More fun pics in the Travel section today.

Little Miss Sunshine to brighten your Tuesday.

Kate

XO

The travel bug.  A contagious and relentless critter that typically continues to nag me well after I’ve returned home from a trip.  It won’t go away.  It won’t leave regardless of how often I seem to feed it.  I get home and immediately it’s pestering me ‘Where to next?’ ‘What’s it gonna be?’ ‘When do we leave?!?!’ 

But thankfully, I was able to somewhat suppress the bug’s relentless harassment due to the sheer pleasure and joy that we experienced on this latest vacation with my family.  I feel like both the bug and I are still reminiscing on specific days, moments, memories shared with my awesome brother Ted, his amazing wife and son and my little crew.

We swam, we fished (haha), we shopped (well, Laura and I did), we sang, we danced, we ate popsicles and made steak for super.  We laughed, we got sunburned, we explored, we got dirty.  We hugged, we shared, we ate watermelon on grass in the heat and then didn’t clean up after.  We packed all seven, yes SEVEN bodies into a hot minivan, we went to a farmer’s market, we had In-N-Out burgers with animal sauce and fries.  We learned how to just enjoy the day away.  I can say that it was totally unproductive almost everyday and that it was just perfect.  

Getting home from the vacation was bittersweet.  It’s always nice climbing into your own bed, laying down on your own pillow, reuniting with your secret candy stash, but it was particularly hard leaving this trip because I didn’t want our special time to end with the Hoydas.  But I can say, they both suffer from the same stigma that I have as we were already planning our next Hoyda Weiland special kid vacation getaway.  It’s happening.

Here are a few pics of the trip.  If you’re interested I will post pics everyday this week on the 'Travel' page.  

This is about as wild and crazy as I was willing to get with baby Will

BEST. PHOTO BOMB. EVER!!!  Like.  Wow.

Trying to get a family pic.  TRYING...

Photo cred: Laura Hoyda XOXO

Now that we’re back, I’m feeling the pressure.  I’m giving my 90 year old Grandfather a birthday tribute in front of a bunch of family and friends.  I’ve never had issues with speaking publicly (probably from all of my time in front of massive groups of teenagers) but for some reason, I’m palm sweaty flat out nervous for this speech.  I guess maybe it’s because I revere my Grandfather so much and he is literally the most epic person you will come across so I’m wanting to do him justice on his day in front of his friends and family.  Sigh.  

On top of THAT, the kids are both sick.  It was catching something on the plane ride home no doubt.  Cue rolling my eyes.  I’m just not thrilled about extra needy, snotty, whiny babes needing my attention every second of the day.  All you mommas out there know exactly what I'm talking about.  BUT, I will say the extra cuddles, snuggles and hugs helps make up for the latter.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Tis the season to Romp!

Tis the season to ROMP!

Romper that is.  It’s a gorgeous 20 degrees here in Cowtown and I’m feeling almost Stampede ready in my cowgirl boots as Scarly calls them.  The romper is really needed these days since the heat has been blasting us but I’m definitely not complaining about it.

Speaking of heat, my sister Laura, her hubby (my bro) Ted, Nate and I, plus all the kiddies had been planning to hit the hot hot desert in palm springs.   But, after taking a look at the temperature which bragged a 46 DEGREES CELSIUS for most of the month, the four of us very responsible adults agreed that we weren’t comfortable taking our babes into that heat.  So, we unfortunately cancelled the trip.  But we rebooked for a getaway at a similar family style Resort in San Diego.  I can’t tell you how pumped I am about it!  

If you’re interested in the above outfit details you can find them in ‘Style’.  I'll be packing it along with a bunch of lightweight rompers for our vacay.  Super easy to just throw on with a hat since it's both a top and shorts.  I LOVE SUMMER!!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Kate 

XO

I'm HOW old?

Will’s seven month update

Personality:

You know it - a world class ladies man.  He has begun to really play favourites/strange - especially when he is teething or sick.  All he really wants is his Mommy when he is craving a cuddle but he loves to play and mess around with Dad too.  He’s totally enthralled with Scarlet and babbles constantly to her.  He also grabs at her face and squeaks when he’s excited to see her.

Sleep:

We’re in a nice rhythm now.  Three naps per day (which I’m currently trying to transition to two) and he’s sleeping through the night most nights.  No swaddle, no soother, just a little bouncing on the core ball or rocking in the chair with a lullaby and he can drift off in my arms.  It’s pretty heavenly.  Sleep training SUCKED but it was well worth it.  I rarely let him cry it out when we were in the thick of it (just cause I didn’t have the heart) but all of the other techniques were attempted and he did really well once he got the hang of it.  

Physicality:

Will weighs 17 pounds and has two bottom teeth!  He got them about a week or two ago and they are so stinkin' adorable.  I’ve got to try to get a pic of them.  He’s also growing some hair right on top of his little head which is completely opposite of Scarly.  She didn’t start growing any hair till she was about 19 ish months old and her’s kinda came in at the back of her head first - mullet style.  Haha.  Will’s hair is a medium blonde silky shiny texture.  I LOVE IT!   It seems to want to grow into a mohawk and I’m SOOO down with that.

Food:

Well, it’s no surprise that he’s not a huge fan of cooked egg yoke (I tasted it and shuddered - it tasted so nasty.  I can’t believe Scarlet ate it no problem), but his favourites are pears, yams and he likes rice cereal with prune juice mixed in.

Me 7 months postpartum

How are you feeling?

I’m feeling pretty good.  A little bit anxious about our upcoming trip because it’s never easy for me to fly on an airplane, but I have some back up meds if I get claustrophobic so hopefully it will be ok.  I’m also going to pray lots and lots about it.  That always seem to help.  As does a mimosa before the flight… 

Any weight loss?

Yes and I’m not totally thrilled about it.  I’m really working on trying to add a few healthy pounds to the current 107.  It’s truly the nursing that is taking the weight off and I find it really hard to keep up with the calories going out - especially running after Scarlet all day with a baby in my arms… not to mention the rushed meals that always seem to haunt moms.  Will is still feeding every three to four hours during the day so my body is working hard to produce the milk.  Let’s say that getting to the gym to build some muscle has got to become a priority for me. 

Best moment this week?

Going to the beach in our neighbourhood!

What are you looking forward to? 

The vacay with my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and my own famjam!

Serious Pose.

Fedora was a bit big but I couldn't resist putting it on him.

Have a great day friends!

Kate 

XO 

A big ole Zara haul

Summer hauls have officially started and my credit card is getting a little workout.  Unfortunately, I missed snapping shots of a few pieces because Scarlet was wearing her new pink romper today (and is currently napping) and Will dirtied his outfit so badly at lunch that I had to throw on one of his new t-shirts right then and there.  But here are the rest of the goodies that I was able to snap.  If you’re wondering why Nate didn’t get anything it’s not because I forgot about him.  He’s ordering a very nice suit from Nordstrom for a wedding that we’re attending this summer and he didn’t want to blow his clothing budget (yup we’re one of those couples who track spending and try to stay below the line).  Most of the items are from Zara (free shipping on line if you spend over $50) with the exception of the baby boy fedora hat and boy swim shorts - I just wanted to include them cause they're new and so CUTE!!!

 A few of Will's new things.

 Scarlet's tee's and cute plush denim lightweight pants.  Can that flowy white top be anymore beautiful?!?!

My stuff!  A white distressed denim jacket with a pair of distressed skinnies a striped sundress (obsessed with stripes) and a black romper that I'll feature for June in the 'Style' section

I also wanted to share two sweet little things with you guys.  The first is a saying that I came across the other day that I am going to teach Scarlet at a very VERY early age:

 ‘A girl should be like a butterfly, pretty to see and hard to catch.’  

I just love this and really can’t seem to get it out of my head because it’s so perfect.  

The second is this really sweet pics of Will in the jolly jumper who coincidentally is wearing Zara clothing (haha).  He is just suck a sweet boy and totally has my heart.  I can’t believe his 7 month birthday will be coming up in a few days.  Check back for that update on the blog later on in the week.  

Finally, we're heading out of town on a vacation with my brother Ted, sister-in-law Laura and their son Charlie.  I can’t WAIT to see them and spend some quality time together exploring the desert in California!  I’m so pumped because I’m dying to get my hippie vibe on there.  Haha.  I always knew there was a little free spirit within.

Hope everyone has a beautiful week!

Kate

XO

(ps Check out this happy sweetie.  Her hair is up in a high ponytail!!!  I'm dying of happiness)

Picnic in the park

I'm getting a Little House on the Prairie vibe with this shot. 

It's getting nicer and nicer and with that - more opportunities to spend time with the family OUTSIDE!  I'm slightly obsessed with being outdoors.  Perhaps it has a little to do with my claustrophobic tendencies, or it's just cause I feel so alive when I'm under the sun but it's my favourite season and time of year right around the corner and I'll be soaking up every single second of it.  We went to Fish Creek Park for the afternoon and had a little picnic complete with cucumber mint lemonade.  It was the perfect way to spend some time outside even though Scarly was recovering from a high fever and throat infection - hence the lack of smiles.  But still, it was just so great to get to spend this precious time together.  I LOVE THIS WEATHER!

Have a great weekend!

Kate 

XOXO

While watching a slightly suggestive movie with me the other night, my loving, gorgeous, down-to-earth hubby felt he had to share some of his thoughts out loud.

These are his comments, word for word, while watching.  I died...(of laughter).  The movie was pretty bad, but his reaction to it and commentary made it so much better. I read the books a few years ago and was curious about the cast / set / prose - if any.  Can you guess which movie?

*     *     *

NATE:

'That’s not masking tape that’s duct tape.'

'He sits in the front seat and has somebody else drives for him?  That’s ridiculous… who is this guy?'

'I’m gonna get a three piece grey suit'

'Who even owns a flip phone?'

'"Necrophilia’s not my thing" - That’s funny'

'Nice helicopter, I'll give him that...'

(To the characters in the movie) 'Hey guys.  You should turn the lights on cause I’m pretty sure you can’t read that.'

'That’s it?  Really?'


*     *     *

Soooooooo?  Can you guess what we watched?

If you guessed 50 Shades of Grey bravo!

But as mentioned, the movie (and the books for the matter) were fairly underwhelming.  But as a serious tribute to the assumption that the colour grey plus the bedroom plus a gorgeous man without a shirt on equals bliss - here are a few pictures in honour of that idea.

Happy Monday friends!

Kate
XOXO