Deep in the heart of Texas ...

This last weekend I went to Texas to visit my best friend from college, Yissel, her hubby Matt and their brand-new bundle of sweetness Levi. We had SO much fun!! We chatted and caught up, oohed and ahhed over Levi and all of his cute squishy-ness and shopped! It is one of those times where the soul gets rejuvenated ... there is just nothing like a best girlfriend!

One of my very favorite parts was chatting with her about this upcoming life change. Since she just had Levi two and a half months ago she very vividly remembers this phase and we think a LOT a like, so I started to feel more normal.

She took me shopping for her version of "maternity" clothes and we giggled over stuffing my shirts, cheered for jeans that still button (yes I bought them!), were grossed out by the acutal maternity store that smelled weird ... and then of course admired cute baby clothes.

And the best part? She let me be a part of Levi's life for those few days. I didn't just admire him ... I helped feed him, burp him, soothed him when he cried, held him when he slept and helped give him a bath! Now I know all of these things are very minor in the grand scheme of what will be coming our way with our own litte one, but it made the biggest difference to me. I felt so ... capable. She taught me without making it seem like she was teaching and showing me that if she can do it so can I. She dispensed her best "experience" on me and before I left gave me two of the books she thought were most helpful. She was so thoughtful and knowing me and how I was feeling gave the best thing she could ... a little more confidence and excitment all at the same time.

No one could have asked for a more fun trip, or for a more thoughtful friend. I just hope I can be a mommy like her ... beautiful, smart and confident!!

Thanks for a fabulous weekend, Yissel ... I miss you guys already!

Now Featuring ...

A very cute friend of mine - Stepper (who is adorably preggo with her second) is doing a week of "the bump" on her fun-to-read blog. And rumor has it ... I am to be featured! The perks of being preggo go on and on! I felt so honored to be included - she was so sweet to think of me!

How it works is each of us selected gets a day to be featured ... and I believe mine is Wednesday. I answered questions ... and even sent in my very first bump pic. It doesn't look bump like ... more lumpish at this point. I am very excited to move to official-looking bump status. But I'll take this for now :)

If you want to read up on me and the other moms-to-be check out: http://stepperwashere.blogspot.com/ (I don't know how to do the cool link thing ... sorry!)

Enjoy!

3/20/2010

The day just the two of us is "expected" to become just the three of us!

Las Vegas!

For our anniversary this year we decided to go to Las Vegas to see Phantom of the Opera. We're not really Las Vegas people (hate the strip), so we decided to stay out at Lake Las Vegas, which is about 20 min. from the strip. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton ... oh my gosh it was fantastic!! I highly reccommend it to anyone going out there - it was quiet and so nice. And FANCY!

Here is our very pretty hotel room and the fancy grounds:
First we did some shopping ... and then we hit the pool (it was SO hot outside) ... they also had a lagoon (part of the lake) that had white sandy beaches and a waterfall!
Then we got ready and headed downtown for Phantom. It was so amazing!! They didn't let you take pictures in the theater, but it was like a movie set. I couldn't even believe the special effects. The cast did an incredible job ... we were so swept up in the story! Absolutely amazing!!

Now, I have to brag about my very thoughtful husband. We set it up so each year we take turns giving an anniversary gift. This year was my turn to give Jeff a gift ... so I framed pictures of Ireland for his office (which he had been wanting). He loved them!

But Jeff is not to ever be outdone ... when we were in Vegas he came into our room looking mighty sneaky. He gave me a bag with a shirt I bought in it ... when I looked inside to get the shirt out, there were two pretty pink boxes tied up with brown bows. He suprised me with a matching earring and necklace set! Now, this isn't an ordinary set. Many months ago I found them in People Stylewatch ... and I showed them to him and told him how much I loved them ... they are so classy! From just the designer name ... he tracked down the boutiques they are sold in (only in LA and NY) and the designer herself ... got in contact with her and picked out the exact ones I wanted!! She shipped them to arrive in time!! How sweet is that?! I don't know which I was more excited about ... the set - which is gorgeous (this picture just doesn't do it justice), or the the trouble he went to! Just another reason why I love him so much!

So pretty!!

Overall, we had a wonderful weekend ... I love getting away and hanging out just the two of us!!

Happy Anniversary ...

We've been married 4 years today! Wow ... time really flies! I'm a lucky girl. I know I talk and brag about my sweet husband a lot, but I think he deserves it! I was thinking last night and this morning about how I felt the night before we got married, and all I can remember is how excited I was - I could hardly stand it. And I am so happy still today. He's quite the guy, and feel so blessed to have him in my life.

I love you babe!

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Last Tuesday we went to Thanksgiving Point gardens. They were SO beautiful ... I can't believe I have lived here for 9 years and never been. What they have done there is just amazing. We had such a fun night wandering around and chatting ... enjoy some of our pics!