Five on Friday- Easing into Summer

So here is what is making our summer easy so far-

1.  Yard Dresses

So we are starting to get serious about potty training.  Bootcamp will start after vacation bible school next week, but action is happening.  Listening to my mama's advice, I got Miss Priss these darling long dresses from Target (buy one, get one 1/2 off).  She has been just wearing these with no diapers while we hang out at home (preferably outside).  

 Aren't they darling?   Find them here.  I want one in my size.  Anyway, I should have bought more, as there have been a lot of accidents so far.  Yesterday brought progress and some jelly bean dispensation though!

2.  Workout Shorts

These shorts looks super goofy in this picture, but they are so flattering on.  The bike shorts don't stick out as far from the over short as the picture.  I bought three pairs after realizing how practical and comfortable they are- especially for group fitness classes, when you don't feel like flashing everyone during floor work, yet also don't want to die of heat in capris.

3.  I mentioned this in my beach post, but we are in love with this playmat! My niece, Charlotte loves hers, but I didn't think I needed another activity mat.  I was wrong.  I love this one's less cumbersome size, and Deeds loves the the piano.  He kicks and kicks and kicks to make the music play.  I turned the sounds off to see if he realized he was making them with his feet.  He gave a kick, didn't receive the answering music and began to wail! Ha!  Anyway, he will spend a good 45 minutes on this thing without protest.  Worth its weight in gold!

Kick N Play Piano Gym

4.  Rash guard- find it here.  Toddler play involves a lot of leaning over.  Even with a high SPF, my fair skin is just asking to get a bit crispy on the shoulders and back. Enter this rash guard- it's a great material that actually keeps me cool in the sun.  My skin is protected from the sun, and for vanity purposes, my wobbly bits are nicely covered.  It is pretty flattering- doesn't cling to all the mess around my middle.

Plus, I feel super sporty in it.  Like I would paddle board or some such nonsense.  Although, looking at this picture, I need to channel those athletic feeling into doing some squats.

5 .  POOL TIME!!

 Look at DH and her buddy SiSi at the pool yesterday!

Deeds got to hang out in the nursery with his birthday buddy, Wilson.  I started dying laughing when I walked in and saw these little guys chilling out. I took the advice of several friends today and put Deeds in the nursery while I hung with Dell Harper at the pool. Soooo much better for all parties.  I could focus on her, so it was far more relaxing from a safety perspective.  Deeds wasn't hot and grumpy in the sun, and instead got to be held and swung. Win-win.

Now, I just need to find the perfect spray sunscreen for toddlers who won't stay still, and my summer will be truly easier!  Any suggestions?

Thanks ladies for hosting the linkup!  I hope y'all all have a lovely weekend.

Beaching it with Babies

Frankly, going to the beach with a baby just sucks. Especially when they are under six months. Especially riding solo with a two year old in tow.  Not the smartest of moves on my behalf, but I was optimistic, because who could turn down two weeks of this?

 Then this is the reality- packing, sunscreening and loading up for an hour for about an hour and a half at the pool.  Ha!

 This little gal LOVES the pool and swimming independently (with a puddle jumper).  The water was too cold for Deeds, so his swim lounger went sadly unused.  However, I brought his favorite piano play mat, and set him up in the shade on that.  This allowed a good 30-45 minutes of pool time with big sister.

 The MVP piece of baby equipment was definitely the Baby Bjorn.  Perfect for child transport to beach (boardwalk steps and strollers don't mix), walking on the beach, and wagon hauling with the toddler, I was so thankful that I brought it.

Ahh, I forgot to mention that this little guy decided that sleep was for the birds, and woke up every couple hours absolutely ravenous.  I was so desperate for some rest that I drove to the Target in Panama City and bought him a swing. It was worth it just to get a couple naps out of that boy.

 I have never relished adult time so much as my anniversary dinner at Havana at the Pearl in Rosemary Beach.  The food was fantastic, as were the champagne cocktails.

 I was so excited for a big beach day once Morgan got there.  We rented chairs, got all the necessities, and hit the sand.  Morgan remarked on the walk there that they would probably last 45 minutes after all this work.  I protested that we had done an hour and a half stretch without setting up base camp earlier in the week.  It would be great! I swear, I get dumber every day.

They lasted 45 minutes on the dot.  Dell Harper had a massive hissy fit sitting in the surf for me to hold her, as I tried to nurse Deeds under the umbrella while covering us up with a towel, hoping he would get sleepy and nap in the super cool little bed I dug him in the sand.  Luckily the waves covered the sound of her wails.  Deeds refused his sand hole, so Morgan held him in the shade, as I attempted to cajole Miss Priss into building a sand castle with me.  She was too far gone into her misery, whimpering "Go home, go home right now and watch TEEEEEVEEEEEEE, Mama!".  Then Deeds had a major blow out.  The shit had hit the fan. It was time to give up.

The couple beside us said their daughters were 5 and 7- this is the first time they had really braved the beach after a couple of disasters.

Next time I am hiring a babysitter, taking a paperback and going to the beach.  ALONE.

Five (Years) on Friday

1.  Happy Fifth Anniversary to Morgan and myself!

I can't believe it's been five years- it seems like it's been longer than that, yet it has flown by.  I love looking at these pictures from our first year and condo.

2.  Buying Our House- our first big milestone.

Our little stone rancher- how I love it.  A wonderful way to kick off our second year of marriage.  We've now done two renovations and one add-on.  I think we are done.   For now, at least.

3.  Buddy!!!  Shortly after the house came my favorite fur ball.

Chaser of all things squirrel and bunny, lover of sneaking onto couches and counter surfing, giver of the best hugs, and the furriest furry cuddler on the earth.

4.  Dell Harper
Next came this little joy.

She's been pretty extensively chronicled here, but goodness!  She is such a joy in our lives.

5.  Deeds
And of course, the newest addition!

My precious, smiley, chill (except in the middle of the night), little baby boy.  Oh, he just makes me grin. Ha, just look at his swim trunks and try not to laugh!  He is feeling mighty proud of himself for rolling over for the first time yesterday.  Growing up so fast!

It's been an incredible five years, and I am thrilled to find out what the next five years have in store.  I am so incredibly lucky to spend my life with a kind, patient partner who just loves his family (and puts up with us/me!).

Whelp, that's enough cheese for the next yearly anniversary post, right?  Back to normally scheduled programming next week.  We're off to brave the beach with our little dynamic duo, then having ADULT DINNER out at Havana in Rosemary Beach tonight.  I won't know what to do with myself- it's been TWO weeks since I have had adult time.  Needed.  Badly.

Have wonderful a weekend!

Caftan Body Ready

I read this article on The Cut, and it instantly struck a chord.  I mean, would I rather be thinking about my jiggly tummy or looking all Talitha Getty-like while eating ice cream and champagne with impunity?  Duh.

For those of you who don't feel like clicking over, here is the gist of my new fitness regimen:

"1. Select a caftan of your chosen gauge and length. Stroke its gauzy fabric and whisper into its folds.

2. Let your flesh settle into the crevices of your comfortable, comfortable caftan.

3. Crumbs? Let them fall where they may, swaddled in your caftan.

4. Throw out your razor.

5. Throw out your bra.

6. Throw out the aloe vera lotion you bought last summer. You will not be getting sunburned this summer.

7. Release your inhibitions. Feel the rain on your skin."

Brilliant.  Now for the eye candy-

Talitha-

Liz Taylor-

And for some current reincarnations of the classic (and forgiving) look-

Lilly has these fabulous ones-

The Sea Island Tunic-

In another more fabulous life, I will waft around in this- the Kingston Maxi Caftan Dress.

In such life I will be tall and willowy, obviously.

I'm just dying for this one from Anthropologie-

Or this one-

Or any of Tory Burch's tunics, or Roberta Roller Rabbit.  Due to the lack of height and willowy-ness, their abbreviated length would probably be my best caftan bet.

Off to get started on my new caftan-body fitness regimen!  While other will be eating clean, I will be eating caftan!  YOLO, baby.