Good morning! I hope y’all had a great Memorial Day weekend!  As you know, Tripp and I escaped to Duck, NC for one last blast of beach before the summer. It was so relaxing and fantastic…and much, much needed. As a mom I get totally sick of hearing myself talk. Don’t you? I feel like most days, all I do is talk to a) tell someone something to do, b) tell someone something not to do, c) explain how something works, d) warn of impending danger, e) warn of impending danger, f) warn of impending danger. For five days straight all I had to do was whatever I wanted. Therefore, I don’t have a lot to report.

We are, however, totally in love with where we stayed. Check out the 50’s style beach inn below.

Behold, the classic Sanderling Inn:

We stayed in the South Inn. It was so calm and serene. Every morning, they would serve coffee in the room below and there was always light classical music playing. I know. We sound old but nothing was better to us than waking up, walking into this room and having coffee with paper in hand and listening to Chopin. I guess that’s what happens to you when you have a kid and you really need a vacay!

Here is a picture of the room. Don’t underestimate that bed. It is THE most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in during my lifetime. Seriously. I slept without waking up ONCE every night…a true feat when three times a night is standard for me!

And, here we are relaxing on the beach and celebrating our Anny on Saturday!

(OK. I know this is an empty beach chair. BUT, it sums up what we did. N.O.T.H.I.N.G.!)

Well, Tripp surfed:

Then, we did nothing some more until dinner. We went to Blue Point for our Anny dinner. It was FAB.

That’s us over a strawberry-rhubarb cobbler. DEE-lish!

Ok. I promise a more detailed and kid-oriented post tomorrow. All this vacation has made me tired!

Adrianne

I have to dedicate my post today to my lovie hubby. Tomorrow is our Anniversary!! Here are some pics from our time together since 2001!

We met in New Orleans and had lots of adventures together there:

Then, we got married in New Orleans:

What fun it was flipping through these today!!

We moved to Richmond:

Our first house!

We started a family (our first child, Alice):

We had a baby:

Moved to the Rivah:

And now we’re adding to our family again:

All the time, having a BLAST:

It’s been so much fun, Tripp. I love you!!!

A

Yes, people. It’s true. I will be 31 on Sunday. 31 is officially being “IN” your 30’s. Honestly, I am okay with it but I’m not 100% sure what to do with it. I mean, I remember VIVIDLY when my mom was in her 30’s. I was 7/8 when she turned 31. It was also 1986.  I feel like my life should be just like “thirtysomething” from the 80’s.  Anyone remember that show? If not, you are too young or you are as old as dirt! (This also applies if you do not actively remember being shooed from the den so your parents could watch “Dallas.”)

Exhibit A: thirtysomething

Exhibit B: Dallas

I secretly want that big hair…

Exhibit C: Me as a barely 31′er

HA! Just kidding. Here’s the real me:

I am comforted by the fact that 30 is the “new” 20, right?? RIGHT???? I mean, I have my WHOLE life in front of me. And, I get to wear way cooler clothes (more sophisticated and non-teeny bopper)…

On that note, I am going back out to the beach (yes, we are back at the beach!) to relax under the umbrella and my large hat as to not accentuate my thirty-something wrinkle potential!

Adrianne

P.S. If anyone happens to be making a homemade strawberry cake with strawberry icing, call me! That would be FAB. (Wink wink!)

Yep. It’s here, ready or not! The proof: we just had four glorious days at the beach in nothing less than bikini weather. This season (my favorite), however, has kind of blind sided me this year. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been killing myself per usual in order to give my best shot at “bikini abs” and overall sculpted bikini-ness. I, therefore, naturally, opted for a more conservative tankini to cover my ever bulging preggers tummy. Well, let me tell you, it got HOT. My stomach was STEAMING from all the extra fabric. I started to think…pregnancy bikini. I must do it.

When we got home yesterday, I found a Fit Pregnancy mag in my mail box. Low and behold, there is an entire section dedicated to lovely pregnant ladies in bikinis (a few pics from the spread below). There is even a woman on the cover sporting a sassy two piece!

This little black bikini is totally my style. Yippee! (And, bonus skirt – cute and covers my ever growing you-know-what!)

Fit Pregnancy Mag

I lounge like this on a daily basis.;)

Fit Pregnancy Mag

I am completely convinced to let it all hang out from here on this summer. Check out the other gorgeous suits I found to fulfill my quest of tummy freedom:

SUPER fun and not skimpy!

Maternal America “Jeena” Bikini

Bella BumBum Bikini found at TummyStyle

I have actually tried this one on! The bottoms are NOT canoes…the usual in maternity fashions…from Prego Maternity.

Or…if you have even more of a “devil may care” attitude, skip the maternity part of the bikini completely and flaunt your stuff:

South Moon Under

I love the detail on this suit from Trina Turk (LOVE!)

Everything But Water.

Pregnant or not, this bathing suit shopping can be intimidating and a much dreaded sport, no? Good luck out there!

Adrianne

I don’t usually get all squishy-faced and kum-ba-ya-ish about touchy-feely topics. But, today, I am going to do just that. Why? Because it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday and your mother deserves some squishy-ness. I am a mother and I want some squishy-ness. In other words, give your mom a hug and tell her you love her, okay?

Let’s look at mom through the decades, shall we?

1950’s: Isn’t she so happy cleaning that table?

I look just like that when I clean in my perfect hair and dress. Wait. Do I sense some sarcasm in that smile?

1950’s/60’s: Now that is more like it (I Love Lucy!)

1960’s/70’s Modern women…HOT.

1980’s: Working Girl

My mom went to work in an office in the 80’s…did yours? And, she was the epitome of working fashion just like Melanie Griffith and Sigourney Weaver. Nicely done, Ladies.

1980’s: Who didn’t love Ferris Beuler’s mom?

1990’s: Catherine O’Hara’s “Home Alone” mom…I look like this before I’ve had my coffee.

2000’s: Heidi Klum making it look good (and easy!).

The top five reasons, in my book, to appreciate your mom this weekend:

1. You have thrown up on her person (or worse). You may not remember, but, I promise, you have. And, she cleaned it up without complaint AND still loves you.

2. You gave her a hard time at least once in your childhood? Come on. Be honest. That lady is tough! Example below (not to toot my own horn but I did survive this day). This is Davis at a Chuck E. Cheese’s outing one day. He is having a blast, no? (Note my fingers gripping trying to prevent him from falling out of my lap. Good thing you can’t see my face, too! If you could, it would be screaming, “We are having SO much fun, right? Yes! Yes, we are! (sarcasm, sarcasm)”)

3. Being a mom is a pleasure and tons of fun but it’s also a lot of work. Rewarding work. All moms are working moms.

4. She always listened to you and gave you hugs when you needed them most. (And, hopefully, she is still around to do this for you.)

5. Overall, you know she is Wonder Woman and you love her dearly:

(Those hips don’t lie!)

Have a great weekend and Mother’s Day everyone! I’ll be back at it on Monday.

Adrianne