Dear Easton,

The past 14 months of your life have been the most amazing, rewarding, scary, challenging, emotional and happy days of my life. It's crazy to think how much we've been through since the day you were born, and even crazier to think how much we have to look forward to in the future. As you read this, ten plus years from now, I want to thank you for all the things you have taught me and for giving me a life full of joy. You have changed my life in so many ways and I wouldn't change that for the world.

As you grow up from a little boy into a young man, there are a few things I want you to keep in mind - a few things that will help you get the most out of life:

Be kind. Treat people with respect. Take care of yourself. Believe in God. Dream big. Smile. Love yourself. Take risks. Play hard. Be honest. Laugh everyday. Believe in yourself. Follow your dreams. Have fun. Be patient. Fight for what you want. Learn from your mistakes. Know who your true friends are. Fall in love (and love with all your heart). Get married. Have babies. Work hard. Save, save, save! Travel as much as you can. Call your grandparents, but call your mother more. :)

Most of all, live each day to the fullest. Life is to short to be anything but happy!!

Love, Mommy

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

Never Say Never!

Before I was a mom, I always said, "When I have kids, I'll never do that", when referring to many situations. For Toddle Along Tuesday, moms all over are linking up, sharing their "I'll Never..." stories. Here are just a few of mine, along with my success/failure results:

Me and Easton - Mother's Day 2012

• Drive a van - Growing up, I always said that I wouldn't be caught dead driving a van. And while I only have one kid and don't really have the need for a van, I have to admit that I wouldn't be disappointed if the need for a van arose. I think vans have come a long way over the past decade and are super practical for a family with kids and pets. Just a few of the features that are highly attractive to me as a mom are the power sliding doors, the seats folding into the floor, the entertainment system including multi-disc dvd and the extensive cargo space. But for now, my Edge will do.
• Listen to kid music in the car - While I have yet to listen to kid music in the car, I am guilty of singing kid song to Easton while trying to calm him when he's upset in the car or put him to sleep. "Hush Little Baby", "You are my Sunshine" and "How Much is That Doggy in the Window?" are a few of his favorites.
• Co-sleep - Not only did I say I wouldn't co-sleep for the sake of my child's safety, but also because our bed is the only place and time that Bryan and I have to ourselves everyday. It's the one place we can go to spend uninterrupted time together and I'd like to keep it that way. Now, if only I could figure out a way to kick the dog out!
• Sing cartoon theme songs - I used to make fun of my sister who would sing along with the "Yo Gabba Gabba" and "Wow Wow Wubbzy" theme songs, only to find myself now singing "Little Einsteins" and "Chuggington" while in the absense of my child!
• Swear in front of my kids - Easier said than done....but my justification is that he doesn't understand. However, at the age of 1, he's learning new sounds and mimicking everything we say, so it's time we really try and nix this habit!

What are some things you said you'd never do as a parent??

Toddle Along Tuesday: Free Fun!

Kids aren't cheap. As a matter of fact, they're quite expensive! According to BabyCenter, the average cost of a child is over $10,000 per year. Between clothes, diapers, food, toys, daycare and healthcare, the dollars really add up quickly.

That being said, it's important to have cheap ways to entertain kids. And thanks to my mom, I'm pretty frugal  when it comes to shopping, rarely paying full price for anything. She taught me many important things about being a mom, and when it comes to spoiling your children, I've learned you can spoil them for less -- garage sales, mom2mom sales, and garbage picking - yes, that's what folks, I said garbage picking! My mom is always thinking of others -- especially when she nabs a good find on the side of the road.

Bring in: Little Tikes playhouse and climbing structure (both FREE!!!) A little dish soap and water and they are as good as new. And we share the wealth - the neighborhood kids are loving them too!

And what better way to burn a little energy than running around outside (as free as it gets!)

Don't forget to vote!!

Night, Night!

I'm linking up with fellow bloggers for Toddle Along Tuesday!

On a typical night, the bedtime routine begins around 7:30pm. This is a recent change, as Easton used to be passed out by 7:30, but lately, he's been more of a night owl.  We spend the first several minutes on the stairs as Easton climbs up to the landing, giggles and laughs, and then wants to go back down rather than proceed up. He eventually makes his way all the way up and plays in his room, while we get the bath started, assuming it's bath night. Easton gets undressed and in the tub he goes.

7:45pm: Splish, splash - we spend the next 10-15 minutes in the bath! Most of this time consists of drinking the bath water, throwing the toys out of the tub, and repeatedly telling Easton to sit down, in which he mimics me by saying 'sit', then proceeds to sit down, only to stand right back up and throw more toys out of the tub. He thinks it's hilarious. We do a quick scrub down, wash his hair and then he plays while the water drains out.

8:00pm: The next several minutes are spent fighting Easton to get dressed. He is going through a phase where he hates having his diaper changed and hates laying on the changing table. Every toy in sight is used to distract him, singing 'wheels on the bus' and 'old mcdonald' and finally, after about ten minutes, we have successful applied lotion, a night diaper and jamies (speaking of, he is desperately in need of some 18 month footies). Easton spends the next couple minutes playing while I clean up from bathtime and put laundry away.

8:15pm: We pick out a couple books and read to Easton while he drinks his milk. "Reading" consists mostly of Easton turning the pages before we can finish reading that page. When the books are done, the lights go out, the music goes on and we rock Easton until his bottle is gone.

Good night pumpkin!

8:30pm: In his crib he goes with his paci, lovey and mr. monkey, or 'kiki' as he calls him. On most nights (like tonight), Easton rolls over, curls up on his knees and closes his sweet little eyes. Other nights, he does the same and just when we think he's out, we turn on the video monitor to find him jumping up and down in his bed. When this happens, he usually entertains himself in his crib until he passes out and we seldomly have to go in and lay him back down.

Sweet dreams sugar!

Toddle Along Tuesday: Inside the Bag

Awhile back, I gave you a sneak peek inside what has become my purse; Easton's diaper bag. I promised that  I would check back as Easton grew up to see how things have changed, and what better time to do it than on Toddle Along Tuesday: Diaper Bag Edition!

So here I am, a year into mommyhood, and I'm still using, and happy with, my Vera Bradley diaper bag! It's not only stylish but it's durable, practical and easy to clean. As Easton has grown over the course of the past year, his needs have changed, therefore the contents of the diaper bag have changed, so I'm here to give you an update!

1. Paci wipes - because when Easton doesn't want his paci, on the floor it goes!
2. Diapers and wipes, duh!
3. Changing pad, because I'm OCD when it comes to laying Easton on those random changing tables
4. Butt Paste - because, well, diaper rash happens!
5. Baby food pouches and a spoon
6. Baby Tylenol
7. Hand sanitizer and chapstick for me
8. Rattle, which can probably be retired
9. Extra paci and paci clip, to help avoid the paci being tossed on the ground
10. Snacks for Easton - cherrios, goldfish and 'surfboards'
11. A ball - Easton's favorite
12. Change of clothes
13. Book
14. Sippy cup
15. Arm n' Hammer disposable bags for poopy diapers on-the-go

At any given time, you can also likely find a pair of Easton's socks, which he enjoys taking off, a hoodie for these chilly spring days and my keys, phone and credit card. Although for my birthday this past year, the hubby got me Coach's latest crossbody purse, which makes carrying a purse and a diaper bag totally feasable. Better yet, it makes leaving the diaper bag in the car while running into a store carrying a baby on your hip totally feasable! :)


I'll be back for another "Inside the Bag" update in a few months!