Cousins

We had a long weekend full of lots of fun with the cousins.  I was never that close with my cousins as my mom is an only child (so no cousins there), and all but one of my cousins are a good bit younger than me.  So, I think it is so special that Brady and Katelyn have lots of cousins to grow up with.  Brady's cousins are his best friends, and even though it can get a little crazy when they are all together, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  My in-laws planned a super fun weekend for all their grand kids.  I think all of us at my house are worn out!

It started out with an afternoon swim at our neighborhood pool on Thursday.  Paul's dad and I had all seven kids by ourselves.  It was slightly terrifying at times, but no one drowned.  So, we will chalk that one up as a win.

Friday morning we headed to Carowinds.  We left Katelyn at home, because I didn't think it would be fun for her to have to ride around in the stroller all day in the heat.  Brady's favorite part was the water park.  My favorite memory of the trip is when I was changing Brady's clothes in the bathroom. I turned around to hang up his wet clothes and all of a sudden I hear, "Peeky boo!"  I look behind me to see Brady peering under the stall - yikes!  I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, I not supposed to say peeky boo momma?"

So excited!

Cousins Caroline and William

Cousin, Henry

Going down the water slide all by himself!

He was one tired little boy.

As if Carowinds wasn't enough action for one weekend, we got up on Saturday and headed to the zoo.  Brady has always loved the zoo, and I was glad Katelyn could join in the fun.  It was a little hot, so we didn't stay too long, but they both had a good time.

Sweet kisses

This was Katelyn's first time riding the carousel, and as soon as it started going up and down she was terrified.

Sunday, Brady went to breakfast and to play at his Nanna and Papa's house with the whole crew while I went to church and Paul stayed home with Katelyn.  I spent the afternoon cleaning out my closet while Paul took Brady to see Peter Pan with everyone.  It feels so good to get organized and get rid of things that I don't need.  I am working on one closet at a time- next up is Brady's!

I feel like I need to take a day off to recover from the weekend.  I can only imagine how my in-laws feel :).

Fashion Friday: My Birthday Wish List

So, my birthday is right around the corner, and I know everyone is dying to know what to get me right (hint hint my sweet, loving husband)??  I figured I would put together a little wish list here :).

I have been eyeing this necklace for a while now.  I feel like I would wear it all the time.

Kendra Scott Tassle Pendant Necklace

I love a good stud earring, and I am especially loving these pink ones.  They are perfect to add a little spice to an outfit.

Kendra Scott Stud Earings

I need these boots!  I have been looking for a pair of boots like this forever.  I love that the wedge gives you the opportunity to dress them up or down.  They are included in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale too. (Size 8 please)

Wedge boots

I'm loving this cute Kate Spade straw bag.  It is perfect to take to a summer wedding.

Kate Spade bag

This Lilly dress has my name written all over it.  Y'all know this is my color. (Size 2)

Lilly Pulitzer dress

I also love this Lilly top.  I am thinking of having a carnival theme for Brady's birthday, so this print would be perfect. (Size XS)

Lilly top

I love this jewelry tray.  I think it would be so cute on my bedside table.

Jewelry Tray

I love these nude leather sandals.  I am in need of some new dressy shoes. (Size 8)

Nude Sandals

This dress is totally out of my comfort zone as it is a maxi, and it is animal print, but for some reason I love it.  We have some weddings coming up, and I think this would be perfect!

Animal print maxi

Ok, I think I gave you lots of options.  A girl can dream, right?

Thoughts on Thursday

Let me just say that thankfully today is Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday, and more importantly it is no longer Wednesday.  Yesterday was not a good day for me.  It started off with me shaking up the coffee creamer (after I was dressed for work) when the lid was not on all the way causing me to then be covered in coffee creamer.  Brady made the situation a little better by telling me, "It's ok momma, you not mean to."  Then, after I changed into my new outfit he told me, "You look pretty momma!"  When him and daddy handed me my new cup of coffee (because Brady always likes to deliver me my coffee) he told me, "Don't do it again momma."  Ok buddy, thanks for the pick me up, and I certainly will try not to do that again.

Right after this fiasco I opened my bathroom drawer to dry my hair only to discover that a travel sized shampoo had somehow been spilled all in my drawer.  Needless to say, it was not a good start to the morning.

Then we had a conference call at work that started out with ALL employees are going to receive a bonus December 15th- heck yes right?  Until he then announced UNLESS you receive some kind of sales incentive already.  So with me being a commissioned employee, the verdict is still out on if I actually qualify for this bonus. Yup, it was day.

But, I won't wallow in my bad day, I just welcome Thursday with open arms!

I got my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and JCrew sale items in the mail, and I was super excited about them.

These Hudson skinny jeans are awesome.  They fit like a glove, are so comfortable, and the perfect length.  I also go this elbow patch sweater for under $30!  You can't beat that.  I think I may have to go pick up another color. It is the perfect light weight for fall in the south.  The shoes are old Jessica Simpson wedges, and the bag is from TJ Maxx for $30 :). (I know you like my little photo bomber and the fact that this mirror has still not been hung on the wall.)

I'm also loving this studded tank from the JCrew sale.  I picked up these Kendra Scott earrings in gray as well, but I won't share the awkward, upclose and personal picture of my ear that I attempted to take.  They are the perfect fall accessory.  By the way, did you know that Ebates gives 10% cash back on purchases from Nordstrom!  I just about fell out of my seat when I saw that.  I was expecting 2-4%, but nope 10%.  Sign up here if you aren't a member.  All you do is go through their web site when you are online shopping, click the retailer you want, and boom they will send you a check in the mail.

Katelyn tried her first pickle last night, and she loved it.  I am not sure where these 2 pickle loving kids come from, because I hate a pickle!

We had cupcakes for dessert on Tuesday night just because.  If you want to know the way to my heart, it is through a good cupcake.

I think I have been convinced to take a trip to Carowinds tomorrow with Brady and his 5 cousins.  That is 6 kids ages 8 and under- say a prayer for us.  I was not sure about taking Brady, because I am not sure how much he will really be able to do, but he just has so much fun with his cousins I couldn't deny him.  Has anyone been to Carowinds with an almost 3 year old and have any thoughts/suggestions on what to do??

Linking up with Natalie and Annie for Thoughts for Thursday.

Our potty training experience

I feel like I had unrealistic expectations when it comes to potty training.  You always read these articles like, "How to potty train your child in 3 days!"  Ok, great- easy enough!  Except, I am not sure I know anyone who has actually had their child FULLY potty trained in 3 days flat (If you have- kudos to you.  Maybe you can give me some pointers for next time?).  Maybe that is where I misunderstood.  I thought surely that meant in 3 days there were no more diapers and no more accidents. 

What I have learned from this experience is that potty training is a marathon, not a sprint.  It is not something that happens over night.  It is more of a few months rather than a few days.  I decided to REALLY start potty training Brady right before Christmas when he was out on break from school (2 years 3 months).  I figured this would be a good time, because I would be home with him a lot.  I didn't go cold turkey and completely take his pants and let him run around the house naked like some articles suggested.  For one, this would not work with Brady.  He really likes to have his pants on.  Even when we take them off for him to change he starts whining, "I cold momma, I cold momma!"  So, that was out of the question.  Second, to be honest, I did not want my brand new carpet and brand new sofa to be peed on.  So we kind of alternated between under wear and pull ups.  We made a BIG deal about him being in "big boy underwear", and I think this really helped him to be excited about going to the potty.  He had actually been going on the potty for the past couple months.  He did not tell us when he had to go, but if we asked him to he would.  This is how I knew he was ready.  I didn't use any kind of reward system other than a lot of praise which seemed to really work for him.

By the time we sent him back to school, he was completely potty trained (or so I thought).  Another thing they don't tell you is that kids that age will not tell you they have to go.  You have to take them to the potty every 30 minutes or so, and you have to watch what they are drinking.  So, when he went back to school he started having accidents and then telling me, "change my diaper momma!"   This was very frustrating as he was doing so well and took so many steps backwards.  They moved some new children up to the 2 year old room after break and they were still in diapers. He saw them getting attention, and he wanted it too.  With this regression we started back with the pull ups for a while as the constant accidents were getting exhausting.  There were also times when he would see my changing Katelyn and PURPOSELY pee in his pants just so I would have to change him.  Again- it's a marathon not a sprint.

We just kept talking up the potty and making a really big deal after he would go.  One thing that took forever was doing #2 on the potty.  I don't know why, but this was terrifying to Brady.  When we would put him on the toilet and tell him to go he would cry and scream.  He just didn't want to do it.  Finally after sitting there with him for however long Paul finally got him to do "a big one".  We called and told everyone we knew that Brady did "a big one".  After he conquered his fear he was fine and usually wanted to call everyone and tell them about it.

Finally after a couple months I felt like we could say he was totally potty trained.  Of course there were still occasionally accidents (more so at school than at home), but he was doing great.  He was even to the point of telling us when he had to go. 

Now he can pretty much go completely by himself.  I keep a step stool by his toilet and he can pull his pants down himself.  "Give me pivacy momma- I do it myself." These little mile stones make parenthood just a little bit easier.  He hardly ever has an accident anymore, and if he does it is usually for attention (for example when you put him down for nap and he just wants you to have to come change him).  He still wears diapers at night and pull ups at nap.  I did an experiment a few weeks ago to see if he was ready to nap in his underwear, because usually he does not go the whole time he is asleep, but just when he first wakes up.  However, he woke up and confusingly told me, "my pants all wet momma."  I realized we weren't quite ready for that yet.  But, that's ok!  As I have learned through my couple years of motherhood experience- this too shall pass.  For almost a week now he has woken up from nap and in the morning with a dry diaper telling us he has to go. So, I may try the underwear at nap again in the near future.  Soon enough diapers will be a distant memory.

All of this to say- don't have crazy expectations of potty training.  Everytime they go on the potty is a win.  They will get it.  Your child is not going to go to kindergarten in diapers.  It takes time, a lot of patience, and a lot of praise, but it will stick one day. They say girls are easier.  Here's to wishful thinking, right?

Our weekend

The weekends just fly by too quickly, don't they?  It was a rather uneventful weekend around here.  We had really good intentions of going on a date Friday night, but it turned into a trip to the Fresh Market and a glass of wine once the kids went to bed instead.  I think I should start planning date nights for Saturday instead of Friday, because by Friday afternoon all I really want to do is cuddle my babies and lay on my couch.

Saturday morning the kids drove their cars to the park, and we played for a while.  Katelyn LOVED swinging in our laps and going down the slide.  She is just starting to be able to really enjoy the park. It will be even better once she is walking.  I just love seeing them both so happy.  Brady even found a cricket, and Paul told him his name was "Jiminy".  He kept looking for him, "Oh there's Jiminy!  Hi Jiminy!"  The rest of the afternoon was just a relaxing one, the kids took naps, we ordered take out for dinner, and just had fun playing at the house.

Sunday, Paul and his dad took the kids to see his grandmother in Manning.  This has become a little tradition for Brady and Papa to go visit his Ma-ma every few Sundays.  Brady absolutely loves it, and I know it will be something that he remembers for the rest of his life.  I am glad that Paul decided to tag along so that Katelyn could go as well.  So, that left me with a whole day to myself!!  Naturally what did I do- cleaned the house.  It needed to be done though, and it is much easier to do without children.  I spent forever organizing their toy closet.  

My own personal Pancake House.

How long do you think it will stay this way??

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  I am starting my count down to Friday again!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale- Baby and Kid Items

The Nordstrom Annivery Sale- you are sick of hearing about it, right?  It seems to be what all the fashion bloggers have been talking about this week, but after checking it out- it really is good!  Aside from the women's fashions that everyone is posting about, there are lots of great baby/kid items!  I'm talking name brand stuff for a huge discount.  I thought I would highlight some that really caught my eye.

1.  Little Giraffe Blankets-  These are the softest blankets ever!  Katelyn has a pink one, and I love it.  They are perfect for baby gifts too.  I was surprised to see them on sale.

2. ERGO baby carrier- I have never actually used one of these, but I love our Bjorn and hear that this one is even better.

3. Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag- This is another one that I don't have personally, but I have heard rave reviews about.  I love the grey and yellow too- it's the perfect neutral.

4. Water Resistant Reversible Patagonia Jacket-  We love our Patagonia jackets, and this one is too cute and a steal!  May have to get this for Brady.

5. Tea Collection Romper- How adorable is this? I wish it came in the next size up for Katelyn

6. Hanna Anderson PJs- These are my favorites.  There are so soft, and on sale- can't beat that!

7. New Balance Sneakers- School is right around the corner.  These are staples and go with everything.  They come in sizes from baby to little kid in gray and navy!

8. Lettuce Edge Socks- Can't forget the little things too.  Who doesn't love lettuce edge socks on little girls.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

These moments

Pretty much every night when we put Brady to bed he lays in his bed talking to himself for a while.  He is usually talking to his stuffed animals, and most of the time I have no idea what he is saying.  But, typically about 30 minutes later I hear, "Momma, I have to go peepee!"  A lot of the time this is actually true, as I will take him to potty, and it was clear that he really did have to go.  Sometimes though, it is just a simple tactic to have momma come upstairs one more time.  Either way, I secretly enjoy it. 

What I most enjoy about it is that when I come up there he is standing on his bed with his bunny and doggie in hand waiting for me, and he smiles from ear to ear and says, "Hey momma!"  in his sweetest little voice.  I walk over to his bed and scoop him up in my arms. He then lays his head on my shoulder and quietly tells me, "I love you so much momma.  I is your baby, momma.  I always be your baby, momma."  I then take him to potty, and afterwards he wants, "just a little bit sip of water momma."  So, I fill up one of those mini plastic cups we keep in the bathroom, and he takes a little sip of water.  We then head back to his bed where I lay him down, put his diaper back on, and he scurries back up to his pillow.  I cover him up, run my hand through his hair, and kiss his soft cheeks.  I tell him, "Night night, I love you sweet boy."  "I love you so much momma," he says.

These are the precious moments I never want to forget.