Confessions of a Mom-Bun-Aholic

Last-time showered...questionable? Low messy bun + a hat.

The great thing about Instagram is that it's like a daily scrapbook of your life. I spend so many nights scrolling back through old pictures...remembering how much fun we had at Christmas...thinking about what we were doing last summer at this time...reminiscing about trips we've taken. Maybe it's because I'm a picture freak (always have been...I believe I started scrapbooking in second grade), but I LOVE it!

What's also become obvious is that this summer, I've become a habitual mom-bun offender. There was a night I was scrolling through my phone and thought just for kicks and giggles...maybe I should try to find the last time I even wore my hair down.

Spent all afternoon getting ready for Josh's birthday date, sleek sock bun it is!

From what I can tell (and Instagram doesn't lie) is that it had been well over a month. And I'm not ashamed. Here are the reasons I love sock buns, messy buns, cheer hair, and top knots ('mom bun' is a good all encompassing term I use) in no particular order:

1. Weather. It's unbearable. Does ANYONE wear their hair down in Iowa in July and August? Answer: Only if you hate yourself. Even wearing my hair down on a cool rainy day isn't a good idea. Too much humidity for anything but hair UP.

2. Showers are optional. I can shower the night before and throw my hair in a top knot for church in the morning. I can shower in the morning, let my hair air dry, and put it up for an evening out. I can do a sock bun three days in a row without showering (TMI?) and noooo one is the wiser.

3. Wedding dances. This is an important thing to consider. If you're planning to get your freak on, the hair-do must be taken into consideration. I can only dance with abandon if I'm comfortable and that usually means my hair has to be up and tightly secured.

4. Easy. This is key for looking cute with a baby around. If the mane is a mess, it can take up to 15 minutes. But usually I've got 'er up in 10 or less.

5. Hair re-growth. As someone who didn't have a super attractive hairline to begin with (thank you Wes Keil) this hair regrowth after Maverick has been A NIGHTMARE. The only way I've been able to cope is by pulling my hair straight back and up. There's no hiding it, but at least sock buns are fairly on-trend right now and I've learned to embrace a feature I consider not one of my best.

6. Casual and formal. Perhaps this is just my opinion but I believe sock buns and top knots are as cute with hoodies as they are with dresses (the right dress, anyway).

7. Hats. I only have two in my closet but apparently I've been missing out on this fashion magic for years. If the hair is too far gone to be salvaged for something up high...I keep it low and throw on one of my hats, depending on the outfit I'm wearing. Who knew?!

8. Adding accessories is easy. Hat, sunglasses, thick headband, skinny rubber headband...basically anything goes. There are no rules when it comes to a mom figuring out what works for her new 'look.'

9. The higher the hair, the closer to God. This is a quote I stare at while Erin Hood does my hair every couple months, and I felt like adding it to the list because it's cute. Whether it's messy or sleek...I prefer my mom bun up so high it touches the roof of the car while I'm driving.

10. Zero-effort. No blow-drying or straightening required. All I use are bobby pins and some hairspray to finish off (and tame those stubborn baby hairs). A couple years ago I picked up a little sock-bun helper to help me roll my pony tail down into the bun...but a literal old (clean) sock will do the same trick.

Early morning walk to the Farmer's Market and no time to mess with hair? A messy cheer bun is the answer.

This was after dinner in downtown Des Moines.

The one time my hair was down in the past three months, and the sole reason this picture was taken.

MmB

The Night Maverick Puked

Yesterday was like any ordinary day around here. I vacuumed grass off the floor, played catch with Mav, cleaned a couple toilets, made us our usual egg breakfast (he eats the yolk, I eat the white...it's a perfect arrangement), and hit up the pool. Mav was a happy little peanut all day. Josh was planning to quit early because of the heat and was excited to go to a Fight Club showing at the theater with his brother from 7-9:30. I had decided since it would be a late night with the house to myself...I had planned to uncork a bottle of $4 wine and sit on the couch watching one of the girl movie's I'm never allowed to pick with Josh or Jamie around. After thinking about it all day, I had it narrowed down to Pretty Woman, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, or Sweet Home Alabama.

At 5:00 I had the happiest little man on earth playing with his soft octopus and by 6:00 I was covered in carrot and pear puree vomit. 

What an unexpected surprise.

After the first puke...I was like ehhh whatever. Babies throw up. He scarfed his supper really fast and I figured his tummy was probably just upset. Josh helped us clean up, I got us both changed...and then the second round of puke hit. Again, I was able to catch most of it with my chest, which as odd as it sounds, I was pretty happy about. It meant my floors, rugs, bedding, and couches were all spared from the bright orange puke. Josh was beside himself about all of this, asking if we should go to the doctor (there was no fever involved) and being so first-time-parent dramatic (here I am pretending to be laid back again!!!)...watching your baby throw up is certainly not fun but I reminded him Maverick isn't the first baby to puke, and he won't be the last.

This led me to another shocking realization that we have so. many. more years of kids and puke. Like 20 years or more. I haven't mentioned this to yet to Josh because it's depressing to think about, so let's just keep it between us, mkay?

We wiped down, cleaned up, changed again...and when I sat Maverick up on his changing table, the river of vomit came flowing out again. HOW DID HE HAVE ANYTHING LEFT? I could see and hear it coming before it was out...being thrown up on twice was all it took for this mommy to get a handle on the learning curve. I caught it all in a towel! But geez there was a lot of it. Kind of a shocking amount. I pretended it was fine, sent Josh to the movie, and secretly called First Nurse and texted some mommy's for insight. 

After about 45 minutes of cuddles and a cat nap, I was about to put Maverick down for the night in his crib but as soon as I stood up to carry him to his room, I could hear it coming again. After that fourth puke (it landed on the fresh towel I had secured between us, another #momwin!) he started to snap back to his usual Maverick-self, kicking on his changing pad and talking a little bit. We cuddled and watched Baby Einstein until bedtime and I was finally able to start the carrot-orange-stained laundry.

The weirdest part was that it took a fourth time for him to 'perk' up. The nurse said it sounded like a virus because after each episode, he got more tired, lethargic, relaxed, cuddly, and sad. If it was an upset tummy, once or twice should have done the trick. Either way, Nurse recommended I wait 4 hours after the last episode before I fed him and to keep an eye on his wet diapers because he lost so much fluid. I fed him at midnight, he had a wet diaper by 2am, and woke up a perfect, happy, new man this morning. I mentally prepared to go to the ER for fluids in the night because I know that's a pretty common thing and I wanted to be ready if that was necessary. Praise God it wasn't!

It was at this point I decided he was feeling himself and could handle bedtime... 

We're spending today making sure we get the best naps possible, drinking some Pedialyte, and taking it easy with food...I don't think I can look at carrots for a while, though I'm sure Maverick wouldn't think twice about them. The plans I had to spend the day in Des Moines with my mother-and-sister-in-laws are cancelled...and the funny thing is...I couldn't be more fine with it. Missing a movie night and leaving that bottle of wine unopened in the fridge? Good with that too. I feel like I just overcame a really big 'mom first' last night and I wanted to reflect a little.

Do I get a promotion for that job well done last night? Or a raise (Jamie did bring me Chick-Fil-A for supper at 9pm...so that probably counts as some kind of reward)? Or some kind of award? No...none of those things come with this 24/7, stay-at-home-mom job. What's weird is that it's reward enough to know I responded to my baby with what he needed, when he needed it, took care of him through the night, and I'm giving him what I know he needs today. And I took care of my other baby (Josh) by getting him get out of the house for the fun thing he was looking forward to for two weeks, while I stayed home and did the dirty work. I was prepared for days like this and now was my time to shine. The weirdest thing of all...I was genuinely happy to do all of it. Because it's the job I've been called to.

We waited (rather, God allowed us to wait) a little longer in marriage before we had kids, and I think it's because He knew this kind of perspective wouldn't have been so easy for either of us to swallow at 21. I would have been just as sad about my sick baby as I was to be missing a coffee date to LaMie today. And I would have been selfishly mad that Josh went to a movie while I was stuck at home in puky-pajamas with a puky-kid. What I would have failed to see is that Josh works longer and harder for our family than I do...honestly, that's the truth. He wants one night off out of a month to go see his favorite movie? I would be a pretty rotten wife if I didn't encourage him to go. 

If I can't handle puke for a night, what kind of bad#*$ mom am I anyway??

What a beautiful, sanctifying, ridiculous, gross, challenging, rewarding job this is. I'll be honest, I'm still in pajamas as I type this at 12:42pm. Definitely not the norm around here, but I decided today was not the day to be a hero. Maverick had his post-puke bath this morning, but I have yet to make it that far, and still...I just love, love, love this calling...this job...this incredibly blessed, messy mom-life God has given me. 

But seriously...I need to be done now so I can go get in the shower because I'm getting a vague odor of baby vomit when I shift the way I'm sitting. Probably a few rogue drops of puke somewhere I missed. 

MmB

Zippered. Leg. Pants.

Josh, holding the legs to his new fancy pants.

Last week...Josh requested I go buy him some zip off pants. 

For work. 

Pants that zip. 

Zipper off at the legs.

To become shorts.

Like the kind that was cool to have in fourth grade.

There has never been a time when I have wanted to submit to my husband less.

Dramatic emphasis...there have been maaaany different, slightly less ridiculous times than this, but humor me. 

My first approach was to play dumb:

"Umm I don't think they sell those anymore babe. I've never seen them anywhere I shop for your work clothes."

"A guy told me he gets his at JAX."

Aaaaand that would be why I've never seen them. Crap.

So off Maverick and I went to West Ames to find some zippered-leg pants. We waltzed in and spent 15 minutes combing through the store because I literally couldn't bring myself to ASK an employee to help me find this abomination to the fashion industry. 

Zip off pants. Lord, be near.

After walking through all the aisles multiple times, without any luck I thought, "Yesssssss. They don't have them. Looks like I'll need to break the news to Josh gently." But for good measure, I decided I should ask an employee so I could come home to tell Josh that I had tried really hard, asked everyone there, and they just don't sell such a thing anymore! Shoot!

I asked an employee where I would find more Men's clothing, you know kept it nice and vague so I wouldn't have to utter the words 'zip' 'off' 'legs' and 'pants' in the same sentence. The response I got was significantly different than what I expected. Apparently JAX has two stores right next door to one another...one for all kinds of outdoor shenanigans. And one for apparel. I was in the wrong one. They directed me across the parking lot and said an employee could help me there. 

Because we'd already been wandering aimlessly for a half hour through fishing lewers, tents, and guns (and it was nearing suppertime for Mav), I decided to get right to the point with the two high school boys that were working at the front counter. This is word for word what I said to them:

"It causes me physical pain to ask you this...but my husband needs me to find him some pants that zip off at the legs. For work. I cannot believe I just asked you to help me find those."

This led to questions about what he needed them for so they could find me the right kind...was it for Boy Scouts (OHMYWORDSTOP)? Because they carry a line specifically for Boy Scouts. I explained he needed them to be able to easily switch between pants and shorts when he was out working with chemicals/mowing/irrigation, etc. They laughed and said something like, "They're actually really popular. We sell a lot of those."

I have never wanted Dan Blake along for a shopping trip more in my life (mark that under phrases I never thought I would say). It was a strange feeling to be in the act of shopping for clothes...and still be so painfully out of my element.

Maverick and I were led to the back corner of the store where the options for zippered leg pants were endless. We were trapped in a sea of kakai, green, navy and black zip off pants that were shockingly expensive. Want to know what was worse than asking where I could find these offensive pants? PAYING FOR THEM. $135 later...we left the store with two pairs of dark gray North Face zip off pants...and a small amount of self-respect.

Josh has fallen in love with these zippered pants and says he won't be going back to working in jeans. Meaning my trips to JAX for overpriced, ugly, zip-of-at-the-leg pants...just got added to my list of regular BLC responsibilities. Perfect.

It also means that when Josh asks me to do a load of his laundry...he now says things like, "Hang on, I have to go get my pant legs from the truck before you start it."

Sure thing, babe. I'll make sure to wait for the legs to your pants before I start the laundry.

MmB

I guess I'm a decorating consultant now...

Our signature look if we're decorating during nap time and there's no closet/bathroom/utility room for Maverick to nap in. ;)

Without really trying it's become quite clear that I have a new title/hobby/job among my circle of beautiful friends.

Decorating Consultant.

What started as decorating inside the four corners of our little house has turned into showers, parties, conferences, weddings, receptions, grad parties, and now (and quite possibly my favorite)...houses.

Do you know what this means?

I GET TO GO SHOPPING WITH OTHER PEOPLES' MONEY!

J/k j/k...but seriously. A few weeks ago I went to Hobby Lobby with my friend Kate for her first wedding brainstorm session where we spent two hours wandering the aisles and talking nonstop at the speed of light...she bought some cute barn wood signs, and I didn't buy a thing!

That's a lie, I spent $4 on a Father's Day present for Josh (it was a new Chevy steering wheel cover for his new truck but that was IT!).

Last Saturday I went to my friend Nikki's house because she wanted some help/direction on what to buy and how to arrange her new house and she started a sentence with, "If you think we need to buy something I have Braden's credit card..." and I was like OKAY LET'S GET CRAZY!

I'm being dramatic...we only bought a small accent table and a couple of curtains (though I'm not sure those things are Dave Ramsey approved...Sarah?).

I've had people send me messages asking how I would paint something...what kind of stain they should use...what color their table should be. I've been asked how to make my signature 'coaster' wedding gift, how to make my faux Magnolia wreath, and how I sew the cases for my throw pillows.

It's accidentally becoming a 'thing' aaaand I'm not mad about it.

In fact, I'm pretending HARD to be Joanna Gaines next week when Kaylie comes over to my house to talk about feature walls so she can see what I've got goin' on at 422 13th St. You know how Jo always has people come over to check out her concrete counter tops? Or the carrera marble she has in her bathrooms? Or the ship lap on her walls? Yea...that's basically exactly what I'll be doing. Minus all three of those things.

Joanna has her signature Magnolia wreath and it's amazing...here's mine, which is slightly less amazing, but still does the job.

I guess I'm posting this silliness to say...if you want to spend an afternoon at my house crafting a magnolia wreath for yourself...just bring me an iced vanilla latte and some glue sticks and I will show you my ways. I don't care if we've never hung out before...I value one-on-one time with friends to chat more than I enjoy big groups (which is why Titus II play group and large family gatherings give me anxiety!). Or if you want me to come over to help rearrange your living room furniture while our babies steal toys from each other, I can do that too. But that latte thing still stands. ;) Josh is working from 6am to 9pm seven days a week right now (not complaining, just explaining) and I need to see more of my people. I figure this is probably a good way to make that happen.

Disclaimer: If you ask me to come help you organize, I will make you donate/throw things away, and not everyone can handle my bossiness. I'm pretty chill about decorating because it's whatever YOU like and what YOU want in your space. So if you aren't seriously ready to get rid of the orange and brown pot holder a sweet lady made for your bridal shower gift (very sweet, but hideous)...I'm sorry, but I cannot help you.

Faith Community Women's Conference 2014...one of my favorite alters.

Maley Rehearsal Dinner 2015...anytime I get to add pink to the decor theme I'm in HEAVEN.

One of my favorite corners in our house.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2015...just an excuse to design and decorate a fancy tablescape.

Oh...and if you have older kiddies...I have a hot tub, a trampoline, and the collector's edition of Looney Toons. That should buy us a couple hours of crafting time.

MmB

Lazy Iced Coffee

Coffee snobs everywhere will be gagging on their afternoon espresso as they read this, but as I was putting together my usual afternoon iced coffee...I thought to myself, "Self. This is so easy and good. You should write a quick blog about it."

Here's my Lazy Iced Coffee recipe, that's not really a recipe at all...

Step One: Make a nice, dark, full pot of coffee.

Step Two: As soon as coffee is done dripping, turn off the heat.

Step Three: Drink one morning cup while coffee is still warm.

Step Four: Let coffee pot sit on the counter to cool for the rest of the morning.

Step Five: Put pot in the fridge around noon or whenever you remember.

Step Six: Lay baby down for nap and get jacked for your afternoon iced coffee.

Step Seven: Put four ice cubes in a glass.

Step Eight: Pour cold coffee over ice.

Step Nine: Throw in 2-3 'magic drops' (my nickname, see photo).

Step Ten: Add a few drops of your favorite creamer.

Optional Step Eleven: If you're feeling really crazy, you can add a little Redi-Whip to the top of your iced coffee...which I never buy, but a can has strangely appeared in my fridge and I'll be honest, I'm not upset about it. After a particularly awful night (I realized it was pouring at 1am and the stroller needed to be rescued from sitting outside + a LOUD thunder crack woke up Mav around 2am = I was wiiiiide awake until FOUR AM), sometimes whip cream on your afternoon coffee is NECESSARY FOR DAILY ADULTING.

My favorite flavor in the summer + the aforementioned magic drops. 

Because I make a full pot at a time, I only drink about two cups per day, and I'm the only coffee-drinker in our house...that pot lasts me two to three days or more. Giving me so much iced coffee goodness, perfect for these hot summer days. Some people get all grossed out by old coffee...but I swear...this is actually pretty good. Give it a try and let me know if you like it. ;)

MmB

Maverick: Ten Month Update

Soooooo many things to update about Maverick this month. He claps, just popped his first little sharptooth, and he's starting to SCOOT! But more on all that in a little bit...

Mav is 10 months old and is headed straight for that big one-year birthday. We can't even believe that's possible. Summer just started. I need to reference his bucket list to make sure we're checking things off regularly to accomplish everything before fall is here!

Bae is wearing 6-9, 6-12, and some 9-12 month clothes. Totally depends on the brand and the style, but he finally started to move up a size this month. It's like Christmas when I go through his drawers to see what's up next! I'm almost ready to fill and pack another tote away, which is a big deal with as looooong as he wears his clothes for. ;) He's in size 2 diapers (though I can squeeze his butt into a size one if that's all I have in the diaper bag...oops), and he's in size 3 overnight diapers for nighttime.

At his 9 month check-up (which was actually closer to 10 months) he weighed 16 pounds, 3 ounces, handled his shots like a CHAMPION, and scored nice and high on communication and 'problem solving' skills. Gross and fine motor were low, but the doctor wasn't concerned about that in the slightest after being around Mav during the appointment...and his opinion is the only one that really matters. Despite being mostly stationary, he is a busy guy. Into his diaper bag, wanting to snack on puffs, grabbing at the papers in my hand, playing with my watch/earrings/ring/painted nails, tearing the paper he was sitting on. Doc is sure he'll be on the move in no time...and reminded me to enjoy it AND I SO AM. I spent AN HOUR getting ready for church on Sunday and Mav sat in the living room by himself playing with his little box of toys (the takeaway there should not be how long it takes me to get ready...but how good he was at playing). He's so good at independent play *praise hands*. My goal is to start having him to play with some toys in his crib so when I need him to be contained, he's A-OK with being stuck in there for a little bit while I shower, etc. until he's trained/disciplined on what he can and cannot touch.

Like I said...Mav popped a little lone tooth this month! I've been calling him Maverick Sharptooth and singing the Baby Sharptooth do-dodododo song nonstop. My mom said she thought she saw something while we were in the van the other day...but she's like the boy who cried wolf when it comes to Maverick getting teeth so I shrugged it off. When he started chewing on his hands and drooling a little bit at two months (TWO MONTHS) she thought he was getting teeth. Then Josh's mom was sure he was getting teeth a couple months later...then when he had a few bad weeks sleeping through the night everyone was sure it was teeth...a month ago when we were at the farm G'pa and Rick commented on how they thought it was time for teeth...WELL EVERYONE THE ELUSIVE FIRST TOOTH HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. We can all rest easy because the kid does, in fact, have teeth in that head of his. :) I'm pretty thrilled he took it like a man because I had no idea it was even coming. No crying/fever/crabbiness/drooling/runny nose...I'm praying that's how he handles the rest of them. Eeek.

Our schedule changed a bit this month. After Maverick was TERRIBLE for my mom on the night of the Switchfoot Concert, I made a proclamation that we were D-O-N-E with 1/2/3am feedings. DONE. I was going to buy Josh earplugs. I was going to ask questions on the Babywise Facebook Group until I had. this. figured. out. I was going to stick out hours of crying until 5am because it was becoming very clear the middle of the night thing was just a nasty habit that had snuck back up on us and it needed to GO. It was recommended I cut his morning nap to an hour, try increasing his wake-times, and limit his day-time sleep to 3/3.5 hours...I did all those things, gave him two days to get his #$%* together and BOOM. Mav has been sleeping 8:30-4/5/6 more consistently than he has his whole life. Two days of slip-ups in there (possibly due to naps being off) and we've had three weeks of pretty blissful nights. I'm hopeful he will keep at it...so our schedule right now is:

8/8:30: Wake/eat
9/9:30: Food
10:30/11: Nap
12:00: Wake/eat
1:00: Food
2/2:30: Nap
4:00: Wake/eat
5:00: Food
8:00: Bedtime routine/eat
8:30: Bedtime

Things move around 15-30 minutes either way if necessary, but I've really tried to remember those three rules...limit morning nap...make sure he's getting enough awake time...and no more than 3.5 total hours of day-time sleep per day. Though it seems like he does better if his total napping time is right at 3 hours...sometimes it seems like he's exhausted from the pool and needs more so I'll let him have 3.5 or our our day together can get a little hairy-scary. There was a day when I tried a 2-3-4 schedule (because it's pretty close to what we do anyway?) and that was the night of the slip-up so we went right back to how we had been doing things, nbd.

Bedtime is a bit earlier, our mornings are consistently starting earlier (minus a few days where he slept until 9 AND IT WAS GLORIOUS), and his wake-times are a lot happier than they used to be...specifically that looong evening one. After handling skipping his morning nap yesterday really well, I'm really hoping that means our transition to one nap will be easy. I've heard that one can be tough, but I'd like to see it gone around his birthday. Sunday's have gotten easier each week it seems...he naps or he doesn't; the service we're at is totally random by the week; and since I'm helping with D6 for the summer occasionally he's in the nursery from 8:30-12:30 (bless. those. helpers). As he's gotten older he seems to handle the craziness of the day a lot better.

As for tricks...these are the things we're 'Annoyed-First-Time-Parent-Proud-Of':

• When it's time for nap or bed, as soon as I turn off the light and turn on the sound machine, he immediately lays his head down on my shoulder and cuddles up for bed
• Clapping! He's clapping! And once I caught him clapping when the babies on Einstein were instructing him to!
• Butt-scooting...he's shifting directions, scooting all over, really good at backin' up that booty
• Throwing balls and 'playing catch'...he started showing that trick off at the 4th of July parade and now I'm convinced he knows he's playing a game
• Putting toys in and out of his box, putting shape toys where they're supposed to go
• Looooooves swinging...I'm told I reached an age where my parents avoided driving by parks so I wouldn't see swings and then whine about swinging the rest of the day...please don't like that THAT much, Maverick
• Pulls to stand with help and is standing mostly unassisted, though we still need to be close to catch (I'm looking at you NANA lol)
• The pincher grasp is coming! I mentioned in an Instagram last week Jamie and I lovingly refer to this as 'Lobstering', or 'Maverick Lobster-Hands' and he's starting to pick up bits of food on his own and put them in his mouth...sometimes that fist still gets in the way

For a look at the rest of his adorable nine month pics taken by Libby Asay...there in this Facebook album.

We're still in water as much and as often as we can be. Pool on the deck, watching the sprinkler in the yard (when it was cool last week), and hitting the pool when it's hot. Maverick loves drinking water, slapping water, watching the washing machine fill up with water, watching intently while I wash my hands, watching fountain/hoses/hot tub jets, and obsessed with our water bottles and trying to take a drink...are all babies like this with water or is mine a freak? It's so funny.

Maverick likes watching me vacuum, gets a tiny bit scared of car washes, will still go to anyone (depending on where he's at in his nap/eat schedule), and doesn't cry as much when I leave the room (yay!), though he will still hold his arms out to come to me or Josh over anyone else, if offered. He met a baby kitty last night and LOVED it. He still loves watching puppies, bunnies, birds...and isn't even scared of big dogs visiting him at the Farmers Market. He's doesn't try and touch animals ever, but he will sit and watch them for as long as I let him. The petting zoo across the street was a real BIG hit last weekend.

Last month I talked about how Mav had been on a strike with eating. Distracted eating when with me...distracted eating real food in his chair...I felt like I couldn't get anything down his throat. I'd heard from a few mom's that it's all normal so I just fought through it and one day it was like he was ready to buckle down and get to work. He eats 5-10 ounces of baby food 2-3 times a day; bits and pieces of whatever is on my plate for meals; and we've finally reached the stage where I can feed him puffs and yogurt swirls in the Gap dressing room to keep him happy and quiet. Hallelujah. He's still nursing at 4/5/6am and then four times during the day. You better believe I'm counting down the days 'til we hit the one year mark and he can have that blessed cow's milk instead of me, only me, all. the. time. After a pump debacle on the crazy wedding/Switchfoot concert weekend (when I didn't have the time or the sanity to deal with it and Andrea had to come to my rescue) I was just so ready to be done with the whole nursing thing. Most of the time it's the easiest option...but as he gets older...and it's summertime...and nursing bras dictate what I can wear...I'll be honest, it is getting annoying. I know I'm lucky to have had such an easy time breastfeeding Maverick for a year, so that will be the extent of my complaining and I already feel like even that was too much. However, next time I'll be introducing formula EARLY and then giving that off and on throughout the first year so there's a little more flexibility without that annoying satanic breast pump.

Last month Maverick helped his daddy celebrate Father's Day; took another big trip to Twin Lakes to stay at our favorite cabin (this time that included getting IN the lake); participated in Manson Grater Crater Days; celebrated his parents' being married for SIX years; and helped decorate for yet another wedding ceremony and reception. 

If this past week has taught me anything, it's that every. single. second we get to be Maverick's parents is a gift and a blessing I won't be taking for granted. Josh's cousin Stephen was in a serious car accident last week with brain and spine injuries and is still in a coma...which is just another reminder that these sweet boys don't belong to us, they have always belonged to God. Stephen is 18 years old, celebrated his graduation last weekend, and has his whole life ahead of him...falling in love...getting married...having babies...I just sit here thinking about those things and I want that SO BAD for him and his sweet family. At this point it's almost impossible for me to imagine Maverick as an eighteen-year-old but I know it will be here tomorrow. Stephen's family is from Ohio, so that obviously makes it hard to help in tangible ways other than praying. But I've been SO intentional to slow down this week, cuddle my baby longer, kiss his cheeks even more than usual, and spend time praying that God would completely heal Stephen...giving him an amazing testimony at what a miracle he is, all for God's glory. Would you pray that with me too, just real quick?

I think that just about sums up everything about our big little buddy this month. Only two more of these updates to go and we will have conquered our first year of parenthood...a little older, wiser, and tired-er. ;)

MmB

America.

It's no secret that America is a mother-flipping mess. Maybe that's where my new found Patriotism is coming from...it's kind of a last ditch effort to get us in the mood to celebrate this country that will soon be governed by either Donald Trump...or Hilary Clinton. Josh hates when I say it...but I CAN'T EVEN.

So I've pulled out all the stops this year...the banners are out...tiny little flags are in my flower pots...I literally nailed an American flag to the wall in our living room. Perhaps if I decorate enough, we'll just 'forget' the current state of this Nation and focus on our beautiful freedom by celebrating THE CONSTITUTION. You know, that sweet little document our country was founded upon that values things like...marriage between a man and a woman...giving law-abiding citizens the right to own a weapon to defend themselves...rights to precious unborn babies...just crazy things like that.

Ok I'm done. Here's how I decorated for 4th of July 2016:

Found this tea-stained flag on Amazon for $18 and figured it can stay in the house for a couple years, then move outside to fly from the garage pole after that.

This little canvas was probably the beginning of my July-decorating obsession...I've had it for a couple years, purchased from one of my favorite stores in Fort Dodge...Real Deals!

I mentioned on Instagram that the Target One Spot had some pretty amazing Fourth of July stuff this year...this little cutie was one of the things I snagged. $3...so that whole 'one' thing is a lie, but still cute.

Our friend Kristin had some ADORABLE canvas paintings for sale in her Etsy shop and I couldn't say no to supporting a fellow small business AND adding this to our living room. Everybody wins!

Another Target One Spot (errr $5) find. Even though it seems like the pillows in our house keep multiplying...I swear I recover them with homemade cases I sew to reuse them for different holiday's/seasons!

Again...One Spot...I couldn't have made those little bunting banners for cheaper than $3/each. And from this angle, our backyard doesn't look quite as ugly as it is in real life...so that's why you're getting this less-than-quality picture.

I LOVE having neutral linen pillow cases...it makes tossing in one crazy colorful pillow a lot easier. This was a pre-made case I found on Amazon for $4.

$7 rug from Hob Lob. Keeping it on our front steps and out of the wind/wear/weather. I'm suddenly really into blue. Maybe it's because we have a boy with blue eyes so when I decorate with blue, Maverick instantly matches everything.

This is a terrible picture of something that is actually super cute. I tied all these ribbons to a stick to make a cute abstract flag and hide our pink front door. Don't get me wrong...I still love the pink front door...but for these two Patriotic weeks of the year, it needs to be hidden just a little. :)

This adorable OLD wicker rocker arrived on my doorstep just in time for the Fourth. A friend from home was putting it on a garage sale and let me buy it instead. HOW fun will this be to decorate each season?! I'll tell you...it's already gotten quite a bit of wonderful, relaxing use! That denim blanket is special/useful/fun because it was my handmade graduation gift from my home church family...and I snagged that pillow on clearance at TJ + I used $10 of rewards...making that $30 name-brand pillow a whopping six bucks.

Watching cars go by to keep this little American occupied and happy until nap time.

These jars are quickly becoming one of my favorite decorations (found them at Hobby Lobby a couple months ago). Changing the flowers out every few months adds so much fresh life to our front steps.

This picture got 76 'likes' on Facebook and I have to be honest...I'm mildly shocked.

Look at my pretty mulch! I never knew I could love something like mulch SO MUCH! We no longer have mud for landscaping around our house! THANKS HUSBAND! I also want my Instragram record to show...I crafted one of those pallet flags before EVERYONE AND THEIR DOG made one. But like I always say...imitation is the highest form of flattery. ;)

...because this chair from my G'ma Rose's front steps is one of my favorite things.

In recent months I've tried to do a better job at giving our side/back yard a little more love. Here's what's happening over there now. And yes, that is an old mower I permitted Josh to use as outdoor decor.

Then this happened because I'm an obnoxious first-time mom. Thanks everyone for humoring me.

And that's how things look at our house right now!

MmB