Happily Ever Mock

The Many Faces of Hallie: Call Me Maybe

I can just see our phone bill now! We are in trouble if she’s already making calls now!

Hey, while I have you here: Check out my Mom’s new blog about her journey with colon cancer.  She has been so strong and would love the support! 
Have a happy Wednesday!
<3 Kelly 

3 months of Hallie Anne

Hallie Anne turned 3 months old this weekend! I cannot believe it has been 3 months already! Though still in her newborn clothes, she has grown SO much! I pulled out one of her preemie onesies that was too big for her when we brought her home and held it up to her the other day.  It looks like dolly clothes and is hard to believe that it ever fit on her, let alone that it was baggy!


Here are a few of her older pictures first:


And now some of my BIG 3 month old girl! It’s insane to see how much she has changed from that wrinkly little newborn to now!

Here is a little more about Hallie Anne:
  • Age- 3 months!
  • Weight- When I made her chalkboard I was going off her weight a few weeks ago! I took her in yesterday…girlfriend is 9 lb 4 oz! Granted that was with clothes on, but still! I bet she is definitely over 9 for sure!
  • Length- We didn’t measure length yesterday, but last we checked she was 21 1/2, so my guess is 22 1/2! 
  • Size- We are still in newborn diapers and onesies.  Even the 0-3 month ones swim on this girl! She is just sooo skinny! Now with her PJs, I just pulled out a lot of the 0-3 month for her length! She is so LONG! 
  • Eyes- Still blue! I am holding out hope that they stay that way! She just melts my heart when she stares up at me with those HUGE blue eyes! Even if they do change I will never forget the way they are today! 
  • Hair- Brown, but seems to be getting lighter. She also has a HUGE cowlick that stands straight up like Alfalfa! (AGAIN with the Little Rascals! Sorry y’all their a fave over here!)  
  • Sleeping- This chick loves her sleep! We got the crib thing down! I usually put her in her crib between 7-8pm and she doesn’t make a peep until 5-6am! We go about 10 hours! I actually start to miss her! During the day- She also will want to go down for a 1 hour nap about an hour after her first morning bottle..clearly 10 hours isn’t enough y’all! I can also expect short naps throughout the day with a long one some time in the afternoon.  
  • Eating- Aside from the night we still eat every 3 hours.  She is on formula and takes 3-4 ounces at a time…I have tried to push 4 every time, but then we have huge spit up issues…like projectile spitting up that gets all over her, me, the couch, the neighbors dog…you get the picture…
  • Milestones- She can hold in her paci, recognize mommy and daddy from a distance (when she sees us, she smiles so big!), She giggles a little more now…still waiting for her to roll over…Mommies, when did your little ones do this?  
  • Memorable outings- Trip to Houston to meet Daddy’s family, Balloon Festival, Play group and story time!
  • Favorite toys/activities- Do ceiling fans and mirrors count?! Lol She loves looking at “the baby in the mirror” and could stare at a ceiling fan ALL DAY! She also likes her zebra toy and rings! LOVES to be read to!
  • Words/sounds- She is kind of starting to imitate sounds and if you haven’t seen this video, go watch it now! She just cracks me up!
  • Nicknames- I call her sweet pea, sweet girl or Hal…Daddy likes to call her Daniel son when I put headbands on her…but other than that sticks to a generic sweetie or cutie!
  • Funny moments- This video y’all I seriously can’t get enough of it!
  • Looking forward to- watching her learn new things and spending the upcoming holidays with her! So much more magical with a baby! 
We have 3 month pictures this weekend with a Mommy from our Play group! She is an aspiring photographer and offering a really good deal…otherwise I probably wouldn’t get them done, but I can’t say no to pictures of this girl! Can’t wait to share them with you! 
Happy Tuesday.
<3 Kelly 

Balloon Festival!

This Saturday, Hallie and I woke up super early, put on her cute new outfit, and went to one of my most favorite event here in my home town! THE PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL! 






















We went with my Mom and Dad and the morning couldn’t have gone more smoothly! Hallie napped in her stroller and we drank coffee and watched the sun rise as we waited for the Balloons to launch.  Soon after they began to go up, Hallie woke up and we were able to get some pictures of her experiencing it all for the first time! I was so happy to watch her little amazed face taking in all of the colors! I mean it has always been incredible and so fun, but there was something magical about watching my daughter experience my favorite home town tradition for the first time! I hope you enjoy these pictures! Sorry there are so many, but It was the best time ever!













Hallie and Mommy






















Hallie and her Nana 









 Hallie and her Bapa

 





She was just so amazed!





Look at that amazed little face!

Hallie also turned 3 months this weekend! More on that soon!

Hope everyone else had as a fantastic of a weekend as we did! What did y’all do!? 

Jamberry Application

Some of my readers have been curious about the Jamberry Nails I have been talking about! 


Jamberry Nails are vinyl nail wraps that are applied with heat and pressure.  They come in hundreds of styles and last on your nails for up to 2 weeks! (6 on your toes!) They are water resistant, there is no dry time, no chipping, vegan and latex and chemical free! There are styles for all woman and kids! 


Here is the application process.  I like to cut them right at the nail so they last longer.  I also use olive oil for removal because it is the safest for your nails!


Check out some of these other reasons I love Jamberry!


1. They are cost effective: You can get 2-3 nail applications and 2 toenail applications from 1 sheet!!! They are also always B3G1 free! 





































2, They REALLY last
































3. There are seriously styles for EVERYONE! 




































4. Jamberry Celebrates the holidays and seasons!!






























































And so much MORE! Check it out! www.dancinfeet.jamberrynails.net 
And let me know if you have any questions!
Enjoy!
Kelly

Oh Hey, Friday! Pics from the week!

This week has been super busy and filled with fun outings from Story time to play group!  The fun doesn’t stop this weekend, because it is time for the annual Plano Balloon Festival!!! So pumped for that! Today Hallie and I will be having lunch with her Nana and Bapa, so that will be fun too! 
So for today’s “Oh hey, Friday” post, I thought I’d keep it simple and share some of my favorite pics and a video from the week! 


                                                                                                                            1. Sunday- Hallie passed
 out at Christopher’s 
work BBQ. 
 Clearly it is exhausting 
being this precious!

2. Monday- Minnie Mouse came for a visit this week! I have been WAITING and WAITING for this cute little outfit from Joyce to fit her since she was born! It’s still pretty big, but I couldn’t help myself! Look at that face!

                                                                                                                              3. Wednesday- BFF’s just chilling! I love how Stella likes to give Hallie kisses! 


















4. Thursday- After bath snuggles! Is she not the cutest elephant you have ever seen??






5. Thursday- Took this video in the car waiting for the big girls to get out of school! This baby is really the happiest baby I have EVER met! I am a little worried that when the two’s roll around all hell will break loose, but until then, I am enjoying my easy, happy girl!!!



So this morning we have been taking it pretty slow! Snuggling and jamming out to Disney tunes on Pandora- Hallie’s favorites so far: Be our Guest- Beauty and the Beast (Yay because that’s Mommy’s fave!) anything Lion King and Reflection- Mulan! 


We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Can’t wait to fill you in on ours!!! 
Happy Friday y’all!!
<3 Kelly
Linking up with September Farm 


Story Time!

Yesterday I took Hallie to our local library.  They do a special story time for babies 0-9 months, which is perfect because I really want to instill a love for reading in her! I love to read and hope that this is one quality she gets from me! 
This story time was great! It was full of songs, rhymes and movement.  Unfortunately Hallie was a little fussy, so we did most of it one-handed so I could give her a bottle to keep her happy!
 This is Hallie enjoying her bottle and Old  Mc Donald!


One thing that I really LOVED was that the librarian used Baby Signs the whole time! I fully intend on teaching Hallie baby signs, and I thought that this would be a great transition into them! Apparently each week they do a sign of the week.  This week’s sign was the sign for “Again”























To do the sign “Again”- Use your non dominant hand and lay it palm up. Then take your dominant hand and bend at the knuckles in a 90 degree angle. Tap your fingertips repeatedly into your palm.     


We used this sign a lot because she did each rhyme or song 2x,  Another thing I LOVED because I have always heard that babies learn through repetition! 

After the books and rhymes, the librarian brought out toys for the kids to play with.  Balls, toys and these really cool bottles filled with water, oil and food coloring or beads!  Hallie LOVED these and I am so going to make her one! She also loved when the librarian went around blowing bubbles! They were definitely a BIG hit! 























I am also now a proud owner of a library card! Okay okay…before you start thinking “Holy COW this lady doesn’t have a library card?!”The card I was holding was from my parent’s city, just one city away from ours.  I lived there for a while in college and was still driving back and forth whenever I wanted to go to the library…which I’ll admit, since graduation, hasn’t been much!  But today I got one for our city and Hallie and I were able to get some good books! I got a Hester Browne novel: “The Runaway Princess”.  I hope it’s good. I really enjoy British novels and until the new Sophie Kinsella comes out, I’ve read all of hers! If anyone has any other book suggestions, I would love to hear them! After all, I have a library card now! 


Nails: Glam by Jamberry  I love that they are metallic! What do you think? 


































I went a little overboard with books for Hallie…we got 10! But I just couldn’t help it! I love reading to her, especially at bedtime! I know she probably doesn’t understand just yet, and maybe she can’t even fully see the pictures, but she does smile at the rise and fall of my voice, and I am creating beautiful memories that I will cherish!


Do you enjoy reading to your kiddos? 
What are some of your favorite books?


<3 Kelly


The Many Faces of Hallie: I Want to Rock and Roll all Night!

Appropriate that this picture was taken after a night of hardly any sleep. This is Hallie’s audition photo for the new Kiss Cover Band.
(Please excuse the post bottle milk tongue)
That’s my girl! 
 Also I saw this photo looming around Facebook and it brought me back to this face!
 
 Lol! Love my girl!
Happy Wednesday y’all! 
<3 Kelly

Life is short, Eat cookies for breakfast!

And that is what I am currently guilty of! Cookie and a cup of coffee!  
Whenever Fall rolls around I am so ready to fill my house with the sweet and spicy scents of cinnamon, pumpkin and brown sugar! That is why I always turn to these two recipes the first time the Texas weather dips under 80 degrees for a high! Yes folks…that’s Fall for us! 
So this weekend was the perfect opportunity to pull out my cookbook and make my 2 favorite Fall cookie recipes and I thought I would share them with you! ENJOY!


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies


Ingredients:  
1 cup pumpkin
1 beaten egg 1 tsp milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar 1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups flour 1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda


Directions:


Combine Pumpkin, egg, oil and sugar into a large mixing bowl or stand mixer and mix well.  
Gradually add flour stirring constantly. Add baking powder, salt and cinnamon and mix well.
Add baking soda and milk while stirring. Last add vanilla and chocolate chips. Mix again until chocolate chips are evenly spaced.  
Drop onto a greased cookie sheet with an ice cream scoop.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. I usually do 12 because I like mine very soft! 
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And now for the Oatmeal Raisin! Mmmm! I just love gooey warm oatmeal raisin cookies!


Ingredients 
1 cup of butter
1 cup of packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups of flour
1 1/4 cups of quick cooking oats
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups raisins


Directions
1. Cream butter with sugars
2. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well
3. Add butter, flour, eggs, oats, salt and baking soda and mix again.
4.Stir in raisins until evenly spaced.
5. Drop onto greased cookie sheet with tablespoon 
6. Bake at 350 for 8-10 min
7.  Lick the bowl while you are waiting and brew a cup of coffee or tea
8. INDULGE! 


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We made these Sunday morning! Hallie and I listened to Halloween music and she happily squealed in her rock and play while I did all the work!



Hope everyone enjoys these recipes as much as me! 
<3 Kelly


Linking up with Green Fashionista

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Must Have Monday Halloween Fashions

By now you should know that I am already a little lot excited for Halloween!  So I thought I would share with you the cute outfits/accessories we have gotten/are getting to celebrate Halloween in style! Most of the things are from Carter’s, I went in there in search of a few long sleeved newborn outfits because it’s getting chilly and Hallie doesn’t fit in any of the 3-6 month clothing like we thought she would by now!















1. Halloween Skeleton PJs- Carters 2.Daddy’s Under My Spell T-shirt- Carters  3. Witch T-shirt- Carters (I need to get this one online! It’s my favorite and they didn’t have it in Hallie’s size! 4. Black Glitter T-shirt 5. Mix and Match Halloween Leggings 6. Halloween Headband- Similar Here 7. 1st Halloween Dress- Sold out…It was a gift from Hallie’s Nana and Bapa- Similar Here





For Mommy I thought I would keep it pretty simple. Tshirt, jeans skirt and funky tights. Paired with my favorite Halloween Jams (though there are many styles available) and earrings!


1. This Girl Loves Halloween Tshirt- I’m going to ask my father in law to make one for me, but here is where you can get one online 2. Halloween Tights- Joy of Socks– they come in LOTS of colors! 3. Jamberry Monster Mash Nails or check out other Halloween styles! They also come in girls sizes! 
4. Spider Earrings- Claires 

What are your Must Haves for Halloween? 

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was so much fun! If you missed our weekend Shenanigans, Read up here and here! Also stay tuned for the Fall cookie recipes that I made over the weekend! Yum!
Happy Monday! 
<3 Kelly 
 Linking up with Life of Meg

It’s beginning to look a lot like Halloween! Soup recipe!


It’s beginning to Look a lot like Halloween at our house! Which means soon I get to introduce Hallie to one of my favorite traditions! It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown will be hitting our TV screen very soon! Yay!

Yesterday the weather was nice and cool, so I took the opportunity to decorate for Halloween and not seem like a crazy person…okay, maybe I’m still crazy, but who cares! I LOVE this time of year! Hallie happily played on her activity mat, while Momma decorated our mantle and put our homemade wreath on the door! 












She is really doing great lifting her head! This is one proud Momma, let me tell you!










 Our Pretty wreath which is now being displayed on our front door so that everyone who comes over can see how crazy FESTIVE I am! 







Here are the pictures of our pretty mantle…notice the cute picture of my husband dressed as Dracula as a kid! Can’t wait to get Hallie’s first Halloween picture up here! Eeek! She’s going to look cute you guys! Can’t wait to share the costume I have in store for this little pumpkin….no she’s not going to be a pumpkin, but see what I did there?! 

After all the decorating fun I made a delicious pot of Black Eyed Pea soup! I got this recipe from my Auntie Janie.  I remember long Sunday afternoons studying when I lived with her, she would make big pots of this stuff and bring it to me while I was studying! She was sweet enough to let me share it with you guys, so here you go:

 
Auntie Janie’s Black Eyed Pea Soup

Ingredients: 
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion Chopped
  • 4-5 Slices of Bacon (I use Turkey Bacon because I don’t eat pork)
  • 2 Cartons of Beef Broth (Again I am lame and use chicken broth) 
  • 4 cans of seasoned Black Eyed Peas
  • 2 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1 can of Rotel tomatoes (I like the HOT one!)
  • 1 can of green chilis
  • I can of diced tomatoes 
  • Chili powder, Salt and Pepper to taste (I also add a touch of Cayenne because I like it super spicy! 

Directions: 

  1. In a large soup pot saute onions, bacon and garlic in a touch of olive oil until onions appear see-through
  2. Add the broth, Black eyed peas, both cans of tomatoes and green chilis
  3. Add seasoning to taste and bring to a boil
  4. Let simmer and serve over rice with cheddar cheese or with corn bread!

I just love a nice pot of soup on a cool crisp evening and will be sharing many more of my favorite soup recipes!! 


Today comes the baking! Pumpkin Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal raisin cookies are on the horizon!!! Mmm! My house is about to smell delicious!! 
Stay tuned for those recipes and have a FANTASTIC Sunday!!!