My new Etsy shop!

Well I finally did it! I have been telling myself for months to get this Etsy shop up and running but I just could never find the time. Well today, we dedicated the day to doing it and boy, am I excited! Leah and I spent the morning outside taking pictures. Isn't she a beautiful model? Then part of the afternoon posting some listings. I still have a lot more to clips to post but I am waiting to see how these do first. I just know that someone else has to appreciate these as much as I do! http://www.sofieleeaccessories.etsy.com/ There it is!

Full house = fun house!

There is always something new happening in the Parks household! In the past few months, I have been feeling a little restless and feeling the need to "do more" Although I didn't know what the "do more" was. Before I became a mom, working 2 jobs and going to school kept my mind busy. Now that I am a stay at home mom, I felt like I needed to do something to up the excitement in my life, (not that Leah isn't exciting enough). Ryan and I pray every night, I began praying for God to guide me and to help me find something that I was meant to do (besides motherhood of course!). He answered when within the next few weeks, I received calls, emails and inquiries from about 10 different families in need of care for their child(ren)! I never in my life thought that this is where my life would take me but now I know it has to be right! How wonderful for me to be able to stay home with my baby and make a little extra money at the same time? I love watching children grow. Although I may complain about how exhausting it is, I know it is an amazing opportunity. Right now, I have a little 3 month old boy at our house 3 days a week. I plan on taking on more kids within the next few months. Crazy right?! Here is a picture of Leah and the new baby, she just loves him. I have to restrain her or she will just kiss him all day!

Happy Birthday Leah!

I can't believe it has been one year since my precious baby was born! I can still remember every second of giving birth to her and our hospital stay...and every day, week, and month following that. Leah was born at 1:17 pm so in about 2 hours we will say it's official! I remember thinking that 1 year seemed like so long and I couldn't imagine what she would be like. Well, it went so fast, now I want it to slow down! Leah is already talking and walking. It is absolutely amazing how much a little human being can grow in just one year. I've never experienced a birthday of one of my children before, it is definitely different. I feel happy, sad, proud, hopeful and crazy all at the same time! Now I can say I know how a parent feels...kind of like I want to cry! boo hooo. This whole past week has been emotion as every day I think "last year at this time I was...". Since I was a week overdue, I remember I was starting to get depressed and SO anxious to meet my baby. I was looking back at my blog posts from that time and I was soooo over being pregnant. I was about to give up! I guess that wasn't really a possibility but it's crazy that this time brings back those memories. Then, of course there are the memories of the first time I laid eyes on her. I can safely say that was THE most amazing moment of my life. Craaaazy. Anyways, today I think we are going to head to the wading pool so Leah can take a dip, swimming is one of her favorite things! Here is a picture of the birthday girl I took today. One of her new things is putting everything on her head, taking it off, and then bringing it to me so I can put it back on her head. Silly kid! I also made her a birthday cake, of course she loved it, haha!

Eclipse!

I am switching gears for a moment and using my blog to write down some of my thoughts on the new movie in the Twilight Saga. I know you are probably sick of hearing about it, but I saw Eclipse last night and I loved it! I am going to be one of those Twilight dorks for a minute! I know a lot of you will understand and many of you may also be rolling your eyes. Hey, I always say, don't knock it til you try it haters! Anyway, as a person who has read the books and loved them, I was not too impressed with the first Twilight movie. I thought a lot of character development, plot development, and acting talent was missing. The second in the series, New Moon, was a little better in terms of story development and actors. I was impressed this time! Here are a few reasons why...

1. The cast (especially Kristin Stewart) must have been taking some acting lessons recently. Much less hair pulling and lip biting. Good job kiddo. I actually wasn't distracted by horrible acting. She was much more relatable and actually seemed a little sweet, which is not usual.

2. The producers did a much better job of not leaving out important character stories and other plot lines that are important to the story. I didn't feel the urge to yell out "but what about ____?!" (some important plot point in the book). They crammed a lot into this movie!

3. I love the wolves...that is all

4. Even though I can only handle so much love cheesiness, the "lovey" moments between Edward and Bella are essential to the story, I guess I can do.

5. The actor that plays Bella's dad, Charlie, really captures the essence of his personality in the book and brings some humor to the story. Good job guy.

6. I'm throwing in something I don't like... there is one character who shares the name of my baby, Leah. I decided to name my baby that BEFORE I read the book. They didn't go into real detail of her character but basically, no one really likes her. Way to go me.

7. In the book, the "fight" scene is much longer and actually got a little boring to read. They cut it way shorter in the movie and left in the good stuff, like breaking off the heads of vampires. Thank you.

8. Another thing that I don't like. Dakota Fanning. Really? She is supposed to be scary and intimidating. When I think scary and intimidating, the LAST person I think of is Dakota Fanning. I think of annoying, precocious young girl. There are many other actors that I think would have played that part better, sorry Dakota.

9. And lastly, the lady sitting next to us with the 3 year old AND nursing her newborn at a 9:15 showing is way braver than I.

That's all for now, call me dork if you will. I'm secure with myself. Add more if you would like!

Happy Father's day!

To the best husband and daddy ever! I just love seeing the relationship between these two grow. Watching the man I've been in love with for 8 years (almost 9 what?!) turn into a father has been amazing. Today I made breakfast for Ryan and we are relaxing until we go to my parent's house for dinner. Leah is starting to talk and I always know when Ryan walks in the door from work if Leah sees him first because I hear "Hi dada!". It is so stinkin cute. I guess I don't mind that she STILL isn't saying "mommy" yet. Oh well, in due time I'm sure. Leah is also saying "hi, hi, hi" and waving to everyone and everything she sees. Leah and I are having a great summer so far, full of playdates, swimming pools and walks. I'm so glad that she is easy to take places now! She is developing somewhat of a defiant spirit but I don't think there is much I can do about that, I mean, look at her parents! haha! Next week we are taking our first mommy/daughter road trip to visit my friend Tessa in Minneapolis. I am kind of nervous about getting her out of her routine but I'm sure it will work out fine. I hope! On a side note, my little baby will turn 1 year old in about 2.5 weeks, I can hardly believe it! Time really does fly when you're having fun :-)

Baby hair!

Here are a few of the clips I have made along with a super cute model! I am so excited about this new venture and the fact that I have already sold several, that I decided to make a name for myself! Sofie Lee Accessories is what I have decided to call my little business. Sofie and Leah are the other 2 ladies in the house and they have cute names so it works perfectly! I also have a new email address for anyone who would like to place an order or ask a question. sofieleeaccessories@yahoo.com

Busy ladies!

Boy have we been busy! Since the weather has gotten nice, Leah and I are loving to get out and walk around, go to the park, go shopping, whatever! I have recently started making these super cute little clippies that I love! It all started when I needed something to hold back Leah's "bangs", aka to frizzy wispies that get in her eyes. I looked at some of the stores around here and the little ones I wanted were 8, 9 even 10 dollars! I just couldn't justify spending that, so I went to Hobby Lobby and spent $7 and ended up making almost 20 clippies! It's so easy and they are super cute. Since I have so many and I keep making more, I have decided to sell them! We'll see how it goes, but I really hope it takes off, I would love to keep doing this. I have also been spending a lot of time at the dance studio helping the girls get ready for recital in June. It's my favorite time of year! Even though it does get stressful, I love the adrenaline rush. This week, I am watching a friend's 18 month old son so Leah gets a play mate!