Pumpkin Patch 2016

Last weekend, we took the kiddos to the pumpkin patch which is one of my favorite fall traditions.  It was Olivia's first time at a pumpkin patch and she was quite the diva.  Just like her mama, she's not the outdoorsy type and let us all know it.  Lucas, as always, had a great time and wore himself out on the bouncy houses and slides.  This was also to first real outing as a family.  I hardly ever left the house during my maternity leave because Olivia caught a cold early on and I wanted to stay indoors as much as possible before her vaccinations.  It was wonderful to be out and about and gave me a glimpse of all the fun outings we have to look forward to in the future.

Top: Nordstrom {Similar}  /  Jeans: Old Navy  /  Shoes: Target {Similar}

Finding A Routine

The pictures are blurry, the clothes are wrinkly, and I forgot to put on mascara which pretty much ruined my day.  Kidding aside, it was a hot mess of a morning but I am determined to get back into the swing of things which includes blogging.  So if you can look past the blurry pics and mascara less eyelashes, I am wearing a peplum top which I swore I would never do.  This pattern called to me though and I couldn't stop my hand from adding the top to my shopping cart.  Thankfully, the top isn't too froo froo nor makes my waist look wider than it already is (HELLO POST PARTUM BABY WEIGHT THAT WON'T GO AWAY!)

And here is the precious reason why our morning got thrown into a loop...someone decided to wake up an hour before she usually does.  I didn't mind the extra cuddles though.  Not. One. Bit.

Shirt: Loft {Similar}  /  Sweater: J.Crew Factory  /  Pants: Express  /  Shoes: Kohls  /  Necklace: Bauble Bar  /  Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Back to Work After Maternity Leave

Well, folks.  Maternity leave is over and it's back to reality or to a new normal that I haven't quite figured out yet.  I thought for sure I would never make it to work on time but somehow I only managed to be a few minutes late and not totally looking ratchet.  

For some reason, I thought that going back to work after my second child would be easier but it wasn't.  Not the least bit.  I shed lots of tears out of working mommy guilt because I now know what to expect which is spending less time with my child.  However, and trust me, I've only come to realize this after lots of tears, I'm a better mom because I work.  Everyone has to make the right decision for their own family and, for us, this feels right for the moment.  Thankfully, I had a great first week back at the office and I know Olivia is in great hands while I work.  It will take some adjusting to but soon we will all fall into a routine and all will be right in the world.

Shirt: Nordstrom {Similar}  /  Pants: Express  /  Shoes: Nine West  /  Bag: Rebecca Minkoff  /  Necklace: J.Crew Factory {Similar}  /  Sunnies: Kate Spade

Baby's First Trip to Disney World

I've been MIA lately but I'm still on maternity leave and having some much needed family time.  Olivia has had quite the busy week.  She was vaccinated, baptized, and visited Disney World for the first time!  Although she was going to stay home for our Disney day trip, we ended up needing to take her and although I was slightly anxious to take her so little, she did great and we had the best time!  

With both of my kids, we stayed at home pretty much 99% of our time because I did not want them out before receiving their vaccines and to give them time to build up their immune system.  I felt a little more comfortable to take her to Disney since she's received vaccines and because Disney has an amazing baby care center.  So those of you who are anxious to take little ones to Disney, don't be!  We decided to go to Epcot since it's a little easier to get to and we all wanted to go on the new Frozen ride.  Taking my children to Disney has been amazing and I'm thrilled that I have a little princess now to enjoy all the girly things Disney has to offer!  Although Olivia did not go on any rides, we met the characters at the meet and greet and my heart melted with these photos! 

Olivia's Nursery

As soon as we found out Lucas was a boy, I immediately began decorating his nursery.  When we found out Olivia was a girl...it took months before I began working on her room.  Instead, I started buying things here and there that I liked and hoped that it would come together in the end.  I really only had two things that I really wanted for her room and that was a gray glider and a mint dresser.  My husband brought to life the mint dresser by painting a dresser that bought at Ikea and I love it!  I decided to not go with a traditional changing table in favor of a dresser so that the furniture is functional later on.  The Olivia banner is one my husband made.  Yep, he made it!  He also made one for Lucas and wanted to keep with the tradition.  I made the mint pom pom drapes out of drapes from Amazon and pom pom trim I bought off of Etsy.  I'm really happy with how the nursery turned out and hope she does too as she gets older.

Dresser: Ikea (my husband painted it mint and the knobs are from Amazon)

Glider: Target

Unicorn Head: Target

Mirrors: Target

Gallery Wall Prints/Frames: Mostly all from Hobby Lobby

Stool: Hobby Lobby

Owl Basket: Target {Similar}

Bow Hooks: Land of Nod

Hello Wooden Sign: Hobby Lobby

Crib: Graco

Mobile: Target

Olivia Isabel: Birth Story

She's here!  Our baby girl, Olivia Isabel, was born on July 23, 2016 and she was a chunk!  At 9 pounds, 3 oz, our dark haired and blue eyed girl stole our hearts.  While Lucas' birth story was difficult, I am so happy that Olivia's birth was night and day!  

(Please excuse any grammar mistakes - I'm blaming sleep deprivation!)

I had a scheduled c-section with Olivia that perfectly fell on a Saturday.  I woke up super early that morning so that I could shower and spend some time with Lucas.  An hour before we were suppose to leave, I got a call from the hospital that they needed to reschedule the c-section because there was not a bed available.  Talk about messing with your mind!  Luckily, I didn't eat anything because my doctor soon thereafter called to tell me to get to the hospital and have this baby.  As soon as I got to the hospital, everything happened so fast.  I changed into my Gownies gown that my dad got me for Olivia and Lucas' birth, visited with my husband and parents for about an hour, and then I got wheeled into the surgery room.  I was so incredibly nervous!  For Lucas' c-section, I was exhausted from hours of pushing, not eating, and no sleep so I barely remember anything but I was wide awake, rested, and alert for this one.  One of the nurses noticed how nervous I was so she asked me if I wanted to listen to Britney Spears radio during the c-section...ummmm...is she a mind-reader YESSSSS I WANT TO LISTEN TO BRITNEY SPEARS!  After talking with the nurses for a bit, I found myself laughing and talking up pop music, and basically all nerves went away.  Soon my husband came into the room and it was baby delivery time!  To keep my mind occupied, everyone kept up with the pop music theme of discussion and even my husband joined in since he knew it was helping calm my nerves.  After what seemed like minutes (but was longer since I listened to at least one Christina Aguilera song, one NSync song, Backstreet Boys song, and of course, Britney), our beautiful baby girl was welcomed to the world to the tune of Spice Girls Say You'll Be There.  I mean, perfection.  I was stitched up quickly and soon was reunited with the sweetest little girl in all of the land!

The pain wasn't as bad as I remember which was awesome.  It didn't take long for Lucas to warm up to his little sister and he is obsessed with wanting to hold her.  It's now been three weeks since Olivia's joined our family and I could not feel more blessed.  It hasn't all been roses (hello baby blues and hormones) but she is such a good baby and I can't even fathom our family without her.  So my blog break was for good reason but I hope to be back at it soon now that I'm getting a little more sleep!