FOUR = bike

Can it really be? We have a tall, blonde, energetic, talkative, sweet-hearted, joyful, vibrant FOUR year old at our house?! She loves to be outside and loves to ride her bike. For her fourth birthday we got her a new bike! The photos reveal her surprise and pleasure. Happy Birthday precious Grace!

Ethan Chester Hebert

Now that our bundle of joy is nearly four months (!!!!) old, it's better late than never to announce his arrival! This was his mailed birth announcement. Now we can proceed with posting pics of the two beautiful little people we share life with. We are so in love with you, ECH!

Kiddo Christmas Tree

While we are waiting for the newest Mr. Hebert to arrive, we've been keeping busy with some fun moments. This felt Christmas tree was fairly easy to make, and has provided Gracie with something new to do! I took cues from my friend Rachel's blog (see #3), and from another blog too.

I bought 3/4 of a yard of green felt fabric from Hobby Lobby, and then bought several fun colors of felt sheets (4/$1) and cut them out. I used white chalk to trace the tree (it's a little skinnier than I wanted at the bottom, oh well), and for the round ornaments, I traced around cups. I surprised my girl when she woke up from her nap and she was very pleased! (Her only complaint: "there's too much stuff on here, Mama.") Hey, at least she's got options!

I'm also an avid reader of this sweet blog, and she has lots of meaningful Christmas books and activities to share, including the darling felt nativity set.

Baby Brother is Coming...

Today I took it upon myself to do some documenting for my second almost-born...some sweet moments captured with Gracie, and a preview of the little man's nursery.





I love these two. Hard to reason that I will have room for more love?! This is the look and big squeeze we get from Gracie when we say, "not too hard!"


Since this is the house we bought from my parents, this is my brother's old room. We kept the color because it was so neutral and it's kinda manly. The other colors were fun to accent with.


Sister's old crib! We've never taken it down...just moved it next door. (And her bookshelf, changing table and dresser...)


We kind of started the nursery with the idea of my parents' old blue leather recliner. I then found bedding to match. The shelf is from my Papa's house, and it's the perfect shade of green.


Can't wait to see who will be wearing these tiny clothes!! And the print (cough, illegal copy) on the dresser is out of a beloved story by Tomie dePaola called Bill and Pete to the Rescue. It has crocodiles and alligators in it, and ever since we visited New Orleans in June, I've kind of loved the alligator tie-in. And since we have Cajun roots, it's fitting and cute. I haven't been the best with Gracie's baby book, but found one for brother in his exact same nursery bedding pattern, so I had to get it.




My lifelong friend Amber works at Hallmark and in fact, her handwriting is what their current campaign is made of. I still can't get over that. I commissioned her to make a few prints with some favorite verses and sayings. LOVE LOVE LOVE how they turned out. She is amazing. I also love the little "alligator" I got from Land of Nod.


I found this old photo the other day and marveled at how I am following in my own mama's footsteps 27 years later. A girl first and then a boy. Carl and I are so tickled to be getting one of each. This was my first glimpse of my baby brother! (I look a little nervous?) I copied (illegally, yes...) a page out of a Curious George story that reminded me of Carl...a monkey doing wheelies!


Hospital bags are packed, sort of.


A bump photo for the books. And I love lamp. I love this little giraffe lamp from Mimi! Perfect accent.


Found these with my mom at a local store. Loved the colors and whimsical perspective!

And now we wait for his arrival!

Hollis + Horses

Our sweet cousin Hollis just turned one and had a very fun ranch day birthday party complete with cake and horses a few weekends ago. Gracie was pretty certain she was not going to ride a horse before we set foot at the party, but she was only uneasy for the first second she hopped on. Then we couldn't get her off!









Our friends, the Bengtsons, were there, keeping the birthday girl entertained! (Or vice versa!)



 Time for cake, with quite the audience.



Mimi knew Hollis would have a sweet tooth! Happy Birthday Hollis! Thanks for the fun day. We love you!

Emile Thomas Hebert

Our new nephew, Emile, arrived August 25, 2012 to proud parents Josh & Alexis. I think new momma's exact words were: "I've never been happier!" We got to visit all three last weekend – and he is mighty handsome. Definitely looks like a boy! Gracie was a little mother, which I suppose is evident of what's to come. Tried to get a few group cousin shots...pretty humorous. We had so much fun with cousin Evy too.

First Day of Preschool!

No tears! From either of us, for this first day of preschool!