DIY terrariums

I have about 10 minutes before my sweet baby wakes up from her nap, but I wanted to get this post up because I am sooooo excited to have FINALLY planted my little succulents that I bought about a week ago. I just let them rest on my window sill until I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. I decided to use the vases and pots that I already had on hand. For me, this meant that I had to do a few separate plants instead of planting them all in one giant pot like I had originally envisioned.  I am so glad that I went in that direction because I change my mind A LOT. This gives me the freedom to move them throughout the house if I want or just rearrange them where they are.

 I grabbed a basic terra cotta planter that I had in the garage and spray painted it in "lemongrass"so that I could add a touch of color to our very "woody" and white dining space. It is my kind of yellowy -green, and I love it. I covered each plant with some potting soil, moss from JoAnn's fabric store, and some river rock from JoAnn's as well. I am in loooooove! They just brighten up our space so much!! Not to mention, I am not the best at keeping things alive....plant wise. I mean....I really suck at it. I am hoping that these little guys stay around for a while. Fingers crossed!

Mother's Day Brunch

I know we are all kind of over Mother's Day posts, but I took a break from the internet for Mother's Day and the following day kind of.....so here are my pics from a low key Mother's Day Brunch that I put together for our sweet mothers. We are so blessed around the Patillo house!! Our mom's are both 5 minutes away right now, and we do NOT take it for granted (purposely). They are so helpful and so just always there when we need them. It almost seems unreal how often we get to get out by ourselves sans baby. Thank you so much!!!!

I got to sleep in a little to kick off my special day! I was given the cutest Mother's Day card by the cutest little girl ever!! ( because our own kids are the cutest in the world, right?) ;). Gabe had treated me to a mani/pedi on Friday so I was all set for the weekend. It was pretty perfect! Amara got me an Itunes gift card to go with my new Ipad mini. It is perfection......I am so excited to get it set up and fight over it with a toddler :) She calls it a "padpad". so cute!! 

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you lovely mamas. I feel like it is one of the hardest, but most rewarding callings out there, and I am so glad that I get to be called "mama" by this little chick. I know people who are missing their moms this Mother's Day because they are no longer with us or simply because distance separates them. I am not taking for granted ( this year more than ever) how BLESSED I am to have my mom and Gabe's mom not only involved, but close to us.

 Gabe came home today after a long 12 days in Canada, and to be honest.....having my family back together is just the best Mother's Day gift a girl could ask for. So grateful to God for bringing him home safely, and getting to see our precious child light up when she saw him. BEST. DAY. EVER!

Enjoy your day doing what you love, even if it is just lounging at home and/or sleeping! No judging here.....seriously....no judging!

Zoo day

 We went to the zoo yesterday for the first time this season, and it was an ABSOLUTE PERFECT DAY to be outside. Amara and I met up with our sweet friends, and kicked off our little adventure with a carousel ride. You guys....I have been anxiously awaiting this zoo trip because Amara is starting to really take note of the things around her, especially babies and animals. We made animal sounds in the car on the way to the zoo ( gotta get her prepped, ya know?), and it just made her laugh so hard. I just knew that she would get a kick out of seeing these animals that we mimic day in and day out.

  It is just so much fun watching this little bean that was in my tummy not even two years ago growing into a full -blown little girl. I think that is why the zoo was so fun for me today.... because Amara is starting to interact and enjoy outings like these, and to be honest, there is just nothing that makes me happier than watching her be happy and so amused. Period! Although, a close second would be the watermelon snow cone and soft pretzel that I had today.

Snow cones just make you feel like a kid....in the best way possible. 

I know it is hard to tell my legs apart from the Goat hair, but they ARE two different things.

Morning Silence

 I have NEVER been a morning person! When I was pregnant, people would always tell me " Well, get ready because when that baby gets here, you will never be able to sleep in!" The thing is....we put Amara down between 8 and 9 pm ( sometimes later if we are partying hard), so she sleeps pretty well into the morning. I have always just slept in until I heard her little voice waking me up. However, I recently woke up the other morning wide awake, and Amara was still sleeping. I took the time to make myself a cup of coffee, some breakfast and just relax. It is a great time to do my devotional for the day too. I just never make the effort to give myself that beautiful, SILENT time in the morning. I really want to try and adjust my schedule so that I can take that moment before my day starts to just "gear up" and move at my own slow pace. I love the smell of coffee. I love the sounds of making coffee.....all of that stuff that you don't hear when you have a husband, baby and dog running around. 

 Here is to my new morning silence! Jenni, just get your butt in bed earlier so you can give this to yourself. It is so worth it!! Some coffee ( pour over style) and yummy breakfast doesn't hurt. :)

My absolute favorite thing to eat for breakfast right now. I am sure I will tire of it soon! ;)

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Missing you...

 Today, we got to Skype with daddy while Amara was refusing to nap awake. I can't even begin to put into words how it makes me feel to see his face pop up on my computer screen......butterflies in my stomach. Not only do I get to feel that feeling just by seeing him, but I literally get teary - eyed watching Amara's eyes light up when she sees her "dada". Just before this little tour run, Gabe had a show here in town. It was the first time that Amara walked into the auditorium and noticed Gabe on stage right away, and pointed yelling "dada". I was so overwhelmed with joy because it is just ONE more way that she gets to see her daddy be AMAZING! One more way for him to take hold of her heart. One more way for him to be her everything.

 Amara actually "talked" today when Gabe asked her questions. Every other time that we have Skyped, she just sits, smiles, and stares. She showed him her newly painted toes, her hair bow, how she could walk in her rain boots. She laughed at his silly faces and voices.....I mean, it was just the best.

Babe,
  You are the earthly, core being of our family. I know it is lonely on the road at times, even surrounded by people. I get lonely here too. I miss you so much sometimes, my heart hurts!! I want you to know that there is such a void when you are away. It grows us and makes us strong, so that the times that we are blessed with are SO RICH!! We have spent more time apart than together as a family these last 7 months, but I love our crazy life. I know that a "smile can go a long way", and today, it did just that. It made my day to "see you"smile. I love the crap out of you!! ;) Amara and I are the luckiest!!!

Love you more,
J

Play date.

It is day ONE of the TEN days that Gabe is out of the country. I miss him soooo much already. It is the sweetest ( and saddest ) thing to watch Amara listen for, and think she hears "dada". She has said his name every couple of hours since we dropped him off at the airport. Since we are both in a funk from missing our guy, I am attempting to occupy every waking moment of our time. I would say it is more for me than her. I get really anxious and can't sit still, so I am always wanting to go eat somewhere or shop somewhere or do SOMETHING!

 Today, we got to hang out with two of my fav mommies, and their sweet babies. Time is so sweet together. Our kids have been around each other since they were born, and there is just a great comfort in being with two women who have seen you in your pjs at one time or another with no make-up on. It was so hot outside today, so we opted for the puppet show at the library. It was my first time taking Amara and it was AMAZING! Then, we headed to grab some yummy Mexican food and some gelato. It is always a good day when gelato is involved. Amara also got a new pair of sandals. She is becoming quite the shoe shopper. So much that she is turning me into a shoe lover. When I try a pair of shoes on her and ask her if she likes them, she responds with a little laugh. How can you NOT buy them!?!?! Yesterday, I bought her a pair of glittery knock off Tom's from Target. Ummm, they are too big for her little feet, but the fact that she refused to take them off and keeps pointing at them and talking with her excited little tone....it melts me.

There is something to be said for mommy/daughter time. I really want to enjoy these days while daddy is gone. One day, I won't be cool enough to hang out with. It is just part of life. I am stocking up on memories, ya know?

She loves mommy's hats!

Puppets!

Sitting petite and pretty

The yummiest chicken enchilada with lemon cream sauce.

Amara loved the queso of course. I am pretty sure that is all she ate for lunch.

We are raising a "hugger". I love her affectionate heart!

Local honey & peanut butter gelato at Legato Gelato in Edgehill....yes, please!

Where did my baby go? She is growing up so quickly....and becoming quite the shopper.

Shoes are her weakness ( new sandals pictured ;)