Tuesday, November 10, 2015

currently

This grainy photo describes life perfectly right now. No make up, bags under my eyes, out on a walk/bike ride to stay sane ;) But I love and cherish these days with my little people!
Pacifier Clip c/o Loved By Sohpia Claire Beanie c/o KB Cute Designs

Loving: all of the fun features/giveaways I have been able to share and get to continue to share! We've got some good stuff coming up! I absolutely love collaborating with shops, big and small, and am so grateful for all the amazing opportunities we've been given to try some amazing products!
Aside from collaborations, I also offer sponsorship on my blog! I haven't mentioned anything about it for quite a few months because I didn't know where I would stand with my blog once James was born. But I've made it a point to devote time to blog posts, etc. so I want to offer a special promo code to anyone looking to promote their blog or shop... please use the code "thanks60" to receive 60% off any size ad!
I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of my readers friends who stick around to support me and love my family! There has been a lot of "hate" towards social media and the fakeness of it, but I am incredibly grateful for it! Without it, I wouldn't be blessed with the amazing friendships you all offer! As I said before, I've got some great giveaways coming up... it's one way I can say thank you and I love you all :)

Reading/Watching: Someday I'll actually read a book again... My goal is to start a new series now that I'm nursing. Lots of down time ;)
I'm playing catch up with my Netflix queue! I just finished Pretty Little Liars (dying to see the season that is airing now!) and have moved on to Vampire Diaries. I can't wait for Revenge to be updated! P.S. I'm always hearing how Netflix is a nursing mom's best friend... how do you mom's watch it when you have a toddler running around, too? I wish I could watch my shows every time I sit down to nurse, but could you imagine Mia's reaction to Vampire Diaries? Yeah... ha ha!

Trying to: find some fun, simple crafts to do with Mia for Thanksgiving. I keep trying to teach her that Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for everything we have, and each time I try to explain it to her she replies with a, "whaaaaaaaaaaat?!" ha ha! Plus she and I could use some fun one on one time to occupy some time until we are able to get back into a routine in the coming months as James grow! What are some fun ideas you've seen or done with kids?! (I need simple because I'm lazy... and am still stuck in the newborn phase of craziness, ha ha!)

Wishing: that time would slow down and I could soak in these precious newborn moments that James is quickly growing out of! I'll be honest, the last few days have been ROUGH. The hardest parenting days to date (as in, since Mia was born) and I've gone to bed each night feeling major mom guilt. Eric is currently on day 9 of working 11 days in a row where he is gone 14 hours each day. The sleep deprivation, lack of our old routine, no endorphins (I miss working out but I'm dreading getting back into it, ha ha), isolation (Mia and I are very social and we miss getting out all the time!) and Eric's crazy schedule completely overwhelmed me and I finally had the break downs that people told me I would experience during the transition of having a second child. It was not pretty. After a couple days of wallowing I realized that I need to let my list of expectations go and just enjoy my babies! I have been putting too much pressure on myself to be able to handle everything seamlessly the way I did before I had James and that's just unrealistic at this point. Right now I should be sitting around nursing my baby (each time I am wishing that I could be cleaning and nursing at the same time, ha ha!), and being intentional with my time with Mia when James is sleeping, cuddling my babes, etc. The days are long but the years are short... so I'm going to do my best to soak up every moment, instead of feeling the pressure (that I, alone, put on myself) to have a spotless home and look impeccable... I have a 6 week old and a toddler for crying out loud, and time won't be slowing down any time soon.

Excited for: a special vacation with my people. I am so excited for the fun that we have planned! Eric needs a break from his crazy work schedule and time to just enjoy being with me and the kids, and I need a break from the expectations I put on myself at home. During vacation the only thing I will have to worry about is feeding James and having FUN! I have a feeling that I'm going to fall in love with my little family all over again... vacation is good for the soul!

19 comments:

P!nky said...

What a special picture, lady! So sweet.

Sorry parenting has been tough, hang in there. Super awesome days are ahead and I'm ALWAYS here if you need to chat or vent. Have you done the hand turkey craft before?

Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes} said...

OMG cuteness overload in that picture! I'm right there with you on wishing time would slow down. I really feel like the months are flying by and I'm sure it's even harder on you with a newborn and toddler in the house! And yay for a vacation soon! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

Courtney [Sweet Turtle Soup] said...

Parenting is such a ball of tough, I can't imagine how that amplifies with two. A vacation sounds like just the ticket! And, I've been catching up on PLL on netflix as well - addictive. I hope they add whatever is current quickly.

Jenn said...

I think those moments with your littles are super precious! And yay for having a vacation to look forward to--always makes things a little easier knowing that there's that waiting for you!
Can't wait to see what crafts you and Mia do in prep for Thanksgiving!!

Elizabeth [Chasin' Mason] said...

YAY for vacation!!!! You guys are going to have a BLAST. Nothing to worry about but fun fun fun! Don't be too hard on yourself mama, it will get better, it's only been 6 weeks since you had James and it takes a little while to get back into a routine. Plus, from that first picture, I can tell that Mia is LOVING you just as much as ever!

Shaunacey Bonneville said...

being a new mom with a toddler is hard. Oliver is 3.5 months now and I still have some really rough days... thankfully, I'm able to enjoy the good moments as much as possible and i think that's all we can do at this point. Hoping it gets easier for both of us!!

www.confessionsofafrumpymommy.com

Laura Darling said...

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear you've had some rough parenting days! I hope things calm down soon! Just keep looking forward to that vacation! :)

Mandie said...

First of all, Mia cracks me up. Ha!

But I'm sure that things will calm down soon. Keep your head up & look forward to that vacation of yours!

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I love hearing you say you left your expectations go, I think mommas need to do that more and stop being so hard on ourselves! I love that picture too btw!!!

Christina Lea Loves said...

You guys seriously look SO happy in that photo - I love it! Vacation on the horizon sounds fabulous!

BLovedBoston said...

You guys totally deserve a little vacation and a chance to relax!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

Caroline @ Windy City Chic said...

Love that photo! You SOOO deserve a vacation! And some pampering too!! Oh and a good workout (you look GREAT though, I just understand how you want to but don't want to work out again!!) I hope that you had a nice weekend and that your week is off to a good start too. xo

Ashley Brickner said...

Oh friend - I am with ya! I get the same mom guilt, but also totally want to soak in every moment!!! We need to remind ourselves to just DO IT! :)

Also - to respond to your comment on the huggies post - it's with social fabric. Have you heard of them? I have done a couple campaigns with them and they are pretty good. :)

Kimberly said...

Hey mama! Transitioning to two is hard! I think for 3-4 months we just sat around the house and watched Disney Jr while Olivia played with toys and Axel nursed. When Axel would take his morning nap I would snuggle with Olivia because she was only 2 and still needed that time. I didn't get much done, but it's what I needed to do to help my mental sanity! Don't feel ANY mommy guilt right now. How you spend the first couple months of a newborns life isn't going to have any negative affect on Mia. You do what you need to survive. Mom's sanity is the most important thing.

Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate said...

Love that you cherish real life!! Picture perfect in my book, sweets! ;) HOORAY for your upcoming vacation!!! :D

xo - Brenda // Chatting Over Chocolate

Kirsty and Seth said...

Having two babies is definitely hard work, ha! Today was a nightmare day and I really wasn't a good mum but both boys went to bed happy so I must have done something right somewhere in the course of the day, ha! Remember that you are amazing and exactly the mum that your babies need!

Manning Meanderings, Mishaps and Musings

Desiree Macke said...

Life with two is no joke. The biggest adjustment for me seemed to be just letting the small stuff slide (so I didn't get to dust today, the vacuum might have to sit in the closet another day, and my hair may or may not have been washed 4 days ago...). It's all irrelevant when two little people need you, and that's so much more important that a spotless house. Plus, my mom always said, "A little mess just means you've made your space a home!"
You're doing an awesome job, and your babes are SO lucky to have you as their mommy!

Melissa Baker said...

Great post!

Kelly Mock said...

Are you dying over PLL!!!?

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