Five On Friday

Coming back to the blog today with FIVE ON FRIDAY!

O N E

I posted this photo here and got questions about this pullover. I'm in loooove with it. It's from A+F (yep, haven't purchased anything from there maybe in like two decades and that's no exaggeration). 

You can find it here and I would say it fits totally true to size, maybe even a little large. So you don't need to size up if you want it to be a looser, comfy fit. 

 

T W O

Last night we had Supper Club at my friend Lori's house and she made the best supper for us. Homemade split pea soup with the most delicious cheesy croutons, a panini, and arugula salad with parmesan. Why can't I cook like this every night?!

T H R E E

Shout-out to my best boy who brings me a smile every.single.day!

He's just so sweet and easy-going, literally just a heaven-sent baby.

Seven and a half months old now, and if I can get my act together on the 6th, I'll post an eight month update!

F O U R

I'm podcast-obsessed like many of us these days. On Monday I was thrilled to be a guest on one of my favorite shows, It Sounded Like A Good Idea At The Time.

Caroline came over and we looped in Hannah, and man oh man was it a fun experience. It was like a chat with friends, just one that will air next Wednesday to the masses. :) 

Have you listed to this podcast yet? I'd love it if you will tune in and download! Start by listening to some of their past episodes to get a good gauge on what Caroline and Hannah are like. Spoiler alert: you'll love 'em. 

F I V E

Last weekend was my beautiful cousin's wedding in Cleveland, NC! I always envisioned our entire family going, but ... things looked a little different and that was okay. I took Camille only, and she had her first flowergirl experience. She was beautiful and did a terrific job. It was a little more than an hour away, but after having some fun at the reception we made the trek home.

Tonight we don't have any major plans ... Ian has an old-school Nintendo and I told him I might like to break it out together over some pizza and vino.  How about you?

Dear 2019

Dear 2018,

You went differently than I expected.

Regards,

April

Dear 2019,

Let's do this. But, could you maybe take it a little easier on us?

Last year was a bit of an emotional workout. January came in with the excitement of a newly-announced baby boy on the way. But as that excitement grew, we were simultaneously overwhelmed with fear and worry. In June, the utmost joy of welcoming Lochlan was quickly replaced with devastation the following month of Char's diagnosis, and then we circled back again to an intentional focus on joy (while still being punctuated daily with bouts of devastation). Joy, devastation, joy, devastation, joy. 

We're finding our groove, and 2019 is off to a good start. I still have days where I lay in bed at night and say "what did I ACTUALLY do to cultivate joy today?" but, for the most part, I feel like we're doing a pretty darn good job of being glass-half-full people. In an arid desert. (I should probably delete that last part, life is not that bad)

Here's what I'd like to work with you on for the coming months, Mister (or Missus) 2019. 

I'd like to have all of my babies here on Earth with me all of the months (there, I said it).

I'd like to spend each month doing FUN things. Not locking ourselves inside. I know about the germs, I know about the risks. I still want to find balance with that and have FUN. 

I'd like to feel strengthened as a family unit, and specifically as a husband/wife unit, as we deal with a situation that weakens us. 

I'd like for my children to feel happy, relieved, and warm + fuzzy the minute I walk into the room. 

I'd like to not put myself last, I'd like to still find ways of fulfilling myself as a person without feeling guilt. I wouldn't mind putting those five pounds back on, I need to eat healthier and find my appetite again. 

I'd like to think back on every single amazingly wonderful thing that was done for our family in 2018 and find a special, tangible, heartfelt way of paying it forward. 

I'd like to slow down a little bit. Smell the roses more often. 

I'd like my family members and girlfriends to know how I couldn't do it without them. 

I'd like to be a little better about Instagramming on time. Right now I'm living in a world of Latergram. 

I'd like to do more special crafts that use wee handprints and footprints. 

I'd like to travel a little bit although that feels overwhelming (and if it doesn't include every family member, it just feels wrong). But, I know that a refreshed mom is a happy mom. 

I'd like to keep connecting with wonderful people who fill my bucket.

I think we can do this. Please let me respectfully reiterate my desire to please have all of my babies here with me for all of the months.

Kindly,

April

Charlotte

Alright, so it's been a few months. And I honestly didn't know when I'd blog again, but on the other hand, I didn't ever feel done with blogging. I feel like a lot of people turn more these days to the "quick fix" of posts on Instagram and Instastories, but every time I pulled up this old blog and it ended showing the below happy-go-lucky, life-is-kinda-normal post about Lochlan turning one month old, it just didn't feel right. Life isn't the same as it was on July 23rd. But man, I kind of long for those days of semi-innocent bliss that I was experiencing on July 23rd.

I don't want to rehash the past 3 months here, because I think most everyone knows what's going on with our sweet Charlotte. I've documented most everything on a dedicated Instagram page, @charlottesjoy.

In the hospital, I toyed with the idea of just closing off everything. Shutting it down. No blog, no Instagram, no putting our very personal story out for the world to witness, talk about, whisper about, and possibly even judge. We don't live in that happy highlight reel anymore. We have real life sadness, challenges much deeper than I ever expected. As we neared our July 31st diagnosis, I got scared that what was going on with Charrie was going to be life-changing, but I still thought it could be "solved" -- or at the very least, managed -- by medication and cutting-edge technology.

But, that's not the case.

It was my husband who held me one night in the hospital and gently encouraged me to continue this if I wanted. To continue to share life as I have been since 2010, to continue to bring people in, to continue to flex this muscle IF and only IF it was therapeutic and helpful to me.

I didn't want to document the daily trials and tribulations here and on my main Instagram page; the hospital stays, the tube feedings, the regressions, the overall challenges ... because, maybe one day, I may want to scroll back  and really just relive my OWN highlight reel. Protect my own heart. See the good, backburner the sad. Focus on the cute family pictures, the smiles. The happy times. Not see my daughter in a hospital gown. Not feel that hurt. I'm not denying it's there, I'm just finding a new little place for it. A place I can choose not to re-live on the daily, if needed.

We've been supported by YOU in ways that I never could have imagined. Ways that make my throat ache and eyes water every time I think about it. You know how you look back on things in your life and think, "AAAHHHHH -- I get it now, I see why life did THIS so that THAT would happen." Well, that's what is occurring. I really do feel in my heart like I was led to blog in 2010 because eventually I would need this connection, need this virtual warm hug from all of you, need this outlet for ME, need this connection to people who genuinely care. People who say "I started reading when you were pregnant with Camille," that happens a lot and I feel such a connection to you. It's like we've "met" even though we've never MET.

So anyway. I will wrap this up here, but I guess I just want to say that I will be back from time to time, when it feels good and feels right and feels fun. That's what this blog has always been for me. A happy place. I have so many beautiful memories of Charrie-girl on these pages and it will always be refreshing and cathartic for me to re-read those posts. I write them for you but mainly for me. I need to stay busy, I need to fill my life with tasks that keep me busy and productive. Aldi finds? Stocking stuffer favorites? Recipes you need in your file? These are all problems I can fix.

I need problems I can fix.

So thank you for hangin' tough, for being there for a girl when she's in a place she never dreamed she would be. My baby. My Char. I don't know why things happen the way they do, but all I do know is that nobody questions my devotion to this amazing, lovely, sunshiney-smile girl. Have you ever seen a more beautiful smile?

Me neither.

See ya here for the happy stuff.

Lochlan Is One Month

(Lochlan was one month old on 7/6 ... we are fashionably late)

Oh sweet Lochlan, at one month old you are just a joy!

These have been some wild days, balancing life as a family of three young kiddos and two busy adults. Some moments have been some of the sweetest I've experienced -- and some have taken every single bit of strength I could muster. I know these times are fleeting, though. Some moments I hate to see pass (I actually really love the newborn days, even the lack of sleep) and some I want to just sweep right out of the door. Like the moments when ALL three kids are crying at the same time. Bah!

At one month, here are Lochlan's stats:

WEIGHT 11lb 10oz (82nd percentile) -- up from 8.2 at birth

HEIGHT 22.76" (88th percentile)

HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE 40.1cm (98th percentile)

He moved from size NB to size 1 diapers. He sleeps a lot and is up 2-3 times a night to feed. Nursing is going well and he's for the most part one chill chap!

He experienced his first Independence Day ...

... his first couple of at-home baths

... nightly snuggles and yard-walks with Daddy while I put the girls down to bed

... plenty of "monkey in the middle" moments

... first trip to the pool (snoozed with a fan in his carseat in one of the covered cabanas)

... and first trip to the lake complete with first pontoon boat ride. (Still loving this Agility wrap)

My youngest sister Laura and I were so lucky again to be pregnant together and our boys are about 6 weeks apart once again. Will on left, Lochlan on right. 

During this month he slept in a bassinet next to my side, swaddled in a Miracle Blanket which also worked wonders with Camille (Char "fought the system" ... the swaddling system, that is). Naps are typically in my arms, the swing, Dock A Tot or a Rock and Play. We try to switch it up as much as possible. 

Sweet precious Lochlan, may you always feel like you can lay in my arms just like this. 

We love you, buddy. 

Five On Friday: Cute Lochlan Pics, Too!

It's time for another edition of Five on Friday and I do hope you'll join along!

Remember, all you have to do is post about five things on your mind, add our logo (found at the bottom of this post), and join the party using the linky tools below. Easy, and a great way to find new blogs and be found. :)

O N E
Look at this sweet babe! He's more and more alert these days and is such a CHUNK. Look at those cheekies!

Last night was the first time he's slept in his own room in the crib (he's been in a bassinet next to me for these past 6 weeks) and he did GREAT - up at 3:45, up at 6:45 and that's it!

T W O

So I don't always have a ton of time to watch television, but I have a new favorite. PLUS it's right around 20 minutes long which means it's super easy to slip one in. Flip or Flop Atlanta is on HGTV On Demand and I like it a lot better than the original version. This couple is oh-so-cute without being over the top, and they do some awesome renos on Southern houses. 

I love seeing what sort of financially-wise changes they make and how much profit they end up earning. Surely everyone who watches flipping shows thinks "HEY ... I could do this?!" and I'm falling into the same hype. Flipping a house would probably be a dream job for me!

T H R E E

You meet people in just the strangest ways, and I have loads of personal stories about this. My friend Addie falls into this category. We met because she sells LipSense with me, and we got to know each other even better when we attended a seminar together in Oklahoma. She's WONDERFUL. She flew into Charlotte yesterday and we caught a quick salad together at Chopt. I just love her! And I just love that this crazy lippy world brought us together.  

F O U R

So hot dogs may not be as appealing to you as kids' food as, say, organic kosher grass-fed cage free gluten free turkey meatballs, but sometimes a kid just has to be a kid during the summer, am I right?! And my girls really love these octopus hot dogs I make. Using a knife, I just slice the bottom part into four pieces and then microwave for 45-60 seconds. To be really safe, cut the entire hot dog lengthwise before they eat it, but at least for the initial presentation it's so darn cute! You could even get really creative with goldfish and make an under-the-sea theme. 

F I V E

My sister's coming to town this weekend with her family and we have plans to hit up Nordstrom for the anniversary sale. For anything I really want to make sure to get, though, I'm doing my shopping online TODAY since the sale is now live to the public.

(all images below are clickable to shop)

My number one FAVE, the textured v-neck sweater! Ordered it immediately, YAY! Love it now with shorts for breezy summer nights, and later with skinny jeans and booties. Two colors are already sold out but four colors still remain. Sizes are really limited, I'm in the XS here. I chose the pink color this morning. 

In love with this cozy Halogen open cardi (pockets!) and the raw-edge $11 v-neck tee underneath. The white one is sort of sheer so be prepared to layer it with a cami. I also tried on brown and black in store and they were less sheer.



Rib Wrap Sweater by Leith
Under $40 and available HERE
I saw SO much of this gorgeous lilac color in store!



This ribbed cardigan is $25.90 and perfect for nursing.
I'm seeing so many button-down henleys this season.
Love this easy trend!



And on a baby-related note, I can't BELIEVE the Dock-A-Tot has not sold out yet as part of the sale! These things hold their value so well for resale and Lochlan loooooves it. New mamas, this is worth the purchase.


Dock-A-Tot

Nordstrom sale ... What did you score?!

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That's it for today! Hope you have a lovely weekend -- thanks for linking up with us below!

Five On Friday!

It's time for another edition of Five on Friday and I do hope you'll join along!

Remember, all you have to do is post about five things on your mind, add our logo (found at the bottom of this post), and join the party using the linky tools below. Easy, and a great way to find new blogs and be found. :)

O N E
I stopped by Nordstrom yesterday along with half of the city of Charlotte, and on the way out I stopped by the little cafe to grab an iced chai. That's my favorite coffee shop drink. I was caught off guard when the barista said, "Normal iced chai or lavender iced chai?"

UMMM, lavender iced chai of course!!!
Now, how can I recreate this at home? I am thinking a little homemade lavender simple syrup and some chai tea mix!

T W O

Speaking of simple syrup, I was at the pool with my friend Nina recently and we were chatting about making simple syrup in a microwave (using a mason jar). She has an amazing food-centric blog and recently blogged about making strawberry jalapeno simple syrup. How amazing does this sound?! Click over here to see her take on it!

photo cred :)

T H R E E

The girls absolutely love this Playfoam! It seriously does NOT dry out (side-eyeing you, playdoh). I mean, some of our foam has grass bits and probably Goldfish crumbs in it, but you'd be tossing it for that reason and not because it dried out. It's cheap on Amazon and the girls just love it. Charlotte's physical therapist (for fine/gross motor development) encouraged us to expose her to all sorts of textures to play with, and I think this fits the bill!

I gave it to them on Monday afternoon with some little toys and small kitchen tools like a silicone garlic peeler and silicone rolling pin and they loved it!

Playfoam, $7.99

F O U R

Another Nordies win. This ribbed top is another great option for any fellow breastfeeding moms because you're not having to go to great lengths to feed that fussy babe. And for everyone else, it's just a beautiful and graceful top. Great price, too. 

Pair with a cami underneath like I have! Or else you might have a Janet Jackson moment. 

Leith Rib Wrap Sweater
$39.90, down from $59

F I V E

Lochlan's one month appointment was yesterday and WOWZA this boy has jumped up from 8.2 at birth to 11.10! In just five weeks. He's a big boy! 

I'll share more of his one month stats next week, but he's doing awesome and is just such a wonderful little boy. 

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That's it for today! Hope you have a lovely weekend -- thanks for linking up with us below!

Charleston SC Restaurant Rec Roundup + Sale Shopping

Happy Friday Eve! Feels good to be on the heels of a nice weekend!

We have some nice family time ahead of us including a short trip down to our fave coastal city, Charleston SC! You all have been so helpful (on Instagram!) helping with restaurant suggestions. I know the big, established restaurants pretty well but I was really hoping for some insight into the newer, happenin' type places, and you guys really delivered. So thank you for that, and I've rounded up some of your recommendations here!

Before I jump into that, I did hop over to the Nordstrom Sale this morning to scope out what I want to pick up when the sale opens up on July 20th. For any of you cardholders, it's open as of TODAY. 

Here are some of my favorites. Shop ALL sale merch by clicking HERE.

J. CREW RUFFLE SLEEVE TEE

$32.90 HERE

I love the green and white combo, but it also comes in navy/pink stripe and black/white stripe. Can't beat the price of this top, and I love the ruffle sleeve. 

This combo is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find in-store!

HALOGEN OPEN FRONT POCKET CARDIGAN

$42.90 (down from $79!) HERE

and

BP RAW EDGE V-NECK TEE

$11.90 (down from $17) HERE

The long cardi at $42.90 is seriously such a steal. So cozy and soft, I love the idea of throwing it on for a night at the movie theater with some shorts and a tee. Perfect for summer when you need some breeze on your legs but want to cozy up in a chilly theater. 

The white tee is going to be best with a cami under it -- it's pretty sheer. 

But they have it in other solid colors and stripes that are less sheer. This color below is Brown Cattail, and I also tried it on in black which was not sheer. 

Coming in as a major fave is this amazing soft v-neck sweater. PLUS they have it in lots of colors including a gorgeous yellow.

BP TEXTURED STITCH V-NECK PULLOVER

$25.90 HERE

Available in six different colors. HUUUUGE win on this one. Twenty five bucks. 

BP RIBBED CARDIGAN

$25.90 HERE

I love how relaxed and "I'm not even trying to look cute" this is, but my reality as a nursing mama is that this comfy ribbed sweater is PRAISE HANDS GOOD.

The buttons are functional and I mean ... it's amazing. 

LEITH SIDE SPLIT MIDI CARDIGAN

$49.90 HERE (color: Purple Moss)

and
BP RAW EDGE V-NECK TEE
$11.90 (down from $17) HERE

Here's another cute combo for a movie date or a breezy beach night. I love that Purple Moss color. 

And same black Raw Edge V-Neck tee, but with the 

CHELSEA28 OVERSIZE OPEN CARDIGAN

$59.90 HERE

Now, this is really oversized, and the XS/S had plennnnty of room on me, but if you're going for that slouchy oversized look, this is your jam. 

Moving on to Charleston, SC! The Holy City!

I put out feelers for lunch spots, and extra credit points for any in the Mount Pleasant area! Here are some of the recommendations that were named most frequently:

Spots I've Never Been

Tavern and Table (website)

The Obstinate Daughter (website)

Page's Okra Grill (website)

Five Loaves Cafe (website)

Locals (website)

Grace & Grit (website)

The Wreck (website)

Mill St. Tavern (website)

Westbrook Brewing (website)

Nico (website)

Red Drum (website)

Spots I've Been To - And Can Vouch For!

Butcher & Bee (website)

Rue de Jean (website)

Husk (website)

Hominy Grill (website)

Poogan's Porch (website)

Fleet Landing (website)

Red's Ice House (website)

Whew! That's a pretty extensive list. 

Thank you all SO much for your recs! We will be having lunch at one of these and are still deciding on a dinner spot as well. I'll keep you posted and Instastory along the way!