Fall Family Photo Fun

It's really hard for me to believe that after almost a year, we had exactly

one good photo of the 3 of us together.

ONE!! 

So, I asked Meghan (Beckett's sitter from this summer) to come

take some family shots of us.

I now understand why we don't have any good family photos.

Rounding up my husband is harder than rounding up my 11 month old! 

Here's how the day went......outakes and all:

'Ole blue eyes



We had a grand idea to have Nonna drop leaves over us for a 'fall look'
obviously that didn't turn out so well, but it made for a halarious picture...

Smirky face

Happy Monday!

Newborn Photoshoot - Anna Wallace

First things first:

I am in no way, shape or form a photographer.

I have a very good camera with a pretty decent lens and

I love taking pictures. 

I never had any interest in owning a nice

camera until I found out I was pregnant, and once I

starting taking pictures of Beckett, I caught the bug!

Believe it or not, I love when people ask me to take pictures of them or their children.

I was excited when Lauren told me she wanted to get some good shots

of Anna Wallace, so I invaded their home for a few hours on Tuesday night.

After a fussy spell and pah-lenty of feeding, she finally decided she'd take a

little snooze so I could snap a few pictures.

Thanks for letting me practice my VERY amateur photography skills, guys!

She's such a doll!

Here's a few of my favorites:

Anna Wallace's Nursery

Nope, Chad and I are not expecting a girl.....

This beautiful space is my friend Lauren's nursery!

She did such a wonderful job with the space.

It really turned out gorgeous!

I missed some features in the room, and need to go back during the daytime to

get some better pictures, but I couldn't wait to share.  

Gorgeous monogram decal on the wall above the crib. 
I'm starting to wonder how one of these would look above my own bed
with chocolate brown walls?

Lauren's dad built these great shelves for books.
Such a cute display!

These are fantastic! 
She got these at Hobby Lobby and I bought a few that I used at her shower.
They come in a pack of three and are really inexpensive.
Such a great addition to the corner of the room.

I'm in love with the fabric she chose for the nursery. 
She bought all of the fabric from fabric.com
and Glen's grandmother made the curtains and the crib
details.
So beautiul.

Here's a closeup of the crib bumper. 
I just love the fanned detailed edges.

Lauren's dad also constructed this board with pegs to hang all
of Anna Wallace's many hats. 

Lauren's baby dress in a shadowbox above the changing table. 

Such a beautiful nursery for SUCH a beautiful baby.  Makes me just want to say...."AWW"

Haunted Mantle

This whole year has been pretty busy.  Seriously folks, I have an 11 month old. 

I can't even pee in peace most the time.

I haven't been able to do much this year in the realm of Halloween decor.

I had a friend tell me last week,

"You're doing good, my kids are grown and I do good to get

a pumpkin on the porch before October 31st"

Well, I know.  Plus, Beckett doesn't know any different.

He just points to random things I've put up in the house and yells

gibberesh at them.

It's almost pointless right now, but I love it!

I have to decorate.  It's what I grew up with.

It's in my blood.

My mom was the master of Halloween decorations when we were little. 

Full size scarecrows, wreaths on the front door, jack-o-lanterns,

skeletons on the front porch....even down to the spooky

music for trick-or-treaters.

And we looooooved it.

...which is exactly the number one reason she took the time to do it.

Anything to make your kids smile, right? 

The crow cut-outs are from the Martha Stewart collection at Joann's

Recognize this tree of bats and cobwebs? 
It's recycled from Lauren's baby shower
The bat shapes are the same ones I used for the lamp shades
Theyr'e cut from thin sheets of foam and hung with fishing line.

Joann's craft store always has cute Halloween decor and usually on sale.
These (reusable) decals were on sale 30% off (2 weeks ago).

If I'd have had time, I might have added some spanish moss to the candlesticks and
something else to the hallway table.
note to self:  next year find a way to decorate with those great
black lanterns from the back porch!

Happy Thursday!

Just Chillin'

I wasn't about to lug my huge camera with me to the fair on Sunday.  

I couldn't find the charging cord for the point & shoot so we relied on

our cell phones for pictures.

Yuck!  I now officially hate my cell phone.

I use the camera on my phone so little, I'm not very good at it.

He wore the sunglasses the entire time.

Never took them off.  Not even when we walked in the building

to see the sand sculpture. 

I'm not lying.

Daddy wanted to look at every. single. chicken! 

  Last week.....

Mrs. Lora Maude made this little beanie for Beckett
while she was busy making all kinds of cute stuff for Anna Wallace
 I love it!
I just can't wait for the weather to get colder so he can wear it.

Happy Tuesday!

In Hysterics

Continuing the week with more videos:

I caught Chad making Beckett laugh after he changed his diaper

the other night.

His laugh is so hysterical...

Hugs and Kisses

When Beckett was really small, I remember Chad saying how much he

couldn't wait until he could hug us back. 

We loved holding him on our chests while he slept and

the sweet baby smell when he laid his head on our shoulders,

but we both couldn't wait until he could genuinely hug us back.

Fast forward to present day......we got our wish: 10 fold!

Neither one of us is complaining.

No one, not me, not Chad and definitely not Nonna or Gigi.

He is literally the most affectionate child I've ever been around.

He also loves to give lots of kisses too.

He just opens his mouth and blows air on your cheek while making noise. 

It's the cutest thing and he knows exactly what he's doing.

He has also started 'patting' you while he hugs you....

my next feat will be getting that on video.

I literally just want to melt into the ground I love it so much

Special Delivery

Oh Baby Joy!!

I'm so glad that this week, I have more upbeat posts. 

One of my dearest friends welcomed their first baby into the world on Monday night.

May I introduce....

Anna Wallace Wright

8 pounds

4 ounces

19.5 inches long

...and may I add......beeee-yooo-tiful!



Proud Grandpa

How is it that you forget so easily and quickly how fragile they seem?
I could have held her for hours and taken her home with me..
...but Lauren and Glen made me give her back. 
I think they both are more smitten with this sweet baby girl than they ever imagined.





Such a proud, proud daddy!

Chad and I are so excited and happy for you both. 
There really is nothing at all in this world like holding your baby for the first time.
I gave Lauren a quote at her shower that I found on Pinterest that I found so true...

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous,
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around
outside your body"
-Elizabeth Stone

I don't think you truly understand this quote until they lay your child in your arms for
the first time.  I know you both know what overwhelming love you have for
someone you've never even met before. 
It's life changing.....and the most wonderful feeling.......EVER!
She's such a lucky little girl to have so many people to love and spoil her.
Congratulations!!

We love you (all THREE of you)!!!

Be Back Soon



via

I've got a lot on my plate!!!! 

It's been a hectic week, and the next few are looking pretty full, but I'll be back with
plenty to report by next week.

Here's a few of the posts I have lined up:

*Beckett's walking and has taken over my house.  I'm going to start calling him 'the boss' pretty soon.
*One of my dearest, bestest, oldest friends welcomed her sweet baby girl into the world yesterday.
*The fair is coming!!
*Halloween decor is still going on...
*Antique stores are my new favorite thing (I know, I never would have thunk it) - and vintage toys
*Boo at the Zoo is coming up
*My house is in the midst of a childproofing tornado!
*Halloween costumes and carnival
*Beckett's birthday preparation

Stay tuned!



Sadness

My heart still hasn't had time to heal yet. I haven't had time to wrap my head around losing my Granny less than 3 years ago and now my Pa is gone. I don't do well with loss.
You see, I'm a crier. I big, big, big 'ole baby. Ask my husband and he'll tell you how easily it is for me to cry you a river. Now that I have a child, it's gotten worse. Things that are heartbreaking and sad make me upset so easily.
Knowing this about myself, I was a little surprised by the fact that I only teared up when I heard that my grandfather passed away on Saturday night. No doubt I was upset, but more than anything, I knew it would come. I knew the crying jag was imminent, but for some reason, it hadn't hit yet. When I saw how upset my mom was, I knew. God had given me strength for her.
Yesterday it hit. The levee broke. I was standing in my kitchen when Chad said, "you have GOT to come see this!" I stood and watched my baby boy who will turn 11 months old on Friday, walk completely across our bedroom by himself, then turn and walk into the livingroom. I stood there dumbstruck.....and completely lost it!!
Every emotion imaginable consumed me. Sadness for the loss of a man who played such a huge role in my life and at the same time, joy and awe at witnessing this little man who is my complete world, grow and learn!
Pa loved Beckett. He constantly said what a "pretty round head" he had. I guess seeing that pretty round head walk across my livingroom all by himself made me realize how much I wish he was still here to watch him grow up, and how much I wish my Granny could have seen him.
But that's what life is, right? Fragile and moving faster the older we get. I'm so fortunate to have had him all these years. I'm so grateful that he didn't suffer long. I know he's in a better place. A place free of pain.

Thank you to all my friends who have called, emailed, texted, brought food, hugs and prayers to all of us. We are so fortunate to not only have eachother, but so many wonderful people in all of our lives.
In times like these, I'm more grateful than ever for those close to me. I love you all.

Pa always sang this song when we were little. I really wanted to hear it today....

We all love and miss you Pa.  We love you "mosss-y"