They Exist

When Emberly was a toddler and I'd visit a parenting community for similarly aged children, sometimes they'd do a nursing roll-call.  Who's still hanging in there with their nursling.  And moms would come forward with these stories of toddlers who were steadily cutting back and how precious these last few months of breastfeeding were.
I had no idea what the hell they were talking about.
I've written before about the differences between Emberly and Bauer as nurslings before.  At 2 years, Emberly was still very attached to nursing.  And while I felt passionate about child-led weaning, there were many touched-out days where I contemplated giving her a hearty shove in that direction.  She did begin to cut back on her own around 2.5yrs, but I still wonder if the actual weaning would have been so smooth had my supply not dried up in pregnancy.
Bauer, on the other hand, he's only nursed upon waking up in the morning for probably about a year.  He's had periods of teething or travel stress where for a week or so he would request a couple times a day, but that was hardly the norm.  And for a few months now, he'd skip a day every once in a while.  And last week, he only nursed 3x.  This is all happening with absolutely no prodding from me.  This must be what they were all talking about!  These kids *do* exist!
When Emberly weaned, I already knew I had 2+yrs of nursing another in front me.  So with Bauer possibly being our final child, I anticipated these days being more bittersweet than they are.  But it's actually been surprisingly nice.  Bauer's affection previously often felt like it was all about the milk.  Sure, I'll pet you and twirl your hair, but where's the ninny?  In the last few weeks since he's skipped days at a time without a request to nurse, he's wanted more hugs and snuggles from me.  Sometimes at nap time, he asks, "Mommy snuggle?"  Which I was immediate wary was simply a classic delay tactic, but no, he really wants me to lay next to him with his arm around my neck, staring drowsily at me while I rub his back.  Some days he tells me "all done" and I leave, other days I give him a kiss and leave after a couple minutes.  It's all incredibly sweet.
Sometimes I feel a bit of regret that I didn't feel quite so lovely about the end of Emberly's nursing days, but I recognize there's always trade-off.  Bauer is quite the tantrum thrower.  He HAS to be such a sweet, ideal little nursling, otherwise he might find himself living under the stairs!

{if you think about that one time, down by the river... you'll realize it has nothing to do with this post. (any ATHF fans?)}

Siblings

Watching Emberly and Bauer interact and develop a relationship has to be the sweetest, most entertaining thing (when it's not the most frustrating, patience trying thing, that is).  I'm so glad that for the most part they enjoy each other.

{I rolled Bauer's sleeves up but he apparently was not feeling that look}

{this is bauer's most frequent expression of slightly angry confusion. coined the "quit playin, where's my money" face by his uncle Brian}

Emberly: top, crewcuts, skirt, gymboree via consignment, sandals, target. Bauer: shirt, h&m, shorts and sneakers, target.

Turnout

Bauer had his birthday party this weekend.
Unfortunately, it seemed to be a bad weekend and many of the few kids we know here couldn't make it.  And then last minute ordeals meant that most of those that RSVP'd didn't come either.  That's one of the downsides of having pre-school-aged children and not living near family.  Cousins can't come and there are no classmates to invite.
But the plus side of being two is that you don't care.  You can enjoy the heck out of playing with your sister and two friends (another sibling pair they know from daycare).

{Emberly decorated her cupcake plate}

Stripes and Hunting

I almost always pair more fitted skirts with a blouse.  But it's too hot and I'm not going anywhere special.  What to do?  Knot a striped tank on top.  That was easy.
And good thing too, because instead of sitting in the shade watching the kids hop around a splash pad as I intended, I had to hunt for a missing shoe all around Town Square (an outdoor mall) until it was time for swim lessons, courtesy of Sir Kicks-a-lot.
"Bauer, you lost your other shoe! Where's your shoe?"
"Shoes? Lost shoe?"
"Yes, where'd you kick it off at?  In the street?  In the store?"
"Lost shoe."
Thanks.  Thanks a million.  I found it, right before I was going to have cut my losses and jet.

Top: American Eagle
Skirt: thrifted
Shoes: Dolce Vita via Nordstrom

Inverted

I wore this cream and black top with black and cream shorts to see The Dark Night Rises with Damon. I loved it!

Top and belt: F21
Bracelet: NY&Co
Shorts and shoes: Target

I Scream, You Scream

... you know the rest.

Seriously though, if you're trying to lose 10-15lbs that you've slowly put on over the last year, what better decision is there than to buy an ice cream maker?!?
My girlfriend in Atlanta made salted caramel ice cream for our visit and when I got home, I made a bee-line for Costco and picked up my $30 ice cream maker. 

I've made chocolate gelato, strawberry ice cream, peach ice cream and of course plenty of salted caramel.  Freakin' delicious.

Do you have any favorite ice cream recipes? Please comment with the link!

Man About Town

If by "man" you mean baby boy who turned two, today.  And by "about town," you mean a frolic in the park with your mama chasing you with a camera.  That's exactly what you meant?  Great, we're on the same page.

{Tuxedo shirt: gift, pants: H&M, sandals: Hush Puppies via Amazon, dashing handsomeness: Mommy and Daddy (but mostly mommy).}

And here's a peek at the invitation I made for his birthday {minus the actual party info; hello, this is the internet ;) }

And in case you're weird like me and love birth stories; read here about how we welcomed Bauer into our arms at home two years ago.

Pleats & Coral

Top: F21
Necklace: gift from Damon
Skirt and Earrings: H&M
Belt and Bracelet: NY&Co
Shoes: Target

Blush

Do you ever forget about something in your closet, rediscover it and get excited about new ways to wear it?  No?  Just me?  That's okay.  My latest rediscovery is this blush top.  I think the pale pink qualifies as a neutral...

Flower pin: H&M
Top: F21
Belt: NY&Co
Pant: Target
Bracelet: I don't remember!  It might have been a gift...

Hoot Hoot

Several weeks ago Damon and I saw Moonrise Kingdom.  I really enjoyed it; it seemed like a favorite read from preadolescence delightfully come to life.  The scene where the main characters meet, there are girls in great bird costumes.  I really loved the owl.

And now I may be slightly obsessed with vintage (or vintage inspired) owls.
I love this knit sweater pattern I found here:

And this little bank:

What about these adorable little figurines I found here?

And surely the kids need some little owl pillows stuffed with lavender, no?

I did stumble upon something owl that I actually need (a butter dish!) and was able to score for 7 dollars and free shipping from West Elm!  I got it in white.  As of this posting, they still have them here.

Tribal

The thunder storming broke enough for the tribe to picnic out at the pool this weekend.  It's really fun to go with kids that can swim.  Oh, and I love Emberly's new tribal print bikini I got on clearance.

Do you Polka

top: Hollister
shorts: Target
bracelets: H&M, NY&Co
shoes: dolce vita via Nordstrom

Hotlanta

{my friend's gorgeous home was better than any hotel}