High Five for Friday

It's been awhile, like months, since I've done a H54F post. Life, you know? Anyway, this afternoon Maylin is napping, the frigid January temps have lightened up a bit so that it feels almost spring-like, and I've got those slimy whitening strips on my teeth that makes it to where I can't use this time to munch on frozen mango. The solution is, obviously, to spend my  time in our sunroom enjoying the weather and blogging.

Here are 5 favorites from this week::

{1} My go-to breakfast~ coffee and ice-cold, salted grapefruit. Usually I also have a slice of cheese toast, but it's not pictured here. Pregnancy breakfast of choice, friends. It happens every morning.

{2} I put together a pregnancy journal from all the belly pictures I took when Maylin was still in-utero. It came in recently and I can't stop looking through it. There are pages dedicated to getting her nursery ready, choosing her name, and baby showers, plus ultrasound pictures and places to journal about how we told our family we were expecting and what I was craving at the time {which was NOT mango or grapefruit and salads made me want to vomit}. It's been so fun to look back through it and it's brought back so many fun memories. Now I'm committed to making one for Hartlie baby, too. Which means I need to take many, many more belly photos. These may or may not end up here on the blog. Sorry {not sorry} in advance.

{3} Speaking of Hartlie, I snagged a picture of a few things we've gotten specifically for her, things that aren't just hand-me-downs from big sis. The gray polka dot head rest is from my sister, and is the only actual gift we've received for her. Obviously since she's the second girl we've reproduced in less than two years and we basically have everything we need. Still. It was nice to get a gift just for Hartlie. I also bought her a set of those really handy monthly stickers that I've been slapping on Maylin once a month for pictures. I'm not sure if I'll do the exact same thing for Har, but I like having them just in case. Also, the little Going on a Bear Hunt board book was just too good to pass up. Girl's gotta own her own book, am I right?

{4} Maylin has been using her bumper pad as a pillow. We've caught her on several occasions and I happened to snap a pic during this instance. Too adorable. And clever, that girl.

{5} Have I mentioned Maylin has found the stairs? 

I'm kicking off my birthday weekend tonight with dinner out ALONE with Michael. I'm looking forward to having table conversation that doesn't include "ba ba ba" from the baby {although I know I'll secretly miss it while I'm there}. 

Happy Weekend, friends!

{post inspired by Lauren}

High Five for Friday

1. I blogged yesterday about taking time to savor September and enjoying the little moments leading up to Fall. One thing Maylin and I did this week was sit out on the front porch. The temperature here is still in the 90s, but that's better than 100 degrees, so sitting in the shade on the porch was actually bearable. I think she rather liked finding all the little "outside treasures" that were around her little space.

2. Michael and I taught ourselves how to play a new card game this week- gin rummy. Have any of you ever played? It's a two-person card game and was pretty fun! I inwardly enjoyed laying down my cards and saying "gin" in a sweet little voice when I won. (Ahem, Game 1: M= 67 points; J=251 points) We had kinda gotten in a rut in the evening where we did the same things over and over, especially after having Maylin. This game spiced things up a bit this week, in a friendly, competitive way.

3. I picked up a few new beauty products this week at Target. (I despise the term "beauty product." So cliche.) I picked up a few different-for-me items to update my morning routine. I'm trying to grow out my hair and bangs, and it's taking for.ev.er. So, in order to give myself a little change from my straight brown locks, I grabbed some Velcro rollers, a new brand of shampoo and conditioner, and a curling iron. I've been working real hard this week on trying to get some volume into this hair of mine. Also, inspired by my sister, I tried out the E.L.F. line of makeup. So inexpensive (which M loves!) yet works pretty well too. I'll definitely be going back for the concealer and blush, but can do without the mascara. I'll stick to my $10 tube of that.

4. How cute are these tiny swimsuits and sun hats??!! And I'm not even going to mention the yellow sunnies. I know I said I'll be saving September, and I will be, but this coming week I'll be doing it from the beach. We're taking a late summer beach trip with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law. Considering I haven't been to a beach since I graduated college four years ago, I am very much looking forward to it. I can't wait to feel the sand between my toes, listen to the waves, and relax beneath an umbrella. So, as soon as I finish this post, I'm back to packing.

5. My furry firstborn and constant companion. He follows me around the house all day and I love him for it.

I hope your week was wonderful, too! Linking up with Lauren for H54F. Have a fabulous weekend.

High Five for Friday

This is my first High Five for Friday post!

I first discovered this link up by reading my friend Lauren's blog. I've been toying with the idea of starting my own Friday series, but for now I believe I'll just join in the fun with this one. It's kinda enjoyable looking back through my week and thinking about the five moments that stood out to me most. Really makes me appreciate those little times to which I may not have given a second thought if it weren't for this little reflective exercise. 

So without further ado....

{1} Thursday Morning Beignets: What is better than warm fried dough topped with mounds of powdery sugar? Eating them while drinking a large caramel coffee. Oh, and the fact that I munched calorie-laden breakfast food instead of working out.

{2} Visiting Our Alma Mater: We took an impromptu trip to our college campus to pick up a few items for the upcoming football season. And of course, since it was Maylin's first visit, we had to get a picture of her next to the fountain in the quad. A sweet college girl offered to take a picture of the three of us. 

{3} Sunday Lunch: Isn't this picture the sweetest? I'm so glad I was able to capture this memory on film. My mammaw rocking her great-granddaughter.

{4} Posture Perfect: This little baby has been sitting up for one week. I love how straight her back is when she sits. No slumping, this one. Sits just like a little lady. 

{5} Living Proof Live Conference: I wrote about this conference here. Very powerful and very inspiring.

I hope your week was filled with interesting moments like mine was. 

Happy Friday! 

And hooray for a long weekend!

Linking up with {the other} Lauren for H54F!