Figuring Out How To Be a Family of Four

Christmas is over, new years has come and gone and we're already well on our way through February!

Baby Braxton isn't quite so brand new anymore, but we are still working on figuring out our new routine. The lack of sleep wasn't quite as shockingly painful the second time around and my learning curve for breast feeding/diaper changes/bathes/teeny-tiny onsies wasn't as steep. Next week is his 2 month doctor appointment, and I can't wait to see how much he's grown! Grace is still a fantastic big sister, and has only had brief moments of jealousy. She runs to our room every morning to see her baby brother and asks him how he slept.

1 month old: loves sleeping, eating and baths.
Tolerates diaper changes and his sister coughing in his face.
Really hates getting put in his car seat and sleeping at 4am.

Fairy Tale Ballet- she only agreed to pose next to Little Bea

Ha! She loves her #littlebrudder 👶👸

A photo posted by allisonandersonland (@allisonandersonland) on Feb 9, 2015 at 11:31am PST

Last week Grace and I were sick with flu-like symptoms that knocked us out for a good 5 days. We spent lots of time laying on the couch, drinking juice and hot lemon and honey and watching Tinkerbell. Braxton escaped the sickness unscathed and continued his habits of eating, pooping and sleeping unconcerned about the hacking germ boxes he was living with. He really is a pretty easygoing baby.

Yay for surviving the plague on our house, some sun and time with Daddy! #cheapdate #justchocolatemilk #blingedoutthreeyearold 💕

A photo posted by allisonandersonland (@allisonandersonland) on Feb 8, 2015 at 6:56pm PST

Sometimes when I'm holding Braxton and Grace is nestled up next to me with her head on my shoulder, I can't even believe I am this lucky. Life can be hard, but Cole and I have the privilege of watching and guiding our sweet babies as they grow up. I am making an extra conscious effort this time around to enjoy the little moments, as I know all too well how quickly the days (and years) flew by with Grace.

Lilacs: 
Valentine's Day is this Saturday, so Grace's class is having a party. I love any excuse to get crafty, so I was pretty excited that she had to bring in Valentines for her class and decorate a box for Valentines cards. I will readily admit that I hijacked her project, BUT, I did let her help put on the stickers (her favorite part) and she decorated cards for her teachers.

I found this cute idea on Pinterest, and it was really inexpensive and easy to assemble (I also liked that it didn't involve candy!):

Envelope Valentine's box and watercolor Valentines for the class

The box is just an empty Cheerios box, cut in half and taped with white duct tape. The Valentines are watercolors from the Dollar Tree with this cute printable. 

Lemons: 

That time I thought I was super on top of things and sent a thank you note that looked like this:

Sorry, Christina!!!

My Lemonade: I loved laughing at myself. I'm pretty ridiculous and do something silly/embarrassing basically everyday. Oh well. Secret's out- I'm not perfect! ;)

This Year I Choose Joy

(Source)

"We have to choose joy and keep choosing it."

-Henri J.M. Nouwen

Happy new year! 2015 is officially here. So far, I'm a fan! It still feels fresh and new and full of possibilities. We've had family visitors and even some sunny (winter) days.

2014 was a year of transition and change. 

We left life in the Army for life in Tennessee. 

We said goodbye to our first house, became landlords and simplified life with the purchase of a townhouse.

We made time for family and celebrated our love and each other. 

We cheered for my dad's medical victories from afar. 

We found out we were adding to the nest... A boy! 

Our little girl turned three and prepared to become a big sister. She danced and played, made friends and went to school. She blew our minds with how smart, sweet and funny she was. 

We bought a big girl bed for our big girl and set up a nursery for out little guy. 

Photo by Christina Clark Photography

We wondered what we'd name him....and then we welcomed Braxton Edwin Anderson one month early on December 18th, 2014 at 9:52 pm. 

We celebrated Christmas as a family of four and look to the new year for the adventures that await.

Last year I wanted to FOCUS. 

This year my resolution is to choose joy. Truly enjoy life's moments and live deliberately. That is my goal.

(Source)

Happy 2015! Let's make it good. 

Sprinkled With Love

I was lucky enough to have an adorable sprinkle thrown for me last week by some very sweet friends- thank you Leslie, Alissa and Christina! I really wasn't sure if it was the norm to have a shower for the second baby, but it was nice to have an occasion to celebrate our baby boy's impending arrival. 

The invitations were custom designed and printed through Zazzle. The little rain drops pattern on the back is my favorite part!

Picture by Christina Clark Photography

There was the perfect mix of yummy treats, adorable decorations and great company at the sprinkle. I was so thankful for the advice from the veteran mamas. (It's only been 3 years since Grace was a newborn, but I have clearly blocked those sleepless nights out of my mind.) I've also been bowled over by the generosity of my sweet friends to share their baby gear and experiences. My talented friend, Kathleen, owner of Little Hipsters Apparel, even made matching outfits for little brother and big sister and how cute is this lion hamper I received?! I love how big it is! 

3 Sprouts Laundry Hamper

I've also been working to try and build up a stash of cloth diapers, so I was thrilled to be gifted a couple of new diapers. I am totally new to the cloth diaper scene, but I am really motivated to make it work, if possible. I mean, cloth diapers are better for the environment, we can save money vs. buying disposables and they are super cute! My fingers are crossed that I can figure this out. I know it can't be that difficult, but there is a steep learning curve full of acronyms and poop talk. Fluff mail, AIO, wet bags, etc... :) If you have any tips for me, I would LOVE to hear them! What is the one thing you wish you had known when you started cloth diapering?

A collection I begged, borrowed and bartered for

We moved the final piece of furniture into the nursery (spare room), and now we are ready to put the finishing touches on the walls. I definitely have the urge to nest, and get everything ready! So far we haven't painted the room ***although I'm hoping hubbins and I can do it over Christmas break*** maybe, possibly, there's a chance, right, Cole?!

I found these awesome letters on a blog called Daily Drop Cap, and I decided to make a piece of alphabet art for the room. The designer created illustrative initial caps regularly starting in 2009. There are currently 9 full alphabets posted on her blog, and they are all beautiful. I love the pops of orange and gold in the letters I chose, and I think it looks fun in a simple white frame. I'm considering making a mini gallery wall with this piece, a mirror, and a few other frames, but I haven't decided yet!

Letters by Jessica Hische, Daily Drop Cap

Meanwhile, the days are flying by and Christmas is just weeks away! Grace is so enthralled with everything related to the holidays this year. She was thrilled (and mostly speechless) when she got to meet Mrs. Claus and Santa. This was a huge improvement from the screaming traumatized toddler of years past.

Asking Santa for trains for Christmas

 She loved helping decorate the tree inside and outside, and she is filled with anticipation each morning as she looks for the Elf on a Shelf. (He is a very well-behaved elf who hangs out mostly in high, hard to reach places. Grace calls him "Little Girl," so maybe it is a she and not a he...)

#34 weeks

Cravings: Coffee and a nap or watching Breaking Bad

Feeling: Like the accommodations are getting tight 

Grace's Donut Birthday Brunch and {Chalkboard Party Favor DIY}

I think I know why fall is my favorite season... October and November are full of holidays and opportunities to celebrate! Last year, Grace didn't really seem to care about her birthday, but this year she was so excited for her big day.

I can't blame her. Turning 3 is a pretty big deal. We decided to celebrate with donuts (my Grace's favorite) and her closest pals. She even got a special visit from her Auntie Jen!

Thanks, Auntie, for making Grace's special day even more special!

I created this invitation and then had it printed with Vistaprint. 

We planned to have the party outside and crossed my fingers that it wouldn't be raining or too cold. The week of the party the weather app kept showing Saturday's temperatures getting lower and lower. After much debate, we decided to move the party inside. I was worried there wouldn't be enough room and the kids would be bored, but it turned out perfectly and the kids were thrilled to play with the toys, eat donuts and run up and down the stairs. We just decorated with some pink table clothes and streamers and these cute little donuts that I printed and cut out. (We also used them for decorating our thank you cards.)

Source: Free Printable from Oh Happy Day

Our guests decorated their party hats with sparkly stickers and polka dots when they arrived. I was surprised by how entertained they were doing this. More proof that simple is better when it comes to toddlers. 

Decorate Your Party Hat Station

The "brunch" menu was very simple:

• LOTS OF DONUTS (from Donut Country, a Murfreesboro favorite)
• Yogurt (greek for the adults and Gogurts for the kids)
• Bananas
• Cheerios (otherwise known as donut seeds)
• Coffee, milk, chocolate milk, OJ and water

Grace sang right along as everyone sang her "Happy Birthday," and she had no problem blowing out her candle, which we stuck in the middle of a coma-inducing cinnamon roll. 

Grace's extra large frosted cinnamon roll with sprinkles

Cheerios as "Donut Seeds" 

I had a lot of fun creating the party favors for each of Grace's friends- monogramed chalk boards inspired from here!

The process was super easy, but did take a couple nights to finish all of the coats of paint on each side of the letters. My goal was to give our guests something that they would use and that wouldn't add more junk to the toy box. Here are the DIY instructions if you want to make your own chalkboard party favors:

How To Make Monogramed Chalkboard Party Favors

Supplies:

MDF Letter 
1 Bottle of Chalkboard Paint
Paint brush
Chalk

320 Grit Sandpaper
Small rubber bands
Jute and/or Ribbon

1. Following the instructions on your chalkboard paint, paint 1-4 layers of paint onto the letters. Make sure you use solid strokes alternating horizontal or vertical for different layers. 
2. Once you've painted all sides of your letters and they are dry, rub the 320 grit sandpaper over the entire letter to smooth it down. (This will make the chalkboard easier to use and erase.)
3. Prime each letter by rubbing chalk on all of the surfaces and then wipe clean. (If you don't do this, the first thing you draw on your chalkboard won't ever completely come off.)
4. Attach a few pieces of chalk using a rubber band and some jute to the letter. 
5. Add your party tag and some curly ribbon, and you're done!

Putting the finishing touches on the party favors. 

Overall, we had a wonderful party and felt so lucky to be able to celebrate our baby's third birthday with our new Tennessee friends. Grace was over the moon! I was so proud of her throughout the whole party. She was kind to her friends, shared her toys and used good manners when opening her presents. I really do enjoy being able to throw her birthday parties, but I also want her to be a gracious host and to be appreciative for all she has.

We had a polka dot themed party when Grace turned one and an ice cream party at a farm for her second birthday.

P.S.

A maternity update!

#30 weeks

Cravings: Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream (Let's not talk about how I ate half of a week old pumpkin pie with a can of whipping cream on the couch while I watched Revenge.)

Feeling: Rotund 

I can't believe we're in the final stretch until baby Anderson gets here! I am so excited to meet him!

Our Love: Blooming for Ten Years

"Forever" ago, Cole and I decided to get married fresh out of high school. Afterwards I decided I would plan a big "wedding" vow renewal ceremony for our ten year anniversary. It would be everything our little wedding wasn't; it would be a big party with all of our friends, open bar (because we could actually drink), a DJ and a sexy dress. I would plan it in my head most nights before I fell asleep. It wasn't that I didn't love our wedding-I did. I just had it stuck in my head that it was supposed to be something grander, like the pictures in the bridal magazines.

Ten years ago our wedding was a small get together in my husband's grandparent's garden. It was a hot July day in northern California. Our closest family were there. My dad walked me down the grassy aisle in a slick black vest. My bridesmaids consisted of my 2 best girlfriends from high school and my twin sister, Jennifer. We bought my garter from a little boutique in a strip mall on the way to the wedding.  Our cake was decorated with tiny pink polka dots and my bouquet held pink roses and big yellow sunflowers. We toasted with sparkling cider. My papa was the officiant and witness as I kissed my handsome soldier husband for the first time.

It was, actually, perfect. The flowers were blooming, just like our love. Flawed, simple and true.

Since that kiss, we've shared our life together in Nevada, North Carolina, Arizona, and Tennessee. We've graduated college, been through good times and tough times, survived deployments and life with a newborn. Ten years feels like just the first chapter in our story. I couldn't be prouder of the man I'm married to. He is strong, loving, funny, faithful and determined. I love seeing his features in our daughter and knowing that he will be by my side as we watch her grow up.

I no longer feel the need to plan an elaborate vow renewal ceremony for our 10 year anniversary. (Good thing, because it's here, and I didn't plan one!) I guess I've learned over the years that love is something that should be celebrated and lived each day. Kisses goodbye each day and splitting a bottle of wine on a Friday night are just as important (maybe even more) as a fancy dress and a big party. Instead, I'm happy to spend the day (after) with my sweetheart just enjoying each other's company-kid-free to boot! We are also lucky enough our anniversary will always fall the day before the 4th of July holiday, so we can celebrate with fireworks as our love continues to bloom.

Happy 10 years to my love! 

 Write a blog post inspired by the word: blooming