Soccer Studs and Sibling Love

Since having kids, I have realized that no one is truly going to love your own kids like you do.  It's just a fact.  But when those special people in your lives look at your kids pretty darn close to the way you do, it's a beautiful thing. 

We are so blessed by my brother, Brad, and his love for Andrew and Ellie.  For Christmas, Uncle Brad gifted Andrew with his very own soccer goal.  

{Fun fact: Brad and John (hubby) played on the soccer team at Samford University together and became friends while I was still a senior in high school, sitting in Physics class, day-dreaming about college boys :) Little did I know, my brother had already met the best one.}

Back to the Christmas gift.  Since it was freezing in Princeton during the holidays, we left the soccer goal in Florida and knew we'd be back in the spring to retrieve it.  And what a special day that was!  

Seeing Andrew run around with Uncle Brad, laughing and kicking, smiling, and falling down over and over again.  Andrew found it was much easier to just pick up the ball and throw it into the goal, but we will work on that ;)  He also referred to the ball as a "baskerball".  A combination of the only 2 sports he really knows about - basketball and soccer.   

It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful memory that I'll hold on to forever.  

Happy Siblings Day, to you, Uncle Brad.  Thank you for always loving us so well. 

Current Favorites

When we made the big move to Tennessee in January, we packed up our necessities and essentials to move in with the in-laws while we house hunted.  Needless to say, I couldn't pack up each and every item in my closet and bathroom, so I just packed my favorites.
Well - these items below have definitely been my go-to products for the past few months, and things that I've been reaching for on an almost daily basis.  Sometimes it feels nice to live a little more simply!  For example: just using one drawer full of bathroom/beauty products...instead of my fifteen drawers back home!  ;)

St. Moriz Instant Self-Tanning Mousse 

Now that spring is here, I like to have a little color on my face/body!  This self-tanner is super easy to apply and the color is great and natural looking.  I love the St.Tropez  mousse as well, but this one is a fraction of the price, and a really good option as well!  Highly recommend this.  I picked mine up at Ulta. 

Essie Nail Polish - Fiji 

This is a tried and true favorite.  I even wore this on our honeymoon EIGHT years ago!  I have been through many a bottle of this color, and I love it for both fingers and toes.  A perfect milky, creamy baby pink.  I find myself wearing this color for the majority of the spring and summer months.  And I almost always get stopped while I'm out and about, complimenting the color!  Always a good thing ;)

Pond's Evening Sooth Face Wipes

Sometimes Most of the time, I am too exhausted at night to do an entire night-time routine of washing my face, toning my face, exfoliating, putting on a serum, moisturizing, and then topping it off with a face/eye mask duo.  Nope.  It's just not happening in this stage of life for me right now.
I love face wipes for those nights where I just want to remove my makeup, and feel like I can hop into bed with a cleansed and fresh face.  These are the answer.  I've tried a bunch, and I keep coming back to these!
Great for travel too. 

Covergirl Super Sizer Mascara

This mascara makes all my eyelash dreams come true.  It it so easy to apply, the wand is flexible to get those inner and outer lashes without smearing mascara all over your eyelids.  It gives crazy length and volume, more than I think I've ever found in a mascara!  Which says a lot.  Covergirl even claims that it gives your 400% more fullness and volume to your lashes!  Quite a promise, but I would have to agree!  An amazing drugstore mascara that I would definitely recommend.   

Tory Burch Espadrilles 

I have been on the hunt for some cute flats for spring and summer.  Espadrilles have always caught my eye, and I loved these TB ones, but I didn't want to pay so much for shoes made of canvas and rope :/  So when I saw these shoes on Poshmark recently, I just had to scoop them up!  I got them for 1/3 of the price, and they were in great condition.  They just needed a little shoe glue for a part of the sole... and thanks to my father-in-law they were as good as new in no time!  I find myself slipping these babies on all the time - with boyfriend jeans, shorts, and casual knit dresses.    

Similar espadrilles here .

Lululemon Wunder Under Crops 

These amazing pants had to be included in my current favorites because I wear them almost EVERY single day.  They are the most comfortable leggings I have ever worn.  The thick fabric compresses your legs and bottom, so you feel great and know that they aren't going to budge at all.  The high-times version is great for those who want more tummy compression.  I love these for working out and for running errands.  And for lounging.  And eating.  And sleeping.  And just everything.  They are pricey, but I have had mine for years and the quality just can't be beat.
You won't regret this purchase!

Suave Keratin Infusion Smoothing Shampoo (and Conditioner) 

I've recently been complimented on my hair lately!  How healthy and shiny it looks - which is hard to believe since it's highlighted and hasn't been cut in ohhhh, 4 months.  I have to attribute my shiny and smooth strands to this shampoo and conditioner duo which I (and John!) have been using for several years now.  It's less than $3 a bottle, and I find it compares just as well to salon and high-end brands.  My hair is SO soft, shiny, manageable, and smooth after using the *Keratin* line, but there are several lines for different needs.



That's it!  Those are my current faves!
Any items you think you want to try?  

Happy FRIDAY!!  

Ellie - 4 Months

 

Dear Baby Girl,

 

Or should I say "Baby Blue Eyes"!

 

 

You are 4 months old, and just the happiest girl in the world! Smiling is quite positively your favorite thing to do.  All it takes is a little eye contact and a smile from anyone nearby, and you are grinning from ear to ear! 

Rolling over, sleeping through the night (yay!), reaching for faces and toys, and grabbing hair are some of the new things you have conquered this month!  You are interacting more and more with Andrew, which has been so much fun to watch!  Andrew loves reading to you, and showing you his toys.  And of course, you are all ears and eyes!  If your big brother is anywhere nearby, all attention is on him ;)

 

 

 

This month, you took your first trip to the beach!  It was an 8 hour car ride (each way!), and you really were a champ.  Tears were shed, but mostly you slept!  Great job!  Mimi and Papa D loved spending time with you, and there was no shortage of cuddles and snuggles that week. 

 

Your content and calm demeanor is so refreshing.  It reminds me to rest more, to live in the "present", to appreciate the little things, and notice the beauty all around me.

  I love our days together while your big bro is at school.  

We sing songs, play dress up, grocery shop, and I give you approximately 1000 kisses a day. 

 

I hope you always know how loved and adored you are.  By your family, and by God. 

You are such a precious gift, and a bright shining light. 

 

 

Things you love: 

 

Looking in the mirror

When anyone smiles at you

Rock and Play

Tummy Time

Playing in Andrew's crib

Bath time

 

 

Things you don't love: 

Bottles

Pacifiers

  

Stats: 

13lbs 9oz

25 1/4 inches long 

 

We love you sweet girl!

Happy 4 months!

 

February Favorites

1. Andrew's in school!

Well - technically, it's a program at our church called Parents Day Out.  He goes twice a week, and we all are loving it!  He is doing so well!  I'm left sobbing waving at the door as he runs in without batting an eye each morning at drop-off ;) 

This is a picture of his first day of school.

I have to admit, I kinda love being a "classroom" Mom!  I have loved reading his daily report cards, packing his lunch, bringing in classroom snacks, and making this year's valentines!



Speaking of Valentine's Day - this is how we celebrated!  Donuts with the fam!  (Andrew's first one ever - he was a fan!)  My faaaaaavorite donut spot in Memphis.

And because donuts aren't sweet enough ;), I had to make my favorite peanut butter cookie pie when we were invited to dinner with friends.

Recipe here!

Still aren't getting enough sugar? 

Here ya go. 

Ok, on to more favorites....

2. Beauty Loves

It Cosmetics CC Cream

This has replaced any sort of foundation for me these past few months.  It's got great coverage, but does not feel heavy or cakey on the skin.  It color corrects like a dream, has SPF 50 and is moisturizing as well. Ulta carries this in a travel size, so you can try it before you put in the $ for the full size.  But I bet you'll be going back for more!  

Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner

I got this as a sample in my last Ipsy bag, and I've been wearing it every (makeup) day since.  It's so easy to apply, and the color is bold and long-lasting.  The felt tip is like a tiny sharpie for your eyes!  Fool-proof!

Lavanila Healthy Deodorant

I didn't think I'd be writing about deodorant any time soon on the blog, but here I am.  And I've just got to share this one!  After hearing all the buzz about the harmful effects of aluminum in most deodorants, I thought I would try out a few 100% natural ones.  I have to admit, I was not only skeptical, but also a little weirded out.  Well, I tried out several, and was about to go back to my trusty Secret stick, but then I came across this one.  I looooove it.  The coconut vanilla is the best, and I get it from Sephora.  It's not cheap, but it's natural, smells great, works wonderfully, and I don't think I'll ever use another kind!  I highly recommend making the switch to an organic deodorant - especially since it's a product that is absorbed into the body on a daily basis. 

3. Firmoo Sunglasses 

My new shades!  The good folks at Firmoo kindly sent these sunglasses to me last week, and I have to say, I love them!  They are fun, stylish, and great quality for the price!  I think they will be a staple in my summer wardrobe :) My style is: Firmoo Sunglasses - C552A.  Stay tuned for a giveaway this week!  

4. Consignment Finds 

I've had a lot of fun (and luck!) at some local kids consignment sales lately!  Bargain hunting is kind of my favorite - thanks to my Mom who instilled that trait in me!  These are some of my cute finds...

P.S. How lucky that I found a mama with an "Andrew"!  ;)

Toddler Hunter Rain Boots 

Bubbles!!

Adorable shorts sets!

Hope y'all had a fabulous February!

Any favorites you had??