Ornament Swap fun!!!

Hi Lovies!

I can't believe the most magical time of the year is here again. I also can't believe this is the 5th year of this amazing swap that has brought so many friends together. It's a swap dear to my heart and I hope (if you've participated in the past) it's been one of your favorites too.

Since I'll be having baby Noel (our second daughter) this December, my lovely friend Erin will be hosting this year's swap over on her blog Pugh's News. Not only is she the perfect hostess but it's pretty amazing that our friendship happened through this very swap five years ago. Erin was who I sent to that very first ornament exchange I hosted. She is such a close friend and it always makes me smile to think of how we "met."

For details on how to join this year's ornament swap, head over to Erin's blog post here. {Sign-ups start today and close on the 12th of November} 

Getting to spread Christmas joy while connecting with another blogger is my favorite. I hope you'll join and welcome our new hostess while you're at it. If you don't know her, you'll instantly fall in love with her like I did, I just know it. 

Erin, thank-you again for always being such a wonderful friend! love you xo

I will forever cherish these.

While I was home in Wichita Falls, I met up with my sweet friend Rebecca. Rebecca and I have known each other since junior high and now we're both Mamas to beautiful girls. She is also the incredible photographer behind Rebecca Cain Photography.

We met up before I left in late July for portraits of Felix. It was a generous and perfect gift from my twinkie (and Felix's Mama Two) Marianne. We asked my parents to be in them and it's a decision I will forever be thankful for. 

It was so hot out and Felix was fussy. And yet you'd never guess it the way Rebecca captured the sweetest moments. It was so hard to narrow down a few favorites. I'd love to share some with you!

^candid moments are my most favorite!

^A sweet little old lady named Winnie from church gave Felix this book on our first Sunday home. I am so glad my Papa thought to bring it along. Reading is something that is special to Felix and I. I pray she grows up knowing that Jesus does love her so. 

^I hadn't planned on being in any photos but I'm glad Rebecca knew better :) Knowing my love of toys from my childhood, she brought along a magnetic writer. We used it to announce my second pregnancy and Noel. 

^hands down, my absolute favorite photo #swoon

You can see the rest of the photos in my facebook album. 

Rebecca, thank-you for taking these precious photographs. There's nothing like seeing your parents love on your baby. I will forever cherish these xo

If you're in the North Texas area, I highly recommend R Cain Photography. You can also check out her facebook page for more information.

Happy Birthday Felix!

Dear Sweet Felix,

We are so lucky God chose us to be your parents. Happy 1st Birthday to you, our dream girl! You make the world more beautiful Felix Lechuga Maxham. 

We love you so very much,
Mama & Papa xo

Littlest Baby Girl Maxham.

With Felix, I had her name picked out for awhile. With baby girl number two, we knew we wanted to stick with a family name. We ordered vintage blocks of Felix's baby sister's name.

She'll be named after my husband's Uncle Noel (spelt the same way) but pronounced "Noelle." I wish our Noel and I could have met him. 

Ultrasound photos from 3 weeks ago of our littlest when we found out we were having another beautiful girl.

I love that she looks like she's already smiling in the first one and her leg makes me giggle in the second one.

I love that our girls are both named after family (coincidentally, male family members too!). I think it's even more romantic that my husband named her. It's a fitting name for a December baby, don't you think?

Noel Lechuga Maxham, we can't wait to meet you! 

(Lechuga is my maiden name)

*custom name blocks from Vintage by Alex Keller on etsy. I love Alex and ordered Felix's name with her too. She will take photos of different styles until you choose the perfect blocks. Perfect for nurseries/baby shower gifts.

catching up.

Last month I said good-bye to the home we made a family in and to all the life long friends I made in El Paso.

Since it would take awhile for the movers to bring our stuff to upstate NY, Husband suggested Felix and I stay with my family in Wichita Falls. For nearly a month, we enjoyed much needed family time while my sweet husband worked and found us our new home. 

I LOVED being home. There really is nothing like seeing your parents and siblings love on your daughter. Felix loved it! and I loved all the sleep ;) It makes me sick not being close to family. Sigh. 

Oh and THIS finally happened!!! It just so happened that Phoenix was in town visiting her brother who happens to live near my parent's. It was so late when we finally met up that all we managed to take was this grainy selfie. Take my word on it, she is so beautiful and just as nice in person. Bunny, I can't wait to hug you again!

We sure missed Chip all that time. It was the sweetest reunion at the end of the month. 

Saying bye to all my friends and family never gets easier. Felix with my twinkie, her Mama Two. I am so thankful for all the time we got to spend together. 

You guys... traveling with a baby by car across country -- I don't even know how we did it! Felix was pretty great considering but there were parts were she was downright miserable (that 3rd photo in particular cracks me up!) To drive from Wichita Falls to Elmira is 21 hours. We made it in three days, stopping two nights. Lots of snacks and changing her in the car while she drank her bottle were saving graces. I am glad I didn't bother with changing tables at gas stations! 

Somehow, thank God (and my husband's great driving!) we made it to our new home. Here's to new adventures!

And of course, our biggest news... if you're a follower on instagram (@dolcemicaela) you already know this: 

 Felix's baby sister will be here in December!!! 

More on that later... 

For now, I feel like unpacking will never get done!

Doo Nanny Flower Crown - I'm in love! + GIVEAWAY

One of my favorite people in the world is Kitty of Fritzi Marie. Yours, too? The day I get to hug her and Felix gets to hug Roscoe, my heart would be complete. 

I have the most talented friends. Kitty makes custom sock monkeys with vintage trim, she made Felix this sweet dollie, and most recently-- Kitty has created Doo Nanny flower crowns. The floral crowns/headband was, "inspired by Frida Kahlo, burlesque dancers, circus performers and pin up girls." I just love that! the perfect touch of bohemian whimsy, romantic and if Sex and the City was still running, couldn't you just see Carrie Bradshaw loving in one?

Kitty is giving away a red Doo Nanny flower crown to one lucky reader. Take a look at her etsy shop and leave a comment below-- tell us what made you happy recently. 

{the tag is even cute!}

The winner and I will be twins! Kitty sent me one for my birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better gift! I love mine. Love. It's so wonderfully made. 

Felix loves it too!

Update: Phoenix, you are the beautiful winner!!! Thank-you to all who played along and thank-you Kitty for hosting xo

mixed tapes are my favorite.

especially when they include songs, perfect for late nights when it's windy outside and you want to remember.

26/52.

 "A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

Look at my little gappy baby! It kills me her front teeth are coming in that way (I've never seen that!) and though I think it's pretty cute now, I hope it has nothing to do with how her real teeth will come in. And those delicous thigh rolls!

Tonight is the premier of the final season of DEXTER-- OMG! I can't even believe it. Of course, I had to dress Felix for the occasion ;) not that she will be watching. She's even holding my doll head keychain my friend Manny gave me.


Felix, 41 weeks.

A new adventure!

If you follow me on instagram (@dolcemicaela), you may have noticed this vague post where my husband and I celebrated with a pizza picnic on our living room floor.

Well pizza is pretty much my favorite food ever. I mean look at this deep dish pizza my husband made me. Lovies, do you see what he wrote on it in cheese? 

My husband was offered a job in Elmira, NY. We are moving basically across country to what will feel like a whole new world compared to our home in El Paso, TX. Everything is moving so fast! Chip left Friday with our dogs and made it to safely this evening {thank-you God!}

Felix and I miss them already. Of course, we will be busy packing the rest of our home until the movers get here on July 8th. I'm so lucky my mom is here to help us out. Until our stuff gets to NY and we find a new house, Fe and I will be staying with my parents. Chip wanted us to enjoy family time since he knows I am already dreading being so far away from them. They're going to miss Felix so much!

But they're happy for us and for our new adventure. We're pretty excited for changing leaves in the fall and rain! Gosh, I miss rain.

Has anyone been to Elmira? It's a little over 4 hours to NYC-- we're already daydreaming about weekend getaways.


El Paso, you've been good to us! Thank-you for giving me life long friends. For an unbelievable view to the city from our backyard. Mostly, for being the place where we started our little family.  You've been so good to us. xo

25/52.

"A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

Felix can't wait to go swimming with her Aunties in just a couple of weeks. My husband really did not want me to buy this, but I couldn't resist (especially because my swimsuit is a monokini too!).

Felix, 40 weeks.

{I know my last blog was a portrait post and I can't believe it/kinda hate that. Where does the time go? But I'll be back tomorrow with some exciting news... See you then Lovies! xo}

24/52 (and a father's day pic)

 "A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

All dressed up and ready to go see her friends at our library's story time. The shoes she's wearing are pretty special and have such deep meaning to me (thank-you Claire! she gave them to me after I told her about a heartbreaking decision I made once upon a time). 

Felix, 39 weeks.

and because it's Father's Day...

My pretty amazing husband on the night he became a Papa.

Happy first Father's Day Husband! your girls love you so very much. xo

ps. How crazy is all that hair? and where did it go? ha

Speaking of portraits... the sweetest gift.

My vintage soul sister Amanda seriously has a heart of gold.

A couple of months ago, she shared an art swap she did with another artist, Danielle of too you to be hippies. Amanda made her a beautiful embroidered pillow, lavender filled sachet, and a water color and Danielle drew the most incredible portraits of Amanda's beautiful children. 

Amanda, I hope you don't mind I borrowed this from your blog but dear readers, you should check out Amanda's blog post for better details. They're so wonderfully done! 

Imagine my absolute surprise and delight when Amanda sent me the sweetest Mother's Day card with a note saying my gift was a custom portrait of Felix by Danielle. What a perfect gift for my first Mother's Day! That's simply just the kind of thoughtful person Amanda is. 

I wanted to share the awesome portrait Danielle sent me. I love the photo and the style she went with:

I LOVE IT! Danielle, it's amazing and something I (and Felix. plus, my family since they'll all get a print!) will always treasure. 

Amanda, I am so lucky to know you and one day I hope to hug you in person and tell you so. Thank-you with all my heart! xo

(You can contact Danielle for a portrait of your little by getting in touch with her through her IG @tooyoungtobehippies. You'll be happy you did! trust me)

20/52-23/52 {a catch-up}

Lovies, I have been a pretty absent blogger (instagram makes it so easy, no?). One thing I have been cringing at lately is not keeping up with the portrait a week project. Especially when I sent the photo on the right to my sister Madeline and she replied with this side by side of Felix at a few weeks old (on the left). 

I mean look at the changes! 

Please allow me to quickly catch up on the past weeks I've missed in one post? Weeks 20/52-23/52.

"A portrait of my child once a week, every week, in 2013."

^Felix had a pretty bad case of diaper rash that made me feel like a horrible mother. I change her diapers all the time (love that blue line indicator on pampers!) so I didn't know why her little bum was suffering. Now I know it was because she was teething. Anyway, we spent many evenings soaking in a diaper rash treatment. I loved that time before bed with my little girl.

^and then this one just cracks me up. I was on the phone with my twinkie and it's like Felix was being nosy and understood our conversation. She is one of the girls! ;) 

Hopefully, I won't fall so far behind again. Fingers crossed!