possibly the worst thing that has happened in this house thus far.

well it finally happaned.
we lasted almost 2 years.
it came outta nowhere.
and stunk like a beast.

PUKE CITY.

folks--toddler puke is both the most sad thing and disgusting thing at the exact same time.  and also complicated.  you have to pull yourself together to be comforting, but really you want to toss your cookies in response.
we did NOT see this coming.  everything was great.  C had his bath with dada, we read our nightly bible story, prayed and he was giving dada a hug goodnight when...
SMACK the vom hit the carpet.
oh and also B's arm.  and shirt.  and probs his face.
i mean the look on poor C's face was enough to break my heart into a million little pieces.
he was confused, scared, hurting, sad.
you know how awful it feels as an adult to chuck it up, but as a babe, who has absolutely no clue what the heck is happening and wonders why his mandarin oranges have resurfaced, it's total torture.
so i stripped him out of his jammies, held him on my chest and comforted him.
we put clean jammies on and i rocked him to sleep in his room.
(B jumped in the shower and later told me he was dangerously close to also vomiting everywhere.  what a champ)

then, at 11:00p.m., through the monitor, i heard that awful sound again.  i took off running into his room and he was sitting up in his crib with a small amount of vom.com on his lovie (thank goodness that protected his sheet).  he tried to throw up more but it was just dry heaving.  i rocked him back to sleep.
and that was the last of it.  this morning he was totally fine.  i made him some toast and he CHUGGED water.
he laid down in his crib at 10:30 which would normally give me hyper anxiety because that is NOT our schedule but what can you do with a sick babe but go with the flow?

we had to venture out to the store this morning to get more cleaning supplies for our poor carpet, and C managed to score a tiny woody+buzz because i still feel so bad for him.
seriously, if you haven't experienced toddler spewcity, it's the worst thing ever.
praying it was just a short-lived bug!
p.s. this is why there was no #frenchtoastfriday today.  but don't worry, there was still #frappacinofriday for mama bear.

in 100 years...

my sweet boy...
in 100 years it won't matter that when you were a toddler, you had a hitting problem.

it won't matter that you had the absolute best smile.

it won't matter if you were an all-star in sports {though daddy really hopes you are}

and it won't matter if you attend college or flip burgers at mcdonald's {though mommy really hopes for the college route}

it won't matter that you hated sitting at the table for meals

your cute skinny jeans and tiny toms shoes won't make a difference

what WILL matter is your relationship with God.  and daddy and i are committed to teaching you daily to love Jesus.

it will matter if you've lived your life to glorify Him.

so please remember, when the world seems appealing, and it's telling you what is has to offer is much sweeter, please remember that none of it matters.  you can take nothing with you.
one of mommy's favorite quotes is this:

"he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose" {jim elliot}

you will never lose Jesus.  it's impossible.  so spend all your energy during this short life to invest in what matters.  invest in Jesus and in his kingdom.
oh, and do NOT let anyone steal that joy you have.  it's completely contagious.
i just know you're going to do great things, monkey.  God has big big plans for you.

the happs around here

so i've officially lifted my social media fast.  however, i will NOT be putting the facebook app back on my phone.  i'll only check-in via the computer which, for the most part, means when C is either napping or asleep for the night.
asleep for the night...what's that even mean??
the past couple nights have been rough up in this hizzy.  i took C to the doctor yesterday because he was coughing NON STOP sunday night and during the day.  i hate to be "that mom"--the one who runs to the dr at every drippy, snotty nose or slight cough.  HOWEVER he just got over pneumonia like, 3 weeks ago so i was a liiiiiiittle worried when this cough started up again.
back to breathing treatments we go plus a steroid inhaler--flovent--twice a day.
he's doing MUCH better today, but last night, well early this morning, he was up from about 3-430 a.m.
poor guy :(  sounds like he's going to be just like his cousins with all this respiratory junk.
is it summer  yet??
we are soooo over everything about winter.  including and especially this snow+ice combo heading our way in a couple days.  no.  give me 100+ degrees and humidity i don't even care.
here are some pics from my phone of what we've been up to the past weekish since i haven't been posting on facebook+instagram

 i got creative with mah nails for lover's day.

last week's #frenchtoastfriday and #frappacinofriday

cheeser.  also, current obsession+2nd birthday party theme: toy story.

literally...obsessed.

just having a heart to heart with the world's most annoying purple dino.

mama and her little sick babe.

so that's the update on our lives via pics.
oh, and i'm currently on an iwanttomoveoutofourhouselikeyesterday kick.
i stalk and refresh my realtor.com app like on the hour in hopes of finding the most perfect next home.
B is NOT on board and HATES my obsessive/addictive personality {but really i think he loves it}
for example, i found a house THE PERFECT HOME and i've already, in my head, planned where our christmas tree would go and played out an entire day with c and i in the house.
this is what i do without social media.
i'll keep you posted and let you know when B comes around {that will be never}.

labor of love

in case you were unaware, valentine's day is tomorrow.  i'm pretty "meh" about the holiday.  i don't love it and i don't hate it.  

b and i started dating 10 days after valentine's day 8 years ago {smart planning on his part}.  so i tend to think more about love at the end of this month because that was when we were "official."  i mean, nothing says official like a first date to cracker barrel with your college roommate, who happened to date your new boyfriend in high school, and her boyfriend.  what?  i know it's hilar.

anyway, we never go crazy for this day of love.  the other night, B asked if i'd be upset to not get flowers on valentine's day.  i said no not really, why? am i not getting any?  and he said, no they're freakin' expensive.

that's how we roll.

since we just got back from a week long vacay, we didn't really need a night away.  so i decided to just enlist the help of my parents, who will be entertaining C at their place tomorrow between nap and bedtime so B and i can enjoy a nice dinner at home.  this is a surprise, so if you read this and see him on a regular basis, don't spill the beans.

here's the menu:

three-cheese manicotti {his fav}

casear salad

garlic bread

wine 

cheesecake for dessert

and this is what i want to focus on.  the cheesecake.

oh the cheesecake.

b loves cheesecake.  but good cheesecake.

i first made this particular cheesecake the first valentines day we spent together, so almost a year after we'd been dating.  it was immediately a hit.  i think since then i've maybe made it one other time.  i decided it was time.

it's not difficult to make, it just takes lots of dishes and i hate the clean up.  but i'm going to share with you the recipe and you can enjoy it's deliciousness

In medium bowl, mix 1 cup graham cracker crumbs {i buy the box because i'm lazy}+3 Tbsp. sugar+1/4 cup melted butter.

Press into bottom of 9 inch springform pan.

In saucepan, combine raspberries+2 Tbsp. sugar+cornstarch+water.  Bring to boil and continue boiling 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. 

Strain sauce through strainer to remove seeds {you need to get about 6 Tbsp. of sauce}

In metal bowl over a pan of simmering water {clearly i didn't follow directions}, melt white chocolate chips with 1/2 and 1/2, stirring occasionally {uh, i'd say continuously} until smooth.

In large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.  Beat in eggs 1 at a time.  Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate.

Pour half of mix over crust.  Spoon 3 Tbsp. raspberry sauce over batter.  Pour remaining batter into pan+3 Tbsp. raspberry sauce.  Swirl with knife.

Bake at 325 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until filling is set. 

Cool, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours.

And then clean all this crap up.

It.Is.Delicious.

Here's the manicotti recipe too:

Three Cheese Manicotti

1 (8 ounce) package manicotti shells

4 C shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

2 C ricotta cheese

1 C grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 egg

2 Tbsp dried basil

Pasta sauce {I use homemade}

Cook pasta.

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Light grease 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a bowl, mix 3 C mozzarella cheese+ricotta+1/2 C parm cheese+garlic+egg+basil.  Stuff manicotti shells {I put this mix in a large ziploc bag, cut a hole in the corner and squeeze into shells}

Spread 2 C pasta sauce over bottom of baking dish.  Arrange shells in dish, cover with remaining sauce.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Make 15 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining parm cheese, continue baking 10 minutes.

Alright friends that's all I've got for today.  Next post:  sensory bins.  Get fired up!

**Social media fast update** it's been hard but i haven't given in.  going on 24 hours without having checked anything.  i'm ashamed to say how difficult it is at times.  i almost feel bored and unsure of what to do every 5 minutes.  but there is also a sense of freedom and joy that comes from not being bound to my phone. 
that's all.

cruise vs. all-inclusive

as promised, here is MY PERSONAL OPINION of a cruise vs. an all-inclusive resort.  B and I have been on 3 cruises now {all with carnival} and 1 all-inclusive resort in mexico.
i created 5 categories in which i will rank (1-5) and discuss each option.

1.  RELAXATION.  because this is most likely why you want to be on this type of vacation.  if you're bringing kids, look into something disney related.  we didn't bring kids on any of our trips so i have no experience with that area.

• CRUISE--4

•  Cruises are relaxing if you want them to be.  A cruise is a good way to visit different places and see parts of the world.  Which is great.  But it doesn't really lend itself to being relaxing.  When you "port" or stop at a place for the day {i.e. we've stopped in Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Key West, etc.} you have to get yourself ready, know where you're going and what you're doing and be back on the ship by a certain time.  Those days usually aren't relaxing.  Days where you're at-sea can be relaxing, if you're up early enough to get a spot by the pool.  On the 3 carnival ships we've been on, there has been 1 pretty small pool so space is limited and it's HOT so you'll want to get in the pool at some point.

•   All-Inclusive--5

• The all-inclusive was 100% relaxing all the time.  There was no pressure to go do anything.  You could relax all day by the pool or on the beach.  Meals were leisurely and whenever you wanted.  There was no way you could be at this resort and NOT be completely relaxed.  Period.

2.  Affordability/Price

• Cruise--5 {meaning it was VERY affordable}
• We paid for 2/3 of the cruises we took and only because we COULD afford them.  Honestly, the most expensive part of a cruise is the airfare to get wherever the ship leaves from.  Also, drinks are NOT included on a ship so if you want to drink {soda or adult beverages} make sure you budget for that.

• All-Inclusive--3
• While we didn't pay for this trip {thanks mom and dad}, I know what it cost for each person and it was definitely more than a cruise.  BUT, the flight was direct from St. Louis to Cancun which was really convenient and allowed us most of the day when we got to the resort.  It also allowed us to get home by 6:30 in the evening the day we left the resort.  Also note--drinks ARE included.  And you get the option of a pool OR the beach.  The pool was much larger.  I definitely think you get more for your money at an all-inclusive.

3.  Activities

• Cruise--5
• Every night there was some show or activity to go to.  Also, every night when you got back to your room, there was a very detailed schedule of the next day's activities.  It was nice to see everything and plan what you may want to do the next day.  There was shopping on the ship, activities onboard during the day and plenty to do in the evening. 

•  All-inclusive--3
• There wasn't much to do at this particular resort we went to.  There was no clear schedule that was easy to find every day.  There were a couple "shows" some nights but they were in a small bar and definitely not high-quality.  There was a lounge/bar that had club type music you can dance in but that was about it.  Most all activities you had to pay for {like parasailing, golf, boat tours, etc.}  But if your ultimate goal is to literally lay on the beach during the day and eat and drink at night, then you're golden

4.  Food/Beverages

• Cruise--4
• Most of the food was good.  Breakfast and lunch were buffet style and almost always good.  The first 2 cruises we did we had an assigned time we ate and we always sat at the same table with the same 6-8 people.  It was ok.  The last cruise we took, we still had an assigned time to eat but we chose to eat by ourselves.  We liked this ALOT better because basically 4 nights in a row it was like a date night.  Dinner menu was fairly limited (4-5 main course options) but there was always something you could find.  Some things were great, others were mediocre.

• All-inclusive--5
• At a resort there are multiple restaurants to eat at.  I liked having a variety and being able to choose where you wanted to eat.  However, there were some restaurants that were a little odd {the first "Mexican" restaurant we ate at offered an appetizer with cricket sauce.  It literally had crickets pureed in the sauce.  Several of the guys ordered it and there were TWO DEAD CRICKETS ON TOP OF THE APPETIZER.  I kid you not.  But you're in Mexico so whatever.  Barf bag}.  Again, this was at the place we went.  Other places have different options.  Make sure you read and re-read the restaurants and descriptions on the website before you book.  An italian or hibachi grill would have been nice.  Also, drinks included is super nice.  It's great to never have to worry about how much your fruit cocktail will cost.  Do be sure to have broken down money for tipping though.

5.  Overall experience

• Cruise--5
• We really do like cruises.  If you're worried about feeling the movement of the ship:  yes you do feel it at times.  Mostly when you're laying down but sometimes while you're sitting eating or other times.  But it's nothing crazy.  Take some meds and you'll be fine.  It's also not claustrophobic feeling.  There is plenty of places to go on the ship where you don't feel crowded.  I would absolutely positively recommend upgrading to a balcony room.  We never did but after having a balcony on the resort, I would never want to go back to not having one.  A cruise is an affordable way to get a nice vacation.  Carnival is good, but we will probably try Princess or Royal Caribbean in the {way way} future.

• All-inclusive--5
• We LOVED the all-inclusive.  It was so relaxing and Cancun was absolutely the BEST beach and ocean we've ever seen.  We probably wouldn't go back to the same resort we went to, but I think we'd definitely go back to Cancun.  Loved having everything included and being able to do what we wanted when we wanted.  Definitely get a balcony room with a view of the ocean.  If you want to splurge a little but have everything included, do a resort.  Just check and double check reviews and the website of the place you're looking.  My dad booked ours through a travel agent {Apple, they were really awesome} and that was helpful.

Hope this helps some of you deciding what to do.  The name of the resort we went to is the Paradisus in Cancun {used to be the Gran Melia}.  Let me know if you have any other questions :)

adios social network

no i'm not deleting my facebook account.  yet.
but i have been convicted to take a "social media fast" indefinitely.
when B and I got our iphones a couple months ago, i knew the battle i was in for.
i love the positives of the iphone.  it's convenient.  it's easy to navigate.  it's fast.  it's helpful.  it's cool.
but it's also incredibly incredibly distracting from a lot of things.
and lately i've felt like it's distracting me from being PRESENT.
it doesn't really do my son any good to have a stay-at-home-mom if i'm checking my facebook and instagram every 5 minutes.
and it's not beneficial whatsoever to my marriage if i'm sitting on the couch in the evening when C is in bed checking all my "stuff" that i haven't checked in (OMG) an hour.
so this morning i woke up with a conviction on my heart to take a break from it all.
but i knew in order to do it and do it for real, i had to delete the apps from the phone.  because let's be honest, i'll still check it if it's sitting in front of me.
for me personally, this is what it looks like:
no facebook
no instagram
no pinterest {which is a completely separate issue of discontentment for me}
i WILL still be checking my photography facebook page as a means of communication with clients
i WILL still be checking email
i WILL still be blogging.
these are not areas of distraction for me because they require me to actually be ON the computer which is next to impossible while my babe is awake.
so that's what's happening.  if you want to still see frequent updates/pics of C you can bookmark this old bliggity blog and check in on a regular basis.  but you'll have to remember to do it because i won't be posting updates in facebook.
i feel good about this.  i feel like it's a small step in becoming a better mom and wife {again, for me personally.  this is in NO WAY a judgement on those who can do all of the above and totally rock it.  hopefully someday soon i'll be able to better juggle it all.  but today, and probably for many days to come, i cannot}
feel free to hold me accountable and shoot me a text or email to see how i'm doing.  i'll let you know when i decide to resurface again amongst all the cool kids.

vacay recap

well we survived.  C didn't forget my name {quite the opposite, every other word is "mama"} and we had a great time.
here's what almost every day in cancun consisted of for B and I:
roll out of bed around 9 a.m. {on our own!  without a little voice screaming through the monitor}
head down to the breakfast buffet where we get to stare at the ocean because it's 10 feet away
make the difficult call to set up camp at the pool or beach
pick the pool
then go to the beach later
or vice versa
go to lunch buffet and eat the most amazing nachos with fresh guacamole
head back to beach or pool
decide it's time for a nap
go to room and nap
get ready for dinner
eat delicious dinner
dance it up in the red lounge
repeat.
did i mention it was the most beautiful beach we've EVER been to?  and we have a balcony with a view to die for.
not too shabby.
it really was the best vacation we've ever been on.
we've done 3 cruises.  this was our first all-inclusive resort.  {next post will be comparing the two}
we REALLY missed C.  so thankful we got back in time friday to put him to bed.  saturday and sunday were strictly family days.  it's amazing how much he seemed to grow in a week.  his vocabulary grew and i felt like we were going to be sending him off to kinder on monday. 
i posted most pics on facebook, but here are a few of the highlights. 

our resort, the paradisus

part of the pool with a view of the ocean.

more of the pool+swim up bar where we ordered many dirty monkeys.

view from our balcony.

we laughed a lot.

our gracious hosts that allowed this trip to be possible.

B and I on our last night.

beachy.

the gurlz.