Happy Fourth of July! (Plus OOTD)

Happy 4th of July!!! Even if the Continental Congress and Framers are rolling in their graves. Here's to what's left of capitalism and freedom, but mostly cheers and thanks to the men and women who fought and fight for it! Land of the free, because of the brave! I've always known our country needs prayer, but after working in politics I realized we need it now more than ever. There has been a lot of unorthodox and questionable action, and even inaction, from Congress and the Executive lately. Arguably speaking, they have compromised or infringed upon the very liberties they swore to uphold.  Proverbs 11:14 says, "where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." So, today I pray extra fervently that our nations leader will seek guidance from the ultimate counselor- God when governing our nation. Today I hope you can also take a moment and really contemplate freedom- what it means to you, what we've had to sacrifice for it, and how blessed we are because of it. Happy Independence Day y'all, be safe, have fun and be free!

We spent the day at a friends house for a laid back BBQ and pool day. Our friends are ones that we've made through the Marine Corps and they have a tiny little boy who I adore. He is about 3 months younger than Addie and his mom and I already pinning their wedding. He is pictured below, one look at him and you'll fall in love too. Shannon took Jo to see fireworks later on in the night and I stayed back with Addie and my future son-in-law and his mom. Overall it was just a chill day which is exactly what we needed. I somehow managed to not get any pictures of Jo, probably because he was running around everywhere.

This is one of Addie's outfits for the day. Nana Pat sent it all the way from Chicago. I believe it is all from Target. I absolutely adore the sandals! She kicked them off soon after I put them on her, but they are just too cute. The bow was custom made by a friend of mine. She makes all sorts of bows and they are to die for! They are reasonably priced and can be as extravagant or subdued as you'd like.  Stay tuned for a review on all the bows Addie has gotten from her, but until then you can check our her site at Bowtastic Bows. 

I did the best I could with my red, white, and blue attire, but I was just too hot and so unmotivated this year. I blame my lack of enthusiasm to dress myself on all my efforts being focused on the children's outfits. I managed to pull something together though: 

• BOTTOM: Old floral shorts from Forever 21 (circa 2012), sorry I've had them so long I don't think they sell these exact ones anymore, but I have found similar ones for under $20 there 
• TOP: Flowy crop top from Target it was only $12.99 
• BRACELETS: Alex and Ani each bangle ranges from $25.00 and, my Ashley Bridget bracelet in Journey $48.00 . 
• SLING: Sakura Bloom in Marine $88.00, my partial review for this can be found on my 'Summer 2014' post. 

Here is that little boy I was telling you about! Is he not the most squeezable, kissable, huggable, pinchable, little stud you've ever seen. He is almost 3 months and smiling like crazy! I like to look at the picture above and think he was pretending to sleep for the camera because no one can look this pensive sleeping!

Addie's last OOTD was a tankini from Target sent by Nana Pat in Chicago as well. It fit her perfect and although she didn't swim, she looked adorable next to her betrothed lounging by the pool. It was a gift, but to give you deets, the suit is $12.00 and ranges from sizes 6mo-4T, again sold at Target. Thank you again Nana Pat! You always send the cutest stuff. 

All in all it was a great day. Shannon did have some studying he had to do, which was a bummer, but that wasn't enough to damper all the blessings throughout our day. Thank you so much to our friends for hosting us and allowing my son to drool, spill, and who knows what else around your house. I really hope everyone else's holiday was just as great! 

Addison is 5 Months Old!

She's 5 Months Old! I can't say anymore because the water works will flow- just too big, too fast! A lot of people asked me about the outfit she is wearing, it was a hand-me-down from a friend, and the tags are unreadable at this point, so I don't have the deets on where to find it.  The bow? That's all me! I found the band part from a local dollar store and the flowers are from Michael's!

I love this age! She is filling out a lot and the clothes we have for her are really starting to fit well. Every time I am in Target or a clothing store, I can't help but gush over all the adorable baby girl clothes.  It's my husband's worse nightmare... not just one Mrs. Ashley shopping, but a Mrs. and a Miss Ashley shopping together! Dressing a little girl is way more fun the dressing a little boy. I definitely suggest finding you a little girl to dress up if you don't have one,  and if you can't find one, you can always borrow mine- granted we keep the clothes! :)

Blah- this was supposed to be about Addie being 5 Months! Give me a chance to talk about shopping and a tangent will ensue! The past 5 months have been the most tiring, and patience testing times in my life. Two littles under the age of two is crazy, but good crazy. At least I think it's good crazy, but that might be the crazy talking. Regardless, crazy or not, I love it and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Addie's Sunday's Best

Just had to share how adorable Addie is in her new dress that Nana Pat sent from Chicago. I believe the dress is from Target and it comes with the headband. She's wearing a size 3mo and it fits perfect, but she is a little on the small side, so I would say this dress runs small. I went to Target the other day and didn't see this exact one, but there are similar ones and they're flying off the shelves, so go get yours soon!

 

Humbling Tantrums

Nothing like feeling confident after both kids wake up from a nap to go to the grocery store, only to get inside and have your 1y/o pitch a fit and throw his shoe at a stranger...All while the 3 month old is screaming and vomits the whole contents of her last bottle down your shirt. So you reach for a burp rag that is not there and end up cleaning yourself and the infant with a spare diaper. Then when you think the calm has come, the 1 y/o starts another tantrum over a cup of cookies he's never even had before. So you give him the cookies hoping they'll let you make it to the dairy aisle. After that you beeline to the register, the cashier rings and loads you up all to find out you left your wallet in the car....to humble you. 

Once I laid him in bed tonight and checked on him a few minutes later he was out! I guess the sugar rush and energy exhausted during the tantrum got to him. But looking at him sleep peacefully, I could not be more proud and in love with my little hellion. I complain about these terrible twos a lot, and he's not even two yet. I've got a long way to go until the tantrums subside, so until then pray for me. LOL! 

Another Baby!!!

No... not mine! My sister! Introducing the newest addition to our family, my nephew,  Jackson Contro. I am so in love with him and I cannot wait to meet him this Summer. They were bound to make gorgeous babies, I mean look at this couple, could they be anymore photogenic!? Ugh I just want to pinch his cheeks and squeeze his little tush. There is nothing like the love a mother has for her child, and I am so glad my sister gets this feeling. Praises, praises, and more praises to the Good Lord! 

Addison is 3 Months

Our little peanut is 3 Months! Little girl loves smiling, getting tickled, and laughing at Daddy. She's starting to fill out and her little personality is becoming more noticeable. She is just an angel! 

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend

Okay, okay... bring on the hate mail and letters of concern. I got Addison's ears pierced. She cried for a whole 2 seconds. She was already perfect, and now she is blingy and perfect. 

Addie's First Photo Shoot!

As promised here are some photos from Addison's newborn photo shoot! Thank you so much to Logan Frank Photography for being so patient, careful, and considerate of Addie's preciousness, and Mommy's desire for a perfect picture. I cannot say enough about how pleased I am with the pictures. Seeing my daughter's innocence and beauty captured in a photo was too much- by the time I finished looking at the photos I got back I was balling. Never again will Addie be as small as she is today...

There are so many more! I wish I could post them all, but there are just too many! 

Addie is 2 Months!

A little late, but Addie Bree is 2 Months Old! I'll say this as every month passes, but I cannot believe it has already been this long. She is already forming a little personality and is getting cuter by the second. Milestones are smiling, cooing, laughing, lots of pooping, and even more eating. She has grown since our last update! She is 10lbs and 20inches! She is in the 15-20 percentile for weight and height. We definitely have a little munchkin on our hands, but as Shakespeare once said, "though she but little, she is fierce." After getting her shots she unloaded a fierce diaper indeed. Thank you so much to our amazing God who makes each day so much more than I deserve with the children he has blessed me with.

Blooming Bath

I registered and received the Blooming Bath for a baby shower gift and I have to say as cute as it is, I don't think it will be a necessity for us at bath time. The idea is great and the design is adorable, but I try to make Addie's bath time quick and straightforward. The Blooming Bath allows baby to sit comfortably in a sink, but because I am try not to let her soak for too long, and rather just bathe and dry her  quickly, there is really no point to set up the flower, and worse, dry the darn thing out. It is very comfortable and she enjoys sitting in it, but if y'all are quick bathers like we are, I wouldn't bother with this. For details and specs on the The Blooming Bath go to their website, linked above. Many people rave about it, but after a few weeks, I hear the same thing from other parents... it is a hassle. No complaints on the product functionality besides it takes forever to dry out and gets really heavy when wet. The best way I found to dry it out is to lay it flat in the bath tub, but it will start to stink after two baths from air drying. Once washed, the product comes out just as soft and smelling great, but again, its a haul when it is wet. I've got enough laundry to do so having to bathe a bath isn't on my favorite priority list. Ultimately, I say don't waste the money on this, unless you are okay with the extra maintenance tasks and want baby to lounge during bath time. 

One Month Old

She's one month! Where did the time go? Here is a teaser from her photoshoot. When I get the pictures back I will share the details and some of my favorites.

Two Weeks & Feeling Brave

Addie is two weeks old and I've never been more tired in my life. Having a 1 year old and a 2 week old is BY FAR one of the hardest things I've ever done. The lack of sleep is debilitating. I have been so 

 fortunate to have the help friends and family to make my days easier. From brining me freezer meals, babysitting, and just an ear to vent to, I could not be more thankful. You think after two weeks of being at home with no sleep, the first thing I would want to do is go to bed. But now that the the laundry is caught up and the floors aren't sticky, I realized Jo and I are going stir crazy in the house. Today was our first day out on the town, just the three of us and it took a little more time getting in and out of the house, but it was so worth it.

I'm starting to worry about juggling my time between both babies. They are both at an age where they are so dependent on me and need my full attention, that I am not sure I will be able to do it. Friends I have talked to who have a similar age difference between children have said you'll get the hang of it, hopefully that will come sooner than later. Right now Jo isn't jealous yet, but knowing his demeanor, I expect it soon. For now I am just trying to make sure he keeps his diaper on and food on his tray, and distract him with Disney Jr. 

Addison is starting to make eye contact more and she's quite the looker. She's adorable when she's sleeping, but now that she's opening her eyes more I am even more amazed by her beauty. Speaking of Addie... she beckons for a bottle. Until next time....

One Week

I can't believe it's been one week since Addie was born. We are so tired, but so filled with love. I can't help by watch her sleep when I should be sleeping too. I'm sorry for the overload of baby pictures, but I can't contain myself.

Boy Meets Girl

We are home! I am so filled joy. My family is complete.  Jo met Addie at the hospital but was more excited about seeing his parents because he was at Grandma's for two days. Now that we are home, they really have a chance to meet and bond. Seeing them together brings tears to my eyes. The love I feel for my children is unexplainable. I hate to be stereotypical, but I truly understands how it feels now when my mom told me I would never understand a mother's love until I had children of my own. I know the days to come will be tiring and long, but I would trade the fatigue, overwhelmingness, and sacrifice for the world.

Jo took to Addie very well. We were so surprised at how soft he was with her. We told him to be gentle, but at 18 months old, we didn't expect to see such a loving nature. He was even protective, pointing at my mom to not touch 'his baby' at the hospital. I cannot wait to see them grow together. Having them this close together will be hard at times; I was told to expect a lot of fights and jealousy issues. But I was also told that siblings this close in age usually play well together too. I hope the latter happens more. Until then, I am just enjoying them the way they are. I know that today will be the last day they are this small, for tomorrow they will be bigger and it will be a moment I never get back.

Now that we are home the reality of having two under the age of two has not fully hit me. I know I had nine months to prepare for this, but now that it is here, I have yet to soak it in. Perhaps once my family leaves and the extra hands disappear, I will realize it. I just pray that aside from changing diapers, feedings, laundry and bath time, that my I can care for my children in the way the deserve. I pray that God will guide me in preserving their innocence yet maturing their wisdom. I pray He will give me the tools and patience to have my children rise up and call me blessed (Proverbs 31:28). I am very far from the Superwoman of Proverbs 31, but I strive to be an ounce of what she is for my God, my husband, and my wonderful children.