April on the Coast

We are back to reality after 13 days on the Gulf Coast. It was the perfect break from the cold weather that has been sticking around here in Virginia.

We started our trip in Pensacola Beach for a dear friends wedding. We stayed at the Hilton on the beach and it was amazing. Our room was so spacious, beautifully decorated and came with an amazing view. The weather wasn't the best, but we made the most of it and were able to enjoy a little pool and beach time over the weekend.

My mom came with us and kept the kids, so we could attend the Friday night party at Grand Marlin and also the wedding on Saturday just down the beach.

We enjoyed lunch from two favorite spots - Peg Leg Pete's and Flounders. We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Navajo Cafe before packing up to head back to Mom's for the week.

The rest of the week was well spent with dear friends, family, all our favorite foods and "things" that we love about the Gulf Coast.

FUN WITH MANGOS

MORE BEACH

NAVAL MUSEUM 

WATCHING THE BLUES

TIME WITH THE BROS

COUSIN TIME...WATCHING A STORM ROLL IN.

FUN WITH GRANDE

LAST DAY AT LULU'S

O, the memories. Thanks Mom for letting us stay with you for 13 days, we can't wait to be back!

Nola! A Weekend Away

We spend almost 48 hours in New Orleans over the weekend, and it was nothing short of A-mazing!!

A weekend away (diaper free at that) was just what the doctor ordered. Maybe a little more relaxation would have left us re-juvinated and ready to tackle the week ahead. But instead we opted for late nights, lots of cocktails and soaking up every ounce of Nola we could.

We arrived in New Orleans at 9:30AM on Friday. (Hello 3 AM wake-up call!) It was an early morning, so we did what all parents do when they are kid-free - we checked into our hotel early and took a nap. I am sure the hotel staff took one look at us and thought - these two need some sleep - get them to a room. A suite at that!

We stayed at The Roosevelt Hotel. Y'all, to say it's beautiful is an understatement! Our room was spacious and super cozy! The staff was wonderful and helpful and the entire hotel was draped in New Orleans culture.

After a nice 2 hour nap, we ventured out to tackle Bourbon street, stopping at the Old Absinthe House for a beverage and strolling down Bourbon Street and into the French Quarter.

We stumbled upon Tom Benson's (the owner of the New Orleans Saints), funeral at St. Louis Cathedral. The crowds were incredible and fans were waiting for the professional and second line parade outside. Very neat to witness.

After a little shopping and sight-seeing, back to Bourbon we went for a late lunch at Remoulade. And a few cocktails to boot - my pick - Abita Strawberry - it's strawberry season after all.

After a few more stops, including some great jazz music, we headed back to the hotel for a little R&R by the rooftop pool. Did I mention how amazing the weather was??  Sunny and 75!

Dinner that night was at Cavan, in the Garden District, and it did not disappoint. Some of the best food I've hand - seriously. Beforehand we grabbed drinks at The Columns. So cool. The Garden District may be my favorite!

Saturday, we slept until 9AM!!! It was glorious... except for the hangover we both were nursing. After coffee and showers, we ventured over to Royal street to a few galleries and picked up a few goodies for my mom and the kiddos. Then it was time to meet the crew - we were there for a good friends bachelor/bachelorette party. It was so fun!

Our afternoon went something like this...

11:30 - Milk Punch at Mr. B's
1:00 - Lunch at Acme Oyster House (crab-claws, gumbo, meat pies, po-boys, and étouffée)
2:30 - A walk through the French Market and over to Frenchman's Street
3:00 - The Cross-Eyed Cat for a little Jazz music
4:00 - Back to Bourbon (notice a trend)
4:30 - until.... Pat O's. Seriously, we left at 10 PM.

After a few more stops for drinks, we said our goodbye's and grabbed an Uber home.

We slept only a few hours and back to the airport we went. We were home just in time for a great afternoon egg hunt at our neighbors house. It was a perfect weekend away and we soaked up every minute with great friends!

Many thanks to GranDe for keeping the kiddos alive while we were away!

Until next time Nola!

Jesse's 39th!

Wishing my #1 Man the biggest HAPPY Birthday today!!! We have Approx 364 days until he's officially an "exhausted rooster" aka, over the hill... or are you on the hill when you're 40?  Either way, I'd say it's time to live it up, right??

We took the day off to just play and relax around town. We started the day nice and early - thanks to our toddler - with a birthday party and presents around 6 AM.

We enjoyed a delicious Whole30 approved quiche for breakfast - Thanks Jenny Elmes! Then dropped off one baby, and headed to our local coffee shop.

We just booked a little getaway to Nola in two weeks... two nights in the Big Easy - we can't wait!

Next up, a little antique mall browsing and our new market in town, Cattleman's to pick out local steaks for dinner tonight. GranDe and Annalee are spending their usual Thursday together at library time and then baking our favorite "Out of this World Carrot Cake" for Daddy's birthday.

We'll probably find a little spot for lunch/drinks and may even take an afternoon nap before it's time to celebrate with a few friends later tonight. Low-key birthday's are the best kinda days... just time to enjoy one another and our favorite things around town.

Cheers to a great birthday babe, I love you!! Wishing you many many more wonderful, happy years ahead.

Seven Days of Whole 30

We are one-week in to the Whole 30 kick and I must say, I love it! It's great to know what you are putting in your body is 100% whole and REAL food. Not processed. No GMO's or refined sugars.

Now, let me start by saying - the hubs is doing Whole 30 - not me. But, I am certainly reaping the benefits. I mean, who's going to cook two separate meals three times a day... plus feeding a toddler and infant. Not happening at the Lyons' Den.  However, I'm pretty sure both Annalee and Ford are more "Whole 30"  than I am in terms of their meals.

Side note - we made a freezer full of infant meals for Ford last week and little man is eating well -  zucchini, squash, blueberries, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, peas and green beans. I followed Urban Mom Tale's post on 1 Month of Easy & Healthy Baby Foods for a month and it was so easy.

So, back to the Whole 30 diet. The hubs has been wanting to try it for some time, and it just hasn't been easy to take the plunge - a vacation, or trip, or celebration always deterred us. We soon realized that there is always going to be something to deter us, so last Tuesday he just decided now was the time. It's sorta been fun researching menus and meals, snacks and "hacks."

I decided not to take the full plunge this time... but I am eating all the same meals, just adding in grains and dairy as needed.  I know there are many bloggers out there that have done the Whole 30 diet while breastfeeding, but I just can't. I've had mastitis way too many times to count, cracked nipples, bleeding, sharp pains that we thought was thrush - but wasn't - thank goodness. I just don't want to change my diet too drastically to affect my milk supply. I dieted once when Annalee was 9 months old and was rushed to the doc with crazy low blood sugar, so since then I just decided it wasn't worth it. I could wait. I have always been borderline low blood sugar, so I have to be careful as it is with breastfeeding and making sure I am getting the right amount of sugar I need to maintain my own strength.

All that to say - send me your favorite Whole 30 recipes. We have made a few really delicious meals that I'm going to share, but I want to hear from you all!

Carolina Charm just posted a great Whole 30 Breakfast Bowls recipe that I can't wait to try.

On a sorta-related note, Ford man got his first tooth!

How alike are my babies?

Annalee at 6 months

 I think it's neat to look back at our last six months and take note of how different these Lex Lyons Cubs are... and how alike they are. So many things are the same... and lots are SO different. So here it goes.... 

Things that are the SAME

Both babies took to nursing pretty well in the hospital.
We came home after two nights.
Both babies slept in our room in the same basinet.
Both babies started eating food at 6 months.... and both got homemade baby food too start. {we'll see how long this lasts for baby #2}

Ford at 6 months

Both babies had hair, and didn't loose it... but we still don't have much.
Neither of my babies liked the swing - the mommaroo was a HUGE waste of money. ha!
Both babies love the carseat and going on walks... as long as we are moving.
Both hate a wet diaper.

Things that are DIFFERENT

Annalee was a c-section baby. Ford came on his own. {and in his own time}
Annalee was in her own room and own bed around 11-12 weeks. Ford stayed in our room closer to 5 months. {Maybe it was the move, or my laziness to go into his room to feed him, or the fact that his sister had his crib}
Annalee took a paci at 3 weeks, and Froggie is still hiding in her bed. Ford, will not take a paci.
Annalee liked the swaddle, Ford likes a sleep sack.
Annalee was a back sleeper all the way, Ford loves his belly.
Annalee never took 4 oz. of milk, we just moved Ford to 5.5 oz. {big boy!}

Look how alike they look?  Amazing right? 

Annalee Estelle | 33 months

I figure it was time for an update on the Original Lex Lyons Cub. 

This little lady of ours is certainly one of a kind. She's smart, and sassy, and funny and makes our hearts melt into a million pieces when she wants... and turns around and knows just what buttons to push to keep us on our toes. 

I'm reminded daily that the 2's are hard. The 3's are harder. It's a constant strain on my patience, throw in my lack of sleep from a newborn and I can certainly at test to the daily challenges this age brings with it. 

Meltdowns just because. 

Not listening. Just because

Throwing toys. Dumping toys. Jumping off furniture. All. Day. Every. Day.

All that said. She's really the sweetest little lady, helpful and thoughtful and soaking up everything there is to hear and learn.  

She loves her little brother, something fierce, and can not wait to see him every day after school.

She loves to snuggle, to hug, to kiss, and to still be held. 

She is sleeping like a champ in her big girl bed, but is an early riser. 

We have been toying around with potty training for a few months now.... maybe 6 months actually, but they say when it clicks, it just clicks... and it finally did. 

Within the past week or two she has really come a long way. She asks to pee in the potty, even if we are out and she has a diaper on. She hasn't had any accidents as of yet, but we are supper on her very 30 min asking if she has to pee. M&M's also may have something to do with it! 

Her favorite toys at the moment... cooking in her kitchen, tea parties, baby dolls, blocks, playing doctor and giving check-ups, her tool kit to fix anything and everything, books, stickers, painting, play dough, washing dishes, building forts, and anything outside. She loves being outdoors, in the snow, rain or sunshine. We take lots of walks, have tea parties, check the mail, run in the yard, play ball and hide n seek.

Favorite foods.... cucumbers, avocados, carrots and dip, peppers, grilled chicken, pork, hot dogs, apple sauce, cheese sticks, yogurt, crackers, raisons, pretzels and noodles. 

Favorite treats... popsicles, ice cream, gummies, chips, and juice. 

Favorite songs... Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells and Shake It Off, by T-swift.

We brush our teeth and say our prayers every night before bed. It's precious to hear her list off mom and dad, and me and baby Ford, and Mimi & Garfield, and Gia and GranDe and my cousins, and all my friends... melts my heart. 

Favorite books... Bearenstain Bears Trick or Treat, Clifford's Valentine, Richard Scary's Big Word Book. 

Paw Patrol and Doc McStuffins are crowd favorites. Bubble Guppies too! 

Wearing 3T and some 4T clothes (mostly one piece outfits, jammies, etc) 

Wears size 9/10 in shoes.

Knows her ABC's pretty well - mostly the song. Can recognize some letters. Knows her shapes and colors and can count to almost 20. 

You still love a good routine. Dinner is around 5:30/6, bath around 7 and bedtime is around 8. 

My last update was at 23 months. At least I started that blog with... "this will probably be my last monthly update for you." 

I did pretty good for her first two years of life though:

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten // Eleven // Twelve

A typical day with a 13 mo old  //  14 & 15 months  //  16 & 17 months // 19 months // 20 months

We love you baby girl!