A Day of Quotes

For some reason, today has been a day of excellent quotes -- I wanted to share them, along with some thoughts. Feel free to share your thoughts with me as well!

"In spite of the six thousand manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent and no one really knows anything. You just need a lot of love and luck- and, of course, courage." -Bill Cosby

Before you become a mom & even after you are a mom, books that will hopefully tell you all that you need to know, are referenced time & time again. I will say that from each book I've read, I feel that I have learned something, but as my friend reminded me on Facebook this morning,  most child care books are a 'one size fits all' and that is NOT the case for babies!

“Though I might travel afar, I will meet only what I carry with me, for every man is a mirror. We see only ourselves reflected in those around us. Their attitudes and actions are only a reflection of our own. The whole world and its condition has its counter parts within us all. Turn the gaze inward. Correct yourself and your world will change.” -Kirsten Zambucka

 I've always been aware that the company you keep IS a reflection of who you are or who you want to become. The people you associate yourself with do seem to speak volumes.  As a younger girl, I sure didn't take this to heart--I liked to think that "just because so & so is my friend but makes bad choices, doesn't mean I will." This situation was not the norm for me thank goodness, but I was naive to think that smart people don't judge. Well, we ALL do and the older I get the more I think about friendships, who I want to be associated with & what I want to become. I want to hang around positive people who also inspire me to do more & be a better person/mom!

Thank God for what you have and trust him for what you need.

Amen! I'm sure who this actual quote is from, but my friend Nicole had it as her facebook status. This is SOOO true and an awesome daily reminder, actually. Thank you for this, Nicole.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends!

 

Sittin' Pretty

How can each day with Mollie get more & more fun?! We played outside a ton this weekend, with temps in the high 70's.

Molls helped Matt plant his vegetable garden, she & I went downtown to Second Sunday on King St and Aunt Julie arrived in town!

Just a few fun pics from the weekend:)

I heart my new chair!!

Snugglebug on Mimi

Listening to the violinists play on King St

If you love Mollie's precious bird onesie & bloomers, as much as I do, they are from Too Cute! Our family friend, Connie makes custom baby/kids clothing and at VERY reasonable prices for quality work (note: this set is just $20!). She also has a 'Buy 3, get 1 Free' deal, which is perfect for monogrammed or appliqued burp cloths, bibs, onesies, etc for shower gifts!! *She can ship anywhere, too.

Friday Loves

Welcome to the new 'It's Friday, I'm in Love' series! Join Summer for her version & my inspiration, or Katie!

 I am coveting this cupcake maker!! Yes, I already have about 3 small & regular size cupcake tins, but I want THIS.

Mollie is now the proud owner of her own Adirondack chair! Of course in her most flattering color, Lavender:) We look forward to lounging together in the back yard in our own respective chairs.

Throw me somethin' Mister!!

If I couldn't be home for Mardi Gras at least I could indulge in the food! Matt made some yummy Jambalaya and thank you to Publix for the spot-on King Cake! Super close 2nd to the real deal in Mobile..

It's always a bit tough to leave your little one with a sitter, but this Activities Tracker can show you what you missed while away! Look forward to trying this out soon.

2nd Sunday on King is this weekend!! My sister Julie flies into town that afternoon, so we'll def be there. Yayy Aunt Julie!!  If you are in Charleston & have yet to experience 2nd Sunday, please do. This is another reason I adore this city, it really is. To have the hub of downtown closed to cars is brilliant. If only this would be EVERY Sunday:)

*If you go, don't forget to take advantage of the FREE PARKING in city garages, by printing this voucher.

Last but DEF not least... I entered my sweet sweet mom, Peggy, into a contest called 'Mom's Slice of Paradise' through a local radio station Y102.5 and SHE WON!!!!! I attended an event they held, did a 30+ second video clip on the spot there about how wonderful she is, they uploaded it on their website and then we had to get out the word to vote! I sent emails to a ton of friends and family friends who adore mom and yep...they think the same as we do --she is the BEST mom and most selfless person I know.

The package included a hot tub from Paradise Pools & Spa, $750 credit to Window World of Charleston and fabulous, pampering gifts from Carolina Girls and $250 to Carolina Hair Designs. 

Thank you to everyone who voted!!!! Cannot wait to surprise her with this!!! :) 

Hope everyone has an awesome weekend --look forward to getting out & enjoying the 70+ degree weather!!

Mollie & Da-Da night away

A guest post from Matt!!!!

With Leigh Ann having a weekend full of activities, I decided to take Mollie up to Surfside Beach to visit Poppy and Gigi.  I've had the day w/ her solo, but never a full night away.  I'm sure there was some nervousness all around.  She could not have been more pleasant or easier, thank goodness  On the drive up, you would have never known she was even in the car, of course that all goes with the timing (of eating). We arrived into town, stopped off at the soccer store and bought a Liverpool scarf, visited Poppy at work, and then went to lunch at Gordon Biersch in the Market Commons shopping area. 

 

 

After lunch, back to the house so Mollie could get in a nap.  Later in the afternoon, a brief visit to the beach, we were stopped by the rain.  Although she loved the wind in her face!

 

 

 So, then came the hard part.....bedtime.  I figured it would be a bit difficult because she's now starting to get some separation anxiety from time to time.  Going to bed in a strange room could be tough for her.  She went to bed so easily and lasted for almost 4 hours, then shortly afterward the cries came.  After attempting to get her to go back down I decided to go ahead and bring her to bed with me.  It could have been a disaster, but after a few minutes of getting adjusted, we both crashed and the next thing I know I'm waking up around 6:30 am and look over to a pair of tiny little eyes staring at me.  Who knows how long she was doing that!

 

Mollie probably is quite a bit more adaptable than we give her credit for -- Now let's see how the 10+ hour (one way) car ride & 3 nights in a new place work out next week when we head down to Alabama!

Teeth have arrived!

Mollie's two bottom teeth are both popping through!! At the SAME time!!!

M loves to chew on my thumb when I'm holding her & it keeps her from chewing on my necklace or other piece of jewelry that entices her that given day. Friday after work when she did it I could feel a little something on the bottom gum! Just 3 short days later and TA-DA! 2 bottom teeth have really begun to make their appearance:) Sooooo cute!

Teething is one of those catch-all excuses, I've come to realize--'Oh you had a bad night, she must be teething' or 'She puts everything in her mouth? She's definitely teething.' I find that so funny. Yes, maybe she has been teething for a while, but I don't think so. ALL babies put things in their mouths! ALL babies drool. And yes, hate to say it, ALL babies have some bad nights here & there.

Of all the baby milestones, I'm not quite sure why I'm overjoyed with emotion in seeing the beginning of her pearly-whites. I guess they're a clear indicator that she's really growing up. She's been having some rough nights the past week+ and guess now we can really trace it back to teething. She would wake a few times in the night & sometimes I would have to pick her up, settle her back down, give her paci and then she'd be ready for sleep again. Some nights required a little baby Tylenol! Poor thing needed some cheese with that whine;)

Last night I went into her room about 1:30am and as I came back to bed I told Matt, as hard as it is to have poor sleep and be woken up by a baby in the night, I'm SUCH a sucker for a snuggle. There really is hardly anything like that sweet child snuggled up to you, rubbing cheeks, & hearing her take those soft breaths, knowing she is comforted by your touch & love. No matter the time of day, I always try and enjoy that time we share together. Yep, it might make us a little sleep deprived, but who cares (and we've learned to deal!)--I'm just embracing these baby moments while we still have them.

Yippee for those first two teeth--congrats Mollie!!!

Friday Loves!

Welcome to the new 'It's Friday, I'm in Love' series! Join Summer for her version & my inspiration, or Katie!

I'm loving my newly pedicured toes. I was way over-due. Makes me wish Spring would hurry a little faster to wear more of my open-toe shoes. And go to the beach!!

A good Craigslist find! Came across a woman in West Ashley with a TON of nice, gently used baby/kids clothes for 50 cents to $1 EACH! I'm talking about Pixie Lily, OshKosh, etc.You know I was in heaven. Got this whole bag, full of cute summer clothes & a few toys/books for only $35. That's how I like to shop:)

Free Printables --just look at how PRESH some of these are!! Add a beautiful store-bought frame & voila! A great way to spend very little and have a nice baby (or other) gift. I'm mildly obsessed.

And my biggest love, Mollie:)

Good, Bad & The Ugly

It's been an interesting week--good & bad:) My sweet friend Katie & her awesome blog inspired me to start trying a 'Good, Bad & Ugly' post each week to sum up some happenings, so I'm working on that & looking for a button to signify the series, as well!

So, here's my first stab--enjoy!

Good: Today is Thursday, which means tomorrow is FRIDAY! 
Bad: Although, not all BAD per se, I have very, very little free time this weekend. Like maybe a couple hours Sat pm & that's it. 
Ugly: Matt & Mollie are going to Myrtle Beach for the night, just the two of them, on Saturday. What in the world will our house feel like without them?!!

Good: I got a free paint sample, trim roller & $5 off coupon in the mail from Valspar!
Bad: They were wasteful and FED-EX'd it to alllll 1,000 people daily. Sheesh, I didn't need my paint sample that badly, shipped over night.
Ugly: Mollie, with her 'Stretch Armstrong' reach, got a hold of the Fed-Ex sticky note and proceeded to eat it in .2 seconds. I fished out a few scraps from her mouth. Thank GOD she really didn't choke on it, but some was stuck in there & sure did make her puke it up.Oh my. All over me, her & my floors.

Yes, that is the piece of paper she ate, right in the middle of the yack--lovely I know, sorry to be graphic. She didn't seem to mind at all! Once I saw she was all smiles, I died laughing. Was that wrong?! The piece of paper in the puke sent me over the edge!

Good: Mollie has mastered sitting up.
Bad: She now likes to consider herself an independent woman (cue Beyonce) 
Ugly: This is just one more step to her getting mobile & it scares me a little. I need to childproof my house VERY soon!!!

Good: I love turkey sandwiches, etc made on a pretzel roll--have you ever tried them?? A few restaurants in Charleston have them & I'm a sucker for them.
Bad: Our caterer that we use for work functions, apparently loves pretzels rolls as well and is letting me buy some off her!!!!
Ugly:  This might just make me gain back all that baby weight I lost. My first shipment (of 16!) arrived today. Don't worry, I'm sharing with my sis's who are equally obsessed;)

Good: We met up with our dear friend Ryan Malloy last night, who was in town from LA on business
Bad: His wife, Alex, wasn't with him. Sooooo sad, one of my bf's & we haven't seen each other in a few years now:(
Ugly: Mollie likes happy hour just as much as we do...wait, why is that 'ugly?' Funny girl.