Over at Emmy's

Today you will find me over at the wonderful Emmy's guest posting about how my husband and I met.


Please go check it out, and show Emmy some love---she is a wonderful blogger, mother, wife, and friend. I know you will enjoy reading about her family's adventures as much as I do!

Don't forget to follow us on Bloglovin!

Natalie

You Know You're 9 Months Pregnant When...

Hey everyone I am guest posting over at Sarah's It's a Vol about my list of "How You Know You Are 9 Months Pregnant."  Because for some reason that last month lasts the longest and is the hardest in my book considering I am dealing with it right now!  Please head on over and read my guest post and show Sarah some love!

Summer Bucket List-Parrot Head Style by Jenn

And finally---we have Jenn from When in Doubt, Add More Salt.  Jenn and I have been friends for most of my blogging career, and I've found her posts to be fun and full of great ideas to keep a toddler entertained.  In her days before she was a SAHM, she was a teacher so she utilizes those skills by always having an educational spin on fun activities with her toddler boy W.  She's also very creative, and I'll catch myself wishing we lived closer so she could help me with my lack of creative/domestic skills.  Without further ado....

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Thanks for sharing your blog space with me today, Natalie! I love your posts and watching Nolan grow. I'm fairly certain that he and W would be best buds if we lived closer. And I can't wait for the arrival of little brother! Cheers to a relaxing week on the beach with your family!

I'm Jenn (who calls herself Cajun Cowgirl) riding the trails between TX and LA with my Cowboy (husband of almost 9, yes nine, years)  and The Sheriff (our ever-growing sweet boy).  I've been blogging my way through toddler days, hot summers, Pinterest attempts, and a love/hate relationship with March Madness brackets and growing my hair long, and I'm so grateful to share a bit of our lives with you today. Oh do please read on before judging the choice of picture below. 

Natalie left the door wide open for her guest posting, so while she's enjoying a bit of summer vacation at the beach working on her tan while keeping Nolan's digestive system free of sand, I thought I'd fill you in on how we'll spend a night (or two if it's full of awesome) of our slice of summer. 

I went ahead and made our family a little bucket list; it's nothing fancy and filled with activities we'd probably do anyway. I threw a few creative ones in there, including a "Jimmy Buffet Night." Cowboy read over it and questioned, "What's a Jimmy Buffet Night?" to which I responded, "I don't know yet." And I really don't know yet, but I'll take a few moments to get in touch with my inner Parrot Head and share with you. Hopefully there are some JB fans out there, and y'all won't email Natalie asking, "Where did you find this girl?"

Any American Idol watchers know just how important song choice can be, so we'll be sure to set up the evening accordingly.

The Menu and Venue:

Cheeseburger in Paradise --  I do, in fact, enjoy mine with lettuce and tomatoes, Heinz 57, and French friend potatoes, Mr. Buffet, so we'll fire up the pit for this "All-American" cuisine. As far as paradise goes, I'll trade the palm trees, crystal clear water, oversized umbrellas, and white sandy beach for time spent with my boys outside on the shaded back patio complete with toddler swing and sandbox and, well, 90+ temps.  But we'll make it festive for sure. Perhaps a wreath of mini-umbrellas for the occasion:

Source: cfabbridesigns.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

This Southern girl says "yes, please" to some mason jar decor

Source: la-belle-vie.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

And this (and the summer temps) bring me to our next song. We'll certainly save some jars for serving. 

Margaritaville -- I'm sure I'll find myself in the toddler pool at some point, but in order to really keep cool, we'll have a bottomless supply of this Texas implant's favorite beverage. It would truly be an injustice to have such a theme night without the ritas.  This summer I hope we manage to try a few of these:

Source: jasonandshawnda.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

The Entertainment

Son of a Sailor -- So I'm not a son so-much, but my dad is a sailor, one of those souls who feels the call of the water and answers with the tender splashes of a boat against the tide. One of my dearest friends is what I'd call and "ocean girl." She's completely at home in the water. I've always wanted to be that beach-y, scuba-diving, live in my swimsuit in the summer on the boat type of person.  So I live vicariously through this song, and we'll pretend as we splash in the toddler pool or perhaps play in the pirate water table I hope to acquire by then. We'll pretend that we are on the back deck of our beach house listening to the waves crash gently against the shore as Mr. Buffet sings us into the night.

And if all else fails, I've got a slew of Parrot Head hats in my possession, courtesy of my dad, and we can always attempt to persuade The Sheriff to wear them while we take tons of photos because he's stinking adorable with our fingers crossed that maybe, just maybe, in one of them, he's still enough and looking in our general direction.

So there you have it, our Jimmy Buffet night. Of course, these melodies and others will run through the evening, and at some point we'll put the toddler to bed and crawl back outside for our fill or dodging Texas-sized mosquitoes and those bottomless margaritas. We'll check it off the old bucket list and begin brainstorming ideas for next year. Perhaps I'll get this ambitious:

Fins to the left, fins to the right...

Source: food.tipjunkie.com via Megan on Pinterest

Thanks again Natalie! Wishing you the very best of vacations!

Now how fun is she?  She can throw me a Jimmy Buffet party anytime!  Head on over to her blog and see many more of her creative ideas :)

Tending Me--Guest Post by It's a Vol!

Happy Thursday everyone!  Today I am fortunate to have fellow Vols fan Miss Sarah guest posting.  Sarah and I have just recently found each other, and I'm so glad we did!  I love reading about her family and of course of her adorable daughter Evie.  She has a great sense of humor and also a serious side that addresses her journey through post partum depression.  She someone I know you will easily relate to! 

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Hi there everyone! My name is Sarah and I blog over at It's a Vol! I write about my handsome hunky husband Chris and our beautiful daughter Evie. We are also parents to our six (!!!) furbabies; we have four dogs and two cats. Between the nine of us there is always something exciting happening! I am also a post partum depression and anxiety survivor. Along with blogging about my family I use my blog as a voice for myself and other women who are suffering from or have survived this disease.

FIND US ON

FACEBOOK * TWITTER * INSTAGRAM * PINTEREST

A big thank you to Natalie for letting me take over her blog for the day! I hope she and her family are having a fabulous vacation!

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Tending Me

A few weeks ago my boss gave everyone on our team a little extra money with the rules that 1) we must spend it on a treat for ourselves 2) we must spend it within that week 3) we could have some extra PTO if we needed it to accomplish our task. I spent mine on a garden and a perfect spring afternoon in the middle of the week. Armed with $75 in cash I headed to Walmart and bought some herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers, potting soil, top soil and fertilizer.

I gave myself permission to leave my daughter at day care, even though I was technically off work, and do something for myself. I dug and turned and planted. Somewhere in the background Travis Tritt crooned about a great day to be alive. I forewent gloves in favor of getting my hands dirty, and relished sipping sweet tea while my nose turned pink in the sun.

When it was all said and done I had nine tomato plants, a few cucumber plants, mint, sweet basil, cilantro, oregano and rosemary all happily ensconced in their new homes.

Later, after I picked up Evie from day care, I enjoyed an ice cold corona on the deck while Evie happily played in the leftover dirt.

Several people have noted that I spent my frivolous money on something that is not technically only for me, and that instead of treating myself I added one more thing to my long list of things I must tend to. It's true, I suppose. I tend to a lot of things, an impossibly bright and curious toddler girl, her handsome daddy, our menagerie of animals and a home. For the most part I enjoy tending to others. I like to make dinner for my husband every most nights, watching after my daughter, playing with my dogs and generally creating a happy home. I enjoy mothering people and things. This garden though, is how I tend to me. There is a quiet satisfaction in spending fifteen minutes four or five times a week, watering, weeding and observing growth. It is where I get my hands messy while I clear my head, where I plan bigger future gardens and imagine teaching my daughter to plant, nurture, grow, cook and put by the fruits of her labor. It is where I look forward to teaching her that sometimes, tending to something you love is really tending to yourself.

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Thanks for having me here today y'all! Stop on by, say hello and remember GO VOLS! ~SARAH~ Tweet

Thanks Sarah for filling in!  I also find a peace in gardening as well.  Something about it is soothing...now let's hope the plants are still alive when I get back.  Head on over to Sarah's to enjoy more!

What to Expect-Three Kids Later by Emmy

I am truly honored to have Emmy from Emmy Mom-One Day at a Time to share my space today.


She is a wonderful blogger who hosts two memes:


These memes are always filled with great stories from moms as well as her own.  She has 3 adventurous and adorable children that keep on her toes and when she's not rounding them up she's also running her own photography business.  I must say this gal has her act together, and I hope as I add to my family that I can to do the same---or at least take great notes! 
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When I was pregnant with my first I gobbled up any information I could get my hands on.  The What to Expect books, the baby center subscription with the weekly emails telling how big your growing baby was.  I was going to be prepared and ready and an amazing mom.  We attended birthing classes and knew what our plan was.

18 hours of labor- 4 of which I pushed- only to end with an emergency c-section and I realized this thing might not be quite as I planned.  But still- I was going to do it!  I continued to consume those baby-center emails always analyzing.  Was he growing enough?  Was he hitting the next milestone. And he was- he soared.  I would often look at a few months ahead of his age and he was already doing those things.  Yes, I was an awesome mother with the best baby ever!  The best baby that would scream until he passed out (at less than 2 months old) and had to be kept on a very strict schedule- but dang it the best baby ever!

Then I was pregnant with my second and I began to remember- remember the labels and comparisons that just naturally occurred among my 5 siblings- the smart one, the people pleaser, the popular one.... and I did not want that to happen.  I knew it was inevitable but I was going to do my best to not compare and especially not ever express those comparisons in front of my two children.   After all I had studied psychology in college- so I knew the right ways to always talk and interact with my children (insert sarcastic laugh here).  I must admit- when I found out my second was going to be a girl I was relieved.  Not only did I want a girl but I just knew it would be so much easier not to compare as boys and girls are different.

Alex, my daughter's birth was wonderful- a scheduled c-section with no complications- able to nurse her almost immediately after my surgery.  This was good.

I enjoyed watching her grow, seeing her smile and how much she adored her big brother.  She adored him so much that she was walking at 10 months trying to keep up with him-- this was two months before Lucas!

Oh wait- I just did it. 

But it's okay- I wasn't going to do it again.  I wasn't going to fall into the comparison trap. Huh?  Shouldn't Alex be talking more?  Didn't Lucas used to speak in full sentences at just over 18 months old?  (Check the baby book, watch old videos- he did!)  Oh no, is something wrong with her?   Wait- look at the baby center e-mail, she is totally on track Lucas was just super advanced.

Scenarios like this played out far too often- I kept telling myself I wouldn't compare but let's face it- it's inevitable.

Finally my third came along- another boy- going to be a mirror of my oldest of course since they are both boys.

But it all changed.  Maybe it was experience, maybe some maturity on my part.  But my baby was just who he was- his own unique story (which he started way too soon when he came 8 weeks early).

I no longer compared or worried- I saw the progress, saw the steps he was taking and that was good enough.  He loves trucks like his brother, his eyes twinkle just like his sisters- but he is my Ryder and that is good enough.

My three kids- all each who they are- and I love them all for it.

Thank you so much Natalie for letting me guest post today. 

Thanks! Emmy My Photography website: http://www.emilykathrynphoto.com
My blog! www.emmymom2.com

A Day in the Life of a Work from Home Mom--Ashley Style

Today I am honored to have my good friend Ashley guest posting.  We have a lot of common and have shared several emails back and forth with advice or just to vent about our day.  Her little boy Thatcher and her family call The Big Easy home.  I have enjoyed many of her posts about life in New Orleans whether it's about football or a Mardi Gras parade.  Give her a warm welcome! :)

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Hey y'all! I am Ashley from Happiness Is... and I am so excited to be guest posting for Natalie today! I am a full-time working mom (though let's face it, which mom isn't?) and am proud to call New Orleans home. I love the Saints, get annoyed when people get married during football season, once beat my husband in a sushi eating contest and like to sip on sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, Diet Coke and iced coffee. Not at the same time. We have a 15 month old little boy named Thatcher, and I am still learning to balance working and mommying (along with friending, Churching, socializing and resting).

I thought it'd be fun (for me at least) to do a day in the life of a work from home mom. I am blessed with a flexible job that allows me to pretend like I have it all together and can achieve balance. And by the way, it is really hard to remember to document an entire day! Try it sometime. And, this is photojournalism at its worst. I didn't have the time, patience or energy to get great pictures, so I am fully acknowledging the poor quality in most of these!

The husband's alarm goes off around 5:00 or 5:30am. He works in finance and is out the door no later than 6:00am every day. That means I am on my own in the mornings. Many days I will get up and enjoy alone time reading and reflecting. On many more days I don't. Some days I even let Thatcher serve as my alarm clock. Working on it. One thing I love about working from home is that I get to wear gym clothes every single day. It's my wardrobe.

You know how babies wake up so rested and happy and smiley? Yeah, mine didn't get that memo. He wakes up crying for his morning bottle. Ain't nobody happy until Thatcher has his milk. It's easiest to let him drink while you change him, and don't even think about taking it away to put a shirt on. Usually he's awake around 7:00 or so.

Our house looks semi-calm, but it's not. Imagine a barking dog in the background because Coco needs a treat the very second she's back inside from going to the bathroom. So after Thatcher's done with his first cry of the day, the dog gets her treat and breakfast and we're all dressed, we usually get a few minutes of quiet time to watch The Today Show.

Around 7:30am we head to school. Coco insists on coming and I indulge her. At this point, imagine me wrangling a 25 pound toddler and yelling at the dog to get in the flipping car, cursing myself for allowing her to come again. We have a 3 minute commute, unless we get stuck behind the garbage truck in which case it's a 6 minute commute. I kind of miss my commutes to be honest.

Thatcher looooooves school. He is so excited to get there every day. Which halfway breaks my heart, halfway makes me so thankful for wonderful childcare. There are about 6 babies in his room, and he really loves his friends! We are so lucky to have such a wonderful childcare situation.

On some days when I am procrastinating, I will take a detour by the coffee shop on the way home. Today happened to be one of those days. I am usually back home by 7:45 or so. My desk is in our guest bedroom (hopefully nursery #2 one day), and I absolutely love this room. It's at the front of the house, and it gets great natural light. It's just a really happy room, and I love being able to watch everyone walk/run by. It's kind of hilarious because most people can't tell that I can see them, so I know who picks up after their dog and who doesn't.

The next 8 hours consist of a lot of emailing, phone time and, if I am honest, The Today Show. One wonderful thing about working from home is being able to run a few errands during the day toddler free. Today I bought a few birthday gifts and stocked up on Mother's Day cards. You see? I sort of have my act together. On many days I am interrupted a bajillion times by the doorbell ringing and other such nonsense, but today was a productive day. A lot of people don't understand that working from home means you actually work. It's not a front, people! Promise!

And then around 3:30pm I get to go pick up the toddler again. He's always so happy to see me, which makes me smile. Coco usually demands to make this trip as well. And no, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you - Thatcher got a wardrobe change at school today!

On most days we will meet our friends for a walk or park playdate, but today was gray and I had a little more work to do, so we came home to play indoors. This is where the juggling begins because I have a few urgent things going on at work, so I was emailing while conference calling while chasing a toddler around. It's a handful, but I love the flexibility I have so I do it. Thatcher loves to get juice right when he comes home, and he is all about some Sesame Street. My view on TV is that everything is okay in moderation. We only watch PBS and only on afternoons where we're home. But really, I try not to sweat the small stuff with this mom thing.

Thatcher usually enjoys a snack, followed by dinner, at which point he starts to LHS (lose his you know what). And then mom starts to LHS. The texts to the husband start pleading for help.

Because really? After dinner I am not in the mood to put all of the koozies and tupperware back in the cabinet one more time or pick up the crunched Goldfish on the floor. On this particular day I left those for dad to deal with.

Around 6:00pm enter dad through the back door. Hallelujiah! Between 6:00 and 7:00, we bathe, play and take care of random stuff around the house. Thatcher actually prefers to shower these days, but I forgot to document. I think you can imagine what a toddler in the shower looks like. After that it is time for books and milk. Thatcher is sneaky because if you say "drink your milk or it's bedtime," all of a sudden he is dying for milk. Otherwise he just wants to read one page in every book we own. It's kind of an exhausting routine.

And then I crash on the couch, check my work email, drink wine, blog, talk to the husband and just chill. Oh yeah and eat dinner. We're usually in bed by 9:30 or 10:00.

So that's what our days are made of these days! On some days I feel like we have it down, and on others I wonder what in the heck I am doing. For the most part I think I have found balance and am enjoying working, but at other times I wonder if working is worth it. Except I really like smocked clothes and pedicures, so work seems like the prudent thing for now.

Thanks for having me, Natalie! I had fun capturing our day. There's not always much to them, but I know these are the days I will miss the most once Thatcher is grown.

-- Ashley Happiness Is... www.livinglifegratefully.blogspot.com

Thanks Ashley for giving us a view of the work from home mom!  That Thatcher is a cutie and keeps you on your toes.  Now hop on over to her blog to learn more about her family.

Sail Away to Puerto Rico with Amanda

Today I have one of my fave bloggers---and also one of my first bloggy friends.  Amanda is a beautiful writer that shares her life of running, food, life goals, and her once long distance relationship that is now in the same city.  I've enjoyed reading her posts about her life transitions whether it be about her changing jobs or buying her first house.  I'm so glad she's here today!
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Hi Natalie's friends! I'm Amanda and write over at Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures! I'm excited to be guest posting today while Natalie is away! Because Natalie is soon to be a mom of TWO and loves to travel, I thought I would share a little bit about my mom and one of my all-time favorite vacations with her to Puerto Rico!

I was a sophomore in college, and since leaving for college, my relationship with my mom continued to grow stronger and stronger. When all my friends talked about going on spring break to Mexico or the Caribbean for thousands of dollars, I decided it would be more fun to go on a vacation with my mom to some place tropical. Crazy, right? So we booked a trip to Puerto Rico!

View from our hotel room

I have to admit that this is one of my favorite vacations! Not only because we were in a tropical place, but also because it was the perfect combination of relaxation, sight-seeing, exercise, good food, and perfect company. We spent time on the sandy beach above. We went hiking through the rain forest.

We toured Old San Juan to see some historic sights.

We even had custom hats made that we both still wear!

Me, the shop owner, and Mom!

We ate well, enjoyed ourselves, and definitely relaxed! I hope that even when Natalie is a mom of two boys, she'll get to have perfect vacations like these with one or both of her sons when they're a little older! Thanks for having me, Natalie!



Isn't she wonderful?  Please check out her blog to follow such a great gal!

The Strange-r Encounters Brought to You by Samantha

Since the family and I will soon be heading off to catch some much needed rays, I've got some of my bloggy friends filling in for me to keep you entertained!  Starting us off is my Jersey gal Samantha who blogs over at Adventures with Gwen.  We've been bloggy friends for awhile---probably almost since I started this blog a little over a year ago.  She has a precious little girl, Gwen that is just a little older than Nolan and full of life and character.  So after you read her guest post, head on over to read some of their adventures whether it be Gwen's dance moves or her booking some acting gigs! 


Hey, peeps! My name is Sam and I blog over @ Adventures With Gwen! I am a stay-at-home Momma to my 19-month old daughter, Gwen and my fur baby, Wiley, and wifey to the man of my dreams, Jason. I am a Jersey girl through and through, I love the beach, good wine, trashy reality TV, dance parties, and of course, my fam. I was so excited when Natalie asked me to write this post, she was one of my first bloggy friends, and I just love reading about her life and that adorable little man, Nolan. {seriously HOW cute is that face??!?!}

I think that all Mommas can relate when I say that the SECOND we find out that we are expecting, we begin reading, researching, planning, and getting MORE advice than we know what to do with. Right? I mean, the minute ANYONE sees that growing belly of ours, they can't control themselves.

"Breastfeeding is really best, the baby really benefits"
"Make sure that you don't let them sleep on their stomach"
"Similac is the best formula."

It just doesn't stop. BUT, what they don't prepare you for, is the incredibly dumb and outright rude people that will approach you and say the STRANGEST things. Currently, I am an EXPERT in this field! Seriously, the encounters that I have had while out with my baby are so out there, that you would think I made them up. I didn't.

Here's some background, although my baby is beautiful, we are lacking in the "hair" department, like, we can't even get a clip in and she is OVER the whole headband thing for the moment. SO, I have learned that no matter if she is dressed in head-to-toe Pepto-Bismol Pink or that her adorable earrings are showing, I need to stamp "I'M A GIRL" on her forehead, or expect her to be called a boy.

I used to just smile and laugh it off, but after almost 2 years of silly strangers ruining my day, I now point out very bluntly, "Girl!" They almost look shocked when I respond, saying, "Excuse me?" "Umm, she is a girl, see the pink and the pierced ears?!?!" They always laugh and apologize, and I follow up by asking, "Wouldn't I be the worst mother in the world if I dressed my son in all pink and pierced his ears??"

I've made my point, and they are defeated. Winning! :)

My most recent "encounter" happened just the other day, on my birthday, while out to dinner with my little family. An older man, 60s-ish, walked over to our table, and stroked Gwen's hair as he said "Aren't you just SO handsome!?!?" {She was in a dress, stockings, and Mary Janes}

The steam began to blow out of my ears, I mean not only did you call her handsome but you are touching my child?!?! Look out old man, Momma bear is about to be unleashed! Lol. But I pulled it together, smiled and said "You mean GORGEOUS!"

He looked like a deer in headlights.

"Oh my goodness, yes, gorgeous, that's what I meant!" The poor, sweet man was so apologetic and began telling me how beautiful she was and so I quickly put my Momma bear back in her cage. He then proceeded to show us pictures of his grandchildren and share details of their lives. Then, he bought my husband and I a drink... I guess you could say I forgave him :)

I don't know if I'll ever find the humor in it, but I am getting better with dealing with my "Strange-r" Encounters... I think. Ha. Maybe I should add on my own chapter to the "What to Expect..." series, seeing as how I am basically a pro! Thanks so much for having me again, Natalie! And thank you guys for reading! Stop over and say hi sometime! xoxo.

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Now I know we've all had some weird stranger encounters...but I tell you Samantha and Gwen have so many stories.  Apparently, when you have a child it gives complete strangers the right to give you their advice and comments.  Thanks again Gwen for your guest post!  Now everyone head on over to her blog and show her some love :)