Oh Happy Day!

Yesterday was the day of Alec's scheduled pre-op cardiac catheterization and MRI. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning. Within a half hour of checking in, they were pre-medicating Alec with sedation to prepare him for intubation and general anesthesia. We were overwhelmed, but he was a trooper. Braver than I even thought possible. We sat impatiently in the waiting area, trying to keep distracted as best we could. This wasn't our first rodeo, so we knew what to expect, but let me tell you, it never gets easier. After about an hour, Alec's nurse came and gave us an update. He was still in MRI. Not even halfway done, but at least one hour down. Another hour passed and his nurse came out again, but this time she called us back to meet with the doctor. His physician informed us that the views of his heart obtained in MRI were thorough enough for the surgery team. He would not need any further information; therefore, the cardiac catheterization was not necessary. It was the most blissful news, music to our ears! Within a half hour, we were able to see our little bug again. He was just waking up from anesthesia and he woke up peacefully. We were further educated on the surgery to come and, soon enough, Alec was discharged. We were home by noon and we spent the rest of the early afternoon lounging and resting from our eventful morning. As the evening approached, we were all in need of a little change of scenery, so we decided to take a little trip to Longwood Gardens. We brought along our actual camera and were able to capture some twilight photos of our family.

Yesterday had potential to be a really rough day for all of us, but thankfully the best case scenario occurred. To say we feel blessed is an understatement! One less test, one less hour under anesthesia, one less battle to fight. We are feeling pretty relieved over here! Although the days to come are sure to be challenging, I know there is light at the end of this dark tunnel. I know in my heart of hearts that my little boy is going to come out on top of all this. He is going to be stronger, healthier, and happier. In the end, it will all be worth it.

Ten Things

...that caught my eye across the web....

these jeans, buy one get one 50% off, and great reviews

my tv lineup is full at the moment, but i am really looking forward to giving this series a go

the sweetest pjs are 30% off at the moment

25 activities to do during your maternity leave

can't wait for the hubs to diy this wooden arrow growth chart for the boys

i know it's early, but i've already found a mantle-worthy print for the upcoming holiday season

THE poncho of all ponchos

maybe it's just the crazy hormones, but this commercial made me cry

this sandstone cocoon coat is on my winter wishlist 

Adele is back and I dig it

tablescape image via inhonorofdesign

have a great weekend! 

Ten Things

...that caught my eye across the web...

this weekender bag. it's perfection

and this scarf. sole society really hit the mark this season

his and hers, a fantastic engagement gift

a rustic chic Fall home tour

30 best halloween costumes for kids via Hither and Thither

adding this dreamy blanket to baby boy's christmas list

old navy and gap. 50% off farewell Fall sale, SO good

these sneaks, for under $50 and free shipping

this buffalo plaid cardi from modcloth, perfect for the upcoming holiday season

twenty must-do's during the ninth month of pregnancy

i hope you all are enjoying this brisk Fall weather as much as i am.
happy weekend folks!

(gather doormat courtesy of target)

Fall Must-Haves: Alec Charles

I know people love Summer… and I am also a fan. I love hitting the beach and laying by the pool, but being 8 months pregnant in this ninety degree heat has left me yearning for Fall. These coming months are, by far, my favorite time of the year. I love the crisp air, football,  hot apple cider, pumpkin pie …really all things Autumn-esque. I love the anticipation of the holiday season and frequent family gatherings. Not to mention, that this Fall, we have another little Drake arriving and I really couldn't be more ready for that. 

I also love the clothes. Boy, do I just love the clothes. I love chunky sweaters, wool socks, and flannel. I love layering knits and tossing on my favorite pair of denim. And before kids, I didn't think that shopping could possibly get any more fun, but then it did. Below are a few fall must-haves for my big boy. 

Both long-sleeve tees are from Old Navy. They have a solid selection right now, most of which are on sale for under $10 a piece. Being that my little toddler man makes quite a mess during meals, I have a hard time investing immense amounts of cash on tees, so these are right up my alley.

This north face is the perfect fall coat. It's lightweight, yet incredibly warm. It has a hood, which is a must. And Al will still fit comfortably in his car seat/stroller without all the bulk. Plus, I love the look of the heather grey material, adds quite a bit of character to a basic piece.

This little fox sweater is from Zara kids. I love their children's clothes. I have a hard time spending the money, but every now and again, I find one item that is really worth the cost.. like this little fox sweater. 

All the pants, as well as, the socks are from baby Gap. I love their clothes, because a. they are always having some sort of sale online and b. they are quality-made and won't fall apart after only a few washes. I've already purchased the jeans and hope to add the other two to his collection. Al has the teeniest waist, so the draw-string is clutch.

I love TOMS, I really do. Not so much for myself, but their kids shoes are quality-made and actually easy to get on their feet. I am digging the 'leather' look for Fall/Winter and I think Al would get a ton of wear out of these. He is mostly in sneakers because boys play hard, but it's nice to have a decent shoe to throw on when we are going out to eat or to a family gathering.

Happy shopping folks! A "Fall-Must Haves: Baby Edition" is in the works for later this month. 

Fall Must-Haves

Just a few must-haves I have been lusting over as I gear to make the Fall wardrobe transition.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

*Side Note*

After reading this post by Caroline of Unfancy.com, I am feeling super inspired to create a stellar 'capsule wardrobe' for Fall. The concept of investing my hard-earned cash in some quality basics that are easy to mix and match all season long is really enticing.The older I get, the more I realize that less is more and simple is best. Anyways, I am super excited to take on this little endeavor. Be sure to keep an eye out for a capsule wardrobe post coming soon.

Ten Things

… that caught my eye across the web

• 24 West Elm Hacks, if only I knew how to sew
• The cutest stuffed animal ever, courtesy of Anthropologie
• A super fun holiday ensemble, the only time of year that I might consider a little sparkle
• The perfect little man haircut
• This website is great, tons of quirky finds. I especially like this one
• You can add this faux leather mini to my long christmas wishlist
• 26 Free Printables to hang on your gallery wall
• The perfect holiday candle for the winter season, I love balsam and cedar, but all four are great
• My little guy earned the rights to rock this adorable tee
• An awesome blog I follow about home design

Fall is holding on for dear life around here and it's beautiful. Enjoy the weekend!

A Quick Getaway

This past weekend my parents agreed to watch Alec overnight, so we jumped on the opportunity and headed North to see some old friends from college. It has been over two years since I have had the chance to visit my old pal, Chelsea, who only lives about two hours away in Hoboken, NJ. She is the very best hostess and every visit is full to the brim with adventure. She is one the those people that never lets you down, always ensuring that she shows you the best time possible. Not to mention, that she alone, is such a joy to be around. 

Hoboken itself, is actually a really great time, but this visit Chelsea took us into bustling New York City.  We went to a delicious dinner at Rosemary's, an Italian restaurant in the West Village. We shared small plates, and enjoyed sipping rosemary lemonade and Prosecco cocktails. After dinner we ventured to the Biergarten at The Standard Hotel for a drink while we waited to hear from friends. Once we got in touch, we jumped on the subway and headed into Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There, we went to Kinfolk and Black Bear Bar. We had an absolute blast boozing, dancing, and just catching up on old times. We ended the night at a lock pizza shop, and each enjoyed a slice or two. Mmm, so good. I only wish we had more time the following morning to do brunch with everyone, but unfortunately, we had to be on the road by noon. 

The lifestyle up there is so incredibly foreign to me…. tiny little apartments that cost a fortune, subways and taxis, and a melting pot of all different people from all over the globe. In my early twenties, I always thought that I would enjoy the whole 'city living' experience. I thought that maybe I'd regret not jumping at the chance to live somewhere other than 'home'. But now that I see myself more clearly, I know that a big city would swallow me whole and I am surely a small town girl at heart. But that doesn't mean that I don't love a weekend city adventure, because I surely do. Thanks for a great time old pal, til next time friend. 

Ten Things

that caught my eye across the web…

• I may just have to order these for myself, and probably these for the little one
• Simple gold studs for the every day, on sale too!
• A super cool chalk art DIY for Alec's basement playroom
• I know I am jumpin the gun, but how cute is this for the mantle during the holiday season
• Love this print for Alec's room, but I think I'll just try and DIY this for a much cheaper price
• A hearty meal for a crisp Fall day
• The neatest set of blocks (Alec got them as a gift from the awesome Jessi of what the what?)
• I absolutely love this big kids room, the wall art is fantastic and the mix of prints & textures are just right.
• A really interesting way to help soothe kids when they have a cold or runny nose
• 30 unexpected baby shower gifts that are sheer genius. (14 & 18 are on my amazon wish list)

Over the weekend...

This past weekend was great. We rented a little house just a few blocks from the bustling boardwalk and celebrated Halloween amongst friends. On Saturday, we dressed up all the kids and lined up along the avenue for the annual Sea Witch Parade in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Alec was in awe of all the enormous floats that passed by. Our sly little fox had an absolute blast playing with all his friends and cousins over the weekend and all of us couldn't be more grateful to have had a little getaway. To finish off the weekend, we made a pit stop at Mom-mom and Pa-Paw Drake's Farmhouse for a visit. Alec loved all the animals, especially the horses. Needless to say, it was a great weekend away and Alec has been napping/sleeping quite well after all the excitement. The kid is totally beat, and it was all worth it. 

Snapshots

He carries a wooden hammer wherever he goes. It is his favorite thing, other than his lovies, of course. We like to think he will be a carpenter one day, or possibly a judge. Look at him loving his reflection, he gave himself about ten kisses before moving on to the next naked adventure. 

A new Fall wreath to spruce up the entryway.

Mr. Dog doing what he does best. Our child exhausts him.

 Some new, navy Minnetoka slippers for the chilly season.

Fall fun as a family. Playing at the park with our boy has never been more fun, or beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by. 
xo, L

It's Here! My Most Favorite Time of the Year!

This is the first official week of Fall and I couldn't be more excited. Autumn is, by far, my absolute favorite time of year. For one, (other than today) the weather in Delaware is absolutely perfect. Mid-70's and sunshine most of the time. And not to mention, that family gatherings and the holiday season are just around the corner.

I love crisp morning walks, hayrides, and bonfires. I love pumpkin lattes, honeycrisp apples, and a crockpot full of chili. I love layering on flannel, knit sweaters, and chunky scarves. I love trips to the orchard to pick apples. I love decorating my mantle with little white pumpkins found at our local nursery. I love to drape cozy blankets over every arm chair and sofa. I love filling my home with the sweet aroma of mulled cider and cinnamon. I love dusting off my kettle to make warm cups of tea. I truly LOVE this marvelous season and I look forward to spending many of my days outdoors with family and friends.

A few subtle hints of Fall around our home

A Hearty Autumn Breakfast

We paid the apple orchard a visit recently and I have about a dozen honey crisp apples just waiting to eaten. Due to my hefty purchase, I have been trying to find different ways to incorporate apples into my diet. After about three days, the standard apple and peanut butter just wasn't cutting it anymore, so I set out on an apple adventure. I've always been a big oatmeal fan, but with Alec, the mornings can be a bit hectic so I rarely take the time to eat anything more than my standard english muffin and peanut butter. Today, I decided to dedicate the time to something different and what I came up with… whelp, it was darn delicious so I thought I'd share.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup water

1/2 cup diced honeycrisp apple

1/2 tbsp brown sugar

1/3 cup maple pecans

Splash of milk

Cooking Instructions:

I cook my oats on the stove top. Bring one cup water to a boil, pour in oats and reduce to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let stand for one minute. Add a splash of milk and stir. Add apple, brown sugar, and maple pecans, mix, and enjoy!

A Day at the Orchard

It has really started to feel like Autumn around these parts and there was nothing more that I wanted to do for my birthday than to go to the Farm. Kiel took a half day from work and we spent the afternoon picking out pumpkins and honeycrisp apples. Alec got to check out all of the animals, which was really exciting since we have been working hard on our animal noises as of late. He hasn't quite mastered the oink just yet, but he thinks it's pretty darn hilarious. It was a beautiful day and I couldn't ask for more than some relaxing time spent with the two people I love most in this world. 

Snapshots

Alec Charles, you little ham. This kid is all smiles these days and I am soaking up every giggle and grin.

Porch play in the afternoon has been a regular occasion lately.

I love this shaggy fella so very much. 

A beautiful morning walk at Tweed's park with my boy before music class. Fall mornings are the best, so crisp and refreshing.

A dinner date at Terrain Garden Cafe with my hubs for our anniversary. I love all their decor, and our meal was so incredibly delicious.

A perfect afternoon at the Orchard for my birthday.