Last day of the countdown!

Happy Birthday!

The countdown is finally ending! Tomorrow is the big day. I am less than one hour away from being 26! I'll admit that this last week has had me panicking a little. I think I hit a bit of a quarter-life crisis. I started freaking out when I thought about where I thought I would be in my life versus where I actually am. It doesn't exactly match up very well. I had a completely different vision for my life actually. So when I thought about being 26 and not having hit all of the milestones I expected to have already passed by now, I went into meltdown mode a few times. But I pulled it together. Mainly because of one little girl I know. Anytime I started thinking about how things were "supposed" to be, I just focused on her. She's better than anything I could have imagined for my life.

And she also happens to be the very last reason of why I am excited to new turning 26 tomorrow. Ella. Because no matter how my birthday turns out or how many meltdowns I have when something doesn't turn out the way I expect during the next year, I know that she makes everything worth it. She brings joy into my life that would never have been possible without her. So why am I happy that tomorrow is my birthday? Because I'll be woken up in the morning (at 7:06AM) by the happiest little girl to wish me a happy birthday. And then all day she will be the one that outs the biggest smile on my face. And I know that every birthday is better because she is with me to celebrate it! 

Happy Early Birthday To Me!! 

Today's reason I am excited to turn 26

Recently, my mom came into town and brought with her my birth certificate for me to keep. I was briefly glancing over it when I noticed something that just went all over me. All of my life my mother has told me that I was born at 7:06pm on July 15, 1988. Well, in actuality, she only got most of that right. She blames it on the fact that she went through 36 hours of dry labor only to end up having to have a C-section. She says she was so delirious by that point that she didn't know which way was up, much less what time of day it was. Yes, I have heard about this birth experience more than once.

So today's reason for why I am looking forward to my birthday is because this year I get to do something for the very first time. I get to celebrate my actual time of birth, 7:06 A.M. It seems like a small detail, but I always believed I was a night baby. And everyone would always joke that that is why I absolutely hate mornings and always stay up way into the wee hours of the morning. Well, I guess we were all wrong. I am actually a morning baby!

The only bad part? I have no idea how I am actually going to make myself get up that early in the morning to be able to celebrate the actual moment of my birth! But I better figure it out since I have been off by 12 hours every other year. This is my first year to get it right!

Have you ever found out something about yourself that surprised you? Share below!

The countdown continues...

I'm back! After a few very busy days and some issues with internet going out so I couldn't post, I am back to play some catch up! Here are all of the past few days' reasons why I am looking forward to July 15!!

Well, I never said I was perfect! 

Day 4:
Presents!!!! No explanation needed because everyone loves gifts! :)

Day 5:
Because 26 means I am finally a true adult! 25 is about the last big birthday one has before getting into the "decade birthdays" like 30 and 50, so 26 means no more messing around. I have to actually be a grown up! That is scary and exciting at the same time!

Day 6:
Because Ella is just as excited about my birthday as I am! Every time I tell her that my birthday is coming she starts to clap and laugh. And then she gets even more excited when I say that birthdays=balloons!!! Honestly, I think she has me beat in the enthusiasm department. Even I'm not jumping up and down with excitement, well at least not in front of people.

Day 7:
Because I am already thinking about the food and cake that comes along with birthdays! That alone is enough reason to be happy it's your birthday. I don't know whether KT will take me out to eat or cook dinner at home, but I know that it will be delicious either way. Although, the Melting Pot does sound pretty yummy right now...


Anyone else's birthday coming up? What are your plans? Looking forward to reading the comments!! Maybe I'll get some great ideas for what I want to do for mine!

Happy 4th of July!!

 

Hooray! It's Independence Day! It's day to remember how fortunate we all are to live in a country where we are free! And it is especially a day to remember all of the brave men and women that have fought for that freedom. And since we live in a country where we are free, we get to celebrate with BBQ and fireworks! Yay! So Happy Birthday America, I'll drink one for you!

Luckily, KT got to get off work early today, so we are about to grill some ribeyes and get ready to head out to watch the fireworks show, Thunde on the Mountain, here in Birmingham. It's our first time to see it and it is supposed to be a pretty spectacular show. Here's hoping!

Earlier today I was trying to think of my favorite Fourth of July memory, and I came up with the time we spent the 4th down in Orlando visiting my uncle, aunt, and cousins. We went to a high school football stadium that evening to watch the Universal Studios fireworks show which was happening across the street. And it was fantastic! Definitely my favorite fireworks show that I have seen. I'm really hoping that tonight's show delivers! I know Ella will be completely entranced. I expect a lot of "MOMMY!!! MOMMY!! MOMMY!!" and finger pointing at the sky while she watches it.

My baby in her runway pose!

 

What are your plans for this evening? Catching any fireworks shows? What are some of your favorite memories from past 4th of Julys? I look forward to reading all about it in the comments!



Also, today is Day 3 of "Why I am grateful to be turning 26! (Okay, so actually it is Day 4 but I was lazy and didn't post yesterday! My bad!)
Today's reason:
When thinking about my age, I don't ever really focus on a number as much. I focus on how I feel. And since having Ella, I feel like I am getting to relive my childhood all over again. I get to see everything from her point of view and that allows me to enjoy things so much more. So I am happy to know that even though I am turning another year older, I feel like every experience is brand new again. Having her also makes me spend the majority of my day laughing, which definitely makes me feel like a child! So bring it on 26 because thanks to Ella, I have no fear of getting OLD!!

What makes you feel young again?? And when you think of age, do you see it as a number or a feeling? Let me know!!

Day 2 of Why I Am Grateful to be turning 26!

Today is the second day in the countdown to my birthday, July 15!
And there are plenty of reasons why birthdays are something that should always be celebrated! A lot of people, mainly women, never want to admit their age so they don't want to make a big deal out of birthdays, but I feel like we earn our age and we should be proud! So embrace your birthday! Just feel all of the wisdom bestowing itself upon you the moment you turn another year older! ;)

Reason #2 of why I am grateful to turn 26:
Birthdays are days that get to be all about you!!! And once you become a Mom you basically forfeit all other days, so you gotta enjoy to couple you have left, which are pretty much just Mother's Day and your birthday. So I am looking forward to getting to sleep in, have meals catered to what I want to eat only, and getting to spend the day any way that I choose (and no one can say anything because it's my birthday!!). This may be a bit of a superficial reason, but I'm just being honest! :) A day where Dani is the Queen sounds perfect! Here's to being selfish on your birthday!

Well, hey there July!

Wow, can you believe it is already July?!? I can't! But I am pretty excited about it since this happens to be one of my favorite months. Why, you ask? Because it's my brithday month!!! That's right, I will be the big ol' 26 on the 15th of this month. And I honestly think this is one of the few years that I haven't given much thought to my birthday, which is definitely unusal for me since I believe birthdays should be big deals. But due to some negative things that come along with this birthday, I haven't been looking forward to it much this year. In fact, I have actually been dreading it. Well, all that changes now! I can't do anything about those negative things (which do not even deserve the space on my blog being talked about!), so no point in being down about it. Instead, I am going to spend the next two weeks until my birthday celebrating by listing all of the reasons I am grateful for turning 26!



Today's reason:

I am grateful for turning 26 because the alternative to being here to turn 26 is...well..you know. And that would be pretty crappy :) Even if this isn't the most exciting birthday it sure beats the heck out of not being here to see it. I'm alive, I'm healthy, and I have a great, loving family. This birthday is looking better and better already!


What are some of the reasons you look forward to birthdays?? Share in the comments below!

Ella's Six Months Old!! And new pictures!!

Yesterday was a big day for Ella! She turned 6 months old. I was so happy and sad at the same time. I can't believe that it has already been half a year since we were blessed with the best baby in the whole world! It has gone by so quickly that I am almost sad to already reach this milestone. The past 6 months have truly been the best of my life. Everyday I fall even more in love with my amazing daughter. (Even though it has been six months it still sounds weird to say "my daughter", but it's a good weird!)
Since KT had to work that afternoon, Ella and I decided to celebrate with a mommy-daughter day. We went to McAlister's first for our lunch date, then to make Mother's Day cards for both grandmas, nanny, and auntie at Target, and then we capped the day off by meeting up with Jania and James for ice cream and a photo shoot on UA's campus. I'd say it was a pretty good day. And by the smiles and laughter coming from Ella throughout the day, I'd say she agrees. There are some pictures below from our day out for her 6 month birthday and just some pictures of Ella that are cute!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so hopefully we will have another great day together as a family tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mommies!! By the way, I say mommies need way more than just one day out of the year to honor all of the hard work that goes into raising kids, having a career, and taking care of the household!!

Sitting with Saban!

 

 Sitting with Saban again! (Btw, I didn't realize I couldn't rotate the

pictures until I already uploaded them and now I don't feel like

re-doing everything to fix it. LOL. Sorry!)

 

 In front of the stadium! Sorry again! LOL.

 

 Ella sitting beside me at McAlister's being the best baby in the world!

Such big, beautiful brown eyes!

 

 "I'm six months old!!" Seriously, could she be anymore adorable??

 

 Just chillin' on the couch like a big girl!

 

 Eating some yummy Cold Stone Creamery!

 

Loving her new exersaucer!

 

Sleeping on her daddy's chest! :)

 

 

These pictures make me smile. Tomorrow I will do her official six month pictures like I have been doing every month. If you missed last months pictures, you can see them here. Also, I am still looking for guest writers, so contact me if you are interested! Don't be shy! Tomorrow I will let you guys know how my first Mother's Day goes! 

The baby girl who stole my heart

While reading the blog post I posted about earlier (if you haven't read it, you can find it here), I realized just how incredibly blessed I am to have the most amazing little girl in my life. And I get to call her my daughter. I can't even describe how being Ella's mommy makes me feel. Unconditional love doesn't even cover it. She literally holds my heart in her tiny palm, and I am perfectly okay with that. Before becoming a parent, I had no idea that you could love one person (especially someone so tiny!!) this much. I saw other parents and they obviously loved their children, but I assumed it was the same kind of love you had for anyone else in your life. I was wrong. The type of love you have for your child is so different from anything you will ever feel for another human being. That is not to say that your love for someone else is not as great but love for a child is just on a completely different level.

While this post may not have much relevance for anyone besides me, I will do it anyways. Many parents go through heartbreak that I cannot even imagine. And I know that I have been blessed with Ella, so I am choosing to celebrate my precious baby and the love I have for her. So for no other reason than just because I love her, this post is solely dedicated to Ella and how amazing, brilliant, beautiful, and loving she is every single day.  :)     You can call me cheesy now if you want!

These are some of the 4 month pictures I promised!

The flash makes her eyes big. So funny!

Yesterday, we had Ella's four month well baby check-up. She is doing amazing! She is a healthy 14lb 1oz and 24 1/2 inches long. She did so great with the doctors too! She laughed and smiled at them while they did their physical check of her. She thought the leg stretches, tummy time, and getting picked up and put on her feet were all games, so she played right along! Both of the doctors were impressed with how well she holds her head up, keeps her back rigid, and can push up with her arms while on her tummy. They said she is really close to sitting up by herself and rolling all the way over. The doctor also said her bottom teetth will come first, but we are about a month away from the first ones popping out. KT and I sat and watched her getting examined and showing off her skills like such proud parents! It felt like we were watching her first real "baby challenge" and she passed with flying colors! She made us so happy! She even did well with her second round of immunizations. She cried when they did it of course, but after it was over she went back to just being her normal happy self. Just like with the first round, she didn't even get a fever! Another reason I am happy we have been able to breastfeed! The benefits are so widespread!

Ella loves to play on her playmat! She REALLY loves when I pretend to kiss her cute little feet! Sorry for the kissing sounds! LOL

Another quick update, Ella loves bananas in her rice cereal! I tried that today because she was eating the rice cereal a little bit, but she wasn't enthused about it. I want her to enjoy eating, so I mushed a small piece of a banana and mixed it in and she loved it!

These are from our trip to the park to celebrate her four month birthday! Ella loves her Daddy!





My adorable little family! 

I love this little girl more than anything in the entire world!

XOXO,
Dani

Ella's Four Months Today!!!

It is March 10, which means my pretty baby is 4 months old! Crazy that time has flown by so fast. We celebrated by enjoying the great weather we had by going to the park. Ella hated it, but we tried. LOL! Really it was just super windy, and she did not like the wind blowing on her. Once the wind calmed down she spent her time watching everyone go by. We have such a curious baby. But her curiousity can actually be a negative thing sometimes because she makes herself stay awake to watch everything. That results in one cranky baby, which we experienced when we got home. Thankfully, she finally gave in and went to sleep.

She has definitely been making some strides to be a big girl lately. She started attempting to eat her rice cereal. (By the way, any recommendations on the best brand of rice cereal? We have her on Beech Nut because it is supposed to be easier on the tummy, but I'd love to hear your opinion!) She also started using her baby shampoo, which is a step up from just using infant head-to-toe wash. I know, I know, but I was excited about it! Her hair smells so yummy now! :) She also is becoming so mobile! We put her on her playmat and she never stays in the same position anymore. She pedals herself around until she is facing the complete opposite direction. Hopefully, she will be fully rolling over soon. Right now she is just getting on her side. But I can tell she is getting close for sure!

The biggest accomplishment so far has been that today she said her first "mama" sounds! It lit up my heart! Before you all tell me that she isn't actually addressing me as "mama", I know this! However, I choose to believe in my mind that she spoke directly TO me as she said the magic words! And nothing you say will take that away from me! :)

Unfortunately, Ella fell asleep before I could do her four month pictures. Guess those will have to wait until tomorrow. She should look the same right?? :) Pictures to come tomorrow!

XOXO
Dani