4 months

Four months of these gorgeous eyes staring back at me...

Four months of these sweet lips to kiss...

Eden baby, mommy loves you.


You are doing so much now, spitting raspberries being your favorite as of lately.
When your brother is in the room, you light up. You simply adore him. Watching you two makes my heart skip a beat. Never did I think I would have two wonderful children.

If you have your baby Einstein block (with the red birdie on it), you are one happy girl. Soon it will be time to start feeding you solid foods, which is a wonderful thing since you love to watch your family eat, but feel so left out. I love breastfeeding you and I
already dread the day when you wean. So for now I will continue to hold you close, kiss and feed you. It's our favorite time together.

Your toes are your new favorite body part and you can roll over when on your belly. Bath time is a big treat for you and you LOVE it when we lotion you all up and have silly time.
Your giggles move me to tears.

For a month now, you have been in daycare. To say this was a hard month is an understatement. I miss having your bright eyes staring at me all day. But, you seem to be doing well and I rush home everyday to scoop you up and have you in my arms for the rest of the night.

Time is going so fast and I already miss you as a newborn, but yet so excited to see you grow. You are a flower Miss Eden and the world is your garden sweet baby girl.

A photocard creations giveaway!

I have a giveaway for one lucky reader! I am giving away a $50 coupon to use at Photocard Creations. Got a special event, a birth, a wedding coming up? Why not give them a try? Great for cards or invites!

The coupon can be used once towards the purchase of 75 or more cards & cannot be combined with any other promotions. Since they recently launched their new & improved website with hundreds of new card designs, they’d LOVE your feedback!

Photo Card Creations is a leading online retailer of premium custom photo cards, announcements & invitations. They specialize in wedding, baby & holiday cards. From Wedding Invitations & Thank You Cards to Birth Announcements, Party Invitations & Holiday Cards, they have it all!

"We love paper & we love photos…..and we love creating cool photo cards of all kinds! We are passionate about providing exceptional customer service & exceptional quality products. Our cards are designed by talented artists using current trends. "

***

I've seen it for myself with a sample packet that was sent to me. (no, I was not given anything to host this) The quality is outstanding and I just LOVE the linen paper that some cards were created on. I'm thinking that I might have to take Easter photos for cards to send out after seeing the awesome job that Photocard Creations can do!

***
So you wanna win, right?
All you have to do is leave a comment with what card style is your favorite!

BUT

for a second entry twitter about this giveaway
(I am @crookedeyebrow)


(but leave another comment letting me know you twittered it!)

A winner will be picked on 2/15 at noon

positive

Quite honestly, I have been trying to find the positives in things lately. At work and at home. Then,while I was driving into work today a Chicago Radio Station Morning Crew were all talking about positive reinforcement and praise. Who doesn't love getting praise, right?

Of course the topic of children were the spotlight for a few segments and the one thing that spoke to me was that we now reward our children for every little thing that they do, that they are developing an inflated sense of entitlement. A few years ago I would have not agreed. I would have said, "No, these kids need it." Not anymore...

and by reward I mean tangible gifts, I am ALL for verbal praise!

Well after doing this exact thing and seeing more kids JC's age, *some* children will not do anything with out getting a reward. Like chores, for example. In my house growing up you had to do them and not for an allowance. Getting good grades? Some kids expect high priced ticketed items for doing a mediocre job. The list goes on and on. It seems as if some will only do things for something in return.


Are we guilty at the Crooked house? Yup.

We are and now we are struggling with getting things done with out getting something in return.
It' s my hope that my child will learn that hard work has to be done and to not always expect some big payoff or reward when the job is done. I hope that his father and I continue to teach him that he has to work hard for his own sense of satisfaction and because it is what he has to do. Hopefully then he will appreciate the little things in return one day.

Until then, let the praising continue. You know what? It doesn't stop at just giving positive praise with children. What about your spouse, co- workers or strangers. Well, I suppose it could go further and more along the lines of giving someone a compliment. Spreading positive thoughts, praise and compliments can be a challenge when things in life get busy, right?

So, my personal challenge for the day, (join along if you so wish) is to stop, think and slow down. Slow down and notice the people in your life. Pay a compliment to someone. Anyone. The clerk who checked you at the grocery store, your child, your husband. Anyone, heck more if you want!

*Dear readers of mine, Don't you look lovely today? Yes. You do. I love you and want to thank you for always taking the time out to visit me. Although I may not respond like I would like, it means a lot that you take time out of your life to share sweet thoughts with me.

Thank you

and I love that shirt color on you....


See? easy.peasy

Another is to BETH for giving me such an awesome blog-redesign. WOOT! Who doesn't love new digs? I wanted something warm with a romatic flare. I love it and I love her. Beth you are awesome. Thank you

With open heart s and open doors...

With open hearts and open doors, we wait for you dear sweet child...

I finally finished photos of my sister, they can be found here

*leave comments, she'll read them and she totally need the love*

*You know you are a mother of a baby when you have a bloody nose while driving and in lieu of tissue, you use a diaper. Why yes I was that woman in northwest indiana with a huggies being held up to her face.

*I have been overwhelmed with work, lack of sleep and lots of laundry this week. Finding time to write or blog was hard. However, I did manage to still share my daily Crooked View.

*Currently I am pumping while typing at work, quite the site. not.

*Also, I have been back to the shrinking jeans site, posting my weights and confessions over there. That group, at the sisterhood, is nothing short of amazing.

*Winter sucks monkey balls

*Yes I typed that

* My nephew is due in about 7 weeks and we are getting ready for him! I still have to finish editing my sister's maternity photos. Working full time is proving to be a challenge with my hobby.

*Although I do still hate the fact that I had to go back to work and leave the baby, I think I am transitioning well. I don't cry everyday, but I still find my self upset quite often. Baby steps.

*When I started this post today I thought I would have more to say, but it turns out I don't.
Damn.

*pumping at work sucks, so does having the door jiggled while my boobs are hanging out. Makes it kinda difficult to relax and let down. Just sayin'

*I start the week looking for Friday. Then again, who doesn't?

*If you don't read too much about JC on here, please don't think I am forgetting to mention him or on a baby high. He now knows I blog and has asked that I not talk about him so much. I have to obey that request. But he is doing wonderful straight A's and all. Love him so. much.

* Back to work....ick

Have a great weekend!

1 year ago

1 year ago I took this

and today?
I get to hold this

my sweet Eden Elise


Life is amazing

due to a lack of time

Due to a lack of time to actually type out all the floating posts in my head....
I will show you all more photos of my sister's maternity shoot from the other weekend. It's not fair that she got the perfect skin.

=)
Gosh I love photography

P.S.

Today is her 2nd Wedding anniversary too.

Hard to think I was in Cancun 2 years ago.

I want to be back there right. NOW.