night photos

November 18, 2014

Hey Jude / Photographs

DSC_4326-2
DSC_4328-2
and every night when dad works late and the sun begins to set, mama and baby come home, take kramer out, and then come in from the cold, removing their knits and heavy coats that have kept them warm during the hustle and bustle of the busy day.
DSC_4325-2
they remove their shoes, stretch their feet, turn on portable heaters, and browse through records until their eyes catch the perfect up-beat album to wind down the day.

DSC_4385
DSC_4386
mama begins to draw a bath for her little babe. she hangs the towel on the back of the door, finds the shampoo and sets it on the sink’s corner. 
DSC_4396-2
DSC_4401-2
baby likes to help get ready for the bath too …
DSC_4409
DSC_4399-2
DSC_4404
DSC_4423
DSC_4425
DSC_4415
after baby’s bath, mama reads him his favorite book, the hungry little caterpillar, and then feeds the hungry little baby and puts him down to bed.
DSC_4443-2
once baby is asleep, mama takes of her jewelry …
DSC_4364
quietly tidies up the house a bit from the earlier, once hectic, day …
DSC_4452-2
dresses into her warmest and coziest pajamas …
DSC_4311
finds a magazine she has been meaning to read …
DSC_4465
lights a festive candle …
DSC_4468
turns on a favorite show …
DSC_4373
DSC_4471
DSC_4477

and warms up a hot cup of vegan chili. 

ameda pump + a giveaway! {closed}

November 11, 2014

Hey Jude

DSC_4240
what can i say about the ameda breast pump … the first words that come to mind would have to be life-saver. getting jude full and happy has been one of the biggest struggles for me as a new parent. why isn’t he eating? why is he eating so much (to the point of throwing it all back up)? these are just a few of the questions that constantly flood my mind. before this breast pump, i was manually pumping on the regular for relief. i didn’t want to give up breast feeding but because of his acid reflux, getting jude on a regular and consistent eating schedule has been next to impossible. sometimes, however, i would skip a pump just because, honestly … my arm was too tired. i had been debating on whether to invest in an electric pump for some time when … ameda offered one for me to try. i was obviously beyond excited. it is totally, like i said, a life saver. i’m able to get so much more milk each time and having extra breast milk for jude to drink on the go, or to be able to add some into his formula has been awesome. the ameda breast pump is small and easy to use and comes with a carrying case so it’s easily portable. plus … guess what, you guys? ameda is giving one lucky chalk white arrow reader the chance to win one for yourself so be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for directions on how to enter!!
DSC_4254
DSC_4238
breast pump
DSC_4243

1. go check out ameda’s website by clicking here.
2. check out this breast pump and be sure to read more about it by clicking here.
3. leave a comment on this post letting us know you did so.

in order to win you must follow all giveaway rules. this giveaway is open to chalk white arrow readers only. the winner will be chosen randomly so be sure to either be logged into blogger/google or leave your email address in your comment. contest winner will have one week to claim their prize. in the case that the original winner does not do so, another winner will be chosen. giveaway ends one week from today, november 18th 2014, at 11:59 p.m. central time. good luck!! 


*although this post was sponsored by ameda, the thoughts and emotions expressed were all my own.  


congratulation Magnolia … you are the winner! an email has been sent your way.

apple and sweet potato cereal

November 9, 2014

Hey Jude

DSC_4118-2
we gave baby jude his first taste of “real” food on sunday. after his four month check up (at four and a half months old) last week, jude’s doctor thought starting him on baby food would be a good idea to help him pack on the pounds since he’s only in the third percentile for his weight. she also thought it might help with his acid reflux a little too. personally, i think jude might just be naturally little … i too, as a baby, had a hard time getting all round with those cute pudgy rolls around the knees. our doctor agrees, it’s most likely genetics. for us, however, anything that could possibly help with his acid reflux is worth trying. anyhow, we were super excited to give it a try. we decided on an organic apple and sweet potato baby cereal which he absolutely LOVED … and knew making a huge mess to show his appreciation was just the way to thank us as the mass amount of photos below will show. p.s. i’ve officially become one of those moms who takes too many photos of her child and shares them far too often with anyone who will dare look. i’ve also become one of those people who puts an ellipsis before, in between, and after every sentence she writes … ‘nough said.
DSC_4108
DSC_4120-2
DSC_4091-2
DSC_4112-2
DSC_4092-2
DSC_4100-2
DSC_4130-2
the face he made when the food ran out and we took away the fancy spoon #WishingIHadALaughingEmoticonToPlaceHereDSC_4131-2
DSC_4133-2

happy halloween!

October 31, 2014

Hey Jude / Photographs

patch 4
patch 25
patch 6
patch 2
patch 3
patch 1
patch 12
patch 5
patch 7
patch 8
patch 9
patch 10
patch 11
patch 13
patch 16
patch 14
patch 18
patch 17
patch 19
patch 20
patch 21
patch 24
patch 22
patch 23
patch 26
patch 27
patch 28
patch 30

and there you have it … one-trillion photos of our adventure to the pumpkin patch. i also just have to add, remember that day we went pumpkin picking last year? well, that was the very first day we knew we were expecting. it’s so crazy to look back over the last year and reflect on how much has changed. we were so lucky to take the wild baby max, aka jude, with us this time! happy halloween, you guys! 

boys, breakfast, and vegan chocolate chip cookies

October 30, 2014

Hey Jude / Photographs

DSC_3952
DSC_3943
DSC_3939
DSC_3951
DSC_3947

this is what breakfast looks like just about every day at our house. a giggly baby, a drooling kramer, a hungry mama, a chocolate stained bed, and one of the best chocolate chip cookies i’ve ever eaten … and vegan at that. have you guys had the vegan chocolate chip cookies from whole foods???? if you haven’t, run to you local store right this moment and treat yourself to one … or a dozen because trust me you’ll want more. if you have the self control to hold off devouring it until you get home, zap it in the microwave for ten seconds and you will have a few moments of heaven. and … if you want to take your experience up a level, while you are at whole foods, pick up some apple cider and drink it cold with your warm cookie. i may be crazy, but i think they go perfectly together. the end.