Spring Break

So we didn't really notice it was spring break last week except that Attie wasn't with us on Tuesday and Thursday. None the less, we DID do some fun things that are definitely blog worthy.

My niece, Shelby came to stay with us since she was on break, and she quickly became Rylin's new best friend. "Welby", as he called her, was a good sport in tagging along for a play date at Pump It Up Jr....

Attie & Bethany
Erin with Henry & Rylin

Adelay & Attie

LOVES Pump It Up!

A trip to the park...

Luscious lashes...wish I had them!

And sharing her iPod!

Adoption Blogger Playdate

Today, Rylin and I got the pleasure of meeting some friends that I feel like I've known for a while. Melodie has a blog that my other friend Allison introduced me to when Jordan and I were considering adoption. When I first started reading, she and her husband had just adopted their oldest son Holden, and just two months before Rylin was born, they brought home their second son Paxton. I have enjoyed following their story and been encouraged by reading about someone I have a lot in common with who has a family like my own. These two boys are soooo cute, and Melodie's blog is always inspiring and entertaining, so I don't know why it took us this long to get together! We had intended to meet at a park half way between us, but because of the cool weather and lack of playground, we ended up at a nearby Chick-fil-a. The boys had fun playing in the indoor play place and Melodie and I got to talk adoption among other things...all between "no-no's" and squeals! (Good to know someone else's boys are active too!) She was able to snap a pic of all three which I snagged since mine didn't turn out so well. They didn't sit still for long!




So glad that we found each other and I know we'll be hanging out again soon!

Crosby Cash

As I said before, I have been more than consumed this month preparing for the arrival of Rylin's new little cousin (designing the nursery, planning a baby shower, and quilting...yes, quilting). I'd like to catch you up on the last two weeks.

You may remember me blogging here about my cousin Crystal and her husband Rick who were expecting. Crystal, her sister Candyce, and I are all less than two years apart and have grown up very close to each other. I can honestly say they are two of my best friends and like sisters to me. So when Crystal found out she was pregnant, I was super excited (especially with the prospect of Rylin getting a playmate close to his age). Crystal doesn't have much desire for decorating or anything related so I was happy to take over when she asked me for some nursery help. We have had fun planning and shopping over the last several months, and as her due date was approaching (April 7th), we had decided that I would pay her a visit last weekend to help put everything together and deliver the funiture we bought in Dallas.

In the mean time, Candyce and I, along with some other family and friends began planning a shower. When I got married, my family made me a special quilt with squares decorated by different people presented to me at my bridal shower. I knew Crystal had liked it, so this ambitious girl decided I would round the troops and make her a baby quilt in the same way. Needless to say, it was a little difficult getting my family organized. The last squares were returned to me one week prior to the shower (one month past the deadline)! So I headed to my Mom's house to have my grandmother help me put it together while MiMi babysat. By Wednesday night, I had about quilted my fingers to the bone, but could see the end in sight...when we got the call. Crystal was admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure and they would induce in the morning. We were excited but scared and waited anxiously. On Thursday morning Crosby Cash was born happy and healthy, six weeks early at just 3 lbs 13 oz...but over 17" long! I finished that quilt just in time!

tiny and perfect

As you know from my own baby shower experience, my family believes..."the show must go on", and so, the shower preparations continued despite the fact our guest of honor would not be there! Saturday turned out to be a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed the quilt. I video taped the entire event for Crystal to watch, complete with well wishes from each guest and a full documentary of our parking lot cake cutting (because we got kicked out of the party room for running over time).

Cute as a Button theme

Our guest sign in...glue on a button "leaf" and write your name

diaper cake and my first attempt at a sock monkey

parking lot cake cutting

Proud Aunts and Grandmother

Those that stuck around for cake...

As planned, I headed to Crystal & Ricks the following Friday so that the nursery would be ready when little Crosby came home from the hospital. While Rick feverishly (more like ssslllooowwwlllyyy) painted the room, Candyce and I shopped, returned gifts, shopped, washed blankets and clothes, shopped, did a few "projects", shopped, and decorated the room. We had a big reveal for Crystal on Sunday afternoon and she was quite impressed. Crosby has the coolest room in the house...but that's not saying much since they are still waiting on me to get to decorating the other ones!