Holy crap.

I still have this blog.

Let's be honest, I stink at this stuff. Writing things down and diving into details after getting home from work make me shutter. I'm just trying to play catch up with my family and dangling on a prayer that Nik has left over wine samples from his tastings that day. Heck, I can barely sign and deposit a check (even though I've got the app for it). But for those of you that know me, I'm a researcher. I fixate on a topic and I can't let it go until I understand it to the nth degree. Like toxic sunscreen, childrearing philosophies, the perfect nude pumps, the importance of Braggs Vinegar into your daily diet and how to figure out the most efficient/affordable home reno in the history of the world - you get where I'm going.

But I'm lacking a space to share this annoying knowledge and soapbox banter. I've got facebook and pinterest but I'm pretty sure half of my "friend" unfriended me after my last rant or 654th photo for my perfectly precious princess. And there's only so many times I can look at a picture of sugar/flour/gluten/chocolate/butter free cookies.

So here I am again, blogger.com. Knocking at your door.

For those that still follow me. God bless you.

It's been too long

Whew...what a busy winter! I've been back at work since the end of November and life has not slowed down. Baby girl is growing at the speed of light and a much longer post is needed to update everyone on her amazing developments. Gosh, I love her. She is the apple of our eye, we're even trying to figure out how to make a song about her to "Moon River." "Looouuuiiisssa brighter than the..." we haven't gotten very far (Mom, get to work). I am loving being back at work, hating not being with L all day long. It's all so bittersweet. Here are a couple quick update lists...hope you enjoy:

What Louisa Loves:

• Dancing with Daddy as we sing "That's Amore"
• Her swaddle (okay, not so much when you first put her in it but once she is asleep and until she wants her left hand out but otherwise we love it)
• Her Little Giraffe Blankets (thank you, Kate and Marty)
• Ellie
• Playing the piano with LouLou
• Chewing on her hands, toys, blankets, clothes, etc
• Bathtime
• Having her feet rubbed
• Being naked on her changing table
• Her new playgroup with Livi and Cooper
• Laughing at her silly Mommy and Daddy

What I Love:

• That I have the best husband in the entire world
• Page Stationery Baby Announcements (and no, our announcements have not gone out yet, I am the worst)
• Adorable Baby hats especially from Sweet Pea Toad
• The When Parents Text Blog (it cracks me up)
• Fleece Lined Leggings from Anthro (thanks Katie, my love)
• That my best friend in the world is having a BABY, who also happens to be Louisa's future husband
• The ADORABLE dress Auntie Kyle gave Louisa (see my new profile picture on FB)
• Louisa is in the 75% for weight and 90% for height (all this pumping is paying off)
• Microsoft Outlook because without it baby brain would take over and I would never remember when I had meetings
• My mother for lovingly volunteering to watch L in the afternoons
• This amazing, crazy, beautiful and sweet life

Louisa's Fashion Must Haves...

When I first found out I was pregnant I truly believed I was having a boy. It was only logical that the girliest of girls should have a boy, plus with Nik being one of five boys it just made sense. Needless to say we would have been happy with either one, the goal was a healthy baby. While I was dreaming of snails and puppy dog tails our twenty week sonogram proved the opposite. It turned out that we were expecting sugar and spice and everything PINK!

What I have learned since that twenty week ultrasound is that girls are dangerously expensive especially when you love to shop and you feel like your little one should be as on top of her fashion game as you attempt to be. At first I perused the top brand name items and then I thought this is ridiculous! If I can find my trendy outfits for close to nothing then I can do the same for Louisa. Old Navy, Target and vintage finds were how I incorporated trends and a little edge into my wardrobe so why not shop the same way for her? Now with the help of hand-me-downs, consignment stores, Old Navy, Target and dash of a few finer things Louisa is becoming quite the little fashion bug. Below are a couple of our latest Fall finds. Hope you all enjoy.

Jacket ($14.50), Dress ($22.50), Leggings ($6.50) all from Old Navy; Boots ($10.99) from Koala Baby at BRU

Dress ($25.59), Leggings ($3.99) from Gymboree; Boots ($10.99) from BRU

White Onesie with with delicate trim ($7.50 or 2 or more for $6.00) from Old Navy; Purple Pj Pants ($2.00) and Organic Cotton Zip-Up Footie ($5.00) both from Walmart; Carter's Fleece Footie ($9.99) from BRU

Another one bites the dust...

Well here I am writing a blog. Never in a million years did I think I would sit down and compose a blog but the time has come and change is good. Change is something I am starting to adapt to in my life. With the birth of my daughter everything I thought was important or relevant has come to a halt. The strive for complete control over everything has gone out the window and flexibility is the new black.

I am taking the opportunity to write a blog to share my experiences as a young, working Mom. Share the things I love, learn and strive to understand. I think it could be fun. Oh there will be fashion and crafts and best of all...great finds along the way. I've got ideas and goals and want to keep track of them for my little girl and my friends who are interested. I want to talk. Talk about the things that I question and things that I know (or think I know). I hope you all enjoy the journey with me and my dolce Louisa.