How many of those moments do you really have in life?

I have had 4 so far.

Everyone wants to achieve their dreams in life, whether that's marriage, a family, a job, or travel. You obviously want these things for yourself. You also want all these things for your family and friends. I am lucky enough to have 2 friends in my life where the line between blood and water is very blurred. Friendships that will never go away, just like family.
As I have been immensely fortunate to have met and married my love (moment #1). Almost 2 years later we welcomed our little Harper (moment #2). Then, just over 2 1/2 years later, our sweet Stratton completed our family of 4 (moment #3). Like I have said before, all indescribable moments that would take my breath away.
Having the same dreams and hopes for my 2 best friends, I was elated when both Emilee and Valerie married, creating their own families.
Though seemingly perfect, there has always been one thing missing. One thing to complete this utopia with in our circle. Something we have all been praying for, wishing for, crying for. Finally, as acceptance started to come for what seemed would not be, so did relief from the constant disappointment, the very miracle so many had been begging and bargaining for...(moment #4).




There are few moments in life that could make me as happy as this news did...3 to be exact.

Congratulations to you Emilee and Mike. This is going to be the most amazing summer to date, and come July, we will all welcome this baby into our hearts like one of our own. Love you and your growing family more than you know :)

Skater Hater

We went ice skating. It was my idea. I thought it would be fun. I'm not going to lie, it didn't go well.

We started out strong. Harper talked about it incessantly for 4 days. She even reminded me as I tucked her into bed..."don't forget to call Grace about skating tomorrow". She was very excited the whole way there, in line to get her skates, putting them on, even walking to the rink (in her skates). As we hit the ice there was some definite hesitation, and a little uneasiness, but she was brave and gave it the ol' college try. We even had some smiles for the first little bit. However, those smiles quickly turned to tears as she realized how difficult it was to actually keep her balance without holding onto me. She was very upset that she couldn't skate around like the other kids or keep up with Grace. She wanted to be out on the ice so bad but did not want me to put her down at all. I guess we will just try again another day. She'll get it, she is MY daughter after all:)

The park...and rides

We have been waiting patiently, or in the case of Adam and myself, impatiently, for one of our local parks to finish it's makeover and open to the public again. Pullen park is a huge park in downtown Raleigh known for it's kid sized train and antique (but rideable) carousel. Two years ago, that's right the exact time we would want to start bringing Harper, they decide to give it a complete overhaul. Well, it FINALLY opened back up the weekend before Thanksgiving. Of course, Adam and I, in our haste to see it, went opening weekend. Other than having to bob and weave around 10 million people, not being able to go on the train OR carousel due to the lines, and leaving with a screaming child slung over our shoulder, IT WAS AWESOME!!! It was totally worth all the time, and all the money they put into it. It's beautiful and super clean. It has a snack bar style restaurant, plenty of open grassy areas, paddle boats, ducks to feed, the nicest kids playground area I have ever seen, and of course the train and carousel. We did end up going back again a week or 2 later so we could fully enjoy all it had to offer without the crowds.

We will definitely be frequenting this place in the weeks/months to come, but sticking to the weekdays.

Close talker is an understatment

Don't take this for complaining...well maybe a little...but I know it could be much worse. At least there is love behind the action.
Harper CAN NOT leave Stratton alone!! If he is in the room, she's on him like white on rice. She's either kissing on him, hugging him, laying next to on top of him, or begging to hold him. It's actually quite comical when you ask her to back up, or try to describe how to play with or talk to him at a reasonable distance, there is absolutely NO comprehension. Stratton is a good sport for the most part but does, quite often, sport a look of either utter annoyance or complete terror. The fact is, he's not even safe while he's sleeping or in his crib. We woke up one morning to Harper standing over him in his crib playing with his mobile. I'm sure not having a "safe place" weighs heavily on his 3 month old mind.

Things will run full circle as they usually do. All in good time Harper, watch out:)

Stratton's turn. Why shouldn't the baby get to enjoy their own shower?

Since Adam and I decided to be difficult this time around, and not find out the sex of the baby, a shower was not really in the cards. With a second baby you often don't have a shower since you probably already have all the necessities from your first. In the case of your second child being the opposite sex, some people have showers to be able to get the clothes, towels, blankets, etc you will need. With us not needing any necessities and not knowing if we needed any clothes yet, it left the need for a shower quite low. Not to mention the sheer frustration it would create for all the guests.
We decided to do a "Sip and See" instead of a traditional shower. This is a party you have after the baby is born and allows people to bring gifts accordingly, and for everyone to come see the baby on a scheduled organized day... quite a bit easier for the mom too.
Stratton's Sip and See was hosted by my 3 great friends Emilee, Beth and Lauren. They did an amazing job, and I think, completely blew everyone away with their creativity and detail. The coolest part of the whole thing was that Stratton was there to enjoy his own party, and feel first hand the love that surrounds him and his family.

These were push pops with 2 little cupcakes in them. Possibly the most delicious thing I've ever eaten :)

Little "onesie" cookies with his monogram, so cute!

These were the take home boxes for everyone to fill with goodies.

What's the best way to end the Christmas season? Why with Christmas of course!!

Of course Christmas is a very exciting time no matter what. Every year Adam and I enjoy it a little more as Harper starts to grasp all the traditions, and meanings of the holiday. This year we broke out the "Elf on a Shelf" to help build the anticipation. Our elf, Finnegan, or Finn as Harper called him, would visit us every day and flew back to see Santa every night giving him a report on the actions of the day, good or bad. In the morning he would be in a different place than the night before and it was fun to search the house for our little visitor. This year, of course, was that much more fun with the addition of our little Stratton. Though not all that enthusiastic about it this year, he still made the day a little more special for us.
We had a perfect Christmas eve of Church, then dinner at my parent's house with Adam's mom and Step dad. Then we spent Christmas here with everyone.

I already can't wait 'til next year!!

Harper had a super cute Christmas dress this year thanks to her Auntie Emilee. The dress was adorable from the front...

but the bustle in the back puts it over the top.

Stratton produced quite the buzz at church as well. Quite the dapper little man:)

Though they are cute together, this night was not their night.

The most AMAZINGLY decorated house I've EVER seen!!

Santa DID come!!

This was how Harper emptied her stocking. The type A is shining through!

Didn't even make it past the stockings...novis.

A little striped delight :)

The purple shoes were exciting, but not worth changing the whole outfit for.

Our little princess, and her very own doll to match :)

See you next year :)

Please people, don't rain on my parade!!

We have missed the Raleigh Christmas Parade every year. Usually due to Adam's work schedule. This year we vowed to go to every single Christmas influenced event we could handle.

First came the Raleigh Christmas Parade. It was actually quite impressive. Not that Raleigh's a small town or anything, but I wasn't expecting some of the big floats and giant balloons they had. I also wasn't expecting it to last 2 hours! We headed out there as our new little family of 4. It was approximately 12 degrees that morning but did warm up over the, agian, 2 hours that we were there. Our friend Jay met us there with his little gir,l and Harper's idol, Grace. We got there about an hour before it started and still missed out on the front row. We were lucky enough to camp out right behind a super nice family who squeezed over and let our little ones (and husbands) sit on the curb. The kids had a great time, and as I said before, Raleigh really put on a fantastic show! We even got to see our own "Idol" Scotty.








Now, on to the next event. We all went to the tree lighting up at North Hills. We met a bunch of friends up there and their kids. The tree lighting ceremony was really cute. They had us all singing Christmas carols and then Santa himself made an appearance to help light the tree. Despite being totally starstruck, the highlight of the night was when Santa pointed directly to Harper and waved. With a look of sheer terror, she gave him a half staff, slow motion wave back.






The following week we spent an afternoon in Wake Forest for their own town parade. Again, I was not expecting too much and was very wrong, but we stayed from beginning to end. Harper was just as impressed but much more active during this one. She made sure she didn't miss out on anyone walking by handing out goodies.







And last but not least we rounded out our Holiday event calender with a breakfast with Santa! This was the coolest thing! My parent's country club hosted a breakfast for all the members and their families, that ended with a visit from Santa. It was a fun filled morning where we learned a new trick, decorated gingerbread houses that were displayed in the clubhouse throughout the holidays, and anyone who wanted to got to sit on Santa's lap and profess their every desire. Harper's was for a Princess (not a doll, but the real thing).
We ended the afternoon at a friend's house for a cookie exchange where Stratton got to formally meet his first best friend, James :)