8.24.2010

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages...We're Going to the Circus!

I can not say this very often, but I am going to say it now. I was deprived as a child and have never been to a circus. So you may understand why I am beyond excited that we just won tickets to the upcoming show. I was reading the Babes in Hairland blog, and noticed that she was having a contest for circus tickets. All you had to do to be entered in for the first pack was come up with a fun circus hairdo on one of the kiddos, and the judges would pick their favorite one to win. I may be a total dork, but we had a lot of fun with this. Erika decided that she wanted to do something with a tightrope, and from that idea sprung forth a fabulous hairstyle. (Drum roll, please.) And now presenting...The "Tightrope Side Pony" in all it's glory!


8.09.2010

The Luckiest Unlucky

Sorry I have totally neglected the blog. Sometimes life speeds along and it takes awhile for me to catch back up with it. On Father's Day my little prince fell into a bush. We took him to emergency thinking he would just need some stitches, but a CT scan and a few minutes later they were life flighting him up to Primary Children's Medical Center, the local children's hospital. They discovered that a stick had entered above his eye, followed along side the optic nerve, and had weaved itself through his brain narrowly missing his carotid arteries, and then just stopped short of his brain stem. The next few hours seemed like an eternity. Sitting in that empty OR waiting room, I prepared myself for the worst and thought of everything he'd never be able to do again. They prepared us for the likely posssibility that they would have to open up his skull to retrieve the stick, but they assured us that they had a surgeon who specialized in cutting the skull, another whose job it was to stop the potential bleeding, they had a specialist for every possible thing that could have gone wrong. Luckily, we didn't have to use most of them. Miraculously, his doctors were able to pull the stick out of the original wound without causing further injury. 

After we made it through surgery, it became a waiting game to see what would go wrong. Everyone was sure something would. Serious head injuries like this just didn't happen without devastating or fatal ramifications. We watched the families of some of our PICU neighbors with heart wrenching stories say their goodbyes. Fortunately, our luck continued. We were able to take him off all of the breathing tubes, and the first words out of his mouth was, "I want my Mama!" One of the best sentances I've ever heard in my life. His wound stopped leaking CSF fluid from the brain.  He was able to move all of his limbs. We moved out of the PICU to the Nuero-Trauma Unit. After about a week or so, we were finally released from the hospital ahead of schedule. (We were originally told we'd be there a minimum of 21 days.) We had weekly visits from Home Health, gave him a heavy dose of antibiotics every 8 hours through his PICC line, and he continued to make his miraculous recovery. The little guy somehow managed to escape all infections and pretty much made a full recovery.


The past few months have been such a whirlwind for me, and I can't truly put into words how I feel. It amazes me how quickly life can change, and most often during such ordinary moments. It's incredible how frail and  powerful life can be in the same instant. We truly are some of the luckiest unlucky people. It was so touching to see all of the support we were given. Often times from people we didn't even really know. I can't thank everyone enough for all of your thoughts and prayers. They truly worked miracles for us. Thank you! This has been such an incredible experience. Hopefully things are starting to return back to normal and I can return to some of my usual activities again, like blogging. While this pretty much ruled our Summer, I do have a few more things I want to try and post soon. Thanks again for all the love and support--he is still doing great!

6.18.2010

Father's Day Cookies

All I can say is Amy Atlas is a an absolute genius when it comes to sweets! She finds and does the most creative and fabulous things with food.  These cookies she posted on her blog today are no exception and are so fun! Apparently, you can order them from Eleni's. Maybe we'll make the Dads and Grandpas in our lives some cookies for the big Father's Day around the corner. (Secretly, they're probably more for us though--Sshh! Don't tell them that!) Mine would never be as good as these though...they are almost too perfect to eat!


6.16.2010

Nicoletta Ceccoli

My little prince got a book from the library the other day and I was immediately smitten with all of the the illustrations in it. Today I thought I'd spotlight some of the work of the talented illustrator Nicoletta Ceccoli. Her work is so hauntingly beautiful.

6.15.2010

Tut Tut...Looks Like Rain

This last weekend ended up being pretty cold and rainy, so much for Summer being in full swing. Honestly, I really don't mind though, because I absolutely positively love the rain. There is just something about it. While thunderstorms and rain clouds may no longer be in the forecast, some of my favorite rainy day photos are.

6.08.2010

Some Summer Shots

I realize it's been a little while since I've posted, but I can't really say I'm sorry about it. Where have I been you ask? Well, not sitting here at the computer. I've have been taking full advantage of the finally good weather. I feel like Summer has finally arrived.  I went through and picked out some old shots that are so quintessentially Summer for me, and I don't think I've posted them before (except obviously the first one, but it's still perfect!)


We've pulled out the flip-flops, but you're more likely to catch us barefoot.


And I have three words for you: Sand, Swimming, and Snow Cones...


And this is just the beginning...I've got many more Summer adventures to come!

5.28.2010

Erin Westenskow Berrett

I try to share things that inspire me here on the blog, but I've noticed I haven't shown very many artists here, even though I get tons of inspiration from them. So today I thought I'd share with you the work of local artist (for me anyways) Erin Westnkow Berrett. Her still life paintings are so lovely!


5.24.2010

Happy Birthday!

I just wanted to wish my little prince and princess an Happy Birthday! They are such great little ones and I am so proud to be their Mom. We had such a crazy, fun filled weekend celebrating. We got to go see Shrek 4 with the family, went swimming, had a big ol' birthday bash...and to top it all off it's snowing here today and it's almost June. Slow down, you're growing up way too quickly! Seriously, where does the time go!?

5.21.2010

Edward Mapplethorpe

Yet another post from A Cup of Jo that I love. She posted these baby portraits by Edward Mapplethorpe, a New York based photographer, the other day that I adore. They are so simple and timeless, but he really captures the subjects perfectly. Love them!



5.20.2010

Parisian Baby Shower

Please go and check out this delicious post over at Hostess Blog! I always love her stuff, but I can't believe all of the tiny little details put into this party. It's absolutely divine and totally inspiring!

5.10.2010

ThxThxThx

Often I come across something that is so simple, yet so ingenious. With Mother's Day just behind us, I thought I'd post some brilliant advice from a mother to her daughter. Leah Dieterich's mother always told her to write thank you notes. So she does. To everything. thxthxthx is her daily exercise in gratitude. I feel like there is so much in my life that I am thankful for, but sadly goes unrecognized. Showing gratitude is one of those things that most of us could probably do a little more of. I think Leah's little thank you notes are such a simple way to start showing appreciation for all the things in life that we are grateful for, or more importantly  forces us to look for something to be grateful for in all things. What are you thankful for today?
 
 


5.07.2010

Noa Noa - Summer 2010

Today Noa Noa is my muse.  Seriously, the images from their latest catalog are pure genius! Each one makes me want to whip out my paints and recreate them on canvas. If you are unfamiliar with Noa Noa, you really should check them out. They're clothes are GORGEOUS! Unfortunately, they are only in Europe. That doesn't stop me from looking at their stuff and dreaming though!




5.06.2010

Sarah Jane Studios

I was reading Bloesem Kids today just happened along Sarah Jane Studios, but I am so glad I did! I'm completely in love with her vintage inspired illustrations.  I'm especially loving the paper dolls--and thinking this may be a very good option of what we could do today. Be sure to check out her etsy shop and keep a look out on her blog for freebies!

5.04.2010

Here Comes the Bridals

I know I promised these forever ago, but here are a few more from my not-so-recent-anymore bridal session. Drum roll, please......


They are such a gorgeous couple!

5.03.2010

And We're Back!

I realize that turned into a very lengthy break, but sometimes things just can't be helped along quicker. Our internet had issues once we moved, and consequently it took some time getting things working properly. I don't function all too well without it, but we're back, and now I'm ready for another break. A vacation sounds so nice right now. Doesn't it?


I dare you to tell me that does not look so nice and relaxing. Sigh. Until then, as promised I will get some of my recent shots up and try to get back into the ol' bloggin' routine once again

3.31.2010

Spring Break

While I look out my window, it may not actually look like Spring at the moment, but I can feel it in the air. These images from Terrain, a gardening store owned by the same people from Anthropologie, epitomize Spring to me. They make me want to get out and beautify my yard. These are the kinds of things I yearn for my yard to have, maybe someday they'll open a store up out here.


With Spring comes craziness for us. With in the next couple of month we are moving and have weddings galore, some of which we will have to travel for. So my blog may be a little neglected for a while, but do not fear...I will return. I promise I will keep you updated on things, but the posts may not be as frequent as I'd like. Have a Happy Easter! And see you soon, I promise!