Still Living At Home, Cry For Mama? [MOMLIFE]

Looking forward to this little fact being true for about the next 18 years or so :>

All kidding aside, baby E's cry is beginning to develop. For a while now, she doesn't cry out when she wakes up in the middle of the night (or early morning). Instead, she whimpers until I come and get her.

Today, when I put her in the crib for just a moment, she did the same but the sound she was making was slightly more sophisticated. Her lips started off together, like for an 'm' sound and the actual sound she made with a pout pout face was a drawn out 'meh'. Listen hard enough, you'd think (if you were me :>) that this is the beginning of 'meh meh', or 'mama'. :> xo

Onesie: Carters

Pants: Target

Mustard Thick Cardigan And One Happy Baby [STYLE]

Today is baby E's last day of being a newborn!! 

These last three months have flown by and we've grown so much in such a short amount of time. So looking forward as we enter this new phase but admit will miss this time she is such an itty bitty.

After a 6-hour stretch, plus some, of sleep, baby E was in a terribly good mood this morning. 

The key to this happy baby is that she has enough sleep and milk, isn't too hot or cold, and is included in the activity. That is, she doesn't need your full attention per se but wants to be around the chatter, or not alone-- a socialite, if you will.

It's been chilly and gray this past week, even with rain!, so I've been gravitating toward this new mustard-colored sweater a lot lately. I've had my eye on it since summer when I was pregnant. Not only is it warm but it's bright, perfect for a cloudy day but not so much that it's blinding, if you know what I mean.

Catch it quick. I still see it in store for 50% off, and perhaps it's still online.

Cardigans are a fav for me this cold season as I'm exclusively breastfeeding. 

What're your current favorite pieces to wear? Share in the Comments, would love to hear! xo

Sweater: Forever 21

Tee: Target

Pants: H&M

Onesie: Carters

Still Living At Home [LIFE, KIDSTYLE]

It's been a tough year-- epic morning sickness, discrimination, layoff, to name a few. That said, however, there are many things to be thankful for this year.

Among my top highlights of the year:

Without a doubt, at the very top was bringing our newest addition of the family, my second daughter, home. Healthy and happy, she integrated beautifully into our family. We all love her and she's made our home an even happier place full of even more love and laughter.

The other top highlight: a visit from Home. We haven't been back home since we left, nearly four years ago. Four years. Man, just saying that sounds like ages. And it is. So many things have happened since. Yet where we are still doesn't feel like Home either.

When our family friend (since childhood), or 'framily', dropped in for an unexpected visit, it brought back so many memories and warm feelings. It was like the first time it felt like I was at home once again. Sounds weird, I'm sure. It's hard to explain but it made my year to see our dear family friend and for her to meet baby E. Now remembering back, she came to the hospital and met Nui Nui on the day of her arrival, too.

Then, again unexpectedly, we recently received an overly generous holiday care package from her, and baby E is now rocking the onesie that was included.

'Still living at home', it says. And always in my heart they will be, I'll add :>

There's nothing like those people in your life that, no matter how long you haven't seen them and no matter how far away they live, that when you do meet up once again, it feels like just yesterday. Folks like these: priceless.

Love you and thank you, Auntie May! We heart you always! xo

Onesie: Carters

Pants: Target - Circo

Back in October, just two months ago, when baby E was not even yet one month.

Baby's First Toy! [MOMLIFE]

I spent the day with Mom a couple of days ago when Nui Nui was in school, as I accompanied her to her doctor's appointment. After, we had lunch and then took a walk through Walmart. 

As we walked past the baby section, Mom acted just like a grandma (I guess because she is :>)-- happy and excited, exclaiming she wanted to get baby E a little toy. 

Honestly, I felt a little clueless about it and it didn't really dawn on me to myself. I mean, I try every once in a while to play with Sophie The Giraffe (a teething toy) or Blue Elephant (an Eric Carle toy) but they're still just a tad too big for her, so, in the end, I just use my face and hands to entertain her :>

Anyway, Mom found this ring toy that's perfect for her tiny grip and similar to a toy that hangs from her bouncer. 

So far, she's still a little clueless about it-- she's more drawn to looking at people or he overhead light :> but is definitely able to play and grow with it. 

To now, I was just as clueless. This so-called ring toy is called a 'rattle' :> [specifics below].

Toy: Bright Starts Grab And Spin Rattle

Bouncer: Bright Starts 

Outfit: Carters

Have good toy recommendations for young infants? Share them in the Comments below, we'd love to hear about them! xo

Purrrfect Plaid Baby Outfit! [KID STYLE]

Baby's new clothes from Black Friday have finally been washed and put away. Over these next few months (or however long we can get use out of them :>), she'll be sporting these new threads and I'll hopefully remember to share them with you. 

First up: 

Baby's onesie is from a Carters three-pack. I'm not a huge fan of the writing, I admit, but it says 'Purrrfect in every way' with a cat. I am a fan that my 4yo toddler was able to read the phrase and we both were a fan of the gold polka dots. I've been a fan of the gold sparkle coupled with red, this year.

The pants are screenprinted cotton plaid made by Target's brand Circo. I love the cuffs at the bottom. If these were fleece or sherpa-lined, they'd be seriously just purrrfect :> 

I sat baby up along the grove where the cushions meet on the couch, and am impressed with her sitting power. She's getting stronger and more able by the night :>

More coming your way! xo