Thankful

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and if you're shopping out there today on Black Friday, well be careful and try not to get too annoyed by people. I know I probably would, so I think it's best I just stay home this weekend with the girls if I can. I don't have much patience for long lines and crowds.

Thanksgiving was delicious and fun, but a little different this year. It's only the second I've ever spent away from my parents, but the first where I knew my parents weren't together anymore. I mentioned it only once before but they divorced this summer. It still seems weird to acknowledge it. I missed my mom yesterday and thought about my dad's and my brothers coping with their own thoughts on Thanksgiving this year, but I also remembered that I'm a big girl who has her own family now. H and I will be making our own traditions now with our girls. 

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity so today I'm thankful. Thankful for my husband that loves me even through my shortcomings and my bad days. Thankful for my three girls who are healthy and happy. My family is my whole world.

Thankful for my extended family who are also healthy for the most part. I mentioned a month ago about a very stressful time when my father was sick and he was recently diagnosed with Lupus, but I'm happy to report that he's been doing so great. He started a regimen of a few medications once the doctors figured out what he had and is now symptom free. He's feeling like his old self currently and that's the best we can wish for. 

Thankful for my business that helps me provide for my family and that has also given me a great gift of being able to help others. It's allowed me to contribute and donate to organizations that either provide assistance for children who have cancer or need medical assistance, or for families in need. I know it sounds crazy but since I was in elementary, I used to imagine that I was going to be a designer and have a factory and be able to help those in need. It's weird to know on a small scale I'm accomplishing some of the dreams I had as a child. It's also amazing having an outlet to create and share my creations with the world.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Topknots and toes

White & mint scalloped tops: {Target}

I have way too much fun dressing these two. Happy Monday!

My big girl!

I tell you what. I'm going to cling on this last year like white on rice before the "teen" years start.

 

Hold me blogger. My first born is 12.

 

 

Surviving Hurricane Mariam (When you're still in the storm)

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post about Mariam's temperment and crying. I'm back now to give you a little update on things. If you never read the original post, click here for a little insight on her type of personality. 

Mariam has always been a crier. She was colicky from the beginning of her days on this earth and sometimes I think she never grew out of it. Around 11 months when I wrote that post she started getting better in regards to not crying as much, but that only lasted for a couple months. It started again and since then, she has her good months and her bad months. 

Shortly after I wrote that blog post, the website whattoexpect.com contacted me and asked if they could share my story. In their article they mentioned Mariam being a "high needs child". That was and is the perfect way to describe her. She is still sweet and loveable but she is very much high needs. She still cries about almost everything and is quite feisty. Right now I'm at the point where I'm finding it very difficult to take her anywhere, which stinks for me because I don't always want to be stuck at home. To make matters worse, Mariam stopped sleeping through the night earlier this past summer. She wakes up every night trying to crawl into our bed--along with Layla. We only have a queen sized bed, so yes between my husband and the girls we are squished like sardines, when I'm too tired to put them back in their bed. Not enough sleep and other stress probably means you don't feel like running through the hills a la Julie Andrews style from "the sound of music." It makes me downright moody sometimes and sleepy. Oh so sleepy.

Sleepy may not be the only thing 2 years of Mariam has brought me. I can add cranky mom to that resume. I ventured out this morning to try and buy Serena's birthday gifts and once again Mariam kept trying to get out of the cart and Layla was giving me a hard time too. At one point one of the employees at the store says very snippy and judgey "She's gonna fall out!" I hoisted Mariam on my hip with one hand, and with the other maneuvered my things on the counter. I look at her and said "You know what!" I took a pause wondering what to say next because I hadn't thought it through and then said. "I'm doing my best."

I turned away so I could compose myself and give my eyes a minute to clear since I could feel the tears welling up. The lady didn't say anything and I ended up just saying I changed my mind about these things and left the store. As I buckled Mariam in her car seat wriggling and all, I did cry there in the parking lot. I wasn't angry at the lady, I was angry at Mariam and I was angry at myself for being angry at Mariam. Being a mother of two toddlers isn't easy, being a mother isn't easy period. I feel like I don't have the best advice to give at this point like I did 11 months ago, because I'm still trying to figure things out, but I will say this: Hang in there and be kind to other mom's out there. You never know what kind of struggle they might be having.

Happy Birthday Mariam!

{Baby bib: FHJ Baby} {Tassel garland: Pretty posh shoppe}

You guys! My baby is two! 

I may or may not have held for for over an hour last night at bedtime, because I didn't want the day to be over and her a day over 2.