Showered with love

Last weekend, our community group had the privilege of throwing a baby shower for one of our very own! Little Joshua is due in May and our group is so excited. Our sweet friend, Carly, and I were in charge of decor, and so the first thing we did was rummaged through all of the beautiful loot from her wedding last October! She and her husband now have the most amazing collection of mason jars, milk glass, and other vintage pieces. I was in heaven! Enjoy!

I made a simple pennant for baby Joshua's room and attached scrapbook paper on the back so each member of our group could write blessings and scripture over the sweet baby boy. 

We had quite the spread of food! It was absolutely delicious. Thanks Anna and Marianna!

The cake was inspired by this one on pinterest and our good friend Sophie made it come to life! We were so pleased. I made the mini pennant for a simple and easy cake topper. 

The room really came together beautifully.  

And the happy parents-to-be were not only surprised, but felt loved, and that was all that truly mattered. Mission accomplished!

 Can't wait to meet you baby Joshua!


-Lauren

30 Days of Thankfulness - #16 - Grady Boo

This little guy is our nephew, Grady... 



He is 15 months old and an absolute doll baby... see? Look at that face! He is the apple of our family's eye and we couldn't be happier to be his Uncle Mattie and Auntie Lala (titles we plan to work on in babytalk when we visit over thanksgiving). Unfortunately, we don't live as close as we'd like to him and don't see him nearly often enough... but I think that makes our visits with him that much sweeter. We can't get enough of our Grady boo!

We feel so blessed that he was put in our family, and can't wait to watch this little one grow! (not too fast, please.) He is a pure joy.

Thankful,
Lauren

Bundle of Joy

My sweet cousin had her first baby on Sunday. She is the very first great-grandchild for my wonderful Mammaw! 

Karlee Ann... Eight pounds, seven ounces of pure loveliness.

I am already  one of little Karlee's favorites. How do I know that, you ask? 

I've been praying for weeks that we could meet her right away. And sure enough, she made her grand entrance on a Sunday while I was in town, just thirty minutes from the hospital, and hours before I had to head back to Nashville. See? What a sweet, obedient child she is...

This was mine and Matt's first time ever taking newborn pictures... it was such a joy to capture all of her precious little expressions just hours after she arrived.

My cousin, Kristin, will be the most wonderful mother. After all, she's been mother hen to me and her sister for years! 

So proud of you and for you, Kristin. She is a beauty!

We are headed back this weekend for a family wedding and to take more photos of this little bundle. I've been getting all kinds of ideas on Pinterest. Stay tuned!

Love!

Lauren

I Heart Faces

This week's challenge on I Heart Faces is cell phone pictures!


I may still be in the learning phase with my DSLR... But iPhone pictures? I've been practicing those for years!


After seeing the challenge at hand, my mind immediately went to a picture of our sweet nephew, Grady, when he was only a few days old.

It's impossible to ignore those plump little cheeks, his newborn lips, and the sweet wrinkles of his hands.


xo,
Lauren

Grady's big adventure!

Matt and I were lucky enough to have some visitors in town this last weekend. We dusted off our host & hostess hats and welcomed Matt's parents and sister to Nashville! We had a great time, but let's not forget about the most important guest of all...

We stepped into our "Uncle Matt and Aunt Lala" shoes for Little Man Grady... A lot of sweet moments came with his arrival to Music City.

Lots of lovin' squeezed into a single weekend...

...from his favorite Aunt and Uncle. (at least until he's old enough to decide for himself)

In the meantime, Nashville has been struck with, might I say, PERFECT fall colors and temperatures. We spent Saturday afternoon perusing the sights and sounds of the Farmers' Market.

Beauty, huh? I love where we live. I love that Matt and I are learning to live and thrive in a city away from the "home" we knew, and making a home of our own. I love that we have a beautiful, exciting city to explore and indulge in together. Although we miss our families (especially Grady boo!) dearly, I love the place in which we've been given to thrive in.

Just to end on a good note, I thought I'd share with you a photograph of the most beautiful little puppy in all of Nashville...sitting pretty waiting on Mama to snap a picture.

-Lauren

Rock a Bye Baby

This post will NOT be followed by an elaborate, emotional announcement... nothing of the sort. 

You see, Matt and I recently became a very proud Aunt and Uncle to a little man named Grady.

Matt's sister and mom did a spectacular job on sweet Grady's beautiful nursery...

This new role as Auntie Lala has me thinking everything baby... 

Bottles, baskets, bathtime, binkies, bedding. 

This is all to my poor husband's horror... but let's be honest. I'm a woman. I like pretty things. And all-things-baby are very pretty. So, I've cruised through various blogs, facebook stalked various new mothers, and have compiled my very own digital "idea book", if you will, of some really beautiful nurseries.

Very well done nurseries don't you think? Dreamy... and only a DREAM for now. :)

Lauren

Uncle Matt and Auntie Lala

Approximately 36 hours ago, this little man graced the world with his presence:

Grady Thomas

7 lbs 15 oz | 20 inches

We're heading to Georgia this afternoon to visit this little guy and his mom and dad. We can hardly wait! Pictures to come!


Lauren