Our Weekend

First I want to say thank you so much for all your beautiful comments from Our Birth Story post. I loved hearing from you guys on FB, Instagram, and on the post. I love this community and I'm so happy to have finally shared such a special day with us. I can't believe it took me so long to put it together! 

I had this Saturday off and I was looking forward to it all week! Ellie came down with a pretty nasty cold during the week and I caught it and I've been waiting to sleep in all week. I've been so tired and going to bed early. Poor Ellie hasn't been able to sleep well at night and has been waking up 2-3 times almost every night so Matt and I are crazy tired. We're all better now, Ellie has a runny nose, but her cough is just about gone and she's sleeping through the night again (PTL).

Cardi (on sale now!) // Top // Jeans // Flats (old Steve Madden, similar here)

Saturday morning we slept in to 649am which is still great for us (Matt usually wakes up about 4 and I wake up at 545-6) and we were up and out the door to meet his parents for breakfast. It was so much fun getting out of the house and meeting up with them. We used to live around the corner from them and it was always great to get together all the time. We still see them often, but I miss having them less than a mile from us. We promised that we would meet halfway at least once a month and try new restaurants and cafes. After breakfast, we all went shopping at a local outdoor mall for a few stores before the rain came down.

Floral Top (in store, but found the maternity version online here) // Heart Tunic 

We stopped at Old Navy and they had the cutest stuff for toddlers. Usually I think they have better stuff for toddler boys than girls, but oh my word they have some cute stuff for girls right now. I snagged this adorable heart tunic for Ellie for Valentines day. I also plan on getting her these floral jeans, yellow polka dot jeans, and chambray tunic for spring. I also picked up this top for spring for myself. I bought a large without trying it on because they were out of mediums, but it's a bit too big. I couldn't find it online (except for the maternity version of course) so I'm going to see if I can find it at a different store. I love the color combos and it's so different from anything I own.

When we got home, we went back to pajamas and slippers as soon as we walked in the door. Then Ellie and I both took a nap and it was glorious. Naps are so underrated and I wish I had time to take a nap every weekend.

After nap time, I relaxed some more and finally watched The Holiday (well I had to finish it yesterday) for the first time. It's one of my sister's favorites and I had never seen the whole thing! Isn't that crazy? It was so good though, I really enjoyed it. After that, we had dinner as a family and did some house cleaning. Super exciting Saturday night around these parts.

Sunday morning I stuck with a New Year's resolution and got to it in the kitchen with some crepes for breakfast (while on the topic of resolutions, I also cleaned out the fridge). They turned out great and was really easy to make (I used this recipe). It was a nice change of pace from our usual breakfasts (eggs/spam, pancakes, chorizo). Matt went all out for dinner and baked a turkey and made gravy for the first time. He's a freaking champ and is so awesome. They both turned out delicious, especially the gravy. I'm such a gravy snob because my mom makes the best ever so I'm super judgy of gravy, but his passed the test.

We used the Hershey's Spread with Almond instead of Nutella. It wasn't as delicious as Nutella, but still pretty good. Yes, I realize Nutella is with hazelnut and I thought I bought the hazelnut version of Hershey's, but I guess I didn't. Nutella is easier to spread and is creamier.As a snack last night I had it with some sliced apples and it was bomb. Even still, I think I'll buy the real stuff next time.

Hope you all had a great weekend! I have a fun polish review for tomorrow!

Our Birth Story

This post has been such a long time coming. I've written and re-written several parts and have decided to start off the new year on a post that means so much to me. I'm sorry it's a million years late, I had a beautiful birth experience and decided to finally sit down and finish the post. I initially shared our big day in just pictures that you can read here.The day I became a mother and Matt and I added to our family was so special and I could have written this post a hundred different ways and I still wouldn't be able to fully express in words how our day really was. How much fear, excitement, joy, and love was filled in each moment would be impossible to share. So I did my best and I hope you enjoy it.

Our little bunny had been Frank Breech since our Week 26 appointment and by the end of my pregnancy, I gave up all hope she would flip. I just felt that she had been in that position for too long for her to turn and that by the end she was just too big to even be able to. So a c-section was planned for the end of May on the 29th, just a day before my 39 week mark.

Once I knew a c/s was certain, I did my homework. I wanted to learn as much as I could so I knew what to expect, what questions to ask beforehand, and what options I would have. Thankfully, so many of you reached out to me and I was able to get a lot of one-on-one talk from ladies to prepare for the big day.

The weekend before we had tons of celebrations going on, but I was still able to get everything taken care of that needed to be done. My husband and I deep cleaned our home so it would be nice and pretty for our return, cleaned out our fridge and stocked up on non-perishable food, did all of the laundry, and packed our hospital bags (see what I used here).

The day before our c/s I had my pre-op appointment where I met with my doctor, had tests run to be sure I was ok for surgery, then I ran some last minute errands, and relaxed before Matt came home. Once he got home we hung out for a while and then went out for a nice sushi dinner. I thought I would have anxiety and not be able to sleep, and we were really excited, but somehow we conked out and I slept just fine. I did wake up a few times because I was thirsty, but that was a lost cause since I couldn't drink anything before surgery.

I had set my alarm for 6 am, but woke up at 530 wide awake, excited, and had to force myself to relax in bed until my alarm went off. It was baby day!! In a matter of mere hours I'd have my little girl in my arms to love and kiss for the rest of our lives. I prayed that morning that I would be brave and unafraid, that the procedure wouldn't have any complications, and that all the nurses and doctors had a good nights rest and were ready to rock and roll. Saying I was excited is an understatement.

We took one last bump pic and met Matt's parents at the hospital. It was go time! We checked in, got the IV started (which totally pinched), and the doctors and nurses went over everything with me. There were only a few things I was nervous about, getting my spinal, being nauseous, and the pain after the good meds wore off. I almost lost my cool when the anesthesiologist went over her duties, she was super nice, but her words like "pinch" and "burning" were standing out too much for me, but I just thought to myself "if I lose it now, there's no going back" so I choked back my fear and tears. Once I was packed with fluids, deemed safe for surgery, and was ready for the spinal, I kissed my family and headed into the surgical room for the final steps.

For the spinal, Matt had to wait outside (he used that time to record a sweet message for little Eleanor) and the anesthesiologist walked me through each step as they were happening, it was a little pinch in my back, then instead of a burning sensation I just felt a luke warm feeling enter my body and then warm up my bottom, legs, and feet. I was expecting the burning to start soon so I asked if that was it and she laughed saying no one had ever asked her that before and we were all done. It was a total breeze! Getting my IV was worse! Ok, first fear tackled.

Once the spinal was administered I had to lay down pretty quickly, which my doctor and the nurses helped with, I instantly went numb and they checked me to see what I could feel- which was nothing! Every time they touched me, it tingled- almost tickled even! I remember thinking to myself that this would be easy and I didn't have to be afraid of anything.

At that time, Matt was able to join me in the room and he had me record a message for Ellie too and then stood by my side as the surgery progressed.Within minutes our little girl was delivered and the doctor held her upside down over the curtain so I could see her. She was beautiful. So many thoughts and feelings rushed to the surface, loving someone for so long without even knowing them and the amount of love you feel the minute they arrive is truly overwhelming. I just loved her. Words cannot express enough the moment of happiness in that moment and the moments after. Once I saw her, the nurses took over and got her all cleaned up. Matt went over there to see her and take pictures and was walking me through everything that was happening since I couldn't see her over the c/s curtain. Once she was ready, they held her next to my face and I got to kiss and really see her then. It was amazing.

"My cup runneth over" was in the back of my mind. You already love the baby inside you, but seeing and holding them for the first time is nothing I imagined, the love you feel is so great. I just kept telling her how much I loved her and how happy she made me. I cried a little bit, but I was mostly overjoyed so much that I didn't have time to cry. I wanted to see my child and not have a blurred vision of her through my tears.

Once I was all stitched up they transferred me to a bed and into the recovery room where I nursed Ellie for the full hour. She latched on right away and we had a great experience. It was such a huge moment and the bond we made was beautiful. Matt and I couldn't stop staring at her. We just kept talking about her and how she just belonged with us. Neither of us could remember our lives before her. It's so strange that she had only arrived an hour or so beforehand, but it was as if she had always been a part of us. After an hour, when I could move some toes on my right foot, I was moved into my hospital room.

There, we had our families come and visit and we got to show off Ellie. I couldn't move or feel my legs for several hours and felt no pain in my waist at all. In fact, I really just felt fantastic! I didn't feel like I had just given birth or had major surgery just that day. It was hard not being able to see everything up close that was going on with Ellie, like her first bath, being able to change her, or pick her up since I was stuck to the bed, but Matt was there and took lots of pictures and talked me through everything that he and she was doing.

Once everyone left, I stayed up the entire night just holding her. She is everything I could have imagined and truly made me the happiest I have ever been. All of my dreams came true when she arrived. I'm married to a wonderful man and now we have our own family. I have never felt so fulfilled and blessed in all my life. I cherish those moments I had her all alone to myself.

Recently Rediscovered Beauty Favorites + 2 New

After my Fall Makeup Inspiration post and through just cleaning up the house, I found some old favorites that I've been using lately. I have so much dang makeup, it's nearly impossible to go through all of it and use it up. I threw a lot of it out, bagged a bunch to bring into MAC to trade for a shadow or gloss, and then there were some items I just put back and will deal with at another time.

Some old favorites that have become new favorites again are...

MAC Blush in Nuance 

Ellie misplaced my favorite Warm Soul and I thought for sure it would have turned up by now.

MAC Blush in Sunbasque 

MAC Shadows in (left-right) Texture, Romp , Soba, Blanc Type, and Trax

Romp is apparently discontinued, whomp whomp, but  Woodwinked is really similar

Two new favorites:

Corduroy and Brun

I usually would wear Brown Down, but it was discontinued as well and the MUA said that Corduroy was really close. I think it has more of a red undertone though instead of a true brown, but I like it.

Eleanor broke my usual brow powder I wore and nearly every makeup artist's blog I read all use Brun for their client's brows. So I picked it up and haven't looked back. I really love this color and it's really versatile. I also use it to line my bottom lid as well. I think it would work well with darker hair too.

MAC Gloss in Florabundance

This is a great nude color that's more pink than other favorites like C-Thru and Underage.

Urban Decay Primer Potion

My sister gave me a new potion as one of my Christmas gifts and I'm so happy! I really have missed it, it's hands down the best primer I've used (although I did find one that held down the fort in the meantime, check out my review). 

ELF Setting Spray

This is an old favorite that I used up my last bottle of and since I started using it all the time I picked up a new bottle to replace it. Totally worth the $3.

Here's an IG (follow me at Kristen_Lawler) pic I posted where I'm wearing the Sunbasque blush and Florabundance gloss. 

What are some of your makeup favorites? Have you discovered or re-discovered anything great lately?

New Year's Resolutions

It's a new year and a new day. Along with every other person in the world posting on all social medias, here is my own post of resolutions. Ha! Every year, Matt and I try to set up a few resolutions for us to follow. It's been hit and miss over the years, but this year I only have 3 so I hope it's doable.

1. Purge
This is the year of the purge. I'm kind of known to be a sentimental sap and will hold on to everything. I have Christmas/Birthday cards from my grandparents and great grandparents since I was a child. Clothes I've held onto since college, odds and ends I keep for some unknown "craft" it could be used for, etc. This year I'm purging and plan to donate, sell, and trash lots and lots. The cards are totally staying though.

2. Blog More!
Since having Ellie and since moving to the new house my blogging has really slowed down. I've thought about ditching it altogether even. For one, I don't have as much time as I used to. Between work, family, and housekeeping, there's not as much time for blogging. I don't want to cheapen my blog with half-assed or meaningless posts. I haven't had a chance to read as many blogs either, but have stuck to the few that have really stayed true to themselves and share posts that I enjoy whether it's just about their family weekends, easy how-tos, or if they simply have a Facebook page and make it easy to check out each morning as I lay in bed before I start the day. I've thought a lot about my voice in blogging and hope to shape it more this upcoming year. If you have any suggestions on what you'd like to see, please share!

3. Cook More
I've tried some more recipes lately and although I still do not enjoy cooking, I want to be able to have more dishes under my belt. I love having a day off during the week and have a warm meal ready when Matt walks in the door. Call it old fashioned, but I know he really appreciates it. Plus, since I enjoy eating, I should learn to cook. Cup of Noodles and cereal do not count as "cooking". I don't think I'll ever learn to love it (let's count running as another thing I'll never love as well), but I don't want to loathe it or be too lazy to pull something together for my family or myself.

What are some of your resolutions? Do you make any?

Our Holiday & Weekend Recap

The holiday came and went so fast! I had planned on writing a big post filled with pictures and stories, but then we took like 2 pics that day. We charged up our DSLR camera, took it to Nana’s and didn’t get a single picture of anyone! It was such a fun Christmas and Ellie loved opening all her gifts, she wanted to play with each one that she opened until she opened the next one. She was absolutely spoiled this year by the family; dolls, strollers, books, Little People sets, and Frozen everything. We have to keep a few toys in their box for her to open and play with later (we usually keep a few put away and bring them out little by little over a few months) and I have a ton of cleaning and organizing to do in our playroom.

We didn’t get her a “big” gift this year because we couldn’t decide between a kids table (we’re looking at this one) and a kitchen set (we like this one and this one). I know she would enjoy both, but I didn’t want to get her too much so we decided we would get her some toys that would work for both and decide in the new year which she would enjoy most now and get the other item for her 2nd birthday. We gave her a ton of art supplies- Crayola Triangle Crayons, Gem Crayons, Paint Dabbers, Color Magic Markers & Notepad for her to use at a table and then Santa brought her some Sprouts Food Baskets (ours are from Costco and comes with a breakfast, lunch, and dinner basket) for a kitchen set. We figured we would see which she would get the most use of at this time to buy first. She uses a kitchen during free play at pre-school, but never uses the one at her Nana and Papa’s house, so I wanted to wait on it. She uses a table at both pre-school and her grandparents and I know that would always be good to have, but I have no idea where we would keep it and I have a place for the kitchen set in mind. So we’re waiting to see which we should get first.

Our only family pic from the day. Toddler life is not for the weak.

We’ve been playing and playing with all of her Christmas gifts and I had to work both Friday and Saturday so we took the rest of the weekend easy. Saturday night Matt and I rented Maleficent and filled up our bellies with holiday treats and pork rinds (a rare indulgence for us). Sunday, Ellie and I were both kind of tuckered out so we mostly napped and watched a Tinkerbell movie on Netflix. We did make it out of the house for a quick Target run, which forced us to get dressed for the day (only to come home and get back into jammies). Ellie insisted on buckling her baby in the cart to keep her safe too. It was the cutest thing!

I’m very excited for New Year’s Eve this year, last year and the year before that I was sick. This year we’re having a few people over for dinner and dessert. We’re excited to have plans this year! Hope you all have a great week!