Happy 2!

My sweet girl,

I can't believe you turned two today! As quickly as the time has passed, I still haven't forgotten those 21 hours it took to get you here. I was clueless. Absolutely clueless. Young parents and a new baby. We thought we loved you then. Please. I speak for Daddy too when I say, our hearts have exploded with love for you these past two years. I love you so much, it literally hurts... in a truly awesome way, of course.

I rocked you last night, just like I did the night before your first birthday, only this year I willed myself not to cry. And I didn't. You were so, so tired and just wanted to be in your bed, but I snuggled you through your favorite song, "Away in a Manger." Then we talked about what your big day would hold: big fish, little fish, sharks, and penguins. You were pretty excited about a day at the Newport Aquarium, but, let's be honest, I was way more excited than you. I couldn't wait for you to experience the fish, reptiles, and amphibians up close. There is something so neat about watching you experience life.

We got up early this morning to make sure we visited the aquarium with enough time to do what we wanted before you started getting cranky. You were all smiles all morning, watching the fish in the tanks and taking it all in. You talked a lot about the sharks, but was less than fascinated when we actually met them face-to-face. It's fine though. (Duhhh-nuh. Duhh-nuh.)


Fortunately, we made it through the aquarium just in time for lunch at... Max & Erma's! Okay, so this was a treat for Daddy and me, but really, what do you care? After lunch we made a quick stop at H&M in Florence Mall. Okay, so this was for me and as long as we made it to the car for a nap, what do you care?

You're napping now, so exhausted from our busy morning. Secretly, I want to wake you up and squish you. You are a pretty wonderful two-year-old. Daddy and I are always amazed by you. Your vocabulary is quite extensive, including a few of my favorites, "Careful, Mommy", "Not go night-night anymore!", and always, "I loves you." And I'm not sure how it happened, but I am convinced we created the funniest child ever. You are charming, even more so than last year!, but stubborn as a mule. We foresaw discipline becoming a battle, so we taught you a Bible verse: "Obey your parents. It pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20". When you disobey, we remind you of your verse and talk you through what it means.

That may sound cheesy, but Daddy and I desire so much for you to know the Lord and His Word. We know there is no better relationship in this world than the One with our Heavenly Father. We pray for you constantly, that you will come to know Him in a personal way.

I have tried, but I know my words will never be sufficient to express my love for you. It is a love that you will not understand until you have a baby of your own (when your married at 40, of course). I just have to have faith that you receive it and know, on some level, that your Daddy and I love you more than life itself.

Happy Birthday, my love.

Embarrassed and Sulfate-free.

My embarrassment and the fact that I am sulfate-free have absolutely nothing to do with each other, but as I was preparing to post, I remembered something I had wanted to post earlier.

Remember this post? I was determined to do some "extreme couponing". This show inspired me to jump on the coupon bandwagon. It's a year later and I am totally jaded. First of all, the coupons totally stink here in Lexington. Secondly, I just don't really have the time to dedicate to effective couponing. When I first got started, I would spend a few hours on Fridays organizing and searching for coupons and the best deals and I'd only save 30-40%. I loved watching Extreme Couponing because it inspired me to work harder, but I also felt a little inadequate. I dedicated a lot of time without a lot of reward. Then, I saw this article and I was, quite frankly, relieved... and disgusted. Relieved because the situations highlighted on the show were totally unrealistic. Without cheating and breaking the law, I would never be able to walk out of a store with hundreds of dollars of merchandise for free. Shew. Burden lifted. My 30-40% savings is still okay. I know others can save more, but 40% savings looks a whole lot better against 50 or 60% than 100% savings. At the same time, I am disgusted. By the companies, by the producers, and by the shoppers. If you read the above linked article, including some of the in-article links, shoppers and store spokespeople have admitted to committing coupon fraud and bending the rules for the sake of "good TV". So, why am I embarrassed? Because I bought it. I totally fell for it and believed that if I wasn't walking out of the store with carts of free groceries, then I was missing the boat completely. Fortunately, I have seen the light and I no longer spend hours on Friday afternoons surrounded by coupon inserts, clipped coupons, and a cloud of frustration and anxiety. Praise the Lord.

I have also seen the light concerning my hair products. Nothing to do with couponing, I know. It's totally fine. Anyway, I now use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner! And you should all be applauding right now, but you're probably not because you have no idea what I am talking about. Let me tell you this, you are, more than likely, using shampoo that contains sulfate (sodium lauryl sulfate or it's cousin, sodium laureth sulfate). Sulfate is the cleaning agent and source of all the lovely suds you get when massaging shampoo into your scalp. The sudsier the better, right? Wrong. This cleaning agent is simultaneously clouding your shower walls with soap grime, thanks to the suds, and stripping your hair of all natural oils. Wanna know why your hair is frizzy? Well, now you do. Without those natural oils, your hair gets really dry and brittle and unhealthy, despite the amount of conditioner to lather on. I have had this problem for quite a long time, now. I have naturally curly hair which thirsts for moisture more than naturally straight hair, and my hair is fairly thin. Long story short: for years I have battled to find the right shampoo and conditioner for me. I have actually been interested in shampoo and conditioner ingredients for a long time; however, it is only recently that I have learned of the common hair-killing factor: sulfates, and what to do about them: get rid of them.

This morning I used my new sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner (Joico Smooth Cure) and already see a difference! My roots are a little heavy today simple because they are not all dried out, but the research I have done tells me that in a few days, my hair will absolutely love me again and I'm ready to put in the effort for lovely, salon-like locks. Get pumped and read this blog.

It Just...Clicked.

I don't know how it happened, except by God's grace, but yesterday, at the end of my patience rope with potty training, Waverly just "got it". It was just Thursday that I texted Chandler about my frustration with her not telling me when she needed to potty. We had hit a plateau. She was using the potty regularly with very few accidents, but not telling us when she needed to go. We were stuck at this step for a couple of months. I had reached my limit. It was time to start trying something new.

I had been feeling like the pull ups were becoming a hindrance to our progress because when she would have an accident, it wouldn't really phase her. I had also noticed that an accident in her panties caused a greater reaction. So Thursday afternoon, after Mom's Day Out, she stopped wearing pull-ups, even we we ran errands. I mentally prepared myself to handle "a situation" should she feel the need to pee in her panties. We had no problems.

Friday I put her in panties all day, even when she went to my mom's for the afternoon, even we spent some time with friends that evening. Nothing. No accidents. In fact, she was telling us when she needed to go! "Poo poo, Mommy!" And yes, that just means she needs to use the potty, not necessarily poop. Today has really been no different. She may have a teeny accident before she tells me to got the potty, but it's just enough to get her motivated.

Tomorrow will be a trial with church in the morning and the Super Bowl party in the evening, but we have to be consistent. Her poor Sunday school teachers...