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Tossing the schedule

Follow-up to my question earlier:

1.  I called the Hyatt and they said that baby monitors do not work in the hotel due to their walkie-talkie system.  That basically answers the question for me.

2.  Bill practically disowned me for even posing this question.  His response is an obvious and clear "NO".  He asked me to lean in so he could head-butt me.  Good thing I'm not that stupid... that would have hurt!  ;)

Since Eli's sleeping is probably going to be fickle while we're out, I figure we'll just be flexible and see what he can handle.  Perhaps we keep a 9 pm bedtime while we're away.  We'll see.  I have visions of sending Bill out for ice cream while I stay in the dark and quiet room. 

Another good suggestion was to make lunch the fun meal of the day and make dinner something a little easier.  Thanks for that, J! 

All-in-all, I've probably lost the respect of some of you out there for even asking & I'm kind of embarrassed -- but, I sure hope not!   I appreciate your feedback.  I'm super excited about exploring with Eli (did I mention Bill will be attending a watermelon conference while we're there?).  HA! 

Have any of you ever been to San Diego?  Ideas on fun things to see?

Love!

Avoidance & controversial question!

You know those times where you feel a very serious conversation is necessary with someone, but you would rather not go there for a while, so you basically end up avoiding that person (or at least avoiding serious time with that person) until you're ready?  I'm a peace-keeper type and hate conflict, so maybe this behavior isn't as normal as I'd like to think.

Anyway, consider this blog "that person".  There have been some heavy things weighing on me lately and I'm really struggling to put it into words.  Thus, you've gotten some extra fluffy posts lately.  So sorry.

I think I've turned a corner and am starting to feel better - or maybe I've just found ways to distract myself.  Perhaps only time will tell.

In the meantime, I have a potentially controversial question to ask you. 

This little fam of mine is headed to San Diego, Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara in a couple of weeks.  I seriously cannot express to you how absolutely beyond thrilled/excited/nervous I am!  Traveling a serious passion of mine (inspiring my International Business major in college, as silly as that sounds) and I've been craving someplace new to explore!

My question is this:

Have you ever used a baby monitor in a hotel before?  

Eek!

Ok, Bill thinks this is a no-no, but hear me out.  Eli goes down at 7 pm typically.  This is usually fantastic b/c Bill and I then get some quiet adult time.  But, when we've stayed in a hotel, this has meant that one of us has had to stay in the room once he goes down.  And, since most hotels don't have suites, the room is usually dark and must stay rather quiet for the sleeping baby.

What if Bill and I wanted to have a dinner at the hotel restaurant?  We would not leave the hotel, and would be only minutes away.

Another point to back up my side -- he typically does not wake up until 7/7:30 the next day.  Now, I understand all this could change, especially while we're in a new place.

Ok -- send me your thoughts!

Love!

Farming Friday

Bill took Eli down to Webber today to spend the night with his parents.  Eli is blessed to have such loving and fantastic grandparents on both sides... they adore him and he adores them!

Because Eli is down at the farm (and basically all I do when he is gone is look at pictures of him), I am going to post some "Eli on the farm" pictures.  :) 

Eli's first Cherry Street Market! 

The cantaloupe basically weighed as much as Eli!

Lots of pumpkins!

I'm not kidding - when he's napping, I look at pictures of him.  When I put him down for the night, I look at pictures of him.  It's compounded when I don't see him for a stretch of time - I nearly have a picture by my side the entire time!  To say I'm obsessed is putting it mildly.  ;)

Have a fabulous weekend!

Love!

Pop of Pattern Wednesday

Today's pattern:  Wide Stripes. 

I'm sure there is a "technical" name for this pattern of which I'm not aware.  Please enlighten me if you know!

I honestly searched for a plain navy & white big stripe nursery bedding set for Eli, but could NOT find one!  In fact, when I reached the point of deciding that I was going to have his bedding made (boy bedding is so overly-themey), I searched for a perfect wide striped fabric and could NOT find one!!  Seriously! 

Anyway, I'm filling that void today with this post.  Well, or maybe just whetting my appetite.  :)

I loved this jacket at Ann Taylor Loft

What do you think of the striped chairs?  Too much, or brilliant?  I actually think I like them!  Notice the stripe on the walls?

decorpad

These drapes are really quite dramatic! Can't say I'd ever have the boldness to decorate this way, but I do appreciate it! :)

Coco+kelley

Striped hand towels at West Elm.  Love the texture of these too.

I really love the subtle horizontal stripe in this beachy room.  While I could personally enjoy a nap anywhere (even on the lawn in front of the eiffel tower - jet lag got the best of me there!), I think I'd REALLY enjoy a nap in this room!  

http://www.melledesign.com

Can we just forget that stripes aren't slimming?  This is so cute and makes me want spring sooo badly!

Piperlime

 Ok, I saw this in Serena & Lily's recent catalog and almost got a little angry.  Finally?  Stripes??!  Where were they when I searched so long for them!  :)  West Elm has a great grey striped duvet too.. I think stripes may just be in Eli's future.  :)

Serena & Lily

Trapped inside, yet again.... Dreaming of warm, sandy beaches!

Love!

E*Trade Baby

Eli was cranky yesterday (Sundays are always a struggle -- missing nap #1 sets the tone for the day and we basically rely on Monday to catch up).



Anyway, I thought it might be funny to have him watch some videos of laughing babies.  He cried, instead.  Eli really has a fantastic laugh, but I have yet to really catch it on video which is a huge shame!  Bill had a brilliant idea to see if Eli would laugh in the same scenario as the above video. That's when we decided he was the E*Trade baby.  Click here to see what we're talking about.



You may notice that he's tearing up a produce newspaper.  Yes, that's what Bill reads for fun.  :)

Even if he's not falling on the floor laughing, he's still adorable!  :)

Love!

Farming Friday

Bill has been home since Monday due to the snow.  THE SNOW!  We haven't seen anything like this in years. In fact, last Tuesday we got around 14 inches, beating the previous record of 12.9 inches over 24 hours set in 1994.  It's amazing.  Since I have no farm pics to share, I will share snow pics from today!

I loved walking around the house (after being cooped up for a few days!)  The snow was up to my thighs in my places!  Absolutely wild!

This drift is probably 4 feet!

Bill's dad is taking care of the cattle.  Bill did have one calf die due to the weather this past week.  These conditions are just too hard for little newborn calves.  I just pray that the weather starts to calm down a bit!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Love!

For the love of all things Etsy

On this snowed-in day, what's better than a little online retail therapy!  Well, that and a warm coffee, PJs, and a husband home to play with the little one (and make pancakes for brekkie!)  I'm considering pulling the plug on my own internet so I can pretend I get a snow day off work like everyone else.  ;)

I've mentioned the magical shopping site Etsy in the past.  Today I am going to share with you some of the special things I have found there!  There are MILLIONS of amazing things, so please share with me some of your favorites, too!  I could spend hours on this site!

I've recently rediscovered the relaxing benefits of a nice warm bath.  Often times, it is the first moment I have to myself that day!  And, sometimes when I am really cold, a bath is the only thing that will really warm me up!  This shop has really neat stuff.... it's calling my name!  Does the fact that I enjoy taking baths make me an old lady?  :)

I'm loving this delicate jewelry. Bill gave me a "push present" of a beautiful pair of small diamond hoops that I have literally worn everyday for 10 months (they only come out every now and then for cleaning and to allow for a pair of statement earrings when I'm feeling saucy!)  ;)  Delicate and simple is my approach to jewelry most days.  But, some days just call for something major!  Anyway, there are so many great jewelry sites on etsy... too many to chose from!  But, I do love this necklace below. 

I love how this necklace is delicate and simple, but has a punch to it with the stone.

These would be a fun pop of color for spring/summertime!

I've already mentioned this site here, but I'm still loving her selection.  I'm a pillow addict and can't get enough!  Settling on one design is the hardest part!  To make it worse, I just landed on this shop, and I'm thinking I may have a new favorite!  Kelly Wearstler's designs are soo fantastic!

Elegantouch pillow.  Think I'll be sick of chevron soon?

Kelly Wearstler Grey Bengal Bazaar

A couple of months ago when I was searching for ikat and chevron on Etsy, I stumbled upon this fantastic stationary shop.  Following trend, I have a hard time picking out which design & color combination I want!  :)  Too bad I have no use for calling cards, as most of those designs are my favorite.  I think she would customize stationary for me if I asked her.

A non-cheesy Valentine's design.  I just love it.

I mean, really... She's making me pattern crazy! :)

I'm clearly a sucker for great colors and patterns, so this shop is right up my alley.   How fun to have orange plates to use for game day parties, or just for summer dinners on the patio!  Who knows... they may even slip into my cabinets for everyday use!

You really should check out her site... so many patterns, colors, and designs to chose from!

You can also find great original art there too.  This is one of my favorites, probably because of her agricultural themes.  :)  Is it cheesy to have a painting of wheat fields in a house that could potentially be surrounded by wheat fields?  :) 

I also like this shop.  There's just something about seeing the brush strokes.  I love it.  Do you think all the gray in the sky is depressing?

Wow!  I feel like I've only scratched the surface... there is SO MUCH more!  Please share your favorites... and stay warm on this enchantingly WHITE day!

Love!