Mess Free "Finger Painting" - DIY DAD Father's Project

This post contains a few affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Making crafts is something I love to do with Lainey, I hope she always feels the same way. For now, we spend short little bits of time getting creative because well, she's a normal 9 month old and she likes to explore and then keep moving and exploring.

With that said, I wanted to try finger painting with her... but didn't want the mess of chasing her almost mobile self around the house with paint covered hands. SO, we got crafty and the end result is so cute. We made her daddy a little something special and she got to experience finger painting without the mess.

Hoping you can "finger paint" with your tiny tot? Here's one way you can make that happen, mess free!

For this project you will need:

Printer paper

Scissors
Non-toxic Paints in various colors

A box (or a piece of foam board would work too)
plastic wrap

To make this cute "DAD" sign you'll begin by placing two sheets of printer paper on the box or foam board.

Next add a few spots of paint on the paper, covering with plastic wrap fairly loosely, with one piece securing the paper horizontally and the other vertically.

Now, let your little one slap around on the paper - spreading the paint but not making a mess!

Once your little one is ready to move on to the next activity go ahead and clean up by removing the plastic wrap and placing the box in your recycling! Let your gorgeous creation dry, take a photo of babe with it, and have your sweetie hand it to Daddy on Father's Day.

I bet he'll cherish it and the coolest part is, it was mess free and fun to make! Now, if your little one is anything like Delainey, they're ready to move on to the next fun activity... so tell me, what kind of fun stuff do you and your little tike love doing? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Curious about Delainey Kate's outfits?

The blue flower bow is from 21 Blessings! You can score one of these beauties AND help fund the adoption of a sweet babe with down syndrome by clicking here. [save with the code 15Delainey].
Her tie dye shirt is made by mama & pants are second hand.

The dress in the other photos is from one of our favorite small shops - creekbaby & co. [use code CBCfriends to save].
Her precious mustard colored bow is from Accessories by Sabrina [mention code Delainey10 to save].
Lastly, those precious gladiators are from The Mini Princess Designs [and again, mention Delainey to save]!

Cute & Creative FREE First Father's Day Gift - Simple DIY DAD Photo

It's safe to say I have the best husband, ever... and that obviously means Delainey has the best DAD there ever could be. So celebrating my hubby on his first Father's Day is something Delainey and I plan on doing all month long! On that note, we've been crafting our hearts out lately. Today I want to share a super fun DIY gift idea for your kiddo's dad and the best part is, you can even complete this thoughtful project in just a couple of minutes!

For this project you will need:

a camera

printer paper

something to write with * we used paint *
a printer & a frame *optional*

To start, all you'll need to do is write out the letters D and A on a plain white sheet of paper. We used paint for ours, but any writing utensil will work.

Once your letters are ready, set your kiddo up in a nice, bright spot in your home - nearby a window and get ready to snap some photos quick, especially if you have a little one that'll eat anything and everything.

Hand your kiddo the letters you created and let them get silly, serious, or whatever emotion they are feeling that day. Have fun while taking their photos but make sure each letter is visible.

Now once you have the perfect photos, turn them into a collage using an app like layout for Instagram or Paint (on your computer)! Post this cute, personalized gift for everyone to see or keep things hush and give your other half his gift closer to Father's Day.... either way, I bet he will love this super easy and thoughtful gift!

*This content is completely my own, although it does contain Amazon affiliate links - that just means if you click through and make a purchase on Amazon, you'll be helping my family - nothing more!*

Show Mom Your Appreciation: 4 Mother's Day Gift Ideas from Kay Jewelers That Show You Care

Thanks to Kay Jewelers for sponsoring today's post, regardless all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

Believe it or not, Mother's Day is just around the corner...

The day when we celebrate all the wonderful things our mamas do for us. From holding us on their hips, to cleaning faces with their freshly licked thumbs, to creating an epic last minute diorama for a school project the night before it's due, mamas are the perfect mixture of nurturing and helpful. Basically, we are all super heroes - but we run on little-to-no sleep, just try to do our best, and love our kids fiercely. That's why all mamas deserve to be celebrated... Can I get an amen?!

I'm pretty excited to be celebrating my first Mother's Day with Delainey... and I'm ecstatic because I get to spend the day with my mother as well! While I'm still learning the ropes and adjusting to my new "super hero" life as a mother, I'm lucky enough to have my best friend to coach me through it all.

It's funny, our relationship has gone through so much - from her being my entertainment committee when I was a kiddo, to my favorite person to share clothing with during my teen years, and now, well now, she's a friend - my best friend. The bond a mother and daughter share is unlike any other and  I feel that way with Delainey and I'm certain my mama feels that way about me (and my sister).

While I plan on spoiling my mama, I was still on the fence about what to get her. Are you in the same boat? If so, here are 4 different items from Kay Jewelers that I bet your mama has on her wish list:

1. From accessories to outfits, we all know your mama always has the most beautiful items, but one thing she needs (and every other mama in the world needs) is Diamond Solitaire Earrings from Kay Jewelers. These timeless beauties are the perfect addition for every mama's accessories collection and every mama I know would go absolutely gaga if she was given a pair of these earrings on Mother's Day.

2. If anyone loves rings, it's my mama... but I know she's not the only one! Is your mama a ring lover as well? Then I'm certain she would love to have this Open Hearts Ring. It's not only beautiful, the design represents giving and receiving love and having an open heart, the perfect representation of motherhood.

3. When you see a piece of jewelry and it takes your breath away, I think it's meant to be your Mother's Day present... right? This Diamonds in Rhythm bracelet is gorgeous and so perfect for any mama, but this is what I have on the top of my Mother's Day wish list. The whole Diamond in Rhythm collection is really on my list--actually, the diamonds are made to be captivating from any angle... which means myself and other new mamas can be chasing after our toddlers and catch a glimpse of these as we are grabbing their precious little hands and be reminded that we are loved and appreciated.

4. Last but not least, we all know the way to a mama's heart is her kids - that's why this key necklace is the perfect gift for your mom on Mother's Day. If you're a dad or son trying to find the perfect present, you've unlocked the answer with this Diamonds in Rhythm Heart Key Pendant Necklace.


Showing appreciation on Mother's Day is what the day really is all about and these are just a few beautiful options offered at Kay Jewelers that will make your mama smile. Do you want to get your mom something beautiful and meaningful for Mother's Day? Check out the Kay Jewelers and find the perfect present for your mom.

DIY Baby Bunny Easter Photo Project - The Cutest Keepsake & Easy to Make!

Making memories and starting traditions is what I'm attempting to do with Delainey as each holiday approaches, with high hopes and a pinterest board full of inspiration I always think I'm going to do all of these amazingly fun crafts... then life happens! And well, we end up making little last minute crafts like this.

Don't get me wrong, I love getting creative and doing something simple, yet adorable, with Miss D... that's why I'm sharing how we made these cute little bunny photo crafts last minute and how you can make one yourself! Grab these items from around your house and get to work on something adorable!

What you'll need for this project:

Packing paper or construction paper
Cotton balls

glue

paint in white and a few springy colors
paint brushes
Printer & photo paper

felt (optional)

This project is super simple, yet an adorable keepsake that can be hung on your fridge all spring long. To start, you'll need a clean kiddo foot and a few pieces of colored paper. Simply paint little one's foot with white (non-toxic) paint and stamp it onto a piece of paper. I did this a few times so we could make a few bunnies!

Next you'll want to let these little white bunny bodies dry while you play with your kiddo for a bit! Then once they go down for a nap, add details like ears on the bunny, eggs, flowers, grass, etc to the bunny.

While that is drying, pick out a few photos and print them off. Choose only photos where your little one is looking directly at the camera. Once the photos are printed, cut your sweetie's face out of the photo and attach to the bunny body with glue.

You'll then want to add a little torn off piece of a cotton ball to make the tail, using glue to secure it.

I added little felt bows that were simple enough to make. Just one or two pieces glued together, folded.

That's it, now your little bunny and you have a cute, super simple to make keepsake! I love that we have this craft that showcases how teeny tiny her foot is on her First Easter... and I imagine we will try to do a craft similar to this each year.

Maybe next year we'll make butterflies or chicks? I can't wait to continue to attempt to be a super crafty mama. Until then, I hope y'all enjoy doing simple projects like this with me!

So tell me, what do your Easter plans include? I can't wait to hear all about how you'll be celebrating this blessed day in the comments below.

7 Tips to Help You Raise a THANKFUL Child

It's interesting how having a child instantly makes holidays feel a little bit more exciting, I knew the moment we found out we were expecting that Christmas would be different this year and now that we're celebrating Thanksgiving with her today, I'll admit Turkey day is a little better and brighter with her in it! Although next year will be even more fun when she can try the food with us... for now I'll snuggle her up while I'm nursing her and whisper how thankful I am that she's my daughter in her tiny little ears.

With that said, I've been doing a lot of thinking about how to raise her. Whenever you find out you're pregnant, the duties of parenthood run through your head... that's inevitable. I know I thought about all kinds of situations, some that I put my parents through, some that would only be relevant to her generation, and I'm certain there are some that I haven't even contemplated yet. One thing I do know about parenthood and how I plan on raising her is that I want her to be thankful. I want her to know that while she is loved, she isn't entitled. I want her to thank her elders and smile when asked to extend a helping hand and while I'm no parenting expert, I have been reading up on the matter and today I want to share 7 tips to help you raise a more thankful child.

1. Initiate a thankful habit and count your blessings - While D is really little, I help her do this. We look around at all the amazing clothing and toys she has and while these are great, I want to teach her to be thankful for her blessings in life. Ranging from her amazing Nonnie, her loving aunties, her Gigi that considers her a real life princess - these people are truly blessings in her life and I remind her of that daily. When she gets a little older I hope to keep up this practice but have her tell me who or what she considers a blessing in her life, outside of just the materials she's lucky enough to have.

2. Work Hard and Spend Wisely - I want Delainey to know money doesn't grow on trees and that we work for what we want in our house. I don't plan on practicing slave labor, or anything of the sort, but she will start doing chores when she's old enough and desires certain possessions. When she's 5 and wants a new barbie, learning how to do a task around the house will be her way of earning that reward. This lesson won't be one that we learn for a while but it's definitely one I hope she grasps quickly.

3. Please, Excuse Me, and Thank You - Learning her manners is an important part of teaching her to be thankful and polite. When she's super young she may not really understand what these words mean but teaching them to her when her vocabulary first starts growing is one of my main goals. I want her to know that these words mean a lot, in my opinion, and make you seem like a more gracious guest in someone's home, a kind girl in social situations, and ultimately, just a better person in general.

4. Listen Up - Teaching her how to listen is important too. While she's pretty small to teach about eye contact and choosing her tone of voice, this is on our agenda to teach older D. I think the best way to teach her this will be to listen to her when she speaks, teaching her how to properly make eye contact by demonstrating the behavior and listening intently to whatever she's trying to tell me. While this won't always be possible, doing this as much as I can will encourage her to mimic my behavior... or at least that's what the experts say.

5. Show and Tell...the Truth about life - While exposing D to homeless people currently isn't on our agenda this turkey day, we do plan on eventually spending this holiday volunteering at a shelter with her when she grows up. I want to expose her to the less fortunate, preferably around this time of the year to remind her how lucky we have it. It's eye-opening to do things like this and while I don't want to scare her, I want her to know life isn't rainbows and butterflies all the time for everyone and that we need to help others whenever possible, two lessons in one turkey day... I'm looking forward to this.

6. Spring Clean with the Kids - This may sound like an extra chore, along with doing the chores... but it'll be worth it! Have the kids choose clothing and toys they no longer want during the spring months (or any time really) and donate these items to those in need! Teaching your kids to live minimally while also ridding your house of the extra "stuff" will be good for everyone involved. This is something I know Delainey and I will be doing, I have a bad shopping habit and this will be the perfect way to keep that in check and we'll both learn from it.

7. Get the family in on the thankful fun - This one should be easy, all you have to do is get the family on board with the thankful lifestyle. Encourage grandparents to overuse the word thanks when your kiddo is around or tell older cousins to tell babe their definition of being thankful. It's fun to get everyone involved in being thankful and it spreads the goodness all around!

Fall in love with Fall: 50 FUN Things to Do This Autumn

This post may contain affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

It's true, I'm usually pretty disappointed as summer comes to an end... but this year I'm more than a little excited for fall to roll around. While Florida doesn't really change all that much with the seasons, I do remember the stark difference in the midwest as autumn days became a part of my life and I guess I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about traditional fall festivities.

And well, we all know I'm not just excited about the past, I'm more than overjoyed that a few weeks before the fall solstice my little bundle of joy will be arriving... I mean could there be anything more exciting?!

I won't make this post all about her arrival though, there's way too much fall fun to be had to discuss my pregnancy in detail - I'll save that for another post. For now, here's a list of FIFTY things you need to put on your calendar as the days get a little shorter and the weather gets a tad chillier.

1.    Decorate your home with pumpkins, leaves, etc.
2.    Make a fall wreath
3.    Bake a pumpkin pie
4.    Go to Halloween Horror Nights (or a haunted house)
5.    Sip on warm apple cider
6.    Roast marshmallows around a fire
7.    Burn fall scented candles
8.    Go to the pumpkin patch
9.    Carve a pumpkin perfectly
10.    Jump in a BIG pile of leaves
11.    Make a craft with fallen leaves
12.    Spend a week with the windows open & enjoy the crisp air
13.    Watch Hocus Pocus
14.    Go to a football game
15.    Bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
16.    Run through a corn maze
17.    Find & wear the perfect Halloween costume
18.    Make a squash-based dish
19.    Toast pumpkin seeds
20.    Attend a fall festival
21.    Wear boots & a sweater
22.    Surprise a friend with a pumpkin spice latte
23.    Make caramel apples
24.    Eat handfuls of candy corn
25.    Have a Harry Potter marathon
26.    Eat kettle corn
27.    Go Black Friday shopping
28.    Make a big pot of chili
29.    Buy a new hoodie
30.    Eat loads of turkey
31.    Make homemade stuffing
32.    Have a game night with friends
33.    Read a fall-themed book
34.    Watch a fall sunrise
35.    Donate food to a food bank
36.    Buy a new blanket
37.    Drink unlimited amounts of warm chai tea
38.    Celebrate Grandparents day (September 11th)
39.    Host a cider tasting party
40.    Take autumn themed photos with family
41.    Paint your nails a dark, fall color
42.    Bob for apples
43.    Bake cinnamon muffins or cinnamon rolls
44.    Buy a new pair of boots
45.    Dress in comfy, stylish layers
46.    Make a delicious stew in a crock pot
47.    Go on a nature walk
48.    Start a gratitude journal
49.    Take a scenic drive
50.    Attend Oktoberfest

With these 50 amazing autumn activities, I'm almost certain I covered everything... but I'd love to hear if I missed one of your favorites! Tell me all about what you love about fall in the comments below! 

Score an Epic Deal on The BEST Gift for Dads: The Samsung Gear VR!

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Looking for the perfect gift for the father figure in your life for Father's Day? Look no further, Best Buy has you covered with the latest and greatest technology! You can gift the man in your life the ultimate experience with the Samsung Gear VR, bringing you 360 degree virtual adventures that are out of this world!

From getting lost in Yosemite to diving with the sharks, Discovery VR content brings the entire world to your eyes - literally! Escaping to another place and time is as easy as snapping your Galaxy smartphone into your Samsung Gear VR! I'm super excited about this fact because I already own the S6 Edge+ but if you aren't a Galaxy user yet, I've got awesome news for you...

You can score a FREE Samsung Gear VR (including $50 worth of virtual reality content) when you buy or lease & activate any of the awesome new Samsung Galaxy phones! If you want the new, waterproof S7 or S7 edge that you've seen champagne being poured all over then it's time to upgrade! If you're into my style of phone, the S6 edge or edge+ are just as amazing as the 7, they just can't be submerged in your aquarium on purpose!

It doesn't matter which phone you decide to get for you or the deserving dude in your life, but now is the time to upgrade with a deal like this offered at Best Buy! Act quickly though, the offer is only good through June 18th, online or in stores!

Don't miss your chance to explore the world with your favorite father figure; get excited because mobile virtual reality has arrived and it's affordable!

Take the chance to be at the center of your favorite game, stargaze and wonder around while looking up at the Northern Lights, spend time inside of a Hollywood movie, socialize with your best friends, and so much more! It's time for you to let your new Samsung Gear VR drop you both right into the action! Click here to learn more about the deal on the VR before it's too late.

So tell me, where will you go first with your new gadget? I'm so excited to hear all about what you would love to experience first in the comments below!

My First Mother's Day Gift Full of Must-Have Goodies from BabbleBoxx!

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.

I can't even believe it, this year I will technically be celebrating my first Mother's Day as a mama! Taking the time to think about this fact makes me not only overjoyed, but so thankful to be a mama myself and extra thankful for all the amazing mothers in my life! From my own mama, to my mother-in-law, to all the other new moms that I've befriended recently, I know so many amazing women who should be celebrated on this day... and everyday!

While this day is special for all mamas, I guess you could say this day will be super special for me. Celebrating my first Mother's Day as a mom is a milestone, of sorts. We spent years trying for our precious little bundle of joy, so every time I feel one of her precious little movements or find something perfectly pink for her I celebrate a little bit.

So when Babbleboxx sent over a box of goodies perfect for any new mom, you better believe I was doing a little happy dance and celebrating with my little gal once again! While I still have a little bit of time until my little darling makes her official appearance, I'm always excited to find new products or test out items that I've heard great things about and of course, I love sharing my experiences with you.

We'll start with a product that I've actually heard recommended by other mamas recently, Boudreaux's Butt Paste. This fast acting diaper rash cream is one of the best on the market, according to so many of my new mama friends and since they start healing on contact, I'm certain that this will be a go-to item in my little gal's life when the time comes! What's not to love about a diaper rash cream that touts that it's free of parabens, preservatives, dyes, talc, and phthalates. Plus, I love that the line comes in three different strength formulas to help protect against and improve diaper rash, including an All-Natural formula that I think will become a favorite in our home!

Another couple of products that I recognized immediately in the box were Gerber® Onesies® and a bib! You can never have enough of either, so I hear... So obviously I was overjoyed to find these super soft goodies in my box! With layering being one of my favorite ways to style any outfit, I can't wait to make my diva into a fashionista with the perfectly white onesies from Gerber. Ranging in size from newborn to 24 months, my little diva will definitely be rocking Gerber for the next few years! Want to add some stylish basics to your babes wardrobe? Click here to snag a few deals on Gerber Childrenswear!

One item I hadn't actually heard of yet, but was super excited to find in my box was the Sesame Street Naturals Tip, Tummy, and Toe 2-in-1. This easy to use tear-free cleanser is the perfect way to get little babe's involved in bath time and really loving getting fresh & clean! The gentle instant foam cleans and moisturizes delicate skin and hair, leaving your babe feeling soft and smooth. I can't wait to bathe my little babe in this terrific formula and with 98% of the ingredients being naturally derived, I don't have to stress about chemicals or toxins being a part of her bath time routine!

Now the last few items in the box are pretty much for mama, which was a nice surprise, especially when it involves photography related items! My Babbleboxx included a gorgeous yellow Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 70 camera, this little beauty will definitely be used to document my little boo's life so I guess it's kind of a gift to us both! Reminiscent of a camera that my parents used when I was little, this handy little gadget instantly pops out pictures and makes taking photos a breeze and the quality of the photographs is impeccable! While I won't be taking pictures of our babe for a little while, I'm thinking I may have to use the camera for some maternity photos and add in a few of the snaps to her baby book!

Another item in the box that made me smile was the Mustela Maternity Stretch Marks Prevention Cream. This specially formulated cream is made just for new and expecting mothers to help us promote elasticity and to provide comfort and suppleness to the skin, something my expanding belly definitely needs! The ingredients are of natural origin and are completely free of parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol, which makes this product safe for mama & baby and completely okay to use while breastfeeding. While I already rock some tiger stripes, I'm doing everything I can to prevent future stretch marks, so you better believe I'm applying this cream twice a day and keeping my fingers crossed that I won't get any more!

The last item in the box is the perfect way to help beautify myself during this time in my life when I'm dealing with SO much that makes me feel a little rough around the edges; Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste is the perfect way to brighten my smile and even make it glow a little. With a fresh, new cleaning sensation, this powerful whitening toothpaste leaves my grin feeling fresh for a long while!

While I know there's a lot more that I'll need before my baby arrives, this Babbleboxx was a nice little surprise to receive in the mail and since it included so many amazing things I was able to check off a handful of items from my registry already!

My Cinco de Mayo Fiesta with Keurig® KOLD!

Big thanks to Keurig for sending over this gorgeous Keurig® KOLD^TM drinkmaker, so that I could share my Cinco de Mayo plans with you...

Regardless, all opinions expressed below are completely my own!

With summer right around the corner, it's finally time to celebrate one of my favorite holidays - Cinco de Mayo! Can I get a show of hands, who else is ready for a little fiesta?! I know I am!

I mean... Who doesn't love a bowl of guacamole, chips & salsa, some traditional Mexican tacos, churros, and of course, a margarita?

While I'll be sipping a mocktail this year, I'll spend the holiday serving up delicious Rita’s & Tina’s Margaritas to my friends, made with my new Keurig® KOLD^TM! It's the easiest, coolest way to serve up some of our favorite fresh-made delights in seconds! The best part is beverages are delivered perfectly chilled at 39 degrees Fahrenheit, so you better believe my new Keurig® KOLD^TM will be the most refreshing way to indulge all summer long!

You may be asking yourself... Why do I love celebrating Cindo de Mayo so much? Welp, I guess I should admit I am an avid Mexican food fan, so celebrating Mexico is just another reason to embrace the culture and all of it's amazing-ness. Plus, I have the chance to make my friends and family some delicious food and beverages... it's a win-win for everyone, in my book!

This year celebrating with a little pool party only seems logical... I guess celebrating every year with a pool party may even become our new tradition! You can't go wrong with a little bit of splashing, some amazing Mexican food, and a whole bunch of delicious drinks made with the push of a button on my Keurig® KOLD^TM, I'm sure everyone will have a great time including myself!

If you're interested in finding out more about the Keurig® KOLD^TM  and how it can make your summer more flavorful and fun, be sure to click on over for all the details on this handy-dandy little drinkmaker!

An Easter Tradition: DIY See's Candies Snack Bar + a Giveaway!

Today's discussion is brought to you by See's Candies,
regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Easter is almost here and that means I've been ogling all the adorable bunny items in every store I visit... and it also means that the "Easter Bunny" will be visiting my house soon. For now, though, I decided to play the Easter Bunny in our home and set up a scrumptious little candy snack bar with See's Candies during our most recent weekend brunch.

With so many delicious candies, it's easy to see why I chose to include all See's delectable delights in my snack bar. From Sugar Coated Sour Bunnies to Dark Chocolate Raspberry filled Springtime Truffles, I've decided to incorporate See's into my Easter tradition every year from now on! I'm so excited to celebrate Easter the very same way next year, with a special new member of our family. Getting to see the joy Easter brings from a child's point of view will make this tradition that much more amazing... but I'll be honest and share that this year I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to snack on delicious candy and other brunch-time favorites!

To celebrate Easter in style our little candy snack bar had to include all of the best American-made See's Easter candies with some flair added to the table.

As I mentioned, there were Springtime Truffles and Sour Bunnies, as well as Rocky Road Eggs, Chocolate Butter Eggs with Walnuts, Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Bunnies of all sizes, Jelly Beans, and even a giant Easter Treasure egg!

Everyone was able to find something to treat their sweet tooth after brunch and it was marvelous. I decided to spruce up the table some with some colorful Easter eggs and a pretty little Easter basket, paired with a couple of cake plates to really show off the delicious candy snack bar options. The last important addition to the table was a colorful springtime plate and napkins set, now my table was ready for guests to enjoy and you can prepare your dessert table this easily too!

Whether you are looking for the perfect over-sized Chocolate Bunny to add into your little one's Easter basket or you want to surprise your sweetheart with a giant Easter Treasure Egg, See's has everything you'll need! Want to treat yourself (or someone you love) to something delicious without having to spend a dime?

Enter to win a $15 See's Candies Gift Card giveaway with the giveaway tools form below:

Entry-Form

FINALLY Sharing My Little Valentine's Day Secret!

You may have noticed I've been a little quiet around here lately; I'm going to be honest with you today, I've been doing my best to share awesomeness with you as often as possible, but I've been busy & I may have been keeping a little bit of a secret from you...

I'm super excited to share that we are finally expecting! Little Baby Harmon is due in September 2016 and both my husband and I are thrilled! We went home earlier this month to share our news with our family and some close family friends but I wanted to make things official and share on our blog... if I could, I'd probably shout it from a mountain top as well. I'm that excited!

If you've been following the blog recently, you may have read that we have been longing to have a little one... So as you would expect, I'm super excited to share our journey into parenthood with you! Speaking of sharing, here's our first ultrasound from when we first found out in January!

Other than a sonogram photo of our baby from a few weeks I go, I'm not sure what to share as of yet... We're going to see the doc again tomorrow so I'll have a better update soon!

For now I'll start with a little bit about the pregnancy so far: I've been SO sick, it's insane. Morning, afternoon, and evening sickness almost every day, but it'll totally be worth it! When I'm not feeling sick, I'm craving foods that satisfy my sweet tooth and oddly, mashed potatoes are a normal craving as well! My spicy food craze that I've had my entire life has come to a screeching halt and I'm suddenly craving less seasoning and meals toddlers would enjoy like chicken tenders and mac & cheese!

Beyond my sickness and cravings, we're super excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl, as most couples are in the early months of pregnancy! While we're imagining whether we'll be buying little bows and pearls or tiny little toy cars and water guns, we're also starting to pick out names, nursery themes, and all the fun stuff we think we may want to add to the baby registry! As you can tell, we're both just a little overjoyed!

So, if you have any excellent parenting advice, tips for items we must have as new parents, or you just want to share some exciting news with me, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!


OH & by the way, Happy Valentine's Day! It's an especially happy holiday in our house this year!