Meet Lyla

Yesterday marked the 3 week birthday for my little Lyla Georgette.  The past 3 weeks have been incredible, joy-filled, surreal, and exhausting.  Andrew and I are truly overflowing with love for this girl.  I'm still working on getting on a "schedule" with her (right now it seems all she wants to do is eat and be held...which means I spend most of the day with a baby on my chest), but I wanted to take a quick minute to share some photos with you of our first 3 weeks with Lyla...

Here she is on her birthy-day!  Bright-eyed baby girl.

Bath time... (check out that curly hair!  It dries kind of spiky so she definitely has some "bad hair days"--but it's so cute!).  

This girl better get used to the camera.... Momma is a bit obsessed with taking photos of her everyday!  I just don't want to miss anything--she changes so much each day.

Momma and Daddy can't get enough of this girl!  I think we've gone cross-eyed from staring at her so much.  She is quite the accomplishment!

Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek at my past 3 weeks!  Aunt Amanda has been holding down fort at the shop (thanks sis!!) and we both hope to get back to regular blogging in the next couple of weeks and continue to bring you adorable vintage baby clothes.... hope you'll continue to follow us!

xo,

Jayme

Happy New (Baby) Year!

It's Amanda here, and it's been waaaaaaaaaaaay too long since we updated the blog or the shops, but we're BACK!

You know, we were kind of busy with all this:

 Lyla and her wild-haired mama

 the first time I got to hold my niece!

 Aurora meeting her new cousin/best friend--too cute.

 me (new haircut!), Q, and Aurora on Christmas Eve at my parents'

 home from the hospital, celebrating Christmas!

 her onesie says:  "good things come in small packages"

Just wanted to share a few pics of the newest Miskabelly babe and her beautiful mama, as well as share what's happening in the next few days--here and in the shop.

-Stroller Review and GIVEAWAY courtesy of CSN
-A little confession and new blog post:  I'm on week 8 of Weight Watchers (was keeping it a little secret until it started working. hehe.  But excited to share how it's going, my goals, and some yummy recipes I've been concocting. 10 pounds down, 20 to go.  Yikes!)
--HUGE shop update:  lots of 60s and 70s boy stuff.  Velour tops, flared pants and corduroys, vintage superhero tees, western shirts.  It's gonna be awesome!
--Upcoming SALE....stay tuned (follow our Twitter to find out the code!)

We've missed you!  Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, productive, beautiful 2011!  We can't wait to share it with all of you.

xo
Amanda  (&Jayme, if she had time to blog with a newborn)

Welcome to the World, Lyla Georgette!

Jayme gave birth to Lyla around 6pm this evening, December 19th!  

Baby weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.  The little family is doing well and excited their little Christmas gift game 9 days early. :)

Photos to come...

(but Blogger is being stupid and not allowing me to load them...this issue happens consistently. 

Blogger, if you're reading this, CUT IT OUT!)

Week 38: Better Than Christmas

I’m still in a bit of shock that Christmas is less than two weeks away.  I’m definitely a summer-girl but I also love me some Christmas cheer.  I get a little giddy when I see the first commercials for department store Christmas sales, hear that first Christmas song on the radio and spot the first Christmas lights glowing on our neighbors’ rooftops.  This year feels a little different though.  I want to say “I have more important things on my mind” but then I feel guilty (I mean…to outright say that I think MY baby’s birth is ‘more important’ than the birth of baby Jesus…that’s just wrong).  I guess what I really mean is that I’m distracted this year.  We’re going minimalist on the decorations (less to put away come January!) and cutting back on our gift giving (less time spent shopping…more cash in our pockets to pay for diapers!).  We did manage to get a tree and decorate it—and I’ve been rockin’ out to Hanson’s Christmas album (um, it’s awesome) in the car.  But it just doesn’t feel the same.  I guess it’s kind of a great way to describe to someone what the anticipation of having a baby on the way is like—it’s like all the excitement of the Christmas season—but times a hundred.  Yes, that great.  

In these photos:  Michael Stars long sleeve tshirt, leggings from Walmart, vintage shawl, vintage cowboy boots, and my best accessory--my handsome hubby.

xo

Jayme

Week 37: Soon soon soon

So I have a confession to make:  This is the second week in a row where after shooting my photos I thought to myself “Hopefully that’s the last time I take bump pics…”   What can I say?  I AM READY.  

Having a baby is probably THE biggest/craziest/noteworthy things anyone could ever do.  It is unfathomable how in an instant, your life completely changes.  Until I’m actually holding this little girl in my arms and seeing her with my own two eyes, I don’t think I’ll be able to grasp the fact that all of this is real.  Obviously I am BEYOND excited.

As much as I can’t wait for Baby C to get here…there are some things I’m looking forward to in addition to baby snuggles. 

1.  My old wardrobe.  I think baby bumps are the cutest—but I really miss fitting into high waisted skirts and JEANS.  Though I do adore the dress in this week’s photos—it was part of an amazing vintage haul that Amanda came about on a weekend thrifting trip.  And let me just tell you, there are at least 3 other dresses that I would have LOVED to at least try on, but would by no means be do-able with a belly.

2.  Bear hugs from Andrew.  This is such a sweet/emotional time in our lives and we share more hugs in a day than I can count.  But I miss those cozy hip to hip, arms-tight-around-my-waist, squeezing-all-the-air-out-of-me hugs.

3.  Coffee!  I have drunk more decaf coffee/lattes in the past 9 months that I care to think about (I spend way too much $$ at Starbucks!!), but I have completely avoided regular coffee.  Funny thing is, I’ve still been having the occasional Pepsi and chocolate and other caffeine-ridden things.  But there’s certainly a faux pas with having a baby bump and sipping on a regular cup of joe.  My barista even warned me of the hidden caffeine in the chai frappucino I ordered one day (like I said….I frequent Starbucks more than I care to admit), so you can imagine having a fully caffeinated coffee would get me some reprimanding. 

Guess that's really all I'm missing at this point.  That's actually a pretty pathetic list (lucky for me).

 But still.  I'm getting antsy here.  Any day now little lady.  

In these photos:  vintage fringy dolman sleeve dress (soon to be for sale at Miskabelle), Tommy Hilfiger brown ankle boots (that I’ve had FORever), earrings from Charlotte Russe.

xo

Jayme

Week 36 (9 months!): For all the world to see…..

First let me apologize for the skin-baring photos this week.  I never thought I’d show the belly in all it’s glory, but something about being at 9 months makes me want to document every little thing from here on out.  So please overlook the nasty appendectomy scar, belly button piercing hole, newly outie belly button, and overall hilariousness of my lop-sided gut and realize—THERE’S A BABY IN THERE!  I can’t wait to show my little girl these photos someday and say “That’s you!!” 

By the end of this week, little Baby C will be considered “full term” at which point I will be eating all the spicy foods I can find, to coax this girl out of my swollen belly!  Truly the anticipation is already driving me nuts.  Every little backache and contraction (which I’m guessing are just Braxton Hicks) has me imagining calling the hubby and saying those sacred words [like in the movies], “It’s time.”  My other reaction [to the aches and pains that could mean labor]?  Panic.  At this point I’m exhausted more often than not, so the idea of giving birth just sounds completely impossible to me.  But you know what?  I think I have plenty of incentive to get me through—I mean, like I said before:  THERE’S A BABY IN THERE!

 In these photos:  vintage tshirt (cut into a tank top by moi), vintage bracelets and rings, Hard Tails yoga pants (every pregnant woman should own these!!  they also do wonders at flattening a tummy on non-pregos)

xo

Jayme

P.S. Soo....now that I've shown you my belly, will you please take a quick second and vote for us on Top Baby Blogs?  Just CLICK HERE and then click again.  Thank you muchly!  

Week 35: Old School

Well well well….look at this girl here.  She has finally gotten “big”. 

Andrew keeps giggling at me and my round belly. “I think the baby had a growth spurt!” he says.  When I lay on my side I can feel the weight of the baby pulling at my stomach.  And I’m walking a bit more slowly (and cautiously!) these days.   I’m one step away from the pregnant-lady-waddle.

All this strain on my body makes for an increase in anxiousness about d-day getting here sooner rather than later.  I certainly wouldn’t consider my current state completely uncomfortable….but I’m a  little nervous to get to that point.  I don’t want my hubby to have to deal with me if and when I get to that point.

But you know what?  The aforementioned “d-day” brings a whole other list of anxieties.  The thought of going into labor is SCA-RY.  Truly my one and only expectation for giving birth is to deliver a healthy baby.  I’m not ashamed to use pain medication.  I won’t be upset if the doctor tells me I need a c-section (though obviously I’d prefer NOT to have surgery).  Yes, I said doctor.  Like at a hospital.  No mid-wife or at-home birth for me.  I’m going old-school (well, I guess an at home would really be OLD school…I’m talking….past 100 years old-school).  The anticipation of labor and facing the unknown is enough for me.  If it takes a whole team of nurses, doctors, IVs, epidurals and the likes to get my baby out safe and sound, then so be it (but please cross your fingers that by some miracle of God it is naturally pain free and sets the record for the quickest labor EVER!).

In these photos:  Levi’s jeans, Steve Madden clogs, vintage red button up blouse

xo

Jayme

A date with the hubby...

This past weekend Andrew took me on a little day-date.  It was a gorgeous afternoon.  We stopped at Starbucks (we are kind of adddicts...) and made our way to the Penn State Arboretum to soak up the sunshine.  Most of the plants are done for the year, but we got to seem some really cool partially-dried foliage that was almost as pretty as plants in full bloom.

The arboretum (which is just a fancy word for garden...) has walking paths and various seating areas.  We found these brightly colored adironack chairs to sit in while we sipped our drinks (decaf caramel macchiato for me, peppermint mocha for Andrew).

It was a low-key date...but these days that's what I crave.  Relaxation.  Alone time with the hubby.  Baby chit-chat.  We talked about how fun it would be to come back in the spring when all the plants were full of flowers....with baby in tow.

We even saw a hot air balloon!  It was such a lovely day, I decided I needed a shot of us together to remember it.  Just me and Andrew.  Oh yeah...and that bulging belly of mine.

xo
Jayme

P.S.  I must mention--this outfit has pretty much been my go-to pregnancy wardrobe.  Leggings.  Boots.  Long, slim fitting knit top.  Topped off with a scarf and jacket.  (At least the bag and boots are vintage!)

Week 34: Are You Ready?

People, I am ready.  This past weekend I finally hit my ‘nesting’ stride and somehow finished the nursery (with Andrew’s help!).  I painted little flowers under each of the windows, finished putting together all the gadgets (pack and play, bouncy chair, etc.), had hubby hang the DIY pom pom flowers, rolled out the carpet…AND washed and folded all the little baby clothes and blankets.   The past couple of days, Andrew and I have been periodically standing in the doorway of the room and just staring.  It’s so bright and whimsical…and babyish.  We love it!  Now we just need the baby. 

Also on the agenda this week—our hospital tour.  Nothing that ground breaking… but it really makes things feel so real!  And so close. 

All these little things we’re crossing off our to-do list, in preparation for Baby C’s arrival…but I can’t help but feel unprepared.  Parenting seems like one of those things where you learn as you go.  No matter how many gadgets you buy, how many books you read, how many stories you hear, you never really know what you’re in store for until that little girl actually is HERE.  So I think it’s safe to say, we’re ready as we’ll ever be! 

Let’s talk a bit about these photos….

Yes, the black and white looks all artsy-ish and you might think it was intentional.  Really though…my outfit just didn’t match and I made the photo grayscale to hide that fact!  I’m trying to be a bit more adventurous with maternity fashion (I complained a bit about it here), but I’m not so sure it’s working.  I really miss my little high-waisted skirts.  But when you pull one over a baby bump, you kind of get that Pee Wee Herman effect where it’s just a litttttle too high on the waist.  Not to mention, the higher on the waist, the shorter the hem!  This one’s borderline over-exposure.  But hey, I’m 8+ months preggers.  I’m shocked that I still have the energy to even get these photos taken each week.  And luckily I have a super nice mom who took me shopping this past weekend for a new tunic (nice and roomy!) so I can keep comfy and fashionable in my last few weeks as a mama-to-be!

In these photos:  Vintage skirt (hemmed),  t-shirt by OP (Walmart! haha), vintage Givenchy scarf (for sale on Miskabelle), brown tights, vintage loafers (for sale on Miskabelle).

Don't forget to enter this weeks giveaway from A Wild Tonic!  OH...and you can vote for us daily on Top Baby Blogs (we're kinda at a stand still...) by clicking the brown box at the top of the sidebar.  Thanks loves!

xo

Jayme

Jayme's Shower!

This post has been a long time comin', since my mom and I threw Jayme's shower over Halloween weekend, but I was a little overwhelmed by life in the meantime and am just sitting down to edit pictures  and share with you about the day!

It was (of course) a gorgeous fall day.  But windy.  In fact, it was so windy that all but one balloon that I purchased for the party blew away before anyone even arrived! The party was very small--just a few friends and family--so we had it at our parents' house. Mom did a heck of a lot of cooking while I helped set up the decorations.  I had been collecting vintage baby stuff and ideas for a month or two.  I didn't go crazy, but the house was sprinkled with special little details:

 

It was a pretty standard shower--we ate lunch, played a couple games, had dessert and watched Jayme open her presents.

gluten-free carrot cupcakes with cream cheese icing and 

pink marshmallow rice krispy treats

Jayme is a bit introverted, so the party was very relaxed and low key--it really turned out perfect (except I was busy running around doing other stuff and didn't take enough pictures!)

 mom, prepping the salad (in a vintage blouse, thrifted skirt, and cowboy boots)

 Jayme and friends

 lunch time--boys were allowed to eat.

 soon-to-be mama and daddy!

 great grandma and cousin Addison

great grandma and Aurora (who loved munching on the beads we handed out for a game)

Of course, no blog would be complete without some outfit shots from the day...

I'm wearing:  vintage dress and necklace, brown tights (Ross-DKNY) and Fossil heels

Jayme's wearing:  vintage top, belt, and boots, leggings (random) 

 

 

you can already tell she's going to be an awesome mom--

look at the smile on Aurora's face!

There are lots more pictures, but I can't share them all here, so I just shared a few of my favorites. Baby day is approaching (can you believe Thanksgiving is almost here?!) and we can't wait to meet this sweet little girl!

Thanks for all your love and good wishes, friends!

xo

Manda

Week 33: So. Tired.

Excuse my tired, lazy eyes...so sleepy!

Can I just first start off by saying—I am so tired.  Not just the kind of tired where it’s hard to get up in the morning and by the end of the day you’re ready to park yourself on couch for the rest of the night.  This is way beyond that.  I’m talking, a whole other level on the tiredness scale.  My eyes don’t feel fully open most of the day…like if I blink too hard I will fall asleep.  So tired that at times I feel like nothing else matters.  Getting my assignments done at work?  Eh, they can wait.  I physically can’t move my hands from resting under my chin (holding my head up so as not to injure myself if I nod off) to the keyboard. 

Have I made my point yet?

I. am. tired.

Kudos to all the mamas-to-be out there who work their normal job hours throughout their entire pregnancy.  Cause let me tell ya, it’s not easy.

All sleepiness aside, I have been incredibly blessed so far in this pregnancy.  With seven weeks left till my due date, I feel like I’m almost home free as far as crazy swollen ankles, puffy cheeks, stretch marks,  and the likes.  Almost.

So this is me saying…tiredness?  Bring it on.  If that’s the least of my struggles at this point, I think that makes me one darn lucky girl.

xo

Jayme

In these photos: vintage maxi dress (yep, it’s all one piece!), black boots from Aldo, earrings from Charlotte Russe

P.S.  We would be so grateful if you would take a quick second and vote for us on Top Baby Blogs!  Click here.

P.S.S.  Don’t  forget to enter our giveaway from A.O.kay Designs!  Click here.