Last things

The last....

Voice I woke up to:

Walker boy in a whisper.  330am.  "Momma....what is your favorite tool?  A hammer or a wrench?"

Friends episode I watched:

The one where Rachel turns 30.  I remember watching this episode so many years ago and thinking how OLD that seemed.  And now here I am.....

Book I read to the boys:

Oh my gosh.  THIS book.  This guy is a rock star.  I've never known his whole story, so I loved reading about how successful he was because of some serious hard work.

Dress I swooned over:

This one from ASOS.  I need it.

Picture I loved:

I'm so over winter weather.  But this boy loves all seasons and everything that goes with all of those seasons.  And I do love him.

4 things you can do for your blog right now

Blogging for me, right now, is a "spare time" activity, and since my 30 minutes of down time at the end of the day consists of watching an episode of Friends on Netflix and snuggling Crew, blogging hasn't been happening a lot lately. 

I always think...'oh,I should do that for my blog', or 'I have a great idea", and I never get around to it, BUT!  here are a few things you can do right now! right this moment! for your blog.  

1.  Change up the "popular posts" section on your sidebar.

You should have this on your sidebar.  It's an important one.  Anything you can do to keep people on your site for a bit longer is beneficial.  Determine what a few of your top posts have been, or choose several of your personal favorites to feature.  Go ahead right now and change those out if you already have that particular section.  And if you don't, make one!  (Add an HTML gadget to your Layout and you're good to go!)  Once you've done this, make sure to share on Twitter or FB that you've changed up that section on your blog.

2.  Comment on 2 blog posts.

Community is key in the blog world.  Commenting is dying out, unfortunately, because most people read from their phones (and it's harder to comment with the tiny keyboard).  But, it's always a good idea to show support to another blogger, and it will put your name and your blog's name out into the world for others to see.  Make sure to actually read the post and make a genuine comment.

3.  Comment on 2 Instagram pictures.

Yes, this is good for your blog as well.  Scrolling through Instagram is my thing while I'm nursing Crew at 330am, and since no one is really posting during that hour, I'll click on people's accounts who have commented on a particular picture.  If they have a link in their profile, I'll sometimes click on it. If I'm doing this, other people are doing it!

4.  Determine how to recreate one of your most popular posts.

Look through your stats and see which of your blog posts have received the most hits.  Instead of just re-distributing those blog posts through social media (which isn't a terrible idea to do a "from the archives" or "here's an oldie but goodie"), decide how you can recreate it.  For example, my top posts are usually my 1 item, 3 ways posts.  I enjoy doing these, and I think it's a great way to maximize your wardrobe...so I'll figure out more items I can wear multiple ways. And I'll do it right this second while I'm thinking about it...instead of putting it on my to-do list.

There are a ton of things you can do for your blog and to improve your blog, but these are just 4 things you can do right this minute! And maybe these things will even get your creative juices stirred up for other ideas! 


What is something you do for your blog when you have just a few extra minutes to spare?
For a few blogging tips, check out this post.

a podcast and some thoughts on parenting

The Sunday before Crew was born, I was 4 days past my due date and about 4 million pounds overweight, so I decided to stay home from church and rest.  Noel took the boys to church, and I decided to take a nap.

Of course the nap didn't actually happen, so I ended up folding laundry and listening to a podcast where Sheri Dew interviewed Julie Beck and Sister Beck's daughters.  With a little mix of pregnancy hormones and the podcast just being incredible, I cried through most it.

One thing that really stuck out to me was the discussion of raising children to become people you would like to be around later.  That makes sense, of course, but I've never really thought about it that way.

We all like to be around different kinds of people, so those characteristics will vary from person to person.  But as I was thinking about the main qualities I want my children to have when they're adults, I thought about how I want them to have good manners, be good conversationalists, be grateful, and be men who are quick to serve.  I'm also trying to having the most amazing daughters-in-law....sooooo.....

These qualities are, of course, no brainers, but I know SO many adults who don't have these. Ah!  And then....I remembered that I already wrote an entire post based exactly on these specific thoughts. So that was fun to re-read and reflect on.

If you have time (we're iced in here in NC!), I suggest listening to this amazing podcast...and reading my old blog post on a few things I think are important qualities for children to have. (and that I hope mine will!)

Dressing the Bump: 3rd Trimester

I posted all my 2nd trimester outfits, but never got around to posting the outfits for the last part of my pregnancy.  I'm so glad baby Crew is here, and it's fun to look back at these pictures of when he was inside!

Here's a look through my outfits during the third trimester with baby boy...(and a few basics I recommended before, and I'll recommend again.)  :)

Link to the original post with outfit details under each picture.

1/2/3

1/2/3

1&2/3

1/2/3

And then here's an outfit I wore on my actual due date at 40 weeks pregnant. Ah!!

A few items that I would highly recommend when buying or adding on to a maternity wardrobe.

*Black Jeans

*Regular "skinny" jeans

*A V-neck tshirt in multiple colors.

*Neutral Dress (like the grey one in the 39 week picture.)

      -I've worn this from the beginning to the end and have styled it in so many ways.  Such a great addition to my wardrobe this go around.

*Neutral top with pattern (a "nicer" one, and then a more casual one.)

      -like the black and white striped one I wore a billion times.  It grows with you, and can be styled with all colors, patterns, and bottoms.  Another great addition with my last pregnancy.

Now, I'm at the awkward stage where my normal clothes are a little too tight, and my maternity clothes are way too big.  I'm working the stretchy pants like nobody's business.  Oh yeah!

Linking up with Shanna and The Pleated Poppy

Life with 3

So many times I've wanted to blog, or complete a task on my to-do list, and then I look at this sweet little boy (those cheeks and those neck rolls!!), and a snuggle snooze moves to the #1 spot on that list.  I remember how fast these days pass, and I don't want to miss a second of it.

Life with 3 little boys is going really well.  My body is recovering quickly, and because Crew is a rock-star sleeper and eater, I'm actually feeling well too.  Of course, he's still a newborn, and there are still 2am feedings, but somehow, this go around, I'm ok with them, and enjoy those quiet moments when it's just the two of us.  With all that being said, Crew is very good about eating and going right back to sleep, which makes the middle of the night feeding not so bad. And I'll be totally ok with him sleeping through the night one of these days.

The older boys play so well together, which is really nice while I feed and take care of the baby. They love "babysitting" (singing and watching the baby while I do something else for a second), and if they ever hear him cry, they both run to comfort him.  It's really neat to see...even though sometimes I have to remind them to give baby a little bit of space. :)

Charlie has always been a big brother (he was only 19 months old when Walker was born), but this is Walker's first go at it, so things have changed slightly, which was expected. Charlie and I both have all the characteristics and qualities of a first child. Because of this, and because I don't understand first hand some of the feelings that come from having an older sibling and a younger sibling, I've had to pay extra close attention to how Walker feels about things. 

I've been trying to take a few extra minutes every day with both Walker and Charlie.  And even though they're "big boys" now, I'll grab each of them into a baby hold and have a conversation with them like that with extra kisses and snuggles.  It's amazing the peace that comes over a little person when they're in that position (or in a hug), and when they know they're loved and being listened to.

Life is good.  :)  I hope you're having a happy start to your week!

Crew's Newborn Photo Shoot

I can't get over how much I love these pictures that Sara from Sara Logan Photography shot the other day for us.  I'm still teary eyed from the beautiful moments she captured.  Here are a few of my favorites.  

^This is EXACTLY how Charlie feels about his new baby brother.  He can't get enough of him and would eat him up if I let him. 

^this wild things print!  I had it customized to have 3 wild things :) 

^my friend, Kristen, made Crew this beautiful blanket.  

^Chocolate milk makes everything better (especially after getting a boo-boo) 

^This is where me and the Crew man hang out at night

^Always attached

I need to get these on my wall ASAP!  Ohhh I love them.  And I love Sara for capturing these moments for us.  Her photos always take my breath away.  Can these boys stay this little forever?