No Napping Madeliene..........

Welp! No napping Madeleine is back, and I really hope she goes away! It seems that our regular, daily naps are becoming more and more sporadic. KILL ME NOW!!! I still try daily to put her down in her crib for a nap, but she usually just spends an hour running or jumping in her crib. Plus, she likes to talk or sing to herself. At least, mommy gets a little quiet time!
 
The only good thing that comes from no naps, are early bedtimes. Hallelujah <raises arms in the air>. I've been trying desperately everyday to make sure that little gremlin is tried out by the end of the day... parks, beach, play group, and running around the house and backyard. This chick does not tire!

Yesterday we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach (and yes, yes, I was singing and rapping to Snoop Dogg in my car as I was rolling through the hood. And yes, I might have sped through the hood to get out of their faster!). Ok, there are two ways that a toddler, mainly Madeleine, can act in public, 1.) she is calm, cool, listens to me, and overall doesn't embarrass me while I'm out mingling with other civilized human beings. 2.) She completely loses her shit and acts like she has no sense! Complete melt down city! FYI, there is a third scenario, and this usually happens just about every day; 1 & 2 happen! She surprised me most of the time and was on her best behavior! She did lose her shit when she wanted to just ride up and down the elevator. Look chick, I didn't drive 50 minutes and pay $22, so you could ride an elevator! You better look at the sea creatures!! 

I thought for sure she would nap in the car on the ride home. NOPE. She sang her little heart out to Kings of Leon and fell asleep 5 minutes before we got home. I tried to do a successful transfer from the car to the crib. HA! NO NAP FOR YOU! (said in the soup nazi's voice).

Well today is one of those rare days where she is napping so I'm going to take advantage of some free time and get some stuff done. And by stuff, I mean Netflix and Pinterest. 

Orlando Pita..........

I mentioned earlier that my friend, Marie, sent some beauty products that her company makes and distributes. One of the products was the Orlando Pita; Full Volume Boosting shampoo and conditioner.

Here is the low down; IT WORKS!!! It definitely gives you the volume factor, and it gives you volume all over your hair, not just at the roots. This is great for people that don't have thick hair and want a little Va Voom action. I also think it works better when it's properly "styled." I rarely blow dry my hair and usually throw it up in a top knot or pony tail (I like to call this the "mommy hair"). I did blow dry and use a round brush (the extent of my hair styling abilities) once, and it looked great! Of course I didn't manage to get a picture :(

The only reason I probably won't be using this product regularly is because, I don't do anything with my hair (lazy mommy), and it already has some thickness to it. I really don't need anymore volume, nut if you have thin hair this might be something worth a try. I am going to give his Argan Gloss shampoo and conditioner a try. I feel this will be better suited to my hair, because it's a little more dry out here in Cali, than TX, and the sun dries out my hair. I figure if the volume products work, than the gloss products should work great!

If you want to try out any of the Orlando Pita hair products you can buy at your local Costco, Costco online (you do not have to be a member) or Beauty's Most Wanted website.

 
The next products I'll be writing about are the Pati Dubroff Star Palettes. Lets just say...... LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

*I was not paid by HATCH BEUATY, Beauty's Most Wanted, or anyone else for this review. These are my own opinions :)

Netflix............

Ok people, I was going to get back to you guys last week about some more products that my friend, Marie, sent me, buuuuuuttttt I have been in the middle of a Netflix binge. I started watching Sons of Anarchy a few weeks ago, and I thought for sure I would not be a fan (motorcycles aren't my thaaaang!). Well, I was wrong!!!! I turned into a complete junky for this show.

I caught myself staying up until 3am watching and then watching in the morning before Madeleine woke up. I was putting Madeleine down for naps early when I knew she wasn't ready for one. I even turned down the volume on the baby monitor when I would hear her wake up. I would be in almost tears on the days she didn't nap, because I knew I wouldn't be able to watch (side note: I think it's just down right RUDE for children not to nap!). I would ignore phone calls from friends. DON'T JUDGE ME!

I was on the verge of trading in Morgan's truck for a motorcycle just so he could join a motorcycle club <insert the drama here>. I was yearning for Morgan to call me his "Old Lady," in the endearing way, not "Hey, old lady, you're old!" I almost went on an all black and leather shopping spree. You guys get the idea.......

I binge watched 5 seasons and then got super pissed, because season 6 isn't on Netflix yet. Say what?!?! Netflix, you mean to tell me that I couldn't even catch up on the latest season yet?!?! How is this an acceptable way to live? Who do we have to call to get this rectified? Councilmen, Senators, the Marines, the President? The injustice! I was this close to biting the bullet and paying for them on Amazon, buuuuuuut I was being cheap. But, if season 6 is not out by mid-September, I RIOT!!! Just kidding, I'll pay for them on Amazon ;)

The kicker.... Morgan hasn't seen season 5, so I get to re-watch them with him on the weekends. I win! I will be singing this on the weekends..............

I actually had a point to make on this post. I will be writing part one of my review for the Orlando Pita Volume Boosting Shampoo & Conditioner (I''ll explain why it's a two-part review). I'm hoping to have it up by tomorrow night. I better stay off Netflix! 

23 Months...........

This little beauty is 23 months, which means she will be two next month (getting teary eyed as I type this). Oh my how time has flown by. It feels like yesterday that I was in my last few weeks of pregnancy, and we were getting ready for her arrival. Now, she's almost two, talking up a storm, giving me sass, and entertaining us all day. STOP GROWING!!!!

Last year for her first birthday, we (and by we, I mean, ME) did the whole big birthday party. Family and friends came from out of town, we had tons of cupcakes, food and COCKTAILS! Lets be honest, that was really more my party than her's. Since we are in California this year, we have decided to take her to the San Diego Zoo for her second birthday. I'm sure she will have a blast (at least I'm hoping). We have these great Melissa & Doug blocks that she loves to stack, and she knows all the animals on the blocks, so I think she'll get a kick out of seeing some in person. I think it will be nice to have a low key birthday, because I know as she gets older and realizes what a birthday is, she will expect an actual party ;)

That's all I got for you today peeps. I'm waiting for sleeping beauty to wake up, so I can go running. See ya'll later this week!

Jenna Hipp Nail Polish...........

It has been a little while since I've last updated. I'll fill you guys in real quick...... Music and art class, play group, and tons of time at the beach. That has been our whole summer, so far. Since it's been pretty warm here lately, we have either been at the beach or soaking up free air conditioning at Target or Costco.

Which brings me to my topic today........

Now, I will admit that I am notorious for buying "impulse buys" when I'm at Costco (ie. tupperware, luggage, 12 lbs of greek yogurt dip). Last week we were doing one of our Costco runs and they had the Jenna Hipp Brights mini nail polish 8-piece set on sale for $7.99. Well, who would pass up a deal like that?!?! Not me.... NOPE! I'm the one that just stuck 12 lbs of greek yogurt dip in her basket. Plus, I had been wanting to try out her nail polish for a while.

Let me just say, I LURVE (love) these nail polishes! First, the bright colors are perfect for summer!! Second, they are "quick dry" formulated, and I'm not lying... they dry quick. They dry so quick that I actually painted Madeleine's nails with them, and I wasn't afraid she'd smudge them all over my sofa! The quick dry formula is great for applying that second coat, which was all I needed. Two coats... Hallelujah! I like that the nail polish is so smooth. I'm like Goldie Locks, I like my nail polish not too thick and not too thin. These were just right!

I was a little skeptical after I painted my nails that they were going to chip by the end of the day. I am one of those girls that is super hard on her hands and I always chip or smear my mani. It took me a whole five days to get my first chip and that was only because one of my nails broke. I also didn't use a top coat to finish, so maybe next time I'll try one. My next purchase will be her New Moderns collection, they look like some great neutral colors and would transition well for the fall season. And lets be honest..... I love a good Costco purchase!

Here are a few pictures of my nails, toes and the nail polishes I used:

Left: Ain't Life Grape; Right: I Surf With Boys

Jenna Hipp: Ain't Life Grape

Jenna Hipp: I Surf With Boys

So, it's a small and cool world....... My high school friend, Marie, works for HATCH BEAUTY, which is the company that makes and distributes Jenna Hipp's nail polishes, and they are the company behind the Beauty's Most Wanted products at Costco. How cool is that?!?! When she saw that I posted my new nail polishes she sent me a few more products to play around with and get my opinions about. I'll let you guys know later this week.

*You can purchase at your local Costco, Costco website (you do not have to be a member to purchase online) or Beauty's Most Wanted site.

**Disclaimer: I was not paid by HATCH BEUATY, Beauty's Most Wanted, or anyone else for this review. These are my own opinions :)

Fun Times with a Toddler......

This week has been pretty standard with our usual play group meet-ups, music class, and beach time, but this week we started an art class. Let me tell you, homegirl had a blast! The instructor set up 6 different art stations and they could do whatever they would like, for as along as they would like. We only had one little cry session, because she didn't want to share the basket of colored rings. (This whole sharing thing is going to be the death of me! I thought teething would kill me, NOPE!). I don't mean so sound braggy or anything, but clearly she was the most gifted child in the class, hahaha. Just kidding...kind of :) I didn't bring my phone into class but here are a few of her masterpieces.....

I'm already running out of fridge space. Any suggestions for a cute way to display kids' artwork? 

Well, that was the extent of our exciting week, so I thought that I'd share a few 'funny' Madeleine stories. I may over share with some of these stories, but I'm being honest and sharing all these new things I'm learning while trying to raise a gremlin toddler. Enjoy!

*This week Madeleine has been taking off her diaper during naps and at night. One night, she took her diaper off and when I went in her room in the morning, she looks at the dirty diaper in the corner of her crib, and says, "Oops!" I immediately say, "Bye!" and walk out of her room (Uh, who wants to deal with that mess before your morning coffee or Spark?!? Not me!). She responds, "Have fun!"
Ummmm..... Did she just sass me?!?! I had no choice, but to laugh :)

*She is really into hiding right now. Her new favorite hiding spot is under Chili's bed. She will physically pull up Chili's bed and get under it.

*Painted my nails blue while she was napping, and when she woke up and noticed my nails she said, "Ewww." <insert side eye glare>

*While I was putting clothes away, she managed to get her hands on some old lip liner and eye liner and make "art" all over the wall. Her reply when I catch her, "Uh oh," points to her handy work, and says, "Momma, Fishy!" I guess she was drawing a fish

*I've been trying to ask her on a daily basis about our friends and family, and show her pictures, just so she won't forget them. When I ask her where people are, she tries to say, "home," but it comes out "Hoooeee!" HAHAHA. If you follow me on Instagram you'll know what I'm talking about (nicolejordan14).

*While trying to tell her not to pull Chili's ears, I let out a fart, (yes, I'm human....I pass gas!). She goes behind me and lifts the back of my dress and says, "Poop?" and then runs laughing. I can no longer fart in front of her! I know have to run to another room if gas is a brewing, she has shamed me!!!!

Enjoy your weekend folks!

Beach Weekend.......

Hope you all had a great 4th of July, we sure did. On Friday, we were at our beach ALL DAY!!! Morgan woke up early and went down to set our stuff up, so we would have a spot. He said he heard people say they were down there around 6:30 setting up. NOPE, too early! Either way he set up in a great spot. After he set up he came back and made us his big breakfast (I LOVE THIS MAN!). After we stuffed ourselves on star pancakes, eggs and fruit we packed all the snacks and went down to our spot. We were down there 5 hours!!! Thank goodness for sunscreen and the umbrellas! Look at this little beach babe.....

After we came back, showered, and napped we went over to a friend's house to visit. There were puppies there that were actually her size and she went crazy!!! She kept saying, "puppa!!!" and kept trying to pick them up. She was even able to walk them on a leash. This kept her busy for a little over an hour... WIN!! I'm surprised she didn't try to take one home. (Chili sniffed her up and down when we got home later). Look at little Miss Liberty and her crown......

From there we headed back down to our spot on the beach for fireworks. By this time it was close to 9pm and Madeleine was getting a little cranky, so we had to bust out the big guns.... Ice cream! It's a holiday, right?!?! That satisfied her for the rest of the night and we were able to watch the fireworks. It was nice to lounge on the beach and watch fireworks all along the coast. It was a pretty sight! We thought Madeleine might get scared by the loud noises but she watched for about 10 minutes, and then started burying her feet in the sand. Hey, whatever kept her entertained!

Saturday we headed to Coronado Island, Breakers beach, to hang out with some marine friends. I had hoped that Madeleine would have napped during the car ride because it was a little over an hour trip. NOPE! So, I was expecting a toddler melt down at any moment, but she surprised us and did pretty well. I think the fact that there were a lot of kids helped us. Again, another long day at the beach, but a fun one! I even managed to play a few rounds of flip cup with Madeleine on my hip (classy!). I got no pictures because my phone died :(

Sunday was spent sleeping in and relaxing. Madeleine was so exhausted from the weekend that she fell asleep in her trike/scooter. Excuse her hot mess-ness, she had watermelon and a Plum Go bar on her ride.

Well, that was our weekend. I've gotta go get in a run and burn some of these calories off! UGH! See ya'll soon.