Home Decor// Halloween Door Hanging

For a very easy decor idea, simply pick up an inexpensive white frame and switch out the print inside for the current season or holiday. 

For added interest, I spray painted a thrifted frame and layered it with the framed print. You can easily combine the two frames with a bit of festive ribbon. Simple. 

L

Growing Up// Max at Six Months

How did this happen? How could six months really have come and gone already? I heard an interesting quote the other day by Gretchen Rubin, "The days are long, but the years are short." I'm finding this to be so true. We have many long, tiring days, but somehow those long days turn into weeks and months really quickly. My tiny four pound baby is turning into a big strong boy right before my eyes.

Max at Six Months:
Working on sitting up on his own.
Still trying to get his little tummy happy. Starting to have more good days, thankfully!
Seems to do best on gluten and dairy free formula. Looks like he takes after me.
Wants to crawl. Working on it with all his might.
Rolls over onto his tummy the moment he lays down.
Still wearing 3 month clothes. He was a month behind already, and because of the sickness he has been fighting, he hasn't gained any weight since his four month appointment. Even with his health challenges, he's still very strong and determined! He's a bit behind physically but otherwise on track developmentally.
Obsessed with Dolly. He just looks at her and smiles all day long. Starting to reach for her and tug on her fur... I play interference. Luckily, she continues to be extremely tolerant and soft with him. They love each other, and that makes me really happy.
Loves to be upside down and lifted in the air. He giggles and laughs every time.
Loves to swing in the bucket swing in Nana and Papa's backyard.
Loves sucking on his thumbs, fists, and toes.
Has such a fun, sweet, and cheerful personality.
Sings softly in the morning and in the car. He has the sweetest little melodic coos I've ever heard.
Makes me laugh and smile all the time.
Whispers "hi" over and over when I pick him up in the morning and after naps. I know, I know, it's early... but he has consistently done it all month long. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.
Loves to stand. He has from the get-go. No sitting on the job for him. He wants to stand up and look around like a big boy.
He loves books. He cries when he can't hold them tight enough. We've learned the beauty of soft baby books.
Loves when Daddy comes home from work and lifts him up in the air-- probably his biggest smile of the day.
He continues to be a little fighter. Determined, strong, cheerful and patient. He is an inspiration.

We love our little Max bear so much. He is such a beautiful miracle and we couldn't be more grateful he's ours. I fall more and more in love with him every single day.

L

Life Through the Lens// Hello Dolly

I just had to share a couple of cute photos of my pretty Dolly girl enjoying a sunny autumn afternoon. I think Fall is her favorite season. She seems especially happy crunching the leaves beneath her paws as she runs. Oh, I love her so much! I'm so grateful for her love and companionship. 

L 

Life From the Passenger Seat// VW Makeover// Project Life

One Saturday morning in August, Danny and I were daydreaming about the carefree adventures we wanted to take as a family.... Somewhere in the conversation the idea of buying and restoring an old VW bus came up...  Before I knew it, we were test driving a few old Transports around town. Within a few weeks, our little daydream was a reality. 

 Danny has been working on our sunny little bus in his spare time ever since, and hopefully 2014 will allow us a chance to set out on the road for an adventure. We've got some pretty fun plans for this baby. 

My Danny brings out the adventurous side of me, and I like that. 

L

Project Life// Sept 7-13, Quite a Week.

Just popping in to share another week in our lives and piece of our story... this spread is about the week Max started struggling with his health in September. It was quite a week. One I think I'll never forget. It started out so happy... with little M rolling over for the first time Tuesday morning. Then he didn't seem to have the energy to roll over the next day, and some scary symptoms started to appear. Things got pretty frightening from there on out. I am just so unbelievably grateful he made it through everything and is starting to make some improvements. He is so strong.   

Thanks for looking.

L

Life Through the Lens// Fall Afternoon

Yesterday was the first day in weeks that my sweet boy seemed to be feeling better. I am sure hoping he continues to improve. We spent a little time over at Nana and Papa's and it was just a perfect fall afternoon. He and Papa played on the swings while I played with Dolly, and of course, snapped some photos. Oh, how I love these darling photos of my sweet boy and his Papa.

Thanks for looking and have a happy weekend!

L

Project Life// Why I love Project Life// Short Video.

Becky Higgins, the creator of Project Life asked for 15 second video entries about "why I love Project Life." I had a beautiful vision in mind, but only a few short minutes to put something together while Max was napping. My favorite part of the clip, when he was waking up in the background just as I was finishing. Of course, I could have done a few more takes, and spent a little longer getting the lighting just right, but quickly responding to his sweet cries was much more important! We had the best day together. He really started to show signs of improvement and seems to be feeling better. It's been six weeks and counting since he has truly seemed so happy. Every day is an adventure... and I don't want to miss it.

L