Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Thanksgiving 2019

Welp...this is long overdue.  Can you tell life has been totally crazy and I've put this little blog space on the back burner?  I'm hopeful to get it together and post somewhat more regularly on here.


We had somewhat of a slow morning.  It was just going to be the five of us and my dad for Thanksgiving so things weren't too hectic in preparations.  We opted to go for a pretty easy meal and everything turned out great!

We had Turkey seasoned with Thyme and Rosemary Vitality, Stuffing from Trader Joe's with added mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Vitality, homemade gravy, and our favorite pumpkin pie. Ellie's favorite was the Brussels Sprouts - girl after my own heart 😉, Séamus enjoyed the turkey, and Finnley had bread 😑.  My dad had seconds of everything so I would say it was a success.

The kids enjoyed playing around, reading books with Grandpa, trying out new tricks, and just the overall sense of gathering.  We had a variety of diffuser blends to choose from and went with the Thanksgiving Blend which was so so good!







After my dad left, we packed up the car with all the things and the dogs and headed over the mountains to The Grey Cottage for the weekend.  We were greeted with our new Flocked Tree and the cutest Dove Tree Topper and metal collar.  It was one of the most relaxing Thanksgivings we've had in a while and we are so thankful for all that we've been given.


you can check out our previous Thanksgiving posts here

♥ Ashley

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

The Séamus Weekly - week 18

I can hardly believe that yet another week has passed and our sweet little boy, Séamus is one week older!!  We had quite the week with Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Séamus 4th Monthday, and Cyber Monday!! 



Then little man had a doctor appointment and Finnley got to tag along because, SAHM life.  Finnley really does not like the doctor.  She starts bawling when we walk into the waiting room, refuses to stand on the scale, and tries with all her might to not look at the nurse (or doctor for that matter).  This is also true for when it's not even her appointment.  She just cannot do the doctor.  NOT this time though! It was probably the best appointment she's been at since she was 1 week old!  To start the story....I actually forgot about the appointment, until our doctor called to ask if we were coming.  Then I loaded to two kids up into the car and whisked our way to the office.  I brought Finnley's Magic Blue Unicorn Roller and rolled it on the back of her neck, on her shoulders, and her wrists.  She was in the best of moods, walked into the exam room, chatted with the nurse and even gave the doctor a high five!!  I mean who is this girl?? 
Séamus was a champ for his appointment.  He is 24 3/4" tall, weighs 12lbs 4oz and his head measured 16".  He had to get an oral vaccination...which he was really "good" about taking but spit a bunch of it out.  He also got two shots and handled the first one well, the second one was a little too much and he started to cry.  I was able to comfort him and he stopped crying after about 30 seconds.  Then the doctor came in and did his examination then started talking to me about Séa's weight.  I honestly did not expect to ever have the conversation about formula, but these doctor's and the way their brains work...anyways at this point I feel confident that Séamus is healthy, thriving, and developing right on track that the only changes I am making is being more diligent with my Fennel Roller, increasing my water intake, and ensuring I'm getting enough calories.



Eats:  well as I mentioned above Séamus is still nursing.  We breastfeed multiple times a day and a few times a night.  I posted about how much I love nursing him on my IG the other day and I am really just focusing on how good it really is and to get our doctor's comments out of my head.  I have had several conversations with friends over the years regarding this topic and I've always said to them, that as long as baby is healthy, thriving, and developing then they are enough...I just need to make that my mantra.



Sleeps: baby boy is still swaddled and sleeps the best that way.  He has managed to escape at least one arm most of the time but is still able to sleep.  I have been trying to see if we can ditch the swaddles but some times he is just not ready for it.  He has managed to fall asleep a couple of times all on his own both on his playmat and in his crib...so I know it's possible it just doesn't last too long.






Wears: I am slowly switching out the 0-3 and bringing in more of the 3-6 into his dresser.  He is also still in size 1 diapers but I made sure to switch it to size 2 for our next shipment.  I have been doing some research and am wondering if I am using the best diapers for my sweet little boy.  It's just crazy the ingredients that they put into these diapers that sit on our babies (near their reproductive organs) for years!! I can't wait to be done with them.  So if you know of a disposable diaper that is low in toxins and chemicals I would love to know!!




Goes: we made a road trip over the mountains to my in-laws for Thanksgiving.  Little boy was the best traveler sleeping practically the whole time, the girls did amazingly well too.  We spent all day Thanksgiving in their house and then ventured for out on Friday for about a 3 hour trip and Séamus slept the entire time!! It was wild, I was able to transfer him from the car seat to the ergo and back!! Amazing!  He also went to his 4 month appointment.





Does: he loves to play in his exersaucer, rolls over, loves tummy time.  He has continued to squeal with delight when he is happy, grunts and coos and squeals when its nursing time.  He has been grabbing his feet a lot, arching his back when its time to get into the car (half the time), and loves to stand up with our assistance.  He can track us with his eyes and looks around when he hears our voices.  When he sees me, he gets the biggest smile.


Mama: aside from the comments at his appointment, I am doing great!! I am enjoying all of this time with my kiddos.  Watching them grow and mature and develop is the best.  Being home is probably my favorite thing because not only to I get to be a part of my kiddos daily lives but they get to spend all day together forming a bond and friendship that they wouldn't necessarily otherwise get to have.  I had some great sales with my business this week and I ranked up to Executive (YL income disclosure)!! Which is such an accomplishment that I really wasn't sure was going to happen!!  I had hopes and dreams that this would happen but I figured it wouldn't happen until the New Year, thankfully I have the best Leader and without her I wouldn't be as successful as I am.  I absolutely love that I can share oils with people and help them bring a new Wellness Journey into their homes and lives!! Want to join my team?? Enroll here!!




Sisters: Oh my word these two girls are absolutely rocking at life.  Finnley is talking more and more every day and I can understand more and more which is so fun.  She completely adores her baby brother and must be near him 75% of the time.  She loves to be near all of us and has begun requesting to "Cuddle Mama" or "Cuddle Dada" on the daily.  It is just the sweetest thing ever.  She has also started to like being held and will walk up to us and as us to "Carry" her.  I just love seeing her little personality shine through.  She does get very frustrated when she asks for something and we cannot understand it.  Finnley still does a great job at independent play and loves to build things.  She also has an affinity for small objects (anything will do) and will be attached to them for hours, or days.  Her current favorites are: a fold up map from Disneyland, a battery operated tea light candle, and a toy phone.
Ellie is doing so well at school.  She is loving learning and is so interested in all of the letters.  We were watching the tv the other day and she read the word FOX for the channel icon.  It was seriously the coolest thing ever!! Ellie is constantly saying words and letting us know which letter it starts with and she has been counting and doing math on her own all the time.  I just adore how much she is loving learning and what a sponge she is. She also has a loose tooth which just makes my stomach turn.  This is the one thing that I have not been looking forward to because it just grosses me out so very much.  She doesn't seem to be too interested in losing it and seems to think the Tooth Fairy is going to give her chocolate for it...which she is not a fan of.  Additionally she cannot keep herself away from Séamus and must attack him with a million kisses ten thousand times a day.
Sometimes I just find myself smiling as I watch them all be themselves and am so grateful and blessed to get to be their Mama.








Previous Posts:


Finnley at 18 weeks
Ellie at 18 weeks

♥ Ashley






Monday, November 27, 2017

Our Thanksgiving Holiday 2017

I thought we were Thankful last year but nothing compares to this year!! 




I love our little family we have and getting to see the girls grow up and become friends is just the best.  Ellie is still as protective as ever and loves her sister very much (as long as she isn't trying to touch any of her toys 😉) and is constantly telling us that she wants another sister and a brother and a sister and a brother...so I'm not sure if we'll be able to meet those requests but it sure is sweet.  Finnley loves to laugh, suck her fingers and is really into jumping and galloping which is the cutest thing ever, and lets not even start with her love of Target girlfriend runs around that place like a mad woman!!! (Good thing we're usually there around 7am so we're only bothering the workers with her shenanigans).



Ellie was so excited for Thanksgiving this year and has become a Turkey fiend and will practically eat half of the bird!!  Finnley was just happy to be surrounded by people she knew and free reign to run around like a crazy.  We made our way over the mountains to spend the holiday with Thomas family and despite me coming down with a migraine we had a lovely time.  The food was great, family was fun, and the girls loved playing with their cousins.  Traveling around the holidays can sometimes be chaotic but luckily we timed our travel just right that we didn't get held up in any horrific traffic.





We spent Black Friday morning (I was recovered from my migraine) taking it easy with breakfast, the cousins playing, adults talking, online browsing and just basic relaxation from the crazy of the day before.  Then we all headed out to check out the brick and mortar deals, the boys took all the kids and us girls had the best time doing some shopping sans parenting! I kept saying I felt like I was missing something - turns out it was reprimanding the girls for touching things!! haha  We all met back up at the house for lunch said goodbye to the family that was leaving and then I hit up Ebates to get some Christmas presents ordered (and cash back too) online.



Later we watched a movie and then headed out to dinner because who can do Turkey three meals in a row?? And after dinner we showed off Finnley's adoration for Target and then back to the house for my family time and then bed.

Saturday morning we were up, had breakfast and made our way home.  Once home we got down our Christmas decorations, Ellie and I took a nap, watched Beauty and the Beast and had dinner.  Not too busy but just what we needed.



Then Sunday we got out our boxes of Christmas decor and started decking the halls by putting up our Christmas trees.  We have one in the living room and then both girls have one in each of their rooms.  We switched things up this year and went with a smaller tree and used colored lights...not sure if we'll go with colored again but it sure is fun to mix things up!!











♥ Ashley

previous Christmas Trees

2016
2015
2014  2014
2013

Monday, December 5, 2016

The Wednesday Weekly - Week 33

Wow, y'all! Finnley finally celebrated her very first Thanksgiving and we had the best time.  We are full speed ahead into the holiday season and this growing girl continues to make all things joyful!
 
Week 33


Eats: we are still going strong with the bottles and formula but introducing new solids all the time.  A couple weeks ago I went to a junk show and picked up a second high chair (because Ellie is still obsessed with hers) and it couldn't be more perfect.  Finnley loves to sit in it and get spoonfuls of baby food.  We also had our very first North Pole breakfast and girlfriend was a fan of the powdered mini doughnuts ;)



Sleeps: her naps have been getting better and she is still sleeping through the night. We love having her in her own room and the sleep sacks are perfect for keeping her warm at night now that the temps are dropping.



Does: she sits all the time and plays with her toys and she has figured out a way to squirm out of her infant seat and can get herself onto all fours.  She keeps rocking and nodding her head like a crazy person and is trying so hard to figure out how to crawl.  She is laughing and cooing and making all sorts of noises and is so observant.


Goes: while Ellie was at preschool I met up with some mom friends at a coffee shop that has a play area.  While the babe isn't crawling yet she sure did have a great time.  We went to Thomas' brother's house for Thanksgiving and actually spend the night at my dad's temporary home.  We did venture out for some day after Black Friday shopping and made a quick trip to IKEA (quick indeed in and out in an hour ;) )






Loves: our Christmas tree and the one in her room.  She is all about the lights everywhere.  Finnley is obsessed with the dogs and her sister and now is all about her Dada!



Of Note: poor girl had a pretty bad cold with some nasal and chest congestion but seems to be on the mend.  We also got rear ended on our way home from IKEA on Saturday and while everyone is A-Okay it's just a mess and now we have to get Thomas' car fixed and deal with all the insurance stuff.  We also finally finished up with our last shipment of size 2 diapers and are now officially onto size 3!

Mama: I'm doing really good.  We are in a groove and I just adore spending all this time at home with my girls.  I love having one on one time with Finnley while Ellie is at school and just soaking up this season of life.  I also finally made the decision to stop working in the childcare at our church and I feel so much better about that decision.  I feel like I can fully focus on my girls, our schedules, and keeping our home.


Sister: smitten as ever with each other.  They are all about each other and Ellie really enjoys helping out with her sister.  Like if Finnley gets stuck under the coffee table or couch Ellie is right on the job to pull her out...we've had a few reminders about sharing with sister but overall things are going swell!

Thursday, November 24, 2016