This summer has gone by so fast! Again, it hasn't felt quite like the summers I remember since I'm pregnant for the third summer in a row. This year, we had two July birthdays to celebrate! First, we had Ella's Bubble Guppies themed birthday party at the end of June. (We celebrated our Independence Day baby a few days early). I love love love planning and hosting parties! It is a lot harder to make decorations and set up with little kids running around needing their Mommy, and I appreciate all the help I had with getting things accomplished in preparation for her party. Brent and I had discussed the details so he knew what I had in mind and also contributed many great ideas to the party. Ella has always enjoyed watching the show Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr. She loves to get up and dance and sing along with the characters. She used to call the show,  "Dup -ah- Dah." I really miss having her call it that. I don't remember when she stopped.... it had to have be...

There are some days I wish I knew more children's songs. I remember a few lines of plenty, but can't recite too many in their entirety. When I was pregnant with Ella, I would daydream about those days and nights I'd sing her to sleep or calm her cries. Then I would panic...I don't know that many lullabies! haha. However, I can sing the popular songs, 80's hits, classic rock, show tunes, country, anything Mariah Carey, all those boy band songs I was obsessed with as a teenager, etc. Pretty much anything except the lullabies. ;) I stopped worrying about it and just decided I'd sing whatever my heart desired in the moment when the time came. Most days, I was singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to my baby girl. It always worked. She'd just gaze at me intently with her beautiful blue eyes. I told Brent how I'd sing it to her and then he started playing the song for her on the piano and with his clarinet. One of my favorite memories is sitting...

As Mother's Day approaches, I can't help but think about how this will be my 1st time to be "celebrated" on this day. A little selfish of me, I know. (ok, more than a little). ;) With it being more personal after carrying a child, giving birth and taking care of a little one, it's much easier to ponder on such an upcoming holiday. I've always had my mom to think of in May, but now it's a little different being a mommy myself. I remember how I'd make things in elementary school for my mom for Mother's Day and how I now look forward to seeing my own children's artwork one day. One memory in particular that sticks out to me-- I was in Kindergarten and we had a special lunch planned for our Mommies. We made placemats with our pictures, a special picture frame, and painted flower pots to give to our moms. I didn't think my mom would be able to come to the lunch because of work, but she came! I was able to serve her lunch and give the gifts to ...

Last Saturday, we went to the Midsouth Baby Expo. Ella was scheduled to model an outfit in the children's fashion show for a local children's store, Chocolate Soup . Later that afternoon, I modeled a couple outfits for the maternity fashion show for Summer Kids . We entered lots of contests that day, but didn't end up winning anything. We did get some free formula which is quite helpful since it costs so much! While they were drawing the name for the grand prize at the end of the day, I thought we may have won because the name started with a "Br." However, we didn't win the complete nursery and $500.00 gift card. Oh well. :) Brent competed in the Daddy Diaper Dash where he had to quickly put a cloth diaper on a baby doll. He did this in an effort to win newborn diapers. Even though we didn't win, it was fun to watch! Some of the pics are a little blurry, but here's a taste of what we did all day. Ella in her adorable outfit. She wore a multi-c...