{BabyBelly}+Giveaway

These pictures were taken in April 2010,  just a couple weeks before Zion's big debut.They were a gift from a precious friend,and taken by Indigo Foto.This is the very first time I'm sharing them.
I didn't love being pregnant,but I loved knowing I was going to be a mother.It was a hard road to travel being that I had just got into the best shape I'd been in for years!
Now when I look at these pictures,almost two full years later,I wish I could go back there.I'm nostalgic.
There is nothing quite like the wonderof carrying a child in your womb.

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Mothering a Daughter

As May kicks off, I'm reflecting on my relationship with Zion.  She turns 2 on the 15th!  I can't believe how quickly it has gone by.  I'm sharing a bit about what I look forward to as the mother of a daughter, I originally posted this on Kristina's blog last month. 
Also, I'm taking a trip back to early motherhood over at Like A Bird, while Kendra is enjoying her time getting to know and falling madly in love with her precious newborn baby boy, Jeff!  Be sure to stop over there and congratulate her!


It is such a privilege and a responsibility to raise a daughter. I have always wanted to be a mom, and I can't tell you how happy I am that I had a daughter first.  She has opened my heart in ways I never imagined possible.  There are so many things I want for her to experience and enjoy in her life.

As her imagination begins to flourish, I look forward to creating a dress-up box for her; filling it with play clothes and old high-heels.  I look forward to watching her try on necklaces and jewelry, tiaras and heels.

I look forward to her begging me and the hubs for ballet lessons, or other dance lessons.  And watching her twirl in a little tutu in front of us.  She loves twirling already, and any form of dance makes her face light up.
via Kasey Albano
I look forward to passing on my love of baking.  Spending countless hours trying new recipes, licking the spoons and delighting in our creations.

I look forward to hair cuts and dyes and all kinds of hair style experiments.  She has such beautiful soft curls, and I am so excited to see her hair as it grows longer and she is able to do more with it.

I look forward to her being a little older so that we can travel as a family to Israel, and experience our faith in a fresh and inspirational way.  We're planning our trip for next year!

I look forward to shopping trips, where we can chat about our love of shoes, try on new outfits and sip our fancy coffee drinks together.

I look forward to her first roller coaster ride and visits to amusement parks, theme parks and other fun resorts!  We have family in Orlando, so Disney World seems like a great option in the near future!

I look forward to teaching her how to apply make-up, and doing her make-up for special occasions.

I look forward to learning all of her dreams and desires, her passions and purposes.  I look forward to watching her run confidently in their direction.

I look forward to all the major life events, achievements and milestones she will reach in her life.  I look forward to throwing huge celebrations every step of the way and being her number one fan, always.

And most importantly, what I look forward to the most, is her recognizing what Jesus did for us all, and fully embracing the gift of salvation and grace that is offered to her.

All images except photograph of Courtney & Zion with permission via Stock.Xchng

Zion's First Haircut & $100 Visa Giveaway {Find Great Deals on SquareSpot}

Thank you to SquareSpot for sponsoring this post! 
Visit SquareSpot to find great deals and discounts on high quality family-centric products and services.

It was finally time to take Zion in for her first hair cut.  We've put it off as much as possible because her hair has been relatively easy to handle and beautiful, crazy beautiful even.  But Easter morning confirmed the need:

Luckily, I had just signed up to try SquareSpot, an online market providing great savings and benefits for busy urban moms on a wide range of high quality goods and services in New York City.  They just so happened to have a fantastic deal for a cute little children's boutique in Brooklyn called Mini Max.

I am always looking for reasons to go to new places and experience new things in the city, and haven't been to Brooklyn in who knows how long, so I new this deal was perfect for me.  For $15 I was able to purchase a $20 gift certificate which would cover almost the entire cost of Zion's haircut.  Plus, I knew they also carried a small collection of fun eco-friendly toys and couldn't wait to have Zion pick something out on our special date.

This morning, we ventured out in the windy but warm weather…on our special date to Brooklyn for her haircut.  We enjoyed the long relaxing train ride with relatively few transfers.  Getting to Brooklyn never felt easier!  We arrived at our destination where Zion was warmly welcomed and given her choice of kid show and salon chair.  She chose a Diego video and then a yellow cab to sit in for her cut.  (Such a NYC girl already!)  I, of course, hovered and took pictures like the paparazzi, just like any first time mom would do!

There have been so many big milestones this week, all blatantly screaming at me that my little baby girl is a full on little girl now…no baby at all.  It really hasn't all hit me yet, but I am sure it is just a matter of time, in fact I can feel the "they grow up so fast" tears just waiting to be released like a torrential Spring rain.  

After Zion's haircut we took some time to pick out a couple of new toys.  First she gravitated to the tea party sets, then to the musical instruments, but in the end we took home some cute animal bath toys and a new farm puzzle.  Prices were incredibly reasonable and we both had a great time.  My expectations were far exceeded for both Mini Max, for being crazy awesome, and SquareSpot for connecting me to such a great establishment through a great offer!

Shortly after I purchased the Mini Max offer on SquareSpot, I had to go back and check out the additional deals and discounts on high quality, family-centric products and services that were being offered to make sure I didn't miss out!  They rotate new deals in and out on a weekly basis.  

source

As you know I've been working hard at losing weight and getting in shape in my weekly Meltdown series, so I simply had to purchase the Moms of Steel offer for three Fitness "Bootcamp" Stroller workouts in Central Park for the price of one!  I haven't booked my dates yet, because I am still finishing up my current program, but after such a great experience with the first offer I tried, I am sure this is going to be top notch!

One of the things I loved learning about SquareSpot was that they test each product or service so everything on the site is hand picked!  They also offer a SquareCard program that gives you discounts off hundreds of New York City services and programs!  From what I have seen so far they are constantly adding more partners to their list.  The website is super easy to use and thankfully I don't have a ton of offer emails flooding my inbox.  If you are a New York City mama I totally recommend you check them out and sign-up for an account!

Thanks to SquareSpot, one of my lovely readers is going to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!!  Will it be you?

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I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own. #CGSquareSpot #spon

21 - 22 Month Update

 Happy (belated) 21 Months & 22 Months Zion!

Every single day you do something new and wonderful.

Yesterday, you started jumping on the regular floor for the first time.  Up until this point, the only actual jumping was limited to Mommy & Daddy's bed, but now…you can jump from a stationary position.  You get so excited and giggly every time you do it.

 I now understand why those who have  older children always tell me to take videos as frequently as possible, tons of pictures, and write everything down.  It is because each day with you now is filled with wonder and awe as you experience new things and gain new understanding.

Your joy is infectious.  Your giggles and laughter are worth more to me than all the riches of this world.  When you look at me and tell me you are happy, I can't help but smile and feel grateful for the lovely little girl you are quickly becoming.

 You have recently started forming full sentences.  In fact, after we got back from Texas your vocabulary began to flourish.  Your daddy was so surprised by how quickly you went from two word phrases to putting together fully understandable sentences.

And now, your daddy and I talk somewhat nostalgically each night as we retire those baby words that are no longer, and accept your revised proper pronunciations.   A few biggies:  Instead of "I wah tee" you now say "I Love You."  Instead of "Tee tee" you now say "Thank-You".   And there are several others but I must admit I get a little bit choked up as I think about it.

 You are smart, observant and adventurous.  Willful yes, but also well-behaved.  You are learning to express yourself in healthy ways , and have fewer tantrums and meltdowns.  Although when you do, oh wow…those fits you know how to throw are quite a dramatic sight to behold.

Luckily you and I have been working on communication, and when you feel heard and understood, you do very very well.  I've learned a few things from improving our communication that have actually helped mommy and daddy communicate better too!

 Activities you currently love:  playing outside, tea parties, painting, coloring and other art, playing dollhouse, pushing your baby doll in her baby stroller, walking, running, helping out around the house, doing things all by yourself, getting up on the stepping stool, jumping, somersaults, watching Backyardigans, Wonderpets, Dora, Diego and Blues Clues.

Foods you enjoy: chicken, salmon, fish sticks, turkey bacon, oatmeal, apple sauce, apple juice, plums, bananas, grapes, strawberries, Popsicles, roasted seaweed, beans, rice, macaroni & cheese, turkey burgers, bread (toasted…always toasted), chocolate milk, water (you drink a ton daily), goldfish crackers, string cheese, yogurt, animal crackers, anything that comes with a dipping sauce: including veggies…(thank you Lord!), and treats of any kind.

 You still do the squirrelly face on command, please, do not ever give that up.  :)  You also started saying, "Oh goodness" whenever you fall down or do something clumsy.  It is so adorable.  You say "Hi People" to people on the subway, walking down the street and pretty much anywhere you go.  You sometimes follow that with, "How Doin?"  Another thing that is really cute that you say is, "So yummies!" about anything that tastes good to you.

You made Daddy's day last Friday when he got home before you were in bed, and you told him, "Daddy, So happy to see you."  He may not admit it to you but it put tears in his eyes.  You sure know how to make your mommy and daddy feel loved.  Speaking of love…you are growing in your relationship with God, "Big Dada" as  you call him, daily.  You pray every night with me and always say your own prayers when I am done.  Sometimes I hold back a little giggle when you pray that God would help you to use the stepping stool to get something that is just out of your reach.  Such a sweet innocence.

Darling Zion, Daddy and I are so proud of the little girl you are.  We are blessed beyond measure…so grateful to God for letting us share life with you every day.  I would ask you to slow down a bit, but I know it will do no good.  You are soaring.  You are beautiful and sweet and kind and funny.  Pure joy.

We love you so much.
Mommy

Zion {20 Months}

My precious baby little girl!  I am amazed by you.  You are my sunshine.  You are beautiful through and through.  I love you so very much.  Happy 20 Months little cuter-pie!

Some things I simply must remember:

*The way you call out for an object when you are looking for it: Ex. "Bear, Eeee-Ahhh-Yoooh?" (Where are you!?)

*The way you say, "Corn essss Yelllohhh!"  (Corn is yellow)

*How you love it when I sing to you at night, which has caused me to put a 3-song-cap on your lullabies.  Your favorites are: Sing La-La, Hallelujah, Amen and Rock-a-bye Baby.

*How you try to do everything yourself…and moments when you snatch the stepping stool when I am preoccupied and help yourself to something on the counter top…lol.

*Your obsession with twirling!  You can go and go until you fall down, but you always get up and do it some more!

*The first time you realized that you could hurt some one's feelings…and then ran to comfort them in remorse.  I am amazed at how much you understand!

*How you think you should have a cupcake or a cookie or a treat after any thing good that you do.  :)  Or after anytime I say the words…you know what?

I know I am missing things on this list, it is so hard to catch everything…you change so much each day, and do so many new things each day.  I enjoy your company so much…you are pure joy to be around. 

I love you, Princess Za-Za! 

Mommy

Wordless{ish}{GIF} Wednesday

Oh how she enjoys her daddy…tossing her about like a rag doll.  LOL


 

Wordless{Gif} Wednesday

Zion, honey, baby doesn't go in there.  LOL