Baby Shower

It feels like just last month that I was throwing a baby shower. And on Saturday, it was my turn to be the Mama of Honor.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I don't particularly like being the center of attention.  But as I previously mentioned, I guess that comes with the territory when you are a first time Mama who happens to have amazing family (and extended family) and friends.

The weather was gorgeous so we were able to spend a majority of the time outside.  The food and drinks were delicious, and all of the little details that the hostesses (my godmother/Auntie Lee, Momma, and Rachel) put into the shower were amazing.

 

 

I was completely overwhelmed by the generosity of my family and friends.  Truly and 100% overwhelmed.  Our little guy got oodles of books and clothes, and Ryan and I got plenty of contraptions to try and make raising this little dude a little easier... Or maybe more complicated?

I think (and hope) fun was had by all.  I can't begin to express my gratitude for everyone's generosity and their love for this baby boy.

Take Luck,

LP

Weekend Recap

Holy, Labor Day weekend.

I had every intention of a quiet and relaxing extra long weekend - and I got the exact opposite.  But probably in the best way possible.

Friday was spent running errands, majorly cleaning the house, catching up with a gal pal, watching Kennedy and Riley, and driving down south to Olympia to say goodbye to Ryan's cousin and his family.  They are relocating to Washington D.C. for a few years.

Saturday was baby shower day.  Mom, Rachel, and I started the morning off with a walk down at Lion's Park (to help counter all the calories we knew we'd be consuming that afternoon) that was abruptly interrupted by them saying, "We have to go.  Ryan has a surprise for you and it's ready.  So, we have to go."

I came home to a scavenger hunt and a little surprise in the nursery.  This surprise deserves a post all by itself, but I will tell you this - she's just over 5 feet tall (I said it was little!), blonde, my college roommate, a very best friend, and her name is Becky.

  

More on the surprise and the sneakiness in another post.  Becky deserves her own post.  Trust me.

The baby shower was wonderful and overwhelming at the same time.  I hate being the center of attention, but I guess as a first time mama with a growing belly - it just kind of comes with it.  I am so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends.  I am truly blessed and spoiled... And so is this little man.

Sunday, the day I had completely intended on relaxing, moving very slowly, going to prenatal yoga, and resting with my feet up - was spent showing Becky around Seattle.  I love showing around the city and all its glory.  We came back on this side of the water, picked up dinner, and laid on the couch to watch Hunger Games.

Today, sadly - Becky had to return back to St. Louis so we went for a walk this morning, had lunch at our favorite restaurant/cafe - Panera Bread Co., and headed to the airport.

Needless to say (oh, wait - I just did) this weekend didn't really pan out as I was initially planning.  It got much, much better.

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Writing Dear Monday letters for the week with Megan.

Dear Monday, My three-day weekend was jam packed.  I needed another Sunday before being shoved back into my 5am wake-up routine.

Dear Rachy's Graduation Party, I cannot speak for everyone, but Ryan and I had a great time.  Perhaps the greatest entertainment was me continually circling the food table sans plate and noshing on everything in sight, the "baby tigers" that were crawling through the living room, and the "monster" that was tormenting the baby tigers.  I can't say enough about how proud we are of our Rachy.

Riley the Monster

Ara, Baby Tiger #1

Kennedy, Baby Tiger #2

Dear Tiff, I'm thinking that whenever I make my trip to Ohio (in the near future), we should have a Star Wars marathon.  Just a thought.

Dear Kennedy, On Friday, you were completely obsessed with my little tummy and the baby growing inside - touching, pressing your ear to listen, talking to him/her, and lifting my shirt to get a better look (not at all awkward).  If anyone else had continually told me, "You're getting fatter..." I may have cried a little.  But because it was you, I'll let it slide.  Especially since you offered to give the baby your blanky.  You reminded me that you do have two!  I love you, kiddo.

Dear 15 Weeks, Where on earth did you come from?  My belly is slowly expanding and I'm totally OK with that.  The baby went from the size of a lemon last week, to a naval orange this week.  No wonder Kennedy tells me I'm getting fatter.

Dear Sadness and Grief, You are serving as a constant reminder to me to be happy, grateful, and make sure the people in my life know that I love them.  Life is far too short and fragile to get caught up in the weather, the monotony of work, and other unimportant things.

Dear Ryan, Our conversation topics are obviously evolving.  I think it's quite hysterical that we talk about baby stuff while watching American Ninja Warrior.

Take Luck,

LP

It's a Baby Shower!

Sunday was the big baby shower day.  As luck might have it - it was the day that my sickness started escalating.  Who doesn't want to come to a baby shower hosted by a gal who sounds like an geriatric smoker?

I sound and feel worse now... But that's beside the point.

The shower went great.  The biggest hiccup was that we were planning on 20 guests and only 10 showed up.  We had a lot of extra food, but when is that really a problem?

I was initially worried about decorations and the small details of the party - but Party City and small sunbeams of my own creativity came to rescue.

Party City had the perfect "theme" decorations that went with the colors Jessica had been planning on painting the nursery.

My small sunbeams of creativity came to me in the form of onesie and bib clotheslines - which I am happy to say, were a hit.

Thank goodness Jessica's sister-in-law offered to help.  She prepared lots of food, and I put together a vegetable tray and cupcakes.  I may or may not have hidden a small plastic baby in one of the cupcakes.  Whoever got the plastic baby (and didn't choke on it!) won a prize.

I tried to encourage guests to bring a package of diapers too by enticing them with the hopes of more prizes.  It worked!  Little did they know that the prize was a mere $5 Starbucks gift card.  Who doesn't love a free (and unexpectedly free!) coffee?!

We played one game... The infamous guess-what-melted-candy-bar-resembling-baby-poop-is-in-the-diaper.  Who doesn't like putting their face in a messy diaper?  Even when you know it's chocolate - it still just feels wrong.

Luckily, I was in charge of melting the chocolate, smooshing it in the diaper, passing it around, and sharing the answers at the end.  Alas, I did not participate in the diaper sniffing.  I must say I was impressed with the diapers and their ability to mask the smell of the candy bars.  I guess they did their duty*.

*Duty/Doodies.  If you watch Friends religiously like me, you will understand and appreciate this Chandler reference.

Stacy, a guest at the shower, made this amazing and adorable diaper cake.

I'd say my first baby-shower-throwing experience was a success. 

Although...

I had gotten an idea from my sister-in-law's baby shower - to ask guests to bring a baby book (instead of a card) to help Jess build a little baby library.

Yeah, everyone remembered.  Except me.

Shiza.  Baby shower host fail.

Jessica's sister-in-law tried to make me feel a little bit better by saying, "Now you can buy a book knowing it won't be a duplicate??"

And yes.  She posed it as a question, not a statement.

I guess if that was my biggest flub of the day, I'll take it.

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Monday, Monday.  Bleh.  Here are some letters to start the week with Megan!

Dear Monday, You began with tears.  And coughing.  A little gasping for air.  And an inner plea to magically feel better.

Dear Bronchitis, I really really dislike you.

Dear Prednisone, So we meet again.  We were grandly familiar with each other back in 2007, and I had hoped we would not cross paths again.  At least this time it's only for five days.  

Dear #marchphotoaday, I couldn't help but double-check to make sure I saw today's photo challenge correctly, and then I saw that I was indeed correct.  It was easy to pull open our silverware drawer, but then I wondered - who really cares about pictures of forks?

Dear Kennedy, I cannot believe you are four.  I hope you do not wish to have any more birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese.

Dear Baby Shower, I'd say that you were a great success.  I planned for 20 and only 10 showed up - but better than the other way around!

Dear "Spring Break," I really wish that this meant I got a week off of work too.  Darnit!

Dear Doctor Hubby, Sometimes you are really good at making me feel better, and sometimes you make me want to punch you.  For example, when you tuck me in and give me some juice and a sweet kiss - this is good.  When you tell me, "You'll be ok, I've felt worse than this before..." - this is not good (refer to the punching scenario).  I appreciate your efforts, and love you all the same.  Maybe more.

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

It's Monday, people!  That means it's time for writing some letters with Megan!

Dear Monday, Today is President's Day!  I thoroughly enjoy any holiday/reason to get a day off of work.

Dear Dole Pineapple-Orange-Banana Juice, You caught my eye at the grocery store yesterday, and I am so happy you did!  I forgot just how delicious you taste.

Dear Puppies, Your Daddy sent you in the bedroom this morning to wake me up.  Little did he know that after you nuzzled me and I pat your little/big heads, you would curl up right next to me and fall asleep too.

Dear Jetted Tub, It is amazing that after 2+ years of being in our house, and wondering why you didn't work - all Ryan had to do was reset the outlet in which you were plugged into.  Hallelujah for massaging jets, bubble baths, and not calling upon a professional electrician to come investigate.

Dear Granite Countertops, I cannot be 100% certain, but I am pretty sure you will become a reality in the very near future.

Dear RSVPs, I think putting on a wedding made me overly obsessive when it comes to you... But how hard is it for people to RSVP?!  Gah!

 Dear Hubby, You have been the house-project-Superman of Supermans!  You fixed the jetted tub; dismantled the dishwasher, cleaned it, and put it back together; tore out the ugly shelving above the fireplace; and made some serious improvements to the storage in our laundry room.  You are amazingly awesome, and I love you. 

Take Luck,

LP

Help a Sista!

I have officially offered to throw our friend a baby shower.  Mat and Jess will be welcoming a baby boy in mid-April.

Source

Help a sista out!

I swear that while we were at dinner, I was thinking of all these cute little ideas and was up-to-the-task-super-excited.  And now, the ideas are gone.  The super-excited-ness is now mixed with  small bits of what-the-heck-did-I-just-do-ness.

Shit.

I immediately came home and went onto Pinterest, but was shocked to see how little was pinned for "Baby Boy Baby Shower."

Gah!

Shit, again!

I would love (and I mean, love!) any and all ideas you might have for a theme, games, decorations, and anything else baby shower-ish.

Give me everything you got!

Thank you, friends!

Take Luck,

LP

Oh, What a Year!

I clearly remember this time last year when I kept thinking to myself, "I cannot believe it's almost 2011.  2011!!"

And now, here we are.  And it's almost 2012.  Where does the time go?

When creeping on all the blogs I follow, it seems popular to wrap up a years worth of blogging with a recap of sorts.  So here goes nothing.

As far as you are concerned, I (or this blog, rather) didn't exist in January.  Here's what you missed!... Or I failed to share.  Either way - we had flown to St. Louis to be with Ryan's family for Christmas and rang in the New Year there, too.

Bring it on, 2011!

January brought on starting a new semester and my first work-trip of the year to Port Hueneme, California. Our nephew, Riley James turned 1, and we learned the most exciting news of all - Ryan's sister, Cara and her Hubby were expecting and due in October!

Riley's First Birthday

February was a boring month.  I started this blog and we started attending services at newlife.

March started with a bang.  My dearest Hubby turned 27, we bought some new furniture, and took a little over-night trip to Great Wolf Lodge with some friends.

April was another uneventful month.  My parent's celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, and I took my another work-trip to Norfolk, Virginia.  It was during this month that we both got to commence drinking our caffeinated and alcoholic beverages at the completion of Lent.

I think April was slow to allow us to charge our batteries for the coming months.  In May, my semester ended (whoop whoop!).  We headed back to the Midwest for my dear friend Clare Bear's wedding where I got to catch up with some of my best gal pals, and we surprised Ryan's Mom for Mother's Day.  We finally found a food regimen that would help Brock's allergies and also found out that the Cara and her Hubby would be welcoming a baby BOY!!

Brock is a happy boy!

June.  Another uneventful month.  It was certainly highlighted by Ryan's parents visiting from St. Louis and by me tour-guiding, losing my keys, and convincing my in-laws that 33 years of marriage was worth jumping for.

July. July, July, July.  A bird flew in our house, causing my Mom to have to come rescue me.  And the bird.  I took two more work-trips - one to Fort Huachuca, Arizona where I got chased by a roadrunner, and the other to D.C. where I got to see my cousin Kristen, and get an amazing tour of our nation's capitol.  Our house transformed from pink to blue, and we celebrated our one-year anniversary in Portland.

August was hands-down the craziest month of the year.  But in a good way, of course!  We celebrated our actual anniversary on August 1st, and soon after I took off on yet another work-trip to Groton, Connecticut where I got sick as a dog.  My best friend, Tiffanie and her Hubby visited us and we toured the hell outta this place.  It seemed like as soon as they left, we were preparing for the arrival of Ryan's Aunt Debbie, Uncle David, and Sonny's sister, Izzy!  Oh, wait - that actually was the case.  Our friends found out they are expecting their first child in April.  I was put on a no dairy diet and also started a new semester.  Joy of joys, people!

September was filled with yelling at idiots, celebrating Mom's birthday with a surprise dinner - (where Kennedy showed us all what it means to be a fashionista), taking yet another work-trip to San Diego (and getting sick on that trip, too!), and attending the wedding of my best friend growing up, Kristi.  I also fell in love with plum crisp and participated in Sar's [life of love]: 15 day blog challenge.  Congratulations, you now know now more about me than you ever wanted to!

Some of the surprise-birthday-dinner group!

Oh, October.  We had been looking forward to this month all year.  We went back to St. Louis to attend the wedding of one of Ryan's best friends and hoped that we might catch the birth of one Baby Webb.  We missed the birth, but I did receive the best birthday gift ever when a week later - Liam Daniel Webb made his debut on my 26th birthday.  Oh, and as usual - I tortured Brock and Sonny on Halloween.

Silly, wedding photo-booth fun!

November.  Another slow month that included my first vlog, a slumber party with our newly-11-year-old niece, Jaiden, a day I would like to re-do and a day I will likely become more familiar with in the coming years.  I caught a craft bug.  And oh, yeah.  We ate a lot on Thanksgiving.

December is shaping up to be my favorite month of the year - the anticipation of Christmas and the holiday season was magical.  We bought lots of presents, our Christmas tree, put lights up, and jammed to our favorite Christmas tunes.  I finished yet another semester of grad school, had one last (eventful) work-trip to Bonita Springs, Florida, was wonderfully entertained by my favorite three-year old, and had some wild dog-walking adventures.  We also had a wonderful Christmas at home this year.

Whew. 

I am tired.  I'm tired after typing it, let alone just thinking about our year as a whole.

But the truth is - I cannot wait for 2012, and all it has in store for us.

Happy New Year!

Take Luck,

LP

Should've Stayed in Bed

I should've stayed in bed this morning.

The first sign came at 6:30am like a 75-pound brick.

Or dog.

Ryan had to work today and was up early getting ready.

Normally (on the weekdays) I am up first, so I let the puppies out (Sonny out of our bed and Brock out of his cage) and they go do their business.  

On days when Ryan is up first, he lets Brock out of his cage and Princess Sonny usually stays with me until I get up.  On these days, the first thing Brock does is come barreling into our room and up onto the bed to say "GOOD MORNING!" to me.

This morning was no different.

Except he trampled me, scratched my face with his gigantic dog-talons, licked said scratch, and then sat on my head.

I guess that's his way of showing his undying love and affection for his Mama.

I should have seen the sign for what it was... A sign to stay in bed.

Because the day just kept on getting better and better.

First, I took a 30-minute drive up north to Bainbridge Island with my Mom to watch what we thought would be my niece, Jaiden's 10:30 soccer game.

We found the field, and there were no orange, Tracyton Tigers in sight.

After giving my older sister a little jingle, we learned that the game had been moved to 1:30.

Awesome.

Thank you, so much for letting us know.

I came home and relaxed my bod on the couch for several hours and enjoyed having control of the remote while my Hubby was at work.

I had been invited to an facial/skin care party/demo at a girlfriend's house and so at 3:00 I headed on over there.

At this gathering, was a girl that I went to high school with and haven't seen (or talked to) in a long time. 

I knew that she had gotten married recently, so I did what I thought was polite.

I asked her how married life was.

Mistake, mistake, mistake.

Her response was, "Well, uhh..."

Shit.

Enough said.  I should've stayed in bed.

Moving on.

The facial demonstration commenced and the lady passed around some cleanser.  It was lovely, refreshing, and smelt like kiwi.

Next up was the exfoliant.

I applied it to my face and immediately felt my face get very hot, and a fairly intense burning sensation.

I was sitting next to my friend's aunt who asked me, "Uhm... Are you ok?  You're face is really red."

I kind of laughed and said, "Oh, yes.  I'm fine!" and wiped the exfoliant off my beat red and hot face.

Next up, was some sort of mask that was soft and cool.  I thought it might calm my irritation.

No.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

More burning, more redness.

I excused myself to the bathroom and washed my face off with warm water, and my friend was kind enough to give me some calming Eucerin lotion - which helped a little bit.

The demonstration lady felt horrible and kept saying, "I'm so sorry - This has never happened before!"

Of course not.

I should've stayed in bed.

I am home now.  Safe.

My optimistic nature keeps me thinking that the day can't get much worse.

But it's only 5:00.

Take Luck,

LP

Demarle Rendez-Vous

Last night, I hosted a Demarle at Home "Rendez-Vous" party.  I got roped into hosting, was filled with regret and dread, and then figured I better buck-up and act like I want to be here if all these lovely ladies were coming over :)  It turned out to be a fantastic night, with lots of amazing food and a great demonstration of the products by the sales representative, Helen.  We made spinach artichoke tartlets, jalapeno cheddar tartlets, veggie pizza, peperoni pizza, nachos, bunt cake, brownies, and a lemon tartlet.  She also brought these fantastic wine sorbet treats that were basically little star/flower shaped wine popsicles :)  YUM!

Here is the group of gals (minus two that snuck away :)

How cute is Baby Eliyahu?!

Even Ryan and his buddy joined in for leftovers and dessert... And Bud Light :)

Me and my Mama

Check out Demarle at Home products!

http://www.demarleathome.com/

Take Luck,

LP