Our Busy Bee

Like the last major holiday, we were home today with a sick Emma. But we still had lots of fun!

She spent the day with her Grandma while Mama had her one adult day of the week (at work). Her "day costume" kept her comfy, but festive. Perfect for a little pumpkin with a sore nose.

Once I got home, we changed into our "night costume," and geared up for the trick-or-treaters. At first, Miss Emma wasn't all that crazy about her antennas, but once I brought a mirror down so she could see her new look, she thought they were great!

She kept the costume on all night, even with a drippy nose and very tired eyes. She stood in awe of our dressed-up visitors (all 5 of them!) and managed to stay in good spirits during a quick visit from her other Grandma and Grandpa. But after a busy day of sneezing and coughing, it wasn't long before our little bee was ready for bed.

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Our day outfit…courtesy of Auntie Jenni

Perfect for pickin'



And now for the costume creating all the buzz…

The camera…again? Really, Mom.



Yeah, I'm a bee!


Hmmm… what's this??


Caught in the act!


What? I can't help it I'm so stinkin' cute!

A Lesson on Worry

As I have written in the past, I am a worry wart. Actually, it is probably more accurate to say I am control freak, which means I worry about things I have no control over. As a Christian, I know I'm not really in control of anything, but of course, that concept is a little easier said than done.

Enter Emma. Since the day I saw those two pink lines, I reached a whole new level of worry. Her sleep, her allergies, her reflux, colds -- and that was just the beginning. Now we have cuts and scrapes and who knows what else in our future!

So it is my nature to worry. Yes, it is in all of our natures to worry (especially as parents), but I happen to know this is one of those things God really wants me to work on. And, of course, is His total awesomeness, He gave me exactly what I needed today.

For the last few weeks, it has been the debate around here whether Emma was getting tooth #7 or cold #532. The molar that popped through last week seem to confirm the tooth theory, but the continuation of the runny nose, night wakings and ear pulling made me a little nervous another ear infection was around the corner.

The good news is that Emma always teethes in twos, so of course it has to be the other molar. No need to call the doctor. No need to worry. So what if she's always exhausted because she is waking up ALL.THE.TIME? And so what if she's eating goofy and hanging on my leg every second? It is her teeth. Yes, it has to be her teeth. (Breathe, breathe.)

Then this morning she wakes up with a bad cough and a REALLY runny nose. So cold #532 is officially here, and tooth #8 is not. I begin to wonder, are kids always sick or is it just mine? Between her tummy and her colds, I swear this kid is never 100 percent, which makes me so sad for her. And it makes me worry something else is really going on. Needless to say, emotionally, I was not in top form this morning.

So Jeff offers to stay home from church so I can go. I end up taking him up on his offer, although with huge amounts of guilt that I am leaving my sick child behind. But take one guess what today's sermon is called... "Wrestling with Worry." Of course it is!

Most of the message revolved around Matthew 6:25-34, which is always a great reminder that we are to give up our worries to God. Simply put, to worry is to distrust Him. Yes, we are human and will worry anyway, but we have to believe that He is in control and remind ourselves that if He has the power to create us, He certainly has the power to take care of the little worries in our lives.

But the real nugget I took away from today's sermon was a sentence containing two simple words that now mean more to me than they ever have: I Am.

You see, God is the "I Am," which means He is alive -- here and now. He isn't the "I Was" or "I Will Be." He is the "I Am."

In the same way, we are to live in today, because we truly don't know what tomorrow brings. And while the tragedies and sins of yesterday can't be forgotten, we also can't allow them to interfere with our joy today. I have a child I love more than anything right now, and in the end, nothing else matters. Not what happened yesterday, or what could happen tomorrow.

What a blessing those two simple words are -- and what a comfort! Knowing He is the "I Am" means I am loved and taken care of -- and more importantly, so is Emma. But without that knowledge, I am, well, just a worry wart...

Fashion Friday: A Change of Pace

Some of you may think this outfit is boring, but I beg to differ. The main reason I like it is because the colors are unexpected -- a nice change from the normal pink you often see our little lady wearing. And trust me, we needed some sunshine today. (It's been one of those weeks!)

And what girl doesn't need a pair of nice-fitting black pants? These particular black pants have an extremely cute detail. You can't really see it in the pix (which are getting harder and harder to snap these days!), but there is a thick white stripe and button that run along the rim of each pocket. A hidden surprise that makes them truly stylish.

Hope you all have a great weekend -- full of nice surprises!

Fashion Friday: On the Go

So this blazer wasn't free, but I got it over the summer at Gap outlet because it was just too darn cute. It is still a bit large, but I know we will get some good use out of this little jacket in the coming months. To me, it clearly says, "Woman on the Go." And as we all know, that perfectly describes Miss Emma.

Have a good weekend everyone!

The Shoe Debate

Yes, while other bloggers post about important controversial topics such as vaccinations and nursing, I am stuck on shoes.

So I read and read about all these ways to be the best mommy ever, trying to do my best while using some good judgement. I admit that my instincts are pretty good when it comes to Emma, but my confidence is not so good. Therefore, books offer me the reassurance I need. Information is my mommy mo-jo.

Anyway, I read early on about how soft-soled shoes are the best for kids (besides bare feet) until they are about 2 years old. And after my good friend turned me on to Robeez, I was sold.

However, as Emma and her wardrobe grew, I came to realize that Robeez do not match every outfit unless I plan on buying a million pairs. That plan might work if that darn money tree wouldn't have stopped growing, but it has, and so we are left with two pairs of shoes. Cute shoes, yes, but versatile, no.

So the search was on for soft-soled shoes that would be more versatile. I found a few online, but after a bad experience with a pair of soft sandals over the summer, I was afraid the shoes won't be the right size. And I HATE paying for shipping, let alone re-shipping for exchange. Plus, with rain and snow in the forecast, soft-soled didn't quite seem worth the investment.

I then started to entertain the idea of Stride Rites. Just a pair of gym shoes and a pair of dress shoes would do. No harm done, right? Other kids walk around with hard-soled shoes all the time. Heck, we survived without Robeez. But the guilt remained as I feared Emma's feet would turn into some sort of deformed paws. So still no shoes.

Then Emma received some cute hand-me-down hard-soled shoes from one of my friends. A brown pair and a black pair. They are cute, but certainly not Stride Rites. But they are free. And cute. And free. Emma also walks in them great and LOVES to wear them around the house. But these are on "borrow," so I don't want to scuff them all up.

So now I am asking you for your opinion. Your HONEST opinion on this oh-so controversial topic:

Hard- or soft-soled?

Stride Rites or Target?

And be brutal. I may not agree with you -- or take your advice -- but this mommy needs her mo-jo and baby needs a new pair of shoes. Help!

Fashion Friday: So Serious

Well of course she's serious. Doesn't this outfit just scream, "Stylish, but studious" ?

For some reason, corduroy always reminds me of school. I think that's why I love this outfit so much. It reminds me of something I would have worn to school as a little girl, but with an updated twist. I'm bummed you can't really see the ruffles at the bottom of the pants. They are too cute!

(BTW, if you can't tell, green and pink is my new favorite color combination!)

A Sad Farewell

I am sorry to have to say goodbye to you, my dear friend. I have grown very fond of you over the last year, and it hasn't been easy letting you go.

Our relationship has always come easy, requiring almost no effort on my behalf. You just naturally entered our lives, like you had been there all along.

And you were always there when I needed you. If I needed to get some work done or spend some time alone, you gave me my space. If I needed to rest, you provided. Sometimes you just let me cry, and other times you encouraged me to get my butt off the couch and take a shower. There were some days I honestly wouldn't have made it without you.

But now the time has come to bid farewell. I realize now you were trying to say goodbye weeks ago, but I was in denial. I didn't want to see you leave so soon. I thought I would have you for at least a few more months.

Still, we both knew from the beginning this couldn't last. Time goes by and people change. And in this case, I know it's for the better. Saying goodbye only means healthy growth and development, and for that, I thank you. You have done a good job.

I have truly enjoyed our relationship and will never forget all you did for me.

Goodbye, morning nap, goodbye. You will be missed.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy 31st to a wonderful father and very loving husband -- your girls love you VERY much!! :o)

Fashion Friday: Fatigued

Yes, you can be cute and casual -- not to mention adventurous -- in this little dress. But is the title of this post referring to the outfit or the fact that Emma decided afternoon naps are sometimes optional? I'll let you be the judge...

(BTW, any shoe suggestions for this outfit? I am stumped!)

Cute…

Casual…

Adventurous…

And…