Rose & Co Blog

Check Check, Is This Thing On?

2018-07-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

Do people even read blogs anymore?

I mean, its been close to a year since i've posted anything on mine. We've talked about it a lot over on instagram, but honestly, the joy of writing, of community, of sharing fun DIY and money saving ideas quickly just got squashed by an oversaturated market of like to know it links, swipe ups, loop giveaways, and inflated social media numbers.

I was over it. I didn't want to play that game. I like writing. I like my online diary, sharing pictures and DIY and our family life. I read back on a lot of my old posts with such a smile on my face because it reminds me of that blissfully quiet time in our life, pre-kids, pre-promotions, pre-giant fixer upper lake house. We were naive and had time and I just loved sharing the simple ways we were learning how to be adults.

It's hard to translate that when your day becomes saturated with changing diapers, constant runny noses, deadlines at work, long hours, and little sleep. The tone isn't the same. Add in the pressure of never ending "influencer marketing" growth requirements and it's just a sure fire way to burn out, and quick.

I mean, scroll your instagram feed, how many people on it look exactly the same? I mean sure, they're different people. But I'm willing to bet some serious cheddar over half of your feed today is Nordstrom anniversary sale picks. The exact same picks, from 408 different people. It's hard to stay motivated to keep doing something you love, when the market has pretty much been tapped.

But i'm brought back to this: I love writing. I love our day to day family life, and I think it's a balance. This blog has been such a great way for me to look back on Sawyer's monthly updates and compare them to Isla at the same age. I've loved to look back on the progress we've made in our house, or remember how much fun I had 5 years ago DIYing our entire wedding. It's like peeking back into an old yearbook, or reading your diary from junior high.

I don't want to stop writing those things out, I don't want to stop reading about our life and what my tone was back then in 5-10 years when those words mean so much more to me than they do today.

So ultimately, I have no intention of running ads, of growing my instagram audience, of joining like to know it or even posting at a regular cadence, but I do want to write. I want to write what is in my heart, write about my family, with respect to the fact that my kids are getting older and deserve to have a voice about what of their life is shared to the masses of course, but i've always looked at this space as a space I can just let it all out, and I think i'll continue to do just that.

I don't even know what great blog numbers look like anymore, but I will say, at the height of blogging, I was averaging close to 300k views per month, and this last month there were less than 3k (all on that stinking how to blowdry your hair post, go figure..I took those photos with an iPhone 4!) so who knows if this will even be read, but it feels good to get it out there, it feels good to have an update on this online diary of ours.

And because there isn't a single blog post worth reading that doesn't have pictures, here are our recent Spring family photos taken by my dear friend and the ever talented Jessica Robinson Photography. The kids are getting so big. They're hilarious and fun and the coolest little people I know and our love for them is boundless. Isla is feisty and a little mean, but loves her people fierce, and Sawyer is sensitive, loving, and dinosaur obsessed. They love each other, fight like nobodies business, and keep Jake and I constantly on our toes. We are the lucky ones.

Thanks for following along.

Until Next Time,

What I Wore to Work

2017-10-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

Hey, friends!

I haven't had a ton of time to blog lately, so my what I wore posts have gone by the wayside! I've been snapping outfits though the last few weeks and thought i'd pop in with a few.

We're honestly getting to the point where I duplicate outfits, so know that I wear the same thing all of the time! I just don't take pictures of the same outfit twice ;) But you'll definitely see me wearing the same exact pieces week after week.

Pants: Gap Top: purchased from Zulily- here is one similar! Shoes: Nine West

Skirt: Halogen Top: WALMART YA'LL Shoes: Similar

Top: Lush Skirt: LulaRoe which means I can't link it but here is a gorgeous navy one that I want bad ;) Shoes: Similar

Top: Walmart Cords: Old Navy Shoes: Sofft

Jeans: Hudson Shoes: Sofft Vneck: Madewell Blazer: Express

My LOVE. The only way I could take a photo this day was with my girl. Skirt: Allegra K

I hope you all have the most beautiful week!

Until Next Time,

Isla Rose Grows, 4 Months

2017-09-24T20:16:00.000-05:00

Sweet Isla Jane.

4 months have gone by in a blink! It’s a cliché we know all too well, but these babies truly are little time machines. Our Sawyer is going to be TWO next month. TWO! I know I’m going to go to bed one night and wake up and my baby Isla will be the same.

Without a doubt, 4 months is a favorite. Isla really woke up and became a little person with a huge personality this month and we can’t get enough of her. She coos and belly laughs, watches her brother go everywhere, and follows me around the room with her big brown eyes.

Isla is my baldy baby, it’s so funny because Sawyer had a full head of hair, and Isla is a q-tip. Other than that, though, the two of them are pretty much twins in the looks department. They couldn’t possibly be more different in personality, though. Isla likes to sleep flat on her back, next to you, but not being held. Sawyer would only sleep being held or rocked, and Isla wants none of that.

I have this feeling that once she is off and moving, I’ll never get my snuggle girl back. From the day she came out she has been so strong, but lately she tries so hard to sit up, stand, and push herself up onto everything in sight. I wouldn’t be surprised if she is crawling by 6 months. She is desperate to keep up with her big brother.

She’s still exclusively breastfed, and as this isn’t my first rodeo I don’t think we’ll have any issue making it to her first birthday. She had no trouble at all taking bottles when I went back to work, and as much as I despise pumping, it’s going just fine. Isla is absolutely full of chunk now. Her rolls have rolls and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything cuter! I can’t help but smooch those big chubby cheeks and squeeze her michelen arms every chance I get. She weighs 15.5 pounds and is in the 73 percentile. Pretty darn average compared to her HUGE brother who was always in the 99^th. We don’t start solids with our littles until 6+ months, but I can’t believe were almost to the age where she can start exploring food. It’s always so fun to see!

Her favorite place to be is on my hip. She has such great head control now she absolutely loves to walk around with you so she can see everything. My curious girl, that’s for sure.

Sleep is a nightmare, but it feels easier this time because I know it will come to an end. She slept so well the first few months of her life, and then 4 months hit and it went out the window! She has been waking up around 3 AM happy as a freaking clam, kicking and talking and its so precious despite the way my eyes burn in those early morning hours. We’re currently working on getting her and brother on a somewhat similar schedule as I’d like to start sleep training her to sleep in her nursery with brother around 6 months.

Things I absolutely don’t want to forget this month:

Her tongue! It is out ALL the time. Once she realized that was in there, she had to share it with the world! All of her drool. Homegirl will soak an outfit in no time flat, and that little grin with slobber coming out just kills me. Her infectious baby smile. You can literally see the sunshine spread across her face when she sees you in the morning. I joke that she is thinking “you! I know you! I missed you alllll night!” Her sweet little belly laugh. She squeals with excitement when you give her kisses and that laugh is music to my ears.

Sweet baby girl is the perfect puzzle piece in our family. She is so desperately loved and I can’t believe all 3 of us are lucky enough to have her. I dream sometimes of the day she and Sawyer are running around together like 2 peas in a pod. Motherhood is the best ya’ll. It’s also the sleepiest, but the best none the less. ;)

Until Next Time,

What I Wore to Work this Week

2017-09-15T08:19:00.001-05:00

Hi, friends!

I had a few DM's on instagram that this was a well-liked blog series, so I took my selfies this week to keep it going! If we're being honest, if I didn't go into the office every day I would wear what i'm wearing in the last picture all day 'err day, so if anything else, work gives me an excuse to play dress up ;)

Monday:

September 11th makes me patriotic AF. Don't mess with Americans. Nothing I love more than sporting my love for the US of A from head to toe.

Skirt: Halogen Top: Old Navy, my color is sold out but here is one very similar Shoes: similar here

Tuesday:

I'm not super in to this outfit now that i'm seeing it in selfie form. But i'm documenting what I wore so here it is!

Pants: Old Navy Peplum Tank: Off Brand but similar here Heels: Nine West Necklace: Charming Charlie

Wednesday:

Blouse: Lush Skirt: Allegra K Shoes: Sofft (comfiest of my life)

Thursday:

Probably my favorite outfit of the week! It is just so darn comfortable and although it is still pretty warm, it felt like fall!

Jeans: Stay white by Old Navy Plaid: Abercrombie and FItch Sweater: Kohls Shoes: Similar

...and to keep with tradition, here is my current look. ;)

Have a happy weekend, friends!

Until Next Time,

Just Some Sweet Photos

2017-09-11T10:54:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday, friends!

Before I say anything, I have to take a minute to remember the terrible day that was September 11th 16 years ago. As Americans, there are few events that have rocked us like this one did, and although I am brought to tears every year we take the time to reflect, I am also incredibly inspired by the way we came together as one. Hate will never win. It's been a tumultuous few years in the US, fueled by division, and it's days like these we remember, we really are just Americans at the end of the day. I hope you hug your family extra tight today.

I so badly wanted to share these photos my friend Jessica Robinson took of our family a few weeks ago. She never ceases to capture us in a way that makes me want to frame every last photo! I love how she always shares some of the outtakes...crying kids, bows over the face, my son eating his chocolate chips that we use to bribe him to sit still...it's such real life. :)

Poor grumpy Isla Jane! hahaha. This is a much more accurate photo of how family pictures usually go ;)

This is going to sound so cheesy, and it is, but almost daily I look at these kids and my husband who I love so completely and I just can't even belief this life is mine. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a wife and a mother. I used to put my "wedding mix" cd on in my childhood bedroom and practice walking down the aisle. I would write letters to my future husband and my future kids, and I spent hours and hours dreaming about what my home would look like one day and how I would make it a cozy place to raise our family.

Living that dream is more than I could have ever imagined. We are so incredibly blessed, and I never take one day for granted. (Even the really freaking tired days because I have 2 under 2 and a baby who never sleeps. ;)

Thanks for following along the journey, friends.

Until Next Time,

What I Wore to Work this Week

2017-09-08T08:46:00.001-05:00

Hey, ya'll!

Remember the days of pre-like to know it blogging? Where you'd check your favorite blogs for some fashion inspiration for the week? Those were the days! I absolutely love to peruse some of my favorite bloggers high-end fashion and drool worthy wardrobes, but a lot of them aren't practical for this mama.

I like to say we're "ballin' on a budget" and while there are certainly pieces I think are worth investing in, my wardrobe is pretty practical for the office, and your wallet. There has been so much interest on social media on putting some work outfits together, so I thought I would just share with you what I actually wear in a week. I work in a business-casual corporate office, and jeans are totally acceptable as long as they aren't ripped to shreds.

I took all of these photos at the end of the day, sweaty and gross, so you'll have to excuse that ;) I work Monday-Thursday so you'll only see 4 outfits a week, but if you really wanna, i'll show you the spit up covered shirt and sweat pants I rock on Fridays ;) ;)

Monday-
Labor Day! I didn't change out of my swimsuit almost all day! And because I care about your eyes, I won't subject you to that sight ;)

Tuesday-

Jeans: Hudson (purchased on discount from TJ Maxx, obviously) Top: Beach Lunch Lounge - i'm obsessed with the peplum and bell sleeve! Shoes: Aldo

Do you notice how weird my feet look in this picture? That is because these shoes gave me the worst blisters of my life that made my feet bleed! They are SO cute, and I learned my lesson and will wear little pads on the heels from now on, but lord did they destroy my toes.

Wednesday-

Dress: Calvin Klein (not the right color, here is a similar one for only 28 bucks!) Blazer: Caslon - fits like a sweater, SO comfortable! Shoes: Similar Here (I can't even remember the brand they're so old!)

Thursday: Skirt: Allegra K -18 bucks!! Button Down: Old Navy Shoes: Sam Edelman

For the record, I have about 6.7 seconds to snap these selfies before one of my children are begging to be picked up, so this is what most of the outtakes look like:)

....aaand my current look ;)

This week should be known as the week I needed to tell myself it was okay to wear something other than navy blue! Let me know if ya'll like this segment and i'll keep it going. I don't know that we'll ever get outside to shoot looks with the big camera again, so selfies it is for now ;)

Hope you have the most amazing weekend!

Until Next Time

Our 5 month DIY Kitchen Remodel

2017-08-30T09:44:00.000-05:00

I'M SO EXCITED AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT.

I'M ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL AND I THINK I LIKE IT!

The Pointer Sisters have been on repeat in my head because, guys, after a long 5 months, our kitchen is DONE! Lord almighty was this a labor of love.

We've never taken on a project this big before, and I was 8 months pregnant when we started, gave birth, and started caring for 2 under 2 so the majority of the credit goes to my handy husband Jake. We He DIYed every single part of this renovation except for installing the countertops. I couldn't be more proud of him and how it turned out. Should I stop talking and let the pictures speak for themselves?

I have to apologize- I am the WORST at photographing interiors. Kitchens in particular. I don't know how you DIY bloggers do it!!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

My favorite part of the kitchen has to be this farm sink. It really is the sink of my dreams. Isla AND Sawyer have had baths in it, and strangely, it makes me actually want to do dishes! We had a debate for a long time over which type of faucet to buy, a pull down like you see here, or my dream bridge faucet that I thought would look absolutely stunning.

Ultimately, function beat out beauty with 2 babies and we went with the pull down and it has been SUCH a game changer. I don't know that i'll ever go back to another type of faucet again.

Our countertops are a white and dark grey quartz that I literally want to kiss every morning. I think they're so fresh and beautiful! I am such a germaphobe so I love that they show everything so I can make sure each day we start with fresh clean countertops.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We also had quite a bit of debate over what to do with our backsplash. I hated the stone we had in here, and I really wanted to do something fun but ultimately we decided to go with a simple white subway because the countertops are so busy. I am SO glad we did. When the sun shines through the skylight the tile almost shimmers and it gives such a clean look. Jake took the backsplash all the way up this wall and built some floating shelves which made me swear I would marry him 10 more times I love them that much.

This island was bare-bones and quite ugly if we're being honest, so we just added some trim around the edges and some fun farmdoor "x's" to jazz it up a little. It's painted a deep dark charcoal and I think the contrast is perfect in an otherwise very white kitchen.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Since adding these barstools from Wayfair, Sawyer eats breakfast every day at the bar and I swear it's like he became a big-boy over night! I was so happy to say goodbye to the highchair until baby girl is on solids in a few months!

All of the cabinets got a coat (or 5) of simply white by Benjamin Moore and it is AMAZING what a difference it made! Painting cabinets is such a labor of love. It takes forever but is always worth it in the end! New cabinets would have cost us 10,000+ dollars and we spent 100 total on paint, primer, and tools. Our new hardware was also a steal, I picked up a 50 pack from Amazon and the contrast against the bright cabinets is so pretty!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We bought our pantry door at a vintage store and it was salvaged from an old farmhouse from the 1800's. It was quite dirty and had layers upon layers of old paint caked on, so we stripped it and repainted it, cut out a panel and added a cute pantry sticker. I'd show you a closeup but that would mean cleaning out my pantry and we're just not quite there yet ;)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Of course, once we finish one project in this house, it really highlights how many more there still are to do! Next up on the list is tearing up all of the flooring and replacing it with a luxury vinyl more suitable for kiddos and pets. The hardwoods in this house have really taken a beating and the carpets here are absolutely disgusting!

We hope to have all of our ceilings scraped and textured by the end of the year, and with that we will remove those giant box lights in the kitchen and add a few more can lights and a chandelier! I'm dying for some fun lighting. :)

I've literally dreamt of this kitchen FOREVER so it's a dream come true every time i'm in it. My Jacob did the most incredible job and I really have to give all the credit to him. Other than some painting and cleaning, this space was all him. My handy man!

The before and after is mind blowing to me! We were lucky to not have to change layout or appliances, which saved a TON of money. All in all, we spent about $6000 dollars on the entire remodel, the bulk of which being the countertops. I'm so glad we didn't hire out because it easily would have pushed the budget to over $10,000 and now we're able to use that savings for the next big project!

Thank you so much for following along- if you have any questions, post them below!

Until Next Time,

Isla Rose Grows: 3 Months

2017-08-27T22:09:00.000-05:00

Our sweet Isla Jane turned 3 months on August 11th, and although I took these pictures on time, i'm just getting around to typing out all of her milestones from the month.

As we speak, she is sleeping next to me with the sweetest look on her face and i'm tearing up a little bit because I head back to work on Wednesday :( I was SO blessed to have been able to take 16 weeks off with my kiddos. I really feel like I got to see Sawyer grow from baby to full-blown toddler, and of course I got to experience every bit of newborn joy Isla has brought to our family.

Speaking of Joy, this girl is an absolute treasure. She has the biggest, brightest smile that melts me into a puddle. Jake and I compete to see who can get her first smile of the morning, because nothing beats the ear-to-ear grin she gives you the second she opens those sleepy eyes in the morning.

She was my easy sleeper for the first few months of her life, but we've turned a little bit of a corner and baby girl has been waking up 2-3 times a night to get her grub on and chat to me about life. I've been exhausted! She very rarely cries, though, so it's hard to be mad when she just wants to coo and smile at you in the middle of the night.

We put her down for bed around 8:30-9:00, and lately she will sleep until 2, and then wakes up every few hours after that. I'm hoping she goes back to a full night of rest soon! But i'll soak up the lovin's while I can.

I'm still exclusively breastfeeding her and i'm so proud to have over 3000 ounces of milk frozen in our deep freezer! I have literally never had more DM's on instagram about it, so I plan to share my tips and tricks soon.

Isla is just over 14.5 pounds and totally packing on the chub!! She felt so tiny to us for so long, and now she is getting those delicious Michelin arms and the chubbiest little belly that I can hardly handle.

I spent the last few weeks ensuring she wore every single 0-3 outfit because baby girl is pretty much exclusively in 3-6 and 6 month clothing now. I get sad every time I put an outfit away in storage! I'm not sure if it is because she is our second, but it honestly feels like the time is flashing before our eyes. I do not remember Sawyer growing this fast, but I feel like every morning we wake up Isla is a new baby.

She is getting so active! She kicks her legs constantly and waves her arms around all of the time. She is just starting to grab onto toys and we're having fun practicing with her! I've noticed her sticking things in her mouth lately and she is the worlds biggest drool-bucket, so teething has begun! Sawyer didn't break his first tooth until just before his 1st birthday, so it will probably be awhile before we actually see any pearly whites, but the constant drool and munchin' means the process has started. :)

We're looking forward to breaking out the jump-jump and letting her try it out soon. It was Sawyer's FAVORITE toy, and a saving grace for us, so we're hoping she loves it the way he did!

She finally loves to be worn in her boba wrap, and we've been enjoying a few family walks a day lately. I absolutely love to have her close to me and it's nice to have free hands to chase after her brother :)

As always there are 2 million little details that I hope I don't forget. I love this girl's eyelashes and the way her eyes genuinely twinkle at you. She has the most precious coo's and that baby voice is one I hope always stays with me.

Her absolute favorite thing is being kissed all over her face. I do it 900 times a day and I hope she never grows out of loving it! Isla is so fascinated by her big brother. She watches him constantly and I know it's just a matter of time before the two of them are running the show.

I swear that this girl is going to go down in history as the easiest baby ever. She makes these little grunty fussing noises if she is dirty, hungry or wants you to change her position. The only time she really cries is if she is tired, but then you just have to get her down and she is an angel again.

My favorite part of writing these monthly posts for Isla is going back and reading the same month for Sawyer. It is honestly amazing how 2 babies from the exact same parents can be SO different! They are polar opposites, but they look like they could be twins. :) I'm so desperately in love with these children!

If you think about it, please send us a prayer or some positive vibes as we adjust with me going back to work- the kiddos will be at Grandma-daycare so lord knows they will be loved and spoiled to pieces, but my heart my break a little!

Until Next Time,

Our NICU Stay

2017-07-24T08:05:00.000-05:00

This post has been a long time coming, but I really have had a hard time putting into words everything that happened during our 48 hour stay in the NICU.

Yes, you heard me right...it was only 48 hours and I still feel like it completely changed my perspective on motherhood, on medicine, and on trusting my gut-mom instinct.

I should preface this by saying I am not all that crunchy when it comes to childbirth. I have complete trust in my doctor, i've been induced both times, and although I have educated myself on birth and the medical decisions you make for your child in the hours after, my attitude really is one of trust for the medical professionals that care for both myself and my child.

That all almost went to shit after Isla's birth, to be honest with you. Shortly after she was born, she was laying on my chest, with our family oohing and aahing over her perfect newborn self. We were on cloud nine after her absolutely perfect birth story, and I was just elated with new mom hormones, when a nurse thought that her newborn coo's sounded more like breathing trouble.

It was all very quick, but before we knew it they were bringing in an x-ray machine to check out Isla's lungs. If you remember from her birth story, she came incredibly quickly-in less than 2 hours which tends to do a number on the little ones.

I wasn't really all that concerned. I knew that how quickly she came probably effected her breathing, but I expected that they would do a few tests, and she would be fine. A nurse came in to take blood from her foot, and as much as we expected her to scream her little head off, she slept right through it.

Unfortunately, newborns blood draws tend to clot extra quick, so the first sample clotted and they needed to draw her again. We expected screaming this time, but she continued to sleep right through it! When her blood sample came back, her white count was slightly elevated and that mixed with her extreme sleepiness led the doctor to believe something was wrong.

This is where her story turns south. Jake had left to go grab us some gatorades from the cafeteria, and next thing I know, the pediatrician on call (NOT our pediatrician, just a random one working at the hospital at the time) comes bursting into our room and tells me he is taking our baby to the NICU. I was hormonal as heck and just burst into tears not understanding why, but whenever I asked him questions he basically blew me off, and ended it with "If you take your baby home she could DIE OF SEPSIS WITHIN 24 HOURS." Yeah. He was a real gem that one. He explained that they wanted to do a round of antibiotics for her "infection" although he couldn't tell me what the infection was.

I begged him to wait until Jake was back, tears streaming down my face, and when Jake finally arrived back the Dr. explained what was going on to him and then a nurse came and took our baby.

I was hysterical. I mean, the type of ugly Kim Kardashain cry only a mother can have after having her baby taken away from her at 4 hours old. Now, you don't mess with a brand new babies health, I totally accept that. If you have reason to believe that she is sick, I am not going to stand in your way of treating her. We didn't even question what was happening until much later.

Through that night, I set an alarm and went to nurse Isla in the NICU every 2 hours. She was nursing like a champ, having PLENTY of dirty diapers, and was maintaining her temperature perfectly. In other words, she seemed like a completely perfect, healthy, APGAR score of 10 (which she had!) newborn. Even still, Jake and I didn't know better to question her stay in the NICU, and she continued to be hooked up to monitors and IV fluids as well as her 2 different types of antibiotics.

The next morning, my OB came to visit us and the baby, and was incredibly confused when she found out Isla had gone to the NICU. No one had informed her, and what really bothered her was that Isla's APGAR was perfect. You see, when a baby has such a quick labor and comes that quickly, it's natural for their white blood cell count to be elevated. Generally, they do a second blood draw at 10 hours of life and you'll likely see the counts drop. A pediatrician wouldn't normally admit a baby into the NICU due to that first round blood draw.

We were a bit shocked to hear this, but my OB recommended we call our pediatrician to either transfer care, or just get a second opinion. She told us that the hospital pediatrician on call wasn't the most trusted or respected doctor, and that she would see if we could get our ped in. We really thought we would be leaving this day, so we didn't call, but rather trusted in the hospital pediatrician and waited.

Biggest.mistake.ever. Through Isla's multiple blood draws, and her culture's looking for infection, nothing ever popped up. She never showed sign of infection, every blood draw after her initial showed no elevated white blood cell, and we had the proof that she was really nursing/wetting like a champ! Because of this, we were ready to pack it on up and head home. Then, the Dr. came into our room and informed us he wanted to keep Isla an ADDITIONAL 48 HOURS FOR TESTING. I was livid. I just sat there bawling my eyes out, feeling all of my mom-alarms going off and having a gut feeling that something wasn't right. You see- at every positive test result we couldn't help but feel like that Doctor was disappointed. It felt like he wanted something to be wrong with our girl rather than rejoicing with us every time a test proved nothing was.

We immediately called our pediatrician. We explained all that had happened, asked his opinion on everything, and he had absolute and utter disbelief at why the hospital Dr. was unable to release us and give us a clean bill of health. We explained to our ped that we had every intention of leaving against medical advice if the hospital Dr. didn't release us.

He told us that legally he can't tell us to do anything, but he didn't understand why we would need to stay. He then asked us not to mention his name to the hospital pediatrician because he has already had multiple patients transfer to his care, and that this hospital ped is incredibly difficult and doesn't work well with other doctors.

This was the second medical professional that we completely trusted that told us the problems with the hospital pediatrician.

I was much too emotional to confront the hospital doctor, but Jake was furious so he confronted him and asked why we weren't able to leave immediately if everything looked clear. I told the nurses to stop all fluids and antibiotics on our girl, and it was then that miraculously the hospital pediatrician got on the phone with someone, received test results and told us we could be released that evening.

Essentially, it was a Saturday night, and he thought no one was going to be available to read out her healthy test results, so he wanted to keep us until Monday (continuing a course of incredibly tough antibiotics!) based on "someone not being available."

Absolutely.Ridiculous.

Our NICU nurses were angels on earth. They treated our family with such care and really stayed out of the way to let us care for our girl as much as possible. As we were waiting for the discharge paperwork, one of the nurses looked behind her, shut our door, and said to us, "not one of your nurses has understood why Isla is in here. She is an absolutely perfect newborn and we are just so sorry you had to be put through all of this for nothing."

Man, talk about a punch in the gut. I felt so angry with myself for not questioning things sooner, but it's like I said before, when it comes to my newborn baby, I wasn't in any position to question a doctor I believed I could trust.

It still breaks my heart into a million pieces when I think about the fact that my girl was in the NICU for 2 days, sleeping without us, hooked up to a million different tubes, for absolutely no reason at all. She had no infection, no trouble breathing, and no signs of distress, but because of a doctor who felt he needed to "prove something" we went through one of the most stressful 2 days of our life.

I am so grateful it was only 2 days, though. NICU life is a huge wakeup call. We were the lucky ones with a healthy baby, the ones who got to leave after just a few days. So many babies are in there suffering serious illness, their moms and dads heartbroken and helpless, and we got to leave quickly. I will never take for granted the health of my kids after experiencing that.

At my 6 week checkup, I went through all of the details with my OB and she was just heartbroken for us, and told us of all of her patients, any time that doctor was the one on call, babies seemed to be put into the NICU.

I'm happy to report that since then, that hospital pediatrician was let go, and is no longer employed in our area. Turns out, we aren't the only family to experience something like this.

I debated sharing this because truly, I believe whole heartedly in modern medicine and the medical degrees our doctors studied years to earn. I believe generally, all doctors have a passion for healing people and I have a trust in that passion.

With that said, always trust your mom gut. Never be afraid to ask extra questions, and FOR THE LOVE never EVER be afraid to consult a different doctor, one you genuinely trust. We took Isla into her pediatrician the very next day, and our Ped couldn't understand why she was in the NICU at all and gave her a perfect bill of health.

The instincts we have as mothers are worth their weight, so never be afraid to trust that intuition.

I'm happy to report our Isla Jane has been the happiest, most content, HEALTHIEST little girl since we brought her home from the hospital! We are blessed with these healthy babies and I cant tell you how many hours I spend thanking God for that.

Until Next Time,

Isla Rose Grows, 2 months with our sweet girl.

2017-07-21T10:27:00.000-05:00

I was so good about Sawyer's updates, because I only had one kid ;)

What is it about 2 that makes you feel like you didn't add one person to your family, but an entire army? Not only do the days feel like they're going ten times faster than they did the first time around (how is that even possible) but I find Isla's "newbornness" fading so quickly it sort of breaks my heart!

She is so different from Sawyer in so many ways. For some reason, I really thought that they would be the same kid, but they're polar opposite. Sawyer loved to be worn, Isla screams bloody murder if you put her in any sort of carrier. Sawyer would.not.sleep, Isla started sleeping through the night at 2 weeks old (praise!)

She is our easy going, happy as can be baby girl. From the day Isla was born, she has just been the most content little thing. We call her cry pathetic because it almost sounds like a little squeal, and it's so darn easy to get her to calm down again. She is such a dream baby!

At her 2 month check up, she weighed 11.9 pounds, 23 inches long, our petite little girl! Now, I recognize that is a perfectly normal size for a baby her age, but compared to her tow-truck of a brother, she still seems so tiny in our arms.

Isla is still EBF and due to a craaazy oversupply this time, I have almost 1000 ounces of stored milk in our deep freezer for when I return to work. I really struggled with supply once I wasn't nursing Sawyer on demand when I returned to work, so I know i'll be grateful for the stash to fall back on.

We aren't quite sure what color our girl's eyes will be. They almost look like they could be green! She has the most insane eyelashes for such a little lady! They curl around her eyebrows and mama is certainly jealous.

I have got to say, as Isla grows up I want her to be told how smart she is, how funny she is, how kind she is. But there is no denying it...this girl is GORGEOUS. I don't think you're supposed to say that about your own child, but I can't even try to be humble. I stare at her in awe of that perfect button nose and those sweet lips that I kiss 400 times a day! If I had a dollar for every time someone has commented on her olive skin, we could pay for her to go to college-inflation included. She really is strikingly beautiful, and she has the most beautiful little personality to match.

We call her SMILE-A because she is always full of these precious grins! She opens her eyes in the morning with a smile on her face and is content as can be all throughout the day.

She has been so alert from the day she was born, and she absolutely hates to be held like a baby. She wants to be up on your shoulder at all times so she can see what's going on. I have no doubts she will be keeping up with big brother in no time. :)

Speaking of big brother, he absolutely adores her. Sawyer could not be any sweeter with his baby sis. He gives her kisses 100 times a day, and always wants to hold her hand when she is in my lap. Toddlers are something else. Sour as all get-out and then they do something like hold their sister's hand and i'm in a puddle on the floor.

Isla is a rockstar sleeper, she really always has been. She started sleeping through the night at around 2 weeks old, and I thought she was some sort of unicorn baby, because Sawyer woke up every 2 hours until 7 months old!

She goes down for the night about 9:30, and will wake up between 4:00-5:00 for her first feeding. From there, she nurses every 2 hours-ish through the day until bedtime. She is still sleeping in our room so I can't report out on how the shared situation between her and Sawyer is going yet...i'm just not ready to move her downstairs!

#notimpressed

This month I just don't want to forget her "newness" She is moving from newborn into baby, and developing a little personality that is so exciting to witness, but also a bit sad to see her newborn self fade away. The time really just zips by. I don't want to forget that first morning smile she gives us, and the way she sticks her little behind out like a stinkbug when she wakes up. I hope to always hold onto those little cooing conversations we have, and the way she looks like a little monkey perched up on Jake's shoulder looking around.

I took an extended maternity leave this time, and I am so grateful for the extra 4 weeks with my kids. I'll be headed back in 6 weeks and my heart already aches thinking of leaving them. I am soo not ready. I will be soaking it in, that's for sure!

Isla Jane, you're a missing puzzle piece to our family, we just love you so!

Until Next Time,

Baby Products I Wish I Knew About the First Time Around

2017-07-19T09:32:00.000-05:00

I was gifted the below products in exchange for my honest review. I will never share something I don't truly love! As a thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog, please enjoy the discounts the companies have provided! xo

I've had 2 babies in 2 years, so you would think I would know just about every baby product known to man. But there are a few things we have been absolutely HOOKED on this time around, and I can't believe I didn't know they existed with Sawyer!

1) Binxy Baby

Ya'll have seen this on facebook, i'm sure of it. It's a rad baby sling that hooks onto your shopping cart so you can still load it up with groceries, while your little one snoozes away! I've found that it fits just about every standard size shopping cart, and since it holds up to 50 pounds, you'll be able to use it all the way up until your baby is sitting up. Since Sawyer usually takes up the front of the cart, our Binxy has been perfect for Isla to lounge in while we load up! As an added bonus, my friends at Binxy are giving you 10% off if you use my link above!

2) The Ollie World Swaddle

Sawyer literally wouldn't sleep unless he was swaddled, and naturally I assumed the same for Isla girl. We stocked up on Swaddles and Swaddle sacks only to find out that the only thing she would sleep in was her Ollie Swaddle! It's known as the smarter swaddle and I know why. Jake calls it her mermaid suit because it wraps around snug and ties at the bottom as if she had a little mermaid tail. It's made from moisture wicking material and so incredibly soft, so it keeps her at a perfect temperature. I love that it ties at the bottom because it makes for super easy diaper changes without having to unswaddle her completely. Good news! You can take 10% off your Ollie Swaddle as well using my link above!

3) Milestone Baby

This one really is a MUST for 2nd time moms. With Sawyer, we had a coordinated photoshoot each month and I diligently wrote a blog post and filled out his baby book with every little thing he did that month. Ain't nobody got time for that the 2nd time around!! Milestone cards have made it easy for me to snap a quick photo of Isla through her weeks and months, and they include really fun milestones like sleeping throught the night, trying your first food, and smiling as well!

4) Finn & Emma Clothing

Alright, this one is a little special just because shopping for baby girls is SO DARN FUN! I love just about everything in the Finn & Emma shop. Jake even asked me if this Zebra blanket was weighted or something because the material is so darn hearty and it's made so well. I love how everything is Organic and you can feel good about putting it on your babe, but it's also neutral and cute, something you want them to wear. You can take 15% off your order of $50 or more using my link above!

These are just some of my favorites. As Isla grows, I know we'll find others, and the crazy thing is if we have baby #3 one day, i'm sure there will be 100 new products I am eager to try! What are some of your mom must haves? I am the consumer of all consumer's so I would love to know!

Thanks for stopping by!

Until Next Time,

Kitchen Update

2017-07-17T11:02:00.000-05:00

You know you've been the worlds worst DIY blogger when your kitchen is 90% complete, and you haven't given a single update on the progress!

Ya'll, I took these progress photos about 3 weeks ago and never got around to uploading them, so our kitchen has already made leaps and bounds, but I wanted to check in to share where we are at!

If you remember from our first home tour last year, our kitchen was plenty functional, but the exact opposite of our style. So we saved our pennies and finally began the DIY remodel in February of this year. I know what you're thinking-it's freaking July. 5 months later and you're not done?!

To be fair, that was the day we paid for the countertops, and it was a whole host of little things before we could get those in. We had to have a sink retrofitted and installed, our countertops templated, we needed to go through about 3 different contractors before Lowes finally got their act together and sent out the installation team.

If we had to do it again, we would never go through Lowes as we had an absolute nightmare of a time, but we did end up saving quite a bit of money so I guess you could call it a wash.

Other than the installation of the countertops and our 200 pound farm sink, this remodel has been 100% DIY, so it's been pretty slow going. I was heavily pregnant, and then we had a baby, so the only real work has been on weekends and some very late nights, but i'm happy to say it is soooo close to complete now! I'm aiming to share the finally reveal by the end of the month if all goes well.

Because none of my decorations are up, the kitchen looks pretty white and sterile, but with some of the finishes we've chosen it should start to actually look like people live in it soon.

I should mention that I didn't clean up at all for these photos, so you're really getting the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes with a DIY remodel- dust pans and all ;)

As of today, we've officially painted all of the cabinets, installed all of the hardware, completed the backsplash, and purchased the paint + trim for our kitchen island. It's come a long way from the olive green countertops of yesteryear ;)

I don't think i'll have another update until I post the reveal (which I promise not to drag out another 5 months!) but follow me on instagram (@roseandcoblog) and you'll be sure to see all of the real-time progress on my story. If you have any questions on sources or materials used, just comment them down below and ill be sure to get back to you.

Until Next Time,

Isla's Newborn Photos

2017-07-14T13:33:00.000-05:00

Ya'll, i've been terrible. AWFUL!

There are so many posts i've got saved in draft mode that just need a little editing, but this whole 2 under 2 business is fo' real. I definitely took a maternity leave of sorts from this blog to really get our schedules down and figure out how to mom these two babies. I finally feel like my head is above water (and I head back to work in 6 weeks, so i'm fully prepared to drown again soon!) Before then, though, I have so many updates i'm dying to bust out!

I wanted to start with Isla's newborn photos-I seriously can't believe I haven't shared these yet! As usual, my friend Jessica at Jessica Robinson Photography nailed it. She has been taking pictures of our family since it was just the two of us + Axl, and oooh how times have changed :)

This one cracks me up-so much real life in one photo!

My favorite photo of all time! Love his sweet little hand on her. We used this for her birth announcement.

I will forever cherish these photos as they're some of our first as a family of 4. It was absolute chaos that morning, as I was just getting an awful case of mastitis, and my kiddos just wouldn't cooperate, but they turned out so wonderful and I can't wait until I get my act together enough to frame them!

I said it all the time with Sawyer, but it truly is heartbreaking how fast the time goes. I feel like Isla already looks completely different from her newborn photos, and it was just a few weeks ago that we took them. Babies are tiny time machines!

Thanks so much for checking in and baring with the radio silence as of late. Make sure to follow me on social media (@roseandcoblog everywhere!) to keep up with us.

You can see more of Jessica's work and our family over the years here: Isla's Maternity Photos, Spring Family Photos, Sawyer's newborn photos, Sawyer's Maternity photos.

Until Next Time,

Dockatot to the Rescue!

2017-06-13T12:20:00.001-05:00

Ya'll, newborns are tough. The sleep deprivation is enough to make you lose your mind, and when Sawyer was a newborn, we were lucky to get 2-3 hours of sleep a night. I knew that was absolutely not going to fly when Isla was a newborn, no way would I be able to function as a mother to both and newborn and a toddler if I was only sleeping 2-3 hours a night!

Enter: Dockatot I'm sure you've seen this little contraption around social media or on some of your favorite mom-blogs, and it was literally #1 on my list of MUST haves for this baby! It's a breathable co-sleeper or playtime lounger than we honestly could not live without.

From the day Isla was brought home, she has slept in her Dockatot, and we're now getting 6-7 straight hours of sleep at night. Can I get a hallelujah?!

I'm always having to set her down to chase around Sawyer and I love that the Dockatot is so portable. First thing in the morning after I nurse her, she goes down for a nap, and it's so easy to move her around the house as needed once she is asleep in it.

As ya'll know, we spend our weekends down at the lake, and its perfect to bring down with us for her to rest while we splash around with big brother, it's breathable cotton and a perfect micro-climate for babies, so I know she is comfortable when sleeping in it.

I'm so grateful to Dockatot for providing us with a safe space for our girl to rest, and for the fact that i'm not completely losing my mind right now with these kiddos! I know that we'll be upgrading to the Dockatot Grand , for babies 9 months +, once Isla outgrows her deluxe.

Believe the hype, add Dockatot to your baby registry and you will not regret it.

Until Next Time!

The Best Day of My Life Take Two: Birth Story of Isla Jane Rose

2017-06-07T16:43:00.000-05:00

This one has been a long time coming!

Isla Jane Rose was born on May 11th, 2017 at 10:02 AM. She was a perfect 7 pounds 8 ounces, 19 inches long. To us, she felt so darn tiny! Compared to her brother, she is just a petite little thing and sometimes I still can't believe she is ours.

You all know how this one starts, our Isla was a complete surprise and finding out we were pregnant with her was the biggest, happiest shock of our lives. It was so different to finding out we were pregnant with Sawyer, I was already 7 weeks along when I saw those 2 pink lines!

The following 8 months were rough, but they sped by. At my 37 week appointment, I was already 3cm dilated, 85% effaced, and by 39 weeks, I was 4.5 100% effaced. My doctor said each week "if your water breaks or you even have consistent cramping, you need to get to the hospital FAST! This baby will come quick."

So, I had this huge worry those last few weeks that my water would break and I would have Isla in the back of our mini van. However, because my body doesn't like to let go, we made it all the way to our induction date, May 11th, and at my first dilation check I was almost 5cm dilated so we thought we might be lucky enough to have a baby by lunch time. I was hopeful, too, because I was too nervous for breakfast and absolutely starving!

My last bump picture!

I'm going to break the day down by hours just as I did in Sawyer's Birth Story in hopes I don't leave anything out. I'll warn you, though, this lady was here so quickly if you blink you might miss it!

6:30 AM: We arrived around 4:00 AM, however after paperwork, check in, and shift change of our nurses, no action really started until then. We had a lovely nurse who I really liked, but boy did she wreck my arm trying to put in my IV. I still have sensitivity on that side almost 4 weeks later because of how hard she was digging around! After multiple failed attempts, they finally just put the IV in my hand since my arm veins weren't cooperating. They started a bag of fluids and honestly, things were feeling exciting, but no action was happening. She did my initial dilation check, and I was disappointed to find out I had barely moved from the week before, but I was almost fully effaced and just about 5cm dilated so I guess I can't complain too much!

7:30 Pitocin started on the lowest dose, but I still didn't feel too much! Some light cramping, but we could see on the contraction monitor that things were moving along and I was falling into a nice labor pattern. Jake laid down to get a little rest, and although I tried I was far too excited about meeting our girl and I could not sleep for the life of me! It was rough, too, since I barely slept the night before and we had to be up around 2:30 AM to get ready to leave for the hospital.

8:00 My amazing doctor arrived to break my water, and I was so happy to see her! Right about the same time my dad came by on his way to work to check on us, and we had to kick him out pretty quick. I know the guy used to change my diapers, but there was no way he needed to witness my doctor breaking my water!! Contractions were still very mild at this point, but my doctor suggested we put in the order for my epidural because she thought things were going to move very quick. Just like last time, I felt like this was too soon and I was barely in any pain, but thank GOD we listened, because things went from 0-100 very fast after this.

8:45 The anesthesiologist arrived, and I was having incredibly painful contractions every 2 minutes. I'm talking grip the bed, moan like a cow, come out of my body pain. I was a little embarrassed because I thought surely I wasn't dilated to more than a 6-7 at this point and I was in such an incredible amount of pain. The epidural is a really easy process in general, but the contractions were speeding up so much at this point and they were so incredibly intense that I was sobbing the entire time I got my epidural. Our nurse, Alyssa, was my favorite person of our entire hospital stay. She was an angel on earth, I tell you. One of the sweetest humans and since Jake couldn't hold my hand during the epidural she let me squeeze her during contractions and she counted down with me through each one. I felt so bad because during each contraction I would gush amniotic fluid, and it would get all over her scrubs. I kept apologizing and she assured us she would just change and that a little amniotic fluid didn't scare her ;)

Jake calls this my "oh shit that was bad" face, right at the end of a particularly brutal contraction ;)

9:15 My epidural was placed, and of course because nothing is easy with me, it was only taking on one side. I kept pressing my dosage button every chance I had because the pain on my left side was starting to make me feel like I would roll over and die. Alyssa rolled me onto my side in hopes that we could make the medicine travel to that side. I knew it was going to be a really long day if I wasn't distracted, so I sent Jake out to go pick up a movie to distract us for a few hours. He got "Why Him" and it was absolutely hysterical, by the way (when we finally got to watch it, a week later!) While he was out, I had that "out of my body" experience where I violently shaking, and in so much pain on my left side.

9:45 Jake arrived back and I was not in good shape. I asked him to get Alyssa because we needed to page the anesthesiologist to redo this epidural. I had this intense urge to um...go #2, but to be honest, I had some "excitarrhea" all morning so I thought that was all I was experiencing...not! Alyssa came in and decided to check me for dilation since it had been about an hour and a half, and she promptly said "well, no need to page the anesthesiologist, you're complete!" I screamed "what are you even talking about!?" and instantly started sobbing. This meant, during my epidural I was probably already in transition, which would explain the horrific pain I was experiencing. All of a sudden, I didn't feel ready for all of this to happen! She told me to bare down and try a practice push, and as soon as I did she shouted "stop! stop! no practice pushing!!" and they called my doctor and told her to haul booty because I was having this baby. It was pouring rain at this point, and although my doctors clinic is less than a mile from the hospital, the torrential downpour caused her some delays so by the time she arrived, it was go time. Jake was pacing back and forth in shock at this point, he was so glad that he didn't stop for food on his way back or he might have missed it!

9:58 My doctor arrived and gave me a hard time for making her rush over in the rain! We laughed about it, because I like to think of myself as the worlds easiest patient, and this was my one pain in the ass moment from the pregnancy! Since I still had a ton of feeling in my left side, I could feel when a contraction came on, so when I felt it, I pushed with all of my might, and out came her head. One more push and the rest of her came out and we were absolutely thrilled. She was perfect. She came SO fast, and we were just in shock at how the whole thing happened.

10:02 AM They placed my daughter on my chest and all of the fears I had about being a mother of 2 disappeared. My heart grew 10 sizes and I instantly felt bonded to this sweet girl who I knew belonged with us.

I was lucky to have barely torn with how quick she came, and I felt so good almost immediately. It took about an hour for my epidural to wear off completely, so she laid on my chest, I nursed her, and Jake got some skin to skin cuddles before all of our visitors arrived.

I felt guilty saying this, but I could not stop talking about how easy her birth was. It was a few hours of intense pain, sure, but it was SO QUICK! I was only in active labor for about 2 hours. This sweet baby knew how hungry mama was, so she came in time for a late breakfast ;) I ordered strawberry shortcake, pizza, chocolate ice cream, and dr. pepper from the hospital room service and devoured it like someone who had never seen food before.

We were transferred to our recovery room, which we like to refer to as moving from Beverly Hills to Compton ;) and my mother in law brought Sawyer in to meet his baby sister, which was my favorite part of the entire day.

When Sawyer arrived I could not stop crying! It was so wonderful to see my two babies together. He was a little unsure at first, he touched her face and really didn't like that his mama was holding another baby, but I'm happy to say he has warmed up in the last few weeks and he gives her constant kisses and only occasionally bashes her head or steals the paci right from her mouth ;)

This time our hospital stay was much different. We had so much family there to visit and share in our joy! It was perfect. I kept thinking I wouldn't have much to write about for Isla's birth story, but things took a turn after a few hours in recovery and we learned that Isla would have to go to the NICU. This was freaking torture. 4 weeks later and i'm still not over our time there, but i'm going to share that story another day. All that matters is that she never needed to be there in the first place and that she is as healthy as they come!

Isla completes our family in the best way. We are so tired, but so grateful and I can't help but count my blessings and thank God for this beautiful family he has given me the privilege of raising.

To read Sawyer's birth story, click here, to read my pregnancy updates click here! We took some footage of her birth, but it's a bit more graphic than i'm comfortable sharing...so if I can figure out how to edit it a bit I will put together a birth video just like I did with Sawyer and share ASAP!

Thank you for following along this journey with us. :)

Until Next Time,

Sawyer and Isla's Nursery Reveal

2017-05-30T12:27:00.002-05:00

First of all, I can't begin to thank you all enough for the incredibly sweet wishes over the last few weeks as we've bonded with our sweet Isla girl. I have so much I want to share. Her birth story, our NICU stay, baby stories, how we're adjusting, but honestly, life with 2 under 2 has left me with not as much time as I had hoped, but we're starting to see the light and so i'm eager to get back to typin'!

I wanted to pop in first to share Sawyer and Isla's shared nursery. If you remember from our home tour we have plenty of space in this house, but it's basically the worst layout ever. Our master is upstairs and the nursery is the only bedroom on the main floor, right at the bottom of our stairs. Because we have two in diapers, and they're only 18 months apart it made the most sense to just put them in there together. Isla is really only napping in there anyway at this point and sleeping upstairs with us.

You'll notice that we really reused almost everything from Sawyer's First Nursery. It was so painful to leave that space when we sold our house last year! I knew I wanted to incorporate another wood wall into the space, but this time, something more neutral and totally different from the first.

Jake crushed this one! The herringbone pattern is so fun and the light greywash is exactly what I imagined. I love that handy man of mine!

My dear friend over at Averie Lane Boutique custom made this stunning sign for our Isla girl. I was feeling so frustrated by the fact that every sign I was finding was all about being pretty, or being sweet and although I know our girl is all of those things and more, I wanted something that matched all of the signs we hung for her brother and have a quote that reflected being the strong little girl we hope she grows up to be. I think it's absolutely perfect!

This little nook of the room was super easy to spruce up into a little changing station and extra storage. In a shared space like this, it's so important to really utilize every inch in a functional way, and so Jake added some shelves and we were able to make it a spot to hold diapers, books, toys, and change little booties which we seem to never stop doing these days ;)

One question i'm asked all of the time is "how do you decorate with so much white?!" and my answer is simple- make sure you only purchase washable fabrics! The first time I laid eyes on the biscuit rug by Lorena Canals I knew it was meant for the nursery. It's so soft and the perfect size for the room, but above all, it's WASHABLE! I've never come across a rug that is truly washable without pilling or looking just terrible, and we've already had to wash this one twice with our silly little Sawyer constantly rolling around on it, and it looks as good as the day we opened the box. You can feel good about purchasing a rug from Lorena Canals also, as each rug purchased helps to support the Sakula Project which funds schooling for children in India. It's all natural and VOC free, so even if you have it in a space with an itty bitty newborn like our Isla, you can rest easy.

I absolutely love walking in their room and how it came together. It truly turned out exactly how I imagined. If you have any questions on any of the sources in the room not mentioned, feel free to mention it down below or reach out on any of my social media platforms!

I'll be back at the end of the week with a very special birth story. :)

Until Next Time,

I'm Not Ready

2017-04-19T09:28:00.002-05:00

On Friday last week, we thought I might be going into labor. I was up most of the night with a racing heart beat, the worst back pain i've ever felt, nausea, and contractions every 10ish minutes. The contractions weren't too bad, but the nausea and back pain were making me almost delirious so come mid-afternoon we marched our way into labor and delivery to see what was going on.

The second we walked through those doors I lost it. I could not stop crying! Not only was I not ready to have another baby, I wasn't ready to go through labor, I wasn't ready to share my heart with anyone but Sawyer, I just wasn't ready.

Once I was wheeled up and checked out, it turned out to be a double whammy of a kidney/bladder infection and I was given an IV of antibiotics, something to lower my heart rate, pain and nausea meds, and something that just knocked me out cold. I wasn't dilated in the slightest, so baby sister definitely wasn't coming, so I just slept the next several hours until they woke me up and told me it was time to go home.

It was all very dramatic and ended up being not a big deal at all, and i've felt so much better ever since, but man did it make me reflect on how not ready I feel to do this again.

I keep saying I wish there was a way I could have this baby (because let's be honest, the end of pregnancy sucks) and then press pause on her life, so I could go home and heal, and rest and then un-pause and be a mom of two. I don't want to miss a single second of her life, but I also don't know how this whole mom of 2 18 months and under is going to work out.

It's really hard to explain, but it feels almost like I know how to be Sawyer's mom. I know his quirks, how he likes his back tickled, what his different cries mean. I don't know any of that about her yet! I know we will learn it, just like we did with him, but the task seems a bit daunting when I feel so darn incapable of just about anything right now.

The other day I was feeling some major mom guilt about plopping Sawyer in front of Moana for the 900th time so that I could just lay on the couch and do nothing, and I justified it by saying "it's okay! Just a few more days and you wont be pregnant and tired and you can go back to being a good mom!"...and that's when it hit me...umm what?! In a few days the exhaustion I thought I felt today won't even compare to the exhaustion that comes with breastfeeding and caring for a newborn. And then the hormones caught up with me again and I cried big, ugly tears that I would be a bad mom who made her kid watch Moana 12 times a day forever.

My logical brain knows that all of these concerns I have are normal, that we will get into a routine, that I will cook something other than macaroni and clean my house again before we know it. My hormonal 37 week pregnant brain thinks i'm not cut out for this and my kids would be better off with someone who played educational games and took them on nature walks on the daily.

It really comes down to, ready or not, here she comes. It will be messy, it will be damp (is there any better word to describe early days of motherhood?) and it will be so wonderful, and once we're through the adjustment phase we will look back and we won't remember the long nights or early mornings. We will remember the way Sawyer kissed his baby sister for the first time, or the night we got both kids to sleep through and we woke up feeling like new people. We've got the good Lord on our side to get us through, and they make this stuff called Death Wish coffee now, and i'm pretty sure that will light a fire under even the most tired, stretch marked, new mama rear. :)

Thanks for listening to my word vomit today, it feels so good to get the words out of my head!

Until Next Time,

36 Week Bumpdate-we're in the home stretch!

2017-04-11T10:41:00.000-05:00

Here is a random Tuesday post for you because it's late Monday night and I can't sleep and so a bumpdate just felt right ;) I'm not sure how many more of these i'll get out before our tiny tot arrives, but now that i'm in month or less territory, I thought I should record it!

How far along? Almost 36 weeks. (on Thursday!) We actually just have our best guess as far as due date since little lady was a bit of a surprise, a few ultrasounds had my week changing on Sundays, a few had it on Thursdays, so we'll just stick with the latter.

Total weight gain: 20 pounds. About 10 less than this point with Sawyer! Although at my last doctor appointment I had gained 5 of those 20 pounds within 2 weeks. Jake has been bringing me home banana splits every night. Stop judging.

Maternity clothes? This is the dumbest question in the bunch. Obviously.

Stretch marks? So, if you recall my bumpdates with Sawyer, I was absolutely wrecked with stretch marks from my pregnancy with him. When you start out at 120 pounds and grow an almost 9 pound baby, it's bound to happen. I really thought because I stretched so much with him i'd be safe from more stretch marks this time around, but it turns out genetics are genetics. I only got them on my hips and thighs with Sawyer, and baby girl has added to my art work and I have them all over my lower stomach now as well. The joys of bringing life into the world.

Sleep: I've had a cold practically my entire pregnancy, and my stuffed up nose makes it difficult to sleep. Also, a new development is the worst hip and lower back ever, so I wake up pretty darn sore every morning. I'm starting to hit the wall, ya'll.

Best moment this week: Well, baby lady has dropped and I am in pain but with that comes the realization that we have a month or less until we meet her and that is darn exciting.

Miss Anything? Beer. I'm not even that much of a drinker, but now that the weather is warming up i'm dying for a cold one on the patio with my hubs. Literally the best part of summer!

Movement: She is wild! I know she for sure dropped just looking at my belly, but I think I actually felt it happening the other night. She is getting bigger and bigger, though, so I know the days of the wild movements are limited. This could be our last baby, but it will definitely be our last baby for 3-4 years, so I know i'm going to miss that part of pregnancy.

Food cravings: Not really! I just eat everything in sight if we're being honest. I don't like to go to bed without something sweet, and Jake made me a quesadilla for dinner 4 nights last week because I could.not.get.enough, but I can't say I really crave anything.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I was so sick the first 24 weeks of this pregnancy. 100 times more sick than I was with Sawyer and it was completely miserable, but it's been great since and other than a brush with a tummy bug, i've felt generally pretty good. Sawyer gave me some pretty serious food aversions too, and i'm glad to report I haven't had any of that with her.

Gender: Baby Sister!

Labor Signs: I have really strong, painful Braxton Hicks (or maybe even real?) contractions all of the time. Because I was induced with Sawyer, i'm convinced I will be induced with her also, so I really don't expect to see much until we're cruising into the hospital. I'm going to pass on dilation check this week and let her check me next, so i'll know if we're getting closer after that appointment. The thing is, it doesn't really mean anything. I was 4 cm dilated 100% effaced when we walked into the hospital to be induced with Sawyer and I walked around 3 cm dilated for THREE WEEKS. So it's mostly just a giant "get my hopes up" moment and I don't want to know! I also think i'll go into an eternal depression if i'm not progressed at all, I might be the first case in history of being pregnant forever.

Symptoms: She has totally dropped down, which is exciting! I know that she is preparing for her exit. I also have a lot of joint pain in my fingers and wrists, but I know that is all that relaxin hormone stretchin' out my body to push out a watermelon. She made me suffer the first 6 months of this pregnancy, but I have to say, other than the usual "the end is hard" complaints, it's been uneventful and pretty comfortable the last few months and i'm very grateful. The hardest thing has been my never ending cold and wicked acid reflux, but it seems tame in comparison to how horrid I felt at the end with Sawyer.

Belly Button in or out? Umbilical Hernia means out like a turkey timer!

Wedding rings on or off? Still on! I'm not as swollen as my last pregnancy and I think we have the mild weather to thank for that. I'm hoping I can keep it on the next 4 weeks-but if not I have a mighty cute fake band from Walmart that will do the trick ;)

Happy or Moody most of the time: I think i'm somewhere in the middle. I've spent the majority of this pregnancy moody AF, but now that we're nearing the end i'm just darn excited. My darling son has been a little rotten lately (entering the terrible twos!) and my patience is a little thin sometimes, but then he will do something so darn sweet that melts me into a puddle and I become so incredibly grateful for my 2 healthy babies. Jake and I are ridiculously blessed and when I start to think about it I can't help but get a little weepy.

Looking forward to: Being done with work, getting into the lake the first time, finishing our kitchen remodel, going to bed tonight, oh and meeting our baby girl we've waited a long, hard, 10 months to meet!!

I wish I was as good about taking bump photos as I was with Sawyer, but I am not. Not even close. So I will leave you with this comparison photo of both my babies at 36 weeks. I think we have another 8 + pounder on our hands ;)

Until Next Time,

Our Second Rosebud-Maternity Photos

2017-04-07T08:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, ya'll! We made it through another week. Each week that passes is a giant accomplishment right now, and I look forward to seeing the days count down as we get closer to welcoming our little girl.

It's so weird to be this far into pregnancy with our baby girl, because it feels soo much different than it felt with Sawyer. I've gained far less weight, so just physically I feel better, but I just don't have the same anxiety I had with him. Second time parents are experts, huh? ;) At least that's what we're telling ourselves!

We shot these photos a few weeks ago, right at 33 weeks pregnant, and I am just so happy at how they turned out! I didn't think anything would top the maternity photos we took with Sawyer , but I think I love these even more!

If you follow me on snapchat, you saw that seriously, taking photos with a toddler is no.joke. We were EXHAUSTED AFTER! I can't believe my girl Jessica was able to grab the shots she did, it was seriously a miracle! Sawyer ran away saying "no no no" every time we put a camera in his face and absolutely refused to smile, so I was amazed at some of the cute shots she got-i'm also in love with the more candid "nope" moments she shared with me too ;)

Okay, i'll stop gabbing! Let's get to the pictures!

This one had us cracking up for 10 minutes. Axl is saying "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE BRINGING HOME ANOTHER ONE!?" His position on the Rose totem pole just keeps moving down, poor pup!

We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place and it was the most perfect, calm morning on the day we took our photos. It is the BEST to have such talented photographer friends who can just come to you! It's so much more comfortable to take family photos when you're in your element. It literally blows my mind how much Sawyer has changed since we took our Spring Family Photos at home. It's been just about a year since those and our little guy is a different baby all together! I don't know where the time goes.

And because they're too good not to share, here is what it really looks like trying to get photos with a toddler...

Love this crazy crew more than life-can't believe we're adding another to the bunch!

All photos taken by my dear friend, Jessica, at Jessica Robinson Photography - if you're local, you NEED her in your life.

Until Next Time,

Sprinkled with Love

2017-03-31T11:42:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday, friends!

Last weekend we had the most beautiful baby sprinkle hosted by my Mom, Mother in law, and Grandma and it could not have been any more perfect!

I literally teared up at all of the sweet decorations and love that they poured into the afternoon. We had so many delicious treats and our little lady was seriously spoiled. What is it about girl clothes that will just melt you every single time?!

I wanted to share a few of the pictures from the day because it was honestly perfect. Of COURSE the day of the shower (which was planned to be outside) it was raining, cold, and not at all Spring (even though the very next day was sunny and 75) but my in-laws have the most beautiful completely open concept home, so we were able to mingle and enjoy without even needing to go outside!

The decorations were so stinking cute. Tulle, bows, pink, flowers...ALL things girl! How awesome is this diaper cake? My mom jokes that she finally found a cake she is incapable of messing up ;) My family gathered pictures of me throughout my life and we played a "how old was Kylie" game, that even I couldn't answer. I don't even think my mom won that game haha!

I can't even handle baby tutus!!

These pictures crack me up because it's just mom life summed up. 90% of the time this little boy only wants his dad, but not during presents. So I had a helper :)

My dear friend, Courtney, and I are only 12 days apart and we also live just down the road from each other, so maternity leave should be a blast this summer! She had an unfair advantage at the "how big is Kylie's belly" game, and won by measuring her own bump ;)

Some of the wonderful friends and family who have made Arkansas home! I'm so grateful for these women and how darn special they made me feel this day.

We are so, so blessed. Thanks for following along.

Until Next Time,

33 week Bumpdate + Nursery Sneak Peak

2017-03-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

Hey, ya'll!

Do people still read blogs? Lately i've felt like the blogosphere has moved straight to instagram and snapchat and as if you haven't already noticed, I haven't been blogging much at all.

Please let me know if you're still into the occasional post on the blog, because I love creating them, and as long as you're reading, i'll keep writing!!

If you follow me on snap or instagram, you know the nursery is full steam ahead, we're officially demoing our kitchen and living through a renovation just weeks before baby girl is due, and losing our minds a little every day. :) Wait, that might just be me.

I keep saying i'm going to be better about documenting everything going on, but with this giant belly, and a toddler who never slows down my camera always seems so far out of reach!

The past few weeks have been eventful, so lets just jump into the bumpdate!

How far along? 33 weeks!

Total weight gain: I've only gained about 15 pounds so far this pregnancy, which is exactly the opposite of how I was with Sawyer. I literally PACKED ON the pounds towards the end with him! I was actually down a few pounds at my doctors appointment on Wednesday because I came down with an awful stomach bug and wasn't able to eat for about 3 days. I'm so glad to be over that one!

Maternity clothes? We're totally in "everything is getting too small" territory. The other night we were going to head out on a walk to see my parents, but all of my pants that fit were in the dryer so I refused to go, Jake made me wear his man sweats and it killed my soul a little bit how well they fit! I guess i'm back to sharing clothes with my husband.

Stretch marks? I've gotten a few new ones on the front of my belly, but not too many extra this time around. I am still very stretch marked out from my first pregnancy, so although not many new ones are popping in, i'm still covered.

Sleep: I was so worried that my stomach bug was actually the return of my "all day" sickness that I faced for the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, so I started taking my diclegis at night again, and that stuff knocks me out! I'm extra tired lately, though. I feel like I could easily take 2-3 naps a day. Growing a human being is exhausting.

Best moment this week: This week was such a doozy! We just got hit with one thing after another. I would say that almost wrapping up the nursery has totally been a highlight, though. Everything is so organized and i'm feeling like we're slowly but surely moving into "prepared" territory. I want to get a start on packing the hospital bag this weekend, and work is starting to slow down as most of my projects are being handed off for my leave.

Miss Anything? Not peeing my pants. You guys, i've basically had a cough this entire pregnancy because of my horrendous acid reflux. Every time I have a coughing fit, I pee my pants. I cried last weekend because it meant I had to go upstairs and change. It sounds comical, but I promise it is THE most annoying thing in the entire world! I can't WAIT to have normal bladder function again!

Movement: Like MAD! We got the coolest video of her trying to escape my body the other night. Pregnancy is so rough on me but that is without a doubt something I will miss. There is nothing like watching your belly move and contort because there is an actual human being inside of you.

Food cravings: Frosties and French Fries from Wendy's. I could literally eat this every.single.day. Have you ever tried that combo? The cold + hot and sweet + salty is something that can't be matched.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I mentioned the stomach bug I had which was making me literally exorcism vomit every single thing I consumed. It was hell. But i'm glad to report we're back to normal and nothing is sounding too gross!

Gender: Still a little lady!

Labor Signs: Sometimes my BH contractions are so strong they take my breath away. I've literally had to sit and breath through a few of them in the last few weeks. It makes me feel convinced she is going to come early, but lord knows I have an iron clad uterus and she will probably stay put forever!

Symptoms: Peeing every 30 seconds, totally exausted, lots of Braxton hicks, but generally, feeling good. At this point with Sawyer I was so miserable I literally could barely walk. I'm so thankful for my toddler who keeps me moving! It's helped me stay active this pregnancy and I know that's why i'm feeling pretty good still. I have to sit and take a breather quite often, and everything is pretty sore and tired, but we're still going on a nice long walk every day and that is a huge win compared to last time!

Belly Button in or out? Umbilical Hernia = insane belly button.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm still pretty moody and a little mean. It doesn't take much to completely make me lose my mind, and it's the strangest thing because I can be so angry at Jake I want to rip out his throat, all while logically knowing how insane I am being. Pregnancy hormones are weird, ya'll.

Looking forward to: My sweet family is throwing baby and I a Sprinkle tomorrow and I can't WAIT! We didn't have a shower with family when I was pregnant with Sawyer, although my team at work did throw us a pretty sweet surprise shower. I'm excited for all things girl, and to eat chocolate covered strawberries and drink sherbet punch with my family and best friends. I'm super annoyed that rain is in the forecast, but maybe we'll get lucky and it will be pushed out a day! Make sure you follow along on Snap and Insta to see how the whole shower comes together!

Here a few highlights of the last few weeks:

So you'll have to excuse the low quality of these iphone photos, but I did want to share a sneak peak into our little ladies' side of the nursery. Her crib came in yesterday, along with her monogram, and I just feel like its the sweetest girliest little spot!

I also had the most magical moment the other day when my little tornado crawled right up on his mama and fell asleep cuddling his baby sister. It was heaven. I had to pee so bad but you couldn't have pried me off that spot on the couch!!

And finally, we took Maternity photos with our gal, Jessica Robinson, last weekend, and i'm DYING over the sneak peaks. Sawyer was a complete nightmare, I won't lie. It will be a miracle if we have any happy photos of him at all, but she worked magic as usual and I can't wait to see the rest! For now, here is my sweet pup snugglin' up on mama.

Next week i'll share our baby shower and I also have an embarrassing post coming up all about the 19 bags we brought to the hospital our first time around, and how things are definitely downsizing for this little one ;)

Have a great weekend, friends!

Until Next Time,

What's on my Baby Registry?

2017-03-01T09:16:00.003-06:00

Happy Hump Day, ladies!

Is it just me, or does it feel like baby #2 sort of gets the short end of the stick? It's like survival mode. By now, you're an expert, and you know what you need and you're not really into the idea of wasting time with things you don't.

That's totally how I feel about my baby registry. My best friend was looking it over the other day and said "i'm really not thrilled about the lack of fun things on your registry" but we've got what we need, and there are only a few things we could use this time around!

I thought I would share my must haves with you for a second (or third or fourth!) baby, and I would love if you would share some of yours with me!

1) City Select Double Stroller

Ya'll, this thing is the rolls royce of strollers as far as i'm concerned. It has so many configurations and the wheels are something special! If you follow me on snap (@absolutelykylie) you saw me gushing about it last weekend. Even if you're having your first baby, I HIGHLY recommend registering for this beauty, and you can always purchase the second seat later down the line!

2) Britax B Safe Carseat

I am obsessed with this baby! It's so comfy and padded, perfect for those little newborns. Sawyer hated his carseat something fierce, and i'm convinced it was because of how hard and uncomfortable it was, but I love how this one is like a lazy boy for a baby, and it doesn't hurt that it has some of the best safety features around.

3) New Pump Parts/ Or bottles

This one is specific to you pumping/breast feeding mamas, but it totally applies to the bottle feeding mamas out there too! Most insurances will provide you with a breastpump free of charge, but if there is one thing I learned from nursing Sawyer for an entire year (and pumping 10000 times a day at work!) was that a spare set of parts always come in handy. If you're planning on bottle feeding your babe, I would just toss some of your old used bottles, and pick up a new set. I think there is something nice about starting fresh!

4) Petunia Pick Bottom Boxy Backpack

More babies = less arms. It's science, people. With a toddler to chase, and a newborn to hold, you're going to need to stay as hands free as possible! I love the backpack feature of this diaper bag. It has plenty of room for everything you need, and it is darn cute to boot!

5) A little something special

Every new baby deserves a little something special that is theirs. Baby sister is going to have a ton of hand-me-downs from her big brother, but every one of her blankets and swaddles can't be blue, so I made sure to register for a few little girly things that would be special, and only hers. Plus, I can't even handle the cuteness of all the floral!!

Remember how I said we're all experts this time around? Choosing where to register is a big part of that! I absolutely love the experience at Baby Cubby. Not only do they have all of the things you'd ever need for your little babe, but its more than just shopping. Baby Cubby is truly a community for moms and dads alike. They have a mission to encourage and support parents, and they truly take away that overwhelming feeling that seems to linger every time you welcome a new baby into your family. They provide the safest, and trendiest baby gear, at incredible prices, all while never making you feel like you're being "sold stuff". I have absolutely loved my experience and I couldn't recommend checking them out more! You can learn more about their mission here.

Okay, I know I missed a ton of things, so I want to hear from YOU. What is on your second or third or even first time baby registry that I missed? Any must haves that i'm forgetting about? Let me know below!

Thanks so much for reading!

Until Next Time

This post was brought to you by Baby Cubby. All opinions are my own

Third Trimester is HERE! And i'm giving away a giftcard to celebrate ;)

2017-02-20T15:15:00.000-06:00

Cardigan: Pink Blush c/o

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it.

Neither can my belly button, because it's literally trying to escape it's way off of my body right now!! We officially made it to the third trimester, and I can't even handle my excitement to almost be done. It's insane how fast the second pregnancy moves, but I can't say i'm complaining. Pregnancy is not my jam.

What is, however, is this super cute maternity cardigan that I can't stop wearing with everything! You all know from my last pregnancy, PinkBlush Maternity is my go to for the cutest Maternity Clothes and not much has changed this time around.

I love how light this cardi is, and how it can easily be warn after this little lady is born!

I wanted to pop in for a 28 week bumpdate, but because i'm so excited to be inching closer to our May due date, i'm giving away a $75.00 gift card to PinkBlush and all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter after my bumpdate! This isn't just for you expectant mamas, either, PinkBlush has an adorable clothes for anyone, expecting or not!

How far along? 28 weeks + a few days

Total weight gain: I'm not totally sure, but I know i'm packing on the pounds lately. I won't lie, i've sort of been stuffing my face, and there have been a few pictures of me lately that I see and say "NO. I DO NOT LOOK LIKE THAT" So i'm going to do my best to reel that in in these remaining weeks. Fingers crossed breastfeeding is the best exercise this time around like it was with Sawyer!

Maternity clothes? Duh, PinkBlush to be exact ;)

Stretch marks? I'm not sure if I have any new ones, but my belly has been crazy itchy lately so i'm guessing I have some on the way. I'm more convinced than ever that stretch marks are genetic, because i've used every oil and butter in the book this time around, yet I still see a few forming.

Sleep:I just turned the corner this week of having a hard time sleeping. This includes waking 5 times a night to pee, and it taking me forever to switch from side to side to get comfortable. Oh the joys of no core and a giant belly ;)

Best moment this week: We have been enjoying the best weekends. The weather has been fantastic, we're all FINALLY healthy after what felt like months of colds and sickness, and this last weekend we had all of the windows open, and it felt like Spring. I am loving all of our outside time with Sawyer, and welcoming the warm, comforting weather.

Miss Anything? I'm feeling pretty good right now, although I do miss better bladder control. ;) Walking is getting a little bit more painful, and she has dropped pretty low in the last few weeks, so I already feel like I have a baby hanging out of my lady parts, but for the most part, we're hanging in there. :)

Movement: Little lady on the move! Lots of movement every day, which is my favorite part of pregnancy. Jake loves to feel her rock and roll and after her 4D ultrasound last week, it's interesting to see where she actually is in my belly.

Food cravings: Chips and Salsa has sounded good to me every single day lately, but other than that no real strong cravings. I always have a sweet tooth so unfortunately I can't blame my overindulging on our little one.

Anything making you queasy or sick: My one year old has some diapers that really rock my world, but other than that, i'm good ;) I have had horrible acid reflux this pregnancy, so I live off tums and if I don't take them I start to feel pretty queasy, but for now, most of that has passed.

Gender: Our first little gal! Triple confirmed at last week's ultrasound. ;) I still can't even believe we're having a girl, so every time we have a sonogram I make them check.

Labor Signs: Last week I was having crazy braxton hicks. Like, I was almost afraid I was going into labor. At one point we timed them and I was at 7 in an hour. They weren't really painful, just incredibly tight and uncomfortable and I felt like I was having them constantly! I went to sleep and they never returned, though, so for at least the next 10 weeks this gal is locked down.

Symptoms: I seriously feel so blessed that I haven't had any rib pain this time around. That was probably the most brutal part of my last pregnancy. I'm knocking on wood as we speak because i'm terrified of having it again! I carry babies pretty low, and it already feels like her head is on my cervix so that makes walking sore and uncomfortable, but i'm feeling pretty great other than that. I had to travel for work last week and it about wiped me out. I forget how exhausting being on your feet all day is!

Belly Button in or out? As you can see in the pictures above, my belly button wants off of my body. Sawyer loves it. In fact, it's how we taught him where his button was and he now loves to lift everyone's shirt up to take a peek at their button! My umbilical hernia seems to be getting much more extreme as the weeks go on, but luckily, isn't really painful so i'm ignoring it for now.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: So, so moody. It's exactly the opposite of how I felt with Sawyer, really. The other night, Jake came home and I was just pissed off. Who knows why. He asked what was wrong and I said "i'm just SO hungry and there is nothing to eat here" poor guy literally named every restaurant in the county and I shot everything down. So he made me some roasted potatoes and I went to bed. He really is a pregnant husband trooper!!

Looking forward to: SPRING! Because our little girl will be here, and also because the weather is amazing and I can open up all the windows and enjoy living at the lake. Maternity leave starts in like 75 days and not that i'm counting down (i'm totally counting down) but i'm really looking forward to some time off. Even though maternity leave is far from a vacation, work has been so insane lately that I can't wait to take a mental break from it. We're also taking a long weekend to take our little guy up to the Tulsa Aquarium this weekend and I can't wait to see his face light up at all the colors and fish!

This pregnancy is just flying by, and I know I will blink and we'll be in labor. (at least I hope that's how it happens)

I've been meaning to blog some nursery progress for weeks now, but haven't gotten around to it, so make sure you're following along on snapchat @absolutelykylie to see how far we've come!

Now for the giveaway ;) Just follow the instructions in the rafflecopter below for your chance to win! The giveaway will run until Friday, and i'll announce the winner then!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 Week Bumpdate Round Two

2017-01-30T17:28:00.005-06:00

Sorry for the late post today! I didn't get around to pulling my 25 week bump picture off of my camera until after work, so everything is a little delayed. :) Before we get into this, let me just say...a winter pregnancy is the WORST. Cold and Flu season can burn in flames as far as i'm concerned, cause the last few weeks have been rough. Let's get into it shall we?

How far along? 25 weeks and a few days

Total weight gain: 10ish pounds. I think I really will gain the same amount as I did with Sawyer, but it just feels a little scarier because I never lost those last 5 pounds after he was born, so the number on the scale is creeping into uncharted territory!

Maternity clothes? Dressing yourself for a winter pregnancy is so much harder than a summer pregnancy! When I was pregnant with Sawyer, I lived in maxi dresses and skirts, but this time around I actually have the cold to worry about so its all about the layers. I live in leggings and cardis.

Stretch marks? No new ones, but plenty of old ones!

Sleep: eh. I have had a headcold all week, and before then, I came down with a stomach bug, and before that I had a terrible cough, so sleep has not been great, but I can't blame it on the little lady. Like I said, cold and flu season can burn!

Best moment this week: These last few weeks have been sort of crappy! It's like sickness is running rampant through our house. Sawyer has been catching everything I have (i'm not sure who is giving it to who at this point) so he is jus as miserable. I think the best moment was getting into the 99 day countdown of when our gal will be here. It's coming so fast! We also finally painted the nursery (you can catch a sneak on snapchat!) and i'm so excited that we're finally getting to work in there!

Miss Anything? Cold medicine. Nasal decongestant. Non-natural remedies. ;)

Movement: Oh yes! This girl is finally on the move! I've mentioned it in previous weeks, she took a little longer to feel than Sawyer, but now she is officially moving and grooving. Jake can feel her from the outside every day now, and now and then you can even see the movements. She is almost 2 pounds at this point, so the big ones are still coming!

Food cravings: Ice! I constantly want to chew on ice or have a nice glass of ice water. Also, reeses puffs cereal. I bought a family size box the other day. It said the first ingredient was whole grain so that makes it healthy, right? ;)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not much! I still have a sensitive gag reflex, but that tends to last with me throughout pregnancy. My congestion has helped the past few days though, because I can't smell a thing. Without a nose I haven't been gagging much at all.

Gender: Little Lady Rose. And for those asking, we think we have her name picked out. It's like 99% certain at this point. However, I think we're going to wait until we meet her just to make SURE it feels right. I still don't know if we're going to share, just because I love the freedom to be able to change our minds!

Labor Signs: I mentioned I had the stomach flu a few weeks ago (how sick are you of me complaining of being sick?) and I wasn't even able to keep down water. It made me pretty darn dehydrated and in turn I had lots of cramping and braxton hicks. But as soon as I got some gatorade down they slowed down, and my cervix has remained locked down since.

Symptoms: As far as pregnancy symptoms go, i'm still feeling pretty good! I get out of breath very easily, but I still really feel like we're in the sweet spot. A little tossing and turning when I try to get comfortable at night, and I dread going up stairs because I almost always need a breather afterwards, but other than that no real aches or pains and i'm actually able to enjoy this part of the pregnancy!

Belly Button in or out? Umbilical hernia means scary protruding belly button that Sawyer is just obsessed with. He pulls my shirt up and pokes it and says "button" at least 5 times a day.

Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody. :) With Sawyer I was seriously walking on air the entire pregnancy. This time I feel like everything sets me off. I'm grumpy, sad, tired, crying, hormonal, or frustrated all within the same hour! It's madness. My poor husband doesn't know which wife he will get today. He practices deep breathing and chanting to himself "this too shall pass" on the daily. ;)

Looking forward to: We have our 3D ultrasound next week and i'm so excited for that!! I remember Sawyer's like it was yesterday. That was when we discovered he has a pointy chin like me and all of my siblings, and has Jakes pouty lips. I can't wait to get our first peek at her pretty little face! I'm also looking forward to more nursery progress, we're officially working on it in all our off hours, and I think it's going to be a show stopper. My mom and mother in law also started discussing a little baby sprinkle for this little girl, and i'm so excited for all things floral, pink, and girly. Such a change from Sawyer!

Overall I have to say this pregnancy is flying by at lightning speed. I love it though, i'm so excited to meet her and see the bond that she and Sawyer have! We're still undecided if we'll be done after this baby, so i'm trying to savor up all of the pregnancy moments because I don't know if we'll experience them again. This is an interesting stage of life where i'm wishing it would go quick, and holding on to it at the same time. All in all, I can't complain. I know without a doubt, this summer will be one for the record books!

aaaand for a more accurate photo of how trying to get a bump photo goes :)

Thanks for reading friends, keep an eye out this week for a nusery update!

Until Next Time,

Welcome to the Club!

2017-01-24T09:44:00.000-06:00

Well happy Monday to you!

Oh wait, it's Tuesday. This post was supposed to go up yesterday, but in true I can't get my shit together fashion...it didn't get scheduled properly!!

This weekend was one for the books, and I just wanted to pop in with a little life lately update and share what's been going on in the Rose household.

Friday, I came down with one of the worst stomach bugs I think I have ever had. I thought I would die! It was just a 24 hour thing but I was quarantined the entire time in hopes it didn't spread to Jake or Sawyer, and luckily, no one is showing any signs of being sick. Jake mentioned to me on Monday that he was feeling pretty queasy, but I think we'll just chalk that up to being overserved on football Sunday ;)

Saturday I was super weak and tired from being so sick the day before, but we had an appointment with a minivan and I was not going to miss it! Yeah, you read that right. Aint no shame in my mini van game! We are officially those parents and I couldn't be more proud. You guys, I don't care what people say about minivans, this thing is like first class inside. From the powersliding doors that I can control from the drivers seat, to the leg room and ease of putting babies in carseats, it literally doesn't get any more practical. I'll have to give you a full tour of the van sometime in the future, but let me just tell you, it doesn't suck.

On Sunday, we took my mother in law out to lunch and then my heart broke into 1000 pieces when Sawyer got his first hair cut!! I don't know what it is about a baby getting their first cut, but he is like 5 years old overnight. Not only does he look like such a big boy, but he is just acting like a totally different toddler. It's truly like he grew up in a blink. The haircut didn't go quite like we hoped...he screamed bloody murder the entire time. Until we got him a lollipop which turned into a blue, sticky, drooly mess that hair was sticking too. Glamorous day at the salon, ya'll.

But I can't even stop oversharing the pictures of him since his haircut. He is just too darn cute for words. I honestly think that sometimes my heart is going to break in half I love him so much.

Always has a stick in his hand. Such a boy!

In baby girl news, this pregnancy is just flying right on by. I'm going to post a full update for you on Friday, but we're almost 25 weeks, and heading right into the 99 day countdown. Other than an insane amount of clothes, we haven't purchased a thing, or even started fixing up the nursery, so we better get our acts together pretty soon here. It is so true what they say, when you're becoming a second time parent, everything feels like less of an emergency. I feel like it's all going to work itself out one way or another, and as long as we have some diapers and a carseat by her arrival we're golden!

We've been trying to teach Sawyer about baby sister, and he is very fascinated by my "button" so whenever he wants to see it we tell him baby sister is in there and ask him where his baby sissy is at. He couldn't give two flying you know whats, but hey, we're trying. I think we're both in denial that another baby is going to be here so soon. Since Sawyer is still so young, we vividly remember the first few weeks home (also known as hell-month in the world of parenting) and so we're trying to block out those memories and live in some ignorant bliss that we'll fall right into a routine and everything will be peachy!

As far as home updates, we had planned on completely remodeling our kitchen before the baby comes, but have decided to put that on hold until later in the year. The hospital bill that comes with birthing a child is no joke, and we're really practicing being debt free in 2017. So we've decided to take all we saved for the kitchen to pay that off and start from scratch. Bummer, I know, but we're going to fit in lots of "phase one" mini projects throughout the house to hold us over. First on the list is decorating this nursery and making it functional for 2 babies 18 months and younger, and then we'll move outside to do some sprucing up of our backyard and garden and some major toddler proofing of our deck before Spring comes and we spend every waking second outside or on the water. I also plan on a phase one mini-update of our master bathroom that is going to make me love it up there SO much more!

I can't believe this time last year we were just weeks away from putting an offer in on our dream house. We've almost lived there a year! I'm aching for warmer weather and celebrating our second summer on the water, nothing compares!

I guess I better wrap up this Sunday night word vomit, thanks for popping in as always :)

Until Next Time,