life lessons from Ashley Stock - a momma-in-training.
It had been 7 months in the making–or rather trying. And it was an early Sunday morning. I had spent the night before hunched over a toilet. I’ll spare you the details. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. So I get to church the next morning, still a bit shaky. Ben was already there–he had a few early morning meetings. Before I took my seat next to him in the chapel, I headed off to the restroom to see if my hunch was correct. Fingers crossed, {…Read More…}
Personalized heart ornament c/o: Lisa Leonard Designs We ordered a pizza. Brewed some hot chocolate. Turned on the Pandora Holiday station. Hung the stockings by the chimney with care. Taught Lil W to say “Cwistmwas tree. Watched him take down the ornaments faster than we could put them up. Got excited for his increased understanding about this special holiday. Watched an episode of Parenthood on Netflix. Said our prayers. And then hit the hay. What are your holiday traditions? We’re looking to take on a few {…Read More…}
Some randoms, just because. Well, mostly because my brain isn’t working and these things have been on my mind. 1. I’ve just recently re-discovered Cocoa Krispies, and I’m so glad I did. Nothing beats the chocolate milk once you’ve finished the bowl of cereal. 2. Do you ever feel like your face is rejecting your makeup? Because that’s what I’m experiencing. I think I need to try a new brand. 3. We’re still here in Wyoming, and my hands are cracked, my lips are peeling {…Read More…}
Dear Lil W, You have an all-star Dad. No really, you do. When I first met him, I knew he was the kind of man I wanted to raise a bunch of littles along side. And after you were born, I knew I would be the happiest Momma alive if you had his kindness, his selflessness, and of course, his dimples. via. I know you won’t turn out exactly like your Dad. And I wouldn’t want you to. You will have your own qualities that {…Read More…}
His name is Troy. He’s 5 years old. He was supposed to be a tea cup Yorkie, but once he grew up, he turned out to be more of a “crock-pot Yorkie”. He was my Momma’s, but now he’s Lil W’s… Because every boy needs a pup.
I’m weird because… I can’t sleep with my hair down. I drink ice milk regularly. I have a no shoes policy in my home. I like Doritos with tapatio. I kiss the clock any time it’s 11:11. I love to smell my sons smushy neck over a dozen times a day. I prefer to NOT cuddle when I sleep. I have still never left Lil W with a teenage babysitter. I eat chips and salsa as a meal multiple times a week. I can’t sleep with a top sheet. {…Read More…}
Read the prologue here. Read part 1 here. Read part 2 here. Read part 3 here. *** {via} Friday Night: Please call. Please call. Please call. Only a few hours had passed since I wrote my number on his napkin, and in that short time my phone had not left my side. Rachel: So he finally asked you out? Me: Yes, fiiiiiinally. Rachel was my Summer time roommate. My best friend. We had gone to high school together and shared nearly every single class. But {…Read More…}
I got the idea for this post here. Basically, a day in photos. Bringing my camera with me everywhere, capturing all the moments, the ins-and-outs of a random day withf Lil W, Benny and me. So here’s what our Friday looked like. 6:00 am wake up to Lil W hugging my face. The hubs has a great idea to grab donuts in our PJ’s. We get home, Ben heads to work, and I take off the slipcovers to wash them. Lil W enjoys this very much. {…Read More…}
Read the prologue here. Read part 1 here. Read part 2 here. *** via Just like our sack lunch “date”, our kicking the soccer ball “date” ended with me lingering a bit too long in hopes that he would ask me out on a real date. And again, it didn’t happen. He juggled the ball a few times and then passed it over to me. We continued on like this with casual conversation in between passes for about 15 minutes. Ben: You know, you’re not half {…Read More…}
Lil W’s First School Picture Should this picture make me cry? I’m not sure. But it does. It’s like it serves as a reminder of just how quickly this time goes by–how fast the moments pass. One day he’s laying in my arms, grabbing my cheeks with his pudgy little fingers while I feed him, then the next thing I know he’s wearing layers, popping his collar and semi-smiling with a toothy grin for his first school photograper. Slow down time. darn you.
judgment do we wait for others to fail? eagerly anticipate the reveal of their shortcomings? perhaps, jump to conclusions about their actions or decision making–often assuming the worst? so that somewhere, deep inside, we can feel better about our own lives? feel better about our own shortcomings? do we? of course we do. i do. all of us do. at least sometimes. whether we admit it to ourselves or not. and sometimes it takes being on the receiving end of the judgment to fully realize {…Read More…}
No sleep. Baby dimples. Mashed yams. Pack N Play. Blow outs. Waste of money wipe warmer. Fit in the palm of your hand newborn diapers. Feetsie pj’s with zippers instead of buttons. Fuzzy hair. Puffy lips. Open mouthed kisses. And a reason to be better. Three favorite mommy moments…ready go!
Read the prologue here. Read Part 1 here. via Tuesday: After my gutsy and rather uncharacteristic introduction to the boy with dimples, I went back to my little apartment and did my best to not think about him for the rest of the evening. After many failed attemps, I decided to go to bed early so the next day would come sooner. *** Wednesday: The first four hours of my shift were spent making “accidental” eye contact with him from across the room. He looked cuter {…Read More…}
{Amy, Me, Katie, Brooke} {Me, Megan, Kim, Amy} Lil W was a skeleton fireman for Halloween–don’t ask. I was a last minute astronaut–again, don’t ask. And this year, Halloween was three days long. Starting with a preschool parade one day, followed by a church trunk or treat another day and ending with a traditional trip around the neighborhood on Halloween day. It’s possible that he was the only toddler still trick or treating at 9:00 pm. But that’s how my kid rolls–night owl. On another note…is {…Read More…}
via I was just getting out of a serious relationship. I was taking a break from boys. Finishing up my Sophomore year at UCSB and getting ready for my transfer to USC. Studying, working three jobs, and figuring out what I wanted out of life–I had decided that would be my focus for the next two years. No more of this “falling in love” business. My heart needed a break. So there I was. On my lunch break. I worked at the UCSB events center. {…Read More…}
Shirt: the one I wear all the time from a local boutique, Cardigan: Gap, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: Reflections, Belt: Forever 21, Glasses: Converse, Braided Bracelet: c/o Jessica N. Designs, Wrap Bracelet: c/o Lee La La It turns out I have astigmatism. Not a stigmatism. And yes, it took me 27 years to learn the difference. So I got me some fancy schmancy glasses. And now I’m trying to get used to them. Holla if you wear glasses! I’m linking this outfit up to The Pleated Poppy and {…Read More…}
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I thought I would join a sorority. Meet a bunch of girls who would become my lifelong besties–you know, those 10 girls that eventually make up your bridesmaids, all with gorgeous smiles and matching light pink dresses. I imagined I would be in the front row at the football games, face painted, chanting our university fight song. I thought I would pull all nighters, date an athlete and have stories of the glory days. But then I arrived at college, unpacked my dorm room, waved {…Read More…}
I originally posted this on Babies.com Nesting. The obsessive, often impulsive, stage of maternity that brings about the uncontrollable urge to clean ones house beyond all necessary means, in preparation for a new baby. While pregnant, I never entered this stage. In fact, I was quite the opposite. I still have visions of me laying exhausted on the couch, watching television, with a bowl of cereal propped up on my jumbo belly, wearing the same pajamas for 3 days in a row while surrounded by a {…Read More…}
