Introducing Food...

For many of you that follow me on Facebook and Instagram, you may have already seen these pics! I am so proud of my Munchkin!!! She is doing extremely well with foods, the doctor gave us the go ahead once she turned 4 months old. I noticed an increase in her diet and I emailed the doctor to see if we could start her on foods. Well since the beginning of the month we have eaten a couple days out of the week. With Emma since she has to have the mouthpiece in and she can't eat with that it I am only able to feed her foods when she doesnt have it in her mouth because I dont want to go through having to keep taking it out and putting it back in her mouth.

We were told to start with vegetables, so I started with carrots! Emma ate those two days and she really liked them! In the picture she had more on her bib (I need to invest in plastic bibs), but she kept a lot in her mouth! 

We put mixed grain cereal in her bottles in the morning and at night, but on Monday we put cereal in a bowl and Daddy fed it to her! Looks like they are having fun! HA!!! She ate the cereal by itself, then the next day she at it with bananas (pics below)

This is what eating cereal and bananas looks like! She really likes them too!!! LOL! She grunts and puts her hands in her mouth so I have to make sure when we are eating foods that we can go straight to the tub afterwards!!!  

Like I said early I am extremely proud of Emma because she is doing so well with foods! Since she has a cleft palate as well as the lip, she doesn't have a "roof" in her mouth. She has a portion of the roof of her mouth on the sides but at the top it goes straight to her nostril, and sometimes if she gets choked or burps it can come out her nose because that along with her lip has to be fixed. But the palate wont be fixed until she is closer to a year old. So when I am feeding her its easier for to take the foods if it goes in on the side where she has more of a lip because she has a roof to her mouth on that side. Its confusing, maybe one day I will be able to get a picture of this and explain it better! But nonetheless I am still EXTREMELY proud of my munchkin!!! 

I Love You...

So remember this picture from our trip to Kentucky...

Well I had to put all this stuff on when we were touring the L'Oreal plant in Florence, Kentucky! This is what Darrick wears on a normal basis while he is at work, and he also wears a uniform and steel-toe boots! They wear all of this stuff because of the chemicals they work with. Last night I was feeding Emma, looking at my phone (news bulletin), and watching TV (yes, I have become the ULTIMATE MULTI-TASKER)!!! LOL! Well I saw this bulletin on my phone about a man that worked at the GM Plant here in Cleveland that was trapped between two machines, and how he was being rushed to the hospital. 

As I sat there I was also waiting for Darrick to call after work to let me know he is on his way home. He gets off at 10:15 and is usually calling between 10:18-10:21 (kind of crazy that I know that about his calls).  Last night was a little different, when he called I couldn't help but tell him how grateful I was to hear his voice on the other end of the phone! I guess the story with the man from factory really hit home in how unsafe these factories are, and also how freak accidents can happen. The man from the GM plant passed away last night and I couldn't help but cry for his family because there may be a wife or children at home that were waiting for him to come home and he never did. And the simple fact is that you never know when its someone's time to go...

So I say all of  this to say never miss a chance to tell someone that you love them! Even if you don't talk to them, text it to them!!! That man's wife probably saw him off to work and said "see you later" not thinking this is the last time she is going to talk to her husband! We dont know if she got a chance to tell him she loved him one last time!!! 

Please make sure you tell the people in your life how much you love them and appreciate them!!!  

National Pink Day

Today is National Pink Day!!!! 

Well what do you know, Pink happens to be my FAVORITE COLOR!!! 

This year in celebration of National Pink Day, I decided to share a few pink recipes. The company Sweet'N Low contacted me on sharing a few Pink recipes for National Pink Day...

Alcoholic Drinks

Skinny Cosmopolitan

(Serves 1)

To save calories, the aromatic oils in citrus zest replace the Triple Sec liqueur usually used in this classic cocktail.

• 2 1-inch x 1/2-inch strips lemon zest
• 2 1-inch x 1/2-inch strips orange zest
• 1 packet Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 1/2 ounce unsweetened pomegranate juice, such as Knudsen’s Just Pomegranate Juice
• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 1 lime slice, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon and orange zest with the Sweet’N Low. Add the pomegranate juice and vodka. Fill the shaker halfway with cracked ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a chilled stemmed glass. Garnish with the lime slice.

PER SERVING: 100 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 2 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Signature Sweet’N Low® Pink Lemonade

(Serves 1)

Strawberries give this summer favorite a natural blush.

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 1 cup frozen strawberries, defrosted
• 1 lemon slice, optional, for garnish
• 1 mint sprig, optional, for garnish

In a large measuring cup, combine the lemon juice and water. Add the Sweet’N Low, stirring until it dissolves.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of liquid from the defrosted strawberries into a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the lemon juice mixture. If desired, garnish with the lemon slice and mint sprig. Enjoy the strawberries or save them for another use.

Note: Defrosting frozen strawberries in the refrigerator takes 8 hours. Or defrost them at room temperature, about 1 hour. Defrosted berries keeps in the refrigerator for 2 days.

OR

Lemonade to serve 4

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, defrosted
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup cold water
• 8 packets Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• 4 lemon slices, optional, for garnish
• 4 mint sprigs, optional, for garnish

In a large measuring cup, combine the lemon juice and water. Add the Sweet’N Low, stirring until it dissolves.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of liquid from the defrosted strawberries into each of 4 tall glasses. Fill each glass with ice. Divide the lemon juice mixture among the glasses. If desired, garnish with the lemon slice and mint sprig. Enjoy the strawberries or save them for another use.

PER SERVING: 20 calories, 0 g fat (0g saturated fat), 7 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 0 mg sodium.

I love homemade lemonade in the summertime! I tried this recipe with my family and it was a HIT!! This was a nice easy drink to make throughout the summer! It was just the right amount of sour and sweet! The lemons I bought were pretty tart, so adding the strawberries and mint gave it perfect flavor! 

Cherry Lime Ricky

(Serves 1)

Discover the refreshing pleasure of this old-time soda fountain favorite.

• 1/2 cup tart cherry juice, such as Knudsen’s Just Tart Cherry Juice
• Juice of 1 lime (at least 2 tbsp.)
• 1 packet Sweet’N Low® granulated sugar substitute
• Club soda
• Lime wedge, for garnish, optional

In a measuring cup, combine the cherry juice, lime juice, and Sweet’N Low. Stir to dissolve the Sweet’N Low.

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the cherry juice mixture. Top with the club soda. Serve with a straw, garnished with the lime wedge, if desired.

This is the next recipe on my list, so I will keep you posted on how it turns out! 

This post is Sponsored by Sweet'N Low

Again, Happy National Pink Day!!! 

Did you celebrate National Pink Day this year, and if so how did you celebrate it???

FBFF: Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday

(Wish My Closet Looked Like This)

I haven't participated in a Fashion/Beauty Friend Friday in a while, so I decided to switch up and talk about fashion a little bit:) I am participating in a link-up with the blog Modly Chic

1. How often do you go through your closet to purge the things you no longer wear? I go through my closet at random times, whenever it hits me actually. I just went through everything when I moved in with Darrick, and before that I did the same thing when I moved home from college. When I move (which has been every couple of years) I get rid of a lot, then once the closet becomes packed I go through it. 

2. What do you do with the things you are through with? When I am done with my clothes I usually give them to purple heart. The Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation DONATION PICKUP PROGRAM for selected areas of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, you call them and they come pick the stuff up off of your front porch. Sometimes they call on their own if you have donated before so if they call I will go through my stuff and give away some stuff when they have a truck in the area. 

3. Have you ever sold on consignment or through online boutiques? What has your experience been like?   I have never sold on consignment shops or through online boutiques. I have shopped at a couple online, and at some for the baby.  I usually find good baby goods! 

4. More and more people are concerned about the fast rotation of fashion and how that is filling our landfills. What are you doing to decrease your clothing trash pile? As I get older I am trying to get out of buying trendy pieces and buy more classic styles.  Usually if its a classic piece I will spend more money to make sure I am getting a quality item. If its good quality then I will have it for a few years rather than using it for a season and not wearing it again. 

5. What’s been your favorite/best score from a thrift store or consignment shop?  My best score have been baby items. Usually people have only used baby items a few times due to the baby growing out of it, only having a need for it for a small period of time, or the fact that people buy new stuff for each baby. 

Emma Updates...

(pic)

This is a picture I found online but this is what will be repaired on Emma on July 24. Her nose and lip will be the first thing fixed, then later on her palate will be repaired. 

Today Emma and I have an appointment to go see the Plastic Surgeon. Usually these appointments are pretty short, but since this is the last time I will see him before surgery I'm not sure what to expect. Emma and I are going by ourselves to this appointment, I scheduled it in the afternoon because it worked better for my schedule at work, but then conflicts with Darrick's work schedule. He didn't mind because the last couple of appointments with the Plastic Surgeon he went to by himself.  If Darrick doesn't go I usually recruit my mom, but she is in an all day meeting, and my sisters schedule is all over because her kids are at camp and she has to adjust so much during the summer. So its just Emma and I today...we can do it! She is usually smiling so that will comfort my nervous stomach!

The reason I said I'm not sure what to expect is because its getting closer to surgery. I was talking to Darrick last night and I can't wait until she has surgery so we can stop using all this extra stuff for her. The stomach tube that we will have to use to feed her once she has surgery has come out twice already! We don't use it now to feed her, she is fed with a bottle! And she drinks it all with NO PROBLEM at all! I do hate that there is a chance she will revert back to some old ways of not eating due to surgery. I love the dentist that she goes to but I am SUPER tired of the mouthpiece! And after the surgery we will continue to stay with the dentist she is with because of her palate and in the future she will probably need braces! 

(Above: Pictures of Emma with her mouthpiece in)

I know the mouthpiece helps in bringing her lips/palate together...but I absolutely HATE this appliance!!! I am VERY thankful for what it does but I can say I do hate putting this thing in her mouth because I know how much she hates it too! 

We have introduced food to Emma this week. Since Saturday, June 16, Emma has had two helpings of Carrots. The doctor said to start her off with Veggies, and although there is quite a bit on her bib she kept a lot in her mouth. Yesterday, while feeding her I noticed that she made gestures as if she really liked it and wanted me to keep going! She has been eating a TON lately, and I love it! God is awesome this is the same 9lb baby in the NICU that would fake sleep (then smile) when the Occupational Therapist came along to help her in feeding! The nurses were correct when they said one day she will get up and want to eat everything...we are in that stage now! She is eating ever 1.5-2 hours! 

Every other week, Emma goes to see an Occupational Therapist (pics above). They work really well together, Emma listens and plays with her. And the therapist loves how pleasant she is when she comes in, a bottle before therapy works wonders:) LOL! We learn different techniques make sure Emma is developing properly. Honestly, she gets great reviews from her doctors...her pediatrician said she communicates more than her 5 month old grandson, and when she said this Emma wasn't quite 4 months yet. Her occupational therapist says she just has a sweet spirit. The pictures above are of her working with the therapist, she is showing us how to massage her shoulders to help with her posture. In our last session she gave us tips on how to massage her jaws and lips, which will help once she has surgery. 

Emma has always held her head up pretty well. The pictures are of her doing tummy time and holding her head up. They (the doctors) did say she is favoring her right side more than her left, which in my head seems to be correct because if you think about it we all favor one side over the other. However, in the doctors eyes  this is something we should work on. So we should talk to her more from her left side, and we learned different techniques on how to make her more centered instead of one sided. 

Keeping It All Together...

I am learning that being a wife and a mom I am the one that both Darrick and Emma rely on to keep it all together! Emma doesnt really know whats going on she just knows that sometimes Mommy has her on a tight schedule! LOL! However, with Darrick he looks to me to make sure I have doctors appointments in the calendar, that I update his Google Calendar because that goes directly to the phone, and also to post reminders on the dry erase board at home. Now for some people that may seem like overkill, however, it works for the Godbott household. I personally keep myself updated with my Erin Condren notebook/ and planner, and my Google Calendar! 

So what do you use to help keep you organized? As a Mom or Wife/or Both do you find it hard to balance everyone's schedule??

Phone Photo Fun Mondays...

Playing with my phone in her Weekly Dentist Appointment

I took at pic of my dad while he was driving! 

On our way to Marine Week in Downtown Cleveland...

Emma ate Carrots this weekend for the first time! 

More carrots on the bib than in her mouth! LOL! She went straight to the bathtub afterwards:) 

Emma first waking up in the morning caught her looking at me while 

I was standing there so I took her picture! 

**Look at her legs...she is so cuddly**

A few pics from Marine Week...this is the soldier by the memorial wall of names

Darrick and the Munchkin on Father's Day! 

His shirt says "Best Dad" he loved it! LOL! Or maybe I loved it! HA! 

Currently...

current book(s):

current playlist:

Honestly, I haven't been listening to anything specific. I use the radio as a calming mechanism if Emma is in the car screaming. Other than that I tend to enjoy the silence or listen to her talk to me...HA! Oh the joys of motherhood:)

current color

I have a pink color on my nails...its a shellac polish but I didn't look at the color to see the exact name.

current food

I am totally in LOVE with Cherry Sours Candy!! 

current favorite show(s)

I usually DVR this and watch it while I'm giving Emma a bottle! I have to watch with NO interruptions!!! 

Season 2 for Tia and Tamera's Reality Show just started...I love them! They remind me of my sister and I although we aren't twins!! 

current needs

To figure out Darrick's job situation,  if we are moving, I guess being patient to see what God has in store for us.

current banes of my existence

I work in Financial Aid at a University and this time of the year we talk to nothing but crazy parents! I'm over them already and the summer has just begun! 

current #1 blessing

My Family...I love Darrick and Emma more than life!!! 

current excitement

Father's Day this weekend. I love when my family all gets together! 

current mood

current favorite quote or verse

A lot of things are getting ready to change in my life and all I can do is Trust God! 

current favorite product(s)

I had a lot of fun with all the makeup we had out to use for the wedding day...not all of this is mine or new but I really love my makeup!! 

Happy Birthday to My Husband!!!

Happy Birthday Darrick!!! 

I just wanted to do a special post for my husband (I love being able to call him that)! 

I love being his wife, he is truly my best friend, and I couldn't have asked God for a better person to share my life with! Love You Darrick!!!

Phone Photo Fun Mondays...

I had a very busy weekend in Kentucky! So I decided to participate in Phone Photo Fun Mondays!

This weekend Darrick and I went to Florence, Kentucky for his job. They are closing the L'Oreal plant he currently works at, and they are transferring them to Florence, Kentucky. So this weekend they had a few of us come down to tour the plant, and to look for housing since we are considering the move. 

This is a picture of me being a "Chemical Processor" for a day...LOL! Well not really...the only way to tour the plant was to put all of this stuff on to protect yourself! 

This is a shampoo bottle! That little tube in Darrick's hand is blown into the big bottle you see in his other hand! This is a Garnier Fructis bottle! 

Venturing around the Cincinnati area...if you aren't familiar with that area Ohio and Kentucky border each other. You can literally be on one side of the street and be in Cincinnati and the other side is Kentucky. So all weekend we rode around Cincinnati and the cities in Kentucky. 

Saturday night the job planned for us to go to Newport on the Levee. There was an Italian Festival going on, along with the entertainment that is already there such as bowling, movies, various restaurants, an aquarium, and a few stores to shop in. 

While walking around Darrick and I decided to go on a horse and carriage ride through the city. This was actually my first time doing this and it was very romantic:)

Emma hung out all weekend with family! And from what I heard she had a great time, hence the smile on her face and the pumpkin on her bib...LOL! This is Emma and her big cousin Solana (she likes being called the big cousin) after waking up! 

Emma was pooped by Sunday night! I laid her down in her bed, those arms went up and she was OUT! LOL!