In a Texas State of Mind

Five and a half years ago, Matt and I moved to Kansas City to embark on our first adventure as a married couple. He was accepted into pharmacy school here, and through the years I have grown to love this city and what it has to offer. After pharmacy school graduation, we decided to stay here to grow our family and experience life as a new pharmacist and a new stay at home mom. I am grateful daily for the life we live here; but from time to time, I reminisce about a place I hold very dear to my heart. Just a tiny little place called Texas...have you heard of it?

Born and raised in the Texas Panhandle, then relocated to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, I like my hair high, my belts sparkly and my music country. My roots have cowboy boots and my occasional curse words have a slight Texas twang. I don't miss the Dallas traffic, or the Panhandle cell phone reception....but the food and the fine people are constantly on my mind. Most importantly, a piece of my heart is in Mansfield, Texas, where my immediate family still lives today.

About a month ago, Tallan and I sneaked onto an airplane and headed to Texas to surprise Mimi (my mother) with a special visit. We had such a great time, and she was so shocked to see us! With family time in the works and good Tex-Mex in my belly, I had one more thing to check off my list during our stay.

From the moment I learned I was pregnant with Tallan, I hoped we would one day have the opportunity to take pictures in a field of bluebonnets: Texas springtime personified. Lucky for me, I have a friend that could make that happen, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Tamera Lewis, with Snap'd Photography, helped us capture sweet Tallan in one of the most beautiful settings: a Texas bluebonnet field at sunset.

We had such a great time visiting family and are so thankful for the relationships Tallan is building with her grandparents. My visits to Texas always have a funny way of  allowing memories of my past to meld with my present...and give me a glimpse of the future.

Tallan Hope: A Birth Story

Over a year has passed since our lives were changed forever. Tallan Hope has brought us so much joy and laughter, and cliché as it may sound, I cannot imagine life without her! I’ve wanted to share her birth story, and thought a year after her birth would be a great time to reflect. One day, when I’m the over sharing, embarrassing, too many picture taking mom she loves to love…she can read back through this “over share,” and know how her entrance into this world was the greatest moment of our lives.

After a relaxing Easter weekend, I awoke early morning on Monday, April 9^th, 2012 to do what any normal 36 week pregnant woman does…..RUN (ahem – more like waddle) to the bathroom! Getting back into bed, I told my husband I had a funny nervous feeling. “What do you mean, funny feeling?,” he asked. I had a butterflies in the tummy feeling that I just couldn't shake. To top things off, our dog Marley had climbed into bed with us (which she’s not allowed to do,) and had laid right next to me. Dogs have a 6^th sense right? A sign? I THINK SO! My husband laughed off the aforementioned canine omen, and left me for Pharmacy School around 7am. With a precious 3 more hours left to sleep before heading in to work myself, I could not drift off due to the butterflies.

Giving in to my gut, I got up and proceeded to pack my hospital bag…ya know, just in case! God forbid I go into labor at work and the responsibility fall on my husband to bring me the hospital essentials! He totally would've forgotten my eyeliner! That task completed, I left my readied bag on our bed and proceeded to head to work managing a fitness facility.

First things first when I got to work – the noon boot camp fitness class. My big bellied, swollen ankled self got those dumbbells out and music bumpin'! While getting our workout on, I felt a couple “trickles.” Frustrated that I was now at the point of my pregnancy where I’d pee on myself whilst teaching group exercise, I headed to my office to answer emails. Upon sitting and chatting with a co-worker, I GASPED as one extra “trickle” seemed a bit more noticeable than the rest. I promptly called my doctor and requested to be squeezed in for a quick check for my water breaking….or to confirm that my bladder was deceiving me.

At 4pm, I met my husband at the doctor’s office. As we waited, we both felt silly being there for such a false alarm as peeing on myself, but figured we’d lasted 36 weeks before pestering our doctor with our first timer worries. Silliness was converted to down right SHOCK when the doctor returned to tell us my water had broken, I was 4cm dilated and to waddle my butt right over to Labor & Delivery! Whaaaa!?  Good thing I packed my bag right!?

With Matt’s parents headed to the hospital, my parent’s rushing for a plane from Texas, and Matt running home to grab my bag, I was being signed in to the hospital and getting my IVs. Not knowing how long my water had actually been broken, I was given Pitocin to ensure active labor. Speaking through easy breezy contractions, as my nurse readjusted my monitors, Tallan kicked and broke the rest of my bag of water. Within 5 minutes of the kick, my contraction intensity increased exponentially! As my parents arrived at midnight on Tuesday, April 10^th, 2012, I was a little bit ready to tell them “hello, thanks for coming,” and a LOTTA BIT ready to have an epidural.

Epidural in, 7-8cm dilated, and I was one fat happy camper! The next three hours were a blur of chit chat, steady progression, and building excitement. By 3:00am I was ready to push! Channeling the yoga I had taught my entire pregnancy, I was determined not to be the mom who couldn't push well! With G-Dad and Grumpy (our fathers) sent to the waiting room, and Matt, the grandmas, and sister-in- law ready to help me during the long haul of pushing…we were well on our way.

With a calmness in the room I would NEVER attribute to my personality, I pushed 3 times (less than 10min) before little Miss Tallan Hope arrived into this world. Looking back, I have no idea why my type A, intense self wasn't more vocal, scared or stressed….but I just wasn't. Everyone in the delivery room can attest to the cool, calm and collected manner in which our birth occurred. A peace given from God is surely the only answer. We were truly blessed to have such a positive experience, with no complications.

4 weeks early, weighing in at 5lbs 12oz and 19inches long, Tallan was just ready to meet her phenomenal family. Her arrival made a couple of silly married people into the blessed little family we are today. We are still silly, we just added another character.

It has been a year from her birth, and I cannot comprehend how the time has passed so quickly. To sum things up after a year of motherhood: I have never been more in awe of the miracles God provides, scared of being inexperienced, proud for learning how to be a parent, excited to watch my spouse be a father. I love this little person so much it hurts. She is the best pieces of husband and myself all rolled up into this perfect little miracle that God has let us borrow.  Thank you, Tallan Hope, for joining our family. We will 

never, ever be the same.

Candy Shoppe Birthday Bash!

It's been a while since I've blogged..mostly due to the fact that my brain has been in overdrive with first  birthday plans for Miss Tallan! Now that our extravaganza is over and done with, I'm excited to be back and share all the fun little details that had been keeping me busy for the past couple months!

We decided on a vintage candy shoppe theme, because who doesn't like a theme party....and who doesn't like candy!? The trick to pulling off such a theme was not so much in the big items, but the small silly details that really pulled everything together! Take a look-see at our party pics below, and I will shoot some tips and reference how-to's and websites along the way!

Bought a Wilton's huge cupcake pan from Michael's, and used the large star tip to make swirls starting at the very top of the cake. Used the leaf tip to zig zag icing on the base, and star tip again to fill in little gaps. This is verrrrry much a pedestrian cake attempt and the mistakes made it look for vintage homemade to me. I used boxed red velvet cake mix and made homemade cream cheese frosting (which I will blog recipe soon!) 

My Pier One apothecary jars and canisters made for perfect candy jars! Table covers were fabric from Hobby Lobby! The candy we provided was pastel M&M's, rock candy, gum balls, candy necklaces, lollipops, and cotton candy (all purchased at Party City, except M&M's.) The mini bundt cakes were TO DIE FOR and totally NOT homemade! My parents drove them to KC from Texas...yep, they're that good. Nothing Bundt Cakes are the bomb!

I'm disappointed that I forgot to snap a closer pic of my goodie bags at the top right of the picture above. They were brown paper bags hand stamped with baby owls & "Thank You" stamps from Hobby Lobby, then stuffed with one piece of tissue paper. Guests made the rounds and collected treats for their goodie before leaving the partay!

Picture frame + twine + staple gun + mini clothes pins
Cutest timeline photo idea ever!

Made a homemade chalkboard a while ago, but it came in handy when wanting a cute vintage way to write down some silly Tallan stats! This took FOREVER...writing this neat with real chalk is HARD!

My friend Crystal from The Hown's Den made this amazing bunting banner for me! Fabric from Hobby Lobby. I will use this for all of our summer get-togethers! Looooove is an understatement!

The HIT of the party were the french macarons from Milk & Honey bakery here in Kansas City. They're naturally gluten free and the monogramming was precious!

Metal letters from Hobby Lobby made a great monogram centerpiece, and the scrumdiddlyumptious chicken salad croissants were provided by my MIL! Cute pinwheel toothpicks from Party City snazzed them up quite nicely! 

My favorite craft of party planning....the rag tie garland. Many many pinterest tutorials to choose from! I will blog about my experience with this soon!

Tallan and Gmommy & GDaD (hub's parents)

With Mimi & Grumpy (my parents)

With her Uncle "Whiskey"

With Mom & Dad!

I wanted a cute way to have a "guestbook" without really having an old fashion party guestbook. Soooo we made our own Step N' Repeat! Guests chose a fun prop, and snapped a pic with the birthday girl before leaving! I will print all photos and have a photo book guestbook to always cherish!

We had an absolute blast celebrating with friends and fam...and emotions were in check, yay me! (Technically, Tallan doesn't turn one for another week, so I cheated those mommy emotions.) I'll find a quiet corner and sob on her actual birthday! It was a great time to be grateful for so many things: the ability to stay home and cherish this time with my child...as well as plan a birthday bash, for the help of both of our families, for our friends, and for the amazing little life God has blessed us with! A few more pictures of birthday shenanigans are below. Enjoy!

Guest Blogger - Exercise Gives Cancer Patients an Edge

Hey all!

My first guest blogger ever is quite an awesome one! Her topic, and passion is a great fit for my first Fitness Blog Friday! 

Melanie Bowen joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2011 as an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. Melanie also assists in social media outreach in her efforts to spread awareness. In her spare time, you can find Melanie trying new vegan recipes, on her yoga mat, or spending time with her family.

Exercise Gives Cancer Patients an Edge
A diagnosis of cancer, whether it is mesothelioma, breast cancer, or any of the various forms of the disease, is devastating. It takes a toll on the victim and loved ones as well. There are so many unknowns to face. As a patient goes forward with treatments, it's important to form a plan of attack. This will be a fight and the person with the right attitude and ammunition is likely to have the best outcome. This means getting plenty of rest, putting the best foods into the body, surrounding one's self with positive influences, and making sure exercise is part of the regimen.
According to the American Cancer Society, exercise can enhance a cancer patient's quality of life. This holds true for all people, but it is extremely important that those facing cancer make sure exercise becomes a part of their lives. Cancer treatments are hard on the body. They will drain a person, sapping them of strength and energy. However, a cancer patient can't surrender and become weak. Including regular exercise into your routine will keep the body strong, maintain a healthy weight, and keep the mind balanced as well. When people exercise regularly, it helps release stress 

and regain apositive outlook on life. Cancer patients will receive these benefits as well.

What different forms of exercise are incorporated will depend on the individual and the diagnosis. Cancer patients should find activities that they really enjoy, something they can look forward to in the midst of the strains of treatment. Joining up with friends or taking group classes can be an extra source of motivation. Walking, biking, aerobics, and yoga class are all excellent forms of physical activity. Strength training may be helpful as well.

The amount and intensity of exercise will depend on how a patient is feeling and what your doctor recommends. Some days will be better than others, allowing an individual to include more physical activity into the routine while other days may mean trimming back and going easy on the body. It's important to pay attention to one's body and recharge as needed. Talk to your doctor to start an applicable and beneficial program today! Learn more, and follow Melanie here!

Smooches for All!

Last year on Valentine's day, my hubs and I fancied ourselves up and headed to Capital Grille here in KC. By fancy, I mean we had a gift card, Matt wore a dry cleaned shirt, I sported a sexy little maternity number and squeezed my plump water logged feet into some 6 inch nude platform pumps baby! I was 8 weeks from giving birth and we cherished our last date together as just "Matt & Tara."

This year....I have a hair appointment  That's right. This sexy mama is throwing on some yoga pants, grabbing a cold one (decaff frappacino that is) and getting my ombre on at the hair dresser this V-day! The romance of it all is that my dear hub will be watching Tallan, giving me some mama time, and that's the best present I could ask for... a man who understands a good hair do means a happy, sexy, confident wife...and you know where that leads! He's not stupid! If he pays for my hair appointment and I put out, does that make me Julia Roberts? Anyhooooo.....

On another note, Valentine's has given me the excuse to dress Tallan Hope up for yet another themed at-home photo shoot. This time all we needed was a tube of lipstick, our favorite head band, and a nakey baby. I love they way they turned out! This girl is a HAM!

We hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day, whether you're out with your main squeeze, or staying in and squeezing your main...wait, that doesn't quite make sense. You know what I mean ya'll! MUAH!