little zebra

Towards the end of last week, things got a little busy.

My little sister spent the night Wednesday, so she could help me out on Thursday.

We spent the day searching for supplies and baking.

One of my favorite friends (Jessica) is having a baby soon. This isn't her first, but it's her first BOY.

And because I believe every baby should be showered with love, no matter their birth order, that's just what I decided to do.

Backstory:

One day, Jessica asked almost 3 year old Alice what she'd like to call the baby.

They needed a nickname until they decided on a real name.

So Jessica asks Alice, "Alice, what should we call the baby?"

Alice thinks for a couple minutes.

"Zebra," she answers, very matter-of-factly.

Jessica is a little surprised and says, "Zebra?"

Just to make sure Alice had understood the question, Jessica asked her again before bedtime.

"Alice, what should we call the baby?"

"I told you mom. Zebra."

So zebra it was.

We had the party at my mom's (the house I grew up in). She was cool with it. She's kind of a natural-born entertainer. She collects crystal and china and all that fancy stuff. As a result, I've found myself ooo-ing and aah-ing over vintage tea cups and frilly napkins in my not-so-old age.

Anyway, the woman is always up for a party.

So she happily agreed and ended up playing a major role.

She prepared food, served punch, and cleaned.

I made sure she knew this wasn't my intention, but like I said, she loves this kind of thing.

         

We had an awesome turn out.

I think we counted somewhere around 20 guests (not including myself and family).

Our friend Scarlett very sweetly offered to help. So I put her in charge of games.

Because honestly?

I suck at shower games.

She came up with this cute pop quiz all about zebras.

Then she read this story (a "right/left" story) where when she says "right" or "left", you pass the object(s) in the appropriate direction.

Then it was gift time!

That morning, Jess asked Alice if she was ready to go see some friends.

Alice asked her, "Are these Alice friends? Or mommy friends?"

She's so stinkin' cute.

For such a tiny little thing, she's got a big personality. :)

And for being the only toddler there? Alice did a-MAZ-ing.

She's such a well behaved little girl.

She's going to be a perfect big sister to little zebra.

The food was a hit.

I can't tell you how many times people went back for more

(which is a huge compliment to me).

My friend Lyndsay made these chocolate covered pretzel sticks in black & white.

Yum.

The best line of the day?

"This is the best shower food I've ever had!"

It seemed like everyone had a great time.

Jess got lots of cute stuff for baby zebra, and I had a great time throwing it.

As for my mom?

Before the shower was even over, she was already compiling a list of party food for our next shower we're throwing. Told ya she's a natural born entertainer.

baby shower

Yesterday, I had the honor of hosting a baby shower, along with my aunts and stepmom, for my cousin Natilie. I was in charge of the decorations (and plates, napkins, etc), so I decided to have some fun with it. A couple of years ago (back when the JB ladies and I did "craft nights"), I learned how to make cradles and baskets out of watermelons. So I figured.... why not?

And here's how it came out:

I also made a bouquet made out of baby socks. I got the idea from here, in case you're interested.

Let me just say, I hate floral tape. It's the most useless piece of craft junk I've ever worked with. In any case, it was still fun to make, and she loved it (which is really what matters).

We were having a hard time finding a centerpiece (my grandmother's garden was lacking in blooms right now, but she didn't want me buying flowers either), so this is what I came up with.

The best part: she can use the socks when little Easton is here!

Natilie looks so cute pregnant! She only has about a month left, and she's ALL belly! :)

Natilie with the hostesses:

my aunt Sandi, stepmom Desna, and aunt Christie

(my dad's sisters)

(also, sorry the lighting was kinda off on this one)

She got some really cute stuff! Love the pumpkin onesie!

One of Natilie's best buds is also the granddaughter of one of my grandmother's BFF's. Our grandparents used to live next door to eachother on the lake, so I grew up going to Gene and Nellie's to pick veggies out of their garden or just to pop in and say hello. Gene and Nellie were the first to move from the lake, and they went down to SC I think. Anyway, we don't get to see them often, so when we do, it's special. I was so glad Nellie could make it for the shower. And my friend Amber happened to snap this priceless shot:

(catching up...)

The shower went wonderfully, and Natilie seemed to have a good time.

I'm excited for her, and it's going to be great for Noah to have a cousin his age there to play with.

Baby Showers and More

I had my 3rd and final baby shower today! I had a good time, and we got lots of nice things.
Last weekend I had a baby shower with my mom's side... grandmother, aunts, cousins, etc. We had it at my cousin Michelle's house and got TONS of clothes. Noah has absolutely no reason to go around naked (watch, I bet that's how he'll be happiest). My mom took pictures of that one, so all I have is a picture of the cake.


Today was the shower from my dad's side. My 3 aunts (dad's 2 sisters, Christie and Sandi, and sis-in-law Susan) threw this one for me. They did a great job, and lots of aunts, cousins, etc came to this one too. We received so many nice things like a baby swing, high chair, and cute clothes. However, my absolute favorite gift was one that was actually made way before now.

My great-grandmother (Mamaw Hagler) used to quilt and always gave the new babies in our family one when they were born. I was the first, then my cousins all came next. She passed away last year, and it's been sad for me, because I know she'd be beside herself excited about our baby. Noah would've been her first great-great grandbaby. Anyway, I was also a little sad because I knew he'd never be able to have one of her quilts. So when I opened the box from my grandmother, both me and my mom had to fight back the tears.


Inside the card, my grandmother wrote, "Mamaw Hagler made and quilted this quilt several years ago before her hands would not let her quilt anymore. I put the binding on the edges since she had not finished that. I hope you will enjoy using it with Noah. I know it would make her happy for you to have the quilt. Love, Mamaw Barbara"

Here are just a couple of outfits I got that I really liked. I love all of them, but here's just a sample of what we got.



He also got his first pair of Osh Kosh overalls today (every boy in our family MUST have these), and my stepmom gave him little teeny Polo swim trunks for when we go to Kiawah with them. She said my dad loved them. They're blue plaid (like Brad would wear), but they're RLP like my dad would wear. haha I'm not sure how much use they'll get. Brad has been very adamant about Noah not going anywhere for the first 6 months. I think he's going to be more overprotective than me! :)

Finally, this is for Meagan. :) For Father's Day, I gave Brad a little onesie that says "I love daddy" on it. She had the same idea for her husband (who is one of Brad's friends). Very cute!

We had our Childbirth Preparation class this weekend. We decided to take the weekend crash course. I didn't want to drag it out for 5 weeks, and it just worked out better this way. It was very helpful, since it was at Presbyterian (where I'll be delivering). Yes, we had to watch the videos, but it didn't last too long. I recommend going to one of these classes, just so you're prepared for whatever. She went through all the "what if's" and answered all of our questions. Our teacher was incredibly nice, funny, and informative. It helps when you like them alot. Plus, this won't be the last time I see her, because she works in the postpartum dpmt there.
Anyway, she taught us different soothing techniques and ways to get through the contractions. She also showed the guys where certain pressure points were and places to massage to help us out. At one point, she had the girls on all fours and the guys kneeling behind us so they could massage the area in our lower back. This was a little uncomfortable and actually a little bit of an inappropriate position to be in. :) She obviously knew how we all felt and made a joke about how the girls were thinking that this is how we got into this mess in the first place. Brad, of course, decides to chime in for the boys and says, "Yeah it is!" All the guys thought it was hilarious, and I was bright red and wanted to hide. Even though I've been with him long enough to know he says whatever he's thinking, it still embarrasses the heck out of me. I think he enjoys it.

Even though I had a great weekend, I'm glad all the crazy busyness is starting to end. I need a weekend to just relax and catch up on things. Although, keeping things clean and organized is getting a little harder now. I don't move as quickly or as easily as before. It's difficult to bend over and climbing is out of the question. Only 6 more weeks to go! Ok, so maybe 7 if he decides to stay in there a little longer. Either way, I'm definitely on the countdown!!