Some days.

Some days are just made for being outside. We are finally getting the real deal, Spring weather. And believe me, we have not wasted one bit of it. We have been logging lots of hours outdoors. From a trip with our play-group to Deanna Rose, the park, walks, and just plain ol' hanging out on our front lawn with blankets and bubbles, we have done it all.  For a brief moment, I was beginning to feel guilty about all the housework that was piling up inside, but then the wind blew and the trees seemed to say, "everything else can wait, stay and play a little while longer." Hope everyone is experiencing Spring like we are, because it's glorious. xoxo 

Sucker for scallops.

I love the soft detail of a scalloped edge. I am always drawn to the look of scalloped trims. When we were house hunting, I was instantly captured by the charming scalloped window boxes our home has. They add so much character to our old cape cod style home. You can incorporate the scalloped look into just about anything from home decor to clothing and even party decorations! Scallop away! xoxo

Chair covers image via

Crate and Barrel cake dish

J.Crew Shorts

Scalloped glitter garland via

Window box on our shed

Rambleings on motherhood.

The weekend has come and gone, and oh, what a wonderful Mother's Day weekend it was. We had gone to Columbia to visit the hubs family. I was so lucky to get to see my little 3 year old niece preform in her Spring Dance Recital. It brought back so many memories from my dancing days. We had a great time and although it was a short trip, it was well worth it. 

Mother's Day was very special. I would love to go on and on about how wonderful motherhood is, how much joy it brings me, how my heart is just gushing with love (and it is). But honestly, I'm exhausted. Motherhood is exhausting. This is probably why there is a whole holiday devoted to us mothers. Motherhood has been the most challenging, stressful, straining, emotional (and did I mention exhausting?) journey I have ever been on. And I'm only 2.5 years into this whole process. There are entire days that I have no recollection of even living. Conversations that I've been told I've had, but can't remember. Of course, in-between the time-outs, diaper changes, feedings, and late night cry-a-thons, I find myself thinking and truly feeling how lucky and blessed I am that I have a loving husband that made me a mother and two boys that are teaching me daily what motherhood is all about. The good and the bad. We are all figuring it out as we go along and I wouldn't have it any other way. xoxo

P.S. My Mother's Day pressie was a super spiffy new camera lens. I'm so excited to learn all about it.

P.P.S Yes, Hank was in his PJ's for the entire day. 

Rest.

Last night was the first night in WELL over a year that I got more than 5 hours of straight sleep. I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked at my clock this morning and it was ten till six! I leaped out of bed with excitement, quickly checked the monitor to ensure that both babies were indeed asleep and not dead, and then did a little morning happy dance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in making mama's sleep happen. To God who answered so many prayer requests for sleep. To white noise machines everywhere. To my half empty bottle of Advil PM. To my husband for helping me through those REALLY rough sleepless days and nights. And a special thanks to The Little Einstein's Lights and Music Crib Aquarium for being the missing link in Hank's failed attempts at falling asleep on his own. THANK YOU.   

In other unrelated sleep news, I had a great day with the boys yesterday. I got a little crazy with Instagram, trying to capture all the fun. The weather was hot, but it sure did make me excited for summer. xoxo

 

How much longer.

Dear Brooks,

How much longer do I get to call you Bubba, Bubs, Bubby, B, Mr. B, and all the other little nicknames that suit you? How much longer are you going to call out to your monkey when you can't find him, "Momo??? Where are you???" as if he can really hear you? How much longer are you going to ask me to, "hold you, mama?" instead of saying, "hold me."? How much longer will you quietly blow me kisses from your crib-side before I say goodnight one last time before bed? How much longer will you be so sweet and kiss and hug your brother instead of punch and kick him? How much longer will you shout out all the trucks you see as we drive around town, making sure I acknowledge each one as it passes? I know you are growing so fast. Too fast. The more and more you become independent, the less you need me. But these are a few of the things I want to remember forever. All the little things your sweet, little, two-year-old self does, and the way you make me smile every day. I love you to the moon and back. xoxo

Pressure.

I was walking with the boys in our double stroller down at our local shops, an almost daily ritual during the warm weather months. We are a traveling circus these days. Pacifiers, lovies, sippy cups, hats, sun block, diapers, etc., etc.. The shops become the local hang out for after school adolescents, gathering together in herds of boys and girls, loitering and all excited that school is over and ready for the weekend.  We cruised past a group of boys, about the age of 12 or so, and headed for the door of the card shop. I was fumbling with the door and kept crashing the wide stroller through the narrow doorway. Wouldn't you know that NOT ONE of those young boys stopped to hold the door for the struggling mother?!?  NOT ONE.  I immediately told myself that my boys would be the ones to go out of their way to hold a door open for someone. But who am I kidding?  The pressure I have put on myself to raise such upstanding boys is intense. I know any mother feels the same way. How do we raise our children to make the right decisions? How do we know what they are capable of when we are not around? How do I mold my children into these "little angles" that my eyes see them as? I have a long way to go, but I am positive that showing them is the best method of teaching them. To show them love, support, and respect for others (and how to hold a door open when its time) will pay off in the end. That, and a lot of prayers. Wish me luck! xoxo

And then he ate an avocado.

So, Hank turned six months old today. How did this happen you ask? Where did the time go you wonder? I'm pondering those exact questions and if I come up with an answer, I'll let you know.

As I sit to write this post, Hank is tucked in tight in our bed (his favorite spot to nap) and I desperately want to go and scoop him up and kiss all over him ::never wake a sleeping baby, repeat: never wake a sleeping baby::. There is just something about Hank that makes me want to cuddle with him all day. Maybe it's because his older brother NEVER let me do such things.

Hank is pretty awesome at all things baby, but sleeping through the night is not one of them. It's something we are working on. Each time I give him that "last feeding" we say lots of prayers and sing subliminal lullaby messages like, "please sleep trough the night." and "all good babies sleep at least 10 hours." and, "mommy could REALLY use a good nights rest." But alas, he would rather be held and sung to all hours of the night than sleep alone in his crib.

We recently started solid foods, and he can't get enough. I am making all his baby food (as I did with Brooks) so it's been fun to watch his face as he explores new tastes. The other day we mashed up an avocado and he ate half for lunch and the other half for dinner! What?!?!? I know. It's crazy.

I can't believe my little guy, my baby, is 6 months old. I love seeing him grow and how each day he is learning, watching, changing. Love you, precious Hank. xoxo