I WISH....

I could be in NYC today for the Grand Opening of C. Wonder!

I've been reading about it for months! It's the latest retail offering from venture capitalist Chris Burch (as in Tory Burch's ex-husband) and has a little bit of everything...fashion, home and gifts.

For those of us who can't get to New York tomorrow, I'm counting on their website! Even the bathroom is amazing!

A Day in the Life...

I know these days are passing quickly and at some point I will miss being so depended on and needed. It is truly a gift and it makes 2am feedings much more tolerable if I have this perspective!

No need for an alarm clock! These guys usually wake us up around 6am:

Followed by their "Sissy" around 6:45...eager to see her brothers and have her favorite breakfast. We call it "Toad in the Hole," here's the recipe, couldn't be easier:

This is fun family time...very brief as Dad leaves for work early and Janie's ride for school comes around 8:20. She loves her 4 yr. old preschool program and has the best teachers! Here she is on the first day:

Then I get to hang with Charlie and Hunter. We basically drink milk, play on the activity mat, kick and coo, and then go to sleep, wake up, repeat :)

When it's pretty we love to go on walks and spend time outside. They love the fresh air! Summer is a constant companion, as well:

Then Janie comes home and fills the house with stories of school, songs and lots of energy. Her new swingset has been a hit:

Daddy is always a welcomed site and we love having friends and visitors stop by! Supper and bath time can be hectic but it's such a nice way to signal the end of the day.

Speaking of supper...it is usually a quick heat up of something from the freezer but I'm eager to try some new recipes, like this one:

These are my end of day gifts...a nice bath with Aveda Calming Oil:

And a cup of this:

Nite nite!

I'm Emerging...Slowly

It has been a wild ride, these past few months! The boys arrived July 30th and I find I'm just now emerging from a little cocoon that has been feeding, changing, burping and getting back to sleep these little fellas, Charlie and Hunter:

Oh my gosh, they're so sweet! And their sister is truly amazing, taking it all in stride as her new little brothers change her life considerably:

By the way, my sister took this picture of Janie. She just started a photography business and she's amazing! Check out her site here.
Obviously blogging and being creative has fallen by the wayside but I can't complain. At the end of each day, I am truly amazed at how fulfilling it is to be a mommy and I am humbled and grateful!

The boys are growing and changing dramatically and it is a gift to be able to nurture and watch them each day. Exhausting, yes, but I am not alone...my "team" has been like a web of support and comfort. I have not made it this far without them! My precious husband, my mom who has been here for weeks at a time and helps me keep my sanity! My mother and father-in-law, amazingly helpful, willing and able to do ANYTHING-even the late night shift feedings, God bless them! And our friends who have provided suppers, driven Janie all around town, offered wonderful support and love and advice. I feel so incredibly blessed!!

I'm also excited about using my mind in other ways and this blog allows me to do just that! I'm going to re-launch a new and refreshed look in the coming months with some fun home projects, design inspiration and of course, twin progress! It all keeps me busy but that's what I love most about being a mommy...the way it inspires me to be my best self.

*Image borrowed from fabulous K blog
See ya soon!

New Inspiration

So as we continue to wait for the boys to arrive (anyday now), I am anticipating a lull in blog posts until things fall into some sort of routine...wonder when that will be?

*Design by Massucco Warner Miller
I will, however, need some design distraction and inspiration from time to time, I feel sure. So I updated my blog roll (at right)and was excited to find a few NC bloggers and this one by artist Caitlin McGauley, how cute is this crib bedding and the water colors she painted?

My daily inspiration will certainly be in the form of two little baby boys who I can't wait to meet and their big sister. I feel so blessed and thankful for this precious miracle and I pray everyday that I'm up for the task. A quick reminder of the early days...

*Janie at 2 months

YES, I think I can do this!

A "Sweet" Birthday Party

I'm guest blogging on Sandhillsdig.com today, come see us!

Janie's fourth birthday party was a few weeks ago and it was wonderful, in every way! We gathered a few of her friends at the new Cupcakery in downtown Southern Pines and decorated cupcakes, played games, had their faces painted and enjoyed a yummy cupcake birthday cake.

Janell, the owner of C Cups, and her crew did a wonderful job of creating a festive atmosphere and making it VERY easy for Mom and Dad!

Kim Kirkpatrick, a local face painter who is often at the Southern Pines farmers market on Saturday mornings, made the party even more fun for the girls!

The "icing on the cupcake" were these precious apron party favors, made by my dear mother-in-law.

Most importantly, the birthday girl was all smiles and felt very special which is exactly what we wanted for her before her world changes with TWO baby brothers. I highly recommend C Cups for a sweet treat or a magical and easy birthday party destination!

Nursery Decor with a Purpose

My sweet friend Brit gave me these precious alphabet cards for a shower gift and I can't wait to hang them in the boys' nursery.

They're from this really cool on-line shop, Children Inspire Design, that was set up by owner and "social entrepreneur" Rebecca Peragine in an effort to teach children about honoring and protecting our earth and all who inhabit it.

I'm going to order this mobile, too, and I love the wall map and bird prints. Great gift ideas and even better when you know you're supporting a great cause. Thank you, Brit!!

Summer Fun

A serious lack of posts, I know, but things are moving along and anyday these baby boys will join us so I'm trying to get settled and also rest as much as possible. It helps to have some "summer fun" ideas for Janie during these long hot days.

Martha is nice to provide endless ideas and inspiration on her website. And here are a few more ideas:

-Fill up a sand and water table or water table (like this one) in the shade with fresh, cool water and special water-proof friends and buckets.

-Create an art area or room with a child's size table and chairs, oil cloth mat and tons of supplies from Michaels or other craft stores. Janie and I could paint for hours! I also put her CD player in there so she can sing along. Oil cloth, by the yard, from Cath Kidston:

-My mom's GREAT idea was to give Janie a disposable camera and let her take pictures around the yard, in town, wherever she chooses, and then develop them and make a book about our summer.

-Janie and her dad love to make homemade popsicles and Oprah featured some very creative recipes last month.

I might be running out of creative ideas so PLEASE share some summer fun of your own, I'd love to hear!