the great outdoors

Kyle loves being outside! Yesterday we took a blanket to the park behind our house and just enjoyed the beautiful day. It makes me so happy to simply sit outside with my baby and soak in this time together. This sweet boy was content doing this for over an hour! And Penny was stoked to be outside, too :)

first mother's day

Mother's Day photo shoot with my handsome boy.

For the past few years, Brian & I have hosted Mother's Day lunch at our house. Since my niece was born in 2008, I've always set the table with 3 special placemats with flowers and gifts: one for my mom, one for Brian's mom and one for my sister. Last year as I was setting the table, I was hoping and praying that in 2013 there would be 4 special placemats - and that one of them would be mine.

So this year, as I was setting up those 4 placemats and getting the house ready with the cutest little boy on my hip, I was smiling from ear to ear. This year, I am a mother! It was an incredible feeling and one that I'll never forget.

My first Mother's Day was perfect. My family (especially my husband) made me feel so loved and special. I think this may be my new favorite holiday :)

Saturday the fam came over for lunch and fun in the park, and Sunday we had a mellow day with just the 3 of us. I had breakfast in bed, snuck away for my first pedicure since Kyle was born, and had some time to take a bath and relax before we headed to a family friend's house for a visit. We ended the day with pizza and Mad Men - heaven!

gift from me & my sis for our mom - her 3 happy grandbabies! ;)

Mams & her grandsons.

we also celebrated Mams & B's birthdays (May 9 & 10).

Aunties & our nephs (Jacob is not loving pictures these days).

my sis brought sunflowers for the mommies! (and my cute niece).

our happy boy.

Kyle meeting B's best friend, Josh.

my loves.

11 weeks

Kyle, you are 11 weeks old!

Last night, your daddy & I were talking about you after you fell asleep. He said that every day you do something that is the cutest thing he's ever seen in his life, and I agree. Every single day you melt our hearts with your sweet smile! You're talking and laughing like crazy and have become much more easy going. You love the bath now (and lotion!) and have started to enjoy the toys hanging from your car seat. When I put you in the car you smile at them for at least 10 minutes! You also started to notice that you can touch the toys dangling from your bouncy seat. You haven't grabbed them yet, but you're starting to realize that when you move your arms that way you can touch them.

This week I was still recovering from my back injury, so we had lots of time at home. But by Thursday I was feeling well enough to lift you into the car and drive to daddy's work to visit him for his birthday! You met lots of daddy's co-workers and had lunch with mommy, daddy and cousin Nicholas. Then, we went to Grandma Suzie's for a special birthday dinner. You sat in your carseat at the dinner table with us, then Grandma Suzie held you for a long time and you were loving every second. On Friday, you were my little helper as we ran around town for some errands to prepare for Mother's Day lunch at our house.

so serious!

Brian's b-day dinner

Daddy's rock star!

I'm so looking forward to my first Mother's Day weekend! We're having your grandmas and auntie over today for lunch, and I'm not sure yet what's in store for tomorrow, but I can't wait to spend it with my two loves. 

it's Brian's birthday!

Happy birthday to the best husband and daddy in the world! Kyle and I took him out to lunch today, and we're headed to Grandma Suzie's tonight for dinner and pie. We also can't wait to celebrate with our friends and fam next weekend!

Brian's first birthday as a daddy!

all you need is love...

...and a dog.

my Penny

Our sweet girl is a trooper. She's graciously stepped aside as the center of our household the day we brought Kyle home, with minimal complaints. She gave up her favorite spot on my lap. She has accepted that she now goes for 2-3 walks a day instead of 4-5. She gets pet less, and scolded more (for barking when the baby is asleep).

She knows her life is different now; she can sense it. She knows that Kyle is here to stay and that he's someone we love. Before he was born, Penny would follow me around the house all day long. This morning, I got out of bed and went to the kitchen for a few minutes. When I came back to the bedroom, Penny was still in bed and had moved closer to Kyle's bed, where he was fast asleep. She keeps an eye on her brother, always hanging out wherever he is.

We're lucky Penny is such a good girl. Lots of dogs act out when a baby comes home, but Penny is still our little sweetheart and is great with the baby. I hope she knows she's still our sweet girl. I wish there was a way to tell a dog that they are still loved just as much, even though their life is different and it might seem like they aren't as important anymore. It's kind of like when you accidentally step on their paw - you can say "sorry," but they don't understand. They just know that you hurt them and wonder if they did something wrong.

I think Penny is getting used to the new addition to our family and her new life, I just hope she likes it and is bracing herself for lots of adventures ahead with a growing boy!