Our Year in Review

Well this isn't too late :). We are still technically in the first week of the month. We had a pretty amazing year in 2015 and are definitely excited about what 2016 is going to bring us. For now though...our 2015 review.

January

We enjoyed a quiet new years day in as a family.

Kinley went to her first gym class at the Little Gym. She definitely loved it but to be honest it was a little expensive in my opinion for a one year old.

February

We had quite a few fun snow days in February which gave us some much needed family time. We baked home made cookies and Kinley enjoyed eating all the chocolate chips. This was her first taste of sweets. She was a fan!

My mom came and as always we had such a blast! Of course it was too short but we look forward to her coming again soon when baby boy arrives.

Kinley had strep again (and our nanny quit) which was not exciting, but I do love all the cuddles! I know someday she is going to not want to snuggle with me.

March

Matt and I enjoyed a wonderful date night which does not happen often enough. That is one of my goals for the new year to have more dates!

Kinley started daycare at an in home that we LOVE! We are so thankful for Ms. E after having such struggles with a nanny. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and this was a huge blessing to us.

Kinley had her first swimming experience. What a blast! She loved it!!

I celebrated turning 33 with my two favorite people and it could not have been better! I also started a new job that I really enjoy.

April 

April was defintiely bittersweet for me. I stopped breastfeeding Kinley. After starting my new job it was just teh right timing. I still miss it and am very excited to breastfeed this baby boy. Kinley and I had quite the journey.

We celebrated a great Easter with Matt's family. His grandparents came to visit later in April which we always enjoy as well.

Kinley enjoyed her first carnival. She rode the train and went down the big slide with mommy.

May

We had our first zoo trip and ended up buying season passes. Kinley loves animals and we knew we would get back often. We didn't get as much as we liked but hopefully a few more times before baby boy comes.

Kinley and I traveled to Colorado for my sister's wedding shower. We had a great time spending some time at my nephew's baseball games and hanging out with family.

We took Kinley strawberry picking for the second year in a row and she was all about it this year. She picked the berries right off and ate away. Good thing I brought a spray bottle to clean them :).

June

Kinley went to the beach for the first real time. She has been before but not where she could get in the water and enjoy it. She did not want to leave.

We all traveled back to Colorado for my sister's wedding. I was the matron of honor and Kinley was the flower girl. She did amazing and we all had a fantastic time. Here are some tips for traveling with a toddler.

We got back from Colorado and Matt and I enjoyed an adult wedding of our two friends Chelsea and Tony. It was a much needed night out.

Matt celebrated his last father's day to an only child. Little did he know :).

July

I wrote one of my most popular posts. 3 car seat myths busted. If you have been following me for a while or know me you know car seat safety is a passion of mine.

Had some beach family pictures done by the amazing Lori Woodhouse Photography. I was quite frustrated with the windy evening we had but of course we ended up with some priceless memories.

We took a road trip up to Baltimore to see a wonderful friend of mine, Erin. Kinley and Bodie are only a few months apart and are the cutest when they are together. We don't get to see them often but we try for at least once a year.

Kinley graduated from her first story time class at the library. She was so proud.

I really started to embrace life as a working mom around this time. It is hard work but over all very rewarding for me. I hope the rest of us working moms will learn to embrace their role too.

August

Another beach trip in the books. This time we headed down to the Outer Banks where my step mom and her family were. I wish we could've stayed longer. Hoping they make another trip this year.

Kinley enjoyed her first ice cream eating experience.

Kinley got strep yet again. But this time it really made me thankful for the midnight screams. It is so sad when your children are sick.

September

The big announcement. Kinley is going to be a BIG SISTER!! We could not be more excited for our family.

Deciding on some must haves for baby #2 and letting go of the mommy guilt.

October

We closed on our first house as a married couple. We owned the townhouse, still do, but did not purchase that together. This house is ours and couldn't be more special.

Matt and I celebrated 4 wonderful years of marriage. It has been the best.

Kinley went trick or treating for real for the first year and jumped in many piles of leaves. We also had a blast at the pumpkin patch this year.

November

We celebrated another friend's beautiful wedding. Yay for another date!

Kinley turned 2!!! Wow time flies! I also took that time to reflect back on her, my first born, and how much I love her.

Had some more amazing family photos done. I was sure this time we were not getting any good ones. Kinley threw up on the way there and the entire shoot she fussed and clinged to me! Come to find out the poor girl had an ear infection. BUT....of course there were some amazing photos.

December

We did a few family holiday activities, looking at lights and making cookies were the highlights. We also found out that our baby girl was really a baby boy. Boy what a shocker!

Celebrated an amazing holiday with my mom here and Matt's family. My dad and step mom were even able to come visit for a day.

We ended the year on the couch with a movie and in bed by 10pm. Exciting life we lead I tell you, but I wouldn't change it for the world! Goodbye 2015!

We are so exited to see what 2016 brings us and our family! We know one thing is for sure we will be adding an amazing boy to our family.

Kinley's 2nd Birthday

Remember that farm themed inspiration post I did a few months back?  If you don't you can read it here. Well it all came together this weekend. Kinley doesn't turn 2 until the 27th but with Thanksgiving we decided to do her party the weekend before.

Things turned out so perfect. My aunt was amazing and did all the animal cutouts, the banner and barns. I put together the signs for the food and placed them with an animal. I also made our matching shirts. I will do a tutorial on the shirts later on because there are so many options with making them and they were pretty easy to do!

My brother in law made the "moo moo" cake, as Kinley called it. For Kinley's 1st birthday he made a princess dress unexpected so now he is always in charge of making the cake. He is pretty talented, don't you think? I sent him a picture of what I wanted and he made it happen. I could not have been happier with how it turned out. Thanks Uncle Danny!

Kinley had a tough morning so I put her down for a power nap but then had to wake her up when everyone came. She was not happy at first and did not want to smile for any photos with mom and dad. Really though, would you be happy if you got woken up out of a deep sleep. I think not! I was determined to get a few pictures whether she smiled or not. Finally she warmed up and I got a few smiles out of her. I have learned if I tell her to show me her pretty smile I will get a decent one out of her. 

She was a little unsure of everyone singing happy birthday to her but did a great job blowing out the candles. She did eat some of her cupcake but she made sure to ask for a spoon first. She hates getting her hands dirty. 

It was too funny watching her open the presents. She is very much the one who checks out a situation and if she is unsure she will ask for help. It was so cute, "mom help pease." Once she understood there were toys inside the bags she was all about it. 

Kinley had a lot of fun and we are very thankful for all our family and friends that came to celebrate with her. She defintiely has a blast with all the balloons. We love her to pieces and will be celebrating her birthday all week long! Happy 2nd birthday Kinley Reese. 

Inspirations for a 2nd Birthday

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week and I am sure you all are looking forward to the weekend. We have had a wonderful start to our weekend! I am looking forward to Sunday since I work Saturdays. Ok anyways, on to thoughts about Kinley's second birthday. Tears....

Is it too early to start thinking about Kinley turning 2?!!! I can't believe how fast she's growing up. She is definitely not a baby anymore and well into her toddler escapades. She is sassy as ever and knows what she wants when she wants it. The end! There's no negotiating that with her. I love she is so strong willed and independent, but man is it challenging at times! Especially when she's screaming at the fridge for the 800th time and it's only 8:00am and she just ate.

She's 20 months so we have less than 4 months to get this shindig planned :). With her birthday being the end of November our options are limited. She loves animals, so my thoughts are doing an animal themed party. She really likes the book The Barnyard Dance and loves signing Old MacDonald so I think it would be perfect.

I really am not sure where though. Our house is small so I am contemplating doing it somewhere fun, possibly the rec center so she can swim. Unless we move soon! Do you have any thoughts? It won't be anything big but it would be fun to be somewhere where she could have some room.

I really love all these invitation inspirations from Zazzle. I have never ordered anything from there but have heard wonderful things about their products. You also know Etsy is an amazing inspiration in it's self. I need to remind myself she is only 2...but she is only 2 once so why not go all out! I love planning things like this!

I think after writing this I am pretty set on doing the animal theme! It is so adorable! Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get party favors from your favorite shops?

And lastly I want to share some fun pictures Kinley and her friend Patrick at the World of Wonders, Norfolk Botanical Gardens. They had such a blast! The place is absolutely beautiful. We can't wait to go back!

We really had a great time! Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!!