Brady's Books.

My 2.5 year old is blossoming into quite the little reader and I am, of course, loving it. Except for at naptime or bedtime when it takes an hour to get him down because he wants to KEEP READING books. I must admit, I was the same way as a kid. My mom said I used to always tell her, "one more book" and she could never say no. Brady has his favorites and so do Ryan and I.

I took a children's literature class in college and remember the value of buying and reading ONLY age appropriate material to kids so they don't get bored or disengaged from reading. A 2 year old's book should have a lot of pictures, a direct message, a beginning, middle, and ending, and a simple story line that they can follow along with.

UGHHHH THE POP UP BOOKS. Why do authors write books for small children where they can legit rip the pages apart? Because they are fun, duh.

Brady has gotten to the point now where he basically is memorizing books and can now "read" along. It's hilarious and makes me feel like my heart could burst all at the same time. So big.

These are our favorites right now, although our rotation is always changing.

{B calls this the "Busy Little Spider."}

{So cute & good for getting ready for Easter.}

{Easy to follow along and it's a 'call and answer' type of book.}

{Tear jerker. omg. Also, one of my favorites as a kid.}

{They have these for cities all over the country. We are collecting them now.}

{Brady's favorite. The dreaded pop up!!!}

What were your favorites as a kid? What do YOUR kids like to read???

xo
Kaytee

Pinterest: Wedding Edition #2

My wedding is 6.5 months away and I am in FULL FORCE planning (aka stressing!) Thank GOD for Pinterest. I am looking for a classic wedding with unique touches throughout. Here are my pinterest finds as of late that will give me the look I'm achieving.

Linking up with the Vintage Apple today :)

Source: meettheburks.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Custom name hangar...McLean :)}

Source: nlm097.tumblr.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Sign for outside reception. Couldn't be more true since Ryan and I knew eachother for 10 years before dating.}

Source: stylemepretty.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Love how the e-ring and wedding band aren't "matchy matchy."}

Source: data.whicdn.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Can you tell I'm loving these custom signs???}

Source: pics.boards.weddingbee.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Love these centerpieces, but in all white flowers. I'm doing half tall and half small. Love the BLING too!}

Source: aglimpseofviolethills.blogspot.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Possible centerpieces for the rehearsal dinner which is going to be at a small, shabby chic, local seafood restaurant called the Blue Eyed Crab.}

Source: casasugar.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Each table # has their own book that corresponds with your anniversary year.}

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Kaytee on Pinterest

{Obsessed w all white flowers.}

Source: Uploaded by user via Tarah on Pinterest

{Need to remember to have a sign made so we can do this!}

Source: etsy.com via Miranda on Pinterest

{Wedding song on canvas}

Source: nuwoo.blogspot.com via Dana on Pinterest

{Love the lace invites. So romantic.}

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

{Shoes!}

Source: scrubsandpearls.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

{Rehearsal dinner or wedding party favor? Ha.}

Happy hump day, ya'll!

xo
Kaytee

Happy 3 Months, Princess Kenley!

Kenley Grace...


You are 3 months old. As of yesterday... Your mommy is slacking, but life is BUSY! In the best way possible, of course. You are growing up so quickly and it sickens me that you are already 3 months old. I love watching you grow everyday but it hurts my heart to watch my baby girl get bigger and bigger.


You are still eating 6 ounces every 3 hours and take 5 bottles a day. You CHOW and get very angry when we take your bottle away to burp you. I give you your binky now when you burp so that you still get the "sucking" motion. Your brother was the exact same way... chubby babies! Next month we get to start solid food and I can't wait to see your reaction to that. In all reality, you are tall and thin (just like your Daddy!) Seriously, girlfriend, you have legs for todays. Jealous.


You sleep through the night like it's your job and usually go a solid 10-12 hours. It is unbelievable. You honestly sleep better than Brady does now. During the day you are usually awake for an hour and then sleep for an hour. You sleep with you blanket over half of your face (just like B did, too.)


You wear a size 1 diaper and are in some 0-3 month clothes, but are gradually growing into the 3-6 months. It is beyond fun to shop for you, and you have a different hair accessory for every outfit. The bigger the bow the better! We just bought your Christening gown and it is beyond gorgeous. You smiled in the mirror at yourself when we put it on you and we knew that was the one. I love putting you in smocked dresses just like your Mimi put on me. You are my own little babydoll.


Your hair is strawberry and blonde, and we try to decide everyday if you will be a toe head or a ginger. Your Auntie Sam is pulling for you to be a redhead just like her! We still aren't sure exactly who you look like. Most people think you look like Brady, but then there are days when you look like me or your Daddy. You change everyday.


{You @ 3 months}


{Brady @ 3 months}
You have the sweetest temper and will only cry if you are hungry. I love to hold you and stare at you because I know in just a short amount of time that you won't let me do this anymore. You are starting to be more vocal and "coo" all the time and I SWEAR sometimes you say MA-MA-MA.


You love your swing and playmat, and have spent some time in your bumbo. All we do is play! You are also starting to roll over onto your side and I know it won't be long until you can go from your back to your belly. You like to kick and pump your legs when you are happy and you have the sweetest smile. It melts my heart.


You had your first beach day and absolutely loved it. You slept almost the whole time and just relaxed. You are so calm and I don't know how with all the chaos around you at all times. Especially with Miss OCD as a mother.


We all fall more and more in love with you everyday, especially your big brother. He is already such a protector of you. He loves to talk and brag about "Baby Kenley," and he is adjusting so well to having you permanently in his life. We have our moments of jealousy but for the most part he is obsessed. It's like you were meant to be his sister. Meant to be a part of our family. Perfection.


I Love You to the moon and back...
Mommy

Life's a Beach.

IT'S SUMMERTIMEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Well, kinda...

It was 80 degrees in Massachusetts today. In March. The 2nd day of Spring. WOW. Hellllooooooooo global warming. I'll take it...

We had our first beach day today. It was AMAZING! Perfectly sunny, not a cloud in the sky. I was a paranoid parent and sunscreen nazi, and K was in the shade the entire afternoon. She was the best behaved beach baby. Brady played and snacked...nothing like a sandy cheese stick. The beach was packed and I was happy to find some girlfriends there too. Once again, it is only March...this shiz doesn't happen often, if ever. I'm finding it hard to believe that summer isn't REALLY here...





It's always a good feeling (I know you know this feeling) when you have really spent some time in the sun for the first time in a long time. That tight, itchy feeling that you get on the beach. That slight BURNING feeling that magically happens when you take a shower. Like your skin is raw and falling off. You have a...sunburn. Or as I like to call it...color.


{please ignore my janky hair and outfit.}

This was the first time I've been in a bikini in a long time NOT being pregnant. Even our trip to Mexico last year was a SOBER one (for me at last) because I had recently found out I was pregnant...about 2 weeks after we booked our vaca. Ryan drank buckets of beer while I slurped buckets of water on our all-inclusive paradise vacation. JOY.







I was, of course, pregnant all last summer and still rocked a bikini the whole time. I HAD to have a tan belly! Yes, I was that crazy mama-to-be.


{this is me. oh wait, i lied. it's a VS model. whatevs}

Just more motivation for me to keep working on my fitness. WORK IT, GIRL. I need that bikini bod. And some new bathing suits.

I wish this weather would stick around forever...can't get enough of it. Why do I live in this state again? We have been outside all week and it's going to be 40 degrees this weekend. Depressing. Insert bitchfest.

xo
Kaytee

The McRunnels do St.Paddy's Day.

HAPPY ST.PADDY'S DAY!



We are Irish and were full of green at our house on Saturday. The McRunnels ;) A little leprechaun made a visit for Baby K and Brady on Friday night. QUARTERS?! I thought PENNIES were lucky on St.Paddy's day??? We never got $$$ from little, magic men...





Kenley was enthralled with the leprechaun if you can't tell by her lack of pictures...Brady refuses to get his hair cut. That is a story for a different day. Anyways.

I've always loved this holiday; it's fun and festive, and there's no stress over gifts, baskets, wrapping etc. Just rainbow and green beer, ya know? Us Irish are such cheery people.

May God be with you and bless you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness.
From this day forward.
-Irish Wedding Blessing

Ryan, his sister Ashleigh, and I went on a little pub crawl to celebrate...






I was one with the tacky, sparkly necklace on (no obnoxious kelly-green bow or sequin headband this year) who is a 2-beer-queer and went to 6 different bars in one afternoon. Shooooooooo. Needless to say, we had a jolly good time. We hydrated and snacked (thanks Ash!) and made it home before 8:00. Ah, the joys of day drinking.







PS. How cute are my little SHAMROCK'S?!






Sunday night we had traditional Irish dinner with my family & Ry's at Ryan's parents house. Mmmm corn beef & cabbage. I will be a real Irish (well, Scottish) girl this time next year...a McLean!!! PS how much of a ginger is my little sister? Leprechaun status.



xo
Kaytee