6 Days to 2

So earlier today was tough. If you didn't read this post, you may not know what I am talking about ... but trust me, it wasn't pretty. Neither one of us - me nor Natalie - were at our best.

However, I did have the chance to spend some really sweet time - just the two of us - at an outdoor concert this evening. I packed a delicious picnic, grabbed a blanket and the stroller, and headed to one of our favorite parks. Tonight was the first concert in the summer series, and I am definitely looking forward to many more. Chad wasn't able to join us because he's not feeling well. At first, I was really disappointed not to be going as a family. But after hanging out with Natalie ... on this gorgeous blue-sky evening with big band music playing in the background and happy kiddos running/dancing all around and lots and lots of snuggles from my beautiful, happy daughter ... I wouldn't change a thing. It was a really special time for us, and I can't help but smile thinking about it now. I just wish I had taken my camera to have a visual reminder of a simple memory.

Here are the little snapshots I have of our time at the concert:

• Natalie gobbled up hummus by dipping (and double-dipping) carrots, picked every pretzel out of her snack baggie, and refused to eat watermelon by saying, "No," with her mouth in a perfect O-shape.


• She looked up at me and said, "No skueeze. In mouf." when I handed her a juice box.


• Her enthusiastic clapping and "yaying" and dancing were appreciated by a small audience near our blanket.


• Natalie practiced gentle by rubbing my face with such sweet affection ... and then she gave me a few harder taps just to test the opposite of gentle.


• We shared a drumstick ice cream cone. After every bite, Natalie said, "More-more. Gain." She preferred the vanilla bites to the chocolate, which worked out great as far as I am concerned :)

I feel so blessed to have time with my baby girl. I just hope that tonight (and this post) will serve as a reminder to really cherish the few months we have left as just a mommy and her baby girl.

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl Thompson

I know you've read about my friend Laurie here before. She was the one I shared my pregnancy with ... my NHV and her DBT were born just 12 days but also several states apart. We talked at least once a week throughout the entire nine months of our "motherhood journeys" ... and the phone calls have continued in the many months since. Through bedrest and contractions and countless worries, we saw each other through. Heck, we even decorated our nurseries the same.

She is an amazing teacher, the most genuine person I've ever met, and an incredible mommy to ... TWO ADORABLE MUNCHKINS! Yes, my dear friend did it again :) Her baby girl, Taylor Elizabeth, was born just after midnight. The labor the quick, the drugs good, and the pushing minimal :) I was so excited to see the introduction of Big Brother Benjamin to his sweet little sister. As Laurie would say, "So fun!"

I am beyond happy for my friend and her newly expanded family! You did it, girlie ... without induction this time!



P.S. I am super jealous, too, because Laurie's husband got her a fabulous piece of "pushing jewelry," an engraved circle necklace from SimaG. It's precious!