I wrote the title for this post, then I went back and spent about 20 minutes (JK. the next HOUR) reading all the other posts about him! And even though 2 years have passed and everything has changed, at the same time, nothing has changed. Barrett is still as much the sunshine in our home as he was the moment he entered our lives. I often comment to Andrew how much I love that you can always depend on Barrett to wake up in the morning with a smile, and be granted that same gesture multiple times throughout the day.
This isn't really a tutorial because Merrick from Merrick's Art already created a stellar one that you can follow along here. Merrick (and Joanna Gaines) is basically my spirit animal.
I used a nice Hacci knit from Girl Charlee, which I think was the best decision ever because it's basically like a sweater for my legs. Not even kidding. They ran out of the black and white stripe that I used since I bought it probably over a year ago, but I am in LOVE with this mustard, red, and brown striped option!
I know I haven't written much about Barrett this past year, which is such a shame because there are so many things I want to remember! For instance, even though it can hurt like the dickens sometimes, I don't ever want to forget the way he pinches my neck whenever I hold him!
And that smile that brings sunshine in my life no matter what the weather!
The way he goes straight for the outlet covers when I set him down. Yeah. He likes to pull them out and crawl everywhere with him. Smarty pants.
And speaking of crawling, the way he puts one hand on something (like books, but more recently presents) and slides it along the floor as he crawls.
How he has discovered that throwing toys is so much fun!
The way he laughs harder at Chelsea than just about anyone else.
The way he laughs when I tickle him under his chin. It's the sweetest sound my ears have ever heard!
And the way I'll be doing my own thing, then turn to look over at him and get the biggest grin ever in return, which is what spurred the impromptu Christmas tree shoot I did totally featuring him.
And that "ohhhh... I'm in trouble..." look! *insert laughing tears emoji here*
These nights when everyone else is asleep and it's just me and him are
priceless. Even though he (and I) should be in our beds catching some
Z's, I don't regret them.
I love you little Bear Bear! You're such a good little baby and I would never want to go back to life without you. It has only gotten better since you arrived.
The other night, I sang you to sleep with the song "Silent Night" and was struck by this phrase:
"Round yon virgin, Mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild."
For a moment, I thought I understood how Mary must have felt holding
the Savior in her arms, because, although we don't grow up perfect, we
come to this earth perfect. How grateful I am for our Savior, the Light
of the World.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.
Visit Olivia + Ocean and enter OLIVIAANDSUE at checkout for 10% off your order
I----------t's photoshoot-on-the-bed season! As soon as it gets chilly outside, I opt for photos on my bed because, to be honest, it's the easiest spot to tidy up in my entire house. Now that Barrett's nursery is finished, I might stray there for a few photos this season, but today, it's the bed and our favorite swimmers ever, Olivia + Ocean who now carries little BOY swimmers!
I cannot TELL you how excited I was when Danielle told me she was opening a line of boy swimmers! The girls practically LIVED in their O+O suits this summer, so I knew that I needed one for Barrett, stat!
The quality of the boy trunks is every bit that of the girl's suits. I'm not worried about it stretching out, fading, or falling apart one bit!
I did make it out of the house to a local rec center to test his new trunks out.
He LOVES the water, which made our little Mommy-Son date truly enjoyable! I loved watching him splash the water all over himself and get adventurous crawling around (he is SO mobile!)
And he's so cute, you'd better believe he got a kiss afterward! ;)
I will forever back Olivia + Ocean 100% because it's a product and a business I really believe in. Not only does it sell modest, reliable, quality swimwear made entirely in the United States, it also donates a portion of its profit to water.org.
"We believe swim time is a special time for parents to bond with their
babies. It definitely has been for us! Our swimwear is meant to
celebrate the magical childhood memories made in the water. "
I couldn't agree more. So many of my favorite memories were made in the water and I'm glad to know that we can make these memories in suits that my children can be their energetic little selves in and not have to worry about how long they'll last or they will actually keep my children covered, whether they're swimming in a pool, running through the sprinklers, playing in the sand, or jumping on the bed!
Thanks so much for stopping by today! And don't forget to stop by Olivia + Ocean before you close your browser (if you haven't already. I've linked back to them about, oh, 100 times in this post...)
Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Mesa, Arizona and surrounding cities including Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, and Tempe. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.
The following statement is 100% true: Slouchy beanies are the reason I wanted a baby boy. ;) That's not to say that girls can't wear slouchy beanies, but there's just something so juicy about a baby boy in a slouchy beanie, amiright?
As soon as fall time rolled around, I was more than ready to buy him one online, but then I do what I normally do and decided to make it myself, and you know what? It was SEW easy! And now I'm going to share how I did it with you so you can make the world a better place for anyone who sees your adorable babe wearing one of these!
*if you're not a sewer, stick around, because you're not going to want to miss the announcement at the end!
Basically, I used a fitted beanie that I already had and lengthened it a couple of inches. Just have confidence and be grateful this isn't a HUGE investment in fabric money!
For this tutorial, you will need...
Fabric (about 1/3 yard)*
Scissors
Coordinating thread
Pattern beanie
*The key to making these slouchy beanies is the type of fabric you use. Find a nice, thick, soft, stretchy knit. I'm pretty sure I used a cotton spandex knit.
Step 1 - cut
Use your pattern beanie (the one you already have) and lay it out on your fabric. Cut around the bottom and sides of the beanie with a half inch buffer (this is called seam allowance). If you're using a regular sized beanie, extend a couple of inches (about three or 4). Shape the top of the piece you're cutting out like in the picture above. Find the center of the beanie piece and cut a 2-inch heart-point, like in the picture above. Cut out four of these pieces.
Step 2 - sew
Pin two beanie pieces together around the sides up to the peaks at the top with right-sides-together. Use a straight stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance to stitch the sides*. Next, bring the side seams at the top (peaks) together to pull the opening closed. Pin in place, and sew the opening closed with a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat with the other two beanie pieces.
*to promote good stretch in your beanie, lower the tension of your thread in your machine.
Step 3 - attatch Turn one beanie piece-duo right-side-out, and slide it inside the piece-duo that is right-side-in, aligning the side seams. Now the two-piece-duos are right-sides-together! Pin around the opening of the beanie and sew with a half inch seam allowance, but leave a 1 or 2 inch opening! So you can turn the beanie right-side-out! Anyone getting dash-sick? AH! I did it - again... ;)
Step 4 - sew opening closed Reach
into that tiny opening you made and pull all the fabric out so that
the whole beanie is right-side-out. Tuck the interior of the beanie
inside the exterior, pin the opening closed and sew.
FINISHED!
A N N O U N C E M E N T !
One of my lucky Instagram and Facebook followers will receive not one, but TWO of these 6-9 month size beanies for... FREE!!! That's right friends! One for you and one for a friend! So hop on over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to see how to enter!
Susan is a birth photographer/videographer serving Chandler, Arizona and surrounding cities. Considering a photographer for your birth? Contact Susan for EDD availability.
It's finished and I LOVE it! This room is, without a doubt, the favorite in our house.
I put in a lot of time, effort, and love into this room's completion, but not a lot of cash! Most everything (seriously) was DIY'd in one way or another to help me save money and make it look exactly the way I wanted.
This nursery has become a serene refuge for me and Barrett. Coming in to feed him in the early morning when I'm still a little groggy is almost a treat now! Almost... ;)
I walk in here and I feel like I walk through an invisible veil that brushes all of my troubles off of my shoulders as I walk through. It's so peaceful.
*All items marked "DIY" mean a tutorial is coming!*
I couldn't pick a favorite piece in this room. Maybe the "Little Cub" wooden bear cutout from Desert Twig that started the whole reformation, or maybe the Little Cub artwork by Amy Hamilton. But those curtains were definitely a labor of love and that circle mirror was SO simple but is perfect for the space.
Regardless of which piece is my favorite, I feel that they all come together to make this room exactly how I envisioned it. A HUGE thank you to Desert Twig for inspiring this nursery makeover with her "Little Cub" Wooden Bear Cutout, and to a very loving and supportive husband who never stops believing in me and encouraging me to be creative! Barrett now has a room where he can feel safe and *hopefully* retain that sense of wonder I see every time I look into his eyes. I love you my Little Cub!
