The Daybook

mama's boy

2012-01-27T08:20:00.001-07:00

Excuse my absence yesterday. I spent it in bed with my little man, reading books and talking. Absolutely nothing got done and it was marvelous.
Anywhoo.
We're noticing a little shift around here in this little guy's personality. Since he was born, Everett hasn't really ever shown a preference for who's holding him. When fed and comfy, he's cuddled us equally and smiled at us both whenever the mood happens to strike. Then this week happened {week 12}, and suddenly he's starting to show a bit more preference for mama. {By way of his tremendous vocal chords, which have officially made their presence known. Welcome, you piercing things you} And it's a strange feeling. On one hand, it's a little sad because Tys loves holding his little boy more than anything {plus he's amazing with him on a level that I wasn't expecting at all}. On the other hand, it is crazy rewarding that this little tiny person who has stolen my heart wants ME. He's fed and changed and warm but he's still crying because he wants to be with me and look at my face and hear my voice. And try as I might, I can't describe with words how incredible that makes me feel. But it does put this uncomfortable little lump in my throat that threatens to simultaneously push wet stuff out of my eyes.
Will I ever not be one big ball of mush?

last friday night {hey katy perry}

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

For date night, Tys surprised me with a little picnic in Everett's room. Complete with a favorite old school game, bubbly, a love note, and a few ridiculous chick flicks. It was, in a word: sweet.

Also, Gosling and McAdams were there.

{Which reminds me ... you guys remember this moment? Still leaves me feeling all giggly on the inside}

it looked different in my head

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes: Target, Dress: Thrifted, Denim: AE, Blazer: Thrifted, Belt: JCrew
OK. It's time for this sista to get a full length mirror. Because this is horrible.

Also, when you ask your husband if an outfit works, and he says um. gooooooooood .... with kind of a vocal question mark at the end ... it doesn't look good.

if you've ever wondered what I'd look like with wild and bushy chest hair ...

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Boots: Vince Camuto, Pants: Target, Coat: Zara, Belt: JCrew, Faux fur: F21, Watch: Gift, Hat: Walmart

... now you know.

Today, Everett and I are goin' to the library together to get our read on. Hope your Monday rocks too!

a little announcement

2012-01-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce that I'll be writing a little weekly style column over on the Washingtonian Shop Around Blog! Click HERE to read more {and to find out where to send your style questions!}

five

2012-01-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

one :: the little face that lights up my whole world

two :: a toasty tuna sandwich lunch in my sweats

three :: the pretty white dishes that have replaced my old mismatched ones

four :: a slouchy orange top

five :: the best little book from my lovely friends at Ruche

Have a happy weekend!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

2012-01-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

Shoes: Nine West Martina, Skirt: F21, Top: c/o Chicwish Necklace: Kohls, Jacket: c/o Hatch Collection, Lipstick: NARS Heatwave

Awkward:
- Going to the gym with a friend who knows her way around the equipment, when I definitely do not. WHY WON'T IT PULL DOWN? Oh because you're backwards Syd... again. And the front desk staff laughs.
- Stretching my body to max capacity at a stoplight, trying desperately to stay buckled, with one eye on the light while retrieving a pacifier for a sad Mister Everett that has somehow fallen again into the dark recesses of the binky-eating abyss that is my back seat.
- Slip-sliding my car over a fresh dirty diaper in the Babies R Us parking lot. While I do understand the abomination that is a dirty diaper remaining in your car ... the parking lot people?
- That moment when another driver dangerously comes into your lane without checking his blind spot and your motherly instinct rants and rages at the man, "Don't you know there's a baby in this car?! Look at me you turd! I'm shaking my fist at you and shooting fire with my eyes!" But he doesn't look. Doesn't even give you the satisfaction of noticing what he did. And you're left sitting there talking to yourself.
- A post-baby bladder that does NOT mess around. Definately TMI, but it's not called awkward for nothin' people.

Awesome:
- Coming into the room in the morning and being met with a smiling baby face. He knows me!
- Running to the grocery store for some baby Orajel ... looking like a hot mess {that's an understatement} and actually not running into anyone I know. This. Does. Not. Happen.
- POM Wonderful. Best grocery store impulse buy I've ever had
- The way Tys lights up and kisses me and sings my praises when what I made for dinner really hits the spot. This should give you a clue as to how often my dinners actually do that.
- The microscopic fuzz on the top of Everett's bald head that I can spike with baby lotion. Also, I'm pretty sure when he actually DOES have hair ... it's not getting cut for a very. long. time.
- Everett's face and cherry flavored Orajel. That is NOT milk mama!
- And congrats Baked and Wired, you have officially created the best cup of hot chocolate in the world!

mama beauty

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Getting ready these days sometimes means throwing on a favorite sweatshirt and brushing my teeth. Other days, it means putting on a little lipstick and a pretty top. Motherhood can be a strange personal transformation. Sometimes I feel like a complete baggy-eyed zombie and other times I feel unexpectedly more feminine and womanly than I ever have before. Right now, these few items are my favorite for taking five minutes during nap time to embrace motherhood and the rest of life with my best foot forward.

one:: L'Occitane pure shea butter:: I swear by this stuff. During my pregnancy I used it every day to prevent itchiness and stretch marks and now continue to use it every night on my dry winter lips.

two:: Chanel Chance:: Tys got this for me two Christmases ago. It's my absolute favorite {so I try to use it sparingly} and smells amazing

three:: Revlon Grow Luscious mascara:: really great for making my barely there lashes look thick

four:: Dream Mouse Blush:: love this stuff cause it creates such a light peachy sheen

five:: Sephora highlighter:: for the top of my non-existent cheekbones

six:: Bare Minerals foundation and brush:: good for your skin, looks natural, takes two seconds to put on

seven:: Korres Lip Butter in jasmine:: for non-lipstick days; super moisturizing and just the right pink tint

eight:: Nars Heat Wave:: this is my absolute favorite lipstick. I consider it to be even better than my old go-to MAC Ruby Woo, which is saying something.

three years old

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Boots:Vince Camuto, Skirt: Banana Republic, Top: c/o Frock Candy, Belt: JCrew, Necklace: c/o Winsdor, Lipstick: Maybelline Fuchsia Fever

Tys and I have the opportunity to teach the three-year-old's in church on Sunday. And yesterday was our first real go at it. "Oh what a breeze it will be! No sweat." said we. And that's when the three-year-old's laughed.

Here's what we learned:
- 4 three-year-olds feels like 40 three-year-olds.
- When one announces that they have to go to the bathroom, suddenly everyone has to go.
- Why walk down the hall with your arms folded, when you can RUN!? And even better, HIDE!
- The 15 minute activity planned to draw pictures of our bodies in actuality, lasts about 5 seconds.
- Three-year-olds still need all of your attention, even when your two-month-old rears back and cracks his head on the wall.
- 1 round of the ABC's is not enough; 6 rounds of the ABC's is not enough
- Three-year-olds say the most adorable things.
- They like sitting on your lap.
- And can produce the most expert drawings of spiky hair.

Friday Giveaway!

2012-01-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Heyo!! Today you have a chance to win a $50 gift card from Frock Candy! They're one of my faves. I just got this little polka dot number, and I can't wait to wear it!

To Enter:
Step 1: Like Frock Candy on facebook.
Step 2: For your first entry, update your facebook status with 'I <3 @Frock Candy' - tagging Frock Candy in your post.
Step 3: For your second entry, follow Frock Candy on Pinterest. {really great inspiration goin' on over there, in case you were wondering}

Good luck!!

one minute and twenty-four seconds of what my mornings look like right now

2012-01-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Weekend!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes: Nine West Martina, Dress: c/o Hatch Collection, Blazer: F21, Belt: JCrew, Lipstick: NARS Heatwave

Awkward:
-Trying to have a conversation with my doctor as I sit pants-less on the patient table, feeding a slightly fussy baby and failing to maintain any form of decency as my ridiculously small toilet paper sheath slides slowwwwly off my lap. I'm having a marvelous time doctor, really I am. Let's keep talking.
- Tys requesting that I grab E's binky from the counter for him. So I do. Only to bring it back and proceed to try and stick it in his mouth. TYSON'S mouth people! Actually wondering for two seconds why he wasn't taking it ... until I noticed him looking up at me with his lips clamped shut like, "alright, well it was nice knowing you when you were normal". And that, my friends, is how you know it's nap time.
- That moment when your sweet Everett lets one rip like the man-babe that he is. And you think to yourself, "There is NO WAY that just came from that tiny child", only to look around the room and realize that everyone is thinking the exact same thing.
- What they don't tell you about after birth: First, there's those really fab undies that you get to wear. And just in case you haven't had this particular delight in your life yet, just picture a large, highly stretchable, mesh {mesh!} diaper. If that's not enough of a visual for you, there's of course the matronly nursing bra, some truly artistic bedhead and numb epi noodle legs that require you to be whisked off to the bathroom in aforementioned attire, on a miniature chariot. Basically, it's your shining moment.
- Reaching up to turn off the baby monitor like it's an alarm. Shortly followed by a, "get it together man!" pep talk in the bathroom mirror.

Awesome:
- I mean, he kind of said it all.
- The older woman who came up to me in the store, convinced that we had been friends years ago. I tried to tell her that I would have been 7 at the time, but she wasn't having any of it.
- The fact that I spent literally all day running four errands {not the awesome part} and my little buddy Everett was a gem the whole time. Back seat diaper changes and not a single pee incident. MAJOR.
- Yes, our Christmas tree is STILL up. We're having a hard time parting from the glow
- Getting to teach the three year olds in church together.
- Mamas who have pretty painted nails. WHEN guys? Tell me whennnnnn
- My one true love and my little love ... doing anything together. Does fatherhood look good on that guy? YES. That's a big yes.

family pictures that we took at the cabin

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

miss them

read

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Boots: Target, Pants: Current/Elliot, Top: YesStyle, Hat: Urban Outfitters, Lipstick: NARS Heatwave

We've been doing a lot of reading lately {impressively sticking with new year's resolutions all the way through early January!}. Sometimes we'll read aloud to Everett, which doesn't get us very far considering we stop periodically to coo at him all gooey like and tell him the meaning of certain words. To which he responds with a binky wiggle and a hiccup. Code for "Wow. Your mouth looks huge from this angle". Or sometimes we'll just read quietly to ourselves, which doesn't get us very far either considering both of us will indefinitely laugh at certain parts in our books, only to have the other say "what?". This followed by a sharing of the "funny" excerpt, usually met with an anti-climactic "oh" from the other. We have different senses of humor. {Read: my book is funnier than his.}
Either way, it's been nice. A bed doesn't get much cozier than when it has two books and a baby in it. And sometimes two very large bowls of cheerios.

5 reasons why I'm awesome: by Everett

2012-01-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

1. I've mastered the art of the eyebrows. Which for the record, typically signals an impending desire to pee on your clothes.
2. My bodily functions elicit proud cheers and 'good jobs!' from mom, so I try to show off when I can. Serious meetings and silent but crowded waiting rooms being my current specialty.
3. My cheeks are pre-tty popular with the ladies right now.
4. Apparently infant baldness runs in the family. But I don't mind. I have the eyebrows, remember?
5. Also, double chins enhance my look. Enhance, people.

new years at the cabin

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

This year for New Years Eve we went down to Laurel Springs, NC and stayed with my family at this charming cabin. I hate to admit it, but it may or may not have made me re-think my city-girl-at-heart ways.

There was hot chocolate and whipped cream by the fire

and naps

We drove into town and explored musty used book stores. Where husband read me his favorite Edgar Allan Poe poem. Wait ... he did what?

Then we went to the movies at a rusty old theater that still had some small remains of Christmas cheer.

My little brother went around with my camera taking extra flattering close-up shots of the family

And I experienced reading a book with TWO hands. Oh, the luxury of turning the page with that other hand!

Also, my sisters are no longer lipstick virgins. NARS Heat Wave and I took care of that.

My sister and her husband attempted the Tina Fey look

And also the cute look. Which they've mastered. Obviously.

My mom perfected her grandma skills

and we went on walks in the middle of nowhere wonderfulness

My other sister, the rugby champion of the world, taught us how to play the game. And throw that particularly large rugby ball.

which of course I proceeded to do awkwardly

We had a lot of bacon

and spent time sitting in the front porch rocking chairs because it was 50 DEGREES and sunny.

Also. There were new year's kisses at midnight.

Now. Who wants to sell me a cabin?

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P.S. Awkward and Awesome Thursday will finally be returning next week. Shocker, I know.

lipstick for a cause

2012-01-04T18:02:00.001-07:00

*this is not a sponsored post. I just think these guys are awesome.

As you probably know by now ... I have a thing for lipstick. Any kind. The drug store stuff and the fancy-shmancy stuff. So when I heard about a lipstick that's backed by a cause other than looking beau-tee-ful, I wanted to tell ya about it! Radiant Cosmetics is built around a vision to end human trafficking through raising awareness as well as funds, with a percentage of profits going directly to an incredible anti-trafficking organization.

Pretty cool. So all you lipstick lovers and you in-the-closet lipstick lovers too. Here's an excuse to get yourself a bright new bold shade. {so far, this moisturizing lipstick is awesome}

Wednesday Giveaway!

2012-01-04T12:29:00.001-07:00

Today, you have a chance to win a $50 gift card to one of our lovely sponsors Windsor, good toward anything in the store! I practically live in this Windsor sweater. And it's long - truly excellent for wrapping up baby in our own little cocoon.
To enter, leave a comment below telling me which item{s} you'd spend your gift card on. For an extra entry, follow Windsor on Twitter and tell me about it! Good luck!

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Are you a giveaway winner?

Let's Talk Trunk Giveaway: click HERE

Stephen's Giveaway: click HERE

ElleMNOP Giveaway: click HERE

everett smiles

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Everett smiled for the first time on Christmas Day. {I swear, this kid's timing ... }Then at the cabin where we stayed for New Year's Eve, we had a little moment during a diaper change by the fireplace and finally caught it on camera. It's amazing the octaves my voice can reach just to get one more grin out of him.

the new year's resolutions I thought about at 5am

2012-01-02T15:12:00.001-07:00

Sometimes 4 or 5 AM feedings are good for catching up on twitter. Sometimes they're good for resting your tired eyes until you violently head bob and remember what you're doing. And sometimes they're good for thinking. The morning of my birthday I woke up {as usual} to a sweet and hungry babe, a diaper change and a groggy husband who I'm pretty sure said "happy birthday Syd" in his sleep. It didn't feel like my birthday {a scavenger hunt and candle topped blackberry/raspberry pie helped remedy that in a hurry}, but I did feel older. In a good way. Ready to start the new year. For some crazy reason I feel like 2012 is the year for big and exciting things. Regardless of the fact that I have a very new baby. Or maybe because I have a new baby. My outlook has changed. My resolve has become stronger. And maybe if it wasn't for those quiet early morning moments, I wouldn't have taken the time to even realize it. I'm looking forward to this year, because it's the first one that I won't be living entirely for myself. This new kid in town is helping me to be better, maybe a little wiser, and develop greater capacity for love and patience. Anyway. That got kind of serious. Point is ... here's to 2012 and kicking some resolution booty.

Resolutions 2012:
Be Strong: work out 3-5 mornings a week & be ready for the mud run in April
Be Healthy: just dang domesticate yourself and become a connoisseur of quick and healthy meals. Remember to eat healthy snacks between meals.
Be Smart: read five books, start to finish. Write actual letters. And embrace new opportunities. They'll help you grow.
Be Happy: remember to be grateful, date Tyson regularly, take time to greet him when he comes home, treasure the small things, thoroughly enjoy your first year as a mom. A mom!
Be Wise: devote more time daily to spiritual development
Be Motivated: shower and get dressed. Stuff actually gets done when you do.
Be Organized: organize your day/week into designated segments and make Excel your very best friend

getaway

2011-12-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

Boots: Vince Camuto, Pants: Target, Button-up: F21, Sweater: H&M, Belt: JCrew, Watch: Gift, Lipstick: Nars Heat Wave

We're about to venture on our first road trip with baby today. I would be nervous, but Everett still considers car rides to be his favorite form of massage therapy, so I think we're good. We're headed down to a cabin in North Carolina to stay with my family for New Year's Eve {which also happens to be my birthday. New Year's Eve and 4th of July babies have got the whole 'celebration' thing in the bag} and we can't wait! We hear a roaring fire and incredible views are on the menu.

Have an amazing weekend! And happy new year!! I'll pop back in this weekend with a few new year's resolutions. I'm planning on 2012 to really kick some booty.

christmas week

2011-12-29T11:25:00.001-07:00

We had a whirlwind of a Christmas this year. Both of our families came to stay with us, and I can honestly it was the funnest, craziest Christmas we've ever had. {So good, I completely forgot to break out my camera for most of it! Boo.} We played games late in to the night while we munched on cookies, toured around our beautiful capital, ate some ridiculously delicious Christmas dinner, watched our nephew's eyes light up after Santa came on Christmas morning, and laughed harder than we have in a while. We miss everyone so much ... I can't believe my favorite day has come and gone already.

Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

Monday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-12-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Favorite new blog alert! The four gorgeous ladies { Emily, Torie, Casey and Lindsey} behind Let's Talk Trunk are here to talk about your wardrobe: what's inside, what you need, how can you maximize, and how they can help you get inspired. Kind of the one stop shopping of blogs, you know what I mean?
These ladies are giving one blogger/shop owner/person who's awesome FREE ad space for three months + a giveaway all to themselves! Woohoo! To enter, visit Let's Talk Trunk and click follow! You'll want to .... they host giveaways that look like THIS. Gorg.

Good luck! And happy Monday!

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WINNER:

Congrats Devin! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

christmas came early

2011-12-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

When I put this chair on my wish list this year ... it was pretty much hypothetical. We all knew it. Firmly planted in the "in your rocking chair dreams, pal" category. Where it was going to stay. Forever. Boxes of diapers with big, fat, red bows on them is what this mama needed under her tree. Then yesterday while I was getting ready, Tys came into the bathroom with the video camera on, looking suspicious {you can't not look suspicious when you're holding the video camera} and told me to open the door to Everett's room on the count of three. So I did. I threw open that door. And stuff suddenly got real mushy and high-pitched.

{a mushy and high-pitched screen shot}

He got me the chair. THE. CHAIR. And it was so beautiful. Then he brought me my baby so we could give our new body-hugging dream machine a test drive.

This morning I woke up at 4 am and waited for baby to wake up. {I'm awake, waiting for HIM to wake up? ... OK weirdo} Once he did a few minutes later, I turned on the night light, brought our blankets over to the chair and rocked Everett straight back to heaven. It was quiet. And cozy. And made me love 4 am like I never thought was possible.

I love that man more than anything. Really knows how to sweep me off my feet sometimes.

christmas card 2011

2011-12-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Tyson's family is coming in today and my family will be here on Saturday! Oh happy day, it's really here!!

look-a-like

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

OK. Tyson wins.

Tuesday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-12-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

YOU GUYS. It's Stephen's.

I know this isn't your TYPICAL Daybook giveaway, but as you may well know I'm kind of obsessed with hot chocolate. Large amounts of it, maybe every day with breakfast, maybe even in the middle of summer. So you know I have to do this. And with Christmas five days away what could be better than 22 flavors of hot chocolate just waiting for your tastebuds? I'll tell you. NOTHING. So here we go ...

My favorite, Stephen's Hot Chocolate, is giving one lucky reader their choice of 12 {TWELVE!} 1 lb cans. That's hot chocolate for three years people. To enter, visit their Facebook page, like, and tell em I sent ya.
P.S. What's your favorite flavor? Mine's cinnamon.

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WINNER:

Congrats Ally! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

washingtonian feature

2011-12-20T09:48:00.001-07:00

I met with a lovely writer {hi Laura!} downtown at Yola this past weekend for a little interview. I was so thrilled to be invited to be a part of this great magazine. Thanks Washingtonian!! You can read the entire article HERE.
{Also, to read about 10 Washington bloggers to watch in 2012, click HERE.}

boys

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes: YesStyle, Jeans: UO, Top: c/o Ruche, Vest: F21, Lipstick: M.A.C. Ruby Woo

You know what's the best? Catching your husband softly singing lullabies to your baby. You know what's even better? That his lullabies were actually songs about Davie Crockett and Daniel Boone. And Everett was completely riveted.

Oh, boys are so fantastic.

oh, christmas

2011-12-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Christmas trees, naked babies under Christmas trees, ridiculously large snowman-esque hats, every excuse to eat candy, one tiny stocking, Christmas lights, more Christmas lights, and hot chocolate every day.

You're kind of the best, Christmas.

Monday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Attention mamas and friends of mamas! I have something perfect for your holiday list! The lulu wrap from ElleMNOP!
We originally started out with a popular baby carrier - which worked fine, but we had no idea what we were missing out on until we tried on the Lulu wrap. {I say we because husband was the first to try it on - and wear it pretty much all the time. Cutie.} It distributes the babe's weight evenly over the body and carries up to 30 lbs. The thing is a stinking comfortable, stretchy piece of goodness! Plus it looks good. Which is why I'm SO excited that one lucky reader is gonna win $100 gift certificate to ElleMNOP! To enter, follow Elle's darling blog {which is also the best way to keep ya in the loop about the wraps} and leave a comment telling me who you'd use your $100 gift certificate on! You or another mama?
For an extra entry, like ElleMNOP on Facebook!

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WINNER:

Congrats Jana! Send me an email mama! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

10 things

2011-12-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Shoes: c/o Nine West, Skirt: Target, Top:c/o Shop Kempt, Blazer: H&M, Watch: Gift, Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo

1. We have officially moved into size one diapers. After I brought them home from the store, Tys excitedly told me "Quick, open em! I wanna see how big they are!" Oh diapers. They make us all tingly on the inside.
2. Please love that it's almost 50 degrees today. It's the middle of December. ARE you kidding me.
3. This morning I gave Ever his bath and got him dressed. I knew he was hungry since it had been longer than he normally goes without eating + he was getting fussy. But as soon as I picked him up, he got quiet and just looked at me. Really looked. And even though I know a baby's tummy typically trumps all, it felt like in that moment studying my face and listening to what I was saying was more important to him than eating. It was the best reward this tired mama could have ever gotten.
4. I finished my Christmas shopping yesterday!!
5. Also, I was reminded yesterday that both families will be coming to stay with us in about a week. Which means that I get to procrastinate folding the laundry for 6 more days. Booyah!
6. I could really use a dark chocolate intervention. Somebody? Anybody!?
7. Tys says two phrases exactly four times a day without consciously knowing it. Number one: "Man, I love our Christmas Tree" {which means, between the two of us Christmas junkies, it's definitely not coming down till Valentine's Day} and number 2: "Look at him. He is so awesome" {I love that he says "awesome" as opposed to my word choices ... like precious, or adorable. He's so crazy about his BOY.}
8. We're going to go look at Christmas lights with some friends tonight. Obviously, hot chocolate and donuts are going to be mandatory.
9. Just in case anyone was wondering, dress-up is not just for girls.
10. Happy weekend to you all!! Ours will most likely include watching Elf five times. And probably screaming "SANTAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!"

wish list 3

2011-12-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

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the megan nielsen collection

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I got together with these lovely ladies to shoot Megan Nielsen's Winter Collection. She's rather talented if you must know. Tania was of course, the gorgeous model. And a historic battlefield park served as the backdrop. It was an afternoon of muffins and girl talk, stunning winter sunlight and impressive, chilly quick-changes. Though Everett kinda ended up stealing the show with his kick-A sleeping and eating abilities. He does that. Pretty sure that babe's the reason why I get invited to anything cool these days.

Tuesday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-12-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Remember this purse guys? If you don't, then you're in for a shocker - cause it's my camera bag. Which currently holds my camera, all my equipment and now on special occasions ... binkies. Today, you have the chance to win one of your very own from THEIT!

THEIT is giving away The limited edition Bossi Bag in Gravel {shown above} to one lucky reader! To enter, follow THEIT on twitter and leave a comment below. For an extra entry, you can like them on Facebook.

Good luck!

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WINNER:

Lauren! Congrats! Send me an email: sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

at breakfast

2011-12-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

Pants: H&M, Top: Target, Sweater: c/o Windsor, Scarf: c/o Windsor {yes, it's the same orange one :)}

This morning we got up with baby at 6 as usual, fed him, and came downstairs to make some hot chocolate and eggs. Eventually there was music. Eventually there was dancing. So we brought the dancing into the living room to dance with baby. But there he was in his swing. Eyes open, tiny little middle finger facing firmly in our direction.
It's funny how gettin' the bird can be the most adorable thing in the world.

sponsor intro: color issue

2011-12-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hi loverlies. I have someone I'd like you to meet. Have you heard of the new blog Color Issue?! The creative mind behind it, Aarean Jergensen {who's a doll as you can see}, has created a site for all you "color enthusiasts" (as she likes to call it) & it's pretty dang darling.
Since its launch this last October, it's already gotten fantastic feedback. This lady knows how to blog it out RIGHT. From fashion and food, to DIY projects and great artsy finds--it is a colorful explosion of inspiration!

Go check it out peeps and be sure to take a peek at her fabulously colorful holiday giveaway!

Kiss Kiss ... have a splendid weekend!

wish list 2

2011-12-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

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yes, those are socks on his list. I am the sock bandit.

wish list 1

2011-12-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

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Link up if you want to share your Christmas list! Tyson's and Ever's coming soon!

grease

2011-12-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

Pants: c/o Windsor, Top: c/o Windsor, Blazer: Nordstrom, Glasses: Target, Earrings: c/o Windsor
{One of the looks I put together for Windsor using some of my holiday faves!}

I'm not sure what to say today. I could tell you about how Tys and I sat next to each other last night and had a very long conversation solely about Ever's delicious cheeks. Or how I'm going into the lactation consultant today and am ~~worried that they're going to judge me because I've tried 5 weeks on my own and am just now going in~~ really excited to maybe feel like I actually know what I'm doing. Or how I woke up to little fingers resting on my face this morning. But that's just boring mama stuff.

Instead I'll tell you that Tys refers to these pants as my Grease Lightning Pants. Pants that would make Sandra D's alter ego proud. Which I'm pretty sure wasn't a compliment. But that's OK. I just wagged my finger and sang him a little diddy about how he better shape up ... cause I need a man ...

He asked for it.

oh, nothing mom ...

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

... just yawning

Monday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-12-05T12:03:00.001-07:00

Today you have the opportunity to win $100 Gift Card towards anything at Lace Affair!! That's right. One hundred dollars people. Just THINK of the holiday cheer that could be spread here. To enter, visit Lace Affair and then tell me who you'd give the gift card to. Admit it - it's YOU.
For an extra entry, follow them on Twitter!
Good luck!

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WINNER:

Congrats Stephany! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

party people

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Dress: ASOS, Belt: Gap, Mary Janes: c/o Nine West

This is what I wore to Tys's company Christmas party last week. Did you hear that? Christmas Party. And I'm wearing short sleeves. Kisses for you, East Coast.

The party was held at the Air and Space museum, which was decked out with colorful lights and a dance floor and all sorts of ridiculous food - miniature lemon meringue pies, a milkshake bar, macaroons, dark chocolate truffles, and main dishes that I can't actually pronounce the name of. I mean ...

Needless to say it was a pretty successful first night out together without baby. The highlight being the jet simulator ride in which Tys preferred us upside down at all times and I shot down 9 planes. Keeping it ladylike, as always.

Everett Stone: A birth story

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

*photos in this post {except the ones above} were taken by our amazing Midwife/nurses. We didn't ask them to. But we'll never be able to thank them enough for just picking up our camera and documenting these first moments for us. Such an unexpected gift.

I went into early labor 9 days before Everett was born. The night the contractions started, we were at home with pizza and a funny movie. By the time the movie was over, my contractions had been painful and 5 minutes apart for over an hour. Because of the movie, I ended up laughing my way through them. Sounds nice. Not actually recommended. Ouch. I was only at the end of 35 weeks, so the sudden contractions came as a complete surprise. I had a feeling that he would come early, but I didn't think it was going to be THIS early. Regardless, we decided to head in to the birthing center to see what was going on just in case this was IT. I've never seen Tys move so quickly. The ultimate cliche daddy-to-be ... running all over the house, stumbling into his clothes, grabbing items for our hospital stay and stuffing them into a duffel bag while I tried to relax in the bathtub. Every few minutes he would run downstairs to check on me and kiss me and tell me how excited he was. Though we were both telling ourselves, "there is no WAY." Finally I got dressed and off we went to the Birthing Center.

We stayed there until 4am on the monitors. My contractions were indeed regular and intense, but I was only dilated 1 cm, so they sent us home. And thus the 9 days of labor began. Painful contractions, 5-7 minutes apart for that period of time can do a number on ya. There was not much sleeping, a lot of breathing, a lot of trying to relax and a lot of walking. Sometimes I would lay down, but when your body's working and shifting and contracting that hard, laying still seems like the worst kind of torture. It felt good to move my hips, so I spent my days on the birthing ball and {with the approval of my midwife} finding excuses to walk. Anywhere. Pacing my living room floor, at the grocery store where I would bend over my cart /my mom to breath during contractions or bundling up in sweats and walking the neighborhood at night. More than a few times, this is where I would cry under the street lamps and emphatically inform Tys that I could not do it anymore. That I was so tired. That I would give anything just to get this baby the heck out of me. That I was sure I was going to die by contractions. He held me and simply told me that he loved me and that I could do it. I told him he could have the next one.

My mom came up that week. She got me through. While Tys was at work, she made me tea and gave me back rubs and cooked me two steaks a day with lots of vegetables to help keep my iron levels up. Could not have done it without her emotional and physical support that week. Thank you mama. I love you.

Finally, it was time for my next midwife appointment. I was 36 weeks. By that time, I'd been laboring for a week and was about ready to punch someone if they told me I hadn't made any progress. Luckily, I had. 4 cm dilated and 90% effaced. I actually could have kissed the woman. That meant that as soon as my contractions got closer together, it was going to be baby time! It didn't seem real. 3 more days went by. I was 36 weeks and 5 days. It was the worst kind of waiting game. With no changes in sight, I pretty much resigned myself to be in that laboring state for the next 3 weeks. Until Saturday night, October 29th at 8pm when I went to the bathroom and discovered that birth was imminent. Not two minutes later, the contractions hit hard. 1-2 minutes apart and 4 minutes long. This was it! Hallelujah!

While Tys rushed around the house {again} gathering our last minute hospital items, I sat on my birthing ball, put my headphones in, listened to my hypnobirthing relaxation scripts and tried to get a handle on the pain. I had trained for this for months. I had real-life practice for 9 long days. I was desperate to meet my little boy. I was ready.

When we got to the Birthing Center, I was checked at 5 cm, 100% effaced and immediately admitted. Because Everett was coming 2 days prior to 37 weeks, as we got to our room they hooked me up to a wireless monitor to measure my contractions and a heart monitor for baby. I changed into my robe, turned on my music and tried to relax. I breathed. And sometimes made strange, loud noises that not even I recognized. Tys didn't leave my side. He whispered constant encouraging affirmations, let me squeeze his hand until I'm sure his fingers nearly fell off and filled my constant request for more Popsicles, more juice and more water.

It wasn't too long before I requested to get in the tub. That magical, blissful, gift-straight-from-heaven tub. I stayed there for most of my 13 hour labor. It was soothing. But the kind of soothing that's an ice pack for someone who's just had their arm chopped off. I can't really describe the pain I felt. It's one of those things you just have to experience. It was deep and powerful and consuming. It was this giant mountain in front of me - a mountain I was required to scale every 45 seconds. I had practiced my relaxation breath for months. And I had used it successfully for days during early labor. But I think that if Tys hadn't been there to remind me of that, I could have altogether forgotten. He kept me on track. He did my breathing with me. He spoke positive affirmations. And told me that he loved me more than anything for bringing this life into the world. That was really sweet. I told him to be quiet. And then to go away so I could be alone with the pain in the bathroom.

It had been 9 hours.

At that point it was 5am and I wanted to know how far along I'd progressed. I was so tired. And from the intensity of my labor, I knew for sure I was at a 9 or a 10. Our midwife checked me. "You're doing so good" she said, "but you're still at at 7"

I cried. Sobbed actually. And got back in the tub as I met another contraction. And then even more. Suddenly it felt like something broke. The weight of the last 9 days came crashing down on me. The pain, the physical and emotional exhaustion. I was suddenly outside myself. So overcome by the pain, it felt as if I wasn't part of the experience anymore. The contractions were coming so quickly now and so intensely, I no longer had time to catch my breath and delve into relaxation anymore. And the thought that I still had 3 cm to go completely consumed me.

I remember yelling out, "I don't want to do this anymore! I can't focus! I can't breath! I'm DONE" I felt like I wasn't present in the experience. And I wanted so desperately to be. I sobbed harder. And then I literally begged on my knees for an epidural.

No one ever tells you that actually getting the epidural might be worse than just enduring the rest of labor. The anesthesiologist came in and essentially said to me "Here, now bend your hugely pregnant body waaaaay over, touch your nose to your knees and hold completely still through five horrible contractions while I shoot a 6 inch needle up your back." But oh you know? It actually was worth it. Half hour later, I could feel the contractions, but I wasn't consumed with the pain. And I got to sleep. SLEEEEP!! For a whole hour. And it was completely blissful. My body became calm and rejuvenated. Another hour later I was at a 10 and ready to push. Pushing was incredible. I could feel it. I could feel my sweet baby moving down. And I had the energy and state of mind to do it with him. I pushed for two hours. It was exhausting. But he started to crown. Between two contractions, I reached down and rubbed his soft little head. And immediately we heard his heart speed up on the monitor. It was the most rejuvinating moment. Suddenly I had all the energy in the world. He was so close and I wanted to meet him. NOW.

Finally, in a strange combination of burning fire and rushing warmth, he was here. Tys received him and all I heard was "oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh"

Tys handed him to me and I was overwhelmed by the love I felt in that moment. I cried in pure bliss. This was him. This was the little person I had felt move and grow inside of me for the last 9 months. Who I had labored so long for. He was worth every second of the pain. He was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. And he was finally here. In my arms. Mine forever.

For the next two hours, I was not aware of much besides my little baby boy. I know that I finished the delivery and that the room bustled around us as the nurses cleaned up, but I really don't remember any of that. We were riveted by him. He didn't cry - just opened his eyes with this sweet little scrunchy face I'll never forget. Not 15 minutes after his birth, we were alone. The warm morning light leaked through the windows and I felt this peace settle around us. The three of us. Our little family. That moment shared together is too precious for words. But I don't think I've ever felt so much love in my life. I was sure my heart would burst.

My birth was everything I didn't know I wanted. I got to experience every side of labor. The side of "using relaxation and my birth breath" to get through 9 days and 9 hours, the side of "nevermind, my body's trying to kill me. I would rather yell really loudly right now, thank you", and the side of "ah. I'm back! I'm ME!! Bless you epi. I'm ready to meet my baby." It wasn't what I expected. It wasn't part of the "plan". Pretty sure I should stop making those actually. But it turns out, it was exactly what I wanted. What we wanted. {Lemme tell you, I think Tys might have actually been happier than I was when I decided to get the epidural.}
And of course, we had our happy ending - the little boy of my dreams. But then, it's not the end at all.

Tuesday Giveaway!

2011-11-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Today, you have a chance to win a $50 gift card to one of our lovely sponsors Windsor, good toward anything in the store! Psst - Windsor is where I got this leather jacket, but I might just add THIS to my Christmas list as well ... isn't it cozy??
To enter, leave a comment below telling me which item{s} you'd spend your gift card on. For an extra entry, like Windsor on Facebook and tell me about it! Good luck!

------------------------------------------------

WINNER:

Congrats Ciara! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

thanksgiving weekend

2011-11-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

It was the best having my siblings come stay with us for Thanksgiving. We spent the weekend touring museums, finding new favorites at We The Pizza, staying up late watching movies, devouring four whole pies, sleeping in, and eating Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast. And yes, three out of those six things have something to do with eating. We know where our priorities are.

P.S. We really really missed you Mom, Dad and Jilly! We'll make next year, THE year!

today I like monday

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes: c/o Blowfish, Jeans: UO, Top: Gap, Coat: YesStyle, Pin: c/o Much Love Illy

Oh Monday Monday. I used to hate you. Still do a little. Not a huge fan of Tys leaving for work at 7 - just so you know. But today I like you. Today, you are bringing me Christmas. A Christmas tree, lights and bulbs, three stockings and probably a new wreath to be exact. Our very first! That's right. This is the first year we're not traveling for Christmas, thus the first year we actually have time to enjoy tinsel, blinking lights, etc at home. And by george we're gonna bring it. I'm looking at you peppermint bark, A Very She & Him Christmas and itty-bitty Santa hat.

thankful

2011-11-25T09:31:00.001-07:00

via

Just wanted to pop in for a quick hello. Did you guys have a good Thanksgiving?? I hope so! Ours was wonderful. We spent it at home with a very large, delicious meal cooked mainly by my domestic sister. {I helped with the cranberries. Holla!} In our pajamas. On a Thanksgiving picnic blanket on our living room floor. Low-key doesn't even begin to cover it. And it was perfect.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. A wonderful family. A loving husband. The sweet and precious blessing it is to be Everett's mama. Our warm home. The blessing of the Gospel in our lives. And little things. Like the fact that it's 60 degrees today and we're going to spend it with family exploring our nation's capitol. Also hot chocolate. I'm thankful for that too.

Happy holidays to you all! And happy black friday shopping. And happy Christmas music listening. Let the season begin!!

the good. and the bad.

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Boots: Hunter, Jeggings: Target, Top: Gap, Leather Jacket: c/o Windsor Store

Right now, it's 6:00 on Tuesday night. I'm sitting here with a cup of tea while I feed my sweet baby. My favorite song is on. Tys will be home soon. And my siblings will be arriving for Thanksgiving week {hoorah!} in approximately five hours.

Also.

All three floors of my house have died and gone to you know where. My still undone laundry pile is literally a load of crap. And I took my freshly washed, fed and changed son to the doctors today only to discover the poor guy had soaked himself clean through by the time we got there. The nurse said to me, "oh. does he have anything CLEAN he could wear?" I am a mother scorned.

But hey. I actually smell decent. Like baby lotion. So we're gonna chalk this up as a good day.

becoming mom

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Shoes: Simply Vera Wang {Kohls}, Jeans: UO, Top: Gap, Poncho: c/o Koo De Ker

These past three weeks have been amazing and exhausting. Completely absorbed in delicious babyness - the cuddles, the loud grunts and high-pitched coos, the every hour or two feedings, the quiet awake time, the endless diapers, that fuzzy head, the way he listens so intently to Lisa Kelly and Myleene Klass, his naked bum and perfect triangle mouth. Most days my clothes smell of either milk, spit-up or pee. Or on really productive days - all three. I've become both a lightning fast diaper pro and his bodily functions' personal cheerleader, and if I manage to shower before Tys gets home, he exclaims "Woah! look at YOU!" Yes. I know. If I really feel like blowing his socks off, I have dinner made too. But I try not to get TOO carried away. That's happened ... mmm ... once.

It's a balancing act, this mommy thing is. I bow down to all of you miracle workers who have more than one. And you single mamas - double bows for you. I'm pretty sure the only reason I'm able to function on a relatively normal level is because of Tys. Somehow he knew how important "me time" was, even before I did. And he makes sure I take it while he gets his baby time. Whether that's a nap on the weekends in a quiet room all to myself, long nightly showers or a girls night out at the Cheesecake Factory.

Thank you my love, for not allowing me to become Momenstein. Fatherhood looks good on you handsome man.

happy almost birthday

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my due date.

But instead of being at the hospital, we're home with our three week old, dressing him in hats that are still much too big for him. Birth story of how we welcomed our little Everett Stone coming this week! But in the mean time, here's a little owl baby to help ring in your Monday. {Owl baby, and his big strong neck! Mama's so proud.}

Friday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-11-18T11:32:00.001-07:00

Today's giveaway is from one of our lovely sponsors, PRIVÉ! PRIVÉ features new sale events every day (for men and women) where a curated selection from each designer is available at up to 70% off retail. Personal favorites include Top Shop, Elizabeth and James, and Sass&Bide! Today they're offering one lucky reader a $75 giftcard!!
To enter:
- Sign up to be a member of PRIVÉ by clicking HERE (It’s free and you will have instant access to all of PRIVÉ’s exclusive sale events)!
- If you're already a member at PRIVÉ, please leave your name and PRIVÉ account email in the comment section of this post

This Giveaway is open to everyone! Winner announced next week. Good luck!

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WINNER:

Congrats Rebecca! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

saturday morning donuts

2011-11-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

We live up the street from a Dunkin Donuts. {we know. we know} And since Saturdays no longer merit sleeping in, last week we decided to take a family walk and replace it with something equally as sweet. {Kind of. Pretty sure nothing is as sweet as getting more than an hour at a time} Old fashioned for me and glazed for him. Baby slept through the whole thing ... and then we walked home and joined him. There really is nothing better than one big family nap in our comfy bed. With a tummy full of donuts. And a baby that makes kissy lips in his sleep. Hip hip for Saturdays! Bring on the weekend.

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Sarah Larsen

2011-11-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

So happy to have my sweet friend Sarah from For The Love guest posting today! I remember a similar moment! Thanks so much for sharing Sarah!

One of my most treasured memories happened during the very first few minutes of meeting my new baby boy. After he was placed on my chest, he managed to wrap his tiny baby fingers around my index finger and held on. It was as if to say "Let's do this together."

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Naomi Davis

2011-11-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

eep! such a treat today! The lovely Naomi from Rockstar Diaries was so sweet to share such a beautiful birth moment with us. Thanks so much Naomi! We love your little E!

when i think back to that first week with eleanor, i am filled with so many emotions.

i remember the exact moment about an hour after eleanor arrived when the last nurse left our room and we were finally alone for the first time as a new little family. just me, my husband, and our new baby girl. it was 2-something in the morning and i hadn't slept for the past 36 hours. i was exhausted and still in so much pain. i also remember feeling like i wasn't even inside my own body, rather watching myself and my little family from the ceiling. but i remember that moment so clearly when it was finally just the three of us alone. my husband josh leaned over me as i held and fed our new sleeping baby and he began to cry. we hugged and cried together for a long time as we stared at this new little human being in awe. we offered a prayer of gratitude together to our heavenly father for entrusting us with something so special, so healthy and beautiful, so pure and perfect. it was somewhere during those first few moments as a mother, looking at my husband now as a father, that my faith in God grew. my purpose in life now seemed so clear and this overwhelming new love and responsibility kicked in that i didn't know i had for my new baby girl.

our entire world changed for the better back in february when we met eleanor for the first time. it's been a bittersweet experience to see her growing and developing and changing so fast (somehow she is already 9 months old! please someone slow it all down!) but i think it's safe to say that it just keeps getting better and better

baby + shower

2011-11-14T10:17:00.001-07:00

We're convinced it's the most fun you can have on a Saturday night

Monday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-11-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday!! Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend! We're gonna start this week off right - with a giveaway from Le Mode Accessories! Up for grabs is a $50 gift certificate toward anything in the store. To enter, visit the shop and leave a comment telling me what item{s} you'd spend your gift certificate on! Psst - Isn't this yellow satchel kind of terrific?
For an extra entry, be sure to like Le Mode Accessories on Facebook! Good luck! Winner drawn next week!

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WINNER:

Congrats Kylee!! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Jen Lula

2011-11-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

So thrilled to share this post today! The beautiful Jen from Jenloveskev is always a go to inspiration for killer mama style. Not to mention I die a little bit every time she posts pics of her adorable Rowan! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment with us Jen!

Hi Everyone, it's Jen from Jenloveskev! I first want to give a big huge shout of congrats to Sydney and Ty on there new little bundle of Joy. Welcome to the wonderful world of parenthood guys. Everett is one lucky little dude.

When I hear about a new baby being born, I can't help but start reminiscing about Rowan's birth. What a magical moment in our lives. One that changed me for the better in so many ways. I have very dear, dear memories of that first week, but the one that I hold the closest to my heart was that "golden hour" after the baby was born. We had decided to have all procedural things delayed for the hour after her birth. Most hospitals will allow you to delay those things if all is healthy and well with baby. When Rowan was finally born, there was such a euphoric joy in the room. I seriously don't remember any one else in the room other than Kev and Rowan. For one solid hour it was just about the 3 of us. We cried, we laughed and we stared in disbelief that this little, beautiful being was perfectly half Kev and half me. I will always remember the look on Kev's face as he realized just how much he already loved her. Rowan lied there covered in blanks, her heart agains't my heart and we cuddled for the first hour of her life. It will forever be a memory that brings tears of joy every time I think of it. What a blessing!

10 things

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

1. I'm willing to sweat it out in a warmer-than-normal house just so I can leave him in a diaper and blankets. I can't get enough of his baby skin. And his finger toes. And the blonde peach fuzz that covers his shoulders. It would be a dang crime to cover that up.
2. Breastfeeding has not been the easiest thing in the world. The first week hurt. A lot. But oh when we get it right, it's the sweetest moment. I would do anything for those happy grunts.
3. It's a little embarrassing how much Tys and I refer to ourselves in the third person as "mama and daddy". But it's kind of our favorite role.
4. Sometimes when Tys is upstairs with Everett, I'll hear him burst out laughing. I'll ask what happened and he'll say, "He just peed all over everything! Again!" Nothing phases him. He loves that little boy. And woah, I love him.
5. I remember the first time we pulled out our newborn diapers. I couldn't wait to show Tys cause I couldn't believe how tiny they were. I thought, there is NO WAY a little bum is going to fit into these. And now they look huge on him. Can he please be this small forever?
6. Showers are a very necessary and very beautiful thing. Thank you husband for making sure I still get a little me time every day.
7. It's amazing how little sleep you actually need to survive.
8. Yes, your hair falls out. No, I didnt think it was possible for these locks to get any thinner. But indeed, they are proving me wrong at an alarming rate.
9. Who cares. I have a baby.
10. One-handed, left-handed typing? It's kind of my thing now.

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Emily Frame

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

The lovely and incredibly creative mother of two, Emily Frame blogs over at Ruffling Feathers - one of the first blogs I ever started following religiously! {P.S. Her style - I die} So excited to have her guest posting today! Thanks for sharing Emily!

the first week with a new baby is unlike any other days in your life. i have so many favorite quiet moments. the worry on your partner's face wishing you didn't have to feel any pain, followed by the absolute adoration when all is said and done. the looks my husband gave me those first hours - i was his hero!

the relief and joy at their first cry. and your first cry too! that first good cry after you have a baby is so cleansing, all of those emotions spill out, fear, excitement, overwhelming earth-shaking love, it feels so good to let it all out. i'm mean really, your body has earned it!

watching your baby through the eyes of others. how your husband beams at them. how your parents puff their chests with pride at their little grandbaby. your little brother's disbelief that this thing really came out of you. the awkward baby handling, no one, no matter how much experience they've had, is ever really sure how to gracefully hold a newborn.

their hospital head. you can't beat that smell. a mixture of soft baby skin and clean, antiseptic alcohol swabs. if only i could bottle that smell!

sunrise feedings, when you exchange gazes with one another in soft morning light. picturing their perfect little body floating in your tummy, realizing it was them all along. wondering how you're going to pry your blubbering blissed-out self off this tiny angel and ever get back to real life.

time suspends if only for that week and everything is calm. soak in it, Sydney! don't worry your little head with anything but that sweet boy, because those worries find their way back on their own soon enough.

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Joy Cho

2011-11-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Joy Cho, from the ever inspirational Oh Joy! is a new mama too! {Her beautiful little Ruby is only a few weeks older than Ever} Amazingly, she agreed to share her new mama moments with us - which I am thrilled about! Thanks so much Joy! And congrats again mama!

A week or so before my baby came, I was at a friend's house and she showed me this book, When You Were Born, that she received after delivering her first baby. There was a line in the book that describes a mother seeing her baby for the first time, and the mother exclaims, "I know you!" Those words brought tears to my eyes as I could only imagine having that feeling someday soon. When Ruby came into our lives (a week and a half early), my labor came and went so fast, that I barely had a moment to realize what had happened or get as emotional as I thought I would during her delivery. Although I knew she was once in my belly and now out in the world, it seemed so surreal that it just didn't hit me right then. Later that night, when we had her in our hospital room, I looked down at her and she started hiccuping. Those were the same hiccups I had felt in my belly multiple times a day for months, and here she was out in the world doing the same thing...hiccuping multiple times a day. I found myself looking at her and saying out loud, "I know you!" because at that moment, I realized that the person I had been carrying around for nine months, who was physically closer to me than anyone else in the world, was finally here. She had the same personality I grew to know and love just by feeling her movements previously in my belly. And now I have this chance to get to know her with the same quirks but with us now as part of our family.

family portrait by Rifle Paper Co.

all photos by Oh Joy!

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Joanna Goddard

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

So beyond thrilled to have Joanna from the widely read and beloved A Cup of Jo guest posting today! {I'm pinching myself!} Thank you so much for sharing Joanna!

My favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood: When I first saw Toby's face.

After nine months of pregnancy, I felt my heart swell a million times over as I finally looked into my baby boy's squinting little eyes. I just couldn't believe that he was looking right back at me--his mama!!! What was he thinking during his first moments alive? I just stroked his head and cooed at him and told him how much I loved him. Surrounded by bustling nurses and my excited picture-snapping husband, I only had eyes for our little one, and I felt so full of love for everyone and everything. As I wrote in my birth story, I would have a million babies just for that moment.

P.S. For a good read, be sure to check out Joanna's Motherhood Mondays - a weekly series about what it's *really* like to be a new mom!

Monday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-11-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hip! Hip! It's a Ruche giveaway!! Today, Ruche is giving one lucky reader a $75 gift certificate to spend on whatever your heart desires. And right in time for the holidays too! Psst. Have you seen Ruche's holiday guide yet?? It's darling! Tons of beautiful ideas for crafts and recipes for your homemade holiday.

To enter the giveaway, visit Ruche and tell me what you'd spend your gift certificate on for the holidays! For an extra entry, like Ruche on Facebook! Good luck! Winner drawn next week.

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WINNER:

Congrats Jenni!! Send me an email to claim your prize! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

Happy Monday!

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Love,

Old Man Poulton

week one

2011-11-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure I have the words to accurately describe the love high that is week one. In fact, I know I don't. It's felt like one day and forever at the same time -- the happiest we've ever been. Getting to know our little Everett - his coos, his grunts, his perfected ability to pee on us {which we have no qualms with because that means it's bath time}, his drunken smile after a feeding, the way his froggy legs tuck under him or how his arms sprawl out across our chests while he sleeps. Or my favorite move - when his skinny legs fly up and hang in the air while he stretches his toes.

It's still sinking in that he's ours. And mine. I have a son!
While it makes me a tiny bit sad that our little Ever is already a week old {and that it's even possible his face has changed so much already!}, I am so excited for all the upcoming weeks, months and momentous occasions that come with them. Like this week's excitement, when he kept his eyes open and stared at us for 10 whole minutes. Oh, those still-dark-blue eyes. Melt us like butter.

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Natalie Holbrook

2011-11-04T08:07:00.000-06:00

So excited to have one of my favorite bloggers, Natalie from Nat The Fat Rat guest posting today! The woman gets my funny bone every time. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful moment with us Nat!

when huck was brand new and freshly scrubbed they wheeled him to me in his plastic bed, all tiny and small and wrapped up like a present. my heart skipped a little beat. i was so excited to see him again. i'd forgotten what he looked like already. all i could remember was what he felt like.

as his little cart came closer to my bed i strained to see him. under that little striped hat i could see his nose, my nose, bless the poor dear heart he got my nose, and then there was that feeling again, that strange feeling of quiet and awe as i watched his tiny profile move across the room, as though they were wheeling to me my very own piece of god. a piece of god that i got to take care of.

and in those few seconds here and there when his eyes would focus and he could see me, it was then that i could see me too. maybe for the first time, or maybe just more clearly. but there he was, there i was, and there we were. when i think back to the day he was born, that is what i remember most.

blue baby

2011-11-02T22:29:00.000-06:00

A mama's hormones are a funny thing. Our little Everett is healthy and happy, with only a mild case of jaundice. (Not uncommon for babies born a little early) But seeing his little naked body laying there under those blue lights, all alone in the nursery - even if he had his luxurious spa goggles on - completely broke my heart. Luckily, the nurses got so tired of having a tearful mama sitting by his nursery cart, they let us take him back to our room. And then last night- take him home with a special lighted blanket for babies with jaundice, called a Bili Blanket.
So happy he's home - our little blue baby. Currently upstairs fast asleep, all lit up like a mini avatar. I've never been so tired. But never so fulfilled. Or so in love.

Off to catch some much needed zzz's.

baby shower. the same day I went into labor.

2011-11-02T20:25:00.001-06:00

On Saturday, my beautiful friend Laura threw the sweetest little baby shower. Delicious food, good friends and all things baby. It was so good, it sent me right into labor that night. {May I also add that we finished the nursery that same afternoon? Apparently, procrastination works for us.}
Catch ya later baby belly. I like my baby on the outside.

guest post: my favorite moment during my very first week of motherhood, by Susan Peterson

2011-11-02T07:47:00.000-06:00

The mama of two, baby moccasin making extraordinaire {HUGE deal here - Kourtney Kardashian's son, Mason is a huge fan - woot!} Susan Peterson is clever as she is talented. Read more over on her blog Freshly Picked! Thanks for sharing Susan!

The most fun I've had in one day in order are as follows:
Wedding Day
Birthing Day
Birthing Day

It is so exciting to realize that.

For me there is this sacred time between birth and 'going home from the hospital day' that is so precious, just me and my babe. Initially there is a rush feeling of, 'Oh yes, I know you. I've been waiting for you, I forgot how much you complete me.' Then, we will stare and stare for hours. Inventory is taken, skin to skin naps and quiet time are enjoyed. We are still one, me and babe. We are still occupying the same space and breath. Some of the happiest and best times of my whole life is that precious little fleeting moment. Then I am home, back to my routine. Of course the feelings and wonder are still there, but the children are growing and carving out their own little piece of space and breath. Naturally they are moving away as their need for breathing and space expands. They are still within arms length, which is where I hope they stay, but still they are growing away from me and with pride and a twinge of sadness I am watching them go.

a babe and a name

2011-10-31T21:22:00.000-06:00

Sunday morning at 8:50AM, we welcomed our beautiful baby boy to the world.

6 lbs 9 oz and 20 inches of sweetness

Meet our little

Everett Stone

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he's filled this place in our hearts we didn't even know we had. so in love.

Monday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-10-28T15:32:00.001-06:00

Today's giveaway comes from the lovely Mayfly Designs - an online boutique of handmade, made-to-order items designed by the talented and beautiful Holly. Today, she's giving a lucky reader one pretty piece of their choosing from the Everyday Collection! Hip Hip Hooray!

To enter, visit Mayfly Designs and tell me which piece from the Everyday Collection you'd like to win! {Psst: don't forget to check out the wedding collection too! Such delicate, classic pieces!}

Good luck! Winner drawn next week!

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WINNER:

Congrats Abbott!! Send me an email to claim your prize!! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

happy weekend

2011-10-28T08:32:00.002-06:00

I'm just going to assume that this is what mine will look like. {check out those dark circles! gawgous} My body is ready, baby's head is locked and loaded in my hips ... but he doesn't seem to notice. He loves it in there, and that's OK. That extra ounce a day keeps the doctor away, right? Besides, my Dad says he's gonna be a football guy like Tys - this is his protest against the world series.

Hope your weekend is lovely. Filled with Halloween parties and pumpkin carving. If it's OK with baby, we're going to attempt a baby shower tomorrow thrown by my sweet friend Laura. {Thank You Laura!!}

P.S. Remember to check and see if you're BonLook's giveaway winner! Check here!

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In the meantime, if anyone feels like a little fall shopping, check out one of my lovely sponsor's Koo De Ker. They're having a sale! One of my favorite items in my closet right now is this poncho. Can't wait to wrap up in it with baby.

almost

2011-10-26T12:34:00.000-06:00

No baby yet. Just lots of this. ^ And life-saving back rubs from my mom and husband.

{Sorry if the non-post yesterday threw everyone off}

I did manage to waddle into my midwife today though. Dilated and 90% effaced. I could have kissed the woman. The past 7 days haven't been for nothing!

We're THIS close to meeting our little boy. And so incredibly excited ~~exhausted~~

Any minute muffin, mama's ready.

waiting

2011-10-24T07:47:00.000-06:00

Baby is trying to decide if he wants to come out right now. I've been having painful contractions 5-7 minutes apart since Thursday night. What is that ... 80+ hours? But who's keeping track?
Needless to say I'm a bit wiped. With a heck of a lot more appreciation for women under my belt. Every mother on this earth is SUPER. WOMAN. Let's all cross our fingers that baby makes up his mind soon. Cause I am seriously considering breaking out the castor oil. And I never thought I'd say that.

Friday Giveaway {closed}

2011-10-21T09:25:00.002-06:00

If you haven't heard of the lovely Casey Wiegand yet, then you MUST. This lovely, multi-talented mother of two is a designer, artist and the constantly creative voice behind her blog, Casey Leigh.

Today, Casey is giving away a $50 credit to a lucky reader to go towards a new blog design just for you AND a free ad on her blog! {a $50 value} The whole prize is $100 total!!!!!!!!

So step in line friends ... let's vamp up those blogs!

To enter, follow Casey Leigh and then leave a comment below! Good luck!

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WINNER!

Congrats Meredith! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

2011-10-20T12:00:00.002-06:00

Shoes: c/o Nine West {Martina}, Jeans: Gap, Button Up: F21, Sweater: F21, Necklace: c/o Pree Brulee

Awkward:
- Can I just generalize and put "my body" here? The non-sleeping, the walking, the bending over, the breathing, the cramping, the tummy itching, the contracting, the ... other stuff, the creaking, the shaving {or lack thereof}. Shall I go on? No. You're all done? Me too.
- Becoming so relaxed during a hypnobirthing session that I completely lost all self awareness and full on open-mouth drooled. Sprawled out on the couch, huge belly and all ... it was a flattering moment, let me tell you.
- Aaaaand. That's all the awkwards I remember. Thanks brain. You're really killin' it right now.
Awesome:
- The fastest trip to the salon I've ever had - an hour in and out. Plus it was 25 bucks. I've never been a good coupon clipper. But Groupons ... Groupons I can do.
- My habitually long evening showers. There is nothing more blissful right now than hot water pouring over my neck and back every night. Probably not so blissful? Our water bill.
- Waking up to rain, an open window, a dim room and a husband who's not motivated to get out of bed just yet {which never happens}. Oh, the cozy.
- The gigantic rainbow colored bruise on Tys's calf from a football injury. His awesome. Not mine.
- Looking forward to a wonderful weekend out of town with my mom and sisters ... while Tys stays here and sets up the nursery
- Getting to slip on a new pair of heels for a minute- even if it's just to sit and work. Makes me feel like my old self again.
- Going over to a girlfriend's house for the evening while our husbands work late. Bonus: she cooked dinner AND gave me some extras to take home for Tys. I realize that this probably makes me look like the most pathetic wife, but hey ... I guess I'll claim that title right now. In a few weeks, maybe I'll be as awesome as you Lauren ;)

Tuesday Giveaway! {closed}

2011-10-18T14:00:00.000-06:00

Today's giveaway is from our sponsor BonLook! BonLook is giving away a voucher of $99, applicable on any eyeglasses or sunglasses (Note: prescription glasses cost $99 and prescription sunglasses cost $119). The giveaway is open to all, so get in here you international readers!

To enter, like BonLook's Facebook page and leave the name of the glasses model you would like to win in the comments!

Good luck! Winner drawn next week!

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WINNER!!

Congrats Aaron! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

dear baby boy

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just look at how big you're getting. Honestly, I think it's a wonder that my body is still holding you in there. They say you're 5 1/2 lbs. They also say that if you came out now, your little body would be just fine to work on its own. But I think you like it in there. We'll stick it out for a few more weeks, you and I ... those extra chubs are important.

These days, you get the hiccups a lot - which makes me laugh. And you dropped extra low last week - which makes me waddle. Oh, and we got in trouble a bit at our last appointment. Apparently, iron is not one of our strong points. It's a good thing I love you lots baby, because those iron injections are not going to be fun. The new york strip steak for breakfast is kind of a nice perk though.

Just so you know, I think about you all the time. And sometimes {when I get to sleep} I have dreams about you too. My favorite is the one where you are just lying between your dad and I on our bed. And we play with your toes. {I can't wait to see those perfect toes!} Your dad is so excited to meet you little boy. He tells me almost every day. His favorite thing is your tiny socks. And I even saw his YouTube profile one day - all of his recently watched videos were how-to's on swaddling babies. He's gonna be a good dad don't you think?

I can't wait to see you my little E. And hold you. And smell you {I hear you're gonna have the best smell in the whole world}. I'm ready to birth you too. You are perfect. Just right for my body. And I can't wait to go though that experience together.
I love you!
See you in a few weeks,
Mama

saturday morning

2011-10-17T09:13:00.001-06:00

Saturday morning we woke up at 5am. Scratch that. I was already awake. Tys woke up at 5 am. He says, "Ugh. I can't go back to sleep." I say, "You poor thing. I wonder what that's like" He thinks this is funny. He also thinks that we should get up. The man has not yet mastered the art of lying in bed ... just for the sake of lying there. So we get up. He puts me in his sweats. And makes us the perfect batch of cinnamon hot chocolate. We pop in a movie. And snuggle under our blanket because we left the windows open and our house feels like we're camping.

Tys had to work the rest of the day. But at 5 in the morning, he was mine, all mine.
Happiness.

Friday Giveaway!

2011-10-14T14:09:00.000-06:00

Today's giveaway is from one of our lovely sponsors, Lace Affair - a darling online boutique with a vintage flair and modern styling! Their latest featured items are all polka dots - one of my favorite patterns for fall {or anytime really}. Today, they're giving one lucky reader a $50 gift card to anything in the shop!
To enter, like them on Facebook and then comment below telling me which item you'd use your gift card on! Good luck! Winner drawn next week!

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A Slip Shop giveaway winner:

Congrats Ally! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

mister elephant called. he wants his ankles back

2011-10-14T07:34:00.000-06:00

Boots: Unity from Famous Footwear, Leggings: Target, Top: c/o Threadcase, Vest: YesStyle, Watch: Gift Clutch: c/o Chicwish

Last night as my mom, Tys and I were stuffed in the love seat finishing up a movie, I so happened to prop my legs up in front of me and suddenly caught a glimpse of the ghastly, swollen, elephant-like things that are growing on what used to be my ankles. Holy. Disturbing. {I blame my masseuse. Pretty sure he released a bucket-load of toxins from my muscles yesterday. Those puppies were tight.} Today, I'm going to attempt to prop my legs up at least 3 feet above my head at all times and get them back to size. But we'll see how long that lasts. I think my laundry pile wants to eat me.

So what are you guys up to this weekend? We originally had plans to go to the pumpkin patch and pick ourselves out a nice mister Jack-O, but it's been super rainy. We might brave it and slop through in our rain boots, or we might stay home and give ~~me and only me~~ each other footrubs this weekend.

Things are getting super exciting around here, this last pregnancy stretch. Super. Exciting.

in town

2011-10-12T08:25:00.000-06:00

My mom is in town this week. We're making homemade lasagna and chili, learning that a cart full of groceries can miraculously be conquered in an hour, watching Jane Eyre with hot chocolate and toffee popcorn, on a mission to add color and skinny jeans {gasp!} to her fall wardrobe, overstaying our welcome at Panera Bread {did you know that if you talk long enough, they'll actually clear your table for you?} and getting long overdue massages.

Best week ever?
I think so.

The Browns

2011-10-11T05:19:00.000-06:00

These are our friends, the Browns. Beautiful bunch, no? We've loved getting to hang with 'em since making the move out here. The evenings we spend at their house tend to last long past a decent hour {chatty bunch we are} ... especially when there's chocolate pumpkin spice cookies involved. Yum!

I had the complete pleasure of shooting their lovely little family recently. If you'd like to take a peek, you can view more at my photography site, HERE!

park it

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

Friday night I made Tys take me to Wendy's for a cheeseburger deluxe. {A person can only take so much chicken and vegetables. And oatmeal and apples. And other healthy stuff that does not include hot fries and cheeseburgers} And then we went to the park, plopped ourselves in the sunshine, finished our birth plan and laughed at some of the gems in his "Daddy's Survival Guide 101". Oh, the adventure we have ahead of us.

P.S. It snowed this past week back in ol' Idaho. SNOWED. As someone who is very protective of her four seasons, I would like to thank you dear northern Virginia. I'll take my sunshine, and upper 60's and fall leaves for a couple more months, thank you.

I've watched this three times already

2011-10-09T17:56:00.000-06:00

There's something about Miranda July, isn't there?

happy birthday momma!

2011-10-09T10:33:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday to my most favorite lady in the whole wide world. Love you so much mom! I can't believe that I'm about to be at the same stage that you were when this picture was taken of us. {eep!} You seem like you were so much older and wiser than I am. Thank you for molding me into the person I am today and for being right there to answer all my questions about this new mommy thing. I love you. I can't wait to see you hold your first grandbaby :) And see where life takes your rockstar, go-getter self next! I also can't wait to see you this week!! Let's get massages and paint our nails. And make healthy stuff in the blender. Unless you feel like getting milkshakes. I'm down with that too.

Friday Giveaway!

2011-10-07T12:27:00.002-06:00

Today's giveaway is from the lovely ladies over at A Slip Shop! These girls make adding a bit of color and flair to your skirt easy with their versatile and cute slips! I just ordered this one and can't wait to pair it with an all black ensemble for a little extra lacy flair!

The winner will win any slip in the shop of their choice! To enter, just head on over to the shop and tell me which one you'd choose!

For extra entries:

- Like them on Facebook
- Choose your favorite slip and post it on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest

Good luck! Winner drawn next week!

Bonus! Free shipping code this week only: freedaybook

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Blowfish Winner:

A Beach Cottage Winner:

Congrats! Send me an email lovelies!! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

man up

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Shoes:Vera Wang for Kohls, Jeggings: c/o Windsor Store, Top: Husbands H&M, Belt: Husbands UO, Watch: Gift, Sunnies: Target, Clutch: c/o Chicwish

Don't ask me why it's taken this long for me to raid Tys's closet. Who needs maternity when you have man stuff at your fingertips? Button-up and T-shirt HEAVEN. {Pretty soon, people won't even be able to tell us apart. Dream come true!} Actually, it's probably taken me this long cause I knew that if I wore his stuff, that would mean I would have to iron out all the 'tucked-in' wrinkles at the bottoms of his shirts. But who are we trying to kid here? I DON'T IRON! Wrinkles or no wrinkles, there is some good comfy junk in that closet people. Things are about to get a little more manly around here.

And P.S. to those of you who've asked: sorry, but besides wearing men's clothing ... I don't have any juicy maternity secrets to tell you. Everything that I wear is either low rise and really stretchy, has an elastic waist or is tied together with a rubber band. I've tried maternity pants, thought I liked them, but they kept sliding off my anti-butt so I took them back. And belly-bands ... I don't know why, but I just haven't had the desire to try them. Probably too preoccupied with all things that end in -eggings. It's a pregnancy love affair. But I promise that if between now and next month I find some secret clothing invention that blows my mommy mind, I'll be sure to share.

aaaaand the horozontal stripes strike out

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Skirt: Target, Top: c/o WindsorStore, Blazer: Nordstrom, Necklace: c/o LeMode Accessories, Watch: Gift, Clutch: c/o Chicwish

You ever have one of those days, when you have an idea of what you look like in your mind, and you walk around, feeling good {kind of like your old self from 8 months ago} and then you take a picture and you're all, "Wait, I look like what?"

That just happened. Pregnancy is a strange phenomenon - in which you're fully aware that you have a belly, but it still kind of surprises you when you try and squeeze between spaces that you used to fit though and end up knocking someone upside the head. Or in this case, when you see pictures of yourself and are still kinda shocked at your own max holding capacity. Apparently, this little babe takes his chubs very seriously. {Proud mama right here.}

On days like this when I'm feeling particularly large - like the other night in the bathroom while brushing my teeth, I look in the mirror and say, "Hon. Just look at me! Look at this baby. I can't believe how big I'm getting." He'll put on his best Moto-Moto voice, come up behind me and be all,
"Goodness guurl. You HUGE. You chunk-ay..."

Always knows the right thing to say, that man.

i got this sweet suprise in the mail yesterday and it might have made me cry. a little.

2011-10-04T08:20:00.000-06:00

First, because I'm pregnant and that's what we do.
Second, because I'm a designer and can only IMAGINE how long it took to put every little perfect vintage-y detail together. The printing! The gluing! The stamping! The tying! Makes my head kind of swim.
And third, because it feels so wonderful to know that this little boy is already loved so much. Not only by Tys and I, but by our wonderful family and sweet friends {both old and new alike}. So thank you SO MUCH Airiel & Jennah for your thoughtfulness. I can't tell you lovely ladies what it meant to us!

And also, to all of you who have expressed so much support, encouragement and well-wishes for our new little family, we truly THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. You are the best kind of sunshine.

over the weekend

2011-10-03T08:36:00.000-06:00

I wasn't lyin' when I said we were gonna be laying low this weekend. We cozied up inside for most of it. {The weather was rainy and in the 50's all weekend, can you believe it?} There was much lasagna and cinnamon rolls and frozen dark chocolate squares; magazine reading and baths and the watching of Pixar movies ... where husband's favorite thing to say was "I can't wait till he's here to watch it with us... he's gonna love this part." This has also been said of Boise State Football games. Although we won't burst his bubble and point out the fact that his son is probably gonna sleep right though his first football season.

We also had the opportunity to watch General Conference and hear the inspired leaders of our Church speak to us. It's so wonderful to have their guidance in our lives, especially during this time as we're about to delve into parenthood. Sometimes it felt as if they were talking directly to us. My favorite out of the whole thing had to be this one though. Love him.

Happy Monday guys! Dressed in the only old sweatshirt that fits me anymore, some ridiculously fluffy slippers and a cup of hot chocolate by my side, it is a happy Monday indeed.

Friday Giveaway!

2011-09-30T13:00:00.000-06:00

Today's giveaway is from our lovely sponsor A Beach Cottage - a lovely online shop that specializes in that beach house look of days gone by combined with lots of white, vintage furniture, seashells, lovely old linen. Makes you want to stake out an old beach cottage pronto, right?! Today they're giving one lucky reader the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to put toward anything in the shop!
To enter, visit A Beach Cottage and tell me what you'd use your prize on! Personally, these stripey napkins pretty much do it for me.
P.S. Be sure to like them on Facebook!

Good luck! Winner drawn next week

little clothes and soft blankets make laundry day awesome

2011-09-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

There's gonna be a little person in them soon- hip hip!

Happy Friday everyone! We're laying pretty low this weekend with not many plans. Except the plan for cinnamon rolls. But I don't think that counts.

See you in October - or Monday :)

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

2011-09-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

Shoes: Vera Wang for Kohls, Jeans: UO, Sweater: c/o Chicwish, Glasses: UO

Awkward

- The poor, awkward, soon-to-be father who was left alone in the waiting room with me.
"Soooooooo .... you're pregnant too."
"Um, yep. Yep I am."
"Good ... that's good."
Please, almighty clipboard. Please let my name be next.
- Leaning forward and having my belly easily rest on my legs. The best way to feel ginormous and sweet relief at the same time.
- Baby Registries. Here people! Buy me stuff! I kind of despise them.
- Sitting at a desk all day causes burning shins and swollen ankles. Funny, I thought that was from walking. Welcome to the lose-lose portion of pregnancy!
- Walking full-speed ahead towards the check-out line at Walmart. Clearly, not browsing for anything. One of the associates stops, looks at me and says "OK, I found it. The mango salsa is on aisle 9." Of course I'm thinking this guy is kind of a nutbag ... but I say, "Great. Thanks". Only to realize the woman behind me says thanks too. And the nutbag-turned-not-nutbag-but-actually-a-helpful-associate gives me the "your poor brain must've up and died" look.
Actually ... yes.
- The fact that I KNEW I'd be producing milk at some point. But having a "what the CRAP is going on down there?!" moment, pretty much every time it happens.

Awesome
- Women who don't tell me their birthing horror stories. I love it when they don't tell me those.
- Giving someone the stare-down until they give me their seat. My bump is passive aggressive.
- Running out of my favorite body-saver Shea butter and being pleasantly surprised by the fact that I don't have to order it online and wait 7-10 days anymore. They have a store! yay! I don't live in Idaho! yay!
- Root beer? Since when?
- Waking up in the middle of the night as per usual. And then hearing the rain outside the window. Sleep is somehow always easier after that.
- Actually having good stuff to make packing his lunch that much easier. It's the simple things.
- The weekend. Where whole afternoons can be spent in bed talking. And talking and talking. So glad I didn't marry somebody boring.

midwives, hypnobirthing, and my ever-growing cantaloupe at 32 weeks

2011-09-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

Boots: Unity from Famous Footwear, Leggings: Target, T-shirt: Hanes, Jacket: H&M, Scarf: c/o Denj Glasses: Target

*hello down there. {This picture's twin found here. The fact that I thought I had a belly back then is laughable.}

I went to my midwife appointment yesterday, which always makes me happy as a clam. I've been getting to go every two weeks now {as opposed to waiting an entire MONTH ... torture} and it's always so exciting to see my little boy growing healthy and strong and right on track. And not that anyone cares but me ... but his heartbeat is definitely the cutest thing I've ever heard. Go little heart!

Monday night, we also went to our first Hypnobirthing class {the method I'm choosing to use for a natural birth}. It was so informative and I left feeling empowered. A large part of Hypnobirthing is learning to bring yourself into a state of total relaxation ... something that sounds simple but is actually taking a lot of practice for me to conquer. {surprise, surprise} It's funny though. Whenever I DO manage to bring myself into that relaxed state ... THAT'S the time when baby boy loves to get the most active. Almost like he's already got the "Hey mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom! mom!" thing down pat. Or maybe karate chopping is just his thing ...
It is.

In other news ... I'm 8 months pregnant. Whoever said you're knocked up for 9 was lyin' folks. Cause it's 10 months round trip. That's not to say that anyone's gonna be complainin' if he decides to show up at 9. Are you listening baby?

Tuesday Giveaway!

2011-09-27T14:28:00.001-06:00

Today's Giveaway is from Blowfish Shoes! {A tried and true favorite of mine} Today, Blowfish is giving one lucky reader a chance to win ANY PAIR OF SHOES THEY WANT. That's right. You get to pick! To enter, head on over to Blowfish, pick out your fave and then link to them in the comments! I can't wait to see what all your favorites are!

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Young People in Love Giveaway Winner!

Congrats! Send me an email! sydney.thedaybook@gmail.com

Also, please check here to see if you're the lucky winner of any other giveaways!!

gray hair

2011-09-27T10:46:00.004-06:00

brought to you by age and wisdom {ha}

also, dry shampoo

these ladies in georgetown

2011-09-24T16:18:00.000-06:00

This weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Tania {of What Would A Nerd Wear} and Megan Nielsen {THE designing and sewing mommy wonder}. We met in Georgetown for a yummy brunch at Cafe Bonaparte {so charming by the way ... highly recommend!} I went out on a limb and ordered their poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. A surprisingly delicious change of pace, after all these years of waffles, maple syrup and bacon. {I like what I like}
It was the best afternoon. These girls are lovely on these here internets, but even better in person. Tania is the essence of grace and friendliness. Her polka dot skirt was a real hit with the gents that day {cause she's just that soopa spicy}. And Megan was bubbly and completely charming. Plus I could have listened to her gorgeous Australian accent forever.

It's so great when you can pick up with someone like you've known them for ages. Making connections with women like this is exactly what I love about this whole blogging thing.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday!

2011-09-22T09:32:00.000-06:00

Boots: Hunter, Leggings: Target, Button-up: c/o Panache, Blazer: Nordstrom, Glasses: Target

Awkward:

- Leaving my cart for a bit to go grab an item down the aisle a ways. I come back, toss the item in my cart while looking at my list and keep moving down the aisle. Only to look down and see someone else's purse. Sure, just inconspicuously grab your stuff out of someone else's cart and walk quickly back to your own ... head down. Move legs .... move! move! move! That's normal. I'm sure the security camera footage on that one is fantastic.

- The most uninhibited little boy coming up to me in a check-out lane, "Can I touch your baby?" and gave it a little pat. It was actually really sweet. The awkward part was when the mom saw where he was and loudly ushered him away like I was a giant germ or something. And then we stood next to each other ... in a longgggggg line.

- Our neighbor's afternoon delight. We're gonna leave it at that. It was slightly traumatic. And now I know to close my windows at about 3:00.

- Realizing that jerky is probably not the best snack to bring to church. Here let me just yank on this piece of meat and breath on you with my teriyaki breath. Isn't that nice.

- Walking out of a restaurant restroom w toilet paper stuck to my foot. Really? THAT just happened.

- Trying to get stuff out of our bottom Tupperware cupboard. It's like a dance. An awkward elephant grand-plié dance - where you can't breath. And your knees crack when you stand up again. It's lovely.

Awesome:

- The older lady that came up behind me and said ... "It's a boy in there isn't it? That little sucker is straight out the front." I'll just ignore the fact that my belly is now a "sucker" and give her props for excellent baby-prediction skills.

- The little day-trip we're gonna take this weekend. Between work, an evening class to prepare for the GMAT and playing in his football games, I haven't hardly seen husband all week. And I am NOT sharing this weekend.

- Having enough energy to do Walmart AND Target in one sitting. It's a pregnancy miracle!

- Texting my Grandma. Never thought I'd even say those words.

- AND because an awesome list is not complete without the mention of food ... this week we're gonna go with waffles. Because syrup is dang delicious.

so long summer

2011-09-21T10:32:00.002-06:00

I went on a walk around the neighborhood this morning.

Until my Braxton Hicks told me that was quite enough.

It was cool and crisp and cloudy. And amazing.

Fall starts on Friday! oh happy day.

Guess this means I should start thinking about what to wear for Halloween?

I'm refusing to be any form of a basketball ... or a pumpkin.

Guess that leaves me with "beached whale"