Living in your house

Currently, if you came to visit my house, I would be appalled to have you come in the front door.  But I would happily welcome you! 

I may even start keeping a basket of blinders by the front door for guests to put on and wear as I escort them into the common area.  But of course, that family living room has a rubber play mat in the center of it and is littered with toys. Toys that squeak - toys that rattle - toys that roll - toys that light up and dance.

Toys that hurt like hell if you step on them. Toys. Toys. Toys.

My studio has a hodge podge of baby gear and art supplies strewn across it and my dining room has a table partially covered with mail.

My kitchen has a smelly dog sleeping in the middle of it and a Bumbo seat + tray sitting on the counter patiently awaiting a tiny hiney to fill it for dinner.

Yep. That's my house.... nay, that's my home.

xoxo,
Linda

Source: someecards.com via Linda on Pinterest

Beach Baby

Impromptu spring break vacation? Yes, please!! NeeNee got a cottage in Corolla last week and we just couldn't resist the road trip fever.  So Biggie and I loaded up the kiddos and hit the road, sans dads! The weather was nice, very spring-like -- some random heat and chilly winds!  But cold temps don't bother us...when you get to see the sunrise at the beach, any day is a good day.

Lainey did great! I didn't expect any less from her.  

She wasn't sure what to think of the sand and may have tried to eat a sand-covered shovel, but that's okay! She didn't scream or cry so I'd call the sandy adventure a success!

She had a ball "swimming" in the giant tub!   The pool was closed and even if it had been opened, it was too chilly to swim. So who needs a pool when you've got a giant bath tub? Not this girl! *(Looks like we are graduating from a bath seat sooner than I expected!)

But I will say... sleeping in the pack-n-play is not her friend.  Every night, she woke up uncomfortable and every night, I gave in and let her sleep in my bed - which consequently got turned into a pillow fort so that my little wiggle worm wouldn't fall off the bed! But hooray! She slept in her crib all night with no problems once we got home! Looks like I didn't rock the routine too much!! I was nervous that I was creating the world's worst habit with this vacation...woohoo!

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. 

It was nice to just get a way for a little bit, for sure.

 

xoxo,

Linda

Happy Easter, ya'll!

Lainey's first Easter was a wonderful day in our family.  The trio met the rest of the fam at church and enjoyed a great sermon! Lainey sat for the entire service without going to the nursery.  She even joined in on our last hymn and sang the Lord's songs just as beautifully as the choir. 

The Easter Bunny stopped... or hopped... by our house, of course! He made great use of my Grandma's old milk glass basket.  I think a new tradition has been born.  You know, every year you use the same stockings - they're important - it's your stocking.  Well, why not try to do the same thing for Easter?  Yes, Easter baskets are fun to pick out, but this basket is important to me and I'd like it to be important to Lainey.  So for the time being, Grandma's basket has now become Lainey's basket.  This year, EB brought us tons of new flower clips, some snacks, and a new book! EB also brought Daddy some Kinder eggs - straight from Germany!!

All in all, it was a great day spent with our family!  

Here's the photo recap.

xoxo,

Linda

The great debate

The great debate continues in our house - Momma's Girl vs. Daddy's Girl.  Over the last month or so, Lainey has certainly developed some clingy tendencies. Which really means... I can't leave the room.  And I certainly can not let her see me leave the room! {Heaven forbid!}

If we were keeping score, I would certainly be in the lead at this point.  At night, it's all about Momma... which I love, I really love.  But really, kiddo? Let Daddy take the night shift for once.  Now, that makes it sound Lainey isn't sleeping through the night - she is.  Don't get it wrong - the girl can sleep! Generally, it's an 8pm bedtime and 8am wake up.  But on the one-off nights where sleep just isn't happening - I'd love for Daddy to be able to help out.  But it is what it is.  I am sure these things come in waves and give it another month, it will be all about Daddy again.

But for now...

Lainey is a Momma's girl

xoxo,
Linda

Crawling in a dress

I have been saying for weeks now, "Ok! No more 0-3 month stuff!!" But realistically, how can I not buy some stuff in these tiny sizes?? I have a tiny 9-month old!!  (gasp! 9months old already?!?!?)  I have put the brakes on buying anything smaller than 3-6 months at this point.  That should totally get us through the summer. (fingers crossed)

Spring and warm weather, along with clouds of yellow pollen, are filling the air in Richmond these days.  Unfortunately, when I was pregnant and "planning ahead" I bought 12-18 month warm weather clothes to store in a big container until this summer.  Thinking my daughter would be a normal, chunky monkey!

Well.... a lot of good that did me, huh!?

Lainey is just now getting into 3-6 month sized stuff and her tiny feet are just barely into a size 1 shoe!  I feel like I have been buying infant clothes for for-e-ver!!! (say it like they do in Sandlot, it will make you chuckle - I promise)

But buying small sizes isn't the hard part.  Nope - not hard at all. There are tons, and I mean tons, of cute infant clothes out there!! You really wanna know what one of the hardest things that I keep running into when trying to find clothes for Lainey?! It's having to take into consideration what she is doing these days! 

Dresses in the summer?  Good idea! 

Dresses on an infant who is rolling around and trying to crawl?  

Not so much!  

One piece swimsuits? Good idea! Nice and covered.

One piece swimsuits with a diaper? Not so much!  

{Good thing I think babies in bikinis are cute as can be!!}

Looks like munchkin will be rockin' her fair share of retro rompers, ruffled bloomers and cute bubbles for the Summer.  Oh, and not to mention, some adorable bikinis by the pool!

I scored this on a second-hand resell site for a great deal!! Can't wait for Lainey to wear it!

Source: gymbohaven.com via Linda on Pinterest

It's been a little while, hasn't it?

So sorry, my dear friends! I have been awful lately at posting.

My days have consisted of the following:

Wake up

Go to work

Be super busy at work

Maybe squeeze in a run

Pick up Lainey

Dinner for all

Playtime/Bath time

Bed

Exciting, isn't it? I know... you're jealous of my exciting life, right?

Luckily, though, it's quiet at our house right now - dogs are snoring, baby is sleeping in, husband is off to work.  It's just me, my laptop, and a cup of coffee.  Good morning, Momma!!!

So enough about me - How's the fam? How's the bebe? etc, etc... everyone is wonderful! I am the proud mother of a rolling, drooling, giggling munchkin! The weather is wonderful and warm! What could be better? 

I don't think I have ever been happier - really! As much as I say, "Oh, I wish I had time for this or I wish I had time for that." Realistically, I am having the time of my life! Life with Lainey is SO fun! Tiring, hell yes - but still oh, so fun!

On an extended familia note, Baby Cuz decided not to reveal its gender and is making Ninna hold out for another month before I can start spoiling them with tons of new fun clothes and/or hand me downs! And while we are speaking of cousins, Lainey and I are anxiously awaiting the tentative arrival date for Jeffrey's ship to come back into port at Norfolk! Last we heard, it's sometime in June-ish.  Can't wait to have the bff back at home for a little while! Be advised though, if we get the word he's coming in on bday party weekend - we are out of here! Parties can wait, greeting one of the loves of our lives can not!

Over the last 48 hours or so, I also had the opportunity to participate for the 5th year in a row in CreateAthon at VCU.  It's one of my favorite days/events of the year! Be on the look out for a little reflection of my time there (and since it started) soon!

Check it out! Looks like someone else is excited for Spring!

 xoxo,
Linda

Chicken Crockpot Tacos

About a week ago, I saw a pin on pinterest for chicken tacos that were made in the Crockpot. As most of you know, I am not a cooker.  I am a professional "order outer." But I said, "What the hell, it can't be but so hard to leave dinner cooking all day!" So we gave it a whirl!

It was DELISH!

Grocery list:

1 pack of chicken boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 pack of taco seasoning (I chose hot and spicy seasoning)

1 jar of salsa

+ taco accessories (lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, whatevs)

Taco shells (hard or soft)

What do do:

1. Put the chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and jar of salsa in the Crockpot

2. Let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours

3. Pull the chicken apart with a fork

4. Serve

Yes, it is that easy! No, I am not kidding. 

Everyone loved the tacos! And there was enough stuff left over for a second dinner this weekend!

Enjoy your weekend, ya'll!

xoxo,

Linda 

Source: mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com via Linda on Pinterest