Baby . . . The New Black, Round Two!

Yep, it's true, Jackson's getting a sibling, come June our little family of three will officially be 3+1! This time around things are much, much different . . . instead of baby being the new black, life with baby (um . . . toddler) has not only become the new black, but the new white, red, purple, and every other color in between. It's true, we are now well versed in all things 'family', and (gulp) being a parent seems more familiar than foreign. Our social life has gone from happy hours and endless (in a good way) dinner parties, to joint-family (day-time) outings and speed dinner dates in gourmet establishments like Tutta Bella. Where weeknights were once filled with trips to the gym, hanging with friends, networking at the latest work event,  and loooong discussions over dinners made together, they're now filled with swim lessons, gymnastics,  lighting quick workouts, and one pot dinners. And sleep . . . don't even get me started, but let's just say Top Pot helps anyone be more of a morning person!

While it sounds like a whole lot of change, and let's be honest it is, we're now settled into this new chapter like a pair of your coziest yoga pants and are rocking it! So bring on bundle of joy number two because we're ready and more than just a little excited to see our family grow.

Blogging on 'baby' has been SUCH fun and while I will always continue to keep you all updated on our adventures (chronic over-sharer here!), like our life, 'baby' has reached a new chapter. So while it will be back soon, I need a little time to refocus, revamp, and recreate the blog that's still all about baby, and of course living both passionately and stylishly with baby (some things never change!), but now just from a new perspective . . .

Happy Holidays all, my bump and I will see you all in the new year!

xoxo,

K

Sous Chef

These days, if I'm a bakin', Jackson's a helpin'. While I love my little sous chef, I've learned that the simpler (ie: quicker!), the better, which means brownies - store bought mix (of course - hello, realist here!) doctored up with some yummy ingredients like dark chocolate chips, salted carmel, or hazelnuts - is our go-to recipe when preparing goodies for our loved ones. Whoever said semi-homemade wasn't  foodie-worthy, never had a toddler!

Disclaimer: for all our "new parents" pals, no toddler germs were present in your care package, all double dippin' took place after your treats were safely in the oven!

Sleep Therapy

Today marks day number nine that we’ve been dealing with “disk-gate 2011” at our house (ie: hubby with a herniated disk), and while the entire experience has brought on many feelings . . . pain, frustration, boredom (poor guy!) . . . the strongest feeling of all is that the time for a new bed has come. Being busy parents we finally get it, sleep is where it’s at, hands down the number one, most important factor for determining a great quality of life . . . EVER. For the past year (at least) we’ve been tossing and turning, dreaming of a good night’s sleep and a new bed, but now that our bed is literally hurting us (ok, Brad), the time has arrived. And, I couldn’t be more excited about it.  In my mind new bed equals new bedroom (decor), which is almost as exciting to me as a good night’s sleep (at last). Here are some inspiration photos that are not only realistic for our space but, make me sigh (yawn, perhaps) with happiness. Sweet dreams everyone.

These sides table are a must for me - loves! Also, they will balance out the 'girly' of my much obsessed over chandilier

The most practical layout for our bedroom, however it's the chandelier & robin's egg blue walls of this photo that makes me swoon

Heavenly bedding & rustic floors

Who wouldn't want to wake up this happy?

The bedframe style we're leaning towards

Like what you see, I’ve got these pics & more posted on my inspiration boards on pinterest, come follow me! 

Photos compliments of aparment therapy, west elm, houseofturquoise.com, and bhg.com

East Meets West

So tonight mama got out of the house and (wait for it . . . ) actually made it to happy hour with some of her co-workers at Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor, a fab little watering hole with a great sense of style (not to mention a flowing stream of bubbles!). While it was fabulous to kick back and have some quality girl time I did show what little self-restraint I do have upon ordering eats, as I knew once I came home to a hungry hubby and cozy PJs, my stomach would be calling all the shots! Enter my 2-minute dinner discovery, the "east meets west" pizza.

The recipe: garlic naan, smeared with red sauce, sprinkled with mozzarella & fresh goat cheese, and topped with heirloom tomatoes & basil (both from our garden!) and baked for eight minutes at 400 degrees. Pure, simple, yumminess . . .even for those of us that aren't fresh from happy hour!

Salute!

Biiig Day

This summer we have been busy (in-state) travelers, bouncing back and forth between the heat in the east and the "you've got to be kidding me gray" skies of the west, showing Jackson all of our favorite weekend hangout spots. In July we ventured to Seaside, OR armed with both sets of grandparents, and while the weather was horrible and the accomindations not the plushest this family has seen, it was easily Jackson's favorite trip of the summer. Within a day of our arrival he had excitedly added the words beach, seashell, crab, waves, sand, and sailboat to his repertoire and strutted around the sand telling anyone in shouting distance that it was a "biiig day"! We're pretty sure "biiig day" is the toddler translation of beach day, but now,  at least once a day, I hear "biiig day, mama, biiig day"! Loves! Makes me feel like every day in this little man's life is a big one and as an added bonus I know this kid will never tire of the surf, sand, and sun. After all, he's got the hair to rock beach life, now all he needs is a board. . .

Welcome to the Nest

Last weekend I was honored with the 'task' of helping to throw a baby shower for a great, lifelong pal, and seeing that the mama and daddy (to-be) are a couple who always strive to embrace their love for friends & family, nature, and of course fun, we wanted to the day to reflect all three. Immediately my (fabulous!) co-planner and I decided that a nesting theme was a must! We started by combining the symbolism of the nest, the whimsy of the owl, and the pretty pallet of the great outdoors of woody browns, natural greens, and summer pinks, added a dash of yummy PNW flavors, and capped the day off with a sprinkling of (the most important theme of) loved ones.

Welcome touches: chalkboard directional sign, doorstep decor.

Clockwise: "were pregnant" pic of the parents to be (also how they broke the news to the grandparents to be - too cute), the foyer - featuring pictures of 'mom', and both mom & dad (to-be) as kids, photos of both mom & dad on their birthdays with their mothers.

 The menu: berry yogurt parfaits, 4 kinds of quiche (recipes by Julia Child), cheese & accompanying goodies, caprese salad, spinach salad, and a collection of baby cupcakes & parisian macaroons.

The bar: raspberry italian sodas, mint & raspberry infused water, sparkling lemonade.

It's all in the details (clockwise): wish cards for baby's scrapbook, nest table decor from Once Upon a Time, whimsical woodlands backdrop for the mama hot spot (aka: gift chair), bird table decor from my personal collection, vintage birdcage & owl from Pottery Barn Kids, candy jars (my own) filled with natural touches, paper chains (event decor trend!), guest favors.

While I'm ecstatic about how all the details came together what really made this day so special was the amazing group of ladies that filled the room. Keeping the guest list small enough to allow the mama-to-be to visit with everyone, while still large enough to create the always fun baby buzz (think lots of laughter, paused only for the baby-shower-required oooohing & ahhhing!), it really was an unforgettable, yet relaxed celebration.

Thanks so much to the guest of honor for allowing me to be a part of your special day. We all can't WAIT to welcome your little lady into the world . . . even if you won't share her name (pre-birth) with us!

xoxo,

Got Sun?

Shine on sun, shine on.

Take two toddlers, and very mature little lady, a pregnant gal, a needy pug, and two sets of stressed out parents and what do you have? The makings of a camping weekend extraordinaire! Yes camping with the littles has it challenges, but the sun, the private “beach” at our campsite, the boating, the jet skis, great company, (did I mention the SUN?) and you’ve got yourself a perfect little weekend at Banks Lake.  Note to my fellow parents, push aside your fears of the tremendous efforts it takes to make a family camping trip happen and just go already. Your toddler will love it and you’ll be laying the foundation for their lifelong love affair with adventure! We cherished every minute of Jackson’s giddiness, which of course came with messiness, that was then followed by a whole load of over tiredness (cranky!!), but after he was tucked into the tent for the night and we were able to reflect on the day with good friends and strong cocktails, we felt proud & happy . . . so worth it! Now get out there and camp!

Quick someone call REI, I think I just dreamt up their next family-friendly ad campaign? No eye-rolling allowed!

An after-breakfast swim at our campsite.

Blue Lagoon anyone?

Grand Coulee Dam, just a few miles away.

Wind Fields near Vantage, perfect rest stop on the return to Seattle.

So cool!