Organizing Baby Clothes

I was getting sick of sifting through the girls winter clothes to get to their light Spring clothes.. so yesterday, I decided get organized. And it was NO easy feat. Seriously.. sun up to sun down.. I was knees deep in kids clothes. (It also snowed yesterday.. WHAT IN THE WORLD!?!?)

Side Note: If you are reading this, do no.. I repeat DO NOT buy Vivian summer clothes. She has TWO totes of summer clothes. TWO. After summer last year, Laura's sister-in-law gave me a bunch of clothes that Bryn wasn't able to wear.. so she has those. This week, our friend Ruthie gave us clothes (and... thank the Lord.. Bryn probably would be running around naked if not).. and a lot of those were good for Vivi's summer.. and then she ALSO has Bryn's hand-me-downs.The girl has a wardrobe that I'm jealous of for summer.
Vivian is in 3 months or 3-6 months for Spring and if you are dying to buy for her (which.. have ya met Jake's family? They have a need to shop! ;-)) .. that's what she could use. Bryn needs 18 months for Spring.. and probably 24 months for Summer. And those ARE a need.
Also.. no swimsuits.. for either girl. At this point.. I'm almost positive they each have a swimsuit for every single day of the summer.. no repeats. 


ANYWAYS. So I brought up ALL of the clothes I have packed away.. because I wasn't very good about putting them away according to when Vivian will need them. I have 3 whole trash bags of girl newborn-3 months (and some bigger) of Goodwill stuff. I have 3 boxes of newborn-3 months to keep. We don't PLAN on having another winter baby.. and we are kinda hoping for a boy when we do (in a few years, ya'll.. I'm not crazy).. but..  God thinks my plans are hilarious.

I was laughing emptying out Bryn's room because I was packing things away that I will be getting out again in the Fall for Vivian.  Definitely getting our money's worth out of these clothes!!! ;-) Could NOT be happier with them being born the same time of year.. a year apart. It was tough on me.. but now.. It's a little bit like heaven.

Speaking of my babes, I know you are wondering HOW I got everything done yesterday with them around.. especially if you know my Tornado Bryn. They were ANGELS yesterday. Bryn played with hangers.. put them in a bucket.. then out.. then in.. then out..  Bryn isn't typically BAD. I don't have a bad toddler.. she is sweet.. but she is BUSY. I know, toddlers are busy.. but everyone says she is EXTRA busy. She's like a little boy. She climbs, growls, loves dirt.. and rarely plays with anything that resembles something she SHOULD play with. But yesterday, she was easy. And Vivian is always pretty simple. So this mama got it all done!

I used these to store everything (well, what I could.. I need to buy more). If you are a mom, or expecting to be a mom, or wear clothes.. you need these!!! They store so much, stack easily, and take up MUCH less room. I love them!!!!!

On my week's "To Do" list.. I had OUR room on the list for today.. to get rid of clothes.. organize. Yeah, freaking, right. My laundry is caught up.. my house is just now getting put together from abandoning all other chores yesterday.. and I am OVER folding clothes. I'm taking today OFF (of clothes)!  Maybe tomorrow. ;-)



Last thing. Check out Katie's new page HERE. She re-purposes furniture.. creates one-of-a-kind home decor.. and she is all around talented.

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a whirlwind, as they all seem to be lately. But this particular weekend, we had lots of PLANS. So we were on the run a lot.

Yesterday, Bryn looked at me and said "poo poo" while she only had a diaper on. I decided it was a great time to throw her on the big girl potty to show her what it means. Do I in any way, shape or form believe my 16 month old is ready to potty train.. NO! ;-) But.. I want her to know that if she says "poo poo".. that's what it'll mean. Jake caught this picture.. who was more excited?? Bahaha!

..Okay, I was a little over the top! ;-) FYI.. she didn't poop. And we also need a mini potty for that lil booty.


So Friday night was our relaxation night. I was CRAVING Chipotle BIG time. But instead, I made burrito bowls on my own. Jake said they were amazing. Out of left field, I'm a really good cook. If you would've asked me what kind of wife/mom I would be 10 years ago.. hell, even 3 years ago.. cooking wouldn't have been on the list of things I would do.. let alone be GOOD at it. It's been a good surprise.
The girls went to sleep early.. Jake and I started watching Blacklist from the previous evening.. but decided our time would be better spent sleeping. 8:30pm Friday night bedtime. We are pretty awesome.

We woke up early on Saturday to do our P90X. It was the first "repeat" day and we were pleasantly surprised with how much more we could do. I even decided I'm going to start doing "regular" push-ups and actual pull-ups.. instead of on the resistance band.
Bryn was in a MOOD both weekend mornings and was back in bed by 8am. I was able to shower, do my make-up, blow dry my hair AND straighten it.. with no interruptions.. and drinking HOT coffee (I even poured a little cold water in it because it was TOO hot). Heaven. I was in heaven.

I felt really good about what I was looking like. I just felt like my face looked thinner when I put my make up on. Then, while both the girls were snuggled with me.. Jake snapped these pictures..

..and I felt like a fatty all over again. Let's just say.. there were tears. This weight stuff is very hard. And it's hard when not only has my husband lost weight.. but I also see his body starting to sculpt. And I am SO happy for him.. and so frustrated that I just don't see it with me. We are doing the same thing!!! Same diet.. same work out.. WAY different results. I say this just because.. I know.. my time is coming. I'm not giving up.. I AM getting frustrated.. but I know it's just going to take longer. And maybe my "beach bod" goal for this summer is unattainable.. BUT.. it's not unattainable for NEXT year. I'll keep at it. And hopefully I'll look back at these pictures and laugh about when I was a fatty ;-)

Saturday afternoon, I went to this girls baby shower. I just LOVE me some Erin! She had a treasure chest for her little guy for when he turns 18. And we all wrote him a little note. In mine.. I put "and hopefully I'll be at your 18th birthday party to tell you this myself".. and here's the thing.. I REALLY do think I will be. She is just one of those forever friends. 

 

And also.. a lot of THESE girls. I see lots of baby showers, birthdays and graduations in our future, ladies! :-) 

 And just for fun.. back in August.. Erin was still ROCKING the coral for her bridal shower.. I was rocking the prego belly.. and Bryn was rocking sitting on my hump.

Life is crazy! :-)

Back on track, after the baby shower.. I went home, picked up Jake and Bryn.. and we headed off to my friend Brittany and Brady's house for the Ohio State game. (And to be totally honest.. I just had to look up if they won.. they didn't..). We had a blast. Met a lot of their friends that we had heard a lot about.. and I just stared in awe at how perfect of a mom Brit is going to be. No one is THAT good with kids that doesn't have any.. but Brit is. I love that girl.

This was freshman year of high school (and I found a card from my 13th birthday party from her).. We've been friends for.. awhile! ;-) 

Sunday morning we woke up at did our P90X. The only day we haven't done was the "rest" day they gave us on Friday. They also gave an option video to do that day.. so our intentions were to do that.. but the extra half hour of sleep sounded better on that morning.

Sunday, we had plans to go golfing with a couple friends! But.. the weather was just too cold so we took a rain check. Jake and I already had lined up his mom to babysit.. and she would've been disappointed if we cancelled.. so we decided to go to the movies instead. We saw Insurgent in 3D.. so good!
That night, we had dinner at Jake's parents.. the girls played big time.. his parents loved it.. and I got to paint my fingers and toes. I pretty much felt like I had a whole spa day after having fresh fingers and toes. I'm pretty sure Jake hates the sea foam green I chose.. but.. I don't care! ;-)

We didn't get home til late. Did a little light cleaning.. put the girls to bed.. and went to bed ourselves.

Next weekend, we are headed to Tennessee to visit my sister-in-law and family. I LOVE it down there so I'm really REALLY looking forward to it.



Side note-- We tried to put Vivian in her crib last night. I don't think she is a fan of lying flat on her back (her rock-n-play is kinda angled). And I was too tired to deal with it.. so I put her back in her rock-n-play. And.. she slept through the WHOLE night! 9pm-7am. I am like a whole new person. So THIS is what I look like without dark circles under my eyes.. ;-) 

Friday FAVORITES!

This week has been a really LONG week. The nice weather was such a tease.. and now it's so chilly out. I asked Jake if we could bundle up the girls and go for a walk last night. He looked at me like I was crazy but I ignored it and he complied. We got outside.. and I realized why it was such a crazy look.. SO COLD! But, I acted like I didn't notice, in typical stubborn Ashley form, and was like "What?? It feels soooo good out!" Lie. I was lying. It felt good to get out of the house, but it was cold. I was worried about little Bryn's face.. I didn't grab myself jacket.. and Vivi was looking at me like I just stole her pacifier. Can I have the nice weather back again?!!?

This week, Jake got a fitbit. I didn't want one. I never have. My mom has one and loves it, but I just didn't THINK it was for me. I was SO wrong. Jake was telling me about how it tracks his sleep.. and it tells him when he was restless or woke up. I thought that would be neat.. so I asked to wear it for a night. Then.. I asked if I could wear it for a whole day.. JUST to see how active I was. I, of course, was planning on giving it back. I swear! But Jake must've seen how competitive I was getting with myself.. and let me keep it. My guy is so selfless. This thing is COOL!!!! It's my new favorite.

Another FAVORITE of mine is this..

My parents are the BOMB dot com. They've never pretended to be perfect and they've always taught us relationships to put effort and leg work into your relationship. Jake and I have said from day 1 that our relationship is more important than our relationship WITH the girls.. because we are teaching them what to look for in the future. Think I just thought that up on my own? No. My parents taught me. I'm a great wife and mother because I learned from the best and had a great example. I hope to set that same example for my kids. (And maybe calling Jake an ASS this morning for not offering to make me a protein shake wasn't the best way to show that.. hmmm!! ;-)) Love ya, Jake! :-)




My NEW favorite this week.. is Bryn's HAIR. Okay, that's nothing new.. I've always been jealous. But this week.. it fit into a half pony tail.. and KIND OF into a full one.. but fell a bit. Next month, she will have a ponytail for sure. Isn't her hair gorgeous!?

She also now sits with me at our table for her snacks. You can just TELL she feels like BIG stuff when she's sitting there.

Yesterday we painted her little toes and fingers. Eeeeekk! So cute! She didn't even fight me on it. I just whispered a lot (that seems to make her act EXTRA gentle) and kept telling her to blow on them. She did perfect. Now, every time she shows me them.. she says "ooooooohhhh". Haha

Side note-- these pictures are not all from the same day. We had a few PJ days.. and laundry days. And these just happen to be my favorite PJs on her. Haha!!!!

I talked about my mantle being my favorite area in the house.. Now... this is my FAVORITE part of the outside.. the white picket fence. I pretty much didn't even have to walk in the house because I knew I wanted it. It is just SO cute. This Spring, I want to decorate it. Last year, I did lots of flowers. And.. it was good.. but.. I hate watering flowers. Maybe it'll be more fun since Bryn can help.. but.. I doubt it. So, I want to decorate it with STUFF that doesn't need watered! Haha! ;-) I'm still Pinteresting ideas-- stay tuned! ;-)

That's all for now.. the girls are restless for some mommy time this morning! :-)

Bryn Marie

Since I didn't have this blog during Bryn's first year, I decided to dedicate a post to my big girl.

Check out that BUMP! I loved my pregnancy with Bryn.. LOVED it. If you missed that post, I talked all about that pregnancy here.

 When Jake and I were discussing what our baby would look like, red hair was never an option. BUT. I love it. I'm jealous of it. She has THE. BEST. HAIR. And.. she's beautiful. And she was born with the BEST little wrinkles and most perfect lips. It took me a bit to feel like I wasn't just going through the motions with a newborn.. I didn't feel bonded immediately. I'm not sure if that's normal or not.. I was just very overwhelmed. Nothing to do with my perfect baby.. just me. Just keepin' it real! ;-)

I know what you're thinking "she makes the most PERFECT babies".. I get it. I'll own it. Jake and I make perfect babies. ;-)

Bryn was the first grandchild and great grandchild on my side of the family. This was the Miller's 3rd granddaughter, but first here in Ohio. Bryn obviously wasn't short on people to love her..

 This picture is extra special to me. One of my last memories of my grandpa sitting in his home.. and he was holding my girl. I'm hoping as the weather changes that I can take both my girls to see him in the nursing home (for those who don't know, he has very severe Alzheimers) and he can see Vivian. My grandma is really good about showing him pictures of the girls.

 Girlfriend was in her crib by two months. She loved it. She has always been a really good sleeper. She slept 7 hours straight by 2 weeks.

 I love that we got this picture. Kelley was pregnant with Allie here. And Vivian was not even a thought at this point. And.. this was just a little over a year ago! Haha

 New Year's Even 2014

 Bryn's first mass

 Bryn LOVED her mat.. and HATED tummy time.

 Buddies since day 1!

Valentine's Day fun last year! The picture on the left.. I made leggings out of old Vday socks of mine.. just cut off the bottom! :-)

 

 About this time.. Bryn became a much calmer baby. At the beginning we would have to walk around a lot and do a "bouncing" motion to calm her. I should've been skinnier than I was.. cuz it was a WORK OUT! But all of a sudden, my baby would just chill!

 Visiting Aunt Lo! Love her little smile.. and sassy looks.

 Oh heyyyy, neck! She was around 3 months when she would finally hold her head up.

 Girlfriend.

 We took our girl everywhere. Here we were at Boonshoft with my little brother, Rowan!

 Bryn SERIOUSLY loved this exersaucer. She played in it ALL. THE. TIME. She's looking at herself in the mirror. Right now, this one is a dirty mess in our garage (eventually it became what we used outside with her). Jake just said the other day we need to clean it so Vivi can love it as much as Bryn did.

 At Uncle Trent's game with my dad! I have such a handsome daddy!

 Kissing dad :-)

 Sweetest little profile.

 Because.. two trips would've been too much.

 First visit to Tennessee to see Aunt Heather

 Bryn is the perfect little traveler. I loved taking her everywhere with me. We took lots of road trips. It's a little more difficult to pick up and go with two babies. Think about it.. rest stops.. two babies.. one who can run away from me.. Oy! But I think it's important to teach them to travel as babies so it becomes second nature.

 This picture CRACKS. ME. UP! She has always hated being strapped in. But.. she would just CHILL as a 5 month old.. (not to much now as a 15 month old).

 Easter pictures.. don't forget your sunnies!

 I can't figure out how to turn this.. but you get the point ;-)

 Girlfriend's 3 month pictures. 

Bryn started daycare in the Spring when grandparents were no longer able to watch her. Bryn just loved being around the kids. 

That girl just loves her daddy

 Bryn started baby food just before 4 months (rice cereal around 3 months). She did really well with it. I honestly think the girl was just HUNGRY because it made her such a happy baby!

 Between 4 and 5 months.. homegirl started rolling. I had her in her boppy.. and found her like this. I LOVE THAT SMILE!

 And that was the start of Bryn getting into EV.ER.Y.THING.

 Bryn gained complete control of Emmett around 5-6 months when she was able to eat real food (and feed him).

 Bryn hanging out with her new buddy Allie!!

 We took our girl to Cox Arboretum. She would always touch our face when she was in our arms. She just melted our hearts.

 Visiting Grandma D. She would've loved my little red head (and had a few sassy remarks about me having two kids close together.. haha!)

 This girl LOVED the water last summer. We were outside A LOT! I'm super duper excited to see how she likes it this summer now that she can walk (and sit up.. she couldn't until mid-end of summer last year).

 This mama LOVES a festival.

 This seems to be a little out of order.. I know some of the pictures above she was already 6 months. Oh well. ;-)

 At 6 months, Bryn announced that we were pregnant with Vivi. 

Every year, my mom's side of the family goes to Florida. Jake had just started his new job and was unable to go. I debated on whether or not to go without him. I decided to go because I knew my family would love the extended time with Bryn (and it would be the only vacation pre-Vivi)... we had a blast. It was a lot of work. But so worth it. Bryn just LOVED it.. and I loved having her there.

 My family.. minus Jake.. and now Vivi ;-)

 Bryn's first Aquarium experience. From about 3-4 months on.. Bryn was/is SUCH a good baby. She was best when we were out and about.

 Dinner with Great Grandma! :-)

 She walked with a walker long before she walked on her own.. about 3 months.

 Her hair has ALWAYS been spot on. Add some sunscreen.. and it's EVEN. BETTER.

Bryn was and still is the biggest "Pa's" girl. She loves Jake's dad!

 Heyyy belly! ;-)

 Bryn started sitting a couple days after she turned 7 months. Crawling and pulling up at 9 months. Walking, literally, on her 1st birthday. She was always on it with her milestones. Not early.. just right on time.

 Cousin kisses

 Fall was a very fashionable time for my girl. Love her pea coat!

 Girlfriend's trip to the pumpkin patch. I tried to do lots with this girl for the holidays because even though SHE won't remember.. I wanted to have memories of her as an only child.

 I lost a lot of pictures when my phone died and never turned back on. This must be where the gap is.I got a few pictures off of Facebook.. I know my mom has pictures from her 1st birthday and Thanksgiving.. but I don't :-(

 Bryn was the perfect little Pebbles.. and Zane was the perfect Bam Bam!

 My girl's first birthday party. I LOVE THAT GIRL SO MUCH

 Girlfriend's smash cake my grandma made for her :-)

 Woodland lights. My first time! Definitely a new tradition!!! :-)

And that's about where I picked up on here! :-)

Bryn has literally been one of the THREE biggest blessings in my life (Jake, Bryn, Vivi). She holds such a special place in my heart because she's my first. But.. her personality wins over EVERYONE. Seriously, everyone. Strangers fall in love with this girl. We can't walk out of Kroger without Bryn having a new fan.

My girl knows lots of animal sounds. Cow, cat, dog, elephant (it's impressive), lion, tiger, owl.. she thinks a turtle says "turtle, turtle" and if she could talk better.. she would think a camel says "Hey! I'm a camel".. because that's what Jake teaches her.
She knows where her eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, ears, hair, hands, belly and toes are.
Bryn can pretty much repeat anything I say.. but chooses to say.. hey, hi, dad, mama, pa, mammy, mum-mum, papa, whoa, row row,doggie, emmett, up, no, yes, thank you, please, all done, poo poo, go.. etc. Basically... she rocks.
Bryn climbs EVERYTHING. Gets into EVERYTHING. And is super interested in how to put things together. She has loved tv since she was like 3 months old. Her favorite is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
She loves to sing (Row you boat is her fave).. and the girl LOVES to dance.
She is so good with Vivian. And it's not something we necessarily taught her. I think it's just her nature. She's just very gentle and loving towards her. Same with our dogs. She has never been mean to them. Bryn just has a sweet personality.
Bryn also loves to close doors. Idk why.. but she REALLY loves it. Anytime she is doing something she shouldn't.. 9 times out of 10 I can divert her attention from it by asking her to shut a door. Strange. lol!
Bryn knows when she is doing something she isn't supposed to. She gets a super guilty look and falls flat to the floor so you can't pick her up (easily).


If you made it to here, you are a champion. Thanks for reading. I feel more at peace knowing I have a little bit of my girl's first year on here now :-)