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Monday, July 29, 2013

Mani Monday


 


 
Mani Monday
 
 

I haven't had a lot of time to paint my nails lately with a newborn, but I have a ton of ideas that I have pinned on Pinterest that I am excited to accomplish, I just have to get back to it! Here are the ones that I am most excited about:


This one reminds me of Lisa Frank


Gorgeous neutral and  a fun unique way to do a French manicure!


Love this half glittered idea!


I am in LUST with holographic nail polish! I WILL OWN SOME!


Love this tutorial on multi colored stripes. If I get ambitious I will do it...someday!


I big fat poofy heart ombre EVERYTHING!


 Love the polka dot peep through, this is totally me!


Love these ombre stripes done by Madison at Fundamentally Flawless
 

 
Linking up with Heather and Anna for Mani Monday, and Jennie for The Nail Files! Thanks girls for inspiring me!



See you later lovebugs!

Rachael

Sunday, July 28, 2013

My Husband Rocks: Vol. 24 with Ida @ Eternity Kind of Love






No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."


 
 
 
This week I am joined by my bestie Ida! To check out her post, click the photo:

 


This week we are talking about what you would you do if YOU could do anything for your anniversary - Would you fly somewhere exotic or would you curl up on the couch at home? Oh and for the record, your hubby doesn't get to choose this is ALL YOURS! (Money is no object, because this is just hypothetical, but I thought it would be fun!)

This coming Wednesday is also Ida and Josh's anniversary, so be sure to stop by her blog, leave her some love, and wish them a happy anniversary!!




Now since this is hypothetical, and because I said if YOU could do anything, I'm going to say that my dream anniversary trip would be to go here:



I want to go to Paris SO. Badly. I want to see the Eiffel Tower. I want to experience a French croissant and coffee on a patio watching young families shop for fresh bread and food at the markets. I want to see the Louvre. I want to walk the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. I want to take the bullet train to the country side and see a real castle. I want to hear people speak French. I want to be able to ask someone the very first sentence I ever learned in French "Ou est le biblioteque?" Where is the library. I want to go to said library and pick out a book in French to look at. And I want to do it all with my husband by my side. I know he wouldn't be as excited about it, but he would do it - for me.

And for that, my husband rocks. =)

 
 
 
 

We want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

The Growing Tree



*Next Sunday*

There won't be a co-host but I have another question for you:

If there was one place you would take your husband because you know it's a dream of HIS, where would it be?


* If you would like to participate *

Follow the prompt, or just wing it and blog about whatever you want, as long as it is about the love of your life! Don't feel like you can't contribute if you are not married, this is for anyone who wants to celebrate their significant other!  Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing I ask is to follow my blog and my co-host Ida's  blog via GFC, Bloglovin, Facebook or Twitter (icons at the top of my page - be sure to comment below and let me know how you follow and I will follow you back!) Then, take a look around at the other blogs linked up and leave them some love too!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop and add the link-up to your post, click here and highlight the first code!

* If you would like me to add you to the advance email OR if you would like to co-host in the future*

If you would like to receive the code for the post before it goes live, or would like to co-host your very own My Husband Rocks Sunday Link-up, send me a message with the subject My Husband Rocks to:

 
See you later lovebugs!



Rachael

Sunday, July 21, 2013

My Husband Rocks: Vol. 23 with Jen @ On a Rock in the Pacific






No husband is perfect and it doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I set myself up to think about him. If I focus on his failures, his annoyances, or ways in which I’ve felt hurt by him, then I will interact with him as a hurt and frustrated and disappointed wife. That makes for miserable living for me and my husband and those around us. But if I focus on his strengths, his potential, and the ways in which I feel blessed by him, then I will interact with him as a forgiving, blessed, and contented wife. And there’s no greater need a man has than to feel respected by his wife. If he feels like all he does is hurt, disappoint, and frustrate, then the same atmosphere and the same actions will be perpetuated. But if he feels that his wife can be happy and responsive regardless of his shortcomings, he feels respected and empowered. Then a positive atmosphere is perpetuated and actions, once destructive, can improve in an environment that is rich for cultivation and growth into deepened respect and intimacy."


 
 
 
This week I am joined by the adorable and sweet Jen! To check out her post, click the photo:

 


This week we are talking about anything you want!



This week has been a doozy. Let's just say that my first few days back at work have been crazy, and things at home have been even crazier. Hubby lost his job this week, but everything is ok. Let's just say that it was time to move on, and he already has another job, he is just waiting for his drug test to come back and for his start date.

So, this week, my husband rocks because he has been taking care of the kids all week, and I know from experience that is NOT an easy task. I'm surprised that he hasn't pulled his hair out and told me to come home early! He's an amazing dad, and I am so thankful that he is the father of my children.

My husband rocks because I've been hurting in my shoulders a little this week (possibly the stress from delivery finally stretching back out, or a strain, or a number of things) and he has been really supportive and has been giving me time to be on the heating pad without having to get up.

My husband rocks for not complaining about all the dishes in the sink that I haven't felt like washing, because we have been cooking at home all week. Dishes are my arch nemesis, second only to trains.

My husband rocks for still alternating nights with me taking care of little man, and doesn't complain when it's his turn. Granted, Cameron has been SUPER about sleeping already, so it's not a HUGE deal, but it's still nice.

My husband rocks for the way he takes care of Natalie and entertains her when I am finally at the end of my rope and frustrated with her. I hate her whineyness sometimes, and he comes to my rescue and plays with her for me.

My husband rocks for the way he jumps in with Cameron when he knows I need a break.

My husband rocks for bringing me home Mountain Dew when we can't really afford it. (you know because of the whole no job, being tight on money thing)

My husband rocks. He keeps this up I might have to actually like him! =)

No seriously, he is amazing and I am completely and irrevocably in love with him! (name that movie)  
 

We want to hear all about the loves of your lives!

The Growing Tree



*Next Sunday*

Ida @ Eternity Kind of Love will be back again hosting with me! Topic of conversation will be:

If you could do anything for your anniversary, what would you do? Would you fly somewhere exotic or would you curl up on the couch at home? (Money is no object, because this is just hypothetical, but I thought it would be fun!)

Oh and be sure to stop by Ida's blog and wish her a Happy Anniversary!!

* If you would like to participate *

Follow the prompt, or just wing it and blog about whatever you want, as long as it is about the love of your life! Don't feel like you can't contribute if you are not married, this is for anyone who wants to celebrate their significant other!  Then come back here and link up in the collection at the bottom of this post. Please grab the button and use it in your post, or post it somewhere on your blog!

The only thing I ask is to follow my blog and my co-host Jen's  blog via GFC, Bloglovin, Facebook or Twitter (icons at the top of my page - be sure to comment below and let me know how you follow and I will follow you back!) Then, take a look around at the other blogs linked up and leave them some love too!

* If you want to add the blog hop to your post *

If you want to participate in the hop and add the link-up to your post, click here and highlight the first code!

* If you would like me to add you to the advance email OR if you would like to co-host in the future*

If you would like to receive the code for the post before it goes live, or would like to co-host your very own My Husband Rocks Sunday Link-up, send me a message with the subject My Husband Rocks to:

 
See you later lovebugs!



Rachael

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Cameron's Due Date: Where are we today?

So not only is today Cameron's due date, but today is my first day back at work. I am so missing this little face:





But I know that I need to be at work. Gotta love not having paid maternity leave. Since I am currently nostalgic, I thought I would take this time to write down Cameron's birth story, for the record.


It all started the morning of July 2nd. My doctor agreed to induce me at 38 weeks. So, we spent the night with Natalie and took her up to Nana's house, and headed in to the hospital to get ready. I got in my gown and got in the bed, and proceeded to wait.



My best friend arrived a little while later, and hung out most of the day with me. Her and hubby took turns walking with me after receiving my first dose of medication that was supposed to thin everything out and jump start labor. I sat on the birthing ball a little bit, and after the second dose, and two hours in bed, I started walking again.

My sister arrived later on in the afternoon and hung out with me. She would be staying all night until I had Cameron, and my mom was watching her kids.

About 6:00 they started the Pitocin. At first nothing happened. It was a lot more waiting. Jess (my best friend) had to leave for work, and at the time there wasn't anything going on.

All at once everything started happening. At first, I thought that I could handle the contractions. Then one came, and I remember saying "oh...this is what it felt like all day with Natalie." Then another one. This one hurt - badly. Then they just started getting worse and worse, and I remember something setting me off and I started crying, and compounded with the pain I just couldn't stop crying. I remember squeezing my sisters hand so tight and looking at her, but not really seeing her. In the time of four contractions, my body had gone from 0 to 100 miles an hour and it was only going to get worse.

I had originally wanted to try and make it without an epidural. Well, I am here to tell you that every single person in that room was trying to talk me into it, and I finally gave in. In between tears, contractions, my heaving chest, and my nose (which I actually asked to blow before they inserted the epidural in my back) they proceeded to stick a needle in my back. While it hurt, it was NOTHING compared to what I had just been through. Hubby held my hands and my hair, and told me I was beautiful and he was so proud of me, and helped me through holding still for the time I needed to.

It was the smartest thing I have ever been talked into. Within minutes my whole lower body was a limp noodle and I couldn't feel a thing. She had said to me that I might get some feeling back after the initial dose, but let me tell you I never felt a THING. My legs were two tons - EACH. Instantly I felt amazing enough to close my eyes and try and get some sleep, with Hubby in the chair beside me holding my hand. (at least I think that's where he was) I was out for what felt like two hours, but it was maybe 30 minutes.

Around midnight they woke me up, checked me and said that I was ready to go. Jess was getting off of work, and I asked them if I could wait for her to get there before I started pushing. They agreed, and soon after she arrived, we started. Now, keep in mind that I said my legs were two ton sticks of jello. I could not lift them for the life of me. So, I had my sister holding one leg, and Mike holding the other, and we started to push. Mike said he was thrown off by this, but I don't think any of us was expecting me not to be able to hold my legs.

I'm guessing that I was pushing for around an hour. I don't remember much of it. I know that they ended up giving me oxygen while I was pushing, and I ended up at one point yelling at the nurse.

All I have to say is that woman needed to learn how to count in rapid succession! It seemed like she would either skip numbers or have a big ol' pause in between numbers, until she frustrated me enough to yell "YOU COUNT TOO SLOW!!" Mike says she was counting fine, it was just my imagination. But, seriously, I couldn't breathe, and she was asking me to hold my breath and push WAY past a count of ten, and then wouldn't give me two breaths in between pushes! UGH!

I do remember the doctor getting up and leaving, though how long she was gone I don't know (hubby says it was almost a half hour and he was wondering IF she was even coming back!) but eventually she was back.

So, I remember almost feeling like I was close to the end (even if I couldn't feel anything) and I got a second wind. I pushed four times instead of three, and in the middle of the last push they told me to stop, because the cord was actually around his neck. Luckily everything was easily fixed, and they pulled him the rest of the way out! He was here! They put him on my chest and dried him off. Mike cut the cord and then (bless them!! best thing ever!) they let me continue to hold him! If you know the story about Natalie you know that she was wisked away from me almost immediately after birth, because she was premature, so this was such a wonderful thing to be able to bond with him almost immediately!




Eventually, they took him so that they could do all the measurements and give him his first bath, which I watched from the bed. Then Mike dressed him in his first outfit, and fed him. I, however, was complaining about losing a bit of my vision, and I was just exhausted, so I leaned my head back and I believe slept for about 30 minutes.



Meanwhile, everyone helped move our stuff over to the room we would be staying in, and eventually the nurse woke me up and asked me if I could feel my legs at all. I could feel my right one a bit, but my left leg was still numb. So, the nurse brought over the wheelchair and got me into the bathroom and cleaned up, and then took me over to our room to get settled in. I got into the bed, got settled, and so did Mike and so begins his little life!



We snuggled a little bit that night, and the next day he was visited and loved by many of his family! He is a very happy baby, and I am loving him to pieces!

I miss him already!!

Welcome to the world, little buddy! Momma and Daddy love you!!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Little Miss Natalie: Birthday Edition!




Oh my munchkin!! How fast this year has flown by! I made you a new button, because you have just been changing so much, and you are too darn cute in this photo!

Today is your birthday. Two years ago, right at this very moment you entered the world, and grabbed your Daddy's finger. It was love for you two (and Momma as well!) at first sight!



That first month FLEW by, because half of it you spent in the NICU. When we finally got you home you grew so fast!


At six months, you had just started eating solid foods, you learned to roll from your back to your belly, you started to play with your feet, and you were doing an awesome job sitting up on your own!


By your first birthday you were doing so many awesome things! You were holding your bottle on your own, you had gotten your first three teeth, and you were SO close to walking!! You had a blast at your birthday party, and enjoyed your first bite of cake which you LOVED - and still do might I add!


The next six months brought your first steps, your first sentences, your first trip to the zoo, your first time going swimming, playing peek-a-boo, your first "TOUCHDOWN!", the arrival of your cousin Celia, your first trip to the pumpkin patch,  and the announcement that you would be a big sister!


Since then, you have been amazing us with your intelligence and your quick wit and general goofiness! You are a fantastic kid! You love the Bubble Guppies, hockey and the Devil's goal horn, playing with your blocks, bouncy balls of all shapes and sizes, your sesame street rock band toys, and riding your bike. You are so smart, and you love to talk! You love chicken nuggets and "fry fries", cake and frozen yogurt, and "iced tea".











You have endless energy and keep us running whenever we are out somewhere! You have the best habits, you love to take baths, and brush your teeth, and never fight Momma when going into your carseat or changing your diaper. It's like you already understand that you need those things to be happy and safe, so you never give a fuss about it!









You've been to your first circus, and your first arcade, as well as took you to your first baseball game for Mother's Day! Daddy and I also took you on your first road trip to the Devil's hockey stadium the weekend before your brother came, and we went to the zoo for Father's Day.








Two weekends ago, we took you swimming again, and you had a blast!! You just love the water, kinda like your Momma! I wonder if you will be a swimmer.


We also got you a big girl bed which I think you are really loving! You are doing well with it for the most part, you just don't ever want to stay in bed, you want to get out and play! We will get there!


And then there is this new little person in your life, who I think you love more than you love us! Yep! Your baby brother Cameron! You LOVE him, and are so excited to see him every day! It makes my heart burst when I see you together.







We had a little birthday party for you yesterday, and here are a few photos from the party.




Momma and Daddy love you so much baby girl, and I can't wait to see how you grow and learn!



Row Merrily my Beauty,

Momma
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