Taking outfit pictures with an infant and toddler in tow can be super challenging, but apparently not challenging enough for us, because yesterday we decided to attempt them outside in the rain with fifteen minutes before we had to meet people for a lunch date! Whew! Makes me out of breath just thinking about it. But as my motto for 2016 goes, done is better than perfect. So here we are! 

Lately I’ve noticed a shift in my wardrobe to include mostly neutrals. I’m not sure if it’s a result of subconsciously wanting everything in my life to match, or perhaps a more conscious decision to make getting dressed in the morning much easier. If everything already matches, you can’t go wrong, eh? And I can still live vicariously through Lucy’s wild colored tights that I’m really going to miss on her squishy little legs come summertime. Summer is coming, still, right? But first, let’s break out the umbrellas and embrace the arrival of Spring!

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S :

Lucy’s Outfit Details: dress from @pennysclosetxo on Instagram / tights: Country Kids / shoes: Zimmerman shoes / umbrella / 

My outfit Details: jumper: ASOS / blouse: ASOS / boots: Clarks / umbrella: Target

Yahoo! It’s Christmastime, which incidentally is my favorite time of the year, and fast becoming Lucy’s as well. I’m doing the best I can, really, to make her love Christmas and hats as much as her ol’ Ma. So far the outcome looks good for both items on my agenda. Check out how cute my red beret is on her little head! It was a big large, I guess, but I haven’t had much luck finding one I love in a children’s size. The last time we took photos together with that red beret, it was on my head, and she was just a little tiny kiddo getting ready for her second Christmas. Check out that post here. Ah, memories!

Tonight Phil and I are wrapping up last minute Christmas things— literally! Like gathering presents under our tree, finishing up the dollhouse, and cleaning up the house so tomorrow things will be clean and magical for our Christmas Eve breakfast. I’m so thankful that neither of us have to leave the house for work tomorrow, so we can have a leisurely day making new traditions and spending time with family. My dad is recovering from sepsis and his heart infection at home. I thought I should follow up since I know I mentioned on Instagram that our family was going through a crisis with his health. He ended up having surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, and recovered just three rooms away from where I recovered from my surgery! Pretty remarkable, I thought, for such a huge hospital. He’s resting in his easy chair, hooked up to IV antibiotics and frustrated that he can’t do, do, do (wonder where I get it?!). But soaking up grandkid snuggles is doing his body good. We’re thankful for his life more than anything this holiday season!

On a more superficial note, I think we’ll be dressing pretty casual for our family gatherings on Christmas Eve and Christmas, but here are our dressier festive looks that we wore to church on Sunday. 

O U T F I T   D E T A I L S :

Mandi: pinafore dress / striped tights / shoes / blouse- hand-me-down from my mom!
Luch: vintage dress from Romantique Touch on Etsy / secondhand tights / hat / secondhand shoes / coat- gift from a friend

So here I was, sitting at my desk, mindlessly staring at this photo of me and Lucy wondering what in the heck I had to say in this blog post, besides, “Hey guys, we took some pictures, and here they are!” When it hit me— I’m turning my kid into a mini me, and the internet can give irrevocable proof! Yes, it’s true— turns out I had almost the exact dress Lucy is wearing, but in a larger size, because yeah… I wasn’t exactly a toddler when I wore it— I was a married lady attending an adult New Year’s Eve party! Ahhh! Click here to see the dress I’m talking about, though sadly I didn’t get a super clear shot of it. Just trust me— it’s alarmingly similar to this one Lucy’s wearing above.

Oh my goodness! Does this make me a fun mom or a crazy mom? I guess either is okay as long as Lucy doesn’t mind it. What ever shall I do when she develops her own sense of style? The answer: deal with it, I guess. It will actually be loads of fun seeing what kinds of clothes she picks out for herself when the day comes that she refuses to wear what I like. Won’t it be a laugh if she becomes obsessed with active wear and begs me to let her wear a sweatshirt to church?! (Speaking of activewear, you have to watch this video if you haven’t yet! I actually LOLed when watching it, and it’s been stuck in my head ever since.)

Speaking of church, this is what we wore to our church’s service yesterday, hence the wrinkles in my skirt. (Church services involves lots of prolonged sitting.)  Ah well! I still love it. Felt good to get some new clothes recently— the first I’ve enjoyed postpartum! Juniper didn’t join us for this mini photo shoot because she was snoozing away in her car seat. Thanks, Phil, for the photos! Here’s what we wore:

O U T F I T    D E T A I L S :

Me: blouse / skirt / scarf: thrifted / shoes: Franco Sarto 2013 (newer version here) / jacket: thrifted

Lucy: dress: vintage from Vintageous102607 on Etsy / winter cotton tights / shoes: Zimmerman Shoes / coat: vintage