Baby Malcolm Update {Day 27}

Little Malcolm, my nephew, was a month old on the 25th! This week had some ups and downs, but from my perspective the overall progress is in the right direction. I am far away from this little guy, as he's in LA and I'm in Nebraska. I've never seen or held him and get my information through texts with his mommy and daddy (my brother). You can read more about Malcolm here, here, here and here.

If you're a careful observer, you'll see that Malcolm isn't using oxygen in these pictures! Of course they were all taken in one afternoon and he went back on oxygen later, but to me that's a huge deal! Just a few weeks ago, Malcolm was entirely supported by oxygen!

You can also see that he's drinking milk from a bottle instead of getting milk through a tube into his stomach. This is a sign of progress too! Isn't it super cute how his big brother is helping so carefully! Malcolm gained something like a whole pound this week, but I'm sure if his mom or dad read this they will correct me on several points. :)

So about the rest of the story... Earlier this week Malcolm took a couple steps back in his recovery. We think he was overly tired and stressed, but at one point he stopped breathing! This resulted in a whole list of tests being run to see what was caused it. Meanwhile his mommy caught a cold and while she's mostly over it, big brother and daddy now have it, and when you're sick you can't visit the NICCU...

Anyway, after all the tests, they found there was an infection in one of his heart valves which will require a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Which has to be given in his IV. At the hospital. For up to six weeks!

So there you go, an update in laymen's terms, as accurately related as I can. To summarize, Malcolm is doing better but this marathon isn't over yet. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. He truly is a prayed-for baby!

Whatever Makes Your Skirt Fly Up {Day 26}

Source

There was a time in elementary school when I was asked or told or something by my mom that I had to wear a skirt once a week. So I did. At least until I got there. Most times I had a pair of jeans in my backpack and would change in the bathroom before school started. And change back before I went home. Sorry mom!

I pretty much skipped wearing skirts in high school. There was the occasional dress for church or a banquet (my private school didn't do proms), but it was the early 90s and the pantsuit was all the rage anyway. In college I either wore super short skirts to church (clearly my focus was off) or a few long ones when I did my student teaching. As an adult and a Kindergarten teacher, I would sometimes wear a skirt but they were always a chore--shaving, wearing a slip, finding shoes that worked, sitting at circle time with the students...

As a mom? Never. Not even to church. It was too hard to sit modestly with a baby or toddler or both. But with the popularity of the maxi skirt in the last few years, I started thinking how cute wearing a skirt could be. They were like dress-up yoga pants!

I finally bought one last summer and wore it to church a couple times. But I had a maxi DRESS and it was hard to style. I bought a maxi skirt this summer and wore that thing about three times a week! I soon bought another in a different color and practically lived in those two skirts this summer. And last summer's maxi dress? I cut off the top and had plenty of options with pretty blouses and scarves.

I'm not a fashion blogger and don't even have a full-length mirror right now, so you don't get any pictures of me. I'll work on that. But I've included a few other pictures (and original sources) for other real-life women and how they've made maxi skirts work for fall.

Lauren {Modern Modesty}

Lauren is a new mom and a teacher who also runs her blog all about modesty. She's great at putting outfits together and makes it a point to never wear the same exact outfit twice in a school year!

Jen's Friend {iCandy Homemade}

Jen made this skirt for her friend--I wanna be Jen's friend! She includes a brief how-to on her blog. Love the intersecting stripes and the bright cardigan!

MK {Outfit Posts}

This post is about a European vacation and how to pack for it. After practically living in a knit maxi skirt this summer, there's no other outfit I would prefer to travel in!

Jo-Lynne {jolynneshane}

I like how Jo-Lynne uses basic pieces and makes it fun with a skirt that has both a bright color and bold pattern.

Kimbo {A Girl and a Glue Gun}

 Kimbo made this skirt back in 2011, I think, but her tutorial is still there and the outfit is still current.

Medge {My Vougish Diaries}

 Medge is so beautiful, and I love the colors she mixed here. Message--mix and match and make it you!

Danielle {A Little Bit of WoWe}

Danielle is another teacher blogger who mixes and matches. I like how her scarf (and shoes) totally change her outfit. Danielle has lots of wardrobe building tips on her blog.

Rach {Family Ever After}

Rach loved this fabric so she made a skirt from it! I like her mix of colors and how her layers make it so appropriate for fall. Rach is about 7 weeks postpartum here and maintains comfy skirts are the best way to go while getting back into shape.

{Elle Apparel}

This link takes you to Elle Apparel, which goes to show maxi skirts aren't just for mommies and teachers! I like the colored t-shirt and structured blazer. I think that really dresses up a look that could be quite casual.

Lindsay {The Pleated Poppy}

Lindsay is known for her What I Wore Wednesday posts, and this outfit is from several years ago. Her charcoal skirt could go with almost anything! I like the simple stripes and a bright cardigan.

So what about you? Do you wear skirts? Are you a fan of the maxi style skirts?

Moodboards {Day 25}

Did you know that two years ago when I participated in this 31-Days challenge I created a new moodboard every day? It was so much fun!

I've included a few of my favorites here, but you can see them all by clicking on the search word "moodboards" over on the right side bar, or search "moodboards" or "interior design" or even "31 Days".

Enjoy!

Happy Fall, Y'all! {Day 24}

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Etsy Signs {Day 23}

Here are a few of my favorite ... signs.

Did you know I have an Etsy shop? Sure do. I sell custom-made signs. Here are a few I've made lately.