Favorite Trader Joe's Products Spring 2014

When I gave birth to Henry, Trader Joe's sent me congratulatory flowers and I think that's when it really hit me that I shop there way too much. It's like they were thinking, the least we can do is send our best and favorite customer a bouquet of flowers after the birth of her baby! Okay, well maybe not quite but it was a very kind gesture and it just made me love Trader Joe's even more.  Anyway, I could babble on about how much I love this store but let's get to the good stuff - my FAVORITE TJ's products!

1. I can't live without this olive oil popcorn. Most of the time I have to yell for Dan across the house to take the bag away from me because I can't stop eating it.  Can we also not talk about how much popcorn I have found inbetween the couch cushions? #pigemoji

2. These strawberry mochi treats are really good too. I usually have two for dessert and find them to be very satisfying.

3. I have recently discovered these plantain chips and think they are perfect when I'm craving something salty and crunchy. They actually could pass for potato chips in my opinion with a fraction of the calories.

4. Dried fuji apples. My picky 3 year old loves them so I always have these on hand for a quick snack.

5.  MINI FRUIT PIES. So so so good.

6. These zucchini fries are so good on the side with a piece of chicken and a yam. One of my favorite dinners!

7.  This Cruciferous mix is fantastic eaten raw with peanut dressing (also sold at TJ's) , sliced chicken, and edamame. Mix it all up and you have a quick and healthy dinner.

What are some of your favorite Trader Joe's products? I'd love to hear!

April 2014 WAS...

- Ryan turning 3 and having a small birthday party at The Little Gym.

- trying to keep Ryan quiet during Henry's two naps a day.

- starting to get serious about working out and loving Blogilates workouts and long walks with the double bob stroller.

- looking forward to Mellow Mushroom pizza on Saturday nights while finishing watching Orange is the New Black and starting on Mad Men.

- It was Dan building a garden bed and planting some fruits and veggies.

- Henry crawling as fast as lightning, pulling up on everything and letting go, bruises on his forehead from being way too fearless, two bottom teeth, loud num num num sounds while eating anything and everything, constantly smiling and laughing and loving life.

- Ryan going to mom's morning out classes three times a week.

- It was posting entirely too many instagram pictures.

- Going grocery shopping at night after the boys are in bed and discovering some great new snacks like plantain chips.

- Ryan's first dentist appointment which he DID not enjoy (minus the awesome waiting room equipped with a pirate ship slide/clubhouse!)

Going to Try This Again!

I must, must, must keep blogging even though it is probably the last thing I have time for. I just found my old blog from when Ryan was born and it was so awesome to look back on and read what he was doing those first few weeks. It is interesting to compare Ryan and Henry (and also would be nice to have that reminder that breastfeeding WILL get easier and we will sleep again!) at the same age and also so nice to have these memories that pass so quickly saved in one space.

Anyway, moving on!

So Henry is 2 weeks old today! As always, time feels like it is flying by but also feels like it is moving reeeeaaaaallllllyyyy slowly. That's always the case though, isn't it?  Such a beautiful boy with his blue eyes and red hair!

We have Henry's 2 week appt this afternoon so I will report back on his height/weight. (**8lbs 6 oz and 21 inches!) Overall, things are going as well as expected. Henry is a pretty good baby... sleeps decently enough (anywhere from 3-4 hour increments although we have had our fair share of 2 hour wakeups), is pretty laid back, loves to snuggle and be held, is a champion breastfeeder (although I still see stars when he latches on but after a few sips the pain eases up.... and no nipple shield like his brother!!). We've been dealing with some severe fussiness from around 6-9pm (last night was the worst... could NOT get him to settle down for like 3 hours but once he did he slept 4 hours!). He is definitely a mama's boy and settles down almost immediately when he hears my voice or when I pick him up... I love it but it also makes it really hard to have a break from this mini man. I keep counting down to that 6 week mark when we hopefully get some longer sleep stretches, some smiles, some relief on the breastfeeding woes and also hopefully a little cool down outside so I can wear the Solly Wrap out without sweating to death!

What we have been up to this week -
- Ryan went to the movies with Grandma ~ his first one and saw Chimpanzee! (Thankful for $1 summer movies at our local theater!)
- Ryan had his first kiss with Kaylin.. cutest thing ever!! Erica and I were squealing like two crazy moms haha. Can't wait to pull this picture out when he's in high school ;)

- Ryan will use the potty on command (peeing only though!) and earns himself a piece of cookie each time. Thinking that we will do a full out potty training method maybe over Thanksgiving weekend. Definitely ready for him to be potty trained though - not a fan of 2 babes in diapers!
- Ryan will ask to kiss Henry before bedtime! (side note: Ryan kisses means he bangs his forehead against your head haha).
-Henry is a great napper once we actually get him down.  I've been doing the boppy transfer like I used to do with Ryan. Has an 80% success rate.
-Engorgement is still horrible. Can't remember when it got better with Ryan but I'm having a really hard time with it now. Makes it near impossible to leave the house without causing a lot of embarrassment to myself. Speaking of, I haven't left the house (besides walks) in a week and a half. Today will actually be my first time driving since having Henry.

Halfway to surviving my first week alone with both kids. Thankful for my mom who has taken Ryan every morning so far and for Dan being home by 6pm!

I'm in love...

with this dress! oh my gosh. I think it would look so cute paired with some tan Saltwaters and a fun necklace.

Summer 2013 Reading List

I'm only three months shy of turning 31 but summer reading lists still make me giddy. The lists! The prizes! The stack of books on my night stand! Ooooh... so many wonderful memories.  My summer reading list is pretty long this year and I'd be lucky to get through a quarter of them but I thought i'd share them with you guys. What's on your reading list this summer? Would love to add to this ever growing list :)

1. Me Before You (completed and loved)
2. Reconstructing Amelia
3. Life after Life
4. The Interestings
5. And the Mountains Echoed
6. Fly Away
7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (reread)
8. Someday, Someday, Maybe
9. Drinking and Tweeting
10. Smotherhood
11. The Absolutely True Diary of A Part-Time Indian
12. Eleanor & Park
13. Wedding Night
14. The Burgess Boys
15. The Last Camellia
16. The Secret Keeper

Summer is here and I am happy

So I've decided to go ahead and publicize this blog because well, I miss connecting with online friends and having a "home base"... I guess you could call it. I have no idea what my plans are for this little space but that's what makes it fun right?

We are finally starting to feel more settled in our new home but challenges have definitely been popping up. I always envisioned a bigger house to mean more space for Ryan to run around and play but in actuality that just means more space for me to have to chase him around! It's been exhausting and I think he feels the changes in his little life too because his behavior has been a bit off lately. (or that's just the wonderful behavior of a two year old?!) So in the past month, we moved, got rid of the pacifier (it broke and I just felt the time was now!), AND had Ryan move into a toddler bed after one too many climb outs. Then in just 54 days we will be bringing home a new baby! Ryan's world has definitely been rocked but we are getting by day by day.

Anyway... SUMMER HAS ARRIVED! My gosh, I love summer. From the amazing fruits to the summer dresses and late sunsets, summer is just so good for my soul. I'm definitely happier once the warmer air arrives and the memories made in the summer time just seem to stick longer than any other season.

(rocking the bump on the beach. NEVER would have been brave enough to do this with my first pregnancy so pretty proud of myself+current favorite snack (bonus if it's dipped in hummus)+new flag for a new porch+dreamiest part about our house+best part about summer... i'm obsessed!)

Blogging Again!

A quick catch up on life:

WE ARE MOVING!

Same town, different neighborhood. We are just so excited to not be on top of each other and not trip on toys walking to the kitchen (hello playroom!). Also the porch! So dreamy.

This also happened!

Baby boy number 2 will be here at the end of the July and we couldn't be more thrilled! I love growing this family and I've decided I'm kind of addicted to having babies. We will see if I still feel that way after I'm chasing two boys around town. 

Ryan turned two on April 6th and he is such a joy in my life. He constantly keeps me laughing and learning and singing. Everyday is such an adventure with him and I am forever grateful that I get to spend the hours of my day with him! 

I'm currently reading this book and loving it. Highly recommend. 

and last but not least, we have been enjoying the warm days of spring here in Charleston. Isn't it gorgeous here?  I can't believe this is home.