The World Through Baby Fox's Lens - Family

Daddy

Mommy

Sister - These turned out pretty good

Ampa  (AKA - Grandpa)

Godsister

Godmother and Godsister

In his defense, the lens is right next to where a perfect spot for your hand would go. I should take a picture of him taking a picture, he concentrates so hard!

And just cause he's cute, here another one for the road. Have a great weekend! I have today off, gotta go get the kids up!

Gotta get the selfie in

Something Serious, Something Fun

Usually this blog is light hearted and fun, but today, today I'm going to get real. My real life.
I like to think it looks like this all the time, snuggling with my kids, while they try to kiss each other.

But in reality that's not everyday life. Enter Mommy guilt. I seriously have never really felt it, when I went back to work both times, nothing, I knew it was something that I had to do for my family. We used to go to 24 hour fitness, but recently we joined a new fitness club (it just opened 2 weeks ago). Cue, major meltdowns by Baby Fox. There are a ton more kids in this daycare area and he's just not used to it. It literally gives me anxiety taking him to the gym with me. I try to get him to like it, to show him what they have to offer (They have a TON to do there, have gymanstics, karate, music, etc) classes for the kids to take, and he cries EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I feel bad that I get frustrated at him for not liking it. It's how he feels. I haven't really gotten a full workout in yet because they keep calling me to come pick him up. I feel upset that I didn't get workout in, that I'm  to feel "fat" cause I haven't legitimately worked out in 2 weeks and that I don't get any time for me (selfish, I know). Then I feel bad that I'm gone at work all day, then want to go workout for 40 minutes, he cries, he hates it, he cries some more. I see all the other kids his age and they are running around having the time of their lives. But my son isn't like that, he's sensitive, he doesn't like large crowds. One of the reasons we are doing this is to get him used to us dropping him off somewhere and coming back later. i.e. preschool that's going to start in the Fall. We are trying to avoid these sort of meltdowns. It's not working. I'm getting frustrated, I hate feeling frustrated and anger with how he is feeling. Makes me feel even worse when he just wants to spend time with me. But he needs to get socialized, maybe it's too early? Then I see the other kids his age playing and know that age wise it's appropriate. Then I feel frustrated again, And then the circle of feelings goes back around to feeling guilty for wanting to leave him somewhere, etc. We're going to keep trying for the next couple of months, and hope that eventually he'll be okay with us leaving for 45 minutes. If not, I guess we'll have to quit the club, which makes me sad.  We thought of trying to bring something from home, but he said, I might lose it, I don't want to lose it. Smart kid. I've tried staying for 10 minutes, and then sneaking out, cue hysterical crying and running around looking for me calling my name. The problem isn't that we're not there, it's the quantity of people. It upsets him and I don't know if we can change how he feels about that.

He even likes working out, pretty good form if you ask me!

Then I read this story about Ryan, cue the crying in my mom's arms last night, thinking, how can I feel this way when Ryan's family is going through so much more. There aren't going to be any more frustrating moments for them, all they will have are memories. Puts things into perspective doesn't it? This too shall pass, so I'm going to go and hug my little man and little princess and tomorrow is another day. #RedBalloonsForRyan

She's not a part of our membership, but I thought this was a cute picture! She's growing up much too fast! She'll be 8 months old tomorrow...where did the time go?!

Anyway, enough seriousness for now...onto the fun stuff! So remember when I told you about my new iphone? Well with my new iphone comes social media! I can finally join the ranks with the rest of world and you can see even more cute pictures of my kids.  I got an Instagram account! Now to just start adding pictures...hopefully soon! But start following now so you'll know when I do start posting regularly. I also got a facebook page, so if you want to see me pop up on your newsfeed, go ahead and like it, it would really make my day! :)

Please pray for Ryan's parents and family for the strength they are going to need during this very difficult time. Now go cuddle your husband, kids, fur babies or whatever it is that makes your heart happy.

Linking up with Faith, Sarah and Heather

You Changed My Life - Thank You

Last week of  The Spring Challenge. Still having fun, so thank you Alison for getting me out of my comfort zone and giving me easy outfits that I just have to grab in the morning and don't really have to think much about it. This morning actually, I was tired and didn't know what to wear and one of her outfits popped into my head and bam, I had a great outfit.

In case you missed the other days, outfits 1 & 2, outfits 3-9, and outfits 10-16. Now onto the last few days of the challenge, sniff sniff.

Day 17
 
Interesting story about my necklace. I wanted to try and incorporate jewelry in my wardrobe, I think this was December of 2011, Mr. got my a bunch of necklaces for Christmas, and my sister got my a fashion book, it was a start. This is the first colored necklace I bought. I thought it was SOO out there and people would point and laugh...who knew 2.5 years later I would be pairing this necklace with pink jeans!

Pink Jeans - White House Black Market (old), Top - Loft (not available any more), Shoes - DSW (no available any more), necklace - Francesca's Collection

I can't tell you how much I love my leopard flats!

Day 18

White on white scared me - to death. I actually didn't even wear the white pants to work, I think I wore jeans or something. But when I got home and had a chance to really try it on, I think this is my favorite. Classic and beautiful.

White Jeans -  Loft,, White Tee - Target, Shoes - Toms (similar), Belt - Target,Necklace - Groopdealz (old)

 Day 19 

It was 100° out, no joke, hot, hot, hot. The original outfit called for boyfriend jeans, white tee, bright sweater, scarf, sandals. Just typing that out thinking about how hot that day was, makes me start sweating...seriously. This was such an easy outfit to wear, but I totally felt put together.

Look I'm actually wearing make-up! I was so tired, that I felt it was mean to go out looking like a complete zombie!

Day 20

Truth be told, I went to the beach this day and wore a bathing suit and a coverup all day.

I didn't have time to take an outfit post on Monday, so this outfit I actually wore yesterday.

Pink Jeans - White House Black Market, Striped Top - Old Navy (old), Scarf - Old Navy (no longer available), Shoes - DSW (no longer available)

Baby Fox wanted to do some photos too, and said No take the pictures up here!  I was a good mommy and complied.

 Day 21

I love maxi skirts so much, that's all.

Black and White Maxi Skirt - Nordstroms, Bright Tank - Target, Scarf - Old Navy, Sandals - Target (no longer available), Bracelets - GroopDealz (old)

 I should add black rubber hair band  - Target ouchless kind, I almost always have one around my wrist. Perhaps I should start taking them off my wrist before picture? Nahh....I think it's a good fashion statement.

What I've learned

Wow what have I learned, I have learned that I've come a long way since that color wheel post and my first and my second fashion post:

This was August 2012 - Wow my hair was short!

Look how little Baby Fox was! Still my little photo bomber

Lesson 1: I never thought in a million years this would be one of my favorite outfits, plaid shirt? Who am I?! But I like it, as a matter of fact, I'm wearing almost that same exact outfit today. except I switched out the pants for bright blue pants, and the shoes for some leopard flats.

Which brings me to lesson 2: Leopard print is a neutral, and I don't know why I've live so long without it. I love, love, love my leopard print shoes and am avidly looking for a leopard print scarf and belt.

Lesson 3: There are so many people out there in the same boat as me, totally clueless when it comes to fashion. I always see these fashion blogs, but it just seems so daunting to try and figure out the secret to how they dress. Alison broke it way down and it has really changed my life forever. '

Lesson 4: Don't be afraid to try something new and then post it online. Put yourself out there and you might make some awesome new friends, like all the ladies I'm doing this challenge with. I can't begin to express how much these ladies changed me, so I won't, I'll just leave it at that, because I know they feel the same. Love you girls!

I also loved the way people were so caring about each other and gave each other genuine complements which made my heart happy. To see people who were tired and struggling get a compliment and see how that affected their day for the better was awesome. To see friendships formed through the different threads was amazing.

Lesson 5:  I learned that dressing for myself made me feel better about me. Made me feel pretty, when I was running on 3 hours of sleep. Made me feel more put together and made me feel like I could accomplish anything. Just started my day in the right direction. I found myself wearing my outfits all day and not changing into "yoga" (I say it like that people really they're pj shorts cause it's just too hot to wear pants) pants. I felt good about me which in turn made me a better Mom, wife and care taker.

I could go on and on, but this post is already getting super long. So I'll leave it at that. For those of you reading who I did the Style Challenge with, see you for the Summer Challenge, can't wait to rock it with you ladies again!

 Linking up with

Deena @ Shoes to Shiraz

Jordan @ Just Jordan
Shaunacey @ Confessions of a Frumpy Mummy 

Katie @ The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life 

Beth @ Fast Life Slow Life 

Vanessa @ X-tremely V
Anne-Michelle @ May We Be Allergy Free

Teresa @ Two Babies and Me

Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
Carrie @ A Lovely Little Wardrobe
Carly @ Faith Family and Frugality

Lana @ Two Teens and Their Mama

The fun doesn't end here, even though the challenge is over, we're going to keep linking up, so come back next week!

Have a great Wednesday!

Also Linking up with Because Shanna Said So, Get Your Pretty On, The Pleated Poppy, Cute and Little and Tucker Up

 

Water Baby

This past weekend my Mother-in-Law and her best friend came down to visit. We don't see them often, but we have such a great time when they do come visit!

Friday: 

We like to try and do special things with MIL when she does come because she doesn't get to see them as often as my parents do. This weekend? She got to put Mini Fox in the spa for the first time.

Then we decided, let's just let her get in, I bought her this super cute swim suit at Target, I wanted to show it off. The hat has no practical use other than being super cute.

She's been doing that weird thing with her lips lately

To say she loved it is an understatement. She could not stop giggling.

Saturday:

We headed down to the beach. It was the perfect weather.

This picture was taken off MIL's phone, I love it so much. The water looks perfect, and who doesn't wear a party dress to the beach? Mr. dressed Mini Fox and said that she picked out the dress...uh huh sure Mr. he just wanted to put her in a cute dress.

We went to lunch afterwards, Mini Fox was tired...open mouth sleeping and all.

Lunch was perfect, silly boys!

My and my boy, love going to the beach on perfect days like this. FYI: This picture is not edited at all (who has time for that?), the water is really that gorgeous!

Sunday:

We went to the park and Mini Fox discovered she loves this:

 
The park was the highlight, my parents came over to say hi to the in-laws and then MIL and her friend they were off, I took a 2 hour nap, cause someone *cough, Mini, Cough* thought it was okay to be up from 3am-6am. Although in her defense she was having some horrible gas pains, poor thing.

Mini is actively trying to kiss Baby Fox here

Our weekend ended with some yummy ribs for dinner. How was your weekend?

Linking up with Faith, Sarah and Heather
Also linking up with Carly and Molly

Good News!

3 Announcements:

One
Mr. got a new iPhone through work and passed me his old one last night at 12:15am! Yep we were up that late, not sure why since I had to get up at 5 this morning, dumb! But I am not part of the 21st century and have a smart phone. Although it's not set up yet, it will be in the next few days, woo hoo! Now I can get Instagram and Twitter, cause I know you guys want to see what I'm up to on a daily basis, lol, yea right! At the very least now I can do those things when entering raffles, I used to always have to skip them.

Two
It's BACK!!!!! Lucky for me no one wants a 7 year old iPod that doesn't support apps (at all), and is very well loved. All that said, I'm super excited that it's back! I'm mostly excited because I didn't lose all of my songs, it's taken 7 years to get it there, I don't want to have to start over, especially since I lost the hard drive which had the songs for a good 2/3rds of them. Don't think just because I have an iPhone means this is going away. Can I tell you how clumsy I am on a treadmill, my iPod frequently takes a quick ride to the floor more then I would like to admit. I fear the iPhone would not yield the same good results. I hear iPhones can be high maintenance like that.

Three
My blog is going to go through a little face lift soon.  I had this girl do some artwork for me, and I'm working with Erin on layout, she's awesome, can't wait for you all to see the finished product! Actually I can't wait to see the finished product either :)

Hint: It has foxes (duh)

Four
While writing this post, I just got word that I won a give-a-way from Alison at Get Your Pretty On!

This is how I feel:

Five
I sort of love my pacifier Hoarder.

but at least she's willing to share

My Mother-In-Law is flying in today for the weekend. She hasn't seen the kids since November, we're excited to show her all of Mini Fox's new baby tricks.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Linking up with  Darci today