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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

Maile, in deep thought, looking almost upset. When I asked her if everything was okay, she replied, "Mom, I have a tough patient in my clinic, so I need you to be very quiet when I think of a diagnosis." Well okay, then!

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

I am of the opinion that dads can fall asleep anytime, anywhere. ;)

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And speaking of Instagram, I've teamed up with sponsor Diana Meredith Designs for a fabulous IG giveaway; be sure to check it out! 

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

This photo is from one of two nights this week that Maile slept in her own bed. I've had a lot of people ask how we approach sleep 'training,' especially given Tim's strange schedule, and the fact that our circumstances at home are constantly changing. Sleep is a whole other animal when "Dada" is home for a couple of weeks, then gone for a couple of weeks. There's an element of our lives that never settles, and it's sometimes not so fun trying to explain to your toddler, when you just want her to go to sleep, that Dada will read her the "Dada monster book" in x more days. My honest answer is that bedtime around here can be difficult. Not always, but it can be. And also, that though we have a set bedtime routine, there is no 'training.' We are a bed-sharing / co-sleeping family, and because once Maile is asleep, she does sleep so well, we firmly believe that she'll let us know when she's ready to move into her own space. So now you know our secret -- the family bed. Plus, we love to snuggle, and I don't know about you, but sleep and snuggles can cure just about anything around here. :)

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*Don't forget to enter our current giveaway!

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

{After a fun morning with our littles, at a local working homestead, my friend Annie mentioned that she spied a new-to-her thrift store on our drive. Even though the kids were tired, we decided the worst that could happen was that a. the store would be unimpressive, or b. we wouldn't get to browse -- so we decided to stop. We were so glad we did; this place was packed, wall to wall, ceiling to floor, of secondhand treasures for children. Maile almost immediately spied the doll swing you see, which is a handmade, solid wood heirloom. It needs a bit of love, and paint, but oh, does she love it! $1.34. Yep, I'm proud!}

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And Happy Weekend! Any fun plans?

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

{A week ago, my friend Sara and I took Maile to the zoo. Now, the zoo is only equaled by Barnes and Noble, when it comes to Maile's favorite places. That being said, she's a pretty serious little girl, and it can be hard to capture one of Maile's real, candid smiles. In true Maile form, despite the fact that she just watched an elephant show, and had soft serve ... a furrowed brow. The sweetest furrowed brow in this mama's world.}

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A Tuesday Look at Our Weekend

Now that I posted about Easter, I'm going to skip ahead to this past weekend, which was pretty fantastic itself. When the weather is in the 60s and 70s, I feel more in sync -- emotionally, physically, spiritually. I'm not one of those who's always craving the next season. No, I'd be happy with spring and summer weather year-round! Probably why I'm (only half jokingly) still trying to convince Tim that we should sell our house, and make a permanent move to Hawaii, so Maile can grow up in the land of her ancestors (our other choices being England or Scotland, which are cold). ;) It felt like Tim's days home went by particularly fast this time, so I suppose there's a slight downside to beautiful weather, but we sure did enjoy it.

Above two photos from Tim's Instagram account.

Friday, we finally became zoo members, and met up with some friends for a day of fun. Trying to get three toddlers to move through the zoo at a reasonable pace is like corralling monkeys, but it didn't really matter; we meandered through the zoo, laughing along with our silly littles. For a weekday, it was really crowded, but the Denver Zoo is one of the most spacious zoos I've ever visited, and the whole city seemed to have it worked out that even though all of us decided to go to the zoo that day, we would be polite and kind. I did see one mom there in 5-inch wedges and a little shift dress. She was pushing a pram, with a baby no more than 3 months old inside, and holding the hand of a toddler (who also looked adorable). I have to admit that my first thoughts were mean-spirited: Who does she think she is, dressing like that to come to the zoo? But she looked wonderful, and I checked my heart and realized that I -- in my chino shorts, sweatshirt, bare face, and ponytail -- was just a bit jealous. I do want to know what her secret is to walking a few hours on uneven pavement in those shoes, though!

Saturday, we went to the home of some friends, and were treated to some grilled Jamaican chicken and sweet plantains. It was such a nice time, and for whatever reason, Maile always eats a ton at everyone's house except ours! We hung out most of the day, trying a couple of new microbrews (the variety is endless here in Colorado), playing with the kids, and chatting about our big camping trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park coming up in June. We watched a bit of basketball, let Maile fall asleep on the drive home, and had a fairly great evening, too.

Sunday was kind of a tough day, but my new friend Helen invited me and Maile over for a chicken nacho dinner, and it ended up being just what Maile and I needed that evening; I can't believe how much we laughed in those few hours. We talked about the fact that, as mothers, it's hard to give ourselves a break when we raise our voices, or just want some time alone. But the thing is, we all do, from time to time ... and it's okay! It's such a great feeling, to bond with another mom in person.

I've been a little down. I've been comparing myself to others too much, wondering how some moms "do it all." (I've come to the conclusion that they either ignore their children, or don't sleep. Ha.) As such a particular perfectionist, it's easy for me to get overwhelmed, so the weekend was incredibly therapeutic. There is just so much more to life than perfection; if that's my goal, I'm going to be disappointed, for sure.

I hope your weekend was great! And if it wasn't, don't be afraid to share. The mess is beautiful, too.

xo

PS - If you entered our Baby Wisp giveaway, click here to see if you're one of two winners selected. Thanks to all who entered and shared!

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

{Part of my #adogandhisbaby Instagram series. With Maile's constantly changing nap patterns, the photos are evolving, but I don't dare stop taking them; they're much, much too precious to me. I just love the bond that Teddy and Maile share, and the peace and security of their time asleep together.}

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

{A game of "Where's Maile?" when I got out of the shower -- Maile hopped right in, and started playing peekaboo from behind the glass.}

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... I hope you all had the most wonderful day yesterday!

We will be officially celebrating next week, when Tim is home, but I do have a few photos to share with you of Baby Girl opening presents from her Marmee and Papa.

Merry Christmas!

Embrace the Camera

Me and my girl. Tired. So tired. She was up most of Monday night with teething pain.

But Tuesday morning, I had Tim snap this quick shot before we ran out the door for our church's Titus 2 Moms Christmas ornament exchange. It's crucial that we, as mothers, get out from behind the camera once in awhile, and get in front of it with our littles. For our littles. 

In my daughter's eyes,

I can see the future,

A reflection of who I am and what will be.

And though she'll grow and someday leave,

Maybe raise a family,

When I'm gone I hope you'll see,

How happy she made me,

For I'll be there,

In my daughter's eyes.

Martina McBride

Embrace the Camera, won't you?

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

{We had a nasty bout of the stomach flu last week. Surprisingly, Mama got it too, but we made it alright! On this day, the bed was still a messy mish-mash of old linens, just in case, but Maile was finally getting some rest. Teddy hardly left her side for two whole days; he's a very, very special dog. A little girl's best friend.}

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PS - Please pardon the "mess" -- design changes are happening 'round these parts, and we're working hard to get them juuust so.

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My favorite iPhone pic from the past week:

{Even snowmelt, and a super chilly day, couldn't keep this little lady away from her beloved "whee-whee". See how pink her arms are? Yeah. We left the park shortly after I snapped this photo, because Maile knows no cold when it comes to going to the park! Also, in my defense, weather.com told me it was 67 degrees outside. But really. Really. I should know better by now than to believe anything other than walking out the door, when it comes to weather in Colorado.}

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My favorite iPhone pic from the last week:

{Maile, in awe of the colors of autumn in Colorado, during our Hudson Gardens visit with Annie and Silas.}

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Downtown Aquarium: Part IV

Alrighty! Here's the last of the photos from Denver's Downtown Aquarium!

And who knew so many of you love aquariums as much as we do? So cool. There's definitely a little kid in all of us ... whether we have kids or not. Maile was up until 2 o'clock in the morning and I should probably be napping with her, but all I could think about was sharing this post with you guys. ;)

... and here are a few Instagrams from the aquarium.

{If you'd like to follow along on Instagram, I'm @mrskittymitch.}

The End! 

Have a super weekend!

PS - I am still looking for guest bloggers for the week of October 8-12. Please let me know if you're interested. Thanks!

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My favorite recent iPhone photo (or photos, in this case) ...

These two pictures were taken just before Husband got home from his hitch. Maile and I were having a particularly hard time, and despite the beautiful weather, neither of us got out of our PJs. I'm pretty sure I didn't shower. It was just ... one of those days. Of course, that didn't stop Little Miss Personality from accessorizing!

I have been trying to get to quite a few projects around the ol' place, but with Baby Girl tugging at me every 10 minutes, the house might even look like less of a home, if that's possible, and more like a dorm. I did, though, manage to bag up what seems like half of the family wardrobe for sale or donation, and also pack away some favorites of Maile's. I'm getting somewhere. Even if we have been in the house for almost 2 years. (Shhhhhhh!)

It was probably about 3 PM by the time we made it outside for a little bit. I kept doing a creepster 360 in the backyard, trying to avoid neighbors. I'm fooling no one around here with my occasional put-togetherness; I just know all the neighbors think I live in pajamas. (Side note: Carol, if you've found your way here yet, the baked goods = hush money. And you are a saint.)

These photos make me smile because this moment was a ray of sunshine poking through storm clouds. It reminded me how very much I love our baby girl, and how very blessed I am to be her mother ... Especially on the days I think I'd rather be anywhere else. She gets me every time.

I hope you're having a wonderful Hump Day! 

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My favorite iPhone pic from last week, and one of my most treasured daily moments ...

After I took this photo, a friend suggested that I make a series of it. Yes, Teddy and Maile do this every day!

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If you entered the Jordan Diane Designs giveaway, click here to see if you won!

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My favorite iPhone pic from the last week:

{Maile, on the floor of our kitchen, sorting measuring spoons and straws, while listening to Elvis.}

Follow along on Instagram: @mrskittymitch