diapers and skinny jeans

goose island, chicago 2011 soft subdued colors, blurry movement, bits and pieces of romantic style.

now this isn't the kind of corn you get by where i live, this looks much more put together!  over here they serve it in cups all mixed up and messy.  either way, it's the perfect summer snack.  find the link to this recipe here!

Image credits: 1.  Red Poppies , 2.  PRIMOEZA Studio , 3.  Untitled , 4.  #4 Gheisha Blog credits:   Creature Comforts

i apologize in advance for the iPhone photos, still didn't take the nicer camera out for the day.  we woke up and were able to make it to toast in wicker park as a family.  today they had these seasonal and amazing peach pancakes that i kindly asked to be turned into a three-way pancake orgy.  yes, that's really what it's called on toast's menu, i promise.  (for some reason i always blush when i even think about typing it... is that bad?)   after breakfast we stopped over at whole foods, which i absolutely love!  if you have never experienced the magic that is the gigantic whole foods near you, i suggest going over and taking a nice, long visit.  their stuff is seriously great.  i almost, ALMOST, forgot how much i had missed whole foods... it's a luxury now to be able to get up north and fight traffic to shop there, but once we did, it was sure worth it.  we're trying this natural gripe water to help sofia's fussies at night, and to top it ...

i'm so sad that i wasn't able to take her real three week pictures yet, erick has the 60d today.  yet, why am i still calling it 'the' 60d when it is rightfully his? oh i don't know.  i just really need to buy my own camera, and the thought of buying anything in that price range irks me a little bit right now. but the bigger problem is that if we don't get moving on these newborn pictures/birth announcements we definitely wont be able to put her in all of these adorably impossible poses (sorry, baby!) for much longer.  really.  i cannot be-LEIVE how fast these little things grow-- literally-- overnight.  i woke up the other day and thought to myself her cheeks were bigger.  i looked at a picture on my iphone that i sent to my mom and even she was like, 'awww looookittt! so chubby!'  see?  instant validation.   sofia, i love you.  you're getting bigger.  it's freaking me out.  

i'll admit it.  as amazing as this whole experience has been, there have definitely been some high 'highs' and low 'lows'.  it wouldn't be fair if i was unhonestly upbeat every single day, right?  sometimes you just feel off, and if i didn't share how i get myself out of these slumps, i wouldn't be doing any of you future mamas out there any favor by holding back.  i feel the need to share with the world that there is just something that happens to your self esteem as a women during and after childbirth.  it's a pretty crazy feeling.  you feel absolutely on top of the world after PUSHING a BABY out of your VAGINA. seriously. you feel like a superhero, and you feel pretty accomplished-- because, let's face it, how do those things even fit through there? after giving birth you are self-assured and you're higher than life; you are surrounded with the intoxicatingly yummy smell that all babies, but especially your baby has. then , you go home....

i'll be seeing this girl today.  along with my sister.  hoping the weather stays manageable, that we get some good late night sun-setting light, and that I don't miss Sofia too much.  (which is proving to be harder and harder).  also, why can't newborns hug you?  wouldn't that be the best.

whew!  this momma is exhausted.  we just finished up some of the product shots for the new line, we'll be doing a full shoot on thursday and i'm praying for some nice weather.  can you spot the littlest headwrap wearer of them all?  i'm so glad i was able to quickly snap one of her too.  alright, off to grill up some yummies and get back to this beautiful baby of mine.  check back for more on penelope, i have a feeling these wraps will be big!

free printables to tide you over until i'm back! i'll be busy shooting the first round of product shots for penelope's petals today.  these airline tags would be so perfect for gifts or any kind of crafty project you might undertake and in fact, I have a whole site full of printables for you.  i know, i know.  thank me later.  check out the print me free board over on pinterest.

i apologize for how busy we've been over here lately.  our little girl wants nothing to do with anything throughout the day other than being in mine our her papa's arms.  she loves to cuddle. we don't mind.  :) i've been finishing the last rounds of thank yous (yes, still. that's what happens when babies come early...) and my desk is a disaster area.  i've also been thinking a lot about opening an etsy shop.  its going to be a long endeavor with lots of planning but it's something i've always wanted to do. what are your 'someday' plans?  are you ever going to try and live them out?

When we re-do and bless our wedding vows sometime next year, I hope it can be something like this.  We'll be blessed in the church, but hoping that we can find an outdoorsy place to have friends and family out to eat/dance/take photos.  In love with the whole vibe this couple gives off.  Gorgeous photography by Braedon. Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did. And can you spot the headpiece from Moorea-Seal ?  Super pretty.

officially started my workout plan today.  one day down, 8 weeks to go.  also- jamba juice makes freezer smoothies which of course we bought at costco yesterday.

really beautiful handmade stationary from the talented amber lee of giver's log.   yep- just another reason to long for my own letterpress machine and an endless supply of soft and pretty paper.  someday?

today our family was able to enjoy a nice day in oak brook for a quick shopping run and some dinner at basai thai.  the weather was great.  the thai food kept me on the toilet all night.

swing time with sofia from erick delarosa on vimeo. very excited about our brand new addition to the family. just a short and sweet video of our newborn enjoying herself in the sunlight by the window.

now that mommy doesn't have to use it to sleep anymore, she found a new use for her boppy pillow.  it works great as something to prop you up and take pretty pictures of while papa runs errands.  sneaky!

our little munchkin is one whole week old today!  time is flying by.  we really hope it decides to go a little slower from now on, but we are captivated by your growing changes!

I had to update to let you all know just how wonderful of friends we have.  This little girl is lucky to have Abby in her life.

today sofia and I are hanging around the house while papa does some stuff for summer school.  it's been a quiet morning filled with naps, french toast bake from Mom, a sunny nursery, and pretty flowers from all of our visitors this past week.

 Our little girl's first day out after we took her home from the hospital. footage by erick. best papa ever.

In the past five days we've spent time out in the sunshine, felt the warm summer breeze on our skin, soaked up time loving our friends and family, taken naps on our bed, and have been peed and pooped on by this little girl.  We couldn't imagine loving her any more, but somehow, it just keeps growing.