Honestly Hawley {August}

Now that we’re almost done with September I should probably look through August, right?! hahaha I’m not even going to try and stay on a schedule.  I’m pretty sure I don’t know what that word means anymore.  Let me be completely transparent though: while I was going through our pictures from August, I bawled as I composed this post.  I don’t know if it was the music playing in the background or just looking at everything that happened in August with my favorite people….I don’t know, but this mama is ugly crying right now!  Feel blessed that you can't see my face right now lol It's not pretty!

So here are the honest, unedited, unscripted scenes of our August life :-) 

Please excuse me while I bawl into my tissue!

Recap: June and July

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday; The ULTIMATE Crib Sheet

MAMAS &MAMAS TO BE!!!!

I was told I needed these crib sheets and I got them because they made blowouts easier and I always recommend these to new mamas.  In fact, I’ve written about them before (here) and I almost always give them as a baby shower gift (yeaaaaaa I’m one of those boring practical gift-givers).  But even though I’ve written about them before, after last week, it warrants talking about them AGAIN!

I have a *new* appreciation for these crib sheets now. Last week, in a single night, I would have had to change crib bedding THREE times!!!  My poor baby boy was just so sick; a nasty virus got him :-( Thank goodness for these ultimate crib sheets containing everything so I could just roll it off the bed and focus more time on rocking my sick little boy than cleaning up.

These crib sheets will save. you. sleep.  So how it works: this is a sheet that goes on top of the crib sheet; it goes mattress, mattress cover, bed sheet, ultimate crib sheet.  It hooks onto the rails of the crib and has soft fabric on the side that touches baby and a plastic side that points towards the mattress.  When bodily fluids get loose (read: The Three P's: poop, pee, & puke), and I promise they will, the sheet catches the fluid from running down the sides of the actual crib as well as prevents it from going through the sheets.  In the middle of the night when the flu hits (and it always comes in the middle of the night) you just have to unhook the ultimate crib sheet and put a new one down and you can skip mass loads of laundry through your sleepy eyes.  I have 2 per kid: one that is always on their bed and one at the ready when they need to be swapped quickly.  I used 3 in a single night just for Dutch; I’m so glad that I had more on hand. I also have one on my side of the bed when babies are sleeping with me....you can never be too careful with these sneaky kiddos ;-)

PLEASE do yourself a favor and get these crib sheets…or register for them!

Obligatory blogger disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review; I just really like these crib sheets.

Blessed Nest Designs {Take One}

Some of you have notice my new #blessednestdesigns on Instagram.  This is just a little side hobby of mine (not a shop).  I've been crafting some fun gifts for friends and family over the summer. If you're interested in something you see and don't want to pay the price on Etsy or in the store, let me know and we can make it together. I'm happy to send items if you're far away. Contact me if you're interested (darbyhawley@gmail.com) Shirts, bags, lunch box affirmations, cake toppers, tumblers, and much more!

Say Amen

I can't tell you just how much this song is speaking to my heart these days.   Such powerful words. What a great reminder of God's promise to be present despite the turmoil we live it. We live in a fallen world; and life is hard! I need this reminder! What a great reminder that we are not alone, and God IS AT WORK! This life is a journey we walk by faith And there will always be the mountains in our way But right here in this moment, may our strength be renewed As we recall what God has done and how we've seen Him move
If there's anybody here who's found Him faithful Anybody here who knows He's able Say Amen And if there's anybody here who's seen His power Anybody here brought through the fire Say Amen Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow Just Say AMEN!
Sometimes through the darkness, it's hard to see So just be brave and follow where He leads 'Cause greater is the one who's in us, than he who's in the world So child of God remember, the battle is the Lord's
And if there's anybody here who's found Him faithful Anybody here who knows He's able Say Amen And if there's anybody here who's seen His power Anybody here brought through the fire Say Amen Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow And seen it time and time again Then just Say AMEN!
Even in the valley of the shadow when you feel alone in the unknown Just say Amen, Just say Amen Even when the storms are raging, Stand and know your not forsaken Just say Amen, Just say Amen
Is there anybody here, Tell me is there anybody here Come on and Say Amen
And if there's anybody here who's seen His power Anybody here brought through the fire Come on and Say Amen Anybody here found joy in the middle of sorrow Peace in the storm, hope for tomorrow And seen it time and time again Just say Amen, Just say Amen!

Spicy Sweet Potato & Goat Cheese Pizza

You’ve noticed it right? If it’s packed with flavor, a little unique, and pizza…. well then I just gotta have it!  This recipe kind of came together like that.  I needed (yes that was the correct word!) pizza and I wanted something delicious and a little different like my Supermama pizza and my Basil Squash pizza. So if you were into those, then you just HAVE to try this one too :-)

Ingredients

1 sweet potato, chopped
2 cups mushrooms, chopped
2 tbs EVOO
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
sea salt
thin crust pizza crust, homemade or store bought
parmesan, shaved
1/2 cup goat cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Bring a pot of water to a boil, and cook sweet potato until tender (about 10 minutes).
2. In a skillet, saute mushrooms in 1 tbs EVOO until tender (5-ish minutes).

3. In a food processor, or blender, puree cooked sweet potato, the rest of the EVOO, red pepper flakes and a pinch of sea salt.  Spread puree onto pizza crust, and top with mushrooms, parmesan, & goat cheese.
4. Cook pizza for 10-15 minutes.
5. Enjoy!

Are You Gritty?

I saw this video and I love it. We've got to remember as women, mothers, sisters, home managers, employees, bosses.... whatever you are, Where ever it is you do what you do, to persevere, and to be filled with passion.

What I'm Lovin' Wednesday: Commercials

It's been a minute since I've posted a WILW, right? Well today I want to share with you some of my favorite commercials lately.  You may have seen them too, but they always make me smile, and I hope they do for you too :-) Happy Wednesday!

CADBURY 5 STAR 'GRADUATION' from Plank Film Productions on Vimeo.

Hawley Peeps Monthly: Month Seven

Well here we are, closer to a one year old than to newborn status.  My mind cannot understand it.  I feel like I’m digging my heels into the dirt cartoon-style, but I’m still being drug to this first birthday party.  I’m not ready.  I’m not ready. I’m not ready. As much as I try to prepare myself, and even remind myself that I have a problem with change, it doesn’t seem to work.  Why is this the fastest year of my life?! We certainly are having fun with this little girl, so that must be why.  That is what they say, right?

Month 1 ~ Month 2 ~ Month 3 ~ Month 4 ~ Month 5 ~ Month 6 Month 7- Dutch

• Really starting to babble a lot and it sounds like "mama" most of the time
• Got to see Santa for the first time at HEB 12/13/14
• At 27 weeks tried green beans for the first time and hated it (12/13/14), had it for 5 days and then tried peas and loved the peas. Tried pears and liked those
• Loves to blow raspberries, & also loves to have them blown on his tummy
• On 12/12 had 6 month appt.  He was 16 lbs and 9 ounces (26%), and 28 in (79%)
• Participated in first research study at UofH on bilingual language development
• Hums loudly while nursing, especially at night....it's hilarious
• Dutch’s school has a small Christmas pageant with lots of singing
• He takes long morning and evening naps 9-11 and 3:30-5/6
• Went to his first fancy french restaurant for moms 30th birthday
• His eyes are hazel
• Likes to hold fabric
• Likes music
• Mama loves the sound his feet make when he is laying on the floor on his belly and kicking his feet on the floor
• Responds to his name
• Found his voice and very talkative
• Loved his first Christmas,  especially all the wrapping paper (for eating not for the gifts beneath hehe).  Dutch got an: airplane, stacking cups, wooden stacking rings, pull puppy, guitar drums & piano, lots of books, rhyming bible,  wooden tool set, Bernstein bears dvd, ornaments, mama's childhood boo-boo bunny, steelers jammies
• 12/26/14 officially crawling and getting faster everyday
• On 12/31 he was diagnosed with a double ear infection. Weighed 18 lbs 1 oz
• 1/1/15 I walked around the corner and into the living room where papa bear was holding Dutch  and he clear as day said "mama" & I froze and looked at papa bear with the biggest look of shock on my face and said "what?" And he said "mama" again!
• We celebrated new years together
• You had your 1st trip to herman memorial park with daddy

Month 7- Ellis

• You really like to blow bubbles
• It's so funny to listen to you and your brother in the back of the car. You make each other laugh.  If I ever need to get you to smile for the camera (which is rare) Dutch can make you laugh in a heartbeat
• At your 6 month doctor visit you were 16 lbs (52 percentile), and 27 inches (89th percentile) and your head circumference is 42 percentile
• You are blowing your tongue all the time and making herself laugh
• I still think her favorite toy right now is the bag of wipes, or anything plastic and dangerous for babies.  You clearly like to live life on the edge :-)
• She definitely recognizes her name when it's called now
• You've got a summer cold and it's so sad to watch you struggle to breath.  You really hate the nose frida right about now.  Your cold only lasted about 2 weeks, but it was a long 2 weeks for you.
• On 7/27/16 you sat up by yourself for the first time for about 15 seconds
• You really like to sing (at least that is what it sounds like), especially in the car
• Ellis slept on her belly for the first time 7/27/16
• I have switched most of your jammies to 9 month because you're just too long for anything else.  If I have you in 6 month jammies your legs have to stay bent :-\ For the most part your shirts and oneies are 3-6 months, but you will be outgrowing that size very soon.
• If you're wearing disposables (like when you're sick right now) you've graduated to size 3.
• Eyes are turning more brown and less green
• Daddy gave you you're first  taste of real food and let you lick a bite of cheese.  It didn't seem to phase you
• If I stand behind you as a spotter, you can hold onto the couch by yourself standing
• Your hair is definitely starting to grow and get dark again.  It now is starting to hang over your ears.  I look forward to when I can put your hair in pigtails.
• After being a little sick, with mama, you started sleeping on your tummy.  But now I think that is your preference (like mama & Dutch)
• You are really starting to talk a lot.  You babble back and forth with us and it is so funny.  It’s like you are actually conversing with us in your own language
• I think right now you're definitely a mama's girl.  You really like to be with mama.  It makes me so happy that I can be the one that makes you feel safe and secure.  I pray that it is always this way little one.
• You absolutely love plastic, chip bags, shipping packaging, wipe bags.....The sound makes you so happy!
• Ellis is up at 7:20 am everyday smiling at me
• We went to the beach with you and your brother for the first time.  I got to nurse you on the beach; it was something that I've always wanted to do. We dipped your legs into the ocean and let you feel the sand.  I don't think you thought too much of it, but it didn't scare you or anything.  You were very calm and looked around taking it all in.  You were very sleepy at the end of the day; I think seeing all of the new stimulation really wore you out.