The Princess Has Arrived

My tiny bundle I have carried since November has arrived. She is snuggled against me as I write this. She is so beautiful. Her arrival was something I will cherish for a lifetime. 

I wrote my last post while in labor and she was in my arms a few short hours later.

I do not like quiet I have to have something going on around me. Probably why I am not the biggest fan of nature and all that jazz. The TV noise didn't help. It annoyed me. Instead when I hit Stage 1 and Active Labor stage I turned on some music like the one above in the video and I called my friends. 

The water felt good but I had decided to change to chair and before Matthew had a chance to help me with the breathing I was pushing her out while standing up. My friends were hearing her birth and everything. I was amazed at how little pain I was in. I have always heard that laying on your back wasn't a good thing and now I completely agree. 

She was placed against me and Matthew came over there to look her and check on me as well. Her arrival was so peaceful. My niece thinks that fairies brought her. And perhaps they are right. I was talking to three fairies when I gave birth to Kate so just perhaps that is why. Plus I hear one of those fairies knows Tinker Bell personally, may one day she can help Kate believe in fairies. 

I know one of the gifts I have treasured was from Hunter herself. She gave me the files of Disney's Princess Lullabies and we have had it on repeat. Kate has been sung to, rock to, fed to, and held to these songs on repeat. It makes me feel like a princess myself. Hunter said it works amazingly with her tiny Luna and I see why now.

My tiny princess is in already loving books and fairytales. It makes me smile that us reading to her makes her content and stop crying. She just loves to stare at us. I blame Matthew and the three fairies for making this so magical, but I am not complaining. I love magical, sparkling memories. 

Royal Arrival

Here I sit looking at the mountains and feeling every contraction,

Yes I am in labor and blogging.

I am in the first stage of labor so don't worry. I am not dilated to 10 cm yet and the contractions are not strong but my water has broke. I have done this twice before so this isn't new to me at all. I love this miracle. My children are a blessing to me. I remember each time I have given birth before now.

The triplets, Bella, Edward, and Jake were born in a hospital but naturally. Yes I hurt for weeks after that one, but I survived and so did they. Jake was on the scrawny side and was very sickly. I know that he is in a better place and not hurting though.

With our little quarterback, AJ, well he was determined to steal the show from the beginning. He was born on the side of the road. We did spend a night in the hospital against my will. 

But little princess below is being born in home environment in TN. Which is where we are at right now. I have a birthing ball, water birth pool, a mattress on the ground and everything. I feel very confident in my decision of having a homebirth. 

I have her baby book ready and I have already written the pre little notes like what I have experienced in this pregnancy. I look forward to finishing up her book like I did with Bella's, Edward's, and AJ's. AJ isn't even a year old and here I am in labor which a lot of people are frowning on me at but I am not the first woman to have kids back to back and quite honestly, it's none of their business. My little family is safe and happy. 

I cannot wait to tell you all about the active arrival of Princess Katherine Ember. 

No Matter How Much Of A Man

... You Are When A Little Girl Wants To A Princess, You Spin Her Around Because She Is.

Where I am sitting at right now I can see Matthew spinning around my nieces, Avary, Frances, Zoey, and Khloie and my daughter, Bella. They are dressed up like princesses. He is bent over and actually dancing with them and they are loving it. 

I have to admit this is one of the reasons I married him. He loves Disney Princesses and he loves to treat girls as such as long as they act like it. He goes out of his way to treat me and my daughter like a princess and a queen. 

One of things that I just laugh at people about; I married Matthew for his money. Uh huh, right. Pretty sure my net worth is triple his. I earned mine, myself, pretty cheeks. He grins when people say he married me for my money. These are the people who have no idea about the behind scenes with us. Trust we will be happy to tell you but have a strong stomach.

Matthew proves to me every day that he wants to be with me and it's not about the money, sex or anything like that. It's the being called beautiful every day, it's having my breakfast picked out, it's him wanting my opinion on what he wears to work and it's him showing me his latest accomplishments in his new hobbies. That's when I know I have found the best man on the planet for me. 

And trust me right now I feel our next tiny princess dancing with him already and I told him such. He got misty eyed on me and knelt down and kissed her and then danced with me a few times around the room. Little Katherine daddy is twirling you too already. 

Keep On

Dating You Husband

Tonight was a blessing and I truly felt love and happiness from Matthew. We went on a date tonight. He did the whole asking and everything which made me giggle. That extra effort of really asking me to go on a date makes a world of difference. It shows he really wants to go out and that he cares about our relationship.

We got babysitters for my children and they were happy to go somewhere else instead of just hanging around home or Gene's house. We actually dressed up and then went out. It felt good. I bought a new maternity dress and some maternity stockings. I felt gorgeously drop dead sexy. I curled and waved my hair and I piled on the make-up (even though my 5 year old niece Avary told me I look better without make-up.) 

It honestly feels good to know I can still make his jaw drop. I know it's sort of vain, but it's good for a girl's morale to see their significant other with their jaw down and their eyes big because of how you look. Sure the look of endearing is amazing. But knowing you have that man sweating in his socks makes you feel like a bombshell. "Woah..." Plus knowing I have a small beach ball protruding from my middle section and he still thought I was "svelte" made me have a thousand mega watt smile. 

We haven't forgotten how much in love we are like a lot of couples who start thinking of their future of getting old or their families. We reminiscence a lot about how it was when we first met and how we were in the same locations a lot of the time and never really got to know each other. It always feels good to remember the beginning and we laugh at how nervous we were and how he thought for sure I was a lot younger than I was. Our car ride tonight consisted of us listening to old music. "Ignition" by R. Kelly anyone? 

I had know idea where we were eating. He wanted to surprise me so much so I decided to let him. Epiphany was where we ended up. I love the environment there and felt good to talk over good food. We talked about things with our careers. He intrigued me with his questions about my planner. I am way too excited about this planner. So while I was eating my scallops we got onto the discussion about our tiny princess who didn't have a name. We came up with a few but none that we really like. Little Katherine Ember will be here soon!

He drove down to the Riverwalk and he turned on his music on his phone and we danced by the water and laughed. It felt amazing. The baby was kicking and we were laughing, singing, and dancing. People complain too much during pregnancy. Get over yourself people have been having babies forever, you having one is nothing new. This is why I try to stay upbeat and refuse to lay around unless my midwife tells me to do so. And thank goodness she hasn't. So Matthew and I went dancing in the moonlight. We felt warm and bright and it was such a natural sight. 

What is a...

Friend?

I was terrified of coming to this stage of my life. I was afraid I was going to feel too old or be a huge stick in the mud. My life wasn't ready to take a complete mature level or so I thought.

I may not be five but I giggle. I have many reason to giggle. One of the main reasons is I have friends. They aren't constant friends. We don't do insane things. We don't drown our sorrows. Instead we lift each other up.

Part of the real reason why I love my friends is because there is rarely jealously. We just don't put up with it. If we think someone is being jealous in our true group of friends we call them out on it because it really needs to be addressed.

I smile as I write this thinking that even at 30 I am still making new friends. +Jessica walked briskly into my life and gives me several reasons to smile, laugh and most of all giggle. The things listed above in the graphic is what friends do.

People who say you have to look out for yourself are sad people who don't know how to really be a friend themselves. I have never said looking out for yourself was a good thing because it isn't. I have always had friends in my life. Yes most of the time they are family. We bicker and fuss but we laugh by the end of the conversations.

Tonight I was laughing so hard I swear the little one inside me thought "Oh yay vibrating bed!" Hearing two tiny tots become friends is the most amazing thing. Not to mention listening to them try to be grown up like their parents is the most adorable thing. These tots know what it takes to be friends why do adults forget these lessons? People need to stop getting their knickers in a knot and just accept life with full forgiveness and loving ways.

I realized tonight as I hug up the phone; life is full of unexpected little presents and I plan to cherish them all now. Including Disney squeals, gutter talks, and planner conventions.

60

Today is my birthday,

It is one that I have been dreading for the last 5 years. I used to throw the biggest fit and just cry thinking about it. Today was not like that though. Today I realized something profound; this is the best 30 years anyone could ever ask for in a life.

Yes, my life hasn't been perfect. I have made many mistakes, but I admit many things that I used to blame on others was really something I did myself. For instance, I realize that many times the things I wore the and the things I did brought the attention. Plus, my entire attitude brought the bad attention and not the good.

I look around and I finally see the blessings that I thought were in disguise but were wide out in the open like I always dreamed. I have a loving family; husband that adores me and my children. My darling angels; Bella who is finally growing up, Edward who is too grown up, AJ who is exploring the world, tiny little girl inside me, and Jake who looks down at me from heaven reminding me to be on my best behavior even when it's hard.

Yes, life isn't perfect. I have lost both my parents already. I have lost a child. I have had my heart broken several times. But I don't dwell on these things I remind myself that sure the world will care or say they care for about a day but things happen to everyone and everyday. The world shouldn't pity me. I can take care of my life myself.

I have a wonderful career. I get to do what I love and not settle for some second rate job. I get to meet all kinds of people with my jobs. That's one thing I love is having a network that I can trust and realize they have my back in decision making and moving forward with a plan.

I don't regret having money. If you think you can make me feel guilty, well, you won't be the first one to try but you won't succeed. I have worked hard for my money. Many people think it is just handed to me. It is not my fault you can't go to college or you didn't keep going to college to keep showing how serious you are about your career. Also many times I see people that tell me I should be ashamed no I have been on the poor side of town. I don't intend to move back there if I can help it. I went into a profession that I loved and not because of the money. That makes all the difference.

So basically at the end of my 30th birthday I can look around and see all the wonderful family and friends I have and realize that if I can get another 30 years like the last ones I'll be doing amazing. Bring on 60!

Summer 2014 Tag

1. What is your go-to product for a sun kissed summer glow? (bronzer, self tanner, etc.)

Self tanner and bronzer definitely. 

2. What book would you recommend for a summer read?

The Au Pairs Paperback by Melissa de la Cruz - Was my favorite as a young adult

A Summer Romance (Devereaux Manor Mystery, #1) by Tracey Smith  - What I was sucked into this summer...

3. What's your signature summer scent this year?

Candy smells... I think it's the pregnancy making me think that though. 

4. The sun is shining and it's time to get outside! What's your favorite thing to do?

Lay by the pool or in the pool

5. You're on the boardwalk and your stomach is grumbling. What's your go-to summer beach food?

Pretzels...

6. Sunscreen is always important, but it's a MUST in summer! What's your favorite? (Face, body, or both)

Face is by Neutrogena 

Body it really varies

I also wear a lot of tanning oil

7. After a day in the summer sun and heat, what do you do to cool off?

Watermelon lemonade and a lukewarm shower and then read

8. How do you wear your hair in the summer? (down, ponytail, ombre, dip dye, etc.)

Sun dyed and 75% it's just down

9. Must-have nail polish for summer 2014?

Liberty PixieDust

10. Sometimes it just feels good to chill out and watch Netflix. What shows/movies do you recommend for summer?

I like to rewatch Game of Thrones, I used to love True Blood but I have finished the books so I know how it ends, but Downton Abbey? OMG I love!

11. Do you wear liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer in the summer?

Waterproof foundation with SPF in it.

12. It's super bright outside! Do you reach for sunglasses or a hat?

Most of the time both

13. What is your summer jam this year?

Walt Disney World Official Album - Got to start the little one inside me off right.

14. Do you have a summer bucket list? If so, share some things on the list.

Grill outside - A lot and we have! I love grilling.

New pool things - I am just now starting on this.

Read to the children - Have kept up with this really good

Get a cleaning schedule - FlyLady

Reading list - This really has been a great summer to read

15. Bikini, tankini, or one piece? Show us your fave bathing suit this year!

Usually a bikini but this year and last year have been tankinis and ones pieces since I have been pregnant.

16. Summer means heat... and sweat! What's your favorite sweat proof product this year? (Skincare, makeup, anything!)

Favorite Sweat proof product Tarte's Water proof blush... Just amazing!

17. Summer wouldn't be complete without a scoop (or two) of ice cream! If you could create your own ice cream flavor, what would it be?

Doughnuts... Again pregnant here.

Alright it's your turn:

+Jessica, +Mary Ann, +Odette, +Hunter, +Carolina, +Maria, +Lillian

I Got a Plan, a Demand and It Just Began

I can blame my sister in-laws; +Odette and +Mary Ann. I can also blame +Hunter and +Jessica. I have become obsessed with the thoughts of my Erin Condren Life Planner. I like to be organized anyhow and this will help me keep track of everything.

I am an event planner. I have things all the time happening. From birthday parties, anniversaries, milestone, and weddings. I can keep up with all the big events. My appointments will be kept separate because I would be insane with all the phone calls, meetings, and interviews.

Social, yep even though I am a married lady doesn't mean that I don't have a social life. I have everything from preggie mom meetings to girl nights out. But my social meetings? Mommy-son or mommy-daughter days. Plus not mention date night with the husband.

My kids schedule will be in there between field trips, PTA meetings, and projects. Bella's pageants, Edward's fencing lessons, and AJ's Montessori groups. We have a lot of family days too.

Keeping up with my health and fitness can easily be recorded in this planner as well. Having Crohn's making me want to keep up anything to do with my body.

And last but not least...

I am pregnant right now with our little Princess.

I ordered the 2014-2015 Life Planner -Succulents.

With it I bought the 7x9 covers -Reality Blooms -Roses - Pink Travel Size Island Fleur body butter, Address book -Zen Gems, Designer Sticker sheets -Classic collection, Coil clips, Event Stickers, 2 Pen Holder, and Designer trays -Roses - White.

Things I have bought or want to buy for it already are:

K&CompanySmash Sticky Note Pad, Simple

K&CompanySmash Flag Tabs

Post-it Super Sticky Full Adhesive Notes, 3 x 3-Inches, Assorted Ultra Colors, 4-Pads/Pack

Sticky Notes - Post It notes - Planner Supplies - Filofax Supplies - Moustache sticky notes - Bow sticky notes

Sticky Notes Set

Cute Disney Paper Clips

Disney Washi Tape Samples

Bon Voyage Recollections set of acrylic stamps

Cavallini Mini Vintage Letterpress Rubber Stamp Set

Mini Lovely Teapot Rubber Stamp

Inkadinkado 9 piece acrylic JAR stamp set

Paris Beaded Planner Charm

Triplus Fineliner Pen by Staedtler



Blog Posts I love!

Erin Condren Life Planner

I Told Him I Got A Plan and I'm Gonna Dominate

Erin Condren Life Planner Release

Let Me Pencil You In

Plan All On Me I Showed Up with My EC and Ruined Your Chaotic Mess