My recent buys

I have been missing this space of mine so much lately but life has been so hectic. Between buying a house, selling out house, moving, raising a 13 month old, working, taking lots of extra call and traveling the past few weekends, I have had zero time or energy for my poor blog. When I am stretched too thin, the blog is always the first thing to go... it has always been and always will be that way. I never want this space to feel like a burden or a hassle so I don't put pressure on myself to post because then it will start feeling like more of a job and less of a hobby. Anyways, on to more exciting things...

 I have not been shopping for myself lately because news flash: we bought a house and that is pretty dang expensive. Also, when I get the itch to shop it's usually for little miss V. However, Old Navy has been killing it lately and I did scoop up a few things for myself recently and thought I'd share them with you guys.

First up, this relaxed chambray shirt in light wash is the softest chambray top ever. I call this outfit my "mom uniform" because it is so simple to throw on yet you still look put together. Also, these white jeans are a closet staple and fit like a glove (the $34 price tag doesn't hurt either!). Finish this outfit off with an Anchor Beads necklace and your outfit is complete. Verdict: bought

Next up, this ruffle trim linen top. So dang cute. I am slightly obsessed with stripes and this shirt is no exception. Verdict: bought

Next, this chambray shift dress with tassels. I love the sleeve detail. Would be so cute with boots, booties or even sandals. Sadly, it was somewhat boxy and made my back side look even larger. Verdict: pass

Next up, this soft stripe dress. It basically feels like a sweatshirt on which is heaven. I imagine wearing it to transition into spring with these espadrilles. Casual but cute. Verdict: bought

Next up, this relaxed tunic in pink. I swear I can never find tees that are long enough and this one is. I love it tucked in the front and it would even be cute knotted in the front. Super cute with my converse and some simple jewelry. Verdict: bought

Last but certainly not least, this striped boho swing dress. Saving the best for last! I am obsessed with all things blue and stripes and this dress is perfection. Lightweight but not see through. The perfect spring dress if you ask me. Verdict: bought

Vivian's "You Are My Sunshine" first birthday party

A few weekends ago we celebrated Vivi's first birthday with family and friends. It was the best day ever! The weather was gorgeous and Vivi had a blast. I'm not big on themes but I knew I wanted a "You Are My Sunshine" feel to the party because that has been her very favorite song since she was born. I sing it to her all the time! I didn't want to go over the top with decorations but knew I wanted at least a few festive decorations. Balloons are such a cheap and easy way to make a party feel festive. I am so glad I purchased this 12 month photo banner and people loved to see how she grew each month.

We had lunch for everyone which consisted of subs that I had catered, Chic-fil-a nuggets (can't go wrong with Chic-fil-a), homemade broccoli salad and homemade pasta salad. We kept the drinks simple with water, sweet tea, pink lemonade, and juice boxes for the kids.

I decided to do cupcakes rather than a large cake for dessert because I didn't want to have to deal with cutting it, putting it on plates, passing it out, etc. Cupcakes made it 100x easier... people could walk up to the dessert table and grab a cupcake whenever they wanted. We chose half vanilla and half strawberry and they were equally delicious. Vivi destroyed her smash cake which was hilarious. I thought she was going to be timid at first but she dove right in. By the end she must have been tired of using her hands because she started taking bites straight from the cake, so funny. She was definitely in a sugar coma after that.

I splurged on a photographer for her party and it was the best decision ever. I never once picked up my phone or felt the pressure of having to capture all the special moments. I was able to be fully present and now I have pictures that I will cherish for the rest of my life! 

It was the very best day. A day that I will remember and cherish forever. I am still in denial that my baby is one! It is such an honor to watch her grow and I pray for so many more birthdays with her.

Photographer: Carley Page Photography

High chair banner

You Are My Sunshine burlap banner

Birthday hat

Sunshine balloon

12 month photo banner

Smash cake and cupcakes

My top (sold out but from here)

My white jeans (only $21!)

My booties

Vivi's outfit

Grab the button below and link up to Annie , Natalie and Owen on your Thoughts for Thursday post.

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Easter basket for littles

Our weekend was pretty low key filled with lots of trips to the new house taking loads of stuff. The cabinets in the kitchen and all bathrooms are currently being painted, half of the interior of the house has been painted, the carpet guys are coming Wednesday and the backsplash is being done Thursday. We plan to move in Saturday, fingers crossed!!

Since I don't have any fun weekend recap for you, I've put together a list of cute Easter basket stuffers. Vivi is getting multiple things on this list. I've always dreamed of holidays and making them special for my kids. Even though she is still too young to really understand, I look forward to these moments with her and explaining the real meaning behind Easter.

two piece rash guard swimsuit | caterpillar sprinkler | bubble wands | bath water coloring tablets | Dr. Brown's sippy cup (Vivi's favorite) | bath crayons | God Gave Us Easter book | hooded bunny towel | Easter craft stamps | sidewalk chalk eggs | suction bowls | babiator sunglasses | learning eggs | Native shoes | suction bath toy | beach toys | colorful eating utensils | stuffed flamingo

Do you fill Easter baskets for your kiddos? What is the Easter bunny bringing them this year?!

Our new home!

Yesterday was a big day... we closed on our new home!

We were not planning to move until the fall but we saw this house and knew we couldn't pass it up and since then the process has been fast and furious. The house went on the market on a Friday, we looked at it Saturday, made an offer on Sunday, ended up in a bidding war and found out it was ours on Monday. Shew! Our house was not on the market or even close to ready to go on the market so we were scrambling. About 2 weeks later it was finally ready to go on the market and it sold in 3 days, a huge blessing! Let me tell you... keeping your home spotless and ready for showings at all times with a baby and a dog is stressful and pure torture.

The house is in great shape but we are doing some cosmetic updates. We are replacing all the carpet, painting all the cabinets in the kitchen and all the bathrooms, painting the entire interior and replacing the backsplash all before we move in. The painters start tomorrow and carpet is being replaced early next week. I can't wait to update y'all on the progress and share before and after pictures! These few changes are going to make a world of difference and I am so excited! What am I most excited about? A huge playroom aka no more toys taking over the living room. It is about 5 minutes from where we live now and in such a great neighborhood with so many young families. It is also in a great school district which was very important to us (you don't realize the things you have to take into consideration once you have kids). It is in a perfect central location in our town and about 2 miles from my parents.

Moving is always so bittersweet. I am so sad to be leaving our cozy first home but I know our new house will hold so many precious memories!

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Grab the button below and link up to Annie, Natalie and Owen on your Thoughts for Thursday post.

Use #thoughtsforthursdays on Instagram and tag us @homeofmalones , @eastcoastnat and @mrsordavis. Link up starts at 7 am EST.

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Checking on our embryo babies!

Yesterday was an exciting day! We made the all too familiar drive to UNC Fertility to check on our frozen babies! There were so many emotions as we walked into the building. Thankfully for us it is a place of some really hard memories but also some super happy ones as well. I know a lot of people are flooded with heartbreak when they walk into their fertility clinic and don't get me wrong, those memories will never be forgotten, but this is also a very special and happy place for us. It seems like just yesterday we walked into the clinic for my egg retrieval then our embryo transfer day and our very first ultrasound at 5w5d when we saw her precious heart beating away.

No, I'm not pregnant.

Ideally, God willing, we would love to be pregnant by the end of the year though so we wanted to get the ball rolling. IVF is a complicated process and will take about 3 months of "prep" before our next embryo transfer. Did you know you have to take oral birth control pills to prepare for an embryo transfer? Seems kind of ironic. Then I will have to take estrogen then progesterone injections. So! We met with our amazing doctor [I swear I think he hung the moon] and we have a game plan. To be continued...

Even when you're on the "other side" of infertility, it never ends. There are so many huge decisions that you have to make. What will you do with the embryos if one of you dies? If you get divorced? Once you are done having kids, will you donate the extra embryos to science? To another couple? Discard them? Things that you don't want to think about but that are super important. 

We both had to get blood drawn to test for a few different things including zika virus since we traveled out of the country recently. You would have thought the world was ending. Garrett works in the medical field but he cannot stand having his own blood drawn. After his blood draw he goes, "so who is going to drive us home now?" Men...

Also, I absolutely am getting these onesies for our next baby. IVF jokes get me!

Fof: Matilda Jane clothing!

Happy Friday! Today my Five on Friday is a little different. I am hosting a Matilda Jane clothing show this weekend both in person and online! The cutest and SOFTEST clothes from sizes 3-6m to XXL. There is literally something cute for everyone! Vivi is constantly rocking her MJ clothes and we get so many compliments and questions about where they are from. Here are 5 things that are coming home with me this weekend:

[O N E]

How precious is the Blanket Fort bubble? I think it's my favorite thing from the March clothing release. Cannot wait to see Vivi's chunky thighs in this.

[T W O]

Gotta treat yourself, am I right?! This beach cover up will be worn nonstop this summer.

[T H R E E]

You can never have too many swimsuits for your littles. The fact that this bathing suit is called the Baby Shark swimsuit is just too good to be true. Am I the only momma that listens to/watches the baby shark video 100x a day?

[F O U R]

I just love this tunic paired with some cute bloomers or leggings in the spring.

[F I V E]

So obsessed with the Wild Garden dress and bloomers. Vivi will definitely be getting this!

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And because this is too cute not to share, Vivi is rocking the Water Baby 2-Piece Swimsuit here. I die!

And the Swimming Along Swimsuit here. How was she ever this small?!

And the Front Row Tunic here!

If you are local, email me if you're interested in coming to browse the clothes this weekend! If you're not local, I'd love to have you join the party and shop online here and make sure you choose me as the "Jane" at checkout! If I can help you place an order or if you have sizing questions, please email me!

Linking up with April and Christina