HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.

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Baby Blog: The One-Year-Old Update

So I’m about six months behind on posting an update of what Iris has been up to. The last time I updated, she was just starting to walk on the day she turned nine months old. Now at nearly 15 months, Iris is a full-on toddler. She’s not just walking – she’s running, climbing on things, and learning new words daily. Below are some random things that I want to make sure to document so that I’ll never forget them.

Talking:
● Iris’ first legit word was “uh oh.” To this day, it’s still her favorite, most used word.
● She also knows a handful of people’s names. Right now she does: Dada, Mama, Bama (“bah bah”), Nana, Poppy (“pah pah”), and even tried Dustin a few times (“dus tahhh”).
● “Bah bah” also works for baby. “Mah” is more. “Tah” is cat. “Dah” is dog. “Buh buh” is bye bye. Her “Hi” is spot on. She’s to the stage now where she will try to repeat lots of different words. Her speaking skills are getting cuter by the day.
● At Montessori they use sign language. She signs mostly for more, please, and water.

Foods:
● We let her try nearly everything, but she’s definitely a picky eater. Her favorite thing ever is pasta & cheese (can you blame her?). She also loves fruit – primarily bananas & the Cutie oranges. I always do a little cheer when I discover a vegetable that she likes, but then it seems like the next day she hates it. Currently in: Lima beans & corn. Out: Peas & kale.
● As you can tell from her belly, she LOVES to eat. She will let you know when she’s ready to eat by going to her highchair and trying to climb in. Like every hour.

Fun:
● Iris likes to play outside, color and paint, go down the slide a million times, play peek-a-boo, and go “bye bye”.
● One of her favorite times of the day is when her daddy comes home from work. She squeals so loud he can hear it from outside.
● She’s still at the stage where she’s fascinated in the most average things around the house. This can be trouble when it’s a mug of the morning’s coffee and opening (and shutting) drawers on tiny fingers. We have to keep a close eye on her.
● Bath time is another favorite. She loves pouring water in and out of cups, but hates having her hair washed.
● Iris loves to laugh. It’s contagious too.

Facts:
● At a year, she wears mostly 18 month clothes, but a lot of 24 months & 2T things as well.
● She has started evening out and is in the 60% percentile for height & weight, but still 90% for her head.
● She’s in the 700% for hair. (hah). And no I still haven’t cut it yet.
● Iris still goes to bed early (about 7 or 7:30 each night) and often asks to go to bed by going to her crib, pointing, and saying “mah” for more.
● Iris recently had to go to the emergency room AGAIN because she had Croupe. It was pretty scary for about 36 hours, but thankfully she’s just fine now.
● Iris was early to do almost everything, except get teeth. She now has four on the top and four on the bottom. She even has a little gap between her top front ones. I don’t know what’s cuter – that or the dimple on her chin.

Some recent photos…


Iris

Iris

Iris

Iris

Iris

Iris

Iris

Iris

Iris

Shack Up Inn: Clarksdale, MS

This past summer Todd and I took our very first trip away together since having a baby. We left Iris with my mom and as hard as it was to leave her, I sincerely think it was good for our souls to have our first baby-free weekend. So much so, that our next one is coming up soon. This occasion was for a wedding of one of our old friends, Cory Branan. He married the lovely Rebecca at The Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

I had heard about the Shacks, but had never been. An hour and a half south of Memphis, this compound of a hotel is one of a kind. The property is made up of renovated sharecropper shacks and an old cotton gin. They did an amazing job at keeping the character, but giving guests the comfort they would expect on vacation. Our shack had an ice cold air conditioner, surprisingly comfortable bed, and amenities that were honestly way more useful (and unique) than the stuff at regular hotels – BC powder and La Croix sparkling water for hangovers, a water gun for the heat, and Moon Pies because, well, you’re in the south. Also, when you check into your room, you can check out a guitar to use during your stay. It is the crossroads after all.

I can’t wait to go back… and bring all my friends.

They are long overdue, but here are some photos of the property
and then a few of our journey.

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack Up Inn

Shack up inn


Road trip!
This way to Mississippi.

Key to our “shack”
This place is amazing.

the grounds
Our home for the weekend.

THE best room amenities.
The best room amenities ever. And yes, I already need that La Croix.

Friday night at Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale.
Juke joint. Friday night. In Clarkadale. ❤

Exploring the Shack Up Inn property
Untitled

Untitled

Exploring.

the wedding set up.
Wedding time.

the beautiful couple!
Beautiful. @rebekhoward @corybranan

Awesome.

Yep. Joaquin Phoenix was there annnnd I snuck a photo.
Oh and that's just ole Joaquin Phoenix hunched over in the background. Normal.
Wedding: day
wedding - day

Wedding: night
Wedding: night

The drive.

So long Mississippi. You've been sweet, but I'm goin home to Arkansas to see my baby.

Baby Blog: Iris videos

So, it’ been a while. A LONG while. I’ve been out of the blogging world lately since all of my time is now dedicated to my family, a new job, and of course Instagram. I did want to make a quick post to add a few new videos of Iris though. These were all taken over the past week or so. We’ve been on Christmas vacation, so we’ve had a lot of extra time on our hands. Now if only I could remember to shoot iPhone video horizontally…

Iris says, “HI!”

Iris’ first snow

Iris singing & dancing:

The disappearing baby:

Quick Trip: Chicago

Ever since Iris has been here,
it seems like I’ve been on a travel hiatus.

This late summer though,
is a different story.

I used to love packing my bags, but now…
Saying goodbye to my love is tough.

I wanna bring her with me.

Recently I flew to Chicago
for a short business trip
(sans baby).

Here are a few photos from
my two night stay…

Downtown Chicago

I can see my hotel from here. #chicago

A sliver of a lake view.

I can see a sliver of the lake from my hotel bed.

A drink at the Signature Lounge
(96th floor of the John Hancock building).

Blueberry mojito on the 96th floor of the John Hancock building. {this one's for you @bevcooks }

Photos from home
melt my heart.

Melting my heart from miles & miles away.

Pregnant me / today me.
Same hotel. Same meeting.
Exactly one year later.

Pregnant me / today me. Same hotel. Same meeting. Exactly one year later. #flashbackfriday

Met up with James from Bleubird Vintage.
Such a lovely surprise she was in town at the same time!
(photo by – Bleubird. Sorry James, I had to steal this one
– it’s way cuter than mine!)

Sarah & Bleubird - Chicago

I met her ah-dorable Gemma Bird & husband too.

If I can't hang out with Iris, I might as well hang out with Gemma. @bleubird

Oh, she's the cutest. @bleubird @aubreymccoy

Dinner with good company on my last night in town.

Last night in Chicago.

Coming home to Arkansas is always sweet.

Home! Such a pretty flight coming into Arkansas.

But coming home to this
is sweeter.

REUNITED!