baby must haves

It was not so long ago I was walking the aisles of baby stores, staring in confusion… What is all of this stuff? Are these sleep-wrap things for real? Can baby monitors really be this expensive? And, lord help me, but what kind of bottles do I buy?… I was so overwhelmed I wanted to walk right on back out to my car and leave babies r' us in the dust forever. Instead, I polled some friends with babies and happily went online to purchase such items. Whew. Some things got used and others never even left the box (ie. bottle heater & wipes warmer).

So, the reason I'm writing all this now is I have four very loverly pregnant friends that might need some tips. See, I'm all big in my britches and think I totally know what I'm talking about. Cocky huh? Anyway, for those that are even a smidge interested in what I think, here ya go ladies…

1. puj tub : Loved this clever contraption. It saved my back for the first few months and nestled my babe in a little spa.
2. sound machine : doesn't matter which one, but someone gave me this at a shower and it hums away perfectly in the nursery. Great when you have a small house and paper thin walls.
3. sleep sack : I bought the miracle blanket and it frustrated me to death. Baby girl wiggled like a fool and it took two people to figure out how to tuck and wrap this sucker. So, we finally bought a sleep sack with a velcro wrap to swaddle her arms and it was a life saver. Swaddling so tightly felt so strange, but it keeps them from flailing their arms and waking themselves up (which they do).
4. boppy liners : Babies pee all the time and these allow them to be naked for a bit without ruining whatever is underneath. Used them on the changing table constantly!
5. sleep lady's book: I didn't use her "shuffle" method, but I did love her sample schedule and advice. It told me what sort of schedule the baby should be on (once she was big enough to be on one). Awesome!
6. soothie pacifier : only paci Miriam would take.
7. lovey : So sweet & they can hold and rub when going to sleep.
8. mustela newborn set : Got this as a gift and I'm still obsessed with its smell.
9. dr browns bottles : Pain to clean, but worth it for a happy baby tummy. Get small bottles and larger bottles for then they start drinking more milk.

My last piece of advice is to do what feels right to you. Sounds easy, but it's hard when you're in the thick of it and questioning your every move. As long as you're giving that baby lots of love that's all that matters so just hang on tight!

leaving carolina

It's rare, but occasionally I wake up bright eyed and anxious to start my day. Today was like that. Miriam and I were eating our oatmeal (while having a serious battle over the sippy cup of milk, more to come on that) when I remembered today was the downtown Farmers Market. Good thinking. Main street was full of people and the sun wasn't full steam so there was a niceness to the air. The vendors had overflowing baskets of corn, and veggies, and berries galore. Bluegrass plucking and a chatter of friendly folks filled the air. What a lucky little place. I'm going to miss it.

See, we're moving. Leaving Carolina and heading home to Nashville. We've been in limbo lately trying to figure things out, but we are finally making the move. The truth is it's been super stressful lately, but  I'm excited. Really excited. I'm gonna miss this town and the friends I've made, but my heart is in Nashville and I can't wait to get back. We'll be living in my Miss Currier's condo temporarily which means most of our stuff is going in storage. That helps the unloading process, but it also means we have to pack smartly. Ughh. Boxes are piling up and I'm doing my best to weed through some stuff. I wonder if other people haul around old magazines like me? Please Lord, don't let me become a hoarder like those people on the t.v! I promise to get seriously organized once we're settled.

I did take a few pics of the place before the mess just so we can remember our sweet bungalow. It's hard to believe it's been 2 years since we moved to Greenville. Now, we have 8 days to get this place in shape. I've got a ton of Tenn Hens work, there are 2 showings today, there are bills to cancel & addresses to change, boxes that need packing, and on and on, but what I really want to do is get out on the town. Of course I've seen a lot, but there are still things I want to do before we leave. Like… rent a bike at the Swamp Rabbit Trail - visit the new Mayme Baker shop - lunch @ the hot dog king - have a final meal at my favorite, Luna Rosa - take hubs to see the Mary Whyte exhibit, and hmm…what else?

The boxes can wait right? Besides, I have our new friend McNutty here to help. Isn't he the cutest! He and Moosh are already best buds and they've secretly promised to pack up the nursery for us.

first birthday

Miriam's birthday came & went in a flash. One second we were in Nashville and the next second we were back in Greenville. Whew, our life has been a whirl wind of travel, work, interviews, and talk of moving. But… we squeezed in a party for baby girl and I'm so glad we did. Very small and laid back, but it was special to celebrate with friends. After all, we made it through year 1 and that's a heck of a reason to celebrate. I made some simple apps, but most of my effort went into making sprinkles strawberry cupcakes. Whole lotta work, but they were ridiculous and you could just taste all that butter & love inside. Miriam, for one, went straight for the icing and was licking her chops with a smile.



I made these "republic of Moosh flags" (at least that's what hubs called them) that were adorable, but then I had no idea what to do with them. Hmmm, well thought out plan. I ended up just sticking some in a cup as decor. A better idea was these Mexican-Flowers made out of tissue paper. They added some flair to the table and afterwards I bunched them together and hung in my office.


We were all glowing from the heat, but a handful of ladies were also giving off that baby vibe. Seriously, it feels like everybody is pregnant! Y'all must be drinking out of the same tap. Lots of babies on the horizon that I'll be lovin' on soon. Miriam was coming off that sugar high & rubbing her eyes by the end which was the sign of a really fun party. Cheers baby love!

curiosity in paris

I love going to the movies, but somehow I never get around to it. Netflix is so much easier. However, on Sunday, momma and I braved the rain and ventured out for a little viewing of Midnight in Paris. Ahh, Paris. The language, the architecture, the desserts…does it get more romantic? It's a funny little movie, but the city itself is the real star. When Trevor and I went a couple years ago, we wandered in to the most curious shop. The bottom floor seemed normal enough - gardening supplies & gifts, but then we headed up the tiny staircase and discovered a total menagerie. Life size stuffed animals (the previous alive kind), preserved butterflies, insects, eye balls, biology maps, ostrich eggs, and beetles. Totally bizarre & totally fascinating. I felt like we had stepped into some far off place & we kept looking at each other in wonder. Crazy! Anyway, my point to this story is this curiosity shop in Paris was in a scene of the movie. I immediately nudged momma to tell her I'd been there. Turns out it's a pretty famous place called Deyrolle. The next time you're in Paris (ha, only a short hop away) you should check this place out. And check out the movie too. Funny & light, and quite an escape for your mind to drift off to the city of lights.


ps: Brother Will moved today. Packed up his apartment, cleaned off his desk at work, said goodbye to a girl, and sat in a cab watching the city go by in slow motion as his life in New York came to an end. Yikes, I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. Selfishly, I'm excited he's going home, because that means less phone calls, but I know it's bittersweet for him. Change can be hard, but I suppose… c'est la vie. Au revoir big city.

one year

My Miriam -
I walked into your bedroom this morning humming happy birthday, smiling and wondering… could it really be one year? Oh my, what a year can do. One year ago today, I was in the hospital. I was lying in a bed with momma and T in the room while music played and we chattered on waiting. Anxiously waiting for you to arrive. To describe the labor doesn't really do it justice. It was like an out of body experience for me. Like I'm there, and focusing, and pushing, and crying, but it was completely surreal. And then, bam, there you were. Puffy and round faced and with your mouth open wide in a perfect "o". Those cheeks and those eyes??… I mean come on. It was some major luuuvin at first sight. "…there really are places in the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child." - Anne Lamott

You weren't even a week old and already you had flipped our world around. It was such a blur and I was exhausted, but I loved you so much I could barely stand it. It would be the middle of the night and you wouldn't sleep a wink unless I held you close. So I'd wrap you up like a burrito, rock you, then climb in the bed snuggled with you right on my chest. That's how small you were. I'd pile pillows on every side in fear of us rolling off and then I'd listen to you breathe. Up and down, baby breath on my neck as we'd finally both slip into a deep slumber. It was a steep learning curve, but we slowly figured life out together. So many feedings, and diapers, and rocking. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I was so fiercely scared & tired while simultaneously overcome with joy &  strength. Therein lies the balance of motherhood. The back and fourth you feel on daily basis, but we survived the first year! And we were so very grateful. Grateful for a healthy baby & a helpful family. Baby, you taught us so much in such a short time.

Then we brought you back to Greenville and watched you grow and change every day. Your wobbly head got strong. You sat up in the bumbo without slumping over. And that little bitty body started to grow out of infant clothes. Every milestone was exciting. Every babble, and giggle, and roll. You went from one side of the baby tub to the other as you learned to sit. We watched your tiny fingers discover how to pick up tiny things. And best of all you were just happy. I barely believed anyone that you would actually sleep through the night, but you did. Small miracles were happening all of the time.

Here we are today and you're eating food, making a mess with your toys, chewing on shoes, sitting up in your crib when I come in, crawling, singing funny noises, and pulling up on the dishwasher. It's crazy how much you've changed and we sure did change right along with you. Soon you'll be walking and talking and doing things I can't even fathom. Slow down please ladybug! It's all going so fast. We're grateful for all of your smiles and we will love you forever. Happy Birthday Baby Moosh.

"All our babies lead us to the truth of the good news of the Gospel. Into this broken world a child is born. This Holy Child, the incarnation of Love, can turn our hearts to flesh and bring peace. This Child can bring us to our knees in that kind of gratitude that moves us beyond our doubt into our hopes. We can believe that with our whole hearts. This child has to lead us; it is our saving grace." - Becca Stevens

happy (first) fathers day

Happy Father's Day to… my daddy-o, who has been through it all with me… and to my husband, who has already been an amazing dad to baby Moosh. Darlin', it's been a heck of a ride this first year and cheers to you for talways helping, always trying, and always making us laugh. xo

Now I'm off to the grocery so I can make Short Rib Lasagna Rolls for tonight… mmm, sounds good even at 9 o'clock in the morning!

saved on my desktop

Just some random things I'm digging these days.

1) strangelove font - from veer 2) zig zag bags - thinking of ordering for party  3) filson bag - hubs graduation gift  4) newsprint iphone case - kate spade is always clever 5) sally hansen nail polish stickers - wish they had more colors, but I've been totally obsessed with these  6) rifle note cards - bday gift from hubs  7) new serena & lily logo - love seeing the evolution  8) fabric & handle bag - I need this 9) moleskins - best notebooks now at target - awesome  10) jean shorts - wish they came with this body  11) woven bracelet - great stacked together

tweed and pizza and a pool

My mind is kind of all over the place this morning so here goes. I did a little drop by my favorite baby store recently and fell in love all over again. Maggie has created this tiny wonderland in Tweed and I wish I could take it all home with me. Surely we're long lost cousins, because I love everything she's put in her store. Even her handwriting is lovely. Tweed is also carrying a new local line called Moma Moderne which is adorable and that leads me to their blog. It's all about motherhood and it's packed with some great stuff for new moms. My prego friends, you need to check it out.

Next up, cousin Lauren sent me this recipe for a cauliflower-crust pizza. It sounds strange, but she assures me it's delish and a low carb meal would probably do me some good. She found it on this food blog called eat-drink-smile.

Moving on… we went to a great event the other night at imogene + willie's. The heat was blaring, but their back yard was nicely shaded, the music was great, and they were serving very cold beer. We listened to some great bands and then headed to Burger Up which, as usual, was perfection.

Finally, I have to share some pool party pics. Two babies in a pink pool on a hot day… always a recipe for fun and laughter. Miriam wanted to lean out and try to eat the grass and fallen nuts, while Charlie played with each toy that floated by. I also put a call into his mom that she needed to give the poor boy a proper haircut. We had to put a headband on him during lunch just to keep it out of his eyes. Just sayin'. We played and splashed until I started to worry they'd wrinkle up so we toweled off and called it a day. These babies are pure sweetness and might I say they are living the good life right now.



That's all for now, but before you go...... two little things… go watch this video of a young stevie nicks {i love} + go vote for my friend kathryn currey on this green website - thanks!

cowgirl cool

While I was home last week momma & I caught one of the queen bee's (miss oprah) last shows. It was Ralph Lauren and his family and their ranch, and oh my gosh it was gorgeous. His family was all decked out exactly how you'd imagine them… decked in his clothing. Leather, and plaid, and denim. Excellent. So, I stopped in my tracks when I saw this image in the wsj. Isn't it cool? Now, if only I could get an invite out to that ranch maybe I'd have an excuse to dress like this.

mrs lilien

While doing some research for a branding project I'm working on, I found a new blog called Mrs Lilien. She's sassy, colorful and got lots of panache. Love. Her attire puts my non-showered, no-makeup, shorts & t-shirt, dangling baby on hip, dash to the store look to shame!