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A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Board Books for Baby: Bedtime Routine

I read this parenting advice article the other day and thought Yeah, that sounds about right. Number five rang especially true: Be strict about bedtime. Of course there are a million ways to parent and though I'm no expert what I do know is that kids need routine.

Sometimes the easiest schedule to start, even as young as six-weeks-old, is closing out the day with a bedtime routine. Though some elements may change, it's a habit that will likely last well into adulthood. Which is where these friendly board books come in handy. Reading a short story before bed is a great way to bond with your baby. Having a handful of different books provides some variety, although you'll probably still memorize a couple of them. The rhyming books are great to sing made-up tunes to and it's fun to encourage little fingers to turn the pages. These six bedtime books are a favorite at our home. What do you read at your house?

Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6

Ps. Other clever board books. 

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Clearly she's already nailed cobra pose. She also learned to clap this week, which is pretty much the best trick ever. Handclaps for everyone!

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Amelia's Nursery Tour

I think one of the dangers of having a home, or any space really, is the perpetual feeling that it's never done. There's always something else to paint, a new picture to hang, one last closet to organize. Which is perhaps the natural order of design—continual tweaking until a space feels right. Luckily it doesn't have to be perfect to feel right. Life as a new mama has made me adopt this motto Perfection is the enemy of done.* So today, despite not being 100% finished, I'm happy to share Amelia's nursery with you.

There's something about having a first baby that makes a nursery feel so special. It's nesting on a primal and pantone level. Not surprisingly the nursery was the first room to get the most design attention in our home. When we moved in the room had two giant mirrors on each non-window wall. We had a friend smash one of them and then I patched and primed the wall for paint. Because the rug was one of the first items I purchased to live in the nursery I wanted an accent wall that would work well in contrast. It became a bit of a joke though, because I constantly told people It's coral, not pink!, in an effort to assuage everyone it was a gender neutral color for the unknown gender of our baby. Ha! The rug is still one of my favorite pieces because, depending on the day, I see jagged number threes or rows of abstract hearts.

The white leather rocker-recliner was my splurge for the room. I had it picked out as my mama chair before I even knew we were having a baby and it was one of the first items we brought into our new home. For the last couple months of my pregnancy I sat in our empty front room, swollen feet up, relishing my fleeting days of freedom. It's funny how objects can have such an imprint of memory in them.

Over the past nine months Amelia and I have spent a lot of time in her room. And I still love looking at all the things she currently enjoys (her books, blocks, mirror, and diy mobile) and all the other items she will eventually grow into. Looking at her one-month-old footprints makes me smile as does seeing the sequin name garland I made for her. It's a space I feel at home in and one I hope Amelia will grow to love as she gets older. Thanks for taking a peek into our humble abode!

*motto courtesy of Brene Brown

sources: rug, blackout drapes, bookshelf (no longer in stock), rocker recliner (company out of business), world map, crib/changing table via Craigslist (similar), baskets, yellow kids chair, colored string lights, stuffed bunny, dresser (refurbished Ikea), lamp, side table, cake print, bear (handmade gift), goodnight pillow, and ferris wheel print.

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This girl is nine-months-old today. And she's THIS close to crawling. While I'm super excited for another milestone I'm kind of dreading what that means regarding extra vigilance for her safety. It's probably the only time I will ever actively want carpet in our home. Ha! Meanwhile, she gets around on her back, knees bent, bum up, scooting in the most amusing crab-like fashion.

Amelia loves interacting with other people. Last week we left her overnight with a friend and her one-year-old daughter. While I knew she was in good hands I still worried, like any mama would. When we got home she barely noticed we were back and was more upset when her little friend had to leave. Gee thanks, kiddo.

Over the last couple of weeks I've notice her becoming more aware of the outside world, which means she isn't mauling my face as much. She loves eating just about anything (except bananas) and prefers drinking from a glass cup because she's fancy like that.

Sometimes, particularly on tough days, I remind myself She'll never be this little.

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Three Years

Almost five years ago I met Ken. We dated for a year and were engaged for eight months. We decided to commit to one another in a rental car parking lot; which was different from the day he proposed. Three years in and we continue to choose one another every day. Three years has softened me, although I still bumble along, nicking off rough edges here and there. This is all to say, I could not imagine a better companion for me. It is a privilege to be married to this man.

Ps. Our wedding album and what I read Ken on our wedding day.

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Transfixed by birds and trees outside the sunroom, Amelia offers a friendly salute; completely indicative of her Little Miss Social personality.

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Currently | 05.6.2015

READING: Still reading this informative non-fiction book that is a MUST for any parent or educator. This collection of essays. And this wordless picture book.

WATCHING: Old VHS tapes of my three favorite high school movies. Any guesses what they are? And this biopic of Frida Kahlo. Have you seen it?

EATING: Fresh asparagus. Especially excited to try this new recipe.

ENJOYING: Coming home from a trip to our home and knowing it's ours.

MAKING: Every postcard imaginable.

SAVING FOR: Little pops of annual color. I'm thinking lobelia, petunias, and geraniums.

THINKING ABOUT: Working again.

REMEMBERING: Why I'll never take the trash out at night again.

EXCITED FOR: An anniversary getaway with just the two of us.

daffodils and arch mural located in St. Louis, MO. 

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A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.