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10 Jul

| one |

Screen Shot 2015-07-09 at 2.29.36 PM

After writing about my inspiration for Dorothy’s big girl room this week, I decided that there was no time like the present to get started on the crib-to-bed transition. I have been seriously worried about this process for a long time, because I was absolutely SURE it was going to be difficult. My kid does not know how to sit still. Why should I ever believe that she would lay in a bed when nothing was stopping her from escaping?

Deep breathing.

I had purchased the above toddler bed months ago for $15 from our local Trinity Mission Thrift Store, and my mom gave it a fresh coat of paint. Instead of going straight to the twin, I thought a “trainer bed” would be a good place to start. I moved the crib out of the way, pushed the toddler bed in, threw on some random bedding and VOILA! A big girl bed fit for her mishmash of a room!

Dorothy was so stinking excited about this bed. Unexpectedly so, perhaps. The whole time I made dinner the night of the dreaded transition, she sat on her bed and “read” a book to herself. I attributed this rarity to God playing a mean trick on me, by giving me a little false confidence that she would only get up 300 times that night instead of 302.

Mr. Cotten and I put her to bed as usual that night, and waited outside the door for her to come out. We were fully prepared to put her back to sleep all night long, because nothing is ever easy with our kid. We waited… and waited… and waited… AND NOTHING HAPPENED. She never got out of her big girl bed. Not once then, and not once yet! I had to actually go get her the next morning, because she was just laying and talking in her bed.

MIRACLES EXIST! PARENTING WIN! HALLE-FREAKING-LUJAH! SOMETHING ABOUT TODDLERS WAS EASY FOR ONCE!

This means potty training is going to be a bitch, doesn’t it?

| two |

DSC_1456
If you remember, I wasn’t overly thrilled with my last Stitch Fix. I do have my July Fix scheduled, and plan to keep that shipment, however I am interested in exploring a new monthly clothing box just to mix things up.

Has anyone ever used Golden Tote? I have read some good reviews, but I’m hesitant to make the leap. What is your favorite monthly box subscription, regardless of theme? I want your recommendations!

| three |

449534860dd1ad53b09e7329fc2c51d6

New. Life. Motto.

Pretty sure I need this amazing print tacked to the wall in front of my desk.

| four |

Look at me never giving a Fourth of July recap. What kind of blogger am I?! Actually, there wasn’t much to report. Mr. Cotten and I tried to have a festive little holiday with D, but it all kind of fell flat. Nothing goes as planned with toddlers.

photo 1(13)
photo 5(4)

We took a little back road Jeep ride to the tiniest of towns, New Richmond, for their Fourth of July Festival. Unfortunately we didn’t get out there until nearly nap time, which meant it was only 45 minutes before we had a full on meltdown and had to go home. Dorothy did get to ride a pony (which she loved), and jump in the bounce house (which she loved even more). In fact, she loved jumping so much that we couldn’t get her to come out of the inflatable. I had to keep paying for her to bounce until she got close enough for me to pull her out by her legs.

Did I mention that the entrance to this thing was built for sizes toddler through 8-year-old? There was no way my momma butt could get in there, even if I wanted to.

We did purchase exactly three fireworks for that evening, knowing that Dorothy would either love it or hate it. She hated it. I got burned by a sparkler. No one had fun. 😉

| five |

IMG_5679

Let’s end this five by wishing my dad the happiest of birthdays this weekend! He’s one of the best around. 😉 Happy birthday, Dad! We love you!

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Previous Post: « Inspiration | Dorothy’s Big Girl Room
Next Post: Guilty | 3 Things I’ve Learned About Motherhood »

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Comments

  1. Leslie says

    July 10, 2015 at 10:38 am

    So glad to hear the transition went well! I am so worried that our transition will be a disaster, but this makes me have some hope for success! And a $15 bed?! That is just amazing! It’s a super cute bed too!

    A co-worker of mine does Golden Tote and she said she loves it.

    Reply
  2. Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side says

    July 10, 2015 at 11:54 am

    I am so scared for the toddler bed transition…waiting as LONG as possible before we make the switch. Hoping to get at least another year in…so far she hasn’t tried to escape (mostly because we keep her in a sleep sack), and she hasn’t complained…so happy that yours went well!

    Reply
  3. Lindsay @ Wild Ginger Blog says

    July 14, 2015 at 12:13 am

    Mommy for the win! Way to go!

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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I challenged myself to be uncomfortable this year. Sharing this? The real and raw? That's uncomfortable.

Link in bio. 🖤

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

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This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

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