When I look back on the holidays of my childhood, I have the fondest memories of our annual family photo shoots. Each year our mama would dress us in perfectly coordinating outfits- matching denims, white button downs, the occasional mixed print- and take us to our local park for our annual day of modeling. The fruits of these labors proudly displayed in our parents' homes- chambray-clad kiddos with goofy adolescent smiles. Some years were more awkward than others- in the most wonderful way possible- and I've always adored remembering different stages of our lives through those images.

There are few things that get us excited the way holiday decorating does- the first glimpses of it conjuring up such excitement for all the last quarter of the year has to offer. For us, the holidays start with the fall; and on that first day we pull out our trusty fall wreath and start mulling those spices. And while we always have pumpkins, this year I wanted to take a more sophisticated spin on the seasonal favorite. So when we found these unique beauties during a recent trip to our local Terrain, it was love at first sight.

It's officially October {yay} meaning the holidays are just around the corner. As Halloween candy fills the market-aisles and all things pumpkin spice come back in season, it can be hard to always make smart, healthy choices. Particularly being that I'm big on seasonal baking { see honey apple galette }.

For the first several months of her life, if not the first year, I was Madeline's blankie. She had plenty of real life blanket options- hand-knit ones, quilted ones, cotton ones and plush ones- but she was never really interested. Rather than warm up to one of those beauties, she preferred to cuddle her mama. And I happily obliged. But in the last few months this little lady has taken quite the liking to her blankets- one in particular, in fact. 

By now you've probably realized that I'm a fall lover, through and through.

I love the season's crisp air. The decorations- from burnt orange flowers to white pumpkins and multicolored ghords. The tasty treats- football food; all things pumpkins and apples and spice. The coziness of its sweaters and scarves; the transition from flip-flops to booties. And excited anticipation of some of my most favorite holidays.

It's hard to believe it has already been two weeks since we celebrated MM's first birthday. It turned out to be a lovely day- filled with family and friends and lots of yummy food.

After weeks of toiling and lots of pinterest research, I decided on a Onederland themed event- a Maddie in Onederland "tea party." In effort to keep the party somewhat low-key, I kept the decorations to a few cute finds on Etsy- garland, cupcake toppers, and a few other accents. And while I contemplated renting a life-size chess board, I opted to have the kiddos paint a few large roses red.

In less than a week my little lady will turn one. And I really can't believe it. It feels like only yesterday we were sleeping in shifts; rocking a five pound new born to sleep into the wee hours of the morning. That little peanut has quickly transformed into a little human- one with a big personality and an even bigger smile.

It's like I've said before- the days are long, but the years are short- and this one flew by in the blink of an eye.

But before the big day arrives,  there's much to be done. This week I'll be in full on planning mode- preparing for family to arrive, gathering some finishing touches for my girl's Onederland and putting together a slideshow as I very likely fight back tears.

And like all other busy weeks over the last year, I'll likely be sporting a mom-bun- because who has time to blow out their hair when you're raising a tiny human?

Oh, May- where did you go? I feel like this past month flew by.

There was a lot of rain, a lot of wishing for spring to appear. But when it did, it was well worth the wait. The winters are long here in Connecticut. Lasting well beyond their expiration date.

The rainy days are no fun- particularly when you're cooped up with a mini that wants to explore the world. But on that first beach day- the one with the perfect breeze; the one with a cooler of watermelon and a basket of brand new beach toys; the one when your daughter dips her toes in the Sound for the very first time; the one that leaves a grin on her face, from ear to ear, for hours- that day makes it all worth it.

This week was bittersweet.

My mama headed back to her home on the west coast, leaving a little Mema-shaped hole in our house. It was a great three weeks with her- we cooked, laughed, cried and drank a few good bottles of wine; all while watching my little girl grow before our very eyes. And just like all our goodbyes, the countdown to her next visit has officially begun, thankfully just a few short weeks away.

On the other hand, the sun finally came out- bringing the warmth and official feelings of spring. Maddie and I took countless walks in the park, enjoyed music class with a few baby friends, and we celebrated eleven months of our baby girl.

A little over three years ago, I decided to make a change and embarked upon a career in education. I started with my own education- beginning my masters in early 2013; and I immediately fell in love. Being back in the classroom, learning, and interacting with both educators and little ones inspired me daily.

By the end of that year, I had landed a job in an elementary school. With virtually no practical experience, I learned on the job daily. Most of it came naturally to me, and I quickly found my niche in the upper grades. I felt comfortable in this upper-elementary world- consisting of interesting content and little humans that I could easily relate to.

When I would chat with co-workers and friends, they were always surprised by my gravitation- insisting that lower grades were more fun, and maybe "easier" to teach. For me, however, I found it terrifying. The reason why summed up in one word: singing...

If I ever had expectations for my first Mother's Day, they were far exceeded this past weekend.

My tribe outdid themselves: Friends sent happy wishes; in-laws joined us for brunch; my mama sent me a very unnecessary, but much appreciated, bouquet of my favorite flowers; and the sunshine finally broke through- a welcome treat after what felt like weeks of gloominess. 

I truly meant it when I said all I wanted was to be Maddie's Mom this Mother's Day...

Mother’s Day is almost here. This year being my first as a mom.

Up until now, I ascribed to the notion that this day was just another Hallmark Holiday. A day for us to send flowers, buy a nice card, or maybe a gift certificate to the spa.

But I now know that its so much more than that- more than macaroni art from a Kindergartener or a piece of jewelry from Tiffany’s.

When I first had my Madeline Mae, I was told the same adage over and over:

The days are long but the years are short.

What? I didn’t get it at first; but now that ten months have passed in the blink of an eye, I do.

Days are long: They are tired. They are caffeine-fueled. They are spit-up filled. They are sometimes showerless. They are comprised of missteps and learning opportunities. And they are exhausting. But, boy, do they go by fast.

I’ve gone back and forth as to what I will ask for this Mother’s Day- fantasizing about my very first one in the early morning haze of motherhood...

Happy last Friday of April- I can't believe this weekend will officially bring us May.

I can remember time moving at a painfully glacial pace as a child- Impatiently counting down the days to summer or Christmas or a visit from my grandparents.

Today, time vanishes in a blink. Yesterday my teeny-tiny newborn transformed into a little girl before my eyes- giving herself a bottle at the ripe old age of 10 months old while mom and dad shared a morning cup of coffee.

Obviously she's still my baby girl- as she'll likely forever be. But, as cliché as it sounds, it truly feels like yesterday that we brought her home- when we were terrified of breaking her and were utterly unaware of what we were doing.

And while I'm a little less scared of breaking her these days, I'm still learning as I go along on  these quickly passing days- calling my mom a little less often with tearful questions.

Sometimes, Monday's call for a beachside ending- one complete with your babes, burritos + an ice cold beer. 

Our local beach is a real beauty- particularly on these gorgeous spring nights when it's not too hot and not yet filled with the summertime crowd. We are lucky enough to live moments away, allowing us to swing by for a quick bite before sunsets.

These sweet moments with my family are ones that I live for, and can make any case of the Mondays drift far, far away.