Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Simple Life



Life is never simpler than when you bring home a new baby. The weeks leading up to the actual arrival are hectic and rushed as you work to check off your to do's, stock up on all of the essentials, and prepare the nest for your new little one. But it's amazing how once you get home, life truly takes on its simplest form.

Suddenly all that matters is what is happening under your very own roof. You spend hours just staring at this little being in quiet contentment. You feel no need to leave the house (at least I didn't); you rarely check your email or your blackberry; you couldn't care less about what's on sale at Target or which celebrity was just caught shaming their mother in ways no parent should have to witness. You sleep, you feed, you diaper, and suddenly an entire day has gone by. You may wonder, "what did I do all day" because your day wasn't filled with the usual hurried rush of activities and tasks. Instead you are truly just working to sustain this little life- and your own, when you have the time.

I love it. It's my idea of the simple life. A life that emphasizes what truly matters in this world and de-emphasizes the many things we so often take part in that don't matter at all. And I can't wait to do it all over again :)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Embracing Chaos

As we near the arrival of our second child I've made a conscious effort not to stress about how crazy/chaotic/hectic our life is about to become. I've even surprised myself at how laid back I've felt these past few weeks, amidst everyone telling me that I have no idea what is coming and that really, I should be holding on for dear life.

When Madelyn was born I was completely overwhelmed. I really couldn't relax and it wasn't pretty. I was so worried about her schedule, her baby acne, feeding our visitors, etc that I was a mess. Not this time though.

This time I will embrace the chaos. I will not try to be perfect, I will set expectations low, and I will go with the flow.

Yes, there are going to be times when everyone is crying and I can't hear myself think. At some point, I am going to leave the house without diapers, or the pacifier, or (my mind) my purse. The house will not be spotless, the laundry will pile up, and we may eat takeout for dinner more than I'd like to admit. If I have to sit Madelyn in front of the TV for 30 minutes to get something done then so be it. It won't kill her.

This time, I'm just along for the ride. I'm going to soak up every minute with my sweet babies because this is the last time I'll be bringing a newborn home. The last brand new baby that I can just hold and kiss and love. And I seriously and not going to let my dirty socks get in the way of that.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Whoop There It Is



Four weeks to go until we get to meet our sweet boy!


I am cherishing every last minute of this journey. Even though I look like I'm about to fall over, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm getting really, really excited to see my little nugget's face and smell his sweet baby breath.


And to give in to the incessant diet Dr. Pepper cravings I've been having.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Wish List


A little list of pretties I've had my eyes on. An early Christmas list of sorts, in hopes that one day my husband actually stumbles upon my little corner of the interwebs :)

1. John Wind chunky monogram bracelet- I saw this on a friend recently and it was gorgeous. Love.

2. Pretty patterned blouse for fall. I think this would be so cute with skinnies and boots. Not that I plan to stuff these thighs into skinnies anytime soon...


Bianka Blouse: Casual

Bianka Blouse: Casual by ehayes featuring ballet flat shoes


3. A Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte. And the cooler weather that comes with it.


4. This yummy anthropologie candle. When it burns down, you can reuse the mercury glass jar for cotton balls and q-tips!

5. White wine. And lots of it. What? I'm just being honest.


6. These precious gift labels. You can slap these on a plain brown bag or cellaphane wrapper with a little raffia and suddenly your gift looks perfectly and thoughtfully wrapped. Domestic laziness at it's best. I love it.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Baby Prep

( 33 1/2 week belly as seen looking down. It now rests comfortable on my expanding thighs. )


My little nugget is going to be here in five and a half short weeks! And that's assuming he isn't early like his big sissy was. So, I figured it was time for a quick pregnancy update before my fingers get so swollen I can't type.

I have gained 24 pounds so far in this pregnancy which is truly shocking given how much junk food I've eaten. I probably could have gained a lot less but I've really indulged this time. I figure since we aren't planning to have more kids I should eat what I want while I can. Please remind me of this when I'm complaining about losing it afterwards.

I'm starting to swell. I never got swollen with Madelyn because I wasn't pregnant during the hot months, but this time I'm retaining water like it's my job. My wedding ring is getting very snug and I figure at best I have another week left to wear it, at which point I will go buy a cheap fake one so people don't think I'm an knocked up unwed hussy.

I have followed in the footsteps of many other bloggers out there and started a home management notebook, complete with monthly menu plan, cleaning check list, daily to do list, and recipes. I have to say, I'm liking the monthly menu plan. It allows me to make sure we're eating enough of a variety of foods, takes the guess work out of shopping, and overall just satisfies my type-A urges to a T.

I organized all of our flours, sugars, baking goods, etc into pretty mason jars after seeing Christi's kitchen. Now every time I open up the baking cabinet it's uniform and organized. A nester's dream.

I've stopped looking at my butt in the mirror when I get out of the shower because the cellulite started giving me nightmares. Though I still do lunges and squats every.single.night. Even when it feels like Davis is just going to fall right out. It's a sickness.

I feel like I'm living in a perpetual hot flash and Matt thinks I'm trying to freeze him out of the house. Seriously people, if you can avoid it, do not be hugely pregnant in the summer.

I am loving washing all of the clothes and blankets we have for our sweet boy. It is such a huge change to see so much blue in our laundry, but it definitely makes it feel more real, and I can't wait to kiss his sweet cheeks!

The Big Reveal



Here she is in all her glory--our new sofa. Worth every drop of sweat shed yesterday when you sit on her glorious down wrapped cushions. We have a little more painting to do but we've had so much rain lately it's been too humid, so this isn't a final picture, but it's pretty darn close. First, let me refresh your memory of the dark and depressing tan-drenched before:


And now, the bright and inviting after!







I ordered some pretty pillows at the recommendation of our designer that truth be told are a little out of my comfort zone, but I think will add some much needed PoP to the room. And I forgot to take a picture of our painting over the chairs, but you've already seen that here.

I mentioned a while back that we also decided to convert our rarely-used office into a playroom. Let me just tell you- this may be the best decision we ever made. Madelyn absolutely loves the new space and is in there at all hours of the day. It provides some much-needed storage for her ever expanding toy collection, and a nice open space for us to just hang together as a family. And again, it's got a much more refreshing, open feel to it now.


Here is what the room liked as the office slash room for all of Matt's Georgia paraphernalia (good riddens I say):



And now as our new playroom, which will unfortunately also have to function as our guest room until we move into a larger house. That large chair actually houses a twin mattress inside, which is the only place we have for guests to sleep when they come to visit, but it will do for now. Luckily the only person we really need to accommodate at this point is my mom as she'll be graciously coming up to help me when Davis is born




That large piece to the left is an armoire where we store toys, books, gift wrap, etc. And I swear the pictures on the wall aren't crooked, they just look that way because I am seriously lacking photography skills.


All in all we are thrilled with the changes we've made. They've certainly been a lot of work, time, and money (ahem), but so worth it to give our family an environment we truly enjoy.


Next up- the baby's room. I guess it's time I start that one since he'll be here in about six weeks.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Holy Pregnant Panic Attack

If you wonder what it takes to send an 8 month pregnant chick into a manic sweat-induced hysteria let me tell you: having a Pottery Barn delivery crew show up to bring in your gorgeous new sofa and being told that they can't fit it through the door so they'll have to leave it in the garage, and that since it's considered a custom order Pottery Barn won't accept it as a return. 24 hours after you gave your old sofa away and replaced it with a twin-sized blow up mattress on the floor.

Holy panic.

Because God is clearly on my side, and yes, I realize this is just a couch we're talking about, my wonderful husband pulled up in the driveway just as the crew was about to leave and convinced them to try again.

Long story short, the couch is in. We had to remove the front door, remove the sofa legs, we broke my front porch planter, scratched the wood floor and stair banister, but it's in. Which is better than having a very expensive piece of furniture in my garage that can't be used. And nowhere for me to put up my cankles.

Back later with pictures :)

Monday, August 1, 2011

This week's menu

I thought I'd share our weekly menu incase anyone is looking for inspiration. Nothing too fancy, but all tried and true except for one new pizza recipe. Enjoy!


Sunday: Gluten-free sour cream enchiladas (these are delicious)


Monday: Maple salmon, jasmine rice, spinach and strawberry salad


Tuesday: Leftovers




Thursday: Leftovers


Friday: Grilled chicken with strawberry feta salsa (shown above), grilled corn on the cob, caesar salad




Oh, and I'm also trying to sneak in a little fruit cobbler just for good measure. I'd hate for all that abundant summer fruit to go to waste.

We're getting closer!







Still need to:

- Spraypaint mirror over mantle

- Get new couch (hurry up, Pottery Barn! Geez)

- Add pictures to frames and hang painting

- Add some colorful pillows (we're in serious need of color now)

But even with those left to tackle, this has quickly become my favorite room in the house. Well, except for the kitchen. I am 8 months pregnant after all. My heart follows my food source.
© Living the Good Life. Powered by