pause...

Some of you may have noticed that my Instagram & Twitter handles have changed. I have been thinking about this for a while now and have decided to make a change. Originally, I was going to rebrand but instead, I have decided to take a pause, to stop blogging, maybe temporarily, maybe permanently.

It is no secret that we've had a lot going on these past few years: marriage, moving, babies, a miscarriage, ppd, and other internal struggles with finding my identity and place both in this world and in Christ. I have attempted to do that by immersing myself in this social media world of like-minded people, and while I have found encouragement, many times I have also become disheartened with the consistent temptations of comparison.

This had led to unnecessary sadness and discontentment, and it's time for me to make a change. So I will be taking a break from blogging. I will also be making some other changes in my other social media outlets to help compartmentalize and organize things. For those of you who what to continue to follow along here's a reference:

My Twitter, now @Ashley_whm, has become mostly business based. For White House Monogramming updates, this is where you will want to follow. I've also been known to retweet fun news updates, and interesting things around the web, so look out for that too ; )

My Instagram, now @mrsashleystafford is where my personal story will continue. This will essentially become my blog outlet for those who still want to follow along. It just won't be as in depth and more of a real life timeline instead of the picture perfect parties and perfectly placed home decor I tried so hard to create.

My Facebook is still and will always be a way to keep in touch with those close friends and family. I apologize to those of you who have friend requested me and I have not accepted. I take this part of my life very seriously and will always keep it separate.

Thank you guys for following along and growing with us. I'm off to buy some baby books, so I make sure to remember to write down my babies' milestones : )

Eloise is TWO!

Eloise, my darling, you are TWO YEARS OLD!

You are roughly 25lbs, wear 18-2m clothes, and wear a size 5/6 shoe. You are both potty trained and in a big girl bed. These past few months have been quite the transition since becoming a big sister, but you have done wonderfully and are so loving and kind to Olivia Grace. Daddy and I are very proud! 

{your first school picture-perfection!}

Eloise, you are SO SMART! It amazes me how quickly you learn and how much you love it. You LOVE letters and love to read. Recently, we purchased the Preschool Prep DVD series* and I am blown away by how quickly your interest in learning has gone into fully knowing all these things. You know all your letters and their sounds, can count and recognize numbers 1-12, as well as can identify all your shapes and colors. The sight words has to be my favorite. Since watching the DVDs, you can read roughly 10+ sight words and are learning more words every day. It's also a great party trick ; )

You love to watch Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, your "Jesus Songs", and of course, Frozen. My favorite thing is watching you sing and dance. I think it's your favorite thing too. We are starting you in dance classes this fall and I cannot wait!  

Coloring, Play-doh, any sort of Little People or figurine, and puzzles are how you spend most of your time. You can entertain yourself for so long with those things. It will be even better when Olivia Grace is old enough to play with you. 

Girl, you have the best personality! We laugh at you all the time. You love being the center of attention and are very outgoing. You love to talk to everyone and tell stories. We're definitely going to have to have the 'stranger danger' conversation soon. Everyone just loves to spend time around you and you constantly bring a smile to everyone's face. 

Eloise Anne, you are such a joy! There are times when you like to test your limits and your emotions get a little out of control, but other than that, your daddy and I couldn't have imagined a better little girl. We are so blessed to call you ours. 

*The Preschool Prep DVDs are also available on Zulily from time to time so keep a look out! 

Two Months

Olivia Grace, you are two months old! You had your appointment yesterday and weighed 10lbs 14oz and 22.75" tall (25%). You are wearing size 1 diaper and 3m clothes.  

You are still exclusively breastfed (yay for us!), and you eat roughly every 2.5-3hrs during the day and sleep from 7:30-8 at night to 7 in the morning. You still will not take a pacifier so you spend a little part of falling asleep chewing on your hand or fussing.

You're getting so good at holding your head up and mimicking facial expressions. Olivia, you have the best smile, we just love it. You also love your swing. The mobile catches your attention and I think you much prefer being up near everyone as opposed to down on the floor - tummy time is your least favorite thing. I'm excited for you to get older so we can play more and do more fun things together with your sister. 

Olivia Grace, you are such a sweetie. We are so thankful that you have come into our lives and are looking forward to watching you grow.