happy things with which to end the week.

♥ right now as i type this, it's 1:53 a.m.  Lately my sleep schedule has been off (i think Felix is trying to prepare me for our nights together) earlier this week at 4 a.m. i rearranged our art wall in the living room when i couldn't sleep.

♥ sleepless in El Paso also means etsy dream shopping. 

twinkie bought us the pair of vintage gold fawn on white sippy cups! i think i'll use one for cotton balls in the nursery and the other one i'm saving for her to use when she's a tot.

♥ i don't mind the insomnia when my baby girl is the reason (especially those adorable toes pressing against my ribs-- ugh!) these were from our check up last Friday. Will you look at that kissy profile? so in love.

♥ Erin found this  newspaper article on Robbie Williams tucked away in her suitcase. It's from her trip to London summer of 2010 -- she realized she had never sent it to me and included it in her last letter. Better than finding a $1 bill in a jean pocket i say! ;)

♥ Ornaments at the craft store reminded me that my blog's FOURTH annual ornament swap is just around the corner. I've met some of my favorite friendships through hosting this swap.

♥ i am so blessed by amazing friendships, that of course i can't end a week without sharing sweet gifts for our baby girl. Manny gave Felix her first Harajuku dress (he's always loved Gwen Stefani so it makes his gift even sweeter). Miranda, a girlfriend i've known since Junior High, made the storybook F while her daughter made my daughter the teeny bracelet that matches the pacifier holder that also has her name in blocks. 

i just love handmade! like the newborn size teddy and card my pilates buddy Sarah gave us. 

♥ this photo of baby us, how my parents always said twinkie needed to be close to me (true story: Marianne even followed me to my kindergarten class, hoping my teacher wouldn't notice). How i wish i had her close to me now--especially now--instead of on the other side of Texas.

Happy Friday Lovies! what happy things are you ending the week with?

+please leave a link below if you do post-- i'd love to share in your happiness xo

Wanting to know you Wens.

Lately, I've been craving a good casserole.  Here's an easy one I made the other night when i was craving comfort food : 

i snapped a photo to show my momma i successfully made this recipe she gave me and my belly couldn't help but make an appearance. And yes, i live in husband's undershirts these days.

With delivery nearing (so crazy sweet i get to meet my daughter soon!), i'm looking for easy casserole/crock pot dinners we --my husband-- can put together. 

Lovies, help a hungry pregnant girl who doesn't cook out? 

Please leave me your favorite easy recipe in the comments below? (you can also leave a link to pintrest, cooking blog, etc) 

*Even though I'm vegetarian, i can substitute soy products  

i can't wait to read your suggestions and write down recipes on these cute cards Phoenix sent me.

Mamas, what am i missing?

First, I want to say thank-you lovies for putting up with all my baby posts-- especially like today's when it's especially directed to Moms. 

I packed our hospital bags a couple of weeks ago but as a first time mama, i wanna make sure i haven't forgotten something or perhaps even eliminate some things {thanks Tiff for sharing the link!}. 

For Mama : (in hopes that nursing will go well, fingers crossed) My Brest Friend pillow, Lansinoh nipple cream, and this nursing sleep bra. 

aloe socks, robe, earth therapeutics anti-stress massage lotion + eye pillow, güd hand lotion in pear and acai berry, dry shampoo, gum, glasses & contacts, hair ties, headband, brush, shampoo/conditioner and body wash, burts bees tinted chapstick, and my make-up bag.

(not pictured) tooth brush, face wash, flip flops, snacks, what i'm wearing there/home, hair towel, and of course our cameras/chargers.

For Felix : Quilt sweet Amanda made, her going home outfit (including hat, socks, hand mittens), Baby Hand & Face wipes, brush, baby powder, lotion, shampoo, burp cloths, lightweight blanket, and our baby memory book (a great suggestion - to ask the nurse nicely if they wouldn't mind stamping baby's footprint in it while they're doing the birth certificate).


Mamas, what am I missing? is there something you wish you had packed/glad you packed? Your suggestions, please!

my heart (age 18 - early 20's)

(from That Kind of Woman)

Sharing Sundays... nursery inspiration part two.

Nearly three weeks out (!!!) before baby girl makes her anticipated arrival, i'm still in nesting mode. My go-to place to online window shop and purchase is always etsy. Here are a few things in my favorites that i would love to put in Felix's nursery.

1. I am with you -God hand stamped on a vintage spoon from For Such a Time Designs
2.  pink balloon lamp from DE circulo
3. ceramic piggy bank from countryside peddler
4. neon pink & yellow LOVE letters from twisted twig
5. pink sparkle & shine tissue tassel garland from everlylane design

6. swoon banner from michiemay paperie
7. sleepy fawn plush toy from Savage Seeds

right now i'm trying to decide which garland to go with... suggestions? 

(nursery inspiration part 1)

happy things with which to end the week.

♥ Felix will be in all kinds of pink and bows but i'm praying she loves sports like her Mama (which you can still be girly about too). I couldn't resist choosing these over the cupcake and heart option. 

♥ do you spy her little jacket?

♥ At 36 weeks, i have officially reached that point where my wedding ring doesn't fit

♥ I mean look at my belly! 

♥ But making my Momma's banana bread recipe (and adding chocolate chips) probably doesn't help with my bump size either.

♥ Bits of a lovely care package from Phoenix {i like to think her card is right, "fun times ahead"}

♥ Baby H&M all the way from Slovenia, thanks to Auntie Sanja 

♥ it's amazing how putting on lipstick (even around the house) instantly makes me feel better

♥ Baby Girl's library is growing! (I'm a sucker for the vintage Paddington book set) Twinkie sent these. How darling will those framed silhouettes of Peter and Wendy be as book ends? Inside the Peter Pan book where it says this book belongs to Felix Maxham she wrote, "May you always believe in Magic. I love you! Auntie Marianne xoxo" 

It's even more precious because Twinkie has always loved the magic of Neverland & of course she threw in a seahorse (another of her loves!) rattle. 

♥ my beautiful niece Marisol saying good morning lovies! she hopes you have a beautiful friday. 

Happy Friday Lovies! what happy things are you ending the week with?

+please leave a link below if you do post-- i'd love to share in your happiness xo

so soon.

Husband : "We're going to have a baby before our oj goes bad." 

(date is Felix's expected Birthday)

Wanting to know you Wens.

Courtney (one of my book club girls) had posted a photo of what she was reading the other day: Harriet the Spy. She said she needed a break from the heaviness that was her last read and couldn't resist a childhood fave.

I thought that was a brilliant idea. In need of a break from pregnancy/breastfeeding books (and to combat restlessness), I think i'll pick up one of these off my bookshelves. Besides The Baby-sitters Club series, here were my most favorite Young Adult reads:

(my copy was one of the first things my bestie Marisa ever sent me)

Did you read any of these? What were some of your childhood/YA favorites? 

special delivery.

Speaking of happy mail, Felix received the cutest bouquet I've ever seen (seriously, I kind of love that the box was address to Felix Maxham). 

They're from my long-time best friend Maria and her sweet family. Her daughter Elena will turn 1 next month and it's crazy to think we finally have it. Maybe not have it all (who really does right?) but we've gone through so much to get here and I'm thankful that for most of it, we had each other. 

This is such an old photo of us (back when i highlighted my hair in my reporting days-- maria is right next to me). I also love that years later, her and joel (in the blue) would have their beautiful baby girl.

swap fun with Kait.

It's been awhile since i've blogged about a good swap. Earlier this summer, Sarah put together an exchange between some of her blog friends and paired me up with the adorable Kait of Yuppie Love. 

i mentioned to Kait that i was on the hunt for a cute apron and was about to go on a girls' trip to San Francisco. The apron she got me? has pockets. Pockets! not only did that instantly make me fall in love with it but they come in handy when you have to call your momma about a recipe (or your twin sis calls every 5 minutes *wink). I love the journey journal by cracked designs and how it's the perfect way to remember that epic trip with some of my favorite girls.

The striped onsie was one of the first gifts for our baby and how awesome is the confetti-in-a-jar?

Kait mentioning loving all things glitter and when she's stateside, how she'd stock up on gluten-free goodies at Trader Joe's. We don't have a Trader Joe's but I did manage to find some gluten-free snacks I hope she liked. We also agreed one can never have too much twine for packaging etc. so i bought her a spool from Bahana Splits Boutique in her favorite color.


thank-you Sarah for hosting and Kait, for the swap fun & our new friendship (best part about a swap)!


Have you participated in any swaps lately? (i love seeing what people send/receive) As i'm baby shopping and getting all these sweet presents for felix, i think a baby gift swap would have been fun. :) 

thrifted for baby.

My father-in-law writes me and husband a daily email. He always ends it by reminding us to take care of each other and hug often (best advice ever). Max told his Papa we were nesting and my father-in-law's reply was, "Hope nesting is going well. No sticks, just soft stuff."

It made me giggle.

The story of our baby book and doll i actually purchased long before we were pregnant (when we were trying) -- and way before we even knew we would be having a girl. i like to believe Felix truly is an answer to a prayer.