Insta Friday (rewind edition)

Let's pretend I had my crap together last week and that I wasn't super crazy and super busy with a side of totally stressed out. Dig deep. Put your fairy godmother shoes on, sprinkle fairy dust, and it'll work. On with the show.

This tree is seriously my favorite. It's nothing fancy. I bought it at K-Mart when I was in college. The theme then was blue and white. I know, I puke a little too thinking about that now. Since then it's gotten simpler deckings. A couple years ago I bought a little package of funky fun shatter proof balls from Target. And even without lights, it's still magical. Sweet and simple.

It's become a tradition for my mother in law to go shopping together for Christmas outfits for the whole family. Vincent made out like a spoiled bandit with three Christmas T-shirts, a preppy argyle sweater and jeans, an adorable pair of black corded overalls with a train, as well as a set of Christmas PJs. Jonathan got a green plaid button up shirt, a red crew neck sweater, and nice gray undershirt. And me? Well, I got this amazing fur-trimmed red vest, a gray striped sweater to go under the vest along with a red cami. I can't wait to rock it. 

Here I am now modeling my best sultry snow bunny look for you. Meow!

After all that shopping, I was sick the next day. The boys hung out together. I'm sorry for the grain on this picture, but aren't they cute eating dinner together? My heart swells seeing them together. 

One of the funniest memories is my sister arguing that she saw a kangaroo in my uncle's yard when she was little. Um, sweetie, we lived in Missouri, not the outback. Allow me to introduce to you what a hare looks like. It's also called a jack rabbit. Glad we can put that argument to rest and perhaps throw in a geography lesson.

Vincent and I sometimes spend our time together in the evenings playing with Playdoh. Actually, he demands I form balls and then he holds them. Any other shapes are out of line. Here's my artistic abilities as demonstrated with his babies, Pig and Baa.

Riveting stuff right here.

He's such a grump.  

To conclude, this is what my life has been looking like lately. Just wanting to keep it real. Quite a lovely mess, and when you work from home, it drives you to the point of insanity and you use your breaks to clean and about claw your husband's eyes out when he steps through the door. It is his fault, after all.

Til next this Friday! Keep it real. 

Insta Friday

Here I go again. Maybe this time blogging will stick, but instead of focusing on my very obvious lack of blogging, let's instead focus on how Jessica Simpson may or may not be pregnant. If I see her in a poncho, my vote is that her stall is occupied.

Somehow it's Friday already. This week went way too fast.

On Monday we went to the doctor to get Vincent's ears checked after a two-week course of antibiotics for an ear infection. Another one. We're done. We're throwing in the towel and seeing an ENT for possible tube placement. I'm heartbroken. I had these when I was little, and I here I am today still with chronic ear problems. I hope Vincent wasn't cursed with my ear genes. Here's to ear health.

Speaking of that little boy, he's so silly. Already hates to have his picture taken. He tells me, "No, Mama." What? Like taking a picture of this dashing boy shouldn't be worth my time. Please.

Those eyelashes set my heart a pitter pattering. Love. 

Those teeth. Thank you tooth fairy for finally blessing my son with teeth at 15 months, but did they really have to be carrot chompers. My bad ears and big teeth. Poor guy.

Handsome, right? Even with a smidge of soup right. there.

"No Mama."

Last Saturday was spent trying to get started on my Christmas decorating. I gave up. Sunday we sent Vincent to grandma's. Boy am I thankful for aunts who love him so. 

This garland looks a little sick and sad. More decorating is in order. I'm told one jingle bell is plenty. Testy, aren't ya?

Not done yet, but look a farm at Christmastime! Yeah, this is probably as close as I'll ever get to owning one.

Since I had to drag the ladder out to decorate I decided I should take a peek at the burned out lightbulbs so we can quit living by candlelight in the dark. This the bulb I found. Seriously? This is like a Christmas tree light!

I introduced Vincent to penguin and snowman tic tack toe. Not sure we fully understood the concept of the game. 

Red and gold just because I think it's magical, not because I was am a Chiefs fan.

Oh, look, a fire while we decorate. Ha! Thanks Netflix.

Oh, you had me at gold mercury jeweled glass hello. And all for $1.49. I had to buy you and two brothers. Might have to go back for more. 

Sherpa is the new Uggs. I wear this thing. And I want one in colors for every season. Meet my Christmas Sherpa. I'm contemplating the name Shirley.   

Speaking of shopping, Mama bought herself Young House Love's new book on the Nook. It was a steal at $2.99. Hoping Santa brings me the hardback. I can appreciate both pages that turn and screens that swipe. I'm savvy like that.

I've been doing a lot of this lately mixed with applying for new jobs. I wish knitting could be my full-time job. If it was, I'd be more broke than homeless man. I'm terrible. Herringbone might be my nemesis.

I've been drinking a lot of hot tea with the onset of winter and work stress. With a dash of honey and my Shirley Sherpa, I feel so zen. Cue the "Ommmm."

The motherload insta friday

OK: Let's do this! I'm late on doing last week's Insta post too. Eat it up! Don't you love getting a peek into another person's personal life?

It's perfectly acceptable for your barista to put a foam heart in your latte.

Especially when he asks if you're bringing one to a friend. Flowers in my cup? Yes, please!

This is why I brought my friend coffee. She got this for Vincent. She has my complete gratitude.

Especially when it means I can capture Vincent upright. How cute are these tiny legs? I guess he takes after his mama with chicken legs like these!

My nephew came to visit. He watched Driven while I worked and then embarrassed him with this picture. I love him so and hope I can hang out with him more before he heads off to Marine boot camp.

Why do I love my sister? Let me count the many thoughtful gifts she sends me. A wine bottle humming bird feeder! Too bad it didn't come full of wine. Can't wait to hang this bad boy outside my office window!

We went for sushi and Asian. I haven't had sushi since before I got pregnant with Vincent. It was just as good as I remembered.

And then my other nephew came to visit and Vincent had the best time hanging out with him. They even wore matching shirts to the farmstead.

This picture doesn't do the excitement face that Vincent makes with animals. He loved looking at the goats. Mama likes goats too. Guess that means we're getting a goat for a pet. Daddy?

I think Vincent could have ridden the tractor trikes all day long, but Daddy's back was tired after two lapse around.

Swinging on a wooden swing with one of your sisters is the best. 

My sister got Vincent this slide. We haven't put it outside yet because we're still working on the patio. I'm thinking about selling tickets to my indoor toddler obstacle course.

I love that this boy loves to read. "Books!" We go to the library every week.

I'm going to be a bridesmaid in my sister-in-law's wedding next summer. This is the inspiration photo of what she wants for dresses. We get to pick our own dress.

I'm thinking this dress.

I got this shamrock for my birthday in March. It's she magnificent. She was just a tiny, almost dying plant when I got her, but with some love and sun, she's my pride and joy.

Look at that smile. But look for a theme here.

We're addicted to our sippy. We got rid of our paci at 6 months, but sippies are here to stay! Whatever. If it helps him self-soothe/teeth, I'm OK with that.

I did my hair for once. I love making these curls by wrapping my hair around the barrel of the curling iron instead of twirling the curling iron around my hair. Try it sometime!

We're teaching our son all kinds of manners. Lick that last bit of yogurt out of the bowl, son!

Oh, hey Vincent! I didn't see you for that implant in your face. Oh, I guess that's just your sippy cup again.

It's hard to get a picture without our friend anymore. He's even taken to rocking and hugging it. I don't even get that kind of love!