I literally laughed out loud the other night when a girlfriend sent a video to me of her screaming “pumpkin spice evvverryyything” in the most cackling-hyper-hysterical voice.  It’s so true.  September hits, and regardless of the weather, we are ready to dress down and cover up.

I’ve always been a fool for layers. Heck, I’m the generation of the first-year-Hollister workers who were taught to layer polos upon polos with flipped up collars, two sizes too small.  And while I still adore layering my outfits, layering tight polos are not my style – at all.

For fall, I long for comfortable, breathable layers that are easy to run around in with the kiddos.  I love having a multitude of tops, sweaters, scarfs, booties and jeans that I can switch around time and time again.   Items that mix and match so well help me get ready in a flash in the morning.

Four months post-partum, I’m still finding how to get my groove back, but I won’t let that stop me from being inspired by these gorgeous fall looks.  Fingers crossed I’ll get my butt to the store to pick up a few staples before the cold snap hits home!

Casual, cozy flannel paired with adorable booties are always a win.  

Perfect outfit for running around with the kiddos.  The scarf adds just a sweet feminine touch to a basic-laid back outfit. 

If you ladies do not have a few staple booties and skinny jeans for the fall, jump on it!  I adore how much you can dress up and down this outfit with a baseball cap.

If you catch me out and about, chances are I’m rocking my 4 year old green jacket.  I love black and white stripes with green.  It’s a go to in my closet.

If you’re a shortie like me, do not let a long sweater scare you.  Paired with pencil thin skinny jeans and a heeled bootie, you’ll be adding length in all of the right places.

These outfits have me jonsing for a shopping trip.  A shopping trip for new candles, cozy sweaters, and a hot chai tea.  Who’s with me??

xoxo, abby

It affects us all on a deeper level.  On the surface you see the missed school days, the antibiotics traced along our countertops and kids that are emotional and worn down.  As parents, our jobs are scary enough as is.  Daily challenges that arise with raising youngsters are inevitable – toss in a few more surprise bumps in the road and some days feel impossible to beat.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that things could be a heck of a lot worse for our boys – but some days, ugh, I just want to throw a temper tantrum myself.

I’ll never forget those weeks when our oldest son was 5 years old.  Finding him in the bathroom with blood just pouring down his legs.  The pain he would feel, and the fear in his eyes when he was so little and so confused as to why this was all happening.  The nights with our middle child, rushing him to the ER because he could not catch his breath or put together words he was struggling so hard to breathe.  Test after tests, blood work and scans that followed that lead to understanding what each of our boys were facing.

We have come so far over the past few years with understanding how to cope with the boys health issues.  Each year we learn more, each month we have some set backs, and each day we try our best to give our boys all we can to make their days goes smoother.

The school year is the toughest.  Because what may be a simple cold to one child who is sent to school turns into Owen catching it, and him missing school for an entire week or more.   Breathing treatments around the clock, steroids pushed if things get worse (they usually do) and sleepless nights of wheezing and coughing.  Brody’s immune system is not the strongest with his Ulcerative Colitis.  And when he comes down with something, well, anything, it always takes more time to bounce back.

I started this school year SO hopeful, and here we are barely a month in and they are on their 3rd missed day.  I try so hard not to feel discouraged, and worry about what others may think of their missed time.  But I do feel bad that their routine is always being shuffled and their medicine routines are always being increased or changed.

We don’t talk much about the tough days.  Mainly because it just straight up bums us out too.  Dan and I work hard to balance it all, and enjoy every ounce of their healthy days.  Some days though we argue over the simplest of things, the stress levels are high and we do all that we can to hide how flustered we feel in front of the boys.

Last night I went upstairs to check on Owen, and found his at the side of his bed, panicked because he couldn’t breath or catch his breath enough to tell me how he was.  I rushed him downstairs for a breathing treatment and his steroids (which are always the last straw).  It’s a scene we’ve lived through far to many times, and one that never gets easier.

We tucked Brody into bed, encouraging him about how fun it will be to hop back into school today.  Even though he’s hardly on the mend from his wicked cold – we try to think positively and hold our optimism high for recovering quickly.  He always has a bummed look on his face at night, when he lays down his mind races.  I blame a lot of it lately on his outrageous increase of medicine in his daily schedule.  He just has too much to think about for a 7-year-old – it breaks my heart.

We are doing our best as parents to these boys.  To feed their confidence and fill their tanks with love.  To let them know that these health issues are a part of them, but will never define them.  Helping them to understand that we will are there every step of the way, and when others do not understand they know under their own roof there are people who always will.

Oh, we love them so.  At a glance these are just two little men.  Look deeper and you’ll see they are some of the toughest bravest little men you’ll ever know.

xoxo

Mr. Maxwell is 4 months old!

I told myself 3 times last month to take his 3 month pictures, and well, it went straight out the window.  But let me not let that mothers-guilt set in just set.  One look at that sweet face above and we are just going to pick right up this month with it all.  So, if we get 8 out of 12 months I’m going to consider myself super woman.

A few stats about this bundle of joy.

He’s just that – a total bundle of joy.  He smiles at you from across the room, and will belly laugh till he cries (it’s true).  Since Max was just shy of 3 months has been sleeping from 7:00-7:00 every night, I literally pinch myself each night.  By 6:00pm he’s fussy and just wants wrapped up in his favorite Halo Swaddle, fed and put to bed.  I had TWO boys who never slept through the night before so this entire experience is a real treat (and I must admit, a few tricks that work wonders – future post for all you mamas!)

 Weighing in at 16.7 pounds officially today at his checkup.  Which means he is a pound and a half away from tripling his birth weight! AH! The chub is just too much, and I cannot help but kiss his cheeks every two seconds.

Little Mr. has 2 teeth trying to poke through, so beware if you hold him, within minutes you will be covered in drool and chewed on in places you never knew possible.

We just love this sweet boy.  My gosh he makes me want 10 more – I wish I was kidding.  Spreading out the years in between this time around proved to be amazing.  We are truly relishing every last drop of his stages –

:Racoon Outfit: So cute, and so cheap and washes so well!

T-Shirt C/O : Ford and Wyatt 

If you would have told me 10 years ago that by the time I was 30 I would have a 7-year-old, 5-year-old and a newborn I would have smiled and agreed.  I have always wanted to start growing our family while we were ‘young’.  If you would have told me that they would all be boys, I would have laughed.  While I am not a “get your nails done makeup on fleek” type of girl, I am far from a tough hanging chic that in my mind would qualify me as a “boy mom”

But.  Here I am.  3o years old and mother of 3 crazy little men I get to call my own.

If you follow me on snapchat (@TheThomeHome) you get a daily glimpse of the hilarious day-to-day shenanigans of raising boys.

Incase you don’t – jump on it.

Not a day goes by raising boys without the following:

Random boogers found smeared on walls.

Sports. Playing, watching, talking about sports.

Cleaning layers of pee off of the toilet.

Someone getting kicked in the nuts, it’s not me.

Crying.

Laughing hysterically till it hurts.

Oh did I mention sports?

Peeing in a water bottle when stuck in the car pool lane.

So many hugs and kisses, my boys are awfully affectionate.

I think that is one thing I did not anticipate with having little boys.  Just how raw and rugged they are with their emotions.  The good and the bad.  They can fight like cats and dogs.  But in the same day they will not stop acknowledging how much they love dan and I.  Randomly hugging and kissing us, and just saying “I love you”.

After finding out Max was indeed a boy, Dan and I both put to rest the idea of having a daughter.  At first it was a little sad.  And then this brilliant little boy came into our lives and we’ve spent the last 4 months just realizing how much we are meant to be parents to these boys.

I do my best to roll with the punches and take on this “boy mom” roll the best I can.  I am not perfect, and gosh darn it do I love my girlie shows at night and reading a good book.  But for now, I roll up my sleeves, dig in the dirt, keep scrubbing the ill-aimed pee and squeeze these amazing littles we were given.

Gosh, we are so lucky to be raising boys.

Be sure to check out all of Ford + Wyatt t-shirts! For the whole family 🙂

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Baby Björn.  Thank you for supporting the brands that help support our blog! 

There is so much to be said when you find baby products that actually work.

After having 2 kids, you would assume by the time Max rolled around that I would feel like I earned the pass into an elite mom club – for those that knew what to do and what to get.  Truth be told, even with 7 years of “momming” experience, the five year break after Owen had me a bit worried it would take me some time to get my groove back.

Ever more in today’s world.  Where your instagram feed can be scrolled for hours with so many jaw dropping photos that make you want to jump on every purchase for your kiddo.  The perfect outfit, teething necklace, beanie hat – oh the cuteness.  But let’s face it, sometimes you get those products and they just do not seem all they cracked up to be in that gorgeous-instagram-worthy picture you saw.

I knew that there were a few pieces of baby gear I would need for sure with Max.  A few I knew I could not do this whole baby-gig without.   A great bouncy seat, and a pack n’ play.  Both of which needed to be attractive to the eye, because let’s face it, I like each piece in my home to mesh well.  Most importantly, I had to have these two baby products turn into Max’s favorites as well.

Every mommy  knows that a pack n play and a bouncy seat = an extra set of hands.

When Baby Björn decided to join forces with The Thome Home I was over joyed.  When Brody + Owen were just tiny pints themselves, our Baby Björn carrier was essentially our right hand man.  We used it every single day, and it lasted years with both boys.  We bragged about it all the time, and I still to this day give that “old school” carrier so many props because Baby Björn (in my opinion) kind of started the whole baby carrying trend.

The first two pieces I wanted to show you guys today are their Travel Crib Light (pack and play) and their Baby Carrier One Air 

The Travel Crib Light showed up at our doorstep and I think Dan and I both leaped for joy to see it fit into such a small package.  No more elongated heavy pack and play case.

^^ I mean really?!  ^^

I only got better once we opened it, and Max gave it a whirl.

It quickly became a family room essential where I knew Max could play/sleep/lounge safely and happily.

This Travel Crib Light has the most darling colors, and the mesh fabric keeps the entire pack and play feeling light and fresh.  

I absolutely love how easy it is to set up, and how we can break it down even easier if we have guests coming or need to take it with us on the go.

Max just love to kick around on the organic fitted sheet that is SO soft, his face says it all.  He is happy, comfortable and loving every minute of it!

The second baby-must-have is the Bouncer Balance Soft. 

Ugh, I don’t know who loves this more – Max or me.

We have the stunning turquoise mesh, and we actually own another black/dark gray cotton one as well.  We keep one upstairs, and one down and I wish I had one in every single room in our house.

I have never seen a baby love a bouncy seat like Max loves this one.

Unlike past bouncers we owned that all had the bells and whistles you could imagine, this bouncy seat did not require batteries, or an outlet.  This bouncer actually helps babies start to develop the ability to “self bounce” Max has learned how to move and kick his legs so he softly and smoothly bounces himself.  It’s the best!

To make it even cuter, the attachable TOY makes Max just giddy.  It is right within arms reach, unlike most bouncers or swings where they are up high and out of his way.  I love that he can bounce away, and spin the toys just giggling himself silly.

When you need to go somewhere, it folds down completely flat! It was a total breeze to bring it on vacation, we did not have to worry about his baby stuff taking up to much space in the car! It’s become our must-have item for Max when we visit family too!

Oh, and I cannot forget to mention that the cover to the bouncer is WASHABLE.  Yes mama’s – you can toss that bad boy into the wash when your little one decides to spit up all over it.  I have washed and HUNG dry the seat cover so many times, its perfection.

I can’t thank Baby Björn enough for collaborating with us, we have so many more products to share with you guys.  I am ecstatic to work with them and share with you all the baby gear that we adore for our Mr. Max! You must check out their page and see how many products that offer for babes of all ages!

Friday is here, and we survived our first full week back at school.

Well, if I am being totally honest with you, we have one massive Brody meltdown on Wednesday that lead to him coming home early and had Owen crying his way into the school for half of the week.

BUT.

We turned a corner, and we conquered getting three kids ready and out the door in the morning.  We tackled homework and played with neighbors each day after school.  Dinner was made every night this week and at least two bottles of wine were consumed in result.

I’d say we rocked it.

Tomorrow I have a great post for you guys, a Saturday bonus if you will, showing you some of our favorite baby items for Max.

And if you are craving a dose of cuteness for your Friday – just look at this babe.

This chunk is weighing in at 16 pounds.  He is pure smiles and loves to cling to anyone willing to hold him all day – we just love him so.

GAH.

So that’s all I’ve got for today my loves.  I finished painting our dining room late last night – so we’ll have some great update pictures coming at you next week.  Check back in tomorrow to see Max’s favorite baby gear!

xoxo

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Step2.  Thank you for supporting the brands that help support our blog! 

Whether you’re a long time reader, or just stopping by to catch your favorite blog post, you’ll quickly learn we adore the brands that work with us, and truly stand behind them just as much as they stand behind us.

They’re not just “brands” they become like family to our blog and we love to introduce their products to you guys so that you to can bring them into your home to enjoy.

We are so excited to announce our collaboration with Step2

The Step2 Warehouse  is located just around the corner from us in Streetsboro, Ohio. We feel so fortunate that they decided to work with us and let us showcase some of their amazing pieces.  With so many mommy and daddy readers we nearly jumped through the roof to have such a relatable company jump behind us!

They sent us this darling “Just Like Home Workshop Pro Play Workshop and Utility Bench” for the boys to test out – and there was absolutely no testing needed.  Even just putting it together was a total riot for the kids.  They LOVE seeing packages arrive at the door, and seeing a workshop for them to play with just sent them squealing and pushing the package through the doors.

One thing about Step2 that I love is that their toys are truly toys that enrich our kids playing experience.  They enable their imagination, keep their minds spinning with how to build and interact.  Brody and Owen jumped right into playing and went to town for hours putting things together and pretending to be just like Mom and Dad building.

Step2 has products that are so well-built, easily put together and are designed with every base covered so that your child can get more out of their play time!

How darling is this side table with the cutting saw.  Two drawers that hold the extra faux wood and can slide right back in for a more put together look when the kiddos are done playing.

Organization for this mommas heart.  Good job Step2!

SO many details and components!

Needless to say, this workshop has given this mama plenty of free time – keeping both our boys busy!

If you think this would be a perfect addition to your playroom, you can buy it exclusively at Toysrus.com  Perfect opportunity to start making your holiday purchases!

Brody Thome is a second grader!

Let me rephrase that – Dan and I have a second grader!

What. The. Hell.

After 7 years of being a parent, you would think I would have already wrapped my head around the idea of my kids growing up.  But I haven’t.  And I won’t.

Just look at this …

kindergarten, first grade and now second (I told him to say how many fingers I was holding up to get him to look at the camera, ha, guess I should have said 2!)

His transformation is just the raw in your face fact that my sweet first born is growing up so swiftly.  I was so very proud of him yesterday.  For the drop off I anticipated tears just like every year before.  It was never pretty.  I was that mom, with a kid glued to my leg, sobbing, myself holding back tears because I just wanted it to go smoothly.  The tears they shed are from fear, the first day jitters, and just trying to take it all in.

But there he was, smirking away.  Laughing.  Ready to go.  As the school bell rang and we gave our hugs and kisses goodbye, I could see his feet start to slip up on his way in.  He was excited, but hesistant.  He held it in, he kept his composure.  Which for Brody, is just fantastic.  A true sign how much he is maturing, slow down my love.

I know this year will be a great one.  He has the nicest teacher.

 His health status is never certain, of that we know.  Last year was awful for him, so I am hoping it only will go up from there.  I pray nothing more than for good health and happiness this school year.  That his sick days are further apart, that a flare does not arise and that he can feel good all year through.

He deserves it.

You ready B-mac??

You are the kindest most loving boy.  You have the fiercest personality, and you are as sweet as honey.  I love that you wear your heart on your sleeve and always think of others.

2nd grade will be a great year, I just know it!