If there's one thing I've learned about motherhood, its that it can be messy.

It's unpredictable, and chaotic, and rarely looks the way you'd imagine. But, more often than not, it's beautifully so. And in most cases, it's those messy moments that make up the best memories in this phase of life- a muddy day at the park, a splash in a rainstorm, an afternoon painting or a trip to the beach. And, while these moments can be sometimes cringe-inducing, its comforting to know they're nothing that a warm bath can't fix at the end of the day.

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Last weekend our little town in Connecticut was hit by quite the storm. There wasn't too much snow, but the winds were outrageous. Trees came down, power was out, and we were left without cable and internet for a full three days. I had a few friends in town, so I was a bit nervous at the thought of hosting without our intended Netflix documentary marathon to keep us entertained.

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This week MM battled her first real stomach bug.

In terms of bugs, it wasn't all that bad. But it still hurt my heart to watch her struggle and feel so uncomfortable in her body. If only for 24 hours.

And it got me thinking about taking care of ourselves as mamas...

Is it just me, or are these glimpses into spring pretty much everything right now? We've had a few of them recently here in Connecticut, and they're just what I need to get me through the last leg of the winter. The temperatures have been somewhat all over the place- and I'm pretty sure wearing a dress without tights for a hot minute last week was pretty confusing for our girl- but as long as that sunshine keeps peeking through, I'm all set.

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Another short week that flew by quick. And even graced us with an unseasonably warm winter day. Wednesday brought us all the sunshine and blue skies, making me itch for spring and summer even more. Maddie returned to school after a week of vacation, and she was more than happy to get back to her routine.

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Recently I've received a lot of messages regarding toddler toy and storage essentials. More specifically, many of you are interested in what toys I'd recommend purchasing for when the littles visit, and how to store them- I'm looking at you, grandmas. 

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Does anyone else feel like the beginning of this year has been a crazy whirlwind? It truly feels like we've been going non-stop since the holidays. Between work, and travel and the daily ins and outs, it seems like we haven't had time to slow down and catch a breath.

Parenthood has a funny way of doing that; even when we have the best intentions. And it seems like each year I make a goal to be more present- to simplify- and then the beautiful chaos creeps in.

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This past weekend we packed up and headed west to a little ski town called Aspen. Growing up, my family spent our winter vacations skiing in Utah; so this was my first time exploring the Colorado mountains. It was a quick trip- spending only two full days in town. But I was able to get a quick lay of the land and find some precious little gems that I would highly recommend. 

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After weeks of anticipation, our Aspen girls’ trip has finally arrived. Yesterday we headed west for a weekend of ski, spa and lots of toasts in celebration of my baby sister’s upcoming wedding.

Valentine's Day is just a week away; so to get in the spirit this past weekend,  I invited a few girlfriends over for a little ladies' brunch. 

I wanted to create a sweet party that was equal parts girly and unexpected- lots of bright pinks, balloons and bubbly combined with pops of black, gold tones and all the cold brew coffee.

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It has been a WEEK, folks. But we made it. 

Potty training is no joke, people. It is certainly ranked as one of the hardest things we've done in parenthood so far. Boy, did it take a lot out of me; and I can only imagine how frustrating it can be for a tiny two-year-old. 

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Tomorrow is February first, and I'm so ready for it.

Does anyone else feel like this January has been the longest month ever? Between the weather and my current fog of toddlerhood {complete now with potty training} I can't wait to get on with this year, and onto a fresh month. 

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The first fever-free week we've had in a while, and boy, did it feel good.

 Madeline was so happy to get back to school and art class, and mom was more than pleased to get back to our regular routine. It's amazing what I can get done around here during a few hours of preschool and an hour or two of nap time. 

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It’s been a long while since I’ve sat down with a good read. To be honest, I’ve never been one to prefer a book over Bravo; but ever since I’ve had MM there has been a vast decline in my time spent thumbing through the pages of a good ‘ole fashioned story. Besides a few great parenting books, I’ve basically neglected reading altogether; so this year, I’ve made a conscience effort to get back into the groove.

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Three weeks into the new year and my head has been in a bit of a fog. In fact, if I’m being honest, it's pretty wiped out.

I blame this mostly on a cold/ flu that recently ravaged our household. It was horrible, and painful, and totally kicked our butts.

But I also blame it, in part, on a tiny little two-nager that has moved in to our house. She looks just like our Maddie Mae, but she’s prone to bossiness, mood swings and loves the word “No.” And she snuck right in.

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I've been a Disney kid from the beginning.  Growing up in Connecticut we would gladly seek refuge from the cold at Mickey's House. Much like we did this past week. Over the years our trips have looked slightly different- our vacations changing as we grow; and then of course with the addition of Madeline. But the fun stays the same. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Disney World:

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