A Baby Story

It was an amazing weekend filled with the sounds of babbling babies, soon-to-be new mommies, and brand new baby cries.


As if Liam wasn't spoiled enough from the working mommy guilt, I headed up to the Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale at Babies-R-Us and collected enough loot to create a mini babyland perfect for an afternoon play date. We replaced the coffee table with loads of toys and traded in a few chairs for exersaucers to confine all the littles in a single space so that we could enjoy some wine and catch up on all things baby (and some things not)

I am so blessed to have so many mommies in my life that I can count on to give it to me straight. The good, the bad and the ugly! So many inspiring mommies to lean on. Mommies that know where you have been and where you are going and who don't laugh when you ask "is this normal?" Because the only thing that is 'normal' in babyland is asking the question. It is amazing how our lives are inter-twined and how even a large city can feel so small. I am blessed to be part of this newly formed circle of friends based on such a strong bond.

From Left: Carin and Brooks, Ashley and Noah, Kate and Liam, Claire and Wyatt, and Holly and Callie

I am excited to experience motherhood together and watch as these wonderful little human beings grow into what I hope are best friends.

When it comes down to it, is there much better than best friends?

They learned it at school!

Noah fed Liam his bottle... so sweet these two!

5 days apart and best buddies already!

Future Frat Brothers...

And as I stepped back and took in the whole room, a room full of laughter and joy, I realized how truly thankful I was for all these women. How awesome it was to be passing around babies and showering them with kisses.

Later that evening, Ben and Bill joined us for a pizza party dinner. 

Noah taught Bill a thing or two about his nose and eyes.

And everyone lined up, including Tucker, for a slice of pizza.

On Saturday I went to a baby shower for a sweet friend, Adriane, who is expecting her first little girl. There were 4 round tummies at the affair and I, who used to be weirded out when other moms wanted to touch my belly, found myself with that very urge. I kept my hands to myself, but will remember that feeling the next time around. There is something magical about carrying a child inside you. Feeling their every move. Reaching down to calm their sweet kicks. Carrying a bottle of tums... waking up in the middle of the night... the moment has past! I will leave the pregnancy to other mommies for a while!

Congrats to Beth, Adriane, Kacey and Allison

And then, later that afternoon a tiny little miracle... Layla Grace Banker took her very first breath and entered this world at 7lbs 3oz and with hair to be jealous of.

I breathed in that new baby smell and held those wrinkled 24 hour toes. What a beautiful baby girl. It is hard to believe that my little one was ever that tiny.

Congratulations Jackie and Nick!