Captain Crabby Pants

My father is a crabber. He is a waterman at heart and loves to share his love with his family. We all got to experience a little piece of his heaven, and Lily LOVED it.

Getting her sea legs

Starting to feel adventurous, one handed hold.

"The wind in my hair, sun on my face, I like this mama!"

Getting it done!

My loves :)

Team work!

A very happy grandma with a very happy Lily!

Looking over the edge!

She sat down, fell forward and fell asleep within seconds!

How she spent the rest of her morning.

That's one beautiful family!!

Getting curious

Going for a Daddy, Daughter swim at Public Landing

Mama joined in too :)

After we got home we had a super crab feast with some friends! A bushel and a half of fresh steamed crabs, corn on the cob, fried chicken and brownies! MmmMmm good :)

Lily loved spending time with Grandma and Poppop and had the time of her life on Poppop's boat. Pin It Now!

So she has a bun in the oven...

First things first: forget the bun, focus on the oven.

I'm at the age now where all of my friends are getting pregnant (Not to mention I'm jump starting my career as a doula) so I see a lot of little ladies with a bun in the oven. I always want to jump in and talk them to death, ask questions, recommend my favorite baby gear, 'talk shop' in a way. I always have to take a deep breath and hold it, for awhile. I have to remind myself that no one wants to hear THAT much advice especially when it's unsolicited. So what could they ACTUALLY use?

Voila... the perfect pregnancy gift basket!

(I got these free printables from over at The Handmade Home, cute right?)

Here are a few ideas I've thrown together. Of course each should be personalized to give it that extra oomf.

• Belly Butter/Vitamin E/Rose Hip Oil- Every expecting mama worries about stretch marks. Eventually they'll realize that they earned their tiger stripes, but in the mean time they want to avoid them. The old trick cocoa butter will work but now-a-days there are better ways to prevent the lovely mommy marks. Homemade belly butters, vitamin e and rose hip oil are all great! We'll call this one Preventative Maintenance. (Can you tell I'm married to a technician? haha)
• Massage Gift Card/Foot or hand massage- If you've ever carried a little monster in you, you know how hard it is on your body. Everything hurts by the end of the day. All you want to do is relax. What better way to relax than a massage? For those of you who can't afford to give out massage gift cards all willy-nilly (coughmecough) give the gift of a foot/hand massage. Don't forget to get in between those fingers and press on the sole of the foot! These acupressure points are great for relieving stress and pain. We'll call this one the Tune Up Special. 
• Rice Pack- A what?? A RICE PACK can't you hear? Ok, ok I'll explain. A rice pack is like a little heating pad but without the electricity and fear of falling asleep and burning down the house. These are very simple to make, even if you don't sew! Grab a sock (preferably a new one please), fill with white rice and tie off the other end! You can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil if you'd like. To use it, pop in the microwave for about a minute and BAM relief from a long day. It'll stay warm for over an hour and it's great for those prego back aches/sore feet. Give the gift of a quick fix. We'll call this one the Repair.
• Chocolate- I'm kicking myself for not putting this as number one. This one is pretty self explanatory. What girl doesn't love chocolate? Cookies are a bonus! Give the gift of Indulgence. We'll call it Fuel.
• Free Maid Pass- Let's face it, when you have a baby your house goes ballistic. It will look like a tornado hit it for those first few weeks. Though the tornado is small and cute, it comes with a ton of stuff. People will come by to see the baby, drop off food, even stay and talk for a bit. Rarely does anyone offer to clean the house. Give the gift of a clean home. A week or so after mom and dad come home, offer to let them take a nap. Wear baby around while you clean up! They'll wake up to a clean home, happy baby and feeling refreshed. We'll call this one Squeaky-Clean Service.
• Pregnancy Pillow- Mama's to be need sleep and lots of it! I mean, they are growing a human being, probably not the easiest job out there. Truth is, it's hard to get comfortable. Their new found bulk and achy joints make it hard to find a way to sleep in peace. Enter the pregnancy pillow. You can find a cheap one on Amazon for $39 or for the cheapo's (like me) make one yourself! It doesn't take much to make a long rectangle and stuff it with batting. Give the gift of a good nights sleep. We'll call this one, a Ladies New Best Friend (sorry dad)!
• Tips for a beautiful lady- Everyone will be quick to give tips on parenting, sleep training, nursing, blah Blah BLAH. But what about mom?!?! After all, she is the one doing all the hard work here. I've compiled a few tips for mom to stay as comfortable as possible and enjoy her temporary state. Here it goes!

1. Pregnancy is hard on the body. Massages feel good at the moment but sometimes those aches and pains stick with you. Accupressure and accupuncture are great for relieving back pain, headaches, and all those other 'icky feelings.
2. Ever heard the expression "opinions are like... noses, everyone has one, they all smell." No? That's because I just made that up. Anyway, it applies here too. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E will give you advice and only some will work for you. Just nod and smile and do what you think is best. After all, nothing tops moms intuition. 
3. Sleep. Sleep and more sleep.  Your body needs it, I mean you are making a human being after all.
4. Excercise, squats especially! They will help you when it's time for the birth and it will make you feel great throughout your pregnancy!
5. View your due date as "estimated", in reality you could be pregnant for 42 weeks. That's right 42 WHOLE WEEKS.
6. Drink water.
7. Drink LOTS of water.
8. Did I mention drink water?? This is by far the best tip I could give you. You need around 1 gallon of water a day when pregnant. It is very easy to get dehydrated which will make you even more uncomfortable and put baby in danger. Drink, drink drink (water silly).
9. Keep a journal. It's nice to be able to look back and reminesce over your pregnancy. Take lots of belly pictures and try to enjoy the time you have left as a couple.
10. Treat yourself. This can either be enjoyable or horrible. You deserve it, go get that maternity top and adorable swimsuit for (over your budget)!  It'll make you feel better than you ever thought you could feel!

Pregnant ladies have it hard, whether they want to admit it or not. Treat them to a good start and help them pamper themselves for once in their lives!! 

SO what did I miss? 

What do you give to your pregnant friends? 

What do you wish people gave you?

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Beach and Babies

I know, I know it's been awhile. Be prepared for some Lily spam and fun pictures!

First things first, Lily went to the beach for the first time!! Not just a beach to walk around on, like Oregon Ridge. Lily got to get all dolled up in her rash guard and sun hat, played in the ocean and was buried in the sand. She loved it. When we first arrived we buried Lily up to her waist in sand. She would pull her leg out and stare at it like it was a foreign object. It started to grow on her a bit and she would pick it up and toss it over her shoulder. She also got a few good mouthfuls (of course). We decided to venture in to the water on that 74 degree day and shockingly, the water was warm! At 68 degrees we WANTED to be in the water versus on the beach with the cool breeze. Lily loved it! We would lift her over the waves and she would start laughing and screeching. We'd set her down in between and she would jump/splash in the water. It was really rough though so we stayed up toward the beach. After Lily turned purple we wrapped her up and cuddled on our beach chairs. Lily would rest her head on my chest and lick the sand off of my neck, yes she liked the taste of sand. Such an odd child. Sadly, I forgot my camera :-O. So instead, here is a picture of our nakey baby in our indoor beach :)

The next day Lily was able to meet a little one her age! She has met and played with tons of children, but never one her age (and almost size). They were a little shy at first.

But then they started to get a little curious.

Then Lily's friend got her a drink, well kind of. One minute they were laughing, then Lily told him a bad joke (woops!).

From there they got to meet a couple doggies. Lily loves dogs and cats. Apparently so did her new friend!

Lily wants to be like the other doggies!

The lovely family (and Lily's new friend) pictured above can be followed over at their family blog "Paper and Ink and the Note we Wrote". Pin It Now!

100 Reasons: I love my Husband

Sometimes I feel like I take my life for granted. I have blessings pouring in from every part of life and an amazing, loving husband who is responsible for most of them. So In this edition of 100 Reasons I am going to list 100 reasons why I love my husband. Sorry if I get a little sappy ;)

1. He is caring and gentle. I have never heard him yell!
2. He is a hands on, loving father.
3. He is a wonderful spiritual head.
4. He works hard and supports us without complaint.
5. He puts up with my insane ideas.
6. He is always there, for the good and the bad.
7. He listens.
8. He knows my favorites (flowers, color, food, restaurants, places, etc).
9. He has excellent taste in friends and women ;)
10. He loves to cuddle and hold hands until we fall asleep.
11. He doesn't mind if I take the whole bed (and blankets).
12. He puts up with my music in the car.
13. He loves the outdoors as much as I do.
14. He respects my opinion.
15. He is playful.
16. He takes joy in the little things.
17. He laughs even when my jokes are cheesy.
18. He chose me and stuck with me even after getting to know me a little better.
19. He is genuine.
20. He is funny.
21. He has a sense of responsibility and honor.
22. If we are with others he will always come up to me, hug me and say 'I missed you'!
23. I can trust him always.
24. He always tries to be a gentlemen, opening doors and all.
25. If he needs laundry to be done, he does it.
26. He doesn't nag.
27. He motivates me to do what is right.
28. He supports my wacky aspirations.
29. When he is off work, he lets me sleep in by taking Lily.
30. He is passionate about what he loves.
31. He is smart.
32. He is handsome.
33. He always compliments my meals, even if they aren't so great.
34. He is appreciative about what I do.
35. He is understanding about my addiction to all things baby.
36. He loves playing with his daughter.
37. He is better at putting Lily to sleep than I am!
38. He can make any situation un-awkward.
39. He gave me Lily.
40. He is wonderful with the dogs even though he isn't really a dog person.
41. He knows when I need a hug.
42. He thinks family is important.
43. He is a safe driver.
44. He is inventive and creative.
45. He is patient. 
46. His thoughtful prayers for us every night.
47. He is a handy man!
48. He talks of aliens like they are our neighbors.
49. He notices the little things like when I do my make up or change my hair.
50. He is generous with compliments.
51. He carries the heavy loads, literally and figuratively.
52. He is good with money.
53. He is a researcher.
54. He loves to learn.
55. He keeps listening even when I go on about birth practices and un interesting things of the sort.
56. The way I fit perfectly in his arms.
57. The way Lily fits perfectly on his shoulder.
58. He cleans without being asked.
59. He knows the difference between an Ergo and a Mei Tai.
60. He knows the difference between a Pocket Diaper and an AI2.
61. He plans ahead.
62. When one of us messes up, we can laugh about it.
63. He makes me happy all the time.
64. He laughs, instead of complains, when I sing.
65. He is full of random facts.
66. He is honest.
67. He tells lame jokes that he knows I will enjoy.
68. We can be weird together and never think otherwise!
69. He often tries to surprise me with kind gestures.
70. He tells me I'm beautiful, even when I don't feel it.
71. He never complains about my bad house keeping skills.
72. He loves music (even if most of it is from the 80's)
73. He isn't afraid to try new things.
74. He takes care of me when I am sick.
75. He often acts like a big kid.
76. He is curious.
77. He picks out the cutest outfits for Lily to wear.
78. He is willing to sacrifice.
79. He is always trying to better himself.
80. He enjoys talking.
81. He will give me a massage any time I ask, no complaints.
82. He has a forgiving heart.
83. He gave our daughter her looks, and they are gorgeous!
84. His smile.
85. He is a computer genius.
86. He can fix anything.
87. He WILL fix anything, even if it doesn't belong to us.
88. He always puts us before himself.
89. He loves me even when I am grumpy.
90. He pretends to care about things I care about ;)
91. He is always on my side.
92. He makes anything we do fun. Especially grocery shopping.
93. He likes to do things together.
94. He makes me a better person.
95. He is romantic.
96. He is my best friend.
97. He spoils me.
98. He has a kind heart and loving way about him, it makes him likable by everyone.
99. It is impossible not to love him.
100. He loves me as much as I love him, he makes me the happiest lady in the world.

The best part? It was easy to come up with 100 things and I could easily come up with 100 more. He is the best father, the best husband, the most amazing spiritual head and a real mans man.I am truly blessed with such a loving husband and beautiful family. Pin It Now!

Look Ma: I can Swim!!

This weekend I got to swim for the first time! I had never been in a pool before and I wasn't sure if I would like it. I got all dressed up in my kawaii cover and a little blue bikini. Mama stepped into the pool and my eyes got wide then she sunk me in the water and I shivered a little bit. After that I started kicking and just wanted to swim around. Aunt Olivia swam with me then I learned to splash! From then on I kept splashing water everywhere! Daddy got in and played with me for a little then I turned as blue as my itsy bitsy bikini so we got out and warmed up! It was so much fun :)  -Lily

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Our Week in a Nut Shell

Big girl holding her bottle

Sleeping with Daddy

On a walk!

Poppop and Lilypie

I loveeeeee my baths mama!

Put me back in :(

Lily will ONLY sleep on her side now-a-days.

I love to swing!

Grandpa and me

My first hiking trip!

Grandma and Grandpa came (me and grandpa have the same smirk)

The Waterfall was soo cool!

Goodnight!

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