Fridays With Fallon

The day we were discharged from the hospital and able to go home as a family after Fallon was born was a Friday. I was holding Fallon that morning in the NICU and snapped a few pictures, one I captioned "Fridays with Fallon". A few weeks later my parents offered to hang with baby girl while Chris and I snuck out for our first date night since her arrival and Fridays was Fallon was born. It's now become a weekly thing, one night a week we can get together with family/friends and, well, hang out with Fallon.

Babies grow so freaking fast, you blink and no longer have a teensy newborn but a rolling, babbling, teething 17 week old. It's so nice that our families are able to watch her grow in real time and we all get to spend time together. We float houses so sometimes we host, sometimes my parents and sometimes my in-laws but it's extremely casual and no one is expected to reserve every single Friday night. As Fallon gets older and I am able to be away for longer, Chris and I will probably use a Friday here and there as date night and leave her with all her adoring fans. I am betting no one will complain. They might not even notice!

I'm sure we won't keep up with this forever as the little ones get older and have other things to do. But for now, we always look forward to Fridays and not just because it's the start of the weekend. Happy Friday friends!

Friday I'm in Love

Happy first Friday of fall y'all! Decorations are up, pantry is stocked with pumpkin and apple flavored things, fall candles are burning and PSLs are on the breakfast menu. The only problem is Mother Nature hasn't received the message yet here in NKY and we are still baking in 90 degree weather. C'mon fall, my blanket scarves and boots are calling my name! I realize it's been a LONG time since I did a Friday favorites post so while the weather is a total bummer, let's focus on the positives.

Can we talk about how awesome these shoes are?! First of all, I scored them for 20% off with free shipping. Sperry quality and style at a discount, SCORE. They fit true to size and are really comfy plus they go with everything. I'm not kidding, I've worn them every day for the past week. It's the perfect way to add a little spice to the jeans + tshirt uniform I'm sporting these days. 

Speaking of jeans, I might just have a new favorite pair. So I don't know about you but back in high school, which was 10+ years ago for me, Abercrombie & Fitch was it. All the cool kids wore their graphic tees and jeans and I was pretty sure I was one of them. I was also pretty sure I knew everything. Sorry mom! But I grew up and left A & F behind along with my know it all attitude so I was pretty excited to find out that the brand actually grew up too! You will still find that cool, casual west coast vibe all of us who rocked the clothes in high school know and love. But A & F has something for us now young professionals, parents and stylish 20-30 somethings. I am absolutely in love with these distressed skinny jeans for several reason. The rips are in all the right places, they have definite stretch without being too tight or loosening up too much with wear. I was warned to size down because this particular pair runs large and they fit like a glove. Now that's a confidence booster for a mama with an 11 week old!

While I was out on a Target run last weekend I spied this rug that's been popping up all over my Instagram feed. In my cart it went and I am not sorry about jumping on this bandwagon. I can't wait to dress up my porch (okay it's really just a stoop) for fall around it. If you follow me on Instagram @hkpfeff523 you are sure to see it again. And again. You've been warned.

I've only been doing this mom thing with a human kid for a short while, but man it can be overwhelming. Parenting articles, social media and just our peers in general all say we should always do this, never do that and OMG you do what with your child?! Not to mention we are usually our own worst critics and constantly making ourselves feel guilty. So I absolutely loved this article my mom sent me and feel compelled to pass it along. Sometimes not giving a crap is just what the doctor ordered. 

I can pretty much always find something I like for myself at Old Navy but now I'm having all the heart eyes for their baby girl clothes. One of my favorite pieces of clothing in my closet is an army green utility jacket I got a few years ago. You better believe I snatched this one up for Fallon as soon as I saw it because OMG now we can match. I know, I know I will pay for this one day. 

Happy Friday loves!

Memorial Day Weekend

We haven't had a 3 day holiday weekend since the beginning of the year so we took full advantage for Memorial Day. Between regular chores and projects around the house we celebrated baby P, spent time with family, ate good food and relaxed. Saturday was my 2nd baby shower, hosted by my sister-in-law. It was a really nice afternoon and I am so grateful for all the family and friends who came and so generously brought gifts. Baby P feasted on all kinds of goodies including blueberry cheesecake and mama managed to wear a non-maternity dress and heels, okay wedges.

 

Sunday we continued with cleaning/organizing/the Honey-Do list in the morning. Nesting at it's finest. Then we headed to a family picnic where I proceeded to drop my phone in the toilet. It was only icky toilet water, thankfully, but I thought I might have killed my very expensive iPhone. After drying it off, sanitizing the heck out of it, and letting it be for a bit, it worked perfectly the rest of the evening. I was shocked. It was almost drowned again when a pop up shower had us scrambling to get back inside as we were listening to music on the deck. I thought we were home free until yesterday morning when I was working out and heard Siri talking....as my phone was on the other side of the room. So creepy. I tried to shut her down but the buttons wouldn't work and then...blackness. It wouldn't turn back on so I was dreading taking it to Apple and begging for a new one. I was even shamelessly going to go for 8 months pregnant and crying. But on a whim we tried the old bag of rice trick and do you know what? After nearly 24 hours in the bag, it turned on this morning. And it's been working perfectly fine since. Not a single unsolicited peep from Siri. Fingers crossed.

 

Striped cropped leggings - old from Gap / Yellow striped tee / Maternity Jeans - sold out from A Pea in the Pod / Lace up espadrilles / Bag / Monogrammed leather cuff bracelet / Gold bangles

 

Yesterday lots was accomplished and lots was eaten. I was dead on my feet by the time we ate lunch from the grill after being busy all morning and scrambling to chop veggies and make mac n'cheese (from scratch) without much notice. I'm not blaming anyone though, ahem, Christopher. Really it was fine, and delicious. I'm kind of bummed I was phoneless aka cameraless and didn't get pictures of the bump in my patriotic attire or the pups snacking on doggie ice cream. But sometimes just living in the moment is better than capturing it.

 

We celebrate Memorial Day weekend the good ol' American way with beers, hotdogs, pool floats and ice cream but I hope we all remember what the day is actually for. Thank you to all the men and women who have and are serving in our US military. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones while protecting our freedoms and those who dearly miss moms and dads away for duty.

Friday I'm in Love

Memorial Day weekend is always sort of the unofficial start of summer and it's coming up in just a week. Pool parties, grill outs, boating and in my case, a baby shower are on the calendar in NKY. You know I love to be festive so I couldn't resist a little roundup for a Friday post of some cute red, white and blue gear. And the best part is 4th of July is right around the corner so you use it all again!

Oh how I love stripes! This adorable tote also comes in gray + it's on sale! I might have to snag one.

 

If I had a pool I would absolutely have this to float my big ol' belly around on. Nothing says summer like a giant bomb pop.

 

I found these last week and couldn't pass them up. They are so cute and comfy and perfect for just about any occasion.

 

Another pattern I always gravitate to is gingham. How adorable is this retro tankini?!

 

I'm also totally loving all things tie-dye, especially in indigo, but this little red number is super fun.

 

I can't exactly pull off rompers right now, but as soon as I can I'll be picking up some new ones like this sweet eyelet style.

 

And really you just need a pair of aviators to complete the look. These are only $12 but don't look cheap so if you're like me and tend to lose them, no big deal.

 Happy Weekend!

Weekending

I feel like lately all of our weekends are rather eventful without a whole lot of downtime. I'm not complaining though because it's not all work and no play. That's not the way we roll around here. Friday night my mom and I went out to shop for a super fun wall art project we have planned for baby Pfeff's room. A bunch of individual pieces will come together for a cute decorative feature and I'm pretty excited about it.

 

Saturday I was up early, as usual, but instead of my typical make breakfast, workout, clean/do laundry routine, I took the morning to get myself ready. It's not every day you have a maternity photo shoot so I wanted to look my best. If you missed Monday's post about this, check it out and enter the contest here. I seriously considered wearing my outfit the rest of the day but it just wasn't practical for running around town. We ended up going out in the evening for drinks, well for everyone but me, and dinner so I changed again for a total of 3 times in one day. That's a lot of work when you're 7 months pregnant and trying to make a basketball belly look cute. But the gorgeous weather was calling to be enjoyed.

Sunday morning I made Chris sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches and scrambled some eggs and veggies with iced coffee, of course, for me. I also made a strawberry peach pastry that was pretty awesome. The strawberries are just so good right now I cannot help but buy them up to make things with. I even opted for a double dip strawberry cheesecake cone after running errands later in the day. A sunny 80 degree Sunday absolutely called for shorts, new sandals and ice cream. My dad painted the baby's room and I played around with the wall art pieces imagining what everything will look like as it all comes together. We spent the evening hanging in the backyard and then catching up on shows on the couch, windows open. I look forward to every weekend but I'm especially excited about this one coming up because I celebrate 29 years during my 29th week of pregnancy. Kind of cool, right?!

 

Green Eggs & Hands

I fondly remember dying hard boiled eggs before Easter as a kid. It's easy to forget how something so simple can be so much fun. Well, simple and messy. Okay, so you're SUPPOSED to use the little egg picker upper thingy that comes with the kit to fish the eggs out of the dye cups, or at least a spoon. But why go to the trouble when you can use your hands? Just ask my niece. Over this past weekend we had a family lunch and colored a bunch of Easter eggs. By the time we were finished miss Miyah had more colors on her hands than her eggs...and her eggs were pretty colorful. No amount of hand washing was going to get them clean right away and Chris told her that they might stay stained like that forever. She wasn't too concerned. Strawberry shortcake with whipped cream was much more important.
 

 

While I certainly love Dr. Seuss, the inspiration for the name of the post will not be in my future. Well, at least no ham, but I'm not opposed to green eggs! I think I'll go the blue route instead though. I mentioned I'll be making a treat for Easter brunch and I came across this recipe with blueberries to satisfy my continuing craving. I'm betting it pairs very well with some blueberry coffee and vanilla almond creamer. And it sound a lot better than green eggs and hands, er, ham.

Weekending

Some people like to keep their weekends busy, filled with all the things that could not be fit into the rest of the week. Some people go the relaxation route, taking 2 full days off and leaving all the worries of the week behind. And some people like to mix it up depending on the weather, current mood or simply what seems most fitting. We are these mix it up people. 

Saturday morning I got up early for a much needed and long overdue haircut and highlight. I always feel so refreshed afterward, like that fresh and clean feeling when you get a shower after a tough workout or organizing your home. I was in such a good mood I cleaned the floors, drank iced coffee on the deck in the sun and even did the grocery shopping, which I almost never do on a Saturday afternoon. Chris had his day full with dog training so we did our own thing until early evening. My little sis turned the big 2-5 last weekend but was in California at the time so we had a belated dinner celebration at a nice restaurant. 

Sweater / Phone Case

I saw this recipe for vanilla cinnamon pancakes on Pinterest last week and was up early again Sunday to give them a whirl. I used our griddle and added cinnamon syrup and strawberries and I'm surprised that between Chris and I there were still any left over. We walked it off at the park since it was a beautiful sunny day. It's good to spend one on one time with the dogs every now and then when you have 4 of them so we just took Chaos and he was loving having both of us to himself. 

We went our separate ways for the afternoon so I could go shopping with my mom for maternity jeans and he could log more dog training hours and run a few errands. I'm still in between my regular jeans being pretty tight but not quite big enough for maternity yet. We did find 2 cute pairs at the Gap Outlet that fit okay for now but I'll definitely be able to grow into them in the coming weeks. They were only $9.99 each! Target was a bust as I'm nowhere close to getting in their maternity line yet but instead I came home with a cute wire basket for blankets in our living room and a decorative wood + metal lantern that I just love. Chris and I reunited for an evening walk and then grilled out for dinner. Beef burgers for him, veggie burger for me. We watched one of our DVR'd shows and called it a night. 

The weekends always seem to fly by so quickly, no matter how we spend them. But there is a satisfaction to one that is productive, relaxing and fun. Have a great week friends!

The Weekend

It was yet another unseasonably warm weekend here in NKY but of course it did not come without a bit of havoc. Friday started out promising then hit a major road bump. It was a chilly morning but I had a doctor’s appointment and the messes of the week all faded away as I lay there listening to my baby’s heartbeat. The afternoon stayed sunny and I stopped for an iced green tea latte at Starbucks, thinking it was a happy end to a stressful week. Nope. Remember our car issues? Well, the new engine came in Friday but when Chris got the call, it wasn’t to come pick it up. Unfortunately a part of it was bent and the shop didn’t feel right about selling it to us (thankfully). A second option was way overpriced but the third seemed promising. That it until Chris’s dad went to pick it up and realized it was for the wrong model. I guess luck finally decided to show up because once the mistake was realized, there was one available for the correct model at a fair price.

 While I went off to a family baby shower, Chris, his dad, his brother and brother-in-law got to work on putting the new engine in. A million hours, 2 pizzas, a bag of taco bell, a 2 liter of coke and several Bud Light cans later the engine was in and the car was running. BUT we weren’t home free. So Sunday started with donuts and coffee, because sometimes they’re just good for the soul. I headed out to visit with friends and their new baby girl while Chris and his dad were back to work on the car. Meanwhile, my dad was busy painting our master bedroom most of Saturday and into Sunday. Yea, we have a lot going on. By 5 o’clock the car was overheating and there was still a missing piece so Chris called it for the day and we ran up to the grocery. It was an insane madhouse just an hour before the Superbowl and we were both pretty shocked. After we hurried to get the hell out of there we made it home in time to get everything put away, pizza and fries in the oven and the kids fed before game time.

 I stayed up past my bedtime to watch The Sheriff win (probably) his last game and crashed. So this week starts with a freshly painted and clean master bedroom, Chris staying home from school hoping he and his dad can finally get the car fixed tonight and a very tired pregnant girl. I’m choosing to be cautiously optimistic at this point. Probably the car thing will be the worst of the week and we already have it out of the way, right? Well if not, there’s always donuts and iced coffee to fall back on. Besides, baby kicks and these sweet snugglers are a constant reminder of the really awesome parts of life.

Weekend & Halloween Fun

I’m sorry it’s been over a week since I posted! Time has gotten away from me as so much has been going on over here. Last Friday I was off work for some an appointment but met my mom afterward to furniture shop for our new master bedroom. We found some great pieces that I want to take Chris back to see. Decorating is going to be so much fun!

 

 

Saturday my cousin got married an hour and a half away so we drove down for the evening. My dad’s family is very big and it’s rare we are all together in one place so it’s always nice to see everyone. It rained most of the drive home and I was exhausted and pretty sure I fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow. Sunday we ran errands and then I went to Kristina’s Scentsy party in the afternoon. I bought the cutest new warmer for the master bedroom and a few deliciously scented car fresheners. The rest of the evening was for some much needed relaxing.

Monday was a happy mail day because these hoodies I ordered for Ares and Chaos arrived. They fit perfectly and are so adorable I can barely stand it. The boys love them so much and were glad to show them off on our evening walk. I can’t wait to wear mine too and match them! 

 

 

It’s been gloomy and rainy here for the second day in a row and it makes me want to snuggle up and watch movies all day. No such luck since apparently there are these crazy grown up responsibilities which require me to go to work. The good news is Halloween is special at my office. Everyone dresses up and there are prize categories with judges and everything. It’s an 80s theme so my department is making our area into an arcade with glow in the dark signs, props and costumes. I was never into video games let alone able to play them in the 80s (I was born in ’87) so I had to look up my character to plan my costume. Luckily all I need is a pink dress and a crown and those were easy to come by. I can’t wait to see it all come together on Friday!

 

 

I hope you all are having a spooky and fun Halloween week with Hocus Pocus on repeat and candy everywhere!

New House News

Late last Friday night I was sitting on the couch watching Scrubs on Netflix, half falling asleep, when Chris walked in the door. It was the perfect start to the weekend. I’ve been hinting at it the last few posts but I’m now officially sharing that we found a new house and are set to close in a few weeks. Chris had only seen the house from the pictures in the listing and the ones I took when I went to see it before putting in an offer. Saturday we headed over to see it along with my parents, Chris’s dad and brother. The new home we are purchasing is owned by a relocation company so an inspection had already been done but I wanted the guys to double check everything. We even sent Chris to the attic to make sure there wasn’t anything living up there. Luckily, there wasn’t. It was a chilly fall day and standing in the backyard I could picture us being out there with the dogs and our family and friends. 

 

Sunday we took a trip to a local pumpkin patch and went out into the field to pick some big pumpkins. And of course we said hello to all the farm animals and bought my most favorite apple cider ever. It pairs amazingly well with a  little maple flavored whiskey if you’re looking for a sweet fall cocktail. Slice up some thin pieces of honey crisp apple and you’re good to go.

 

 

 

 

We celebrated our niece Miyah’s 3^rd birthday in the afternoon with family and even though they were serving chili they made mac n’ cheese for this vegetarian. Our gift to the birthday girl was a toy dog park with these fat little puppies that sort of waddle around. She and her cousin were so cute playing with it together and doing a pretty good job of sharing! It’s really hard to share when you’re 3.

 

 

And what better way to end the weekend than with snuggles? I went to get Ares for bedtime and he did the sweetest thing. I told Chris to hurry with my phone and take a picture. Immediately after this picture was snapped he popped right up. At least I had that fleeting moment.

Is it Friday yet? Nope. Okay, happy Tuesday!