Five on Friday - Pony, Trip, Lilly

I'm attempting to take two days off of work and be in Maryland with my parents but it isn't working out the best on that first part! ;)  It's fine and I really don't mind.  I have two projects that I'm trying to get through permitting to start construction in the next few weeks so it's a busy time.  Gotta move them along!

Anyway, here are a few things we've been up to this week!

ONE:
Her first pony tail!  Ahhhhhhhhh!  She looks like she's 5 here!  
 

 

TWO:
Someone has been all up in Mills' biz checking on his "boo boos!"  His head is looking a lot better.  

 

THREE:
I decided this time to book the night flight that leaves after Molly Anne's bedtime.  We've done it traveling in the morning, afternoon and evening and I really do think evening is best.  She's more low-key.  

 

Another good idea when you travel with children - wine!  Just saying...!  It really does assist you in making better parenting decisions, I swear! 

 

She was so good while we waited for the flight and then we boarded the plane.  Girlfriend marched right up that ramp and barely looked back for me.  She got on the plane, walked to the back, jumped right in her seat and put her seatbelt on by herself.  Then said loudly, "MAMA SEATBELT!"  Thank you Molly Anne.

 

Cool shot of uptown Charlotte!

 

All the essentials for a flight - iPad, headphones, goldfish and water bottle!  This child didn't move for two hours and was so good.  Couldn't believe she didn't fall asleep.  And yes, it was wonderful scoring an extra seat for her that I didn't pay for.  Gotta just ask!

 

We landed on Wednesday night at 10pm and got off the plane and Molly Anne acted like an old pro again.  We walked together to get our stroller but I didn't put her in it.  Instead, she ran into the airport and my parents were right there.  She screamed NANNIE POPPA!  It was adorable.  I wish I had it on video but it was fun to enjoy in the moment instead.  She stayed up until 10:45pm then crashed! 

FOUR:
This print from Lilly came out yesterday and I ordered it instantly.  I have found that all of the popular prints sell out so I got these quickly.  Here is the link to my dress and here is the link to Molly Anne's dress!

FIVE:

Our electrician ended up starting work on the house yesterday so I drew on our floor plan where we wanted outlets, can lights and fans.  It was kind of a mess.  I keep hearing to do more outlets than you think you need.  Any other electrical advice?

One other thing...

My friend keeps telling me that I need to do a post on how I keep up a career, travel for work and be Mom.  Is there any interest in this?  I don't think I do anything that is really crazy interesting but maybe it would help one mom?

Another post question...

Would you all be interested in hearing how I travel with Molly Anne by myself?  It really isn't that interesting either but I think I have it down pat?! 

Chat soon friends!

House Update - Pictures

Short and sweet post today.  I realized when I was at a house appointment the other day that I didn't have any updated pictures of the house with the windows in.  So here it is.  We aren't going to brick it until the very end so we can keep our carolina orange mud off the white brick.  It is literally impossible to get off so we want to take special care to be sure it stays clean!

As far as detailed update.  Plumbing and HVAC still happening.  Electrical will end up starting next Monday instead of this past.  Have to figure out appliances in the next week so the cabinets can start being built.  Met with the cabinet guy for the 3rd time yesterday.  Gotta get those kitchen cabinets perfect!
 

 

Baptism Gifts

Molly Anne received some very special gifts when she was baptized and these two were from family.

My parents gave her her first bible!
 

 

 

My brother, sister in law and nieces gave her this adorable photo album!  I had pictures printed from Mpix and we put them in the album on Monday night!  What a sweet gift to remember the occasion!  

 

 

Hope this gave you a couple neat ideas for any baptisms coming up!

Recipe - Southwest Salad

My friend Ashley texted me last week and said she had made a salad she thought we would like.  Ashley is a chef y'all.  I always tell her that her recipes are amazing and fancy.  Most are too fancy for me to make!  This one was so easy that I even made it for dinner after work and got it on the table in 10 minutes. I was able to do that because I prepped it all the night before. And that may have taken me 10 minutes.   So a healthy 20 minute meal?  Done.  

Here's what you need:

Rotisserie Chicken - take off the bone and chop into small pieces

Red onion - half of one and diced

Roma Tomatoes - 3 and diced 

Can of corn drained and rinsed

Can of black beans drained and rinsed 

(The above is what I prepped the night before and stored in Tupperware) 

Avocado diced

Green leaf lettuce chopped

Blue corn tortilla chips - I broke about 15 chips with my hands quickly 

Marie's Creamy Chipotle Ranch - I don't love chipotle stuff but this is good!

Mix it all in a bowl together with some salt and lime juice after you take out....

...some for your toddlers plate ;)

And serve!

It was so good.  Healthy and filling.  Even Kevin liked it which is a record with how picky he is!

Redneck Waterpark

On Friday afternoon we were supposed to go to the pool with a friend but the pools at both neighborhoods were closed for swim team practice.  We ended up creating a little redneck waterpark in our backyard and it was fabulous!  Mills tried to drink the water and get in the pool the entire time.  He thinks that is his pool....well it was until Molly Anne was born so you can't blame him.

The daddys ended up coming over and we all ate pizza for dinner and hung out.  It was fun!  

 

Molly Anne thought it was her duty to feed Emme every goldfish.  

 

These two girlies are so sweet together.  Yesterday when we were at the pool, Molly Anne kept saying, "emmeeeeee!"  I guess she thought Emme should have been there since she was at the pool and that's where they play the most!  

 

After they left, we put Molly Anne to bed and hung out on the back patio.  Kevin built a fire and we just chilled. 

 

I don't have any pictures from Saturday except some yucky ones of Mills' head.  I ended up taking him to the vet for the scabs on his head.  YALL.  It was so bad.  I should have taken him earlier but I didn't know.  They had to shave the top of his head and there were so many puncture wounds from another dog biting him.  Also on his left cheek.  It is so awful.  We have been taking special care of him and I'm SO glad I took him.  Now to deal with Camp on it.  I'm not pleased that it happened OR that they didn't even know it happened.  Don't know which is worse.

We tried a new place for dinner on Saturday night called Sabor.  Mexican street food.  It was so good, highly recommend if you're in the Charlotte area.  There are several locations.  It is an easy place with children.

Sunday we went to church.  This one said she wasn't going to cry when she got to her class but she did.  In fact, we weren't even halfway down the hall and she lost her mind.  She stopped quickly once she got in her room.  Poor baby but I'm glad she recovered quickly.  She loves going and has fun but is always glad to see us when we pick her up.

The rest of the day we hung out, took naps then went to the pool.  It began thundering so we got right out and scooted back to the house.  Yall know how insane I am about schedule but I am a firm believer it's why my child sleeps.  Well, I gave her a shower (yes she loves taking showers instead of baths these days!) right when we got home about 4:30 instead of our usual 6:30 bath time and she still went to bed at 7 just as easy.  I think she's finally old enough to be a bit more flexible on that front.  I'm not going to make a habit of it but every now and then, it's nice to know we can do that.
 


We had an easy dinner - chicken, broccoli and sweet potato fries.  And we are ready for the week ahead.  I have a lot to do and I have a short week to do it.  Today is going to be insane.  Okay bye!

Five on Friday - Week Recap

ONE:

Mills had a rough time at camp last weekend and we are nursing his "little" head back to health.  He evidently played a bit too hard with another pooch and has some scabs on the top of his head.  Poor bubba.  Peroxide and neosporin to the rescue.  

TWO:

We had so much fun with our perfect babydoll last weekend and it was such a treat to have 4 days in a row with her.  Tuesday morning before I left for work she wasn't too happy that I was leaving.  We had all gotten spoiled being together for so long.  Usually Molly Anne tells me bye every morning before I tell her bye but Tuesday that was not the case.  

THREE:

I went to Utah yesterday for the day.  Left Charlotte early morning and returned after midnight last night.  Long day but always good to get out there and get some things on my projects done!  On the flight out, the flight attendant recognized me and I remembered her as well.  She took care of us on a flight a couple months ago when I sat with the Panthers coach from SLC to CLT.  Funny!  

FOUR:
On the flight out yesterday morning, I did some work and then ended up drawing cabinet plans.  It was actually really nice to have some quiet and get things that require concentration done.  I am really trying to think about every little detail on this house and make sure we are making good, long term decisions.  Kitchen cabinets need to be practical and useful so I sat down and planned out exactly what will go where.  

FIVE:
We have a super low key weekend this weekend which is necessary after a busy week this week and next.  Anyone have any fun plans?  We are hoping to do some house things and go to the pool at some point!

House Updates - Pottery Barn Design Meeting

Did yall know that Pottery Barn offers free design services?  I've never really had a need to use it but I decided last week that if we were going to be getting some things there, it made sense to run my ideas by the professional!  We decided to keep some lights I had picked out and change a few things too.  Who knows what we will end up with in the end, but this is what we're leaning towards now.  It has kind of changed since this post.  We will likely keep the same exterior fixtures but changing some inside.

Here's what the PB pro and I decided on for the time being!

This chandelier for the dining room.  We need something pretty dressy because we have dressy furniture but wanted something more 2017.  This may be the perfect piece, we'll see.  I wouldn't have picked this out but I saw it in the store and think it's really pretty.

Thinking about this one for the butler's pantry and/or my getting ready area.

My favorite is this Bolten Indoor/Outdoor Lantern.  We wanted a lantern style for our foyer but didn't want the same thing everyone else does.  This is probably definitely happening.  I love the detail.  It will be seen from the dining room and goes okay with the chandelier in there.  

Remember how much I loved these glass pendants for above our island?  Well, sadly I returned them because I cannot keep glass clean all of the time and they're a spectacle in our main area.  Needed something more practical and Kevin and I both love the nautical style of these.  We will likely do three of the large ones above our 5x8 island.

Our breakfast area is a little weird because it has a 14'+ ceiling.  Part of the bylaws of the neighborhood require a 14' ceiling on the first floor and we didn't want a double foyer.  Anyway, it has actually turned out pretty cool.  We think we may go neutral and classic for this one and do this large linen drum.  

We are about 80% decided on those.  We have a lot of Pottery Barn gift cards from our Amex points so that's why we are thinking about getting these lights there.  We'll see how it turns out!  

A quick what's going on in the house update - plumbing is still happening and HVAC duct work has been installed (it's alllll over our 3rd floor!).  Electrical and audio video is next!  Then insulation and drywall!