Family P

Reflections: Tea & Gratitude

Last week, for whatever reason, was REALLY long. I don’t know if it was the few nights that Daniel worked late or the 100+ degree heat 7 days in a row, or what , but I was ready for the weekend! Friday night, Daniel was working late and I had ambitious plans to get some packing and cleaning done after the baby went down. Sitting in the cool, dark nursery, rocking and singing to the baby is the surest way to kill any plans I have to be productive. Naturally, I was in no mood to clean or pack but nowhere close to being ready for bed at 7:15. Instead, I put the tea kettle on to make a cup of “Mother’s Milk Tea” (I’ve been drinking obsessively for the past few months to promote healthy lactation) and kinda zoned in front of the TV for a bit. (Something I NEVER  RARELY do!) As I finished my last sip of tea (more like… gulp. Mother’s Milk Tea –  is not delicious sipping tea) I noticed that the tag (tab?) had the following quote printed on it: 

“An attitude of gratitude brings opportunities.”

This quote reminded me of how thankful I am that we can afford for me to stay home and care for our sweet baby girl. I’ve mentioned before that it’s been an adjustment financially; requiring us to change our spending habits and reorganize our priorities. If I’m totally 100% honest, I don’t miss much at all about that pre-baby life at all. Especially when I consider what those changes mean. Sometimes it’s easy to loose track of the things we are thankful for; we take for granted some of the most important gifts. I joke about being “young and broke” but shouldn’t because we are rich in so many ways. Happiness is not found in having or doing, but in being. I need to remember to give thanks, in all seasons.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you – Thessalonians 5:18 

Tonight… I am most thankful for:

  • Our healthy and happy daughter whom I cannot imagine life without
  • My dear husband who makes the coffee every morning and loves me even when I’m cranky.
  • Our amazing families who love and support us in every way imaginable.
  • The “vintage” roof over our heads, A/C that works in 108 degree heat, and  our loyal guard Dog Durch
  • Being able to stay home with Olivia – watching her grow and learn every day.

 

Just in case you nursing mommas were wondering… Yogi makes an alternative to the popular “Organic Mother’s Milk Tea” that’s a little bit cheaper! At the recommended 3-5 cups a day, that stuff gets expensive!

Yogi Woman’s Nursing Support Tea

On Sale (right now) at Whole Foods $2.99!

Shout Out: Deena Riley Photography

A few months ago, we met up with Deena Riley to have some quick pictures done at sunset. She met us at The Filter Building at White Rock Lake – the perfect backdrop for this shoot. Deena photographed our sweet baby when she was just 12 days old in our home. We considered a few different options when we were looking for someone to take Olivia’s newborn portraits. Honestly, price was a huge consideration for us. I found packages ranging from $125 to $1500. Working with a tight budget – we wanted a package to include prints + digital negatives and didn’t want to compromise on talent! Overall, we were hugely satisfied with her friendliness and professionalism as well as the amazing quality of her work. She ran a contest earlier in the spring that allowed us to purchase a sunset shoot at an awesome discounted rate! We were thrilled to have the opportunity to take advantage of this package – Below are some of my favorite shots.

* Note: Olivia (at 4 months) was being a little stinker and WOULD NOT smile. Probably confused as to why she wasn’t in the bath at sunset.

Definitely check out Deena’s website next time you’re looking for a family photographer! 

Junk in the Trunk

The other day, I was inspired to get crackin’ on some of the organizational projects on my to-do list. I was over at a friend’s house and noticed a list of “clutter zones”  typed and posted on her bulletin board. She had scratched a few of these areas off the list, noting that they had been DE-CLUTTERED. A bit of a list-junkie myself (see here and here)… I came home and created a very similar (and I might add… much longer) list of Clutter Zones. Where did I start?  The ever-so-necessary “junk” drawer. Everyone has one. Everyone needs one. But it CAN be organized. The real question is… Will it stay organized?

I thought it might be fun to share some of the most interesting finds… even some treasures… buried deep in the depths of the junk!

  • Tiny tape measure
  • Macy’s magnifying ruler + name tag
  • Single-serve Green Vibrance packet
  • Bowl of miscellaneous buttons
  • Bowl of Keys (no clue what most of them unlock)
  • 2 sets of headphones
  • Tiny fingernail scissors
  • Origins Peace-of-Mind Headache relief cream
  • Postcard stamps
  • 6 mini hand sanitizer bottles from Bath & Body Works
  • An extra iphone charger
  • Rayban Wayfarers
  • Meddlesome Moth Coaster with 2012 New Years Resolutions + Predictions from NYE dinner with friends hand-written on back.

  • 3 pair of scissors
  • Photobooth pics from a wedding in 2011
  • Deck of Texas playing cards
  • Emily’s graduation picture
  • Tide to-go stick
  • Quick Grip
  • Extra car keys (including keys to my Jeep Liberty that we sold over a year ago)
  • Various pens, sharpies, notepads and rubber bands.
  • Old business cards
  • 2 claritin redi-tabs
  • Miscellaneous left over gift cards (those pesky ones that have $3.12 on them) 
  • A $100 gift certificate to Bass Performance Hall
  • Some box tops for education
  • An extra digital camera battery
  • A wine cork
  • A magic rock from Brother Gorham

And there it is… the finished product. All organized. 

I think I’ll tackle the junk in the trunk of my car next. Somehow I doubt that will be blog-worthy.

Where are your clutter zones?

Featured Image Here

Olivia: 5 Months

5 Months

15.2 Pounds

25 Inches

Size: “6 month”, Size 2 Diapers

Nicknames: Sneekle Freetzie (AKA Snickle Fritz), Liv, LiverDude, Peanut, OKP

Loves…

The Skip Hop Tree Top Play Mat

The Baby Einstein Exersaucer (AKA “The Disc”)

Sophie the Giraffe and Sophie “Chewie”

The “Liv, Liv, Liv” Song

The Belly Button Song

Reading before bedtime, especially “Where’s Spot?”

Going to the Aquarium

Swimming

“Longtime Sunshine” Song

Bath Time, Baby Massage, Bed Time

Putting fingers, hands, and feet in her mouth.

Interested in food and drinks, wants to put everything in her mouth

The flying baby game

any type of baby wearing: Bjorn, peanut sling (finally!)

Pulling mom’s hair

Cranks…

getting in the carseat

being in the stroller for long enough for mom to shop

watching mom blog

watching dad study

staying up past 9:00pm

watching mom + dad eat dinner

Milestones:

Almost sitting up alone

Meeting cousins Rylie + Remie for the first time

First trip to the Lake with Bilbo/McElyea/Darley fam

Sleeping 5+ hour stretch at night, occasionally 8+

First Fourth of July

First Bubble Bath

Swim Diapers Size S/P finally fit!

Wore Vans tennies for the first time

Stuck tongue out and made a funny face

Getting a little furrier! More blondish red hair coming in…

Went to the nursery at Church for the first time

Daily Routine:

7:30 Wake Up, Nurse

10:00 Nurse

11:00 Nap (30 min – 1hr)

1:00 Nurse

3:00 Nap (1hr-2hrs)

4:00 Nurse

7:00 Nurse

8:00 Read books in bed with Mom + Dad

8:30  Bathtime, Lotion and Massage, “Jammies”

9:00 Nurse, Songs, Prayers*

*In the process of pushing the whole night-time routine up to 7:00 pm… slowly shaving a few minutes off every night

Family P Celebrates the 4th: Fried Chicken NO Fireworks

We have failed miserably for the past 4 years at finding the perfect spot to watch Fireworks. Growing up in hill-y Southern California, we were always able to see Fireworks from the backyard deck. There were are few years that we made the trek to the park or beach, but most of my memories of Fourth of July were at home. Living downtown is great for a lot of things… not Fourth of July. Next year, I think we’ll make more of an effort to be lake-side or better yet… maybe plan a family trip to CALIFORNIA!

My mom “Gramma G” was in town with my youngest sister Emily  for the 4th (and to celebrate my… gulp… 26th birthday!). A whirlwind of a trip, we started with a quickie dinner at Tampopo Japanese Cafe on Greenville (delicious… and cheap! tempura and bento boxes!) before escorting my darling gandaddy and his date to a summer concert at the Dallas Arboretum.

 

Chihuly Nights Concert @ The Dallas Arboretum

Such a bummer when this holiday falls midweek.. at least for my sweet hardworking husband who has to go straight back to work the next day. We attended my mom’s childhood neighborhood parade first thing in the morning, followed by a wonderful afternoon by the pool. Post-swimming naps and snacks and a wonderful meal at our new favorite place Chicken Scratch (read more here). Great food (Free Range Fried Chicken + traditional southern sides) Good beer selection, and AMAZING outdoor atmosphere… very kid friendly!

Swimming with Gramma G

Swimming on the Fourth of July

Liv Loves Chicken Scratch

@ Chicken Scratch

Full of Fried Chicken our plans to go and see fireworks at Fair Park were quickly abandoned… instead we ate Peach Cobbler (Recipe Here) on the front porch, bathed the baby and called it a night. The rest of  Gramma G/Auntie Em’s trip included a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium, a weekend at Lake Cypress Springs, a birthday celebration and delicious brunch at Oddfellows  in the Bishop Arts District.

Swimming with Cousins @ The Bilbo Lake House

Gramma G @ Oddfellow’s with Liv

And in one short month… WE’RE GOING TO CALIFORNIA!

What’s for Dinner: Meal Planning

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a “planner”. A trait passed down from my grandfather to my mother, from my mother to me. Planning is in my blood. From lists to calendars, itineraries to events… I actually ENJOY planning! I enjoy planning so much that sometimes I plan too much for my own good. Occasionally (OK, Frequently) I spend more time planning than actually “doing.” Still, I’m convinced that this trait IS a good thing… Even if my blood pressure is higher because of it. On the topic of planning, one of our new years resolutions this year was to better plan our meals at home at the beginning of each week in order to eat out less frequently. Dan, knowing me all too well, gifted me these “Knock Knock” planning notepads for Christmas this past year… inspiring the resolution.

Buy Here

Buy Here

Also available Here and Here

Lately, with surprise business trips and dinners for Dan, we’ve slacked off with actually following through on the planned meal. Too often we’ve swapped more desirable meals or meals out for the dreaded “leftovers” night… My solution. Share it here, maybe add an accountability factor at home.

Sunday mornings are usually the perfect time for planning (Liv isn’t a fan of sleeping in… so the Sunday rituals usually start no later than 8). Dan gets some quality cuddle time with Liv while I cook breakfast and peruse Pinterest (Follow Me! – @mmoguu) for recipes and ideas for weeknight meals. I usually make an attempt at soliciting input from my dear husband… but his idea of a perfect dinner is grilled chicken + roasted potatoes… and if he had it his way… that’s what we’d have for dinner 7 nights a week… OK- Actually 4 nights a week. and the other 3 nights would be taco night.

Disclaimer: I’ve never been very good at following recipes so any “Recipe” I post may include measurements of the eyeball. ie. pinches, handfuls or sprinkles.

In case you’re interested… Here’s this week’s line-up:

Sunday: Eat Out, Stackhouse Burgers

Monday: Dine In, Burrito Bowls

Tuesday: Dine In, Chinese Chicken Salad

Wednesday: Dine In, Red Beans & Rice and Cornbread

Thursday: Dine In, BBQ Chicken, Homemade Potato Chips and Cucumber/Avocado Salad

Friday: Dine In, Chicken, Sundried Tomato, Goat Cheese & Spinach Paninis

Saturday: UNDECIDED!

 

With the Fourth of July and GRAMMA G COMING TO TOWN!, next week is bound to include more dining out than normal. After that, we’ll be back on track… I’m already planning on it 😉 

 

Featured Image From Here

Olivia: 4 Months


4 Month Check-Up

14.0 Pounds

23.75 Inches 

Size:  “6 month”, Size 1 Diapers

Nicknames: Sneekle Feetzie, Liv, O, Liver Dude, Liv Cakes, Love/Liv Bug, Peanut, OKP

4 months

Loves…

The Baby Einstein Exersaucer (AKA “The Disc”)

Sophie the Giraffe and Sophie “Chewie”

Standing while holding Mom or Dad’s hands

Listening to her Daddy play guitar or piano

The “Liv, Liv, Liv” Song

The Belly Button Song

“Jump Jump Jump” Jana Alayra Song

“Where’s Spot?”

Going to the Aquarium

Going to the Dallas Arboretum (AKA Arbor-eatzi-mah-bah)

Being Outside

WubbaNub (AKA WerberNerb or WerberNerber)

Morning Snuggles with Mom

“Longtime Sunshine” Song

Bath Time, Baby Massage, Bed Time

The “Climb Mommy” game

Happy Baby Pose

Putting fingers, hands, and feet in her mouth.

4 Months

Cranks…

Being called “Dumbo”

Getting in the Car Seat

Being in the stroller

Not being in mom’s arms

The Sling

4 Months

Milestones

Babbling, Cooing, Baby talkin’

Rolls over both directions

WILL NOT SLEEP ON HER BACK

Consistently sleeping for 5+ hours stretch night.

Occasionally sleeping 8+ hours

Going to Church @ Fellowship White Rock

Daily Routine:

3AM- 5AM: Wake Up, Nurse, Snuggle with Mom in bed

8AM: Nurse

9AM: Nap (30MIN – 1HR)

11AM: Nurse

2PM: Nurse

3PM: Nap (1HR-2HRs)

5PM: Nurse

7PM: Nurse

8PM: Starts Dozin’

8:30PM: Bathtime, Lotion and Massage, “Jammies”

9:00PM Nurse, Songs and Prayers

1AM: Wakeful Babe = gets a paci and usually falls back asleep

Note: I need to get better at taking in-focus iphone pictures.