A Baby Shower

Last Friday, my sweet friends hosted a baby shower for me and my friend Cassie. Cassie is due in July with her second baby (also a boy) and it was a great opportunity to celebrate these new little men together. Of course, I did not expect to have any type of shower with this pregnancy, being the 3rd time around and another boy, so it was really such a nice surprise to have a little party. 

Traci and Elizabeth set up this amazing spread. I wish I could send you some of Elizabeth's pound cake, this preggo went back for seconds.

 Cassie hasn't picked a name yet and we aren't sharing Baby3's name, so the girls made these letters for our last names and everyone signed the back. A meaningful keepsake for sure!

 Cassie and I did not plan our outfits, we just happen to show up matching really often. We actually unknowingly went to brunch at the same place two days later, wearing the same colored purple dresses. Weird.

 I wrote a post a few weeks ago about some of my favorite gifts to give and this burp cloth was one of them. Cassie is an Oklahoma State fan and I just know Baby J will be spitting up because of Oklahoma fans all fall long.

 I also got her a giant wine glass, because when you are about to have 2 under 2, it is important.

 A sweet little outfit from Traci for Baby 3. This one is coming with me in the suitcase just in case we aren't in a house before Baby comes. 

The Ladies

Me, Elizabeth, Andrea (also pregs with a boy, due in September!), Cassie, Jenny, Nikki, Gina, Traci, Baby Charli

Cassie and me with the lovely hostesses. My dress is from Target when I was pregs with B. It is a non-maternity one in a bigger size. The necklace is Traci's, it is probably j.crew or somewhere else fancy like that where I don't shop. (I love my friends' closets)

 And finally, this is what happens when you walk in the house with handfuls of gifts. 

Thanks, Bubs, that was helpful.

12ish weeks til we meet this little dude.
Can't come soon enough!

***

PS I am reading and appreciating all your comments this week, but time is just so short getting ready for the move and spending time with all the wonderful people we know in Monterey. I look forward to catching up on all your blogs soon and thank you for all your sweet words in the meantime!

Celebrations

On Saturday afternoon, we gathered for one last big party with our Monterey friends for my two big boys. Cullen's 4th birthday was Monday and Bennett will be 2 on June 5th, and since our movers start packing us on Friday (!!!) we decided to combine their party for a fun celebration.

Technically, their theme was Cars but aside from their bright colored polos and a Lighten McQueen birthday sign, the theme was actually pizza, cupcakes and playground, just the way the pre-pinterest world intended.

Just up the street from our house, we have this amazing community center that we can rent free of charge. We had the party here last year too and are thankful for such a large space, with an easy clean up, for our family friends to enjoy.

After pizza and play, we gathered to sing Happy Birthday. B went for the cupcake before the candle.

Our friend Kelly came down from San Francisco and we were so happy to see her one more time before we return to the East Coast. 

 I realized as we were leaving that I didn't get a family picture...this was the best we could do.

And when we got home, two spoiled boys opened some pretty thoughtful gifts. 

On Monday, Cullen's actual birthday (as he kept telling us) we had a great day too. He brought brownies and watermelon to school, got a Happy Meal for lunch, went to another friend's birthday party in the afternoon, then came home for repeat cupcakes and candle, 

 (clearly, B prefers joint celebrations)

 followed by his birthday surprise: a big boy bike!

All in all, a perfect way to celebrate my beautiful boys (and I didn't even share that we had a shower for Baby 3 on Friday...more on that tomorrow). 

I know I say it all the time, but we are so blessed in our little life, from our supportive friends, you lovely blog readers and our loving family (Cullen told me Monday night that 'lots of peoples from Ba-ginia keep calling today!), I couldn't ask for more. I am so proud of my boys, Kev and our little one on the way, it makes my heart soar that so many people love them too. 

Then, He Turned Four

I swear, I was just writing a post about Cullen turning 3 a few days ago, but apparently another year has gone by and he turned four on me. 

I loved age 3. It was such a fun year, watching Cullen grow from a toddler to a little boy has been such a joy. He continues to be cautious, kind and curious and has only expanded on those aspects of his personality. 

He never does anything he isn't sure of. He holds my hand if he feels unstable. He loves rules because they keep him safe. He wants his Teddy with him if he is doing something new that makes him nervous.

He looks forward to school everyday. He knows and can write all his letters and numbers. He draws me pictures every night before bed and leaves them on my pillow.

 He loves his brother so much. He tells the baby in my belly 'hi' when he gets home from school. His face lights up when Kev gets home from work. He says 'please', 'thank you' and 'I love you' all the time. His smile will fix anyone's bad day.

He asks questions, lord does the boy ask questions.

  What are you talking about, Mommy? Why did the dinosaurs become a-stinked? What's that sign say? Why is the ocean different colors some days? How do you make the baby in your belly grow? What's your favorite color? Why? How do tomatoes grow? Do rolly-pollys have eyes? How do you sleep? What makes a dream happen? Can I sleep in your bed? Do you think my snail friend left the back yard because he missed his family? Why did the Priest throw water at us today? How does the car work? What's that light for? Who wrote this book? How old do I need to be to drive? Why is that guy over there walking that way?

He is so excited about being four and we are too. I can't wait to see in what ways he continues to grow and amaze us.

Happy birthday my sweet boy, we love you.

The Little Peas That Could

You might remember that back in February, Cullen wanted to grow a garden so we picked up some seeds and a little green house from Home Depot.

For a few weeks we kept them watered and in some sun until they started to sprout.

When my mom came to visit, Cullen insisted that she be the one to transfer them into the pots because "Marmes really knows hows to do these things."

Of course along the way, there was the infamous water of the brother incident.

Then, just this past Tuesday, C went outside to check on his plants first thing in the morning like he always does but this time came back with 'citing news!'

 All the way from our little seeds, my boy got to try his very own snap pea.

And it tasted 'Ah-licious!'

On Visiting Monterey

Monday, I participated in Kristina's Moving Mondays series about our time in Monterey. Be sure to go check it out to learn more about what I love (and hate) about living here.

While you are there, tell Kristina hi. She is a Navy wife and mother, and blogs about her family's adventure in Signapore. You should definitely be reading A Traveling Troop!

Thanks for having me, Kristina!