Upon discovering I was going to be a mommy, I knew I wanted to encapsulate my memories of the journey to come. I wanted to create something my daughter can look back on years and years down the road and reminisce on just how much she has truly embraced my life. Envisioning all things sentimental and keepsake, I started by making a calendar. It charts all of the special moments we've shared in the first nine months, the doctors appointments, the date that unveiled we were having a girl. I often wondered to myself as I was making this if she was going to appreciate it as much as I hoped she would. And then I thought, even if she doesn't, it meant something to me. I will forever look back on that calendar and smile as I remember some of the greatest months of my life.
Have you seen the google chrome commercial yet? If not, take a moment to watch it right now. It will truly tickle you, especially if you are a parent or aspire to be one someday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4vkVHijdQk
It makes me teary every time.
I suppose it had such an affect on me because this is what I want to do for my daughter. So I started writing to her. And I will continue to write to her. One day, she will get to read it and hopefully understand just how loved she was, is, and will always be.
The true beauty in life lies in the unexpected moments. The moments that open your eyes and open your heart to something completely unknown. You were the best surprise, and the greatest gift, I have ever received.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Pumpkees!
Our October tradition-- pumpkin pickin' at Spooner farm!
I need to upload the picture of us at the pumpkin patch from sophomore year of high school I think it was... oh, and the one from 7th grade! Wouldn't that be fun to see how we've changed through the years?
Here I am, 9.5 months along! I think the pumpkins and I share some commonalities.. we are both very big and very round! Can't wait to bring our little bebe with us here next year :)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Maternity photoshoot!
We had an absolutely phenomenal time doing our maternity shoot with Alicia Reynolds (Kyle's sister)...despite the intense heat and spiders crawling up my skirt! It got me so excited to meet our baby girl and I think that is clearly visible on both of our faces. We are just overjoyed!!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The proposal
So you wanna know how it all went down, huh?
Trust me, I love telling the story.
Wednesday August 3rd, while at work, a handsome man showed up in my department. I had been expecting him because we had been talking about doing some light shopping for him. Little did I know, shopping was the last thing on his mind. He meets me at the desk and quickly tries to swoop me away. I resist, knowing I still have a few customers in the dressing rooms. I asked him to wait for a few minutes while I finished up, and despite his reluctance, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Sure he was looking good, better than good actually. He looked and smelled amazing. My workmate, Kylee, tried to get me on my way, too. {Ky & Ky had been in cahoots for weeks on planning his proposal...and still, I had no clue!} I was completely oblivious. But, I eventually cave in and we head for the escalator. I kept telling him over and over how dashing he looked, I mean seriously, girls, the guy's the bee's knees. Once we reached the bottom, he whiskes me toward the jewlery counter. "Something caught my eye as I was walking in and wanted your opinion to see if you like it..." Did he find a watch he wanted?? What else would he be doing at the jewlery counter....? "Betsy, would you mind showing this lovely lady what I was just looking at?" Still not knowing what's going on, {it was a serious blonde moment!}, I gasp as she presents a little black box. At that moment, I started to raise my eyebrows. Ky leads me next to the piano, when suddenly the most beautiful music starts playing {I actually didn't even hear the music, I was in too much shock and too distracted by what was about to happen to focus on what was happening at the piano}. I later find out he had printed the sheet music to "Marry Me" by Train, a song that transformed our relationship many moons ago.
He gets down on his knee. I lose it. I am a complete blubbering mess. I couldn't keep it together and he hadn't even said anything yet!! At this point, I begin to see people crowd around us. My coworkers, my manager, women from my neighboring departments, Kyle's mom and sister, shoppers-- all eyes were on us. It was my moment. Typically not one to relish in the spotlight, I was soaking this up! Skip back to the charming man on his knee...
He had such an eloquent speech prepared, although that too is a blurr. But all that mattered is the conviction I saw in his eyes. He was asking me to be his forever lady! How could I resist??? Flashbacks raced through my mind, times of us as young kids flirting and playing coy, to times spent with my closest girlfriends giggling and developing plans of mine and Kyle's future marriage, to finding him again years later and literally feeling old feelings rush through me at the gym. It's funny, but the honest truth is I always knew he'd be the one. Somehow, someway, we were going to be together.
Through the blurry eyes, coated in overjoyed tears- I managed to nod uncontrolably and say yes. I couldn't hug him fast enough. I couldn't wait to give him a kiss to "seal the deal". Applause fills the store. Still in disbelief of what just happened, he tells me we have a car waiting to take us to dinner at Indochine! Booyah! My favorite. Not only did I just get proposed to in such a spectacular way, but I got off work early, too! Haha.
Outside, our car awaits. It was such a "Carrie and Big" moment. The driver, the champagne {yes, I did treat myself to a little glass of the bubbly on our way... :)} it was absolute perfection. Kyle knows me so so well! We enjoyed a phenomenal dinner followed by my favorite: cupcakes. And the rest is history!
We still have yet to set a date.... many decisions to make before that can happen. Destination wedding perhaps? We shall see... :)
By the way, did I mention I'm engaged???? Woohoo!
Trust me, I love telling the story.
Wednesday August 3rd, while at work, a handsome man showed up in my department. I had been expecting him because we had been talking about doing some light shopping for him. Little did I know, shopping was the last thing on his mind. He meets me at the desk and quickly tries to swoop me away. I resist, knowing I still have a few customers in the dressing rooms. I asked him to wait for a few minutes while I finished up, and despite his reluctance, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary. Sure he was looking good, better than good actually. He looked and smelled amazing. My workmate, Kylee, tried to get me on my way, too. {Ky & Ky had been in cahoots for weeks on planning his proposal...and still, I had no clue!} I was completely oblivious. But, I eventually cave in and we head for the escalator. I kept telling him over and over how dashing he looked, I mean seriously, girls, the guy's the bee's knees. Once we reached the bottom, he whiskes me toward the jewlery counter. "Something caught my eye as I was walking in and wanted your opinion to see if you like it..." Did he find a watch he wanted?? What else would he be doing at the jewlery counter....? "Betsy, would you mind showing this lovely lady what I was just looking at?" Still not knowing what's going on, {it was a serious blonde moment!}, I gasp as she presents a little black box. At that moment, I started to raise my eyebrows. Ky leads me next to the piano, when suddenly the most beautiful music starts playing {I actually didn't even hear the music, I was in too much shock and too distracted by what was about to happen to focus on what was happening at the piano}. I later find out he had printed the sheet music to "Marry Me" by Train, a song that transformed our relationship many moons ago.
He gets down on his knee. I lose it. I am a complete blubbering mess. I couldn't keep it together and he hadn't even said anything yet!! At this point, I begin to see people crowd around us. My coworkers, my manager, women from my neighboring departments, Kyle's mom and sister, shoppers-- all eyes were on us. It was my moment. Typically not one to relish in the spotlight, I was soaking this up! Skip back to the charming man on his knee...
He had such an eloquent speech prepared, although that too is a blurr. But all that mattered is the conviction I saw in his eyes. He was asking me to be his forever lady! How could I resist??? Flashbacks raced through my mind, times of us as young kids flirting and playing coy, to times spent with my closest girlfriends giggling and developing plans of mine and Kyle's future marriage, to finding him again years later and literally feeling old feelings rush through me at the gym. It's funny, but the honest truth is I always knew he'd be the one. Somehow, someway, we were going to be together.
Through the blurry eyes, coated in overjoyed tears- I managed to nod uncontrolably and say yes. I couldn't hug him fast enough. I couldn't wait to give him a kiss to "seal the deal". Applause fills the store. Still in disbelief of what just happened, he tells me we have a car waiting to take us to dinner at Indochine! Booyah! My favorite. Not only did I just get proposed to in such a spectacular way, but I got off work early, too! Haha.
Outside, our car awaits. It was such a "Carrie and Big" moment. The driver, the champagne {yes, I did treat myself to a little glass of the bubbly on our way... :)} it was absolute perfection. Kyle knows me so so well! We enjoyed a phenomenal dinner followed by my favorite: cupcakes. And the rest is history!
We still have yet to set a date.... many decisions to make before that can happen. Destination wedding perhaps? We shall see... :)
By the way, did I mention I'm engaged???? Woohoo!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Kate Quinn Organics
Nicole introduced me to my new favorite baby shop, Kate Quinn Organics, and now I can't get enough of it! I love all of the prints, baby girl dresses & jumpsuits, and sweet Plum Bunny line. It is all so adorable I can hardly stand it! I am about to put in my first order... I think I found the perfect crib skirt which makes me sooo excited! For those of you with little ones, you absolutely must check out the website asap : http://www.katequinnorganics.com/
-------
-------
In other news, I recently purchased a Clarisonic from the Anniversary sale. If you haven't heard of what it is yet, you are OUT OF THE LOOP! Ok, kidding. But it is big news around the Nordstrom gossip. It is supposedly one of the best cleansing systems for your face and body. A co-worker of mine has one and swears by it. It's really gentle and easy to use. I've had it for a few days now and am loving it so far! I got a zebra print one :)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
the scoop
Well life has certainly been busy these past few weeks and months. Trying to keep up with everything all while still trying to enjoy what little of warm summer weather we have! Since graduating, my day-to-day has been passing at lightening speed-- and here I thought I'd get a little bit of a break! Nordstrom's been wild and crazy with the Anniversary sale (note to self: never wear heels on the opening day {or any day, for that matter} of early access shopping...bad idea!!!) My toesies & arches are still recovering.
Oh, sidenote, this post will probably seem slightly {very} scattered with thoughts and ramblings. That seems to be the way I roll these days. So much in my mind, not enough time to breathe, or pause, to get it all out and make sense at the same time. Ok, back to posting.
On to all things baby:
We recently put the crib together {we got a great deal from a coworker of mine- a white sleigh crib in mint condition- score!!}. We painted the nursery. Hoping to reveal a light shade of grey on the walls, but instead discover it looks more bluish, but still completely loving it nonetheless! Talk about calming and serene and neutral, exactly what we sought after in the first place! Oh and we did some shopping. Ok, this time, by "we" I'm referring to my momma and I, because let's face it, girls have more fun shopping. We ventured up to the U Village and had a great time getting swept away by pretty much all things baby. Came home with many adorable things including, a changing pad to go ontop of a changing table my mom has been working on for us, as well as bedding and some crafty things to make baby shower invites-- coming your way soon! The nursery is really starting to come together making this all the more real. As we put the crib together {actually how it really went was Ky put it together and I sat and watched and ate chocolate cake- he insisted, people!!}, we started to really imagine our little girl. Invisioning nights going in her room to find her peacefully sleeping {we can dream, right??} or rushing to the changing table to perform an emergency diaper change. As perfect or chaotic as it will be, I am starting to look forward to those little moments with our daughter. Speaking of the little sugarlump, she is moving LIKE CRAZY! I'm talkin' constant. It's getting even more prominent now because I can feel her while I am busy at work. She needs attention, mama! And she needs it now! We play "rock the remote" a lot, where we put the tv remote on my belly and you can literally see it getting bumped and tossed all over the place. As far as me showing, there's a little somethin somethin there, a few daring strangers have even commented lately {which I love!}. I officially can no longer rubber band my pants on. That was a sad day. But I'd say I've gained about 4 pounds total so far. Which I'm completely fine with. At times I wish there was more to show, but I know it will all come eventually so I need to be patient and embrace staying "little" as long as I can.
Woah, that was a lot.
Are you still with me?
I better give this a rest. I'm exhausted from just typing it all. Now it's time to finish reading The Help and get started on the next book! Wishing you a happy Tuesday :)
Oh, sidenote, this post will probably seem slightly {very} scattered with thoughts and ramblings. That seems to be the way I roll these days. So much in my mind, not enough time to breathe, or pause, to get it all out and make sense at the same time. Ok, back to posting.
On to all things baby:
We recently put the crib together {we got a great deal from a coworker of mine- a white sleigh crib in mint condition- score!!}. We painted the nursery. Hoping to reveal a light shade of grey on the walls, but instead discover it looks more bluish, but still completely loving it nonetheless! Talk about calming and serene and neutral, exactly what we sought after in the first place! Oh and we did some shopping. Ok, this time, by "we" I'm referring to my momma and I, because let's face it, girls have more fun shopping. We ventured up to the U Village and had a great time getting swept away by pretty much all things baby. Came home with many adorable things including, a changing pad to go ontop of a changing table my mom has been working on for us, as well as bedding and some crafty things to make baby shower invites-- coming your way soon! The nursery is really starting to come together making this all the more real. As we put the crib together {actually how it really went was Ky put it together and I sat and watched and ate chocolate cake- he insisted, people!!}, we started to really imagine our little girl. Invisioning nights going in her room to find her peacefully sleeping {we can dream, right??} or rushing to the changing table to perform an emergency diaper change. As perfect or chaotic as it will be, I am starting to look forward to those little moments with our daughter. Speaking of the little sugarlump, she is moving LIKE CRAZY! I'm talkin' constant. It's getting even more prominent now because I can feel her while I am busy at work. She needs attention, mama! And she needs it now! We play "rock the remote" a lot, where we put the tv remote on my belly and you can literally see it getting bumped and tossed all over the place. As far as me showing, there's a little somethin somethin there, a few daring strangers have even commented lately {which I love!}. I officially can no longer rubber band my pants on. That was a sad day. But I'd say I've gained about 4 pounds total so far. Which I'm completely fine with. At times I wish there was more to show, but I know it will all come eventually so I need to be patient and embrace staying "little" as long as I can.
Woah, that was a lot.
Are you still with me?
I better give this a rest. I'm exhausted from just typing it all. Now it's time to finish reading The Help and get started on the next book! Wishing you a happy Tuesday :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)