Celebrations

Oh, how I love a reason to celebrate.

Because really, isn't that what life is about?! Celebrating traditions, joys and accomplishments. Celebrating holidays, birthdays, special days. Celebrating those we love and those we miss. Whatever the reason or occasion, I love a good celebration.

And this weekend we celebrated it up...big time! We spent the day Saturday at Samish Island celebrating the completion of Auntie and Peter's ah-mazing house and spending time with family. The sunshine was like the homecoming of a long awaited friend...oh how good it felt!

And not to be forgotten, celebrating the first corn on the cob of the season!


Sunday was spent celebrating not only the 4th of July, but also Miss Charlotte's baptism. What a special day we had, surrounded by so many friends and family that love our girl. There is something that touches my heart so deeply to see the people that you love, loving on our little one.


Some of our friends from church and Miss C's godparents, AJ and Angie



And although Nick is the one wearing the apron here...

Papa was the true grill-master of the day!


Monday we celebrated the extra day off and the not-so-wonderful-but-atleast-it's-not-raining-weather with a family walk around the lake and relaxing.


Cheers to more summer celebrations to come!

A slower pace

Have a mentioned how much I love being home with our girl? It is such a blessing to have this time with her...watching her change each day, learning about each other, gazing at her in wonder...life just moves at a slower pace. And I must say, I quite like it.

You see, I am a list girl. I get the same day planner each year that I've had since high school (no joke). And every day, there are lists. What needs to be done that day. These aren't always monumental tasks, sometimes it's as simple as Make Dr. Appointment, or Laundry, or Call so-and-so for their Birthday. But marking these To-Do's off as Completed is quite rewarding for me.

These days, there aren't as many To-Do's... or at least in the list making sense there aren't. These days, we see where our days take us.

Some days, like today, we wake up at 4:30 a.m. (after sleeping since 11 p.m.-- yahoo!) and decide we are very awake...so we enjoy the sunrise together and watch the ending of "Cold Mountain".


And other days days, we meet up with our Summer Sister friends for play dates and mommy dates.


Lately we've been enjoying have Uncle Zachary staying with us for awhile...


And who doesn't love a nice relaxing bath?


Or spending time with some of our favorite friends?


Some days though, we do like to get ready and put on our party dress for a BBQ gathering...


So even though our Pacific Northwest "summer" has left much to be desired thus far, we are filling our summer days with lots of love, love and more love. I'll check that off as the most rewarding To-Do ever.

The first

It's exciting knowing there will be so many "firsts" to discover and embrace this year. Each one bringing with it a new sense of wonder and joy. Each one special and unique.

This Father's Day was one of those firsts. Nicholas, at just 16 days into the job you are already an amazing daddy. I love watching you with our Charlotte. She is one lucky girl...and so am I.

We love you!

Our days...

have been filled with:

Memorizing each other...

Meeting new friends...

Sleeping...

Hanging out with our favorite little watch dog...

Big stretches...

Spending time with Grammie...

Lots of walks...(and enjoying no makeup!)

A little bit of crying...

Hanging out with family...

And just plain being cute...

Yep...life is pretty good right now.

One week

One week ago she came into our lives. Our hearts were forever changed. To look at her and know that Nicholas and I helped to create this little person...it is the most incredible, humbling, amazing feeling. Like she was chosen just for us. A place in my heart that I never even knew existed, is now there... just for her. I am in awe.

*All photos taken by my wonderfully talented friend, Miss Erin Coffey.

And the dreams...

*picture taken by Aunt ShellyThat you dare to dream...

Really do come true.

Charlotte Grace
Born June 4th, 4:14 a.m.8 lbs. 1.8 oz19 inches long Our dream come true

Ready and waiting...

This weekend is 40 weeks. Through yoga I've learned that your "due time" is really anywhere from 38-42 weeks, but even still, we can't help but be anxious for her arrival. It finally feels like we really are ready for her...the room is done (including the ever-looming armoire project!!), house is clean (wow! if you thought I was neurotic about cleaning before, add nesting instincts to that...kind of scary), the yard is in pretty good shape, our bags are packed, my last day of work before leave was last week...and so we wait.

I'm trying to take advantage of and enjoy this down time. Max and I have been enjoying many walks, I try and sleep in (impossible still for some reason), dinner dates, movies with friends...

Soon it won't just be us.

Soon I will dream of days I could have slept in.

Soon our schedule will be determined by a little person.

Soon we will hold our little girl in our arms for the first time. Until then, we wait in joyful hope...

Top 5

As I near the end of my pregnancy (still kind of can't believe it!), I thought I'd share with you all my Top 5 Must Have Items. These tangible things have given me the most comfort throughout these 9 months...tested by me, passed on to you!

#5
Maternity Leggings
Probably the most worn item of clothing I've had throughout being preggers...so comfy and yet still staying somewhat stylish, right? (don't worry, I would wear a longer shirt over them) Some people prefer the maternity pants with the elastic waistband...not me. Give me the high panel/over the belly leggings any day of the week!
#4
Bella B Tummy Honey Butter
(thanks to my girl Delane for recommending this stuff!)
Knock on wood...but so far, either genes or this tummy butter have prevented me from getting any stretch marks on my belly. It smells good and has an almost gritty texture that at least makes me feel like it's doing something right. I've used it from beginning to end!

#3
The Snoogle
(no that's not me modeling for you)
Thanks to this amazing little invention, I've been able to get some precious z's throughout my pregnancy-- even now when I am quite large. It's a body pillow amped up, and although not the most romantic item (it creates quite the barrier between Nick and I each night), it.is.a.dream. Pun intended.


#2
Ice Cream
Have I had any strange cravings? Nope. Just ice cream. And what is strange about that? Nothing! What's not to love? Creamy deliciousness that I indulge myself in, probably 5-6 nights per week. You think I'm joking but I'm not. I justify it with the fact that usually it will be a light version like the Dryers Slow Churned, but who needs justification really when it is so darn good?

#1
Pre-Natal Yoga
Hands down best thing I have done/experienced during pregnancy. I've always loved yoga and initially going to a pre-natal class is a little different because you aren't sweating it out and getting the intense workout that you'd be used to with Bikram or Vinyasa yoga. However, the benefits are incredible. Learning about our bodies, practicing movements to help through labor, stretching, sharing stories...these classes have been the thing that has made me feel most prepared for child birth. Love them!

Happy Mother's Day!

Celebrating from afar my wonderful mama today...thank you for loving me, encouraging me, supporting me and for being such a constant strength in my life. I can only hope to be as incredible a mom and friend to our little girl that you are, and have been, to me!



And to my equally amazing mother-in-law Laura...thank you for welcoming me with open arms into your family from day one. How did I get so lucky?!

We love you both very much

Maternity Pics

This weekend we were lucky enough to have our good friend Erin Ewing take some family and maternity photos for us. She did such an amazing job and we couldn't be more pleased...I will treasure these pictures and memories of this time in our life always.

I couldn't resist posting a few of my favorites here...














Thank you Erin...you ROCK!

From here...

To there...

*Picture via Nan Brotherton Photography

To here...

*Picture via Erin Ewing

Happy 2nd anniversary to my wonderful husband. I love the journey we have been on, and continue to be on, together. I love you...all the way.