Just Call Me a Coffee Addict...

Every morning usually after I have retrieved at least one of the boys, I head to the kitchen to make coffee.  Until I have that first cup, I feel like I am not really awake.  I drink on a cup while I get Nolan's breakfast ready and Conley is playing in his activity center.  I know this will be the only time I have a chance before the chaos begins.  Below is one of my favorite coffee mugs, because it is a tall one and can take a mega dose of morning coffee.

When I was sent my Tonx box of coffee, I was ecstatic to give it a try.  Not only did it have some delicious coffee beans, it came with some pretty cool swag.

I mean this shirt?  It's that super soft T-shirt that you just want to live in.  Not to mention a French Bulldog making coffee?  Now that's just an added bonus.

Tonx delivers fresh beans to your house every other week with beans from exceptional coffee bean farmers who are fanatical about tasty coffee.

So if you are a busy mom like me, who usually has a case of the mom brain and will constantly forget to buy coffee beans, then you need to check out the Tonx subscription where all you have to do is open your front door for your fresh coffee beans.  Not to mention, the coffee beans are fresher and way better than what you can even buy at your grocery store.

Here's a quick run down about Tonx:

The Tonx team is made up of experts with years of experience from seed to cup.  They know that home-brewed coffee can be just as good as your favorite cafe.  It's not as hard as baristas make it out to be--but it all starts with fresh beans, which you can't get if you buy bags of beans from grocery stores.  Pre-ground coffee is even worse.  Great coffee actually has very little to do with fancy gadgets and expensive gizmos.

The best part? Your Tonx Coffee subscription is very easy to manage, and they have great customer service because we appreciate every customer.  They will always be transparent with how your subscription is being managed, and it's very easy to pause, cancel, or adjust your quantity for your needs.  If you need tips or advice on how to get the most out of your coffee, they are always available to chat.  

Everyone can sign-up for a Tonx free trial...all you need to do is head over to Tonx and sign up.

Full disclaimer:  Tonx will ask for a credit card and automatically subscribe users to the lowest monthly subscription unless they cancel.  They provide very clear messaging and reminders (via email) before moving users to a paid subscription.  They believe that once you try their fresh coffee, you'll want more!

I had the opportunity to try the Ecuador beans, and let me say from the nutty smell to the taste was absolutely perfection!  I wouldn't say that I'm a coffee snob...ok maybe I am but it takes a lot to impress me with a good cup of coffee.  It's got have great flavor with a richness that lasts to the bottom of the cup.  Tonx believes wanting good cup of coffee doesn't make you a coffee snob just like you wouldn't call someone that wants to wear clean socks a "laundry snob."

And since I'm feeling like sharing the love, I will send one lucky reader their very own free sample of the Ecuador coffee beans that I received in my Tonx box.  All you have to do is comment and let me know how much you love some good coffee!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tonx Coffee.

Natalie

Operation Re-Cover Pillows

Some of you that follow me on Instagram may have already seen what I have been up in my new I'm-learning-to-sew-total-newbie adventure.  For Christmas, I asked for an aqua blue chevron print to re-cover my pillows that came with my couch and big chair.  I never liked the stock pillows, but I did like the size and the fact that the back of them matched the couch.  So I received the fabric from my mother-in-law, and I finally happy to say that I have completed one pillow...just three more to go!

Here's the result next to the old pillow (you might have noticed it in the background of Conley's photos):

The fabric is 100% cotton, so I'm in the market for some time of stain resistant spray.  Anyone have any kid-friendly suggestions?  Happy Tuesday!

Natalie

Be Still My Heart...

This boy has my heart...his big grin is contagious and could brighten any day.

This boy is growing too fast.

This boy loves his big brother and watches his every move.

This boy is eating solids and loving it.

This boy is 17 pounds of chunk, and I love every bit of those chubby thighs.

This boy has big green eyes, a different shade but are shaped like his brother's.

This boy is learning to sit up, and likes grabbing his toys.

This boy is 6 months old...a half a year old now.

Stay still my heart, and soak it in.  These moments are fleeting.

"So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
'Cause oh that gave me such a fright
But I will hold as long as you like 
Just promise me we'll be alright

But hold me still, bury my heart on the coals
But hold me still, bury my heart next to yours."

Ghosts That We Knew---Mumford & Sons 

Natalie

My Go-To Meals

As many of you might remember over a year ago, my husband and I decided to follow the Primal Blueprint for our meals.  Many of you and my friends ask but what do you eat?

And honestly I find it easier to prepare meals because I am able to use ingredients that I have on hand, and my grocery trips are a lot less stressful.  I basically buy fresh produce (organic when the price is right or it is the dirty dozen) and grass fed or no preservatives, no hormones, and less processed meat.

Here's a few of my favorite go-to meals.  You will also see that the oven and marinating is my best friend.  It allows me to prepare foods while the kiddos are napping and does not require my constant supervision as something on the stove top might.  Less burnt food is always a good thing, right?

I have tons of pork recipes!

Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Brown Sugar:

Source: allrecipes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Balsamic Roasted Pork Tenderloin:

Source: allrecipes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Pork Chops with Tangy Honey Sauce:

Source: allrecipes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Pork Loin with Apples & Sauerkraut:

Source: marksdailyapple.com via Natalie on Pinterest

And some fabulous chicken recipes...

Happy Roast Dijon Whole Chicken:

Source: allrecipes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Whole Chicken Recipe with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, & Allspice:

Source: allrecipes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Balsamic Glazed Drummies:

Source: marksdailyapple.com via Natalie on Pinterest

(You will also see that I buy chicken drummies/thighs or whole chickens...these are less expensive and more tasty in my opinion than plain ole chicken breasts.)

Classic Beef Pot Roast:

Source: myrecipes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

(I have found that I like my dutch oven better than my crock pot.  It takes less hours, and the meat seems to be more tender.  Win/win in my book!)

Turkey Meatballs with Broccoli-Carrot Mash:

Source: marksdailyapple.com via Natalie on Pinterest

These are just a few of my favorites...and I have many more pork recipes so be sure to check me out on Pinterest!

Happy eating my friends!

Natalie

A Li'l helper Review & Giveaway!

As a mom of a 6 month old and a toddler, I always feel like I'm being pulled into different directions.  And really most of the time I mean this literally...I always think man I could use an extra set of hands right about now!  I mean lets be honest, two kids in diapers isn't a walk in the park. There are days I feel like I am knee deep in poo, wiping bums, and constantly feeding.

So when I was contacted by Li'l helper to try their product I jumped at the chance...because I need all the extra help I can get.

Li'l helper is a BPA-free baby bottle holder and revolutionary time-saver for parents during feeding and nursing time.  Created by a multi-tasking Dad, Li'l helper was designed to complement a baby's natural gripping instinct making it simple for them to grab on to.  This product comes in a variety of colors, fits most bottle sizes and has a rattle to keep baby amused. 

I was very excited to see how this product would work with my hungry boy...and I was very pleased with the results!  He loved holding his own bottle, and the design makes it super easy for him to grip...because it allows for a natural feeding position.  At night, we usually give Conley a bottle of pumped breast milk since he seems to be a little distracted in the evenings.

Now you get the chance to own your very own Li'l helper!  I know I have many bloggy friends out there that just recently had baby #2 or are about to, so I know you gals would love the extra hand.

Enter the Rafflecopter information below and good luck!

*Disclaimer: I received a Li'l helper for this review, and all opinions of the product are my own.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Valentine's Play Date

My group of mommy friends host weekly play dates, and I just happened to have Valentine's Day.

I decided to whip up some yummy treats for the group...and I am happy to report that the treats were a huge hit.

When I saw Erin's strawberry fudge I knew had to try the easy recipe.  Everyone loved them and are already asking for the recipe...so thanks Erin!

I also made dark chocolate marshmallows like I did for Nolan's party except this time with heart toothpicks and valentine sprinkles that I purchased at Kroger.

I found the super cute buckets from Target, and I found this adorable valentine printable here.   I just loved the arrow and pencil idea...easy but different. I also sent Nolan to MDO with the valentines. They also included a Thomas the Train valentine card and stickers that my mom bought for Nolan.

I love the photo of my two little valentines...even though it is dark it is the best one I have of the two of them!
How was your Valentine's Day?

An Early Valentine's

Last night the husband and I had an early Valentine's Day dinner at one our favorite restaurants, and our meal did not disappoint!  We decided to keep this V-day low key this year.  A fun fact about us:  Valentine's Day is a special holiday for us as a couple because it's the first one we spent together when we had just started dating.  We weren't even "official" yet, so it was a big deal for us to have a date on V-day.  I always have fond memories of V-day and looking back at our college days and how he always managed to make me feel special.  Who could believe we've been each other's Valentine for 12 years!

Here's an old photo from that day in 2001...(sorry the photo quality is so bad!)

This morning I decided to do the boys Valentine's gifts since Nolan has school tomorrow.  He was super excited to add Bash, Dash, Ferdinand, Emily, and Harold the Helicopter to his Thomas the Train collection. We also opened his V-day gifts from my parents that my mom sent to the boys.

And he also received some fun heart stickers...toddlers love them some stickers don't they?

And of course Nolan had to take over Conley's gifts as his own...oh the life of the 2nd born!

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

Natalie

A Whirlwind of a Weekend

This weekend sped by faster than usual.  Friday I was busy whipping up a meal for a lovely friend of mine who just had her baby girl #2 a few weeks ago.  I feel the biggest gift you can give a mom (especially one with a toddler and a newborn) is food!  I know that it really helped me out when I had my second baby.

On Saturday, my mother-in-law came to pick up Nolan to stay at her house.  She offered to do this because Conley was getting baptized on Sunday morning, and she figured it would help us out to get just one child ready for church (and boy did it!)

So with just one child on Saturday we ventured out to some stores and even ate at a new Mexican restaurant that had opened up a few months ago.  We went at like 4pm so we wouldn't have to wait...yes I know eating like an old married couple...but when you have kiddos you've gotta do what you've gotta do!

Sunday we dressed little man all in white and met the my in-laws and Nolan at the church.  The baptism went great...but I tell you sitting up front (we usually sit in the back since we have kids) is stressful.  Trying to keep a toddler quiet, and a baby happy by continuously bouncing and moving this way and that...well it just tires me out.  I always have anxiety when I know I've got a big event coming up, and I'm also relieved when it's over and crossed off the list.  Don't get me wrong, the baptism was beautiful and Conley did wonderful...and I did tear up when the priest was blessing him.  It's just the time building up to the day always has me worried on how it's going to go.  And usually everything goes fine...I'm just a person that likes to get it crossed off the list...anyone else feel like this?  This week isn't slowing down either.  Today Conley had his 6 month appointment and shots...Nolan has Little Gym tonight, tomorrow my mother-in-law is watching the boys so we can have an early Valentine's dinner, Thursday I'm hosting a play date at our house, and Saturday I've got a morning event so I'm leaving both boys with daddy.

Looks like February is going to be a blur for this household...how about yours?

Natalie

Little Moments Like This...

As my little boys grow, I realize it's the little moments I want to freeze in time.

--Nolan's favorite song is "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" by Train.  He will continually ask for the "Help Me" song when I'm at the computer or we're in the car.  Not sure if it's the mariachi sound in the beginning or the fact it mentions a cement mixer and an airplane all in the same song.  Whatever it is...he just loves to dance to this song.

--Conley's big smile and laugh.  He loves when you make faces at him, and I can really get him laughing when he's in the stroller and we're out and about.  It makes my heart happy to see him smiling so big.

--The funny faces Nolan makes or his funny eye batting he does.  Watch out girls---he's a ladies man with those doe eyes!

--Rockin' little Conley.  I know days can be hectic...but nothing is more sweet than looking at my little boy's angel face as he's cuddling on mommy's chest.

--Nolan loving to play hide and seek under our covers.  He begs and begs for us to play "covers" where he will literally sit with the sheet over his head and act like we can't see him.  It is the sweetest game, and he laughs and laughs when we find him.  Of course then we are requested to hide under the covers too :)

Last night I was thinking how fast the boys grow...and it's fun to watch them learn new things, but it also makes me sad because these moments are fleeting and before I know it they'll be teenagers.

What moments are you soaking in lately?
Natalie

The Winter Blues

Lately I feel like I can't write.  I'm not sure if it's the winter blues, but when I sit down to write a blog post my mind has been blank.

I've heard other bloggers talk about this recently so maybe it's the shorter and colder days?

Anyhow, it snowed here on Sunday with a light dusting and then was gone within an hour so little Nolan didn't get to play in it.

Speaking of that, do you guys have boots or snow type shoes for your kiddos?  We don't because last year we had such a mild winter.  Now I'm thinking I should get some just in case.

I've literally not taken many photos this year.  However joining Instagram has made me take photos with my phone, so that counts right?

Conley will be 6 months this Thursday.  Over the weekend we started him on his first bites of solids. Here was his first reaction:

After the first go around he seemed to warm up to the idea.  We tried pears and butternut squash...next up bananas and apples!

I also caught my boy's chubby cheeks with my camera phone!

Can't believe this guy will be 6 months this week!  Where does the time go?

How was your weekend my friends?

Natalie