Meeting the Family (Part A Lot)

We are in week two of our amazing family vacation in the US...and I'm totally behind on blogging about it. Your complaints have been heard. So: the first week we spent an entire week in Hilton Head with my parents, sister and husband, and brother and girlfriend. They were really excited to see us all again.

They said.

But lets be honest here: they were stoked to get to know our little boy PJ.

Yes, that is my mother giving my baby boy ice cream. She's got the "grandmas spoil" thing down.

Grandpa helping our little man enjoy the good ole Red, White, and Blue!

My sister, Little One, her husband, and PJ (who is thinking, "huh?").

Kiwi helping PJ perfect his lady-gettin' skills.

PJ and his uncle Frannie, the most attractive men in Georgia.

And they know it.

There are very, very few pictures of us, the parents. But aren't we cute too?

Yeah, I take more pictures of him too.

xo

American Christmas Part 2

I always knew my brother had connections but I had no idea they reached into the US Post Office/FedEx. Its got to be true 'cause his Christmas package - sent second to last - is the first one here.

I suspect my brother and his charming girlfriend are just as concerned about PJ styling as the Mr's sister. Little man got some serious threads! We may need to install a video enhanced door bell just to keep the storm of little (and big!) girls who are already chasing our guy. Here is his next suit:

Thanks bubby and babe and way to go, especially for your first time. Feel free to send some more of that toffee any time of the year. Seriously. Really. Any time.

And, by request, a bonus video. Check out little man's belly airtime:

xo

Good People Galore

Last week the Mr, the worm, and I crossed the ocean to visit friends and family, celebrate two baby showers, and shop, shop, shop, and shop some more. We succeeded in every respect, mainly because of others’ generosity.

This blogs feels a bit of an Oscar speech because there are so many people to thank: my parents for hosting both parties; my sister for spending about two days shopping with me; my mom and my sister for giving me a crown not once but twice (finally confirming my princess status!); my brother for introducing us to Jersey Shore; our family and friends that were generous with their time (a number of people drove 4+ hours to spend the day with us) and their gifts for the little baby (we carried home almost 60 pounds of gifts, not including the fabulous cake, food and drink we couldn’t take with us); and much more that I don’t time for because the photo montage and orchestra music is coming up.

The First Baby Shower, with Friends from Pittsburgh and Detroit

The Scientist was the first to unsuccessfully aim my princess status.

Mr. Pittsburgh and my mom.

My crown, the Mr.'s crown, Chelle Belle and her man.

Yummy foods, especially the rice krispies.

The whole pack of friends!

The Man was the second to try to steal Princess status. I got tired to the chaos and promoted myself to Queen.

Totally handmade hat by the Scientist, sweetness!

From Mr. Pittsburgh - who else?

 Everyone at both showers drew on onesies/bodies...except to see many of those starting in late June!

Yes, sis has that many awesome nail colors.

The two pregnant ladies got very tired.

The Second Baby Shower - with Family from Dayton, Maryland, and St. Louis

The fabulous cake made by my talented cousin.

Two lovely ladies.

All the ladies in the family.

Ladies that I've known my entire life.

I got my crown for a second time!

The Mr. also got a crown.

Mom.

Little One.

The Man and our Colorado Girl.

At the second baby shower, we played a few games. Goodness occurred in the form of pictures (thanks for playing along everyone!):

My two cousins - the Cake Magician and Ms. Alabama (above) - were the absolute winners in charades.

Mexican mama and papa.

Bubby with far too many pieces of toilet paper ... sorry but you just had to be there.

My nana made a lovely blanket, with paisley, of course.

Really, we weren't sure: for the baby or for the Mr.?

A good amount of the crew.

An exhausted dad-to-be with the balloons he wasn't keen on giving up. They almost made it to the airport with us (okay, not really).

xo

We’re All Getting Older

The Mr. and I flew to the US two weeks ago to visit family and friends and enjoy two baby showers (more on those later, promised). After an almost 24 hour trip door-to-door, we showed up at my little brother’s apartment. I was jet lagged, exhausted, and the little boy was disco dancing around in my belly – which made it quite difficult for me to make sense out of this picture.

Yes, those are three quite muscular manly-men chilling on the couch with glasses of wine.

Dear Lord, we are all getting older.

 
 
xo

To My Siblings

It doesn't quite fit, because there are two of you, but this PostSecret made me think of you. I'm glad that we've got each other.

xo

On Request

In exchange for making me smile earlier today although I'm feeling quite crappy - a picture of my baby brother, also known as Bubby. On his request (or better said complaint).

xo

The Hard Way

It is a well-known trait of the Mrs. that each Sunday morning, she makes a cup of coffee and then skips over to PostSecret, an ongoing art project. In short, people design postcards to share one of their secrets anonymously. A small collection of these are shared in a blog each Sunday.

The Mrs. loves PostSecret and is convinced that often one of HER secrets is there, designed by someone else's hand, posted from another country, but still HER secret. And that makes her feel less alone and more at peace with who she am, deep inside. She argues that many PostSecret followers feel the same way.

What you work hard for may become the sweetest thing in life.