It should come as no surprise that someone who enjoys putting together cute outfits for herself so much that she started documenting them on a blog in grad school would also enjoy putting together cute outfits for her kiddo. When I was pregnant, I had little daydreams of dressing Sebastian up like the little kid models you see on Pinterest, and doing these cute little mommy + me outfit posts. Obviously that didn’t happen because, like most new moms, I barely had time to shower after Sebastian was born, let alone time to plan fun and elaborate outfit posts.

But then S got a little bit older and entered the “I DO IT” independence phase. This is a great milestone for him and crucial for boosting his development, self-esteem, and independence. And one of the things he has started to do is dress himself. First it started with him independently putting on the clothes I picked out for him and has slowly morphed into him picking out the clothes, too. While I sometimes feel a little disappointed about not always getting to put together cute outfits for him, I have learned a lot from my almost-4 year old about what it means to wear clothes and get dressed. And I’m appreciating a whole new word of cute!

Jammies and sneaks

I’m still participating in the March Photo a Day Challenge,but because my Instagram photos feed into the blog widget about 1/3 of the way down the page for your viewing convenience, I’ve decided to post a weekly recap of photos instead of trying to post them here every day. So here are days 9-20 for this year’s challenge

I’m one of those people who has always considered my dogs to be my children. They were in every family photo, they were involved in as many activities as possible, and I love them fiercely. Some folks don’t like it when pet owners refer to their animals as “furbabies” and compare taking care of them to the hard work it takes to care for a child. But, look, I have both now and, while I agree that it’s definitely easier to take care of animals, I still contend that furbabies are a lot of work and are just as much a part of the family as human babies. I love both my two-legged and four-legged babies with all of my heart.

Sebastian & MIa

That said, here are some hilarious ways I’ve found that make my furbaby and my human baby even more similar.

Let’s play What’s in my Purse: Nikki Edition.

You know those posts that bloggers do sometimes when they’re giving you a peak into their handbags? I find those posts really interesting, UNLESS they’ve been paid to showcase a product. Yes, I often throw a pack of travel tissues in there, but they’re the off-brand ones from Target not from Kleenex. But I digress.

I should probably confess that I don’t even like purses that much. I’d rather carry a few necessities in a wallet that fits in my pocket like guys do, but 1) I don’t always have pockets because sexist clothes makers don’t always include them in women’s clothes and 2) my necessities don’t always fit neatly in a little wallet. So, alas, I carry a purse. That’s probably why I just end up with a lot of crap in there.

The Bag

Anne Klein (via Belk)

I picked this one out for my birthday about a year ago. I liked it because it was a nice neutral color, it has a divider pocket, and it was a really great size for my stuff. I’ve already mentioned that I don’t really like purses but I get very picky about what I’ll carry. This has been one of my favorite bags so far.

The Contents

It really wasn’t as bad as I thought. Here’s what was in there:

Checkbook: I can’t be the only person who carries a checkbook any more, right?

Feminine hygiene products: Obviously.

Tissues: To blow my nose.

Hand sanitizer(s): Germs are everywhere so it’s important to keep some hand sanitizer on you at all times. Especially after dropping off and picking up the kid from daycare. I love those kids, but damn are they germy! I don’t know why I have two of them, though.

Sugar packet: In case I need it for my coffee?

Napkins: They come in handy for messes.

Extra medicine stored in a yellow kinder egg: I have to take medicine every day and I really shouldn’t miss a dose, so I keep extra meds in my purse just in case I’m running late in the morning and forget to take them before leaving the house.

Chewing gun: Sometimes I need to freshen my breath, other times it serves as a great grounding technique. I use grounding techniques for when I have a panicked moment. These grounding skills help keep me in the present and are helpful in managing overwhelming feelings or intense anxiety. Chewing gum allows my mind to focus on the taste and chewing sensation instead of the chaos that it wants to create.

Tide To Go stain stick: I can be a messy person. My husband can be even messier. And we have a kid. This thing gets used at least once per day.

Tylenol: For headaches and other pains.

Small travel fan: For when I get hot. But in all honesty, my fan is my go-to grounding technique for my panicked moments. Using this fan lets my mind focus on the air hitting my face instead of the racing thoughts in my brain. It’s the most effective technique I’ve found alongside chewing gum.

Pens: In case I need to write something down.

A bag full of extra pens and random lipstick: Okay, so here’s the thing. I’m a pen and napkin hoarder. I have no idea why but I feel like these are two things that I must have on me at all time. I guess it makes sense to have napkins in case I make a mess (and they come in handy for the kid’s messes) but the pens? I guess it’s just really important for me to write things down the second I have a thought. AND when it comes to paying for a meal and the server only has 2 pens for a group of 6 people.

Notebook: For when I have ideas or need to jot down notes.

Chap stick and lipsticks: To keep my lips kissable.

Nail file: I hate it when I break a nail and can’t smooth it out. It will drive me nuts all day, so I keep a nail file for just in case.

Headphones: I think this one is pretty obvious, too.

Purse hook: So I can hang my purse from the table or other surface so I don’t have to sit it on a public floor.

Wallet: Obviously.

Not pictured: a bunch of old receipts, the necklace & bracelet I wore to work and decided to remove at some point in the day, some more napkins, and a piece of mail I grabbed on the way in from my car.

I’ve heard that a look inside someone’s bag is a look into their life. I’m a nosy person by nature and I want to know how other people live their lives (this is basically why I even read blogs) so if you’re going to show me the nitty gritty of what’s in your bag/life, then dammit, I’m gonna look! But I suppose it’s only fair that if you show me yours then I show you mine. It was time to clean out my purse so I saw a good opportunity to give you a peak of my life. And now that I think about it, it’s true: my life feels as random yet vaguely put together as all of the stuff I just pulled out of my bag.

A few months ago, I shared with you some silly conversations I’ve had with my husband, Nick, as a mushy little tribute to him and his ability to always make me laugh. One of the reasons we’re complete opposites is because he has a very dry, sarcastic sense of humor while mine is very silly, and it makes for some interesting exchanges. And as such, these silly exchanges just keep on coming. Today I thought I would share some more little conversations with you in hopes of making you chuckle to brighten up this gray and dreary Tuesday.

It’s like he reads my mind.
Me: I feel really weak.
Nick: That’s because you’re sick and haven’t been eating well. Don’t worry, you’re not going to die of weakness overnight.

Womp, womp.
Me: Let’s tell each other jokes all day
Nick: You know I don’t know jokes
Me: Hmm, make some up
[pause] Nick: How many miles did your car have?
Me: Idk, how many? 😀
Nick: I don’t remember, that’s why I asked
Me: Oh, I thought it was a joke

My very own Ron Swanson.
Me: Give me a list of the tools you want.
Nicholas: Oh man…that’s a broad question.  All of them?
Me: Sure (thinking he was asking if I wanted him to list *all* the tools he wants)
Nicholas: No, I mean all of them. I want all of the tools.
Me: LOL, okay
Nicholas: No wait, I’m afraid what you heard was I want a lot of tools. What I said was I want ALL of the tools!

photo source

While listening to 90s R&B as we painted our bedroom, No Scrubs came on.
Nick: That’s just prudent; why would they both need to drive their cars downtown?
Me: It’s because he doesn’t have a car of his own.
Nick: Well, that’s different
Me: Don’t act like you don’t know what TLC is bringing to you, son!

Right after we got married.
I walk out of the bedroom this morning to make my coffee and find Nick sitting on the couch with his tablet. He looks up at me and says, “I made your coffee…because that’s what husbands do.” This is definitely love.

Once again, I believe that not only do we make a great team, but we’re also really fun to be around. There’s never a dull moment! These conversations are just one of the many, many reasons I love him so much.