Easter 2011

The days leading up to Easter Sunday were eventful, so I was truly grateful not to have to travel. I planned an Easter brunch for our Houston family which now includes both Liam's aunt and uncle. I could not be more thrilled they are both so close and have the opportunity to be such a huge part of Liam's life.

Liam has been blessed with a crazy fun, racecar driving uncle who is incredible with him. Whenever Uncle Steven walks through the door, his legs start kicking and his dimples reach maximum capacity. They are going to get into so much trouble together! My brother's love for my son is overwhelming to me. If I had dreamed of the relationship that the two of them would have, it would not have been big enough. They instantly bonded and seeing them interact fills me up with happiness to the moon and back.

Pizza, Pizza

After hosting the trunk show, we emptied the machine contents into pitchers. No margarita was wasted! Bill and I invited several couples over to help us drink up and order pizza for a casual, low-key evening. Which as you know from my earlier, 15 month post our Friday was anything but low-key. So, after Wyatt's photoshoot, we met up at the house with the Robbins family for a do-over!

Wyatt and Sam are only 4 days apart and Liam is a little over 3 months ahead. I am not sure why I had not realized it before, but this puts our boys in the same class! This was such an exciting discovery!

First Year Photos

It is no secret that I love taking photos, but when Claire asked me to take photos of her son for his first birthday I have to admit I was a little nervous. I by no means consider myself a professional. I am still learning and growing in photography. I do have a passion for capturing memories and I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to perfectly portray Wyatt, age one. That I would some how not live up to his mom's expectations, but I agreed to try since taking photographs excites me. Plus, who could resist this precious little grunter?

Making no promises, Claire only had a few, simple requests. Cake smash and her mom's blanket.

I could not have asked for a better model. Wyatt's little personality shines. He is a happy, laid back guy with the most incredible raspy voice. And when mommy sneezes he starts into a fit of giggles! I could not have been prepared for Wyatt's first cake tasting experience. He did just exactly what we wanted him to do and then some without coaching. I bet Claire was cleaning chocolate for days!

Claire, you are one incredible mom. I had such a fun afternoon sweating it out in the woods with you. Wyatt is an amazing little boy and I am excited our boys will grow up together. Thank you for allowing me to share in such a milestone. Happy first birthday Wyatt!

Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

15 Months

I am not going to say what you think I am going to which is that I cannot believe it has been 15 months. But seriously, it has been 15 months! I have a 15 month old.

Chic Boutique Trunk Show

Last Thursday I did something I swore I would never do. I hosted a trunk show. It is not that I have anything against the jewelry, the makeup, the candles... it is just that I always feel pressured to buy. I end up buying some item that goes in a drawer because I really want to support moms that make it work from home. I admire them for finding an occupation that allows them to stay with their kids. I for some reason never really find that 'treasure' that others seem to. Until a couple of weeks ago when I attended a Chic Boutique trunk show at my friend, Claire's home. I had the best shopping experience and came home with three loaded bags!

Meet Shelby, the creative buyer behind Chic Boutique. Shelby has an eye for fashion. For what is in. What is hot. What is now! Chic Boutique features lines such as Glam, Voom and Freeway. A few of her pieces you might find in those upscale boutiques like Soho, yet Shelby won't leave you in sticker shock. I managed to pick up a top featured in the latest issue of glamour magazine as well as a Reese Witherspoon inspired coat with hot pink lining on clearance for an amazing $60.

Spring Spheres

I have a lot of catching up to do...

I don't understand why there are people that go so far out of their way to make a statement. How candy-filled eggs became the target of yet another political cause. I believe that the true cause for concern in our schools is not what we are going to call plastic eggs, but the thousands of teachers and educators that are losing their jobs right now. Not to mention pulling our God out of one more holiday tradition. We will continue to hunt for Easter eggs and celebrate the true meaning of Easter this year. Jesus has risen!

To start off our celebration, we attended the neighborhood Easter egg hunt last Sunday.

Build a Fortress

I maybe should have given up blogging for lent... but since I didn't.


Last Thursday was our monthly women's club meeting. I look forward to getting together with these ladies every month because we always have so much fun together and like any good women's group, there is plenty of "hot off the press" gossip to go around. This month we mixed wine with the police. Don't you think that the wine tasting meeting is the best meeting to invite your neighborhood Sgt. to speak on safety?



Luckily for me I know some experts on the subject of wine and Ameila and Jeremy shared some of their favorites along with a generous donation of sample bottles. A very special thank you to you guys as it would not have been a proper wine tasting party without your advice and generosity!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

And my comment bubble has burst!

I have been extra slow on posting this week as my entire family has the crud. When I called our ENT to make an appointment the receptionist asked for the patients name which I quickly responded with which of the three of us do you want first? One of the many perks of daycare, the crud!


Two weekends ago my parents agreed to watch the baby so that Bill and I could celebrate the wedding of Ryan and Laura. Laura made an absolutely stunning bride and I do not think I have ever seen Ryan so happy. It was such a beautiful wedding.

Would you like Sprinkles?

After receiving and responding to many of your questions ranging from work to diapers to birthdays to photos I have finally decided to act on a new blog project I have been kicking around. Please bare with me while I take on this new challenge and work to turn this blog into an adventure that I hope you will all want to take with me. Stay tuned.

As for today, let's discuss the "Mommy Brain" which can be translated into "I have totally lost my mind," "I think I am going crazy," "How am I supposed to take on one more thing and keep everything straight" or sometimes just the excuse to get out of something!

Ever let your child play with your keys and shut the door just in time to hear the beep beep? And then bounced around like a frantic monkey trying to get them to press the 'other' button so you did not have to break a window? Or maybe you took the locking mania to another level like yours truly and in an effort to keep the boogie man out while you are at home by yourself with a little one for the first time. Maybe you too locked yourself outside of the house while peering inside at your son from a nearby window with the constable waiting on your sister-in-law who lives across town to come to your rescue. Tip: Make sure someone within a 5 mile radius has a spare key to your home and your car! Victim of mommy brain. And I know... You would NEVER lock your kid in the car or God forbid the house because you are super mommy, but neither would I.

Last weekend another mommy fell victim to the effects of the mommy brain. While trying to get the house clean, setting up the perfect play spot with all the right toys, filling the cooler with drinks and juice, setting out an array of appetizers for all age groups, grocery shopping, and in true Martha Steward fashion baking sugar cookies for decorating... she lost her car keys. How in the world could you lose your keys? Not like you had a million things going on at once. This is when we have to stick together as moms because no one else truly gets it. Because not only were there a million tasks to juggle there was also a time clock ticking in the background. Ticking for nap, ticking for daycare, ticking for shopping... for cookies in the oven... for the playdate to begin and who knows what other ticking clocks were going off in her personal and professional life.

So, after a car rescue and pickup the crew began to show up and just like the perfect mom everything was right on time and ready for a playful afternoon.

Lupe Birthday

Here's to another birthday dinner with the girls.