Christmas 2016!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I know I haven't updated in a while on life, but that post is coming this week. 

Happy 5th Birthday Layla!

It's hard to believe my sweet Layla is 5! 

Miss Ava...miss Ava.

Whatever shall we do with you?

Gold bow headband: {Meghan & Julie}

All we can do is love you and try to remember that the hard times will pass and you will grow faster than we'd like. As you can see I haven't updated in about a week again. It's been tough. Life with 4 kids completely kicked my butt this week. The straw that broke the camel's back happened last night. Around 6pm Serena hobbled in from outside with what appears to be another sprained ankle, then after dinner H had to go to the store so I was left with a crying Ava, then Layla started throwing up everywhere and Serena couldn't help me because she has a hurt ankle. So I'm trying to clean up, put Layla in the tub and deal with a crying baby. Thankfully H walked in 10 minutes later, but I was spent. I had even gotten frustrated at the baby and I just felt guilty and overwhelmed. I did a lot of crying, praying and feeling sorry for myself that my kids can't be easier on me. Today I'm trying to focus on counting my blessings. There is much to be happy about and as I write this Ava is napping which is rare for her, but it's giving me a little time to get some things done. 

Have a great weekend!

Life Lately..

Gosh the last few weeks have been busy, mainly in regards to the business. So much going on and so much work that had to be done. back to back boutique orders, getting a new collection ready, etc. There have been days where I've had to start my work as soon as H gets home and keep at it stopping to make dinner or throw a load of laundry in the washer. Then I put the kids to bed and continue working till about midnight. H has been so supportive and tending to the kids when he gets home and giving me more time to focus on my work. I even had my mom fly in for a few days because my seamstress was on vacation. It's a lot and there are some days where I miss the slower days in the beginning but I'm so grateful for my growing business. I know a big part of my problem is letting go of some of the control, but it's just so hard to find good help. I've gone through plenty of seamstresses  and my current help is good, but there are still some quality control issues I'm having with her, that takes time away from my day having to fix. There is some other help I get and services I've utilized online so I'm grateful for that. In maternity accessory news, I cannot wait for them to be ready. It's taking awhile but it's a process. 

As far as family life, Serena is on summer break so I've had all three girls home and it's been fun when they aren't fighting and getting under my skin. Some days they screech and bicker in the morning before it's even 8:30 am! Ugh. It's also been so hot and taking them places while it's hot and I've got this big belly to lug around--well it makes it hard. We still get out a few times a week though for sweet treats, library days and shopping. Today we left the house early for Dunkin donuts and then went to the mall. I actually got lucky this time and found some things I love. I'm extremely picky so usually I find something for the girls and nothing for me. Our first stop was A Pea in the pod maternity and I found a white scoop neck maternity tank, then Nordstroms where I finally found a going home outfit for the baby. Yay! I've been on the hunt. I also bought a cute crochet hem swing top from the juniors section that is perfect for a growing bump. Bath & Body works is having another one of their huge clearance sales so we stocked up on some lotions and hand soaps.

{A Pea In the Pod Maternity}

{Nordstrom}

In growing baby news, It's hard to believe I'll be entering the third trimester soon. I'm 27 weeks and 4 days today and things really feel like they go fast between the last half of the second trimester and part of the third and then they slow down around weeks 36 till you deliver. I told H awhile back that I wouldn't mind if we gestated like elephants and were pregnant for 22 months. Haha! I love being pregnant--for the most part. I have been a lot more uncomfortable and she loves pushing in my ribs but it's an amazing feeling to grow a child and feel her kicks and pokes.

Have a great weekend!

Layla turns 4!

Yesterday my Layla baby turned 4! It's so crazy how fast time goes when you have little children. Layla is the sweetest out of the bunch and 3 has been a great age. I've really enjoyed it and I'm so lucky I get to be her mother. Yesterday we had a low key birthday party--as in it was just us. It was actually nice though because all the focus was 100% on her and there was no need to entertain anyone else. We wish our families could have been here, but we are making a trip to Texas either next month or July, so we are pretty excited about that. 

Let's catch up shall we?

 

I feel like I haven't really sat down and just breathed in like.....well forever. As a mommy of 3 and a business owner there is just always something to do and I'm usually juggling several things at once. I thought I'd back track a little and jot down what has gone on these past couple of weeks behind the scenes.

 

Family wise, I attempted to potty train Layla 2 weeks ago. I thought I would do the 3 day potty training method and just go cold turkey with no diapers. Well the first day started out great with her using her little potty and I rewarding her. The second day didn't go so great, and the third day was even worse. (Wait a minute here, it's supposed to be called the 3 day potty training method--so why isn't there progress!) Anyhow by the fourth day let's just say I was really stressed out with accidents. It was a good thing I had decided to roll up our Persian rug in the living room before we started this. The final straw was the H-E-B grocery store incident. Little miss stubborn held her pee all afternoon and I made the mistake of not putting a diaper on her when we went to the store and let's just say she opened up the flood gates in the bread aisle all over half of my groceries. I. WAS. MORTIFIED.

 

Serena helped me clean up most of the groceries with paper towels and wet wipes and I drove home crying that day. I remember I got home and told DH to get the girls and the groceries and I went straight up to our room and just laid in bed and cried. I had had it with her. I had had it with potty training. It really made me question even being able to parent any of my children. Part of the reason I was already stressed out was because I had also been working with getting my latest seamstress on board with how the bibs were made, and I was in the midst of completing my biggest wholesale order to date at night with my mother.

 

So the following week I took a break from potty training. Judge me as a parent all you want. I had to take a break for my sanity. We are starting up a new method next week and this time I'm armed with more information and helpful advice from my friends. This is actually my first time potty training really. With Serena years ago, I was working full time away from home and my best friend who babysat her trained her. Serena really gave me no trouble.

 

Speaking of Serena, I'm so proud of my little songbird, She made honor roll recently and also sang at her school districts choral festival. She was one of 10 students from each school selected to sing. Tears welled up in my eyes hearing such beautiful music come from all those kids.

 

 

Last week was a bit calmer. The girls still gave me a hard time during the day but I felt slightly less stressed and workwise, business was steady. Collaborated with P.S I adore you and I received the paperwork from when I filed to become an LLC recently.

 

This week my mom has been staying with us but she's leaving tomorrow to South Africa for 3 months so the girls and I have been spending a lot of time with her.

 

Have a great Thursday!