The few weeks before spring break is always a challenge, the end of year is in sight but not nearly close enough & let’s just say after lots of together-ness with my sweet students, it’s time for a few days apart. This year has been harder than ever, between two school Saturdays, a 20-minute extension to our day (I hate snow), & my trip to New York, I have been missing Waverly Maye even more than usual. And that is saying a lot, since leaving my girl is always a little painful.
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I know other working moms can relate, most days I am positive & feel fortunate about our situation, & then there are others that I think about what I am missing & it kills me. I really love my job, I feel fortunate to talk fashion, that my schedule allows me to be with Waverly all afternoon & the best, a summer vacation. Yet it is gut-wrenching to not be there for every “little moment” during the week. I can’t help but think about how life would be if I got to be at home with the toddler tornado 24/7. 😉
Last week, I took a personal day. It’s something I don’t do often but a mommy/mini day was just what we needed. I was so excited going to sleep the night before, since I go to work so early during the week I only get Waverly from her crib on the weekends & it is truly a highlight for me. Once I hear her sweet little toddler voice stirring in there, it’s all I can do not to make a mad-dash down the hallway & jump into the crib with her. So that’s what I did, she knew it was going to be a special day & it was.
We spent our afternoon at lunch & the park. I’m pretty sure we walked up & down the pathway outside lunch about 30 times before we went in, most likely in an attempt to wear her out which for the record, did not work. Regardless, we really had the best time & even though I hate it that we don’t get to always have days like these, I know they are that much more memorable because of just that. I can’t wait to do it again for an entire seven days next week!!

There are so many “little things” I am loving about Waverly lately, even though she has officially been a toddler for a while now I am seeing it in her more than ever these days. Between that status, being a girl, & of course, being my girl, at moments it feels like we are on a total emotional roller coaster. She makes up for her “life-ending” meltdowns with her absolute sweetness though, usually they follow each other & I can’t help but laugh at how quickly her mood can change.
Lately, she is obsessed with saying “mama” after anything she does, it’s her way of letting me know that wants me to copy her. She is really figuring out life more by the day & I find her so proud of what she knows & that she wants to “help us” know it, too. We were reading touch & feel books (our favorite) the other night before bed & she grabbed my finger so I could touch the fuzzy bunnies, too. With her guiding me of course (fingers wrapped around mine), she had to show me how to do it just in case I wasn’t sure. Now every single night since, as soon as we get to that page she does the same thing. Everytime, it blows my mind that she remembers & everytime, I would like to please request that she does this forever.
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| Freshly Picked Moccasins |
Waverly’s other recent cutest habit ever happens each night when I lay her down to bed. She snuggles up with her blanket, same side everytime, & looks up at me with the sweetest “bye, mama”. She looks like such a big girl laying there, I am so proud of her & how far we have come from those rough sleepless nights when this peaceful night-time outcome really never seemed possible. 😉
We have LOVED being able to give back to you all for the past ten weeks. Of course, we are so thankful for the many shops & brands who have supported us with giveaways & all of you who continue to link-up. We don’t have a giveaway this week, but as always, all you have to
do is write your post with whatever “little thing” it is that you would like to
share. Then, link-up with either Jess or me at the bottom of this post! Feel
free to download our logo (located at my sidebar) to share on your own post or
on Instagram, you can also share your own photos of “little things” with the
hash tag “littlethingslinkup”.
do is write your post with whatever “little thing” it is that you would like to
share. Then, link-up with either Jess or me at the bottom of this post! Feel
free to download our logo (located at my sidebar) to share on your own post or
on Instagram, you can also share your own photos of “little things” with the
hash tag “littlethingslinkup”.
For anyone who is interested in being a part of a future giveway, please email me at akwright@vbschools.com or Jess at jess@sadieskyboutique.com. HAPPY halfway through the week!! 🙂

That IS the cutest habit! My heart just melted when I read that. I think if/when Kaitlyn does that, I won't want to to leave her – I'd probably just crawl right in! lol! So glad you got a mommy & me day – much deserved!
xx Viv at JoieDeViv
Haha, that is exactly what I did!!!! I am loving it! Just you wait mama, it gets better & better!!!!! XO
I love that you took a day off to spend with her! I can TOTALLY relate to the working mom guilt and how your heart breaks a little each time you miss out on a day. Taking a day off like you did is the stuff that Waverly will remember and cherish forever. You're doing such a great job, mama! And I love that you hopped in the crib with her + how she held your finger to help you feel the bunny book!
M-E-L-T!
My little guy is doing 'mommy' with everything now too. "Mommy, help me peas!" "Okay mommy" "Teacup (thank you), mommy". It is so dang cute! I don't want him to get any bigger than he is now! I just love his little voice and how he is figuring out putting sentences and phrases together.
My son said 'bye, mommy' the other night too! He only did it once and hasn't again since then, but it kind of made me sad. He wasn't crying or anything so I know he wasn't sad saying it, but it made me feel bad for leaving him.
Her hair is getting so long. I see some curls in the back! I love the color too!
Ohmygosh the leopard headwrap and matching shoes ! Love both of your outfits. Where did you get your shorts? I find it tough to find jean shorts that aren't way too short for a mother of three lol. Love your sandals also!
Her grabbing your finger is too cute. Aria has been doing something similar. She will grab my finger and turn pages of her book with it. I'm not sure the thought process, but I love it to pieces.
Totally killing me with 'bye mama' – sounds hard to leave after that! Heart strings!
This is SO sweet. I love that you took a random day off just to spend time with her!
Thank you SO much!!!! 🙂
Sweetest duo everrrrr!! It sounds like you two had the perfect day together! And I'm a little jealous she says momma 🙂 I don't know why, but Mia has stopped saying momma and only says daddy. I think she calls ME daddy sometimes, ugh (ha!)
Both you and your daughter are so beautiful! Loved this sweet post, mama!!
Love and light,
Jessica
You are too sweet, thank you!! Really appreciate you being a part of this! 🙂
So cute! Love both of your looks! And your gorgeous hair!
Lovely post Ashley, you & your sweet babe are so cute, I love your fashion choices! I am looking forward to dressing my Sweet Bea as a toddler! Love linking up with you guys. Lizzie xx
Love you linking-up with us, we really appreciate it!!!! 🙂
First of all, I love Waverly’s precious leopard headband and shoes paired with that adorable outfit. She’s the cutest (just like her Mommy). Mommy and little time is so important! I'm glad y'all got to have a day together. I love letting Mason stay home from school on a random weekday. Even though I still work I get to spend a lot of time with him.
looks like such a fun day! and how cute that she says bye to you when you lay her down!
These are the sweetest posts! I agree, leaving your little one 5 days a week is SO hard and every now and then a personal day, just to spend time together, can be so wonderful and refreshing. I took last Wednesday off and Mac and I hung out at the transportation museum playing trains and having lunch together while it rained. Nothing special, but it was so special to me.
Aw, glad you guys did the same! We just need that sometimes!!! XO
Such a sweet mommy/daughter day!
I love that Waverly wants you to copy her, and wants to share little things (like the touch and feel books) with you. Heart melted!!
I LOVE hearing her on the monitor in the mornings. Abigail has always done a sweet call for me and I feel like you where I just want to race down there and snuggle her up. Of course, my girl needs a slow wake up time so even if she has called for me she still needs a few minutes to shake the grumps 😉
I'm so glad you enjoyed your personal day so much!!
She is suh a doll!!! So fun you got to have a girls day with her!! Those are the best for sure 🙂 it's crazy how much they change so fast at this age!
So many sweet pictures! I know what you mean about the working and feeling like you are missing out on everything. I am constantly struggling with not being able to be home with my girls full time. I'm so glad you were able to take a day off and spend it together!
loveandlifesimplified.blogspot.com
Thanks girl, glad you can relate! It is hard, but I know we are showing them to have a good work-ethic one day! 😉
XO
So is it weird that as I'm drinking a glass of wine and reading this post I almost cried? (*wipes tear*) haha This makes me so excited for children and I LOVE that yall got a mommy/daughter day! You both are so beautiful! 🙂
I love these pictures! You two are so beautiful. You are such a good, caring, loving mama to your girl… she is lucky to be so loved! And so well-dressed 🙂
So glad you took a personal day to be with your girl – you deserved it, sweet girl! Loving the beautiful photos. You always get the cutest shots of Waverly (which isn't hard I suppose, with such a photogenic little model! )
Ashley, I LOVE this! As a fellow working mom, I know how special those random days together can be. I always feel so lucky when I get a random Friday off with my boy (even if it means I have to work on Saturday) because it is just me and him. Sounds like such a fun day you girls had! My favorite part of recently is that when I get home from work, Mason literally RUNS to me with this HUGE smile on his face and gives me the biggest hug ever. Makes my heart MELT. And makes it all worthwhile.
SO jealous of your week off next week and your whole summer off! Can't wait to see what fun you girls have together next week! xoxo
Her clothes are so flipping cute.