around here

+ I started bbg last week and it sucks. And feels awesome all at the same time. I dream of tacos while doing burpees {who invented those by the way, ugh}. It is nice to finally feel like I'm working out towards something other than pregnancy.  I think I feel motivated knowing that my body is not going to change to grow a human again.

+ This mask. A sweet friend gave me this and I can't say enough good things about it. It makes my skin feel like freshly washed sheets. And even better, it's not a peel one!

+ Who knew the Dollar Tree had such great things? I've been hitting them up for coloring books {Ninja Turtles, Curious George, Avengers, Jake and the Neverland Pirates!}, stickers, activities, chalk, and other little things to keep the boys occupied for the summer. But, make sure it's a Dollar Tree, the high class of the dollar stores.

+ Update on driving a van... it's the best, holla.

+ In addition to working out, I have been working hard on cutting down the sugar that I eat. Not just the sweet stuff, like the being conscious of everything that has sugar in it {which sadly is most things}.  I'm not 22 anymore and the brain fog is real. I've noticed a huge difference since I started a few weeks ago.  I do allow myself a Dr. Pepper on the weekends and some Ben and Jerry's dairy-free because life.

+ Speaking of dairy-free, on month three of it.  So much easier this time around because I know what to expect and have found awesome replacements.  Guac on everything.  And that Ben and Jerry's dairy-free ice cream is so worth it.  The fudge brownie and chunky monkey are my favorites.

+ Gideon has been out of preschool for a month and mama misses it.  And so does he.  Excited and looking forward to this fall when he goes five days a week.  The boy thrives in social situations. The school is a Classical curriculum and I'm pretty sure at five years old he will be smarter than me.

+ Lincoln is what dream babies are made of.  Sleep and smiles.  We finally got some answers about his ongoing congestion at his two month well-check when the doctor checked his ears and found his right one to be infected.  So strange for a baby his age, but also not since I had one a couple weeks before.  Some antibiotics and chiropractic adjustments and he is a happy, happy baby.

+ Nolan is two.  I don't know if that needs to be elaborated on at all.  Two.

Long distance bridesmaid

My sister-in-law {Taylor's baby sister} got married a few weeks ago.  The week after her engagement she asked me to be a matron of honor {along with our other sister-in-law}.  I was thrilled and of course said yes.  The planning and festivities started and I had to figure out how to be the best bridesmaid while being long-distance.  So here is what I found helpful and how I stayed connected and useful to the bride while living five hours away.  {It can be done!  I promise.}

photo courtesy of Nicole Holman Photography

{one} Start a group Pinterest board for inspiration.  I can't decide if I am bummed or glad that Pinterest wasn't around while I was planning my wedding.  On the one hand, it would have been super helpful for getting ideas all in one place, but I also think it could have made my expectations exceed what was within our budget and ability.  But, since it is here to stay, I say utilize it.

I created a secret Pinterest board and added both of my sisters-in-law to collaborate on it.  We could add things we saw and liked, all while keeping it hidden from others who may be attending the wedding as guests.  It was fun to see what each found and then see what the bride liked best.  It gave great inspiration and ultimately steered us in the right direction.

{two} Give input from a distance.  I wasn't able to go dress shopping with her, look at flowers, or be at the bakery as she chose a cake, but I tried to find ways that I could be useful and give input when she needed it.  Invitations was a great way to do this.

Wedding Paper Divas makes it fun and easy to find great invitations.  It's easy to mock up several different ones and email them to others that you want to show.  I mocked up some, the bride mocked up some and then it was up to her to decide.  She picked beautiful ones and then we went back and forth working on the wording and getting them perfect to mail out.  The process was so simple and I felt like I was participating and filling my roll as bridesmaid.

{three) Make the most of the days leading up to the wedding. I knew I wouldn't  be able to make the five hour trip numerous times before the wedding.  Having a toddler and a nursing baby make it pretty much impossible to just go.  So we made the most of the days leading up to the wedding.  After the rehearsal dinner, the bridesmaids threw a little lingerie shower for the bride.  It was a fun way to end the night and help keep the wedding jitters at bay.

We also hosted a bridal brunch early Friday morning.  Who doesn't like brunch?  Tiny sandwiches, mimosas, if you wish, and an excuse to eat pastry, am I right?  I'm right.  This was the perfect time to just enjoy the weekend and get to interact and visit with out of town family, like grandmothers.

{four} Plan on getting ready with the bride. Wedding day is all about the bride.  My sister-in-law didn't force anything on us in terms of hair, makeup and nails, but I knew it would be fun to get ready that day with her. So I decided to get my hair and makeup done with her at the salon.   It was a fun and laid back time to talk with her and see how she was feeling on the big day.  It also doesn't hurt to get pampered. I mean, I literally walked in looking like a mom-zombie and walked out as a glammed up lady.

{five} Be there.  I made it my goal to be the advocate for my sister-in-law. At the rehearsal when they asked if she felt good about the run through, I could tell she wanted to do it one more time. So, I spoke up and said let's do it again.  When people were missing or things weren't where they should be, I made sure she didn't have to deal with it.

I also made sure to put my phone away and be present in the day with her. She asked me to be a part of her special day because she wanted me there. So, I wanted to be all there.

Congrats to my sweet sister-in-law!



*Wedding invitations were provided by Wedding Paper Divas

we, four.

We didn't do any professional photographs right when Nolan was born.  I didn't feel the need to.  But, I knew I wanted some family ones when he was a few months old and it worked out perfectly to have our good friend Brittney Livingston Photography take them before she moved away.  She is amazing and if you are in the Williamsburg, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach area you should check her out!

It was super windy at Hunting Island the day we took these, as you can tell by my hair.  They turned out better than I could have imagined.  Who doesn't want to wear a flower crown in photos, right?  I had been wanting to try my hand at making one and thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring a little femininity to my testosterone filled family. 

summer bucket list

Just want to write out some of the things I want to do this summer.  I figure by putting it out there it will make is easier to check them all off.  So now, when we have a free day, we can pick one to enjoy.  Love the summer in the low country.

{1} Take Gideon to the drive in movies {to see Minions!}
{2} Go to Hunting Island at least once a week
{3} Picnic downtown on the waterfront
{4} Water park adventure in Charleston
{5} Zoo day
{6} Island playground indoor bounce house
{7} Grow a sunflower {project for G}
{8} Sonic slushies
{9} Sparklers for no reason
{10} S'mores
{11} Water gun fight
{12} Minor league baseball game {Savannah? Charleston?}
{13} Beaufort Water Festival
{14} Ice cream for dinner
{15} Explore Charleston 

iPhone life

It's been a while since cleaning photos off my iPhone, so I decided to share some that I hadn't on Instagram.  It's been a whirlwind six weeks since adding Nolan to our family, but it feels normal now and we are getting into a routine and groove as four.  

 ^^ Nolan napping in his room // Wednesday playground with friends ^^

 ^^ This is how we play // Sleepy baby with mittens ^^

 ^^ Two boys // "Army mens" ^^

 ^^ This is how I typically look now, with a baby wrapped on // Easter two year old with donut ^^

 ^^ Waking up // Smelling flowers ^^

 ^^ We take cupcakes seriously // Living with boys means superheroes ^^

^^ All four on Easter // His first time holding him ^^

Egg hunt

We've been talking about the Easter egg hunt with Gideon for a few weeks.  Last year, he didn't quite get it and ended up with a basketful of pinecones.  He was prepared this year and every day leading up to the egg hunt, kept saying "I'm ready to go to Easter."  He did much better this year, but kept setting his bucket down and running to get an egg and bring it back and halfway through decided he was ready for the candy instead of picking up more eggs.  Maybe next year?

It was a pretty cold day in Beaufort standards, so the sweaters were necessary which felt cruel for an Easter celebration.  But, the sun was shining which was more than we could ask for with all the rain and gloom we've had lately.  Nolan stayed snuggly warm in the wrap and slept the entire time.  Bounce houses (which Gideon opted out of, of course), sack races, popcorn, hot dogs, and the egg hunt, and my sweet baby did not budge.  I was a little scared I might drip ketchup on his head while hot dogging it up, but made it out unscathed, not that he would have noticed.

Also, because most important part, the candy in the eggs was pretty stellar this year.  Priorities.

Lately with two

Whew.  How has it been almost three weeks since we had a baby?  It goes so fast with some of the longest days at the same time.  Defying logic all day, everyday.  So here is a little update on life with two in our house...

{one}. The hardest part about having two is meeting both of their needs that arise at the same time when I am by myself.  It is impossible (because it is) to nurse Nolan while he is screaming and help Gideon use the potty at the same time.  So one is usually crying while I help the other and then I switch.  But, we are learning and will get it down.

{two}.  Speaking of Gideon and the potty, he decided this week that he wanted to potty train.  After months of us encouraging it and trying and him objecting, he out of the blue asked to use it.  And I am not one to thwart that party especially when it will mean less diapers.  He's used it several times, but is not fully trained yet.  Any help or advice is welcome!

{three}. Nolan is sleeping pretty great at night.  Usually waking every three to four hours.  Sometimes he gets ahead of himself and is up at two hours.  But, I think it doesn't feel so horrible this time around because A). my body is used to it and B). I know that it ends and I will eventually sleep again.  Maybe not for the next twelve months or so, but at some point, he will be big and sleeping and I will be sad.

{four}. Last week, I started pumping so we could try a bottle.  Several reasons I like to do this.  So Taylor can feed him which he loves, in case I need to be/go somewhere and can't bring Nolan, and for sanity.  He took the bottle right away like a champ and hasn't shown an issue with any of them in the evenings before bed.  I also like to know that he is full (he falls asleep during nursing, but with a bottle I can see how much he has had) before bed!  Yay baby, yay!

{five}. Gideon is obsessed with the Avengers and superheroes in general.  I mean obsessed.  He assigns us all characters.  I am either Cat woman or Black widow.  Taylor is usually Bane or Joker.  I think I get the better end of that deal.

{six].  These got longer than I had anticipated so I will stop for now.

Lately

The days and weeks have been running together since the start of the new year.   Lists that get subtracted from and added to that are titled "Before Baby."  I hate that I have somewhat neglected this space, but every moment of free time, or chance that Gideon is napping, includes me trying to accomplish a smattering of projects all in the name of nesting.  I can't stop.  Won't stop.  Unless we get sick, like last week.  Even then, I am looking for ways to subtract from that list hoping that at some point it will be down to zero, but knowing it probably never will be.

Painting dresser knobs, hanging frames, organizing tiny clothes, figuring out how the drink koozie ended up in the nursery closet (toddler), figuring out how the cat ended up in the nursery closet (toddler). Scrubbing, dusting, sweeping and knowing I'll have to do it fifteen more times before he makes his appearance, but in the off chance that he shows up early, I want it done.  Or maybe hoping it causes him to show up early?  But not this early.

Big boy bed shopping, hospital touring, calling pediatrician, oh wait, let's stop for a prenatal massage (yes, yes, and yes.  Best thing on the list).  Baby sprinkles, thank you cards, pre-made freezer meals? Who has time for that?  I don't wear real pants most days and I can't reach our kitchen sink any longer.

As you can see, my mind is racing nonstop.  I keep hearing how I need to sleep now, and trust me, this is not my first rodeo so I know the sleep state we are about to enter, but I can't seem to force my mind and body to stop. The insomnia has crept back in and the four pound little boy in my womb is making sure that night time is lively.

Lately feels like a whirlwind around here, but I'm so excited about being swept up in it.