Favorite Finds

It's been way too long since I shared awesome things for you to go spend money on don't you think? There are so many things I could link today but I'll narrow it down to just a few. I'm going all Target on you in this post, you come here for one thing and end up buying all the other random things. But I'm honestly not sorry about it. I feel like it would be selfish of you to keep these gems to myself. Toss your kid so me puffs, grab your coffee and get ready to shop. 

We finally got Fallon to like puree pouches again after boycotting them for months in favor of solids. But she's super messy and squirts them everywhere and I'm that mom baby wiping the Target floor. We recently received reusable food pouches with spill proof lids from ChooMee and if you're a mom on the go, you need them too. They're freezer + dishwasher safe, easy peasy to fill with applesauce, yogurt or homemade puree and the lid really is spill proof. You even just pop the lid onto a store bought pouch!

We are self proclaimed blanket hoarders in this house. A snuggly, soft fun printed one will get me every time. And we are always using them so ain't no shame in our blanket game. The newest additions to our collection come from Clementine Kids and I cannot even handle the cute reversible prints and cozy muslin. 

The weather has been warm and sunny so we've got summer on the brain. You will be seeing a lot of this outdoor table and these chairs on our deck all season long. Don't you love when you find exactly what you're looking for at a reasonable price?!

I don't know that I'll ever have one of these posts that doesn't include a pair of shoes. I might wear the same jeans, tees and leggings on rotation but I love to keep switching up my shoes. My mom snagged this new pair for me and they are perfect for running errands or just looking cute + casual all summer long. 

If you haven't noticed, we fully subscribe to the pjs all day motto many a day around here. So naturally we must have all the cute jams. Gap is killin' it right now and I just scooped up this, this and this pair for Fallon in the next size. She seems to be growing again all of a sudden and I don't want to be caught jamless!!! 

Happy Friday eve friends!!

2 Year Anniversary

2 years ago today Chris and I said our wedding vows and it seems like it was just yesterday. A new house, a job change and a baby later, we're more exhausted but happier than we've ever been. I thought I loved him as much as I possibly could when we got married but that love has just continued to grow as we do life together. 

I've told this story before and I'm sure I will again, but Chris and I met in a bar. I never in a million years would have thought this is the story I'd be telling my children but you just really never know when you're going to meet that right person. My friend shot out of a booth after I casually mentioned the guy in the backward hat was cute when he walked by. I couldn't catch her in the crowd before she stopped him (on his way to the bathroom) and I was left to awkwardly introduce myself. He bought me a beer and really the rest is history. We didn't date immediately because he was traveling for work but it was one of those things where we both knew there was something there right away. And here we are, happily married with a perfect baby girl and a pretty awesome life. 

Babe, thank you for being the definition of a class A husband and father. You always put family first, are the most loyal, protective and honest person I know and try to make sure we are always happy. I couldn't imagine a better person to spend forever with. Here's to a lifetime of memories together. 

Vacay Pics + Travel Tips For Tots

Our vacation started early on a Monday morning when we flew to Alabama to leave on a 5 day cruise. It wasn't Fallon's first time flying, but it was my first time flying alone with her. Chris had to stay behind for work so it was just the 2 of us, navigating check-in, security and a connecting flight. So before I get to all the fun stuff, let's talk about a few things that made traveling with a baby easier, especially doing it solo. 

1. Bring way too many snacks. Fallon was only 3.5 months old when we flew the first time so I nursed her during takeoff and landing instead. This time around I stuffed my diaper bag full of all the snacks. And I fed them to her while we waited to board the plane and throughout the flights. If you think you have enough snacks, add in more just in case. 

2. Wait until the very last call for boarding to get on the plane. Walk around the terminal, sing songs, read a book, whatever you have to do while everyone else gets on. Don't even worry about them running out of room for your carry-on bag. You can either check it gate side or a very nice flight attendant will stow it in the closet for you. Just don't be stuck on the plane any longer than you have to be. 

3. Let people help you. I struggle with this. I don't want to be a bother to anyone and I like to think I can do it all by myself. But when someone offers to put your bag in the overhead compartment or grab it off the gate side rack, let them. I cannot tell you how floored I was by the kindness of strangers during our flights to and from our destination. And remember that when you're traveling. The lady with the baby next to you could be me. 

4. It's okay to cry. I mean I'm hoping it's not you that's crying but that's okay too. Life is rough. But if your kid cries, WHO CARES?! The majority of people on the plane are parents or grandparents. They've been there, done that, got the t-shirt and most likely aren't fazed a bit by a little screaming. If it gets really bad, just order yourself a cocktail and buy a round for all the adults on the plane. I joke. But really. Don't stress about it. You'll never see those people again anyway.

5. Forget all the rules. Leave the nap schedule at home for the day. Let your kid eat the cookies they give you on the plane, pull the magazines out of the seat back pocket and let her crinkle the combos wrapper found wedged between the seats. Just do WHATEVER IT TAKES to keep them occupied. Trust me, they won't be scarred for life. 

I'll spare the details but a few things went wrong on the way to and during our trip. But don't worry, none of them killed us, obviously, or put a damper on our vacation. We ate (a LOT), we swam, we went to the beach and even hung out on a trampoline in the ocean! 

We spent our days at sea poolside, breathing in the salty ocean air and soaking up some vitamin sea. Our 2 days in port we beached it and Fallon wasn't exactly all about the sand between her tows, she was happy to enjoy the view from mama's arms. 3 course dinners with fresh seafood and melting chocolate cake were every day affairs and Fallon even went to a Dr. Seuss brunch! Thanks so much to my awesome in-laws for this vacation!!

Now if you'll excuse me I'll be doing the old camera roll scroll through all these pictures as I share them with you. Happy Friday!!

10 Months Of Fallon

It's official, we've got a mover and a shaker on our hands. Fallon is scooting all over the house and she's super fast! She's pulling to stand and working very hard on standing on her own from sitting. Our ten month old has experienced several firsts this month including her first bout of HFM, a double ear infection and an allergic reaction to red dye. She also traveled via airplane for the second time in her young life and went on a cruise that took her outside the country! 

There aren't any new teeth in her tiny mouth just yet but she's showing all signs of hard core teething again so we're betting which one will come through next. Fallon has reached a new level of interaction now and it is so fun to watch her point, wave hi and bye and purposely snuggle us! She continues to sleep through the night, gimme 10!, and naps most days at least for a little bit. 

Of course she's still fooling the world into thinking she's the happiest baby on the block because she usually is when we're out and about. At home, well, she's started this new thing. Tantrums. Holy flippin' Mariah Carey tantrums. Girlfriend will scream if she doesn't get what she wants and throw herself dramatically on the ground, kick, flail and throw whatever else is offered to her. It's like a 2 year old trapped in a 10 month old body. Can we all say DIVA?!

But we love her from her head to her monkey toes. And while I patiently (not) wait for her to say anything resembling "mama" she's getting really good at "dada", "uh-oh" and "hi". Because why bother saying "mama" when she's always around and all you have to do is reach for her? Wink, wink. 

Freshly Picked

I discovered Freshly Picked when I was pregnant with Fallon and could not get over how adorable they were! I mean little baby moccasins?! I bought a gender neutral pair since we did not know if we were having a boy or a girl and gushed over them when they arrived in the mail. The first time I put them on Fallon I was totally in love with how they looked on her little feet and never looked back.

Of course dressing Fallon up cute is really fun for me but I want her to be comfortable and her shoes to be high quality as little ones tend to beat them up. Freshly Picked checks all the boxes AND these little moccs are so easy to slip on and not so easy for Fallon to kick off. Miss thing is scooting around all over the place and standing up so any day now those little feet will be up and running. There's nothing like tiny bare toes in the grass on a summer day but when shoes are required you can bet we will reach for our Freshly Picked moccs. 

There is something so sweet about the sound of little feet carrying through the house and soon that music will be on repeat for us. I can't wait to see Fallon toddling around in her moccs, learning to balance and looking like she's had one too many sippies of milk. Be prepared for little walker spam in the next few months with all our favorite Freshly Picked moccs on her feet.

This post was written in partnership with Freshly Picked but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible. 

My First Mother's Day

This year will mark my very first Mother's Day celebrating as a mama myself. Quickly closing in on a year of having a daughter has me thinking about how incredibly thankful I am to have the title of mom. Motherhood has been my greatest challenge but by far my greatest joy. Most days I have no idea what I'm doing, just winging it, giving it my all and hoping for the best. And even though I've completely lost my mind, I've found my purpose. Motherhood has shown me strength I didn't know I had, a whole new level of patience and the truest meaning of unconditional love. Funny how you don't there's a missing piece of your heart until it finds you.

I just can't seem to find the right words to describe how amazing it is to be a mom. Even on the days when nothing is going right, I've hit the wall and just feel like a massive failure, I still go to bed missing my baby girl while she sleeps and feeling grateful that she's mine. Did your mom ever tell you, "one day when you're a mom you will understand,"?. It's annoying when you're a know it all teenager but it makes more sense than anything else most days when you do become a mama yourself. I still have a long road of understand ahead of me, mistakes and heartaches with I hope so much laughter and joy mixed in. Motherhood is such a crazy, wonderful and terrifying journey but I have to say, I'm think I'm doing alright. And that's more of a compliment to my own mom than it is to me. Because I learned how to surpass good and become a great mom from the very best. Mom, I understand now. And I hope I'm making you proud. 

In closing of this very first Mother's Day post, I have to thank my perfect baby girl for making me a mama. Fallon Lynn, you are the most precious gift I could ever receive. I hope you know that I am here to support you when you leap, catch you if you fall and cheer the hardest when you succeed. May your strong will take you all the places you want to go and nowhere that you don't. Never lose that sparkle of curiosity in your eyes or that smile you do with your whole face. I love you always baby girl, and one day, when you're a mom, you will understand.