Jesse Coulter

Last Christmas I had an advent calendar for Turner, decorated my entire house, did tons of holiday themed activities, and hosted a Favorite Things Christmas Party for my closest friends. This year I was lucky enough to get a tree up and decorated. I'm taking it easy this year, and that's OK.

9 Months! This month flew by and the babies didn't change much developmentally.

Life lately:

• I feel like we've had a crazy amount of appointments so I've had to take a lot of time off of work. Thankfully I have a lot saved up. 

• We took a road trip to Dallas last week for a family reunion (Turner side) and the babies were able to meet aunts, uncles, and cousins for the first time. I spent most of the road trip in the 3rd row of our van entertaining or feeding them (definitely not fun).

• Nights seem to have gotten crazier this past month for some reason. Both are super cranky and fussy from the moment I pick them up from school till bedtime. I usually take them for a walk to get at least 30 minutes of peace and quiet!

• We had family photos taken with Laura Morsman Photography, and I just love having photos of all 3 of my kids together! Know though that it was EXTREMELY hot, humid and there were hundreds of mosquitoes in the greenhouse. I was sweating like crazy and we only shot together for 15 minutes! 
  
  

Over the past 4 years of being a Mother I've always felt I was a bit different than most moms. I'm over the phrase mom guilt, and often don't feel guilty for the decisions I make. However, I do want to discuss this topic that has often crossed my mind.

It's odd that as a kid I was VERY messy...so much so my nick name was Messy Jesse. My room was always filthy and I never picked up after myself (sorry mom). Today I'm the complete opposite, and actually enjoy cleaning...well I enjoy a clean home. I've teamed up with Lemi Shine to show you my "attempt" at creating a cleaning routine that includes the whole family.

This past weekend Turner and I went to our first yoga class together at The Little Yoga House's newest location in North Austin.  We participated in the Family Yoga class, and I loved it! The focus was "kids first, grown-ups second", and our instructor emphasized the class was all about connecting and having fun with your child.  We did partner poses, group poses, silly flowing sequences and yoga games!

Can you believe that Walt and Whitney have NEVER worn shoes until this point?! There are tons of baby moccasins around these days, but Freshly Picked was the first one on the market. I've followed FP for years and have always wanted a pair for my kiddos! I loved seeing Susan on Shark Tank and have enjoyed following her business's journey.  Since I won't ever have any more babies I knew this was my final chance to try them out and I've got to say...I'm SOLD! I've drunk the koolaid and I'm a fan forever. Why you ask?

Oh goodness, it got me all stirred up again. Most of the comments made me feel guilty and selfish for working, but then I had working moms and even stay at home moms stick up for me.

Photo: Laura Morsman Photography

Happy 7 months Walton and Whitney! This past month has been HUGE for development. They have changed so much, and are starting to interact with Turner, Alex and I much more.

Life lately:

• I've started getting rid of baby items that we no longer use - Twin z pillow, Rock n' play, Bumbos and lots of clothes. I feel like they are growing much faster than Turner did and going through outfits like crazy. I've been buying mostly second hand, but if I see a cute outfit that has a coordinating color like the onesies below, then I immediately buy them because....TWINS!

• My social schedule has calmed down this summer, so most nights I'm at home. Sometimes Alex and I are lucky enough to eat a hot dinner together.

• We had 6 month photos taken with Laura Morsman and even though I forgot their outfits they turned out adorable! See the full post here.

Outfits: Aden and Anais. Bow: Little Poppy Co.

I did a recap post last year of 2014 which included some of my favorite moments, posts & events.  I really enjoyed looking back at all the wonderful things that had happened, so I'm doing the same for 2015. Turner truly blossomed this year, and it was an absolute joy watching him learn and grow. Now we've hit the "Threenager" stage, which has been MUCH harder than him being 2. 

I am thankful for this blog, and the friendships and partnerships it has helped me to create. I have connected with so many amazing women bloggers in Austin and truly value our friendship. I've been able to partner with some great companies and brands on different projects, and I'm excited for what the future holds for this blog. I have a full-time marketing job, and this blog will always take second priority to that, but I'm thankful for this blog allowing me to be creative and pursue my passions. I know many don't understand blogging, and don't take it seriously but I could talk your ear off all day on why you should start a blog.


JANUARY

• Started BuiltWell as a fun side project. We don't do very many projects anymore because we're usually busy with our own, but every once in a while Alex will build a custom piece for someone.

Photo: Love, The Nelsons

FEBRUARY

• Completed our Master Bathroom renovation after we discovered a water leak in the shower. Doors were added and a wall was blown out!

MARCH

• Hosted the second ATX Blogger Mixer but this time had a partner in crime, Miss Erica Louie. I'm so fortunate to have met this amazing woman. She is honest, hilarious, generous and an awesome blogger/youtuber! I've had a blast planning the blogger mixers with her in 2015.

•  Attended the Texas Style Council Conference and met some amazing women!

• Hosted family from NY in ATX. I love being a tour guide in this city!

APRIL

•  Attended Austin Fashion Week for the first time

• Celebrate birthdays and engagements with lifelong hometown friends

MAY

• Found out we were having TWINS after a series of unfortunate events (totaling both of our vehicles) 

• Celebrated 5 years of marriage! Took the day off of work, waited 6 hours for Franklin BBQ, and enjoyed a staycation in downtown Austin.

• Co-hosted the 3rd ATX Blogger Mixer at Cover 3 with guest speaker, Jess Lively

JUNE

• Completed a lot of DIY projects. You can see all my projects here! 

• Spent lots of time outside with our neighbors and checked many activities off our Summer Bucket List

• Officially become one of "those" Moms and bought a mini-van

JULY

• Vacationed to Maui, Hawaii for a week...KIDLESS! It was a wonderful vacation. Thanks to my Mom and Sis for watching Turner. Maybe one day I'll post the pics.
  

• Co-hosted the 4th ATX Blogger Mixer at the clothing boutique, FOUND, with guest speaker Kelly Wynne

August

• Wrote my most controversial post to date for Austin Moms Blog about choosing to go back to work after having twins....damn you mommy wars

• Took a mini vacation to Tapatio Springs in the Texas Hill Country with Alex & Turner. A sweet vacation just the three of us.

•  Welcomed our first exchange student, Sophie, from Germany who we hosted for 4 months

SEPTEMBER

• Found out the sex of our babies, and I almost passed out. A BOY and a GIRL! #Momzillaface

• Refinished my french provincial bedroom furniture that I had been putting off for 2 years

OCTOBER

• Participated in my first ever One Room Challenge (6 week design challenge) and redecorated our guest bedroom for the Twins' Nursery. See the full reveal here!

Photos by Kayla Snell Photography

• Celebrated my 29th birthday and 5th anniversary since graduating college in Abilene

•  Celebrated Turner's 3rd Birthday with a small party at Chuck-E-Cheese with our neighbors

• Started the process of potty training Turner. It took 3 months, but I believe he is finally done (knock on wood).

•  Had a lovely baby shower hosted by friends and family 

• Trick or Treated with our amazing neighbors and threw our Annual Halloween Bash

Dog the Bounty Hunter, Batman & a Hippie

NOVEMBER

• Took a girls trip to Fredericksburg for my Mom's birthday, and we stayed at the most beautiful rental home!

•  Had a blast dressing my baby bump in the Fall. See more of my outfit posts here!

• Co-hosted the 5th ATX Blogger Mixer at the new Paper + Craft Pantry with guest speaker, Shalyn Nelson

DECEMBER

•  Hosted my first Favorite Things Christmas Party

• Celebrated Christmas with 80 degree weather, matching jammies, and lots of noise with family

•  Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Walton & Whitney! I've enjoyed counting down this past year with the Maternity Countdown Tee. See my weekly updates here.

THANK YOU for following along this past year! I'd love to know what types of posts you want to see more of in 2016, so please do tell! Fashion, Budgeting, DIY/Home Projects, Parenting, Marriage, Travel? Happy New Year!