Five on Friday: Fiesta, Hair and Birthdays!

ONE - Don't you love that my only post this week has been for Five on Friday? Let me explain :: I normally blog in the evenings after Jack goes to sleep. This week I've replaced blogging with birthday party planning even though we still have more than a month to go!  Follow along with my fiesta planning fun on Instagram using #jacksfirstfiesta

TWO - Speaking of party planning, I had my heart set on finding a Jenny Lind style highchair to paint and use for Jack's one year pictures and birthday party.  My plan was then to just turn around and sell it or store for baby #2 (if we ever get to that point). 

I searched for months online, posted a Craig's List ad and had my little army all around Texas looking at local shops for me.  I had just about given up this idea, when my mother in law found one is perfect condition for a steal at her local antique shop.  I got it last night and am now rethinking painting it since it's in such good condition.  I'm worried I will ruin it.  Thoughts? 

Paint or no paint?  If I were to paint, I was planning on something in the turquoise family. 


THREE - I have found a way to get my hair to actually look good without doing any styling to after a shower in the mornings!  It has saved me so much time and I can tell you that if you see me these days I'm pretty much rocking the curl.  I haven't used my hair dryer in WEEKS!  Full post coming soon!

I took these terrible selfies yesterday, but this do was created with no tools, no heat, no time and only one product: BB Thickening Spray.  I hope to have a how-to Vlog up next week on how I created this. 

Although I do not use this technique for the style above, in the meantime you can also checkout my post for the perfect heatless curls. 

FOUR - Staying on the hair topic, I really want to finally go ombre.  I've always thought it wasn't for me since I didn't have supermodel long hair, but lately I'm loving it on short styles too.  I would do a very subtle variation since I still need to look professional for work.  But it might be nice for summertime!

Image via

What are your thoughts on going ombre?  If you like this style, definitely checkout my Hair Loves Board in Pinterest where I show varying lengths of this trend. 

FIVE - Jason's birthday is tomorrow!  He is driving me crazy and not giving me any direction on what he wants to do to celebrate so I still don't know what we will do, but I have no doubt it will include good food, wine and relaxing. 


Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Five on Friday: Easter, Matching & Friends

ONE - I'm one of those people who takes down decorations the night of that holiday plus my night owl tendencies have been raging lately so I sure was up super late on Monday night taking down the green and putting up the Easter decor!

 

 

TWO - Yes, this is a problem!  Kicking myself for not getting the SaSea Decor Easter Bunny Baseball Tees in time for a 3-peat picture!

THREE - Do you ever look in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back at you?  This totally happened to me last night at Define during my class.  I know that I'm not at my ideal weight, however I think I picture myself as my skinnier pre-baby version.  That is until you are surrounded by mirrors standing in a line next to skinny minis wearing tight Spandex.  Suddenly I was the fat {yes, I used the f-word} girl in the room.  To my benefit, the instructor never once came to correct my form...she was probably just thinking it was a miracle I was attempting the moves!  I'm sure I looked like a beached whale when we were laying on the ground doing thigh work.  At least I can laugh at myself, right?

FOUR - I ordered Jack's Easter Basket yesterday and I can't wait for it to arrive so I can start filling it with little treats!  I had the hardest time deciding what basket to get for him.  I'm also dying to get him some Easter PJ's for his last first holiday.  Has anyone seen any cute bunny PJ's anywhere?

FIVE - Finally, I'm also blogging over at Houston Moms Blog today talking about making girlfriends as an adult and how hard it can be!  I would love for you to check it out and share your thoughts on the topic. 

Throwing a Girls Night-In Slumber Party

My friends and I like to celebrate each one of our birthdays by letting the birthday girl pick our next outing.  Whatever the birthday girl wants to do, the group must do...ice skating, a new restaurant, a tea party.  Last month for Erin's birthday she chose to do a girls night-in complete with gossip, games and chick flicks.  I offered to host and since I have plenty of space (and live far out in the 'burbs) decided we should do a slumber party. 

I ran with the theme of classic girly slumber party which in my head equates to pink, pajamas and ice cream sundaes!

The Menu

Since I was sold on doing a late night ice cream sundae bar I kept the dinner on the lighter side.  We were also having birthday cupcakes from Crave, a group tradition of ours. 

Being that this was on a Friday after a work week, I didn't even consider cooking, although this menu can easily be made at home if you have the time.  For snacking I had hummus, veggies and pita chips, and fruit.  Dinner was a grilled chicken spinach salad (complete with strawberries and pecans) tomato basil pesto pasta salad and tomato basil soup - all from La Madeleine. 

La Madeleine fail: they gave Jason the wrong soup and forgot the bread and jam, but we all survived.  Double check your items when picking up!

Drinks were simple with just tea, lemonade, and wine...lots of wine. 

For breakfast the next day I also kept it simple and just had bagels and assorted cream cheese flavors, fruit and some banana bread.  Juice and coffee...lots of coffee. 

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

I was giddy for an excuse to eat ice cream sundaes!  My local HEB has an end cap in the freezer section with all things ice cream sundaes so I just raided that and called it a day - chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce, cherries, whipped cream, sprinkles, nuts, M&MS and gummy bears!  I also couldn't resist and had some brownie bites and Oreos on hand. 

I was afraid that people would be stuffed after the cupcakes or not the mood for ice cream after drinking wine all evening, but let me tell you that it was a hit around midnight!  It was the perfect late night treat and made me feel like I was back in grade school. 

The Decor

I wanted to house to look festive without spending a lot of money.  I kept it simple and did pink tableware from Party City - super cheap.  I also found this cute paper garland from Party City (I purchased the bright pink and light pink for $6.99 each) for the mantle.  Jason decorated our chalkboard (he was super proud of himself - check out all of the little details) in our entry way and I purchased some fresh flowers for the occasion which I'm still enjoying weeks later. 

The Goodie Bag

I got it in my head that I wanted us to all wear matching PJ's.  In a perfect world, you know with a money tree in my backyard, I would have everyone in matching Ralph Lauren PJ sets with their monogram on the pocket, but I settled for some comfy pink plaid PJ Bottoms from Old Navy (I found them majorly discounted at a local Old Navy Outlet).  I put the PJ pants along with a packet of popcorn and movie candy from CVS in a little pink popcorn box from Party City and voila!

 

All in all, I think it was a slumber party success!  I'm kicking myself for not taking more pictures, but that is a sign we were all way too busy having fun.  It was so nice to spend an extended amount of time with everyone and just be relaxed and casual.  It was the next best thing to a girls getaway weekend which is super hard to do these days with babies and pregnancies.

Special thanks to my husband who we banished to the backyard with wine and cigars (I even accidentally locked him out at one point), made him go out on a wine run and was on Jack watch.  He definitely walked in on some very interesting conversations throughout the evening!

Jack: 10 Months!

 

 

 

 

 

Length:  30.5 inches

Weight:  22.2 lbs.
Head Circumference: 18.25 inches
Size 4 Diapers
Wearing 9 and 12 month clothing

Milestones this month:

• Getting better at holding onto things and standing
• Eating solids better like chicken, blueberries and sweet potato chunks
• Surviving your first sickness and ear infection...that lasted an entire month.  Lots of visits to your pediatrician and ENT. 
• Learning how to self feed
• Starting to pull-up
• You shake your head back and forth when we say "no", clap your hand when we say "yay," "good" or "bueno" and wave goodbye when we say "bye" or "adios"
• You also shake your head "no" when you are full and have had enough food

Things you like this month:

• Your new car walker
• "Happy" by Pharrell
• Being outside
• Clapping
• Dancing
• Sitting in the shopping cart at the grocery store
• Giving kisses
• Baby TV (don't judge)

Things you don't like this month:

• Being on your tummy
• Having anything touch your ear
• Getting out of the bath
• Getting "lotioned"

Special memories this month:

• Your first Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day
• Surviving a girls sleepover at our house...I can't believe how hard you sleep!
•  Learning to give hugs, kisses and reaching our for people

Dear Jack,

I'm writing your 10 month post a little late (yet again).  Just as I said in your 9 month post that you are finally getting over being sick, you are NOW truly finally getting over being sick.  You are currently on your fifth round of antibiotics and we just survived your first allergic reaction/hives scare.  You have been through the ringer, yet maintained your sweet, calm and happy disposition the entire time!  You have short little meltdowns that are just about always fixed with a song or appearance by Tucker.  Your dad and I know that you like to do things in your own time so we don't rush or pressure you.  Just yesterday on your first St. Patrick's Day you started feeding yourself out of the blue. 

 

No matter what kind of crap happens in our day (lately it's been work for both your dad and I) it all goes away as soon as we see you.  My favorite thing that you do right now is give us kisses on the mouth.  You will go from kissing your "friends" to biting them like a dog!  I keep telling you that I am the only girl you are allowed to kiss until you are 30!  

 

Love you so much baby boy!

 

Momma

And some outtakes...

 

Our Weekend

Hope you had a great weekend!  We had one of those "nothing to do, yet I'm totally exhausted" weekends. 

Friday -

I prematurely reported on Friday that Jack's ear infection was cleared up.  I should have known better than to type those words.  Jack woke up with a horrible rash Friday morning, but I slapped some steroid cream that we use for his eczema and within hours it was gone.  We had an appointment with his ENT about his ongoing ear infection and the verdict was - fluid still in ear so another round of antibiotics and a followup in 2 weeks.  Ugh!

After work and putting Jack to bed, Jason and I sat down to watch Catching Fire together.  Within 10 minutes Jason was passed out so I watched the movie with a side of snoring, but it was good!

Saturday -

Jack's rash was now full-blown hives.  We continued to watch him and give Benadryl.  My mom and I ran to Nordstrom so she could buy some bathing suits for an upcoming trip.  I took no part in this except to help her grab things.  We had lunch at Bistro N and ran into a sweet friend!  Jack tagged along so Jason could write a paper for school.  He was such a good boy during the entire shopping trip and lunch.  He even had two important firsts: his first taste of creme brulee (loved) and his first visit to Louis Vuitton (not impressed)! 

Sidenote: I can't say enough good things about the third floor women's restroom at the Houston Nordstrom.  There is a huge Mother's Lounge inside with a couch, cozy chair, changing area and private sink.  It makes shopping trips with a little so much more enjoyable.  Both times I've used it, I ended up chatting it up with other nursing moms which made the trip that much more enjoyable!  

Sunday -

And the hives were worse, covering his entire body and face.  More Benadryl and most definitely a trip to the doctor on Monday.  I went to Church by myself and left Jason and Jack at home.  The only reason I got my butt out in the rain by myself was because we hadn't been to church in weeks and I didn't want the congregation to send out a search party!  Jason was stressed about his paper and Jack just looked terrible.  Even though he was acting fine and the Benadryl was working I didn't want him to scare the other kids!

Quiet, relaxing Sunday afternoon?  Ha!  I spent the rest of the day doing laundry, grocery shopping, meal prepping for the week, making baby food (yes, Jack still eats purees), cleaning the house, organizing closets and playing with little man.  Jason had to run to the hotel for a few hours so it was just me, Jack and Tuck. 

Thanks for reading!  I hope my truly exciting weekend didn't bore you to death.  What did your weekend look like? 

Happy St. Paddy's Day

I hope everyone is having an awesome St. Patrick's Day!  You would think I was Miss Ireland due to all of the pictures.  I'm not even Irish!  Really it's two things: my love of celebrating (any) holidays AND my mom recently went to Ireland and brought us back lots of goodies.

 

Also, thanks to Instagram and Facebook, I'm majorly craving some Lucky Charms cereal!

Seasons Board with Shamrock by Home Grown

Matching Baseball Tees by SaSea Decor

Mini Shamrock Garland by Aidie's Hideaway

Cup Towel was a souvenir from my mom's trip to Ireland last fall

 



Jack's Tee and Bib - also a gift from Mimi's trip to Ireland

Moccasins from Freshly Picked 

 

Earrings - Kendra Scott

Scarf - another Ireland Souvenir

Five on Friday: Life Lately

I apologize for being MIA on the blog.  Being busy isn't an excuse as we are all busy.  I've just had to put the blog on the back burner for a minute while other things eat up my hours.  I'm happy to get back to a regular blogging schedule and share a few things (or five) that have been going on...

...Work.  My day job has taken a lot out of me lately.  Regular day to day stuff, but also emotionally as I overheard a coworker saying some really mean things about me.  We all survive and are better for it, but it was upsetting nonetheless.  Having to leave my baby to be at work everyday is hard enough without having to deal with drama. 

...Jack.  Four rounds of antibiotics and many visits to the pediatrician and ENT Doc and I'm thrilled to report that Jack's ear infection is cleared up!  The poor little guy has been dealing with this for over a month.  I'm so thankful that he is back to his happy, silly self. 

...Fun.  I've managed to make time for lots of fun too!  I hosted a fun girls night in slumber party, Jason and I saw Frank Caliendo at the Improv, celebrated my mom's birthday and attended Sarah's baby shower at Ousie's Table for her little girl arriving next month. 

...Planning.  Although I've been thinking about Jack's upcoming first birthday party since January, I just started to actually make some decisions and get the ball rolling!  I'm trying to remind myself to keep it simple and not get overwhelmed by all of the hype and perceived "must-haves" for a first birthday party. 



Fiesta Tassel Garland

...Reading.  I know I'm late to the party, but I'm finally reading Sparkly Green Earrings by blogger Melanie Shankle and it's so good.  There are so many things that I can relate to in it - I've highlighted half the book!

How I Became a Mother

I'm over at Houston Moms Blog today sharing my story of how I became a mother for our ongoing series on the topic.  See you there!