Because It Deserves It's Own Post...

I mentioned earlier this week that we took a day trip to Savannah while on vacation last week and mentioned buying sweets from this place (click on the pic to visit their website):

Just a mentioning it in another post though wouldn't suffice. This place is a nightmare for anyone trying to lose their baby weight and has failed for the past 9 months... I'm glad I wasn't in that position because I have zero self control.... it's heaven though for anyone with a sweet tooth.

They had chocolate covered pretty much everything.

Chocolate covered pretzels. 

Chocolate covered graham crackers. 

Chocolate covered marshmallows. 

Chocolate covered nuts. 

Chocolate covered peanut butter. 

Chocolate covered chocolate. 

They had pounds and pounds of fudge sprinkled throughout the store.

They even sold GLASS bottles of Coke. 

This is the part where I feel in love and then went into a diabetic coma.

Truffles. That's all I really need to say about that.

I didn't even get a picture of the pralines. Their world famous pralines. It just melts in your mouth and I could have probably eaten pounds of it. When you walk in they give you a sample of it, which is good business, because once you've sampled it you have to have more. In the store too, they make taffy right before you eyes. The machines and conveyor belts and such are roped off, but plenty visible to see the process of making taffy from the mixing ingredients to the wrapping. There's such a novelty about it and great for the kids.

The coolest thing is that you don't even have to go all the way to Savannah, Ga to get some of their pralines, or fudge, or chocolate covered anythings (I do strongly suggest finding this place though if you're in south!). You can order  it off their website: http://www.riverstreetsweets.com/ They have gift baskets too that are great for the holidays.

Warning: don't click the link unless you're ready to buy their Peak-A-Boo Praline bucket on their home page, once you see it, you won't be able to resist.

River Street Sweets are not compensating me at all for this post, I'm just sharing the wealth.

babies and bows

Love this babe and this bow!

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Wordless Wednesday!

Mail!

I have mentioned many times before that I love to get packages in the mail. Not bill mail, real, fun, mail. Sometimes I feel like Mr. Rogers. Or was it Pewee Herman? Either way, I get so excited to see a package on my stoop!

This is what I've gotten in the mail recently:

My little mommy of two girls heart MELTED away when I saw these! They are seriously the cutest things and perfect for when we go apple picking this fall! Which is something I better start planning now because at the rate things are going now, my girls are going to be in college when I wake up tomorrow.

And these?! These may just be cuter than the apple ones! I hope my girls let me buy them hair bows until they are old and married. Ok. Okay, at least till they are in high school... at least!

These? These are the tiniest little white cheerleading shoes ever made. Ok, maybe not ever made, but they are the smallest size they made at the company I ordered them from! I'm so excited for cheerleading competition in a few weeks!

Day Trip To Savannah

I'm always very excited to go to Savannah, the city just exudes the south and southern hospitality. 

Riley was excited about it too! See?

 

We walked along River Street, which conveniently had fireworks the night before we were there and the night after. I suppose it was not meant to be. 

We rode Dotty the street car which was a fun experience! The driver was the nicest man ever and it played a prerecorded message about Savannah, the history, and things to do while there.

We browsed all the unique little stores. 

Bought junk food here and had dinner at Huey's. My husband even bought us roses made out of palm leaves from the people along River Street. It was a beautiful evening. 

We'll be back Savannah, if not only for your cornbread!

Back to Life...

Back to Life.. Back to Reality.

We were only gone for a week, but it feels like we have been gone an entire season.

When I left Kentucky last Saturday night the weather was warm, the sun was shinning, it was still summer like with a hint of fall.

I come back and it's 60 degrees, raining, and fall smacks you in the face as soon as you walk out the front door.

My local Kroger has totally paved and re did their parking lot and the whole produce section has changed! It made me feel like a stranger in my own town! Luckily the important things were still in the same spot, like the cookies.

When stopping at the unfamiliar grocery tonight I found the best thing ever:

 

 I love avocados, so much that I may marry it one day. We all know that whole fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables are the healthiest, but sometimes you just can't wait for that avocado to ripen and you need your fix right then! Or something like that...

These come in three small little 100 calorie packs that you take with you on the go. I have never been able to take an avocado on the go. Until now!

I'm pretty excited about these! I will be having chips and guac for lunch tomorrow!

Monday? Already?

It's time for Mamarazzi Monday with Ann Maire at Household 6 Diva.
I stalked my children most of our vacation in South Carolina, but there were a few moments that I just let them enjoy living, you know like when they were sleeping...

Since my life is a war path of being super busy I did not have time to edit any of these photographs, so you'll just have to enjoy them the way the camera intended them to be. :)

Raigan rather enjoyed the ocean even though she thought she was there to drink and eat the salt water. Riley loved it too, but we already knew that, as it was her third time to the ocean... lucky little girl!

What can I say other than there was no stopping her and the child loves to eat. She was so sneaky about the sand too, the 0.05 seconds I would look away from her she would have a fist full already in her mouth! By the time my reflexes reacted it was already too late. 

Here is a photo I snapped of Riley driving our stroller around the villa. I'm terrified of the day she turns 16.

This is the closest we got to a family photo the whole trip,I love it though, it has such character!

Where can you find me?

You can find me gripping my fingers to the door frame of our villa here in Hilton Head while screaming NOooOooOO I don't want to leaaaaaave! And Hub, he's telling me to pull it together and pulling at my feet.

There's an app for that

Just downloaded a Blogger app to my phone so I can blog from anywhere, as if I really need do that... the world is getting crazy.

I can't wait to share all my pictures from our vacation! Or Raigan's 9 month birthday that I forgot to post.

I would really like to fly home, the drive back is always the worst... 12 hours in the car is too much for anyone.

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WE Love Shoes

Like mother...

Like daughter...

My Hub Is Too Good To Me

On more than one occassion my Hub stayed in our villa with the girls while they napped an let met go to the beach with just a towel, sun tanning spray, sunglasses, a room key, and vogue.

Sometimes it's nice to pack light.

I have created a cheer monster

My sweet little Riley has NOT STOPPED cheering the entire vacation. Funny, cause she is usually the one on the squad that just stops cheering at the games because she doesn't feel like it.

We have a new rule.
No cheering at a restaurant.
We're working on following that rule.

Good thing we don't really go out to restaurants too often in every day life.

I'm impressed though at how many people have commented on how well behaved our girls have been since we have been out down here in South Carolina. I love the south, and how people just walk up to you and kindly compliment your children and parenting.

I would love to move down here. If not for the southern hospitality, then the food.
The crab
slaw
grits
corn bread
shrimp

MMMmmmm, I'm drooling now even though I had most of this an hour ago at dinner on River Street in Savannah. I love Savannah too, but I guess if I love the south, then I already said I love Savannah. Just in case you didn't know, I love Savannah. I love the weeping willows, the cobble stone, the moss.

I'm not even sure I want to do Five Question Friday this week, because that means the week is almost over, and I have to go back to real life soon. And I just don't wannnna. Especially since I didn't clean my house before we left. I usually HAVE to have my house cleaned before vacation because who wants to come home to a messy house?

Not me, that's who.

This time I did not clean. In fact, I didn't pack until 5 minutes before rushing out the door, which is so out of character for me. I usually make lists, lists for the lists and then pack more than necessary so we don't forget anything. We survived though with my last minute packing.

. 
Ok, now that I've pretty much covered the most random collection of topics, here are my FQF answers:

1. If you could speak with a different accent, what would it be (i.e Australian, Scottish)?

 British. If you were to live in England as an American for long enough, do you gain an accent? Or is that a childhoodly (I just made that word up) acquired thing? Just wondering.

2. Can you fall asleep anywhere? (i.e floor, couch, deck)

Heck no. I can only sleep in my bed usually. I usually don't sleep well at Hotel rooms either. Definitely not the floor or deck haha.

Hub can though. He can fall asleep sitting up anywhere anytime if he is tired enough. I wonder if he is narcoleptic at times.

3. Do you use public restrooms? If so, do you sit on the toilet?

haha Who doesn't use public restrooms when you need to? Yes, I sit on the toilet. Weirdos. haha Your leg should be the only part touching the seat, unless I'm doing something wrong.

This question made me laugh. 

4. If you were stuck in an elevator for 24 hours, what celebrity would you most want to be stuck with?

No one please. I'd rather be alone that with a celebrity, and I would NEVER like to be stuck in an elevator for 5 minutes, much less 24 hours. I'm getting hives just talking about being stuck. Ahh one of my worse nightmares in fact. If I was forced to choose though i would choose someone funny to lighten the mood like Conan O'Brien.

5. Where did you & your significant other go on your 1st date?

We went bowling and then watched Old School at his Mom's house. We still love that movie. 

Happy Friday to you all!

Adoption

I cannot tell you how much I admire women that are adoptive mothers and advocates for adoption. I hope that the Lord will lead me if that is something that would be right for our family, but in the mean time, I would like to help the other amazing mothers.

Here is a link to Adeye's blog.

They have a beautiful family and a beautiful story. Please check it out.

Happy 9 Month Birthday Raigan!

Time is going by at warp speed these days it seems. My sweet little second born in already 9 months old! That's 3/4 of a year! She goes for her well check up later this week and I'm really excited to see much my little porker weighs.

Raggie still does not crawl and takes her role as the baby of the family very seriously.

She makes sure that everyone holds her and dotes on her, and thanks them with the sweetest smiles and kisses.

She has not given a real kiss yet, but she will come at you with an open mouth if you request a kiss!

She is always studying her big sister and even said SSsssSSSsss while grabbing her just the other day.

She now requests a ba ba and can hold it herself, but refuses to. She only has two teeth but manages to eat, and very well I might add.

Raigan loves the water. She loved the ocean and just laughed and cackled the whole time we were there. It filled my heart so full to hear it and to see her splash and enjoy herself!

I'd like to know....

I'd like to know who made this sweet little babe such a mean toddler?

I asked Hub today how someone so beautiful could be so mean....?

and he replied:

I don't know, you tell me.

Heyyyyy.....

This child is a miniature version of me, like on a scary level. 
To the T.
Could be my twin.

Riley has the strongest personality that is wayyy bigger than the tiny little 30 lbs body that she lives in.

She has never met a stranger either, and will walk up to anyone and start a converation.

I love my sweet little toddler even if she is as mean as ever.

(she is standing in the doorway as I type this demanding a fruit roll up in case you don't believe me on how mean she is)

Peek-A.....

PEEK...

A...

BOO!

Mamarazzi Monday

It's time for Mamarazzi Monday with Ann Maire at Household 6 Diva.
Sarah at Main Line Moms is still hosting.


I'm baaaaaaack. Even though I'm still super busy, I can't miss 2 weeks in a row. 
I'm still sick with bronchitis too, but life doesn't stop when a women is sick right?

Being sick, school, work, cheerleading, kids, packing... that didn't get in the way of me taking pictures... :)

Raigan is still not crawling. She scoots backwards though, but that gets here into tough spots, like this one. Half stuck under Riley's bed, and instead of helping her out, I ran and got my camera. 

I didn't stop Riley either when she helped her out, I took a picture instead. I'm definitely a Mamarazzi.

 

I'm so in love with these girls. :)

My View From Here

Photography Project One

I have been in love with photographs my whole life. When I was younger, I would carry a camera and take pictures of my friends and I. I would take my own money and buy disposable cameras.

Lots of disposable cameras.

I have always wanted to take a photography class, and really am not sure why I am just now doing so.

This is what I turned in for my first art project of all time. Well not of all time I guess, but since like 8th grade... haha I can't believe I'm so close to graduation and have not taken an art class until now. I think I have been missing out for so long. I was always self described as a math science person, but I like the outlet it gives me to be creative.

We were not allowed to take photographs of people or creatures. 

  

We were supposed to stay on our block and find these interesting right where we live.

To look up... down... all around.

This is what I saw.

This is my favorite, but I was not allowed to turn them in in color, but I sure can blog in color!

I think it's safe to say that fall is officially here. I love fall.

Five Question Friday

It's time for Five Question Friday with Mama M. I'm really excited about the questions this week!

1. What is the first nightmare you remember?

The house I grew up in had woods in the back and my older brother used to tell me that Freddie Kruger lived up there.I had a nightmare that he was at our sliding glass window trying to get to me.
Silly brothers.
I'm not really sure why I knew who Freddie Kruger was at such a young age either... probably my brother's doing too.

2. Even if you're not a sports fan, what's your favorite sport to play/watch?

I love sports. 
I love to watch and play soccer.
I like to go to MLB games.
I like to watch Bengals football.
I love to watch gymnastics and cheerleading.
I love it all!

3. If you could pull off one piece of trendy fashion, what would you want it to be (jeggins, hats, thigh high boots, etc.)?

Definitely skinny jeans.
They are pretty much the only kind of jeans in stores right now.
Believe me, I've tried to buy a pair that aren't, they are few are far between these days.
I'm short, and my legs are short, and I just had a baby 9 months ago, so those don't make a good combination with skinny jeans.


4. Did you make good grades in school?

Yes and still try

5.  What magazines do you subscribe to?


I'm a magazine junkie.
Even the trashy tabloid ones.
I only have subscriptions to Parenting, American Baby, and Woman's Day.
I would like ones Vogue, Us Weekly, Photography, Real Simple, and Martha Stewart Living.
That's not that many...
I should get on that and order them.

Happy Friday All, I'm off to do laundry, pack, and clean for vacation!

Top 7 Baby Items

It seems as though everyone around me is pregnant, and it's horrible (not them being pregnant... my next statement haha), but my first thought is thank goodness that I'm not. My pregnancy with Raigan I think scared me for life. haha It was more than worth it though to have my sweet babe!

Being that everyone is pregnant and I have been asked frequently lately what are must need items for babe, I'll post about my top 10  7 favorite baby items, since I'm a seasoned pro at this whole mom thing and all... haha no, I'm just a mama trying to do my best.

I am not being compensated by any of these companies, these are just my personal experiences and opinions. 

Here they are...

1. A Medela Breast Pump

I could not have survived the craziness of breastfeeding without this. A total blessing and the best baby item I purchased. Oh, and Medela has, hands down, the best customer service I have ever dealt with. My AC adapter broke after trying to use it to pump in my car when I didn't have the battery pack... bad idea, I know, but I called them and had a new one in my hands in a matter of days at no charge. I should really buy stock because I believe so much in their products and what they are doing for us mamas.

2. The Boppy Pillow

I had one of these for Riley and bought another one for Raigan. I can't say enough good things about these either! Raigan and I would snuggle up with one of these for feeding time, I would lay her swaddled in this right outside of the shower, use it for tummy time, and on and on and on.

3. The Maya Wrap

I kind of bought this on a whim when I was meeting with a lactation consultant, and I'm so glad I did. It's so comfortable, easier to just throw on than a Moby wrap, and Raigan loooooves it too. There are so many benefits to baby wear, but that's a whole 'nother topic.

4. Munchkin Dishwasher Basket

This is so nice and convenient to keep all those baby things in one place in the dishwasher! We have more than one of these, and I usually include this in baby shower gifts because I know how nice they are for new sleep deprived parents. Been there, done that.

5. Receiving blankets

I use receiving blanks for so many different things! Feedings, swaddling, a bib replacement if I don't have one, to lay down when changing my babe in a public restroom, a blanket, a cuddle toy, a cover to keep the sun out of her eyes, and again, on and on. You cannot have enough of these in my opinion.

6. A Bassinet

Riley and Raigan both slept in our room in a bassinet for their first few months of life. It's so easy to just have the babe right next to your bed for those middle of the night feedings, grab em, change em, feed em, swaddle them back, and stick them back right next to you. As soon as my babes would start to rustle around, I would hear them and wake. It's much easier to get a babe to latch when they are just starting to get hungry rather than screaming from the other room.

7. Bumbo

This is a baby item that we could have lived without, but is useful. It's made of a soft plastic material that supports a baby that is unable to sit alone. It's useful that a baby can sit up when you can't hold them so that they can see the world around them, and so they can strengthen their muscles so they learn to sit on their own. Which are a lot of the same good reasons to wear a baby as well.

I have been trying to finish this post with 3 more items, but I really can't come up with anything else that I would HAVE to have if I were to have another baby, but I would have to have these things.

I am excited for all the baby showers coming up! These items will definitely be on my gift lists.

What are your baby item must haves?