This definitely was one of the best trips back to Florida! I don’t love traveling (the actual traveling part) with Teddy so when we go to my parents’ house I really try to make it a good, long trip. The both of us had so much fun. I loved that we didn’t really have any plans and Teddy got super comfortable with everyone, especially my dad. He used to just follow me around, but a few days in, he was snuggling with my dad on the couch and following him around!
I think the biggest part of the trip is that it really made me realize how my time in the city is probably running out. I’m ready to have a bit more space (both indoors and outdoors).
Teddy basically had the best trip ever. He rules the roost down here. I know he’s going to need to sleep for three days straight when we get back to NYC because he’ll be so tired from the trip. He normally naps throughout the day, but not when we’re in Florida. There’s always something to do!
I did not pack well for this trip. At all. I was rushed on Sunday morning when I left so I was just throwing in my favorite things. I forgot my tartan pants that I wanted to wear on Christmas and definitely didn’t bring enough warm weather clothes. The temps were okay the first few days, then started to really heat up! Sheesh!
It’s always one of my favorite things to see my little ones! I don’t see them that often (only photos my mom texts me!), so it’s crazy to come home and see how much everyone has grown. Emerson is two years old and too cute. I could eat him up.
Izzy and Abby are our neighbors. I’ve babysat both of them (and their older brother Jacob) since they were born!!! They are head over heels in love with Teddy. Every day they peek through the mail slot and come to the backyard to play with him. Pretty sure Teddy thinks he’s one of them… you should see how crazy everyone gets running around.
I went a little overboard with the Christmas presents this year. Luckily I had everything shipped straight from Florida. (I bought my sister this for her birthday, this for fun, and this for Christmas. I bought my mom this and this for Christmas. And I bought my dad this with a few extra gadgets and accessories that I know he’ll use/love.) It took a lot of time, patience, and wrapping paper to get all the gifts wrapped. Seriously, there were some weird shaped boxes!
My mom and I did what we do best: bake. And we baked a LOT. Caramel corn, sugar cookies, and gingerbread. (More on the gingerbread below…)
Does Teddy look excited for Santa or what?! I got him a bone from the pet store and my mom tied a bow around it and slid it under the tree with the rest of the presents. While we were eating breakfast on Christmas, we hear Teddy digging around under the tree and trotting off with something in his mouth. He found his bone. Too funny!
So the gingerbread. The initial plan was to make the little gingerbread houses that sit on the mug. My mom and I found them on Pinterest and have been planning for weeks to try it at home. (I wanted to buy them but they sold out… Next year!) We found the instructions online, but something went terribly wrong. The template was okay, but when we printed it I guess it zoomed bigger to fill the page so the dimensions ended up being WAY too big. And then we used the recipe she recommended for the gingerbread, but it is NOT the right recipe. My mom kind of thought something was off about using baking powder and baking soda and she was right.
Between the wrong sized template and the wrong gingerbread recipe, we were not feeling very hopeful about the houses. They ended up turning out SO cute though. We made a little village! I used royal icing and crushed candy canes to decorate.
During the day on Christmas, my dad and I took Teddy to the golf course. It’s so nice being able to enjoy nice weather late December.
The HIGHLIGHT of this trip was teaching Teddy how to swim. We tried to teach Teddy in the pool, but I don’t think he liked it. I was hoping he would be a water dog, so that was disappointing. There’s a dog park on the beach of Davis Island, so the whole family piled into the car and drove over…
The beach was perfect to learn how to swim. He. Had. So. Much. Fun. Actually, we all did. It was so cute watching him hopping around the water. Here’s a video of him swimming. The water isn’t really that deep, you can tell from the other dogs who can still walk. It couldn’t have been a better place to learn.
Did everyone have a great holiday?! I can’t believe it’s already almost New Year’s Eve!
I'm glad you had so much fun in Florida! This photo of Teddy besides the Christmas tree is just the cutest thing ever! And all the baking goods you've made with your mom look absolutely amazing! <3
I came back home to see that my youngest brother had grown to my height, maybe even a little taller! Now I'm officially the shortest one in the family haha. I'm flying to Japan in two days, and then I'll be on Florida in a week! Can't wait to feel some of that sun 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Teddy is so cute. I wish my dogs would swim, but we've only ever tried putting them in the pool. Maybe if we took them out somewhere else then they would like it. Glad you had a great holiday!
Such a cute post and Teddy is adorable! I have a little dog too and my Dad visited for Christmas and was snuggled up with my guy the whole weekend, it much be a grandparent/dog relationship haha. Hope you have a good New Years!
I have been calling myself a Chill Mom™️ since having Jack and now I’m realizing that I’m even chiller with Rory. (Like is birth order really less about sibling order and more about the version of mom you’re born to?) I’ve been just rolling with Rory’s infancy and I’m so much happier. Maybe it’s just that I’m more tired with a toddler too, or know that it’s going to go by so fast, or just have more confidence… probably a combination. I feel less obsessive and less stressed out by the details. I’m “making it” without having to fake it. As an example, today I noticed I hadn’t tracked a single nap- just watching sleepy cues and trying to get to a “good enough” pattern as Rory’s naps consolidate. Is he following a ~perfect~ nap schedule? No. Are we thriving? Frankly, yes!
(If you want to read my original Chill Mom post, comment “chill mom” and l’ll send it to you via DM!)
We came, we saw elephants, we ate ice cream 🐘🦒🦓 @ashleybrooke and I always talk about how we became FAST friends. Somehow we have been right there with each other during some of life’s worst moments… so it’s extra sweet that we now get to celebrate the good ones! Watching our boys play together, a little baby in a stroller, and another baby on the way… it’s everything we dreamed of.
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
So cute! It looks like you and Teddy had a total blast!
I'm glad you had so much fun in Florida! This photo of Teddy besides the Christmas tree is just the cutest thing ever! And all the baking goods you've made with your mom look absolutely amazing! <3
xx
ALINA ERMILOVA | BLOG
I came back home to see that my youngest brother had grown to my height, maybe even a little taller! Now I'm officially the shortest one in the family haha. I'm flying to Japan in two days, and then I'll be on Florida in a week! Can't wait to feel some of that sun 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Sounds like you had a great time!
fun! what color red nail polish are you wearing?
Teddy looks so cute, looks like you had a great Christmas!!
Renee // gimmeglamour.blogspot.com
Thank you for sharing this post, is very nice
http://love-pink-forever09.blogspot.com/
Teddy is so cute. I wish my dogs would swim, but we've only ever tried putting them in the pool. Maybe if we took them out somewhere else then they would like it. Glad you had a great holiday!
xo Hannah Kate
http://www.thepreppyequestrian.blogspot.com
Teddy was totally the star!
Looks like you had a great holiday!
Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Looks like you had such a great trip! Nothing beats spending time with family during Christmas!
http://splashofpreppy.wordpress.com
Such a cute post and Teddy is adorable! I have a little dog too and my Dad visited for Christmas and was snuggled up with my guy the whole weekend, it much be a grandparent/dog relationship haha. Hope you have a good New Years!
xoxo Nicole
http:www.brazenbrunette.com
Where is your monogram necklace from (in photo with gingerbread house)?
Baublebar: http://bit.ly/13XRpnq
Love it!
That picture of Teddy is ADORABLE!!!!!! Love, love, love!!!