That one time when

The time my daughter said "Oh. My. GOSH" when she saw her new clothes from her nanny and papa. 

Alright people, I get it. It's totally my fault. But that was the biggest reality  check ever. I was just showing her the newest outfits for her ever growing closet and all the sudden my sweet innocent baby said those three words. My nanny said "can't blame anyone but yourself" woah. I'm not gonna lie, it was hilarious and adorable but I am successfully making her, me. Ahhhhhh. 

 I'm gonna go watch my child pull ornaments off the tree. Merry Christmas Y'all. 

Christmas traditions, Martins style.

    Christmas around our house IS about JESUS.  This is our second Christmas with our little miracle. The second time buying Lillian gifts. There is alot of pressure on parents in America to buy their children the best, most and coolest.  I have a small problem with that. (I have bigger fish to fry than spoiled children of America, but it is annoying)  I do not want Lillian to think my love can be measured by how many presents are under her Christmas tree. I also do not want to take away the excitement every kid gets from running in the living room and seeing presents and knowing Santa came to visit! See my dilemma?  A coworker of mine gave me the PERFECT solution. From this Christmas forward,  Santa will bring Lillian (and any of Lillian's future siblings) three gifts each. One gift from each of the three wise men who graced baby Jesus with gifts at his birth, which is why we have this tree decorated and stockings hanging on our mantle. If  gold, frankincense, and myrrh were good enough for our Savior then three gifts from a fictional but jolly man is perfect for our children. Of course she will also have other gifts from us and other family members BUT I refuse to let the tradition of Santa make my child(ren) ungrateful little turds. I think it is beautiful that every family have their own traditions and values and this is just what is simply perfect for The Martins! Hope Lillian loves her carefully chosen gifts from Santa, mama and daddy!

In other news...keeping an 18 month old out of the tree is worst than you could ever expect, and potty training is 100 times harder than keeping little hands off of glass ornaments. Needless to say, all I want for Christmas is for my child to pee in the potty....how things change when you become a parent.  

We are wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and the best 2013 possible.

Lillian last Christmas

Lillian this Christmas!

My girl sure has grown!

Lessons.

Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)

Lesson of the day:

I cannot handle hearing the sweet voice of my daughter saying "mommy" when she is sad. I wouldn't have been able to relate before becoming a mom and certainly wouldn't have understood. But when your child, the one you grew for 9 months, the child you prayed for and you have spent all your energy loving says your name when she is sad... You melt. Maybe ha! (it probably wont) get easier the longer lily and I know each other. I don't ever ever EVER want her to feel pain, fear, reject anything other than pure happiness. I will always come running when she needs me. I may not be able to fix every broken heart or boo boo but I can promise I will never let Lillian feel lonely. For as long as I live I will always protect her. Always. So here's to the mamas out there that struggle and the babies that need their mamas.

Lillian, take it easy on your folks. We love you so much more than you know!

All my love,

Mama. 

That one time

That one time when I cleaned the whole house all weekend.  No one is as shocked as my husband, believe me.  I cleaned windows, window seals, floors, baseboards you name it, I cleaned it.  And still managed to play with Lillian a ton! I realize this is what most moms do on the regular, but being fairly new at this whole new time management/parenting and I am freakin proud. I rewarded myself with open windows, pumpkin spice candles all over my house and MUSIC. So my ipod was stolen this past week and I have not had the chance to load all my music on my iphone so I have been rocking out to pandora. Which reminds me, if you're reading this Mr.ipod stealer, We have major unfinished business.  And I do not suggest you come back on my property while I am sleeping and steal from me.

So on to Lillian which is the main reason readers by the dozen have come to my blog (HA!) She has been talking up a storm, most of which is in Japanese but hey I can make out a few words here and there.  She has enough hair to brush, major accomplishment!!

gotta go download my music!

love to all!
Sarah

My fabulous Friday...

It's Friday, which means a typical day at Nanny and Papa's.  Lillian and I look forward to Friday with the old people all week! Papa always buys us lunch and we do nothing but play all day. Today was no different and Lily eats up all the attention. I am eternally grateful for those two love birds.

Don't worry I'm getting to what you really came here to read. You know, the disastrous moments in parenthood or just every day life in my case. Don't act like you don't love to read about other people having a worst day than yours and think "man it must suck to be in her flip flops" Which by the way if you see a pair of Rainbows with out feet attached can you let me know? We have misplaced each other. Anyways, I know for a fact you don't wish to read how my life is absolutely perfect, you want to see the mess. So friends, parents or not read on...

So as you know we had a fabulous day with Nanny and Papa, the only bad part was Lillian only getting a short nap on her nanny...

We had to stop by Grumpa and Grandma's house on the way home to see Grumpa who had his prostate removed yesterday due to cancer (he is free of that as of now though!! yay!) She always has a blast when she is with them. Today was no different. However, when I got home I had one fussy, hungry babe. I made her a sandwich, which she decided to wear instead of consume and decided tonight she would just get a wipe bath because she was so over tired and I simply did not feel like bathing a crocodile. I am gathering her pajamas and getting her diaper when all of the sudden I hear a loud noise.....

My child has turned over the fish bowl.

My child is also slipping in fish water.

The fish is under the couch.

Hardwoods, meet Dooney. Dooney, meet the hardwoods. Thankfully Jake was able to save our little buddy and he is swimming resting comfortably. Lets just be honest here, he is like a cat. We have almost flushed him several times because we thought he was a goner. Every time he comes back from the dead. Jake has dropped him on the counter before and tonight he met the hardwoods. Dooney, buddy, we love you.

Needless to say, Lillian earned herself a scrub down and the floors are clean. 

Liebster

I am beyond honored to be nominated for the Liebster award! whoop! You see friends, Stephanie at Behind these eyes and I not only graduated high school together we also gave birth to IUGR baby girls. I will always find myself connected to her and her beautiful baby girl, Clara for that very reason. I love looking at her pictures and watching her grow on Facebook and just smile because I know my sweet girl is thriving just as well.  So anyways, she nominated me along with a few other bloggers. So the idea is to nominate others who have 200 or less followers..I am sure to disappoint seeing as I really only have people reading my blog from Facebook and only have like 3 subscribers.. :) However, I could not let this pass me by. I am supposed to list 11 random facts about myself and answer her questions. I am also supposed to nominate 11 others, but as you can see that is not going to work very well. I do have one or two though.

1.bradymakesthree Morgan lives just 3 or 4 houses away and has a high energy little boy and a baby girl on the way.
2.multipules adventure Sam, whom I also graduated high school with has two baby boys, twins. They were born just 3 days after Lillian. She too experienced IUGR. We had the same team of doctors fighting with us to keep our babies strong. I will always look up to her and her parenting style.
3.Mrs O  Last but most certainly not least... I love this girl. She has been in and out of my life for YEARS. I thank God for her everyday! We are actually starting our own ministry...hopefully. More on that to come. Anyways follow Mrs O she is the BOMB.

11 things about myself.

1. I am a child of God. He will always have my back.
2. I refuse to believe my "girls" are actually dogs...
3. I have been with my husband for 8 straight years. We have never broken up and are going strong. I promise fairy tales really do happen.
4. I am absolutely terrified of cock roaches... like I am freaking out just thinking about them.
5. I recently paid a 20 dollar copay for the lady at minute clinic to tell me I in fact, did NOT have a cockroach living in my ear and laying eggs...Don't judge me..it is a real fear.
6. I have anxiety and live with panic attacks on a daily basis.
7. I also have a huge fear of death...not really my death and my future after death..just dead things and people..
8. If you want to know the way to my heart..its thru chocolate...but chocolate turtles especially.
9. My sister is the best, most annoying thing I was doomed  blessed with. I love you Kristen
10. My best friend is going to have her 3rd child in like less than 12 hours...which is why I cannot sleep.
11. I have a huge passion for helping others.

The questions I have been asked to answer by Stephanie
1. If you could be an animal, what would you be? I would be a dog in a skinny minute.
2. What is your favorite thing about yourself? Any attribute- physical or other. My ability to make one adorable baby.
3. If you could ask God one thing right now, what would it be? to heal a baby i have been feverishly following on Facebook. Baby Cheyenne
4. If you could tell your five year old self one thing, what would it be? Enjoy..pretty soon your going to have to share with Kristen
5. What is your fondest memory of your childhood? tubing with my mom, dad,nanny and papa
6. Who is the one person you admire most. Why?  I have to choose one?? My nanny...she is one strong woman. next would be my mom. shh don't tell her.
7. Describe yourself in three words. happy, compassionate, messy.
8. Why did you start a blog? To inform others of my crazy life....If they are smart they will learn from it. 
9. If you only had one store to shop at for the rest of your life, what would it be? TARGET
10. What make-believe world out of any book or movie would you LOVE to travel to? Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory...delish
11. If you were stranded on a deserted island... just kidding. If someone wrote a book about your life, what actress would play your role?  hmmmm would Rachel McAdams be too far fetched?

Molars are the devil.

Oh loyal readers..all 4 of you... Listen to me when I say parenting is hard. I know you're thinking "duh, of course it is". I am here to tell you toddlers are freakin insane. My sweet, adorable, happy baby has turned into a monster. A very beautiful monster. She started cutting her molars last weekend and ever since she has been moody, whiny and miserable. I get it, I do. Cutting teeth is hard work and when your in pain everything is frustrating. I refuse to have "that child" the one that all the other parents talk about. I always said "I would never let my child throw a temper tantrum in public". Ha! Telling her "no" makes one mad 15 month old. Of course I don't let that stop me but it doesn't make it easy. I guess its time to invest in a not so comfy timeout chair...

Tybee trip and updates

As promised, pictures of our trip! We had such an awesome time with everyone that it makes Monday seem dreadful.  At least I have the Olympics to occupy me! It's so strange to think that when the olympics comes back around Lillian will be five years old! What?


Updates on Lillian:
She is now barking when asked what a dog says and quacking when you ask about a duck.
She has MASTERED "NO" and is not shy about letting you know what she thinks.


She is still passing out, for those who do not know about this, Miss Lillian decided to hold her breath about 2 months ago to the point where she passed out. I was cool as a cucumber freaked, called the Pediatrician. Their view.  s on it where that she is just fine, some kids are "breath holders" and some are not.  Well guess what? mine IS. Tonight will be the fourth time it has happened...and I can promise you it has not gotten easier.  It scares me every time and there is no panic like the one that goes over your body when you are holding your pale, lifeless babe. Luckily it only happens when she is extremely tired, so to prevent it I try to never let her get too tired.


Here are a few pictures from our trip...enjoy!

What four years can do.

Today has been a real eye opener for me. I just sat back and realized how different my life is from almost four years ago when we were in Tybee Island getting MARRIED. Our biggest responsibility was Scarlett and whether to eat out or not was a real issue. We have visited Tybee a few times since Lillian's birth, but this time was a huge eye opener. The child I prayed for, you know, that baby I thought I would never have was playing in the same sand her daddy and I stood on four years ago when we promised each other forever. She got to see all the sights and run and play. I would have never in my life imagined her being as beautiful and sweet as she is. I would dream about the kind of mother I'd be. Strangely, I was quite granola in my day dreams. I made all her food, never let her eat a French fry and my house would always be spotless. Well God clearly laughed at my vision. My reality is actually much sweeter than any organic chicken or whole milk I can buy (which by the way we do use organic when affordable) my little wild woman has a smile that brings me to my knees and a personality that could fill the grand canyon. Lillian, you are so perfect. I love YOU just the way YOU are!

"family" vaca

As I lay in bed tonight reflecting on the last few days husband, baby and I have had and I am so blessed it's unreal. The three of us were invited to the beach with the Lawson's, they keep Lillian during work hours for us. They have rented this beautiful three story BEAUTIFUL beach house on the oh so special Tybee Island. We have had the time of our lives. I cannot believe how lucky we are to have such an amazing family watching our precious little girl while we make money to feed her! :) So far we have had a steak dinner, low country broil and the most amazing Mac and cheese (shhh, don't tell nanny) all cooked by Scooter! It has opened my eyes to how to raise a child who is thankful and easy going children. They have two teenagers (hey Taylor and tanner!) they both brought friends and they are super sweet super fun as well. I asked scooter and niño tonight how they have raised such amazing kids. Their answer was so raw, they make mistakes but they always admit their wrongs..and they count to 3! :) I really hope when lily and any potential siblings are older she will appreciate a home cooked meal and pack a sandwich for the beach and not feel like we owe it to them to spoil them rotten and buy them everything. Their children are just happy playing volleyball. I am closing my eyes tonight and saying my prayers extra thankful for God placing amazing people in our lives. I'll post some pictures when we get home!

"hey Sarah, one day lily will break your heart"

...oh the things people fail to tell you. We have always had lily on a pretty strict bedtime. And ever since she started holding her breath when she is super sleepy we avoid her getting over tired at ALL costs. So anyways, lily has been in bed since about 7pm. But thanks to the thunderstorm we are having, Lillian woke up crying for her mommy. What would any compassionate mommy do? Of course I had to go rock her back to sleep. As I walk back out of the room all I hear is a sweet voice yelling mama while holding her arms wide open looking at me with those bright brown eyes... I am heart broken. All I want to do is run back in there, scoop her out of bed and let her sleep with mommy and daddy! Lillian, you know how completely melt my heart! My sweet, beautiful, amazing daughter... I love you.