Target Finds

It is no secret that I love Target and over the past week or so, I have made one too many trips to several Targets in our area. ;) 

Here are a few of my favorite finds!

the fault in our stars | hobo handbag | phone case | maxi dress 

bib | ninja turtle cup | burts bees hoodie

What are some of your favorite finds lately?

Sundays

I love Sundays. Everything about it screams family. And relaxing. And most always shopping. ;)

Today was no different. I woke up and was about to get ready for work, when I realized it was Sunday and I don't have work on Sundays. 

Yesterday, Liam and I took our second target trip of the weekend and I bought him his first coloring book. 

After everyone was awake, we took Liam downstairs and we he colored his very first picture! 

Liam quickly lost interest in coloring, so we made breakfast and it. was. delicious. 

Breakfast is my fav meal of the day! And breakfast tacos always hit the spot! 

Liam had a cheese quesadilla (what were we thinking?) for breakfast and of course, he loved it! He ate the whole thing and even managed to steal some of mama's potatoes. ;)

Daddy hit the gym so we hit up target...for the third time this weekend. Yikes! We had found so many great deals, we just can't get enough! For anyone just starting to follow along, target is my happy place. Can't you tell?! ;)

While at target, I picked up ingredients to make cheesy sausage balls. Yum. You can find the recipe here. 

I gave Liam a sausage ball and shortly after, our house fell silent. Eli and I looked at each other and just knew Liam was up to no good. To our surprise, he had walked into our formal sitting room and climbed up on the couch to finish his snack. He melts my heart. 

My parents came over for dinner tonight and we grilled steaks while watching the USA game. To see our awesome finds from target over the past few days, click here. 

What do your Sundays look like?!

Xoxo

Haley

Our week in pictures

This week has been exhausting. Liam is still getting his molars and he has been pulling at his poor little ears! We have been to the doctor twice over the last week and they just keep saying "Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours". Ugh. I could have done that on my own. :( But, we will continue to do anything we can to make this little guy comfortable!

When he is comfortable, he is the most happy baby big kid in the world! ;) My mom (and sometimes sister) take care of him while Eli and I are at work, and he has so much fun with them!!

Auntie BooBoo even takes him swimming if the weather is nice! So much fun!!

Liam is just days away from being a big 15 month old and his personality is so. much. fun. He is full of spunk and always has a new facial expression to try out! I am sure I say this all the time (I know you do, too ;)) but this has been by far the most fun age yet! Look at that face! 

I made a pinterest-inspired dessert a few days ago and let him have some of the chocolate pudding I made. I think the picture speaks for itself, but just incase you couldn't tell.....he really loved that pudding. ;)

So, I have really been trying to get this whole at-home nail thing down. Sure, I can paint my nails-no problem. But they don't last very long with just a top coat so I tried a shellac look...that didn't work  either, however I have yet to try Gelous from Sally's. I have heard from Jen over at First Comes Love that that stuff really works! So, I bought an acrylic kit by Kiss from Target. BINGO. It worked and I LOVE MY NAILS. Best part? It only cost me $7 and there are 3 applications in the kit! Working full time and being a full time mommy, finding time (and money) to go to the nail salon every two weeks just doesn't work for us, so I am soooo happy that I found this kit!

When I get ready for work, I put Liam on my bed and most mornings he falls right back asleep.  Some mornings, I am in such a rush that I have no time to stop and stare...others, like yesterday morning, I lose track of time and love watching our little baby sleep. He is so precious and the time is flying. I remember when I he was a little tiny 8 pound babe and wore newborn clothes. Did I mention I purchased 2T clothes the other day, and then bought 3T sweaters and jackets for the Fall/Winter from the clearance section at Target? Cue tears.

Ah. The Fault In Our Stars. I am only on the sixth chapter, but I have cried about 100 times and am so sad when I don't have time to read. I can't wait to finish so I can go see the movie! Have you guys read this book!? What do you think!?

I hope you all had a fabulous week. Enjoy your weekend!

xoxo

Haley

21 things

Several of my fav blogs have had a post lately about their favorite things. The number of things posted corresponds with their age, so today you're getting 21 things about me. ;) I think it is so fun to  learn more about the person behind the blog!

1 // I am the oldest of three kids. I have one sister and one brother.

2 // I grew up in a small-ish town (small compared to Houston) in a house that was just 4 houses down from my aunt and my cousins. So much fun!

3 // No matter how hard I try, I will never be organized and my house will never be spotless. With a dog and a toddler, and working full time, we are lucky to have clean clothes on our backs and a home cooked meal on the table....or tray. ;)

4 // Grocery shopping is my happy time. I love being at the grocery store when I am not in a rush, with or without Liam. I love browsing through the aisles and buying new things to try!!

5 // With a toddler in charge of the TV, two of my favorite movies are The Lorax and Frozen.

6 // Obsessed is an understatement when it comes to Target. I LOVE TARGET. I love everything about Target. I love that you save 5% with your Target Debit Card. I love that Target has adorable toddler clothes. I love that Target has cute handbags and lots of nail polish. I love that Target always has the best quality clothes in the ladies department. I love the Target Dollar Spot.  I love the Target clearance sections!!! 

7 // I am a full time mama, full time employee, and an going back to school full time in August to continue working toward my Bachelor of Science degree.

8 // My favorite number in 8. It reminds me of the infinity symbol and it makes my heart smile. It also reminds me of this stupid sign in elementary school that we had to trace with our pointer finger when we got in trouble in P.E. 

9 // I fell pregnant when I was only 19, and had Liam when I was 20. Best thing that could have ever happened to me. Yes, it put my education on hold. Yes, I didn't get to really "party", but there is nothing I would have changed about how things happened. He is perfect and our lives couldn't be better.

10 // I could live in yoga pants and tank tops every single day. SO comfy!

11 // I have lost many people in my life, mostly older people due to old age or cancer...but they were all older (well over 70) and really had the chance to live their lives. In the past two years, I have lost two young kids that are very close to my heart. When I was 14 weeks pregnant with Liam, our nephew lived with us. *caution-prepare yourself for what you are about to read* I went into the living room and tried to wake him for the day. Minutes later, I realized he wasn't breathing and I had to call 911. Eli had already gone to work and I had to go through this horrible experience alone. He was 16, he didn't get to actually "live" his life. It was cut too short. In August of 2013, my brother and his friends got in a car accident and Chase's best friend, Austin, who was much like my little brother, didn't make it. These two losses are the hardest to stomach. I still have days where I can't get myself to stop crying. 

12 // I started reading blogs when I first got pregnant, which was only two at the time...Little Baby Garvin and Baby Max (which has not turned into Wedding Bells and Puppy Dog Tails). Now I have a long list of favs and read them daily, which is what inspired me to start blogging!

13 // I met Eli at my job at Houston Swim Club. He as an instructor and I worked in the office. 4 months later, we started dating and now we have a baby toddler! 

14 // I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes, particularly from Pinterest or from other blogs!

15 // I have always wanted to have an Etsy shop, but I have no idea what I would sell!

16 // I LOVE getting packages in the mail!! So much fun when you have a "good mail day"! :)

17 // I have a love/hate relationship with running. Some days, I am like YES. I want to run 500 miles!! And the next, I'm like "Can someone push me in Liam's stroller?!"

18 // I love going to concerts. I have seen N'SYNC, Britney Spears, Pussycat Dolls, Eli Young Band, Alan Jackson, Ellie Goulding...ok, so as I'm naming these I'm thinking to myself "I don't think i've been to that many concerts...I can name them all"...ya, no. I don't remember all of the concerts i've been to! But, I do have to say Ellie's was my fav! I got to meet her and she is SO SWEET.

19 // I love stuffed animals and teddys. Any time I see a cute teddy or frog (or mickey mouse, for that matter) I always pick one up for Liam. Wanna know what he does with them? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I now have 20 stuffed animals to call mine. ;)

20 // I LOVE holidays. The happiness that fills each room is magical!

21 // I am oddly good at History, although I never really liked the subject! 

There ya have it! What do we have in common?!

Gym Time

A little over a month ago, my bestie and I bought a gym membership to the gym next to our office.  We are both full time mamas and have full time jobs, but feel that fitness is still super important.  We have sacrificed lunch breaks and even gone back to work a hot mess, but its all worth it when you feel better about yourself!

Y'all...that stair master is NO JOKE. I'm embarrassed to say, but three minutes in and I hit the treadmill instead. To all you mamas who can tolerate this crazy machine, mad props to you!

I sat at this machine for about 5 minutes before I decided I needed to start working out again. I had done the stair master for all of 3 minutes and ran the treadmill for 15. This mama hadn't worked out in over a year, so as sad as it is, the truth is I was beat.

But now, each time we go, I go straight to the treadmill. I spend almost all my time there as running really helps clear my head. For days when I am just not feeling it, this is really good for me! I use to hate running, but I found the right music and got a pair of cute new shoes ;), so I am motivated and ready to get back into shape!

Do you mamas visit the gym? If so, how often?

Sister Day

A couple weeks ago, my sister and I drove around town looking for a tattoo shop that had a piercer on duty.  Because it was a Sunday, we didn't have much luck for the first hour or so.  After calling all of the good shops we knew of, we ended up making the drive to the shop she got her nose pierced at. Of course, when we got there they let us know their piercer quit and they didn't offer those services anymore. What did we do? Got a tattoo instead! Totally didn't plan on it, but turns out we both LOVE our matching "sister tattoos" and couldn't be happier with the quality! 

But we were still on the hunt to get my nose pierced. After yet another hour of calling and being turned down, we ended up driving back across town to the shop we first went to that told us their piercer would be in after 5.  I can handle tattoos all day, piercings...not so much. I was sweating profusely as I was filling out my consent form and I even almost backed out when she showed me the needle she was about to shove in my face. 10 minutes later, it was done. Now, I'm not gonna lie...it hurt BAD...but only for a little while. I couldn't be happier with the way it has healed and the stud is so small, it just looks like a piece of glitter which makes me love it more! As a mom, I feel that I need to be conservative, but I am still me and I love tattoos and piercings! I do think that this will be my only facial piercing, though. I'm already thinking up my next tattoo, though! ;)

Have you ever done something crazy like this spur of the moment?!

Tabata workouts

In an effort to inspire myself (haha), I have come up with a short list of tabata workouts for you guys to try with me! ;) Happy tabata!

WARNING: you should always warm up before any type of workout. Jogging in place or 25 jumping jacks are a good way to prepare your body for exercise. 

Squat Jumps
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Mountain Climbers
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Lunge Jumps
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Mogul Jumps
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times then your DONE)
=20 minute workout

Push ups
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)

Supermans

(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)

Downward dog push ups

(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)

V Ups

(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)

=20 minute workout

This next tabata set is a little different...

Jumping jacks for 20 seconds, rest 10...DO NOT repeat

Sit ups for 20 seconds, rest 10...DO NOT repeat

High knees for 20 seconds, rest 10...DO NOT repeat

Push ups for 20 seconds, rest 10...START FROM THE TOP.

repeat 1 time

=4 minute workout

I am in the process of coming up with more combinations as I continue to try different things that work for me. You can do any combination, as long as you are warming up before and taking it slow. What work outs work best for you?

Commit to be fit

Growing up, my sister and I signed up from a competitive cheer team.  When we had initially joined, we didn't think it would be something long-term but we quickly fell in the love with the sport and 11 years later, we were still going strong. I also cheered in junior high and then again in high school.  As most people feel that cheerleading is not a sport, I beg to differ.  The workouts were so intense, and it was hard to keep up!

Our competitive cheer team was super demanding on my body and I developed scoliosis.  That still didn't stop me from doing what I loved most. Cheering. Eventually I was too old to compete and later I found out I was pregnant with Liam.

Working out post baby has been difficult to say the least.  I no longer have the energy that I did when I was younger. Go figure, right?  Working a full time job and then coming home to take care of Liam, there isn't enough time in the day to fit in a lengthy workout. Eli and I will occasionally do ab ripper by p90x, but let me tell you…the "short" 16 minute video seems to be the worst 16 minutes of my life.

After a little research and a few recommendations, I have decided to try
Tabata High Intensity Interval Training.  Get this…each Tabata workout is only 4 minutes long. 4 minutes!!! You workout hard for 20 seconds, rest for 10 and repeat until you have completed 8 rounds of whichever exercise you've chosen for that day.  It is recommended to do four "tabatas" each time you exercise for a total of 20 minutes.  Here is an example of a tabata workout.

Jumping Jacks
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
High Knees
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Push Ups
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times. Rest for 1 minute)
Burpees
(20 seconds on, 10 seconds break…repeat 7 more times then your DONE)
=20 minute workout

The goal is to push as hard as you can! Start small with a 4 minute workout. If you are feeling confident the next day, add another 4 minutes.  You really want to do these to the best of your ability so you aren't cheating yourself.  With these intense workouts, your heart rate will increase and burn those calories!

Happy exercising!

xoxo
Haley

Random Ramblings

About a week ago, we had a slumber party at my parent's house. My dad doesn't get to see Liam much because he works long hours, so spending the night there was a real treat! When dad does get the chance to hang out with Liam, they go on tons of walks.  It just melts my heart how much he loves his papa!

We were at Target the other day and we picked up this adorable Thomas the Train backpack.  When I put it on him, I couldn't help but think it was the most precious thing ever....until I realized that before I know it, he will actually be wearing a backpack and will be off to school with his friends and he won't need him mommy anymore. *insert dramatic mom sobbing here*

This guy has had such a FUN personality lately!! He has started talking so much more and making the most funny faces we have ever seen.

He is also very intelligent.  He can figure out how to do anything he wants if he sets his mind to it. Just like this....where he is sliding down the side of our bed...about 2 and a half to 3 feet down...ya, thats safe....

And of course when Liam doesn't feel good, he has to have a milkshake. That's the only thing that will help you feel better, right?! ;)

What treats do you let your babes have when they're sick!?

Happy Birthday, Angel.

This past Saturday was Austin's 18th birthday. Our community got together for a balloon release in his honor and it was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced. We gathered around his balloons, flowers, and others sweet items people have left him to sing Happy Birthday and say a prayer.  

Being at the cemetery oddly brings me peace. As hard and emotional as it is knowing the reason we are there, knowing that Austin is in Heaven brings joy to my heart.

There were a TON of balloons and everyone attached a message to Austin wishing him a happy birthday. This was harder on my heart than I anticipated.  I still cannot believe this is happening. For those of you just starting to follow along, you can find more about Austin here.  

That's my brother in the blue shirt...he is Austin's best friend and that is what hurts the most.

Although he was physically taken away from us much too soon, I know he is always watching over us.