{WHW}: Mom's Not In

Happy Wednesday, friends! Fun fact: a year ago today was my due date with Ella!

I'm coming off of a really fun weekend where I got to get away for a night--the first one without MG, and the first in about 9 months (since my best friends' wedding in August).

My friend Bree and I left Saturday morning to drive an hour out to wine country and meet up with the rest of the bachelorette party who had gotten started the night before.

It was the morning of Ella's first swim lesson, so I missed that, which broke my mommy heart a little bit, but there wasn't much I could do about it. She apparently did really well at the lesson--we'll be back this Saturday.

We made it to the house in good time, and everyone was getting ready to head to the wineries so we unpacked, ate some lunch, made flower crowns (the bride's request) and then everyone left to go to ThreeFox Vineyards. There was rain in the forecast all day, but luckily the skies were clear when we left.

I dont even know how long we were at ThreeFox, but they had an awesome outdoor area, and a great tent set up, that we spent most of the time under, drinking, eating, playing music, dancing, and laughing. The group of girls that our friend had were really fun, and it was great getting to know all of them in such a fun setting.

It started to rain part way through but being under the tent, it didn't matter.

Eventually we left to go to another winery, that we thought was closer to the house. 

The temps had dropped significantly by then and it was still raining, but we bought some bottles of wine, sat out on the patio with a pretty view, despite the rain, and had more fun dancing and laughing before we decided to pack it up and continue the fun at the house.

Since it was Cinco De Mayo, there was a little Mexican Fiesta at the house (tacos, chips/guac, etc) for dinner. We had a great dinner, sharing the things we love about the bride, and about her fiance. 

The rest of the night was 90s dance music, fun bachelorette party games, and a carefree night! I swear my face and my stomach hurt so much from laughing so hard throughout the entire day!

Unfortunately, I didnt sleep well that night, and the next morning we had to leave early bc my friend had an appointment and we'd driven together.

I got home to a smiley baby who I missed while I was gone. It's amazing what one day away will do to refresh you, even when you come back exhausted. Good girl time is so needed and so important. I was thankful for MG holding down the fort so that I could get away with my friends, and make some new ones!

Sunday we put together Ella's trike that my mom got her for her birthday and I think her face says it all:

We also had painters at the house to finally paint the stairwell walls and ceiling since we were never able to reach it (without seriously hurting ourselves). Ella was a champ and took a 2 hour nap despite the lights on, the talking and the noises outside of her bedroom. And now everything looks SO good, like it was supposed to when we painted a couple of years ago. I'm glad we got this done.

After the fun with the girls this past weekend, I'm definitely looking forward even more to seeing everyone at the wedding in June, and celebrating together!

If you have a second, send us some good juju today (and this weekend) as we're putting our old condo on the market today. Really hoping for a good offer, quick, so that we can get this one off of our hands! (Update: we already have a private showing tonight! Fingers crossed!!!)

What's been hap-"pinning" with you?

{TBB Asks}: Entertainment

Linking up with the lovelies from TBB Asks for a round of Entertainment questions!

1. Comedy or Drama? It depends on my mood, but I guess I would pick a drama. I think that a lot of the "comedies" these days are so over the top, they're not that funny. 

2. Fiction or Non-Fiction?  Fiction for sure.

3. Movies in Theater or At Home? Well, since baby, at home is where we watch 99% of our movies. But I do love a theater with reclining seats!

4. Musical or Play? Musical--Hamilton anyone? Also The Greatest Showman was awesome (just watched it this past weekend!)

5. Which Meal of the day is your favorite to eat out? Dinner

6. Favorite Book ever read? The Nightingale is one of my tops. I also really enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love. It came at a time in my life where I really connected with the book.

7. Game Night: Yes or No?  Sure!

8. Favorite Outside Game to play? Cornhole. And, how much wine can I drink when it's nice outside--that's a game, right?? J/k :)

9. Favorite TV Series ever?  Gosh, there are a lot, it's hard to pick one so I'll list a few. Gilmore Girls, The Good Wife,  Grey's Anatomy (I don't watch anymore though), Beverly Hills 90210

10. Sitcoms growing up or Sitcoms of today? Sitcoms growing up--they were so much better overall (and the reason so many are getting reboots I think!)

11. Miniature Golf or Bowling? Probably bowling, as long as you go with people who are there for fun and don't get pissy when they don't do well, no matter what you're playing. It's just for FUN!!

12. Favorite Movie Theater Candy? Sour Patch Kids

13. How do you like your popcorn? Extra butter please!

14. 3D movies with the glasses; Yes or No? Meh, I don't really care either way. They're cool, but not the end all be all for me.

15. Favorite Genre of Books to Read? Historical Fiction is one that I always seem to enjoy over and over again

{Weekly Wins}: May the 4th Be With You

Happy happy Friday, lovies! Sorry for the cheesy title, I just couldn't resist!

This week flew by for me, and I hope that it did for you too!

It also had a ton of wins, so let's recap:

~Ella's first birthday party was a total success, and all of your sweet comments and birthday wishes were amazing!

~Getting cards and gifts in the mail from friends for our girl's birthday--love snail mail!

~Weather that allowed us to play in the water table every night after dinner. Some of those nights wine was enjoyed by the adult kids #extrawin

~done with thank you cards for gifts from Ella's birthday!

~a 90 minute massage on Sunday afternoon last weekend, once we got back home from all of the birthday festivities. Heavenly!

Obviously this was taken in the aftermath of the amazing massage haha

~This sweet photo of Ella and one of her best buddies at daycare on Wednesday. The smiles get me! And also, babies in sunhats!

~making plans with MG's coworker to watch Cooper during our beach vacay this summer (one less thing to worry about in the meantime!) Cooper is going to love all of the attention from the family, including the 13 year old and the 5 year old. He may not want to come home!

~Sunless tanner--in these early days of dresses and shorts, and also trying to protect my skin from the sun, my two sunless tanner options have given me a great base and a nice glow.

I highly recommend Rodan+Fields Sunless tanner (NOT sponsored, I just seriously love it that much), and Jergens Natural Glow Wet Moisturizer which my nieces actually introduced me to last year. Nice glow, protected skin...win-win!

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On that note, I'll leave you with that GLOWING recommendation (get it???? :) #cornymomjoke

Hoping your weekend is warm and sunshiney--our forecast is looking like rain the whole time which will be a bummer for the bachelorette party I'm heading to with my friend tomorrow. Hopefully it passes quickly!

Catch you girls next week!

Dear Thursday

Dear Weather,  I'm glad it's finally not cold, but having Spring for 3 days and then going straight into the 90s isn't my idea of Spring. Get your S together, please!

Dear funny kid at school,  I love your interpretation of "Explain your thinking." Bonus points for you.

(Let's be real, there are some days that's what my brain looks/feels like too!)

Dear sleepyhead, thanks for letting me snap this rare photo of you still sleeping, despite the lights being turned on, a hand on your back (and the phone's flash accidentally going off). Love this still, quiet moment. #allthehearteyes

Dear eye twitch,  I have no idea where you came from, but the twitching through the day yesterday was SUPER annoying. You can go ahead and go now mmmkay, buhbye.

Dear Bachelorette party weekend (and MG's first night solo-dadding), Looking forward to a day and night of girl time, wineries and fun with my friends! #momsnightout

Dear after-dinner family walks,  I heart you. The outdoor time together, getting some exercise and fresh air is heavenly and the perfect end to the work day. (Hence why Mother Nature needs to let us have REAL Spring weather for longer).

Dear Old Navy,  dang you again for your sales and roping me into more purchases. Also, your shipping takes so long to get packages out once you order. 10 days seems like a long time to wait. #getwithit #askamazon

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{via} have this in lilac and wanted it in white too

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{via}  just love this color!

Sarah raved about these black jeggings so I had to get a pair and try them out for myself!

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Dear Brittany, dang you for telling me about the Old Navy top that made me go to the site, and see the sale, and other things that I "needed" hahaha, jk #loveyou

Dear Hurricane Ella, this photo from daycare had me cracking up on Tuesday. And also, a total example of the kind of destruction that can be done in seconds by a one year old.

Happy Friday-eve! Catch you tomorrow for some wins from the week!

{WHW}: 1st Birthday Partying

You may be tired of hearing about Ella turning 1, and if you are...sorry (I'm only a little sorry). This was a big milestone in our lives, and our girl's life and it was just crazy how quickly the year went by. It's so cliche, but it's incredibly true.

Ella's birthday weekend was busy busy busy but oh-so worth it! Everything came together perfectly, and even though Ella was a little overwhelmed by everyone being around and was kind of a stage 5 clinger to mommy and daddy, it was a great day celebrating our favorite girl!

So, let's get to the details and pictures!

My BIL has a bouncy business on the side, so they offered to put one up for Ella's party. I figured she wouldn't really use it, but girl LOVED IT!

She got in a lot of bouncy time before the party started and her cousins were more than thrilled to play with her:

The cakes turned out even better that I had imagined! Believe it or not, these are both Walmart cakes and were incredibly reasonably priced (in fact the smash cake was free):

 Birthday banners--the bottom one is Ella's 12 monthly photos from her first year. It was so fun to see how she grew and changed each month!

 We had quite the spread of food and beverages. We may have gone overboard because MG and I took home 7 bottles of wine with us (oops)

Everyone started arriving a little after 3, which was perfect because Ella napped until 3 on the dot (she must have known she was needed haha). 

The pink tutu and headband only lasted for a little while, but they were cuter than cute!

Lots of photos were taken through the afternoon:

We opened the mounds and mounds of gifts that were brought (so generous!)

After eating and chatting, it was time to sing happy birthday and see our girl's reaction to her first bites of cake.

Surprisingly, she was very dainty about it, taking tiny bits of icing and eating it. I helped her dig into the cake part and she happily shared it with me--including my face and my hair lol

We sang happy birthday again a little bit later around her big, fancy cake and at the end Ella clapped (and then screamed lol):

All too soon it was time to clean up, pack up allllllll the gifts, and head back to my in-laws' house.

It was the perfect day, with the most beautiful weather we could have hoped for, surrounded by our family and family friends. We are so blessed to have this loving family--Ella doesn't even know how lucky she is :)

Quick Tuesday Check-In

Hey you guys, just checking in quick today--Happy first day of May! 

I'm still trying to get myself together after the whirlwind birthday weekend up in PA/NJ last weekend for Ella. Pics of the festivities coming tomorrow, but here's a sneak peak in the meantime:

Meanwhile, the weather decided to be Spring for about 5 seconds, then back into the 50s and now this week we're supposed to be in the upper 80s. 

Hey Spring, nice of you to finally show up for a minute and then let Summer run you over!

Luckily, one of Ella's birthday presents was a water table from my sisters-in-law, so that's going to get lots of use this week already!

On the agenda for this week:

~Start my new book (On the Jellicoe Road)

~make it through 3 IEP meetings, and plan for one more next week

~schedule 2 IEP meetings for the month

~try not to sweat my brains out with the incoming heat wave

~make it through Ella's 1 year doc appt and shots (eep!)

~Start a game plan for how to introduce real milk and start bottle weaning --any advice on this from moms...send it my way!

~prep for friend's bachelorette party this weekend

What's on your agenda this week?

I'll catch you all tomorrow!