14 Monday Jan 2019
Posted in Au Naturale, Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Dapper Dad, Fashion, Hair Game, Married Life, Motherhood
Wanted to share some highlights from our recent family photo shoot… Ryan and I still look at each other in amazement that we have two kids! Alexandra turned 4 earlier this month and Knox turns 1 in just a couple weeks. 
We shot with Brittany Nicole Photography at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, TX. Think you to Dry Society styling lounge for the amazing blowout!
14 Sunday Oct 2018
Posted in ATX Events, Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Beauty, Hair Game, Motherhood
Tags
birthday party ideas, face painting, Grand Opening, haircut, kids hair salons, kids haircuts, Northwest Hills, Sharkey's Austin, Sharkey's Cuts for Kids, toddler hairstyles
Today my daughter & I were invited to attend the Grand Opening celebration for the Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids new location in Northwest Hills – Austin. They had raffle drawings for free haircuts for a year & a free glamour birthday party package, balloons, face-painting, food & drinks and more. Here’s a shot of my little one getting her “rainbow princess” face paint and in the background you can see the pretty fairytale frocks the girls get to play dress-up in at birthday parties.
If all that rainbow-bling weren’t enough to send my tot into heartsparkle over-drive, they also paint their nails. Of course she chose purple glitter polish. Oh, AND it was done while she sat in a Frozen-themed Jeep. –She couldn’t stop smiling! 🙂 
We also squeezed in my daughter’s second-ever haircut in the middle of all the fun. There are no corners cut when providing these kids’ their haircuts — they do a nice wash in the shampoo bowl, wet cut, blow-dry, a dry-cut for touch-ups, and then the stylist even put a tiny little braid in her hair afterward.
See, the Sharkey’s name carries a lot of weight because they are so good with kids, and especially special-needs kids, too. They do lots of little things that the kids love, like playing on-demand their choice of favorite Netflix show at each cutting station! And for the older boys, there’s Xbox too.
In the past, many families in my neighborhood would travel all the way to Cedar Park to visit our area’s only other Sharkey’s for their kids’ haircuts. In fact, my daughter’s very first haircut (which was right around her 3rd birthday) was at that location. We were thrilled to hear there was a brand new one opening up much closer to us at the intersection of 360 & 2222. Sharkey’s salons already hold a special place in my heart, but this new spot exceeded my expectations. The facility is clean & bright, the staff was talented & positive, the owner was kind & thoughtful and the new location is perfect for us!
21 Monday Aug 2017
Posted in Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Everyday Joie, Fashion, Life[style], Motherhood, Product Reviews, Shopping
Tags
baby shower gifts, bubble romper, children's clothing, cute clothes, fashion designers, high quality clothing, Little Goodall, Shop Local, Texas businesses, toddler dresses
Earlier this summer, I was sent a couple of clothing pieces for Alexandra by a family-owned children’s line called Little Goodall. I was intrigued by this label because it’s hand-sewn in TEXAS and created a fellow mom. When the box arrived from Dallas, I was delighted by both the high-quality fabrics & cuteness-factor of the dress & bubble romper designer Molly Goodall sent over. This weekend, we took some pics of our dear tot in her adorable new duds so I wanted to share them with y’all. I love the idea of supporting local Texas-based designers — the pride of the work really shines through in the finished product. 
This cold-shoulder gingham dress received so many compliments at church yesterday! Handcrafted in sewing rooms that have been producing fine women’s garments in the U.S. for over 20 years, the same classic tailoring techniques used on the best blouses — including deep hems, covered buttons, and bias ruffles — are applied to the children’s styles as well. Little Goodall’s collection is classic and made to last. Even better, both pieces pictured are currently at a reduced price as part of their Midsummer Sale!
Dress up your little ones in extra-special handmade outfits that look fresh, and feel soft & cool against sun-kissed skin. Thoughtfully designed for the activity and motion of a busy child, each Little Goodall piece is handmade with the highest quality and attention to detail so the outfits will last for years to come. Plus, their seasonal collections are only available in limited quantities, so you’ll receive a unique garment you won’t likely see another child wearing at the park or back-to-school. 
The collection includes outfits for boys and girls, including bonnets, dresses, rompers and more. All Little Goodall pieces can be mixed and matched. Effortlessly dress your little one in Bubble Rompers with a clever inner liner that keeps the perfect pouf shape no matter how active your little monkey. Shoulder ties are accentuated with signature bell tassels, and delightful prints match the bonnets. The imported Liberty London Cotton Lawn is the finest, smoothest, lightest, natural fabric for summer, in the loveliest tiny prints which delight and not overwhelm.
About Little Goodall: Little Goodall is created by artist and designer Molly Goodall. While a stay-at-home mother, Goodall was frustrated when her two-year old son refused to wear the hoods on his coats. Searching for a creative solution, she designed and made the original Ferocious Felt Lion coat to inspire him to put his hood up in the cold. Friends commented, orders were placed, and Little Goodall was born! Molly is also the author of the creative sewing book Wild Things to Sew and Wear, published in the fall of 2014.
04 Friday Aug 2017
Posted in Baby Girl A, Everyday Joie, Faith, Infertility, Married Life, Motherhood, Pregnancy
Exactly three years ago, our family shared some very special news: that we were expecting our first child, a baby girl born in January of 2015. Now, at age two and a half, Alexandra August has some big changes coming up in her future… Ryan and I are expecting our second child! Alexandra will be Big Sister to a little mister! Baby BOY Wiese is due in February 2018. 
04 Wednesday Jan 2017
Posted in Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Dining, Everyday Joie, Gatherings, Holidays, Motherhood
Tags
birthday parties, brisket, Dos Chivos, First birthday, Franklin Barbeque, Little Land Play Gym, Mr. Will, Second birthday, Texas Two Step, winter birthdays
They’ve just opened a plethora of presents under the tree and were drug to more holiday events than they can count. As much as we try to make them feel special and not forgotten after the Christmas chaos, winter birthdays aren’t the best. Everyone’s coming down from that yule-tide high and ready to just #NetflixandChill. After those packed schedules that come with the holiday season, people are beginning to settle back into their regular routine and at this point, are frankly partied-out.
Personally, my summer birthday was awesome: close enough to the end of the school year to keep in touch with friends on event details, yet everyone was already bored & eager to gather for something fun, and there were boundless ideas for celebrating in the summer sun…I vividly remember amazing birthdays spent at the wave pool, the water park, and more.
But what to do when the dreary days of January & February have most of us ready to hit the fast forward button to Easter? My little one has an early January birthday and last year I kept it low-key for her first birthday celebration. Admittedly, that approach was due to me feeling like I was still getting my shit together has a new mom and couldn’t fathom adding party planning into the mix. So we went for something small and intimate, no guest list to manage, no decorations to fuss over. I have a little twinge of mom-guilt over it, but we ended up skipping the traditional 1st bday party in lieu of a morning of simply doing an activity she loved. We chose to spend a couple hours at Little Land Play Gym before a Tex-Mex lunch with my parents joining us. A true Texas babe, her first birthday dessert was an avocado tres leches cake from Dos Chivos.
This year, I am kinda taking the opposite approach… Thankfully it is now in my capacity to take it up a few notches for her second birthday. We’re throwing our little one a Texas “2”-Step themed party. To kick things off, we are hosting local children’s music artist “Mr. Will” Dupuy for a live performance at our home. Y’all, he’s soooooo good: his kids songs sung with a Texas-country twang, laid back cowboy style, and jokes for the parents that go over the little one’s heads make for a kids concert that all attendees will enjoy. My daughter Alexandra has one of his branded t-shirts and whenever she sees it, she starts singing Wheels on the Bus…it’s super cute BUT…imagine how she’s going to flip her lid when she sees him live and in concert right from her living room!
Lunch will be catered by Austin’s famous Franklin Barbecue. –Have y’all tried their brisket? Some swear it’s the absolute best in Texas. This Eastside joint is a favorite of President Obama, celebrities, and famous chefs. However, due to their 2-hour wait (like at least 2 hours standing outside in line, with no guarantee that there will be any left for you when it’s your turn to order), we’ve never tasted its deliciousness in the 5 years we’ve lived here. There is a workaround, though: Pre-Orders. Place your large catering order online in advance and walk right up to pick it up at the designated time your choose. –Score!
Now, I know random things like Cedar Fever, toddler tantrums (these have officially started for us!), and last-minute guest cancellations can possibly put a damper on the day, but I’m hoping we fondly remember her epic second birthday party. I’m unabashedly looking forward to a pretty fantastic morning of music and BBQ. However we choose to celebrate birthdays, wether it be small & intimate or over-the-top, I hope my little one grows up knowing how valued she is each and every day of the year.
19 Monday Dec 2016
Posted in Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Interviews, Motherhood, Product Reviews, Shopping
Tags
ATX Moms, best toy brands, best type of toys, EverEarth, Green Toys, Haba, Janod, KidKraft, Liza Wilson, Plan Toys, The Manhattan Toy Company, Toybrary, Toys, wooden toys
Any other new moms suddenly have toys on the brain? Interacting with toys is now a daily part of our lives and it’s my mission to figure out some best-buys in the playfulness department. So, I consulted Toybrary Austin owner (and thus, toy connoisseur) Liza Wilson to get her feedback on which toys are top-notch. –We’re talking best types of toys and the best brands to buy! Before she opened Austin’s local toy-lending library, she was a teacher, working with ages 2 through high school. Although preschool is her happy place, she’s experienced in public, private, and Montessori schools and believes play and learning go hand-in-hand.
Why does my daughter seem to go weeks, even months, only playing with a handful of her toys while the rest sit ignored? “Children’s brains are evolving very rapidly between the ages of 0-3. It’s their full time job to learn! They need lots of new stimulation on an ongoing basis. Once a child has ‘conquered’ a toy, it’s time to expose them to something new. If they are not playing with a toy, it’s likely because it has become boring to them and they no longer need to explore whatever the concept is. The toys that she plays with are the ones that are helping her learn.”
What are some quick tips & tricks moms can do to boost engagement, imagination, and self-guidance in the playroom? “One of the most effective practices is to rotate toys. Put the majority of your child’s toys in the garage or another unused space, and just pull out a few at a time for your kids to play with. This keeps a cycle of seemingly new items available to them. Research shows that kids cannot focus on more than 7 toys at one time. If there are more than 7 available, the rest will get ignored (causing piles of clutter). Even with only 7, these eventually become commonplace and it’s time for kids to move on to a new stimulus. That’s definitely the right time to pull out new toys and either get rid of the ones they are bored with, or put them away to try again later.”
What types of toys typically generate the most interest at Toybrary? “It’s funny, there are always new and fascinating toys on the market, but the old standards remain the most popular: dinosaurs, dolls, cars & trucks, pretend kitchen items, costumes, and all animals. The slide, bikes, trikes, and push carts are also enormously popular. Toys don’t need to light up or make any noise for the kids to love them. In fact, it’s much better on everyone’s mental health if they don’t!”
What are the signs of a high-quality toy?
“Wooden toys are almost always the highest quality toys, for several reasons:
Another sign of a high quality toy is that it has multiple uses/teaches multiple lessons. In other words, it promotes “open-ended” play. Blocks are a great example. Many toys focus on just one skill, like pushing a button. With open-ended toys, there is no limit to how many different ways they can be used. Kids can build a tower, a castle, a farm, a house, etc. with blocks. Because of this, blocks are interesting and stimulating for years!”
What are some of your favorite toy brands? “I love the European toys the most (especially Haba & Janod). –This is not to be snobby! It’s because they are generally truly more child friendly. The colors aren’t just yellow, red, and blue like they are often are in the U.S. They use beautiful oranges and purples as well. The toys are sturdy, well made, long-lasting, beautiful, and classic. You don’t find sexy or violent toys coming from Germany or France. That being said, Plan Toys, KidKraft, EverEarth, and Manhattan Toy are great American companies, and I love Green Toys as well. Their toys are simple, durable, attractive, and long lasting!”
ATX Moms: Try before you buy! Check out these brands and more at Liza’s toy wonderland, Toybrary. Plus, there are options to stay and play, drop-in childcare, and educational activities like excellent classes for kids and useful parent workshops. There’s always a new carefully selected speaker or special event going on there to add to your calendar!
29 Tuesday Nov 2016
Posted in Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Holidays, Motherhood, Shopping
Tags
Children's Museums, Christmas gifts, Christmas list, Christmas shopping, gifts for families, Memberships, Merry Christmas, Season Pass, Thinkery, toy-lending library, Toybrary
That Hatchimal on their Christmas list gone out of stock? Tired of kids with their eyeballs glued to a video game? Or (in our case), does your toddler actually play with the box more than the toy inside? Consider giving the gift of shared experiences this year! –Not only shared experiences, but a gift the whole family can use year ’round. I’m talking about the gift of memberships: wether it be season passes to a local amusement park or an annual family admission package to their local zoo; memberships are a unique way to ensure you give the gift that keeps on giving. Here are a couple GREAT options local to Austin:
Austin’s official children’s museum is a wealth of opportunity for fun & learning for families with kids of all ages & stages. They put on a slew of summer camps, reserve a “Baby Bloomers” morning just for the littlest crawlers, host a number of special events throughout the year, etc. As my “Community Placement” with Junior League of Austin, I volunteered there a couple years ago to help with summer camps and kinda feel in love with the place. Their exhibits are rooted in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education — it’s almost as if you can see the little cogs spinning in their minds as they interact & play. The Family Membership is $99/year and grants general admission for a family of four at each visit BUT there are a number of pricing options to suit each family’s needs, including monthly giving.
Here’s the dollar-by-dollar breakdown: the average family in the U.S. spends $740 a year on toys if they have one child, and $1,200 a year on toys if they have two children. (PRWeb.com) With Toybrary memberships at $40 per month & a year’s membership adding up to $420, the savings most families see is over $300 per year! If you go once a week, and check out 3 toys each time, the kids get to use 12 toys per month. But don’t forget, families can visit and exchange toys as often as they like.
01 Tuesday Nov 2016
Posted in Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Dapper Dad, Holidays
Tags
Christmas cards, East Austin, family holiday photos, greenhouse, Keep Austin Weird, Laura Morsman Photography, Merry Christmas, photo shoot, secret theater, Sekrit Theatre
Well, it’s November 1st. Halloween is behind us. The holiday season has begun! Our family Christmas cards actually arrived from the printer’s last night, marking the occasion perfectly. I went out around 10 p.m. to bring in the candy bowl and found the box sitting on the porch…my own little trick-or-treat surprise!
We recently had the special opportunity to shoot our family holiday photos at Sekrit Theatre located in East Austin. Our amazing photographer Laura Morsman had the contact & found the location, which is 2-acres of greenhouse, gardens, fountains, and artistic touches at every turn. 
Although it’s private property and you do need an appt./permission to shoot there, I spoke with the owner at length before our session & he is opening it up as much as he can for photos. The venue (his home) is his labor of love and called it like a cultural center…holding weddings there is donation-based, for example.
It’s sad, really: due to some city zoning issues & complaints from neighbors, it’ll probably get all torn down and turned into condos soon. You can read more about the plight of the our community’s “secret theater” here. Go visit this little Austin gem while it’s still around! 
Today, I’m sharing photos from inside the greenhouse, but more moments from the rest of our shoot will be shared here on the blog & on my Instagram in the coming weeks. THANK YOU Laura Morsman Photography!!!
06 Thursday Oct 2016
Posted in ATX Events, Baby Girl A, Everyday Joie, Motherhood
Tags
ACL Fest, babywearing, fall, Family Fun, Free events, kid stuff, live music, music festivals, The Domain, weekend activities
Austin-area kids are invited to rock their hearts out at The Domain’s the third annual Hush Hush Music Bash, a free music festival for kids on Saturday, October 8, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Baby Alexandra & I went last year and had an absolute blast! Such cool family event and a nice ACL-alternative.
KB Whirly will kick off the bash at 3 p.m. Known for his earthy, folksy, bluesy and always upbeat music, KB incorporates storytelling, improvisational song writing and interactive music making in his one-man band. Next, The Que Pastas will hit the stage at 4 p.m. This local kindie (kid+indie=kindie) band’s uplifting, highly interactive and ridiculously funny performance is sure to thrill the kids. At 5 p.m., Sonia De Los Santos’ musical stories will inspire messages of joyful community music making and cultural bridge building. Performing songs about history, art and culture, El Tule Band will perform at 6 p.m., finishing off a night that will have kids begging for more. 
In addition to getting down and funky at the main concert, kids will enjoy hands-on activities, giveaways and more, all on the lawn outside iPic Theaters.
For more info, check out the Facebook event page. See y’all there, Mamas!
29 Friday Apr 2016
Posted in Baby Girl A, Faith, Infertility, Pregnancy
I imagine going through infertility treatment is very much like going through any other major medical care. While the end-goal here is not to find a life-saving cure for yourself, the similarity lies in that finding a cure still equals life…not for you, but for the potential of life for your future child. You as the patient are bound by the condition of your physical body, the prescribed medical treatment plan, and the will of God/the universe/karma/chaos. –Whatever you chalk it up to, it feels as though powers outside of your control hold your fate.
As evidenced by the title, this post is about leaning into faith in God during an infertility crisis. I know not everyone shares my Christian faith or follows this doctrine, but I personally believe my Savior is in control. It doesn’t mean that we don’t have our faith tested and certainly a negative medical diagnosis can bring even the most devout follower to doubt. After going through a three-year struggle to become pregnant, here are some personal truths I’ve realized after making it to the light at the end of the tunnel.
God’s ideas were better than mine: It never quite comforted me when a fellow Christ follower would advise, “It may not be the Lord’s will right now” or “God does things in His own time.” While this was disheartening to hear, I forced myself to take comfort in knowing that His plans for me & my family are greater than I could imagine. — After all, how limiting it would be if the extent of our life’s richness was limited to our simple human mind’s own vision! The Bible says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
Prayer can give life to His plans: I don’t think we as Christians give enough credit to the power of our prayers, especially during a health crisis when it can feel like our hands are tied. There is life-affirming power in the words we speak and there is weight in the fervent prayer of children to their Father. What’s more, there are instances in the Bible when man’s communication with God appears to persuade Him onto an alternate course of action, i.e. Moses asking to spare the Israelites (Exodus 32:9-14), Abraham speaking on behalf of Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33) and Hezekiah pleading for his own life (2 Kings 20:1-7). While He is sovereign, omnipotent, unchanging and doesn’t bargain, I do believe prayer was an integral factor in my path to pregnancy.
Cling to the Lord’s promises: After receiving the frustrating diagnosis of ‘unexplained infertility,’ the fear of the unknown drew me closer to God, my rock. Somehow, in my heart of hearts, I knew that He wanted me to have children and I held steadfast onto that intuition. I wholeheartedly believe our Lord wants us to receive the desires of our hearts…especially when that desire is to build a family. In the end, I think the strongest notion –my saving grace throughout treatment– was the promise conveyed in Luke 11:9 (NLT): “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
