Christmas 2016

A first Christmas for Lo and a super exciting one for Noelle!! This Christmas was so special with our family in town two years in a row and the first in our new home. Noelle and I made cookies for Santa  and she was so excited that they were Trolls! Tj and I were super unprepared this year, going shopping just days before Christmas. But thankfully we found everything we wanted to get for Noelle. It was so much fun shopping for her. We were both giddy thinking about what her reaction might be. I wrapped all the gifts Christmas Eve and we got in all under the tree just before midnight. 

Guest Bathroom Reveal

Just in time for more guests we finished our guest bathroom!! I love this bathroom and I am so pleased with the way it turned out. It is itty bitty so we had to be strategic when planning the remodel. We initially thought we'd rearrange the space but it was more cost effective to leave all the plumbing in the same layout. I am glad we did because we got to keep the cast iron tub (which I was convinced I would want removed) by having it refaced. I love that we were able to keep the vintage shower rod! There are some details missing but they will come as we make this house more of a home. 

I can't wait to add pictures to the walls and luxurious towels to the linen tower. Curtains will also finish out the space. P.S there is something over the window temporarily, we are not exhibitionist!

Family Christmas Photos 2016

 It's hard to believe that this time last year we were planning to expand our family and here we are as a family of four! I am so grateful to have these images of such a magical time for us. This Christmas season has been so much fun with Noelle and I am so excited for Christmas morning. We've had lots of conversations about what Christmas really means and read books about who we are celebrating. But of course that doesn't mean Santa Claus isn't on the brain. Noelle is asking for pretty much everything she see's and because it's Christmas time we thought we'd be able to use Santa as a scapegoat, not so much! 

Noelle: "I want that!" (points to TV)

Tj: "Maybe you can ask Santa to bring it to you for Christmas?"

Noelle: "No, we just need to go to the store and buy it."

Well there's that......

House Tour Christmas Edition

It's almost time!!! Our family comes in this weekend and we are so excited to celebrate the birth of Christ in this beautiful space with them! It's sure to be a fun filled week, though Denver's weather has got something in store for these Florida folk. I've got the Christmas flavored coffee creamer and thanks to Simply Earth it smells like Christmas too!

I am so grateful to God to be in a home again for the holidays. Decorating was a lot of fun and next year I plan to spill the decorations into more rooms, especially the girls' room!!

Lo's 3 Month Update

Kitchen Sneak Peek + Simply Earth Essential Oil Giveaway

I have been teasing you guys for far too long but today...is another tease!  I know, I know but you can blame it on Samsung, they really don't want my kitchen to be finished.

We've been waiting for our black stainless steel vent hood to come in for what seems like an eternity. It's a brand new product and the shipment has been extended every week for the past 2 months. Despite being so far behind schedule I am completely in love with the kitchen so far and once complete I promise to post ASAP! To make up for my endless teases I have decided to give you a sneak peek and also a GREAT giveaway! 

This part of the kitchen has to be my favorite so far! Not only because it's complete but because I love all the copper details and of course the exposed brick. We knocked out part of a wall to open the space up and it made a world of difference in how open it feels. We were elated when the brick was exposed and I couldn't imagine the kitchen without it now.

Christmas Decor

We've been having such a great time in Orlando for the Thanksgiving holiday but I cannot wait to get home and start decorating for Christmas. I think our first stop off the tarmac will be the Christmas tree farm. Decorating our new home for Christmas is what my dreams are made of.

Master Bedroom Inspiration & Plans

So all I have is this one image, this one glorious picture! I had been wrecking my brain over what I wanted our master bedroom to look and feel like, searching Pinterest for what felt like hours on end. Most of the rooms I found were a little too cold or too warm. I wanted it to feel warm and cozy but also light and airy. A concept that seemed hard to capture. I looked all over for something that would look something like this wood ceiling. I found it but quickly realized that it wouldn't work on our odd shaped ceiling. I am still deciding whether or not to accent a wall with it. I absolutely love the pop of color in the bedroom bench.  

Lo's 2 Month Update

Guest Bedroom Inspiration & Progress

So I'm pretty much obsessed with this bedroom from Ave Styles. When I first came across it on my Pinterest I knew immediately that I had to model one of our rooms after it.

Halloween 2016

Decorations this year came in the form of a few pumpkins on the inside and some spider web outside. I wanted to do so much more but time just didn't permit. Also because I thought I had a lot more stuff in storage. Next year I'll do better! 

Girl's Bedroom Inspiration

My friends may find this VERY odd but I've painted the girl's room pink! When I was pregnant with Noelle I pretty much vowed she'd never wear pink. Well, not exactly but everyone knew it wasn't my favorite. But after you have a second girl I think you just kind of give in. Though I am still super picky when it comes to pink, I have found some serious inspiration in the form of Taylor Sterling's instagram page (@taylorsterling). She made me believe in pink again and now I'm all in. 

The room is still under construction but the paint is dry so now I am gathering all the cute stuff I can find to make this their favorite place to be. We decided we'd have the girls share a room for now while we use the other main floor rooms for an office and guest bedroom. As they get older and desire more privacy, the move should be easy as they will still be steps from each other's door. 

The color on their walls is Island Hopping from Behr. We are currently searching for a toddler bed for Noelle. We initially thought we'd keep Noelle in her converted crib but it just makes more sense to convert it back to a crib for Lois and get Noelle a real big girl bed. The image below was my favorite when looking for inspiration!!

Winning Chili

If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat then you may have seen me clinch the coveted Fall Classic Chili Cook off!!!

Lo's 1 Month Update

If we're being real this is what Lo's 1 month situation looks like. No room to call her own just yet but she doesn't seem to mind. Easy going and cute as a button! 

Exterior Front Door Before & After

"Peddlers and agents must not ring the bell"! These vintage touches to the house get me every time!!!

Lo's Newborn Shoot

What a time to be alive? Yes I just quoted Drake!!! We are so blessed to have these photos. Our life has changed drastically over the last month and we wouldn't have it any other way. Having a new babe and taking on a huge project that is our 1922 fixer upper. I had a vision to do Lo's newborn shoot in our new empty home. Natalie Elizabeth helped that vision come to life. Made even more special that these photos were taken in her and Noelle's new room that they will soon share together. I can't wait to hang them. Welcome Baby Lolo, we are so happy you are here!!!

Talk NELLY To Me

Lord ya'll what am I gonna do with this girl?! We have moved into new territory and one that has me wondering how in the world we will survive the year of the "threenager" that will soon come upon us! Noelle is all spice and a dash of something nice. Don't get me wrong, she is still as sweet as pie when she wants to be, but those moments are seeming to be taken over by looks that could kill. She is challenging me on everything and I am trying so hard to not grow weary. I try so hard not to burst into laughter as she counters with wit that belongs to someone 6 times her age or respond to her with pure anger.

Kitchen/Bath Update

Walls are coming down at the Hazley home! All of the demo is done and now the installing of cabinets is underway. Though we aren't as far along as we hoped, it all looks amazing and I can't wait to start decorating the space. 

Date Night

I remember judging model Chrissy Teigen (whom I really like) in my head and maybe even out loud when I saw that she and her husband John Legend were out just two weeks after her baby was born. "How could she leave her baby so soon? Celebrities are crazy! Damn she looks good!"

Guest Bathroom Inspiration

Happy Friday folks!! 

I wanted to give you some details about what's around the Hazley home. Our main floor bathroom is tiny, I mean like microscopic! When I started looking into bathroom designs on Pinterest I fell head over heels for the black and white color palate with wood accents. We contemplated moving the tub under the window but ran into issues with space so we decided to leave everything in it's original spot and just update the entire bathroom. 

Big Sister Nelly

We couldn't wait to see how Noelle would be as a big sister and she was pretty much exactly what we expected. Lots of kisses, covering her with blankets and shocker, sharing all her favorite toys with Lo.

Kitchen Inspiration

EEEEeeekkkkkk!!! I am so excited to finally start sharing some of the work that will be done on this 1922 gem! After lots of waiting and some unforseen delays we were finally able to close on this bad boy yesterday. Demo starts today and I cannot wait to see this wall come down. In order to make this space feel more open we are getting rid of part of this wall and opening it up to the dining room. The kitchen is tiny so we had to be very strategic with our design. I have so enjoyed picking out every single detail of this kitchen! If you follow me on snap (mrshazleybaby), you've already gotten some exclusives!!!

Lo's Birth Story

This birth experience can only be described as a series of answered prayers. 

Lois Rue Hazley was born on 9/12/16 at 9:31am. She weighed in at 5lbs 9.7oz and was 18.5 inches long. 

Week 38

I cannot believe Lo is now on the outside but before I give you guys the birth story I figured I would finish out the pregnancy updates. Week 38 was all about spending some serious family of 3 time before our little lady came. Oh and so came the stretch marks around my belly button. WTH?! How does this happen in the last dog on week and I swore it was mostly genetics that determined whether or not you got them. My mom has none so there for…..ugh whatever. 

Maternity Shoot f/ PinkBlush Maternity

Even with a uncooperative toddler and a husband with a very short attention span for pictures Natalie Elizabeth still made magic. This has been an amazing time in our lives and we are so grateful to have been able to document it. With the help of PinkBlush Maternity, I was able to feel pretty and also super comfortable in this cute maternity dress. It was so hot outside and even while wearing black, I was cool as a cucumber. 

Week 37

Tears and calmed fears! This past week has been an emotional roller coaster but we are just so grateful for Lo still being on the inside and getting as much brain development as she possibly can. I am pro 40 weeks and would love nothing more for her to stay put if it were possible but unfortunately that's just not the street we live on. Our final growth ultrasound revealed that Lo is in the 8th percentile and we thought for sure this meant induction that night but our OB agreed to let her stay put for just a bit longer. So needless to say, we got packed frantically because we had NOTHING done and now you guys know that was partly because of all the house stuff that has been distracting us. Our induction date is on the calendar and we are so excited to meet this INCREDIBLY active baby girl. One of the nurses who conducted my NST said she couldn't wait to lay eyes on this busy girl. We are so intrigued to see what her temperament is like. I NEVER experienced this much movement with Noelle. Lo is definitely already showing she is an individual. 

BIG News!!!

The Hazleys are buying a house!!!! 
And not just any house, a 1922 bungalow fixer upper in an incredible location! We are so incredibly blessed and cannot believe we get to live here. Plus we didn't have to get into a huge bidding war which is a whole other subject because the Denver housing market is completely b-a-n-a-n-a-s! The next question you may be ready to ask me is, "Leah are you completely nuts? You are due any day now!".

Week 36

We are officially full term over here! But let's take a look back at week 36 and how it tried my life in several ways, let's count them shall we?

Mommy & Me

As we bring this summer to a close, I always want to remember what it was like when it was just me and her. I know she will never remember life as an only child but if I can share anything from this time with her it would be our unbreakable bond. I love her much more than words can describe. She has taught me so many things. Patience, understanding, and love on a whole other level just to name a few. I'm sure there will be things I miss about this stage in our lives and most likely remembering back on how easy it was with just one but both of our lives are sure to be made richer with the arrival of her sister. I thank God for choosing me as her mother!

We met our amazing photographer Natalie Elizabeth at our favorite neighborhood ice cream shop to shoot. Inside Scoop Creamery is located on Platte St. in LoHi Denver. They have two locations and the handmade ice cream is incredible. My dress was provided by Pink Blush Maternity where they have a large selection of cute maternity clothes. The material is very breathable and so soft. I could probably live in this maternity dress.  

Week 35

So I figured I would start updating you guys weekly because things are changing fast around here. Week 35 was a very interesting one. I'll start with the fact that my hands are swelling at a pretty ridiculous rate. Every morning my fingers feel like sausages primed and ready for mustard and a bun. My ring finger on my right hand feels broken and putting my hand in a fist is basically impossible in the first couple hours after waking.

Hot Springs & A Moose Hunt

It was on the to do list to make it to the mountains at least once this summer before the baby came and we finally did it. We made our way to Steamboat Springs for first time and got to enjoy one of the hot springs. I of course couldn't stay submerged above the waist for long but it was still amazing. Besides all the bees, it was the knees. 

Weeks 33 & 34

Holy moly donut shop, things are moving right along and though I feel like the thirties have been creeping by, the truth is we're moving closer to an "any day now scenario". And let me just say, I'M NOT READY!!!!! Like seriously, how are we about to have two children? Noelle has been having more and more days as a typical two year old with being quite defiant, crying for no apparent reason, and refusing to stay in her big girl bed. She's killing me slowly and just in time for another BIG change. Not only am I not ready mentally but we have only bought a few diapers and wipes. Granted it's another girl so things should be a lot less stressful when we decide to kick things into gear. 

Baby #2 Name Reveal

Baby Hazley #2 has a name!!! It was easier than I thought it would be. I think I should give us more credit because I was concerned we wouldn't agree on anything up until the delivery room. We decided that while on our anniversary trip in Toronto we wouldn't come home without a name. We waited to tell everyone until we were altogether for my birthday celebration in Key West. This time we went old school (biblical old), very uncommon AND named her after two VERY loved people in our lives. Our grandparents both sadly passed months apart from each other in 2001 and shared the same name. 

Jeepin'

You may have seen on my snap or instagram that we recently got a Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Well we are in love with it and finally got a chance to take it out for a spin with our Jeep owning friends. Their invite was right on time and we couldn't wait to join them. Riding with no front doors was definitely a new experience and really had me wondering why it's legal.

Weeks 31 & 32

 HALLELU!!!!! I passed my 3 hour glucose test! I'd heard it was pretty awful and they were not lying. The four needle sticks alone were enough for me to say the hell with it and walk out. Not much has changed in these last two weeks, other than my reflux being on TEN!!! But I have started to feel pregnant. Things like tiring easier and just feeling heavy. I am surprised that I haven't had any round ligament or hip pain this time around. I've had maybe two days of sciatica but nothing major. I made my last plane ride to Orlando and we have no more plans for travel until after baby arrives. Which means we're on operation get Noelle potty trained!! We've got lots of plans for the rest of the summer and lots of fun and exciting things coming up for the blog that I can't wait to share with you guys. 

Cousin Love

Our last trip to Orlando for awhile was short but as sweet as ever! My brother and his wife welcomed my new nephew a few days before we got there and we were overjoyed to meet him. It was going to be Noelle's first time around a baby and she did so great with him! She wanted to hold, kiss and hug him as much as we allowed her. She argued with his big brothers to get in a turn. I was so relieved that she could care less when I was holding him. It was our first glimpse at how she is going to be with her sister. Let's just say, we'll have to keep an close eye on her. By the end of the first day, she told me that she loved him! Javon is my brother and wife's 4th boy, he's got the deepest dimples and sweetest temperament. We are so excited he is finally here!

Weeks 29 & 30

Other than my reflux trying to kill me in my sleep, things have been going great! Yes, the reflux is terrible and I had another fountain of a nose bleed in week 30 (that made me look like the walking dead with blood all over my dress) but despite these things it's been a smooth ride. I have heard some horror stories about pregnancy and the fact that we have been traveling so much is proof that it hasn't been that bad. Speaking of traveling, I made the opps of not wearing compression stockings on our last flight to Orlando and drive to Key West, BIG SWOLLEN MISTAKE. The whole weekend my feet resembled watermelon and I could feel the fluid with every step, cringe! We have one more trip scheduled for Orlando this coming week and I get to meet my new nephew!!!! My doctor says that their preference is no travel after 34 weeks so I'll be cutting it close as I will be turing 32 weeks while there. We are so ready to hang out in Colorado and get ready for this little lady. 

The B I G 3-0 in Key West

Thirty!! Wow! It seems pretty surreal that I'm here. When I think about all the life I've lived it makes sense but it's still a bit strange. I am so grateful to God to be here and living the life He has blessed me with and no wrinkles! I know I wanted to do something big with friends and family to celebrate. We actually did this resort with a group of our friends and family for my 25th and we've always wanted to come back again and this was the perfect excuse. My family has always loved Key West and we vacationed there when I was I child pretty often. It is a long drive from Orlando but totally worth it.

 

Weeks 27 & 28

Braxton Hicks like whoa! These two weeks have proved having a full bladder doesn't pay. Nurses know that using the restroom at work is sometimes making a conscience decision to not have a risk for falls in the hallway. These Braxton Hicks have me running to the latrine like my life depended on it. If I don't then the Braxton Hicks come along with the waddle. I am NOT big enough to be waddling yet!!! I know I said the reflux was bad the last post but come on! The food sits in my chest and threatens to expose the less than healthy choices I've been making this pregnancy. I make sure to have water by my bedside at night because if I get a tickle in my throat, the coughing could lead to way more than I bargained for. 

In The 6 For Our 6th {Anniversary}

Yay!! Finally sharing our anniversary trip to Toronto!!! These last few weeks have been completely bonkers with packing, unpacking, washing and repeating on the to do list. We had never been to Canada and with Zika ruining most of our travel plans, we decided to head north. We started our trip in Buffalo, NY with a visit to Niagara Falls. With such a short drive into Canada we figured why not fly into Buffalo and see the falls. It was breath taking and my pictures do it no justice. It was crazy to see Canada just across the water. 

Father's Day 2016

These last two weeks have been hectic between work and travel with no end in sight quite yet. I can't wait to share our anniversary trip to Toronto with you guys but first things first. I had to post about how we celebrated Tj on Father's Day! This man is such an awesome husband and Noelle agrees that he is a exceptional father as well. I thank God for him and I am so grateful for how well he cares for us. 

We started the day with taking Noelle to see Finding Dory! This was her 3rd movie and she did so great even though it was around nap time. She held out and watched the entire movie. Can I just say that I am so excited to blame her for movies I really want to see? "Oh I think Noelle would love that movie, we have to take her!"

 That night I took Tj out on a date! Our first stop was the restaurant Gumbo's, which I had heard a lot about. Well it lived up to the hype, it was really good. Prepare to drool!

Fried green tomatoes!!!

Tj was so sweet to take me to a play for Mother's Day and though I know he enjoyed it as well I knew it wasn't his idea of the perfect date. So it was my turn to do what I knew he'd really enjoy and that was easy, beer! Although brew hopping had nothing in it for me, it was cool just hanging out with him none the less.

Week 25 & 26

This weeks adventures included picking things up from the floor, which is beginning to be like making real life decisions. It's not life or death, but I could flip a coin and be totally fine if the decision was to leave it. And the reflux is back! I remember the first time around was not a fun time and nothing has changed. Sleeping upright is becoming a normal thing for at least the first couple hours of laying down. And if I eat dinner anywhere around bedtime, forget about it. 

Week 25 involved a gnarly nose bleed in which I may or may not have thought I was gonna bleed out. It is just me or was there another huge jump between week 25 and 26? I got a charlie horse in my sleep and I was breathing like I was in labor to get through it.  

I'm feeling a little guilty that I haven't shopped for her at all. I thought for sure by now I would have gone shopping but it has been a busy summer and it hasn't been made a priority. I guess that comes with having the same sex child again, we already have so much. I know this summer is going to fly and before we know it she'll be here. We've talked about where she'll sleep and what we'll do about storage but that's about it. Talk is cheap, we had better start with the action #lastdayofsummerduedate.

Bump stickers from Lucy Darling.  

Week 23 & 24

 Week 23 was the week of the POP!!! I noticed it and so did everyone else! Baby girl is making strides but I am asking for your prayers. We will start growth ultrasounds at 28 weeks and on to make sure she is growing at the pace she should. Because I had to be induced with Noelle at 38 weeks for concern of IUGR (growth restriction) they are going to watch me very closely this time around. My prayer is definitely that this sweet girl gets to grow and stay as long as she can but also not to be induced again. It was not the way I wanted to go about my labor but things worked out they way should have and thank the Lord it didn't involve a C-section. I have only gained 5 pounds thus far which my doc is a little concerned about. I only gained 14 with Noelle and I think it's just the way my body carries babies. But I've started chugging Ensure to see if I can pack on some pounds. Hopefully all the weight doesn't go to my nose, it's coming ya'll (insert cry face emoji).
By the way I have had several very interesting conversations with my coworkers about how black women tend to get larger noses during pregnancy and their minds were blown. Mostly wondering why, so of course being nurses we did a little research and we read that black women have more fibrofatty tissue in their noses which expands during pregnancy. Weird right? Whatever the reason, I am not excited to get "the nose".

Cravings have been LEMONADE and DONUTS, but not together!

Names have been a bit of a challenge. Noelle was a complete compromise for us and there was NOTHING else on the list that we agreed upon. So….baby girl #2 may have to wait a little while longer before she is named. 

At our 24 week appointment, Noelle got to help our doc find the baby's heart beat. 

Bump stickers from Lucy Darling.