Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic
Tag

houston

Browsing
Personal

Happy First Birthday, Isla Milijana!

Today, my little baby turns one year old. It sounds so cliche, but I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown by. For her birthday, I bought her a little baby doll and stroller, which I of course gave to her on Monday as soon as I got home from Target (she doesn’t know the difference!). She has been pushing it all around the house and will stop to lean over, adjust her baby and sometimes get in front of it to put the pacifier in the doll’s mouth. My emotions don’t know how to deal with this level of sweetness. My baby loves her baby, and I love my baby so much it hurts.

So much has happened over the last year. Isla was born, then we went and lived in Colorado for two months during July and August, then traveled to Mexico City (our first time to leave her!), Sasha started working on a new client for work, and I quit my job. We traveled to Europe, took trips to Austin and New Orleans to watch two of our best friends get married, and enjoyed plenty of time together as a family of three here in Houston.

Having a newborn is so tough. I was reminded of that the other day. But I miss it so much at the same time. Isla is way more fun at one year old than she was at one day, and I love that her personality is shining through. She is definitely a wild child in the making, and it makes me laugh. She’s also so sweet and tender at times, when she’ll bury her face into a blanket and snuggle in my lap.

Isla started walking around her 11 month-iversary, then stopped for the first week in Europe. She’s back at it again, making huge strides (pun intended) around our house since we got home. I cannot believe it – I love watching her do the Thriller walk with her arms out in front of her (getting more and more confident everyday). She eats everything, but also loves throwing her food on the ground for Belle to eat (she calls her Bbbbbeh-beh and adores her). She especially loves water (even La Croix), almond butter, goat cheese, hummus, pasta, bread, strawberries and salmon. Isla is still breastfed 4-5 times a day, but I’ll wean her to two starting next week (wahhh!). She’s exclusively been fed breastmilk since she was born (but we have nothing against formula!). Isla has her bottom two teeth that are fully grown in, and the top two just broke through with the next two already becoming visible (thanks, Livi, for the warning!).

Isla is definitely more of a mover-and-shaker than a talker, but she does say “Baba,” “Dada/Tata” (in reference to Sasha) and as of the last two weeks, now says “Mamamama” (I almost fainted when I heard it). She also says, “Bubbles” which is hilarious because I LOVE bubbles and we have them floating around our house all too often. She loves her books, her lovie, her blankets, and recently, her pacis (aren’t we supposed to wean her? Woops). Isla really likes swimming (and wading in our new pool) – and I am right there next to her! It’s hot in Houston!

We are throwing Isla a confetti-themed party on Saturday, and I cannot wait to celebrate her with our closest family and friends. I’m getting some serious assistance from my friend, Meredith of Cake & Confetti, with the party! She’s amazing.

A few weeks ago, we had our family photos taken by Paige of Awake Photography (whom we adore). It rained for days on end before the photos, so the humidity was at an all time high and I was a puddle by the end of the shoot (my hair didn’t stand a chance – even though the most talented lady ever, Brittany of Butter Makeup, did it!).

AwakePhotography-1004

by
Keep Reading
#GIRLBOSS

#GIRLBOSS: Meredith of Cake & Confetti

GirlBossCakeConfettiI’m very fortunate to have recently been plugged into a group of successful female business owners in Houston, and being newly self-employed, I want to make sure that I am learning from these inspiring girl bosses (or #GIRLBOSSES – which, by the way, if you haven’t read Sophia Amoruso’s book, you’re missing out). I decided to start a Q&A series with these women, and the first interview is with Meredith Staggers, the owner of Cake & Confetti.

Meredith and I only recently met, but we have 140 mutual Facebook friends, so I feel like I practically have known her my whole life (lots in common to chat about). I’ve had so much fun getting to know her over the past month and a bit, and I am so impressed with her business savviness. Cake & Confetti just turned two (see some sneak peek photos we took this week on her and my Instagram!), and I know that there are so many amazing things ahead for this boutique company. I hope you enjoy reading Meredith’s answers below – I definitely did (insert confetti emoji) – and definitely make sure to follow along on Instagram. I promise it’ll make your feed just that much prettier.  

by
Keep Reading
Personal

Week in Review

The big week is finally here – we leave for Europe on Thursday, and while I’ve been preparing for months, there are still a ton of last minute things that need to be taken care of. Like… actually quitting my job, which is a big on! I have an exit interview this week, and I have to go and turn in my badge and laptop. The only thing that is totally done is packing! We took care of that on Saturday night, which is a big thing off our check list. And of course, there was the typical passport scare (how do I always misplace them?).

The past week was full of playdates and lunches with friends, which I love so much. We are so blessed with the wonderful people in our lives.

The highlights of this week included:

  • Finding out more about an upcoming collaboration with Decorist, which I’m really excited about. Just as Sasha thinks we’re done with changes to the house after we finish our master bedroom, I’m throwing a curve ball by re-fiddling our entry/living room. I cannot wait to share the process with you!
  • Meeting two of my closest (and longest-lasting) friends, McKenzie and Brittany, for lunch at Dish Society. We’ve been best friends since elementary (17 years and counting), and we always have the greatest giggles. I love them to pieces, and Isla does too. It’s such a joy seeing them interact.
  • Going to Isla’s The Little Gym class – we had to miss for two weeks while she was sick, and before that, our nanny was taking her. I was very ready to be playing on the gymnastics equipment with her, blowing bubbles and doing flips.
  • A visit from my newest ‘bestie,’ Meredith, who is helping with Isla’s party. She is the owner of Cake & Confetti (on Instagram), and I love every single creative idea she’s thrown at me. I cannot wait to celebrate on June 6!
  • Getting a surprise visit from my little sister, Jill, who brought over a juice from Big Yoga’s new juice bar. It was delicious, and I need to go myself!
  • Taking Isla’s first birthday photos with Paige of Awake Photography at T.C. Jester Park on Friday. She sent them to me that same day (I love her), and I’ve already ordered the Shutterfly book, which guests will sign at her party (order now for 50% off with code ‘Celebrate’)!
  • Getting my makeup done by the incredibly talented Brittany Williams (I cannot wait to share details about her new business!) – she’s the sweetest friend ever and came over at 6am on the day we were taking family photos. I love her to pieces. We then went to lunch later at Adair Kitchen in the day and met our other ‘bestie,’ Jessica.
  • Celebrating Lainey’s first birthday with the cutest party at her house. I loved all of the little lady bug details (a nod to her nickname, Lainey Bug), and especially her silhouette from Biscuit Home.
  • Eating lunch at Yard House with our friends, Alexis and Mike, and their sweet little boy Kevin (who you’ve seen before here, here, here and here).
  • Going on a triple date (plus Isla!) to True Food Kitchen with Amanda, Scott, Taylor and Luke (all featured in this post!). I love these two couples so much.
  • Sneaking in a visit to Crave Cupcakes for a vegan cupcake for Isla’s cake smash (I sprayed it with water and rolled the icing in sprinkles!). They definitely have the best vegan red velvet cupcake in Houston.
  • Fighting the Texas heat with a dip in the pool for Isla’s swim class at Dad’s Club. The lessons are now outdoors, and it’s literally the only opportunity I have to get a tan. Killing two birds with one stone!
  • Finally making my way back to Life Time Fitness after a hiatus with Isla being too sick to take to day care. I’m doing my BBG workouts there, and loving them so far!
  • Having a playdate with our sweet friends, Emma and Alexander. He is seriously a doll. I love him! He’s two weeks younger than Isla, and already says, “Hiya.” Cue my heart melting.
  • Treating myself to a Drybar visit. I watched The Notebook while sipping champagne and getting my hair done. That’s seriously my idea of heaven.
  • Hearing Derrick preach at Bayou City Fellowship about suffering. It was so good. We sang the most beautiful songs – ‘Come and See’ by Matt and Cameron Hammon and ‘Good Good Father’ by Housefires II.
  • I told my sweet neighbor that I missed reading the Houston Chronicle, and the next day, she put her copy on my door mat. It was the best surprise all week.
  • Getting my new Johansen Totes camera bag in the mail, as well as my second lens for my new Canon Mark III – a 24-70mm f/2.8L. I am loving it so far. I already purchased the 50mm f/1.2L, and adore it. So anxious to finalize details about my new photography venture!
  • Celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday on Wednesday and having her babysit twice!

What were the highlights of your week? I would love to know. Have a great Monday!

AwakePhotography-1110Isla’s first birthday photos by Paige of Awake Photography (more on Instagram!)4B3A2344

by
Keep Reading
Personal

11 Months

Yesterday, #LittleMissIsla celebrated her eleven month-iversary, making her not so little any more (new hashtag search begins! Ha). Given that she still seemed miserable and kept tugging on her ear, I showed up at our pediatrician’s office at 8:30am when they opened and snuck our way in for an unscheduled appointment. She got drops to remove liquid that is trapped in her ear canal, and I’m hoping she feels better soon! Since they weighed her while we were there, I know how she weighs 20.5 pounds, which is a whopping 14 pounds more than she did eleven months ago. The girl loves food.

Other things that Isla loves? Isla loves her water bottles. She also loves tossing them onto the floor seven thousand times and watching us pick them up. Apparently, we are her slaves! She adores taking naps when I run. She loves her ‘bestie’ (a lovie from RH Baby & Child), her pacifiers when she naps (and chunking them out of the crib when she’s over them), changing the tunes on her Sound Sheep, dancing to Uptown Funk, clapping her hands, playing hide and seek behind her ottoman, throwing the balls from her ball pit around the playroom, and chewing on her plastic crayons. Isla loves all dogs, especially little yappy ones. She loves breastfeeding (how will we ever wean?). Isla enjoys taking her clothes off – one arm at a time. She really likes to look at herself in the mirror (not vain at all, right?) and takes delight in her nightly baths with Tata on duty.

So, what are some things that make Isla laugh? Peek-a-boo. Such a classic. But she prefers to hide and unhide herself versus us doing it. She also has the most ticklish thighs and underarms. She will lose her marbles if you give her a good squeeze! Isla laughs when you do animal noises (especially a lion’s ‘Rawr’!). She giggles when we exclaim ‘YAY!’ when she claps (and then claps more). But most of all, she loves when I do cheerleading jumps (see video here).

Things that Isla dislikes? Getting her face and nose wiped is a big #1. Taking a nap if she’s got a dirty diaper (it won’t happen, even if she’s exhausted). She also dislikes being fed (she’d prefer to do it herself, which is the messiest experience ever). There are times when Isla dislikes being held by anyone but me, but that’s normally just toward the end of the day when she’s exhausted (or more recently when she was sick). She really is not a fan of anyone taking away their cell phone once she’s got it in her tight grip (yikes).

Isla is still sleeping from 6:30pm – 7:30am (except this past week, which was difficult with her being sick), and she’s now down to one nap a day (normally 12:30-2:30pm). She is standing on her own and will take 6-7 steps, but definitely still has sea legs. She much prefers to crawl at this time, but is getting more and more confident in walking. She eats just about everything, but dislikes beets and tends to toss bananas to Belle (our dog). She is more happy in swim class every single week (first lesson was a mess!), and enjoys music and gym classes too.

I cannot believe that in less than a month, we’ll be celebrating her first birthday. It seems like this year has flown by, which makes me sad, but then I think about how much more fun she is every day, and I get excited about the future. I cannot wait until she can talk and tell us what she’s thinking! She is just a bundle of joy, and we love her to pieces.

Month by month: 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

4B3A1094

by
Keep Reading
Personal

Week in Review

I made some pretty big decisions this week, which I’ll share when things are finalized later this week, so my mental and emotional condition was all over the place. Add this to the fact that Isla caught herpangina, which is a mouth virus causing ulcers and fever, and I’d say that I am actually excited that today is Monday, and we’re starting afresh (although I think she may still have an ear infection – we’re going back to the doctor today). I’m very grateful that Isla has not been sick until this point, and I am praying that it doesn’t happen again any time soon, as it breaks my heart to see her feel so miserable.

This week, I am feeling especially grateful for our wonderful friends. I got to see some friends I hadn’t seen in awhile, which his always fun. Wine, games, good food and deep belly laughs. I couldn’t ask for more.

My favorite moments this week were:

  • Catching up with two former coworkers-turned-friends at Ruggles Green – deep belly laughs over a Texas Goat Cheese Salad with wine is my ideal night.
  • Going to the Derby party at Julep (it was gorgeous), which was styled by my friend, Meredith of Cake & Confetti, and Ashley of Sugar and Cloth (who is seriously the sweetest) – both of whom I got to see on Sunday at the Social Media and Branding Workshop held by Ashley and Christian of 1924. First, I am obsessed with that studio. Second, they are amazing. I’m so motivated to up my social media game, especially with the launch of my photography business in a few weeks!
  • Picking up goodies at The Monogram Shop and Paper Source and finishing up a design project for Isla’s party – we leave for Paris and St. Petersburg in less than three weeks, and get back with less than a week before her party! I’ve got to finish prepping soon.
  • Trying a new restaurant – Buff Burger – that is near our house. We loved it! Their veggie burger is delicious!
  • Having two of our favorite friends over – Philip and Sydney – for dinner at the house (Whole Foods pizza, aren’t we good hosts? Ha!) and then playing Taboo afterwards. I love game night, and we had such a good time (although the girls lost – better luck next time!!).
  • Meeting with my fellow creative ladies at Adair Kitchen for more secretive planning – I’m bursting at the seems to share details and get everyone in Houston involved!  Not too long now.
  • Signing up for a few new exciting photography shoots – including some for The Fancy Ashley! Pretty excited for what’s ahead.

How was your week? What were your highlights?

4B3A1027W6She is obsessed with dried mango4B3A1039

by
Keep Reading