Laura-Wyatt | Lifestyle Blog

#SWEETBABYJAMES // 9 MONTHS

2016-11-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

James, this is by far the wildest and most fun stage. Our hearts are bursting with love for you and we couldn't be prouder. You consume my thoughts and my prayers every day, and I wish so much that I could keep you little forever.

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Andrew and I usually alternate nights for who gets to put James down after bathtime. Being at daycare all day, and usually having only 1 nap, he's pretty exhausted and ready for his nighttime bottle. It's something we both look forward to and is such a treat - he's typically asleep by the time he finishes his bottle [seriously, like 5-7 minutes tops] and if he's not, he'll lay his head on your shoulder the minute he's through and drift off to dream about puppies and slobber kisses. We're very fortunate that he's been a good sleeper because I really don't want to give up those bedtime snuggles and rocking my baby [who won't be a baby much longer]. Ok... before I cry -

FAVORITES: "walking" assisted, school, sleeping with puppy, real puppy kisses from Jack and Zeke, talking nonstop, still thankfully loving the exersaucer while I get ready in the mornings, drinking water from his 360 Munchkin cup

DISLIKES: getting kisses and then not being picked up immediately afterward, not being able to walk on his own

SCHOOL: James is now the oldest in his classroom after his girlfriend, Lilly graduated to the toddler room. James and Lilly would play and jabber all day when they were together - I think he's trying to walk now so he can move up sooner.

SLEEP: 7pm - 6:30am

DRs VISITS: came down with a quick case of croup at 8.5 months that required a steroid shot and a breathing treatment - was playing again that afternoon. got fitted for his cranial band

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PARTIES: at 7.5 months, Andrew and I had our first overnight away from James - Andrew's parents kept him at our house and everything went perfectly! Also attended our friend, Ridley's, 2nd birthday party - a pirate party!

TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 6:45am wake up 7oz bottle, 8:30am breakfast solids, 10am 5oz bottle, 11:30am lunch solids, 1pm 5oz bottle, 1:30pm nap, 4pm 5oz bottle, 5:30 dinner solids, 6:30 bath, 6:45pm 7oz bottle, 7pm bedtime

9 MONTH MILESTONES: "big boy" crawling [off his tummy], pulling up on everything, "cruising", can pick up food and eat it [mostly just Gerber puffs, we're working on the real stuff], if you tell him to "shake it" he'll shake the ball/rattle/water cup that he's holding

9 MONTH STATS: 20lbs 6oz [60th percentile], 28.75" [65th percentile], size 4 diapers, 9-12 month clothes

MODERATE PLAGIOCEPHALY

2016-11-10T20:57:00.004-05:00

A fancy name for a flat head. In the grand scheme of things, this is such a minor condition that is so common in infants. So, as many times as I told myself not to be concerned with it, that it would even out on its own, the truth is that it wasn't evening out as much as we [or the doctor] had hoped at this point.

Flash forward really fast -- We ultimately decided to go with a cranial band [helmet] for James. During my research, I was really searching for a testimonial or input from other parents who had been in our shoes. I found lots of things about severe cases, but not many moderate cases, like James's. So I'm throwing this out there, at the very beginning, to share some tidbits about our experience and hopefully put a fellow mom's mind at ease.

WHERE WE'VE BEEN

At every well-check, our wonderful pediatrician would mention the flat spot on his head, and of course, we always agree to do our fair share of tummy time. James has been in daycare since he was 2 months old, so we've only had so much control over that throughout the day. Combined with sleeping 12-hour stretches at night on his back (insert praise hands emoji), we now have a perfectly healthy, gorgeous baby....with a little flat head.

At 8 months, we decided to seek the opinion of a local specialist about his head. Sure enough, she suggested that due to his age, they recommend the cranial band. After much debate and discovering that insurance isn't going to assist us with coverage, Andrew and I decided that it's in his best interest to go ahead and do it. Our thought - if someone ever bullied or picked on him because of his head shape, it would break my heart to know we could have done something about it.

For those wondering about specifics, James's measurements were 12mm in diagonal difference [moderate] and his CI was 92% [mild brachysephaly], which they thought may improve slightly with age.

So....a couple of weeks ago, sweet baby James got his head measured and molded for his new helmet. After seeing a couple of unsettling photos of babies getting fitted, I was really nervous, but James lived up to his nickname and handled the whole process like an angel baby.

Our therapist first put a breathable stocking over James's head and then proceeded to overlay strips of wet plaster-covered fabric over it. Since he can easily sit up on his own, this made things much easier because he could sit up and play while she was doing her job - our job was distracting James. They kept the room very toasty since he was down to his diaper and the water would drip on his shoulders a bit. It didn't take long until he wanted a bowl water for himself to splash around in.

Almost done! The whole process took about 20 minutes. Once she had all of the plaster strips in place, she was able to snip the part covering his mouth while we let the plaster harden. Sidenote: James is obsessed with watching the Robin Hood "Oo De Lally" song on YouTube. We pull it out whenever we need him to sit still for a sec.

Once it dried, she wiggled the plaster cast right off! They had a sink bath waiting for him so we could clean the remaining plaster off. This is the only time he was a little uncomfortable and fussy - the tub was better suited for a smaller baby, and since it was mostly a sponge bath, he got a little too cool before we could dry off.

WHERE WE ARE NOW

Right now, the helmet is in production. We'll go back in on Tuesday, when it arrives, for his fitting!

WHAT'S AHEAD

We were originally told that James would likely wear his cranial band for about 10-14 weeks [max] for about 21 hours a day. He'd get 3 one-hour breaks for skin checks and free-reign wiggling throughout the day.

Overall we're incredibly optimistic about it! I keep saying it couldn't come at a better time. James is pulling up and cruising ALL THE TIME [more in his 9-month update] so the extra protection will serve him well.

I hope to share a couple more updates on this when he gets his helmet - how he adjusts and the progress - as well as before and after pictures when it's all said and done!

#SWEETBABYJAMES // 7 MONTHS

2016-09-21T09:47:00.002-04:00

A little behind, seeing that James is almost 8 months old now. Where does the time go? August and September were busy with parties, a new school and vacation. Our little baby is growing into a little boy right before our eyes. His personality shines and he is still the happiest, smiliest baby I've ever seen. Getting James to laugh is pretty easy - he's very ticklish and loves it when anyone makes a funny face or noise.

FAVORITES: bath time, "standing up" while holding your hands, the exersaucer, playing the drums, playing the piano, being tickled, swinging, favorite stuffed animal is still puppy, razbaby teether [love!]

DISLIKES: After a week-long vacation, we had a minor adjustment period where he disliked being the center of attention [insert rolling eye emoji].

SLEEP: Still a good napper at home [~1 hour in the morning and 1.5-2 in the afternoon] and getting better at school, usually an awesome sleeper at night [7pm - 6:30am in the crib], but had 1 night after returning from vacation where we did a little drive around the neighborhood at 1am to calm a teething baby

SCHOOL: We made the switch to James's new school and definitely like the convenience of the location. I've been able to stroll him to and from school since it's only about a 10 minute walk. His class size is bigger [10-11 babies], but he's adjusted SO well!

VISITS AND PARTIES: We visited Danville and Greensboro and attended his first football party. We also had our first family vacation to Isle of Palm, SC [pictures below!]

TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 6:45am wake up 7oz bottle, 8:30am breakfast solids, 10am 7oz bottle, 11am nap, 12pm lunch solids, 1pm bottle, 1:30pm nap, 4pm bottle, 6:30 bath, 6:45pm bottle, 7pm bedtime

7 MONTH MILESTONES: army crawling, "standing" assisted, new solid foods [pears, zucchini, carrots] , saying "mama" but only when he's wining

7 MONTH STATS: [at 6.5 month appointment] 17lbs 9oz, 26.75", size 3 diapers, 9-12 month clothes

Now...for the beach photo dump. Andrew gave me a fancy new camera as an early birthday present, and I've had so much fun learning the ins and outs of amateur photography. It's so hard not to want to capture every move this squishy baby makes, but looking back through these pictures, I feel I should say that my parents and brother were also with us on vacation. Note to self: take pictures of the adults too.

#SWEETBABYJAMES // 6 MONTHS

2016-08-06T05:00:00.000-04:00

From day 1 he's been "Sweet Baby James" and he continues to be the sweetest, happiest baby I've ever seen. I've been documenting James's milestones and stats month by month, but this is the first time I'm blogging it. I know I'll love going back through these later on and reminiscing about this sweet, squishy little man.

FAVORITES: puppy, gator, oball, talking to "that other baby" in the mirror or camera, being tickled, bath time [splashing!], swinging in the back yard, watching and playing with his cousins, "petting" the kitties

DISLIKES: getting dressed after bath time

SLEEP: great napper at home [~1 hour in the morning and 1.5-2 in the afternoon] and getting better at school, awesome sleeper at night [always has been!] 7pm - 6:45am in the crib

SCHOOL: loves Mrs. Crystal and Ms. Ashley, but getting ready to move in a couple weeks to a more convenient, better rated school. Andrew and I have mixed emotions, but we know he'll do great and that it's the right move for our family.

VISITS AND PARTIES: Thomas's 1st birthday, Hudson's pool party, visited Danville to see all the cousins

TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 6:45 wake up and nurse, 10am 7oz bottle, 11am nap, 1pm bottle, 1:30pm nap, 4pm bottle, 6:30 bath, 6:45pm bottle, 7pm bedtime

6 MONTH MILESTONES: sitting up, rolling over [back to belly], solid foods [avocado, apples, green beans, sweet potato, butternut squash, oatmeal] , saying "dadadada" and "heeeyyy", but probably not intentionally to/at Andrew or anyone in particular.

6 MONTH STATS: size 2 diapers, 6-9 month clothes

Sweet baby James, you are such a blessing to our family and have made your daddy and I so happy and SO proud. The best parts of our days are seeing you for the first time in the morning, always smiling and talking in your crib and then picking you up at school at the end of the day, laughing and so happy! You love your kitty brother and sister and love "talking" to them when they're around and "petting" them when they dare to get close enough. You're learning and growing so much every day, and your shining, positive personality shows in everything you do. The past six months have flown by, and it breaks my heart to know that the next six will go by even faster. I wish I could bottle up your little laugh and smell and take it with me every time I'm without you. We love you so much, James.

5 WAYS TO FEEL LIKE YOURSELF AFTER DELIVERY

2016-07-17T21:49:00.001-04:00

Some of the most valuable information I was given before having James was to try to take care of myself too. "Find a time during the day that works best for the both of you, and get clean, dressed and maybe even put on a little makeup." It's definitely easier said than done. I swore that I wouldn't be one of those baby-obsessed moms, but I honestly had NO clue how much I'd love this creature that just came out of my body. We had plenty of help when he was born, but staring at a sleeping baby sounded so much more appealing to me than showering. Despite my extreme baby-watching, non-showering tendencies, here are a few ways I was able to feel like myself again after giving birth.

1. Change out of pajamas.

I wasn't squeezing back into my pre-pregnancy jeans the day after delivery, but it made me feel much better to change clothes in the morning. Even if it was only leggings, a nursing tank and a cozy cardigan. The newborn nights are long, getting up every few hours, but changing into an outfit other than pjs signaled to my sleep-deprived body that it was a new day with a new, clean slate.

2. Shower every day (and maybe even shave your legs!!)

I'm a nighttime shower girl. Even now, I shower at night so I can snooze until the very last minute in the mornings. Washing off the day felt so so good, and a warm shower seemed to restore my sense of normal life. Shaving my legs also made me feel like I "had it together" a bit and helped with #3...

3. Get ready!

Maybe not every single day, but about 4 times a week, even if I wasn't leaving the house, I'd at least put on a little BB cream, mascara and blush. After laying it all out there during delivery [literally], it was important for me to feel "pretty" again and a little makeup and a curling iron did just that. Throw in a few selfies with a baby, and you're golden!

4. Get together with the girls.

I mentioned before that we had help when James was born. Andrew had a month of paternity leave and both of our moms each came to stay for a week when we first came home. Less than a week after his birth, my mom and Andrew ushered me right out the door to supper club. Having a few sips of wine and a night's worth of girl talk made me feel SO good! I nursed James at 6, went to dinner, and was home by 9 for his next feeding (and an early bedtime!) This move also required me to complete items 1-4 above!

5. Cry a little.

Childbirth does a number on your hormones, and I was totally not immune. Although I didn't experience the extreme emotions that come with PPD, I did have some baby blues in the first few weeks and sometimes crying a little [or a lot] was the best way for me to cope. Realizing what was happening [hormones/baby blues] and that it's ok and normal to cry made me feel better about shedding some tears when I felt sad, happy or simply scared out of my mind.

These are just a few tips that helped me along the way. In no way, are these tactics to help cope with or overcome postpartum depression. If you are a new mom and you ever have thoughts of hurting yourself or your family, please seek the help of medical professional. There is never a reason to be embarrassed to ask for help - your new baby needs and deserves their mama to feel healthy and her best!

JAMES'S BIRTH STORY

2016-02-20T22:07:00.000-05:00

Saturday, February 6, 2016

the night before the big event - 38 weeks pregnant

6:45 am: I woke up much earlier than usual, unable to sleep due to the typical pregnancy aches and pains, but other than that, it was like any other Saturday.

8:30 am: Andrew joined me, and we talked about what we’d like to do that day. We already had plans to go to dinner at Cowfish that night to celebrate John’s birthday, but aside from that, the day was ours.

9:00 am: I dropped Andrew off at the gym and I headed to the vet for a checkup with Bangs. He'd been in and out of the vets office due to some urinary issues, so we figured we'd get him a clean bill of health before the baby arrived!

10:30 am: I brought Bangs home and decided to treat myself to a manicure at Polished. The technician there was so awesome, and when she asked my due date, I jokingly said "oh today! hahaha"...not so funny. I totally thought I was in the safe zone, seeing as my due date wasn't for another 12 days.

12:00 pm: Picked up Andrew at the gym, and we decided on Moe’s for lunch before we headed to South Carolina to get fireworks for my father-in-law’s birthday present.

12:30 pm: After getting our order at Moe’s, we sat down, and I immediately felt like I had wet my pants. I told Andrew I’d be right back and made a b-line to the bathroom. As I reached the doorknob, I put the pieces together and turned right around to inform him what was going on and that we needed to leave....NOW! It was followed by an “Are you serious!?” and I rushed out the door to the Jeep. Andrew did his best to clean up the table of half-eaten food and met me at the car frantic and excited. As we drove home, I called the hospital answering service to get our instructions as the water continued to pool up in the back passenger floor mat. Thank goodness for leather seats.

1:00 pm: When we got home, Andrew threw together some additional toiletries and grabbed our overnight bags for the hospital as I took a quick shower to wash off.

1:30 pm: We arrived at the hospital, were able to skip triage and were admitted straight to our delivery room where James would be born. I was administered an IV, and we met our wonderful delivery nurse, Kim. At this point, I was only 1 fingertip dilated.

2:30 pm: My brother and his girlfriend stopped in to visit. We chatted about James’s arrival and they left once things started to get a little more intense. Plus, I knew I wanted a little more time with Andrew before it was no longer "just us two".

3:15 pm: Nurse Kim administered my Pitocin to get things moving along. I had been having some smaller contractions, but they needed to be longer and stronger before the epidural could be given.

4:00 pm: Mom and Dad arrived and the contractions picked up more. They helped soothe my aches and calm my nerves, but I just kept thinking "they're going to get worse!" Nurse Kim gave me some pain medication to take the edge off, and we met Dr. Jones for the first time. She was the on-call OBGYN, who we loved! Up until this point, I had only seen Dr. Wilson, but she was on vacation (in NAPA/the Super Bowl!!) this weekend.

5:00 pm: Mike & Avery, my in-laws, arrived and the contractions were getting very intense. This was the most intense pain I’ve ever felt - even Andrew said he'd never seen someone in more physical pain. I was 5cm dilated and getting more nervous.

6:00 pm: Dr. Jones checked and informed me that I was now 7cm dilated and could have my epidural!! Hallelujia! Contractions at this point were very very intense and extremely painful. I only remember 4 or 5 of these intense contractions, but I’m sure there were more. Dr. K, our anesthesiologist arrived and administered my epidural. I was instructed to sit on the side of the bed and lean over without moving an inch. He administered a shot in my back which felt like a pinch, compared to the pain I previously felt. Even though contractions were coming in the midst of the shot, relief was in sight and that was enough to hold still. The first shot, went to the left a little too much, so another shot was required. At this point, the pain from the epidural was so minimal, I didn’t mind one bit. The second shot took perfectly, and I was able to lay back in bed and welcomed the “fuzziness” in my legs that Dr. K described; the pain from my contractions melted away. Despite the epidural, I was still able to move my legs and feel the urge to push that’s required to deliver the baby. The only way I knew a contraction was coming was a slight pinching feeling in my left butt cheek - so random.

6:45 pm: I started pushing. We pushed in increments of 3’s. I would start with a cleansing breath, then one big breath. As nurse Kim counted to 10, I would push. The first push was always the hardest – by 3 I was losing momentum. Andrew was an excellent coach and helped hold my leg and encouraged me all along the way. At this point, it was Dr. Jones, Nurse Kim, Andrew and me in the delivery room. I remember it being much calmer than it is in the movies. It was perfect. We continued to push since I was making progress (albeit small). At the 1-hour mark, I was feeling frustrated and needed a little pick me up. Andrew put on Biggie’s Pandora station and we danced and pushed to everything from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Return of the Mack. At one point, OPP came on and we all waved our hands in the air. It was definitely a priceless moment I’ll never forget. You can't even make this up.

8:45 pm: Dr. Jones made the call to bring in the full team to prepare for James’s arrival. Two (maybe more) nurses came in and we started our big, productive pushes to get James out.

9:15 pm: After 3 or 4 BIG pushes with the full team and Mrs. Tammy (James’s nurse), he arrived. James was immediately placed on my chest, all white and gooey from delivery. He held on to my bra strap (I remember frantically trying to count his little fingers) and Andrew and I looked lovingly at our new baby boy. We spent time, just the 3 of us doing lots of skin to skin and some initial breastfeeding while Dr. Jones stitched me up. I had a 2nd-degree tear from delivery but didn't feel a thing. James latched like a champ and was a perfect baby from the start. We submitted our dinner orders, and John ran out to get us food. My request -- Subway (8 months is WAY too long to go without a cold turkey sandwich).

10:15 pm: Our families were allowed back to the delivery room where everyone oohed and ahhed over James. They took turns holding him, and he received his first bath from Nurse Tammy. She took his measurements and performed his heel prick test, along with checking his other vitals. She let us know what we already knew – he was perfect.

12:00 am: Everyone said their goodnights, and we got ready to move into our recovery room. I was able to get up from the bed and walk assisted to the bathroom.

1:30 am: We arrived in our recovery room and settled in for the night.

James Ryland Wyatt
February 6, 2016, 9:15pm
6lbs 12oz, 19.5”

On Sunday, after a sleepless night, we spent the day meeting with nurses, lactation consultants and visiting with family again. Mike & Avery came by around 10, and Mom and Dad came with John around lunch. Christina visited and brought beer (!!!) and a sweet gift for James - adorable baby moccasins! That afternoon, we relaxed around the room, held and snuggled James, and got ready to watch the Super Bowl that night. The Carolina Panthers were playing the Denver Broncos and all of Charlotte was watching. I slept through the first half, snuggled with Andrew on his cot, while James slept in his hospital bassinet. Andrew slept through the second half. Unfortunately, the Panthers lost, so we didn’t miss much. That night, we sent James to the nursery so we could get a few hours of rest. The nurse would bring him in at 2 and 5 am to eat, but it was definitely worthwhile to feel rested and refreshed again.

Monday, we prepared to head home. James was circumcised that morning and Dr. Squires, our wonderful pediatrician, informed us that not only did he do amazing during his procedure, he only lost 2% of his body weight during our stay at the hospital. I cried - and I would continue to cry anytime anyone asked about our experience that weekend. "It was just SO perfect", I'd say. He was discharged at 6lbs 9oz. Before we left, we hopped next door to visit our friends Kristin, Tim and new baby Hudson, who was born the night before!!

In the week following James’s birth, my mom stayed with us to help get acclimated to life at home. Our first night at home, we had a bit of a scare when James spit up a bit of red-tinged spit up. After a call with the 24/7 pediatrician’s nurse’s line, we were instructed, as a precaution, to take him to the emergency room at 5am. After a full check by the doctor, we were simply told to keep an eye on things, that it was likely fluid ingested during delivery. We never had another incident. The first week, James was your typical sleepy baby. When he wasn’t eating, he slept like a rock and gave us the perfect first week at home. Friends, Alex, Lisa and Kate, were our first visitors at home. Wednesday was James's first checkup at the pediatrician. James was looking great and had even maintained his discharge weight. By Thursday, I was feeling more like myself and even made it to supper club for a night out with the girls. We had settled into a schedule and James was eating at 3, 6, 9 and 12 – eight times a day and pooping and peeing like a champ. My dad came to visit Friday (2/12) night to celebrate my brother, John’s birthday (a day late) and left with mom on Saturday (2/13). We celebrated Valentine’s Day the next morning, now the 3 of us, with coffee, bagels and girl scout cookies! Mike and Avery arrived that afternoon and spent time loving on James. Mrs. Avery stayed with us through the week and helped out around the house and snuggled sweet baby James on demand. On Wednesday (2/17), we saw Dr. Squires again for another routine checkup. James had gained 9oz in the past week, up to 7lbs 2oz – eating like a little piglet! Again, everything was perfect!

In the midst of his second week on Earth, James is more alert during the day and naps much less than he did during week 1. He sleeps in our room in the Rock 'n Play and has even had a few naps in his crib. We’re testing out the crib when we can but haven’t had the courage to move him there for a night's sleep. No one tells you how noisy a newborn baby sleeps - seriously. He’s continuing to eat great, and Dr. Squires even gave us the thumbs up to begin letting him sleep as long as he wants at night.

We're so blessed with this sweet baby boy and just can't believe we're fortunate enough to be his parents.

James, we love you so so much already and can't wait for the adventures that are ahead of us. You exceed everything we ever hoped for, baby boy.

NUMBER 303

2015-11-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

i'm on a roll! we were super productive last night. the whole house is cleaner than it's been since we moved into it in 2012, and it's all for my in-laws. haha mostly true! andrew's parents are coming to town this weekend to help install a dishwasher in the kitchen [hallelujah] and if time permits, some additional projects to be completed around the house. we're losing 2 cabinets and 2 drawers in our already tiny kitchen which means we had a ton of items that needed new homes. i was totally shocked at how much excess we had accumulated in that tiny space and purged SO much unused/expired food, containers and even small appliances! we seriously have more space now than before i started cleaning. the best part - once that "nesting" bug bites, the kitchen will already be crossed off my list!!

2 7 W E E K S

how far along? 27 weeks
baby size: an acorn squash
total weight gain/loss? i was brave and weighed earlier this week and was shocked to see i was 16 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight. i didn't chance it by weighing in again.
maternity clothes? yes, but not ALL maternity. i bought this super cute top [looks better on me, IMO] from anthro today that i plan on sporting at thanksgiving!
stretch marks? none! fingers crossed that they stay away!
sleep? pretty bad. my hips have been hurting lots this week, and i'm about ready to throw in the towel and try a pregnancy pillow
best moment this week? getting our gorgeous pictures back from the shultzes, ordering our christmas cards, and receiving an invitation for my first baby shower
miss anything? cookie dough. andrew bought a huge roll last weekend and it's been taunting me from the fridge.
movement? lots - he's most active at night once i get still and settled!
food cravings? sweets! having that dough in the fridge means a couple of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies every night! too bad the cursed glucose test is monday. ah!
anything making you queasy or sick? no, but my morning coffee does seem to make my heartburn worse *tear*
have you started to show yet? nah.
gender: BOY!
labor signs: getting larger. this is a sign that labor is to come - without a doubt.
belly button in or out? out! eek! depending on how much i eat. it was definitely peeking out during our pictures on sunday. i'm seriously considering photoshopping it.
nursery: making more progress this week! if there's time, andrew and his dad will work on sealing up the random doorway that leads from the kitchen to the nursery. can't wait to see how much our home changes after this weekend!
symptoms: heartburn, hip pain and a little round ligament pain
mood: a little emotional, not going to lie. i've cried [or been on the edge] more times this week than i have my whole pregnancy. maybe it's the holidays?
workouts: one body pump class on tuesday and my huge kitchen cleaning session last night [that totally counts!]
looking forward to: andrew's parents' visit and THANKSGIVING! oh my gosh, the FOOD! and i guess, [hopefully] passing my glucose test on monday so i have free reign on the food on thursday!

my weekly pic [looking super sleepy from a long night of backaches]. so funny, i compared this to my 20 week picture in the same shirt and look quiiiite a bit larger.

and a few ones from our shoot with the shultzes this past weekend. only minorly obsessed...

NUMBER 302

2015-11-13T09:42:00.001-05:00

back to back weeks! lucky you!

2 6 W E E K S

how far along? 26 weeks
baby size: a coconut - how is that bigger than a large cucumber? these things make me question how much i should rely on this app for actual stats about my growing baby.
total weight gain/loss? i haven't weighed this week, but let's be positive and say i've only gained a pound since last week. i read online this week that kim k has already gained 52 lbs with her current pregnancy and still has 6 weeks to go, so there's that.
maternity clothes? yes! my maxi dress worked out beautifully last weekend, and i'm excited to wear it again this week for our holiday pictures with the schultzes!! we could be wearing paper bags, and i'm confident that this duo would make us look good - so pumped!
stretch marks? no! i've been diligent about applying my coconut oil and the belly stays super soft all the time. it seems to keep the itchiness at bay too.
sleep? i'm learning to cope without. last night, i said "why not?" and threw all of my pillows in the floor [minus the one under my head] and it really made no difference in terms of relieving back or hip pain. overall, i'd actually say i slept better because i wasn't having to rearrange the pillow fort every time i rolled over.
best moment this week? spending time with old friends and having a blast dancing sober [not a joke]. someone actually told me i might dance my baby out. uh, thanks for the tip, girlfriend.
miss anything? sushi - i saw a really pretty article this week showing pictures of lots of gorgeous, raw sushi and it just made me realize that fully cooked tuna just isn't that exciting.
movement? lots. sometimes i think, "what are you doing in there, baby?" i'm sure that's a pretty common mama thought.
food cravings? have i said bagels yet? i should note that i'm averaging about 2 a week from einstein's.
anything making you queasy or sick? eating too much. i did randomly get sick after the wedding saturday night, but only once, and i'm thinking the 4 pieces of pie i sampled had something to do with that.
have you started to show yet? ...
gender: a GIRL! oh wait, just kidding. all blue!
labor signs: the closer i get to the end of this, the more i like to pretend i won't actually have to deliver the baby [only halfway kidding]
belly button in or out? depends on which angle you're looking at it. lets say, 't's in a neutral position. it's switzerland.
nursery: lots of progress! done: glider, dresser, rug, curtains, curtain rod, crib. to do: seal up 2nd doorway into kitchen [silly old houses], bookshelves for the wall, any other small random things we decide to add
symptoms: heartburn like a mother.
mood: positive, except when i get in bed at night and realize i've been complaining about my various ailments all day [general fatness, backaches, hip soreness, etc.] good thing andrew loves me.
workouts: 2 this week! gotta earn those bagels and milkshakes somehow. something tells me those don't quite even out...
looking forward to: a beautiful baby shower this weekend for a sweet friend and our undoubtedly gorgeous pictures on sunday!

a new belly pic [because everyone wants to see that, right? not.]:

NUMBER 301

2015-11-06T10:51:00.001-05:00

you're getting a two-for-one again! honestly, not much happens from week to week - other than some weight gain and additional groans. we did have a healthy checkup last monday and heard the little guy's heartbeat again! everything is progressing as it should, and i got a flu shot so neither one of us gets sick with all the nasty weather we've been having. if the sun would shine, that'd be great.

last weekend, our good friends marc and lori beth came to visit. lots of girl time while the guys golfed. we spent too much time overindulging, but only as a reward for crossing things off the nursery list! *high five*.

this weekend, we're headed to richmond for a good friend's wedding where i'll be sporting this hot maternity maxi dress in hopes that it'll keep the bump warm.

2 5 W E E K S

how far along? 25 weeks
baby size: a large cucumber - and a cute one at that!
total weight gain/loss? um 16 pounds? i think this may be the week that i stop weighing myself. all i know is that i'm getting bigger.
maternity clothes? yes yes. my favorite jeans are these destroyed ones from gap that i scored on eBay for $20 [tags still on] similar to these.
stretch marks? no!
sleep? it's been worse this week than ever. my doctor finally told me that i should avoid sleeping on my back. in between constantly rearranging my mass of pillows and getting up a few times a night, i'm not sleeping nearly as well as i used to.
best moment this week? making lots of progress on the nursery! it definitely makes me feel more prepared.
miss anything? sleep. not feeling huge.
movement? yes! lots! constantly throughout the day and nearly every time andrew wants to feel, if he's patient enough, he'll feel a punch or a kick from the outside.
food cravings? orange soda, milk, m&ms, all the carbs
anything making you queasy or sick? not at all.
have you started to show yet? can i stop answering this now?
gender: boy! but not going overkill on the baby blue in the nursery!
labor signs: no no no. still some aches and soreness in my legs and pelvis, though, and hip pain at night.
belly button in or out? dare i say, out? it depends on how much i eat that day. this is amazing to me because my belly button used to be huge and really deep [like a spoon scooped it out]. now, not so much.
nursery: more progress! lori beth and i made a huge ikea trip where i scored some cheap ribba frames for a little gallery wall and curtain rods. later this week, my friend rachel found a SCORE on a local mommy facebook group, and i ended up getting a beautiful solid wood dresser [changing table] for $100! there really is nothing better than a good deal. here's a pic [and my gorgeous rug!]

wedding rings on or off? on
symptoms: soreness, heartburn and a large, itchy belly.
mood: happy and thankful!
workouts: one last week and TWO this week! YES! GOLD STAR! i made it to 2 body pump classes and felt great!
looking forward to: thanksgiving...already ;)

again, 2 weeks' progress of growing a human. i should probably point out that 24 weeks was halloween - i don't just dress up like a cat for fun [or maybe i do?]:

NUMBER 300

2015-10-25T11:09:00.001-04:00

another couple of weeks have passed, and i missed a post in between. don't worry! you didn't miss much - just me getting fatter. in the past 2 weeks, we've visited family and friends, celebrated life and friendship and even made a little progress on the nursery.

while exploring the wyatt family tree last weekend, we finally settled on a name - torbjörn! what do you think? we found it fitting to pay homage to andrew's norwegian roots! i kid i kid.

2 3 W E E K S

how far along? 23 weeks
baby size: an ear of corn - what?!
total weight gain/loss? around 11-12 lbs ...or 14-15 depending on the time of day!
maternity clothes? definitely. so many sweet friends have let me borrow some of their maternity favorites! i should be set for a while, although i'd be just as happy wearing a mumu.
stretch marks? none yet! i attribute that to staying greased up all the time with coconut oil.
sleep? decent. getting up a couple of times a night to pee and wedging pillows around myself to alleviate some hip and back aches
best moment this week? feeling the baby move - from the outside! in the past week, we've finally been able to feel some kicks and punches by touching my belly. it's really awesome for andrew to experience that too and see proof that something is actually in there besides food.
miss anything? pumpkin beer...still.
movement? yes! inside and outside!
food cravings? orange soda! haha in the past 2 weeks, i've had it twice, which isn't a crazy common craving but definitely something i didn't drink lots of before.
anything making you queasy or sick? only the thought of raising an actual human being. nbd.
have you started to show yet? yes. my constant thought is "IT'S GOING TO GET BIGGER!!"
gender: all boy!
labor signs: no no no. i have had some aches and soreness around my legs and pelvic region, and i'm sure it's due to my body just accommodating that growing baby boy.
belly button in or out? in...for now. it's getting shallower by the day.
nursery: we finally made some progress! this week, we ordered a rug and my parents bought us a crib [arriving tuesday!] excited to finally see things take shape!
wedding rings on or off? on
symptoms: some sorness from my growing maternal figure. also feeling a little too sore on my most recent walk last week. definitely addressing that at my next doctor's appointment, tuesday, since i'd love to continue to do some activity throughout the week to allow for an easier labor [hopefully].
mood: thankful, anxious
workouts: this week - one 30 minute walk tuesday and a 20 minute walk thursday [cut short by soreness]. i cleaned the house yesterday, so i'll count that too!
looking forward to: a good checkup tomorrow and getting that crib set up this week! our friends marc and lori beth are coming to visit next weekend and us girls plan on making a trip to the pottery barn outlet! hopefully that means more nursery progress!!

2 weeks worth of my swollen pot-belly:

NUMBER 299

2015-10-09T10:26:00.003-04:00

this week has been a bit of a whirlwind. after doing absolutely nothing last weekend [only getting off the couch to shower and cook dinner], we had a houseful of guys this week for andrew's annual CFA golf tournament. they're always pretty well behaved and very thankful for the sober rides, so i tolerate it from year to year! the guys came out on top this time, winning first place and a ridiculous amount of raffle prizes. it was a success, to say the least.

my mom and aunts are coming to visit next week, and i couldn't be more excited! they'll undoubtedly be super elated to see my growing belly, but unfortunately, no cute baby room to ooh and ahh over. i expect that we'll be making more progress on that in the next month!

anyway! oh! and i made some blog changes last week since i'm really only blogging about this baby in my belly.

2 1 W E E K S

how far along? 21 weeks
baby size: pomegranate [i'm not sure how these things are measured, last week must have been a pretty small banana?!]
total weight gain/loss? i'm afraid to officially admit that i've hit the 10 lb mark, but there's no denying it.
maternity clothes? yes! and piko tops are my bff. i could live in one of these every day [and night].
stretch marks? none yet! still being pretty diligent about applying coconut oil every night.
sleep? great! minus one night this week were i had some back and hip pain. can i brag that i'm still sleeping without a pregnancy pillow?
best moment this week? maybe feeling the baby move from the outside [but maybe just gas?]
miss anything? my caffeine iv. i'm still drinking caffeine, but only 1 cup a day. there have been several days this week where i really really wanted that afternoon boost, though.
movement? lots from the inside!
food cravings? sweets. i try to reign myself in every day, but i just can't turn down a cookie if it's offered to me. our counter at home at has a bowl filled with candy corn, halloween candy and two types of oreos. i'm blaming it on andrew.
anything making you queasy or sick? nope!
have you started to show yet? yes - definitely!
gender: BOY BOY BOY! we're so excited! we did discuss names a bit last week but haven't quite settled on anything. andrew has been set on naming him rambo ["just his middle name, laura!!"] ever since we found out we were expecting, so any alternate suggestions are welcome... seriously.
labor signs: no no
belly button in or out? in
nursery: not much progress. since the room is already painted and we've had guests in the house, there's really not a rush to get the furniture out and make things a mess, so we'll just keep doing a few things here and there. [i'll regret saying that soon, i'm sure, when we're 2 months out and the nursery still looks like it does now.]
wedding rings on or off? on!
symptoms: some round ligament pain. i had a sharp cramp all the way across my midsection this week after i squatted down for a second in a store and really just had to walk it off. no worries, though!
mood: happy - just a little sleepy!
workouts: went for a short 30 minute walk this tuesday. the weather was just so gorgeous! hoping to do more of that since it's cooled off significantly!
looking forward to: our visitors next week and a weekend in charlotte with great friends celebrating the dedication of sweet caroline and thomas!

my big brownie belly [sorry about the tv!] and my fav piko top:

NUMBER 298

2015-10-01T22:58:00.002-04:00

last week, we celebrated so so much! on friday, i had a big 30th birthday, and saturday andrew and i celebrated 6 blissful years of marriage! needless to say, lots of food was involved. we celebrated at cowfish [a birthday tradition] and the fig tree [an anniversary tradition]. the rest of the weekend was spent snuggled on the couch watching it rain all. weekend. long. no lie. andrew traveled for the early part of the week, and my parents popped into town tonight for a late birthday celebration! i'm currently snuggled up in my barefoot dreams cardigan - a new bday present that i'll be wearing long after baby arrives!

i'm finally inching these posts back a little further each time. since i'm 20 weeks tomorrow, we'll just count this one as a 20 week update. i'm not so good at this whole pregnancy journal gig. let's assume i'll be better at the whole 'motherhood' part.

2 0 W E E K S

how far along? 20 weeks
baby size: a banana! -- that's just crazy to me!
total weight gain/loss? 9 pounds
maternity clothes? most definitely. i have 2 pairs of maternity jeans i keep on rotation. i wore my favorite non-maternity leggings this week and thought they were going to slice me in half. ok. maybe i'm being dramatic.
stretch marks? no. i thought i saw one, then i realized it was just where i had scratched my belly a few seconds before [total laura move, think old fat man belly scratch]. since then, i've been slathering on coconut oil and belly oil twice a day.
sleep? great! i mentioned that andrew traveled earlier this week. what i didn't mention is that i made my brother come stay at the house one night because i heard a noise out back. being the good uncle he is, he obliged.
best moment this week? seeing our little one at last week's ultrasound, winning a holiday mini-session from the shultzes. oh, and the birth of one of my very best friends' new baby boy! welcome to the world, baby ben!
miss anything? real deal raw sushi at cowfish
movement? yes! i've been feeling lots of little pops and wiggles this week! can't wait for more and to finally feel it from the outside as well!
food cravings? none in particular.
anything making you queasy or sick? not a thing
have you started to show yet? you decide [picture below!]
gender: BOY! we saw allllll the goods on the big screen last week!
labor signs: noooo
belly button in or out? in
nursery: i finally sent my fabric off and paid for my glider slipcover to be made. i guess i should start some progress on the rest now...
wedding rings on or off? on
symptoms: a big belly and some heartburn
mood: fat and happy
workouts: none...eek. i've really really been slacking. i went for ONE walk early last week. the weather has been so crappy, i don't feel like doing much after work other than coming home and lounging. hopefully the weather will take a positive turn after this weekend's rain, and that gorgeous fall weather will get me out and about!
looking forward to: cold, fall weather

my little pumpkin belly:

NUMBER 297

2015-09-23T09:36:00.002-04:00

we've been back on the grind at work for a couple of weeks now. BUT it's my birthday week [and mine and andrew's 6 year wedding anniversary! wow!] so even though things are busy, there's still lots to celebrate! i turn 30 this year, and i've been reflecting lots this week on so many blessings that have come our way - too many to count! ok, before i get all hormonal...

1 8 W E E K S

how far along? 18 weeks. i need to start posting these updates at the beginning or end of the week seeing as i'll be 19 weeks on friday!
baby size: a sweet potato!
total weight gain/loss? still sitting at 8 pounds. i haven't gained any this week, it seems.
maternity clothes? yes! i got a bella band as an early birthday present, and sported that this week, along with 2 pairs of maternity jeans. there is NO use in suffering trying to squeeze myself into normal jeans.
stretch marks? none! fingers crossed that they won't show up!
sleep? great! well, maybe i've just gotten a little more acclimated to not sleeping through the night. and, dare i say, i haven't bought a pregnancy pillow yet?
best moment this week? andrew returning home from a weekend away! every couple needs a little time apart every now and then. this is cheesy, but i guess since we spend so much time together throughout the week, i do miss him when he's away - even if it's only a couple of days.
miss anything? not missing anything too bad this week...
movement? yes! well...maybe? over the past few days, about once a day, i'll feel something that feels like a thumping from the inside. almost like bubbles or popcorn popping. i'm going to keep thinking that's baby boy in there saying hi!
food cravings? pressed sandwiches, candy corn [but not candy corn sandwiches]
anything making you queasy or sick? nope!
have you started to show yet? yes, but i've still been wearing lots of loose fitting tops, so i may still just look fat to some people!
gender: boy! [just a guess], but we find out FOR SURE tomorrow!!!
labor signs: noooo
belly button in or out? in
nursery: i finally found some inexpensive fabric for a glider and ottoman slipcover. i bought more than enough and plan on making a matching dust ruffle for the crib! as soon as the fabirc arrives, i'll ship it off to my etsy vendor so she can get to stitchin'!
wedding rings on or off? on
symptoms: maybe some movement? definitely some bloating, but the back pain has seemed to subside this week!
mood: happy and a little [or a lot] overwhelmed with the amount of stuff left to do and realizing we're almost halfway through this thing.
workouts: one 30 minute walk on monday, but i plan on going on another walk today and maybe a short hike on saturday
looking forward to: celebrating my birthday and anniversary this weekend, both celebrations should include lots and lots of gooood food, and you know that makes this mama happy!

my candy corn belly [and my handsome photographer]:

NUMBER 296

2015-09-16T20:02:00.000-04:00

so i've already been slacking on my weekly updates. i'm growing a human, give me a break!

1 7 W E E K S

we took off last week for vacation in seagrove beach, fl with my family. i did break out the two piece around thursday, though - my thinking was that a tan baby bump looks more flattering than a white one [i like to think i was right!] i more than made up for my lack of alcohol intake with extra appetizers [just for me] and several shirley temples [who says they're just for 5 year olds - they're delicious!]

how far along? 17 weeks
baby size: a white onion!
total weight gain/loss? 8 pounds - right on track!
maternity clothes? not yet, just flowy, comfortable outfits. if it doesn't have an elastic waistband, it's not going on my body.
stretch marks? no
sleep? still sleeping great
best moment this week? spending time with friends' babies! i spent sunday afternoon playing with caroline, thomas and their mama, and saturday, i'm keeping my friend and coworker's baby girl! a little practice never hurt!
miss anything? raw oysters! but i did sneak a little [or a lot] of smoked tuna dip!
movement? not expecting any for another couple of weeks
food cravings? all the food
anything making you queasy or sick? nope - all food is fair game
have you started to show yet? oh yes - the bump is out! i was surprised to still be able to fit into some of my favorite jeans earlier this week, but i think that's because i seem to be carrying pretty high, and those sat pretty low on my hips.
gender: boy! [still guessing?]
labor signs: not anytime soon!
belly button in or out? in
nursery: no progress, but i did start looking for some fabric for a glider slipcover. take a peek at my pinterest board to see what else i'm planning!
wedding rings on or off? on
symptoms: round ligament pains and some back pain -- oh and extreme hunger.
mood: happy!
workouts: none at the beach, but i did make it to one body pump class this week, so i'll chalk it up as a win!
looking forward to: supper club! there are now 3 of us that have announced that we're pregnant since the last time we were all together, so we've got lots to celebrate!

my donut belly [and new haircut!]:

NUMBER 295: SO, I'M PREGNANT

2015-09-03T09:46:00.001-04:00

given that i've been out of touch with the blogging world for some time, this is in no way my attempt at jumping back on that wagon. BUT so many friends have told me that i'll want to look back on bump recaps, symptoms and general feelings about pregnancy, and i've found that i can type much faster than i can hand write in a journal [and it's much more legible]. so here we go - my first "bumpdate"!

1 5 W E E K S

over the past 10 or so weeks, we've had a handful of doctors appointments [all healthy!] and 3 ultrasounds. we passed the scary genetic tests with flying colors and even got a little hint from the doctor that it's likely a boy [she was pretty confident - 85% sure - but we'll see if that changes!]. our next appointment is september 24 where we'll do the full anatomy scan and find out for SURE!

this week, we're recouping from a week at smith mountain lake with andrew's family and gearing up for a week in seagrove, florida with mine! one thing's for sure - this baby likes being in a bathing suit [one-piece].

after some great suggestions from friends [and constant questions on my part], i started our baby registry this weekend. who knew someone so little could need so much? thanks, in huge part, to so many generous mama friends and family who have offered to lend us the essential big items. it means so much to have such a huge support group for baby wyatt!

how far along? 15 weeks
baby size: a pear!
total weight gain/loss? 6 pounds - but i'm surprised it's not more. i've been eating everything in sight.
maternity clothes? a little here and there, pants with an elastic waistband are my best friend and i've been sporting lots of dresses
stretch marks? no, i've been using a great oil [earth mama, angel baby] and i'm hoping that'll keep them at bay
sleep? sleeping well, minus getting up 1-2 times to pee in the night
best moment this week? hearing the baby's heartbeat at our appointment. it's always so reassuring, especially since we're not expected to feel movement for a while
miss anything? pumpkin beer. andrew got his first batch last weekend and it smelled SO good!
movement? not yet, although i poke around quite a bit to see if i can find the baby in there. i supposedly have an anterior placenta which means i shouldn't feel movement until week 20 or so
food cravings? steak and cheese sandwiches [haha!], candy corn
anything making you queasy or sick? not anymore, i've been very fortunate to avoid most of the morning sickness symptoms that other moms encounter. even in early weeks, i was only queasy when i had an empty stomach
have you started to show yet? yes. i feel like this week, i'm getting out of the "fat" zone and more into a bump state
gender: boy! maybe...? haha!
labor signs: none yet, thankfully!
belly button in or out? in
nursery: i've been pinning away on a baby boy nursery, but we won't make any big purchases until we know for sure. the walls in [what will be] the nursery are already sherwin williams aloof grey, which is perfect for a boy or a girl!
wedding rings on or off? on
symptoms: a few round ligament pains and some sciatic nerve pain on certain days - both are very minor.
mood: content and relaxed?
workouts: each week, i have every intent of working out at least twice, but i'm only making it to body pump about once a week consistently. i blame it on travel and weird schedules, but i'm pretty sure it's just that i'd rather do anything BUT work out...
looking forward to? the beeeeach!

and so you can see my burrito belly:

NUMBER 294

2014-03-05T12:48:00.001-05:00

image via

WHAT has been going on? WHY hasn’t she been blogging?

you might ask yourself these questions. if so, i have some answers:

is something wrong? no
am i sick? no, everyone is healthy!
did something BIG happen that you don’t know about? nope, same ol’ thing.
am i pregnant? no
did i change jobs? no
am i still designing blogs? yes, about 1 a week! [remember, that's not a full-time gig]
am i busy? yes!
am i happy? YES!

nothing new to report! i just haven't felt compelled to blog lately. i hope you don't mind! you can still get a little dose of my life lately on instagram. who else is thankful that spring is just around the corner?!

NUMBER 293

2014-02-04T14:39:00.001-05:00

i've noticed a recent change in trend: the pendant necklace is coming back! i still love a good, short statement necklace, but i've found that some casual outfits can be bumped up [just a tad, my style] with a long pendant necklace. after seeing these gorgeous agate necklaces last week by poppy style, i decided to make one of my recent forever 21 purchases do double duty.

i love DIY's that don't really involve DOING anything...they're more like, string this pendant on this necklace and you're done. that's exactly what i did. i recently spent a ton of money on a necklace at forever 21, wait…that’s not right…i got it dirt cheap and less than $5. it’s a nice necklace - i’m wearing it here. this weekend i stopped at hobby lobby and scooped up a [faux] agate pendant for $3 [with my 40% off coupon]. because the quality was so awesome, the little pendant hook came out immediately after i removed the packaging [go figure], and being the glass-half-full type, i simply strung the necklace through the hole in the middle. no pliers needed! now i can easily switch pendants whenever i want! it's the little things, y'all.

NUMBER 292

2014-01-30T13:52:00.001-05:00

"an ode to risotto". haha just kidding, kind of. we’ve been eating a lot of risotto in our house lately. between cooking it twice in 2 weeks and ordering it during restaurant week, i'd venture to say we love it [or at least, i do].

a quick google search tells me that you can make risotto healthy just by the ingredients you’re cooking with [mrs. hogan, correct me if i'm wrong]. a combination of chicken stock, white wine, and a lot of patience will deliver a creamy, decadent texture that we all crave so much from comfort food.

image via

now, i've only ventured into the risotto cooking ring twice in my life, but seeing as how it turned out really good both times, i'll call myself an expert. there are a few key ingredients that i've used in both recipes, and i believe that’s what makes it! olive oil, arborio rice, white wine, chicken stock, white/red onion [i’ve used both and it turned out fine], garlic, and parmesan. add your desired mix in at the end [spinach or mushroom], and you’re good to go. the key to a creamy texture [without the cream], is adding the broth a little at a time. pour in 1/4-1/2 cup increments, stir while it evaporates, and repeat until the rice is done!

obviously, i'm kidding when i say i'm an expert. if you have any awesome can't-live-without-em risotto recipes to share, i'd love to have them! i started out with spinach and mushroom [linked above], and they were each amazing [even as leftovers!]

HAPPY [risotto] COOKING!

NUMBER 291

2014-01-29T15:19:00.001-05:00

earrings // t-shirt // makeup bag // candle // comparison print // most of all print // bee print

so charlotte finally had a snow day! i have to admit, working from my couch with my house shoes on, in front of the fire beats being in the office today. the snow is melting fast, but you can be sure that i'm enjoying this gorgeous scene before it's gone. february 1st is THIS saturday which means valentine's day is right around the corner and with it comes hearts and love and flowers! here are a few things i'm loving lately. some valentine related, some not!

NUMBER 290

2014-01-24T10:07:00.001-05:00

WOO HOO! it's friday! this week has blown by for me. and no, it's not because i had monday off [because i didn't]. it's just been one of those weeks that's been nonstop. regardless, i'm happy to see friday and to have a couple days off to relax. i'm popping in today to link up with some of my favorites [christina, darci, april, & natasha] for five on friday!

	food. this week is charlotte's restaurant week! usually andrew and i will have 2 or 3 reservations throughout the week - gorging ourselves on charlottes finest cuisine. this time, we're hosting some friends on saturday night and decided to treat them to one of our new favorite uptown restaurants, aria. we went there in december when my Nana was in town, and i can't stop daydreaming about their wild mushroom risotto.
	healing. andrew unfortunately had to go through some minor oral surgery on tuesday, so i've been playing nurse most of the week. actually, that's a lie. he's pretty self-sufficient. BUT wednesday, i whipped up some of christina’s enchilada soup, and i'm pretty sure that's assisted in his quick recovery!
	tv. earlier this week, andrew and i snuggled up and watched the first 2 episodes of hbo's true detective and are hooked! we agreed that it's very "silence of the lambs"esque. adding it to our beloved hbo sunday night lineup.
	lists. i just need to make a list. "my brain has too many tabs open" is about how i'm feeling right now. last night, i was a little overwhelmed with thoughts of things i "should" be doing in my life/job/home. sometimes, it's necessary to write it all down, so they're not clogging your brain and taking up that valuable space meant for loved ones and happy times. am i right?
	babies. i've got a few good friends that have babies in their lives - whether they're expecting one or have been toting one on the hip for a year or so. although andrew and i aren't quite ready to take the plunge into parenthood, it's SO fun living vicariously through them. by fun i mean, nursery décor and registries, not the scary i'm-raising-a-tiny-human and changing messy diapers stuff... we’ll save that discussion for another day.

HAPPY [F-F-FREEZING] WEEKEND!

NUMBER 289

2014-01-21T07:32:00.000-05:00

for the past few months, i've been working [when i can] on giving the office a little facelift. you can see my inspriation board here. well, last week, there was one little adjustment that made me SO giddy, it's ridiculous. although i loved my chair from the start, the picking-up-scooting-back-to-get-up routine wasn’t cutting it. cue the casters. this was the easiest DIY that ever was – so much that it’s not even a DIY. take a peek into the office on a sunny saturday [finally!], and catch my instructions at the bottom!

probably should’ve vacuumed, huh? don’t judge. disclaimer: what made this SO easy was the fact that my chair came with pegs that screwed into the legs, and my casters happened to be the exact same size as the holes. so there’s that.

1. buy casters. these are the ones i bought [and love]
2. use a hammer and screwdriver to pop out the casing for the rubber pegs on your chair. if you have a different chair, a drill may need to be involved to make holes for your casters.
3. pop your casters straight in!*

*i opted not to hammer my casters into the sockets that came with them – just in case i decide to go back to a non-rolling chair.

it should be noted that i don't have any intention of this being a real DIY tutorial. just simply bragging about one of the best coincidences ever!

NUMBER 285

2014-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

i've never been good with words, and even worse when it comes to a difficult/sad/uncomfortable situation. i'm skipping my usual fun and carefree “five on friday” post to discuss a matter that's been weighing heavy on my heart.

menkes syndrome.

just googling the disease is enough to make you break down – let alone the thought of it happening to an innocent infant. no cure: i can't imagine the pain mary and alex fish felt when they were told their son teddy has a disease - one that has no cure. the chances that teddy will live past his third birthday aren’t in his favor, but looking through his instagram feed you’d never know. that is one smiley baby. teddy has spent many days of his life in and out of doctors offices and seeing specialists – more than i have in my 28 years. teddy’s parents goal now is to surround teddy with as much much love as possible during his time on earth. as mary says, “make today happy for teddy, he deserves it.”

mary and alex have since put their virginia home on the market and moved back to boston, massachusetts to be near family and loved ones. with medical expenses amounting by the minute, the fish’s friends have set up the teddy fish fund to alleviate some of the financial stress. today i'm telling teddy's story, but it doesn't pay their bills, and it doesn't cure menkes. my hope is that menkes will be better known, leading to additional research and the discovery of a cure. maybe a cure for teddy.

we’re all with you, teddy. to read more about teddy’s journey or offer encouragement to the fish family, visit mary & alex’s caring bridge page. if you would like to make a financial contribution, please click here.

#FUmenkes

NUMBER 284

2014-01-14T10:21:00.001-05:00

saturday morning, i had the pleasure of visiting a brand new salon in charlotte. salon twelve26 is just one of the most recent businesses making their home in plaza midwood, and i couldn't be more excited.

upon arriving at the salon, i was greeted by edward, the owner, and tiffany, my stylist - who were both bright and bubbly despite the nasty weather and spending their saturday indoors working. right away, i felt at ease. the atmosphere at the salon is laid back but stylish, all the way down to the indie rock playlist that played throughout the place [a refreshing alternative to the ‘lite hits’ that are usually on at salons].

after a consultation with edward and tiffany, we decided that a keratin treatment wasn’t the way to go. i have fine, smooth hair as it is, so i was thankful that they knew their 'stuff' well enough not to sell me on something i really didn't need. i opted for a blowout and a little pampering instead. everyone i met was so genuine, a little edgy [no need to hide tattoos or piercings], and incredibly nice and helpful [that charlotte southern charm]. the queen city is lucky to have salon twelve26.

even though it was a rainy, gross day, and i didn't have any plans to get out of the house. i sure felt glamorous sipping my morning coffee – with volume for days! i scheduled a follow-up appointment for the spring and i can't wait to see the magic they work with my color.

follow salon twelve26 on facebook, twitter, and instagram for beauty tips and gorgeous hair inspiration. thanks so much for having me, y’all! i enjoyed every bit of it.

NUMBER 283

2014-01-10T09:50:00.001-05:00

yay! five on friday! i'm linking up again with my favorites [christina, april, darci, & natasha] for the weekly five on friday link party! let's get it started:

1 | i received this cardigan as a gift for christmas and wish they made one in every color. this is THE most comfortable article of clothing i own. i have a medium, and it's loose enough to be cozy, but fitted enough to wear out running errands.

2 | another item on my christmas wish list was this paper source planner. since it was a christmas gift as well, i just started using it and LOVE it! paper source is sold out online, but you may be in luck if you have a local store. the large amount of space in the weekly breakdown sold me ... and the gold foil chevron didn't hurt too much either.

3 | there are some days that only chicken and waffles can fix. after a stressful day at work yesterday, i came home and fixed chicken and waffles for dinner. andrew and i bought a waffle iron in the fall and cannot get enough! is that normal?

4 | i've never claimed to be a huge football fan, but we'll be spending sunday cheering on our hometown team in the playoffs. our plans don't include going to the game, but DO include beer and hot wings - which is as good as a win in my book! GO PANTHERS!

5 | lastly, i'm having my first real conditioning treatment done tomorrow. i was contacted recently by a local salon to come in for a service - they suggested the keratin treatment. has anyone ever had this done before? i've only heard good things, but i'm always a little apprehensive when it comes to doing something new to my long hair. image via

HAPPY WEEKEND!

NUMBER 282

2014-01-09T10:35:00.001-05:00

maybe i've mentioned this before, but andrew and i LOVE our home. since buying our little cottage in october of 2012, we've made a lot of progress in making it our cozy getaway in the city. if you've been following for a little while or if you know me [in real life] you know that i love a good deal. it's a constant battle: wanting our home to be picture perfect and not wanting to break the bank. decorating a home on a budget takes time. finding good quality pieces that look way more than their price tag takes time too. i've compiled a short list of recent [and future] budget buys for the home that i love and hope you will too!

curtains | if you visit our home, it’s no secret that we love ikea. what i love even more is that they have some traditional décor options that are very wallet-friendly! we have 2 sets of the lenda curtains [white and beige], and i love them both! the longer length is perfect for a high curtain rod and gives a sophisticated and finished look to any room.

pouf | in the past 2 months, i've been working fervently on the 3rd bedroom & office. the black/white/gold color scheme is a little more modern than the rest of our home, but we [andrew included!] love it! for christmas, i included this morroccan pouf form on my wish list and, what do you know?, santa [my lovely in-laws] came through! for $38, you can buy the pouf online and the filler for an additional $15 at your local sewing shop… or if you’re me: use old towels/throw pillows, because i'm lazy like that. as much as i love a designer pouf, i'll take the $200+ discount!

mirrors | mixing contemporary with traditional is one of my favorite ways to keep our home’s style up-to-date. the gold sunburst mirrors at target would look great over a bed [horizontally] or in an entryway or hallway [vertically]. this may just be my next budget buy!

pillows | again, with the ikea purchases. i LOVE pillow covers. my taste has changed a lot in the past years, and i have a surplus of throw pillows that i don't love so much. these pillow covers are great [and budget friendly] because they’re durable, washable, and inexpensive. ikea for the win!

prints & furniture | never underestimate the value of craigslist, estate sales, and hand-me-downs. our house is full of furniture that, at one time, was left unwanted. usually all it needs is a coat of paint and a little love! several items were handmade and back to being as good as new – plus i love that these pieces add even more character in our little 1940’s home!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BUDGET BUY?
[FOR THE HOME]

Laura-Wyatt | Lifestyle Blog

#SWEETBABYJAMES // 9 MONTHS

MODERATE PLAGIOCEPHALY

#SWEETBABYJAMES // 7 MONTHS

#SWEETBABYJAMES // 6 MONTHS

5 WAYS TO FEEL LIKE YOURSELF AFTER DELIVERY

1. Change out of pajamas.

2. Shower every day (and maybe even shave your legs!!)

3. Get ready!

4. Get together with the girls.

5. Cry a little.

JAMES'S BIRTH STORY

James Ryland WyattFebruary 6, 2016, 9:15pm6lbs 12oz, 19.5”

James Ryland WyattFebruary 6, 2016, 9:15pm6lbs 12oz, 19.5”

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James Ryland Wyatt
February 6, 2016, 9:15pm
6lbs 12oz, 19.5”

James Ryland Wyatt
February 6, 2016, 9:15pm
6lbs 12oz, 19.5”