Wishing You A Merry Christmas!

Candy Cane Stripes Holiday

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Wowzers... Mommy Deegan is gonna be busy!

Well, I should have started blogging again when I thought life was hectic. Because now, it's really about to get hectic!

I have boosted up my crafting to make more stuff for my Etsy / FB shop The Deegan General, I have taken on several photo sittings for CWD Photography, and I am now a Macaroni Kid Publisher Mom!

I have got A LOT on my plate, but that is a good thing! God is good, he provides when all is given to him.

Ella is growing like a weed.

In my blogging absence, she has learned to crawl,

 pull up on EVERYTHING, 

and even cruise on the furniture. 

She has been babbling like crazy, and just the other day, she said her first word. Dada. Yup, this momma loves on her all day long, feeds her the perfect food whenever she wants it, and she STILL says Dada first. I actually caught in on film. I was making a video on my cell phone to send to Sean. I was making her laugh by kissing all over her face and neck. She looked at the computer where there was a photograph of Sean on the screen, looked back at me, and then back to the screen. "dada." It was so sweet, and although I am a little jealous, I am so happy I was with her and that I had it to send to Sean right then and there! 

Have a Happy Weekend!

GOOOOOO STEELERS!!! 

Blogger Fail

Yeah, ya see...

I was going to take a mini blogcation, then life got in the way and I haven't updated my blog in FOREVER!
That changes today :)

 There is so much going on in the world of Mommy Deegan, and even more in the world of Baby Ella Grace who has reached soooo many milestones in my blogging absence. I will do my best to post some videos and photos for anyone who is interested in keeping up with the little Deegan Diva.

I am excited to get back into the swing of things...

Ready, Set, GO!

3 year anniversary of Mr&Mrs Deegan 8/24/10

Crockpot Rice Puddin'

During my pregnancy I discovered that I L-O-V-E rice pudding. I have looked for recipes several time and they just seem like too much work when I can just buy the yummy orange cozy shack container instead. However, today while looking for a yummy chicken and rice Crockpot recipe, a recipe for rice pudding popped up and it seemed to simple not to try. It turned out delicious! I cut the recipe in half and have easily 10 servings so I will post the amounts I used.

1/2 gal milk (I used 2%)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup rice (it should have been 1/2 cup but I like more rice in mine)
1/8 tsp salt
1-2 tsp vanilla

Pour the milk, sugar, rice, and salt into the Crockpot. Stir to distribute ingredients. Turn on Crockpot to high and cook for 2 1/2 hrs stirring to keep the rice from sticking to the bottom. Around 2 1/2 hours the milk should be starting to boil around the edges, turn the heat to low and cook another 30 minutes. Add vanilla and stir, pour into room temp glass container with a lid and place in fridge to cool.  Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!

And it's off to the pool we go!

We took Ella Grace to the pool for the first time yesterday. We weren't really worried about her reaction to the water since she loves the bath and shower so much, but we were to see her reaction and obviously this would be the most submerged she's been up to this point.

After getting her all ready with her swim diaper, sunscreen, swimsuit, and sun hat we were off! The pool was so crazy crowded that I'm not sure we got a true response as to how she felt about being in that much water. She was more interested in watching all the crazy teenagers jumping in and out of the pool. She did however show some nervous behavior when we held her out away from our bodies. I think the buoyancy was a little much for her. Other than that, she seemed content and we had a good time.

This is what I am printing to hang on the wall. I am making 8x8 "posters" of her first and our favorite moments and framing them to hang together. Eventually I will transfer them to a scrapbook.

This is my favorite pic of the afternoon and I plan to print and frame it as well.

I can't wait to create more memories in the water with Ella Grace! Sean and I were both water babies growing up and it looks like she will be one too!

One year ago and Today

A year ago today I cried in the bathroom a I prayed asking God to let me meet the baby growing inside of me. I went to the bedroom and told Sean we were pregnant and prayed with him for the chance to love this little one in the flesh.

This morning I rolled on the floor with my beautiful 18 weeks old baby girl. Ella Grace has given new meaning to both our lives. Tonight we had dinner just the three of us and it was picture perfect and I loved every moment of it. When I'm done typing this, I'm off to bed with my hubby and Ella Grace is already tucked in her cradle.

Life is good. God is great.

Ella's 4.5 month Stats

16.10 pounds

26.5 inches long

16.9 inch head circumference

90th Percentile across the board

She's a big girl, but proportionate :)

Friday Follow & Happy Birthday to me!

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Today I have lived a quarter of a century. A year ago  I was dreading this birthday. I didn't feel as if I had accomplished something worthy of a quarter century celebration. I had checked off one of the big things on my life list, I was married, and while that is wonderful, it wasn't enough. Then, 1 week after my 24th birthday, I poas and got a BIG FAT POSITIVE. We were pregnant.This year, I celebrate my birthday as a mommy, and it feels right.

Last night I went out with two of my besties. We went on a mommie's night out WITH the children. 3 mommies, 3 strollers, 4 kiddos. We hit up Burlington looking for a bday outfit for me and I walked away with a pair of comfy play pants, seemingly momish but that makes me happy too. Then we went to Steak-n-Shake, for burgers, fries, and the most wonderful shakes. I gave myself the birthday present of locking my keys in the car and was very happy that I had made Sean put the extra set to my car on his key chain so he knew just where they were. I love my girls who weren't put out at all having to wait in the parking lot with kiddies who were getting beyond tired but instead laughed and chatted and made me not feel like such a duns by regaling me we stories of silly things they have done instead.

Today I am off to breakfast and a movie with my mommy and my daughter. We'll see how Ella Grace handles the Matinée. Haha.

Have a great day!

Thankful Thursaday- Quarter Century Edition

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
~ Colossians 3:16 (ESV)

You might have noticed that this is a special Thankful Thursay post. A quarter century post. Tomorrow I turn 25 so I though I would list 25 things I'm thankful for.

1. I am thankful for parents who raised me to see God in the world around me and to seek Him in all things.

2. I am thankful for life long girl friends. I love you Gracie &  Renee.

3. I am thankful for the love and laughter I share with my husband. I love you Sean.

4. I am thankful for my beautiful daughter Ella Grace. The best present I ever received. I loved you before you were even an embryo in my womb and I love you more and more each day.

5. I am thankful for a little brother who comes over to hold the baby when I need to take care of something and who I can still laugh with. You were my first friend and I will love you always bug.

6. I am thankful for music. Loud music to sing with the windows down, soft music to lull my daughter to sleep, and slow music to dance to in the rain.

7. I am thankful for creative outlets. Photograph, sewing, writing, baking. Ways I show who I am.

8. I am thankful for God's providing hand. I may not have things the way I want them, but he makes sure we are taken care of.

9. I am thankful for laughter in my marriage.

10. I am thankful for new friends.

11. I am thankful for baby smiles that make my whole life have new meaning.

12. I am thankful for Elmo. Song or tv he stops my babies crying and gives me a minute to go to the bathroom.

13. I am thankful for my grandparents who are here to love my my daughter and be a part of her life.

14. I am thankful for rice pudding. It's not helping my weight loss, but it does seem to help my sanity.

15. I am thankful for the hour that my daughter spends paying alone in the morning while I doze on the floor next to her.

16. I am thankful for my daughter, did I say that already? Oh well I'm doubly thankful for her.

17. I am thankful for in-laws who love me and help more than they should.

18. I am thankful that God has helped me to gain control over my anxiety without the daily use of medication.

19. I am thankful for friends who tell me I look good. I mean really, those are great friends.

20. I am thankful that my daughters father loves her and me and wants to be with us forever. I love you Sean.

21. I am thankful for Godly people who pray for my family. All of my family.

22. I am thankful that I haven't sat on the floor crying and overwhelmed with mommy-hood in 3 months.

23. I am thankful for the sun shining and the rain falling. I love them both, even more when they are at the same time.

24. I am thankful for baby laughs when I want to cry.

25. I am thankful that God has brought me through 25 years and is still molding me into who he wants me to be.

Mommy to the rescue! or not?

I read an article on PBS.com this morning about running to your children's rescue when they forget things like lunches, homework, and other items they might need while at school. It posed the question of when NOT helping sends the wrong message. The writer was a you forgot it you have to live with it kind of mommy. She wanted to instill responsibility for oneself in her children. But watching her daughters unwillingness to help out those around her made her wonder if she had gone too far.

I know that I called my parents plenty with "I forgot." And be it homework, shorts for soccer practice, or my lunch, they rarely said no. Did this harm me? There are times that I still forget things, but I do not expect others to break their backs to help me. I do try and help those around me and with compassion I hope. I can't wait for Ella Grace to call me and need me to help her. That is something I consider to be the roll of a mommy, or daddy.

I have a running joke with my dad. I call and ask for "daddy rescue" when I really need help, and in return, he racks up "life credits." Now, I am an adult, and married with a child of my own, but every now and then I still need daddy's help. But more frequently he is calling and cashing in those life credits. Now,  I don't know that I will ever be able to re-pay all of his help, but I don't think he really ever expected me too.

what do you think?


ARTICLE ON PBS

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it's nearly 90 today but I am thankful for the sun!
I am thinking...of how much I need to do so we can move at the end of July.
I am thankful for...my father.
From the kitchen...spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic toast...mmmm.
I am wearing...yoga pants and a nursing tank.
I am creating...a family notebook, tye-dye onesies, and blankies for my pregnant girls.
I am going...to try and sleep very soon.
I am reading...a bunch of really great blogs, my new Women's Daily, and a vampire book.
I am hoping... for healing.
I am hearing... Ella Grace's swing.
Around the house... things are in relative order, but as always I still see a lot that need to be done.
One of my favorite things... lavender, the smell and the color.
A few plans for the rest of the week: babysitting, sewing, and MY BIRTHDAY!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The First Four Months In Photographs

Friday Follow!

I have not participated in Friday Follow the past two weeks during my computer vaca, and I've missed reading new blogs and meeting new bloggers. I'm excited for today! Please read through my blog and comment. I LOVE comments. Who doesn't love comments?

Mommy Moments

There are moments everyday where I look at Ella Grace and think, "wow, that's my daugter." Sometimes I feel like her mommy, other times I say it out loud because it still doesn't fell like part of who I am. Then there are the moments, that I feel it, and anyone around would easily say, "she's a mom."

I'm not talking about when I'm nursing or something as equally obviously mommy. But moments where I'm caught off guard and surprise myself with the mommy finesse I have acquired some where during my 9 months of pregnancy and 4 months of mommy hood.

Today, I had a mommy moment of epic proportions. In the morning we wake up around 7am. Ella Grace nurses and then we doze and/or play in bed until around 8:30 or 9:00. When we come down Ella Grace plays either in her swing or on her floor mat while I get my own food, check my email, go to the bathroom. Whatever it is that I need 15 minutes to do. Today, it was the swing, and Ella Grace used her 15 minutes of alone time very constructively. Creating a huge poopy mess. I smelled it before I saw it. And I unfortunately felt it before I saw it as well. Up her back, down her legs, all over the swing. Sweet, ripe, smelly, baby poo. I unbuckled her and warmed at the wonderful smile she gave me, little did I know that behind that smile was a huge "ha ha mommy, you're gonna say eww in a minute." As I picked her up from the swing I felt it, slippery moisture on her back. I didn't even need to look to know what it was, but i turned her to survey the damage none the less. Wow! Her entire back up to between  her shoulder blades was a giant mess of poo.

With my mommy hat firmly in place, I set to the task of cleaning her up. I put her on her belly in the pnp (pack-n-play) and worked at getting her onesie off without getting baby poop all over the place. I cleaned her back before I even took off the diaper and had just rolled her over to start the task of removing the diaper when there was  knock on the door. UPS. Ugh. So, knowing that I had the messy parts cleaned up I ran to the door. I'm sure I looked frazzled when I opened the door. I hadn't showered yet, and I realized as I stood there that I still had  wipes in my hand. He asked me to sign and I looked down at my hands, looked back at him, and said "give me a minute I need to go wash my hands." There was no way I was going to take his pen when I knew good and well there was at least a little poo on me. He looked at the wipes in my hand and said not to worry about it and have a good day.

As I walked back to Ella, I smiled. I'm a mommy.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I'm starting a new thing- The Simple Woman's Daybook. I will be doing this entry every tuesday and possibly more often. My hope is to focus on the simple in life, and find joy in that simplicity.

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...the day is overcast, but I'm ok with that.
I am thinking...of love shared. Can you give to much away?
I am thankful for...girlfriends to talk to late at night and first thing in the morning.
From the kitchen...yogurt cereal for breakfast. Takes me back to my childhood.
I am wearing...my favorite nightgown, it finally fits again.
I am creating...order in my home and a new dress for Ella Grace.
I am going...to get things done today.
I am reading...nothing yet, but I endeavor to pick a book by days  end.
I am hoping...to find an extra magic hour in the day today.
I am hearing...praise music on pandora.com.
Around the house...it's a mess!
One of my favorite things...smile from Ella Grace when she sees me for the first time in the morning.
A few plans for the rest of the week: lunch in the park with Patty'o, dinner with friends, planing more marketing.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Ella Grace Recap

 Just some pics to show my little girl over the past two weeks...

Play time with mommy in the morning

Her "beary" best friends

She found her toes!

Mommy's lavender princess

  

The Thinker

2 weeks absence

Ok- this was not an intentional blogging vaca, but it was needed. I needed to take some time to step away from my computer and survey the world at large. It's been a busy two weeks of being a mommy, wife, friend, and just me.

During these two weeks I have come to realize that although others might hurt me, I can't stop putting myself out there. I love deeply. There is no way around that except to not love, and for me, that is not an option. I give my love freely, hoping for love in return. Although it might hurt when this love is rejected, it is the very core of who I am. I feel deeply for others and those who know me best can attest to this.

I have realized that although I am "ok" with who I am physically, for me to be mentally and emotionally happy, I need to improve on my physical state. I also need to make time for other things that are important to me, reading a good book, taking photographs (of things other than my beautiful baby), laughing with friends, and making where I live my home.

We will be moving at the end of July. I'm more than a little anxious about this. I want to move somewhere that we plan to be for at least 2 years. Sean wan't to buy, but I'm just not ready for that yet. The thought of packing and getting ready to move makes me panic. I feel like we just got settled here. Scratch that, I feel like we still aren't quite settled here. But we need more space for Ella Grace to learn to crawl, and then walk. We need a place that we can really be comfortable in, and hopefully, a place closer to Sean's work.

I went to a church service in the park with Ella Grace on Sunday. It made me think of a line from one of my favorite movies of all time, Anne of Green Gables.

"Why must people kneel down to pray?" If I really wanted to pray I'll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or into the deep, deep, woods, and I'd look up into the sky--up--up--up--into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer."


Standing out in the park, singing prays to God, hold my miracle baby in my arms, I felt a prayer. A prayer for my family, for the love that will survive when the world tries to beat it down. They had a moment at the end where you could go forward for prayer. I am not a member of this church so I felt a little odd, but I went. When I told my name to the woman who was going to pray with me, I heard "Calloway? Calloway Williams?" and looked up to see and old friend. A friend from another church, from my teen years. A friend who took me to his prom. I began to cry. Seeing someone who knew the core of me at that moment, someone who could see my vulnerability and momentary lapse in strength, did me in. He prayed. He prayed for strength, for sleep, for peace, he spoke into my life. Through him God told me he was proud of me and that my life was not destined to repeat the errors of those I love. That I was not responsible for the problems in the lives of those I love. (He was more specific but I don't want to expose family issues in my blog at this time.) He reminded me to "give it to God, my pain, my fears, my joys. To allow God to carry my load, that he wants to carry it for me. It was a pretty awesome moment for me.

Today I am packing for Sean. He is leaving for a 4 day, 3 night business trip. This is the first time he will be traveling since Ella Grace was born and we are both a little anxious about this. It will all be ok, but we will miss each other and he will miss Ella Grace terribly. This will be the longest that I have been "alone" with Ella Grace. On my road trip my daddy was there. I do have friends coming over for dinner and hope to have them hold Ella Grace long enough for me to take a shower, unload the dishwasher, whatever , but that is not the same as having my husband come  home at the end of the day.

I will end this now. I could keep going, but I have to get to that packing. I've missed blogging and I'm happy to be back! I hope you continue to read!

Momma got her stitch on...

I did it! I successfully completed my first sewing project. I don't know why I thought a taggie blanket would be so super easy to make but it was what I decided to make. So after scouring the interwebz for tips on taggies, I got down to work! What do you think??

It's not perfect, but I'm pretty proud of myself. Can you guess what all the pregnant mommies I know are going to be receiving as gifts for their little ones??

My In-Laws luv me...they really do!

I decided this needed it's own post so I didn't mention it in Mother's Day post below.
My in-laws got me a sewing machine for Mother's Day. I have been talking all about wanting to sew and I was totally surprised and thrilled when I opened my gift.

Of Boogers & Mother's Day

Friday night Ella Grace could only be consoled if she was being held upright. All night long. She had a stuffy nose. Nursing was difficult because she couldn't really breath. So he was on and off and didn't nurse well in general all day. When she would fall asleep, if we put her down, she woke up within 5-10 minutes crying because she couldn't breath and then would realize "oh yeah, I'm still hungry" and the cycle would begin once more. At 6am Sean went to the store to get a nasal aspirator because we couldn't find ours and while there he got nasal saline to try and flush some of the goop out. When he got back he came and took her downstairs and let me sleep. He did all the dirty work of drops and sucking out boogies. Then he came back up and sat in the bathroom with her with a hot shower running to try and break up some more of the goop. It seemed to help, and she was a good, all be it tired, baby most of the day. Then around 5:30/6:00pm things went down  hill very fast. She started having a hard time breathing through her nose again, and would cry and pull off when nursing since she could get any air. Neither Sean or I wanted a repeat of Friday night so we packed her up and headed to the Children's Heathcare Urgent Care place.

They checked her vitals and she had good  O2 levels and no fever so we had to wait. And wait. When we finally got in to see the doctor she checked Ella Grace's eyes, ears, nose, and throat and then listened to her breathing. She said "it's just a cold. use a humidifier and keep with the saline drops and aspirator. This could take 5-7 days to clear." We left feeling bad for our baby and sad for the sleep we knew we would be missing. Orders in hand to call our doctor Monday morning and see if they wanted to see us, we went home. Climbing into bed just after midnight, already half asleep, Sean says "Happy Mother's Day."

Sunday Ella was still not 100% so we just chilled at home until we went to a late brunch around 2 with my mom, brother, cousin Justin, and his wife Renee. The food was delish and I got to eat the most delicious French Toast I've had ever, and some very yummy lasagna. Yeah, I know, sounds weird. The restaurant was a cafe/pizzeria with a breakfast brunch buffet. I always have a hard time deciding if I want breakfast or lunch/dinner when I dine at a place that offers both. So this was wonderful in my opinion.

Sean got me two wonderful cards, one from him and one from Ella Grace. Both made me cry good tears. He also got me a really neat book that I will write "in my own words" as the title says, about my life and all that has led me to this first Mother's Day. I think I'm going to also be using it for blog inspiration, so stay tuned!

Sunday night Ella Grace and I slept downstairs so Sean could be well rested for work today. Ella Grace in her swing and me on the couch, it worked out well. I either slept great or I was just too tired to notice if I was uncomfortable.

And that is all folks. All of Boogers and Mother's Day.

Friday Follow! Check it out!!

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Friday?? Really??

I can't believe it's Friday. I don't think I've gone this long between posts in a while. It's not that I've done all that much this week. No more than usual. I've just been feeling extra slow and tired. I have been working all week to get stuff together for a yard-sale tomorrow that I'm still not ready for. I babysat Monday and Thursday. Tuesday I honestly can't remember what I did. I think I worked around the apartment maybe? Wednesday we went to a Cinco de Mayo dinner at the house of close friends. Ella Grace and I ended up staying the night cause mommy had a her first post pregnancy drink and had to wait to nurse and then it was too late to drive home. And that brings us to today. Today I was out of bed at 8am. That's an hour earlier than my usual out of bed time. And why did I get out of bed early this morning? Well, you see, Ella Grace and mommy went to bed at 11:00pm and only woke up one time (at 4:30am) before 8am!!! Today will be spent getting the final items for the yard-sale ready and schlepping all of the stuff to my friend Stacy's house.So yeah...that's been our busy but not busy week.
Oh, I remember Tuesday!! Tuesday I worked around the apartment and then my Grand-Jo came over and watched Ella Grace so I could go to the bank and Burlington. The reason I needed to go to Burlington was to get more linky rings for Ella. She has started reaching for things and I wanted to extend the links on her floor mat thingy.
Here are some pics from the week...
    

  

3 Months of Heaven on Earth

Ella Grace is 3 months old. Ella Grace is 3 months old. Ella Grace is 3 months old. I keep repeating that over and over as I look at my sleeping little baby. I can't believe three months have gone by. I have been a mommy for three months. Sean has been a daddy for three months. We have been parents for three months. We have been the sole providers and protectors of a little life for three months and not only is she ok, she is thriving!

Her three month stats are:

Weight: 13.15 pounds 

(We nursed before we left so we might as well call it 14+.)

Length/Height: 24 3/4 inches 

Head Circumference: 40 1/2 cm

I am loving my life as a mommy. I am exhausted and still looking forward to one day being able to sleep for more than 5 hours at a time (if I'm lucky.) I don't like cleaning poop out of clothing after diaper blowouts, but I've managed to clean up my poop covered daughter in public places with relative ease. We've made it through our first round of shots with no permanent damage even if we both shed tears. I have started back to work, just babysitting a couple of times a week and a few family and children's sittings as well as booking a couple of weddings for the summer. AND... I took my daughter on a 5 day road trip covering 5 states , nearly 24 hours in the car and a wedding. 

I'm pretty proud of myself!

Here are some pics of my stinkerbell!

Momma Got Savvy...

If you have seen pics of my on here of fb or have fallen in love and been peeping in my apartment windows you might have noticed that my hair pretty much has two doo's. Slick pony and messy pony. Well, I have decided that in an effort to not make like my husband look like a perv and to not look like a teenage mommy, that needs to change. So a new haircut was in order.

But wait, haircuts cost money. Good haircuts cost even more money. I have no money. At least not for stuff like haircuts. All money right now is being directed to bills, Ella Grace, and more bills. So I would just have to wait. Then came my scathingly brilliant idea! I could barter for a haircut! I've know the girl who cuts my hair since I was in middle school and she was just out of high-school and still learning how to cut hair. She knows that I am a photographer. I've sent bridal clients her way for their wedding day doo's. So I did a quick calculation in my head and decided to go on over and see if she would be interested in bartering a couple of haircuts for a family photo shoot. Sure enough! Momma's got a new doo!

Aside from wanting to show off my new hair, I also wanted to remind everyone that in the current economic climate, thing can get tight. But think about what you have to offer in exchange for what you need/want and don't be afraid to make an offer. The worse that can happen is they say no.