A photo journal comprised of my thoughts on motherhood and other life happenings, as well as some of professional work as a photographer. Southern California is home.
Suggestion to all: Give this song 4 mintues of your time today.
Welcome, Spring.
Sidenote: Van’s diaper cover was made by hand from my beautiful friend Lisa (owner of Little Foot Boutique) and I’m obsessed. I also have the green chevron one.
Hooper leading his Papa // Van staring at food he longs to try, while Hoop piddle paddles around with it // A lunch date with my first little love, ending with a 75 cent ride (what a cheap date) // Brothers, always and forever, yo // Hooper leading Sarah// Hooper sitting at the table // Van sitting on the table // Wiping away snot. We’ve done a lot of this over the past few weeks // Van, always reaching for his Mama when he’s in his Papa’s arms // An outtake from week 10 of my 52 week project (same ears, no?).
Happy Friday, ya’ll.
Side note: Feel like voting? I’ve dropped to the sixth spot and would love your support to get back into the top five. You can vote by clicking on the link below. Easy peasy. In other news, congratulations to Brandy Fisk for winning the Comfy Rumps giveaway! And thank you to all who entered!
Bits + Pieces: The Hooper Edition. It may be true that he can be difficult at times and it may be true that I need to work on my patience. But it’s also true that he’s pretty special and that I love him with my whole heart.
Van at his last doctor’s visit // Hooper sitting in his big boy chair. Never mind the oatmeal on his foot // Van in his high chair // Beautiful February weather // Cars, cars, and more cars; always lined up // A boy in a field of crunchy leaves // And Sarah, doing what she does best: Indoor squirrel watching.
Van with his lovely date, Carla. They are a week apart // Brunch at home, with family // A family diner date at Corky’s in Van Nuys. Oh how I want some pancakes right now. Num num num num // Oh ya, Hooper got a haircut. Willy likes it long. I like it shorter // Oh that little cutie? That’s just Hooper’s little friend Emerson // And Hooper’s other little friend Sienna, whom he loves lovin’ on. He goes for the peck, she however, is an open mouth kinda girl. Look out Hoop! // Hooper never took to Sophie. Van, on the other hand, likes Sophie like I like my pancakes. Num num num num // The sofa rarely looks like this. It’s usually inundated with cars. Because of ::cough cough:: that little booger above. Hoooooooooooper….
Happy Friday. Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend.
Elf on the shelf // I love getting Christmas cards in the mail // Hoop rockin’ the Christmas jammies and sunglasses // We bought a little tree. Hooper like to sniff it. So do I // Reindeer Van // Hoop in his Christmas sweater // Been spinnin’ Christmas tunes all week // “Vanta”, part Van, part Santa // Cinnamon rolls? Yes, please // It’s been 30 to 40 degrees here in the morning. By California standards, this is freezing and we’re all complaining because that’s what we do // The boys had their pic taken with Santa. Hoop has his finger in his mouth and Van looks like Elmer Fudd, but whatever. We bought it anyway // Present wrapping. I need some elves to come help. If you know any, send em’ my way // Hoop and his beloved Mickey.
We attended a first birthday party over the weekend // Papa enjoying papa time // It’s true, breakfast looked like this the other morning. Nothing puts a smile on my face like bacon // Van in his bumbo, hangin’ out // Someone is obsessed with his Papa’s hats. I’m still trying to get him to keep his own hats on his head // A new Atomic Ranch came in the mail. Mid-Century homes, I love you // I can’t get enough of Van’s little mouth. Just like Hooper’s. We call this his turtle expression // Hoop is quite the bookworm these days // It looks like Hoop is just lying on the floor. In reality, he’s poopin’. We’re waiting until after the new year to start potty training. I think it’s time // Corey Hart wears his sunglasses at night, Hoop wears them in the bath // We’ve been taking great care to avoid rubbing off his new tattoo. He loves it // Van in the bath // Why it’s not fun taking two little ones to the grocery store. Actually, truth be told, it looks like he’s throwing a tantrum but in reality he’s yelling “Hi-Yee” to me. Boy do I love that booger.
Happy Friday!
Oh yes, and one more from my instagram feed because I can’t get enough of it…
Oh Hooper, I just can’t get enough of you. Your mama loves you so much. It hurts // I was re-framing some photos and came across this photo I snapped in Egypt. I found myself lost in thought, trapped in the past. It was a sweet moment. I miss days where I roamed around with a backpack on my shoulders. I’m craving a new adventure in a far away land. Who’s in? // Man oh man, I snagged this record from a consignment shop in Utah and have not been able turn it off. I’m constantly flippin’ that thing over to play again. And again. Some of the best live renditions of some of his greatest tunes. So stoked I nabbed that when I saw it // See those two fingers? It’s gotta be genetic, right? // Wham bam thank you ma’am. Killed two birds with one stone when I made one doc appointment for both boys. It’s the little things. As a side note, Hoop looks totally unimpressed, no? // Chuck Ragen. If you don’t know of him, you should. // Sarah enjoying her bim bom day. That’s what she does and that’s what we call it. Straight bim bombin’ it // I found a new room to pump in when I’m working. It’s got a large window with a lovely view. Beats pumping in empty patient rooms // Kinfolk, the most photographed magazine around, right? // And Sesame Street, because of Mr. Hooper, waiting it’s turn in line behind Paul Simon.
Happy Friday.
Don’t forget to enter Wednesday’s giveaway from a close friend of mine. Show her some love 🙂 Speaking of love, I’m in 8th place on Top Baby Blogs. Sscchhhwhat? Coolest thing in the world. Again, it’s the little things. Thanks again to all who vote.
You can find me on instagram @thestorkandthebeanstalk
I can’t f’n believe it. I moved into the #11 spot on Top Baby Blogs with ease. I’m fairly close to breaking the top ten. Thank you to all who voted and for all of ya’ll that continue to vote on a daily basis. It truly warms my heart.
Carla and Van meet again // Kinfolk for me and Kinfolk for my dearest friend // Hoop // Vintage wild west goodies from g’ma Vick // Toys all over the place, all the time // Hoop and his buddy Evan // And Van, contemplating the life of an infant.
Sorry for no post yesterday. I’m still battling that proverbial wall. You know that feeling when you respond to ten emails only to get five more? It’s been like that… only with everything from dishes to kids to work. It’s been a while since I felt ahead and it’s no fun always trying to catch up. You know how it is, I’m sure. In any case, it’s Friday and a little someone over here is having an early birthday party tomorrow. Of course that means I have a whole separate “Birthday To Do List” in addition to my regular “To Do List”. Such is life. If you run into the time fairy, send her my way. In the meantime, HAPPY F’N FRIDAY ya’ll!
Hoop taking important phone calls // Van at his last checkup // Hoop running amuck // Chalk and crayons // Someone celebrated her third birthday. Her name is Sarah and she received more dog treats for reasons she does not understand // Hoop hanging in Van’s room // Van hanging in his crib.
Happy Friday!
Side note: Tomorrow is the last day to enter Monday’s giveaway from Truly Sanctuary. You can enter by simply leaving a comment on Monday’s post. I will be announcing the winner on Monday.
Gotta love California. My best friend Janet said when she moved to Utah she found herself at an In n’ Out in hopes of finding a palm tree. No such luck. Hey Janet, lots of palms over here in Cali. I’m just sayin’ // “Move outta the way mom, Gabba’s on” // My lovely in-laws were in town. G’ma Vickie introduced Hoop to the Gas We Pass book. He was hooked all weekend long // Clean plate club and he fed himself. It doesn’t work out all the time, but hey, I’ll take some of the time over never any day // Someone loves to smell the roses. I hope he always breaks from his busy life to do so // We hosted a taco night. It was bomb (ya, I said “bomb”, so what?) // Mi amor, so handsome and hot and huggable // Did I read somewhere it was national donut day? I did, I did. I swear // Thrifted finds from Utah. All for the boys, of course. Except for the pleasure map, I think I’ll make that mine // Willy and Van chillaxin // Indoor squirrel hunting. It’s a real sport and Sarah is a pro // Flipped through my William Eggleston book, one of my favorite photographers.
An oldschool Bronco = yes, please // Hooper’s latest obesession = cars // Sarah on our walk // A daily occurrence = Hoop lining up his cars // Enjoying Gabba Gabba on the sofa // Van loungin’ in my favorite balloon pants // Someone locked himself out and then cried about it. I, on the other hand, photographed it. I know, I’m a bad mom // I finally got the chance to flip through the latest Atomic Ranch magazine over a nice breakfast // Hooper playing in Van’s crib // My anniversary card to Willy.
Van straight loungin’, cuz that’s what he does best // Hoop on a play date // A little picnic at the park // Scavenged goods (Van may just be a Sheriff for Halloween) // Van has smiled three times. I have pictures of two of these times // Hooper, the madman, running through the kitchen (I promise a before and after kitchen remodel one of these days… would you believe we’re still waiting on a few things to be finished!?) // Fall may be here, but the beach is still a splendid way to spend the day here in SoCal // Hooper lining up his cars // Feet that have yet to be walked on // How our morning walks look these days (fyi, we use the City Select Baby Jogger and I have no complaints) // A family breakfast date (even Sarah came along) // Someone loves to read Dr. Suess “ghen” and “ghen” // That same someone likes to revisit his old stomping grounds.
The prettiest of flowers // Van’s first doctor’s visit // Grandma + Grandpa meet Van // Hot diggity damn, it was 100 degrees at 8 am and 8 pm. When will this heat wave end? I originally thought I’d be a prisoner in my own home due to mothering two, but instead I’m a prisoner due to the heat. Poor Sarah is yearning to go to the park but it’s been too dang hot // Another trip to the beach, this time with my lovely sister and her lovely boyfriend. We ate dinner across the street and my sister is still finding rocks in her purse compliments of Hooper // A succulent from our succulent garden that, unlike me, loves the heat // Proud Papa // My little bean.
My growing belly and Sarah (side note, that’s not a pertruding belly button, it’s the bottom of my dress. I had to clarify. I mean the belly button is out, but not that far out)// Hooper’s latest obsession: “TARRR!”, aka, guitar, which he pronounces with a simultaneous fist pump into the air // I celebrated a birthday. It was lovely, complete with some sweet gifts and a yummy cupcake // Sarah chillin’ out realaxin’ all cool because let’s face it, that’s what a dogs life is all about // Hooper’s other obsession: “Pay-pee”, aka, paper and pen. Sometimes he likes to scribble, but most of the time he likes taking the pencils out and then putting them back in // Birthing preparations: lots and lots of pineapple. I don’t really care at this point if it’s an old wive’s tale or purely psychosomatic, it feels good to do something. Doing something has also included walking, mostly at 9am in 90 degree weather… anything to avoid the 100+ afternoons. My best friend, due a few days ago and still pregnant, introduced curb walking to me (please click on the link and watch the ridiculousness that is this video). After a good chuckle, I went outside and started walking lopsided. I know, us pregnant biotches are cray-zeeeee // Milk that expires after I do. I know, I know, it’s a due date not an expiration date, but it really doesn’t feel that way // Hooper’s other obsession (there seem to be a lot these days): “Gongs”, aka “cars”. Not sure where “gongs” comes from but he wants those little four wheeled specimens as soon as he wakes up. Sure beats “Gabba Gabba”, so I’m on board // Cutest little card from Etsy store 3RingCircus, where I made a recent purchase I will share soon.
Happy Friday the 13th… Maybe today will be the day.
Side note: Thank you to everyone who continues to vote daily for The Stork & The Beanstalk on the Top Baby Blog website. I’m currently ranked 24, exceeding my goal of making it within the top 25. Hip hip hoorays all around! And many many thanks you guys for showing me love.
Potting plants. Seriously, nesting is no joke. I want to plant and grow everything // Hooper got introduced to chalk. He liked it, as did Sarah. We put lipstick on Sarah and then we put the chalk away after Hooper started eating it // Oh how I miss those clothes in my little itty bitty closet. I know my days of maternity wear are nearing an end and thank goodness because my options these days seem to be ranging from A or B… and that’s it // Hooper pre-nap… // …And post-nap bed head // Choosing kitchen tiles has been a battle of what we like vs. what is affordable vs. what is easy to install. We placed our order earlier this week, so I guess there’s no turning back // Hooper playing quietly by himself. I love these moments // And lastly, some pics from our latest trip to Underwood Farms. You can see pics from our previous visit here.
Hooper played with his blocks. He loves stacking one on top of the other. He’s very methodical about it // I bought some new spreads to try on toast or crackers for my favorite picky eater. I’ll let you all know how it goes // Someone has gotten really good at directing others. He does it by pulling at some piece your clothing and it’s not annoying at all. I’m lying, it’s like nails on the chalkboard // Two of my favorite boys watching a morning cartoon // Part of our succulent garden basking in an abundance of sunshine // Guess who got a radio flyer? Yup, and he’s all about it. I’ll include it in my next thrifting post and share a little story about the purchase // Yellow flowers on the kitchen table to celebrate a sure-to-be wonderful weekend.
Truthfully, I can’t believe I got around to posting snapshots of this week, as it’s been a busy week of work. I guess I had a few days off here and there and these photos serve as proof. We welcomed spring by spending a lot of time outdoors. It had been rainy and cold but suddenly, on the first day of Spring, the sun came out and we took advantage. Even the indoor plants have been blossoming beautifully. I love this time of year. Who said California didn’t have seasons? // I finally received my copy of More of the Business of Being Born but have yet to find the time to watch it. I’ve actually had it for a few weeks now. Maybe I’m intimidated by the multiple CD’s within it. Where will I find the time? Oh dear time fairy, please come my way // We enjoyed breakfast out at a diner. I had cinnamon roll french toast (not pictured, but it really doesn’t get any better than that). Hooper even got to enjoy the rides outside the diner, until we left. Then he threw a small scale tantrum. A peek into the real world of toddler-hood, I suppose // Hooper walked his toy dog all over the place. I long for the day he’s big enough to control Sarah and take her for a walk while I sit at home and paint my nails. I lie, I never paint my nails. But I would enjoy just sitting // Hooper also got a new pair of kicks, size 5. He’s moving up in the world // I found these cute vintage t-shirts for $3 a piece. The stripped one is too small for Hooper, but I figure this new baby should get a little something too. And I’m totally smitten over that Hershey’s shirt. You’ll be seeing a lot of it. Don’t judge, I do laundry all the time // Even when we were indoors, these two munchkins of mine longed to be outdoors. Instead, we played fetch indoors // Snack time just got a whole lot more fun now that someone has perfected sucking out of a straw // That same little someone received a boat load of hand-me-down toys from a friend. Aren’t hand-me-downs the best? The same friend also gave me a children’s table and chairs, for which I have a great DIY planned. Now I need to summons the space fairy because I’m running out of space faster than I’m running out of time.
