Mommy and Me Monday

So, this may not be an every Monday occurrence, but this Monday is a mommy and me kind of day! It's JUST starting to become fall-ish around here. And I'm going to use the -ish part very strongly. It's still humid and muggy some days, but the cool mornings have come! Over the next two weeks, we have two mountain escapes planned too, so then I think fall will really feel like it's setting in. The best part about the little mountain escapes is that they'll be free of toddler drama! I love Hallen with every little bit of my heart, but I haven't been away from her in months and months. And I'm at that point of just needing time to remember what it's like to have no responsibilities for a night or two. I mean really...what's a responsibility as important as keeping a child alive!? 

Between now and then, I'm squeezing in as much time with this little gal as I  can, because I know I'll miss her. She's why I stay at home. And time together means dressing alike, right? I know you do it too...or you want to! 

These skirts from Ashley Rose Clothing are the perfect fall piece to have in your wardrobe. First and foremost, they're comfortable. You can add some stockings or leggings once it starts to cool down a little bit, or if it's still hot during the day and cool at night like it is in the Carolinas, go without leg wear during the day and throw a cute pair of tights on at night! Two outfits in one. You can't beat that.   To top it all off, grab a mommy and me headband set from Sassy Bow Co. in a great fall color that'll go with everything else pumpkin spice!

I paired my skirt with some older pieces in my wardrobe. Everyone has a denim shirt and a tank top laying around that is so easy to throw on and make this outfit look seamless. Take out last year's booties if you haven't had a chance to go shopping yet, because kids make it impossible to leave your house sometimes. That's what I did! 

When it starts to get cooler out, throw on your blanket scarf and some knee high boots. You can't go wrong with these skirts. They're so versatile and leave you with a lot of fall styling options.

Hallen: Boots - Old Navy, Skirt - Ashley Rose Clothing, Tunic - Gracious May, Headband - Sassy Bow Co.

Me: Boots - Zara, Skirt - Ashley Rose Clothing, Denim Top - Toms for Target, Necklace - Koco and Viking, Headband - Sassy Bow Co.

Our November Rainbow

There's been a little nugget of hope hiding away these past few months. I began with very little optimism, trying not to get attached to any ideas or future plans. Most days, I tried to push the notion of being pregnant again so quickly out of my head. What if it happened again? I couldn't lose two babies in a row. The pain would be too difficult.

A week before Father's Day, I innocently started taking pregnancy tests. It had been 5 weeks since our miscarriage, and I just wanted to see. The first one was the faintest positive. I had left it on the counter and walked out for a while. I started holding it up to every different type of light I could find. Could it be? Most likely, it was just left over hormones. I couldn't be pregnant so quickly. I rushed out of the house with Hallen to go buy 10 more tests...yes 10...you ladies who have been in the limbo stage of not knowing if you are or if you aren't know why I'd buy 10!

I didn't take them all at once. Only like two a day. Just to make sure. The lines kept getting darker and  darker. I didn't dare tell Kevin. I scheduled an appointment with my OB first. Went in two different days that week for blood draws. Sure enough, on Friday morning, I received the most unexpected phone call. "You're pregnant. Your levels went up. It's definitely not left over hormones from the last baby." I tried to contain my tears, because I was meeting up with friends, but I bawled like a baby to her, and told her she was an angel sent by God!

I decided to wait until Father's Day to tell Kevin the good news. After Hallen went to sleep, I handed him one last present. I'm sure he thought it was going to be something sexy, but low and behold it was a big box of 10 pregnancy tests!

We laid low on telling anyone for a long time. I wanted to make sure the pregnancy was progressing well. Right on the mark at nine weeks, we walked into church, and I went to the bathroom because I wasn't feeling quite right. Blood started rushing. Not a tiny little spot. Bright red blood covering everything. I rushed to Kevin and Hallen. I told him we had to go to the ER again immediately. Tears pouring down my face, trying not to look at anyone directly on the way out. I felt numb all over again. How could this be happening? And why? We were at the ER for hours. They took me back to have an ultrasound after about an hour and a half. The technician looked worried, but was so kind and gentle. After five seconds, she said, " I just want you to know that your baby has a heartbeat. You still have a baby." Just like when the nurse told me I was pregnant, I told this lady she was an angel. It was so hard to believe. It was nothing short of a miracle. God was telling me that He's protecting me. He always has and he was will. And in this moment, He was there. He was holding my baby and pumping blood through it's veins.

I did have one more episode of a giant bleed. I have what's called a subchorionic hemorrhage. The doctor said that it happens in so many pregnancies, but usually nothing comes of it. I was one of the lucky ones that got to see what can happen when something comes of it. I haven't bled in almost 6 weeks now, though, so I'm just now starting to get attached to this baby of ours. It's strange pretending that nothing is going on inside of your body; trying to block out emotions; holding back fears and hopes. It's something I really shouldn't do. There's joy in just being able to get pregnant, because I know that's not the case for so many. 

I'll be 19 weeks on Monday, so almost halfway through, or maybe more than halfway through if this one comes a little early like Hallen did. We're so thrilled to be announcing that we're having baby number two this February. A little miracle. 

Kevin felt the baby kick earlier this week, so I think that brought it even more to life. We both wanted to thank our friends and family who have been in constant prayer for us through our miscarriage and the scary times during this pregnancy. We have so much to be thankful for right now, and have no one to credit but our amazing Creator. 

Bee Mine Sunshine Giveaway

I've got some really exciting news that I can't wait to share with you! We're lucky enough to team up with a great shop to give you something that you'll love and cherish on your little mini me! Bee Mine Sunshine makes adorable women's and children's wear. They started their brand to bring moms and daughters closer. They wanted to enhance and embrace that special bond that we have with our little babes. I love that it's a one stop shop, AND Hallen and I can even share most of their head wraps! I'd call that a win. 

Hallen wears her Bee Mine Sunshine bloomers and headbands all the time, and people just stop her in the street to say how adorable her little outfit is! Even with the cute factor and great quality aside, I love when she wears their pieces, because I know I'm supporting other moms. I'm a huge believer in shopping small, because I like to see people flourish in their God given talents. When I first "met" the ladies of Bee Mine Sunshine, I fell in love with their sweet personalities, hearts, and style of their shop. I know you'll love to see your little one walking around in their sweet bloomers too. 

One of my main concerns for Hallen's clothing is for her to still be a able to move around and play in whatever she's wearing, and I just ask for an easy diaper change! I'm happy to report that both of these requirements are met with their brand ;-)

So...the giveaway!! This is your lucky chance to win a pair of bloomers of your choice OR receive $26 shop credit. That means, even boy moms need to enter this one since there are some amazing mom pieces they have! 

All you have to do for a chance to win is like this post on both Instagram accounts @beeminesunshine and @hallen.amelie AND follow both of us. If you'd like an EXTRA entry, you can comment on this blog post with your favorite pattern from their shop that you'd love to win. 

This contest will begin May 25th and end May 28th at midnight EST. This contest is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Blogger or Instagram. To enter you must be 18 years of age or older and live in the US. 

If you happen to be in the Cincinnati or Columbus, OH area you can actually meet them this market season! You can check out their show schedule here. 

Life Lately

Photos, photos, and more photos. If you've seen me lately, I've probably been holding my camera, standing near my camera, or wishing I had brought my camera with me! Having a baby (the cutest one, at that), has made me dive into a longtime desire of mine to learn more about photography. I want to learn how light works; how to make someone feel a certain emotion by looking at a still frame; capture those tiny, fleeting moments. It's been such a fun process learning a new skill over the past 8 months.
I still have an exorbitant amount of pieces to the puzzle to still put together, but discovering each new piece feels like I'm diving deeper and deeper into who I really am. I can't explain it without sounding like photography has become my religion...because that's definitely not the case. It's like I'm finally doing something with the gifts God gave me years and years ago. He gave me an eye for beauty and a heart that loves to see joy and express that joy in what I do.
I do have plans to start a small photography business-mainly natural lighting photography-mostly babies, maybe some fashion, engagement shoots, or maternity shoots. I desperately want others to have their favorite memories tucked away in their "treasure chest" for years to come. I've realized since becoming a mom that a moment is exactly that. It's a moment, never to happen again. And how special is it to be able to carry a certain memory with you forever, not only in your heart, but in your hands or on your wall?! I would love to be able to follow people for a day just in their normal routine, so that all of those little things you love can be kept in a still frame.
It's been really nice to have a willing subject at my side on a daily basis to practice on! Good thing she isn't camera shy, and will work for cookies so I don't go broke!

All of the photos below were taken on a Canon 7D, 50mm 1.4 lens

Hat: Grace and Grace Co Leg Warmers: Snugars Boots: Gracious May

Dress: Fancy Little Fox Shoes and Purse: Nixons Nook Bow: Ribbies Clippies

#Twinsies for Father's Day

A couple days late in the game, yes, but I figured you could at least stick this in your pocket (or bookmarks tab) for next year or use it for a cute birthday idea.

I looked through lots of Etsy stores for matching father daughter bowties and bows. There wasn't anything that I could find! There were of course matching bowties for dads and sons, which are adorable, but not what I wanted. So, I started out on a DIY adventure...

I looked high and low for a tutorial on headbands and bowties for a daddy daughter matching day, but again there weren't any, so the next best thing was just to look at two tutorials separately. Come to find out, you make them the exact same way ( at last for the easier no sew option).

Bowtie on the left and headband on the right.

I could show you step by step on what I did to make both the headband and bowtie, but there are already so many great tutorials:

Here and Here

I attached elastic to both the bowtie and the headband, but I think a clip on the bowtie would actually be better. There is a smaller elastic on the bowtie, because it was going to be hidden under a collar and a fancier one for Hallen's headband.

Bowtie

Headband

They haven't officially worn their twinning accessories out yet, but they were kind enough to model how adorable they both looked for Kevin's first Father's Day.

I also bought them daddy daughter Pura Vida bracelets.  They have the most adorable baby bracelets! I ended up buying the new gray anchor bracelet for Kevin and "wish you were here" bracelet for Hallen. They don't match, but it's the thought :) )and Pura Vida bracelets provide jobs for people in Costa Rica). I wanted everything to be cutesy for his first Father's Day.

So, I hope this is a little inspiration for next year if you do have a little girl. She can still match her daddy. If you have boys as well, go ahead and make an extra bowtie!

The outtakes of a dad and his smallest main squeeze doing what they love most.