Storybook camp out birthday party prep.

Hey y'all. Geez, I'm always starting my posts with "long time, no see." These days. Well, I've been gone a lot lately, my bad! It has been so hard to get time to myself lately. I started an Etsy recently and Dillon started school... So trying to get adjusted to our life right now has been the priority. But- it is Halloween eve, and I am wanting to share my party prep so far.

So because December is really busy with birthdays and Christmas I realllllly need to get working on Opal's birthday decor. Now y'all know when I throw a party, I go hard. I go all in- full force. I go straight into DIY mode AT LEAST a month ahead of time. 

Well this time around, I'm a little late. I really couldn't decide on what theme to go with. Opal asked for a petting zoo, but I couldn't get a hold of any of the ones around me and got tired of waiting for them to return my call so I ditched that plan. She also wanted Minnie Mouse but i didn't want to go with the traditional pink or red polka dots and black. It's just so overused and I want it to be more special. 

So after days on Pinterest during my nursing sessions I think I've come to a decision. Well, I can't say that "I think" I have, I HAVE!!!!!!! I even have some stuff to show you guys a preview of some of the tabletop decor. 

Oh, I forgot to mention the theme... A storybook camp out!!! I am going to add some Minnie Mouse stuff- but probably things like mouse ear headbands with flannel print bows! The games are going to be play on words that correspond with story book characters. I am going to have some sort of party favor that is a coloring project. I am also going to have some tents set up, you know the tee-pee kind? A-frame style though. 

Tonight I'm working on some of the art for it. I want to paint some storybook characters on parchment paper, then glue it to cardboard so that it is sturdy. 

I am hosting it early at 10 am so I plan to turn two of my mom's regular canopy tents into an enclosed tent. I'm going to zip tie 2 together, then use 4 white tarps along the back and sides to enclose it. It'll create a warmer shelter for the tables and food. Thankfully my mom has a really big backyard so I have room for that and plenty more for games and the camp out set up. (Tents and blankets)

For the food, I'm going to do a cute display of breakfast foods and pies. We picked out some cute dishes from the thrift store to hold paper straws, treats and more. Some cute vintage pans that will hold trail mix ingredients so that we can have a "trail mix bar" too. 

Okay- I'll stop jabbering on and show you some of the photos. My next post will probably have some of the painted characters. :-)

Peace y'all. 

Xoxo, Chelsea. 

I spent $21 but filled up my entire cart! Gotta love thrift stores.

I found this XL plate that will be used for donuts or something, and a matching lil creamer dispenser thing.

I also found these for coffee and cookies. Trying to keep things simple but still in the color scheme and the idea that it is something you'd have in a cabin or at a campsite. 

I'm using these cups for my trail mix bar. I'll have chocolate chips, raisins and little things in them.

These are also for the trail mix bar. I will make a post with all of the Pinterest pins and their sources of my inspiration for this party soon too.

We found this little basket too. It will hold the utensils and the duck napkin holder was just too funny not to grab.

I got this awesome old dark green metal tray for like $5. I'm using it as the birthday cake (or pie) tray. 

Last but not least, these are the two blankets I found to put the little tent /tee pee things on. I don't want the kids (or rather the parents) to worry about their clothes getting dirty while playing around.

Okay, well that's all I've got for today! 

Sh*t my husband says.

Anyone else have a weird spouse? Well, I for sure have a strange one. Over the years I am still asking myself, "what the heck is this man talking about?!" I can't go anywhere without this man asking or saying ridiculous things. So over the past week I've jotted down my favorite quotes from the man himself. 

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While in a Target Parking lot: "Red trash... Why did I say red trash... A red neck that's trashy??"

(I was reading an email and have no clue what the heck he was even rambling about. It was just super funny to randomly hear.)

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While sitting on the sofa: "I stepped on a rubber ducky and thought it was a mouse."

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While driving and seeing a moving truck drive by: 

Dillon: "We could call them" [two men and a truck]

Me: "Yeah we could"

Dillon: "Or we could call two marines."

Me: "Ooh or college hunks"

Dillon: "Yeah... Wait no."

While casually talking to each other: 

Me: "I need a new phone case."

Dillon: *Aggressive tone and face* "OKAY. DID YOU LOOK ON GROUPON?"

This man is obsessed with groupon goods lately..

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While driving:

*Tantrum* "I HATE WAITING. WAITING IS NO LONGER IN MY VOCABULARY. I won't make a marine wait again. 'Oh your pay is messed up? SIT DOWN.'"

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While shopping at lowes: 

Me: "The exit is right there."

Dillon: "You mean salad?" [salida]

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Me: "Why would I go to target and the mall with the kids alone?"

Dillon: "Because you're Chelsea and you like going to target."

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I jotted this down because he is actually sweet sometimes:

(We were in a chic fil a parking lot)

Me:"Did you get ketchup?"

Dillon:"I got barbecue"

Me: "Hmm"

Dillon: "Do you want me to go back inside and get you some?"

Me: "Would that be a hassle?"

Dillon: "Nothing is a hassle for you."

I have a weird kid too.

Me: "Are you hungry?"

Opal: "Noooo"

Dillon: "Want chicken nuggets?"

Opal: "No"

Me: "French fries?"

Opal: "Yeah!"

Aren't toddlers the funniest? French fries are always a hit, right?

Now back to Dillon. 

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We were driving to New Jersey and saw a
kid consignment store that I wanted to go into but it was 6 am.

Me: "I wish they were open."

Dillon: "I don't, you'd probably make me stop."

Me: "I would! When's the next time I'm gonna get to go there?!"

Dillon: "Probably this afternoon on our way home."

*driving fast leaving the toll booth*

"This is when you kick it."

^^what the heck does that mean?^^

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*driving past sign for New York.

Dillon: "Well babe, I guess we are going to New York.... Or as the people there say, York."

Me: "Nobody calls it York."

Dillon: "Well the people from New Jersey call it jersey."

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"This is a pretty good place to play hide and seek." *pointing to forest*

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At a Denny's in New Jersey:

Dillon: "That lady's name is Beat Rice. What a horrible name." 

Me: ".....you mean Beatrice?"

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I mentioned how my tank top kept going really low and showing my bra:

Dillon: "It's like your shirt is playing limbo. 'How low can you go...!'" *proceeds to shimmy*

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"Are boogers biodegradable?"

I hope you have a weekend filled with fun!

We are spending our weekend packing and cleaning before the movers get here on Tuesday!

It is finally time to leave DC for good!!

:-)

xoxo, Chels.

Big Sister in training!

 Today my daughter is going to become a big sister. 

How amazing is that? AHHHH-MAZING!

Well, for the past couple of weeks I have been stressing out soooo much on how to prepare an 18 month old little girl for this. How do I explain this to her? Does she understand? Does she realize the growing belly she has been fascinated with the past 9 months is going to just disappear over this next week or two? Does she know that "brother" is another breathing, crying human being? I'm not sure, but I have been trying every day to show and tell her these things.

So I have asked veteran moms of multiple kids how they prepared their babes for their younger siblings. I read the blogs. I scoured pinterest. I did it all.

Here are the ways that I put Opal through a "big-sister-training".

1. Baby Doll training- We bought her baby doll a crib, diaper bag set, and every single day (multiple times a day) we changed her diaper, fed her, burped her, and then put her to sleep. We practiced "shhhhh"-ing and staying quiet because "baby was napping".
2.  Introduced the new baby's gear around the house. We set up the crib when we first moved into this apartment. We put a bassinet in our room. We put a rock and play in the living room. We bought a double stroller and used it before he arrived. We also added his clothes and shoes to her closet.
3.  Talked about baby- We have talked all about brother and how cute he is going to be. We let her answer questions about what big sisters do to help.
4. Set up activities that are all about her. Every day I sit down and watch a movie with her. We play with her toys. We clean up together. We read books. These are all things that I can still do while nursing her brother, and I explain that to her.
5. Taught her independence. We have one of those harnesses for our walks that she loves to use. This helps me because I can still keep her in arms reach while we are out, and she doesn't demand I carry her. This is great because not all situations call for a stroller. I can carry her brother in a carrier and she can walk herself.

I hope that these tips help you with your expanding family!

xoxo, Chels.

A letter to my first born.

Opal, my dearest Opal.. You are the light of mine and your Daddy's eyes. We adore you, love you, and think you're the greatest creation in the entire world. Pretty soon you are going to be given the greatest gift in the world- a sibling. You will forever bear the responsibility and title of being a big sister. He is going to look up to you, come to you for advice before he turns to anyone else, and always expect you to back him up... and you will. 

Coming from someone who bears that title as well, I will always try to help you and guide you as you guide him. You will never be alone.We will shed light on the right and wrong things to show your baby brother. I promise. You're going to rock at being his big sissy! Really!

Before he comes though, we are going to soak up every second we can of alone time with you. We're going to make sure you know that we love you... that we really love you. We're not trying to divide up our love, but rather spread more. He is a blessing, and so are you. I am going to do everything I can to capture the little moments that we have with you forever behind my camera lens. 

You have been my best friend the past 18 months. And now I will have to share you.. Because I know your heart is going to be snatched by his little baby hands.You're going to climb up next to me, but not for our normal cuddles, hugs, and kisses.... but to smother Oliver in hugs and kisses. You're going to look up at me, with that sweet smile on your face, and say, "baby!" and I'm gonna hold back tears. But that's okay. That is exactly what Mama and Daddy want for you both. We know that you will need each other.

Oliver is seriously the luckiest little boy in the whole wide world- because he's got you by his side.

 This week you will be a big sister, 

and I can't wait to see you grow into the greatest one ever.

 Opal, my dearest Opal, I love you so much.

-Mommy.

17 months of Opal.

I can't believe my growing girl is nearly a year and a half old! We are so proud of the sweet girl she is growing into. She is so smart, kind, and loving. She amazes me every day with things she says and does! It surprises me when I ask her to please do something and she does it. I point at things and she understand what they are.

The funniest thing she did over the weekend was run around this park near our apartment that is really close to an airport.. so there are planes taking off literally every 5 minutes. So shes running around with her head looking up at the sky, her little arm out pointing her finger at the planes, and screaming "bird!" at the top of her lungs, extremely excited. No matter how many times we tell her that they are called "planes" she shakes her head and says, "bird!" It is so funny and one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Another thing that has really blown me away lately is how amazing reliving seeing things for the first time is. I forget how magical and beautiful the world is sometimes, but then when I'm down on the ground with her and realizing she is seeing something for the first time ever it amazes me! She is literally seeing things for the first time. Up until that moment, that thing never existed to her. Isn't that the strangest thought? It really is.

Lately our life is all about bubbles, baby dolls, Minnie Mouse, and watching princess movies. But not just any princess movies... Tangled and Frozen are the ones on repeat that she gets so excited about. It is darling. I don't really mind watching them over and over, mostly because I am getting other things accomplished while she plays quietly.

Her favorite color and song haven't changed in months. She's keeping these consistent. But fruits have changed! She was crazy about cuties, but lately purple grapes are her go-to. She will try to get away with picking all of the cucumbers out of our salad at dinner and eat nothing else if we let her. They're her absolute FAVORITE.

Her favorite toy has been a large stuffed Minnie Mouse that goes everywhere with us. I'm serious... EVERYWHERE. The park, grocery store, target, the bed.. everywhere. Also, bubbles. She has bottles that are good for inside play and another for outside. She is loving these. Thankfully it is a nice way to spend time outside of the house on the weekend. Her favorite book is still "Room on the Broom". It stays in the car to keep her happy while we are out and about.

She has been a talkative little gal lately. She has learned to say "no" but doesn't really say it in an annoying way (thank goodness!) She uses it to answer our questions, to tell us if she doesn't want to do something, and to make fun of me. That one is pretty funny. We have "no, you!" wars and go back and forth.

She also likes to say "baby", take care of baby dolls, and hug/kiss my belly. I'm so glad we only have 3 weeks left. I'm ready for my two babes to be together. She can say and properly use "please". It comes out more like "plee", we're still working on the "s" sound. And finally, "doing". She loves to say, "mom, doing?" to ask me what I am up to. If I ask her what she is doing she will look at me and say, "doing?" and point to herself. In which I have to reply, "Yes, what are you doing?" It is adorable and I just love it.

I can't wait to see how much she will grow from this point on... These next couple months are going to be so busy and hectic. I hope I can balance life and being her mommy well. I just try to remember to write these things down somewhere, anywhere. That is why I really love instagram. It is like a mini scrapbook and journal to capture these little things.

xoxo, Chelsea.

My pregnancy at 29 weeks.

As I type this I am sitting at the foot of my bed eating half a bagel topped with mixed berry cream cheese... Oh, and it's about to be 3 am. Sigh, I really can't sleep and my hips are hurting so darn bad!! I got this uncontrollable urge to eat a bagel while I was using the restroom for the 5th time tonight... This is pregnancy at its realist. I don't even feel bad.

I was actually once a sleeper. I slept peacefully every night... But then I had my daughter. And I haven't had a regular night's rest since.. What was I thinking when I decided I was ready for #2?! I know, I know... That they're so amazing I had to have another! Some day I will sleep and this will all have been worth it. It is worth it. Even with Opal waking up an hour after I lay her in her crib like clockwork. And then, when she cries in her sleep because of teething and growing pains and bangs her little noggin into my mouth or forehead... All while my hubby is sound asleep snoring 2 ft away from me. #mommyneedsavacation #imsotired #buticantsleepbecauseimpregnant

I hope you guys can read between my rant that is drowning in dry sarcasm and see that I'm just kidding. Well, not about the hashtags! Those are serious business. :-) 

I finally got all of my insurance sorted out and saw my OB not too long ago and was told I can attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). I am so excited that I look up successful VBAC stories daily and read them like they're game plans or something. I just feel so empowered through the experiences of other c-section mamas finally getting to do things the natural way. Its inspiring!

Next week I see my OB again for my 30 week check up, and will ask her some questions about it all.
I'm confident I will be alright as long as he isn't sunny side up like Opal was. I just don't think I could do it all again just to end up in a c-section. Which would suck and is pretty much not what I want at all. I hated the healing process, how long it took for me to be able to do just about anything alone, the trapped gas in my chest that made me feel like I was dying -literally. It was all torturous. I'd give anything to be able to go to the hospital, push a couple times, and have my baby born.. Then leave the next day. My week long stay last time was also a nightmare. Oh gosh, okay I'll stop rambling about that.

Anyway, my pregnancy is going by fast. Too fast if you ask me, ONLY because we're not ready for our PCS move... Or possible EAS move. We still have yet to hear back from the AR program that my husband applied for. Waiting game has been so dreadful for us the past 10 months. Sometimes the military life is really hard and really sucks. But, it is what it is, right?

Well, here's to being tired and stressed! xoxo, Chelsea.

-Here are some belly shots from my phone, don't wanna forget these gems down the road.-

December trip to Washington, DC.

It has taken me so long to get to upload these photos and pick a few that were my favorites. In December I flew to DC to visit my husband and met up with my in-laws there for a small family reunion. I sure hope our next home is closer (and cheaper to travel to) than DC. This trip was so much fun, and I wish I could have stayed... but luckily while I was there we signed a lease to an apartment that I will be moving to in one week from now!! Anyway, I want to share some of my most favorite little memories from this trip so that I don't forget them. 

Chelsea, Dillon, Opal, Karla, Doug, Jeremiah, Jerrod. December 31st, 2014.

We really didn't take any photos the entire trip, and this was the only real family photo we took.... on the night before Dillon's parents and brothers left! I wish we took more, especially while we were out exploring DC. We had brunch at Eastern Market, went to Ben's Chili bowl, ate dinner (a couple times) at Hop's, and more. Opal loved eating goldfish with her grandma, and playing hard to get with her uncle Jeremiah. By the end of the tirp everyone knew all the words to the Taylor Swift song "Blank Space"... because that was the only thing Opal wanted to listen to or do!

Lovebirds. January 1st, 2015. DC.

Dillon and Opal, Washington Monument, January 1st, 2015.

Chelsea and Opal, Washington Monument, January 1st 2015.

Dillon and I found a beautiful hotel that made itself out to be located on/ near the Dulles airport, which is a pretty reasonable drive (40 minutes) to save some bucks. WELL, turns out this hotel was actually 30 MINUTES PAST Dulles...... and requires tolls. $8 in total! meaning $16 a day! This was an awful thing to come to find out, and by the end of the trip we ended up just getting a room at the Americana Hotel (literally love this place and how reasonably priced it is for being in Arlington!) So we spent New Year's Eve there! We promised to stay up this year for the countdown and ended up all falling asleep about 30 minutes before. (ha-ha!) We are officially old birds.

So being that we were already in Arlington, we walked a couple blocks bright and early on New Years day and caught the Metro. We definitely thought we would see more than lost gloves on our walk. We even made a game out of it and tried to find other things like shoes! Drunk people always lose things on the walk home! :-) Our first stop was the Washington Monument. I wanted to go up since it is open now, but it was MUCH to clod to wait in the long line that had already formed. Thankfully I am moving back so I have more time to try to get up in there!!

We sat and ate hotdogs on a bench next to the monument to warm ourselves up. Have I mentioned that I love hot dogs? Whenever I see a hotdog stand, go to costco, SAMS, or Ikea, I HAVE to buy a hotdog! I seriously do.

I love little things like that. Eating a hotdog with my husband in the Nation's Capitol on a beautiful morning... and New Year's Day at that! How amazing is it that I get to share this life and these experiences with my family. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life.

One of the reasons I love living in Washington, DC is all there is to do. My favorite museum is the National Museum of Natural History. It was the one place I wanted to take Opal because of all the things there is for her to look at.  The line was too long that day, but I will go back and experience the butterfly room with them. I have to! I have been wanting to go in that magical room for so long now. Opal always loves to look at the animals in the North American mammal exhibit. This is also Dillon's favorite because of the wolves, bears, and deer. He's a big fan of our beautiful woodland animals. (Reason why the nursery will have this theme!)

Papa bear and baby bear. DC. 2015. Natural museum.

Washington, DC is such a beautiful city. It is a magical place jam packed full of history, art, and undiscovered gems all over the place. I will miss this city when we leave.

Dillon being the best daddy in the whole wide world. Washington, DC, January 1st 2015.

I loved seeing Dillon bounce back into daddy mode. He was buckling car seats, hauling the stroller around and fixing apple juice sippy cups like he hadn't missed a beat. I can't wait to get back to our normal family routine! I'm so excited for it.

Our sweet babe.

Opal's poor little nose was red pretty much the whole trip! Except for being in the hotel where we kept it too warm according to Dillon! :-) We just drove him bonkers! We wanted all of his attention and wanted to be so silly together. She wanted to show him all of her toys, read all of her books (at once) and kiss him allllll day. Her sweet little kisses were all for daddy the whole week we were there. I absolutely loved seeing her love on him. She misses him so much, and I know he must have been so glad that she felt that comfortable with him again.

 After we left the museums we headed to Ted's bulletin in Eastern Market and ate lunch. I seriously fell in love with their tomato soup and then had to pack my sandwich to go because I couldn't eat anything after! (this darn pregnant belly is already messing up my appetite!)

Opal at DC-3 (hot dog joint on 8th ST) Last day of trip.

 On our last day we went to the barracks and packed our bags there. We had lunch with daddy at DC-3 and spent the last hours laughing and having fun in our favorite neighborhood. This trip was so much fun. It has me so excited and giddy about my move back the Nation's Capitol. I can't wait to share more of our explorations of DC and more cool memories.

Goodbye October 2014

Nice to see you! I have been sooooooooo busy lately, that I don't even know what I've been so busy with. Do you ever have that day, week or (like me), MONTH that just whips by so fast that it is a blur? Well, that was the case for October. It just went by so fast. So, here's a rough recap:

In October Opal and I went to a pumpkin patch with my mom, sisters, and brother in law. We did a lot of shopping for our next home... and a lot of unpacking those huge storage tubs and formally packing them into boxes. (Is there a "formal" way to pack things? Who knows!) We also got a storage unit that I can now start buying the big furniture and putting it all into. First items on our list: MASTER BEDROOM FURNITURE AND MATRESSES!!!! 

Side story: When I first moved in with Dillon, I arrived in Washington, DC with 2 duffle bags, 2 suitcases, and a backpack. Inside of those bags I had an air mattress, sheets, a blanket, my clothes, and shoes. Our apartment was veerrrrrrrry small, and that air mattress was the only shred of furniture we had for about 4 months. We had to save for a long time to afford 2 stools, a tv, a rug, and a tv stand. Eventually we made the grown up phone call to the bank to apply for a loan so that we could buy a bedroom set. We slept on real mattresses about 5 or 6 months after I moved. It was tough!

Anyways! Opal also turned 10 months old. She participated in her first Halloween as a black kitty cat and a raccoon. She has been talking... A LOT. She has about 8 words mastered. She knows what they are and when to use them. Her favorite song is currently: "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor. Her booty loves to move and dance. Her favorite word is: "WOW!" She has been BLW for a while now and is still doing great eating on her own. She has a molar coming in, and 8 teeth already out. She grabs my phone first thing in the morning and says, "Dada! Dada! Dada!" So I have to facetime him so that she can tell him goodmorning. She misses hims dearly and has not forgotten him at all. She's beautiful and just so, so, so smart.

One month down without Dillon, only a few more to go!

Where, OH whereeee have I been?!

Hey guys! I have been so busy busy busy. Opal and I are currently recovering from a small cold that seems to be passing pretty quickly. 

I wanted to share a few of the photos from Dillon's trip. We had so much fun, it was amazing to see Opal and her daddy reconnect and form a bond again. She has been asking for his every day. He is literally the first thing she asks for in the morning. She pops up and smiles really big and lets out the cutest "dada?".... 

It melts my heart. 

Anyways, while he was here we did a lot of activities, so here are some of my favorites:

First, I picked him up in Los Angeles, so we headed to Hollywood BLVD and had lunch at Dave & Busters. We then walked the strip and went to Ripley's Believe it or not. It was a lot of fun and they had some really neat stuff.

We went to Ikea afterwards, and then hit the road to go home.

When we got home we decided to take Opal to the zoo and to an amusement park for children.

 Dillon and Opal fed and pet sting rays. It was very cool.

 They fed the giraffe together! Opal was amazed at how big the giraffe was.

 She loved the petting zoo. She kept saying, "dog, dog, dog".. haha!

She is basically as tall as me, now!

I secretly loved having Dillon there to push the stroller so that I could do more fun stuff!

Opal really enjoyed the merrie-go-round. After this photo was taken, tons of other kids hopped on with us.

 nursing pit stop!

We also took her to the park to play. She and daddy went down all of the slides and she got to go on the swings.

I have a lot more stuff to share, but I still need to edit the photos.

After his week here, we drove to Monterey, CA and to San Francisco. It was amazing.

We had a couple bad luck scenarios but we made the very best out of it.

:-)