Friend Week

Today is promising to be a lovely day. On days like this, where my window are open and the outside breezes and sounds fill my house, they are my favorite. I'm more inspired to clean, create and just think. Of course, add to that mix, fuzzy curls on a little hearty boy, running around, conquering the world in just his diaper...my perfection.

I'm 13 weeks pregnant now and starting to feel a bit more energy, which I am so thankful for. My cravings have ranged from Chinese food, a grapefruit obsession, and a desire for bbq that consumed my soul until I stopped and bought the fixings to satisfy it. haha. I feel like I've been way more ravenous with this pregnancy than I was with Káel.

This past week has been friend week for my little Forest friend. Two of his buddies, Oliver and Dash came over to play while their momma, Lauren and I got to talk over a treat of mango sherbet. Then yesterday, we got to go spend the morning with Ndi, Salem and their Momma, Hannah at Discovery Place! It was SO much fun! It's amazing to me, the beautiful conversations you can squeeze in while your kids are running around like little explorers. <3 After that adventure, we hopped on over to Sparrow's house to hang out with her while her Momma, Jessie taught art. We played, had snacks and read countless amounts of books. To top it off, two more of my girl friends stopped by with their little baby girls to play!  So, yes, when I say it was friend week for us...it truly was and is. Today, we are going to the park to have yet ANOTHER amazing day of swing sets, slides and sandboxes with a huge handful of littles and their mommas.

Oliver, Dash and Forest

Sparrow and the Forest boy, chillaxing 

Tillie and Kael

I'm really trying to soak up and enjoy these days with Káel, before our next sweetness joins our family to make it all that much brighter. I know park days will become a little more challenging. And going out for play times will have to be figured out all over again once little boho baby #2 comes. So, as much as I can right now, I'm trying to take advantage of these last months of time with my boy alone. Not in a sad way, but in a seizing the moment kind of a way. :)

And as I say that, the first peek of the sun is making it's way from behind the clouds and I am going to close my computer, do a little sweeping and tidying up before we head out for a day of fun. I hope your day is wonderful.

-Jess

Move Baby, Move

What do you do when you hear that some of your bestest friends on EARTH are moving across the country just to be closer to you? You freak out and have a party right? Well, this happened last week you guys! My parents officially moved from Dallas, Texas to the Carolinas! Permanently! Full time! AH!

Some of you might remember when they lived up here part time when Káel was born. But, they ended up moving back to our native state of Texas after a few months. When they got the news of boho baby #2...it was over. Less than a week later my mom calls me and asks me if we'd be ok with them moving here. (ARE YOU KIDDING!?) She went on about not wanting to butt to much into my life etc....PLEASE!?  My folks are some of my favorite people on this planet and they are truly some of my closest, most bestest friends. I simply couldn't believe it or be more excited at the thought of them moving here for good. When I assured her that it would be the biggest treat ever, she forwarded me several houses she had lined up for me to look at! Haha! My favorite surprise!!!! A few weeks later they decided on a house they loved, packed up their stuff and started the road trip from Dallas to Charlotte!

We met them at their new house as they pulled into town Friday night. Saturday, several of our closest friends, along with Sam and myself helped unload their moving pods and had a fabulous time laughing and welcoming my folks to town. It was so wonderful. I've been over there over the last couple days helping my mom unpack her kitchen etc...it's like a dream. Unpacking plans are on hold now, both my poor folks have had a hard knock of a Charlotte initiation with the nasty stomach bug that has been plaguing the Queen City. Bleh. At least we're close so we can help out a little. :( Soon, everyone will be healthy, and settled and more adventures will unfold! 

They're here!!!!!!!! Yaaaaaay!!!!  

First night in their sweet English Cottage 

Our friends the Webbs and Philip used their muscle to get all the boxes and furniture out of the Pods. :) 

day #2 of unpacking. I was in a Punky Brewster mood. ;) 

Cheers to having those you love close by to enjoy and celebrate the simple moments in life on a daily basis!

-Jess

Links and Such...

Well it sure has been a fun week lovelies! So many sweet comments have been sent our way from faithful followers to new friends and "faces!" Thanks again!

I always enjoy the blog posts that have links and new little corners of the internet for me to explore!  So, I thought I'd link up some blogs and articles I've been enjoying lately. Enjoy!

• Baby style at it's finest! Check out little miss Isabel's first style post! click HERE

• I'm sure you've already seen this, but Miss James' and Aubrey's wedding is one of the most magical weddings I've ever seen! part 1 and part 2 

• Kind of excited about trying some of these maternity threads from Hatch. click HERE

• Exciting new find! Love her jewelry! click HERE

• A fun valentine garland DIY!  click HERE.

• SUPER sweet way to announce if you are having a boy or a girl! The sweetest. Click HERE

• Fun style post on wearing color! click HERE.

• One of my FAVORITE blogs. I think she is so cool. click HERE.

• Really interesting article on French parenting. click HERE

Have a great weekend! I have a FUN and EXCITING surprise to tell you about either later today or tomorrow! Eeee! Until then... ;)

Another Adventure: 11 Weeks

11 week bump. I was going to hold off on posting pics until we got the cute, 'bump photo shoot sessions' that we are planning for the blog. But, what the heck, are you kidding? What's wrong with a little insta-gram action, hmmm? So, I waited until the evening, when my bump is the biggest and clicked that little button. Bam! There it is ladies and gentlemen. (excuse the odd glasses and leaf earrings in my candle holder. I have a toddler who likes to "help" me reorganize my precious belongings. haha) 

Another adventure begins! Can you believe it!? The responses we have received from so many of you have blown us away and literally brought me to happy tears. Thank you SO much for celebrating with us! You have no idea what the simplest shared excitement has done for my heart. This has been an amazing and unique journey for us!

Our new little baby is due around August 25. That puts me around 11 weeks! Does that sound familiar? Yeah....Forest boy's birthday is August 29th! haha! Can you see some mega joint birthday parties in our future!? Oh lord. It'll be fun! I'll just have to up my party planning a bit.  I've been suuuuuuuper sick, throwing up, all day nausea...food is my friend one moment and my enemy the next. Bleh. But, when I feel super gross, I just remind myself this means the baby is doing it's thing, shaking things up and growing good and strong.

Several of our closest friends have known for a few weeks and have been a DREAM of love, joy and support! (I love you guys so much.)  But, I was afraid and hesitant to tell everyone publicly about our news since we lost our baby, Windland, in November. It's been a constant struggle with me. And, in the back of my mind, no matter how excited I get, I'm almost always met with a twinge of fear and a little sadness.  Samuel has helped me realize that my heart begins to let go of fear and starts to flourish when our friends celebrate with us over the addition of a new, happy little soul into our sweet community. Every squeal, or every time one of my girlfriends would bend down and start whispering sweet things to my baby, my heart would lay back and I would allow myself to feel real joy. Sometimes, the best way to protect your heart is to open it to the love of others. For me, this has been the case.  The past 3 weeks my heart has turned around in such a wonderful way. I think it's called healing...   My face is constantly in a smile. (When I'm not puking that is. haha. ) It's time to share! Time to celebrate and party! WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER BAAAABY!!!  I can't wait to meet my new little love and kiss his or her face. Sigh.

I'm working on a post right now that goes into a good amount of detail about the unexpected journey my heart has been on the past 3 months. The challenges, the fears, the anger, the grieving and then throw into that mix the joy of our new baby. I have learned more about my soul, my heart and just myself in general in the last 3 months... more than I ever have in my entire life.

I'm SUPER excited to share our journey with all of you! Thank you so much for following along. So many of you have smiled with me, laughed, cried sad tears and happy tears with me...thank you. I'm expecting so much more of the laughing and happy tears this year!

Let's do this again y'all!!!

-Jess

I had to throw this picture in that Lorean took last week from a day at the park. Myself,  Lorean, Lauren and our little munchkins had a day in the sun. Yes, that is Forest boy at the top of the stairs. My little fearless boy.  I love our babies.


Thank you so much for taking the time to vote for us on Top Baby Blogs last week! We've gotten lots of extra traffic and met many new friends from being on page 1!

"New Morning" (Just a little bit of news) ;)

So much newness going on over here at the Gatlyn bungalow! The past couple of months have been some of the hardest and most wonderful. Out of every hard and dark, stormy night, always comes sunshine and the promise of a new morning. I have to say, this is my absolute FAVORITE video my man Samuel has ever created. :) Here's a peek into our day!

AAAAAAHHH!!!  Yeah, nothing much, just a normal, typical day in our little world. ;) haha! Eeee!!! I look forward to sharing more of my mornings and days ahead with all of you beauties! This journey has been so life changing and heart changing. Let's go on another adventure together shall we!? This August is going to be a busy, exciting baby filled time let me tell ya! 

xox

Jess

....weeping may last through the night but joy always comes in the morning. psalm 30:5

Hey! If you get a chance, it would be so fabulous if you could click the brown box below and send in a vote for our blog! Thanks Loves!