7.19.2016

Annalee's first Dollhouse


This girl. Man, she just gets more and more fun every day. We surprised her with Little People Dollhouse on Sunday. Her reaction was worth every penny. I wish we would have video taped J carrying it in the house. She was SO happy! And she has played with it every morning and every night since.


We have tried to be pretty frugal when it comes to purchases for little miss. Only things that are 'needed' usually make the list, with an occasional new outfit. Don't get me wrong - the girl has more toys, puzzles, books and outfits then I can count, and certainly well more than she needs. But we are lucky enough to have great friends and family that are great gift-givers.

We didn't get her much for her birthday, since we knew others would shower her with goodies and I really couldn't decide on anything that she needed or could use right now.

However, after seeing how much she loves placing little things in spots around the house and carrying animals or puzzle pieces, I thought a doll house would be the perfect toy. And it was!

This age of discovery is just so fun.



Now, I did have three toy returns that were double-gifts from her first birthday party. So really those paid for it in itself, but it was fun picking it out! 

Speaking of toys... remember this cute table I got J for our 'wooden anniversary.' 
It has now been taken over by toys. but it really is the perfect toy shelf, sorry babe!

Cheers to a good week friends! We are working for Friday... when it's off to the Rivah' for a weekend of relaxation. 






7.18.2016

Summertime Meal Planning


via.
Here is what's on tap for the week:
Sunday - Bacon, Basil and Peach Burgers with roasted sweet potato wedges

Monday - Balsamic Pork Tendorloin & Baby Lima Beans

Tuesday - Work event, Jam Rock Grill catering.

Wednesday - Fish Tacos & Blue Cheese Slaw

Thursday - Let's be real, probably a pizza from Dominos. Thin crust has been our jam lately. 

Friday - Headed to the Rivah (as you Virginian's call it - or NKN) So excited for our lunch stop at Northern Neck Burger on the way. 

Then.... this view is what I am looking forward to for a long weekend of relaxation and fun in the sun! 



Summertime Meal Planning


via.
Here is what's on tap for the week:
Sunday - Bacon, Basil and Peach Burgers with roasted sweet potato wedges

Monday - Balsamic Pork Tendorloin & Baby Lima Beans

Tuesday - Work event, Jam Rock Grill catering.

Wednesday - Fish Tacos & Blue Cheese Slaw

Thursday - Let's be real, probably a pizza from Dominos. Thin crust has been our jam lately. 

Friday - Headed to the Rivah (as you Virginian's call it - or NKN) So excited for our lunch stop at Northern Neck Burger on the way. 

Then.... this view is what I am looking forward to for a long weekend of relaxation and fun in the sun! 



7.12.2016

Cupshe Swim

There are so many fun new styles out there for bathing suites. Especially for mommas - like me - who still haven't grasped the one piece, but also don't really feel comfortable in their old bikinis.   Swimwear by Cupshe is my new favorite (and affordable) shop for suits! The three below are on the way to my house now!



These are also super cute!



Shipping can take awhile, so order early! 
Save 18% and get free shipping with code FOURDIVISIONS. 



7.11.2016

Celebation USA

For the past 14 years,  the 'Moore Street' house has hosted a fourth of July party dubbed, Celebation. It's basically a uber cheesy themed party complete with jello shots, games and lots of American spirit.

We moved into the Moore Street house in 2014, and while we did hold celebration parties in 2014 and 2015, this was the first real 'party' since 2013.

A little inside decor and a clean house. yay!

These were about the extent of my baking for the party... hot dogs and hamburgers were the real hit!
Annalee and friends made an early appearance and then was tucked into bed to let the adults play.

The kids corner.
Dinner outside.
Let the games begin.
With special guests... Mere and Stu! So good seeing you guys. Miss ya!
Until next year.


7.06.2016

A typical day with a 13 month old

A typical day is exciting. curious. funny...and tiring - for Miss Annalee and for Momma.

She is just changing and growing so much. I wanted to document what a typical day is like for us at the moment, tomorrow will probably be different - but for today...

6/6:30am - Annalee wakes up and plays in her crib for a little while. We started giving her a a baby doll to sleep with... or errr.... to entertain her when she wakes up in the morning.
Momma gets you from the crib, does a quick diaper change and takes you into our bed to nurse and snuggle.

7am - We are up. Dad jumps into the shower, we head out to make coffee and play with puzzles, books and your picnic basket. Usually we'll also get you dressed and pick out books to take to Mimi's.

7:15am - Time for breakfast. You typically have oatmeal or a whole wheat waffle and fruit... bananas, strawberries and blueberries are your favorite at the moment. You also love pancakes and scrambled eggs and cheese.

7:30am - Dad takes over breakfast duty and mom heads to the shower.

7:30-8:30am - Typically involves you following us around the house, watching us get ready and entertaining yourself with whatever toy you can find in that particular room.

8:30am - We pack up and head to MiMi's. I usually pack your backpack and lunchbox the night before, so it's ready to go. We load up your backpack with a bib, spoon, snack container with Cheerios, outfit change, sun hat, daily journal and books. Sometimes we send a toy or stuffed animal too. You have been eating a TON of food - a normal day pack includes:
Yogurt - Applesauce - Chicken - Blueberries


I also throw in a fruit or veggie pouch {or 2}, shredded cheese and whatever breakfast is leftover.... sometimes a half of a waffle or cup of oatmeal.

At the moment we are sending three bottles with 2 oz breast milk + 2 oz whole milk each. {Still working on getting you transitioned to a full bottle of whole milk.} 

Since we live in a tiny little town we like to both drop you off, but that rarely happens anymore with our busy schedule. Most days one or both of us has an 8am or 9am, so we're out the door early leaving the other to fend for themselves in drop off duty.

8:45am - We drop you at Mimi's and say our goodbye's. If we ride together, Jesse drops me off since my office is downtown - which means 2 hour parking - and my office is two blocks from our house... so I can walk home for lunch.

9:15/9:30am - Mimi gives you the rest of your breakfast, or yogurt and fruit, and you have your first bottle of the day.

Circle Time - Stories, Bible Verse and the Pledge, of course. :) I'm not sure what the rest of the day entails... lots of outdoor time, reading, blocks, toys and fun!

11:30am - Lunch time - Chicken, Avocado and Cheese - followed by a bottle.

12pm - Nap time for you. As for Mom and Dad - On a typical day, Jesse swings by and picks me up and we head home for lunch, which usually means leftovers or a salad. We also pick up the house, prep dinner, start/fold laundry.  Other days we'll both have work meetings and grab something on the go together or separately.

1:45pm - You're up from your afternoon nap. Sometimes you'll sleep longer. And sometimes you take a morning nap after your first bottle - which pushes your afternoon nap later.

3:00pm - afternoon snack - applesauce, fruit/veggie pouch and Cheerios.

4:15pm - Bottle

5/5:15pm - Mom or Dad does pick up and if you haven't had two naps, you usually fall asleep on the way home, on our long 5-minute commute. Pure exhaustion from all the playtime!

5:30pm - Dinner, sometimes on the porch. Typically we'll feed you some of what we're having if I have it ready, or chopped veggies, fruits, meats - sometimes a PB&J or similar to what you have for lunch. You will try mostly anything these days.

Some nights we slide out for a walk after you eat dinner. Sometimes you get a bath first, and then walk - just in case you fall asleep on us.

6:30pm - Bath time!
7pm - Jammies, {sometimes a book} and a bottle/nursing. You're still not a fan of just whole milk, so I'm still nursing in the morning and at night to keep up my supply. I think we're getting close to weaning you off. I'm going to miss our time together sure certain, but I know you're ready.

7:15/7:30pm - You are down for the night!

We usually spend the rest of the evening cooking, eating, cleaning the kitchen, having drinks on the porch - laundry, lunchbox prep, watching a little TV, while blogging and/or checking emails.

10:30pm - Our typical bed time... which sometimes turns into more like 11/11:30. MUST get more sleep.







7.05.2016

All American Weekend

We had such a fun long weekend at home - celebrating all things America!

Friday, our sitter took the day off, so J and I took turns with Miss Annalee between work meetings and outings. There is no way I could have her with me at work every day, but it was a fun afternoon at the office with Miss Annalee.
Friday night we went to Friday's Alive - live music downtown - and took turns volunteering and chasing Annalee around. Dad worked until the end and mom headed home early to put Annalee down and cook dinner. We called it an early night.
Saturday we started the day with doughnuts from Pure Eats, went for a long walk and made a trip to the pool in the afternoon - which lasted all of about 30min b/c the water was freezing and Annalee only wanted to run around - out of the water. ha!  So we spent the rest of the afternoon on the porch...
Saturday night we had a sitter come over after putting Annalee to bed and we headed to Lime Kiln for another outdoor concert. It was a beautiful night under the stars and a fun little date night.
Sunday we made it to church - first time in a month - and decided to have folks over for a cookout Sunday night. We enjoyed ribs, potato salad, baked beans and homemade ice cream. The perfect All-American meal. It was so good! Kudos to the hubs!!
The 4th was a rainy day, but we made the most of it. Our neighbors put on a fabulous brunch, so we brunched and hang out - while Annalee napped at home. It was lovely to be so close!

We didn't do much the rest of the day - our fireworks and events were canceled due to rain... and mom wasn't feeling so hot. But we enjoyed a break in the rain for some time outside.

...and Dad cooked Bacon, Basil, and Peach Burgers for Dinner. 
Hope you and yours had a wonderful Independence Day! We are so very lucky to live in such a beautiful place... the land of the free, because of the brave.