Family Pictures

Recently, my brother- and sister-in-law made the trek down to Indiana to visit. We haven't been able to spend time with them since their wedding in early August, so it was really nice to catch up and spend some quality family time together. 

My sister-in-law is an extremely talented photographer, and I'm not just saying that because she's family! She has an eye for those beautiful candid moments that I think is very rare. She owns her own photography business, Jess Marie Photography, based in Southeast Michigan, and specializes in portrait and wedding photography. If you live in the area and you are looking for a great photographer, look her up! I really don't like getting pictures taken of myself and honestly find the whole process quite awkward, but Jess made it so natural. Every so often she would tell us where to stand or what to do, but most of the time, she just wanted us to act how we would normally act, and the results were amazing!

It was really hard for me to choose just a few pictures to share with you all here because I really do love every single one. I am so happy to have beautiful, professional pictures to document this time in our lives.

All photos by Jess Marie Photography

A Week in Review

Well hello! It's been a minute since I've last posted. But for good reason! Last week, I was adjusting to going back to work. Let me start by saying, I give all of you mamas who work full time outside the home so much credit. Aside from the fact that it was terribly hard for me to be away from Avery, it was hard going to work, coming home to do my mama duties, and still trying to get dinner on the table every night and keep the house clean... and I'm only going back to work part-time! Let's just say that come Saturday, this house looked like a bomb exploded. I'm hoping this week will be a little bit easier.

As I mentioned in my last post, last week was a great week to go back to work because it was Sephoraween! A week dedicated to Halloween makeup looks. We had some really fun themes this year and spending time in the morning creating Halloween looks took my mind off the fact that I was going to be away from Aves (can you tell we're attached at the hip?!). 

My first day back at work, the theme was Disney Villain, so I channeled my inner Scar from The Lion King and created a more realistic look, as opposed to turning myself into a lion, and I think it worked! I had many clients ask if the scar I created around my left eye was real. We also did Comic Book day where I turned myself into a pop art comic book character -- super simple and easy to do with black liquid liner. And then my favorite day, Horror Day! I may have mentioned I'm really not into Halloween or anything gory, but Horror Day is always my favorite day of Sephoraween. This year, I wanted to keep my makeup pretty glam and create some special effects scratches across my face. For my first time playing around with a special effects makeup look, I think it turned out pretty good! I just used materials I already had on hand: tissue, lash glue, eyeshadow, and LipTar. It was a lot of fun to create, but taking a ton of lash glue off my face was obnoxious!

After all of that Halloween makeup and playing around with some facecharts during the week, my brushes were so dirty. I also should probably mention that it had been way too long since I last washed my brushes. Dare I say, before maternity leave?! In my defense, I rarely wore a full face of makeup during maternity leave, so my brushes didn't see a lot of action, but regardless, you should wash your brushes every two week. Do as I say, not as I do!

I'm so happy I found this winter hat for Avery from Carters. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a thick, winter hat for a baby! There are a ton out there for toddlers but hardly any for babies, and let's not mention that the hats that are out there for babies are not cute! If you're in need of a nice, warm hat for your babe, hit up Carters. This one is on sale for $10!

A side note about this picture; shortly after I took it, Aves rolled over for the first time! I was trying to catch it on video, as I could tell she was getting really close to figuring it out. I got the dreaded full memory warning on my phone, and as I was making room on my phone, she rolled over. Of course, she refused to do it again, until last night. She rolled over five times in a row and I finally got it on video. It's so much fun watching her learn and grow!

Aves new favorite thing is putting her fingers in my mouth while she's falling asleep. She's starting to learn how to reach out and grab things, something our dog Riley still isn't too fond of! It's funny watching her try to have some sort of coordination with her arms and hands. Sometimes, she'll reach out to grab a toy or our noses and her arms and hands will go in the complete opposite direction. Watching a baby gain control and coordination of their body is like watching a drunk person -- pretty entertaining!

I'm excited for the day off of work today to snuggle my baby, work on some Ivy & Grace things, and make my way to Starbucks to get my first red cup of the season. Christmas is, hands down, my favorite time of the year, and as soon as Halloween is over, I'm ready to celebrate! It's really exciting that this year is Avery's first Thanksgiving and Christmas. I can't wait to start some fun family traditions with her!

Let's hope that this week gives me enough time to write a few more blog posts!

Happy Tuesday!

Avery's Nursery

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I could not wait to start decorating the nursery. I had always imagined that it would be so much fun decorating a space for a little one. 

We live in a two bedroom apartment, which pre-baby, had plenty of space for the two of us. It's amazing how much space a seven pound baby takes up! Before Avery, our second bedroom was a guest bedroom, as well as, Justin's home office. Justin works from home for about half the day so it is important that he has a space of his own. It was a little tricky putting together a nursery in half of a small room, but we managed to make it work.

I knew regardless of if we were having a boy or a girl, that I wanted more of a neutral color palette for the nursery. Personally, I think it's absurd to spend money on big ticket baby items that are gender specific. I wanted to make sure that things like the crib, stroller and carseat had more of a neutral color, something classic, that we could use again, regardless of if our next child is a boy or a girl.

The walls of our apartment are already painted a golden cream sort of color, if that description even makes sense! I wanted to play off that that color with dark wood, creams and white with accents of gold and muted pink. 

I didn't waste any money on a crib set as I am all about that safe sleep. No comforter or bumpers for my babe! For the crib, we bought and registered for various fitted sheets, this ruffle crib skirt, and I usually rotate draping different blankets that were made by family and friends for Avery over the side. Avery is still sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom, but when she transitions to sleeping in her crib at night, we'll make sure the blankets are put away.

When we move into a house, I would love to do an entire gallery wall in Avery's room, but with limited space, I stuck to a mini gallery. The 'A' initial, the gold print, and the gold sunburst were all found at Hobby Lobby. I stalked Hobby Lobby for ever just for that print, and when it finally went on sale, I was one happy lady. The butterfly picture is from Ikea. It was the very first item I bought for the nursery the weekend we found out we were having a girl.

I made the dreamcatcher mobile myself. It was super easy! All you need is an embroidery hoop, gold string, fishing wire, craft feathers, the paint color of your choice, and glitter. Aves loves it! When she's hanging out in her crib after a nap, she'll just stare and smile at it. 

I was really against a traditional changing table. For one, it would have taken up room we just don't have. But it is also one of those baby items I find unnecessary. You spend an arm and a leg on a changing table that you use for a short amount of time, and then what do you do with it? I loved the idea of getting a dresser with a changing table top and then creating my own little changing table station.

I found a wire wall organizer at Home Goods that I loved for a diaper caddy. It's super convenient and holds diapers perfectly. I put up a couple simple shelves that match the dresser and crib to hold random things like lotions, wipes, and diaper ointment. Putting up the smaller shelf was a bit of debacle and there may be a very large hole behind it, which is why I only put her moccasins on it. I'm pretty sure if I tried to put anything heavier on it, the whole wall would collapse. I found a few hooks that I put up to hold her headbands.

While it can get a little crowded and messy having Avery's nursery and Justin's office in the same room, it can be pretty nice. We spend a lot of time together as a family in that room; while Justin's working Avery and I will hang out on the floor, reading books or doing tummy time. However, I am looking forward to the day that we move out of this apartment into a home of our own. I have visions of creating a reading corner for Avery, filled with lots of books and a teepee with comfy pillows and blankets. I always wanted a little space growing up where I could get away and get lost in books. I can't wait to create something like that for Avery that she can grow into.

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How absolutely beautiful is that teepee. It will be Avery's one day!

I had so much fun putting together Avery's nursery while I was pregnant, and I am even more excited to add to her room as she grows. It will be so fun to see how her little personality is reflected in her space.

Happy Friday, everyone!