Day in the Life

Sometimes, when you are a stay-at-home-mom, people ask you what you do all day.  And most of the time, I have no idea.  So I decided I'd keep track of a day.  Obviously not all days are the same.  Sometimes the toddler goes rogue and refuses a nap.  Sometimes we actually leave the house (okay, most days we actually leave the house).  And the above picture is from a "go to church" day, which are completely crazy and have no schedule at all.  But this was a standard at home day.

6:30- both kids start stirring in their cribs.  I lay as still as possible and hope they will go back to sleep.  

7 - Toddler is officially up for the day.  Change diaper, play, say goodbye to John.  

8 - Baby wakes up.  Breakfast for everyone!  This involves gathering all of the food for myself and toddler, putting him in his high chair, and then settling in to feed baby while toddler and I eat.  

8:30 - put baby down for nap, clean up toddler and kitchen, read books with toddler

9:30 - baby wakes up.  He plays on the floor while toddler insists we read the Easter bunny book 10 times.  Just for the record, it's November.  Not Easter time.   

10 - fold laundry, talk to my sister on the phone, toddler watches neighbor tree get chopped down and helps sort socks.  He also helps unfold laundry that I have folded, but he really loves carrying it to his room to put away, and doesn't realize that he's messing it up.  

11 - make a few phone calls, trim everyone's nails

11:15 - baby takes second nap

11:18 - just kidding!  Wakes up and wants to eat.  

11:36 - nap two take two - success!

11:45 - lunch for toddler and me

12:30 - baby wakes up. 

12:35 - clean up toddler and kitchen

12:45 - FaceTime with niece

1:15 - toddler naptime

1:30 - start some laundry in the washer.  

1:45 - grumpy baby!  Snuggle him until he falls asleep.  I'm slightly worried he would wake up if I put him in the crib, and also just want baby snuggles, so I just hold him for this nap.  

3:15 - everyone is awake and crying and needs mommy right now!  Put baby down, go get toddler, situate everyone on the couch so I can feed baby and snuggle toddler.  

3:45 - read books and play

4 - put baby car seat back together after taking it all apart to wash.  (Note - realize I put the straps in wrong the next day when we are running late to go somewhere and I have to take the whole thing apart again)

4:30 - read a few more books, clean up a little bit

4:45 - baby needs to nap but doesn't want to! Naps get harder as the day goes on.  

5 - make dinner.  Baby in bouncy seat and toddler in high chair watch me.  Toddler desperately wants to help, but can't be trusted with a hot stove!  

6 - John gets home and everyone is happy.  He and toddler eat dinner.  I feed hungry sleepy grumpy baby.  

6:30 - I eat dinner while John plays with the kids. 

7:45 - baby falls asleep.  We are at that stage where we are not quite sure if this is a nap or bedtime.  

8 - toddler goes to sleep.  I go to take a shower.  

9 -  Baby wakes up!  Wants to eat and play for a little bit.

10 - Baby back to bed.  

Usually once both kids are in bed, we clean up the kitchen and the living room.  Sometimes we watch a show, but sometimes I'm just tired and it needs to be my bedtime, too!  It's pretty exhausting taking care of these guys, but I mostly love it!  I mean...

Family Birthday

This is what I wore for our family celebration of John's birthday.  I love this dress, even though it's maternity.  I'll probably just keep wearing it anyway, okay?  Cool.

I think we had a pretty good time for the birthday.  We went to dinner, and then came back to our house for presents and dessert.

We have this problem when getting dressed to go places.  I dressed myself and the baby.  John dressed himself and the toddler.  And we accidentally matched each other.  I don't want to be one of those obnoxiously matchy families, but it just happens sometimes.

Cardigan: Limited
Dress: Loft
Shoes: Target

Navy Gingham and Tan, Take Two

Do you ever have an outfit where the color combination seems perfect, but then the outfit itself just kind of falls flat?  That's how I felt about this outfit back in December.  So I tried the navy/gingham/tan combo in a different outfit and I think it is much better!  Maybe just because I love dresses so much, or that you can see a little more of the gingham shirt?  I think the belt definitely helps.

Anyway, I like this one better than the other one.

Dress: Loft Maternity
Top: F21
Cardigan: Limited
Tights: Target
Boots: Madden
Belt: Madden

Some Random Thoughts

Confession: this is a maternity dress.  I've quickly learned that you can be tall, or you can be pregnant, but if you happen to be both, retailers are not interested in creating clothes for you to wear.  This dress seemed fine the first time I wore it.  And then this time, it felt waaaay too short.  So I think it will have to fall into tunic status and only work with jeans or leggings from now on.

Can we also talk about chocolate brown?  Is this no longer an acceptable color in fashion?  I bought these brown tights, and then got them home and realized that I don't know if I have anything to wear with them.  I added a brown cardigan to my wishlist a while ago, and haven't seen any options around.  It seems like camel/cognac/oatmeal are taking over right now.

Dress: Younker's (similar)
Cardigan: Limited (similar)
Belt: Urban Outfitters (similar)
Tights: Target (similar)
Boots: Rampage (similar)

December

Welcome to December!  I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!  We spent a few days with my family in Indiana.  It's so fun when we can get together with them!

I feel like I should start putting a "date worn" disclaimer on all my posts, since I'm so far behind.  Just for the record, I wore this on October 22.  Way back when I was a twenty-something.

Cardigan: Limited (similar)
Dress: Limited (similar, similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Scarf: H&M (similar)
Shoes: Target (flat version)

Summer Book Challenge

This summer, I'm joining in on Megan's book challenge (details here).  These are the categories, along with my preliminary picks.  These might change, depending on what is available at the library.  

• 5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long.
• Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty  (356 Pages)
• 10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born.
• Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck (214 Pages)
• 10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn't finish the first time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use it for this category.)  
• Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America by Tanner Colby (320 Pages) I started reading this book a couple years ago, and it was interesting, but not "can't put it down" interesting.  I kept picking up novels instead, and then it was due back at the library before I could finish it.  I couldn't think of any other books that I haven't finished that I still want to read!    
• 10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore.   
• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (280 Pages)
• 15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times' Best Sellers List when you begin reading it.
• Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline   (278 Pages)
•  15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe.  
• The Wives of Los Alamos by Tarashea Nesbit  (240 Pages) - Currently reading this one.
• 15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the challenge. (Yes, you will have to wait until the first check-in to choose this book! So no one will be able to finish this challenge in only one month; sorry!)
• TBD, after the first monthly check-in.  
• 20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or “child(ren)” in the title. No other words will count—including kids, offspring, etc.—so please don’t ask. :)  
• Cinderella Ate My Daughter  (244 Pages) or The Memory Keeper's Daughter  (401 Pages) - These are the only 2 books on my to-read list with son, daughter, or child in the title, so I'll pick one of them. 
• 20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014.  
• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper  (352 Pages)
• 25 points: Read a book written by a blogger.
• Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened (384 pages)- Currently reading this one. 
• 25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir. 
• I Don't Know What You Know Me From: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer (256 Pages)
• 30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles.
• Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen (317 pages)
• A Good American by Alex George (400 pages) - I might change my mind on these, but they were the first antonyms that jumped out at me from my to-read list.

Let me know if you have read any of these books, and if you'd recommend them or not, or if you have other suggestions for what books I should read for each category.

Cardigan: Limited
Shirt: J.Crew Factory
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Payless

April Snow & Flowers

Friday is here!  And if everything has gone according to plan, I'm on my way to Minnesota for the weekend.  My cousin is getting married this evening, and then I have a date with the Mall of America tomorrow.  I'm pretty excited for the various weekend plans, but I could do without the expected 8-13 inches of snow!  Come on, Minnesota!  Oh wait, Nebraska is also getting snow.  Come on, Midwest!  Let's get this spring started! 

In an attempt to encourage spring's arrival, next week, I'm teaming up with Brynn and Kate to pretend it is spring, even if it is still snowing.  That's right, another theme week!  We'll be posting floral outfits throughout the week, and you can join in as many days as you want!

Cardigan: Limited
Chambray: J.Crew Factory
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Target

More Orphans Combined

My plan to wear closet orphans is kind of haphazard.  You don't mind, right?  Good! 

I love this skirt, but I apparently forgot about it when it got cold.  And I don't think I've even worn these boots at all this year.  Yep, the evidence shows it has been almost a year!  Hopefully that evidence doesn't mean we will have snow in late March this year.  I bought these tights in November, and haven't worn them at all.  And guess what?  They ripped about halfway through the day, so this is also the last time I will wear them.  Fun patterned tights do not play well with my fingernails.  I need to give up.  And this fun sequin/leopard top needs to get more action in the outfit rotation. 

Anyway, I really loved this outfit.  It felt very "me."  Apparently animal print, a bright color, and a cardigan are my staples.  That sounds about right. 


Cardigan: Limited
Top: Chaus
Skirt: Gap
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Rampage

Million Dollar Quartet

On Friday evening, I went with my MIL and SIL to see Million Dollar Quartet.  This is what I wore.  This dress is one that I love, but wasn't quite sure if I'd be able to wear it in the winter.  Then I bought these tan tights.  I'm still not sure how I feel about them, but I like this dress quite a bit, so I'm glad I get to wear it.

The show was pretty good.  A lot of fun oldies songs that I recognized, but I don't think I quite caught all the jokes.  The older people would crack up, and I would look at my sis-in-law and shrug.  We just aren't all that familiar with 50s pop culture!  The Elvis actor was really great.  I thought the Johnny Cash guy was a little disappointing, but I was probably unfairly comparing him to Joaquin Phoenix.  Anyway, it was a fun way to spend my Friday evening.

Dress & Cardigan: Limited
Belt: Gap
Necklace: F21
Tights: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Literary Junkies!

I just realized it has been over a year since the Literary Junkies book club started. Time flies when you're nerding out about books, I guess.  We just finished chatting about Safe Haven.  Here are this month's questions:

1. If you could write a book, what would it be about?

Ummm, I don't think I could stay focused enough to write a novel.  I'd probably write a memoir-type book of short stories about things I've experienced.  And I don't know who would read it.  Probably my parents.   

2. If you had to read one book or trilogy for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I reject this question. I don't like to re-read books, so I have no idea. 

3. Who is your current favorite book character and why?

The first character that popped into my mind is Pat from Silver Linings Playbook.  I just loved his way of describing things.  Even though he was a little (lot) crazy, he was still sweet.   

4. Is there a book you read every year during the holiday season? If so, what is it and why?

No, I don't really re-read books.  

5. Do you have any books on your Christmas list? Name a few.

No, I'm a library girl.  I don't like to own too many books. I'm out of shelf space and they are a pain to move! 

6. What is a book you read and loved that you didn’t expect to?

How about 7?  The Harry Potter series.  I resisted reading them, because I thought they sounded stupid.  I finally gave in this summer and really liked them. 

So, have you read any good books lately?  I have about 50 pages left in Me Before You, and I'm getting nervous that it will make me cry!  

Cardigan: Limited

Tee & Shoes: Gap

Long Necklace: F21
Short necklace: gift

Jeans: Old Navy

Popular Pinterest Inspiration

I think every single blogger has worn some version of this outfit.  I actually wore this for what should have been day 16 of TOPIO (passing on the belt from day 15), but then I realized I had already passed along everything else in this outfit, so I changed my plan.

After wearing this, I bought a more "camel" colored cardigan, and some new cognac boots, so I'll probably be wearing a different version of this outfit before too long.

Linking up with Heather today for Pinned it& Did it!

Scarf: H&M
Dress: Ann Taylor
Cardigan: Limited
Belt: Old Navy
Boots: Steve Madden

Throwing Leaves

So many things to discuss today!

• I'm passing along the cream boyfriend cardigan.  I bought it at The Limited on my birthday and want to wear it every day, so it just made sense.
• Leopard week continues with this H&M scarf.  
• Halfway through the day, I changed my belt and shoes.  So, here's a little bonus outfit.  You'll be seeing more of these shoes later in the week. 

• When taking outfit pictures, John was very inspired by the leaves on the ground, so he started throwing them at me.  It was pretty awesome.  I had to make a collage:

Oh, and I'm starting a new weekly collage for TOPIO.  Mostly because iPiccy runs out of collage options between the ranges of 5-9.

Dress: Gap
Scarf: H&M
Cardigan & Belt: LImited
Boots: BareTraps

Leopard Week - Skirt

Monday already?  The weekends always go by too quickly.  This particular weekend was spent mostly watching season 2 of Downton Abbey.  I finally caught the cold that has been going around, so figured it was best to rest up!  I think/hope that I am on the mend!

Now for the fun stuff - it's officially Leopard Print Week!  By officially, I mean that I just made it up, but Brynn is in on it too, so it's pretty legit.  We'll be hosting a linkup on Friday for everyone to share their own looks.

And I'm still doing the Take One, Pass It On challenge.  Today's "passed on" item is my boots.  You'll be seeing a lot of them this winter. 


Top: Gibson&Latimer
Cardigan: Limited
Skirt: J.Crew Factory
Boots: Steve Madden via DSW