Six Years Ago...

Six years ago...

I married my best friend...

My college sweetheart...

Now we have two beautiful boys, and I love you even more watching you as a father. 

It seems like a short time and other times it feels like a lifetime.

I am so glad you are my partner in this dance called life.

"I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart"---Ho Hey, The Lumineers

Natalie

Sometimes When the Rain Falls...

Not many moments are my boys silent...

Not many moments will they sit next to each other...

Most times they push and pull on each other...

Most times someone ends up in tears...

But today my boys silently watched the rain fall.

It was a beautiful moment, even if it was fleeting.

Natalie

A Night Out with the Girls

This weekend I spent my very first time away from Conley. He's really been doing well at night so I knew it would be fine, but you just never know. And of course I always feel guilty being away from my boys even though I should take some time to myself.

I met up with my friends Jessica and Melissa.  I have known Jessica since the 3rd grade, and Melissa since high school.  (Melissa is on the left and Jessica in the middle)

Throughout the years, we have continued to be friends after marriages and children.  As I have written on here before that I do have great friendships from different periods of my life---these two are ones that have been there the whole time.

I'm so glad we were able to get away from the kiddos for a night and have a great time together and can't wait until the next time!

Do you make time to catch up with friends?

Natalie

The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition Giveaway!

Did you have a favorite Disney movie growing up?

One of my all-time favorites is The Little Mermaid, and I am so excited that the Diamond Edition will be released on October 1st.

If you are not familiar with this Disney classic, here's a summary for you.  

Venture under the sea where Ariel, a free-spirited mermaid princess, longs to be part of the human world. After bravely striking a bargain with Ursula, a sneaky sea witch, Ariel embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. With Flounder and Sebastian at her side, Ariel will need all of her courage and determination to make things right in both her worlds. Learn more at http://movies.disney.com/the-little-mermaid.

I remember watching this and being fascinated with Ariel...and wanting to be Ariel.

 

I'm excited to announce that one lucky reader can win there very own The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack with Digital Copy.  

The giveaway is open only to U.S. and Canada residents, ages 18+.

Now what are you waiting for?  Go enter!  

I received a copy of this movie in exchange for this post; however all my opinions are my own. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Natalie

Protectors of Innocence

Last night, I was watching ESPN and their E:30 series.

One of the stories was about a guy who as a child was sexually abused by his karate teacher.

I feel like we hear about this more and more...and it really scares the death out of me.

I can't imagine someone doing that to my child or any child for that matter.

But how do we teach our child about this?  I've already started telling Nolan that it's not ok for people to touch him in his private area and that he should always tell me if someone tries or if he feels uncomfortable.  And for him to tell them "no."  I want him to know he can tell me anything no matter what.

I know it might sound early, but I just can't let someone to take my child's innocence away.

I am no expert in this area, but from hearing most stories the predator always first tests the limit with the child to see if he/she says no.  Then they push the boundaries further and further until usually the child is ashamed and won't tell anyone.

I know the days of coaches picking up our children for practices and alone time is one that is not as common as it once was.  However I want to be sure I do everything in my power to prevent this from happening to my boys.

We are the protectors of their innocence, and we can not let them down.

How do you discuss this with your children? Any advice?

Natalie

12 Months and Growing...

The 12 month post that was never written...

As we have entered the late summer and early fall (ok it's not fall yet but in my mind it is), life had been on fast forward.

My little baby has turned one. Hard to believe you are actually over 13 months now. 

Healthy as an ox, you weighed in a little over 24 lbs and just over 29 inches. You are about average in height and a good 70% in weight. 

We had your first birthday party at the playground and splash pad, and this little water boy loved it. 

Most of the time you are my jolly boy, but lately you've been teething, and this has caused you to be a tad on the cranky side. You are now up to eight teeth, four on top and four bottom. I believe you are getting two more bottom teeth on both sides of the middle four that you already have. 

You decided you were ready to do more traditional crawling, and now you are all over the place, standing on your knees, and pulling up on anything you can reach. I still think we are a ways from walking, but I guess time will tell. 

You pretty much love any food.  Around 4:45 pm you are ready for your dinner.  It never fails that you start to get super cranky, so I put you in your high chair give you some food.  After that you are usually happy as a clam!

Anytime your big brother is on the potty you love to crawl over and pull up on the toilet.  Actually anywhere I go I find you quickly behind me.  You love all trucks, trains, and anything with wheels. You make little truck noises, and I am not sure if that's from watching your big brother or your natural disposition.  Either way you are ALL BOY.

Your first beach trip was a success.  You loved the sand, the ocean, and the pool.  You are my fearless little boy!

Happy late 12 months my love...I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.  So many changes...and soon a toddler.  Bittersweet to watch it go, but also exciting to watch the world through your eyes.

Talkin' About Bums!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle but all opinions are my own.

In my household, I am outnumbered 3-to-1.  With three males in the house, the bathroom and bathroom habits are constantly a topic of conversation whether I like it or not.

As most of you know, I just potty trained my oldest son.  In doing so, that's when I discovered Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths.  And after cleaning his bum a few times (also the floor), I realized that these cleansing cloths mean serious business and should be moved into the "adult"' bathroom as well.

I mean let's be honest, I really don't have a lot of time on my hands---let alone use the bathroom alone.  So anything that can make my life easier, quicker, and cleaner then I'm all for it.

Of course bathroom routines aren't something you really want to talk or hear about, but the fact is we all do it, and we all want to be clean.  That's why Cottonelle is partnering with Cherry Healey to get people talking about how they take care of their bums.

Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths are designed to work together for a clean you can feel.  Obviously you all use toilet paper, so why not really feel clean by using the Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths?

We use wipes for our hands so why is it so crazy to think about using them for our unmentionables?  Honestly, I can't believe we've lived so long without them.

Incorporating cleansing cloths in your bathroom routine may feel weird at first but ultimately, it will leave you with a clean and fresh feeling.  I know that's exactly how I feel now that I have made the Cottonelle Clean Routine a "must" in my bathrooms.  Seriously, where have they been all my life?

And they now come in a very cool and sleek design to blend in with your bathroom!  (Please ignore the ugly yellow bathroom walls that need a new color ASAP!)

Cottonelle wants to get you talking about your bum and on a better way to clean “down there” by using the Cottonelle Clean Routine. By combining the use of Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Cottonelle Flushable Cleansing Cloths, the Cottonelle Clean Routine is a revolutionary way to keep your bum cleaner.

Are you ready? Don’t be shy! Visit http://www.facebook.com/cottonelle to learn more about the Cottonelle Clean Routine and join the clean routine conversation.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cottonelle.

Natalie

If You Travel with Me...

When we travel, we always book a condo since we travel with kiddos.  And since that's the case we usually cook at the condo for breakfast, lunch, and occasionally some dinners.

But as a frequent condo renter, I have learned a few things about myself.

---It drives me crazy to not have liquid hand soap with a pump.  I cannot stand it especially when I am cooking, and don't want to get everything dirty with my bacteria hands!  In the kitchen, we just had a handheld dish washing soap, and in the bathroom we had the bar soaps.  I didn't realize how much I relied on my trusty liquid hand soaps!

---I am weird about using different laundry detergents.  We brought our own, but I also used some that was provided.  I just don't feel like the clothes are as clean for some reason and ended up washing them again.

---Since this condo was on the beach, it had a little bit of a stuffy and moldly smell.  Nothing you noticed when you were there, but more so when you first arrived.  However when we left, all the clothes and even the clean clothes smelled liked the place.  Even my hair!  Needless to say I washed all the clothes AGAIN.  Oh and of course my hair.

---When staying on a beach, I am used to ceiling fans to circulate the air.  It just seems to go hand in hand.  But these condos didn't have any, and it just seemed stuffy.  Luckily, in our bedroom someone had already thought of that and purchased a stand up fan.

---I really think if you are a condo owner you should really supply your rental with the basics in the kitchen.  Nothing crazy...but coffee filters, salt and pepper, maybe even a few condiments.  I hate having to buy all these items just to not use them all, and then add even more items to my pack up list.

---Why is it that the plug ins at this rentals always seem to be like extremely dangerous or don't work? I swear everything single plug in had a crack or the plug would just fall out when I used it.

---It strongly annoys me when I flip a light switch and no lights come on.  All of the bedrooms had a switch but no overhead lights??? And it didn't turn the lamps on either.

What travel habits do you have or what drives you crazy at places you stay?

Natalie

The Beach Days

We are sadly back from our week of being beach bums. We had a fabulous time minus Conley's teething, his little bit of a cold, and his not so fun bathroom issues. But other than that he did pretty well under those circumstances.

Nolan was fearless about the ocean and if you knew him this is not like him.  He is usually more cautious and weighs his options.  He had no fear and jumped right into the water chasing the waves. I really had so much joy just watching him being a kid.  He was just so happy and having so much fun.  If we all could capture that joy, the world would be a much better place.

We went to Kiawah Island, South Carolina which is where we also went last May.  This is Nolan's third visit to the beach, and every time he loves it more and more.  They also have three awesome pools and one that is more like a mini-water park with a big slide and water features.  Both boys had so much fun in the pools.

We rented a condo right on the beach because one thing I have learned is that when you have kids you need easy access to get back to the room.

We rode bikes over the island, and one night the in-laws watched the boys while the husband and I headed to Charleston to hit up the outlets and to go out for dinner.  We dined at Magnolias which is our second time there.  We also lucked out with it being Charleston Restaurant Week where certain restaurants participate with a fixed menu price for a three course meal.  Magnolias did not disappoint!  We truly love Charleston and can't wait to go back to visit the city.  We went in 2009 with some friends, pre-kids, and had a wonderful time.  The city has so much to see and so much good food to eat!

Have you been to the beach this summer?