They say a Sunday well spent brings a week of content...

Despite a few flurries, we managed to enjoy a fun-filled, sunny weekend with family and friends.

The hubby said "bye-bye" to his man cave, as Maddie Mae welcomed her very own playroom. Some Much needed spring cleaning uncovered a few gorgeous family photos that brought a tear {or two} to my eye. And while temps kept us inside, it happily left us plenty of time to snuggle and play while I worked on finalizing a few touches on my brand new shop.

I started this blog a little over a year ago- the February of my pregnancy, four months before Maddie Mae arrived. I founded L + L as a creative outlet; a way to focus my energy during a not-so-great pregnancy. I had hoped blogging about cute baby clothes and fun recipes would take my mind off of the Morgan-shaped divot I was creating in our bed while I watched Netflix and waited for the little one to arrive. Shockingly, the worries and mandatory rest that consumed my pregnancy left me wholly uninspired, and not such a great writer.

I was also entirely too afraid. Way too scared to voice the fears about my first, fragile pregnancy to the world.

OK, that's dramatic- at that point only my mother and husband would have read them. The world would have had better things to do. But you get the point: I couldn't muster up the courage to put pen to paper, and Lilies + Lambs was barren as could be for several months.

Rain, rain go away / Come again another day.

Maddie + Mommy want to play / But I guess we'll settle for baking all day.

Those are the words right? Anyhoo.

The rain {and snow} has kept us cooped up once again. And while Maddie can't yet enjoy the fruits of our labor, we spent afternoon in the kitchen whipping up some yummy treats.

I'm a fan of oatmeal in my cookies, so when I found this recipe for cookie-bars that called for all my favorite ingredients- vanilla, chocolate, oatmeal- I couldn't resist.

Hello, my name is Morgan, and I bottled feed my baby. And, what's more: I'm not ashamed of it.

My milk never came, so I can't say this was much of a choice. The decision not to torture myself with lactation consultants, pumping, and triple feeding on the other hand, was.

I tried a week. That's right- just one week, before I threw in the towel, and decided to stop forcing my body to try to do something it might not ever do. The decision was difficult- gut wrenching, in fact, for a person who didn't buy a single bottle before her baby arrived; confident she would breast feed for months, or maybe even a year.

Happy Fri-Yay, ya'll! This week has been a great one- despite the fact that I have a little girl with some very sharp teeth coming in. The weather finally got a little warmer, my sister spent a few days off with us, I was able to get a few very necessary workouts in, and my first article was published on The Huffington Post. Not too shabby.

So besides the fact that this week has been sleepless, caffeine-fueled and somewhat fussy- it's also been a beautiful, beautiful joy,

And that, is exactly what I've been talking about...

Seven month ago, just two and a half months into motherhood, I wrote about the ten things that had made my transition into life as a mom as smooth as it could be.

I stressed the importance of laughter; of taking pictures and asking for help. I encouraged myself and other new moms to take time for ourselves; and to sweat as soon, and as often, as possible. And I made a pact to be patient- not only with myself, but with my husband and child as well.

Now, almost ten months a mom, I look back on this list and I still firmly believe in all of these mantras. 

I've been a bag girl for as long as I can remember. In middle school I rocked Kate Spade with the best of them. In college it was all about Balenciaga. I've had a love affair with Marc Jacobs and Louis and, of course, Chanel. And most recently I've been obsessed with all things Celine. I'm a firm believer in the idea that the bag makes the outfit- even if the outfit is sweat pants and a tee, paired with a pretty purse dangling from a forearm. 

Like most great weekends- this past one flew by. Ours was filled with sunshine, friends and family, yummy brunches, pretty springtime colors and, of course, some chocolate eggs. This marked another first for Maddie Mae; and although she's not sure about the Bunny yet, she sure did love the basket he brought her. 

Despite the manic weather, this week has been a pretty great one. Maddie Mae and I were able to take quasi-daily walks in the park together, and we're even able to meet dad at the train station for his walk home at the end of the day. It makes me so excited for the upcoming season- days greeting us with birds chirping, filled with outdoor activities, and a whole lot of sunshine. Days are a getting just a little bit longer, and I can't wait to spend that extra daytime al fresco with the family.

Being a mom has been a dream of mine since I was a child. My mother stayed home with us four kids - yikes, 4?! Hers was the first face I saw in the morning. She cooked us breakfast, drove us to school, and picked us up at the end of each day. She watched our week-day sporting events, brought us forgotten projects, was there for every afternoon concert, and cooked us a hot meal every day. She was so happy to do it; and it showed. It appeared effortless for her. It was her calling, for sure. Her joy in it was infectious. We were thick as thieves, and I always knew I wanted to be there for my own daughter in that very same way

Oh, cup of joe. Let me count the ways. It was hard taking a break from you those long nine months; but our reunion after was pure bliss. And never did I ever need you so much as I did in those first, newborn months. I overdid it at times, but eventually, we found balance. And now I enjoy you a {moderately} reasonable amount thoughout the day. That morning cup, most often at 5am, is a life-saver- and is almost worth getting up for.

Happy Spring! The season is officially here- despite the fact that yesterday we woke up to a solid dusting of snow. Sunday will be Madeline's first Easter, and I've had the best time cultivating goodies for her basket. There's just something about a little one that makes all the holidays just a little more exciting.

I didn't have a substantial head of hair until I was at least two years old. My mother tells me I would be all dressed up in pink and strangers would still compliment her on her cute baby boy. Being that I was a toddler, I could understand - and would, naturally, respond with a scowl. So my mother took to Velcro-ing bows to the tiny hairs on my bald head; although I'm not sure it helped.

Sports have been a part of my life since the day I was born.  

My mother and grandmother were stellar tennis players. My grandfather was the Varsity football coach at Homestead High School- Alma mater of one Steve Jobs. And my father was an incredible baseball player; just like his father before him. So it's fair to say athletic prowess runs in the family. 

I have always been a fairly decent athlete. I swam and played tennis since the moment I could walk. I made it to Counties in breaststroke, and won the coaches award for synchronize swimming- laugh if you will, but that sport takes coordination. I played lacrosse and field hockey in high school, and was club tennis champion at the age of fourteen. I've always been athletically decent; I've never been athletically AMAZING. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! And what better way to celebrate than with some colorful baked goods?

St. Paddy's is a holiday we generally skip, being as that we are no longer the Guinness-all-day kind of people, nor are we Irish...

But this year we will be celebrating, albeit a few days late

Is it really the middle of March? How is this even possible? Daylight savings came and went, leaving us all in need of an extra cup of caffeine on Monday; Maddie Mae turned nine months over the weekend, and St. Patrick's day is just a few days away. Time flies when your chasing after a tiny, crawling human. 

With spring just around the corner- despite the fact that this weather is having a serious identity crisis- we've been doing some early spring cleaning, brainstorming some redecorations, and planning a few upcoming trips.