It feels like I’ve been gone for so long after missing posting last week. Jonathan had a couple of nights just not sleeping well. One of which Nathan & I were up until 12:30 in the morning trying to calm him and put him back to sleep. And then Harrison was sent home last week with a fever, which puts all life on hold as we try to keep the few balls in the air that have to be kept there – like work, and taking care of a sick little one. Ugh. It kills me to see my babies have such a hard time.

So it only seems appropriate after being gone a whole week that it’s time to share a little about our life lately! I’m linking up with Shay and Sheaffer to share with you what’s going on in our life!

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK:

We’re going to try the viral tomatoes + feta TikTok pasta this week (but switch out feta for Boursin cheese!), easy beef burrito skillet, and homemade chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese (Harrison’s favorite meal.)

2: WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

Jonathan’s first birthday is on Friday. It was the longest, shortest year. Between COVID, quarantines, missing family, to life somewhat back to normal and catching up and meeting all of the people that he would have met as a newborn in the past few months, it’s been a whirlwind.

Around first birthdays, I spend a lot of time looking back at pictures and videos. It’s truly incredible how much changes in a year.

Here’s what Jonathan’s birthday looked like…

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His BIRTH Story is HERE.

And a little walk through pregnancy. The Third Trimester

The second trimester…

And the first trimester…

3. WHAT I’M LOVING:

I’m sitting here typing this with painted fingernails that have been painted and unchipped for more than a week. Most of you are like, “What’s the big deal with that?”

Well, my friends, the big deal is that I’m going from being a person who never has their nails painted because I am HARD on my hands. I’m digging in the dirt, prying something open with my nails, playing rough with the boys, and painting my nails was always a fruitless endeavor. As soon as I’d paint them, less than 24 hours later, they would chip. I hated painting my fingernails.

Enter “sticker” nails. And ya’ll. I think I may be hooked. I’ve been loving Dashing Diva because I can throw them in my Target order. But Ulta also sells them, and has a lot more of options! I know ColorStreet is a similar style, too.

I can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on this trend for so long. I may just become a painted fingernail person after all.

My garden has been bringing me lots of joy lately…

July Garden Tour is HERE.

4. WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:

We celebrated the Fourth with mini fireworks and sparklers!

We took the big kids to Theatre in the Park to see Cinderella.

Took the kids to the Farmstead to pet baby goats, watch a cow get milked, and run wild.

We’ve done a lot of poolin’

And watching baby J get closer and closer to walking…

5. WHAT I’M DREADING:

Nothing!

6. WHAT I’M WORKING ON:

Deleting pictures and videos from my phone. I have so many pictures and videos on my phone, and a lot of multiples trying to get just the right shot. It’s overwhelming to go through all of them in one setting, so I’ve started going through them one day at a time. I search for the day, so as an example, today I search for July 28, and I review all of my pictures and videos from July 28. It’s kind fo a fun way to see what we were doing on July 28th in years past, too! Like baby Harrison swinging with Aunt Ashton…

I’m keeping that one. 😊

7. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT:

While so many of you are heading back to school, the perks of having two little kids is that we get to take vacations during the school year, and OUR VACATIONS ARE COMING UP! We were really hesitant about booking anything until Nathan and I could be vaccinated, and now, we’re ready to take on the world! Kind of. You know…being responsible and such with the kids.

8. WHAT I’M WATCHING & READING:

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m a READER now. Thanks to discovering audio books! My June book review is HERE. I read so many good books last month!

We’ve been cranking through Million Dollar Listing New York and Below Deck Med. Alone, I’m thrilled to have RHOPotomac back!

It’s the BEST franchise of Real Housewives, IMO. And I consider myself an expert. And junkie.

We’re watching a lot of the OLYMPICS.

But what Nathan and I are SO EXCITED ABOUT is TED LASSO back for Season 2!!

Such a good show! Funny, endearing. If the world could be more like Ted Lasso, we’d live in a much better place. And we’ve been eagerly awaiting this second season since finishing the first in record time!

9. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO:

AUDIOBOOKS! And right now, I’m listening to…

I haven’t gotten to read as many books this past month as June, but a book review post is coming soon!

10. WHAT I’M WEARING:

Currently, pajamas. 😊. You guys know I’m terrible at this prompt. My summer uniforms are on repeat. T-shirts and jean shorts, for a fancy day.

I’ve stocked up on jean shorts this year, and these are some my favorites. Only $29 from Nordstrom! They run a bit big, so I ordered one size down from my usual. With free shipping, and free returns, though, why not just order several sizes and return the ones that don’t work??

And my “casual” summer look…

My t-shirt is from Target. They make the best super casual, throw on to run around with the boys t-shirts, IMO. And my favorite type of athletic shorts from Lulu. It’s about balance. Pricier shorts paired with super cheap t-shirt. That’s how I roll.

11. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

Working on finalizing the things I need for a very important first birthday! We have no plans, except celebrating our baby Jonathan and hanging with the fam.

12. WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH:

A birthday party! And more summer! Soaking in the last of pool days before it closes on Labor Day for the season!

Happy Wednesday, friends!