Patience

Of all the lessons I hope to teach my little man, 

he is teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of MY lifetime. 

Patience. 

To help you understand, my husband always said, 

"You would never make a good doctor, because you don't have any patients." 

Like patience. Get it?! :) 

I'm not so sure that helps you understand... but it's the best I could do! 

It's not that I was always in a hurry- it's just that if I had something to do, 

that was not fun- I just wanted to get it done. 

I didn't want to take my time doing chores, or running errands.

Before Jackson, I never knew it could take twenty minutes to vacuum our kitchen floor. 

Normally taking me about three minutes. 

(He absolutely loves the vacuum.)

He holds on and doesn't let go until we are done. 

Periodically looking back at me, thinking that it is one of the coolest things he's ever done 

in his short 18 months of life. 

Don't even ask how long it takes him to help me vacuum the living room. :) 

Before Jackson, I never thought I would take my time putting the dishes away. 

Normally I just wanted it done- 

Grabbing as many things as I could to speed up the process. 

Now Jackson hears the dishwasher open, and RUNS over. 

He stands there and hands me one spoon at a time, then one fork at a time, until we are done. Big smiles on his face the whole time. 

Before Jackson, I never knew it would take me two hours to grocery shop, 

or that I would talk to so many random people while grocery shopping. 

Going up and down the aisle, if he isn't trying to help, he's smiling and waving at everyone. 

Literally everyone. 

I can't tell you how many times he will smile at an older couple, and they stop to talk to him.

I used to get to the store, focused on what I needed to get, 

not paying attention to anyone around me, let alone talking to anyone. 

Seriously. someone could have been standing in the same aisle as me, 

trying to hand me $100- and I never would have noticed. 

Not intentionally- I just wanted to get in and out.  

Now I cherish the moments, and all the new people I meet, even for a brief moment. 

Some people have said the nicest things to me about cherishing my time with Jackson

or just about how happy (and cute) he is. 

There is something so heartwarming about someone you don't know, 

taking the time to say some kinds words to you. 

But back to my big helper at the grocery store... 

His favorite is when we pick out apples. 

He can't wait to grab an apple, and put it in the bag for me. 

One by one, focusing on getting it in the bag- taking twice as long. 
And I don't mind at. all. 

I used to rush through things, to get them done before Jackson had a chance 

to come and be my "big helper". 

I knew if I didn't, I would be doing a small minimal task for much, much longer. 

But that was short lived, and I quickly learned to embrace it. 

Jackson will never be this age ever again (nor this eager to help me out!) 

and I want to take in each and every little moment. 

He wants to help. He wants be by me.

And I want him to have the experience, no matter how silly of an experience it may be. 

Because to him-  right now, everything is a fun, new, exciting experience. 

I'm sure as he gets older, my lessons in patience will change-

 from being patient with small things- to being patient with much bigger things. 

But I hope I can always take a step back- and always enjoy the experience of this journey.

Plus, how can I say, 

"Mommy doesn't need your help right now" to this sweet face?!

Simple Things Sunday #010

This week my sister was in, visiting from California. 

I always have the best time, and cherish each moment with her.

She is not only my sister, but a best friend, and the best auntie. 

Here are a few moments from our week! 

Snuggles Before Bed

Eating Ice Cream Together

Weekend Fun With The Fam

Dancing In The Kitchen

16 Months

I can't believe my little man is 16 months today.

I'd say I wish time would slow down, but we all know that isn't going to happen.

16 months is a crazy age. 

Jackson is getting too big for a lot of the toys and things he was into, 

but he is still too small for almost everything else. 

His attention span for coloring is on the level of baby ADD, 

but we can sit and read books for hours. And hours.

He's also mastering the art of throwing tantrums. 

However, he is the sweetest, most loving little man I have ever known.

This past week he has grown super attached to his baby Jeffrey, 

and we spend a good part of our day wrapping him up like a baby and carrying him around. 

He is becoming more independent little by little,
and now only wants to eat if he's feeding himself with a fork. 

He also likes to brush his teeth, and his hair.
His little legs run everywhere. His little fingers leave prints everywhere.

A clean room is overtaken with toys in seconds as I navigate around
trying not to break an ankle stepping on one.

But his hugs are bigger and stronger every day.
His eyes bigger and brighter, learning more and more.
His smiles can still light up a room, and his giggles... priceless.

Instead of getting so sad about how fast he is growing,
I'm trying to just sit back, enjoy, and take it all in.

He is ONLY 16 months old, he is still my baby.

A mother's take on lack of sleep.

someecards.com

Since Jackson was born, I, myself, have gotten three nights where I got to 
sleep through the night. 

Three. 

He is 15 months old. 

And sleeping through the night means 6-8 hours where I didn't wake up once. 
And no, I am not exaggerating. 

Three. Nights.

Those three nights were sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's and I am forever grateful for them. 

 So, my husband and were talking the other day about one of our favorite topics- 
how Jackson still doesn't sleep through the night, or nap much for that matter. 
We've always joke that he doesn't want to miss out on anything. 
So, then I jokingly said, It's okay since he doesn't sleep or nap much, 
that just means I get to spend so much extra time with him. 

That was a few days ago and although I was joking, it made me stop and think. 
It's true. 
Even when he was weeks old, he was never a napper, and never slept through the night. 
(Or those six hour stretches I heard so much about.)

 I kept waiting for it to happen, and then I kept waiting some more. 
So, instead of being in his nursery in dreamland for hours, I always had him next to me. 

I'll never forget those early days, the days of him just laying next to me, 
eyes big and bright, just looking around, taking everything in. 
All those extra hours I had with him, I am now so thankful for. 

All those extra hours today, I am even more thankful for. 
Time is no joke. It goes fast. And then faster and faster.

Sure, it's frustrating. 
But I know I'm not the only Mommy who has an overactive baby 
who would rather do anything and everything but sleep. 

I'm here to tell you, it's not that bad. 

One day, our little ones will be teenagers, and we won't be able to get them out of bed 
no matter how hard we try. 
I know I am going to be so grateful for all those extra moments I got with Jackson. 
All those times he woke up after only a couple hours of sleep- 
All those extra snuggles I got.

I will carry them in my heart, and cherish them forever. 

Good Morning

Last night was a productive one. 
(In my opinion at least!)

I made dinner, participated in Simple As That's first live facebook chat, as well as made two new birth announcements for Simply Sweet Prints.

Cottage (5x7)

Burlap (5x7)

The weather has been beautiful here in sunny AZ, so we are trying to enjoy it as much as we can before we are locked up in the summer months!

However, I am excited to announce that I will soon be adding banners to the Simply Sweet Shop! Make sure to follow Simply Sweet Moments and like my Facebook page so you don't miss out! 

Welcome, Nursery Wall Art!

I don't know how stay at home moms do it. 

Finding time to work, with my now 15 month old son, is next to impossible! He is a bundle of energy and than some, who doesn't nap, and definitely doesn't like to sleep through the night. 

#mommyproblems :)

So... slowly but surely additions will be made.

I am beyond excited to share my first two wall art printables, that are perfect for your little one's nursery! 

They both come in a variety of colors, so make sure to choose your preference upon checkout! 

To order, simply visit: Simply Sweet Prints

Both wall art prints are sent as an 8x10 printable. 

Lovely Wall Art Printable (8x10)

For some reason this print is showing way darker than it really is.
You can see the actual version in the shop.
Sorry! :)

Adventure Wall Art Printable (8x10)

Isn't She Lovely.

It's Saturday! 

I could not be more thankful for the weekend! The weekend means I have a second set of eyes and hands to help out with my little man. 14 months is such an amazing age, but he can't be left alone for a second! That allows for little to no time for myself, but I promise I am not complaining! 

As I type this, my big helper (aka my husband) is asleep on the couch. He is obviously excited for the weekend as well, but for different reasons! :)

Anyways, we spent this past week moving, and packing and unpacking, along with a lot of cleaning. I can not express how excited I am to be in a (rental) home. No more apartments. No more three flights of stairs. Hello front door and garage. HELLO BACKYARD! 

The other night I got on my laptop for the first time in a week, since everything was packed, and the internet was down. The break from technology was definitely refreshing! 

However, I was missing Simply Sweet Prints and itching to share some new creations! 

Last night I created a new baby girl announcement. (Please excuse my adorable son's picture!)

 I could not, for the life of me, decide which I liked more, so I am offering both versions of my new announcement, Lovely. 

Lovely- Vertical (5x7)

Lovely- Horizontal (5x7)

Which style do you prefer?!

Two New Additionsl

I know I said I probably wouldn't have any new additions to Simply Sweet Prints for a couple weeks, but sometimes you just need a break from packing, and creating new announcements is a nice way for me to relax and do just that!

So, today I've added a new birth announcement, and a new maternity announcement. 

Birth Announcement- God's Grace (5x7)

This is only the second maternity announcement I've added, but I was melting over this quote.

If I would have seen it before I had my son, I probably would have sent out the announcement below, myself! 

Maternity Announcement- Grand Adventure (6x6)

I've had a lot of new followers the past few days, and I couldn't be more excited! Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't forget to sign up for updates via email (to the right!) so you don't miss out on any new additions! 

And as always, stop by and say Hi on Etsy! 

Simply Sweet Prints

Simply Sweet Prints- Grand Opening!

I am beyond excited to share my new business venture.

I officially opened my second Etsy shop, Simply Sweet Prints, on February 18th. and I could not be more excited to share my shop with the Etsy world! 

Currently, I'm focusing on birth announcements with a splash of birthday and maternity in the mix. 

It's A Boy- Bubbles (5x7)

It's A Boy- Calendar (5x7)

Life has been crazy, but in the next couple months once it finally settles down, I will be back at it, and branching out! 

Don't forget to sign up for updates via my little blog so you don't miss out, and as always thanks for stopping by!

Simply Sweet Prints is offering 10% off all orders until February 28th! Enter code "grandopening" at the time of checkout! 

Hanging In There

via pinterest

In just 11 days, my little man will be 11 months. One month away from his very first birthday. 

Late at night, when I open my laptop in attempt to get some work done, I more and more often find myself opening the "Jackson" folder, and then the "0 Month" folder. 

I not only have my photos and videos organized by month, but by day as well. I'm so thankful for my extreme craziness of not letting one day go by without capturing the little moments of the day- which have (quickly) accumulated to thousands and thousands of pictures. 

I am struggling so, so much with accepting just how fast Jackson is growing up. 

I want time to stop, but I'd happily settle for it slowing down. 

I know one day, I will get to the point where I will look at pictures from when he was born, without a tear in my eye. Actually... maybe I won't... but I can't let it get in the way of cherishing all the new moments and memories to come. 

Ten

This morning I woke up, and had a TEN month old next to me. If I knew where to begin, I'd try to explain how fast the time is going, but I seriously have no idea.

It was ten months ago today, that I became a mommy. 

Ten months ago, when I held my son for the very first time.

I feel so blessed, and am so thankful for each and every day I get to wake up to this amazing life my husband and I have created together. 

Happy ten months little man, I love you to the moon and back, forever and ever. 

Simple Things Sunday #2

Moments from this week.

10/13/13

This was a big moment for me. The first time since I was about seven months pregnant, I was able to get my wedding ring on! I was heartbroken when I was pregnant and had to take it off. I am proud to be married to the most amazing man, and missed wearing it every day. I know every girl says the same thing, but I do believe my wedding ring is by far the most beautiful ring I've ever seen. It's absolutely perfect, and I am beyond thrilled to be wearing it again! 

I already know moments, and pictures like this, are ones that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My little man cried and cried, overtired and teething are not a good mix. The feeling I get once I calm him down, and once he finally falls asleep with his arms wrapped around me is truly priceless. 

Speaking of teething. My little man officially has TWO little teeth. As much as I already miss that little gummy smile, these little two teeth make him even cuter... and I'm not sure how that is even possible! 

 This weekend we went to a fall league baseball game with my parents to watch some of the young Cubs prospects. The best part about fall league games. Tickets are dirt cheep ($6) the stadiums are empty, and you can sit wherever you want. We had an amazing time, and my husband even caught a ball for Jackson! After the game, Ryan took Jackson to the dugout, and all the Cubs players signed the ball for him. I will never forget the huge smile on my husband's face. He was SO excited to not only catch a ball for our little man, but then getting it autographed too!

Best. Daddy. Ever.  

Jackson LOVES the outdoors. Saturday we took a drive to the park to enjoy the gorgeous morning, and let Jackson hang out in the grass. The weather could not have been better, and it was so relaxing to just hang out the three of us. 

If you want to join along, a few quick and simple rules:

1. Grab a "Simple Things Sunday" button and include it in your simple things post.

2. Link back directly to your Simple Things post not your blog/website.

No links to other linky parties, giveaways or craft projects pretty please. 

This linky is all about the photos.

3. Be sure to pop by and visit at least 3 other links and leave a comment.

Leave as many as you can!

Well... It's October

How did that happen?!

I just had a mini panic attack. My little man will be turning one in a little over two months. As if being an overly emotional mommy with how much he has been growing lately isn't enough to deal with... I've been talking for weeks about starting to plan his first birthday, but have yet to actually get the ball rolling. 

So many things I have not been able to make a decision on!

Location. Theme. Cake. Decorations.

What to order. What to make myself. 

I am seriously stressing out. 

I know. It is his first birthday. He will never remember it. But I will. It will be small, simple. But I want it to be perfect. 

I've seen so many adorable ideas on Etsy and Pinterest, I just have to start making some decisions. And that may sound like a simple task, but I may be the most indecisive person you will ever meet. 

For all you mommies out there... any suggestions on throwing a first, first birthday party?!