happy birthday emmers! | cake and presents

cake is definitely the highlight of any birthday. at least any birthday i've been a part of!

we chose pink velvet for her baby bundt cakes. 

selfishly, i wanted to try and avoid a giant mess with a bunch of icing [we already messed with that during her smash cake shoot...] but let's be real. it's not a real birthday cake if you don't have icing on top! 

home girl also has quite the love for her crackers.  i would never think twice about having to choose between cake or crackers, but she just couldn't leave her first love behind! :)

emma grace had so much fun opening her gifts!  she loved crawling and climbing on all the bags and pulling the paper out. but she also loved the goodies.  maybe next year will be our "cardboard box" birthday celebration.

from the very beginning, bub-hub and i decided we wanted emma grace's birthday celebration to be a giant thank you party for our friends and family.  we are so beyond blessed with love and support, and i can't even begin to imagine how different our first year as parents would have been without them.

was it a little unncecssary. sure. but it was fun, and we got to share the day with our friends and family, so in my book, that makes it all more than worth it!

happy birthday emmers! // snacks & sweet treats

confession:

snacks are my most part of a party.

menu planning and tasting is my favorite.

i've also realized that bite sized snacks are best. 

no one wants to admit they ate 3 bundtinis, but the beauty of a bundtini is that you get to eat three. 

and as much as i love icing, i don't mind not fighting the "how am i going to get this whole bite in my mouth without getting icing up my nose" battle. #sweetworldproblem

the perfect bite sized indulgence.

fruit salad is also an easy go to for me. well, my version of fruit salad anyway.
i usually just pick up a few of my whatever is in-season favorites and toss them in a bowl!
i LOVE when i remember to sprinkle some vanilla pudding mix over it....making it extra sweet.
but i'll be honest. i usually forget. 

can we also just take a minute to talk about how ridiculous watermelon is to cut.
i'm pretty proud of myself for finishing the task with both my thumbs still attached.
it was pretty close though.

and of course.
paper straws for days.

all photos by sarah carpenter.
all calligraphy by katy richards.
paper straws // twigs & twirls

nursing in style // the shirt dress

shirt dresses are such a fantastic thing to have in your closet.  they can be dressed up or down, and re-styled in so many ways just by changing your shoes, jewelry or adding a cardigan.

here are three different styles that are definitely closet staples: denim, bright, and black

a girlfriend pointed out that the only downside to full button down style is her sweet babe learned how to pop the buttons. #thingsonlyamamawouldthinkabout

personally, i prefer the styles that come with a cinced waist, but it's so easy to add a belt to the  straight styles, it's hard to complain.  

this is also a fun way to change things up, add a gold belt one day and a red belt the next.  and as i've mentioned a million times before, i'm the cardigans biggest fan.  

why it works // the buttons in the front make nursing really easy to maneuver under your nursing cover, and the lose style of the skirt is forgiving and easy to move in.  i prefer to wear a pair of shorts underneath, mostly because baby movements don't always allow time to channel lady like movements. #honestandtrue 

easter blessings from our little family

our first easter as a family of three was lovely.  it was simple and sweet. a little break from the chaos of a busy season.  we were able to attend church with our families, laugh, play games, and just enjoy a day together. 

i also discovered my love of smock dresses. #betterlatethannever

oh, and we didn't get a family photo. but let's be honest, these snaps of EG are way better. :) 

incase you were wondering what sunshine looked like in baby form, she is it.  

each and every morning, i wake up thank the Lord for the gift of this beautiful baby girl.  the Lord knew exactly what he was doing when he placed her in our lives.  and oh how glad i am that he knows best. 

i am so thankful for a loving Savior, who came and lived a perfect life, died and rose again to save my sweet family.  in the last year, i've developed a new appreciation and perspective for what sacrificial love really means. in my relationship with bub-hub, with our families, and especially for our baby girl. 

this world is so full of evil and trouble and fear and anxiety, but knowing that we serve a sovereign Lord who protects us and provides for us is more than enough.  he is all the hope we need. 

oh, and my photography assistant, a.k.a. pops, stole few kisses.  perks of the job i suppose.

Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed.

smock dress // borrowed but similar here
ivory floral crown // little winter shop

playful polka dots // nursing in style

my favorite black shorts are making their second appearance.  

this time, i've paired it with a a fun pleated ruffle tank.  in texas, the weather swings from chilly to smoldering hot in the matter of hours, so when i wear this, i keep a cardigan with me and then toss it in my diaper bag once i start sweating. pardon my pasty-arms everyone.

why this works // this shirt has buttons down the front and is loose fitting. it's comfortable and flattering and like i said before, it can easily be layered with a sweater or worn alone, making it easy to maneuver under your nursing cover.  depending on your preference, you can tuck it in, or leave it out for a more casual feel. 

shirt // jcrew factory, similar here 

bangles and shorts // target

sandals // dsw

ps: let's be instafriends! :) @sarahgracechastain