Doctor, Doctor

As a working mom, unexpected doctor trips are hard. I take Squeak to day care and my husband picks up. We have a loose deal that if she is sick in the morning, I take her and if she is sick in the afternoon, he takes her. After our ski trip, I was worried about her lingering cold and the possibility of an ear infection. So we woke up bright and early for the first available doctors appointment. Good news: she is a-okay (phew) AND we made it to day care/work at our normal time. That's a small miracle! I am so thankful for a wonderful pediatrician who sees us just because and, most of all, for a healthy baby Squeak!!! Xoxo-BLC

Happy MLK Day!!!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day to you and yours!!! To commemorate the King, let's talk about dreams. My dreams include: honoring the Lord, growing old with the one I love, a houseful of children, and serving other's in every way possible. Also, I dream of a green, peaceful earth where humanity lives without conflict. Those are my dreams!!! So, do share: what do you dream about? And I #regrammed Lilly Pulitzer's MLK quote on Instagram and Lilly favorited it ... how dreamy is that!?!!?! Xoxo-BLC

Good Skiing

Does it get any better than this!?! And the pictures just don't do it any justice. So. Much. FUN!!! Xoxo-BLC

Skiiiing

I love Vail. I only have Park City and Telluride to compare for westward skiing, but it's great skiing. The slopes are gorgie and it's HUGE. Being MLK weekend, it is FULL. We have had a few loooong waits on the gondola. Once we got up the mountain, the crowd thins out. I am a careful skier and I love love love that it has tons of greens (I'm a chicken!). I did make it down a black and some blues. My favorite part of the mountain: far right. And my favorite part of vacation and skiing: my partner. My husband is just the best. He is my best friend. He is my better part. He is my most fun. I just love being with him. Spending time with him in God's creation isn't too bad either!!! I am beyond blessed to walk this life with him. He makes me a better person and is my center. I am so proud of him and beyond thankful to be his wife. I think of vacation as an investment in us. It's important to get away from it all and remember what is most important. Xoxo-BLC

Date Night!!!

Trying to get a picture of the three of us is sometimes tricky stuff!!! Two of us are SOOO excited about date night. The other ... not so much. Bless her heart!!! She fell asleep soon after we left. :)

We were sooo lucky to go on date night while on vacation (thanks MOM!!!). We drove from Lionshead Village to Vail Village then whisked up the gondola to 10th Restaurant. Brrrr it was chilly!!!!!!! It was so fun seeing the village all lit up. The restaurant was super - the food was ah-mazing (our waiter was super funny) and ambiance was resort chic. We sooo loved sitting by the window and watching the snowplows groom the mountain. It was something else!!! Xoxo-BLC

Ski Bunny

We nested in Lionshead Village at Vail Spa and Condos. As such, we started each day at that gondola and dinned lunch in that village.

Mamatella doesn't ski (get a crane - haha) and was BEYOND gracious enough to watch Squeak so that we could ski. Squeak was in good hands and we had fun on the slopes.

We met Mamatella and Squeak for lunch each day which was just lovely. I love the mid-day break from skiing. There is nothing like fresh powder then relaxing and then getting after it for a few more runs.

I think Lionshead Village is so quaint. It looked like how I expect a European ski village might looks. It wasn't super crowded and there was tons to do (iceskating! coffee shops, shopping, dinning, etc.). Xoxo-BLC

New Places ... New Faces

Baby Squeak was too cute. Today was her first plane ride, train ride, and bus ride. Ha! Obviously we flew to Colorado, rode the train to the luggage terminal, and rode a bus to get to the rental car company.  She wasn't impressed with the train ride (above) and she wasn't impressed on waiting for the rental car (below) but she was making super cute faces in new places!!! Xoxo-BLC

Traveling with a BABY!!!

The best advice I have found on traveling with a baby: JUST GOT FOR IT!!! It's no easy feat but I really believe the first time is the hardest - it's that leap. I read Oh Joy's blog on traveling with a toddler and WOW did that help us gear up. Squeak is really the perfect age. She can't quite sit up by herself, but has pretty good head control. She sits comfortably in our lap but doesn't reach for anything. She is easily entertained and still sleeps a fair amount. Our flight out was in the afternoon and we ALL took cat naps. It was a full flight so she sat in my lap. The flight was 2.5 hours-ish and that was perfect for her feeding schedule. I was worried about the cabin pressure and changes in altitude - that didn't seem to bother her one bit. And --- planes are noisy. So while a fussy baby is maddening to the rows in front of and you behind you, it doesn't disrupt the WHOLE plane. Everyone around us had ears in looking at their i-thingies and during our fussy spell (almost 20 minutes - ack!) it was a relief that no one else seemed to notice - I sure did - ha! I never ever check a bag, but I did this time. I packed Squeak and I in one bag and brought more than we needed (too many toys ... rookie mistake). I don't know if I could have done it without my husband - it's a LOT to manage solo. The one thing I would change: when they say families with little children can board early ... that means board early. I thought let's not get on until we absolutely have to but early is better. Bottom line ... I cannot wait to take another family trip. I would do it again and can't wait to!!! Xoxo-BLC

C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N!!!

Baby Squeak's Baptism!!! It was just the sweetest day and one of my favorites by far.

I am so blessed by baby Squeak and it was so wonderful to welcome her into the faith.

My biggest prayer for her is knowing Jesus and always walking with Him.

We arrived at the church early to get pictures but totally forgot - ha!

And then we took every picture with a phone. #fail

We were so blessed to have so much family in town and so many friends attend.

It was really beyond special.

My favorite part of her baptism: my dad baptized baby Squeak.

I was so worried our church wouldn't let him.

Our church is Presbyterian and my dad is a Methodist minister.

I fretted and prayed about it ... and our ministers were ALL for it. Such a blessing!

Baby Squeak literally screamed, fussed, and cried the entire time.

I didn't realize it until later, but she was running a low grade fever.

I'm 99% it was from teething, but nonetheless ... bless her little heart!!!

I think four months was the perfect age. 

She can hold herself up enough but is still super baby and cuddly.

After the lovely service, we dined at one of our favorite brunch spots with 25 family and friends.

It was a great time of fellowship and celebration.

Hymns: "O Love that Will Not Let Me Go"

"The Heavens Declare Thy Glory"

"Hallelujah, What a Savior"

"The Church's One Foundation"

"Be Thou My Vision"

Welcome to the faith lovebug Squeak!!!

We love you to the moon and back. You could not be more precious to us.

Our hope is to live out our faith and that you may not know one day without Jesus as your Savior.

Xoxo-BLC

THE Dress

I have a thing for clothes. Especially special occasion clothing. I think a dress can make an event. 

Baby Squeak's Baptism was quite an event. I have never been so excited.

I knew THE dress needed to be perfect. Baptism at our church are so sweet and gorgeous.

A sweet friend gifted us the day gown above. 

Squeak sported this en route to the church and to her brunch afterwards.

For her sweet baptism, she sported this precious gown by Embroidered Heirlooms.

I had the TOUGHEST time picking out just one. Jane was beyond helpful picking THE dress.

Picking between batiste and silk was my first battle. I finally decided on silk. It's winter! And it reminded me of my wedding dress. It's formal yet simplistic and chic. The lace just wasn't sitting right with me and this gown sold me with the PINK ribbon. And the ribbon is changeable. I was tempted to put a pink cross (or monogram!) on the front chest, but I resisted. I had Janet put a white ribbon in just in case we wanted to use this for a boy one day. THE dress fit Baby Squeak perrrrfectly and she could not have been any cuter!!! Xoxo-BLC

Fruits and Veggies

Did someone say BANANAS!?!?!

 At our four month check up, the doctor gave us the green light to introduce fruits and veggies. Squeak isn't a BIG eater, but she is a pretty good eater. She has consistently gained weight and been a healthy baby - we are so thankful and blessed about this. She isn't so sure about the spoon and the colorful food, but we are still trying. We started with sweet potatoes and then bananas. Sweet potatoes were sort of a bust, but bananas bring a lot of excitement! The video shows Gigi feeding her ... and the boys are watching football - ha! Squeak LOVES the TV (we aren't even in the running for parents of the year). Any tricks of the trade to get your baby to eat those yummy fruits and veggies!?! I'm all ears!!! Xoxo-BLC

A Day Well Spent

A college best friend of mine lives in Pennsylvania and we just don't see enough of each other. When she had work plans two hours away, I knew we had to take the day off and visit her. My husband said it best when I told him my plans: "That sounds like a day well spent." I couldn't agree more.

Below is a picture I snapped with I told Squeak our plans. Her expression is TOO cute!!! She is pumped. And poor Stewart. He looks as if he would say: "Wait a minute, I don't get to go!?!"

 This was my first solo-mini-road-trip with Squeak and she did great. She slept most of the way there and back. My parents were en route to visit us and we caught up with them on the interstate. A little family caravan. :) I would definitely take another girls-only-mini-vaca with Squeak and I am so glad this one was our first of many.

 Above is Stella snapping pictures of Squeak. Why didn't we get a group shot!?!

I am just terrible these days at getting pictures.

I think I earned a mom-fail. This was Miss Squeak's first visit to the mothership, i.e. a Lilly Pulitzer storefront, and she wasn't wearing a stitch of Lilly. I KNOW!!! Total mom-fail. I promise she wears her fair share of Lilly!!! :) We had so much fun spending a couple of hours with my college bess fran. We lunched, laughed, hugged, shopped, and made plans to meet up again this Spring. It was definitely a day well spent. Xoxo-BLC

A GOOD day in the life ...

A good day in the life includes:

 ... a walk through the neighborhood.

 A selfie. DUH!!! :)

And a snoozefest. Miss Squeak isn't too much into chores just yet.

Can you blame her!?! Chin chin to a good day every day.

Xoxo-BLC

Impossolutions

Imposs'o'lu-tions: (n.) New Year's Resolutions. Love 'em, hate 'em, and I still make 'em and, sticking with tradition, I am committing to them. I didn't feel "up to impossolutions" in 2013 ... my only goal was to have a baby. :) Drum roll ... here are my 2013 resolutions:

1. Increase my faith. I want to grow closer to God and share my faith more with others. I want to be purposeful about my faith. I also want to be a Godly example for Squeak.

2. Stop eating chocolate every single day.  I blame my 2012 impossolutions for this one. I want to kick my sugar obsession. I don't want to give up sugar ALL together, but I don't want to be a diabetic before I see my 30th birthday. I believe in a healthy balance. 

3. Say I love you more. It never goes out of style when said to the ones we love.

4. Slow down. Life has picked up it's pace quite a bit so I want to slow down, appreciate life, and really enjoy every bit of it. I want to spend as much time as possible with my husband, Squeak, and Stewart.

5. Laugh at more funnies. Bahahahaha!!! Belly laughs are good for the soul. And I'm addicted to Jimmy Fallon so this shouldn't be a problem.

6. Work hard at work and at home. I want to work efficiently, effectively, and give this year my all.
7. Have better posture. If I don't accomplish this soon, I will have to go as the Hunchback of Notre TCSK in circa 2020 for Halloween.

8. Live by example. I want to be a living example of a Godly women, confident inside and out, and living colorfully for baby Squeak.
9. Give more. More of my time, money, and energy to the things that really matter. I want to give up more of what doesn't matter (I'm looking at you RHOwhatever).
10. Travel to ... I want my husband and I to take a trip just because. :)
Xoxo-BLC

Dates, Playdates, and Day Care BFFs

Miss Squeak has had quite the busy social life recently.

From family visiting throughout the holidays, to dates, playdates, 

birthday parties, and day care besties, she is one busy chick.

Above: first date! She must have been a bore because he slept the whole date. :)

 Next: our THIRD playdate!!!

We hosted at our house and it was loads of fun.

I always learn so much from my mom friends ... I don't know what we would do without them!

 Stewart was sooo funny. He sensed something fun was happening and was super excited. Only, he wasn't invited to our playdate (bless his heart), so I put him up and he missed all the festivities. Stewart knew something fun happened and was highly confused the rest of the day!

Lastly, above is Squeak with her day care bestie. Everyone needs a BFF to gossip with, trade secrets, and just plain girl talk. These two peanuts met before they were born and are only a week apart. I hope they always remain friends!!! Xoxo-BLC

Merry New Year!?!

 I love love love Christmas cards. My husband laughs as I r-u-n to the mailbox starting December 1st to retrieve the mail. It's the best way to spread cheer and catch up with our company. 

Just look at these faces littering our fridge --- they make my MONTH!!! 

 I'm a little off my game this year. 

We didn't snap our "card picture" until December 12th (oopsie daisy).

Then the ultimate fail: I didn't order a proof, I just ordered 250.

This is what I ordered:

But they arrived WITHOUT the "merry" and half the verse. WHAT!?!

Minted refunded our mulla but there was no way for them to correct the error before Christmas.

Bah-hum-bug. Soooo our Merry-Christmas-Card is now spreading New-Year-Cheer:

I'm sticking with Tiny Prints next Christmas and I can assure you ...

... our Christmas picture will be snapped WELL in advance. 

Our 2014 cards might even be the first ones you receive. 

Wishing you and yours the BEST new year!!! Xoxo-BLC

♥ Happy Anniversary ♥

It's our fourth wedding anniversary!!!

On this day four years ago, we promised to love, honor, and cherish one another forever.

Our celebration plans: a babysitter for Squeak and dindin just US. What a treat!

I also might-have-sort-of-migggght put on my wedding gown just for kicks ...

I am beyond blessed to have met, fallen in love, and married the love of my life.

He is a Godly example, leader, and lover. I love him more than words.

Cheers to our love, laughter, and happily ever after!!! Xoxo-BLC

PS: Update ...

I

totally

slipped

on my dress!

And Miss Squeak

LOVED

my veil.

It's hers already. :)

Hiya 2014 ... Happy New Year!!!

I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 

—Philippians 3:12

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!!! May this be your best year yet!!! Xoxo-BLC