Living with my Parents

I believe that I have discussed my current living situation here on my blog. I currently live with my parents in a cozy 2 bedroom home. Lucky for us we all get along great and they absolutely adore little Ava. I never realized how close my family was until I got older and would share stories with friends. We are just very comfortable and casual with each other and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, naturally I sometimes wish I had my own apartment (which will be happening soon enough) but other times I am so SO grateful that I live with my parents. This weekend was a perfect example. I had a nasty case of food poisoning this weekend and was sick as a dog. I couldn't keep anything down and I was so dehydrated. I was so weak I could hardly make it through a shower. Thank goodness for my mother. She swooped right in and canceled her Sunday plans to take care of Ava while also taking care of me. It really made me realize how hard (almost impossible) it would have been if I had to go through that alone. I'm pretty sure there would have been a lot of crying from both Ava and I. So THANKS MOM for being the best grandma and mom.

Matchbook Magazine

This amazing online mag is a huge hit and it only just launched a few days ago. I am absolutely obsessed with it and can't wait for future issues. The very best part?? My best friend is the illustrator for the magazine. She is taking the design world my storm and I couldn't be happier for her. She is such a cute lady who knows exactly what she wants. I miss her everyday and I can't wait to see her again so we can drink mimosas and bake cookies.

Here's to you Miss Katie Evans!

Ava, Ma, & Pa

I haven't spoken much about Ava's dad here on this blog for various reasons, mostly because up until recently I wasn't his biggest fan. But in the end he is a good guy and wants to be a great father to Ava. For a while I didn't want to accept that and in all honesty I wanted it to be just Ava and I. I was being greedy. I know it is best for her to have a relationship with both of her parents so I have never kept him from seeing her and I never will. Unfortunately due to distance he doesn't see her nearly as much as he would like to. We have talked a lot about the future and have agreed that in a few years once we both feel more stable in our lifestyles we will move to the same city to make everything easier in our goal of shared parenting.

He was visiting the past weekend before he starts a fire fighting academy in Charleston, SC. I snapped a few pictures of him and Ava together since he won't be seeing her much until he is done with the academy.




I don't know if you can tell from the photos but Ava looks just like her dad.

And of course I had him snap a few of Ava and I...




Can you tell I am a little camera shy?? Plus whenever I see a photo of myself I think that I look soooo tired.

Happy Monday!

Baby Book

My best friend Katie recently asked me if I am keeping a baby book for little Ava. The truth is, I haven't really put anything in it yet. I have two that were gifted to me and I constantly think about how I need to fill it up with dates and pictures but I have yet to take action.

Do you have a baby book for your little one? Or better yet, did you parents keep a baby book for you? If you are a blogging mama is that your version of a baby book?

On a different note...here is a little video of my mom being a "bad grandma!"

5 Months!!

Seriously?? 5 months already? Before I know it my little Ava will be 6 months old, which is HUGE in baby land.

Lately...

Ava has been full on giggling A LOT. I've caught it on camera a few times but she seems to always tone it down as soon as I start recording.


She has started tasting "real" food. This is grandma's doing. She likes to break a lot of rules and she gave Ava a taste of mashed potatoes, apple sauce, ice cream, a marshmallow (!!), she even let her suck on a chicken bone. Yes, it's true...I know, it's terrible...But it was pretty entertaining and harmless.

Little Ava LOVES to grab and play with her feet.


She is the happiest baby I've ever seen when she is naked. Honestly, if she is fussy sometimes I'll just take off her diaper and let her hang out in her pack and play and she will be a happy camper. It's funny because I will walk away to do something and I can hear her cooing and laughing to herself.

She doesn't sit up on her own yet but she is able to sit up with very little assistance. It's cute.


Sometimes when she is being held chest to chest she will get excited about something and dive into your neck. It sounds weird but it's super charming.

OH! And she FINALLY enjoys tummy time...(sometimes)...


xoxo

P.S. Thanks so much for the pumping advice! I'm definitely going to try the funugreek and some other pointers.

Get me outta this (style) rut!

So now that I am working I am required to wear more than leggings, nursing tanks, and cardigans everyday and I am super excited about it. But if you saw me last week (my first week of work) you would have never guessed that I had any style. I wore a different variation of the same outfit everyday (jeans, gray sweater, and boots). Of course it didn't help that it was freezing and snowing last week. I realize that I am in a style rut. I have gotten too comfortable with the "lazy" attire. I even said to my sister recently, "Can we go shopping at Old Navy soon? They always have good deals on lounge wear." Thank goodness she told me NO. I mean, seriously, I was looking for a sale to buy what? Sweats?? Hoodies?? If you know me well you know this is totally out of character for me. Luckily this job may have just saved my (style) personality. Whew!

So starting tomorrow I will begin to dive back into dressing for my personality. Here are some images to help inspire me...

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(I plan on copying this outfit tomorrow)

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(I love everything this lady wears)

Can you tell I am craving dress and skirts and tights?

Blog Changes....

I figured it was time to make a few little changes....it's still a work in progress...