Looking Back

I came across this photo and wanted to share. She's about 5 days old here. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed and how much she has changed! (And how much she has changed everything.)

Willa Turns 1

Willa's birthday, being only two days after Christmas, presents a challenge. The weather is unpredictable, schedules are full, budgets are tight, and everybody has had their fill of celebrating. So we decided on an unconventional plan to hold a small get-together on December 27th, and throw a big half-birthday party on June 27th each year. We kicked off this tradition Saturday, by hosting an intimate dinner at our house followed by birthday cake.

The birthday girl donned an adorable white tutu dress with puppies on it, a pink and white striped cardigan with babylegs and her gold tennies.

And even though it was so unnecessary, Willa received some very special gifts. They include two amazing block prints by Chris, a set of Russian Nesting Dolls, several great books, including one I wrote just for her, a set of alpaca finger puppets, a German-engineered pseudo-scooter, a keepsake bracelet and ring that were mine as a baby, and a huge box of hand-me-down comic book characters from Ira.

She stayed up well past her bedtime, playing with her new toys, and practicing walking (she's almost there.)

I get pretty emotional when I think about the past year. It's hard for me to accept that an entire year has gone by, in what seems like the blink of an eye. Learning to be Willa's mom and adjusting to the role have taken both a physical and emotional toll on me that I wasn't quite prepared for. But the love and fulfillment my daughter has brought to my life are beyond my wildest dreams. I am not the same person that I was a year ago. I have realized more about life, love, family, friendships, my own priorities, strengths, and weaknesses, than I ever realized was possible. These lessons have changed my perspective, my attitude, and, well, me.

So here I am, Mom to a toddler! The new-mom-excuse has officially expired. I guess I'm going to have to start acting like I know what I'm doing, and doing like the mother I strive to be. Whoa, the pressure!

Her First Christmas

Every year, on Christmas Eve, to Grandmother's house we go...Sandy makes chili and tamales and a whole bunch of cookies, and all of the Heeps gather for dinner and a gift exchange. The house overflows with Sean's brothers and sisters and their kids and dogs, and throughout the evening extended relatives and friends drop by. If you are familiar with the family, it's needless for me to say that there is never a dull moment. Willa ate half of a Christmas cookie, got a sugar buzz, and became the center of attention. (Imagine that!) And for Christmas, her Grandma gave her some miniature board books, a retro Fisher-Price Corn Popper, and doll, a sweet little white rocking chair.

Christmas morning came early, as Willa was eager to get up to see what Santa had delivered. Sean and I were only mildly reluctant to roll out of bed at 5:30 and start the festivities. Willa's eyes lit up when she spotted the tree and all of the colorful presents, and she headed straight for the refurbished baby bed, which was thoughtfully passed down from her cousin Alli. In it was her very own Madame Alexander doll, much like my dear old Suzy. After she gave her baby some attention, she delved into the rest of her gifts. She rolled around on her big green donut pillow and devoted minutes (at least) of concentrated play to her wooden stacking blocks and sorting block set. And with my help, she gave her Sit and Spin a whirl. I know she was enjoying herself, even though she never cracked a smile. It was an awful lot for such a little girl to take in. And she is so busy and determined, there just wasn't time for the nonsense of interacting with us. We had pancakes for breakfast and then a good, long nap, while Sean went hunting.

Lunch was spent at Chris's and Wanda's house, where Willa played with her cousin (actually her cousin's cousin,) Gage, who is just a few months older. I forgot to take my camera along, but there were some precious moments shared between the two of them. Willa got MORE presents...some books and puzzles and one of those cute ride-on inch worms.

Finally, we headed to my mom's, where we gorged ourselves with more good food (chicken spaghetti) and opened a ridiculous amount of Christmas presents. Willa's loot included a bunch of fun little items from Dooley's, like noise-making batons, horses, and a Santa light saber of sorts. She also got a barnyard set, a couple of outfits and pajama sets, a little push along car, a melamine feeding set, activity books, and twin African American baby dolls. Once again, she was overwhelmed, overstimulated, and overjoyed with the family and fun.

It was a wonderful first Christmas for Willa. She is so loved by so many. And times like these, spent with family and good friends, always remind me of that. It sure does make a mama proud.

This Epitomizes Me

If anyone was wondering why they haven't received a Christmas card from the Heep family, well it's not because I'm a deadbeat mom. In fact, I worked on designing one for hours, but I never could get it just right, with the perfect photos, text, layout, etc. This kind of thing happens to me a lot. I work long and hard on creating something, often over-thinking it and even losing some sleep, but it still never quite reaches my own "standards." And then before I know it, the moment has passed, and I've missed my opportunity to get them in the mail by the holiday. My inability to make a simple decision like this is clearly a problem, and I'm working on it. In the meantime, enjoy not one, but two digital cards from us...a Disco version and a Charleston version. I just couldn't decide...

Ditto

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Time

It finally feels like Christmas at the Heep's. Sean was in charge of outside decorations, and I tackled the tree and anything else interior. He got right on the ball and completed his duties on Thanksgiving weekend. I, on the other hand, came down with a slight bout of the bah-humbugs as soon as I took a look at our dusty artificial tree and considered the daunting task at hand.

My mother's claim to fame is her Christmas Tree. We've even tried to come up with a way for her to parlay this seasonal skill into a full-time career. However, it is probably best that she reserve it for us, rather than letting it become a job. We wouldn't know how to react if she ever lost interest. It is so much fun to see how she will top the previous year. She does it every time, adding an extra strand of twinkle-y lights, rearranging the nostalgic ornaments and sprinkling buckets of fake snow, which, by the way, isn't tacky at ALL! It is always beautiful.

I wish I had inherited that passion of her's when it comes to decorating my own tree. I mean, once I get going, and have gotten past the branch-spreading and light-wrapping, I do enjoy myself. In fact, the other night, as I was putting the final touches on the tree, I stopped to soak it all in. (I know, I say that a lot, I am just so proud of myself when I do it.) Anyway, I realized right then, that as we were all busy doing our things, we were creating Willa's first memories of the holidays, establishing for her, the sense of family and tradition (and all of that warm and fuzzy stuff) that is so important to me. Not that those things didn't matter when it was just the two of us, but now that we have Willa, there's a much greater purpose to everything that we do. And that simple, yet sweet, concept is something I have long craved.

It was a storybook kind of evening...Here we all were, at home on an otherwise quiet Monday night. Sean was in the kitchen cooking up something delicious for dinner (It was spaghetti and it smelled wonderful.) We had a warm fire going and Christmas tunes blaring (one of Sean's fab compilations.) I was singing and dancing (yes, the cd was THAT good) and as I searched for a few vacant branches to place the last of the ornaments, Willa circled the tree, touching and grabbing everything she could, without me noticing. She kept pointing at the bubble lights and saying "hot" (with a silent "h" and a very exaggerated "t.") But the best part was the few times we caught her bobbing to the music. She was really into it, and actually has pretty good rhythm and serious moves. There's the basic bob, which she performs either standing or upright on her knees. She can also "raise the roof" and "dribble" like nobody's business. But most of the time, she just extends her pointer and conducts. One day, I'll teach her my signature Runningman and Roger Rabbit dance moves.

So here are some pictures of our Christmas decor. I'm a less-is-more kind of girl, remember? So the fact that we have a snow-skiing polar bear on the roof is a pretty big deal. Also, notice the snowman...it was a gag wedding gift from my brother, and we have proudly displayed it every year. Today, I'm going to use my Willa-Wednesday to wrap presents at the shop. I'm just feeling so Christmas-y all of a sudden. Must be the decorations.

Happy Birthday, Jordan!

I hope you had a fabulous 30th! I am so glad I got to be there to celebrate with you, just like you did with me on my 30th. (Isn't it interesting how much our lives have both changed since then? And it has only been two years!) I'm wondering what on earth you wished for as you blew out those candles... an uninterruped night's sleep, perhaps? Anyway, you don't look a day over 29. (Or anywhere near it, for that matter.)

The Bug Bites!

{Warning...If talk of baby vomit makes you queasy, skip this post.}

As much as I try to keep her out of germ's way, with my trusty Clorox wipes and hearty German breast milk, Willa has gone and gotten sick...again. Only this time, its the stomach bug. Dreadful. The poor baby was uncharacteristically clingy and a tad extra fussy a couple of days ago, and I just assumed it was because she was tired. She was especially whiny at dinner and refused three different meals before I gave up and moved on, to her bath and bedtime ritual. I was rocking her to sleep when disaster struck. Without any warning, she threw up all over the both of us, more than I ever could have imagined. And as soon as it was over, she was talking and pointing and directing Sean to her toys. Little trooper. I wasn't sure if it was something she had eaten or the real deal, until the next day when it happened again. This time, I was at work, standing with her in my arms right outside my office. Again, it was all over us and our cute outfits. I stood there, frozen, holding Willa close, and pondered the meaning of unconditional love. In that moment, soaked in baby vomit, I felt completely maternal. Sick as it sounds, it was kind of neat. Conveniently, Willa and I were able to find some alternative cute outfits just steps away at Root and Beulah's. And Billie Jean, our go-to-girl at the shop swooped in to help with the mess. I really owe her one...really.

So, Willa's been laying low, sleeping a lot, downing fluids and bland foods, and I think she's pretty much over the hump. Oddly, in the midst of all the sickness, she picked up the sign for "milk," and, brace yourselves, she took her first brave steps. I'm the only one who witnessed it, but I'm positive that it was not my imagination, because it happened more than once that evening. She took a couple of single steps first. Then she took two steps! That was last night, and she has shown no interest in stepping today. Oh well.

I took these pictures today at lunch. Willa was having a tummy-friendly feast of applesauce and dry toast. And she thinks phones are the most fun toys ever invented. So she kept pretending that her toast was a phone, putting it up to her ear and inflecting her voice to sound like "hello?" Enjoy!

Christmas Parade '08

Another tradition I'm excited to make ours is attending the Christmas Parade. It was tonight, and we stood out in front of the shop to watch. Willa was in rare form as the marching bands and illuminated floats passed by. She was an observer, for a change, not the star. She worked her flawless parade wave and made a few attempts to say "dog" as the SPCA float rolled by. Other than that, she watched quietly, purely mesmerized. Sean was even impressed. This was his first Christmas Parade, too. He kept talking about how neat it was. So I am pretty confident that this tradition will be a keeper. I've always felt blessed to live in such a charming town, but tonight, I am especially appreciative.

Welcome, Wolfgang!

Wolfang Legend Parsons was born this morning at 1:34 am. He weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz, and was a whopping 21 inches long! I LOVE his name! Its proud and strong, and something the little guy will have to live up to, but I can already tell he will handle it just fine. (The nurses told us about a recent delivery, a baby named Jesus - that's Geez-us, not Hey-seus. Now THAT kid has his work cut out.) Wolfgang belongs to Rebekah of Beulah's (and her husband, Jamie, of course,) so we'll be seeing a lot of him! I had to get some shots of the proud siblings, Camden and Brooklyn, wearing gigantic grins and some cute t-shirts.

My (baby) fever just spiked a couple degrees. Congratulations all of you!

A Big Month Ahead

December is here! That means its time to start preparing for Willa's First Christmas (pause) and also her First Birthday. As tempting and natural as it would be to simply lump them together, these two very significant milestones deserve some individual attention. Willa's birthday may fall only two short days after Christmas, but mark my words, it will not be overshadowed. It'll be a busy week for sure, but I'm a mom on a mission, and I embrace the challenge. I've rounded up some great gift ideas for each occasion. And these are my favorites:

(Clockwise from the top) Kit+Lili Big Red Dot Dress, Wooden Stacking Chicken, Elephant Puzzle and Carrying Case, Monkey-in-the-Box, Eco-friendly Doll Stroller, Madame Alexander Doll (just like Suzy,) Olive Felted Wool Boots, Wooden Puppy Pull Toy, Elmo, Colorful Wooden Building Blocks, Pretty Christmas Stocking, Slipper-fetching Hound

(Clockwise from the Top) Owl Beanie, Mod Teepee, Classic Sit-n-Spin, Plush Bunnies, Designer Denim, Pink Donut Pillow (in lieu of the dog beds,) Wooden Sorting Blocks, Actual Sneakers, Activity Book for the Outdoor-sy Girl, Numero Uno Tee over Long Sleeve Kit+Lili Wave Tee

There Is A Bright Side

Considering the recession, the past weekend went as expected. Black Friday didn't put us in the BLACK. We're making ourselves rather comfortable in the RED, actually, as I've resolved to the fact that its going to take a while to get out of this. Sales have been soft for several months now, and the effects of that have gradually added up. Credit cards and industry factors, which I use to buy merchandise, have imposed new limits on my accounts, so instantly I've become "maxed out" and cut-off. The burn is that I am contractually obligated to orders I placed months ago, so the goods are still being shipped, just as C.O.D's. And as I prepay for this excess merchandise, I in turn, render myself unable to pay down the credit card and factor debt. Its a perpetual downward cycle, and I could make myself sick worrying about it. BUT I'm not. And that's the good news, and the reason for this post. After a mediocre weekend at the shop, I decided to take Sunday off and spend it at home with Sean and Willa. I'm so glad I did because it put things into perspective and cured my bad attitude. Instead of tainting this season with financial woe, I will use my past 7 years of experience to ride the retail rollercoaster with a cool head, even though it is currently more frightening than fun. This week, I will assess the situation, and devise a plan to best salvage the remainder of 2008. I'll just keep doing the best I can. And I certainly won't let it spoil the holidays. Money will be tighter than expected, but luckily, Willa doesn't need much. This has given us a nudge toward the things that matter most, not presents under the tree, but family and holiday tradition. Don't get me wrong, there will be presents, but they will not be the focus. And it will be the best Christmas ever.

Happy Birthday, Jenifer!

We sure are looking forward to seeing you and Reyn next week and celebrating both of your birthdays. I hope today was special. Love and miss you!

Thanksgiving '08

It was a beautiful day. We started with lunch at the Hh Ranch. Then we checked out the herd. Willa wasn't all that impressed with the cows. She's more of a people-person, I guess.

Then we went to Omie and Opie Kaiser's for some dessert and a quick visit with the Klein's. (And sorry, I forgot my camera in the truck.) Later, we made our last holiday stop, at Uncle Johnny's. We ate a big, delicious dinner, went around the room announcing what we were most thankful for. Can you guess what I said? Cash mostly slept like a baby, and Willa, well, didn't.

Chris lent her his cell phone, so she could take a call, and she received some very shocking news. As my friend, Jordan, said (and these pictures convey,) Willa "owns a room." Just look at us, a captivated audience.

Let's Get Caught Up...

First of all, I am sorry for the week-long hiatus. And I hope I haven't lost any devoted readers because of it. Last week was so busy! Our friends from Chicago, Seana and Madeline Strawn, visited us for four fun-filled, baby-centric days. It was hopefully the first of many cross-country play-dates. The last time I saw Seana was in Chicago, in May, and she was pregnant. Meeting Madeline this first time was really special. Seana and I have been friends for almost 10 years. We have been though so much together, having first met as waitresses at The Plateau Cafe, stood up in each other's weddings, empathised as we each underwent grueling fertility treatments, hosted each other's baby showers, welcomed our bouncing baby girls only 6 months apart, and shared plenty of tears, laughs, wisdom, and inspiration along the way. We call each other "soul sisters" because whether we are near or far, we always seem to connect on life, from the latest cravings in home decor, to our philosophies on motherhood, and most everything in between. Madeline's temperament contrasts and balances her mother's personality quite like Willa's contrasts and balances mine. We get a lot of laughs and conversations out of that. It was a joy to spend this quality time with our dear friends and to get to know Seana's adorable, mellow, smiley baby girl, Madeline.

In addition to our visit from the Strawn's, we welcomed lots of unexpected guests throughout the week, including Jenifer and Reyn, Jordan and Cash, Shelly and Cassidy, Helen (sans baby Jack,) Tara, Harlie, and Gracie, Sarah and Sofia, and Anabelle and Mattie. Rebekah, Brooklyn, and Camden paid a neighborly visit, too. Thank goodness for Cheerios and the big shag rug that I recently put down in the shoe section. I've been enjoying this perk of self-employment and turning the back half of the shop into a romper room for Willa and her friends. (Of course, I welcome any opportunity to chat up and relate to fellow moms.)

Last Thursday, my mom, Willa, and I attended the Grand Opening of Minx in downtown Austin. This new boutique is co-owned by my cousins, Sarah and Kate Penick. It is a beautiful store, stocked with fantastic labels, like Meghan Fabulous, Chloe Dao, and LaROC. I bought some great chocolate brown riding pants, and an early Christmas present for my mom, a scarf emblazoned with peace signs (of course.) There, we met up with Jenifer and Reyn and followed them to Matt's El Rancho for a yummy Mexican dinner. Reyn is 2 years old and unbelievably precious! She and I did lots of baby sign language, which has re-ignited my determination to teach Willa to sign. Its a great tool, simple to learn and execute, and cuts down on fits of frustration from little ones that have no other way of communicating their wants and needs. As we waited for our table, I doled out cheese puffs to Willa and Reyn. Willa grunted loudly whenever she wanted another one, and Reyn sweetly signed "more" and "please." From what I have read, now is the ideal time for Willa to learn, so Sean and I are buckling down, and I encourage everyone around her to do the same. Just ask and I'll teach you the basics.

Business has definitely picked up at the shop. This is absolutely my favorite week of the year, not only because of sales, but because of the familiar faces that pass through. In the 7 years I have owned Root, I have made countless friends and acquaintances through the shop. Seeing them on their regular, annual shopping spree always reminds me how much I enjoy and appreciate my job. Its hard to believe that I've been at it for so long, but I am frequently reminded. Customers I first met as little girls, trying desperately to fit into the clothes, are now coming in as college graduates with real jobs and their own money to spend. The familiarity of loyal customers is especially welcomed this year, with all the stress and struggle the recession brings. My numbers have been noticeably effected, and the credit crunch is taking its toll, but we are hanging in there. I'm so grateful that I have 7 years behind me and am somewhat established as a retail destination.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and another big first for Willa. I'm reminded how thankful I am for the blessings in my life. There are so many, which include Willa, Chris's health, my business and the freedom it has granted me to focus on being a mom, my doting hubby and the amazing friends and family members (especially the Grandmother Trifecta) that have helped me adjust to the drastic changes motherhood has brought. And on that note, I better sign off and get my shower before the sweetest blessing wakes from her morning nap.