I'm Baaaack (I think)

 Hey y'all! 

   I've been thinking recently a lot about blogging (circa 2015 blogging, the OGs so to speak) and how much I genuinely miss it. The connections, the outlet, the information, the help, the fun, etc - I miss it all! 2020 has obviously been a complete BUST for everyone and we all know 2019 really was not ours or Andi's year but I'm really hoping 2021 will be great. Actually, I'm willing it to be great. 

We've completed our biggest renovation and it is currently under contract with terrifying but exciting plans to move to NC into a beautiful historic home. We've also expanded our reno work into other people's homes and spaces now which has been super exciting. Despite the pandemic and craziness, life seems to be exactly where it should be.... with that said, we have some more mega news and I am OVER the moon to share this with y'all (aka anyone who is actually still reading) that after 5 years of weighing the pros and cons and essentially convincing my hubs, we are thrilled to announce that we are expecting again! Baby GIRL Otey #2 is due this May (the exact same timeline as Miss A) and I am nervous, excited, overwhelmed, out of the loop (haha) and somewhat ready!? I think I'm most excited for Miss A to be a big sister and have that built-in companion in life. Also, this news is pretty much why I wanted to dive back into blogging. I've found myself looking back at those old posts since it has been so long since I've done this and it has been so helpful. I've laughed (at my made up grammar mostly) I've cried and I've just simply enjoyed reading back over the last 5 years of our lives. Thank goodness for this little space! I also want baby #2 to be able to go back and read everything the same way Miss Andi will be able to one day. Its such a great virtual diary so to speak. 

Whether you're tagging along for the ride or not, I've decided to dive back in and have my little space up and running again. I've simplified the layout and changed some settings (for now) due to some weird privacy issues that happened but I'm hoping to reconnect with everyone and just have a sweet little reference spot that I can look back on one day. I've created a new email to coincide with this space so feel free to reach out! I plan to do the weekly updates because hey, why not? I'm also super interested to see how these pregnancies compare. This will be fun and I'm excited to see our family grow in more ways than one!

Stay healthy & be kind y'all.

Like they say..showing a little quicker the 2nd time for sure!

How far along? 13 Weeks 3 days

Size of Baby: a jalapeño! 

Total weight gain/loss: I started at 120 and now 124... eek

Symptoms: No sickness thank goodness but a little bloated still

Maternity clothes? yes...ALL the leggings

Stretch marks? No... started some intense creams early this time though!

Sleep: Sleeping great, minus waking up to pee every night 5 times or more! Ugh.. always sleepy though. I'm in bed usually by 9 which is SO unlike me.

Best moment this week: Getting all of her genetic testing back and last week finding out early that its another GIRL

Miss Anything? wine...wine...wine... (drinking coffee this time but limiting to 1 cup usually)

Movement: Not yet but I hear its sooner second time around? Tightness in lower left area

Food cravings: Fruits & Halloween candy for the win and now add jello! (same as last time)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: most def

Gender prediction: all pink everything

Nursery: We're moving at the end of the month so not quite yet! Have some fun plans though once we get into the new house

Workouts: Trying to walk the neighborhood and doing prenatal workouts 3 times a week and weight strength training

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy/anxious - lots going on!

Looking forward to: Feeling more movement

Click here to see this week in 2015!

xo JMO 

Thoughts on Thurs: The Little Things

Remembering the little things - a post dedicated to current Andi-isms and things I never want to forget: 

• Her sweet little country-accented voice and the way she adds extra syllables to words. "Mama, I almost fay-el" (fell - but really drawn out) 
• The way she sweetly and excitedly says "OK" in a high pitch voice when you ask her to do something
• The way she says "I love you toooo" each and every day and tells me to have a good day at work
• When she says "Mama, get in and close your eyes" when she wants me to get in bed with her
• The way she sing-songs "Onnneee more" when she wants to read an extra book before bed
• The way she asks me to sit beside to watch cartoons and she can't get close enough so she winds up in my lap. These cuddles NEVER get old
• The way she runs so fast with arms swinging and a high pitch scream when she's excited
• The way we have to convince her to wash her "bebe" and how she cannot function without it

Her "Bebe"

• When she asks for a bow to match her current necklace selection - swoon!
• The way she asks for her toes to match mine - polish wise
• The way she never (ever) wants me out of her sight or out of arms reach 
• The way she sings along to our favorite songs in the car whether she knows the words or not
• The feel of her "Bear hugs" and when she grabs both sides of our faces to plant a big smooch
• Her excitement on learning new things and words and her curiosity to always want to know more
• The way she says "Awww" when she sees a bug and refuses to hurt it (even a spider ya'll - yuck)
• Her nervous giggle and phrase "That's so funny" when she's feeling nervous or uncomfortable and wants to distract you or herself 
• Her tiny features and absolutely captivating smile

• Her ability to put a smile on absolutely everyone's face that she comes in contact with
• When she says "No thank you" to something she doesn't want - makes it sweeter haha
• The way she asks for a 'surprise!' when she knows she did something fabulous 
• The way she looks at you, moves her arm and says "aaaaa mon" for "Come on" 
• And lastly, the way she picks her head up off m shoulder and takes her thumb out of her mouth to say "Song?" when I finish singing one to signal she wants another

We sure do love you Miss Anderson Greer!

Anderson Greer is 2

Happiest of birthdays to my sweet, precious, hilarious and kind-hearted angel. I'm not sure I truly understood the depths, fears and emotions that love could cause until you entered my arms at 6:04pm this time 2 years ago. Yes, I'll say it, time goes by entirely too quickly but you seriously make each and every day something to get down on my knees and thank God for. You are my bestie little girl and we love you more than you will EVER know. Cheers to you Monkey-Doodle! Now let's eat some cake and celebrate!

Happy Birthday Anderson Greer!

Weekending: Tea for Two

Hey ya'll and happy Monday! This week is filled with temps of 80 all week and I'm wondering what happened to Spring? Oh Virginia weather... anyway, this weekend and Andi's party was SO MUCH FUN! She had an absolute blast and I'm pretty sure all of her guests did too. It was so cute having so many kiddos running around and the weather was simply perfect. The tea party theme was a huge hit and I actually can't take credit for the table set-up. I went to vacuum and mop and told hubby to set up the table itself..just the table. When I came back he had the entire thing staged, tablecloth on and all the accessories like the necklaces and fairy wings attached in exactly the way I had envisioned. Way to go hubs - such a good girl Dad! Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us - it was definitely a sweet and perfect day! (And I didn't cry because I still have 2 days before she actually turns two)

We had some friends stay in town that night after the party so we did movies, ordered in dinner and relaxed. Sunday we took the kiddos to lunch and then visited a nearby farm that has so many baby animals currently. I'm talking goats, pigs, ducks, chicks, cows and a ton of little baby bunnies! Andi was totally in her element and loved every minute of it! Sunday night after we got Miss Andi to bed, hubs and I enjoyed a wine and movie night and watched The Blindside on the couch. I haven't seen that in so long and it was SO good - loved it! Excellent weekend overall!

Linking up with Biana & Meghan today for Weekending!

I bought this dress for her with my Dad before she was even born!

My Goddaughter Olivia!

Hats, fairy wings and necklaces for favors: Dollar Tree
Table/Chairs: Party Perfect, Richmond VA
Disposable tea cups and saucers: beau-coup.com

Happy Birthday Andi

Miss A is ONE... today, at 6:04pm, one year ago, our lives changed forever. (read her birth story here) I never knew in my wildest dreams how much I could love another soul. She is the light in my life and the reason I live to make the world a better place for her. Ob-sessed is probably an understatement (haha) As I sit here staring at the monitor with her little thumb in her mouth and her other hand playing with her own hair, I realize my baby is now a toddler. She's longer, funny, beautiful and so animated. She gives so much love and kisses and her heart is so full of wonder and kindness. Her attitude is definitely from me and she knows exactly what she wants. When she looks at me, I melt. When she smiles at me, I melt. I am in sheer awe of everything about her. God has blessed us so deeply and I will forever be grateful. Thank you Miss A for making our lives whole. We love you baby girl!

Happy 1st Birthday Anderson Greer! - ps her party was absolute ah-mazing! Thank ya'll so much for the calls, texts and gifts! The entire day was so special!

What's Hap-"pinning" Wednesday: Nursery

Hey ya'll! Notice anything different?? Welcome to the new space! I've been MIA lately because I've been working with my favorite blog designer to overhaul my little space. I love how it turned out! I knew I had to contact Rebekah Louise Designs because she designed my previous layout as well a few years back. She is fabulous to work with and so quick too! I'd say she nailed my vision and I'm definitely loving it! Check her out if you're itching for a little change at www.rebekahlouisedesigns.com

 

Now let's jump right into what's hap-pinning shall we? I've been meaning to do a nursery reveal post for quite sometime. I don't have many purchasing details like most reveal posts because I' definitely a bargain or Ebay shopper which makes it hard to list where to find another. However, I'll try my best to give ya'll a heads up on the original item. I always knew I wanted pink (I mean duh) but I was torn between gold or green as the accent color. The hubs ended up finding a beautiful nursery inspiration pic and we knew right away it was what we were going to replicate. Her room is such a soft, happy, pink palace as I like to call it. The natural light and soft color palate makes me want to spend all day up there! It will definitely be a great space for her for years to come. Link up with Jenn or myself today to join in on What's Hap-"Pining" Wednesday!

 

 

 

 

 



Wall color: Mint Mist by Valspar
Curtains: Target
Rug: Pottery Barn Kids
Crib: Target
Dresser: Antique Find
Book Shelf: Antique Find
Striped Toy Bin: TJ Maxx
Bedding: Target
Mobile: Ebay
Wall Art: Hobby Lobby
Gold A & flower arrangements: Hobby Lobby
Gold vases: Hobby Lobby
Lamps: Target (I glued rosettes to small one)
Glider: Walmart
Monogram: League of Letters via Etsy
Large A monogram: Hobby Lobby