2 weeks and counting

Today is my little lady's 2 week birthday. Where does the time go?

Being a new parent is a funny thing I think. For nine months (or your whole life, if you're like me) you spend thinking about what your new baby will look like, smell like, act like, what her little personality will develop into. And then she's suddenly here.

And her daddy and I wonder what we ever did with ourselves before we knew her.

She's as sweet as pie, an expert snuggler, a serious eater, and a not so serious sleeper. I can already notice that her little cheeks are getting a little chunkier. Her newborn onesies are getting a little snugger.

And I can't help but be a little sad. Every parent wants their child to grow and thrive...and I am so thankful and blessed to have a healthy child. But knowing that she'll never be this tiny & small again breaks my heart a little. Is that weird? Does this make me a crazy Mama?

It does make me wish I had a photographic memory. I know that before I know it, she'll be running around the house, talking my ear off, getting ready for her first day of school.

But for now, I just stare at her tiny little toes & fingers & every little wrinkle and roll...

And hope that I don't forget a moment of her precious newborn stage.

and Gracie makes three

I know I've been a little MIA lately...but I've had a good excuse, I promise.

This sweet little lady joined our family last Monday afternoon. Yes, she's even more precious in person. 

So please forgive me if I spend all my crafting hours in the next few weeks snuggling this little girl. 

But can you really blame me? She's pretty irresistible.

Welcome to the world, Gracie girl. I'm so lucky to be your Mama!

Gracie's DIY Nursery Reveal!

Drumroll anyone? Ok, so maybe this isn't that dramatic of a post. But I have been hounded by friends & family to post Baby G's nursery pics...so here they finally are! (BEWARE...there are a lot of pictures!)

I had a hard time photographing the space, as I don't have a fancy shmancy lens that can shoot around corners...but I hope that these shots give you all a feel for the space. Because I just love it. Sometimes when I walk by the door, I just walk in and sit in here and smile. I hope it makes you all smile too!

This was a totally DIY room! Mainly everything in the space was handmade, refurbished, or recycled. Lavender & green were basically the color scheme, so we painted the walls a light lavender and kept all the furnishings white.

My refurbished glider is nestled in one corner between the big window and a little bookcase, holding baskets of toys & books. I bought the baskets at Michael's and made my own fabric liners for them.

Remember these? My Pottery Barn knock off wall plaques are neatly hung (and basically level!) over the bookcase...

A lamp, baby sock bouquet from my baby shower, and tutu bear sit on top of the bookshelf. My mama made the adorable little tutu on the bear!

The curtains panels are lavender gingham, with sheers underneath. The sheers have little embroidered dragonflies on them, with a green & lavender rick-rack border.

They sweeten up the window so much.

Opposite the glider & bookshelf is a white Hemnes dresser, from Ikea.

Except I changed out the knobs to these adorable purple polka dotted ones I found at Hobby Lobby on sale for $1.50 each. $9 well spent for the cuteness they add!

This shelf hangs over the dresser...chip board letters from Paper-Source spell out her name. I decorated them with stickers, ribbon, and the scrapbook paper left over from the PB Wall Plaques.

The tutu & booties that are hanging below were also made by my mom! Aren't they darling?!!

I also made the "bow holder" to hold all of her baby bows, and the changing pad cover (using this tutorial from Prudent Baby).

And of course...can't forget the crib! We are so fortunate to have had a family friend hand down the bedding set to us! It's from Pottery Barn and is white, lavender & green with those same sweet little embroidered dragonflies on it. (I'd link to a picture online, but I can't find it online anymore!) Of course, the bumpers & bunny will have to come out as soon as the baby goes into the crib, but they were just too sweet to not put in for the picture!

The quilt was a gift from my step mom, who bought it from a vendor on Etsy. I will have to find out who, because it's so soft & well made that I think every baby should have one!

This wall plaque hangs over her crib. It was made by my dear friend Sarah. That is fabric stretched over canvas, and each of those buttons are hand sewn on! I just love it.

And every little girl needs a sparkly "crystal" chandelier! For a very reasonable $40 from Ikea, its the room's perfect girly finishing touch! 

Don't ask me how I convinced my husband that a chandelier was a practical & necessary addition to a baby's room...but it was so worth it, it's my favorite part of the room!

 And I guess that's enough pictures for now...are you all still awake? Hopefully I didn't lose anyone due to a lavender cuteness overdose.

All that's left is to wait for the baby! 

I think it's safe to say that we're ready when you are, Little Gracie. Mama can't wait to meet you!

 

My Baby Shower

Oh my, how is it August already? I can officially say that I'm having a baby THIS MONTH! Wow...

Before the baby gets here, I thought I should get around to posting about my baby shower. When Greg and I were in Maine in July, my mom hosted a beautiful baby shower for me. I am so fortunate that my aunt is a photographer and captured these great images of the day! 

Mom filled her home with beautiful bouquets she picked from her gardens around the house. (Oh how I wish I had inherited that green thumb!)

She posted a menu by the food, which was a delicious spread of summer salads, fruit, breads, dips and other yummy dishes!

My sister in law, Sarah, made & decorated the cake, which was special because she also made our Wedding Cake, and the shower happened to be on Greg and I's year anniversary! This is the only picture I have of the cake from that day...but it was super cute. And no worries, that is non alcoholic Sangria in that wine glass. :)

She also decorated these darling "onesie" cookies...

and these adorable "baby bonnet" cake pops!

The favors were individual potted plants...my dear mother potted every one! I loved this idea that guests could take it home and continue to enjoy their pretty pots! Each pot had a butterfly skewer in it which read "Plant a little love and watch a miracle grow." So sweet, right?

And some soft & fun favors for the little girls who attended.

My mom and aunt made this adorable booty bouquet...each rose bud is made out of a little baby sock! Seriously so cute! I can't wait to "pluck" a flower each time the baby needs a sock!

It was a beautiful day which was filled with all the women I love...family, great friends, and some adorable babies! Thank you to my mom, aunt & sis in law Sarah for all the hard work you did to make the day so special! We are so blessed as a family to have such wonderful people welcoming our baby into the world.

And speaking of babies...I haven't forgot about the nursery reveal...coming soon, I promise!

PS If you're in the Northeast area and are looking for a great photographer, check out 241 South Studios!