6 years later.

I can’t believe it’s already been 6 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life. I won’t lie – it’s hard and we are constantly growing and sometimes not for the better. I sometimes forget that we need to also work on each other and not just keep our kids the first priority. Isn’t that nearly impossible? 

At least we started doing a monthly date night to focus on our relationship, try to keep our side comments to ourselves, and take a breath before really putting our thoughts out there. Easier said than done. #workinprogress. 

Anyhow, just a couple snaps from our engagement and my girls hanging out in the Big Apple. 

Have we changed? 

Room2 love.

Dear Addison,

Now that you’re 1, a lot of changes are and will happen. You’re hopefully going to be off the bottle soon, you’re hopefully confidently walking soon, and most hopeful (for us) is you enjoy not being in our room and don’t ever come back until after 7am! 

We know you need the presence of someone else in the room and so does your sister so we thought we would ship you to her room. It was a piece of cake to do with the Joovy Room2 playard. A much bigger portable travel playard and so much nicer to look at. It’s nearly 10 square feet of space, mesh windows, elevated off the floor, and has a padded mattress. You can even order a waterproof fitted sheet. 

We also tried sticking your dockatot grand in there because you absolutely love drinking your milk in there and taking short naps in there, but when it’s bedtime, we take it out so you have plenty of space to move around freely which you do while snoozing. It’s like you’re dancing in your sleep. 

📷: 3 little girls all in one room. 

Flash forward to a little over a week later and I’m to the moon thrilled to say you have adjusted to your new room and love sleeping in your new Joovy room2. Surprisingly your cries don’t wake Abigail up at all, but hopefully this will stop soon as we are working on getting you off the need for a bottle during the night. We’re currently lessening the ounces you’re getting as well as giving you a “dream feed” before we go to bed. Fingers crossed. 

We have Joovy to thank for this amazing comfortable Room2 playard that will get plenty of use throughout our house when mommy needs to do her chores or needs to put you in “jail” because we’re hopeful one day you’ll make it to your own room or we’ll just get you and your sister a bunk bed! 

P.S. Joovy has tons of other products from strollers to bottles. They’re well made, stylish and modern for the everyday family. #joovy #family

📷: 3 little girls all comfortably sleeping the night away. 

Cheers for now and thanks for reading! 

The Big 4!

I can’t believe I have a 4 year old. It doesn’t seem long ago when I was in college or even high school doing whatever I want. Now I have 2 littles to love and guide them to become well rounded sweet individuals. 

Abigail has grown so much. She’s this crazy, sassy, and super affectionate little girl. She has a mind of her own and has a million and one questions about everything. From why does it rain to why does it get dark, she always keeps me on my toes on what’s is coming next. 

📷: Before heading to school. She loves wearing her #jujube mini backpack everyday. #toddlerappeoved
Abigail insisted on having a birthday party with her friends this year so we gave in. We decided to throw her a pizza making party because she loves to eat and play in the kitchen. California Pizza Kitchen hosts parties for kids and it’s awesome! They get to tour the kitchen, make pizzas (eat their creation), get a drink, and also dessert. What a tasty package for only $10/kid. 

📷: CPK also got her a chef coat with her name embroidered on there. 

📷: We also had an amazing cake created by the talented Jenteebakes – she lives in the OC.  

Abigail had a blast. 

We topped off her actual birthday with dinner with her fav’ buddy at our house. 

Looking back.

📷: Year 1. The cake banner and hippo was from a sweet friend that now has a event planning business for littles. Check her out if you’re a lazy planner like me. Little Confetti Company. 

📷: Year 2. Roaming the streets of Islington, London. 

📷: Year 3. Making wishes in London. 

📷: Cheers to being 4 and looking forward to another amazing year. Mama and Daddy love you to the moon and back.

London Love.

I can’t believe in 15 days we will be moving out of London. It’s been a whirlwind of fun here. I call it my 2 year holiday (hubs doesn’t as he was working both U.K. and U.S. hours) with all the memories we created here. 

We’re soaking in (and getting soaked) some of our favorite spots and checking out the plethora of things to do with kids that make London so special – this weekend was ice skating. 

Since our little toddler has been sick, we decided to let her sit in the Uppababy stroller for the day (Age – 3 years and 7 months old). 

📷: There are lifts for your buggy at a lot of the stations but if there isn’t, there is always someone nice that will stop and help you out – I swear!

📷: Am I going to continue to look right when I move back? 🇬🇧 ➡️ 🇺🇸

📷: Shoreditch is probably one of my favorite areas with the street art, street food, Indian food, cool coffee shops, and shopping. It’s a very up and coming area with lots of hipsters. Definitely worth going to. 

💟: Uppababy Gluxe gets a parents approved from us. Folds up nicely and so easy to navigate. It has a light narrow build for help going through an urban lifestyle. Perfect for day to day with your baby as there is plenty of storage space and you can hang stuff quickly on the handles. They recommend baby being at least 3 months in age to use. To note, this pram isn’t car seat adaptable. 

📷: Can’t leave London without a proper Sunday Roast. We love it at the Pig and Butcher (btw – It’s been in tons of articles as a delicious place to eat in London) 

💟: Addison with her @twistshakebaby (how cool that the little container next to it fits inside the bottle to put a snack or another round of formula – so travel friendly. Plus, there is a mixer for baby colic!). AND guess what, use CODE: FANNY30 for 30% off! 

📷: Ice skating at Tower of London. Doesn’t get any better with the view. If you’re planning on going, make reservations and pay online. Sessions to skate are 45 minutes. 

📷: Twinning poses. 😂 View of the Shard – currently the tallest building in the U.K.  

📷: London skyline (it’s actually barely 4:30pm). 

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. xx

OMG, 22.

Abigail (3.5 years old) has now been to 22 European countries in the span of 2 years since moving to London. She’ll have some stories to tell but definitely iPhone pictures to share. Isn’t it crazy how tech savvy kids are?

This trip to Cyprus was a little painful since she was sick with a cough and probably a sore throat, but she toughed it out for the most part and only made it apparent she was just a toddler 30% of the day and wanted tons of cuddles from us.

We stayed at The Royal Apollonia for this holiday and we would definitely recommend it. It’s been renovated nicely and the hotel room floors are tile which makes it feel so much cleaner (plus, they provide hotel slippers!). We had a spectacular balcony view of the pool and Mediterranean Sea.

📷: Outside our balcony 💟 Already drooling at 13 weeks but this Frecklebaby bib makes my list as absorbent, soft, bamboo, and the cutest prints on both sides. But wait, imagine nothing dropping on the floor with the unique snap on leash for a teething toy or paci.

P.S. Use CODE: GIVE for $4 off any of my sets of books. Free shipping. Visit www.ajangsley.com 

 

Breakfast is included and there is a pretty yummy range of food to choose from so get there before 10:30am. Oh and parking is free!

📷: 💟 cutest organic panda bear outfits from Turtle Dove London. Super soft material, monochrome patterns, modern, and a new shop. Love!

📷: one down, one more to go.  

The pool. We went when the pools were not heated (indoor is) so it was pretty cold water. I think the ocean was warmer! They have their own beach which is great because there is also a jetty so the waves are not so big. Perfect for swimming in the sea.

📷: the kiddie pool (this is sectioned off and the adult pool with pool bar is next to it).

What was really sweet as I think we were also one of the few families with kids on the property was when the staff came at night for turn down service (they usually just give us chocolate) and gave us a jar of honey for Abigail’s cough. So thoughtful – thank you Royal Apollonia 

Visiting the capital, Narcosia, was pretty neat. We got to see more locals, have a typical Greek lunch, and do some shopping (no, we didn’t bring home a bird!).

 

📷: We had to get another Bebeaulait muslin infinity nursing scarf as she is constantly seeing Addison in it and wants to be just like mommy.

Travel tip: bring a scarf (muslin would be ideal since it folds up so compact in your bag) as it comes in handy in so many ways for you and your little.

📷: See you later Mediterranean Sea. 💟: Thrilled to wear my Bellaha flip flops to see the world. This shop gives back to support infant and maternal health around the world. Win, win ladies – pretty and comfy sandals that give back!

Cheers for now and thanks for reading. xx

Missing Cali.

With summer finally here in London (I think it’s short lived as it says it will be raining yet again on Friday and Saturday), it’s funny the particular things I miss and wish we had in London. Who knew I would think of toilet seat covers as one of them? 

📷: LAX bathroom before flight back to London. 

I also think of good charmin’ toilet paper as well since I just can’t seem to find the perfect toilet paper in London. 

Target – oh man, how I love thee. Although my husband sure doesn’t miss this, I do. It’s seriously the one stop shop to everything along with great deals and the cutest things from marimekko to ohjoy. By the way, she’s got an amazing blog on DIY to pictures of her family to cute clothing to dress your littles in. I would jump on following her blog and just subscribe to get in your inbox. This gal is a serious inspiration and goal to strive to become a mom boss. ♥️

📷: ohjoy collection – love the alphabet line of course to tie in with my alphabet boardbook series. #lovebooksbyaj 

California Pizza Kitchen – my chain restaurant that I love way too much. Two must haves are the Sicilian pizza (if you’re a protein lover) and the delicious spinach artichoke dip. Yummy in everyone’s tummy – I swear. Ok, maybe not the super health conscious or anyone wanting to be remotely healthy. #cheatmeal

Water time – living in the ‘burbs, definitely spoiled with the abundant pools, splash pads, beaches and fountains to frolic in. 

📷: beach water fun in Cali #nofilter

📷: penthouse water fun in London 

Snacks – just to name a few I haven’t found in a normal London market (so many and we wonder why obesity is a problem in the USA 😮)

• Red vine (I hear it’s at Costco!)
• Cheetos – flaming hots
• Chex mix
• Cheez-its
• Goldfish
• Lemon heads 
• Tostitos – restaurant style (they’re the thin ones)

Am I leaving you with a case of the munchies now? BUT, don’t get me wrong either, I love London and all the adventures we can go on so quickly around Europe. Maybe I got overloaded with vitamin D yesterday and today and that’s why I wrote this blog or maybe I’m just missing Cali – soon enough we’ll be home as a family of 4 + reunited with our dog. 

Side note: currently at 35 weeks pregnant and feeling a lot better with the belly bandit upsie belly for back support and this growing belly (ultrasound said baby is at 5 pounds!). Bamboo soft wrap and comfy to wear with nothing digging into your growing belly. The other fabulous thing is it comes with a cold/hot gel pack that sticks into a pocket in the wrap to soothe your back – perfect for this “heatwave” here. 👍🏻☀️🇬🇧 #bellybandit 

Cheers for now and thanks for reading! xx

First Day of Summer.

Well hello, first day of summer in London & worst morning ever.

I’m not going to make my blogs a rant or vent session, but this one takes the cake as capturing it all with a huge bit of “sweet” in it.

It’s June and yet another pouring rain morning. I had thought of uber – my favorite means of transportation, but thought “hey, it’s not too bad of a downpour and I save £5 which can be shopping money.”

So, we both trek off with our umbrellas and holding hands. I’m also holding her big art folder which serves as a great belly shield from the sideways rain. Good times. 😡

While crossing the street, Abigail trips and takes me down with her. Both of us are sprawled on the gravel! I immediately pull her up and ask if she’s ok. She’s fighting back tears and says she’s wet but ok. She asks me if I’m ok and then proceeds to ask if baby is ok. 😮♥️ Wow, did my 3 year old just ask about her future little sister? In the midst of the dreadful rain while she’s all wet with probably sore or bloodied knees, she thought of her little sister. I couldn’t have had a more proud mama moment and know she’s ready to be a big sister.

Ok, well back to being a 3 year old – she couldn’t hold her pee in for the rest of the walk (.6 mile walk to nursery) and had an accident. Nothing like rain water and peepee to change her out of before 9am.

I, on the other hand, have an swollen left ankle, cut up knees and 31 weeks pregnant. But, I think of the silver lining behind all this – this little bugaboo is ready to be a big sister. ♥️

📷: Current favorite reads & toy (included in GH special edition set – size to scale!). #lovebooksbyAJ side note – thank you for all the orders. Keep it coming to donate more to building a school for Bangladesh children. www.ajangsley.com #giveback 

She’s ready to give hugs. 📷: With her favorite big doggy, Buzz.

She’s ready to push her around. 📷: With her gal pal in NorCal.

She’s ready to play. 📷: With her nursery mate at the playground.

She’s ready to walk to nursery on her own. Kidding!

Product LOVE
📷: Serious love for this shop – peytons lane. This mama from Texas handmade this and it’s adorable. The details down to the stitching and patterns chose are perfect.  Check her out!

Cheers for now and hope your Monday is better than mine!