Weekly Baby Photos

Every Tuesday Beckett and I have a little photoshoot. I want to document his growth each week for his first year. I use his baby quilt my mom made as a backdrop and dress him in a simple onesie. It's amazing to look back at week 1 and see how much he's changed! Each week you can see his little personality developing. So sweet :)

Here are the photos for Beckett's first 12 weeks:

week 1

week 2
week 3

week 4

week 5

week 6

week 7

week 8

week 9

week 10

week 11

week 12

He's my little lovebug and I wish I could freeze time to keep him like this always. Since I can't, I'll try to savor each moment and capture them with a bazillion photos :)

A Punch of Color

This is the what our living room built-in bookcase looked like when we first bought our house.

And here's what it looks like now.

We removed the bottom shelf to allow for taller items. Eventually I would like to have an electrical outlet installed so I can put a lamp on the bottom shelf.

We also painted the inside wall a bright burnt orange color to coordinate with the living room colors.

Here are my Pottery Barn design books and framed locket necklace that I carried on my wedding bouquet.

A few more decorative items. All found on clearance at Home Goods. The "8" jar was purchased on My Sweet Savannah's etsy shop.

A nice pop of color when you first walk into our home :)

Linking up to

Before and After Party with Thrifty Decor Chick

Metamorphosis Monday with Between Naps on the Porch

Landscaping & Outdoor Living

It's been hard to imagine outdoor living here in Chicago with the temps being so low but it looks like that might be changing this weekend. Thank goodness!

Even with the crumby weather, my husband and I have been busy preparing the outside of our house for big landscaping changes.

Here's a look at our house when we bought it and some of the changes we have in mind. The 2 long front bushes will be removed to make way for several different shrubs, trees and perennials. The large red oval on the far left shows where we would like to plant a smaller, ornamental tree such as a magnolia or Japanese maple. The three white ovals are where we will plant hydrangeas. The right side of the house will have tiered rows or evergreen bushes, spirea shrubs and some kind of perennials.

Here is the recent front of our house with the bushes removed and a nice clean slate :)

I plan to plant hostas on the side of the house, lining the driveway.

These windows lead to our basement so it will be nice to look out and see some greenery.

And this is the view of our backyard. We will plant smaller arborvitae trees along the fence leading to the garage to give a little privacy to the yard.

I am so excited to discover the peony plants on the side of the garage! My favorite flower!

A landscaper is coming by next week to remove a lot of brush and weeds and clean up the backyard a bit.

And this muddy mess is where we had the original concrete patio removed to make way for a larger paver patio. My husband has begun digging up the grass to make a more rounded-shaped patio that will also house a fire pit.

I cannot wait for it all to be finished so I can start furnishing the patio to make it cozy. We already have a black iron patio furniture set but I think I want to add a bench settee. Like this...

or this...

And a pretty cushion like this...

add some nice candle lighting will these lanterns...

and these oil lamps...

We already have many birds in the backyard so I would love to give them a cute bird house and feeder and a bird bath.

(all outdoor furniture and accessories found at Pier 1)

I am loving the variety of planters offered at Home Depot.

Stay tuned for the progress photos and the final reveal!

Welcome Beckett!

Here is my latest project:

Beckett Harold Lee

born April 12, 2011

7 lb. 8 oz.

Such a cuddle bug and has a great disposition.

Millions and zillions of photos to come :)

The Banquette...continued

Here is the empty eat-in kitchen space when we first bought our house:

This is the banquette seating my dad built.

And here is the pedastal table I found on Craigslist for $60. Just added a little white paint and now we have this...

...a little breakfast nook.

I bought 4 pillow inserts and 4 covers at Ikea for a total of $25.

I also bought a chair at Ikea for $20.

And now we have a cozy little spot to eat a snack or drink our coffee :)

Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch