Mother's Day | Johns Island

We had a fabulous trip to Charleston/Johns Island to visit with my good friend Lynsey and her sweet little girl Allie. Her hubby was working the night shift, in the last couple months of residency, and my hubs had to work in Charleston, so it turned into a little girls weekend.

We didn't get too many pics - we were too busy playing with the kiddies, but I thought I would share a couple from the trip. We did snag some cute ones of the gals...

In their matching PJ's. 

Hanging out at the Tattooed Moose.

And at the beach on Saturday. Annalee loved the sand and the water. We can't wait for memorial day on the Gulf Coast!  

___________________

Mother's Day was a good day, that was spent on the road. Our trip from SC to home took 10 hours - and i'm not even sure how. We may have stopped at the yummiest BBQ spot for lunch, Little Pigs BBQ, just north of Columbia, SC... where Miss Annalee tried her first watermelon.

We had an outfit change after this pic, so I'd say it was a success. 

Next stop was Ikea for a barstool... and napkins, placemats, kids toys, kitchen towels... ha. Of course, Ikea probably added two hours to our trip, but we picked up some deals. My favorite purchase, this adorable alligator mat for the bathtub. 

A steal at $4.99 for family members. 

The hubs surprised me with a great card and this awesome T from Magnolia Farm. 

The day was good... the night didn't end so hot. I starting not feeling well around hour 6 into our trip... chills, fever, aches. I knew exactly what it was. Our friend, mastitis was back. Ugh. It was a rough couple hours and a rough Monday morning, but after some meds, I'm on the mend! 

All in all, such a great weekend catching up with one of my besties and letting our girls play. Wouldn't change it for the world! 

Of course, a big shout out to my momma - the bestest!! We love you! ...and my sweet mother-in-law, who I love so very much. Wishing them a very Happy Mother's Day!! We love you so!

Annalee Estelle | Eleven Months

Dear Annalee, 

You are so full of love and light! Such an explorer and curious about everything these days. You love opening cabinets, drawers, and anything with a lid. You have your daddy's smile... smiling with your whole face! Every day we watch you grow so much. You have learned your name, and our favorite nickname "bananas." You will usually pay attention when we call you. You're starting to like letting others hold you again, especially if mommy sticks around. You're a great eater - trying everything we give you and learning to chew. Your favorites are cheese and puffs! You're latest fascination is putting the lid on things, and taking it back off. You like to jump, jump on the bed or sofa and can really get going when you're crawling. However, you love pulling up on things and will be on the move upright so soon!

Eleven Month Highlights:

• We are pretty sure you have hit the 20 lb mark and stretched over 30 inches. We will see in just 4 short weeks for your one year old check-up. How is that even possible?
• Wearing 12-18 month clothing and 12 month pajamas \\ Pampers size 3 diapers - we moved to to Cruisers this month from the swaddlers and it's been great. Love them. 
• Nicknames: Anna Banana \\ Bananas \\ Sweet Pea \\ Little Bit \\ Pumpkin
• Tricks: Walking with your v-tech walker \\ moving from one object to another while holding on and walking \\ putting the lid on water cups, puffs, etc. 
• Favorite toys: v-tech walker, stackable lion, tea pot, large knob puzzle, tea set, books
• Favorite books: Baby's Bucket Book, Mo Ba La La La, Brown Bear, Brown Bear
• Favorite songs: Old McDonald
• Food: New foods you've tried - eggs, french fries, pasta, goldfish, a lime, melon, and strawberries. You love to eat girl, and are still nursing or taking a 4oz bottle every 2.5-3 hours during the day. 
• You are good with a sippy cup now, but you still like help sometimes. You like the munchkin 360, but it's heavy to hold on your own. 
• Trips: We visited Gramma at the end of April and she loved spending so much time with you! You are a easy road-tripper and only seem to get fussy the last 30min of the trip. How do you know we are so close? 
• Holidays: Your first April fools' day, crawfish boil, and Master's... if those count as holidays. 
• Still just two teeth - you're bottom front two. We think a few more are on the way soon. 
• You typically go to bed around 7:30 or 8pm and wake up around 6am. You usually take a short morning nap and a long afternoon nap. 
• You are doing well without a paci during the day. We're bad at giving it to you when we are home because we forget, but you seem fine when you don't have it. 
• We took you to your first concert and you loved the band - couldn't take your eyes off it!
• You're starting to do better with sitters and going to other people. Thank goodness! 
• We have you your first bath without an infant tub at Gramma's and you liked it - however, you slipped and bumped your head and it wasn't so fun anymore. We'll stay with the infant tub for now. 
• We have started planning your first birthday - which will be celebrated with close friends in Lex and again with family on the coast! Can't wait to watch you tear into a little cake. :)

Eleven Month Favorites {Items We Couldn't Live Without}:

The Bob stroller \\ Deluxe Booster Seat \\ humidifier \\ silicone bibs \\ teethers \\ spiral activity toy \\ Munchkin soft-tip spoons \\ Munchkin 360 cups \\ Sophie \\ V-Tech walker \\ Baby Einstein Take Along Musical Toy \\ soft-sole shoes are a must these days \\ outdoor play-yard \\ shape sorter \\ large knob puzzles \\ baby bathtub and aveno baby wash \\ bucket hats \\ babyganics sunscreen

Pictures from this month: 

Mommy & Me

Dinner at the Natural Bridge Hotel

Masters 2016

A little walk with my v-tech.

Cheese!

@ the Lazy Hiker

Fun at Gramma's

Road Trip Champ!

O little girl, how are you so big!? We love you so!

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

Welcome May | Molly's visit

Happy May friends!!

May is absolutely one of my favorite months! It's still spring, warm days mixed in with cool nights... and the even so slight glimpse of summer on the horizon. Which always means beach vacations and pool days are ahead. It's also the month we said "I Do!" and become parents. So much joy to celebrate in May!

We kicked off the month right with a visit from Miss Molly, my roommate after college and one of my best friends that still lives in Nashville. It was her first time meeting Annalee and it was love at first sight - me too girlfriend. We had a great weekend - filled with lots of gabbing, cocktails, and a few dance parties...

Love our visits... and only wish they lasted longer. 

Sunday brunch in Roanoke at Thelma's Chicken and Waffles - amazing. 

More scenes from our weekend... lots of walks with Miss Annalee.

And watching her learn to walk. My days are limited friends...

May is going to be a busy month - with so many celebrations!

My top 10 for May:

Molly's visit

A Trip to Charleston to visit the Hatch's 

Annalee starts Swim Lessons

DC for Dad

Annalee's First Birthday Party

A Sprinkle for Meg

Annalee Turns One

The Gulf Coast for Memorial Day

Beach Days

GranDe is Retiring

Cheers to a great month! 

Friday Five | Ready for Summertime

Cheers to Friday, friends!

My five on Friday turned into all things beachy and summertime. Can you tell where my heads at today?  Maybe because we just booked flights to the Gulf Coast for a full week in June - my toes can't wait to hit the sand.

{one} After holding out for way too long, I can finally say I am loving Rose' these days. This Le Vieelle Ferme Rose is my favorite at the moment. And, for a fun read check out The 10 Best Rose Wines You Can Drink This Summer from TheStreet.

{two} I fell in love with these wooden striped sailboats from Target the moment I saw them. They are sold out online, but a couple local stores still have them in stock. Perfect for the beach or a little boys room. I'm still trying to find a reason to purchase the whole set.

{three} I discovered Blackberry Cucumber LeCroix and my life has changed. Ha! Ok, not really, but it's pretty delicious. They actually released three new flavors last August, and they are finally getting to our neck of the woods. Just in time for sweet summertime. Bring on the LaCroix!

{four} How 1980's are these summertime hair clips - and so perfect for a sweet little 2 year old! Best part - $3.99 at H&M. I couldn't resist. I mean... pineapples.

{five} I found these Fouta beach towels on Groupon this week. They come in four beautiful colors and at $23 are a steal. They remind me of sunny days on 30A with my girls. Target has a couple cute turkish beach towel options here and here too.

And one more for fun... {six} This little miss turned 11 months old this week! An update is coming soon, but until then - just a cute picture.

Ok, one more... {seven} my old roomie Molly is coming to visit for the weekend, and I can not wait to get my hugs!  Miss you girlfriend!!! Come quick... I need someone to drink that bottle of rose chillin' in the fridge.

Wanna join 5 on Friday? Grab the button below and join in the fun. 

And have a good one. Cheers! 

Styling Bookshelves

Styling bookshelves is sorta like a really long game of chess. 

Two steps forward, one step back. 

Throw in a curious toddler and we're back to the beginning. 

We added these shelves to our den shortly after we moved in 2014. It was a great addition to the house. However, after 22 months, I still haven't "finished them." 

Are they ever going to be finished? 

This is what we are working with today. 

The bottom two shelves are books - aka, something Annalee can't break. I'm thinking of switching them out for baskets - for toys of course - so it's more kid-frendly, but doesn't scream baby. 

Since I miss my House Remodel posts... I decided to tag this one to it! Maybe one day we will finish this place. 

Give me your favorite shelf items and the best kid-friendly shelf-styling!

I'll take the Cake. Plate

Tis the season for weddings!

I miss wedding gift shopping. Let's be honest, it's been some time since I've actually got to purchase a wedding gift for someone.

I miss weddings! The excitement, the love, the joy. Ok, ok - the party, the booze, the dancing.

I'm proud to say that we actually have two save the dates on our fridge AND two wedding invitations. #so25again #butnotreally #butiwish

After selecting a couple gifts from registries this week I have decided that my favorite wedding gift to give is the cake plate.

It's so simple. And sometimes funky.

It's classic. Yet trendy.

It's useful. But, not really used that often.

Except for birthdays. Which I love. I think everyone should get to have cake served up on a pretty cake plate on their special day. And anniversaries - cake for sure. Graduation - cake. Christenings - cake.

Which brings us back to the cake plate. A necessity, you see?

I love that it's something that gets to be a part of every happy celebration for many years to come!

Be warned - if you have a cake plate on your registry, and I'm invited...

It's yours!

I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorites today.

Milk Glass Ruffle by Macy's.

Easton via Amazon. 

Luigi via Target.

Spritz via Target.

Acaciawood via Target. 

Jadeite by Macy's.

And for something funky - Colton by Pier 1.