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. :)

Family. 9 days old.

On Sanders 9th day, family gathered at my mom's house for dinner. For some it was their first time meeting Sanders, for others it was an chance to see him again.

 Uncle Dale

Aunt Janet

 Sydni and Nana

 Sydni

Gpa Lawrence

Gpa Lawrence and Gma B.

 Gpa Al

 Aunt Barb

Gpa Al and Gma Jane

 My dad, Tess, and Gpa Lawrence with their little namesake. :)

Brian and I loved the name Sanders upon finding it in Grandpa Lawrence's family tree. Using it was our way of naming our little guy after Grandpa Lawrence. In addition, after having traveled this pregnancy journey so closely with my sister, it was important to me that Sanders be named after her. Sanders' middle name, Liam, was our way of honoring my sister, Tessa Leigh, as well as my dad, Jeffery Lee (from whom Tess gets her middle name.) 

CA for Rob & Carrie's Wedding

Our time in CA was full and fun.

A few highlights...

Brian enjoyed a Dodger's game in the company of his dad and brother. We had countless meals and a couple of coffee dates with friends and family. We went to the guys' softball game, ate froyo, and hung out in the pool with Brian's mom. Brian's mom and I got our nails done and Brian and his dad rode bike. Oh, and I watched my first presidential debate! I've always avoided things of the sort in the past and I hesitate to admit how interested I found myself, once I began listening. (I don't normally fancy politics.) We spent a lot of time with family. I was able to meet quite a few family members that live elsewhere but, like us, had traveled to SoCal for Brian's brother's wedding.

Catching up with dear college friends, Lorah and Rach.

(I missed the braided brown skinny belt memo.)

We spent an afternoon in Laguna Beach with Brian's parents. 

Being there always brings me back to our dating days, although this particular trip was a bit less freeing thanks to my "inner heater" and my bladder's seemingly constant need to find a restroom.

Brian and his grandparents, happy to be together. :)

We ate jambalaya at Lucille's, which we require of ourselves each time we visit. LOVE that place.

 Brian's sister, Tracie, and [Bro-in-law]Robert after breakfast at Flo's.
Breakfast at Flo's is one of Brian's must-do's each time we visit.

The wedding ceremony was outside surrounded by Temecula vineyards and wineries. Beautiful!

 Cousins!

Brian on the dance floor never fails to be entertaining.

Happy to be 33.5 weeks along and still feeling pretty great...but really sick of hearing how big my belly is. Our time in CA brought about a new countdown of half weeks.

Thankful.

 [Bride]Carrie and I

[Groom]Rob and Brian

Congratulations Rob and Carrie!!! We love you guys!

[more]Blessings for BamBam

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Central California and though it felt like summer it was the 1st of October and we were ready to celebrate life. My sis-in-law, Tracie, with the help of my MIL, hosted a shower for BamBam and I. The colors were beautiful and the invitations were adorable. :)

We played a couple of baby name games followed by a Mexican-themed lunch of carne asada in tortilla bowls with salsa and guac and, of course, cheesecake with strawberries for dessert. It was really, really yum.

And then there were gifts.

A beautiful handmade card.

I remain very excited about (and impressed by) this homemade diaper bag...

Favorite books.

 Leave it to BekahDear to remember "Big Brother Finn." :)

A super cute, soft owl pillow!

I don't think she realized it, but one of Brian's Grandmas came wearing BamBam's nursery turquoise!

Brian's sister, Julie, was unable to attend, yet she baked these little ducky cake pops and shipped them from Michigan for us to enjoy! We missed you, Julie!

My college friend, BekahDear, traveled to my shower and picked me up from the airport. It was fabulous seeing her. BekahDear, I loved our last [pre-Babe] sleepover. (Thanks for dealing with all my middle-of-the-night Tums chewing!) Miss you!

Thank you, Ladies, for this special day! It was scrumptious, entertaining, and sentimental. Thank you for bringing everyone together to celebrate our little love and for making it so much fun. 

BamBam and I were given everything from Huggies, to handmade closet [size] organizers, to Dr. Browns bottles, to "Icky Bags." I am thrilled to get all of our cool new stuff unpacked and 'moved in' to the nursery! Yet again, we have been blessed and we are thankful.