Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access, to men’s, women’s and kids coveted fashion and luxury brands at prices up to 70% off retail. Each sale lasts only online for 36 hours and many items sell out quickly, so check it out before it’s too late!
Every week there is a new sale so sign up now through this link to receive emails about upcoming sales.
This week, be on standby everyday at 12 pm EST to shop our stellar selection of warm weather-friendly sales. Spruce up your spring style with handbags and classic ready-to-wear items from one of New York’s most iconic designers; lightweight, West Coast-inspired casuals in neutral colors; must-have statement sunglasses and jewelry; and urban avant-garde separates by designers who are coveted by A-listers and the First Lady alike. We’re also hosting the second cosmetic sale in Gilt history, chock-full of makeup that will give you that fresh-face look that is oh so spring.
But I am feeling touched this week by life, and all of the wonderful things we have here on this earth. Every moment counts! Don’t ever forget to tell the people you love that you love them and need them in your lives. You get what you give. Don’t ya forget it.
I have written in a journal for the past two and a half years to Van, aside from this Blog. My handwriting is messy and scribbled, and I am self conscious about it. But I know someday he will be able to see through my chicken scratches and see how much I truly care about him and our family. Every day is a new adventure, and I never can say I love you enough…. I rock him, I read to him, I feed him, I sing to him, I wash his silky blonde hair, I dance with him, I soak him up – every smile, new word, wrong color. Everything…..
It means so much and I just can’t get enough of him. He will be two in one week from today and I truly can’t believe it. I am a little sad about it all and I am not quite sure why. These emotions run deep, and they manifest themselves.
I hold onto the moments when I can still hold him on my hip, rock him to sleep, I know he will be too big soon to fit in this rocking chair with me, and his little hands will be bigger than mine one day. But right now I can take as many visual photographs as I want. They are mine to cherish and keep forever in my memory album.
I have been reading too much of the worldly news and although it is good to be up to date and current with the events of the world, it seems you can fill yourself with too much of it at times.
On a lighter note:
I have switched over from blogger to word press and that is why the blog looks terrible, I am working on it and the design elements should be pleasing to your eye someday soon.
Don’t forget to tell the ones you love, just how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them, they may not be here tomorrow.
I give you this:
Providence – a manifestation of divine care or direction.
Van received the cutest back pack in the mail from his auntie Kat yesterday! It is just like the frog one pictured above but it has a monkey! It is adorable I can’t wait to pack it up for our long weekend away! We are so happy to be getting out of here for the weekend to see friends that we miss so much! I need a break. Life just seems to overwhelm me at times, and I just keep finding myself stumped at how I am supposed to keep up with everything. I am working a fun freelance job, along with my part time job, and trying to keep up with my boy who gets a little spunkier by the day! Tonight I held him close to my heart and told him how deeply I love him. I rocked him for so long and cried a little because he is getting so big now and almost out of the baby phase. We are currently having our new home tested for black mold. Please keep us in your thoughts that we don’t have toxic mold growing in our home and we can stay here. If it turns out that we do have it we will have to move again. Happy Long weekend.
Just as every woman is different, every woman’s childbirth experience is different. And since the vast majority of new mothers eventually get some sleep, feel comfortable caring for an infant and fall into the rhythm of being a family, those who don’t feel only more isolated and alone.
That’s what happened to Annie Spangler. A naval officer, a pharmacist, she was stunned to find, at 46, that she didn’t feel in control. One day, it got to be too much.
His story is life altering and it will change the way you feel about anyone close to you having feelings like these. I am making a point to support this cause, please help out in any way you can.
We took Van into the ER on Saturday night, he had a fever of 104 and his heart was beating so fast. He had short breaths, was not eating, and was sleeping way too much. On top of that he was lethargic and completely out of it. I felt so helpless, this was the first time I could not do anything to make him feel better. This past week was long, and drawn out. I felt completely exhausted by it. Worrying about your children takes all of your energy away, doesn’t it? The only thing that seemed to take his little mind off of his state was taking a walk in the bob, or watching baby einstein in our bed. Did I mention that he only wants to be held? I love holding him close when he is not feeling well. I know he has just felt scared lately and probably wondering why he is feeling so bad. It is a test of patience however, I am hoping tomorrow will be a little easier for all of us. The Dr. at the hospital told us he had a virus but my friend mentioned this specific virus to me today I just researched it and this is what I think he has.
Coxsackie virus – It usually affects children ages 6 months to 3 years. Symptoms include:
High fever – often up to five days.
Severe fussiness – this is often the worst part of the illness.
Severe mouth pain or sore throat
Copious drooling
Refusal to eat or even drink
Rash – small, red or white spots may, but not always, appear on the hands or feet (thus the name of the illness). A red, lacy rash can also appear anywhere on the body.
The funny part was while we were in the hospital Conner was eavesdropping on all of the other people who were in the emergency room. Especially the illegal immigrants who the police dragged in after getting into a fight!
So today when I was in the pantry I decided to read the ingredients of the trader joes cheerios that I give to my Van. I just read the ingredients on everything that I feed to my family so this is normal for me. I found an ingredient that I had never heard of (trisodium phosphate), so I looked it up and here is what I found. An ionic salt used as a thickener/emulsifier for foods, as well as common uses as a degreaser, detergent, and laxative. It is a chemical that can peel wallpaper off of a wall & they sell it at hardware stores. I know the entire world and then some feed their children cheerios but I found a cereal that actually tastes better, is in the same price range and is all organic, healthy times teddy puffs To read more about ingredients you should not consume click here.
Here are some of my favorite green companies offering eco-friendly & health-friendly toys, I feel it is important to check up on everything we give our kids to play with. It may save their life. I am just uberconscious and almost annoying about it. I love this peace baby block set.
My sweet friend Jen emailed me these awesome rockabye cd’s and thought it would be a good blog post, I agree! I have seen these cd’s. I find myself listening to baby einstein and other nursery rhymes in the car latley, and most of the time I want to turn it off but Van loves to dance and move his arms around to anything playing on the radio. These entertain the kiddies and they are favorite songs that we the momma and pappas like to hear too. What a great idea!
Van jaming in the car to tunes, and showing you how big!
Well we made it to puerto Rico last night we arrived. It feels so different being away from Van for the first time. last night was the first night I have ever spent away from him, I felt like I had lost an arm or a leg and was wandering around looking for it (him). I know it is healthy to take trips and revive ourselves for him. It is good for him to be with other people too, I keep waiting for him to start being that baby who always wants his mom or dad, but he truly loves other people and loves being held by them too! I am going to upload some photos of van from florida and a few from our trip here so far.
Here is Van in one of my neck tie onesies. I did a little photo shoot with him the other day, I am arranging a little shoot with some of my pieces. I just opened a shop on etsy.com So I will let you know once I have images and my store is open for business. I will have a link directly to my shop on this blog! So you can shop to your hearts content. I am having fun with the kids clothes. I just really want to break into the silk screening process and am about to buy some silk screening supplies so I can start doing kiddies tees too.
Tonight I had such a peaceful moment with Van as he was falling asleep in my arms, I felt his breath through his body, and as we were cuddling in the rocking chair he was reaching up to touch my neck and rub my arm. He is so gently and loving when he is falling asleep. He takes care of me in so many ways, his love feeds my soul and completes me in areas ,I never knew could be filled with so much love. It’s funny when you think of having babies, the last thing you think of is that they will make you grow up. I have grown in so many ways since this child was put into my arms and I am so thankful for that little breath in his body everyday.
I am the writer & editor of vanerwin.com. I write on life, love, children, sustainable living, toys, organic food & interior design. I also work part time for my Dad on the Blondie Comic Strip. I have a funny husband, two brilliant sons, and two very hairy dogs!
