Happy Holidays to You and Yours

This holiday season has not been calm, but it surely has been oh so very bright! 

We spent the Eve with my family at our house this year. The night was full. All thirty of us ate filet and crab bisque. We drank wine and sang Christmas carols. There was no shortage of gifts, the kids made out like bandits once again.  It was a bit exhausting, but in the best way possible. My extended family has so many wonderful holiday traditions and I was so excited to share them all with my own children. 

Christmas day was so thrilling. Watching Alec's eyes as he surveyed all his gifts under the tree from Santa was everything I imagined. He was over the moon. "I be a good boy, I get presents from Santa!" The rest of the day was spent with my husband's family. Alec and Wes are the only grandchildren on this side, so needless to say, they get smothered with love and attention. (Which they don't mind one bit.) The Drakes are incredibly generous to not only the children, but to Kiel and I as well. They are thoughtful, wonderful gift givers, and we all walked away from Christmas day very pleased and grateful. 

I am sad to see the Christmas holiday pass, but I am beyond ready to slow down a bit. I want to soak up every last bit of my maternity leave.  It's hard to believe I only have about two weeks left at home. Although I only work two nights a week, those twelve hour all-nighters do take a toll on me and my husband. I am nervous to leave my little one, as I have been handling all of the night feedings myself. Wes loves his mama, probably because of the milk, but I'll take what I can get. Alec has been regressing a bit in the sleep department, so I already know the nights without me at home will be long. The boys are growing so quickly. It's amazing how fast time flies. It feels like just yesterday that Alec was placed in my arms for the very first time. Now I am a mother of two, my littlest being nearly seven weeks old. How did that happen?! 

And how is it nearly 2016?! I am working on some resolutions. Nothing too intense, I want to make sure my goals are attainable. Most of all, I want to live in the present. I want to live simply and with intention. That's my main focus for the new year. These are the days, or so I'm told, and they go by so quickly. 

So Happy New Year to all you amazing people who visit us here on this little site. Come and visit us anytime. As life gets a bit more chaotic,  I hope to maintain Good Morning Beautiful, as it's really been a wonderful place for me to share my family, interests, and general thoughts on life. I know I will look back on all of this and cherish all that I have documented here. 

Ten Gifts for Your Best Gal Pals

image via lindsayletters

....for the world traveler
....for the hostess with the mostess
...for the homebody
...for the trendsetter
...for the tech savvy
...for the gourmet cook
...for the new mama
...for the chic lady
...for the gal on the go
...for the beach lover

hoping this helps with last minute gift ideas. happy gift giving friends!

Holiday Gift Guide: For the kids

This holiday season we decided to take a different approach. Shopping for our little ones can be fun, but also overwhelming. Being that I am home with my two babes most days, especially now that the cold has set in and I have an infant to care for, having quality toys that occupy my toddler and keep him excited throughout the day are important. I often rotate toys, moving them from room to room, as well as putting a few away and pulling them back out to re-excite him on long days spent indoors.

 When purchasing items for my children, I am a firm believer in quality over quantity. That is why this year we decided to go by the "want/need/wear/read" method that I found via It's The Little Things. I also added a "learn" category to this gifting philosophy, as well as, a few additional items to fill their stockings. I love the idea of keeping things simple, year after year. And this is a brilliant way to avoid the unwanted clutter of toys in your home.

Ideas for your toddler:

Want: Train Table

Wear: Patagonia Fleece

Need: Sleeping Bag

Read: Steam, Train, Dream Train

Learn: Transportation Puzzle

Stocking stuffers: Bath Toys, Play-doh, Coloring Pad

Ideas for your infant:

Want- Walker

Need - Luggage

Wear- Halo Sleep Sack

Read- You're Here for A Reason

Learn- Shape Sorter

Stocking - Plush Stacking Blocks and Stacker, Num Num Dips, Organic Snap-front Onesie

I am really looking forward to switching things up. I am hopeful that this new philosophy encourages my children to recognize their many blessings. I hope it enables them to comprehend the true meaning of Christmas... that giving to others is just as important as receiving.

Anyway, happy holidays folks! We are in full Christmas spirit over here! The tree is lit all hours of the day, the stockings are hung, and our holiday records are spinning on repeat. More importantly, both boys are currently napping (AT THE SAME TIME, it's a christmas miracle) and I have time to write a blog post in peace while sipping on HOT coffee. Cheers to that! And happy shopping!

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)

Snapshots: Our Holiday at Home

The hustle bustle of the holiday season has come to a close and although it saddens me to take down all the Christmas decor, I am sort of excited for the next few slow winter months. Kiel and I hosted back to back holiday parties, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We both have rather large families, so both days we served a full-course sit-down dinner to twenty-some people. Part of me wonders what the heck I was thinking, but fortunately, despite a few minor outbursts on my end, things turned out pretty darn lovely. It was such a cool experience to host Christmas in our new home with everyone we love by our sides. Alec had an absolute ball, and being that we were in our own home, things were much easier for us, especially bedtime (No lugging around bulky pack'n'plays and late-night carseat transfers). And not to mention, our home is baby proof approved so we didn't have to worry about Alec getting into every little thing (Sixteen months is a very adventurous age!). So, despite the chaos, the pros heavily outweighed the cons, and I think we'll just get wild and do it all again next holiday season.

Because of my nursing career, I unfortunately have to work a few holidays a year. I was very grateful to have off Christmas this year, but was super sad to miss smooching my boys at midnight when the ball dropped on New Year's Eve. Kiel and I did manage to FaceTime one another as the countdown dropped to one. We gave each other a cheesy air kiss and said our "I love you's" so not all of NYE was completely lost. Cheers to a wonderful holiday season and to an exciting new year.

Merry Christmas - Love The Drakes

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Cheers to another miraculous season! All is truly merry and bright around here and I thank you all for sharing in our joy.

Snapshots: holiday home edition

 This is how we do Christmas at our home...

Kiel took a few pictures of the outdoor decor the other night. Alec is enamored with all the christmas lights. Lots of "wow's" paired with big bright eyes and smiles. It really is the cutest thing.

Our tree WAS stunning, but lesson learned… maybe don't buy a tree the first weekend of December… or maybe water your tree every now and again. Because our beauty of a Christmas tree is wilting away and will most likely not be making it to New Year's.

Alec inherited his papa's old table and chairs. They are just his size and he loves them so. My brave little climber is making me nervous though. I can't take my eyes off him for one second.

Lots of eucalyptus and berry arrangements to spruce up the table for Christmas Eve supper. And lots of booze to make the holiday extra joyful.

The table is set. It is my year to host and the total head count is twenty five. Here's hoping we can pull this off so they let me host again in the future.

Ten pounds of potatoes for Christmas dinner. It's a true labor of love, yet I couldn't be happier to do it. The holiday just wouldn't be the same without Grandmom's make-ahead baked mashers.

Did you know that fake poinsettias are not just a decoration… they are also the perfect toy for a sixteen month old babe. Al has been carting this thing around for days and tears flow when I force him to part with his little flower. 

Time is flying by and this crazy month of December feels like a complete whirlwind. How is it Christmas already? I am thrilled, yet sort of depressed to think that all this will all be here and gone so quickly. I don't know about you, but the Christmas season is my absolute favorite time of the year. I, for one, love gift giving. I truly love it. I love decorating my home and baking cookies. I LOVE spending quality time with family and close friends. I love watching Christmas movies and crying at Apple's amazing collection of holiday commercials. And this year has been especially great because I get to experience all the joys of Christmas through my child's eyes. There really is nothing cooler than that. 

1. Step2 Lil Helper's Shopping Cart. Alec loves A. push toys and B. grocery shopping. He seriously lights up when I put him in front of the grocery cart. Lately, he's been adding a few items to my cart on his own accord… so I figure why not get him his own push cart and let him shop all around his play room every day.

2. Ikea Plush Veggie Set to go with the shopping cart. I chose a vegetable set because I am really trying to broaden Alec's diet. He is a super, super picky eater and usually only prefers cheese and carbs. I get most of our veggies in via organic baby food pouches, which is fine, but I would love it if he would start to eat a little more of what Kiel and I eat with our meals. Maybe a little imaginative play with his new shopping cart and veggies will help convince him into to try a few new things. 

3. Bear Slippers from Baby Gap. A must-buy in my book. Not all toddler socks have quality grip on the bottom so these are nice for traction while running around at home without shoes on, especially since we have mostly hardwood floors. (Plus they are pretty adorable.)

4. Melissa & Doug Animal Rescue Shape Sorting Truck. We love Melissa & Doug. Alec really gravitates towards the toys that they make. I picked out this particular item because we are working on our animal names/sounds and I figure this would be a fun and different way to explore and learn.

5. Ikea Smock for crafting. Alec and I made some home-made holiday gifts for his grandparents and, boy, would a smock have come in handy! We both had green all over.

6. Ikea Sidewalk Chalk because who doesn't love sidewalk chalk, especially at $1.99 a box.

7. Washable Fingerpaint. As Al gets older, I am excited to begin crafting/coloring/painting together. Might as well take this opportunity to stock up on supplies so when the time comes, I'll be ready. 

8. Ikea 20-Piece Train Set. I really reaaally think this one, in particular, is going to be a winner. "Choo-Choo's"are becoming a really exciting thing around here these days. And side note: Isn't IKEA amazing? All of the items listed above are below $10. #winning 

9. And not pictured… board books! We are avid readers in our home and although it has been more difficult to keep my little mover on my lap for a whole story these days.. we continue to browse a good book as much as we can. A few of our favorites include; Giraffes Can't Dance, Goodnight Train, and (both versions) My Mom/Dad Loves Me. 

Here's hoping this gift guide gave you an idea or two for the little people in your life! Happy Shopping!

1.Jo Malone. Need I say more. The most amazing smelling perfumes/candles/body oil… you name it. You can't go wrong, and the travel perfumes are the perfect size to pop in your purse. I particularly love the 'Peony & Blush Suede" scent.

2. A Seasonal Candle. Mrs. Meyers makes some seriously great stuff for a seriously great price. I am also a huge lover of the 'basil' scented hand soap. Another great place to purchase seasonal candles is Anthropologie. I love the Good Nature Soy Holiday Candle in Balsam and Cedar. 

3. Quality Hand Lotion. Every girl loves a good hand cream. Your hands take such a beating in the winter. The lotion above does wonders for my chapped knuckles. It's such a great winter staple. 

4. A light-hearted read that will make her laugh all winter long. 'Yes Please' is currently on sale at target for 30% off, where I also picked up Orange Is the New Black on paperback. Target's book section is seriously on point. 

5. Minnetonka Slippers to keep her toes cozy and warm. I have two pairs and they don't come off my feet from Fall to Spring. 

6. A Plaid Scarf. They are all the rage this season and Mango has a great selection. I also saw a couple great ones at Target and Forever21 for a steal.

7. Sleepwear. I especially love all the sleepwear at GapBody. Plus they are always offering 30-40% off around the holidays to card holders. You can't beat their deals. 

Happy Shopping! 

1. A French Press. My man has become a serious coffee lover over the last few years, especially since having a little one. Sleep is minimal at times and a good cup of coffee can really make or break your day. A few gents I work with swear by the french press and after trying a cup,  I am a believer. 

2. Urban Outfitters Pic Pod Mount. "Panoramic pics are cool, but they're kinda hard to get right...until now! The Panoramic Pic Pod Mount works with your panorama-compatible smartphone to create the perfect panoramic image. Just attach to your phone, wind up the pod, put it on the included tripod (or on any flat surface) and let it do its thing. The result is a optimum-quality panoramic image." With the amazing picture quality of smart phones these days, this mount could really come in handy, especially for travel. 

3. J.Crew Camp Socks. My husband is in love. He wears these bad boys all winter long. Great quality for a relatively good price, you can't beat it. 

4. A Nixon Watch. My man always rocks a watch. He has a pretty serious collection that has accumulated over the years, a watch for every occasion. He has at least three Nixon watches, all of which he and I both love. So classic looking, and a great quality product. 

5. A Good Read. Almost any man can appreciate a good by Stephen King and this one was on the best seller list in 2014.

6. Boots. Kiel and I don't have lots of extra money laying around for Christmas, but we each agreed that we were both in dire need of some boots this holiday season. I obviously picked out this pair, and he went with the pair linked above. Boots are such an everyday wardrobe staple. 

7. Slippers. I got this pair for Kiel two years ago for Christmas and I don't think he's gone a single day without wearing them yet. He is obsessed. He even wears them in the summer months. It's insane.

8. The Cone. 'The cone is the first music player that thinks. It listens to your requests, picks up on your habits, and learns your tastes to create the perfect soundtrack for any mood or moment'. Who wouldn't love this for Christmas?

Just a few thoughts...

Good morning beautiful and happy Monday! I hope your weekend was filled to the brim with fun. My post today is a collection of random thoughts/ideas that I've compiled over the last few days. Pardon me if I don't make much sense. I am just a tad sleep deprived from working nightshift this weekend...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want to go on vacation. I've always really wanted to go to Big Sur, and I definitely wouldn't mind staying at the Treebones Resort. Amazing, right? I have just recently decided that I want to visit Seattle when the weather gets warm. I particularly want to stay at this Hotel, but to be completely honest, I really wouldn't mind staying at any one of their seven amazing locations.

Last year, I made a photo album on Shutterfly for both sets of grandparents for Christmas. This year I am leaning toward these custom photo wall calendars from pinhole press. Albums are totally great, but probably seldomly looked through. A wall calendar is a fun idea because you have a new photo on display each and every month.

I just recently discovered this adorable little Etsy Shop. I love this decorative pillow and this organic fitted crib sheet. I will definitely keep this shop in mind when we have baby numero dos.

I am hosting Christmas Eve this year and I have been on the search for some yummy holiday beverages. Our bar is stocked with an abundance of red wine so I am thinking about making a batch of mulled wine this holiday season to spice things up. I am also interested in this little cocktail for an after dinner treat… um yum.

And one more thing… I don't know about you, but I didn't realize that Williams-Sonoma shipped food products to your home. A co-worker brought in their Christmas Catalog this weekend and I just about died and went to heaven while I flipped on through. I am thinking about ordering some of these croissants to last us all winter season, and possibly a few peppermint cremes to gift this holiday season. Plus they are currently offering free shipping and 10% off your order over $49. Happy shopping!

That's all folks. I hope your week is ahead is both enjoyable and productive. We have our first official holiday party this week and I can't wait to get all jazzed up with my man for a fun night out.

MY Holiday Wishlist

This holiday season I will be posting a holiday gift guide every Friday in place of my standard Ten Things posts… I hope you enjoy them and maybe even get a few ideas for those that you love (or yourself).

1. Gap Pure Body Leggings. I don't know about you, but I LOVE the Gap. In past years I wasn't an avid customer, but once I became pregnant I truly fell in love with this store. The Gap's Maternity line was my go-to spot for all my basics during my pregnancy. Once I opened a gap card, the deals started rolling in and my cart is constantly full of clothes for the whole family. I particularly love their leggings because they are reasonably priced, incredibly slimming, and, best of all, they don't fade after several washes. I already have a few pairs of leggings, but you can NEVER have enough. Especially when you spend most of your time at home running after a one year old.

2. Happy Handmade Home. An awesome book including tons of cheap, DIY projects for your home, brought to you by the amazing girls of A Beautiful Mess. Kiel and I are always up for a good DIY project that is budget friendly and these girls offer just that.

3. Dark Olive Weekender Bag via Birdling Bags. A compartmentalized bag for travel, with innovative interior dividers and ample pockets. A weekender bag that actually keeps your things organized, check it out. Pretty amazing, right?!

4. Not That Kind of Girl. "A young woman tells you what she's learned about falling in love, feeling alone, being ten pound overweight despite only eating healthy food, having to prove yourself in a room full of men twice your age, and, most of all, having the guts to believe that your story is one worth being told." I love Lena Dunham. I love her hit show, Girls. I will probably love this book. 

5. A new set of sneaks! This pair, in particular, look like they would go with just about everything in my closet. I love new balance. I have a pair of grey 405's that I have been wearing for the last year or so that are pretty worn. It's time to up my game and splurge on a new pair to add to the collection.

6. J.Crew Factory Printed Flannel Pajama Set. As we are gearing up for winter, I am coming to the realization that Alec and I will be spending much more times indoors. I, for one, already attempt to stay in my pj"s for as long as physically possible, throughout the day, and now that the cold is upon us I am really wanting a few more comfy pajama sets to add to my collection. I love this set in particular. The print is fantastic and J.Crew never fails at making a quality product.

7. A yearly family membership to Longwood Gardens. I have only been a few times as an adult and I was amazed even then. Sooo much to see, soooo much to do. This would be a perfect place to take Alec during the week to get out the house and break up the day. We are always looking forward to a fun adventure. Their Indoor Children's Garden is great in the winter and they have an outdoor play area, called the Children's Corner, that I know my kid would totally love. Plus they really do it up for the holiday season and for a kid who loves lights as much as Alec, a membership really seems worth the price. This item is my ultimate holiday wish this year.

Holiday Tunes

Some fresh renditions of your favorite Christmas tunes to liven up your playlist this holiday season...

• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - She & Him
• Auld Lang Syne - Colbie Callat
• Frosty the Snowman - Fiona Apple
• Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
• Winter Wonderland - Jason Mraz
• White Winter Hymnal - Pentatonix

And some newfangled originals…

• Winter's Song - The Head and the Heart
• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - The Civil Wars
• Christmas Lights - Coldplay
• Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
• In the Morning - Jack Johnson
• Tiny Tree Christmas - Ryan Miller

Also, do you any of you use Spotify?  "Spotify gives you millions of songs at your fingertips. The artists you love, the latest hits, and new discoveries just for you. Hit play to stream anything you like." It's true. They really have everything and it's completely FREE music. No more paying $1.29 per song on iTunes. It's so worth the download. Enjoy! 

I know, I know. It's a little early to start thinking about holiday party attire… but is it? I feel like the holidays are so insane and who wants to scour the busy mall for an outfit, last minute, when they could easily get a sweet deal online, way ahead of time. Either way, one of my favorite online shops is having a party promotion and all holiday party attire is 25% off. 

Since becoming a mama and cutting back my hours at work, I always feel pretty guilty spending money on myself. However, I think I can splurge on one fun party dress this season, especially for under $100. ASOS has some really affordable finds and because they aren't your standard store at your local mall, you know your dress won't be the same as someone else's at your next Christmas party. Above were a few of my favorites, but there are many more fun, affordable options on their website. Happy Shopping! and Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Be safe! 

Ch-Ch-Changes! Good Morning Beautiful has a new look for the holiday season! Just a few subtle changes to keep things fresh around here. Hope you like the updates as much as I do.

Now, I will confess, I may be a little MIA over the next few weeks. For starters, the holiday season is among us, which means, we are busy busy busy. Tons of fun gatherings to attend and lots and lots of shopping to do! But hey, busy is a good thing right? I can't wait to catch up with family and friends over the next few weeks and ring in the new year with a bang!

Also, I recently purchased and downloaded the PHOTOSHOP + DSLR BUNDLE from A Beautiful Mess. I have been following this blog for quite some time, and I find it so incredibly inspiring. The co-founders, Emma Chapman and Elsie Larson, are seriously dynamite and their careers have really taken off over the last year or so. You can read more about them here. Anywho, I have really been wanting to hone in on my photography skills for quite a while now and when I saw they were offering online lessons for a decent price I jumped on it. Not only is this program affordable, but it's also all online and I can go through each lesson at my own pace (which is a must when you have a wild toddler to look after!). As you can probably see, my photos are quite amateur and I have tons of learning to do. My husband has been super helpful with teaching me the basics of photography and our camera, but I am super excited to truly learn how to take a quality photo in manual mode. I am hoping all this online education will raise the bar a bit and enable me to make some serious upgrades with the blog.

I am going to do my best to stay on top of things amongst all this craziness, but I make no promises. Cheers to the start of an awesome holiday season. I hope you all pack in as much fun as possible!

And one more thing, I recently discovered the Afterlight app and it's an awesome way to upgrade your iPhonography. It offers 56 unique filters, 66 natural textures, and 128 frames. Check it out, it's worth the 99 cents I promise.

Below are a few pictures I took and manipulated with the app.

xo- L

How Could I Forget?

As I sit here, during Alec's nap time, and make lists and lists of presents to buy for family and friends for Christmas, I started to realize that I have totally bypassed another very special holiday all together! Maybe it's because I have to work Thanksgiving this year, or maybe it's because I want to stay ahead of the rest to avoid mall crowds at the end of December… but either way I have decided to pump the breaks just a tad and refocus my energy on next week's holiday of thanks. 

As I reflect back on this passing year, I become overwhelmed with joy just thinking of all the amazing things that I am so very thankful for. It has been one of the best, and most challenging, years of my life. As many of you readers probably know, our son, Alec, has a very serious heart condition. He was diagnosed in utero at just nineteen weeks. Last November, only two months after his arrival, Alec had major open heart surgery. It was the absolute scariest time of my life. Nothing will ever be as difficult as the moment I walked my boy to the operating room doors. We held him, and kissed him, and then as he rolled away, Kiel and I held each other as tears rolled down our faces. I swear the stress of that moment alone has taken years off my life...BUT with great faith in our medical team and God, the support of our family and friends, and Alec's amazing strength, we got through it. Our babe has thrived like we never imagined, and with that I am eternally grateful. Not only has he gotten stronger, but so has my marriage and the bond we share with our supportive family and friends.

'Thankful' doesn't really begin to describe how I feel about this passing year. It's hard to believe that so much has changed in just a little over 12 months. We are now parents to a beautiful, strong boy. We settled into a new home, which we could never have done without the help of my parents and grandfather. We celebrated our boy's first birthday, which was an amazing milestone after all he's been through. My sister-in-law set us up with a 'Go Fund Me' account and with the generous donations from family and friends we were able to pay off all of Alec's medical bills and create a savings account for future procedure/surgery costs. A close girlfriend of mine organized a heart walk team in honor of Alec and an amazing group of family, friends, and co-workers walked to support the cause in 2014 and 2015. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child and I swear I don't know where I'd be without my incredible village of supporters out there. So so so many truly awesome things happened over this past year or so and I am grateful beyond words. I feel so incredibly loved which is really all you need in this world. I only hope that this upcoming year is just as fabulous as the last. Thank you for reading. xo -L

image courtesy of nestofposies.com

Transition

ONE > TWO.

Why did no one tell me this!?! Or maybe people did, but I was too exhausted to remember. All I know is that my little babe is napping once a day now. And to most new moms that probably sounds like the worst thing ever, but rest assured, it is not. It is sooo NOT. It's amazing actually. Because although he is only taking one nap… it's a solid two to three hour nap. Imagine what you can do with that much time… and all at once! No more cramming my entire adult life into one, one hour nap. I can actually sit down during nap time and not feel guilty for once.

Not only is the one LONG nap fantastic because I have time to actually do things, but because he is actually worn out and ready for a nap when the time comes to take one. Also, bedtime is no longer a struggle because as said before, he is actually tuckered out and truly ready to rest. Just the other night, he literally grabbed his lovey, walked up to me with his arms up in the air, and said "nigh nigh mama". It was the most amazing thing. Now we make a little routine of it.. nigh nigh dada, nigh nigh mama, nigh nigh doggie.. and so forth. I can't even take the cuteness. I am seriously loving the one nap transition. Our days are running much smoother now that we have an agreeable routine.

*Side Note. Kiel was away for three days last week. He had a work conference in Baltimore and it was just me and little bug for three days straight. My husband's time away was difficult. We reaaally missed him, probably me even more than Al. Alec was actually incredibly good, like unbelievably good. But regardless of how amazing our little one can be, come 6 pm, (most nights) I am ready for a little break and really eager to see Kiel walk through that door. There is something to be said for the little team we have created over the last year. When it comes to parenting, we have developed a nice little system that allows both of us some "me" time throughout the day.  My husband is a truly awesome partner, and such an amazing, hands-on papa to our boy. I am very verrry lucky and what I truly realized while he was away, is that I am so glad that I don't have to do this whole parenting thing alone. SERIOUS props to all the single parents out there. You are amazing. I don't know how you do it.

Why yes! We did dance to Christmas music all afternoon one day. Kiel often proclaims that I 'jump the gun' on things… and so what, maybe I do. But damn it felt good to bust out the ole Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby Christmas tunes while Dada was away. Judge me all you want folks, but I am soaking up every ounce of this holiday season! 

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. 

Twenty Nine.

Today marks my twenty ninth year of life. I am getting so close to thirty I can taste it. I have noticed a big change in myself since my wild early-twenties. Nights once spent out on the town with girlfriends til the wee hours of the morning have been replaced with cozy nights at home filled with bath time, bottles, and netflix. What's funny is … I am totally okay with it. Although an occasional night out is relaxing and fun, I am most happy when I am home. I love rocking my little to sleep. I love crisp nights on the porch with a glass of wine. I love watching a movie in bed and falling asleep before 10pm. I love it. I love twenty nine.

What I think has changed the most in my twenty ninth year, is that I think I have finally learned how to live in the moment. I recognize that I am very Type A. I love to be one step ahead of the game at all times. I buy Christmas and birthday gifts months in advance and I plan evening meals for the week every Sunday before my Monday morning shopping trip. I realize that I swear by my planner more than most, but I will say that I am learning to use it more as a reference, rather than a lifeline. Having Alec has really helped me loosen up, mostly because I am no longer in control of my time. I am learning that there will always be dishes in the sink, and I will always get to washing them eventually, but if there is an opportunity to play with my boy instead… that's just what I'm going to do. I am learning to put the phone down and pay attention to what is actually going on around me. These current moments are so so important, so very precious, and I don't want to miss a thing.

My goal for my twenty ninth year is to focus a bit more on myself. Last year was an awesome, challenging year. Not only did I bring a little babe into the world, but I had a bit more going on than the average parent due to his heart condition. Like most new moms do, I hurled head first into motherhood and somehow managed to lose of little bit of me in the process. This year, I want to be a little more than just "Alec's mom". I want to start eating better and exercising more. I want to try and paint my toe nails every now and again. I want to stop rocking this "natural ombre" look I've been working on lately. And maybe I can even manage to plan a little girlfriend getaway. I want to go out on a real date with my husband at least once a month. Don't get me wrong here, there is absolutely nothing better than being a Mom, (really it's the best thing ever and I honestly can't remember life before) but I just want to start to take a little better care of myself, both physically and personally.

2013. A Year In Review.

1. January - Happy New Year

2. February - First View 

3. March - Saint Patty's Day Celebrations

4. April - It's a Boy!

5. May - Babymoon 

6. June - Wedding Season

7. July- Baby Frankie's Arrival

8. August - Alec's Birthday

9. September - Hearts of Love for Baby Drake

10. October - First Halloween

11. November - Day of Discharge

12. December - Christmas Celebrations

2013 has been my favorite year of all time. Alec has brought so much joy to our lives and we are so blessed that things have worked out so well for us. So many prayers have been said over this past year for our little boy and I truly believe they have had a large impact on Alec's overall health. His cheeks are getting bigger by the minute and each week he reaches another milestone. We couldn't be more proud. I cannot wait to see what 2014 brings.