save the date design // john+dani

It's Friday! Even though I'm at home every day now, I still look forward and count down to Friday. It's always better to have my husband at home, but that's especially true now that there's a little rug rat in the mix. I get to eat breakfast at a leisurely pace for two mornings in a row! Yes! And this weekend is extra special - our parents and siblings are converging on our house for Jack's dedication at church on Sunday. It's going to be such a full, fun, and busy weekend. I love me a full house of family. Anyway...

Remember John and Dani's engagement photo session last fall? Seriously one of my faves ever. And now it's time to start working on their wedding design suite! So exciting. First up: their save-the-date postcard.

I love the way these turned out and incorporate the sort of shabby chic theme. Dani has great style and taste, and this is going to be one seriously cool and beautiful wedding.

all in a year

 

A year ago today, we found out we were having a baby and this picture was taken. A year ago! Crazy what can happen in a year. Fast forward to today…

…and I've got the cutest almost-4-months-old baby boy. And I'm so happy. I feel like it has taken awhile to get used to, and I know I've still got so many things to learn, but I'm starting to settle into the role of being a mother. As I'm sure any new mother can agree with, the days can seem endless and a constant cycle of feeding, changing, playing, holding, walking, and rocking. These are the days when any extra goals and tasks are done in short bursts between naps, and sometimes not even then when things like eating lunch and getting a quick nap take precedent over anything else. That used to bother me - to not have anything to "show" for my days spent at home. Sometimes not even loading or unloading the dishwasher. But my perspective has shifted and now instead of rushing through the nap routine so I can lay Jack down and cross off things on my to-do list, sometimes we just cuddle and I let him sleep in my arms because I know these days are going to fly by. I feel like I'm going to blink, and he'll be going to kindergarten. Just the thought of that makes me a little teary eyed.

I never knew how much I could love this little boy. I know first-time parents say this all the time, but I'm finding out just how true it is. Any time I hear a song or read something about babies growing up and cherishing the moments, I'm usually reduced to a puddle on the floor. My heart goes crazy and it's all I can do to restrain myself from sneaking into Jack's nursery and waking him up from his nap because I just love him. so. much. Yes, I am a sappy and proud mama and while I wish sometimes that I could slow down time, I know exciting things are ahead in the coming year - first foods, first words, crawling, walking, talking, and his first birthday cake. Crazy what can happen in a year.

looking back on the long winter

pulling inches and inches snow off the roof

It's March and the official first day of spring is just around the corner, which makes me sooo happy. I've been itching to start up my daily walk around the neighborhood, this time with a baby in tow. But we've still got heaps upon heaps of snow, and if you live anywhere near the Midwest, the weather/cold/snow is all anyone can talk about these days. When will the snow melt? When will the roads finally be clear of ice? When will it be above zero degrees? I've always sort of been of the mindset that if you're going to live in a state like Minnesota, you better be ready and able to handle winter. I try to not use complaining about the weather as small talk or a conversation starter. But if there was ever a winter to talk about, this one would be it. It has been one of the coldest and snowiest that I can remember, and we've broken all sorts of cold and snow records. But it's winters like this that make us hardy. It's winters like this that make us appreciate the fresh air of spring that much more. Yes, it's been long, but being stuck inside with a new baby isn't the worst thing and I will look back on this crazy winter and remember…

rocking my brand new baby to sleep at 2am by the warmth of the fireplace
sleeping in the downstairs guest bedroom for the first month after Jack was born
piling more blankets than any other time
nursing Jack in his cozy nursery and watching the chickadees on the leafless lilac bush
wearing snow boots almost every time I left the house
not leaving the house for 4 or 5 days on several occasions
watching Tim shovel the driveway countless times
taking a walk on the one above-freezing day
falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow at night
learning to cherish Jack's 4am feeding, when everything is quiet and cozy
finding a new routine
seeing the thermometer dip to -30 degrees actual temperature
learning that the top of Jack's head is oh so kissable