Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic
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Week in Review

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Personal

Week in Review

Can it be Friday already, please? Although there is no such thing as sleeping in on the weekends with a baby, Monday mornings still make me feel so much more tired than a Saturday or Sunday. I wake up extra early to catch up on emails and to write this post before sweet Isla wakes up. I had the best weekend ever in Austin, celebrating the marriage of two incredible friends. Sophee and I have gone to school together since elementary, but only became best friends when we lived together at The University of Texas at Austin. I adore her. Both Sophee and Johnny are the most loving, thoughtful and selfless humans on this planet, and it was so evident that everyone felt that way about them throughout the weekend. I’m going to share more photos of the bridal brunch, rehearsal and wedding later this week, but am including a few sneak peeks this morning.

Although last week was a busy week with wedding prep for my friends Brittany and Amanda, as I finished an entire set of wedding envelopes and worked on welcome brochures and cocktail menu signs, I did make time for a few additional fun activities like having Sasha’s two cousins, Kristina and Bobby, over for dinner at our house on Thursday.

Other highlights included:

  • Eating breakfast with my longest-lasting-best-friend, Alisdair, at Kerbey Lane in Austin (kind of like we did last year!). We grew up together in Scotland, then he moved to Texas for our senior year of high school and stayed another 6 years! He moved back to Scotland over two years ago and is currently visiting. We’re having a big get-together at our house to celebrate tonight!
  • Attending Isla’s first swimming class at our local pool, Dad’s Club – it was not the highlight of her week, let’s just say that. Our instructor said it’s normal for them to cry during their first session, so I’m definitely looking forward to when she starts to enjoy the class! And there are only three babies/moms, and one of them coincidentally is our friend, Nina!
  • Running with Isla a number of times while using her new lion neck pillow that I found on Amazon – I used to worry about her neck being uncomfortable while we ran, and I am so excited to have found this! She loves it.
  • Picking up our visas from the Russian consulate – it’s official! We are going to St. Petersburg! And planning an Australia/New Zealand trip for January 2016! It’s not booked yet, but we’re heading to the Australian Open next year. I’m beyond excited.
  • Visiting sweet baby Kerr – he slept the whole time. Julie said he is only awake 45 minutes to an hour a day. What?? I know. I am bringing out next baby over to her house and making her do some sort of sleep-vibe-transfer.
  • Getting a new ficus delivered for our bedroom from Houston Interior Plants – I want one in every single room. Seriously! I love adding a pop of green plant life to our house.
  • Clapping, waving, and high fives all day, every day. Isla is obsessed with all three. And she will mimic whatever I do with my tongue now, whether that be wiggle it from side to side or make klacking noises. She things it’s hilarious, and I do too.
  • Getting my nails done at Paradise Nails, while Sasha’s mom spent time with Isla after Laura, our nanny left. I used to enjoy getting my nails done more than I do now, as I’m always wondering what Isla is up to, but I still love a good foot soak and back massage!

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Week in Review

Week in Review

Can you believe that March is almost over? I’ve having slight anxiety about how quickly the year is flying by, and I’m totally convinced I’ll have an emotional breakdown sometime before Isla turns one. Given that we’re getting closer to that date and because we’ll be gone for close to two weeks right before her birthday, I started the birthday planning process this week. Papellerie is designing her invitations, and I’m so excited to see what that incredible team creates. They are responsible for our wedding invitations + all paper goods, and I loved everything they touched.

Last week, our nanny started part time, as I’m still waiting for confirmation on my role and we had set her start date earlier in the month. She’s coming this week again, and I’m taking the opportunity to do the wedding calligraphy for one of my best friends, Brittany. She dropped off the envelopes this weekend, and they’re gorgeous! I cannot wait to celebrate with them in Vail this summer.

Other highlights from the week include:

  • Working on final wedding details for Amanda’s wedding – guest favors, programs, welcome bags, etc. – we’ve got back-to-back weddings the next two weekends (one in Austin, one in New Orleans) and I’m so excited for both!
  • My mom and sister were in Durango for the week, as they’re renovating the second and third floors (which used to be very vintage), so we went out to lunch at Ruggles Green with my dad – of course, he and Sasha had to argue over who ate more (see photo below)
  • On Saturday, we had a date night with Sasha’s friend from the UT MBA program (familiar face?) – we ate at Giacomos (one of our favorites!) and then had cocktails after dinner at Anvil – their French 75s are scarily good
  • We ate at Carrabbas twice – this is pretty much the definition of a good week for me (Insalata Fiorucci, all day, every day)
  • Listening to Jamie Winship preach at Bayou City Fellowship, and then going to lunch afterwards at True Food Kitchen, where Isla ate her first muffin, scrambled egg and (yuck) turkey sausage – so far, she’ll scarf down anything except for beets!
  • Taking photos of a friend’s puppy for his first birthday! It sounds so ridiculous, but I loved it – dogs are easy models because they don’t worry about how they look! I cannot wait to share more photos soon
  • Meeting baby Kerr and taking newborn photos in the hospital – what a special project! I want to do this full time! You can see the photos here
  • Finishing the Russian visa application process, that involved about many hours of paperwork, passport photos, cashiers checks, as well as three visits to the application office! I am praying our trip is worth it!
  • Going to Isla’s first music class at Fundamentally Music – I think I had just as much fun as her, singing songs, dancing, blowing bubbles, shaking tambourines, etc. She starts swim lessons this week, and I’m so excited for those too!
  • Enjoying every ounce of sunshine between rain clouds by going on family runs and making visits to the park

What were the highlights of your week?

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Week in Review

Week in Review

Happy Monday! If you live in Houston or have friends here, you are probably tired of people talking about the sunshine, but seriously – it has been so nice to see the sun poking out from behind the clouds after what feels like an eternity. Sasha and I took advantage of the warmth on Saturday and Sunday and spent as much time outdoors as possible. We went to Memorial Park for Isla and I to run and for Sasha to play tennis with his friend. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon at my parent’s house by the hot tub. Isla rocked an itsy bitsy bikini, which our cousin bought for her before she was born – and I adore it.

One of the low points of the week was filling out the insane application form to travel to Russia, and then getting the passport photos, and then going to the bank for cashiers checks, and then going to one office that pointed us to another office, which had a sign pointing us back to the first office. Slightly confused, but praying we get it all worked out this week, as I am so excited for our trip to St. Petersburg!

Besides the visa confusion, the week went really smoothly. Some of the highlights included:

  • Being a featured segment on Great Day Houston! It was live and I was pretty nervous, but I loved doing it and would totally jump at an opportunity to go on the show again.
  • Triple-dating it at Jonathan’s The Rub with Amanda, Scott, Taylor and Luke – it’s an amazing restaurant just a stone’s throw from the house, so we walked (super rare in Houston!)
  • Celebrating Jessica’s birthday dinner at La Vista – love their Spinach salad so much!
  • Catching up with our good friends, Patrick and Betsy, over lunch at Dish Society on Sunday – we are terrible and haven’t seen them since our trip to Mexico City in September!
  • Eating at Island Grill and running into our friends, Lindsey and Casey, and their sweet kids, Walker and Hollis (whose birthday party we celebrated just a few weeks ago!)
  • Meeting my mom and her friend, Ona Rae, at Le Petit Cafe for lunch – this was a staple spot we’d eat at when I was working on a project at BP before maternity leave
  • Having Sunday night ‘Family Dinner’ with my parents and two sisters at Russos – always lots of laughter involved with these dinners!
  • Trying out the core class at Life Time Fitness, and needless to say, my stomach still hurts and my ribs feel broken? Strange but true.
  • Birthday shopping for Jessica with my friend, Brittany, and then meeting the birthday gal at Memorial Park to walk the three mile loop (with Isla strapped to my chest!)
  • Having Sasha’s mom over for lunch on Friday – Isla took an unusually long nap, so we got to have some quality chats before eating together
  • Getting a short but sweet visit from our friends, Matt and Paige, and their daughter, Ellery, who is seriously just the happiest and cutest little girl ever (how was this over a year ago??)
  • Spending Saturday morning with Sasha’s dad, his wife, Olivera, and her mom, who is here visiting from Serbia
  • Finding the world’s cutest sandal ever at Old Navy – these glitter Birkenstocks truly melt my heart. I want them for me.
  • Visiting Sasha’s aunt, Zlata, who is so good with Isla, and of course, Isla adores her because she gives her with candy and biscuits!
  • Getting the prettiest package in the mail from Claire Martin Designs – she is so talented! You definitely need to email her for an order!

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Week in Review

This past week has been one of really high highs and really low lows. As I mentioned last week, Sasha’s uncle passed away on Wednesday morning, and the rest of the week felt like it had a big grey cloud hanging over it. The funeral was held yesterday, and it was very emotional for everyone. Tom has left an amazing legacy, and I’m so grateful to have known him for the last 4 1/2 years.

On a much less grave note, another low was the selling of our house falling through. Crazy, I know – it was a big secret, except for close family and friends, that we were even considering moving! We were under contract for our house, but the appraisal came in less than the sale price, and we weren’t able to settle on a final offer. We had been talking to a builder in our neighborhood who is building a spec home we were planning on customizing. We’re both very disappointed with everything, but know that things happen for a reason. We love our house, so are okay with staying put for awhile longer!

The highs for the week included getting to take photos for yesterday’s blog post at Spring Street Studios and being able to spend time with Brittany Lais Williams, my insanely talented friend, who did my hair and makeup, as well as Paige Budde of Awake Photography. I love Paige’s photographs so much, and could look at her blog all day. We stopped by the Papellerie studio after taking pictures, and got to hug Amy and Riley, the duo responsible for my wedding stationery (which you can see here). Isla clung to Riley the whole time (see photo below!). It was so cute.

Other highlights for the week included:

  • Spending time with my sister-in-law, Ivana, who was in Texas for work and then stayed longer for the funeral – I seriously could not ask for a better SIL, she is wonderful
  • Seeing my best friend, McKenzie, who has been in London for two weeks for work (we cannot talk about the jealousy here!) – she got me the most amazing birthday gifts – Deliciously Ella and the world’s comfiest snood – and a Pink Peonies Collection ring, which hasn’t arrived just yet (cannot wait to see it!)
  • Eating lunch at Dish Society with Brittany and our friend, Kasey – I love that place!
  • Going to eat lunch at Empire Turkish Grill with my mother-in-law and Isla (who loved the hummus!)
  • Getting a manicure on Saturday and a blow out at Dry Bar on Sunday
  • Spending a day in Katy with my mom and older sister – Sasha was very against buying an exercauser for Isla, so she gets excited when we go and she gets to play in it
  • Celebrating Isla’s 9 month-iversary and watching her learn to clap, which she know does anytime anyone mutters the word ‘clap’ (video here) and more tickles and giggles
  • Picking up the pottery that my friend, Danielle (of Project 3×5), and I painted from Mad Potter – I love our new ‘Isla’ mug and ‘I’ plate (a gift from Dani)!
  • Having a cousin play date with Ana (Isla’s cousin who is just under a month younger!)
  • Two shopping trips to Gap – I am loving their clothes lately! For Isla and for me!
  • Ordering a dress for Isla’s first birthday party (don’t worry, that’s all I’ve done – I just had to have it!)
  • Getting to ‘do’ bath time as Sasha was in North Dakota for work all week – it’s his responsibility normally, but I love getting to bathe Isla

My brain isn’t fully functioning right now after a long day, so if I’m forgetting something that we did together, my sincere apologies. I promise it was a highlight too 🙂 Lots of iPhone photos this week, as my DSLR didn’t get much action given everything going on.

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Week in Review

Week in Review

Happy Monday! As I mentioned here on Friday, the week flew by and then we had the busiest Saturday I can remember. We had Hollis’ first birthday party near our house, then Nora’s first birthday party in Katy, and James’ fourth birthday party back in town. Three birthday parties, coupled with some other secret stuff (that I hope to share soon!) meant that by 6:30pm on Saturday night, the entire Petrovic family was exhausted. All of the celebrations were so much fun, and the three mommas did amazing jobs with the decorations! I only got a few photos at Hollis’ and none at James’, as I was holding Isla for both of those parties. However, I got a ton at Nora’s and plan to share them later this week, as Danielle really outdid herself (check out her beautiful Etsy store).

I”m sharing lots of other highlights from the week (as well as tons of photos) below. It seems that I really like to photograph Isla eating and sleeping the most. I seriously could watch her sleep all day long (but she hates naps, so that is impossible). When she does go to sleep, Isla loves to be covered in blankets, lovies, Meg the Monkey and her favorite butterfly (one of these).

Moments to be grateful for:

  • Having cheese, wine, and truffle popcorn at our house with two sweet friends, Jessica and Brittany (host of this year’s Galentine’s Day) – I made them the raw healthy, vegan Oreos (renamed N’Oreos by my sister) which were eaten quickly!
  • Eating at one of my favorite spots in Houston – Tiny Boxwoods – with my friends, Melissa and Kiran (Good chats + Beet It Burger + White Wine Mojito – it doesn’t get any better than that!)
  • Going over to my friend’s house for a playdate with her son, Alexander – the lunch spread that Emma put together could not have been more perfect!
  • Touring First Baptist Academy’s Primary School with Marcy, the Director of Early Childhood – she is seriously the sweetest, and that school is unbelievable… we’re on the waitlist and I will be praying every night for those spots to move quickly!
  • Being surprised with a belated birthday flower delivery from a sweet friend – they’re the most beautiful pop of color in our kitchen right now!
  • Going with my older sister to visit our little sister’s apartment in the Med Center (she’s a student at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston – she requested frozen yogurt, so I brought (and ate) the best – Orange Leaf
  • Staying in on Friday evening with my sister to play Bananagrams – have you played? If you’re a logophile, you would adore this game.
  • Being talked into going to STRIKE! at Life Time Fitness – I haven’t been able to move my arms since Thursday
  • Going to church on Sunday – it’s always my the way I calm down after a busy Saturday/week, and I love Bayou City Fellowship so much
  • Visits from Sasha’s mom (Four days – lots of Baba-loving!), his step dad, and my parents!
  • Laughing as Isla learned how to master the straw sippy cup, which she did after a few upside-down attempts! Sasha at first thought it was too hard to sip through the straw, but was proved wrong!
  • More berry painting – It’s so messy, but Isla and I both love it! She kept trying to eat her masterpiece!
  • Stopping by Biscuit Home for birthday party gifts and being tempted to buy absolutely everything
  • Getting a new BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light in the mail, which is seriously incredible. We used it as a playpen temporarily on Tuesday as my sister and I prepped for a case study, and Isla loved it! I can’t wait to take it with us to Europe in May.
  • Watching Isla as she practices how to wave and point – my sister taught her to point at me when she said, “Where’s Muma?”

How was your week? What were the highlights?

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