Summer Adventures

I don't know about other peoples kids, but my little one is capable of using fresh air to energize himself the way mama needs a dirty chai to get through the day.  One good inhale of that waterfront air and suddenly he's back on screech and I'm following behind like some desperate personal assistant.  I have been trying to take him down there as much as possible since the weather has been nice.  

I feel like even when we are only going to be out for an hour tops I have to pack for the unpredictable meltdowns.  My bare necessities are juice and a snack.  I wouldn't even dream of leaving without those two things.  I am obsessed with sippy cups mostly because they are essential to life around here.  Nuby has just come out with this cup called the Busy Sipper which describes my kid to a T.  As you can see he pretty much goes about his business while sipping on whatever juice and water concoction I have put in there.  This cup is different because it comes with the silicone spout that is spill free like mama wants, but also comes with a pop-up top like you would see on a water bottle for older kiddos.  My husband laughed at me that there is a belt clip on this cup and at first I thought that it was a little gimmicky.  Then he took off,  had a fit and I ended up carrying him and stashing that thing hooked to my pants.  Another thing I love is that it holds 12 oz so I don't need to stop to refill him as often.  It also has no internal parts so washing is super easy.  You can grab one at your local Walmart or on Amazon.  I linked the two pack because you want two trust me.  

I am also loving this new snack keeper that will be available mid June at Babies R' Us and Amazon.com.  The designer series is for sure my favorite.  I love that the colors catch my little ones eye, but the patterns are more for Mom.  Simple and adorable.  Leavitt loves to hold his own snacks, and can't be bothered to wait for me to help him.  He likes a snack on hand in the stroller and in the car, but lately the car is looking like a goldfish plant exploded in the the back seat because I haven't had a container handy he can use and not make a mess.  When I got these in the mail I can't even tell you how excited it made me.  Stylish baby gear that saves me on clean up... this folks is a no brainer. Leavitt was also a fan, because he can get his fingers into it without a problem.  Some snack keepers are a little stiff and can pinch fingers, this one is a super soft silicone.  

I am loving this weather and being able to be on the go more with my little one.  I hope we get to spend most of the summer adventuring and making memories just us.  This fall will bring some big changes for my man and I just want to keep him little as long as possible.  He will start school part time, get a little brother, be leaving the daycare he loves so much and hopefully he will be able to take it all in stride.  Hopefully we can keep our baby gear game on point and skip as much of the drama as possible while making memories.  OK mama friends what baby gear do I need to get me through the summer? Or for two babes?  Send me a message!

Brining up Leavitt is a Nuby Parent Blogger and was given products in exchange for reviews.  All opinions are and always will be my own.

Retail Therapy

As many in my real life know my Dad passed away on May 13th.  The day after was my birthday, and we found out the end was near on Mother's Day.  In my couple weeks away from this little space of mine I have hardly been sitting around feeling sorry for myself, although that happened too.  I spent three days of those two weeks serving jury duty.  Two feeling utterly sorry for myself because part of me loves birthdays so much it was hard to even celebrate with the people who wanted to.  The rest of the time has been spent soaking up the love from friends and family who have made me so happy to have this life of mine.  Four years ago I was starting over, my Dad and half sisters were the only ones I trusted, I had Nick and a couple of new friends.  At the time I was bitter having to give up my family and friends.  Now I realize God was positioning me to endure these hard but fabulous years with the people I would need.  They have been glorious years don't get me wrong but they have had challenges.  There has not been one day since Mother's day where a friend hasn't called to check on me.  After my Dad passed someone showed up with flowers, gifts, cards, food and hugs every day since then.  I got constant reminders that people were lifting us up in prayer.  I kept thinking how lucky I am to have so much support from people who have never even met my Dad.  So much thoughtfulness has flooded my life and once again given me a little more hope that everything is going to be ok. 

Now to lighten things up I have had the chance to get in a little retail therapy lately, and while you can't really shop away the pain you can find things you love to brighten your day.  If you are rolling with us on instagram you may have seen a couple things, if you aren't following on the IG you basically are missing out on mediocre iPhone photos of all the things I am obsessed with.  I am mixing in the new with old and as promised sharing my bump style with you all.  However so far I am still rocking my non maternity stuff for all of you not currently expanding at the waist.

|| Similar Sleep Shirt || Similar Coffee Cup ||

I bought the most comfortable sleep shirt from Ralph Lauren at my local Marshall's, it happened to be on sale for $10 and the original tag said $54 like the one I linked.  I don't need to remind you that I am dressing for two these days so this shirt although not maternity is so soft it easily accommodates my bump in my pre-pregnancy size... yes please.  The cup is from Portobello by Inspire.  I love a happy coffee cup.  I think everything tastes better from bone china and this cup just makes me smile. I snagged it in the check out line at Homegoods for $5 and have been using it every single time it is clean since then.  Unfortunately both of these pink beauties are not for sale online.  The cups are on Ebay but I don't even know how to shop eBay so I am not going to bother linking that for you.  My suggestion would be to peruse your local Tj Maxx, Homegoods & Marshall's and find similar items you love for a much better deal... because saving money is half the fun.  

||Clutch || Similar Dress || Similar Sandals ||

For Mother's day we went to Bar Harbor and the husband snagged me this clutch that I am obsessed with and you may have spotted on my mother's day shopping guide.  The dress is from Tj Maxx... sorry, but I linked the same brand in a tank ombre version and not going to lie I like the linked one much more.  Sandals are a couple years old and were a gift from Nick to spruce up the mom wardrobe when Leavitt was first born.  The dress while I love it in person looks like a sack in the picture, its also not maternity so I'm to blame for the ill-fitting lady lumps cover... I care but I don't.  This outfit I actually wore to lunch with my gal pals, because a clutch is only an option sans kiddos.

|| Similar Sneaker || Bracelet ||  Cuff || Tote ||

By now you know I like things made in Maine, or Maine inspired.  My roots could not be more Maine rooted.  My Grandfather on my Dad's side had a potato farm and my Great Grandfather on my Mom's side was a fisherman.  I love that so many small shops are popping up left and right that are stylish and are full of Maine pride.  The Sneakers are from Tj Maxx I snagged them for $29 recently and have been rocking them on the regular.  The Ropes bracelet Nick got for me with my clutch for mothers day.  The lobster cuff one of my besties gifted me on my wedding day.  The cuff is actually a lobster gauge that fishermen use to determine if they can keep the lobsters they catch.  The L.L. Bean tote my in laws gave me for Christmas.  The bag is one of my favorite things I have been gifted, I love that it has a masculine vibe being that I am going to be using it a lot with two boys.  I consider camo a  neutral so it will get plenty of use with my everyday basics.  It wipes clean unlike the Louis Vuitton never full my husband gave me that is stained inside now from baby wear. 

|| Similar Shirt ||

As you can see the bracelet, cuff and sneakers are on repeat.  The button down is older and from TJ Maxx.... Girlfriend loves a deal I can't help it.  It is the same brand as the chambray dress and I am obsessed with their fabrics.  Everything is super soft, washes and wears well, and is low maintenance.  Can I get an AMEN?! I decided to link a short sleeve version that is still nautical in color but lighter for summer.  This is a fall version but I am dying to get the one I linked.  Save yourself the drama of  trying to find the long sleeve version and go straight for that one.  I have layered this top with vests, worn it alone, and now wearing unbuttoned while pregnant.  I will be wearing it distressed when it starts to finally fall apart on me.  

So there you have it all the things making me a little happier these days, the reason I have been MIA, and how I am attempting to style my bump without going full on mumu because even Princess Diana looked frumpy in a mumu.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to the woman who I text first thing in the morning while sipping my cold coffee to vent to about the night before.  The woman who texts me back something funny, because she knows more than anything I need a good laugh.  She offers to meet for coffee or lunch as soon as we are both available with or without kids in tow because no one understands broken interrupted conversations more than her.  She doesn't care if we get caught mid tantrum in public by someone she knows, its all par for the course.  Her confidence and effortless execution of this thing called motherhood makes me a little jealous.  She also makes me more confident that my kids won't end up in therapy if I lose my shit every now and then.  Let's be honest, a perfectly acting toddler in public is a toddler who has the fear of his mama's wrath at home.  Well done mom, well done.  

By now you may realize I am not talking about my own mom.  Yes, she is a great mom who I will celebrate this weekend.  But the mom in the thick of life with me are my mom friends. While my mom gets it, she never stayed home.  Which is amazing and I have no idea how she accomplished all she did... seriously she's a rock star, who I am convinced was gifted extra hours in the day.  She can't relate to being a stay at home mom, and she certainly can't relate to me thinking the tiny blonde haired, blue eyed boy of mine could ever be a monster.  Because what grandma thinks their grandchild is capable of such wickedness. 

You see mom friends, or at least mine they just get it.  When they tell me their struggles it actually benefits me to hear whats working and what is not.  I need to hear that not everyone has it together, and that their husbands make them crazy from time to time.  I don't want someone to tell me its all going to be ok, I want someone to pour me a glass of wine and tell me I am not alone.  What I never realized when we decided I would stay home is that I would be isolated.  No one feels sorry for the mom who doesn't have a "job".  Not even my husband gets it.  When I started meeting other moms I began to feel apart of something bigger.  I no longer felt like my days would be endless as I worked tirelessly towards every milestone while everyone else got to work on themselves.  There were times I wasn't sure I fit into this new role.  Maybe a life of service to my family wasn't a life well served if I didn't have my own accomplishments.  It was my mom friends who made me realize my family's accomplishments will always be mine too.  I might only be raising my family, but together we are raising part of the community. That was enough.  I am enough.

My mom friends uplift me when it isn't my husband or tiny taskmaster getting me down.  When I can't navigate my emotions, trying to be there as a child of a dying parent and be the parent to a little one and one on the way.  When I can't put into words why I struggle to call my Dad more because death is scary and I am afraid of what that means.  That I can't celebrate the life I have growing inside me while dealing with the dying process my Dad has been going through.  When I feel like I need to take care of myself they meet me at the gym, or take the time to have a heart to heart.  When my heart needs the encouragement to be better for my family they keep me in their prayers.  They celebrate the wins and cheer me on after a setback.  

Mom friends everywhere, I hope you are loved, celebrated & encouraged this weekend! Thanks for your selfless love and your great appreciation for all things caffeine and wine.... I promise to be a better coffee and vino date in a few months! 

Spring Fever & Sippy Cups

It is finally warm here in Maine and we have been taking full advantage.  I am not going to lie the spring fever around here has been intense.  Constant cleaning of the same messes when we can't be outside has had me wound up pretty tight and the results aren't pretty.  Last week we took off with some friends to Acadia for the day.  I almost forgot how much he likes to let the waves chase him and his little toes in the sand.  I guess I have taken for granted how beautiful this great state we live in is.  Driving through the park hearing my freshly napped babe say "oh wow" as we turn the corners and the trees give way to breathtaking ocean views.  I caught a glimpse of our wedding venue from the tree tops on our way to the beach and was so excited to be back.  Baby bump and all!

|| Straw sippy cup ||

Being on the go isn't always easy though.  Leavitt is independent and a free spirit.  I am tired and pregnant.  The combo is exhausting and down right frustrating!  Drinks and snacks are honestly the only things I can consistently count on helping me out on trips out of the house.  I know I am not alone here.  Nuby came out with these awesome new cups that have a weighted straw, a flip top so the straw stays clean, handles for easy use and carry for the little hands in your life.  Click-it technology so you can hear when the cup is locked means I don't screw the top on sideways per usual making a huge mess.  My little guy likes to tip his drinks like a bottle, but prefers to drink from a straw... the irony and lack of logic is not lost on me.  However I'd say that must be a kid thing because the weighted straw solves the problem without any fussing.  The flip top was perfection for the beach, no sand around the straw and no spilling in my bag!  Less baby drama, happier mama.  

Daycare was closed last week for spring break... daycare caught a break mama not so much.  My mom took the week off to help my sister and had her kids for the week.  We had plenty of playdates of course.  My mom or Meme as we call her loves to take the kids to sweet frog.  I would rather do the drive through at Dairy Queen so I don't have to deal with rogue two year olds and sticky fingers.  I obliged and met them there.  As you can see from the pic above ice cream makes a guy thirsty and we were able to stay in our seats thanks to his new favorite cup.  There are some parts to this cup for all of you that live for the dishwasher.... so me.  I have a dishwasher basket from our days of bottles.  I take the straw apart toss it into the basket and it comes totally clean.  No left over juice and I set it on a paper towel to let it air dry after the wash cycle.  No effort from me and no mold which is super gross and common in many sippy cups.  

Nuby has agreed to let me give one away to a lucky reader before you can buy in stores! So hop over to our instagram username Bringingupleavitt to enter! If you aren't the lucky winner you can also find these cups at Tj Maxx & Marshall's in June as well as the link above. You can almost always find me there because I have a love for all things Tj Maxx and Marshall's! 

Brining up Leavitt is a Nuby Parent Blogger and was given products in exchange for reviews.  All opinions are and always will be my own.  

Happenings

I'm not going to lie I have been really enjoying gabbing about bath toys, mama gifts, and answering all the funny messages I get! It has really been a fun distraction to the pregnancy funk I am in.  I'm showing, but basically just look fat.  I am in that weird mixture of my clothes and maternity clothes, which doesn't have me really feeling like myself.  I have never been a yoga pant/legging for clothes kind of Mom.  I know if I start now it will kill my Mojo beyond recovery and that scares the ever loving shit out of me.  I wear my yoga pants to work out, and my leggings I save for days that I am ready for bed at four, and would like my husband to not come home to me in pajamas.  

So I have been wallowing in my current situation and really hoping warm weather arrives sooner than I expect it to.  Leavitt has been talking so much better and able to have real conversations with me.  If I am running around worrying about this out of place item, or that dirty dish he wraps his arms around my legs and says "mama I need a hug".  I need to follow his lead more and worry less about the petty things.  So petty things be damned,  I am going to pry myself out of this pregnancy rut.  For starters, we had a breakfast playdate last week with six ladies and eight kids... obviously the picture above is pre-party arrival.  But flowers and a clean kitchen tend to make me happy.  Digging out wedding gifts also puts a smile on my face so theres always that!

So about those messages I have gotten, lets chat.

A common question I am getting lately is what will the blog be called once I have the new baby?  Will I change it or leave it the same?  Good questions ladies, since I have no idea myself! Baby brother doesn't have a name yet and I am really struggling to get a name to take hold of my heart that my husband likes too.  Leavitt has such a strong family name that I feel badly if this guy gets a totally  unique name without any family ties.  However being the baby of the family he probably won't care and will  hopefully have my last born rebel soul.  So now that I have failed to answer the question you at least know why!!

Another question I got recently was how we told our families we were expecting.  I had ordered calendar cookies for our parents with my due date on them and we ended up telling them before hand.  My mom had been stopping over and I was making excuses why I had no wine, or  wouldn't have a drink with her.  Then we went to Margaritas and I knew she would catch on so while I was driving I passed her my ultrasound picture and told her she would be enjoying those drinks solo for a good cause for a while.  I still thought we could use the cookies to tell his parents and my mom together when they were done but my father in law beat us to it.  After my husband had worked out of town for a day they had a long phone conversation that resulted in him asking if I was pregnant.  Obviously my mom bod is worse for the wear this time.  It was boring, I hope you all find a better way to spill the beans to your families.  The cookies were cute and I was the only on who didn't eat one.  Mine is in the freezer along with our wedding favors, baby shower toppers, but sadly no wedding cake.  Totally going to have to order another top from our cake for our anniversary!  Bonus points to our little man if he arrives a little early so I can enjoy a glass of bubbly with the cake.

Ok this last question I got has inspired me a little.  A super sweet girl I have never met sent me an email asking about maternity clothes and style.  I died a little inside.  I was so flattered but had no idea what to say since I have obviously been in a rut.  I'm not loving my regular clothes and maternity clothes have me feeling like I am being swallowed whole because I'm not quite there yet.  I did happen to know of some great maternity sales that were going on at the time, that of course no longer are.  I have decided to swallow my pride and share some maternity OOTD posts every so often so you expecting mothers can see what I am wearing, you know if you're into that sort of thing.  I won't document every day because I am already a mom and have some things on repeat and I don't want to bore the ever loving daylights out of you.  I am on the hunt right now for a maternity swimsuit and will report back when I find one I am not terrified to rock.  Not to worry I will not be sharing the pictures.  Jesus take the wheel.

In other news Old Navy is having a sale right now and I just snagged three maternity shirts and a pair of shorts for $45 shipped! I normally loath Old Navy, something about it stresses me out.  I am way more of a Gap girl but these deals were ridiculous and who am I to turn my nose up at a sale like that?

Mother's Day Shopping Guide

If I am being honest, I would tell you that Mother's day is a big deal to me.  It also falls the week of my birthday so that makes it a really big deal.  Although it doesn't take much to make me happy on my very special day it does however take a lot to redeem ones self if you live with me and make no fuss of me at all.  That got me thinking of all the things a Mama wants.  Now I am not dropping major hints here for anyone in particular because my son can't read and has no money, and my husband will skip right over a post that says "shopping guide". 

|| Lat & Lo Necklace ||

This necklace is similar to the gold bar version I wear every day.  My bar necklace has our wedding coordinates on it.  I get compliments on it all the time and it always starts a conversation about our wedding, instant mood booster.  For Mother's day I love the idea of coordinates to where your babes were born.  If you got pregnant on your honeymoon, or a vacation and live in the town where you will be giving birth you should totally go for where you conceived.  Might be a little awkward if a stranger asks but I like the idea of a sexy little secret that doubles as jewelry.  The price point is also amazing at $54.  They quote 14-21 days for customer orders and make sure you get something written on the back!! 

|| Alaina Marie Clutch ||

This colorful clutch has had my eye since last summer.  I tend to not get much use out of a clutch because, well I am a mom and have to shlep everything but the kitchen sink wherever we go.  So while I might not buy it for myself it makes a nice gift for when mom actually does get her me time.  The bright colors have me thinking about a spray tan.  The Maine girl in me loves that these are made in Portland, ME and the price is right at $65.  I just might snag this for myself on second thought because I just bought an adorable chambray dress that needs a little something fun.  See it only took me two sentences to talk myself into buying it.   

|| Tory Burch Tote ||

This bag has to be the perfect summer tote.  The bright colors scream vacation, and the white an tan bring just enough neutral to the party to be grown up.  I'm dying over how festive this makes me feel. While I have a very realistic feeling I won't be splurged on for my third mother's day- birthday gift because I got over the top gifts the first two years.  I hope someone is gifted this gem.  It makes me want to grab a sundress call my girls up and head out for margaritas... you know sans tequila for moi. The bag is also the perfect size to drag around the six days a week you don't have a sitter and have your little BFF in tow.  Ok so the $495 price tag says splurge but you made a beautiful baby you deserve it!! 

|| Tory Burch Sandals ||

While I was in Florida my sister who happens to out swag me on every level,  graciously let me sit in her closet while I asked her about all her new purchases.  We both wear a size seven so she shows me all her new shoes and one by one I model them for myself and our kids who think we are so lame I'm pretty sure.  She had just bought these and was loving them.  I am typically not a jelly sandal kind of gal.  The thought of friction and sweat makes me cringe.  These however were super cute on, true to size (Tory sandals I always size up half a size), and she swears they are comfortable.  I can attest to that because I tried them on every time I walked by them.  I have no shame.  The fuchsia is fun, and the gold logo is grown up just enough to not look like a six year old in pink jellies.  If you are spoiled this year and get these and the tote bag send me all the OOTD selfies.  Also these will only set you back $95 which is significantly less than most Tory sandals, and unlike all the leather ones I have these are pool, beach, and mall perfect. 

There you have it the top mom gifts I am crushing on this year.  It seems a little early I know but I wanted to give even the procrastinators a chance to snag that amazing little personalized necklace in time for mom's big day! Mother's Day is May 8th this year which is a little early.  Sadly for my husband my birthday is the following weekend giving me the entire week to soak up the love!  Which my hormonal mushy self should confess thats really what I want is quality time with the two guys that made me a mom.  

Sick Survival Guide

I have been suffering from a cold for a solid eight weeks.  Last week my husband brought home some nasty respiratory virus from work... what is it with men that go to work and spread their germs?! Although I really tried my best to quarantine my husband in the basement (mancave) and set him up in the guest room to keep from getting my healthy toddler and my pregnant self from getting the plague.  My toddler got super sick.  There are a few must haves that are getting me through.  One of them is fantasizing about a vacation but since that won't be happening anytime soon here are the things keeping us afloat over here.

Learn to make your own Starbucks beverage at home.  I am a non-fat vanilla chai girl.  I buy skim milk, the vanilla syrup from Starbucks, and the Tazo original chai latte mix.  It only took a few tries but it tastes the same if not better at home and I don't have to leave the house.  I also don't have to shell out $5 for my drink and then pay for an overpriced toddler snack to keep the taskmaster happy.  Saving money and time while caffeinating its a solid win for mom. 

I live for DoTerra On Guard essential oils.  The smell helps keep the house smelling fresh and cozy and is supposed to help ward off germs.  I was slacking on this while I was sick and now we all are.  Coincidence? Maybe.  But at this point I would burn sage to clear the germs out of here.  You can get some for yourself here.  I use a diffuser and put it on the bottoms of Leavitt's feet especially on daycare day.  I double up on the oils at night and diffuse DoTerra's serenity blend at night in my bedroom diffuser to relax us.  

Hannaford to-go.  I can order my groceries and pick them up without getting out of the car.  I can also send my super busy husband to pick them up and I know that I will get what I actually need and he won't have to put much effort in.  Not going to lie this is a mommy game changer for me especially when we are sick.  I spend significantly less money because I don't buy impulse items and my toddler who loves fruit and cheese doesn't help me spend any extra money on extra items like exotic fruit that may or may not get eaten at home.  I also don't feel obligated to let him eat unwashed fruit to keep him from screaming through the entire store.  I still prefer to shop by myself and pick my own meat and produce.  But in a pinch convenience is my best friend.

A pair of really good pajamas, that are cute enough to put on after a shower and feel like I actually put myself together.  I live for pajamas.  I have always had a thing with matching pjs since I was a kid.  Some of my favorites are a comfy adorable romper from Eberjey.  I won't put you through having to look at pictures of me in all my bedtime glory so I will link if for you here.  Although Eberjey is a splurge it is totally worth it.  I have a robe, a couple rompers,  and even a beach cover up that are all flattering, and wash well.  You can sometimes find their stuff on sale at Nordstrom, Anthropologie & Eberjey's website.    I am also a super fan of Target pjs mostly because they are between the door and the diapers, and they are inexpensive.  I just got this pair not too long ago and they are cute, comfy and most importantly baby bump friendly.

So there you have it my survival guide to being sick with a sick toddler and in my case, knocked up.  Hope you all are avoiding every single disgusting virus that has been going around like a the plague.  Is it summer yet?!