Thursday, January 31, 2013

Adelaide Jane: 5 Months


Dearest Adelaide,

Well you kicked started this month with a roll off of mommy & daddy's bed at 6:30am. Now how I envisioned the day going, but God is always full of little surprises. You cried. I screamed. I cried. You smiled (eventually). Obviously there went my mother of the year award.




On a more positive note, you are moving all over the place. From your back to your tummy then in circles or scoots then to your back. Not only are you moving with your arms and legs, but you are officially driving. Yes a pseudo Collins wouldn't be a pseudo Collins without a pair of wheels. Your first car: a pink Mustang GT convertible. You have perfected the hydraulics on the car along with the sound system. You are particularly good at reversing, and I am terrified that you are a New Yorker at heart as you know how to use the horn on the car quite well.



Not only are you increasingly mobile with each day, but your taste buds are growing exponentially. We started solid foods earlier this month and you LOVE them. You like rice cereal. You like oatmeal. You like apples, bananas, pears, and peaches. You don't really care for prunes which mommy doesn't blame you for at all. We started veggies this week and you are all about some carrots. Soon you will be enjoying a steak dinner...




A big event happened this month. Mommy went on a weekend girls trip. It was our first time apart for more than just a few hours. I cried as we were pulling out of the driveway thinking about how we hadn't ever spent the night away from one another. BUT daddy whipped up a fun weekend for the two of you and kept me in the loop with pictures and videos. 

We are charging full speed ahead into the new year with our social calendar. We go to Gymboree once or twice a week where your teacher, Ms. Mary, says you are very advanced! We sing and dance and play. We also go to mommy & me group once a week where you squirm around with other munchkins while the moms talk. We are quite the social butterflies :)

One of my favorite things about this age is that you blow bubbles and make sounds by pressing your lips together. It is so cute and amusing to the both of us. You also love when mommy blows on your belly making a funny sound. You crack up laughing. I just can't get enough of your laugh.

I love you more and more each day little princess!

Love,
Mommy (and daddy)

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Copy Cat Closet: Colored Jeans

You can imagine my delight as I was wearing colored jeans and reading about this week's challenge! I am generally trying to piece together an outfit and find an occasion to wear it. My life is spent in yoga pants while working out or running errands or pj's as to avoid getting spit up on my good clothes. My safest best bet is generally church, but the challenge doesn't always fit with Sunday school. Nonetheless, I love colored jeans because they change it up from normal denim jeans.

I was coming back from New Haven when I got the email about the colored jeans. I realized that I was currently rocking black jeans. I love these because they can be paired with a bright shirt or a black patterned shirt. I was going for office sheek in this case but wanted to add a pop of color (sort of mixed prints as well with the leopard and polka dots).




These are my fave pair of colored jeans. Yep UK blue. Of course they are my favorite. Blue has always been my favorite color. I bought these jeans when I was 4 months pregnant and was able to wear them all 40 weeks. They are stretch jeans which allowed me to fit them under my belly. I have worn them with a pink chambray shirt for our maternity shoot; in a monochromatic fashion; and most importantly, to support my UK Wildcats.


And yes that is a skinny gold belt with UK charms on it in the far right picture...UK 4 Life ;)


My last pair of colored jeans are red hot. I was hoping to get them prior to Christmas, but Ryan said they were out of my size at the time. So I kept an eye out on the VS website and bam! They must have had a return or something. I win ;) These are such a bold pair of pants for me since they are red and shiny making my gut reaction to pair them with a black sweater and call it a day. BUT I decided to get as bold as the pants...


My fave part of this outfit is my new Marc by Marc Jacobs watch;
I got it for Christmas from Santa and I.Adore.It





If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;

Monday, January 28, 2013

Music Mondays

Totally into this jam that I heard at yoga (of all places!)...


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Snapshots on a Saturday

Despite the lack of photographic evidence (guess I was busy living and not snapping my camera), we actually had a busy week. Miss Adelaide and I were all about being social and making new friends/visiting old ones. Wednesday we attended a Play & Learn session at Gymboree. We sang songs, played with toys, and learned some basic baby skills. Thursday we took a drive up to New Haven, CT where we visited with my co-workers from the summer. Everyone took turns holding the little chunker and making her giggle. It was also great for me to catch up on office gossip and have real adult interaction. Friday morning we tried out the Bedford mommy & me group which consisted of an hour with 5 other moms and babies. It was really nice to let her roam and spit and poop and squeal while chatting with other new moms about mom problems. That evening we enjoyed a family sushi date in Briarcliff. Saturday we had a thrilling morning at the Ford dealership while our car got serviced. 4 hours of playtime in a 4x4 room. That was after I got glares and jersey talked for sporting my UK blue jeans. Super.

Here are the few pics that I did manage to snap...


the infamous activity mat that she is content eating...

oh yes that is right she thought it would be fun to flip onto her tummy while on her changing table

just the sweetest face ever

Mustang Adelaide

first sushi date with mom & dad



Lastly I wanted to share something with you. As we were driving up through Connecticut, I saw the most amazing billboard:


It reminded me of how strong a community can be especially in the face of adversity and tragedy. Awe-inspiring.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Marquette's Surprise Bachelorette Party: Scottsdale, AZ

I love a good trip. I love a good surprise. So that made for the perfect weekend in Scottsdale, AZ to celebrate L. Marquette's last few weeks as a bachelorette.



Of course there were lots of shenanigans & giggles, Southwestern dining & dancin'...



Gorgeous scenery and warm sunlight...


And amazing views from Camelback Mountain...


But mostly we enjoyed a weekend of friendship. Can't wait to be reunited in a few short weeks for the big day! 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Copy Cat Closet: Rockin' Shorts in the Winter

This week's Copy Cat Closet challenge called for winter shorts. I immediately recalled how I wore such attire last winter in California. We were spending our last full day in San Francisco and decided to head up to Napa for some wine tasting. The air was "cooler" as you take note of the Uggs; yet clearly warm enough to wear fishnet tights and leave my coat at home.




Tank Top: Express
Blouse: Ditto (Australian)
Shorts: Ditto (Australian)
Tights: Forever 21
Boots: Uggs
Sunglasses: Tiffany's


So despite the frigid temps (9 degrees) here in New York at the present, I decided to rock something similar...adjusting for the chills though! I added thicker tights and leg warmers to keep my twigs warm. I also bundled up with a scarf and forewent the tank, keeping my button-down buttoned up. I liked the black & grey color theme but thought a touch of color would be cute. Thus the pink bow beanie. I scored the boots for Christmas from Ryan and I adore them. I was missing a pair of boots without a heel which is key post-baby. Plus the color works with so much.

What do you think about my New York winter shorts??!!

**Excuse the self-photography as the hubby wasn't home to capture the snapshot.







Blouse: Ditto (Australian)
Shorts: Ditto (Australian)
Tights: Express
Leg Warmers: Forever 21
Boots: Glaze 
Scarf: vintage
Hat: Forever 21


If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

40 Love: A Book Review

I spotted this novel in Barnes & Noble back in July and found the flirty tennis reference unmistakable. I had to have it. Posted on my Pinterest wish board, I received the book as a Christmas gift. I started it while en route to Scottsdale and finished it while sipping a glass of champagne. Very fitting. Read it and you'll see what I mean.



A fun-hearted British comedy authored by Madeleine Wickham (aka Sophie Kinsella of the famed Shopaholic Series) and set in the countryside of the acclaimed White House. Caroline & Patrick Chance set out to host a simple tennis weekend with friends. But the eclectic mix of couples, snooty Charles & Cressida, envious Stephen & Annie, corky Don & Valerie, makes for more than a simple weekend. Stakes are high. Betrayal is rapid. Laughter is inevitable.

40 Love offers an adult perspective to life as we all struggle to understand what its about anyways. Light with words; powerful with content. A must read if you enjoy humor, pimms, and gossip.




Saturday, January 19, 2013

Snapshots on a Saturday: Playtime & Photo Shoots

This week was filled with lots of playtime at home. We are on a great schedule right now which goes something like this...wake up, breakfast, & dressed for the day then hit the gym (mom) / nursery (Adelaide) for some fitness, come home for lunch, play with toys, craft time (mom) / nap time (A), early dinner and more playtime, catnap, bath, dessert, bedtime. So a large portion of our day is now spent indoors. Making for a lot of "home" projects for me aka crafting or organizing or making up things to do.






Christmas all over when our presents got shipped here from KY
and home-cooked meals

Such as having a make-shift photo shoot to recreate shots I found on Pinterest...




We also enjoyed a day in the city. We joined Ryan for lunch on Thursday afternoon which was a nice way to mix-up the routine and take advantage of New York City...




Have a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Bring On 2013!

2013 Goals & Aspirations


Better late than never right? I've been mulling over my goals for this year for the past week. Yeah I know its almost mid-month but I was busy relaxing ;)

I re-examined my goals from 2012 and was oddly impressed with how well I stuck to most many of them. I figure that putting them out on the blog-o-sphere helps hold me more accountable.

So here goes...

Relationships

  • Ryan- have a more intimate marriage & not just between the sheets, take advantage of living close to NYC, go on more date nights
  • Adelaide- partake in 4 month long activities together (i.e. swimming, play & learn, etc)
  • Family- grow our immediate family
  • Friends- host at least 2 dinner parties 


Health & Fitness

  • attend yoga class once a week
  • attend core strength class once a week
  • play a tennis tournament with dad


Career

  • book 5 speaking engagements for 25 Before 25


Community

  • volunteer 30 times in honor of turning 30 this February


Travel
  • visit 2 new states in the US
  • take a girls trip to Naples, FL

So what do you have up your sleeve for this year?



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Copy Cat Closet: Mixing Patterns

Say what?! Copy Cat wants me to do what??!!

Yeah so I this week's challenge was to mix patterns. This girl generally is all matchy-matchy and now you want me to mix some complex nonsense. Ok challenge accepted. Lucky for me, Target is exhibiting a mass amount of prints and I am shopping in honor of my birthday (not until Feb 18 mind you) for the next two months.

So I treated myself to a yellow polka dot blouse and an orange & white chevron print skirt. Paired them with an earth tone jacket & brown boots and sported the ensemble to church Sunday. I thought its the last place that people would be judging me so it was okay. Not sure if the stares were for my spring colors (this girl needs some sunshine in her life), the knee-length skirt rather than pants due to frigid temps, or  shock for my boldness. Either way, I rocked my outfit with confidence.

See for yourself:





Blouse: Target (here)
Skirt: Target (here)
Jacket: Forever 21
Boots: Jessica Simpson


If you are interested in linking up, be sure to visit Ma Nouvelle Mode and get style inspiration directly to your inbox! I can't wait to see what each new challenge brings for my inner fashionista because this new mommy needs all the style tips she can get!


the Grant life;

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Cheers to 2012!


2012 was beyond good to me. In January, we moved from San Francisco to New York. In February, we closed on our house in Ossining. I spent March in Miami working the Sony Ericsson Open in a new roll which I loved and landed a roll with the New Haven Open but capped off by Kentucky taking home a National Championship! April brought an ADPi reunion at Keeneland with a stop at the World Famous Two Keys Tavern. May provided lots of family time with Oaks, Taylor's graduation, and my baby shower. June was mommy & me time while my mom came up to NY for a week.


July marked the final house projects thanks to the Thompsons and the Collins Family Olympics. August was a big month as 25 Before 25 was published AND Ms. Adelaide Jane was born. September highlighted new parenthood as well as the US Open and the EATF luncheon.





October was bittersweet as we honored my papa in the Bluegrass 1000. November brought our first year anniversary plus hosting Thanksgiving in the city. December rounded out the year with an amazing Christmas including the birth of Ms. Cooper McLane and a relaxing getaway to my parents' house in Naples.



Wow! What a year! I'm looking forward to what 2013 has in store...

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Snapshots on a Saturday: Getting Back into a Routine

This week was all about the catch up and playtime with baby dearest. After being away for almost a month, my house needed some straightening...which resulted in a few casualties along the way (i.e. a stained silk pillow, a torn bedspread, and gasp! a discolored shirt that I had JUST bought for Adelaide)...



Adelaide started solids at the beginning of the week. She loves them and the mess that they create. I love watching her jump at the spoon like it has chocolate on it...



We worked on playing on our tummy and spinning in circles while Beau scores her on creativity...




And she started taking her afternoon nap in her crib...



We were elected chair(wo)man of the EATF luncheon...



We played with the mirror after bath time...



But mostly, we laughed and smiled...




Hope your week was as grande as mine!