Give Thanks

We have a lot going on at my house...lots of stress and stupid grown-up woes.  But we also have a LOT to be thankful for (the number one obviously being miss Lyla).  I want to remember that even when Thanksgiving has come and gone.
Last year for Thanksgiving Lyla was still in my belly, but this year she got to experience Turkey Day firsthand.  Aurora was there too (oh, and Amanda and Quentin...but to Lyla, "Ah-wah-wah" is most important).  The girls visited great grandparents, met cousins for the first time, ate lots of mashed potatoes, and had a blast!

I pretty much died when I saw Aurora in her first pigtails! (ok...so more like, I almost CRIED because she looks so grown up!)

Best friends.

Finally some photo evidence of Lyla standing on her own!  She also took some steps this past week (*tear).

Our family.

Amanda, Aurora and Quentin

This group of cuties are ALL of the great grand children on my mom's side (I still can't believe we got 5 children to sit still all at once for a photo)!

We spent Friday with Andrew's family for our second Thanksgiving.  Lyla got an early birthday/Christmas gift from her Aunt Jen--a rocking horse.  She is in LOVE!  I can't hardly stand the cute....

Oh, and to add to the photo-overload, Lyla and Aurora had matching horsey outfits (Amanda thrifted them, both originally from Gymboree)!  

Lots to be thankful for these days.

xo

Jayme

Sponsored Post: How to Save a Memory

Since the advent of the digital photo, I have been overwhelmed by all of the photos I have saved onto my computer and the fact that I rarely share them, other than the occasional blog or Facebook upload. I love taking photos, and I love the immediacy of digital (as well as the possibility of editing before sharing!), but I also find photo upload sites to be impersonal and just another place to store and "forget" my photos.

Thanksgiving 2011: Aurora's first pigtails, and the first time all of my grandparents' 5 great-grandchildren were all together in one place. It was definitely a holiday to remember!

That's why I was really excited to learn about LiveOn, a website meant to preserve memories and share them only with people you want to share them with (aka your tribe).

What I loved about the site is that it isn't about just storing photos, but about organizing your memories: important moments in time, milestones, events, etc. It's perfect for me because it allows me not only to collect photos, but to write/journal a little about events as well. There are some additional really neat features, including, my personal favorite, "Life Questions," where you respond to a variety of questions, like: "What is the most meaningful gift you ever received?" or "As a kid, what was your favorite grade/year and why?" The site will store these memories and musings even after you're gone. They keep everything in an online storage vault, which can be accessed even after you pass away--while that's hard to imagine for me, as someone just about to turn 30, it's also a pretty unique quality of the site. I always worry about my computer dying and losing all my photos or writings, but with LiveOn, you are guaranteed that your memories are safe!

As a child, Jayme and I would love sorting through old pictures and scraps from our grandmothers.  In today's digital age, it's way less likely our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be doing that--but LiveOn is like an online shoebox where you can store those precious things to share with your loved ones. 




Thank you again to LiveOn for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about sharing and preserving your most important memories. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Just to say thanks...

Close Shave

Hello, it's Amanda (and Aurora!). It's been a while since we posted. We (well...me) have been shopping for and stocking the vintage shops and blogging occasionally on our other blog, but not doing a lot of talking here.

The truth is that Aurora is just a big bundle of movement and almost every picture I get of her is blurry! Fortunately, I was able to capture this scene one quiet, sweet morning last week:

On Monday and Wednesday mornings, Quentin goes into work later. Sweet husband that he is, he lets me sleep in on those days and has morning time with Aurora. They eat breakfast and play together and then come and wake me up. "Coffee, mama?"  Those are some of my favorite words...Aurora is a morning person, just like daddy, while I am a night owl.

Aurora is starting to mimic a lot of actions and words (oh, goodness, I need to be more careful with my language). She's such a little smarty-pants! The other day I said, "Hi, babe!" and gave her a kiss, and she said, "Hi, babe!" back.  It's absolutely adorable. She is so much fun these days.

And here she is, already shaving. Sigh. They grow up so fast... ;)

We're about to embark on our Thanksgiving travels...wish us luck! So excited to see Jayme, Lyla and family!  We have MUCH to be thankful for.

We'll say hi again soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

xo,
Amanda and Aurora

Xmas Prep

Last year I did pretty much nothing to prep for Christmas.  My due date was December 28 so I was very pregnant and sort of used that as an excuse to barely decorate, not send out cards, etc.  This year I have a feeling things will be the same if not worse-- a tree is out of the question with this very curious almost-one year old crawling around.  But I did decide to do an easy Christmas card.  Yesterday I took some photos of Lyla in her festive Christmas outfit and simply ordered a collage/card on Shutterfly.  Just wanted to share one photo for now--this one shows her little bottom tooth that's popped through!  Looks like the top front ones are close on their way too....

(A little over exposed/washed out...I haven't got my camera settings figured out.  But the expression is priceless!)

xo
Jayme

Lyla Georgette {11 months}

Love a little just-up-from-her-nap, rosy-cheeked baby!  

Today Lyla is 11 months old.  This past month her biggest milestones include (all of which I have no photo evidence, so I'm filling in with some random favorites from the past month):

1.  Getting her first tooth.  This involved lots of crying, crazy fever (which resulted in a terrifying little fever seizure followed by a trip to the doctor, followed by a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection... sheesh),  and refusal to eat (but trust me, she nursed enough to make for the lack of regular food).  All I can say is--holy crap...we still have a whole mouthful to go?!

This poor gal's poor gums--they are SO bumpy and crazy looking!  I think more teeth are definitely on their way.  Oh...and in case you were like "oh wow!  She's in her pj's in her crib!"--it is certainly not because she slept there.  It is full of toys and she plays there if I need to go put in a load of laundry!

2.  Standing on her own.  So funny how babies just decide one day to let go and stand hands-free.  She didn't even think twice--she just let go and stood there like it was nothing.  Lyla is one confident baby--once she's standing, she excitedly bounces and claps. We're trying to coax her to take a step, but so far no luck (Is that a bad idea?  Is a walking baby ten times harder to chase than a crawling one?).

I think I have a million photos of her standing at the front door like this.  And also--I photograph her in pj's a lot!  Trust me, we get dressed everyday...but something about babies in pajamas that makes me want to grab the camera.

3.  Adding to her vocabulary.  New words include:  "up" (so now she follows me around the house saying "pupp up up pup") and "nana" (banana).   If I'm in the kitchen, making my morning coffee, she crawls up to me and does her sign for 'eat' and says "nana?  nana?" Cutest ever!!

Oh those bangs...always in her eyes!  

I am just ever so slightly starting to think about a 1st birthday celebration.  Part of me is feeling super emotional and sad about it but the other day, as Lyla napped in my arms, I looked down at her and thought "she is still SUCH a tiny little peanut"....and not just in size--I really still feel like she is such a baby.  She needs me so much and I love that.  Being an attachment parent (having her sleep in our bed, nursing her on demand, carrying her everywhere) is trying at times but I think that the connection we have is so much stronger because of it.  And I think it will stay that way no matter how old Lyla is.

xo
Jayme

Shop Preview: Holly Jolly Holiday

It's almost Thanksgiving...which, in our crazy-busy lives, basically means it's almost Christmas.  I spent some time tonight scouting some vintage holiday dresses for Aurora on Etsy, and no doubt, some of you are looking for the perfect outfit for Christmas photos or holiday events.  We've added some beauties to the shop, and there are more to come...

See something you like?  Well, then....................... SHOP!

Holiday Bow Dress, Size 9 months, $14

1960s Plaid Jumper Dress, Size 4T, $13

Holly Cardigan, Size 18 months...coming soon!

Little Lady Plaid Cardigan, Size 2-3T...coming soon!

Christmas Print Dress, Size 4T, $12

Ski Lodge Sweater Outfit, Size 2-3T, $18

Red Velvet Shorts Suit, Size 9 months, $12

Plaid Shorts Suit with Vest, Size 6 to 9 months, $13