Elena's First Year: Week 19

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Here's what I'm loving this Wednesday... 

I am loving the custom Tennessee-shaped cutting board I gave JoEllen and Kevin as a wedding gift. Their wedding decor was inspired by travel and maps, so the cutting board is a practical gift that will also serve as a lovely reminder of their special day.

I'm also loving the little carved heart over Nashville (where the couple met and where they live). Y'all know I am a sucker for sentiment.

If you're interested, I bought the custom cutting board from this Etsy shop.

I am loving the "Mommy's Sippy Cup" my friend Brittany gave me.

I am loving the FREE photobook offer I got from Shutterfly. Since I didn't have time to create a new photobook from scratch, I ordered a copy of the book my friend Brittany (same Brittany referenced above - she's amazing) made for our friend Sheryl's bachelorette party.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Finally, I am loving my sweetie baby girl. She has started sleeping 10-12 hours almost every night and taking longer afternoon naps. Thank you, thank you, baby girl!!! These are the GLORY days!

What are you loving this Wednesday? Link up here.

Lines, Wrinkles and Sunspots (Oh My!)

I'm pushing 30, and I'm afraid it's beginning to show. 

(And, no, I am not saying that 30 is old. I'm just saying that 30 looks a little different than, say, 25.)

I need an intervention.

On my face. 

See...

I'm not sure if it's age, motherhood or a combination of the two, but this getting older thing is something I'm only beginning to notice. (Perhaps I am just more self-aware these days.) 

I've never been a good care-giver of my skin. I rarely wash my face before bed, and I use basic Neutrogena moisturizer with sunscreen. Nothing fancy. Nothing schmancy.

I think it's time for a grown-up beauty regimen. 

You know... Day cream. Night cream. Wrinkle cream. Sunspot cream. 

Sounds like it's going to cost a fortune.

Since I am frugal, I don't want to buy a bunch of expensive products only to find out they aren't so great. I'd rather spend money on one or two "sure things." 

Here are a few I am considering... 

Via

Via

Via

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Have you tried any of these products? Any anti-aging products you cannot live without? What really works?

Weekend in Music City

Happy Monday, friends! Hope you all had a fantastic fall weekend. We had a fabulous weekend of celebrations and firsts for Miss Elena (first road trip, first wedding and lots of introductions to new friends).

Jonathan, Elena and I traveled to Nashville Friday to watch my friend and former co-worker JoEllen become a Mrs. Of course we were thrilled to attend the wedding. It was also a great opportunity to visit Music City for the weekend and introduce Elena to all our friends and family there.

Here's how it all went down...

When we arrived, we stopped by my old office to introduce Elena to my former colleagues. Of course, they loved her. (She's pretty easy to love.) And I think they were happy to see me too. Ha!

The Marketing and PR team with Elena

Ramona the "Baby Whisperer"

After spending some time at the office, we walked to one of my most favorite Nashville originals; Zackie's. It was my first Zackie's hotdog since March when I was super prego and super hungry. Oh, how I have missed those hotdogs and perogies!

Delicious!

Elena was happy at Zackie's. Probably felt familiar to her since I ate a LOT of Zackie's when I was pregnant!

Friday night we ventured to Legacy Farms in Lebanon for Miss JoEllen's BIG day. Y'all know I love a good wedding. Makes me all warm, fuzzy and emotional. The venue was beautiful, and the bride was stunning. I felt really honored to watch JoEllen get married. She's such a cool person who deserves the very, very best.

Daddy and Baby Girl dressed in their best wedding attire.

My sweetie girl and me.

Killing time before the ceremony with a mini-photoshoot.

Just beautiful!

Yes, please.

JoEllen and Elena.

Natalie, JoEllen and Scott (Natalie's beau). JoEllen's dress was so beautiful. She looked like a magazine model.

Pretty ladies.

Ramona, JoEllen and Mindy

Natalie, Mindy and me. Please ignore the fact that I look like I am still pregnant. It's a combination of baby weight and wedding cake. Perfectly acceptable, right?

Mindy and her husband, Greg

Best dressed couple: Natalie and Scott

Saturday morning, Elena and I were up bright and early for a coffee date with the coolest girl in Middle Tennessee: the one and only Mackenzie, of course. It was so good to see her face! I miss her and her hilariousness.

Pretty girls.

We spent the remainder of the weekend with family, playing "pass the baby." It was so fun and relaxing.

Cousin Cates holding Elena

Cousin Brady with Elena

Hanging out in the back yard.

Flying baby!!!

Lots and lots and lots of kisses for this girl.

I wanted to take pretty pictures of Elena sitting in the grass. But she just wasn't having it.

Brady and Cates entertaining Elena.

I need them to come to my house every day and do this... she loved it!

Pretty ladies; Katherine, Cates and Elena

Uncle Tom, Aunt Martha and Elena

We had such an amazing weekend with friends and family. And, gosh, I really miss Nashville. Such a great city.

Elena's First Year: Week 18

Elena Grace turned FOUR MONTHS OLD Monday! Geeze. My baby girl is becoming a big girl too, too fast. Well, she's not really a big girl. I took Little Miss to the pediatrician earlier this week, and she weighed in at a whopping 10.6 pounds. Not exactly a heavy-weight, but she's almost doubled in size since she was born. She's definitely growing, just on her own little tiny person scale.

Here are a few photos from this week's photoshoot...

Love this little ham face!

Smiling all the time these days!

She just found out that she has a tongue. And she loves to stick it out.

Deep thinker, I tell you. This is one of her "serious" faces (aka her "daddy face").

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Several  of my blog buds participate in this weekly series post, and I'm always intrigued by what they're loving. Sooo, I decided to jump on the bandwagon and share my weekly loves.

Here's what I'm loving this Wednesday... 

I am loving the orange and white chevron platter I created at Lisa Moz Pottery.

I am loving the borderline-mid-life crisis skinny jeans I found for a steal. Who do I think I am? Skinny jeans with rips and tears (on a post-baby bod, no less)? I am losing it. My mind, that is. Not the baby weight. Just so we're clear.

I am loving that MY show is back for another season. Tuesday is my lazy TV junkie night!

Via

I am also loving this new, hilarious sit-com. Mostly because it's just like real life. Plus, Will and Christina belted "Rocky Top" in the karaoke scene. Sold.

Via

And, last, but certainly not least... I am loving my sweetie angel baby.

What are you loving this Wednesday? Link up here.