Book review - China Dolls

I've been reading a bunch of ebooks lately and the library ebook site recommended this one.  I had read Snow Flower and then Secret Fan (also by Lisa See) and didn't love it, but thought it was interesting and well-written.  China Dolls is set in the U.S. during WWII, so I thought I might enjoy it more.  I was right!

It follows three young women who are trying to become dancers in San Francisco's Chinatown, and become close friends (and rivals).  They each have unique struggles and secrets, and life gets more complicated as the war progresses.  

As usual, I don't want to give too much away, so I won't go into details, but I liked the story and the writing.  I'll probably look into other novels by this author..  

Wild Weekend

This is what I wore to church on Sunday.  The weekend was crazy but super fun!  My dad and nieces were on a little road trip and we were one of their stops!  The girls are ten and were so excited to meet their new baby cousin.  It was really fun to see them playing with him.  There's something special about a kid doing baby talk!  And of course it was wonderful for my dad to see him again.  

We mostly hung out at home and played cards or had dance parties, but we did a little shopping and went out to get sno cones!  I'm trying my best to still be a good aunt even though I'm also a mom.  

We miss them already!!!

Top&skirt: Loft

Sandals: target

Time Flies

This summer is going so fast!  I can't believe it has been 2 months since this guy was born.  People ask me what it is like being a stay at home mom, and if I get bored or miss my old job.  Honestly, I've been so busy that I haven't had time to even wonder.  Life has been filled with figuring out how to be a parent, family visiting, all the doctor's appointments for baby and me (not to mention dentist and eye doctor), busy weekends with weddings, birthdays, wedding and baby showers, and then the 4th of July!  I've tried to squeeze in some lunches with friends, because I didn't want to completely disappear into mommyhood.

The rest of July is going to continue being wild, too!  My dad and nieces are coming to town tomorrow for a quick visit.  Then all of the Smith extended family will be rolling into town for my sister-in-law's wedding next weekend.  They are all pretty excited to meet the baby!  And we are pretty excited to see everyone!

Top & shorts: target

Sandals: Santana via DSW

Book review- A Wrinkle in Time

This is one of those books that everyone read as a kid, but somehow I didn't.  I read a lot when I was in elementary school, but managed to miss several of the books that normal kids have to read in school.  As an adult, I figured I should read some of these books.

I honestly had no idea what A Wrinkle in Time was about.  I think I had it confused with Rip Van Winkle?  Wrinkle=Winkle?  I don't know.  

Anyway, I liked the book!  It jumps right in with the story, which is fun.  It's definitely outdated and written for a younger reader, but I knew that would be the case.  

The best part was that the evil they are fighting is called "IT" which I'm sure is intended to be an ominous version of the word "it," but in my brain, I kept reading "I.T." Which made it kind of hilarious.  I was just imagining and evil Moss and Roy!  

I'm not going to jump at reading the rest of the series right away, but they are on my to read list now.  

Bachelorette Party

My sister-in-law is getting married in a couple weeks, so we've been busy with various celebrations recently.  This is what I wore for her bachelorette party.  

I just went to the dinner portion of the evening and then headed home, because it was past my new bedtime and because I was missing my kid like crazy!  Someday I will be away from him for more than 3 hours, but not yet.  

Here I am with the beautiful bride-to-be!  She's in high heels and I'm in flats, so we are almost the same height!  Have I mentioned that I'm a giant compared to the other women in John's family???

Necklace: lucky b boutique

Top: Gap

Skirt: Gap factory

Sandals: target

Father's Day

I'm so behind on posts!  It's hard to find time to blog these days.  Anyway, these are from Father's Day.  We met up with John's family for lunch after church and then to our house for a bit.  Everyone tells John "it's your first Father's Day!" And since we are smart alecks, we explain that he's been alive for many Father's days.   But I suppose they mean his first time as a dad celebrating the day.

And I'm very happy to celebrate him, because just a few weeks in, he's a pretty awesome dad.

Top: Gap factory

Cardigan: JCF

Shorts: Loft maternity

Sandals: Santana 

Currently July

While I was pregnant, all my currently posts were about preparing for baby.  Now he's here and I'm not much more interesting!  But I still like to play along!

• craving all the foods I let myself eat when I was pregnant, but now am trying to lose weight.  Like DQ cookie dough blizzards.  Oh, and sleep.  
• grilling at other people's houses!  We actually don't have a grill at the moment, but I suspect this weekend will involve a few burgers at various gatherings.
• listening to lots of Jack Johnson.  The boy seems to like it, and it's a good tempo for dancing around the living room.  I just bought his newest album when I realized I didn't have it.
• planning well, I'm trying to plan each day and week to accomplish things and make sure we are moving toward some kind of schedule.  
• decorating nothing much.  I have a couple more projects that I need to finish for the baby's room.  One is a big canvas that I painted and want to add his initial.  The other is a shadow box of keepsakes from the hospital, like the hat he wore and or bracelets.  But free time is limited and usually prioritized with sleeping or showering!  

And because I'm very excited about it - Currently wearing normal shorts!!  I still can't wear most of my non-maternity pants/shorts, but these fit and I was happy to wear them.  

Linking up with In Residence and Dearest Love.

Tee: Loft
Shorts: Gap
Shoes: Sperry