HBD Madelyn Grace!!


Babies are just miracles.  This little life sent from Above, previously didn't exist, and now we couldn't exist without it.  Yesterday, I celebrated a miracle in the form of my cute-as-button-lil'-chicken-nugget, Madelyn Grace Lashway.  Congrats, Rob and Jenny, you survived the first year as new parents.  You three made it!! 

Jenny & Rob planned a beautiful, fun, polka-dot party, full of color and life, just like miss #maddielash!  I had fun capturing all the little details and some special moments from yesterday.  Hope you enjoy them,  too.


{miniature birthday donuts from Blackbird Donuts}


{flying away in her "hot-air ballon"!}
{the birthday shot}
{I have so many memories of my Dad picking at my birthday cake, makes me love this picture of Rob sneaking into Maddie's that much more}
{Roswelle, the 2month pro, showing her how to eat birthday cake}
{timber!}
{underneath the highchair debris}
{Happiest 1st Birthday, Madelyn Grace!, you super-stah you}


p.s. want me to take pictures of your event in Boston?? contact me: saralaurenw@gmail.com.  
I'm embarrassingly cheap. like buy me a coffee cheap ;)

BPL // Children's Library


Yesterday, my friend Tara and her son Jett joined Roswelle and I to the Boston Public Library to visit the newly renovated Children's Library.  It is beautiful!!!  It is spacious, bright, and interactive.  There a few sections designed specifically for different age groups.  There are organized group classes, computers, and as many books as one could dream up.  And there are family friendly bathrooms with extra low toilets - very important stuff! I am thrilled that this is an option for Roswelle as she grows and learns in the city.

as my friend said, it's a must for Boston mamma's (no joke! :) ....4/1)





{the infamous hungry caterpillar}

{loves books and books and more books}




{the best we could get this time, but we'll be back to try again!}





Sweet Life Bakery + Cafe

{almond citrus bread}

One of my favorite things about living in Boston (sometimes hard to remember in this Winter) is the possibility of discovering an amazing cafe, restaurant, coffee shop in your neighborhood.  Recently I found all three in one great spot - Sweet Life Bakery + Cafe! It has everything I could ever want in a cafe...endless coffee, sweet baked items, plenty of space, good lighting, a fire place and free wifi!  I have started going here to blog and have a quiet cup of coffee while Roswelle is at a playdate/sitter on Wednesdays for 3 hours.  It's something new she and I are trying out...this whole separation thing, and it's proving to be quite wonderful for both of us. :)  3 miles from our house deep in Dorchester, this is my new spot to take my friends and family.  The freshly baked sourdough is a must try!!




{the breakfast bar}






{details I appreciate}

{the bakery - where I will be ordering Roswelle's birthday cupcakes}




Tatte Cafe and Bakery


A few weekends ago I saw a picture on Instagram of a cafe in town - Tatte Bakery and Cafe.  It looked like a mixture of lovely and cool and I decided I would try it out this week - a reason to get out of the house with Roswelle, coffee, and something to blog about...perfect! 


Below are some quick photos I managed to get with a busy, busy
baby on my hands. There is no graceful entrance, casual coffee, and relaxing blogging/reading these days! Thankfully, I was able to meet a girlfriend there (was great catching up with you Erin!) who happily held her while I snapped a few quick shots.  By the end Roswelle had had enough and was screaming (arched back and all) and we quickly left the rest of the sans-baby patrons so that they could have their lunch and coffee in peace.  

All in all it was a successful trip!  I'm hoping to hit this up with my girlfriends for brunch this winter.

{a cool, eclectic light display in the center of the shop}






{ Avocado & Soft Egg Tartine was simple but surprisingly delicious. I could not get enough!} 



What I SHOULD have ordered: the Shakshuka, looked amazing!






{our hipsteriest (new word, folks) outfits I could conjure up}


{Roswelle's new favorite doll, a blabla doll, more on that another time}


Motivational Monday: JPPilates Stroller Bootcamp


The words Stroller and Bootcamp (one word in my world) probably aren't two words you would typically put together, but Jennifer Phelan of JPPilates did!  Roswelle and I have been going to her mommy+baby classes since Roswelle was 4months old (I wish I had started earlier!). Once a week, I have been making the quick drive to Charlestown and participating in her #strollerbootcamp.  If you are lucky enough to be a new mom (or nanny!) in the Boston area, I really encourage you to join us.  

 Jenn will tell you that she is figuring it out as she watches her own baby grow.  She has a 9month old adorable son, Grayson (#babyboomer - check out his hashtag on instagram!), and she has been coming up with ways to workout with him since he was born.  As a personal trainer and pilates enthusiast she wanted to get back in shape but had to balance being a new mom as well.  I'd say she figured it out and found the balance!

  Some more about her classes: Her tagline phrases "up an inch, up an inch"..."down an inch, down an inch", and the famous "c-curve" will have you sweating and your legs literally trembling but will get you the results.  The game changer for me, your baby comes with you!! Your baby can cry..poop..nurse during the class and it doesn't matter.  There is no pressure to keep you baby quiet or asleep - the more active the baby the more interesting the class can get for you.  ;) You are surrounded by a new community of moms which we all know is key to being a happy, healthy mom yourself.

More classes are going to be announced soon - you can find out more info on her website (http://www.jenniferphelan.com/) or follow her on instagram @ jppliates1 

{jppilates1 pushing #babyboomer}

Below are some personal photos from our last class this past Friday.  With the New England weather quickly turning cold, it was the last outdoor class at Bunker Hill Monument.

{kudos to the mom with TWINS in the group}

{Roswelle learned what to expect in the workout classes and now enjoys seeing me jump around}

{parking our babies in the strollers behind us, we used a hand rail as our "bar"}


{Jenn will even hold your fussy baby for you while you finish your push-ups. thank, I think. ;) }

{Roswelle learning how to do a plank...or just trying to eat grass}

{I'm not in a c-curve position here (whoops) but Roswelle loves to be up in the air!}

{practicing her shavasana...."namaste" ;) }

{phew that was tough and fun!}

{Roswelle learning to share and play with babies her age!}

{some of the group - sans sleeping babies in their strollers - we never wake a sleeping baby!}


If you are in the Boston area, let me know if you want to join me.  Community is such a powerful thing for moms and I have learned how important it is for Roswelle's and my health.  Thanks, Jenn!

**Blog note, there was no "Favorite Things" post on Friday, last week just got the best of me and I couldn't get it all together.  I gave myself some grace and let it go.  You'll have one this week, or at least that is the plan!**