THANKFUL

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This week was a roller coaster. I had some lows, had some amazing highs – my emotions were all over the place! Lucas was not on his best behavior and my patience was tested countless times. I can’t say I won every battle but I am forever thankful for this little human who looks at me with stars in his eyes and forgives in an instant. I am always amazed at how much we can learn from our children. Every day is an opportunity to start fresh and I can’t even begin to express how truly amazing that is. Thank you Lucas for loving me even when I feel I don’t deserve those sweet slobbery kisses of yours. 

I also received some amazing news this week. A change that I have been praying for and I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’m overwhelmed, humbled, ecstatic – a bundle of happy nerves if you will. I can’t wait to share with all of you. Wishing everyone a fantastic week ahead!

PARK DATES

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Oh how I love trips to the park with my baby and great friends. My girlfriends are my loves and this gem of a gal is one of the best darn ladies I know. Jackie loves my guy and Lucas loves her right back. We look forward to our weekly dates – coffee, chasing after the bub, and lounging on the couch after Lucas has whooped both our butts. Cheers to friends who love our babies! I think that in itself is pretty epic..and shit. 
 
mama: sweater from sparkle & fade | sneakers from bdg
lucas león: zip-up from h&m (similar here) | levis leggings c/o piccolini | moccs c/o freshly picked

TWENTY NINE

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It’s 1 am and I’m officially 29. Twenty eight you did me well. I was challenged in my work life, survived living in a studio with two boys and a dog, started this here little blog, watched my son become a toddler, met amazing new friends, and loved. Oh love. You were there with me in abundance. To my fiancé: thank you for challenging me, accepting me, and loving the crazy woman that I can sometimes (ok..always) be. To my son: you are my superstar. You have shown me a love I didn’t even know existed. I am proud and honored to be your mama. To my friends: my rocks. My anchors. You love me. You love Lucas. And for me, that is everything.
This year, more than ever, I am finally growing up. Becoming a woman I am proud of. I am a role model to my son, keeper of my friends secrets, and a darn good wife. Not without faults of course, but nevertheless I accept these discrepancies like a badge of honor, because a flawed woman is still beautiful. She accepts her weaknesses and strives to be better. For herself and for her family. And that my friends takes courage. Hi 29 – and welcome.

AN ODE TO OUR FAVORITE SEASON

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Dear Fall,
 
Every morning as we wake, Lucas and I are greeted with your crisp chill sneaking through the cracked windows. The floors are starting to get chilly so Lucas puts on socks and I slip on my fuzzy slippers and we start our day with warm milk and coffee (the coffee is just for me of course ;). Then we get ready to head outside and embrace you. The 60 and below temps call for layers. Lots and lots of cozy layers. Of course we know later in the day you will no doubt warm up a bit and our light knits and sweaters are perfect for peeling off. Lucas and I walk hand in hand, heads up, and the aroma of burning wood fills our noses and souls. I am thankful for you Fall. My most favorite of all the seasons. You pretty much have this season thing down pact. Yep. You show off with your beautiful golden leaves scattered along the streets. You spoil us with apple cider and pumpkin spice everything. You provide the perfect temperatures for playing outside all day and the best nature adventures (acorns, colors, leaves..) Lucas and I love you and we’d love it if you’d stay awhile. 
 
– Your biggest fans

FALL IS HERE

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I check the weather every night before heading to bed. It gives me a sense of the day to come and let’s me plan mama and Lucas adventures accordingly. The forecast was rain. Lots of it. When we woke up this morning Lucas drank his milk, had a bowl of strawberries, and we ran out the door. I wanted to make sure we spent a few hours outside just in case the weather man was right (would you believe it..he’s often wrong!) and we would be trapped inside all afternoon. We made our way to two different parks and leisurely walked around the hood, making sure to step on all of the golden leaves sprinkled along the pavement. We stayed out until I felt a rainy mist and we scurried home for nap time. I left the windows open and I don’t know if it was the crisp breeze, but my boy snoozed for 3 hours. Mama win! When my prince arose we played at a neighbors house until it was time to cook dinner – chicken parmesan and fresh corn.
Oh, FALL IS HERE you guys! I purchased his adorable scarf at a mega sale last season at H&M for a buck and I think it just adorable. Hip hip for sweater weather, changing leaves, and hearty meals for dinner.
sweater from bobo choses (last season) | leggings from h&m | sneakers from little vida | scarf from h&m

MAMA AND LEÓN WEAR

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Wednesday the hubs played hooky and we spent the whole day exploring the gardens in Central Park. Lucas and I sat and watched the ducks, calling out “pato, pato!”I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. We always explore as a family on the weekends, but there was something extra special about an outing together mid-week. Our little secret. There were no crowds – just us. Well, so it seemed. I suppose you’re never truly alone in a city like New york. But you follow me here, right? Wednesday was a gem, oh yes it was.
 
mama: dress (thrifted) | belt (passed down from my mama) | boots (old..college old)
lucas león: romper c/o trommpo | moccasins c/o freshly picked

A MIGHTY FINE SUIT

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On a perfect Fall – esque Sunday, we headed out to the burbs for a backyard birthday party. Lucas’s little pal was turning one and we dressed him up for the occasion. How adorable is a toddler in a suit? A seersucker suit, you guys! #mamaswoon 

beanie (thrifted) | suit from appaman | shoes from zara baby (old)

SUNSHINE | A LETTER TO LUCAS

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My boy. My sunshine. It’s starting to hit me – Lucas will be two years old in less than 2 months. Officially a toddler! I feel like it was just the other day I was planing his first birthday. Scrambling to paint decorative dinosaurs, waiting for RSVPs, printing photos for his 12 month collage. Where did the time go? Every seasoned mama will tell you “watch out…the time will fly by.” You nod politely and move on. It doesn’t resonate until all of a sudden you’re a mama of a child. Not a baby. A child who you can reason with, who answers back, who has friends of his own. He is still a mama’s boy, that I’m sure of, but his personality is thriving and he is becoming more independent with each passing day. I’ll be kissing these sweet baby cheeks that smell of delicious honey each day, silently counting down each day until the ‘big 2’. I’m so proud of the boy Lucas is becoming and although I admit I’m a bit wistful as I reminisce on the past 2 years, I am over the moon excited to watch my baby boy make the jump into boyhood.

I was asked to write a letter to Lucas over on the lovely blog with heart. Jen, it was honor to participate. You can read my letter on what I hope he always knows here.

LEÓN WEARS

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Have you heard of Raine + Monet? It’s one of our fave children’s brands and is perfect for the bold, rebellious toddler (ahem..I’m talking about you, Lucas ;). With fun sayings such as we are young, free spirit, and wild wonder child, I just can’t get enough. Everything about Raine + Monet is kiddo perfection. My favorite tee is always be loud. If you know my kid, you know that he is boisterous, adventurous, and the life of the party. Loud would be an understatement and this tee fits his personality perfectly. You can follow on Instagram to see some seriously cool kids rocking R+M and shop the store here.
outfit #1: 
beanie (thrifted) | blazer from h&m (old) | tee c/o R+M | sweats from zara (similar here) | moccs c/o freshly picked
 
outfit #2:
beanie (thrifted) | tee c/o R+M | sweats from little vida | moccs c/o freshly picked
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