All You Need Is Love

On the eve of Peter and My 5 year anniversary I feel so blessed. These last 5 years have been filled with new faces, new places, new jobs, new babies, and lots of love. I have been so blessed to marry such an amazing man of God! A man that honors God every day and provides for our family. Peter is the hardest working man I have ever met. He greets the day with optimism and passion no matter how he is feeling. He comes home every day, exhausted from work, but still greets us with a smile and chases around our daughter for an hour and a half. He has always encouraged me and always has kind words that lift me up. He is my gift from God and I am so thankful that I have been blessed to marry him. 

The last 5 years have been just the beginning.  Can't wait to see where our adventure takes us next! Here's to 60 more!

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Ava is quite the cross country traveler. She just completed her 5th cross country round trip. She took her first flight when she was 16 weeks old and has been a pro every time! This last flight home was a little rough as Ava got sick for the very first time this week! Over the last 11 months the only sickness Ava has had was a runny nose but besides that has been as healthy as can be. Ava caught a little cold while we were in NC and the plane actually made it worse. She now has an ear infection and has been pretty miserable this week. We got some antibiotics last night so hopefully she'll be back to her happy self in no time! 

Besides this past flight, which really wasn't that bad, we have had 0 issues with flying. I say that now but I KNOW that one day we will. You can't expect babies to deal with confined spaces and ear pressure perfectly every time! I know my day is coming... believe me! 

Several people have asked me what to take and what to do while flying with a baby. I think that every few months you need different things, do different things, and act differently when flying with a baby. 

Month 1-5: This is probably the easiest time to fly! Babies sleep A LOT during these first couple of months and they are very little and portable so you don't have to worry about them wanting to wiggle and crawl around. During this stage you will want a Travel Boppy! This is by far the most amazing thing you will ever buy for traveling. It folds up pretty small and it is a lifesaver while flying. You can use it to support your arm and the baby while nursing and then you have a place to set the baby for awake and sleep time. Ava isn't much of a cuddler so she loved her space while traveling. We used this for her first 2 trips. 

You should always nurse or bottle feed during take off and landing. There were a few times Ava was sleeping during landing and I DID NOT wake her up. As for things to pack you will need:

1. 1-2 thin blankets

2. Several pacifiers

3. A backup bottle of milk if they have nursing issues

4. Nursing cover

5. 2 changes of clothes for the baby

6. A backup shirt for you incase they poop/spit up on you

7. 8-12 diapers (depending on how long the flight and if you have a lay over) 

8. Wipes 

9. Snacks for You and your spouse

10. An Ergo or Bjorn to carry the baby in

11. Burp cloths

12. Sanitizing wipes for the plane and hand sanitizer for you

13. Travel Boppy

14. Changing Pad

15. Infant Tylenol (This is VERY controversial for some people but the Pediatrician recommended I give it to her an hour before we fly and I have done it every time and she has never cried because her ears hurt) 

Month 5-6 : You need a lot of the same things as before plus 1 or 2 toys that light up. Kids at that age love light up toys and it will help distract them. You should also bring a few chew/ teething toys. I would also recommend stroller straps. You can hook these onto the chair and put their toys on them so when they throw them they don't end up on the nasty floor. 

Month 7-9: NOW it starts to get a little more difficult. Your kiddo is probably sitting alone and is possibly crawling. Once they start crawling things are very different when traveling. My advice is plan your flight around nap times. For example Ava naps every day at 9 am and 2 pm. So I normally schedule flights to leave at 1:30pm. This way Ava gets a good morning nap and then I run her around and around at home, drive to the airport and then let her play at the gate before we leave. I would bring a small nylon blanket (I use the bottom of her playmat) that you can wipe off easily. You can also bring a regular blanket as well. Just set the blanket on the floor of the airport and let them play. If they are crawling I would try to rope off an area and let them do it ( I know bad Mommy letting them get nasty airport germs) Just use hand sanitizer after. The more energy they get out in the airport the better they will be on the plane! I would also ask when you check in if there are any open seats on the plane. You can ask if there are 2 together and you can change your seat or tell the flight attendant when you get on if they do happen to have any open seats if they wouldn't mind switching you. Half of the flights we have taken Ava has lucked out and gotten her own seat. You still need to hold them on landing and take off but it's easier to let them play and sleep in their own seat. 

Month 10-12: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes because all I did on the airplane was walk up and down the aisles with Ava. She wanted to make sure she met every single person on that plane 50+ times. I did rotate in some ipad and book time. I don't normally let Ava play with the ipad for more than 10 minutes a day or watch any TV at home so when she does get the chance she loves it. We would play a game for 10 minutes then walk. Watch 10 minutes of tv then walk... over and over and over and over.... Let's just say I was EXHAUSTED after!!! I also took far less things with me on this trip because Ava has 1 million toys but loves to play with my things. We brought:

1. 8 diapers 

2. Wipes

3. 1 book for Ava

4. fake keys (she LOVES these) 

5. ipad

6. Extra onsie for Ava

7. Sleepers to change into on the last flight

8. Changing pad

9. Pacifiers and paci clip 

10. Infant Tylenol

Now the only thing I still debate is the need of a stroller in the airport. I would 100% say check the car seat with your checked luggage (car seats, strollers, and pack n plays are free to check). But the stroller has come in useful, once, and other times is a hassle. If you have a connecting flight with a tight layover time then DO NOT take it! You will spend 10 minutes waiting for it and then you have to wait for the elevator to switch terminals, in some airports, which can take a while. It's much easier to throw them in your Ergo or Bjron and walk to your gate. It is nice to have it if your flight is delayed and they need a nap. You can roll them around in it until they fall asleep and then you have some hands free time. I think each trip it changes so think through your travel time and layover time and decide what works best. 

Hope that helps and safe travels!! 

These Boots Are Made for Walking

The last few weeks have been a tad bit chilly here in Northern Cali. By chilly I mean my normal sunny and 75 is now sunny and 70. This clearly calls for sweaters, scarves, and boots! I have been wanting some ankle boots but it seems all of them make me look like a motorcyclist, a cowgirl, or a anime character. I looked high and low and found the perfect ones at Target! To make it even better they were buy one get one 50% off so both pairs were $50 total!

The first pair the Mossimo Kodi boot has a a higher heel with a cute zipper up the back. A little fancier for a date night or dinner out.

Love them paired with a cute dress.

They look great with jeans and a blazer. The heel height is perfect where they are a little fancy but not too high where they hurt or are hard to walk in.

They make a cute girls night outfit with leggings and a cute silk tunic.

Now onto the every day boot, The Mossimo Supply Kendall boot. This boot is super comfortable, a great grey/brown color.

So cute for a play date with rolled jeans and a sweater.

Add a cute shawl sweater with the leggings for a fun shopping day. 

I feel like all that's missing is a Pumpkin Spice Latte and some fab sunnies! Love these cute boots and you cannot beat the price at $34.99 each! Total steal! 

Tights Are Not Pants

Well it's that time of the year. The time where the air is a little chillier, boots come out, and opaque tights aka "leggings" become an acceptable excuse for pants. I was never a big fan of leggings for several reasons but most of all because 99% of leggings are SEE-THROUGH! Maybe not in front of your floor length mirror in your bedroom when you don't move at all but as soon as you walk, bend over, get into the sun it ain't a pretty sight! 

But then I found these fabulous little cuties from none other than... J.Crew!

I got these 2 years ago and they are SO fabulous! They have faded a little but I mean 2 years of use will do that! They have a great waistband that holds everything in (great for after baby) and are VERY THICK! They are not see through at all and look like normal, tight, pants. They have a cute seam up the leg and a zipper in the back. I have probably sold 50 pairs of these by people asking me where I got them. My old boss in NC went and bought 2 of every color after I told her. That's right! They come in green, grey and black. They are on $98 on JCREW.COM and $69.50 on FACTORY.JCREW.COM. 

And the best news I heard this year is they now come in J.Crew maternity! Not that I need them right now but it's good to know in the future... far off future... that they are available! 

Now we are all ready for fall! So please throw your opaque tights away and invest in some actual leggings. You and the girl walking behind you as your bend over to pick up your baby will thank me! 

Cats In Space and Other Fun Fall pants!

I went on a little shopping spree today! I have been loving patterned pants lately and wanted some for fall. I really loved them last year but was super preggo and had to buy a whole new preggo work wardrobe and had to wear "dark colors" from head to toe while at work... lame! So this year I was determined to get some fun pants! I wanted some bright fun solids and patterned jeans but still classy and not too crazy. I almost bought these at Target but passed. Just Kidding!  #targetfail

 I went to the J.Crew Outlet to return something and what did they have ON SALE?? fun bright cords and fun patterned denim! I decided to go with and the neon violet and the brilliant coral for the cords. Check them out HERE! Now online they are $64.50 but in the store they were $19 and $25! SCORE!! And then got THESE fabulous patterned jeans in deep black. Now the question that my husband said when I sent him a pic of my purchases was "Cute... but do you have anything to go with them?" DO I?! HAHA

Here are some fun outfits I put together and thought I would share. Sometimes buying bright pants is a big step and then sometimes you are so hesitant to wear them because you don't know what to pair them with. So here are some fun new outfits to test out. 

** I tried to provide links to some of the items shown below or to things similar but since they were already in my closet some are not still available. :-) 

OK violet pants... They are a spring color but can they be ok for fall?

Here they are paired with stripped rhinestone long sleeve J.Crew TEE and some fabulous Tory Burch FLATS.

Next up a little leopard!!

Paired the bright pants with a J.Crew snow leopard cardigan and COLE HAAN FLATS with bow detail.

Now on to the bright coral skinnies!

Love that leopard J.Crew silk longsleeve blouse, JCREW CORAL NECKLACE, and COACH PATENT FLATS. 

Got a denim shirt?

Pair it with the coral pants and some LEOPARD FLATS!

Now on to the patterened jeans. I would highly recommend not pairing patterened pants with a patterend shirt, but to each their own! 

OK for a casual every day look. 

Paired with a CASHMERE PLUM CREW NECK and those same fabulous plum TORY FLATS.

Is it getting cold? 

J.Crew jacket, coral button up, and orange TORY FLATS, a bright orange necklace, and a skinny black belt. 

Wanna rock some heels? Date Night?

Pair them with a royal blue BR SILK TUNIC, black velvet heels, fun teal earrings, and a black blazer if it's a little chilly! 

So I have learned 3 things from going through these pics, I buy nice BRIGHT shoes, I own a lot of leopard, and I love some J.Crew! haha! 

Now we can't forget about our little baby fall fashionista. This is what I am loving for Ava for fall! 

Target CARDIGAN, Target maroon JEGGINGS, chevron bow, and Brown Mary Jane SQUEAKERS (They squeak when they walk!)! How cute!! 

Now get out there, buy some fun pants, and be a fall fashionista. 

Baby Wrangling

I have been an absentee blogger lately! Probably because I have been spending most of my days baby wrangling! We officially have a VERY mobile baby! I was so concerned because as of her 9 month birthday she hadn't started officially crawling yet. She would scoot, army crawl, and roll and scoot some more to get places and would get on all 4's and rock but then get on her tummy to scoot around. She loved sitting and playing and LOVED standing. 

Here is her standing during her 9 month baby photo shoot

I talked to the pediatrician (who was not concerned at all ) because all of Ava's baby friends were crawling already. .... That is right I broke Mommy rule #1! You cannot compare your baby to other babies! Ava is very advanced in eating, lol! But she really is. She only eats finger foods, no purees anymore. She is a and has been a fabulous little sleeper since 3 months, and is very very vocal but physically she was content not pushing herself when there are other toys closer by to play with. Well that all changed at 9 months and one day. Ava started full crawling and then later that evening decided to walk by herself with her walker! I could not believe in one day she went from contently playing to walking and crawling. 

Ava in full crawl for the first time. Yes I bribe her with the ipad! Hey, I play educational games! 

Now this walking thing has gone from 0-60 in 2 weeks. Tiny Toes (We call her this because she has INCREDIBLY small feet! She just now fits in 0-3 month shoes. I do not know how these tiny toes can support her body weight but somehow they do) wants to walk all day! She still cant walk alone but is starting to walk only holding 1 of our hands and she walks all over the house with her walker. I always follow very closely to catch her if falls. I know walkers are "dangerous" but I have no stairs and I am not going to let her use it when I am not 6 inches away to catch her. So basically from 7am to 7pm minus 2.5 hours of napping, possibly 2 hours of errands, we are walking around. She has started to loose her chubby thighs, saddest thing ever, her appetite has almost doubled, and she is taking some awesome long naps! 

Ava walking with her walker. She can get it off the wall, flip it around, and take off. 

This is Ava pushing her stand and play table because I had moved her walker so I could leave the room and get the laundry. Guess I can't leave her alone anymore. Even for just 20 seconds! 

It is so funny to me how we Moms worry so much about our child development, especially during the first year. I think SAHM and first time Mom's are even worse at it, but we obsess on when they roll over, when they start sleeping through the night (That is a big one because Momma loves her sleep), when they crawl, pull up, walk, eat solids... I know I am at fault for comparing her to other babies but she is going to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it! I went to library story time on Tuesday and there was a little boy who was 5 days older than Ava. He was crawling around so fast, pulling up on everything, and far more advanced in terms of agility but his Mom was saying how he hates trying to walk. She tries all the time and he just bends his knees when she tries to hold him up to walk. He found his way to move and is sticking to it. Whereas Ava is still clumsy while crawling can pull up to her knees and sometimes all the way but not always, but can totally run while she is holding both of our hands. 

So my Mommy advice to you Mom's out there let your child advance at their own pace. There aren't many adults out there that can't walk or roll over or sit or eat solids... Just relax, have a glass of wine (preferably after the husband gets home but to each their own ;)) and enjoy your baby at every phase! 

Shop Till You Drop!

I love a good sale! There is nothing that gets me more excited than to walk into a store and find great deals on the sale rack and then find out it's an additional percentage off that! Of course I am going to buy more when I find out how much I am saving! Well that was definitely the case this week when I went into Macy's. When I worked at Macy's I became obsessed with their First Impressions clothing line for Ava. The clothes were made very well and they looked like little "Katelyn outfits" just in Ava's size. They are normally always on some sort of sale and with a coupon aren't too much. 

Yesterday we were on day 4 of extreme teething (Ava's top teeth are starting to come in) so I decided Ava and I NEEDED to get out of the house. Ava always loves to go for a walk in her stroller and I love going to the outdoor Stanford Shopping Center. I mean normal college campuses have shopping centers near them with Walmart, Target, maybe a Bed Bath and Beyond, definitely a dollar tree and possibly, if you're lucky a Belk/Macy's. Apparently Stanford didn't get the "affordable" college shopping memo because Stanford shopping center only has the best of the best. The "lowest end" shop is Macy's and possibly The Gap. This shopping center is all outdoors, has beautifully landscaped planters along every shop, and is filled with the top of the top stores; Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Janie and Jack, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, David Yurman, Nordstrom.... The list goes on and on. 

Naturally this is Ava's favorite shopping center as well and we normally go for "walks" there every other week with my friend Christy and her little boy Asher. Yesterday Ava and I really went JUST to get out of the house. I wasn't planning on buying anything but then I went into Macy's children's department just to see what new fall stuff they had. I saw the GIANT rounder of clearance pink items and decided just to check it out. That is when I saw all of their summer First Impressions clothes were 87% off and all marked down to $4.97 AND you could use your 20% off coupon on top of that! Now Ava does NOT need any clothes right now. Her closet is PACKED to the max with 6-9 month stuff that still fits and 9-12 month clothes but she really has no clothes past that. So clearly I decided to buy for NEXT SUMMER! Yes that is right I bought Ava 18 month clothes because you cannot turn down $5 quality outfits! It is cheaper than buying them used at Kid to Kid! Check out all of the adorable 18 month outfits I got Ava! 

They also had all of their pants for $4.97 so I got Ava these cutie cute pants for this fall! How fun are those bows and baby jeggingins, ADORBS! 

I always have to share a great sale story!! P.S I got all of the above for $33! Now THAT is a GREAT deal! Happy Shopping!