I Got Dressed {But Didn't Put on Makeup}

I wore this comfy outfit last Thursday since it was a clean-the-house-and-go-to-Walmart kind of day.

And yes, this tee is one of like the three shirts I ever wear these preggo days.

I found it a couple months back at Old Navy (see this post where I highlighted it as a favorite) and immediately knew it would be a goodie. 

So.... of course I went back the next day and bought two more. Best $10 tee ever. I've worn it here, here in navy and here  - and those are just the times it made it to the blog. Not pictured: the daily ritual where I have nothing to wear because #bump and I end up throwing on maternity leggings and this tee and running out the door. Oops. 

And speaking of bump - BUMP! Seriously getting so wobbly! I feel 8 months pregnant and when I sit up I have to do that old lady brace-your-back thing and I have been known to make weird grunting noises on occasion when I bend over and pick up Lydia. Suuuper attractive let me tell ya ;).

And if we're being honest here these pics somehow don't make me look nearly as huge as I am. Like at least twice a day I catch myself in the mirror and I am utterly shocked at how big this belly is.

But feeling all those Baby Boy kicks are so worth it!!!

And lately I've been hearing about so many complications (miscarriages, fetal problems, infertility, even stillbirth - cannot even imagine the heartache there), that I look at this big bump - with the double chin and expanding thighs that come with it - and can't help but feel grateful. These chipmunk cheeks will go away one day, and my arms will be toned again at some point, but right now I am just lucky to host a healthy tiny baby, and that is good enough.

Oh and couldn't let this one slide. Literally twenty seconds early she was laughing? And then she was sad when I took the tripod down? Toddlers. Someone explain them to me ;).

Tee - Old Navy here

Maternity leggings - H&M here

Chambray shirt - Target old, similar here, here or here

Shoes - Converse here

Hat - Old, similar here

Lydia's outfit is pretty much all thrifted except for her Nikes and bow, which are both Nordstrom.

Life (basically just Lydia) Lately

Okay first off this little smile just about kills me. 

It is SO HARD to get Lydia to smile for a camera! She will definitely look at the camera, but usually just stares blankly. But somehow my mom actually captured those teeth! New favorite picture of her. So what if she's naked and bow-less :).

Mommy's copy cat. Literally draped this over her shoulder and wore it around the house for a good hour. Ha.

CHAAAALK! Where have I been?! Is this not the single greatest creation to ever grace the kid kingdom?! Lydia is obsessed with going outside, but usually gets bored and then wanders to the front yard which is a no-no. Solution = chalk!

That and cardboard boxes. Why do I buy toys?

We tried these adorable Hunter boots on Lydia, but she literally could not walk in them. Bummer! So cute. 

And some pics from our In n Out excursion a few weeks back. Never seen anyone more excited for ketchup - HA! She is obsessed.

yum.

And closing out with the HILARIOUS 50 pound sack of potatoes our friend brought over. Apparently she had like 200 pounds and was trying to get rid of them! So... anyone want potatoes?! Please come get some. I think we've used 3 so far.

Pinners Conference and The Nicest Date Night Ever

About every other week we get one night altogether as a family! So typically we will roam a mall (so glad I married someone who likes to shop almost as much as I do, ha!), grab a low key dinner somewhere cheap, head home, put Lydia to sleep and watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy. And if we're feelin really spontaneous we may watch TWO. Whoa ;). Needless to say our family "date nights" aren't super exciting, and Michael and I couldn't even remember the last time we'd gone out just the two of us. Because A) we're broke (aka no babysitter funds) and B) Michael doesn't get to see Lydia that much anyway, so it's fun to all be together. But we have the best friends, and they offered to watch Lydia for a few hours last Friday night so Michael and I could have an evening to ourselves! 

And of course, Michael was adorable and surprised me with all my favorite things. First we went to sushi, which he would never choose but he knows I love it :). Then after having the most relaxing meal since Lydia was born we drove to downtown Salt Lake to walk around the Pinners Conference! It was awesome! So many adorable little shops (like 200+ I think!) and so much creativity. Luckily for our wallet I'm huge and pregnant and not super into buying clothes currently. But we loved looking at everything and we couldn't help but walk away with a pair of mustard suede mocs for baby boy!

After an hour or so at the Pinners Conference we drove through Hires for their signature Peanut Butter Oreo milkshake and then picked up Lydia and called it a night! Thanks so much Libby and Mat for watching her! We owe you guys. 

And... yes I forgot to take pictures of like 80% of the night. I'm kind of forgetting everything lately? Like last week I just completely spaced Lydia's pediatrician appointment. Just totally skipped it! Whoops. Pregnancy brain? Or just mom brain? Or maybe it's just MY brain and I have no excuse, ha. Anyways, here are the few photos Michael remembered to snap!

15 Minute Dinner - Carne Asada Tacos

I've been in a total cooking rut lately - everything I've made the last few weeks has been pretty gross -  ha. Sorry Michael! I think I've been going off Allrecipes too much and less off good old fashioned cook books and blogs, like I used to. 

So tonight I tried to simplify and just copy and paste a recipe from Lunchpails & Lipstick and it was DELISH! 

And the best part? It literally took 15 minutes. WIN.

15 Minute Carne Asada Tacos 

ingredients: 

- Trader Joe's Carne Asada (it's all pre-seasoned and pre-cut and everything!)

- tortillas (these are Trader Joe's)

- avocado

- limes

- cilantro

- Trader Joe's mango slaw (or julienned mango, jicama, chopped onion, shredded lettuce and more cilantro)

- feta

- plain non fat greek yogurt (or sour cream)

directions: 

- grill carne asada 4-5 minutes per side 

- while grilling meat, slice avocado and lime

- chop cilantro, break apart feta

- right before meat is done, heat tortillas on grill or in microwave

- let meat sit for a few minutes, then slice into small pieces 

- put everything in the tortillas and ENJOY! 

(and if you're at our house, add a healthy does of hot sauce ;) )

And yep... 23 week hips/thighs already comin in strong ;). WOOT WOOT.

Halloween Twenty-Sixteen!

Holidays + kids = magic! I know I've said this at least 10 times but it's so true. Also let me qualify this - holidays + toddlers or older = magic. Last year was technically Lydia's first Halloween, but at 3 months old there wasn't a whole lot of partying happening. This year she was old enough to kind of get it! She LOVED being a kitty cat and saying her soft little "meow meow meow!" all day. Though she HATED getting her whiskers painted - my mom and I had to hold her down while she was screaming bloody murder and Michael streaked some paint on her. Bad parents! It was pretty much the saddest 30 seconds ever. But a little worth it right?? Haha. We got all dressed up as cats - we are boring people, I know - and went to the University of Utah Medical School Halloween party for dinner. And then the real fun began - trick or treating! We went with friends (and my mom!) to a cute little neighborhood and the kids caught on pretty quick! In fact at the very first door Lydia took the candy from the bowl, and then promptly took the candy out of her friend's pumpkin and put it in her own - HA! So I think she liked the whole concept of taking free candy ;). We went up and down one street, which was plenty for our young crew.

All the heart eyes for these leaves!

Jake, Lizzy and Lyla as patient, nurse and mini adorable doctor! Libby, Mat and Owen as old timer caddies and the cutest little old fashioned Scottish golfer you ever did see! Annnnnnd... cats. Rawr.

Confession: we don't actually know the owners of this house, we just really liked this well-lit doorstep! Haha. So after trick or treating here we hurried and had my mom snap a few pictures of the gang :).

Such a fun year and I'm sure it will just continue to get better as Lydia gets older and understands more of what is going on! I guess the one plus side of her being only 15 months is that she had no interest in eating the candy - just taking it. So I think she had one dum-dum the entire night and now she doesn't even remember the rest exists! (Probably.) So hopefully this year we actually eat some of it - not like last year when I totally forgot about it until about two weeks ago when it was all rotten ;).

A Visit from My Cutie-Pie Madre

My mom hadn't been up to Utah since last March!! So we were definitely due for a visit. 

Lydia is pretty obsessed with her Nana. It's also super helpful and fun that "Nana" is one of about six words she can say! Haha.

We had the best long weekend all together. Lots of prepping for baby boy! We set up a little toddler bed in the nursery and shockingly Lydia loves it. She's only taken one nap in it so far, but that went amazingly well so I'm hoping the official transition over the next few months goes okay. 

(Any transition tips from experienced moms out there??)

We also completely cleaned out the guest room in the basement! It used to be just a huge king bed in there, but we didn't really need an entire room dedicated to a spare bed, so Michael and I sold our queen bed and took the king for ourselves! And we don't even know what to do with all this extra space! In fact the first night we were in the king we still only slept like an inch apart... haha. Don't worry, we've since realized the awesomeness of totally sprawling out. 

Anyway - so now we have this free room, and we're converting it to a playroom!! I'm so happy!

We've just been putting Lydia's toys all over the house in random bins, but I'm excited to get all organized and keep everything in one place. And lately I've been on quite the organization kick so this makes the nesting preggo in me STOKED.

Had to get a little welcome gift for my mama. Between Michael, my mom and me, it's a little embarrasing how well we know all the flavors... let's call it a talent?

PS if you ever want to win Michael over get him a bunch of Dark Chocolate Chip Truffles. I like the Butterscotch Squares. Just if you're driving by Sees and happen to be thinking about us or something ;).  

And Lydia's favorite flavor is anything Peekaboo :).

Also these shoes are life.

Also I am huge.

Also this was the most random post in history. But thank you Mom for coming up and totally spoiling us! It was so so fun having her here for Halloween with Lydia. We love her big time!