D-Day

It's demolition day, baby!
Week actually. Because that's how long it's taken me to post this - but I digress.

Jeff and I recently had our third baby, ie THIS HOUSE, and it's definitely as time consuming as the first two. Without all the snuggles.

I love this house, but it's like a really shiny diamond, covered in rust. I don't know, do diamonds rust? Okay mud. It's covered in mud. But, we love this place and this is where we see ourselves raising our family and creating, room by room, our home.

So for the next two months plus you can find my family here in our make-shift kitchen.

IE the dining room that I still haven't finished decorating. But, we're getting there.

That view's pretty rad though.

It's always been a dream of mine to remodel a kitchen and create a space that we love. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to do it. Here's a look at what inspired me during our design picks.

I'll save before and after pics for when the deed is done, but I will leave you with the one thing that isn't changing (literally, the ONE), the view from my kitchen sink.

Happy weekend!

0-3 Months: Favorite Products and the Second.

I often get the "what is it like with two?" question.

A GREAT question. One I wondered about for nine months!

Will I love the second like the first? 

Will I be able to handle two?

What kind of mom is a mom of two even like?
And (obviously), will my wine and coffee intake increase? 

One thing that has surprised me is just how much I love being a mom.

I love having two kids. And I really love having a baby around again. 

I'm more mellow than I was with the first. (By a lot. Like a LOT).
I'm aware of a routine but less anal than I was with Coop about it. I follow the lead of my baby more than a book. I'm more patient and flexible.

And I am so happy. So thankful that God blessed us with another one.

I love him more than I ever thought possible.

Now off with the sap and on to FIVE products I've loved during the first three months.

1. Maymom Medela Pump Replacement Parts

I really struggled with Mastitis with my first, and I truly think that was due to over-pumping. So this go-around, I wanted to start fresh with brand-new pump parts and I also committed to pumping less. This product is AWESOME because it gives you exactly what you need and is affordable. The Medela pump-parts you buy are super expensive.

2. City Select Double Stroller 

The stroller issue is tricky. I still love the Snap 'n Go that you can buy with your carseat for every-day errands, but I needed a stroller for errands where I could keep both kids contained. I love the front loader and there are 27 different positions you can configure this bad boy into; of which I only know three. The only down-side is it is hard to steer with the carseat connected and gets very heavy. I am considering buying a double Bob Stroller for workouts and jogs (hah! as if!) at the park. 

3. Fisher Price Rock 'n Play

Benjamin Wallace slept in this darn thing every night and for all naps until about 7-weeks and slept really, really good. I kept him there purely because of how amazing he slept and finally moved him around two-months when they say habits start to form in babies. I will say the only down-side to the RNP is he would wake up mad, because they are so tight and snuggled in there they can't move.

4. Summer Infant Comfy Bath Sponge

B-dub loved stretching out in the bath on this thing (who wouldn't it is like laying on a cloud) and is happy as a clam. This thing is a game-changer.

5. Sleepy Sounds App

You guys. Apart from the Rock 'n Play this is my favorite find. With the second you are on the go, all the time, and this app has worked miracles! He likes the White Noise and it doesn't drain your battery. I use this to this day, erryday. It costs $1.99 and is worth every penny.

Other products that I feel like deserve honorable mentions are the Angel Dear lovies (both my kids can't sleep without the), the baby Swaddle Miracle Blankets and this hand-made carseat cover my Mother-in-Law made. Isn't she crafty?

And for those of you still concerned wondering my coffee and wine intake has actually gone down.

I know. I surprise myself sometimes.

Linking up with the ladies behind Five on Friday and oh hey Friday! today!  Check 'em out!

Wisdom Wednesday: Living Intentionally.

Lately I've been thinking about life.  Sounds deep, right?

Okay so not so much about life, but how I want to live my life.
As a mom, as a wife, as ME.

Something about having young kids can be so...mundane.

I didn't say it wasn't cute though. I mean look at that head size, right?

Not in a bad way, but in a necessary way. It's easy to forget what kind of person you want to be; how you want to be known by those who know you.

What's your life's jam, ya know?!?

But like I always taught professionally, you have to be know where you want to go so you can create your road to get there. The ole, set a goal than create your plan, diddy.

I don't want to be the gal whose world becomes her children.  I don't want to lose myself in the next 18-years of child-rearing and then wake up one morning and forget what I like to do with my days. But what do I want for my life in the meantime?

Check this bloggity-blog out:
The Helpful Guide to Living an Intentional Life

In the quest to live with purpose and towards life's important goals (and not washing my hair more than three times a week) I'm going to take his challenge and work on this for a bit:

Examine yourself. Know who you are. Get a strong handle on your passions, talents, abilities, and weaknesses. Give precious time and energy to this endeavor. It is one of the most valuable things you can do.

Welp, here's to finding my jam, y'all. And to hoping your road is paved with intention.