It's A Beautiful Day...Happy Mother's Day

Somehow, this year, Mother's Day seems like not just another holiday, but a day worth celebrating unlike any other. It's a day where I look at my mom and my grandmother and I see them in a completely different light than ever before...a day where I am thankful for the sacrifices they made for me, for our family, and for giving me unconditional love from the day I was born.
Now that I am a mom, I know what it is like to sacrifice my needs for someone else's, I know what it's like to be thankful for the best blessing God could ever provide, and I know what it's like to feel that kind of unconditional love.

Dear Mom and Gran,
Thank you both for being the type of moms I want to be. Thank you for supporting me these past few months more than I could ever imagine...between your endless visits to help care for Caroline and give me time for myself, I assure you it hasn't gone unnoticed. When I see the two of you with her, my heart melts and knows that it definitely doesn't get any better than this. Caroline is so fortunate to have such strong role models in her life and I know she will be a much more well-rounded, independent, happy, fashionable, and loving child by the lessons and values you instill in her. I love you both so very much and thank God for being able to share this precious time with you.
All my Love,
Natasha

Mother's Day...A New Holiday to Celebrate!

Am I totally a nerd for getting excited about the opportunity to celebrate my first Mother's Day? Let's just hope the mister doesn't forget, since it is less than 2 weeks away! In perusing for some much-needed new necessities, I thought I would post a few gift ideas in case the hubby just happens to read the blog and needs some helpful inspiration in the gift department:

asics running shoes

manicure/pedicure/spa massage package

naked 2 eyeshadow palette

iPhone cover

new brown sandals

tory burch makeup bag

Are any of you out there asking for something fun in celebration of Mother's Day?

Easter Celebrations

Happy belated Easter friends! Hope you had a great time celebrating...this weekend was wonderful, spent with our families celebrating God and all his many blessings.
Friday night, we had Mimi and Pappy over for dinner...the weather was too nice not to grill out, and we spent the evening catering to CC as she was quite fussy-Mimi to the rescue! Unfortunately, we think we may be venturing into the world no one dares mention...otherwise known as colic. However, we are hoping this is just a little spell of gas/irritability and will go away soon.

Saturday, I was up early to run some errands, and then treated myself to a little shopping adventure at the mall. Being able to wear my normal size in most everything I tried on made this momma feel good, and I stocked up on some fun new summertime essentials for our beach trip!

That afternoon, Jeff's family got into town and we spent the rest of the day enjoying the sunshine, and letting them spend time with Caroline. We had a yummy dinner and then I called it an early night... I was SO thankful for Aunt Jennifer to watch the baby so I could have a few hours of uninterrupted sleep!

Sunday morning we were up and at it...a little sad we couldn't go to Easter service, but we had tons of visitors that afternoon, who were just dying to see Caroline all dressed up in her Easter outfit {courtesy of Great Aunt Denise!}. Look at this camera ham ;)

our first Easter as a family of three ;)

And before I forget, thanks to everyone who participated in the Easter Honeybaked Ham giveaway...Ms. Positively Preppy in Pink is the winner!! Email me your mailing information lady and I'll get you your gift certificate ASAP!

I Love You More Than...

anything in the whole world! that's the joke between jeff and i...that's our "thing". as much as we can drive each other crazy with our antics and strong personalities of having to "win" at everything, i love that man more than i ever thought i could love someone.

there's a quote from the movie "juno" that is so fitting {no, it's not a romantic sonnet by any means, but to me, it is perfect}: "find a person who loves you for exactly who you are. good mood. bad mood. ugly, pretty, handsome. the right person is still going to think the sun shines out of your ass. thats the kind of person thats worth sticking with."

isn't that the truth? jeff knows the ins and outs of me, what makes me tick, what makes me happy, what stresses me out, what makes me sad, and how to make me smile. but, with the good comes the bad, and he loves unconditionally. to me, that is what real love is all about. 

jeff, thank you for being the perfect man for me. thank you for all the joy and happiness you bring to my life, day in and day out, for the laughter, for the inside jokes that only we know, for everything you do to provide for our family, and for being my bestest friend in the whole wide world. happy valentine's day baby! OXOX

Holiday Lovelies...Valentine's Edition

The ever-so-sweet Christina over at Carolina Charm requested this post, so I have to thank her for giving me the idea! I posted some fun gift ideas during the holidays, and she asked if I would devote a post to finding perfect presents for that sweetie-whether it be a friend, a beau, or your life partner {that's how I'm lovingly referring to Jeff these days}.
Seeing as though I think Valentine's Day is a mushy gushy all out Hallmark holiday, I wanted to show some exciting ideas that don't require a lot of cash to execute-I think the majority of us out there are trying to cut out unecessary spending so I am attempting to make this budget-friendly for everyone!

Breakfast in Bed

I did this for my sweetie last year and he raved for weeks about it. I picked up some heart shaped muffin tins from the dollar aisle at Target and then made his favorite poppyseed muffins for breakfast-easy peesy and I got to eat, too!

Coffee Talk

If your Valentine is a lover of caffeine, buy a coffee mug that lets you profess your love everyday! Write a sweet message on the cup in celebration of V-Day and then you can always add a little something fun inside like a Starbucks gift card or a chocolate dipped pretzel covered in pink and red candy.

Movie Date Night

Instead of the traditional movie night out, buy some of the fun popcorn holders (I've seen them at World Market and Target recently), and stuff them with bags of popcorn
and movie size candy and then tie a little note saying it's time to cuddle on
the couch and you're letting him pick the movie!  

Other non-traditional dates/gifts could include a trip to a comedy club, venturing to see his favorite sports team play, a couple's massage, an afternoon adventure  to a winery, or a fun cooking class...Jeff knows I am  all about "doing" rather than "receiving" on Valentine's Day, so I'm interested to see what he comes up with this year!
On the other hand however, if he decides he just has to get me something, any of the following will make me a very happy wife ;)

via Anthropologie

via Gap

via Pottery Barn

{yes, I'm a nerd and need a new set of hand weights}

via Amazon

Hodge Podge

1. It's official, after this week's episode, I simply can't tolerate The Bachelor anymore...these poor darlings don't know how stupid they look on national TV, and Ben's personality is just boring. However, I'm ready for the summer to roll around when we can watch Emily Maynard as The Bachelorette...that girl is just too cute for words. And her fashion savvy...even better!

2. When is it suitable to buy stationery for a baby/child? I was browsing through my favorite paper store the other day talking with my go-to gal that works there and she is already sending me ideas for custom paper goods for Miss Caroline...proper etiquette from an early age my friends is essential ;)

3. In celeb-worthy news, I am just devastated by the demise of Heidi Klum and Seal's marriage...breaks my heart because they always seemed SO in love. And then there is the fact that Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler have got a bun in the oven--this ensures if they can tackle this parenthood thing, Jeff and I could potentially win parents of the year!

4. Hubby was featured in a local newspaper the other day talking about a big business acquisition he worked on, and I couldn't have been happier to see him all giddy...he loves his career and I was so proud. I might be displaying the article on the fridge. ;)

5. The holidays are over, but I may or may not still be burning all my Mistletoe/Balsam Fir/Christmas Tree candles...I just can't get enough of that favorite smell!

6. Valentine's Day treats and sweets are taking over at the stores, and I have to admit, those chocolate covered marshmallows are calling my name-maybe Jeff will take that as a hint? Who needs flowers when you can have chocolate?

7. Speaking of V-day, the movie I have been DYING to see is finally approaching...The Vow, with Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams-I almost cry everytime the trailer comes on, so I'm assuming this is going to be a real tearjerker...perfect date night!

Could I have jumped all over anymore with this post? I warned you though-hodge podge at its finest. Wish us luck...we have our breastfeeding class tonight so I am sure I am going to have some entertaining stories once that is complete. Can't lie-the thought of talking about this type of stuff with complete strangers in a classroom makes me giggle, and Jeff is just SUPER excited, too ;).