New addiction

WARNING: This post is extremely fickle and indulgent.

Most all of you know that when you're pregnant, shopping for clothes is no fun. Well..it's fun when you have the cute 20 to 30 week baby bump. But, when the bump turns into a full on bulge, the fun screeches to a halt. An incredibly frustrating trip to A Pea in the Pod last Saturday confirmed my theory. This experience made me realize what I have subconsciously become addicted to...skincare! Since BeautiControl changed my regular skincare formula, I have been on a mad quest for a new regimen. After much research and a long visit in Sephora, I found Bliss! The stuff is amazing; particularly the Triple Oxygen Facial Mask. In just 6 short weeks, when I'm allowed back into the shopping world (with an equally frustrating postpartum bod no doubt), I will not forsake the solace I've found in this new fun and satisfying addiction. The moral of the story? There's no keeping a true shopaholic down!

P.S.
Anyone seen the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic? Just wondering if it was worth the theatre admission or more of a rental.

Snow what fun!

Coco's first experience with a snowflake. She definitely prefers it as it's falling; the 12 in. accumulation was a bit much for her. After all, that is 1/3 of her height. It must have felt like quicksand to her. All she could say was "I stuck!"

Aren't they adorable? Maybe I should call Kodak and let them know we've captured another one of their "moments."

You can't see us very well because Daddy didn't get geared up as quickly as us girls (Who says men have to wait on women?) and took the picture through the window. Yes, I did play in the snow nearly 8 months pregnant. Are there trophies for that?

Brunch with friends

Who knew that when I walked into Looney Ricks Kiss Architects as a very green, 21-year-old college graduate, I would be interviewed by 2 ladies who would eventually become good friends? Our friendship has lasted through cubicles, impossible deadlines, weddings, babies and even changes of jobs. Life keeps us busy but we manage to get together at least twice a year; and somehow, conversation is as effortless as if we spoke every day. Here's to you Kathryn & Beth, my former "marketing mavens," whom I am honored to call friend.

Coco's 2 Year Pics

We got Coco's 2 year pics made with Phil the other day. Wow! What an experience it can be capturing a lively 2 year old. :) Phil is worth every penny...Coco loves him and he manages to capture her. Our Coco isn't a poser for the camera; she makes you work for it. I knew what I was in for when we walked in the studio to proof them and Phil greets us with, "I really got some 'personality' shots!" Honestly, I would want nothing less. In 50 years, the perfectly posed, perfectly coifed, perfectly smiling portrait wouldn't conjure up all the sweet & spunky memories we already hold so dear of our little girl.

If you have few minutes and want to see these "personality shots," go to:

http://www.philramseygallery.com/ and then go to Proofing. The password is: Parr.

It's beginning to look a lot like

...a baby is coming!

You may wonder why start this post with a picture of Jack? Well, just keep reading. It seemed only fitting to let the world see our first "baby" and the teacher of many of our parenting lessons on patience and the art of laughing at, I mean with, your children.

:)

We can hardly believe it but in just 9 short weeks, baby Sebastian will be here. With one minor kink, we have finally gotten the walls painted! Donald attempted something that even a well-practiced mother may be intimidated by: he painted the room while in charge of a 2-year old and a golden retriever. Now, let me just say over our 5+ years of marriage, he has become an excellent painter. But even Picasso may have had trouble balancing our two "little ones" and a paintbrush. Anyone who knows our dog Jack knows that he is a 90 lb. baby. If he could crawl in your lap, he would. He is always one step behind and apparently this is even true when you're on a ladder. Donald took a step down and there was Jack and the paint tray! Blue paint on the carpet and the newly painted crib. Thanks to Jack, Sebastian's carpet already has its first stain so it's all ready for spit up!

As good as it gets

Oh, to have the life of a 2-year old! Loafing around in your p.j.'s watching LazyTown with your cousin...does it really get any better than this?

Fly to Jesus!

This post is dedicated to Josie Gray, A.K.A. Foofy. After a life-long battle with Cystic Fibrosis, she is now happy & healthy with Jesus. I feel as if I've known Josie, indirectly at least, most of her life: my mother taught Josie in nursery school, my brother-in-law has worked with her Dad and most recently, our babysitter is her Aunt Haley. If you ever met her, you would have immediately been smitten. Her unbreakable spirit was contagious and the wisdom in her young eyes told you she wasn't your average, silly 14-year-old. She came over with Haley several times during Christmas and even our reluctant Coco quickly became a fan. Coco dubbed Josie with the nickname "Foofy" in a 2-year old attempt to mimic Haley saying she was goofy. The name stuck and Josie liked it. Just after learning that Josie wasn't doing very well, we sang the song "Untitled Hymn" by Chris Rice in church. The lyrics are particularly well-suited to Josie's journey here on earth. Josie came to Jesus, sang for Jesus, fell on Jesus, cried to Jesus, danced for Jesus, kissed this world goodbye and flew to Jesus!

Josie touched our family forever and we are blessed to have known her.

We love you Foofy!

Haley & Josie: Summer 2008

P.S. This picture was on Josie's blog and I showed it to Coco several weeks ago. Now, every time she sees me at the computer, she asks to see Haley & Foofy. She wanted to look at it so often, I finally printed a copy out for her to hang in her room.