Our Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It's so hard getting back into the swing of things after a long break from work. And lets not even get into the amount of food I shoved in my face. Not sorry about eating these cookies though. Not one bit.

This year we hosted Thankgiving and my parents made the long drive to spend the weekend with us. It was so special having them here for Rowan's first Thanksgiving! It was also fun having my Mom here to show me how she makes all of my favorite dishes. And as a bonus for having a small crowd at home, I didn't really have to change out of anything besides my fat pants.

While our Thanksgiving was filled with lots of love, laughs and gratitude for our wonderful family and friends, we unfortunately had some sad and unexpected news with my grandma's health. I cannot wait to visit and wrap my arms around her in a few weeks. 

LOTS of leftovers!

Rowan was a champ with his first taste of Thanksgiving foods! He is definitely my child because he loved the small bites we gave him of pumpkin pie. Though I was shocked he gagged at mashed potatoes. Not sure what that is all about!

This photo was taken just seconds before R lunged for the ornaments. I cannot imagine how hectic its about to get with a live Christmas tree! Because yes we're totally putting up two :) He is cutting several teeth so having his Grandma here to help was critical to saving at least some of my sanity. And the wine, that helped too.

And now I'm off to finish my Christmas shopping online! Share some of your favorite deals!!

10

Christmas Gifts for an Infant

All of our family members are on top of it with their Christmas shopping this year (unlike me!) and have asked for ideas for Rowan, so I've been racking my brain trying to think of things for his Christmas list.

I have known for a while that I wanted to get Rowan the Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair but beyond that, I was having a hard time thinking of other options since the kid has more toys than an infant could possibly need. Then, after calling in reinforcements from Laura and Stephanie since they know what works for a baby in Rowan's age range, it hit me that I had to think more practically.

The "larger infant but not yet toddler" age range can be tough for gift giving, and I know Rowan will definitely love tapping on the boxes and ripping the paper off the most. But for the folks who are in the same boat or have babies who are getting more mobile, here are a few of Rowan's favorites and some that I've added to his list!

Need

We love these Bumkins bibs. They catch at least half of the finger food Rowan drops, which is a win in my book, plus they are super easy to clean. I also like these disposable bibs for in my diaper bag and plan to get Rowan some snack jars.

We were having a hard time keeping Rowan from standing in the bathtub so one day I moved him closer to the spout. After seeing his reflection in the hardware, he didn't try to stand up once! Vain, I know, but this bathtub mirror is a genius distraction that comes with bathtub crayons for when he is a little older. Other bathtub toys like this octopus and this floating plane are on his list to keep him busy. 

Play + Learn

Rowan is a big fan of reading at the moment so we're all about the books, especially festive ones like the Little Blue Truck's Christmas and Olive the Other Reindeer. I always search for books at Marshalls and TJ Maxx!

Those stores are also really good for finding Melissa & Doug toys under $10, like puzzles and this shape sorter.

Two other favorites for Rowan in the older infant stage have been this V Tech Activity Cube and the Sit-to-Stand Walker. He loves the lights and starts to dance the moment the music starts! And I swear the cube encouraged him to sit up (he loved being on his belly before) and he just started attempting to walk with the walker!

Want

I'm putting all of Baby Gap in the "want" list and you know its just because this mama cannot handle the cuteness. But I also love shopping small so the first thing I picked up was a Zubels knit dog doll. Its so soft, I know he is going to love it! I used the code SM25 for 25% off.  (Also I'm not getting paid to tell you how much I love Zubels products, they are just an affordable alternative to other knit dolls!)

I also really love Shop LuLu and Roo sweatpants (Rowan has these), Slouch Headwear beanies, all things monogrammed (like this adorable seersucker backpack), and Pehr bins for toy storage. FYI these bins fit IKEA storage units perfectly and come in tons of cute designs!

So there you have it! Lots of very affordable, small things to throw in a stocking or wrap up for some good photos by the tree! Anyone else thinking more practical gift for your little ones this year?!

8

Confessions

Hi! It's been a while. I thought I'd finally show my face after hoarding myself in my house attempting to corral my active kid, work like a boss, and sew a fun piece for the Willow Crowns mini collection launching next week!

As I was listening to my annoying voice on a Snapchat video this week it dawned on me that I was using that as a confessional and thought it might be time to lay it all out in writing for those of you who are obviously on the edge of your seat waiting to hear from me. So here goes...

Slouch Headwear Hunter Green Beanie

1. I wish I looked that cute in slouchy hats.

2. My husband and I get to have our second date night in 9 months next week and we can't decide what to do or where to go. We can do so many activities! Kind of pathetic though that we can't narrow it down to anything besides cocktails.

3. We put no less than 4 pacifiers in Rowan's crib each night so that when he wakes up he can always find one. It's hilarious watching him do it on the monitor, actually works, and in the morning we find them in a pile next to him. That's right... he collects them while he is half-asleep. I find it so entertaining but I'm fully aware this might majorly suck when we wean him from the paci.

4. I have an unhealthy obsession with Pirouette rolled wafers. Also I can't pronounce the name of them despite taking French in college so there's that. 

5. We have 2 gallery walls and 2 mirrors that need hung, plus 3 bedrooms to paint, a laundry room to  add cabinets to, a formal dining room without furniture, and a room that looks like holiday decorations puked all over the place. Clearly we've been productive.

6. I recently had a very sweet reader tell me it looked like I had my act together. Let me assure you, that is not the case at all! I have myself together roughly 20% of the time, as in I have showered and made dinner before 8 PM. The other 80% of the time any ounce of "togetherness" comes at the expense of a missed lunch, wet hair thrown into a ponytail, or missed sleep. Seriously y'all.. hot mess express over here!

7. I've listened to Amy Vachal's cover of Hotline Bling more times than I'd like to admit.

8. I used to have a nose ring. Just a stud, no fancy bull rings over here. I got that over a tattoo on my 18th birthday because (luckily) the tattoo place was closed. Such a rebel. 

Okay now I'm off to have some vino. Happy almost Thursday, friends!

7

Mini Christmas Style

Dare I say it, but we may be finally coming out of the fog that has been Rowan's ear infection and cold plaguing him the past few weeks. Whew! But if you see me try to pretend the bags under my eyes aren't there... K? Thanks!

I've been fueling with extra large coffees since Rowan was sick and normally I'd be annoyed that Starbucks has their red cups out so early, but this year I'm all about it. Give me all the Christmas things. There are only 6 more Fridays until Christmas, people!

Don't get me wrong, Thanksgiving has always been a favorite (who doesn't love stuffing their face with food for an entire day?) and I'm so excited to host my parents this year in our new home... but I'd be lying if I said I didn't fight the urge to put up a tree already.

I'm trying to soak up all of the festive goodness with our little family this year, so pardon me while I spam you with some baby photos in the most adorable Santa sweater ever.

Santa Hat, Sweater, Rattle and (not pictured, the cutest clip on toy Santa) c/o Zubels.

The knit fabric on this sweater is really soft, I love it on him so much. This moose option is also a festive fave! They are so well made and wash up really well!

Santa Hat, Sweater, Rattle and (not pictured, the cutest clip on toy Santa) c/o Zubels.

That rattle? He's obsessed. It's the perfect size for his little hand to hold. There are lots of other non-holiday rattles, such a great stocking stuffer idea mamas!

And if you can't tell this kid is on the move! He does.not.stop. I love it.

I honestly can't resist all things knit and fair isle for babies. Here are a few more of my favorites!

Zubels Moose Knit Doll. Holiday Outfit Set. Cable Pom Hat. Booties. Knit Jumpsuit.

Rowan has this winter trapper hat and I can attest that they make the softest sherpa/fur accessories for babies! I only buy during their Friends and Family sale because, yikes, but I can't pass up those booties!

I'm already scheming about decorating Rowan's nursery for Christmas. Definitely exercising major restraint by not purchasing Santa crib sheets, but that Zubels moose is most definitely going in his toy basket!

Is anyone else fighting the urge to put a Christmas tree up yet?! 

Disclosure: I received complimentary items from Zubels for the purposes of this collaboration. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own! Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible!

11

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends! We're still nursing R's double ear infection over here so I apologize for my absence from this space lately!

Because I'm the most indecisive person in the world, we switched up the rug in our living room and I have to say I really love this new one! The problem is, it's actually more white than I anticipated and I'm thinking this one might be a better option since our chair, curtains, and throw blanket are definitely off-white. I know, total first world problems over here. (I can sense my husband's eyes rolling right about now)

We're feeling festive this week, especially after seeing Rowan in this adorable Zubels knit Santa hat! He is obsessed with the crochet rattle too, though he recently learned he can chuck it across the back seat of the car so that's been fun. But I'm obsessed with the Zubels knit dolls and I'm convinced Rowan needs this moose as part of his Christmas nursery decor (because yes, I'm totally decorating his room!).

Santa Hat and Rattle c/o Zubels. See more next week!

I admit I put zero effort into dinners this week. The upside to that is we ordered pizza from our favorite local restaurant last night and I got their five cheese caprese pizza. It was SO good and I'm definitely planning to recreate it! The menu says its got olive oil, garlic, feta, bleu, parmesan, mozzarella and provolone cheeses plus diced tomato, basil, and balsamic drizzle. Totally doable at home!

Super high quality iPhone snap.

If you're like me and you have a dog, kid, or husband, do yourself a favor and pick up some of the new Fresh Wave products at Target this weekend. I tried out some of their new products this week and I really like them! They are natural and non-toxic which is a must with a baby around! So far I've used the spray on Ruby's dog bed, the odor removing packs in R's diaper pail, and the gel in a closet where we store Ruby's food. Also considering moving the gel into my husband's car because, ew.

c/o Fresh Wave

Hope you all have a fab weekend! We're planning to take Rowan downtown this weekend and I'm really hoping we get the cool weather they are predicting. Totally over this 80 degree November weather!

Also stay tuned next week for some more festive goodness :)

7

It Takes a Village

Being a mom is hard work.

I know I'm just stating the obvious here but since the very beginning of my pregnancy I think I underestimated the endless worry, sleepless nights, and most of all, the amount of love you can have for one tiny human being. How seeing him smile, crawl, and cuddle into your neck makes you completely forget that he just spit up all over you or gave you approximately 4 hours of sleep last night. 

Photo by Shannon Michele Photography

I was the first of my group of friends to have a baby so I had no one to ask about random pregnancy pains or what you really need on a registry.

Sometimes you just need to know you're not the only one dealing with two ear infections in a month and teething all at the same time.

Sometimes you need someone to say "been there, try saline before the nose frida!" Or just to agree, mom to mom, how bad it sucks (literally). Someone to remind me not to hate daycare for exposing Rowan to germs, and be thankful that its building his immune system.

Someone to encourage you to have that glass of wine at the end of the day because you deserve that glass of deliciousness. 

I honestly would have felt totally in the dark if it weren't for Stephanie and Laura being so sweet and reaching out to me, lending an ear, and throwing any and all advice they have my way. I'm sure they totally regretted offering when I text them endless first-time mom questions!

And with Jillian's baby girl just a month younger than Rowan, its been so great sharing all of these new, crazy, and fun experiences with a friend.

I know there are tons of mamas I'm not mentioning who have shared advice or just gave a collective "Amen" when I complained about the 4-month sleep regression. It really does take a village to help mentally and physically (thank you nursing mama friends!) navigate the world of Motherhood. So thank you ladies.

If you're expecting or a new mama, please don't hesitate to reach out! I may not know what the heck I'm talking about, but I can guarantee my kid also took his crazy pills at least once this week.

Because let's face it, men just don't understand our postpartum hair loss woes.

8