sneak peak

My days have been early, long & late this past week between working in the ER, normal daily responsibilities, long run days, heavy programmed CrossFit competition workouts, subbing spin classes at the gym & getting birthday party details/tasks complete. I know it's not a great picture (it was taken with my iPhone with 11pm light) but, nonetheless, this is a glimpse of what's "been keeping me up late."

My early morning & late night blogging sessions have been taken over by birthday craftiness & constructing spin playlists.  Totally random but I could listen to Sia's breathe a 1,000 times on repeat.  I think I may have this week.

another one of "those moments"

Addison now has four teeth. Two on top & two on the bottom.  Two additional top teeth are working their way through the gums too.  Since she is quickly approaching a mouth full of teeth, we decided it's time to incorporate brushing them into her nightly routine. Not only did she let me brush them but she assisted. It was definitely another one of those moments.  I got a little teary eyed & weepy.  How is it even possible that I have a baby turning ONE in just a few days?

Chalk baby, chalk baby..1, 2

One sleep deprived mum & restless baby...an excellent combination for any dreary Monday. Addison was extremely restless today & by restless I mean she was into EVERYTHING! I loaded her up in the stroller with the intention of heading to the park & our parade got rained on...literally.  I was exhausted...operating on my typical Monday 3 1/2 hours of sleep & had an active baby who wanted to play with NONE of her toys.  I pulled out a bucket of chalk & we sat on the covered front porch & colored with chalk.  Who know how entertained it would keep her. 

we covered our basis just in case daddy wasn't a fan of front porch drawing

She had a blast & my heart smiled as big as ever.  While she was taking her afternoon nap, in true lazy fashion, I pursued Pinterest looking for chalk activities & found so many things I can do with her.  Just a few more things to add to my "to do" list. 

this week

This week...

My Grandparents arrived from MA

Addison recognized her Great Gram from our weekly Sykping sessions & took to her immediately 

My Gram was took a spin on Dad's motorcycle

A little bit of Heaven was brewed (have I ever mentioned that all things pumpkin is my favorite thing about fall)

We took a trip to the farmer's market & picked up lots of goodies, including peaches

We laughed super hard playing games

Dad steamed mussels...yum

Addison played in her toy box....literally

• The countdown until Addison's Birthday party officially began (I can't believe it's just 8 days away....still so much to get done)
• We met Philip's Mom's boyfriend, Jack
• My brother got in a car accident...he totaled his car but he is okay
• We enjoyed a lot of family time
• I worked a day shift
• I neglected the blog again...it's been so busy
• Addison's 1 year photo shoot was cancelled due to weather
• The weather was cloudy but the temperature was perfect in the 80's

10 Things on Tuesday

10 things I am totally in love with at the moment:

1. mini Minnetonka moccasins//2. Philosophy Hope in A Jar//3. Adorable Baby JCrew Tunic & Bloomers//4. Essie "ballet slippers" nail polish//5. Quote by Kate Spade//6. Play canopy//7. chevron knuckle ring//8. Precious little girls sweater//9. floral washi tape//10. Beet Chips

salmonella linked to cantaloupe

Literally as I am cutting a cantaloupe this morning to go with Addison's breakfast the headline for Good Morning America is "2 people dead, 140 sick. Salmonella linked to cantaloupe is said to be the cause." You bet your britches I tossed that deliciously ripe & juicy melon right in the trash can.

Salmonella linked to cantaloupe

this week

This week...

• We had a relaxing week at the Marriott Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach, SC
• Addison noshed on nori 
• She smuggled chicken in her toes & through a royal fit when I took it out
• We did beach WODs 
•  We spent lots of time in the sand & in the ocean
• we made a pit stop at one of my favorite places, Hobby Lobby
• My hair lightened up A LOT
• Addison & I had a hotel room picnic while Philip was at dinner with a client
• Addison played lots in the beach shower & LOVED it
• We tried "Mr. Fish" in Myrtle Beach. It's a dive & delicious & I would highly recommend. 
• I rocked the floral print jean trend
• Hampton was super happy when we got home & wouldn't leave Addison's side
• Addison learned to drink from a straw
• Addison learned several new words: "apple", "Hamp", "tickle-tickle-tickle", "awwwww"

the beach these days

The beach these days...

• My bag:
• You will no longer find Elle or In Style in my tote. 
• It's overflowing with sand buckets, boats & water guns. 
• There's various SPF's with all different types of applications (foam, spray lotion, sunblock, bars of sunblock, sticks of sunblock)...I am obsessed. 
• 4 towels
• An extra sunhat for Addison
• A beach coverup for myself & Addison
• My phone
• My camera (I brought it this time but left the battery charging in the charger...figures)
• Diapers/Wipes
• Change of clothes for Addison
•  I have an ice cold cooler packed to the brim...a kid friendly cooler
• water
• 2 sippy cups
• grapes & cherries
• grilled chicken, sugar snap peas
• What little laying out there is consists of being hand-printed with sandy palms
• I find myself constantly saying "no, Addison. Don't put that in your mouth, that is yucky"
• Rather than a jog, I am chasing her up & down the beach
• Rather than being approached by "dudes" (lol, it's been a long time for that one anyway) I am being approached by random strangers so they can talk to Addison
• There isn't any longer a need for lounge chairs. I do just fine sitting in the sand, making water holes & sand castles
• I am constantly looking at my phone to make sure it hasn't exceeded 45 minutes & it isn't time to reapply sunscreen on Addison's sandy body
• My heart melts listening to her roars of laughter & squeals of delight when the waves crash into her knees

Despite how much the beach has changed it is still my favorite place to be.

happy place

{our view for the week}

There is nothing more relaxing to me than the sound of crashing waves, lounging in the sand, blanketed by sunny skies, salt air with each breath, surrounded by footprints & broken castles in the sand, the sun glowing on my skin. There are no two people I'd rather share my "happy place" with than Philip & Addison. It's so easy to relax at the beach...beach in Australia, beach in Hawaii, beach in South Carolina...ANY beach.  By far one of the best perks of Philip's job are conventions at nice resorts.  Now that Addison is older we get to hit the road with him.  While Daddy works, she & I get to take afternoon naps in the hammock, bury our toes in the sand & splash in the pool. 

birthday party fun

Giggles & squeals of excitement rung throughout the Kids Clubhouse this afternoon.  Tomorrow is sweet Emma's 2nd birthday & her Momma & Daddy celebrated it in the most fun way!  Bounce houses, giant slides, pizza, balloons & cupcakes...what's not to love?! It was adorable to watch them all bouncing around with nervous excitement! Addison absolutely LOVES Emma so I am not sure what she like more, actually bouncing in the bounce houses or bouncing with Emma. Speaking of loving Emma, she learned to say Emma this week.  A very long drawn out "Emmmmmmm-ma", slightly sing song-y.  She did try pizza for the first time & was HUGE fan, so that could have also been a highlight. I am pretty sure she could have eaten multiple slices if we let her.   She also had a taste of a delicious homemade vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting.  No doubt she LOVED that as well. She giggled & squealed the entire time we were there.

 All I kept thinking is how fast time flies & how grown up she feels! We were at a birthday party that she was invited to.  While this is the 2nd birthday party Addison has been to, this is the first she was old enough to really play at.  It was the first time she had dairy & grains (gasp) & sugar.  I am slightly obsessed with documenting these moments...they are little milestones & happy times. It's kind of a big deal.  Emma is her first little friend. 

this week

This week...

• We had CRAZY storms!?!
• I recieved the most beautiful birth announcement in the mail
• We had a fabulous lunch date with a dear friend
• We caught the sun for some brief moments & Addison played at the park
• I worked a day shift
• The UPS man delivered some goodies
• I listed a TON of things on ebay to sell 
• Addison wore pigtails with pride
• My brother came home 
• I conquered my laundry once again (maybe if I didn't wait for it to pile up so much, it wouldn't be so daunting)
• Addison was giving away lots of kisses :)
• I nearly broke my middle finger trying to do a handstand pushup
• We celebrated the birthday of one of our absolute favorite people
• We had a date night

roasted strawberry & coconut milk popsicle

The title had me at hello {drool}. Strawberries...yes please (roasted at that). Coconut...um double yes! I saw the recipe for this DE-LICIOUS popsicle on Pinterest & pinned it some time ago.  I had been dying to make them & several others that I have pinned but didn't have "the tools". I have read a thousand awesome reviews on the Zoku popsicle maker & various others but still hadn't bought one (my Amazon order for my Zoku & regular popsicle mold has now been placed). The other day I was craving a cold treat & had coconut milk in the fridge that needed to be used & a pint of strawberries & figured what the heck, I have silicone cube trays & craft popsicle sticks.  Oh boy...I am SO GLAD that I did because these bad boys are AH-MAZING! 

The recipe was adapted from TheYearInFood (awesome food blog). 

{they may not look pretty but they tasted amazing}

What you need:
8 ounces small strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 (15) ounce can coconut milk (full fat)
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon stevia
1/4 teaspoon cardamom

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss strawberries in one tablespoon stevia. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the strawberries on paper. Roast until tender and caramelized, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, warm the coconut milk in a small pan over a low heat. Add the 1/4 cup stevia and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom and stir until stevia is just dissolved. Remove from heat.
When the strawberries are ready, remove from heat and let cool for at least 5 minutes.
Combine the strawberries with the coconut milk.
Using a glass measure with lip, carefully pour the strawberry coconut milk mix into popsicle molds (or silicone tray like I used). You may need to stir them just a little so that the fruit is distributed.
Chill for a minimum of four hours.

Addison was a super fan. 

{she didn't want to share}

uncle jeffrey

My baby brother is home!! EIIIIIK! I am blessed with a younger brother & sister.  Jeffrey is 23 & Paige is soon to be 21.  My brother joined the Air Force after high school, went to basic training in Texas & then was stationed in FL.  Last November he was deployed to Afghanistan & returned in May.  It had been a year since we'd seen him & yesterday was the first time Addison & Jeffrey met.  As you can see, they hit it off immediately.  I am so looking forward to him being home the next month & looking forward to Addison getting to know him a little bit. 

Addison pulled out her pig tail & has bozo hair

world breastdfeeding week

National Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7th.  It's celebrated to facilitate awareness & support to breastfeeding.

{SOURCE}

I think this picture says it all.  People are often more shocked to find out that I am still breastfeeding my 11 month old then they would be to see a 1/2 naked women walking down the beach.

Women are uninformed, poorly educated & have so many misconceptions when it comes to breastfeeding.  Some people physically cannot do it but most think they can't & it's largely because of lack of support.

I am definitely "shy" when it comes to feeding Addison in public. In fact there has never been an "in public" for us. I have never felt comfortable doing it, even with my nursing cover.  I usually would go my car or find a place where I could be alone.  Part of it was being creeped out with people knowing that is what I was doing & the other part was the looks & stares that it brought. It's sad that we have set up a society that makes women feel embarrassed or ashamed for breastfeeding our children.

We certainly don't make it easy for breastfeeding moms, especially in the work place.  We have designated smoking areas but don't provide women a sanitary environment to pump while we are at work.  Not everyone has the luxury of an office with a door that locks so we often have to resort to pumping in a bathroom (if we are even allowed to pump). I am lucky to even get a 45 min meal break at work, let alone a 15 min break to pump. That alone is enough to make somebody not even give it a shot from the get go.

There are so many benefits of breastfeeding: nutritional benefits for baby,  cost, bonding between mom & baby, immunity support, it's natural, it's great for mom....I could go on & on.

In no way is this meant to knock those that formula fed. I am not passing judgement. Breastfeeding came easily for me but that isn't the case for anybody.  This whole last week is designed to educate.

If you’re a new mom or a mom to be educate yourself & find support. Seek out help, there are tons of local & national organizations for breastfeeding support. Don’t be afraid & don't. Know that a lot of doctors and hospitals push formula....in fact, everything pushes formula. Push through it & try to stay positive.