Kenley is done nursing. She hasn’t nursed since Thursday night and has been happy as a lark. While I am happy that it’s over and just in time for tons of weddings, showers, and bachelorette parties this summer, I can’t help but fight back the tears as I write this.

I promised myself I wouldn’t get this sad this time, but I honestly can’t help it. It’s hormones mostly… because I really am thrilled that it wasn’t a HUGE struggle to be done. It’s just hard. That was our time, and it feels like it went by in the blink of an eye. I already miss the look in her eye when we snuggled into the chair, the way she would fall asleep in my arms, and just how intense that bond was those first few weeks.

What I won’t miss? This awful, sore, engorged feeling. The distracted feedings where I was starting to get flustered. The cluster feedings in the beginning when I couldn’t do ANYTHING but nurse the poor girl, you know, who was starving. Nursing bras? Looking forward to tossing them.

I am blessed to even say that breastfeeding was a positive experience, because I know it isn’t this way for everyone. But there was something magical about it almost. And that’s the part I will miss the most.

These photos are from the last 10-12 days, I kind of lost track.

Don’t worry, he said he wasn’t tired about 5 minutes prior to this.

After my dermatologist appointment last week, I went to Qdoba and ate a meal that I didn’t have to share!

We love being outside!

I watched my friend’s 3 kiddos for about 2 hours the other day while she had a dentist appointment. To recap, I had a 3 yr old, 2 yr old, 16 month old, 8 month old, and 1 month old. PHEW! It was BUSY but also a lot of fun to spend some time with them.

Miss Kenley is just about to cut her two top teeth. She has been extra clingy this week, running a temp, drooling like mad. Poor babe.

Happy Friday!

P.S.– Make sure you go check out my post over at Fancy Little Things today! It might involve a giveaway for a lucky participant!

And it was SO fun. Brayden has always had his reservations about water play (I know, who IS this kid?) so we try to get him involved when we can. We didn’t think fast enough about getting the little wading pool out, but it is supposed to be 90* Wed-Sun here, so we have time!

After Kenley woke up from her nap, she joined in the fun!

Those eyelashes make me melt!

Kenley likes her new found “independence” of sitting up and being able to reach things. She HATES laying in the grass but she is still a little unsteady in the uneven yard, so I can’t stray too far. Luckily, she likes watching Brayden!

OMG STOP GROWING UP! SERIOUSLY!

Oh Sunday, you are good for my soul. So, so very good.

But even if they don’t love being in front of the camera and cooperating for me? You can certainly tell that they love each other!

How many of you wear glasses? I am happy to say that while I don’t anymore, I DID for a LONG LONG TIME. In fact, I was the very first person in my grade school to ever GET glasses. Weird, right? Eyeglasses have definitely come a long way since I started wearing them in second grade.

(I totally had these same exact glasses as a kid. image from here.)

GlassesUSA.com might just change the way you choose and buy online eyeglasses. In addition to offering prescription glasses at discounted prices, they also have prescription sunglasses too! They also offer a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program.

The worst part about getting glasses when I was little was taking the time out to go to the eye doctor, get the exam, then having to choose a pair pretty much on the spot. I hated having to choose! I liked them ALL. They had walls upon walls of glasses- different styles, shapes- I loved looking, but hated narrowing it down. The coolest part about Glasses USA is that they have a virtual mirror where you can try on styles before you buy glasses!

It’s pretty awesome! That way, you have a pretty good idea of what you are actually getting before you buy. I think it’s genius! You can stay up to date with Glasses USA through their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/glassesusa) and on Twitter (@GlassesUSA).

Glasses USA has generously offered up an awesome discount for my readers!
Take 50% off any pair of prescription eyeglasses/sunglass frames, plus free shipping. Code:SPRING50FS
Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

I was compensated for this post but the content is my own. 

This month’s topic is “How has being a mother changed you?’

Where do I start?

(Me pregnant with Kenley)

As soon as I found out I was pregnant with Brayden, things changed. My point of view on things changed. I wanted to get our will done. I made sure I was taking my prenatal vitamins, drinking plenty of water, and had baby on the brain 24/7. I researched car seats, strollers, diapers, monitors, and read countless pregnancy/parenting books. I couldn’t watch the news/Dateline/any show about child abuse, missing children, etc. It was all so heartbreaking. My husband and I talked about the role that church would play in our lives, where we would want our kids to go to school, and I prayed to the Lord that he would give me the strength and the knowledge to raise Brayden (and his future siblings) the way He wanted us to.

It wasn’t until I was a mother that I realized just what it was I wanted for us as a family, and how hard I would have to work to make those things happen. I want my children to have me as a stay at home mom, and that doesn’t come without some sacrifices. I want my children to have better than I had it, but still know the value of hard work. I want to take family vacations, have make your own pizza nights, and have our own holiday traditions. But most importantly, I want them to know the Lord. I want them to trust Him with the decisions that they make, and I want to teach them about the power of prayer. I want them to know that they aren’t perfect but that God’s plan for them is, as is His timing.

You see, THOSE were the things I should have been worrying about the entire time I was pregnant. Luckily, I still have time! On a lighter note, I have also learned how to survive on less sleep than I was ever accustomed to, order coffee through the drive-thru with one eye open (ok that one might be exaggerated), how to get stains out of most anything, and most importantly, how to love like I never imagined I could.

image via here

• Brayden had his last Kindermusik class of the semester today. It was filled with everyone’s favorite things and we had so much fun. It has been so great for him, although I am not sure if we will be back in the fall. With Kenley being around the 1 year mark by then, I would have to do separate classes for each and I am not sure if an hour drive plus finding someone to keep the other every week would be a good idea.
• Our weekend was pretty great. I got a sweet card from the hubs for Mother’s Day and I got to grocery shop alone! The weather was beautiful so we enjoyed some outdoor time as well.
• The beautiful weather makes me wish I would have NEVER agreed to this clothing challenge. I need skirts/shorts- I am hot already and it has only been like 80* here. *sigh*
• My running endeavor isn’t going as well as I had hoped, but I am not discouraged yet! I have been stretching daily so I don’t hurt myself and I am hoping to go a few evenings this week. I knew it would take time, so I can’t give up just yet!
• This gorgeous weather is just a floating reminder that I am nowhere near bikini ready- and my goal is to wear a bikini on our vacation in January. Fingers crossed!

How was your Monday?

What amazes me most about being a mother is simply the love that exudes out of my children. I am so blessed and thankful that these two beautiful kiddos call me mom.

It’s not the easiest job, but it IS the most rewarding. And now that I am a mother, I am SO incredible thankful to have my mom. I never realized all she did when we were kids- but it’s tough. I love her for it. She’s an awesome grandma to my kids, too- we love her!

TOMS Wedges

Aerosoles Plush Pillow Wedges

And since I have Kenley this spring, I can’t resist cute shoes for her!

Joyfolie shoes

Joyfolie shoes

If only I had unlimited funds…..

Linking up with Gussy!