Air trip: Buffalo

This past weekend the entire Haas family headed east towards Buffalo, New York, in order to attend my cousin’s wedding. Everett has been talking about airplanes and the airport non-stop lately so this trip was definitely right up his alley.

Here are a few highlights:

After some flight and airline switches, we ended up making our way east a little later than planned but Ev didn’t seem to mind. For the most part he was a good little flyer. Thank goodness for his favorite Little Einsteins episode and lots of fruit snacks. Toughest part at this age were the layovers. Homeboy just wants to run and run which is not conducive to busy airports.

IMG_3198Of course he decided to sleep on the flight where he sat next to dad. Typical. IMG_3199
After a Friday night get-together, everyone loaded up and headed out to Niagara Falls on Saturday morning. My mom and I (and the two youngest) decided to stay on land for the excursion which ended up being a blessing in disguise. One of the wedding party groups (including my family) got stuck for almost an hour in an overcrowded elevator on their way down to the Maid of the Mist boat. Um, no thanks! Pretty sure considering it was 90+ degrees that day that I would’ve flipped out, and potentially gone into labor. Best. Decision. Ever.IMG_3204
After checking things out from a safe distance, we headed to cool off with some ice cream from Twist O’ The Mist. Ev was a fan, and since I was pretty much soaked with sweat, so was I!IMG_3212
Everyone arrived back at the hotel later in the afternoon and enjoyed some much needed pool time. The kids had a blast and Everett is turning out to be quite the little fish. I for see lots of trips to the pool in our near future.

The wedding wasn’t until Sunday evening, so we loaded up the kids and headed to Buffalo Harbor State Park to play for awhile in the morning. Wouldn’t you know, Ev spotted a digger clear across the parking lot and made a beeline for it. Grandpa thought it would be a good idea to let him go on it (yikes) but at least managed to get a great photo during his law breaking experience. IMG_3217
So here is the kicker from the trip. No photos from the actual wedding we were there to attend. Why? Well, we’re going to just chalk it up to a specific toddler and his affinity for drama. In hindsight, we should have just kept him back at the hotel for the ‘wedding/vows’ portion and brought him over for the dinner/dancing. Alas, we spent the evening post-meltdown sitting in bed with room service. Such is life!

On Monday morning the ladies got a little reprieve and did some shopping at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls while the kiddos and gents headed to Canalside for their Memorial Day Weekend carnival. Based on the photos we received, I’m not quite sure who had more fun: grandpa or the grandkids.

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Our flight wasn’t until the afternoon on Tuesday, so we decided to hit up a local diner en route to the airport. If you are ever in Buffalo, I highly recommend trying out Lake Effect Diner. Order the blueberry pancake stack. You won’t be disappointed. I’m talking, “best pancakes I’ve ever had” status.IMG_3224

It was a great trip, but I’m definitely glad to be back home. Now the official countdown to Baby B starts. Just a measly eight weeks to go!

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That lake life

During the summer months we try to make trips to my in-law’s lake house as often as possible. And who wouldn’t want to with a view like this?

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Memorial Day weekend is truly the official kick-off weekend around these parts, so I’ve pulled together a few items that would make lake life just a smidge bit better this summer…

TTDFaves_LakeLifeLikestowel // monogrammed tote // sunglasses strap // sandals // coverup // tumbler

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Life lately: all boy, all the time

The past week we’ve been spending time soaking up these last few months with just Everett. Doing so means being outdoors and exploring at all times, which is fine with me. Oh, and moving him into his big boy bedroom – eek!

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partners in crime keeping an eye on the neighborhood // blanketEvWaukeeFirestation
pancake breakfast at the Waukee Firestation – Ev was in heaven!HangingFlagHelpingGrandpa
“helping” grandpa fill the bird feedersWellieBoots
getting good use out of our wellies // his & hersSandlotTee
always having to tell him to stay out of the water & mud…never works // Sandlot tee

The past week we decided the time was right to move Everett into his new room to make sure he (and we!) had enough time to adjust before baby comes. Not sure what I was so worried about, he’s been doing great so far. Doesn’t even get out of his bed in the morning. Just waits for us to get down there and open to the door. I will say it’s slightly bittersweet because this just means he’s growing up, but based on the shower of kisses I received as I was tucking him last night, still loves his mama very much!

I’m working on artwork and finishing touches, but here is where we are so far:

ToddlerWoodlandBedroom
I’m still searching for the perfect duvet cover
curtains // faux sheepskin rug // stripe blanket (similar) // wood step stoolToddlerWoodlandBedroom_pillows
always friends on his bed, not shown: puppy and lovey
cordy roy fox // balthazar the bunny // deer pillow (similar)
rainbow trout (similar) // tree sheetsToddlerBedroomCloset
yes I color code my son’s closet because I’m that mom
storage system // wire + canvas baskets // gray wire // geo cubes

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Mother’s Day 2016

I had every intention of writing up this post on Sunday evening or possibly even on Monday, but alas, here it is.

This past weekend I got to celebrate my third Mother’s Day by spending a lot of time with my family.

I kicked off the weekend with a BBQ cookout with my mom at their house on Friday night. That night, Everett spent his first night in his big boy bed. More on that in a different post…

On Saturday morning I attended a Mother’s Day Tea at Terrace Hill. One of my favorite traditions because of the delish treats that line the table.

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Later that afternoon, Marcus and I took an overtired Everett to go see a whole bunch of rubber ducks get released into a pond during the annual Y.E.S.S. Duck Derbyt. Needless to say, Ev had a meltdown and we didn’t even get to see the main event. Oh well.

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On Sunday morning I got to relax for a bit in bed with my boys, a cup of Zanzibar coffee and a leftover blueberry scone from the tea. It was blissful until Ev decided he would like to celebrate his mom by being put into two timeouts. Toddlers, am I right?!

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A solo trip to Target during nap time and an amazing coq au vin blanc dinner with the in-laws rounded out another great Mother’s Day.

 

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Mommy mind: second kid third trimester

Wait, what? How in the heck did that happen. It seems that while I’ve been running around after my wildly spirited toddler son I’ve suddenly entered my third trimester.

I’m larger at this point than I was at the same time with Everett, but that’s to be expected second time around, right? For the most part, this pregnancy has felt very similar to my first, and for that I’m thankful. Although I’m not naive about how much is still yet to come, I’m entering my third trimester this time around with a better understanding of the discomfort and how to handle it.

I’m getting into nesting mode and realize that the end is definitely in sight. But up first, warmer weather, which I didn’t have to deal with the first time around with a birth in December. The trade off being that I won’t have to fear taking my newborn out into the germ-infested winter cold.

I’ve convinced myself that I can suffer through the July heat in order to get to enjoy my maternity leave in the sunshine. And while I have daydreams of sitting under a tree in our front yard on a blanket sipping champagne while cooing at my new little lamb, let’s be realistic. I’ll be sweating, leaking and swatting at mosquitos while yelling at Everett to stop doing whatever it is that he’s not supposed to be doing.

Here’s to the next three months of “bliss”…

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Scrapes and scratches

Boys are wild. This shouldn’t be new to me by now, but the amount of falls I witness on a weekly basis is astonishing. Everett’s legs are in a constant state of bruising, scabbing or bleeding and after a recent ‘too small rain boot’ blister experience I realized that I need to have a first aid kit in the car at all times.

Enter this super cute Oh Joy for Target version. Although it’s a little bit more on the girly side, I couldn’t resist. Plus, right now at Target if you buy three select first-aid items the Oh Joy bag (or this one) is FREE!

Here is what we now pack in our first-aid kit:

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Acure Baby Sun SPF 30 Stick // Up & Up instant cold packs
Honest Company insect repellant //  Honest  Company lavender hand sanitizer spray
Band-Aid Paw Patrol bandages // Neosporin wound cleanser

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May Day

It’s no secret that I love May Day. Last year I whipped up gift baskets and homemade banana bread to deliver to doorsteps. Both were a hit!

This year I went with cacti and a slight boy-ish twist to these flower pot cupcake cones. Instead of edible flowers I subbed in gummy worms.

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[make sure not to overfill like I did…]IMG_3046
[I may have eaten a few gummy worms and Oreos during this process]IMG_3055IMG_3052
[some killer cacti, hey dude]IMG_3054[snagged these little beauties at my local Wal-Mart greenhouse]

I feel like this is such a hit or miss tradition in towns and neighborhoods. Did you celebrate May Day where you are from?

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Nautical nursery

I knew I wanted to recycle some of Ev’s gear for the our new man’s nursery, mainly his navy crib bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. His gingham blackout curtains would remain and so would all of his white furniture. But it wasn’t until recently that I decided to go with a nautical theme.

Growing up, I took a weekly art class in the basement of an art teacher (shout out to Ms. Shambaugh!) with a few other kids. During these classes I was exposed to different forms of art, various mediums and the freedom to create whatever came to my young mind. In short, it was amazing.

During this time I created many works ranging from ceramic pieces to watercolors to oil-painted canvases. One of these pieces created by my nine year old self was gifted to my grandparents and hung in their spare bedroom in Hays, KS. After my grandma’s passing it has been returned to me and is what I am basing the nursery off of.

Painting

TTDHome_NauticalNurseryanchor crib sheet // metal storage bin // boat // flag art
June & January blanket // whale pillow // marine knot art

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10 Mother’s Day gifts

GiftGuide_MothersDay2016

J.Crew Factory hat // Milk Snob nursing cover // Botkier Warren backpack
Capri Blue Aloha Orchid candle // Swell Heart Bottle // Nate Berkus vase
Thea Jewelry ring // Cuyana crossbody pouch // Brim Papery mug // J.Crew Factory sandal

 

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Life lately: keeping busy

The past few weeks have been a bit wild around these parts. Marcus has had back to back weekends/weeks of traveling for both work and pleasure and I even squeezed in a quick girls weekend shopping trip to Omaha in between. Needless to say, I’m a bit run down at the moment. Hence the lack of blog posts and creative inspo…

So why not fill that void with a slew of photos from the past to just make sure you know that we are alive and well. Mostly anyway.

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[what daddy brings back from fishing trips]IMG_2969
[passed my glucose test, at least I think I did – no news is good news, right?]IMG_2953[now that he is spending more time outdoors, baths have become a necessity]IMG_2966
[my June & January stash – seriously the best stuff]IMG_2980
[cousin play time while momma was on her shopping trip]IMG_3001
[obsessed with my new Internationalist kicks from the Nike Factory Store]IMG_2990
[lettuce is in the ground and I can’t wait to harvest my first garden salad]IMG_2997
[snagged a few items from the Marimekko x Target collection]IMG_2999[doing some serious nesting by getting out Evie’s old newborn clothes]

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