Tales of Me and the Husband

love on top.

so, being a stay at home mom can sometimes be… hum drum?  same old same old?  i mean, i love our walks to feed the horses.  but, i’m no saint — being home day after day, just me and parker, can be boring.  (GASP!)  sure, we get out.  walks into town, playgrounds, mall (i’ve become one of those mall-walkers!), playgroups and classes.  but, some of the time, we’re just hanging here.  so we need to make our own fun.  well, i’ve recently started watching this video.  and, i love it.  parker sort of watches too and mimics me while i attempt to dance all sasha fierce in my computer room (and after this video he’s always ready to nurse.  weird?  BEYONCE’S BOOBS.).

what i’m saying is: beyonce, it’d make this stay-at-home mom’s dream to be in your next video.  i can do these moves.  single ladies’ moves?  not a chance.  so keep it simple for your next vid and have me in it.

thanks!

(ps. this post was kind of pathetic, no?)

have i mentioned that she’s really nice and patient with him?

we found gracie this way the other day when we were going about our business not paying much attention.  (parker did it, but you probably knew that.)

gracie, you have the patience of a saint.

(and lest you feel too badly for her, she’s getting lots more scraps these days in the form of dropped bits of eggs, apples, and carrots.  plus a little extra when she licks his food-face… which i’m not sure he very well appreciates so that may explain why he does this to her?)

gift guide for her.

1: chronicles of downton abbey{steve and i drank the poison and fell for downton.  i didn’t get it right away, but now i do.  anyway, i browsed this book at costco and it’s so cool.  history/characters/artifacts.  lots of pictures.  all things downton.} // 2: bebel gilberto’s tanto tempo {she’s one of my favorites.  pretty background music.  even had a few of her songs on my birth playlist!} // 3: christmas sweater {um, this is not an “ugly christmas sweater.”  i kind of love it.} // 4:  a pretty mug {it’s just really pretty.  coffee’s already a treat, but it’d be even better in that.} // 5: the best all-the-time t-shirt {i have these in a few colors and at their price tag, you can afford to get a bunch.} // 6: pretty mittens // 7: sorel snow boots {they’re pricey but pretty much the best out there.} // 8: leather journal {is she a journal-keeper?  this one’s beautiful.} // 9: pretty plates // 10: a “learn to sew” first quilt

a date.

{sweater: urban outfitters}
{jeans – on sale for $10 at the store!  
the color i have seems to be sold out!}
{shoes}
steve and i went on a date this weekend.  i hesitate to even tell you how long it’s been since just he and i did that–especially for two people who dated regularly before a baby.  ok fine, i’ll tell you!  this is the first since parker’s been born (!!!!).  (this one might’ve been the last one?)  i know, i know.  it’s ridiculous.  there are a million reasons, though none seem that important when it’d been as long as it had.  we got in the car and looked at each other like, “WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DOING THIS IS AWESOME.”  like maybe we were two people hoppin’ in our runaway car to take off for the great unknown with a car full of cash?  actually what i really did say to him as we drove away was, “oh you!!  you’re the guy that i made that baby with!”  i remembered that i am not just a milkmaid but a lady!  a wife!  i even wore heels!  and lipstick!  and yeah, i might’ve kept a close eye on the phone in case i got a call to come home because parker was awake and being all demanding as babies can be, but no call came.  it was just the two of us enjoying one another’s company.  so, i guess the benefit in waiting forever to go on a date post-baby is that you’re realllllllly excited when that date comes.
it was awesome.  i really love that man.
(and, on a much smaller scale, i really love that sweater.)

sakura bloom sling diaries: discovery

our christmas tree stands in our living room, at the front of the house.  and as you come down the stairs, at first it’s hidden by a wall, but then it comes into full view when you’re a few steps from the bottom.  and, every morning since it’s been there, parker has exclaimed, “oh woowwwww!” as he comes down the stairs in our arms.  or, something that sounds a lot like “oh wow.”  he discovers it as though it’s new every single day.  mom!  dad!  come quick!  there’s a tree in our living room!  he points and looks at it, entirely fascinated.  i know what they mean when they say christmas is so much fun with little ones.  he couldn’t be more surprised and delighted to see it there every morning.  
slowly, the ornaments have moved up from the bottom of the tree.  at first, a few safe ones were down below.  one broken one.  one tugged too hard.  they moved up and up and now most of them are out of his reach.  so, you can imagine his delight when i put him in the sling to gaze at the tree from my height.  all the ornaments!  within his reach!  i pulled them off, he touched them, held them.  and, bonus!  mama was hands-free and got to drink her coffee.  (it was early, after all.)  
discovering christmas through the eyes of parker is altogether sweet.
i wear parker in the simple silk baby sling in midnight.
this is my third entry in the sakura bloom sling diaries. 

hunt christmas extravaganza, ii.

so, we’ve managed the hunt christmas extravaganza two years in a row now which makes it a tradition, right?!  RIGHT. this year’s weather was quite different than last’s though… snow!  it began to snow the morning of THE EXTRAVAGANZA (which we did find an opportunity to say at least once every four minutes) and it was pretty perfect.  set the mood quite right!  again, we went to our favorite bagel place (french toast bagels, yes please!).  bagels all around and hot coffee for steve and i.  and then headed over to find us the perfect frasier fir.  and i daresay we did.  it’s so pretty.  and now, all’s festive here and nights with the christmas lights on and the mantle all dressed up and a candle burning sure feels cozy.  
i fear i’m gonna overdo the christmas-themed posts.  can you blame me?
(p.s. those of you who asked — parker’s boots are the ones found here!)
{last year’s extravaganza!}

gift guide for the dude.

i am stumped when it comes to presents for steve 90% of the time.  i mean, i let it be knowwwwn what i want.  to help a dude out when he gets ’round to his christmas shopping.  i’m doing him a favor!  but him!  i have to listen with the keenest ear to perhaps pick up on a, “oh, i liked the smell of that cologne.”  or, “oh, i can’t find my socket set.”  the KEENEST OF EARS, people.  so, i guess the pleasure is all mine, really, when i remember these little mumblings and have actually purchased, wrapped, and gifted said item!  so, above i tried my darndest to come up with a few things that i think most men would like.  steve even helped!  

1: from beirut to jerusalem {this book is so, so good.  if your man is into politics at all, the middle east, or thomas friedman–genius!–then buy him this book.  i’m very loosely into politics, but am into the middle east, and i LOVED IT.) // 2: craftsman socket set {steve said it’s a must, so?} // 3: lingerie set {yes, i meant for this to be on the guy’s list cause… come on.  it’s really for them.} // 4: non-iron checked shirt {non iron!  we should be thanking the shirt!  and, they’re on sale right now too for an insane price for a non iron anyway.} // 5: men’s camp socks {they’re not cheap as far as socks go, but steve declares them the best socks ever.} // 6: boardwalk empire print from fab {a framed print with a cool design of his fave tv show?  ok!}

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!

deck the halls!  the giveaway is here!  
i guess i’ll get right down to it.  
below you’ll find the loot… all going to ONE WINNER.
from baby star
(value: $50+)
i love baby star’s clothes.  parker has a few pieces of them
(he’s wearing their orange pant here!).  
they’re brightly colored, soft cotton, and thick too.  
their pants have snaps all along the bottom too, for the easiest access to the dipe.  
i highly recommend their clothes!
from i screen you screen
i’ve had these guys favorited for a loooong time.  
i totally love their oversized map prints.  they come in so many colors
and the contrast of the white of the map is super cool.
here’s what i’d get if i were winner.
from edie’s lab
(value: $50)
edie’s lab is also a long time favorite of mine.  
i have a bright blue @ symbol on my bookshelf in fact.  
it’s quirky and fun, much like everything in their shop.  
they add so much fun to a room.  
(i love all their letters too.)
lovenell clothing is a newer discovery of mine but after checking out their site, 
i’m eyeing quite a few pieces.  that braided red scarf below?  and that belt?  
and how about this lace blouse?  their prices are unbelievable too!
from mt. cube sugar farm
(value: $52)
we enjoyed their delicious syrup and pancakes awhile back and their products
would make a perfect christmas morning breakfast.  plus, it’s always
nice to support local.  yum!
from sum of the parts
this shop is so cool.  abi’s aesthetic is clean, minimal.  
and the idea behind her shop is so unique: each of the prints is actually a recipe.  
blueberry muffins, chocolate cake, pizza crust.  they would be the perfect thing
to hang in your kitchen.  
*bonus: free shipping with code BLOGLOVE
from chapter one & co
i am in loooove with these baby sweaters.  parker has one (seen here and here!) and 
it IS SO cozy.  it is thick and luxurious (that IS the word i want to use) and keeps him
super warm on even the coldest days.  it’s soft too!  
safe to say i’ll probably buy him one every winter.
not only that, but the cowls and scarves are amazing too!
to enter:
{u.s. addresses only!}
+ leave a comment and include your email address.
additional entries:
{separate comments}
+ go to any of the various shops and PIN your favorite item to your pinterest; 
come back here and tell me what you pinned!  up to THREE additional entries this way.
giveaway CLOSED.
brandilyn is the winner!

boston tree lighting.

Sleigh Ride by Harry Connick, Jr. on Grooveshark
since i’ve lived in the boston area i’ve rarely taken advantage of what the city has to offer at christmas time.  how foolish!  so a few days ago we headed down for dinner, an ice skating show on the frog pond, and the tree lighting on the common.  we ended up heading out before the tree lighting (it was cooooold), but it was a fun, spontaneous trip anyway.  and dinner at the paramount is never a bad idea (i’m getting too predictable at this point.  all my boston meals are taken at the paramount.  bridge!  what about the variety!).
ps. i’m sure a lot of you noticed that my post from friday was taken down.  there was no drama behind my doing so (though, i’m sure some of you are side-eyeing that and thinking: but!  there must have been!).  there wasn’t, truly.  but, as the day went on, i just couldn’t be absolutely certain that my good intentions and love would be heard loudest.  it’s a shame… cause man!  i loved that post.  and, it’s possible that pieces of it will be posted again since, after all, it remains in my drafts folder where it began.  but i thank you so much for your comments and emails.  i said it on twitter but it’s worth repeating: i have the best readers.  and while i started this blog with none, i sure am glad you guys are out there now.  so thank you!  even for the comments that questioned it being posted in the first place (since… ultimately, i ended up agreeing with you!).
and that’s it!  hope you’re having a great saturday!
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