must have dry-shampoo

I stumbled upon the most amazing dry shampoo recently and just had to share!  Finding the best dry shampoo is like finding a 4-leaf clover.  It has to not only soak up all that oil you're trying to hide, but also not leave a white residue all over your hair and make you feel fresh and clean.  I've tried a few, and it might shock you to know that I first tried dry shampoo just over a year ago.  

Dry shampoo is essential!  Thick haired girls can't afford the time to wash their hair everyday.  Plus, it strips your hair washing it that much and dries it out.  Having bangs makes it a challenge to get away with only washing every three days.  I'm left doing the same thing I always do, pulling them back to the side with two bobby pins.  Well, this gets a bit boring.  When I had long hair, I knew exactly how to stretch out my washes by styling my hair differently everyday.  Sadly, top knots and short hair just don't jam together very well.  Therefore, finding a dry shampoo that works was very essential for me and the do'. 

I took a huge leap of faith at Target one day, and put this sweet goodness into my basket.  I had never read any reviews, or been loyal to Dove products.  It just told my soul it would work :)  

This. Stuff. Works!  

If you're looking for a dry shampoo that takes away the oil, does not leave a white residue, and makes you feel like you just got a blow out, then this is for you!  

Just follow these three easy steps:

1. Spray it onto your roots, holding it at least 3 inches away from your scalp. 

2. Massage it into your hair. 

3. Run a brush through your hair and glean at the voluminous reflection staring back at you. 

and they all slept happily ever after

**Thank you SO much to everyone who participated in the Freshly Picked giveaway!  Cindy was the big winner.  I absolutely loved hosting a giveaway and hope to do it very soon!!

Let's talk about sleep, shall we.  Now any parent of a child at any age knows that this is a big topic, as babies go through different stages and change so quickly.  Plus, there's the discussion of where the baby sleeps.  Are they co-sleeping, in your room, or already in their crib?  Do you nurse or rock them to sleep or let them fuss?  And it feels like no matter which of these choices you choose to do, you feel a slight sense of judgement by those who do the opposite.  

One thing that surprised me when I became a mom was how much I wanted Nathan to be in bed with us.  I wasn't completely against co-sleeping, but I did not think it was quite right for us.  For the first month he slept on me (which I know is a huge no-no, but it was blissful).  We have the arms reach co-sleeper, which is basically like a basinet.  It can be raised to reach the height of your bed, and then also attach to your side of the bed as well.  For some reason, doing this made me feel claustrophobic so it has always been about a foot away from my bed. 

Nathan used to be a great sleeper.  I remember even at 2 weeks old, he slept for 7 hours straight and I woke up in a panic to check that he was still breathing.  That didn't last very long at all, and right at three and a half months we started what was known as the "four month sleep regression".  This lasted all the way up to about two weeks ago, and it was probably one of the hardest parts of being a new mom.  We dealt with waking up every hour and a half, fighting going to sleep, and waking up extremely early.  I finally got to the point where I looked over at Daniel and said, "I think we are ready for the crib".  I was exhausted and frustrated.  Frustrated at myself for getting upset and then starting to get frustrated with Nathan (which made me feel double terrible).  

So two weeks ago we took the plunge and started putting Nathan in his crib.  That day he napped in his crib (which were super short cat naps) just to get him used to it.  That same day we stopped swaddling his arms, too.  When it came to nighttime I was very nervous it was going to blow up in my face and that he would be up all night long.  Well, that night he wake up twice and went right back down after being nursed.  He also slept until 7am which was a huge improvement compared to 5:30.  The next night he woke up once, and slept until 8am!!!  I couldn't believe how much better he was sleeping!  On top of that, Daniel and I were finally getting some restful sleep.  

It is easy to say that the crib agrees with Nathan.  He just started to roll over onto his side while snuggling his elephant, which is probably the most adorable thing ever.  We also let him fuss a bit for nap time, instead of making sure he is completely asleep.  At first this was hard for my mama heart, but we go in and soothe him here and there and he puts himself to sleep in a few minutes.  

Now, I write this with sensitivity.  Sleep is a sensitive issue.  We are so quick to pass judgement onto other moms for how their child is sleeping, where their child is sleeping, and for how long.  I write this as a sign of hope.  If you're little one is having some sleep issues, know that you're not alone!  And since going through it, I vowed not to ask about how someone's child is sleeping at night between 3-6 months.  Also, let's just be real.  If your child is still waking up 1-2 times a night can we not claim they are "sleeping through the night"?!?  All this really does is put a false hope in our exhausted mama hearts, and make us feel "less than" because ours isn't.  

Nathan wishes you and your family sweet dreams! 

learning to love father's day

This past week my students were making the sweetest cards for their dads to give them on Father's Day.  They were listing 5 things they love about them, and as I was making an example for them I was quickly reminded of the emotions I hold with me on Father's Day.  When others are sharing pictures of them on their dad's laps when they were a child, or thanking their dad for all of the love they've shown, I'm filled with sadness and hopelessness.  

We all have a story, and I've shared bits and pieces about this story of mine.  Today I'm opening up a bit more about this part of my life.  My parents divorced when I was a baby, and then my mom remarried.  My stepdad was there for most of my upbringing and was who I called "dad".  I continually yearned for his approval and love, and was left a crumbled mess when they divorced and he wanted nothing to do with me.  Fortunately, my mom is now remarried to an amazing man who I'm proud to have as a stepdad.  

But I wouldn't be lying if I told you that I still long for that daddy-daughter relationship that many have had.  It has been a very big process getting over a parent that is no longer a part of your life.  

But this year is very different than years past, because this Father's Day I get to think about my husband who is one amazing dad.  I get to beam with pride thinking about how much he dotes on Nathan, gives him all of his attention, kisses him nonstop, and oozes love and compassion on our sweet boy.  On my days off, Daniel will wake up before me to get the baby out of his crib and let me sleep an extra half hour.  And trust me, those 30 minutes make a big difference.  He spends all of his energy on Nathan when he is home, throwing him in the air, helping him sit up, playing with his toys.  He constantly assures me that I'm doing a good job, and has been my biggest cheerleader in this new season of life.  Daniel works tireless hours, is continually exhausted from work, yet comes home cheerful and eager to play with his son.  He wants to make memories with him, take him to the beach, teach him how to throw a ball.  He dreams of the day when they can go fishing together, and never gets discouraged when Nathan is plain old fussy.  His patience is something that I can't even comprehend, and admire more and more each day.  Daniel's sense of humor is hysterical and balances out my, at times, high-strung personality.  

To say that I'm blessed to do life with this husband of mine is an understatement.  And this Father's Day all I feel is love, joy, and happiness because I get to see the type of relationship unfold in front of my eyes that I always longed for.