La vie Jaime

Spring Things

2021-04-12T09:19:00.000-04:00

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope." - Lady Bird Johnson

Cheesy, yes... the inspiration we all need right now, also yes. Hello, it's me, and it's been a while! It was a busy and somehow not-so-busy winter. We were home, well Ethan was at school (thankfully and safely), but we pretty much hunkered down over the winter to get to where we are now. The weather has turned; it's mostly sunny and warmer days now. And, we have a toddler boy. He is a busy(!) and LOVES being outside, from running around in the backyard, to visiting our neighbors' chickens, to going on walks... it's been a lot of fun to see Ethan transition from a baby to a toddler the last several months. He is talking so much with many new words and short sentences each day. He is making his opinions known too, for better or worse! Oh toddler meltdowns, those are fun. 🙃

But mostly, I am feeling really hopeful. Hubby and I will be fully vaccinated by the end of the month, as will most of our family members + close friends/quarantine team. My bro, sis in law & nephew and dad + stepmom will be coming up to Mass. for the summer. It's been 6+ months since we have all been together! I can't wait for lots of hugs.

A few things that we have been loving lately:

I got these toddler letter hats for Ethan + my nephew and can't wait to see them wear them together!
I've become obsessed with these headbands that actually don't hurt my head when wearing all day.
Ethan is all about Daniel Tiger these days! (which is a nice change of pace from Mother Goose Club for the last year, haha)
I purchased a few new makeup and skincare products for the changing of the seasons, and this tinted face serum and this toner spray are what I am using daily.
I am into matching pajamas and got this set for the summer. 🌈

Looking forward to a fun + safe summer with this guy. 💛

Pics by me.

Holiday Magic, "It's Just One Year", and 2020 Winding Down

2020-12-21T07:00:00.012-05:00

The last 2 years I have been talking about the holidays in this way, thinking of the magic and special memories to come:

2018 when pregnant with Ethan: "Can you believe next year we will have a 7 month old?! I can't wait, it's going to be so special"
2019 Ethan as a 7 month old: "Can you believe next year he will be 1.5 years old?! He will probably jump on the Christmas tree...and rip open all his presents and then just play with the box!"
And when referring to my nephew, "The cousins are going to be so cute! It's going to be so fun to see them together!"

Well now it's 2020 and we have a 19 month old, who actually hasn't toppled the tree (haha), but has provided holiday joy in ways that are needed even more this year. We decorated the house with a Christmas tree and various lights in the living room. Every night he comes home from school and goes around the room, asking for all the lights to go on and clapping. He loves snuggling a Grinch stuffed animal (that was mine as a kid), putting on a Santa hat, and laughing at The Mensch on a Bench.

In addition to talking about next year's holiday season, and how Ethan will be 2.5 years old (!!), I am also saying, "I can't wait for us all to be back together" and "it's just one year."* It's just one year that I won't see my brother, sister in law and nephew; my dad and stepmom; and my extended family. And while it is just one year, it doesn't negate that this sucks. Zoom and FaceTime are bridging the gap and there is some comfort knowing that this is not unique to us, people around the world are experiencing different holidays this year and missing family members. So we are making the best of things and are lucky that we have our safe quaranteam/pod with some of our family and a friend nearby.

Despite it all, I'm feeling optimistic heading into to the new year. I don't expect the virus to disappear when we ring in 2021, but with the vaccine roll out and Biden taking office, I believe in the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. One of my go-to resources for good info, not only on the virus but on parenthood, is Emily Oster. She had this in her recent newsletter and on her Instagram:

So I am hanging on to that optimism, taking in the holiday magic, and focusing on the good things that 2020 brought such as a new job closer to home and a thriving toddler who we are spending more time with given being home more (versus if he was in school the entire year), and art from school like the below :)

Happy Holidays and New Year!

*WE HOPE. 🙏

Pics by me.

Holiday Decorations Wishlist

2020-10-25T07:45:00.026-04:00

It's 2 months until Christmas and some of my favorite brands have started sharing their holiday lines. Usually, I am on the "it's too soon!" bandwagon, but this year, I am ready for all things holiday to decorate our house for Christmas... ~~the earlier the better~~ the earliest my hubby will let me decorate, the better! 🤣

Two years ago we bought a fake Christmas tree, and while I love the activity of buying a real tree and the smell, it was the best decision. Having a small baby last year, and now with a toddler this year, not having to deal with the tree needles everywhere is so nice. Plus, this candle creates the perfect, nostalgic fresh tree smell all through the house! (I am thinking this year it will be fun to get small tree just for Ethan, that will be easy and not too much upkeep.)

Considering we are probably going to be spending more time at home this winter, here is what is on my wishlist for holiday decorations this year to get in the Christmas spirit:

Outdoor: Woodland doormat, Joy light
Ornaments: meditation snowman ornament, RBG ornament, Santa with face mask ornament (a 2020 must have... I preordered!)
Indoor decor: macrame greeting card holder, pom pom Santa garland
Pajamas: Last year, seen above, we bought matching family pajamas and need to get bigger sizes for Ethan for this year. We have these Hanukkah family pajamas and these Christmas striped family pajamas.

What holiday decor are you buying this year? Would love to see in the comments!

Pic by me, December 2019.

Ethan's Favorite Baby Toys 0-12 months

2020-07-29T08:00:00.002-04:00

Ethan turned 15 months old on July 29th! I am sharing his favorite baby toys during the first year. Check out more the best baby toys and other first year baby essentials here and toddler (a growing list!) here.

Baby Einstein star: This is an OG toy used from the early days and he still likes listening to the music.
Finger puppet book: We still read this every night. He loves when the elephant "moves". :)
Peek-a-boo bunny: He also still loves this toy; it has never ceased to make him giggle from the start!
Loveevery play gym: This was a favorite resting place for many months. It's great quality.

Sofie the Giraffe: He loved chewing on this so much we bought 2!

Photo by me, created in Canva.

Recent Beauty Loves

2020-07-24T07:30:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since I have written one of these posts! Since the quarantine began this spring, I have been trying to use up some of my beauty products, like masks, creams, etc. I've also purchased a few new products, a mix of high and low. Let's get to it!

1. Flamingo shaving gel: Got this at Target and LOVE it. My legs felt sooo smooth. Once I run out of Venus razors, I am going to try their razors.

2. SEEN shampoo & conditioner: I have suffered from face and back breakouts on + off forever so when I saw this on a blog, I thought I'd give it a shot. It's a haircare line developed by dermatologists that won't clog pores or cause breakouts. I have definitely seen (no pun intended) a difference since using this and when I don't.

3. St. Tropez Bronzing Water Face Mist: Fake tan tends to not look good on me since I am so fair. At Sephora last fall, this was recommended to me and it's great. The smell is light and nice, it's refreshing for the face, and just gives me a nice glow. Repurchased!

4. Supergoop! Glowscreen: Speaking of glow, I bought the Suprergoop! Glowscreen at the beginning of quarantine after getting a sample and finally using it. It was perfect timing as I was so not wanting to put on actual makeup anymore and it's another love! My review of this product is that the glow is subtle and is perfect for everyday. It's my go-to face makeup.

5. EcoBrow Defining Crayon: After trying many a brow pencils, wands, etc. this is my favorite by far. It's buildable in terms of how much color you want on your eyebrow hairs and has the built in comb on the other side. Plus, it's a clean product!

What are some of your favorite recent beauty purchases?

Photo created by me in Canva. Trying it out!

30 Day Song Challenge

2020-06-30T08:00:00.002-04:00

I am not sure where this 30 day song challenge originated on Instagram, but I discovered it through Things I Bought and Liked (maybe she started it!). I thought it would be fun to do for the month of May, and I shared them all on my Instagram stories (and there is a highlight saved). Here I wanted to give more context into why I chose the songs that I did, and perhaps inspire you to do for the month of July!

A song you like with a color in the title: Yellow by Coldplay - Yellow is my favorite color and have always loved this song.
A song you like with a number in the title: Just the Two of Us by Will Smith - the first song that came to mind.
A song that reminds you of summertime: All Night Longer by Sammy Adams - this was our jam the last few summers in Newport (close seconds = basically anything by Kenny Chesney)
A song that reminds you of someone you'd rather forget: Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison - this prompt felt so negative so I flipped it to a song that reminds me of someone I'll never forget: this is my and Doug's "song" that we danced to at a bar (drunkenly lol) the first night we met.
A song that needs to be played loud: It's All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion - lots of fun memories with my SIL and friends belting this one out
A song that makes you want to dance: Shake it Off by Taylor Swift - cannot help but dance around sillily when this song plays
A song to drive to: Days Go By by Keith Urban - this song makes me want to drive with the windows down and feel the breeze
A song about drugs or alcohol: Rehab by Amy Winehouse - first song that came to mind
A song that makes you happy: Treasure by Bruno Mars - one of my fave songs ever, love Bruno!
A song that makes you sad: You Can Close Your Eyes by James Taylor - my mom used to sing this song to us as babies/kids. I cannot help but cry my eyes out when I hear it. I had it on a playlist for Ethan and had to take it off because I always cried! 😭
A song you never get tired of: Home by Phillip Phillips - a friend told me this song was the only one that quieted her colicky baby. Whenever Ethan is too fussy and can't get to sleep, I play this and it AMAZINGLY works like a charm to calm him. I've listened to it more times than I can count.
A song from your preteen years: Wannabe by Spice Girls - this song came out when I was in 6th grade
A song you like from the 70s: September by Earth, Wind & Fire - always a favorite
A song you'd love to be played at your wedding: Wonderwall by Boyce Avenue - this cover was our first dance song 💑
A song you like that's a cover by another artist: When The Stars Go Blue by Tim McGraw - I have always liked this song and wasn't even sure who the original artist is...turns out it is Ryan Adams. I love the version by The Corrs too.
A song that's a classic favorite: Higher Love by Steve Winwood - just like this song
A song you'd sing a duet with someone on karaoke: You're the One That I Want from Grease - this is an easy and fun duet that came to mind
A song from the year you were born: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! - 1985's #3 song of the year
A song that makes you think about life: In My Life by The Beatles - came to mind first and when I was at camp as a kid, I learned this song in sign language.
A song that has many meanings to you: I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys - this song reminds me of so many good times with my family and friends for 20 years
A song you like with a person's name in the title: Barbara Ann by The Beach Boys - we have been playing a lot of The Beach Boys for Ethan lately, he loves!
A song that moves you forward: Hold On by Wilson Phillips - this song makes me feel strong
A song you think everybody should listen to: Levels by Avicii - I couldn't think of one for this day, so this is Doug's pick (his fave song ever) 🤣
A song by a band you wish were still together: It's Gonna Be Me by *NSYNC - wouldn't hate a reunion and this seemed like a good song to do since it was May
A song you like by an artist no longer living: Waterfalls by TLC - Left Eye's rap!
A song that makes you want to fall in love: It Had to Be You by Harry Connick Jr. - When Harry Met Sally is my fave movie and I walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of this song
A song that breaks your heart: Remember When by Alan Jackson - oh man, this one is a tear jerker, even more now that we are parents.
A song by an artist whose voice you love: Orinoco Flow by Enya - love her voice. Her music is what I play to relax
A song you remember from your childhood: Down By the Bay by Raffi - been listening to Raffi again with Ethan! When I was a kid, we had a version of this song we made for members of my family. I was "Did you ever see Jaime, playing a game-y" down by the bay... 😊
A song that reminds you of yourself: Cruise by Florida Georgia Line - I wasn't sure what song to pick here, but I have loved this song since came out; I never turn it off when hearing it; and it always puts me in a good mood. It reminds me of meeting Doug and we processed down the aisle at our wedding to an instrumental version.

The New Normal*

2020-06-24T09:04:00.001-04:00

*For now

We kicked off our new normal this week. Ethan's daycare officially canceled their summer offerings a few weeks back, so we have a babysitter coming to watch him a few days a week. Doug and I are regularly going back to our offices (we both work at small businesses with not a lot of people and are social distancing in our own spaces + wearing masks otherwise). It's only been a few days, but I already feel more productive and energized in various aspects of my life. Granted, it is back to craziness in the morning getting everyone prepped for the day before the sitter comes, but when I come home, I feel like I enjoy my babe and house more.

I say "for now", as we don't know what the future brings with the Coronavirus. Case numbers in Mass. have been on the decline which is great news. I try not to think too much into the fall (and future) because really it is so unpredictable. We hope that Ethan's daycare will open in some capacity this fall. I think the time learning with teachers and interacting with other kids was SO good for him; I hope he gets that again soon. For now, enjoying our new normal as much as we can... That includes a full on TODDLER who is walking, throwing mini tantrums, saying new words, going through sleep training, getting more teeth... every day is a new adventure! 😆

We also recently expanded our "pod" to include our immediate family, one friend family, and our sitter. We are all practicing best social distancing, mask wearing, etc. so I feel OK right now in our decision to open up a bit. Again, it's all for now. Stay healthy!

New Books for Ethan and Why

2020-06-07T07:45:00.001-04:00

I wrote this post in the middle of the night last Saturday night. Wasn't sure if I was going to actually post it. A lot has transpired since then but decided to share anyways. 🖤

I am awake and really anxious at 2 am. The last couple of days have been filled with grim news and images around the Coronavirus, the death of George Floyd, and our country divided more than ever and on fire. I went to bed reading social media and articles, filling my brain with so much and feeling sad for our country and helpless; it's no wonder I woke up this way.

I admit I have a tendency to put my head in the sand and turn off the news when bad things are happening, opting for a podcast on my favorite Bravo shows vs. news/"real life" podcasts and content. I rationalized it with saying to myself that I have enough going on in my life, enough to think and worry about, etc. I don’t need anything else. But I can’t do that anymore. But this all feels like so much that I don’t know where to begin.

And then, these 2 Instagram posts really resonated with me.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dani DiPirro (@positivelypresent) on May 31, 2020 at 6:39am PDT

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Conscious Kid (@theconsciouskid) on May 28, 2020 at 12:43pm PDT

What I took away from these posts, and other insightful and educational articles from The Everymom and Cup of Jo to name two, is that I can start small and I can start with Ethan. My job is to raise Ethan the best I can — I say “I” because this is my blog but really it’s we, Doug and I — we need to raise Ethan with our values, practices of kindness and inclusivity, and teach him about different types of people (etc.). We can, as individuals and as a family, further seek out people and stories that aren’t like us by color of their skin but also by who they love, what language they speak, where they live, what they believe, etc. We can share those stories with others. We can stay informed and listen. We can surround ourselves with people who match our values and not seek out or distance ourselves from those that don’t... We can VOTE.

I ordered some new board books that promote and show diversity + inclusivity, and books with main characters that are not white. It might not be much, but it feels like a good first step, for a 13 month old.

I focused on buying board books as otherwise, he would rip them to shreds. Below includes the books seen above and a few others I didn’t buy but liked:

One Love
Peekaboo Morning
My Heart Grows
Babies Around the World
What I Like About Me
The Family Book
Kindness Makes Us Strong
Love Makes a Family
Every Little Thing
I Look Up to... series featuring RBG, Michelle Obama, Oprah and more women.
Preordered AntiRacist Baby

I saved some hardcover/paperback books for toddlers and older kids that are right now either too mature for E or not a board book. Here are some:

Several other links with lists of books that have since been posted in the last several days or that I found in my searches:

I’d love to hear any other ideas and resources you have.🖤

There are Amazon affliliate links above. Any commissions made will be donated to Boston After School & Beyond, an organization that brings "quality learning to more children in Boston".

Week 9 at Home and On Our State Starting to Reopen

2020-05-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

The weekend was a really nice one: a mix of fun, laziness and productivity...and A LOT of outside time. Thank you, Mother Nature! We took 2-3 walks with Ethan each day, so I walked ~13k steps on both days! I love taking him outside and having an alfresco snack or in this case, dinner! Our neighbors' kid gave us a social distance "magic show" too; it was so cute!

Massachusetts's governor announced yesterday a 4-phase plan for reopening our state. I feel mixed emotions... part of me is ready for some sense of normalcy, part of me is scared to go anywhere. Part of me cannot wait until Ethan can go back to his daycare/school this summer (hopefully?!) and part of me doesn't even want to send him because of all the unknowns. I guess we will see how the next month or so pans out...

Here are a few other links I liked over the last week:

10 microhabits to change your life - found these helpful and I plan on adopting a few
I made Chrissy Teigen's spicy miso pasta... omg yum, make it!
This front steps wedding has the most gorgeous flowers
I finally got myself a Yeti coffee mug and it's changed my life (all you moms know the perils of coffee getting cold!😆)
My bestie sent me a rose shower sponge for Mother's Day, and it's a lovely, spa-like experience! I want to order the lavender scent for night time.
This made me LOL.

Can you believe it's almost Memorial Day weekend?! Totally doesn't feel like it...

ICYMI: our Front Steps Project pics and celebrating Ethan's first birthday earlier this month.

#TheFrontStepsProject Photos

2020-05-14T08:30:00.000-04:00

On Ethan's first birthday, we also did a photo session with local photographer, Leah Romig, for The Front Steps Project (or The Front Porch Project). The proceeds benefit local businesses during this time and capture us at home. We are so thankful to have these pictures of Ethan when he turned 1!

She perfectly captured Ethan's famous "laugh cry"(she actually said "I don't know if he's laughing or crying" haha). 😂

All photos by Leah Romig Photography.

Weeks 7 and 8 At Home - Celebrations During Coronavirus

2020-05-11T09:24:00.001-04:00

The last 2 weeks at home we celebrated Ethan's first birthday, Mother's Day and my 35th birthday. All these celebrations weren't how we pictured, but we have made the most of it! I am continuing to try to stay mindful and thankful that we are healthy and so is everyone we know (knock on wood). May 10th was a "double whammy" of Mother's Day and my birthday falling on the same day. Doug, Ethan and my family + friends made these celebrations special... thank you!

Ethan is starting to get more "adventurous" and stand on his own! We are ready for you to take your first steps, baby! (sorry for the grainy pic)

This time is a good reminder that health and being surrounded by the people you love is what is most important. 💛

Stay tuned later this week for our The Front Steps Project photos! xo

Ethan's First Birthday "Party"

2020-05-04T09:14:00.001-04:00

It wasn't the first birthday party we envisioned, but we made the best of it and had a Zoom cake smash "party" for Ethan on Saturday. It was a forest friends themed party (I am a bit obsessed since doing his nursery). Given the circumstances, I was SO happy with how all the decorations and Zoom went. He was a bit hesitant with the fox smash cake, which was surprising(!), but still had a few sweet bites. Sweet Melissa's Desserts created the 2 cakes which were almost too beautiful to eat... almost. So yum! Ethan's aunt created the "welcome forest friends" sign and it came out so perfect!

I sourced most everything from Etsy: fox first birthday hat, woodland first birthday milestone chart (and the evite), earth tones highchair tassel banner, first year birthday photo banner, rustic one cake topper, woodland felt garland, custom woodland birthday shirt

Thank you to all our family and friends, Ethan's "forest friends" who Zoomed and celebrated with us! 🦊🐻🐰🦉🦝🐿🦌🌲

Happy Birthday, Ethan!

2020-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Ethan,

Happy First Birthday! A year has passed, it's hard to believe, since you came into this world and brought us a joy and a love that we never knew existed until you. This last year you have taught me so much about myself not only as a mother but as a person.

A few things to know about you...

Your smile and belly laugh are infectious; you are so happy and make everyone around you happy!
You are not a good napper but a champion night sleeper the last 6 months. 🤞
Your favorite foods are blueberries, sweet potato, chickpea pasta, Bamba puffs and mozzarella cheese.
You love snuggling your blue teddy bear, "singing" along with peek-a-boo bun bun, watching cars drive by out the living room window, going on walks, watching any ceiling fan, reading Baby Elephant finger puppet book, and playing with "your remote".
You have perfected the laugh/cry and the double wave. 👋👋 You do the cutest thing when you wave: you look at your hand moving, almost like, "oh, I didn't know I could do this" 🤣
You say "dada", "ba ba" (bottle) and "nigh nigh" (night night).

Thank you for making us parents; I've equally loved seeing your Dada as a dad this past year. He's the best.

We love you so much! 💛

Mama and Dada

Weeks 5 and 6 at Home

2020-04-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

More thoughts for the past 2 weeks at home... we are getting into a better rhythm with each passing day. It's just amazing to know that we don't know where this ends. Every morning I wake up and wonder, if this is the morning I will feel symptoms. So far, we are very blessed to be healthy as are our friends and family.

Ethan's first birthday is on Wednesday(!!!), so we have been going through old photos. It's semi torturous; I cannot believe this little guy is an almost toddler boy now. 😭

What's the best meal you've ever had? I asked Doug this the other night prompted by a post on a blog I love, Cup of Jo.

Doug's: steak with blue cheese crust from Ruth's Chris
Mine: carbonara pasta from Stella

Loving this leave-in treatment I got for Xmas. Almost out and need to get a new jar!
I've been following along Amanda Kloots' husband's hospital stay with the coronavirus. It's absolute awful. I donated to her GoFundMe page and others I have come across; just a little bit can go a long way.
I have been trying to drink more water throughout the day (vs. coffee) and downloaded this app which makes it more fun. 🦙💧

Week 4 at Home

2020-04-13T08:39:00.002-04:00

Just some random thoughts for this last week...

The nice days (warm and not rainy, doesn't event need to be sunny) are the best and "easiest" days for me. I know I will get outside and walk for at least an hour. We sometimes take 2 walks... it's the best for my mental and physical health! Yesterday we took Ethan in the backyard and he crawled around with some toys.
Ethan started clapping! Doug and I are reminding ourselves that the silver lining here is having all this time with Ethan at this age that we wouldn't have otherwise had and that is priceless. We will look back one day and be thankful.
I am getting "creative" about using leftovers- the other night we had enchiladas and I used the extra flour tortillas to make breakfast quesadillas. Go me! 😉
Loving this series on Dinner a Love Story blog: Project, Pantry, Purpose - the author, Jenny, posts a few times a week with a baking Project, Pantry recipe, and one Purpose... fun and inspiring to follow along!

This article really resonated with me.
Living in this loungewear from Target's Stars Above line.
If you are a fan of Hamilton, this is a must watch - start at 11 mins.

'Til next week!

Weeks 2 and 3 at Home

2020-04-03T19:00:00.000-04:00

After a very rough first week, I am happy to report that weeks 2 and 3 at home were on a whole much better. The main reason for this is due to Governor Baker closing nonessential businesses and Trump pushing the tax deadline, so Doug is now able to be at home. 🙌 It really was going to be a make or break for both of our sanities.

Heading into week 2 at home, my mood was significantly better and we had a plan to set up a decent schedule to take turns watching the baby and getting our work done. By the end of week 2 and into week 3, all three of us seemed to be in a good groove.

I am living for the nice days where we can get outside. We sometimes take 2 walks a day. Ethan loves walks!

Last week, my brother defended his dissertation over Zoom, so we family got to watch and celebrate that night. It was awesome!

But in being honest, every day is Groundhog Day. I hate the feeling of wishing the days away. Ethan just turned 11 months old; his first birthday is around the corner. It's insane that a year has gone by... feels like yesterday and 1 million years ago... so I am trying to remind myself to enjoy. As much as it makes me sad that he is losing out on time with grandparents, other family and friends, plus other activities we could do with him, having him home now means we are getting a lot of "extra" time with him (as he would have been at daycare).

On Wednesday this last week, I felt the creeping in of the overwhelming feeling that the day was going to suck. And it did. Ethan was up at 5:30am and I had basically "had a day" already before 9am when work time would start. I was anxious, tired and had the whole day ahead of me/us. I cried a little, accepted it was going to likely be not the best day and pushed on the best I could. Wine at the end of of the day and watching Ozark was what I worked toward.

A friend sent me this screenshot of a Tweet; it really stuck with me.

Given I had about 10 "positive" days before that, I am just going to accept that the up + down days will happen.

To end this post, the below gave me a chuckle

(uncredited)

'Til my next "diary" entry... stay safe and stay home!

Ethan's Mobile

2020-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

My aunt and grandma created Ethan's mobile in his nursery. I planned to buy a woodland mobile for his "forest friends" themed nursery, and my aunt was taking up needle felting so offered to have his mobile be her first project. She created the majority of the mobile creatures, which turned out SO cute, and my grandma did the purple mountains majesty...

My grandma sadly passed away a year ago today. She was so looking forward to meeting her great-grandchildren, Ethan and Oliver (my nephew). Having this mobile above Ethan each night, she is watching over him, and all of us.

Ethan's middle name is in memory of her. Her name was Thelma, so we took the "th" and Thomas it was for his middle name.

3 generations (well 4 if you count the bump not pictured!) at my baby shower just over a year ago. 💛

You can see more (much more beautiful) photos of the mobile and Ethan's nursery on my cousin's blog who designed the room, Jessica Ford Design.

We miss you, grandma!

Week 1 at Home

2020-03-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

TGIF.... typing that never felt so good and yet so meaningless. After what is only to be assumed to be week 1, of many, working from home and having the baby at home, I made it. It was not an easy week. I know everyone is going through this time at home and struggling in their own way. I remind myself each day that, yes, this could likely be easier if A, B or C was different. But it also could be much harder if X, Y, or Z was different. So, I am trying to be mindful each day and not get too caught up. But it's hard. This is not meant to be a "woe is me" post, and I am grateful for what we have and that no one I know is sick as of now, and keeping those that are sick in my thoughts. But here is some honest talk and probably not very well written but here we go...haha.

On Monday I cried 3 times. Tuesday and Wednesday each just once and yesterday even though I had a few moments, I didn't (small victory). Today a few times, knowing that it's the weekend but really not much will change. I had a really hard day today. There is so much unknown; the news cycle constant and scary. But most of all, being now a stay at home mom to a 10.5 month old and trying to work, and be semi-sane, is HARD. I bow down to all you stay at home moms!! I knew I wanted to go back to work after my maternity leave as much as it was sad and tough to do. I knew I needed a "part of my life back" and that I would be the best mom to Ethan by having my own time at work. Now that he is home for the foreseeable future, I am so happy to be with him and have this "extra" time with him but also each hour is tough. He is a joy at this age, so much fun - playful, chatting, waving, discovering himself...that also means starting to act like a toddler, deciding he no longer knows how to nap, and teething! Poor guy! He also must be out of sorts having his routine at daycare completely upended.

This time also makes me sad that likely Ethan won't go back to his daycare this year. He loves it there and was doing so well with making friends/socializing, creating art, and learning. I know in the grand scheme of things it likely won't make a difference but still makes me sad.

This is also #firstworldproblems but it is highly likely that we won't be able to have Ethan's first birthday party in early May. Makes me so sad. We will do a party eventually and thinking this fall around his 1.5 birthday, but 😩 is all I can say.

Add to that not seeing friends nor family... let's just say, THANK GOODNESS FOR FACETIME!! And wine. And getting the baby gates set up....also these Dove mini ice cream bars. Buy them. It's the little things that are keeping me afloat. 😉

On Wednesday, it was 55 and sunny, so I took the baby for a 1 hour walk and it was BLISS. We avoided people, and there weren't too many out and about, so I felt OK. I can't forget the benefits of sunshine. Let's hope Mother Nature cooperates during these upcoming weeks and gives us more of those days.

I also gotta shout out the hubby, #dougdoesnthaventinstagram, who is working 12+ hours every day for tax season... it's not easy for him either in totally different ways. We are all in it. The "silver lining" right now for our family is having the tax deadline pushed back.

Not sure where I am going with this all but just wanted to vent a little and type out that this too shall pass, however long it will be. I have to keep reminding myself and as a bestie said when talking me off a ledge, ride this wave, the ups and downs.

Stay strong, stay healthy, and STAY HOME everyone!

An Etsy Shop With The Cutest Onesies

2020-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this Etsy shop, Bitty and Boho, during my pregnancy and immediately favorited so many onesies for the baby. For my shower, my mom got me the Zero Fox Given onesie and Cousins Make The Best Friends onesies for Ethan and his cousin Oliver (born last August!).

I recently bought the Zero Fox Given onesie in a bigger size because I just love it so much - always makes me laugh! In the same order, I got an E is for Ethan custom name onesie. I also like the No Drama Llama onesie, From Little Seeds Grow Mighty Seeds, and some of the other personalized onesies that would be cute for a first birthday.

Photos by me.

My favorite Amazon Purchases

2020-01-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

I have been a loyal Amazon Prime subscriber for many years. Right now with my husband and I both working full time and having a small child, the variety of products I can get on Amazon in 2 days (or less!) is invaluable in saving time and energy. Here are my favorite products from 2019 that I bought on Amazon.

Cameron's K-Cup Coffee Pods: I religiously use my Keurig each morning and I have been cognizant of all the plastic that most K-Cup pods use. I switched to Cameron's that are free of the plastic case, and I feel much better about cutting back (even a little) on my landfill contributions. Plus, they have a variety of yummy flavors!

LED Night Light: This night light shines the perfect amount of light in our hallway and looks more modern & unobtrusive than other night lights.

Bandanna Bib Set: 10 bibs for $20 is a good deal(!), and I love these patterns & the bandanna style for Ethan.

Earlobe Earring Support Patches: I read about these on another blog (I can't remember which one now) and a friend has used them before, as well. These patches are great and really make a difference to support my earlobes when I wear bigger earrings.

The Laundress Stain Remover: My sister-in-law gave this to me as part of a bag of goodies for my baby shower. It's the BEST stain remover I have used. The Laundress Stain Remover is pricey but concentrated. I am on my 3rd bottle!

What are your favorite products bought on Amazon?

A 70 degree day in January

2020-01-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, Boston broke records and enjoyed a weekend of 70 degree weather! Aside from the implications on what this means for our world and the real-ness of global warming, having the opportunity to soak up some warmth and sunshine in January was a gift.

We took Ethan to his first playground playdate with his bestie and he had his first swing! The pure joy in his face was a special moment. He was tilting his head back, taking in the breeze, smiling and squealing in delight.

That same day, he was crawling around in our basement and trying new foods (chicken!). It sunk in how quickly this first year with him has gone by and how it is important to savor and enjoy each moment, whether inside or outside, or if it's snowing or on a record breaking day.

Hello from Ethan's mom!

2020-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Well it's been nearly a year since I last posted on this little old blog! Since that time, I am now a mother of an 8 month old boy! He was born 6 days earlier than his due date. When I found out my due date was May 4th, 2019 (just 6 days before my 34th birthday), I was excited to have a May baby and a fellow-Taurus. "Luckily" with his April 29th birthday, he is still a Taurus but now we have an April baby. 😉 Also, I wasn't thrilled with the "may the fourth be with you" memes for his birthday, so good job, baby boy, on arriving early. 😉

All kidding aside, when my water broke at 2am on April 28th, I was SHOCKED. "This couldn't be it," I thought. I must have just lost control of my bladder... right?!? 🤣 For the 9+ months of my pregnancy, I mostly enjoyed it all. But even the night before knowing that my due date was a week away, I hadn't fully let myself think about the labor + delivery and basically pushed aside how the baby was going to come into this world and that he WAS going to come into this world. Anyways, it was "it" (lol), and 25 hours later, Ethan Thomas was born.

I could write about the million thoughts I've had, highs and lows, and share alllll the photos of what has happened in between that day and today. But frankly, in sitting down at my computer so many times over the last few months and thinking, "maybe I will blog again", I felt overwhelmed to "post it all". So I am not. I'm ready to share and write and be creative again through this outlet but not putting pressure on myself.

So maybe, I will come back to that in between, but for now I will leave you with a few things I am loving right now...

Ethan's tiny 2 front teeth - top ones are coming soon, I think!

Stonewall Kitchen chili starter - this stuff is the best for an easy weeknight meal

This post on the first year of motherhood by Jamie Beck

The Sleeping Beauty proposal in Boston!

London Fog tea latte from Starbucks - cozy and yum!

Finally reading Educated, and it is as good as everyone says it is.

I made my Instagram private due to a lot of spam, but feel free to request a follow. I am also toying with updating the look of this blog and maybe moving away from Blogger (we shall see). 🙂

Forest Friends Baby Nursery Inspiration & Design

2019-02-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

With my due date 3 months away(!), we are hard at work getting the house ready for his arrival. #nesting My cousin, Jessica Ford Design, just launched her own interior design business last fall, so we are working together on the nursery.

From the beginning, I envisioned the nursery to be mostly neutral with pops of color - serene, not too "baby" and with pieces that will grow with the baby and our home. Once we found out it was a boy, I was full into a woodland theme. After searching and finding tons of options, we went with Little Unicorn's Forest Friends pattern as the base of the design. It fit the bill perfectly!

Jess came over in early January to measure the room and we talked through the design scheme, layout and pieces we'd need.

Check out some before photos HERE from Jess' blog. Here are the 2 designs she put together - you know it's a good sign when you love them both!

UPDATE: Here is the forest friends nursery photographed beautifully over on Jess's blog!

Collage: stripes

2019-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

I already have spring on my mind with my baby boy due in 4 months! I keep gravitating towards blue and white stripes items - specifically have this bag + these sneakers on my wish list and already bought this striped onesie for the baby! I've rounded up some other pieces for inspiring our shopping lists for the new year.

Other images/sources: wristlet | striped blouse | earrings | pillow

It's a...!

2018-12-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Well it's been a hot minute... hello, little blog! Popping back in before the end of the year to share that we are expecting and due in early May!!!! We found out just before Labor Day weekend and after a rough first trimester (constant nausea and exhaustion), the second trimester has me feeling pretty good! Just a couple weeks ago we got the best holiday gift, finding out we are having....

A BOY!

We wanted to do something fun to reveal the gender to our parents. I had some extra clear ornaments perfect for a craft like this so printed out copies of the 20 week sonogram. The finishing touches were blue ribbon and "it's a boy" written on the front.

I love how this gender reveal DIY turned out!

Follow along when I am not posting on my Instagram: @laviejaime and #babyboycoval.