Five on Friday

I'm joining in this fun link up today! Be sure to check it out.

1) I am in love with these shoes! Sheaffer from Pinterest Told Me To has been talking about these wedges for months, and I finally caved and got them for my Mother's Day present. They are the most comfortable wedges I have ever had. Usually after a couple of hours, my feet hurt from wearing wedges. BUT NOT THESE! I wore them to a birthday party and to a wedding all in one day and my feet didn't hurt at all. Do yourself a favor and buy them. Nordstrom is also having a major sale right now!

2) Can 9 month olds throw mini tantrums? Because if they can, E is a champ at them. She has a really good fake scream that she brings out when she doesn't get her way. Followed with lying on the floor and closing her eyes really tight. I've just been ignoring them. Any veteran moms out there that have any other ideas?

3) If you follow me on Instagram (ebethr) then you saw this picture earlier this week. It makes me giggle every time I look at it. It is now a daily occurrence to almost disappear in the toy bag while we dig for toys.

4) We close on our house next week! I am so excited! We bought paint this weekend and Jason, my dad and his two brothers will be painting next weekend. I, of course, have to take care of the baby so I obviously can't help =). I'll post pictures when it's all done.

5) Are any of you watching the Bachelorette? I get sucked into this show every season. Since I know all the spoilers, I can watch it for pure entertainment value. Dr. Larry was kind of creepy, right? None of the guys I really like just yet so hopefully they will grow on me.

Have a great weekend!

39 Weeks Then & Now

When I was pregnant with E, I felt like the pregnancy went on forever. I loved being pregnant, but I was so excited with each week that passed knowing that was one more week closer to meeting our baby girl.

Thirty nine weeks ago, I was thirty nine weeks pregnant and in labor. Thirty nine weeks ago,  we welcomed this precious little miracle into the world. I had waited such a long time to become a mom and it was finally here.

Now thirty nine weeks later, I have a 9 month old baby who has blessed my life in more ways than I could have ever known. She has filled our lives with so much joy. Instead of looking forward to each week that passes, I am now begging time to stop. These past 39 weeks have been the fastest of my life. I know that time will only go faster. I'm not going to lie that tears fill my eyes when I realize 39 weeks of having her here with me have come and gone. I know I will blink and I will be sending her off to kindergarten. And then another blink and prom and graduation will be before my eyes. (I know that sounds so silly but it's the truth!!) This girl is oh so loved!

It's made me realize more and more to cherish each little moment because the years will go by so quickly. Babies don't keep. 

 

Liebster Award

Rebecca over at The Brooks Board nominated this little blog for a Liebster Award! Liebster is the German word for favorite/beloved, and this award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers by other bloggers to say "Hey, I like you. Other people should read you too." Thanks Rebecca!

Everyone should go check out her blog too! She is so sweet, and she has a little girl that is only days apart from E.  It has been fun to watch her experience the same things we are in the same time frame. I love bloggy friends!

Here's how it works:
1) You must post 11 random things about yourself.
2) Answer the questions that the nominate set for you.
3) Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
4) Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.
5) No tag backs ( but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you!)


Eleven Random Things About Me:
1) I have different size thumbs. The medical term is brachydactyly. Megan Fox has one too so I think I am in good company.

2) If I could be on any reality TV show, it would be Amazing Race! Jason would do the driving and I would be the navigator. He would do anything with heights and water, and I would eat weird food. We would be the nice ones that everyone likes =).

3) I LOVE to travel! Love it! I want to instill the traveling itch in my children. However, I'm terrified of flying. I squeeze the life out of Jason's hand during flights, and I'm so thankful to be back on the ground when the flight is over.

4) I'm very much into healthy things for me and my family. We try to eat organic where it counts. I haven't had a coke (although the occasional sprite or club soda) in almost 10 years. The more I read about what is in our food the more things I want to extinguish from our diet. About 3 years ago, I changed all make up, lotions, and hair products because of our infertility. Since I started this journey of healthiness, I haven't had to use my asthma inhaler or go to the ER for breathing treatments - that is a big deal if you know me.

5) I am reality TV junkie. I'm almost embarrassed to say how many reality shows I watch and record. Real Housewives, The Bachelor/ette, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Duck Dynasty, and all the shows on HGTV are just some that make it on to my DVR.

6) Friends is my all time favorite show, and I quote it frequently in every day situations.

7) I love to read! I have been known to bury myself in a book for an entire weekend and only come out to eat. (That hasn't happened in the last 9 months but I'm not complaining!)

8) I had to go completely dairy and soy free in March due to E having a possible allergy. It's been hard - dairy and soy are in EVERYTHING - but my little girl doesn't have a rash anymore, and I actually feel really good.

9) I love quotes/ scriptures. I have a running list of favorites.

10) I like writing in fun colors with purple being my favorite. Black and blue ink is so boring.

11) I love musicals. You can find me belting out a song quite often.


Nominators Questions Answered:

1) If you were offered the vacation of your dreams, free of charge, where would you go and why?

Oh gosh this is really hard! I would say a trip to the United Kingdom and Ireland. I love all the history in those places, and London is probably my favorite city. I've been to London and want to go back. I've always wanted to visit Scotland and since I have Irish heritage, Ireland would be great too.

2) Are you a cat person or a dog person?

I like both but I would have to say I am more of a dog person. They are just so loyal and are always excited to see you no matter how long you have been gone.

3) Are you in your dream job? If not, what is your ultimate career goal?

Yes. I love staying at home with E. I have wanted to be a mom ever since people started asking me what I wanted to be when I grow up. I'm so thankful that I am able to stay home with her and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

4) What is the last gift you were given? What is the last gift you gave?

The last gift I was given was my charm for my Pandora bracelet and my fun wedges for Mother's Day. The last gift I gave was a set of towels for a friend of ours for her wedding gift.

5) What's worse..Sunday night or Monday morning?

I hate mornings. So I would definitely say Monday morning.

6) If your house was on fire, assuming all people and pets were safe, what 3 items would you grab?

Probably my computer as it has all of our pictures backed up on it, sentimental jewelry, and my journals.

7) Coffee or tea?

Coffee! I used to go to Starbucks so much in college that they would start making my drink the minute I walked in the door.

8) Do you believe in love at first sight?

I didn't until last August. When they placed E on my chest after she was born, I had the most overwhelming love come over me. It's amazing how much you can love someone you just met.

9) What is the worst movie you've ever seen?

I've seen some pretty bad ones. The Terminal and V for Vendetta come to my mind. Sorry if you liked them, but they just weren't my cup of tea.

10) If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

I would choose reading people's minds. That way I always know what they are thinking =).

11) What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

I've received lots of good advice over the years but I have two that come to mind. The tried and true "Treat others how you want to be treated" is something I always try to live by. It can be followed by 2-100 year olds. The other one is Romans 8:31-32 (really that whole chapter is awesome)

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Nominee Questions:

1) If you had a night all to yourself, what would you do?

2) Describe yourself in five words.

3) If you could go back to a different time in your life would you? And if so, what part of your life would you go back to?

4) What's your favorite holiday and why?

5) What is your favorite comfort food?

6) What is your guilty pleasure (favorite indulgence)?

7) What has been your favorite vacation?

8) What are 3 songs that you never get tired of hearing?

9) What's one of your favorite meals that you cook? Share the recipe!

10) What is your favorite quote?

11) What is your favorite accessory to dress up an outfit?

I don't know if I have 11 blogs that have less than 200 followers but the people I've nominated are great! Go check out their blogs too!

Down with the Dearmore's
Our Lovely Life 
Perfectly Us
The Granberrys
The Brandon and Amanda Story
The Brady Bunch
Life's a party of..5!
The McGuire Family
Welcome to the Good Life

Thanks again Rebecca for nominating me!

I may have a problem

*Before I go on, if your name is Jason and you are my husband just ignore this post. Because if you ever say that I am one of these people and that you read it here on the blog I will adamantly deny it. D-E-N-Y it. For everyone else, carry on =) *

Since we are closing on our house in June, Jason and I have slowly started to pack our house so that we aren't doing it all in one weekend. We used to do that all the time but now that we have a little one, we can't dedicate an entire 24 hours to packing our house. Last weekend, we tackled our bedroom. We cleaned out our closets, our bedside drawers, and our bathroom cabinets as we packed up. And I have come to a conclusion - I'm a hoarder.

Seriously, it is crazy some of the things that I have kept. Take for example, my love for magazines. I read a wide variety from People to Natural Health. Apparently if I read something important in them, I want to keep them so I can reference it later. What? I'm nuts. This picture is just a portion of the magazines that I had in bedside table. I had already thrown out about 15 (yes 15) Natural Health magazines.

I tried to fix this problem by tearing out the articles or pages that I wanted to keep and sticking them in a folder. That makes it better, right? Just smile and nod because Jason already gave me an eyebrow raise when I told him this.


Now let's head to my closet. I love bags and purses. LOVE THEM! I find bags all the time that I just need to have even though I have so many at home. It's a sickness I tell you. Just call me the bag lady.

After this picture, I found 3 more bags in my closet. AND I got rid of several last summer to give to a friend for an adoption fundraiser garage sale. Sadly, I was at Target yesterday and found a really cute beach bag that I wanted but don't worry I didn't get it. Yet...=)

Now this one is a little embarrassing. I keep all the cards that are giving to me over the years. Birthday cards, anniversary cards, little notes from friends, etc. It is insane how many I have accumulated. So I went through them and only kept the ones where a sweet note was written in it. If you only signed your name, I didn't keep it. I know its weird that I keep cards but I like looking at them and seeing all the people who have loved me and invested in me over the years. 

I didn't take a picture of the piles of clothes I cleaned out. I think I filled up 3 trash bags. Now I think I deserve to go shopping for new clothes =). 

Whew! That was only in one room of the house. I'm sure I'll find other things that I  *cough cough* hoard *cough cough*. Please still be my friend now that you know this about me. 

My Mother's Day

My mother's day weekend was great although it didn't get started off the way I had planned. On Friday, E  and I were having a slow nice day at the house. But then, I felt her forehead and it was warm...100 degree warm. Poor baby. She was extra cuddly that day and I soaked it up because she is usually so on the go!

Before the fever that day

Sweet baby snuggles...poor thing

Saturday we laid low so E could rest and fight whatever she had. We caught up on some TV shows and we packed a little for our move. 

On Sunday morning, E was feeling much better, but we stayed home from church because she hadn't been fever free for 24 hours and I wasn't going to be THAT mom. Jason went and got me a passion tea lemonade from Starbucks while I fed E. He gave me my cards during breakfast. One from him and one from E. 

E clapping for Mother's Day

My presents will be coming shortly. I'm getting my fun wedges and a charm for my bracelet. So excited. We played and hung out together all day which is the best Mother's Day present I could have. We went on a little walk to the park near our house, and E enjoyed the swing for the first time! I tried to take a couple of pictures with E and these were the best I got..haha. 

Still thinking about this thing that she is in

A little hint of a smile

My first Mother's Day with E was so wonderful. I am so blessed to be this girl's mommy. I remember wondering if I ever would become a mother and that this day for several years brought a lot of heartache and anger. God has blessed me more than I could imagine and I am so so thankful. 

Hope for those with children had a wonderful Mother's Day and for those that may still be aching for that child to hold in your arms my prayers are with you. 

Big Things...

Big things have been happening over at the our household lately.

1) Jason has been working for another clinic one weekend every month for the last 3 years. He's always had a good relationship with them, and they have asked him to come work for them full time at their outpatient clinic several times, but we never felt like it was the right time. Several months back, Jason approached me and told me that he felt like it was time for him to move over to that company at their outpatient clinic. After a few weeks of prayer, we both decided it was a good time for him to take that job. So Jason turned in his notice at the physical therapy place he was working and last Friday was his last day! He started his new job today! I would have taken a picture this morning but he had to leave at 5:45, and I wasn't very coherent at the time. We are very excited about this new adventure for him!

2) The next big and major thing is we bought a house!!!! It's so exciting! We close at the beginning of June and I can't wait to paint and make it our home. The house is a little bit closer to his new job and it has 4 bedrooms so it will definitely grow with us over the next few years. Plus, Jason's brother is coming to live with us since he is going to be studying Audiology at UTD in the fall. Here are a few pics of the house when I went to go look at it. I will definitely post pics once we are settled and moved in!

The study

The hallway to the kitchen and living room

Breakfast area in the kitchen

 Living room

Back patio and backyard

Mother's Day gifts

Although this isn't my first Mother's Day (I count last year and before that I was one too see here), it is special nonetheless because it's the first time I have a physical human being to prove that I am a mom!

I can't wait to spend the day with my family and enjoy this special day. I know that is a gift enough in itself because I have waited to be a mom for so long. However, gifts are always welcome =). Here's a couple of things that I think would be great for Mother's Day:


This coffee maker would be awesome. It's like a Kuerig but cheaper and I like the idea of making one cup of coffee at a time.

I want these shoes. Sheaffer said they are really comfortable and well I want to see if it's true. I would also like a pedicure with this because my feet aren't pretty from the winter. Just sayin'.



Since I have a pandora bracelet, I think I definitely need some more charms.



These are beautiful and they need to be in my jewelry box now.

And let's be honest - a nice long hot shower with no interruptions and a shopping trip to Target by myself wouldn't be too shabby either =).

What are your ideas for Mother's Day?

Cloth Diapering 101

Today I'm linking up with Kristin for her Baby Talk Series!

I'm going to talk about our experience (thus far) with cloth diapering, what we use, and accessories to make the experience more enjoyable. Cloth diapering isn't for everyone and its definitely a personal choice. But for those who are considering cloth diapering, this post is for you!

I chose to cloth diaper for several reasons 1) I wanted to keep my carbon footprint to a minimum 2) I wanted to keep the chemicals off my baby as much as possible 3) I heard that babies potty train sooner and have less diaper rash when using cloth diapers 4) I wanted to save money

We use BumGenius cloth diapers. We love them!! They are easy to use, clean well, and we have very few leaks with them. We have both the snap and velcro options, but now that I have a moving child who hates having her diaper changed I wish that I had more of the velcro ones.  We do use disposable diapers at night just because E is such a heavy wetter that I'm afraid she wouldn't make it 10-11 hours without wetting her clothes.

How we wash them:
I usually do a load of cloth diapers about every other day. (We have 25 cloth diapers.) I do a pre-rinse cycle and then wash them for a full cycle in hot water. Then the inserts can go in the dryer and the outer coverings are hung to dry. For any stains that don't come out in the wash you can lie them out in the sun and that will get them out. We use Charlie's Soap to wash them.

Accessories:

- Pail liner (we got ours here)- put this in a regular trash can with a lid and then you have a place to put the dirty diapers. When you are ready to wash the diapers, you take the whole liner and dump the diapers in the washer and then the liner in too. You don't ever have to touch the diapers. Whohoo!

- Wet bag- I use these for when we go out and about. I have several but my favorite is the one that has two pockets. One to place clean diapers and a pair of clothes in and the other where you place the dirty diapers.

-Diaper sprayer - These are definitely nice to have to get the poop off but I don't use it as often as I thought I would.

-Diaper liners - these are great to place in the inside of the diaper. Then you can take the contents of the liner and dump it in the toilet and flush it!

I've loved using cloth diapers and I'm so glad we did it. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

 

8 months!

Dear E,
You are 8 months old (as of last Saturday!) You are at such a fun age and you are just growing into your personality. You had such a fun month.

You are crawling everywhere, and you are so fast at doing it. You crawl over, under, around and even try to go through things to get to what you want. It's pretty funny to watch your determination. My favorite though is when you crawl to me or your daddy. It melts my heart. You are pulling to stand fantastically. The couch, the chairs, your toys - everything you see is a place to push up into standing. You started to cruise this month and have even let go from the surface and stood by yourself for 1-2 seconds. You are just ready to be on the go and you are determined to do it. You definitely keep me on my toes every day! Changing your diaper or your clothes is like wrestling a wild animal. You have no time for that stuff.

You still love your toys and now that you can crawl to anything, you go from one thing to another. Favorite toys this month are your step and play piano, einstein piano, click and play remote and the star stacker. You love to take the stars off the star stacker and love standing at your pianos. You now do this dance move when you hear your music and it is the cutest thing ever. It's got a little head shake and rocking of your back to it. Adorable is all I have to say. You still love things that aren't toys - the remote, my phone, Lucye's toys etc. You LOVE your books. You will open them and chew on them and are enjoying us reading to you. You definitely love your touch and feel books.

New foods that you tried this month: broccoli, spinach, mangos, prunes, zucchini, apricots, and oatmeal. You loved them all but you definitely are more of a fruit girl that a vegetable eater. You also tried little puffs and you loved them! I still have to feed them to you because you can't quite figure out how to get the puffs from your hand into your mouth =). You try to grab the spoon when I am feeding you and with a little guidance can actually put the spoon in your mouth with food on it while you hold it. You like to do things for yourself. You are still teething but you have no teeth yet! I keep thinking one is going to pop up any day now but nothing has happened. You chew on everything and your favorite thing is to grab one of mommy or daddy's fingers and put it in your mouth.   You started making consonant sounds this month. A lot of "ma, ma, ma" and some bas and das occasionally thrown in there. I know they don't mean anything yet but I love to hear you say "mama". You still love to do raspberries! We are trying to teach you "more" and "all done" in sign language. I think you have done more a couple of times but it isn't consistent yet.

You still love to play peek a boo and will even crawl across the room to pull a blanket off of our heads. You love to do this fake scream and like us to echo it back to you as well as growling which is so cute. You definitely don't like us telling you no or moving you away from something that you can't play with. It has ended in tears or you trying to crawl as fast as you can back to the object. You definitely are stubborn and determined ( I have no idea where you get that from =) ) When we are out and about though, you are pretty quiet and want to observe all that is around you and take it all in. You will smile at people and are now doing this cute thing where you bury your head back into our shoulder after doing it. You still love songs and being sung to.  This month you have started becoming attached to your mommy and want to follow me around and get upset when I leave the room. I'm not going to lie - I love it. You clap your hands together when I sing "If your happy and you know it" but not consistently but it makes me happy every time you do it. You are in love with your dog, Lucye, and love to chase her and you try to pet her all the time. You think she is the best.

You are napping 3 times a day. Your naps can last anywhere from 30-90 minutes. I've learned to just go with the flow and the days that you don't nap as well, we just go to bed earlier. You go to bed between 7-7:30 and are sleeping through the night now!! You still like to wake up between 5 and 6 every morning. I don't know how to fix that. Sometimes you go back to sleep and sometimes you don't but we start your day around 6:15. We have this thing now where daddy goes and gets you and puts you in our bed between us. You play with the video monitor or play with our faces until we all get up at 6:30. I like to think of it as our little family time in the morning. You still nurse every 3 to 3 1/2 hours. We added another solid feeding on April 25 so now you are up to 3 solid feedings a day.

Some firsts this month;
- sleeping in your cribs for naps
-first Easter
- first night without mommy and daddy putting you to bed

You weigh 17 pounds 14 ounces and wear 6-9 month and 9 month clothing. You wear size 3 diapers.

 You are our joy sweet girl. We love you.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy