Our Maternity Photos

We have had such a busy summer that I didn't think we would find any time to take maternity photos... but we did!  A couple weekends ago Marissa's sister Carly came to NYC from Boston to take some maternity photos for Kevin and I in Central Park.  The shoot was a gift from Marissa and I honestly do not think I could have asked for anything better.  The photos we have are ones that we will treasure forever.  Carly is so talented!  Every photo is just perfection.

Everyone in Boston please check out Carly Michelle Photography.  Carly was just incredible to work with.  She made the photo shoot so easy and relaxed and the photos completely exceeded our expectations. 

Marissa, Kevin and I want to thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for giving our growing family such a meaningful gift.  We love you!

*** All photos by Carly Michelle Photography ***

Dear Baby (30 weeks, 5 days)

Dear Little Lady,

This past weekend we went to St. Louis to visit your daddy's family and celebrate your second baby shower.  What a fun trip it was.  We got to spend lots of time with your G-Paw and Grandma.  G-Paw loved the card you made for him - you are so thoughtful.  We got to go to Ted Drewes for frozen custard TWICE!  It was so tasty.  I always get the All Shook Up with bananas and Reeses peanut butter cups... I'm sure you would like to have another one right now!  Of course we also had to stop at Carl's for cheeseburgers, they are your daddy's favorite.

We got to go to Busch Stadium for the Cardinals game on Friday night.  It was my first time at Busch Stadium... yours too.  Every time we go to a baseball game I can't help but picture your daddy taking you to your first game... hopefully your first game will be a Cardinals game.  I know he can't wait for that.  Obviously because we were there the Cardinals won!   

Your Grandma threw you the sweetest baby shower... there were even elephant cake pops!  I may or may not have eaten four of them. 

All the ladies at the shower are so excited to meet you!  You received so many wonderful and thoughtful gifts.  Your Grandma asked everyone to bring you a book for your library so we have lots of new books to read you.  Your daddy read you Harry the Dirty Dog last night.  Did you like that one?  We had so much fun at the baby shower, didn't we?  I know you loved your gifts because you kept kicking me while I was opening them.  I can't believe you still have one more baby shower, you sure are spoiled!  Where am I supposed to put all your things?

Thank you Grandma for throwing Little Lady such a sweet shower!

We are getting closer and closer to meeting you and we couldn't be more excited.  It's crazy to think that the next time we see your G-Paw and Grandma you will be here!

We love you little one, keep growing... and maybe think about turning vertical sometime in the next few weeks, no pressure.

Love,
Mom

(30 weeks, 5 days)

Dear Baby (29 weeks, 6 days)

(29 weeks, 6 days) 

Dear Little Lady,

Well well well someone has been in quite the mood the past 48 hours.  I feel like I am your personal punching bag and it kinda hurts!  Aren't you getting tired in there?  Do you need to take a nap?  I swear you have been moving around so much you haven't given yourself a chance to rest.  It has definitely made sleeping more uncomfortable for me.  Maybe you are trying to get comfortable in there.  Is that the problem?  Your daddy and I are going to try the rebozo technique tonight to see if we can shift you around a little.  Hopefully we can get you more comfortable and also find me a little relief.  Even though it has been uncomfortable I love feeling you move around all the time.  I got to feel hiccups for the first time the past weekend... so cute!

I am going to take it easy the next month or so because we have lots of traveling to do and you have lots of growing to do.  We are heading to St. Louis this weekend to see your daddy's family.  I cannot wait... especially for the large cup of Ted Drewes frozen custard that is calling my name!  We are going to take you to another baseball game too.  Your big job is to cheer up your G-Paw because he hasn't been feeling too well... maybe you can give him a good kick or two to let him know you are thinking about him!  I am so looking forward to sharing you with everyone.

Hopefully your dad and I can get you into a position that is more comfortable so we can both get some more rest.  We've gotta be well rested for our St. Louis adventure this weekend.

Your daddy and I love you so much!!!

Love,
Mom

(29 weeks, 6 days)

Dear Baby (28 weeks, 6 days)

(28 weeks, 5 days)

 Dear Little Lady,

This past weekend was the first of your three baby showers... you sure are spoiled.  This time your dad and I traveled up to my parent's house in CT for a small family and friends gathering.  It was so nice and very relaxing... exactly what I wanted it to be.  Everyone is so so so excited to meet you!

Your Papa and Grammy (my parents - they are still deciding if that is what they want you to call them) went above and beyond and gifted you an incredible stroller.  I immediately burst into tears when they rolled it out. 

(Bugaboo Cameleon 3)

It is absolutely my dream stroller and I cannot wait to push you around in it.  You are going to look so teeny tiny curled up in there.  We got so many other thoughtful gifts - the incredible homemade gifts are especially meaningful (we are so thankful for everyone's generosity!).  The little bear cub hat that your Auntie Naomi crocheted for you is gonna make you look so cute and snugly!

Being at my parent's house got me thinking about the years to come and being able to watch you run around in the yard chasing chickens and collecting veggies from the garden.  I also cannot wait to watch my parents blossom into grandparents and my brothers become uncles.  You are entering the most loving family I know.     

Thank you Papa and Grammy for throwing Little Lady such a special first baby shower!

Love,
Mom

(28 weeks, 5 days)

to the Dads in my life...

Yesterday was Father's Day and I wanted to give a little shout out to all the Dads in my life...

Kevin - you are going to be the best, most loving and FUN dad ever.  Our little girl is so lucky.  I cannot wait to meet her with you for the very first time.  I am so blessed to be on this journey to parenthood with such an incredible man.  I love you!

Dad - I can't even write a couple sentences about how much you mean to me without getting teary.  You have been my biggest cheerleader, always believing in me.  I find it really hard to put into words just how much you (and mom) mean to me.  When I think about my family I can't help but smile because I am so blessed.  I have to most loving, most supportive and coolest Dad ever!  I cannot wait to watch you become a Grandpa to my little girl.  I love you so much!

Big Tom (my FIL) - Thank you so much for raising Kevin to be the man he is today.  I know he will be the best father because of you.  Our little girl is so lucky to have you as a Grandpa.  I love you!

Happy Father's Day!

More Asheville photos!

I just wanted to post some more photos from our trip to Asheville.

Photos from our hike up Craggy Gardens...

(Merrick and Will)

(Naomi... so beautiful!)

Portraits and candids from our Saturday night BBQ...

(Tom)

  

(love these two!)

 

(Nick)

(Will)

(Kev)

(Seriously I could not love these two more!!!  I am such a lucky big sister and this baby will have the coolest uncles!!!)

(p.s. don't pay attention to how super preggo my face looks in the photo...)

 Photos from our walk at the bird sanctuary...

 (Me and Naomi)

 (Will)

(Third Nature... in nature)

We had the best visit and we miss everyone already!  Getting to spend time with family is something I really treasure and will never take for granted.  I have been blessed with the best family I could have asked for (and married into an incredible family as well).  This little baby is going to be so loved by the greatest aunts and uncles... eek I am so happy I could cry!

Dear Baby (19 weeks, 6 days): our Asheville adventure

 

(family photo at the Biltmore - 19 weeks, 3 days)

Dear Baby,

Tomorrow we will be half way to meeting you (if you arrive on time) and guess what... your Dad felt you move last night!  I have been feeling you move around so much and it was so special for him to feel it too.  You gave him a nice little jab.

This past weekend your Dad and I went down to Asheville, NC to visit your Uncle Nick, Aunt Naomi, Uncle Merrick and Will, Will and Tom... we had quite the crew!  The whole weekend was filled with great food, beautiful scenery and tons of laughter.  Getting together with these guys is always so much fun.  I know you are just going to LOVE being around them. 

We did a little hike at Craggy Gardens up into the clouds... so much wispy air!

 (this is how I felt during the hike, hehe)

(Uncle Merrick)

We did a little summer house shopping by checking out the Biltmore.

 (family photo... what a view!)

 (Uncle Nick and Aunt Naomi)

We ate at Mela (awesome Indian food with the best mango lassi ever!), White Duck Taco (crazy delicious tacos!), Limones (Mexican brunch!) and the CHOCOLATE LOUNGE (no explanation necessary).  The Chocolate Lounge = heaven... I would probably be there every day if I lived in Asheville... I sure hope you enjoyed the chocolate too.  All the yummy food made me one happy preggo mama! 

Saturday night we grilled burgers, sausages, corn and asparagus at Uncle Merrick, Will, Will and Tom's house.  It was a feast.  Nick and Naomi made the most delicious potato salad... I must steal the recipe.  I will post some photos from that night when I get them from Uncle Nick.  We spent that whole evening laughing hysterically... especially when Vanessa made her debut.

We plan on taking you back to Asheville next year for some adventures.  I know you will love it!

Love,
Mom

Dear Baby (15 weeks, 6 days)

Dear Baby,

This weekend your daddy and I traveled to Ithaca, NY for your Great Grandmother's memorial service.  It was such an incredible weekend filled with family and a whole lotta love.  Your great grandmother's whole family was there.  It was the first time in a couple years that we have had the whole gang in one place.  We will be getting together for Thanksgiving this year (a family tradition) and everyone simply cannot wait to see you and hold you.  I wonder if I will be able to get my hands on you the whole weekend.  I'm sure your daddy and I will get some much needed naptime.

Being with family is one of the best things in the whole wide world.  I want you to grow up knowing how important family is.  It is the most important thing in the world to me.  I am blessed with the the most incredible family I would have ever asked for.  Just wait till you meet your uncles.  They are hilarious and so full of energy and love.  I think you are just going to love them to death.  Having two brothers has been such a blessing for me.  Hopefully down the road your daddy and I will be able to bless you with a couple siblings.

Do you have enough room in there?  I know you are busy growing but I still don't have much of a baby bump.  I just want to make sure you aren't too squished because there is plenty of room to expand whenever you are ready.

Love,
Mom