oh, the cuteness!

I happened upon this website earlier today. Oh, the shoes! And the BOOTS! I have a feeling I'm not going to be able to resist adding a pair of these to Emma's wardrobe. It would be the perfect Halloween treat...right?

I'm in love with these boots. 

{Well, let's be honest. I'm in love with all of their boots.}

And that red ruffled jacket is so adorable as well!

Go check out Joyfolie. There's lots more to gush over!

And for those of you who really just want to gush over this girl {and I don't blame you if you do!}...here's a funny little picture for you today!

After many tries, I had success with her first little pebbles hairdo.

{Even if it did only last for two pictures!}

baby, oh baby!

I was online browsing through baby gaps newest arrivals when I happened upon these lovelies...

source

Anyone out there with a newborn at Halloween...you've gotta get one! Do it for me! I think they are just too too cute!

You MUST go check out the rest of them.

Lions & Tigers & Bears...oh my!

{ok...there are no tigers or bears, but there is a lion! And a zebra, and a cow, and a penguin, and lots more!}

sip & see

I am a little behind! I have had a bad case of blog block the past few weeks! :)

Here are just a few pictures, along with the invitation, from the sip & see for Annalee & sweet baby Graham.

Mom, Meg & I had so much fun planning, cooking & decorating...it's always fun to throw a PARTY!
And it was good for me to have something else to add to my Snowbird Design {coming soon!!} portfolio!


. . .

This week's theme for Favorite Things Friday is going to be HAIR CARE!
Since I recently got a new hairdo, I've been thinking about & looking at different products, styles, etc.
Post about your hair, products you love, easy, fun, different styles or techniques....anything you want!

Oh, Baby! Baby Shower Gifts

Cassie is featuring her Oh, Baby! series again today.

{Complete with a fabulous giveaway, I might add! Go check it out!}

I love what she says about shopping for a baby gift:

Every one of us {women, at least} will be invited to a baby shower at some point. If you're anything like me, mixing fun and function is the ultimate goal in finding the perfect gift. I usually shop off of the registry for part of the gift, especially for first time moms and then add a little something the new mom didn't even know she needed.

Amen sister!
Here's my pick for a fabulous shower gift.

Some of David's relatives gave us an Aden + Anais blanket before we had Emma.
I quickly feel in L.O.V.E.

These things are wonderful! I am all for swaddling a baby. They have been used to confined quarters for the past nine+ months, and it's amazing how it can calm an upset baby. But, most swaddling blankets out there are just too SMALL!! It doesn't take much for them to figure out Houdini their way out!

These blankets are really thin & breathable, oh-so-soft & BIG! Perfect for wrapping up your little bambino!

here's an inspiring description off their website:
aden + anais wraps are the ultimate in breathability and softness. The fabric’s light, open weave allows a baby’s body temperature to regulate itself naturally which helps to prevent overheating. It is gentle on baby’s skin and durable for everyday use. The more you wash aden + anais wraps, the softer they get. aden + anais wraps are extra large, measuring 47” x 47”, so that new and seasoned moms alike can swaddle babies of all sizes with ease. Traditionally used for swaddling our wraps can also be used as burp cloths, nursing and stroller covers, portable crib sheets, stroller and car seat liners, tummy time blankets, change table covers, and more.

Don't you want to run go buy one now!?!
;)

A little tip {and something my mom & I recently did}
We bought this adorable four pack below and split it up. That made each blanket about $11. Add something else to the gift, or even better something off the new mama's registry & there you have it. The perfect gift!

Oh, Baby! {In the bag}

This weeks Oh, Baby! theme is all about things to take to the hospital when it's baby havin' time!

Let me first say, that all of Cassie's listed items are ones that I would have said, so I'm just going to add a few more of my favorite things. Check out her post for the other items that were on my mind!

L'ovedbaby hat
I Love L'oved Baby products. :) Have you heard of them? This hat was one of my favorite things for Emma to wear. It fit her little head so cute & is so so soft! My mom found the adorable crochet flower in Boerne & we added it for a little something extra!

Like Cassie said, they will immediately put a hospital hat on your baby & I was all about getting her {and me} out of those boring hospital clothes ASAP! So in my book, cute {comfy & practical} clothes for you AND baby are a must! I had matching outfits, hats & blankets to put Emma in for each day {as well as a few extra!}.

Here's another great PJ set to take. This Old Navy Mommy & Baby Nursing set is so fun! Emma & I had a pink & white set, but I like their new colors even better! It was so fun to match my new little munchkin!{I actually preferred cute jersey-type gowns over PJ pants. But either way...soft, easy to nurse in & decent are all important.}

For me, a coming home outfit for Emma was so important. I wish I would have gotten a preemie size though, because everything was HUGE on Emma for the first few weeks of her life! Even the newborn sizes were mostly too big. It seems that each brand of baby clothes fits a little differently. Her coming home outfit was Janie & Jack & it seems that they might run a little big, where Baby Gap seems to run a little smaller. {In my opinion!}

And of course, something really comfortable & loose for your coming home attire is important as well!

Oh, Baby! {Nursery Editions}

This is an exciting one!

I still LOVE Emma's room each time I walk in! I can honestly say that there is not a single thing I wish I would have done differently.

David & I had a set budget that we wanted to stay in, so I worked really hard to be creative & come up with ways to cut corners. I had so much fun planning & putting the room together...and stayed within the budget, which made it even better! :) To me, it's a fun challenge to see how many things I make myself, redo to fit the room, or find at a great bargain...and that's just what I did when decorating Emma's room.

I will walk you through each part of her room...
Let the tour begin!

Wall #1

*This is Emma's Crib. It was a present from David's parents, one we are still thankful for! It is one that can transition with her {or future kids} moving from a crib, to toddler bed, to a full size bed.
*When we were buying the crib at a store in Longview, the owner apologized for a handwritten ticket, as his computer had just gotten a major virus. David offered to help him out with it & in turn scored us a FREE mattress!
*Her bedding is from Kid's Village in Abilene. I LOVE going in this store, they are so friendly & helpful & have really cute stuff! When I was pregnant with Emma, I walked in there one day & saw this new bedding & fell in love!

Anytime I am decorating a room, I always look for my "inspiration piece." {Sometimes it's a pillow, a piece of artwork, a piece of fabric, etc.} So when I saw this bedding, I knew that was my inspiration. I loved the colors-I am not much of a pastel person, so I loved that it was something bold & different. I also love decorating with birds, so that was another selling point! I knew it would be enough of a theme, without being TOO "themey" {which is another thing I'm not a huge fan of}. One day I was at school & got a message from my mom that Kid's Village was having a HUGE sale & my dream bedding was included! Which was a surprise since it was a brand new line. I ended up getting a GREAT deal on it & saved a chuck of change in the process! :)

*Above her bed are canvas' spelling her name. Each one is hung with brown ribbon.
Mom & I had so much fun making these! The fabric I used to cover them is from my ALL time favorite fabric store, Cabbage Rose, in Fort Worth. Oh my-they have the most adorable selection of fabrics you will EVER find!

*Next to her crib is a hamper that mom found %50 at Hobby Lobby. I sewed a new lining to match the room & added the brown ribbon.
*In the corner are two pillows mom sewed using fabric & pillow forms I had, and some fabric from Cabbage Rose.

Wall #2

*The brown chair came from Kid's Village in Abilene. It is SO comfy!
*Mom made this precious pillow using a form I had & again fabric from C.R.
*The little table was a perfect find at Home Goods for only $30!
*I had the lamp & shade. I spiced it up a little with trim I bought.
*The two frames & mats above the chair came from Michaels using a 40% off coupon. I put different brown scrapbook papers in each slot. The would have looked great to leave that way for good, but I wanted to put a picture of Emma on each month "birthday." I take a picture of her each much in the chair, by her "Emma" pillow with a little card saying how old she is. It's so fun to look back & see how much she is growing!

Wall #3

*I had the brown valance & added the yellow trim
*Mom made the polka dot curtains! I loved how it all turned out. I had the rod already hanging.
*The book shelf is one that my parents had found at church that was going to be thrown out & gave it to me a few years ago to use in my classroom. I stained it to match her crib, on the shelves are books & toys.
*The yellow pail is her trash can, mom found it Home Goods, I believe.

*In the corner is this brown shelf that was my grandmothers. I had painted it brown a few years ago, so it fit in perfectly!
I also had the sweet little bird cage & hung it from the top. On the shelves are baskets from Lowes that hold extra diapers & wipes.

Wall #4

My wonderful & talented Dad made this beautiful dresser for Emma. That is my parents gift to all their grandkids. They let us pick out a dresser we want & they make it to look the same. {And of MUCH better quality!}
This was the one I picked out & like the dad-built one even better! :)
*On top is the changing table.
*My parents had given me three sweet little bird hooks several years ago, so dad built the white shelf to put the hooks on. It's the perfect place to showcase a few little things.
*I made the bird canvas.

I love all the "big" things in Emma's room but, to me, what seems to bring a room together are the little details.

Thanks Brooke, for the beautiful pictures of Emma's room. They are such treasures!
{There is no doubt which are hers, and which are mine!!!}

Oh, Baby-Basic Registry Essentials

My friend Cassie is starting a new weekly series on her blog & has invited anyone to join. I thought this one was too good to pass up & helps to solve a Favorite Things Friday dilemma I was having! I have lots of "themes" that involve baby things, but didn't want to have weeks where some people felt like you couldn't participate.
So...I'll post my favorite baby-type products on Tuesdays alongside Cassie's Oh, Baby themes. You can join in too, just make sure you go to her post to add your link to her MckLinky!

Here's my picks for this weeks theme...
Basic Registry Essentials
{I decided to not put pictures of each item, but a link instead! Trying to use a little time management!}


A good diaper bag you love is a must.
Let's face it, this is going to be your purse for the next however many months...so it needs to be cute, versatile & of course functional.
After a lot of research I realized that it was one of those things where you might just have to splurge a little {or a lot}, but I have come to realize it was worth every penny!
This DwellStudio bag is what I decided on. And I'm in love.
I don't like how messenger style bags always seem to slip off my shoulder, so I loved these straps, plus there are straps that hook on the the stroller which is really convenient. The inside has the perfect # of pockets to hold just what I need.

Diaper Champ
I didn't really know which would be better the Diaper Genie, or the Diaper Champ. I decided on the Champ because it uses regular trash bags-which I figured would be more convenient & cheaper than having to buy some kind of specialty refill.
I've been very pleased with it!

Bumbo
I LOVE Emma's Bumbo. She loves sitting in it, I think it makes her feel so big! :) It is great for strengthening those little baby muscles & for a high chair until she is ready to sit on her own.
It is easy to clean & you can also purchase a tray that attaches.

Boppy
This has really transitioned with us as Emma has grown. At first it is a perfect nursing pillow & now great for Emma to lounge or sit in.
There are also so many adorable slip covers, which is fun too!

Diapees & Wipees
These are great to have around. I have one in my diaper bag, one in David's daddy diaper bag & one in the car! It's so nice when we are at a restaurant or church to just grab it for a quick diaper change & not have to tote around the whole diaper bag.

Chicco Cortina Travel System
We have been really pleased with this car set & stroller. It's really easy to maneuver & fold up.
We also have a Chicco umbrella-type stroller that we will really enjoy as well once Emma is a little bigger.

Summer Infant Baby Bather
This bath is great! It folds up really small & is so easy & simple. I think Babies R Us only has the blue, but I found it in pink at Wal-Mart.

Fisher-Price Brentwood Swing
Although I'm sure there are many other swings that are great too, I love this one because it doesn't look so "babyish." And Emma likes it, which helps too! :)


Oh my- I guess the list could go on & on, but I will stop here! All though there are so many more "essentials," these are probably my favorite & most used items.