Mommy Musings

I know I've been married for 6 1/2 years and have two kids already, but some days I feel older than others. And in the past few weeks I have been feeling *really* old. Because not only am I old enough to have had a mortgage for almost 7 years, but we're not working on REFINANCING that mortgage. Seriously. How old does that make me sound? And the worst part about it??? I'm excited!!! Okay, well I'm half excited. The prospect of saving a couple hundred dollars a month makes me all kinds of giddy and excited.  Think of all the money that could go into our savings, or the girls college funds, or maybe on my feet in the form of a pair of grey, high-heeled boots! {hey, a girl can dream right??} But I'll be honest, the part I'm not so excited about is all the paper work, phone calls, and online searching we'll be doing.  So far all we've been doing in the process is looking into different banks to compare mortgages and what kind of rates and closing costs they...

First time meeting Santa!

In just three short years my Little M, my first born has gone from this to this to this to now this. How has time flow by so quickly?  My little one is no longer a baby, not even a toddler.  She is a little girl now.  She is a girl who brings such warmth and light into our lives.  She is such a sweet soul who simply enjoys life.  She is happy, thriving, and the most precious angel I have ever been entrusted with.  Every day with her is a gift and I could not be prouder to be her mommy.  We gave her life and she is the one who made us parents.  Emmy we love you.  We love you more.  We love you most.  Happy birthday sweet girl.

We had such a wonderful time at Little M's birthday party the other day....but more importantly, she had a BLAST!!  She was so excited to see her whole family, open presents, and eat some cupcakes!  I cannot believe I will have a three year old tomorrow!!  The absolute joy on her face was simply priceless 3 going on 15 Did NOT want to have her picture taken Happy little sister! Dancing girls My blue-eyed babies Playing balloons My angel Ps....and a very happy birthday today to my first furbaby Shiba!! Can't believe she's 7 already!!!

Little M's birthday isn't until Tuesday, but we are having her family party today!  I'm keeping it very low-key this year.  When I asked her what kind of party she wanted, she said "A princess party!" So of course I had to give it to her!  Here is a little sneak peak of a few of the decorations.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!  Ours was truly great.  We relaxed, watched the parade, snacked, watched football, and then went over to my parents for a big dinner.  {and for those asking, I ate a ham my dad made me and stuffing...in passed years if there is no ham, then I just eat stuffing} It was such a nice, low-key day and we were so blessed to have Skip home with us to share it!  We even got some pretty cute family pictures....of course we attempted to take them once we got home for the night so there aren't any of all four of us, but we'll take what we can get! Yes, I caved and bought the $20 teething toy...I'm so ashamed And yes Little M think that toy is actually hers Total Daddy's girls Now here's the announcement.....you see these two crazy kids right here? That's my baby sister on the left and her boyfriend on the right.  They are silly, food-loving, a little bit kooky, and TOTALLY in love with each other.  And I'm so happ...

I just wanted to pop in and say a very happy Thanksgiving to you all today!!  I have so very much to be thankful for this year. - My family who is always there for me - My friends who keep me sane - My two furbabies that are the best snugglers in the world - A roof over our heads and plenty of food on the table - All of you...my blogging/Twitter friends are always there when I need them to laugh or cry with - All of my military boys are home and safe - My two precious girls...they are my whole world and my heart is simply overflowing with love this year - My Skip....being married to him is my favorite thing ever.  I'm even more thankful this year though because he is off today for the first time since I met him!!!!!!! I could not be more excited to spend the day together as a family. Hope you all have a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday!!!

This whole, being a parent to a food-allergy kid is rough man.  Thankfully Little M is only allergic to peanuts, but her allergy is so severe I have enough to worry about.  She will go into anaphylactic shock if she ingests peanuts.  And if she just touches them, she will break out into a rash.  She accidentally touched a dog treat that had peanuts in it and she broke out in a rash within minutes.  I try to stay as calm and nonchalant as possible about it...but honestly?  Her allergic scares the crap out of me most days. We've become experts on reading labels and I'm constantly looking up foods with hidden peanuts {like Chinese food}  We never leave the house without Little M's mini medical bag with her benedryl and epi pens.  My anxiety level goes up every time we're out of the house and around food.  It can even get a little frustrating at home sometimes too.  Like last year when Little M randomly broke out from eating Thousand Island ...

This week I'm linking up with Rachel over at Just Peachy for her Top 5 Tuesday.   This week's topic is of course, THANKSGIVING!!! So here is a list of my top 5 favorite things about Thanksgiving. 1. Football.   I'm sure that seems a little weird, but second to the Superbowl, Thanksgiving football is some of the best.  Especially this year....Packers/Lions at 1:00??  Yes please!!! Let's go LIONS!! 2. Family .  It is so fun to get together with everyone, laughing, talking, and sharing a meal. 3. The smells.   I'm not really a fan of Thanksgiving food...I don't like turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, most veggies, or any kind of pie really. {I know..I'm a weirdo}  But I do love the smell even though I don't love the taste!  It just smells so warm and homey. 4. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade .  Watching it always reminds me of being a child.  Relaxing in my jammies, eating some breakfast, and watching the parade while m...

The past week has really been kicking my rear end around these parts.  After spending days getting ready for Baby C's sweet baptism last Sunday, the hubs was right back to work on Monday to work five days in a row, have one day off, and then work another three.  Little M has been turning into a little tantrum queen and Baby C just screams all.day.long.  I woke up sick last Monday {I have yet to get better} and Baby C has decided that sleep is for the weak...no napping, no sleeping at night, nothing.   And I've already told you about the adventure that was bringing two kids to the doctor alone .  With all that going on though, I didn't want last week to be a total wash.  So since we were mainly bumming around at home, I figured I'd attempt to take the girls Christmas picture.  I already feel totally behind in that department, so it was time to get down to business.  Decked out in there fancy new Christmas dresses and armed with my camera...

Since Little M was born, I've kind of made an unofficial rule to never take her to the doctor alone {I have done it though, and this obviously does not apply in an emergency or case of illness}.  Now I know this sounds totally weird, but with Skip's weird work schedule, his days off are almost always during the week, so it's not that ridiculous of a thing.  And honestly, I just like having someone else there to remember questions we have or details on a diagnosis from the doctor.  Obviously if I felt this way when we just had Little M, you can be real sure it has been the same now that we have two kids.  Baby C has appointments every month {our doctor likes to spread out shots} and each time Skip, Little M, Baby C, and I all trek over there together. {I must also tell you that the girls' pediatrician is also *my* old pediatrician...that has nothing to do with the story I just thought I'd share}. Anyways, Baby C had her five month check-up scheduled for yesterday...

Yesterday, Andrea posted this list on her blog about ways to know you are Southern.  I love reading stuff like that because it's so fun to see how people from different parts of the country live.  So I decided to look up one from Jersey and share it with you.  Because sure, there are some common things among us northerners that is different from those is the south...but there is nothing like Jersey.  Let me know if you can relate to any of these! You've been seriously injured at Action Park. You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas. You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges." You know that it's called "Great Adventure," not "Six Flags." You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast. You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven. You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am. Whenever you park, there's ...

This past Sunday we welcomed Baby C into our church.  I was excited for her baptism because it was going to be a day just about her...which as the second child sometimes she gets lost in the shuffle.  But not Sunday...it was just about Baby C. We planned a semi-big party for our friends and immediate family back at our house for after the service.  My two sisters are her godmothers and our good friend D {Little M's godfather} is Baby C's godfather as well.  It was a beautiful ceremony and of course Baby C screamed through the second half of it...though that is to be expected! We had a great time at the party too...eating, relaxing, {and of course watching football...whoops!}  Sadly, I have no pictures of the food!  But I'll try and snag some of my sister's pictures later. Me and the girl of the hour Us and the godparents Being baptized Blessed girl Our little family Godparents Love those cheekies!!