three months

Today our little Love is three months old. Sometimes I take the long way home just so I can drive by the hospital to remember back on the day she was born. That incredible day, three months ago, has changed our lives in ways we could never know.

We've definitely had our obstacles as we ride the ups and downs of parenting, but it is the most absolutely delightful thing to get to be her parents. I'm listening to her coo and laugh right now, remembering when she was still in the womb and I wondered what she would be like. Here she is. She's ours. And she's perfect. My heart fills to the brim when I look down at her in my arms while she's nursing, or when I spy on Jeremy and her in the other room, as they make each other laugh.

I laugh when strangers see I'm pushing a stroller or wearing a baby under that wrap, and they peak in anxious to see her face. The first response is usually "Oh.... those cheeks!" Yep, she loves her mamas milk and has cheeks for days. The best for kissing. She's growing everyday right before our eyes, and her darling little personality is so fun to see coming through.

Jeremy and I daydream about the adventures we'll get to take her on one day when she's older and all the fun things we'll get to do once she hits certain milestones. I can't wait for those days. But until then, we're loving adventures around our neighborhood for walks, getting to have her sleep in bed with us, watching her first laughs, and having her fit in our arms. We're madly in love with her, and can't imagine life without our Elsie Love.

Some things Elsie loves :: any green plants (she will spot them across the house through the windows and coo at them), being outside, being naked, her Mama's milk, mornings (she smiles and laughs almost instantly after waking up... it's my favorite time of day with her), discovering her hands, sucking on her fist, going to the beach, being tickled, being on her changing table (weird, I know....but the kid loves it) patterns, her Daddy's kisses, sleeping in bed with us, and anyone singer to her, on pitch or not.

We are so grateful to get to be her parents and are loving every minute with her.

Happy Three Months to my sweet girl! xo          

                                                                                                                             

twenty three

It was my birthday yesterday. I'm twenty three.


It's so funny to hear people's reactions to them finding out I'm twenty three and married.....and (gasp!) a mom. I'm realizing how rare it is to be such a young mom here in Santa Barbara, where most people put such an emphasis on the Get your degree-travel the world- and then get established in your career- route. Where you make sure you get years of "You" time and do all the things that you want to do before you get 'tied' down. And then maybe fifteen years later you might want to start having kids. I just smile a proud smile when people react so surprised.


In my twenty three years so far, I have gotten to travel the world: getting to live in Australia, Indonesia, and Africa as well as visit some of the most magical places and meet the most beautiful people. I've gotten to hold Ugandan babies on my hip, drink tea in castles in Ireland, hike through Costa Rican jungle, and ride elephants in Thailand. I was also able to study Early Child Development and Intercultural studies, and have my dream job of teaching little ones all day. I fell in love with the love of my life, and even got to marry him. Falling more madly in love every day and living a life of spontaneity.


So when people give me the "Mom at twenty three-pity smile", I just laugh and think how being a mom is the biggest adventure I've ever been on. I've gotten to do a whole lot in my life, but having my daughter is the thing I'm most proud of. I look back on my last twenty three years with gratefulness and excitement. 


I woke up yesterday to Birthday love all throughout the house, and got to spend the morning cuddling Elsie. My mom came down in the afternoon to watch Elsie, and Jeremy and I got the afternoon just the two of us! We savored sushi and dreamed about all the things we want to do someday. Treated ourselves to frozen yogurt, perfect on a warm sunny afternoon. And walked hand in hand down State Street. I had collected a bunch of clothes from my closet to trade at Crossroads (one of my favorite stores) and traded them in for some fun new pieces.


We came home and took a family nap together, one of my absolute favorite things. Sun drenching in through our windows, warm summer air breezing through, Elsie's little breaths in and out, and my husband's arm wrapped around me. Absolute bliss doing life with my two favorite people. After that, we drove up to the Mesa and took a walk through the cute neighborhoods, daydreaming about how we would build a house for our family. Then we galavanted through the aisles of Lazy Acres, loading up on a delicious organic dinner and met the most sweet eccentric lady. We came home, cuddled up together and talked about one of my presents from Jeremy... he's going to make me raised garden boxes! He sure knows the way to my heart.


I sit back thinking on my life, and wonder at how amazing this last year has been, and look with excitement at the year ahead. And what a beautiful life it is! 

bump bump

When I was pregnant, my dear friend Chelsea Steller did my maternity shoot. It was so special because not only have we been friends since we were little girls, but she also captured our wedding and engagement shoot, and has been so supportive and surrounded us in love in some of our most exciting life moments. It was suiting then, that her and I would galavant around Cold Springs and secret fields and throw together random fabrics to make drapey dresses with. And to celebrate Elsie inside of me. I am late in putting these pictures up, but I think they're even more special to me now... now knowing who my daughter is, and remembering how I wondered what she'd be like and look like when she was still in my womb in these pictures. And how weird it is to look at her now, and remember she was curled up and fit inside of me at one point! Geesh!

 Photos by Chelsea Steller ::  chelseasteller.com