Christmas Eve.

Skarlett.

Sanders.

Reindeer Buttskis. :)

Sisters and our babies.

A Sanders Celebration.

My friends Lindsay and Jasmine hosted a Sanders celebration at Pure Bliss Desserts.

It was a night surrounded by dear friends and filled with sweet indulgence. 
I loved every second.

.Salted Caramel Cupcakes.

.Peppermint Paddy Cupcakes.

.New York Cheesecake.

Blurry Sisters :)

Skarlett: 2 weeks old. Sanders: 2 days shy of one month old. 

From L to R: Becca(+baby Wesley), Lindsay, Jen, Jasmine, Janna, Nana/Mom, Sanders+Myself, [auntie]Tess+Skarlett, [auntie]Amy, Megan.

Pregnancy Milestones & Memories.

I stumbled upon my pregnancy journal and wanted to post it before I misplace it or forget about it again. It's really just a list of random thoughts and reactions recorded throughout our pregnancy... It's fun for me to read and remember but I recorded it for Sanders. I hope he'll feel loved when he reads this someday, and that he gets a chuckle. :)

6 weeks: We found out we were pregnant with you on March 30, 2012. It took us a couple of days to start to truly believe in your existence. We also found out your Auntie Tess was pregnant. We were so excited.

15 weeks, 6 days: I felt you move for the first time. (It was a Sunday evening and we were in the car headed to church.) You felt like a little critter fluttering inside of me, just to the left of my belly button.

17 weeks: Your heart rate was 146. Some say faster means girl, slower means boy. I wonder what you are in there…

20 weeks: We got to watch you wiggle about for a whole 45 minutes. You were determined not to show us your face, but your spine, it was beautiful. ;) Dad says, “We found out you were a big one!”

21 weeks, 3 days: Dad felt you move through my tummy. It was the first time he’d ever felt a baby move in utero. He was stunned, speechless. Don’t tell him I told you, but I saw sweet, joyful tears in his eyes. :) It was obvious that, for the first time, he felt really connected to you.

25 weeks: At our OB appt the Dr. placed the doppler on my tummy and instantly your heartbeat was heard as well as a whole bunch of static, which meant that you were moving a lot! Within seconds you hit the doppler. When the Dr. moved it to a new place you hit it again. Each time she moved the doppler to a new location you would hit/kick it. The Dr. exclaimed, “Your baby’s chasing me!” It was your first human interaction. It was a proud moment for this first time mama.

28 weeks: We made it to the 3^rd trimester! Although I felt like there was still a lot to accomplish before your arrival, your dad was becoming very excited to meet you. We so look forward to seeing your face and holding you in our arms. I can’t wait to hear all your cute little sounds.

37 weeks: We went in for a growth ultrasound because you were measuring big. We found out that your abdomen measured 99% and your head 88%. You were estimated to weigh approximately 8.5 lbs. With 3(ish) more weeks to go, these were daunting numbers for your mama to hear.

Sanders, meet Skarlett. 2 1/2 weeks old.

When Skarlett was 1 week old we gathered at her house so that I could photograph her in all her brand new beauty. 

(Stay tuned, pics to come.)

Papa and Nana needed a photo with all their babes for their Christmas card.

From left to right: MillieGirl(1.5 yr) & SydniSue(5 yrs), 

Skarlett the Starlett(1 wk) & Papa,

Sanders aka SandMan aka The Colonel(2.5 wks) & Nana,

Kolter(2.75 yrs) & mr. Mose(3.5 yrs)

Skarlett isn't afraid to tell anyone 'what for.'

Sanders isn't afraid to sleep while Skarlett tells everyone 'what for.'

 Judging by their feet, you'd think there was more than a 13 day difference.

I can't imagine having done it without you, sister. I will never forget how fun it was, being pregnant with you. Cheers to years and years of raising these funny little people 'together.'

"Spit happens, okay Skarlett?"

It appears as if Sanders is ready to take on the camera, I guess there's a reason he's been dubbed a bruiser.

Funny lil people. :)

Sanders' & Skarlett's 1st Sleepover

 Skarlett: 2 weeks Sanders: 3 1/2 weeks

Sanders meets his G&G. 2 1/2-3 1/2 weeks old.

Brian's parents arrived from CA to meet Sanders when he was 2 1/2 weeks old.

 As part of our  Christmas celebration, Brian and I took his parents to Snowflake Lane in downtown Bellevue.

 It was madness! 

The snow swirled upon us from above. It was fake, but it still seemed enchanted. :)

Following the parade, we hit up The Cheesecake Factory for dessert. 

We realized that Sanders and his Gram matched!

 Goodbye snuggles are sad. :(