Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

Linking up with Kay and Allie

If you could give one piece of advice to any married (or soon to be married) couple, what would it be?

The obvious one is to communicate, but that's probably the most common answer (it's THAT important). My husband wants to meet my needs, and me his, but unless we tell each other what they are they most likely are not going to get met since neither of us are mind readers! Another good piece of advice is to always give each other your best. Husbands go all day giving their employees, coworkers, clients, friends, etc their best, and come home wiped out.  Same for wives - we give our jobs or our kids our best all day and feel there's nothing left for our husbands. Don't do this!! When you were dating you always gave each other your best, so keep that up. Make a conscious decision to do this and you will have a MUCH better relationship - trust me!!

What is an absolute MUST for any marriage/relationship?

To be best friends and have fun together. My husband and I do get into fights, but at the end of the day (or end of the fight which is sometimes more than a day haha) it boils down to us being each others absolute best friends. We like to go on walks every night and we catch up on each other's days, our goals, weekend plans, and just life in general. John is my best friend beyond a shadow of a doubt.

What is the #1 no-no in a marriage?

I would have to say cheating. That is the ultimate form of breaking your spouses' trust, and once that trust is gone it's extremely hard if not impossible to gain it back. Just don't do it!! We all have different definitions of "cheating" - emotional cheating? flirting? hanging out with opposite sex one on one? strip clubs? physical cheating only? - discuss these boundaries with your partner and be respectful to each other's wishes. *btw for me and John all of the above would not be ok!

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from marriage?

That some days it's a LOT harder than I expected, but most days it's better than I ever could have imagined. I guess I never thought marriage could be so fun and loving. It's the little things - yesterday we got a chocolate dipped cone from McDonald's (as always), walked Camdyn around with my mom, and watched a movie - simple, yet loving and the best part of all of this was having John by my side. I can't imagine not sharing my life with him.  Love you, John! *assuming you're reading this, haha :)

Day 3 of love and inspiration

I've always tried to "live in the moment," but it's also important to do things today that will benefit your future.  Whether it be staying late for work in hopes of getting that promotion, saving $50 extra per month instead of buying Starbucks everyday (speaking to myself here...though I don't see this happening anytime soon), or going for a jog each night so you can meet your goal weight next month.

Along these lines, only a little backwards, I wrote a blog post for Rant Finance (the new job) entitled "Advice to my younger self."  Is there any advice (not just financial) that you would give to your younger self?  

Nap Time

This past week I've realized that if Camdyn takes two naps per day, she sleeps SO much better at night.  I used to think if she didn't sleep very much through out the day then she'd sleep through the night, but that's just not true.

Yesterday is a perfect example.  My sister and I went to the mall to pick up a spare comforter for my mom.  We left around 10:30.  Camdyn slept a little in the car, and then was all smiles the entire time we were at the mall.  She's such a little ham...tons of people were asking about her and playing with her. I love when people do this!  We got back around 2:00, and I fed her and attempted to get her down for a nap.  Keyword: attempted.  She screamed hysterically for about 2 hours.  I tried everything - fed her, changed her, bounced her, played with her, cuddled her - and nothing.  Screaming screaming screaming.  Finally I put her in her crib and let her cry herself to sleep.  I told myself if she was still crying after 30 minutes I'd go get her.  After 27 minutes, she was sleeping.  I hate when she cries herself to sleep but I just didn't know what to do.  I knew she was tired.

Point in case: Camdyn needs a morning nap and an afternoon nap.  

Watching her super simple songs

Beautiful girl in a beautiful dress

The one photo I have of her smiling

New bow!

Love this baby so much!!  

What Camdyn's Taught Me

Having a baby is life-changing.  Though I'm still the same person, I now see the world through the eyes of my daughter.  Every decision I make affects not just me, but her.  I want to be the best mom I can to her.  She deserves a safe, loving home and I'm going to make sure she gets that.

Not only am I going to be Camdyn's main "teacher," but she's going to be mine, too.  Here's a few things my 3 month old has taught me so far:

• Life is simple.  Camdyn cries if she's hungry or uncomfortable, just like any baby.  We cry if we're emotionally sad, our feelings are hurt, etc.  We get mad at things that don't matter.  We gossip and get upset over nothing.  Life's short - choose to be happy and not succumb to things that really don't matter.  Now if you're starving, like a baby, or are sitting in your own poop, than yes, that right there is a reason to cry :)
• Love.  They say you never know love until you have a child.  This, my friends, is true.  Of course I love John and my family, but my love for Camdyn is different.  The other day she was screaming in pain because of gas, and I started crying as well because I so badly wished I could take that pain from her and have it myself instead.  I would do anything for my precious baby.  
• To appreciate my mom.  Ever since Cami came, I've felt a lot more love and respect towards my own mom.  I now see firsthand exactly what she sacrificed and went through with me.  My "job" is taking care of my baby, and at one point that was my mom's job, only with me.  My mom also spoils Camdyn to no end.  She helps with diapers, babysits whenever we ask, buys her new toys, and loves her almost as much as I do :)  Thanks, mom, for everything!
• To be a good role model.  She's going to grow up to be an independent, self-sufficient woman (I hope!), and I want to make sure that I'm a good role model for her...again back to my decisions affecting her.  I want her to see what a good marriage is like through me and John.  I want her to see that we follow our hearts, set goals, and do our best to accomplish them.  I want her to choose a career that she's passionate about, just like her dad does.
• Life is no longer about me.  This one's obvious, but having a child makes your life not just your own anymore.  Yes, we still travel and go on dates and hang out with friends, but our day to day life is different.  We save money, we plan for the future, we don't drink as often, we make decisions that are best for Camdyn and our future, not just ones that sound good in the moment.  My days of being selfish are gone, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

There's a lot more, but I'll stop for now.  Babies are a lot of work, but the value and meaning she's brought to my life is incredible.  Thank you baby Cami for being you!  I love you more than anything and can't wait for us to continue teaching each other things.