SOS Bridal Shower Edition

Today June and I stepped out to my sister, Emily's, bridal shower. It was a beautiful, wonderful, fun, fun and fun day. Our dear family friends threw it for her and let's just say there were margaritas and they were a-flowin. 

June made a small appearance at the shower because as the matron of honor I had some special duties so I didn't want to have to divide my attention. We made a neat beaded necklace for the bride to be; we each strung a bead on a necklace and said a wish, prayer or advice. So now Emily has a pretty necklace full of love from her friends and family. 

Let's get down to the deets we're all here for - what we wore!

On June>> Dress: Costco//Shoes: Saltwater Sandals//Headband: Target. On Me>>Dress: Target//Necklace: Vintage//Shoes(Not pictured): Nine West.

Oh hai, sideview.

Serving up some sass.

Lellow Shoes.

Now we're home, Junie is playing and Thomas and I are catching up on some good ol' Family Ties. We don't have cable so we're living on Netflix. Any suggestions for good shows via Netflix? 

How was your Saturday? Any good steppin' out stories?

Once again, we're linking up with Mz. Mandy at Harper's Happenings!

9 Months!

I'm not sure how this happened. I think I say that every month but how the heck do I have a 9 month old? I sit here remembering the day we found out we were pregnant, 18 months and 2 days ago. Remembering the day she was born, 9 months ago. These 9 months have been wild! 

June is healthy, happy and "strong willed." We had a doctor's appointment about a week ago because she was pulling at her ear (just a little cold virus/teething, no biggie). While the doctor examined June she kept commenting on her strong willed personality. This was obviously no surprise to me but kind of funny to hear from a medical professional. She suggested that I start reading on how to raise a strong willed child. My mom was right, this is freaking payback. That being said, does anyone have an suggestions for books on strong willed children?

Junie has one tooth, the bottom left. The right one is slooooowly breaking through but isn't through quite yet. I can tell it will come in any day and fast, just like the other one. In fact, the other one came in so fast that we were at a wedding when it happened. We left June with my parents at 3pm and by 8pm her tooth had broken through! And here I was so worried that she would never get teeth.

She's cruising big time, to the point that she pretty much refuses to crawl anymore. She hates being on the ground or even in her once beloved jumper. She's pretty fearless and when she falls she cries but not because she's hurt or scared - because she's mad that she can't pull herself back up. This will probably sound horrible but I totally let her fall and don't try to catch her. My point of view is I've made the house as child proof as I can, we have carpet and I put pillows around her so she needs to learn how to manage herself and her movements to master them. She seems pretty frustrated that she can't walk so I have a feeling that walking will come pretty soon.

We still feed Buggie pretty much everything we eat. Her new favorite is oatmeal for breakfast. I make my bowl and then scoop a little into a ramekin for her and dollop it onto her tray. She'll eat nearly 1/2 cup on a hungry day. We've discovered that she's allergic to eggs and it was totally my fault. The "rule" is that you're not supposed to start eggs until 12 months but I figured that since she had a very expansive palate that she would be fine. Not the case. Poor Junie broke out in hives. The second time she had egg (yeah, mother of the year over here forgot the homemade - that I made - mac & cheese had egg in it) it was even worse. Serious welted hives all over her face, chest, neck, and shoulders. I was so incredibly sad for her. She didn't seem bothered by them but I think that's because she's not really bothered by anything except us. 

So let's go over that handy Baby Center Milestone Chart:

                      Most Kids Can Do                Half of Kids Can Do             A Few Kids Can Do

9 months

Stands while holding onto something Jabbers or combines syllables Understands object permanence

Cruises while holding onto furniture Drinks from a sippy cup Eats with fingers Bangs objects together

Plays patty-cake and peek-a-boo Says "mama" or "dada" to the correct parent

June can stand while holding onto something, totally jabbers and completely understands object permanence.

She can definitely cruise, has drank from a sippy cup (a straw, no less) since 4 months old, has eaten with her fingers since 5 months old and LOVES banging objects together.

She plays peek-a-boo like a champ. Thomas and I are still debating the "dada" to the correct parent. She can identify us when we ask, "Where's mama? Where's dada?" And can say baba, not quite mama. She does say dada to me but really mostly to Thomas. So I'm on the fence about that one. 

Looking ahead, she's kind of already amazing at the 10 month old chart too. I really don't mean to brag but I'm rather proud of my sweet Buggie! Want to see how she did the last few months? Check out 8 Months!, 7 Months!, 5 Months!, 4 Months!, 3 Months! (I didn't use the chart until 7 months and was pretty sick for the first few months and month 6.)

I want to hear about your babes! How are they doing? Do you ever check their progress using Baby Center? Let me know in the comments!

Check out that tooth! And the first one is her loving her FAVORITE thing in the entire world, her bunny. 

Seriously, WTF is this? I can't get rid of this chart! AHH! Let's just all pretend it's not there.

Father's Day, For Realz

Today was for realz Father's Day. (It also happens to be my paternal grandpa's birthday, too! Happy birthday, Ernest Sadler Losey II, we love you!) Thomas had his UCB graduation show in LA. Let me explain that a little bit - The Upright Citizens Brigade is an organization that was started by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh. It's a sketch comedy, improv comedy, stand-up comedy, and all around funny theater for funny things. They offer all different classes and Thomas was in the intermediate class this go-round. His graduation was today and it was pretty darn funny. I'll be totally honest, it's kind of hard to be an objective observer in a comedy show when it's something I do and have been doing so long. And I don't mean that in a condescending way at all, I truly have trouble discerning funny anymore without completely breaking it down and figuring out the working pieces.  

Anyway, long digression, here are some pictures!

My grandfather (Garry Looney, yes, my mom's maiden name is Looney) owned a donut shop in Michigan for years (like a lot of years) and when I was born my grandparents sold the shop, sold the house and moved here to CA to be with me. They opened another shop in Orange, CA and sold it only a few years ago. The store is still there and today was the first time that I went in and they actually cared who I was and from where I came. It honestly made me so very happy, as silly as that sounds.

My parents watched June today while we were in LA. My dad, or Poppy, has the most amazing relationship with June.

Waiting for Thomas' show. Those shoes? Bought 'em  for a wedding when I was pregnant and now that my feet are not pregnant, they fit very oddly. 

Can't have pictures without cats. Thomas and his nephew, Preston, at lunch.

This was our second annual Father's Day softball game in the park next to my parent's house. That's my dad in the hat, my sister Emily is batting, me, Clint (soon to be brother-in-law), and Thomas are in the outfield. It's a lot of fun, regardless of my nonathletic abilities. 

Our day just did not stop. We came home and walked to the Orange Circle. Strawberry milkshake for me and Thomas, water for Henry and Cheerios and Strawberries for Junie.

OHMYGOD, those toes! I just love them. She crosses her legs like that pretty much all the time. Actually, when they were doing our big anatomy scan she had her ankles crossed like that too. She's just so modest. (hahahaha, so funny, my little nudist...)

Our shadows.

Today was such a fun, special and neat day. My darling baby Junie got to spend the whole day with her Poppy and I got to spend the day with my Thomas. My dad truly has an amazing bond with June. What makes me so happy about it is that I am still very, very close with my maternal grandfather. We lived with my grandparents until I was 1 and they couldn't bear to be without me so they uprooted themselves from Michigan to California. I have a sneaking suspicion that my parents would do the same for June. 

One of the things I love and appreciate about my dad (mom too) is that they always allowed me to express myself through my hair and clothing. I wore some pretty wild things and they always just rolled with the punches. That being said, I was a problem child. I was defiant, I talked back, I needed discipline. So I love seeing my dad's softer and sweeter side. June melts my dad's heart and it is just so amazing. 

So to all the fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers out there, happy day to you! I can't wait for next year and to see how our little family has grown.

Steppin' Out Saturday: Father's Day Edition

Oh Father's Day. The counterpart to Mother's Day. A day devoted to fathers. Fajhas. Dads. Pops. Poppys. Pas. This being Thomas' first real life father's day, it was an important day. He has a final class tomorrow for UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) so we celebrated today.

On me: top: Target, shorts: Motherhood Maternity, Necklace: vintage, Purse: from Italy, Shoes (not pictured): Toms (they say Toms <3s Moms, so cute), Sunglasses: H&M.

On June: Onesie: Carters, Shorts: Target, Shoes: Saltwater Sandals, Headband: Target. 

So let's talk about those shorts...anyone else still in maternity pants? I've lost all the baby weight but my hips and waist are just not the same. My old shorts fit but these are so much more comfortable. I don't wear them all the time (lies, I do) but they work well with a lot of my outfits. 

Here are a few other pictures from our day:

Dog park fun.

Those dogs are really interesting.

My Toms. And some bones at the dog park.

Just a cute baby and her daddy. And a cat.

What, more cats?

Oh, that hair. This was after some sweet potato and fruit was matted into it.

Cousin Preston and Junie comparing rat tails. She's rocking hers.

June and I gave Thomas a new, custom key chain from Etsy that says, "You Hold The Keys To Our Hearts." Pretty adorable. 

I'm trying something new, linking up with Harper's Happenings and sharing my Steppin' Out Saturday look. I'm pretty fond of them over there so check 'em out! 

My Carpet, The Bachelorette, and Henry

Oh friends, what a crazy few weeks we've had around the Kellogg Manor. We've moved! We have a stander! We have teeth! 

But frankly, that's not what I'm here to talk about. 

Let's start with my carpet. In the morning after June eats her breakfast (consisting of a fruit and cheerios or bread) I usually change her diaper and let her crawl around bare bottomed. It's good for her to air out a little bit and she absolutely loves it. She squeals, in fact. This morning we were having a play date with my dear friend Natalie who is pregnant and due in August. (I want to state here and now that I think BP is a GIRL. Let the record state that I'm probably right.) So I threw June into this cute boho dress that reminds me of my friend and proceeded to change her diaper. I let her air out for a few minutes before she started fussing. I picked her up and tried to put a diaper on her. The carpet was wet and warm. Her dress had an odd spot on it. Henry was on the other side of the room so my first suspect was out. June had in fact peed on the floor and then crawled into it. My little lady, always so delicate. First wardrobe change of the day for her.

We walked to the Orange Circle, had some Frappuccinos, a little lunch and came home. June was fussy so she laid down for her second nap while Nat and I caught up on life. (So very much needed, I love my Natalie.) Nat and Harper (her dog who is Henry's best friend) left and I got comfortable on the couch. Not 10 minutes later did June wake up. Oh life, you silly wench. 

Fast forward through Target and a frustrating return/exchange and through dinner. June was tired, so was I, so I laid her down for the night. She cried and cried and cried. I think she just wanted a bottle rather than to sleep. I let her play around in the living room for a while longer. June played, I watched an episode of Family Ties (yeah, my new favorite show on Netflix- slowly working my way through all 7 seasons) and Henry barfed on the carpet, twice. It was a strange yellow color so I rushed to clean it up and take him into the kitchen to throw up on the tile. 

The excitement was apparently too much for June who then proceeded to throw up on the carpet. Maybe she felt left out? All I know is that my living room got peed on, dog vomit and baby spit up on it all within 6 hours. You're welcome for this story.

Who watches The Bachelorette? LET'S BE FRIENDS! 

Who do you like? Who do you NOT like? I won't tell you who goes home for those of you who DVR it and watch it later. We no longer have a DVR so we have to watch it like the olden days; when it's actually airing. 

For the record, I like Ari, Jef and Doug.

I don't like Alessandro (WHO IS HE?), Kalon and the other nondescript ones.

Guys, Henry snipped at June today. He didn't actually bite her but she crawled on top of him and he wasn't having it and barked in her face. She cried, I freaked the freak out, reprimanded him and then cried myself. I was home alone with them so I had no back up to figure out what to actually do so I felt even sadder. Henry is currently curled up rightnexttome like he thinks I may sell him. He's been so good with her that I'm at a loss. What do I do? How do you deal with dogs and babies? She obviously needs to learn his boundaries but she's a baby and he can't be all snappy with her. Ideas?

I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite wall in the house. Thomas and I put this all up on Saturday. I'm in love with it. (Also, yes, I wrote that poem. Got asked that a few times already.)

MARRY ME, WALL! 

 Also, follow me on Instagram! AmberKellogg for all your too adorable pictures of June, Henry and me without makeup!