30

So, I'm officially turning 30 this month. I'm actually kind of excited, because my 20's were awesome. And now, Lola's here and I'm totally ready to take on my 30's. I really don't think my life started fully until she made her debut. She is literally the light of my life.  I've been ready for this for as long as I can remember, and it is nothing short of amazing.
 

 I thought it might be fun to share "30 things" about me you may, or may not know. You may or may not care to know, either. 

 Ashley Sasak Photography


1.  I used to be a runner. I ran 3-5 times a week, anywhere from 3-8 miles. I've run 20-30 5k's, 2 half marathons, and a couple 10 milers. I don't have time (or motivation) to run anymore, but I was never sick when I was running, and felt like a million bucks.

2.  I shower every day. If I don't have time to shower quick in the morning, I shower at night. I just can't stand not feeling clean.

3. I write EVERYTHING down. I own 2 yearly planners, a desk calendar, a wall calendar, a weekly meal planner, and roughly 6,000 notepads. And I write only with a black sharpie

4. Chuck begged me for chickens for a long time, and then one day I came home to chickens. And they sort of grew on me. I wouldn't mind having a few more. I'm still a NO on a goat and a pig.

5. I've had a total of 9 surgeries. And 3 of them were emergencies.

6. When my eyebrows aren't plucked or waxed, I feel like my face is dirty, even if I just washed it.

7. Chuck and I wrote our own vows for our wedding

8. When I was about 12 years old, I accidentally hit a little kid in the forehead with a baseball bat while I was "in the hole" at one of my softball games. I still think about the sound to this day and cringe. (The little kid was okay by the way)

9. My birthday seems to have some weird curse. There have been too many crazy/bad things that happen around my birthday. A tornado, a concussion, a 7 day power outage. To name a few. 

10. I didn't have braces until I was 26

11. My first job I worked at a gym 

12. I used to have a thing for boys in bands

13. But moved on to BMX riders (the best decision)

14. Speaking of bands, I was a total groupie in high school. I've been to 100+ concerts. Mostly pop punk. 14 of those were New Found Glory

15. I'm addicted to two things for sure, popcorn, and twirling my hair.

16.  I own a lot of books I've never read

17. I used to paint. (The Notebook style) I still wish to paint again some day

18.  I'd choose vodka over beer or wine any night

19.  When Chuck and I visited Burlington Vermont 2 years ago, we sat on a swing overlooking Lake Champlain and decided, since we didn't go away to college, our children would go to University of Vermont and start a life there. So that we could have roots there and their life could be magical. We were dreaming before we even met Lola!

20. I'm not much of a "sweets" person. I like salty. Give me a bag of Fritos or Cheetos and it's over.  

21.  I'm not a picky eater at all. There isn't anything I won't eat.

22. Halloween is my favorite holiday

23. In elementary school, my friends and I all owned the same orange jacket, and we were literally called the Orange Coat Gang. Even the other elementary schools in the area had heard of us.

24. In high school, my friends, Laura, Ally, Melissa and I called ourselves The SLAM. Because our initials spelled SLAM.

25. Watercolor pencils are my favorite thing to make art with

26. I'm a pop punk fan all the way, even though I listen to almost all music

27.  I've known my whole life that being a mom is all I wanted

28. I'm a total TV Show junkie. My favorites include The O.C., Scrubs, Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, Greys Anatomy, Scandal, New Girl, and Parenthood.

29. My dream job would be to create soundtracks to movies

30.  My middle name is Michael. I am named after my dad who's first name is Michael. And both my older brothers middle names are Michael. So, my name for 27 years was Shannon Michael Myers.  

 

Nine Months

Age: 9 months

Height: 25.5" (82 percentile)

Weight: 22 lbs 13.5 ounces (96 percentile!!!! Our big, healthy girl)

Clothing size: mostly 12-18 month. She's still fitting into most of her 6-12 month onesies, but footie pajamas just aren't long enough anymore

Diaper size:  4! I can't believe it

Eating: We still try to do 5 bottles 6 ounces each throughout the day, but many times she will skip a bottle  in the afternoon and get an 8 ounce bottle before bed. She's eating 3 meals a day now of solids. She's decided she's pretty much over purees, so mama's done making baby food. She does so great picking up food, and chewing. She's got 3 teeth and 2 more on the way. Doc gave us the go ahead for all foods except honey, and we've been having fun getting messy! She had rigatoni with marinara and homemade meatballs this past weekend and went nuts. Her favorite foods are definitely cheerios, watermelon, peas, blueberries, and waffles. She shovels them in.

Sleeping: She pretty much naps like clockwork 9-10/10:30am every day, and then goes down again at about 1:30/2:00 for about 1.5/2 hours. Bedtime is 7:30ish and she sleeps til about 6:30am, SOMETIMES we can get her to sleep in til 7. She's such a great sleeper. I can't remember the last time she woke up in the middle of the night.

Favorite toys: She still really likes her little play kitchen. She is moving all over the place now in her walker and laughs hysterically if you run away from her like she's chasing you. She chews on these adorable blocks all day long and likes knocking them over when you stack them high for her. She loves under dogs in her outside swing. Really though, you can hand her anything and she will either chew on it, or play with it. Her toothbrush, comb, lotion bottles, wipe dispenser, and straps on her stroller are pretty high up on her favorites list, too.

Loves: Waving "hi". She waves at everybody and everything. Its the cutest thing in the world. Pulling herself up and climbing on EVERYTHING. She is a busy girl lately. She still absolutely adores her dad and smiles every single time she sees him. Eating finger foods, holding her bottles, and blowing raspberries on the back of her knees makes her belly laugh like theres no tomorrow.

I convince myself each month that THIS is the best age. But it honestly just keeps getting better and better. Poor peanut has been teething for a few weeks, and has been a little whiney when we don't just let her stand ALL day long. We've got 4 teeth all coming in at once, so hopefully they hurry it up. Nine months old doesn't even seem possible to me right now. Whats even worse, is that I know the next 3 months will fly and we will have a 1 year old and I just close my eyes and remember her in my belly thinking "I can't wait to meet you". Lola is learning things in the blink of an eye. She reaches an inch further every day to crawling, and I can't even believe it when I see her pull herself up. 

Lola, I didn't even know a piece of me was missing until I met you. You make life the most complete it has ever felt. Mommy and daddy have really big dreams for you.

Fourth of July Style

 I don't know about you guys, but I can't even believe how close we are to Fourth of July. Wasn't it just June 1st yesterday? Summer goes by way too fast around here. You know me, always preparing for something festive. And having a baby girl to "decorate" never disappoints.I have always been a sucker for any holiday, and so far every holiday with a child is far better. I'm dreaming about Lola being excited enough to suck on a bomb pop on the front steps of my parents house, in her wet bathing suit and grass stuck all over her feet. The best summer memories!
 It's no secret we love our Old Navy and Gap around here. And right now everything is 40% off, so hurry and get your goodies for the Fourth!
Here's some of the cutest things I've rounded up that we have our cart hearts full of!

Striped Bow  // Gold Glitter Bag // Sunglasses // 
Eyelet Dress // Gold Sandals //  Gingham Suit //  Bomb Pop Leggings

Hope everyone has a hot fourth of July filled with popsicles, swimming, fireworks, and love.

Happiest Father's Day in the LAND!

Originally this post was titled "Father's Day Weekend" But after last nights AMAZING victory here in Cleveland, we're all kinds of cheery today. If you're not from Cleveland, you wouldn't understand. Last night, our city made history!  Whats even more amazing is to see the city come alive, together. We're a small city. Known for being small and having nothing and never winning.

I've never been so proud to be born and raised wine & gold!

THE DROUGHT IS OVER

2016 NBA CHAMPIONS!

 

So the original reason for this post. Father's Day. 

We spent the morning at breakfast with Chucks dad. Who just adores Lola and is such a wonderful grandpa.

We spent the afternoon swimming and cooking out at my parents, celebrating my dad. Who happens to be one of those die hard Cleveland fans, never missing a game! For anyone who knows my dad, knows that he's the closest thing to Clark Griswold that you'll find. But the love he has for his family is so much more then his ability to decorate a house at Christmas and randomly call for all 3 of his kids when he can't decide which one. There are SO many things that are so special to me because of him. Christmas decorations, teaching my daughter how to Set, Goalpost, Step, Throw, always having a clean car, $1 coins, diggities, tractor rides, root beer floats, never running out of ammunition, and always knowing when a storm is coming. But above all, he NEVER misses a single important thing in his kids and grandkids lives and cheers louder then anyone else. For that, I could never thank him enough. I love you so much, dad. And I don't say it nearly enough.

 

 

 And then there's Chuck. His FIRST Father's Day. I could sit here all day and tell you what an amazing dad he is to Lola. But HER FACE when she sees him and plays with him, says it all. She has been a daddys girl from the start. She spent the first 2-3 hours of her life with him and him only, while I was recovering. There is nothing in this world that has given me the feeling I get seeing my husband be a dad. Its a whole different kind of love. One only those who feel it know. Lola and I are so lucky to have him on this adventure. Making every second special and worth it.

 

I should also mention what an awesome Uncle her is to my nieces and nephews who just adore their Uncle Chuck

Happy Father's Day to all the special dads out there. Dads, Step-Dads, Father-In Laws, Papa's, Great-Grandpas, Angel Dads. Hope you had a great weekend filled with as much joy as we had.

Fathers Day Gift Guide

Maybe it's just my husband, but it's usually pretty hard to round up gifts to buy him. Mostly because he already has everything. Now I gotta add Fathers Day to the list of gifts I don't even know where to start. This year, I asked him straight up what he wanted. No hesitation, a Lamzac. He's always been the outdoors obsessed. We own every piece of camping equipment you can think of! Three camping hammocks, and now a Lamzac. He's been saving his REI points for a tenstile (cause I'm not paying for that one!).

When I asked him what some other gift ideas would be good for my blog, his answer was way too inappropriate, and when I told him to be serious, he said "that IS what dads want". 
My hubby, the gentleman.

So I rounded up some gift ideas for things I've used in the past that he likes, and a few new ideas for your special daddy's in your life.

Dollar Shave Club // Fathers Day Key Chain // MeUndies // S'Well bottle // 

Camp Brand Goods T-Shirt // Open Me // Lamzac

We've been using The Dollar Shave Club for years, and it's so convenient (and cheap!). Razors are so expensive at the store. The best thing is, they email you when your subscription is getting ready to ship, and you can add in some shaving ream, or lotion, or extra blades if needed. Very worth it! 

This keychain is made by my friend from highschool who has a special relationship with her dad. I thought it was such a cute idea for a simple gift that dads would love. Check out her Etsy shop for more awesome jewelry.

I know I've already stressed this, but these MeUndies are just the best, ever. My husband and I both have a subscription for their undies of the month, and we throw away an old pair each time a new one comes. We LOVE them. And if you sign up with this link, you'll receive 20% off your first order!

We originally found the S'well bottle about 2.5 years ago on our New England road trip at a little store in  Camden, Maine called Once A Tree. Everything in the store was either made of wood, or looked like wood grain. My husband bought this bottle and used it every day for probably a year straight. Until I bought him another one. These bottles are popping up all over the place, and in ever color you can think of.

Camp Brand Goods has the softest, comfiest shirts and sweatshirts. I'm not embarrassed to say I own many. And buy Chuck a new one often. At first, he was like "blah blah, you're so trendy with your Camp Brand Goods" but he wears his t-shirts ALL THE TIME, because they're so comfy. Lola now owns her own long sleeve shirt.

We got this Open Me one when we first bought our house, and I originally wanted to mount it on our island. But Chuck said he didn't want to drill into it, and we mounted it on a tree in the backyard by our hammocks instead. What dad doesn't love cracking open a cold one after the tots are in bed?

And again, the Lamzac. Which I'll let you know how much he/we enjoy it.

As far as a gift for my dad, he's TOO easy. Home Depot is his Heaven, and so are hot dogs, tshirts, guns & ammo, and anything related to his grand kids! I really don't know if he reads this. But we found this awesome tshirt on Etsy and can't wait to give it to him!

Kick back, dads, and enjoy your Father's Day weekend. 

You all work hard and deserve it.

I know this one sure does!

Homemade Baby Food

Making our own baby food, was something I knew I wanted to do, or at least try to do once we became pregnant. Back then, I didn't know much about it, and even 4 months into making it, I'm still learning. But I wanted to share how easy it really is, and how much Lola is obsessed with eating it.

First up, in making this process the easiest ever, The Baby Brezza. 

I cannot stress enough how amazing this thing is. It is worth it's weight in gold in the baby food making world. 

So right now, Lola gets two meals a day, and usually one or two snacks. Meals consist of one pureed food and one finger food. Snacks are just a quick finger food. And we can't give the purees fast enough. She is always grabbing the spoon away. And she shovels finger foods in. Yesterday she choked on the teeniest piece of soft banana. 

Heart attack.

Making homemade baby food with the Baby Brezza is so easy that I don't designate one day to making a whole bunch. I make one food every 2-3 days. Usually on a week night. Because it's seriously as easy as chop, press a button, and freeze. Let me explain…

Chop.

Fill up tank with water, Fill up cup with chopped food.

Press appropriate Steam & Blend button & Time

(book comes with steam times for specific produce & meats)

Dinner is served

Freeze in ice cube trays and pull out of freezer as needed

We started solids at 4.5 months, and I honestly didn't think I would make it this long making her food. I bought some Plum food pouches about a month ago and we haven't used them yet. Our girl LOVES to eat, and she hasn't found a food she doesn't love. Though she wasn't quite sure about yogurt at first, but I just had to coax her a little with a bite of waffle first.

We're transitioning mostly into finger foods, and I'm excited terrified. She's still only got her two bottom teeth, and really does seem to "chew" everything, but just can't eat it all fast enough. Stay tuned for finger food meals, I'm sure sooner rather than later.

Surviving a Summer Pregnancy

So I got pregnant sometime in Mid-January of 2015, found out end of January (I was about 4 weeks) and then my morning sickness came crashing into me like a load of bricks when I was around 6 weeks, and lasted until I was 16 weeks. So for 10 weeks (in Northeast Ohio) it was brutally cold, and I was deathly ill. And I have to say, that was the hardest part of my pregnancy for sure. But then came second and third trimester, and the summer heat. So since we're heading into the summer full force,  I wanted to share with you a few items that kept me from melting during the hot hot months with a big belly.

Maternity Leggings 

These were my all time favorite leggings to wear during pregnancy. Cause lets face it, pants just don't happen anymore (even now 8 months post partum)

Shower gel 

Specifically this Iced Mint Lemonade shower gel. Every morning it just woke me up and cooled me off in the shower. I think it's been discontinued, but the margarita scent is just as good.

Body Pillow

When there is just no way to get comfortable anymore, this thing saved my back. It was so nice to have just one pillow that maneuvered to slip under my belly, between my legs, and support my back

Maxi Dresses 

I'd say around June, I was no longer wearing pants. It was leggings or dresses only. These are the best maxi maternity dresses ever, and very affordable. I wish I could wear them this summer!

Hydro Flask 

Even if you aren't pregnant, this thing is a must. I have never had cold water like this thing holds. Fill it up with ice and water and it will honestly stay ICE COLD for 3 days straight. It blows my mind. And you can never have enough water while pregnant.

Yes-To Face Wipes 

For all those nights you.just.can't. make it to the bathroom 2 feet away to wash your face. I fell asleep basically in my dinner plate every night from exhaustion, and these are a lifesaver. I still use them all the time. Even in the morning to just "freshen up" quick if I don't have time to take a shower.

Coconut Oil 

I had a mild case of PUPPP during pregnancy. My legs were bumpy and at times itchy, and coconut oil was the only moisturizer I could use to help. And in the dead heat of the summer, I smelled amazing and didn't feel all greasy after it soaked in

Girlfriends Guide To Pregnancy 

This book is light hearted and at times, hilarious. Its a must, to grab your Hydro Flask and sit on the deck, or in the hammock, and read this all afternoon in the sun.

HAPPY SUMMER, FRIENDS!