How I Became a Mother

I'm over at Houston Moms Blog today sharing my story of how I became a mother for our ongoing series on the topic.  See you there!

Five on Friday: Weekend Fun

ONE - If you live in the Houston area, you should consider joining me and many of the other Houston Mom Bloggers for a Girls Day Out at Girls Only.  More details here.

TWO - I went to Sephora last weekend because I had a store credit burning a hole in my pocket.  I planned on buying the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette, but they were sold out as they are everywhere else!  Instead of waiting for it, I purchased the Naked Basics Palette and I love it!!!  I've used it everyday since I bought it.  I love that the majority of the colors are matte so it's great for everyday and work.  Highly, highly recommend.  I already have Naked 2, which I really like, but find that I use it for special occasions only since it has a lot of shimmer. 

The Basics Palette is a small compact that will be great for travel because between all of the colors I'm covered for eye shadow, brow highlight, brow and eyeliner!  Which palettes do you have and like?

 

THREE - I'm still hanging with the Paleo Diet.  Two errors from my last post about this...you can still have both coffee and carbs.  Just no starches.  And no fancy Starbucks drinks with the words "mocha" or "white chocolate" in them!  I'm hungry.  This weekend will be so hard to stick with it.  See #5 below!

FOUR - Jason and I are going to a show this weekend at a local comedy club with Jason's boss.  Although my Friday and Sunday are jam packed, I told Jason I would go since he was really excited about it.  I just found out that the show doesn't even start until 9:30!  I might be snoozing under the table by the end of the night. 

FIVE - I'm hosting a Girls Night In/Slumber Party tonight for my Junior League gals to celebrate Erin's birthday.  Last year our group gave each other the same necklace for each person's birthday so by the end of the year we all had the same one!  This year instead of a gift, we are all doing whatever the birthday girl wants to do.  So far this year we ice skated for Sarah's birthday (so sorry I had to miss).  Erin's birthday is this month and she requested a girls night in. 

I'm running with that theme and have planned a fun, cheesy slumber party for her complete with an ice cream sundae bar and lots of pink.  Jason is ecstatic.  I have a few other surprises up my sleeve, but don't want to spoil the fun in case someone reads the blog before tonight!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!! 

Jack: 9 Months!

 

 

Length: 29.5 inches

Weight: 21 lbs 4 oz.
Head Circumference: 18.25 inches

Milestones this month:

• Teeth! You now have four six!
• Waving goodbye when we say "bye" or "adios."  It's so sweet (and sad) to see you wave bye to me in the mornings when I leave for work. 
• The stranger anxiety phase has definitely hit us
• We've heard you say mama a few times, but I'm not sure it was intentional.  You never say it when I'm trying to get you to.  You're probably just messing with me!

Things you like this month:

• Music
• Dancing
• Patty cake, The Wheels on the Bus and Horsey Horsey are your favorite songs
• Exersaucer
• Raccoonie and your other "friends"
• Going for walks, especially with Tucker

Things you don't like this month:

• Strangers
• Change
• "Practice" crawling or being on your tummy
• Elevators
• Eating table food...I've tried and tried to give you solid food, but you just aren't into it.  From chunkier fruits and veggies, meats, mum mums, yogurt melts and puffs.  You love to play with it all, but prefer to be spoon fed your purees when it's time to actually eat. 

Special memories this month:

• Your first Superbowl
• Attending Owen's 2nd birthday party and riding the choo-choo train with me!
• Attending the Bassett Baby Planning Open House and playing with Hadley
• Attending Jason's confirmation at church.  You weren't that good during the service, but you were there!  It was precious at the end when everyone applauded and you gave this super loud shriek as if everyone was scaring you. 
• Coming to work with me when your nanny was on vacation.  You were so fussy at first, but I threw you in the baby carrier and you took a long nap on me while I worked...so sweet. 
• Visiting Dad at his hotel.  He loved showing you off to all of his coworkers
• Spending the night at dad's hotel for his employee appreciation party.  You didn't last long with the babysitter, but settled down as soon as I came back.  It was a little annoying since I had gone to all the trouble to get pretty, but also super sweet.  You slept great in the hotel once you had someone familiar with you. 
• Finally, my most special memory was something so little but precious to me.  When we rode the elevator at Dad's hotel, you did not like the motion it made when going up and down (it's really fast).  You didn't cry or panic.  You just grabbed my neck tighter than you've ever grabbed me and buried your head into me.  You did this every single time we rode it. 

Dear Jack,

I'm writing your 9 month post a little late, so as I type this you are almost 10 months.  We are just now {finally} getting over your first real sickness.  It was rough, but probably more on me.  Even at your sickest, you are still a happy little guy.  You would go from screaming your head off in pain to laughing at dad doing something stupid.  Thank goodness for all of his crazy antics.  A stubborn ear infection, three rounds of antibiotics, three trips to the pediatrician, one trip to a specialist and lots of snuggles later, I'm happy to report you are on the mend.  We love you more everyday and can't believe we are getting closer and closer to your one year birthday!  You were just born!!!

Love,
Mama (repeat it with me now)
 

Unintended Break

Hello everyone!  I took a little unintended break last week from blogging.  All is well - I was just very busy with my day job and feeling a little under the weather.  Instead of staying up late blogging after Jack goes to bed like I normally do, I put myself to bed early each night to kick whatever was going on.  Here is a little "Five on Tuesday" to catch you up on what's been going on.

ONE - Jack is feeling somewhat better, but we are still battling a pesky ear infection.  We went back to his pediatrician yesterday - third Monday in a row - and we are going to see a specialist tomorrow.  Praying we find an answer soon.

TWO - I participated in a team-building workshop on Friday afternoon with my company at a local Cross Fit Gym and my legs are still sore! 

THREE - We're ready for St. Patrick's day in our house!

FOUR - Anyone else loving the turban trend?  I want need one and can't decide between polka dots or floral?  I just can't justify buying two!  Which do you prefer?

FIVE - Finally, I just started a "diet" on Friday.  My mother has been urging me to try the Paleo diet since before Jack was born.  All I heard coming out of her mouth was no carbs, sugar or dairy.  I live for carbs, sugar and dairy and am not a huge meat lover so for months I told her no, no, no and heck no.  Friday morning she finally bribed convinced me to give it a shot for 2 weeks.  The deal is that I follow it religiously for 2 weeks and I get a reward.  I'm not divulging what this little reward is upon her request, but it was substantial enough for me to excitedly give up carbs, sugar and dairy. 

Surprisingly I'm feeling great (although a bit hungry) on Day 4.  I cleaned out my pantry this weekend and went to the grocery store to stock up so I could set myself up for success.  The Paleo book I read states that when grocery shopping you will only shop at the perimeter of the store - no inner aisles.  It is so true!!!  I don't think I bought one item in the center aisles.  Just produce and meat.  I'm down 2 pounds and can already see a difference in my stomach area.  I'm sure my body is just in shock wondering when it's next Starbucks beverage or box of candy will be consumed. 

If you have any great Paleo tips or recipes, send 'em my way!

For the Home :: Seasons Board

 

I fell in love with the "Seasons Board" by Home Grown after reading about it on Brittany's blog, Life as the Mrs.  Check out her board below in her newborn's nursery.  It's simply beautiful. 

Lately, I've been obsessed with decorating my house for the next upcoming holiday or season.  I know Jack is too young to appreciate it now, but it makes me happy and I'm sure he will get excited for this too one day.  {Another fun thing to purchase if you love decorating for each and every holiday is a one-year garland subscription from Aidie's Hideaway}.

I wasn't sure where I was even going to use the seasons board in my house...I just knew that I loved it and would find a place for it! Tammi, one of the lovely owners and artists of Homegrown was amazing to work with.  Over texts and emails she told me all of the options I had to choose from for my board, even sending me tons of sample pictures!  They will create a custom piece for you too if you have something specific in mind.

I couldn't be happier with my board and accessories! Currently I have it hung in our entryway, but there are lots of places it will work if I get the need to change things up: Jack's playroom, upstairs hallway, kitchen.  How fun would this be in a classroom too?  My step-sister who is a elementary school teacher was over this weekend and now itching for one herself!

 

 

As of last week I had the chalkboard on it with a Valentine's message and garland by Aidie's Hideaway.  Obviously, the chalkboard can stay up year-round and you can simply change the message, but how can you resist the other cute board additions?  I already put up the green shamrock for St. Patrick's Day.

The ways to use this board are endless - holiday decorations, framed pictures, monograms, initials, chalkboards, menu boards and wreaths! 

{Picture taken at Silly Silly Girls}

Ready to get your hands on one?  If you are in Houston, Silly Silly Girls is now carrying these boards and accessories in their store {among a thousand other cute items}. 

If you are not in Houston, you can contact Home Grown directly via their Facebook page or by email at tammiogletree {at} gmail {dot} com.  Also be sure and follow them on Instagram to see all of their cute new creations!

Hope you had a great weekend and have a fabulous week!

--

I was not compensated for this post and all items were purchased myself

Five on Friday: Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Edition of Five on Friday!  I hope everyone has a wonderful day and weekend. 

--ONE--

In honor of this special day, Jason and I are over at Houston Moms Blog today talking about kids and marriage and what no one warned us about!

--TWO--

Even though Jack is too young to appreciate holidays, I still got him a few little goodies for his first Valentine's Day.  And of course I've given him lots of V-Day pjs and onesies!

--THREE--

I'm obsessed with my new Seasons Board by Home Grown.  Full post about this coming Monday, but until then go and Like their Facebook page for some fun giveaways!

--FOUR--

This is so true for my me and my husband:

Card via

--FIVE--

And finally, I plan to celebrate Valentine's Day at home this evening with my boys.  We actually have a babysitter already lined up and ready to go, but Jack still isn't back to normal (he's a few days into an antibiotic).  I can't think of a better way to spend the evening than cozy at home. 

Happy Valentine's Day

We hope you have a perfect, love filled day!

 

XOXO,

Chelsea, Jason, Jack & Tucker