You may have noticed there have been a lot of flowy dresses on the feed the past few months. I’m always a sucker for a breezy maxi; but when it comes to dressing my bump it’s pretty much all I wear.

This pregnancy, I’ve invested in a few “maternity” pieces , which I love- here and here. But I struggle with spending money on pieces that I’m unlikely to wear post-pregnancy.

Over the last few weeks I’ve taken to Instagram to ask your help with a few baby-centered questions.

It started with my recent quest for a new option for baby sleepers. In case you missed it, I had been pretty set on using the Rock n’ Play Sleeper again for baby number two.

Does anyone else struggle with what to do with all those pretty little masterpieces that come home from school with our kiddos? I sure do.

Ever since MM started preschool last year, I’ve been struggling about what to do with all the paintings, drawings, crafts and keepsakes that have come home signed by our girl. It’s made me a bit of a hoarder when it comes to her artwork; and I’ve been on the hunt for an alternative to keeping it in bins for eternity.

After traveling a bunch the entire month of May and the beginning of June, we finally had a full family weekend at home. And it was just what we needed.

Friday we celebrated Maddie’s birthday with a super low key get together at the house with family. We grilled and enjoyed some good old fashion Carvel ice cream cake and enjoyed our first official BBQ of the season at our house.

Four years ago today, at 3:06 am, we met your for the very first time.

Maybe met is the wrong word. Because we knew you well before then.

For so long before that day, we knew you were ours. You filled our dreams with hope for a family; one that had to include you- your spirit, your heart, your love of life and happiness and us.

Father’s Day is a little under a week away, and there’s still ample time to grab some great gifts for the special guys in our lives. With the help of Phil, and all your responses on Instagram, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite goodies for guys- so many of which are on sale or come with free shipping, so take advantage!

My journey with infertility began in January of 2014.

Phil and I got married in October of 2013; but knowing my history with PCOS, I decided to stop taking the BCP the summer before we tied the knot. I had known for most of my adult life that it would take some time and help to start a family, so I figured I would roll the dice and see what happened.

A few weeks ago, we packed up the family, headed west, and spent Memorial Day Weekend in beautiful Santa Barbara.

My parents moved back to California when I was a junior in college- so I spent holidays, summers and a few random weekends there before I graduated. But it wasn’t until I lived there post-college that I fell in love with the American Riviera.

There really is something so special about Santa Barbara- its beautiful and elegant, while staying charming and beachy. The food can’t be beat, the shopping is downright dangerous, and the lifestyle is enviable- farmers markets every day, dining al fresco year round, dog friendly beaches. I could go on and on.

Friday marks week 27 for this here bump, and I can’t believe the third trimester is just around the corner. It really is crazy how much quicker my pregnancy is going, this time around. So much faster, but still THIRTEEN weeks left to go. Making a tiny human really does take forever, and its really ten months not nine, people; but I know its all worth it in the end. And even though my due date isn’t for three more months, if its anything like the past few, I know it’ll go by in the blink of an eye- especially now that school’s out and summer vacation is officially here.

This morning I snuck away to finally experience my first Guasha Facial with my sweet friend Mary Heaven of Mary Heaven Acupuncture. And it was AH-MAZING.

Firstly, her Riverside studio is what all my relaxation dreams are made of. The crystals, candles, neutral tones and potted plants immediately bring on a feeling of calm, and I wanted to stay for hours. But, sadly, I only had 60 minutes to sneak away. So we opted for a relaxing, gentle, sculpting treatment that left me feeling totally rejuvenated.

When I first announced when we were pregnant, one of the first questions I was asked was: Does Maddie know?? 

The reality is, I think she knew before I did. Weeks before I took a test, I remember her asking me what was in my belly. I never thought anything of it, but in hindsight it still gives me goosebumps.

Mother’s Day is just a little over a week away, and I’ve been doing a little virtual window shopping for all the ladies out there. It’s been a dreary start to May over here in Connecticut, so I’ve spent a decent amount of time perusing the internet and rounding up some of my favorite goodies- whether you want to spoil your mom, grandma, or dear friend; or just want to pick up a little something for yourself- I’ve got you covered.

A few weeks ago I posted a few insta stories of one of my mornings with MM- we were drawing together at my desk, and I was particularly taken by one of her pictures of a flower with a sweet little bee. For some reason I loved it, and I mentioned I might frame it.

And, as it typically goes, we’ve since lost the little drawing.

If you’ve seen my walking around town in jeans lately, then you may have seen my walking around town in jeans pulling them up over my pregnant behind every .5 seconds. It’s sad, and annoying, but true: Maternity jeans are not my friend. 99% of the time.

And I have tried on A LOT of them. 

Twenty weeks and we’re half way there! 
It feels like it was just last week that we found out the unbelievable news; it’s going by so quickly this time, and yet there’s still so far to go. I forgot you’re basically pregnant for a year.

I didn’t have Lilies and Lambs when I was pregnant with MM, and as a result I didn’t document really any part of those nine months- in pictures or words. So there’s little in terms of physical memories of that part of our journey. 

Next month Phil and I will be heading to Miami for a little Baby Moon. We didn’t get a chance to take one when I was pregnant with Maddie, so this time around we wanted to carve out some time just for us. I’ll be writing a whole post on this in a few weeks; but in the meantime I’ll share a few vacation goodies I’ve had my eyes on. We plan on doing a whole lot of NOTHING: breakfasts in robes, lounging by the pool, catching up on some good reads and relaxing just the two of us. I’ll be taking a carry on- possibly a first for me- so I’m planning on packing smarter and lighter for this trip.