Wednesday, July 9, 2014

On the Cutest Baby Shower Ever

Yup, I'm talking about mine!

I couldn't have put together a better shower.  It's like my family and friends read my mind.

I have to take my hat off to my sister who planned the entire thing from Houston.  Can you say planner extraordinaire! Arranging a swank baby shower for about 45 folks from another city was no easy feat. She took a few pics from my pinterest board, my love for owls (which represent wisdom), clean & modern design, and favorite color teal blue and planned an event that was warm yet sophisticated.

The hostess with the mostest taking a moment from organizing to celebrate and make a toast. 
Everyone who attended made my day so incredibly special, but there were a few folks that really went out of their way to make the day perfect.

My parents traveled all the way from Houston.  Their plane touched down, and they went right to work making sure everything was in place. 



Can you believe my mom made that beautiful centerpiece? The work she does with her hands is amazing. 
My girlfriend Dr. K. couldn't make the shower, but she touched my heart by making the cutest invites that captured the spirit of the event. 



I also have to thank my bestie for helping with the decor and planning one of the most fun and creative games I've played at a baby shower.  It's an original game she created where she took snippets of songs that had the word "baby" in them. Guests had to listen closely to see if they could guess the artists.  

The bestie and I - COORDINATED! 

My auntie made the yummiest cupcakes. They were a hit, and I still want to know who ate my extra key lime one that I'd stashed away.

 
I'll leave you with a few more pics, but for more up-close details of our special day, please visit the blog of the florist (and mentee and former student of mine), Violet Gardens Floral Design, who helped to transform Smith Commons into a venue worthy of hosting the cutest baby shower ever! PUH-LEEZ visit her blog.  Her detail shots are so much better than my iPhone shots. While you're there, take a look at all of the beautiful work that she does. I'm so proud of her. 

My pics of the decor do the space no justice. 

Smooches from my babydaddy <3
Mommy, cousin, and Auntie responsible for those yummy cupcakes.  
Hubby and my father-in-law 
Good girlfriends and my cutie-patootie!  

Some other mommies-to-be in the building!  
Hubby and I with his mom and grandma
Until next time, I'll be over here reusing those beautiful paper flowers in the nursery and working on the rest of my thank you cards. 


Monday, July 7, 2014

On Releasing

Borrowed from here


I read this last night and knew I had to share.

“This being human is a guest house. Every morning is a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor…Welcome and entertain them all. Treat each guest honorably. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” ~Rumi

I've been getting little messages here and there about releasing emotion, and they have been right on time. This pregnancy has brought extreme emotional highs and lows, and at first I tried to suppress them; I was afraid that they would "harm" the baby. Then I read this. I can't get enough of this blog. She taps right into my crunchy, granola side, and I love it! For those who don't have the time to read, here's my favorite nugget.

"Acknowledge how you feel and let it out. It is only when you keep it inside that it will find other avenues and possibly manifest within your baby; it has to go somewhere."

After reading this a few weeks ago, I felt so much freer. And then I began to release!
A friend hurt my feelings . . . I let her know.
My former landlord was on some shady sh!t . . . I let her know.
I missed a family friend who passed away . . . I shed the tears and moved on.
My husband got under my skin . . . I shared my displeasure and let it go. 

Like the Rumi quote above, I've invited in the emotion, felt it, entertained it, and sent it on its way. 

Happy Monday everybody. Release, woo-sah, cry it out, or do whatever you need to do to kick Monday's a$$! 

Until next time. . . . I'll be enjoying my first work-free day in a while until someone from work emails me to try and steal my joy

27 days and counting 'til Little Miss TJ makes her arrival! 


Sunday, July 6, 2014

28 Days!!!

Yikes!

I'm 28 days from my due date, and I was going to do this long catch-up post, but I've decided to share a bit about what's happening over here in pictures.


The picture above pretty much sums up my life these days

  • Organizing the baby's room - Have you ever seen a cuter little sock in your life?!?
  • Watching my belly grow (and drop!)
  • Finally doing some reading about breastfeeding 
  • Picking out some fun and culturally relevant books for Little Miss TJ. I cant wait for this modern-day Rapunzel (with locs!!!) book to get here. 
  • Trying to do some self-care - One of the moms at my baby shower (more on that in another post) gave me some 3rd trimester tea.  Not only is is good for me, but it's good TO me. Yum! I've decided that from here on out, I'll always include a little something for mamas in my baby shower gifts. This is hard work. 
Besides trying to tackle all of the little to-dos before the baby comes and forcing myself to be somewhat productive regarding work, I finally feel like I can catch my breath, slow down, and enjoy these last few days while we wait on our little girl. 

Until next time . . . I'll be over here grooving to the hospital playlist my hubby is putting together. You know two hardcore music lovers need some music to set the tone for the arrival of Little Miss TJ.  Oh yeah, I'll also be sitting at the computer with my fingers itching to turn on my out-of-office message for my work email. . . *sigh* It NEVER f&cking ends!!!