Dear Sam, Love Mama

Dear Sam,

I know technically this my first Mother's Day, but I celebrated last year too; because I already felt like your mama then.  I already loved you and worried about you and all the other things mamas do.  It is hard to believe that's been a whole year ago (even crazier that you are TEN months old today!).  Some parts of me feel like I've been a mama for my whole life, even when I was six and wrapping up beach towels to be my "baby," and other parts of me still can't really grasp that it is real... This is my life now.  You are MY boy. I am a MOM. Thank you sweet boy for making me a mama.  It is the hardest "job" I've ever had; but, it is (by far) my most favorite.  It is my proudest accomplishment and my biggest ambition.  I love you bud.

Love,

Mama

P.S. I'll forgive you for not saying "Happy Mother's Day" when you woke up at 6AM today.  But, next year, game on! ;)

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there today!  And, a special word and prayer for those moms that are still waiting for their own sweet baby... I hope you will feel peace and hope today, and know that you are NOT forgotten.

Absolutely LOVE this.  Free printable from Free printable from Simple As That Blog.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the first in my guest post series A Letter to New Moms, which will be going on all week while I endure standardized testing hell. And, start writing your own letters now for the link-up to be hosted right here one week from today.  :)

You Know You Are a New Mom When...

...Your alarm clock sounds like screaming/crying, and there is no "snooze" button.

...One of your greatest joys is a full hour to shower and "get ready." Alone.

...You can go to the bathroom while holding ten pounds of wiggling goodness.

...You have awesome "baby bangs."

...You get genuinely excited over a big poop.

...You can tell how long it's been since a feeding by feeling your boobs.

...You literally feel drawn to every pregnant lady or new baby in the world.  As if you cannot possibly resist saying "I just had a baby in..."

...You NEVER leave home without a pacifier.

...Your house looks like a tornado hit it 90% of the time.

and...No matter what you do wrong (miss an appointment, are late for work, stink) you always say "Sorry, I'm a new mom." 

Maybe that's just me. ;)

Sam will be ten months old on Mother's Day, which is crazy to me!  I'm really not sure how long you can consider yourself a new mom; but I'm going to claim it for at least the whole first year.  (Really, I feel like college graduation would be appropriate... Every stage is new, right?)  Still, some days, I feel like I am BRAND new at this... Then, other days, I feel like the true "newness" was so long ago; and I'm an old pro now with tons of wisdom to bestow upon the true "newbies" (yea right)....

On that thread, I'm going to be hosting a really fun series here next week called,

I've asked six of my favorite bloggers/friends to... you guessed it... write a letter to new moms.  The posts are rolling in here and, trust me, you will not want to miss a single one!

THEN, save-the-date because on Sunday, May 20th, I'm going to share my own letter AND include a linky for all of you to join in with your own "words of wisdom," or whatever. Fun times are ahead people!  See you there?

Isnt' that banner and custom button just the cutest thing you've ever seen?  The talented Erika from www.teandbaby.com made them for me!  Thanks girl!

 Have a great weekend!

My New Favorite Spring Cardigan

Talk about adding a little sunshine to your life... The cardigan, I mean, not my smiling face...

A few weeks ago, Fresh Produce contacted me about reviewing an item from their new spring/summer clothing line.  I admit that my first thought was, "I think that's the company that makes frumpy 'mom' clothes out of wrinkly linen and sweatpant material."  BUT, my second thought was, "Free clothes? Yes please!"  So... I visited the website and was THRILLED with what I found...

Fresh Produce has really stepped it up over the years.  Today they make comfortable clothes for moms (and other women, of course) that are also fashionable.  Seriously, I had a hard time choosing just one item to review...

In the end, I went with the Standing Ovation Cardigan in Daffodil.  And, I'm not lying folks, I LOVE it.  In the two weeks that I've owned this beauty, I've worn in at least five times and every time I get TONS of compliments on it.  The color is fun.  The style is flattering (side note: the first time I wore it, my mom said "you should wear that style all the time" as she looked at how it covered my butt & thighs.  Uhh... thanks?).  And, this thing is amazingly comfortable.   Plus, it works with so many things.  I've already tried it out with skinny pants, jeans, and white pants (as shown above).  I also really like belting it for a different look (which you can kind-of see in the second photo up there). It is, for sure, my new favorite spring/summer cardigan.



Not me. ;)



Are you in love yet? Go get one for yourself here - afterall, it is almost Mother's Day. (There are lots of other colors to choose from too; you know, in case you aren't in to stopping traffic or being seen in the dark.)  And, while you're at it, check out their other great selections of Women's Cardigans, Lightweight Cardigans, or Casual Tops.

Yea, yea, I got it free so I had to say something nice right? Probably true (just keeping it real).  But, I really do LOVE this thing.  Fresh Produce definitely earned a new client in me. I wouldn't lie to you. Promise.

P.S. Even though I've worn this A LOT (in fact, the exact same outfit last week only with a different tank & a belt -- no shame), I never had my camera (or a photographer) around - go figure. So, the above photos are taken (begrudgingly) by my husband on our street before I left for work this morning in true "I think I'm a model/fashion blogger" style.  Jeff kept looking around to see if anyone could see us... hilarious. Don't worry, I'm not quitting my day job any time soon. ;)