Thursday, January 31, 2013

Wedding Highlights

Remember my wedding? Ya know the one that took place 15 MONTHS AGO? 
Well, at the wedding we had hired a videographer and now after 15 months of agony, impatience and a few less-than-friendly e-mails our wedding video is FINALLY in the mail and on it's way to us. 

11.05.11 was the best day of my life and while I have incredible photos to remember all the details (thanks SJ) I am so excited to relive the day with this video. Fingers crossed it gets here before the weekend so that I can watch it over and over again all weekend long....that's normal right?

Along with the full wedding movie, we get a little highlight video to share with friends and family. And since you guys are my friends (we're pals, right?) I'm sharing it with you today! 

So, sit back, relax and enjoy the best parts of our special day (which took place 15 months ago---I'm not bitter). 

And make sure you watch til the very end....because that's my favorite part! 


How many times do you think I have to watch it until I stop tearing up? 
1,000? 
Yeah...I think 1,000.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Some Hump Day Humor

We've all seen these all over the place (namely Pinterest) but no matter how overdone they are, I get the biggest kick out of them! It's become a favorite past time to send them to friends & family. 

Here are some of my favorites and ones I think particularly apply to myself and the ones I love. 

























I was going to give some shout outs to the people who these pertained to, until I realized that 98% of them pertain to my Beeb....and that would have just been obnoxious. 

happy hump day my friends! 

Friday, January 25, 2013

My New Favorite Toy

Good Morning peeps! And HAPPY FRICKIN-FRIDAY! 
As Bailey always says, "It's the weekend baby!"
{yes, my dog talks}

Anyways, I'm super obsessed with my Starbucks app and today I'm here to tell you why. 
I know....get excited. 

I realize I may be super late to the party on this one, but I just got it a couple of months ago and it's for sure my favorite app {well, besides Instagram and Twitter of course}. 

I love Starbucks, which I know seems sac-religious since I owned a coffee shop and the major chains are one of the reasons we are no longer in business. BUT, owning Coffee Buzz made me love and appreciate the whole coffee shop experience so much more than I ever did before. So, if I have to go to Starbucks to get it, then so be it. And let's be honest...me boycotting Sbux isn't going to make a heck of a difference, there's one on every corner and it's going to be that way for a while. 
Soy Chai Tea Latte is my poison...hot or cold!

One of my goals for 2013 was to tighten up our finances and one way we are actively doing that is by creating a budget and sticking to it. We looked back and our super handy dandy budget spreadsheet that I had made for 2012 and saw where we could make improvements and one of those categories was COFFEE. If I was made of money, I would go to Starbucks every.single.morning. But lez-be-real, at almost $5 a pop + tip

*SIDE NOTE* ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS tip your Barista! They work just as hard as a bartender and you would never stiff a bartender would you?! It's the same concept and how people think that someone who wakes up at 4am to make coffee for other people doesn't deserve a tip is beyond me! RANT OVER. 

So, at $5 a pop + tip we're looking at an average of $180 on coffee a month. I love my coffee but I'd rather have gas in my car thank-you-very-much. OK, I'm totally rambling....moral of the story is that I put myself on a strict $20/month Starbucks budget AND I'm using the super awesome Starbucks app to help me do it. 

At the beginning of every month I'm going to load my app with $20 and use only the app to buy my drinks....when the money's gone---no more yum yums for Kristin. 
How great is that?

AND, now it's even more fun and exciting to get my coffee because I get points for going! And the more points I get, the more fun rewards (hello, free drinks!) 

Yes, I just wrote an entire blog post about a coffee app. And no, unfortunately, Starbucks is not paying me to say this...I'm just that excited about the app. 

Now go on and have a good weekend! 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Favorite Sound & Some Changes

Well Happy Hump Day everyone. 
I spent yesterday working from home feeling like crap in a townhouse with no heat while it was -8° outside. 
Needless to say, this week got off to a rocky start, but now it's Wednesday and my week is almost done {working only a few hours at home on Friday is pretty much amazeballs}.

You may notice that there are some changes around these parts! What do you think of the new blog design? I wanted to simplify things a bit...but obviously couldn't move away from my black and white. 
You like?

Also, I wanted to let all my devoted followers know that I am changing my Twitter name! I recently changed my Instagram name and I want them to coordinate...so from here on out you guys can find me on both as
and if you don't follow me...you should probably start. 
J

In other news, Jason has been great at taking videos of Kenley. This is something I always thought I would be a spaz about {since I love taking photos and was a film major for several semesters in college} but I've totally been dropping the ball. Luckily, Jason has been utilizing our iPad mini to capture our little love and this video is my favorite so far, please also enjoy Jason's baby voice:
I have never in my life thought about having a favorite sound, but now I know without a doubt that Kenley's "voice" is my ultimate favorite. She has started to laugh and gurgle and coo and he little sounds are THEE cutest ever. Music to my ears people!


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Top Ten...Places I Want to Travel

I love to travel, even though I am scared of flying, I love to check out different parts of the country and hopefully some day the world. This weeks Top Ten Tuesday topic is...

The Top Ten Places I Want to Travel

#10.
College Station, Texas
I am dying to go to Texas with Jason to see a Texas A&M game at the 12th Man. Jason grew up outside of Houston but has never been to a game...so he would be SO excited! Plus, I was hoping while we're there RuthieSteph, Kristen, Shay, Brynn and Lia would all come join us! 

#9.
Hawaii
I would LOVE to do a long trip to Hawaii and see multiple islands as well as touristy stuff and of course straight up pool/beach lounging. 

#8. 
San Francisco/Sonoma, California
I want to plan a trip to spend a couple of days in San Fran and then another few days in Sonoma touring vineyards. I've heard AMAZING things and am dying to see this part of California. 

#7. 
Paris
Eiffel Tour, the Louvre, Arc de Triomph, Croissants, Cappuccinos...I would love to do it all someday!

#6. 
Boston
I am madly in love with the East Coast. I've been to New York City, Baltimore and Washington DC and now I am DYING to visit Boston! It seems like such a fun city with so much history. Plus, I might be able to sweet talk Erica into being my tour guide!

#5. 
Italy
I don't know how I'd ever choose where in Italy to visit so I'd have to hit up Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples & Florence all in one trip. Totally doable, right? I've wanted to go to Italy since I was little and saw the movie Only You. I mean seriously...PASTA? WINE? SHOPPING? It's like all of my favorite things packed in to one amazing country! 

#4. 

Africa
I think going on an African safari would be about the coolest thing in the world. I really, really hope that some day I can make my way to Africa and spend some time in the jungle. 

#3. 
Australia
I have a strange obsession with Australia. I think it would be so fun to tour Sydney and of course hang out with some Kangaroos and Koalas! 

#2. 
Bora Bora
Ever since they went to Bora Bora on Ali's season of The Bachelorette I have been obsessed with going and staying in a glass bottom bungalow. It looks like absolute paradise and I want to go there so badly.

#1. 
Greece
The absolute number one place I want to travel is Greece. I would want to go and check out all the historical sites in Athens, party in Santorini, lounge on the beach in Mykonos and visit the Kalavrita, where my great-grandparents grew up.

Where do you want to travel?

Friday, January 18, 2013

One Month, Two Month

Once again I am painfully behind, but on Tuesday my precious Kenley turned TWO MONTHS old!

How is this possible?

Since I totally missed the mark on her one month birthday, I'm going to play a little catch up!

ONE MONTH!
12.15.12
BABY STATS: 
Weight: 
at 19 days old (closest to 1 month that she was weighed) she was in at 7 lbs 13 oz
Length: 
21.5 inches
Sleep: 
She will sleep for about 4.5-5.5 hours after she goes down and then will wake up every 3 hours after that. 
Daily Routine: 
As of now, we have no routine, little miss pretty much dictates how the day goes. Once I go back to work, we will have a more set schedule and I'm assuming that will help get all of us into a daily routine.
Feeding: 
I am breastfeeding every 2-3 hours (feeding on demand still) and then I pump when I can and we'll give Kenley 1-2 bottles per day to give my poor little nips a break. 
Diaper Size: 
Pampers Newborn
Clothes Size: 
Newborn
Hair Color: 
We have a little brunette, but I'm noticing those locks getting lighter. 
Eye Color: 
A dark grayish blue. 
Milestones: 
First bath, first doctor's appointment, lost her chord, first Thanksgiving, first smiles!
Nicknames: 
Kenny Cakes, Ken Ken, Squeak City, Squeakers, Tortuga


TWO MONTHS! 
1.15.12
BABY STATS: 
Weight: 
10.5 pounds!
Length: 
22.5 inches
Sleep: 
Little lady is officially sleeping through the night and has been since around 6 weeks old! 
Daily Routine: 
The routine is still a little loosey goosey depending on the day and Kenley's mood but right now she's getting up around 6am to eat, she takes a little nap after that until around 9 or 10, then is up and happy until about 12pm when she takes her big nap which usually lasts a few hours. In the evening she alternates between eating, snoozing and playing. Then it's bath, eat, bed starting around 9-9:30pm and she's usually out for the night between 10-10:30pm. 
Feeding: 
Right now she's nursing for about 20-30 minutes in the morning and then goes through 2-3, 5oz bottles while chillin' with her grandparents during the day, then cluster feeds in the evening until bed.
Diaper Size: 
Still in newborn, but I think our skinny-mini might be moving up to 1's soon because she's so long.
Clothes Size: 
Still squeezing in to some of her newborn outfits but is primarily wearing 0-3 months. 
Hair Color: 
It's getting lighter! It's a sandy blonde color right now, but it darker in the back.
Eye Color: 
Still blue-grey but they are getting darker
Milestones: 
More and more smiles, starting to laugh, loves to grab mom's hair, grew out of the newborn sling in the tub and had first nap in her big girl crib!
Nicknames: 
Kenny Cakes, Ken Ken, Squeak City, Squeakers, Tortuga, Kens, Toogy,


It is so crazy to see how much she has grown in just 2 months. It actually hurts my heart a little. I wish I could freeze time and keep her this size forever. 


Kenley, my angel, you are an absolute joy. You are such a good baby and everyone that meets you {even random waitresses when we're out to eat} says so. Your daddy and I are absolutely loving watching your little personality develop and we are certain you are going to be one loud and outspoken little lady. You answered your mamas prayers and started sleeping through the night nice and young which both me and dad really appreciate, though you take after us and are quite the night owl. You make the craziest sounds...constantly...which is how you got your nicknames Squeak City, Squeakers and sometimes we refer to you as Lil Jon (she totally makes the "ugggggh" sound he makes). You are really starting to love "Activity Time" you look at the lights and screech so loud we sometimes think you're crying.

I love you more and more every day my baby girl and even though I want to freeze time and keep you as my tiny little tortuga forever, I am so excited to watch you grow and see all the fun new things you will start to do in these next couple of months.

Love, Mama