Sorrow.

Every night when I'm rocking little M in her nursery before bed, I think about how thankful I am for her. I think about how thankful I am to be her mommy. I think about how there's no greater joy than those moments of rocking and snuggling a sleepy baby with the smell of Johnson's bedtime lotion and the soft sounds of her lullabies playing. I pray and I thank God for her. She puts her little hands into the sleeve or neck of my shirt and her eyes get heavy. She is so content, and so am I. There is nothing better.

I have friends whose children are getting older and leaving the nest. Random people in the grocery store will stop and tell us to enjoy her while she's young because she'll be grown in the blink of an eye. So, I listen to them. Each day, I am aware that every moment is a gift and that I don't want to take it for granted. She's growing by leaps and bounds already.

Over the weekend, tragedy struck one of our friends when their precious baby boy passed away at only eight months old. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor just three weeks ago. Words cannot express the profound sadness and utter sense of loss in this situation. So many people have been affected. How can you even begin to make sense of something like this? As a mom, my heart is so broken. I am grieving so much for them. She was a stay-at-home mom, and this was her only child. He was perfect. And he's gone. I can't understand this. I have experienced loss, and I've known so many others who've experienced tremendous loss, but this is unfathomable to me. The pain is excruciating.

Over the past 48 hours, I keep hugging and kissing little M. Holding her closer. Thinking that it is not fair that some mommies have babies and some are taken away. I rock her longer at night, hugging her, tears rolling down my cheeks. I am shaken.

Please, please pray for the family of precious baby James and for their broken hearts. I don't know how they are doing it, but it's been two days now. Please pray for peace and comfort and strength for the days ahead.

Saving Money When You're Young

When I was a child, like most children, I couldn't wait to spend money... on toys, clothes, books, or whatever I could find. As I grew up, my parents really taught me the importance of saving money. As I've mentioned many times, I started working when I was 12. I've had a savings account as long as I can remember. My parents strongly encouraged me to save around 50% of all of my paychecks during my teen years, which I reluctantly did. Looking back, I wish I had saved more instead of spending my money on overpriced clothing that I wore a handful of times.

Fast forward to my mid-twenties. Graduate school, marriage, buying a house, having a baby. Having invested a relatively small amount of money in mutual funds while I was in high school, my mid-twenties self was so grateful to my teenage self for that tremendous gift. It is amazing how interest can add up over the years.

While not a huge sum of money, this account has been so helpful. Moving into our first apartment, I bought a brand new washer and dryer and living room furniture. Desperately needing a vacation after grad school, this account provided 8 days in the Caribbean. Desperately needing another vacation after a painful experience, this account provided a week-long getaway in Colorado. And, most recently, when our baby needed tubes in her ears and our health insurance deductible had not been met, once again, this account came to the rescue.

So, to my teenage self, I am very thankful.

Fashionable Deals!

Here's a round-up of my favorite irresistible deals for you and your little ones this week!

OshKosh B'gosh (Up to 45% off)
Carter's (Up to 50% off)
Oilily (Up to 50% off)

7 for All Mankind (Up to 60% off. Get an additional $10 off and free shipping until September 1 by entering code MYHABITX at checkout!)

Puma (Up to 60% off. Get an additional $10 off and free shipping until September 1 by entering code MYHABITX at checkout!)

Gerber, CHI, and coupons

Some great new deals!

For updated coupons, including Gerber coupons, visit Coupons.com to print before they're gone!



Right now Amazon has slashed prices on CHI hair straighteners. This brand new 1" ceramic flat iron is only $56, and the list price is $190! That is a huge savings.

Huggies, Kate Spade, and Mud Pie!

There are a few fun deals worth sharing right now!

First, if you click on Target and then click on the coupon link at the bottom, you can print out $2 off coupons for Huggies diapers! They also have several other baby coupons including Nuk, Gerber, Avent, and more.

Second, Zulily is having a super sale on adorable Mud Pie initial items, as well as Haute Tot, Melissa and Doug, and more!

Third, check out RueLaLa for a Kate Spade boutique sale!

Happy shopping!