Family Adventure Saturday: #1

We pretty much have the coolest daddy in the whole entire world. He established 2nd Saturdays as "Family Adventure Saturday" and for our first of many, we hit up a local pumpkin patch and it delivered! We had so much fun and fall a little more in love with this little area of Wisconsin every time we venture out. Happy Fall!

 We thought this picture was only fitting, given Nolan's birth announcement.  ^^

Down By The River

Sometimes you have a long couple of weeks and your husband comes home and says, "Let's forget everything and go to the river" and if you have any brains at all, you drop what you're doing and say "okay" and 7 minutes later you're on your way. This experience is extremely enhanced by purchasing 2 pairs of $5 sunglasses on the same day, and trying the pink ones on your 2 year old son. And should the "let's drop everything" thing and the sunglasses thing not be enough, one should arm said 2 year old son with a king size chocolate candy bar. And thus you will have the greatest day ever. While not what some doctors would have ordered, it's totally what this doctor ordered, and let's face it, I'm totally smart enough to be a doctor.

Swimming

This little guy and I went swimming with friends yesterday.
We had such a fun time.
It was amazing to see him try something new, warm up to it, and then go for it.
He's so full of wonder, curiosity, courage, and raw joy.
I love hanging out with him each day.
I love seeing him happy.
I love his appetite for anything good.
Mostly, I just love being his mommy.

The Little One

I have been way too self-centered,
negative, and me me me lately.
I've heard the best way to get out of a
selfish funk is to have more gratitude.
And that's just what I intend to do.

Untitled from Ashlee Smith on Vimeo.

Today I am so thankful for Nolan in my life.
He brightens every single moment.
He is so good.

Happy Monday.

Easter In Review

We are all over our sicknesses, minus a sniffle or a cough here and there. Hallelujah! And thanks everyone for your concern. :)

{My little man ready for church on Easter Sunday}

Our Easter ended up being pretty great, but if I'm being honest (and I am) it didn't start out too well. I woke up with left over feelings of sadness, frustration, and anger from a silly conversation with Collin the night before. He said something that was not at all intended to hurt my feelings and he even apologized 100 times (even though he didn't need to) before bed, but I was still upset. And then I woke up feeling extra sad because we wouldn't be with family eating scalloped potatoes (or funeral potatoes, depending on if it would be a Smith or a Martin Easter), and we wouldn't be hunting for eggs, doing the egg-carton Easter activity, or attending church with our parents. And to top it all off, I had completely dropped the ball and there was no visit from The Easter Bunny, there were no new white shirts and ties for my boys to wear to church, there were no eggs dyed, no jelly beans delivered, and I was bummed.

We got ready for church and walked to church in 100% silence. Real mature, I know. We got to church and in walked all of the little children in perfectly pastel ensembles that I knew had been purchased just for this day. And not only was Nolan not festively dressed, he was also being an absolute rascal complete with temper tantrums, spitting, and crawling away from Dad and Mom at record speeds. Soon enough I had had it, so I took the walk of shame down that never-ending isle at church, holding my squirmy sweetheart, neither of us looking our best. I put Nolan in his stroller, corked him with a bottle, covered him with a blanket and that's all it took. He was sound asleep in a matter of seconds and for the first time all day I was able to sit, think, and ponder about this holiday we call Easter.

My thoughts started out focusing on my hardheartedness towards my husband, the least hardhearted person I know. Then they wandered into the realm of The Easter Bunny and his skipping over our house. And they ended up on me missing the opportunity to color coordinate my family's church-going outfits. This whole entire thought process took all of 30 seconds, and then I realized there was somebody standing at the front of the chapel talking about Easter. So I tuned in.

They were talking about the real meaning of Easter. That blessed day when Jesus Christ was risen, Resurrected, and alive yet again. He had brought with Him a promise of hope, of eternal happiness, of reunions and of life. And that's when I realized that I hadn't really missed Easter after all. There was still time.

I could still have the Easter my Savior would have preferred me to have in the first place. An Easter void of anger towards my husband. An Easter despite what we were or were not wearing. An Easter even without colorful eggs, candy, and marshmallow chicks. My own personal Easter of hope, happiness, and reunions. After the meeting ended, I waited for Collin to walk down that same isle Nolan and I had just traced, and as he approached me, we had a reunion. I apologized, he hugged me, and our marriage had some what of its own mini-resurrection. We spent the rest of the day together learning about Jesus Christ and what His life, death, and Resurrection means to us.

We went home after church to prepare our part of the dinner we'd be sharing with friends, and at Nolan's bedtime we left our house to join fellow family-less friends for an Easter dinner. We knew it was a risk taking Nolan out at his bedtime, but it was a risk worth taking. We slipped him into his most Easter-ish pajamas, threw on his trusty sock monkey hat, and had ourselves an enjoyable evening with good food, good friends, and good memories. And Nolan was well-behaved: a direct blessing from heaven.




{Nolan waiting at the bus stop, on our way to Easter dinner}

This Easter was the least traditional Easter I've ever had. But perhaps it was the Easter I learned the most. Nothing can, nor ever will replace a holiday with family, but I'm so grateful for good friends, and life lessons learned that teach me things I may not have learned when in my comfort zone of traditions and scalloped potatoes.

I hope you all had a great Easter as well. I know my Savior, Jesus Christ lives, and I'm grateful for the miracle that that is, and for what it means in my life. That I can try again each day, to make every day better than the day before.

Here's to a great Monday.

Happy Monday!

It's Friday, I'm In Love

The INCREDIBLE Tiffany took some photos of Nolan a little while back. I just recently got to see the finished product and I am so in love with how she captured my little guy and the love I have for him.

Thanks so much Tiffany!! {See the whole set here. And if you live anywhere near Chicago, book her!}

This weekend is one I've looked forward to for quite some time because I have...wait for it...NOTHING on my calendar! In our future I see:

A trip to H&M to find some jeans and boots for Nol (We lost a pair of jeans and a boot this week. Don't ask, because I don't have an answer.)

Season 2 of Downton Abbey

Lots of ice cream

Pajamas and white onesies

A low-key, at home, Redbox date with my love

Eating what's left of an enormous box of Arizona oranges (Thanks ma and pa Smith!)

And (if I'm lucky) some Thai food to go along with that Redbox movie

I hope you all have a really great weekend!

Happy Friday!

Nolan Shakes It

First of all, I really apologize for the terrible video quality. Like really, really terrible. Old school phone cameras, blehhh!

But video quality aside, I hope you have a rockin' weekend, and can get down to some classical music yourselves, 'cause you know that's what we'll be doin' up in here this weekend.

Happy Friday!!!

Cranberry juice

Nolan tried Daddy's cranberry juice the other day.

Best. Reaction. EVER.

Don't worry, son. Mama feels the exact same way about cranberry juice. :)

Happy Thursday!

Nolan-9 months

I can not believe it's been 9 months since Nolan was placed in our arms.
They have most certainly been the best 9 months of our lives.

At 9 months, Nolan has a few tricks:

He likes:
stopping the draining water in the tub with his bum
going on walks
singing songs
watching mama make bread (he loves the mixer)
seeing the record play go around and around
tickles
reading books
crawling around with toys in his mouth like a puppy dog
dancing and moving when music comes on

He has 6 teeth
He wears size 18-24 month clothes
He weighs around 25 pounds


He says:
mama
dadda
bubba
yay
patty-cake (in a jumbled, yet some how decipherable way)

He signs:
more
drink
all done
up
want

He's learning:
not to spit
to fold his arms for prayers
'thank you'
to walk

Dear Nolan,

What an honor, blessing, and privilege it is to be your mama. You make life so full, so fun, and so wild! You can make any day brighter, and any moment happier. You've taught me so much about love. Thanks for choosing me to be your mommy and for loving me through all of my mess-ups. You're the best son anyone could have, and each night in my prayers, I thank Heavenly Father that you're mine. I love you, Nolan!

Love, Mama

Happy Tuesday!

Tiny Dancer

We introduced Nolan to Elton John early in his life...and he likes it. I love watching this little guy rock his life away when any song comes on. He's so fun.

Happy Wednesday!

Nolan Kissing Mommy

The other day, while Collin was at school Nolan and I were looking out the window (his new favorite activity). I was sitting on the couch, Nolan was standing. Then out of nowhere, he looked over at me and laid a big ol' kiss right on my lips! I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Sweetest thing ever! So, naturally I tested the waters. Every time he'd look at me, I'd pucker up. And he'd kiss me every time! When Daddy's home, Nolan has no kisses for me, so this was a big deal. I had to video it, to prove to Collin that Nolan does give me kisses sometimes! Oh how I love that little boy. He's just pretty much the coolest person I've ever met. Besides his daddy of course.

Happy, happy, happy Friday!

Yesterday and Today

{bottom teeth}

{top teeth}

Yesterday I
cleaned the whole house
including 3 closets (woo hoo!)
scrubbed my bathroom
swept and mopped everything
did all the laundry
played with Nolan
had a dinner date with Collin (we had 2 grilled-cheeses and 1 bowl of soup, yum)

I feel really ready for the weekend now.
This weekend we plan on
staying in a lot because there is so much beautiful snow outside
having dinner with fun new friends
having brunch with our cute neighbors
going to church
making homemade bread and cinnamon rolls
watching Nolan's 2 top teeth continue to poke through (that's a total of 4)

Here's to a productive week and a happy weekend.
Stay safe and warm!

Happy Friday!

Within My Heart

I've read before that a good blogger never blogs about blogging. That being said, I'm willing to sacrifice any inner hope I ever had of being a good blogger to say that in my heart, I desire to be a better blogger. This blog has been so incredibly therapeutic for me, and has brought me to meet, both virtually and physically, so many of you, whom I consider dear friends. But you probably didn't even know I consider you dear friends because when I'm in town I don't call, and when I read your blogs I don't comment. Within my heart, I want to be a better friend too.

Growing up I had the world's best friend. She was also my 1st cousin so we were shoo ins to win the best friends ever award. And it was easy being her friend (I'm feeling a deja vu feeling right now, which means I've probably already blogged about this, and if so, forgive me). Because I had a built-in best friend, I've often felt like my friend-making skills never fully were developed and since I genuinely enjoy spending one-on-one time with my husband, so many nights are spent at home, the 2 of us, sometimes Skyping with said best friend, and usually watching a movie on the couch, feeling perfectly comfortable and content. But friends are important, and I know that. Making new friends is such a good idea!

This turned into a rambling of current feelings I've been harboring, and I guess what it boils down to is this...

In 2012, along with my One-Word Goals, I want to:
Be A Better Blogger
Be A Better Friend

And since good bloggers don't blog about blogging, I better get all of my blogging talk done in one blog so I never have to be a bad blogger again. :) (Please sense my facetiousness.)

This blog started as a way for me to anonymously discuss my feelings and experiences with infertility. Then I concluded that anonymity wasn't feeling right because 1. I don't like secrets and 2. I had nothing to hide or be ashamed of. So then the blog was about me, and my infertility. Then, a lot of other cool things happened, and I wanted to share them on this blog, even though they didn't have anything to do with infertility. So this blog became about me, my infertility, and my life. Then I went back and forth about 100 times about the purpose of this blog. Should it just be about infertility? Should it talk about my baby or is that too mean to those who don't have children yet? Should I accept sponsors? Should I advertise on others' blogs? And after all of these questions...I still don't have any answers. Sometimes I think I have answers, but then I just end up changing my mind.

So I guess what I've decided is that myspoiledeggs feels like home to me. And for now it is what it is. A place for me to talk about everything, including infertility, Nolan, and other stuff. And I don't have a clear view or answer as to what exactly this blog should or shouldn't be about, so for now it's just going to be.

I think I'm trying to lower my expectations, and get back to blogging for the love of it, and not to try to be as cool as the really cool people in the world. Because I'm just me, and this is just my blog, and right now, I'm okay with that.

(This is where I'd normally apologize for ranting, and talk about how awkward this post might be for some people to read. This is also where I'd congratulate anybody who actually read the whole thing. But instead of doing all of that, I'm going to skip the apologies and feel good about expressing my feelings, and not feeling pressure by what others may or may not think. In other words, the end. :)

Happy Wednesday!!

Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas Day Highlights Included:

Nolan getting a book (his favorite!) from his Grandma and Papa.


Nol getting his very own cell phone to suck on (no longer will cell-phone sucking be at the expense of Daddy's phone) thanks Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dub!


Having our very first Christmas as a family of 3.

We had such a wonderful Christmas. Though it was a little different than normal to have Christmas on a Sunday, I thought it was totally cool to go to church on Christmas. That is, after all, the whole point. :) We got up early, watched the kids open their gifts from Santa, and then we all got dressed and ready for church. My mom is the choir director and the whole church meeting consisted of musical wonders from her choir. It was magical. Then we came home and opened gifts from each other. Our family theme for gift giving this year was "food storage". There were a lot of quick oats around these parts on Christmas day!

It was perfect being here with family. It was a true white Christmas, and life really, was perfect for a day!

I hope your day was merry and bright as well.

Happy Monday!

Goals For This Week

A few days ago Nolan had some food on his hands after dinner and so Collin took him over to the sink to wash him up. I was doing something on the computer and not paying much attention at all. But soon, I realized that the water was still running and that Nolan's hands should be plenty clean by now. I looked over to my sink and saw Nolan's pants getting DRENCHED. I immediately barked "Collin, his pants are getting wet" and Collin replied with "I know, and he's having fun". I was so confused that Nolan's pants were soaking wet and that Collin knew about it and wasn't preventing it, so I repeated, "No but his pants are really wet honey" and then Collin said, "then we'll put them in the washing machine when we're done!"

All of a sudden I snapped out of organized/strict/clean/boring Mom and with Collin's help realized that sometime you just have to get your pants wet, because you can always throw them in the wash.

I think sometimes I get so caught up in how things are supposed to be that I forget to have fun and play. This was especially true for me when it came to infertility. I was so caught up in not having a baby that I sometimes forgot to play with the kids that were around me, and I forgot that my husband is the biggest kid of all and playing with him makes anything better.

This week I'm going to try to let go of the things that are supposed to be and I'm going to try to let loose, have more fun, and remember that at the end of the day, it can all be thrown in the wash.

Happy Monday!

Happy Labor Day!

Yay for a day off! Well kind of a day off in our house. Coll still has a bunch of school work, and even a meeting to go to, but I plan on being in my pajamas all day long, and after Nolan's bath, instead of putting his jeans on him, I went for a pair of sweat shorts and a T. We're all about being comfy today.

Speaking of Labor Day, I'm still laboring on the new additions to My Spoiled Eggs. The sidebars are filling up and I LOVE IT!! There are so many supportive people out there and I'm so glad we're introducing ourselves to each other. So be sure to click on some of the new links and leave a comment or two on each others blogs.

And one last thing, thank you, thank you, thank you for your questions, your success stories, your happy lists, your blog links and buttons, and your support. You are all absolutely INCREDIBLE! You're not off the hook yet though! Keep those questions, stories, and happy lists coming. And don't forget to send me your link if you want to be linked-up on My Spoiled Eggs!

Be sure to check back this week for our first round of the aforementioned Happy Lists, Success Stories, QandA sessions, and....A GIVEAWAY!! I'm FINALLY back on the giveaway train after being gone for so long. This is going to be a good week! Enjoy your day off and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

Happy Monday!

Today on 2899016 + 3 see the Many Faces of Nolan

For The Ones We Left Behind

This is the face of a full tummied, just bathed, little boy who got 11 hours of sleep last night!

I've arranged the following photos in groups according to who might enjoy them the most:

For grandparents:




For my brothers:



For those who appreciate a good attempt at thumb sucking:




Right before Nol and I finished up our photo shoot he lost his dad.

"Mom, is he up there?"

"Or did he go that way?"

Happy Friday from our little Cub in Chicago!!

And a HUGE thanks to all my guest bloggers!!