Friday, February 28, 2014

Friday Favorites / / C + N

Cole  + Noelle 


Have a beautiful weekend.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

A Little Ball Of A Whole Lot Of Goodness

My niece was born yesterday. 


When I first saw her I thought two things, 1. She looks asian! and 2. Where'd all that dark hair come from? (Cole was a baldy). She's also tiny, 6 lbs and 13 ounces and 19 3/4 inches. 

Aimee was in active labor for 7 minutes and then pop! she made her debut.


Everyone wants to know how Cole is handling it. I think that's TBD. His world hasn't changed that much yet. He has been spoiled by both sets of grandparents these past few days so life continues to be normal for him. :p He's a bit young to fully comprehend what's going on but he does say, "sister" and understands that he has acquired the "brother" title. Time will tell.



She is just beautiful. Here she is on day 2 - a little less swollen and obviously really excited for all the photos her Auntie is taking of her.


When I was driving to the hospital, I was singing along to a song and raising my hands in thanksgiving to Jesus.

Praise the name, of the Lord, all my soul sings His worth.
All of life, join the song, come and lift up our King.
Holy, holy, worthy are you Lord. 
All the glory to your name forever.

All goodness and mercy is from our Father above. And that is exactly what she is, a little ball of a whole lot of goodness.

Oh, I almost forgot! She carries my middle name, Noelle Joy. What an honor!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The More You Know II

Josh and I have been reading a fair number of books on raising kids. I think our idea was to find out what was out there and then pick and choose what felt the best for us. I've come to believe that each home and parenting style is different and to each his own, since some things work for others and that exact same thing doesn't work for others.

Here are our favorite reads so far:

My sister gave me this book and said that another mom, whom I look up to in parenting, gave it to her and said this book is what she raised her children from. That alone lent it enough credibility since her and her kids are top notch. After reading it I can tell you this book has changed my perspective on motherhood and helped me to hone my own philosophy and course of thought and action as we begin this parenting journey. I would recommend it to every mother on the planet.

2. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - Marc Weissbluth
It seems this is a very popular among moms and reviewers on Amazon. Although, in my opinion, the book isn't that well written, I think the ideas resonated with me. We do see the benefits of helping to guide children to healthy sleep patterns (it affects their temperament, ability to learn, interact, and think/respond rationally!).

3. Mind in the Making - Ellen Galinsky
Josh found this one and he loved it (if not for the chapter of research studies backing up the studies alone). A lot of the concepts he had already been throwing around so it was good affirmation for him and for me. Small but significant ways that you raise your child will have a huge impact on their potential development in seven specific areas. I haven't asked him, but I would guess Josh would say this book has, so far, had the most profound affect on him.

4. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy - Mayo Clinic
Anything and everything you need to know about pregnancy and the year after birth. We found that there's a lot of information online and sometimes it's hard to decipher fact from fiction. This book cleared up all those questions. Plus, there's not much you can't find in here.

5. The Happiest Baby on the Block -Harvey Karp
Another widely popular train of thought in today's world. I haven't read it yet but it's on my list because "the more you know" I'm not sure how much we'll use this method but if we're having issues I doubt I'm gonna regret having this in my backup arsenal.

6. Bringing Up Girls - James Dobson
My friend told me about this book and I'm in the middle of it right now. TBD.

We have several others in our queue, but Josh and I would love to hear if you had any parenting books that have helped you. We are always looking to keep learning. As the popular slogan (and now me) used to say, "The More You Know".

Monday, February 24, 2014

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Josh still has a close knit group of friends from high school. The group has grown with the addition of wives and a husband and it's those ladies who generously put together a baby shower for us yesterday.




If you look closely, you might be able to read the names of the books. Can you tell they relate to the food item in front of them? "If you Give A Moose A Muffin", muffins. "Brown Bear Brown Bear", brown teddy grahams. " One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish", goldfish. So clever!

We also had a potato bar complete with sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, fresh sausage. YUM!

Everyone made a onesie and although the girls were much more, shall we say, "appropriate"..

The fact that the guys even did one was really hilarious and great too.

This group has been through relationship ups and downs, death, job changes, weddings, and now we are beginning the era of the babies. We are thankful for their consistency, open arms, and generous hearts.

We missed them while we were up north and it's nice to be back in the fold now that we are back. To life together!

Friday, February 21, 2014

Friday Favorites

Cole has a book of faces that goes through what emotions looks like. So now whenever you say, "show me the surprise face" he opens his eyes and mouth real wide. One time he even gasped. Silly kid. Here's the half hearted version he doled out while playing with his shovels.


One more for funsies. A big boy sitting all by himself in a booth. Where did the baby go?!

// web finds. //

beer bets can be dangerous.

the world and its possibilities are endless.

I'm really loving page 6 and 8.


have a sweet weekend friends.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

The More You Know

* If the word "breast" or "breastfeeding" sends you into a tizzy, makes you giggle and look around you as if you are being caught in the act of something naughty, or just makes your cheeks and ears redder than the target logo, I would suggest skipping this post.


I'm not sure what I was expecting when I signed us up for a breastfeeding class. All I know is I've heard so many awful stories about breastfeeding that I certainly wasn't confident in my ability to breastfeed. I know it's not for everyone, but both Josh and I would prefer that to formula feeding. Plus, it seems that there are a lot of non-scientific opinions out there from mothers who are adamant about this or that method working simply because it seemed to work for them. Now don't get me wrong, I'm glad it worked for them but a sample size of 2 kids isn't enough to convince me that her way is the "hands down the absolute reason this happens or than happens". With so much conflicting, non research based information out there, we wanted some concrete answers.

Believe it or not, we both LOVED the class.  The room was packed with equal parts male/female and it was three hours. I know, what the heck is there to talk about for three hours? But the content was great and the time flew by. A lot of fact vs. fiction, biological reasons for this, why this method doesn't work, why that food doesn't stimulate milk production, etc. We also learned about pumps, hospitals, nurses, the right way to burp, the right times to feed, the rough timeline of feeding changes through a baby's nursing days, how long it is recommended to breastfeed, the pros to breastfeeding, and ultimately how to breastfeed. We covered every possible breastfeeding aid out there, the problem with bottle warmers, the temps of milk, and how long they can actually last, how to store breast milk, the best way to defrost, and the ways you shouldn't defrost.

You may be thinking that a class is certainly nothing compared to the real thing. And I would agree. We don't know if we'll run into any of the common problems that new mom's face. But I think the key is even if it doesn't come easily, I'm not going to freak out and throw in the towel because now we know.

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In case you are interested, our class instructor was Wendy Haldeman, MN, RN, IBCLC from The Pump Station and we took the Intro to Breastfeeding class. Wendy is a gem (with the creds and smarts Josh needed) and I highly recommend her.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

TMI and TBD

Sorry, the week kinda got away from me. I'm still chasing it actually but I saw this and thought, "who would think this is as interesting as me?" So I had to share with my besties (that's you, duh).

21 Amazing Hotels You Need To Visit Before You Die. Here are the ones I feel like I would die at if I actually had to stay there.







The rest can be found here

A little TMI for you: tonight Josh and I are taking a Breastfeeding class. Yes, Josh is coming too...that was not a typo. They encourage couples to come together and as an enticement for the guys they offer cold beer. :) I'll tell you about it tomorrow (pictures TBD).

Monday, February 17, 2014

G O O D M O R N I N G !

The Allure of the Seas

Someone asked me how I was doing the other day and in a moment of weakness I told her the truth. I told her I feel like the Allure of the Seas (the largest cruise ship in the world). Have you ever noticed that pregnant woman in the movies (Jessica Biel in New Years Eve) and on TV (Jennifer Aniston on friends) throw those stomach's around like they weigh just a few ounces? Liars! In actuality, moving around now feels like getting the Allure of the Seas to dock - slow and steady, don't hit the sides, try not to back up it'll only make it worse.

Jessica Biel doing yoga at 9 mos pregnant in New Years Eve. -_-

If these last 5 weeks could go any slower.. It feels like everyone else who is pregnant is gaining ground/weeks on me. Like my cousin's wife is pregnant and every time she posts an "update" I'm like, "dang girl! you are practically about to have birth!" Even though logic reminds me that when I saw her in person she was only around 12 weeks so there's no way she has caught up to my 34 weeks. Or has she?

Also, it didn't help that the other day my grandma told me I looked like I was due before Aimee, even though she's due a month before me. I guess it's like George Bush eating a baby kitten (or so Google says).

This is what I got when I googled "exasperated images"

I hope this post hasn't 1. killed your Monday and/or 2. Made you never want to get pregnant because I know there's a little life in there and that makes it all worth it (at least that's what I keep telling myself :p).

Five weeks. The countdown has begun! 

Friday, February 14, 2014

Friday Favorites / / Happy Valentine's Day!

Babycakes is taking selfies like a tween and I just can't stand it.


/ / Wed Favs / /

10 Unforgettable Jimmy Fallon moments. Don't miss The History of Rap with Justin Timberlake. I was in stitches!

In honor of V-Day, I present to you the most expensive outrageous valentines day hotel packages.

I recently added #sochiproblems to my twitter feed and it's horribly hilarious. Seems like other, more credible, news sources are finding the same problems. Oh Russia... :p

Articles like this and moments like these make the idea of the Olympics so intriguing to me.


Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo, J

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The Awful Apathetic Olympic Disease


I have been largely absentee regarding the winter Olympics. Sorry about that if you are big into it. It's just anticlimactic for me since I've already read the results on twitter/online before it actually aired.

The other night was the first time I turned it on and although I enjoyed seeing the figure skating pairs my attention span was lackluster at best and I turned it off before Shaun White ate it and failed to medal because, well, because I already knew he didn't win.

Totally sad too since I love the Olympics. Has anyone else caught the awful apathetic Olympic disease?

Instead of spending hours glued to the TV, I've been reading a book that is changing, shaping, and molding my thoughts on motherhood. I thought I had a good base for who I was going to be as a mother, but this book is sharpening and clarifying the why's and the how's. I text Josh a portion of the book and said, "this is who I want to be as a mother". The fear is the inability to attain the goal but the hope is in knowing exactly who you want to be.

Tell you about it soon (along with all of the parenting books we have found helpful)!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

A Wistful Detour

This is my random swimsuit post in the middle of all this baby. I also realize that it's freezing in most of the nation but I couldn't help it. Anthropologie has some of the best swimsuits right now.








Their cover-ups are also noteworthy. 

If you aren't 8 mos pregnant, please do me a favor and grab yourself one of these beauties. And once you're on that amazing tropical vacation this summer, take a selfie and send it to me. It will be uplifting and crushing all at once. :p

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Baby Clothes > Adult Clothes

Baby clothes are so much cuter than adult clothes.

For her first fiesta :p

Those buttons, those pockets, that stitching! 

This knit sweater is everything.

And Josh said if we must have a tutu, he likes that it is blue. :p

Okay, finished with the cuteness overload. You can now continue about your day. :p

Monday, February 10, 2014

Two Families, One Common Denominator

On Saturday our parents brought together both of our families to celebrate the baby. It was so fun!

We played some games like this one where mom would ask a question and everyone had to pick either Josh or I. Looks like the majority thought Josh was the answer to this one. Maybe the question was who was going to get up in the middle of the night when the baby cries. :p heh.

Auntie Lori had faith in her nephew on this one. :p

Much to my chagrin we also played the inevitable "how big is her belly" game. Hilariously, my cousin Davy won. 

And one of the best things about the family shower was so many of our grandparents were able to make it. With the exception of my grams in Mississippi, they were all there, even Josh's from Northern Cal! 

I love this picture because you can see Josh's nametag, "daddy" and we have smiles on that match our insides. 

Baby girl, you are one lucky duck.

Tomorrow, I'll show you some of the cutest outfits we received. Happy Monday!

Friday, February 7, 2014

Friday Favorites

To say Babycakes has a healthy appetite would be a gross understatement. In fact, I would say that he could eat f o r e v e r, seriously. He'll never fail to saddle up to you if he hears a cracker box open or if he sees you eating something, even if he's already eaten his meal. 

Of course, who can resist those tiny little hands and those pleading eyes? 



/ / Web Favorites / / 


I would like one of these for the baby's room. Anyone have the skills to make one? :)


Have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

A Gloomy Outside And A Bright Inside

I haven't been feeling all that well these last couple of days. I think it's something I ate for dinner a few nights ago. bah!

Last night we had our young married's small group. We watched a video, then the guys and girls separated, and after a time of sharing we girls got down to praying for our husbands and our marriages. It was a rich time and I woke up feeling so grateful to have these women to pray with.

Also, Jenna brought homemade chocolate covered strawberries and brownies. Who doesn't like that?

Here's a roundup of screenshots I've taken from things I've liked in Instagram lately. Why, you ask? Just because, of course. :)



Hope your thursday is gloomy on the outside but bright on the inside. :)