Mommy's Timeout Chair

Edward: What do I want?

Me: (my cue) What DO you want, Edward?

Edward: kher-kher (said without moving his mouth or looking me in the eye)

Me: what?

Edward: coo-kher

Me: Excuse me, what?

Edward: kher-key?

Me: Cookie? Do you want a cookie?

Edward: Oh cookie! Okay! Thank you Mommy.


Ahhhh, I need a time-out for every time I fall for his adorable toddler trickery.

Who's ready for Spring y'all?? 



{image via The Handbook Authority}

Sea Island Candy

I've spent the better part of the morning fending off requests for marshmallows and suckers from  a certain delusional toddler.  I'm not sure where he got the idea that these were appropriate breakfast foods, but he is completely shocked and appalled that I have denied these requests.  Each denial comes with about 10 minutes of melodrama followed by a momentary distraction where he's okay, and then he comes back and asks again like it's the first time we're having this discussion.  It's all very exhausting and has me longing for a vacation to my happy place, Sea Island.  

Edward frolicking in front of the beach cottages last summer - much happier than he is this morning

So I'm taking y'all with me to stay at this delicious cottage that my super talented real estate finding sister, Lulu, found and sent me a while back.  

 

 

 

Here are some larger images from the virtual tour:

 

Ahh, Sea Island, I'm missin' you like candy ...

 

* For more on this cottage see here

* For more on my love of Sea Island see here

 

 

So baby, come to me 

Show me who you are 

Sweet to me 

Like sugar to my heart, baby 

I'm cravin' for you 

I'm missin' you like candy
 

You know who you are 

Your love's as sweet as candy 

I'll be forever yours 

Love always, Mandy

It's Christmas!!!

Tuesday Pretties

1/2/3/4/5/6


Morning y'all! These images make me feel very happy and inspired.  Jewel-toned velvet and gold, floor to ceiling pattern, a gorgeous marble bathroom that still feels warm, my NY dream home, a perfect bedroom, and the grandest burl wood piano. All make my heart go pitter-patter. 

So yesterday, I was at Barnes & Noble attempting to get a few last minute gifts when Edward discovered some toys that he desperately wanted.  Naturally, he screamed at the top of his lungs the loudest ear-piercing scream I've ever heard.  I'm pretty sure the entire store turned around in fear that I was kidnapping him.  It was one of those awesome mom moments where you are equal-parts mortified and helpless because you know that this kid has nothing better to do than to get you to buy him a toy.  So I dropped everything and walked out of the store, but this time, instead of being furious and annoyed, I held him tight and gave him lots of kisses.  Because everything has changed.

This Little Light of Mine

I don't know about y'all, but my heart is still heavy.  I've cried a lot of tears for the people of Newtown, CT.  A lot.  It's all very hard.  But I also know that the best thing I can do is to try to be a light in the darkness.  It's a lot easier to do when I have my own little light to brighten up my day.  The picture above is from Christmas last year and I just love the sweet, innocence of his little face.  So hopefully tomorrow I'll be back to my silly pretty picture posting self, so I can bring you a little break from the sadness I know we are all feeling. 

Moodboard Monday: Edward's Big Boy Room

Morning y'all!  Edward has been taking quite an interest in his future big boy room lately.  I think it's because all of his books are in there, but he spends a lot of time in it even though there are no toys.  So Kip and I are talking about maybe getting it ready for him to move in after Christmas.  There's no hurry, but maybe if it's his idea the transition will be smoother (clearly the tactic of making men think it's their idea starts very early on).  I loved the big boy/playroom I did for him in the old house (above).  I'd like to do something similar minus the toys. 

Here is some of my inspiration:

 

I've loved this layered dorm room since it first debuted in NY Magazine in 2009.  I love the layers, the unabashed prep, and the amazing use of small space.  I'm sort of going for a preppy dorm room vibe for Edward. 

via Cote de Texas

Antelope carpet.  I'm campaigning for it big time.  Kip thinks it's ugly.  I have no idea why.  I think he is just leery of animal print in general, but I love how it makes this room. 

Love the clean crisp feeling of this room from one of my favorite houses by Cathy Kincaid. (see the entire house here).  The goal for Edward's room is to eventually have twin beds although we just have one for right now.  I love the leather chair and the white walls. 

Other elements Kip and I want for Edward's room: Robertson tartan (to remind him of his roots, plus it's awesome), a desk for all of his scholarly endeavors, and I'd like to switch out the canned light in the middle of the room for a flush mount light (no chandeliers for this little monkey, way too tempting for him).

So here's sort of a quick roundup of ideas. 

My in-laws have the Professor's Leather Chair from Restoration Hardware that you see above.   It is really tiny and perfect for a small space, but then you sit in it and it is soo comfortable.  It's the kind of chair he could have forever so I'll probably be campaigning for that as well. 

We probably won't start on that until after Christmas.  Until then I'll be gathering more inspiration on Pinterest and in Ralph Lauren ads.  Have a lovely day!

Have a Super Fantastic Weekend!

{my new Juliska Country Estate platter from The Suze}

{such a happy little snow scene, right?}

Morning y'all! Ok, call me crazy, but I started another blog.  I know, right?  It's a family blog for all of the family and friends we have across the country.  It's also for me because I have pictures scattered across three different photo web sites and this is actually a much more efficient way for me to keep all of the stories and memories in one place - important things like baby giggles and meeting the Cat in the Hat.

You see, every day I take a cute picture and/or video of Edward, and yes, it's overkill, but I feel the need to text said picture to various text groups in my phone.  Kip's family, then my family, then my friends, then Kip's extended family, etc.  I end up telling the same story four or five times a day.  Why not just send it to one big text group, you ask?  Because some people (The Suze) don't always pay attention to who's attached to the text, and reply to all something random like, "Hey, will somebody bring me a sandwich?" (that happened)  I'm not even kidding, one time she included the Dean of my sister's school on a text play-by-play of Edward getting his haircut with pictures. 

So I created This Family Robertson to keep a record of our family.  It won't affect this blog at all.  I won't even be updating it every day.  It's definitely more personal and I debated about keeping it private, but I feel like that would make it harder on some of the family members who barely know how to get on the internets, so I'm keeping it open to the world for now.  If you love Edward or care about things we think are fun, but no one else will, you can check it out, but most of y'all will probably find it pretty boring.  Ok, just wanted to let you know in the most long-winded explanation possible! Ha!

Enjoy the rest of these linkies with some holiday drinkies:

The Suze just sent us this Juliska Country Estate platter for Christmas and I absolutely love it!

Dubstep Christmas Lights - Yes. This is awesome.

GIFT GUIDE #1: stuff toddlers like 

Pretty table settings

GIFT GUIDE #2: Gifts that give back

These beauty picks make me want to go out and buy all new make-up

Just a nice little tartan roundup for ya

Blue & White Christmas

GIFT GUIDE #3:  What people really need

This dancing dog is just so silly

Christmas in Newport is real fancy and I love it

A real person's house is all ready for Christmas with blue and white

Oh Jeffrey Bilhuber and Mark D. Sikes, how I love thee

And more!

All about white beds - my obsession

Definitely going to have to try this birthday cake popcorn

Scottish Style is good

GIFT GUIDE #4: Under $100 and I'll take one of each

This DIY is making me want to spray paint something red

Tartan is the new black

Note: this is my 3rd link to something tartan-related.  I have a problem.

Gorgeous black and gold images

weird that there was no Missouri Tigers included 

5 Top Secrets to Getting More Done 

A big congratulations to my friends (in my head) Kate & Wills on their baby news!!!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about this

I am so excited for Les Miserables

I literally cry every time I see the trailer.  

It is the most beautiful soundtrack every written in my opinion.

Halloween 2012 Recap

Morning y'all! Boy am I a Scrooge! I'm not a big Halloween person.  I don't know why, I'm just not.  The only time I ever got into it was in law school when we had a crazy Halloween party.  Every year I went as Britney.  I met Kip at the first Halloween party, which makes for an awesome story, and, for that, Brit Brit is a truly important part of my life's historical narrative.  So maybe for that reason alone, I should change my attitude because one of my top five life moments happened on Halloween. 

Anyway, yesterday was one of those awesome toddler days.  Awesome in the sense that you're like, "um hey who are you and what did you do with my sweet Edward??" I found myself saying No A LOT.  Like, "No, you may not put all of your dinosaurs in the toilet!" or "No, put down that chair."  And he found himself screaming all his wants and desires rather than asking in a normal tone.  I say this not to complain, but to complain.

"Mommy's a fun-hater"

Ignore the mess in the picture above.  Edward made it, not me.  It was just one of those days.  (I also caught whatever flu/general malaise Kip had the day before so that was not helping).

Soo despite the fact that everybody was crabby, we managed attempt to get into the Halloween spirit.  Kip carved pumpkins.  I usually help, but I wasn't feeling so hot so I helped Edward draw his pumpkin on the right and traced his hands.

It was our first Halloween in the new neighborhood so we weren't sure what to expect.  My plan was to answer the door in my Bieber shirt so the young girls would be like, "that mom is a cool mom.  I want to babysit for her." 

I didn't anticipate Edward hiding every time trick-or-treators rang the doorbell. 

Soo instead I was the childless lady answering the door in a Bieber t-shirt, which may have been kind of creepy.   One mom talked to me all about how impressed she was with the Bieber concert and his tour schedule.  I hope I run into her at the park.  We'd probably be good friends.  And I did get a "BIEBER!!!" from a dad on the sidewalk, but overall I'm pretty sure most people weren't sure about my whole non-costume/Bieber shirt situation. 

Speaking of non-costume, I brought home multiple costumes for Edward to wear.  He reacted with fear and anger.  He wouldn't even let me get them near him with those things.  

Kip tried to entice him to wear last year's pumpkin costume. 

Edward loved it.  But still refused to wear it. 

Luckily, I had one last trick up my sleeve. 

Superman pajamas from Old Navy (they have cute little boy pjs right now y'all).  Even though we weren't trick or treating, I needed something to put on Facebook so I wouldn't be left out of the Cute Kids in Costumes Parade. 

So I dressed Edward up as my brother, Uncle Bo Bo circa 1987. 

It was an "iconic" moment for our family.  Anyone who knew our family during that time, knew my brother wore his Superman pajamas everywhere.  Kip's family said Kip had Superman pajamas when he was little, too.  Apparently, Kip thought he could fly and jumped into a wall the first time he wore them. 

Like father, like son:

So while no one was really in the mood for Halloween, we still managed to have some fun without upsetting Edward, and bring back some really wonderful memories on both sides of our family. There's always next year.

And now 'Tis the Season! And I couldn't be happier!

P.S.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people affected by Sandy who didn't get Halloween.  I will do better next year, if for no other reason, than because you never know when something can be taken right out from under you. 

Happy 2nd Birthday My Sweet Edward!

May you always be sweet and silly, adventurous and a mama's boy ;) 

I love you more than you can ever imagine.  I'm so proud to be your mama.  

P.S. This year we're going to brush up on your knock knock jokes 

Have a Lovely Weekend Y'all!

via Pinterest (sorry) 

How much fun does that look?! Total genius move there.  I hope to have some fun this weekend.  We've been exhausted and sick this week and have been stuck in doors.  My friend Jenny at MFAMB posted this week about how summer isn't the same as it used to be, carefree and easy and a time to use your imagination (you can read it here, it will leave you nostalgic for your childhood summers).  So this picture is for her because I know she likes pools where the grass meets the water and because I don't want her to stop blogging altogether.  Her post also made me grateful for the neighborhood we live in.  Say what you will about Kansas City (I used to think very little of it before I visited), but it is a wonderful place to live and to raise your kids.  Even though we're technically in the 'burbs we're still only about 10 - 15 minutes from downtown.  Our new neighborhood has a farm with a ladder on the fence so the kids can climb over and play (as long as there's no cows) and I see kids playing outside and walking up and down the street as late as 9 o'clock at night.  It's one of my favorite things about summer here! Anyway, I hope y'all have a chance to get outdoors and swim or play.  If you find yourself stuck inside, check out my totally random links for this week:

THANK YOU for all of the advice on the chandelier sitch! Y'all are the best! I'm thinking of going to Goodwill to find some brass stuff on which to practice different techniques. 

 I'm intrigued by this technique I found on (where else?) Pinterest - they had me at french. 

I have been using this night cream since I got back from Sea Island and it's a miracle worker! 

Beautiful description of a summer dream escape when life gets hectic. 

plus one of my favorite blue and white rooms 

Summer Children

Love this blue and white chinoiserie bathroom

Cookie monster singing call me maybe = special bonding moment between Edward and me 

Love these blue and white tops

Guess what y'all? You don't always have to make your bed! 

Sitting pretty indeed

only the most perfectest post ever 

P.S. I just have to document this somewhere, but Edward saw a cat for the the first time the other day (at least I'm pretty sure it was the first time judging by his reaction) and he literally started laughing hysterically like an old man, like shoulders shaking up and down, deep guffaw.  

Home Again, Home Again

jiggety jig


Morning y'all! I'm so glad to be back to the blog.  We had such a fun time in Sea Island.  As I've mentioned before it's my happy place.  It's a lot different for me now because I have a toddler.  Where I used to bring 4 books to the beach and alternate after each chapter, I now spend a lot of time in the kid's pool negotiating toy swaps and soothing Edward's tears as he realizes everyone in the pool has cooler toys than he does.  I also didn't gain the requisite 5 - 7 lbs that I usually gain on this trip since I spent quite a bit of time chasing the munchkin.  He's fast y'all!

Ok lots of pictures mainly of Edward! If you follow me on Instagram you've seen these, but since there's only a few of y'all I'm going to repost them here.  (I have my Instagram set to private on account of all of the Edward pics I take, sometimes nakey.)  Also, I forgot my big girl camera battery so all I had was my iPhone. boo.

I had to make sure I packed the following items: Finn MicMissile, "cellphone" (just a piece of foam that Edward uses to call his Dad when he's out of town - this despite having two actual play cellphones and an iPod Touch), dinosaur, "Bus-Car" - they go together, always, and train.  How did I end up with a boy again? 

The marsh view from our house was beautiful.  Unfortunately, it didn't last.  The first night we were there a tiny (huge) mouse ran over The Suze's foot and sent all of us flying on top of the furniture.  The Suze hates mice more than anything in the world.  Now, it is not widely talked about, but I would venture to guess that most Sea Island homes have had a mouse or two.  It's part of the deal, but The Cloister, nonetheless, pretended to be absolutely horrified and moved us to a gorgeous beach front condo.  They were beyond accommodating and helpful! Here are a few more pics I snapped of the house though: 

I swear, my mom or grandmother had that bathroom wallpaper.  The bedrooms were all "80s Suze Style."  It was like going back to the house I grew up in.  I loved it! I also loved that nothing in the house was too precious.  I mean, it's a beach house!

The marsh view really is gorgeous and soothing.

In case Edward ever decides to go to Georgia. 

Edward loved the beach! He walked a good mile by himself (or at least he thought, I was behind him).  The kid has an amazing amount of energy and loves to wander.

He also loved the ice cream shop at the beach club. (sorry for the blur) 

Loved.

He was completely overwhelmed by the toy store in town.

These are the beach club residences where we ultimately stayed.  There is nothing bad to say about these places.  They are perfect.  

Ours was beach front, and I loved that Edward could go outside and play on the balcony without getting out.  

Edward knows a good view when he sees one.  

Edward was beyond excited for the Fourth of July.

I had to take a screen shot of the photo my sister captured of Edward's Fourth of July tat.  It didn't last long but was kind of hilarious.  He was very confused. 

Bingo night.  OOOOO clickety-click 66! I'm not even going to try to explain.

My sister and Billy Bingo - he's sleeping.  

Fourth of July outfit #1.

 Fourth of July outfit #2.  (ignore the missing button) 

Pretty decor at The Lodge.  Loved the burl wood table, velvet chairs, needlepoint pillows and leather chesterfield.  Very masculine.  Edward was clearly uninterested.

One of the bedrooms in our condo.  The curtains were seersucker! 

Pretty blue and white in our condo living area.  

Then there's the magnificent Cloister.  It's stunning.

Loved this pillow sofa combo at The Cloister.

Edward's last walk out to the beach before we left.  He opted for no pants, which is a great way to go when it's 105.

The worst part of our trip is having to leave.  I already want to go back.  

Hope y'all enjoyed my millions of pics of Edward! I tried to sneak some decor in there as well.  Hopefully, I can get back into the swing of things and have some pretty decor posts for you this week! I mean, I hardly even pinned on this trip.  I know, right??