Staycation

Staycation! What! Yes! I had my first overnight out of the house without little M last week. With my mom in town, and Michelle's very helpful hand, Alex and I were able to have a 12 hour vacation. Granted, it was only for 12 hours, and the hotel was 1.5 miles away from home.... but, still! It was amazing and much needed. We've both been giving our all and working very hard to make this relationship be the best it can possibly be. You know, happy parents make happy kids. I'd say, we're definitely doing a very good job. It's been everything it needs to be, plus more. 

We spent the evening at my home, with Marlowe, eating soup and bread.... I then packed up a little bag and we headed out on the town. We went to a secret spot of ours and then met some friends for drinks and some (but not much) dancing. We stopped for late night food to go and headed back to the hotel for much needed..... SLEEP! We woke up and spent the morning to ourselves, poolside, with no worries other than making it back by noon. 

need. more. now. (or soon)

Massachusetts Via Instagram

Pretty much the last tidbits of our Massachusetts trip....

travel. cutie. breakfast with grandma. strong arm. hoodie wearing with abuelo (my step dad).

tickle wars. blazer weather. nap! nap! bongo!

old dolly. duck yao. gross. my cute mother. with my adorable baby.

co-sleeping life.

Some More Of Massachusetts

Pretty decorations.

 
A not so descriptive menu.

This restaurant: I wanted to like it so bad, but it wasn't good. waugh waugh. Will discuss later. 

Duck Yao with my bff Christine. 

Boston. Lopsided sourpuss face.

Momma in Boston. On a mission to find me "a beautiful dress". Mission: failed. Mom: awesome (&patient).

Paella. My mom plans on posting her recipe of the vegan version (the smaller of the two dishes) in the future. Yes, she is adorable.

Hungry folk.

Nick's bar. Dim lighting. Tiny table for two.

With this sleepy guy. 

&this entertainment: awesome. No really, no sarcasm: awesome.

PS! Look to the right! New discount code is up! Use code: OHDEAR to receive: 20% off Barley & Birch, 20% off Vintageshoelove, &free domestic shipping at Up a Tree Cup A Tea!

I Hate Surprises

Is there anyone who really loves surprises? If there is, please come forward. I'd love to hear why you're a wacko. I'm kidding.... I *think* *maybe* I can understand why some people might enjoy them. For me, I hate not knowing what's going on, I hate suspense, and I hate not being in control. After my trip to Massachusetts there was an unanimous decision between all parties involved that no one will ever ever ever attempt to surprise me again. It is certain, it is more work than it worth.

My mom had told me the (not very disappointing) news that we would not be traveling to Maine on Saturday, but instead we would be homebound because she had to pick up "family" from the train station. So instead of going out of town my mother and step-father toted Marlowe and I around to friends homes, scenic Worcester ("let me take a picture of you and Marlowe there! take a picture of me and marlowe!"), and to try to buy vintage Raybans from some strangers house (don't ask). My morning was ridiculous. I was all dressed up with a cranky baby, and no where to go. After much car sickness, and the final straw: Marlowe beginning to cry, while heading to the supermarket, and finding out the train had been delayed: I had had it. My mom offered to take Marlowe and I home while she went to the station by herself. I fed a cranky and tired baby and put her down for a nap. I then took off my pretty dress, slipped into pjs and put a cranky mama down for a (very rare) nap. Then what do you know... about twenty minutes later, I wake up to a surprise standing my doorway.

This was my face all morning. I was not impressed. The crazy stranger Rayban lady was not home and Belmont tower is only impressive once, maybe twice.

 (It is pretty beautiful though)

Worcester hills. 

dress: anthropologie. shoes: nordstrom.
The dress was a christmas gift from my mom 2 years ago. I never got to wear it cause it was cold.... then I was pregnant. You better believe, post baby, I sucked in my gut as tight as I could to get this lovely thing on me.

 baby dress c/o: starbugaloo baby bow c/o: up a tree cup a tea

I know, my mom is the prettiest. 

So the surprise? Alex, Marlowe's father had taken about five hours worth of trains to show up in Worcester that morning. I may or may not have mentioned some of his small recent attempts to mend our situation. And even though he knows my despise for surprises, he knew this would be a pretty good way to further show me that he is sincere in his feelings. In my recent frustrations (read: do not hide things from me in order to surprise me) of not knowing what the hell was going on I had started to ignore his calls the evening and morning prior to his arrival. I was convinced and angry that he was not taking my seriously when I told him to back off because he was only bringing me insecurity. Well, I was right, he wasn't taking me seriously, but only because he knew (and my family knew) it would only be a few hours until I took him a bit more seriously when he told me to "relax" about any insecurities. Does any of this make sense? I don't know.

Regardless of my surprise-hate, it turned out to be a nice and needed surprise. We went blueberry picking (M loves blueberries) (alex "yelled" at me for taking pictures), I bought a ridiculous (adorable) hat, and we went out for cocktails together for the first time in a very very long time. It was fantastic, but seriously people, don't try to surprise me again.

I now know: what you nap in is important. We should all maybe even consider wearing nice dresses to sleep, because you never know what could happen. What if Oprah starts banging on your door and breaks in or something? You most definitely don't want to look like a hot mess!
ps. My computer doesn't recognize the word "Oprah".... really?

Atlanta Day & Night 2 + 3

Day & Night 2:

Day two was filled with even more food and shopping. We had brunch at Stone Soup, got popsicles from the King of Pops, & had some vegan soul food. We were lucky enough to be staying with Sara, who not only lives really close to everything, but also offered us rides and babysitting the whole trip. (Yes, she is THAT awesome). We were able to pop into a venue for one band and head right back home afterwards. Eric and I didn't stay out very long for night number two. We were both old and tired and neither one of us was particularly excited by any of the bands. The weather was much nicer the second day... and a the night had a nice chill :)

Believe it or not these are the only photos from the second day:

chocolate salt pop face. 

Day 3:

Day three started off by brunch at Holy Taco. If you live or around Atlanta you need to go there. Later Eric, Steve, and I met up with Fabian &Kim at their favorite place in the whole wide world: The Porter. We then went back to Sara's to pack up any last minute belongings and head to the airport. Before saying goodbye Sara asked "are you okay? Or is this just your quiet time before the plane?" Yep, def. my quiet time. But again, everything worked out great. The people in front and behind us loved loved loved Marlowe. Again, everything went as well as it could have gone. We made it back home a little bit before midnight on Sunday. Days later, & I am still pooped. 

menu de ninos.

not vegan. fried soft boiled egg on some pork butt. 

the porter.

a rabbit came in. 

waiting for a train.

and another...

and finally on the last one (or maybe one more?) before the flight out.

&steve. 

Day &Night 1: HERE

Oh, &unfortunately I left Atlanta with a new addiction: 90210 (the original one). During some downtime, we watched an episode on TV. Sara and Eric are huge fans &I had a lot of questions I needed answered.... so Sara gave me the first season to borrow... &now, I am hooked. Goodbye real life. Hello 90210.