Penny

Penny Noel Adams

August 7, 2009-September 14, 2013

Never in my wildest dreams did I think a post 

such as this was coming.

Especially after just losing Zack.

I am really at a loss of words with a broken heart.

We lost such a huge part of our family Sunday morning.

Last October

We never left home without her.

She was THE furry member of our family.

If you seen Cade and Cassidy coming (and now Cam), 

you knew she was tagging along...

She has been with us every step of our marriage.

She made us laugh when we were mad.

Curled up in our laps when we were sad.

Pranced around like a bunny when she was happy and excited.

She greeted us at the door, every day after work or school shaking all over...

excited to death just to see us.

She traveled every where with us.

Baby doctor appointments.

Trips to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Flordia...

anywhere we went she went too.

Christmas 2012

She could play hide and seek.

Take running fits around the house,

and made her own little cave under our bed.

She kept Cade and I entertained for countless hours when we really

couldn't afford a date night.

She slept under our covers every night.

Yes she barked ALL the time...

But the past few days I would give a lot just to hear it again.

Just to hear a scratch on the bathroom door letting me know she wanted in.

Or to see her standing at her water bowl to cue a fresh cup.

It might seem silly to you that I feel this way.

And you have every right to have that opinion.

However...I like to think

 God gave us our furry companions us for a reason.

As an example...

Of unconditional love.

The same that he has for us...

maybe that is why I love my puppies so much.

Penny... you left paw prints on my heart that will always set the standards high for our future furry family.  I wish we could have had longer with you, but I know everything happens for a reason- and am thankful for the time we had together.  

You gave us so much love and many fun memories that will never be forgotten.  

You will live in our hearts forever.

In honor of Penn's life...

I have to end this post on a happy note.

All circumstances of the past few months set aside...

I am so thankful for my beautiful, healthy, baby boy. 

 He has been the ray of sunshine I have needed this year for SO many reasons.

And for that very reason, I am SO incredibly blessed beyond what I deserve.

Anatomy of My Diaper Bag

I'm not strong enough to post about our weekend, so instead...
here is a post I've been working on for a while now.

As a new mom, I am constantly researching for any new baby items I am considering purchasing via blogs, my mommy friends, product reviews, and articles.

I do my research to learn what I need in this new CRAZY adventure of raising a baby...

so I kind of feel like I owe it to others just like me...

 the new mommy's to be who don't know where to start.

So NOW...

What is the anatomy of MY diaper bag?

{Diaper Bag} {Changing Pad} {Sophie} {Medela Bottles} {Mustache Pouch} {Baby Bullet} {Passy Wipes} {Nursing Cover, homemade}

1.  Blanket, Blanket, Blanket!  When your out, chances are...your baby is going to take a nap.  We all need blankets for a nap, right?  AND it never hurts to have a blanket around at all times-public places can double as igloo's!  After our baby days are over I may or may not stash one in my purse!;)  
Tip:  lightweight blankets obviously take up less space

2.  Fresh Change of clothes:  In my experience, at least bring two outfits/onesies along.  Sometimes your mommy brain will forget, but when it is fresh and rested-check up and refresh your stash!

3.  Scented Diaper Disposable Bags: These are SO handy!  When Cam has dirty diapers out in public, I can tie them up in these babies and no one will ever smell a trace of the dirty crime just committed.  

4.  Hand santitizer:  perfect when you are far away from a sink...trust me it happens!

5. Diapers, wipes, changing pad:  This is the obvious one...but let me tell you...you forget.  Diapers and wipes often have a "Houdini effect" and can disappear right before your very eyes!  

6.  PACIFIER!  Okay, if your baby likes passy's, DO NOT--I REPEAT DOOOO NOOOTT leave the house without one!  No one will be happy!  hahaha:)  But really...Cam love's his MAM passies!  If you are a practical mommy: you will use a clip...but I find them evasive and annoying 90% of the time (other than the cute ones Aunt KK recently got Cam from etsy...they are soft and comfortable for him to wear!)  but other than that I do it the hard, clip-free way and tend to just keep the passy wipes handy!

7.  Baby food, Bottles, Bibs, and Spoons:  We are in the early stages of feeding, so baby food isn't a consistent traveler in our diaper bag.  I am making Cam's food myself with the Baby Bullet, so...fresh baby food requires an ice pack and lunch tote (along with breast milk).  Given that he only eats twice a day...we haven't had to experiment with this much but when we do-I'll be sure to keep you informed.  I forsee that becoming a large part of our diaper bag in the near future!

Bottles haven't been a staple either since I am the food source, however when he stay's with someone or we go on a trip I definitely pack one!  I also like to keep water with us too...when I remember:/

8.  Nursing Cover:  My friend gave me a handmade nursing cover that I adore.  And you better believe Cam knows what time it is when I drag it out of the diaper bag.  Great for when you are in a bind and have to feed with people around.

9.  A toy:  Cam's staple toy is a Snoopy doll the MR. and I got him when he was first born.  I think Snoopy now has some of the scents of home and is somewhat of a comfort to him when we are out and about.  He loves to stick Snoop in his face and doze off for a nap.  I'm quite partial to snoopy because I had one as well <guilty>



10.  Burp clothes:  These have been great from day one.  Slobber, spit up, and drool come quite often, and mostly UNEXPECTED.  So having one of these close by is always a lifesaver.  However, I predict if Kate Middleton is seen with signature spit up on her shoulder we may all ditch the burp clothes and go au naturale with Kate!  Who knows??

11.  Teethers: Okay, Cam is currently five months old and he wants to put EVERYTHING in his mouth!!  I have to say...without teethers listed as a travel companion we may have some foreign objects stuck in his gummy grin.  We love the Sophie giraffe teethers!

I can't stress enough to new mommy's to take advice, suggestions, and reviews into consideration...but go with YOUR best instinct and what you know your baby will need in his diaper bag.

You are going to know your baby better than anyone!

Different things are going to work for you.

No one has all the answers and no certain item is absolutely essential for every baby.

It never hurts to know your stuff 

and how certain products have worked for other mommy & baby duos;)

Eeessppecially when you have no clue where to start!

TOTALLY WAS ME!!

This is just what works for me & my little one...

Weekend Run Down

The beginning of fall decor...

A PLL discussion dinner.

A sleepless Saturday morning.
A Birthday Party!

A visit with Uncle Brody, Knoxville, & Dolly wood.
A couple of "firsts"...

So...I don't have any visual record of Friday except for belly sleeping and Cambini's festive ghostly p.j.'s, BUT just take my word.  Our house is pretty festive (more on that in another post) AND we all solved Rosewood's problems as well as mutually agreed Ezra CANNOT totally be "A."

Belly sleeping Twins!

Fast forward to Saturday morning.  

And
Yes, this would be Mommy and Cam up at approximately 5 am.  Cam decided we had enough rest...and it was time to get up for our very important day.

{Ghost Pajamas}

So.  We played with Snoopy & the teething rings a bit.

{Boppy Cover}

Caught some Saturday morning cartoons.
<LOVE Baby TV: Channel 293 on Direct TV>
And then Cam opted to finish his beauty sleep at about 8am.
Mommy?  Not so much.

{Life Is Good Stud Muffin Shirt}

On to a birthday party!
Cam met his cousins Parklyn & Bentley!
Too much cuteness going on here, right??;)

Then it was off to visit my brother, Brody, in Knoxville...

Thank goodness for Starbucks!
Always there to give tired mommies a midday boost to mask early morning starts!

Cam loved watching Uncle Bro play the guitar...looks like Uncle Brody already has a fan club and maybe a future guitarist to train?

Anyone who knows me, knows my obsession with cheetah print.  So needless to say I kinda fell in love with these at Dick's Sporting Goods...had to share!

{Paddle Board}

Also while we were at Dick's, "C" decided next summer will consist of family kayaking adventures...but I'm leaning more towards this paddle board.

Next, The Mr. met us to join in on the fun and get ready for Dollywood.
We did a little more loafing around Knoxville and then headed to the Red Lobster before we said our goodbyes to Brody.

This was the first time Cam has spent the night in the Knoxville Condo...
where we spent several nights after going to the baby doctor to get a glimpse of him!
Pretty surreal...
Better yet... he slept all night without a peep!

Sunday morning, we made our way to Dollywood
for some family fun...

Our Dollywood Crowd! 

{Puma Outfit, similar}

Cam strolled around, looked at the water fountains & animals, seen the train, and slept...
Maybe this is why we didn't get any sleep Sunday night?
Food for thought.

But he did stay awake long enough to accomplish another first!
His first ride...the carousel!

Sister Fun:)

Man I have dark circles under my eyes...
BUT hey Cam looks well rested!
Hehehehehe

And that completes Cam's first trip to Dollywood,
and BB, Joe-Daddy, Lolli & Pop's 1st Grandparents Day...

View on ride home

WOW.  We had a busy weekend y'all!
I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
But ya know...I do agree with the saying, "You can sleep when your dead."
Especially when you have a 5 month old to entertain!

Hope everyone is having a great week!
Come back for a little fall cheer tomorrow;)