Happy Sunday

Any day I get to spend with my family is a happy one. We didn't do anything or go anywhere too exciting, but we spent every single minute together. As Grace would say, "I love it!"


Another reason why this was a happy Sunday- Grace's big girl bedding collection is finally complete! It will remain in this green tub for a little while longer, but it feels fabulous to know that once she's ready for a regular bed, it's all good to go.
Darling bedding fit for our little princess!

I just want to point out how most of these things have clearance stickers on them. My reward for visiting every single Target in Jacksonville. And Jacksonville is a big city with many Target stores.

He Loves Me

There's no denying my husband loves me. He tells me so multiple times everyday, but actions speak louder than words, so if I ever doubt the sincerity of his words, I need only remember what he did today.

The man drove me around all over Jacksonville so I could check out a couple of bookstores. He patiently waited with a bored toddler while I leisurely browsed the aisles and looked at rare and antique books. And when I'm in a bookstore without the responsibility of keeping my girl under control, I can take a long time.

He didn't say a word when I suggested a visit to one of the last Targets I hadn't been to in the past week. I know, I know- I have a real problem with my addiction to Target. In fact, after paying for the matching shams for Grace's bedding, he said it was the least amount we've ever spent at Target at one visit. I'm not sure if it was meant to be a compliment, but I'm going to take it as one.

(I will post pictures of Grace's bedding once the curtains I have to order online come in- then her collection will really be complete. Even his go-with-the-flow attitude on my whole bedding obsession proves his love for me. He may not understand it, but he at least he is tolerant of it.)

When I wanted to stop by at the nearby HomeGoods 'real quick', he was cool with it. Even though he knows very well that I can never go to a place like that for just a few minutes. He and Grace had fun checking out the different seating options on display.

After we finally got home, he installed the curtain rods and hung up my new window valances. Then he and Grace played with dolls and he even taught her how to diaper her baby doll.

My sweet husband did all of this all while feeling a bit under the weather. I feel a little bad that I dragged him around town like that while he was sneezing and sniffling, but I did let him take a little nap and made him some ramen soup for dinner. That may not have been enough to make up for wearing the man out today, but like I said, he loves me. As I do him.

Bedding Obsession

Last night as we were lying in bed getting ready to fall sleep, Mike turned to me and said that he never imagined how much joy having a baby would bring into our lives and that he was more in love with me than ever after seeing me become the mother to his child.

It was one of the sweetest things the man has ever said. And I hope he remembers that sentiment well, especially since I made another trip to Target this afternoon and spent a bunch of money on our pride and joy's bedding. The bedding that I said I would wait to buy until it went on sale. The bedding that won't even be used until she actually moves into a big girl bed, which most likely won't be until after we leave Jacksonville because of the space constraints of her current bedroom.

To my defense, the sheet set was half off. Unfortunately, the rest of the bedding was not. What choice did I have but to grab the bedding when I came upon the aisle and saw a lady eyeing it, and there was a limited supply left? As Grace was busy waving and saying hi the the lady, I was trying to sneak a peek at what she had in her cart- everything I wanted and in the size that I needed!

I was nervous the lady had taken the last of the size I needed, but thankfully I found one full size sheet set that was hidden behind a stack of king sizes. I took it as a sign that I needed to go ahead and just get the rest of the bedding to complete the collection, on sale or not, before they sold out and I was out of luck.

Although I feel slightly guilty about not waiting for a better deal on the rest of the bedding, I am greatly relieved that I can finally put my bedding obsession to rest. As fun as it was visiting all the Targets around town, sometimes all in one day, it was also really exhausting.

Daddy fixed her horsie and she loves him so much that she likes to sweetly nuzzle him whenever she's nearby.

Shopping Partner

My shopping partner and I had hit HomeGoods, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and two Targets- all before lunch. We were a busy duo looking for decorating odds and ends for her bedroom and my new office.

We didn't have any luck during our morning shopping blitz, although I was sorely tempted to get the pink and green throw pillows at HomeGoods when Grace hugged them and said, "Mama, I LOVE it!"

As soon as Grace got up from her nap, we hit our third Target for the day. This is where we finally hit the jackpot. I found the perfect window valance for my office nook and living room and they were on clearance for five dollars. Five dollars! I thought I also found the perfect area rug to cozy up my office space, but it didn't quite fit right, so the search continues for that.

I did find the most darling bedding set for Grace's big girl bed. I'm holding off on them until they go on sale, but I'm just glad I finally found something. Now I have to keep a close eye on them and wait until I can get them for a better deal. And seeing as how I go to Target about ten times a week, there's no way I'll miss them when they do go on sale.

A productive shopping day for me and my shopping partner. Tomorrow, we're hitting up Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs!

It's a rare day that goes by when there isn't some sort of scene of destruction caused by Grace. I was in the bathroom for thirty seconds, tops, and this is what I walked out to. She knows ripping up books is a bigger offense than pulling out wipes so she immediately ran up to me asking for hugs, hoping to prevent any outbursts/disciplinary action from me. And sucker that I am, it worked.

Self Discipline

I could write about how weepy I got as I was putting away the clothes that Grace has outgrown. I could write about my current obsession of finding toddler bedding for Grace. I could write about my constant obsession with Gymboree and how I have spent every free moment not reading my book club selection like I should, but online salivating over their new fall line. Instead I'm going to tell you about my self-disciplining child.

As I was in the kitchen cooking dinner, I realized that it had been a few minutes since I had heard from Grace- almost always a sign that she's gotten into something she shouldn't have. (And as a sign of an hard core blogger trying to capture all of my family's moments- big or small, I went to look for her with my camera in hand.) Sure enough, when I found her, she had made a mess of her baby wipes- something she has gotten in trouble for countless times.

She was so entranced with the wipes that she didn't even hear me come up on her. When she finally realized I was there, she jumped up with the guiltiest look on her face and immediately said, "Palo!" and went to smack her own hand.

Palo is the Filipino word for spanking. Now, I have never actually spanked her, but I might have threatened it a time or two. Even if I was tempted to discipline Grace, how could I carry it out when I have a hard time not laughing out loud at the cuteness of it all?

I'm sure the day will come when the severity of the mess/action will warrant some real discipline (i.e. loud yelling and time outs), but today, it was all laughter and hugs.

Wannabe Office Assistant

Grace is my wannabe office assistant, but I know her well enough to realize that despite the sweet girl's best intentions, I can't get anything done if she's around to 'help'. She was quite upset with me at first for not letting her into my office, but she got over it quickly.

Daddy, Fix It

Grace absolutely loves her rocking horse. She especially loves the sound effects her horsie makes. But the batteries have died so when she tried to press his ears this afternoon and he refused to neigh, Grace said, "Oh no, broken! Daddy, fix it!"

And that pretty much sums up how we spent our Labor Day- Mike putting together all the finds from our Ikea shopping trip. Grace now has a lovely way to keep her toys organized and I have a new office (nook). It's so wonderful to have a husband who you can depend on to 'fix it'.

My cozy reading nook is no more.
It has been transformed into my office. I needed a place where I can work on stuff that would be safe from Grace's curious hands.

Grace got to stay up a few minutes past bedtime to watch a little bit of the VT game tonight.

Go Hokies!