miles: 2 weeks

We had Miles's 2 week check up this morning... he's just perfect, as we suspected. 

He regained his birth weight and then some. He's 8 pounds, 11 ounces. 

 Here's my sweet one the night of his actual 2 week birthday-- Tuesday night.

 Carson was at school this morning so I just had my two littlest guys with me. 

I realized as we were getting out of the car that when we traded our Bugaboo 

for the City Select Double stroller I never bought the car seat adapters. Whoops. 

Slade was out of an infant seat by then, and until this morning, it never occurred to me 

that MILES would need them. So that left me carrying the car seat and Slader walking! 

He's not the most tame of 20 month olds... but bless his sweet heart, he was an angel.

The cake pop he got during mommy's drive through Starbucks helped keep him company.

I was very grateful to little Slade for being ever-the-big-brother and making his mom 

look like she had it all together. It could have gone very differently with him on the loose! 

Speaking of Slade and Miles... Slade's started to "notice" him the past few days 

and has gently tried to pat him, lay his head on him, and give him kisses. 

He's even calling him "Bubba" which is his name for Carson/brother. It's really quite precious.

Miles is getting no shortage of love from all of us.

 His cord (or "raisin" as Carson called it) fell off yesterday. The pediatrician said he could have 

his first real bath this weekend. Whoo hoo! More baby milestones happening in the house.

 

 ... and before I go, let me just say that my family and I have been really blessed by some amazing friends since we brought Miles home. So many generous treats, surprises, meals and acts of kindness to help out while we adjust to being a family of five. I am oh so grateful for the blessings! Precious Lauren dropped this delicious late afternoon snack off for me and the crew yesterday-- you're the best L!

Happy Thursday my friends!

these are a few...

I go in spurts where I love me some etsy... and then, I forget to shop it for gifts, etc. 

I love the notion of supporting small businesses, helping out stay-at-home mom businesses, 

getting creative, one-of-a-kind handmade items for my family and to gift to others. 

I thought I'd share some of my favorite things on etsy right now... 

would love to hear your favorite shops or finds!

• how darling are those monogrammed felt mousepads? would make such a delightful gift for someone's office. a coworker, a new job surprise, or even for your family's computer. 
• also loving these charming little vintage bangles. love them stacked together or given individually. they start at $8. would make a great hostess gift or teacher present. 
• how much do you love these mason jar invitations? hellllllo backyard summer bash! i think they are so fun and can think of dozens of great warm-weather gatherings to use these for!
• monogrammed necklaces have been popular for quite some time. these colorful embroidered charms are so fun!
• we don't have any pets. we don't plan to have any for many, many years. but, I am loving this personalized pet print! super cute for a little boy's room.
• i am still on the chevron bandwagon and love everything about these sweet invites. great colors! simple design! may have to shower someone with these cuties here pretty quick.
• speaking of baby showers... how darling is this butterfly mobile? I think it would be great in a nursery, little girl's room, bathroom, or playroom! so sweet and a great price!
• looking for a great housewarming gift? or cute art for your own home? snag one of these custom state prints for just $10.00!
• i am kind of obsessed with iced sugar cookies lately. these are gorgeous, gorgeous monogrammed cookies! i mean, really? almost too pretty to eat. almost.
• i've been on the hunt for a new iPhone case and finally settled on this darling buffalo check number in cherry. this seller has SO many darling designs and they get great reviews for durability.
• this is going way out on a limb. but, i am in love with this bow bandeau bathing suit top. mama may never wear it out in public, but it sure is cute and I'd like to think I could still pull it off, three kids later. it comes in navy stripes too-- hard to choose!
• and last but not least, I am considering a car seat cover for miles. he's using slade's infant car seat and boy did S do a number on it. it's been cleaned up, but it just doesn't feel "right" to me. i am loving this sweet blue and white seersucker cover. 

Do you love etsy shopping? Who are you go-to sellers?

back on track.

I want to be better at blogging more often. But life is so bonkers.

I have said it countless times, but this blog serves as a virtual baby book/toddler book/family book.

We had Miles's newborn pictures taken over the weekend and our photographer posted this darling peek.

I know he's mine, but COME ON, how precious is that baby angel? We can't wait to see the rest.

You can "like" our photographer on Facebook: Melissa Pickens Photography

Miles is two weeks old today, his check up is Thursday. 

Looking forward to seeing how much my little chow hound weighs.

I added this giant jar of gum balls to our kitchen this weekend and it makes me SMILE! 

I saw gum balls on Megan's counter top and loved how fun they were. 

So a trip to Sams and a box of 850 gum balls later, and I have my own giant jar of colorful candy!

 Something not bright and happy? I have mastitis. OH MY is it no fun. 

I had a touch of it with Carson, but this has been brutal. 

I got antibiotics yesterday evening so I am hoping I turn a corner very quickly. 

The boys have been sweet. We ordered a pizza late this afternoon and they camped out to watch Bambi.

 My sweet friend Megan dropped by yesterday evening with Easter treats for mama & boys.

So thoughtful and generous... we are loving our goodies.

 Over the weekend I made a batch of the No-Bake Energy bites that have floated around Pinterest.

They seriously take about 5 minutes to make (they chill in the fridge for an hour), then roll into balls.

I have devoured them. I may be too sleep deprived to tell if they really do give you an energy boost.

But they sure are a tasty and relatively healthy treat to have on hand when you need to pop something fast.

Hope you had a happy FAT Tuesday.

{I had great intentions of making beignets for breakfast and a homemade king cake. 

Darn mastitis kicked those plans to the curb! 

Maybe we'll celebrate with Fat Tuesday treats over the weekend!}

miles richard.

Hello friends!

My 11 day blogging hiatus is brought to you by our third perfect angel son.

I am over-the-moon delighted to introduce you to Miles Richard Tichenor.

He arrived on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:08pm at 38 weeks, 1 day.

He weighed a solid 8 pound, 4 ounces. We've gotten a lot of "he looks like Carson" 

but I personally think he's a mix of Kevin & I or Carson & Slade. Time will tell. 

He has the darkest hair of our three boys and dark blue eyes for the time being. 

I am madly in love with this third angel boy and just 9 days in to sweet little life, 

I already cannot imagine my world without him in it. 

Backing up just a bit... here's some snapshots of KT & I leaving 

doctor's appointments together the week before/day he arrived.

I ordered iced sugar cookies and packaged them up with a little note of gratitude 

for the doctors and nurses who took care of us during our hospital stay. 

Big brothers Carson & Slade we VERY excited to go to sleep in their "Miles jammies" 

and wake up to meet their newest brother. How did I ever get so blessed to call them mine?

Miles's delivery and recovery has been my easiest of the three. I am very thankful for that.

Given that I have more people to take care of than ever before, it's nice to feel somewhat 

human again after just over a week. He is a wonderful nurser and actually sleeps for good stretches.

More than anything his body is perfectly formed and he is healthy as can be. GOD IS SO GOOD.

I delivered my third son with my mom and sweet husband by my side cheering me on. 

I couldn't do life without those two. My ultimate fans and constant encouragers. 

KT & I just hit the 8 year mark since we've been "together." 

This past week, the 15th, was 5 years since we first found out we were expecting baby Carson. 

I cannot believe we have 3 beautiful sons of our own now, a family of FIVE. So many blessings.

We enjoyed visits from family and friends while we were in the hospital.

And enjoyed soaking up the sweetness that is baby Miles before we headed home to his wild big brothers!

Carson is positively smitten with Miles. He begs to hold him all day. 

He's such a helper, so sweet to him, and has really taken his "biggest" brother role seriously.

Slade is his usual jolly, wild self... really apathetic to having a new one in the house. Ha!

Headed up with baby boy #3... 

My parents kept our boys while we were gone having Miles... they had the best time, 

had more fun than you could imagine, and I was able to rest easy knowing they were in my 

mom's capable hands. They woke up to "Big Brother Bags" full of goodies and surprises.

 Loved bringing Miles home, showing him our house, letting the boys hold him and love on him. 

It's all just been so good. So much "less stressful" than I anticipated. 

 I haven't left the house with the three of them yet. Kevin and my mom have been true heroes 

helping me out... taking Carson to and from school... going to the store... running errands. 

We've been in our pajamas for many days (good thing we have lots of cute ones). 

We got some new movies and have been practicing "being very quiet."

It's busy and a little crazy at times, but again, so very good. 

 I did venture out to join Carson for his class Valentine party this week. He was EXTRA sweet to me. 

I think he was thrilled to get some one-on-one time with his mama. Love my big boy!

I printed pictures of Miles for Carson to take to school and he was SO PROUD!

 Valentines Day was simple but sweet for us this year... I've never loved so many boys!

We've gotten creative with indoor activities, but I'm afraid my big boys 

are coming down with Cabin Fever! I may get brave and take them all three to Target tomorrow. 

Or, maybe we'll just drive through Chick-fil-a. Ha! 

 My blog posts may be few and far between until we settle into an official groove with the 3 boys.

I've been "checking in" on blogs and social media on my phone, but my lap top 

is the furtherest thing from my mind these days. And I kinda like it. 

Thank you for sharing in our joy throughout this pregnancy.

We count our blessings and humbly rejoice that we were given the gift of a third healthy son.

We simply adore Miles Richard. He's the perfect addition to our family. 

"From the fullness of His grace, we have been given one blessing after another."

John 1:16

Place Your Order! {Valentine Cookies}

Do you want to order Valentine cookies for your kiddos, neighbors, hubby, kid's teachers or classmates? 

My beautiful, talented friend Ambre is selling delicious (yes, I've tasted my fair share of her treats), 

darling, and very reasonably priced Valentine Cookies! I am so proud of her! 

Ambre is such an incredible woman in so many ways. She had THREE precious babies in THREE years... 

she's an incredible wife, keeps a lovely home, and is one of the very best friends I have ever had. 

So... bless someone with a tasty Valentine treat and bless her little baking business too!

You can visit her blog to learn more about her cookies and her sweet family. 

I'm going to copy and paste the cookie details straight from her post.

My cookies are VANILLA SUGAR COOKIES with VANILLA ROYAL ICING

and are made from the best ingredients: organic milk, eggs, and butter (yes, real butter!)

I promise they will be moist and fresh, made especially for you, 

no more than the day before pickup.

My motto with baked goods.... The fresher the better!

Message me to order yours now!

chuckandambre@gmail.com

LARGE COOKIES: approx. 3 1/4in.

An assortment of 3 cookies: $5.00

1 DOZEN assorted cookies: $16.00

BITE SIZED COOKIES: approx. 1 7/8in.

1 DOZEN assorted mini cookies: $8.00

 Personalization available for $0.25 extra per cookie.

EMAIL AMBRE TO PLACE YOUR VALENTINE ORDER: chuckandambre@gmail.com

EMAIL ME IF YOU NEED MY ADDRESS TO HAVE COOKIES DELIVERED. 

KIDDING. SORT OF.

Love you Ambre, so proud of you.

groundhog day.

I have a call in to the Groundhog to see if he saw any sign of baby Miles. 

I sure hope so. Because, as of Monday he wasn't ready to show his face...

This is me, NOT having a baby this week.

Yesterday, my handsome hubby and I went to the doctor together for a baby Miles checkup.

He's (well, I am) definitely progressing... so much so that I'm not quite sure how he's still 

hanging in there. But, nonetheless, I am still sitting here, pregnant and waiting! We do have a plan 

and a birth day scheduled if he doesn't show up on his own very soon.

I don't have much else to report. My mind, body, and daily routine is very focused 

on taking care of the little boys I have here, and trying to force getting ready to welcome our third.

I made this Apple Heath Bar Dip the other day. You should make it too. It's ridiculous.

I couldn't resist this classic teddy bear for Miles at Target the other day 

with the sweet navy & white grosgrain ribbon. 

Carson, Slade and I managed to polish off a large Alfredo Pizza from CiCi's yesterday. 

No really, I think we all ate equal portions. It was devoured by the time KT got home. Mmm!

These are fleeting moments with my boys, but when the snuggles come-- I soak them up!

I'm going to try to do the February Photo a Day Challenge. 

I failed miserably in January, so here's hoping.

My view yesterday consisted of watching THIS wild animal climb on tables, chairs, couches, and more!

He's all over the place right now... and he does it all with the cutest grin you ever did see! Oh goodness!

We were waiting on the driveway for Daddy when he got home. 

The boys love to climb in through his car window and "drive" in the driveway! 

Ready set go... everyone say a prayer that Baby Miles comes RIGHT NOW! :)

I'll keep you posted. Happy Thursday friends!