"A Little Summer Get Together"...

Two things. 1) I love surprises. 2) I love my friends.

Last Saturday I planned on going to Shawna's house for what she had called a "fun summer get-together to satisfy her entertaining bug" with some other girls from work. Never one to turn down Shawna's food or company, I put it on my calendar. She has an inner Martha the size of Texas, so when she also told us her little get together had a blue/orange theme, I just went with it because one, I know her, and two, an excuse to buy that cute new pair of blue summer shorts. Score.

When I walked in everyone was all big grins and giggles.

"Uh. Hi, guys."

I see banners and stuff, and I feel immediate total panic. A million thoughts run through my head at once. I didn't read the entire email invite. I somehow neglected to acknowledge that this is a party for someone and I completely blanked on it! Either that or Shawna is having an announcement party to tell us some big news. And I'm the nerd who is walking in stupid.

I mean total awkward panic mode.

I see this precious table full of food and decorations ( I could write a completely seperate post on the food and dec's. The tissue paper balls, the candy bar, the cupcakes, and let's just say the food included goat cheese, bacon, chocolate, and my favorite veggie pizza because somebody really REALLY loves me!!)

Shawna then sweetly clues me in on the fact that they have all been lying to me and sneaking plans behind my back for weeks. 

A Baby Shower! For me!

They said they wanted to be sure and help me celebrate and commemorate baby number two with just as much love as they did her big sister, which means more to me that words I can find to express. Honestly, speechless.

They gave us some adorable (and football season ready!) gifts-

Megan's mom handmade several receiving blankets and burp cloths for us. Complete with a little tag that read, "Prewashed and ready for you to wrap your baby ." For some reason pulling out the burp cloth was the moment it hit me. You know, that really real moment.

We're gonna have another little baby soon. Wow. :)

Shawna and the girls had so many sweet details at the party that I could hardly stand it, I was in heaven.
A candy bar with monogrammed tags for take home goodie bags:

Jenny, another co-worker (who apparently needs to be in a bakery, not at a desk!!) made these hydrangea cupcakes.
Seriously?!
I die.

And here's a random fact about me. I am a party punch addict.

As in, even when I just thought it was a little summer get together, I secretly prayed that Shawna would have party punch because it was all I could think about.

Bliss. :)

With those cute paper straws that are so cool, to boot.

After feasting on the goodies, they took it a step further and had onesies ready for a little decorating. We had a total blast doing this!

I had a smile from ear to hear the entire afternoon, partly because I was still in shock, and partly because I was surrounded by the sweetest and most thoughtful friends.

We toasted to new life, and I secretly toasted to the hope that my girls will be as blessed as I am, surrounded by women who rock.

And then I drank another half gallon of party punch.

With love to the Navy Blue Crew,

xo dae

And They Lived Happily Ever After

Last weekend was an exciting time for this family - we finally brainwashed and converted welcomed another awesome person into the fold.

Chris and Jill's wedding was spectacular. I mean, showstopper.
Everything about it was stunning. And look at those happy faces - does that not just make you want to reach through the screen and kiss them?! Love those two.

(Speaking of showstoppers... get ready for this. We may soon be coming to a reality tv show near you. I'm not even kidding. The florist who did the wedding is shooting for a network reality show. Full on camera crew, producers, miked-up bride, groom, florist, mother of the bride, and multiple behind the scenes outtakes that weekend. Air date to be determined, but I'm very curious to see what reality vs. reality tv looks like, cuz, yeah... I think there's a difference. And the whole microphone thing. I may or may not have forgotten about that a few times. Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........)

(And not that any of this was about me whatsoever, but why does a tv crew have to be around when I'm seven months pregnant, in 105 degree Alabama heat, can't stop eating salty cheese and crackers, and didn't have time to touch up my roots?!)

(But we all know that any form of Ben, Chris, or Michael on tv is going to be highly entertaining. Amen?)

( I just wanted to let you know I'm done with the parentheses now.)

Gorgeous.

The Groom's cake (Roll Tide!!) Look close, those are jerseys on the chocolate covered strawberries. And if you recognize that cake decorator, it's because she was on Ultimate Cake Off. Chick can throw down some serious cake.

There are so many details about the wedding that I know I am leaving out, I hate that I only managed to have my camera out once or twice, but because I was in between having a husband and a daughter in the wedding, running back to Chris' house because no one noticed til about half an hour before the wedding that he didn't have on the groom's tie but instead a groomsman tie (oopsie), and shoving my face full of the heavenly food and wedding cake, I was a little too in-the-moment to take a lot of good pictures.  I cannot wait to see the professional ones, they are going to be amazing!

Our tiny dancer. Oh, how she loved the stage. I have no idea where or how she became so comfortable with the spotlight, but boy. Get ready. She found her hobby. Tutus and dance shoes now rule our house :)

Jill is a dancer/instructor and had I think 12 little ballerinas twirl and tip toe down the isle while throwing rose petals as part of the procession, it was precious.

Of course, yours truly, instead of throwing the petals in the air, thought they belonged back in the pot where where all the other girls were reaching in to get them, and gently put hers back.... bless her. She's a clean freak at heart. (I blame her mother.)

I wish I had pictures of Kaelyn's face when she saw Jill walk down the isle - you could tell she just knew she was seeing a real live princess. She was in awe. And of how she made a beeline for Chris when he was around, and would cry if he wasn't with us when we would leave.

Oh, and of how she went slap crazy after I got her back to the hotel room that night because silly me, I thought a 18 hour day, a weekend of wedding activities, and running around would wear her out! The party had just started!!

Here's to love, to family, to many, many blessings, and the incredible couple - you are so loved!!

xo

dae

FIrst Trip to the Salon!

This morning we took a little trip for Kaelyn's first haircut. We had talked it up for a few days, but weren't really sure how it would go.

We should have known. She loved pretty much every second of it. This girl can go from scaling a rockwall and digging in the dirt to being pampered and pretty in two seconds flat, yessir. 

It may have only been an unnoticeable half an inch, but you parents out there know how it goes... first haircuts are just big. Period.  And, I wasn't quite ready to have her cute little baby curls cut off yet :)

Dad talking to her at first, helping her keep her head down during her trim:

Taking it all in! 

After she was done, the first thing she did was turn to Ben and say, "DADDY!!!! I's pretty??".  My heart...

Family shot~

If she shows up to any given place with this on, please don't be surprised. I had to slip it off at naptime. 

Our happy girl. Growing up so SO fast!!

Dear Alayna

There are so many things about you that I am already fascinated with.
They say that each pregnancy is different, and it's true. Most of it anyways.
The first one, I asked a million questions. With you, I go with the flow. With you, there is no real fear of the unknown. I've done this before, so that makes it easier to sit back and relax. Well, relax as much as someone like me can, anyways. I've been told that isn't one of my natural traits, unless I'm at the beach :).

There are some things that have been a little different with you, but I think you and your sister definitely have some things in common.
You are both easy on Momma. You both have made me eat ice cream more than ever. You both have found that my bladder apparently makes for a perfect punching bag, and situate yourself on it just so.
You both haven't given me heartburn, indigestion, or stretch marks (yet anyway. One of these days you'll both be teenagers.)

But about you - you, dear, are a mover and a shaker. Which amazes me because every time we've gotten a peek at you you've been in the exact same spot (you know, the one where they can't get the measurements they need so we keep going back.)  I haven't quite figured out when you rest yet, or maybe you rest just like Kaelyn and toss and turn the whole time. (Classic Dad trait, trust me.)

You have play time for about 20 minutes when I finally get into bed at night and as soon as I wake up in the morning. Like you are excited to be winding down, and just as excited to start the day.
You don't get the hiccups like your sister did, but you do have a really good kickboxing routine that I've become familar with.
All three times we have seen you on the ultrasound, you look like you are talking and smiling in each one. It's perfectly precious. And each time you have your hands held up by your face. This last time we got a great shot of you, and we couldn't get over how cute your little lips looked. Like a perfect little bow.

I am pretty sure that you love our one little cup of coffee each morning as much as I do; and our tea at night. In my mind I fast forward to 18 years from now when we sit at the breakfast table and enjoy a cup of coffee together in our pj's. Dad and Kaelyn will already be there, since they are our early birds :)
I love this family more than life itself, I can't wait to bring you into it.

Speaking of your sister, she is already trying to introduce the good things in life to you. Last night she kept 'giving' you her M&M's after dinner, "Here you go, baby sister!!".  (And believe me, that's LOVE. Sharing M&M's is a big deal!) And she is practicing changing her babies diapers, patting them on the back, and rocking them before she lays them down in bed. You're gonna get lots of love, little one.

We have 11 weeks to go, and in one second that feels like forever, and the next it feels like it will be here before we know it.

We can't wait to hold you,
Love, Mom

Georgia, Georrrgiaaaaahhh...

In my mind I am still waking up late, sipping a little coffee in the sunroom, surrounded by family, and soaking in every second of our Savannah/Hilton Head/Tybee Island adventure. Ah, vacation.

We had a fabulous 4-day weekend at LuLu and Dave's (love you guys!!!!); steak, shrimp, pool, beach, golf, shops, ice cream, more shrimp, boat rides, dolphins, more ice cream.... and there are no words to describe the happiness of seeing your child play with family. Really, you know what I'm talking about. I have so many vivid memories of growing up around my grandparents and aunts and uncles. They are one of life's greatest gifts, and my children are blessed to have many great ones. Even if we don't see each other every weekend, when we do, boy... Good times.

Get ready, picture smorgasbord!!


And the bump. There she is, in all of her Southern, swollen, sweltering glory!

 First boat ride, she was enthralled. (Which was a far cry from "No boat, no doffins peez." that we heard after we told her that morning what we were going to do. The fear of the unknown turned into obsession of every boat we have seen since.)

Second time on the beach, first time to put her toes in the water. Breakthrough!

Headed out to see the dolphins.

A Momma and her baby. Kaelyn would get so excited when they popped up, and the first thing I thought was "SeaWorld, 2012. It's on." She will have the time of her life.

The after-excitement crash.

Double Time. (hehehehehehe)



And we all know that no White gathering is complete without...

 
I heard Chris spent a little time here, in the rough.

And it apparently Chris and Kaelyn were hitting the same shots.
oops.

"DAD!! Get over here and help me with my swing!!"

"Now show me how to use this funny looking thing."

Really. I'm going to need to have a little talk with her. She'll be on Ben's side and choose to watch ESPN 24/7 in no time. HELP ME.

After all of the competitive sports, we had to cool off with some watermelon.

Hello, Summer, I love you.

A few afternoons we also headed to the park, but I'm not sure which Kaelyn enjoyed most, the actual park or the ride over there. :)

We are really all kids inside...

She has graduated to the big swing, and refuses to go back. And always wants me to make her "go hi-yah, Mommy, hi-yah!"  Daredevil.

Brace yourself. Are you ready for this? Because I wasn't.

Hi, pregnancy profile. Holy Moley.

 



We walked around the Riverfront for about eight hours one day, because it is a slice of my heaven, and Kaelyn also found a slice herself.

We walked into the Candy Kitchen and I thought she was going to pass out when her eyes took in the barrels and barrels of candy. She started stuttering and trying to get out of her stroller so fast I thought she would come out of her skin.

Did I let her run around with a bag and fill it to her heart's content? Abso-stinkin'-lutely.

And a new day calls for a new snazzy pair of shades. Hasn't taken them off yet.

Papaw's girl.

Here are two new places we tried that I am now in love with:

Leopold's Ice Cream

I had their strawberry ice cream, which was by far the creamiest, richest, most fresh tasting strawberry icecream, excluding my Granny's, I have ever had. And a scoop of chocolate, which was just as good. And how cute is this place?! They actually bring your order out to you, too. So old timey and fun.

Savannah Tea Room

When I was maybe 9 or 10, my best friend had moved to Cape Cod, and we would go to visit. Once, her mom took us out for tea at this beautiful historic home, complete with porcelain cups, tea sandwiches, the whole deal, and it was one of my favorite things... everything about it mesmerized me. My mom loves tea too, and I don't even know how old I was when she first taught me how to steep loose tea leaves (bags are the easy less tasty way out!!), add just the right amount of honey, and how to enjoy and unwind with the sweet aroma of a good cup of tea. So when we walked into this shop I immediately fell in love. I came home with what they recommended, the HoneyBush Tea, and it is the most amazing thing. (If you are pregnant, order it. Today.)

Even if you don't like tea, have never tried tea, go here. They will make a believer out of you.

They serve lunch and afternoon tea too, and I plan on taking the girls for a special occasion in a few years. :)

Umm, but I may need to break the monkey of this first. That would be good.... geez...

 

:) Hope you are off to a beautiful summertime with fun in the sun, family and friends!
xo dae