We did a crazy thing. After starting a family last year we knew we would eventually need more space. After much back and forth about when to buy, where to buy, how much we could afford now v. later, being disheartened by the prices of things in our current location. Basically, everything that was aesthetically our style in Arlington VA is deep deep into seven figures and the ones that were within the tippy top of our price range would require a lot of work - which we would have little left to make happen. We came to the realization that we aren't really players for even semi-desirable homes in the Northern VA area, so we decided to do the thing we NEVER thought we would do and look our in the suburbs. Specifically at a planned community down in Stafford, VA.

We only knew about it because my in-laws live a short 5 minute drive from the community. We thought it would be fun to check out a model home or two back in January, not thinking too too seriously about it. We left Isla with her grandparents for the afternoon and ended up being blown away by one of the models that seemed to check all our boxes. We went back in February, multiple times and again in March. Having the knowledge that we could have a brand new beautiful forever home just 45 mins down route 95 was becoming louder and louder. By April we decided our dollars just went too much further down there to not move forward. It was the best decision for our family, and we were ready to buy. We had serious in depth meetings with the home builder representative so we knew the lot and model but when we got there, someone else had purchased the one we were looking at. We felt deflated...for about 30 seconds. Turned out the mirror image lot that was previously unavailable had just become available again and we were in luck. We reserved the lot, came back the next weekend to work out our structural plans, and here we are. We don't expect to break ground for a few months but we are so excited about this whole process I wanted to share the very beginnings here.

This next chapter is going to be a very new one for us with lots of learning to do. We have very little now as we live in a small one bedroom + den apartment so while moving to a big house is a dream, it's also very VERY intimidating. I can't wait to document the build, the design, and decorating process! Big things happening for the Soybel's in 2019.

The Soybel's "hosted" Easter this year which was probably as insane as it sounds since we live in a one bedroom apartment. Aunt Kaylin and cousin Hazel made the trek down from NJ and spent the weekend with us. We also turned Isla's bassinet into a standard size big baby crib the same weekend and I am slightly not OK about it. She is growing like a weed!

I got Hazel a matching PB Kids basket and my sister and I filled them with extra cute baby stuff (they are only 8 months apart). We let them "open" them together in their matching bunny jammies. Getting a picture of them in the hats was literally impossible so I stopped even trying. Hazel had her first peanut butter cup and I it was so awesome it put her in a tonic state for about thirty minutes. After dressing them up in their Easter best we headed to my in-laws for dinner, dessert, and trivial pursuit. Me, Mike, and Isla did not forget to take our standard holiday family pic in the front yard, in case you were worried. Side note - I actually wore this exact dress last Easter with my little 18 week bump!

I know I am not a "blogger" anymore but I had to snap a couple shots of my baby's first Easter basket. Making a basket for a seven month old isn't challenging per se, but you definitely are limited as they don't yet partake in sweets or even know how to "hunt" for eggs. We filled Isla's with a PB Kids stuffed bunny, some Baby GAP bunny jammies (we also got some for cousin Hazel to match), an Old Navy straw hat, the cute H&M bunny ears are courtesy of Auntie Steph, and lastly, this fun little "That's Not My Bunny" book which was sent to me c/o Lauren Hawkes. The book is part of a collection of adorable "touch and feel" books that have bright illustrations and patches of different textures on each page. We already have "That's Not My Panda" which I got as a shower gift and she loves to touch the pages (and honestly tries to eat each one - let's be real EVERYTHING goes in the mouth now). Make sure you check our her page (here) to purchase these awesome baby reads! I also splurged on a personalized Easter basket from Pottery Bard this year because I think she will use it for a long time and it was too cute with the little bun bun ears. Being a mom of one makes you 100% #EXTRAAF but I love it!

Sometimes I forget how much I love DC. We (well at least I) walk around bundled to the nose with our blanket scarves until what feels like MAY just trying to survive whatever winter vortex BS is coming at us on our morning commutes...and then springtime arrives and shakes us all out of our winter fog with the most stunning display of cherry blossoms. It's basically like the fancy nature version of the Met Gala to commence the best chunk of the year and in 2019, I was HERE FOR IT. I did a quick engagement shoot for some friends during peak bloom and got some photos of these babies in all their glory. We later had a little picnic with some friends who also have adorable babies and capitalized on the opportunity. Isla had a little love connection on the picnic blanket! You definitely don't need a real camera or to be into photography to capture their magic, I saw some amazing iPhone pictures of them this year but here are a few I was able to get last month. 

As a side note - like how I said last month there? I quite like this not being a blogger thing. I feel lighter and, more importantly, zero guilt about the last post being dated six whole weeks ago.   

After dusting off my camera to snap some shots of the family last Saturday, I realized I hadn't really used a new lens I purchased for myself late last year as much as I thought I would after having a baby. The iphone is just so much more convenient for photos on the fly. I decided to really just play with the manual settings until I got more comfortable with it and my little I made a great model for the occasion since we were just playing on a blanket on the living room floor in her jammies. I spent thirty minutes or so just snapping photos adjusting as I went, but I love how a few of these portraits came out of her just being her, eating her rattle and snuggling with her pink blankie (her security blanket). I have tons more to learn but feel excited about getting better at it and being able to capture her for years to come. Her eyes are so beautiful at this age, I hope they stay!