WeeTRADE is THIS WEEK!

All outfits pictured above were purchased from Wee Trade in years past from $10-20 each!

WeeTRADE is one of my most FAVORITE events in Jacksonville. I missed the sale while I was in California, but thankfully a fellow Jacksonville Mom writer shopped for me and mailed out some adorable clothing items to me! Thanks, Jessica!

The sale is open to the public starting on Thursday 9/19 at 9am. Admission is FREE and if you are a military, first responder or first time parent or grandparent, you can actually get a FREE ticket to shop the sale early on Wednesday. 

Register here for Military/First Responder 

Register here for First Time Parent/Grandparent

Location:

Shoppes of San Jose

2777 University Blvd W

Jacksonville, FL 32216

Some of my most favorite outfits for my kids have come from the WeeTRADE Sale! The sale happens once in the Spring and once in the Fall and this year they are celebrating 15 YEARS! Pam and Jennifer are the gracious women who put on this sale every year. They could have never dreamed the sale would grow this large as it started right in Jennifer's living room with about 30 friends and 600 items of clothing. This year the sale has over 500 consigners and over 50,000 items! 

What does that mean for you? You get access to adorable clothing, like new toys and every piece of baby equipment that you could ever imagine needing at a fraction of the price. Every item that goes into the sale is hand inspected by a WeeTRADE Team member ensuring the item meets criteria and quality. 

Here are just a few photos of the current inventory that you will get to shop. 

Every shopper is different, but my plan of attack is to go through the clothing racks first! Now I have two kids to shop for so this should be interesting! Then I go to costumes and dancewear, then toys. Even better, on Saturday from 9am-5pm you can bring your kids to shop the 1/2 off sale. 

I am literally giddy about the sale. I dropped off my items on Saturday and did a quick peek-around and saw some ADORABLE things for $10, 12, $15. You literally cannot beat the prices! I'll go live from the sale and I look forward to showing you all the goodies! Happy Shopping!

Charlotte's 5th Birthday Party at MY Museum

We celebrated Charlotte's 5th birthday a few weekends back. Her actual birthday is on the 19th, in a couple of days. I think I planned her party in all of one week, which is the opposite of how I normally plan things, but with a big move in the immediate future, Kyle in a different city and her party falling on a holiday weekend, we did our best and it turned out fantastic. 

The ease of the party was in large part to MY Museum (who just won Monterey Bay Parent's awards for "Best Indoor Birthday Party" and "Best Place to Play Inside"). From booking the party with their staff to them helping us out to our car with all of the gifts, leftover food, etc. after the party they could not have been more helpful and accommodating. 

I dropped off some tablecloths and balloons on the Friday before our party and when we arrived on Sunday, they were all set and ready to go. They include red tablecloths and coordinating balloons in the package, but you are able to bring in your own if you prefer. 

Speaking of theme, we didn't really have one because Charlotte kept changing her mind, but we ultimately ended up with unicorns and dress up. All of the party supplies were purchased locally from Target and Dollar Tree! 

Yummy Monterey Donuts!

The only slot available when I booked was a Sunday morning from 9-11am, before the museum opens for the day. A few positives, the whole space is yours and you can invite up to 75 people and you can have adult beverages (hello, bloody marys and mimosas). I looked into having some breakfast quiches/casseroles, fruit, pastries catered, but then asked Kyle if we would whip up some casseroles and he did an excellent job! We had a tater tot casserole, oatmeal bake, egg casserole and fresh fruit with lime-honey vinaigrette. Instead of a traditional cake, we had DONUTS! 

Amazing Daddy, Chef and Bartender!

MY Museum allows you in 15 minutes before your start time to set up and decorate, but it was all hands on deck and we had everything in place before the first guest arrived. One of the staff members even chased after Huxie for me! 

Charlotte had an absolute blast being the birthday princess for the day! She is going to REALLY miss going to MY Museum. If you are local and don't have a membership, it is the best $100 you will spend. Sometimes we go for 30 minutes and sometimes we stay for 2 hours. 

MY Museum offers a few different packages for birthday parties. Check our their website for more information! I give them 5 stars and more for the easiest birthday party, ever!! 

Charlotte: 3 Years

Charlotte turned 3 year last month, but we went to her 3 year check up last week! The joys of moving to a new city, finding a new pediatrician and then going on the waitlist for a new patient appointment. It felt like forever since we had been to the doctor because thankfully, Charlotte has been so healthy! We loved her new pediatrician and are happy to report she is a healthy, growing 3 year old! The doctor was very impressed with Charlotte's speech and vocabulary! Charlotte even had her eyes tested with a machine that is put over her eyes. This is pretty new technology, but it looks at the eyes of 6 month old babies to 5 year old children, since reading an eye chart at this age can't always be done! Her eyesight was perfect too. 

Having her blood pressure taken (102/69)

This time she was a little scared of the doctor.
She asked us if she had to have shots, but thankfully no shots this visit!

Stats: 

Height: 38.5 in. (79%) 

Weight: 35lbs 3 oz. (84%)

Lately lots of people ask us if she is 4 years old, because she is really tall! Kyle and I aren't tall people, (5'11) and (5'4), but Charlotte is trending to be taller. 

You can see home much she has grown from her 2 year check up! 

Until next year... 

Charlotte's Big Girl Room

We are coming up on the one month mark of being in our new home and I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last week we got new carpet, which was awesome, but all of the bedrooms had to be disassembled and then put back together, so that set us back a little. Moving has definitely gotten harder each time. Probably because we have more stuff and also a toddler who likes to undo all the progress that we make!

One of the first rooms I focused on was Charlotte's room, because of course, she is the princess! But, in all seriousness, I wanted her to feel settled and I knew she would adjust better once her room was complete.

If you remember my post back in March over on Jax Moms Blog, we transitioned Charlotte from her crib to big girl bed. It was a rough adjustment, but it was so fun putting together her new room and she loved the freedom of getting in and out her bed.

Between staying with grandparents and living in a hotel for a week, her sleep schedule was off and we weren't sure how it was going to go in her new room. Overall, she is doing really well and really loves her room. We occasionally get a visitor in the morning between 5 and 6, but if we are lucky, she will lay back down for a little bit.

Now onto the details of her room! I just love it so much! Charlotte is a lucky girl, too, because she has TWO closets! Now, they are on the smaller side, but I put princess dresses in one and her regular clothes in another!

Charlotte's Room!

The Flamingo print was my first purchase for her room and by far one of my favorite things!

Love how this shelf turned out with the print and photos from Thistle Photo Co. 

Bed: IKEA Hemnes Day Bed 

Duvet Cover: Pottery Barn Kids Pearl Dot Duvet Cover, Bright Pink 

Euro Shams: PB Teen Crinkle Puff Euro Sham, Bright Pink 

Standard Shams: Etsy, Love of Lilly Custom Order 

Throw Pillows: Southern Tide from Home Goods 

Monogram: Pottery Barn Kids Harper Monogram, Pink

Curtains: Pillowfort for Target Tassel Lightblocking Curtain Panel

Flamingo Art, Shelf and Lamp: Home Goods

I'm hoping to share more of our house soon! It is an interesting layout and has been a little bit challenging to decorate, but I am happy with the progress we are making! Until next time!

Charlotte's 2nd Birthday at Bay & Bee

When the time rolled around to plan Charlotte's 2nd birthday there was one thing that came to mind... It would be the middle of summer and INCREDIBLY HOT! Last year, we celebrated Charlotte's 1st Birthday at my mom's house in Orlando since we were in transition from Hawaii to Jax. This year, I knew she would have more friends to invite, so I wanted to have the party somewhere that kids could have fun indoors (and not have toddlers destroy my house, lol) The easy choice was Bay & Bee! Bay & Bee is a locally-owned small business, inspired by Montessori and Waldorf educational principles to create a stimulating eco-friendly play environment. On top of that, it is air-conditioned and their amazing staff makes sure every detail is accounted for!

Once we knew the date and location, it was time to start working on a theme! Charlotte is fairly obsessed with Frozen right now, so I debated a Frozen party, but then was made aware by other moms that there would be plenty of time for a Frozen-themed party in future years! So, we decided on Flamingo theme and it turned out so cute!

I couldn't have done it without my sweet friend, Stephanie with Boogie & Bear. Just when we started planning the party, her sweet and beautiful daughter, Addison, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. When I heard the news, I told Stephanie that there is no way I could expect anything from her during this incredibly challenging time for her family. Stephanie totally went above and beyond with the invitation and decorations and her husband even delivered items to my doorstep! I seriously could not have asked for anything more and I would highly recommend her to anyone planning a shower, birthday party or if you are just looking for some monogrammed goods. Stephanie is so sweet and creative. Please lift her family up in prayer and that Addison may be cured of cancer and get back to being a little girl instead of dealing with this horrible illness.

Charlotte's adorable invite by Boogie & Bear 

Birthday Stats Poster by by Dandelion Design on Etsy

Cookie Favors by Jenn Rorstrom 

Flamingos from Pottery Barn Kids

Fabric banner by Boogie & Bear 

Cake by the always-amazing Publix and topper by Boogie & Bear! 

Monogram and "2" Cupcake Toppers by Boogie & Bear

We had Chick-fil-A cater and it was so easy! 

Of course, I had to match Char and found a Flamingo Romper for me online at Target!

Char's adorable Flamingo Romper by Bitty Bundles of Joy on Etsy

Happy Birthday to our big 2 year old!

Charlotte: 2 Years

I cannot believe our little girl is turning "2" today! I remember the day that she was born like it was yesterday, even though it was actually 731 days ago (yes, I counted the leap day Kyle)! I can't believe she has been a part of our lives for THAT long! She truly is a blessing and 99.9% of the time the sweetest girl ever! If I had to sum Charlotte up in a couple of words I would describe her as determined, loving, fiesty and compassionate (maybe a little sassy too). Just today at the doctor's office, she said, "How are you?" to the nurse. How sweet is that? She also says, "Good Morning" to the cars and trucks on the road and wants to hug them! She is such a sweet and loving girl! Here are some photos I snapped of her this morning to commemorate her turning 2! Another post on her Flamingo birthday party soon! 

She loved getting her "check up" and was such a good patient!

Birthday Lunch at Chicken Salad Chick!

Weight: 30lbs 6.4oz (90%) (she stood on the scale today! No more baby scale)
Height: 34 3/4 inches (80%)
Diaper Size:  Size 6!!!!
Clothing Size: Big girl in a 3T

Eye Color: The prettiest blue eyes ever!
Favorite Toy:  A baby doll, blanket and stroller are never far away from this little monkey. She is such a good momma to her dolls and loves to swaddle them and give them pacis. 
Hair: We hit a milestone! Just last week, I was finally able to do a top knot in her hair!! It was a very proud mom moment! Her hair is so curly and has the prettiest little highlights. She is slowly getting blonder and blonder. 
Teeth:  She has 15 pearly whites!!
Sleeping Habits: With summer time and us frequenting the playground most nights, her bedtime has been pushed back. I aim for a 7pm bedtime but sometimes it gets closer to 8pm. She wakes up around 7am and usually just starts talking or singing! Once awake she is ready to get the day started! She is very excited to go in the car, now that she is in her "big girl car seat". She still takes a great nap from about 1pp-3/4pm
Milestones: She is now forward facing in the car! We had a little accident (projectile vomiting) in the carseat, so after taking it apart and washing it, we decided to go ahead and turn her around last month. She absolutely loves it! Potty training has digressed a bit. She can feel that she needs to go to the bathroom, but she won't sit on the potty to go. I'm trying not to force, but I really think she is ready! Next week she starts her transition to her 2 year old classroom. It is so bittersweet. She really is growing up so fast! 
Words: I told the doctor today that she literally can say 300 words! She has an amazing vocabulary. Kyle chimed in saying that was a little optimistic and it is probably more like 100, but I am a proud momma! She is learning so much and copying all the things we say. I love the way she says "elffant" for elephant and "Go Gators". She definitely over pronounces things which is so cute! She puts 3-4 words together for statements and questions. Some times it is hard to understand what she is saying, but most of the time I know exactly what she is saying or what she wants me to do!
Looking forward to: a few more trips to round out the year, Football season and of course Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Adventures this Month: Since her 18 month update, we visited Canada for a trip with my family and we also went to Jekyll Island with Kyle's family. We went with some friends to their beach house in St. Augustine and that was lots of fun, too! Charlotte also loves our trips to the beach, Target, the Jacksonville Zoo, and our community pool and playground. She is so happy when we are out and about. Just recently she started saying "turn around" when we pull into the neighborhood. She isn't ready to come home yet, she wants to keep exploring! 

We don't go back to the doctor for a well-check until she turns 3! Another update to come at 2 1/2 years!

Charlotte: 18 Months

And just like that, we have a full-blown toddler. The past year and a half has gone by so quickly. I can't believe Charlotte has been here with us for that long. She brings joy to our lives every day and sometimes I just can't comprehend how blessed we are to have her. She can be the sweetest child with the best kisses and "I wuv yous" and then just ever so often she has an off day where I think she is a little possessed! But, those are few and far between! We love you so much, Charlotte Hazel!

My big girl at her 18 month checkup! She got an A++ on her good behavior! 

Visiting Charleston 

Exploring the beach and oh so happy!

She's a daredevil for sure! 

Celebrating Daddy's 30th Birthday 

Check out my luscious curls! :)

Weight: 28 lbs  (94%)
Height: 34 inches (93%)
Diaper Size:  Size 6!!!!
Clothing Size: 2T and even some of those run tight! 

Eye Color: Blue!!
Favorite Toy:  She got a kitchen for Christmas and we finally put it together. She definitely stays busy playing with that. You also won't see her walking around the house without her Bitty Baby tucked underneath her arm! 
Hair: Oh her hair. She really has the cutest hair and the best little curls, just not much on the top of her head. We are still using headbands with bows. I can't wait for the day I can CLIP a bow into her hair! 
Teeth: If my counting is correct, she has 12 teeth that have popped through! 
Sleeping Habits: She is still loving her sleep! Typically night is 6:30/7:00pm-7:30am. She takes 1 nap a day now. Typically, 1.5-3 hours depending on whether she is at school or at home. 
Milestones: She went pee-pee on the potty, goes down the slide on her own, can say sentences and multiple words together, knows most of her body parts, can sing "Baa Baa Black Sheep", "Twinkle, Twinkle", "Let it Go" and "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed", she folds her hands together for prayers and says "Amen" (the sweetest). I could go on and on! :) 
Words: She has 50+ words in her vocabulary now, but like any toddler, her favorite one is "No"! Along with "Eeew" for diapers or any piece of tissue, paper towel, etc. Our favorite word is when she says, "Not Nice" and bats her hand. They do this at school when another child has done something mean or bad. Instead of acting with their hands or hitting, they say, "Not Nice". It is just super cute how she says it! 
Looking forward to: visiting cousins in Miami, Gaga's 60th Birthday in Savannah and spending the weekend with Papa and Grammy while Mommy and Daddy go to a wedding in March! 
Adventures this Month: We visited Charleston for vacation, celebrated daddy's 30th birthday and we have been to the beach several times this month and Charlotte has fallen in love. The weather is super nice (and cool, too)! We have also ventured to the Jacksonville Zoo several time and enjoy spending mornings there! 

We will see you again at our 2 year check up! BIG TEARS..... ;( 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

This past week, I began decorating the house for Christmas! I don't know how it is already December! It feels like we were just arriving back to the "mainland" a couple weeks ago. Time is flying and I just want it to slow down!

This year, we spent the Thanksgiving weekend in Sarasota with my family. Normally, I would be picking up my Christmas tree first thing Friday morning, along with some great Black Friday deals, but that didn't happen this year! So, we are playing catch up to get decorated for Christmas!

We got our tree on Monday after work. Sadly, we got it home and it did not fit in the house! The top of the tree grazed the ceiling... Oops! We thought it was an 8 ft. tree, but I think it was more like 9 ft! So, that project was on hold until we could saw off some of the base!

Picking out our tree!

I brought down all of our decor from the attic on Tuesday and I was just so happy. I hadn't seen some of my Christmas decor for 2 years! (1st year we were in Virginia Beach, 2nd year we were in Hawaii with limited decorations) I was even more elated that now I get to decorate Charlotte's room and playroom! In between a few work emails and calls, I listened to Christmas music and began to decorate! I even started to hang the lights on the exterior of the house against my husband's orders to not get on a ladder! I just wanted to help expedite the process, especially because there isn't much daylight left once Kyle gets home!

Outdoor Lights!

This year I added wreaths and candles to the windows!

All things gold- our tree this year! 

Love the simple, classic look of the tree this year! Normally I mix a dark red, but I like the simplicity of all gold.

I'm so excited about the holiday season and sharing all of our traditions with Charlotte. I think she is still a bit young for Elf on the Shelf, but I did bring it out anyway! I showed it to her and it "he/she" went straight in her mouth!

Charlotte's Christmas Tree

Even Macey Jane has a tree!

Charlotte's Christmas Corner in her playroom 

We plan to take Charlotte to see Santa Claus this weekend. I'm not sure if we can top last year's photos; they were pretty perfect! We have lots of holiday events this week and Kyle's Christmas Party on Thursday night! This is such a fun time of year!

Charlotte with Santa in 2015- 5 months old!