first month

Hard to believe we've had Hazel for a whole month already...it still all seems so surreal! Yeah sure, there have been some really tough moments so far (and maybe a few more breakdowns than I'd like to admit), but I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting the hang of being a mama - not to mention some of my energy back, hence this blog post. I do have to say that it has made me realize just how strong and amazing all of the millions of moms (and dads) who have already done this are. It truly is a humbling experience and I'm so thankful we have Hazel in our lives, even if it means sleeping in 2-3 hour blocks, cooking/eating/doing chores with one hand, and having not brushed my hair in over a week:)

I know it's a little silly to say, but I'm so proud that we survived the first month!

she's here!

It's official, I'm a mom! Meet Hazel June Thomas - she arrived three weeks early on May 5 (cinco de mayo!) at 7:57pm. We could not be more thrilled to be new parents. To say I am completely and utterly in love with her is an understatement...more like obsessed. I can't stop staring at her! 

Recovery is going well and I'm so thankful to have my mom here as well as Kyle's mom helping around the house. I'll be back to post more photos when I get a chance...

First family photo:)

pine and boon

Gorgeous leather and suede bags in the prettiest of colors...and I love the little punched out dots! Cuuute.

baby shower

Last weekend, Kyle's mom, Linda, my mom, and my sister threw me a lovely baby shower for close friends and family. It was such a sweet gesture and I was constantly amazed by all of the little details and how it all came together!

Loved the girly, French-inspired invitation:)

Gorgeous, fresh flower wristlets that Linda made for all of the guests to wear.

The food spread was delicious and a combination of American food as well as Chinese food...my poor mom was up making eggrolls from scratch until late the night before. Now that's love!

We played a few baby games that were pretty hilarious and not too painful (thank you Megan), and ate some tasty petits fours...the chocolate ones had a marshmallow creme filling inside...delicious. I may have had two...or three, shhh. 

It was a beautiful baby shower and Kyle and I are very lucky parents-to-be to have such thoughtful family and friends to celebrate with us. If only our baby girl knew how loved she was already:) 

farm animals notebook

These mini journals by Clap Clap are too adorable...I especially love the little donkeys:) 

busy busy

Things have been so busy around here lately that it's been hard for me to keep up with blogging. I wish it wasn't the case but sometimes life just gets in the way. We spent the last week and a half living out of a hotel room while our only bathroom in the house was being updated. I'm happy to say it's close to being finished!!! It feels so good to no longer have to worry about a rotting wood floor, pale pink tiles, or a plastic tub anymore (be thankful I didn't take a 'before' photo). I hope to have some photos soon to show you all. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

a girl and her bulldog

Photographer Rebecca Leimbach and her husband struggled with the realization of not being able to give their daughter, Harper, a sibling...until they realized that she already had one all along through Lola, their English Bulldog. How sweet are these photos??

I sure hope a certain reddish brown and white bully will feel the same way towards his little sister someday...!

(Via here)

hungry tee

Haha, sadly Kyle knows this line a little all too well if you ask me (or him!). I can't help it if I get "hangry" sometimes...

(Via Oh Joy!)

mansur gavriel

I only recently came across Mansur Gavriel totes and am now obsessed. Aren't they beautiful? Made with Italian vegetable tanned leather and brightly colored interiors (also comes in blue and pink!), they seem like the perfect all-around bag. Or diaper bag even...??? ;)

this guy

What can I say? I've officially entered the third trimester and cannot believe how fast time is flying by. In between cleaning and organizing our entire house like a crazy person, we've also started going to Lamaze classes and researching local day cares. It's madness, I tell ya!

One of the things that has kept me going is being able to curl up on the couch each night with this sweet little guy...he used to love sleeping in my lap but now that my belly has gotten in the way, he's adjusted to sleeping beside it with his arms outstretched. Almost as if he is trying to hug his little sister! I'm not sure if Pancho actually knows that she's there but I think baby girl sure does, judging by the number of kicks I get once he starts snoring next to her....I have to admit, the whole thing does melt my heart a little:)

shea butter soap

This soap packaging is so pretty...and with scents such as bourbon & vanilla, tea & tobacco, and sweet pea & clover, I have to say I'm intrigued. The "Bonjour Monsieur" above is a "combination of roasted tea leaves, tobacco, cedarwood & Sicilian lemon." 

Sounds refreshing right?

vacation recap: sedona

We were lucky to be able to spend a long weekend in Sedona for our babymoon and it was exactly what we needed. The surroundings were simply breathtaking - from the scenic views of the red rock canyons to the cool crisp air and starry night skies - it was all so relaxing. Here are some photos of our trip if you'd like to see...

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winter blues

Haha, I know I shouldn't complain since I live in Texas, but this illustration made me laugh. This winter feels like it's been going on forever...not to mention we've gotten a lot more snow/ice compared to previous years (though nothing compared to the northeast, I know). Here's to hoping spring is just around the corner!

P.S. I'm finishing up our Sedona trip report tonight and will post first thing tomorrow:)

(Illustration via Gemma Correll)

sol card

What a pretty little card made of tissue paper...perfect for a friend's birthday or just because.