Two Hearts Join As One…

Michael and I traveled to Austin to see our friends KC and Tom get married.  Caitlin came with us and Michael’s sister graciously offered to come to our hotel room and watch Caitlin while Michael and I attended the wedding.  This was our first outing without Miss Caitlin.  We needed a night out…and what’s more romantic than a wedding!  Thank you so much to Amy for babysitting.  We owe you!

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and KC makes a gorgeous bride!  (Tom didn’t look too bad either.)  One of my favorite parts were the grounds for the reception.  We didn’t get a chance to walk around while the sun was still up, but had a great time checking out the different areas after the ceremony.  The fire pit was a definite hot spot (oh…bad pun). 

Congratulations to KC & Tom!

 

A family shot before we headed out.

 

Shawna, Tamra, Courtney, KC, Lacey & Kelli

 

Tamra & KC

What a gorgeous bride!

 

Cheers to KC & Tom!

 

The girls

 

The guys

 

The Happy Couple!

 

Michael & Tamra

 

Helping keep Lacey warm!

Baby’s First Road Trip

We survived Caitlin’s first road trip!  Michael, Caitlin and I recently headed down to Austin to attend a friend’s wedding.  More on that later!  Our first stop was Michael’s sister's new place.  Caitlin hadn’t met her aunt Amy, Uncle Chris and cousins, Lexi and Zoey yet, so that was a must!  Plus…the three of us missed Lexi’s 3rd and Zoey’s 1st birthdays because Caitlin was too young to travel.

The following day, we headed over to Shannon and Joe’s place to meet baby Stella for the first time!  Shannon and I have been friends for a very long time.  I love that our girls are just weeks apart!  Even though we are currently in different cities, I hope they can grow up to be just as good of friends as Shannon and I. 

 

Happy Birthday Zoey!

 

How cute is she?  (I love the Madonna shirt!)

 

A little help from mom

 

Wait Zoey…there’s another one!

 

Board books!

 

Now it’s Lexi’s turn.  Happy Birthday Lexi!

I didn’t get a good shot after the gift was opened, but she got a Magna Doodle.

 

Cousins! 

We attempted to get a picture of all three girls, but Caitlin wasn’t having it.  I guess maybe the 4 hours in the car put her in a bad mood?

 

I threw this one in because it cracks me up!

 

Below is a series of attempts to get a picture of Shannon, baby Stella, me and Caitlin.  I think we need some practice…maybe once the little ones can hold their heads up.

…and one of the little ladies.

 

Up next…KC & Tom’s wedding!

2 Months

Caitlin had her 2-month well appointment a few weeks ago.  She is changing everyday and I love it!  She looks more and more like her daddy and when he comes into the room, she absolutely lights up.  Caitlin received 3 immunizations, one by mouth and one in each leg.  She screamed like she did last time, only times two.  It was a hard day on both of us.  Luckily, I was prepared with some bottles so she didn’t have to lie on either leg to eat. 

Caitlin is smiling more and more (especially at 3 am).  She has discovered her tongue and likes to stick it out all the time.  She is also drooling and likes to create spit bubbles.  Caitlin discovered her hands and is learning to control them.  She has gained enough accuracy to put her hands in her mouth (and a few toys too).  She likes to grab our our hands when they are in front of her.  One of her new favorite things is to look at herself in the mirror.  I’m not sure she knows it’s her, but she loves “talking” to the baby in the mirror.    

2-Month Stats:

Weight: 9 pounds, 13 ounces (25%)

Height: 22.3 inches (50%)

Head: 15 inches (25-50%)

 

My 2-month old!

 

How adorable is she?  I may be biased…

 

Is that a smile?

 

She discovered her tongue

 

She likes to make spit bubbles too!

Happy 2-month birthday baby girl!

BOO!

For the past few years, our neighborhood has “boo-ed” other neighbors during the month of October.  It’s sort of like a chain letter but with gifts that magically arrive on your doorstep.  The basic concept is if you get “boo-ed” by someone, you make two “boo” baskets or boxes filled with Halloween goodies (i.e. candy, Halloween décor) and “boo” two neighbors that haven’t been “boo-ed”.  Once someone has been “boo-ed”, they also hang a sign on their door so no one gets “boo-ed” more than once and you only have 48 hours to pull it all together! 

I had a creative idea this year and wanted to share.  Filling up a basket can get out of hand quickly, so this year, I found some really cute Halloween photo boxes, filled them up with goodies and tied a glitter bow around them.  I really like that the recipients can use the photo boxes for years to come. 

Boo boxes

A Spooktacular Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year.  It was Caitlin’s first, but I decided not to dress her up since she was so young and didn’t really understand what was going on.  Instead, she rocked a few Halloween onesies during the month of October.  I made the black one with the rhinestone pumpkin on the front.  I can’t wait to dress her up next year! 

Our neighbors had a Halloween party on Saturday.  Everyone brought food for the taco bar or a dessert.  There was a bounce house, coloring, backyard races and a piñata for the kids.  Thank you to the Hahn’s for their hospitality.  All of the kids (and some of the adults) looked great in their Halloween costumes!

On Sunday (actual Halloween), Michael, Max and Caitlin relaxed inside and watched some football while I sat outside to greet the trick-or-treaters and pass out candy.  I didn’t want the doorbell waking Caitlin up.  Correction:  I didn’t want the doorbell to set Max off into a barking rage which would wake Caitlin up, so I set up “shop” in the front yard.  Our neighborhood had a great turn out and I almost got rid of all the candy (except for the pieces Michael and I set aside for ourselves!).  We are awful…I know!

Happy Halloween to you and your family! 

The family

 

One of me and Caitlin

 

I made s’mores brownies…so delicious!

 

“Boo-tiful” Caitlin

 

The kids at the starting line for the race

 

Spider piñata full of candy!

 

In Daddy’s arms…one of her favorite places

 

Mommy & Caitlin waiting for the trick-or-treaters

 

Caitlin thinking about her costume for next year

 

Full shot of the Halloween outfit.  Love the leg warmers!

Mini-Pumpkin Patch

I’ve been wanting to take Caitlin to a pumpkin patch to get some pictures of her before her first Halloween, but seeing as how she can’t stand, walk or hold her own head up, I knew it probably wasn’t going to happen.  We have a shopping center close to the house and the Whole Foods (now open!) set up a mini-pumpkin patch area in a small grassy area of parking lot which turned out to be perfect for a few pictures!  Michael knew how important this was to me, so he came along so I could be in a few pictures too!  Thanks honey!

Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

…and after an outfit change…

Here Comes the Bride…(and Groom)

My brother is recently engaged (woohoo!) and his good friends, Mark and Rachel (also good friends of the bride) decided to host a black and white engagement party to celebrate the upcoming event!  My parents were also invited and I thought it was so cute that they went out and got outfits to fit the black and white theme!  We are really looking forward to the day Alicia joins our family next year.  Until then…lots of events and parties to get us ready!

Michael, Tamra, Caitlin, Alicia (bride-to-be) & Jared (groom-to-be)

 

A close up of my lil’ pumpkin

 

The family