PORTHOLE CHALKBOARD

I could not decide what to put above the towel rack for the longest time. I wanted something to fit the theme, but not in an obvious way. I started searching online for different artwork, and came across a painting of a boat with a porthole, which then led to me searching real portholes. Funny how ideas come about.

WHEN DO WE TRY AGAIN?

"So do you think Joe is going to be an only child? Oooo, try for a girl. Wouldn't that be great?"

"How old is Joe now? It's about time to start trying for another, huh?"

MOOD BOARDING: MID-CENTURY FARMHOUSE

After almost 2 years of living in our house, we finally have the front room finished! Well, almost finished. Technically the "before" picture is an empty room, but here's a picture from our house listing.

TWO STEPS FORWARD, ONE STEP BACK

Sometimes on Saturday mornings I let Joe watch cartoons as he eats his breakfast. He just recently became interested in TV, so he gets so excited to watch and learn while he chomps away. I got him set up in his high chair, prepared a peanut butter and banana sandwich (his favorite!) and turned on Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Today's theme? Daniel Tiger is going to be a big brother.

GRAY & YELLOW RUSTIC WEDDING

Today is our 3 year wedding anniversary. Some days it feels like I blinked and 3 years have passed, others feel like we've already lived a lifetime together. What I have learned so far is that love is a precious thing. You have to work at it, you have to have patience for it, and you have to appreciate it everyday.

MOTHER'S DAY RECAP

James knew Mother's Day was going to be difficult for me this year. And honestly, I was worried I was going to spend the entire day sad and crying. But my day was anything but sad. In true James fashion, he planned the most thoughtful and out-of-the-park day I could have ever imagined.

HOW TO SUPPORT A FRIEND THROUGH MISCARRIAGE

I have only had 1 close friend that has gone through a miscarriage. I remember feeling so sad and so helpless, not knowing what to say or do to make her feel better. I was actually nervous to talk to her. I didn't want to say the wrong thing that may upset her even more. And at the time, I had no idea what it meant to be a mother, let alone a mother dealing with the loss of her baby.

TO THE STRONGEST MOTHER

Being a mother is an indescribable thing. It's consuming, beautiful, rewarding, difficult, scary, fulfilling and frustrating all at once. I'm so very blessed that I've had the opportunity to experience it. It is the best gift in the world. On the day Joe was born, James looked at me and said, "a new part of my heart just started working." And I think it's the best way to describe it, because it's something you can't ever understand until you get to. I'm so grateful that I've gotten to, twice.

TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS

It's teacher appreciation week and Joe's school sent out a theme for gifts for each day of the week. Today is "pamper your teacher" day and Joe wanted to give his teachers some fun summery nail polish. I found nail files that matched and came up with "I love you from my fingers to my toes!" to help tie it all together. Just a tiny little gesture to show how much they mean to us.

MOM-GUILT

Every day I'm reminded that I'm not pregnant anymore. My mindless morning routine of getting ready has become my most dreaded part of the day. I wake up and weigh myself only to see the number is the same as it was yesterday. I would be over 13 weeks now. Just starting to show and just far enough along to start sharing my exciting news. Most days I skip washing my hair because it feels