mamahood round 2

if i'm being honest, the past three months are a blur.  a happy blur.  and a messy one.  being a mama of two is no joke.  i had some friends who told me it wasn't a big transition at all for them and that they eased into it, where others told me it rocked their world.  i think we fall somewhere in the middle but definitely leaning towards the latter.  it has been a big adjustment.  for everyone.  but that baby boy of mine?  he is the perfect addition to our family.  it's so amazing to me how God chooses each person in a family and it is so evident that matthew was our missing part.  he has the most laid back demeanor, completely unlike his sister as a baby.  he's the smiley-est baby of all times.  even mid-meltdown city, just flash him a smile and whisper his name and he's all ear-to-ear gummy grinning.  it's a contagious gummy grin i tell you.  and that big sister of his?  she melts my heart in all sorts of ways.  she's slowly taking to her brother and has just started taking it upon herself to show him all of her toys (this is HUGE people).  i want to break down in a puddle of mush when i think about how much she has grown up over the past three months too.  she has matured and learned and loved and screamed and cried it all out.  it has been so beautiful.  in the really hard moments i remind myself that georgia will never know a life without matthew.  she will never remember being the only baby.  and truthfully, i'm thankful for that.  every single night i pray for their relationship.  that they will love each other fiercely and speak truth and life to one another.  i pray they will have each other's back, especially in high school and middle school (hello awkward years!).  i pray when one is too weak to fight for something worth fighting for then the other will offer the nudge that is needed.

and then there's the mess that is me.  i'm definitely more laid back this time around.  like for real.  sometimes i wish i would have had this perspective more when georgia was so tiny but i also know that it is all part of the learning process.  the mama process.  i'm savoring a little more this time.  even those 2 am and 4 am cuddle fests when really, i want to be asleep!  but i'm still a worry monster at times (all the time) too.  so don't worry.  pyscho mama is still here.  although my relationship with google is much healthier this go round.  thank goodness!

and gosh my people.  my village.  my husband who works so hard for our family both at work and at home.  the selfless way he serves us and the way he loves my babies and me.  i just can't even.  and my mama.  oh my mama.  she deserves a break.  i mean she's already raised me and my sister.  but yet she shows up still and helps me do the messy, hard stuff with my babies.  these past 3 months would have been a bit horrendous without her.  and the host of of people.  the rest of my family, taking georgia for amazing playdates, my best friends, showing up with food (and wine!) and playing with my babies, my neighbors - gosh i am so humbled.  my mama best friends who indulge my 3 am text-a-thins because they are there too.  there have been so. many. times. that i have just started sobbing in the middle of the day both out of gratitude as well as heartbreak when i think of others who don't have the support system i do.  so consider this a PSA - help the mamas out.  whether a working mama, a stay at home mama, a single mama, and foster mama, a rich mama, a poor mama, a mama with lots of help or a mama with no help at all.  love them.  love them all.  encourage them and support them in any way you can.  they are doing hard work of raising the next generation.  that goes for the daddies too.  support and build each other up.  we need each other.

this was a bunch of mumbo jumbo for my first blog post in a million weeks.  but hey.  that's life.  and this is my life.  and i'm so happy these days.  so grateful too.  thank you god for these perfect little blessings.  and the messiness of this season of my life.  and tomorrow is my hubby's birthday which means... CAKE!

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updates on life around these parts

my babies

Hi there!  It's me, Denise :)  I'm still alive and I still have a blog - just a lot of happenings going on around here ya know?  Soooo I have a one month old son!  What?!?!  He's the sweetest, cuddliest and most relaxed little man there ever was.  He's got a pair of lungs on him now, don't get me wrong.  But he's purely delicious I tell ya.  And a decent sleeper these days (thank you jesus!).  I also have a 2 year old!  What again?!?!  She's spunky, hilarious and so so loving.  They are mostly responsible for my lack of blogging, but hey!  Cuddles over computers. Always.

Oh and speaking of my babies... breastfeeding y'all!  The struggle is real.  I've had to work really hard to get my supply up and recently came down with mastitis only to watch it drop again.  But we are on the mend and building that supply back up for my little chunkster thanks to the help of my amazinggggg lactation nurse.  She's the best.  If you're in Wilmington and need one, let me know because Lindsay is the bees knees!  And also thanks to my sweeeeeet breastfeeding support group/ aka sarah tucker!  this post was so so helpful and poor sarah has had to endure my breastfeeding text questions 24/7.

We are also in the process of getting our house ready to put on the market.  That's right, I am going to try and sell my house while living with two in diapers.  Prayers appreciated.  We also bought a lot to build a new house with Matthew was 2 weeks old.  So hey!  Like I said, lots going on around here.

I am wayyyyy behind on thank you notes.  If you have sent a meal or a gift, I promise I am forever grateful for your kindness and there is a note coming!  And once those are finished, on to the Birth Announcements!

I received these amazing 3D Fiber Lashes in the mail and I cannot wait to play with them this weekend!  Anything to help this mama look more awake is much appreciated.

On that note, I reaaaaallllly need to get out of my yoga pants.  It's been almost 5 weeks since the babe and I just can't. take. them. off.  I have been shopping the Anthropolgie sale though and just picked up this (great for nursing too!) and this and this cute top!

Which leads me to another shopping point.  Have y'all ever heard of Coco and Ginger?!?!  I die.  No really.  I found them on instagram and am in love with each of their pieces.  Completely in love.  I usually don't spend that much on Georgia's clothes but I am going to have to splurge and get her something for next summer from that line.  Maybe for Christmas?  I'm in love with everything they make.  I want it in my size too please!

And then my last shopping point.  (disclaimer - I've been pregnant and haven't bought clothes in a long time!  I didn't really buy any maternity clothes either because I wore what I had from Georgia's pregnancy.  So there!  That is my excuse for this shopping nonsense.)  Back to my last point.  I want some boots!  For fall!  I'm deciding between these and these (in the grey suede).  Thoughts?

OK - both babies are sleeping so I mist shower and put on real clothes before the hubby comes home.  I. Can. Do. It.

PS - Promise to have Matthew's one month post up next week!

xox

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best week of my life

managed to take the kiddos out to dinner one night!

strawberry ice cream yes please

like i said - whatever matthew does... georgia does too :)

the newest tradition - nightly daddy/daughter bike rides

he was in my belly a week ago!

This past week has truly been the best of my entire life.  It was also the hardest of my life.  We were only in the hospital one night with Matthew because we were so eager to get home to our little family of four.  But once we got home we settled in.  Matt was able to be home most of the week and that alone, made me cry happy tears.  Georgia loved having daddy all to herself while mommy figured out this new baby thing all over again.  Georgia learned that Matthew HATES having his diaper changed, and mommy learned that whenever Matthew needs a diaper change... so does Georgia!  Funny how that works :)  Everyone cried a lot this week - happy tears, sad tears, frustrated tears, confused and exhausted tears just to name a few but it was like a beautiful mess of a week.  I remember Matt looked at me and said, "If I could bottle up this week forever, I would."  And babe, I couldn't agree more.

On another note, mamas to toddlers + babes... any advice for the constant nursing sessions?  What does your toddler do? Mine currently screams and cries until daddy or nanny swoop in and save the day, but what will I do when I'm all alone?  It takes a village y'all.  And I am forever grateful to my village.

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life lately + the woman i want to be right now

oh hi!  i'm alive!  and still pregnant.  i promise to get back to blogging soon - i mean it!  but last week i had a bit of a panic attack when at my 36 week doctor appointment they told me i was 3cm dilated!  the thought that baby matthew could be here any day (or not for another 3 weeks, let's be honest) gave me a kick in the pants - which, honestly, i kinda needed!  so last week was filled with washing the tiniest little clothes and getting his room all ready (even though he won't really sleep in his room for a few months - but hey!  i can check it off).  he still needs things on the wall.  i'm working on a painting of some lyrics similar to the one I put in G's nursery, and I just ordered this print and this one from Lindsay Letters.  so progress is being made.

i ran into this article that someone posted on facebook last week and absolutely loved it.  i related so much in that this is truly the woman i want to be - the woman who loved her people well.  in 2014 God and i battled it out in sorts.  he refined me and really had to change the way i thought about life.  i was so concerned with not "doing enough" and "not making a big enough difference" as "just a stay at home mom."  now i look back at those thoughts and they break my heart because they are clearly lies from the devil.  the biggest lies.  i don't know what my future holds.  no idea.  but my right now includes me being a stay at home mommy and wife to (soon!) two babies and the sweetest of husbands.  and i want to do that well.  really well.  with God's grace and guidance.  i also want to be a good friend.  i've met some amazing woman this past year just through having a child in preschool, and through play dates and what not i've formed some sweet, sweet friendships.  i want to be a good friend to these women.  a friend that has the time and doesn't think twice about spending it on someone else.  so all this rambling was basically to say that y'all should read this article.  because it's good.  and just know that wherever you are in life, you are enough.  and god will use you right there.  so let him.

happy monday!  off to clear my camera card to get ready for my baby boy!!

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Easter Happenings 2015

I hope you had a blessed Easter!  We enjoyed an Easter egg hunt and lots of family time.  So thankful for that and mostly for our Savior who endured so much so that we could be free.  

PS - is it really already Tuesday?  I feel like I skipped Monday.

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snapshots of late

  

egg hunt at school and cuddling with mama around the house (pictures 2-3 were taken by my sweet friend Bridget!)

after our family took a hit early last week with the tummy bug and strep, it was so nice to get out and about later in the week and this past weekend.  we are moving georgia into another bedroom soon so our projects as of late have been organizing her clothes and putting them in her big girl dresser :)  thankful to be healthy!

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Britt from Southern Mama + Child: Living on Purpose

Happy Monday!  And happy March!  Here's to hoping March brings some spring time weather right?!  Today is the last day of our guest posts in the series, Living on Purpose.  I'll still be sharing my post though later this week.  But today the sweet Britt, from Southern Mama + Child is here!  Britt has a heart of gold and we had the random chance of meeting last spring when she was in Wilmington!  If you haven't heard of Britt's new site, Southern Mama + Child you are missing out.  She covers everything from decorating your home to feeding your family.  I'm so thankful she is here today to share part of her heart!  Take it away Britt!

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I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here today on Denise's lovely blog sharing a little bit about how I aspire to live everyday with intention and purpose. My name is Britt, and I have a resource blog called Southern Mama+ Child. I try to give the best information about motherhood including guides, real mama stories, inspiring nurseries, mama+child style, recipes, and much more!

Living with intention and purpose is hard for me to do each and every day, but what is important is that I do strive to achieve that each day. One of my biggest lessons in life was becoming a mother and experiencing loss at the same time. I will keep the details light and short, but 3 months after I lost my brother and nephews in a hiking accident I became a mother. I'd say my head was in the clouds for many months after she was born. I was happy, distracted, tired, grieving, and trying to take care of myself and a newborn. Nothing could have prepared me for becoming a mom and nothing could have prepared me for loss. It's what I did after that changed my life completely. Part of me is glad that I was in shock for close to a year, because in many ways it saved me, and I was able to focus on being happy and fulfilling my role as a mother. Many people ask me how I did it, and I really cannot give a true answer. But, what I did do, was live each day fully and find happiness in every small thing I could. Doing just that kept me hopeful. A baby's smile, a load of laundry put away, a fresh cup of coffee in hand, a nice text... the list goes on. I've thrived off of those moments and made them huge positives in my life. Each day is a gift, I know that, more than most people, so I made it a promise to myself to praise happy moments and to praise positivity, because that is what gets me through each and every day.

Three Tips For Staying Positive

1. Do not let other's people's negativity take up too much of my happy life. If my friend, spouse, or family member is having a bad day, I definitely will be there for them, but I try not to let it disrupt my whole day. Too often do I get so involved in others' feelings that it affects my own. When offering advice to someone, I always try to bring up positive things from the negative situation to help turn it around. Leaving them on a positive note can help them feel better sooner.

2. Radiate positivity always. One of my biggest things is to not post negative things on social media and try to keep gossip to myself. No matter how upset or mad I could be at something, social media is just not the place to express those feelings and gossiping to a friend in time of hurt can escalate things in an unnecessary manner. I think people feeding off of positivity over negativity is much more effective to other's and friendships. When I lift others up I inadvertently lift up my own spirits. Plus, this is a great way to be a positive role model for my child. Having my daughter see me praising positivity will encourage her to do that as well.

3. Leave some sparkle wherever I go. I always try to encourage others. Saying thank you goes a very long way. Not being on my cell phone in the check out line and asking the person how their day is going is polite and shows appreciation for that person and their job, pushing my chair in at a restaurant, or simply smiling at others when they may not be smiling. These little notions are small, but their impact is huge. I know that when I was struggling in the grocery store with a fussy baby one day that another woman's smile and encouraging words went a loooong way.

The world is not always rainbows and butterflies. I know that. And life can throw us unexpected hurt and pain. No matter how long or short term those hiccups are, there is always a reason and an opportunity to learn from it. I am still learning to live with loss, and my recovery has been a long road, but I couldn't do it without those 3 reminders each day. I know my back story may not be relatable to everyone, but I think every person experiences some type of hiccup in their life and hopefully my story was inspiring.

Thank you again Denise for letting me write here today, I am truly grateful that you let me share my story. And, thank you to those who took the time to read my story! I hope you will come over and visit my blog, Southern Mama+Child :)

Find Britt Here:

SM+C  /  Instagram

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Sarah from Sarah Tucker Styles: Living on Purpose

The beautiful Sarah Tucker is here today to share how she is Living on Purpose.  Sarah is the first blog I really read and followed and she was definitely the one who inspired me to get into blogging.  I admire so much about Sarah - her humble nature, her natural living tips, her mama way and her style.  I imagine if/when we meet we would sit in a coffee shop and chat for hours about being a mama and wife! And her hubby and my hubby share an alma mater, so that's fun!  She is the true definition of class and her tiny, handsome little Tuck?  I die.  So stinkin' cute.  OK I'll stop rambling and let Sarah take it away...

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“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman

I quit my job last November, which was something that at times made me come alive.  But it was overwhelming me in this season of my life.  There are so many working mother's that amaze me - they do it with such grace.  I realized I wasn't one of them.  I was frazzled and struggling at balancing any of it.  So for this season, I decided to take a break.  If a break is such a thing with small children (; ... This season is short.   Just typing that makes me want to hold onto it but I know it's like sand slipping through the cracks of my hands.  Which makes me a bit weepy to be honest.   I am a mom to a just turned two year old little wild man nicknamed Tuck, and in two months I'll welcome his brother, Wesley, into this world.  Being with him day in and day out is a hard thing but the best thing for me right now.  Sometimes I am not very good at it.  I'm still his mom, his world, and so he doesn't seem to mind.  Thank God for the grace children are easy to give.  Something that worries me as I've transitioned into full time stay at home mama is that I'll lose myself.  I'll get so caught up with my children that I'll forget all of the things that made me come alive, the dreams God has placed in my heart from before I was born.  Truthfully, I've already fallen down that rabbit hole a bit!  I think that's a pool we mother's can't help but dip our toes into.  These babies, they are our world, aren't they?  So I think part of living on purpose in this season of my life is reminding myself that it is just that - a season. One of the most precious seasons of my life for sure. Which helps me to focus on it, die to myself a bit more than is comfortable, and trust that God (as always) outdoes my plans tenfold into something more beautiful than I could have dreamed up.  But I think it's still important to keep those things that make your heart sing close to you, to never lose them, sure they will evolve possibly into something better - but I want to remember them.  I want my children to see me as their mother who loves them unconditionally, but also one with purpose and passions all her own.  So what makes me come alive/ what fires me up?  Adventures.  The colors of the ocean.  being seaside.  a great conversation with a close friend.  my momma's love for her family.  marriage.  Gods Grace.  gratitude.  veggie gardens.  florals.  being outside.  porches.  walks.  children.  snuggling.  my boys!  helping others.  my family.  camera in hand.  blogging about things that matter vs just stuff.  early mornings.  good books.  good food.  organic everything.  .... And so I hope, once this season is done, and my babies are in elementary that whatever I do involves those things to some extent.  I hope I add a few more.  I know my children will teach me more than any school or any job - I just have to pay attention.  Some days I will fall short, some days it will be hard to see the beauty through the stains on my t-shirt, my ratty hair, my dark circles looking back at me in the mirror.  But I hope I look at my children with wonder and wide eyes, am grateful for this time together, give myself some Grace when I think I've fallen short and share what makes me come alive with my boys.  

Find Sarah Here:

Blog  /  Instagram

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