Halloween

This makes it Halloween number two for our little boy Wolfgang this year.  Last Halloween he was a measley two weeks old, but being the crafty mom I am of course I made him a last minute costume.  As a side note, Wolfgang arrived ten days early so we were planning on being in the hospital and his octopus costume was made in a pinch!

I can't believe he was this little last year!

My first Halloween as a lady bug (1 year 1 month). I asked what I was before I turned one and my mom said that "back then" we didn't take babies out when they were that little. That kinda made me feel old when she said that. Also, I would like to say my mom made my costume EVERY year. She's the best!

So, for this year's festivities I was treating it like it was our first Halloween as a family, since Wolfie is a little bit more livley this time around. I was excited to dress up this year too (last year I was still recovering from a c-section). I went through many ideas and thought we would be going as a chicken and the egg, but the night before I went with the gnome idea. I love gnomes, my grandma loves gnomes, and I am Norwegian so, being a gnome fit for this year. Plus gnomes are just so darn cute!

I guess he thought the gnome wanted easy-mac.

The combined cost of our costumes was a little under $20, I'm sure in the years to come I won't be able to come off that thrifty . If Wolfgang is anything like his mum he will want to be ridiculous things that take a lot of sewing and fabric. Thank goodness my mum passed down her sewing machine to me so I can start working on my skills.

Shelf Life

Here is a small post, with a few looks at my shelfs in my living room. My favorite treasures on display that make me so happy everyday.

What We Wore: To A Fall Wedding

Wolfgang and I dressed to the nines for a friends fall wedding.

Mum Wore:

Dress: Thrifted ( That morning for $3.50)

Hat: From Etsy.com a million years ago

Tights: Target

Belt: Target

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens

Wolfgang Wore:

Shirt: Old Navy Thrifted

Vest: Thrifted (That day as well)

Bow Tie: Vintage

Pants: Target

Shoes: (He was in no mood to put shoes on at the time)

Haus Frau

This week is just about over, and I haven't had much to post because of my day job as a mum/wife.  Since my darling husband/editor, has been putting in overtime in the classroom this week, I've really had to put my house wifing skills to the test.  For the past few days I've had to cook every meal, clean, do hair, bathe the Wolf, do hair, cook some more, then finally find time to make sure I was not wearing my own clothing inside out.
With the weekend approaching we are going to a friend's wedding in the northern part of Illinois, I am hoping since my husband is standing up in the wedding and has to do wedding hoo-ha this means momma will get to hit the local thrift shops. A well earned reward for holding down the household.

Curbside/Free

So after our little play trip in the park, we were walking home through the alley way.  I love walking through the allies of the old homes in our neighborhood, because some of the garages/carriage houses are just as pretty as the homes themselves. Well, today was my lucky day, there was a yard sale that was long over from earlier in the day. The people who had the sale were "cocktailing" in their backyard, if you can read between the lines (that's the term they used).  When they called out and said" all this is free, or you can get it from the curb tomorrow".  I tried to hold back my excitement, but they could tell I was a girl who knew my knick knacks. So with husband and son in tow I picked through the treasures, and walked away a happy girl.  I wanted to take everything they had, but let's be realistic I don't need to own every single piece of junk this town puts out. So here were my choices:

 I've wanted one of these suitcases ever since Erin and Stephanie over at Oh So Lovely  and Rachel of Smile and Wave had pictures of their suitcase up on the web.

Who can resist a teapot? Especially a free one.

What I Wore: Late Afternoon At The Park

Late afternoon in the park called for a few photos to be taken.

Dress: ASOS

Bow Tie: Vintage

Tights: Target

Shoes: U/O

Year 1

Well, that went fast.  How did Wolfgang get to be one already?  They say time flies when your having fun, which has pretty much summed up this past year with Wolfgang.  Of course, there have been difficult times, but on the spectrum of life it doesn't compare with the joy.  This past year has been such a wonderful adventure of self discovery and coming of age...for all of us.  I can't wait to see what even bigger changes are going to happen this year for our little guy. To celebrate we had a party for Wolfie at my folks house up in the burbs of Chicago.  I am happy I did not go over board with birthday-ness(there will be many more years ahead with theme parties elaborate decor and cakes), and just trying to make it an enjoyable day for  Wolfie.

 Wolfie's pal Evan. Evan's mum Sam and I have been pals since I was 2!

 My Husband knows his way around the grill and kitchen, no guest went home hungry.

I wanted to do a fun colored white cake,with white frosting. People were surprised with the teal colored cake.

Bringing Wolfgang his first birthday cake brought tears to our eyes. 

There was no "cake smashing" here, Wolfgang made sure no cake or frosting went to waste.

One year of being a mum under my belt, we made it through the first year as a new family.  I can't wait to see what future birthday will bring our little family. Happy birthday Wolfgang!