Wish List

I've had one of those weeks where it felt like everything just kept going wrong.  Does that ever happen to you?  Highlights include breaking my phone, the dog running away (because I left the gate open), and yesterday when I got a parking ticket, I literally just laughed.  Because it only seemed appropriate with how my week was going.  Oh well...the dog was found, I got a new phone, and the $15 parking ticket is not breaking the bank. 

So, instead of dwelling on the awful week I've had, I'm looking to the future!!  My birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, and I'm excited about it.  So, I've been doing some online window shopping to brighten up my not-so-great week.  

I've had my eye on this vase from Anthro for years.  

When my sister-in-law, Gwyn, was home from Uganda back in September, she had a fossil oil cloth bag that I liked a lot.   It looks like you can find some on ebay here and there, but I found this similar one from Boden.  I like this one because it seems like it is a little more sturdy and can stand up on its own.  In the summer I can pack lighter for Brady and won't need a huge diaper bag.  This bag would be perfect to just throw stuff in and go.

I love simple jewelry from Etsy.  I got a few pieces for Christmas that I love, but realized they're all gold.  I like this silver one.  

I think a shift dress like this is perfect for a cool summer evening.  This one from Gap is cute, but the Old Navy version has a much friendlier price tag.  

I'll be turning 29 this year...it's the last year of my twenties, so I really plan to live it up!!  

6 months

Brady is 6 months old today.  I can't believe how quickly time goes by.  It's going too fast.  Even though there have been some rough days/weeks over the past 6 months, I would never wish this baby stage away.  I'll never get these moments back.  So, I'm doing by best to cherish them.  That doesn't make the difficult days any easier, but it helps keep things in perspective.

I love this picture.  It was taken the morning after Brady was born.  I remember exactly how I felt in this moment: pure joy.  I was so happy to have him on the outside, to just hold him.  I was happy that I could eat food that morning after the c-section the day before.  I was enjoying the time that it was just the 3 of us- Rob, Brady and I.  Rob asked me if I wanted him to hold Brady while I ate, I didn't.  I just wanted to snuggle him and love on him.

At 6 months, Brady already has a distinct personality.  I could tell when I was pregnant with him that he was going to be a nut.  I remember the morning of my c-section, the nurse put the monitor around my belly and Brady did some type of large movement.  The nurse looked at me and said, "um, how did he do that?  How does he have the room to do that?"  I said, "oh, he doesn't...but he does it all the time".  There were nights at the end of my pregnancy where he would just go crazy, for hours.  And now at 6 months, he is seriously crazy some times.  He cracks us up, but it also makes us a little nervous.  I realized last week when we were on vacation that Brady is super social- and if someone near him is not paying attention to him, he will do whatever he can to make them pay attention to him.  He is a ham, and he knows it.  He's a super happy baby, and loves to be silly, but when he gets mad, he gets really mad.  He also puts everything in his mouth, and I know when he starts crawling we are in serious trouble.  He's so different from Aiden, but I know they will be best buds.  They already love each other so much.

So, Happy 6 month Birthday to our Brady boy.  You make our lives brighter.

Party #2

I've been trying to write this post for a week now.  As promised, here are some pics from Aiden's family party a couple weeks ago.

I had so much fun with his birthday this year.  As I mentioned before, we made a big deal about him not being allowed to chew gum until he turned 4.  So, I decided to do a bubblegum theme.  Here's the excited birthday boy.

The most exciting thing I did was the cake....

It was surprisingly easy.  I found a picture online and then just went at it.  I baked a 9x13, cut it down, and a circle pan for the top.  I was super happy with the results.

I also did some special decorations.

A table full of gum...

I made this little garland with pics from each year of Aiden's parties.  My favorite is the first year...he screamed after we sang him Happy Birthday.

I found this idea on Pinterest.  You just thread a needle and put the balloons on.  So simple and looks great.  I will probably do this for every party now.

It was a great day.  

Here's Aiden's favorite gift from Uncle Richie and Aunt Nicole.

I love this picture...Aiden literally surrounded by people who love him a lot.  

Brady with his great-Grammy

Happy Birthday!

Love this kid.

4

I know I always use the excuse that life is crazy for not blogging, and it's true, but I've realized it's just life, and I'm not sure it's going to get any less crazy any time soon. 

So, the big deal around here recently is that Aiden turned 4 on Sunday.  I cannot believe he is 4.  I love this kid...

I have to admit that I have some guilt about his birthday last year.  If you remember, I was terribly sick with migraines from pregnancy.  It was probably the most difficult time of my life.  I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but to be so sick like that and not able to take care of my family, it was really difficult.  And these past few weeks have made me remember that time last year.  I remember having to cancel Aiden's friend birthday party because I was too sick.  I remember the day of his family birthday party, when we announced I was pregnant.  I got one of the worst headaches that morning and I remember sitting on the edge of our bed wondering how I was going to get myself downstairs.  I remember sending Aiden to school for his Valentine's party and feeling guilty about the lack of effort put into his Valentine's.  

Remembering that season in life, I feel overwhelmed with joy about the blessing that came out of that....

and I would definitely do it all over again.  But, I feel so blessed with where we are now, the family we have, and being healthy is an amazing blessing in and of itself.  

So, this year, I've decided to go all out for Aiden's birthday.  He really gets it this year, so it's been so fun to plan things with him and see the excitement he has.  He also is just so sweet and appreciative, which makes doing things for him so fun.

So last Saturday we had his "friend" party at the YMCA, and it was a success.  

He had a blast and we really enjoyed getting to see him with all his friends.  

I also was able to help out with Aiden's Valentine's Day party at school, which I loved doing.  He's growing up so fast.   I love seeing him interract with his teachers and peers.  I am a very proud mama.  

Tomorrow we are having family over to celebrate and I'm planning on doing a bubblegum-themed party because we made a big deal about Aiden not being allowed to chew gum until he turned 4.  He now asks for gum from the time he wakes up in the morning.

So, I'm hoping to be back soon with more pictures.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  

Surviving Winter: Dry Skin

Writing this post seems a little silly since it has not felt like winter around here at all recently.  It was 64 degrees yesterday...it's strange, but I like it because I really do loathe winter.  I loved being able to run out yesterday with no jacket on, no heating up the car.  I'm sure we have some cold days ahead, but I will enjoy the mild winter as long as it lasts.

On that note, one of the reasons I have a hard time with winter is my skin.  I have terribly dry skin and in the winter it is horrible, and I hate it.  So I thought I would share a couple of my go-to products.

Rosebud salve

This stuff is awesome.  I have been using it for years and in the winter I basically use it anywhere that I have dry skin.  At night I often slather it on my cheeks or under my eyes before bed because I get really dry in those areas.  Also, right now I have a cold and have that horrible under-the-nose raw skin.  So I put it there too.  It also says on the package that you can use it for diaper rash- which I've never tried but wouldn't doubt that it would work.  Also, this little tin lasts forever, like years.

Neutrogena hand cream

I will attribute using this to my mother.  She informed me of this stuff way back in the day- probably while I was in high school.  My hands get so dry in the winter they often crack and bleed.  I use this every night before bed because it is kind of greasy and it usually keeps my hands moisturized through the next day.  I still try and use just regular hand lotion during the day, but this is the stuff that I need to use every night or my hands will start to crack.  Also, a little goes a long way, so it also lasts a long time.

Neutrogena body oil

I don't have this issue all the time, but sometimes the skin on my body gets so dry that body lotion just doesn't cut it.  When I was pregnant with Aiden (who was born in February) my skin was so dry and itchy it was awful.  I used this stuff every day.  Again, I find it best to use at night before bed.  I shower and then while your skin is damp you slather it on.  My skin has to be pretty dry and bothersome to do this, but if it is, this stuff works great.  The next morning when I wake up, I feel so much better.  It also has this very light scent that I love.

As I write this, I'm realizing that all of these things I use at night so they can work while I'm sleeping.  And by sleeping I mean nursing Brady.

So, there is my 2 cents on battling dry skin.  I hope like me, you are enjoying the more mild weather so  far.  And, Happy Groundhog Day! Apparently he saw his shadow.

Gray Winter

This may sound strange, but I kind of like gray days in the winter.  I like the way it makes our house feel.  Sometimes the winter sun is just too bright for me.  I like when it's gray and I can open the curtains and light candles and feel cozy.  I also realized that I've been a bit obsessed with gray pillows, for our gray sofa.  

I made this one before Christmas

Got this one on sale from Anthro.  I spotted it back in the summer and kept my eye out for it to go on sale.

In the spring and summer I love color and pattern, but for some reason in the winter I like things to feel more clean and simple.

The pillow on the chair I got last week from West Elm.  I spotted it on sale when I ordered a new shower curtain.

I needed a change in the bathroom and have had my eye on this one for awhile.  

I'm going to really try not get too down this winter.  Over the past few years I have really grown to not like winter.  I think having kids makes it more stressful- they have places to be, I don't like driving in the snow or ice, feeling stuck at home.  One of the biggest factors is that Rob has a job where he has to be there, no matter what the weather.   It stresses me out.

We've had a mild winter so far.  It feels kind of weird, but I'm not complaining about it.   I do like the coziness that winter brings.   I like being at home where it's warm, with candles lit, drinking lots of coffee. 

This candle is amazing.  Yes, I'm a candle snob and it's from Anthro.   It smells cozy and clean and is perfect for winter.  

I'm hoping to share with you over the next few weeks  how I'm surviving winter.  I will admit blogging is hard with Brady's lack of schedule.  As I was typing that sentence I had to go up and get him from his too short nap.  But, I'm doing my best, and I really want to blog, so hopefully I'll be back soon.  

Happy New Year!

I realize I'm about a week late on this one but, Happy New Year!  2011 was a great year, mostly due to the fact that this little bundle arrived.  

I was thinking the other day about the beginning of 2011 and how difficult it was.  When we found out we were pregnant in January, we were more than ecstatic.  But, the couple months to follow were rough.  I was sick with migraines, we had a scare with the pregnancy, we had a ton of snow that always seemed to happen on the nights Rob was working.  But, by spring, things were more than great.  And surprisingly,  it turns out I actually really enjoyed being pregnant in the summer.  Being due the end of September allowed us to travel to Maine in July and the shore in August.  And these past few months as a family of 4 have been amazing.  I am so in love with all my boys.  

I came downstairs yesterday morning to this...

LOVE!

2011 was a great year despite some rough times and I'm eager to see what 2012 brings for our family.  I'm not making any grand resolutions this year.  I know there are things I need to work on, areas where there is always room for improvement.  

So, here's to 2012!  Happy New Year!