Monday, March 23, 2015

Dear Calvin // Eleven Months


Dear Calvin,

I know I sound like a broken record, but the months are flying by --- and in less than 25 days, you will be ONE year old! Crazy how that happens, right?

But first, let's focus on this month...

We started things off with our trip to the coast where you not only got to feel sand between your toes, but you also took your first swim in a pool. And upon returning home, we enrolled you in your first swim lesson, which was fun for both of us!

You also got your first real fever this month. It wasn't fun to watch you so sick & sad, but took it as a sign that we all needed a few days of rest + recovery. We did have to take you in to the pediatrician's office because your cough would just not go away, but after a round of antibiotics, you are all better and we are happy to have our sweet boy back!

This month also marked mama's decision to stay home with you indefinitely. (More to come on this one...)

Other things to note:
*Solid foods are still slow going, but you are eating more & more every day.
*You now have seven teeth - four on top, three on bottom - with one more (on the bottom) on the way!
*Crawling is in full force, but you have now learned to stand up holding onto something and have even attempted to stand unassisted here & there.

We love you, baby boy!

love,
mama

[two months]
[three months]
[four months]
[five months]

Monday, March 16, 2015

Stitch Fix #13


With a dozen Stitch Fixes under my belt, I can still say with confidence that I LOVE this service! Sure, I only keep 1-2 items from each of my boxes, but that's a win in by book. Especially when the item isn't one I would have picked up in the store.

Before I get into what I received, here are a few tips that will hopefully improve your future fixes:
*Update your style profile regularly - measurements, styles, fabric, etc. - The more you share, the better your fixes may be.
*If you've received a fix you like, consider requesting the same stylist again.
*Don't expect to like all five items - I've heard it's not their intention to have you love all five items every time.

Now, let's take a look at my latest Stitch Fix:

[left] THML Heflin Knit Tank, [right] Skies are Blue Stallia Slub Cardigan + Level 99 Cayden Skinny Jean

[left] Honey Punch Stinson Tab-Sleeve Top + Level 99 Cayden Skinny Jean, [right] Le Lis Sonny Crew Neck Knit Top

Just as I mentioned above, I've requested the same stylist for the last few fixes and I feel like this has resulted in her knowing my style better with each box. This time, I asked my stylist for a new pair of skinny jeans & that she send some comfier items since I'm at home with Calvin, instead of in the workplace. Overall, that's exactly what this fix was. The skinny jeans were really cute, but the fit was kind of off, which was a bummer. I loved trying on each of the tops, since they weren't any that I would have picked up on my own, but due to fit or material, I only ended up keeping the THML Heflin knit tank.

So, what do you think? Should I have kept something else? I'd love to hear what you think.

And if you haven't tried Stitch Fix - why not?

Monday, March 9, 2015

Peek-a-whoo Monogrammed Jellycat Bunnies {with discount code!}

*While I have been chosen as one of Peek-a-whoo's Brand Ambassadors, all thoughts are my own*

After saying goodbye to Charlotte just before Christmas in 2012, the holidays became something I dreaded. When I should have been excited because we'd be celebrating another "first", I longed for just another normal day.

But when we scheduled Calvin's birthday (thanks to a repeat c-section) and it fell a few days before Easter, I felt a little redemption. And because we missed out on all of Charlotte's first holidays, I made sure Calvin's very first holiday was done right.

Enter: Peek-a-whoo's monogrammed Jellycat bunnies!

 (Look how tiny he was! Cue the mama tears...)

Not only are these bunnies oh-so-soft, but the monogram detailing really completes this gift. With free monogramming on just about all their products, Peek-a-whoo certainly knows what they are doing. After deciding how you want to personalize your purchase, Peek-a-whoo takes just another typical gift and turns it into a keepsake for years to come!


Not only was this bunny the perfect addition to Calvin's first Easter basket, but it's safe to say, almost a year later, this bunny has become a staple in our home. And from experience, you can rest assured everything (the softness, the monogramming, etc.) will hold up through the wash, if it comes to that.

So, are you convinced you need a bunny for your little one's Easter basket this year? 

If so, then you're in luck! Peek-a-whoo is offering Grable Tales readers 10% off ALL Jellycat bunny sizes (regular, large, & huge!) with the code 'GRABLE15'. But hurry - this offer is only good until March 13, 2015.


Now the question is... what size/color are you going to choose?

Monday, March 2, 2015

March Goals [with Grace]



Even though February was a shorter month, it was the first one in a while that I haven't been shocked with how fast it flew by. As much as I love crossing things off of lists, it was nice to focus my monthly goals on self-care rather than my always growing to-do list.  And I'm ready to welcome March in with open arms.

February Recap:

1. Participate in Nancy Ray's Contentment Challenge // I did pretty well. I love the idea and really felt like it made me think about what I want vs. what I need.

2. Walk 3x/week // I knocked this one out of the park, at least up until this last week (when Calvin got sick).  This one did a lot of my mood because on the days that I didn't walk, I could feel it.

3. Go on a date with Sam // I'm sad to say that this didn't happen. I had every intention to make this happen and even talked to Sam about it, but it just didn't happen. We did have some good uninterrupted time while we were away, but no real date night. Maybe next month...

March Goals: 

1. Consistently work on getting our home ready to sell // we have decided on a date that we would like to put our house on the market, which means we have a several tasks that we need to finish before then and I just don't want it to sneak up on us.

2. Catch up on photo books // for the first five years of our marriage, I did well when it came to annual photo books, but since then it's always been on my to-do list. Now I feel the push because I'd like to be caught up before I need to do Calvin's first year...

3. Date night with Sam // i.e. find a babysitter and get out of the house!