Two Under Two

Life has been crazy lately, but I'm happy to announce that we are all home and (somewhat) healthy! Besides both kids having colds.. yay.. we are doing great! That may change very soon, as Carl went back to work today. We finally have a routine and were making things work, and I'll admit I'm very skeptical about how I'll do at home with two of them by myself! We're all still alive today, so I guess I'm doing alright!

Charlotte has her days and nights mixed up, so sleep is just a vague memory right now. With Henry getting up around 7:30 every morning, and me usually staying up way too late, I'm existing purely on coffee and the reminder that these two munchkins depend on me for survival. 

However, it is great not being pregnant anymore, since I can get up and move around! I'm also very excited to put more effort into the Etsy shop this next year. Carl's officially on a full time Detective schedule, meaning he's off at 3:30 and has weekends off, whoohoo! That means I'll get time to leave him in charge of the kiddos and work on products, advertising, and social media for the shop. I would love for nothing more than for it to catch on so I can stay at home with the kids & get to do what I really love for a living. 

We've come up with some fun ideas, and while we're going to create more inventory, we decided to test out our ideas on Christmas presents for family members: 

   

 

I'm really excited to experiment more with these coffee cozies, as they're so much fun to make and there are so many possibilities! Mom has an embroidery machine, and personalized cozies would be awesome (I've got a "Mrs. 33" police sleeve in the works). 

That's all I've got for this post, they are both miraculously napping at the same time so I better eat and start laundry while I can! 

Miss Charlotte Elizabeth Staas

So sorry for the silence lately, life has been crazy! I am so happy to announce that Charlotte Elizabeth Staas arrived December 7, safe and sound. She weighed in at 5 lbs, 13 oz, and 20 in long. With how big Henry was, such a little peanut has taken some getting used to!

Since my last post, I was hospitalized again for high blood pressure, then had to stay for some light bleeding. I was finally released, then days later had a scheduled C-section. I was so terrified with the idea of surgery but honestly, it wasn't near as bad as I had freaked myself out about.

The hardest part has definitely been the NICU stay, for about a week and a half now. She needed some assistance breathing at first, and since then it's been a combination of low temperatures, low weight, high bilirubin, you name it. Nothing too scary but definitely low enough that they weren't comfortable enough sending her home yet. Her weight dropped to 5 lbs 3 oz and while weight loss is to be expected, hers kept going down which was concerning. She is now up to 5 lbs 4 oz and as long as it stays up, we get to go home tomorrow. Can I get a hallelujah?! I miss Henry so much I don't even know. I can't wait to have my whole family together again.

Enough of my complaining though, I have to share some of the ridiculous amounts of pictures I've already taken :)

This first one is extremely blurry, since in the NICU you have to keep your phone in a plastic bag. We had the nurse take a photo of Henry meeting her for the first time, & he even gave her a couple of kisses. Too cute for words.

She is already the sweetest little girl, and I cannot wait to get her home. I am a little nervous about how Henry will do with her getting a lot of my attention, but we'll see! Thank goodness Carl's got more time off to help with the adjustment. 

And a side note- I decided to switch up the name of my blog. I would like to get more dedicated and make some changes in the new year, and I thought what better start than a new name! Let me know if you like it, or thought Staas & Company was better. 

That's all for now, thank you so much for reading!

Never-ending Pregnancy

I'm sure many of you mommas out there can relate when I say that I feel like the last month or so of this pregnancy is just dragging on and on! Not only am I so excited to finally see our little girl, but I am so ready to be able to bend over and lay on my stomach again (and to down a margarita or two).

All of the complications with this pregnancy have also made things really tough. I ended up with another hospital stay- this one for 9 stinkin days. Thankfully I'm back home with my boys, but still on full bed rest. Bed rest with a one year old.. easier said than done! We're making it work though, and the fact that I've kept baby girl in for what will be 34 weeks in a few days makes it totally worth it.

Another frustrating aspect has been that I can't get up to work on her nursery :(. Thankfully my mom has been so amazingly helpful, and I can still sit and work on some projects. I've gotten a couple of things done for her collage, and I can't wait to see everything together:

Also, since I can't go shopping, I've spent more time than I'd like to admit shopping online. Babies R' Us had some adorable pieces (and all under $20!) that I couldn't help but buy: 

Besides that, life has been pretty boring around here. My C-section has officially been scheduled for December 7.. yeah holy crap.. so there is a ton to do before Charlotte makes her debut! The idea of a C-section is also so terrifying to me. I know women have them all the time, it's still just so unexpected and new that I'm trying to wrap my head around it. What I should be even more worried about is surviving with two children under two once we get back home. 

That's all I've got for now! 

Hospital Bag Must-Haves

When expecting a baby, a million things go through your mind. From your labor plan to how in the world you're going to push a baby out, things get overwhelming quickly. One thing that I put off for way too long last time, and ending up throwing together last minute, was my hospital bag.

It didn't really dawn on me that I was going to be away from home for several days and need things for not only me, but my baby as well. I was so focused on getting Henry here safely and meeting him, I didn't think about the things I would want or need. While the hospital does provide many of the items that you'll need (and don't forget to take what you can when you leave!), I found myself wanting some of my comforts from home.

Hopefully the following lists help you to feel a little more prepared for not only your hospital stay, but having your baby and bringing that sweet little bundle home as well.

1. A large bag to carry everything. This time, I don't want to have to deal with a clunky suitcase, especially since hospital rooms can get crowded, quickly. I have an old tote from Victoria's Secret that will hold everything and be easier to stick in the corner when I don't need it. 

2. Sleep Mask. I'm a very light sleeper, and sleep is tough enough to come by when in the hospital. It never seems to get completely dark, so this time I'm hoping a sleep mask will help me to tune things out and actually get some rest. This one came from H&M, but you can find some adorable ones on Etsy!

3. Going Home Outfit. I didn't put much thought into this last time and ended up just throwing some old sweats and a cover-up into the bag. Well, the clothes didn't fit great, nor did they look too beautiful in our pictures when leaving the hospital. While I really wasn't that concerned with how I looked (I was just more excited to get little man home), I would like something that actually fit and was comfy this time around! I decided to go with my beloved yoga pants, tank top, and big comfy sweater. You can find a similar sweater at Old Navy. 

4. Nursing Bra. If you plan on breastfeeding, you will definitely want a nursing bra, or a bra that hooks in the front. Nursing can be a very stressful part of those first few days, and having to lift up your shirt and bra will inevitably just get in the way. Both of these bras are from Target, which is where I've gotten every nursing bra that I own. I would highly recommend avoiding underwire, as it's just uncomfortable and annoying when trying to rest (in my opinion, at least!). 

5. Button-up nightgown or pajamas. This goes along with the nursing bra. Having button-up pajamas or a nightgown will really help you be able to nurse as comfortably and conveniently as possible. I've opted to go with a nightgown, as not wearing pants is preferable to me!

6. High-waisted briefs... AKA granny panties. Since I know I'll need a C-section, high-waisted briefs are a must. Even if you'll deliver the old fashioned way, you'll be so glad you brought some comfy undies. Between the pads you'll need and just being uncomfortable, anything lacy or too tight will just be obnoxious. 

7. Long Robe. When walking around during contractions, getting up to use the restroom, or having visitors over to see your new little one, a robe is definitely a must-have for me. It helps cover-up anything you don't want seen in those opened-back hospital gowns, and helps you to feel a little more comfortable. Hospitals can get freezing as well, so the extra layer doesn't hurt. I'm kind of obsessed with this plush robe from Lord and Taylor. 

8. Slippers. I can't express enough how important or how much I loved my slippers during my stay at the hospital. Before I had Henry, I was up walking a bunch to try and get labor going. Once I had him, I was walking around to stretch a bit or use the bathroom. After I have my C-section this time, I'll need to be up walking right away. Slippers are so great to have because they're not only comfy, they are a great alternative to regular shoes and shield you from the always-freezing hospital floors. I found these Kate Spade beauties at TJ awhile ago, but you can find some similar ones here. 

1. Body Wash. The hospital will most likely provide you with a small bottle but for me, I'd much rather have my own.

2. Dry Shampoo. LIFESAVER. The first couple of days, I admittedly did not shower. I was so exhausted from labor and all of the company that I didn't get out of bed much more than I needed to. While I plan on showering this time around, I most likely won't wash my hair (it's so thick & curly, nobodys got time to deal with that). Dry shampoo is a must-have so that I'm not completely gross and greasy lookin.

3. Hand mirror. I didn't intentionally pack this last time, but was so grateful when I realized I had it in my purse. While it was great having visitors, I wanted to try and be semi-presentable when they arrived. It was nice to be able to throw on some mascara while still in the hospital bed using my hand mirror.

4. Large makeup bag. I can definitely get a little OCD with packing, so grabbing a larger makeup bag that could fit not only my essential makeup products but all of my cosmetics together was really helpful. Not being at home meant carrying a bag back and forth to the bathroom and it was nice to have everything together.

5. Charger. Even though I got induced with Henry and didn't have the "holy crap, my water broke, let's rush to the hospital" moment, I still forgot things. One of those things was my charger, which I had to ask my parents to grab on the way to the hospital. This time, I plan on having my extra charger already packed and ready to go.

6. Ipad/Book/Something to do. One thing I didn't expect was how much down time I had. We showed up at the hospital to get induced at 6 AM, and I didn't have him until 11 AM the next day. Between getting up to walk or visiting with family/friends, I still had a lot of down time just waitin for the action to begin. My Ipad and my absolute favorite book- Pride and Prejudice- will help to pass the time.

7. Snacks. Once in active labor I wasn't allowed to eat anymore, but before I got induced, I realized I was starving and had no quarters for the vending machine. I would definitely recommend bringing something to munch on (my husband was starving too) or some quarters to grab some snacks.

8. Chap stick. Nothing wears you out like labor, and right after, I immediately realized how dehydrated and therefore, chapped, my lips felt. Thank goodness I have amazing friends who just gave me theirs but this time, I plan to be fully prepared.

9. Toothbrush and Toothpaste. Since some of these items, such as your toothbrush and toothpaste, are things that you need on a daily basis and don't necessarily want to pack away, I bought some travel-sized items I could pack ahead of time. Walmart and Target both have sections with toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, etc. in miniature bottles that work perfectly for a few day hospital stay.

10. A Razor. I forgot to bring one last time and I could not wait to get home and shave my underarms. I just felt gross after laying in bed all day, and this time I know I will appreciate having all my own toiletries and being able to feel human again.

11. Mascara. Right after having Henry, I couldn't have cared less what I looked like. I was so amazed by how little he was, and how good he smelled, and everything else that when I finally looked in the mirror, I was appalled. While I doubt I'll be putting on a full face of makeup, I will definitely be glad to have my mascara and look a little like myself when visitors come.

1. Beanies/Hats. Little ones get cold so easily, that you'll want to make sure you've got a hat, especially to bring them home in. Your hospital will probably provide them for you, but they won't be near as cute as these little floral ones from Carters.

2. A Coat. If you're having a winter baby like I am, a coat would definitely be a good idea. Your little one has been so warm and cozy up until now, that you'll want to protect them as best as you can from the cold weather. I probably worry too much, but I figure you can never have enough fuzzy clothing :)

3. Socks. In line with the coat, socks will just keep your little one's feet warm. There is nothing cuter to me than little baby toes, and while I hate covering them up, cute socks are a good alternative!

4. Newborn Car Seat. This one is a must-have, as the hospital won't let you leave without it. We are just re-using Henry's seat for little girl, since he's outgrown it. Naturally, I have to have a cute carseat cover to make it girly! Etsy has some great options, or if you sew, you can find patterns on Pinterest also.

5. Warm Blanket. This will be great when taking baby home. If it's too chilly or windy, a warm blanket is great to drape over the carseat to protect them from not only the cold, but the bright sun as well.

6. Going Home Outfit. I cannot resist a cute pun on a onesie, or some sparkle for that matter. I absolutely fell in love when I saw this onesie from Viva La Glitter and decided it would make the perfect going home outfit for Charlotte. I'm going to pair it with some cute leggings, socks, and a hat and she will be good to go!


// Miscellaneous Items //

There are several other things I thought I would mention, that either aren't necessarily beautiful or are just the basics that you may forget. These include:

-Deodorant

-Tucks Pads. You will probably receive some of these from the hospital, but it's always nice to have your own on hand. You will also have them ready for when you get home and trust me, they are awesome.

-Regular Pads. The hospital pads I was provided with were giant. I mean, bigger than Henry's diapers, giant. While you do need pads, I just bought some regular heavy pads from the store which were so much more comfortable.

-Your important information, such as your driver's license, insurance info, etc.

-Your own pillows, and maybe a blanket.

-Nipple Cream. Getting Henry to latch was very difficult, and while they did supply me with some nipple cream, it didn't work as well as the Lansinoh cream I bought myself.


And that's all I've got for now! If anyone has any other suggestions or things I may have missed, please feel free to mention!

Leggings & Pumpkin Spice

Top knots, leggings, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, changing leaves.. just a few of the reasons that I absolutely love fall. The weather has finally dropped around here and it's amazing (and so is the fact that a lot of my non-maternity clothes still fit). Also, I'm completely obsessed with how cute little man looks in his stretchy leggings and jackets! It's too adorable. Although, he is really not a fan of the socks (but I definitely get a kick out of him sliding around.. rude, I know).

I also started decorating the place for fall awhile ago (earlier than Carl really cared for) and I've slowly been sneaking in new decor as well. I bought a chalkboard to put on our mantel and I've already planned out designs for every holiday I can think of! And.. a sparkly pumpkin? I had to.

The pillow came from my momma, and is something that you can easily re-create at home! She found the blingy "Boo" decal from Hobby Lobby (similar one here), put it on a strip of fabric, and found the other two coordinating fabrics to go with. Just sew the strips together, cut another for the back, throw in some stuffing, and voila! An adorable Halloween pillow.

I'm also really excited to try out this recipe I found for apple cider donuts. A donut (or three) with a pumpkin spice latte sounds about as close to heaven as I can get in the mornings.

Oh yeah- there is some very exciting news in the Staas household that I hadn't shared yet- little man is a walkin machine! He just took off one day and hasn't stopped since. He looks like a little drunk guy wobblin all around and I just love it. He gets so happy and proud of himself and momma couldn't be prouder either.

Lately, I've spent some time (more than I care to admit) browsing through Instagram profiles I've found of other mommas running their own businesses and let me tell ya- I've become so inspired. I really want to take some more time to focus on my blog and the Etsy shop, and some inspiration is just what I needed to kick my butt into gear.

One profile that I'm absolutely in love with is Knot Unraveled. Not only are her cup cozies the cutest I think I've ever seen, but she's got an amazing story & cause behind what she does. Definitely buying up some cozies here very shortly. I think the only thing better than a pumpkin spice latte is a PSL with a blingy pumpkin cozy :)

I also think I have to have WeeStructed "I breed NON Sleepers" mug, because with how little Henry naps, it pretty much sums up my life.


Please share if you have any other small businesses or shops with handmade goods, I love supporting other small businesses and working mommas out there!

Bed Rest Blues

After multiple trips to the ER, resulting in a 3 day stay on the last visit, we've finally gotten some peace of mind and a hold on what's going on! We found out that I have complete placenta previa, which can be a very serious condition, especially if not monitored and taken seriously. I've been put on bed rest, and let me tell ya, I'm already not a fan.

It's hard enough to keep myself entertained, but having an almost-one year old that you're not supposed to lift or chase around is no piece of cake. Thankfully, I am allowed to get up every once in awhile for short periods of time, so I think we'll be okay! The goal is to keep me rested, off my feet, and to keep baby girl in there as long as possible. I'm officially 28 weeks, which is quite a bit sooner than we'd prefer for her to arrive. We'd like to get me to 36 weeks (although it'll probably be sooner) and will definitely be a C-section.

Any other mamas out there have experience with high-risk pregnancies, or being on bed rest? It definitely came as a shock, and while I feel so much better now that me and baby are healthy and stable for the time being, it's still a bit overwhelming. Thankfully I've had amazing family and friends visit and offer help, so I know we can make it :)

In the week I've been in the hospital/on bed rest, I've been trying to come up with some ways to occupy myself and make this as enjoyable as possible. Here are a few tips that have taken the edge off a bit:

Grey Knitted Cardigan // Gold Metallic Family Planner // Slippers // "Boo" Sweatshirt

1. Still pamper and try to feel good about yourself. It might sound silly, and I'll admit my initial thought was, "Heck ya, I'm wearin a messy bun and no makeup every day", but that has really done more harm than good. Eventually, you will feel like the smelly homeless person that took up residence on your couch, which won't do anything for your mood on the daily. Just putting on a cute (yet still comfy) top, some mascara, & painting my nails has made a world of difference.

2. Invest in a planner. I've had my weekly planner from Plum Paper Designs for awhile now, and I am completely obsessed with it. I continuously buy different washi tape, stickers, & metallic pens to make it even more fun and a great creative outlet. Even though I'm stuck in bed, life still goes on, and a planner is a great way to keep track of Carl's work schedule, Dr. appointments, birthdays, etc.

3. Take up a new hobby. I once took a very short-lived excursion into the world of crocheting, which admittedly, I quickly gave up. However, I did really enjoy the small amount of time that I did spend and I would love to try and create something more than a 4"x 4" square. After Pinteresting some ideas, a scarf is in the works and a future picture may be posted! (no promises, tho).


4. Remind yourself it's for your baby. It has been very easy so far for me to worry, which leads to stressing, which is the opposite of what I should be doing! I am constantly reminding myself that this is what's best and I can't change the circumstances, so worrying will get me nowhere. Every minute that I'm laid back and resting, I'm keeping Charlotte healthier and growing. It may seem like a long stretch now, but it will be so worth it in the end.


And that's all I've got for now, thanks so much for reading, and please let me know if you have any other bed rest tips to keep me sane!

Time for Some Sparkle

A few days ago, I ended up going into the ER after work to have some concerns of mine checked out. Everything with baby looked great, but there are some complications with this pregnancy that need to be looked into further. I have a doctors appointment this week, and when I find out more I'll be sure  to share!

While it was a stressful experience, something good did come out of it- we found out through another ultrasound that we are definitely having a little girl!! The minute the ultrasound tech confirmed that Henry was getting a sister, I immediately started picturing tutu's and flower headbands. Me and mom cannot wait to buy everything sparkly in site, and the nursery planning has officially begun! 

If you look carefully at the sideways photo of her face, you can see her little smirk! I am so in love already, and cannot wait to meet her. We've been tossing around names, and we are pretty set on Charlotte Elizabeth. Carl wasn't sold at first, but after me calling her Charlotte for months I think it's sticking. 

At 27 weeks, I feel way behind that all we have for little girl is literally one outfit that mom bought (it says "best little sister" and I'm obsessed).  But then I realized, even if she has to wear some of Henry's old clothes (the containers and containers of outfits that we have) she will survive. I may just have to accept that she can't be covered in glitter and pink 24/7... maybe. 

I am, however, so glad to have the green light on nursery planning! With this pregnancy's complications, I could end up needing a C-section before 40 weeks, which makes the time crunch even more stressful. Guess it's a good thing I've been planning a girl's nursery since I was pregnant with Henry! Some of my inspiration for her shabby-chic, vintage-inspired nursery: 

Curtain & other Inspiration here / Floral Letter in Frame Tutorial / Gorgeous Rug found here

I absolutely cannot wait to get out and shop, and start all of the projects I have lined up! If anyone has ideas for a vintage/shabby-chic nursery they'd like to share, please do! I can never get enough flowers, sparkle, and vintage embellishments.

The Next Step

This past week, the boys went out of town on a mini vacation to St. Louis, which gave me some time to work on & finally open the Etsy shop! Our shop, Sweet Affairs, is finally up and running with a few of our favorite items listed. I'm mostly excited to get my chalkboards out there, which I have such fun making. After my wedding, me and my mom realized our passion for creating beautiful and unique wedding items, all without breaking the bank. With the encouragement of our family and friends, we decided to start a small shop and see how it goes!

   

If you have a moment, please go check out Sweet Affairs Etsy shop and let me know what you think! You can also favorite the shop to keep up-to-date on any new products or updates.

We've already received multiple inquiries and orders, and I can't  wait to see where this will take us! A custom garter set was sent out just the other day, and I love the look this bride is going for with the lace & pearls in her decor!

If you have any custom orders for a chalkboard for a wedding, birthday, baby shower, or any other event, please let us know! You can get in touch through the Etsy shop, or email us at SweetAffairsCreations@gmail.com :)

6 Months Already.. Holy Cow

When I opened my "What to Expect" app this morning to see how far along in this pregnancy I was, I was completely surprised to see 24 weeks and 5 days already! Especially when I read that baby is estimated to be 8.5 in and 1.5 lbs. ... say what?? The fact that Henry is going to have a little sibling (quite possibly a little sister!) is both unbelievably exciting and completely terrifying. I can't even imagine how hectic things will be at first, but I think Henry is going to be the best big brother and I can't wait to see them together :)

Now that my baby bump has suddenly popped up out of nowhere, I had to share a bump picture:

This pregnancy has been so different from my first, which is really making me think that it is a girl! I'm carrying so much higher, I have a lot less morning sickness but more headaches, and my hair/nails are so brittle this time around. I have another ultrasound in a few weeks, so I'll just have to keep on waiting to buy all the tutus and headbands that I see! 

I've also been living in stretchy tank tops like the one in the above picture, along with my beloved yoga pants/leggings. I'm not big enough to have to wear maternity pants yet, but they're so comfy & I already have a few pair, so why not? 

The boys are gone on a trip to St. Louis for the night, and I don't even know what to do with all of this quiet! I always say I want time to myself, but the minute they left I already missed them :(. So goes motherhood, I suppose. 

Well, time to be productive and work on the Etsy shop some more- which I will be sharing more on as soon as it's ready. As always, thank you so much for reading! Now I'm going to go take some pictures of our products.. while simultaneously stuffing my face with chocolate. 

XOXO

Exciting News!

After much debate and encouragement from our friends and family, me and my mom have decided to get our business going! We absolutely love creating custom, beautiful decor for events- particularly weddings. I've added a page to the blog for our business, Sweet Affairs. We're offering items such as chalkboard signs, "Mrs." hangers, bouquets, and more! Please take a moment to check the page out, as well as our Facebook page Sweet Affairs :).

Amidst the craziness of working full time and my best friends wedding (another post to follow with some pictures of her gorgeous wedding), Henry turned 10 months! I cannot believe our little guy is getting so big, and it just makes the countdown to number 2 even closer.. and more intimidating. 

Favorites: any food you will give him (besides squash), playing with mom's phone, and standing up! 

Crawling: everywhere.

Walking: any day now. I am just waiting for him to get the confidence to take off!

Mood: he's a very happy, sweet little guy. We've entered the separation anxiety phase though, so he wants momma close at all times. Doesn't make for much productivity, but it is super sweet. 

Teething: Four on top, three on bottom, and it looks like a few more comin in. 

Sleep: it's not great. He does have his random "sleeping all night long" miracles, but they haven't been happening too often. Some nights are every couple of hours but thankfully, it's usually just once a night that he's up. 

Hates: sitting still, not getting to stick things in his mouth, and when we don't make his food fast enough. 

Thanks for reading, and please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for our business. We're so excited to see where this next chapter in our lives takes us!

Number 2!

I have been soo excited and so impatient to officially share the news... that our little family of 3 is becoming 4! I am already 20 weeks along, which is mind-blowing how fast this pregnancy has gone. We had our ultrasound to determine gender, and while baby's legs were crossed, the technician was pretty positive we hare having a girl!!

I'm trying to hold off on buying everything pink & bedazzled at the moment, but it is becoming harder and harder to hold off. Nursery planning (in my mind and on Pinterest) has begun, patterns for ruffled leggings have been bought, but a name... is impossible! I am having the toughest time coming up with a little girl's name, but we'll come up with something eventually (I hope).

I cannot wait to share more about my pregnancy, which has been easier in some aspects, but much more difficult in others, than my first pregnancy. I also have two friends due around the same time as me (January 3rd), which is so exciting!

Being the nerds that we are, this announcement seemed like the perfect way to share our news. We've received so much support and love from our friends and family already, which is really what it's all about and we couldn't feel more blessed :)

Two Days Off

Yup, I can hardly believe I wrote that title either- I had two full days off of work in a row! It was marvelous. And the best part- one of those days I literally had nothing to do except hang out at home with Henry. Realistically, I had laundry, cleaning, and a million other random things I could have gotten accomplished but I decided nah, Gossip Girl and cuddles sound SO much better.

My second day off, I had my best friend's Bridal Shower which was a blast. It was so nice to get away for a little while and see some friends I don't get to catch up with too often. Of course I didn't charge my phone beforehand so I got zero pictures.. sigh.

Not gonna lie, nights around here have been tough. I think it's a combination of teething and hitting new milestones, but Henry has been waking up every two hours at nights. Yeah.. two hours. Like the newborn phase, only worse, because we became naively used to our little guy sleeping through the night. Thankfully he didn't get up last night, so here's hopin the trend continues and he keeps sleeping well. I'm sure Carl hopes so also, cause I've been one grumpy momma.

Me and my mom have also been throwing around the idea of starting our own little business doing candy dessert bars for weddings & possibly an Etsy shop. If you visit my Pinterest Board here, you can see some inspiration for what our business would entail. We've been collecting apothecary and various other containers, and would provide the full decor and set up for the candy bar.

I also really love the idea of an Etsy shop. We had multiple guests at our wedding asking about the decor that me and my mom created. My mom has also sewn so many wonderful projects for Henry, such as Boppy covers, his crib bedding, and his Halloween costume. Because I can't have a post without photos, I thought I'd share some of the projects that inspired this possible business venture:

We found this frame secondhand, added the decorative piece on top, then spray painted the whole thing. I then bought some black foam board and a chalkboard marker to create the sign and voila!

Being the nerds that we are, we decided our little guy had to be Yoda for Halloween. Even though he was born on October 27, my mom managed to whip this adorable costume together by the 31st, even crocheting that hat. Too cute for words.

I decided to go the silk flower route for my wedding, and I'm so glad that I did. Not only did they save money and look gorgeous, they're great keepsakes! This was one of the bridesmaids bouquets we put together, and unfortunately you can't see the handle which was covered in ivory lace ribbon. 

And that's all for this post. Henry is actually napping, so I probably have 20 minutes to try and paint my nails before he decides to wake up and inevitably splotch them all up. Motherhood for ya! But worth every second :)

The Best Day- 6/20/15

Prepare yourselves for wedding picture overload! We recently got our wedding pictures back, and I was beyond excited with how they turned out.

For me, planning a wedding was such an amazing and fun experience. I absolutely loved browsing Pinterest and every bridal magazine I could get my hands on for inspiration. My mom helped out with every little detail and DIY project I could dream up, and it turned out more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Here's a sneak pic into our gorgeous, vintage-inspired wedding:

Our full wedding album, by our amazing photographer Hannah Garr, can be found here.

If you have any questions on decor, need some inspiration, or are searching for ideas for your own wedding, please don't hesitate to reach out! I have definitely discovered a passion of mine and while I'm no expert, I would love to help in any way that I can.

9 Months!

I am definitely slacking on the posts lately- but things have been crazy! I started full time at Buffalo Wild Wings as a captain and let me tell you, it has been exhausting. After working from home at Uber, I was used to sitting at a desk and logging in hours on a computer. Now, I'm constantly moving and it is definitely taking it's toll. However, it has been great to get out of the house and it turns out, I work with several of my friends :)

Amidst the craziness lately, Henry turned 9 months old! I cannot believe our little man is saying "mama" and "dada", pulling himself up to stand, and eating anything & everything. He is such a sweetheart and my little cuddle bug. 

I also had my best friend's Bachelorette party- which was a blast! It was so nice to get away to the lake with friends I don't get to see often and just relax. It was a Bachelorette party done right, involving matching shirts, shots, and a lot of pool time, which was perfect. 

And without further adou, back to Mr. Henry. Getting pictures of this crazy man is definitely a challenge, and the sticker can no longer be put on his clothes (or it's immediately ripped off and shoved in his mouth). He still takes some stinkin cute pics tho. 

Favorites: yogurt bites, maple puffs, and pulling himself up to stand on everything. 
Crawling: he hates being on his knees, so he army crawls everywhere. He's gotten really fast, and makes a run for it every chance he gets.
Walking: SO close! He stands, can take some steps with help, but then plops right down. 
Mood: during the day, he's usually the happiest little man. Nights have gotten tougher since the poor guy is teething. 
Teething: two have come through on the bottom and four more are poking through up top. 
Sleep: we have our good and bad nights. He has four teeth coming in at once, so he's been waking up multiple times a night. Some cuddling can usually put him right back out, and all I have to say is thank goodness for Orajel. 
Hates: sitting still and being told, "no". We're in the very slow process of learning we can't eat everything we find on the carpet or stick cords into our mouths. 

Invitations Made Easy- and Fantastic

In addition to sharing updates on Henry and our family, I really wanted to share some tips & tricks I discovered when planning my wedding. I have multiple friends getting married and I definitely understand how stressful and overwhelming it can get. 

When I first started browsing various invitations, I think my jaw literally dropped when I saw some of the prices. I thought, how in the world can simply inviting people to my wedding eat up so much of my budget? From there, I started shopping around.

One of my favorite options (that I decided to use for my wedding) was purchasing invites that you print off on your own. I got these gorgeous invitations from Hobby Lobby and the best part- they go 1/2 off! Hobby Lobby's entire wedding section periodically gets marked down 50%, making these such an affordable option. I got a pack of 25 invitations that also came with RSVP cards for only $15. They fit my theme perfectly, and were honestly cuter to me than the mega-expensive alternatives.

The invitations came with the following:

• The outer envelope to mail everything in
• The inner envelope with that fantastic pattern
• A pearl to glue on the inner envelope
• The invitation itself with the border and image already printed on the paper

What really got me excited was that the RSVP cards came with these as well! They included the RSVP card with that adorable pattern on the back of the card, and an envelope for guests to mail them back in.

Instead of printing them myself, I decided to go to a local print shop that was able to get these done in 2 days for a very affordable price! Saved me a lot of time, and I didn't have to worry about messing up my cards with trial & error.

Not only does Hobby Lobby after these DIY invitations, but I've noticed other stores such as Michaels and even Walmart do as well! Not only does this save you money, you can personalize them any way you'd like by adding pearls, a little (or a lot) of bling, or some ribbon and tying a bow.

If you want to save even more money, Hobby Lobby includes very detailed instructions to print them off yourself, as well as templates online.

I hope this excites some of you as much as it did me. Please comment if you have any questions and let me know your experiences if you try these out!

Summertime Adventures

Since I'm starting a new job soon, I really wanted to try and spend as much time as possible with little man during our free time. There was actually a day under 80 this week, so we decided to go to the zoo!

While Henry is still a little on the young side to have any clue what was going on, it was so much fun! We walked around with Carl, my mom, and younger brother and we had a blast. I've always loved the zoo, and getting to take my little family was the best. Of course, Henry barely noticed any of the animals there but the minute we got home he went crazy when he saw the cat. Oh well, ya win some you lose some. I was just excited to get some fresh air (and the giant pretzel with cheese didn't hurt either).

I'd love to hear if anyone has fun suggestions for things to do with little ones around the KC area- I'm trying to get out of the house and get Henry out in the fresh air as much as possible :)

My Current Obsession

After seeing repeated ads, and thinking "I should really try that" time and time again, I finally decided to sign up for Ipsy- and I'm so glad that I did! This company is so much fun, and great for someone like me who never ventures away from the same old beauty products I always buy.

For only $10 a month, you'll receive a Glam Bag chalk full of samples! From concealers, to lip glosses, to full sized eye liners, all products are chosen based off of a quiz you take when you first sign up. Since you're asked your skin tone, hair color, and various preferences, you receive products that you'll actually use! 

When I go to buy makeup, I tend to stick with the same ol' products that I just pick up at Walmart or Walgreens. With this subscription, I get so excited mid-month knowing I have brand new products coming. 

If you want to try this out for yourself, just use my referral link to sign up and take the quiz, then you'll start receiving your products. Not only do you get fun products you may not have ever tried on your own, they come in really cute bags! Here's the 3 I've received so far: 

If you decide to try this company out, comment and let me know how your first bag turns out! I love seeing the different products that people get. That's all I've got for this post- now to try and get the little one to take a nap (ha!). 

8 Months

I have so many ideas on things I would love to share, that I decided to start with a post that would embody what 90% of my posts will probably be about: Henry. This crazy little man keeps me on my toes 24/7, and he's so darn cute I can't help but take about 1,000 pictures a day! While I don't want to overload everyone with baby pictures all day long (I promise, I have more to share) I also can't not share. So without further ado, Mr. Henry:

Favorites: army crawling around, bananas, and putting everything in his mouth
Crawling: so close. He gets on his hands & knees.. then falls back on his belly.
Mood: he's such a happy guy most of the time, we're lucky.
Teething: he's got two on the bottom, and one coming in up top!
Sleep: we've discovered a miracle- flavored rice cereal. He cannot get enough, and if we give him a bowl right before bedtime it keeps him full enough to sleep all night. Hallelujah! (here's a link for the kind we buy. It's got a great variety of flavors & he loves them all).
Hates: sitting still and not getting to take mom's phone when she's on it.

With me starting a new job this Saturday, moving to a new house at the end of July, and my best friend's Bachelorette party coming up, things are gonna be crazy. I decided to start this blog as not only a creative outlet for myself, but stress relief as well. There's something therapeutic about taking time out of my day to sit and get all my thoughts down, and if someone enjoys reading it in the process, fantastic!

Thank you for taking the time to read, and I hope you'll stick around :)