finally, finally!

Once upon a time I wrote about a blog crush of mine named April. When I talk to blog friends, we usually talk about who we would love to meet. April has always been one of my answers. 

You guys, i finally got to hug her this past Saturday. Lovies, she does not disappoint. We had SO much fun!

You wouldn't believe Felix was the first baby April had ever held. She was a natural with my little who loved her too. April came with fabulous gifts for Mama and baby--you know how I feel about Love Story and records + i can't wait until Felix can wear her zebras! 

Since she got here around lunch time, Marianne and I took to her to one of my favorite local eateries, a family owned greek place called Hibiscus Cafe. 

 

(Please ignore the hot mess that was my hair) Yummy hummus and gyros and the best greek coffee. 

The little babe was worn out from all the attention at lunch that we dropped her off with her grandparents so we could enjoy some thrifting!

Twinkie and I are going to pretend these are from Felix. 

We also went out for some drinks while watching some football and then stayed up late watching Parenthood (which Marianne and April just started so no spoilers!). 

Of course, there were a lot of Felix cuddles

and of course, I fell in love with April even more after meeting her. 

I mean seriously, look at her tweet. Hilarious! 

(read her write-up of our date ♥ ) 

Sharing Sundays

When I saw the above photo on my blogger friend Meghan's instagram feed, I commented that I wished insta had a share button because I would have done that with this.

Luckily, I have a blog and sometimes on Sundays i share things i love love love.

from my Papa's camera.

At the airport when we arrived in Wichita Falls. I guess she was exhausted from being such an angel on the plane rides, she saved the crying for her grandparents.

She zonked out right when we got home (the green blanket we've had since Marianne and i were littles)

gosh, that face! at first she didn't want anyone but Mama holding her 

Cousin time! how pretty is my Sollie girl? Christina and I loved seeing our girls together and can't wait until they can really play together.

such angels when they sleep. look at that hair! 

It's amazing how much she's grown since we've been at my parents. She's becoming a mover and a shaker and such a talker that Fe. Oh and let's not talk about how she insists 2 a.m. is her bedtime... 

They were breathtaking.

The other night when I couldn't sleep, I did a favorite thing of mine to do any time I am home at my parents : flip through old family photos. I came across the above gem tucked away in an album and couldn't stop staring at this one of my parents before they were married. Before they had six children.

They were breathtaking. My Dad said the love of his life was 19 and he was only 20.

On January 3rd my parents celebrated 42 years of marriage.

a sweet holiday tradition.

I'm so in love with our White Christmas tree. I love that this year--as with every year--I got to decorate it with new ornaments from dear friends. 

I ordered an owl ornament (which you'll see below) from Christine's etsy shop and she was so sweet to surprise me and Felix with this penguin cutie and a crochet heart. Don't you love random kindness? 

The twinkle star is from Gracienne to Felix. Precious!

I love that I met Erin through my first ornament swap and we've been exchanging ornaments ever since. This year she sent me a fluttery pink (pink for baby girl's first Christmas) paper ornament that she picked up at a Christmas craft fair she goes to every year and a glittery reindeer from here's the thing on etsy. She included that amazing vintage fawn candle while at an antique shop for Felix's nursery. Erin, every year you outdo yourself. I love you sweet friend! xo

Rhianne made these two for me. Handmade are my favorite! 

Speaking of handmade goodness, check out this one of a kind ornament my darling artist friend Phoenix made of Felix! It's Felix in her Halloween costume, one of the first times I caught her smile on camera. love love love. 

My vintage soul sister Amanda sent me three most thoughtful ornaments: vintage rudolph, a handmade cross stitched ornament that looks magical with twinkle lights shining through, and a photo one that we've already put a picture of Felix with her Santa hat, to always remember this first special holiday. 

Please take a peek at Amanda's blog post because her photos are much better than mine. While there, you should really follow her too. Her blog is such a cozy corner of the internet. 

some I sent out : 

photo borrowed from Amanda's blog : I scored these vintage beauties from an etsy shop called by the wayside. I just loved the gold snowcap and the gold and pink ombre one was from Felix. I thought they were perfect for my vintage soul sister. 

 The owl I was talking about earlier from Christine's shop, Dela Chic. Christine makes so many adorable owls it was hard to narrow it down, but I chose the pink and tan one for Lauren-- so she'll always remember it was Felix's first Christmas year.

These were in Erin's etsy favorites so I decided to surprise her with something she loved. I love that there were four bells and there are four Pughs :) (look how pretty one looks next to her favorite angel ornament)

Such a sweet holiday tradition among my favorite girls. 

Fe's first Christmas.

I love that Felix's first Christmas was a white one. Since we were all coming down with colds (thanks Marco!) my parents didn't want us to be out in the cold for long. I'm thankful my brother snapped this one of us. My little sister Maddie made the girls the adorable Santa hat Fe is wearing. 

I loved that we were able to spend Christmas surrounded by my family. There is no greater joy than seeing your parents and siblings love on your baby. Every bit of it was magical... listening to christmas songs while we ate, laughing as we opened our gifts, watching my niece BriBri play in her first snow. 

Felix and Sollie got their first barbie dolls from their Lola. I mean how cute is my Mom? I can't wait for Fe to fit into her Dallas Cowboys cheerleader costume that Auntie Marianne got her (and we can tell her that once upon a time her Mama wore something similar for Halloween...) and my brother Marco and Christina got her this Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper. I can already tell what a lifesaver it will be when she's able to use it. 

Marco also snapped photos of the girls in their Christmas dresses. It's so special they got to spend their first Christmas together. 

Felix 3 months, Sollie 6 months  Baby's First Christmas

Auntie Christina holding Fe and me loving on my Sollie girl. I can not get enough of my niece! 

We did miss my husband though who unfortunately has to work. Thanks to my little sister's upgrade from her husband, I am now a happy owner of her old iphone 4. It is so nice to be able to FaceTime with Chip and even sweeter to see Felix coo at her Papa. 

I hope your Christmas was just as magical! Did you have a white one? What was the best thing you gave/received? 

Read Christina's blog post to see what i gave her (i gave myself one too and was so excited to start it today) and to see another photo of us with our girls. Plus, I just love her blog and I'm not just saying that because she's my sister-in-law ;) 

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a sparkly 2013 with help from the best part of my 2012. 

I'll be back to share photos of Felix and her bff cousin Sollie in their Christmas dresses. For now, I'm fighting off an achy cold which is no fun when you have to take care of a three month old.

I hope you kissed someone who thinks you're the bee's knees tonight. x