25 Reasons why Bryce is a rad husband...

Seven years ago today Bryce and I stood across from the ocean in Santa Barbara and pledged our commitment to one another in front of God, family and friends.  It was such a magical day, considering it was the middle of January in Santa Barbara -- clear skies, low 70's, all of those most precious to us surrounding us with love and support. 

It's hard to imagine what life would be like had I not met and married Bryce...I shudder to think about it really.  He's everything and more I could ask for in a husband, friend and father.  This post is dedicated to the most wonderful guy a girl could ever ask for...here are just a few of the reasons why I love Bryce so much.

1. Awesome dancer (for reals, I think this is one of the most under-rated traits in a husband).
2. He's really, really, ridiculously good-looking (seriously though).
3. Amazing provider.
4. Knows how to talk me down from a ledge (not that I would ever need emotional counseling or anything).
5. Loves God.

6. Is a great cook (I love him and hate him for this sometimes.)
7. Probably does the grocery store shopping better than I do.
8. Can make me laugh when I need to laugh the most.
9. Is a great personal stylist (seriously the man knows how to pick out clothes for his lady...and not in any sort of he's-too-girly way either, I mean he's a total jock too.).
10. Knows how to dress well (please refer to previous comments).

11. Will put up with the countless hours I could spend wandering home furnishing stores...and even pays attention enough to give me his opinion too.
12. Knows what I'm thinking sometimes before I do.
13. Never tries to steal my french fries (well, almost never - those of you who know me well, know what an important characteristic this is.)
14. Can watch the same stupid movies with me over and over again (really there's nobody else I'd rather do this with).
15. Then makes me laugh by answering questions with stupid quotes from the same stupid movies.

16. Knows how to rap, make up songs on the spot about situations or what we're doing...it's pretty awesome and entertaining, I especially love it when he throws in a little b-boxing (or whatever it's called).
17. Makes his daughter laugh in a way that only he can make her.
18. Doesn't wish he had boys, is super-stoked to have two little daddy's girls.
19. Will watch endless hours of HGTV or The Food Network with me.
20. Never misses a day telling me he loves me.

21. Always devotes special time each day to spend with his daughter, so she knows how much he loves her.
22. Is never quick to raise his voice.
23. Is always quick to deliver a compliment...even when his wife is 100 months pregnant and huge.
24. Is cool as a cucumber in a moment of crisis.
25. Is so thoughtful and caring with his words.

I love you Bryce!  And for so many more reasons than these.  Thank you for the best seven years of marriage I could ever have hoped for.  Cheers to many more wonderfully blessed years together!  Mmmmmuah!

Terrible Twos: A reflection of mom?

I'm beginning to wonder if Reese's behavior lately is a product of the terrible twos or a result of my own inability to be patient.  The other day I had an epiphany in my obstetrician's office after reading an article in a parenting magazine about disciplining two-year olds.  The general message:  Be patient, speak slowly, listen carefully and come down to their level to see where they're coming from -- not rocket science, right?

I've been on edge lately with Reese in general (partly from my crazy pregnancy hormones), snapping quickly at her misbehavior and probably over-disciplining.  My expectations have been crazy high for her (you mean two-year olds aren't suppose to be perfect?) and I think I really have made her more irritable in the process.

I decided to take the article's message to heart and backed off on over-correcting her mis-steps.  And guess what happened?  Yup, she suddenly seems to have done 180-degree turn.  Instead of her little fits escalating to the next level, I'm able to nip them in the bud at the beginning -- affirming her feelings, distracting when necessary, giving her options to choose from.

Things aren't perfect of course, but what toddler-mom relationship ever is?  I guess motherhood, with all the joy and stress, is about trial-and-error and learning as we go.  I don't know about you, but it's the craziest on-the-job training I've ever been put through.

To see this post on RealMomsGuide, please click on the link below:
http://realmomsguide.sheknows.com/2011/01/13/terrible-twos-a-reflection-of-mom/

Real Moms Guide

I am so excited to announce that I will be a guest blogger on Real Moms Guide - a website for moms by moms sharing thoughts, recipes, etc. - if you get the chance, please come and visit to share your thoughts or just have a looksy.  =)

http://realmomsguide.sheknows.com/2011/01/06/channeling-your-inner-super-model/

Two years, the long and the short of it...

It's hard to believe that just two-years ago Reese came into this world.  On the other hand, our life sans children seems like forever ago.  Isn't it weird how time passes quickly, but different stages of life can seem like forever ago at the same time?

Now it's hard for me to imagine a life pre-Reese.  Hard to remember what it was like before having to schedule a sitter to go out to dinner, or waking in the morning without that little face waiting happily for us to come get her.  While she has brought a new kind of joy to my life, it's also been one of the hardest jobs I've ever taken on.  I know everyone says this, but I don't think you really know until you're knee-deep into it.  One moment she's blowing me little kissies and the next she's screaming because a little boy has gotten too close to our shopping cart. 

Motherhood always promises to deliver a full gamut of emotions.  There are those moments so rich with laughter and satisfaction that I think, "this is it, this is what God planned for me to be and do."  Then, of course, there are moments filled with such incredible self-doubt that I am brought to tears -- you know the shaky, ugly kind.  I think this is normal?  (At least that's what I keep telling myself.)

Whether it's laughter or tears, Reese is becoming this crazy beautiful little being that I am just enamored by.  My own mother used to try and describe this crazy-kind-of-mommy love before, but I didn't get it.  How could I?  Mommy love is in a league of its own, with no other kind of love measuring quite the same.

So Happy 2nd Birthday to my original little Reese's peanut butter cup, I love you more than words can express!