Share the love: easy Valentine's Day craft for baby

 I love LOVE.  

...and I love any reason to craft or decorate with a theme,

especially when it involves cute baby toes!

This afternoon Carter Jane and I ran a few errands after our Gymboree class which included a stop at Michaels.  I kept repeating to Carter that we need to stick to the list.  I could easily walk out of that store with 5 things I didn't know I needed in hand.  We picked up some supplies for a cute Valentine's craft that we completed tonight.  

This is a very easy craft which basically involves inking the bottom of your little's feet and making the shape of a heart to spell out the word LOVE. love! 

[also pictured above is some cute patterned ribbon that wasn't used but I have an idea for later]

Before I share with you the photos of our project can I just tell you how cool washable ink is? Michaels sells a jumbo stamp pad that is baby friendly, and the ink comes right off with a baby wipe. Link to shop >>> washable ink pad.  So much easier than the hassle of painting your baby's foot.  Dip in ink, stamp, that's it.  

Okay, enough chit chat, here's our project!

Carter is no stranger to the footprint craft.  She made her first one before she was even a month old for Darren's Father's Day gift.  That seems like just yesterday.... sigh. 

 I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day weekend with the one's you love!
xxoo

cozy + chic Momma style

As a "stay at home mom" it's sometimes hard to get inspired to get dressed in something besides the easy outfit: yoga pants and a tee.  Don't get me wrong, I LIVE in that look around the house and running errands a lot, but I still love getting "dressed".  Last night I was browsing some of my favorite stores online and stumbled upon this amazing military-inspired jacket.  

Hello! must. have. This jacket is not only one of my most favorite colors [which happens to look great on everybody], it has a great structure and gold detailing. swoon.  The minute I saw this burgundy jacket I knew I had to share it with you! Here's some outfit inspiration for an easy, on-trend put-together look.  

Links to shop:

1. J.Crew THE DOWNTOWN FIELD JACKET - If burgundy isn't your color, this jacket also comes in black, mossy brown and rich navy.

2. Old Navy Boyfriend Linen-Blend V-Neck - This is a staple wardrobe piece.
3. Two shoe options [although the leopard is my #1 choice!]
Lucky Brand BASEL FLAT BOOTIE - These leopard Lucky Brand booties are SO FUN.  Even though leopard print is well, a print... the colors are neutral so you can pair it with so many things! burgundy, army green, browns, blacks, taupes, denim etc.

Dolce Vita KARA BOOTIES - This heel is easy to handle if you are a Momma on the go.  I love the perforated detail and the Western feel.  

4. Stella & Dot REBEL PENDANT - Stella & Dot is amazing.  If you haven't heard of this jewelry & accessory line, check it out.  A few years ago I used to sell S&D, and ever since I've been hooked.  Every year their product gets better and better.  

Recently I purchased a few cute Lou & Grey pieces, I'll share them with you soon!

What are some of your favorite Momma wardrobe essentials? Leave them in the comments below.  

the terrible teeths

In the beginning of the week my husband was away for business for two nights.  [Insert jealous face emoji here]  I definitely caught myself daydreaming while he was away about what it might be like to sleep uninterrupted for multiple nights in a row.  No baby monitor buzzing, a significant other snoring, cats making noise in the middle of the night.  As Mom's we can accomplish so much on four to five hours sleep, could you imagine an entire night? Or two? lucky. guy.

The two and a half days [I pretty much had a countdown to his return home] that Darren was away I had two major take-aways:
1.  I have a husband that is a great co-parent.
2. Single Mothers are amazing.  You all deserve a shout out, I do not know how you do what you do every. single. day. #singlemomholiday ?

This week, I've decided has officially been the week of  "the terrible teeths" [kind of like the terrible twos but in 8 month old baby land: teeth]. I thought while my husband was away Sun-Mon-Tues we were having a rough time with lack of sleep and a sore baby.  I was in for a rude awakening when it got worse Wednesday and Thursday.  Then, voila! one of Carter's bottom teeth popped through.  Now we are just waiting on the second front bottom tooth to pop through [we can see it] and then, the rest of her teeth. yikes.

Some of our favorite things that have been helping Carter and I get through "the terrible teeths":

1. Sophie the Giraffe Teether - Yes, the $25 giraffe.  She is so worth every dollar.  Not only does Carter love to play with her, but the legs, the ears, and all of her ridges are a great soother.  
2. Munchkin Fresh Food Feeder - I don't know why it took me so long to pick these up at the store, but I'm so glad I did.  They are amazing!  I put frozen bananas and with a friend's suggestion frozen mango chunks in here.  Carter LOVES them.  side note: I've found the easiest way to clean and rinse these is with the sprinkler attachment on your kitchen sink.  
3. Nuby Icybite Hard/Soft Teething Keys - Carter has had these for a few months.  I really like the size of them because they are easy for her to hold on to.  These keys are great used cold or room temp.  

Of course we can't forget our Infant Tylenol for the really rough nights.  And a lot of hot tea for me.

Cheers to another week of teething! Wish us luck.

38 week bump update

As I'm starting to update my blog I stumbled upon my last pre-baby post! I had it all written, I'm not sure why I never published it? It was in fact my last post before Carter Jane arrived (gosh, I miss being pregnant!).... 

Maybe this will be my last post before baby? eek! Currently as I'm writing this it is the start of my 39th week... I'll recap on my weeks from 31-38 since I've been such a slacker with bump updates I'll add it all into one! At my last ultrasound which was at 36 weeks Carter's weight was approximately 6 lbs 15 oz - just about 7 lbs! If I go full term with her [which that looks to be the case] her estimated weight will be 8-8.5 lbs! The bigger the baby, the easier to dress, right?! 

How far along? 38 weeks  

Gender? It's a GIRL! My sweet baby Carter Jane 

Nicknames? CJ, baby Jane. Janey. 

Total weight gain/loss? As of my 38 week appointment on Thursday, I've gained a total of 36 pounds. yikes! 

Maternity clothes?  After 30 weeks hit I pretty much told myself I wasn't buying any more maternity clothing.  My favorite go - to basics throughout this pregnancy have been the couple of pairs of black maternity leggings from Target and basic black tanks with the ruching on the sides.  The clothing that I purchased from LOFT Maternity has been the best! Mixing those pieces with some non - maternity that I had from before I lost weight for my wedding worked perfectly [another reason it's great to be a clothing hoarder].  The dresses I'm wearing in my top two photos are both LOFT Maternity, here's photos of two others that have been favorites: 

Sleep? OH gosh. Some nights I am very comfortable, others I feel like a straight up insomniac! I can tell that I'm not sleeping so light anymore because I am able to deal with my husband's snoring a lot better! I think this cartoon picture I saw on Pinterest pretty much sums it up! 

Best moment this week [these past few weeks]?

• Carter's kicks and jabs - I know I'm going to miss them and having her little movements all to myself! 
• Feeling baby hiccups
• Surprise baby shower at work - how cute!

• My husband reading bedtime stories to CJ and cracking me up with his funny voices
• All of the love and help my family has shared with getting our house baby - ready!

Symptoms? My energy has officially gone downhill, which I'm so not used to.  That paired with the horrible sciatic pain that I have been having in my left leg has led me to be much slower with getting things accomplished and walking! Any time we go somewhere my husband cracks up at my snail pace. Also, I've been having wacky hormone rages, especially towards our two kitties that love to be anywhere and everywhere that is baby related.  They think it's their cat palace! I've given up on trying to discipline and hope that when Carter arrives the kitties will get the point. 

Food cravings? 

• Coffee. I still have limited myself to one cup a day - but I am counting down the days until I can indulge and have more.  
• Shrimp.  I was dying for grilled shrimp on a big salad one night for dinner.  My husband put together some sort of delicious marinade and I am officially obsessed. I love grilling season!
• Roast beef paninis from Pasqualina's, the Italian market / deli local to us.  Something about the combination of roast beef, provolone and hot peppers that is to die for! I only ever eat half and only on occasion but it is so good! 
• Everything sweet and chocolate that you could imagine! Cookies, cakes, donuts etc... 

Food aversions? Nothing like in the beginning of my pregnancy.  

Labor signs?  I've had many braxton hicks contractions, but none that are the real deal yet! 

Belly button in or out? still mostly in. 

What I miss? My energy and being able to move around quickly.  

What I'm looking forward to? Meeting our little girl.  With one week away the feeling is so surreal i'm anxious, excited and nervous! 

Nursery? The nursery is 98% complete! The rocking chair that I ordered will be delivered by Monday or Tuesday and I need to finish ironing the panels that came for the windows - I will share photos when both of those things are in place! 

Mood? Energetic - today! We'll see about tomorrow...