My Mama Uniform

I read a lot of blogs.  Mostly fashion (outfit posts/street style/etc.) and mama/baby blogs.  Recently I've noticed the two kinda blending together--lots of mamas out there showing off their style!  I must admit, since having Lyla I have been the least 'in style' that I've ever been.  I don't get out much which means I don't have a reason to look 'stylish' --though I do put on makeup, fix my hair and put on figure-flattering clothes for my husband.  Eh, that sounded weird.  I mean, I don't just bum around in baggy sweats.... putting on some nice-fitting jeans is easy and makes me feel like I at least sort of look good!  Another challenge to getting dressed each day:  easy access for breast feeding.  That means something low cut or that has buttons up the front!  Here's a look at my 'mama uniform'.

HAT- if I'm going on in public and haven't had a chance to shower (hey, that's what happens when you have a baby!).  Also keeps me warm since I am easily-chilled, even indoors.

BUTTON UP BLOUSE- easy access for breast feeding!  This one's vintage.

CARDIGAN- again, warmth is key for me! And pullover sweaters aren't really doable for ease in nursing a baby on the fly.

JEANS- yes, boring.  I love all the cute dresses/skirts and tights that my fav bloggers wear...but realistically jeans are just easier (and warmer!).

FLAT BOOTS- it will not stop snowing here in Pennsylvania!  So boots are a must and the flat variety work well for not falling on my face when I'm toting around a baby.

Also note:  hairbands on wrists (I permanently have them affixed there) and vintage braided belt (to make me feel like I accessorized when necklaces are out of the question)

Lyla's just wearing some good old stretchy pants and a onesie.  With that face who's even looking at her outfit anyway? ; )

I did actually venture out to Target today.  Lyla cried most of the trip.  I bought some Starburst jelly beans that turned out to be stale and yucky flavors (I don't recommend the tropical mix!).  So yeah, FAIL on all accounts.  But hey, the sun was out and it was nice to feel like part of mankind again!  Minus all the crazies that flock to you when you're carting around a cute little baby....

I finally captured a smile on camera!!

xo
Jayme

Two Months.

February 19th was the official "2 month" mark for Lyla (since she was born on the 19th of December...but she's actually closer to 9 weeks if you count each Sunday since the Sunday she was born.  Confused?  Yeah, me too).  I want to say "Wow...I just can't believe she's already two months old" but really I can.  I already can't even really remember what our lives were like before she was here. Kind of.  

Lyla finally has started to smile--open mouthed gummy grins that melt my heart!  She is quite the strong-willed little baby.  She has the lungs of an opera singer (=LOUD crier) and the energy of a marathon runner (=can kick around for hours and hours without sleep) .  But I could stare at her forever.  And snuggle her all day long.  She is the sweetest girl and we love her endlessly!

She loves baths.

She is a total daddy's girl.

She is finally outgrowing some of her newborn size clothes.

She likes to be fed at least every two hours...and look out if she doesn't get her 'milks'!

She is a CHAMP at  tummy time.

She loves going for walks.

She is definitely a "morning person."

We can't wait to watch her grow more and more (but not too fast little lady!).    

xo

Jayme 

P.S.  Like our blog?  You can vote for us HERE daily!

P.S.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway from Poly Ollie HERE!

                    

Winner: Kira Kids Giveaway

Hey guys, thanks for entering to win a hipster onesie/tshirt from Kira Kids!
The winner is....

bukaeyes said... 

I follow on GFC as bukaeyes and I like the Organic Aloha Lei One-piece

February 9, 2011 7:22 PM 

Congrats!  We'll contact you shortly with details on how to claim your prize. : )

Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway from Poly Ollie!

xo

J&A

CLOSED: Handmade Feature/Giveaway: Poly Ollie

This week we are featuring a pretty little etsy shop called Poly Ollie.  The shop features reversible terry bibs.  The owner/designer, Mary, chooses really lovely fabric combinations that will look great on your little one, while keeping them mess-free!

Let's get to know the face behind Poly Ollie, Mary:

What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?  Right now, my life is Etsy/Poly Ollie and I love it!  Outside of Etsy, I live in the beautiful upstate of South Carolina with my husband of 3 years, Martin.  I am a stay at home wife and look forward to becoming a stay at home mom in the near future!  During the warmer months of the year, I spend much of my time tending to the 17 acres we live on and enjoy every minute of it! 

Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.  Sincere, Passionate, Creative

Fall piece you can’t live without:  Pashminas!  I love how they add a little bit of elegance and style to most outfits. 

Most recent fashion-related purchase:  A pair of skinny jeans. 

Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?  I have many hobbies that drive my wonderfully supportive husband crazy!  I enjoy sewing, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, gardening and much, much more!

Any pet peeves?  When things in my house become unorganized.  (I wish I could blame my husband for this, but it’s all me!!!)

Bad habits.  I’m obsessed with the remnant sections in fabric stores! 

Desert-island food?  Chocolate! 

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:  The Beatles, John Mayer, James Taylor

Another blog you follow regularly:  I have just been introduced to the world of blogging, so I hate to admit that I don’t follow any regularly, but aspire to create my own blog so I can share the process of my creations and what inspires me to create with others.

What made you decide to start a shop?  I began making bibs to give as baby shower gifts and never thought in a million years that I would attempt to sell them, but here I am doing just that and am so excited to share with others what I love to do!  My goal is to create practical items that are both stylish and functional.

Significance of your shop name?  My shop is named after our precious 10-year-old Boxer, Ollie. 

Favorite item in your shop right now?

Paisley and Houndstooth Reversible Terry Bib

Mary is giving one of our lucky readers a chance to win a Poly Ollie reversible terry bib!  So cute and they fit over the shoulders through the arms so they are pull proof!

This balloon bib would be adorable for your little birthday girl or boy--or reverse it to use as an everyday cover!

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry- 

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Poly Ollie is.  If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Poly Ollie is!

Additional Entries-

2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from Poly Ollie is.

3. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

4. HEART  Miskabelly on Etsy (leave us a comment to let us know!)

5.  HEART Poly Ollie on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

6. "Like" Poly Ollie on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/PolyOllie/169424359757745 ) (leave us a comment!)

This contest will run through next Friday, February 25th and the winner will be chosen by a random number generator.  

Good luck!

Manda & Jayme

Cousin-ly Love

This weekend was the second time Lyla (my 8 week old baby girl) and Aurora (Amanda's one year old) "met".  Their first meeting was Lyla's first few days after birth and Aurora showed little interest in the motionless doll in a constant state of sleep.  What a difference a month makes!  Not only in the girls' individual personalities, but also their interaction with one another.  Aurora is now "talking" up a storm (some of my favorites include "ching chong" and "rhwow!" [wow]) and Lyla is now, um, crying up a storm.  Aurora would even mimic Lyla's crying sounds (already picking on her cousin!!).  I'm so excited to see the age gap get smaller and smaller as they get bigger and bigger.

"why, hello there!"

kisses (swoon!)

LOVE these girls!!!

xo

Jayme

P.S.  I hate to be a pest...but while you're here, would you mind clicking the brown box on the top right column to vote for us?  Thank you so so much!

We get by with a little help from our friends...

Those of you who read lots of mama blogs probably know by now that Top Baby Blogs has re-set their counts.  We work hard to bring you great giveaways, fashion and decor ideas, and honesty about being a mom.  We love our readers and are so thankful for all of the support and encouragement...but we'd also love to meet more readers!  Top Baby Blogs helps us do that.


Will you take a second (literally, a second) to click on the little Vote For us! banner to the right?  You click on it, click again, and that's a vote!  More followers gives us the opportunity for more giveaways and more chances to do what we love while supporting our own little families.  Also, you can vote everyday!

Thank you so much...xo
J&A

Quick Spring Preview

Hey guys!  Hope you're having a great weekend.
Our weekend here is winding down....Amanda is on her way back to Virginia after coming to Pennsylvania to celebrate baby Aurora's first birthday (she'll be blogging it this week!).  It was a busy and super fun weekend--and of course we got some shopping in!  Look forward to some super sweet vintage baby stuff and some awesome vintage maternity dresses, coming soon to the shop!  Here's a little preview:

A couple other things:

-Don't forget to enter the giveaway from Kira Kids!  (CLICK HERE)

-Also, if you like reading our blog, would you mind voting for us on Top Baby Blogs?  We'd love to make the Top 50!  CLICK HERE (and then click through)

We wish you a lovely Sunday evening (anyone else planning on watching the red carpet coverage of the Grammy's?!).

xo

Jayme