Baby's First Halloween

We had a great Halloween week this year... didn't actually trick or treat considering I don't think we could fool those giving out candy that the goodies were actually for our daughter... she's just too little this year. That and the no teeth thing. Next year we're going to fill that pillowcase!

Ben's mom threw her annual Halloween party last Monday and all the grandkids came dressed in their costumes. It is always a very entertaining night, complete with a pinata, donuts on a string, and oodles of goodies. Here are some pictures from the party.

Amberly's seven layer dip - can you believe it?  It was enough for 40 people I swear. 

Our little zebra princess. I originally ordered an elephant costume, but when it fell through, I decided this hoodie from Gymboree would be perfect.  It is complete with a mane and the hood is pointed too. I love this daddy daughter shot.

Blair cooperated so well for the family shot. Can you spot her on Gabe's lap?  Little mush!

Here is Corry, Matt and McCall's little one -  isn't she to die for?

Saturday (Utah's Halloween) we went to dinner with Lacey and Ashton.  We dressed Blair up again, of course and she was the talk of the wait staff at Iggy's :)  The pink zebra getup is just too cute to pass up.  Can't wait for next year to have even more fun with Blair.

Blair's Blessing Day

Today was Blair's blessing and afterward we celebrated the day with a brunch at our home. So many dear friends and family came from far and wide to share this occasion with us. I knew it would be a special day, but it turned out to be more meaningful and memorable than I anticipated. Blair is our little angel and of course as her parents we love her, but how nice for others to feel the same! It was a wonderful day that I'll always remember. Ben's blessing was so sincere and a great expression of love from a father to his daughter. The rest of the mushy stuff I'll leave to my journal... now to the party!

As Mom and I were getting Blair dressed we talked her through the whole day... and gave her the play-by-play on what was to come.  My mom made this dress out of extra fabric from my wedding gown - a very special gesture considering she doesn't sew often - I know she put a lot of effort and thought into the dress and all the details.  It turned out so beautifully and was so me and so perfect for Blair at the same time. The gown has now become a prized possession of ours - let's hope there will be future daughters who can wear it also.

 Now to the brunch menu:  I had some serious help from my mother - a seasoned pro in the prep:cook:entertain department.  The menu consisted of various brunch items, my favorite being the sticky buns... yum!  Luckily we had plenty of food for everyone and got so many compliments on the grits and the mini fruit pizzas. Maybe I'll post the recipes coming up.

Taryn's friend Whitney so kindly offered to make some labels for the food items and also the little dipped pretzel 'happies' we made for the kids.  Is she talented or WHAT?  I thought this touch was the icing on the cake and it was all her doing - all via email from me to DC.  She had great creative ideas and away she went!  I would refer her a million times over.

And now for the guests - get ready! Lots of pictures coming up. 

Four generations here - I love Granny for making the trek up for the day.

A few of my dearest college friends - Abby, Heidi (and kiddos came all the way from Minnesota) and Lacey

Audrey and the cutest little Gia and family came all the way from Park City (missed getting a picture with Brandon and Michelle, darn)

Ben's parents and mine

Uncle Deano-baby took a time-out from freshman fun @ BYU to join us... Blair loves him!

Lacey and Ashton - GQ couple or what?

cousin Breitlyn was singing to Blair during her wardrobe change

(s-i-l) Sara and McCall w/ little Corry - it was chaotic and I missed getting the rest of the 30 Oviatts for the family shot...

Blair @ Two Months

Over conference weekend I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of Blair now that she is almost two months.  She is now smiling at us and cooing and it is so fun to interact with her.  Boy does she love her dad.  I spend 23 1/2 hours with her every day, then Ben comes home from work and she 'talks' non-stop and gives him giant smiles I've never seen before.  It's fine.  I get it - she's one smart cookie.  Ben said she has him completely wrapped.  I think it's true what they say about dads and their daughters.   Here are a few of my favorites from the day.  (ps can someone teach me photoshop - and also how to use a slr camera!??! I tried my best)

Ben was my trusty assistant for the day - I tried lots of different poses, headbands, blankets, etc. and Ben was a sport considering I was snapping pictures for about five hours...every time the baby was awake, happy and fed.  I think it is hard to capture the baby as you see them, especially at such a young age.  They have so many different 'looks'. I took probably 200 pictures and ended up with a handful of keepers. Thank heaven for the digital format.

Blair @ One Month

Ben and I went to his sister Kate's house for a newborn photo shoot with Blair at her 4 week-old mark.  I thought the pictures turned out so cute and I was happy we captured her at this point in time.  She's still so tiny and just barely beginning to fill out.  I'm glad Kate took a few of me and Blair and the three of us - the comparison really emphasizes just how small she is.  I know I'll treasure these pictures as time goes on.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Thanks Kate!

Lovely Bracelets for Baby

Among my favorite baby gifts Blair received are the bracelets my sister-in-law McCall gave me.  She came up with the design and started out making them for her two adorable daughters.  Recently she  decided to branch out and sell them.  They are so cute! I think they are a very stylish departure from the typical beaded baby bracelet.  Also, with all the colors McCall made for Blair, she has one to match each dress and even pajama!  Testimonial:  Blair absolutely loves her carly bracelets and hates to go anywhere without wearing at least one. :)

McCall set up a shop on Etsy.com and you can find her items here or by going to carlybracelets.etsy.com.  She has all kinds of different ribbon colors and makes different sizes for babies and kids.   I know she will do custom orders as well.  Recently her Young Women's leader asked her to make bracelets for the girls in their ward - how brilliant!  What a great way for those girls to represent themselves by wearing the value colors.  Maybe the trend will catch on like silly bands. :)

Fall Shows - Finally!

Hooray for the fall.  I love when the leaves change, the weather cools and the change of seasons is in the air. Second to those things I love when the lame summer reruns are over and the season premieres begin!  This fall, I'm excited for some of my ol' standbys to come back:  Private Practice, The Office, Cougartown, Glee and Fringe.  I'm also going to record the following shows to see if they're worth adding to our list: Modern Family, Better With You, Undercovers, The Defenders, Running Wilde, Hawaii Five-O, and My Generation.  (for quick reference, see full list here - via TV guide)

Summer tv was good for one thing - in Monty my parents got us hooked on a couple of shows that we caught up on due to summer reruns:  Castle and White Collar. They are now two that top our list. When do those come back?  And what about Burn Notice for heck's sake?

Wow - now that I've written these all down I look like a huge tv addict! (or vidiot, as Taryn would say) Well, seeing as we have a newborn at home we're not as mobile and free-wheeling as we once were.  Truth is, it's nice to have something entertaining to look forward to in the evening. Channel surfing is so passe, don't you think?

What are some of your favorite shows?  I may have room left on my dvr for a few more worthwhile suggestions. :)

Blair Loves Mommacat

 What would I do without my Mom? I know this post is entitled "Blair Loves Mommacat," but really it is me who is forever indebted to her.  My mom came a few days before my due date and she was in it for the long haul.  She is arguably the world's best 'baby nurse'... she knows how to soothe babies, understands their cues, cuddles them best and wraps them in her signature 'tunnel' that keeps them asleep and cozy for hours and hours. 

Having a baby has made me much more grateful for the supportive people in my life. How do single mom's do it?  I have relied so much on Ben - he is a great help and a very loving father. However, having the support of my mother has been an experience I will never forget.  She not only helped me with all things motherly as my live-in 'baby nurse' for three weeks, but was also my companion all day long when otherwise I would have been housebound with a brand new, needy and non-conversational newborn.  She helped my recovery so much and most of all helped me get out of the house without having a break down.  She instills confidence in me as a mother and I have a feeling I'll be seeking her sage advice for many years.  I think it's true when people say, 'You never stop being a mother.' I love my mother for continuing to mother me.

 

This is the tunnel I was telling you about - works like a charm

When we'd go on our outings people would stop me and say, "wow, how old is she? And you're already out and about?"  My response: "Oh, no no. I'm not really out. I'm with my mom."  Are you kidding? Like I would have ventured out on my own at baby's ten-day mark? :)

And now to the title of this post:  Blair LOVES her Mommacat.  They are like kindred spirits... knowing each other already.  Mom seems to know what Blair needs and exactly what she's thinking. :) Seems fitting for a namesake, right?

Labor Day 2010

On a bit of a whim,  Ben and I drove up with Blair to Montana for Labor Day weekend.  It had only been a few days (five to be exact) since my mom had left my side since baby... but it seems I was ready to see her again and Ben was excited for the prospect of a golf-filled relaxing weekend.  Plus,  my sister Lindsey and her husband Mike were up from San Diego and got to meet Blair - otherwise I'm not sure when they would have.  Linds is due with their first baby (a girl!) in just short of ten weeks and it was great to visit with her on all things baby!  Hopefully I didn't overshare.  We had a great time with Mom and Dad as we always do when we visit.  Summer in Monty w/ the family never disappoints.

We spent some time at the lake - the motion of the dock had Blair asleep in no time.  Uncle Mike wanted to make sure the sun was out of the baby's eyes. 

Three Weeks Old and already So Much to Tell

I can hardly believe it has already been three weeks since Blair came to us. She is such a precious baby and I'm so glad I have nothing better to do all day than snuggle her!  That is the first piece of advice I'd give any new mom... don't put any pressure on yourself or have any expectations about what you'll be able to do (or when) after the baby comes.  I can hardly think about anything I used to do before baby, even trying to blog stresses me out. :)

Blair is a sweet baby and she and I are learning more about each other every day.  I can't wait until she starts to focus on our faces and smile more than just while she's dreaming, which is so cute by the way... I wonder what she's dreaming of - cupcakes and ponies?

In three weeks Blair has already done some very grown up things!  Two days ago she had her very first photoshoot.  She's been to a golf tournament with her Dad, to Nordstrom with me and Mommacat, to sushi dinners and even the Apple store and Ikea.  She also had her first bath and a stroll around the neighborhood. She's a trooper. 

More blog posts to come. It's wild how different the day goes by for someone who works 9-5 and someone who stays home with a newborn.  I have a goal to make our bed every day.  That's all I promise.  Beyond that, I have two 'to do' lists.  One is 'to do' while Ben's away... the other is 'to do' while he is home and able to watch Blair.  When the baby is awake, I love to play with her and when she's asleep in my arms I can hardly stand to put her down.  I'm getting better though. 

Here are a few pics from the last few weeks.

 

Love these tiny pj's on her! Most of her clothes are a little big still but these fit nice and snug.

first sponge bath

I feel like most of the pics I take don't really look like Blair as I see her but I love this one - Ben loves to lounge with the baby at night when we're relaxing in front of the tv.

Blair does really well in a sling - these pics are from the Utah Open last weekend at Oakridge. Ben was delighted to have exposed Blair to golf at only two weeks old.  She showed her interest by sleeping through nine holes.

Introducing: Miss Blair Kelly

My blogger is being strange so I'm trying to email this post. I've been anxious to post pictures of our little kitten. We are finally home from the hospital - got home Saturday after checking in Wednesday night. I was thrilled to get some fresh air and bring baby home- but sad to leave that heavenly "call" button and all the ice chips I could ever dream  of.

I think I'll save the L&D story for another post - for now, here are a few pictures from the hospital.  Our little Blair arrived at 10:55 a.m. on Thursday the 12th.  7lbs 9oz. and 20 inches long.  She came into this world after only two pushes... she looked amazing and I looked like an addict. (this picture is days after delivery and I still look quite worn out!)

The entire experience was completely indescribable.  Even now I can hardly put into words all the emotions I feel for this new baby and for Ben. People try to tell you what it's like but I'm not sure I ever really got it.  Just looking at Blair changes everything I ever thought about life and my perception of love.  Babies are angels just minutes from heaven!  Ben and I are so happy.

One Last Party

Last weekend Ben's mom Kathy hosted a shower for me and invited all the cousins/aunts/grandmas on his side.  It's a family tradition to throw a shower for every couple's first baby. With only a week and counting until my due date, it was perfet timing to visit with his family again and open a few gifts over some delicious desserts and appetizers.  Who doesn't love the opportunity to stuff your face between lunch and dinner?

The party completely exceeded my expectations - Kathy pulled everything together in record time. It was so fun to visit with Ben's cousins and aunts and my sisters-in-law... I was spoiled by lots of cute gifts and was so happy that so many girls could make it.  Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

chocolate eclairs with mini pink baby shoes piped on top

kate and sara made these adorable mini cupcakes

McCall's famous sugar cookies - yum!

the immediate family, minus Meghan... we missed you Meghan!

Baby Mine

I had an appointment two days ago and went from a 1 to a 1.5 over a week's time.  Doctor said he wouldn't bet on me either way. I could have the baby this week, or I might not.  Very medically profound answer. I wish he would've just said, "ok, if you don't deliver by the 10th, we'll set this day or this day to induce you."  No such luck.  He said he'd rather wait and see and then maybe talk induction a week to ten days after the due date.  Which makes my current state seem interminable. 

I'm still working full-time which is actually nice considering I'm keeping busy. But in a way it also makes the delivery/ bringing baby home seem abstract. Last week one of my clients stopped in with a gift. A darling hooded towel with a cd tucked inside.  I was so glad because I didn't have any baby music (am I a bad mom not playing Mozart for baby every evening for 40 weeks?)  I popped the cd in and within 30 seconds I was all weepy.  Precious, precious music.  The cd is called Baby Mine and it is dreamy and sweet; everything that lullabies should be.  I'm sending Lindsey a copy asap. We'll see if she cries too.

Stay tuned for next Tuesday's Dr.'s update - where I'll inevitably be at a 1.75.  If that even exists.