So Long Summer (A Month Late...!)

It's October! And I realized I forgot to do a summer photo dump. I've just been so busy keeping up with the Joe and Teresa Giudice story and trying to keep my nails painted. I kid. Anyway, here's a little photo montage of our summer:

In May my generous in laws sent us (my mother in law, and two sisters in law) on a girls trip to Chicago. It was so much fun! We had a blast shopping and eating. Do you see that plate of food below? If you're ever in Chicago go visit Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. You won't regret it. Unless you have a shellfish allergy. Thanks God for giving me no known food allergies! I appreciate it.

Nom nom nom.

We spent TONS of time at the pool.

Check out that tongue. He does this when he's thinking really hard about something. So does his Dad.

Why do they seem to spend more time OUT of the water than in it? #boys

We spent HOURS in the backyard with the water table and sprinkler.

That little sprinkler is the best $5 I ever spent. Hands down.

Robby has an adorable habit of trying to help me "water" the plants and flowers with his sippy cup. Have you seen anything cuter in your life?

The water hose is our latest obsession. The first time he played with it he drank so much water out of it I thought he may puke. Thank goodness he didn't. Y'all know me and vomit don't mix.

We took Robby to the lake for the first time on July 4th. My in laws have a beautiful house there. Robby loved staying up way past his bedtime and playing with his GrandBob and KK, and uncles and aunts. It was a successful trip but I must say taking a toddler to the lake is quite a different experience than it used to be! As in, it's A LOT.OF.WORK. Our little guy is worth it.

Fun times with Aunt Lizzi!

He HATED the life jacket. Sorry buddy. We just really want you to survive if you fall in! #Iamacompletefreakaboutwatersafety #poolslakesandbeachesgivemeanxiety Water safety is enough to make one need a cocktail. Oh wait....that's probably counterproductive.

Porch time=The best time

We took lots of quick trips to Waco to visit my family. Robby had a ball with his cousin James, Marmi and Opa, Aunt Alie and Uncle Patch, and Aunt Catie and Uncle Clayton.

I die over the picture in the bottom left square above. They are sitting EXACTLY the same way with their right hands on their hips. Like twins. Allison and I always talk about how they're technically half brothers since we are twins.

Opa took Robby to ride the train at Kiddieland. He loved his first train ride!

Matching cousin swimsuits. #duh

We went on lots of outings around Fort Worth.

The museum was a fave for Robby. But I can't say we'll be back soon. The germaphobe level here is extremely high. I just don't know if I have it in me to do it again while my child still sticks his hand in his mouth every 5 seconds. #whoopingcough #stomachbug #flu #EBOLA???? #notok

We went to Bluebonnet Bakery with friends on Friday mornings.

We baked and ate lots of cookies. I can't wait until Robby can really help in the kitchen! It will be so much fun to have a mini sous chef.

We got popsicles.

We lunched with friends and sometimes Dad.

We went to the zoo.

And we're on hiatus from the zoo because we got a stomach bug the next day.

We went to Plano to visit Robby's great grandparents, Dottie and Angelo. How cool is it to be able to visit your great grandparents? I have no living grandparents on my side but all four of Andy's are still here which is amazing.

We got a haircut. Robby hates haircuts. #ohthescreaming

We walked around the TCU campus so Robby can learn his way around in case he decides to be a horned frog later in life.

We rode the Fort Worth miniature train.

We got our culture on at the Botanic Gardens.

We got in touch with our inner artist.

When we weren't traipsing around Fort Worth, we had lots of fun at home.

I don't think you'll fit in that bowl. #bigkidproblems

"Mom, why is there something green on my tray. I already told you - meat, cheese, and bread only please." 

And we took a lot of naps. #longlivethenap

While we had TONS of fun with Robby this summer, Andy and I also made time for some of our own fun. As much as we adore and obsess over our little man, we feel like we are much better parents when we get opportunities to take a break. I have no shame in saying that we need time off from parenting to just be us. And travel is our jam so we will take any chance we can to see new places. (By the way I can't stop saying "jam"....help!) There's something so refreshing about soaking up other sights and cultures.

In May, we took a getaway to Turks & Caicos and stayed at the Regent Palms. We had the most relaxing time and know just how fortunate we are to have people to take good care of Robby while we're away. Shout out to Marmi and Opa for volunteering to keep him in May!

Excuse the grainy photo. #photographerprobs

We drove around to explore the island in this sweet rental.

If you find yourself in Turks, you simply must eat at Da Conch Shack.

Don't you just love vacation? #anyexcusetoeatfriedfood

Our hotel had bicycles for riding around the island. We felt like teenagers again. Thank goodness you never forget how to ride a bike.

Never on a beach without my hat.

I have always thought Cayman has the best water I've seen, hands down. But I have to say Turks & Caicos is definitely on par with Cayman. SO beautiful! 

Relaxed. Rejuvenated. Ready to parent!

And that's a wrap!

It's Finally Fall: September Must Haves

And just like that...it's fall! THANK YOU JESUS. Fall has arrived. Goodbye 100 degree days. Hopefully. It is Texas, and we never really know when we're out of the woods from scorching hot days. I'd say we're in the clear by December. Ha. But seriously.

Fall starts my most favorite time of year! I'm already craving pumpkin everything. If you're a pumpkin fan, check out my favorite fall coffee cake recipe from last year here. It's so delicious and completely worth the effort.

Last year's fall was filled with fun two rounds of stomach bug, sinus infections, and a dash of worst cold ever thrown in for good measure. I'm hopeful that this fall is full of cocktails in lieu of colds and fun instead of flu-like symptoms. Speaking of, get your flu shot! If you believe in that kind of thing. I do and I want everyone else to too. So we don't all get the flu. After you get your flu shot, reward yourself by shopping for my September must haves!

• Nature's Wick Pumpkin Nutmeg Candle - Y'all this candle makes my heart sing. Cause I'm a wild thing. Wild about pumpkin, that is. It smells like you are nestled in an oven with a freshly baked pie. Ummm, but it's not like a too hot oven. Just one that's been left on the "keep warm" setting. Does your oven have that? Mine does and it's awesome. Sorry I don't have a link for you to purchase but I haven't been able to find it online - however, it can be found at Target so it won't break the bank. Peace, love, and savings.
• Essie Over the Edge Nail Polish- Gunmetal gray nails were seen all over the runways during New York Fashion Week this past week and I'm totally on board. Come fall, I like to go moodier with my polish, and gunmetal fits the bill. One of my favorites is Essie's Over the Edge. It's a silvery black (I guess that makes it gray?) that's perfect for cooler weather. Disclaimer: You do have to apply more than one coat as the first coat goes on pretty sheer. 
• Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss in Crystal Lilac - Pastels are also making a big appearance this fall. I'm having a hard time getting on board with pastels in my fall wardrobe, so pastel lip gloss it is. This particular shade is an old favorite of mine. It's very similar to a Chanel glossimer color, Jaipur, that I religiously wore until it got discontinued. Womp, womp. Why do the best lip colors get discontinued time and time again? Chanel, shame on you! And Revlon, if you're listening please don't ever discontinue your ColorBurst Lipgloss in Crystal Lilac. Because then, I just don't know what I'd do.
• Justin's Vanilla Almond Butter - If you've tried almond butter but think it's a little too bland for your taste buds, this is for you. Justin's Vanilla Almond butter is SO delicious. I eat it on eggos, toast, apples, and straight out of the jar. Good ole Justin makes some other awesome flavors too, including chocolate and maple. Something about almond butter on apples just says fall. Pick some up on your next Target or Central Market run!

Happy Friday everyone! And more importantly, happy FALL!

No One Told Me There'd Be (This Many) Tantrums

Tantrums? Public displays of undesired behavior? Rolling around screaming on asphalt? Not my child. Actually, yes. Yes. We are in the trenches of tantrum season.

Before I had a toddler, I remember saying to myself that I would not be one of "those" mothers. One who can't control her toddler in public. But then I actually had a toddler. I'm humbled, to say the least.

Every babe has a different personality and mine is rather strong-willed. Which is going to be a great trait to have (most of the time) later in life! But at the present time, it's...well, challenging.

For your reading pleasure, here is a list of the last month's tantrums and circumstances surrounding them.

Exhibit A: We went to get popsicles.

My child doesn't do lines. We had to leave our stroller outside the tiny popsicle place leaving me with no choice but to carry him inside sans a place to strap him down. Mistake number one. 

Obviously, he didn't want me holding him so I let him wander around me with a watchful eye. Mistake number two.

Soon thereafter, R is digging in the public trash can, pulling things out, and probably contracting hand, foot and mouth disease. My OCD self was dying inside knowing I didn't have my Lysol. I (tried to) pick R up to avoid his trashcan digging and he lost his sh*t. I literally could not contain him. It was 105 degrees outside and I sweated about two gallons trying to wrangle a screaming kid and get to the front of the line for our flipping popsicle. We finally got it and guess how much he loved it? He had four licks.

The things we do for our children. I can barely talk about trying to strap him back into his stroller when it was time to leave. Pretty sure I have PTSD now. I had to take another shower when we got home. Thanks, Frozen! Ain't nobody got time for that.

Okay. It was kinda fun minus the screaming and we'll probably be back again. I'm such a glutton for punishment.

Exhibit B: I went to the grocery store without goldfish.

See Exhibit A. Same sh*t, different place.

Thank goodness for the straps that kind of contain your child in the grocery cart. That'll be the last time I leave the house without snacks. Probably not though. I hope I always forget them only when we are headed to the grocery store where there is a plethora of snacks to choose from right then and there. Tell me I'm not the only mom who has had to open a snack right off the shelf in the store.

I didn't think so.

Exhibits C through Z: There's. Just. Too. Many. Tantrums. To. List.

Toddlers are funny. They get upset over the (seemingly) smallest reasons. I have found that food and distraction usually do the trick in keeping them at bay. The same goes for husbands.

Cookies > Tantrums. Chocolate chip cookies for the win every time!

For the record, I do have the sweetest, most fun, most cuddly little baby there is. He's the best and I love him to the moon and back. Even his tantrums.

The Best Roast Ever...Made With A Stick of Butter, Of Course!

Y'ALL. If you have been looking for a good roast recipe, this is it. My sister sent it to me. She found it on Table for Two,which is one of our favorite food blogs.

I adapted it ever so slightly and it came out DELISH. And you make it in a crock pot. SUCH a score. I just love when it's dinner time and dinner is already done. With practically zero effort. That's the best!

I promise this is not "just another crock pot recipe." It tastes WAY better than any roast I have ever made in the crock pot.

Ingredients

• 1 3-pound chuck roast
• 1 1-ounce packet of dry Ranch seasoning mix
• 1 1-ounce packet of dry au jus gravy mix
• 1 stick of butter, obviously! *The original recipe calls for 6 tablespoons. I went ahead with the full stick. That was a no-brainer. Paula would be proud.
• 1/4 cup water
• 8 pepperoncini *I added more than the original recipe called for because I wanted my roast to have some zip to it.

Directions

• Add the 1/4 cup water to your crock pot and place the roast on top.
• Sprinkle the roast with the dry Ranch mix followed by the dry au jus mix.
• Put the stick of butter on top of all that. *No need to melt it first, just throw it on top!
• Place the pepperoncini around the roast.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Shred and serve with the gravy. Cause it makes its own gravy!

I guarantee you will LOVE this roast. Also, one of the best things about a roast is having leftovers! We ate the leftovers on toasted King's Hawaiian Bread buns with some horseradish. I can't EVEN tell you how good that was. We were so busy stuffing our faces with this amazing roast that I didn't get a photo for you. So I'll leave you with a photo of my little man.

Have you ever seen a more angelic face???

Happy Thursday!

Toddler Must Haves: Months Fifteen and Sixteen

Mr. R turned 16-months!!!! old on July 9. I am feeling like he is such a little boy now. And not a baby. He has a rather strong stubborn streak personality and most definitely wants things his way. All the time. Don't we all? But he is so much fun. Fun meaning he refuses to be still EVER and continues to abuse me during diaper changes. I have some nice bruises on my stomach as a souvenir of a rather lengthy change yesterday. I'll spare you the details but will say the washing machine was involved if you know what I mean. It's just no fun to have your diaper changed without kicking the crap out of your mom while getting things messy. Very messy. #lysol

Our goal these days is to stay busy. We spend a lot of time going to the pool (which is entertaining for about 30 minutes before he is totally over it and running like a mad man for the "big pool" section), going to the museum, and going on lots of early morning strolls in the BOB (BEST stroller ever if you do a lot of outdoor activities). We do still love our City Mini for errands. Because my little prince weighs 27 pounds, and doesn't stay still (or have the capability of listening - WHEN is that going to happen?!), a stroller is essential if we go anywhere that we may have to wait in a line or be contained. Just so you know, "containment" and "toddler" don't really go well together. With my toddler anyway. He be cray.

Robby 15/16 month update:

Current favorites: sliced bananas, grapes, watermelon, turkey, ham, cheese, avocado, and carbs, duh. The kid won't eat a vegetable to save his life so we just keep offering it and one day maybe he'll warm up to the idea. I thought he would NEVER be able to get off of pouches but we pretty much just took them away cold-turkey and he magically started to like more table foods. I recently gave all of our leftover pouches to my sister for her sweet babe. Sad day that there's no more baby food in our house. Sniff, sniff. After the trouble we had with Robby accepting table foods, I am going to make a much better effort with our next baby to introduce "real foods" earlier on and not just rely on the pouches.

Other favorites include: playing with blocks, being outside, pulling all the shoes off the shelves in my closet, screaming while running through the house like a maniac, and throwing all the food off his high chair tray then eating it off the floor.

Nice little breakfast. Off the floor.

Backyard fun! One side of this is supposed to have sand but y'all know my OCD can't handle that.

I think someone's been in my closet...

Least favorites: diaper changes, getting dressed, and being in his car seat for more than an hour. Those all involve being still...

He is starting to say lots of words. Some recent ones are: wall, fan, light, water (wa-wa), this, that, wow, woah, hey, hi, bye, dog, woof! I just about die every time he makes an animal sound. 

Fisher Price Shape Sorter - Mr. R loves to carry this bucket around. His favorite part is dumping all the shapes out. Over. And over. And over again. It's funny how loud noises used to bother me and now I can't even hear the ruckus of crashing toys on my concrete floors. If it keeps him occupied we're all happy! By the way, I despise my concrete floors. One day when I find some extra hundred dolla bills y'all laying around I'm putting hardwoods in the entire downstairs. Just throwin' that out there.

Aden and Anais Security Blankets - These are still a major favorite at our house. We introduced these when Robby was about 6-months old and I really believe they are part of the reason he goes down at night so easily. Let's not talk about what time he wakes up in the morning though. He is very attached to these blankets so we'll keep them around. Sometimes when I miss Robby while he is at Mother's Does Laundry, Clean, and Run Errands Day Out, I go into his room and smell these little blankies. Cause they smell like him. And I loooooove it.

Shortalls and Rompers - OK so my darling angel baby has developed a new, very disturbing habit. He sticks his hands down the back of his pants. Into his diaper. Well, we all know what can be lurking in diapers, so this is not good. I actually don't think Robby does this intentionally but that it is just one of his strange little habits. I still put him in shorts (and I just have to be really good at detecting and changing him IMMEDIATELY in case of you know what) but have been putting him in one pieces most of the time. This too shall pass. In case you didn't know, there are adorable options for a 16-month old who needs a one-piece. Robby wears a size 24-month or 2T now and I have been able to find some at Carter's and also locally at my friend's CA-UTE shop, Babies on the Boulevard.

Foam Blocks - These little blocks are great because they are lightweight and can't hurt anything/anyone. Which is key if you have a child who enjoys throwing things. They also have letters and numbers on them so Robby is sure to become even more of a genius as he learns the alphabet and how to count while he plays!

Munchkin Snack Catchers - I wouldn't dare leave the house without food for R. Snacks are pretty much how I can get anything done these days, making these snack cups an absolute must have. Trips to Target are so much easier with goldfish in hand. If there's ever a time that food equals happiness, it's when you're a toddler.

Happy Friday Eve Everyone!

More Summer Must Haves

Are you having a good Thursday? Need an escape from your daily routine? Bored at your desk at work? Children and/or husbands driving you nuts? Well, I can't help you with all of those things but I CAN give you a few more of my summer favorites! Some of these aren't actually just for summer. Most of them I'll use year round. Maybe except for the shorts. Because I don't really wanna wear shorts during our one month of Texas winter. When it may be below 70 degrees. Brrrr!

Big Sexy Hair Volumizing Dry Shampoo - So my hair has quite a bit of GF. GF means grease factor. It gets kinda greasy. And sometimes I just really, really don't want to wash it and then have to dry it. And fix it. And spend time doing hair when I can be doing something much more productive. Like catching up on The Real Housewives of New Jersey...Who else is excited the Jersey girls are back?! What I love about this spray is that it isn't powdery like other dry shampoos. It won't leave that white-colored residue that you have to brush out because it is not talc-based. I will caution you though: Use this with a very light hand. Or you will look like a scarecrow. It adds SERIOUS texture so only spray your roots. The first time I used it I sprayed it all over and let's just say that I could have put my hair in Pippy Longstocking ponytails and it would have stayed. For a week. I hope y'all know who Pippy Longstocking is.

Coconut Oil - OBSESSED. My sweet mother-in-law got me onto coconut oil a few years ago. It can be used for SO many things, which I love. #bangforyourbuck #winning #moremoneyforshoes I use it as an all over moisturizer/lotion, a face mask, and even as a hair mask. When you scoop it out of the jar, it will be solid, but if you rub it in your hands for a few seconds, it turns into liquid. Oh, I also made chocolate chip cookies with it and they were delish! This is the recipe if you're interested.

Crystal Light On The Go Drink Mix - I have been trying to drink tons of water to stay hydrated in this heat. It's also so good for your skin! And who doesn't want beautiful skin? Plain old water can get a little boring after a while so I've been using these cute little packets to add some flavor. I love that they come in individual packets so I can throw them in my purse. And they only add 5 calories so you don't have to feel bad about it. I despise drinking my calories because I'd rather eat them. But I'll make an exception for wine or vodka, ok? My current fave flavor is Peach Tea. I made the lemonade flavor for the guys painting my house last week and they seemed to like it too so give it a try!

Patterned Shorts - I used to hate shorts. But I have learned to embrace them. It is just too dang hot to wear any kind of pants in this heat. There are SO many cute and affordable short options out there this summer. My favorite pair is actually from Target but Old Navy and J.Crew also have lots to choose from. This is a great time to buy shorts and stock up for next summer because they are already on sale so stores can make room for FALL, which I cannot wait for! Pumpkin is already calling my name!

Happy Middle of Summer Everyone! And Happy Day Before Friday!

Lysol, Toddlers, and Barf. Oh My!

I learned last week that eventually your toddler will barf. All over the place. In the car. And you will survive.

If you read my blog, you know that I am NOT ok with vomit. Like the thought of cleaning another person's vomit gives me hives. When I get a stomach bug (which has been all too frequent since having a baby) there is lots of crying and needing my own mommy. It's bad, y'all. I'm not sure what the exact name for vomit phobia is but I have it. I have it BAD.

So last Monday Marmi was in town, and after we picked Mr. Robby up from Mother's Day Out (which should really be called Mother Does Laundry, Cleans, and Runs Errands For Everyone Else Day) we noticed he wasn't looking too good. His face seemed a little green. Wouldn't you know that in the car on the way home from getting Chick-fil-a, I hear gagging in the backseat. Followed by the worst sound ever. Mass amounts of vomit. Talk about ruining good Chick-fil-a.

I jump in the back (Marmi is driving) and assess the situation. It is not good. R ended up throwing up about four times in a row in the car. I actually SAW it projectile out of his mouth. I'm not sure if I've ever actually WATCHED vomit come out of someone's mouth.

Anyway, we get home and strip him down in the front yard and Marmi carries him directly to the bath. THANK GOD for Marmi. She always seems to be here when we are in need of help. And man was I needing support with my vomit phobia. I took a trash bag to the car and used about 2 rolls of paper towels cleaning up. And I have a confession to make. I threw away the clothes that Robby was wearing. I just couldn't deal. They went straight into the trash bag.

I learned that the trick to cleaning vomit is to breathe through your mouth. Because if you smell it, you will barf too. We finally got everything and everyone clean. Props to my cans of Lysol. It made me feel loads better to Lysol everything in the house and in the car. When I was little, my Mimi used to carry around a can of Lysol in her purse. Isn't that funny? I think that's where I get my germ-a-phobia from.

R threw up one more time but luckily Marmi was right next to him with a bucket. Here's a trick for the vomit bucket: line it with a trash bag and then all you have to do is tie the bag shut and throw it in the outside trash. Winning! Because you don't have to touch the vomit. 

Robby was so exhausted he fell right to sleep around 7:00 pm. I, on the other hand, only slept from about 3:45-6:00 am because I was listening for vomit. It turned out to be a silent night. Until I walked into R's room at 6:00 and saw that his entire crib and self were crusted in barf. I gasped and walked right back out of the room into the hallway to give myself a pep talk. And then the cleaning process began all over again. I sure had no idea there could be silent vomit attacks in the middle of the night. And I checked on him about 55 times so I have no clue when it happened.

Needless to say, we survived and somehow by the grace of God no one else caught the bug. Marmi got a good professional car cleaning and we sanitized the house from top to bottom. Marmi's car seat is as good as new thanks to a thorough cleaning and a new cover. I have to give MAJOR props to the Britax company. Naturally, I put the cover in the washing machine (even though the directions say to only hand wash) and the seams all came apart. I called Britax and told them I am bad and did not follow directions and put the cover in the washer and they sent us a new cover anyway. For free. What a great company. It took all of about 5 minutes to explain the situation and they didn't even argue with me.

In other news, the week before the barfing, Robby took a serious tumble over the back of a chair into a window ledge and gave himself two black eyes that took about two and a half full weeks to fade. I totally lost composure when it happened and called the doctor crying. Pretty sure they think I'm a lunatic. Grandma KK also had to come over and take a look at the injury. I learned that as long as they can still walk and their pupils look normal they'll probably make it. Although the doc did tell us R's nose still looked rather swollen a few weeks after the fall and that when all the swelling goes down we need to see if it looks crooked, in which case we will have to go see an ENT. Lovely. A toddler nose job? Lord, help us. I'm praying it doesn't come to that. Please send positive vibes for a perfectly straight nose.

Here's my little man and his swollen nose. Poor R.

Things have been uneventful after the black eyes and barfing. Except for me getting strep throat a few days before July 4th followed by all of us getting a cold. I guess it just never ends when you have a kid! Even my Lysol isn't a match for having a toddler in the house.

Happy Hump Day!