Sweet Caroline

I wanted to take a minute and document the cost of raising a baby...you know, so I can really get a good look at it and realize how much we spend on this precious little being:-)  Of course, she is MORE than worth every penny...but in case anyone is reading who is contemplating throwing a bambino into the mix, this might help.  Mikey and I are very blessed and fortunate to have amazing family and friends who went above and beyond to spoil us and our baby -to- be during my pregnancy.  What I'm going to talk about today, is the day to day, month to month expenses we encounter...this does NOT include the hospital bills, nor everything that you need for a nursery.  Let's not even talk about how much money I spent on Collins'...I've said before, it's probably the nicest room in our house.  Maybe that's a whole post for another day.  We were given almost EVERY major thing we needed for the baby (stroller, car seats, bases, diapers, necessities, swings, bouncy s...

As I mentioned, Halloween weekend was PACKED to the brim with fun adventures. Saturday night, my brother and sister in law hosted a family friendly party that did NOT disappoint. My SIL is super creative and loves to decorate...everything looked amazing and everyone had a great time. Although Collins was a little young to fully appreciate all of her hard work, I hope this is a party they have every year, because I know she would LOVE it next year. One of the adorable desserts. Gearing up for the hayride! Decorations. Look at those bats! Witch toss. Witch Pitch. Little girls having a blast! My bro and his parrot:-)  Baby Grady was precious! My little mouse...:-) Who wants to talk about last night?? BAHAHAHAHA...nope?  Me either!  There is SO much I could say about the election and my thoughts...but who really cares? What's done is done.  Four more years...all I know is Reince Priebus has a LOT of work to do.   xoxo. 

Must mean fall is here. Without fail, an oyster roast always symbolizes the colder months for me. We had a cold streak early this year for about a week, but now temps are back to normal. We went to our first oyster roast of the season Friday night. Oysters, Beaufort stew, chili and cold beer. All the makings for a fall outdoor party. Mikey and I actually went OUT afterwards with all of our friends...and let's just say there is a reason I can't do that as much anymore. I felt pretty rough Saturday morning! It was worth it though...good times had by all. Saturday was spent with my girl and my mama shopping and lunching and napping until Mikey got off work. We enjoyed a LOW key Saturday night with friends, it was JUST what I needed. We laughed as we were heading away as Angela said, "sorry it was so chaotic." She was talking about her almost TWO year old and our babes...things are a bit crazier now...but you know what, I LOVE IT. I told her this was our new...

Okay, so that's doubtful.  But, I do want to start writing out my so called "monthly goals."  Whether they be personal, professional, etc. I want to set goals/things to do/things to get done/etc. for myself.  Now, of course some of these things we already have lined up and scheduled or I know I will get them done...but the Type A in me wants to write them out anyways. So, here goes... 1. There are 4 Sundays in November, I want to go to church for at least 3 of them.  I think we will be out of town the 4th anyways. 2. Get rid of a long stack of files that are on my "to get done" pile at the office. 3. Start working out.  I know, I know...I talk about this way too much and don't do crap about it.  I never meet goals I set for myself...something always comes up.  Well, it's time.  I want to work out at least 3 times a week.  I know that's not a ton...but it's a start.  And it's manageable.  The ONLY time I have in my day to work...

Every once in a while, I wish my blog had a LARGE following so I could get feedback. I'm not one of these that likes to take my questions to facebook and it can be hard/time consuming to get a bunch of different opinions on something. Sometimes, I just wish I could publish a post and have 50 different opinions/advice on a topic. But, yeah...that's not going to happen and really I'm okay with it. I mean, who really wants to look at a million pictures of my child every day? Besides me, of course! I know I can do research, but sometimes you feel like you know your readers, and some of you I really do know...and trust their opinions. Take this seat for example. Is it safe? Would y'all use it? Some reviews say they are dangerous...I don't know?? I would never leave her unattended, so does it really matter?  Collins doesn't really like to sit in the tub right now..she is constantly up and down, wanting to pull up on the side and it is so dangerous and I...

So, we weren't really sure how well this whole "costume" thing was going to go over this year.... Exhibit A) I ordered a little mouse costume off of amazon and had HIGH hopes.  It was advertised as 6-12 months, but it was clearly labeled 12 months.  Well, let's just say HUGE was an understatement.  It looked like a toddler's costume on her!  And needless to say, she wasn't a big fan the first time we tried it on..... Well, thank goodness for a quick $5 fix at my favorite alteration place!  I forgot to take the hat portion, but we just pinned it some for the real thing.  We took the hands out completely, girl loves her thumb, so I wanted her to have access if necessary;-) So, I had my first creative Pinterest idea come to life. (Sorry if that is misleading..it wasn't MY idea, an idea I saw on pinterest and COPIED...sorry, no creative genes here!)  I sent the picture to my dad and he was SUPER excited to make a little mouse trap for our precious...

Friday already? I'm not going to complain, but goodness...this week FLEW by. Just like that we are preparing for a SPOOKTACULAR weekend...muahahahahha!  Seriously though. We have lots of Halloweenery on the agenda. 1. Can we talk about decorating for Halloween?? Do you do it?  I guess because I didn't grow up in a neighborhood my mom never really felt the need/got into decorating for Halloween.  Sure, we carved our pumpkins and such...but our "decorating" was more FALL oriented.  NOT ghosts and goblins, oh my!  Well...let's just say our house is OUT of the loop in our neighborhood.  It seems as if almost EVERYONE decorates for HALLOWEEN.  And when I say decorate, I mean...orange lights, scary cats, ghosts, hands sticking up out of the yard, spider webs...you get the picture.  Like, FULL out spooky shit.  My little pumpkins, mums, and hay just seem a little too "sweet" for the big night.  Our neighborhood is LOADED with kids though,...