WHOA.

Like I mentioned the other day, my talented friend Chris Ward came and stopped by Laredo for a while to capture some wonderful images of our baby girl. Now let's talk about Bean and Chris for a while...

The night before this photo shoot took place, our friend Josh and his fiance Annah had put on a cultural tea. We, along with several of our closest friends learned about Josh's heart for missions and the work that is currently going on in his life. I love these events that they do. I always learn so much and walk away in awe of my friends. Their passion inspires me and I love seeing my friends in their own elements; places where they are most spoken to by God. It's rather incredible. Anyways, Violet was sitting with Josh and I across the room from Chris and some other friends, Steve, Kate and Kelly. While Josh was answering questions and sharing, Violet could not stop staring/laughing/talking/smiling at Chris. He cracked her up with just a look, sending her into uncontrollable fits of laughter. Few people can affect her this way, and I have only had the privilege several times. (Feel lucky guys.) This made me excited for the next day. I love that giant smile of hers and couldn't wait to see it beautifully captured on film. 

The photo shoot went as expected. We worked with Violet and tried several different things. It was great to watch her kind of understand the concept of having her photo taken. Chris would show her a shot that he took and I think that she knew that she was looking at herself. She's so smart! 

Here was "the one" that made me gasp. There are more to come, but this...

My friends and their talents really, really amaze me. Check his work out a cwardphotography.com. You might see some of my wedding pictures in there!

Steps that She Takes.

Sorry for the extremely long break! We have been working really hard here at Laredo and can't wait to share the progress with you. Things aren't quite 100% so pictures will have to be posted later. (Wah wahhh.) I know, disappointment. 

On the upside of things our little Bean took her first steps a few days ago! Josh and I were watching Alice in Wonderland with her and while cruising around the ottoman like she always does, I reached out and said, "come here" and she came! She took 3 steps and grabbed my hands with the most victorious look on her face. In that instant, my eyes welled with tears. I couldn't believe that after thinking about this day for so long that it actually happened right in front of me. We tried it again and again and she continued with the same results. It was a great moment also because Josh works so much and to share in that with him was something so special for the two of us. She isn't quite off to a running start,  but I can see the adventure in her eyes. She wants it, and it's going to come full force. I know it. 

 I have been very busy planning her birthday party. Tomorrow my very talented friend Chris is coming over to take some shots of Violet for her birthday invitations. The invites are designed and printed, I just thought that it would be nice to have something that I could send out with them. Now to find the perfect outfit! Her birthday party colors are yellow and pink and can't wait to find something that goes with it perfectly.

Here is some ideas that I have for her party!

I can't wait! I am so excited! The cake that is shown is something that I got from Making it Lovely, one of my favorite blogs. That's her daughter Eleanor's face on the cake. I plan to do the same thing using the silhouettes I made of our faces a few months ago. I am no baker, but I will see what I can do.

What an exciting time! It will be the first time we get to share our new house with family and friends. A celebration of permanence and growth, something so very important to our family. I am SO incredibly grateful for the love and support that we have received every since we announced our pregnancy. I finally know what the word community means and I have seen it in action. I am thankful everyday that we get to grow in that.

IKEA.

This is what I've been up to for the past couple days. Whoa.

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Laredo.

Wow, only two more days until the big move! I am so anxious to be there. I can hardly wait! It's been on the upwards of 110 degrees here in Phoenix lately, and I can't anticipate that we'll have friends crawling out of the woodwork to help us (haha). We'll get it done either way! We've had GREAT support so far.

Here is what we have been doing this last week:

Inches.

Maybe I am really OCD, but this kind of bothers me. I hope in time that I will get used to it.

Here it goes.

My fridge doesn't sit flush with the counters in my kitchen. This isn't my picture, but it seems to look exactly like what is going on at our house.

 

I have no idea how to fix this except knock the wall back a couple of inches. Does anyone else have this problem? Did it bother you? 

HELP!

Pinks.

Alright...I am having a dilemma.

Violet's current bedroom for another week is a light purple color. While I love this for her, I am thinking about going with something that is not so in your face. For weeks and weeks, I have been swooning over this bedding from Dwell Studio. Target had the set on sale (yes!) and we purchased it.
 

I am crazy about the pattern and it will not only look great in her crib, but as you can see will look great when she transitions into a "big girl" bed. I have been looking and looking for the perfect color to put on the walls of the Laredo house. I have a few options, and here is what I have picked out so far.

There is a slight difference in the two, can you tell? Her room now is beige, like 90% of the house, and I am afraid of picking a color that is similar to what is already on the walls. I received a sample of the color on the right, Art Deco Pink from Valspar. This afternoon I am going to try it out. 

Which should we go with, more muted pink or more obvious?

Laredo.

We worked on Laredo ALL weekend. We purchased some furniture, painted the master bedroom, installed blinds in some of the windows and did a lot of yard work. We got a lot done! Sorry the pictures are not so great, but better ones are to come!

4th.

We will be busy working on the new house all weekend, but I'll be back on Monday with lots of before/during/hopefully after photos. 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Linden Rain Wallace.

 

Linden Rain, what a blessing you have been thus far. 

You smile.

You can't take your eyes off your Mama and Papa.

You're already a morning person.

I can't get enough of you. I REALLY can't.