This week has flown by, which was a really nice change from last week! The weather has been amazing, my attitude has been better and my expectations have been much more appropriate for my 2.5 year old! Ha, sometimes it’s all about those realistic expectations, right?!? Life is too short to spend days stressed and angry over little things. I’ve decided to spend my time hugging and kissing and loving on my boys this week, and it has been good. All three of them make me so happy! Hope you all have a happy weekend, we have a busy one in store for us, and I’m ready for it! 

Their first nap together. I could have died when I put Asher down next to Solomon and he stayed asleep... it was super cute and needed to be captured. Naps at Gigi's house for the win!

The peonies by our mailbox opened this week and I was so excited to cut some for our kitchen. Peter bought them for my Mother's Day gift a couple years ago and I love that I get these beautiful flowers every year now! I want to get several other peony plants in different colors for a huge arrangement. 

As Asher is getting older by the week, I'm starting to notice how he is even more aware of Solomon. It's super cute how he watches him, and smiles at him constantly. As I was doing my bible study earlier this week, I looked up to see this above. Man, my heart could hardly stand it. 

Sights + Seats // Iron Hill Brewery

Peter and I got to enjoy a date last night since our church community group was off this week. My mom always comes over to watch Solomon while we are at group, and we usually take Asher with us. Last night we decided to leave them both at home with Gigi, since she watched them both last Friday, and things went very well. It was nice to have a quick dinner date night at a new spot in town. My cousin actually text me about Iron Hill Brewery earlier this week after she attended a soft opening. I was surprised when I mentioned it to Peter because he had been to one of the PA locations several times while he was visiting for work. He said he enjoyed the restaurant there, and I was happy to make reservations for us, after I took a look at the menu!

Peter has been called a beer snob a time or two and he really liked the beer we ordered. We picked the Hipster IPA and it was so crisp and juicy! I love a good New England Style IPA and this one was delicious. We got their early enough to enjoy happy hour (5-7) which also included some apps for a great price. We chose the brussel sprouts and the pretzel sticks with mustard and beer cheese. The sprouts were very good but the pretzels weren't anything exciting. I compare all pretzels with beer cheese to Sierra Nevada now, and these definitely fell short. I'm glad we got to try some appetizers while they were at a discount during happy hour. I know we will come back to try some more on the menu soon, especially since you can enjoy the happy hour specials on the patio, as well. 

Since the beer and pretzels filled us up a bit, we decided to share a burger and fries for our meal. We chose the drunk monk burger and the brie cheese was so good on it. The juice was running down my hand as I took my first bite. I can't wait to try their pimento cheese burger next time, when I don't have to share with Peter. He's not a fan of pimento cheese burgers but I always choose that if I see it on a menu. 

Mmmm, date nights. So good + so needed! 

I'm looking forward to several date nights this summer since my mom can watch both the boys for us. I'm hoping we can try several new spots in Greenville  and I can share more Sights + Seats posts. I really love writing these!!

swamp rabbit and strawberries.

What makes Friday mornings at Swamp Rabbit more fun?? The Strawberry Festival! I'm so happy that it is Strawberry Season now, because we all love how juicy and sweet strawberries are, right now. We got to Swamp early on Friday morning to beat the rush for our smoothies and scones per usual, but by 11, it was getting busy! They had a blow up bounce house for all the kids, so we decided to stay a little bit longer, and have some lunch before our drive home for naptime. Solomon even fell asleep on the car ride home!! It was a good Friday morning as always, at Swamp Rabbit! 

a special strawberry smoothie for the occasion!

Meeting up with friends is one of the best parts about our Friday mornings. Solomon gets to play with his buddies and I get to hang out with  my momma friends! It really is a win-win. I also had some major momma/auntie duties for the first time. Jonah needed to go to the bathroom, so I told Joy I would hold Sophie for her. Asher was already having some milk, and ready for his morning nap, but he didn't mind Sophie sitting on him... he actually fell asleep before Joy got back. So funny, I love this picture so much. 

Finally making it in the bouncy house!

still working on the same smoothie, not a second... I promise! haha

& the infamous strawberry shortcake for the special day!

Maybe we will finally get a picture of all the boys looking at the camera one day?!? 

Goals // 5.18

I totally forgot about my goals last month!! ha, it was a busy month and by the time I remembered them, half the month was over... so I thought I'd just wait till May! May is definitely one of my favorite months. The weather is officially awesome, we have fun family time in the yard, eating outside as often as possible, & most importantly, Peter's Birthday!! I'm definitely ready for all the fun things that this month will hold, but first, let's look back to March. 

March Goals

1 // print some new photos for the house - I have several sets of new pictures on the wall that I'm loving!!! I still want to get some more frames updated with pictures that include Asher this month for sure. 

2 // purge/donate clothes & reorganize closet - So happy with how my closet has been redone. We bought a new system that works better for my clothes so I can have dresses hanging on one side and shirts on the other, then all my shorts or jeans in the middle on shelves. It has helped a ton, I also donated everything that I haven't worn for a while.

3 // dye eggs with Solomon & make resurrection cookies - Sadly, we didn't get both of these things completed but we did do the Easter Eggs. I also bought everything for the resurrection rolls but we didn't get around to it. Next year I'm gonna try and complete them both! 

4 // get active at least 3 days a week - I was doing really well for a couple of weeks and working out and eating well BUT then the awful two weeks of thrush threw me off completely. I did continue to eat well and actually lost 12 lbs in one week, but the working out stopped. I plan to get back on track this month and try get rid of the rest of this baby weight in the coming months! 

5 // clean out and organize the laundry room - nope. This one is still on my list!!

May Goals

1 // clean out and organize the laundry room
2 // clean out and organize the garage (I know, I'm brave!!)
3 // start a monthly workout challenge
4 // plan a cookout for Memorial Day & Peter's birthday

Asher // four months.

Dear sweet boy,

You are growing into the sweetest momma’s boy and I absolutely love it! You definitely love your big brother and your daddy too, but I’m crazy about that special bond we have. You give me the most precious smiles that I love so much, and watching you search the room for me when you are upset, is the sweetest thing to see.

I’m rocking you to sleep right now in your room which seems to be taking a lot longer than normal thanks to that scary Wonder Week #4. I remember this one being a doozy with your brother but I don’t mind the extra cuddles. You have gotten so big in the past month and feeling the weight of your body rest against my chest will never get old.

I’m still figuring out all the many ways you are you and so different than Solomon. Even from the beginning, in almost every single way, you have been his opposite. I don’t say this as a bad thing at all, but you have definitely kept me guessing. It is super sweet how we have settled into our rhythm now and we understand each other. You have your quirks and I look forward to them everyday. 

You wake up so happy and are almost always smiling, unless you aren't getting enough attention. You definitely love your eye contact and will demand to be seen if you want it. I can see bits and pieces of a very stubborn boy in your personality, which makes me a little nervous. Thankfully, your happy moments definitely outweigh the stubborn ones! Your hair is growing so quickly and getting thicker and darker, and your big brown eyes make me think of your daddy all day long. I love how much you look like him and I pray that you have his gentleness and learn his patience, too. 

You are my happy boy and I love watching you grow so quickly! You can slow down anytime now....

Love you so much!

-Momma

& a special naked baby shot, cause I can't resist blowing raspberries on that belly!

stats //  20.5 lbs & 26.5 in.

eating // during the days he is normally 3-4 hours apart but after his late nap he usually eats every 2 hours till bedtime.

sleeping // he is still such a great sleeper!! We had a little bit of a rough patch at the beginning of the 4th leap, but I'm hopeful that we are over that now. The past two nights he has slept for 7 hours straight, and two nights in a row makes me really hopeful!

His typical day includes a 9:30-11:30 nap, then a 1:30-3:30 nap and one last nap around 5:30 that will last for an hour at most. He usually wakes up just in time for me to go get him before I can eat dinner... ;)  then he will go to sleep for the night between 9-10.

wearing // definitely out of all 6 month clothes and mostly wearing 12 month and some 9 month. The 6-12 month clothes from Gap or Old Navy really fit him well though! 

firsts // we celebrated Easter with two bunnies this year, battled the dreaded thrush for a while, had his first vacation in Cancun, had his first bottle & actually liked it so mommy and daddy could go on a date, and stayed in the church nursery for the first time!
favorite things // talking and even growling and squealing at times, hitting things with his hands, watching Solomon and anything he's doing, sucking on his fingers and his upper lip (which is so cute, just like his brother did!), and he's getting better at tummy time & trying his best to roll over.