Oh my goodness....

Is it really June 16th? And I haven't posted anything on here since then? My apologies!! I wish I had a really good reason...but I got nothing. Just life. Been busy with some newborn shoots...and chasing the girl around. It seems like I do the same thing every week...so it just keeps flying by faster and faster.

Here's a few things we've been doing since I last wrote. Visiting family...renovated the back yard...so we now have grass...yes...grass in our little square of the world....and I guess that's about it. We're heading to visit family this weekend...and then we're taking a little trip with some friends next weekend. And then it's already the 4th of July...holy moly! And then Ellie & I are taking an almost 2 week vacay back home to see my family...and stay with Grammie C on her farm. Fingers crossed we'll get to see lots of farm animals...maybe a kitty or 2..and of course...hoping to see some of the best girlfriends a gal could ever have...my Love Hall lovelies :) And then by the time we get back...it's almost August! It's insane how quickly the summer fills up and it's not even technically "summer" yet. Whew...I'm tired just thinking about it :)

What's Ellie up to these days? Well...she still talks all day long...only now the words are bigger and she asks more questions. Here's a snipet of one of our conversations today... Ellie- "I'm a puppy" Me- "Oh hi there puppy...you're such a good little doggie" Ellie- "I'm not a dog, I'm a puppy". LOL...she had me in stitches....what a funny kid :)

Disney...

We had a fabulous time!! Lots of great weather...came back tanned all of us..even with using sunscreen. Tired...need a another vacation from our vacation...but we have so many great memories!! Here's just a sampling...

Helping other moms...

A few weeks ago I was thinking back to when Ellie was first born...and how overwhelming everything seemed. I was desperate for advice from anyone..and seriously needed to interact with other moms. It was around 3 months after she was born that I really started to feel like I was getting the hang of things. I finally decided to suck it up...and venture out to go to my local breastfeeding support group. I had been wanting to go...but I never felt comfortable going...and certainly didn't feel like I could nurse in public. I was going for specific advice about how women got comfortable nursing in public. I had a trip coming up...just Ellie & I..and I obviously was going to need to feed her on the plane. The women in the group were so incredibly supportive and they gave me a ton of advice. I learned that what I needed to do was start practicing in public. Sounds silly...but it worked. I got myself a nursing cover from Bebe au Lait...and it was awesome! I felt like I was covered completely and I felt like Ellie was suffocating under there. She got used to it...and I got used to relaxing while we were out. I finally felt liberated!! We didn't have to race back to the car every time I needed to feed her if we were out and about running errands. I could just pull out the cover, and slip it on..and boom...we were in business :)

So now..2 years later...how am I giving back to other moms? I'm part of an Ambassador program with Bebe au Lait. Their product changed my life...and no doubt there are other soon to be moms out there who are looking for the same thing. I'm no expert on parenting...but I am an expert on what my experience was like. I think the best way to help someone is to share your story and what you struggled with and how you changed it for the better. So let me know if you have any questions about their products, or want more information :)

It's my b-day!

And there's no need to cry about it! :) I have so much to be thankful for...two loving families...mine & M's..that love me & support me no matter what....the bestest husband I could EVER ask for...who knows me better than I know myself somedays...a daughter who makes me laugh like no one else can....a home to live in...my own small business that's starting to sprout....and friends that despite how long its been since we talked....can pick up right where we left off. Life is very good. I am so incredibly blessed. So here's to another fabulous year! Happy Birthday to me :)