My Week in Photos

 This picture just kills me!  I love how tightly August is holding onto his dad's hand.

August has officially become the party animal of the house; he can stay up way later than JP and I!

My morning goes something like this: JP feeds August and hands him off to me before heading into to work, I spend the next hour gazing at the little man and snuggling with him before getting up and starting the day.  It's rough, but someone has to admire him early in the morning.
Also, he's getting a bald stripe around his head.  Is August already losing his baby hair?!  I feel old!  Slow down, clock!

 We've started cloth diapering during the day!  How cute are his little bottoms here?  They have little math equations on them and say, "I'm a genius."  Of course, we already knew that, but it's nice to have it verified.

How absolutely gorgeous does Olga look at her bridal shower last weekend?

My little man. When he nestles into my neck like that, I'm done.  This kid has me wrapped around his finger.

Post-afternoon lunch cuddles with his mama.

On Wednesday, we got some big smiles while playing with Sophie!

Personalized Quote Painting

 This is possibly the easiest craft in the history of easy crafts.  Find a piece of art you're not super crazy about, stick on vinyl letters into your favorite sayings, paint, peel off letters, hang.  I would say more about how easy this is, but, honestly, it would be beating a point to death.
You can find instructions on this 1-hour DIY at A Beautiful Mess.

Perhaps a better post would be about why I chose these particular sayings.  The first one is currently hanging in our guest room, as I thought it would be a fun mantra for people visiting.  However, it's also not a bad idea to wake up remembering that each day is a new beginning.  We are in charge of how we feel and perceive our days and, if we say a day is going to be damn fine, it probably will be.
The second is something I have been easing into.  Since having August, it's amazing how my to-do lists have shrunk into nearly nothing.  With an infant in the house (who are we kidding, ruling the house), it's just impossible to get everything done.  I've learned to let go.  Let go of having a perfectly spotless house, let go of to-the-minute schedules, let go of stressing over fitting into those size 2 jeans.  What's important is that, at the end of my damn fine day, my family is happy and fed.  Sometimes this is easier said than done, but I've got a great reminder hanging in my house in case I forget.

Peach Couscous

Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to attend the wedding shower for the wonderful Olga Diego (remember her from these photos?).  She is marrying the equally sweet and adorable Chester next month here in Atlanta, so a group of us got together to celebrate their new life together.  It was a lovely event!

In between courses of chilled green tomato gazpacho (above) and apricot & vanilla cake (below), we were served a side of couscous with peaches and red onion.  I'm probably really late to this flavor train, but what an amazing combination!

As soon as I got home from the party, I added that dish to our list of meals for this week, and I'm tempted to make it every week until peaches aren't in season.  It's that good.  And simple!  There are 5 ingredients in this perfect end-of-summer dish, and would be a great side for a potluck or barbecue.  Picture sweet, soft peaches with the tang of red onions and earthiness of couscous.  Toss in some lemon juice and olive oil, and you're done!  Flavor heaven!

Peach Couscous
2 c. prepared couscous (just follow instructions on box)
1 peach, chopped into roughly 1-inch cubes
1/4 red onion, diced
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 c. olive oil
Salt to taste

Combine everything in a bowl, and toss to coat.  Add chopped parsley if desired.

We savored this on Sunday night with some filets and asparagus.  It was wonderful!

My Week in Photos

 He's a pretty cute guy.

 On Sunday afternoon, JP, August, and I head over to Phipps Plaza to resize my new ring, which gave my man a chance to be a kid in the Lego store.  His favorite set was $400, and for ages 16+!  Who knew they were so fancy?

 Apparently, last Saturday's breakfast was not up to August's standards.

 He looks quite smug in this photo, doesn't he?

How about a very dark, cropped outfit photo?  Boyfriend jeans- Lucky, sweater- LOFT, sandals- Bamboo, vintage scarf in hair.  This is my look these days.  Nursing does not look kindly on dresses.
Also, these jeans are from an afternoon spent trying on 20+ pairs to find a few that fit my post-pregnancy body.  Lucky, Levi's, and American Eagle won the challenge!

 August has the sweetest sleeping face.

The ladies' man.  Hopefully he loses the double chin before he starts seriously hitting on babes.

I was so excited to go for my first run with the stroller, Mia, and August on Wednesday.  We found a sidewalk trail by the Chattahoochee, and set out for a 2-miler.  August's feet made an appearance, and he didn't make a peep the whole run.

Mia was so happy to be out, too!  She is a good pup.

Letters From Skye

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Jessica Brockmole's debut novel is an absolute pleasure to read.  My mom brought an advanced reader's copy from the American Library Association conference (so I wouldn't have to worry about returning it to the library; she's a smart lady who knows that new moms are not punctual in the least), and I casually read it during August's night feedings.  As if seeing that cute baby boy's eager face during our midnight meetings wasn't enough, this book helped me stay awake in the wee small hours of the morning.
This epistolary novel takes place during World Wars I and II, and tells the story of two pen pals from different sides of 'the pond'.  Elsbeth is a poet in Scotland, specifically the Isle of Skye, whose words entrance American David Graham.  He writes to her on a whim, and she responds; thus, a years-long correspondence begins.  Their romance is sweet, but won't give you a toothache; I found it charming.
Brockmole weaves in vivid imagery of Europe during WWI.  David signs up to be an ambulance driver in Europe, which isn't something I think about when war comes to mind.  It's also easy for civilians to gloss over the agony of being out of touch with their loved ones who are fighting, and this book taps into the worry of waiting for a letter.  One review I read compares this to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a very fitting statement, and one that might help you picture the feel for Skye.  I thoroughly enjoyed both!

Chopped Summer Salad

JP and I had the most delightful salad last night for dinner, and I just had to share it with you.  It's a completely delicious combination of fruity sweetness and crunchy vegetables, with a hint of salty goat cheese.  It's not over the top, and it's not a huge pain to put together.  It's just a bunch of good-for-you stuff thrown into a bowl, dressed, and devoured.  You'll love it.

Chopped Summer Salad
1 large head of Romaine lettuce, chopped
1 c. strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 crisp apple, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1 avocado, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup almonds, sliced
1/4 c. crumbled goat cheese
1 c. chopped cold chicken (we used rotisserie)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c. olive oil
4 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Place everything in a salad and toss until well mixed.

This recipe is endlessly adaptable.  If you're feeling adventurous, you could add some sliced prosciutto or crisped bacon, substitute the goat cheese with gorgonzola, blueberries or raspberries instead of strawberries; make this salad your own!

Our Week in Photos

 My new goal is to have at least one picture of August each day.  To up the ante, I'm even going to date them.  Let's see how long this resolution will last.

 Last Friday, the three of us went to dinner at the house of one of JP's coworkers, which was absolutely lovely!  We got home just in time for August to chug a bottle, which both of my men fell asleep during.  They could not be cuter.

 If you study the middle of this photo, you'll see JP relaxing in a hammock on Lake Lanier.  It was the first nice weekend on the lake in months!

 At my birthday dinner last Sunday, JP broke out the big guns.  I got a gorgeous necklace from J.Crew for my 27th (!!), and he also surprised me with a belated push present for carrying/delivering August.  It sounds goofy, but knowing that he appreciates how much work I put into being a good mom means even more than the gift.  Although, let's be honest, I'm not saying no to a diamond band from Tiffany.  I'm drawn to the sparkles.

The little man is getting so strong!  Check out that push up!

 On Monday, he wore an outfit styled by his Hein; pretty adorable, no?

 Look at this chunky monkey!  He's hovering around the 11 lb. mark, and it definitely shows during his bath time.  I love his little arm and leg rolls.

On Wednesday, August had to get 3 vaccination shots for his 2-month birthday.  What a crummy gift, huh?  He was so brave, and only cried/screamed for a fraction of a minute before calming down during a nursing.  (I, on the other hand, was trying to keep it together while a nurse shot him each time, and JP got choked up when he heard how many Band-Aids he had on those sweet legs.)  The rest of the day was spent sleeping and cuddling with me or JP.  Our courageous soldier!

How do you like JP's workshop?  He has commandeered the smaller of our two garages for a wood-working space, and has made all of the tables in there by hand!  I am endlessly impressed by his dedication to new hobbies.

 Still loving this door!

 My favorite necklace combination: cute teapot pendant from my bffl, a new Karma necklace from a recent friend who is already a favorite, and my Mrs. Diego wedding piece.

This is how August napped yesterday- right hand raised.  Weirdo.

Haley took this cute video of the little man's hiccups last week; I love it!

Labor Day

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Months ago, my grandmother sent me a recommendation for this book, with a note that it was the first good book she'd read in a while.  Feeling in a bit of a book rut myself, I picked it up from my local bookstore (couldn't even wait to get it from the library!), and dug in.  

Maynard's sixth book follows the story of a young man, Henry, who runs into a stranger while running errands, and inexplicably invites him to go home with him and his mother.  Henry and his mother generally lead a solitary life; she has become somewhat of a hermit, and Henry is picked on at school.  The stranger gives their Labor Day weekend a dash of the extraordinary, although it is said that all good things must end.  

This novel is a wonderful read, quick but soulful.  Maynard imbues her characters with heart and they pop right off the page.  As the holiday is quickly approaching, I definitely recommend picking this book up to read by the pool! 

My Week in Photos

Last Friday morning, both of my babies got some cuddle time on the couch.  They are needy, but so totally cute!

Later that night, Auntie Haley and Uncle Matt came to visit!  On Saturday, we did some shopping around Canton Street in downtown Roswell.  August showed off his Elton John impersonation skills.

Most of his day was spent in the Ergo, though, sleeping through the drizzly weather.
Can I share the story of the moment I truly became a mom?
Haley, Matt, JP, and I were packing up the car to head back to our house.  Somehow, my car key ended up being locked in the trunk, which meant JP had to literally run back to the house, one mile away.  While he was gone, August decided he was hungry, and needed some of mama's milk. Haley and I wound up on a bench next to a parking lot, Haley holding up my cardigan while I nursed August. Matt had to pop into a restaurant to grab some napkins so I could wipe off August's wet chin, and then I felt him take a very large poop in his diaper.  Two minutes later (I cannot make this up), it began to rain.  Haley and I just sat on the bench and laughed.  Sometimes there's nothing else you can do.

 On Sunday, we went for a hike through the Leita Thompson Memorial Park; so lovely!

Can you find Haley?

If there is one thing you can count on August for, it's a goofy face.

After the walk, we got pedicures; Haley was very happy!

I got a glitter ombre pedi; it reminds me of the ocean.

Auntie Haley on baby duty.  It was a rough life.

Bath time!

My little man all clean and smelling yummy.

He's so handsome!

Gah, this is such a great picture of August and Haley!

Have you heard of the Nosefrida Snotsucker?  It is by far my favorite thing we registered for, if only for the name and purpose.  I won't get into specifics, but it is incredibly highly rated on Amazon, and really goofy but effective to use.

August in one hand, a cookie in the other, a Sweetwater Blue bottle on the end table, and Cheers on TV.  What more could an aunt ask for?

I'll close with August's sneaky face.  It's one of my many favorite things he does these days.