te and baby

A little secret (trigger)

2012-05-22T14:43:00.000-06:00

I know I have been absent here on the blog (well, minus the usual weekly features)...But--I've kind of been at a battle with myself about whether this news is something I should share right away...or, if I should veer on the side of caution and save it a few months.

But, as I was talking to Tyler--He reminded me that I share everything on here, and that I wouldn't last months without spilling the beans. And he's probably right.

We're having another baby!
(well--I am! But, Tyler is going to be a dad again)

We just barely found out a few days ago, so anything could happen still and it is still super early to even be telling people about it...But, as always, we feel like it's our duty to be transparent on here. And, we believe that every baby is worth celebration, no matter what the outcome is.

Right now, I am kind of feeling a million different things. Shock, guilt (guilt is a huge one...I'll probably write a post on it here in the next few days), lots of worry, and, of course, extreme happiness (we were expecting this to take a lot longer, remember?)

Mostly, though...We are feeling complete gratitude. We needed a little bit of happy news after the last three months.
I hope my dad is up there right now hanging out with that little baby of mine. Eloise is a little jealous that he is spending more time with baby #2 than he did with her though.

Speaking of Eloise... She is the reason I took a pregnancy test in the first place. She has been hugging and kissing my belly non stop (WEIRD)...
When we told her the news (which she didn't understand but acted like she did) she squealed, kicked her legs, and clapped like crazy. We love that girl. She is going to make the cutest sister.

Bloggers and Books (3)

2012-05-22T06:32:00.000-06:00

Welcome to week three of the blog series here on T.E. and Baby titled "Bloggers and Books".

As an avid reader (I read about 3-4 books a week--But we can blame that on my inability to sleep!), I have learned that books have the power to change lives. They have the power to say things we didn't dare to say--And take our imaginations places they wouldn't have been otherwise.

Bottom line, every one should learn to love to read!
It doesn't matter how slow of a reader you are, or what genre you like, as long as you are reading.

So, to try to promote a love of books--I have rounded up some wonderful bloggers to share a little bit with us about their favorite books! Some you may have heard of before, while others are amazing books that you need to hear of.

If you would like to be a part of this series, please shoot me an email at erika.senneff(at)gmail(dot)com. I would love to have you!

Today Eryka from abcde is here to share with us her favorite book! I'm excited.
___

Im Eryka. I blog over at abcde. I blog about my life as a wifey as well as post things I love//things that inspire me. I love meeting new friends, so feel free to stop on over and say hi! XO

Blog.Twitter.Facebook.

I love to read in bed or in the sun in our new lawn chairs. Bliss!

"Heaven Is Here" by Stephanie Nielson, "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks and currently reading "Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks

Currently it is "Heaven Is Here" by Stephanie Nielson. It changed my life.

It is about Stephanie "Nie Nie" Nielson's life before and after her accident.

I have read her blog for years and it was so wonderful to be able really understand everything she went through during that time of her life. I haven't cried so much while reading. It really helped me be grateful for all I have and helped strengthen my testimony of the Gospel.

The Hunger Games, Matched, Clockwork Angel, Heaven Is Here, The Lucky One, and Dear John. Some of my all time faves.

Goal for the Week (link up #3)

2012-05-20T20:38:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone!

I'm just popping in real quick to talk a little about my goal(s) for this week before I head to bed (I'm exhausted for some reason).

This week, I am going to start couch 2 5k with my friend. I'm super excited about it and I want to make it my goal to go all three days (that's all that's required)...Wish me luck!?

I also really need to make it a goal to get my party plannin' on.
The party is a week from Saturday (okay, so that's a little less that two weeks away...But, I am so stressed!)...Plus, little booma's birthday is a week from Wednesday and I need to get things all prepared for her pictures. It's going to be busy around here.

Phew.
So there we go. My goal(s) for the week.

Any one want to join in?
Feel free to link up, or just leave me a comment letting me know the ins and outs of your very own goal for the week.

Anger

2012-05-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

Death does weird things to those of us who are left behind.

We are left here with not only broken hearts and big, huge, gaping holes in our lives--But, sometimes we are also filled with other emotions. Like guilt. Or anger.

Lots of times the anger is what causes the guilt--But still. It's there. Staring us in the face.

Recently, I've been thinking about how other people treated my dad. He was (and is!) the most selfless man I know. And, unfortunately--Some people used that against him. It's hard not to be angry and the people who hurt his feelings...The people who judged him prematurely. And, those who should have been there for him but weren't.

Then I realize, Whoa Erika. Snap out of it! Wishing those people would have been nicer does nothing to change the situation. It won't bring him back, and all these petty little feelings are bringing me is anger--And I don't like that.

So, I've been making a conscious effort to just stop it.
To stop being angry at those people, because I have no right to judge them.

I am sure that there are plenty of times in my lifetime that I wasn't nice to someone (including my dad), but still received forgiveness. I am sure there were numerous occasions where I abandoned a friend when life got a little crazy. Or moments when I just simply wasn't being my best self.

But, the good thing about life is that it allows us to grow. We can learn from our mistakes and become stronger. And that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to (try) to no longer feel that pang of anger toward others, and use that energy into making sure that every thing I say and do portrays love.

(I made this printable for Making the World Cuter! Check out her site on Tuesday for a free download)

El is so lucky

2012-05-15T13:40:00.001-06:00

Back when I had my first miscarriage, I was heart broken (as I am each time), and really had no idea where to turn for support.
I felt like such an outsider because no one I knew personally ever talked about their miscarriage experiences...Even though I'm certain many people I know in real life have probably experienced the heart ache.

Luckily, I found a group on BabyCenter who had experienced a loss just like mine. We all lost our November 2009 babies.

Not only did this group of women help me through one of the hardest times in my life--They have also stuck with me and have been supportive of me through every experience (good and bad) since. I couldn't be more lucky to call these ladies my friends.

Recently, I mentioned wanting to get El a raggidy ann doll for her birthday, and my friend Heidi (from the November 2009 angel babies group) volunteered to make me one.

It turned out more perfect than I could have ever imagined. Look how darling!

And...Ready to cry your eyes out (I did!)...She even embroidered my dad's initials onto the dolls heart.

El's Grandpa had her heart from the beginning (and she had his!), so this is so completely fitting.

I really have no idea how to thank her.
I know that El is going to cherish this doll forever.

Check out Heidi's amazing blog here, and read all about the doll here.

Bloggers and Books (2)

2012-05-15T06:17:00.000-06:00

Welcome to another week of the brand new blog series here on T.E. and Baby titled "Bloggers and Books".
As an avid reader (I read about 3-4 books a week--But we can blame that on my inability to sleep!), I have learned that books have the power to change lives. They have the power to say things we didn't dare to say--And take our imaginations places they wouldn't have been otherwise.

Bottom line, every one should learn to love to read!
It doesn't matter how slow of a reader you are, or what genre you like, as long as you are reading.

So, to try to promote a love of books--I have rounded up some wonderful bloggers to share a little bit with us about their favorite books! Some you may have heard of before, while others are amazing books that you need to hear of.

If you would like to be a part of this series, please shoot me an email at erika.senneff(at)gmail(dot)com. I would love to have you!

Today we are lucky enough to hear from the lovely Kristy of A Little Something. Let's show her some love, yeah?
___

hi. i'm kristy. i'm in my twenties. mama to one adorable tot. wife to an amazing husband. bookworm. blogger. baker wanna-be.

i bake. i try my hand at crafting. i read books by the handfuls. i love trash reality tv shows & chocolate. and i have matryoshka dolls all over my house.

a little something is my blog. and i blog about what i love and who i love. the things that make my heart happy.

you can also find me here on facebook & here on twitter.

It would have to be the bathtub. i've been known to take 4 hour long baths just to finish a book!

-Ellen DeGeneres 'Seriously...I'm Kidding'
-Jane Green 'Another Piece of my Heart'
-Jodi Picoult 'Songs of the Humpback Whale'

Jane Green 'Jemima J'.
I found this book years ago and fell in love with it. My copy is a little torn & tattered because I read it over & over! I have always struggled with my weight and insecurities with that and to read a book written in the way I used to feel was refreshing to me.

i call it my british romantic comedy/chick flick book. it's based in london, about an overweight girl (Jemima) and the setting takes place in her small newspaper office and in california. jemima is your typical, smart, everyday girl but she's quite overweight. she talks about diets she's taken and how she wants to get skinny and she just doesn't seem to be able to. she's got a huge crush on her co worker and he only seems to notice her as a friend. one day, they learn about the internet and jemima ends up in a chatroom. long story short, she goes on a quest to lose the weight and meet in person this handsome american guy who thinks she is a beautiful & skinny woman. things are never quite what they seem and she learns a true lesson about life, love and who she really is - 100 pounds overweight or not!

i have read this so many times, it's like a comfort to me. sometimes i'll just crave to read jemima's story again. all girls could use a little romantic comedy book on their shelves!

-Mindy Kaling 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns)
-Nicholas Sparks 'Nights In Rodanthe'
-Lisa Scottoline 'Save Me' and 'Look Again'
-Jennifer Weiner 'Good In Bed' and the sequel 'Certain Girls'

Goal for the Week (link up #2)

2012-05-13T20:09:00.003-06:00

Hi you guys.
Are you ready for a new week?

I'm..uh...not.
I just want this weekend to last at least a few more days. Ooh well.

Anyway, before we get to my goal for the week I wanted to ask your advice on something.
I am having an identity crisis.
I love having this blog as an outlet--But, I also have a craft blog. The issue? I'm feeling like I am "cheating" on you guys if I don't share some creativity on this blog (te and baby)...Do you think it would be alright if every once in a while I cross posted and shared projects I have done on my other blog? I'd rewrite the posts, of course...It's just hard for me not to show a little creativity on this blog.

I even made these cups tonight, and I am kind of impatient and want to show someone already.

Anyway!

On to my goal for the week.

My goal for the week is to get to bed at a good time.
I think that this has been my goal before--But really, it's gotta happen! I am planning to go to bed around 9 (EARLY!) and read for a while and make lights off be at ten.
This is crazy for me--But, something has gotta change. This staying up til three am every day just isn't going to cut it anymore!
I'm also thinking I should invest in a real life alarm clock and banish my phone from the bedroom. It's just too tempting to just "check one last thing" and end up staying up way too late (and blogging, probably)

What's your goal for the week?
Be sure to link up your post below!

My mom

2012-05-13T06:45:00.002-06:00

I know it's a little cliche to write about my mom today on my blog. I also know that this is just one of the millions of posts you will read about other people's mamas.
But, I couldn't let today pass without saying a little bit about my mom. I have been wanting to post about her for a while now--But, couldn't find the right words to explain how amazing she is. So today? I'm just going to write--No editing (but when do I ever edit? oops)--Just real and raw emotion...Flowing from my fingers :)
___

I have always known my mom was special. There is just something about her that makes her more than most mothers I know.
I can't even count the times that friends of mine have told me that they wished she was their mom. It's not that their moms weren't wonderful mothers (they were!), it's just that my mom had a way of making them feel important. She loved us through every mistake we made. She cheered us on through every triumph. She was always there when we needed her.

But, this isn't the mom I want to focus on right now. Right now, I want to focus on the woman she is today. In the present.

After my dad (her husband, who she lovingly refers to as her boyfriend) passed away, she was heart broken. As any wife would be. She missed her boyfriend and couldn't imagine going the rest of her life without him. Her entire world crashed down on her the day he died.

Little did she know, her strength through all of this has been inspiring. It has shown us that it is okay to hurt, and it is okay to cry. She has shown me what true love looks like, and she has inspired me to try and be just a little better. She has inspired me to watch my actions--And to live my life to the fullest. She has taught me that there is nothing in this world more important that loving others.

I am so grateful to call her my mother.

_____
Want to get to know her? Check out her blog here.
She also makes amazing (life changing!) foot cream for cracked heels. Check out her site here (and order some!)

You are a mother (a note to my infertile friends)

2012-05-12T01:49:00.001-06:00

Dear moms still waiting for their babes-

I know this weekend is hard for you. I know you're probably feeling bitter because you feel like you aren't a mother...and each time mother's day rolls around-- you are reminded (as if it's not always weighing on your heart anyway) that your arms are still empty...and that the hole in your heart is gaping bigger by the second.

You are reminded what you don't have and how stinking unfair life really is. I'm sure you'll even think to yourself "by next year, I KNOW I'll be a mother. I have to be"... And you know what I say to that?

You are already a mother!

It's evident in the love you show your friends and your neighbors. It shines through each time you help someone in need. It's there when you find yourself crying in the bathroom over another negative pregnancy test.
You were born to be a mother.

And, while your babies may not be here in Earth with us just yet-- you deserve the celebration.

You are a mother, and don't you dare forget that!

Washi Tape Spoons

2012-05-11T19:10:00.001-06:00

For those who don't follow my craft blog, I thought I'd cross post some of my crafts over here, as well. Is that annoying?

I have been trying to come up with a fun detail to add to those plain wooden spoons floating around Pinterest, and today, during naptime, it finally hit me! Cover 'em in washi tape.

(washi tape makes every thing better, am I right?)

Thankfully, I had just stocked up on party supplies from In the Clear's amazing amazing amazing (amazing!!!!!!exclaimationpoint!) shop.

Basically, all you do is grab some washi tape, some wooden party spoons, and some scissors. Then, just start at the bottom of the spoon and go upward and over to the back. After that, just trim those bad boys up and you are done!

I could kiss them I love 'em so much.

Friday's Letters

2012-05-11T13:53:00.000-06:00

Dear El- Thanks for rocking dollar store sunglasses with me to daddy's softball game...Even if we WERE calling you EL-ton John

for reference: (image via)

Dear tsenn- You rocked your softball games this week (even if you lost).... We loved cheering for you.

Dear today- Please hurry up! I am way too excited to spend a relaxing weekend with my fam. I have missed Tyler a lot this week while he's been at work. Sometimes a girl just needs her husband!

Dear flat tires- You are the worst. We didn't get home 'til 1:30 this morning because of you.

Dear everyone!- Don't forget to get your posts ready for Sunday's new link up (where we post our goals for the week)...Really! We need more participants.

How I (basically) stole a BOB stroller

2012-05-10T16:04:00.000-06:00

I have been searching the local classifieds all week for a nicely priced stroller. Tyler gave me a Mother's day budget of $200 to buy a used BOB, because my little heart was just so set on one of those bad boys...Even though I have never ran more than a mile (maybe not even a mile?) in my life. I don't know. It was just ingrained in my head that I needed a BOB.

Unfortunately, $200 is really on the low end as far as budgets for BOBs go. I couldn't find anything for less than $250 (in bad condition), with most around the $350 mark.

I was sad and even started researching other jogging strollers. But, just as I was about to click "submit order" on Amazon, I decided to check KSL (local classified) just ooone more time. Just in case.

The top ad was titled "Baby Jogging Stroller" and from the little picture, it looked like it was pretty similar to a BOB!

So, I read the ad.
Apparently this guy was selling an "IronMan" brand stroller.
In my little mind I was like "that's a kind of BOB, that totally isn't a brand."

I clicked the little pictures and, HOOOOLY COW! It was a real life BOB...For $65.00.

I hurried and texted him and within an hour, I was at his house basically kissing my new stroller.

He asked my why so many people were so interested in it because he had never even heard of the brand "IronMan"...I just told him I wasn't sure (oops) but that I thought the stroller looked nice and I definitely wanted it.

He went on to tell me that his wife bought it a few months ago and barely used it--So, he was just selling it while she was gone and couldn't object. I'm guessing she lied to him about how much she originally spent on it!

Prediction? He didn't have a very happy wife when she found out how much he sold it for.

Let's chock this up to Running Miracle #1, shall we? Hey--Maybe running really does change lives!?

Midweek Confessions

2012-05-09T14:47:00.003-06:00

-I wish I were a runner.
It just seems like every runner I know has this extreme purpose in life. Do you get that vibe, too?
My friend and I are both buying jogging strollers to test out my theory. I'll report back once I find out.

-My laundry is piled up again. Oops.

-I let El take out everything from the cupboards today...And I can't force myself to clean it up. So instead I have tupperware and baggies all over my kitchen. I'm hoping it'll be a new design trend or something.

-I love to people watch and sometimes get a little carried away. Tyler and I are always coming up with scenarios about what's going on in other people's lives. I guess we're kind of weird.

Help us connect!

2012-05-08T23:33:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I get comments on this blog that make me want to cry.
In a good way.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I have the nicest readers in the entire Universe.

That being said...sometimes, I go to reply to your sweet comments and end up getting a "no email" error because you haven't linked an email to your blogger account. Which, makes me want to cry all over again because I want to reply so badly and tell you all the secrets in my heart (heh), but I can't!

Boooo.

So, I'm here today to show you all how easy it is to add an email address to your account. Then, everyone will be able to reply to your comments to their hearts content!

Okay, ready to be blown away by how easy it is?

Step one:

Step two:

Step three:

Ta-daaaa.
Happy commenting!

Bloggers and Books (1)

2012-05-08T05:00:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the first post (of hopefully many!) in a brand new blog series titled "Bloggers and Books".
As an avid reader (I read about 3-4 books a week--But we can blame that on my inability to sleep!), I have learned that books have the power to change lives. They have the power to say things we didn't dare to say--And take our imaginations places they wouldn't have been otherwise.

Bottom line, every one should learn to love to read!
It doesn't matter how slow of a reader you are, or what genre you like, as long as you are reading.

So, to try to promote a love of books--I have rounded up some wonderful bloggers to share a little bit with us about their favorite books! Some you may have heard of before, while others are amazing books that you need to hear of.

First up? Heather from Feather's Flights.
This girl is amazing, you guys. She is so sincere and such a great friend to me. We "met" over the Internet, but just recently met in real life to go thrifting. She is amazing and her baby Henry is adorable.
___

I am a wife of a hard-working law student and the mother of an easy-going but active baby boy who always get comments about his big blue eyes. I also love sewing and making clothing; you can see what I make at my sewing blog Feather's Flights.

I have always really loved reading. I would get in trouble for reading too much instead of doing my chores when I was young. Then in high school and college I got too busy with reading school books and doing homework. Since graduating reading has become one of my hobbies again. I have really missed it!

My favorite place to read is when I'm nursing my son before he goes to bed. I get to snuggle with him and enjoy a good book. I guess technically this isn't a place; I just love reading around my family.

I'm currently reading Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts. I am a nerd and totally love American history so I'm really enjoying this book. There were a lot of feisty and strong women surrounding the founding fathers. It also helps me realize how important it is to teach children morals because you never know what they will be remembered for.

I went through a Shannon Hale kick and now have read almost all of her books. Her two books I've read most recently are Midnight In Austenland and The Actor and The Housewife. Midnight In Austenland was fabulous, and I liked it better than her first one Austenland. They aren't connected except that they are about the same place. Midnight In Austenland was similar to Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. It has mystery, suspense, learning to deal with life's difficulties, and a little romance. I love that the main character turns out to be strong-willed and plucky.
Now The Actor and The Housewife isn't for everyone, but I really, really enjoyed it. It literally made me laugh out loud (not just a smile to myself) and cry big, fat tears. It's about the friendship of a famous Hollywood actor and a housewife from happy-valley Utah. You travel through these two peoples lives: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don't think I would have liked in high school or even before I was married, but I was able to really relate to the housewife. Some people didn't like it because they don't think it's possible to for a married woman to have a friendship with a man. I don't think it's possible either without running into trouble, but I like experiencing life's joys and tragedies with the two main characters.

This is really hard to determine, but I think my favorite book is Christy by Catherine Marshall.

It's about a 19 year old girl, Christy, who goes to teach school to the people living in the Appalachian mountains in the early 1900's. She learns about their poverty, pride, and superstitions. Along the way she figures out who she is herself and what she believes. And there's also a love story that keeps you guessing until the end.

Christy is a strong female character and one who I'd want my girls to look up to since there aren't many good female role models anymore. She works hard, does her best, and confronts her fears. The other characters living in the mountains are so real and quirky. It does have a Christian religious theme as Christy decides what she believes about God, good and bad, and death. I wouldn't say it's too much for someone who isn't interested in religion though. It really helped direct me as a teenager to be a better woman, and this book is for women of all ages. I haven't read it recently, and this makes me want to read it again!

I Am A Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson. -A famous news anchor quits her job to stay home with her children. She is shocked to hear other women describe themselves as "just" a mom. She inspires mothers who feel undervalued. When people ask her what she does she says, "I am a mother."

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clark -This book is like Harry Potter for adults. It's about magicians in England in the early 1800's (think Jane Austen time period.) It was really hard for me to get into, but then I was really sad when I finished.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - This book is probably in my top five favorite books. It is a little hard to get into, but it's intriguing, mysterious, and hard to put down once you do. It's about a young women who marries a man she hardly knows and goes with him to his estate. There she finds that the beautiful first wife, Rebecca, was murdered but still seems to be present everywhere.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi- This is about a girl who crosses the Atlantic to meet her family. A lot can happen during the months on a ship in without outside contact, like murders, murder trials, and mutinies. I always loved pirates and the idea of sea voyages, so I loved this book.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson- This one was hard to write about without giving it away, so I found a little explanation. "Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth."

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows- This book takes place during WWII. It is a compilation of letters between a spunky author looking for her next book to write and her sister, her editor, and different people from a little war ravaged island in England. It is funny, sad, and heart-warming.

P.S. I have found that goodreads.com helps me a lot to remember books I want to read. People will recommend books, and if I don't write them down I'll forget. Now I find myself putting the books on my to-read shelf, so I don't have to remember them. Then whenever I need a book to read, I get on and have a list.

Late night thoughts

2012-05-07T00:55:00.001-06:00

(def a tmi post)

Before I was pregnant with baby e, I always just assumed that once I actually had a baby, my troubles getting (and staying!) pregnant would be nothing but a distant memory.

I thought that once I had my baby in my arms, I'd never have to feel that horrible longing ever again. That once I had a baby, things would suddenly be easy. That baby number two would be right around the corner and we'd never have to worry about getting pregnant or staying pregnant again. Because we paid our dues, darn it!

But, unfortunately-- I was wrong.

Pretty soon after we had E, Tyler and I decided we wouldn't do anything to prevent another baby from joining our family. We aren't people who want 19 kids and counting or anything... We just desperately want El to have a sibling close to her age. We were terrified it would take years again-- which is why we decided what we did.

Anyway, to make a long story short... Good ol' "AF" returned shortly after el was born, even though I exclusively breastfed. This made me kind of ecstatic. I was so excited that my period was back because it (to me) meant that another baby was actually possible. Basically, that is one of the only times in my entire married career that I was happy to see blood (too gross?)

Unfortunately, that excitement was short lived. Because it keeps returning every single month like clock work, still no pregnancy.

I know to an outsider this post may sound crazy... But to those of you who get it (and know what it's like to try for a baby month after month, year after year)... You realize how painful it all is. How broken it makes you feel. How--somehow-- you feel like less of a woman because your dang body won't get pregnant.

But, at least I know the end result will be worth it... Right!? I mean... I hope.

Goal for the Week

2012-05-06T20:47:00.003-06:00

You will never believe this, but I actually accomplished my goal for the week last week! I stayed on top of my laundry. There were no crazy piles to be seen in my house at all.
I've gotta admit, it feels good!

How did your goal for last week go? Were you successful? Not so successful (no judgement zone)? Tell me all about it in the comment section!

Anyway, this week my goal is to get my blog all situated.
There are so many little things I want to update to make this place run more efficiently.

What's your goal for the week?

Write a little blurb about it on your blog and link up below. I would love to visit your blog and comment!

Here's a button so your friends can link up, too!

Ahh!

2012-05-05T20:06:00.003-06:00

Just a little picture to brighten up your day.

Is she not the best thing you have ever seen?
I love her.

(this was from a "photoshoot" we had today for her birthday party invites)

11 months...Not a year.

2012-05-04T00:21:00.001-06:00

**Don;t forget to enter the blog design giveaway here!**

Dear Eloise,

Yesterday we had some neighbors come over to meet us. They thought you were really charming and wanted to know all about you. At one point, someone asked how old you were. Your daddy responded "almost a year", but I quickly corrected him and said "she's only 11 months"...Then we all laughed.
I refuse to say you are almost a year, because that is almost like admitting to myself that you are growing up. And thinking about that breaks my little mama heart.

So, for now, I am just going to revel in you being my little tiny baby. I'm going to think about your perfect little giggles when I "eat" your fingers. And your silly one legged crawl. And the way you play with my shirt when you eat.

I'm going to bask in your innocent eyes. And the way your nose is the perfect little button shape. And how your thighs are perfectly meaty.

I never want to forget your squeals of delight when you hear the front door unlocking. You know that that signals dad is home. So, you immediately clap and look at me like "don't you know daddy is here!? Why aren't you clapping?"

You are my sugar pie girl. You bring so much joy to my life--And, it's cliche...But are you ready for it!? I can't imagine my life without you in it.

I love you so much little baby girl.
-Mama

Bloggers and Books

2012-05-03T11:12:00.000-06:00

Hey every body! I hope you are having a great Thursday so far.
I just wanted to pop in and let you in on a little somethin' somethin' I've been dreaming up for a while.

It's a new series I'm going to have (hopefully) weekly called:

I have been obsessed with reading lately--But, I seem to spend hours and hours searching for just the right book to read. It's frustrating!

So, I thought it would be fun to feature other bloggers and have them tell us a little bit about a book they feel we all need to read.

Sounds fun, right!?

Do you want to participate in a future "bloggers and books" post? (Please say yes!)
Just shoot me and email and we'll talk specifics!
erika.senneff(at)gmail(dot)com

Blog Design Giveaway!

2012-05-02T23:25:00.001-06:00

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!
Thanks to everyone who entered!

Congrats commenter number 6 (Heather)!

It's time for another giveaway (can I get a hootie hoo!)
But, this time...I'm not bribing you to be my friend with a gift card (sorry!)...Nope.
This time I'm bribing you with a free blog design! One with all the bells and whistles.
You can check out my portfolio by going here...But, to be honest it's super outdated. So whateva.
Basically, if you can dream it, I can design it. Okay?

The only thing is...You have to have a blog on Blogger (no Wordpress or other places...I'm not smart enough to install on those!).

K, so you want to enter?
Just leave a comment on this post telling me why you love me.
No, I'm just kidding. Really just leave a comment saying anything. Actually...Leave a comment that'll make me laugh.

Are you a follower of my blog? That's another entry! Just leave me another comment telling me you are.

You can also get one last entry by sharing this giveaway with your friends on facebook, twitter, your blog...Wherever.

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful support!

Midweek Confessions

2012-05-02T16:31:00.000-06:00

First, have you guys ever read E, Myself, and I? Well, you should. Because E is funny and Sam is adorable.

Anyway, I'm linking up to her "Midweek Confessions" this week because I feel like I have a lot I need to confess. Okay... Here we go.

-I love wearing old lady night gowns.

There isn't much that's more comfy. Or sexy.
(image via)

-I'm on my fourth can of Diet Coke today. Don't tell anyone I just started drinking them three hours ago.

-I should be cleaning. But I'm not of course.
We have people coming over later to meet us (they're from church) and I got the kitchen cleaned but um...That's all.

-We have weeds taking over our front yard. Our house looks super awful out there, and we have no idea how to make our sprinklers work. We are in major need of some curb appeal. Anyone want to come help us? You people who work with young men or young women at church could make us a neighborhood service project? Hey? Maybe?
On the plus side, I think the weeds are keeping all the salesmen away! They have been hitting my neighborhood hard--But, they skip over us. Hmm. Who needs an alarm system anyway?

That's all for now!
Thanks for subscribing!
Also, if you have your own midweek confessions, be sure to go link them up so I can read them.

Warning: Picture Overload

2012-05-01T21:58:00.002-06:00

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to meet Kim at Zumba class. I loved her from the moment I met her! She was so nice and welcoming--Plus, she is pretty much a Zumba rock star. Really, she's that good.

So, when I found out she was also a photography guru, I jumped at the opportunity to have her take pictures of my little family.

Of course--Like everything I do, it was completely last minute. We didn't know when we were taking pictures until the day of. So, I rushed out to the mall and frantically looked for outfits. I seriously wanted to cry. I'm horrible at picking clothes. Thankfully, Instagram came to the rescue and my cute instafollowers helped me decide on yellow pants. Phew! Tears (narrowly) averted.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorites.







Isn't Kim amazing? If you live in Utah, you should definitely look into getting pictures done with her. She is amazing and QUICK (we got these done yesterday and I already have the disk.)...Plus, she is super affordable. Check out her site here, and be sure to show her blog a little love!

I'll leave you with one last picture of the silliest girl.



Hope you're having a great day! Thanks for reading and supporting our little fam.

I'm procrastinating

2012-05-01T14:44:00.000-06:00

Want to hear how my goal for the week is going?
Okay...

I haven't done one load of laundry yet. It just seems to daunting! I know small, manageable loads will help a lot int he future...But, man. I'd rather lay on the couch during nap time.

Anyway!
Here's a picture from my dad's birthday.
I made shirts for my family to honor him. Mine said "I love dad", Tyler's said "I love Terry", and El's said "I love Grandpa"...On the back was his age (57) and a sword. If you knew my dad, you totally know all about the sword.

I hope you're having a great Tuesday and being way more productive than I am!

Goal for the Week

2012-04-29T20:45:00.000-06:00

My goal for this week is to stay on top of my freakin' laundry.
I always wait to do laundry, and end up doing like 7 loads in one day. Then, I never put it away.
It's a vicious cycle.

So, I'm going to attempt to do a load of laundry (wash, dry, and put away!) everyday so that I never have to worry about that crazy huge pile ever again.

What's your goal for the week?
Tell me all about it in the comments. Maybe we can cheer each other on?

ALSO! I've had a few requests to bring back the "Goal for the Week" linky party...So, get your posts ready because next week it's on!