14 MONTHS!

So clearly I have decided to not do monthly posts about Leighton since she turned a year old. Im so glad I made this decision before hand, because there is NO way I would have been able to keep that promise to myself. We are too busy, L moves too fast, I have no "helper" for photo shoots, and she has decided that when the camera comes out, so do the serious faces.

I feel like we have been lifted up into a WHIRLWIND of growing over here. It is truly amaaaaazing how much difference 2 months can make in toddler world! We are 14 months old, well actually 14.5 but who's counting right? Ill give you the run down..

L has been walking since 10.5 months, so now we are onto running, jumping, spinning, dancing..basically she moves non-stop. When the exhaustion hits she lays down wherever she is, for a breather, then back up for some more action! And when I say she lays down wherever, i mean it! Yesterday she laid down outside Starbucks, on the concrete. It was a special moment.

She eats pretty much anything, I still haven't given her peanut butter. Her favs are: avocado, banana, eggplant, tomatoes, eggs, cheese, asparagus, bean burritos, and peaches. The only things she doesn't like are: anything in marinara sauce i.e. spaghetti, raviolis etc. and macaroni and cheese ( so strange ) She still loves to eat, and eats a lot of whatever it is! We still only drink milk and water, no juice or sodas for this girl...as long as I'm around ;)

She now has 9 teeth, all front 4, both top molars (these are almost all the way in) and three bottom front. Her bottom molars are swelling so I'm expecting those lovelies next!

Sleep was a little wonky around 13.5 months. Things have smoothed out, our day looks like this.

6:45awake
7:00up
9:10-10nap (getting shorter and shorter..im predicting by 16-17 months we will drop this nap)
12:45-3:00 nap
6:45in bed

I still guard sleep like a hawk. Its important, so I make sure she gets enough of it. Some people agree, some don't, I'm past caring :)

Leighton is very sociable, and shy all at the same time. She loves attention, and will smile, wave, blow kisses, but doesn't really talk in public. At home however she NEVER stops talking. She can clearly say several words, the rest i can understand but no one else would have a clue. I think this is pretty normal for her age.

Pretty much 14 months is a blast so far. Some months of childhood are so much fun, and others you grit your teeth and bear through it. So far I'm loving this age. She's funny, sweet, sassy, has a serious attitude on her and when she's annoyed she may hit you! Time outs are a reg in this house :)

I wouldn't change a thing. Im loving life, I'm loving my husband, this season, everything...were a happy family over here!!

Crazy 8 Love

Well I've been MIA! Sorry! No excuses..just the usual. Busy. Mom. Wife. 14 month old. Photo shoots. Etc.

I HAVE discovered a new obsession though! Leighton is finally at an age where its fun to dress her up. I have been taking advantage of this new season in life...FULLY. But we all know, kids clothes can be expensive, some of its a little out of control. And if your child is anything like mine you find yourself at the end of the day saying "UGH, I hope that comes out!" So sometimes the $40 shirt is just plain...well, stupid! Have no fear moms, Crazy 8 is here! Cute clothes, great prices, ALWAYS having a sale, and just $5 shipping all the time. Dream come true. Heres some of my favs I found while scouring the site this morning...please excuse the sloppy collage, L's morning nap is getting shorter and shorter, and my time frame to complete this was like 10 minutes ago. Im skipping make up application to post this, feel blessed.

PRETTY sure we need that headband is every color.

Those white boots (while totally impractical) are pretty much the cutest thing ever.
The black moto boots speak for themselves.

I have a problem with jammies. I love them way to much, and who wouldn't love a girl in santa jammies?!?!

Polka dot, fair isle, and floral leggings. Done, done and done!

I love all of these sweater dresses and the flannel dress would be so precious with those moto boots! eek!

We have to have that fair isle wrap jacket with the horses. Its kind of amazing. The pink toggle jacket is very sweet. And are you kidding me with that fur vest?!?!

This is just the tip of the ice burg, go see for yourself! PS if you have a boy the stuff is JUST as cute. Trust me i looked, while day dreaming of a little man in cuffed jeans and suspenders...sigh.

Girls Night IN

Y'all, I'm REALLY looking forward to this Sunday! Its time for our monthly "Girls Night In" !! Last month we did a "My Favorite Things" Party. THIS month we are doing Craft Night! AH! Im a little to excited! We decided to make a fall themed wreath. Since I'm the only one who doesn't work, and bossing i mean organizing, are in my blood, i took over.

I picked 8 wreaths via Pinterest of course, posted them, and took a vote...it came down to these three..

one

two

three

and the winner was....

And since a simple text telling you what your in charge of bringing won't do I had to create something. typical. haha. So you can see every girl coming brings her OWN wreath form, then the supply she is asked. We put all the supplies together and create! and drink wine...thats a given :) I really like how it worked out, it costs less this way, and its more fun!! Ill be sure to post the pictures of the "during and after"

Hope you have a GREAT week....can you believe its ALREADY October?!

Be Still...

Today I spent my morning walk with Leighton just thanking God. Thanking him for everything. You know how you say your nightly prayers, spend some time in devotion, sing some songs along with the radio..which are wonderful and good things..but lately I've felt like I'm just "doing" them, not DOING them. Yea, that makes no sense, but its my blog so it doesn't really have to ;)

What I mean is I breathed in the air, and just let it out with thanks. WE...me, you, your neighbor, all of us, WE are so blessed. Would I love to have a bigger house, of course..but the one I have is a blessing, a beautiful warm blessing. Could I use more money...WHO COULDN'T?! But we are provided for continually..again and again. Would I like Leighton to be the most well behaved, best sleeping, healthiest, happiest child that has ever been born? Yes, but she isn't ever going to be that, and she's a perfectly perfect mess. Do i want my husband to spend all day every day at home with us ? Ok..maybe not ALL day EVERY day..but duh we would love more time with him. But God saw fit for him to work, with is hands, earning every penny, doing what he loves, and thats the way it should be.

What I'm trying to say is, I spend SO much time wishing, and thinking of the future, and praying for this and for that, and not NEAR enough time THANKING our Heavenly father for the blessings that are pouring down on me right this very minute. I pray for release from my "earthly" desires. I want so much that there is just no need for. Will those new boots be the salvation of my soul? Will that new rug be played back to me when I stand and watch the works of my life at the feet of God? No...they won't. The time I spent in devotion to God will be..and I really really want to increase that time of my lives "video" don't you?

Got a little deep there...sorry! HA! Im going to just spend this day, and every day the best I can, in thanks. That way i really feel EACH blessing come upon me, something amazing and overwhelming , little presents from our God that say "Hey, you, stubborn girl, I LOVE YOU"



:)

..Just talking!

Its Sunday..Leighton is napping, Taylor is next door finishing up the TV console he is building, and Im sitting here in sweats bored. Theres like 400 things I could talk about, 3 photo shoots I could be editing, a bathroom I could be cleaning..you know..the "stuff" that needs to get done. Only thing is i have no desire what so ever to do any of them...so I will waste some time rambling on here!

Ive been in such a decorating mood lately, its all I want to do! Endless amounts of cash would sure help, or just a couple extra $ :)
My girl is such a toddler lately..her personality is peeking through and boy does she know what she wants..likes..doesnt want..what makes her laugh..every day is new with her now! SO much fun!
I have had 6 pumpkin spice latees in the past 4 days...im not proud of this.
Im the complete opposite of a hoarder, i want to sell/donate/throw away everything all the time. Erin and I just finished our consignment lists for Dittos For Kiddos and I have almost $600 worth of items in there..thats insannnnne to me. I came home and thought hmmmmm, what ELSE can i add? Psycho..
Sometimes I feel like I forget where I am in life, like I'm a married 26 year old stay at home mom of a one year old little girl. Not a 21 year old with $ and free time..
I had some amazing friends. Every single one of them is different. But there are for the most part to "groups" of friends...like my married mom friends..who are all my age. These friends don't like here....they all live in other cities..boo. OR they work full time. Then I have my younger friends, who are in the 21-24 year old range. Some are married, single, dating, etc. Some work, go to school or both. THESE friends all live near me, and I see them all the time. Sometimes its with these friends I forget my age haha. They are always on the go, having fun, living life, and sometimes I need a good reminder that I, am no longer "on the go". Theres nothing wrong with that, Im just in a different place, that they, someday will be as well.
Taylor and I saw a girl (12ish) at the mall with her family today, wearing denim shorts so small they might as well have been underwear, with a short short shirt. Um, no. I told Taylor I hope Leighton is always SO in tune with fashion, that that kind of thing just never appeals to her. Because lets be honest, if it does, she's never leaving the house! ....kidding....kind of.
We ALSO saw a guy wearing linen cut off american flag shorts that were as tight as volleyball shorts with a white button up tucked in and dress shoes....most bizarre fashion day at the mall ever!
Im working on a elephant art piece for the living room..ill post it when I'm finished! HOPEFULLY tomorrow..
Its official, Leighton loves the Michael Buble C-mas CD..like mother like daughter.
I made sugar cookies last night and ate 8 of them...gag.
Yesterday I said to Taylor, "Everyone in this family needs new shoes!" and instantly felt like a 40 year old mom..
I went to Starbucks, Target, and ROSS with JUST Erin and Shayne yesterday during baby naps..it was so refreshing. It was a glimpse of what fun L and I will be having sooner than I can imagine, sure we will be dragging little Baby Boston ( our un-concieved son )with us but still fun!

well....i should probably go be productive...thanks for sticking around while unloaded on you :)

FALL FAVORITES!

I haven't done a favorite's post in FOREVER...actually I haven't blogged in what feels like forever! I guess I've been busy..yeah ill go with that!

SO ITS FALLLLL! ...well not "technically"...but in Megan land it is, yes, Megan land is a great place, you should visit. Its very clean, everything in perfect order, crafting and baking are a daily thing, and there is an ever flowing bounty of coffee and wine...sign...

Ok back to the real world. My sister and I celebrate the "embers" which begin in Sept"ember" and run through Dec"ember"...get it? Yea were so clever. Christmas season officially begins for us on Sept. 1st..gift shopping starts up, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby CDs start popping out...its perfect. BUT I do love fall..the cool weather, the leaves turning, everything..so i mixed up a little "fall faves" list for ya...what are you loving for fall?!

{ SHOWS }

Fall TV is my favorite. We don't have cable ( collective gasp! ) so anything local is what were watching. I love love love love The Voice..if Christian Aguilera would quit it would be even BETTER! I want to be best friend with Cee-Lo...but I'm afraid I'm not cool enough :/

SMASH is a show Taylor and I got into last year, i love musicals, but I can't STAND Glee...i think this is somewhere in-between haha! OH I should also mention my obsession with Up All Night with Christina Applegate...i love how it mirrors the same walk of life I'm in right now..not to mention its just stupid funny!

{ COFFEE }

In Megan land, coffee is always acceptable...even when its 105 outside..but in the fall you can go to S-bucks and get a Pumpkin Spice Lattee without people asking if your sure. ha! in a couple weeks ill be filling up on peppermint mochas..oh the joy!

{ KIDS }

Fall clothing is the best. Last fall Leighton was still so small, but this year her wardrobe options are so wide open and i can't even tell you how excited I am! My little walker is wearing some holes in her Converse chucks..these little beauties will be ordered Oct 1st! CANT WAIT! - nordstroms.com FYI

{ SCENTS }

Im not sure if these even need an introduction...or explanation..or sales pitch.
Bath and Body Works. Fall scented. 3 wick candles. That enough? You find a candle that scents your home as well as these and you let me know! THANKS!

{ DECOR }

Our house is small, not much room for decorations just laying around, especially with a 1 year old. So i will utilizing the front door as much as possible! Im thinking a cute jute/burlap wreath and some fun painted pumpkins, or thumb tack pumpkins. Seriously, how did we ever decorate before pinterest? SO many options, without having to carve, and deal with gnats hovering around your molding pumpkin at the door.

{ FOOD }

I love a good stew..soup..chili..all of the above. I reallllly love making it in a crock pot and smelling it ALL day long. My husband doesn't think this qualifies as a "meal" so i have to make extra things for him. Oh the sacrifices of marriage.. ;)

{ ACCESSORIES }

If I could wear boots and scarves YEAR round I would. I have been obsessing over all combat esque boots and I'm loving these! I have yet to find the right black pair..but I will find you, mark my words! Im so happy the aztec prints that started coming out late summer are sticking around for fall! They make my heart happy!

one one one!!

In all the craziness i realized i never wrote my one year post! So here it is...late...but so goes life!

We had our one year check up! As usual the shots killed me, Taylor was in charge and Breanna and I just sat in the chairs holding our ears. The cries get worse the older they get. She was perfectly healthy, 21 lbs ( 75th% ) and 31in (90th%) !! tall girl!
He was impressed with how well she walks, and we all laughed when she started barking at him like a dog (theres dogs on the wallpaper haha) She has 3 teeth all the way through, and the other top 3 are all cutting through her gums at the same time..ouch! He said her bottom back molars are swelling up under the gums and to expect them to push through as soon as her front teeth are done. Oh what fun were in for ;)

Leighton has become the little comedian of the house, and grocery store, and pretty much everywhere we go. You will see her coming and hear us going..you will get waves, blown kisses, and she will point and you and tell you to "GO!" she loves loves loves going to visit aunt erin at the daycare and to boss the big kids...its pretty funny!

She's saying more and more words, and even when its nothing discernible its non-stop chatter! So far I have hear her say " hi, bye-bye, mama, dada, dog, woof woof, duck, moo, bop, all done, oh no, go, she tries to say i love you, and bena ( her aunt breanna ) of course half of these only i understand haha.

She's walking all over the place, and even tries to run...its hilarious! She tries to climb onto things, and would spend all day rolling around on my bed if I let her!

She's still a healthy eater...this girl likes her food! Im still VERY strict about what goes into her little body...but every now and again she gets rice from a restaurant or something along those lines! ;)

Were still taking 2 naps a day and sleeping 7-7-...sometimes bed time is earlier, when naps are off or something. I see us going to one nap around 15/16ish months..shes always been on the early side of dropping naps per Babywise, and were already starting to shorten the morning nap..im looking forward to it and dreading it all at the same time ha!

Our schedule right now..

7:00 up
9:00 nap
10:15/30ish she wakes, i don't let her sleep past 10:30
1:15 nap
3:00 ish she wakes
6:45-7:00 bed

Her favorite toys are baby dolls, balls, and anything out of the bathroom cabinet she's not supposed to have ;) She loves music and likes to shake her lil booty..its the cutest thing ever! She loves wearing shoes, when i put mine on she will sit down and try to put hers on..be still my heart..little mini person!

She is the constant joy in my life, she makes the mornings sweeter and the days long and happy. Even when she's crying I wouldn't trade this life for anything different. I sit and wonder what her brother/sister will be like, I can't imagine 2x the love in my home..and i can't wait for that day to be here!