I can't believe it's almost May! I also can't believe Ronnie and I have now been married two weeks! I'm hoping we get to at least celebrate our one month anniversary in a couple weeks. It may seem silly to be getting excited over such "small" milestones but we've been together sooooo long and married so little of it that I think it deserves a celebration! ;)

Last Thursday, I took V to the mall to see the Easter Bunny. She hadn't been since she was a teeny sleeping newborn and we honestly forgot about it last year. She's always hated Santa but I was optimistic (stubborn/dumb/naive?) and thought "Well, she loves animals, so maybe she'll love him too!" and I was almost right. In line she was pointing at him, talking about the eggs all around him - she was happy! The moment we get up to him though all hell broke loose. It was an all out scream fest and she was clinging to me for dear life. I half expected it though so I wasn't too surprised. What I was surprised by were the looks on the faces of the moms in line behind me. One lady even was shaking her head - as she held her sleeping, maybe two month old son. I've gotta say, I've never felt more competition or more judging in my life than I have as a Mom. It's just awful. I truly thought when I was pregnant that it would be a fun gang of women all going through the same thing but somehow I feel many moms didn't get that memo. While I'm happy to befriend other moms, I sometimes feel like I get the side eye from many who are judging ME by my wild child of a two year old. What I wanted to say to those moms was "Just you wait. You'll understand one day". But I wouldn't because that's the exact judgey behavior I'm talking about but in that moment, that phrase felt so true. Yes, we're all moms but we're all in different stages and I wish all moms acted like they understood that. You may have it easy (during the day at least) with your newborn but it only gets harder - which I've heard as well from moms of kids older than mine. Yes, being a mom is amazing but it has some really trying times and those trying times only get tougher so if we're all gonna go through the same stuff eventually, why is it so hard to get along?!! Ya know? 

Ok, I'm done. I had to vent since I never vented to anyone that day when it happened. ha! Except to Ronnie. Poor guy, has to hear my bitching and honestly, he doesn't get it. I don't feel like dads deal with that kinda stuff. I could be wrong though :/

Easter morning - I wonder how much longer she'll love a bunch of little things from the Dollar Spot? I hope forever because her mama sure loves it! I got her an owl cup she's been pointing out every time we go to Target, a couple books, a puzzle, socks, necklace and sunglasses. I also put some cookies in little plastic eggs, too. She loved it!

I didn't get many pics the rest of Easter because she was all over the place and I wasn't feeling well at all. But she did get super spoiled by both my mom and Ronnie's mom. She was worn out at the end of the day! She still didn't quite get the Easter egg hunt thing but I'm sure will love it next year. 

One of her favorite gifts from one of her many Easter baskets. ha! 

Future neighborhood watcher. She pulled her chair out to the front on her own, it was adorable. Also - isn't the ribbon hanging pretty that my mom made? Perfect for Fiesta!

And this face. Seriously?! 

Two may be stressful sometimes but this makes it all worth it.

Ooh and some fun news! I'm legally a C.a.s.h! I'm so excited! I finally got everything updated at the Social Security office last Friday (only took an hour - woo hoo!) and then got my new Drivers License this past week (only took 10 minutes - unheard of!)...I'm such a procrastinator and take forever on things but I also knew my work trip was coming up and I wanted my name change reflected on plane tickets and to get my ID in time so I HAD to get this done. Fun stuff! :) Oh and TGIF! Have a great weekend!

toddlerhood lately...

Cupcakes, twinkle lights, tantrums, obsessing over stuffed animals and decorating for Christmas is basically what's been happening in her toddler-hood. I didn't even mention in my last post that Violet turned 21 months on Thanksgiving. Seriously - how are we only 3 months away from her turning 2?! I was just acting all shocked and brokenhearted over her turning ONE!

Not to say this kid isn't already preparing us for two though - the terrible two's have slowly been creeping their way into our house for a few weeks now. Violet had her first public meltdown just last week, while I was paying at Old Navy. MY happy place! I felt like an awful parent with everyone staring and sighing but I remained calm and we got through it. And that is life with a toddler. This stage has honestly been one of the most trying and exhausting times we've had with her so far but I can say it's also had a way of becoming one of my favorite stages. Everything is just so exciting to her and she's so curious, so much more than just a few months ago. It's like she actually enjoys things now, like a real life KID! ha Which also comes with being vocal about disliking things too and the constant "No" but we won't go there ;)

She has her favorite stuffed animals, she loves making animal sounds, dressing up, getting into our cabinets and destroying the kitchen, hugging on and irritating our cat, being outside in the cooler weather and her favorite TV shows (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Pajanimals, Sesame Street, Sid the Science Kid and Doc McStuffins). She's always asking for "wawa" (water) and "molk" (milk), starts saying "nigh nigh" when she's sleepy and if we'd let her, she'd take a bath multiple times a day. She's now to the point where she's actually repeating things you tell her to say. Soaking up everything like a sponge, I tell you. And we're seeing a definite left-hand prominence in her recently which I'm really curious about. I'm not sure if you can tell those things at this age? I'm just blown away by everything she's doing and how rapidly she is changing and growing! I'm getting more and more excited every day for Christmas morning at our own house and seeing her sweet little face react to it all. 

our first fire of the season and her first time seeing a fire. she was in AWE and turned so cuddly and sweet. Swoon.

her new favorite spot under the tree // "key" shoes // cupcake monster

favorite "munk" and "tweet tweet" // um the tag says 2T but that's way wrong // her own chair at Grammy's

our morning scene

i'm sure her next word is gonna be "gentle" as much as we've been saying it lately :)

So one week into 21 months...
minus the whining over eh-very-thing and the whacky toddler emotions, this girl is perfection :)

Be Productive. B-E Productive!

I'd say Happy Monday but that would just be a lie, right? :)

Did you know I've NEVER had a job that gave us President's Day off? I'm pretty sure my bosses should be making a much bigger deal out of this day than they are.

Did you know that today's not only President's Day but NATIONAL WINE DAY too? Holla! Tonight's plans is made.

Did you know today also marks 10 days until my darling-precious-child-who-refuses-to-sleep-in-her-crib turns 1? Of course you did because this crazy mom won't just drop it already!

Let's take a look at what's she's been up to, shall we?

All this in one weekend, too. The fact that her mom stayed in pj's most of the weekend and went outside not once, but twice, without a bra, can only mean that she gets her productivity from her dad.

 

Having said that, I still have a shit ton left to do for V's birthday party. I have discovered that while Pinning birthday party ideas for months ahead of time feels productive, it is in fact quite the opposite. You have to actually make the stuff. Fascinating.

 

I am happy to say though that at the very least, the party invitations been mailed out, with just 2 weeks to spare.

 

And drumroll please...Here's the fancy invitation I got to send out!

 

Isn't it the PRETTIEST?!

 

Please go tell Brittany that she's the greatest designer who ever lived and then have her do the invitations for your next party. I could not have asked for anything more perfect. Thanks again, lady - Violet is lucky to have you as her future MIL ;)

 

Now I'm off to make a to-do list of stuff that has GOT to get done this week. Sorry, job duties, you'll have to wait until some other time.

 

Oh and to those who are off work today, I'll stop talking smack. Enjoy your day. Because I just remembered that I get two weeks off this coming Christmas. So that > President's Day. Boom.

Getting Crafty in November

All day yesterday I thought it was Friday. I was ancy with excitement all day for some unknown reason, like a kid the day before she's going on a field trip. ha! (Tell me I'm not the only one who used to get THAT excited about them!?). Ok I'm a weirdo. But since it is now actually Friday, whoop whoop! Work's been sooo slow (allowing for some Pinterest time. Shhh!) and baby girl's been kicking like crazy so there's lots to be happy about!

Speaking of happy, we close on our house and move in just TWO WEEKS! So to start me on my way to being Suzy Homemaker (maybe), I started a list of crafty and yummy goals I want to tackle once we get into our house. For those who don't know this, I am the least crafty person you will ever meet. Oh yeah, I don't know how to cook either. I blame it on being a perfectionist - if there's even a chance at messing something up like in crafts or with cooking, I tend to shy away from it. Like that shirt I made for Halloween? That about killed me. I couldn't get it perfect and nearly lost my shit a few times. Silly, no? But I intend to change my ways, especially now that I'm going to be a homeowner. And a mom too!

(Guess where I got all my ideas? DUH.)

Here's the to-do list for November!

Source: leslieashe.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

It's just rolled up gift wrap! Hello! I have tons of that. Easy peasy.

Source: sugarandcharm.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I've always wanted a ton of colorful vases so I'm loving the idea of just making them,
especially some pretty red and bright green ones!

Source: skinnytaste.ziplist.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I am craving this LIKE WHOA. Skinny chicken and tomato pasta.
Not Christmas-ey in any way but it looks damn good.

Source: jengrantmorris.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I most certainly will sacrifice my hot bod and eat tons of
Pringles just to get some cute Christmas gift packaging!
(Oh yeah, I'll bake cookies to put in those bad boys too!)

Source: imgfave.com via Jessica on Pinterest

If it has twinkle lights, it has my name written all over it!
I fully intend to hang up our Christmas cards like this.
(Speaking of which, wanna exchange cards this year? E-mail me!)

Source: timeforalittlesomething.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Ice cream? In an apple? With caramel topping?
This is happening.

That's all for now! I'm sure this list is child's play for most of y'all but seriously, these are big steps for me! I can hardly freaking wait to be back in our own place so I can get started and finally have some peace and quiet...until the baby gets here at least ;)

Enjoy your weekend, pretties! And if you have any more easy-ish ideas or recipes for me, go on and share!

Mini Vacay

Ok ladies, I think my brain is in another country on vacation at the moment because it sure as hell isn't being used around these parts! I can't seem to focus on much lately other than my boring routine of work, home, work... Ugh. I can't believe I haven't posted since SEPTEMBER! Jeez.

So what have I been up to lately? Well, a whole lot of nothing exciting!
Here's a totally random timeline to prove it:

September:
-I turned 28 (agh!) and had a super fun Birthday weekend with friends, family and my honey. One night was beer and pizza with friends, the next was a romantical date with my man, then time with the family! It was perfect!
-Topping off the month was my birthday gift from Ronnie - an Android phone that I have not put down since :D
-Oh, and somewhere in that month we decided to move in with my parents while Ronnie finished school, to help us save money since he would not be working.

This is the ONLY picture taken during my birthday weekend. Taken with my lovely new phone!

October:
-I went on my annual work trip of 2 weeks to Las Vegas where we worked hard but played even harder (yadda yadda, it was nuts!).
-When I got back, Ronnie and I did our usual extensive Halloween costume planning (really, it was probably 2 conversations) and as usual...Did any of it happen? Of course not!
-But there were bigger things to focus on...like going on a vacation to Denver! We loved the crap out of this trip and even though we only spent 4 days there, it was amazing!

With my love at the top of Pikes Peak!

November:
-I started listening to Christmas music daily. Seriously, from the 1st of November!
-Did some Christmas shopping and was absolutely determined to finish it all before Dec. 1st. But somewhere in that month, I began to procrastinate and that didn't exactly happen.

-Had a super fun Thanksgiving with our families (and probably gained 5 lbs that day!)

-Did some major Black Friday shopping with my mom and sis. It's our favorite crazy person past time!

-Ronnie and I got another crazy idea that instead of moving in with my parents, we would just move to Austin!! Why the hell not! (seems simple enough to move an hour away....right?)

The crazy ladies (sis, Mom & me) at 4 am on Black Friday. At none other than Target!

December:
-We officially decided we would NOT be moving in with my parents as previously planned. Too many people, too many dogs, just too much stress!
-Since that decision, we found ourselves a cute, brand new apartment that we are in love with (it's not in Austin but that's OK) and I will be Ronnie's sugar mama for the next 2 years! (The things we do for our loves!)
-Then came the holidays. My favorite time of year but it was VERY stressful for us as usual, with the splitting of family time and all, but we ended up having a really good time! Afterwards I realized I just stress WAY too effin much during the Holidays.
-We managed to get some cute Christmas cards made AND acutally mailed them! Score!
JANUARY!: We move into our super cute apartment NEXT FRIDAY! Since we've given our 30 day notice, there's been some hardcore cleaning, Craigslist'ing and packing going on lately. And who knew you had to deal with house showings even when you're just RENTING the house?!. But since we did a lot to the house in the 2 years that we've been here, it got rented out just 3 days after the "For Rent" sign went up! (You're welcome, RE/MAX!).

So that's pretty much it! I've definitely been reading all of your blogs (and talking still with many of you on Twitter!) but I haven't been commenting much and I apologize for that. Just seems so much trouble to "log in" in order to comment. ha! Happy New Year, y'all! :)