Winter Blues

We are in the home stretch of winter (I think? I hope!) and while

I'm no expert...here are some of the things we've been doing to keep 

busy. Remember, I hate staying home past about 10 AM on Saturdays

and usually invite myself over to Auntie Stacy's about once a 

weekend :)  

Perfect example of my ability to barge on over

and into Auntie Stacy's house. I usually 

always arrive with a treat for Penny though, 

so that counts for something I'm sure. 

Something about being at her house makes the 

time pass quicker. And, she always has a fun

movie taped for Max. And, the giant

exercise ball that he loves to bounce on. 

Sometimes she comes to our house too! 

This particular Sunday she brought Penny over

and the weather was really nice....so we played

ball with Penny outside. Basically any 

excuse to get outside and run the crazy 

out...I'm down for. 

We also have this truck matching game...

which Max sort of understands the concept of....and

after he's done matching them, he likes to line 

them up and pretend there is a traffic jam.

We actually devise all sorts of traffic patterns....

around the couch, under the blankets, through

a tunnel....you get the idea. 

This snap and sort was a gift from Auntie

Stacy for Christmas and while he wasn't 

super interested in it that day - it has 

been brought out many times since then. 

He is able to recognize all the colors and when 

he's done....he flips them over and uses his

hammer to pound them out. 

There are lots of cute patterns to choose from. 

When all else fails....plan an elaborate and long breakfast. 

This picture was taken a place called
"Bounce Club Powell"...and we were

there for a birthday party.  The foam pit is 

super awesome (adults can even get in)

and there is whole room with trampolines! 

Max loved sliding down the slide into the 

foam pit...and probably did so about 25 times. 

You can always practice putting on your clothes....

and if you're Max...that means putting your

sweatshirt on upside down and getting

super pissed when you can't get the 

zipper up. 

Getting dressed (appropriately) is 

an ongoing battle. 

On a whim, I brought home this number train

puzzle from work and it was an instant hit! 

We have done it soooo many times....but 

I don't mind because he definitely recognizes 

lots of the numbers now. 

We got the above "road pack" last year for Christmas

(as in 2014) and we stashed it away.  

Then, mommy forgot about it....but we have 

since found it and are playing with it pretty 

regularly.  The road pieces are so wide that it 

works with cars or trains (we've done both!)

Not really doing anything notable here...

just a cute smile :)

See - told you he loved the train puzzle :)

We also hauled out the old mailbox. 

I could not believe how much better

he was when it came to "stamping" each 

letter and figuring out the slots that

each size fit in. 

He liked the floor puzzles so much that 

we went to Once Upon a Child and got two more!

A dino one and an ABC one....these puzzles

are super durable and so much fun to work 

together! Rob loves puzzles and Max seems

to be heading in that direction too!

Winter time is the perfect time for a hot and fresh

donut from Krispy Kreme. Well, we Haucks

might say that anytime is the perfect time

for a donut...but .... you probably already knew that. 

Hitting the pet shop was a new and fun experience

this past weekend.  Except for the fact that we

almost came home with a gerbil.  Then, mommy

gained back her common sense and thought

about how I can barely remember to clean

the cat litter box....so the gerbil was out. 

They sure are cute though!

When all else fails, I suggest a long bath...

and also Max loves to fill up the sink

and use my measuring cups to dip and pour

from one side to the other. 

Nothing fancy, but it buys 

me about twenty or so minutes usually :) 

Mother nature has been teasing 

us a little bit with the spring like 

weather that has been happening recently. 

So much so that all my bulbs are already 

peeking out of the flower beds...

hopefully that means we are in 

for full time sunshine soon!

xoxo

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm a little late in posting this birthday recap - but I'm sure you don't mind? :)

Pre-Max I wanted to have really elaborate birthday celebrations...and

often encouraged the people at work to extend my celebration for at 

least a week.  Well...I guess I'm growing up because we kept it pretty

low key this year.  Maybe turning 34 does that to you? 

Rob asked me about a week before my birthday if 

there was anything I really wanted. Hmm....

I came up with this practical list:

1.) Sleep - lots and lots of sleep

2.) A maid - to clean the house from top to bottom. 

3.) A nice hot meal - one that I didn't have to 

cook or clean up after (let's be real, Rob does most of the 

cooking these days).

4.) A long hot shower

5.) Time alone. 

Not to much to ask huh?

Well, I have to say - Papa Rob (along with help

from my parents) did pretty good. 

After celebrating my birthday in Dayton, 

we drove back to Columbus, but Max stayed. 

This essentially meant TWO mornings of sleeping

in as late as I wanted. It was SO glorious. 

Rob also cleaned both bathrooms, vacuumed, 

and swept/mopped the kitchen floor too. 

(He is not available for hire, he is ALL MINE). 

Then on Monday, I had the day off from work - 

so I got my alone time.  I even capped it off

with a blow out from the blow out bar. 

The stylist even claimed I had "fantastic hair"

and gave me his card....which made me feel 

extra special.  (perhaps he was just desperate

for clients or a large tip...but either way...

I left feeling great...so win win). 

When Rob returned from work, we dressed up 

all fancy and headed down to Arch City Tavern

(which is located in the Short North area of Columbus). 

Because we were child free, we were able to hit

up this cute jewelry store (Red Giraffe) before dinner. 

Evenings without a toddler are crazy y'all. :) 

I got slightly tipsy on my Moscow Mule...and enjoyed

delicious truffle fries and a club sandwich on homemade 

focacia bread. The whole dinner was just perfect. 

We reconnected and took our time

and I didn't have to clean up the floor 

after we were finished.

Tuesday, my actual birthday - Rob 

surprised me with a new cabinet for all my 

essential oils.  I was totally blown away that he

put so much thought into such a wonderful gift. 

My oils had been over flowing out of the 

kitchen cabinet for quite some time...and this

is the perfect solution. 

Don't judge my oil collection!

I LOVE it! 

I love that he came up with it on his own.

He made it on his own. 

Max helped put all the oils back in...

and there is room for more! Hooray!

So, now I'm 34. It seems old, but not, all at the same time. 

The extended weekend was just lovely

and now I feel refreshed enough to take on

the last month of winter! 

xoxo

Max at 33 months

Mr. Max is doing so many fun things now!  And while I love
doing our little monthly recaps with the pictures of what we're into
as a family...for me...I also want to remember more specific details of our little man's
personality too.

Here are a few things that stick out:

1.) Loves tattoos – would probably have a sleeve of
Paw Patrol ones if I didn’t ration them out.

2.) Recently started liking grapes!
After months of never offering them because
he turned up his nose…he now eats them!

3.)  Has become interested in dressing himself.
Like, won’t even let me help at all.
Picks out his own pants, shirt, underwear, and socks.

4.)  Loves the TV shows Paw Patrol,
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Team Umizoomi.

5.)  Flirting with dropping his nap (while at home).
Sleeps fine at daycare.
Honestly, sometimes it makes the days seems so much longer…
but I suppose we will get used to it.

6.)  Wants to help in the kitchen.
Loves to put all the fruit in the blender for smoothies,
dump stuff in bowls for salads, pour milk, and pick out plates.

7.)  Is almost always completely out from underneath
his covers and blankets when I go check on him at night.

9.)  Definitely has a harder time falling asleep
without the pacifier and asks for us to sit in the chair for a few minutes.

10.)  Told me he “needed a haircut” last week
because the hair was tickling his ears.

11.)  Has been battling a runny nose for about a week….
our house is littered with tissues because he wipes
his nose one time, and maybe a tiny drop
 goes on the tissue and then he gets a new one

12.) Loves to ask for a wipe “to get the boogies in his nose”.
In fact, he was digging in there so hard he has a little scratch by his nostril

13.)  Loves to say something and then go “I’m just joking”

14.)  Will also phrase things like “We go to Jessi’s today? Yeah or No?” 

15.)  Finally decided to purchase some parenting books
because the whining, tantruming,
and “but daddy lets me….” are driving me crazy.
He has a need to control all the situations.
As in, “I want you to sit here, not there”
“that’s my spot” “I want mommy, not daddy”.
I hope there is a way to curb this?? Or at least help him be less reactive.

Honestly, this is just a small snippet
of his BIG personality!
xoxo

34 Things I Love

Now that I'm older (mid-thirties, yo!) I thought I might

tell you about some of the things I have loved over

the last year.  Some of them are silly things, some of them

are life changing things, and some of them are concepts.  

Stick with me. 

1.) Letterpress - love the look of this print making process!

2.) Growing my own Zinnias.  I can peer over 

my deck and look at these beauties all summer long. 

Seriously, they are the easiest flower to grow. 

2.) Brooklyn 99 - Thanks to Auntie Stacy for introducing

me to this hilarious show.  And thanks for letting

me have your hulu login so I could catch up on

the first two seasons. 

4.) Keeping in touch with friends. 

This is so much harder than it might seem...

but always worth it in the end. 

5.) Polka Dots - forever and ever and ever. 

6.) Growing my own sugar snap peas. 

It continues to amaze me that we 

can grow some of our own produce. 

7.) Made Local Marketplace - a super fun arts 

and crafts type show that happens once a quarter

here in Columbus.  They have such unique 

and fun gifts...I can always find something I want to buy.

8.) Water Coloring with Max - it started

in the summer time with this Eric Carle pad that

Candice sent - and the love continues still today!

8.) Be Fit Cafe - the gluten free pepperoni pizza!

Soooooo good!  I want to go there all the time

to get this pizza. I couldn't even tell it was

gluten free. 

9) 4th of July Parade - this parade makes me ridiculously happy. 

10.) The Zella line at Nordstroms - this is work out gear

and I've recently fallen in love with it! I love all the fun 

patterns of their pants. 

11,) Eating outside on the deck. 

12.) Chai Tea Lattes from Starbucks

13.) Popsicles and Sunglasses with Max. 

14.) Anything from Ann Taylor Loft - can't go wrong

shopping here!

15.) The Blow Out Bar - LIFE CHANGING!

I use them all the time (see pic below) when I want

my hair to be looking tamed and pretty. 

16.) Califia Farms Cold Brew Coffee - for when you

don't have the time or money to make your won. 

17.) Finding a great Alterations lady. 

The dress below was on super clearance at Loft. 

I LOVED IT. It was totally worth the money to have

it fitted for me.  

18.) Stella and Dot - I love everything in their

catalog.  Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, purses.....you name it!

19.) Vintage Quilts - So beautiful! 

20.) Booties - I used to not think I could pull this

fashion trend off.  But, as I slowly gave into this 

footwear...I ended up really liking them. 

21.) Jenny Barnes Photography - she nails it every time. 

Even when you think your kid was not cooperating. Golden. 

She is worth every damn penny.

22.) Supper Club - this little once a month gathering 

of some of my best gal pals is the best. I love catching 

up with them and eating yummy food in the process. 

23.) Trader Joes - where else can you get tiny wine

samples on a Sunday afternoon with your sister? 

24.) The ice cream boat on Captiva Island. 

This idea is totally genius. And yes I did 

run down the beach like a crazy person to track it down. 

25.) Woven Pear Socks - come on, they had

narwhals...of course they made the list. 

26.).  You can't really tell - but I'm wearing a romper

in the below picture.  It was so comfy and cool

and I can't believe I waited so long to buy one. 

27.) Snap Chat - all the young kids at work forced

me to download this app...and I have to admit, it's pretty fun. 

28.) Franklin Park Conservatory - this place

is the best!  We love going here to look at the plants, 

drop coins in the water, find the train, and generally

just run around. 

29.) Garth Brooks in Concert - i still can't 

believe this happened!  The best show EVER!

30.)  Completing my "week in the life" album. 

This was a true labor of love and one I'm so happy

to have done. This will be a great time capsule

of our life!

31.)  Essential Oils.

Young Living Essential Oils are the BEST!

We use them for everything....respitory...sleeping...

skin...pain relief...basically there is an oil for everything!

32.) Fit Bit.  

Lately I've fallen off the band wagon...but 

I still love my Fit Bit.  It holds me accountable

for those days when I'm feeling sluggish. 

33.) Advocare.  Loved this program 

for getting me back into a healthy mind set. 

Can't wait to see what my 34th year brings

in terms of my favorite things....

and also, if you're super into something now

or have recommendations...let me know!!

xoxo

p.s. want to see 31 more things I'm into?  Check this post.
Funny to see what things made the list both times!

Sister Sunday (Valentine's Day Edition)

Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday this year (which you

are probably already aware of).  For the second year

in row, my parents lovingly agreed to watch

Max for a couple of nights so we could celebrate both

Valentine's Day and my birthday. In order to make this

happen, we drove to Dayton on Saturday afternoon.

After a little bit of mumbo jumbo -Max fell asleep in the car.

 

We ate my family birthday dinner at Pies and Pints -

the pizza was absolutely delicious.  And the place

was loud enough that no one minded a few toddler

"discussions" on his getting his own napkins and plate.

We came back and ate some birthday cookie cake

and then Papa Rob and I drove back to Columbus.

On Valentine's Day, we woke up and decided

to hit up the Krispy Kreme (it was a little sad

since Max wasn't there)...but you know, we made

the best of it :)  I think it was because I haven't

had too much sugar lately - but the donut

I had (the ladybug which was filled with cream)

WAS SO GOOD!!!

The Hauck family sure loves donuts :) We ran to the grocery

store after breakfast (and it was nutty since we were expecting some snow)

and you know, because we are super romantic like that.

Once we were home, we started working through

our giant to do list. Rob ran to drop some stuff off at Goodwill

and I was cleaning up all the piles around here.

During the week I tend to make "piles" around the house

of stuff that actually needs put away. The piles

somehow make me feel better...but alas, those too need put away.

Anyway - Rob had decided to see the movie

"Deadpool" and Stacy and I had made plans

to bake together again...so off we went.

I'm sure some people will think it's weird that we

went our separate ways on this day of love...but

honestly, we have never made a big deal out of

the holiday. And I'm glad Rob got to see a movie

(because if Max were here, he definitely wouldn't have

gone) - and it would have been harder to find the time

to get food and meals prepped for the week.

We just did what the artwork at Whole Foods

(found below) said - shared the love :)

Before the cooking commenced - we actually

did some shopping together.... I mean

who can resist Target?  Not me, ever.

And you guys, I found the most perfect

summer dress.  It is so cute and I will probably

have it on every time we see each other this summer

(just giving you fair warning).

And then, I was in search of the Capri Volcano

hand cream (that smells just like my favorite

candle at Anthropologie).  Sadly - they were out

of it at the Easton location. But, we still managed to

find some things to buy (including the same pair of pants).

Also, turns out if you are going to bake - you need

supplies, so we drove to the Easton Whole Foods.

ThIS PLACE IS AMAZING.

I don't normally shop at Whole Foods but

wow!  They have everything and actually

it's not that expensive.  For example - I just bought

Almond Butter at Kroger that morning for $11.99.

The one Stacy bought at Whole Foods was only

$7.99. Stacy likes to cruise every aisle, which

normally drives me crazy - but she reigned it in

for this trip.

Once home, we did begin our baking -

which was actually chocolate chip cookies.

They were healthy cookies though - made with

things like oat flour, whole wheat flour, maple

syrup, almond butter, garbanzo beans, and

two scoops of vanilla protein powder.

They are kind of dense and the chocolate chips

are not incorporated throughout, instead just

resting on top...but we declared them "pretty good".

Before leaving, I had to love on my

favorite doggie Valentine, Miss Penny.

She loves me so much!

I drove straight from Stacy's to pick Rob up.

We had planned to go to dinner

at Aab Indian Restaurant and it did not

disappoint.  We both had the Chicken Tikka Masala

with Garlic Naan. Delicious!

I tried to include the funny video (above) which

is just typical Rob...his head makes an appearance

at the end. :)

*Sidenote:  If you are reading this on an apple

product (like iPhone or Mac computer, the videos don't work).

Anyway - it was a pretty perfect day!

Hope your Valentine's was full of love!

xoxo