Monday, March 31, 2014

It's gonna be a long summer...

If I ever sat down and categorized all of the pictures on my phone, the #1 most photographed subject would be Clay and #2 would be food. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that my bloggy friend Kelli was hosting a picture practice linkup and this week's topic is FOOD!

 

At first I thought I would photograph lunch when we went out to eat yesterday. Then Clay decided not to nap so we ate at home. Then I was going to photograph the chili I made last night but the lighting was bad. Then this morning it hit me. I would photograph my lover. The Reese's Easter egg (although I do love the pumpkin, tree, and heart equally as much). Also, I took these on my phone because I forgot my camera. I think they do our love justice though.

 

 

 

 

 

Dear maker of all things wonderful (a.k.a. Hershey's), please find a way to commemorate July the 4th. Maybe a star? Because the wait between the last egg and the first pumpkin makes for a very long summer.

Love, Jess

 

 

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

The one where I get excited about cleaning products.

*not a sponsored post. i'm not that cool. yet.*

 

If you've known me for any length of time, you know that when I find a product/company I like, I will tell everybody who will listen about it. Target Red Card and Cartwheel? My friends are sick of hearing about it. GAP toddler jeans? I tell people who don't even have kids how great I think they are. TJ's Cowboy Bark? Just go buy it already.

I heard of epantry.com a month or so ago but never really looked into it. Then I saw on IG (littlebitfunky - follow her!) where you could get all of these crazy discounts on epantry so off I went to see what this madness was about.

Guys. Do it.

 
See that? I got 7 (6 of them Mrs. Meyer's) products for $7.80. Go ahead. Pick your jaw up. I can't get two Mrs. Meyer's products at Target for that. Heck, I can't even get three up&up products for that price.
 
Here's how to do it:
-Click on this link: www.epantry.com/referrer/5705/ to get $10 off your first order (I get $10 too. Woot!)
-Type a joke into the help box in the lower left hand corner for $2 off.
-Use the promo code "iknowpeople" for $5 off.
-Refer people. I got $1 off for each person I referred by email (plus you get $10 if they sign up).
-I got free shipping on my first order but even if you don't, shipping is always $2.99. Say what???
 
*Also, $5 Starbucks emailed to the first person who gets what I referenced in the title of this post.*
 
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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Friday Stories

Woooohoooo! It's Friday! Let's keep this short and sweet and hop right in to storytime.



I first found this wrapping paper at Christmas time and used it paired with Christmasy washi tape for every.single.present. It quickly became my "signature" wrapping paper. Birthdays, Christmas, boy, girl. Just switch up that washi tape and you are all set! Imagine my disappointment when Target stopped carrying it. Then, out of nowhere, I'm minding my own business, just strolling the clearance selection and I see a pot of gold. For .50 a roll. I grabbed 12. I only resisted buying all of them because I thought I should be nice and share. I'm going back on Saturday to buy the rest. A two day waiting period is acceptable, right?


This little man. He's finally stopped throwing all of his stuffed animals out of the crib every night and now he has to have "mo" and "acho" (Elmo and Nacho) and his blanket by his side. I am secretly so excited that he has a "blankie" because we're blanket people around here and it was weirding me out that he didn't have one.


Ever since Desiree introduced me to the Loved by Hannah and Eli line, I have been wanting a tank but most of the time she's sold out :( Today I lucked out and hit refresh on the website no less than 50 times and scored this amazing tank before everything sold out (in 3 minutes)! If you know how much I loooovvve July the 4th, then you know how pumped I am!


This guy. Again. Trying to act like such a tough guy with his hat and sunglasses... and Target safety sticker.


I think I've talked a little bit about how we've had bathtime issues. It's made bathtime horrible. Clay went from bathing everyday to bathing 2-3 times a week (grosses me out). He was due for a bath on Tuesday but without Mike here to help I was dreading it. What do I do? Run to my mama. Well, sorta. We just called her right up on Facetime and she sung to Clay to keep him distracted. What did she do to get this face? Sang Old McDonald. Mammaws are the best, huh?

Have a great weekend!

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Linking up with H54F, InstaFriday, and Five on Friday!

Friday, March 14, 2014

At this moment I'm...

Feeling like this:

 

So when my bloggy friend Desiree suggested that I copy her post, I was on it. Haha. She really is the best!

Making: a crocheted Easter egg garland. I'm in love and can't wait to share it (hopefully on Monday)!

Liking: Sam Adams Summer Ale. Let's be honest, 75% of the reason is probably that it has summer in the name.

Drinking: Sam Adams Summer Ale of course!

Reading: Hands Free Mama (seriously, check it out).

Watching: Scandal (duh, it's Thursday night).

Planning: meals for next week.

Wanting: for calories not to count. I love food entirely too much.

Living: in the moment.

Playing: a game with the pumpkin I bought at Trader Joe's in October. It really has become a game now.

Wasting: that dang cucumber that I didn't finish before it went bad :/

Wishing: for a vacation. Not just a few days but an entire week.

Enjoying: frosted animal crackers my mom gave Clay for Halloween.

Revealing: that I have no tolerance for people who smoke around children. I just don't. Period.

Desiring: to use the gift certificate I got for a mani & pedi for Mother's Day last year...

Craving: Mexican. It's been far too long.

Waiting: for the weekend! I love taking Clay to Trader Joe's and Target with me and lazy days with pancakes :)

Seeking: more clean eating crock pot recipes.

Wondering: why I volunteered to work at 8:30 in the morning.

Loving: that Nacho and Monkey (Clay's stuffed animals) are washable. Boy straight up peed on them tonight.

Marvelling: at Clay. Everyday.

Needing: to purge a lot of clothes.

Rooting: uhh. It's not football season. I don't care. Haha.

Missing: my family. So much right now.

Considering: themes for Clay's 2nd birthday party (I know... I have 6 months).

Going: to bed soon! Wooohoooo!

Despising: traffic. Barf.

Rocking: glasses. Stupid allergies.

Smelling: Degree men's deodorant. I'll never use women's deo again.

Wearing: the comfiest pj pants ever from Target.

Treasuring: my friends. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't have conversations with Lizbeth all day!

Noticing: it's bedtime.

Worrying: about explaining our "family" to Clay when he gets older.

Thinking: I should eventually upgrade from my tube tv.

Feeling: especially tired. Definitely a thyroid test in my future.

Bookmarking: crochet patterns like crazy.

Opening: up my etsy shop soon!

Giggling: at Clay's shenanigans in the crib at night. Seriously, who needs tv when you have a toddler and a video monitor?

Knowing: that no matter what others think, Clay still thinks I'm the jam!

 

Phew. What are you doing at this moment?

 

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Friday, March 7, 2014

Friday Stories

Here are a few stories from our week:

I shared that we put the potty out for Clay a few weeks ago. At first he wouldn't go near it without Mike or I holding his hand. Now? He has to go talk to his potty a few times a day. He's actually just talking to the Cars characters on the back of the lid, but still, my kid is talking to his potty. He's a silly one and for that I will be forever thankful.


On Sunday it was a glorious 72 degrees so originally I had planned to take Clay to the playground. Then I came to my senses. Have you ever been to the playground on a random warm day in the winter? It.Is.Packed. So off we go to the greenway. Clay loved getting to walk like a big boy. He spent half of the walk trying to run, a quarter of it clapping (for the runners??), and the other quarter stopping to point out all of the doggies. He's also gotten strangely good at imitating different dog noises/barks (yapping and panting are his two favorites).


On Monday I got caught up on a few of my #snailmail365 cards (that might or might not be still in my purse)... It's safe to say that a) I love the color pink and b) I'm obsessed with Target. By the way, those Sharpie pens are the JAM. Yes, I just said jam.


I did it, I got my hair chopped off. It's not as short as I had wanted it (which honestly may be a good thing because I might have gone into shock if I had cut that much off at once) and it's kind of an awkward cut. Well, it's not awkward if I actually take the time to blow dry it but it's definitely not the kind of cut that you can just let air dry which means this girl is rocking a lot of pony tails.


Bahahahahaha. Liz recently gave me some clothes of Clay's back that I had given her for Carter to wear and I found this. Clay's first outfit ever! Clearly Clay has gotten much rounder and a lot longer. I'm sure his future girlfriends will appreciate this picture way more than he will...


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Linking up with H54F, InstaFriday, and Five on Friday!

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

18 Months


Dear pumpkin butt,

Well, you've officially passed the halfway point between one and two. I just don't understand how you're growing up so fast! You continue to amaze me. I know every mama says this, but each time you reach a new "phase," it's my favorite (although I could have done without the meltdown in the middle of Trader Joe's because I wouldn't let you fill the cart with chocolate (although I do respect your love for chocolate)). You're becoming more independent and while a part of me appreciates it, sometimes I wish I could just hold you and snuggle with you like when you were a baby. You're also crazy about your dada which makes me so jealous sometimes, but I absolutely love that you all have such a special bond. And while you may look just like your dad, I also see a lot of me in you (mainly that you talk a lot, but hey, details (just kidding, kinda)). You are also crazy about your stuffed animal friends. Before we leave in the mornings, you always have to say bye bye and give some kisses out. You also like to tell each room bye bye and some objects (like my cell phone charger and a can of ginger ale) which is kind of weird, but whatevs, little man.
I have so much more to say but even typing it out makes me choke up so we'll save the sappiness for another time.
Things to never forget: I'm the parent who makes you chocolate pancakes :), always say please and thank you, and I love you more than coffee (that is a lot).
Love, Mama



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Linking up with Time for Mom and Baby Talk.

 

Monday, March 3, 2014

2014 Wishes Update

Oh, Monday. Don't you know we aren't friends? Well, we could at least be acquaintances but you let your friends cold and rain hang out with you today. I'm giving you the cold shoulder with my friends coffee and chili. So take that!

Okay, now it's time to check in and see how I'm doing on my wishes for the year:



  • Read to Clay everyday. I'm doing better. If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen that Clay has started to help with his breathing treatments so that leaves my hands free for turning pages :)
  • Eat clean 80% of the time at home (Clay too) including my lunch I pack to take to work. The first half of the month, we rocked this. The second half however...
  • Take Clay to the park at least once a month. We played in the snow again and took a few walks in our neighborhood and yesterday we went for a walk on the greenway. We ended up walking .92 miles! I thought for sure Clay would get tired and I would have to carry him but he was a champ!
  • Run 200 miles. February total: 2 miles. Yikes! I got my jogging stroller back last weekend though so as soon as it warms up enough to take Clay you won't be able to stop us! Okay, I lie, I'm aiming for one run with Clay a week because he really likes walking like a big boy.
  • Run in six races (two half marathons). I didn't get to run the race in February because of the stomach flu but have one lined up for March.
  • Get my etsy shop stocked and ready to go by the beginning of February. Well, I have a new name for the shop and have decided on some things to carry. Now to get graphics done!
  • Find a storytime/class/etc to participate in with Clay. Clay loves being outside so we may wait on classes until this fall and just do outside time and storytime at the library occasionally for now. 
  • Save $15 a week specifically for Christmas and make two handmade gifts a month. Err. I definitely need to start an envelope for this!
  • Send out birthday cards this year. Completely missed February birthdays...
  • Send out 365 cards this year (more about this in another post). Semi on track! Catching up this week!
  • Keep focus on my word (love) and phrase I'd say I'm doing reasonably well on this. It is really hard sometimes to not just love people the way you love to be loved.
  • Make a list of all of the projects I want to complete and do one a month. Does the list in my head count?
  • Make one granny square a week for my #crochetmoodblanket2014. On track!
  • Keep up with the perpetual calendar I made to record memories. Done! Sometimes it's really hard to figure out what to say besides "just a regular Monday," but I know I'll be so glad I kept up with this!
I wouldn't say I'm pleased with my progress but I'm not really upset either. I haven't gotten as much done as I would have liked but I've spent more quality time with Clay and spent time just allowing myself to rest :)

How are you doing on your wishes for the year? 

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