Thoughts from Alice W.

welcoming fall...

It is hard for me to believe fall is already here.

Spending the majority of the summer in the hospital made it seem like we didn't even have one,

but this is my favorite time of year so I won't complain.

Hazel is sure keeping me busy these days, but I still managed to spruce up the house a little to welcome autumn.

The front porch got a much needed makeover, with the help of my mother who encouraged me to get out of the house.

She took me to a local farm market where we purchased some pumpkins and mums.

I also got an itch to decorate our mantel for Halloween...

Hazel is enjoying her first fall season as well...

I have been racking my brain to come up with the perfect costume for my girl...when it finally came to me.

It also involves her furry brother, so hopefully the two will cooperate long enough for me to get a photo to share with you soon!

Till next time...

Hazel Came Home

On August 19th, after a painstaking 50 days in the NICU, we finally got to bring our sweet Hazel home.

It was the best (and scariest!) day. She weighed in at 5 lbs. 14 oz. that day.

We have been home now for over a month and life is sure different around here.

I have a new "boss" so to speak. Having been used to doing my own thing everyday, it has been quite the adjustment.

Hazel was diagnosed with severe reflux before we left the hospital and put on three medications.

Feedings are quite a chore as they are often painful for her.

Joshua and I are going on limited amounts of sleep each day as well, which makes things all the worse.

At the end of the day though, having her here to cuddle and hold whenever we want and she needs is all that matters.

 

She is finally where she belongs and we are beyond blessed.

(She is also a whopping 8 lbs these days!)

 

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I am also excited to share with you the news about my latest article for Somerset Life. 

This is by far my favorite...as it is closest to my heart.

You can read about my journey towards motherhood in the autumn issue available October 1st.

~ Click here to view a preview of the issue ~

 Till next time (as Hazel permits!)...

an unexpected arrival...

On June 3oth at 11:50 pm, Baby W. decided to come early. 8 1/2 weeks early in fact. 

Hazel Mae Wingerden

3 lbs. 10 oz.

16 1/4" long

and the most beautiful baby we have ever seen.

She has spent the last thirty days in the NICU and still has a little ways to go.

She is definitely growing stronger every day and we are hopeful that she will be home with us very soon. 

You can follow her journey on Facebook as that is the easiest way for me to update her status and share photographs.

My apologies to those who aren't members...I will try to blog more once she is home with me. I promise!

Until then...

summer garden...

It's hard to believe that it has been so long since my last post. Time sure is flying by around here.

Joshua and I are staying very busy preparing for the arrival of Baby {Girl} W. 

We recently held a yard sale to clear things out and make some money, which turned out to be a great success!

We are actually already excited to do it again next year.

But, lest you think I am ahead of the game, allow me to correct you...there is still so much to do around here!

I get emailed and facebooked quite frequently about the status of our nursery, and while I wish I could say I have been working on it, it just isn't so.

The room that is to be our daughter's room is still our bedroom and will remain so until I clear out the master bedroom

{currently my "hoarding room"...aka art studio}.

Being now 7 months pregnant makes it difficult to get a lot done in terms of clearing out and organizing, so it has been a slow process.

I do assure all of you waiting on me, however, that I will definitely share the progress here...

Once there is any progress to share of course!

Today, I thought I would share some summer 'garden' pics with you...

Mind you, I did nothing with planting...all of our beautiful blooms simply appeared one day and I am enjoying them! 

Still in love with my sweet Mary that came with our house...

Josh brought home this cute wicker bench just the other day, and for now it is residing on our front porch...

We ended up donating much of the leftovers from our yard sale to a local church for their upcoming sale, and while we were dropping it off,

I couldn't resist rummaging through what they were throwing out...

We stumbled upon about 6 or 7 boxes of these old Atlas canning jars.

I love to use these for vases, art studio storage, you name it...

Since we acquired so many, some will likely find their way to my Etsy shop one of these days.

My next big project of the summer is preparing for my upcoming baby shower which we will be having on July 9th.

My sister and mother are planning it with me, and I have LOTS of ideas brewing.

Can't wait to share pics with all of you after the festivities!

I hope that all of you are enjoying a safe and relaxing summer thus far...and staying cool!

Till next time...

P.S. I also recently had the privilege of being featured in an article written by Josh's cousin for our local city paper...click here to check it out!

a giveaway for you...

I think it has been too long since I have had a giveaway...

Don't you?

That is why when I was recently contacted by Shabby Apple {a women's dress and apparel shop} to partner up and have a dress giveaway, I immediately jumped on board.

I fell in love with their site and their amazing array of women's dresses...they even offer maternity!

Then I got to pick one dress out especially for you!

It was a difficult decision as they have so many lovely dresses to choose from.

But finally when I saw the light gray, 'San Gabriel' I knew it was the winner...

It is elegantly simple with subtle touches of femininity...and is so perfect for spring and summer. 

It is available in sizes XXS to XL and is an $86 value.

And one lucky reader will get it for free!

So how do you enter? 

You have the chance to enter up to four times...do any or all of the following...

1.) Simply leave a comment on this post {with email if you do not have a blog}

2.) Head on over to Shabby Apple's facebook page to become a fan {simply by clicking "Like" when signed in}

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shabby-Apple/56291792791

3.) Head on over to my very own 'Alice W.' fan page and do the same for me :) 

http://www.facebook.com/alicewcollection

4.) Post the button below on your blog until the giveaway closes and link back here for your readers

VERY IMPORTANT: If you do numbers 2-4, you will need to leave additional comments on this post letting me  know you have done so

or email me at alicewingerden@gmail.com so I can be sure to get your extra entries counted {otherwise I won't know}

 

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The giveaway will be open through May 1st until 11:59pm eastern time. 

And the winner will be chosen at random and contacted on May 2nd

{This giveaway is only open to US residents, with sincere apologies to our international friends,

and there will be no exchanges for the winning dress}

 

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And for those of you who don't happen to win...don't fret! 

I have something for you too...

Shabby Apple was so generous to offer a 10% discount for my readers!

Simply enter the following code during checkout: thoughtsfromalice10off

Discount is good for the next 30 days so be sure to take advantage!

You might find something within their new 'Roamin Holiday' Collection...

or perhaps be wooed by these pretty finds from 'The Berkshires' Collection

{two of my personal favorites include 'Mt. Greylock' and 'Jacob's Pillow'}

or maybe the jewelry & accessories category might strike your fancy as did the titles of these two pieces :)

{'through the looking glass' and 'everyone's mad here'}

If you happen to find yourself in a similar situation to my own...the maternity section may suit you...

I personally love 'Black Rose' and 'Two's Company'...

Best of luck to all who enter the giveaway!

 

Till next time...

 

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The giveaway is now closed.

Congrats to Judy of French Laundry as she was the lucky winner!