Kingston's Closet: 1st Day of School

Kingston's first day of school. 

Onesie // Carters Thermal Bodysuit

Jeans // BabyGap - similar

Moccs // similar 

Socks // Nike 

Bandana Bib // handmade by me

Recipe: Lily's Pumpkin Cake

Are you tired of making the same ole, tried and true pumpkin pie for your Thanksgiving dessert? Don't worry, I've got you covered.  I was introduced to this delicious pumpkin cake and I'm sure this one will soon be the new family favorite. 

Pumpkin Cake

Cake

4 eggs

1 2/3 cup of sugar

1 cup crisco

15 oz can pumpkin

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

Frosting:

3 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup butter or margarine 

1 tsp vanilla

2 cup powdered sugar

- In a bowl, combine eggs, sugar, crisco, and pumpkin and beat until fluffy.

- Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda. 

- Pour into lightly greased flour pan and bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees. 

- Let cool, and then whip frosting ingredients and spread on top. 

Serve with a big glass of milk.

Enjoy! 

Encouraging Words

Today I am so thankful for encouraging words. 

I was able to see first hand how a few simple words can really brighten someones day. 

" Oh Tiffany ... God makes all kinds of mommas, and God made you awesome! You have heart, brains, and beauty... you are artsy/crafty, you have made organization skills ... :) and you are helping to support your family. Kingston will grow up with an appreciation for everything you do, which will translate into him having respect for women because he has had a terrific example in you. Whether you work outside the home or stay home full time, you are a fabulous mom! "

These words brought tears to my eyes today when I read them. Happy tears. Tears of appreciation. So many times in the last 4 months I have second guessed so many things, felt guilty more times than I can count, but done everything in my power to be the best mom I can be. I know God made me to be a mom and I am so thankful. I'm even more thankful though that others can see that too. 

After experiencing how a few simple words can totally change someones day - my goal is to encourage others more. Just a few words to let them know that they are doing a good job. 

We should all try it. This world needs more encouragement. 

5 on Friday

Phew! Thankfully the week has come and gone and I'm so happy that we have a short 3 day work week next week!! It was my first week back to work after 16 weeks off (so naturally I'm looking forward to more time off) and Kingston's first week at daycare. Poor kid hasn't had a nap longer then 45 min in 5 days and his schedule is all sorts of messed up. I'm hoping things get better so my sweet baby can come back to me. He's been super tired = super grouchy.

Anyways . . . .

1. I confess . . . 2 minutes after dropping Kingston off on his first day of day care - I had to call them. I was trying my hardest to get in and out of there before I lost my composure, that I forgot to tell them when he ate last. When I called I promised them that I wasn't calling to check in on him already but they still probably thought I was crazy! It's been a week and I've already sent one note with tips and tricks. Yes - I'm totally that mom. Crazy! 

2. I confess . . . I'm debating if I even want to put up a tree this year. Usually I am ALL for decorations and being festive - but since having a baby and all the stuff that comes with him - our apartment doesn't have much room. Is that super grinch-y of me?

3. I confess . . . we are going to look at 13 more houses this weekend (10 looked at last weekend). Maybe we will find one we like enough to put an offer on? Fingers crossed that we find something  - we definitely are those people with champagne taste and a beer budget. 

4. I confess . . . I had never burnt a meal until I became a mom and since then, I have burnt 3. #isuckatlife

5. I confess . . . I'm afraid that Kingston is going to like his daddy so much more then me because he gets to see him much more often. Since Kingston goes to the daycare at his high school, CT goes down to see him at least once a day - either on lunch or his plan period. Not to mention, they will be off together all summer and every school break while I'm slaving away at work. =( It hurts my heart to think of all the time I spend away from him. I mean come on .. look how sweet he is. Even if he is grouchy because he's tired. 

Rock Chalk! 

Linking up with: The Farmers Wife, Lauren Elizabeth, A Little Bit of Everything, XOXO Rebecca,

 A Blonde Ambition

Intentional

Tomorrow I return to work after having 3.5 months off with my sweet baby boy. 

Tomorrow I take Kingston to a daycare provider I've met 2 times.

Tomorrow I become a working mom. 

As hesitant and anxious I am, this is something I have to do for my family and the 'lifestyle' we choose to live. 

When I think about it - I will have about 4 (awake) hours a day with Kingston throughout the week and 12 hours a day on the weekend. When I do the math, that's 44 hours out of the 168 total hours (70 of those he's asleep and 54 he's at daycare) I have with him while he's awake. That's not very much time I get to spend loving on my little man. 

That's why I'm making a commitment and a vow to be intentional with my time. 

The definition of intentional: done on purpose; deliberate. 

Especially for those 4 hours I have with him throughout the week, they are going to have a purpose. 

That means no time with my nose stuck down in my phone. 

That means meal planning so I don't waste precious minutes slaving away in the kitchen. 

That means tidying the house, starting the laundry and loading the dishwasher in the evening after he goes to sleep. 

That means packing our lunches and laying out our clothes at night, so I can get a few more giggles in in the morning. 

My goal is to be deliberate in all of my actions so I can be the best working mom possible.  

3rd Month Must Haves

(Sorry for the delay in this post. Im a tad bit behind schedule with Kingston being 3.5 months and all. Whoops! I'll do better next time. =)) 

As Kingston is getting older and I'm getting in more of a routine - there aren't as many 'new' things that are super must haves. We are still getting a lot of use out of many items from the previous months must haves but below are some of the newest things I'm loving! 

1. Mobile 

When Kingston wakes up in the morning and the random times he's in his crib throughout the day - he loves watching his mobile. This was one of the first projects I made for his room and I'm so glad I did. It is black and white with pops of metallic and it hangs from an air vent so it is constantly twirling. He will lay in his crib watching and talking to it which allows me a few more minutes to get things done. 
(I have one ready to ship on Etsy or I could help create the perfect one for you if you'd like. Email me!)


2. Sensory Crinkle Toys 
We have a black and white star that travels from his car seat to his exersaucer and back to his play mat and then an animals book (Walmart for cheap) - all that crinkle. He loves them and secretly so do I. Whether they are in his mouth or smashed between his hands - any movement makes sounds which keeps him entertained. 


3. Toy Links 
I was gifted some toy links and these are probably the most used toy Kingston has. Each link has a different textured pattern so they are fun to play with on their own or with other toys attached. We primarily use them to hook toys onto his carseat so it makes them reachable or on his exersaucer to add additional toys. If you were to get any toy - get these! Plus they are like 5 bucks. Multifunctional and cheap = awesome! 


4. Slouchy Hats
Kingston lives in these and we purchase our from SugarLime Lane. They fit from 3 months to 18 months, are super comfy and are only $12.50. Kingston has worn hats since birth so he doesn't mess with them at all. I'm so glad we started him when we did because now that it's gotten cold, he has one on all the time and doesn't mess with them at all.
Pardon my obsession! 

5. Tag Blanket
These are the perfect sized blanket to go anywhere with the baby. CT never wanted Kingston to have a 'lovey' but his tag blanket has kind of become the boy version of one. Kingston loves to sleep with something right by his face so this is what always ends up next to it. The soft minky and the interactive ribbon tabs are what make this blanket different than all the others. 

6. Carters Pants
These pants are a mix between leggings and long underwear. Some are thermal waffle looking and others are your basic knit cotton. They are super basic but just my type. I don't always want to mess around with the hassle of jeans so these are the perfect alternative. They are kind of expensive at $24 for 2 pairs - but you can always find them at places like Gordmans and TJMaxx for cheap! 


7. Carters Henley Thermal Onesies
If Kingston only had one piece of clothing in his entire wardrobe it would definitely be his Carters thermal onesies. They aren't 'babyish' and when Kingston wears them I think he looks like a little man. They are great piece to layer with and they wash/wear really well.  

If you haven't checked out my month 1 and month 2 baby must haves and my month 1 and month 2 mama must haves - do so and add them to your registry, your online shopping cart or pin them away for later! 

Update

Things have been crazy around these parts lately: 

We have been looking into purchasing/building a home. We've been pre-approved and have a budget and the last few days we have been out looking at homes. Our expectations might be a little high because I've realized we are super picky. We have champagne taste on a beer budget and we are wondering if building would be the best for us. On average it takes 6 months to build and since we are in no real rush to move out of our apartment that we pay $350 a month at - we might just look into that a little more. 

I've also been soaking up as any snuggles as I can get from my little man. I start back to work on Monday so I'm working on wrapping my mind around it. I'm trying to stay positive and keep busy so it doesn't really sink in. Come Monday I'm sure I'll be a blubbering mess. 

CT also has take off some extra time this week - so it's been nice having him around. 

Monday I had a 'girls' afternoon with my friend Jenna and we did a little shopping and got our toes done. I've realized I don't really crave time away from my little man but it was nice to have 3 hours to just do whatever. I still thought about him and talked about him as much as I would have if he was with me. What can I say - the kid consumes me and I'm okay with it! 

Winter has officially arrived and I'm not too thrilled about it. I'm thankful that we've been able to make it through football season without the need for blankets, earmuffs and hot chocolate but I'm sure we will be needing them this weekend at their last game. I heard it's even supposed to snow on Saturday. Joy! 

Back to regular scheduled posts soon.

Promise!

Weekend Recap

Okay, I'll be the first to admit . . . Halloween is a much better holiday when you have kiddos. I'm still not really a fan - but it was fun to get Kingston dressed up and eat all the candy he couldn't have. 

CT last minute decided on Kingston being "Chucky" over a spider.  So I ran to Goodwill, got some overalls and a stripped shirt and found a Guy Fieri wig that I spray painted orange. I then added a little paint to the overalls, makeup to his face and gave him a fake knife and we had our doll. 

We ran our errands during the day and then once CT got home from school we got Kingston dressed and went and visited some friends and family! 

Halloween day recap: 

Little man sure looked cute but he's to sweet to pull off evil Chucky. 

Nice try bub.