So, speaking of what we're actually doing: we're back. Back to work (boo), back to daycare, back to reality after two glorious weeks of holiday chaos. Jamie was definitely mad at us about the whole daycare situation and gave us the cold shoulder Monday night and Tuesday morning, but by midweek, he seemed to have forgiven us 🙏.

Here's the thing though, David didn't really get a break from work during the holidays, so we've been trying out some things to make our lives easier. First up: grocery pickup at Harris Teeter. I finally understand why there's always a line of Tahoes, Suburbans, and other unnecessarily large SUVs waiting in the pickup area. It's a total game changer. Time saver, money saver (because I'm not impulse-buying everything that looks remotely delicious), and I didn't have to wrestle a toddler through the produce section.

We've also been doing laundry service. Don't judge! We send out our dirty clothes and they come back a couple days later fully washed and folded so perfectly it makes me want to find a YouTube video on how to properly fold clothes because apparently I've been doing it wrong my entire life. If you want to try it out - here's a free load on me!

And the biggest lifesaver? Jamie's grandma and papa watched him Friday and Saturday so David and I could actually rest and recover. After two weeks of juggling work and no daycare, we desperately needed it. Honestly, after that experience, I bow down to stay-at-home parents. You're all rockstars, and I have no idea how you do it ✨.

There's something special about parks that feel like the heart of their neighborhood, and Latta Park is exactly that. Tucked in Dilworth just blocks from Sunflour Bakery, this 31-acre spot has playgrounds for toddlers and big kids, a splash pad for summer, and walking trails perfect for pushing a stroller. The best part? Real bathrooms (not porta-potties!) and that easy coffee-to-park walk that makes the whole morning feel effortless. It's become one of our favorite Charlotte outings for a reason.

Full story here!

We survived Jamie's first haircut at Snip-Its Park Road, and by "survived," I mean he screamed through the whole thing while the incredibly patient stylist worked around me holding him. But here's what I learned: Snip-Its knows exactly what they're doing. They've got all the kid distractions (TVs, bubbles, toys), a super efficient haircut process, and a first haircut package with photos and a certificate. The whole thing was $37 with tip and took minutes despite the chaos. We immediately walked to Jeni's for birthday cake ice cream, and all was forgiven. Lesson learned: pick a place that's seen a thousand toddler meltdowns before, and always have an ice cream backup plan.