Seven Tips for Seven Years

Skip and I will be married SEVEN years in July.  It know it's not really that long in the grand scheme of life, but it is long enough to give me a little street credit when I dole out relationship advice.  Wanna hear my seven tips for seven years of marriage??  Head on over to Crystal's blog {who just got married on Saturday!!} and check out my guest post!!

Little M Update

I often envy those moms who have the time and brain capacity to remember to do a monthly update on their kids.  It must be so nice to look back on them over the years, and use them to compare your kids if you have more than one.

I am not one of those moms unfortunately....I can't even remember the last time I updated about the girls on here!  So it may not be all fancy or consistent in any way, but the next two days will be dedicated to my sweet girls and what's they've been up to.

First up is Little M since she's older.  Girl is 3 going on 17 I swear.  My mom always told me that the 1/2 years are the toughest {18 months, 2 1/2, 3 1/2} and boy is she right.  She's a total sweet heart my girl, but definitely pushing her boundaries.

I look at Little M sometimes and can't believe how big she has gotten.  Forget baby, there is no spec of toddler hood in her even.  She is a little lady now.  As sad as I am that my girls keep getting older, she {despite the sassiness} is at SUCH a fun age right now.

We can play together, she tells stories and jokes, she listens and can do what I tell her too.  And she still thinks the sun rises and sets with me, so that's pretty cool:)

She's going through a total mommy phase right now and prefers when I put her to bed, etc.  It gets a little draining sometimes, but we're making it work.  She fights nap time just about every day, but does manage to fall asleep most of the time, so I'm hanging onto that bad boy as long as possible.  She fusses at bedtime too, but we're powering on through.

Little M has become this sponge recently and knows so many things!  I don't even know where she gets it most of the time....things like counting to ten and saying red and yellow in Spanish {Dora?}.....she can name a lot of sea creatures I barely know exist.  And tonight when I told her we had to go to bed since the sun was going down she said, "Mommy, in the winter the sun goes down earlier.  It gets darker much earlier at Christmastime."  Where does she get it!?!?!

She is also just the sweetest little thing most of the time.  She LOVES her baby sister and tells her so all the time.  She gives hugs and kisses freely and always wants "mommy to snuggle me". 

It's so cool to see what things interest her these days.  Topping the list are horses, My Little Pony, animals of all sorts, Disney princesses, running outside, playing at the park, and kids anywhere.  She doesn't get to interact with other kids much, so if she sees some at the park she automatically wants to go play with them. 

Whenever she forgets some one's name she calls them "my girl" or "my boy".  Haha.  She still calls B's son her boyfriend {the teenage years will be rough} and she loves playing with her cousin.

Anytime I a wearing a skirt she calls me a princess and Skip a prince if he is dressed up.  She is all girl and wants her fingers and toes painted with polish {that she picks out} all the time.  She pretty much only wants to wear skirts or dresses and loves to twirl in them.  She constantly wants us to have impromptu dance parties {something I always dreamed of doing with my kids since my mom always did it with us}

She is a pretty picky eater, but so is pretty much every toddler.  I'm sure it'll will change.  She hates using a sippy cup except in the car, so it's adult glasses only.

Her favorite house activity is to "play in the big sink".  She grabs a bunch of her plastic toys, I fill up the kitchen sink with soap and water, and she stands on the step stool to play in it.  It may get a little wet in there, but it's clean and it keeps her busy forever.

She is so proficient on the computer it's scary.  And she cannot WAIT to go to school next year...it's all she talks about.  Well that and going back to Mickey's house!

I cannot believe my sweet first born will be going away to school in a few short months.  I am soaking in all these lazy days at home for as long as we have left!

Sweet M, you made me a mother and I could not be prouder to call you my daughter. 

June Sponsors!

I am very excited to be showcasing some fabulous ladies as my newest June sponsors!  Please make sure to stop by their blogs and give them a shout-out!!!  I am always on the lookout for new sponsors as well.  Let me showcase your blog or business.  Click on the PR button above for all the details!

First up is Kim from Faith, Grace, and Giggles.  She is a mom to the two sweetest little guys you have ever seen.  Kim writes openly and honestly about so many topics...faith, infertility, adoption, pregnancy, weight loss, being a mom to two sweet little boys...there is something for everyone to relate too!  You can also find Kim on Facebook and Twitter where she is always around if you have a question or need someone to chat to!

Pam is the voice the always popular blog Our Love Nest where she chronicles her life with her husband B as newlyweds!  She is also Momma to her furbaby Riley!  Pam's blog has a little something for everyone.  She muses about newlywed life, recipes, home decorating, and some fabulous DIY projects.  You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.  Make sure to head over and check her out!

Tiffany is the voice behind The Momma Bear Diaries!  She is a wife and momma to the sweetest little girl.  Their whole family just moved cross-country and survived!  On her blog Tiffany holds a "Flaunt a Friend" link-up every Tuesday that you NEED to check out.  Her blog also just hit 100 follows so head over and wish her congrats!  I love chatting to Tiffany on Twitter as well...make sure you hit her up as I know you'll find a friend!


Thanks again to these lovely ladies...I am so honored to have them as sponsors!  Are you interested in becoming a Mommy Musings sponsor?  Check out my PR link at the top or send me an email!!

The Funk

Please tell me I'm not alone in experiencing "The Funk".  That feeling you get when you're not depressed, but everything isn't coming up roses either.  It's normally not brought on by anything major either.  It's like one day you just wake up and decide to be in a bad mood.  People and things annoy you more easily, you have less patience at your job or with you kids, every day seems like the same old boring thing, you feel like no one out there likes you, and even things you love don't bring as much pleasure as before.  You still have lots of great moments, but it just seems like there is a fog in your head that doesn't want to go away.

Have you ever had this before? I'm sure I can't be the only one.  Every so often I find myself victim to "The Funk" and the past few weeks have been one of them. It's annoying me too, because the weather has been so gorgeous....normally nothing bothers me when it's warm and sunny out!  I think it's a combination of things....the monotony of our routine...Skip having to work EVERY.SINGLE.HOLIDAY. Baby C finally cutting some teeth and making sure the whole world knows it...Little M stretching her independence in ways that involve screaming and talking back to us...and a few other things.  I can't seem to stay on top of the housework and little projects I keep neglecting keep popping up around the house as if mocking me.  It all makes me want to just take to my bed for a week or hide away on some tropical island.

But since neither of those is really possible, I've been working on a few things to get me out of "The Funk"
-Working out: one of the best things to cure any ailment.  I hadn't been working out that much recently and I think that had a huge part in "The Funk".  I crave that hour to myself and really love those endorphins!
- Taking time to just "be" with my girls.  Their sweet smiles an infectious laughter are sweet enough to bring even the coldest miser out of his misery
- Get some sun: a little Vitamin D can go a long way!
- Unplug: Since it has been sooo gorgeous out here, Skip and I have been taking time at night to sit outside when the girls go to bed, with a beer and Diet Coke, and just talk.  We recount the day, go over things bothering us, and share stories.  It's such a nice way to unwind and relax.
- Do something you love. I've been blogging a bit more recently to help get me out of "The Funk".  I love blogging and the community it brings with it.  So I've been focusing a bit more of my time and energy on it.
-Force yourself to get things done on your to-do list.  If I'm in a slump the last thing I want to do is 5 loads of laundry.  But forcing myself to just get them done makes me feel sooo much better after.  And it helps my house be super clean!

So help a girl out...do you ever get "The Funk"?  What do you do to shake it off??

So What

Today I'm linking up with Shannon for "So What Wednesday"

So what if

- I'm going to wear my hair up in a tiny messy bun until it grows out...I'm pretending it's more "sexy, piecey, I don't care bun" than "total lazy mom bun"

- I totally think you can have chocolate and candy for a meal sometimes {not for my girls though...they have to eat healthy!}

- It's finally summertime and I've practically stopped working out all together...that's what tankini's are for right!

- I have a countdown going until regular season football comes back.   I miss my Giants

- I have worn workout clothes almost every day for the past few weeks....hubs doesn't care right?

- I am so totally obsessed with ABC Family shows that I just started reading the Pretty Little Liars books.  Soooo good

- I laugh every time Little M yells "Skipper!" when she's trying to get her dad's attention.  We eventually correct her, but it's just so cute

- I'm a little sad that Baby C is finally starting to get some teeth.  I'm going to miss her gummy smile!

- I cry every time I put away more clothes that Baby C has grown out of

- I keep wishing all my friends would start having babies.  I need some newborns to hold!!!

- I still love tanning.  I'll worry about all the effects it has on my body once I'm 30

- My birthday isn't until October and I've already started planning it

- I spend most of my day daydreaming about a tropical vacation with the hubs...no kids, just us and the beach


What "so what" moments have you been having?

Sibu Giveaway Winner!

Thanks so much for all who entered my Sibu facial cleanser giveaway!  This was my first time using Rafflecopter for giveaways and I LOVED it!  What did you all think?  Well, without further ado, here's our winner!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congrats Lins!  I'll be contacting you soon!!!

Memorial Day 2012

Make sure to take a moment today to remember the real reason behind Memorial Day....for all those who gave their life for our freedom.  We thank you and remember you always.

both pictures found on Google.com

Flashbacks

Time really needs to start slowly down.  I mean seriously.  Does time start speeding up as soon as you have a kid, because it definitely didn't fly by like this before.  I mean really...how was this just one year ago?!?!

Things change fast around here!

Dear So and So

Dear people on my Facebook feed complaining about "only" getting a three day weekend:
Why don't you think about all the cops, firemen, EMT's, etc that don't have off at all this weekend....or any other holiday for that matter.  And you never hear them complain about it.

Dear people who say "Happy Memorial Day":
This weekend is not the kick-off to summer, official or unofficial.  It is not about the cookouts or the beach.  It is about taking a moment to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  There is nothing happy about it. {Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't be spending time with family and friends while enjoying a nice burger.  Just take a moment to remember the real reason for the holiday}

Dear Baby C:
Stop growing up so fast!  I know you are almost 1 but crawling, cruising, and standing by yourself are big girl things.  I want you to stay my baby!!

Dear people who host Link-ups: 
I totally think that if you link up with someone you should comment on their post.  I also think if someone links up with you then you should also comment on their post.

Dear Rain:
You need to move along....seriously.  I know we didn't have much of any in April, but I seriously cannot take being cooped up with these whiny, fresh-air deprived girls for much longer.  We need to be outside!

Dear air-conditioning:
Thanks for breaking the first weekend we're having really hot temperatures.  I don't mind sweating all night long, but my little girls definitely don't appreciate it.

Dear body:
I've been trying to do right by you...running, the gym, workout DVDs....so why am I in pain all the time!?!?  I swear I feel like I'm 80 most mornings when I get up.

Dear hockey:
You are as boring as I remember you to be.  Please end soon....I need my football back.

Dear all my blog followers:
Have a good weekend and stay safe! 


What people/things would you write a letter to these days?

Keep Calm and Marry On

Love is definitely in the air recently!  In the past few weeks I have helped throw not one, but TWO bridal showers!

The first was for my very own baby sis who is getting married in June!  I could not be happier for her and know that she and her fiance will have many years of wedded bliss together.

For her shower, we decided on the theme "Keep Calm and Marry On" {all these pictures are taken from my very talented big sis.  Who has her own photography business by the way...contact me for details!}

We had an afternoon tea filled with lots of love and laughter.  My mom and older sis took care of all the food, decorations, and favors, so I cannot take credit for them!

It truly was a wonderful afternoon!

Surprise!!!

She has the *best* surprised faces

Little M helping opening presents

Sisters!!!

The second shower was for our friend R who married my girls' godfather just last Friday in NYC!  I hosted at my house and my friends L and J helped with everything.  We decided on a "Sweet and Spicy" theme for the shower. 

The sign said "Miss to Mrs."

Poms are the devil

Gift table

Drinks

The happy couple and R's "Bride-to-Be" sash

Since it was an afternoon shower, we had just desserts and a few appetizers to snack on.

Fondue station

A special New Zealand dessert...special for R since she is from there!

 There was a candy bar for favors {sweet}

 We then had everyone bring her lingerie as a gift {spicy}

It was such a fun, lo-key special event....and R had NO idea we were throwing it, so the surprise was even sweeter!

She started to cry when she realized what was happening

Isn't she the cutest!



These girls loved hangin with the ladies too!


I wish both these special ladies many many years of wedded bliss!