Friday, July 25, 2014

The big TWO FIVE :)

I'm officially 25! :)  Every year on my birthday, I reflect on the year before.

What do I like about myself?  What can I do to better myself?  If having kids has taught me anything, it's that time has no mercy.  When I look back (god willing) 20,40, 60 years from now, I want to reflect on a happy & fulfilled life :)  In order to work towards such a big achievement, I have a few goals for this next year.

(I'm no chalkboard artist, but I do like to write myself little notes on our chalkboard wall next to my desk :))


I love to read and always have.  While some kids would go out on the weekends, I would use my time to start and finish a book or two.  Since having my two sweet babies, I haven't so much as touched a book.  This year, I'd like to make the time to read :)  To promise myself a hour a few nights a week to read something new.

(I'd also love to actually read the magazines I buy... I bought this cottage mag MONTHS ago and still haven't gone through it.)

I just picked up Mrs. Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children and made it through the first chapter.  If there's anyone else out there looking for a read, I already recommend it, it didn't take long for me to get hooked!

Crafting is something I do for me.  It's a way to relieve stress and honestly I love it.  I love to crochet, I love making headbands and I love taking the time to try new things.  This year I plan to take some classes to learn my way around my sewing machine and to figuring out felting (seriously, if I posted a picture of my first felting project you would all die laughing!  or maybe get a little nauseous... since it kind of looks like a blop of throw up.)  Anyways, if you haven't already, check out my etsy shop Jumping+Jellybean.



It's where all my little crafty creations end up :)

Michael and I have been discussing how to balance electronics in our everyday life.  Sometimes curling up as a family on the couch or in our bed with a movie is absolute perfection.  There are other times when it seems like we are all 100% engaged in something other than each other.  Beckett's on the iPad, Michael and I are on our phones, where do we draw the line?  Bottom line is, our children will grow up with technology, but it's important to have other priorities besides whose turn it is on the iPad.  My hope is to create a healthy balance in our home over the next year :)



On a side note, my above statement is why I've left my phone like this. It has extensive water damage and the screen's shattered, but I've decided to keep it this way until I use my upgrade on the iPhone 6 August/September.  My phone's been struggling ever since Beckett gave it a bath on Mother's Day, but since the water & screen incidents, I've spent less time on my phone and more time with the family.  It was kind of a blessing in disguise :) I hope I continue to put my phone second once I get a new one.

Michael and I are also striving to do more outside the house on the weekends.  A few weekends back, we went on a family hike and it was so much fun.



We're want to strive for at least one family outing a week.  Whether it's a hike, a trip to the pool, or a walk after dinner, we hope to have more little family bonding excursions :)

Last but not least, I want to continue striving to be the best parent I can be.  We're all challenged by our children and we all have days where we question our parenting skills or techniques.  I promise myself, my husband and my sweet babies to be the best mom I know I can be :)

Cheers to 25!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Ellia is 8 months




Weight: I'm guessing around 15-16 lbs?

Height: We'll find out next month :)

Clothing size: 3-6 months, but I'm desperately trying to make some 6-12 month outfits fit! I splurged at jcrew last spring and I'm dying for her to wear her cute new onesies :)

Diaper size: 3's

Feeding: 
5 am: 5 oz
8-9 am: fruit and sometimes you finish off a 2 oz bottle in addition
11 am: 5 oz bottle before your nap.
12-1 pm: lunch is generally a mixture of yogurt, fruit, puffs and/or rice crackers 

Your favorite foods are pears and sweet potatoes, you also love your mum mum crackers and Ella's biscuits :)

Milestones:  
You're going to be crawling before we know it :)  You're desperately trying to follow your brother around as it is, but at the moment you've settled for rolling around rooms.  Time to start baby proofing again!

(I've been looking for a new baby walker, we bought this from babies r us & it is literally falling apart, hence the recall.  I have my eye on this.  Do any of you mama's have a walker you recommend?)

Loves: 
-Being tickled
-Playing peek-a-boo with Beckett.  I swear nothing makes you laugh harder than Beckett popping out of nowhere yelling, "Boo!"
-Your ballerina bunny.  She's your snuggle buddy.

-Talking to your stuffies including the bunny above & your favorite kitty.
-You love getting your hands on any of your brothers toy cars. (which he's generally okay with as long as you don't get a hold on his beloved Lightening Mcqueen.)
- You also love the dogs and are constantly trying to pet them, but they know better and stay away so they don't lose a tuffet of fur from your super baby grab ;)
-I believe I mentioned last month you love your jumper & it is still a favorite around here!

Your little personality has bloomed so much over the last month and nothing makes me happier than to see what a happy, loving little lady you're becoming :)

Dislikes: 
For the most part, you're one happy babe :) But you're not a fan of having to 'wait' for your meals.  Watching me gather your spoon, bowl and whatever it is we're having can send you over the edge!  When you are ready to eat, you want your food right then and there ;)

Adventures:  
We took you to Water World for mama's birthday :)  You also went on a fun shopping trip with mommy and Grammy Sally!  We picked out some cute new outfits for you to wear this Fall.  (seriously excited about this adorable Oh Baby onesie we got, it's too cute!)

Mommy and Daddy could not get through the month without: Naptime!  

You're growing so quickly Miss E!  More and more personable and more and more sweet :)  We love you so much sweet girl!