VA is for lovers

Our Virginia road trip (yes, 10 hours in the car with a 19-month-old) went wonderfully. We only had one minor toddler motion sickness episode about two hours into the trip! I spent my birthday week with my dear aunt and uncle, cousin Hillary, sister, mom and the sweetest and funniest daughter. We relaxed, visited some wineries, did some antiquing and shopping, had a photo shoot (see this post), took many walks to visit the neighbor's cows, heard "naaaay" and "choo choo!" five hundred and thirty two times, and ate pounds of pimento cheese. Couldn't have asked for a better visit with family in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains.

the BIG 30

So THE big thirtieth birthday came and went, with a killer surprise party (thrown by my amzing hubby and sister) and a girls' road trip to Virginia (see those photos in this post). I'm so blessed for the thirty years I've been given, filled with the love of family and wonderful friends. Bring on thirty more, baby!!

Who doesn't?

What  can I say, this kid LOVES peanut butter.

 

{What We're Eating}

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
1lb lean ground beef (I love Laura's), or ground turkey
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 onion, chopped
3 Tbsp steak sauce
1 Tbsp worchesteshire sauce
1/4 cup water (you could also use chicken stock, vegetable stock or beef broth for more flavor)
salt and pepper
shredded or sliced provolone cheese

Brown ground beef in a skillet, and drain the fat. Add diced onion, peppers, salt and pepper. Cook on medium until veggies are tender then add sauces and let cook until bubbly. Serve on hotdog or hamburger buns, and top with shredded cheese. You can also make this in the crock-pot and it's just as easy and delicious!

EIgHteeN moNTHs

Can you believe I'm eighteen months old??

And did I mention, sassy??

 I weighed in at 23 lbs 4 oz (48%) and 33 1/2 inches long (92%) at my appointment with Dr. Freeman last week. She says I look great, and was really impressed with all of my words, body part recognition and animal sounds! I'm on the move, and although I'm not quite running, I get where I want to go VERY quickly. The toddler tantrums have begun and I do find myself in an occasional time-out for throwing toys, hitting, or pinching the dog. What can I say? I love to help mommy pick up toys, fold and put away laundry, throw away trash, and sweep the floors. I'm also pretty darn good at throwing toys everywhere, unfolding a whole basket of laundry, taking trash out of the trash can, and smearing mud, peanut butter or milk all over the table or floor. My hair is finally growing....it actually fits in real piggy tails now and I have 12 (going on 14) teeth. I want to be "owwwside" all the time, and have really enjoyed swimming at the pool at the gym and going to the park. We all hope this warm weather sticks around! I'm starting to have some fears (mainly, the swings), and continue to be a very cautious and quiet girl in new situations.

"Cheeeese" at the park

Two of my favorite words: "cooookie pease"

The start of a tantrum!

Rainbow day at school (No, my mom doesn't normally dress me like Punky Brewster)

Me and Max at the zoo

Check out those pigtails!

Mowing the lawn in my jammies, crocs and a hairbow...why not?

Sippy cups and Mason jars

I realized as I loaded the dishwasher the other day that my top rack consisted almost solely of sippy cups and Ball jars {we made the switch from "normal" drinking glasses to Masons a couple of months ago just to for a little variety}. It made me chuckle, and it made me happy....wouldn't have my dishwasher any other way!

These are a few of my favorite things....

1. The bathtub
2. Putting things on my head
3. Saying "cheeeese"

DIY crib mobile

I made this mobile a few weeks ago for our good friends Dan and Katie...they had the most precious little baby boy, Sam, and since they were surprised with the gender (love that!), they still needed some nursery decor. I was glad I could contribute!

Materials:

Embroidery Hoop, painted red

Ribbon

Scrapbook Paper

Grommets

Buttons

Hot Glue

Maybe Sam will be into older women?!

Upcycle

Golden oak TV stand turned play kitchen! This was actually CE's Christmas gift from mommy and daddy, but I just now have gotten around to the finishing touches...pretty darn adorable, if you ask me.

Paint: free (we had the blue from our living room, the chalkboard from A & R's wedding!)

Hardware: free (from our old kitchen and bathrooms)

Wooden "J" Faucet: $2 at Michael's

Fabric and pom-poms: $5 at JoAnn

Mailbox "microwave" numbers: $2 from Menards

Metal mixing bowl sink: $4 from Target

Total: $13

Not too shabby!