Fall in love with Ren Dear.

My friend Lauren just opened a beautiful embroidery shop on etsy called Ren Dear. I'm smitten with everything in it! 

From her description of her happy little embroidery shop: You can find simplistic, sweet-and affordable!- designs made with needle and thread. 

Lauren specializes in lyric & movie quotes like the above, a great line from one of my favorite books (I agree with her description on this listing--we all have a bit of Charlie in us). I need this for above our bed! 

 ^Hands down, my favorite movie line. Gets me every single time

These would make the perfect gifts for any occasion. Housewarming, baby shower, birthday, or for yourself because you deserve a treat. They go with every decor and are everything you'd want in a gift- so pretty (+ handmade!) and incredibly thoughtful.

Such beautiful details:

the back of the embroideries are double-felted for protection

I love she offers a great price on custom orders. I know Lauren, and I know anything she made for you will be with a lot of thought and heart. 

*Lovies, definitely check out Ren Dear on etsy because right now through May 10th, Lauren is offering 30 % OFF with coupon code FELIX. 

Baby Pen Pals.

It is as cute as it sounds. 

Jasmine (we met when we were paired in this fun swap) emailed me about an idea she had with her sister Emma Kate. 

Emma Kate and I actually had the same due date so our daughters are days apart in age. Felix was born on September 17th and Emma Kate's beautiful girl Scarlett was born on the 21st of September. 

It's no secret I love old fashioned letters. I love putting together happy mail and receiving it means even more now as a stay at home Mama. 

Jasmine asked if Felix would like to be Scarlett's pen pal. For now, Emma Kate and I will write for them until they are old enough to take over. 

In their first letters "they" told each other how they got their names, what foods they were eating, how Scarlett loves swim class and Fe, story time.

Obviously, we hope they will love writing like their Mama's ;) but hopefully this will help get them excited about it for sure (someday this friendship will even be a sweet learning tool for writing/reading).  

Some of my very best friends started out as pen pals. In fact, one of my closest friends is my pen pal Sanja who lives in Slovenia. We started writing each other when we were 12 and though we have yet to meet, I love that we text almost daily. 

I hope Felix will have those amazing kind of friends in her life. 

They were destined to be pen pals --they have the same ring rattle and they live a world away from each other (Scarlett and Emma Kate live in Australia).

Scarlett, Felix can't wait to hear from you next. She says she hopes you got her postcard from Virginia XO

crewel wishes.

One of my favorite pieces I thrifted for Felix's nursery is this crewel embroidered owl.

I daydream of coming across a Try A Little Kindness crewel piece like the one in this gorgeous blogger's nursery. I would love a God Bless Our Pad too, please. 

Here are some crewel art in my etsy favorites that I wouldn't mind hanging in Fe's nursery : 

1 from Fire Lake

2 from The Honeysuckle Shop

3 from Mella Fina

4 from Happy Kristen

I wish I could sew. And if I could, I would snatch this Hedgehog pin cushion from Tarnish and Tatters.

Clearly, I need some more crewel in my life. 

16/52.

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

I'm the lucky one. 

Felix, 31 weeks.

Felix's Mama Doll.

Last year for Father's Day, I surprised my husband with a custom Who's Your Daddy doll from Duke & June. I have loved watching Felix play with her daddy doll. Imagine how excited I was when Mandi started making Mama dolls! 

My sweet twinkie Marianne ordered one for Felix for our birthday and lovies--- I am so in awe of Mandi's work yet again. 

Her attention to detail (like my side part, beauty mark) makes the doll one of a kind. Marianne chose the floral dress I wore during our maternity shoot. How Mandi found fabric exactly like my dress makes her (and my doll) even more amazing! She even made sandals like the ones I was wearing.

I love these dolls so much and think how special I hope they will always be to Felix.  I would have loved to have one of my parents when they were young and first figuring out their little family.

We're best friends, didn't you know?

 and then my heart exploded!

Her poses kill me! Oh Felix girl, you are something else.

Marianne, you couldn't have picked a more perfect gift for us. We love you and your thoughtful heart! XO 

Mandi, we love your thoughtful heart too. Thank-you for taking the time to make another extraordinary doll, even with nesting and being 30+ weeks pregnant. I know I say that over and over, but I am a huge fan of your dolls. You are awesome, my friend. THANK-YOU!!! Our best wishes for baby Duke ♥

agreed.

photo :  via 

15/52.

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

Around this time a year ago, we found out my dreams were coming true. I was getting the little girl I always prayed for! One of the first things I bought for our baby girl was this outfit on etsy. At nearly 7 months, it fits like a crop top. I can't believe how fast time goes! Every parent tells you that. Warns you of it. Time slow down! this is such a fun age.

The other day I sent my family a video of Felix and I hanging out (i  can always make her laugh by kissing under her neck). My little sister's husband said it's like Felix and I are the best of friends and how he couldn't wait to experience that one day. She is my absolute best friend and I am blessed I get to hang out with her every day. 

Felix, 30 weeks.

I am that girl who travels with one. You'll also see me on the dance floor wearing one.

Yes, a fanny pack. I thrifted one last year for my friend Manny's 80s themed birthday party and it was so convenient at the bar. When we danced, I didn't have to worry about carrying my purse, my lipstick and phone were right there at my hip. 

A couple of weeks ago, I wore my fanny pack to the country bar (I love a good two step / line dance). 

This thing has also been a life saver when traveling with a baby. 

You guys, seriously why did they ever go out of style? My sisters, including my future sister-in-law, tease me about my fanny pack love.

I was catching up on this past Tuesday's Hart of Dixie and gasped when I saw Rachel Bilson sporting one. Of course, I had to send a photo to my sisters and Christina. 

I need to get a cute fanny pack ASAP! I put these two styles in my etsy favorites: 

1//2 (the teal one Christina liked+showed me actually)

I will end my love letter to the fanny pack on this SUPER CUTE note. I couldn't resist buying the above onesie for Felix. Brush and mirror on the back! ha 

Like mother, like daughter.

(top photo via)

Virginia.

We had such a wonderful Easter trip with my husband's family. It went by incredibly fast and I miss Virginia all over again. Ready for a bunch of photos from our trip?

We're lucky our Felix girl is a pretty great flyer (knock on wood!). What a big difference it is to travel alone with a baby then with your husband. Husband is such a better knee bouncer ;). 

Chip's sister Mintcy, her husband Tom and their beautiful babes (Nora whose 3 and Caleb who is 6) drove up from Durham, NC to spend Easter weekend with us. You guys. It doesn't get much better than watching the cousins all together. Each time either one said, "Felix" or when Nora gave the baby a smooch and a hug... oh my heart. 

And of course, there is nothing like seeing your parents love on your baby.

Felix's little hand on the rocker! (the same rocker Chip's Mom used when he was a baby)

Us Maxham girls on Easter morning before Church. My mother-in-law got Felix and Nora matching dresses. Poor Nora was dealing with an ear ache that she wasn't up for taking photos :( 

Our sweet dog-sitter snapped this photo of our Stella Bear, Maverick, and Bubbles and sent it to us with a Happy Easter message. Love Bubbles' smile! (I can never get them to pose for me)

Family photo. Felix was too busy looking for the Easter Bunny!

With Aunt Mintcy.

Tom, Mintcy, and Nora drove home Monday but Caleb wanted to stay over until we left on Wens. I'm so glad he did! I love his expression above. 

Felix loved all the green and tall trees around his parent's beautiful home. 

Husband rocking the cookie monster pajama pants I gave him for Christmas.

I truly got lucky marrying into my husband's family. I love them so much and always feel so at home around them. How I wish we didn't live so far away from both of our families.