baby carrying & garfield park conservatory

snow day spent at our beautiful conservatory. i pretty much want the inside of my house to smell and feel like this place. warms your bones and gives you a lift.

i took my friend robin with me. he flew the whole time.

you may think i have one boob bigger than the other. but thats just sleepy baby julie's head. 

he loves being wrapped up tight.

this was the coolest fish i have ever seen. skeleton koi fish? 

his back even had black dots going down looking like a spine.

robin, showing off.

thanks to [wrapy] for keeping baby julie happy in his favorite cozy spot.

this fabric is stretchy and light. really easy to wrap, then rolls up to fit in my bag. 

if your looking for an affordable baby wrap, wrapy is your guy.

right now julius wants to live inside my body. this is second best.

[wrapy baby wrap]

diy / a-frame tent

so i made this tent about a year ago. i got instructions from [my cakies] and made a few modifications. i've been wanted to post about it for a while, but never got around to taking the photos. since it was already built when i took photos, i wanted to share my modifications, and refer you to [my cakies] for more details and instructions. another good template can be found on [a beautiful mess]

what i love about these tee pee tents, not only are they easy to make and easy to wash... they fold up flat and can slide into a closet. although lincoln doesn't like when i put it away. its his hide out.. especially when fighting naps.

materials:
(4) 1” x 2” x 48” whitewood moulding
(3) 3/4” x 48” poplar dowel (putting one at the top and two on the bottom)
drill with a 3/4” spade bit
measuring tape
pencil
fabric (thick/ stiff) for frame (approx. 46” x 85.5” un-hemmed; 44” x 83.5” hemmed)
fabric for window and top triangles (less than a yard)
staple gun
sewing machine
scissors

garland for decoration (optional)

pillows and blankets (for play / nap time) 

i added these leather triangles to keep it from buckling out. i made the triangle shape that i wanted with the wooden legs and tightly stapled the leather to the wood creating a triangle.

also it helps if your tent is on carpet or a rug, it wont slide as much. 

for my fabric i chose a thick muslin canvas. i found that it was easier to work with when it was stiff and would probably last longer/ stretch less than a thinner fabric. i had some left over leather fabric (lets be real, pleather) and i decided to go for a window. i hemmed the pleather rectangle to give it a nice clean shape. measured it on the canvas with a pencil so i could see what i needed to cut out. I made sure to give the inner window (canvas material) a nice thick hem as well so it wouldn't rip when a little person tugged on it.

instead of using elastic on the legs, i thought a thick hem (big enough for the pole to fit through) would make the tent more sturdy.

what i love most about this diy, is there are no little pieces. the poles fit right into the holes. 

i'm glad i made a window. "mommy, atch dis" (watch this)

and of course some black card stock triangle garland for the plain side.

feeding favorites: infant & toddler

1. [klean kanteen sippy 12oz] - this thing DOES NOT LEAK. its the best!

2. [life factory 4 oz glass bottle] - better than plastic, it cleans so well.

3. [smaska bowl - ikea]

4. [smaska plates - ikea]

5. [smaska 3-piece flatware set- ikea] - i love this set of three simple colors. they hold up well and can be washed in the dishwasher.

6. & 7. [oxo tot cup for big kids] - linc thinks he's such a big shot drinking from this cup.

8. [baby bjorn first plate and spoon] - beginners spoon and plate/ bowl combo.

9. [svan signet complete high chair] - this was a hand me down, and its so sturdy and cleans easy. comes with interchangeable color pads.

10. [boon grass countertop drying rack] - the design is perfect for a bunch of crap on your counter. makes it look pretty.

we are terrible at using bibs, and never remember to put one on. but i love these designs from [whistle and flute] - the bandana bib is our favorite. whats yours?

grey boy monthly dots / 11

my baby has turned into a toddler. speed crawling, talking non stop, "mama mama" when he needs anything/ wants to be held, climbing up everything, getting into everything. clapping when he's excited, waving hi and bye when he feels like it. throwing fits when i take things away from him, like wires and cords. putting anything and everything in the dogs water bowl. dumping the dogs water bowl all over himself. teething like crazy (as shown in photo above) 4 top teeth coming in at once. 

 his personality.. i am so in love. how have i not known him my whole life? 

happy 11 months my sweet baby boy.

next month is our last dot photoshoot and you will be a one year old!!