Maternity Stitch Fix Review - box #2

A month or two ago I received my first Maternity Stitch Fix. I was so excited to see what was inside because I went to the launch of Maternity and Petites back in March (when I didn't even know I was pregnant yet!) and saw a lot of really cute pieces.

Unfortunately, my first box was really disappointing, so much so that I didn't even want to blog about it. I tried everything in the box on in about 5 minutes, before deciding to send it all back. I usually end up considering at least one item in the box, but there wasn't anything in that box that I even thought I might like. 

I decided to give Maternity Stitch Fix one more try because Laura and Courtney always seemed to have great luck with their maternity fixes, and the options out there for maternity clothes are very slim. And also, because it's usually pretty fun, even if I don't love everything I'm sent.

If you're wondering what Stitch Fix is, or how it works... It's a personal shopping service, and all you have to do to get started is fill out the Stitch Fix Style Profile and our personal stylists will handpick a selection of five clothing items and accessories unique to your taste, budget and lifestyle. You can buy what you like and return the rest! The styling fee is $20, and if you pick something from your fix that fee is applied to whatever you decided to buy!

If you've never tried Stitch Fix before I highly recommend giving it at least one try. It is so much fun! And if you do decide to sign up please use my referral link --- thank you thank you thank you!

 

For this box I requested Angela, one of the stylists I met at the event, to be my stylist since she seemed really knowledgeable and had great style of her own. I'm so glad they were able to have her do my fix. When I opened the box I had a really good feeling about the pieces she'd picked for me. 

Let me preface this review my saying that styling pregnant women is a challenge. It's really hard to shop for maternity clothes. You're constantly growing, which makes picking flattering styles really hard. You're uncomfortable, so nothing feels right, and you know you'll only be needing these pieces for a few short months, or just 9 more weeks in my case, which makes it hard to commit. It's pretty much mission impossible. 

So, let me show you what came in my box...

Item #1: Lanni Contrast Hem Maternity Knit Top by Madigan ($54) - My first thought as I tried this top on was that it was a little itchy. It's rayon and polyester, which immediately turned me off because I expect tees to be cotton, especially when I'm usually really warm these days. I won't tolerate being uncomfortable unless it's for a really really cute piece of clothing.

Verdict: Returned

Item #2: Loxie Button Down Maternity Blouse by Full Moon ($54) - This top is sheer and requires a tank or cami to be worn under it. The print is nice for fall and I could see myself wearing it for Thanksgiving or something, but the material doesn't lend itself well to my routine of playing with Owen and going to the park or working in the classroom. Although I like it, it's just not practical for me in the next 9 weeks.

Verdict: Returned

Item # 3: Potina Draped Cardigan by 41Hawthorn ($68) - I really liked how thick this lined cardigan is. I could easily wear just a tank under it and not feel too cold. It would also be easy to nurse in. I did not, on the other hand, love the color. I felt a little bit like Santa wearing it, which had as much to do with the color as it did with my large belly. I would probably have bought this if it were navy.

Verdict: Returned

Item #4: Jaylie Cowl Neck Colorblocked Poncho by THML ($88.00) - This poncho is totally cute, and I really liked it. I requested one in my fix thinking it would be great during the last couple cooler months of this pregnancy, and then would transition well into Winter / nursing. What I didn't think about is that it would make me look and feel like a HOUSE. Maybe it's the heavy knit too that contributed to that, but I just didn't see myself wanting to wear it until after the baby comes, and I'm sure I'd be able to find something for less at Marshall's.

Verdict: Returned, sadly


Item #5: Nyla Maternity Faux Leather Detail Ponte Legging by Rune ($64.00) - I didn't want to try these on when I was taking pictures for this post because it was so hot that day, but I did try and them on later that night when it cooled down. They fit well and looked pretty cute, but I couldn't let myself spend this much on leggings I would only wear for a couple more months.

Verdict: Returned

________________________________________________________________________________

Well, let's see... that adds up to 0 items kept from this fix. Not a total miss like the last one, since I would probably keep some of the pieces if they were a little different (better color, different material, more reasonably priced, etc.). I will not be ordering another Maternity Stitch Fix before the baby arrives, mostly because I don't have much time left (less than 9 weeks!) and I haven't loved anything from the two I've received.

You can see a few of my other Stitch Fix reviews here:
April '15
January '15
June '14
May '14
March '14

What are your thoughts on the items I was sent? Would you have kept anything?

Little Baby Things

There are so many ways that this second pregnancy is different from the first! Everything about my pregnancy with Owen was so brand new to me. All the changes and preparation and expectations were exciting, and this time its still exciting, but I don't have nearly as much time to focus on it.I'm also a lot more tired this time, which could be because I'm four years older, but most likely it's because I have less chance to rest or nap because I have a sweet little 3 year-old guy to chase after!

But really, the most exciting way that it's different is that this time we know we're having a BOY! I have a bunch of the necessities already from when we had Owen, but most of our newborn things are gender neutral since we didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl. Let me tell you, I am having a lot of fun buying teeny, tiny, little boy things!

Let me show you a few of my favorite purchases so far...

Little Brothers Rule Body Suit (Gap) | Waffle Knit Thermal Pants (Gap)

Shale Assam & Amer Top & Pants similar (Tea Collection) | Fog Bee Organic Tee Set (Burt's Bees) | Classic Burpy Bib, Stardust (aden + anais)

And the adorably cute matching pajamas for the boys!

And this sweet little Personalized Gown from Oh Sweet Sprouts, which I can't show you yet because it has his name on it!


We also had to buy all new bibs and burp cloths, since so many of them were stained and worn from when Owen was a baby -- we went through quite a few a day with him! I love these soft, brightly colored bibs from Funky Giraffe by Groovi Gee! They two layers, one of gorgeous brushed cotton and the other of natural super soft fleece, which helps keep moister away from baby's skin. 

And I'm not done yet! There's still a lot on my "to buy" list, the most important thing being his coming home outfit! I have the outfit we brought Owen home in stored away in his keepsake box.

Which outfit would you pick?

Weekend: Pancakes, a Festival, and the Blood Moon

Happy Monday, my friends! I hope you had a great weekend -- I'm just not ready for this one to be over. I love having the opportunity to spend time with my people!



Saturday morning got off to a great start! We discovered on Friday that Owen loves pancakes. He tried some at school for snack and came home to report that they were "So yummy in my tummy". I've made him pancakes before and he's never eaten them. So, Saturday morning I made him pumpkin pancakes in the shape of his name. Now I have a great excuse to buy a Pancake Pen!


And, on Friday my 2nd Maternity Stitch Fix box arrived, so I got to try that on. More on what came in the box later this week! I'm sure you're all excited to see a big pregnant lady model clothes. Laughs all around!

We went to lunch and shopping with my mom and sister in the early afternoon! Owen was a great lunch date and ate almost his whole lunch, which is a huge win!

He was in a silly, but great mood and enjoyed shopping with us in all the stores. In Sephora he was really entertained by all the little tubes, jars and containers. When we left he asked if we could please go to another make-up store. Sur La Table provided lots of entertainment with its Halloween merchandise, free samples and water dispenser. Francesca's was a hit with all their sparkling jewelry displays. He's my little shopper!

When Keith came home from work on Saturday afternoon we went back out to Burlingame again to have some fun at the St. Catherine's festival. Keith's brother and his wife have been entering the Chili Cook off for years and this year their chili won First Prize for the second time! I could only try a small taste (ugh, heartburn) and it was really, really good!

Owen loved the festival, of course. The games and activities were right up his alley! He did the bouncy house twice, hula hooped on stage to music with a bunch of kids, played games and won some prizes, and enjoyed a cotton candy! Fun little story: when it came time to pick a prize I told him what was available for his number of points, he told me he wanted the bat. We got the blow up bat, and Keith inflated it for him. He seemed really disappointed and I couldn't understand why. He kept saying he thought he was getting a bat, and I tried a few times to explain that this was, in fact, a bat. Then he finally said he thought it would be a bat with wings! Hahaha. We all had a good laugh about that one.

Sunday morning we hung out at home until I left to meet my friends Hilary and Jackie for brunch to celebrate Hilary's birthday. We ate at Il Fornaio and the waffles (an company too, of course) were amazing! Hilary and I did a little shopping around after brunch. I really really wanted to buy this wallet at Kate Spade, but decided I'll wait, since I've been trying to not spend any extra.

And then I did the grocery shopping.

While I was out Keith took Owen to a Basketball class with Mini Sports Stars! I don't like missing out on watching him, but I sure do love hearing the stories and seeing the videos when I get home. Owen loved the basketball class!

Sunday night we just hung out at home and had dinner (spinach and onion quiche) and waited to see the Blood Moon lunar eclipse. It was little difficult to see because of the clouds, but we did catch a few glimpses. Owen was enthralled!

And....

I'm super excited for next weekend because we're taking Owen to Gilroy Gardens for their Halloween Scary Boo! & Spooky Zoo!

Gilroy Gardens Home of the Circus Trees! Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is California's only horticulture-themed amusement park. Ideal for families and garden lovers, Gilroy Gardens features over 40 rides, attractions and majestic gardens and the world famous Circus Trees. It is a place "where fun grows on trees!" You can ride thrilling coasters and delightful carousels, visit the monarch butterfly garden, paddleboat on Coyote Lake and even take a simulated ride in a hot-air balloon. Visit www.gilroygardens.org for more details.

My readers save $20 OFF General Admission to Gilroy Gardens with this exclusive coupon!

So, how was your weekend?

Fall Park Days

It's Fall and the weather here is finally starting to cool down a little! It's been really hot for what seems like weeks. We love going to the park, but when it's so hot and sunny it's impossible to go unless it's first thing in the morning or right before dinner. 

Fall has to be the best season of the year for playing at the park! The weather is still warm enough to not need coats or long pants, and there's a little breeze in the air that keeps us from melting or frying.

I usually try to pack light, but when we're heading to the park I like to be extra prepared so we can stay as long as we want without having to leave for a snack, or change of clothes or whatver.

For the park I always make sure to have:

Drinks - This is what I think is the most important item for the park since I know my boy is pretty much always thirsty. I fill his Atomic Robot CamelBak Eddy with ice and then with water so the water stays really cool. This also helps keep him away from the drinking fountains!

Snacks - Owen doesn't ask for snacks often (although I'm always offering them), but when we're at the park he really works up an appetite, and when he see's other kid's stopping for a snack he wil inevitably ask for one too. I use this as an opportunity to

Antibacterial Wipes - The park can be pretty grimy, especially if O has been in the sand or doing a lot of climbing. I always have Wet Ones with me wherever we go.

Change of Clothes - I'd hate to leave just because O had an accident or got too dirty, so I always keep a change of clothes in the car.

Sun Protection - We take sunscreen and a hat with us everywhere we go. O is really fair, so even when it's not too sunny we always have protection. Now I just need to be better about remembering my own hat!

Toys - If you asked Owen he'd say this is always the number one, most important thing to bring to the park. He's especially loving his new John Deere Gear Force Mega Scoop Tractor these days and all of the fun accessories that came along with it (more on that below)!! I try to bring at least one bucket, two trucks and one or two shovels with us so we can share with other kids at the park.

As you can see Owen is in love with his newest park toy! John Deere piles on more fun this fall with its action-packed Gear Force toy line that offers endless farm and off-road excitement, made especially for the preschool crowd!

Each Gear Force set is a complete adventure in a box, and is available in an assortment of vehicles, poseable and articulated character figures and animals, and themed accessories. Plus, each set is compatible with all other John Deere Gear Force sets for tons of play possibilities.
 

This totally futuristic Gear Force vehicle has lights, sounds and a rear scoop that transforms the toy into a Mega Scoop Tractor while doubling as a working shovel. Includes 3 AAA batteries. SRP: $29.99. Made for ages 3 years and up. Available this fall at Toys R Us and John Deere Dealers.

We were give the John Deer Tractor in exchange for our review. All opinions are my own.

Sullivan Family 2015 Fall Bucket List

Fall is officially here! A few weeks ago Keith told me that he thinks Fall is my favorite season of the year. At first I thought he was wrong, because I didn't really think I had a favorite season, 'cause I love them all, but then the more I thought about it, he was right. Fall is the beginning of all my favorite holidays, it's festive, yet still not too cold or gloomy, and my birthday is in the Fall. So many reasons to love this time of year! My husband obviously knows me better than I know myself!

Owen's first Halloween in 2012 & last year, 2014

Together Owen and I talked about some of the fun things we could do this year, most of which I knew we would be doing, and I decided we'd make a tradition of making a little bucket list for the season to get him excited for all the fun things we have planned. 

Pick Halloween costumes - We ordered Owen a Peter Pan costume with the coordinating accessories this year even thought we'd already bought him and Army costume and a Ninja costume at Costco. He's really into Peter Pan right now! He'll be so excited to wear his costume, so we're waiting until Halloween to tell him we have it otherwise he'll want to wear it 24/7/

Watch Halloween movies & shows  - We've already been watching Curious George Halloween Boo Fest on Netflix and we've got some cute kid's Halloween shows set to record.

Collect colorful leaves - Collecting rocks, sticks and leaves is so entertaining for kids this age, and there are some cute activities Leaf Activities to do with them once you get home.

Make pumpkin everything - We've already made pumpkin muffins and Pumpkin Honey Butter this year, and I've got Mini Pumpkin Pies and Pumpkin Pasta on our list as well!

Fall festivals - We've got a nursery school Fall Fun Faire, our rec center Halloween event and the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival marked on our calendars!

Decorate for Fall / Halloween - Already done! I'll show you some pictures soon!

Go apple and pumpkin picking - We've never been apple picking before, so we're all excited to give it a try this year. I'm hoping the crop is good with the drought we've had.

Host football party - We hosted a football brunch last weekend with a bunch of friends! We served egg bakes, home-style potatoes and fruit salad along with mimosas and bloody mary's. I took zero pictures!

Carve pumpkins - Hoping to get this done the night before Halloween since the holiday falls on a weekend this year! Can't forget to print some cute carving patterns! 

Go trick-or-treating - Last year we trick-or-treated in our neighborhood with our neighbors and it was so much fun! Owen is already asking (every day) if we'll be going out trick-or-treating when it gets dark! To say he loves Halloween is an understatement!

So, what's on your family's Fall Bucket List this year?

Recipe: Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

Slow cooker recipes can be really hit or miss. I've tried so many recipe over the years since we got our Delonghi slow cooker, and only about half of them turn out good enough to repeat. I've found that soups and stews seem to turn out the best or are, for the most part, fool proof!

We LOVED this recipe so much, and I'm sure you will too! It's hearty, filled with vegetables and full of flavor. There is almost no prep work for this recipe if you buy Trader Joe's Mirepoix, which has the carrots, onions and celery pre-chopped!

INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can yellow corn
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of Rice-a-Roni Mexican rice
1/2 onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1 cup restaurant style salsa

optional: diced avocado, tortilla chips and cilantro

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine broth, water, onion, carrots, celery, corn, Rotel, chicken and rice (along with seasoning packet) in a large slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Take out chicken and shred with two forks, add chicken and salsa to slow cooker and then add the chicken back into slow cooker. Let cook for 10 more minutes before serving. Serve with garnishes and tortilla chips.



Enjoy!

Friday Five: Chocolate, Halloween Stuff & a Recipe

Hey, happy Friday! I'm so glad the weekend is finally here. The third trimester has hit me like a ton of bricks and I feel like I could sleep in, take a nap and go to bed early everyday, but life goes on and so must I! We had a nice, full week that included school for Owen, a breakfast date for Keith and I, taekwondo and lots of Halloween. Yes, Halloween. Owen couldn't wait to get started on his favorite holiday, so we took out the decorations last weekend. More on that below!

And now, my five....

| O N E | Last weekend we went with Keith's family up to San Francisco for the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival! The weather was beautiful, and we got up there early, so it wasn't too crowded. We shared one 15 sample ticket between Keith, Owen and I and it was more than enough. It doesn't sound like it would, but when the chocolate is so rich you don't really want more than a few samples. There is a Ghirardelli booth at the start of the festival where you can pick up samples, and then the rest of the booths are other vendors giving out samples of their chocolate and chocolate desserts or drinks. Owen had one sample and then he was done with chocolate for the day. He mainly wanted to play on the grass and chase birds around. We had a great time!


| T W O | We love books in our house, and Owen loves Halloween, so we've procured quite the Halloween book collection (many of them from my teaching days) over the last few years. We bought two new ones this year, because Keith and I couldn't agree on which one to get, The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Seven Orange Pumpkins. What are your favorite Halloween books and movies?

| T H R E E | I created a fun Preschooler's Pumpkin Unit last year for Owen last year that I shared here, and I wanted to share it again in case you're looking for some fun ideas to do with your kids! It includes sorting, some sensory play, a themed snack and a few crafts. I hope you and your kids enjoy it!

| F O U R | I made Pumpkin Honey Butter last week for our Pumpkin Muffins and it was fantastic! It's so easy to make too:

INGREDIENTS
1 stick of butter, slightly softened
3 tablespoons pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a small mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, whip the butter until it is soft and fluffy.
2. In a separate small bowl mix the rest of the ingredients until well blended.
3. Add the pumpkin mixture to the butter and combine until mixed.
4. Refrigerate for at least an hour, until the butter is firm.

image source

| F I V E | In preparation for Total Baby Takeover coming very early December, I'm trying to get myself, us and our home in order. One of the things at the top of my list is preparing some freezer meals that are easy and healthy to get us through the first couple weeks home. 

I've been pinning all sorts of ideas to my Freezer Meals board on Pinterest, and there are so many great recipe, but I'd rather get recommendations from you nice people, so do you have any favorites?

What are your weekend plans? We have a fun-filled weekend ahead of us including a birthday dinner with family for my mother-in-law, some quality time with my mom and sister, and a Sunday Football Brunch at our house with some friends. Have a great one!

Instagram/ Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Also, today I'm linking up with...

Momfessionals & September F A R M

Becoming a Mini Sports Star

Our boy was born with a insatiable amount of energy. He plays hard. He's strong. He's a go go go kind of guy. Most evenings he greets his Daddy at the door with kicks, punches and a request for a wrestling match!

He has no problem getting dirty in the mud or searching for bugs and playing sticks or climbing trees, but we also want to introduce him to organized sports.  We want to funnel his energy into something constructive, a place where he can learn as he expends all of his extra energy. 

We've tried a variety of organized sports for Owen, and he doesn't always like them all equally, so we're happy to jump around until we find something he does enjoy. We've done soccer, gymnastics, dance, taekwondo and now we're adding t-ball to our list!



Our friend, Dan Hibson, is the founder of Mini Sports Stars and has 20 years’ experience coaching kids 3-18 years of age, so we were excited to try his class! T-ball can be a tough sport to work on with young children because it usually requires them to be patient and wait for their turn at bat, but Dan and his team of coaches make sure the children are always engaged in an activity. There is almost zero waiting around in this 45 minutes class. They're constantly being coached, running around, practicing their swing and working on their catching and throwing skills.

 

Throughout his coaching experience Dan noticed that the most important thing a coach can instill in children and adolescents is a positive experience that will help children and adolescents develop into outstanding individuals.  Competition is important in our society but the development of physical, social, and intellectual skills are far more important than a win or a loss!

Mini Sports Stars classes almost always have a 6:1 coach to athlete ratio in order to make sure that each child is receiving the proper amount of attention and instruction.  Skill mastery through repetition is a priority if Mini Sports Stars classes as studies indicate that both children and adults alike learn in “chunks of 3.”

All Mini Sports Stars coaches are trained to abide by the Mini Sports Stars mantra:

 “To enhance the Character of Our Youth through Sports in a Positive Atmosphere.” 

Coaches are specifically trained to be:

• Positive & friendly
• Knowledgeable about the sport they are coaching
• Compassionate
• Organized
• Articulate
• Fun
• Energetic

You can find more information on Mini Sports Stars classes and leagues you can follow Mini Sports Stars on Facebook, or contact Dan via phone (650) 921-1006 or email minisportsstars@gmail.com. 

Baby Sullivan #2 Week 28

How far along? 28 weeks!

Gender: A sweet little baby boy!!

Baby's size: According to Baby Center: By this week,  baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of head to heels. I went for an ultrasound (more on that below) last week and he was approximately 2 lbs 10 oz!
 

Maternity clothes? Yes! A few things from Target and Gap, like this Western Chambray, that I could still wear in the months after giving birth and that will be easy to nurse in.

Stretch marks? Not yet, although I did get a few with Owen, so it's probably just a matter of time. 

Sleep: I wake up at least 2 times during the night to go to the bathroom now, and I'm tossing and turning a lot trying to get comfortable. Thank goodness for body pillows! Owen doesn't really nap anymore, so when I'm really really really tired I turn on a movie for us in the afternoon and doze in and out on the couch with him while he watches.

Best moment this week: Seeing our little guy at my ultrasound last week! He's growing well at 66th percentile, weighs about 2 lbs 10 oz and measures about 5 days ahead, which is all really wonderful considering our concerns. He's growing really well! Thank God!

Also, I've started searching for matching Christmas pajamas for the boys and I'm just so excited to see them together in them -- expect pictures when that happens! I'm impatiently waiting for the Hanna Andersson Christmas pj's to become available.

Miss anything? My usual energy, or being able to run. By the end of the day my body just feels tired, and I hate that I don't have the physical energy to play with Owen after dinner. I usually alternate sitting to watch he and Keith and joining in.

Movement: Yes, all the time! Keith felt some really big kicks last week on the couch, and I can see a lot of movements too. He's pretty strong, so sometimes it hurts a little when he kicks me.

Food cravings: Fruit and water, it was so hot here last week!

Anything making you queasy or sick: My heartburn was getting pretty bad a few weeks ago, which made me feel sick, but I called my doctor to see if I could still take Pepcid this pregnancy. I took it in the last couple months with Owen, and I'm so thankful I can take it again this time. I have to take it twice a day to keep the burn at bay. I'm also having trouble at night when I fall asleep with waking up because I feel like water is coming back up my throat. Gross, I know. Eating a small dinner, no tomatoes, chocolate (sad), spicy food or acidic things, and taking my prenatals in the morning instead seems to help.

Symptoms: That heavy belly feeling. I think I could definitely use some kind of sling at this point because the weight of it feels pretty uncomfortable at the end of the day or after a long walk.

Mood: Great! I can't wait to meet our baby!

Looking forward to: Meeting our baby! I'm a little nervous about the changes he'll bring to our family when we go from being Owen-centric to two-kid centered, but I know it will just become our new normal and I can't wait to just get going on it.

Are we ready?: Pretty much! I've been buying a few outfits here and there, but we don't really need much between what we already had for Owen, and the things friends have been handing down. I still need to order an infant insert for the Mamaroo and our Ergo, and a nice big Pack n' Play.

Other notables:

We have a name! We had a few great names on our list that Keith and I both liked. We were having a hard time deciding which one we like the most, Owen though, really liked one more than the others and kept insisting it was the baby's name. Little by little I started leaning toward it too and it just felt so right, so now he has a name! And you can bet that I've already ordered a few things with his name on it! Well be keeping it a secret until he's born. Fingers crossed O doesn't spill the beans before it's time!

New purchases: I bought a diaper bag! I decided on the Marc by Marc Jacobs Elizababy diaper bag, which had dropped a little in price a few weeks ago and sealed the deal for me. I had been debating between this bag and one that's a little less expensive, but this one won me over, especially when I heard I can wash it in the washing machine. I still pack a lot for Owen, so I know I'll be using this bag for years and years, so it needed to be versatile and well made. It has tons of space inside and some good outside and inside pockets too.

10 on 10 : September

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month! 

{Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}

 

Yesterday was the tenth of the month, so I tried to document our day by snapping ten photos to show what we were up to. This is Thursday, September 10th 2015!



After a cup of coffee in bed Owen and I went downstairs to have breakfast. We didn't have to rush out the door, so I had a second cup of coffee, decaf this time, and my favorite breakfast these days, Avocado toast with an egg.

Owen got to watch a show while he ate his breakfast (dry Dave's bread toasted, watermelon, peanuts and string cheese). Right now he's really into water guns and Paw Patrol.

Owen and I bought this cute little pumpkin at Home Goods a long time ago, maybe the beginning of August, and he's been wanting to put it out since then, so we finally did yesterday. He loves Halloween, it is his favorite holiday and he loves when we pull out special decorations -- he gets that from me! The pumpkin was a steal at $8 compared to the similar filigree ones from Pottery Barn!

Owen played around the house while I folded laundry, showered, packed us up and cleaned up a bit. We had to stop at UPS and USPS before heading to my 27 week ultrasound. 

We've been spending a lot of time in bathrooms lately pretty much everywhere! This was at the ultrasound tech's office. Our boy is super close to being potty trained! I'll try to share more about that soon. 

We got to see our baby boy! He's doing really well and I'll likely only need 2 more ultrasounds before he's born because he's doing so well. He's 66th percentile, about 2lbs 10 oz and measures ahead of schedule at about 28 weeks (I'm 27 weeks 2 days). Owen sat patiently and was a great big brother through the ultrasound saying "Hi baby brother!!" Baby boy looks so much like Owen did!

After the appointment we treated ourselves to In N Out for burgers, fries and milkshakes!

It has been blazing hot here this week, so after lunch we went to La Petite Playhouse, an indoor play space, to play in the air conditioning. Owen pretty much takes off and plays while I sit and try to catch glimpses of him and coax him into potty breaks and water when he comes down the slides. We stayed for 2.5 hours, and I was surprised he didn't fall asleep on the way home!

There was a ton of traffic, which is normal here lately it seems. They closed the San Mateo Bridge, which really backed things up. Someone tried to squeeze by our car and swiped us with their mirror and then took off. Some people!

When we got home we played outside (painting the ground with water is one of Owen's favorites this week) and hung around inside, although it was too hot to really do anything at all.

I took pictures of the Honey Pumpkin Butter I made so I can share it with you soon! We ordered pizza for dinner because using the oven was out of the question in this heat!

After dinner and cleaning up we put Owen to bed. He was so tired that he fell asleep really fast after the lights were out. I was too tired to even sit on the couch, so I said good night to Keith and watched a little bit of Real Housewives of Orange County before falling asleep early myself.

And that was our day!