Metcalf Home

We've had a splendid weekend! We headed to Maine on Saturday and so many great things happened that I'll do two postings since I have so many photos I need to share. Need being the key word. 

Most of Cony's ancestors are from Maine and I've heard about the Metcalf Home for years. I knew living this close we had to go visit and ...it was worth every mile. The old couple that live there (has for 50 years!) were delighted to show us around and even gave us a tour... and not just of the home. She hopped right into our car and guided us around town. Winthrop is a small town about 10 miles out of Augusta. Anything you might know about Maine or seen about Maine... is true. The bright blue sky, amazing weather, landscape that you don't mind driving through for hours and the food- all are out of this world. It wasn't until this past trip that I remembered I had a slight infatuation with Maine a number of years ago. Mostly because of the book/movie 'Sarah, Plain and Tall'. I couldn't believe I forgot but than I remembered that Maine was the only state I ever wanted to visit during my "previous life". No wonder I forgot.. most of that life is blocked out of my memory.  Who knew I'd marry someone with deep roots to Maine. 

I have a deep appreciation for the couple that live there now. They have kept everything they can, original or decorated to the time period. We spent a solid three hours at the house and I can't say enough great things about our time spent there. 

Original stone wall (s)... 

This was the mud room with a wall of firewood. Behind the firewood- an outhouse. 

A picture of the house in its original state...

dining room...

they painted a mural all around of the town as it was back in the day...

every window in the front has a latter back chair (if you go back to the picture of the house from outside- you'll notice them)

Fireplace is original and the room straight ahead is a tiny room they call the "birthing room". Need I explain?

A table chair. Original to the home and I had never seen one until Saturday. One of my favorites!

Pond the homeowners expanded a few years ago. When we own this home we have big plans of teaching children how to ice skate on this very pond. 

9 Months

It's that time. Time to document our babies growth. She's happy as can be and full of energy. We love being parents and are trying our best to savor every moment because it really does go by fast. My guilty pleasure of late has been to rock her to sleep. MM is always on the move that she doesn't like to be cuddled much during the day. The only time I can truly cuddle her without her looking for the next best thing is at bedtime and I can't help but love every second. 

Cony's 1st day of school was today although he starting teaching yesterday. He came home yesterday and asked how my day was and I quickly responded how wonderful it was and proceeded to tell him it was because he wasn't home. Now that may sound harsh but I didn't realize how difficult having him home all the time during the summer has been for me. I finally felt like cooking and cleaning again and getting into a routine. I'm so thankful for school. And no doubt thankful for the hubs.  

Notice he's not wearing a wedding ring? He lost it swimming at the pond. Guess we know what he's getting for an anniversary gift. 

Cliff Walk

I'm so glad we decided to get out of the house the other day and mark something off our New England Bucket List! We drove to Newport, Rhode Island and walked The Cliff Walk. I really do love New England.

Can anyone tell me why the water is red? It was just a large section of the beach. Seaweed?

Dalton

This summer has been jammed packed with activities for the youth from church. I'm just sorry I haven't been able to participate in most of them but I was however able to attend a Young Women's Conference in Mass last weekend. Sister Dalton the General YW President came and I left with my tank full. Full of inspiration and new motivation. Since it was our stake that was in charge of the conference she came on Sunday as well and we had the chance to meet with her personally and give her a little token (a gold oak leaf- which is CT state tree- thanks to Afton for being sooo genius!). She is truly a woman of God and takes her role with a heart full of song. 

Funny side story. I've been in desperate need of a new phone cover for a while and have had my eye on a Kate Spade case. Didn't feel right about having a "Kate Spade" case for whatever reason....until of course I noticed that Sister Dalton had the exact one I wanted. So yes, I've got meself a new "Kate" case.

I couldn't help myself on Saturday watch every girl that was there and think "mmm will Madelyn be shy like her? Or will she have a big personality like that girl?". Of course we all have hopes and dreams for our children, but I never thought I'd have so many. Even though I will love her no matter what- I can't help but hope that she can make it through life without any heartache. I'm not naive to the fact this is not possible, especially with crazy parents like us.  

This is Maddie's favorite thing to do in her room, open up the doors and play with the blankets. She also tries to climb in.




She LOVES that bunny! For the last week or so it's all she carries with her.


Have I mentioned that Baby Girl is now standing? Everyday she stands longer and longer. We honestly wouldn't be surprised if she just skipped walking and went right to running.




Her second tooth is coming in....


and she pulls herself up to a stand... or squat.

Lately, I haven't been able to get enough of Connecticut and its beauty.

Baby's Room

I've dreamed of being able to decorate a nursery for longer than I like to admit. It's honestly a dream come true. This room took on a mind of it's own and although it's nothing (nothing!) what I originally planned, I still love it because it's ours and everything in it has a story. 

The fabric -which was the inspiration, I found at a large tag sale the morning we found out about the possibility of adopting. I saw it, fell in love with it and had to have it. Little did I know there was an actual use for it coming our way. 

Art pieces handmade by two awesome friends!

The round pink pillow was my baby pillow and although you can't see... my name and birthdate are hand stitched by my Mummy. 

We live in a home that's over a hunded years old. Closets are a treasure around here and I came up with this idea for her clothes (since there is no closet in her room). I would like to point out that *I* cut the wood, painted AND hung the poles all by my lonesome. 

One of my favorite things is the kite hair bow holder our friend Jenn made. Have I mentioned how much I love handmade gifts? Which reminds me... most of the blankets/quilts you see on the bottom shelf were all handmade that I truly treasure. 

Baby Blessing dress & bonnet made by my Mummy. 

I have a thing for hearts which I thought was a perfect "theme" for our babies room because there is SO much love that surrounds adoption. 

This was my tea set when I was a baby girl that my Granny Joan made me. Some of my earliest memories are of me playing hard & a lot with this set which is evident with the missing pieces. 

I love these books. Charity knew how much I loved them and got my closest girlfriends together and they each sent me one individually. One of the sweetest things.....

Baby has way too many clothes for her (my) own good. 

Close up of fabric. 

Can't forget to show the cello. We have too many high hopes for this girl. Olympian, prodigy in cello and piano, and way too many other things...