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...

Forty Weeks

So these pictures are from the night before Baby2 was born.  We are talking like 10 hours before, if you really want to know.  I was exactly 40 weeks pregnant, and fairly sure baby wasn't coming any time soon.  We went out to dinner because I was not in the mood to cook anything, and since it was in the 90s all week, my number one priority was staying as cool as possible.  I honestly don't know how people survived without air conditioning!

When we got home, I figured we should take some pictures.  I didn't know these would be our last family pictures before Baby2.

Smiles!  

2 out of 3 smiles

Poor kid!  He didn't know his parents are about to flee in the middle of the night and come back with a baby brother!

Top: H&M Mama
Skirt: Old Navy
Sandals: Target

Weekly Hello

Checking in from the hottest June I can remember.  We just keep having these 90+ degree days, and I think I might die.  These pics are just from a week ago.  We went out to dinner for my SIL's birthday, and then came back to our house for presents and cupcakes and played Harry Potter Clue.  It was more complicated than regular clue.  John and I were a team because it only allows for 5 players.  We had a lot of trouble with our dice rolls, and doors being closed (one of the HP differences), so we only got to make 1 guess!  But we were still very good detectives and knew the person and the weapon, so I felt like we did okay.

I've been the worst at taking outfit photos.  I mean, I am pretty casual most days, but I get dressed nicer on Sundays and never remember to take pictures.  We also had a wedding about a week ago, and of course, I didn't get any pictures.  Poor second baby is already getting less documentation.

Plus it's harder to take pictures of myself when I have a little helper.  He is very very interested in the tripod and wants to knock it over.   Or he wants to go diving off the deck stairs, or find something dangerous to play with.  Punishment involves being featured in a picture.

Top: ON Maternity
Skirt: ON
Sandals: Target

Easter

When we planned our trip to Richmond, the best week to go happened to fall over Easter weekend.  Sunday ended up being kind of cold and rainy, but we still had a great day.  We went to church, had a delicious lunch, and then an indoor Easter egg hunt.  The kids found all but 3 eggs, and the grownups couldn't remember where else we had hidden them, so I suspect my sister will find them someday.  Then we put some cheerios in bigger eggs for Mr. Baby and hid them in the middle of the room.  He loved it!  Of course, he was more excited about shaking them to make fun noises than opening them to eat the treat, but that's okay.  Plus he got a big chocolate bunny which I graciously volunteered to eat for him.  

My niece was coaching me on model poses during outfit picture time.  I think I should listen to her advice more often, because I look SO COOL.  

And then I convinced her to join me.  It wasn't very hard.  

And then we lured everyone else out (except my brother-in-law) for some more pictures.  

Cousins!

Girl picture

Smiths

My dress is from Bella Gravida.  It was definitely my most favorite item when I was adding things to my wish list, so I was pretty excited when I got the notice that I'd be receiving it just in time for Easter.  It fit kind of weird up on top, but nothing too noticeable.  I was hoping it would be perfect and I could wear it to my other sister's wedding in May, but alas, it was not.  My search for the perfect maternity dress continues.  It's frustrating, because you can be tall, or you can be pregnant, but good luck if you are both!  

Cardigan: JCF
Dress: ASOS via Bella Gravida

Shoe: Old Navy (similar)

Doctors and Duck Ponds

I wore this a couple weeks ago for my big exciting ultrasound.  John and Mr. Baby came with, and then they went and ate lunch at the duck pond nearby while I had my appointment.  And then I got lunch and found them.  Incidentally, these shoes are not that comfortable for walking around a duck pond.  

Ultrasounds are so weird and so incredible.  We got to see Baby2 doing all his crazy moves, and he stubbornly kept his legs in front of his face so our 3D face  pictures look like he has toes growing out of his forehead.  The tech assured us he doesn't. 

FYI, I won't be posting any ultrasound pics.  I guess I just feel like photos taken of the inside of me shouldn't be on the Internet.  Even though u/s pics pretty much all look the same!  

Jacket: JCF

Tank: ON maternity

Skirt:   Via Bella Gravida

Shoes: ON

Currently March

This is what I wore a couple Fridays ago when I actually had 2 events to attend in the same evening!  What?  I rarely have plans on a Friday anymore, much less 2 things.  Anyway, I stopped by a "going away" happy hour for one of my old co-workers who is switching jobs, and then I went to a friend's house for Bible study.  It also happened to be one of the warmer days of February, so I was happy to wear flats instead of boots and let my ankles breathe a little bit!  

But now it is March, and hopefully we will have more and more of those days.  And it's also time for the Currently link up with In Residence and Dearest Love.


wishing I was on a beach somewhere!  The whole "on this day" feature of Facebook reminds me that this is the time of year I usually went on vacations pre-baby!  We were just getting home from a Caribbean cruise in 2010.  I visited my friend in Arizona in 2011.  It's a good think Mr. Baby is so fun!  
craving nothing specific.  Whether good or bad, I don't have crazy pregnancy cravings.    
going to visit my sister in Virginia later this month!  I'm so excited because we haven't gone to see them since they moved.  I've never been to Richmond, and have heard there are so many cool things to see and do.  
wearing lots of jeans and t-shirts, hence the sporadic outfit posts.  I'm firmly in the maternity jeans camp now.
learning how to organize my days better.  I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of this sahm thing, at least most days.  I'm trying to get Mr. Baby on a schedule so it will be easier to plan our days.  You know, just in time for baby2 to arrive and completely shake things up.  

All in all, things are pretty good!  I'm just looking forward to spring, but I'm sure I will complain about the warm weather when my ankles are swollen this summer!  

Cardigan: Gap
Tee: Loft
Jeans: ON Maternity
Shoes: ON

Errands Outfit

Well, happy Friday!  Here's a super casual outfit that I wore for running errands the other day.  This is a sweatshirt from LeTote, which I really like, except why the 3/4 sleeves??  I just don't know what kind of weather would make a 3/4 sleeve sweatshirt necessary.

Also, vests.  I really don't get winter vests.  If I need a coat, I want it to have sleeves, thanks.

Sweatshirt: LeTote
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Converse

Winter Floral

Oh hey, it's this dress again!  I just really love it, so I'm pretty much wearing it any time I need to dress up.  Or any time I can get away with dressing up.  This was for a friend's baby shower last weekend.  It's hard to believe that less than a year ago, I was having baby showers and opening presents that I had no idea would become daily necessities!  And now everything my friend opened I was like "aah!  You will use that all the time!!" Okay, crazy mommy Andi, just calm down a bit.  

Plus, I was just excited to wear my hair down, since Mr. Baby stayed home to have father son bonding time with John.  

Cardigan: JCF (similar, similar)
Dress: Loft (exact)
Belt: Madden (exact)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Off to See the Wizard

Last week, I went to see the Wizard of Oz musical.  It was so much fun.  The crazy thing was people kept saying "oh, I didn't know Wicked was in town!" and I had to explain, "No, just the regular old fashioned version where good is good and bad is bad!"  

Fun fact: even though I am from Kansas and generally love musicals, I have only watched the Wizard of Oz movie in it's entirety one time.  I had never seen it until I was in high school and had my wisdom teeth out.  I got to rent movies to watch all day and I grabbed it from the grocery store video rental place.  Remember when that was a thing?  So that's the only time I have seen it.  There was an occasion in college where some friends tried watching it with Dark Side of the Moon synced up, but we stopped after about 15 minutes.  It was just weird.  Although, the munchkins dancing to Money was pretty cool.

Another fun fact: people think it's funny to call you Dorothy and say "we're not in Kansas anymore" when they meet you and find out you are from Kansas.  If you meet someone from Kansas and want to make this joke, just be warned.  They have heard it a million times and probably don't think it is funny.

Anyway, the show was great, and I was happy for another excuse to dress up a little bit.

Cardigan: JCF (exact in various colors)
Necklace: F21 (similar)
Dress: Loft (exact - on sale and extra 40% off!)
Belt: Madden (exact)
Boots: Madden (exact)

Currently December

First Wednesday of the month means it is time to do the Currently linkup.  Go check out In Residence and Gold and Bloom.

wishing - that it wasn't quite so cold outside.  I am not a winter person, and with a baby, it's even worse!  I'm worried we will be staying home a lot during these cold months.  
remembering - last year around this time we were just starting to plan the nursery and figuring out what to register for.  And I hadn't told the blog that I was pregnant yet!  It's crazy how quickly time has gone!
wrapping - nothing yet!  I just started my Christmas shopping yesterday.  I honestly don't even think I have any wrapping paper.  Better buy some.  
baking - this again?  I don't really bake much, okay!  Or maybe I should edit my first category to "wishing I was baking chocolate chip cookies"
decorating - again, oops!  Nothing so far.  We need to get the Christmas box out of the storage closet and make our house somewhat festive!  

So I looked up my Currently post from last December.  Not much has changed!  I hadn't wrapped anything yet then either!  

And since I've been the worst at outfit pictures (or really outfits) recently.  Here are a few family photos from Thanksgiving.

*Mr. Baby is a bit of a drooler these days, but he's still pretty cute.  

Thanksgiving Eve

Here's this fall floral dress again.  I would wear it every day if I had a reason to.  I actually wore this outfit a couple weeks ago for a Veteran's Day celebration at my MIL's elementary school.  I was overdressed, as usual.  

Anyway, happy Thanksgiving eve!  We are staying in town this year and celebrating with the Smith side.  It should be a pretty nice day hanging out with the family.  

I hope everyone has a lovely day celebrating with family and friends and not getting too caught up in Black Friday sales.  Every year, I say I won't go out, and I usually end up going somewhere.  I think Mr. Baby will be a good influence on me staying away from the stores!  

Dress: Loft (exact - on sale and extra 40% off!)

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)

Belt: Gap (similar)

Boots: Madden (exact)

Long Week

This week seemed like a month, and I don't really know why.  Probably because Mr. Baby has his first real cold and has been miserable the past couple of days.  He generally sleeps pretty well, but the last 2 nights have been rough.

In other baby-related news, did I mention Mr. Baby has started eating food?  It's ridiculous and messy and lots of fun.  The other day, he had pears and carrots (parrots) for lunch, and then squash and carrots for dinner (squarrots).  I'm having way too much fun inventing words.  Today, he ate prunes, which look alarmingly like barbecue sauce.  When we finished, he sort of looked like he just ate some ribs.  Which would probably taste much better.  Anyway, I'm going to feed him sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, because it seems like the festive thing to do.

The outfit is from October.  I liked this top enough to wear it twice before sending it back to LeTote.  Remember you can get $25 off your first month if you sign up using my code.  And I really want you to, so I can get $15 off my next month!

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)
Top: LeTote (similar)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes:Old Navy (similar)

Blogiversary Quatro

Has it been 4 years already?  I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed that I've kept this up so long.  Anyway, I figured it would be a good time to share my new favorite dress. I picked this up at Loft last week to replace the birthday sweater that didn't fit right.  You know, not that I needed a new dress, but isn't it pretty??  And I've already worn it twice!

Dress: Loft (exact - on sale and extra 40% off!)
Jacket: JCF (similar)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Box Clothes

Sometimes, I'm like "hmm, what should I wear to such and such event?" and lately my husband is like "just wear some of your box clothes!" I guess he's catching on to the idea of LeTote.

I actually got this top in a recent tote, but it was too tight across my chest, so I didn't end up wearing it.  Then I requested it in the next size up in my next tote, because I thought it was pretty cute and wanted a chance to wear it.  It was still a smidge tighter than I would have liked (seriously, they expect you to be very flat!), but I wore it anyway.  Spellcheck is mad about smidge.  Is that not a word now?  Am I just making things up?

Cardigan: Gap factory (similar)
Top: LeTote
Jeans: Gap (exact)
Shoes: Target (similar)

Dog Sweater

A few years ago, there was a similar dog sweater at Old Navy that I almost bought.  I think every blogger had it. But it didn't seem like the type of thing I would wear often enough to justify buying.   So I was kind of excited when LeTote sent me this one, but kind of disappointed because I really want the giraffe sweater instead.  Oh well, maybe next tote.  

I wore this for a recent Friday night dinner with my 2 favorite guys.  It was a big moment for Mr. Baby.  First time sitting in a restaurant high chair.  He's growing up too fast!  

Sweater:  LeTote (similar)

Jeans: Old Navy (similar, similar)

Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Flare and Hair

These are my new jeans, and I'm kind of loving them.  Except that I'm sure the hems are going to be shredded soon because they drag on the ground when I wear flats, which is almost always.

I've also figured out that I feel fat in pictures when my hair isn't down.  I'm sure it's something about proportions. When my hair is down, it's big, so the rest of me looks smaller, maybe?  But if I'm doing anything with Mr. Baby, I can't really have my hair down, because he thinks it's a toy to pull on and try to eat.  So I guess I better get used to my hair being up!

Sweater: H&M (similar)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Papa Troll

This outfit is a pretty good example of my mom uniform.  Which was also a pretty good example of my not-a-mom uniform, so I guess what I'm saying is moms are also regular people when it comes to outfits.  Or I've always dressed like a mom.  Who knows.

And now for a random story that is not entirely related to anything.  One of my friends has a 3 year old boy, and was filling me in on the TV shows he is obsessed with.  She was explaining how he LOVES "Papa Troll" and I was imagining some kind of Frozen spin-off with this guy.  But then as she described the show, it became clear that there are no trolls in it at all, but rather dog policemen and firefighters.  Paw Patrol.  Sounds the same as Papa Troll, but I really think my idea is cooler.

Cardigan: JCF (exact in various colors)
Tee: Loft (similar)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

Fall Florals

When this top arrived in my LeTote box, I thought it would be perfect with my white shorts.  But then fall randomly showed up, and it wasn't shorts weather anymore.  So jeans it is!  I just wore this for a day of running errands with my boy.  I really liked the look of this top, but it was a little too wide and short.

Top: LeTote (exact)
Jeans: Loft (exact)
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)

One Time in Class

Every week, Jimmy Fallon asks Twitter to share stories on a certain topic.  A recent prompt was "one time in class" and you were supposed to share something funny or embarrassing that happened.  I immediately thought of a few things, so I figured I could just write a whole blog post about it.  So here are a few embarrassing things that happened to me way back in the olden days when I was in school.  Pretty much 100% due to my general clumsiness.

• Freshman year of high school, I couldn't get the lid off my white-out pen.  Not one to easily give up when my classwork needed corrected, I pulled really hard and the whole thing broke in half, spraying white out all over me.
• In my college accounting class, I was playing around with one of those clicky pens, that has the spring inside.  Long story short, I accidentally shot my pen at the professor.  
• Same accounting class, during a test, we were sitting in the chairs where the desk thing swings up from the side.  Getting frustrated, I put my elbow up on the desk, and rested my head in my hand.  Desk became a catapult, and rocketed my calculator to the other side of the hall, landing at the feet of one of the well-known basketball players.         

So let this be a warning to you - watch out for school supplies that might break apart and/or fly across the room!

Top: JCF (similar)
Jeans: Jessica Simpson (similar)
Flats: Target (similar)

Oc-tote-ber

See what I did there?  That's because this outfit is mostly from my second LeTote box.  The top was my favorite item from this batch of things.  I also liked the necklace quite a bit, as did Mr. Baby.

I wore this to a little baby shower tea party on Sunday afternoon.  And I kind of matched the baby of honor's older sister, who is 3 and super cool.  We should have taken a picture!  If you are keeping track, that's the second tea party I've gone to this year, because I'm so fancy.    

Shirt: LeTote (similar in black)
Necklace: LeTote
Skirt: Loft (similar)
Bracelet: LeTote
Shoes: Old Navy (similar)