The big 3.

My sweet little man is going to be three on Saturday.

Three. 3. Tres.

I look at him and I see a little 3 year old, but that kid will always be my baby. Like I tell him every night before he goes to bed... he is the sweetst, smartest, cutest, and brightest person in our lives.

He loves:
 - CARS
 - Mircomachines
 - Chocolate pudding
 - reading
 - being read to
 - watercolors
 - sissors
 - helping in the garden (watering)
 - wall-e
 - kickin' ball
 - the iPad
 - hanging out on the floor with mom and dad on a big pile of blankets

We are in full on party mode. Working all day, then coming home and working on birthday stuff. It's exhausting, but it's really fun. I have quite a few things to make this week including baking. I've been setting up over the last week, so I won't have SO MUCH to do on Friday and Saturday. All his gifts are wrapped so that's checked off my list! Yay! I really can't wait for his party. This is the first year where he actually knows and realizes that this day is all for him. I can't wait to see his face!

Just a list...

With my birthday month coming up, I usually start wishing for "stuff" around this time. I also have a list of things I'd like to do or see for my little special day. We have been trying to do something fun for the family on birthdays, then something just the two of us one night. We'll see how this year goes!

 

Here are a few of the things I'm dreaming about.

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October is one of the only months I can splurge a little at Anthropoligie. Thank jebus for those birthday cards!!

Currently...

Taken in my pretty garden.

 

Obsessing over... Yah... Jack's party. We finished birthday shopping for him this weekend and I am so happy with the little bit we got him. He'll have a blast and get spoiled by my parents and everyone else coming to his party. He also got a haircut this weekend that I can't get enough of! He looks like such a three year old and it kind of makes me sad. My baby is growing up!

Anticipating... Austin this weekend, Jack's party, my parents coming up, OCTOBER, and my girl's Houston trip with my mom, sister-in-law, and nieces.

Working on...  Jack's party... still. I FINALLY sent out the invitations. Not excactly how I had planned, but it'll work. My plan tonight is to paint some tiny pots for something for the party. It's going to be cute!

Watching... Parenthood and all the other fall shows coming back on. Also, occationally, I'll watch Gossip Girl.

Thinking about... Austin this weekend. We have a wedding to go to and won't have a whole lot of free time to play in Austin, but I am going to make it to Magnolia Cafe. And maybe some Toyjoy.

Reading... I'm reading Gone Girl. It's a little crazy so far... I'm only 50 or so pages in, but I'm in it. I usually read on the way to and from work. I'm watching a Gossip Girl break.

Listening to... Songza's Bedroom Rock and Death Cab playlists. They are usually on repeat while I'm at work and at home.

Eating... lots of grapes and pumpkin anything.

Wishing... my parents were here. They are coming to help celebrate Jack's birthday next weekend. I am so excited. My step-dad hasn't seen our house or our garden yet and I think he's going to LOVE it.

(Thank you to Danielle at Sometimes Sweet for this idea! I love it!) 

Bits of our weekend...

 Carrot soup

 Kale chips.

 Jack's new haircut.

 Our beets are getting big.

 A teeny cucumber.

 Kale plant.

 New plants for our growing garden.

 New nails.

 Pumpkin Sprinkles cupcakes.

Our mantel.

Our littlest love...

My little sweet boy. He steals my heart over and over every single day. I hate when he's sick and not feeling well, but those days are also the snuggliest, cuddliest, and love filled. Most of those days, all he wants is his mama. Yay me! Since he's been sick lately, he's been mad, upset, frustrated... just to name a few. We've had a rough week. His nose is stuffy which means sleeping/breathing is hard. He's coughing. Not eating so well. Just unhappy over all. But last night, he started feeling better. He had just taken a bath and we were sitting in front of the TV (judge away), putting lotion and pjs on. He smelled so good, as all babes do right out of the bath with super sweet smelling lotion. So I kissed his cheek and said "I love you, baby." He didn't respond in any which way. So, I did it again...and again. Until finally, he looked at me and said "Tanks, mama." So, of course, I melted and said it again and again while hugging and kissing his cheeks. Finally, he looked at me again and said "I lobe you, too, mama," and hugged my arms and legs over and over while we sat there. Heart melted into a pool of melted heart.

Not all days are easy or fun, but the good ones...man, are they good.

Dining Room/Kitchen // Home Tour

 

Here are a few little peeks of my kitchen and dining room. We spend quite of bit of time in here, so it's usually messy or what I like to call "lived-in," which is just another way to say messy.

My amazing aluminum pitcher, glasses, and holder are from a vintage shop in Whimberly, TX, where we have our family reunion every year. My mom surprised me with these after I had to leave early this year. The cake plate is also vintage.

This is our tiny little bar set up. The glassware is vintage from a garage sale my mom went to. I'm mom is so good.

Plates and a couple mugs are from Anthro, plus one that I made. The bowls and little blue ceramic basket are also from Anthro.

This hutch made it's way from my grandmother's friend's house, to my mom's, then 10+ hours to me. I love it. It's the perfect little piece for this space. I want to paint it one day and change the backing.

Lately...

Lately we have been so busy...
Living in Ft. Worth and driving to Dallas every day really sucks up a TON OF TIME. I know I complain about this a lot and I shouldn't at all since it's an amazing job with amazing people, but sometimes..... it's tough.
Jackson has been sick since Sunday. Poor dude has strep. He's slowly feeling better and getting back to the old him. We've been having good conversations over popsicles and jello. He hasn't been sleeping so well, which means I haven't. He gets pretty irritated and angry quick. I think that's more his age, but mix 3 year old attitude and sickness... whew. I'm tired.
I'm still working on his birthday party. I haven't even started to send out the invitations. I'm terrible. I made the template but now I need to just sit down at a printer and PRINT THE DAMN THINGS. All the little details are going to take some time, too. I might have to skip some stuff though, which is making me sad.
Sophie had to have an emergency vet trip Monday, too. One of her nails broke off, ouch. And she has some sort of skin infection. She's a-ok and her nail doesn't even hurt. After losing one dog this year, I can't stand when anything is remotely wrong with this one. I know she's ok, but I snuggle her a little closer at night.
We have family portraits this weekend!!!!!!!
We also have a family member's wedding to go to next weekend... in AUSTIN!!! I FINALLY GET TO GO TO THE MAGNOLIA CAFE. Yes. I am THAT excited about. Screamy caps and all.

So, I closed the comments on the blog. I'm finding that I check my email way to frequently after I post something on here. Which is nuts to me. I started this for me, not for comments. Anywhooooo... if you want to comment to me or about me or whatevs, you can email me through the contact form or find me on Instagram, amanda_smith. I don't have any other changes planned for this place of mine, but I do want the writing and posts to be more about me and my family and not about what I think people want to hear. If you like me, then sweet!! Stay...read... enjoy. If not, then cool... see ya! :]

I hope everyone is having an amazing week and getting more rest than me and my little guy.


(EDIT) So yah. Who am I kidding... I like getting comments. I like checking to see if someone read my post. PSH. Oh the goodness of changing your mind. :] So they are back open, and I'm a crazy person.

TEA.

DavidsTea actually. Lots of it. I know quite a few people have gotten into this tea, I'm included. From the flavors to the packaging, it's definitely my favorite brand.

I love the filters. They make it easy to take just a couple different flavors to work for the day.  I always use my favorite new honey. Pretty much anything from Trader Joe's is my favorite, but that's a whole other post. (wink)

Here are a few of my favorites:

 I'm planning on ordering the Fall collection soon. I mean, come on... Pumpkin Chai!! Toasted Marshmellow!! Yes. This will be happening.

Fall Favorites...

Wrapping up in pretty scarves... (NanLawson)

Drinking tea and coffee.... (fine little day)

Wearing oversized sweaters/cardigans...(modcloth)

Using a pretty new bag...(christystudio)

Pretty new dresses to wear with tights...(vanilla and lace)

 

** Plus **

 

- Jack's birthday party which means my parents coming up!

- All the other birthday's coming up.

- Planned trip to Houston with my mom, nieces, and sister-in-law.

- Photoshoot with Maryum at Sweet Violet Photography which is going to be AMAZING.

- Weather changing from 100 degrees to 80! Yipee!

 

Fall is the best time of year.

Our Home // Bedroom

As you know, my little family recently moved. This move couldn't have gone more perfect. We got movers, we packed everything well, all the furniture fit, and we have a backyard. We did get a couple new things for the new place, bedspread, plants, hutch, etc. I plan to show a few rooms. This room happens to be my favorite, when it's clean. I have a tendenacy to try on 1,000 outfits and just throw all the clothes everywhere. It's a mess. Jeremy and I decided to take one half of the room each. His has the tv which is connected to his computer. I have the bookshelf with all my pretty things on it. It's our happy compromise!

Sources: Orla Kiely bedding, Bed, Bath, and Beyond; Fox prints, Papersparrow; Happ & Stahns 1842 Rosa Alba Eau de Parfum, Anthropologie; "Love Always" banner, NICE; "Strong, Beautiful, Brave" print, NanLawson