Small Style - Ritzy

We've had some wicked weather here in Texas lately... and seemingly it's been the same all over the states. What gets me is the impossible to dress 40 degree mornings that heat up SO, SO, SO quickly to highs in the 90's. How do I know what to put my kids in for daycare? So our clothes are still full of heavy knits mixed with tanks and soft worn-in t-shirts. Personally, I'm a huge fan of layers, but my toddler would just as soon walk around naked than put on a jacket. Does anyone elses child insist on wearing shoes alldaylong, like 24/7? Even to bed?

T-shirt: gifted, but pretty sure it's from Target, cords by Crazy 8, flip flops: Target

I love the look of old concert or band t-shirts on little boys. Perhaps that's the hippie in me reflecting on my children.

For my daughter I know my personal style is reflected in her outfits. So the layers really play well with the manic weather patterns. Four months old and her feet are still too small for shoes. I'm kind of jealous that she gets to run around barefoot.

Cardigan: part of an outfit from Walmart, Onesie: Target, Shorts: Target, Leggings: Target, Headband: etsy.
This outfit reminds me of a modern ballerina, like she had just pulled on some shorts and a cardigan over her tights and leotard after rehearsal, proper, yet relaxed... so perfectly my daughter. I love it.


For more Small Styles, check out Mama Loves Papa.

In Her Eyes

I could look into these eyes all day long. They are these tiny beautiful pools of blue that mirror flecks of sunlight and light up her face. I am often entranced at how much of her personality is written in her mannerisms. She frequently looks with discernment and caution, but warms up to people so quickly which speaks to her easy-going nature.

I love her so much and I'm absolutely smitten when she smiles. She talks! Oh, my how loud her little voice can be. I hear her giggle at her brother or coo at her daddy and she melts me.

I am so thankful that my heart is now complete.

Easter Sunday

The Easter bunny came this morning, unfortunately, not early enough to beat the before-dawn rising toddler but we managed a tiny miracle and distracted him long enough for the EB to make his way in and out without being caught.

This has to be the best time to be a parent, this age, because it just keeps getting better and better as each holiday comes. His little squeel when he saw his cars and, oh boy! oh boy! ring pops!

Leah, of course, is still too small to know what's happening yet but having a girl to prep for these holidays is just awesome.

bow: Glam R Baby
I'm totally saving this flower headband for her baby dedication in two weeks. She pretty much rocks it.

We went to church and came home to cook lunch. I made my first ham and no one died from eating it, so I'm calling it a win. Brian's dad, his girlfriend, and Brian's grandma came over for lunch. In addition to the ham we had mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, carrots, and deviled eggs. I made carrot cake cupcakes for dessert. We had a great time and it's been a relaxing day.

Now we're settling in and watching Megamind, which by the way I bought yesterday at Target when I got hit by a car... but that's a story for another day.

Small Style - Leah is Awesome

I can honestly say that planning her outfits is the highlight of my day, nay, I say my life. There are so many wonderful things about her and about being a parent that I can't possibly put them all into words. My children are quite honestly my heart and soul. My loves.



On Leah today:

dress by Oilily
onesie by Circo for Target
leggings by 77 kids (American Eagle)
bow by etsy seller princessandme

For more small styles check out Mama Loves Papa.

Small Style: Leah

My baby will be four months old on Friday... four months and I still can't hardly believe that *I* have a daughter. She's wonderful and perfect and completes our family. That's not to mention that I am OVER THE MOON excited about dressing her.


Little Happy T-Shirt: 77 Kids by American Eagle
Jacket: Target, Circo Brand
Skirt: Target, Circo Brand
Rainbow Leggings: Babylegs
Flower headband: gift

I'm so excited to be a part of Small Styles this week! For more check out Mama Loves Papa.

Mom Style Monday - First Edition

Let me first say that I am no fashion plate. I don't pretend to be any shade of "hip" or "with it," but I'm not a prude and I have a little some dignity so I try to put together outfits that make me feel nice and confident.

Since having kids I've had a phobia about showing my arms. When I was a single gal and in our dating years I never had a problem sporting a tank or strappy dress. I guess maybe I'm just drawn more to layers, which is nice since you see that more lately, but not so nice since we're drawing close to the miserable Texas summer heat. I'm hoping I'll get a little bit more confident in my body and accept things for the way there are now. I quite simply don't have the time to be self conscious about myself anymore.



blue dress: American Eagle
Cream tank: Old Navy
Pink cardi: Old Navy
Metallic sandals: Target
Flower hair clip: H&M
Brooch: made by me

I wore this outfit to church yesterday and again to work today (faux pas? possibly.) I felt super cute in it. AND, I bought the dress 2 sizes smaller than what I normally would buy from American Eagle and it fit perfectly! I layered a tank under it for added coverage on top which worked out great and made pumping and nursing modestly easy since I could pull the dress down and the tank up. The cardigan was part of a set I bought a million years ago when I worked at ON in college. I pink puffy heart those sandals. I'm a flats girl all the way and sandal season is my absolute favorite.



I made this little brooch one night when my husband was out and the kids went to bed early. The rosettes were leftover from a Christmas project so I just hot glued them to a piece of leftover felt and tucked a piece of feather in there as well. I love how it tied in the hair clip and matched the tank too.

Of course now that I'm sitting down to write this I'm back in my comfy shorts and t-shirt with my hair pulled in a low messy ponytail but no one else has to know that, right????

I get my best sleep

In the 2.5 years that I've been a parent I have not had a single restful night sleep and that's not an exaggeration. I know I lay my head down for at least 7 hours every night but I still feel like I'm exhausted by noon every day. It's one of those things that you just adapt to, I guess. The tiredness and nodding off is my new normal... so yay, me!

I lay my head on my balled-up orange pillow and piece together the day as my thoughts run through my mind. Anxious by nature, I do my best worrying after the lights are off and all distractions are gone. Ten, eleven, twelve, the hours creep past me as I toss and turn with just the shallow green light from my alarm clock to keep me company...

Right now Nolan sleeps in his own bedroom just on the other side of our wall and Leah in the pack and play a mere 2 feet from me. He stays there typically from 10pm-4am. Almost like clockwork I can hear his little legs roll out of bed and him walking down the hall to our door to Brian's arms and in between us in our tiny (well, it's a queen size) bed. He does not sleep lightly and the kid practically breakdances in his slumber. An elbow jab here, a foot there, and almost, almost, almost always he's on my side of the bed. But it kinda brings me peace in those early hours, I guess. Because as I'm laying there (NOT SLEEPING) I'm comforted by the sounds of the rythym of both of my babies breathing and right then, right there, everything is right and I can drift right back to sleep.