Anna Maria Countdown

Next month we have a pretty exciting trip lined up.  We are meeting our best friends from college along with their little guy (born just three weeks before Theo!) for a long weekend on Anna Maria Island.  John and his family have been visiting Anna Maria since he himself was a baby.  His family still has a house there and we are lucky enough to get to hop over there a couple times per year for a little break from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.  Even though we live in Florida, it still feels like such an escape to get to the other coast.  While I love and appreciate our beaches here on the East coast, there is something to be said about the calmness and beauty of the gulf.  Between the low key atmosphere, the sugar white sand, and the nightly sunsets - the west coast is the perfect destination for a relaxing family vacay.

I literally can not contain my excitement about seeing our two little boys play and interact with each other.  Baby best friends in the making for sure.  I can't think of anything better.  Between days spent on the beach and trips to our favorite eateries (Starfish Co. in Cortez is at the top of our list) we are sure to have a fun filled weekend.

In preparation for our trip I am planning on stocking up on our favorite sunscreen and swim diapers, picking up a new umbrella for the beach for the girls - we have this for the babes, and shopping for a few new beach cover ups (or possibly this rash guard) for me.

Below are some pictures from some of our past adventures on Anna Maria Island.  We are literally counting down the days until our return!

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day weekend is officially in the books.  Saturday was spent doing some of my favorite things - a little shopping at the mall, a trip to Brooklyn Water Bagel for the lox sandwich (yummm!) and a visit to Whole Foods to pick up my favorite May blooming flowers.  Saturday afternoon I went to a baby shower for my friend Katie who is expecting his first baby girl in June!  We are so excited for her and can't wait to have a little girlfriend for Theo.  Amongst the things we gave her was the BlaBla Kids Mermaid doll.  She is just so cute!

The best gifts in Stuart come from Matilda's in downtown.

John and Theo absolutely spoiled me on Sunday morning with my favorite iced latte, an adorable card, and new pair of earrings I have been coveting.  Someone must have bookmarked my recent wishlist...

Later in the morning we went over to my parents house for a Mother's Day family brunch.  Mimosas, more lox bagels, blueberry french toast and egg souffle were consumed and we all left completely stuffed.  Theo even got his first guitar lesson from his uncle, Dan. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to have such a loving and supportive family.  I feel so grateful that we live so close to my family and that they can enjoy Theo and watch him grow.  Having my parents with us every step of the way throughout our first year of parenting has meant so much to me.  Before I go, below are some pictures from our first Mother's Day weekend.  I am already looking forward to father's day next month!

Mother's Day brunch table - I was in charge of the flowers, so of course there were peonies.

 

 Family photo - Theo is in his anchor jon jon from Rikshaw design and his aruba Freshly Picked Moccs - two of my favorite items in his closet

 Theo getting his first guitar lesson from his uncle Dan!

Boat Day

Yesterday was a big one here at the House of Carrigan.  Theo's first boat ride and trip to the sandbar.  Being that his nursery has a general nautical theme, and the fact that he owns more things with anchors on them than the average baby - it was only a matter of time before we got this babe his sea legs. Going out on the boat has been one of my family's favorite pastimes since before I can remember.  Back when we lived in Minnesota my parents had a boat even though we would only be able to use it for probably 8 weekends out of the entire year.  Trust me when I say that every weekend back in those days was spent out on the lake, whether we wanted to or not.  Since moving to south florida and "adopting" the FL lifestyle many of our weekends are also spent out on the water - only now the ocean is right around the corner and the views along the intracoastal waterway are much nicer.

After napping for the majority of the 20 minute ride out to the sandbar Theo seemed to enjoy hanging out on the boat in his little front shade tent and taking a walk out to the sandbar with John and me.  Definitely a fun day had by all.  It's weekend days like these that are a great reminder to me of the amazingly beautiful place in which we get to call home.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from yesterday.

What are some of your favorite weekend pastimes?  Is boating up there?  Oh, and before I forget - does anyone have any suggestions for keeping baby sunglasses on a baby?  Or hats for that matter!?

Theo Style - Vol. 1

I have a confession to make - I am completely obsessed with baby clothes.  I wasn't necessarily at first - I mean how much fun can you really have with a onesie and pants. However, now that Theo has grown out of the infant onesie stage and into more of a 'separates' phase I am starting to really have fun putting together his daily ensembles.  Trust me, boy clothes can be cute and fun too!  Above is a collection of things currently hanging in his closet or on his my wish list.

1.  Over the weekend we took some professional family photos and he wore this cute little checked popover shirt from Baby Gap.  We paired it with a pair of pull-on navy cargos.
2.  This little straw fedora was just too cute to resist on a recent trip to Baby Gap.  Unfortunately, I have recently discovered that Theo isn't such a fan of wearing hats.  As in tears them off moments after being placed on his head.  Hoping that I can at least get a couple good wears out of it this summer.
3.  Baby swim trunks!  Being a Florida baby and all, Theo has quite the growing swim trunk collection.  I love that these palm printed ones could pass as cute printed shorts beyond the pool or beach.
4.  Freshly Picked Moccs in stone suede.  I have a FP obsession.  They are cute, easy to put on, seem comfy for the baby, and do not fall (easily) off little baby feet. These suede ones are a good neutral that would look perfect with this and numerous other outfits.

As you can see I am definitely a fan of the classic Baby Gap. What items are you loving for your little one this season?  Let me know in the comments!

Birthday wishes

With my birthday coming up on the 25th of this month I thought I would share some of the things that are topping my wish list for the big two-eight..  I can tell that the years have caught up with me as an espresso maker and a robe certainly would not have made this list just a few years ago.  #newmomlife

1.  Kendra Scott Alexandra Earrings - A great statement piece in my absolute favorite shade of turquoise and we share a name.  Need.
2.  Plum Pretty Sugar Robe - This item has been on my wish list for quite some time.  I think it would have been great to have right after we brought Theo home from the hospital and I was wearing PJs pretty much around the clock.  However as they say... better late than never.
3.  Fitbit Flex - John and I signed up for a wait for it... 10 MILE Disney race in the fall.  Needless to say we need to start getting some training under our belts if we are going to make it even a quarter through the race.  I think this little band would help to keep me on track.
4. Yosi Samra Sandals - I have been on the lookout for a new pair of chic sandals with a clean/simple style.  These Yosi Smara metallic ones definitely fit the bill.
5. Nespresso Pixie - It's no secret to anyone (co-workers, john, etc...) that I need my coffee.  These days just regular coffee doesn't seem to be cutting it and I find myself needing a pick-me-up in the middle of the day.  Maybe something with the extra jolt (read espresso) would help keep me more alert during the day.  Not to mention - lattes are this mama's favorite.

Scenes from our weekend

Dinner out on the water at local favorite, Shrimpers

This weekend was one for the books.  A weekend that started without really any concrete plans but ended up being the perfect balance of fun activities and relaxing time at home.  On Friday night we cooked a homemade margarita pizza and watched a movie - the new norm Friday night here in the Carrigan house.  Side note - we watched Saving Mr. Banks - did not know that movie was going to have such a sad undertone and how much it was going to make me want to go to Disney World!  a trip is now officially in the works..

Saturday morning we woke up and after a quick Starbucks run we decided that it was the perfect day to head to the beach.  Theo lasted about 1.5 hours which was actually longer than I thought he would last without taking a nap.  On the way home we impulsively decided to stop to cool off at John's local obsession.. the city water park.  Theo took his first ever trip down the lazy river in John's arms, and let's just say the experience was.... traumatizing.  However, John being a former  competitive swimmer and all,  is determined to have Theo like all water experiences. Let's just say he will be trying again real soon.  That evening we met my parents at one of our favorite outside restaurants, Shrimpers and enjoyed the beautiful evening and our shrimp dinners.  Theo sat in his first restaurant high chair - growing up so fast this one.

On Sunday Theo and I joined a friend and her little ones for the Palm Beach Gardens green market to stock up on produce for the week.  After our green market adventure we joined John for a walk around the neighborhood and ended the day with dinner at my parents' house.  Sunday night dinners have recently been dubbed "Sundays with Theo".  We are so lucky to have my family so close by!

Looking adorable while out shopping

Theo showing off his new (and my favorite) trick - sitting in a restaurant high chair.  No more baby wrangling in our laps!

7 months

Last week Theo turned 7 months old.  7 months since I became a mama. More than half a year.  How can it be?

Sometimes it feels like he's always been here, and then there are times in which I feel like we were just at the hospital welcoming him into the world.  It's funny how time moves - especially when you become a parent - it seems to move at the speed of a lightening bolt. In all other times in my life I have always felt that time has moved so slow.  When I was engaged it felt like eons before our wedding day came.  When I was pregnant it was as if the baby was never going to come.  But he did come and he is more than we ever could have imagined.  He has grown so much in the past seven months - from being our small precious newborn to being a busy, pulling up on everything baby boy.  Since we brought our baby Theo home we have had our fair share of ups and downs.  Joys and challenges.  Times when John and I have stared at each other wondering "what did we get ourselves into?!" But, it's worth it.  Each and every bit of it.  I can't imagine life without this little guy and I feel so lucky that he's ours.

So here's our boy at 7 months.  Some big things...

Eating solid foods - sweet potatoes and squash seem to be a favorite 

Sitting up on his own and wanting to pull up on everything

Giggling at the dog (he's just so funny!)

Smiling at anyone and everyone

Loves music - This in particular  will instantly change his mood when he's upset

Sleeping 8-9 hours through the night (for now....)

Two baby bottom teeth - so cute now - not so cute when they were coming in... teething is no joke

To see how our little guy has grown, here is a peek into the previous 6 months...

A day at the beach

Living in Florida definitely has its perks.  Sunny skies and 84 degrees in March?  We will take it!  I am sure this will not be the last time I will say this - but Theo is getting to such a fun age.  He is social and smiles and finally sits up on his own.  With this newfound ability he is now able to really take in his surroundings.  So, with an empty sunday and an amazing weather forecast on the horizon we packed up and headed to the beach to meet my parents.  Theo dipped his toes in the water and took a nap in the shade - all while looking adorable in his new Pottery Barn shark set.  I, on the other hand, relished in feeling the warm sunshine on my skin (pretty much the first time since August!) and putting my new J.Crew suit for a spin.  Theo lasted two hours and there were no sunburns between the three of us - a success in my book.

//shop our beach looks//

A new adventure

from our trip to Anna Maria Island last weekend

3.18.14 - Our blog baby is born.

For many years I have followed blogs, and for just as many I have wanted to start one of my own. However, when it came to the idea of actually taking the plunge I would find myself asking these doubting questions - Would anyone read it?  Would anyone care what I had to say?  Is there really a need for yet another blog out there?  Between working and the baby would you even have time to update it?  Well friends, even though a lot of the answers to those above questions lean toward the "no" camp, I have decided to take a risk and start this new blogging adventure.  I need this for myself; a creative outlet to chronicle this beautiful life that my husband and I share.  In doing so, my hope is that I can inspire someone out there (even if it's just in a very small way) by sharing our story.  Thank you for reading along... and welcome.

Stay tuned - more to come soon!  My favorite way to follow blogs is Bloglovin - you can follow mine by clicking here.