Weekending: Teething + Lilly

April 20, 2015April 20, 2015 / LeopardandGrace

This weekend was beyond nuts and exhausting. I will spare you the mundane details and do a quick recap of the important stuff.

Linking up with Biana and Meghan

Teething Sucks: Gracie is cutting her top two teeth and she is pretty crank. The day before her teeth pop through, she is just very clingy and tired, and wants all the cuddles with her mama. So while the teething experience is so exhausting, I adore her sweet snuggles.

Lilly for Target collection: Since I was up at 4am on Sunday morning with a sad Nugget, I decided to check my Target app for the new Lilly collection!! Of course, the site crashed. #totallycalledit

I got up at 7:50 and got to my Target at 8:12 – and I couldn’t believe the madness! The lot was full, but the racks in the women’s section were totally empty. I immediately beelined it for the kids section and grabbed the LAST two jumpsuits for Gracie. Then headed back to the housewares section, and grabbed a wine carafe and beach blanket. People were just standing around, and I couldn’t decide if they were waiting for more items to be restocked, until I noticed people “trading”. I made my way to the changing room area, and waited patiently for people who were trying things on to decide on something they didn’t want. It took me almost TWO hours, but I finally managed to snag a dress for me, a beach cover-up, a scarf, three dresses/rompers for Gracie, some girls items for a friend, and the carafe and beach blanket.

Cart full'o'goodies — Cart full’o’goodies

While I was pretty proud of my goodies, I knew I would never get away with spending $300!! When I finally told Keith Sunday night, (he had a mini heart attack) he helped me decide what to keep and what to go back.

Gracie's new outfits - Urchin shift dress, Boom Boom jumper and Rosie Posie Romper — Gracie’s new outfits – Urchin shift dress, Boom Boom jumper and Rosie Posie Romper

My finds - beach coverup (went back), Upstream shift dress (KEPT!), and pom scarf (gave to a friend) — My finds – beach coverup (went back), Upstream shift dress (KEPT!), and pom scarf (gave to a friend)

The only item I am still on the fence about is the beach blanket!! I don’t have one, and I know it will be so awesome for picnics And it was only $30 – keep or no??

Beach blanket (LOVE) and wine carafe (took back)

Other weekend highlights: my sister came home for the weekend and brought her new ten week old puppy and the stomach bug! My stomach is not feeling so well as our weekend winds down, so I am praying she didn’t give it to any of us!

Meet "Nani" - she's a Bernese Mountain dog pup! — Meet “Nani” – she’s a Bernese Mountain dog pup!

We wrapped up our two weekends of pre-cana at our church, and I’m so amazed at how much we got out of it. We met some great couples and had a nice time sharing our experiences with these couples. I’m hopeful that this is a ministry that we will be able to share in on a regular basis!

Today is Marathon Monday here in Boston, a very proud day for us! Reflecting on the events of two years ago, I am so proud of how strong and resilient we are. And to our friends running today, know we are all rooting for you!!

Happy (Marathon) Monday!!

PS – did anyone catch the ACM awards? I’m pretty obsessed with Thomas Rhett

Easter 2015 + A Weekend Recap

April 6, 2015April 5, 2015 / LeopardandGrace

Oh what a busy weekend – I am so grateful for this #mamagracieday – we need a day to relax and recover from the weekend! Anyone else feel like this?!

We spent Saturday celebrating Keith’s birthday and prepping for Easter since we were hosting. Easter Sunday was a great, but very long day!

Gracie and her Dada – out to lunch for his birthday!

Easter Sunday we were up bright and early and chose to attend the 8am Mass at our church. Gracie did so well, even falling asleep in my arms halfway through the service!

My beautiful baby on Easter Sunday. At 7:15am, so she was still a little sleepy :)

After church, we went home and tried to get Gracie to nap, but she was clearly not in a napping mood My in-laws came over, so we had a nice quiet dinner with the two of them, and my sister.

Best attempt at a family photo – the way she looks at me melts my heart

My favorite (and easiest appetizer!!) – prosciutto wrapped asparagus. Wrap, and roast in a 375 degree oven for ten minutes or until crispy!

My sister made the five hour drive home from Philly because she missed us so much!

Someone had a VERY long day and was wiped out by 5pm!

This is how she ended the day … naked in a diaper, playing with her socks :)

I even managed to finish painting my breakfast bar in time for Easter – I cannot wait to get the rest of the cabinets painted!

I can’t wait to catch up on everyone else’s Easter and weekend!!

Happy Monday friends!

Five on Friday

April 3, 2015April 2, 2015 / LeopardandGrace

Yay for Friday! What a l-o-n-g week, anyone else?? And, I can hardly believe this weekend is Easter!!

{one} If you follow me on Instagram (@gentelly if you don’t!) I posted this photo last night:

Summer sent me the cutest card too! I’ve read a few pages, and she is hilarious!

I was contacted through the Boston Bloggers network by Summer Land, and she asked to send me her newest book to read and review this book for y’all! I haven’t read a non-baby/non-parenting book in a very long time, so I’m super excited to read this!

{two} I somehow got roped into hosting Easter again this year, and of course I would decide that now is the time to start painting my kitchen cabinets. Oh well, it just adds some character, right?

Please ignore all the crap on top of the cabinets. I had to empty them before I could start painting!

I have hated our kitchen since I moved in – and I know that makes me sound like a spoiled brat. I love white kitchens and since we are staying in this house for the time being, so I decided that it was time for me to make it something I could love!

{three} On another Easter-related note, I’m totally cheating. I ordered a ham from Honey Baked Hams. I do not have the time or the patience, so I decided to just pay someone else to do it for me.

{four} I think that spring has FINALLY arrived, and the last of the snow has almost melted. We’ve gone on walks every night this week, and I think we are all loving the fresh air and sunshine.

Especially Gracie, who squeals and laughs hysterically while we “chase” Gunner down the street. Crazy to think that a year ago, I was waddling through our neighborhood trying to walk her OUT.

{five} Tomorrow is this guy’s birthday!! He is the best husband and father that we could have ever asked for. It’s been quite the ride.