My guys.

With Benjamin’s father largely uninvolved (he sees him once a month for a few hours, at most), Seth is it. The man who will raise him, teach him right from wrong and the man who will love him unconditionally, no matter how hard he pushes back.

And he will push back. He does push back. Every day.

Benjamin is a defiant little guy. It’s hard for me to watch because I was the same way, and still am. I am as passionate as I am stubborn and while these can be strengths in adulthood, children with these traits are often a handful. So, while Seth issues his stern warnings and Benjamin stands his ground, I am torn. Read More…

Shopping for Foster

Perhaps, one of the most exciting things about having a baby girl is shopping for said baby girl. One of my first reactions upon finding out we have a boy on the way was the thought of, “Damn, but what about those cute little ballerina shoes?”

But, having already had one Benjamin and far few pictures to tell the tale, I can say with authority there are just as many sweet and cute things for baby boys. Here are a few on my wish list for Foster. (Because he is really coming– something that is just now starting to hit me. 16 weeks to go…)

1. The sweetest tie shirt and leggings.

babyboyleggings

I discovered tights and leggings for baby boys when Benjamin was two or three. Foster will have them right from the start. Buy these cute ones here for $11.45. 

2. A baby blanket I would be envious of…  Read More…

The debut booth

After weeks of prep our booth for the Moonlight Market came off without a hitch. As the founder of a digital marketing firm, flipping my switch to sell retail goods was an adventure. I think the booth itself ended up looking exactly like my dream closet.

My dream man set the whole thing up.

After staying up all night to finish his man bag, briefcase – which is now already sold – we spent all day finishing up a few things and then headed to Gay Street in Columbus to pitch our tent and fill it up with goodies.

I’ve never see Seth so tired. See the bags under his eyes? And he was only really half way there all day. It was like talking to zombie Seth. Preparation for the baby, I suppose.

BeautyandtheBikerBooth

But per Seth’s usual, he did not complain once.  Read More…

Foster Raymond Gray

After months of toiling over options Seth’s father threw out the name “Foster” at dinner. Foster was his grandfather’s name, Seth’s great-grand father’s name. So, little Foster will be named after his great-great-grandfather and his grandfather, my father, Raymond.

We love the name and it was one of those – “Yep. That’s it.” moments, so, we know it’s right. Thank you so much for helping by giving us your name ideas.

xoxo,

Alaina

The next thing.

Seth hasn’t been blogging, as you may have noticed, because he’s been in garage – his workshop – 8-10 hours a day working on leather bags and other goodies for our Beauty and the Biker pop up shop.

He loves it out there (and so does, Archer).

Garage workshop - ohio

We’ll be popping up (for the very first time) at the Moonlight Market on Gay Street in Columbus on Saturday, May 11th.

Seth has been busy using this

Leather sewing machine

to turn leather like this

leather hides, dyed

into bags like this

hand stitched, men's leather briefcase

Because it takes him 20+ hours to make bags like the one shown, I decided to fill our shop up with some goodies from the Beauty side of our brand – clothes, hats, purses and jewelry.

Read More…

Severely Outnumbered

We have learned several new things in the past few days… 

1. It’s a boy and all of his little pieces and parts are in perfect working order!!! I was indifferent either way on gender but am now a bit relieved because I can do boys. Girls, on the other hand… phew, makes me nervous just thinking about it.

2. Lily was severely disappointed, but only for a few minutes. Then she was perfectly fine. This after I spent hours worrying about her reaction.

3. Children under 8 are terrible at coming up with baby names. Unless you had something like Mario, Donkey Kong, or Sushi in mind.

4. We are stumped on names. Middle name will be Raymond after my father. If you have any name ideas, leave them in the comments and help us out (we beg of you).

xoxo,

Alaina

P.S.

Cierra won the new leaf necklace. Thank you all so much for commenting!!!

Oh boy, or girl?

We find out on Monday!!!

I think it’s a girl, but am fine either way. I’m more curious as to what type of little person he or she will be. Having three already, it is clear the personality and spirit trumps the sex.

So, yes, on Monday – we will know.

Guess what you think we’re having in the comments and enter to win a new leaf necklace! And if you guess correctly and then, IF you are randomly drawn – you win.

Here’s another baby bump picture. Some of you have had theories on Facebook as to what the sex is by the shape and height of my bump. I know nothing of these things and leave it all to you, Ladies.

20week baby bump

Also, I am nearly 20 weeks and due in late August or early September.

We have been busy bees, as usual. Seth has been quiet on the blog because he’s been either in the garage making bags (he has sold four now) or running about the yard doing mad yard work for our party next weekend to celebrate our birthdays and our one year wedding anniversary.

Last weekend we had a little party at the Cement Marketing office to open the first Moonlight Market on Gay Street. Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman stopped by to kick things off and took a moment to say “Hello” to the kids.  Read More…

The surprise attack

Typically, I trudge through my birthdays as one would a murky pond- carefully and cautiously stepping through the day, just trying to make it to the other side without a bite or an encounter with some unidentifiable monster. And every year when April 6th arrives, I feel a huge wave of relief. Aging isn’t the issue. I still feel young and every year I grow wiser, happier- so, no, age does not bother me (yet).

I myself couldn’t quite put a finger on why I dreaded the big day so much until last year when Seth asked me, “Why do you hate them so much?” He looked genuinely concerned after having watched me closely avoid emotional land mines all day.

No one had ever really asked me why. But, immediately, I knew the answer and tears flew through my eyes, soaking my cheeks instantly.

“I hate my birthdays because he’s not here.”

My father, his voice, his hug and his grand birthday enthusiasm. But I also missed the family that had existed before he died. After his death everyone scattered in their grief and there was no one to pull us back together again. Now 14 years later we remain divided, entire states and years of emotional wounds set between us.

But this year, Seth had a plan, He was bound and determined to beat my birthday demons.

The day started out as my birthdays usually do. No plans, home from work and treating myself to my own schedule of “whatever I feel like.” After dinner, a homemade lemon cake from Seth

Lemon cake

and a round of kid and Seth presents I could see the finish line. Bedtime was just 45 minutes away for the kids… and not long after my own.

But then I spotted a woman walking down the side walk with a present in her hands. When she came into focus i realized it was my best friend Monica. Read More…

Mr. Stork

We have been keeping this a secret for the past four months. But now my little 17 week old is too big to hide.

We are ecstatic… And yes, it was planned (that seems to be the first question everyone has). Yes, planned. Although Lily’s wish for a little sister on Christmas Eve could have done the trick.

Here is my bump and the handsome culprit.

20130402-084248.jpg

Expect a flurry of posts now that the cat is out of the bag. I find it very hard to blog when I am keeping something from you.

xoxo,

Alaina

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