Thoughts for Thursday

It's true Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani are dating! Think there was anything scandalous behind closed doors?

If you have a little boy in your life who loves Minecraft this sweatshirt may make their favorite gifts list.

I am oddly interested in Justin Beiber's new album - only to try an figure out what songs are about Selena. Yes - I also realize I am way too old to care/know about these things.

Tell me you have seen Bat Dad? It makes me laugh every single time.

Happy Friday eve!

14

The Little Things

Do you ever find yourself thinking about what if something happened to me? Would my spouse know to do the following things in my absence? It's just little things, but stuff that I always make sure to do.   Like would he know to always squirt all of the water out of the bath toys after every bath? Would he know I have a special air dry only custom button programmed for all her blankets? Would he remember to buy a special Christmas ornament every year for her?

And while all that is incredibly non big picture stuff it got me thinking about the big stuff. How you can have all these dreams and hopes for their future but truly they are the ones in charge of it. You simply lay the foundation and hope they build a solid house on top of it.

You hope they are strong but kind. Level headed but passionate. That their moral compass points somewhat due north. Graceful, generous and grateful...just to name a few.

It just got me thinking that raising her will be my greatest challenge with the largest reward. What a gift to be given.

What's a little something you always do that you that your spouse may not know about?

crib sheet

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I've been thinking...

I've been thinking...of doing a "Salad September" and then it was the 2nd and I was over that idea.

I've been thinking...of purchasing a new lens. So I did.

I've been thinking...about purchasing a round beach towel. Random but I really want one.

I've been thinking...about how to raise P to always know her worth and never settle.

I've been thinking...about marriage and how it's hard work and how it's almost taboo to talk about it when it's hard.

I've been thinking...about buying a large piece of artwork and switching up our family room.

I've been thinking...that I wish we had this pack and play. It's expensive but one pop up sounds so convenient.

I've been thinking...that being a mama has changed me so much for the better and I love my family more than anything <3

Lots of thinking I tell ya!

8

You Win Monday

Yesterday just sort of...sucked.

I got into an argument out of frustration with David.
P fought me on bedtime for two and a half very long hours.
I never took Finn for a walk.
My clothing is still in the dryer...from three days ago.
Dishes are unwashed in the sink.
It was also high of 104 degrees today.

heat. cranky toddler. cranky gimpy husband. cranky mama = not so happily Parkers

Luckily tomorrow is a new day - and not to worry, about half an hour before yesterday ended I discovered this shirt from Old Navy. Even though P needs more clothing like I need third eye (although that could be helpful) how can I not scoop this up for her?

You win Monday.

See and then I upload an older photo of her and I totally forgive her for those last two hours.

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Currently

watching...P go crazy on the monitor. Some nights she goes down so easy but most nights it's a battle.  If I don't get her right into bed once those eyes are being rubbed I know I am in trouble.

reading...nothing at the moment. My sisters are both hooked on the Outlander series so I think I may read the first book. Anyone read it?

crafting... a felt garland for P's teepee! I just got the shipment notification yesterday that it's on its way to me! I am so excited, how the heck am I going to not bust it out before August I don't know!

anticipating...Orange is the New Black season 3! Just watched another trailer yesterday and it looks so good! Love that show and love that my husband will actually watch it with me.

needing...a new skincare routine. I don't know if it's from being pregnant but my skin has decided to not be so kind to me. I think a trip to the spa for a facial is in my future. What do you guys swear by? I tend to have dry spots and those are what is perplexing me most.

listening to...this song. (<3 makes me cry every time!!)
excited for...my sister is coming to visit in two weeks and we are so excited to hang out! I haven't gotten to see her since my trip down to southern California while on maternity leave!

loving...my husband made my first Mother's Day so special. We had such a great day and he even bought me a gorgeous bracelet to represent P since he could never find anything he liked the day she was born. It is perfect and I am going to treasure it for years to come!

realizing...that David may have no idea how to work my camera but as long as I set all the modes he can still take a pretty great photo!

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The Makers

Do you ever look at people who have started their own companies and think "how did they do it"? Like the inventor of Spanx, the girls behind Sugar Paper or heck the Nordstrom family? Lately I have been sort of stuck in a rut. We all know how much I talk about wishing to stay home with my daughter and while that still rings true, it does't mean I don't want to be "working" in some way (other than the very obvious hard work of being a SAHM). I recently purchased Joy Cho's book Oh Joy! and was feeling inspired.

Then it sort of dawned on me while I was crafting away on a Friday night that that is exactly what I like to do. Sure I was prepping stuff for P's first birthday (in August, I know I am crazy) but I really enjoy making and creating. The process, the supplies, the doing. I do it for me, while doing it for others.

I think that is why I enjoy taking photos so much because it feels like a craft. I swear each time I pick up the camera I figure something else out about it. How to tweak something just a smidgen to take a better photograph.

So while I am at my desk today daydreaming of a craft room full of fake flowers and felt I'll keep thinking about how to turn my makings into doings.

What do you love to do for yourself?

10

Pulitzer & Privacy

I feel like once I say this next thing I am going to get some mean comments...but you guys I don't get it.

I don't get the Lilly Pulitzer obsession.

Is it because I am on the west coast? Because I understand the obsessions with monograms, but Lilly? I'm just kinda clueless. I mean it's cute, it's bright - holy heck it's patterned.

I went to Target to browse it. (By it I mean all of maybe 12 items left in the store) and sure I bought two little things for P. This dress and these shorts (the shorts are freaking cute) but I still was questioning why I needed them. Then I was turned off of it when I saw it all over Instagram and eBay being up sold. Why are people so damn greedy?

Here is the kicker (something I actually learned in college). Target very PURPOSELY does not carry enough product during a limited release of anything. (Think black Friday, think new Xbox, think Frozen) This is because all they want is for you to get to the store. Once you're at the store, even if everything of what you wanted is sold out, you will still purchase items. Think around the holidays, you promise your daughter a Frozen Elsa costume. Odd...none in stock. So you purchase something else to make up for not having the Elsa costume. Then when it eventually comes back in stock (because it usually does) you will return to the store yet again to purchase it. See how they win there? Supply purposely does not meet demand in hopes that you will buy MORE.

Anyways that's just a mini rant there is a far more important blog you should read today and that is Stephanie's talking about protecting our littles on the internet.

I share by nature. It's who I am. But being public and being public on the internet is scary. While I always will share photos of my life. I think it's important to reassess every once in a while how much is too much. My photos from here on out will be watermarked in hopes that they will never be stolen or used without my permission.

I love having a sneak peek of other people's lives. How they dress their children. The birthday soirees and adventures they plan. I find so much inspiration from other mama's. And because I try and always see the good in the world I will continue to share my family in the same way - just with a little added protection.

Just a little food for thought on this Monday morning.

Lilly lovers don't hate me...

18

Four

Since today's post is a late one I am jumping on the bandwagon of Emily, Shelby, Ally & Natalie!

4 nicknames:

Blee
Nai (pronounced Nay)
Biz
Laur

4 jobs I've had:

Sales Associate at Baby Gap (Ahh foreshadowing of my favorite baby store?!)
Nanny
Sales Associate at a sunglass kiosk (wtf was I thinking?)
Commercial Property Management

4 movies I've watched more than once:

Dirty Dancing
The Notebook
Knocked Up
How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days

4 things in my purse:

A toy of P's
Loveswept perfume
a (now empty) box of jujubees
sunglasses

4 books I would recommend:

The Other Boelyn Girl (My fav!!) If you're into things like Dowtown Abbey you will love this book!
The Girl on the Train current read for book club and really liking it!
Two Kisses for Maddie you can also read Matt's blog HERE. He doesn't update it all that regularly but you will find some gems in his old posts.
A Dog's Purpose every dog lover needs to read this book!

 4 cars I have owned:

1993 Green Honda Accord (Named Turbo)
1994 Red Toyota Celica (Named Roxy)
2002 Red Honda Accord (Named Val)
2013 White Toyota 4Runner (Named Betty)

4 places I have visited:

Italy
Hawaii
New York
Spain

 The gorgeous Na Pali coast in Kauai on our honeymoon

4 places to visit on my bucket list:

Africa to go on a safari (#1!)
Bora Bora
Tahiti
Southern Italy

4 of my favorite foods:

French Toast
Watermelon
Lasagna
Cheese

4 television shows I watch:

Nashville
Parenthood (Slowly getting caught up on Netflix)
The Affair (SO GOOD!)
Reality anything (sad but true those Teen Mom's are captivating for some reason)

4 things I am looking forward to in 2015:

Summer
Swim lessons I just signed up for with P!
Our annual 4th of July trip to Trinity
Hopefully at some point being able to stay at home

11

Stocking Indecision

My husband claims I am super indecisive and the only thing I can ever make my mind up about is breakfast (sunny side up duh!). For the most part he is right, especially when it comes to the following:

- What to wear
- What to eat for dinner
- Deciding what color/style I want something in

You all know my plague with dinner and having nothing to wear is every girls issue. However colors...man I sit so long in front of something just deciding which color to purchase. I am not one of those people who buy the same thing in multiple colors either. Which makes my color indecision all the more difficult.

This is a serious first world problem - I am aware. I also am aware that discussing Christmas stockings in the middle of October is just rude. Apologies on both fronts.

So help a girl decide...

Presley's Christmas Stocking

My issue : Me, David and Finn all have these ones

Which I am totally over but I am not going to go buy and monogram all new ones (this year at least). So logically I should get P a matching one right?

But I also like this one

and this one (which benefits St. Jude's!)

and this one

and my favorite is this one - except that I can't monogram it!! So that's out!

These are all from Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids, have any other suggestions of sites to visit? You know...just to narrow down my options.

21

Life Lately

Gorgeous sunsets (just ignore all those power lines ;)

Finn showing me what to do when it's go time.

Whipping up a batch of my pepperoncini's!

Getting one last mani (hopefully) before labor.

A very happy Finn at the park.

And wishing my very best friend a very happy, happy birthday!!

18

Life Lately

So here we are five days into my maternity leave prior to little babes arrival. Just some snapshots of what we have been up to while we wait for Presley to celebrate her birthday!

Puppy and bump snuggles. 

Lots of little clothing to wash!

Consuming ALL the watermelons!

A little DIY project!

And some indulgences :)

And here is a first world problem. I registered for and received this diaper bag that I love. 

But I went shopping with my mom at Macys and found this Marc by Marc Jacobs diaper bag for an unbelievable deal. It's regularly $298 but was marked down to $71 (crazy!). I also had a store credit so this cost me a whopping $33!

Problem is I really like both of them but feel silly keeping two. Which one should I keep? The Pottery Barn one has more pocket spaces but would be harder to clean. The Marc by Marc Jacobs one has exterior pockets and a cleanable outside.

Help a girl decide! 

I have a feeling I might just keep them both and alternate. 

Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend! 

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Things That Scare Me

...going under overpasses in the car. I used to have this irrational fear that a car would topple off the freeway and onto me. To tease me David used to drive super slow underneath them.

...birth (and I can't believe in less than 11 weeks this is a fear I will have to face)!

...horror movies. Although I love them and even if I have to watch in between my fingers I am still game.

...raising a child in a world that is so different from the one I grew up in. Why can't we just play outside until the streetlights come on anymore?

...when Finn barks in the middle of the night and David is on a work trip.

...one day when Presley will ask for my help with her math homework. #tutortime

...balancing being an amazing mom while also being an amazing wife. The more pregnant I get, the longer I am married I realize just how fortunate I am to have David. We're not perfect but he loves me and I love him - and with that well, damn, you can do a hell of a lot.

27

I'm Not That Girl

I am not the kind of person who...

...over analyses baby registry decisions. Does that make me a bad mom? Research just is not my thing and I trust that mini will be just fine. I chose our car seat because Nordstrom carries it as well...in Nordstrom I trust.

Maxi Cosi 'Mico AP' Carseat

...has ever thought about going paleo, gluten free, and god forbid sugar free.

...is with my husband 24/7. Girls need girlfriends people!!

...reprimands our dog. Boy can do as he pleases, this is his house and you're a guest.

Water from the fountain - have at it!

Need a pillow? Have mine.

Use our coffee table as a bed? Get comfy!

Sleep on our bed and take all the room? No Problem!

 
...ever grew out of watching cartoons. I am so excited to watch all those Disney movies all over again.

...pays full price for things.

...is early...to anything...ever.

...likes to cook. Dinner stresses me out and I hate planning and prepping it!

I am also guest posting on my girl Stephanie's blog, Newlyweds North while she is babymooning in Greece! Lucky duck!Come say hi!

26

Life Happenings

Whenever I see something that I own on TV or a celebrity has, I too feel like a celeb. Although it rarely ever happens it's fun to see that you have the same taste as people who have 20x's what's in your wallet. Case in point:

I am a huge fan of Jessie James Decker & her husband Eric Decker. They are such a hot couple and I love the way they love one another. So when she instagramed her family on Mother's Day I was pretty excited to see we chose matching carseat canopies :)

Like so excited I texted my friends I was excited haha!

And then just yesterday Hazel Krasinski makes her very own Instagram debut in none other than the outfit I plan on bringing Presley home in!

Ralph Lauren Baby Coverall

What can I say? We're fancy! Anyone else get excited about silly stuff like that?

In other news I have two awesome makeovers coming up. One is this highchair that I found someone had placed on the curb in our neighborhood. David was laughing at the thought of me pregnant cramming this into my two door car. All I can envision is the sweet little paint makeover this baby is going to get. Can't be beat for $0!

Secondly I was starting to stress about the dresser for the nursery. I needed something short as the room is small but was having a hard time finding anything on Craigslist. I have said it so many times on my blog but I honestly rather have my husband refinish something than purchase something new. He does such an amazing job as seen here & here. So when I inquiring about a dresser this woman was selling she emailed me saying it was sold. However she had another piece of furniture she was planning on painting and putting on CL next week. Enter this beauty.

Honestly it is perfection and exactly what I was looking for. I told her hold off on the paint and we picked it up last night. Those hepplewhite drawers pulls are to.die.for! I am so excited to have David touch it up and currently I am deciding between a white or a very light gray paint. Thoughts?

36

Life Lately

I either have a horrible case of allergies or I am on the receiving end of a cold yet again. No bueno! I recently read that a pregnant woman has a lower immune system so their bodies don't reject the baby. Which would explain why I have gotten a cold twice in three months. Suckage.

Not so sucky would be the sweet affection from my boy Finn. Honestly it makes me wonder how not everyone in the world has a dog. They really make life so much better.

Finn laying on Mini...I die.

In other good news I got my wedding band back a day early and since I was home sick yesterday I was able to pick it up right away. So $90 later my eternity band was back to going all the way around and that knockoff got shelved. I thought I could stack it on top but in comparison to my real band...it looks like what it is...a fake. Sorry babe looks like that "baby makes three" top stack still needs to be budgeted for ;) #pushpresent

Hope you guys all have a great day, it's supposed to be 93 degrees where I live today and well this ought to be a preview to summertime. Right now I love being pregnant - but remind me of this in July when I am much large and hotter! Speaking of I woke up yesterday to some of the hardest kicks yet! Still so surreal that women's bodies are capable of growing humans.

And another random side note have you guys seen this? That is terrifying and has me seriously rethinking a wireless monitor.

Another month gone and that means one month closer to baby girl!

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