Hey fam! Welcome back to the vlog. This past week has been insane—like, so full of life and emotions and excitement that I barely had a second to breathe, but in the best way possible. Between house hunting (yes, the search continues), getting everything ready for our newest family member (hint: four legs, a tail, and lots of wiggles), and celebrating Lij’s birthday, it honestly felt like a reality TV show over here.
Let’s rewind a bit and start with the house hunting saga…
🏡 House Hunting Madness
So, we’re officially in the market for a new home. We’ve outgrown our cozy little apartment, and while I’ll always have a soft spot for it—it’s just time. Between the noise, the lack of storage, and someone (me) trying to turn every corner into a YouTube set, it’s gotten… tight.
This week, we saw five different houses. FIVE. That may not seem like a lot, but trust me, when you’re dragging around a camera, a fiancé who has very specific kitchen needs, and two reusable coffee mugs, it’s a journey.
House #1 had the cutest porch swing I’ve ever seen, and I could already imagine sitting there with a matcha latte editing videos. But the inside? Yikes. The kitchen was straight from 1997, and not in a charming vintage way. House #2 was brand new and modern, but it felt a bit too sterile. No soul, you know?
House #3… okay, this one almost got us. Big windows, lots of natural light, a garden out back that would be perfect for a puppy, and the neighborhood had actual trees. Like, tall, leafy ones that make that rustling sound in the wind. I’m a sucker for that. But the price? Just a liiiiittle above our budget. Still, it’s on the maybe list.
The last two houses were just no-gos. One smelled weird. I won’t even elaborate. Just… no. The other had what the realtor called a “creative layout,” which basically meant the bathroom was off the kitchen. Nope.
We’re still searching, but fingers crossed—we’re getting closer.
🐶 Puppy Prep in Full Swing
Now, onto the most exciting (and slightly chaotic) part of the week: puppy prep! If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve been wanting a dog for ages. And finally, after months of research, back-and-forth convos, and some serious planning, we’re getting our puppy!
She’s a golden retriever (yes, I’m already in love), and we pick her up in just a few weeks. But let me tell you, prepping for a puppy is no joke. I thought I was being extra by ordering a cute bed and a few toys, but once I fell into the Pinterest black hole of “puppy essentials,” things escalated quickly.
So far, we’ve got:
- A crate (still trying to figure out if we want her sleeping in our room or the living room)
- Toys galore (including one shaped like a donut that I kinda want)
- Chew treats
- Puppy shampoo (scent: coconut + oatmeal)
- A mini vacuum because puppy fur is real
- A tiny pink harness and leash (yes, it has sparkles, no, I’m not sorry)
We also had a little family meeting to discuss training. Lij wants to teach her tricks, and I’m all about the potty training from day one. It’s gonna be a ride, but I’m ready for it.
Oh! And we’ve been brainstorming names. Some contenders: Luna, Maple, Daisy, or Olive. I’m leaning toward Daisy, but we’re waiting to meet her before making it official.
🎉 Lij’s Birthday Bash
And now, for the grand finale of the week—Lij’s birthday! I can’t even believe he’s ten already. Double digits, y’all. He’s growing up so fast, and I swear he was just learning how to ride his bike last week.
This year, he wanted a space-themed party, so we went all out. I mean, outer space cake, glow-in-the-dark decorations, and a bounce house that looked like a rocket ship. The look on his face when he saw everything? Worth. Every. Second.
He invited a few of his close friends from school, and they spent the afternoon playing astronaut tag (which is exactly what it sounds like), launching mini rockets, and eating way too much sugar. We even had a little DIY station where they made alien slime. Messy, but fun.
The best part? We surprised him with a telescope. He’s been super into stars lately and has this dream of becoming an astronaut. When he unwrapped the box, he just stood there in shock for a second, and then gave me the biggest hug ever. My heart melted.
That night, after everyone left and the house was quiet again, we set up the telescope on the balcony. The sky was clear, and we actually got to see the moon in crazy detail. He said, “Mom, it’s like I’m almost there.” And honestly? That moment alone made all the party planning madness worth it.
Wrapping It All Up
So yeah, it’s been a whirlwind. Between the open houses, late-night Amazon puppy hauls, and throwing a literal space party, I am exhausted. But my heart is so full.
Next week’s vlog will probably be a bit more chill (I say that every time, don’t I?), but we’re hoping to go back and tour House #3 again, and I might sneak in a trip to the pet store because I definitely forgot puppy pads and like, a hundred other things.
Anyway, thank you all for following along on this wild little chapter of our lives. Your comments, DMs, and suggestions—especially for puppy names!—mean so much. Let me know what you think: which house would you pick, what should we name the pup, and if anyone’s got birthday party recovery tips, hit me up.
Love you all! Until next time ✨
