Denim Vest

dress: kohls (super old)   vest: justfab

Remember how I neglected to cancel a membership I didn't know I had to justfab.com?  It resulted in a handful of credits to their store that I couldn't get refunded, so I am forced to use them.  Guess it isn't that bad.  

I got this denim vest at least a month or so ago but like usual, it takes me awhile to wear a new trend. Often just in time for it not to be so not so trendy anymore, and just in time for me to want to wear it daily.  Especially after I found tons of cute ways to wear it thanks to pinterest. 

I wore it again today.  And am sure I'll attempt to wear it tomorrow.  Now if only it looked good with yoga pants.  

Give a Shot, Get a Shot

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

#GiveaShot #CollectiveBias

While Addilyn is not yet school age and not in need of back to school immunizations, I am aware at how much I dread taking her for her doctor visits that involve shots.  When I read about Walgreens new Get a Shot, Give a Shot campaign I was happy to participate in spreading the word as I love how it is making the whole process of getting your kids their shots quick, affordable and you get to help someone in need. 

1 in 5 children around the globe lack access to life saving immunizations. When your child (age 7 and up) gets their school immunizations, like whooping cough or meningitis at Walgreens, they will help provide a life saving vaccine to a child in another country through the United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life Campaign.  

Being a teacher I know the importance of having a classful of healthy kids that are ready to start a new year. I also think we take for granted how easy it is to get back to school supplies, new clothes and even up to date medical appointments and medicines.  I think of all the kids that have been in my class, and think if each one got their vaccines shots at Walgreens, how many kids could be helped that wouldn't otherwise have this need met.  I think that explaining this to your kids may help them be a little more brave and feel proud that they were helping someone else!

Plus with a Walgreens at just about every corner by me, it wouldn't be hard to find one.  You don't need an appointment, they take most insurance plans, and will report back to your physician.

Unfortunately I think a lot of people would agree that it's hard to find time, money and energy to give back to others.  I wish this wasn't true for myself, but it's too easy to get wrapped up in your own world and while I often have good intentions and want to help it's rarely executed.  I love campaigns like this that let you make a difference without much work on your part!

12 Months

 

It's hard to believe that this is the last letter monthly picture we'll take.  12 months of being your mom and watching you grow.  I can't even believe that a year ago you were a (not so little) 9 pound baby, sleeping on my chest.  And now you're an (almost) walking, kind of talking, smiling, wild little one year old!  I can't really say I'm a mom of a baby any more, but a mom of a toddler.  

We used to say it all the time, and guess what? Your dad and I still look at each other all the time and can't believe you are ours and ask how we got so lucky.  There are still days I can't believe I get to be your mom. 

 

This month has gone by fast!  Like last month, we spend a lot of time outside.  At parks, in our baby pool and water table or even at the beach.  We've been to the beach a few times at least this month and you love it.  You love playing in the water and have no fear! You'll crawl all over, eat the sand, climb little sand hills and walk in the water.  It's quite an ordeal cleaning you off though!

You love to climb on everything.  Toys, chairs, Molly.  Everything.  You are always on the move and it can get exhausting! You do not like sitting still.  I love your sense for adventure, but your lack of fear makes me nervous.  Especially after your fall on your birthday.  You fell off grandma and grandpa's recliner and went head first.  After crying for a minute you passed out and it was the scariest moment.  I don't even like to think about it, because I have never been so panicked and scared.  Thankfully you were okay, but I never want to relive that again!  It was a reminder for me that I need to continually hand over my worries to God and trust that He will take care of you. 

One of my favorite days this month was when we went to Fiesta Days in McHenry.  There was a band playing and the three of us walked around, danced, ate food and had so much fun.  The next day we found out that there was a picture of you in the paper.  It was SO big and will be hanging up in our house for a long time.  You were famous! 

This month you went to your first parade and first time at the zoo and loved both of them.  So far there hasn't really been anything you haven't liked doing.  You're always excited when we go new places and it's so fun doing new things with you.  It makes me look forward to lots of fun things ahead.

While you are usually happy, you have your moments.  You've started throwing little fits when you don't get what you want.  Like when I take away something you shouldn't be playing with, try to make you sit in a cart or bring you in from outside.  You can go from being happy to so upset in a second.

This month you started taking steps and took about ten in a row a few nights before your birthday.  Your dad and I both almost cried when you did it.  It's so funny watching your tiny little body wobble around.  I'm sure you'll be running in no time.  You've also started talking so much more.  I can tell you're trying to repeat words and tell us things.  Mostly you just go "eh? eh? eh?" over and over and over.  But you do say mama, daddy, up, and even balloon.  (Which sounds much like baboon).   

I've had a lot of moments this month being sad that this year has come to an end.  I look back at your baby pictures and wish for those times of cuddling you and holding your little self back.  But it has been so fun watching your personality grow.  You're taking lots of steps, trying so badly to talk and interacting with us and others so much more.  It's crazy how fast this last year has gone.  You are such a fun, silly, wild, active and sweet girl.  This last year has gone so quickly, yet I can't even imagine you not in our lives.  We feel so lucky that God gave you to us and we couldn't love you more.

Happy 12 months Addilyn Jane!

Love,
your mom

A lesson I wish I could learn sooner

One thing that has surprised me about motherhood is how much I have learned about myself.  I had no idea how much taking care of Addilyn would expose areas that I struggle with, remind me of who God is over and over and how often I would find myself thanking God for giving me what I need when I need it.  
Lately the biggest lessons I'm learning is patience and flexibility, neither which have ever been a strong suit of mine.  I think both those qualities are on the opposite spectrum of someone with control and worry issues at the top of their list.   
The other day we had plans of going to church in the morning, head to a friends' birthday party and then come home for Addilyn's nap.  For the last few weeks Addilyn had been waking up at the same time, had predictable naps times and I figured this day would be the same.  (Will I ever stop being surprised or disappointed when things don't go as I planned in terms of her sleep?)  Addilyn woke up extra early, which I thought would mean  a longer morning nap.  Turns out it equalled the opposite.  We headed to church with her crabby, tired self, where she cried on and off while in the nursery.  
Here I was, embarrassingly bent out of shape because she was so off schedule, and I immediately went to thinking the rest of the day was ruined.  That she'd be crabby all afternoon, the party would be a disaster and I could count any nap out of the question.  It really is truly embarrassing how dramatic I can get when our day doesn't go as planned.  (Remember, my confession of motherhood making me dramatic?  As if I needed more proof.) 

Guess what?  She was completely fine.  She didn't remember that she slept only 25 minutes that morning. Or that she cried on and off for 45 minutes during church.  She was as happy as could be within ten minutes of picking her up from the nursery at church and was totally fine at the party.  She even took a good nap when we got home.  
I wish it was that easy for me to move on.  To not count the day as over or hard when it's only 12:00.  To remember that we can "start over" at anytime of the day.  And even if the rest of the day was a disaster, so what?  It's a day.  Tomorrow would have been a brand new one.   
I long to be a person with more flexibility.  But I'm not really sure how to do that.  I need to remember this in the midst of days where our plans change or things don't go the way I hoped.  Little things like Addilyn's nap schedule or big things like success and hardships of Chris' job.  Life is never going to go just as I planned.  I'll be so much less disappointed and thrown off if I accept that I am not in control of things.  And I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy the days even more.  

While it lasts

 

tee & skirt: old navy   shoes: target

I've wanted a pair of white sneakers for a long time.  I just got these at Target on sale and with an extra 20% off with thanks to the cartwheel app, they were under $15.  I had no idea you could use your phone as a little scanner to scan barcodes to see if there's a coupon for whatever you're buying.  

This older woman cashier filled me in and was so not amused by my excitement.  As if I didn't already want to spend more time in Target.  

The only problem with white shoes is that I know they won't stay this white for long.  So I may have changed into sandals after this picture because it was supposed to rain later.  I'm pretty sure I need to get over that so I can actually wear them.