Reality Wrap Up

So here we are, Season 107 (not really, but you know what I mean) of The Bachelor.  When this franchise first began you wouldn't find a bigger fan.  In fact every Monday night my roommates (hi Brandy and Patty!) and I had our pre-show ritual of Mexican food followed by the show followed by our break down of the show and in the later years followed by us going onto the message boards.  We couldn't get enough of the drama filled girls and the poor (ha!) guy who had to deal with them and each week send home someone who would inevitably lose her s**t after "taking a moment and saying her good byes".

But in recent years I had stopped watching.  I'm sure part of it had to do with the fact that we moved on, got married, and had kids.  But, I also think that the show had become really bland.  Then for some reason a week ago Monday I decided to watch the newest season while nursing Charlie (don't worry, I'm almost sure he won't be scathed by it).  I have to say, it's either the cream of the crazy crop this season or I'm just tired and anything entertains me.

I mean, between the lesbians, the Carrie Bradshaw wanna be, the pageant queen, the "model", and the manly "VIP" waitress we have the potential for some awesome TV this season.  So, yes, I will be watching!  And tune in, believe me, you won't be disappointed.

Heather  

Friday Faves

Image via Cheap & Chic Nursery

TGIF!  I know this was a short week for a lot of you, but it's been the first week in a long time that I've had the kids by myself.  I've gotten so used to having an extra set of hands around during the day, courtesy of my mother in law, that I had completely forgotten what it was like being solo.  I think we're all starting to get back into our routine and so far there have been no major meltdowns (from the kids or me).

Here are a few things I've found around the web this week that I thought you would enjoy.

Nursery Decorating 101:  http://www.dailycandy.com/kids/all-cities/article/117443/My-Tiny-Nests-Design-in-a-Box-Nursery-Decor

Cozy sweaters from J Crew:  http://www.shopafrolic.com/

Dresser DIY:  http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2012/do-it-yourself/furniture-revamp-3-diy-dresser-upgrades-to-inspire/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChicAndCheapNursery+%28Chic+%26+Cheap+Nursery%E2%84%A2%29

Have a relaxing weekend!

Heather

Pregnancy Foundations That Work

A dear friend and former O Magazine alum, Jenny Altman, has started a wonderful new site dedicated to all things lingerie, ILOVEAGOOD.  While working at O and doing many of our "real women" makeovers Jenny noticed that most women didn't have a clue about lingerie, shapewear, basically anything that goes underneath your clothes and many would pepper her with questions.  She partnered with Danielle Black and together they have created a go to site for all things lingerie.

I was honored when they recently asked me to contribute a post on my must haves for a new (and second or third or fourth) time mom, so I thought I would include it here as well:

With Bea at the pumpkin patch, Oct. 2010

Since giving birth two times in two years, I’d like to think I have become somewhat of a shopping expert when it comes to foundations for the new (or second time) mom. Here are a few things that I have come to rely on that make life with two under two just a little bit easier:

-A great nursing camisole by Gilligan & O’Malley from Target. I lived in these after the birth of my first child (there she is above!). They are by far the most comfortable camisoles and are extremely affordable.

-The second time around I made sure to add nursing bras to the mix. I’m not sure why I neglected them before, but I made sure to pick up a few this time around. One of my favorites is the Camille Nursing Bra from Belabumbum. The material is very soft and I love the feminine design. I might be breastfeeding, but I still want to look good! I also love the Molded Seamless Wirefree Nursing Bra from Leading Lady. They have great basic maternity bras that are comfortable and very functional.

-Cardigans are very important. During the first few weeks after birth, all you really do is feed your little one, and until you both establish a schedule, it’s important to have clothing that’s easy to wear. The number one thing I go to are cardigans. I throw one over my cami and I’m all set. Right now, my favorite is the Eden Cardigan from J Crew. I love that it’s a little bit longer (after all, you’ll probably still sport a tummy for at least a few weeks) and that it comes in tons of great colors.

-Burp Cloths might not be something you would automatically think of, but I have to tell you, when you have a little one that is constantly spitting up, this will become your new best friend. The best ones on the market are the Burpy Bibs by Aden + Anais. The soft muslin along with the bean shape covers better than any others. I only have four and need to add a few more to my collection.

-Without a doubt, you are going to be spending many hours in your pajamas the first month or so after delivery. It’s nice to have a pair of pajamas that are stylish and functional since visitors keep popping in and out of your house. I have the Starlit Nursing Cami and Pant from Belabumbum and I love them! The fabric is incredibly soft and it’s nice to have a sleeping cami with the same built-in access as my day ones. After all, who wants to fiddle with a top and then a bra at 2am?

-My mother in law, who also happens to be a lactation consultant, brought me this Hands Free Pumping Bra by Simple Wishes towards the end of my breastfeeding days with my first child. They had just come out on the market and she was given one for me to test drive. What a great idea! Now I can read a book or magazine while the pumping is happening and I have both hands free.

(as seen on ILOVEAGOOD)

What We Wore Wednesday

Today was a busy day in our house.  We hosted one of the playgroups Bea is in for the first time.  It was so nice having everyone come over for a change.  When we moved to NJ earlier this summer I had absolutely no energy to host so it was great to finally chip in and pay back some of the other moms.

Since we start playgroup around 9am I had to bust a move this morning.  Charlie ended up sleeping like a champ last night, waking up once at 5am and then sleeping until 9:30am.  So that gave me plenty of time to have breakfast with Bea and then get us both dressed.

For a short period of time I decided to let Bea pick out her outfits.  We stopped this soon after starting mainly because, well, she's a toddler and I couldn't take her anywhere in the combinations.  However, on those days when I know we're staying at home she's allowed to where whatever she likes (see, I'm not a total control freak).  Today she has on a dress from Gap (which is a little short so it's more like a tunic), lace trimmed leggings from Old Navy, and a pair of fair isle slippers that we found this summer in Cape Cod.

Charlie, on the other hand, has absolutely no say in his wardrobe right now.  Not that he would care, even if he could speak, he pretty much only cares about eating, sleeping, and laughing at us when we change his diaper.  Such a good baby!  He has on a two piece ivory outfit from Giggle's better basics line (this was Bea's when she was a newborn) and a neon orange and gray onesie from Carter's.  I love the fact that Carter's is in on the whole neon trend, there's just something about a white onesie with a neon elephant that is ADORABLE!

Heather

New Year, New Me

As you might have noticed, this is a popular phrase right about now (well, New Year, New You is).  I spent the better portion of 2011 being so exhausted from my pregnancy that I didn't do much of anything.  Now that baby Charlie is here and doing well (we usually only have to get up once every night with him!) I'm going to focus a little on me and that includes a few goals I have set for myself in 2012.

Charles Robert, Born 11-12-11

1.  Start regularly contributing to this little blog I've started
   
I'm really going to make an effort to sit down everyday and write something.  I may not get around to posting it everyday but at least I'll be working on it.  I've started reading tons of blogs during middle of the night feedings and they've inspired me to work on my own.  I've been craving a creative outlet and since I no longer work in the magazine industry where I could indulge in that daily, I'm hoping this will do the trick.  Even if no one looks at it, I can organize my thoughts and "participate" in this wonderful online community.

2.  Finish Bea's room and Charlie's nursery

I've gathered tons of ideas and now it's time to pull the trigger.  Left to my own devices I would research forever and end up in the same place a year from now.  So, I'm going to make it a mission to finish their rooms in the first few months of this year.

3.  Learn to sew

This might seem like an odd one, but it's something I've wanted to do for some time now.  First step is to buy a sewing machine and then enroll in some sort of beginners class because I really know nothing.  In fact, it used to be a fear of mine that while assisting on photo shoots (when I rarely did) that I would be asked to sew a button on and I would have to confess that I had no idea how to do this.

Here's wishing you a Happy New Year and a Happy New You!

Heather

Book Mobile

It's been awhile since I've written a Book Mobile post, mainly because I can't shake this exhaustion.  But, we seem to have a running theme in our house lately surrounding nap time and bed time and it's this wonderful series, the Good Night Our World series.

My husband bought Bea her first book on a business trip and it's now become a tradition for him (or her aunt or grandmother) to pick one up whenever they see one.  They all follow the same idea, telling about the sights to see in a particular location, but for some reason this series holds her attention like nothing else.  She goes back to them over and over, and not just the same one, she will alternate them as well (which is a relief to me).  And not only does she love for us to read them, but will sit for 30 minutes (a lifetime in toddler land) alone and "read" to herself.  So, based on all of this, I wanted to give them a shout out on my Book Mobile!

You can purchase them at most major online retailers and here's a link to the site.

Heather

I'm A Giant

For the past few weeks I've been reading a ton online about the "I'm a Giant" Dollhouse Challenge.  A lot of bloggers are participating, which of course got me to thinking that maybe Bea needs a dollhouse.  I don't think I'll be able to participate in the challenge (since baby no. 2 is due in a month and their deadline is Dec. 15) but I've started looking at dollhouses and furniture online.  I had absolutely no idea all of the amazing things there are out there!

I've started a Pinterest page (for anyone interested), but here are a few of the house choices I'm considering:

 Melissa & Doug Katherine

 Melissa & Doug Lisa Kay

Melissa & Doug Little Bit

As you can tell, I've really only researched the M&D website.  They are all so cute and they come in unfinished wood so that you can paint them any color you desire.  I think my main issue with deciding (other than price, man are these things expensive!) is that when we moved to the burbs the house we moved into had an antique dollhouse in the garage.  We asked them to leave it, which they did, but according to T it's beyond repair.  Since I don't have a degree in dollhouse repair, I'm going to have to trust him (his father also took a look and declared the same).  The only thing that makes me keep asking is that it's HUGE!  I mean, 3 or 4 feet tall and 2+ feet wide.  How can I just give up on it?  

At any rate, if anyone has ideas for repair, please let me know!

Heather