Archives for October 2016

Friday…Really Fast

October 28, 2016

You guys, it’s 11:00 on Thursday night and I should be fast asleep. Instead I broke into the Halloween candy (which we’re supposed to give out on Monday) and I’m writing blog posts instead. Priorities, friends…priorities!

But since I’m not allowed an unlimited amount of caffeine during pregnancy (womp womp)…guess I’d better make this quick, then hit the hay. So here goes…

one. Yesterday was Arden’s Halloween parade and class party…and as usual, it was adorable. There’s just not anything cuter than preschoolers in costumes. Am I right?!?

Arden was super excited when she got to school and saw her teacher was an angel too! My dad’s first comment though? “Brown-noser” Ha!

I love that my parents can come to things like this. My kids don’t know how lucky they are!

Even though Nash’s class didn’t take part in the parade, it was clear the did some celebrating of their own. A long day (and a lot of SUGAR) for everyone. This is probably how I’m going to be feeling tomorrow morning…

two. Remember how I said Nash was OBSESSED with K-State football? Well I just found him the greatest Christmas gift ever. I’m not sure I can wait two whole months to give it to him!

Seriously, the kid is going to flip!!!

And in case you’re not a K-State fan, there are tons of other teams on Amazon too.

three. I used to be the type that wanted to keep Halloween costumes a secret until the actual holiday. But it’s hard to keep things to yourself when they’re this cute. I mean, do those werewolf paws not just kill you?!?

four. Guess what came in the mail yesterday?!? My first pair of Bean Boots! Now I just need the temps to drop so I can start wearing them! I’ll report back once I’ve worn them awhile…but I have a feeling they’re going to be all I’ve ever dreamed of 😉

By the way, if you ever end up buying a pair–read the reviews on sizing first! I’m normally an 8.5, but went with a 7 wide based on the reviews. They fit perfectly!

five. This weekend is my parents’ annual fall party and we’re so excited! Hay rides, s’mores, games & a bounce house…what more could you ask for? I just came across this picture from the party 3 years ago. Who is that little nugget and HOW does time go by so fast?!?

Cheers to a great weekend!

XO,
Vanessa

Nash: This Is Two.

October 27, 2016

Our little big dude is TWO. That itty bitty brunette who we welcomed into the world on October 23, 2014 is now a chunky, BLONDE, bundle of energy and joy. Every person that meets him comments on one of three things. 1. How handsome he is…I think so too, but I’m a little biased. 2. How much personality he has…you have no idea! or 3. How “solid” he is…try toting him around on your hip 😉

Much like his dad, Nash is obsessed with K-State. OBSESSED. He would listen to the K-State fight song on repeat all day long if I’d let him…and he ‘s rarely misses a “GO STATE”. When he wakes up before Arden, I’ll bring him into our room and let him watch a show while I shower. His usual choice? “I watch K-State football game, mommy”. And he does. I’m not sure how it can be fun for a 2-year-old that doesn’t understand the rules of the game, but he is glued to the TV when the wildcats are on it! Oh and he knows quite a few colors now…blue, red, white, yellow, and “K-State Wildcats”. AKA…purple. He is a die-hard, that’s for sure!

People always told me that boys are snugglers and love their moms. I totally get it now. He is the snuggliest little chunk…when he’s not running around like a total maniac, that is. My favorite is when he randomly comes up to me, puckers his lips and says “kiss, mommy”. Don’t have to twist my arm!

Mother’s Day Out has been a great thing for Nash. He loves his teachers and talks about “schoowl” all the time. As the second child, there aren’t a lot of things he gets to do just himself…so I think spending a few hours a week, doing activities catered to his age, has been a real treat. And when the door swings open and he runs out of that classroom all lit up and happy to see me–my heart could just burst!

I’ve never met a little one that was such a mix of ornery and sweet. One minute he’s terrorizing his sister or emptying every drawer in his room for “fun”…and the next he’s hugging Arden or saying “I lub you, mommy”. You just can’t be mad at him for too long.

Life hasn’t been easy since Nash was born, but it’s hard to be sad around this guy. I’m so glad my girls will get to have him as a brother.

You make life so much sweeter, Nash! We love you more than you could know!

Five Things + Swing Dress Love

October 21, 2016

Another Friday, another five! You know the drill 🙂

one. Last weekend Chris took Nash and drove to his hometown to pick up our new van (holla!) Meanwhile, Arden and I had a pretty epic girls weekend. Dinner and a redbox, a morning with princess Belle, and the Florida Georgia Line concert for her cousin’s birthday. Best weekend ever? I think so! I loved having so much one-on-one time with my sweet girl…and I think she felt special because she kept saying. “girls weekends are so much fun!”

two. Speaking of minivans. Heaven…HEAVEN, I tell you! I love this thing even more than I thought I would. Arden and Nash loved it too until they realized there was a “no snack” rule and the DVD player only works on trips. Womp Womp. (By the way…I give both of those rules about a month 😉 )

I know I’ll get a “cool” car again someday…but it’s going to be hard to give up the sliding doors. Those things are life changing!

Photo cred goes to Chris on this one. Apparently he was so excited when he left the dealership, he had to pull over in some random GB parking lot for a photo shoot. Man, we’re old…

three. Am I the only one that wants a Hatchimal for Christmas as much as their kid does? I always knew I’d be the mom who’d go crazy about the fad Christmas gifts (I come from the Beanie Baby generation, after all)…but seriously, have you seen these things?! They’re like real-life Tamagotchis! And you know I was all about those in the mid-90’s! 😉
four. I ordered a couple of these beauties for our guest bathroom…but then decided I liked them even better in our breakfast area. They make me smile every time I see them, so I know they were a good choice!

five. Last, but certainly not least…say hello to the Remi dress. It’s the perfect little swing dress and a new go-to in my (not so) maternity wardrobe. It comes in 17 colors (including the prettiest jewel tones), it’s OH-SO comfy, and it can be styled in tons of different ways just by changing accessories. Another great thing about it is that it looks good on so many different body styles (check out this video)…even the 21 week bump kind. Seriously, I heart this dress.

It’s on sale this weekend for $21.95 + free shipping!!! Just use the code DRESS2016!

Happy weekend, sweet friends!!!!

XO,
Vanessa

Friday, Friday!

October 14, 2016

Hey there! It’s FRIDAY…you know the drill!

one. It’s finally here. Minivan weekend!!!! Our little family will soon be cruising around in this beauty…and I. Can’t. Wait. No shame in my minivan game! 😉

two. I need your help! I’m on the hunt for some nice, maternity skinny jeans. The catch is I need some that are long…and everything I’ve found is too short…or too, uhh, saggy. (The worst!!!!) Anybody have tips?? I will love you forever!

three. After watching nothing but the Bachelor all summer (not that I’m complaining about that), I’m kind of loving all of these new fall shows. We’re watching Designated Survivor, This is Us and Notorious. Oh and I can’t forget about Catching Kelce and Ben & Lauren. I don’t even have the time to keep up with these shows, but if you’ve got other goodies you’d recommend–let me know 🙂

four. Guys, I’m obsessing about over this plaid tunic. I have it in red, but feel like I’m going to need the olive too. Just need to find some good maternity skinnies to go with it…you know?!? 😉 This was part of the “Momiform Monday” series I’m doing over at HowDoesShe. If you want to follow along, just like HDS’s facebook page and look for goofy videos of me on Mondays. Aren’t you excited?! Ha!

five. I can’t believe this sweet, ornery munchkin is going to be TWO next weekend. He is the best.

(Please ignore his floral backup sheets….but the baby doll, Minnie and purple bear are all his. Boy toys coming next weekend too!)

Have a great weekend, friends!

XOXO

(Almost) Halfway

October 12, 2016

On Saturday I’ll be 20 weeks pregnant…and this is my first “bump update” post. As you can tell, I’m doing a realllllly fantastic job documenting this pregnancy…(insert gritted teeth emoji). I was feeling a little guilty about it recently, but then I realized that I could only think of one particular picture of my mom when she was pregnant with me. And do I feel cheated? Is my life somehow incomplete because of it?

Nope.

And I doubt this kid will either! Phew!

That being said, I did get my act together yesterday to take a bump picture…so you’d better believe I’m going to share it! Something’s better than nothing, right?!?

scarf | striped tee | vest (similar) | booties (thanks Lizzie!)

Per usual, my long torso has taken over and hidden our little heirloom tomato away. Strangers don’t know I’m pregnant unless Nash lifts up my shirt and says “where mommy’s baby?” Because that happened once at Target. Yep. I also feel like the style has changed since I was pregnant with Nash. I’m wearing more loose, flowy tops than form-fitting maternity wear…therefore, the bump is usually hidden. One of these days though, I’ll look more pregnant and less “bloated”. Or maybe just both 😉

We got to see our little lady at the anatomy scan yesterday and it was wonderful. I think I could have 20 kids and that ultrasound would never lose its magic. I go through so much of the day not really thinking about the baby, that it totally blew my mind to see her moving around and resting with her hand on her forehead, just like our other kids do. Golly…babies are such a miracle!

I told Arden that I’d have some pictures of the baby to show her when I picked her up from school yesterday. And of course, that’s the first thing she asked about when I saw her (she doesn’t forget anything!) She was so excited about this little profile picture that she asked for tape so she could hang it up in her room. Later I found another one taped to the mirror in my closet. Oh that girl…

Now that the gender has been double-confirmed, I want to start getting serious about the nursery. Of course that means moving Nash into the guest room, which I’m feeling a little bit sappy about right now. I mean, he’s still my baby for 20 more weeks!

Anyway, I’ve only bought one thing for the nursery so far. But it’s a good one…

I’m hoping to do a shiplap accent wall, with this unicorn over the crib. I just need to convince Chris of all of it–since he’s my handyman and all. But seriously, when is shiplap NOT a good idea?!?

Well I think that’s all the baby updates I have for now! I promise not to go another 20 weeks before another one! I think… 😉