we're park people.

Yes, another park post. Because apparently that's just who we are now...Park people. I'm feeling pretty good about it.

+ When we got to the park, there were a bunch of kids (AKA people who are my age, I just feel old) sitting out on a blanket and Tatum started heading their direction on the way to the play equipment. So I was leading her away and they were all like, "Aw, she's so cute!" All that good ego-boosting stuff. And Tatum just turned around and nodded her head. Apparently, she doesn't need the boost. But thanks, guys!

+ She thinks other people running is really funny. So, if you're at all insecure, basically what I'm saying is: Stay away from my baby.

+ The changes that happen in just a year are so crazy to me. This time last year, Tatum could simply drag herself along the floor a bit. Now, she is running, jumping, hopping, climbing playground equipment and going down slides. I know you're probably like, "Well, duh." But it's still totally unreal to me.

+ PSA: Watch out for those big metal slides. Those suckers are slick and fast...Just ask Tatum.

i'm frustrated with blogging.

It's true.
I am beyond frustrated with blogging these days. Well, maybe it's more like I am beyond frustrated with myself when it comes to blogging.
And this post is where I just lay it all on the table and tell you what's up. So, enjoy or something.

1. You may have noticed (or not, most likely not) that I no longer have a Clever Girl badge on my sidebar. They have recently done some restructuring and when the time came to place a new badge on my page, or get the boot...I chose to just delete the badge and move on.
Would I have stayed on board if I had constantly been getting sponsored posts? Yeah, probably so. Money is always nice...
And that's why I'm glad that I wasn't often chosen for posts...It was so much easier for me to make a break.
You guys. I was promoting BUTTER on my blog. No. Not even butter. Fake butter. And whipped cream.
Don't get me wrong...I am appreciative that I was given those opportunities, but I honestly feel a bit dumb for doing it in the first place.
I'm not judging you, if that is your thing. But when I look at my blog, I don't see how butter or whipped cream have a place within it (no matter how much I may really love whipped cream). They just don't. Looking back, it makes me feel gross, silly, and slightly embarrassed for taking the time to write about those types of things.
I would rather take on writing opportunities that actually matter to me and are a reflection of who I am.

2. I don't feel like my true voice is present on the blog anymore. I think it used to be, but not now. Sometimes when I write a post, it just feels very..."letter to my grandmother" style. (This is not a dis on you, Grandmas. Much love.) Does that make sense? Sometimes I do see a bit of my personality come through, but for the most part my writing just feels very...drone-like. I want this to change and I'm hoping that I can get back to writing the way that feels "right" for me.

3. Awkward/Embarrassing: I am totally guilty of doing a post, just because I think it is Pinterest worthy. (Um, this has never been the case.) I do not want to be that person. I don't want fluff and filler in this space.

So, yeah.
Blogging has been a source of stress and annoyance for me. Which, really, is hilarious. It's blogging. I'm over that now. But I wanted to get this stuff off of my chest, as a sort of final step, because maybe--just maybe--there are others feeling the same?
Don't rely on other bloggers and blog readers to make you feel validated, to help you feel relevant, in your life.

I promise you, despite what your stat counter may say (don't listen to him, he's a troublemaker), you're pretty darn neat.

our easter.

We had a nice, quiet Easter, just the three of us, at home. Normally, we travel to visit our families, but decided against it this year...I am just far too giant + uncomfortable to feel like being stuck in the car for four hours. No, thank you. That being said, when Easter day finally came, I was a little bummed that we weren't back home to see our families. We made the most of our day, though!

1. She is obsessed with these bunny ears. My parents sent them in the mail for her and she loves wearing them. And taking them off. And having you put them back on again. Really, guys, it's such a fun game.

2. For breakfast, Tatum and I shared a waffle with fruit, honey, and whipped cream, that I fashioned into a bunny to get a little festive. She basically didn't care and only wanted the fruit. Sigh, one year olds! Am I right, guys?
Josh is boring and didn't want a bunny waffle. (Good thing, considering this was a totally last minute idea and I only had enough for me and Tatum! Phew. Dodged that bullet...)

3. The only thing that Tatum really, really cared about from her Easter basket was the Dora coloring book + crayons. "Duh-da!" She also got a stuffed bunny (family tradition), but I forgot to put it in the basket, so she came later.

4. A few days before Easter, we were at the mall and ran across this ol' guy. Tatum went nuts as soon as he was in sight, wriggled out of Josh's arms, and ran to the bunny.** She hopped onto his lap and was just allll about him. I was super surprised and basically freaking out over how cute + awesome she was being. (Typical mom.) So, we obviously had to have her picture taken. How could we say no?

I hope you all had a great holiday, as well!

**This all went down within a few feet of us. She was perfectly safe and not causing any trouble. While going to retrieve her, the people running the booth told us not to worry about it, because they had zero customers/mall was totally dead. : )

everybody do your share.

Daily, I am amazed at Tatum's ability to destroy the living room in a matter of 10 seconds flat. If that, even. Seriously, such talent in that girl...
And it's not even that she's making a mess (initially) because she's playing with things. It's as if she can't start to play, until every toy, every book, every single thing is out of place and strewn around the room. Maybe there's a method to her madness, I don't know.

What I do know is that as fun as it is stepping on toys and books all day long, I do need a break from all of the excitement (ahem) come Tatum's bedtime. So, Josh and I have this new thing we've decided to start doing each night, as part of her bedtime routine...We have her clean up all of her toys and books. And she does it! And oh, girlfriend is good. I mean, see all those tidied toys pictured up top? She did that (basically) on her own.

Here's how it goes...

Me: (sitting on the floor, start to pick up a couple of books) Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere! Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share!
Tatum: (runs from whatever she is doing to start collecting all of her books)
Me: (continue singing, arrange books as she puts them in basket)
*Repeat cycle for toy basket + stuffed toy chair*

A friend said on Instagram that it's really good to start them doing this young, and that she did with her son who is now 3, and he is awesome about always remembering to pick up his toys and things. Crossing my fingers that the same will hold true for T!

Does your toddler have "chores"?

afternoon at the zoo.

We decided this past weekend was the perfect time for the first zoo trip of the year. The weather was so great...We couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Just like the park the other day, this was Tatum's first time being "aware" of what was going on around her. These moments are one of my favorite parts of being a parent. Like, I just wonder what is going through her head, you know?

So, Josh had the greeeeat idea (to be fair, I didn't object!) of taking Tatum out of her stroller 3 minutes after we got there. This meant she spent the rest of the time out of the stroller, of course. She was actually pretty well behaved for a 16 month old, walking freely. We're pretty sure there's a kid leash in our future, though. She prefers walking and I prefer to know that she is totally safe / not worry about her bolting. Honestly, I don't really get why people think they are "cruel." Or whatever. Is it just me or are most of those people non parents? What do you think?

Anyway, back to the zoo!

So, Tatum is like, obsessed with ducks/geese/swans (they are all ducks to her!). Loves 'em. She is really good at quacking, too. She would probably win in a duck imitation contest, just saying. (Weirdest mom brag of all time.) All of these birds just roam freely throughout the zoo, so you can actually get pretty up close and personal...Tatum made it her mission to do just this. She got so close to that guy up top. She was probably way excited. (Don't worry! She didn't antagonize him or anything.)

She also loved the flamingos. Like, arm flapping and screeching loved them.
And I think she thought the tamarins (my favorite!) were really cute.
She roared at the lions.
And called most things "cat." (We're still working on animal identification, clearly.)

Seriously already ready for the next zoo trip.

perfect park day.

Last Thursday we took a little trip (first of the year!) to the park.

Josh suggested it and at first I said no, because: 1. A certain someone really needed to wash their hair. Just some girl. Really, we don't need to name names..... 2. I couldn't find my belly band (that thing for your pre-pregnancy jeans) anywhere!
But then, I was like, "Hey, that's what dry shampoo and extra long maternity t-shirts and tanks are for!" (Okay, maybe not so much on the latter. Trust me. Do not try to use a tank top in place of a belly band. You will just be left feeling awkward.)

So, I got over myself and we spent some fun family time at the park.
It was Tatum's first time going and actually being able to do things, so it was kind of exciting. She loves the swings (as if you couldn't tell!), running aimlessly, and going down slides.
Seriously, she's a wild woman! She was even going head first (voluntarily) on the tunnel slides.

And of course I ended our adventure with a giant iced coffee. It just had to be done. Watching your husband chase  Chasing around a toddler is tiring, guys.

family brunch date at Gailey's.

I decided that our weekly family brunch date doesn't necessarily have to be homemade. Because of, well, lazy reasons. Let's be real.
But also, Springfield just has some really great local breakfast options. And we wouldn't want to let those go to waste, right? Right.

This week we decided to do Gailey's. As always, it was a hit.

We came here a few weeks ago on Valentine's Day, too...Luckily this time was much less chaotic. Minimal fussing over not having food yet. Good job, Josh! (Kidding.)
And no spilled milk. Good job, Josh! (No, seriously.)

I only got a picture of (part of) my meal, but because I know you're just dying to know: Josh had sausage, bacon, and cheese on toast. Tatum had fresh fruit, eggs, and sausage. I had the toughest time deciding for myself (so many great choices), but ended up with the banana walnut pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

If you live in the area and somehow haven't tried Gailey's...Um, please do. And if you're ever in the area, I'd say it's a must!