5 on Friday

ONE.  Our cousin, Mackenzie, got a "lovey" made for Andie after she was born, and Andie loves it.  She chews on it and holds it all the time.  So, we had to get one for her cousin Stella.  I love this etsy shop - she was fast and customized it to exactly what I wanted. :)  It's called Little b Designs.

TWO.  I am a huge Costco fan.  TL and I will sometimes go there and just wander.  It's a dangerous place - traps everywhere to suck you in and steal your money! ;)  Recently, while we were waiting for photos to print, I wandered through their Organic section and found two awesome things.  The Mamma Chia Squeeze Packs - they have good stuff in them and are great to grab on your way out the door.  They look like they're for babies, but they're not.  Also, they have Minsley Organic Steel Cut Oatmeal.  It's so easy to make - pop the little cup of it into the microwave for one minute, remove it and add some almond milk.  It's so fast and delicious for breakfast!

THREE.  It was an exciting week for television lovers!  My two favorite shows are back on... Nashville and Parenthood.  It always seems like it is so far out when they start advertising the new seasons of these shows... so I can't believe it's already back again.  Nashville was really good, I am excited for this season.  I haven't watched Parenthood yet, but it's on my to do list this weekend.

FOUR.  I have been looking for a good festive drink to serve when we have people over for niners games or game nights, and I love this one that I found on Meet The Sullivans.  She has some awesome drink ideas - and this is perfect for fall!  

{recipe and photo credit}

FIVE.

{via pinterest}

Thank you to the beautiful bloggers who post this link up each week.  I look forward to it each Friday.  

Have a beautiful weekend!

5 on Friday

One:  My brand new Erin Condren planner is ordered.  I am ridiculously excited for it to come!!  Who knew a planner could make me so happy?!  Can't wait to share.

Two:  My husband is seriously the best.  He woke up early this morning, stood in line at Verizon, and brought me home the new iPhone! {This was after setting an alarm at midnight to unsuccessfully order it online #firstworldproblems} My old cracked 4 was ready to retire and I am so excited about this new baby.

Three:  Finally, Northern Cali is getting some fall-like weather (meaning it's not in the 90s) for the next week.  Rain is even in the forecast.  I am so excited and ready for the season change and really enjoy this time of year.

Four:  The iPad in the back seat is saving my sweet girl from screaming her butt off.  She still hates the car, so I am the bad mom that hooks this up for her to help keep her calm.  At least there's some educational stuff in it.  What in the world did parents do before iPads? ;)

Five:  

Anniversary Trip to South Lake Tahoe

Whew, this was already a couple weeks ago, but I wanted to share about our little mini trip to South Lake Tahoe for our 4 year wedding anniversary.  We stayed at the Fireside Lodge, and it was absolutely adorable.  

The place is amazing - the service is personable, and they have the best little lodge.  It's on the honors system.  They let you borrow any movies from their library, you can get your own drinks from their bar, and they have free wine and cheese every night, and s'mores by their cute fire pit every night.  They have a good complimentary breakfast and free snacks through out the day.  They also have bikes and kayaks you can use for free.  It's within walking distance to The Beacon and a few other little restaurants and bars - also the actual lake!  We had the best time and met the sweetest family from Switzerland during our stay.  I strongly recommend staying there if you are ever in South Lake. :)

We had a great time.  We went to the Beacon, visited the Lake (it was a little smokey from the Yosemite Fire), had beers at a cute little Irish Pub near the Lodge, went to Heavenly Village, and just spent time at the Lodge relaxing with the new friends we met there.

They have a dog (Kona) who is really spoiled and just hangs with all the guests.  He is so cute!

 Hanging by the fire about to make s'mores!

Smokey (but still pretty) Lake Tahoe.

We are so lucky to live just a short drive away from this beautiful place!

5 on Friday

ONE.  I am very excited for the new iPhone.  Even with all of the haters saying it's not worth it... I think it is.  Mine is cracked and almost 3 years old.  TL thinks this video is hilarious... but we both want new iPhones :)

TWO.  Sweet Andie had her 4 month old check up and shots yesterday.  She is one healthy baby.  13 pounds 6 ounces.  She's in the 33 percentile for weight and the 21 percentile for height.  Most of her weight is in those cheeks ;)  The shots are just ridiculous, but I know it's the best thing for her.  She was way braver than me.

{Instagram: @TracyZLesh}

THREE.  I am the worst cook {we've been over this}.  But I have really been trying to find some fun new recipes.  I found a blog that I really like for healthy options.  And, she has lots of treats.  Check out these Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Donuts.  She has me hooked.  I need to try them. {i'll be sure to let you know if this works out}

{photo courtesy: My Whole Food Life}

FOUR.  I love my parents.  Truly.  I know I say this a lot, but they are the most loving, generous, and wonderful people.  My mom has been my sound wall for being a new mom.  She is encouraging, thoughtful, and gives so much great advice.  Both her and my dad go out of the way for us all the time to make sure we have everything we need.  They even drove all the way to the Bay Area to watch Andie for us while we were in a memorial service a couple weeks ago.  My dad is so cute with Andie and his grandkids.  He and my mom love to hold them, bathe them and cuddle with them.  And my mom is the queen of finding good deals on clothes.  They really are the sweetest people.

FIVE. 

{Courtesy: Pinterest}

Dear Andie... You're 4 Months Old!

Dear Andie,

Wow!  4 months old you are already.  I know I write this to you every month, but it seems impossible to me that you've already been in my life for 4 months.  In some ways, I feel like I have known your beautiful face, sweet stares, and precious smile my whole life... but in other ways it feels like I just held you for the first time yesterday.

You bring so much joy and love to us every single day.  You smile all the time for us, your effort at giggling makes us laugh, and you radiate so much emotion in your facial expressions.  I can tell when you're smiling just by looking at your eyes.

This was a big month for you.  Your brand new cousin, Stella, arrived on August 23rd.  You came to the hospital to meet her on the day she was born and were such a trooper while we spent time at the hospital waiting for her.

You have started rolling over and becoming very mobile because of it.  You roll in all directions and can go about 5 feet.  A few mornings ago, you rolled right into a piece of furniture and it made a huge "thud", causing daddy and I to jump up and make sure you were okay.  The noise scared you more than anything, but it's hard to believe how active you are.

You haven't been a big fan of the carseat for about 2 months now.  We moved you into your "big girl" carseat this month which has helped a little bit.  We have also joined "Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse" and you can be entertained by watching that.  I also learned that you need to be fed, clean, and a little sleepy to enjoy the car.  You love watching the ipad and tv - especially sports, which daddy loves.

We think you are a strong baby.  You can hold up your head to look around (and you're very curious about all of your surroundings) and you love to stand up.  You can hold all of your weight on those teenie-tiny feet!  You make all sorts of noises, coos, and sometimes you "yell" at us!  You also talk to us and go back and forth with noises when we copy you.  You're still maintaining the "Misses Demandie Andie" nickname when you get fussy and want us to hold you and walk around.  We're trying not to let you manipulate us too much, but goodness, it's hard not to be!

You love to chew on blankets, fingers, arms, toys, anything you can get your mouth on.  You figured out how to use your hands to put everything in your mouth, including your paci.  You've found a new joy in sucking your thumb, although you don't do it everyday.  You play on your activity mat a lot and sit in your little swing.  It's amazing to see the developmental changes that have happened in just a month.  You're so much more aware and alert.

Last night, on the eve of your 4th month, you slept in your crib for the very first time overnight.  It was really hard for me, but you're growing out of that bassinet and I know you'll have to sleep there eventually.  You're still waking up a few times a night, but we are working on it. :)

We added another name to your list of nicknames... "blow out baby".  You typically have at least one poopy outfit-changing diaper a day.  But your record so far is 4.  You moved to size two diapers about a week before you turned 4 months old.  You're wearing mostly 0-3 month and 3 month sized clothing.  We aren't sure how much you weigh, but we will find out at your 4 month check up this week.  You love taking baths still and started taking them with me in the big bath tub.  You kick your feet and splash with your arms.  It's adorable!

Everyday I look at you and I can't get over how cute you are.  Your little legs and body are just adorable.  I just want to hug and squeeze you!  You have the sweetest little chubby cheeks and petite facial features.  

My girl, you are such a treasure to me.  I love you so very much.  I am treasuring these moments with you.  You are beautiful and I am so proud you are my baby.

Love,

Mama

We never got you in the pool, but we had to dress you up in your suit!

Your first niners game... we beat the Packers!!

5 on Friday

ONE. Football season is officially here.  I love football - I always have... but with my husband and his constant need to have "Sportscenter" on at our house, I will be more prepared than most going into this season :)  Niners VS Packers this Sunday... I am nervous already.

TWO.  We stayed at the cutest little Lodge in Tahoe for our anniversary this year.  I have lots of pictures to share, but here's a sneak peak of Fireside Lodge in Tahoe.  Definitely recommend staying here if you are visiting Tahoe.

THREE.  I am late to this game, but my sister Kel started raving about Lululemon, and I finally bought my first pair of running pants (even though I haven't started running again) about a month ago.  I am obsessed.  They are so comfy!  I think they're my new uniform when I work from home.

These are the pants I have & love - Lululemon

FOUR.  I have been thinking/debating about changing my hair, but I just don't know what to do.  I need a change, but know that I can't go short again because pony tails are a must these days.  I have thought about changing the color and going back to my more natural color, but don't want to have regrets... I do like this color/style.

 I like this style and color.

Really like this color - with the blonde and brown... what do you think?

{both pics via pinterest}

FIVE.

{via pinterest}

4 Years

A year ago, we were in Istanbul hoping for a baby - and here we are, just one year later, with our sweet baby girl in our arms.

4 years of marriage.  It may not be long for many, but I see every year as an accomplishment.  A blessing.  A reason to celebrate. You are my best friend.

You are a strong husband.  You remind me everyday that you love me.  You've embraced me and my many flaws.  You've stood behind me in the decisions I have made and the mistakes I have made.  You make me laugh every day.  And when I am mad at you and you make me laugh, it really ticks me off. :)

You're not perfect and we don't always agree.  Sometimes your stubborn & grumpy.  But you and our family are my greatest & happiest challenge everyday.  You have high expectations for the people in your life because you love us, you see our potential and you want us to be the best we can be.  You deeply care.  And because of this, I work hard to be the best I can be and you've inspired me to live confidently, believe in myself, and not be lazy.

You are wildly spontaneous, yet we share the desire to have our days at home to just be together.  You work hard and you're good at what you do.  You make people laugh, and sometimes I wonder how the hell your mind comes up with some of the things that come out of your mouth.  You're a man who greets others with hugs, not handshakes.  You have a bleeding heart and are full of compassion.  You are generous.  Your huge, warm smile and strong distinctive voice grasp most people you know.  And I know you love me with everything you have.

Not long after we met, you expressed to me your biggest dream in life.  To be a father.  What a gift for me to see that dream take her first breaths.  You've taken this role with such love and determination to learn.  I see you doing the very best you can every day.  The love you have for her is so obvious when you look at her.  We are so lucky to have you.

You have an ability to calm me down and comfort me.  You are my home.  I feel safe and content when I am with you... but you still manage to push me out of my comfort zone.  You take good care of me.  You make life an adventure.

We have so much of 'us' that the world can't see.  It's our secret.  Just you and me, and I like that.  We have so much to look forward to, but we also have so much happiness in each day.  Marriage is a roller coaster, as everyone says, but I see us both, in front, arms up, screaming and doing our best to enjoy it all.

5 years since I said 'yes'.

2 miniature dachshunds.

4 years of marriage.

Countless adventures.

1 new home.

A beautiful baby girl.

and this is just the beginning.

I will do my best to always fulfill the promises I made to you on that warm afternoon 4 years ago.  

I will love you.  Forever.

Dancing on the bar at our wedding.

Happy Anniversary, TL.

Life lessons I learned at a funeral

Last weekend, we celebrated the life of TL's cousin.  She passed away too soon, after only 45 years of life, leaving behind a husband and 3 young kids.  It's unfair and awful, and everyone there was questioning why.  But despite that, it was a time to celebrate her & her beautiful life.  This isn't the first funeral I have been to.  But something about it struck me.

One of the speakers gave an observation that I believe is related to a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote. It was something like this:

As I listened to each of these people share beautiful stories of her life and share the memories, and wonderful things about her... I realized the one thing about funerals that frustrates me and therefore is something I really hope for.  I hope the person who is being celebrated can hear the words being said about them.

It also made me realize that I need to do the best I can to tell the people in my life the things that I would say about them at their funeral.  That sounds morbid, but it's the truth.  The stories, the memories, the reasons why you are so thankful to have them in your life.  What you would miss about them if they were to not be in your life anymore.

Don't hold back.  Even if you feel silly.  Tell the people in your life how you feel.  Express your pride. Express your love.  You want them to know now.

It also makes me want to live a life where people would have good things to say at my funeral.