Disappearing Act

Why hello long lost friends!  I can't believe its been over a month since my last blog post! 

First, my apologies for the unexpected sabbatical!  I honestly thought that when I stopped working (did I mention that?!  My last day at URBN was August 30th!  I'm officially a stay-at-home mom-to-be!), I'd have all this extra time to update my site, create new / interesting posts for you guys, go to the beach, take naps...

But honestly, I have never been so busy before in my entire life!!!

Between helping Nate finish the new house, moving out / selling the old house, planning our open house shower / housewarming party AND getting ready for our baby boy...let's just say life is pure craziness right now!!! Pure, amazingly awesome, over-the-moon happy craziness!!  :)

On top of all that, I don't have my own computer / laptop anymore!  I actually loved and embraced the new found freedom from technology I felt after handing in my work laptop, but it definitely has made blogging every day rather challenging...!    

So today, I finally decided to hijack Nate's macbook and am attempting to write my first of what I hope to be regular posts again.  Just don't expect too many pretty pictures right now - I'm a tried and true PC girl and feel like an old lady trying to figure out all these new icons! Help!!

But anywaysssss, we are all moved into (but definitely not all unpacked) the new house!!!!! And it is, without a shadow of a doubt, better than I ever imagined!!  As I sit here typing on the butcher block counter-top island in our gorgeous new kitchen, looking out through our 16' sliding doors to the open bay, I can't help but feel overwhelmingly blessed.  I am so excited for all of our friends and family to see the amazing house Nate built for us (yes, just like in the Notebook - "I want a gray house, with white balconies") this weekend, and afterwards I promise to post pictures for those of you not able to be here in person.  Until then, we'll be working on knocking off a few more items on our  massive house to-do list!

Equally as important (to our wallet, anyways) - after 9 months of no activity / no offers on our old house on Pleasure Ave., we got 3 offers in one week (when it rains it pours, right?!) and finally SOLD our house!!  Moving out of Pleasure Ave. was as much work as moving into the new house (especially because we did both ourselves...with a few hours of help with furniture from one of Nate's kindest of friends), but now that its all over with, it was completely worth it.  We said goodbye with fond memories but no absolutely reservations.  It was a great first house!

And finally, according to my doctors and a surprise trip to the hospital on Sunday night, Baby Torok could be here any day now!!!  We are 36 weeks and officially on baby watch people!  (Trust me, I am just as surprised as anyone! I was convinced this was a November baby - never did I imagine I'd be on an ice chip diet and talking about our pain management plan at the hospital 4 weeks early!)  Anyways, I am home now relaxing / preparing for baby - I felt like such an awful mom for not having anything packed for the hospital...no baby clothes washed...we didn't even have our camera ready (!!) - hoping to make it through the weekend! But if he's ready, we're ready!  We can't wait to meet him! (Slash I really hope this was not a complete fake out and he does decide he wants to come out late!) But, stay tuned!

Like I said, it's been a crazy month!  And while I thought I'd have the nursery finished and all of our new furniture picked out / delivered before our housewarming party...such is life!  Building our house has been the most incredible journeys and we can't wait for Baby T to join us for the rest of the adventure!

xoxo

On Pregnancy And...Books, etc.

I'll admit, the hardest part about getting through that scary first trimester was not having my mom around to call to ask questions. 

I use the word scary not because anything went wrong, but because you really go through every emotion in the book during those first three months.  From absolute ecstatic excitement (all my dreams coming true about being a mother!!! we're having a baby!!!), shock (holy cow, we're going to be parents!), worry (is everything ok in there? is he/she still in there?!)...  Your body is starting to go through an incredible transformation and, having never been pregnant before, you don't exactly know what's "normal" or what is "ok to still do"...  Not to mention the raging hormones!!!  All while you're keeping this huge secret from most of the world, counting down every last week and day until you hit that 13 week mark and finally feel like you can breathe a sigh of relief like "we made it!"

So yes, it is all quite nerve wrecking the first time around (and seriously so exhilarating and exciting at the same time, I promise!!) but all I really wanted to do during those months was call my mom and ask her things like "did this happen to you?!" or "were you prone to stretch marks?!" or just talk to about pregnancy / parenting in general!  So ladies (and gents), resource recommendation #1 - your mom.  It's never too early to talk about her experiences in pregnancy and parenting :)

Anywayssssss, any emotional support I needed during the first tri came from my darling husband - who was absolutely wonderful by the way - and my sisters / girlfriends who really have become my stand-in moms (and I to them). 

And most of my questions and concerns could be answered through reading a book (which is why I'm writing this post...recommendations below!), asking my doctor, or (worst case scenario) consulting the internet (last resort only...the internet can be a scary place when you're googling pregnancy related questions!). 

So, I thought I'd share some of the books that have really helped throughout our pregnancy... because regardless of if your mom is around to badger with your 20 questions (or squeal in excitement to!) you're going to want to have some good resources in your house.  If anything, it'll keep you from calling your doctor every day over every last symptom (something my husband wishes I would do, but I assure him is totally not necessary)!! 

Reading has truly made becoming a mom all the more real and and exciting for me, and I can't wait to meet our precious little guy in a little less than 10 weeks!!!  (Can you believe it?!)

Also, I have a whole new appreciation for the human body, particularly my own!  It really is an incredible thing! 

Before You're Expecting

What to Expect Before You're Expecting

Before we started trying, I picked up a copy of What to Expect Before You're Expecting and I thought it gave a pretty good refresher on the whole birds and the bees discussion.  I think it would be extremely helpful for anyone having difficulty conceiving, as it focuses on preparing for conception, timing sex and adjusting your lifestyle, although I think it is a good read for anyone about to "start trying".   

Pregnacy

What to Expect When You're Expecting

A week-by-week playbook of what to expect - at your doctors appts., the growth of your baby, what you may be feeling / experiencing physically and emotionally...  It also has a great overview of labor and delivery - something we are most definitely preparing for right now!  This has literally become my pregnancy bible!!  

The Bump.com

Owned by The Knot.com, the Bump is a great online resource for planning and budgeting throughout the entire 9 months.  They also send you a weekly email that updates you on your baby's development including, my favorite part, what fruit or veggie your baby is the size of which I always found very amusing.  Our baby has grown from the size of a poppyseed to the size of squash in the last 30 weeks!  I'd sign up again just for the fun emails :)

For Dad

Expectant Father

This book comes highly recommended from both my brother Justin, who actually lent us his copy after I had ordered the worlds worst "dad book" for Nate. (The book was called What to Expect When Your Wife is Expanding, and it basically told the dads to only go to the first ultrasound and delivery, and then in-one-ear out-the-other for the months in between).  Although Nate hasn't taken to the reading as much as I have, I'd say this is the male version of the What to Expect books, leaving out some of the more personal details of what is going with the female body and focusing more on how to support the expectant mother and mentally prepare for fatherhood.

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

This book was recommended to me by a male coworker and soon-to-be first time dad who described the book as the "boy scout guide to being a Dad".  And I couldn't agree more!  In addition to the hilarious tips and tricks - like how to change a baby in a packed sports stadium or how to construct an emergency a diaper out of a towel, sock and duct tape - the book also provides age-appropriate activities for Dads to do with their babies, which is something I have found that Nate always asks me about.  "When will I be able to take him water skiing" or "when will he walk"?  Oh and I just love the cover - how manly, right?!

For Breastfeeding / First Year / Parenting
I'm hesitant to write reviews on these yet, considering I haven't put any of my new found knowledge to practice.  But here is what I'm reading / have read to help prepare for baby:

What to Expect the First Year
Obviously a huge fan of the What to Expect series...  And at some point during your pregnancy you shift from reading about taking care of yourself and growing baby and start focusing on what to do when he or she actually arrives!  In addition to the month-by-month guide to what youre baby should / will probably be able to / will maybe be able to do, it has great sections on breastfeeding basics, baby care and first aid, and stimulating your baby. 

The Sleepeasy Solution: An Exhausted Parent's Guide to Getting Your Child to Sleep - from birth to Age 5
A friend sent this book after buying it for herself on recommendation from A Cup of Jo's "What to Register For" post.  I was sold as soon as I read the title.  I love my sleep and hoping our little babe does too! 

The Nursing Mother's Companion
Another gift from a friend who read this instead of paying (out of pocket) to meet with a lactation consultant prior to delivery.  We are taking a birthing class that has its own dedicated lactation session, so I'm hoping both will help prepare us for nursing! 

Did you take to reading during your pregnancy and early days of parenting?  I'd love to hear if you have any great book recommendations! 

xoxo

On Pregnancy And...Before We Were Expecting

The month after our wedding, I had my annual exam at the lady doctor.  After catching up with the doc on what I had been up to - oh you know, just got married and had the most amazing honeymoon in Fiji! - he immediately took out his prescription pad, wrote one out for prenatal vitamins and handed it to me saying "Oh, then you'll be needing this!"

I laughed out loud.

Although we were planning on starting our family soon, that length of time had not exactly been defined yet...and I surely hadn't mentioned that to him!! 

Heck, I still hadn't even unpacked my bags yet!

But he said I should start taking them anyway - never too soon to start.  And I headed out of the office thinking "Wow, before these appointments used to be all birth control and the moment I mention I got married they switch to the tune of babies, babies babies!"

But a couple days later, I had a flashback to a memory of my mom when she was pregnant with my youngest brother Patrick.  I was still the world's pickiest eater - like literally, I think I could have won an award - and my mom was telling me how important it would be for me to take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, and that she prayed by the time I was having children there might be at least one or two vegetables in my diet.

(At that time, the only vegetables I liked were carrots and celery.  And I did not eat fruit.  Period.)

I started thinking about my diet... Luckily I outgrew my pickiness as I got older.  And after losing all the college / post college weight I had gained (from late night food, beer and lack of exercise) by changing my lifestyle, diet and joining a boxing gym (it really does work!), I was able to maintain a weight I was pretty satisfied with for the past 4 years. 

But I realized that during the times my exercise had become more sporadic, my eating also turned more erratic - I was a habitual snacker, meal skipper, crash dieter.  But it did the trick to keep the scale tipping right around where I wanted it to when I wasn't on the work out train.  

Anddddd then I lost about 3-4 lbs the month before my wedding - the really unhealthy way - you know, because you're supposed to be your skinniest on the most important day of your life!!!  (I wanted to do more (!!) but I was fighting some serious funeral weight... #eatingyouremotions)

I knew that if we were serious about starting a family anytime in the near future, I needed to start eating right again.  And this time not just for me, but for the health of our unborn baby.  That meant no more meal skipping, and especially none of those extreme pre-wedding measures... 

I also did some homework (I promised not to get preachy on ya, but I thought this was too important not to share: stocking your body with nutrients, reduced risk of neural tube defects, fewer episodes of morning sickness, increased fertility...  Food for thought!) and immediately took that prescription to the pharmacy! 

"Soon" turned out to be mid-December.  And while my eating wasn't perfect (and my exercise was still rather nonexistant.  but hey, it was winter!), I was on my way to a healthier me.  Something that couldn't have been done overnight...or from the moment we decided to press go on starting a family right then and there.

Because sure enough, just one month later, well, you know what happened!  :)

Like the doc said, never too soon to start.  Especially for someone like me.

(Stay tuned for an upcoming post On Pregnancy...And Weight Gain for more on this topic!)

On Pregnancy And...

kellyhicksdesign.com

This week, we officially entered the third and final trimester of our pregnancy!  I cannot believe it!  When I think back to that life changing day in February, it seems so long ago...  Yet I feel like our pregnancy is flying by!  We'll be meeting our little boy for the first time in just a few short months!  EEEEEE!!!!

When I finally shared our big news with the blog-o-sphere, I really wasn't sure how much I'd write about our 9 months waiting for baby.  Since then, I shared the story about how we found out, our decision to find out the gender of our baby (here and here), the party we threw the celebrate, and the big announcement that we are (to apparently no ones surprise) expecting a baby BOY! 

I have, however, neglected to share the more personal details of our experience, equally because I am naturally a private person at heart (despite having a very public blog) and I have been, well, extremely busy this summer with work, building the new house and getting ready for baby!!  Not to mention, I am no expert here - this is baby #1 on board!

But this has truly been one of the most amazing and life altering experiences of my life.  I honestly LOVE being pregnant and I realized I should be writing about it!  Not only for myself, but for for any readers out there going through / will go through some of the ups, downs and everything in between in their own pregnancy! 

So, I'd like kick off a little series I'd like to call "On Pregnancy And..." where we'll talk about some pregnancy related topics like: gaining weight (something I really struggled with mentally), finding maternity clothes (harder than you think!), great reads / resources, designing a nursery (so.much.fun), pregnancy journals (some cute ideas ahead!), baby bumps (when exactly do you get one?!), feeling those first kicks (indescribable), and more!

I'll hope you'll tune in and share some of your stories, as well!

xoxo

It's a...

It's a....

BOY!!!!

Thank you for all of your love and well wishes!  We could not be more excited to meet our little guy in October!!!!!  :)

xoxo

The Big Reveal...

We've been so busy (and I've been under the weather), that I've barely done party planning for Wednesday!!  That means tonight will be filled with lots and lots of errands!  :)

Of course, the part I'm most excited about is the "big reveal"...and how we will pull it off! 

Nate can't think of anything more exciting than to find out at the party by opening a present or cutting a cake... 

radiantphotogallery.blogspot.com

bbc.co.uk

But, I personally don't think that I will be able to go through the entire ultrasound without needing to see it for myself! 

So we had planned that I would find out that morning at our appointment, and he would be the one to do the big reveal at the party.  (If you're worried about be spilling before the party, don't.  I could never let myself ruin this surprise for him!)  I wanted to share the moment together, but I also want to find out the way we both feel comfortable and are excited about.  Great compromise, right?

Well, last week I saw this adorable video...

...and now I'm completely confused on what we I should do!  Talk about major goose bumps! My heart completed melted <3

I think this one is going to be a game time decision!  Care to weight in?!

xoxo

P.S. Don't forget to cast your vote!  Polls close tomorrow at 11:59pm!!

What will Baby Torok be?

19 weeks
(And yes, that's me in this dress in the bathroom at work!)

Our Gender Reveal is officially one week away!!! 

We've asked our family members to wear pink or blue to the party to "cast their vote".  But we're curious to hear what YOU think!

*One vote per person.  Poll will close at 11:59pm on June 12th!*

Gender Reveal PARTY!

If you guessed that we are finding out the gender in just a few short weeks...you were spot on!  :)

Like I said, I've always wanted to know beforehand.  I'm a planner.  I want the "right" stuff (can you believe I haven't bought a thing yet for Baby T?  My poor credit card is in for it these next few months..).  And as a few of my dear commenters said so perfectly: finding out earlier does not make it any less of a surprise, it just makes it an earlier surprise!  (Thanks Casey & Uncle Ray!)  Something a control freak like me appreciates - more time!

Buttttttttttt, when Nate and I discussed this when we first started trying for a baby, he held the exact opposite view on the subject....  (Insert sad / horrified / disbelief face here!)  So, I really didn't know what we'd end up doing since the decision isn't/wasn't/couldn't be 100% mine.  (Believe it or not kids, this baby is half his!!!  haha)

Then, about a week or so after we found out the most amazing news, Nate and I were at the drug store buying god knows what toiletry item and all of a sudden he is trying to convince me to buy a $50 gender prediction test!  (If you're wondering, we did NOT buy said test.  What bologny!)  He suddenly could not wait to know whether or not we were having a little girl or a little boy, and from that day we've both been counting down the days to my 20 week ultrasound! 

Anddddddd for the gender reveal party we decided throw that night to celebrate! :)

(Isn't it crazy cool that you can throw a party for finding out the gender of your baby?!  Any excuse for cake, right?!)



Diaper Invitation
Etsy: KardsbyKaylee

And yes, I did send out handmade diaper invitations for a party that will be attended just by mine and Nate's immediate family members!  I know, completely not necessary...but c'mon, so freaking cute! 

What do you think, boy or girl? :)

Of course, more party planning details to come! xoxo

Gender Reveal

Will you find out the gender of your baby or wait to be surprised the day he / she is born?

That is one question I've been asked that I didn't expect would stir up as many strong opinions and reactions as it has!

I was prepared for the name thing, and have been doing my best to be pretty vague about our name ideas for Baby Torok.  (Although I think most of people already knew what our favorites were, and those I've shared with have thankfully not offered opinions one way or another...)

I was prepared for the "natural vs. drugs" delivery debate. 

And I was even prepared for the very personal question of "are you planning on breastfeeding?"

But I never thought that telling people whether or not we were going to find out the sex of our baby would stir up such controversy!  I (naively) thought people just wanted to know, not because they thought one way was better or worse! 

To be honest, I've always wanted to know beforehand (which I'm sure is not very surprising to most).  I can't help it, I'm a planner...I want the "right" stuff...and I hate surprises!  But I can see the fun and romance in waiting until the baby is born...  In my opinion, you can't go wrong either way, it's just a matter of preference! 

Any guesses on how / when Nate wants to find out?

Anyways, peoples' reactions to our decision have made me so curious:  Do you feel strongly one way or the other?  Or have you encountered the same reactions (or either side) when asked if you will find out the gender?  Do you want to know beforehand or wait until the birth day? 

Don't be shy on posting your thoughts - I've heard just about every argument in the book already :) and we've already made up our minds!

Check back tomorrow to see when we will have our gender reveal - in a few weeks or a few months!

What to Expect When You're Expecting

I've been excited to see this movie since before it was even made I first saw the trailer back in January...  

...and today it finally hits theaters!!!

Ladies / Nate, when are we going to see it?!

Details...

So did you think I'd announce news like that last week and leave ya hanging without any details?  :)

Well I'm here to let you know that yes, I will be sharing some of the details of our pregnancy and baby (and all the crafts and party planning that go along with it)...but also want to assure you that I intend for this blog to remain what it is - a DIY craft blog with some wedding / home / baby inspirations, party planning, gift giving ideas and recipes too - and what it is not - my personal life diary with detailed accounts of what I do every day / parenting blog. Let's leave those things for the hard cover book you hide under your mattress / the experts (and especially not first time parents)!!  Sure, I may share a few stories or tips / tricks I learn along the way but if it gets too much...just let me know!  :)  And if I'm under-sharing, it's because I want to respect the privacy of my husband, myself and our life together.

Anyways, for those of you wondering, I am in my 17th week (I am 4 months!) and due October 29, 2012...which happens to be my mother-in-law's birthday!!  So far, the pregnancy has been wonderful - I am feeling great (no morning sickness) and the baby is healthy and growing - I really couldn't ask for much more. (Except maybe to gain a lb or two less...haha) 

I'm sure many of you were not surprised by the announcement - perhaps you picked up on some clues in my recent blog posts or noticed I look a little different (sorry, I have removed the word fat from my vocabulary) in pictures on Facebook.  But aside from our immediate families, we really didn't tell anyone until about 2 weeks ago after our 15 week ultrasound.  Getting through the first trimester was scary, and we really wanted to savor the moment just between the two of us for as long as possible.

How did we find out?

I found out at work, the day before this post (which is the real reason I didn't blog!).  I was very "late" but still testing negative on home pregnancy tests (which was so disheartening) so I went to the doctors for a blood test.  The doctor called a day earlier than expected with my results and I was ecstatic!!!  I wanted to tell Nate in person, so waited ALL day until I got home (well not really home, we were staying at Urban's Bed & Breakfast that night) from work (at 10pm!! I wasn't lying when I said I was busy at work!).  And it was truly an unforgettable night!

How did we tell our parents?

We told our parents at dinner on this night, and they were completely surprised, especially because they thought going out to dinner together was their idea and not because we had some big announcement!  While waiting for our table, the discussion of what they'd want to be called as grandparents came up - this was three weeks before my brother and sister-in-law were due with Emma - and I nearly died.  I was a nervous / anxious mess until we sat down at our table (I even yelled at Nate to "just order the sushi already!")...and then finally Nate just came out and said it!  I pulled it together and we gave them both a letter and a wrapped copy of Father of the Bride, Part II.

(Don't worry, I didn't eat any sushi that night!  I had the chicken teriyaki with grilled veggies.)

How did we tell our siblings?

We were both looking for meaningful and special ways to share the news with our siblings, which proved to be a bit challenging due to the fact that none of them live in the same area.  I decided to send each of my siblings a letter with a copy of FOTB, Part II, just as we did with our parents.  They received them the day after we told our parents. 

Nate couldn't wait for a silly package to arrive at his brother's apartment in Virginia...so he called to tell him on the phone instead! (#boys!)

How did we tell everyone else?

If there is anything I learned with news like this, is that it travels fast!  Sometimes faster than you can even get to the next person.  Or, sometimes it comes out sooner than you had planned (i.e. my sister Ashley bullied it out of me when I dropped her off at the train station two weeks after I found out and before we even told our parents!!) So, while we tried to tell our extended family members and close friends in person / on the phone before it hit the gossip mill...it didn't always happen.  But, such is life!  Regardless, the experience of sharing such exciting news with all the important people in our lives has been so very memorable!

Father of the Bride, Part II

If the ending "To be continued" in my last post left you hanging...I didn't leave you in suspense for very long!

The only movie that makes me think of my parents, both Mom and Dad, more than Father of the Bride is Father of the Bride, Part II.  And here's why...

In the winter of 1995-96, while on our annual winter trip to New York City, my Mom and Dad announced at breakfast that they were expecting another baby - we were going to have a fourth sibling...a baby brother!!  And to celebrate the news, they took us to see Father of the Bride, Part II that afternoon!

I was 11 at the time, right smack in the middle of the 5th grade, and utterly ecstatic!  I couldn't wait to get my hands on the little guy!!  I could be his babysitter!  Teach him everything I know!  And I will never, ever forget the excitement I felt that day sitting in the dark movie theater thinking of the possibilities of one day having my own babies, and designing the most amazing nursery, and sharing that incredible experience with my Mom (and Dad). 

And, just as I took cues from the first movie as we planned our wedding last year...I again found myself at the intersection of real life events and the fairytale that is Father of the Bride, Part II.

So, although I can not physically take you all "to the movies" this afternoon, I wanted to keep this tradition alive by sharing this most everlasting memory of my mom with you as Nate and I announce some very exciting news: we're expecting!

I thank all of you readers from the bottom of my heart for all of your love and support, and for allowing me the opportunity to share my memories, stories, crafts and life events with all of you!  We are sooooo excited!!!!

xoxo

Recipe: Baby Shower Cupcakes

A few weeks ago, I made these adorable cupcakes for a surprise baby shower we threw at work for a coworker expecting a baby boy in May. 

I can't take full credit for the idea - I saw them at a recent gender reveal baby shower I attended where I was told the inspiration came from Pinterest.  (Of course it did!)  :)

But anyways, they were a huge hit - and were super easy to make!  The cupcakes were funfetti (there is no better kind of cupcake...even homemade; follow directions on box); the eyes - mini-chocolate chips; and the pacifiers were 2 for 1 dollar store purchases (that went through my dish washer approx. 5 times before using...).

The best part was definitely pulling out the pacifier to lick off cake and icing!  Ahh to be a toddler again, even for just a few short seconds..!

P.S. Did you use a pacifier as a baby?  What did you call it?  Paci? Binky?  I think the names people give them are hilariously cute...  (I called mine "nippy" and when I wanted it I'd say "nother one nippy".)

P.P.S. I also got a lot of compliments at work / the party on my cupcake carrier, which I highly recommend if you're in the market (wedding registry, perhaps?).  It was a wedding gift from my cousin and his wife (along with a cupcake tree, cookbook and decorating supplies) and it is amazing - stores 24 cupcakes and the bottom tray is a baking tray!  You can buy the same one here!

DIY Nursery Art by Emily!

Check out these adorable DIY nursery decor items my oh so talented sister, Emily made for our new niece!

I would love one of these with my own name!

And this looks straight out of a PB Kids catalog!

Very impressed, Emily!

DIY Birth Announcement

I'll admit, I was a little embarrassed showing up to the hospital to meet my new baby niece empty handed two weeks ago.  But who'd of thought she'd come a week early...and when we were 400 miles away in Washington, D.C.?!  Not me!  Or that she'd arrive at 5am and we'd be there only a few short hours later, still before sun came up?

Plus, it didn't help that my gift was a personalized gift (of course it was!).  And the baby actually needed to be born for me to complete said gift! :)

But hey, we're family!  They'll get over my minor slip in proper etiquette!!

So anyways, when I was back up in NYC this past weekend I got to spend 3 whole hours with Emma and was so super excited to finally reveal my gift to her (well, her parents). 

Drum roll, please!!

I made a handmade birth announcement to hang in Emma's nursery!

I actually got the idea off of Etsy.  At at Christmas party, a friend of mine was showing me some of her recent Etsy purchases, and one of them was a nursery birth announcement.  It looked something along the lines of this:

I kid you not, this is $45 on Etsy

Or this:

$10

Both very cute!  And so thoughtful!  But I took one look and knew immediately that I could make that on my own. 

And I could make it better!

I was very happy with the way it turned out - it's cute, sweet and a great way to remember a baby's birth stats.  (Am I the only one who knows their birth height/weight/time because they have an engraved picture frame in their room all their life?)  And Justin and Sara were thrilled to receive nursery decor, something they said they pretty much forgot about on their registry!

Unfortunately (for you, I'm sorry!) I will not be revelaing my exact DIY instructions...  But if you should be so lucky to be expecting a baby in the near future, you can bet that one of these lovelies will be coming your way.  And yes - I have a boy version, as well!

Doesn't it look so sweet sitting above Emma's changing table?

I promise more pictures when her nursery is all set up!

P.S. I'm taking orders, as well, if you're in need of a baby present!  Message me if you're interested!  :)

Welcome to the world, Emma Grace!

I could not be happier or more excited to announce the arrival my new little niece, Emma Grace Rowley!  Emma was born yesterday, March 18th, at 5:15am after nearly 24 hours of labor (go Sara!).  Mommy, Daddy and baby are all doing exceptionally well!

Seeing and holding you for the first time yesterday truly took my breath away!  I love you dearly baby Emma <3 and I can't wait to see you you again on Saturday!!  

xoxo

P.S. Doesn't she look just like her daddy?

baby Justin (12/7/1983)

P.P.S. Mom, she has your beautiful blue eyes!!

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Did I mention I am going to be an aunt in two weeks? 

That's right, if you haven't yet heard, my brother (Justin) and his wife (Sara) are expecting their first little bundle of joy on or around March 23!  I am so unbelievable excited for them, for my dad (the first grandchild!) and for this beautiful little girl who is going to have 6 doting aunts (!!!) and 4 uncles!

Two weekends ago, we threw Sara and baby Emma a baby shower at the Water Works restaurant (and wedding venue) in Philadelphia.  If you've never been, I'd highly recommend!  Gorgeous views, great food and dangerously close to the Art Museum and boathouse row, two of the most iconic "attractions" in all of Philly.

Philadelphia Water Works

Now, I'm not typically a huge fan of gift opening at showers - it's dreadfully boring for guests and I literally break out in hives watching the honoree oooh and ahh over items she picked out on her registry in front of a room fill of people - but I think I have 100% changed my opinion for baby showers after this one.  The stuff is just so damn cute I honestly didn't want the presents portion of the party to end!! 

So much so, that I left with a list of great gift ideas for the upcoming (3) baby showers I have this spring that I wanted to share with ya'll!  (And don't worry - this list is the fun non-registry stuff only - I don't know the first thing about strollers or cribs or rectal thermometers!)

Designer baby clothes. I know some of you are probably scoffing right now thinking, why would I spend $100 on designer baby shoes when you could buy 5 at that price?  But the point is, you are going to spend a certain amount on a gift, right?  Well the shower is really the one time to give that person, not only the practical items, but also something they likely would not buy for themselves (or their baby).  Sure, they'll likely be saved for special occasions only...but I personally would be happier knowing my gift didn't go straight to the "play clothes" only file...  And trust me when I say these items will go in their "save forever" box!

Now if this is not the cutest thing you've ever seen...

(By the way, I have never seen so many designer baby duds than at Sara's shower - Emma got her first pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes, baby TOMS, a Juicy Couture track suit, Polo dresses and shirt, baby Uggs!  Emma is going to be the best dressed baby!)

Baby Clothes Line: A number of guests made these adorable baby clothes lines with an assortment of different outfits and sizes.  I thought this was a very fun way for Sara to "open" the outfits (vs. opening one outfit at a time) and display afterwards for everyone to see!

obviously not a picture from Sara's shower, but you get the idea...

Receiving / Stroller Blanket: Of the handmade kind, like this one made by my cousin's very talent fiance, Meggan!!

Or perhaps splurge this cashmere one from J. Crew...

J. Crew cashmere baby blanket

A gorgeous blanket will be forever treasured.  (And you never know which one will turn out to be the child's one true lovey!)

Designer Baby Bag: Sara's sister and mom gave her a beautiful Marc Jacobs diaper bag, and I immediately thought what a great group gift this would make from a bunch of your girl friends. Just because you need to retire your favorite purses doesn't mean you have to start carrying ugly printed Vera Bradley (don't get me wrong, love the weekenders...but wouldn't be caught dead carrying a purse/diaper bag...sorryimnotsorry)!

Marc Jacobs

Finally, here is what my sisters and I gave our sister-in-law and niece-to-be: At the last Lilly Warehouse sale in November, we each bought baby Emma a Lilly outfit - 2 shift dresses and 1 bathing suit - because if she's gonna be a Rowley girl, she's gotta love Lilly! 

Lilly printed bathing suit

baby Lilly shift with lace

Emily made (like actually sewed!) these adorable burp cloths and then we got them monogrammed!

And this is perhaps my favorite gift of all.  We gave Sara a gift certificate for a professional photography session by a photographer that will come to her home and shoot in the baby's actual nursery!  We chose Tina Jay Photography because she recently took pictures for Emily's boyfriend's sister's baby, Stella, (that was a mouthful!) and they were seriously the cutest photos I have ever seen.

case and point.

need i say more

Would love to hear if you have any great non-registry gift ideas!!