The month of October was so wonderful and I'm in shock at how quickly it came and went! I'm not complaining though because Fall in general is the point in the year that I live for and not because of fall weather (because lezbihonest, we don't really get a true Fall in Texas) but because it's the calm after the storm. It's that point where my work event's done, I got that way-too-long trip out of the way and I can just BREATHE. Work is SO quiet right now and I'm loving every second. Being this care free at work keeps me from "taking work home" and I'm just so carefree when I get there. I actually just chill out with my child, not a care in the world! I wish every day could be like that! It's just been a great time lately.

So, October. What did we do.... We took V to her 2nd ever pumpkin patch! And of course I couldn't narrow down the pictures, there are just too many cute ones! She called every pumpkin "ball" and had the best little time exploring the place. There was a pretty decent crowd but she walked around like she owned the place. Totally her dad. ha! And what a difference from when we took her to her first pumpkin patch last year, when she was a clingy acid reflux baby that wanted none of that having fun stuff. ha!

During the rest of the month...

We had some professional pictures taken of Violet since we hadn't had any taken since her 1st birthday. We've only ever had pro photos taken outdoors but this was a mini session in studio which was different but we're happy with the results!

I dressed her up in my old Raggedy Ann costume from my 2nd Halloween, it was adorable! We were thisclose to dressing her as that for Halloween but decided to do our own thing...

She had her 18 month appointment, two months late. Whoops! With all my craziness at work, we just never got around to it. Plus, she's not a fan of the doctor's office so it's not like I was excited to do it! ha She's still our teeny girl - measuring 31" tall and weighing only 23.8 pounds.

Then, Halloween! We went to Morgan's Wonderland which was absolutely perfect for a kid her age. She had the best time, she got to trick or treat from different tables and we didn't have to fight crowds. And I may be biased but she was the perfect little Snow White!

That was our October!

This month is flying by too (as time seems to do) but we've been having fun! Update on the month so far, coming soon :)

I'm alive!

I really hate apology posts and I'm not here to say sorry, as if you were just sitting there waiting to hear from me ;) But I'm alive and finally taking a breather after the most insane time of year at work. Our event went SO well and I'm happy it did but I'm more happy about the fact that it's over for now. We work on it all year and then the 2 months before are absolutely stupid busy and then I have to leave for 10 days for the actual event. I was beat when I got back but am slowing getting back to normal. Thank goodness it's Fall and I have THAT to boost my spirits.

Soooooo. What's been going on?

September: 

We got to ride in a giant Target cart car thingy - yes, that's one of my notable September moments. Y'all know I love me some Target. Violet turned 19 months (WHAT?!). I turned 31 (HUH?!). I celebrated my birthday with a date night with my honey and on the first cool morning of the season, I got my hair did by my wonderful sister-in-law as a birthday present. That was a good "me day". I'd only had a cut recently but hadn't colored my hair in over a year, at least. I need to get back into that, my hair just looks SO much better. Then a week after my birthday, I had a joint birthday lunch with my cousin and some close family. It was a nice end to my birthday week!

October:

VEGAS. That's about all that has consumed my life this month. The month basically was prepping for the trip, spending lots of time with the fam before I left and then spending 10 days in Vegas. Fun times were definitely had in the evenings (hello, it's Vegas) but I promise you, I actually worked, too. At least 12 hours every day and all on my feet. But it's ok because that's a requirement to balance out the kind of good eating and drinking we did at night!

When I got home, I basically squeezed the stuffing out of Violet and haven't let her go since. She hasn't let me go either and has been super clingy but I get it. I love being a mom and also having my career but doing both is tough, for sure. Days like these really make me wish I could give it all up and just stay home with her. I know that's not an option though right now so I try and just give both "jobs" my best. But I digress.

I'm just glad to be back to real life and a calm life, for a bit. I'm so pumped for hopefully the pumpkin patch this weekend and Halloween next week! And today we're throwing a surprise office bachelorette party for a co-worker who shocked everyone and married her boyfriend on the last day we were in Vegas! We all left to go home but they stayed behind a couple extra days to get married. SO awesome but I wish we'd known so we could've had a legit bachelorette party in Vegas!! But we're doing mimosas, food and games this afternoon for her at the office and I'm excited!

Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of blogging soon but fair warning - I think for sure this time that I'm going to turn this blog into a 95% baby book for Violet. I've been awful at keeping record of things happening in her little life and that needs to change... So, definitely less of me-me-me and more of the mom stuff that might get sappy and annoying (yeah, I even annoy myself sometimes). Don't say I didn't warn ya ;)

cozy fall mode

For some reason I fall in/out love with Pinterest a lot, but for the moment, I am back in love! My pinning already has me daydreaming about Fall, which in my world always turns into "I need a completely new wardrobe and look!" and then quickly turns into "I need to make my house super cozy!". Of course none of this matters at the moment since our current south Texas temperatures are at 100+ and will be for a while...but a girl can dream.







Follow me on Pinterest! I promise I only pin the prettiest and most hilarious things ;)

Linking up with Michelle for Oh, How Pinteresting! Wednesday.

we pumpkin patched

Seems like everyone's Monday posts start off with a complaint about it being Monday. I love that we all have that same hatred in common. hahaha. So yeah, Mondays suck. Especially after good weekends, ya know?

This past Friday we got a cold front and it actually felt like Fall for a minute! I love you, Texas but you have gots to figure out how to have FOUR SEASONS. I need a full-on Fall just once in my life!!

With the weather being so dang awesome, we took the babes to her first pumpkin patch on Saturday. Of course being the non-planner I am, I just woke up that morning, realized it was finally cold enough for her to wear the Halloween dress my mom had given her and BOOM - pumpkin patch. Who needs plans anyway? ;) There's nicer and bigger pumpkin patches in our city but a nearby church did the last minute trick. Not like it mattered anyway - darling kid of mine didn't want to be put down the entire time. Just another reminder that KIDS NEED NAPS.

Exhibit A:

Of course her mood changed when we picked her up. Brat. :)

That night it was fa-reezing and instead of being out at a Halloween party with all the cool kids, I was loving being at home with my loves - heater on, DVR going and a cinnamon candle lit. Perfection. I could do that kinda thing for a living.

Yesterday, I took V to my parent's and we spent all day with them and it was nice to finally give Ronnie a vacation day after all that single dad work he did while I was out of town! ha. Added perk was getting to see my sis who was in town for the day on a sorority trip.

Random but I did a lot of thinking this weekend about how even though Ronnie and I NEVER wanted kids, a little part of me always wondered if I would really regret that, especially around the holidays. Crazy that we're now parents and going into our first holiday season with our surprise baby. It's insane, I tell you but I freakin love it!

Oh yeah and in awesome news, Ronnie and I finally caught up on pretty much everything on the DVR (except The Walking Dead!). But talk about a load off my shoulders. ha! And most importantly we caught up on Dexter, right in time to watch the new one last night...until V had plans of staying up late so again we're behind. #parentproblems.

How was your weekend?

Guest Post: Jessica Talks Fall Favorites

Welcome to Jessica! She is just the nicest girl and I think it's so neat that we share the same first AND middle name! Be sure to stop by her blog!

I’m so glad Jessica is letting me take over her blog for the day!

She is just the sweetest person, and isn’t V just adorable?

I’m Jessica and I blog over at Dream More.

I usually blog about my life, love, and furbaby Shadow, but since October is upon us, I thought I would talk about some of my favorite fall things.

1. Pumpkins and anything pumpkin flavored/scented.

 

I just love the shape of pumpkins in general.

Pumpkin pie, duh!

 

Pumpkin scented candles

 

Pumpkin patches in general.

 

What person doesn’t love going to pick out the perfect pumpkin?

 

2. Corn mazes

 

By far the best corn maze in the area. And they’re always more fun in the dark.

3. Candy!

 

Who doesn’t get excited when they see an entire aisle dedicated to Halloween candy?

 

4. Yearly traditions

Foy’s Halloween Store is a yearly thing for a lot of people in the area, including Zach. Every year, people will come from all over just to go to the Foy’s stores. They are open year round, but Autumn is the best season because they are completely stocked with all things Halloween. It’s so much fun just to go and see what they have.

 

Although Autumn isn’t my favorite season, it is definitely number 2 on my list!

 

If you ever want to read more about my life, love and Shadow, just click this link here!

 

Thank you so much, Jessica, for letting me take over your blog for a day!

I hope you’re enjoying your 10 day trip!

the faux fall weekend

Happy Monday, y'all!

I feel like all my weekends lately have been especially lazy but hey, I'm not complaining. Ronnie's now the sick one so we didn't do much but we did have some bomb ass weather and that's truly all that matters in life. When you're used to humid 100+ temps every day, it's nice to have it drop about 10 degrees with no humidity. Us crazy Texas folk call that a "cool front". And it almost felt like Fall. Almost :)

A couple reminders before I get into the pictures:

You have gots to sign up for our Fall Scarf and Nail Polish Swap! 
& Check out my blog sale - it's mommy and baby gear!

I'm linking up in 2 spots today with some of my favorite ladies!

Is it just me or are 4-day work weeks what dreams are made of?! I would never complain about work again if I only had to work 4 days! Or I could totally be making that up because work is still work ;) Last week super flew by though and I wish every week could feel like that!

Thursday was Girls Night ! We got crazay! Or as crazy as a bunch of moms can get at Chuy's with $3.75 margaritas! We were home by 9. Wild and crazy let me tell you ;) Friday, nothing to write home about but it was a good mail day. I got in my Old Navy order and some stuff for Violet from Children's Place and Baby Legs. That child is already spoiled, even with broke parents. ha 

1. A crazy haired girl and her daddy at the Dr's // 2. Nekkid nails feel weird // 3. Cutie in her first ponytail!

Saturday we left sick Ronnie at hope to rest and went out to do some shopping! We had a fun mother/daughter day that included my favorites: Old Navy, Target, Starbizzles aaand Sonic Happy Hour ;) Why does caffeine excite me so much?!

1. In case y'all forgot, we have 2 wiener dogs :) // 2. Serious bedhead
3. Shopping with my girl // 4. V and her BFF Sophie // 5. Pretty night sky

Yesterday was an even lazier day. Aren't all football days that lazy? Ronnie was still feeling sick so he rested which meant getting to sit there all day watching football. Poor guy. (insert sarcasm). I, on the other hand got to do a lot of cleaning/laundry which you know is always fun times! We only ventured out once for lunch and for some coffee. It was a gorgeous day again and with football mixed in, it really did feel like Fall ;) 

1. The sign is up at our new Trader Joe's!! Open open open!
2. Brown sugar and cinnamon iced coffee // 3. Her Scottish roots are finally showing in her hair // 4. Ridiculous child, watching TV upside down

All in all it was a great weekend. How was yours?
Have a good one!!

my thursday thoughts

 

Thursday, you tease.

I thought it was you yesterday but I was sorely mistaken. Forgive me as my days run together lately due to a certain little girl. I won't mention any names.

 

--So have I told y'all how bad teething SUCKS? Because it does. Not just for the baby for the parents too. I'm running on fumes, y'all.

 

--This Maybooks planner I keep hearing about has me confused! I wanted another EC planner for next year that I can personalize with the Fall family pictures we're having taken...but Maybooks are so.damn.cute! Plus they're way cheaper than EC and not at all bulky.. #toughlifedecisions

 

--You may have seen this on Lauren's blog today but I am now obsessed with Ashley Goldberg's patterns too. I spent a full hour this morning looking through them and finally chose this one as the background on my phone. Yay pretty things!

 

--Also pretty? This big, colorful tote from Etsy. Mama needs!

 

--I've had the theme for Violet's 1st birthday chosen since I was pregnant but after talking to Melia on Twitter yesterday about her son's 1st, I had to copy her super organized self and make a Pinterest board for Violet's party too. Because her birthday may be 6 months away but in between now and then are the holidays. Holy freak out. SO LITTLE TIME TO PLAN. 

 

--Oh yeah, Violet turns 6 MONTHS OLD next Tuesday. Break my heart, why don't you.

 

--Have you heard about the Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Challenge? Be the first city to get it this Fall? Well, at last check the city that's in the lead is Langhorne, PA with 30,168 points. Know how many points San Antonio has? 280. Way to be lame, San Antonio.

 

--aaand finally, remember THIS from last Fall?? Well hang on to your scarves, little ladies because we will be back with a fun annoucement in two weeks!

Shopping lately...Old Navy & Target

Thanks for the response to yesterday's post, y'all!! I'm so excited to get to work on that!...If you can call shopping, "work" ;) Speaking of which, I'm excited about the goodies I found at Old Navy and Target this weekend! If you know anything about me it's that I am obsessed with these two stores. Then again, who isn't?

I recently opened up an Old Navy credit card account and honestly, it's bad news. All I want to do is shop there now! I make sure to pay off the card and all but then I just want to go and spend on it again. I might have a problem. But even though I love to shop, I'm ALWAYS frugal about it. I love a good deal!

I went into Old Navy armed with two $5 rewards certificates (that credit card comes in handy!) and a savings code I "won" using the Old Navy app. I found two tops for me (love the sleeveless one for fall with my fave pink cardigan), flip flops for Ronnie and some beer boxers for me (yes, for me. because they're so damn comfy as pj's. and duh I love beer :). I also found Violet a couple of cute tank tops for next summer and some Halloween jammies for her and her cousin Milo. All for only $44, y'all!
So FYI, Old Navy lets you use three discounts at once. They had a 10% off totals over $50 offer so I got that and I also used the $5 off $25 code from the Old Navy app and one of my $5 rewards certificates. Then after all of that, I also got $20 in "Super Cash" to use in September (I have $30 more from a previous purchase too!). Gawd I love Old Navy!

Then there's Target, my other lovah. I've been ogling these two dresses for a while and decided I would finally bite the bullet. But once I was there, I couldn't freaking decide between the two! So what's a girl to do but turn to Instagram for help! The verdict was half coral, half blue. ha! (Seriously - thanks for the help, ladies!!)

I should've just waited to decide after trying them on because my mom pooch decided for me. Let's just say that a bright color like coral + clingy fabric across mah belly = no bueno. So I decided blue - especially with a cardigan, that'll be cute for Fall! But I still didn't buy one. Why, you ask? Because, my friends, I saw that other summer dresses had recently been put on sale so I'm going to hold out until this one's marked down!

I moved on and found Ronnie scoping out clothes for V (I love that even though he hates shopping, he always wants to buy HER stuff!) and he had this adorable sweater dress in his hands. Hello, soul mate. How did he know I was looking for something just like that!?! It matched perfectly with the little boots I had bought from Old Navy while I was pregnant! I bought them with her first Thanksgiving outfit in mind - I just didn't have the outfit. Now I do (for only 15 dollas!) and I'm kinda dying just picturing her in this and some little tights for her first Thanksgiving! ;)

So maybe I have a problem or maybe it's because I can finally buy for Fall but I'm getting the shopping bug BAD lately and loving what's out there!!! Tell me what good deals you've found recently!

Just some thoughts in my brain

-Can you believe tomorrow is AUGUST? It gets me excited for Fall. Like goosebumps excited. I can't wait to have my house smelling so cinnamon-ey all the time and I can't wait to be able to take Violet out on nightly, breezy walks. I'm getting tingly just typing this.

-It's still hot as shit though and will be for a long while so I really need more summery clothes. I lost 10 lbs. after the pancreatitis debacle and my usual size was already feeling big so now I think I need a size smaller. woohoo! I'm seriously eyeing this dress from Target (in both colors!) and these new tops at Old Navy.

-Which reminds me, don't get an Old Navy credit card unless you have self control and won't buy everything in sight just because you now have the card. Just saying, I know of a girl who's done that.

-I was reaquainted with this song the other day and can't stop listening to it yet again. If you listen in, the actual song starts at 1:30 and is just the best. I catch myself humming it to Violet all the time now <3

-There are just 49 days until my 30th birthday. Happy for the celebration and giftage, sad because I'm leaving behind my 20s. No big deal.

-I'm finally meeting my bloggy friend KERBI tonight!!! There are so few SA bloggers (that I've found at least) so I'm glad to have such a sweet friend nearby and I mean, really nearby. We live like 10 minutes from each other! Tonight we dine on Mexican food and drink margaritas!

-Ronnie always texts me random pictures of V during the day and I got this one yesterday with the message "Twins". Pay no attention to my lovely face, mid talking. But we are kinda twinsies, no?

:)

Where Have I Been?!

I hate hate hate taking such long blog breaks. But this hasn't been by choice, friends.

My ginormous work event has finally come and gone and I can breathe a sigh of relief...until we start planning the next (smaller, thankfully) event in a couple months. So here's a random list of what's been going on around these parts!

-We've started looking for our new place. We're grateful to my parents for letting us stay with them but 2 1/2 months is long enough. We thought we'd last until January but I don't think we can. We want to spend as much time as possible together ALONE before bebe and really, I'd just like my own space again dammit!

-But you know what, house hunting sucks. We're only renting (until Ronnie finishes school) so we want to be picky but really can't be, ya know? It's not our forever or even 5 year house so I know I just have to accept what's good for us right now.

-If you're my Twitter friend, you already saw this pic..but let me just say again, I am OBSESSED with my Erin Condren planner. This planner just makes me want to be extra organized! It's kinda huge but I love it anyway and I catch myself desperate to make any sorta plan so I can write it in. ha! #loser

-Spending nearly 2 weeks in Louisville really messed with my allergies. I'm still not over the stuffiness and today, I started with a weezy cough and chest pain. Please lord, I cannot get sick.

-Besides feeling yucky, I'm just glad the weather has cooled down some. It's feeling very much like a Texas fall and I am loving it!! Let's just hope it sticks around.

-I turned 29! And it was a lousy birthday to say the least. I flew out on my birthday and then had to celebrate that night with my annoying co-workers. ha! But no biggie, there'll be more to come. Especially since next year, we'll have a little 7 month old hanging out with us :)

-And speaking of that baby....guess what? ..................

61% of you were right...It's a GIRL!!!!! :D

She actually cooperated and showed "herself" the weekend before I left for my trip (I paid for a private ultrasound outside the doctor's office because I'm that impatient) and then the doctor's office confirmed it last week. I was in shock at first  but I should've trusted my initial instinct - I've always known it was a girl <3

Baby V. is so loved and already has some cute outfits waiting for her!

(sorry for crappy quality but you get the idea!)

So that's about it! Bear with me while I catch up on reading my 1000+ undread blog posts.

I hope all of you are doing wonderful and I'm sooo looking forward to getting back into the blogging groove! Happy Monday, y'all!

Oh How Pinteresting: Fall

I pretty much feel like this has been the longest.week.EVER. I can hardly believe it's just Wednesday, y'all! Things have been pretty tough adjusting to our new (VERY temporary) living situation and the heat is not helping me. Nearly every day, I am ready to jump into a pool of ICE! Don't tempt this plus sizer to walk around in a freaking bikini either because I just might do it! It's awful :( Because of this Texas heat it seems that daydreaming about cold weather is all I do lately! And if you follow my random rants on Twitter, you'll know I've even been listening to Christmas music recently. At least then I can close my eyes and make believe it's wonderful outside! :p

So going along with that theme, I've pinned lots of fall stuff lately! I know you're dying for Fall to get here too ;)

Link up with my bud, Michelle!

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: gardenviewcottage.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

  

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

  

Source: dee-construction.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

  

Source: thismamacooks.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

 

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Jessica on Pinterest

  

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

 I can just feel the cool air and smell the cinnamon already :p Hope y'all are having a great day!

September is here!!

Seriously you guys, you have NO flipping idea how excited I am that we are finally in September. What this month mean to me:

1)We are finally in my birthday month! (Yes I'm one of those annoying birthday people :)
2)It is almost FALL!
3)Lots of good Fall TV premiers!
4)We're one month closer to October and the goodness that is Halloween and cooler weather!
5)I repeat, closer to cooler weather!

Just #5 alone comes with lots of fun stuff but I'll save that list for when it really is cold outside :)

I am just so giddy and ready for Fall! Summer can never fly by fast enough for me!! Am I the only one crazy excited for this time of year?

I'll leave you today with one of the cheesiest videos ever made, by one of my fave old bands, Earth, Wind & Fire. I may or may not be imitating some of these dance moves right now.