Baby H: Baby Shower

It's taken me a while to get this post up about my fabulous baby shower on the 20th because the end of summer seems to be busier than ever but regardless, it was by far one of the best days of the summer. We had a great afternoon chatting about our little bundle of joy, attempting to stay cool in the 95+ degree heat and celebrating our little boy with so many of my favorite ladies all in one place. 

The shower was hosted by the future grandmas and one of the sweet ladies who threw my bridal shower two years ago. We ate delicious Mexican food (at my request, because it seems like the baby is always in the mood for that) and snacked on a candy buffet and cupcakes after lunch. I didn't want things to be too over the top with themes and games and the hostesses did not disappoint. There was plenty of blue decor with touches of yellow and orange in the balloons and the flowers.

The guests signed their names on a calendar to guess the babe's birthday and who ever gets it right will get a sweet surprise in the mail come September (or potentially October but hopefully not). We played a "Price is Right" game where guests had to guess the price of 6 normal baby items like a pack of diapers and a tube of butt paste and the closest to the actual total won a little prize. Everyone filled out little cards with their dreams and wishes for the little man and for us as parents and I can't wait to read what they wrote over the next few weeks.

The best part of the whole day was spending time with everyone who was there and feeling everyone's love for our son. Our little boy's grandmas and other family members, my favorite med school ladies, long-time family friends on both sides of the family, the wives I've grown close to from J's group of guys and my best friend all the way from California even made the trip out. Everyone was so generous to spend not only time with me before I become a momma but also gifted us some seriously awesome items for when he arrives. The nursery is completely ready now, his drawers are filled with adorable mini-clothes, hats and shoes, I have my dream Vera Bradley diaper bag packed and ready for the hospital, and we are all set for cleaning up all the messes this little boy is guaranteed to make.

I couldn't have asked for a better day! I left feeling so blessed, so loved and so ready for his arrival now (and also a bit exhausted too if we're being honest). Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who made the shower as perfect as it was. Now we're just under two months until I can introduce this little boy to everyone who spoils him and loves him already!

Baby H: Gender Reveal Planning

For some unknown reason I've always been intrigued by the idea of keeping our future babies' genders a mystery until their birthdays. There's just something about the surprise that is inthralling, in fact there aren't that many moments in life anymore where you can be 100% surprised in my opinion. So when we found out we were expecting my mind immediately thought we wouldn't find out.

However, J was always on the other side of the fence about the issue, wanting to know if this little babe in my belly will be his son or daughter as soon as possible. After many conversations about it, reading other people's opinions who've done it both ways and spending some time thinking myself, I finally caved. I should add that while J always wanted to know he was absolutely supportive of me and told me it was ultimately my decision, I was the one doing the work so I would be the one with the last call. What a great husband I have!

Well now we are a little less than a month from finding out the big pink or blue and I'm starting the planning process on how to spill the beans. Our anatomy ultrasound was originally scheduled for our 20-week appointment and I tentatively looked at the calendar to see if it fell somewhere near a celebration of sorts that could call for a party. Unfortunately it didn't at first but I realized quickly that if I moved the appointment up a week it would fall the Friday before Mother's Day! What a perfect day to find out the gender of our sweet babe.

I quickly called my OB, rescheduled my appointment and hopped on PicMonkey to make an impromptu invite for the festivities. We knew we wanted to share the news with our families in a special way and what better way to share it with the future Grandma's than Mother's Day.

J and I are still deciding if we'll find out just the two of us the day of my appointment or if we'll wait and be surprised with everyone else but regardless, the day is quickly approaching to knowing a bit more about who this little one is going to be. The party is going to be small, just our immediate families, and will be dinner and most likely a dessert used to spill the beans. I don't want to go overboard with gender-reveal themes but have been scouring Pinterest for ways to announce pink or blue. Most likely it'll involve a cake that J and I cut into that's a certain color on the inside but nothing's been decided for sure yet.

I still have a hunch of what the gender is that's been consistent since the beginning but recently, mostly within the time frame of deciding we were going to find out, I've wavered to the other side a couple times. I'm not sure if that's due to actually thinking the opposite way or just imagining our life with either option more often. I also purchased a maternity maxi dress on sale from Old Navy this week that I'm planning on incorporating into my outfit for the day. I want to represent both sides so I'll be paring this coral/pink maxi with lots of blue accessories. And the Grandma's have already said they're coming over decked out in the color that they think the babe is.

GenderRevealOutfit by jaymeeryn featuring a blue jean jacket

As much as I was originally not wanting to know, the fact that we're officially finding out now has me pretty excited. I can't wait to not only peak in at our little one at that appointment but also celebrate that weekend knowing if the babe is a sweet little girl or a bouncing playful boy. And don't worry, I'll be sure to reveal my hunch once we know one way or another. 

Summer Sangria

This past weekend, J and I attended a Surprise Birthday Party (which also turned out to be a surprise engagement party!) for one of our friends. Her now fiancé planned the whole thing & provided the basics and asked that everyone who came bring something for the party. 

Instead of going the typical chips & dip or potato salad route I decided to make Sangria! And it was a huge hit!

This drink totally screams summer to me! An outdoor BBQ wouldn't be complete without a super refreshing, ice cold drink like this. I ended up throwing a ladle into the top at one point during the party and people started munching on those watermelon cubes like hot cakes but I will warn you, the fruit and the drink itself and be quite dangerous if you're not careful. ;-) 

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Cherry Lime Watermelon Sangria

Recipe from here (with a few changes)

Prep Time: 10 min || Cook Time: 4 hours || Makes about 2.5 gallons

• 6 cups of watermelon
• 4 cups of bing cherries
• 6 limes, sliced
• 2 750ml bottles of white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay work best)
• 1 1/2 cup white rum (we used Bacardi)
• 2 liters of lemon-lime soda (we used Sprite Zero)

Cut up fruit and place in large pitcher or drink dispenser. Carefully pour the wine and rum over the top. Cover and place in the fridge for 4-5 hours. Add the soda right before you're ready to start drinking. Pour over ice and enjoy!

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This drink will most likely be my go-to summer drink for the rest of the season!

Tying the Knot: Into the Evening

As the night continued, so did the party. Being surrounded by such amazing people made the night so incredible. We laughed, cried, danced, sang, and celebrated until late into the evening. I was, and still am, shocked with how quickly the whole night (and day) went. Suddenly our ceremony was over, then we were sitting to eat dinner, then all the festivities (toasts, cake, bouquet, etc) were finished, then the time ticked by until it would all be finished. 

As tradition with this group of guys continued, they all joined together towards the end of the evening in their ceremonial singing of Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It's been going on since the first wedding of the group and it's so great to see such great friends as these guys. There was also an appearance of Gangnam Style and of course the great dance moves that come with it. My bridesmaids had some serious moves! We danced as husband and wife and enjoyed the whole night with all of our family and friends until it was suddenly time to go. 

We ended the night with one last slow song, Then by Brad Paisley and as I found my new husband I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotions. The entire day had been perfect, everything I had ever dreamt of and I was officially J's Mrs! The love in the room at that moment was so special. 

I looked around to our supportive families and amazing friends surrounding us and felt so immensely blessed. 

Our wedding was over and our marriage had just begun. J and I headed to our hotel in a lovely town car after many hugs and well wishes from our guests feeling like we were on cloud nine. I still find myself wishing we could go back and do it all over again!

All photos courtesy of Ignite Images.

Need to catch up?

First we got ready

Then it was time for The Dress

Lovely bridesmaid photos

Our sweet Ollie pup

Handsome groomsmen photos

The Bride & Groom portraits

Our First Touch before the ceremony

Small wedding details

The start of our Ceremony (Readings & Ring Warming)

We're finally Husband & Wife

Formal family & wedding party photos

How we remembered missing family

Our pictures as Mr & Mrs

Our First Dance

Reception Dinner & Toasts

Dancing with our Moms

The partying begins

Cutting the Cake

The Bouquet & Garter Toss

The Photo Booth Take 1

Photo Booth Take 2

Tying the Knot: Our Wedding Party

There's something about our wedding party that just brings so much joy to my life and a huge smile to my face. J and I are beyond blessed to have these amazing people in our lives who are honoring us by standing by our sides on one of the biggest days of our life together.

Seriously, these eight are the best.

They are our best friends. Some we've known for what seems like forever while others are newer friends. We've shared endless memories J and I both hold dear to our hearts and I couldn't have dreamt of better people to share our day with us.

So here's a peak at our crazy, fun, loving, amazing, fantastic wedding party. Everyone in these pictures is part of our big day and each picture floods me with memories I'll cherish forever.

I'm predicting that our wedding is going to be a blast. These eight wouldn't allow it to be any different!