Coffee dates and customer service

 

top: c/o  sheinside    denim button up: old navy   jeans: gap   boots: zulily 

Addilyn and I are really lucky to have friends that we can get together with often, even if it is just to run errands with or a coffee date.  It's funny because I'll tell Chris that I'm meeting Meredith and Ellie for coffee and shopping, which sounds incredibly relaxing and enjoyable, but add in two active one year olds and it's usually quite chaotic and comical.  

(a trip to costo together)

The last time we met at Starbucks our girls were sadly done being distracted and entertained after about 7 minutes, if that.  Ellie was tired and having a meltdown and Addilyn spilled a whole cup of water on the ground and was happily body surfing all of the floor.  Needless to say we got ourselves out of there pretty quick.  
Then headed to Kohls to get a gift for someone which ended in Ellie wanting to take home all the baby dolls and Addilyn trying to climb on a pulling cart while we were checking out.  Thankfully the nice cashier felt some sympathy on us and gave us the 30% of coupon when Meredith was trying to find hers.  Really I think she just wanted us out faster, but either way it was nice. 
Speaking of nice customer service, I ordered something on zulily and they had to cancel one of my orders due to issues with the company and then another order ended up being super late.  They gave me a $30 credit because of that which means these boots were free.  Definitely makes up for any issues with my orders!

Baby in a Pumpkin

Every since last year when I put Addilyn in a pumpkin, I knew I'd want to do it again this year. Thankfully her tiny little body fit right into this pumpkin.  I was afraid she wouldn't be happy and it would take a lot of work to get her to smile, but I was so wrong.  She loved it and thought it was hilarious.  She didn't want to get out and for the days after pointed out our back window saying pumpkin.  

I have never been a big fan of Halloween growing up and never had any traditions with pumpkin patches, costumes or pumpkin carving.  Having a baby completely changes that and I'm so excited to keep doing these things every year.  And major picture overload in this post, but this is tame compared to the 100 pictures that I took.  No joke.  100.

 

 

 It's hard for me to believe that a year ago she was this tiny?  It's crazy to think how much she's changed this last year.  And how she's this real little person full of personality! 

Now how long many years can I get away with putting her in a pumpkin? I'm pretty sure I'll keep on trying! 

In case you're wondering . . .

 

tee and boots: target   jeans and flannel: old navy 

I've seen so many pinterest and blog outfits with stripes and plaid, but the whole time I was wearing this I was wondering if people thought I got cold and threw this shirt on because it was all I had in my car.  
Addilyn also pointed to this shirt about ten times in the first 30 minutes I wore it saying "dada" because this must look too much like one of Chris' shirts. 
I have about a -10% desire to ever participate in a whole 30 day challenge.  Wine, bread, sweets.  I can't imagine eliminating them all at one time.  Cutting out sweets for one month just about did me in, and I still ate chocolate covered granola bars because . . . not sweets.  
I am still paranoid about locking Addilyn in the car after it happened twice when she was little.  So much that I never, never close my car door until I've taken her out of the car seat.  I figure at least I burn some extra calories walking around my car an extra time, every time.  Who needs the whole 30 day challenge now? 
I finally ordered our new canvases with Addilyn's one year pictures.  It was about time.  
I did not make Addilyn's Halloween costume, but I feel good about some of you thinking I was capable of such a thing.  

And since I didn't make it, we will certainly get our moneys worth and wear it as often as we can. Trick or treating round one happened this last weekend.  So just be prepared for more little lamb pictures this week.  

The best of both of us

Last night when Chris and I were lying in bed we were talking about how happy and excited and silly Addilyn is.  How she gets so excited over all kinds of things.  She does this excited little laugh and flails her arms and legs.  When she's running at the park, before she gets her plate of food, when someone comes over.   Then Chris said I think she's like me with that.  Happy, wild and active.  (He actually said ADD, not active, but let's call it active for now.)  Then I thought what did she get from me?  My stubborness?  Great. 
I've been thinking a lot about how I want to be more diligent in praying for Addilyn's character and her heart, and who she'll grow up to be.  I was thinking about what traits that I'd love her to get from Chris and love her to get from me.  

Chris' silliness and love for life.  I love how easy it is for Chris to go with the flow.  To do something last minute, to deal with change of plans and to be happy with whatever circumstances he's in.  He's funny and silly and it doesn't take much to make him happy.  He knows how to have fun and is so easy to be around.  He knows how to live in the moment.  Whatever meal he's eating is the best meal he's ever had.  Whatever vacation he's on is the most fun he's ever had, and I love that about him. Addilyn is a happy baby.  She of course has her moments, and has her share of crabbiness, but she's generally happy, and silly and smiles a lot.  

My determination and discipline.  I think this is probably one of my top qualities.  If I commit to doing something I will stick with it.  The marathon is the best example I have recently.  I worked so hard to fit in the training and despite my knee hurting I was determined to do the best that I can and was able to finish.  I hope that Addilyn learns to finish things she starts and not give up.  So far she's definitely stubborn and I'll pray she can channel that into good things later on! 
I know there is so much that you can pass on to your kids and a big amount of how your kids are, is a reflection of your parenting.  However, I am also aware that every child is born with different dispositions and qualities.  I'm am praying that we can help foster Addi's positive traits, and help channel her not so positive ones well too.  

Date Night In

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.  #TargetWedding

Before we had Addilyn Chris and I definitely didn't go out on dates every week, but we sure did more than we do now.  I feel like maybe we didn't take advantage of how easy it was to go to a movie or go get dinner, because now it just doesn't happen too often.  
Most nights we end up putting Addilyn to bed around 7:30 and spend our evenings watching tv, I'm often on my computer and Chris is often on his phone.  I've shared before that we need to work on being more intentional with our time together.  And even if we're not out on a date, treat an evening like a date together.  
In the past we used to like eating dinner early, but now at least once or twice a week we wait until Addilyn goes to bed to eat our dinner.  It's nice to be able to take our time eating and not having to help Addilyn eat and clean her up soon after, rushing to eat our meals ourselves.  
Fall makes this all more appealing with the cooler temperature, fall recipes and staying cozy at home. There's been a handful of nights recently where I sit in the kitchen, drinking a glass of wine, talking to Chris while he finishes up dinner.  He makes a fire and we can sit and enjoy our dinner together.  It feels much more like a date. Plus I can stay in my sweatpants which is always a bonus.  

 crock pot slow cooker // stuffed pepper soup // pumpkin

seasonal products //  kitchenaid mixer // peanut butter cookie dough dip 
Last weekend was the perfect opportunity,  and Target registry makes it easy to get everything you need for a date night in.   
I had already made a super easy and delicious meal in our crock pot.  This stuffed pepper soup was easy, cheap and really good!  (Seriously crock pots are the best thing ever.  And even better in the Fall and Winter when soups and chili are my favorite.)  
Dessert isn't Chris' favorite thing, but it's definitely mine.  So making a dessert using the KitchenAid Mixer to eat while we watch a movie makes a date night even better.  And peanut butter cookie dough dip? YUM!  
This year more than ever I've  appreciated our house and fall decorations.  I don't know if it's because I spend more time at home than ever before, but decorating for fall, having pumpkins around, fall garlands, and candles burning make me so happy.  Add in a fire in our fireplace, followed by a movie in our living room and we've got a perfect date night!  
Like I've said before I want to work on being more intentional with our time once Addilyn goes to bed.  It's so easy to just sit on the couch and do our own thing, but I want working on our marriage to be a priority.  So planning a nice meal, dessert and evening with Chris needs to happen more often.    And shopping at Target to get ready?  Done.  
Now thanks to Target, I get to giveaway a $25 giftcard to buy anything you want! All you have to do is comment and tell me your favorite date night in.  And please don't tell me you play Chess or Stratego with your husband because that's the ultimate act of love over here and I avoid those games at all costs. 
Winner will be randomly picked on Friday.  Thanks for entering! 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED.  THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!
  

Treat yo self

sweater: c/o sheinside     jeans: old nay   boots: zulily 

Last week I had the most relaxing day I've probably had since Addilyn's been born.  After Addilyn's morning nap I got to go get my hair done, which takes a nice long almost two hours.  Then later that day I got an hour long massage and went to a friend's house for girls night dinner.  It was wonderful. As I was running the marathon I thought about this day multiple times, and it felt like a much deserved reward after working so hard that day.  

I used to hate spending money on things that I couldn't tangibly keep.  I would have never spent money on a massage, or rarely spent money to get my hair done.  While I surely spread out my hair appointments and can't imagine being able to justify getting a massage often, it was wonderful and I'm so glad I did it.  And would happily do it again.  It felt so nice to have hours to myself and I felt relaxed and happy.  Maybe it's getting older or Chris rubbing off on me, but now I certainly enjoy experiences almost as much as buying new clothes.  

To add to my pampering day, I got this sweater in the mail from Sheinside and I wore it three days in a row.  It's so comfy and I'm going to keep wearing it all the time.  

Unobservant

top and pants: old navy   shoes: kohls 

My sister texted me a picture of these shoes and I went to Kohls the next day to buy them too. Remember how they kept sending me $10 for their remodeling? Well they did it a few more times, which meant I bought these shoes for less than $10.  

My brother in law thought that Lauren wearing these was a joke and that they were the ugliest things he's ever seen.  Luckily for me, Chris could care less about these shoes, more because I don't think he ever knows what I'm wearing.  

While Chris does randomly compliment me regarding an outfit, most of the time he's quite unobservant.  After spending a day together, I used to play this game with him where I would ask him to close his eyes and tell me what I was wearing at the moment.  Very rarely could he describe my outfit.  The day I wore this outfit he didn't even make a comment about these wild shoes. 

So sometimes his non observance works in my advantage.  Does your husband have an opinion about what you wear?  Not like I wouldn't buy these shoes if he hated them either. ;) 

If I could do it differently

I had this post started up with a list of things that I'd like to do differently if I started over with Addilyn.  A list of things that I would want to differently if we have another baby.  Some things like let Chris comfort Addilyn during the night from the beginning, because we're kind of stuck in this bad pattern of me being the only one that can calm her down.  Or to be more consistent throughout her first year with putting her in the church nursery because now she screams and cries and it makes me dread Sunday mornings.  Things like not respond the second she makes a sound in the middle of the night for the first six months and probably setting her up to not so great sleeping habits.  To leave her for longer periods of time with our parents, have them put her down for naps and bedtime. Or how she's currently in a phase where she wants to nurse many times during the day, which she's never done and maybe I should've weaned her sooner.

For last few weeks I've been worried about all these things and have been fixating on them.  My girlfriends are going away for a night next month and I'm not going to go because I'm not ready to leave Addilyn overnight.  She still nurses once during the night and I just don't feel ready to leave her.  I know plenty of moms have left their babies overnight by this point and even lots have gone away with their husbands without their babies and feel like maybe I should be ready.  When I see posts of couples leaving their babies who are younger than Addilyn I wonder what's wrong with us, that I'm not ready for that.

Then I stop and think about how she is already 15 months.  The last year and a half have gone so quickly and can only imagine the next year and half will go by just as fast.  Then she'll be three and not even close to a baby.  These issues won't be issues anymore and they'll be replaced with different battles, like tantrums and wanting to stay and play at Grandma and Grandpa's and not come home.

So when it comes down to it I don't think I would've been able to do any of those things differently. I just did whatever I thought was the best for us, in that moment.  I'm sure down the line I'll do things differently with another baby, as it won't all feel so foreign and new.  But more probably because that baby will be different than Addilyn, and I'll have different needs and approaches at that time too.

It's so easy for me to fixate on things and I'm trying so hard to just let them go.  But it's a struggle. To remind myself that we're happy and all I can do is the best I can do.  To take it day by day and do what is working for our family. And that above anything Addilyn is loved like crazy.  And that I would do the same over and over.

Wanting . . .

 

dress: target   vest: jcpenney  boots: dsw

I want to have more reasons to wear my dresses and boots.

I want to have more weekends like this one.  Low key, girlfriends over, Chris cooking breakfast, and Fall weather.

I want to continue to watch episode after episode of Gilmore Girls and dream of living in Stars Hollow.

I want to finish Addilyn's 9-12 month baby book, which means I need to start it first.

I want to stick Addilyn in a pumpkin again this year and take pictures.

I want my blistery toes to heal themselves so I can put on normal shoes again.

I want everything I wear to have pockets.

All for the donuts

 

top and vest: jcpenney   boots: amazon

Two weekends ago, Chris, Addilyn and I  went to the pumpkin farm and even though it was terrible weather we had a lot of fun.  It was rainy and cold, which thankfully meant that hardly anyone else thought it was a good idea to go.  

Disregard Addilyn's poor attempt at pattern mixing.  We were rushed when we left and it was cold. What age could I start blaming poor outfits on her dressing herself?

Luckily Addilyn didn't care about the weather and loved it.  She loves the pumpkins around our house and was so excited running to all these huge pumpkins with her cute little giggle.  It started raining harder so we went inside and ate donuts and drank apple cider sitting on the floor.  We weren't there long, but really the only reason I go to pumpkin farms is for the apple cider donuts so it was a success in my book.  

But we can't really blame the weather because last year we went and only ate donuts too even though the weather was perfect.  And because I'll jump at the chance of a comparison picture . . . 

And proof that we can't win em all . . .