We could all use a little "Moore" Hope...

Most of us are on the  outside looking in to the devastation and heartbreak that happened in Moore Oklahoma this past week. We shed tears and we pray and we count our blessings. And then we go about our days. Well for one of my very best blog friends Amber, she and her family are on the inside looking out. They live in Moore and are living in the middle of what is like a war zone right now. Thankfully, she and her husband and their two children are okay. Their house is still standing. But the houses just up the street are not. Their friends and neighbors are suffering. Amber is shaken to the core, and I don't blame her!! Please, blog buddies, if you have a minute just stop by her blog and offer her some love and prayers. They were lucky. Very very lucky. 

Why we come back...

Saw this and I immediately thought of our blogs. It is so true. Our blogs have helped heal. In healing ourselves...in healing others...

It's what keeps us coming back.

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day. We got up early (who I am kidding we are always up early with the princess...ha) and went out to breakfast with my MIL, FIL and BIL. I got a giant waffle with bananas, strawberris and whipped cream. And a side of bacon! Mmmmm. So much for my diet. Oh well, I still managed to lose a pound despite my piggish eating habits this week. Then we came home and Samantha got a short nap in, before we headed over to my brother and SIL's house for brunch! We had a nice visit there with my Mom. And then we dropped Samantha off at my MIL's and went to visit my Nana in the hospital. Update on my Nana..she is doing better! Went home today!! :)

My hubby surprised me with flowers and two cards that morning. One from him and a cute one from Samantha with a DD gift card in it. I'm also ordering this silver necklace I've been eyeing off Etsy. It's has a mother bird and baby bird on it. And it will have Sam's initial on it.

Overall, it was a great day and I thank my lucky stars for the beautiful little girl I got to hang out with all day. Still can't get over that I'm her Mom...

Here are some photos I took of Sam that day. Unfortunately, she was not feeling all that well and is worse now!!! It is SO heartbreaking seeing her sick!!!

Not feeling so hot! :(

Catch me if you can!

Playing with Mommy's eyeglass case

Aren't these adorable?? She won't keep them on though...

Happy to see Emma (my bro's dog) and terrified all at the same time!

I know you are jealous of my spandex dance costume. This is  a flashback picture of my Mom and I after one of my dance recitals!

Mother and Daughter. I'm on the top...Samantha on the bottom...

Taken today :( My sick baby sleeping on me!!

A Gift for You

Keep dreamin' girls...

Baby Steps!

Samantha took her first real step today!!! How exciting :) She has been cruising and standing on her own a lot lately. Even turning herself in a circle before falling down. But today she took a REAL(she took one step forward with one foot and then followed with the other) step towards me! I couldn't believe it!! So, at 14mths old (12 months adjusted) my baby girl is starting to walk!!! Oh boy, and I thought it was tough keeping up with her before!!! :) I think I need to hit up Stride Rite this week for a pair of good comfortable white sandals for her. I have a few pairs of sandals for her, but they are not very sturdy...

Soon she will be running circles around me!!

Woof Woof

Samantha has been obsessed with dogs lately. So when I saw this toy dog (that when you pull it along it barks and sings Bingo!) at a big consignment sale this past weekend, I had to get it! She loves to say "Woof! Woof!" It's pretty damn cute.

And I have been singing "How much is that doggy in the window (woof! woof!) " to her a lot and a few times she has chimed in with a "woof woof" in the right spots!

Makes me miss our Nole soooo much! They would have LOVED each other....

14 Months!

Yeah, I guess that's right...my baby is 14 months already!!!

Here she is checking out Baby Facebook this afternoon. Even the babes love social media I guess ;)

Facebooking...

"Look at all the pictures that my friends mommies are posting of them!" 

Status update: "About to pull this headband off...drink some milk..and then refuse an afternoon nap."

"Ughhh! All these notifications are driving me nuts!"

"Let me quick type up a personal message to my bff Kaya, I have some gossip to share!"

"Can you believe I'm 14 months? Me neither. It's mind blowing!"

Yum!

After the March of Dimes walk on Sunday, we decided to take Samantha out for her first taste of ice cream!! She seemed to like the taste of it, but didn't like how cold it was! haha She made a funny face with each bite!!

Walking for Babies

This past Sunday we attended a March of Dimes walk in our area. It was a gorgeous day for it too!!! It was so nice to walk with people who have been through similar experiences. I think we will do it again next year! We had some of our family walking with us and raised about $275 from generous donations. Also, two of Samantha's NICU buddies were walking as well! Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of them! So great to see them all beautiful and thriving!

Team Peanut Princess! I had this adorable shirt made for her.

Sam and her Nana ( my mom)

Checking out the beads! The teal beads stood for prematurity.

Samantha and her Daddy

Snoozin' on the job...

Sam and her 91 year old Nanny! Both rollin' along :)

Of course, Mommy had to get balloons to match her poster :)

Sam with her Nana and Papa

We let her balloons go after the walk. They got stuck in a tree and I thought it looked kind of pretty!

***Sadly, later that day after the walk my 91 year old Nana became very ill and had to go to the hospital. She is a fighter and is doing a bit better! But it was scary there for awhile! Praying she bounces back and gets to go home!***