My Favorite's First Father's Day

Shortly before Father's Day last year, Ken and I received the most glorious news.  We were going to be parents!  Ever since our first date, I knew that Ken would not only be a great husband, but also a terrific father.  We were so overjoyed that our dream of starting a family was finally coming true!  And a year later, I can say that my intuition about Ken's fatherhood skills was exactly right.  He's incredible.  I simply couldn't ask for more, and I am so thankful for all he does for me and our family.

So this year, his first Father's Day was very special.  I wanted it to be a celebration of him, our fathers, and of our precious baby.  So, what did we do?  We baptized our sweet baby girl!  We had both of our families here (his brother drove in from Montana, my mom flew from Pennsylvania, his parents came from Baton Rouge), which is a very rare treat.  In fact, we haven't all been together in one space since our wedding.  

Because we were all together, I couldn't help myself.  We had to have a professional photo session.  It was perfect timing because Malley turned 4 months last week, and we had all of our family together in one place!  I can't wait to see the beautiful family pictures.  I have dreamed of the "Generations of Women" pictures for years.  Maybe since I was a teenager, but who is counting.  Wait, all teenage girls don't dream of the day when they are able to have a photo shoot with their mom and baby girl?  Whatever, it's normal.  I will certainly post the pictures as soon as I get them from our amazing photographer!

On Father's Day we gathered our families and her Godparents for her Baptism and Brunch.  It was such a wonderful day.  Malley's Godmother is my best girlfriend of many years, Hayley.  She was my Matron of Honor and is a wonderful role model for Malley.  She started her own business at the ripe old age of 22 and is just incredibly talented, smart, and loves the Lord.  She inspires me, and I know that she'll inspire Malley to do great things.  Her Godfather is an equally angelic man, who is Ken's friend and colleague.  Tony is brilliant, driven, ethical, and passionate about improving lives.  Our daughter is lucky to be surrounded by such love, intellect, faith, and kindness.

Here are some pictures from Father's Day/Malley's Baptism.  After church, we headed to brunch at Ousie's Table.  It was wonderful to have such an intimate setting and to have everyone together!  It was a great day! Unfortunately, it ended with me having a battle royale with food poisoning, but hopefully I won't remember that part in 10 years.....

My own father is a very special guy, too.  He loves his kids with all of his heart, and would do anything for us.  He taught us to work hard, be honest, set goals, play golf, ride bikes, and how to enjoy a great meal.  Watching him with our daughter is also very special.  He is so good with her!  I can tell that they'll be best buddies.  My father-in-law is also awesome.  He is smart, well- read, funny, and he ADORES his granddaughter.  We are certainly lucky to have great men in our lives!

Her name in lights.....

Her lifelong cheersquad

After being baptized....her outfit is just adorable!

Phew- we almost lost one of these adorable ballet flats!

Malley in our family christening gown.  She's the 5th generation to be christened in this gown, which is well over 100 years old!

 

The whole gang!

Wonderful fathers

What a very special picture

Our little family of 3!

Shrimp and Grits

Malley and her Aunt Christina!

The beautiful place cards my best friend made

Delicious key lime pie

Malley and her uncle

Her Godparents 

Very Jane....Very Cute

Have you heard of Very Jane?  It's like Groupon, but for beautiful handmade crafts delivered to your door.....for incredibly reasonable prices!  It supports small businesses and is a good way to get the latest trends for very little cash.  I am addicted to hair bows (for Malley) and their other adorable baby items.  And jewelry.  And a million other cute things.

www.veryjane.com

I snagged this today for only $14.99....



And I really wanted to make one of these Malley's very own (but I am trying to behave):

And these are just the sweetest ever, but my husband may commit me if another bow comes to live here, but for $7.50, who can resist:

Very cute stuff!


Pictures are from veryjane.com

Sensory Stars

Entertaining a newborn seems easy, right?  You can read them books, show them a shiny object, or sing a song.  I find myself singing to Malley most of the day.  Typically not beautiful versions of children's classics, either.  More like, "mommy is brushing her hair, brushing her hair, brushing her hair" or some made up lyrics to Row Row Row Your Boat.  It ain't Broadway, y'all.  I felt the routine getting monotoneous.  When she was 2 months old I was pretty sure she was bored to tears with my song and dance routine.  So when I saw a mommy friend's post about Sensory Stars on our community blog, I was intrigued. 45 minutes of music and sensory experiences sounded great!  Plus it was a reason to brush my teeth and get out of the house before my husband gets home noon.  I speak the new mom truth.  The first class, she was so young, but totally into it!  It has been so much fun to watch her grow and develop in class.  She loves tummy time at Sensory Stars.  At home? Not so much. She enjoys the music and maracas.  We learns new songs for me to sing to her a hundred times a day.  She plays baby soccer.  She stares at the other babies.  She's kind of darling and smiles and interacts the whole class.  Every week.  Pretty sure it has made me a better mom.  Or at least a better baby entertainer.

This was when she was about 2.5 months....and she loves tummy time at SS!

Be still, my heart.  

Maracas are her favorite part!

Focused on the sensory star!

Almost 4 months!

The Boss

Being a mommy is rewarding.  However, sometimes at the very beginning, it is difficult because you really don't get any "feedback."  What do I mean? I am a managerial type- I like to know how I am doing.  How I can improve.  I like to set annual (or monthly) goals.  I feel like these things are what made me a successful manager, and why I am currently in business school.  Naturally, I expect feedback from my boss.  Except now my boss is a 13 pound adorable infant, and the stakes are pretty high.  As her parents, all we want is for her to be happy and healthy, and it is helpful to know that we're on the right track.  I remember her first smile.  It was like suddenly I got positive feedback!  We were doing something right!  And then the other day, she laughed.  Melt my heart!  What an awesome sound.   Probably one of the coolest sounds I have ever heard.  I will never forget it!  We're just having a ball watching this little thrive and grow.

And check out this adorable face.  I must say, she gets this "smile" from her mother.