Calvin's First Birthday!

This little love muffin turned ONE (!!!) on Thursday, April 27, 2017. I cannot believe a year has gone by since I first laid eyes on this gorgeous boy. He made me a mama and there is nothing more special than that.

I didn't plan his cake smash pictures until a few days before we shot them, so I feel like this is just kind of thrown together. Had I planned it earlier though, I likely would've spent a fortune ordering props on Etsy. I knew I wanted a cake-smash photo shoot, but didn't want to get caught up in a theme or too many details so I'm kind of glad I didn't plan it months in advance. I just wanted some classic pictures that wouldn't go out of style.

So for the props, I did them all myself. Yes, that's right. All.By.Muhself. I am not a DIYer or a crafter. In fact, I am somewhat challenged in the crafts area. For the few crafts I did do, I went to Hobby Lobby. Duh. I bought the supplies to make his banner and stenciled his name onto it with paint. I spray painted a cardboard "1" white, and made his little hat as well. It's amazing what some sticky felt and glitter stickers can do ;) I think it turned out pretty cute and we reused the banner for his party too.

He looks so proud of himself in this picture! 

All the heart eyes!!! 

Mmmmhhhmmm, that cake was good. Jon and I ate the leftovers with wine ;)

And the party fun...

It was cold and rainy on party day, but we still had fun inside! 

Calvin and his Aunt Annie. 

The party was pretty low-key. Our neighborhood crew and some close friends came over for some pulled pork butt sandwiches, (one of Jon's traeger specialties) capri suns, cake and fun! I wish I had more pictures of the day, but it was chaotic and I was chasing my little party animal around the whole time. The pictures of him driving his little train (it's a walker) just crack me up. It's amazing how he's changed and actually "plays" now. Although from the look on his face, playing is serious business.

I didn't get the gold foil "CALVIN" balloons hung, I didn't order enough blue balloons to fill the garage, and I certainly phoned it in on his cake. But, I forgive myself because 1) He's only one so there are plenty of birthday parties to make up for it in the future, 2) He won't remember anyway, and 3) He had already dove face-first into the smash cake and we have those amazing pictures forever. Although it wasn't pinterest-perfect, it was the perfect little first birthday party to celebrate our baby's first year of life and all of the milestones he's passed along the way.

Now, if only I could get him to stay this age forever...

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sarah

Insta Lately

Happy TUESDAY!! 

Wildfox makes the softest, most cozy sweatshirts ever! I couldn't find these shorts for my widget, but the brand is Sun & Shadow from Nordstrom and you can find them on sale here.  

I purchased this top from Sashy Pants Boutique (@sashypants2 in instagram) and you can get it here for $30. It is so so soft, and I just saw that they came out with a dress version in the same fabric. I scored these cognac (my favorite color!!) sandals from Nordstrom Rack a couple of weeks ago and have worn them non-stop since. 

How cute is this jumpsuit? It is so comfortable too. I bought it a couple of summers ago in Palm Springs. I think it's BCBG or Max Studio. I'm thinking I need a couple more jumpsuits in my closet ;)  Here is the link to my gold cuff. 

I bought these AG jeans at the AG outlet in Vegas in March. They are so comfortable. 

I purchased these jeans at Nordstrom Rack almost a year ago and I am obsessed with this brand. I was just researching them a little more and they are SO cute and extremely affordable! I am in need of some new jeans so some more Vigoss is definitely in my future. 

I just realized my hair looks the same in almost all of these pictures. I think that means it's time to call my hairstylist and book an appointment. I haven't had a cut since the day I went into labor with Calvin (about 13.5 months ago). It's probably time for a little trim ;)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sarah

Calvin Michael

Calvin is 13 months and I'm just now deciding to document this day. Time has flown by and I don't want to ever forget what those first few hours were like. 

Calvin was born on April 27, 2016 at 7:52am. He was three weeks early and arrived on our third wedding anniversary. I can't think of a better way to spend our anniversary than eating takeout at the hospital while staring at our hours-old baby. It was so special and I'll remember it forever. 

On April 26, 2016 I went to work, got a highlight, and it seemed like any ordinary Tuesday. My husband and I were still driving to/from work together and left a little early that day because of a thunderstorm. Hail was expected and we wanted to get our car in the garage before it was damaged. On the way home I asked Jon, "Do you think this baby knows it's storming? He is moving around A LOT!" Little did we know...it was only a matter of hours before we'd meet Calvin. 

Jon and I got home and changed into pajamas (lounging clothes) and I went upstairs to organize my makeup table. As I was getting up from the couch I felt a huge movement in my belly. I told Jon, I thought the baby just flipped sides. I walked upstairs and as soon as I walked into the master bathroom, my water broke. I yelled to Jon that it had happened and he immediately ran upstairs to meet me. We were both standing in the bathroom and he asked if I was sure. At that point, it broke again and he said "Okay, okay, I believe you. Stop!" ;) I called the Doctor who said to go the Hospital and off we went. 

We arrived at the hospital at 7:45pm and I was in labor through the night. Holding still for the needle while I was getting my epidural was the worst part. I tried to sleep a little, but the machines would beep and wake me up. Of course I didn't get any sleep that night. The nurses came in to check me a few times and at about 6:20 a.m. they said I was almost ready to start pushing. My doctor arrived, I started pushing at 7am and Calvin arrived at 7:52 a.m. He was 5 lbs. and 15 oz. of pure snuggles. 

It was an amazing experience and I would go through childbirth every week if I knew it would go as smoothly as it did. I had a somewhat difficult pregnancy and really didn't enjoy that process very much, but the actual childbirth part was amazing. I had the best doctor and best group of nurses and the whole process was magical. 

Photos from his newborn shoot

Thanks for stopping by! 

Sarah