Ta-daaaaa

I love this girl so much. She has such a happy soul. Xoxo-BLC

Squeak is SEVEN MONTHS!!!

How are we here already!?! This little monkey is seven months old. Her best tricks: waving and clapping. She is the MOST fun and we love her the most. Xoxo-BLC #thesqueakmonthly

Stewbaby

Stewart is still the little heartmetler!!! I just love him. He is the best dog. Xoxo-BLC

Splish, Splash, She LOVES taking a bath!!!

Squeak just LOVES LOVES LOVES bath time. She is beyond fun when playing in the tub. Stewart LOATHES baths but is VERY interested when Squeak is splish splashing around. He might be turning a corner - I keept waiting for him to jump in too! The bottom picture was taken by her teacher at school - it might be my favorite picture yet. That smile just looks proud!!! She is proud she figured out how to get a bath a school (ie a MAJOR blowout). We are just having the most fun with Squeak!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: I couldn't find the drain plug, so I would like to thank the "Wet Bandits" for showing me how to fill the tub up in a jiffy!!! #homealone :)

Bess Frans Baby Shower!

We made the big trip for a college bess fran's baby shower!!! It was so fun seeing these two and celebrating the TWINS coming early Spring. We are sooo excited for our sweet friends and it was such a lovely celebration. Squeak is looking forward to having friends to play with at Clemson games!!! Xoxo-BLC

Scoot-scoot and BUGGY RIDE!!!

I took the day off and played stay-at-home-mom. OH MY WORD was it fun. I think Squeak is the perfect age to play and be easy peasy. I had a TON of errands to run and I took her everywhere. It is getting easier because she officially can sit up and ride in a BUGGY!!! She LOVED it. She was chatting the whole time. Also, she is attempting to scoot-scoot. I predict crawling by Easter. Time sure does fly!!! Xoxo-BLC

Post-Baby Body Image

Body after baby is something else. I gained almost 20 pounds with baby and lost 15 almost right off. It has been so tough to shed the last bit. And by tough, don't think I've given up chocolate or wine! But I might need to. I am more in awe of my body than ever before. It's a miracle that it carried this little life. I like my body better but I recognize it is much different. I have feared loosing myself in mommyhood. It has happened in part and that is alright. Being a mom is sacrifice. I still believe in taking care of myself (daily devotionals, weekly workouts, and a random pedicure) and it has to be purposeful to happen. More than ever it's about efficiency and priority. My priority is my faith, husband, Squeak, Stewbaby, family, friends, work, and the list goes on.

1 Timothy 2:9-10

"... women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works."

Isaiah 61:10

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Psalm 139:14
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

1 Peter 3:3-4 (shared by Erin from Blue Eyed Bride!)

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

 I read the Blue Eyed Bride's post "The Wardrobe and White Space." It could not have been perfect for where I am and what I needed to hear. And I agree wholeheartedly: while I love love love clothes, I often buy pretty clothes to hide behind them. People look at the clothes and not at me. And, like Erin said, it siphons money unnecessarily from our bank account. Sounds like a loose-loose to me. This year I want to be more purposeful. The word I keep clinging to is providence. I want to be aware of God's providence, or divine guidance, of my life. Body image seems like a great place to start. I love pearls, gold, and good clothes. But doesn't modesty, self-control, good works, salvation, righteousness, imperishable beauty, gentle/quiet spirit, and precious in God's sight sound so much better? Do you want a friend with pearls, gold, and good clothes ... or the latter description? We are fearfully and wonderfully made. What a great thing to celebrate!!! Xoxo-BLC

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

 May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! May your day be filled with laughs, rainbows, pots of gold, leprechauns, corned beef, and cabbage all while wearing something green. Fear the pinch!!! Our baby girl had the BEST day - all smiles ALL the time. She isn't Irish but Stewart dished out PLENTY of kisses. Green cheers to you and yours!!! Xoxo-BLC

Sunday Happies

Sundays are always happy with this chick. Xoxo-BLC

Shower that BABY!!!d

I think I've mentioned this a few times before, but I cannot say it enough: I really have the best friends. They are so sweet and such a blessing. Friends definitely make my life much more colorful and FUN. My sweet friends and I hosted a baby shower this weekend and oh-my-goodness was it great.

Squeak is BEYOND excited to meet Baby R and we are TOO!!! It was so much fun showering them and such a great day. Also, I didn't want the adult beverages to break en route to the shower ... and thank goodness the carseat base made the PERFECT wine holder. Bahaha!!! At first it was a joke, but it worked so well, don't think I won't use it again because I definitely plan on it. :) Xoxo-BLC

Willing SPRINGTIME to hurrrrrrrry up!!!

Are you ready for SPRINGTIME!?! I sure am. Devon Baer is willing Spring to hurry up already with her super cute line. I literally want one of each item - it's just too cute for words and such a strong line. Happy shopping to you and yours!!! Xoxo-BLC

In Good Company

This article is AGES old at this point, but I just loved it so much. It's from Health magazine. I have no idea how this magazine arrives at my house. Magazines currently freak me out: the content is not always (ironically) healthy (i.e. wanting things I don't need or making me wish I was skinner/prettier/funnier/etc.) and I feel pressure to read them in full. I don't want to overstep my carbon footprint so I also feel the need to donate them or give them to a friend ... it's just too much! Anyhoo, back to THE article. Health published this great article on friendship. I am really into friends. I adore the company I keep and it's important to me. I surround myself with amazing friends and I try to be a great friend. I wild thing is ... I have these exact friends. My childhood pal is my childhood BFF. My confidante is Stella (sorry chick - I definitely tell you everything!). My social butterflies and my shrinks are my law school best friends AND my core friend group (we hang out almost every weekend and I LOVE IT) AND my college besties. The online buddy: Beantown Prep (you could have guessed that!). I really believe you can judge a person by the company they keep. Good company broods good will, good fun, good times, good character, good choices ... I could go on and on!!! Xoxo-BLC

Wednesday's = PINK

On Wednesday's we wear PINK!!! 

Xoxo-BLC

The BEST Baby Books

We officially have a favorite author: MY SISTER!!! She is a child psychologist and simply the best. Just a few of our favorite books ...

See Amazon for her FULL list. My absolute favorite might be Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?!!? Bahahahahahhaa. They are super duper cute books and wonderful reads. The best part eBooks go everywhere with you and are fun yet educational toys. Xoxo-BLC

Chores, Chores, Chores ...

"Chores!? But I'm too cute for chores." 

I really just put her in the laundry basket to stop the dog from licking her and knocking her over. Ha! I just needed two minutes of uninterrupted laundry sorting and I am tired of saying "no Stewart" 400x per day. But, one day, this will totally be part of her chores! Until then ... Xoxo-BLC

Jackie O

Jackie O called and wants her sunnies back!!! The shop girl tried to talk me into the appropriate sized baby glasses ... um, not thanks, like the bigger the better!!! :) Xoxo-BLC

Be Still.

I mentioned recently in my "Ordinary Days" post that I am a busy body by nature. I think it can be a sin. I recently heard the business is a form of lazy. If you aren't still enough to address the issue, it is lazy to occupy your time to ignore the issue. I had never heard that and how interesting. I am trying to be more still and enjoy each moment, even the super ordinary ones. My goal this weekend: be still enough to hold Squeak as she napped.

And it happened. Isn't that just the sweetest. I really just crave these ordinary days. One of my law school BFFs stopped by ... and with petit fours!!! Squeak is still too little to FULLY appreciate and enjoy these mini cakes, but I did let her smash one and oh la la did she have the MOST fun. There was frosting everywhere and boy was it cute!!! Xoxo-BLC

Sit, Tip, Sit

It's official! We have a sitter. It's a tad wobbly at times. And we tend to tip every-single-time the dog Stewart steals a kiss. It's just extra balance practice. :) I have a feeling this is a game changer. I can put her down the the boppy behind her and she can reach for toys. Her crib is now a safe-dog-kiss-free-zone of FUN after I wake her up and fill it with toys. She is just so stinking cute and fun. Xoxo-BLC