Five-on-Friday: Month in Review

Good Friday morning to you, friends.

We are headed "up the hill" as they say, which really means leaving Denver due west to the ski country. It'll be nice to get away, relax, and spend time with some friends. February is gone! Come again?

This was a busy month for us, so I wanted to do a recap to let it all re-soak in.

{one}

New series on the blog (Intentional Eating) where I share healthy, easy (I repeat, EASY) recipes I've found. The first recipe was a yummy Quinoa Black Bean Sweet Potato casserole. Check it out!
<Up next up Monday: Kale Peanut Salad (which I stole from Houston's). You're welcome.>

{two}

I started working on Cooper's big boy room. 

And we're getting closer! I plan on moving him to this room for naps next week.  Here's a really bad iPhone pic for you:

{three}

Cooper turned two. 
And we got to celebrate with friends and family at a fun party with lots of little kiddos running and playing!

{four}
I shared Cooper's birth story over at Hand and the Heart blog, which was super out of my comfort zone, but I loved having the opportunity to honestly share our experience.

{five}

We found out we're having another little boy.
Which means I will have two kids. I repeat: TWO CHILDREN.

It's been a busy, blessed week!

Baby's Sweet Reveal.

One of the hardest things about living away from family is not getting to celebrate the little things together.  Well this year, Cooper's birthday fell right before we found out the gender of Baby #2, so we decided to forego finding out and instead do it with all our family in town for birthday festivities.

It was so special! 

Special thanks to my sister Kathryn, who literally planned the whole shebang. 

She's the best. 

Meet Kathryn, my super-creative sister. 

She baked cupcakes, was the only one who knew what the gender was, and filled the middle with icing that told us if we were having a boy or girl!

She also created these DARLING cards that everyone filled out.

My best friend Jessica came from Dallas for the weekend. Adore.

The whole fam about to take a bite and find out, boy or girl?

 And...it's BLUE!

We get to welcome another precious little boy to our family!!

Now to the ultrasound to see "the goods..."

Now what are we looking at here???

Oh, yeah, it's a boy. 

Coop's going to have a little brother, y'all!

I can't say I was too surprised, as I have felt this baby is a boy for a while now; he is hanging out way low, and I'm carrying right in front. TOTAL boy-move, I don't care what they say.

When I was a little girl I always said I wanted two boys in a row, and as my husband said, "now your dreams are coming true!" It feels so surreal and I feel like the luckiest gal in the world. I just hope that Jeff and I can raise these little boys into good men.

Thank you for your comments here in social media-land (ie Facebook and Instagram). I read every single one of them and they mean so much.

Baby Boy, we can't wait to meet you and watch you grow.

You were so wanted and are so loved.  

Guest post over at Hand and the Heart today!

Good Monday morning to you, friends!

We had such a busy and exciting weekend.
I most definitely will be back soon sharing pictures of my TWO year old's birthday party... AND sharing my second baby's GENDER!
If you don't follow me on Instagram you're in the dark. Can't wait to share.

This morning I am honored to be guest blogging over at Hand and the Heart blog.

I'm doing something I've never done here on this blog, talking about Coop's birth story as part of Andrea's Birth Diary series. It was a little intimidating, and I do feel vulnerable putting our story out there, but I always think sharing experiences and resources is a good thing here in blog-land. 

You can head over to Andrea's blog and check out our story by clicking here.

TWO!

Happy birthday to my little love!

He brings so much laughter in this home it's unreal.

And messes. Lots of messes.

Daddy stayed home a bit longer this morning and read books and made pancakes!

Crazy hair, don't care.

Enough with the pictures mom, let's do this.

You get me like no one else does, Coop-man. We love you. Mwah!

Wisdom Wednesday: Days Like These.

You know those days that don't quite go your way? 

In fact, they tend to go every way but yours?

It has been those type of days lately.

I'm talking car damage, utensil damage, forgetfulness, parking tickets, up all night with a toddler cough...type of days.

I've caught myself more than once leaving the water faucet running. 

But through all this I try to remind myself:

It's hard sometimes to find joy in a smoke-filled kitchen or sleepless nights.

But one thing I try to do here on this blog is to "find the funny." I learned this very quickly after I had Cooper, when so much that happens in life with a newborn is hilarious. Maybe not-in-the-moment funny, but funny nonetheless.

If there's one thing I learn more and more everyday with a child (and pregnancy brain), it's that you can't take anything too seriously. These moments will pass; our kids will be grown before we know it. Days with babies will turn to days with teenagers and I'll probably miss that age Cooper was when he poured his pee from the potty onto the floor (trying to be helpful, by the way); that curious, can-do-it-myself attitude that soaks up everything you say and do like a sponge.

So I try to choose to smile and to laugh during days like these. 

When I catch myself getting upset I try to remind myself to "laugh at the confusion." It doesn't always work out that way, but I find the more I try, the less stressed I feel. The happier I am. 

Bring it, today.

Cooper's Birthday Week!

Did everyone have a happy heart day?
Listen, I'm as into flowers and chocolates as the next guy, but I don't really get into it past that. It kind-of stresses me out. I did take some snaps though.
And I bought Coop some PJs and a cookie. You're welcome Cooper.

Most patient dog ever.

My little love, take one...

...and two.

Well mark this down as the fastest year of my life.

A year around here is judged by Coop's birthday, not January 1, and it is this week!

There have been so many changes this year with Cooper, though not milestones and 'firsts' they are equally as exciting; just not documented as much. Mommy fail.

A lot of little things changed like more hair, more words, more understanding, more adventurous, bigger clothes...well you get it. More of all that. It's been a fun year.

This week is a big week for our family!

Cooper turns two on Thursday...
Last year he loved all the attention.

Just kidding!

We find out the gender of our newest little family member on Friday...
And we get to do it with close family and friends who will be in town!

And we have a party to celebrate our sweet boy on Saturday with friends and family!

I can't wait to share pictures of the week soon.

Lots to celebrate this week, and we feel so fortunate...what a year!

Intentional Eating Series: Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Bake

Hey, hey friends!

I told you earlier about my processed food problem during this pregnancy.
All I want all the time is chips and/or crackers.

It's like, a PROBLEM. 

It's time to get healthy over here. 
I'm ready to be intentional about eating healthy meals, and make it easy so I can actually stick to it.

I am the girl who actually cooks everything she pins on Pinterest and it is EXHAUSTING. I decided I'm ready to compile my favorite recipes and just rotate them; instead of searching Pinterest every time I build my menu for the week. Oh the time and emotional stress I will save.

Soooo....
I'm starting a series here on the blog that I'm calling Intentional Eating. 
Kauffman style.

Kauffman style will have two rules: 

Rule #1 not time consuming, and Rule #2 healthy.

And likely a lot of vegetarian dishes, since I am one.

This dish I found over at Windy Kitchen.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Bake

{side dish}

1 C dry quinoa, rinsed and drained

2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed drained

2 large sweet potatoes, grated on box grater

1 8-oz pkg cheddar cheese, grated

2 and 1/2 tbsp Southwestern seasoning

Salt and pepper, liberal pinches

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup favorite salsa (Pace Picante, medium, chunky, duh)

Sour cream, cilantro, avocado to garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook quinoa.

2. In large bowl mix quinoa, black beans, sweet potato 3/4 cheese, seasoning, salt and pepper. In separate small bowl, mix eggs and salsa. Pour salsa mixture over veggies and mix well. Pour everything in lightly coated 9x13 casserole dish.

3. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.

Before I even ate this I knew I loved it just by the way it smelled. This is protein packed and filling. And, bonus! There are tons of  yummy leftovers.

This dish is a definite repeat!
{You can follow my Intentional Eating board over on Pinterest here}.

Big Boy Room.

Happy, happy Monday y'all - I love a good Monday.

Something about the excitement of a new week - new slate, just feels really good.

Why does this make me laugh?

Recently I started thinking about Cooper's big boy room!
Cooper loves his crib and shows no desire to crawl out, which is so nice. However we plan to move the baby into his nursery (maybe switch up some bedding and such), and move Cooper to another room in the house.

So my plan is to get the room ready sooner than later, slowly let him play in it, take naps in it, and a couple months before the baby is born make the official switch. 

 I've mentioned this on the blog before, but it takes me a while to complete a room- NOT pregnant. When I was knocked up with Cooper I literally could not finish his room, or even really get started. I was a mess. I don't want that to happen this time around, when I have two rooms to finish. So I'm grabbing the bull by the horn and starting now!

Here was my initial inspiration for the room:

Kenwood Bed, Restoration Hardware

I am OBSESSED with this bed, but it costs, wait for it...$800! 

I decided this wasn't the best idea for a first bed, maybe a bed that he'll be in for years and years, and maybe after I pinch pennies for awhile. Or maybe never.

So I decided to go with a transition bed, and hit up my new favorite store Ikea in hopes for finding a similar-ish style bed.

Sundvik Bed, Ikea

I settled on this gem, and snagged on sale for $90. AND it has built in rails! Perfect for a first bed. I imagine it'll last him 2-3 years and then we can think about the upgrade.

Here is my idea board for the room:

Wall art * 1-2-3 bins * Blue dresser * Rugby Rug * Star Quilted Bedding * Sailcloth Panel with Blackout Liner * Bed * Industrial Wire 9-Cube Shelf Lg. Burlap Initial Pillow

The furniture is all Ikea, bedding Pottery Barn, I got a few more inspiration pieces from Restoration Hardware Kids, and the National Parks artwork I found over at the Good Life Blog.

And, here's the room we're working with (don't mind our mess, we've been moving furniture out):

Yep, it's small but I think we can make it nice and cozy.
I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Happy week y'all!

It's the Little Things: Potty-time!

Hey, hey y'all!

Linking up with It's the Little Things Link Up again today, hosted by the ladies behind Sadie Sky Boutique and Word of Waverly.

Where did this weekend/week go?
Oh...I know. Home with the Seahawks, along with the pride of the city.

You know who's proud at our house though?
This guy.

Who likes this "censor?" Haha.

Who, swear to all that is good, pees in the potty now EVERY day after his bath.
And then does this happy dance around the kitchen.

We do naked-time after his bath, because, well he loves it.
It's kind-of his special time with daddy. I know, I don't get it either.

Anyways, he has had a couple "pee-cidents" during this special time and has learned that peeing on the carpet is BAD! I always tell him, "when you need to go pee, you tell mommy and we'll go to the potty."

And, then y'all, one day he just did.

And, thus, our new ritual!
Bath, naked-time, pee in the potty.

I captured this picture the first time IT happened.
I even took video of me, er, getting rid of the evidence, because dad was at the Super Bowl and I didn't think he'd believe me. You are welcome for not sharing that.

So, we were thrilled about the potty, OBVIOUSLY.

But this picture captures just how proud he is of himself! 

It's one of the first time I've seen him understand getting recognized for good behavior. So sweet. So fun, and I love that I captured it.

Wisdom Wednesday post to follow!

Have an excellent morning!