Old Photo Friday

Oodles of love + compassion + curiosity + talent = Nephew Spencer = Buby's toddler twin = kid who will be taller than me in just a few years. Year: 2000.

Door Decor

Apparently I have a thing for door hangers. You'll find one on most of our interior doors. I just LOVE these from Teacups & Tadpoles, especially "We are in the Backyard," "Are Your Shoes Muddy," and "Nap in Progress." {I can't tell you how many times delivery people or door-to-door politicians have knocked so hard... setting the dog off and waking up Buby.} All are $16 each, acrylic, 4x9, and designed by Drooz Studios.

Cozy Cool

Pretty ponchos for the ladies! It's a fashionable way to keep kids warm this winter while carrying them from house to car or car to baby class. I'm intrigued with the ponchos I've been seeing this year. Some knit. Some fleece. My friend Erika--a car seat safety guru--reminded all of us recently never to loosen seat straps in order to belt in a child with a big winter coat on. It compromises their safety in an accident. Instead, dress in a hat, gloves and fleece zip-up or poncho for car rides. These ponchos from Featured Friday Shop Teacups and Tadpoles are $44.50 and run 6 months up to 6 years+.

You Name It

And my Featured Friday Shop has it. Teacups & Tadpoles, named for our wee ones' passions, carries stuff that's creative and chic. When I came across these custom canvas name plaques, $90, I immediately thought of 2 petite princesses I know who share a beautiful room.

Buby's Mailbox

Another postcard came yesterday from Graga & Grandpa. This is the front. I read it to Buby and he just grinned big. The boy knows he is loved.

Something Borrowed

Today I am thankful for clothes that fit. And a friend who shrunk down to pre-pregnancy size within a week of giving birth to her second daughter. Leaving her maternity clothes totally available. Alana lugged a big bin of goodies to our music class today. So many pretty dresses I can't wait to wear. Thank you!!

vintage maternity ad in McCall's: flickr

Too Fast

November 27, 2005

They grow up too fast. Someone please help me find the "pause" button or "rewind" or "repeat play." There's no way to slow the fast track of childhood. The time we have with our young ones is fabulous but fleeting. This truth comes to me every time I glance at my desktop files from last November and the November before. Just look at how our Buby has grown--from drools to dress-up, ga ga to goofball--in 2 short years.

November 27, 2006

November 24, 2007

Wall of Buby

It's not my style to fill every room in a house with photos and frames. I'm more of a minimalist when it comes to personal effects. But early this year Buby's Daddy and I created a wall of fame for the many unforgettable faces of Buby. It brings us instant happiness whenever we pass by. Every morning while walking down with Buby, I shout out a random question. Like "Where's Daddy?" "Where's Grandpa's tractor? "Who's that guy?" Buby LOVES this. He jumps up and points to a picture, like I'm the silliest person alive. Can't wait to be there when Bebe recognizes herself for the first time.

Trimming the Tree

Buby's potted tree. I know you know all about it. The year-round fixture graces our great room and changes every couple of months. Buby picks out or crafts most of the occasion ornaments himself, and Grammy DJ contributes a few handmade touches whenever there's a new theme. We never use hooks or things that are precious {in the breakable sense---uber precious in the fabulously cute sense}. This year's Christmas tree is not yet complete. Buby and I bought 3 wooden gingerbread men and 1 raw tree ornament from Michael's. He'll customize them with paint or glitter and then hang. My favorite part is an Anthropologie cupcake ornament at the tippy top {cut from photo}.

Buby's Obsessions, II

The other thing he MUST fool with, even before breakfast. The GeoTrax train set Uncle Mike & Aunt Mel gave him for his 2nd birthday. This is the third train set Buby has received and our fave by far. It's the one we'll build onto. It's durable. Buby can put it together and take it apart himself without damaging the pieces. There are so many options for directing the trains. And unlike a lot of sets, it doesn't need a flat table. We place it right on the playroom carpet and it stays put. Buby's favorite accessory is the remote!

Buby's Obsessions, I

Little People and animals. Not sure why, but it's Buby's favorite toy at home and at all of his friends' houses. We keep them in a special bag in the playroom, and Buby runs downstairs every morning to dump them onto the floor. He has books and a CD to match, so he calls each character by name and narrates aloud as he plays. I love listening to the imaginative conversations that ignite between Buby and all of his Little People. In particular, Eddie, Freddie, Sonya Lee, Sara Lynn, Maggie, Jack, and Michael. He has the parking garage, barn and manger already. And I hear that Grammy DJ has secured the bus, airplane, and tractor for him for Christmas. Boy, I hope these things never get recalled! I bring a few books and a bag of tiny figurines everywhere--drs offices, restaurants--and he's totally content.

Big Wheels

A happy day 4-wheeling with Buby at the park.
He drove some, I drove some.

What a Lady

Baby girl Bleu's 18 week snapshot from last Wednesday.

She was so acrobatic the technician had to focus on parts and measurements and not photos. But I do love this one of her crossing her legs. Just chilling. She's about 6 inches head to butt. She barely weighs anything, but I've gained about 14 lbs.

Winter at Garnet Hill

So scrumptious Personali-tees, $26, come in 4 stitched applique designs. Made of super soft cotton, they are exclusive to Garnet Hill.


Who wouldn't love to slip into a pair of Patagonia Baby Synchilla booties, $25? They are made of fleece, cushioned for softness, and have treads for non-slip protection on wood floors. Sizes range from 3 months to 3T.


Totally hip flannel boxers, $16 each, just for toddlers. These sleep bottoms are made of flame-resistant German flannel that is brushed for extra softness.


Pricey at $70 but worth mentioning for the style alone. The Patagonia Kids' Retro vest is adapted from the sophisticated and rugged original and resized just for kids. The plush-pile fleece vest has handwarmer pockets and a poly mesh back to keep out moisture.


How sweet it is. German boiled wool slipper boots, $38, in 9 whimsical designs for toddlers and kids. Particularly loving the elephant. Visit Garnet Hill.

Santa Baby

Buby's first photo with Santa. Taken Sunday. We went out much earlier this year to avoid lines, and it worked! We were in and out in 5 minutes. Last year I think we tried 3 different Santas. Buby didn't like any of them. He cried whenever we got within a couple of feet, so we didn't press it. This year, he was shouting "HI, SANTA! HI, SNOWMEN!" Santa asked Buby what he wanted for Christmas, and Buby responded "CARS & SHREK." What? He already has a ginormous collection of cars in all sizes, and his Daddy and I own all 3 Shrek movies. So I guess he's all set. Well, we do have 1 Shrek-related surprise for him for Christmas, which he's going to LOVE. Before we left, Santa asked "Did you eat all my cookies last year?" Buby said, "YES. Mmmm."

U-Cut

We cut down our tree the day after Thanksgiving. It's a tradition. We never go to the same tree farm twice. Or get the same kind of tree. Last year we had a Concolor Fir, and it was fabulously whimsical and soft yet strong and aromatic. This year we found the best selection of Douglas Fir at a country place we'd never heard of, just 10 minutes away. Amazing bounty, no crowds, and Buby could run free. He was hilarious hugging all the trees and screaming "CHEESE!!" Just begging for someone to take his picture. I'm glad my parents were there to witness it.

Buby helps {fake} cut and poses with his grandparents.

Buby & Co. finds the perfect tree.

Holding hands with Daddy and Grandpa

Click to enlarge each photo. I really love these.

Sweet face.