February Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Ainsley, of My Little Artichoke blog for winning this month's giveaway! Thank you to all who entered. Ainsley, email your shipping information to sometimessweetblog (at) gmail (dot) com when you get a chance so I can have my sponsors get your prizes to you! :)

Milkmaid braid round up!

Thanks to all of the sweet gals below who sent in photographs of their super cute milkmaid braids! Originally I wanted to include links to everyone's blog, but I think I need to use a link up widget next time, because it got a little crazy with all the photos I received as far as going back and linking up each one! I also hope I included everyone's photo- please let me know if I missed yours. I triple checked but there were a lot of emails. Anyway, I LOVED all of these photos and I will definitely be doing more "round up" posts in the future!

I also got a lot of "aww my hair is too short for this look" and similar comments. Don't forget you can always do a half up look with a smaller braid- it looks just as cute.

Thanks again to everyone for the adorable photos!

Where are you?

 {via}

After receiving the sweetest email from a reader in Russia this morning, I got to thinking about just how amazing, and just how BIG the blog world is. I thought it would be neat to have everyone comment below with their location- country, state, city, whatever you want! It's going to be awesome to scroll through the comments, and who knows, you may even find another blogger in your town that you haven't yet met! Fun.

So, where are you?

Today, Sunday

Hank and I decided to stay another night at my parents', so in the morning we all went to IHOP for breakfast (my Dad's choice). I'm not a fan of breakfast places like this- I really, really love eating big, healthy breakfasts at home...but I did find something good to eat and it was really fun. Definitely a great morning, and we headed out fairly early and stopped by Scottsdale Fashion Square before we actually headed up the mountain. The mall was fun, but super super crowded. It's weird- ever since I moved to our small town five years ago, I really cannot handle or stand big, crowded places. The parking lots are too much, all of the bustling crowds are too much, and I just would rather avoid it all together. However, we got there right as the mall opened so it wasn't too bad.

*Quick question though- I fell in love with a dress at H&M, but they didn't have my size. If you are headed to one soon and wouldn't mind checking and possibly picking up something for me (I can paypal you), could you email me at sometimessweetblog @ gmail? This is the second time I've done this at H&M recently (I had my friend send me a top last week) but I adore this dress and would love to own it. I'd appreciate it so, so much- and thank you in advance for any and all responses! :)

Doesn't the snow look beautiful? This is what we came home too. One thing I really enjoy about living up north is that we get all four seasons. Although I'm not a huge fan of the cold, it is nice to have snow and to really experience so many different types of weather. People think Arizona and automatically think HOT...but our beautiful state really has a little of everything. It's neat that Henry will grow up having snow days like I did growing up in New Jersey. It definitely brings back memories of my Mom making hot chocolate and letting us watch daytime television under the big blue blanket. Ahh, I love it.

But anyway, great weekend! I'm excited for a wonderful week too. I'll be down in Phoenix again, heading to the Children's Museum with my pals Natalie and Anita, and our little ones. Although Henry isn't quite big enough to enjoy it, I think he will like checking out some new scenery and being with other kiddos. I also have a hair appointment with Rhonda, and I'm excited to cut it all off! Juust kidding. I wouldn't ever do that- I love love my long hair. I do want to darken it a little more and trim my bangs, but that's about it. I've mentioned it before but Rhonda's been doing my hair since I was 14...how insane is that?! I love her and she really is like family. I feel lucky to have her in my life.

I hope all of you have a great week! I'll leave you with some photos. xo

I like to imagine that Henry is saying "heeeeey!" in this one. It makes me giggle.

at breakfast

Dad looking squinty, mama, and Lauren

 Hank's

mine! Veggie omelette and a banana

bathtime, I snapped this photo about an hour ago. How darling is he?!?

after bathtime with Daddy

Saturday in photographs

Today was a great day, and a special one, because little Carter turned one! I can't even believe that the he is already a year old- it seems like only yesterday I was meeting him in the hospital for the first time on his actual day of birth! It only makes me realize how quickly Henry will be one and that makes me a little excited but also quite sad. At the same time though, it's a great reminder to cherish every day and every stage, right? I think so. But any and all sadness aside, today was awesome! Autumn had a jungle themed party, complete with animal hats for the kids and a bounce house! Everyone had a blast.

After the party Hank surprised me by driving down to Phoenix after doing a cert. class, and my parents watched the little guy while we went on a date. It was SO much fun and so nice to have some "us" time. We went to Green for dinner and then got frozen yogurt. Delicious!

Here are some photos from today:

getting ready while my mama watched Henry

If someone would have shown Autumn, Erin or I this photo back in our sorority/college days...we would have been in shock. It's amazing to think we all used to be at NAU together, and now we're all mommies to these beautiful little darlings.

Henry and Kyler, best friends!  Kyler is 6 months old- they're just almost exactly 3 months apart.

Libby and Henry...this is Autumn's wonderful Mom and someone who is like a second mama to me. She's seen everything in my life, from me meeting Hank, to being at our wedding, being there through the pregnancy, and now here she is, holding Henry. So awesome.

Autumn and her birthday boy!

Happy birthday Carter!

at dinner- my handsome date :)

annnd me and my big baby! How I love him so. Not the best photo but I always want to remember his size, so in a few months I can compare. He's sleeping in his little co-sleeper next to me and I love hearing all of his baby sleeping noises. I'm about to join him.

Night all! xo

What in my diaper bag?

I've done the whole "what's in my bag" post before, and since I now carry a diaper bag most of the time, I figured I'd share a little about what I carry on a day to day basis! It came up the other day on Twitter when I was talking to my mama-to-be friend Kristy, and since I've had this sitting half done in my queued posts forever (and she's about to give birth!) I figured it was a good time to finally share! I'm an organized minimalist, so maybe I carry around less than most people, but I'm not really sure. I go between this bag, and sometimes Hank's Skip Hop diaper bag when we are going to be out and about for awhile, since it zippers which is much more convenient. I do love this bag though just because it's so darn cute and I love that it doesn't exactly look like a diaper bag, while at the same time it's totally functional. The inside of the bag and all of the pockets are easy-clean vinyl which is awesome too. So, here you go!

clockwise:

• pacifier wipes. Even though Henry doesn't use one, I still like to have these on hand to wipe off his toys if they fall on the floor in a public place.
• breast pads. I'm terrified of wearing a cute, light colored dress or top and then being surprised with huge leakage spots. I'd rather be safe than sorry!
• diaper ointment. Henry has actually only had diaper rash once, when we tried a different brand of diapers, but I keep this in there just in case. This particular one is from my Aunt Ellen, and is "Earth Friendly Baby" brand. 
• diapers. I always have at least a few. We are currently using Costco brand and love them.
• prefold cloth diaper for wiping up drool, etc. On top of that is a blue onesie in case H. needs a change of clothing, which could totally happen due to any number of bodily functions. And on the very top is a thin blanket that can be used for a million different purposes.
• a book. I like to be able to read with him wherever we are if the occasion arises.
• baby wipes. We got these at our shower (Earth's Best brand) so we've been using them. At home though we use Costco brand and really, really love them. $20 for 900. Awesome.
• teeny tiny first aid kit for obvious reasons.
• Sophie Giraffe. Henry isn't teething yet, but it's great to have a toy to keep him busy and distract him in case he starts to cry. He loves this little animal and it always makes him smile.

So, there you have it! I'd also LOVE to see what's in your diaper bag, so mamas, if you want to make a similar post, link back here or email the link to me at sometimessweetblog@gmail.com and I'll include the link in a round up post next week!

Featured...

One more link for this lovely Friday- head on over to my sweet friend Emily's blog to check out my "Pretty Pieces" feature, where I share 5 favorite items from my closet!  I love this idea, and I adore Emily, and if you don't already have her blog in your regular reads I highly suggest it. She's a fellow AZ gal with the cutest style and her blog is a daily stop of mine! Thanks for featuring me Emily!