New Blog Design... BOOM!

The blog finally got a makeover! I am SO excited about the new chalkboard design! The design is by Kathy at Nudge Media (found her on Etsy of course!) who was awesome to work with & was able to put exactly what I had in my mind onto the page! Turns out the "Due February 22" banner really over stayed it's welcome! :)

We're not only rocking new chalk on the blog, but also in the kitchen!

I am loving all the Halloween decor around the house, sad it's almost time to take it down, BUT cannot wait to go Clark W. Griswold style on this place very soon.... including Harper's nursery!

While on the topic of new additions to the blog, let me present to you, the BOOs & the BOOMs! :) My husband pointed out the other day that I often have a one word initial reaction to almost everything he tells me. BOO (insert sad face) if it's something I don't like.... and BOOM! if it's something that makes me happy. Turns out, he was right. So I thought it might be something fun to incorporate into my ramblings on a weekly basis! Hope you like :)

The BOOs

Does everyone else's baby turn into a bucking bronco during diaper changes? I shit you not, I was changing Harper's diaper the day, and the kid literally flipped herself over while I was holding onto her ankles, and all of a sudden I am wheel-barrowing her poop-caked butt across the pack-n-play. Holy hot mess. Someone please tell me this is just a phase......?

Also, Brandon made a bomb homemade chili on Sunday (he's always wanted to be known as the guy who makes bomb chili). It was delicious... topped with tater tots & cheese... and very spicy. I didn't realize quite how spicy it was until I accidentally inhaled a bite and it came out my nose when Harper-the-teething-wild-child BIT MY BARE FOOT while I was taking a bite. Anklebiter - 1,  Mom - 0.

The BOOMs

The Halloween book Goodnight Goon (recommended by many readers) which might be the most hilarious kids book of all time. For those of you who read Goodnight Moon to your munchkins, this is a must have. We crack up reading this to her at night now... not sure I'll even go back to the original. Who am I kidding, we already watch Hocus Pocus all year long, so I guess we all know the answer to that.

Lastly, I can't get enough of this kitty hat. Obviously by the look on her face, she certainly can.

 Kitty Hat from Gap (last season, First Favorites Onesie, Polka Dot Leggings, Ugg Bixbee Booties

Harper's Fall Photo Shoot

During our last trip to Iowa, my incredibly talented friend Becky took pictures of Harper. They officially melted my heart. So excited to be able to share them... prepare for cuteness overload.

This might be my favorite picture of all time. Her chubby cheeks, the hilarious cat hat, the giant pumpkin & of course, the chalkboard... all in one perfect Iowa Fall setting. 

 Mini Chalkboard, H&M Grey Onesie, Gap Bubble Shorts & Tights, Gap Kitty Hat from last season

Genius idea from Becky, bare baby toes and pumpkins!? Perfection.

 And of course, the shot I shared on instagram, this sweet little smile & adorable hat that totally fits her personality.

Gap Bubble Shorts & Tights, H&M Grey Onesie, Polka Dot Pocket Hat

I can't believe how fast this little munchkin is growing! I wish I could have pictures like this of her done every weekend. Thank you all for the sweet comments on instagram... if I could just go into business playing dress up with this kiddo... I would! Also, it's almost Halloween. Cannot wait for costumes, trick-or-treating, and all the other festiveness that comes along with it! What are all your babes going to be?! There is nothing better than an adorable kid costume... I'm ready to see gnomes, lobsters, cupcakes (or muffins!), popsicles (or Harpsicles!) and of course... little troll dolls! 'Tis the season!

Finger Food & Mean Mugs

Mostly mean mugs as a result of finger food.  Harper is officially eight months old! She is crawling all over the place, trying to pull herself up onto furniture already AND baby babbling more than ever. I swear she said "hot dog" the other day. Most proud mama ever.

With that 8 month milestone, we are also entering a new territory in terms of meal time. Our ped told us that once she starts crawling & picking things up with her pointer finger and thumb (rather than the whole-hand-grab)... that we could start feeding her more finger foods.

 

We have started giving her bits & pieces of the things we eat (peaches, avocado, broccoli, green beans, etc.)... But I find it hard because we eat so much spicy food. She isn't so sure what to think of it yet.. but we are making progress! She loves the little cereal puffs & yogurt melts. They are much easier to pick up since they aren't slippery like a lot of other fruits/veggies we give her. PS. the organic sweet potato & mango ones taste just like Honey Smacks cereal (totally that mom who eats her baby's food). 

 

 

As much fun as this has been, it is also a whole new type of mess making. Like two-hour-old-banana-smashed-behind-the-ear messy. Be prepared for a few extra dirty bibs, face wipes & swiffer pads.

 I think she also totally appreciates our encouraging clapping & cheering after she successfully eats all the goodies on her tray.

 So, let me hear it! At 8 months, what were you feeding your little munchkins?!

Seven Month Favorites

Time continues to fly on by as we round out Harper's 7th & now almost 8th month. She is going to be one in the blink of an eye! I know people say this all the time, but it just gets better & more fun as they grow. She is so entertaining & silly... and totally surprises us every day with the new things she learns or does. We are just loving every minute of it! Seven month favorites are by far the best... so much fun stuff here!

Boon Bath Toys - We got into such a bath routine as part of a necessity that we almost forgot that it can be fun too! We picked up these bath toys (obviously because they are so stinking cute!) and it took bath time to a whole new level. She is sitting up in the tub now and has a blast playing with these & chewing on them. Plus, you better believe she has one in each hand when we take her out of the tub each night... which we discovered is the only way to keep her from screaming after her bath because she loves it so much! I can't wait to get her in swim class.. I think she'll love water just as much as her mama!

Old Navy Body Suits - Love the colors, the material & the way these fit SO much more than many other onesies out there.

UGG Infant Bixbee Bootie - Believe it or not, she still wears the smallest size of these, the same pair that she has worn since she was born. We LOVE these shoes. They're the only pair she can't pull off! Now that the weather is getting cooler, she has been wearing them every day and I just love them so much, can't wait to pick up another color of them this weekend.

Avent Sippy Cup - Another one of those things we couldn't grasp that she may be old enough for. Harper had her first cold two weeks ago, so we busted out the sippy to give her some water/juice and she is just loving this cup. It's so fun to watch her learn how to drink out of it... and best part... it is spill proof AND the sippy parts fit on standard Avent bottles.

Itzy Ritzy Cart & High Chair Cover - I already raved about this in another post, but it is honestly the best & most fun thing to have. No more stroller for this little chica when we are in Target... she is eye level & so totally entertained by all she can see! Also, IT'S SO FLUFFY! :)

Boon Squirt Spoon - These are so damn awesome it's not even funny. Especially when you have a hungry little bunny like I do who gets impatient waiting for food to be scooped onto a spoon. Only two parts to wash & takes up less room on the drying rack. We have one in the kitchen & one in the diaper bag for easy feeding on the go.

B. One Two Squeeze Blocks - Not only are these the prettiest blocks ever made, but they are perfect for little hands & little baby teeth.

And, if you're like me, you'll enjoy matching them to your baby's outfit.

 

Also, for a while we were feeling like Harper was totally over her Luv U Zoo Jumperoo. We were just about ready to pack it away, but all of a sudden she started loving it again! Maybe since she started crawling she just feels the need for speed to be more active, but she is all about this thing again! And not just for jumping, she randomly loves to sit under it!! We crack up because any time it is in the room, she will crawl right over to it and sit underneath.

  

I also wanted to thank you all for the sweet comments on our anniversary! We loved reading every single one of them! :) Time to go put some finishing touches on the outdoor Halloween decor & then take pics for a house tour per your request!

  

Gap Dress, Old Soles Ballet Flats

Don't forget, product recommendations for the upcoming months are always welcome! :)

Four Years in Pictures

So hard to believe that four years have gone by! Brandon & I met on a blind date during my junior year of high school.. August marked TEN years from the day we met. I guess they say, time flies when you're having fun! Here is a fun look back at the best four years of my life.

Our wedding day, October 11, 2008

The traditional Village People (made up my my four brothers, dad & the groom!) dance to get everyone on the dance floor.

Obviously it worked! :) Our wedding was SUCH a blast!!

 We already lived in Florida at the time, so we spent the next few years making our families very jealous of our warm weather. 

Went to a lot of fun events around the Tampa Bay area!

 Ran our first 5K!

 Took lots of trips back to the midwest to get snowed on.

Then quickly remembered why we loved living in the south. Celebrating "Christmas in July" with a Swimsuits & Santa Hats party at our pool!

Played sports, watched sports, got our pirate on at Gasparilla & jammed out to ZBB live!

Shortly after we moved to Georgia in Spring of 2011, we found out there was a bun in the oven! It was crazy to imagine the journey that was in store for us... how things would change... how crazy it sounded to have a baby and be responsible for another human being. Everyone tells you about the crazy love you will feel once you have a child... but you can never, ever imagine until your day comes. The next nine months flew by, filled with worry, excitement & CHALKBOARDS! You all know what happened from there so I won't bore you with more pictures :) Our lives changed forever the day sweet Harper Eve made her arrival.

My whole life I dreamed of this life. Having extravagant, festive holidays with family, making our house come alive with kids toys scattered everywhere & goodies baking in the oven, and sneaking outside at night for a beer with my man after the kids are in bed. 

So here we are four years down the road. We are older (and therefore much wiser!), dorkier, sillier and sappier but have more fun & more in love than ever. 

Halloween Costumes Are My Thing.

 Everybody has their thing. Maybe you make a mean Chili... have the best Christmas light display around (your name better be Clark Griswold)... or dominate at knowing "what other movie" that actor or actress plays in. But dressing up for Halloween is my shit. The excitement is overwhelming.... that is where my eve's of holidays first began. I can't even fall asleep the night before Halloween because I am too giddy about the festiveness that awaits me in the morning.

So, my friends, a little flashback of my favorite Halloween costumes over the years.

My first, and most favorite costume of all time, the Muffin.

This was 2006, my junior year in college. I had it in my head for the longest time that I wanted to be a muffin... well before Pottery Barn had "cupcake" costumes. This puppy is made up of a hula hoop, packaging paper, loads of duct tape, some fabric & hot glue. I don't know how to sew.

Brandon was Waldo. Looking back, he totally should have been the Muffin Man.

Not pictured, because I literally cannot find one, I was a troll doll. Flourescent purple hair sticking straight up, nude body suit stuffed in the belly & the hips and a jewel in my belly button. Would be a hilarious kids costume.

The next year, I was a witch. I was obsessed with this costume, not necessarily for it's creativity, but probably because of my super duper obsession with Hocus Pocus. The skirt, legs & shoes were the best. I am obviously beer-bonging with one of my best friends (she was Glenda the Good Witch) because Brandon had a lame pirate costume that gradually fell apart through the night. I still have this costume.. dare me to wear it to the grocery store on Halloween day.

The next year I was a peacock & Brandon was a lumberjack. While I do love couples costumes, sometimes you gotta do your own thing so you can both be what you want! :) I'm guessssssing it was Brandon who desperately wanted to be a lumberjack this year.

Next up, Zack Morris & Kelly Kapowski. Ironic, since my brother's real name is Zach Morris. This one got us first place in a costume contest (whoop!) likely because of the giant cell phone. This was made up of an old cordless phone stuffed into a computer speaker. Craftsmanship right here.

Temporary spray hair color turned this dude blonde for the night. Sorry for the blurry pics, apparently I only took them on my phone rather than using a real camera, such a shame.

 

And last year's costume, the Home Alone Wet Bandits. I was pregnant with Harper here. If you remember from my Halloween post last year, I complained about how much it super sucked being pregnant in a bar (especially dressed like a fat old man) with all the half-dressed-playboy-bunnies running around. But it was Halloween, so it was worth it.

 

Hope you've enjoyed all of this nonsense... I certainly have. I secretly wish I could be the muffin every single Halloween.

I can't wait to share our costumes for this year, which we finally just decided on, along with Harper's adorable Tinkerbell costume! :) I will leave you with a pic of this little pumpkin.

 Carter's Halloween Outfit