Wednesday, January 4, 2012

This week's obsession

It's no secret that I'm a crafty wannabe. I've always had an appreciation for creativity and the great things that come of it. I came across this blog while I was still trying to conceive and I completely forgot about it until it resurfaced in my twitter TL. Now that I think about it- I came across a lot of great things that were shared via the message boards- none of which I bookmarked, all of which I regret. But anyway to my point...


photo credit
I am so excited about the release of this book! Basically this mom would create scenes around her baby while she was napping based off what she thought the baby was dreaming about. I fell in like from the first time I saw this. She used only fabrics and household items to create the scenes and I am so impressed that she was able to do this without waking baby. Actually she explains this in her blog: http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

If you have a moment please hop on over and have a look see. While she has removed all of 'Mila's daydream photos' due to the insensitivity of a lot of people- you will get the gist of what she's done. I wish you could have seen it before mean people started stealing photos of her daughter (which is why I am deathly afraid of posting pictures of my little guy- thank goodness for watermarks) {but check out what is now her first post}. Also check out her FAQ page. It gives a lot of insight into how something so sweet ballooned out of control.

While you are browsing her FAQ page to understand what she, her daughter, and her blog has been through, i'd like to point out something I find to be a little "unfair" for lack of a better word. She talks about Finland's (where she's from) maternity package which contains clothes and other goodies for baby. And if you peruse the site a little further you will come across the maternity AND paternity leave allowance. While I understand American customs such as baby showers help the parents a lot with baby goodies I think their government is pretty supportive of mothers and new babies. Did you see that you may take maternity leave no more than 50 days before your due date and no later than 30?? I know some moms who didn't even get the standard 6 week leave but rather had to use PTO (personal time off) days. I'm not saying- I'm just saying

My hubby and I were very blessed to have supportive family and friends to help us celebrate the birth of our first born and we are truly grateful for everything we have been blessed with. I just find it nice that their government also celebrates with mom and dad rather than penalize. I am sure that Finland may have issues that Americans may not have ( I am in no way versed in wordly governments)- my husband always says "Yea, the grass is always greener on the other side". So I should be grateful for what I did receive... Now back to the regularly scheduled program.

It's no secret that I love good photography. I even want to start a photography project dedicated to my son this year - all which is why I'm excited about the release of the book. I know it takes me a while to get to the point. I love it when ideas come to life to be enjoyed for years to come. So the book release along with Jen's 365 tips, and Lacey's link to the helpful list, I think I may be able to pull off the Love Letters to my son. Wish me luck!


Monday, January 2, 2012

Year in Review

January- We found out we were expecting

February- I became an author

March- second trimester

April- My 30 day challenge

May- Felt baby move for the first time

June- Won my first blog prize

July- Got my iPhone!!!

August- Road Trip!!!

September- Met my baby boy face to face

November- Baby Boy's first Thanksgiving

December- Baby Boy's first Christmas


I hope 2012 proves to be as blessed and eventful as 2011.
 

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!!!


Happy New Year folks!! I wish you all many many more years of blessings.

To start of the New Year, here are my top 10 posts (by page views) from 2011.

#10. Packing while pregnant


#9. My early Christmas gift


#8. My favorite Christmas gift



#7. Happy Halloween



#6. My first blog tag!



#5. The nursery reveal



#4. The breastfeeding campaign



#3. Baby's first Halloween



#2. The day my son was born



#1. My DIY makeover



That list was unexpected to say the least. I'm surprised the birth stories didn't make it and I can't believe the Happy Halloween post actually made it. My tracking skills are really lacking but this is still interesting to say the least. 

I hope that in 2012 my blog continues to grow in readership and content. Most importantly my blog will continue to be my personal documentation to through motherhood. I look forward to what 2012 brings - hopefully good things just as 2011 did :)


Happy New Year!!!


Friday, December 30, 2011

Blog Jacked

By my baby boy and his daddy :)

I've gotten a few questions about the author of my Christmas letter.  Well my incredibly poetic husband help my incredibly handsome little boy compose a letter to his mommy. It was the best Christmas present ever!!! I'm not surprised that the hubby was able to translate baby because that's his best buddy.


Sorry that the watermark is dead center of the pic. But this is during a naptime


playing air guitar to Bon Jovi... while napping

watching TV... while playing words with friends

Yep, these two are best buddies... and I thank them both for my Christmas letter :)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

My Christmas Letter to Mommy!

Dear Mommy,

So I know I don’t understand the full concept of this Christmas thing yet, and of course I had to dictate everything in this letter for Daddy to type because my hand control is, well, let just call it ‘entertaining” at best, I have learned enough about today to know that I wanted to make sure to say a few things to you in this letter before the day is over.  It was kind of hard explaining everything to Daddy since he doesn’t always understand my oooo oo aaa oo aaaaaaaa grrrrr language.  It’s ok, I continue to work on him.  I’m gonna train him to be just the way I need him!  But anyway…back to my letter to you.

I have learned enough about today to know two things:

#1 Today is  a very special day for several reasons, and we celebrate it every year! (can’t wait till next year!)
#2 It’s nice to do things for people in order to let them know you care about them and love them!

So, with #2 (not poopie #2) in full effect, and since I’m a little financially challenged (Dad wouldn’t let me have open access to the charge cards just yet) I decided this letter would be a good way to tell you some important things.

Most important, I love you very much!  You make me smile every morning when I wake up and see you there with me.  Don’t let anyone tell you that these smiles are gas!  These are genuine smiles dang gummit! Wait! Who said gum it? I love gumming my fingers….mmmm….my fingers…oh sorry, I lost my focus for a second!  Back to my thoughts…

For 40 weeks and 1 day you carried me around everywhere you went.  And I know, it’s a bit challenging that I still want you to carry me around everywhere you go, but hey…I’m a little attached!  It’s all out of love, I promise.  I have been listening to your voice and your heart beat since I was a little poppy seed, and they are the sweetest sounds I have ever heard.  Your voice makes me smile, you heart beat comforts me in my sleep.  And let me tell you, lady…you make a mean bottle!  I’m excited about cereal soon though! It’s hard to fill up this belly on a completely liquid diet!

When Daddy explained to me that I needed to help him pick out a Christmas present for you, I was like “ummm, grrr, ooooo, ahhhhh, ooohhhh ohh oh (burp).”  So then he gave me a few options and I smiled at “CJ charm bracelet.”  So he got some brochures from the jeweler and I helped him pick out a few pieces that represent me mostly (I mean it is called the CJ Charm Bracelet for a reason) and some that represent you, the most important women in my life!  First, it was easy to choose the sapphire charm…who loves September babies??? Me and you do! LOL.  Second, we settled on the baby boy charm.  That rational is obvious…I will spare the details.  Third, I picked out a guardian angel for you since I want you to be watched over, protected, and blessed for your whole life.  Fourth I helped Daddy pick out the dance shoes…since it was dance class that you and I jumped around in for months and then I got to co-star in the dance revue in June.  So while no one actually saw my face, I was definitely visible from the back row! (What, I’m chubby…sue me lol).  And last, we picked out the Mom charm with the trinity on it.  We did that for two reasons.  The first was that you are a new mom…and despite all the challenges associated with  that (and a few more challenges that come from simply being my Mom), you have been fantastic at it and Daddy and I both appreciate you more than ever.  We love being ‘your guys.”  The second reason we chose that charm was because it also had a trinity on it and this being Christmas, we figured that was appropriate.  I know that today has something to do with some baby, and his parents, and him being born in a barn and doing great things with his life.  Dad said he would help teach that to me later when I can read.  Is it a Doctor Seuss book?  Because I LOVE One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish!

So know that you got the charm bracelet, I hope you enjoy it and get the meaning of all the little charms.  There’s plenty of room left and Daddy told me that I can pick out charms for Mother’s Day every year!  I told him to get that Amex ready! Cha-Ching on the Bling Mom!

So in closing, I know its not the easiest job in the world, and the thank you’s are few and far between (until I can actually talk) but I thank you for being the greatest Mom I could have asked for.   Daddy told me that you used to get worried about being a good mom because you didn’t think you had it in you.  Well he told me that you have definitely become super mom and taken on new strengths that are simply amazing.  He even told me that he never would’ve have thought that you would have been the patient parent more than him! You should be proud of that…because we both know Dad never admits to losing a contest! LOL!  So again, I know I’m challenging…and I know it’s pretty annoying when I play nice for others so they think you lie about how tough it is to be with me all day every day! But hey…I’m so dog gone cute that no one can be frustrated with me for long lol! And yes, I apologize for all the fits I throw in the car. Let’s not talk about that any further.  One day we can all look back on those challenging moments and laugh.  If not, just remember, I’m cute J wink.

So, to put it simply, thank you…and I love you.  You are the best! And Merry Christmas Mommy!

Love CJ


And PS: to all my Mommy’s blog readers out there with little girls at home, tell them I said “heeeey laaaadieeees…you know CJ loooves the ladies.” wink.


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