Getting to Know You...

I love a good survey... it brings out the 14 year old in me. :) But, really, I'm too tired to think of anything else and I love reading random facts about other people, so why not? Here goes!

A- AGE: 26

B - BIRTHDAY: July 9th

C - COLOR: Red (ok…and pink)

D - DRINK:  Non-alcoholic variety: Croix Sparkling Water and alcoholic: margarita

E - EYES:  Brown

F - FLASHBACK: Growing up in Amish Country (That's me in the pink with our neighbors/BFFs pretending to be Amish. Normal.)

G - GENT:  My hubby and best friend (and baby daddy), Stephen

H - HOBBY:  Shopping, lunches with friends, list-making, reading, writing

I - INDULGENCE: Shoes

J - JOB:  Full time mommy and part time publicist :)

K - KIDDOS:  My daughter, Carrington Elle, who is almost 4 months

L - LOVE:  My crazy, wonderful family

M - MUSIC:  So eclectic. Goo Goo Dolls will forever be my favorite.

N - NICKNAME:  Jenny, JPa, Jenny P, JTuc

O - ONE WISH:  To be closer to our families

P - PETS:  Our sweet golden retriever, Layla Penelope (everybody has a middle name in our family, furry members included)

Q - QUOTE:  Too many… I love me some quotes!

R - RESIDENCE:  South Jersey (hailing from the “country,” let me clear up that I think the people here are lovely, the drivers aren’t all that bad, and it doesn’t smell)

S - SIBLINGS:  An older brother, Matt

T - TEMPERATURE: Current? Too cold. Favorite? Warm… 70s and 80s please J

U - UNIVERSITY:  West Chester University (aka Dub C)

V - VEHICLE:  Nissan Altima Coupe named “Ruby” (you can guess what color she is)

W - WORST HABIT:  Biting my nails

X - XRAYS:  I’ve had a few. Hopefully no more!

Y - YUCK:  Stink bugs, bugs with a million legs, throwing up

Z - ZODIAC: Cancer

 xoxo, Jen

Being a Mom Means...

I was that little girl who was obsessed with dolls. When any of my friends would want to play, my game of choice would be "pretend mommy." There's a video of me when I was around 5 years old and my brother asks me what I want to be when I grow up... I reply "a ballerina and a mommy." Well, I never got beyond beginner dance classes and love spaghetti too much to become a ballerina, but at least one of those dreams came true! ;) As an adult, my greatest fear was that something would happen to me before I could experience being a mom. The point? Being a mom is what I've always, always wanted.

And now that I'm three months deep, it is more than I ever could have imagined. More wonderful, more challenging, more life-changing... just more in every way. Despite less sleep (although we're getting plenty these days... stay away four month sleep regression!), it's as though my whole life is enhanced. My emotions are more raw, my fears more real, my love more all-encompassing. 

With all that said, several times a day I think to myself "so this is what being a mom means." As a newbie, I'm just figuring it all out one day at a time. Some are serious thoughts and some are funny, but they're all real.

Being a mom means...

Reading quietly with a reading light after baby goes to bed (yes, there is still a market for reading lights - it's 14 year olds and new moms)

Feeling like you have it all together when you can clean up dinner and find matching lids to tupperware containers in under 10 minutes

Embracing the "uniform" (you moms know what it is)

Getting excited to run errands because it's a good excuse to put on real pants maternity jeans, a nice top, and mascara

Scarfing meals down faster than you ever thought possible

Cleaning up all types of bodily fluids without batting an eye

Kissing cheeks, eyes, belly buttons, thigh rolls, and toes all day, errday

Putting the milk in the cupboard and the cereal in the fridge. It's ok.

Doing anything and everything for baby giggles. They're like chips... you can't stop at one. If that means I must dance around with spirit hands making airplane sounds, then so be it.

Delighting in the smallest things: she brought the toy to her mouth! She smiled at herself in the mirror! She didn't completely lose it during tummy time!

Swaying and bouncing at all times, even sans baby. It can freak people out.

Constantly questioning yourself: am I doing the right thing? Are they happy? Are they healthy? Should I do that differently? 

And yet, following instincts you didn't even know you had.

Waking up every morning to the sweetest smiles. Who knew the mere sight of your face could make someone so happy?

Leaning on your partner as you never have before for support, guidance, laughter, reassurance, advice, and love.

Discovering how strong, pure, and unconditional love can truly be.

xoxo, Jen

Carrington's Nursery Tour

Even when I wasn't pregnant, I loved looking at others' nursery tours. What is it about those tiny little rooms, with every tiny little thing in its place, that is so much fun? I had the best time putting C's room together. I knew from the beginning that I wanted it to be girly (because, why not?) without being too "bubblegum." I wanted to the energy of the room to be happy and light. I think I accomplished that! I love walking into her room - it just puts a smile on my face, and I hope it's a space that she grows to enjoy, too. It's not quite finished. I still want to add a bookcase and need to hang these little 8x8 canvases I bought of her newborn photos. But here it is mostly done!

The view as you walk through the door.

Her monogram, from Etsy. We bought it unfinished and hubby spray painted it gold. 

"C" hook from Anthropologie. The beautiful bib was a gift.

Please don't mind the balloon - it was from my husband's work shower! Dresser is Ikea (we switched the knobs and replaced them with ones from Home Depot), mirror and diaper caddy from HomeGoods, frames were gifts, jewelry holder being used as a headband and pacifier holder is from PB Kids.

Curtains and bedding by Carousel Designs (babybedding.com). 

Reading "nook." :) Glider is a custom order from Babies R Us, blanket was made by my mother in law, side table is from Ikea with the knob replaced with an Anthropologie one, lamp is from HomeGoods, and wall book case is from PB Baby.

Isn't this little giraffe the cutest? It was a gift from one of my best friends. So sweet.

My crafty cousin put this banner on the baby shower gift for C, and it fits perfectly on the end of her crib. Love it.

And what would a post be without a picture of C? I can't believe she was that tiny. <3

xoxo, Jen

Happy Valentine's Day

Another first in the books for Miss C! Her first Valentine's Day! 

Whether you're going out to a fancy dinner or staying in and ordering pizza (as for us, we'll be cooking at home!), I hope you have a sweet Valentine's Day with the ones you love. XOXO

Valentine's Day Picks

Truth be told, hubby and I typically don't do anything too special for Valentine's Day. Actually, for as far back as I can remember (which admittedly isn't that far - haha), we've stayed in and cooked dinner, and maybe even sprung for a movie "on demand." This year is the same story, and especially because we added a new little Valentine to our life... our sweet Carrington. <3

However, that doesn't stop a girl from doing some Valentine's Day day dreaming! If we did the whole big gift thing, here are the things I'd wish for and some things I'd shop for:

{For Her}

I wore Nadri jewelry for our wedding, so this would be a meaningful addition - a "C" for Carrie

I love anything BB, and I just ran out of my favorite lipgloss, so... perfection!

I also lust after anything Kate Spade. This watch is timeless (no pun intended).

{For Him}

These are really the only two things Steve wants: peppermint bark and anything NorthFace. Done and done. 

{For the Little}

What can I say? She's too little this year to understand a Valentine's gift, so might as well be something I enjoy too! How cute for decorating her room every year (or year round!). This sweet pillow is from Zara Home. 

xoxo, Jen 

Our Weekend

Another weekend gone by entirely too quickly. It's interesting, because since I stay at home with Carrington now, weekends have changed meaning. They used to be "cram everything I want to do into two days because the next 5 days will be useless," and now they've transitioned to much-needed {and well enjoyed} family time. :)

We kicked off the weekend on Friday by celebrating Steve's birthday! This is the 11th birthday I've spent with this man...I feel blessed to have spent so many by his side. :) He's super low key about his birthday. Example: "So what do you want to do on Friday for your birthday, babe?" "Chipotle and Starbucks sounds great." ...And he's 100% serious, and way more excited about those plans than if I planned something grand. So, Chipotle and Starbucks it was! But first, Carrington and I visited him at work for lunch. It was C's first visit to his office. Between her and the mint oreo cupcakes I brought, I was basically chopped liver. ;) 

C sported her "I <3 Dad" onesie for the occasion.

Saturday I stopped by the Carter's/OshKosh sale. 40% off everything, and 50% off some things, and of course you earn $10 for every $50 you spend. I couldn't resist a few spring/summer things...

the loot!

And Sunday we met my in-laws at Ikea. It was their first time there, so we strolled around that giant place for most of the afternoon. We ended up getting this bookshelf for C's room. I can't wait to organize her books and a few decorative pieces I haven't had room for. Yay! 

And, I can't wrap up without mentioning that today is my very special momma's birthday. She is such an example to my brother and me: a kind and gentle soul, and yet she possesses incredible quiet strength. I hope I can be half of the mom to Carrington as she is to me. Love you, mom!

xoxo, Jen

Monday Obsession: Dolce Vita

If I had to choose just one type of "thing" to be able to purchase for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be handbags, it wouldn't be sunglasses, it wouldn't even be clothing. It would be shoes. 

I have always had a deep love affair with shoes. From the early days of clip-clopping around the house in my mom's high heels to now... shoes really do make me giddy. They're complete eye candy for me, like little pieces of art. Not to mention, they {almost} always fit, no matter how much weight you lose or gain. :)

One of my more recently discovered favorite shoe brands is Dolce Vita. My most recent score was a pair of black booties, found on sale at DSW. I had been lusting over the "booty" {my husband says "why is it that women like booties and jumpers - aren't those for babies?} last fall but hesitant to buy a pair, as I wasn't sure I could pull them off. When I found those beauties in black and on sale, I knew they had my name written all over them. Perfect height, perfect look, adorable zipper in the back, and so comfy. Especially important now that I'm a new momma toting around a heavy baby carrier wherever I go!

So without further adieu, here are my most favorite DV picks:

the perfect bootie. love.

such a great neutral flat.

i feel like these would really elongate the leg. and i love a heel with some substance.

love the subtle chic chain and spike detailing. i'd wear these all summer!

Can you tell I love neutrals??? ;) Happy Monday, y'all!

xoxo, Jen