Little Bit's of Elly (5 weeks old) from Krystal Donovan Photography on Vimeo.

 

We are finally getting out of the house over here. HOORAY!!! Because Mama was going a little stir crazy. Six weeks is a long time to basically do nothing but perpetually feed a tiny human. That’s why I only lasted 5, besides the occasional trip to Trader Joes. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love our feedings, looking down at her sweet face, little curled toes, and that milk drunk face at the end, priceless. But we needed sunshine, so off to the farmers market we went.

It’s one of my most favorite things to do during summer. Going there hungry is key, all the delectable free tastes are the best! And you always come home with the most fabulous treats to enjoy later.

The little lady enjoyed the market from the security of her Sakura Bloom Sling. If you don’t have one ladies, pick one up, they are amazing! This being our first child, I’m not quite sure how it feels to lug around a car seat everywhere you go. But having your baby in a sling and being able to be hands free is awesome. She’s can take naps, and even nurse without all the fuss, this makes for one happy mama.

After some much needed sunshine and food we headed over to my mothers house to take in the ocean view. And of course some lovely G-Ma kisses.

Peace & Love, Krystal

First off let me just say, my first post as a mother has me thrilled. It's as if life has started over, and everything has a new flavor. My view of this world will never be the same. I have such a profound respect for all you mama's out there, birthing and raising your children. I feel privileged and honored to be able to be a part of this new world of Mamas and babes.  

Being pregnant with you was the most amazing journey I’ve ever been on. From the beginning I loved you, knowing that you were there, just beneath my skin, forever mine. But it wasn't until you were here that I knew the true meaning of love.

Labor. It was long. I started having prodromal labor with you at 35 weeks, kinda scary to say the least. It sent your Daddy, Grandmama and I to Labor and delivery, on more than one occasion. Only to be sent home reeling in pain with contraction after contraction and no baby. . It's basically your body trying to kill prepare your uterus for "the real thing." I had contractions that would last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes, all day everyday, sometimes one per hour, and on those lucky days, ten per hour. The doctor promised me that you would be here in two weeks max, which gave me some sort of relief to know that this horrible pain wouldn't last to long and you would be here soon.

 

After two weeks, with contractions gradually getting stronger and stronger, I wanted to kill the doctor for ever telling me you would be here in two weeks. I began to joke with everyone that I would have the buffest uterus ever by the time my body was ready to kick into "real" labor.

After three weeks I was just mad, mad my body seemed to be failing me, mad that these seemingly endless contractions would never stop, EVER. Night after night I would stand by our bed, crying, praying for a break so I could just sleep, hanging onto your dad at times, begging him to make it stop. Asking God why He allowed this to go on for so long. But you just weren't ready, little did I know this would be the biggest lesson in patience I would ever have.

By 39 weeks I was a woman on a mission! After countless people advised me to start doing some serious walking, eat spicy food, do lunges, basically anything to get this labor into full gear, I did. Your Dad and I hiked, well I waddled up and down the hiking trails down the street from our house. Lo and behold my contractions started picking up, I could have kissed the dirt I was walking on at that point. Sadly, all it did was throw my body into even more painful contractions, spread to far apart to change my cervix. This is the point where I began to be outside myself. I was a grumpy crying mess, and so over being pregnant, I wanted you here NOW, better yet yesterday, knowing you were full term and healthy, I just couldn't understand why oh why you weren't here in my arms yet.

 

The evening of June 6th my contractions picked up to the point where I couldn't walk or talk through them. I got pretty excited because I knew I had to be making some progress, finally! However, after so many false alarms I continued to ignore them, and sent your Dad off to work, reassuring him that this was not labor. He called when he was about half way there and I picked up the phone crying, he immediately turned around and came home so we could go to the hospital once again, thinking this was finally it. I was having contractions every two minutes, and as soon as our 40 min drive to the hospital was over they stopped dead in their tracks. Thankfully, my doctor was working that night, she checked me and I was 1cm and 80% effaced. She said she could feel your head, how cool. She felt incredibly bad for me and offered to stir things up. I consented, anything to get you out. Holy Moly BATMAN that phrase will never sit the same with me again! She manually stretched, wiggled, and jiggled my cervix to 2cm, ouch is a understatement! She told me to walk the halls, so we did, The contractions picked back up with a vengeance. But after two hours and one more check later I was only at a 3cm. So she sent me home to labor since she knew I wanted a natural birth and staying at the hospital at this point would mean Interventions would be inevitable. So off we went...back home, to continue laboring.

By the next morning my contractions slowed to every 20 minutes, I cried to my mom asking when she thought you would come. I had pretty much convinced myself that I would be pregnant forever. She reassured me that you would come when you were ready. Worst phrase ever! Because I was ready, I had been ready. By that evening my contractions were completely gone for the first time in almost five weeks, it felt strange not being in pain.

When evening time rolled around I once again reassured your Dad that he could go to work, I just wanted to be alone. I went upstairs and prayed,I gave thanks for my life, for being able to bear life, and for everything as a whole. I decided I was ok with whatever happened, I was done walking, done eating spicy food, I just wanted to enjoy these last few days or maybe weeks of being pregnant with you. Then I did some yoga, meditated, then went to sleep, I don't even remember your Dad coming home from work at 3am. I slept, for the first time in weeks, I slept.

At 6:30am on June 8th, the day before your due date, I woke to text messages from family asking if you were here yet. I wanted to throw the phone out the window. Instead, I wrote to everyone that no, I was still pregnant and probably would be pregnant forever. As I pressed send I heard a faint POP! No way, I thought to myself, no way my water just broke. I got up and went to the bathroom, there was no denying it, my water had broken, I was in shock! I shouted for your Dad, exclaiming that my water had broken. He wobbled over sleepy eyed from a hard nights work, excited and confused. Could this really be it?! I asked him calmly to please call my mom. I put on my sacrum meditation music and sat on the floor in your room, the contractions were so much stronger than anything I felt before. I concentrated on calming myself while welcoming each wave. After about thirty minutes they were coming hard and fast, about three minutes apart. I had no choice but to concentrate on them. By the time your Grandma got here at around 8, they were coming every two minutes and thirty seconds on the dot, and were lasting for over a minute. I still insisted on taking a shower, and re-packing my hospital bag for the umpteenth time. I think a part of me was still in denial, after weeks of labor I couldn't believe I was finally going to get to meet you. At one point, I remember saying it was time to go, as in, RIGHT NOW! So we got in the car for our 40 minute drive, Grandma following close behind. The contractions were not letting up, and the only way I could stay on top of them was to listen to music and sing. Every time your Dad would ask how I was doing, it would break my concentration and the contractions would become almost unbearable. This was the worst drive of my life. I was in and out of myself, excited, ready, happy, and nervous at the unknown.

 

I know your Dad wheeled me in to L&D, though I don't quite remember the journey. Time became irrelevant, it only consisted of wave after wave. Upon arrival they immediately checked me in after being monitored briefly. It was clear I was finally in active labor. As I walked to our labor room, which was about 15 ft away, I had three contractions and the nurse commented on how fast my contractions were coming (NO KIDDING). All I remember is leaning my forehead into the hallway walls, moaning through contractions. At 1:30 the doctor came in to check me and I was a loose 3cm, and 90% effaced, I was a little disappointed, but not surprised. The contractions were now lasting two minutes and thirty seconds with only a minute break in between, and they were literally reading off the chart. The nurses and doctors kept commenting on how I was just banging out these contractions. I wasn't even aware that my favorite nurse (from all my false alarms at L&D) was taking care of me. My world was the music coming through my headphones, I felt as if I was standing on a cliff and with every contraction the wind would almost blow me over the edge. It was a pain like no other, all consuming, nothing else existed, I couldn't even tell you who was in the room.

 

After about an hour I started vomiting with every contraction, I remember telling your Grandma that I can do one or the other not both. It was then, that I was on the brink of panicking, I just couldn't get on top of the contractions anymore. Then they started coupling and I lost it, I begged my mother to please help me.

I wasn't getting any breaks, I was contracting like I was in Transition but wasn't, I was angry at the pain, angry that my labor wasn't gradually getting stronger like the norm. I begged for relief around 3:30, something to just help me get my head on

straight. I was determined to go all naturally but my mind could not get a handle on the pain. I asked the doctor to give me the lowest dose possible of the epidural. I was obsessed with not tearing, and I wanted to be able to feel you coming out so I could push like I needed to. It wasn't the sweet relief like most women have, but it was enough for me to handle. I was able to calm myself and breath. I wanted to take a nap but I began to get the shakes.

By 6 pm I was 8cm and going through transition, my uterus must have lost its mind because the contractions lasted well over 3 minutes, at some points, doubling on top of each other! By seven I was complete, the doctor started explaining that I could push whenever I was ready, and suggested that I labor down as long as I could, since first time moms can take up to 4 hours pushing. I labored down for what I thought was an hour, though my mom said it was only twenty minutes until I said that I need to push. My sweet doctor said ok, in a calm voice, thinking that she had ample time before the babies arrival. She had me push, her eyes got wide and she immediately changed into “splash proof” gear.

This was it! By this time the meds had worn off completely on my left sid it and was almost gone on my right as well. Your dad put ice packs and sock balls behind my back giving me counter pressure. For me, pushing was the easiest part. I was finally present and active in my own labor and pushing gave me a goal. I pushed for an hour taking breaks when told to allow the tissue to stretch. Your dad was holding one leg while my mom held the other. The not pushing part, when all you need and want to do is push, stinks, let me tell ya. Everyone was praising me on how controlled I was and how much progress I was making. I kept wondering if they were lying, because every time your head would come out a little, as soon as I stopped pushing it would slip back in a little. But everyone kept assuring me that that's the best way not to tear, so I continued to push slowly.

 

After a little less than an hour of pushing your head was out. The cord was wrapped around your neck twice, they unwrapped the cord and I pushed the rest of you out in one big push. You were placed immediately on my chest, I cried, you were here... you were perfect!

But something was wrong, you were silent and very purple, your mouth was wide open as you tried to cry and take your first breath, but you couldn't. I rubbed you and rubbed you, telling you that it was ok, and to breath baby breath, you wouldn't. Your Dad cut the cord and they took you over to the warmer. The doctor immediately called pediatrics, and they were here in minutes. My mom, your Dad and the team surrounded you, I kept asking if you were ok, and why weren't you crying!? My mother assured me that everything would be alright.

My world was crashing down around me, and after what seemed like 15 minutes, when in actuality, it was more like two, there it was a sweet gurgaly cry, and relief. I was bleeding more than they wanted, but I could care less. You were ok, and that's all that mattered.

Before I knew it you were back on my chest, looking up at your Dad and I, and you were smiling. You were ok, you were here, and you were mine. I was complete. It was the sweetest thing, the deepest love, I never knew what I was lacking until that moment. I cried and stared at this little being I had just brought into the world. Staring at this little person that is you, who lived inside me for the last 39 weeks plus six days. I knew you and you knew me, my life was complete, I was on this incredible high, I could do anything after that, anything.

Our family came in to meet you after they got the bleeding under control and you were alright. Everyone was in love. The doctors and nurses confessed that your birth touched them. Two of them had to leave the room because they were in tears.

When your Dad and my mom walked the family out, one of the nurses said that the love she witnessed between us during your birth, was unbelievable. She delivers babies everyday and this one, your birth, my precious Eleanor touched her. I cried, then hugged and thanked her for bearing witness and helping me through the hardest thing I've ever done.

Then it was just us three, we stared at you, kissed you, and marveled in all that is you. After your Dad fell asleep, it was just you and I, like it had been for ten months, I was in awe of what just took place. I would do it all again, I would take every pain just to have that moment.

Eleanor Marie Festerly graced us with her presence June 8th at 9:36pm weighing seven pounds and seven glorious ounces.

Love Always, Mama Bear

While contemplating on how I would decorate my little ladies nursery, I realized that uniqueness was key. However everything I loved (via Pinterest) was incredibly trendy, no offense pinterest I absolutely adore you. So instead of buying all new furniture for my little ones nursery I went vintage.

Let me first say that I'm lucky to have a mother who saves all my stuff, I'm talking ALL MY STUFF. It probably has something to do with that fact that we used to have quite a bit of our things in storage, until one day someone robbed our unit and cleared everything out... except the crib I had as a child. Since then, my mom refuses to get rid of anything else meaningful, it's not hoarding status or anything. Anywhoo...I told my mom of my 'Uniqueness,' dilemma and she promptly suggested I use my old furniture. I had no idea she even still had it!

Now comes the hard part, what to do with this 80's furniture? Don't get me wrong I love the 80's, you'll catch me sporting some fab 80's wear from time to time. But furniture?? No thanks. So I decided to re-paint it all a crisp clean white, then antique it with chalk paint ( I'm making a post on that soon).

But before I painted the outside I had to figure out what to do with the lining of the drawers on the changer and the dresser. I guess most people would rip out the old lining and call it a day, but remember, I was going for uniqueness. So I decided to line them with love poems, art and gold leaf.

Here is the finished result.

I'm quite obsessed. So much so that I was sad to actually place thing's in her drawers after I was finished. I fantasize about the day when she's putting her freshly cleaned clothes away and gets lost in the images and lovely words that I so lovingly placed in her drawers.

So here's what you'll need:

1. Modpodg
2. Sponges
3. An old book of poems (Or whichever you please)
4. Gold leaf

Sponges, Mod podge, & Gold leaf available @ Michelle's craft store.

Process:

1. Take out any old lining and wipe down the inside of the drawers to git rid of dust or anything like that.

2. Cut the pages of your book to whichever size you would like.

3. With your sponge, lay down a thin layer of Mod podge, large enough for one page, then promptly lay the page over it and. Continue this process until the whole drawer is covered.

4. With your sponge, now cover the pages with a generous amount of mod podge. Don't worry if it's white, it will dry clear.

5. Grab your gold leaf and carefully place pieces where desired and cover with mod podge again.

That's it! Pretty simple huh? You could also use this technique with any fabric you love. I hope you enjoy creating your own unique drawer linings.

Peace & Love, Krystal

P.S.I'd love to see your finished results.

First off let me just say, my first post as a mother has me thrilled. It's as if life has started over, and everything has a new flavor. My view of this world will never be the same. I have such a profound respect for all you mama's out there, birthing and raising your children. I feel privileged and honored to be able to be a part of this new world of Mamas and babes.

Being pregnant with you was the most amazing journey I’ve ever been on. From the beginning I loved you, knowing that you were there, just beneath my skin, forever mine. But it wasn't until you were here that I knew the true meaning of love.

Labor. It was long. I started having prodromal labor with you at 35 weeks, kinda scary to say the least. It sent your Daddy, Grandmama and I to Labor and delivery, on more than one occasion. Only to be sent home reeling in pain with contraction after contraction and no baby. . It's basically your body trying to kill prepare your uterus for "the real thing." I had contractions that would last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes, all day everyday, sometimes one per hour, and on those lucky days, ten per hour. The doctor promised me that you would be here in two weeks max, which gave me some sort of relief to know that this horrible pain wouldn't last to long and you would be here soon.

After two weeks, with contractions gradually getting stronger and stronger, I wanted to kill the doctor for ever telling me you would be here in two weeks. I began to joke with everyone that I would have the buffest uterus ever by the time my body was ready to kick into "real" labor. After three weeks I was just mad, mad my body seemed to be failing me, mad that these seemingly endless contractions would never stop, EVER.

Night after night I would stand by our bed, crying, praying for a break so I could just sleep, hanging onto your dad at times begging him to make it stop. Asking God why He allowed this to go on for so long. But you just weren't ready, little did I know this would be the biggest lesson in patience I would ever have.

By 39 weeks I was a woman on a mission! After countless people advised me to start doing some serious walking, eat spicy food, do lunges, basically anything to get this labor into full gear, i did. Your Dad and I hiked, well I waddled up and down the hiking trails down the street from our house. Lo and behold my contractions started picking up, I could have kissed the dirt I was walking on at that point. Sadly, all it did was throw my body into even more painful contractions, spread to far apart to change my cervix. This is the point where I began to be outside myself. I was a grumpy crying mess, and so over being pregnant, I wanted you here NOW, better yet yesterday, knowing you were full term and healthy, I just couldn't understand why oh why you weren't here in my arms yet.

The evening of June 6th my contractions picked up to the point where I couldn't walk or talk through them. I got pretty excited because I knew I had to be making some progress, finally! However, after so many false alarms I continued to ignore them, and sent your Dad off to work, reassuring him that this was not labor. He called when he was about half way there and I picked up the phone crying, he immediately turned around and came home so we could go to the hospital once again, thinking this was finally it. I was having contractions every two minutes, and as soon as our 40 min drive to the hospital was over they stopped dead in their tracks. Thankfully, my doctor was working that night, she checked me and I was 1cm and 80% effaced. She said she could feel your head, how cool. She felt incredibly bad for me and offered to stir things up. I consented, anything to get you out. Holy Moly BATMAN that phrase will never sit the same with me again! She manually stretched, wiggled, and jiggled my cervix to 2cm, ouch is a understatement! She told me to walk the halls, so we did, The contractions picked back up with a vengeance. But after two hours and one more check later I was only at a 3cm. So she sent me home to labor since she knew I wanted a natural birth and staying at the hospital at this point would mean Interventions would be inevitable. So off we went...back home, to continue laboring.

By the next morning my contractions slowed to every 20 minutes, I cried to my mom asking when she thought you would come. I had pretty much convinced myself that I would be pregnant forever. She reassured me that you would come when you were ready. Worst phrase ever! Because I was ready, I had been ready. By that evening my contractions were completely gone for the first time in almost five weeks, it felt strange not being in pain.

When evening time rolled around I once again reassured your Dad that he could go to work, I just wanted to be alone. I went upstairs and prayed,I gave thanks for my life, for being able to bear life, and for everything as a whole. I decided I was ok with whatever happened, I was done walking, done eating spicy food, I just wanted to enjoy these last few days or maybe weeks of being pregnant with you. Then I did some yoga, meditated, then went to sleep, I don't even remember your Dad coming home from work at 3am. I slept, for the first time in weeks, I slept.

At 6:30am on June 8th, the day before your due date, I woke to text messages from family asking if you were here yet. I wanted to throw the phone out the window. Instead, I wrote to everyone that no, I was still pregnant and probably would be pregnant forever. As I pressed send I heard a faint POP! No way, I thought to myself, no way my water just broke. I got up and went to the bathroom, there was no denying it, my water had broken, I was in shock! I shouted for your Dad, exclaiming that my water had broken. He wobbled over sleepy eyed from a hard nights work, excited and confused. Could this really be it?! I asked him calmly to please call my mom. I put on my sacrum meditation music and sat on the floor in your room, the contractions were so much stronger than anything I felt before. I concentrated on calming myself while welcoming each wave. After about thirty minutes they were coming hard and fast, about three minutes apart. I had no choice but to concentrate on them. By the time my mom got here at around 8, they were coming every two minutes and thirty seconds on the dot, and were lasting for over a minute. I still insisted on taking a shower, and re-packing my hospital bag for the umpteenth time. I think a part of me was still in denial, after weeks of labor I couldn't believe I was finally going to get to meet you. At one point, I remember saying it was time to go, as in, RIGHT NOW! So we got in the car for our 40 minute drive, my mom following close behind. The contractions were not letting up, and the only way I could stay on top of them was to listen to music and sing. Every time your Dad would ask how I was doing, it would break my concentration and the contractions would become almost unbearable. This was the worst drive of my life. I was in and out of myself, excited, ready, happy, and nervous at the unknown.

I know your Dad wheeled me in to L&D, though I don't quite remember the journey. Time became irrelevant, it only consisted of wave after wave. Upon arrival they immediately checked me in after being monitored briefly. It was clear I was finally in active labor. As I walked to our labor room, which was about 15 ft away, I had three contractions and the nurse commented on how fast my contractions were coming (NO KIDDING). All I remember is leaning my forehead into the hallway walls, moaning through contractions. At 1:30 the doctor came in to check me and I was a loose 3cm, and 90% effaced, I was a little disappointed, but not surprised. The contractions were now lasting two minutes and thirty seconds with only a minute break in between, and they were literally reading off the chart. The nurses and doctors kept commenting on how I was just banging out these contractions. I wasn't even aware that my favorite nurse (from all my false alarms at L&D) was taking care of me. My world was the music coming through my headphones, I felt as if I was standing on a cliff and with every contraction the wind would almost blow me over the edge. It was a pain like no other, all consuming, nothing else existed, I couldn't even tell you who was in the room.

After about an hour I started vomiting with every contraction, I remember telling my mom that I can do one or the other not both. It was then, that I was on the brink of panicking, I just couldn't get on top of the contractions anymore. Then they started coupling and I lost it, I begged my mother to please help me.

I wasn't getting any breaks, I was contracting like I was in Transition but wasn't, I was angry at the pain, angry that my labor wasn't gradually getting stronger like the norm. I begged for relief around 3:30, something to just help me get my head on straight. I was determined to go all naturally but my mind could not get a handle on the pain. I asked the doctor to give me the lowest dose possible of the epidural. I was obsessed with not tearing, and I wanted to be able to feel you coming out so I could push like I needed to. It wasn't the sweet relief like most women have, but it was enough for me to handle. I was able to calm myself and breath. I wanted to take a nap but I began to get the shakes.

By 6 pm I was 8cm and going through transition, my uterus must have lost its mind because the contractions lasted well over 3 minutes, at some points, doubling on top of each other! By seven I was complete, the doctor started explaining that I could push whenever I was ready, and suggested that I labor down as long as I could, since first time moms can take up to 4 hours pushing. I labored down for what I thought was an hour, though my mom said it was only twenty minutes until I said that I need to push. My sweet doctor said ok, in a calm voice, thinking that she had ample time before the babies arrival. She had me push, her eyes got wide and she immediately changed into “splash proof” gear.

This was it! By this time the meds had worn off completely on my left sid it and was almost gone on my right as well. Your dad put ice packs and sock balls behind my back giving me counter pressure. For me, pushing was the easiest part. I was finally present and active in my own labor and pushing gave me a goal. I pushed for an hour taking breaks when told to allow the tissue to stretch. Your dad was holding one leg while my mom held the other. The not pushing part, when all you need and want to do is push, stinks, let me tell ya. Everyone was praising me on how controlled I was and how much progress I was making. I kept wondering if they were lying, because every time your head would come out a little, as soon as I stopped pushing it would slip back in a little. But everyone kept assuring me that that's the best way not to tear, so I continued to push slowly.

After a little less than an hour of pushing your head was out. The cord was wrapped around your neck twice, they unwrapped the cord and I pushed the rest of you out in one big push. You were placed immediately on my chest, I cried, you were here... you were perfect!

But something was wrong, you were silent and very purple, your mouth was wide open as you tried to cry and take your first breath, but you couldn't. I rubbed you and rubbed you, telling you that it was ok, and to breath baby breath, you wouldn't. Your Dad cut the cord and they took you over to the warmer. The doctor immediately called pediatrics, and they were here in minutes. My mom, your Dad and the team surrounded you, I kept asking if you was ok, and why weren't you crying!? My mother assured me that everything would be alright.

My world was crashing down around me, and after what seemed like 15 minutes, when in actuality, it was more like two, there it was a sweet gurgaly cry, and relief. I was bleeding more than they wanted, but I could care less. You were ok, and that's all that mattered.

Before I knew it you were back on my chest, looking up at your Dad and I, and you were smiling. You were ok, you was here, and you were mine. I was complete. It was the sweetest thing, the deepest love, I never knew whatI was lacking until that moment. I cried and stared at this little being I had just brought into the world. Staring and this little person that is you who lived inside me for the last 39 weeks plus six days. I knew you and you knew me, my life was complete, I was on this incredible high, I could do anything after that, anything.

Our family came in to meet you after they got the bleeding under control and you were alright. Everyone was in love. The doctors and nurses confessed that your birth touched them. Two of them had to leave the room because they were in tears.

When your Dad and my mom walked the family out, one of the nurses said that the love she witnessed between us during your birth, was unbelievable. She delivers babies everyday and this one, your birth, my precious Eleanor touched her. I cried, then hugged and thanked her for bearing witness and helping me through the hardest thing I've ever done.

Then it was just us three, we stared at you, kissed you, and marveled in all that is you. After your Dad fell asleep, it was just you and I, like it had been for ten months, I was in awe of what just took place. I would do it all again, I would take every pain just to have that moment.

Eleanor Marie Festerly graced us with her presence June 8th at 9:36pm weighing seven pounds and seven glorious ounces.

Love Always, Mama Bear

Or a serious case of OCD.. hmm.

 

All I know is that I just had to go to TJ Max and pick up a gadrillion containers for our cabinets and organize, and by organize I mean, lift and clean shelves, and dump everything out of their old containers into their new chic home. I admit, I walk by my cabniets now, open them, and stare. No one ever told me that nesting is some serious business! 

I've being stalking this BabyMel diaper bag on Pinterest for quite some time, and today the UPS man greeted me with a package, lo and behold, it's MY DIAPER BAG!!!

I'm in love. 

Why hello! Long time no see...well that's my fault. Marriage, moving, babies, hospitals, life gets in the way sometimes doesn't it? I don't know how you Mama's do it. With that said, I made a little vow to myself, blog... BLOG! Because with the pace of this new life I'm bound to forget these precious little details.

Excuse our mid blink faces !

Anywhooo, We had the baby shower! It was absolutely amazing, it was a gathering of love and a great party to boot. My twin (aka bestfriend) and mother put together the most wonderful day a girl could ask for.

 

xx

 

 

 

How lovely is this baby shower? I've been so excited over here planning this little ones baby shower. I know I know, someone else is supposed to do that. But being the photographer that I am, I'm all about the visual, and this baby shower (found here) takes the cake. I'm thinking that I want to do something similar to this food-wise, small bites is all I can really eat lately, so small bites is what everyone shall have. 

1. Grey Jumper 2. Heart Onesie 3. Moccasins 4. Cream Onesie 5. Cream Cardigan 6. Printed Dress 7. Hand Made Moccasins 8. Star Dress 9. Animal Leggings

This little baby bear has had the hiccups a few times a day for the past few days. For those of you mom's out there you know the feeling, like someones tapping you on the shoulder from the inside. But somehow they are the best taps in the world. The more movement I feel everyday the more excited I get to meet this little amazing creature inside of me. 

You know what's great about being married? Not having to sleep alone, it's one of my favorite parts. Because as I've learned in this short time of marriage, living with a boy can be...well... interesting. Don't get me wrong it's amazing! But men are gross.  But at the end of the day, when the whole house is quite, and I get to crawl into bed next to this hansome man, it's then when we read to each other, talk for hours, make out like teenagers for hours (yes we still make out) then fall asleep to the sound of his breath. Let me adjust that last statment, I fall asleep to the sound of his breath and not thirty minutes later the dogs snoring and he's snoring so mama has to get up and turn the fan on to muffle the sound. Never the less, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Dear Baby Bear,

These last few weeks have been filled with the most excitement, you finally let us get a look at the goods. You're a little lady! Even though deep inside I already knew, we are so excited to welcome you into the world. You're already a daddy's girl, you'll be kicking away, and as soon as I call him over to feel this amaing feat you've seemed to master and he rests his hands on my belly you relax and immediately stop your acrobatics. Oh well, I get to hog you all to myself for 5 more months before you make your grand entrance...and it will be grand.

I cannot express into words how much I love you and I've never even seen your face. 

Love, Mama Bear

 

We are (ok ok I am), in baby girl heaven! Or maybe I'm doing some early nesting, who knows. But I can not stop planning this nursery, and the more I look, the giddier I become.  After seeing these lovely spaces who wouldn't !? Even the hubby is over the moon for this little ladies room, though I'm pretty sure he's more excited about the dirt bike riding lessons he has pretty much booked for her (men).

See more of these lovely nurseries Here & Here

Mama's gone baby girl crazy! But honestly, how AMAZING is that vintage crib and bedding, I about fell over when I saw it.  1. 'Life is made of little moments.' I must write this somewhere in the nursery. 2. Joyfolie Sabre Boots 3. Nituna Coat Pattern 4. I'll be sewing this soon 5. Shirley Bridal Knit 6. Crib Bedding 7. Native Leggings 8. Great Idea for a print 9. Balance Toy 10. Native Boots

GIRL <3 !! 

There will be a little lady in the house in June, we are over the moon excited to welcome this little person in to our lives. And of course I've already gone nuts over all the delicious little baby girl things. 

Happy New Years everyone! It's 2013, can you believe it?! I'm so excited for this year to come, after this year nothing will be the same, only better in my eyes, building this little family of ours has made my world brighter and we couldn't be more blessed. This year, in all of it's two day's, has made me want to do more... More Cooking- Though I cook every day I would love to start setting up weekly dinners at our house, with friends or alone. But I truly need to start trying out all of these recipes I've collected throughout the years. More Reading- The hubby does most of the reading as of late, since reading sends me into a nauseated state (oh pregnancy) Thank goodness he reads to me in bed. Once this little one is here, more reading is a must... now where to find the time? hmm More Yoga- Bikram yoga was my life! Sadly a one hundred and ten degree room does not sound appealing when you are lugging around a personal heater inside you 24/7. However for the sake of my mind and every growing body I must start some type of yoga before I spontaneously combust. More Creating- These last four moths have been the toughest four months of my life, between the all day sickness (whoever called it morning sickness was off their rocker) the blinding headaches, sore back, aching hips, and non existent sleep, creating new images has been the last thing on  my mind. Good thing I'm over that hill and into the 'I feel great!' stage of  pregnancy. This has brought on an overwhelming need to shoot all day everyday, work on opening my studio ASAP, and create more portraits.  What are some of the things you would like to do this year?

Did everyone have a wonderful Christmas this year? We certainly did

Merry Christmas and the warmest Holiday wishes to you all!

Why HELLO THERE! It's been about one hundred years since I've blogged, in fact! This is a whole new blog all together. I figured this new life deserved a super fresh start.  For those of you who are new to this space, or have no idea what I'm talking about or who I am.My name is Krystal Marie Donovan-Festerly I'm a full time dreamer & photographer , tea obsessed, adrenaline chasing, mountain climbing, jewelry fiend, living and laughing in San Diego. Creating familiar world’s that are not quite photographs and not quite paintings. Constantly communicating the language of stillness.

... you see this year my life completely changed. For starters I married my best friend! It was the most amazing day of my life, I love that man. And just to add a little icing on the cake, we're expecting a baby bear in June. Talk about a life changer, I'm going to be a mama bear. 

We have no idea what we are doing and that's just the fun of it! Isnt that what life is all about anyways? Doing the best we can with the life that we have been given? I'd like to think so anyways.

We're starting this little life together and it's pretty amazing if I do say so myself.