newborn pics

A few of my favorite newborn pictures.

Griffin James...nine days old.

photos by Megan Duerksen 

Baby Mac #3.

How can he be almost six weeks old already??

Happy Monday!    

instafriday & a few other things

Two boys on an airplane...yikes!

Last weekend my cousin got married in Arizona. Before Griffin was born I booked our tickets. Joel couldn't come because this is his busiest time of year on the farm. But my sister agreed to travel with me so I thought I could handle it. By the time we got the two little boys along with two car seats, two strollers, and our bags on the plane I was wondering if it had been a good idea to go. The boys did awesome though...such good little travelers. And of course I couldn't have done it without my sister along.

We stayed with my cousins on the other side of the family who happen to live in Phoenix too. They were fabulous hostesses. Thanks Andrew and Sarah!

Here we are before the wedding all dressed up and ready to go. It was hot in Phoenix...in the 90's. It didn't feel like fall at all!

My cousin Amy looked gorgeous and the wedding was beautiful. I wish I would have taken more pictures. Here she is walking down the isle with her daddy.

And this was the best picture I got of the happy bride and groom....

because I spent the rest of the wedding way back here trying to keep my two boys quiet. It seemed like my hands were always full...either feeding my baby or chasing my other baby. But I was so glad we got to be there to help my cousin and her new husband celebrate their special day. Congratulations Amy and John!

Even though I didn't take many pictures at the wedding, I did manage to snap a few other important ones on my phone. Like eating at Chick-fil-a...yum. And my first trip to H&M. I found out their clothes weren't really made for mama's who just had a baby. They looked super cute on my tall, skinny sister though. And I did manage to find a cute coat that fit, so I didn't walk away empty handed.

On the trip home the stewardess was so nice and told us to take an extra seat for each of the boys so that they wouldn't have to sit on our laps. It was awesome...especially for my sister because a certain very active little boy was the one sitting on her lap. So Griffin had his own seat to snooze away on and Levi had his own seat to play away on. Perfect. I was so tired by the time we got home. These boys wear a mama out!

The rest of the week...

 The rest of the week we have just been trying to catch up and recover from the trip. Levi has been making messes and Griffin has been super baby. These boys keep me busy...and I love it.

To answer a few questions...

I am so, so behind on responding to emails. Sorry. Someday maybe I will catch up. In the meantime, I thought I might answer a few questions that keep coming up lately...

Will you be posting any pictures of Griffin's nursery?

Of course! Decorating Griffin's nursery has kind of come to a standstill since he was born. Joel has been so busy with work, but that should be slowing down in the next week or two. And we will have to get that crib done before Griffin grows out of the bassinet...at the rate he is growing that will be soon. I promise he won't be 15 months old before I post pictures!!

How did you come up with Griffin's name?

I will be posting on that soon.

Where did you get the bedding from the Green Eggs and Ham post?

Is this a preview of Griffin's nursery?

The red striped duvet cover is from IKEA.

The blue/white polka dot sheets are from TJMaxx several years ago. They are made by Ralph Lauren.

And yes, this bed will be in Griffin's nursery.

Did you make the pillow on the bench in the Seriously Spoiled post?

No. It's from Target.

What camera/lenses to you use?

How do you edit your photos?

Canon 50d

Canon 50mm f/1.4 (this lens is my favorite)

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

I do a little bit of editing in iPhoto, but that's it. I don't have any great photography tips...I am still learning a lot. I just enjoy taking pictures of my kiddos! I highly recommend Ashley Ann's online SnapShop course if you are wanting to learn more about photography. It is awesome!

How do I find you on Pinterest?

Instagram?

My username on Pinterest is Jess McClenahan.

On Instagram you can find me under jessmcclenahan.

Where do you buy your fabric online?

Most of my fabric I buy online from these two sites:

fabric.com

quilthome.com

If I am looking for something specific sometimes I look on Etsy too.

The Plum District deal...

If you were wanting an Erin Condren planner (or something else from her site) and didn't purchase your Plum deal yet...your procrastinating paid off! I got an email today that said you can get an extra 30% off through Monday. Just enter the code spooky30 at checkout. That means you can get a $50 gift card to Erin Condren for $17.50. I think the Erin Condren deal ends tonight?? So, hurry! Go here to sign up for your Erin Condren Plum Deal.

Hope you have a great weekend! I have lots of posts lined up for next week and some giveaways coming soon too. 

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged (for the Instagram part of this post).

the sam book

Levi loves to read. Lucky for him, his mama loves to read children's books too...except when I have to read the same book ten times in a row. I don't so much love that. Thankfully, Levi sometimes likes to "read" to himself sometimes too.

Lately he has started coming up with his own titles for all of his favorite books. He likes to read the "dog book" and "tractor book" and "farm book" and "baby brother book"...there are so many more. He named Green Eggs and Ham the "Sam book". Cute. It is definitely one of his favorites and definitely not one of his dad's favorites. Don't worry Levi, I like it too.

Levi was super excited the day we got out Griffin's new "Sam" clothes. He had the biggest smile on his face when I told him Griffin's shirt was just like his Sam book.

 So we got out Levi's Sam book and he read it to Griffin in his Sam outfit.

 He read it over and over and over. And then he wanted me to read it over and over and over.

I may need to get Levi his own Sam shirt someday. Thanks B family for Griffin's cute outfit. We all love it...especially Levi!

Green Eggs and Ham onesie and pants from a local baby boutique - The Healthy Baby Boutique

another plum deal

I have always loved planners. Back when I was in school I loved school supply shopping and starting the year off with a brand new planner...that and a new box of crayons. It was the best.

A few weeks ago Julie posted a picture of her new planner on Instagram. It was from Erin Condren. I had never heard of her but was instantly in love with the fun, bright designs. I clicked over to check it out and knew I had to have one. But the $50 price was a little much for me...even for an awesome planner. So today when I was checking my email I almost jumped up and down in excitement when I saw the Plum Deal: $25 for $50 worth of personalized Erin Condren Holiday Photo Cards, Calendars, Custom Labels, and More...

Woo-hoo!! Half off. Can you believe it? I started looking around the website a little more and there are so many other awesome products. Here are a few of my favorites...

Weekly Life Planner

{This is what I will be buying!}

Weekly Schedule Pad

{Perfect for making lists}

Enclosure Cards

{A little note...great for gift giving}

Teacher's Lesson Planner

{I would have loved this when I was teaching}

So, I will be adding that pretty planner into my cart for half off. Awesome. I may even pick up a few Christmas gifts...but that would be very unlike me to be Christmas shopping before December! Who knows, maybe my new planner will turn me into an organized and prepared kind of girl. One can only hope. And even if it doesn't...at least my planner will be pretty. :)

Go sign up for your Erin Condren Plum Deal here. Don't forget if you are signing up for Plum District for the first time you get $5 off...just for signing up. That would make it an even better deal!

And one more thing...I saw on Julie's blog today that you can get another 15% off your Erin Condren purchase by using the code FABULOUS at checkout. Thanks for sharing about your pretty planner Julie! I can't wait to get mine.

Okay, go quick! This deal only lasts one day.

Disclosure: referral link used

instafriday {weekend edition}

The weeks seem to keep flying by and I can't seem to keep up with anything! I am enjoying my babies though...and that is what is important! Oh, and speaking of babies...a certain baby in this house decided to turn one month old. What? How did that happen already? I'll post more about Griffin at one month later this week...or at least I will try to. :)

I am away this weekend for my cousins wedding. Thankfully my sister agreed to travel with me so that I wouldn't have to take two boys on an airplane by myself. I don't even know how that would be possible. Thank goodness for sisters! So while I am away, here is a peek at what has been happening around here over the past two weeks...Instagram style.

1. There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.

2. Except maybe a sleeping baby and his daddy.

3. So fun to spend the weekend with my college girlfriends and introduce them to Griffin.

4. Griffin meeting his new cousin for the first time. Hello baby Leo.

1. Griffin's cow towel reminds me of his brother and sister in their cow costume. 

Too bad he is too little to wear it this year!

2. Hello fall...love seeing bright orange pumpkins everywhere.

3. Love these pretty pumpkins too.

4. Trying to keep my little guy out of trouble. He is busy, busy, busy.

1. Sleeping again...conked out on the couch.

2. Matchy-matchy. Anne and Griffin matched for her birthday party.

3. Time to pull out the hats. It is getting cold in Kansas.

4. The rocking chair is done. Just have to get the wrinkles out now.

1. My sweet husband made my morning and surprised me with Starbucks.

That is a major treat when you live 45 minutes from the nearest Starbucks. Love him.

2. Pajama days are the best. Especially when you have monkeys and bears on your feet.

3. Griffin is trying to break the scale already at one month old. Gotta love a chunky baby.

4. These came in the mail this week. Can't wait to see the quilt my mom is making Griffin.

And that is what has been happening around The Macs lately. Hope you are having a great weekend!

I'm linking up with Life Rearranged.

seriously spoiled

Before Griffin was born I was a little worried about how Levi would feel about not being the center of attention anymore. I had no idea what to expect. Although it has taken a little time for him to get used to sharing his mama, I should have never been concerned about him not getting attention. Having a baby brother was probably the best thing that ever happened to Levi. Our friends and family have been so sweet to him. And the gifts this little boy has been given...insane!! He is one loved little boy.

 There were many days when daddy would come home from work with gifts for Levi and Griffin. Always very exciting. One of the best days was when daddy came home with a gift from his John Deere salesman. Awesome.

 Everything John Deere that a little boy could want. Lots of green tractors of course.

 And the camo John Deere hat. It has hardly left his head since.

 Levi got several other tractors after Griffin was born. We have been playing lots and lots and lots of tractors around here.

And trains too.

 Just today Levi and Griffin got a combine {so exciting!} and new shirts in the mail.

They even got a gift all the way from Australia from a blog reader. Thank you Michelle! Levi is loving his Australian ABC book. So fun. Levi shouldn't run out of toys for awhile. Between the tractors, balls, sand buckets, crayons, play dough, and books I think he should stay busy...for a least 5 seconds, right?!?!

 Joel and I joked that if we would have known how many toys Levi would get, we would have saved half of them for Christmas. Our Christmas shopping would have been done!! Don't worry...we let him open them all.

 Thank you to the many people who showered us with gifts and loved my boys so well. 

We are beyond grateful.

And seriously spoiled.