Diaper Bag

Almost as soon as I found we were expecting I started looking at diaper bags. When I worked at Haute Baby there was a great company out of Dallas that made really cute, Marc Jacobs inspired bags. They were super functional and were around $200. I started out by searching high and low for the company but the search was futile - I guess they are no longer in business.

SO I started a new search - one for a diaper bag that didn't make me feel like I was starting down the path that ends with 'Mom Jeans'. It was harder than I thought. There are a lot of cutesy fabric bags out there, overly utilitarian bags, and just plain ugly ones. I am not sure when in the process I decided to abandon the search for a diaper bag and find a regular tote that will carry diapers and what not.

I found several great over sized handbags by designers like Chanel and Gucci that I was able to justify being a diaper bag. Problem was that the hubby did not agree with my justification and I was told several times in Neimans to "keep walking".

As it turns out, conducting my search as the summer season was approaching was very beneficial- if it will work as a beach bag the transformation to a diaper bag is pretty easy. Stores, magazines and designers are all too eager to present us with multiple 'style guides' for what you need each season and during the summer we all need a beach bag. That is how I decided on diaper bag #1.

I originally was headed to buy this Tory Burch tote in one of the Spring/Summer '12 colors but opted for the all black since it will be better year round.

Diaper Bag #2 came about while looking for something that Jason would at least take with him, ie: leave in the truck. This is what we (OK, I) decided on. Jason doesn't hate it, I really like it and it is virtually indestructible. I still have my set of Jon Hart luggage from high school graduation (including a makeup bag I use almost everyday) and it is all still in great condition. Seriously after a nuclear bomb goes off we will be left with cockroaches and Jon Hart luggage!

Along the search I found a few other acceptable bags like these from Rosie Pope (left) and Timi & Leslie (right). Plus they are both still affordable.

And of course the Rebecca Minkoff 'Knocked Up' bag. Not so much affordable- but fabulous.

With the bags at home and waiting for baby now all I need to do is fill them! So moms out there, what items did you find to be the most helpful in your diaper bag?

Gift wrap etc

I have come across several great ideas on pintrest for gifts but haven't really had a chance to do many of them. This one for a wedding gift turned out really cute I think.

I did 6 'firsts' and a bottle of wine for each. I found several cute wine caddies/baskets but they only held 4 bottles of wine and I wanted to do a slightly larger gift for these friends. So the holder is just the cardboard ones they have at HEB, Pinkies, Specs etc. I spray painted it gold and sliver; added big raffia bows and tags to the bottles, gold matte tissue and voila! The 6 firsts I did and wines are below.

First Baby (Sparkling Rose)

First Anniversary (Chardonnay)

First Christmas Eve (Shiraz)

First New Years (Champagne)

First Fight (Pinot Grigio)

First Dinner Party (Merlot)

These are pretty basic wines, and my one regret. I did the tags before I went to the store - once I got there I found some unique wines that would have been fun. In the end it was great and I was able to find quality wines. Plus it was fun to be in the wine section again this hiatus. There are one or two that I found that will be on my list as soon as the baby comes.

Speaking of babies - I came across this burlap ribbon and loved the color. So far all I have used it for is this baby gift.



31 weeks

This photo is a little late but here is the bump and photos from a fun weekend!



Just a few weeks left. We are getting closer and closer to being done with the nursery. Now all I have to do is figure out how to handle this heartburn and we will be set!

Houston Trip and Birthday

 Another year has come and gone. This year for my birthday we took off for Houston to see friends, family and have one last trip with out a baby in tow. It was an early morning Friday but we got up and were in Houston by 8:30am! Jason's first stop was to get his favorite breakfast tacos (he went again on Saturday), then it was lunch with Eric and naps. I ended up taking 2 naps, but I made it dinner and even out for a little bit. El Tiempo is our favorite place - possibly anywhere, ever. The beef tenderloin fajitias are fabulous!! I was sad to have to miss out on the infamous margaritas but I am pretty sure someone drank a few for me.

Saturday was the day of cousins. First was lunch with the Ellingtons before all three cousins left for camp. I can not believe we didn't get a picture - it was probably because we got distracted by Michael's new jeep! Then we headed to the Astros game with other cousins. We had such a great time with Jared and Sofia! I have no clue what the guys talked about but Sofia and I talked about her wedding plans the whole time.

After the game we went to grab a bite to eat then it was off to see Micky and the Motorcars. I was really looking forward to seeing them play but there was no way I was going to be able to stay up. Jason got to stay out and went to meet up with some other old friends. It was nice to be able to get out a bit more than I can in Midland - the smoking ban is so nice. Plus everywhere we went had O'douls! 

Sunday morning we headed over to the Ward household and got to see the girls fresh on their return from camp. We had a great breakfast - the chocolate croissants from the farmer's market were killer! Wylie showed us his skills as a super hero and how George plays soccer!

 The trip to Houston ended too soon but we got to see just about everyone and we had so much fun. It was such a hectic Camp Longhorn weekend for the Wards and Ellingtons so it was especially great that they could all fit us into the weekend!

When we got back to Midland we had such a nice surprise and a little birthday dinner was planned! Meagan is the best!!!

All in all this birthday was SO great! I know I have the whole month to celebrate but this little boy isn't going to wait and there is still lots to do so we are ready for him. Pictures of the nursery in progress will be coming soon!!!

A super big THANK YOU to everyone for all the birthday wishes and visits.