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Ivy Van Dusen


A couple of days ago we got back from one of the most fun vacations I think I have ever been on! For my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary we were able to get a big group of family together and go on a fun little Carnival cruise! It also happened to be the week that both Kody and my little brother Gunnar had the week off of school for fall break so it worked out perfectly for us. I had never been on a cruise before and boy was I MISSING OUT. You guys, it was the coolest thing ever and now I want to just spend all of my money on cruises for the rest of my life.

Okay, not for real but kind of. It was so much fun!

I was nervous but excited at the same time to bring our 15 month-old along. I wasn't sure how he'd do but he actually did great and loved it so I am actually really glad we brought him.

The cruise left from Long Beach, California so we were able to spend a few days staying with Kody's parents and hanging out at the beach before and after the cruise which was nice.

The cruise left around 5pm that afternoon and we were at sea until the next morning when we arrived in Catalina Island. I have always wanted to go to Catalina Island (usually you can see it faintly on the horizon from some southern California beaches) but have never been able to until this cruise. It was the CUTEST little island/town ever. We rented some golf carts and rode all over the town, up and down the mountian hills. Pretty much everyone there drove golf carts around and ours included a car seat for Jack so I felt safe about it. I LOVED riding around. We did it for about two hours and Jack was able to get a good nap in. We also stumbled on a little family of deer who were NOT shy at all and walked right up to the golf cart and sniffed/licked us. I was absolutely dying. Catalina had a huge selection of food, shopping and all sorts of activities. I want to go back again and again and can't get over the fact that people actually live there!!! SO CUTE.




Having so much fun on the golf cart!
Snuggled and sleeping on the ride :)



Breakfast on the ship

Riding the ferry. Jack wasn't actually as sad as he looks in this picture, I promise! :)

Forever my favorite person to travel (or do anything) with. He makes life so fun and I love him. 

Our spot at dinner was lovely <3

Pop pop (grandpa) and Jack playing pat-a-cake at dinnertime. 

Elegant night with my handsome guys. 

Jack LOVED the little towel-animals that our cabin attendant (a sweet man named Made) made every day!
My cute parents :)

Jack & his uncle Bailey

Jack & 'nanny' (grandma)


my brothers racing down some little slides


The next day we docked in Ensanada, Mexico. I have only ever been to Mexico one other time (on our honeymoon in Cancun) and it was a little different than Catalina! While we were there we took a tour bus to the other end of Ensanada (about 45 minutes away) to a little market where they were selling allllll kinds of stuff (and were very persistent in trying to get you to buy their stuff and barter and make deals with them). This market was right near a little 'blowhole'-type rocky water area called La Blufadora which was super neat and Jack absolutely loved. We bought him a little cowboy hat, a Mexican poncho and some other goodies while we looked around there.

The people there were very kind and it was interesting driving around Ensanada. It definitely wasn't America and made me realize how lucky I am to live where and how I do. Some of the people there are so unbelievably poor and I'm sure I didn't even see the worst of it.






Jack walking around like he owned the boat 


The next day we were at sea the whole day and it was fun swimming, eating and enjoying all there was to do on the cruise ship. It was the Carnival Inspiration and had lots of fun things.

Overall we had such a perfect time! It was a short cruise but was still so much fun. I was honestly expecting it to be more of a party/"booze cruise" but while there was a good share of drinkers, there were also lots of families with children and people of all ages. It was a lot more family-friendly than I expected and I would 100% do it again in a heartbeat!





TIPS FOR CRUISIN' WITH TODDLERS:

-pack lots of diapers! recommended rule: enough diapers for the duration of the cruise + 1 extra day, just in case.
-bring a comfy pack n' play mattress. Our ship put a mini crib in our room and our mattress made it nice and comfy for Jack.
-take advantage of childcare on the ship! I felt bad 'ditching' jack but finally did on the last night while we watched a little concert and I wish I would have done it more! He had fun playing with toys/other kids and I had fun relaxing.
-read into EVERYTHING you can about the boat you'll be on. Look for reviews from parents and know exactly what you will and will not need for your little one.
-bring blankets and jackets. Being on the ocean can be a lot cooler than you think and you'll want to snuggle your baby up at times when you're outdoors
-bring tylenol/ibuprofen just in case
-bring a small stroller + a baby carrier if your little one likes those
-have realistic expectations. don't expect to be up every night 'til 1 AM partying. Take it easy and relax about schedules, naps and all that. Try to go with the flow :)

xo
10/15/2018 No sweet note{s}



October is officially here, and you know what that means?
It's officially sweater-wearing time and I could not be happier!

Every year I get so many questions about where I find my sweaters so I thought I'd put together a nice little list for you guys! I really find them from three main places: H&M, Amazon and Target. I don't think you have to spend tons of money on sweaters in order for them to be cute and feel cozy. It is honestly a little embarrassing how many sweaters I own but for the prices of some of these, you really can't go wrong!

H&M

H&M has become one of my favorite sweater places because I believe they have completely mastered the over-sized-sweater thing. I am usually a medium and have these in medium + larges. I recommend ordering a size up if you want that over-sized feel. The V-neck ones are definitely my favorite and those come in all sorts of colors. My favorite way to style them is with some black leggings and boots! So easy to dress up or down (in these photos I am wearing this v-neck one in grey).



TARGET

I know this might be blasphemous but over spring and summer this year I was not crazy about Target's selection of clothes (am I the only one?). BUT I feel like they are starting to redeem themselves with some of their fall clothes- including their sweaters. They have a big selection of unique sweaters and offer a lot of them in plus-sizes as well.


AMAZON

Last but definitely not least we have Amazon. It really is a hit-or-miss kinda deal when you buy clothes from Amazon but these babies are definite hits in my book.


Happy Sweater-wearing!!!!
xo
10/03/2018 No sweet note{s}



A couple of weeks ago Jack hit 15-months and since he had a doctor's appointment, I thought it'd be a good little milestone to document!

As of his doctor's appointment, Jack weighs 28 lbs and is 32.3 in tall. He is in the 80th percentile for length, the 97th percentile for weight and the 100th+ for head circumference.

He is a big, happy, healthy boy! He is talking and walking running all over the place and even though it can be hard to chase him around all the time, it is so fun to see where he goes! Lately he is obsessed with elevators and escalators. At the mall the other day I parked the stroller at the bottom of the escalator and we just rode it up and down over and over again and he had the time of his life.

He likes to point to babies/toddlers and says "baby!" (even if they're clearly older and bigger than them).

He says around 30 (that I can come up with right now) different words and it seriously feels like he is learning a new one every day. He has a hard time making a "K" sound (instead of "snack" he says "snay") and it is adorable.

He is in a super funny phase where he thinks its HILARIOUS when I take off his socks to reveal his little bare feet. Not sure why it's so funny but I love it.

I am so grateful every single day to have a baby who likes the gym daycare. It is a huuuuuge lifesaver. Literally! Getting a workout in every day keeps me sane and happy and it is so nice to know that he is happy and playing and socializing while I am doing it. He loves the sweet ladies that work at the daycare and I am able to watch him play with the little kitchen toys and the baby slide on the TV at the gym which is also very nice. Hoping he as excited about church nursery in a few months!

He likes eating bananas, blueberries and crackers. I'd say those are definitely his favorites. He also throws EVERYTHING off his high chair which makes it impossible to keep the kitchen clean but I know is a pretty normal part of toddler-hood.

I am trying my hardest not to let him eat candy or junk food (although I'd be lying if I didn't say I give him an occasional french fry). I really think healthy habits are important and it's probably a little easier to start them early in life than later down the road when you realize how unbelievably yummy Hostess Doughnuts are.

I know I've said this before but I LOVE THIS AGE. He has such a strong little personality and it is so much fun to watch.

xo
10/02/2018 No sweet note{s}
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