Nine Months Old

November 23, 2013

Lillian-
Nine months, baby girl, you are nine months old, already!  You make life so much fun!  You have the sweetest, happiest personality and I hope you that your bright spirit always shines.  You are continuing to pull up on any and everything because you love to stand.  You are trying to let go and stand on your own but you have not quite got your balance figured out.  You do like to hold on and walk as well.  It is just a matter of time before you figure it out and are walking all over the place.  We are still dealing with the pain of teething.  You now have 4 teeth, two on the bottom and two on the top.  Ibuprofen helps better than Tylenol.  You also have an abundance of teething toys that seem to help.  I am just as ready as you are for this teething stuff to be over, then maybe we'll both sleep all night every night.  You are not waking up every single night by at least 3 nights a week you wake up once during the night needing to be rocked back to sleep.  You are eating so much more these days.  When we go out to eat you like me to share some of my dinner with you, like green beans, black eyed peas, and mashed potatoes. You are still eating puréed food but you now prefer the kind that comes in a pouch.  You like snacking on yogurt melts and any type of crunchy baby snacks.  Breakfast is your favorite meal and it always consist of oatmeal and either fruit or yogurt.  The sippy cup is still something you are trying to figure out.  Your pediatrician said we didn't have to really push you to use it just yet.  With all this food you are eating I feel like you are growing so much! You are wearing 9 month clothes and a few 12 month things fit as well. Your foot is not growing very fast, though.  It's been a struggle to find shoes that fit that are real shoes with rubber soles.  Your pediatrician said your height and weight is perfect! You are in the 50th percentile for your weight and 80th percentile for your height.  Bath time is still your favorite part of the nightly routine.  Sometimes your daddy and I feel like we are trying to bathe an octopus because you are so busy playing and moving in the bathtub.  After your bath we have to cover you with really good thick lotion because you have eczema that flairs up if we don't.  Your daddy says you inherited his sensitive skin.  There are so many things I see in you that you get from your daddy and it just melts my heart.  Your daddy and I are so proud of you and I hope that we always find a way to show you!
All my love,
Mommy

Weight: 18 lbs 6 oz

Length: 28.5 in

Things she is loving: standing, babbling, taking a bath

Things she is not a fan of: teething, laying down to have her diaper changed

Thankful for...(Day 2 & 3 combined)

This weekend has been filled with lots of time with friends.  I am so very thankful for our wonderful friends.  Jon and I have really come to realize the true meaning of friendship and who our real friends are during the 7 years we have been together.  We have made some new friends along the way and some of our old friends have faded out of our lives, but those who are still around are very important to us! This weekend we have had the opportunity to celebrate some of our dear friends daughter's 2nd birthday and we found out they are expecting a baby boy in April! We are so excited for them! We also watched two of our friends get married and helped celebrate at their reception. It was so much fun and we hope nothing but happiness for the newlyweds! The next few days we will have friends in town from Fort Worth that we haven't seen since January! We are super pumped and can't wait for them to meet Lillian!  As I said earlier, this weekend has been filled with lots of time with friends who I am very thankful for! 

These are a few of my favorite scriptures about friends...

Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 12:26

Thankful for... (Day 1)

November seems to have become the month of thanksgiving, not just the  holiday, but realizing every day what we are most thankful for.  To start out this month of thanksgiving I am thankful for my life.  God has really blessed me with a wonderful family, great friends, a rewarding job, and many other things.  I have been through many things in the 29 years of my life and I'm thankful for each of them, good and bad, because it has made me who I am today.  Life may not always be what we think it should or go the way we want, but He has it planned out just the way it should be. 

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Thessalonians 5:18

Eight Months Old

October 23, 2013

Lillian-
My sweet punkin, you make me one happy mommy!  You are such a sweet and fun 8 month old! You are continuing to crawl all over the place, and now you pull up on anything you can.  Your new found freedom of standing to see the world is amazing to you.  Your smile has changed a bit over the last month and you now squint your eyes and have a true wide smile, it's adorable!  You have figured out what a kiss is all about and you like to kiss your mommy and daddy, especially when you first wake up.  It warms my heart when you grab my face and plant a slobbery kiss on me!  We have been dealing with the pain of teething lately, but you are a trooper and handling it fairly well.  A little Tylenol and some teething tablets seem to really help.  You have two teeth on the bottom, and I think your two front top teeth will be next to make their appearance.  You are continuing to grow like a weed.  Nine month size clothes are fitting just right and you can even wear some size 12 month pants (it's those long legs you have going for you!).  Eating is not always your favorite thing, but you get the job done.  You love to eat your oatmeal for breakfast, but you would definitely go without eating dinner if I would let you.  A lot of your vegetables have to be masked with fruit for you to eat them.  These days you are starting to make true sounds and syllables instead of random babble.  You are saying "da," "ba," th, and k sounds.  I keep trying really hard to teach you "mama,"  but I'm thinking you will say "dada" first.  You love me, but you are a daddy's girl.  He can make you laugh no matter what mood you may be in.  You find it so funny when he tickles your feet or kisses your belly or back. It's the sweetest thing ever to see how much you love your daddy!  You are doing better about communicating your likes and dislikes to us.  If you like something it is always obvious with your smile or excited gestures, and when you don't like something you will grunt and push things away from you. Baby girl, you make your daddy and I so proud and we are enjoying every single minute of being your parents.  Life is so much more enjoyable with you around!
All my love,
Mommy

Things she is loving: standing (holding on to something), 

oatmeal, taking a bath, 

people watching when we are in public

Things she is not a fan of: teething, 

being away from mommy and daddy,

vegetables

Seven Months Old

September 23, 2013

Lillian-
What a lovely 7 month old you are! You amaze me everyday with all that you are learning and the new things you are doing.  Your sweet personality shines so bright and is so contagious.  You can make anyone's day brighter with your sweet smile.  This past month you have started crawling, really scooting, all over the place.  If we take our eyes off of you for more than a minute you end up on the other side of the room.  One of your favorite things to do is crawl after Charley and Annabelle, but they are still too fast for you to catch them.  You also love getting around the house in your walker.  Your daddy and I better get the house "baby proofed" soon because I'm sure it won't be long before you are in to everything.  We went to church for the first time since you were born and that ended up not going so well.  You have pretty bad separation anxiety and if you are with someone you don't recognize and you do not see me or your daddy you get really upset.  The ladies in the nursery at church said you did pretty good for your first time, but we are fairly certain you cried the whole time.  Your daddy and I felt terrible, so we have not been back.  For about a week this past month you dealt with a cold.  You never had fever, but you did have a very congested nose and a puny cough.  You grew to really despise the bulb suction.  During that week you never could get totally comfortable at night while you were sleeping, so we both didn't get much sleep.  I'm glad that is over, and you are back to sleeping all night again.   We have really been introducing you to all sorts of food.  You have turned in to quite the eater, but only when you are in the mood.  Oatmeal is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast and your daddy said you really have the hang of it.  Now that you sit in the high chair at restaurants, you love going out to eat.  Of course you end up being the center of all the attention.  With all the eating you have been doing, you have also been putting on some weight.  You are still long and lean, but you have definitely added a few pounds.  We went to the doctor a week or so ago and you were weighing in at 16 1/2 pounds.  You are wearing mostly 6 month clothes but some 9 month clothes fit.  Your Nonna has bought you so many precious clothes lately, and I can't wait for you to wear them.  Bath time is still one of your favorite parts of the day.  We started giving you a bath earlier because you now like to go to bed earlier.     You usually get in the bath around 7:30 PM and are asleep by 8:30 PM.  You have been waking up between 7 and 8 in the morning.  Mommy and Daddy love that you love to sleep like we do!  Daddy said you take 2 naps a day.  When you are not sleeping you are playing.  Between your jumper, your walker, and playing on the floor on your mat, you are a busy little girl.  You still love to talk and now you love to blow spit bubbles.  Sometimes you find blowing bubbles so funny that you laugh so loud that it makes us laugh too!  You bring me so much joy and happiness!  I love you more than you will ever know!  Thank you for being such a sweet and loving baby!
All my love baby girl,
Mommy

Things she is loving: crawling around everywhere, 

getting around the house in her walker, trying new foods, blowing spit bubbles,

sitting in the shopping cart or high chair

Things she is not a fan of: being away from mommy and daddy, 

being awake past 9PM

Six Months Old

August 23, 2013

Lillian-
Happy 1/2 year to you, my sweet baby!  It's still hard for me to believe that you were born 6 months ago.  It seems like just yesterday your daddy and I were headed to the hospital anxious and nervous and ready to meet you.  We are very proud to be your parents and thank God for you every day.  You are still a daddy's girl.  You look like your daddy, you are dramatic like your daddy, you can't take your eyes off your daddy if he is in sight, it truly melts my heart.  Sitting up (all by yourself) is your favorite position because you get a better view of everything.  This big world is so amazing to you and you take it all in as much as you can.   When we are out in public, people are always stopping to speak to you and almost always tell us how beautiful and adorable you are.  You definitely capture strangers hearts with your precious smile and happy spirit. Mommy is still so proud of what a good sleeper you are (that must be one of the only things you get from me).  You will only nap in your swing, so we had to move the swing to your room so you would take longer naps.  So far our plan has worked.  Size three month clothes are finally too small and 6 month are fitting just right.  You are still long and skinny (40th percentile on your weight and 80th percentile on your height).  We have started feeding you "solids."  Some days you love to eat and others you could care less.  Acorn squash, sweet potatoes, and pears are your favorite things to eat so far.  You don't care too much for avocado and green beans make you have an upset tummy.  You are still taking your bottles during the day, and daddy had to start giving you more milk with each bottle because you are a hungry little girl.  We thought you might be teething because you are a drooling machine and everything you get your hands on goes to your mouth, but your doctor told us that she didn't think you were just yet.  We did find out from the doctor that you inherited your daddy's sensitive skin and you have eczema.  We have to make sure to lather you up with lotion after your baths!  Speaking of baths, that's one of your favorite times of the day.  You are now splashing your feet and playing with toys in the tub.  It's so precious to see your eyes light up when you go in to the bathroom and your bath water is running.  Your personality really shines these days and makes us laugh often.  When you get really excited about different things and you will scrunch your nose and make panting noises.  It is too cute!  Charley and Annabelle always check on you when you play on the floor and you think it's really funny.  I know you will have lots of fun playing with them when you can get around the house on your own.  I am loving watching you grow and learn and do new things.  I can't tell you enough how proud I am of you and the little lady you are becoming.  I hope you know how much your daddy and I love you today and always!
All my love,
Mommy

Weight: 15 lbs 7 oz

Length: 26.5 in

Things she is loving: sitting up, swinging outside (or doing anything outside),

Charley and Annabelle

Things she is not a fan of:  not being in the bath by 8PM, laying on her back 

Five Months Old

July 23, 2006

Lillian-
You are 5 months old today! Time is flying by and I am trying to relish every minute of it.  You are such a joy and bring so much happiness to our lives. You are very curious and observant. You are surely trying to figure out what the big world is all about! The only time you like to lay on your back these days is to play under your activity mat, otherwise you want to sit (with assistance) and see all that you can.  You are such a happy baby and love to smile!  The only time you get upset is when you are tired or hungry.  Speaking of tired, you are a wonderful sleeper.  You go to sleep around 9 each night and sleep until 7 or 8 in the morning.  Your daddy said you take 2 naps during the day and sometimes 1 in the evening after I am home.  Your naps are not very long, we like to call them cat naps, but they seem to satisfy you.  You are still taking your bottles during the day with rice cereal and nursing when I am home.  Your daddy and I tried to feed you rice cereal with a spoon the other day but you were not quite sure what to do.  We will try again soon.  You definitely are not missing any meals.  You are growing so much every day it seems.  We just started putting size 2 diapers on you and you are wearing mostly 3 month clothes.  There are a few outfits that are 3-6 months that fit you and just a couple of 6 month onesies that you can wear.  I ordered some super cute outfits in size 6 months for you, and I am hoping you will fit in them soon!  You are still loving your days you spend with your daddy.  You even rolled over from your tummy to your back for him the other day.  When he has to work, your Nonna (your daddy's mommy) comes over and spends the day with you.   A few days a week in the evenings when I get home from work we go to the park for walks, and you always enjoy it.    Being outside is one of your favorite places to be!  You still love to chew on your fingers and now your toes!  Your hand eye coordination is very good now and you are always picking things up and putting them into your mouth!  You have lots to say, and you seem to make a new sound almost every day.  Charley and Annabelle are becoming some of your favorite entertainment.  You love to watch them and they always seem to make you laugh out loud.  Your personality is absolutely precious!  I love everything about you!  I thank God every day for choosing me to be your mommy!
All my love sweet girl,
Mommy

Things she is loving: being outside, chewing on her fingers and toes,

being tickled by her daddy, "talking," sitting up (with assistance), mornings

Things she is not a fan of: being awake past 9PM, 

laying on her back without entertainment, eating with a spoon

What's for dinner?

Every weekend (usually Sunday morning), I sit down and plan out what we will be eating for dinner during the week.  Thanks to a few food blogs and pinterest, it makes the planning a little easier.  I am still using the menu board that I made over a year ago.  Deciding what we are having for dinner for the week also makes the trip to the grocery store much easier.  I used to find myself buying all sorts of things and spending a small fortune and still having nothing to cook.  Planning ahead really does help, especially now that Lillian is here and she takes up a lot of time in the evening once I am home from work.
This week our menu looks like this....

Here are a few links to the recipes for this week (in case you care to try any of them as well)...

Sunday- I love pasta, especially with creamy alfredo sauce.  Since we are trying to eat somewhat healthy on most days, I decided to try out this healthier version.  I bought some whole wheat noodles to go with the alfredo sauce and blackened chicken.

Monday- We eat a lot of chicken, so I decided to throw in some pork chops when I came across this Paula Deen recipe (she is still a great chef despite all the media hoopla).  The red pepper soup sounds fancy, but it is not homemade.  Campbell's Go soups are so delicious!  You should give one of them a try!

Tuesday- I love stuffed bell peppers, and I love Mexican food!  What a better way to combine the two than with this recipe.  (Just don't tell my husband it's made with ground turkey!)  I also found this cilantro lime rice recipe I think should go perfect with the peppers.

Wednesday- Squash is in season right now, and we love chicken, so what better way to use both than to make a chicken squash bake.

Thursday-  We will join some great friends for dinner for E's night out.

Friday-  I decided to do something nice for my husband and make his favorite meal.  I asked him what his all time favorite was would be, and this is what he said, "steak, my mom's mashed potatoes, and green beans or any type of pea."  My sister came in town when Lillian was first born and made us some incredible steaks using the cast iron skillet, so I will attempt to recreate them.  I don't think I can make mashed potatoes quite like my MIL, but I think I can come close.  The green beans I can handle.  I hope it makes for a happy hubby!

Saturday-  I really like fish, but only if it doesn't taste "fishy."  This is my "go to" recipe for fish.  It is so good!! The fish has a tomato sauce with it, so I decided to make some okra and tomatoes with rice to finish off the meal.  My MIL gave us some fresh okra the other day that needs to be cooked.

Here to hoping I stick with the plan this week...
And as my girl Paula Deen says,

"Love & Best Dishes,"

Our Weekend

via pictures...
**WARNING** picture overload ahead **

I was in the mood to take pictures this weekend.  We didn't do anything super special, but I snapped lots of pics anyway.

Lillian sitting in her daddy's lap at Another Broken Egg.

They were watching us do yard work.

I took a pic when he wasn't looking.

Sweet Charley hanging out with Lillian

I put my sun hat on to weed the flower bed.

Annabelle was following me everywhere and loving the outdoors!

Jon marinated some steaks that he grilled on Sunday night

Lillian played while her daddy grilled

I made a salad with some of our goods from the Farmer's Market.

We ended our weekend with this beautiful rainbow.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Ours was not very eventful but it was filled with quality time spent together and you can't beat that!

Five on Friday

{one}

I have to brag on myself for just a second...We had a weight loss challenge this past month at work and I won!!  I am so proud of myself.  I had big plans to workout a lot to lose the weight, but that didn't happen as much as I would have liked.  I did really watch what I ate and I kept walking.  I lost 9 lbs in the month of June.  I have lost 51 lbs since giving birth 4 1/2 months ago!  (I gained 57 lbs while pregnant)  I signed up for the weight loss challenge at work this month too!

{two}

I really want to get back in to baking more.  I always love baking and I don't know why I don't do it more often?! I know my husband would enjoy it if I would make more sweet treats, but it may not help me get back to pre-baby weight!  I am thinking about baking these good looking cupcakes this weekend.

{three}

My husband and I have been talking more about getting a jogging stroller.  He runs a lot more than I do, but I have high hopes of starting to run/jog soon.  It's going to take me a little bit to get to where I can run for any significant length of time, but I have to start somewhere.  There are tons of options for strollers out there, and it is very overwhelming!  Any suggestions??

{four}

I could very easily become addicted to online shopping!  It is so convenient to sit on my comfy couch and buy all the things my heart desires without fighting the crowds and driving all over town, not to mention our city has terrible shopping options.  Lately (this week-yikes!) I have ordered myself a pair of shorts, a dress, and a shirt.  I have ordered a Christmas dress (already?! I know!!), pair of shorts, and more bows for Lillian.  My husband doesn't seem too surprised these days when a package arrives at the door.

{five}

There are still a few things I have left to do in Lillian's nursery.  I am not sure why I have not done them yet because they are simple tasks.  I need to buy and hang 2 white shelves.  I need to order a cover for her changing pad (a blanket is our cover right now).  I also want to use some of the left over fabric from her bedding to make this.  Maybe this weekend I will have the motivation to get these things done.  Once I am finished with those things, I will post a picture or two of her room and how it was transformed into a nursery.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! TGIF!

Happy 4th!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday today!!  We started Lillian's first Independence Day off by taking a walk in the park.  The weather, mostly the temperature, was perfect this morning, so we took advantage of it.

After our walk we stopped at Rhino for some coffee and breakfast.  Then I came home and made some treats to take to my aunt's house for the family get together.   I dipped some strawberries in chocolate to make them more patriotic.  I also made individual red, white, and blue fruit pizzas.  I was proud of my themed treats! :)  

We had a wonderful day spending time with family celebrating the 4th of July.  

Thankful today and always to live in our free country and to those that defend our country to keep it this way!  Happy 4th of July!

Five on Friday

I love reading the hello! happiness blog, and decided to join up with the Five on Friday link up.  I have been needing some inspiration for something to write about besides our sweet baby.  :)  So here goes...

{one}

My birthday is on Sunday!  This will be my last year in my twenties.  That seems crazy to say.  I never thought my life would be like it is today at this age, but I am loving every minute of it and feeling very blessed!

{two}

My co-worker came to work talking about an awesome book she was in the middle of reading, one that she just couldn't put down because it was so good.  So, I downloaded Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn on my nook based on her recommendation.  I have been wanting a good book to read, so I am anxious to get started on this one.

{three}

Of course I couldn't write a post without mentioning Lillian in some form or fashion.  Lately my breastmilk supply has decreased so I decided to make some lactation cookies.  I had to go to several different stores to get all the goods I needed to bake them.  They turned out great!  Not sure yet if they really work, but I'm enjoying eating them anyway! (I'll do a separate post about the cookies at a later date)

(terrible iPhone pic)

{four}

I wish I was a risk taker.  I would LOVE to open a party planning business, and my husband keeps encouraging me to, but I am too scared of failure.  It would just be a side job thing.  I would keep my current full-time job.  I am so scared of failure that it is preventing me from taking the next step to make it happen.

{five}

I'm looking forward to our weekly Saturday morning trip to our local farmer's market tomorrow.  I am in need of some more squash.  I may also stop by the Plum Nelly Flower Farm booth and treat myself to a cute bouquet for my birthday!


I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Four Months Old

June 23, 2013

Lillian-
It's been 4 wonderful months that you have been in our world, and what a wonderful 4 months it has been!  Your sweet personality is really shining these days and I can't get enough.  You have so much to say with your cooing and babbling these days.  I love that you always want to talk, and I hope that you will want to talk to me and share all your secrets with me forever.  Along with talking a lot, you also chew on your hands all the time.  We have accepted the fact that you prefer your fingers over any pacifier.  You also like to rub your slobbery hands on our face when we hold you, but we wouldn't have it any other way!  You are a long lean girl.  You are wearing mostly 3 month sized clothes.  There are a few 0-3 months that you fit in, and 6 month clothes are way too big.  We are still using size 1 diapers because the size 2 are too big around your thighs.  The doctor said you are right on target with your height and weight, you are in the 50th percentile.  You grow, baby girl! :)  I decided it was time for you to sleep in your own room, so for about 3 weeks now you have slept in your crib in your room.  I am so proud of you and how well you have done!  You are a wonderful sleeper (you must get that from me) and I hope that you always will be!  Things are still going well at home during the day with your daddy.  He said you like to help him hold your bottle, but you are not able to hold it completely on your own yet.  All this time you get to spend with him is really making you a daddy's girl and it is so sweet.  I started taking you to Gymboree for a class and some days you love it and other days you just tolerate it.  We sing songs and do different activities to help you meet your milestones.  You rolled over on June 19th from your back to your tummy.  Your daddy and I were so surprised that you did it that we almost didn't believe it.  You have not rolled over since that day, but we might have scared you too much will all our cheering.  You recently found your feet and love to grab and hold on to them.  Your daddy took you swimming a few weeks ago and you were not sure about the cold water.  Once you got used to the temperature you really liked floating around.  Your daddy wants you to take swimming lessons as soon as you are old enough.  You still love taking baths, and it is now part of our nightly routine.  You seem to know that after your bath it's time to eat and then time for bed.  You now rub your eyes when you get tired, and it's the sweetest thing.  Your daddy and I think you are so smart and we love watching you learn.  We are amazed every day at the new things you do and accomplish.  You make us so proud, sweet girl!  I hope you always know that you are our pride and joy!  I love you more than words can express!
All my love,
Mommy

13.1 pounds

24.5 inches

Things she is loving: chewing on her hands, going for a walk, 

being outside, "talking," taking a bath

Things she is not a fan of: shots, being tired, 

not being able to see what is going on

Happy 1st Father's Day!

I have to brag on my husband for a minute...
He is the best daddy to our sweet baby girl.  I always knew he would be a good dad, but he has exceeded my expectations.  He is the one who has the opportunity to stay at home with her, because he has a job that allows him to be at home majority of the time.  He does such a wonderful job of taking care of Lillian!  She is smitten by her daddy and is definitely a daddy's girl.  Unfortunately he was not able to spend his first father's day with us because he was out of town for work.
Thank you, Jon, for being a great husband and now a wonderful daddy!

Happy 1st Father's Day!!

No Farms No Food

The Shreveport Farmer's Market started yesterday. It's always one of my favorite things this time of the year. It is held on Saturday morning from 7-12 and Tuesday evening from 3-6. This past Saturday we got up and about early and headed downtown to see what we could find. Lillian got to experience her first Shreveport Farmer's Market! It was very crowded and already hot outside. We were wanting squash and strawberries. We did find 2 eight ball squash/zucchini so we snatched those up. I had never heard of them before last year when we found them at the market. We did not see any strawberries that looked good to us, but we did end up with some other goodies. A booth out there called Comfort Food was selling pre-made meals and mixes, so we bought cinnamon rolls from them that sounded delicious. Can't wait to try them! We also came across a dairy farmer's booth who was selling fresh milk, heavy cream, and butter. We were intrigued and decided to buy a half gallon of their chocolate milk. It should go good with a cinnamon roll! We will have to go earlier in the morning next time because a lot of the booths were sold out of things we would have bought. I'm glad Shreveport offers a farmer's market! It is a good thing for people to do with their families, it helps the farmers, and it introduces people to new foods and experiences!

Memorial Day Weekend

This past 4 day weekend was great! It started off Friday when I got to sleep in because I was off work! I spent the day with my sweet baby and then Jon, Lillian, and I joined my in- laws for dinner. After dinner Jon and I took Lillian to Rhino Coffee Shop and listened to a bluegrass band called Foley's Van. My sister came in town late that night so we all slept in on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon we did a little shopping and then ate lunch on the patio at Oyster Bar. Saturday night we attempted to hang out at the Mudbug Madness festival but it didn't last long. Lillian was not a happy camper as soon as she heard the super loud music and was bombarded by unfamiliar faces. About 15 minutes after we were there a huge black cloud covered the sky and we saw lightening in the distance. That was our cue to leave. Maybe next year we will have better success. Sunday we all got up and went to Rhino for breakfast before our trip to the park. Candace, Jon, and Brady ran while Lillian and I walked. It was crazy hot out because the humidity was so bad. Sunday evening Jon made dinner and his parents came over. It was a nice relaxing evening. Monday, Memorial Day, was uneventful and so nice. I am thankful for all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to keep this country free. This weekend was full of family time, and I am so thankful for that too! I'm glad my sister was able to come visit!

And then it was all pink!

I made a big boo boo when I did the laundry the other day! I have always washed all of Lillian's clothes together, never separating white and colored. Big mistake on my part this time. In with all her clothes was a new reddish pink dress. Next thing I know, all of her clothes were some shade of pink and some had pink splotches on them. I was so upset with myself! The first thing I did to try to fix the problem was to rewash it all and add some bleach, didn't work! I then turned to Facebook for help. I got quite a few responses with suggestions to try. One of my coworkers told me to soak the clothes in Oxiclean and then wash them with a color catcher sheet. Her husband was even so kind to bring me the needed supplies. I came home that evening and started soaking the clothes. The next morning I washed them with the color catcher sheet. Problem still not solved. So I then decided to try another way that was suggested but I had to go get the supplies needed. I went to three different stores in search of Clorox 2 powder but could not find it. Instead I found Carbona. After reading the sales pitch on the box I decided to give it a try. I dissolved the stuff in water and soaked the clothes. A few hours later my problem was SOLVED! All the white parts were white again and the pink splotchy areas were gone too. I did have another problem on my hands though. A few of her outfits had been faded and looked as though they could have been clothes I wore as an infant! I washed all of them with Dreft like usual and dried them. Voila! Everything but three outfits were good as new. I decided that losing three outfits, as opposed to about 8 other outfits, 3 pairs of socks, 5 burp cloths, a towel and a blanket, was quite alright. Lesson learned... separate Lillian's clothes just like I do ours!

*the infamous dress*

*supplies for my 2nd attempt*

*the winner*