Life Is Busy:

(8 inches of hair. Gone.)

Life lately has been extra busy, there doesn't seem to be much time for anything which I wouldn't exactly say is a good thing! I find it really important to make sure we have family time, Rowan and I time and Erik and I time. Relationships need a solid foundation, communication and spending good quality time together to grow. 

My mind has been going crazy trying to figure out plans, things to buy for Rowan that are needed, sewing like a mad woman during nap times and late at night and trying to figure out family dinners that aren't the same ol' same ol'. If anyone has excellent suggestions on recipes for dinner and jogging strollers- please please comment below or send me an email! I might be a little bit obsessive but I'm trying so hard to find a really good jogging stroller at a really good price. Warm weather cannot seem to come soon enough, I'm ready for the sun on my face and long walks as a family, getting back into running and showing Rowan so many new things like swimming in lakes, playing in the sand, picnics and parks. 

I haven't forgotten about Rowan's 52 Weeks Portraits- I have them all stored on my camera but just haven't had time to go through them!

As a family, we have a lot going on right now, but as Erik and I remind each other, we have a good life. And are very thankful.

Family Dates:

As a family, we love to go out at least once a week to somewhere special, a town we do not frequent as much or take a nice drive and enjoy each others company. Lately we’ve been going out for coffee and a walk every Friday afternoon. I am so loving this time spent with my husband and son and look forward to it every week. Good conversations are always had and Rowan gets to experience new places, new people and best of all- get out of the house!

My husband and I do love our dates being just us, but family dates are just as special no matter the age of your children. It’s very apparent that extra time with the entire family together doing something special makes Rowan happy. He is so intently listening to our conversations, loves the interactions and is constantly full of smiles and giggles. The older he gets I’m sure he’ll appreciate these days even more and being part of the decision process of where we go. I encourage everyone to take time out each week for family and doing something special together.

Glimpses from the Past Week:

1. a little stuffed Rowan

2. past winter Olympic games Dale of Norway patches

3. writing letters

4. his Valentine gift

5. painting a family portrait

6. our mornings

7. too much snow

Real Life:

When I first started out this blog, I knew I didn’t want to fall into that trap of comparing yourself to other bloggers, other moms and families. Let me tell you, it’s hard! There is so much pressure to be perfect, have a perfect life, well groomed family and a home straight out of Kinfolk. Sorry to all those who strive for that, but I love my not so perfect life. Perfect sounds boring. I have no desire to be like everyone else out there, to dress my son in modern black and white clothes, have the same furnishings, paint choices, etc. Or even dress identical to every other blogger out there. I like being different, I like being myself and doing what I want, not following the masses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going out of my way to be different and I’m ok if I also happen to like the same things as a mass amount of people. Trust me, there’s things I want that many other people have! Like this, this and this. 

I have a framed photograph of Bing Crosby, I design and sew most of my dresses, I love bright colors, a happy home filled with photographs, art, books and toys. In the winter I’m usually wearing floral Dr. Martens and in the summer I constantly wear my favorite Frye t-strap flats that I have purchased three times already and I cannot give into the fact that they look pretty nasty and I probably should have stopped wearing them long ago. (Hey Frye, please please make them again!) And you know what, I’m happy. Truly happy. I went out by myself a few weeks back and I really missed my boys, to the point I didn’t want to be gone from them any longer. The sometime sleepless nights, constant care, love and attention for my son, good meals for my husband, running errands and sewing all of the time has made me happy. We should strive for our own happiness rather than look at what others are portraying their lives to be and trying to constantly be like them. Be happy in your own way, enjoy the little moments- good or bad- they make you who you are.

This guy:

This week he's been extra comical- compared me giving a haircut like Mike Tyson with scissors, called my period the "monstraul cycle" and made me fall more and more in love with him by simply being himself. Life is a lot funnier with him around, I often am laughing to myself throughout the day by something he said or something he did. Usually he isn't being funny on purpose, it's just him. He is super ticklish to the point of crying, which means I know exactly where to get him. (sorry babe, I can't help it) I'm pretty sure he is a whole lot more fun than I am to Rowan, I'm all business and he's fun daddy. I usually find them with Rowan's pants on his head, under a pile of pillows and I even found them under a chair the other day. Literally, under a chair. But you know what, this guy is the most patient, loving man. When I don't have patience, he does and vice versa. If I'm panicked or need to just breathe, he's the rock. It works both ways. All you single ladies out there- wait for the right man. You'll know it when he comes along, there won't be a shadow of a doubt. We knew each other for a few months, he proposed two weeks after our first date and I won't even tell you how soon after that we got married. But I'm telling you, literally if you listen to your gut you'll know when it's the right guy. Yeah everyone around you will think your crazy for rushing but as my favorite movie line of all time says, "when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

He posts over at Fatherhood a Blog if you want to read more on his take of being a first time dad. Hey babe, I love you!

Glimpses From the Past Week:

1. maryjane moccs

2. stars

3. sunday donut run

4. a few favorites

5. it’s cold outside

6. primary colors

Glimpses From The Past Week:

1. Miss Allbright

2. resting place

3. stars for Rowan

4. us

5. early morning cuddles

6. blue pine

7. leaves in the snow

8. playtime

9. sunset

Sundays Are For Cake Baking:

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful week and still enjoying the new year! Yes, it is very cold, January is a pretty blah month and it's very gray outside..BUT this is the time to enjoy being inside before all of the warm weather comes! (which it will) Right now I'm spending my days sewing lots of baby moccasins and goods as well as experimenting with cake recipes and new dishes. I love baking cakes, even more so eating them! 

This one is a chocolate espresso cake with dark cocoa buttercream frosting. I absolutely had no idea how to make the frosting so I mixed a little bit of this, a little bit of that and voila it actually turned out amazing! Unfortunately I do not think I'll ever be able to replicate it. I would love to get back to an old tradition I had of making a cake every weekend, I think my husband would appreciate it! :)

New Years:

Happy 2014! It's a new, fresh year that can be anything we want it to be! I love that! I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years and were able to enjoy it in the company of those you love. 

My little family of three spent a few days with my husbands family over New Years. It was a bit nerve-wrecking for us to get there. It's been so cold and we had a snowfall the night before that the roads were full of black ice. There was a stretch of highway we encountered that had car after car in the ditch, rolled over or in a string of cars collided with one another. All of it was happening within minutes of each other on both sides of the road. It was a bit too much for me, but we made it through safe and sound! 

We were able to spend time resting, relaxing and enjoying family. Unfortunately Erik and I both got sick with colds but were thankful family could help us out with our little one while we mended. It's been very cold here (as it is everywhere!). Yesterday with wind chills we were at negative forty one degrees. My goodness. Needless to say, Rowan and I stayed inside with our jammies on all day! 

Happy 2014 everyone! I'm excited to see what wonderful things this year brings for everyone.

Glimpses From the Past Week:

1. Christmas lights at dusk
2. us
3. baby loves the cold
4. berries
5. my favorite boots
6. a few of his favorite things
7. bear
8. Christmas tree
9. shimmer
10. flowers from my love
11. friends in the crib
12. baby in mama and papas bed
13. HighOver U mini moccs