Destin 2014

We all remember that the car ride to Destin wasn't much fun, but the rest of the trip was a blast. (Until we headed home ...) 

Olivia was taking 3 hour naps the first couple days. It was amazing. But so unexpected. We kept saying "she'll be up any minute" and wouldn't head to the beach or anything.

Almost all of these pictures, my mom took. 

My parent's don't have a bathtub yet, so Olivia bathed in the kitchen sink!

For breakfast, I had to be her high chair. 

First time at the beach photos!

First time in the water.

She didn't like it! :(

At one point, I swear she said da-da-pa. So that's what we've been calling my dad.

Love's the beach!

Baby blues and pretzel treats.

Finally getting a little hair.

Despite the way it looks in this picture, she loves me.

Date night! My parents babysat.

A family photo where we only had to worry about Olivia looking forward (not Koda too!)

Taking a selfie!

She looks sweet in the other pictures, but this is really her personality!

And most of our beach pictures turned out like this:

Olivia - Ten Months

Height: 28.75 inches (75%)
Weight: 18 pounds (40%)

Sleep: She is still sleeping 7-7ish. She naps around 9-11 (weekends, not at daycare) and then 2-4/5. She reads books before bed and goes down so well.

Eating: She eats exactly what we are eating. She has breakfast with Dan. Then we pack her her food for daycare. She has lunch with me. And then we all have dinner as a family. She's a great eater. Still getting 5 bottles a day, but some of them less milk depending on how much real food she has eaten.

Milestones: Still cruising everywhere and scared to let go. She can stand for a bit by herself before she panics and sits down. She has taken one step by herself - haha. She will hold our finger with one hand and walk everywhere - but not enough courage to try it herself. 

Clothes / Diapers: She is pretty much exactly to size. Although, the other day she did squeeze herself into some 3-6 month baby gap leggings. I'm pretty sure I heard her whisper "I've still got it."

Best Moment of the Month: Taking Olivia to the beach for the first time. It is my favorite place in the world, so showing it to my favorite person was incredible. She loved the ocean and waves. Wasn't too sure what the sand was. And slept like a charm. Vacation did her well!

Parent of the Month Award: This one goes to me. Olivia has been sick all weekend (hence no typical pictures, just one from Destin). All she wants to do is for me to hold her, walk around and her to cry. So I have been. At one point Dan walked into the room and I had Olivia squeezed into her old exersaucer that needs to go in the attic. She was happy and I could lay on the couch. It lasted about 3 minutes - but was so worth it. 

Favorites: The favorite right now is climbing up the stairs. She will do it all day. Up. I bring her down. Up. I bring her down. Dog food and the trash can are close seconds. 

We are loving the little spoons that attach to the squeezy pouches for on the go feeding. Footless Hanna Anderssen jammies (they are so soft, and she doesn't slide around when walking). And Freshly Picked moccasins, but more on those later. 

Halloween Love

I'm sorry, is it August? 

I'm sorry, do I care?

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I mean. I feel obligated to say Christmas is. But if Halloween were celebrated all month long like Christmas, it would take the cake in my book. 

One time, I went as Scuba Steve. 

I'm not bragging, per say, but flippers were only moderately difficult for me to navigate while drunk.

Okay, I'm bragging.

So, clearly, when I went into Hanna Anderssen for a simple pair of socks, I came back with these:

Which she wears often.

And when we went to the outlet mall in Destin, I picked up these:

Tshirt                                                                                     Leggings

And I'm considering purchasing this skirt:

Source

Can an infant have too many Halloween outfits? 

Exclusive Pumping Tips and Tricks

I am so excited to be guest posting over on Casual Claire today. I am sharing my tips and tricks for exclusively pumping. 

Claire shares so many wonderful tips and advice for new mamas (not to mention the awesome giveaways) – that I am thrilled to be over there today!

Go here to check out my post!

Destin: The Highlights

I have over 50 pictures flagged from Destin - and that was being pretty choosy. 

Since we still have to unpack / do laundry / remember the fact that we do, indeed, work. I'll leave you with the highlights. 

My mom took most of these, and I know she will cringe because they aren't edited - so know that they are a million times better when she edits them. :)

Our Weekend

We've been doing too much beachin to post about the weekend.

We left early on Saturday for Atlanta to see my parent's new place -- Bel Aire. So, obviously, I spent the day making jokes about the "fresh 'rents of Bel Air."

On the way down, we stopped at the GA bored to change Olivia, and let her stretch her legs. She stood for about 20 seconds all by herself. She normally panics and immediately sits down. We were so proud of her and know that she just loves GA. ;)

At my parents, we had a handful of friends and family over to see the baby. It was not nearly long enough but so wonderful to see everyone. We had a birthday cake for my Aunt that my parent's forgot to bring out. We texted her a picture of it while we ate it. Sorry Belinda. Couldn't let yummy cake go to waste.

The next morning Olivia took her first step. Not steps. Singular. She took one step all by herself at my parent's house. I'm convinced she could walk if she wanted, she's just scared without our hands holding hers.

We left for Destin at 6pm so Olivia would sleep in the car. Chick doesn't like the car. We put  Nemo on my dad's portable dvd player. Since she doesn't watch TV, she LOVED it. And then it got scary... I didn't realize how scary until watching it with a 9 month old. But the barracuda, the scuba divers, the jelly fish, that weird fish with the light on the end. Poor baby started crying and squeezing my hand. She was so scared at those parts! Looks like we need to purchase Baby Einstein or Cinderella for the way home. Suggestions for no action animated movies?

This just happened:

Mom: Are you writing a five on Friday?
K: No, you clown it's Monday.
D: It's Tuesday. You are both clowns.
K: Beachin.

Five on Friday

1. We have a new accessory in our home: the baby gate. I am totally not used to it - I have already rammed into it twice. Let me tell you, metal to the shins wakes you up even better than coffee.

2. I invested in a new hairdryer so I no longer look homeless. Dan is happy and work is no longer concerned with my mental health.

3. Dan went to get Olivia up from her nap and her crib looked like this:

Apparently pulling dirty clothes out of her hamper (left) and dragging them into her crib with her soothes her to sleep. She slept for 2 hours on top of this mess. 

Time to move the hamper.

4. Olivia has a new favorite past time. Once we can explain to her how to put the dishes away, I think this will be a win for all involved.

5. I looked at my phone for 7 seconds to text someone back and this chick dumps a bag of M&Ms on the floor and starts shoving them in her mouth. Girl after my own heart!

We've Been Robbed

This little nugget is quite good at making the house look like we've been robbed in just a few seconds flat.

Cutest little robber I've ever seen.

First Birthday Inspiration

If you guys have seen Pinterest lately, you can tell I have decided on the theme for Olivia's first birthday party.

I figure this is the only year .. maaaybe next year - that I can have full control over her party. Pretty soon it'll be my least favorite Disney Princess or something ridiculously hard to find.

Inspiration came awhile ago when I saw this picture:

Source

Yes, glasses of alcohol inspired my child's first birthday. And to top it off, this was the second piece of inspiration:

Source

I have decided that the 'theme' will simply be blush and gold colors. And that, yes, cocktails will be served. 

I pinned so many cute DIY things. Smash cake. Cake toppers. Paper straws. Little toothpicks with flags on them.

I know by the time her birthday rolls around I won't have my life together and none of it will get done.

But, hey, a girl can pin!