Flower Child

Little Scarlet at 6 days old

Wrinkled skin that doesn't quite fit

Tight little fists that haven't yet relaxed

Sweet little tongue that loves to stick out

Big blue eyes that stare into my own

Skinny limbs waiting to plump up

Soft downy fluff covering her tiny back

All warmth and deliciousness

Fashion Photo Shoot for YOU Magazine

I had the great pleasure of styling and shooting a spring fashion photo shoot for Green Bay's YOU magazine back in April and since it's now out in print, I thought I'd share a few of the photos this morning. My inspiration for this story was, as you can see, flowers! Each outfit was inspired by what I consider the season's happiest print and we shot these in a greenhouse at one of our prettiest local flower shops which was, as it turned out, the most breathtakingly beautiful location I could have imagined, with its wild bursts of color and lush vegetation. It was a welcome beginning to spring! 

 {outfit from Besselli}

{outfit from Beth's Boutique}

 {outfit from Sassy Girl}

And here's a little look at the maternity style article and the top 10 cute beachwear essentials I found at our local boutiques. 

My dear friend Holly Lasee has just finished up a look book and investment guide for my small photography business and here's a look at it. It's really stunning Holly - thank you so much! You're such an incredibly talented young lady. xx

3 Birds and a Butterfly

{this is a part of a series in 2013, a portrait of each of my children *almost* every week of this year}

Nearing the end of May

Parker - 

School is out for the summer! And wow, that means that you're a 3rd grader now. I haven't had the time to absorb the fact that you're now in 3rd grade and that you said goodbye to everyone at school on Friday for a wonderfully long summer but what I can say is that I'm so proud of you and the incredible year that you had. You worked so hard and became so confident and independent. Your teacher had such a big part to play in that happening for you and I'm grateful to her for that. You also started with drum lessons and now we embark on a musical journey with drummer #2. This is a summer filled with new experiences for you and I can't wait to see it all unfold. Each summer has its own story and this one is sure to be awesome. 

Monty - 

This helmet is an early birthday present from your grandparents, who are in Australia for a while and have to miss your big day. You were hoping for a motorcycle helmet but this made you just as happy in the end. It was this or otherwise, a stuffie. You're a child of extremes and that's a perfect example of it!

Elliot -

 You've been asking dad to teach you the guitar and so this was one of your little jam sessions. Sweetness. 

Scarlet -

 This is the 6th day of your little life and I took a few photos of you in a toy doll bed that I found at a thrift store a week before you were born. You fit into it so perfectly. And you, little girl, are absolute perfection. You are such an indescribably tremendous gift to us. We are a blessed family. 

The Butterfly {4 days old}

This shows me just how tiny you are! Those little dolls are in fact minuscule. You thought this little line up was pretty great and hung out here for some time before little E joined you. Today your eyes have cleared up and you're looking more intently at us, following your brothers around a bit. You've always had a surprisingly strong neck, right from the moment they gave you to me. You nurse frequently throughout the day time but last night you gave me some nice long stretches of sleep, waking twice. You're sleeping in our room at night and seem to love that fan as much as your brothers. In the day we're having you nap where ever, car seat, bassinette, and arms, all in the hopes that you'll grow comfortable with being flexible and able to sleep even in the midst of our loud family noises. So far, so good. You're happy at home and you've made it really easy on us so far. You've fit right in, as if you were always there. This afternoon we napped together in my bed and you were tucked into my left arm. I had to wake you after a while cause you were so content to sleep the day away. I'm cherishing these newborn moments. 

Elliot was home with us today and I think it's safe to say that he's finally feeling some love for his little Scarlet. We went for a long walk around the neighborhood this morning and watched some Wipeout. :) We're weaning E off of his naps which is both gruesome and wonderful at the same time. It makes for a long afternoon, though I no longer have to nap to survive the day like I have these past few months, but Elliot seems to sleep much better at night without the nap. To bed earlier and sleeps in much later. So we may start an afternoon "milk and a movie" time instead.

I've not yet been able to dress this girl in any of her new clothes. She's waaay too small for them. Grateful to have several white onesies and some clothes borrowed from friends. Can't wait to get her in a little chambray - haha!

Introducing Scarlet Evangeline Gungor

On Sunday, May 19th at 5:08pm, our little girl was born. She was 6 pounds and 5 ounces and measured 20 and a quarter inches. She is absolutely delicious and my boy are completely smitten. Honestly though, they keep telling her how beautiful she is and the second they're home from school, they head to the sink to wash their hands so they can hold her. Little E is struggling a bit more with the change but we're trying to love on him as much as possible to make it smoother for him. I hope to get some more details down soon about Sunday but have found it next to impossible to just write this! So till next time. :)

2 days old

She's quite the party animal, isn't she?

Hi. My name is Kirsty...

... and on Sunday, I'll not only have an induction but also an epidural (if I'm lucky). Double whammy!

I've decided to share this today because, well, I'm so stinking excited about it. I've never been induced before and I hesitate to let you know at all because, let's face it, child birth is no longer an "un-judged" subject. And I live in a city where moms are extremely opinionated on the subject and lean in a very holistic direction for the most part (at least the vocal ones do). So I prefer to stay off the radar and keep my private life private. I don't enjoy these sorts of conversations AT ALL. But my family is thrilled to be counting down the sleeps and it's happening everyone, this weekend! It's just too exciting to keep quiet. In fact, I would climb up on our rooftop and shout it to the neighborhood if I wasn't so clumsy and it wasn't raining right now. (K, maybe not).

My doctor has recommended an induction because of my age and because of the statistics that go along with AMA and I'm 100% fine with it. I know that some of you are super opposed to this sort of thing but I'd rather not hear about it if that's okay with you. I think it's amazing that we can all birth our little ones in a variety of ways. I think home births are wowzers and water births incredibly cool. We have a dear family friend that stood on her bed (gosh, 10-15 years ago?) and screamed those babies out right there (at least that's how I remember the story ;). I love that we can do these things the way we really want to do them, have our own incredible experience just exactly the way it makes us most happy to. Another dear friend prefers C-sections and in her neck of the woods, that seems the way to go. The idea of peeing when you go for a jog or have a good laugh, well, that's not something that's worth the risk in the end. I get it. Ha!

We had friends when we were kids that lived on farms. Some that had chickens and horses and sheep, acres of land and fresh eggs every morning. We thought that was cool. You live on a farm and I live in a busy neighborhood. It's so strange to me that now it's more than that. That shopping at a grocery store, the way we have for decades, is suddenly taboo. Or at the very least, it's kinda judged. I miss the days when we could live a healthy life, eat right, exercise to keep fit and stay in shape and that was that. That was acceptable. Now we're encouraged to be anxious about everything, to let fear drive our life styles. What I do know is that God has known my name from the beginning of time. That He knit me together in my mother's womb. He knows how many hairs are on my head and how many years I will live. He knows the day that I arrive and the day that I leave this earth to be with Him. How will my choice to live off of coconut oil change His divine plan for me? Will it? Why do I need to live with such worry or fear of all those conspiracy theories, the medicines, the pesticides, the antibiotics, the epidurals, the milk at the grocery store. What's the point in the end? Do I want my kids to grow up hearing all of that and being crippled by the fear of it all too?

We tried it for a couple of years. We hoped it would help our little Monty to have a more comfortable, allergy and eczema free life. But it didn't work for him and it was a ridiculously miserable time in my life. He grew out of it and the medicines and blood work that ultimately, truly made a difference to him in the end were life saving for this exhausted mommy.

I'm sure I'll never talk of this again. I really don't like to discuss things that are so controversial. But I'm so happy to see my little one this weekend and this decision will stir up some conversations out there. :) I just know it. I want you mommies to know that I love you all. I love our differences and who we each are ... that we're not all the same. I love the fact that you drink green smoothies OR diet coke for breakfast. That you send your kids to private Christian schools OR public schools OR that you "unschool" them. That you teach them to read when they're 9 months old OR let their teachers do it in Kindergarten. That they take every sport under the sun OR they stay in art classes and music lessons. That you use crib bumpers and let them sleep on their bellies OR you swaddle them on their backs with a monitor to hear if they are still breathing OR keep them in your bed till they're 6. I think it's fabulous that we're all so different, that we're all raising our families in the way that best reflects us and makes us most happy and comfortable. I ask that you try not to judge each other so much. To say things that come across as patronizing and arrogant. Your way is not the only way. It's your opinion and your choice but that doesn't make it the "right" way. Can't we keep our thoughts to ourselves a little more? Especially those that offend or hurt others. This has happened time and time again in these past few months, during this pregnancy and with many of my pregnant friends. I suppose there's much to say in regards to the bump and the big day. I'm thankful for the moms who live their lives to the best of their ability, whatever that means for them, and have humility about it.

So little one, we'll see you very soon. We can't wait for that day and I'm praying that I get those meds to help me get through it! :) Seriously, thank you God for epidurals! But that's just me. :)

{image}

3 Boys

{this is a part of a series in 2013, a picture of each of my children *almost* every week of this year}

~ The middle of May, just before your sister is born ~

Elliot - Oh little E, my heart is so sad for you right now. You're giving up your dearly loved position to another and I know it's not going to be easy for you. I have adored having you as my baby for so long now. You've been such an awesome and easy child, and so hilarious! And now you too will be a big brother. It's time to grow up little man.

Monty - Today you graduated from Kindergarten at Celebration Academy and you were so proud of that rite of passage. We could tell by your attitude and your smile how very important you felt. It melted our hearts. You're amazing and so smart. We love you like crazy!

Parker - Caught you jumping on your bed in your room before bedtime tonight, chatting to yourself about this and that. Even though you're coming to the end of your 2nd grade year, and despite the  shocking amount of knowledge you have, I still think you seem so young. And in this moment it was proof to me. I'm thankful that I don't yet feel like time has flown away with you.

Maternity Style Feature in YOU Magazine

Not sure when my blogging time will start to dwindle so I thought I'd share some pictures with you today, those taken for an article I recently wrote for Green Bay's YOU Magazine which hits our news stands sometime next week. 

I worked with a gorgeous boutique in downtown De Pere called Azure (one of my local faves!) and styled some of my own clothing along with theirs in the hopes of encouraging preggie moms to enjoy the hottest spring trends despite their growing curves and to consider the options non-maternity stores have to offer us. It's just so great to find pieces that can remain in our closets even after that baby has made its blessed arrival and thankfully, maternity fashion is not what is used to be! Even compared to my first go round with all of this 9 years ago ... it's come a long, lovely way. And sure, we're not all going to carry our babes the same way but there are great ways to flatter your bump (plus the other additional bumps) to the fullest, tips that can work for everyone. 

You can pick up a copy of our fashion issue next week to read the article in its entirety but in the meantime, here's a quick breakdown of the clothing I wore. 

Tip #1 (and best tip of all!): 

Pairing an oversized or relaxed top with fitted bottoms (or vice versa) is most flattering. Skinny jeans or leggings with an oversized shirt or tunic (make sure you wear a longer shirt or tunic that covers your bum if you're wearing leggings!) or a fitted t-shirt (to show off that cute belly) with maxi skirt or wide, relaxed pants. It's about proportions and balancing them out. All loose or all tight is not as complimentary to the figure. 

 {ear rings, necklace, blouse, leather shorts, and clutch - all Azure

heels - J C Penney}

{necklace - Forever 21, shirt (actually a dress) - Asos, skirt - Gap, heels - Target
purse - Azure}

Tip #2: 

Bring the waistline up, up, up and accentuate it with a little belt, a shrug, or a cropped jacket. Belly's are so stinking cute, so show it off! This trick will also lengthen your legs, always a lovely advantage. 

 {shrug - Anthropologie, tank - Target, skirt - Asos, necklace - Free People, shoes - Old Navy

bangles - Azure}

{jacket, clutch, bracelet, and ring - all Azure

hat - Target, dress - Francesca's, sandals - Topshop}

Baby's Room Tour

Well here we have it! Finally a room tour of our little one's new digs. It's extensive but I didn't want to miss the details. I think that's the best part. ;) Enjoy!

dip dyed baskets - T J Maxx

cloud pillows made by grandma with vintage fabrics

bed spread - thrifted

curtains - Target

diaper bag - Cocosheaven at Etsy

plush toys - Anthropologie, Pottery Barn Kids and Target

butterflies - Hobby Lobby

Tord Boontje flower cut out - MOMA

angel wings - Jaiden Sky

bumper - recovered in old fabric from my bed room in South Africa (by grandma)

polka dots - stenciled with supplies from Hobby Lobby

glider - Target (recovered in sheet from South Africa)

chevron blanket - Target 

faux sheepskin rug - Ikea

mobile - The Alison Show

giant flower - Hobby Lobby

papier mache unicorn head - Dwell Studio

floral head piece - made by moi

art print - Kelli Murray Art at Etsy

dresser - left behind by previous house owners, ombre'd drawers with samples of pink paint

floral head crowns - The Pink Ruffle

other head bands and feather garland - made by moi

yarn wrapped tree (for jewelry) - Target

quilts - thrifted or handmade

beaded wall hanging - from a trip to Thailand

embroidered sleep sack & white dress - Somewhere in Time Antiques (GB)

dream catcher - Goodwill

Let me assure you that this room is not all brand new! Many of these items are goodies that I have had for a very long time (even my own childhood) or have collected over the years. I've always been a treasure hunter and a lover of anything whimsical or enchanting and so, I now finally have the chance to display all of these little beauties in one charming little place. My hope is that they will enliven this little girl's imaginations. There are some new things too and Etsy has been a great source of inspiration for me and given us several stunning creations from incredibly talented artists. I heart Etsy so very much!