I was relieved that nothing critical was going on with Aubrey and if we had to do it over, we'd still take her in. I'm not looking forward to the bill on this though! 

We got home around 10:30pm and got Aubrey into bed. She was so tired and she actually passed out in her carseat on the way home. She climbed into bed and tried to cover herself up. Too bad we had to change her into her pajamas. As age was laying down, she puked a fourth time. Poor baby! 

Aubrey woke up several times and I ended up sleeping on her floor with her so she would have someone if she started throwing up again. Aubrey had diahrea in the middle of the night and felt slightly warm with a temperature of 99.5 degrees under her arm. Besides the Staph, something else is going on. 

Today, I stayed home in the morning and  headed to work in the afternoon. So far she hasn't thrown up but she's still slightly warm and has the runs. She definitely does not have an appetite either. I'm hoping she gets well soon before we head off on vacation. 

Mother's Day

Sunday was Mother's Day. In year's past, I haven't had the best mother's days. I guess I expected too much especially from a sleep deprived papa of a 3 month old. My second mother's day was better and I think so far, this year was the best.

Aubrey woke us up around 7:30am. I definitely could have slept for several more hours, but that's always the case. She crawled into bed with us and we watched tv together and I got/gave lots of kisses and hugs. I'm pretty much obsessed with kissing Aubrey and giving her squeezes.

I got up to use the restroom and when I came out, Aubrey was holding a card and a little box. "Here mama!" I opened the card and before I knew it, Aubrey was opening my present. She was so excited. Micah and Aubrey gave me the cutest necklace.

I felt like the worst wife ever and I was confused why Micah got the turquoise colored stone when Aubrey's birthday is in February and has an amethyst (purple) stone. Micah didn't even think of that. Whoopsy. Oh well. I still love it.

We had breakfast and hung out at home before putting Aubrey down for a nap.My mom was hosting mother's day at her house at 12:30, which is right in the middle of Aubrey's nap. We put her down at 11 and she typically sleeps for at least 2 hours still, so we told my mom that we would most likely be late. Sure enough, we were there at almost 2pm. Eep!

We got there and warmed up some lunch- quiche, fruit, my great-grandma's pancake recipe, banana bread and cheesy potatoes. So delicious. We opened cards/gifts and then headed outside for photos.

Four generations. Aubrey, Me, My mom and my maternal grandmother.

Three generations (and I fixed my shirt!)

My love.

Me and My baby

Without this woman, I wouldn't be here. My grandma.

Giving Great-Grandma kisses.

Giggles with Great-Grandpa Don

Aubrey with Nana

Me and My mama.

We left my mom's house around 5:30 and headed home. We ate leftovers from dinner the night before around 7:30, gave Aubrey a bath and then we cuddled on the couch while Aubrey watched a movie on the iPad and Micah and I watched the finale of Survior. It was a great day filled with family and spending time with my lovey. Happy Mother's Day!

iPhone photos 5.5- 5.11.13

Boy was this a busy week! Life has been so crazy preparing for vacation and lots of family events going on!

Sunday was my niece Trinity's 7th birthday. I cannot believe it's been 7 years! It seems like just yesterday we found out that she was born!

She's all about American Girl dolls right now. They even matched!

Reading her cards

Silly Hair

Trinity got a bed for her American Girl doll and when she wasn't looking someone decided to play:

I think Micah and I might be in trouble... Aubrey LOVED it.

Then it was time for ice cream cake!

Afterwards, we went over to my sister's apartment to show Aubrey her cat, Dan.

She loved to make him eat his food. Ha!

Lots of random things also went on this week. We got a new inner shower curtain and a clear one this time. Aubrey thought it was so fun... potentially dangerous, but fun.

Every chance she gets, Aubrey wants to be outside and that makes me such a happy mama!

And I enjoyed it too!

I got some dental work done- only 1 small filling, but still. I was numb, sore and unhappy.

Temper tantrums before 8am are not very fun for anyone.

But I love her (cheese-y) smiles:

Micah got new shoes and asked me to take a picture of them to see if they looked dumb. I don't think so at all:

On Friday, I got a little something extra from Aubrey (and daycare) that made me tear up:

Can I hold Aubrey's hand forever?

Saturday I did something I rarely do. I met up with some girls that I've never met. I put myself out there to meet new people and I am glad that I did. It's so not who I am, but I am trying to push myself and make new friends especially after what happened (read here and here). So I went to meet up with the Minnesota Blogger gals and do yoga! I've been doing yoga twice a week for the last 6 months or so and it was so nice for Katie to organize this! So much fun. 

Photo from Kelly. L to R:  Katie, Zhenya, Kelly, Melissa, Diana, Brittany, Dawn and Me!

After yoga and some lunch, We headed to the mall for some more last minute pre-vacation shopping. I am in love with seeing Micah and Aubrey together. Love.

As always, linking up with Kat! (Unless she had her baby!?)

Thoughts on Mother's Day

ISamantha is hosting a May is for Mom's link up and in honor of Mother's day, I have interviewed myself as well as my mom.

Aubrey and I this morning

Questions to myself:


1. Before you ever even had children, how did you feel about being a mother?

I never really pictured myself being a mother yet married to an amazing man. Let me back up for a second. During high school, I never had a boyfriend and I was convinced that I was going to grow old with tons several cats. I met some guys and dated around in college for a few years but nothing that was anything longer than a 3 month relationship- until I met Micah. Once I knew that he was the guy for me and especially after we were engaged, I knew I wanted a family. I could not wait to see what amazingly beautiful child we would create and love one day. I am so glad that I finally met the man of my dreams or else I don't know if I would have ever had a family.

2. Since becoming a mother, what is something that has happened that you never thought would?

I never thought that I would be able to breastfeed in public. I remember when I was younger seeing a mom nursing in public and I was a little offended by it and embarrassed for her that she was doing that in public. I never imagined that a few short years later, I wa letting it all hangout and happily nursing my little girl in public places. My modesty went out the door after Aubrey was born. I never imagined that happening! It wasn't about me anymore. 

3. Is being a mother less difficult, more difficult or exactly how's difficult you imagined?

It's so much harder. I guess I never realized how much goes into being a mom. It's more than just loving and providing your child. My entire being is entirely dedicated to Aubrey. She's in my thoughts constantly and even though I am doing a good job at raising her, I still have my doubts and fears. I am sure my mom had all those same feeling and never really let it known how much goes into being a parent.

4. What is your fondest memory of being a mother (so far)?

I have so many great memories of Aubrey. I wish that I remembered more from when she was born- darn magnesium! I don't know if I can pinpoint on specific memory, but hearing Aubrey say (and mean) "Mama" was pretty amazing. Since then, the first time she rolled over, crawled, walked, gave me a kiss all on her own, say to me "I love you, Mama".... those moments are all so incredible.

5. If your children only learn one life lesson from you, what do you hope it is?

To live their lives to the fullest as today may be their last. I lost my dad way too early in life (I was 18 years old) and I know that within an instant, things can change forever. I want Aubrey to know that she needs to seize each day and make the most out of it.

Aubrey only one month old. She's changed me so much since she was born! 


Questions answered by my mom:

 1. How did you feel the moment you found out you were pregnant with me?

I was totally excited and a little nervous being my first pregnancy.

2. Was I a wonderful surprise or carefully planned?

You were planned but was surprised how fast I got pregnant (one month of trying)

3. What was the most challenging time in my childhood? Why?

You were such a joy as a child, always happy and oh so smart...you were such a little mother to both Andrew & Rachel...most challenging time was junior & high school age..your depression and problems with your peers was a difficult time. Being our first born we were not smart about getting you help.

4. Did you worry more about me as a child or now that I am an adult?

I worry about you more since your dad died and your depression was diagnosed.I still worry about you now...

5. What is one thing that you thought was deeply important when I was a baby that you now realize did not matter at all?

We were told to keep you on your stomach and now I know that isn't true anymore.I was pretty strict about the rules regarding breastfeeding and now that has all changed also.

Four generations at Aubrey's baptism: Aubrey, Me, my mom and my grandma. Without these women, I wouldn't be here.