XO XO - It's Love Month

Happy February! It's LOVE month!! Ahhh Valentine's Day. A day that is such a Hallmark holiday, yet so sweet all it's own. To be honest I was never much of a "Valentine Girl" in that I never put too much emphasis on it, or needed it to be a big over the top thing. My friend's dad always used to say Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve were for amateurs and honestly, I kind of agree.

That being said, I did always want Valentine's day to be acknowledged and maybe get a card, or a special coffee delivery or something - but big over the top gestures have never really been my scene.  When Shane and I got married we started a tradition where we would go to the grocery together, pick out ingredients and make heart shaped pizza dinners. We've done it every year since and it's just perfect for me.

And then we had kiddos, and  they got to join in the fun (although looking back at literally ALL of my Valentine posts for the last four years I have somehow managed to NEVER blog about it! Seriously! I guess that proves I don't make it a big deal.) But speaking of kiddos, I will say since they've entered the scene, I've probably put more emphasis on the holiday. I mean, a day of the week I get to make things special for them and show them how much I love and adore them and make it cute and fun?! YES PLEASE! Sign me right up!

For a look on Valentine's passed:

• 2013 - Valentine Heart Petit Fours for sweet treats and pre-natal massages
• 2014 - I failed to blog Valentine's Day in 2014, but we spent it in the Bahamas and took  sweet photos of our little man (ugh tug at my heart strings, he was so tiny!)
  
• 2015 - More delicious and festive treats plus dipped krispy yummies and some weird questionnaire I created (what was I talking about!?) and per our usual tradition (although somehow I managed to miss blogging about it nearly every year?! what the heck) we made our homemade pizza and cake batter blondies to celebrate!
• 2016 - I had a fun little photo session with the kiddos and again, then little man got sick, but we made the most of it ... and on the actual day we once again headed down to the Bahamas (part 1 , part 2 and part 3)

Which brings us to 2017! I'm excited for this month! House demolition is well under way, so that's keeping things fun and fresh. I've got a 3 month check up for health stuff - but we get to skip scans this month, which makes me way less nervous about it.  We have our annual Galentine's day with all of my gal pals where we gab and eat entirely too much.

I get to be a Room Mom, for mister Bennett's class party and I am pumped. I remember when I was a little one and my mom would be a room mom at our class functions and I LOVED having her in my classroom for fun stuff. So, hopefully B will enjoy having me there too! I've been emailing with the other mama's to get everything prepared (because basically it's up to us to plan the party) and we're going to focus on a craft or two, a snack, a game and a story. Currently we're thinking of a heart scavenger hunt (think Easter eggs but with hearts), making  heart finger puppets and sign language I love you hands plus treats. So looking forward to it!

Per tradition, I'm also planning some fun sibling photos of my little cuties for grandparents Valentines which is always one of my favorites. We'll have a special Valentine breakfast and make some arts and crafts, because that's what we do round here. And let's be real, I'm a sucker for the Target dollar aisle. And of course we'll be having our homemade pizza night!

It's a short month and once we're finished it will be so close to spring and another month closer to being into the new house! Yippieee!

What's Up Wednesday: January 2017 Edition

Hey remember that What's Up Wednesday thing I used to do. It happens at the end of every month and you link up on well, Wednesday. But around here ... when you're so excited for Demo Day you might pee your pants - you completely overlook Wednesday and forget to hit publish because you can't wait to hit publish on your Demo Day post! So, for fun - I'm sharing What's Up Wednesday on Friday ... and that's just how it's gotta be. K?! So as a refresher, on the last Wednesday (or Friday if you're me) we all link up and talk about these topics:

What We're Eating This Week: Uhm, out. Just eating out in general. We've moved into this little guest house of my parents and I don't have all of my things. I'm using pots and pans that aren't mine. A stove that I'm not used to cooking on. I've only halfway figured out our routine and grocery runs ... so I've lost my kitchen mojo. And therefore dinner often consists of handfuls of nuts and berries until one of us can't stand it and we order a pizza. Or we just go out. And way too often. Hopefully I'll get it together and stop doing that ... but I make no promises.

What I'm reminiscing about: The Bahamas.

My parents head down to their island home this time every year for a couple of months and we've been joining them during the month of February every year for about 3-4 years now. This year we took a year off, with the move, the health stuff and everything else it was just too much. They send us pictures constantly of all of our favorite places and the fun they're having and I'm thinking back on previous trips and wishing we were there too.

• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016 ( Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3)

What I'm loving: Lipstick! Ha, is that weird? A girlfriend of mine turned me onto this lip stuff and I'm kind of into it. And that's coming from a gal that hardly ever wears anything but Vaseline on her lips! I'm hoping to gather some pictures, more info and share with ya'll a full post of my new found love. And, they won't be as creepy as this terrifying selfie. Promise.

What we've been up to: Life. Ya'll I've been telling you we're settled and to be fair, we are. But it still feels new and still has me kind of all over the place. I just got a text last night from Caroline and she was like "uhm hi, we used to be friends do you remember me!?" Haha! Guilty. There are times I'm convinced our lives are being controlled by alien puppet strings because I feel so all over the place. I was looking through pictures on my cell phone the other day and I took a picture of this. Like what? Why did I need a picture of that? I mean it's kind of funny, but was that really worth taking a picture of? Clearly I had more important things to waste my cell phone batter on than this magnet that I can assure you I did not buy. At least I don't remember buying it? Some day, some time I'll get back to normal I swear!

What I'm dreading: February 6 -- it's been three months and that means we're back with the doctors. Womp.

What I'm working on: The new house! Obviously! All things house. House house house.

What I'm excited about: The house! DEMO DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY!!!!!!! (ahem, this post was written before Thursday obviously, but since I forgot to share - you can now read about that in the link).

What I'm watching/reading: Hubs and I just watched Inferno last night and I really liked it! It's filmed in Florence (be still my heart) so clearly it had me hook line and sinker from the beginning. I spent 6 months in Florence my sophomore year of college and hubs and I went back about four years ago and I can still smell the city if I close my eyes and think about it. But the movie was pretty good too, ha!

What I'm listening to: White Collar. I started this series right when we moved back to Louisville, and I've been watching it on my phone A LOT. Headphones in, show on. It's one of those series I don't have to be glued to the TV to know what's going on - so it's a good "on the go" show.

What I'm wearing: Heck I don't know. The weather goes from 60 degrees one day to 30 the next - so having a real "wardrobe" currently is a bit of a challenge. Jess and I were chatting yesterday about how sad we are we feel like we haven't been able to really bust out the sweaters this year. Mother Nature you're messing with my vibe. Get your act together.

What I'm doing this weekend: We've got a pretty busy weekend lined up. We've got a big party Friday, B's basketball game Saturday am, dinner plans Saturday night with some pals I can't wait to see and a little house/appliance/etc. shopping Sunday!

What I'm looking forward to next month: It's love month! A month where we get to be obnoxious with pink and red and fun arts and crafts with the littles. Extra treats and extra kisses. Sign us up! I realize Valentine's day is such a commercial holiday and totally silly (I completely agree) - but having kids and making it fun for them is really really fun. I've also got two people really close to me that are due with their littles next month (Hey MaK and Andrea!) and I'm so excited to meet them!

What else is new: I think that about covers it! Lipstick, house renos and baby snuggles! Whhoooop!

**Linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel

Island Time ~ Part 3

It's March and fingers crossed, that means SPRING!!! Lainey is also 4 months old today, which has gone by so quickly I can't even comprehend it. Hopefully I'll get around to her 4 month post sometime this week or next. But, I'm back today with the final installment of our recent trip to the Bahamas. You can catch up on Part 1 and Part 2 of Island Time here. 

We took it easy Friday morning and didn't really head out until after nap time. But PaPaw was waiting with a kite and that plus the pool was a great day for a 2.5 year old!

We had dinner that evening at Wally's and then started fresh the next day with a fancy new sailor fit. 

We stopped for lunch and drinks at On Da Beach.

And indulged in bottles.

And slaw dogs.

And ice cream at the sweet shop.

Pretty sweet.

Snuggles!

And sunnies.

And baby bums.

And baby giggles.

And feeding fishies before heading home!

Wrapped the most terrible, no good, rotten, cancelled flight situation before we finally got home. But at least the babies got a final nap!

And a big shout out to daddy and for saving us, and our "tags" all the way in Atlanta!

Until next time Bahamas. We love you! 

Island Time ~ Part 2

Happy Monday everyone! I can't believe it's already the last day of February! We had FABULOUS weather in Nashville this weekend and made sure to take advantage of as much sunshine as we possibly could. We played with friends, played with each other, and made new friends at the park. These type of weekends make my heart happy! 

I'm back today with part 2 of our recent trip to the Bahamas to recap more fun in the sun. You can catch up on the first part - Island Time, Part 1 here. 

We woke up Monday morning (2.15.16) and snuggled PaPaw while we watched morning cartoons.  The weather was still a little off, but when we got a slight break we made a bee-line for the pool. These guys are number one pals and if you ask Bennett who's boy he is his answer is "PaPaw's Boy" ... (he may recite that because dad repeated it to him every day since he was born, or it may be because he really is ... no one can say for certain. :) hehe)

PaPaw Pool Days!

That night we chilled, drank wine and switched between the bachelor and the Grammy's. Nice little Monday.

Lainey just couldn't believe Emily's answers to Ben's parents. "I just like to watch movies and I don't eat vegetables." UHM WHAT!?!?

The next morning the weather was PERFECT! So we got all suited up and boarded the boat!

Our first stop was to check out the new Beach House on Lubbers. It's a small island right off Marsh Harbour and my parents are in the process of renovating a house. They've done such a great job with it and I'm so proud of them for making their dreams a reality.

Dad rocked a serious stasche for a day!
Mom handled the decor for the inside and she did a great job!

Lainey wasn't that impressed. :) hehe

But these doors and their color against that white wash! I die. And love it. It's like rustic farmhouse meets the beach and that's basically the greatest ever.

And she adorned the place with adorable little beach sayings.

There's still work to be done, but they've done such a great job! I see lots of good times to be had!And Bennett got started right away! Dance baby!

Lainey perked up and joined the fun too!

And then we headed to Tahiti beach on Hope Town and on the way Bennett spotted Captain Hook and The Neverland Pirates! "Mommy wook! It's Jake!"

Again, Lainey's not impressed. She's a tough crowd.

But Bennett and his sweet shades are all about it.

And naturally, they deserve sweet dance moves too.

Love these two and their tic tacs. It's their thing.

And it's adorable.

And our captain, love him too.

And PaPaw dove in and got Bennett his very own starfish!

Lainey just hung in the shade.

And we beached it until we just couldn't anymore (no pics bc we were too busy building sandcastles) and then we took a little tiger snooze on the ride home.

Then we stopped for a quick lunch at Firefly (one of my fave places) and headed back and got cleaned up for the Wednesday rib roast and dance party at The Jib Room.

Drinks all around!

We snagged a table and watched "Boogie Baby" aka Bennett do his thang.

From Limbo

To making new girlfriends.

To making new friends

He was life of the party. The videos I have are hands down the best ever. It was all eyes on Bennett and he loved it.

The next day we made into another pool day. More naps from Lainey.

And more water for Bennett at the Abaco Beach Resort.

More shade for Lainey.

And more friends for Bennett.

And more booze and books for mommy. Yay!

More snuggles for GoGo.

And more pal time for PaPaw.

It was a good day.

A very, very good day.

The next morning B and I took a walk and had some mommy + Bennett time.

Hammocks make the heart grow three sizes. Or something like that. 

And so do swings.

These two. My heart.

Lainey's snoozing again. Surprise.

Oh and after that, she fell asleep again.

But this little decided to end the day in a different way...it went a little something like this:

Me: Bennett, you're not allowed to go passed that first step unless you take your shirt off and put your swimmies on.

*turn around to set all items required for the day at the pool ... turn back around*

Bennett: Uhm, waht did you say mommy? *Grin* 

Look at this little devil!

More to come, hope you have a great week!