Jude & Sloane | 4 Years

The longer I go between updates on Jude & Sloane, the more anxious I get.  There's so much to share!  What if I leave something out?  Is it even possible to capture their personalities in a blog post? (Absolutely not.)  Regardless, I know one day I'll want to sit back and remember what this age was like and I imagine they might find it entertaining as well.  So kiddos, I apologize now for not being able to capture the true spirit that is you.

Jude
Height: 42 in (85%)
Weight: 39 lbs 4 oz (78%)
Clothes: 5T
Shoe: 10.5

Sloane
Height: 42.5 in (95%)
Weight: 36 lbs 8 oz  (64%)
Clothes: 4T tops and 5T pants
Shoe: 9.5

Jude Sullivan

Jude has the energy of the sun in a 4-year-old body.  He doesn't walk, he runs.  He doesn't jump, he leaps.  His kisses are powerful and his hugs make you lose your breath.  He feels with every fiber of his being.  Those who truly know Jude adore him.  He is crazy and all over the place, yet he remains one of the sweetest humans I know.

Jude had a rough start to school this year.  He's not a fan of change and as we walked past last year's classroom he let me know he was not interested in new teachers or a new environment.  No matter how much I encouraged him, he would have none of it.  He had a rough few weeks before finally settling in with the new schedule and now he's absolutely thriving.  His teachers have a funny story about him every time I pick him up and they recognize the amazing boy hiding under the cloak of crazy.  :)

Jude's speech continues to improve and while he's still difficult to understand at times, he will repeat his need/story/joke as many times as it takes for you to understand.  His heart belongs to Sloane and his adoration for her is so apparent.  It's incredibly sweet but I sometimes worry he will grow comfortable in her shadow.

He's still a picky eater and can be downright lazy at times.  He has zero interest in getting dressed on his own - he'd far rather me do it for him.  Now that a baby is on the way, I'm cracking down and not helping him as much.

Jude is very stubborn and has no problem throwing a loud fit if he's not happy with the situation.  He does not enjoy time-out so the simple threat of "Do you need to go to time-out?" is typically enough to calm him down.

This kid loves to dance.  His favorite show right now is Mickey's Monster Musical and he has the entire Monster Boogie memorized.  It's so fun to watch and I hope he's always that carefree.

His blonde hair has darkened a bit but it's still fairly light.  His bright blue eyes have little sunbursts and he has two freckles on the side of his neck that I adore.  He has his dad's lips and my eyes.  Those who knew me as a child think he looks like me but everyone else thinks he's all Michael.

While I know he doesn't grasp the magnitude of this new baby, he talks about it all the time and has become far more gentle around me.  If he kisses the baby too hard, I let him know and he tries again until he gets it right.

Jude is a total daddy's boy.  When Michael is around Jude wants nothing to do with me.  He loves to hold Michael's hand when we're running errands and sit in his lap if we're in the living room together.  It's hard not to feel a little jealous at times but I'm also so grateful for their sweet bond.

He loves his new fast race track and fire truck but he would watch television all day if we let him.  He loves the weather ("Mama, a storm is coming!") and the moon.  He's still scared of dogs (thanks neighbor) but loves pretending to be a cat.

I cannot imagine life without my precious son.  His laughter is still the best medicine ("Mama, I'm lappin!") and his love is something fierce.  What an amazing four years it has been!

Sloane Elisabeth

Every time I tell a story about Sloane I'm laughing and shaking my head. She is the funniest, sneakiest kid I know.

Michael and I don't really think she has a photographic memory but it's pretty darn close.  The other day I read her a 20-page book that she'd never seen before.  When we finished she turned to the first page and told me she wanted to read the story to me.  "I'd love that, Sloane."  She started "reading" and it was word for word what I'd read ten minutes prior.  Pretty amazing.

Sloane is a storyteller.  She has a vivid imagination and is so curious about her surroundings.  When she asks "why" she's not just trying to pass time, she genuinely wants to know why.  Be as specific as you can (and be careful) with your answer because she's holding onto every word.

She is so dramatic.  When she gets upset about something she crosses her arms and furrows her brow.  Lately she's added a distraught, "Hurumph!"  It's adorable and infuriating all mixed up into one.

She loves to help in the kitchen.  Whether it's mixing pancake batter or baking pumpkin muffins, as soon as she sees I'm up to something she grabs her stool and stands right beside me.

Sloane is very tall and lanky (with a belly!), has blue eyes that are bordering on green, and the world's slowest growing hair.  It's a bit of a mess at the moment but she loves how "long" it is getting and is still convinced she's the next Rapunzel.

She enjoys her toys but has far more fun making up her own stories and playing pretend.  She's easily entertained and manages to get her brother to play right along with her.

Sloane is quite the athlete and tends to pick up skills fairly quickly.  She is quick and agile but still a bit of a klutz (no clue where she gets that, ahem).  She loves soccer because it's daddy's favorite sport.  She always asks, "Which color are we rooting for, dad?"

As I said before, she is sneaky.  Those who are around her think she's incredibly sweet.  And she is, but it's not always genuine.  She knows exactly what she wants and will say whatever necessary to get it.  It's troubling to us because neither Michael nor I are like that and we're not exactly sure how it came to be.  Nature is a powerful force, I suppose.  We've both agreed to do everything we can to harness her power for good and not evil - ha!

She is SO EXCITED about becoming a big sister.  I'm not sure how she'll handle it once the child actually arrives (there is nothing Sloane loves more than being the center of attention), but for now she is its biggest fan.  She sings to it, reads to it, and talks about how cute it's going to be.  "It's going to have the cutest little feet!"

When I'm having a rough day, she's the first to pick up on it and is at my side comforting me until I tell her all is well.  That part of her is genuine to the core.  Her heart is big and bold.  When God created her he gave her far too many gifts and I pray she never takes any of them for granted.

I know when she's a teenager I'll have to keep this part a secret but she is the best friend I could ask for and my prayer is our bond will deepen and strengthen as the years go by.

Jude & Sloane's 4th Birthday Party

After Jude & Sloane's first birthday we decided we'd only do parties on odd years and let even years be family only (at least while they were still young).  That was the plan and we stuck to it... until this year.  Turns out when you have a baby on the way you start considering the sweet moments you have left with your current kiddos.

Michael wasn't excited about this new arrangement so I promised him a few things.  1. The party would be simple.  2. The party would be inexpensive.  Neither of these have applied to their previous parties so I knew it would be a challenge.  I'm usually pretty good at sticking to a budget until the week before when suddenly there are 8,000 items we need for the party and all 8,000 items cost way more than I would ever consider paying had I found them one month prior.

Challenge accepted.

The theme was easy.  Jude & Sloane adore pajamas.  Sloane adores pizza.  I didn't think "Hummus and Pajamas" would bring in the masses so Jude didn't get his say in the food category.  I designed the invitations on PicMonkey and texted them to party-goers.  If that isn't cheap and easy, I don't know what is.  Point for Merd.

They already had plenty of adorable pajamas so I didn't need to buy new birthday outfits.  Once again, Michael would tilt his head and say, "Need?" but let's be honest.  I ordered their cake from Market Street  - if you live in Texas and are near a Market Street, I can't recommend them enough.  They are cheap and delicious.  We picked up the pizzas from Dominos, using coupons to keep the cost down.

Cake topper by Ladada Designs

Biggest splurge: Fruit (isn't it always?) and popcorn from Uptown Popcorn.  Michael grabbed the Dill flavor (YUM) and Confetti (meh).  We popped our own butter popcorn at the house.

We still had plates, napkins, straws, and cups from last year's party so we were all set there!  We always have a giant number balloon so I kept with that tradition and added six more basic balloons to the order last minute.  Come on, I'm no saint.  Since the party was at night, I grabbed glow sticks for favors.

And that was it!  Pizza, fruit, popcorn, and cake.  Seven balloons.  Glow sticks.  DONE.

The kids had a blast.  The weather was perfect so we spent a good portion of the party in our backyard.  I don't think Jude & Sloane stopped moving the entire time (except when we sang to them).

Going overboard in the past with food or decorations or party favors or birthday outfits... our kids didn't care.  In fact, I think we all had a better time this year because I was far less stressed and far more present, which I know they pick up on as well.  Good lesson for me.  :)

One other thing I feel I must disclose.  Sloane.  Oh my goodness.  She talked about her presents the entire time.  We always open them after the guests leave, which I told her before the first guest arrived.  So what did she do?  Waited until I was chatting with approximately seven moms before blurting out, "Are they going to leave soon so I can open my presents?"  And that wasn't it.  She went up to my friend Elizabeth and waved at her.  Elizabeth asked, "Oh, are you ready for me to leave?"  "Yes!  Bye!"  She also brought Ryan her kids' shoes toward the end of the night (without Ryan asking).  Needless to say, we had a long talk about patience and gratitude the next day.  Fortunately everyone found it funny, but her dad and I did not.

And so wraps up their 4th birthday party!  I'm so glad we did it and am so grateful for the sweet friends who came.  I can only hope we're all still close when these kids are celebrating their 14th birthday!

(Almost) 16 Weeks

Well my first update happened around 12 weeks so it's been almost a month.  Monthly updates are better than nothing, right?

I did this questionnaire a few times with the twins so let's bring it back from the vault.

How far along? 15 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: 8 lbs. Yowza!  Even with a 4-year break, my body remembers this whole pregnancy thing quite well and I feel like it's sort of showing off at the moment.  My bump is bigger with this child than it was with two.  My mom likes to remind me it's because I'm old.  

Maternity clothes? Maternity jeans for sure!  I'm still wearing non-maternity leggings and joggers but they're getting a bit snug.  Most of my tops are pretty loose (flannels, boho style) so I should be good for awhile.  

Stretch marks? Nope!

Sleep: The sleep is great.  The waking up three times a night to go to the bathroom is not my favorite.  Michael is closer to the bathroom and I told him as of next week I'm taking over his spot.  Walking alllllll the way around the bed is just too much at 3 am.  ;)  I still take a short nap almost every day but my energy is slowly returning.

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at my appointment last Thursday!  It took my doctor a while to find it but she was laughing from the start so I wasn't too worried.  When we finally heard it (such a great sound) she said, "I couldn't find it because this baby won't stop moving.  All of the noises you heard were kicks - it'll have no problem keeping up with its siblings."  

Movement: I don't think so.  I've felt some flutters that may or may not be the baby but I'm not certain.  Can't wait! 

Food cravings: Where do I begin?  Cake.  Brownies.  Dill pickles.  Cottage cheese.  A lot of JUNK.  I had Taco Bell for the first time in years and then I had it two more times that same week.  Could not get enough!  

Anything making you queasy or sick: I still have to make sure I'm eating every few hours.  If I go too long I start feeling pretty gross (and then no amount of food makes me feel better).  

Have you started to show yet: Absolutely (see above).  I'm large enough that a few girls actually touched my stomach at a birthday party last weekend.  You know it's a sizeable bump when people are that confident.  

Gender prediction: I'm almost positive it's a boy.  We find out in three weeks and I can't wait!  We have two names we love for each.  

Belly button in or out?  In. Remember how I had umbilical hernia surgery to fix my poor belly button?  I did that because we were DONE having kids - whoops!  The doctor said there is a chance the mesh will keep it in place but I don't have high hopes.  I imagine I will have an outie by 20 weeks.  Sigh.

Wedding rings on or off?  On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time:  I feel like I'm just overly emotional.  I'm very happy - wouldn't say I'm too moody - but I cry at the drop of a hat and Michael knows to approach with caution, especially if there is a sweet commercial on tv.  

Milestones: Having a complete stranger congratulate me on my pregnancy;  first flight (to Chicago!) for the baby

Jude & Sloane's Responses:  The kids are so excited for this child.  Sloane talks and sings to my stomach and Jude loves to give it hugs and kisses.  Sloane says she can't wait for it to "pop right out" so she can babysit.  They make this entire experience so much fun for us.  They also ask if it's awake or asleep and if I say it's sleeping they whisper and play quietly. Needless to say, this baby sleeps A LOT.  ;)  

(Juno & Bleeker at a benefit last weekend! 15 weeks)

10.20.16

Today is Michael's and my nine year anniversary!  I started this blog when we were engaged so it's been a pretty great journal of our lives... up until 2012 when it turned into the Jude & Sloane show.

I went into our marriage thinking we were a great couple.  Several years of wedded bliss confirmed my suspicions.  I wish I could say once the kids arrived things just kept getting better - and in some ways they did - but my blog isn't the only thing that turned into the Jude & Sloane show.  

I've done a few posts on what I would tell my 16-year-old self so I'm going to dedicate this year's anniversary post to nine things I would tell my newly married self.  Because, oh my goodness, she didn't have a clue.

1.  Travel before you have kids.  This is one I think we nailed.  We didn't go anywhere too crazy, but Michael and I went on several trips before kids and they are some of our fondest memories.  The furniture and new cars were nice, but nothing makes me smile more than talking about our trips.  If you love to travel I can't emphasize this one enough.  I think we always thought we'd continue traveling once we had our first child but when you have two at a time, logistics make it quite difficult.

2.  SAVE.  Going from dual income/no kids to one income/two kids was a swift kick in the pants.  So many times we've looked at each other and asked, "Where did the money GO before kids?"  Of course we remember where it went... Fancy sushi dates on Tuesday nights.  Late night movies with giant popcorns and cokes.  Do I regret the fun times?  Meh, I don't think so.  But going from no budget to a very, very, very tight budget was so hard.  Maybe just share a popcorn.  And save the sushi for a special occasion.

3.  Fighting does not make you a bad couple.  This has been a hard lesson for me.  Why?  Because Michael and I don't fight.  I need two hands (maybe one?) to count the number of true fights we've had in nine years of marriage.  I always wore this as a badge of honor.  What I didn't realize is this often means crucial words are left unsaid.  Grudges held.  Fights don't harm a relationship as long as you work through it.  Silence hurts.

4.  You are not #1.  I think this is an easy rule in the beginning.  You are so excited to be married and you want the world for your spouse.  You didn't want to spend your Sunday afternoon watching football?  Who cares, he's happy.  You didn't want to shop till you dropped?  Who cares, she loved it. As the years go by and kids arrive, it's very easy to make the kids your #1 priority.  And in the early days, I think that is to be expected.  However, there comes a time when they get a bit older and are more self-sufficient.  When that happens, remember to put your spouse first again - not yourself.  Once I realized I could finally take a breath, I put my needs first and didn't look back.  I felt like I'd earned it.  Terrible idea.

5.  Date Nights Are Important.  With twins we didn't have people knocking down our door to babysit.  No clue why.  :)  Also, due to budget restrictions mentioned above we didn't get out much.  I wish we would've realized how much we could do once the kids were asleep.  I read about this all the time - keep the date nights up - and I completely agree.  Even if you don't leave the house.  Even if it means eating cereal for dinner and watching a made-for-tv movie together.  Have a date night.

6.  Embrace the Mess.  The physical mess, the mental mess, the metaphorical mess.  When you get married, offer your partner grace.  When you have kids, offer yourself grace.  Grace upon grace upon grace.

7.  Pick Your Battles.  As I mentioned above, Michael and I rarely fight.  However, that doesn't mean we were lovebirds constantly complimenting each other.  I picked every battle.  Rather than be grateful for all the things he did, I noticed the one or two things he didn't.  Teachers always tell us to offer more positive reinforcement than criticism with our children.  I think that should be the golden rule for all humans.

8.  Don't Lose Yourself.  I've written about this multiple times.  Some of the strongest marriages I know are two individuals who have their own passions, jobs, friends, etc.  It doesn't mean they don't make time for each other, it simply means they never lost who they were.  At some point I lost who I was.  It came after kids and it wasn't a pretty revelation.  I've since gained some direction (still have a ways to go) but I wish I'd never let it get to the point where I barely recognized myself.

9.  Eye Contact, Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation.  Look each other in the eyes when you talk.  Hug as often as you can (even if - especially if - you don't feel like it).  Don't just tell your spouse you love them, tell them WHY you love them.  I'm a firm believer that saying it out loud affirms them and reminds you what a special gift you have right in front of you.

This past year was the hardest we've experienced yet, mostly because of the reasons above and mostly because of me.  Fortunately, rather than turn away from one another we chose to turn toward each other and became stronger because of it.  It wasn't pretty.  It wasn't easy.  But it was necessary.  And, as with all things on this dear blog, it's very much a work in progress.

In plenty and in want
In joy and in sorrow
In sickness and in health

Here's to year 10...

Jude & Sloane's Reactions to #3

There are two things about this pregnancy that make it so much more fun than the last: Jude & Sloane.  Yes, technically they were a part of the last pregnancy but they didn't say too much and were (if I'm being honest) a bit boring.

Michael and I decided to wait until my 11-week appointment before we shared the news with the kids.  Sloane is basically another adult in our house and we didn't want her to have to think through things if this pregnancy wasn't meant to be.  This doesn't mean they were oblivious to the changes happening to me.  Sloane saw my stomach one morning and said, "Mom, you've been eating A LOT of food lately."  When Jude realized it'd grown a bit he immediately wanted to kiss it (this trend has continued and the baby now receives 8-10 kisses at a time from Jude).

Once we were given the green light we did our typical bedtime routine and told them we had some news.  Michael recorded the whole thing and I had an idyllic vision of how it would happen:  I'd share our news and they'd jump on their beds while telling us this was the best day of their lives.  Instead, Sloane immediately furrowed her brow and said, "I want to name her Sloane and we need to build her a crib."  Jude listened intently and immediately changed the subject to Paw Patrol.

Ah yes, exactly how I pictured it.

Since then, they have taken on the roles of big sister and big brother quite nicely.  Sloane constantly asks how the baby is doing and how I'm feeling.  She talks to it often and tells me she's going to be "the best big sister in the whole wide world" (I think she may be right).   Jude has become much more gentle around me and loves to rub my stomach.  He always smiles and says, "It's going to get a whole lot bigger!"  Yes, yes it is.

They both think they have a baby in their bellies.  I'm too tired and they're too young for "the talk" so I'm just letting them think 3/4 of our family is pregnant for now. We'll cross that bridge later. We've only had one "How did it get in there?" and we dodged that bullet like a pro.

I've been a little concerned with the age difference as they will be 4.5 when the baby arrives but I also think it could be great for our family.  I'm also nervous this baby won't have a plus one but then I remember 95% of kids have the same issue and deal with it quite easily.

All in all, it's been a pretty smooth transition so far.  I know this is all a little too abstract for them but my hope is to make it feel as normal and natural as possible.  While the baby is obviously a part of our lives already, my plan is to spend the next 26 weeks reinforcing how special Jude & Sloane are to us.  And if I don't do it enough, I'm quite positive Sloane will remind me.  :)

Number THREE!

Whenever I disappear from this dear blog it's typically because we're up to something big.  I think you could say that this time as well...

We posted the announcement on social media yesterday and the amount of comments that started with "Whaaaaat?" was hilarious.  Surprised?  Yes, so were we.  I'll rewind a bit and tell you about the last few months.

In mid-August, I took the best nap of my life.  I told Michael about it that evening because the kids had to shake me to wake me up.  I was groggy and out of it for a long time afterward.  While I am no stranger to naps (ask anyone), this one was magical.  I didn't think much of it and just chalked it up to having 3-year-old twins who are exhausting in every possible way.

The next few days are foggy.  I honestly don't remember what led me to take a pregnancy test but I remember walking to the bathroom already knowing what it would say.  It took less than three seconds for two lines to pop up.

Regardless, I was absolutely shocked.  I looked at it 10 times.  15 times.  I'd walk away and then come back a minute later to peer at it again.  I started pacing around our house (I do not pace) until Sloane started asking what was wrong with mommy.

When I finally processed the information, I sent Michael a quick text, "Please call when you get a chance."  I waited 30 minutes (actual time: three minutes) before calling him.  I never call him at work so he picked up after the second ring and had to listen to me spew nonsensical garbage before I finally said, "I'm pregnant."  He started laughing and told me he was so excited.  That night he came home with lemonade and Oreos, the two things I craved most with the twins.

Most of you know our story.  Before Jude & Sloane we suffered two miscarriages.  Thanks to one round of clomid, they arrived healthy and happy.  Due to these circumstances, I firmly believed I could never carry a child to term without intervention.  Once I fully embraced our news, I realized the chances of this baby surviving were pretty small. I hoped for the best and expected the worst.

I called my doctor and went in for initial blood tests.  I told Michael I expected my hCG number to be around 300-400 because I knew I was further along than four weeks.  The next day my mom and I loaded up the kids and drove to Waco for a quick overnight trip.  While we were driving I received a call from the nurse.  My progesterone (which has always been very low in the past) was perfect.  And my hCG?  27,000.  I'm sorry, let me say that again.  27,000.  I asked the nurse what that meant and she said I was further along than I thought.  Or....  "Marissa, promise me it's not twins."  "I can't promise you that, Meredith.  You need to prepare yourself..."

One phone call gave me more hope for this child than I ever imagined.  I wouldn't need progesterone supplements and this baby was STRONG.

Michael and I went in for an appointment the next week and saw our singleton.  Yes, JUST ONE.  We asked her to triple check.  It turned out to be a few days older than I originally guessed but we weren't as far along as they assumed based on the high hCG.  We saw the tiny heartbeat and were told to come back in a month.

The differences in this pregnancy and my last are pretty severe.  I've felt gross since six weeks.  My energy is shot and I can only eat bland comfort food (which just so happens to be my favorite food so no complaints there).  Even at 12.5 weeks, I struggle if I don't drink enough water or eat every two hours.  Since I never suffered morning sickness with the twins, I fully expected this pregnancy to be a breeze. NOPE.

A few weeks ago we went back for another check-up and ultrasound.  I was 11 weeks and we saw the cutest little baby bouncing around.  Michael was blown away by the details.  The hands and feet were already perfectly formed - I think he expected to see another white blob on a black background.

My due date is April 14 but we've decided to have a c-section so they will take the baby at 39 weeks - April 6 at 7:30 am to be exact!  We'll find out the gender at 20 weeks and already have a few names we love.

As far as my emotions?  I'm still shocked.  And to be completely honest, I'm terrified.  I've always felt like Jude & Sloane maxed us out so the thought of adding another one to our family... how are we going to do it?  Will I be able to keep up?  Surely I will lose one along the way?!

I'm also thrilled.  Elated.  Grateful & humbled.  A third child is something I've always thought sounded amazing but never believed was in our plan.  But this baby is a fighter.  It's already proven this by surviving against so many odds.  And that?  That makes me want to fight just as hard.

As always, we covet your prayers for a safe and uneventful pregnancy.  While I guarantee I won't be as faithful to this blog as I was with the twins, my hope is I can journal through the pregnancy so this time won't be lost.

2017 is already shaping up to be a pretty great year.  Cheers!

Fashion Sensory - GAP

Hey, hey!  I'm back for the third installment of Fashion Sensory.  I'm still not sure about the name but I do like the play on words since I'm talking about fashion sense and Jude's sensory therapy.  :)  Meh, let's consider it a work in progress.

If you missed last week's post, you can CLICK HERE to read what this is all about.  While you're there, check out some great finds from Old Navy or CLICK HERE for great pieces from Nordstrom!

Now let's get to it!  This week I'm featuring...

This is especially exciting because right now they have 40% off almost everything on their site (ends Monday at midnight)! Woohoo!

I think Gap has finally learned they excel with the basics.  You aren't going to find a lot of truly unique pieces but you will find some great staples, which are perfect for building a classic wardrobe.  I walked around the store and found several items I wanted to take home.  What impressed me the most with their current collection is how soft everything feels.  Lots of cotton/linen mixes, which felt amazing.

I have this fitted boyfriend chambray shirt and I wear it with everything.  Skirts, wide-leg pants, shorts, and white jeans.  I also wear it so many different ways... untucked, half-tucked, knotted in the front, you name it.  I still can't bring myself to wear it unbuttoned over a tank because I have flashbacks to sixth grade and I'm just not ready to go there, but you feel free.

Below I've shown three different bottoms to pair with this classic top.  I also own these jeans and they are (by far) my favorite white skinny jeans.  I've tried many that are too thin and others that lose their shape after a few hours. These are perfect!

I love to mix a neutral top with a pop of color bottom so I chose hot pink linen shorts and a neon yellow midi swing skirt for a fun effect.  Either of these would look amazing with this top.  Make sure you roll the sleeves - it is summer, after all!

Fitted Boyfriend Chambray Shirt   |   1969 True Skinny Ankle Jeans  |  Linen Surf Shorts  |  Midi Swing Skirt
(Unfortunately, I don't believe the jeans are on sale...)

For those of you who are always cold (me!) or live in the north where summer lasts two weeks, I included this marled summer sweater.  Pairing a relaxed summer sweater with cuffed shorts and cute sandals or sneakers is my favorite.  Easy and effortless!

The 3/4 sleeve eyelet top is lightweight and so pretty!  Try an all-white look by pairing it with the white jeans above or consider it with the hot pink shorts!  I saw the linen cami dress in the store and fell in love with the color.  It just needs a pendant necklace and some cute sandals.

Marled Summer Sweater  |  3/4 Sleeve Eyelet Top  |  Linen Cami Dress 

Baby Gap is one of my favorite places to shop because they are not afraid of color or prints.  And in the summer, I can't get enough of either.  The sleeveless chambray shirt would look adorable with either the plaid bubble shorts or the terry dolphin shorts.  When I was in the store the other day I grabbed the terry shorts immediately - I couldn't help myself!  I begrudgingly put them back but they are the cutest!

Plaid Bubble Shorts  |  Sleeveless Chambray Shirt  |  Terry Dolphin Shorts

These dresses are so easy for summer.   I also love the tie in the front of the second dress - perfect to go with your tied chambray shirt above! ;)

Stripe Mix-Fabric Tank Dress  |  Knot Two-Piece Dress

Here are some great tops for your son!  Whether you go with a tee, polo, or button-up, Gap has the best colors!

Solid Pocket Tee  |   Americana Stripe Polo  |  Linen Convertible Shirt

I also included two different styles of shorts that you can mix and match with the different tops.

 Athletic Stripe Shorts  |  Stripe Pull-On Shorts

I couldn't narrow it down to three so here are FIVE fun items from Nordstrom - all on sale right now (thank you, half-yearly sale)!

Ray-Ban 59mm Aviators  |   Splendid Crossover Back Tank  |  Lush Knit Maxi Dress  |  Tory Burch Sandals  |  Ella Moss Ruffle Cami (just checked and this is no longer on sale! boo!)

Looks like those TB sandals went FAST!  So here's another pair on sale! :)

Tory Burch Quilted Sandals

Disclosure - every outfit above contains an affiliated link(s), which means we are paid a small commission for each purchase made.  This is my personal "fundraiser" to help pay for Jude's therapy, while also sharing my favorite finds with my favorite people!  Thank you so much!

Fashion Sensory - Nordstrom

Time for another fashion post for you and the kiddos (I need a catchy name - suggestions welcomed)!

If you missed last week's post, you can CLICK HERE to read what this is all about.  While you're there, check out some great finds from Old Navy!

This week I'm featuring my favorite store...

Fun fact... I worked there for three months when we first moved to Dallas!  I met some great people, made some amazing memories, and grew to really respect Nordstrom as a company.  They take customer service to a whole new level (including free shipping and returns)!

We went to the mall today because I had a Nordstrom gift card burning a hole in my pocket.  A few of the items below came home with me and I'm excited to share them with you!

Free People is one of my favorite brands.  They tend to go for muted neutrals or bold, saturated colors - not too much in between.  Today's find was definitely the latter.  I love hi-lo tops and this one fit perfectly.  It would look amazing with the Topshop distressed skinny jeans.  I decided I'd rather pick up a few items today rather than one top, so I ended up leaving it at the store.  :(  However, if you don't mind a bit of a splurge, GET THIS TOP.  I haven't stopped thinking about it.

I did purchase the Lush short sleeve top.  It also has a hi-lo shape and really flattering v-neck.  It comes in two other colors, I just opted to get black since I knew I could dress it up with some fun jewelry!

 Free People Floral Print Tunic  |  Topshop Distressed Skinny Jeans  |  Lush Short Sleeve Top

I featured the Leith Racerback dress in a previous favorites post, but I wanted to mention it again here because it is THE dress of the summer.  I have it in coral and dark blue and borrowed the green version to wear to my high school reunion last year.  It's very budget-friendly, which is why most of my friends own it in several colors!

Last year I ordered a Nanette Lepore swimsuit and I think I will stick with this brand forever.  The fit and design are incredibly flattering.  It's great for anyone who prefers a one piece but isn't ready to sport a high-neck speedo.

Kimonos are everywhere right now and are super versatile.  Wear one over a sleeveless blouse or use it as a cover-up when you hit the pool.  I loved this one with the fun details!

 Leith Racerback Dress  |   Nanette Lepore One- Piece Swimsuit  |  Cover-Up Kimono

The BLANKNYC distressed jeans are flattering and so comfortable.  I love them with this sleeveless white top!  I purchased the Steve Madden wedge sandals today - I went in thinking I was going to buy them in cognac but ended up loving them in nude.  They're adorable, affordable, and a great heel height!

BLANKNYC Distressed Skinny Jeans  |  Lace Yoke Sleeveless Top  |   Steve Madden Wedge Sandals

For the kiddos!  Sloane has this Peek top and cuffed shorts and we both love them.  The top is lightweight and has adjustable straps so she'll be able to wear it for several years.  It's also on sale! ;)  Mini Boden is another favorite brand of ours and I loved this boho tunic to pair with the shorts!

Peek Print Tank  |  Peek Denim Shorts  |  Mini Boden Sleeveless Tunic

When the kids were tiny babies, I fell in love with Peek's graphic tees.  They always have fun quotes and I thought this one was fitting for Mr. Jude.  He also has these shorts - they run a little big so consider that when sizing (Jude is typically a 3T or 4T and but these shorts are 2-3T).  It's a little hard to see the Mini Boden top on here but the shark has a crab in its mouth with a sign that says "Help!"  Cracks me up.  

Peek Tee  |  Peek Shorts  |  Mini Boden Tee

I own these Kut From The Kloth boyfriend jeans and love them (they'll look great with the nude wedges)!  They run a little big so if you're between sizes, consider sizing down.

A pendant necklace goes with everything and the coral is so pretty!

These Tea Collection dresses are some of my favorites for Sloane.  They're so soft and comfortable - effortless for summer!

Kut From The Kloth Boyfriend Jeans  |  Anthropologie Pendant Necklace  |  Tea Collection Faux Wrap Dress

Disclosure - every outfit above contains an affiliated link(s), which means we are paid a small commission for each purchase made.  This is my personal "fundraiser" to help pay for Jude's therapy, while also sharing my favorite finds with my favorite people!  Thank you so much!

Fashion Sensory - Old Navy

One of my favorite Twin Talk series was the spring/fall fashion posts.  Fellow twin moms and I would style head-to-toe outfits and create fashion boards so busy moms could easily shop great looks without leaving the house.  The only catch?  Everything had to be from the same store - because who wants to pay four different shipping fees for one outfit?  (No one!)

As most of you know, Jude started occupational therapy several months ago for sensory processing disorder.  We recently learned our insurance is no longer covering his visits.  We appealed and his therapy center/pediatrician fought his case but they're sticking with their decision.  Because of this, I'm starting a new fashion series on this blog with fun outfits for both women and kids!

Full disclosure - every outfit below contains an affiliated link(s), which means we are paid a small commission for each purchase made.  This is my personal "fundraiser" to help pay for Jude's therapy, while also sharing my favorite finds with my favorite people!  As if you needed another reason to shop, you now know you're shopping for a great cause.  :)

For now, I plan to stick with the rules of Twin Talk - everything below came from the same store!  I'm also going to post my top three favorite finds that are all ON SALE.  These pieces will not necessarily be from the same store but they will ALL be on sale (hooray)!!

Happy shopping!

I chose Old Navy this week for one reason.  These gladiator sandals:

Gladiator Sandals

I purchased them last month and wear them constantly.  They're incredibly comfortable and look cute with dresses, shorts, and cuffed jeans (they only come in whole sizes and I sized down).

The boho look is everywhere right now.  Cold shoulder/off-the-shoulder tops, flowy dresses, fringe, and (get ready) the gaucho jeans are back in a big way.  It's a great style for summer because everything is loose and breezy, making it a mom's dream.

For the first three looks, I chose two rompers and an off-the-shoulder top/shorts - all to pair with the sandals above.  Rompers can be tricky - if they're too short or show too much skin, I'm not comfortable.  But if they have the right coverage and aren't too snug, I consider them effortless and perfect for summer!

Patterned Romper   |   Off The Shoulder Top   |   White Shorts    |   White Linen Romper

I'm currently obsessed with flowy dresses.  Gone are the days where I enjoy sucking in my stomach for 3+ hours.  Light chambray/denim is a great piece to add to your wardrobe - I went back and forth between the two dresses below before deciding to feature both.  If you love a swing dress, the one on the left is great.  However, if you love the relaxed look but still want to show off your waist (good for you!), the one on the right is amazing.  Hi-lo dresses are also on trend this season and great for date night or a night out with friends.  Add a pendant necklace, stacked bracelets and you're set!  All three of these looks would pair nicely with the gladiator sandals and since they're all from Old Navy you're looking at fun fashion for amazing prices.  

(Also, please disregard the two ladies completely judging one another.  Can't we all get along?)

 Swing Dress   |   Hi-Lo Dress   |   Off The Shoulder Dress

If you hear boho and think "oh no," try a preppier look.  I love Old Navy's pixie pants - they're fitted so you can pair them with a loose top like the button-back plaid and it still shows off your shape!  Add a thin knit cardigan if you don't live in Texas.  :)

Button-Back Plaid Top   |  Pixie Pants   |  Knit Cardigan

Can't forget the kids!  If you know me at all, I'm a sucker for coordination so of course I made sure these pieces would look good with one another and with mom above.  :)

Buffalo Plaid Shirt   |   Shorts   |   Shoes

Romper   |   Sandals

Nordstrom Twist Back Dress    |   J.Crew Chino Shorts   |   Banana Republic Pleated Crepe Blouse

I hope you found something you love!  If there are any specific stores you'd like me to feature, please let me know!

Ordained Encounter

I'm not one who easily sees God's hand in every situation.  In fact, it typically takes years before I can look back and understand how it all came together.  This story, however, is completely different.  This time I saw it as it happened.

I've always had moderate anxiety.  It's never kept me from doing things I enjoy, but it has a prime spot in my brain and rears its ugly head often.  As a child, I was never scared of monsters.  Always people, specifically kidnappers.  Maybe I watched too many episodes of Unsolved Mysteries, I'm not sure.  I was anxious about my grades in school.  Worried throughout my pregnancy.  I have scriptures on my phone for when I wake up in the middle of the night.

Fortunately, I'm also a talker.  I've never kept my anxious feelings to myself, so while you can feel sorry for Michael (and you should), he knew what he was marrying.  Me.  Lovable, anxious me.

This past year has been a great one for our family.  New job for Michael and official diagnosis for Jude both top the list.  Unfortunately, it hasn't been wonderful for dear friends.  I've attended two funerals in the last six months that were especially heartbreaking.  A sweet boy whose family I have grown to love was recently diagnosed with yet another tumor.  One of my best friend's husband's went through several months of chemo.  The list goes on and on.

On March 16, I was looking through Instagram one last time when I read about Brooks's second tumor.  I teared up and then out of nowhere, I had a pretty severe anxiety attack.  It was terrifying, mostly because I didn't know what was happening.  Michael was next to me and asked if I needed to go to the hospital, but I was too focused on trying to breathe to really answer.  After about 20 minutes it subsided and I was completely wiped out.

A good friend of mine put it perfectly.  "Our ability to cope with anxiety is like a scale with a certain tipping point and as we age we hit that point, sometimes for no reason."  I'd hit that point.  My brain was on overload from worrying for my friends on top of my already amazing ability to be anxious over everything.

I wish I could say that was it, but for the next two weeks, I'd think about the anxiety attack and it would lead to another (far less severe) attack.  In the middle of breakfast.  Playing outside with my kids.  At night while everyone was asleep.  My brain was consumed with fear.  Was this my new normal?  When I was "lucid" I was fine.  But those moments when my brain took over were the darkest moments I've ever experienced.  I felt alone and very scared.

I had my annual OB appointment last Wednesday and decided I'd ask to be put on anxiety medication in hopes it would help.  I talked to several friends who are either on medication or were in the past.  I wanted to know exactly what I was getting myself into.  One friend said something I will never forget: "Anxiety is the devil."  I'm not sure if she meant it literally or she was just using the worst word she could think of, but it stopped me in my tracks.  She was absolutely right.  This was the devil.

So that leads up to one of the most ordinary, incredible moments of my 33 years.  The day before the doctor's appointment, I was at Sloane's ballet class chatting with fellow moms.  We were talking about nothing in particular when one brought up a medication she'd taken that had caused her to lose a lot of weight.  I'm typically not one to pry but for some reason I asked her what medicine she was on.  And for some reason she was completely open and honest.  It was a medicine for depression.  I told her I was going to the doctor the very next day to get on anxiety meds.

Another mom looked up from her phone and said, "I dealt with anxiety for years and then my doctor told me it was due to a gene mutation I have.  I found out about it after I suffered two miscarriages."  She had my full attention.  I asked her if it was MTHFR, the same gene mutation I have that caused two miscarriages and led to taking blood thinners my entire pregnancy.  Same one.  Once the kids were born and all was well, I basically forgot I had it.  She explained that while miscarriages are the prominent issue associated with MTHFR, anxiety is also prevalent due to a lack of folate and B12.  She simply takes folate supplements and hasn't dealt with anxiety in years.

I was stunned.  For over two decades I've dealt with something that could simply be related to a lack of FOLATE.  As soon as I got to my car I researched it and found numerous articles linking MTHFR to anxiety and headaches (which I deal with regularly).  I also read it can alter one's response to anxiety medication.  And then I thought back to the conversation that had just taken place... the day before I asked my doctor to put me on anxiety medication.  How had it come up?  What made my friend so open?  What made my other friend share her rare MTHFR story that happened to mirror my very own?  All in a little ballet studio on a Tuesday afternoon.  I have never felt God's presence more.

I called Michael and told him to pick up some Folate on his way home from work.  The next day I shared this story with my doctor and told her I wanted to give it a try.  She was completely open to it.

From the moment I left that ballet class, the small anxiety attacks disappeared.  It made me realize those attacks were brought on by anxiety over my anxiety (who knew).  My brain was on overdrive and very, very tired.  Once I had a clear plan in place, they went away.  And, thankfully, have stayed away.

I'm a firm believer medication is helpful, useful, and can be absolutely necessary.  I'm not opposed to it, though I'm glad I have more information as I learned it might not be right for me.  I also learned the brain is capable of taking something small and making it into something very big and incredibly ugly.

So there's my heart on paper (err... computer screen).  I figured if I can share my son's diagnosis on my blog, I can (and should) share this as well.  Maybe someone will benefit from it, or maybe it's simply to share that God doesn't always show himself in dramatic ways.  Sometimes it's a tiny ripple that leads to something so much bigger.

My Current Favorites!

It's been a long time since I've done a favorites post so I thought it was high time!  I've included some steals as well as some splurges, but I'm only telling you about items that really make me happy.

1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7

1. Madewell Fleet Jacket  I'm a huge fan of cargo jackets.  I've been looking for a new one as my last one was a Christmas gift from many, many years ago - it's gone in and out of style four times since I received it.  I love army green but I thought the blue would be a nice change (it does, however, come in green).  The website says to order down if you're between sizes.  Maybe that's true for most, but when you've been cursed with long arms, better order up (even though I almost always cuff the sleeves anyway).  I love that it's fitted so I can wear it over a spring dress without feeling bulky up top.

2. Michael Kors Metallic Card Holder & iPhone Case
A few of my friends had a case like this and I thought to myself, "That's ridiculous!  If you lose your phone you're screwed." Then I realized I lose my wallet, I lose my license, and I lose my credit card constantly.  What do I never lose?  My phone.  So I decided to get it and I've never looked back.  As someone who hates carrying handbags (the diaper bag ruined me for life), this has made errands and nights out so easy.

3. Leith Racerback Dress
When we went to Vegas last summer, Ashley wore this dress and we spent the entire trip telling her how much we loved it.  Meri & Lauren ordered it that week and then I borrowed it for my 15-year reunion.  I did not want to give it back.  It comes in six colors and I just ordered the coral.  Now I'm wondering if I need to order at least two more colors...  Did I mention it's only $48?

4. Kiehls Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter
Michael gave me a few goodies for Valentine's Day and this was one of them.  We're both huge fans of Kiehl's face wash and shampoo, so it's no surprise this immediately made it in my favorites list as well.  It is fabulous.

5, Bed Head Styling Wand
When I chopped my hair I asked friends for styling wand suggestions.  I was told to skip the super expensive wands and go for this one.  I did and I love it.  I'm still learning how to use it (if the "I stuck my finger in a wall socket" look ever becomes a thing, I am truly going to be a superstar), but my friends who've mastered it have amazing hair.  The Michael Jackson glove has been used by me exactly once, but Sloane adores it.

6. Express Scuba Leggings
My friend Amy showed up to a birthday party wearing these and I stared at her legs the entire time.  I'm sure she noticed but it didn't stop me.  I finally asked her where she got them and when she told me Express, I realized I hadn't stepped foot in that store since college!  I went the next day and purchased them immediately.  Several friends followed suit.  They are so comfortable and I wear them constantly.

7. BP Booties
I know it's the beginning of March so booties may or may not be the last thing on your mind, but I love wearing these with dresses and bare legs.  Thanks to the light color, they are sticking around a bit longer over here! And for my friends up north, they're basically a year-round staple.  ;)

Honorable Mentions go to...
Pirate's Booty
YL Peppermint Oil
Boyfriend jeans
Blue Apron (it is so much fun!)
Mindy Kaling's Why Not Me?
Rachel McAdams & Naomi Watts's dresses from the Oscars
Anyone who is not voting for Trump

*This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase an item I will receive a small commission.