Happy Anniversary

Five years ago, on June 25th, 2005 I married my high school sweetheart. My best friend. My soul mate. And for the past five years I have been unbelievably happy. Happy to be sharing my life with such an amazing man. Happily married to the man I call my husband. This man.

So crazy in love that I sometimes find myself day dreaming about silly things like that commercial where the man runs out into the streets of Paris and pigeons fly into the air as he yells to the top of his lungs "I love this woman!"

When I think back to the way we started - with a silver heart charm bracelet and a cookie cake celebrating Valentine's day in the 6th grade... it makes me laugh.

I remember the crazy hair cuts and how we stood side by side on our very first date to Homecoming.

He was there for me then, and here for me now and always and that feels good to know!

I can feel the butterflies creep up into my stomach again looking back at the photos of our special day and it makes me smile.

I can feel my mother's makeup brush painting my face.

I can hear the pews squeak as the crowd lifts and turns to the entrance where I am standing grasping the hand of my father and making my way down the aisle.

Nothing gets me quite like the smile on my husband's face as I got closer and closer.

And I think back to the celebration of that night. It was full of dancing and laughter and family and friends.

I remember waking up that morning, turning to Bill and smiling because the party had just begun for us. Not just setting sail on our cruise ship for an amazing honeymoon, but the start of our lives together. We were the Robinson Family!

And in five years we have had such fun.

We made memories to last a lifetime.

We made lasting friendships.

We bought our first home.

And we welcomed our first born into the world.

I am the first to admit that our marriage isn't perfect. It is not without flaws, but I can tell you that in all the time that we have been together we have never gone to bed angry. We are big on 'I am sorry' which is always one I struggle with and it is just as important to say 'I forgive you.' I think it is what makes our marriage work. That and we are so much alike and yet so different. We know how to laugh and find the same quirky things funny. And most of all we are the very best of friends!

Last year we took a trip to Miami, but this year with a trip to the beach and to Colorado so close, we stayed in. Bill grilled our favorites and we toasted champaign next to the most peaceful little boy. Best present ever!

Happy 5 year anniversary. I LOVE THIS MAN!!

Nursery Couture

I get a lot of questions around Liam's nursery and on items that I have purchased for Liam. It seems like my answer is always the same... Nursery Couture. We have searched high and low for unique baby items and stumbled across this little gem in San Antonio!

I don't know if you have noticed, but the options for baby boy bedding are slim pickins! I wanted something stimulating. Something that could grow with Liam and create an environment of discovery. A place to learn and a happy space to play. Somewhere to stash all of his loot with lots and lots of cubbies and drawers to fill!

And I was about ready to throw in the towel and pay the unthinkable price to have Liam's bedding custom done... Enter Caden Lane! The answer to fabulous baby bedding. It was love at first sight. I gravitated towards the classic neutrals because of all the amazing color patterns. Swirls of red and turquoise colored polka dots... and oh chocolate brown, how I love thee! The best part was that it mixed so well with the animal theme room that I had finally decided on.

If you are like me, you like everything to match. We have burp cloths, two types of bibs (wipe off and soft), a spill mat, several blanket options, high chair/grocery seat cover, bedding, towels, and binker holders. We also put away the full size bedding for when we transition to a big boy bed. And what we don't have, we make because you can buy the fabric! That is right mommies... curtains, pillows... let your imagination run wild!

Liam loves the jungle that we created! It is no wonder that we wake up to the sound of happy squeals and coos from his conversations with the animals. He loves to roll over onto his belly and stare in wonder at all the color patterns.

GiGi and I decided that Liam needed the giraffe to peer over his crib and then later she waltzed in carrying a chimpanzee on her back. We are suckers for these wonderful creatures!

And we are so lucky to have such an amazingly talented GiGi that can paint anything we could dream up! It is such a special gift that we sometimes take for granted. But we absolutely love them and think of you always when we enter the room. Thank you mommy!

We recently discovered the vintage collection and have fallen in love! The towels are my favorite because they are large, soft and brightly colored... what more could you ask for?

It is no wonder we were asked to be a part of the photo shoot with all of our gear! The new collection is awesome and I cannot wait.

Keep the tab open, honey!

Five Months

If you haven't noticed, I am a little behind on my blog postings. But on June 22nd Liam turned 5 months old. He is learning and growing so quickly. I am trying to soak in every last minute. I love that at this stage, we celebrate each month as if i were a mini-birthday! We eat, sleep and breathe that little boy and would not have it any other way.

We've boarded the milestone train and wave as we pass each station, only stopping long enough to grab a photo or two. Liam continues to roll over onto his belly and giggle. He is getting so good at lifting his head, each time for longer and longer periods.

We discovered that two lips, a little spit and a humming blow makes raspberries and boy oh boy are those fun!

We learned that humans have opposable thumbs and that if you focus really hard you can grasp for objects on the exersaucer and put them in your mouth.

And we discovered our toes...

Jackie & Nick Banker gave Liam a Bible Stories book that he just loves and we read it almost every night before bedtime because each page is full of bright colors and textures that feel amazing in those little fingers.

And I cannot believe that I am about to say this, but we also have two beautiful pearly whites! Those come with the constant urge to put anything and everything in his mouth, but he is doing suprising well with teething. No screaming. No fever. Just lots of frozen toys!

We tasted a little bit of fame and posed for a Caden Lane catalog shoot...

And dipped our toes into something truly special - the pool!

It is hard to believe that another month passed by so quickly and even though we did not have a check up this month, we did a little measuring of our own. Liam is 17 1/2 pounds and almost 27 inches! Sleep you ask? 8:30 to 7:00 baby! And as for the poop update? We are pooping daily! Nothing a little applesauce, peas, carrots and sweet potatos wouldn't fix!

Six months or bust!

MEBAC

On June 24th, we celebrated the life of an amazing woman. A beautifully poised woman with such strength, such wisdom and so much to give. A woman without whom there would not be my husband. A woman who has influenced, shaped and touched so many lives. Happy Birthday Margaret Ellen Bachtel Atwood Couch or better known as 'Grandmama.'

There is something so wonderful about celebrating birthdays with family. Even though there are many times that you visit with family, it never seems to be at the same time and in the same place. And so we filled up the living room with just that... Family. Lots and lots of stories and laughter and happiness.

It is funny how much things have changed in just a year. Maggie has joined the Houston hurricane party!

K3 and W3 introduced babies into the family. Hadley, who was terribly missed as she stayed home with a sick mommy, is 8 months and absolutely beautiful! And of course our little Liam, who is 5 months. I cannot wait until Christmas when these cousins will be mobile and into all the presents!

And then there are the beautiful Davis girls that have grown up so much. Can you spell babysitters?

When it was time to blow out the candles all of the grandchildren gathered around and sang to this beautiful Grandmama on her special day!

And even though it wasn't his birthday and it was a little overdue... we honored another Father, Bruce. Happy Father's Day Pop!