A total mommy makeover

So I thought I would catch you up on whats starting TODAY...

For the past few weeks I have been super busy, and with that comes bad eating habits, and not alot of time for me. Now I realize being a working mama there will not always be time for me.. but I need to make sure that my every second if not consumed by that tiny little princess of mine. I need to take some time out now and then for my marriage... as well as time for just me.... and a girls night every one in a while!

So I have decided to take the next month to try and start some new habbits, and refresh myself.

Some of the things I plan on doing may be cheesy but they are my choices of things i want to include in my me time.. I don't want to full in the frumpy mom rut, now and then I HAVE to change out of my VS yoga pants, and put some skinny jeans and heels on.

This month I plan to get back on track with my diet as well as

Doing a juicing detox diet for a week

mani/pedi {even if done at home}

Tanning { While I do enjoy a bit of color this is mainly due to a skin condition that will clear after a few weeks of tanning, otherwise it causes very itchy, red skin}

New hair {next friday}

Crest whitestrips

running more

girls night now and then

try for a date night once a week w/a babysitter

cutting out fried/greasy food

cooking more meals at home {mostly new recipes}

I will keep updating as much as I can on my progress

moving it inside

Since fall arrived before its scheduled arrival and has graced us with 50 degree temps, we are unable to enjoy the pool any longer. The pool as I have spoken about before was one of Emmalines favorite activities, the girl was related to a fish, really she cries when we take her out. 

Well what else can a mama do, but move the fun inside, and increase the duration of bath time.. so that it can be enjoyed much like the pool was.

Its not doing the same thing for mama though, no tan, or Vit D.. but baby is happy and thats all that matters

~Yes I know she turned One already and I just referred to her as "Baby" and I will continue to do so... I just cant handle calling her toddler just yet.

Speaking of baby??? If you are feeling the baby itch... then I suggest you do NOT go over to my photography blog www.sarahmichelephotography.com and watch the birth slideshow.. your ovaries will start crying for sure.

Mini Me

Spending the day with this sweet girl!

Up and Running

Thanks to the amazing and talented Katie at Lovesoflife.com, who designed the header, and got all the details and colors in order...

My Photography website is a go!

Check it out..

www.sarahmichelephotography.com

also if you are in need of a new web design, or blog header be sure to get in touch with Katie!

and then they came two by two

Not sure how many of you are reading from the East Coast.. but we are getting pounded with rain here..as a result of "Lee". Roads are being washed out, homes destroyed, and many storefronts have had to close up due to flooding. I am waiting for an ark to float through the backyard and the animals to line up.

Here are some local photos..

The were all taken off of our counties Facebook page.

This is Hershey Park

Even though our roof leaked and ruined the carpet, the walls, and the ceiling... lots of work will need to be done.. I am not complaining.. because I know many others are grieving the loss of their entire homes, and possessions. 

The party deets

Afew have asked through email and facebook about some of the party details so I am wrapping it all up in this post. 

The Cake

 The smash cake was made by a dear friend who makes beautiful cakes for all occasions... this had yellow cake on the inside and butter cream icing, along with decor accents of fondant

The Cupcakes & Toppers 

 My mother in law made all of the cupcakes, and the toppers were pdf printables from Top That Etsy Seller

First Year Banner

 From Creative Banners & Cupcake Toppers Etsy Seller

Highchair Banner

 I actually won this in a giveaway a few months back from A Little Lollipop Tree Etsy Seller

Birthday Banner

 From Little Laws Prints  love her work!!!

Birthday Shirt

 none other then my favorite Tar-Jey!!!!! My Etsy seller fell through on the monogrammed shirt.

Party Bloomers 

 From The Sassy Squirrel Etsy Seller... by the way.. her shipping was really fast!

FYI

Red smash cake icing will dye skin for days!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Emmaline

This time last year I was in a hospital bed, wishing that my epidural would have worked and praying that my sweet baby would not take her time, and would be ready to meet her mama! I was exhausted from more then 30 hours of labor, I was eager to see her face for the first time. I was praying to God that her delivery would be smooth and that there would be no complications, and also praying that I would be able to do this, as the pain had become so intense I could barely stand it.

I prayed many time that my sweet girl who at one point was considered high risk due to IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) would be born healthy and a solid birth weight. I prayed that she would be a good nurser and that my family would make it to the hospital in time. I prayed that I would be a good mother, and I would always put her needs before mine, that I would teach her good values and morals, and more importantly model those values in my own example to her.

I prayed that her father and I would always remember to respect and love each other, to show her the example of a healthy relationship, and that her father would love an cherish her, so that she would look for a man to do the same for her in the future.

I prayed that God would give me guidance in making choices for her, a soft voice for reprimanding her, and a full heart for loving her.  It was then that I remember the nurse letting me know that doctor was coming and I could push.. I was more then thrilled, I pulled together every last bit of strength I had and focused on meeting her face to face.

She came out and was laid on my chest, a tiny petite 6 and a half pound baby .......... was mine, and relied fully on me for everything at that moment. I wish I would have known then just how fast this day would creep up on me. Its not cliche... it really does go by so fast and feel like just days ago I was delivering her. I will never forget the feeling of her soft wrinkly skin, or the smell of her hair. I can still feel her soft inhale and exhale against my chest and the way she would nuzzle into my neck and drift off to sleep.

I have learned so many things this year, I have accomplish so many things, taught many things, and like every new mom regret many things. I regret caring what other people thought, and trying to be something I was not, I regret not cuddling her more, and making more time..... but ..... that is part of life.... there are many things I could look back on and wish I had the power to change, but there are many more things to look back on and just savor........ savor the laughter, the smiles, the hugs, and kisses... the late nights in the rocking chair, the many first's we shared.

I love you my sweet girl!

Photo taken by Tracy Marshall Photography

Birthday Party

The day has finally come, I cannot believe a year has almost gone by since my little bundle of joy became mine! 

Today we are celebrating Emmaline First birthday with a party, most of her little buddies will be there.. the food has been ordered, the smash cake designed by the fabulous "Sugar Queen", Decorations are somewhat in place... 

The tears are on their way I just know it...

The clouds are rolling however, which worries me about our little outdoor party... 

Pics to come...

And what do you know... one of my photography clients that had booked me to capture her birth... went into labor today....... it was pre-discussed however that if the baby came today I would not be able to come to the birth.. I am secretly wishing that the labor stalls a bit around the 8cm mark and holds off till evening so I can still make it to photograph the birth... I am sure I am the only one wishing for a longer labor.. shhhhh don't tell!

{Review & Giveaway} Get Comfy Buns Cloth Wipes

We were recently sent a "Test Drive" set of cloth wipes which included (1) 8x8 & (2) 6x4.5 sized cloth wipes. 

Here is a bit of info about the wipes from Jessica {Owner/designer}

Each double-sided wipe is made from pre-washed and pre-shrunk 100% cotton flannel ( or a mix of 100% cotton with 100% cotton flannel on the back ). I lovingly cut them on my kitchen counter and they are stitched together on our dining room table. Who says you need a sewing room ?? As much as I would love a "space all my own", we don't have it, so we improvise. After they are stitched, I tie off all threads and finally run the lint roller over them to remove any fluffies that don't belong, then package them and send them to their new homes.

Caring for your wipes is quite simple. Being that they are made out of 100% Cotton and/or 100% Cotton Flannel, they do best when washed cool and dried on low. The more gently you wash them, the longer they will last and stay looking pretty. Having said that, I usually wash mine in hot water along with my cloth diapers,and dry on low, and they are still sturdy and soft as ever.

I keep the wipes in an empty disposable wipes container and spray them as needed with home made wipe solution. I prefer the larger wipe that was included in the pack, the smaller ones just don't get it all, then I just spray them with the diaper sprayer and toss in the pail, they get washed with the diapers, and hung to dry.

Jessica suggests the following for care and cleaning;

To maintain their absorbancy, avoid fabric softeners, which can cause build-up.

To maintain their gorgeous colours, avoid chlorine bleaches.

Some people choose to rinse the wipes out with their diaper sprayer when they're spraying their diapers, some just leave them inside the diaper and toss them in the wash all together, both work well. 

Jessica has offered one lucky winner a "test drive" set of their own in boy,girl, or neutral prints.

GIVEAWAY STARTS HERE

To enter its easy...

1- Follow this blog

2- "like" Comfy Buns on facebook

Both are mandatory but equal 1 entry each.

Please leave your email address in one comment.

Giveaway will end on tuesday sept 6 at midnight, winner chosen using random.org

I was sent the above product in exchange for this post *Thanks Jessica*... these are my honest opinions, there was no monetary compensation.