Thankful

Custom art created by my super talented friend Virginia :)

Baby GIRL (I still can't believe it!) Josephine arrived earlier than expected this month and is a total delight. I was truly convinced we were having a boy, and minutes before we went into the OR, the doctor went over last minute instructions about getting "him" out safely and how "he" should be fine, etc. So, as I said to Scott, cat was out of the bag. He asked me if I wanted confirmation and I said I didn't need when it just got it. He asked again and I said, ok, and it was then that he told me we were having a girl. I still couldn't believe it-she had said boy several times (and prior to this day as well) so I didn't believe him.  I thought perhaps at the time of the sonogram it did appear to be a girl but they can be wrong, so I figured things had changed. It was not until they were actually taking her out that I heard the doctor say "Dad, why don't you tell her what it is" and he smiled and said it was a girl. I cried (though, full disclosure, I would have cried if it were a boy too-this was my child!) and couldn't believe it. I still can't, and often wake up thinking "I have a daughter!"

Henry adores her and loves hugging and helping her (which I'm going to file away in my pictures and mental archives knowing full well it won't last forever!) and was particularly fascinated by her umbilical cord. 

With her full term due date being Thanksgiving, I think we are all feeling very thankful for her safe (yet surprising and a bit crazy) arrival, and that Scott's mom was able to come out so quickly to help care for Henry, that his dad later joined us, and that my parents will be here next week to meet their first granddaughter. 

While we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving on our own as a family of four this year, we will certainly be missing our families and wish you all a happy and healthy holiday. We certainly have much to be thankful for.

6 Months

Six months ago we were traipsing our way around Peru, making our way to Machu Picchu. It provided a lot of thinking time. Time for me to plot and plan Scott's 30th birthday. I had it pretty well envisioned by the time we reached the ruins and last weekend, executed it.

The theme was inspired by "Downton Abbey," essentially an homage to the finer things in a gentleman's life, including leisure activities. Libations were enjoyed, cigars smoked, croquet and badminton played, and a photo booth enjoyed. It's safe to say that Scott welcomed his 30s with a well-dressed group of family and friends who love him.

And, I'm hanging my hat on the party planning until my own 30th, six months from now, as a major rejuvenation is in order after back to back weekends of baby shower throwing and 30th birthday party executing.

Also, I'm six months pregnant today. BAM!

Birthday

Welcome to the world, Tyler Robert, you handsome devil!

A Mustache Baby Bash

I'm not sure how people did parties in my office suite before I came along. Seriously, they must have been lucky if it was ice cream cake day. Let me say the Party Planning Committee brought it on at Virginia and Shawn's "Mustache Baby Bash."

Guests of honor:

We asked guests for a baby photo and added some of our own creative touches.




We kept theme beyond mustaches, bow ties, and monocles to graphic prints in primary colors.



Since baby showers are much more guy friendly these days we opted for games that appealed to a variety of ages and both men and women. Guess the 'Stache (my game, thus no word bank. My dear coworker did the next. She's a lover of the word bank.)

a. Ned Flanders

b. Ron Burgundy/Will Farrell

c. Adolph Hitler

d. Tom Selleck

e. Clark Gable

f. Albert Einstein

g. Captain Hook/Dustin Hoffman

h. Geraldo Rivera

I. (the husband/baby daddy)

j. Hulk Hogan

k. Rollie Fingers (Oakland A's pitcher)

L. Charlie Chaplin

and Who's that Baby.


Food included manwiches, bow tie pasta with dill, homemade pizza, green salad, fruit, quinoa and black bean salad, stuffed mushrooms, and real cookie ice cream sandwiches. Seriously, this suite brings it when I ask.






Guests made onesies for the baby boy to be.





Presents were received and joy abounded.




Twins!

Luca Anthony

Lucy Anthony came into the world on Saturday, July 30 to two wonderful parents. I am overjoyed for them and this time in their lives.

Look at that hair!

So tiny. So precious.

It's hot.

It's hot here. The truck read 96 degrees today. And it was humid. Wah wah wah, I know I am blessed but let's just say the A/C talks are getting really serious. The hot (and humid) weather makes me cranky. In a game of would you rather I always choose freezing temps vs. hot. I'd rather be in pain with frostbite than sitting slovenly in my own sweat.

Due to the high heat I bailed on my weekly walk/hike with my sister-in-law tonight. I didn't say "how are you feeling about Mason hiking in this weather?" it was simply a no for me. So we went swimming instead. Far more fun.

Such a charmer.

He loves the water. Nothing but squeals when he wasn't busy watching the other kids in the pool.

Loves the glasses.

It's YOUR Birthday, Giraffe Girl!

I want to wish one of the most wonderful women I know a very happy birthday as she embarks on a very memorable year, with the birth of her first baby in the summer.

Happy birthday Ashley!

Thank you for your friendship and pretty much one of the most lovely people to walk the earth. I'm so glad we thought each other looked normal enough to talk to on that fateful first day at Chapman!

Adventures in Babysitting

It's been a good 10 years since I babysat anyone willingly until my nephew came along. I watched him for a few hours on Thursday night and it was a complete joy. He sat on my lap, chewed on Sophie the giraffe, clutched his buddy, and giggled up a storm at Oliver. If I didn't have him on my right and Oliver napping at my lap, I would have taken a photo our troupe.

I did get one though:
Oliver did not know what to make of this mini human who wanted to pet him. He strategically positioned himself nestled next to me on the opposite side. Again, no photo. Having a baby renders me immobile with the use of extra limbs.