diapers and skinny jeans

I've been extra careful about random buying this season, especially since we are saving most all of our money in preparation for holiday gift-giving.  When I saw this vintage romper from Little Neon Deer , I really couldn't pass it up.  I keep imagining Sofia running around in the summer, or even pairing it with tights and a cardigan to get a bit of use out if it this season... sigh. I found the quilt for a steal of a price on the web somewhere, it's a piece I think will look nice as we begin to talk about converting the crib to a toddler bed.  We've made the decision to completely gut Sofia's current room and start over again to maximize space... the bright schoolbus-yellow walls will be no more, and we're switching over to something a bit more subdued and cohesive.  Erick and I both have been putting in lots of extra work to this little place of ours, and truly I think it's starting to come together. All of these little projects around the ho...

Some cute Valentine's ideas for mama and baby!  I hope all of you enjoy some sweet time with your loved ones. :) For Mama: ( 1. Red Blouse / 2. Skinny Jeans / 3. Oxfords / 4. Necklace / 5. Hair clips ) For Baby: ( 6. Floral Blouse / 7. Baby Skinnies / 8. Moccasins / 9. Wooden Heart Rattle / 10. Rosette clip )

Find all of these goodies over at hipbabygear.com (1. Boon stash / 2. Hip Skop Bee lunch / 3. Wooden block / 4. Bloom High Chair in Kiwi / 5. Prince Lionheart Wheelie / 6. Urban Spoons)

Today is family day (yay!) and Erick, Sofia and I were unexpectedly hit AGAIN with this crazy mild January weather!  I can't believe how nice it's been over in this neck of the woods, lately.  We took a mid-afternoon stroll up on the north side of the city and did a little shopping in which I bought items one and two for Sofia at this very quirky little shop called Giggle.  If you're in Chicago I'd highly recommend going! for baby: / zutano booties / yoomi warmth within / ergo baby carrier for mama: / j.crew flats / gap trench / polkadot travel mug Hopefully it will stay nice for a few more days until we get these snowstorms they're talking about later this week! :| buh!

I've been feeling a bit dull lately, did I ever mention my entire wardrobe consists of greys, blacks, and neutrals?  I am going to add some more color in my life this year!  (And I'll also be starting up again with for mama/for baby posts so you can get your hands on some cool stuff too!) for mama: / gold french press / gold clutch / polka dot dress / gold dots iPhone case / kitchen towels for baby: / colorful bath toys

M y dearest Sofia, yesterday was your very first Christmas!  We spent the night at your Grandma's house with your littlest aunts and had so much fun opening presents.  Mommy couldn't believe how well you could rip that paper up and grab for your gifts out of bags!  You were able to see your aunties and all of your cousins that you don't see that often, and you even cheered on D-Rose as the Bulls won their Christmas game in the last quarter!  I can't get over just how good of a girl you are and how happy, aware, and sweet you are.  You are the most perfect daughter and I couldn't be more overjoyed watching you experience the magic of giving this season.

"S" is for Sofia, and this is currently the only thing I'll ever be able to afford at Anthropolgie.  I think that's how I'll measure my future success (or failure) in life.  Whether or not I can afford anything besides an adorable little "S" door hanger-- though, it is a damn cute $8 door hanger.

Today's breakfast consisted of rice cereal and ripe bananas. One thing I've learned with her breakfast foods is: Cereal without bananas = yuck.  Cereal with bananas = awesome. Sofia has been doing great with her baby food ever since we started, I'm so proud of her!  I was just talking about how funny it is that with most babies you'll have to do the, "here comes the birdie/airplane brrrrr brrrrr" thing to get them to open their mouths.  With Sofia, it's the exact opposite.  She will SCREAM if you don't shovel the food in her mouth fast enough.  Ready and waiting.  Aggressive eater.  (I wonder where she gets that from). I've been meaning to post more of Sofia's meals on the blog for any of you going through the same thing and wondering what types of foods are suitable for a 6 month old.  We still breastfeed at morning and in the evening but make sure she has at least 2-3 "real-people" meals a day now.  I think she's an ad...

Shop GM's new kids line today! Can you tell I'm just a little excited about this one? :)

My dearest Sofia,  today was your very first Thanksgiving. We spent the day with your grandparents (and your great grandparents!) I bet they sure feel lucky that they've met you in their lifetime. You've grown so much... in what seems like only yesterday. Your father and I feel so blessed to hold you in our arms. You are what I thank God for every single day. How was your Thanksgiving, friends? Erick and I are currently in a bit of a turkey-enduced-coma. Going to try my best attempt at "sleeping" it off before work at 8AM. :/

Sofia, my sweet, little girl. I can't believe how much you've grown. For me, learning how to be your mother was to learn how to live each and every day watching my heart live and beat outside of my body.

Have you ever wondered how to make your own baby food?  I found myself thinking the same thing last week when we started Sofia on solids.  Some people will tell you to wait til at least 6 months, and if your baby has been content on breastmilk or formula alone, then I also think it's best to wait.  Sofia, though, is about four and a half months old and was already tugging and biting at my boob, trying to hold her own bottle, staring longingly into our eyes as we ate our people-food and waking up in the middle of the night (when she's slept the night through since 4 weeks).  We knew something was going on.  Luckily, we got the OK from our awesome doctor to start solid food and I just so happened to have this amazing book from my cousin Jill.   We started Sofia with a simple, organic short grain rice (she hated it), so we have slowly been introducing simple purees.  Slowly being the key word, here; you're always going to want to wait around 3...