Babymoon

Mark and I went to Cabo San Lucas for our one last hurrah before Georgia arrives. I figured it was my last chance to stock up on sleep, reading, rest and relaxing oh and alone time with Mark before those things become a way distant memory. It was a lovely vacation . . . and part of being on vacation meant that I did nothing, not even take pictures, so you will just have to take my word for it, I did a whole lot of nothing and it was perfect!

View from our balcony

I spent most of the week in that pool or under an umbrella

Proof that we were there: the taxi is waiting to take us to the airport

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .

My mom and dad came to stay with Finn and the puppy dogs. It is so nice to be able to go away and not worry about anything. Finn had just start school so I felt bad about leaving so soon after starting kindergarten . . . but not bad enough to stay home. He was in good hands. My dads good friends, David and Judy Jackson, came for a visit and Judy took some cute pictures while in town. Judy is a photographer and funny enough took my senior portraits when I was in high school. Kind of funny that she is now taking pictures of my son.

How in the world did she get Charlie to sit still?

Oh, there we go . . .

Finally, Charlie being "Charlie"

LOVE this hair

Of course, the requisite "silly face"

 Thanks for manning the fort and letting us get away!

September: Odds and ends

I'm jumping around here, but trying to get caught up. Despite my protests, my dear friends hosted a lovely brunch for me and baby Georgia. It felt a little surreal seeing all of the pink! I am so used to blue. Their generosity and kindness was overwhelming. It was made even more special because my out-of-town friends were able to be there. Thank you to Marla, Courtney and Kim for making me and baby girl feel so special and to all of those who travelled near and far to help celebrate. I hope Georgia is as lucky as I am to have such wonderful friends.

Charlie continues to be herself

Playing hide and seek 

A golf cart full of trouble

Watching the annual fire truck parade

Finn trying on his *coast guard hat. 

Family Photo Shoot:

We squeezed in one last photo session with the wonderfully talented Banner of Banner Photography

These are terrible quality because they are literally iphone pictures of her pictures . . . she would scold me! One of these days I'll post the whole album on here but until then, these will give you an idea. Looking back, it was probably silly to take family photos when I was 7 months pregnant but I really wanted to capture Finn at this stage . . .he is so happy and carefree. If I could somehow bottle his enthusiasm and zest I would. Georgia made the photo shoot . . .barely, but she's there! 

Halloween

Halloween meant that I had less than a month before baby's arrival. Needless to say, I was feeling less than my best, but Halloween is a big deal at school so I felt I had to rally. The entire kindergarten gets to wear their costumes to school and then parade through the halls while all the 1st-5th watch and cheer them on. It's really cute and the kids love showing off their costumes. After the parade, we had a party, complete with games, snacks and arts & crafts. Finn dressed up as Obi-Wan or maybe Han Solo, I can't remember, but he kept the Star Wars theme from the past 2 years going. 

I dressed up as a pregnant lady, check out my swollen cheeks

Getting ready for the parade

Lining up

Making skeletons out of q-tips

Usually, I love dressing up and going trick-or-treating, but was not feeling up to it this time. I was so sad to miss the festivities, but snapped a few pictures before Mark and Finn took off. All I really wanted to do was put my feet up and wait for Finn to get back so I could raid his candy. 

Puppy Reunion

Charlie and her brothers and sisters officially turned 1 on August 30. With 7 of the 10 puppies from the litter local, we decided to have a little birthday party/reunion with all of the puppies and the mom and dad. Again, I can't believe so many are so close. It was hilarious to see them all again. Only Charlie and Fisher really recognized each other, mainly because they spent nearly a year living next to each other and sharing a fence together. It was funny to see how even though they started out looking so similar, they grew into beautiful dogs with subtle differences. Of course, I am convinced I have the nut of the group. Charlie is definitely a wild woman. 

Playing hide and seek 

Taking in the sights from her "perch"

The puppies at about 7 weeks

Pups at about 1 year

Charlie and Fisher at about 10 weeks

Charlie and Fisher rolling around (front and center)

 Langley and Finn

Take #1 of the group picture: This one had me laughing out loud . . .

Notice Finn's legs (green shoes), he is holding on to Charlie while she drags him through the grass. The other dogs seem to be thinking "what's with her?"

Caper and her babies

So pretty

This is just funny: Charlie "hides" behind the pillows and thinks if she is really still no one will see her and make her get down