I draw it, he builds it.
From blank wall to dream @midaugustphoto desk.
Proof that marrying the guy who can DIY is a SOLID life choice.
Forever amazed by you @aaronoconnell
#teamwork #custombuild #diy
After weeks of work, Avery’s toddler room is finally complete. Natalie and I wanted to create a space for all the things he loves: a room for reading, playing, and watching the ducks and the great blue heron he named Blue.
I built a window seat with a sconce for bedtime stories, shelves with built-in lighting, and added wainscoting around the room. We repurposed artwork from his nursery, thrifted the furniture, and Nana sewed the cushion.
The best part was having him by my side throughout the entire build. He left his own touches on the room and never missed a chance to pull out the tape measure. According to him, everything came out to “8 and a half” inches.
Safe to say, he’s proud of his new room, and so I am.
Now I’ve got to figure out where he put all my tools.
Fig,
You were the light of life the past 10 years and now everything is dark. I know I’ll get to a place where I remember the good without the sad, but right now I’m sitting in the hole of grief you left behind. Each day I’ll climb higher and higher out of it. Eventually when I get to the top and stand on two feet, I’ll look back down at that hole and see how far I’ve come. It’s a part of me now, for the rest of my life. Maybe it will change shape, as pieces of my life erode away or pile up in it. Maybe it’ll crack every once in a while and tears will stream through it again. (Bets are on when I’m in the car, alone.) But the hole will always be there. Nothing will ever fill it entirely.
Do you think one day flowers will grow near it? If some sun could shine down on it? Maybe it will bear new meaning.
But until then, I’ll sit here within it next to your empty bed and box with your name on it.
Thank you for showing me what unconditional love feels like. Thank you for teaching us what resilience looks like. Thank you for being the goofiest, coolest, warmest guy around. Thank you for being mine, and letting me be yours.
Love,
Mom
(the human always behind the camera)
I asked @aaronoconnell to shoot some glammed up portraits of me and my babies for Mother’s Day in our yard for our yearly family album. He nailed this gift like he always does. Fig hung around for a few extra after Avery decided picking the lavender was far more fun. I’m one lucky mama. #happymothersday
