The time my teeth fell out

scarf: discovery   sweater: old navy   jeggings: walmart  boots: dsw 

I think I could wear this scarf everyday.  It has about five different patterns in it so I justify it as appropriate pattern mixing with anything I wear.  
Don't correct me if I'm wrong. 
In other news I had a most real dreams last night where all of my teeth came out.  Addilyn had a rough night and I ended up bringing her in bed next to my so I was dozing on and off and dreamt that it started with my front two teeth being loose and I went to touch them and they just popped right out. 
Slowly all of my other teeth started cracking and falling out of my mouth.  Chris, not surprisingly, was busy eating in my dream and he had a Chipotle wrapper that I was holding all my teeth into as they fell out.  Disturbing to say the least. 
I woke up convinced I had a toothless mouth and was relieved when my teeth didn't wiggle when I touched them.  
My sister told me that means that I feel out of control.  Hmmmm.  Like out of control of Addilyn's sleep the last few days?  Why yes.  But in general I definitely have control issues so who knows.
This isn't the first time I've dreamt about teeth falling out but definitely the most vivid one that I hope is not repeated.   

The real stuff

I try to have at least one true post with real content on my blog a week.  Not that I force myself to think of something honest and more heartfelt, but it's nice to sit down and right a post with meaning somewhat regularly.  I used to feel the most self conscious of these types of posts, but lately its the other way around.  While I've never been super confidence in my appearance, outfits, and photos before, I definitely felt more confidence before I got pregnant. When I do get dressed and take pictures these days they are often rushed and I often second guess what I'm wearing or how comfortable and confident I feel.  I'm sure I'll write a post on this some day soon, but I've been realizing the value I used to put on clothes, my appearance and how I felt about myself physically.  
I've been thinking a lot lately about how I use my time and where my priorities are.  A lot thanks to reading the book seven, although not finished, it's definitely challenging me to do a lot of thinking.  I also am really needing a deeper relationship with the Lord and wanting to make that a priority when I get free time.  
I've spent a lot less time on my computer these last two weeks.  Less emailing, blog reading, editing pictures.  And I've really enjoyed it.  I've made a few crafts, read some, worked out more and just sat more.  I have been feeling convicted as to how much time I spend on my computer and what my life would look like if I didn't have one.  
A few weeks ago I made a new friend at church.  I'm not good at making new friends, but I want to have more friendships with woman at church and want Addilyn to grow up knowing others at church too.  I got invited to go to an if gathering brunch last Sunday and it was such a blessing to sit around with four other woman and have some honest conversations about friendship, what hinders us from putting ourselves out there and what we want out of relationships.  It fired me up to put myself out there more and am excited for new friendships.  
My grandma passed away two weeks ago and her funeral is this weekend.  Sadly it's in California and I don't get to be there.  My grandma was probably the happiest older woman you'd ever meet.  She was gentle, kind and really funny.  I don't think it's really hit me yet that she is no longer around.  It's hard to watch your parents lose their parents, and Chris and I have had to do that five times in the last year and half.  
I truly appreciate those that read my blog and leave comments.  I feel embarrassed sometimes at how much it makes my day and wish I had more time to respond to emails and read other blogs.  I do miss the many connections I had with more bloggers, but know that this season of life is hard to make that happen.  But am so thankful for all of you for sticking around! 
Hope you have a great weekend.

Hail to the mom jeans

 

blazer: tjmaxx    tee & pants: old navy   flats: target

It's been awhile since I've attempted to wear super low cut jeans.  Even before I was pregnant, I learned quickly as I entered adulthood that constantly pulling up your pants or showing your underwear is not attractive.  But I still wore many pants that sat on my hips. 
That is no longer the case.  Thanks to always sitting on the ground, constantly bending over and the main reason: having a much "softer" midsection thanks to pregnancy, low cut jeans are not my friend.  I had yet to find a good pair of high waisted, skinny jeans. 
That is until last weekend.  Thanks to a $5 coupon for trying on a pair of pants that lured me in, I found my new favorite pair of jeans.  Which were only $19, plus $5 off.  I probably should've bought them in another color.
I am way overdue for going through my old jeans and getting rid of the many pairs that are way too low and don't fit. I'm pretty sure I will be wearing high waisted mom jeans from here on out. 

It was about time

It's about time I make some kind of matching outfits for Addilyn and I right?  I mean, I can't believe we've made it nearly eight months without wearing coordinating outfits.  I've seen a few diy hello pillow tutorials (here) and lots of hello tees and decided to make my own.  

I bought all my supplies for under $15, including both shirts for Addilyn and I.  Mine from Target ($5), hers from Hobby Lobby ($3). 

I drew the word with a pencil first. I used the fabric glue to trace over the pencil a letter or two at a time, placing the ribbon onto the glue.  Then I hand sewed the sequins on to make sure they'd stay after wearing and washing it.  

And that last one is my favorite of them all.  I'm happily enjoying the days where I get to choose what she wears, matching outfits and all.  

She may be an attention hog

(Sorry for the blurry photos.  I use my phone most of the time and she moves far too quickly these days to get a clear picture.)
I've been having a hard time the last two weeks or so adjusting to this new phase of motherhood.  I feel like all of a sudden Addilyn is not such a baby anymore.  I know things have been constantly changing since she's been born but with her starting to move more, eating solids, getting teeth and showing her personality I feel like it has taken parenting. to a new level.  

It has been so fun to see Addilyn's personality come out.  She is so funny and I think she is starting to realize it.  The other night she started making these funny faces and sounds when I was feeding her and Chris and I started laughing and she kept doing it.  Then first thing the next morning she did the same thing again.  It blows my mind that she is smart enough to remember stuff like that now.  
On the down side she has also started crying when I take something away from her or throwing these mini fits when she doesn't like something.  This part of parenting scares me.  I feel like when she's a baby it's a huge responsibility to take care of her, but there's not a whole lot of wondering how or what to do.  Feed her, cuddle her, love her.  It LOTS of time but it was clear how to handle most of those things.  
Now? I feel like I don't know what I'm doing.  How much solids to give her.  When to start nursing less and feeding real food more.  When do I start trying to actually teach her things?  
We take a music class on Mondays and Addilyn loves it.  She does her manly grunt and nose sniffly laughs (super feminine I know) throughout the whole class.  This last week though, she was a little more fussy than normal.  At the beginning and end of class they do a hello and goodbye song and go around and sing each kids' name.  Turns out she was incredibly happy, laughing and loving it when everyone was staring at her.  Move onto a different baby? Not so happy. 
Shoot.  My baby is an attention hog.  
Of course I am aware that babies are happier when they have your attention.  And being my only baby and staying home with her, she of course gets all my attention.  But it did make me realize that my responsibility as a parent is definitely changing.  As her personality continues to develop I want to know how to encourage her positive qualities, and know how to handle the not so positive ones too.  

I've started praying a lot more for Addilyn in terms of the kind of girl she is going to become.  I've always prayed that she'd know how much she is loved by us and by God and grow up loving and knowing Him.  But I'm starting to pray more for other qualities, like for her be a good friend, to be kind and loving.  To be affectionate and sweet.  And I would of course love it she kept being funny too.    And because I know there will be a million times those not so pretty qualities make their appearance, I also am praying that I'll have wisdom in how to handle them.  I was well aware that motherhood would be hard. But there are times when I look at this little girl and can't believe that I am responsible for her.  And now not just for her physical needs but all her other needs to.   I absolutely love being a mom, and know that I will continue to go through plenty of phases where I don't feel prepared.  And I'm so thankful for the reminder that God picked me to be Addilyn's mom and picked her to be my baby.