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Our First Weekend in 2015!

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Gracie is either teething or battling a stomach bug, or both (!) and she has been in rare form for the past few days. That didn’t really stop her from looking cute while we ran errands!

Skirt & Jacket babyGap / Plaid Onesie, Osh’Kosh / Red tights, Old Navy / Patriots hat

Leggings & Onesie, Cherokee / Poncho, Old Navy
It’s pretty near impossible to get her to look AT the camera these days — she is such a busybody! She is going to be crawling anyyyy day now, and while I love each new phase, I’m a little sad that my baby isn’t going to be a baby for too much longer!
After work on Friday, I went to a local aquatic center and signed her up for swim lessons! I am so excited about getting her in the water, and getting her to love it as much as I do. And then, of course, I went right home and bought her the cutest swimsuit….and then one for myself. Hey, I have to get in the pool with her and I can’t really teach her to swim in a two-piece! sigh. Not going so well with not spending money so far!

 Her favorite place is, and always has been, the tub! This was her first bubble bath and she was so funny trying to find her toys since she couldn’t see them under all the bubbles :) There is something so sweet about seeing the world through her eyes. Things that are so simple to us, just fascinate her!

We are in the market for a sectional for our new living room, but we can’t find one we both like. Why is committing to a piece of furniture so overwhelming?! I want something that has a little bit of interest and detail to it, and Keith likes simple and basic. I find simple to be boring! Anyone else disagree with their spouse on decor and mixing tastes?? How do you agree?
Sunday morning my sister and I went to get massages and facials. Half late-Christmas / half early birthday present, it was so nice to relax and be pampered!! One of my hopes this year is to have clear skin that requires NO makeup … here’s hoping!
When we got home Sunday afternoon, I was all about getting things done around the house. We finally hung pictures in our master bedroom, I re-organized Grace’s closet and dresser, vacuumed and dusted the entire house, cleaned bathrooms and did a bunch of ironing. My Sunday’s always consist of house-keeping, and while I don’t mind the organizing part, I really dislike cleaning! I’m hoping we can fit it in our budget to hire a house cleaner this year ;) 
While I organized Gracie’s room, she decided to practice “crawling” and rolled, scooted and spun her way over to her bookshelf, where she happily pulled the books off the shelf, one by one. Looks like it is probably time to start baby-proofing the house!! 

Onesie, Citrus Lane / Leggings, babyGap

My birthday is Thursday and I cannot wait to celebrate for the first time with my baby girl! And Keith of course :)

I hope that you all have a wonderful week!

Linking up with Biana and Meghan 


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Friday!!

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Happy first Friday of 2015!

{One} We actually had a rare night out for New Years Eve, thanks to my wonderful in-laws :) We said good-bye to 2014 and welcomed 2015 at a Black & White Masquerade party. It was a great time!

{Two} Gracie is officially teething and still getting over a damn ear infection. Normally, she is super happy and smiley all the time, but the combination of these two things has just pushed her over the edge. Poor baby! Looking forward to lots of snuggles with her this weekend and praying these teeth make their appearance asap!

{Three} I think it’s the start of a new year that always makes me itch to re-organize everything. We are purging and cleaning out our whole house and making a big donation to the Big Brother organization. I cannot wait to get all this clutter out of my house! Seriously, how do we accumulate so much stuff …..

{Four} I’ve decided to make the conscious effort to spend less money this month (baby steps people) .. I am addicted to online shopping and/or random Target/Homegoods runs. I always have a justification and LOVE a good deal, but seriously, I gotta stop. Wish me luck, cause I’ll need it :/

{Five} I’ve decided to start using essential oils – Gracie has been sick so much since starting daycare, and I’m tired of all the trips to the doctor and of her being covered in snot and boogers and coughing! I’ve heard really good things about EO’s, so I’m excited to see if they make a difference for our family.

Here’s to a healthy and happy New Year!


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Favorite Moments of 2014

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2014 has been such a memorable year!!! Let’s recap, shall we?
How I rang in 2014!
Without a doubt, my greatest moment of 2014, was becoming a mama! I had waited and prayed for 30 long years, but God’s timing is perfect — we have been given the most perfect little girl. She is my sunshine, my reason for being and the light of my life. With her, my life finally feels complete.
Four days old <3
We celebrated our sweet Gracie – with her baby shower on March 8 and her christening on July 10. Both days were filled with love and joy!

I celebrated a big birthday – turning 3-0 on January 8 :) We had a nice quiet celebration since I was six months pregnant, but it was perfect.
We took two separate trips to South Carolina:
In January, we went for our babymoon and stayed in Charleston. We had an awesome, relaxing weekend shopping, sightseeing and eating tons of yummy Southern food!

In November, we took our first family vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC. Gracie was the perfect little traveler and we had such a great time relaxing and enjoying precious family time.

In July, I went back to work at TrashLand, but quickly realized that it was not the right job for me anymore. I needed something that offered more flexibility now that I have a family. I started a new job on November 2, and it has been the perfect fit for our family. Less hours and more time with my Gracie is a win-win.
We FINALLY made the decision to stay in our home. We had it on the market twice this year, and had over 30 showings and only one lousy offer. Sometimes it’s hard to trust that God is making the right choices for us (ha!) but we went with it. We took it off the market, and started doing some improvements around the house, and now it really feels like HOME. And I can’t ever imagine leaving!
We celebrated Gracie’s first holidays! I am really loving holidays even more now that I have a child of my own. She was too young this year to really understand, but I know as she grows, holidays will only get to be more fun!!

Upcoming in 2015: Besides the usual eat-better-work-out-more-blah-blah, I really just want to focus on being present, and living in the moment. Seeing how fast Gracie has grown in just 7 short months, I know how much faster it will go as she gets bigger. And I don’t want to miss anything. So, really, I just want to appreciate the small things. Because after all, the little moments are usually the best. 
Happy New Year!!


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