day 17.

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

duh. my sweet Emmaline :) She has completely changed my life!

day 16.

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

This little girl right here!

I have never worked so hard in my life to accomplish what I need to do. I bust my butt every day to get done what I need to.

I am up by 7 or 8a every morning to take care of Em and get ready for the day. The rest of the day is either spent in school or cleaning house and taking care of my girl.

Then it's time to feed Em and make dinner for Patrick and me. And once everyone is clean, fed, and in bed then I stay up for a few hours and do my schoolwork. I never go to bed before 10p. Most nights I am up until midnight. Some nights I am up until 3a.

Then I am up the next morning doing it again.

This semester I am taking 18 hours and I have never been more prepared, more on top of my game, or more focused. And in 288 days I will finally be graduating. I completely credit my sweet Emmaline.

day 14.

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

My husband, Patrick :)

He's my best friend!

The best Daddy!

And a handsome stud, too!

And I love him so much! I don't know what me or Em would do without him!

day 12.

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

Besides the obvious, like my daughter and fiance and family, of course!

I love, love, LOVE pizza and cookies!!

day 11.

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.

(Ahh, everything that came to mind first was really controversial, haha.

Let's go with something a little more tame...)

The alarm clock! Boo!

Although now, my alarm clock is more Emmaline than my phone. And I don't hate her... not at all :)

I just heart my sleep!

day 10.

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

My baby brudder, Aaron :)

Even though I can be, ahem, uptight sometimes, Aaron has a way of making me loosen up more than anyone I know and getting me to do dumb things.

When he's around, there's always laughing going on - even if it's at your own expense...

My best friend since the day he was born!

My drinking buddy.

(Cute camera bag, honey)

Eh, he tolerates me!

I'll always love you, Handsome!

Love, Patty Patterson

day 9.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

My Mommy!

Through everything... school, boyfriends, moving... she has always been there for me.

She is one of the hardest workers I know and she gives everything she has for me, my siblings, and my Daddy!

And now, she is showing me how much she loves me even more by being the best Granny to my sweet Emmaline.

I love her so much.

day 8.

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

Patrick annoyed with me because I was making our Halloween costumes at midnight the night before... haha

But they turned out pretty great for being made out of Goodwill sheets and a dress and put together with a hot glue gun!

day 7.

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

My engagement ring :)

It symbolizes the decision Patrick made to ask me to be his wife.

And the decision I made to accept.

I can't wait to join my wedding band with it (5 days!).

day 6.

Day 06 - A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.

This was kind of hard at first because I love my life; I wouldn't ever want to leave it behind and take someone else's! But if I could go here for a day... or week... I think I would be a very happy Naomi, especially if I had my sweet Patty next to me and Emmaline napping in a cool bungalow.

day 5.

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.

Hard to pick just one...

Meeting and holding my baby girl for the very first time.

After months of waiting, dreaming, and praying...

After hours of worrying and laboring...

She was here and in my arms!

more free.

You may have seen my recent post on things I have scored for free. Well, I realized I had forgotten about a couple of things and then we also got a couple things in the mail today too. Ready for Free: The Sequel? Woo!

THREE $5 gift cards to Starbucks from AOL for signing up for Phoenix

(Don't ask me what it is; I don't know and I've yet to hear anything else about it!)

(We actually got 4 but 1 was sent to Patrick's parents' and we haven't gotten it from them yet.)

$20 gift card to Nashville Bread Company for referring a friend to my dentist, Dr. Waltemath

Coupon for ANY one FREE ThermaCare Product (up to $5!)

(I use the back ones all the time when my back goes out!)

Free book for Emmaline through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

(She'll continue to get 1 free book every month until she turns 5!)

Free 1 year subscription to Motor Trend Magazine

day 4.

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

Homework, homework, and more homework...

day 3.

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show:

(I have a couple...)

Law & Order: SVU

Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Hey Dude

Clarissa Explains It All

I Love Lucy

free.

My newest obsession of late is trying to get free things. I like to sign up for giveaways, samples, contests, etc. in hopes of scoring free swag. I love deals but nothing compares to getting something in the mail free and clear!

Now, I will admit that I am not the best at coupon cutting and sale finding. I do try but I am not as stealthy as I could be. But I love a great bargain. So, I think I am going to start posting when I get something at an amazingly awesome price... starting with this post of a few things I've gotten in the past month FREE! Some things are AWESOME deals while some are just silly samples but, hey, free is free.

Free full size sample of Slim Fast Peanut Butter Crunch Time Snack Bar from Sam's Club

Free football mold for Jell-o Jigglers

Free one year subscription to Newsweek Magazine

(The magazine came in better condition, by the way. Emmaline got ahold of this one.)

Free Full Size Sample of Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover Pen

$1.00 off any Tide To Go Product

1 Load Sample of Tide Acti-Lift Original Scent Detergent

Free Jane Necklace in Military Olive from Chewbeads

Free Swankie Blankie Minky Security Blanket from FairyTaleDeals

Free Bumble Diaper Bag - Ava Hobo in Emerald Palace Print from FairyTaleDeals

day 2.

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

My BFF since 5th grade, Emily.

It doesn't matter that I moved 800 miles away in the 6th grade; we've stayed close ever since and now she lives just in the next city. She's now my little girl's auntie and the Maid of Honor in my wedding. I love her and everyone deserves to have someone like Emily in their lives.

day 1.

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 - A picture of your night.
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 06 - A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love.
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you’re afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Day 1: A picture of yourself with 15 facts

1. I have lived in over two dozen houses/apartments in my life in seven states.

2. I have abnormally small hands and ears but abnormally large pupils.

3. I was fully potty trained by 18 months and did so by being given an M&M every time I went in the big girl potty.

4. I have a weird phobia of showers/wet surfaces. I shower with flip flops in my own shower and refuse to take baths. It makes me nauseated and if I accidentally touch the shower walls or curtain I get goosebumps because it grosses me out. (I don't do well at water parks, by the way.)

5. I have never broken a bone.

6. I am allergic to cat, goat and guinea pig hair (that I know of).

7. The smell of coconuts, watermelon, and licorice gives me a headache.

8. I graduated 5th in my class with a GPA of 4.063 in high school. My middle sister is blowing this out of the water right now as a Junior!

9. I helped deliver my baby sister in the L&D room, got to announce her sex (we never could tell from her ultrasounds as she was a lady and hid her coo coo from us!), put on her first diaper, and hold her before anyone else in family.

10. My first word was "nice."

11. My favorite foods are pizza and cookies.

12. My favorite color is hot pink and I love to dress Emmaline in it!

13. Emmaline and I have a freckle in the exact same spot on our chests.

14. I don't own a hairbrush and I haven't since I was in middle school. I never brush my hair because 1] it never, ever gets tangled and 2] if I did brush it, it would turn into a gigantic, static frizz ball.

15. When I was little and anyone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would either say lawyer or first woman President.

finally.

Well, it has been a while since I have gotten around to writing on here. I completely bailed on that 30-Day Challenge. Turns out the topics were horrifically boring to write about. Anyway, I am back and ready to entertain the masses. I totally kind of got this idea from my sweet friend, Sarah, and have been mulling over it for a few days.

Hope she doesn't mind the plug. She may be inundated with visitors since I am known for my high traffic. hehe. jk.

Anyway, it is so funny how when we first bring home these babies we look at them and think, "Ok, now what?!" We have read, and researched, and googled, and prayed, and interviewed, and practiced, and just about everything a future parent thinks of to prepare for their baby. And then it comes. And you're scared to death! Well, at least I was anyway.

I remember being terrified she wasn't eating enough. Then scared she wasn't warm enough. Then worried about taking her out all by myself. And on and on and on. Now I am a pro at all of those things. I am an expert.*

*Disclaimer: Expert at being a Mom to 7 1/2 month old Emmaline.

Hindsight is always 20/20 and my baby is completely different from yours and from any future ones I may have. However, I decided to gather up some of my "vast" knowledge from the past 7 months because 1] I really do feel like I have come so far, 2] I always LOVE getting feedback from my other Mommy friends and 3] things are so amazing right now, this is almost my cheesy "Thanks"giving blog. Almost...

The "Good's" in my life

Good Tips, Good Equipment, etc

• Mommy Friends: Seriously. Out of nowhere, a bunch of us got pregnant around the same time and it was such a blessing to have other women to bounce ideas off of. They were amazing for support, ideas, advice, laughter, and just to talk to! I have gone out with some Mommy friends and trust me, no one understands the trials and tribulations of traveling with an infant like another Mommy :) I love looking at pictures of their babies and hearing about their milestones. We share tips on sales on diapers and baby food. Another thing I like is that as many of us as there are, we all raise our babies different too and we all respect that. No one judges. We don't go off if someone isn't breastfeeding or if someone uses a paci or goes back to work or wants to make their own baby food. We share our stories and discuss the pros and cons and it really is great. I love my Mommy friends!
• BabyLegs: One of my favorite finds for Emmaline. I love putting these on her when she's playing around the house. Pop on a onesie and a cute pair of leg warmers and you're good to go! Baby stays warm, no rug burns, and it makes diaper changes easy too!
• Tommee Tippee: Best bottles! Emmaline was so picky when it came to her bottles. She got used to the special needs feeder they gave her at the hospital and then once she outgrew 45 oz. we had to go scrambling for something she would drink out of. We found these and love them! And now we are working on using their sippee cups too. I hope she likes them!
• BabySteals.com: Such a fun way to save some money! Twice a day - at 10a and 10p central, they have one different product available for a "steal" usually at least 50% off. They are usually also luxury items made of high quality material. Ooohlala. It's fun waiting to see every day what the steal-of-the-day is going to be. I haven't bought but one or two things off of there mostly because Emmaline doesn't really need much but they have incredibly fast shipping. It's from Utah and I think it only took a day!
• Dr. Derek Johnson: We love our pediatrician. We didn't go about picking him out the "right" way. I know you're supposed to research and ask friends and interview potential doctors. But Emmaline came almost 5 1/2 weeks early so I wasn't really to that point yet. He was the pediatrician on staff at the hospital the morning she was born so I just found his office when we were discharged and made an appointment. When Patrick and I went to see him, we both knew he was "the one." haha. He was this huge black guy and picked up our tiny 5 lb baby and cooed at her and played with her like no one was looking. It was adorable. He was straightforward. He didn't beat around the bush at all. He made fun of my list of questions. What sealed the deal? He knew what Patrick's Triumph shirt meant (It's a motorcycle company) because he rides too. Patrick probably wanted to date him. Basically, we felt so comfortable with him. Also, his nurses are GREAT! They are so wonderful with Emmaline. They make the whole shots thing as quick and painless as it can possible be and they have the best attitudes!
• Swing: Eeeek, Emmaline sleeps like a champ at night in her crib but she will not nap during the day unless she is napping with Mamma on the couch or in her swing! So thank goodness her Granny and Miyagi got this for her!
• Pictures: I won't even attempt to find a page for my camera because it's so ancient but it gets the job done. I am trying to remember to take a million pictures because you have to admit, she's awfully cute. I like to try and capture everything. I might try too hard. But I just know we're going to forget all these little things, and perhaps even some of the big things too, and that makes me so sad. I want to remember how very happy we all were right now and how beautiful and perfect she always is.
• Reading/Talking: I try to read to Emmaline as much as I can but I know I could be better about it. We signed her up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library so Emmaline gets a free book every month until she turns 5. How amazing is that? Every parent in TN needs to do this for their baby! Anyway, I know she loves when her Daddy reads to her because of his deep voice. She's always loved it - even when she was in my belly still. But I also talk to her all day long, constantly. I know this is good for her because we've talked about it in some of my education classes. It just helps the child understand language as a whole better: rhythm, inflection, facial expressions, etc. And if you've been around her, you know she loves to yak!
• Friends: We have a great group of friends. They have supported Patrick and me throughout this whole pregnancy and if they every judged us or were disappointed, they never let it show. They never lectured us or turned their backs on us. They love Emmaline to pieces and shower her with attention. Whenever someone comes over, I think Patrick and I barely get a hi before they're down on the floor playing with her. This means so much to me. When you love my baby and show my baby affection, you are loving me. My friends give me "adult time" (though I sometimes question how much more mature they are than Emmaline, haha) when I am only around a baby for so long. My best friend, Emily, makes me feel like a queen. I can't explain it. She just loves me so much. And Jane and Meredith are such cute little girly-girls. Love them!
• Patrick: Probably the most important thing on this earth right now in helping me get through every day. Where do I even begin? Every woman needs their own version of a Patrick. Every wife needs one. Every Mom needs one. I couldn't even imagine going at this alone. Yeah, sometimes he gets lazy and sometimes he walks by wrappers on the floor and doesn't pick them and he always (probably 'til the day he dies) leaves his black socks balled up next to bed... where was I going? Oh right. But honestly, I could not ask for a better man. He is the best father to Emmaline. He adores her. And she loves him. When she sees him coming in for a kiss, she just starts smiling so big. He gets excited when she learns new things. He likes seeing her in a new big girl outfit. He actually cares. I see these girls on 16 & Pregnant and I think, "How on earth do you do it?" There is no way. I need him. I do. He helps with the dishes. He helps fold laundry. Every Tuesday and Thursday while I am at school, he watches Emmaline until 4:30p completely by himself. If it weren't for him, I would have had to have dropped out of school but he is making sure I get to finish. Love him!

I think there is more I wanted to say but I am suddenly exhausted and tomorrow is going to bed a long day that starts early! Cannot wait to see my family! Happy gobble-gobble day.