Since it’s Friday, you know we must keep things consistent around here and dive into your usual Things I’m Loving Friday post where we all chat about the things that make us smile each week. Below you will find a short list of the things I’m currently loving (plus a holiday giveaway!) and I’d love for you to join in the fun in the comments section!
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Chase’s Four Month Checkup
On Monday, we headed into Chase’s pediatrician’s office for his four-month checkup. Everything is lookin’ good and I left feeling a million times better about everything from Chase’s small size to his less-than-stellar naps, challenging breastfeeding sessions (he’s so easily distracted!) and the fact that he’s still waking up to feed two times a night.
(He loves pulling my hair whenever I wear it down! Check out that handful!)
It is so incredibly easy to second guess everything about yourself as a parent when you’re a mom and having our doctor tell me Chase is doing great and I am not failing at life was so helpful. Chase also seems to be growing like crazy… Though he is still under 13 pounds, he has more than doubled his birth weight and is in the 78th percentile for his height. (What!?) According to my mother-in-law, Chase’s light weight and long little body are so similar to Ryan as a baby. When he’s awake, Chase doesn’t stop moving and absolutely loves to push off everything and be held standing up at all times. Our pediatrician commented on Chase’s activity level and said he’s clearly a determined little mover. We have a playful little dude on our hands, that’s for sure!
My thoughtful friend Merri brought this advent calendar with her as a special holiday gift for us when she came to visit last month and it’s easily the best advent calendar I’ve ever seen! Each day is filled with a chocolate surprise, but they aren’t your basic small chocolate squares. The treats range from chocolate-covered pretzel bites to chocolate-covered Oreos and sea salt caramels. They’re absolutely delicious. Thanks, Mer!
- Coconut Oil Peppermint Bark
A couple of days ago, I had a serious craving for something sweet and whipped up a batch of peppermint bark in the kitchen using only coconut oil, cocoa powder, peppermint extract and maple syrup and it was AWESOME. I’ll definitely share this one with you guys soon! It was so easy and a perfect festive treat! In the meantime, if you’re hoping to making peppermint bark this weekend check out this tasty throwback recipe: Peppermint Bark.
I don’t know how they do it, but month after month Fabletics somehow debuts new adorable workout apparel that I always seem to love. These black ice capris from their December collection are fantastic! Though I love funky patterns and vibrant colors on my workout capris and leggings, black bottoms will always be my favorite, so I love this take on simple black bottoms. You get a little spice and variety but keep the simple, flattering look of black workout bottoms.
- Candied Pecan Chex Mix
I have been on a Chex mix fix lately! I made another batch of Chex mix this week and it was wonderful! I followed Gimme Some Oven’s recipe for Candied Pecan Chex Mix and could not stop eating it. (I omitted the pretzels simply because we didn’t have any on hand and I also added almonds.) Ryan also gave it rave reviews. So good!
- Of Possible Interest
** Apparently the code I shared on my White Plum Giveaway post earlier this week wasn’t working for the first few hours but it’s back in action! You may use the code PBGIVE25 to receive 25% off everything from White Plum through December 15! And there’s still time to enter my giveaway!
** 14 Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes (Can’t get enough of them lately!)
** Interesting infographic about brands working with bloggers
** The PickFit app is giving away $75 Rent the Runway gift certificates! To be entered to win, post your outfit picture to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #PickfitRTR!
- Minted Holiday Cards + Giveaway
Our holiday cards arrived on Tuesday this week! I love the way they turned out and can’t wait to send them to our closest friends and family. Like last year, we ordered them through Minted, though this year Minted offered to collaborate with me and extend an awesome giveaway to you guys, too! If you are hoping to order holiday cards and haven’t done so yet, definitely check out Minted! Their designs are absolutely gorgeous and you can order everything from letterpress holiday cards to foil pressed designs (<—we did this last year!), all uniquely created by independent artists.
From the gorgeous fonts, quality paper and beautiful designs, you cannot go wrong with Minted holiday cards. (And they also have awesome gifts! I ordered this foil collage with photos of Chase for Ryan for Christmas… And made him promise not to read this post today!) Now that I’ve professed my love for Minted, I think we should get to that giveaway I mentioned above…
Three PBF readers will win a $100 credit to Minted to use toward their holiday cards!
To enter this giveaway, please click here to enter on Minted.com and leave a comment on this blog post telling me about one thing you are looking forward to this holiday season. We will randomly select three winners on Monday so you can order your cards ASAP!
Good luck!
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I would use the credit towards save the dates- my fiance and I need to send out save the dates right after the holidays
I’m a first year law student and I’m looking forward to relaxing after a tough first semester! One week until I’m done!
This Christmas I’m looking forward to slowing down with my family. We just had our third child, he was born 5 weeks early, so the last few weeks have been a bit of a blur. Having some down time with my hubby, baby boy and two daughters is going to be nice. No hustle and bustle this year. We are keeping it low key and no stress. Yay!
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Minted has beautiful cards. I haven’t even thought about getting out a Christmas card this year but we are attempting newborn and family photos this week and would definitely use it for a holiday card/baby announcement if given the chance.
I’m excited to spend this Christmas as my first one being married!
I’m looking forward to our first Christmas in our first house!!
I can’t wait for my baby to see all the holiday lights. Anything sparkly or shiny is usually a big hit!
omg your Christmas card is adorable!!! I can’t wait until I can finally have a dog and do an xmas photo with him/her! Or a husband… but I really want a dog 😉
Your hair is gorgeous!! Do you use a wand? I have tried everything to get loose curls like that!
Celebrating with friends and family!
I can’t wait to watch White Christmas with my sister!
Can’t wait to spend time with my family <3
I’m so ready for cool weather and holiday cookies!
Thanks for hosting, Julie!
I’m really looking forward to skiing in northern Michigan with my family over the holidays. Nothing better than quality family time. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Adorable card Julie! I am looking forward to my mom’s christmas cookies and fudge 🙂
I’m looking forward to my family’s annual viewing of A Charlie Brown Christmas and Christmas Vacation!
I’m looking forward to celebrating with my husband with a quiet Christmas at home… our last as just the two of us 🙂
Adorable Christmas cards! I’m most looking forward to spending time with family. My grandma father passed away a week before Thanksgiving, so I’m hoping to soak up a lot of family time and make sure my meme feels a lot of love. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas!
I will be in the hospital on Christmas following a c-section scheduled for right before Christmas. I am looking forward to snuggling my new gift from God. Thanks!
My little girls Christmas program!
Love your Christmas card! I am looking forward to a day in Nyc this week to see Elf the musical!! Can’t wait to see it all decorated 🙂
Christmas morning is always the best!! I look forward to spending quality time with my family, eating my dad’s AMAZING cinnamon rolls, and of course opening presents. Best day of the year!!
I am most looking forward to seeing Christmas through the eyes of my child for the first time – he’s 6 months;)
I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends.
Hi Mama,
Just wanted to remind you that you are doing great! Breastfeeding is hard, but if you just listen to yourself and trust your son, you guys will nail it! Here’s an article that might be interesting to you regarding how often Chase is eating 🙂 http://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/twitter-and-blog/the-dangerous-game-of-the-feeding-interval-obsession
Also, just a friendly remind to keep an eye on the amount of peppermint you have. It’s delicious, but too much can affect your supply and that would be super sad 🙁 There’s always SOMETHING when you’re breastfeeding, right?! haha 🙂
Happy weekend!
Adorable card! I am looking forward to spending 11 days off with my one-year old!
We have been going thru the less than stellar naps here too— I have also learned that I have to feed E in a room with no distractions, becuase it is common for babes their age to just want to look at everything!! And I think feeding 2x a night is still pretty normal. It is soo hard to second guess ourselves as mothers, but remember you are doing great! Its easy to start comparing to other moms/babes, but we have to remember, every baby is so different!! I cannot wait until the holiday season to snuggle with my baby. I miss him terribly when I am at daycare!
I am looking forward to watching holiday movies and spending some quality time with my parents.
I always love watching cheesy Hallmark Channel Christmas movies this time of year 🙂
I love getting holiday cards in the mail- nothing better than checking the mailbox during December!
I’m looking forward to having a weekend of no plans but the husband is home to play with the babe too 🙂 What did the pediatrician say about Chase’s naps, if you don’t mind me asking?
I am so excited to be spending this holiday with my family and especially my boyfriend since this is our first Christmas living together! We would love to send out cards to celebrate this happy time in our lives.
I love reading holiday cards – one of the best parts of the season!
Such a cutie pie!!
I’m looking forward to everyone coming home (from college) and we can all be in the house together!
I’m looking forward to being with family 🙂
I always love the Christmas season because it brings my family together and I always look forward to that the most.
I am looking forward to family time since it is my 3 month olds first Christmas! So exciting! Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas!
I am looking forward to a little time off work. 🙂
Julie- Love love your black and white vest! Where is it from?
Your card is so cute!!
I got those black ice Fabletics in the leggings–I love ’em!
I love Christmas time for all the reasons–celebrating Christ, family time, yummy food, chillin’, seeing my daughter(s) eyes during the magic of it all, etc. <3
Chase is so adorable! I am 30 weeks pregnant so I am looking forward to heading home to FL to see my family and having a baby shower for our little one.
Ready for a BREAK from work and time with my family and hubby!
Your card is adorable! I’m looking forward to spending time with family and baking Christmas cookies! YUM
I am looking forward to being with family. My brother, sister and myself, all live in different states so it will be nice to get everyone together for the holidays. Also, can’t wait to see my niece and nephews!
Those cards are to die for cute! I’m looking forward to making the holiday season one day longer in our family through my wedding on Jan 2!
I am looking forward to time with my boys and celebrating the little one’s first Christmas.
I’m looking forward to going to the Nutcracker with my mom! This has been our favorite holiday tradition since I was a little girl.. I love that now I get to take her! Oh the joys of adult-ing 🙂
Woah that peppermint bark looks awesome!!
i’m looking forward to finally being done with classes!!! (med school)
I always look forward to watching the kids open presents! I only wish it lasted longer!
I am looking forward to celebrating my daughters first Christmas! She’s only going to be 4 months old but I’m still so excited! Thanks for all your giveaways!