Happy Birthday Kate!

Today my sweet little girl turned three.  I don't know where these past three years have gone, but they sure have flown by.  Kate gets smarter and funnier by the day and brings such joy to our lives. 

 

Tonight, all the family met at Old Town Cafe to carry on our tradition of celebrating Kate's birthday there.  Since it was a Monday night, we had the place to ourselves, which was good because Kate was bouncing off the walls (probably due to the lack of a nap today). 

 

Kate and her Uncle Jordan. 

You wouldn't know we are living with them because she can not get enough of him.

 Every year I attempt to get some group pictures after dinner and tonight was no exception.  You can tell what phase Kate is in - the goofy smile phase and it's driving me crazy! 

 

The group shot - which turned out great!

 

Thank you so much to all our family for coming and helping celebrate Kate's birthday!

Showered with love

Sunday afternoon, several of my wonderful friends threw me a baby shower. I was so appreciative of this because we have nothing for a boy! Thankfully, I bought a lot of our large items (stroller, car seat, pack n play, swing, etc) in a neutral color so we didn't need to replace any of those, but even clothes, burp cloths, bibs, toys, etc add up quickly.  I'm sure I made this shower a little more difficult since Justin and I have not picked a name yet, but the hostesses did a great job with what they knew! 

 

The adorable decorations.

How cute is the diaper cake?  Katie C. and Meredith put this together and it looks perfect!

Tracy came up with the idea to have a name suggestion basket - obviously Justin and I have got to make a decision soon!

My wonderful hostesses.

From left to right:  Carol, Katie C, Tracy, me, Meredith, Katie M. and Elaine

Marilyn, me, my mom and Nanny.

Thank you to everyone who helped or attended the shower - it means the world to me!

Saturday Birthday Fun!

Saturday was a busy, busy day!  We celebrated Kate's 3rd birthday at Build-a-Bear in the mall starting right at 10, when the mall opened.  I went back and forth as far as what to do for her birthday, but I decided since I was 8 months pregnant, it would be the easiest to have have it somewhere fun.    I think everyone had a great time, especially the birthday girl (she's still talking about it), so I'm glad we decided on Build-a-Bear.

 

 Kate and all her friends, lined up and ready to stuff their bears.

 Waiting patiently for everyone to get done stuffing so they could pick out an outfit for their bears.

 

 Kate's expression as everyone sang her "Happy Birthday"

 Group shot with everyone's bears - minus the birthday girl and Kyndall.

 

After the bears were made, we all enjoyed cupcakes and juice while Kate opened her presents. 

Some of our party guests:

 Ms. Tracy and Audrey

 Ms. Katie and Maddox

Ms. Sarah and Peyton

 Nolan and Emeline

 Kyndall (we went to her Minnie Mouse party later that afternoon)

 Mady and Lexi

Another group shot attempt

 

 All the wonderful birthday gifts for Kate - whew!  I cleaned out several "old toys" after the party (when I should have been resting) that she has outgrown to make room for some of her new ones.  I also packed several away to save until we move into the new house...she is one blessed little girl.

This is Princess - the bear Kate made at her party.  She looks so pretty in the purple outfit Kate picked for her (Kate's favorite color right now).

 

Later that day, we went to Kyndall's Minnie Mouse themed birthday party (didn't take pictures) and quickly rushed from there to my parent's house so we could celebrate Gigi's birthday that night.  Our present was a new photo book and I also helped Katie make a FSU burlap door hanger - so cute (later post)!

 

 

Happy Birthday Gigi and Kate!  We love you!

Maternity Pictures - Southwood

A couple weeks ago we met our favorite photographer, Mrs. Betsy, at Southwood for maternity pictures. I'm so pleased with them and it turns out Kate is at the age where a little bribery goes a long way. I told her if she smiled pretty for pictures, we would take her to the store to pick out a toy (she decided on an Ariel doll, one of her favorite things right now). I have debated about whether or not to do maternity pictures with both pregnancies, but I'm so glad I have them to look back on. I have to give a big thanks to Mrs. Tracy for my great spray tan (I'm hooked) and to Aunt Katie who came with us to get Kate to smile - it worked!

 

Here's a flashback to a couple pictures of when I was pregnant with Kate - I wasn't nearly as large as I am this time.  In these pictures I'm wearing maternity shorts I couldn't wear past 18 weeks with this pregnancy.  I'm carrying all out front this time and feel huge!  Some people gasp when I tell them how far along I am, thinking I should be due any day.  The one thing I have learned is what not to say to a pregnant woman: "Are you having twins?" or "You must be having a big baby". 

  But back to the present...I'm glad I'm approaching the end and we are all looking forward to meeting this little boy (and I know, I know - we have GOT to decide on a name soon).

 

 And here's a couple of just the big sister-to-be: 

 Thank you Mrs. Betsy for another set of wonderful pictures!