My baby is 6 months old. Half a year has gone by already. It is unreal. Didn’t we just get back from the hospital? Where did my little newborn go? Hampton weighed 17 lbs. 4 oz. (50%) and was 27 1/2 inches long (90%) at his appointment last week. He is sitting up and eating baby food. He loves bananas and apples the most. He is in size 3 diapers and is wearing 6-9 month clothes. He is rolling and scooting all over the floor and loves his bouncer. He is teething and drooling like crazy but no teeth have popped through. The Doctor said it would be any day now. I hope she’s right. My baby is so happy and smiles constantly. He is laughing, playing and changing every day. We are pretty sure he is saying “Mama.” Too soon you say? Well, I’ve heard it and so have about 15 other people. I’m choosing to believe he is saying it intentionally. One minute you’re bringing your baby home from the hospital, the next he’s turning 6 months old, going off to school, then college then getting married. I tell you what. It is just nuts. Stay little, baby Hamp!

Do you follow me on Instagram? I am so excited to be taking over The Blog Baton today! If you’ve never heard of the Blog Baton, here is all the info. It is a pretty genius idea by Miss Mason! I’ll be posting over there all day! Be sure to come follow along and sign up to hold the Blog Baton!

Waiting on Wednesday is an event hosted every, you guessed it – Wednesday to spotlight new releases that we are anxiously awaiting publication. I discovered this link-up last week through Alabama Women Bloggers network. I’m so excited to have found another Alabama blogger who loves to read.

I wanted to participate this week in particular because I have been so excited about Emily Giffin’s new novel releasing May 20th! I have read all of her books and I am so ready for this new one to come out. If you recall, it is also on my 2014 must read list!

The One and Only by Emily Giffin

Goodreads Synopsis: Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

Be sure to friend me on Goodreads!

We recently attended an out of town wedding that I was a part of. Of course we brought Hampton along. I love to be efficient with my packing so that I don’t end up taking 15 bags on every trip. Who wants to carry those? Not me. My goal was to pack as little as possible, but still have more than enough for any situation. Here is what I packed in Hampton’ bag:

Baby Spoons
Lots of Zip Lock Bags
Garbage Bag for dirty laundry
Garbage bag for diapers
Diapers
Wipes
Baby Food
2-3 onesies
2 sleepers
Pack ‘n Play (to sleep in)
A few of his favorite toys
Pacifiers
Blanket (to spread on the floor for him to play on)
Travel size Shampoo and Lotion
Baby Towel (optional – the hotels have several so you can save room by not bringing on unless you just want to.)
2-3 nice outfits
Socks
Diaper Bag

There you have it! We were set for the weekend with these items. Hampton did great and we had plenty.

What did you take on your overnight stay with baby? Are you planning any trips this month?

The past few days have been so crazy around here. Set aside working while taking care of your six month old, but when your home internet goes out for four days (and counting), and Starbucks quickly becomes your office space/day care (sorry, SB) things can get pretty interesting real fast. Needless to say, things have been pretty stressful because our whole routine has been flipped upside down.

Good news? It is May! Can you believe it? May is full of graduations, celebrations, weddings, showers, parties, etc. all of which we are attending this month. It is always a fun and busy month for us. I can’t wait to celebrate my brother and nephew’s birthdays in a week and attend a wedding this weekend. So much fun to be had. We will be welcoming the summer before you know it, however, if you live down south like me, you’re probably already experiencing it and are laying by the pool as we speak (I wish).

Adding a little color to your wardrobe is a must this time of year. No more dreary winter colors. Headbands are also a huge addition to this year’s wardrobe. I’m loving this flower headband from The Colt and Filly! Kacie makes the most adorable headbands and earring for you and your LO! The anchor earrings are a perfect addition to any summer outfit. My sister is already trying to steal them from me.

Be sure to check out The Colt and Filly on Twitter and Instagram for updates on their merchandise.

Headband c/o: The Colt and Filly
Anchor Earrings c/o: The Colt and Filly
Dress: Dillards: Similar
Sandals: Gianni Bini: Similar

What are your favorite summer accessories? Are you attending any weddings this season?

Photo by Lauri Ann Photography

I don’t know about you, but I always struggle around this time of year with what to give to my mom and MIL for Mother’s Day. Here is the issue: Their birthdays are about a month and a half after Mother’s Day so I am always thinking if I get them this, what could I give them for their Birthday? Or vice versa. Since I will be celebrating my first mother’s day this year, I have thought up a list of things I wouldn’t mind getting myself. Here are some of my go-tos for MD gifts:

Picture/picture frame. As a mother, I treasure photos of my baby. I know our moms do as well. We just had Hamp’s 6 month pictures done, so you can bet they will be getting one. I know they always enjoy getting updated pictures of our family and the grandbabies.

Flowers. You can’t go wrong with flowers. It is Spring after all and who doesn’t love fresh blooms filling their home?

Spa Day. Treat your mom to a mani/pedi,or a massage. All women love being pampered. Rarely do they splurge on those things for themselves, so it’s nice to receive them as gifts.

Jewelry. You can’t go wrong with jewelry. If you don’t know your mom’s ring size, a necklace is a safe choice.

Gift Cards are a great choice if you are buying for a woman who has everything. They are easy and convenient to pick up. If you are a last minute shopper, this is probably best for you.

Gift Basket. I love putting together gift baskets. For example, I gave my SIL a movie themed gift one year for her birthday with gift certificates to the movie theater, a bag of popcorn, and candy in a plastic pop corn bucket. You can put your own twist on it and cater it to your mom and what she enjoys.

What are you getting your mom for Mother’s Day? What are your go-to gifts?

Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton
September, 2011 by Thomas Dunne Books

Synopsis from Goodreads: Lisa Patton won the hearts of readers last year, her book Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter became a sleeper-success. Building on a smashing debut, Lisa’s poised to go to the next level—because whether in Vermont snow or in Memphis heat, Dixie heroine Leelee Satterfield is never too far from misadventure, calamity…and ultimately, love.

Having watched her life turn into a nor’easter, 34-year-old Leelee Satterfield is back home in the South, ready to pick back up where she left off. But that’s a task easier said then done…Leelee’s a single mom, still dreaming of the Vermonter who stole her heart, and accompanied by her three best friends who pepper her with advice, nudging and peach daiquiris, Leelee opens another restaurant and learns she has to prove herself yet again. Filled with heart and humor, women’s fiction fans will delight in this novel.

Follow me on Goodreads!

First off, I want to say a huge thank you for the response I received from yesterday’s post. That is exactly why I love the blogging community. I loved all of the feedback and encouragement from everyone.

My cousin, Zana, was married this past weekend and I had the pleasure of standing beside her on her perfect day. She was married in the backyard of her home in Dothan, on an island in the middle of their pond. The weather was absolutely beautiful and Zana was breathtaking. It was an emotional weekend for me because she is not only my cousin, but also my best friend. She and Landon have been together for over 6 years. They started dating just a few months after Ryan and me. Needless to say, it was about time they got hitched! I couldn’t ask for a better man and husband for my Zana. I’m so incredibly happy for them.

Their wedding was southern chic at it’s finest. They did almost everything themselves as far as flowers and decor. Everything turned out so beautiful. The guests had a lot of fun at the reception, and as a bride, you can’t ask for much more than that. Here are a few pictures I (and my sister) snapped of their wedding.

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 

We’ve all done it. I’ve done it more times than I can count. Scandal excites us until we are on the other end of it. Have you been on that other end? I have. It’s not fun. I left my college because of rumors that were floating around about me. As false as they were, they still got to me. Everyone talked. Stared. Whispered. I wanted to group them all in a room together and yell “it’s not true! It’s all a lie!  If you gave me the chance to really get to know me, you’d see that it’s a lie.” I never got that chance. After 3 long semesters of trying to fit in, of trying to live out my parents legacy, I couldn’t do it anymore. The gossip got to me. It drained me. It disappointed and killed me on the inside. Girls can be pretty mean.

So, I’m pretty excited. Only a few more days stand in the way of the beloved #BikiniSeries with our favorite girls – Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up!! Eeekkk!!! If you remember from previous posts, I participated in the Love Your Body Series during the winter months and it helped me lose the last bit of my baby weight…and then some! My fitness training has improved tremendously. I’ve been sticking to their weekly workout schedule and am officially 8 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight! Cray. Anyways… I’ve been counting down the days until the Bikini Series begins and it is finally here! If you haven’t checked out Toneitup.com, you need to. Their workouts are no joke. Add them to your daily cardio and healthy diet and you’ll achieve your goals in no time.

More so than the workouts, I’ve made so many connections and friends throughout the Tone it up community and I love it. Everyone is so encouraging and that helps push me and drive me on the days I don’t feel like putting in the work. You are welcome to follow my fitness journey on Instagram @TIULoCan where I’ll be checking in daily. Creating that account during the LYBS helped motivate me and held me accountable. I look forward to working out with all of you who choose to participate!

I’ve already planned one beach trip and am in the process of planning a second one. I want to be a fit woman this summer, not a jealous one. Are you with me?

Sign up for the #BikiniSeries today! Let me know if you do!

Did you do the Bikini Series last year?