INSTA GOODNESS.

Proof that Instagram has taken over my life. A fact which actually makes my heart happy.

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SNIPPETS.

Is it just me, or has Instagram replaced blogging for you too? I just can't seem to keep up in many areas of life these days, blogging included. If you'd like to keep up with us on a more regular basis, your best bet is to find me over there. My user name is littleforalittlewhile. But I'll still try to keep up over here, although a bit more sparse.

Any who, here's a healthy dose of snippets to make up for lost time. Enjoy.

How has baby gotten so big, so fast?!

I only have a handful of pics of all three babes together, and all are less than stellar. These are two of those less than stellar gems.

Brothers. And kisses.

Sister's pouring out free lemonade. You're all welcome to enjoy a cup.

Baby sleeps on Daddy. Happy Mama heart.

Dude had the rare opportunity to enjoy a bath by himself. I'll be honest with you and tell you that I just don't have the time to bathe them all individually and together they make a ginormous mess...so we mostly hose 'em off in the shower (but not the babe!)...so this was a treat for him!

 

We've finally been blessed with some warm weather, although one nice day seems to be followed by three of wind/rain/cold. But we're taking what we get and running with it, only stopping for mealtimes!

 

We've done a major room reshuffle in our little house of love, trying to make better use of our space. While i'm still mourning the loss of these rooms, i'm excited about the new ones that have been created. I'm not the best at sharing after photos, but i'll try to take and share some soon!

That's all for now! Last week included last days of school for both Nugget and Dude, and a dance recital. Those events will be coming up next!

Have a happy week!

WINNER!

I'm just popping in quick tonight to announce the winner of the Swanky Shank giveaway! Sorry it wasn't up last night like I intended. Dude is feeling under the weather and needed his Mama last night.

Not to keep you in suspense any longer, the winner of the diaper cover is Alicia Hutchinson! She has a brand new sweet baby girl, who will be sure to look just adorable in it!

Thanks all for participating. Giveaways are so fun! If you didn't win, you can still get your little one some swank in Jen's Etsy shop. Cuteness overload, I tell ya. I want it all :)

OTTO: WEEK BY WEEK.

I love him. So much. It's crazy to think how much room in my heart these little people take up. Sometimes I feel like my heart could burst. But some how, some way, the heart just knows how to grow and make room for more love.

He is the sweetest thing. Babies are my thang. As long as he's got me and my milk, he's golden. He's my pea in my pod. My little man.

I've said it before, but it's worth saying again. I didn't know I could love boys so much. It was my biggest fear (pre-Mama days), that I would have all boys. I was scared of them. Didn't know what to do with them. But now? I know there was nothing to be afraid of. My boys are my boys. And I wouldn't trade them for the world.

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Have you entered my giveaway? Diaper covers are my latest obsession, and will be the staple of Otto's summer wardrobe. Winner will be chosen tomorrow...Don't miss out!

CINCO DE MAYO AND A GIVEAWAY!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Are you doing anything to celebrate? Nick and I might get wild and crazy and bust out some chips and salsa. After we paint the kids' new shared room, that is.

 

But in honor of the holiday, or heck, just for fun, I have a GIVEAWAY for YOU!

    Once again I've teamed up with the ever so awesome Swanky Shank, and together we're giving

    away a sweet lil' diaper cover to one of you!

You can choose between these two adorable fabrics, and of course, pick the initial for the bum.

You can enter to win in two ways:

1. Leave a comment here, on my blog, telling me which color and initial you would choose. Also, tell me your favorite thing about Spring!

2. Find and follow Swanky Shank on Instagram (under the name jennycakeslane) and comment under her photo, letting her know which color and initial you would choose if you win!

We will compile all the responses and choose a winner on Wednesday, May 8th. Winner will be announced on my blog!

But wait! It gets even better! Swanky Shank is offering you a special discount through the 8th as well. Use code LITTLEWHILE5 to save $3 off any order! There is so much cuteness in her Etsy shop right now, you won't want to miss it!

Ok, now go! And remember to check back here on Wednesday to see if you are the winner!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!



MA BELLY.

I was recently introduced to PicMonkey and all I gotta say is I.am.hooked. I mean, I heard about it when Picnic shut down, but I had also just gotten PhotoShop so I didn't pay any attention to it. As it turns out, PhotoShop can be a wee overwhelming for us wannabes, and PicMonkey is waaaay slick and super easy. I'm all about simplifying these days as i'm lucky to even find a few minutes to play around on it.

It's like a whole new world of possibilities has opened up right before my very eyes! (Thank you, Tiffany!) I'm playing around with it today and having all kinds of fun. I made this collage, but before you see it you should know that: 1. I went my whole pregnancy without sharing these photos with anyone! I was a little sensitive about the size of my belly (and the baby!) 2. In hind sight, I should have left my shirt down. 3. This blog is ultimately for my kids and preserving our memories, and I want Otto to have these. 4. I can't wait to rock my pre-baby body again. I hope that it comes back!

Ok, with all that said, no judging please. I'm just a Mama who was capturing love for her baby. xo

Also? I totally just busted myself. We knew we were having a boy. We just kept it a secret from ya'll. Sorry 'bout that. It was fun having a little secret, but also really hard. We've already decided we won't do that again ;)

BABIES DON'T KEEP.

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

-Ruth Hamilton

*Otto's newborn pics, taken at six days old. Photo cred goes to the lovely Jen Bahn.