Soon-to-be Mrs

My beautiful sister-in-law is getting married, and I had the honor (and privilege) of throwing her a Bridal Shower.  

Her sister, my other sister-in-law, helped throw it.  

So. Much. Fun.

We were the perfect duo.  I did the decor, and she did the food.

Here we are.  Pictures are better than a bunch of words on a page anyway ;)

These straws.  LOVE.  Want a special touch to any party? Add cute straws.

And drinking out of mason jars doesn't hurt either ;)

These flowers were all....ready for it?....picked! Yes, picked from the garden!

A mix of my grandma's, mom's and a dear friend's yard.  

BEAUTIFUL!

FOOD!

This chocolate cake was DI-VINE!

Chicken salad on apple slices.  Genius.

Secret ingredient? Curry.

One more secret to throwing a party? Make the effort and have real dishes.  It is COMPLETELY 

worth it.

(I made these napkins at 10pm the night before...that was not the plan...

I guess having two little ones run around makes plans change...)

Thanks mom for the help and motiviation.

Char, just one of the girls.

This girl and her cake.

Takes after her mama ;)

A sweet moment between mother and daughter..

Party Favors! Nail polish...

 in coordinating wedding colors of course!

And then this happened.  She is something special.

Katie- You are going to be a stunning bride.

Can't wait for the BIG DAY!

I LOVE YOU!

Charleigh's "haircup"

When we went home last, I scheduled an appointment for my little miss Char Char to get a haircut (or if you are Charleigh, a "haircup").  Jon and I had talked about getting her hair cut, but the mommy in me screamed "no, no, no!"  Finally, after nightly struggles getting her tangles out, I decided we should probably go ahead and cut it.  I don't think I realized how emotional I was going to be.  But looking back, I see that this was the first of many "big" moments.  Maybe that's why I tried to push this one aside for so long.  My baby is growing up.  And I'm not too sure I'm ready for that.  

Where is the time going?  

When Char was born everyone would come up to me and say "Enjoy this stage.  They grow up so fast!"  At that point I was sleeping NOT sleeping in a rocking chair all night.  I was lucky if I got a shower, let alone a nap.  I was READY for this "stage" to be over!  I wanted to smack those people in the face.  However, I now know it was all in good faith.  They really, really do grow up too fast.  I realize that now.  And with Wynnie I am trying to enjoy every moment, even the sleepless ones. I think your first kid throws you into a spiral of crazyness-and, honestly, it is hard to navigate your way for a little bit there.  I had no clue what to expect.  It was hard. Very hard.  But also VERY rewarding.  Charleigh has taught me so much about myself, it is amazing.  With Wynn we knew what to expect, and felt like pros compared to when we had Charleigh.  But we still are learning how to be parents.  Something new everyday!

Anywho.  How did that rant happen? Oh yes, my baby girl is growing up too fast.  However, I am enjoying every moment with this crazy girl (ok, maybe not the moments when she is screaming at me-but MOST moments) We had talked to her about getting her hair cut with cousin Tiffy all week.  I was really trying to hype it up.  Finally I started calling it a party.  We were going to a party for her hair.  Ha!  Yes.  I said that to my daughter.  I was so freaked out that she would freak out, that I decided to go all out.

{that was a lot of "outs"}

Well, the "party for her hair" worked wonders.  She could. not. wait. to get to her party.  She was telling everyone about it.  I'm glad we made it such a big deal.  It made it that much more special.  She was a big girl, sat {mostly} still, and got TWO suckers.

 (can we say SUGAR HIGH!)  

Her hair looks a lot healthier now, and it's not as bad of a battle to brush it anymore.  I am glad we I finally let her ;)  However, I will miss those little baby curls!

Here are some pictures.  Thank you Tiffy for giving our baby girl the royal treatment!

Wynnie Joy l Month 6

Wynnie Joy

"...wynnie the POOP...wynnie the POOP"

(sung by my 2 1/2 year old...and so it begins.)

Wynnie, Wynnie, Wynnie. Seriously. Can you please slow down?  Stop growing so fast little girl!  This month you have grown by leaps and bounds.  You now have 2 bottom teefers.  You roll EVERYWHERE.  

{we found you in the electrical cords the other day just chillin'}

You are beginning to scoot on your tummy to get where you want to go.  You giggled at your sister for the first time-and now you two laugh constantly at one another.  Charleigh will make funny faces at you in the car, and then we hear the biggest belly laughs from you.  I love it!

You are still a tiny little thing, but I can tell you are growing these days.  You are sleeping ok...waking up every 3 hours still...sometimes on bad nights every 1 1/2- 2 hours (but that was really only when you were teething).  You are ready to take a bath, eat, and go straight to bed at 6 o'clock sharp these days.  I try to hold out so you will sleep longer, but nope, 6 o'clock it is! However, you do wake up with the birds {5ish}.  Sometimes I can just leave you to chat in your sleeper.  Other times I bring you into bed with me {either to fall back asleep while nursing, or to let you roll around while mommy lies there and wakes up a little more}

You take two naps a day, ON YOUR OWN! YAY! Sometimes, depending on the length of your naps, you take three.  But lately it has only been two-and then an early bedtime.

Your whole face lights up when you smile.  You have such a sweet, gentle spirit.  Cuddling with mommy is your favorite.  We LOVE watching you grow and explore.  Your sister loves you very much.  Every morning she wakes up and asks for her "sisty".  When she sees you she says "Good morning sisty! Sweet dreams??"

I melt.

Wynn. You are loved.  Always.

'tis the season

Have a very Merry Christmas!

I know we will.  My sister is coming all the way from Texas, and I finally get to snuggle sweet little Daphne.  We are planning a baby swap, and will more than likely be glued to our rocking chairs :)

I am totally ok with that, since we only see eachother about twice a year.

And maybe the Daddy's can take the big girls out to do something fun ::wink wink::

Wynnie Joy l Month 3

Wynnie Joy- you are becoming so much more aware of your surroundings! You love to sit facing out and stare at everything. I'm excited for when you can sit in your Bumbo chair. You are going to love it. But until then mommy or daddy will hold you tight! You giggled for the first time this month! I love that little sound! When you are awake you smile the entire time.  You enjoy kicking and grabbing the toys hanging from your activity mat. That keeps you very well occupied when mommy needs to set you down. You still scream in the carseat, but this last time we traveled I swaddled you and there wasn't a peep out of your mouth! Success! Let's hope this little trick continues to work! You also found your hands this month-and they always seem to make their way into your mouth!  

Your eyes are changing colors. I think they will be green like your daddy's-but I am also seeing little flecks of light brown. Your hair has turned a lighter shade of brown with a hint of red. You are such a beauty already! 

This month your little friend Quinn was born! I'm looking forward to watching the two of you grow side by side. 

You sleep on your own for the first part of the night (until you get hungry). Then after I feed you, all you want is mommy and to snuggle. So I have given up the fight of trying to make you sleep on your own. We are both happier that way, and much more well rested! ;) You smile as soon as your little eyes pop open and see mommy laying next to you. It's a pretty good way to wake up, if you ask me :) 

Wynnie Joy l Two Months

Wynnie girl, stop growing so fast!! At your last Dr appt you weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 2oz! :) You give mommy smiles throughout the day, especially early in the morning when you are waking up. You don't give those smiles away easily though. Mommy has to work for them :) You are very observant and like to watch what everyone is doing. You don't like sleeping on your own, getting out if the bath, or being in your car seat. All of these things leads to a screaming meltdown. You love rocking, snuggling with mommy all night, being in the Ergo, and taking baths. You still refuse pacifiers and now have started a bottle strike! We will keep trying, but you are proving to have the same stubborn streak in you that your big sister has. Unlike sister, however, other people can hold you! Sister wouldn't let that happen when she was your age. You especially love Pop Pop when he rocks and hums to you. And you smile at "mah" constantly. 

You are turning into a baby, and not so much a newborn. You are so beautiful with your long eyelashes, bright eyes, and whole head of brownish/red hair. Your whole face lights up when you smile!! 

I think big sister is ready for you to be older now! She wants to play with you, but you are still too little. She doesn't quite understand this, so we have to be extra careful with you two right now :) She wants to hold you often and gives you many kisses throughout the day.  Wynnie, you are a blessing. Both you and your sister. Daddy and I love you so very much.