parker + jolie's big girl room | reveal!

I am so excited to share Parker and Jolie's big girl room!  I am really really REALLY proud of Jordan for all the hard work he has put into building (literally) this space for our girls.. shout out to the most handy husband ever.  I could brag on him all day for how good everything came together!  he basically took over my twins room pinterest board and came up with the most amazing style bunk bed for this room.  

you can find the original inspiration for their big girl room HERE:)

Parker and Jolie's room isn't very big, but I guess when you have two of everything and something crammed on every wall space it would seem a little full.  we've been talking about creating a room with space saving as the focus and finally pulled the trigger.  I mentioned before that building a nursery as a first time mom was much different than what I experienced with Baker and now Brady. I was on bed rest very early on in my pregnancy (24 weeks) and didnt really get to lay hands on and plan a nursery the way I got to with the last two babes..until now!  

I stuck to the same color scheme as I had originally envisioned:

lots of coral + mint green and turquoise + shades of purple

..and I added in grays + whites for their big girl update.

their bed is as big as it looks.  if we ever move from our cozy little home we will have to tear this beast down in pieces.  after scouring the internet for an affordable but decent looking bunk bed that would fit our space, Jordan finally decided he was going to build one.

from scratch.

I was terrified, because while he is very handy this kind of project is a serious overhaul! I am hoping he can remember the supplies and measurement details he used so I can eventually share the DIY for this amazing (and sturdy!) bed.  I take zero credit for the planning/style/building of this bed- it was definitely all Jordan!

I have shared my love for Beddy's before and here I go again:)  when we moved Parker and Jolie to "big girl" twin beds before Baker was born I fell in love with the ease, durability, and "all in one"option of their bedding sets and when I decided to update their bedding again I knew exactly where I wanted to go.  not to mention, Beddy's is the perfect option for a bunk bed.  the sleek elastic around the entire bottom edge keeps the bedding in place like a fitted sheet and the zippers on both sides allows for very easy making of the bed.  it leaves me without covers sprawled everywhere that I'm trying to tuck and fold to keep their room looking put together.

in fact.. the twins "make" their beds every morning with just the zip of the side zippers.  I, of course, help them arrange the pillows but otherwise its a very simple task for them to be responsible for.

after Jordan finished the bunk bed I gave him another handy task: building book shelves.  I confess that I have tagged and pinned bookshelves in every single nursery + playroom inspiration board I've created but have never followed through.  I sent the hubby a picture of a set of corner bookshelves and the next day he made that inspiration come to life!  every morning since we arranged their favorite books into these shelves I've come to find the girls snuggled in bed reading to each other.  its absolutely darling and brings me so much joy!

other things.. we updated this old mirror thats been hanging in our master bedroom for the last 5 years with a couple cans of white spray paint and found it's perfect place in this room.  those large wood frames were a DIY their BB made for the original nursery and we painted them + updated the colors to pull out more of the coral in the room.  up until now I've had newborn pictures of Parker and Jolie hanging in these frames.  long overdue for an update!

another hubby DIY: that mini dress up clothing rack.  I was browsing to just buy one an Jordan had enough left over wood an paint from the bed and bookshelves to throw that together too.. 

he gets so many brownie points, you guys.

THIS dresser!  it was originally purchased at a garage sale 5 years ago and has sat in the twins' closet as extra storage since then.  with the height of the bed on the opposite wall we thought to move it out of the closet and give it a little update with new paint and some updated drawer pulls.  most of whats on top of that dresser is courtesy of the dollar spot at target.. and after browsing for last minute details for the girls room at hobby lobby I found a tiered basket to throw their bows into. we have a few baskets in their closet that is overflowing with bows.. they have so many and I tend to just grab the same ones over and over because they are just sitting on top, but this way I can see what the options are.

I've sort of become obsessed with paper fans and couldn't resist these from shop sweet lulu to finish off the final details of their room.. pulling all the colors together!

they absolutely love their new space and spend a lot of time in here playing dress up in front of that mirror and reading their books.  not to mention how BIG they feel to sleep in their "big girl bunk beds".  I love this room!  every time I walk by I catch myself slowing a bit just to admire it a little.  

no better way to celebrate becoming big sisters for the second time around than this!

photography by: b faith photography 

wall paint // benjamin moore sanctuary
P + J wood signs //  painted SW cooled blue

bunk beds // DIY

gold metallic wall decals c/o urban walls

circle star rug c/o lorena canals rugs

chic gray bedding c/o beddy's beds

perfectly miss matched pillow set c/o beddy's beds

throw pillows // pillowfort by target

framed P+J // hobby lobby

corner shelving // DIY

wooden toy cameras c/o willow + bass

coral + white frames // DIY (painted SW coral reef)

dress up rack // DIY

rainbow banner c/o pearl + jane

"go out and paint the stars" custom sign c/o tucker up + co.

tutus  c/o trevi ave co

dresser // garage sale + painted SW cooled blue

knobs // hobby lobby

coral lamp // hobby lobby

tiered bow basket // hobby lobby

paper fans // shop sweet lulu

"smarty locks and the unforgettable zoo" book c/o Marilyn Harary

Parker + Jolie's big girl room

well, its about time.

when I was pregnant with Baker, Parker and Jolie officially came out of their cribs and we transitioned them into two twin size beds around age two and a half.

..and that was the end of their "big girl room"update.  

at the time I didn't feel the need to change out a bunch of things and completely update their room on top of decorating a nursery for a third baby girl- they were pretty young and outside of the beds they still fit the style of their nursery considering their age pretty well.  not to mention that the transition to "big girl beds" was HUGE excitement for them and for all of us, so we left it at that.  

fast forward to about a week ago.. Jordan, whom secretly surfs + pins via my Pinterest account, caught a wild hair to "build the girls a bunk bed".  we go through this a lot.. Jordan thinks of amazing things, we sit on the idea for a week or two, and then we move on.  

not this time.  

to give him more credit- we have been talking about doing this for a solid 6 months, at least.. so it wasn't a complete shock to me when we finally decided to pull the trigger on the plans.

currently our garage is stacked with wood and cluttered about with his large tool collection, skill saw and sander.  not to mention that we have made about 63 trips to Lowe's over this last week to pick up/exchange/remeasure for these amazing beds he's going to build our big girls.

image inspiration via pinterest

I, for one, am SO excited about this.  their room isn't very big and has always felt somewhat smooshed together because, well, when you throw two cribs and now two beds together in one space it could seem a little cramped. 

Jordan is painting the bed a white wash color.. the room will remain the same as far as paint goes.  it is a purple/periwinkle color and I, for the life of me, cannot remember what in the world the color or brand is to share!  maybe Jordan remembers.. 

ANYway

their room has always been a coral/gold/mint color scheme, and since I absolutely love it we aren't changing that one bit.  even better, we can keep a lot of the same decor going into their "new room" that we had in their nursery.  

image inspiration via pinterest

 their dresser was originally bought in a black and silver checkered pattern (seriously).. we painted a coral color over top of that and then did an antique white crackle paint overlay and distressed the edges so the coral would peek through here and there.  I have decided I want to repaint their dresser again with a mint color chalk paint and replace the coral rosette pulls with a copper handle pull instead.

image inspiration via pinterest

since we are opening up a TON of space in their room by putting the bunk bed on one wall, I'm going to do a collage of (big) girly things and updated pictures of Parker and Jolie on the opposite wall framed out with a giant mirror.  it is currently GOLD, like gaudy gold, and hanging in our bedroom.  I've been looking for something different to hang in our room, and completely getting it out and putting it in the twins' room instead will motivate me even more to get on that. 

a little white spray paint over the gold frame and letting the girls enjoy it in their room sounds so much better, anyway.

maybe get a few chairs and a little table for them to play at?  

eventually that space could be filled with a school desk for homework or art projects??!

no. I can't go there yet.

not yet!

I cant wait to share the girls' updated room!  Jordan should start building this week- Jolie is already sleeping on her mattress on the floor!  so we are ready to rock and roll!

stay tuned!  I am so excited to be doing this for our first ladies:)

you can see the twins' original nursery reveal HERE

their transition from cribs to "toddler beds" HERE

..and their sweet little twin bed details in their monthly update HERE

Parker + Jolie | 4 years

four.

FOUR YEAR STATS:
Jolie Grace // 41 inches (77th percentile) and 36 pounds 3 ounces (59th percentile)
Parker Jane // 42.5 inches (94th percentile) and 39 pounds 9 ounces (80th percentile)
--
Parker and Jolie's fourth year has been a year of SO MUCH FUN.  they have gained a rather hilarious toolbox of words and phrases and the conversations we have just kill me with emotions that basically run the gamut of shock, grace, love, adoration, and hysterics. and they know how to use at the most opportune times to just knock me off my feet with the things they know.

Parker and Jolie visited the dentist for the first time.

had their first sleepover with baby Grayson.

danced in the bluebonnets.

Parker got b a n g s:)

we went to the ZOO! (one of many times)
..and our first Rangers baseball game for a big girls date night..
spent a week with their favs while mama + daddy took a trip

they rediscovered their LOVE of the water and swimming pool and we spent nearly every day this summer soaking in the sun.
painted bird houses with their hero..
swam the muddy waters and had the time of their life on Lake Nocona

swimming, family, friends, sparklers, and sun kissed cheeks- we celebrated an entire weekend of the 4th of July!

we celebrated our littlest sister turning ONE and went to the aquarium for the first time.
..and brought a new dog into our crazy mix!

they started preschool three's. and walked into school on the first day like they owned the place..

cool weather came upon us and the fall festivities began- many days spent at the pumpkin patch + the arboretum.

h a l l o w e e n.  was. THE best time spent with our little friends.
they spent some quality time with Nana + Duke..
..and went to the Texas State Fair for the first of many years to come!

these are just a few of the highlights over the last 12 months.  our life is so full.  with so much fun in between.  these sweet girls have made our world spin for the last four years- the good.  the bad.  the terrible.  

we couldn't imagine it being any other way.

you are f o u r!

Jolie Grace

my goodness, how much you have grown this last year.  looking back at pictures and watching videos, its just amazes me to see how your personality and intellect exploded.  not to mention your little face has nearly lost all the baby chub and innocence and you are quickly becoming a little girl right before my very eyes.  your vocabulary is full.  your understanding is impressive.  your organization and thought process through certain things is unique and much different than your twin sister's

you still wear your heart on your sleeve.  little things can absolutely break your heart, but a bit of silliness will bring you right back to your usual happy self.  when when you smile- my sweet girl, you smile with your entire face.  your eyes squint up and nearly disappear into your baby girl cheeks.. (they are still there if I look hard enough).

   I was overwhelmed with love for you from the moment you took your first tiny breath.  watching you grow from a little wee nugget into the marvel you are today has been the greatest, most fulfilling, most enlightening journey and the very, very best thing I have every been through.
you have overcome so many milestones that, looking back, are just unreal to remember on.

you remain quite the diva in this house- Baker gives you a run for your money when holding that title, but the moment you open your mouth with something abrupt or matter of fact, as you usually do, its crystal clear who has earned it- you carry it well, my sweet girl.  
you are pretty opinionated and mostly independent.
..and then there is bedtime you simply cannot go to sleep without seven sugars and eight hugs.
..and we have to count them out loud or they just do not count.  
"mom, you arent counting with me.  one..two..threeee.."
you definitely feel the need to speak your mind, and most of the time it has me and your daddy in giggles.  while your sisters would rather be outside running like crazy kiddos, you don't mind to chill out on the couch with a snack (you are all about the snacks!), cuddle with mama, and watch movies all day long. as long as you have Puppy, you are happy as a clam.. you have fallen in love with many little animals and dolls have come and go over this last year, but Puppy still remains number one. and that thumb sucking is still in full force.  someday we will have to break the habit. but not today. 

 you absolutely do everything with an exclamation point! your little life is an exclamation point. keep that up my sweet little love. your enthusiasm in life should be the way everyone should live the life we are given. and for that, I am so proud of you.  I thought I was here to teach you, but you are teaching me every day. I am so in love with you, birthday girl. 

Parker Jane

still my tomboy. still your daddy's right hand 'man'.  wherever he goes "I'm coming too!!"  

never ending and always your dad's favorite thing to hear.

it's hard to imagine what life was like before your funny lines, epic tantrums, and ear bursting screams took over our house. year three has been a year of growth and change and experience for all of us.  you have gotten stronger, smarter, funnier, and braver- and keep changing dramatically as the days go on.  you have become quite creative in your ways- making up stories as you go along and always excited to share them with anyone that will listen.  you have such a creative brain, building and creating and designing is what you do best.  your coloring and art work just keeps getting better and better- you are SO excited to show me your completed color pages, with the rainbow array neatly tucked within the lines of the image.  I am so proud of you.

your imagination runs wild- and you beat to the tune of your own drum.  I used to get frustrated with you for "not listening" or acting like you "dont care", but as we have both gotten to know the growing Parker over this last year, you are just taking it all in before you make a decision to move or act.  your teachers at school have said you are the observer.  you want to know about everything that is going on around you. this characteristic has developed into you having the most gentle and sweet and kind heart. always wishing everyone to be included.  your heart is bursting with love to share. 

Jolie is your best friend.  your rock. and the person you look to for support in everything. you have a keen love for that twin sister of yours and your bond grows stronger and stronger as the days and weeks and months and years go on.  
Baker is your little side kick.  she follows you everywhere and looks intently for you when you cannot be found. you always include her, even when she is destroying your building blocks or demolishing the feast you have prepared in the play kitchen.  she's always there, and you never mind.
you talk about "baby brother" all the time. you talk about how silly he is when he moves around in my belly and it broke me to tears the other day as you were helping me fold tiny baby boy clothes in his unfinished room and you touched my tummy and said "I sure hope he loves me.." 
of course he will, little love.
everyone loves you.

no matter how old you are, you will always be our sweet baby girls.

no matter what you do, we will always love you.

I am so incredibly proud to be your mama just because you sister girls are you.

you can be anything you want to be.

you are amazing in so many ways.

you girls have a laugh that is contagious- and I can hear it from miles away and know that its you.

you each have the most amazing personality that make both of you unique and so perfectly you.

you are incredibly talented in so many ways - coloring in the line, puzzles, billions of hugs, and double that in kisses, the busiest bees..running, climbing, singing at the top of your lung and dancing your giant little hearts out!  some of our most favorite moments of the day is listening to you two sing, play, dance, and just be together- your imagination is unreal.

my wish for you, my sweet sister girls, as you enter your fourth year of life, is that you will keep being my Jolie Grace + my Parker Jane. that you will keep dressing up like a princess, toting high heels and jeweled crowns, while chasing your daddy around the backyard looking for spiders and snakes and in the same moments harassing your mama for "haircuts" and playing beauty parlor. that you will continue your best friendship with each other, but still finding comfort in your independence that impress me every day.  

the characters can change to whoever you would like them to be, just don't stop pretending. keep telling your wonderful creative stories you tell. don't ever stop telling me all about your dreams when you wake and about your imaginary "family" that lives in a pink house with a pink mommy and a blue daddy and purple sisters and most recently.. a new baby brother has come into that imaginary family mix. keep laughing and smiling.

you two are the lead character in 4 years worth of the most colorful memories one can imagine.

we love you with all our hearts, big sister girls.  we are so excited for this next year that is to come!
happiest birthday to you our precious girls!

summer wrap up

I've been without a phone for about 24 hours.. it turned into a brick yesterday morning and without my iPhone I was forced into pulling out my big camera (I have a Canon Rebel SL1) to snap a couple pictures of my girls eating popsicles on the patio.  in those sticky moments, I realized that summer is all but over.. here we are back in the swing of life and routine.. and having an actual bedtime for the big girls.  we got awfully relaxed on their schedule this summer and they frequently stayed up past 9pm on non-weekend nights making their new 7:30pm bedtime a rude awakening.  I started thinking over these last couple months and I cant believe how much has happened.

time is fleeting! 

I mean, look at this big girl's sweet face!  she's changed so much!  

how can she already be a whole year old?! 

we kicked off the summer early before the weather was scorching with a trip to the zoo!  

the big girls LOVED it and Baker was just along for the ride.

 we made a stop at the summer art festival in southlake- I sort of love my kids with paint on their face.

 viva la Mexico, ya'll.  we took our first trip solo since the twins were about 8 months old! it was THE best time with my man.

while auntie and uncle J got a taste for life with four kids.

we had our first sno cone.. Baker loved it.

 made a trip to the ballpark with our favorite people

 swam the muddy waters of lake Nocona. 

 and Baker took her first boat ride

 built bird houses with dad! 

 ..and celebrated the 4th for an entire weekend with family + our closest friends, swimming, big fireworks and one million glow sticks.

 speaking of celebrations.. Big G turned ONE!! 

..and Baker's Berry Sweet celebration followed

Baker found herself a drink at Starbucks..

(blended whole milk!)

 ..and Oscar found himself a home- he was the perfect addition to our family! 

 we ended the summer with a bang.. a baby.  BOY! for Andrea + Sonny

..and a night out with the big girls! GAH I cannot get over the cuteness of this picture.

 ..and it wouldn't be a recap without the million and one pictures of my kids in their bathing suits.

while fall is definitely my most favorite time of year, the fun we have had the last couple years puts summer at the top of my list for greatest memories had, ever.  

summer 2016 was so good!