Wednesday, November 11, 2015

11.11


Our baby's remembrance tree has turned a vibrant yellow and has officially started losing it's leaves this week. And as each one falls to the ground, I think my heart breaks a little more.

11.11.

My baby's due date.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

JURASSIC PARK FAMILY HALLOWEEN COSTUME


In an effort to keep busy this week, I wanted to share some pictures from our Halloween. This year's theme: Jurassic Park. How many more years until Joe refuses family-themed costumes?

Thursday, October 8, 2015

6 MONTHS, BUT WHO'S COUNTING


I asked James yesterday, "Can you believe it's been 6 months already?" His answer reflected my exact thoughts. "No! Well, yeah. Actually, no..."

Monday, September 21, 2015

SEA MONSTER BATHROOM


Joe's bathroom was in desperate need of a change. And well, I just needed a distraction. (The perfect combination!) He's been really into cars, trucks, and boats lately...pretty much anything that moves. I was thinking maybe a boat or pirate themed bathroom, so I started searching for shower curtains first. I came across an adorable whale shower curtain on Society6, and it instantly became the inspiration for Joe's new sea monster bathroom!

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.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

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?"

Thursday, July 2, 2015

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.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

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.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

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.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

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.

Friday, May 15, 2015

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.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

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.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

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.

Friday, May 1, 2015

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

Thursday, April 30, 2015

REMEMBRANCE TREE


The day after we found out we lost our baby, James came home with a tiny tree in his truck. It actually looked more like a few bare sticks since there weren't any buds yet, but it was a redbud tree. That entire week, redbud trees were in full bloom everywhere in Nashville. They line the streets and bloom into bright pink flowers every spring. I've always said how much I love them so it was very special that this was the species he chose to remember our little sprout. And of course, it's the perfect color.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

NAVIGATING GRIEF


I've noticed that one of the first things someone asks is "how far along were you?" As if the earlier you lose your baby, the easier. It's back to that 13 week rule. Once you are in the 2nd trimester, your baby has "made the cut" to be openly talked about. I still can't wrap my head around that concept. Carrying your baby for less amount of time doesn't make you any less of a mother. Or make your baby any less of a life.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

MISCARRIAGE: I'M BRINGING IT UP


These past 2 weeks have been the hardest of my life. I keep praying that the pain in my heart will lessen as the days go on, but it still hasn’t. I’ve just felt lonelier. I had another breakdown last night. The kind that just when you think you’re done, another wave begins. I pulled myself out of the bathroom and grabbed my laptop to search for hope.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

PANTRY ORGANIZING


Spring cleaning time! Our pantry was in desperate need for reorganizing. I realized after clearing the top shelf that I didn't take a "before" picture...so this is actually 1 shelf cleaner than it originally looked. Honestly, I can't believe I'm actually sharing how disorganized we were living... yikes!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

EASTER HUTCH


Spring is in the air! Which means goodbye evergreen dishes, hello spring colors! I will admit, decorating our kitchen hutch is one of my all-time favorite things to do. (Even though my husband rolls his eyes at how many sets of dishes I own). It's located in the center of our kitchen and really sets the mood for our whole house. And well, it just makes me happy.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CARDS


Joe has some Irish in him, so he wanted to send St. Patrick's Day cards to his grandparents to let them know he's thinking about them! We've sent a lot of hand and footprints in the past, so Joe decided to decorate his card with his thumbprint instead. I can't believe how big his little fingers have gotten!

Saturday, March 7, 2015

PROPELLER CUPCAKES


I've had a few people ask me for details on how to make the vintage airplane propeller cupcakes. They were super easy, but here is a step by step to show you how I did them.

Friday, February 27, 2015

TIME FLIES! VINTAGE AIRPLANE 1ST BIRTHDAY


The first birthday - what a milestone! I can't believe how quickly my little man is growing. I wanted Joe's first birthday party to be a day our family and friends could relax and enjoy. We went in circles for awhile on the theme, but I ended up choosing what I want his future "big boy" room to be. That way, we could recycle all the decorations. And so Joe's "Time Flies" vintage airplane birthday was created. Time literally flew...and who could resist a cutie in an aviator hat?

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

LITTLE VALENTINES


I received an email from Joe's daycare that all Valentine's are due on Friday. I didn't realize that was a thing for 1 year olds, but apparently it is. Of course I wasn't going to go out and buy the standard tear-apart Valentines, but I was pretty short on time. I decided to use things I had around the house to make homemade cards for his classmates.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

BEE MINE?


Believe it or not, Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays. Maybe because it's right after my birthday, or maybe because it's an excuse to be extra cheesy. I wanted to spread a little love and give Joe's new teachers a little something to let them know we appreciate them.