Matthew-9 Months!

My last kiddo update 3 months ago ended with me talking about how Matthew was just a unicorn of a baby who chilled, slept and ate like a champ. Well...that was probably the last time those things happened. He started teething hardcore these last 3 months with 5 (!) teeth coming in one after another in addition to the 2 he already had. He was also pretty stuffy with a never ending cold all of February and overall not very content to just hang out anymore. He pretty much only wanted to be held and even that got annoying for him ha! In all honesty it was a tough beginning to the new year and made the end of winter slightly more miserable as we didn't get out very much thanks to low temps and sick babies.

BUT! Just this past week has a been a total turn around thanks to many changes in Matthew! I'll go in order 1. His cold finally went away! That's all that needs to be said as we all know how miserable sick babies are. 2. All the teeth that were coming in finally broke through and are showing quite a bit. He now has 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. His mouth is so not symmetrical and makes him look a little goofy, I love it :) 3. I started giving him puffy baby cereal and it's been a lifesaver for me. Whenever he's hangry and I can't feed him I just throw him some munchies on his highchair and that keeps him occupied and happy. Also awesome for when we're out and about. I kind of waited a while to introduce snacks because he wasn't good at grasping small things until recently. 4. The last and probably best change is that Matthew finally learned how to crawl! Before I think he would get so frustrated sitting on the floor and not be able to get to whatever looked interesting to him. Hence the constant need to be held? But now the world is his oyster! He can (slowly) follow his sisters around, he can crawl up to something and pull himself up (though he hasn't completely mastered it yet) and he can find tiny bits on the floor and stick them in his mouth much to my frustration lol. Crawling brought back my happy, smiley baby. I keep his room really clean with only baby safe toys so that way I can plop him down and leave him be for a few minutes and know he won't find or get himself into any trouble. I'm just so excited for the rest of his baby-hood to watch him grow and develop more and more.

Oh and remember when I said he would cry when I left the room when he turned 6 months? That is nothing compared to how much he cries for his dad now! There will be a total meltdown if I take Matthew out of his papa bear's arms! Clearly he has a favorite. ;)

Matthew's Big Boy Room

matthews big boy room by glitterandtea featuring a silver wire basket

Matthew will be one in June but I've been thinking about his big boy room for months now! The theme I'm leaning towards is "woodsy." It's pretty inspired by his dad who loves adventures, exploring and just all things nature. While I'm dreaming of bedroom remodels, Eugene is dreaming of taking Matthew fishing and camping ;)

We're repainting 99% of the house in Spring so when we do that Matthew's room will be painted a light gray. He already has light blue curtains, the moose, basket and a similar adventure sign so we're half way there. I also got him a wooden M monogram from Hobby Lobby as well as a burlap bulletin board. I love Target's Pillowfort line. They have so many fun themes as well as good basics like that rug and striped comforter set. Bedding will have to wait while Matthew is still in the crib but trust me I will get him out of it as fast as I can. Sounds crazy but that boy is just not a fan of his crib.

I like blogging about this stuff because it gives me a place to put it all in one spot.
My husband is no longer interested in hearing about my remodeling plans haha at least Matthew doesn't mind listening ;)

Budget Beauty Faves

Budget Beauty Faves by glitterandtea featuring C.O. Bigelow

These are a few of my favorite things new and old and all under $20!

1. Wet Brush-$12 Target- I hate brushing my hair but I love it when using this. That should sum it up. It just glides, it's gentle, I can't even describe it. Awesome for the kids hair.

2. Mario Badescu Rose Water $7 Ulta- Use it on a fresh face for a pick me up or use to set make up. It's cheaper and lovelier than a makeup setting spray.

3. Purity by Philosophy Facial Cleanser $12 for travel size Ulta- best cleanser I have ever tried. Gentle, effective, makes skin soft. I have been using this for over a year and my skin has never been more under control.

4. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay-$10 Amazon- I was so skeptical about this but read so many reviews on blogs and online that I had to try it for myself & I'm so glad I did! It comes in powder form and you mix it with apple cider vinegar. As it dries on the face it begins to throb which I think means it's working :) My pores look cleaner and smaller instantly after washing it off. The jar seems like it'll last forever because I gave some to my sister and used it pretty often myself and barely made a dent in it. 

*It's pretty intense so maybe not the best for sensitive skin.

5. C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve $6 Nordstrom- I am obsessed with this. I use it on my lips, cuticles, Matthew's cheeks when they got chapped, Juliana's dry skin and it helped all those issues instantly! It looks like a gloss on the lips which is a bonus.

6. Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt $2.50 Target- Not really a beauty item but it helps detox when used in a bath and the lavender scent is so relaxing before bed. Makes for better beauty sleep ;)

7. L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara $6 Target- I've been using this mascara since high school and have no desire to switch it up. It doesn't clump, the formula is smooth and doesn't dry out and it makes lashes look fluffy. I don't think I'll find anything better (and I've looked) especially for this price. Never change mascara, never change.

8. L'oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation $11 Target- Silky formula, full coverage without being heavy or drying. I've used with and without primer and it looks good either way. L'oreal just makes good makeup. It's my favorite brand.

Happy Friday! 

here

Kiddo Update

(the kiddies on my birthday in September, the best present ever)

Well, it's been approximately 45 years since I last wrote something so I thought I would procrastinate on the things I should be doing (wrapping presents) and update this little blog instead.

Juliana-3.75 years old

Juliana is growing more and more into a little lady everyday and sadly less toddler. She talks like crazy, remembers everything you tell her and is pretty strong willed. She's still deep in the princess phase and loves any little figurine type toys. The girls also love to play family together where Juju is mama, Lucy is papa and their babies are themselves. It's so cute because they're always "visiting" somebody or having very elaborate tea parties where Juju is the hostess with the mostest. 

Juliana's 4th birthday is coming so soon and I can hardly believe it. It's also time for her first hair cut ever. It's almost to her little booty and gets tangled a lot. She insists on always having it down so it's kind of a hot mess all the time. Still, we can never go anywhere without Juliana getting attention for her gorgeous red hair...which she tells people it's actually orange ;)

Lucy-2.4 years old

Lucy is my little beautiful, spunky, funny mama. She lovesssss babies real and doll and takes care of them better than I take care of Matthew (joke) She has such a fun personality and just loves to hug and cuddle. She loves her grandparents, cousins and most of all her dad. If Lucy's sick, she asks for papa. I think it's a beautiful thing :') Lucy copies everything Juliana does. They get along great about 71% of the time. Lucy doesn't talk much still but Juliana understands her perfectly. I love their sister-ness. 

Lucy has very beautiful thick light brown hair. My kids are blessed with gorgeous locks. Also like her sister, she hates wearing it up. She can take the biggest tumble and not even flinch but if I try to put her hair in a pony she cries like it's the worst pain. It's confusing.

Matthew-6 months

Dear, sweet, huggable, lovable Matthew. The easiest baby that has ever existed. Laid back, chill calm. I cannot complain about these first 6 months of his life even in the slightest. I don't know if it's a 3rd child thing or if he just takes after his calm papa's personality, but he is awesome. It seems like he hit 6 months and changed overnight. His looks changed a little and his personality is showing more. He also wants to be entertained more so my day consists of alternating him between the swing, rocker, jumper and holding him. Matthew is my bff and loves me lol that makes me sound full of myself but really he'll cry if I walk into a room and not pick him up if he hasn't seen me in like 10 minutes (he just started doing that) I take him everywhere I go and only left him twice for a few hours since he was born. I do take him to the gym daycare while I workout so that's my break if I need one. He has 2 tiny bottom teeth and is sprouting blonde hair! Yay!

34 weeks!

trying to take a twinning picture with Lucy and this is the best we got. Apparently geese in the pond were more important. Noted Luc, noted. 

Gender: Boy! Confirmed by 3 different ultrasounds ;)

How far along:  34 weeks, few days

Total weight gain:  lets just say the scale was a shock at the doctors last week. 

Maternity clothes:  maternity jeans mixed with loose sweaters, flowy tops. Kind of, sort of hate dresses this time around. 

Stretch marks:  from previous pregnancies 

Sleep:  I wake up at least once to go to the bathroom. Still going to sleep way late than I should but sometimes I make up the early wakeup time (thanks girls) with a mini morning nap while they play in their room. 

Best of the week:  well it's only Tuesday but so far it's the moment when Juliana saw the baby making my stomach wiggle and she just thought it was the funniest thing ever. It was so cute! She covered her mouth giggling like crazy. 

Worst of the week:  This isn't a big deal but we took a small 20 minute walk in the evening, the weather was beautiful but I came home exhausted afterwards! Like tummy feeling heavy, feet hurting, back aching. I hope it won't get worse but I don't see things getting better. 

Big Sisters:  They kiss my tummy constantly and I'm so excited to see them with the baby and actually put the two and two together that's that's the "baby brother" I've been telling them about all this time. 

Daddy:  the best most hardworking man ever whose birthday is coming up :) 

Miss anything? all kinds of things but mostly getting to try on clothes when shopping haha so many cute things out for spring and summer! 

Movement:  lots and it's getting stronger and stronger sometimes it takes me back. But my favorite is laying down to sleep and feeling the baby wiggle (because of course that's when he's active) and for some reason it just lulls to me sleep. It's such a comforting feeling.

Food cravings:  nothing really, just still CONSTANTLY hungry. I've been trying to eat better and it's going well. Lots of fruits, veggies, salads, lean meats. But when nighttime comes around I need a huge bowl of ice cream. 

Anything making you feel sick or queasy?  nothing, thank goodness. 

Symptoms:  back pain especially when I get up from sitting or sitting for a long time. It really hurts and I feel like an 80 year old. 

Belly button:  Flat.

Mood: Good just getting more and more anxious/nervous/excited that we have just 6 (!!!) weeks left. 

Looking forward to: hubby's birthday party, Mother's day :)

Friday!

I'm never really one to wish days aways because as a stay at home mom I feel like my days are what I make them but with that being said I'm so happy it's Friday! This week was long, dreary and uneventful aside from Lucy getting sniffles. The weather is still not very springlike and it's not very motivating. I'm hoping the sun peaks out and warms everything up soon because it's so much easier to get out and go when we don't have to bundle up in 20 layers. Sorry, I'm being dramatic. It's really more like 10 ;) 

I was browsing around the Forever21 website and it made me feel incredibly old. Nothing like seeing trends re-emerge that you wore in middle school to remind you how far you've come from that. Chokers, lace up shirts and flares? Ummm....let's just say I'm a believer in the rule that you don't wear the same trend twice in one lifetime. 

This weekend we have 2 birthday parties that fall at the same time on Saturday. One is for our friends miracle, long awaited for baby boy who will be turning one and the other for my sweetest, dearest mother in law. Also happening the same day? A brunch with my girls Bible study. It's like I have no plans all week and than all. the. plans. at once. Hate when this happens. 

I finally listed new stuff in my Etsy shop! There's a little something something for little ladies, precious newborn babes and nylon headbands for any age in between :)  

Here's Juju wishing everyone a magical weekend ;) 

here here here 

Preggo Thoughts

(Sunday Funday getting pizza for lunch downtown after church enjoying the weather)

Wow this pregnancy seemed to speed by! I remember finding out I was pregnant beginning of October and counting down the weeks until my June due date and thinking that it's such. a. long. time! But here we are and I'm already in my 3rd trimester (what?!) It definitely helps that Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter and 2 vacations were all in between there. Now all that is over and I just have these last 2 months or so to prepare. More mentally than anything ;) 

So, everyday I've been thinking about labor and just preparing myself because labor is so fresh in my mind still from when I had Lucy exactly 19 months ago and though that may seem like awhile the fact that I didn't get an epidural really engraved the experience in my mind. I still freshly remember the pain and it's honestly kind of difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that I have to do this again so soon. Before I was the kind of person that was like "bring it on!" I like to face pain head on and just get it over with but labor (without an epidural) is a whole different level. I had one with Juliana and barely remember the pain. 

Being pregnant a third time also doesn't mean that I'm in any way, shape or form used to the symptoms. So often I'll feel the baby moving around and think "wow my stomach is so flippy. What did I eat?" and it takes me a moment to remember that there is a living, breathing, active little baby in there! It honestly catches me by surprise still. But I'm loving the kicks and punches. They're still so small and gentle that it feels like butterflies and it's just that fun little reminder between you, the baby and God that life is growing amidst the day to day normal.

No matter where I am or what I'm doing I always imagine how the scenario would look with another little babe in the mix. Sometimes it overwhelms me and sometimes I get excited that we'll be making memories as a family of 5 (!) one day soon. 

I still can't believe we're having a boy. Even though I knew 100% it was a boy immediately after finding out I was pregnant I still can't imagine what life is like with a son. Obviously it's because I've never had one but I'm just so used to all things girly and pink and baby dolls and Disney princesses. I know my hubby is excited too but I think even he secretly doesn't know what to expect with a boy in the house haha 

Speaking of knowing it was a boy-here is a list of all the ways I knew it would a boy WEEKS before finding out for sure....

1. I read a book about raising boys called Future Men by Douglas Wilson a week after my positive test.

2. I bought a baby boy onesie that I just couldn't resist at Target

3. I went through all my girl's baby clothes and set aside anything that can be worn by a boy.

4. I prayed for him and could only picture a boy when I prayed.

5. I didn't have any morning sickness which was probably the most obvious indicator that this pregnancy was different. 

6. I started noticing families with 3 kids everywhere and particularly paid attention to anyone that had 2 girls and a boy. 

7. I started looking for boy things online and was so excited when Little Unicorn, a super cute swaddle blanket company came out with a blue and grey planet blanket. I was this.close to ordering it. I love space, planets, comets, stars, anything sky! 

Anyway, that's enough rambling for now. I'm so excited for this little baby! I've been looking at Lucy's newborn pictures and it's making me anxious to hold and love something so tiny again. Hurry up June! 

But not too fast ;)