Time to brag

More than anything, I love watching Isabella grow and learn more.  She has grown into such a smart and sweet little girl.  She does or says something new everyday.

Her imagination is unreal.  She and her imaginary friends have some fun adventures.  Initially, the idea of her imaginary friends freaked me out a little haha, but I've been reassured by many people that it's normal.

She loves going to school.  I love hearing about the bible stories they have learned and activities they have done each day.

She recently learned how to say the pledge of allegiance after reciting it every morning at school.

She also is the youngest on her company dance team at Center Stage Dance and Cheer.

She is the best thing I have ever done.  She is truly the best thing that's ever happened to me.  I'm so excited to watch her continue to grow and learn.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, 

our children teach us what life is all about."

-Anonymous 

So much to do, so little time

     As if managing time between school and work isn't hard enough, throwing in a 3-year-old, boyfriend and internship makes it that much more complicated.  There have been times this semester that have been so overwhelming.  Luckily, I have the support system I do to keep me sane.  
     Now, I rarely see my friends and family.  I hardly even have time for the family I live with.  Some of my friends find it hard to understand and even get a little frustrated because I can never hang out anymore.
     The older my friends and I get the more busy we all get and the less time we have for each other.  It really makes you realize who your true friends are.  I have realized that the ones who mean the most are always there even if I haven't seen them in weeks and sometimes months.  There are some I can see after a lot of time has passed, and it's as if we have seen each other every day.  We don't miss a beat.  Those are the friendships I value the most.
     Having Isabella, it makes it that much harder for me to make time for my friends because the small amount of free time I do have is spent with her.  I do miss my friends, but I know the ones I have will be there no matter what like I am for them.
     As much as I miss the old days of seeing my friends often, I am enjoying so much where life is taking me and am so excited to see what else the future holds.

"Good friends are like stars. 

You don’t always see them, 

but you know they are always there." 

- Anonymous 

To eat or not to eat...

     Isabella's diet for the past year and half consists strictly of pizza, spaghetti, chicken and pancakes.
     She absolutely refuses to eat any type of fruits or vegetables. She insists that she doesn't like anything else.
     I've tried bribery (yes, bribery. I'm not proud, but desperate times call for desperate measures), punishment and reward. Nothing works! 
    The only way she gets any source of nutrients or vitamins is through the carnation instant breakfast she drinks every morning.
    Her doctor says it is fairly normal and not to worry, but it's hard not to.  I'm afraid she's going to be 16 and still barely 3-foot tall if she doesn't start eating better.
    I really try not to sweat the small stuff, but this and getting her to sleep in her own bed seem like a ongoing issues that aren't ending anytime soon.
    If anyone has advice, I would gladly take it. Help! haha


"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."
-Benjamin Franklin

  

Pursue your dreams

I know first hand that kids grow up so fast.  I feel like I've blinked and three and a half years have flown by, but you cannot put your life on hold for the inevitable.

I would love more than anything to spend all day everyday with Isabella, but I also want to better myself for our future.  She truly motivates me so much to do well in school.  I honestly believe that if I didn't have her, I would not have done as well or have pursued some of the opportunities I have been blessed with.

Although I'm not with her everyday, we have an amazing relationship.  She is so sweet and well-behaved (Well...for the most part. She's still a 3-year-old haha).  I know that if I did not pursue things now, we would not have all the things I want to be able to give her in the future.

Just because you have a baby doesn't mean your life is over or that you have to put your dreams on hold.  Having a child during school or work definitely doesn't make things easier, but it makes it more worth while.

If you take time for yourself and to do things for you, you will appreciate the time you do have with your children that much more.  Being the independent person I am, I love knowing that one day soon I will be able to support me and my daughter on my own because of my determination and success as a student.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
-Henry David Thoreau