Lady Ellis Newborn & Family Photos

I feel so vain.  Like embarrassingly, can barely admit it, vain.

My sister calls Ellis, Lady Ellis and it has sort of stuck.

When Lady Ellis was 9 days old we had her newborn pictures taken.  If you’ve been around here for a while you know that LWTH is just smitten with Grace Hill Photography.  When I got the pictures back of Lady Ellis I scrolled through them over and over again.  I couldn’t stop looking staring at them! It only took me a month and a half to select our announcement pictures, have them printed, addressed and then sent…..So now that they are finally in the mail I can share these ah-maz-ing pictures with you.  Thank you so much Grace for these pictures.  There really are no words that accurately describe how grateful I am for these pictures, and your attention to detail (hey folks, check out the flowers that were used in these pictures, and then look back to our very first pregnancy announcement).  All of these amazingly beautiful pictures were done by the talented and sweet Grace Hill Photography!  Go check her out now!!!! She’s awesome!


Aren’t these pictures amazing?! Now can you see why it was so hard to pick pictures for our announcements?! I honestly cannot even believe that I’m just 9 days postpartum here!  Grace Hill Photography is seriously that good! Which pictures am I going to pick to have printed to be hung in our house.....Hopefully I will get those printed before Lady Ellis is one lol

You’ve got to check out more of Grace's work here. We just love her, and not just for these pictures.  Thank you Grace!

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Zozu Baby

Okay.

Big stuff to address today.

Big serious stuff.

Hair bows.

Yes let’s talk about hair bows.

Because it’s serious.

When I found out that Ellis was a girl, I immediately thought about how much I had to learn about little girls, everything from hormones to little girl fashion.  I knew there was so much to learn about little girl styles.  At the same time, I am very particular.  I am personally feminine, but I wouldn’t consider myself super girlie.  And I just couldn’t deal with bazillion pounds of pink, glitter, and ruffles that would scare even the most expensive wedding cake.  And bows that are bigger than the baby’s head?! I just couldn’t go there.  So I did what every parent does when they want the most reliable information.  I took to Facebook ;-)  I asked all my mama friends where to get cute, subtle and dainty hair bows.  There was a roar from those mamas that sent me straight to Zozu Baby.  And y’all let me tell you, those mamas were right!  I can’t tell you how much I love these bows.  We have several and I’m pretty sure I can’t get enough! 
These bows are so dainty and stylish, and they don’t leave a mark on my baby girl’s sweet precious head.  Zozu Baby uses a super soft nylon elastic that is lite and stretches with the child.  So I could argue that these are also a financially savvy choice since they last so long, right? ;-)

Anyways check out how cute these bows are that my little girl is modeling. 

To be honest I kind of hate this collage because I can see how much she has grown so quickly

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Here are some of my favorites that I’ve been eyeing.

They come in so many different colors, in both fabric and felt, on a clip or on a nylon. 
So many choices! 

I think I need one of each! 
I mean Ellis needs one of each. hehe

::: Skinny Felt Bow ::: Monthly Baby Milestones ::: Mini Felt Bows :::

::: Sunshine Scout Bow :::

::: Scout Bow Color Choices ::: Peach Zoey Bow ::: White Dot Explorer Bow :::

::: Swiss Dot Zoey Bow ::: Adventurer Bows :::

Seriously aren’t these bows so cute?!?! I’m pretty sure that Ellis needs more of these.  One for every outfit, right?!

If you’ve never heard of this shop and you need bows, I promise you that this is the place to go.  Don’t forget that they’re also great for gifts for baby showers, etc.  Happy shopping! 

I’m glad that we could have this serious talk today….I feel much better :-)

I was not paid for this post, but if Zozu Baby wants to start paying me, I’d gladly accept the compensation ;-)

From Micah

You know, I was late last year, so why should this year be any different?!  At least this year I’m getting to it in March oops it’s April now, instead of July.  Oh who cares lol   I know that a lot of people, probably women mostly, like to pick an official Word of the Year.  This serves as like a theme or some mantra that they try to work on or default back to throughout the year.  Maybe we do this instead of resolutions? Maybe this is a type of resolution? I don’t know, and I guess it really doesn’t matter.   Last year I was praying and instead of the typical mantra of things like: better organization or planning, more quality time, or more efficient self-discipline……God gave me a different word….PERSEVERANCE.  To be completely honest, this word petrified me.  It made me think that something bad was going to happen and I just wasn’t ready for it. Especially since I knew we were trying to have a baby and we had already lost a child, I obviously didn’t want to lose another one; this word really rocked me.  I had no idea what this word really meant.  Last year my relationship and spiritual maturity grew as I clung to the word.  I kept going back to Hebrews 12:1 and 1 Peter 5:7.  What I learned was that Perseverance doesn’t have to be a bad word.  It doesn’t have to mean “wait for the next bad thing to happen”.  Instead, as a Christian because we know we will face more struggles, it means to cling to the Lord, to maintain and nourish my relationship with Christ, to enjoy the moments that we are living in right now, and to focus on the blessings we have already been gifted.   So this year I waited again to hear from the Lord and I didn’t get a word…..I got an entire verse.  This is not a new verse to me, but one I am very familiar with from my childhood.  I have even done art projects with Dutch referring to this verse.  This year, God pressed the spiritual weight of Micah 6:8 on my heart.   The last sentence in that verse is so important.  It is imperative that I let my feet demonstrate my priorities.  Others, whether it be strangers, my husband, or my children, will see how I live my life and it is crucial that I live a life that demonstrates a life abundantly full of love because of Jesus.  I have to begin with the end in mind.  How do I want to see 2016 end…..or even more at “the end”, is how do I want the end of my earthly life to be seen?  I pray that how I live my life is a reflection of this verse to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God.    

Teeny Peep Bumpdate- 40 Weeks

Who doesn’t like a good comparison picture?!  After Dutch was born I took a 41 week picture of him with me in the same spot we did our bumpdate pictures; our first bumpdate with him on the outside.  Of course I couldn’t resist repeating the photo with Miss Ellis (I have a feeling that I will be doing a lot of these kinds of pictures just so that I have one with both kiddos).

I have absolutely loved documenting my pregnancies, if no one else but for me and my babies to look back on.  I love to watch the transformation of my growing belly and to be able to look back and read about what we were going through during that time.  To me it is such a beautiful time.

Ellis

Since Ellis came early, we got to have our 40 weeks picture together.

Dutch This is my picture with Dutch in the same spot with his first week on the outside. That is the last bumpdate picture for a while.  I will take another picture with me and Ellis for a “39 weeks in and 39 weeks out” picture (again, like I did with Dutch).  So just one more bumpdate picture for a while.

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Green Toys

I don't know who has more fun with the toys in our house:

the kids or

the parents who still think they're kids?????!!!!

I know this is annoyingly crunchy to say, but in our home I try to have only natural fiber toys (mostly wood, and nothing with lights or songs).  I do this because I like to keep their toys as close to the earth as possible to leave enough room for the imagination.  When Dutch opened his Green Toy Christmas gifts from my dad this past year I was practically jumping up and down!  I had never heard of the company before, but have definitely educated myself now and made several purchases (ooooooopsies!!!)

Opening our Green Toys on Christmas….

…and proof that daddy plays with the toys in this house lol

Green Toys is an eco-friendly company that makes toys from 100% recycled fibers in the USA.  All of their toys pass national and international safety standards.  Everything from the brainstorming and the manufactoring of the toy, to the packaging is safe for children and the planet.  Their philosophy is:

 “By creating products made free of harm to children and the planet, we nurture young minds and bright futures.”   

I just love love love loooooooooooove companies like this and want to support them.  They have so many great toys (check them out here and here).  Thanks to his grandpa, Dutch has the airplane and the submarine (which often become bath toys).  Ellis got the keys and the teether in her Easter basket this year.
 

We have a pretty big wish-list of toys we want from Green Toys! Seriously, if you have not heard of this company, I highly recommend it.  We are defintiely big fans and supporters :-)

I was not paid for this post, but if Green Toys wants to start paying me I'd gladly accept the compensation ;-)

What a Love, What a Cost

Happy Easter week! I had a few posts scheduled for this week, but decided to postpone them.  Instead I'm sharing my favorite Easter song with you.  I've got this on constant repeat lately! Enjoy your weekend with family :-)

  Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Hawley Peeps Monthly: Month Two

Well another month has passed!  I can't believe that Ellis has been apart of our lives for two months.  How is that possible?! Maybe I have forgotten how to count?! This just can't be right!!!  

Am I going to say this every month??! You betcha!

One Month recap

 Month Two- Dutch

• First bottle when you were about 6 weeks old
• Daddy watched you for the first time without mama while she got her nails done at 7 weeks
• You went to your first parade on the 4th of July, which was the first holiday we got to celebrate with you.
• We went out to eat as a family at Grimaldi’s for the first time since labor
• Every day you’re getting more and more alert.
• You had your first nap in the crib...though by accident because mommy was taking pictures and you fell asleep
• You’re tracking with your eyes very well.
• You are starting to eat every 3 hours
• You’re sleeping every 2-3 hours
• Between weeks 3 and 5 you had a big growth spurt
• At week 5 you were sleeping a little less
• You love the Moby and to be worn.
• At 5 weeks you had your first babysitter, Lisa, while mama and daddy went on a double date
• You love having Amazing Grace sung to you. I always sang that to you when I was pregnant
• You got your 1st roll on right thigh at 5 weeks
• You love going outside, looking at ceiling fans, and kicking your legs
• At 7 weeks you started cloth diapers, went to church, and started sleeping 4-6 hrs at night
• During the day you love to be held and will sleep as long as you’re being held until the next feeding (we are still every 3 hrs).  At night your first stretch of sleep is 4-5 hours now, and then between 2am-8am you are up every 45 minutes.
• You gave us your first smile on 7/27 as we were taking you out if your carrier at home after church at 7 weeks old
• At your 2 month appointment you weighed 12 lbs (40%), were 24 in long (88%) and your head was 15 inches around (50%).  You had your vaccines and did great…..mama did much worse than you and cried longer than you
• You’re doing a log of cooing and more alert looking around
• Mama & daddy think this is crazy, but you had your first school interview at 8 weeks, had the second interview a week later.  You were accepted.

Month Two- Ellis

• I used your last newborn diaper on 2/19 and though they still fit I'm not going to buy anymore because I don’t know how much longer you will wear them.  You're starting to get very long.  You’re wearing size 1 diapers until you are big enough for our cloth diapers.
• Your eyes are still blue.  I have no doubt that they will be changing colors soon simply based on the gene pool. 
• At 6 weeks old we had our first weekend with just mama, Dutch, & Ellis. Daddy went camping.
• You don't like when mama gorges on chocolate; it makes your tummy gassy and hurt.
• Your hair is starting to a little red, and I love it :-)
• You are starting to coo and talk with us
• I think this is just crazy, but you still get the hiccups everyday around 4:30 like you did when you were in my tummy.
• You are doing so much better with being cold for diaper changes.  They no longer tick you off and you don't cry about them anymore.
• Around 4 weeks you got your first cold. A runny nose and and a small cough.  You handled it like a champ.
• Mama loves the sound you make when you are sucking on your pacifier; it's so cute!
• At 5 weeks old you went to your first birthday party.  It was the first real event you went to.
• The first trip to church as a family of four was when you were 6 weeks old and you slept through the entire service. 
• During the day, when Dutch takes his nap, mama holds you and snuggles you the entire time.
• You very rarely cry, but if you do it’s because you’re hungry, have to toot and your kicking your legs, or there was a really big sound (like the dogs barking)
• Our ceiling fans make you smile
• At 6 weeks old, you are still wearing newborn clothes, but I'm starting to move you into 0-3 month clothes.
• Your eyelashes are starting to grow and they are so pretty!
• When you were just days old we noticed that you had a dimple on your right cheek just like your brother, but you only had one.  Now that you're cheeks are getting a little more plump and kissable, we've definitely seen that you have another dimple on your left cheek.  It is so adorable! We do things to try to make you smile just so that we can see your dimples.
• At 7 weeks old I am starting to pack up your newborn clothes.  They still fit for the most part but they are starting to look a little tight.  The 0-3 clothes are still drowning you but not as bad.
• Your hair is starting to grow in at your hairline on your forehead.  It's so soft and light.
• Daddy gave you your first bottle at 7 weeks old. 
• At 7 weeks I left you for the first time with someone else, Aunt Grace, for about 2 hours.  You did great with your cousins.
• It doesn’t matter what time of day or where we are, if you are wrapped and mama is wearing you, you are so happy and sleepy.
• Somewhere between 6 and 7 weeks you started to get some rolls on your upper thighs.  They are so cute!
• We found a second birthmark!  When we were in the hospital we noticed that you had one on your forehead (on the right side in your hairline) but we've found another one on your left forearm :-)
• At about 8 weeks you're starting to wake up more and more.  You like around and take in everything.
• You love being outside and looking at the sky and trees.
• At your 2 month appt you are 11 lbs 2 oz (47%), and 23 in tall (79%) so you're a long string bean.  You're doing great with holding your head up and tracking, you still eat every 2-3 hours.
• You sleep a lot in the morning and are generally up all evening until about 8pm when you start sleeping in 3 hours stretches.  You get up to eat and then go right back to sleep.  You love sleeping with mama and daddy still.
• You are a very cheerful baby, and spend a good bit of your waking time smiling.

*NEW* Newborn Must-Haves

After Dutch was born I wrote a couple of posts and shared them with y’all about what I learned my newborn needed and what I needed after bringing my baby home (Newborn Must-Haves and New Mama Must-Haves).  When I was getting ready to bring home baby #2, I gathered up everything from my former posts so that I would be even more ready this time around.  I don’t know if these posts have helped you, but I am so glad I wrote those posts; they have helped me tremendously.  Even though it was less than 2 years ago, I think I forgot what it was like to have a newborn and to recover from birth at the same time; those lists have SAVED me lol  Anyways I have some items to add to those lists that I learned about with both Dutch and Ellis!

1. The Ultimate Crib Sheet- Other veteran mamas told me about this when I was pregnant with Dutch & I'm so glad that they did!  This will save. you. sleep.  This is a sheet that goes on top of the crib sheet; so it goes mattress, mattress cover, bed sheet, ultimate crib sheet.  It hooks onto the rails of the crib and has soft fabric on the side that touches baby and a plastic side that points towards the mattress.  When bodily fluids get loose (read: The Three P's: poop, pee, & puke), and I promise they will, the sheet catches the fluid from running down the sides of the actual crib as well as prevents it from going through the sheets.  In the middle of the night when the flu hits (and it always comes in the middle of the night) you just have to unhook the ultimate crib sheet and put a new one down and you can skip mass loads of laundry through your sleepy eyes.  I have 2 per kid: one that is always on their bed and one at the ready when they need to be swapped quickly.  I also have one on my side of the bed when babies are sleeping with me....you can never be too careful with these sneaky kiddos ;-)

2. *More* Nursing Gowns- Two is NOT enough! I learned this with Dutch so when Ellis was getting ready to arrive I bought several new nursing gowns and this one is my favorite right now.

3. Little Unicorn Swaddle Sets- When I was pregnant with Dutch everyone raved about the famous Aden + Anais muslin blankets....well my friends Little Unicorn blankets are better!  Yep, better!  These muslin blankets are great for swaddling or throwing over a baby carrier.  Their prints are gorgeous (my favorite set is Garden Rose), but they are also very large blankets, much bigger than the Aden + Anais...friends these are just awesome and versatile.

4. Natural Pacifier-I came across this as I was preparing to bring Ellis home.  I know every baby has their preferred pacifier and I wanted to try this one.  This a natural BPA-free rubber pacifier that is softer than silicon pacifiers.  The design mimics the shape of the breast, even touching baby's nose, so that it wont cause nipple confusion.  We love this and so does Ellis!

5. New Toys to Hide & Entertain- I keep a couple toys in my diaper bag that are only played with when we are out so that they stay novel & serve as entertainment when we need to be quiet (e.g. waiting rooms, restaurants, etc.).  I try to have only natural fiber toys (mostly wood, and nothing with lights or songs.  I like to keep their toys as close to the earth as possible to leave room for the imagination.  I love Melissa and Doug products & these cars are great for my diaper bag because they stack, but also the paint used in these toys is lead-free…..you’d be surprised how many toys still have lead-based paints :-(

6. The Solly Wrap- I've mentioned before that I love to baby wear and have even written a tutorial for making your own woven wrap, so this should be no surprise.  The Mr. likes carriers, but I prefer wraps; a wrap just feels so natural to me.  When Dutch was little I used the Moby and when I got pregnant I used a woven wrap for back carries, and before I have said that it doesn't matter what you use just get something that you like and can use often.  That still applies...there are a bazillion carriers and wraps, just get one that works for you and baby!  The Solly Wrap is now my new favorite for newborns.  It is a nice stretchy material that is perfect for tiny squishy babies and it is lightweight, which is important in Houston!

7. Magnificent Baby- Y’all the baby industry is ever-evolving!  There is now a onesie/gown option that closes with magnets.  MAGNETS people!!! You don’t even have to open your eyes to close this thing.  Now you probably should have your eyes open, because, duh you’re holding a baby, but just think about how much easier it is to close this thing in the middle of the night?!?!?!  Total lifesaver……or should I say sleep saver?!?!?!

So those are my latest newborn must-haves!

Have you come across something new that I've got to try??? 

Please send me your finds!!!!