Pre Fall Finds // On Sale

First, let me just say thank you for all of your amazing comments and excitement over finding out Baby Schue #2's gender.  It really makes me that much more excited to hear your stories about brotherly bonds and the joys that two siblings of the same sex bring.  So thanks for reconfirming many of the things that we were already looking forward to with two!  And as I said before...let the craziness begin!  ;)

On a different note...Happy {long} Labor Day Weekend!  If you're like me, you have probably started receiving emails about all the mega sales going on this weekend.  I thought I would highlight some of the fun finds I've been spotting...I'm sure there's more sales to come this weekend...

Gap:  Up to 40% off

Loving this side zip sweatshirt, puffer vest, and booties.

Old Navy: Up to 50% off

This crossbody bag and these flats are so chic!

Banana Republic: 40% off with code BRLABOR

They always have the best accessories, like these sunnies and this tote.

JCrew: 25% off with code WEEKEND {also extra 40% off sale items}

Majorly craving this sweater {good for us preggos}, these pants, and this cute snood.

Bauble Bar: Up to 50% off

How fun is the cuff trend and of course, you can never go wrong with this gold necklace.

Will you be shopping this weekend or simply enjoying the last "official" weekend of summer?

Whatever you do, I hope it's a good one!

xo natasha

We're Having A...

BOY!!!

That's right...Ethan is going to have a brother!  

And we've gone through all the range of emotions...from finding out with a XY blood test result {which was confusing to say the least} to seeing the business for ourselves yesterday...

Yep, there is no question that we've got a boy on our hands!  ;)

Boy or girl, I know we're in for a whole new adventure.  I can't even say that we're having "another" boy because this next child will certainly be his own little person.  I keep thinking...what will this little guy be like?  Will he have curly hair like Ethan?  Perhaps look more like his mama??  ;)  Will he have the same temperament?  And like to dance?   And follow his big brother around like crazy?  There will be so many fun times ahead and what better place to raise to young boys than Tahoe?

And of course, you know I will have my way with matching outfits {ok, at least matching holiday jammies!}.  And there's hide and go seek in the meadow, Dads and Lads spring training trips, matching Batman bandaids, camping adventures in the backyard, and so much more.  

So let the nursery plans officially begin {you didn't think I wouldn't redo the nursery, did you?} and of course matching holiday sets too!  ;)

xo natasha

19 Weeks // Gender Reveal this Week!

How far along? 19 Weeks {first 19 week update}

Baby Size: A mango

Total weight gain/loss: 5+ pounds...I've not been paying as close attention this time.

Maternity clothes? Just more maxi dresses.  My jeans officially don't zip or button, but the belly band does wonders!

Stretch marks? Good for now.

Sleep: A pillow is officially between my legs for extra back support.  But still sleeping really hard.  And having lots of crazy dreams!

Best moment this week: My work promotion!  ;)  And celebrating with my sis-in-law.

Miss Anything? Caffeine at any time.  I've been majorly craving diet coke/pepsi this time around {I know...not great}.

Movement: Lots of kicks, especially in the evening.  I'm even feeling it from the outside.  Just ready for Ryan to feel them now.

Food cravings: OMG, fried chicken thanks to Natalie's Charleston post!  I have may have tried to replicate the Boxcar chicken sandwich last night.  YUM!!!

Gender prediction: We officially find out today!!

Looking forward to: Seeing my baby on the U/S today!!

Differences this time around: I feel like I'm in the groove now...it's all very familiar between the kicks, the purple splotches I get on my chest {happened with Ethan too}, and just the way I'm carrying.  Definitely starting to feel the pangs of excitement about what this next baby will bring to our lives!

xo natasha

Our Weekend in 3

This weekend started off pretty terrifically...I was announced publisher of the paper I've been working at for the last six years.  //  I celebrated my brother's fiance's bachelorette party.  //  And we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the park.  

Being five months pregnant, I would say that it was a pretty good weekend overall!  ;)

How was your weekend?

xo natasha

A Night Out // Bachelorette Style

#1 Romper // Earrings // Clutch

#2 Dress // Earrings // Clutch

#3 Dress // Earrings // Clutch // Booties

This weekend is my sister-in-law {to be}'s bachelorette weekend and she's having it here in Tahoe!  And while I won't be able to partake in all the festivities, I love the excuse to get dressed up and go out for a girl's night.  ;)

What are you ladies up to this weekend??

xo natasha

I confess...

I confess...

...that I am so crazy busy right now, that I often forget that I am pregnant.  Thank God the baby knows what to do!

...that I am still so sad that about Robin Williams' death.  We watched Dead Poet's Society and Mrs. Doubtfire over the weekend.  :(

...that I am hanging on to every last second of the summer.  I LOVE Fall, but I'm not quite ready to talk about it yet.

...that I am over the moon excited for my friend Laura's new arrival!!

...that I never tire of the ALS videos {or more importantly, the cause!}.  Check out Ryan and Ethan's here!

...that I may have gone a little overboard on Back to School shopping for Ethan {and myself!}.  This, this and this were all part of the haul.  Oops!  And I guess this means that although I am not willing to talk about fall...I'm certainly ready to shop for it!  ;)

...that I am too pooped to keep writing this post!

xo natasha

Good Old Fashioned PB Cookies

I've had pretty consistent cravings for peanut butter this pregnancy...and a couple weekends ago, I convinced Ryan to make me some PB cookies.  I normally would need some chocolate with dessert, but these really satisfied my sweet tooth...and I definitely couldn't stop at just one!

Recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

Ingredients //

1 cup unsalted, room temp butter

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3 cups + 2 TBSP all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 granulated sugar, for rolling

Method //

Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and peanut butter and mix on high until combined. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, toss the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be thick, yet very sticky. Cover dough tightly and chill for at least 3 hours (and up to 2 days) in the refrigerator. (Psssst...we did not do this part and they turned out just fine).

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Roll balls of dough (about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and roll into granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Press fork into the tops to create the criss-cross pattern. Bake for 11 minutes or until very lightly browned on the sides. The centers will look very soft and undone. Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to "set" on the baking sheet during this time.

Cover cookies and store at room temperature for up to 1 week. Baked cookies and rolled cookie dough freeze well, up to 3 months.

Enjoy!

xo natasha

18 Weeks

How far along? 18 Weeks {first 18 week update}

Baby Size: A bell pepper

Total weight gain/loss: I would say a solid 5+ pounds now.

Maternity clothes? Thankfully, the summer time is a great time to wear maxi dresses...lots of maxi dresses!  This one is from Target.

Stretch marks? Still clear, though I am weary as I feel like the bump is growing much faster this time around!

Sleep: Solid, but starting to get some aches and pains.  Time for a pillow!

Best moment this week: Celebrating our five year anniversary!

Miss Anything? Doing pretty well right now.

Movement: More kicks...I think we will be able to fill the baby from the outside soon!

Food cravings: Soft serve!

Gender prediction: The cat will be out of the bag next week...hope Ethan can keep a secret until then!  ;)

Looking forward to: My brother is getting married next month and his fiance is having her bachelorette party up here in Tahoe this weekend!  That's right, I will be out at the clubs with my 18 week bump...get ready for it!

Differences this time around: The bump is growing at warp speed!

xo natasha

Our Weekend

We had a super low key weekend, which started off with our five year anniversary!

Beautiful flowers delivered at work!

Dinner at Edgewood {the place we got married at} before the Bruno Mars concert.  He was amazing by the way!

Variety pack of macarons...my husband knows the way to my pregnant heart!

The weather has warmed back up here, so we set up this fun sprinkler toy and Ethan basked in the sun.  #bunsoutsunsout

Of course, he was not a fun of getting squirted!  And he had to wear his new swim trunks in honor of shark week!  

That afternoon, we went to the park...

A park with one the prettiest views!  Oh Tahoe!

On Sunday, we spent most of the day at the beach...gotta soak it in while the summer lasts!

What did you do this weekend?

xo natasha

Celebrating Five Years

Today is our five year anniversary and I swear the time has flown by!

It seems like just yesterday that we were saying our vows and celebrating with our friends and family.

And we've had fun celebrating ever since....

On our first year anniversary, we went to Bodega Bay for the weekend.  Look how young and carefree we were!  ;)

Year two, we went to Sonoma for the weekend...still carefree and slightly hungover.  ;)  You can see the recap here.

On our third anniversary, we had just had Ethan a month and a half prior, but we managed to sneak away to dinner at Edgewood, the same place we got married.

Last year, we went out to an intimate French restaurant that we had never tried before.  

Tonight, we're going to Bruno Mars which will be super fun and seems like the perfect way to celebrate five years!  ;)

It's been a wild ride...with a toddler and another one on the way I am sure it will only get more wild!  Looking through these pictures definitely reminds me how important it is to take time out for just us and remember where it all started.

How do you celebrate anniversaries?

Happy Anniversary Babe...love you!

xo natasha

Nectarine & Basil Salsa

Last weekend, our friends had us over for dinner and asked us to bring an appetizer.  We had leftover basil from the night before {we ended up making this and LOVED it!} so I was on the hunt for a tummy appetizer.  I found this nectarine and basil salsa and instantly knew it was worth trying.  We paired it with a side of guacamole, which seemed to be a hit.  The heat from the jalapeño and the sweet nectarine was such a great combo...not to mention the lime juice and basil.  Yum!

Recipe via Pinch of Yum

Ingredients //

1 ripe, juicy nectarine
1½ tablespoons diced red onion
1½ teaspoons minced jalapeno (seeds and ribs removed)
½ teaspoon lime juice
½ teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
4 fresh basil leaves

Method //

Dice the nectarine. Add sugar if the nectarine isn't very juicy and let sit for a few minutes. Add red onion and minced jalapeño. Stir in honey and lime juice. Add a sprinkle of salt or sugar (or both) depending on how you want it to be flavored. Just before serving, cut basil into ribbons and sprinkle over the top.

Serve with a side of guacamole and chips!

xo natasha

17 Weeks

How far along? 17 Weeks {first 17 week update}

Baby Size: An onion

Total weight gain/loss: Still looks like 3-5 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Not yet!  However, I need to learn to NOT wear white for these pics!  Oops!  ;)  But if you're interested in this top, you can find it here, on sale too!

Stretch marks? No.  I've been using Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch Oil every night before bed.

Sleep: Still really solid...I just wish I got more of it!

Best moment this week: Feeling more kicks...and Shark Week!

Miss Anything? The occasional summer cocktail or glass of wine.  Being pregnant in the summer is definitely different this time around!

Movement: Yes, definitely feeling kicks now.  I think I can almost feel it from the outside too...pretty cool!

Food cravings: My peanut butter cravings continue with homemade peanut butter cookies!

Gender prediction: We go in for our ultrasound two weeks from today, so until then...my lips are sealed!

Looking forward to: Our five year anniversary this Thursday.  We're seeing Bruno Mars!

Differences this time around: I actually feel like I'm noticing more familiar things at this point.  Like those amazing kicks!  It's reassuring and exciting all at the same time! 

xo natasha

Baby Bump Bundle

Happy Monday!

You know how there are those delivery packages for dogs, kids, etc out there?  Well I was recently contacted by Baby Bump Bundle who creates a similar type of delivery service, only this time it's for us pregnant ladies and new moms out there.  Genius right??

They make shopping for mom-to-be, nursing moms, and baby showers super easy and fun by creating surprise care packages for moms-to-be by trimester, plus they have a BabyBundle gift box for newborns and a BreastfeedingBundle for nursing moms too!

They were kind enough to send me a second trimester surprise box and it included a Baby Words Green Sonogram Magnet, Mama-To-Be Tea Sampler, Preggie Naturals Chews, Knocked Up Nail Polish, Ingrid and Isabel Seamless Everyday Cami, Bella B Tummy to Toes, and a Mommi Supplement.  I've already use some of these products and have heard of the others, so I'm excited to try them out.  And isn't it a nice treat to pamper that special mom-to-be?

Check out the bundles here and the individual products here.

PLUS they are offering my readers 15% off any bundle or product, simply by entering schuelove at checkout.

Now, excuse me while I sip my tea and paint my nails!  ;)

xo natasha

PS...hop on over to Running from the Law to see how we cope with having a baby and a dog!  ;)

Want // Watch // Wear

Happy Friday Friends!

Any weekend plans?  We're hoping to get to the beach and have some dinner plans with friends tomorrow night.  All in all, a nice relaxing weekend!

This is a totally random post, but here you go:

Want:

And by want, I mean crave.  These spicy sesame noodles look amazing.  Might need to make this tonight!

Watch:

Sorry I'm not sorry that I am watching Bachelor in Paradise.  It's terrible, but I can't help it!  Anyone else with me??

Wear:

My Warby Parkers came in and I am smitten with them!  I went for the Durand pair.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

xo natasha

Baby Gear // Round Two

As we start to plan for baby number two, I've been thinking about both the necessities and the new things that have come to market since we had Ethan back in 2012.  It's really amazing how much can change in two short years...and of course I am a sucker for believing that we really need all the latest and greatest.  Here are the top items we're considering:

Double Stroller: We currently have the BOB which we love, but if we're going to tote around two kiddos, I think I like the idea of this City Select Baby Jogger.  I like how it stacks vertically versus having a double wide stroller.  And it can also convert to a single stroller, which seems like a win-win to me.

Glass Bottles: We LOVED Dr. Brown's bottles with Ethan and I really like the idea of a glass version for the second baby.

Eco-Friendly Diapers: Who can resist the adorable patterns on the The Honest Co's diapers?

Extra Large Drying Rack: We have the Boon Grass, but now they make an extra large version, called the lawn...genius!  And they also just came out with a narrow version, called the patch, for small spaces.

Double Video Monitor: We la la la love our video monitor and I'm debating getting the version with two cameras so we can keep an eye on both kiddos.  

Baby Wrap: Everyone seems to be raving about the Solly Wrap...and I can hardly stand how cute those stripes are!

Easy Swaddle: We swore by Aden + Anais wraps with Ethan and wouldn't you know, that came out with an easy swaddle version not long after Ethan graduated out of them.  For sure getting one of these bad boys!

Diaper Bag: Our last diaper bag is totally thrashed, so naturally we need a new one.  I love this Marc by Marc Jacobs version.  It's chic and gender neutral, which will be nice for Ryan to tote around as well.

So mamas, what's your experience with your second?  Anything I'm missing?

xo natasha

16 Weeks

How far along? 16 Weeks {first 16 week update}

Baby Size: An avocado

Total weight gain/loss: I would say 3-5 pound range.

Maternity clothes? Not yet!

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I think I need a new pillow, but otherwise, everything is good!

Best moment this week: Seeing my best friend and her husband this past weekend...and Lady Gaga too!

Miss Anything? Not really...I feel pretty good and normal most days!

Movement: Maybe that was gas last week?  Haha, I think it's still too early to tell.

Food cravings: Anything peanut butter flavored and sweets.  Made some chocolate chip cookies on Sunday!

Gender prediction: SO...we know!!  {I'm a stinker, I know!}  But I am waiting for our ultrasound later this month just to confirm.  I was able to get an early blood test and while I'm confident the results are correct...there is just something so magical about seeing it for myself.  Eeeee keeping a secret is SO hard!  ;)

Looking forward to: This month in general...lots going on!

Differences this time around: If you look back at my first 16 week update, I just look tired, which is ironic because I have a toddler now.  But really, I feel so much more confident this time around and feel like I get to enjoy the process a bit more. 

xo natasha

Our Weekend // My Best was in Town!

Happy Monday!

This was a super special weekend as my best friend and her husband came up to Tahoe to visit us.  We had the best time and it just made me so happy to have Ethan get to know his "auntie Reynolds" over the last couple of days.  And it was especially good for me to have the girl time...oh how I miss and love that time.  It's really good for the soul!

Here are some snapshots from our weekend...

Ethan has the toddler selfie down pat!

My dress // My sunglasses

Evenings at the lake!

Lukas and his buddy.

A day out on the boat.

Ethan had a blast going fast!

Jumping in!

 Rare family shot.

Gang's all here!

My jumpsuit // Reynolds' Necklace

Getting ready for Lady Gaga!

We didn't get any photos of the concert, but it was amazing!

I want to rewind and do it all over again...it went too fast!

What did you do this past weekend?

xo natasha

Ethan's Two Year Photos

Hi Friends and Happy Friday!

I'm so pleased to share Ethan's two year photos, taken by my dear friend Darcy of Artyard Photography.  As always, Darcy was able to capture some sweet moments, even despite a bad hair day and some toddler tantrums.  I hope you enjoy!  :)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

xo natasha