September 6, 2021

A Magical Birthday Party For Lyla

If you know our Lyla, she sprinkles a little magic wherever she goes! There is something about her that is so electric, fun, silly, contagious, and joyful that a magical birthday party seemed like the perfect fit. I saw that "She is magic that one" banner, knew it would be perfect for her room, and used it as my inspiration for her whole party. We kept it really small last minute due to traveling family and trying to be as safe as possible with Covid exposure right before baby's arrival so it was just my mom and our sweet little neighbor girls that came. 


The thing that was so fun to watch was how special Lyla felt the whole day ... like when I put this "Birthday Girl" banner on her. <3


We surprised her with a bounce house rental and she was in total heaven and LOVED it!! So many adorable giggles happened in there ...


The giant slide was the favorite part!











Her only request was a rainbow cake like her first birthday. So sweet! Who doesn't love a funfetti cake with rainbow chip frosting?!



She both acted shy and soaked in the attention when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her!



I was so happy with how the cake turned out with my little experience in baking them myself. Typically I order cakes for my kids' parties. But really, you can't go wrong with a boxed cake mix ... it was more the leveling, coloring, and frosting part that intimidated me. How fun is the inside though?!


The cake was a BIG hit ...






Opening presents ... she has played with a baking playdo set that she got from her friends all weekend!




We saved most of her presents for this week so she could open them on her actual birthday but something that has been such a fun tradition for me as her mom is gifting her one of my dolls from my childhood each birthday. This year I gave her "Scott". I always loved him because he looks and feels like a real baby so I was hoping it would be special for her right before she has a new sibling come along. The hilarious part for Nic and I was that she kept calling him a baby girl despite the fact that he is in blue ... she is still very much convinced that her sibling is going to be a sister just like this baby girl doll. haha


I made them all magic wands ...


Liam thought they were cool for a minute but then pulled out his true Harry Potter wand. ;)


My mom got her this adorable coat for winter and a pretend princess laptop that she has carted everywhere so she can "do her work just like dad!" ;) So cute!


Also wearing her favorite twirl dress to celebrate!


We loved spoiling this beautiful girl and can't wait to continue the celebration on Wednesday when our baby turns FOUR! 

September 3, 2021

Family/Maternity Pictures

 Hopefully the next time I post, it will be with a baby in my arms!! Hospital bags are all packed, at the moment my house is clean (that'll change in 5 minutes from now), and we have the sweetest family/maternity pictures to document our last days as a family of four. I cry every time I imagine our kids meeting their baby sibling for the first time, along with the moment the baby is born and we finally know who is meant to be apart of our family forever. Until then, I'll be smiling away at these pictures that I'm so glad we had taken ... 


I truly believe giving my kids each other as siblings is the best gift I could ever give them. I love having a front row seat to watching the special bond they share ...


Man she's beautiful. Nic and I talk all the time about how in trouble we are going to be someday!


My body may feel like it has completely fallen apart by this point but it will never be lost on me what a blessing it has been to carry our babies ...



The picture on the right was Nic's idea and a hilarious remake of one I took of the two of them together when Liam was just a baby!




Those teeth ... such a childhood milestone. <3






The one thing I adore the most is feeling the baby move and kick ... savoring that has been my focus to get through these last couple weeks of pregnancy. 




So grateful to get to do parenthood with you, Nic Williamson!


I love this picture so much because it reminds me of one Nic took of Liam and I back when she was the tiny one in my tummy!






We're ready for you, baby!